Digital Commons Network^™

The Barefoot Lifestyle: Bringing Nature Back Into Health, Rachel Murray

Senior Honors Theses

The Barefoot lifestyle has many research questions revolving around the topic. Throughout the introduction, new solutions, such as natural way, will be spoken about broadly. The questions asked are to figure out why going barefoot has so many benefits physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually while introducing examples and other supportive studies and or cases. Additionally, the purpose of this research is to find a way back to a natural way of healing with specific examples of barefoot scenarios, trials of barefoot running and walking, and specific techniques to enhance the effects.

“Re-Storying” Anne Shirley And The Adhd Child: A Crip Genealogy Of Anne Of Green Gables, Darian Aleyna Wilson

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the contested nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), focusing on its cultural and historical constructions. While ADHD has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since 1980, its legitimacy remains a subject of debate across medical, disability studies, and historical scholarship. Using Eli Clare’s critique of diagnosis as a tool rather than a fact, this project examines how ADHD is both pathologized and re-storied within societal and medical discourses. It highlights the tension between medical classifications and lived experiences of those diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in the context of girlhood.

The central …

Adolescent Developmental Domains: Examining Risk And Protective Factors In Loneliness, Archer Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent mental health is on the decline and questions have been raised as to what might be contributing. The experience of chronic loneliness has been linked to increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors in both adulthood and adolescence. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between known risk and protective factors and loneliness in adolescence. The objective of this secondary data analysis is to examine the patterns of association between risk and protective factors in key developmental domains on loneliness. A total of 7,696 adolescent (M age = 14.6, 51% male) responses were collected during …

The Effects Of Daily Beef Consumption On Sleep, Mood, And Wellbeing In Postmenopausal Women, Caroline M. Coughlin

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Menopause is often accompanied by changes in sleep, mood, and overall well-being, partly due to hormonal shifts and loss of muscle mass. Protein intake, especially from nutrient-rich sources like beef, may help address these changes, but research in postmenopausal women remains limited. This study explored how daily beef consumption, as part of a higher-protein diet, affected sleep quality, mood, and well-being over eight weeks. Ten active postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to either a control group (meeting standard protein recommendations) or a treatment group consuming twice that amount, including one serving of lean beef per day. Sleep was measured using …

The Impact Of Stigma On Individuals Affected By Leprosy: A Pilot Study, Mardo Tarr

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Leprosy, while a treatable condition, continues to be associated with significant stigma, which adversely influences the physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being of affected individuals throughout their lives. The stigma linked to leprosy leads to social exclusion, mental health difficulties, and obstacles to accessing healthcare and employment opportunities (Brakel et al., 2019; Sermrittirong & Van Brakel, 2014). This research employs Life Course Theory to describe the long-term experiences of stigma, coping strategies, and social support individuals living with leprosy. By synthesizing findings from existing literature and conducting a qualitative interview, the study offers an in-depth understanding of how various …

Transgender And Gender-Diverse Health Care Access And Availability Of Care According To Resident Leaders In The Mahoning County, Ohio, Robin A. Perry

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse health is significantly under attack in the United States and there is a continued need to further research to identify ways to increase their access to both inclusive care as well as gender affirming care. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and supportive factors that professionals and community leaders perceive surrounding the availability and accessibility of inclusive and gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse people in Mahoning County, Ohio.

METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted with professionals and community leaders who could be considered “facilitators” helping transgender and gender diverse …

Focus Group Study Of Racial Disparities And The Effects Of Parental Marijuana Use On Youth Marijuana Use, Avina K. Mahroke

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Marijuana has become one of the most used drugs in the United States. There has been an increase in use among both adults and youth during the past several years. Public health interventions are needed to address marijuana use because of its detrimental effects on youth well-being. Research shows that marijuana can lead to problems with memory, learning, attention, and even depression among youth. Furthermore, marijuana exposure in-utero can lead to developmental issues and problems with other organs such as the lungs. Youth are influenced to start using drugs, like marijuana, for numerous reasons, and parents are one of those …

