Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2019, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a chronic gastric pathogen that infects more than half of all humans, is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori is necessary but not sufficient to initiate development of intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. It is not clear what additional factors tip the scale from commensal bacteria towards a gastric cancer-inducing pathogen. Genetic variants in both the pathogen and host have been implicated, but neither alone explains a substantial portion of disease risk. We hypothesized that considering H. pylori genetic variation in the context of human host ancestry would improve prediction of gastric disease risk, under a co-evolution model. First, we examined genetic ancestry in a high-risk gastric cancer cohort in northwestern Honduras with 89 unique, H. pylori and patient paired samples. Using two different methods to estimate H. pylori genetic ancestry, we observed mixed West African and European H. pylori ancestry, likely with Iberian influence. The presence of H.pylori West African ancestry correlated with gastric disease severity. Within a patient context of presumed Amerindian and European (mestizo) ancestry, these results support a model of disrupted co-evolution, where discordance between host and pathogen genetic ancestry may serve as a proxy to better determine gastric cancer risk. Next, we evaluated whether differences in H. pylori sequencing sample collection methods, from either single or multiple H. pylori colonies grown in culture, impacted genetic ancestry results in the study above. Using two different sequencing platforms to compare both single and multi-sweep colony sampling for sequencing, we found no major differences in ancestry between the two sampling techniques. Finally, we evaluated the potential influence of several human genetic variants on the development of gastric disease as part of a case-control study of 664 gastric cancer cases and 702 contro (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Scott M. Williams (Advisor); James C. Spilsbury (Committee Chair); Catherine M. Stein (Committee Member); Douglas R. Morgan (Committee Member) Subjects: Bioinformatics; Biomedical Research; Biostatistics; Genetics; Health Sciences; Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2018, Agricultural and Extension Education

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand why the youth of Choluteca, Honduras decided to shift away from a no work and no school attitude, and why they decided to return to study at the Vocational School. Data was collected by individual interviews and included the students as active participants, using photovoice methodology. The most emergent theme of the study was the issues that contributed to the students being “ninis” (out of school and out of work). There were two major sub-themes of not studying and not working. These two themes, along with the ages of the students (15-17-year olds), are the three defining factors of being a “nini” in Latin American Countries. The sub-theme of not studying included the categories of economic needs, system failure, lack of student incentive, and student's suggestions for improving their options for education. In the second sub-theme, the students' lived experience of not working is described and interpreted.

Committee: Tracy Kitchel Dr. (Committee Member); Graham Cochran Dr. (Committee Member); Caryn Filson Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Education

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2016, Agricultural and Extension Education

Survey research methods were utilized to conduct The Vocational Agriculture Needs in Choluteca, Honduras study. Research of current trends in Honduran vocational agriculture revealed a considerable need for this type of study. The study was guided by the problem that the specific needs of youth in Choluteca, Honduras in regards to a vocational agriculture program have not been observed or measured. No previous study had been found to address all areas regarding vocational agriculture needs in Honduras in which this study sought to explore. The researcher developed a student questionnaire incorporating questions to match objectives to be accomplished. The Vocational Agriculture Needs in Choluteca, Honduras Student Questionnaire incorporated the collection of four sections of data. Study participants responded to questions regarding demographic data, beliefs about participation in vocational agriculture, future ambitions and goals, and transportation. The questionnaire was made for distribution to students at three participating schools, Instituto Apacilagua, Instituto Siete de Mayo, and Centro Educativo Vocacional Estados Unidos de America. All schools are located around the city of Choluteca, Honduras. Results of the study have provided usable data to understand the young people's current trends in vocational agriculture programs of the surveyed population.

Committee: Jamie Cano Dr. (Advisor); Jeff King Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Education; Vocational Education

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2015, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

This thesis is an analysis of land use patterns in the Copan Valley, Honduras. It is a comparative, GIS-based analysis of the archaeological/population site data of the ancient Copan Maya population (A.D. 250-1300) and the 1978 modern Copan Valley population. These two populations were compared to ascertain the resilience of the Valley's ecosystem over time. Time series data from the ancient Maya was combined with mean center and standard distances tests on both populations and these were overlain onto slope and aspect data to determine how both populations utilized similar landscapes. Results demonstrate that the ancient Mayan utilization of the valley was nonresilient, and unsustainable, while the 1978 population was also non resilient, and only currently sustainable due to outside markets.

