While female sex workers (FSWs) are often the focus of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) research in Kenya, little else is known about their lives, including their intimate relationships. This thesis explores the relationships between FSWs and their intimate partners in Kibera, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of the Kenya Free of AIDS (KeFA) project, previous field research found that FSWs with an intimate partner saw over 50% fewer clients per week and were statistically more likely to use a condom with clients. These findings suggested that FSWs' intimate relationships might act as a form of harm and/or use reduction. Sex work harm reduction aims to diminish the occupational harms associated with sex work, such as discrimination, violence and disease, through strategies such as empowerment and education. Use reduction aims to reduce FSWs' frequency of exposure to these occupational risks through a reduction in clients. Specifically, it is proposed that FSW intimate relationships promote harm and/or use reduction in three ways: 1) by reducing the number of clients on a weekly basis, 2) by reducing harm from the virus through adherence to antiretroviral drugs (ARV), and 3) by offering a supportive environment financially, emotionally, and in terms of health and/or childcare. To test these theories this thesis analyzed interviews with 27 HIV positive FSWs from Kibera. Results showed that HIV was normalized in intimate relationships, whereas sex work was stigmatized. As a result, FSWs in this study were more likely to tell their partners that they were HIV positive than disclose their involvement in sex work. Therefore, rather than genuine use reduction, client reduction was unintentional and, in reality associated with sex work stigmatization that prevents women from disclosing their occupation. Some intimate partnerships were found to be a source of emotional and health-related support for Kibera FSWs. Intimate partners provided support for participants' HIV status and adherence to ARV. They also provided emotional support in the form of advice and comfort. Overall, this study suggested it would be difficult to include intimate partners in interventions with HIV positive Kibera FSWs because of the considerable, continued stigma surrounding sex work but that intimate partners can have a positive and/or protective role to play in HIV positive Kibera FSWs’ lives. / Graduate / 0573 / 0327 / 0626 / kimberly.m.sharpe@gmail.com

Hhex transcription factor is expressed in multiple endoderm-derived tissues, like the liver, where it is essential for proper development. The pleiotropic effect of Hhex in the embryo and its dual role as a transcriptional repressor/activator suggest the presence of different interaction partners capable of modulating its activity and function. In the current study we identified two new Hhex protein interactors: SOX13 and c-Myc. We show that Hhex interacts directly with SOX13. By doing so, Hhex sequesters SOX13 from the SOX13•TCF1 complex, overturning SOX13-dependent repression of the Wnt pathway. On the other hand, Hhex induces proliferation of non-tumorigenic human fibroblast through a Myc-dependent mechanism. Hhex and c-Myc interact directly upregulating Cyclin D1, a c-Myc target gene involved in cell cycle progression and proliferation. Elevation of Cyclin D1 might be the final effector of Hhex capacity to regulate cell proliferation.

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-201).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duquesne University, 2004. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Mar. 31, 2005). Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-239) and abstract.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 25, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-142).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-201).

Historically trans people have been advised that the gender role transitional process will undoubtedly result in the breakdown of their relationships. Research into trans people's sexuality is growing, yet research into the sexuality of cisgender partners, in the context of their partners' transition, is sparse. This project presents an in-depth narrative analysis of six cisgender women who have been partnered with trans identified individuals. The findings are presented through individual overall impressions of the participants and the collective narratives told. The main story plot that emerged was 'the quest to stay together' which is told through sub plots of identity, the body and invisibility. Further sub plots are offered in regards to the support participants accessed to assist in 'the quest to stay together'. The analysis includes the ways in which narrators drew on, and/or challenged, social discourses of gender and sexuality and also performative aspects of identity. Clinical implications, limitations of the study and future research are also discussed.

