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Drug Ideologies Of The United States, Macy Montgomery

Helm's School of Government Conference - American Revival: Citizenship & Virtue

The United States has been increasingly creating lenient drug policies. Seventeen states and Washington, the District of Columbia, legalized marijuana, and Oregon decriminalized certain drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. The medical community has proven that drugs, including marijuana, have myriad adverse health side effects. This leads to two questions: Why does the United States government continue to create lenient drug policies, and what reasons do citizens give for legalizing drugs when the medical community has proven them harmful? The paper hypothesizes that the disadvantages of drug legalization outweigh its benefits because of the numerous harms it causes, such as …

A Pathophysiological, Clinical, And Epidemiological View Of Malaria, Alyssa Watt

Senior Honors Theses

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is common among all ages in tropical and subtropical countries. Annually, there are an estimated 3.3 billion people in 97 countries at risk of contracting malaria. Malaria has been a major global health problem throughout history and is a leading cause of death and disease for many within tropical regions. In the past decade, efforts, such advances in medicine and insecticide techniques, have reduced the prevalence of malaria by 50% which suggests that the elimination of this disease is possible. With the prevalence of malaria and recent reduction, it is vital to aid in …

A Research Review Of Antidepressants For The Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder, Connor Grady

Senior Honors Theses

The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the U.S. has been significantly on the rise between 2015 and 2020, with adolescents and young adults (ages 18-34) contributing the most to this increase (Goodwin et al., 2022). The trend represents a disturbing downturn in the mental health of U.S. adults and warrants close attention and consideration. As the case number of MDD has continuously risen in the recent past, medical practitioners have been searching for more effective solutions. The techniques for combating the symptoms and curing the disease have varied, but one option consistently respected throughout the literature has been …

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Proposed Mechanisms Of Pathophysiology And The Underlying Dysregulation Of Brain-Gut Interaction, Hailey Haddix

Senior Honors Theses

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract affecting approximately 11-21% of people worldwide (Xiao et al., 2021). This research focuses on the dysregulation of gut homeostasis in IBS and explains how the pathophysiology of the gut is controlled by the bidirectional brain-gut axis. The mechanisms of the brain-gut axis consist of neuro-immune cross talk, neuro-hormone cross talk, microbiome-gut signaling, and the HPA-axis. Each of these contribute to one or more of the possible phenotypes of gut pathophysiology, which could include intestinal permeability, visceral hypersensitivity, and motility disturbance (Xiao et al., 2021). Stress is also an important …

Infertility: An Evaluation Of Treatment Modalities And Ethical Considerations, Elise Ferenczy

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis reviews a variety of options for treatment of infertility, along with ethical considerations for each. The basis for ethical concerns will be primarily a biblical worldview, as the goal is to support Christian couples in decisions regarding infertility treatment. The biblical worldview is outlined to provide readers with an understanding of its core principles, and the Bible is used as the primary source for ethical discussion. The most common etiologies of infertility are outlined, followed by treatment modalities grouped by category. While some modalities present very few ethical concerns, others require careful consideration in many regards. Many of …

The Impact Of Flight On Cabin Crew Wellness: A Literature Review, Ashleigh Roderick

Senior Honors Theses

Since its conception in 1903, aviation has captivated the attention of people across the globe and has been utilized in many sectors of society. Aviation related occupations pose a unique set of risks to those working in the field, health risks being one of the most prominent. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal ailments, and genetic damage have all been studied as potential consequences of working in the aviation industry, as some studies indicate a higher prevalence of these issues in aviation employees. Apart from physiological issues, mental health issues have also been observed in those working in aviation. Mental health issues …

The Effect Of Running On The Onset And Development Of Osteoarthritis, Jordan Hekman

Senior Honors Theses

Osteoarthritis is a prominent and debilitating form of joint disease characterized by pain and deterioration of the articular cartilage and other tissues in the affected joint. Research has identified a variety of risk factors for osteoarthritis, including age, obesity, gender, previous injury, and occupation. The relationship between running and osteoarthritis is a topic of particular interest because of the prevalence of running as a simple and physiologically beneficial form of exercise. Increasing evidence suggests that recreational running has at worst no effect and at best a protective effect on joint and articular cartilage health in contrast to high-intensity professional/elite-level running …

The Ethical Dilemmas Epigenetic Editing In Utero Presents To Christians, Victoria Hendrix

Senior Honors Theses

The development of CRISPR epigenetic editing technology was initially impactful due to its potential for disease treatment. However, despite the potential benefits of epigenetic technology, there exist ethical dilemmas surrounding its use in utero. The review of the ethical dilemmas of epigenetic editing in utero from a Christian perspective showed that research in epigenetic editing is promising, yet fraught with peril. The basic ethical issues of epigenetic editing in utero stem from its inaccuracy, lack of research concerning its effects on offspring, an incomplete understanding of gene interactions, and its connection to eugenics. The ethical concerns particularly relevant to Christians …

Anti-Vaccination: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy And Its Consequences For Modern Public Health Policy, Joshua Bird

Senior Honors Theses

Modern vaccination is arguably the most significant medical achievement in human history. Through widespread vaccination, populations are no longer susceptible to diseases that plagued humanity for most of its existence (measles, rubella, smallpox). While vaccinations have largely shown themselves as safe and efficacious under most circumstances, small but considerable portions of the worldwide population reject vaccination for various social, religious, and political reasons. Research indicates that vaccine hesitancy spans all socioeconomic boundaries, affecting patients and their physicians. To explore the underlying themes of vaccine hesitancy and their relationship to loss aversion and omission bias, a study of various factors underlying …

