Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2021, American Culture Studies

From 1981-1996, the United States experienced an epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) that held profound implications for issues ranging from civil rights, public education, and sexual mores, to government accountability, public health, and expressions of heterosexism. Popular comic books that broached the subject of HIV/AIDS during the U.S. epidemic elucidate how America's discourse on the disease evolved in an era when elected officials, religious leaders, legal professionals, medical specialists, and average citizens all struggled to negotiate their way through a period of national crisis. The manner whereby comic book authors, illustrators, and publishers engaged the topic of HIV/AIDS changed over time but, because comic books are an item of popular culture primarily produced for a heterosexual male audience, such changes habitually mirrored the evolution of the nation's mainstream, heteronormative debates regarding the epidemic and its sociocultural and political implications. Through studying depictions of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in popular comic books, alterations in the heterocentric, national discourse emerge revealing how homophobic dismissals of the “gay plague” in the early 1980s gave way to heterosexual panic in the mid-1980s, followed by the epidemic's reinterpretation as a national tragedy in the late-1980s. Ultimately, this study uncovers how, in the early 1990s, HIV/AIDS awareness became a national cause celebre and a fad effectively commoditized by the economic forces of American popular culture until its novelty waned when the epidemic phase of the U.S. HIV/AIDS crisis drew to a close in the mid-1990s. Throughout, representations of HIV/AIDS in popular American comic books show how comic book creators sought to elevate their medium beyond the confines of its perceived juvenile trappings by exploring topical and controversial material that would appeal to the expanding market of adult buyers that blos (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jeffery Brown (Advisor); William Albertini (Committee Member); Timothy Messer-Kruse (Committee Member); Michael Decker (Other) Subjects: American History; American Literature; American Studies; Mass Media; Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2016, Counselor Education and Supervision

Individuals infected and affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have distinctive mental and emotional health issues (Acuff et al., 1999; Badiee et al., 2012; Hult et al., 2007). This study sought to create an instrument that measures the attitude element of competency with the development of the Mental Health Professionals' Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS (MHP-PLHIV-AS). After the MHP-PLHIV-AS's creation by a Content Evaluation Panel of HIV/AIDS Experts, it was piloted for calibration with a sample of mental health professionals (n = 43), then administered to a larger sample for validation (n = 454). The newly designed MHP-PLHIV-AS was analyzed through a Rasch Measurement Model (RMM; Rasch, 1960, 1980). RMM diagnostics and analyses provides evidence to support a two-dimensional (societal and personal dimensions) measurement of the attitude towards PLHIV construct. The authors provide background, processes, and results of the study, and implications not only for the use of the MHP-PLHIV-AS, but also of attitude being a two-dimensional construct.

Committee: John Laux (Committee Chair); Christine Fox (Committee Member); Christopher Roseman (Committee Member); Mojisola Tiamiyu (Committee Member); Caroline O'Hara (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology; Multicultural Education; Psychology; Public Health; Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2006, Agricultural Education

HIV/AIDS has affected women from sub-Saharan Africa in disproportionate numbers more than anywhere else in the world. Women are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection in Kenya as a result of powerful patriarchal influences that permeate women's lives leading to marginalization and disempowerment in social, cultural, and economic avenues. To address the research questions, secondary analysis of data from the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey was utilized. In this study, it was expected that the demographic variables of age, education, religion, ethnicity, region of residence, marital status, and employment were the independent variables that would influence HIV vulnerability among women. A dependent variable, HIV vulnerability was conceived of a larger concept comprised of powerlessness, AIDS-related knowledge, cultural practices, sexual behavior, and perception of HIV risk. A one-way analysis of variance, ANOVA was performed to test if significant relations existed between the independent variables and dependent variable. Between-subject effects were identified and multiple comparison tests (Bonferroni) were conducted for these variables; plots were also used to visually present the mean scores. The tests of between-subject effects showed that age (F = 78.848, p = .000), region of residence (F = 21.452, p = .000), education (F = 130.088, p = .000), ethnicity (F = 13.276, p = .000), marital status (F = 39.002, p = .000), and employment (F = 216.592, p = .000) were all statistically significant. However, religion (F = .730, p = .572) was not statistically significant. It had been hypothesized that religion would play a significant role in HIV vulnerability. However this was not the case, and was in contrast with the hypothesis. In this study, the data strongly suggest that women in Kenya are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS when they are younger, have low levels of education, are from different ethnicities and from certain regions, are unmarried, and not employed. The (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Theresa Ferrari (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2009, Nursing