Objetivos: Avaliar a concordância da percepção da qualidade de vida (QV) entre mulheres com câncer de mama e seus parceiros, e investigar os fatores demográficos e clínicos que interferem na QV destas mulheres. Método: Realizou-se um estudo transversal em mulheres com câncer de mama nos estágios I, II, III, na faixa etária de 18 a 65 anos, com parceiro há pelo menos um ano, coabitando e em condições de compreender os instrumentos, que são autopreenchíveis. As participantes foram selecionadas no Ambulatório do Serviço de Mastologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Foram incluídas 73 mulheres e seus respectivos parceiros. O tamanho da amostra foi calculado para comparação entre dois grupos, com nível de significância de 0,05 e poder de 80%. A QV das mulheres foi avaliada através do questionário do World Health Organization Quality of Life, versão Bref (WHOQOL-Bref); a percepção dos parceiros sobre a QV delas, foi medida através do WHOQOL-bref adaptado à terceira pessoa, os sintomas depressivos das pacientes foram avaliados através do Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) e as características demográficas e clínicas, através da ficha demográfica. Análise estatística: Foi utilizado o Programa SPSS, versão 12.0. o teste T de Student para as variáveis independentes, a correlação de Pearson e o modelo de regressão linear múltipla hierárquica. Resultados: A média de idade das mulheres com câncer de mama foi de 47,8 (7,8) anos e o tempo de doença de 3,08(3,2) anos. As variáveis do estudo foram agrupadas em blocos temporalmente relacionadas e realizada regressão linear múltipla hierárquica: bloco 1 (idade e grau de instrução), bloco 2 (estadiamento, tempo de doença, mastectomia e quimioterapia) e bloco 3 (BDI). O ponto de corte do BDI é 10, sendo consideradas deprimidas as mulheres com escore acima. Não houve diferença entre as percepções dos pares em todos os domínios. Entretanto, quando as mulheres estavam deprimidas, os parceiros pontuaram mais alto do que elas os domínios psicológicos e de relações sociais. Conclusões: Os parceiros das mulheres com câncer de mama percebem de forma acurada a QV delas, porém, quando elas estão deprimidas, a percepção difere nos domínios psicológico e de relações sociais. O parceiro pode ser útil como um substituto confiável quando a paciente não puder responder por si. A pior QV esteve associada à presença de mastectomia nos domínios físico e psicológico, e os sintomas depressivos em todos os domínios do WHOQOLBref. A avaliação da QV tem utilidade potencial na prática clínica e parece fundamental que os profissionais da saúde estejam alertas aos sintomas de depressão de suas pacientes, inclusive muitos anos após o diagnóstico de câncer. / Objectives: To assess the concurrence in perception of quality of life (QOL) between women with breast cancer and their mates and to invetigate the demografhic and clinical factors interfering in the QOL of these women. Method: A cross-sectional study in women with breast cancer of stages I, II and III, age bracket 18 to 65, with the same mate for at least a year, living together and capable of understanding the self-reporting instruments. Participants were selected at the outpatient breast cancer unit of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and comprised 73 women and their respective mates. Sample size was calculated for comparison between two groups, with 0.5 level of significance and 80% power. QOL of these women was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, version Bref (WHOQOL-Bref); mate’s perception of their QOL was measured by WHOQOL-Bref adapted to a third person; the depressive symptoms of the patients having been assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the demographic and clinical characteristics by the demographic record. Statistical analysis: Instruments used were the 12.0, SPSS program, Student’s T test for the independent variables, the Pearson correlation and multiple hierarchic linear regression model. Results: The mean age of women with breast cancer was 47.8 (7.8) years and time of disease 3.08 (3.2) years. Study variables were grouped in time related blocks and muliple hierarchic linear regression carried out: block 1 (age and level of education), block 2 (staging, time of disease, mastectomy and chemotherapy) and block 3 (BDI). BDI’s cutting point is 10, women with a higher score being considered depressed.There was no difference in the partner’s perception in all domains. However, when the women were depressed the mates got higher points in the psychological and social relationship domains. The partner can be usefull as a reliable surrogate whenever the patient is unable to give her own answers. The worst QOL was associated to the presence of mastectomy in the physical and psychological domains, and the depressive symptoms in all domains of the WHOQOL-Bref. The assessment of QOL has a potential use in clinical practice and it seems fundamental that all health professionals be allert to depression symptoms of their patients, even many years after cancer diagnosis.

Every relationship undergoes, during the partners{\crq} common life, a whole series of changes from living together through their children{\crq}s birth to the old age shared with each other. One of the major breaking points in the course of each relationship comes when their children gain independence and leave home. Partners, who were used to having a ``full house{\crqq}, are left alone. Their communication cannot focus on their children{\crq}s experience and problems regarding meaningful spending of their free time appear. In the situation, when only two people remain in the household, differences in their characters and opinions can emerge in full contrast. This new experience can disturb the established routines and order built for years and endanger the future continuation of the relationship. The goal of this work was to assess the changes which both partners undergo following their children{\crq}s departure. More specifically, it focused on the areas and aspects of communication, family rituals and ways of spending free time. The research was conducted through the use of a questionnaire circulated among the parents of students of the Faculty of Health and Social Studies of the South Bohemian University. Parents of students of all classes were addressed so that a comparative study focusing on their satisfaction with the partner cohabitation with regard to the time spent without children could be done. The research was performed in December 2008. The results of the research reveal what factors and in which way can endanger the relationship after the children leave home. In practice, this thesis can be used as a preventive overview of problems in partner life triggered by this dramatic change. In my opinion, the goal of this work, which was to asses the changes in a relationship after their children leave home, has been fulfilled and I managed to investigate and present the given topic in the way I chose at the outset. However, this issue still offers numerous directions and possibilities for further research. Very interesting insights could be brought by a longitudinal study which would analyze and present views of a sample set of respondents in a qualitative manner. A research of this type could further broaden our knowledge in this area.

Composite Higgs Models (CHMs) are formulated in terms of strongly coupled theories. They often predict fermionic top partners with a mass around the TeV scale. Going beyond minimality enriches the spectrum of the theory with additional hypothetical scalars that significantly change the phenomenology. In this thesis, we explore an SO(6)/SO(5) CHM with an additional pseudo-scalar custodial singlet. The latter has anomalous couplings to the Standard Model vector bosons. We study the phenomenology of the singlet, including bounds from the available ATLAS and CMS searches in the relevant channels with di-boson and fermionic final states. We used HiggsBounds tool to test the model theoretical predictions against the current exclusion limits. The study is performed at the 8 and 13 TeV experiments at the LHC. We present a model parameter space from which the bounds on the (most sensitive) signal cross sections of the hypothetical singlet can be easily extracted.