Committee: AnnCorinne Freter-Abrams (Committee Chair); Elliot Abrams (Committee Member); Dorothy Sack (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Economics; Agriculture; Ancient Civilizations; Ancient History; Archaeology; Cultural Anthropology; Demography; Ecology; Environmental Philosophy; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geographic Information Science; Latin American History; Latin American Studies; Sustainability

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2015, Agricultural and Extension Education

Survey research methods were utilized to study The Youth Development Organization Needs of Students in Choluteca, Honduras. Research of current trends in Honduran culture and articles of youth development practices revealed a considerable need for this type of study. The study was powered by the problem that youth development program involvement of young people in Choluteca, Honduras had not been observed and measured. No previous study had been found to address all areas regarding Honduran youth needs which this study sought to explore; therefore, the researcher developed a student questionnaire designed to match research questions to objectives to be accomplished in the study. The Youth Development Organization Needs of Students in Choluteca, Honduras Student Questionnaire incorporated five sections of collected data. Study participants responded to questions regarding demographic data, activity interests in and outside of school, club activity involvement, programming questions, and ranked importance of selected interest areas. The questionnaire was distributed to students at two participating schools, El Centro Educativo Estados Unidos de America and Instituto Namasigue. Both schools are located close to the city of Choluteca, Honduras. Results of the study have provided usable data to better understand young people's current trends of interest and activity involvement in youth development programs of the surveyed population.

Committee: Jamie Cano (Advisor); Gary Straquadine (Committee Member) Subjects: Education

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2015, College of Education

This study explored the perceptions of Honduran children, teachers, parents and administrators of children with disabilities and how these perceptions impacted the education of students with disabilities in rural areas of Honduras. Preexisting literature indicates that children with disabilities in rural Honduras often do not attend school due to access, negative stigma, teacher preparedness, and poverty. This study advances our understanding of the access and equity challenges facing these students. The study consisted of a collective multi-site case study. Observations, interviews, focus groups and children's drawings were used to identify the following four themes: (a) culture, (b) government, (c) poverty, and (d) education process. Findings from the research suggest that the cultural perceptions related to an environment of corruption, drugs, and violence led to disintegrated families which negatively impacted their ability to provide support for the educational needs of their children with disabilities. The high level of poverty, in conjunction with a lack of understanding and apathy on the part of the government, kept funds that were designated for education from reaching the rural schools. Results, implications and future research are discussed.

Committee: James Olive PhD (Committee Chair); Constance Savage PhD (Committee Member); James Chapple EdD (Committee Member); Carla Abreu-Ellis PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Education Philosophy; Educational Leadership; Special Education

MPH, University of Cincinnati, 2011, Medicine: Public Health - Leadership, Management and Policy

Background: Limited data are available in Honduras describing the etiology and seasonality of childhood acute respiratory infections (ARIs), and better data may lead to improved therapeutic and preventative strategies. Objective: We conducted a prospective sentinel clinic surveillance study to determine the viral etiology of ARIs in rural Honduran children less than 5 years of age to characterize the spectrum and seasonality of viruses associated with acute respiratory infections. Methods: We gathered data on age, sex, medical history, symptoms, demographics, geographic setting, vital signs, and physical exam findings. Nasopharyngeal samples were obtained via flocked swab and shipped to the U.S. in both universal transport medium (UTM) on dry ice and PrimeStore® nucleic acid stabilizing buffer at room temperature. Samples were tested for 14 respiratory viruses using the Luminex Diagnostics polymerase chain reaction (PCR) respiratory viral panel (RVP ID-TagTM). Results: 267 samples were collected from February 2010 – March 2011; 13.9% were positive for influenza, 7.9% for human metapneumovirus, 7.5% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 7.1% for parainfluenza and 2.2% for adenovirus. At least one virus was identified in 194 (72.7%) cases, of which 16 (6.0%) were co-infections. Influenza rose from 1.8% of isolates in February through June to 25.7% of isolates in July through October. No cases of influenza were identified from November 2010 through February 2011. Influenza was present for 5 out of 12 months, and influenza correlated with monthly rainfall in millimeters (R² = 0.2857). Including all tested respiratory viruses except enterovirus/rhinovirus, the presence of a respiratory virus positively correlated with average monthly precipitation (R² = 0.2863). UTM and PrimeStore® results for influenza correlated well (K = 0.767, p<0.0001). Conclusions: These unique results suggest that the spectrum of viruses in rural Honduran children is similar to those found in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: William Mase PhD (Committee Chair); Charles Schubert MD (Committee Member); Mark Steinhoff MD (Committee Member) Subjects: Surgery

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2009, Arts and Sciences : Anthropology

The purpose of the present study is to explore and describe the concepts, experience and language of depressive illness among a small sample of women from rural Honduras. The data presented here were collected as part of a larger project whose aims were to have a better understanding of the prevalence, form, and lived experience of common mental disorders among the inhabitants of rural Honduras. This paper presents a selected number (12) of in-depth social and psychiatric follow-up interviews with primary-care female patients who screened positive for distress and presented with or without clinically significant depressive symptomatology. The accounts and description of personal experience with depressive symptoms and nervios are the focus of this exploratory study. Results indicate that nervios is an expression of psychological distress among these rural women; most of those diagnosed with a depressive condition reported nervios. Also, both nervios and depression represent a chronic illness or experience that weakens the body and affects the person's everyday functioning, and both are associated with social and personal problems. We found that even when nervios is not part of the illness experience among the women in this study, nervios can be recognized as a possible indicator to serious mental and physical dysfunction that can help to diagnose depressive illness or another clinical condition in this rural community.

Committee: C. Jeffrey Jacobson PhD (Committee Chair); Jeremy Koster PhD (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Arts and Sciences : Geography

Primary health care utilization is poorly understood in many parts of the developing world. This is especially true in rural places, such as Santa Lucia, Intibuca, Honduras, where there are only three primary health care facilities servicing almost 12,000 people, where the people are poor, and generally speaking access to health care services is limited. This research project focuses on trying to understand primary health care utilization patterns in this part of Southern Honduras. Specifically, this research project examines the utilization of three health clinics operating in and around Santa Lucia. The delivery of health care is dependent on many factors, including the availability, cost, and capacities of the providers; the needs, resources and decisions of the patients; and the characteristics of the region within which the patients live. This research focuses primarily on the patients, and tries to understand their health seeking behavior. A better understanding of utilization can be used by health service planners to improve primary health care delivery in this and similar locations. The findings of this research indicate that utilization patterns can be explained, to a large extent, by factors relating to walking (travel) time, economic status, and the combined affect of health service type and proximity to care. These findings are consistent with findings from prior research: Both travel time and economic status are important factors in determining primary health care utilization. In addition, a new variable is created to examine health decision-making. This new variable has not been considered in previous research, and is found to very significant determinant of health facility utilization in the study area. A modified gravity model is used to estimate the level of utilization, and is tested through the use of log linear transformation and multi-variate regression techniques. The results here, an R-square of .644, for a model combining three different heal (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Lin Liu (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2010, Film (Fine Arts)

This work explores documentary film practice looking not at a concept of realism set by the coming of the photograph, but toward a concept of realism coming from the rethinking of art as a faithful system of representation in dialogue with a dynamic concept of reality. I will establish key aspects of the relationship between documentary film, artistic practice, and the concept of reality.

Committee: Jack Wright (Committee Chair); Marina Peterson (Committee Member); Ruth Bradley (Committee Member) Subjects: Fine Arts

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2007, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

This study examines the relationship between human terrestrial development within Roatan's watersheds and their associated coral reef habitat adjacent to shore through the use of remote sensing and in situ coral surveying methods. Two satellite images are used to determine the amount of change from vegetated to urban land cover between 1985 and 2001. Reef locations were randomly selected and evaluated by recording coral condition data utilizing SCUBA techniques. The land cover change and coral condition data are then combined utilizing GIS methods to produce a spatial risk map identifying threatened reef areas. Results indicate that human development is expanding on the island, changing the landscape and its interactions with the marine environment. The results provide a way to determine terrestrial development's impact on coral reef condition. Additionally, it provides a flexible tool which conservationists and stakeholders can use to help manage this key resource.

Committee: Jeffrey Ueland (Advisor) Subjects: Geography

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2005, International Studies - International Development Studies

Over the past two decades, one of the most significant developments in the garments and textiles industries has been the rise of the global manufacturing triangle, consisting of American and Western European retailers and distributors, East Asian contractors, and Caribbean manufacturers. This study examines East Asian garments and textiles manufacturing investment in Honduras, as an increasing number of East Asian firms have relocated their production units in Export Processing Zones in Honduras. Data was collected from personal interviews with government officials and East Asian manufacturers in Honduras and various statistical sources. The study argues that East Asian manufacturers have invested in Honduras not only for lower wages and its proximity to the US market but also for the Honduran government's business friendly policies and the import quotas imposed by the US government. Helped by East Asian manufacturers' investment, Honduras has emerged as a global production site of garments and textiles.

