Opioid Epidemic, Amy Ford

Integrated Studies

Most narcotics and non-synthetic drugs have medicinal values that have helped in treating various conditions in medical practice. Opium is a typical plant that has proved remarkable medicinal values. Opium extracts (opioids) are the most effective analgesics available for tackling pains. Unfortunately, while healthcare and pharmaceuticals exploited the health benefits of the substance, its dirty aspect (addiction) unveiled. As people developed dependence, the pharmaceutical players involved in opioids production increased quantities and enticed medical practitioners to increase prescriptions for the opioid-based painkillers. Consequently, the addiction grew, and healed patients continued the use that has led to widespread overdose and deaths. …

Minority Healthcare Disparities, Darryl Holmes

Integrated Studies

Healthcare disparities continues to be one of the nation’s most important healthcare challenges to date. For reasons reviewed disparities disproportionally affect minorities and low-income individuals. These individuals are more likely to be uninsured and have higher rates of chronic diseases compared to their counterparts. Surveillance of health status in minority communities explains why this problem in the United States is so important to the future of the country, data shows the number of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are growing at a fast rate, but structures designed to monitor the health status and disparity factors surrounding this …

Disparities In African Americans And Other Races For Hypertension, A. Lewis

Integrated Studies

Abstract

The racial disparity in hypertension has been prevalent among African-Americans for many years. More African-Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure than White-Americans. The purpose of this research is to understand why there is such a big disparity of hypertension in African-Americans and whites. Why is hypertension more prominent in African-Americans? There are many factors that lead to hypertension, such as obesity, alcohol, salt-sensitivity, stress, age, genetics and diabetes. The research I have done provides an overview of the causes of hypertension. There are numerous studies and trials being done about racial discrimination against African-Americans. Hypertension is a …

Aging In America, Elizabeth Dillingham

Integrated Studies

For my senior project, I have chosen to discuss in depth the community resources that are available to our aging population. I feel that I have chosen a topic that best fits the criteria for my field of study and is the most appropriate for my personal interest in the elderly, and allocates the significance of this unique literature concerning the well-being of our aging society. My main focal point for this project has two purposes which is to educate and inform the reader that aging in America has many dimensions, and to give them more than just a description …

Effectiveness Of Chg Bathing, Andreia Davis

Integrated Studies

CHG soap and other alternatives are used to remove the flora from the skin. Skin flora are the different microorganisms found on the skin. Many are bacteria that can cause infections if introduced to an environment in which they can thrive and grow. This paper goes into depth about the effectiveness of CHG soap and other alternatives at preventing healthcare-associated infections and surgical site infections. The paperincludes the following aspects of effectiveness: infection risk, financial issues, the processes that should be used, and types of infection.

Health Promotion And Illness Prevention, Kelly Atnip, Kelly D. Atnip

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Those with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are likely to have a shorter life expectancy and experience an onset of disability sooner. An unhealthy lifestyle also increases the chance of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. We can decrease our chances of all of those by taking care of our physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual, and environmental health. Health promotion and illness prevention gives us the choice to better our own lives and the quality of our lives. This can be done by the actions we take daily that influence our health and prevent illness. Some of these actions include activities such …

Benefits Of Early Childhood Education And Family Support, Daisha Best

Integrated Studies

Abstract

There have been misconceptions about the purpose of early childhood education and early childhood centers and how the program is designed. Many people believe that the early childhood education process is easy because young children do not really learn, but simply spend their time playing at early childhood centers. As a result, many people believe they can teach their child without the assistance of an early childhood center but what caregivers don’t know is that there is more to Early Childhood Education than just playing games. Early Childhood Education helps young children give them a head start on giving …

Green Manufacturing For The Win! A Look At The United States Versus The World, Christopher I. O'Neal

Integrated Studies

This paper looks into the history of manufacturing in the United States of America (U.S.A.) and compares the evolution of manufacturing systems of the U.S.A. to other industrialized and industrializing nations. It explores the ground-breaking technologies developed throughout the history of modern manufacturing and how government regulations have helped and hindered in certain sectors. This paper also looks at the way companies are using green technologies and ideas to meet regulations and help curb carbon emissions for a healthier planet.

The second idea behind this paper is to show the economic impact of green technology in the manufacturing industry and …

Healthcare Barriers For The Undocumented Immigrant In The United States, Anita Gipson

Integrated Studies

Abstract

We are taught early in our education that the United States of America was founded by immigrants. The United States is a very diverse country that people of other countries see as a land of opportunity. However, not everyone that enters into our beautiful country enter legally. Many residents of other countries are so desperate to provide a better life of opportunities to their families that they will do anything to make that happen. Even if it means breaking, the immigration laws in place by the United States and enter illegally by crossing the border. Many reasons play a …

School Social Workers: Important Assets In Rural Areas, Dana C. Branson

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

As the American educational system continues to evolve and take on more social service responsibilities for students, their families, and the community, the need for school social workers has intensified. However, the demand considerably exceeds developed positions for school social workers. The increase in awareness of childhood trauma, toxic stress, poverty, and potential to spill over into the classroom places schools in a position where they need to be responsive to students’ multi-faceted needs. This conceptual article will discuss the overwhelming need for school social workers, barriers to obtaining school social workers, and the benefits school social workers can bring.

Food Pantries And Stigma: Users’ Concerns And Public Support, Peter A. Kindle, Mckayla Foust-Newton, Marissa Reis, Margaret Gell

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

This study compares the perception of stigma measured as social distance between users (n = 40) and non-users (n = 202) of local food pantries in the Upper Midwest. Utilizing the concept of social distance to measure social disapproval and stigma with a new Food Pantry Stigma Scale, these nonprobability results indicated that users’ perception of stigma was significantly higher than the non-using public (Cohen’s d = 1.56). These findings suggest that public support for need-based use of local food pantries in the Upper Midwest is substantially higher than those facing food insecurity anticipate.

A Survey On Horse Use And Management In Horse Clubs In China: A Pilot Study, Zhen Li, Zhen Li

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

During the past three decades, significant development of the Chinese equine industry has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of horses in the country. At the same time, many horse clubs face shortages of trained management personnel or specialists in equine science and technology. The objective of this survey was to document and evaluate horse management and use in Chinese horse clubs. A 29-question survey was developed using SurveyMonkey© and tested on a small pilot group before being revised and released to a general pool of participants. The questionnaire link was distributed through WeChat to specific personnel in …

Social Networking Sites And Physical Activity: The Role Of Framed Health Messages, Cassie Gonzalez

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes are the current leading causes of death in the United States, where most of these diseases are caused by a few specific risk behaviors including tobacco use, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity (Rutledge, Lane, Merlo, & Elmi, 2018). Healthcare professional are being encouraged to educate patients and the community about the risks associated with health behaviors and lifestyle choices. I explore aspect of these health messages in the context of gain- vs loss-framed messages presented through two social networking sites, Twitter and Instagram, on subsequent health behavior changes. Whereas existing literature have explored …

An Evaluation Of The Racer Academy Of Agriculture And Its Effectiveness, Caleb Brannon

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Through this thesis research study, an evaluation of the Racer Academy of Agriculture (RAA) is performed to get a better understanding of how well it is doing in several key areas. One of the focus areas for the RAA as well as most other dual credit programs includes allowing high school students to attain college credit through participation in a class that counts both towards high school and collegiate degree completion. Other key objectives for these programs include aiding in the recruitment of students to the participating university, preparing the students to succeed at a higher rate once becoming full-time …

Evaluation Of A Nutraceutical Flex Choice For Anti-Arthritic Efficacy And Safety In Moderately Osteoarthritic Dogs, Rachael E. Webber

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Arthritis is a very common chronic debilitating disease in people and dogs alike. It does not discriminate based on species, and one in five dogs suffer from osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and anti-arthritic efficacy of a nutraceutical, Flex Choice, in moderately arthritic canines. Five moderately arthritic canines that weighed between 40-65 pounds were selected for this study. Moderate arthritis was considered a ranking of 4-6 on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being no/minimal pain and 10 being severe and constant pain. All five canines were orally administered one Flex Choice soft chew …

Soil Responses To One-Season Winter Cover Crops, Mckenna Morgan, Iin Handayani

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Soil Responses to One-Season Winter Cover Crops

McKenna Morgan and I. P. Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture Murray State University, KY, USA

Abstract

In regions like western Kentucky where wooded lots are common there is a growing interest in how to utilize them so that land profits can be maximized. The frequently poor soils in wooded areas due to erosion and lack of ground cover vegetation often cause complications in the creation of pasture areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of growing winter cover crops on soils to prepare for pasture systems in the …

Are Dietary Factors And Exercise Levels Related To Fertility Status?, Britt Fugmann, Rachel Tinius

Posters-at-the-Capitol

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a major public health concern as it affects up to 25% of couples in Western Countries. While there is some evidence that diet and exercise may be linked to fertility, there is no official dietary or exercise guidance for couples when trying to conceive. Additional information regarding the relationship between diet, exercise, and fertility is needed to better inform the development of guidelines for couples trying to conceive.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between diet, exercise, and fertility among women.

METHODS: Participants were selected from on ongoing pregnancy study (N=33). All participants went on to have healthy …

Variations Of Soil Qualities In Urban And Rural Areas, Gabby Barnes, Iin Handayani, Steve Still

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variations of soil characteristics under different management practices in rural soils versus urban soils. In this study, soil samples from rural areas in Kentucky were collected from a woodland plot, a no-till plot, and a tilled plot. The soil samples from the rural were taken from two depths in order to better evaluate the effect of tillage on the soil. A shallow depth of 0-7cm and a deep depth of 7-15cm were used. Soil samples were also taken from urban plots in Memphis, TN. The sampled plots included were an animal …

2018-10-19, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Inside Research: An Interview With Caprisse Johnson, Ginni Sisemore

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Banner Mobility Assessment Tool For Bariatric Patients, Nicole Benkert

Scholars Week

Abstract

The prevalence of morbidly obese patient within the United States is on a rapid incline. Evidence correlates an increase in patient falls, comorbidities, and hospital admission among this specific patient group. As a result, there is an increase in workload and injuries to staff as they tend to these patients. Healthcare facilities need to continuously update current patient handling programs and create specific policies for safely handling obese patients. Research suggests that Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Programs, as well as the Banner Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT), have substantially decreased nurse injuries through a wide range of nursing specialties. …

The Sensory And Textural Evaluation Of A St. Louis Style Butter Cake Made With Greek Yogurt As A Fat Replacer, Caprisse Johnson

Scholars Week

In modern America, many nutrition-related health issues are on the rise, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Many nutrition professionals link the rise in these three diseases to the Western Diet, which includes a high fat and sugar content within its foods. Due to the increased consumption of this diet high in sugar and fat, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes rates seem to be rising. However, many people who eat this diet and are at risk for these complications, hesitate to change their diet because they feel that healthier alternatives bland in flavor or have a repugnant taste when compared …

Nursing Interventions For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Sierra Harris

Scholars Week

This project serves to explore evidence for three nursing interventions aimed at neonatal abstinence syndrome including: breastfeeding, kangaroo care, and rooming-in. Many nursing interventions and policies are aimed at treating the symptoms despite limited research supporting their effectiveness. Further investigation into these interventions and policies regarding neonatal abstinence syndrome needs to be addressed in order to improve the quality of care for affected neonates and decrease the stigma surrounding neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Effectiveness Of A Community-Based Health Promotion “Rethink Your Drink” On Reducing Sugary Beverage Consumption: A Case Study, Priscilla Maghrabi, Miranda S. Terry

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Introduction: Obesity rates are rising throughout the United States. As a way to address obesity in a rural city in southwest Kentucky, researchers conducted a “Rethink Your Drink” challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community health program in reducing the consumption of sugary beverages.

Methods: Researchers conducted a “Rethink Your Drink” Challenge in a rural city in southwest Kentucky. Educational materials illustrated how beverages fell into red, yellow, or green light categories based on sugar content. Materials were provided to corporate sponsors throughout a rural city in southwest Kentucky. Community members (n=296) volunteered …

Validity Of A Portable Ekg Device To Monitor Heart Rate And Rhythm In College-Aged Male Athletes, Brenda Reeves, Priscilla Maghrabi, Brock Guetzke, Anna Howery

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Abstract

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading medical cause of death for male athletes, especially in anaerobic-based sports. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (STD-ECG) have received recent attention for their diagnostic utility, but lack the practicality for mass screenings. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the validity of a compact HD-EKG unit during various testing environments: rest, aerobic activity, and immediate recovery of anaerobic activity in college-age, male athletes.

Methods: Twelve college-aged (19.9 ± 1.1 years old), male athletes volunteered. Test procedures included two ECG devices, a STD-ECG and a high-definition (HD-) EKG, simultaneously recording heart rate (HR) …

Physical Fitness Level Of First Year Exercise Science Students, Brenda Reeves, Erin Barwick, Priscilla Maghrabi

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Abstract

Introduction: Most college students do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity per week. However, in the health sciences there is an expectation that students should serve as role models for physical activity and fitness. With the growing decline in fitness among young adults, it is likely that future healthcare professionals will be less fit and more likely to sustain job-related injuries.

Methods: Exercise science students (n = 275) completed fitness testing during an introductory course (18.64 ± 1.01 years; female n = 175). Tests included the Cooper 12-min run, wall sit-and-reach, 1-min sit-up, and YMCA bench press …

4-H Programs: An Overview, Darrian Lee

Integrated Studies

This paper will show how 4-H programs, activities, and events give youth opportunities to better members futures. 4-H has been helping community members for more than 100 years! 4-H is grounded in hands-on learning. The 4-H program allows youth to participate in a variety of program in many different areas. The main programs are Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science, Health, Communication, Leadership, Natural Resources, and Science, Engineering and Technology. In addition to a full review of 4-H programs, this paper will also inform the reader about the history of 4-H. The evidence included in this paper shows how 4-H can …

Increasing Client Adherence To A Health And Wellness Lifestyle: Applications Of Exercise Psychology For Professionals, Amber N. Walker

Integrated Studies

Although, physical activity has been called the best medicine in America today, outperforming almost every prescribed medication in the country in terms of overall impact on health, as a whole, few engage in sufficient exercise. According to the CDC, physical activity helps in weight control, reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, and strengthens bones and muscle. It has a profound effect on mental health and mood and will even reduce the risk of some types of cancer, particularly colon and breast cancers. Not only does an active lifestyle have such a significant effect of reducing …

What It Takes To Be A Successful Football Program, Austin P. Thompson

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This research paper explores the basis of what it takes to be a successful football program. In this paper, the reader will find that research was conducted on the topic above. The content of this research paper is to inform a person what it takes to be a successful football program. While there are many teams throughout college football, only a few have long-term success. These programs are what are considered to be successful football programs. Many teams may experience short-term success but they cannot sustain the long-term success that other programs have had and continue to have. After …

From The Field To Fork, Landon Edward Burns Mr.

Integrated Studies

Precision Agriculture is an up and coming side of farming all over the United States. Being able to use technology to benefit the yields is beneficial to all farmers that are using this form of farming. Many different things that make up precision agriculture are Global Positioning systems, self-driven tractors, yield mapping, drones, variable-rate technologies, and remote sensing systems. All of these techniques contribute to making precision agriculture what it is today. Expensive is a key factor in rather or not a farmer will use these techniques, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. Precision agriculture is still …