Active Shooter And Radiological Contamination Full-Scale Exercise, Elise M. Lowe

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Planning and conducting exercises in rural settings highlights the unique features and challenges of emergency preparedness in rural America. Exercise designers must employ creative solutions to plan for player/controller contingencies, limited resources, and patient management across large geographical areas. This paper outlines the process by which a full-scale mass casualty exercise was conducted in a small Wyoming town. It analyzes some of the major problems encountered in rural exercise development and the solutions employed. The focus is on the success and failures of the exercise design based on direct observation/participation, hotwash forms, the after-action review, and direct feedback from participants. …

Clinical Implications Of Mismatch Repair Deficiency In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Zachary Kaplan, Elizabeth Prezioso, Aditi Jain, Harish Lavu, Charles Yeo, Wilbur Bowne, Avinoam Nevler

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and lethal disease, characterized by a limited response to chemotherapy and overall poor prognosis. Pancreatic cancers with a distinct mismatch repair deficiency, although relatively rare, have been shown to be associated with markedly better outcomes in comparison. Furthermore, whereas pancreatic cancers are generally unresponsive to current immunotherapy, this specific group of tumors has been shown to have a notable susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

AIMS: In this review, we aim to summarize the relevant literature regarding mismatch-repair associated pancreatic cancers, the impacted biological mechanisms, and the resulting vulnerabilities for potential opportunistic immunotherapeutic treatment …

User-Centered Design Of A Weight Loss Mobile App, Sunaina Advani

Honors Scholar Theses

Obesity, the excessive accumulation of body fat, increases risk for chronic disease and affects 34% of U.S. adults (10). Lifestyle interventions are effective but heavily rely on calorie tracking, while adherence to this behavioral strategy is low (6). An alternative to calorie tracking is to simply track instances of overeating. In a pilot trial, obese individuals used Habit app, a mobile app that assists users in tracking overeating episodes. Users were asked to identify, record, and reflect on dietary slips, or deviations from the recommended diet. Following 6 months of use, in a focus group session, 20 participants were asked …

The Politics Of The Black Womb: How Education And Power Reinforce The U.S. Black Maternal Health Crisis, Foluke Akinkunmi

Honors Scholar Theses

This study investigates the alarming maternal mortality rates among Black women in the U.S. today first by exploring the historical exploitation of Black maternal bodies during enslavement and with the rise of professionalized gynecology. It challenges the narrative that attributes these outcomes to individual choices or supposedly inherent biological factors, arguing instead that the devaluing of Black women’s well-being and authoritative knowledge have been constructed along with the United States itself. To advance a constructive response, the paper analyzes curriculum competencies for obstetric and midwifery healthcare providers, surveys of Black women's birthing experiences in the previous 20 years, and interviews …

Serological Evaluation For Leptospirosis On Samples Received By The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (Cvmdl), Hayden R. Samuels

Honors Scholar Theses

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic species of Leptospira, motile spirochetes capable of infecting humans and animals. Transmission typically occurs through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of reservoirs or infected animals. Although leptospirosis is considered a neglected tropical disease, its geographic range is expanding due to climate change and urbanization. Surveillance remains limited in many regions, especially in the United States. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and serovar diversity of Leptospira exposure in a variety of domestic and wild animals submitted to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL). …

Mechanistic Investigation Of Ring-Opening Polymerization Of Polycaprolactone Using Tin(Ii) Catalysts: Ligand Effects And Biomedical Applications, Eva-Larue M. Barber

Honors Scholar Theses

This research explores the mechanistic aspects of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) to produce polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer widely used in biomedical applications. The study investigates how light exposure and catalyst concentration influence polymerization efficiency, using tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] as the catalyst in a non-polar toluene solvent at 90 °C. Reactions were conducted under either ambient light or black light bulb (BLB) illumination, with monomer-to-catalyst ratios of 1:1 and 200:1.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyze conversion efficiency by tracking the disappearance of monomer signals and appearance of characteristic PCL peaks. Results revealed …

The Impact Of Cocaine On Inflammatory Markers In Sim-A9 Microglial Cells, Tyler Vaglivelo

Honors Scholar Theses

Substance use disorders are conditions in which an individual continues to use a drug or other substance despite adverse consequences to their health and well-being. It has been hypothesized that inflammation within the central nervous system plays a critical role in the development of substance use disorders. The resident macrophages in the brain, also known as microglia, release markers of inflammation in response to injury or infection. A better understanding of the inflammatory response mediated by microglia in response to drugs of misuse can validate this hypothesis and help guide drug development. In the current studies, the microglia cell line …

Age-Dependent Mineralization And Osteogenesis In Intact & Injured Murine Bones: A Histological And Immunochemical Study, Amogh Chittajallu

Honors Scholar Theses

Bones function as living organs through their mineralized matrix and specialized cell populations, which provide structural support and enable movement, while storing minerals and creating a space for blood cell production in the marrow¹. As individuals age, hormonal changes reduce osteoblast activity while osteoclast-mediated bone resorption persists, resulting in lower mineral density and heightened fracture risk². We examined how aging impacts young and old murine femurs because these models display bone structure and cellular organization that closely resemble human long bones. This research study used six distinct histological stains to observe essential features of bone tissue …

Preclinical Evaluation Of Closed Incisional Negative Pressure Therapy On Post-Surgical Oedema And Lymphatic Activity, John C Rasmussen, Marisa Schmidt, Janelle E Morton, Samantha Mann, Kristine Kieswetter, Eva M Sevick-Muraca

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Closed incisional Negative Pressure Therapy (ciNPT) has demonstrated improved post-surgical healing with reduced oedema and hematoma/seroma formation in patients. The underlying mechanism of action is poorly understood, although evidence indicates that lymphatics play a role. The effects of ciNPT on oedema and lymphatic recovery were assessed following bilateral, surgical undermining of swine mammary tissues. One incision was treated with ciNPT, and the control covered with clear dressing. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging was used to visualise lymphatic activity. Oedema and lymph node size were measured using ultrasound. LYVE-1 and podoplanin were quantified with ELISA. Analysis of lymphatic activity revealed a contralateral effect …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Ariana Vianey Hinojosa

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter widely recognized for its role in neuropsychological processes, particularly in regulating mood, cognition, and emotional responses. However, its influence extends beyond the central nervous system (CNS), playing a crucial role in various physiological functions, including metabolism, the gastrointestinal system, reproductive processes, and cardiovascular regulation. As a key modulator of homeostasis, serotonin contributes to maintaining equilibrium within these systems, ensuring proper function and response to environmental stimuli. Despite its well-documented effects on mood and behavior, the broader physiological implications of serotonin remain less understood, particularly in the context of its interactions among neural, behavioral, and cardiovascular systems. …

Channeling Relaxation Through Multiple Means: Tmem16a Antagonism For Asthma, Arun K. Jannu, Raymond B. Penn

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Therapeutic Applications Of A Novel Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Chemokine Receptor Ccr9 In Pancreatic Cancer, Hannah G. Mcdonald, Anna M. Reagan, Charles J. Bailey, Mei Gao, Muqiang Gao, Angelica L. Solomon, Michael J. Cavnar, Prakash Pandalai, Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, Megan Harper, Justin A. Rueckert, Ángela Turrero, Araceli Tobio, Anxo Vidal, Daniel Roca-Lema, Elia Álvarez-Coiradas, Pablo Garrido, Laureano Simón, Joseph Kim

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The relative failure of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) despite having a dense, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment highlights the need to target alternate/escape pathways. We have previously examined C–C chemokine receptor type 9 (CCR9) as a candidate immune checkpoint and developed a targeted, humanized monoclonal antibody (SRB2). Cytotoxicity of SRB2 was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. CCR9 expression on PDAC cells/tissues, immune components of patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity were examined. In PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines, we demonstrated highest CCR9 expression; however, no direct cytotoxic effect was observed with SRB2 treatment. In PANC-1 …

An Agrin-Yap/Taz Rigidity Sensing Module Drives Egfr-Addicted Lung Tumorigenesis., Reza Bayat Mokhtari, Divyaleka Sampath, Paige Eversole, Melissa Ong Yu Lin, Dmitriy A. Bosykh, Gandhi T. K. Boopathy, Aravind Sivakumar, Cheng-Chun Wang, Ramesh Kumar, Joe Yeong Poh Sheng, Ellen Karasik, Barbara A. Foster, Han Yu, Xiang Ling, Wenjie Wu, Fengzhi Li, Zoë Weaver Ohler, Christine Fillmore Brainson, David W. Goodrich, Wanjin Hong, Sayan Chakraborty

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Despite epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a pivotal oncogene for several cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), how it senses extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity remain elusive in the context of the increasing role of tissue rigidity on various hallmarks of cancer development. Here it is shown that EGFR dictates tumorigenic agrin expression in lung cancer cell lines, genetically engineered EGFR-driven mouse models, and human specimens. Agrin expression confers substrate stiffness-dependent oncogenic attributes to EGFR-reliant cancer cells. Mechanistically, agrin mechanoactivates EGFR through epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent and independent modes, thereby sensitizing its activity toward localized cancer cell-ECM adherence and bulk rigidity …

The Role Of Ucp2 In Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism And Its Potential As A Radiosensitizer, Emily Rieff

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein that regulates the flow of protons down the gradient established by the electron transport chain (ETC) without generating ATP, thus uncoupling the proton gradient from ATP generation. In tumors, specifically pancreatic cancer (PDAC), the ETC is highly stimulated to generate the copious ATP needed by the tumor to grow. However, extended ETC use increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and if left unchecked, results in cell death. To evade this, PDAC employs antioxidant strategies, including upregulating UCP2 in tumor cells. In addition to its uncoupling function, UCP2 indirectly controls ROS levels by maintaining …

The Impact Of Attachment Education On Families With Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Proposed Workshop, Sabrina S. Stone-Smith

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For young children with autism spectrum disorder, one important determinant of later social and emotional functioning is the development of a secure attachment. While there is extensive literature outlining the benefits of attachment security, there is a limited number of studies specifically examining programs intended to increase attachment security in this population. This project aims to create a four-session workshop designed to provide caregivers of children in this population with information about attachment theory and parental sensitivity in order to increase the amount of positive and emotionally validating experiences in child-caregiver interactions while reducing parental stress. Future research is necessary …

An Exposition On Prostate Cancer Dynamics: A History And Exploration Of Cancer Growth Models, Walter Navarro

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer are the primary objectives of the field of mathematical oncology. Our goal is to examine the history of mathematical oncology by introducing the models that have influenced it. From this vantage point, we examine five primary models that focus on the progression of prostate cancer and the development of treatment protocols at different stages. The Ideta model will be further elaborated upon by examining the effects of androgen deprivation therapy and the addition of chemotherapy on growth dynamics. Finally, clinical data will be utilized to verify the Vollmer and Humphrey model’s findings. We …

Micronutrient Deficiencies In Celiac Disease: Systematic Review, Natalie A. Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to villous atrophy, nutrient malabsorption, and a range of systemic complications. Although adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the only effective treatment, growing evidence suggests that the GFD alone may be insufficient in meeting the long-term nutritional and psychosocial needs of adults with CD. This systematic review evaluates the prevalence and persistence of micronutrient deficiencies—including iron, calcium, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc—in adult CD populations following a GFD. It also examines the psychological burden associated with …

Disability Inclusion In Local Public Health Community Health Assessments And Community Health Improvement Plans, Haleigh Leslie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) use community health assessments (CHAs) and community health improvement plans (CHIPs) to identify and address health needs of the populations they serve. People with disabilities experience health disparities, and there is limited information about how the health needs of people with disabilities are included in CHAs and CHIPs. The purpose of this study was to describe and quantify disability inclusion in LHD CHAs and CHIPs.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study used the CHAs and CHIPs of accredited local health departments, data about LHDs and populations served, and interviews with LHD staff and community partners …

Assessing The Relationship Between The Incidence Of Campylobacteriosis And Ecological Risk Factors In Tennessee, Emmanuel Angmorteh Mensah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Campylobacteriosis although is the leading causes of bacterial diarrheal illnesses, have not gained prominent awareness and there are gaps in the understanding of transmission routes for sporadic, non-outbreak cases and their risk factors at the communal level to humans. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the campylobacteriosis risk factors and risk perception from the existing literature in the United States, determine the incidence and ecological risk factors for campylobacteriosis zip code level in Tennessee, and to perform spatiotemporal analysis of campylobacteriosis incidence cases in Tennessee.

Method: To achieve the first aim, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize …

Normative Variability In Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness: Does It Matter Where The Peaks Are?, Sowjanya Gowrisankaran, Ashkan Abbasi, Xubo Song, Joel Schuman, Gadi Wollstein, Bhavna Antony, Hiroshi Ishikawa

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), a glaucoma biomarker, has a wide normative range affecting its sensitivity and specificity for abnormality detection. The interindividual RNFLT peak location variability contribution to this wide normative range has not been directly evaluated. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of RNFLT peak normalization (PN) on normative variability.

METHODS: Circumpapillary RNFLT profiles at 1.7 mm radius from the optic nerve head (ONH) were re-sampled from optical coherence tomography (OCT) volumes (Cirrus HD-OCT, 200 × 200) obtained from one eye of 83 healthy individuals. Fovea-ONH axis (FOA) was calculated from corresponding …

Rewriting The Rules: Impact Of Covid-19 On Norms In Science, The International Order, And China, Jacob Kissling '25

Honor Scholar Theses

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed both strengths and vulnerabilities in global responses, many of which were shaped by underlying norms and behavioral expectations within key institutions. Understanding how these norms influenced decision-making, collaboration, and communication—and how they were themselves challenged or reshaped by the crisis—can provide valuable insights for improving future responses. While some norms adapted in response to the evolving crisis, others remained stagnant or were inconsistently enforced, contributing to fragmented and, at times, ineffective responses. This paper investigates the role of norms in three critical sectors: the scientific community, the international order, and China. Within the scientific community, norms …

Jump Strategy Changes In Collegiate Women Soccer Players, Madeline Klubertanz

Master's Theses

Countermovement jumps (CMJ) are often utilized to monitor athletes because of their sensitivity to neuromuscular fatigue, which can be seen through assessing jump strategies. The current literature has reported conflicting views on how jump performance is impacted over acute and longitudinal testing. This is likely due to insufficient analyses regarding the impact of fatigue on jump strategy. This study aimed to investigate how the integration of jump strategy metrics and single-subject analysis could provide a better representation of the presence of fatigue among collegiate women soccer players. Eighteen participants were utilized in this study. Participants were required to complete three …

Examining The Mediating Effects Of Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety, And Perceived Stress On The Association Between Bereavement And Inflammation, Kylee Faith Behringer

Master's Theses

Bereavement is a stressor that impacts the psychological well-being of an individual and their physical health. This study aimed to develop a more nuanced understanding of the association between bereavement and its psychological and biological consequences, and the potential mediating role of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress within the relationship between bereavement and inflammation. Data was collected through Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher 1, a longitudinal study that examines social, psychological, and biological vulnerabilities associated with potential health outcomes (Weinstein et al., 2019). The study consisted of 863 participants (bereaved=373, non-bereaved=490) who completed an in-person study visit …