Committee: Yeong-Hyun Kim (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2013, History

This thesis focuses on banana women's representations and how capitalism reinforces the patriarchal system in Honduras by utilizing three distinct yet interconnected discourses: The United Fruit Company, Honduran banana novels, and female banana union workers' testimonials. The Roosevelt Administration's Good Neighbor Policy (1933) with the collective help of the United Fruit Company and Hollywood presented Latin America and Latin American women stereotypically representing them as a sexualized and exotic persona in US mass media as observed through Carmen Miranda and shortly following, the creation of Miss Chiquita Banana.The three Honduran banana novels utilized in this thesis are: Prision verde (1950), Destacamento rojo (1962) by Ramon Amaya Amador, and Barro (1951) by Pacas Navas Miralda, that act as a counter United Fruit and Hollywood discourse. I analyze that although the novels provide a strong anti-United Fruit sentiment, the authors are also under a patriarchal discourse through their stereotypical representations of their female characters. I explore the testimonials of unionized banana women who have begun to take back their history by pursuing direct political action against gender discrimination and workers' exploitation.

Committee: Valeria Grinberg Pla PhD (Advisor); Amilcar Challu PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Francisco Cabanillas PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender Studies; Latin American History; Latin American Literature; Latin American Studies

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2013, Spanish

This thesis focuses on banana women's representations and how capitalism reinforces the patriarchal system in Honduras by utilizing three distinct yet interconnected discourses: The United Fruit Company, Honduran banana novels, and female banana union workers' testimonials. The Roosevelt Administration's Good Neighbor Policy (1933) with the collective help of the United Fruit Company and Hollywood presented Latin America and Latin American women stereotypically representing them as a sexualized and exotic persona in US mass media as observed through Carmen Miranda and shortly following, the creation of Miss Chiquita Banana. The three Honduran banana novels utilized in this thesis are: Prision verde (1950), Destacamento rojo (1962) by Ramon Amaya Amador, and Barro (1951) by Pacas Navas Miralda, that act as a counter United Fruit and Hollywood discourse. I analyze that although the novels provide a strong anti-United Fruit sentiment, the authors are also under a patriarchal discourse through their stereotypical representations of their female characters. I explore the testimonials of unionized banana women who have begun to take back their history by pursuing direct political action against gender discrimination and workers' exploitation.

Committee: Valeria Grinberg Pla PhD (Advisor); Amilcar Challu PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Francisco Cabanillas PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender Studies; Latin American History; Latin American Literature; Latin American Studies

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2013, Spanish

Garifuna is a language spoken by thousands of people in Central America and in the United States. It is considered a mixed language of Arawak and Caribe descent. It has been demonstrated that indigenous languages in much of the world face endangerment; Garifuna is no exception. In many communities, Garifuna is threatened by the dominant language, either Spanish or English. Studies have, however, shown that in some Garifuna communities a process of language maintenance and revitalization is occurring. This study investigates the Garifuna community of Sangrelaya, Honduras. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the state of Garifuna and Spanish spoken in Sangrelaya. The intent was to study factors involved with language use and maintenance, including: speech domains, linguistic landscape, literacy, and linguistic attitudes in order to diagnose the ethnolinguistic vitality of Garifuna and Spanish in Sangrelaya. The investigator utilized a sociolinguistic survey and personal observations for collecting data. The sociolinguistic survey consisted of questions relating to daily use of the languages, the degree of literacy in the two languages, the language of mass media, linguistic attitudes, and the linguistic landscape. The results indicate that the residents of Sangrelaya are bilingual in Spanish and Garifuna. It also suggests positive ethnolinguistic vitality. Even though some factors such as linguistic landscape and the institutional language are not in favor of maintenance of Garifuna, other factors such as speech community, separation of the linguistic domains, and a positive linguistic attitude are in favor of maintenance of the language.

Committee: Cynthia Ducar PhD (Advisor); Lynn Pearson PhD (Committee Member); Pedro Porben PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Foreign Language; Language; Linguistics; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Sociolinguistics