Digital Commons Network^™

From Heel To Toe: Investigating Plantar Fasciitis Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Strategies, Breanna Littlejohn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This presentation informs plantar fasciitis patients. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The classic presentation is of sharp localized pain at the heel. In some cases, a heel spur may be found. This presentation explains how exercise can improve plantar fasciitis. Reviewing risk factors will help you identify and manage plantar fasciitis when undergoing treatment. Understanding plantar fasciitis is crucial as it is a common and painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. This inflammation of the …

Food Allergies, The Immune Response, And Preventative Treatments: Milk, Egg, And Shellfish Allergies, Marissa Dimatteo

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food allergies have been an increasing concern worldwide with very little information on preventative measures and treatment. They can have long lasting and life-threatening consequences with a wide range of symptoms from hives to anaphylactic shock. Long recommended feeding guidelines, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and gastrointestinal alterations are thought to play a role in the increase in food allergies in infants. Early introduction of food, immunotherapy, and a properly supported gut microbiome have been recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing a food allergy and desensitizing the immune system.

Sars-Cov-2 Infectivity, And Interaction With Ace2 In The Human Oral Cavity: A Comprehensive Study, Blake Joseph Henkel

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The oral cavity has the ability to transport infections throughout the body and be infected by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus that led to the most recent pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has unique ways of interacting with the human body to infect individuals, which has led researchers and scientists to have limited knowledge on its long-term impact on human health. However, there are ways to identify various oral cavity infections and prevent infection now and in the future. Many studies have been conducted in an attempt to understand the body’s …

How Does The Ergogenic Benefits, Consumption, And Overall Perspective Of Caffeine Differ Between Athletes In Different Sports?, Steven Laflamme

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Caffeine has been a very popular ergogenic aid that has been widely used by athletes at all levels of sports performance (Pickering & Grgic, 2019). The effects of caffeine have shown performance-enhancing symptoms among athletes along with multiple cognitive benefits such as reaction time and overall mood during exercise. According to McArdle, Katch, and Katch (2015), caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It acts as a blocker for adenosine receptors and allows for more neuron firing in the brain as well as increased blood flow from the heart to other body systems. In interest of caffeine’s …

Prospective Generation Z Nurses: Expectation Of The Workforce In Connotation To The Great Resignation, Amelia Borders

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Great Resignation has left an impact on the entirety of the American workforce. Coupled with the burnout rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems have been trying to find solutions to inhibit the nurse shortage. While solutions that focus on symptoms of the problem may work for a short period of time, hospitals will continue to encounter issues with staffing nurses and will need to find a new solution (Laskowskil-Jones & Castner, 2022). A possible solution would be for hospitals to recruit and retain prospective Gen Z nurses. In a quantitative study completed at a single university in …

Huntington’S Disease: A Systematic Review And Overview Of Treatments, Madison Mintz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease that is the result of a mutation of the huntingtin gene. The gene is passed in an autosomal dominant fashion and is the result of multiple Cystine, Adenine, and Guanine base repeats. HD symptoms manifest as motor, cognitive, and psychological symptoms that can range of chorea movements to depression or apathy. The disease progresses through various prodromal and clinical stages as the disease starts to manifest. The current technique to diagnose HD is the use of direct genetic testing, which counts the number of repeats. Due to the nature of HD, both …

Neurobiology Of Ptsd In Adults And Children: The Impact Of Stress-Induced Brain Abnormalities Across The Lifespan, Catherine Clover

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the scholarly community, there is disagreement about the effects of PTSD or chronic stress on the brain of adults and children. Though PTSD or chronic stress are known to negatively affect neurobiological structures, specifically due to prolonged glucocorticoid excess, volumetric discrepancies between traumatized and control groups are not unanimously confirmed. This review sought to address the common understandings in academia of the effects of PTSD on the brains of adults and children. Literature on this topic indicated that, in adults, the hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, and prefrontal cortex bilaterally appeared to decrease in gray matter volume and the corpus callosum …

Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis: Diphenhydramine Vs. Fexofenadine, Lauren Setzer

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Allergic rhinitis is a growing allergic illness brought on by the inhalation of allergens, resulting in a list of symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, etc. Among the many treatment options available, H1-antihistamines are a popular choice for allergic rhinitis sufferers. First-generation antihistamines were the first to hit the market and were later discovered to be lipophilic, causing blood-brain barrier penetration and cognitive impairment. Second-generation antihistamines were later developed with lipophobic properties to eliminate any form of cognitive impairment. Both generations are readily available over-the-counter in tablet form, including two commonly used ones: diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and fexofenadine (Allegra®). These …

Doing Death Better: Practical Ways For Healthcare Professionals To Care For The Dying Patient And Their Families, Andrea Wilson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Healthcare professionals care for patients with unique personal, cultural, religious, and medical needs, but these needs are not always met in a way that ensures the patient and their families are being treated as unique individuals. This paper first provides an overview of the physiological aspects of dying and how to educate patients and their families regarding expectations in end-of-life. The impacts of the death of a child and a parent were explored, and areas in need of more resources for these individuals were identified. The beliefs and practices of Hindu, Native American, and Islamic cultures were discussed, and lessons …

Porifera: Biology And Medicinal Properties, Emma L. Rayfield

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The focus of this thesis is the possibility of oceanic medicine through understanding the general biology of poriferans, their symbionts, medicinal properties, and how we could harvest sponges conservatively. It was necessary to understand the basic biology of poriferans regarding their structures, differences in their classes, and how they obtain nutrition, develop, and reproduce. The ecology of the poriferans was also researched including their larval and sessile stages and how their environment determines where they settle. Additionally, ecology was examined including how poriferans interact with symbionts and other organisms. This then was utilized to seek whether poriferans had useful medical …

Parental Instincts: The Neurological And Biological Factors Associated With Parenthood, Jared Reeder

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The following project involves a systematic review of the scientific literature on neural and biological changes of mothers and fathers in parenthood. Until very recently, little scientific research was devoted to studying how bearing children affects a man or woman’s long-term biology. Over the last twenty years, studies of neuroplastic changes in new mothers show specific neural mechanisms responsible for altering the behaviors of mothers during and after pregnancy. These changes in neuroplasticity alter behavior in such a way that led to mothers requiring less sleep and being more prone to hearing the cries of their children. In addition to …

The Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Various Aspects Of Child And Adolescent Lives: A Literature Review, Alissa Carpenter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coronavirus 19 or COVID-19 is a spherical, enveloped virus that causes a lower respiratory tract infection with symptoms including pneumonia, fever, and difficulty breathing (Ochani et al., 2021). This virus caused a global pandemic that infected millions of people and killed over a million people. The aim of this literature review is to examine how the social-distance mandates and quarantines affected various aspects of child and adolescent life and development. This review examines language and speech impairment, behavioral changes/challenges, academic performance, mental health (specifically depression and anxiety), child abuse and neglect, and student-athlete experiences. The results found that language and …

More Than Growth? A Study Of The Additional Functions Of Growth Hormone In The Human Body, Damien Chance Hutchins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Growth Hormone (GH) may have many more effects on the human body than those commonly known by the public. A study was conducted to determine what these additional functions may be, if these functions could necessitate the continued use of GH treatment for adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), and how these effects might invite the additional usage of GH as a treatment for normal individuals. Research consisted of a literature review and a statistical analysis of 86 adult GHD reports regarding how GH treatment had affected various symptoms. Reports were analyzed for significance using one-way ANOVAs. Observed results support …

Risk Benefit Analysis Of Treatments For Cystic Acne, Callie Elliott

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Acne is a prevalent skin disorder and is displayed through various different incidences. Cystic acne, a severe form of acne that is difficult to treat, reaches deep into the skin underneath the epidermis layer and produces painful, inflamed cysts that contain sebum, dead skin cells, and Propionobacterium acnes, the acne causing bacteria. Because this is an uncomfortable type of acne and is tough to treat, researchers have developed and tested a number of treatments to determine the best course of treatment for reducing and potentially eradicating cystic acne. These treatments are most commonly in the form of systemic or topical …

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Chronic Disease In Adults: A Systematic Review, Brendan Teeters

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This systematic review investigated thirteen primary and secondary research studies from the past 20 years to determine the effects of intermittent fasting on chronic disease in adults through evaluation of biological markers pertaining to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the cardiovascular system. The dependent variables examined included heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels for cardiovascular risk; leptin and TNF-a for inflammatory risk; and F₂-Isoprostanes and free radicals for oxidative stress biomarkers. The reviewed studies found that there was a decrease in resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood LDL and total cholesterol levels, inflammatory cells, like …

Perfection: The Fatality Of Down Syndrome, Mallory Baucom

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Down syndrome is a condition that carries with it a negative stigma and many negative assumptions. The advancement of the medical community has begun to allow expectant parents to anticipate whether their child will have Down syndrome. However, in recent years mothers are using the results of prenatal tests as a deciding factor to decide if they will continue the pregnancy. The negative stigma associated with Down syndrome has transformed into a discrimination against people with Down syndrome. There are many influencing factors that affect the decision-making process of expectant mothers. The decision to terminate one’s pregnancy is not made …

A Comparison Of Hamstring Injury Recovery Rates In Male And Female Athletes, Amanda Hall

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Excerpt from Introduction

Hamstring injuries are among the most common muscular injuries sustained by athletes across multiple levels of various sports (Askling et al). Most hamstring injuries occur during similar movements and under similar conditions, where the muscle is required to be explosive. Thus, athletes that participate in sports where “sprinting, kicking, or high-speed skilled movements” are required, experience an increased likelihood of suffering a hamstring injury (Erickson and Sherry). After injury, athletes are then subjected to different methods of rehabilitation to heal and strengthen the afflicted area. However, some athletes take longer than others to return and impatience may …

Testing Cr(Ii)-Btc For Ammonia Adsorption Capabilities: A Research Proposal, Tyler Hemingway

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Excerpt from Purpose and Hypothesis

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the ability of a particular metal-organic framework (MOF), Cr(II)-BTC, to adsorb ammonia (NH₃) gas. This particular MOF was chosen for this study due to the Cr having open metal sites, which are generally suitable locations for ammonia adsorption as seen in other MOFs.^1,2,3 This study will be done by testing Cr(II)-BTC’s ability to adsorb as well as another MOFs ability to adsorb ammonia. From this data, the ability of Cr(II)-BTC to adsorb ammonia repeatedly and under dry or humid conditions will also be determined. …

I Survived The Icu: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome From Patient And Nursing Perspectives, Catherine Bynum

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Excerpt from Introduction

After a head-on collision with a drunk driver, Kathy Torpie had a long road to recovery ahead of her. After three weeks in the intensive care unit (ICU), sedation, and mechanical ventilation, she was left with a set of symptoms coined Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) (Torpie, 2005). PICS is defined as “a condition that encompasses new or worsening impairments in the patient’s physical, cognitive, or mental status arising after critical illness and persisting beyond the acute hospitalization” (Makic, 2016, p. 172). With technological advancements, ICU survival rates are on the rise. Now that survival has increased, it …

Regeneration Of Teeth And Periodental Tissues Using Stem Cells, Joshua A. Mckoy

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to serve as systematic literature review that provides a background on regenerative therapy in dentistry, as well as proposing the need for continued research. Regenerative dentistry has great potential for stem cell use. Stem cells of many types have the capability of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types. With stem cell-based regeneration, dentistry can grow exponentially with the implementation whole-tooth replacement, pulp regeneration, periodontium regeneration, enamel regeneration, and dentin regeneration. Furthermore, utilizing various biomaterial scaffolds and inducing growth factor activity has been demonstrated to aid in regenerative efforts. Issues of regenerative therapies must …

Crash And Burnout: The Sophomore Slump In College Athletics, Jessica Ferguson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study analyzed and compared the severity of performance slumps of collegiate student-athletes in general and across academic years. The factors examined with performance slumps included athlete burnout, academic burnout, relationship satisfaction, and grade point averages. The first hypothesis was that reduced accomplishment scores from the athlete burnout questionnaire would indicate the severity of performance slumps. The results did not support the hypothesis. The second hypothesis was that the severity of performance slumps would positively correlate with academic burnout and negatively correlate with relationship satisfaction. The results supported this hypothesis. The third hypothesis was that student-athletes who experienced a performance …

Bsn Students’ Satisfaction And Self-Confidence In Simulation-Based Learning, Aubrey Winum

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As nurse educators prepare students to enter the real world, they are challenged to create learning methods that develop confident and competent nurses. While new graduate nurses have much to learn, they are expected to be able to work as a team, think critically, and provide a safe environment for patients. A nursing program at a small, liberal arts college in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains utilized simulation-based learning experiences to prepare students for the many situations they may face as a future nurse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact these experiences had on …

A Comparison Of Traditional Epidural And Low-Dose Epidural Techniques, Ellen Terry

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to compare traditional epidural analgesia to other low-dose epidural analgesic techniques e.g. combined spinal-epidural analgesia and mobile epidural analgesia. The risk and side-effects of each type of epidural had on both mother and the newborn was researched and discussed. This was a comprehensive analysis of several studies dating from 1989 to 2016. It was found that traditional epidural analgesia increased the risk for cesarean deliveries, vaginal assisted deliveries, longer duration of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, breastfeeding cessation, higher temperature, lower maternal satisfaction and failed catheters. No effect on the newborn was found. Combined spinal was …

Move More, Stress Less: Exploring The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Test Anxiety In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Ashleigh Cleveland

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity and test anxiety in undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students. Participants (N=69) were first, second, and third year undergraduate nursing students at a small, private university in the southeastern United States. The Westside Test Anxiety Scale was administered along with questions regarding the type of physical activity performed each week and the number of minutes of physical activity performed each week. A Pearson r correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics were analyzed. Results were inconclusive regarding the relationship between physical activity and test anxiety. Survey results indicated 97% of students …

Senior Bsn Students’ Confidence, Comfort, And Perception Of Readiness For Practice, Megan Ashley Wray

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In order for new graduate nurses to practice confidently, senior nursing students must be adequately prepared to assume the role of a nurse in a professional setting. This study, using the Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey, focused on identifying senior Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students’ level of comfort/confidence performing various skills and perception of readiness for practice as new graduate nurses. All participants had recently completed their senior preceptorship course. Participants completed the survey and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data, while free response answers were studied and key words were identified to categorize responses into themes. …

Alternative Therapies For People With Special Needs: An Emphasis On Animal-Assisted Therapies, Emily Hamilton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper contains research examining the effectiveness of alternative therapies - play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, horticulture therapy, and animal-assisted therapies – in helping various special needs populations. The focus of this research was on animal-assisted therapies that utilized therapy dogs or horses. These therapies provide a plethora of benefits physically, mentally, and psychologically. 11 interviews were conducted with counselors, psychologists, therapy dog owners, and an equine therapy director to further examine the effectiveness of these alternative therapy programs. Each interview presented unique evidence of the positive impact these therapies are having on various populations. All research into these …

Alzheimer’S Disease: More Than Just Memory Loss: An Awareness Of The Disease And An Active Plan Of Coping Strategies And Caregiving, Michelle Lynn Evans

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease which leads to progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age. During the disease’s progression, various biochemical functions of the brain cells go astray and eventually lead to memory loss. What a lot of people do not always realize is the fact this disease goes beyond just losing memory. From my own observation as well as research studies, it has been noted that AD patients can experience sleep disruption, sundowning, speech decline, apraxia, agnosia, and behavioral changes such as depression and combativeness. As more of these signs and symptoms …

Culture Counts: An Analysis Of Cultural Awareness And Competency Among Nursing Students, Ariel Starr Tate

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As cultural diversity becomes increasingly significant in the field of nursing, so does its inclusion in accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs. An analysis of one university’s school of nursing program curriculum was conducted to measure the cultural awareness and competency of nursing students progressing through BSN and ADN accredited programs, using the Cultural Awareness Scale (CAS) survey and a qualitative survey. Results indicated BSN students and senior level students score higher on average compared to ADN students and junior level students respectively. However, low means overall and only 15% to 18% …