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Abye, Tigest. "Life story narratives of Ethiopian women activists : the journey to feminist activism." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/15864.
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Through the life story narratives of Ethiopian women activists, this research explores the journey of Ethiopian women activists during three political and historical periods (1955–1974; 1974–1991; 1991–2015). Thus, the study proposes a new perspective on the forms of Ethiopian women’s activism and subsequently the different types of feminism emerging from their narratives. Through examination of how the activists reflect on, reconstruct and give meaning to their life stories, this research unravels that their activism is informed by feminist principles. It also exposes that it is shaped by a long history of resistance to patriarchy, which enabled women in traditional Ethiopia to negotiate a certain level of “autonomy and liberty”. Contrary to the general expectation, the research demonstrates that the process of modernization (read: westernization) came with its own structure based on western patriarchy, and reinforced local patriarchy. In this new, formalized patriarchy, the rights that women had negotiated through their resistance in earlier times were diminished. This study on women activists, categorized for the purpose of this research as pioneers, revolutionaries and negotiators, suggests that Ethiopian women activists have since adopted different forms of engagement that tend to improve the social, cultural, economic and political conditions of Ethiopian women. Consequently, I argue that, while Ethiopian women’s activism and feminism is firmly embedded in the history of resistance of previous generations of Ethiopian women, the form of activism varies according to the political and historical context in which the activists negotiate and adapt the way they act.
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Abdul, Rahman Hala. "Multi-Sensor Based Activity Recognition˸ Development and Validation in Real-Life context." Thesis, Rennes, École normale supérieure, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017ENSR0011/document.
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Kyparissis, Dimitrios. "Becoming and activist life stories of Greek activists participating in the European Social Forum." Thesis, University of Essex, 2011. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.549296.
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Ma, Chang Yi. "Functional region based daily-life activity recommendation." Thesis, University of Macau, 2018. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b3950696.
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Price, Linda 1966. "Making sense of political activism : life narratives of political activists from the South African liberation movement." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9750.
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Bibliography: leaves 229-258.<br>This is a study of the personal and social construction of meaning that political activists who have been involved in the South African liberation movement attribute to their lives. It examines the lives of a group of activists who were situated at the heart of the anti- apartheid movement for more than four decades. Their resistance to the wide-ranging laws and non-legal devices that the state employed to maintain white, Afrikaner Nationalist rule became the benchmark against which they lived their lives. 1960 saw an intensity of state oppression and brutality from which some activists escaped with their lives, while others were killed or jailed for life. The struggle to create a society where humanity and justice would triumph over cruelty and racial division was setback a generation. It took nearly three decades of defiance and unrest before Nelson Mandela was released from prison and South Africans sat down to negotiate the Interim Constitution that would guide the country towards its first democratic elections. ANC members in exile received indemnity so that they could return to the country and participate in the negotiations and four years later a new South Africa based on majority rule was won. Since these 1994 elections, South Africa has continued to undergo fundamental change from the old apartheid order to a new democratic dispensation. Oral stories are essential to this process as they contain memories of recent history that contribute significantly to contemporary political and social life, which in tum shape the future. The stories of the activists who comprise this study illustrate how their commitment to their cause and to themselves has shaped their lives, as well as those around them, and how meaningful engagement with the challenges of daily life can strengthen us as individuals.
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Spurkland, Kristin. "Framing Physical Activity| Weight Control Frames and Physical Activity Motivation." Thesis, Portland State University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10824567.
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<p> Public health institutions and popular media frequently frame weight loss and weight control as primary benefits of physical activity. This exploratory, descriptive study examined how respondents rated statements exemplifying three physical activity frames: a weight control frame, a medical frame, and an active embodiment frame. An anonymous, online survey was conducted in March 2018; respondents rated frame statements in terms of inspiring motivation to engage in physical activity, and in terms of perceived credibility. They also provided anthropometric data and physical activity data. Data were analyzed for the entire sample as well as stratified by multiple variables, including body mass index, waist circumference, age, and physical activity levels. </p><p> Overall, the weight control frame was rated the lowest in terms of motivation, and rated moderately in terms of credibility. The active embodiment frame was highly rated in terms of motivation, but did not rate highly in terms of credibility. The medical frame was rated most credible overall, while achieving moderate motivation ratings. A “credibility/motivation gap” was identified when frames were rated highly on one scale (credibility or motivation), but not the other. These findings have implications for how physical activity is framed in public health messaging, and suggest that, as no single frame dominated both the motivation and credibility ratings, a multi-frame approach may have greater success in motivating people to engage physical activity than does the current, weight-control dominant approach. </p><p>
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Azofeifa, Gabriela. "Study of the health promoting properties of the tropical highland blackberry (Rubus adenotrichos) and the impact of digestion and pasteurization processes." Phd thesis, Université Montpellier II - Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, 2013. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01002531.
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This study evaluated biological activities of blackberries (Rubus adenotrichos) and the effects of digestion or pasteurization processes on these activities. The blackberries phenolic extract showed an ORAC value of 4339 ± 144 μM TE/g, higher than those of quercetin and ellagic acid. It also protected liposomes and liver homogenates against lipid peroxidation; with IC50 of 7.0 ± 0.5 and 20.3 ± 4.2 μg/mL, respectively. The blackberry polyphenols inhibited nitrite production in J774A.1 cells stimulated with LPS+IFNγ due to down-regulation of iNOS protein expression, suggesting an anti-inflammatory potential. The biological activities of the fruits could be affected by the industrial processes. The pasteurization of a blackberry juice caused a 7% decrease in the anthocyanins concentration of the highest temperature tested, 92 °C. For the same sample, a significant reduction of 27% and 15% were showed in the DPPH and NO scavenging capacity, respectively. However, non-significant differences were evident neither for the peroxidation inhibitory capacity nor for the intracellular antioxidant activity after the pasteurization step. The antioxidant capacity is largely dependent of their bioavailability and because of this a blackberry juice was digested in vitro to obtain samples that represent the major stages of the digestion process. The gastric digestion had slight impact on polyphenolic composition while the pancreatin/bile digestion had marked effects on polyphenolic composition, particularly in the ratio anthocyanins-ellagitannins. These changes in phenolic composition caused in the dialyzed fraction a reduction of 33% and 35% in the activity against nitrogen derived radicals DPPH and NO respectively. As well the capacity to inhibit intracellular ROS was decrease by an 85% in the dialyzed fraction. Nevertheless, no significant differences were evident in the capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Finally, this study used an in vivo model with diabetic rats to evaluate the effect of the consumption of a blackberry beverage. The blackberry intake provoked a decrease in plasmatic glucose (-48.6%), triglycerides (-43.5%) and cholesterol (-28.6%) levels in the diabetic rats with respect to the diabetic controls animals. The diabetic rats which consumed blackberry, improved (+7%) the plasma antioxidant capacity (PAC) values and reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation in plasma (-19%) and in kidney tissue (-23%). This study suggests that selecting blackberry as a dietary complement could have health beneficial effects even when considering the bioavailability aspects of the phenolic compounds and the pasteurization effects.