Design And Synthesis Of Peripherally Selective Endocannabinoid Enzyme Inhibitors For Ocular Indications, Kezia Reji Thomas

Senior Honors Theses

Peripherally selective compounds have been found to stimulate endocannabinoid receptor activity, which has been observed to have positive physiological effects such as ocular wound healing and inflammation control. The activation of the cannabinoid 1 receptor via binding of the endogenous ligands, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, has been indicated to elicit these effects. Both ligands are controlled by two hydrolase enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which can be targeted for therapeutic inhibition. Sulfonamide derivatives of JZL195 containing carbamate functionalities in the southern region of the inhibitor compounds were produced using novel carbamate exchange reactions. Polar functionalities were …

The Impact Of Champion Training On A Two-Clinician Indwelling Urinary Catheter Insertion Technique To Prevent Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (Cauti), Punitha Stevenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are a most common and preventable health care associated infection. Approximately 15% to 25% of hospitalized patients receive a urinary catheter during their hospital stay. The PICOT question that guided this quality improvement project was: How does a two-clinician indwelling urinary catheter insertion technique affect the CAUTI rate over one month in one unit? To answer the question, 19 high-quality studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed. These articles recommended using CAUTI bundle and champion training by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce CAUTIs and catheter days. This evidence-based intervention …

How Does Obstetric Simulation Impact Undergraduate Pre-Licensure Bsn Student’S Clinical Judgement Related To Using And Understanding Fetal Monitoring?, Brandy Leona Clayton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obstetric simulation can impact undergraduate prelicensure Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) students’ clinical judgment related to using and understanding fetal monitoring. The purpose of this study aimed to determine if a relationship exists between a student's obstetrical simulation practice and increased knowledge gained for fetal monitoring interpretation. Simulation practice provides a tangible way to test knowledge and competency, but is there an effect on student learning with the knowledge and understanding of fetal monitoring, and can simulation practice create that knowledge? A purposive sample of 24 undergraduate prelicensure BSN nursing students, within their obstetrical course, with the intent to …

Addressing Health Illiteracy In The Hispanic Community – A Call To Action: An Integrative Review, Sarah Akers Dersch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States Hispanic population is rapidly growing; however, existing healthcare endeavors are insufficiently accommodating this expansion. This demographic is linked to multiple serious health problems, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, cancer, and liver disease. In order to improve health outcomes within this community, interventions, such as health literacy screening, need to be further explored to identify current insufficiencies and help this population overcome these health challenges. This integrative review seeks to determine the effectiveness of current health literacy screening tools among native Spanish speakers in the U.S. This review seeks to amalgamate data from various studies to demonstrate …

Jailhouse Religion: A Study On The Perceived Effects Of Religious Prison Rehabilitation That Affects Recidivism, William George Bumphus Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on the relationship between Christian programming to prisoners and their lives when released into society. During this study, several men from The Jesus House ministry location were observed and interviewed on the lives they now lead after getting saved or finding Christ while in prison and being released to a faith-based aftercare facility. This study examined the mission and vision leaders of this ministry believed while interviewing participants and staff about their personal stories, and why they chose to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society. Furthermore, this study investigated the current rehabilitation programming to see where Christian programming …

Crispr: The Double-Edged Sword Of Genetic Engineering, Grace Spade

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Three Minute Thesis

An Acute Closed Extensor Hood Rupture Of The Metacarpophalangeal Joint In A Male Collegiate Baseball Athlete: A Case Study, Elizabeth Doeller

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Effect Of Mulligan Mobilization Techniques In Addition To Cryokinetics After One Treatment And 24 Hours On Nprs, Lefs, And Wbdf Test In High School Athletes With Acute Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Case Series, Greyson Daviau

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Dry Needling For Low Back Pain In A Collegiate Wrestler: A Case Study, Raymie Hinkley

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Therapeutic Interventions For Idiopathic Toe Walking In A Collegiate Basketball Player: A Case Study, Sophia Gustafson

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Exploration Of Health Outcomes Among Rural And Indigenous Populations In Guatemala, David Abafi

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Understanding And Addressing The Prevalence Of Diarrheal Diseases In Monterrico, Guatemala, Asonganyi Aminkeng, Justa Ndobegang Ewalu

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Lynchburg Headstart Vision Screening Initiative, Sharon Olowoyo, Cara Jansen, Eleftherios Vlahos, Emma Brown, Jubin Kang, Kathryn Outlaw, Kayleen Melvin, Megan Herring, Meghan Sadler, Savannah Monahan

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Design Considerations Of The Aged As It Is Applied To Senior Housing, Amanda Mcnally

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Female Students Reported Greater Side Effects After Receiving The Covid-19 Vaccine At Liberty University, Nikito Gurung, Chioma Favour Amadi

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Improving The Breathability Of A Tracheostomized Patient, Arianna Verbosky

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Empowering Community Health Workers In Guatemala, Grace Sibert

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

The Effect Of Graded Exercise And Exposure On Post-Injury Fear: A Case Study, Abigail Kolacz

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Champion Training For Two Clinicians Indwelling Urinary Catheter Insertion Technique, Punitha Stevenson

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Basic

Child Abuse From A Nursing Perspective: Assessment And Implications, Ashtyn Spring

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Textual or Investigative

Process Improvement In Appropriate Placement Of Patients In Acute Care Settings; An Integrated Literature Review, Austin Love

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal