Psy. D., Antioch University, 2015, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

Few empirical studies exist that examine adult Asperger-affected relationships. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the marital satisfaction of individuals in relationships in which at least one partner has Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), differs in some significant way from the marital satisfaction of individuals in relationships in which neither partner has AS/ASD. Participants were 126 adults in relationships in which at least one partner had a diagnosis of AS or ASD, recruited from Asperger- and autism-related websites, social media, and organizations from English-speaking countries. Couples consisted of heterosexual and same-sex couples, couples with and without children, and couples in which either the male and/or the female partner had an AS/ASD diagnosis. Members of each couple responded independently. Using an online version of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory, Revised (MSI R), the mean scores of individuals in AS/ASD-affected relationships were compared with the normative data of the MSI R for males and females on each of 10 dimensions of marital satisfaction, resulting in 20 comparisons. The dimensions of martial satisfaction included global distress, affective communication, problem solving communication, time together, aggression, sexual dissatisfaction, disagreement about finances, family history of distress, dissatisfaction with children, and conflict over child rearing. Comparisons were made using independent samples t-tests. Because of the highly significant results, step-down procedures were not needed to correct for possible inflation of Type 1 errors. Of the 20 comparisons, 15 demonstrated significantly more dissatisfaction among individuals in AS/ASD-affected relationships than those from the normative data sample, at p < .001. In all cases, individuals in AS/ASD-affected partnerships were more dissatisfied than their normative sample counterparts. Separate analyses revealed that NT individuals were l (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: George Tremblay PhD (Committee Chair); David Arbeitman PhD (Committee Member); William Slammon PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Master of Science, University of Toledo, 2020, Chemistry

Microcystins (MCs) are widespread cyanotoxins present in water sources contaminated with cyanobacteria during harmful algal blooms (HABs), and are compounds of concern due to their hepatotoxicity. Despite the regulation of their allowed concentration in drinking water, humans could be exposed to MCs by water or food consumption, or during recreational activities in affected bodies of water. Therefore, the studies of mechanisms of MC activity, transportation and detoxification pathways are important for the better understanding of both their chronic and acute toxicity. Also, quick and reliable methods of water analysis are needed in order to determine the presence of the toxins and prevent human exposure. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a valuable technique for the visualization of analytes in biological tissues and other media. Herein, MALDI-MSI was applied to investigate the distribution of MC-LR and its metabolites in liver tissue sections obtained from mice exposed to MC-LR. The study was directed on the effect of the chronic MC-LR toxicity below the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) on control mice and mice used to model non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Limits of detection (LOD) of MC-LR with MALDI-MS were determined for on-plate and on-tissue MALDI-MSI experiments. MALDI-MS imaging procedures were also optimized. Different variations of the matrix deposition and sample preparation were examined, and the most effective MALDI-MSI protocol was used for imaging of MC-LR in the liver tissue of the studied mice. MCs are produced within cyanobacterial cells, and their release into water could happen during cell death or water treatment procedures. Thus, cell lysis and MC release and extraction have to be studied and evaluated. At the same time, monitoring of the extracellular MCs in the water sources is an important task and should be rapid and reliable. In the second project, high-pe (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dragan Isailovic (Committee Chair); Eric Findsen (Committee Member); Terry Bigioni (Committee Member) Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2005, Psychology

Expressed emotion (EE) refers to critical or overinvolved communication styles within the home, and negative (‘high') EE has been linked to worse outcomes in adults and children with a variety of psychiatric disorders. The present study examined the relationship between parent factors (Axis I and Axis II psychopathology, current mood symptoms, knowledge of mood disorders) and child factors (current and worst mood severity and global functioning) and EE level in parents of children aged 8-11 with early-onset depression and bipolar disorder. Baseline data from mothers and fathers were examined separately using logistic and linear regressions. Data initially were analyzed using a dichotomous high versus low EE rating scored from the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). In the mothers, lower child current global functioning and higher parent-reported current mood severity in the child were the only significant predictors of high EE status. For the fathers, only lower child current functioning was a significant predictor of high EE status. Next, data were analyzed using a continuous measure of critical comments obtained from the FMSS. In the mothers, lower child current functioning and higher parent-reported current mood severity in the child were significant predictors of critical comments made. No factors significantly predicted critical comments made by the fathers. Finally, EE was examined using a self-report Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist, which provides a continuous scoring system of attitudes and behaviors expressed within parent-child dyads. For the mothers, all parent characteristics other than knowledge of mood disorders were significant predictors of more negative attitudes expressed by the parent toward the child. In the fathers, lower knowledge of mood disorders and higher Axis II Cluster B and Appendix B (depressive and negativistic personality disorders) symptoms were significant predictors of more negative attitudes expressed by the parent toward the (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mary Fristad (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2010, Leadership Studies

This study examined the relationships between undergraduate leaders' self-perceptions of their transformational and transactional leadership behaviors and their sources of work motivation. The sample was comprised of 145 elected and appointed leaders at a mid-west university. The survey included both the Motivation Sources Inventory and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Other survey items collected demographic and leadership-experience data. Participants overall scored higher for transformational self-perceived behaviors than for transactional, and higher for intrinsic motivation than extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation related positively to transformational self-perceived behaviors, and extrinsic motivation related positively to transactional self-perceived behaviors. By understanding undergraduates' self-perceptions of their leadership behaviors and motivation, models and methods can be developed to foster and strengthen perspectives that embrace situational application of transformational and transactional behaviors.

Committee: Mark Earley (Advisor); William Arnold (Committee Member); Judith Jackson May (Committee Member); Dafina Lazarus Stewart (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Educational Theory; Gender; Higher Education; Organization Theory; Teaching