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Riddle, Dawn June. "Social Activity among Sociology Alumni." W&M ScholarWorks, 1992. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539625782.
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Ridgway, Charlotte. "Early life influences on fitness & physical activity." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.609321.
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Nelson, Dorothy Jane Gould. "The Relationship Between Postretirement Activity and Life Satisfaction." DigitalCommons@USU, 1995. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2397.
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The purpose of this study was t o examine the relationship between the types o f activities people engage in after they retire, how often they participate , how or with whom they participate , and how these independent variables influence the dependent variable of life satisfaction. The majority of the research done to date on postretirement activity focuses primarily on recreational activities. This study examined the effects of including some type of substantive or service activity in addition to hobbies and recreational act i vity. Participants were surveyed concerning their health, mobility, and financial conditions so that these variables could be controlled for in determining life satisfaction. They were questioned about their activities, and given the Life Satisfaction Index to measure life satisfaction. The results indicate that those who have no activities t hat they participate in on a regular basis--no hobbies, no forms of recreation , and no service-related activities-have a relatively high level of life satisfaction. Also those who have a high level of hobby and recreational activity combined with regular service activities have a higher level of satisfaction. Those who only occasionally engage in hobby and recreational activity and have no service-related activity have a moderate level of satisfaction. The results of this study confirm the hypothesis that life satisfaction is positively influenced by both hobbies and service activities. Age and gender of respondents are not important variables, but the issues of mobility, health, and economic status do impact life satisfaction. The importance of hobby and recreational activity has been frequently studied under the guise of activity theory, and found to be of significance in feelings of well-being and in life satisfaction. The role of service activity has not been thoroughly explored, but is believed to fill the need for exchange as postulated in exchange theory.
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Haas, Barbara Kay. "Fatigue, self-efficacy for physical activity, physical activity, and quality of life in women with breast cancer." Full text (off-campus access restricted to users with UT Austin EID) Full text (PDF) from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3037017.
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Gray, Rachel Arrasmith. "Cytotoxicity and drug potentiating activity of phenylheptatriyne." FIU Digital Commons, 2004. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2433.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity of the phototoxin, phenylheptatriyne (PHT) to acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (ALL) under attenuated light conditions and when exposed to ultraviolet-A light (UVA). The potential of PHT to increase sensitivity of ALL cells to the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride also was evaluated. An in vitro multi-drug resistance model was used consisting of the parental cell line CCRF-CEM and its p-glycoprotein (pgp-170) expressing variant CEM/VLB100. Cytotoxicity was measured using the tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and the annexin-V-FITC / propidium iodide (PI), flow cytometric assay. The results indicate that PHT is more toxic, when not photoexcited, to the CEM/VLB100 cell line (P = 0.006). There was a significant interaction between UVA dose and PHT concentration (P < 0.001). Co-incubation of CEM/VLB100 cells with less than μM doxorubicin and 60 μM PHT, significantly decreased viability relative to doxorubicin alone (P = 0.007).
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Öberg-Tuleus, Marianne, and Lázaro Moreno Herrera. "Working life education as an activity system : on experiences and challenges from a cultural historical activity perspective." 名古屋大学大学院教育発達科学研究科 技術・職業教育学研究室, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/14358.
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Emblemsvåg, Jan. "Activity-based costing in designing for the life-cycle." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/20993.
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Emblemsvåg, Jan. "Activity-based life-cycle assessments in design and management." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/32855.
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Williams, Stanley J. "Inhibition of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activity Decreases ABCG2 Expression and Activity." DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center, 2018. http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cauetds/122.
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The androgen receptor’s (AR) resurgence following treatment leads to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Studies show that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates AR signaling, is constitutively active, and enhances AR signaling in CRPC. AhR has ligands with carcinogenic properties and interacts with phytochemicals with anti-tumorigenic properties. Curcumin inhibits AhR activity and multidrug transporter ABCG2 activity, which mediates substrates out of the cell. Elevated ABCG2 expression causes resistance to anticancer drugs. AhR transcriptionally activates ABCG2 and our hypothesis is that inhibition of AhR activity by curcumin will decrease ABCG2 expression and activity in CRPC cells. C4-2 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of curcumin (0, 10, 25, 50µM) and CH223191 (50µM). Results show that curcumin decreases AhR, CYP1B1 and ABCG2 gene expression. Higher concentrations of curcumin diminish AhR and ABCG2 protein expression, ABCG2 activity, and cell proliferation. These results will help reveal a role for AhR in drug resistance.
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Bruce, Craig L. "Classification and interpretation in quantitative structure-activity relationships." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2010. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/11666/.
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A good QSAR model comprises several components. Predictive accuracy is paramount, but it is not the only important aspect. In addition, one should apply robust and appropriate statistical tests to the models to assess their significance or the significance of any apparent improvements. The real impact of a QSAR, however, perhaps lies in its chemical insight and interpretation, an aspect which is often overlooked. This thesis covers three main topics: a comparison of contemporary classifiers, interpretability of random forests and usage of interpretable descriptors. The selection of data mining technique and descriptors entirely determine the available interpretation. Using interpretable approaches we have demonstrated their success on a variety of data sets. By using robust multiple comparison statistics with eight data sets we demonstrate that a random forest has comparable predictive accuracies to the de facto standard, support vector machine. A random forest is inherently more interpretable than support vector machine, due to the underlying tree construction. We can extract some chemical insight from the random forest. However, with additional tools further insight would be available. A decision tree is easier to interpret than a random forest. Therefore, to obtain useful interpretation from a random forest we have employed a selection of tools. This includes alternative representations of the trees using SMILES and SMARTS. Using existing methods we can compare and cluster the trees in this representation. Descriptor analysis and importance can be measured at the tree and forest level. Pathways in the trees can be compared and frequently occurring subgraphs identified. These tools have been built around the Weka machine learning workbench and are designed to allow further additions of new functionality. The interpretability of a model is dependent on the model and the descriptors. They must describe something meaningful. To this end we have used the TMACC descriptors in the Solubility Challenge and literature data sets. We report how our retrospective analysis confirms existing knowledge and how we identify novel C-domain inhibition of ACE. In order to test our hypotheses we extended and developed existing software forming two applications. The Nottingham Cheminformatics Workbench (NCW) will generate TMACC descriptors and allows the user to build and analyse models, including visualising the chemical interpretation. Forest Based Interpretation (FBI) provides various tools for interpretating a random forest model. Both applications are written in Java with full documentation and simple installations wizards are available for Windows, Linux and Mac.
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Carothers, Cathleen de Souza Lourenco. "Minimum levels of physical activity and perceived quality of life." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2008. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc6127/.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the association between engaging in minimum levels of physical activity as defined by ACSM and perceived quality of life. A total of 43 college students were included in a repeated measures, quasi-experimental design research study that produced an overall retention rate of 65%, which resulted in 15 students being placed in the treatment group, and 28 students being placed in the control group. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare the quality of life mean scores over three administrations of the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), which resulted in no significant main effects for either the time measure or the group measure, but did produce a significant interaction effect. Post hoc analyses showed there was a significant difference between the treatment and control groups' quality of life mean scores only during the second administration of the instrument. Further analysis showed that the control group had significantly higher quality of life domain scores for six of the 16 quality of life domains. There were no significant differences between groups across any of the physiological measures. These findings did not support previous research that increasing individuals' level of physical activity will enhance their perceived quality of life. Instead, this study only provokes more questions about the connection between physical activity and perceived quality of life.
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Carothers, Cathleen de Souza Lourenco Collins John R. "Minimum levels of physical activity and perceived quality of life." [Denton, Tex.] : University of North Texas, 2008. http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-6127.
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Feeser, Kristiana Marie. "Running for Your Life: Motivational Factors for Increased Physical Activity." OpenSIUC, 2016. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/2076.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between message framing and behavioral expectancy in maintenance stage runners. Further, correlational analyses were computed to examine the relationship between level of motivation and Locus of Control (LOC). Motivation and LOC were measured before the participant was presented with positively, negatively, or neutrally framed messages (based on random assignment). Participants then answered a level of behavioral expectancy (i.e., how likely or unlikely they are to engage in this behavior) and an explanation of cognitive evaluation in the form of a qualitative question (why the provided message was persuasive or not). This stage was operationalized as running for at least one year, competing in at least one race per year, and running at least one mile per week. The sample consisted of mTurk (Amazon’s Mechanical Turk) users. Results indicated that the neutral message framing condition was significantly different in terms of behavioral expectancy from that of both the positive and negative message framing conditions. The positive and negative message framing conditions, however, did not result in significant differences in behavioral expectancy. Finally, while Locus of Control and levels of motivation are positively correlated in the literature, there was no significant correlation between these variables in this study. Conclusions from this research can be used to inform future health campaigns directed towards those already engaging in physical activity. Furthermore, results can be used to inform future research on message framing in non-active populations.
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Awais, Muhammad <1989>. "Physical Activity Classification Meeting Daily Life Conditions for Older Subjects." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2018. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/8270/1/Muhammad_Awais_PhD_Thesis.pdf.
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Physical inactivity can lead to several age-related issues such as falls, movement disorders and loss of independence in older adults. Therefore, promoting physical activity in daily life and tracking daily life activities are essential components for healthy aging and wellbeing. Recent advances in the MEMS devices make it happen to wirelessly integrate miniature motion capturing devices and use them in personal health care and physical activity monitoring systems in daily life conditions. Consequently, various systems have been developed to classify the activities of daily living. However, the scope and implementation of such systems are limited to laboratory-based investigations and they are mainly developed utilizing the sample population of younger adults. Therefore, this dissertation aims to develop innovative solutions for physical activity classification, with a specific focus on the elderly population in free-living conditions.
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Patterson, Donald Jay. "Assisted cognition : compensatory activity assistance technology /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6853.
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Harrison, Sheree. "Physical activity among breast cancer survivors." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2008. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16617/1/Sheree_Harrison_Thesis.pdf.
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In Australia, women with breast cancer comprise one of the largest groups of cancer survivors. As a consequence of this, and improved survival rates, the interest in programs to enhance the recovery of cancer survivors is growing. Exercise during and after treatment has been identified as a potential strategy to assist women throughout their treatment and positively influence the recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors. Through the use of an existing data source, this study investigated physical activity rates, explored the factors associated with low levels of physical activity participation, and assessed the relationship between levels of activity and HRQoL among women diagnosed with breast cancer. The population-based sample, obtained in 2002 was comprised of 287 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, residing in South-East Queensland. Women were followed-up (via subjective questionnaire and objective physical testing) every three months over a 12-month period, from six months post-diagnosis. Physical activity was assessed using the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) while HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for breast cancer (FACTB+4). Based on National Physical Activity Guidelines, women were categorised as being sufficiently active, insufficiently active or sedentary at each of the five testing phases (specifically at 6-, 9-, 12-, 15- and 18-months post-diagnosis). Rates of participation in physical activity were relatively stable over the testing period. At 18 months post-diagnosis, 44%, 43% and 13% of women, respectively, were categorised as being sufficiently active, insufficiently active or sedentary. The sedentary or insufficiently active women were more likely to be older, obese or overweight, lack private health insurance, and have received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, compared with sufficiently active women. Sedentary women consistently reported a lower HRQoL compared to active women (sufficiently or insufficiently active) over the 12-month testing period. This was especially apparent amongst the group of younger women (aged less than 50 years at diagnosis) (p=0.02). This work is among the first to explore physical activity rates specifically among Australian breast cancer survivors, and highlights the potential importance of participating in physical activity to optimise HRQoL during recovery from breast cancer. Specific attention to promote physical activity to the identified group of sedentary and insufficiently active survivors is of particular importance.
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Harrison, Sheree. "Physical activity among breast cancer survivors." Queensland University of Technology, 2008. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16617/.
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In Australia, women with breast cancer comprise one of the largest groups of cancer survivors. As a consequence of this, and improved survival rates, the interest in programs to enhance the recovery of cancer survivors is growing. Exercise during and after treatment has been identified as a potential strategy to assist women throughout their treatment and positively influence the recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors. Through the use of an existing data source, this study investigated physical activity rates, explored the factors associated with low levels of physical activity participation, and assessed the relationship between levels of activity and HRQoL among women diagnosed with breast cancer. The population-based sample, obtained in 2002 was comprised of 287 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, residing in South-East Queensland. Women were followed-up (via subjective questionnaire and objective physical testing) every three months over a 12-month period, from six months post-diagnosis. Physical activity was assessed using the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) while HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for breast cancer (FACTB+4). Based on National Physical Activity Guidelines, women were categorised as being sufficiently active, insufficiently active or sedentary at each of the five testing phases (specifically at 6-, 9-, 12-, 15- and 18-months post-diagnosis). Rates of participation in physical activity were relatively stable over the testing period. At 18 months post-diagnosis, 44%, 43% and 13% of women, respectively, were categorised as being sufficiently active, insufficiently active or sedentary. The sedentary or insufficiently active women were more likely to be older, obese or overweight, lack private health insurance, and have received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, compared with sufficiently active women. Sedentary women consistently reported a lower HRQoL compared to active women (sufficiently or insufficiently active) over the 12-month testing period. This was especially apparent amongst the group of younger women (aged less than 50 years at diagnosis) (p=0.02). This work is among the first to explore physical activity rates specifically among Australian breast cancer survivors, and highlights the potential importance of participating in physical activity to optimise HRQoL during recovery from breast cancer. Specific attention to promote physical activity to the identified group of sedentary and insufficiently active survivors is of particular importance.
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Pullen, Sheryl L. "In vitro activity of four fluoroquinolones on selected bacteria." Scholarly Commons, 1995. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2285.
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In 1990-1991, in a national surveillance study, and in 1991-1992, in a followup study, both by Thornsberry et al. (1993), ciprofloxacin data from various geographical and demographical institutions were collected. Several species of bacteria have shown resistance to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, but the degree of resistance to these drugs has not been reported for the Stockton area. To determine the extent of this resistance, Dameron Hospital antibiograms generated from 1990 to 1994 were reviewed and compared. Results of the comparison show that susceptibility among the Gram-negative isolates, with the exception of Providencia stuartii, Acinetobacter lwoffi, and to a lesser extent Aeromonas hydrophila, has changed very little. Consistent with the national surveys, resistance of Pseudomonas aemginosa has not changed appreciably during the five-year period.
Among the Gram-positive isolates that were tested against both ciprofloxacin for a five-year period (1990-1994) and norfloxacin for a three-year period (1992"' 1994), increased resistance was seen among strains of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, and Enterococcus jaecalis, but not among strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and S. agalactiae. To determine whether resistance to one fluoroquinolone occurs also to other fluoroquinolones, several isolates of Gram-positive cocci and P. aeruginosa from the Gram-negative bacilli that showed resistance to either ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or both were selected from Dameron Hospital isolates and tested by the disk diffusion technique against ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, and lomefloxacin. The results indicate that differences do exist among these selected strains. Comparison of the invitro effectiveness of the various quinolones confirms that methicillin-resistant staphylococci (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. haemolyticus) exhibit a higher degree of resistance to the four fluoroquinolones compared with the methicillin-susceptible strains of the same species. Resistance of the enterococci (Enterococcus jaecalis and E. jaecium) is also high. Generally, when the four fluoroquinolones were compared with each other, ofloxacin seemed to have better in vitro activity.
Resistance to the quinolones consists of two proposed mechanisms: ( 1) mutation of one or both of the structural genes of the A and B subunits of DNA gyrase and (2) decreased drug accumulation due either to lower uptake by the cell or enhanced effiux out of the cell. These mechanisms of resistance are reviewed.
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Macrae, Amanda. "Understanding physical activity in the lives of women in mid-life." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/MQ62788.pdf.
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Hamana, Katy. "An exploration of the physical activity life cycle in Huntington's disease." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2017. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107624/.
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This study aimed to explore how living with Huntington’s disease (HD) impacts on the experience of physical activity (PA) across the stages of the disease. The research questions were: 1) What are the experiences of PA participation across the stages of HD? 2) How do the nuances of living with a neurodegenerative disease such as HD affect engagement in PA? The focus group (FG) method was used to explore the breadth of experiences of PA in the context of HD. Participants of eight FGs across the UK included people across the spectrum of HD with varying degrees of symptom manifestation, caregivers (family members/formal caregivers), and healthcare professionals. Framework analysis method (Ritchie and Spencer 1994) was used for data analyses. The process involved five stages: familiarisation, coding, indexing, charting and mapping, and interpretation of data to develop key themes. A key part of the process was development of an analytical coding framework to use in the indexing (of the data) stage. The data itself and a theoretical model (self-regulation model) were both used to develop the framework. The literature review identified a lack of theoretically underpinned qualitative research in PA and HD, therefore the self-regulation model (SRM) (Levanthal et al. 1984) was selected to explore PA in HD. Components of the SRM were used to develop a priori ‘index codes’ of the framework. Open coding of transcripts was also used to develop ‘index codes’ of the framework. The findings highlighted that over the life-span of the disease the needs and abilities of people with HD change, and this has implications such as coping responses and strategies for how PA is experienced and sustained in HD. Social context and environment are key aspects that require consideration for PA in HD, and this has implications such as consideration of familial or caregiver support and general public awareness of HD for development of management and research interventions. The SRM facilitated understanding of participant experiences, however, it appeared that self-regulation of activities becomes more collaborative with the caregiver as HD progresses. As such, a modified version of the SRM that incorporates the increasingly collaborative regulation of PA has been suggested and is presented for understanding PA in HD.
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Sabapathy, Nicole Marie. "Multiple Sclerosis: The Benefits of Physical Activity." Thesis, Griffith University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365702.
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The overall aim of this dissertation was to examine the role of physical activity as a management and rehabilitation strategy for persons with MS. The research undertaken compared differences in fatigue, depression and quality of life measures in persons with MS who did and did not regularly participate in physical activity, assessed modifiable determinants of physical activity behaviour, as well as compared adaptations to two different exercise training modalities. To complete this research, three separate studies were conducted. The purpose of study one was to compare fatigue, depression and quality of life scores in persons with MS who did and did not regularly participate in physical activity. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study of one-hundred and twenty-one patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Study participants were 25-65 years old and lived in Queensland, Australia. Physical activity level, fatigue, depression and quality of life were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36, Beck Depression Inventory and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Results indicated that fifty-two participants completed at least two, 30 minute exercise sessions per week (exercising group) and sixty-nine participants did not participate in regular physical activity (non-exercising group). Individuals in the exercising group reported favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores when compared to participants in the non-exercising group. We also found significantly weak correlations between both leisure-time and overall reported physical activity levels and some subscales of the quality of life and fatigue impact questionnaires. The findings of study one suggest that favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores are reported by persons with MS who regularly participate in physical activity, when compared to persons with MS who do not.<br>Thesis (PhD Doctorate)<br>Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science<br>Griffith Health<br>Full Text
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Ecker, Diana. "Meanings of Craft and Exercise for Women in Mid-Life." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1196853859.
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Galvis, Adriana. "Functional determinants of Rin1 mutants required for their inhibitory activity on endocytosis." FIU Digital Commons, 2009. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3445.
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Wagner, Susan Allison. "A narrative investigation of adult latina's life experience of physical activity adherence." [College Station, Tex. : Texas A&M University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2710.
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Bjornson, Kristie F. "Health, quality of life, and physical activity in youth with cerebral palsy /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7217.
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Smith, Angela J. "The life and building activity of Bishop Richard Fox, c. 1448-1528." Thesis, University of London, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.367013.
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Seale, Josephine Victoria. "Gonadal steroids : modulators of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity throughout life." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.414189.
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Zachhuber, Juliane. "Religious life in classical and Hellenistic Rhodes : cultic activity, identity, and organisation." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2018. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:74621877-82d0-48c7-82b8-372ceb1621e3.
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The present thesis constitutes a study of the religious life of Rhodes, from the classical to the late Hellenistic period. Chronologically, this spans the significant chapter of the island's synoikism at the end of the fifth century and the united state's rise to power as one of the foremost trading centres of the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period. The structure of my thesis is partly chronological and partly thematic. I aim to determine the developments that took place in Rhodian religion, largely due to the synoikism, but also affected by other factors, such as the all-important incorporation of the peraia. Aside from that I focus on the different groups that were involved in the island's religion: demes, tribes, religious personnel of all levels, foreigners and inhabitants of the surrounding islands and mainland, whose status and rights are often difficult to establish precisely. This goal is reflected in my choice of chapters, which cover Rhodian (pre-synoikism) religious identity, the effects of the synoikism on religious life, a detailed study of the cults in the different cities of the island and of religion in the 'peraia', and chapters on priests, associations, and, finally, the interplay between religion and society, in which chapter I hope to draw out what is distinctively 'Rhodian' about religion on Rhodes.
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Meyer, Stefanie Marie. "Associations between Physical Activity and Quality of Life: Implications for Primary Care." Diss., North Dakota State University, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28757.
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It is increasingly well-known that chronic diseases are placing a burden on the United States, including the healthcare system. Considering chronic disease risk and quality of life (QOL) measures, improving lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity (PA) should be further explored. In particular, using a place-based approach such as the healthcare system to improve lifestyle behaviors is a strategy to explore. Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is an approach that uses behavior as therapy to treat conditions and is suggested as an approach for primary care. The purpose of study 1 was to explore potential differences in QOL of patients who were referred to LM and are categorized into one of three groups 1) did not engaged in LM 2) engaged in up to two sessions of LM 3) engaged in three or more sessions of LM. The purpose of study 2 was to explore the relationship among provider QOL, PA level, and referral practices to LM. Participants completed demographic and lifestyle referral practices questionnaire, RAND-36 item health questionnaire, and Physical Activity Vital Sign questions. Results from study 1 include no significant differences between LM groups, QOL, and PA. Additionally, a significant difference was found for patient general health QOL score for those who met PA guidelines (M = 68.16, SD = 23.346) versus those who did not meet PA guidelines (M = 54.67, SD = 16.23); t (48) = 2.41, p = .02. Results for study 2 include no significant differences between provider PA minutes and LM referral as well as provider general health QOL and LM referral. A significant difference was found for provider general health QOL score for those who met PA guidelines (M = 85.833, SD = 10.68) versus those who did not meet PA guidelines (M = 67, SD = 9.08); t (9) = 3.109, p = .013. This dissertation will further inform the healthcare community (health system and health professionals) about the importance of PA to overall QOL for patients and providers. Moving from sick care to preventive care using LM approaches must be further explored and studied for both improved health outcomes and financial sustainability.<br>North Dakota State University. College of Human Development and Education. Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
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Ishaq, Muhammad. "Quality of Life, Sleep and Physical Activity in Swedish Children & Adolescents." Thesis, Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation, Jönköping University, HLK, CHILD, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-49544.
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All humans desire to have a good quality of life i.e. living in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns in life. The quality of life is related to healthy lifestyle, therefore, practicing health behavior is crucial for children and adolescents as the habits developed in early life persist in later life. However, in the contemporary world it has become quite a challenge to practice health behavior due to exposure to technology, electronic devices and social media which has adversely affected two important components of health behavior i.e. sleep and vigorous physical activity. This study aimed at investigating the impact of sleep duration during school days and vigorous physical activity during the week on quality of life. The data collected from 7700 students aged 11,13 & 15 from Swedish schools within the HSBC study in 2014. ANOVA, linear regression and mean comparison were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that age, gender, long-term disability and physical activity effects sleep duration of children and adolescents. Moreover, children and adolescents who sleep longer hours and do vigorous physical activities have a higher quality of life. Sleep duration have also been found to be associated with a higher quality of life.
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Gillespie, Charles William Ian. "Activity and life satisfaction in the elderly : a study at seniors' centres." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13474.
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Bibliography: leaves 82-89.<br>Although the activity theory of optimal ageing has attracted much interest amongst psychological gerontologists since its explication by Havighurst and Albrecht {1953), little work has been done in the South African context. As the many seniors' centres which now exist in South Africa have the beneficial effects of heightened life satisfaction through improved social activity as their rationale, a study was undertaken at six seniors' centres in Cape Town to examine the connection between social activity and life satisfaction.
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Oliver, Joanne Elizabeth. "The father daughter relationship and female adolescent sexual activity and dating life /." View online, 1996. http://repository.eiu.edu/theses/docs/32211131402616.pdf.
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Anderson, Sue A. "Moving Children Toward a Better Life: Hispanic Mothers' Vision for Leisure Activity." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/203443.
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Background: Childhood obesity is epidemic, and Hispanic children bear a particularly high health burden because of it. Evidence suggests that obesity prevention is a better option than intervention. Because schools have decreased the amount of time spent in physical education classes, leisure time has become the time to engage in physical activity, which may prevent obesity. Social ecology theory posits that a person’s interaction with the environment has a strong influence on health promoting behavior. Further, this theory suggests that cultural values also play a role. The extant literature points to the sedentary nature of Hispanic children. However, it does not provide a description of the activities that children engage in during their leisure time, or how they are influenced by their family, culture, and community’s environment. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and provide an understanding of how leisure time is viewed by Hispanic families, and how family and culture influences Hispanic children’s participation in leisure time activity. Two broad research questions were addressed: 1) How do Hispanic families describe leisure time activities? and 2) How do culture, family and the community environment influence a Hispanic child’s participation in leisure time activities? Methods: This ethnographic study incorporated photographs taken by English-speaking Hispanic mothers of children between 6 and 10 years old (n=10) as they engaged in leisure activities for one week. The participants engaged in photo-elicited interviews, describing the children’s activities and performed initial data analysis by sorting the photos in the categories of activities. Findings: Girls were more sedentary, engaging in intellectually stimulating and creative play activities inside, with family members or alone. Boys were more active, engaging in unstructured play activities outside with family members or friends. The children engaged in these activities to promote their health, prepare for their adult lives, and for fun. Cultural tensions experienced by the children’s parents had a profound influence on their leisure time choices and decisions. Activities were used to prepare the children for a better life, and to teach them to balance work and fun. Ultimately, the participants wanted their children to live a balanced life; one that is happy, healthy, and successful. Relevance: The children engaged in purposefully planned leisure activities aimed to ensure their health, happiness, and success in the U.S. The participants acknowledged that to achieve a better life, the children must become expert multicultural navigators. While many of the activities were sedentary, they had important implications for the children’s future. Health care providers must consider how patients view leisure time, and enlist their ideas in order to make children’s activities more physically active.
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Benabdelkader, Tarek. "Biodiversité, bioactivité et biosynthèse des composés terpéniques volatils des lavandes ailées, Lavandula stoechas sensu lato, un complexe d'espèces méditerranéennes d'intérêt pharmacologique." Phd thesis, Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Etienne, 2012. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00952695.
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Dans ce travail nous avons réalisé une évaluation de la composition et des activités biologiques des HEs extraites de L. stoechas récoltées sur 11 sites dans le nord de l'Algérie. Les HEs ont été analysées par GC/FID et GC/MS, où un total de 121 composés ont été identifiés, représentant de 69.88 à 91.2% du contenu total de l'huile. Les principaux constituants étaient le fenchone (11.27-37.48%), le camphre (1.94-21.8%), le 1,8-cinéol (0.16-8.71%) et le viridiflorol (2.89-7.38%). Les activités biologiques in vitro ont démontré que les activités de piégeage du radical DPPH et l'oxydation des lipides du couple β- carotène/acide linoléique différaient d'un facteur 8 et étaient liées à différents ensembles de molécules. Nos 11 HEs ont présenté de bonnes activités antimicrobiennes envers la plupart des 16 souches pathogènes testées à des valeurs de concentration minimale inhibitrice (CMI) allant de 0.16 à 3.5 mg/ml. A l'aide d'amorces dégénérées nous avons isolé trois ADNc en pleine longueur, LpFENS, LpPINS et LpGEAS, de feuilles de L. pedunculata. Six ADNc homologues en pleine longueur, LSFENS, LsPINS, LsGEAS, LvFENS, LvPINS et LvGEAS, ont été également isolés des feuilles de L. stoechas et L. viridis en utilisant des amorces spécifiques aux trois premiers ADNc clonés. L'expression hétérologue dans E. coli et l'analyse de l'activité catalytique par GC/MS des enzymes natives recombinantes purifiées de ces TPSs ont permis leur caractérisation fonctionnelle en tant que, α-fenchol synthases (LpFENS, LsFENS et LvFENS), α-pinène synthases (LpPINS, LsPINS et LvPINS) et germacrène A synthase (LpGEAS, LsGEAS et LvGEAS)
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Fonteh, Pascaline Nanga. "Gold compounds with anti-HIV and immunomodulatory activity." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/24951.
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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that subsequently develops remain major health concerns even after three decades since the first cases were reported. Successful therapeutic measures to address HIV/AIDS consist mostly of combinations of drugs targeting viral enzymes including reverse transcriptase (RT), protease (PR) and integrase (IN) as well as entry steps of the viral life cycle. The remarkable benefits (e.g. improved quality of life) derived from the use of these agents are unfortunately limited by toxicity to the host and the development of drug resistant viral strains. Drug resistance limits the repertoire of drug combinations available. Unfortunately, because latent forms of the virus exists, therapy has to be life-long and with new infections occurring every day, resistant strains tend to spread. To circumvent these problems, new drugs that inhibit resistant strains or work against new viral targets have to be developed. The history of gold compounds as potential inhibitors of HIV prompted this study in which twenty seven compounds consisting of gold(I), gold(III) and precursors from five classes were tested for drug-likeness, anti-HIV and immunomodulatory effects using wet lab and in silico methodologies. Cytotoxicity determination was done using viability dyes and flow cytometry. Cell proliferation profiles were monitored using the carboxyflourescein succinimidyl ester dye dilution technology and a real time cell analyser for confirming viability dye findings. The compounds’ effects on viral enzymes was determined using direct enzyme assays and in silico molecular modelling techniques. H and P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies for determining stability revealed that the backbone chemical shifts of the compounds were relatively unchanged after one week (-20 and 37 ºC) when dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide. Eight of the gold compounds had drug-like properties comparable to clinically available drugs when in silico predictions were performed. The 50% cytotoxic dose of the compounds in human cells was between 1 and 20 μM (clinically relevant concentrations for gold compounds). Three gold(I) compounds inhibited viral infectivity at non-toxic concentrations and two gold(III) compounds did so at cytostatic (anti-proliferative mechanism that is also antiviral) concentrations. In the immunomodulatory assay, cytokine levels were altered by five compounds with one gold(I) and a gold(III) compound significantly reducing the frequency of CD4+ cells (an anti-viral function) from HIV+ donors (p= 0.005 and 0.027 respectively) when multi-parametric flow cytometry was performed. Inhibition of RT activity was predicted in in silico studies to be through interactions with the ribonuclease (RNase) H site although with poor stereochemical orientation while favourable binding predictions with the IN cofactor binding site were observed for some gold(III) complexes. Compounds predicted to interact with the RNase H site of RT and the IN cofactor site require structural modification to improve drug-likeness and binding affinity. The drug-like compound(s) which inhibited viral infectivity and lowered CD4+ cell frequency have potential for incorporation into virostatic cocktails (combination of cytostatic and directly anti-viral agent). Cytostatic agents are known to be less prone to drug resistance and because they lower CD4+ cell frequency, such compounds can potentially limit HIV immune activation.<br>Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011.<br>Biochemistry<br>unrestricted
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Wilhelmsen, Terese. "Physical activity in the everyday life of children : Exploring how intergenerational transfer of habitus frame boys and girls opporunity to generate and negotiate physical activity within their everyday life." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-16068.
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Several indicators of social background and gender expectations are found to have an important impact on children’s physical activity patterns, yet few studies have explored intergenerational transfer of habitus through the use of triangulation of methods. The aim of this study is to explore how intergenerational transfer of habitus frames children’s opportunit to generate and negotiate physical activity in their everyday life. This is done by examining the relationship between children’s physical activity pattern’s and: parental capital, parental perception of gender appropriate sport, gender expectations, children’s housing, and children’s own experience with sports and physical activity in their everyday life. The empirical material is drawn from a one-year fieldwork conducted at a public elementary school located in Metro Manila, the Philippines, where I worked as a voluntary physical education teacher. A triangulation of methods has been utilized. Methods introduced consist of participatory observation of 385 pupils in grade 4 at the particular school, questionnaires given out to parents and children taking part in the study and in-depth interviews with 18 children.
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Ma, Pui-man Estella. "Assessing voice activity and participation implication of clinical management in voice disorders /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 1999. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B36210031.
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Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 1999.<br>"A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, April 30, 1999." Also available in print.
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Harvey, Nicholas Keller James M. "Estimation and tracking of elder activity levels for health event prediction." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6657.
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Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 10, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. James Keller. Includes bibliographical references.
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Mantoani, Leandro Cruz. "Role of physical activity in daily life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/31402.
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Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important common chronic lung condition that is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting in a substantial and increasing economic and social burden to health care systems. Physical activity (PA) is the strongest predictor of mortality in this population, playing an important role determining the quality of life in COPD, with better outcomes being reported by those who have higher levels of PA. Therefore, improving PA levels has been considered a key component in the management of patients with COPD. Likewise, it is important to understand the mechanisms that lead to inactivity, as it is to develop accurate methods of measuring PA in this population. Aims of the thesis: 1) To identify and to summarize the interventions able to increase PA levels in patients with COPD; 2) To understand the longitudinal interaction between muscle mass and function and PA levels in COPD; 3) To study the acceptability and the suitability of a new activity monitor (TracMor D - Philips, the Netherlands) for home coaching in daily routine of patients with COPD; and 4) To investigate whether a PA enhancing programme with set targets and feedback would constitute a successful intervention to increase PA levels in patients with COPD attending pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods: To achieve the first aim of the thesis I performed a systematic review summarizing interventional studies that assessed PA as an outcome in patients with COPD. For the second aim, I analysed some multicentric longitudinal data (one year follow-up) on PA and muscle mass/function in COPD. The third aim was achieved with a pilot study I conducted in Edinburgh, where patients with COPD wore three TracMor D in different body places simultaneously with the criterion method (Actigraph GT3x activity monitor) for a week. To accomplish the fourth and main aim of my PhD, I conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) where patients with COPD undergoing PR were randomised to either receive PR only or PR plus a PA coaching programme using the TracMor D activity monitor for 12 weeks. Main Results: Study 1: Sixty studies were considered for data extraction in the systematic review. Seven types of intervention with the potential to increase PA levels in patients with COPD were identified. PR programmes with more than 12 weeks of duration and PA coaching programmes with feedback of an activity monitor are promising interventions to increase activity levels in patients with COPD. Overall, the quality of evidence across interventional studies was graded as very low. Study 2: The longitudinal study showed that there were weak correlations between PA levels and muscle strength at baseline (0.19 ≤ r ≤ 0.33 p < 0.001 for all). No correlations were found between changes in PA and muscle strength (-509 [-1295-362] vs -0.4 [-3.5-2.6] - 12 months minus baseline - respectively) and future muscle mass (p > 0.05). Baseline PA levels are related to future muscle strength (0.30 ≤ r ≤ 0.41, p < .0001) but not with muscle mass. Study 3: This study showed that TracMor D had strong correlations with Actigraph GT3x in terms of Kcal consumption in all three positions (necklace, pocket and hip) (0.84 ≥ r < 0.86, p < 0.001 for all). TracMor D was considered comfortable and easy to use at home, receiving a mean usability score of 98 out of 100 maximum points. Study 4: My RCT showed that the proposed PA intervention was effective in changing steps/day (1251 ± 2408 vs control -410 ± 1118, p=0.01), time spent in light activities (21 ± 60 vs -37 ± 55, p=0.004), exercise capacity (99 ± 139 vs 3 ± 83 meters; 85 ± 114 vs 2 ± 62 seconds, p < 0.03 for both) and muscle strength (15 ± 20 vs -5 ± 18, p=0.01) among others when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Strategies focussing specifically on increasing PA and longer PR programmes may have greater impacts on PA levels in COPD. Well-designed clinical trials with objective assessment of PA in patients with COPD are needed. PA levels are not related to one-year changes in muscle mass and muscle strength in patients with COPD. However, higher PA levels at baseline are related to having higher muscle strength at one-year. TracMor D strongly correlated with the criterion method and was highly accepted by patients with COPD in their daily routine, being considered comfortable and easy to use at home. The combination of PR with a physical activity enhancing programme using a PA monitor to set targets and give feedback on activity levels significantly improves PA, exercise capacity, muscle strength, quality of life, and anxiety and depression levels in patients with COPD.
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Norman, Anna. "Physical activity in men and relation to prostate cancer /." Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2004. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2004/91-7349-927-7.
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Hart, Andrea D. "Religious Activity and Mortality in the Elderly: The Cache County Study." DigitalCommons@USU, 2001. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2603.
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No study, to date, has systematically examined the interplay of social contact, depression, functional disability, and cardiovascular health when examining the relation between religious activity and all -cause mortality. This study used Cox regression models as well as a series of structural equation models to elucidate these relations and resultant mortality over a 5-year period. This sample included 3,607 persons, age 65 and older, who participated in the Cache County Study on Memory in Aging, and who were not demented. Results indicate that when using Cox regression modeling, after controlling for other variables related to mortality, both religious activity and social contact remained statistically significant predictors of survival time. Based on hazard ratios obtained from the Cox regression models, it was found that subjects who attend church activities at least once a week or more are 41.6% less likely to die than subjects who attend church less frequently. Subjects who increase their social contact by each additional level gain 3% protection against mortality. Surprisingly, depression was not related to mortality in any analyses. Therefore, the best-fitting structural equation model did not include depression. Possibly, the most interesting findings from this study were the mediating effects found between functional disability, religious activity, social contact, and all-cause mortality. Using a nested series of structural equation models, we found that social contact mediates the relation between functional disability and mortality and that religious activity mediates the relation between functional disability and social contact These results indicate that social contact may be a crucial underlying mechanism, which is triggered by religious activity, and therefore acts as a mediator between functional disability and mortality. Limitations of this study include narrow or unidimensional measures, as well as problems w1th reliability. Due to the homogeneity of this sample, it may be very difficult to justify generalizing these results to a different population. Despite these limitations, this study finds that both religious activity and social contact converge in their effects on mortality and their interconnectedness is evident from these results. Both religious activity and social contact have important implications for the health of our elderly. Nevertheless, many multilayered aspects of religious behavior and social networks have not been addressed in this study. Future work investigating the consequences of the longitudinal aspects of religious belief, social networking, and depression is needed.
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Hargreaves, Jacqueline Marie. "An exploration of physical activity and quality in life of people with psychosis." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2012. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/16162/.
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Background: Quality of life (QoL) is known to be lower in people with psychosis than the general population. Physical activity (PA) has been suggested as one way to improve QoL, but little is known about the relationship between PA and QoL in people with psychosis. No known research has implemented mixed methods (MM) to explore PA and QoL in people with psychosis. Aim: To explore if and how PA is associated with QoL in people with psychosis. Methodology: A MM design was implemented which consisted of three studies. Study one was a cross-sectional survey design, which assessed the relationship between PA and QoL (n=79). Study two was a phenomenological study which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with people who were perceived to be active by professionals or themselves (n=8). Study three entailed conducting focus groups with mental health professionals which were analysed using thematic analysis (n=10). Results: Study one: Those achieving PA guidelines scored significantly higher on physical QoL than those who did not meet the guidelines. Moderate and vigorous intensity PA were related to physical QoL and walking was associated with better social functioning. No PA variables were related to mental QoL. Study two: Four major themes emerged: 1) cocooned in a web of lethargy and tangled thoughts, 2) Experiencing a snapshot of reality, 3) Being ‘normal’, 4) Dance as if no-one is watching. Study three: Four major themes were found: 1) Service provision, 2) Professional interpretation of policy, 3) Professional personal experiences and beliefs, 4).Negative experiences. Upon synthesising the outcomes of the studies it was concluded that if PA was seen as meaningful to the individual it was beneficial for QoL. PA emerged as meaningful for the participants for the following reasons: it was perceived to develop self; provide time-out from symptomology; present the opportunity to break free into a real and social world; and enable self, mind and body to feel they belong and therefore feel ‘normal’. However, the type, intensity, amount of PA and the stage of the participants’ illness were all seen to influence the perceived impact on QoL. A number of implications for supporting PA services within Mental Health Trusts were suggested. The main finding in relation to service implications was that PA needs to be provided consistently and not in an ad-hoc manner which was found to be detrimental to Service Users routine and autonomy. Further, it is suggested that a broader range of PA provision should be available for those with psychosis to suit individual needs. However, consideration should be given to the intensity, amount and type of PA as well as the perceived severity of the illness. Conclusion: The findings from this thesis add support to the proposition that PA can be used to enhance QoL in people with psychosis. Professionals are encouraged to promote PA, with the caveat that it should be perceived to be meaningful by the individuals with psychosis.
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Findlay-King, Lindsay Joanne. "Understanding sport and physical activity participation in the transition into early mid-life." Thesis, Northumbria University, 2008. http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/105/.
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In my thesis I explain patterns and developments of current participation in sport and physical activity among a group of men and women in the transition to early mid-life (38-43 years of age). I examine their perceptions of the activity and sense of sporting identity over their lives. There is limited research on mid-life experiences of sport and physical activity and more often this takes a social survey approach. The interpretive research on mid-life is still an emerging field, previous research has often focused on a single sport sub-culture, those who are heavily involved in sport, or women only. In depth, topical life history interviews and written timelines were completed with a group of sixteen individuals in this life stage, with varied experiences of sport and physical activity. The data was analysed using Brown and Gilligan's (1992, 1993) `voice centred relational method' of analysis, followed by 'constant comparison' (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) and coding (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The major theme identified in this study was the complex construction of sport and participation, understood as it relates to the participants lives as a whole and its impact on their participation decision making. Sub-themes included; the different meaning and value of sport and self definition in relation to this, and changes in these across the life course (particularly the transition to midlife) and in relation to the ageing process and relationships. The research demonstrates the relationship between sport and the needs at this life stage, highlighting identity management, and values placed on the ethic of care and sport and physical activity as leisure. Conflicting feelings are experienced in relation to sport and physical activity due to constraints on and into participation. Further to this the thesis provides a grounded theory model of the construction of these activities in the transition to early midlife. The findings were interpreted with theoretical perspectives from: structuration (Giddens, 1979, 1984), dramaturgical (Goffman, 1971, 1972a), relational (Gilligan, 1993), role (Kelly, 1983; Turner, 1956, 1978; Zurcher, 1970, 1979), life cycle (Levinson et al, 1978, 1996), family life cycle (Rapoport & Rapoport, 1975), and role transition (Kelly, 1983) theories.