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Thai caregivers of Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWAs) who were residing at Phra Baat Nam Phu Temple, Lopburi Province, Thailand at the time of the interviews. A semi-structured, face-to-face interview was conducted with 10 Thai caregivers of PLWAs. There were seven female and three male caregivers (ages ranged from 29-62 years). All study participants were family members of PLWAs who required care in home settings. Caregivers were spouses, parents, sisters, a brother, and an aunt. The interviews occurred in the caregivers' homes (n = 8) and at the temple (n = 2). Six themes and 15 categories under these themes emerged from the interviews: 1) caregiving is embedded in the Buddhist philosophy, 2) caregiving is suffering, 3) caregiving is supporting, 4) the caregiving role, 5) the impact of caregiving on the caregivers, and 6) the need to support the caregiving role. Caregiving is embedded in the Buddhist philosophy, which suggests that suffering and loving one's family and friends is one of its basic guiding principles. Caregivers identified both negative and positive consequences of taking care of their loved ones with HIV/AIDS. The negative impacts included physical, emotional, and financial stress. Moreover, caregiving affected the caregivers' health and demanded changes in their life-styles. This research also demonstrated that HIV/AIDS related stigma is a barrier to caregivers' efforts to seek support. However, caregivers utilized various coping strategies such as accepting the situation, thinking positively, minimizing stress, and managing the financial to cope with caregiving. The positive consequences of caregiving suggest that caring for PLWAs can result in a deeper meaning of life for the caregivers. They reported an abiding sense of fulfillment that was associated with loving humankind, self-value, and knowl (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Faye A. Gary EdD, RN, FAAN (Committee Chair); May L. Wykle PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA (Committee Member); Noreen Brady PhD, RN, APN, LPCC (Committee Member); Sharon E. Milligan PhD, MSW, MPH (Committee Member) Subjects: Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2007, Systems and Control Engineering

The focus of this dissertation is development of a systems methodology to examine large scale interrelated complex global systems governing natural resource use, population, economy and global health. The study investigates questions regarding the individual disciplines and their integration as a system. Integrated assessment (IA) examines if the looming peak in world oil production, and the post-peak oil era, can intensify the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Other questions include: - When could the world reach peak oil production? - What are the economic implications for HIV/AIDS funding in the post-peak oil era? - What is the potential humanitarian cost in lives lost per barrel of oil deficit? A range of models have been developed and integrated in a decision support future assessment system as a reasoning support guide. An interactive cybernetic approach incorporating the global earth/human dimensions is applied to manage the many aspects of complexity and uncertainty. IA is enhanced by a decision-making paradigm that utilizes real data, a family of multi-level hierarchical models, and a human-in-the-loop approach. “Corner scenarios” envelope the scope of future development and hypothetical scenarios demonstrate possible futures within the envelope. Results show oil production may peak by 2015. Without an alternative to fill the gap left by declining oil supplies, economic growth, closely correlated with oil consumption, will slow or decline. Affluent countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development may become unable to provide Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding for needy countries. Without ODA, HIV/AIDS preventive/treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa will likely disappear causing a spike in prevalence, higher mortality and a reduction in economy. Conversely, if the impending oil crisis is averted via strategic planning and alternative energy development, then ODA adequate to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sree Sreenath (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2013, Food and Nutrition Sciences (Health Sciences and Professions)

This study examined household food security (HFS) and physical activity (PA among individuals living with HIV/AIDS living in rural Appalachia (West Virginia, Appalachian Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania). Participants (n = 82) completed an online or paper survey that included validated measures of HFS (USDA short form) and physical activity. Data were analyzed using PASW statistical software (version 18.0,) to determine the relationship between the variables (Mann-Whitney U). The majority of participants (n = 82) were: male (n = 63) and Caucasian (n = 59). For all patients, 28 (34.1%), 10 (12.2%), 12 (14.56%), and 32 (39.0%) were living in households characterized as being high, marginal, low, and very low HFS, respectively. There was no significant difference in distribution of IPAQ scores (Mann-Whitney U, p = .161), and total MET-min per week of physical activity between the HIV and AIDS groups (t-test, p = 0.200). There was no significant difference between distribution of IPAQ scores (Mann-Whitney U, p = 0.929), and total MET-min per week (t-test, p = 0.944) between food security groups. Further exploration is warranted in other rural regions.

Committee: David Holben PhD, RD, LD (Advisor); Tania Basta Ph.D., MPH, CHES (Committee Member); Deborah Murray MS, RD, LD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Health Education; Nutrition

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2018, Psychology/Clinical

HIV/AIDS continues to be a problematic disease that affects all ethnic groups. Latinos are likely to experience challenges associated with poor quality of life, HIV stigma, language, and cultural barriers. Latinos are also at risk of experiencing multi-layered stigma. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been associated with improved health outcomes among diverse medical and psychiatric populations, including HIV. However, the potential benefits of a mindfulness based intervention have not been explored among Latinos with HIV. The primary goal of this study was to develop and empirically evaluate a brief ACT protocol tailored to HIV-positive Latino individuals living on the U.S./Mexico border with the goal of improving quality of life and reducing HIV stigma. Two separate sets of data are presented. Study 1 evaluated cross-sectional data on measures of acceptance, cognitive fusion, quality of life, viral load, and language among HIV-positive Latinos. Study 2 evaluated the feasibility of a one-day, three-hour ACT group to improve quality of life and reduce HIV stigma. There were three primary hypotheses for this study: a) acceptance would be positively associated with quality of life and lower HIV stigma and viral load; b) cognitive defusion would be positively associated with quality of life and lower reports of HIV stigma and viral load; and c) participants in the ACT group would report improved quality of life and reduced HIV stigma at posttreatment and follow-up assessments compared to pretreatment assessment and to participants attending an HIV education group. Correlational and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations among all study variables. Repeated measures ANOVA, nonparametric analyses, and single-subject analyses were conducted to evaluate treatment outcome data. Results were mixed and provide only partial support for study hypotheses. The ACT intervention was not helpful in reducing reports of HIV stigma or improving quality (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: William O'Brien Dr. (Committee Chair); Eric Dubow Dr. (Committee Member); Howard Cromwell Dr. (Committee Member); George Bullerjahn Dr. (Other) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Health; Psychology

EdD, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Education : Urban Educational Leadership

Historically, the issue of HIV and adolescence has not generally been considered a priority for most school educators and administrators. As treatments for HIV have advanced over the years, more students infected by the disease have been able to participate in learning environments in the public schools. With the No Child Left Behind Act permeating schools, urban administrators, and educators are forced to focus primarily on academically based achievement standards; negating the social, medical, legal, and moral complexities of students who are infected with HIV. The purpose of this research was to explore the attitudes of administrators and teachers in urban schools. This study found that their attitudes about HIV and HIV positive adolescents centered on 3 main themes:(1) the (non)compassion on the part of the administrator or teacher depending on the mode of HIV transmission, (2) their beliefs about factors that impede student learning, and whether a medical condition can be considered an impediment, and (3) the professional experience of the administrator and teacher that impacts school change.

Committee: Dr. James Koschoreck (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2011, Health Education

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that significantly influence the attitudes and perceptions of high school health education teachers relative to HIV prevention instruction. Despite a steady decrease in the number of diagnosed cases each year, HIV/AIDS continues to rank as one of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 years are particularly vulnerable for HIV transmission, as evidenced by the steady increase in the number of reported infections in this age group over the past decade. Underlying this trend is a growing lack of awareness, a decreasing perception of vulnerability and a general lack of accurate knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among adolescents and young adults in the United States. The CDC, along with a number of researchers in sexuality education, recommends that education about HIV prevention is most appropriate and effective when executed within the context of a comprehensive school health education program that establishes a foundation for understanding the relationships between personal behavior and health. While the CDC's 2006 School Health Policies and Practices study indicates that 31 states require instruction in HIV prevention, research indicates that there is great variability between states and individual districts in the provision of the requirements for the certification, licensure, and training in sexuality education of the teachers providing that instruction. The population of interest in this study was high school health education teachers in public school systems in the United States. A systematic random sample of 800 high school health education teachers representing states with mandates requiring instruction in HIV prevention and states with no such requirements was selected from a list of public high schools derived from the Common Core of Data (CCD) of the United States Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics database. A (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Susan Telljohann HSD (Advisor); Joseph Dake PhD (Committee Member); James Price PhD (Committee Member); Gregory Stone PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Health Education; Public Health; Public Health Education; Teaching

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2004, Pharmacy

My primary dissertation focus is understanding the pathology behind cardiovascular disease across disease states, in an attempt to provide novel mechanistic insight so that specialized therapy can be developed. Section I: HIV related cardiovascular disease: The first four chapters: HIV-related cardiovascular complications represent increasingly important contributors to the overall morbidity and mortality of HIV/AIDS patients. Chapter 2 reviews the emergent field of HIV related vascular abnormalities primarily related to alterations in the vascular endothelium. In Chapter 3, we employed a well-established murine model of retroviral infection (LPBM5 virus) and defined the time-dependencies of retroviral progression and cardiac dysfunction corroborated our findings in human tissues. In chapter 4 we tested the hypothesis that HIV-PI's impose direct detrimental effects on vascular endothelium. Chapter 5 details a role for direct endothelial toxicity induced by Saquinavir (SAQ). Section II deals with cardiovascular complications of diabetes in a mouse model of streptozotocin induced hyperglycemia, a type I diabetes model, studied longitudinally at 0, 1week and 5 weeks post-STZ, for assessment of diastolic and systolic performance by non-invasive echocardiography, and electrocardiographically for conduction abnormalities. We found the STZ mouse model to be appropriate for mechanistic study of Type I diabetic cardiomyopathy, providing time-dependent, clinically relevant assessments of cardiac performance (systolic, diastolic and electrocardiographic) as a foundation for further mechanistic studies, which are shown in chapter 7. Section 3, Chapter 8, appendix A and B: we looked at mechanisms of cardiac dysregulation and development of arrhythmias in canine models. In Appendix A we tested the hypothesis that two models had differing underlying mechanisms of structural remodeling, resulting in development of substrate for AF. Chapter 8, looks in more detail at the MR Dog mode (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Bauer (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2004, Human Development and Family Science

The estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in India was at 3.86 million (UNAIDS, 2001) and in the United States were over 793,000 (CDC, 2001). Given these high numbers, it is clear that millions of Indians and Americans are facing issues around HIV infection. Although past research has validated the influence of cultural on the individual and families' psychological well-being (Triandis, 1995), literature on psychosocial variables has mostly been conducted in the United States (e.g., Mason, et al., 1995). Research utilizing samples living in other countries warrants attention because the HIV research in the United States is disproportionately represented and is growing at a much faster pace than in other countries such as South Africa, and India. Further, due to cultural differences, it is inappropriate to apply research generated from American samples and impose them on men living in other nations. The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between disclosure of HIV-status to partners, parents and siblings, perceived support from family and friends, depression and loneliness. Analysis of the disclosure rates, and reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure of their HIV-status to others was also conducted. Existing datasets on HIV positive Indian (n = 100) and American men (n = 139) were used. Hierarchical regression was the main mode of analysis. Results clearly showed that partners were disclosed to at a greater rate than parents and siblings for both Indian and American men, and disclosure rates to all family members was higher for American in comparison with Indian men. The HIV-positive men's age, employment status, and length of HIV diagnosis together were also found to be significantly associated with disclosure to parents, partners, and siblings. Further, it seemed that the American men's reasons for disclosure were more relation-focused, whereas for Indians men it was more obligatory/required. Perceived support from family and fri (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Julianne Serovich (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2011, Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Older HIV-positive African American men have unique needs stemming from added risk factors for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stigma, and limitations imposed by psychosocial disparities. These complex experiences may adversely affect the quality of life of older HIV-positive African American men. Yet, it is unclear whether an existing quality of life model (CIQOL; Heckman, 2003) will generalize to older HIV-positive African American men. Structural equation modeling analyses assessed the generalizability of two models to 167 HIV-positive older African American and Caucasian men between the ages of 48 and 73 years. The first model (Adapted CIQOL Model) was adapted from the Chronic Illness Quality of Life Model (CIQOL; Heckman, 2003). The second model is a revised version of the Adapted CIQOL Model in that the causal relationships were modified based on the empirical literature on African Americans (The Revised CIQOL). The Adapted CIQOL Model and Revised CIQOL Model demonstrated goodness of fit for both samples. The findings' implications are discussed.

Committee: John Garske PhD (Committee Chair); Christine Gidycz PhD (Committee Member); Francis Bellezza PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; Aging; Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Black Studies; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology; Cultural Anthropology; Ethnic Studies; Health; Health Care; Health Sci

PHD, Kent State University, 2008, College of Nursing

Once considered a terminal illness, HIVAIDS has become a chronic illness as those infected are living longer. Given the longevity achievable with the current prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), quality of life has emerged as a significant measure of health outcome, and quality of life enhancement is an important goal. However, little is known about quality of life in impoverished developing countries such as Zambia. Furthermore, in Zambia, there is significant variation in the impact of the HIV pandemic, with much higher HIV prevalence rates occurring in women than men and in urban versus rural areas. The purpose of the study was threefold. First, the study was to test the quality of life factor structure of the Zambian sample using the World Health Organization Quality of Life HIV (WHOQOL-HIV) instrument. Second, the study was to determine quality of life of the Zambian sample using the resultant factor structure of quality of life. Last, the study was to examine the effect of gender and residence on the quality of life of the Zambian sample using resultant factor structure of quality of life. A cross-sectional descriptive, correlational, four-group 2x2 factorial design on a convenience sample of 160 PLWHA was conducted using both the WHOQOL-HIV Model and instrument. Factor analysis yielded three new scales: “Zambian WHOQOL-HIV, Zambian WHOHIV Medication Dependence, and Zambian WHOHIV Spirituality Religion Personal Beliefs (SRPB)” and validated the “Overall Quality of Life and General Health Perceptions” scale. The quality of life of the Zambian sample was found to be above average on all the four scales. There were no gender effects on any of the four scales. There was a significant medication dependence residence effect showing that urban participants were more dependent on medication than their rural counterparts. However, this effect disappeared when controlling for individual and clinical characteristics. There was (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ruth Ludwick (Advisor); Davina Gosnell (Other); Rose Beeson (Other); Ratchneewan Ross (Other); Kenneth Cushner (Other); Richard Zeller (Other) Subjects: African Literature; Gender; Health; Nursing; Social Research

Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2009, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Understanding sexual behaviors of persons on Antiretroviral therapy(ART) is critical designing and implementation of positive prevention programs. 559 HIV infected adults were enrolled in clinic based prospective observational study and sexual behaviors ascertained at ART initiation and semi-annually thereafter. Using Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, factors associated with sexual activity and unprotected sex were examined. Over the first three years of ART, the proportion sexually active did not change at ~52% (χ2 Trend, p=0.94) while the proportion reporting unprotected sex decreased (χ2 Trend, p<0.0001). Men reported unprotected sex less often than women (p<0.0001). In all analyses, having no children and female gender (controlling for any other factors) was associated with the practice of unprotected sex. The interventional effect of comprehensive HIV care resulted in marked reductions in unprotected sex particularly among men. Strengthening of positive prevention interventions, especially among females are needed in ART programs in this setting.

Committee: Ajay Sethi Phd,MHS (Committee Chair); Christopher Whalen MD, MS (Committee Member); Jeffrey Albert Phd (Committee Member) Subjects: Biostatistics; Epidemiology; Health; Health Care; Virology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Sociology

Fifteen years passed between when the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first discovered to when the first viable treatment became widely available. During that fifteen-year period, which I call the HIV/AIDS crisis, sexual minority men had borne the brunt of the HIV epidemic. Not only had their community faced the vast majority of new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths, but they had also dealt with the emotional pain of having experienced such loss. Research on the HIV/AIDS crisis has commonly focused on how these challenging times impacted the lives of sexual minority men in the cohort that lived through those uncertain times. However, there has been a lack of attention paid to how these crisis times may have had an impact on sexual minority men more broadly as a multi-cohort community, especially in regard to their culture and long-term health. The potential for this broader community impact is especially important given that new theoretical insights have emerged surrounding how cultural traumas, like the HIV/AIDS crisis, might influence health disparities—especially for marginalized groups. A large amount of literature has documented a lasting association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health because SES enables or limits access to resources (like money, knowledge, power, prestige, and beneficial social ties) that help individuals access medical innovations. Other social factors like racism and stigma have been shown to limit access to these health protection and advancement resources as well. Still, a dearth of literature has explored how such health disparities could be driven by cultural trauma specifically. Therefore, that is the task of this dissertation. Utilizing interviews from the Generations Study and the Columbus PrEP Perception Study, I investigate how the HIV/AIDS crisis is a cultural trauma for sexual minority men and its implications for their HIV prevention practices. Chapter 1 introduces literature on the HIV/AIDS (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira (Advisor); Sarah Hayford (Committee Member); Cynthia Colen (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Veterinary Biosciences

Antibody-based T-cell targeting immunotherapies, such as Immunotoxins (ITs) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), have demonstrated effectiveness in specifically depleting targeted T cells. These reagents have substantial benefits as precision medicines for T-cell lymphoma, organ transplant, autoimmune disease, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and are currently being evaluated as a preconditioning reagent for cell therapy. CD3e-ITs, composed of a T-cell-binding peptide (e.g., CD3e antibodies) conjugated with toxins, have been developed to ablate a broad T-cell population. Recombinant human CD3e-IT, Resimmune, has demonstrated significant therapeutic benefit in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with reduced toxicity. However, despite these promising results, there are still significant hurdles that need to be addressed for the successful application of CD3e-IT and T-cell targeting reagents in clinics. These hurdles include vascular leakage syndrome (VLS) and treatment resistance, as well as a poor understanding of the pharmacodynamics of CD3e-IT. To address the mechanisms underlying VLS development, we dissected and compared different portions of immunotoxins for VLS development and demonstrated that toxin molecules, not the T-cell binding portion, are the main driver of vascular leakage. Next, to understand the T-cell depletion efficacy of immunotoxins, we analyzed T-cell depletion in eleven different organs, including peripheral blood, spleen, five different locations of LNs (mesenteric, inguinal, mandibular, mediastinal, and lumbar LNs), Peyer's patches, bone marrow, thymus, and lung. We found that the treatment efficacy of CD3e-IT largely depends on the amount and quality of CD3e on the cell surface. CD3e surface expression is variable by different T subpopulations, and even the same subpopulations showed variable expression levels of CD3e depending on the organs in which the cells reside. In particular, the depletion rates of CD4+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sanggu Kim (Advisor); Prosper Boyaka (Advisor); Gregory Behbehani (Committee Member); Hazem Ghoneim (Committee Member) Subjects: Immunology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2021, Educational Administration (Education)

The main goal of this study was to understand the perceived influence of the Income Generating Activities (IGAs) on women's empowerment in The Republic of the Sudan. The study raised questions about the empowerment process, the project output and the impacts of JASMAR project for Female Sex Workers FSWs in White Nile State in The Republic of the Sudan. To address the research questions, the study utilized a qualitative inquiry combined with a multi-disciplinary theoretical framework. The data were collected using multiple methods including observation, document analysis, and qualitative interviewing. The data were analyzed using manual coding. The results show mixed influence of the JASMAR (IGAs) program on the sex workers status of empowerment.

Committee: Emmanuel Jean-Francois (Committee Chair) Subjects: Educational Leadership

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2019, Sociology

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) make up only 3.9% of the United States population (LGBTStats 2019) but continue to account for a disproportionately high share (66%) of the new HIV infections each year (CDC 2019, CDC B 2017). Even after the FDA approval of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2012, an HIV prevention medication marketed heavily to men who have sex with men, this pattern of high HIV incidence among GBM has not seen any discernible changes. While the previous literature on PrEP has examined usage trends and speculated about barriers to widespread uptake, these studies have not often explored the origin of these barriers and how GBM might be able to overcome them. Using a lens of stigma as a fundamental cause of health disparities, this study examines interview data from 25 individual interviews with GBM from a large Midwestern city – 13 GBM who had ever used PrEP and 12 GBM who had never used PrEP – to explore the barriers and resources these men faced that impacted their decision to use PrEP or not. Results show that users and non-users alike often face barriers, some of which are rooted in stigma, which can be overcome if they have access to social support or cultural health capital-based resources. These findings provide new insight into the causes of low uptake of PrEP among GBM as being attributable to experiencing barriers based in various forms of stigma and provides an explanation as to why some GBM are able to overcome such barriers while others are not.

Committee: Sarah Hayford (Advisor); Cynthia Colen (Committee Member); Hollie Nyseth Brehm (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology