Digital Commons Network^™

Part 2: Preparing Entry-Level Occupational And Physical Therapy Students To Promote Healthy Lifestyles Emphasizing Healthy Eating With Individuals With Disabilities, Brooks C. Wingo, Donald H. Lein, Beth A. Barstow, Christopher A. Eidson, Tara S. Pearce, Laurie A. Malone, David M. Morris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rehabilitation professionals including occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) are increasingly called upon to incorporate health promotion of lifestyle behaviors including physical activity and healthy eating into routine clinical care. While OTs and PTs may be comfortable promoting activity-related behaviors, many are less comfortable with nutrition behaviors. To address entry-level OT and PT students’ perceived discomfort with discussing diet-related behaviors, faculty developed a healthy eating module for students to use during a community-based service learning program. The purpose of this paper is to describe the formative evaluation process of developing the healthy eating module, and to discuss results of …

Views From Above: Recent Forest History In The Far North Of Madagascar, Nathanael R. Bartosch

Honors Theses

This study is a spatial analysis of the forests west of Mt. d’Ambre National Park in the far northern portion of Madagascar. This area has little spatial, ethnographic, or historic data pertaining to the environment. After a research trip to this area from June to August 2017, the need for a temporal study of forest change materialized. Utilizing Landsat data, NDVIs were generated to assess forest cover density from 1978 to 2018. This spatial analysis saw deforestation across the study area. Deforestation in this area is mainly caused by agriculture, large foreign companies, recent immigration, and local exploitation of timber …

Poverty And Eastern Kentucky School Districts: An Analysis Of Effective Interventions That Lead To Academic Success, Jessica Dobbs

Honors Theses

Poverty is a persistent cycle that plagues the United States, but specifically Eastern Kentucky. This is especially evident within the school districts there. This data was collected in order to help highlight the magnitude of poverty within Eastern Kentucky and its’ impact on the academic success of the students. When analyzing data from the Kentucky School Report Card from the 2016-2017 school year, twenty-four counties were identified as having at least 75% of the student population within the district qualifying for free & reduced lunch. After the identification of those twenty-four counties, the elementary K-Prep Proficiency and Distinguished scores for …

The Effects Of The Relationship Between Racism And The Environment On Personal Health, Hannah M. Batsche

Honors Theses

Substantial research evidence suggests that racial and ethnic minority groups living in America do not have the same access and opportunities for maximized health as their white counterparts. Factors of the environment, termed social determinates of health, explain this phenomenon. There are five social determinates of health which are influenced by racism: education, economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, health and healthcare, and social and community context. Research has been conducted in various populations on how the relationship between racism and the five social determinants of health negatively affect the health of individuals. However, little research has been conducted in …

Advertising In A World Full Of Human Trafficking: How Advertising And Human Trafficking Coincide, April M. Cherry

Honors Theses

As a young woman, I have been groomed to worry about the consequences of what I wear, what I say, and how I interact with men. My grandma is constantly sending me emails with new information on sexual assault or kidnapping cases around the area in which I live. I see articles about human trafficking schemes on my news feed almost weekly. As a young woman, I am conditioned to be on guard at all times because the dangers of being abducted or attacked, specifically trafficked, are portrayed to be more likely than they truly are. Why is this? Why …

Compositional And Thermodynamic Variability In A Stratified Magma Chamber: Evidence From The Green Tuff Ignimbrite (Pantelleria, Italy)., Katarzyna M. Liszewska, John C. White, Ray Macdonald, Bogusław Bagiński

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The Green Tuff Ignimbrite, Pantelleria, is compositionally zoned from pantellerite at the base to comenditic trachyte at the top, the variation apparently representing an inverted vertical zonation in the pre-eruptive reservoir. The main phenocryst assemblages are alkali feldspar + olivine + clinopyroxene + ilmenite + apatite in the trachytes and alkali feldspar + aenigmatite + clinopyroxene + quartz in the rhyolites. Thermodynamic modelling indicates that the temperature range was ~900–700°C, fO2 FMQ –1.5 to FMQ –0.5 (where FMQ is fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer) and aSiO2 (relative to quartz saturation) 0.74–1.00. Melt water contents ranged from ~1wt % in the trachytes to ~4wt …

Trends In State And Federal Osh Enforcement, James P. Klyza Jr., Clint Pinion Jr., D. Gary Brown

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Background: OSHA evaluates State Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) enforcement annually through the Federal Annual Monitoring Evaluation (FAME) process. This process is used to determine whether Kentucky OSH (KY OSH) is meeting or exceeding OSHA performance. The FAME report for KY OSH based its evaluations on only 14.5% of the total number of cases in 2015 and did not test for statistical significance.

Objective: Determine the statistical significance of the 2015 FAME report deficiencies in the KY OSH program.

Method: The OSHA dataset consists of case detail for all inspections conducted from 1970 to present (updated daily). ANOVA (analysis of …

A Storied Tale: Melding Digital Storytelling, Service-Learning, And Digital And Information Literacy Skills For Pre-Service Teachers, Heather K. Beirne

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Today’s teachers, a diverse body of individuals with a variety of technological backgrounds and skill sets, often find themselves working from a “digital immigrant” perspective. Even pre-service teachers, who may be classified as digital natives, report “strong positive beliefs in technology, yet moderate confidence and reserved attitude in using technology” (Lei, 2009); Lei reports that, though they are often viewed as “innovative users of available technology and eager adopters of new technology,” pre-service teachers are also not utilizing digital technology to its fullest advantage, self-report that they do not feel comfortable with or proficient at the use of higher level …

How Ethics Can Inform Spiritually Sensitive Social Work, Ann M. Callahan

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Sensitivity to spirituality in social work practice has grown over the past thirty years; however, social work practitioners and educators express discomfort in addressing spirituality. This workshop provides an opportunity for participants to learn more about ethics-based practice models for the delivery of spiritually sensitive social work.

Abstract Assassination: How Police Militarization Has Contributed To The Rise Of “Swatting”, Lucas A. Carrico

Honors Theses

In recent decades, police militarization has firmly planted itself at the forefront of academic discourse in institutions of higher learning around the globe. Various stances, positions, and theories have been extolled as to its origins, implications, and repercussions; however, this decade has produced what is arguably the most tangible embodiment of police militarization as a whole: swatting. Ostensibly a prank, this phenomenon entails the false reporting of a serious crime with the covert intention of this report being to direct as many heavily armed police officers to a location as possible. This phenomenon has become increasingly popular in the world …

Fast Drivers, Slow Progress: An Investigation Of Evidence-Based Protocols In Kentucky Emergency Medical Services, Stuart Jones

Honors Theses

Emergency medical services (EMS) is responsible for the prehospital management of medical emergencies. EMS professionals operate under the license of a practicing physician, or “medical director.” The skills and procedures which EMS providers may perform are outlined as written “protocols.” To investigate the evidence-based nature (or lack thereof) of EMS protocols, a convenience sample of ground EMS agencies within the state of Kentucky which provide ALS-level patient care was used. This sample consisted of agencies of varying run volumes that were located across all major geographic regions of the state. Twenty six agencies constituted the final sample. The full list …

The Physics Of Cheerleading: Force Production Of Cheerleading Stunts, Kacy Eckley

Honors Theses

This study aims to determine the ground reaction forces that are encountered by bases and flyers of a co-ed stunt group when performing a basic toss, a toss hands, and a toss extension. The ground reaction forces of other activities, such as those encountered in figure skating and gymnastics, have previously been studied, but the forces produced by cheerleaders have never before been tested. Data was collected by having cheerleading stunt groups (four males and three females) perform trials of each stunt on force plates. The data showed that both the base and flyer were exposed to large ground reaction …

Inventory In Digby, Laura Edwards

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

EKU will share tips and tricks from its experience with using the Digby app in its inventory project. Presenter will explain differences between the Digby-generated report and the WMS Inventory FTP report and can share workflows from the EKU's inventory project.

Catching The Perfect Serial Killer: How Bacterial Evidence Can Be Used To Advance A Forensic Investigation, Catherine Wood

Honors Theses

Catching the Perfect Serial Killer: How Bacterial Evidence Can Advance a Forensic Investigation is a short story and process statement that serves to bring attention to the forensic possibilities that the field application of bacterial evidence presents. This project also allows individuals not familiar with the field to have a better understanding as to how bacterial evidence could be used to link a perpetrator to their crime. The short story, Catching the Perfect Serial Killer, follows Professor Amanda Newman at the University of California. A serial killer in her neighborhood leaves no forensic evidence behind. When the FBI takes …

Is Organic Food More Nutritious?, Allyson Bridewell

Honors Theses

Organically grown food has the notion that it is healthier than its conventionally grown counterparts. There is substantial research that has been done on the effects of pesticides on produce and how these foreign chemicals have negative effects on the environment and the people consuming these chemicals. While this is a known fact, the big question is if organic food is more nutritious than its conventional counter parts. There is minimal research on the actual nutritional quality of organically grown produce versus conventionally grown produce. Various studies have looked at vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. There are many discrepancies among the …

View Point: Gaps In The Current Guidelines For The Prevention Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Surgical Site Infections, Kevin T. Kavanagh, Said Abusalem, Lindsay E. Calderon

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The authors advocate the addition of two preventative strategies to the current United State’s guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infections. It is known that Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carriers are at a higher risk for the development of infections and they can easily transmit the organism. The carriage rate of Staph. aureus in the general population approximates 33%. The CDC estimates the carriage rate of MRSA in the United States is approximately 2%. The first strategy is preoperative screening of surgical patients for Staph. aureus, including MRSA. This recommendation is based upon the …

It's About Communities: The Commitment To Promoting A Culturally Competent Environmental Health Workforce, Clint Pinion Jr., Leslie D. Mitchell, Jason W. Marion

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Environmental health and public health are profoundly local. The Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs (AEHAP) firmly agrees and for this reason, it is important to have local environmental health experts who know the pulse of their communities. AEHAP believes in supporting the advanced scientific education of environmental health in these communities through people from these communities. Accordingly, AEHAP has sought to promote and support accredited environmental health programs among a diverse cross-section of the U.S. higher education landscape. AEHAP’s students are diverse in many ways, including socioeconomically, racially, ethnically, and culturally. The value of this approach enhances the overall …

Lilley Cornett Woods Weather Data (January 1976 - May 2012), Stephen C. Richter

Natural Areas Research Data

The maximum and minimum temperatures, temperature at observation and precipitation over 24 hr period for every day from January 1st, 1975 to May 31st, 2012 excluding the dates: May 10-14th 1980; January-March, June, September, and October 1976; March-December 1975; and hard copies of May 2007 and May 2012 so no quality control was entered.

International Challenges And Opportunities For Start-Up Expatriates, Lana Carnes, Faridah Awang

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

An employee’s earning potential is a direct function of his or her skills, capabilities, and experience – and international experience is one of the most effective ways for people to increase their value.

Table Of Contents And Editorial Letter

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Legalization Of Medical Cannabis And Potential Implications For Healthcare Delivery In The United States, Lauren N. Cornett

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Cannabis legalization is currently a topic of significant interest within the American healthcare system. Existing research has demonstrated the effects of medical cannabis in alleviating manifestations of several common health conditions which affect many Americans, including cancer and chronic pain. Additionally, research has demonstrated that medical cannabis programs have positive implications for the objectives of government health initiatives such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Triple Aim. Economic benefits from cannabis taxation have also been documented in states with active medical cannabis programs. While federal restrictions inhibit extensive cannabis research, the legalization of medical cannabis has significant implications for …

Medical Marijuana And The Healthcare System, John T. Lear-Phillips

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Many individuals in America suffer from chronic diseases (Glaucoma, Cancer, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis) and medical marijuana can alleviate the side effects associated with these conditions. The federal government should legalize marijuana in order to give individuals with chronic diseases the organic medication they need to manage their symptoms. The current literature discusses how this topic is a national and community healthcare issue due to the large numbers of individuals with chronic conditions who could benefit from access to medical marijuana. Medical marijuana has the ability to improve the cost, access, and quality of healthcare in the United States …

Understanding Regenerative Medicine And Its Position In Healthcare, Tyler F. Ward

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Abstract: Regenerative medicine is an emerging field of the healthcare industry that has the potential to treat a myriad of health conditions. Induced pluripotent stem cells, human embryonic stem cells, and tissue engineering are a few of the treatment methods that may be delivered by healthcare professionals in personalized medicine. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is necessary within the United States before any of these treatment options are available. Specific cellular therapies are currently undergoing clinical trials and it may be years before approval is acquired. The National Institute of Health is proactively working to ensure that healthcare policies, …

A Blind Spot In Health Care Services: The Intellectual/ Developmental Disabled Population And Training Of Primary Care Providers, Shaina Goode

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

The intellectual and developmental disabled (I/DD) population is exposed to barriers that prevent access to quality healthcare. One of the main barriers is lack of training among primary care providers to treat the I/DD population. Because this population requires further devotion when addressing personal health needs, it is necessary to understand how lack of training and experience for primary care providers hinders the I/DD population’s health. Primary healthcare providers need further training to obtain skills to provide adequate access for this population to reduce health disparities. Further training such as professionally facilitated courses on disability through lectures or seminars, discipline-specific …

The Influence Of Dose Of A Plant-Derived Volatile Cue On Arabidopsis Thaliana Resistance Against Insect Herbivores, Sarah Bissmeyer, Grace Freundlich, Christopher Frost

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are plant-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known to affect plant-plant communication. Specifically, GLVs can facilitate “priming”, whereby plants initiate a faster and stronger defensive response to a subsequent stress. The stress-induced GLV cis-3-hexenyl acetate (z3HAC) is a known priming cue, yet whether the concentration of the z3HAC affects plant defenses is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that z3HAC concentration of would influence Arabidopsis thaliana resistance against a specialist (Trichoplusia ni) and generalist (Spodoptera exigua) herbivore. Our z3HAC treatments ranged from 0-100 ng/hr, which spanned the …

Call For Papers

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Physician Shortage In America, Katherine Koplyay

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

The physician shortage occurring in the United States is vast, and many people will not realize it is happening until it affects them directly. Primary care physicians make up the majority of this shortage, but other specialties will also be affected. By the year 2025, it is estimated that the United States will be forty-five thousand to ninety-thousand physicians short. There are simply not enough physicians to meet the demand. Causes of the shortage include the Affordable Care Act insuring millions of people, Medicare and Medicaid continually expanding, the growing population, and the baby boomer generation seeking more and more …

Greater Needs, Greater Spending: Improving Care For High-Need, High-Cost Patients, Laken Tackett

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

High-need patients spend up to four times more than the average American adult on health care services and prescription medications annually. Tailoring services to each individual’s needs could improve health care outcomes, effectively decreasing costs. Although high-need individuals make up only 5% of the population, they account for 50% of national health care expenditure. Improving care for this population is vital. Implementing an occupational therapist in the primary care process is one way to improve health for these individuals. Highly specialized care coordinators could also be beneficial for this population to coordinate services and medications, making sure there are not …

Human Papillomavirus: The Influence Of Prevention And Vaccination, Lacey N. Russell

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Human Papillomavirus infections (HPV) are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Of cancers in parts of the body where HPV is often discovered about 80% originated from an HPV infection. Despite this knowledge and the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, vaccination by both genders in Kentucky and on a national scale remains highly underutilized. As a result, preventable incidence and mortality rates from HPV-related illness are elevated. Health care delivery factors such as increased vaccination and preventative care, insurance coverage, and accessible rural health care are necessary for HPV prevention and promotion of holistic health. The …

Evaluating Shame; A Comparative Look At Sexual And Physical Abuse, Kathryn Mckenzie, Theresa Botts

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Shame is a potential adverse effect which can occur following a traumatic experience, such as being a survivor of sexual and physical abuse. Demonstrating the prevalence and levels of shame resulting from sexual and physical abuse can be of interest to those professionals working with survivors of trauma. The purpose of this study was to separately evaluate the prevalence of shame within sexual and physical abuse. This study tested the following hypotheses: hypothesis 1, shame will be more prevalent and demonstrate higher levels in sexual abuse survivors than in physical abuse survivors and hypothesis 2, survivors of both sexual and …