Digital Commons Network^™

Dispositional Optimism And Marital Adjustment, Agnes Machaty

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This project examined dispositional optimism and its influence on the three subscales of marital adjustment (consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion) by gender. Data for this study came from Wave 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Families and Households. The Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine both actor and partner effects of dispositional optimism on the marital adjustment subscales using the program AMOS. Results indicate that wives’ optimism seem to influence their own later marital satisfaction as well as their husbands’ later marital satisfaction. However, husbands’ optimism appeared to influence neither their own nor their wives’ later …

Positive Affect, Hemispheric Lateralization, And Relational Problem Solving: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Parent-Adolescent Communication, Nichole L. Huff

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Using quantitative and qualitative data analytic techniques, the present study explores the parent-adolescent relationship from a pilot study of 15 triads (overall N = 45). First, the statistical relationship between positive relational affect and electrical brain activity was assessed during parent-adolescent conflict communication (N = 30). Specifically, using electroencephalography (EEG) technology, electrical brain activity was recorded during family problem-solving discussions between a mother, father, and adolescent child. Observational coding was used to determine participant and triad positive affect ratios (PARs). Principles of positive-to-negative affect were incorporated into an affective neuroscience framework and used as the theoretical basis …

The Effects Of Marital Conflict And Marital Environment On Change In Marital Status, Kristen Auberry Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This study examined how marital conflict and marital environment contribute to change in marital status over time; while controlling for gender and other demographic characteristics. The current study used all three waves, 1987-1988, 1992-1994, 2001-2002, of the nationally representative dataset National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Four longitudinal models were tested using path analysis and the Bayesian estimation technique. Findings indicate there is no effect of marital conflict on change in marital status when demographic and marital environment variables are in the model. Age has the strongest direct and indirect effects. An increase in number of times married consistently …

Nutrition Knowledge And Dietary Habits Of Farmers Market Patrons, Lindsey M. Mayes

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been strongly associated with weight management, improved overall health, and decreased incidence of chronic disease. Availability of locally grown produce is associated with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables; there were 7,864 farmers markets operating in the U.S. in 2012, a 9.6% increase from 2011. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics, nutrition knowledge, and dietary habits of farmers market patrons at ten diverse markets in Kentucky. A total of 153 surveys were collected; the average age of study participants was 46 ± 21 year. Respondents reported …

Celiac Disease: A Gluten Free Diet And Diet Quality, Taylor M. Stauble

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

The media has highlighted a proposed link between a gluten free diet (GFD) and weight loss. However, research related to weight gain and a GFD for persons with celiac disease (CD) has shown the opposite effect. A GFD is the only known treatment for persons with CD. If a patient with CD consumes a diet high in GF processed foods, weight management may be difficult to achieve.

Participants with self-reported CD completed a modified GF food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess typical dietary consumption of whole grains, sweets, fruits, vegetables and regular soda. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) and exercise …

Overall Diet Quality Of Collegiate Athletes, Amanda N. Ireland

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Athletes appear healthy according to weight for height and body fat standards. Though athletes appear to be healthy, little is known about their diets. Research states there is a connection between athletic performance and nutrition. The objective of this study was to determine the diet quality of 138 collegiate athletes. Data were collected in a laboratory. Demographics were collected via survey. Anthropometrics were assessed using a free standing stadiometer and the BodPod® for body fat assessment. Block 2005 Food Frequency Questionnaire© was used to assess diets. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2005 was used to calculate diet quality scores. The …

Entrepreneurship On The Farm: Kentucky Growers’ Perceptions Of Benefits And Barriers, Amy L. Camenisch

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

This study analyzed the perceptions of Kentucky Homebased Processors and Microprocessors of the benefits of and barriers to developing and selling value-added products. The final sample consisted of 141 participants, 60.5% (n=72) of which were from Central KY, 26.9% (n=32) were from Western KY, and 12.6% (n=15) were from Eastern KY. Overall, participants seemed to feel that their value-added products were successful in many different benefit categories. The primary barriers to developing value-added products were lack of time, lack of funding, and lack of legal knowledge. The primary barriers to utilizing program resources for farmers were not having enough time, …

Disordered Eating Habits And Behaviors Among Elite Collegiate Athletes, Ann M. Armes

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Eating disorders and disordered eating habits and behaviors were measured using the Eating Disorders Inventory-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF). The sample consisted of 159 elite, collegiate student athletes, males and females, aged 18 to 22. Five sports were represented, including basketball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, and volleyball. Overall, findings support the position that athletes, as a distinct population, and specifically female athletes and those that participate in lean sports, are at an increased risk for disordered eating behaviors and diagnosable eating disorders. Of the 159 total athletes that completed the questionnaire, 33% (n=53) of the athletes sampled met one …

Health Status And Care Access Of The Uninsured In Kentucky, Douglas Keith Branham

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

With the individual mandate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) set to go into effect in 2014, as well as the Medicaid expansion in some states, the federal and state governments have a difficult road ahead planning how to respond to the anticipated increase in health services use. Kentucky is an undecided state regarding the Medicaid expansion and as one of the more impoverished states in the U.S. potentially has much to gain from the new law.

Many studies have focused on the U.S. as a whole in describing the health status of the uninsured. …

Change In Discharge Errors: Introduction Of A Consultant Led Error Feedback Session To Junior Physicians, Elise Albro

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

A previous study, EQUIP 2009, found the rate of in-hospital prescription errors in 19 hospitals across Manchester, England, to be nearly nine percent. Prescription errors have been shown to contribute to adverse drug events, prolonged hospital stay, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased cost. The aim of this pilot study is to determine if constructive feedback by consultants (senior physicians) to junior physicians on their prescribing errors changes their attitudes toward prescribing safety. The hope is that feedback sessions will help solidify a deeper understanding of both the situation and individual actions on errors and more effectively impact future actions. …

Winning On The Field And Winning In The Classroom. High School Football In Rurual Kentucky: Does A School's Winning Percentage In Football Affect Average Act Scores?, Jon Samokar

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Kentucky faces many challenges in educating its children at all levels. This study focuses on elements of academic achievement of high school students. Previous studies have examined the effects of teacher training, the effects of peer influence, sorting of students and teachers across school districts, various learning interventions that have targeted specific student populations and subject areas, each in an attempt to explain or improve upon school achievement and student academic success.

Previous national studies have focused their attention on the effects of variables found within the classroom; most of these studies recognize that there are influences outside the classroom …

State Public Retirement Systems: An Examination Of Factors Affecting The Funded Ratio, Jenna M. Skop

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Each of the fifty states oversees at least one public retirement system for employees. This study examines which factors affect the funded ratio of these systems. The intent of this paper is not to solve the problems facing public retirement systems, but to give decision makers and policy leaders a better understanding of what affects the funding levels of these systems. Understanding the various factors that affect the funded ratio will help decision makers determine which changes should be made to public retirement systems.

The funded ratio is one of the main methods used to determine how well funded these …

Psychotropic Medication Utilization In Care Home Residents Age 65 Or Older Compared With The Equivalent General Population In Scotland, Tyler P. Stewart

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Purpose: In Scotland, care homes provide assisted living and medical services. Psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and hypnotics) may be over utilized in these facilities. This study compared psychotropic medication utilization in elderly care home residents to the equivalent population of non-care home residents. It is hypothesized that patients in care homes utilize psychotropic medications more than non-care home residents.

Methods: Demographic and prescription information for all patients aged 65 years and older on January 1, 2011 who received at least one prescription for a psychotropic medication during 2011 was retrieved from the national Prescribing Information System (PIS). Patients were grouped …

Relationship Between Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures And Burns In Kentucky, David A. Wittmer

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that is synthetically produced using equipment and chemicals available in the community. Its burden to society may be determined through a number of mechanisms, including the imposed strain on healthcare systems. The evolution of methamphetamine use and production methods has led to reports of increased methamphetamine related burn admissions among hospital burn units[1-3] . Current literature identifies an increase in injury severity, comorbid complications, and cost of care associated with methamphetamine related burn injuries[1-5]. The intent of this study is to identify burn injuries in Kentucky and assess whether a statistically significant association exists …

Student-Athletes And Drug Abuse Policies: A Study Of Drug Abuse Policies Of Athletics Departments In A Major Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, Jennifer Hale

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

No executive summary.

Unrelated Business Income's Impact On Direct Public Support In The Nonprofit Sector, Kelsey Lewis

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Nonprofits today are losing their traditional funding sources for a variety of reasons and are turning to nontraditional ways of finding resources to make sure their organization is able to sustain itself while still meeting its mission. One common non-traditional approach is engaging in unrelated business income activities. Since these activities are not related to a nonprofit’s mission they are subject to taxation. Some question whether these activities help a nonprofit organization meet its mission.

A nonprofit seen not fulfilling its mission can be detrimental to that organization especially where its donors are concerned. If a donor does not support …

Analyzing The Impacts Of The 2010 World Equestrian Games On The Kentucky Horse Park, Pamela Henderson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

There has been a growing trend in the United States for governments to invest in infrastructure specifically for sporting events. Proponents believe that arenas and large scale events will lead to economic development in an area. Contrary to this expectation, there is a large body of literature that contends that the economic impact expected from these projects does not generally come to fruition.

Lexington, Kentucky hosted the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2010. WEG is an international competition that features equestrian events and is held every four years in between the Summer Olympic Games. In order to prepare for the …

Influential Determinants On The Time Of Adoption Of State-Based Healthcare Insurance Exchanges, Chris Record

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 consists of several provisions designed to promote the obtainment of affordable health insurance coverage for all Americans. In order to facilitate access to information on available prices and policies for this coverage, the law requires states to decide whether to operate their own healthcare insurance exchange or join a partnership or federal exchange. While many states proceeded with the implementation of state-based exchanges despite a challenge to the law in the Supreme Court, other states did not. This paper explores the influence that certain and health market characteristics may have had …

Could The Money Saved Through Uncompensated Hospital Care Be Enough To Justify Medicaid Expansion In The State Of Kentucky?, Matthew Rudacille

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This paper examines the proposed Medicaid Expansion detailed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and whether it would be fiscally responsible for the state of Kentucky to move forward with the expansion. While the federal government plans on covering a majority of the expense for the expansion, each state will be responsible for a portion of the costs incrementally increasing from 5% in 2017 to 10% in 2020 and beyond. Analysts and think tanks have examined the healthcare act’s expansion and determined the individual states have a lot to gain financially for accepting the federal government’s proposition. …

An Analysis Of The Effect A State's Special Education Funding Formula Has On The Percent Of A State's Students Enrolled In Special Education From 2000-2009, Scott Tremoulis

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Introduction:

The recent recession has placed greater hardships on the states in financing special education. The three reasons states struggle to finance special needs students are: the higher per – student cost of special needs students, an increase in the number of students being identified as special needs, and an increased commitment on states and local governments for financing special needs students. One of the ways in which states approach this question is through their use of special education funding formulas. However, research in understanding the effects of state special education funding formulas is lacking.

Research Question:

While research has …

What Keeps Us Well? Professional Quality Of Life And Career Sustaining Behaviors Of Music Therapy Professionals, Shane C. Swezey

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Self-care can be seen as not only critical for individual professionals, but also for the growth of the helping professions and the quality of care which clients receive. The purpose of this study was to investigate use of career-sustaining behaviors and the levels of professional quality of life in music therapy professionals. This study investigated research questions regarding use of career sustaining behaviors and levels of professional quality of life, the relationship between these variables, the differences in the use of career sustaining behavior by demographics, and the use of music as a self-care strategy.

An online survey was sent …

Managing Soil Microbial Communities With Organic Amendments To Promote Soil Aggregate Formation And Plant Health, Shawn T. Lucas

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

The effects of managing soil with organic amendments were examined with respect to soil microbial community dynamics, macroaggregate formation, and plant physio-genetic responses. The objective was to examine the possibility of managing soil microbial communities via soil management, such that the microbial community would provide agronomic benefits. In part one of this research, effects of three amendments (hairy vetch residue, manure, compost) on soil chemical and microbial properties were examined relative to formation of large macroaggregates in three different soils. Vetch and manure promoted fungal proliferation (measured via two biomarkers: fatty acid methyl ester 18:2ω6c and ergosterol) and also stimulated …

Transformations, Bioavailability And Toxicity Of Manufactured Zno Nanomaterials In Wastewter, Sewwandi Rathnayake

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

In order to properly evaluate the ecological and human health risks of ZnO Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) released to the environment, it is critical to understand the likely transformation products in the wastewater treatment process and in soils receiving biosolids. To address this critical knowledge gap, we examined the transformation reactions of 30 nm ZnO MNMs in single component and multi-component systems, with phosphate and natural organic matter (NOM). We also assessed the influence of nano ZnO transformation on the bioavailability, and toxicity of ZnO transformation products to Triticum aestivum. The data revealed that ZnO MNMs react with phosphate at …

Role Of 18F-Fdg Pet Scan In Rheumatoid Lung Nodule: Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Christine L. Chhakchhuak, Mehdi Khosravi, Kristine M. Lohr

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Flourine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) is a useful test for the management of malignant conditions. Inflammatory and infectious processes, however, can cause increased uptake on PET scanning, often causing diagnostic dilemmas. This knowledge is important to the rheumatologist not only because of the inflammatory conditions we treat but also because certain rheumatic diseases impose an increased risk of malignancy either due to the disease itself or as a consequence of medications used to treat the rheumatic diseases. There is an increasing body of evidence investigating the role of PET scans in inflammatory …

Using Gis To Delineate Headwater Stream Origins In The Appalachian Coal-Belt Region Of Kentucky, Jonathan A. Villines

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Human activity such as surface mining can have substantial impacts on the natural environment. Performing a Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment (CHIA) of such impacts on surface water systems requires knowing the location and extent of these impacted streams. The Jurisdictional Determination (JD) of a stream’s protected status under the Clean Water Act (CWA) involves locating and classifying streams according to their flow regime: ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial. Due to their often remote locations and small size, taking a field inventory of headwater streams for surface mining permit applications or permit reviews is challenging. A means of estimating headwater stream location …

Automatic Detection Of Abnormal Behavior In Computing Systems, James Frank Roberts

Theses and Dissertations--Computer Science

I present RAACD, a software suite that detects misbehaving computers in large computing systems and presents information about those machines to the system administrator. I build this system using preexisting anomaly detection techniques. I evaluate my methods using simple synthesized data, real data containing coerced abnormal behavior, and real data containing naturally occurring abnormal behavior. I find that the system adequately detects abnormal behavior and significantly reduces the amount of uninteresting computer health data presented to a system administrator.

Context Aware Privacy Preserving Clustering And Classification, Nirmal Thapa

Theses and Dissertations--Computer Science

Data are valuable assets to any organizations or individuals. Data are sources of useful information which is a big part of decision making. All sectors have potential to benefit from having information. Commerce, health, and research are some of the fields that have benefited from data. On the other hand, the availability of the data makes it easy for anyone to exploit the data, which in many cases are private confidential data. It is necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the data. We study two categories of privacy: Data Value Hiding and Data Pattern Hiding. Privacy is a huge concern …

The Effects Of Migration On Gender Norms And Relations: The Post-Repatriation Experience In Bor, South Sudan, Marybeth Chrostowsky

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

My dissertation research was a 14-month ethnographic study of the post-repatriation experience of forced migrants in South Sudan. It was designed to determine if alterations to gender norms and relations that refugees experienced during asylum differed as a function of the asylum environments and if these modifications remained intact upon the refugees’ return. The forced migrants in my sample, the Dinka of Bor from South Sudan, encountered two different asylum environments and experiences: Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya and Khartoum, in northern Sudan. After 10-15 years in asylum, these forced Dinka Bor migrants returned to South Sudan. I compared …

The Impairment Of Macrophage-To-Feces Reverse Cholesterol Transport During Inflammation Does Not Depend On Serum Amyloid A, Maria C. De Beer, Joanne M. Wroblewski, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Ailing Ji, Jason M. Meyer, Deneys R. Van Der Westhuyzen, Frederick C. De Beer, Nancy R. Webb

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Studies suggest that inflammation impairs reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We investigated whether serum amyloid A (SAA) contributes to this impairment using an established macrophage-to-feces RCT model. Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in SAA1.1 and SAA2.1 (SAAKO) were injected intraperitoneally with ³H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages 4 hr after administration of LPS or buffered saline. ³H-cholesterol in plasma 4 hr after macrophage injection was significantly reduced in both WT and SAAKO mice injected with LPS, but this was not associated with a reduced capacity of serum from LPS-injected mice to promote macrophage cholesterol efflux in vitro. Hepatic accumulation of ^{3 …}

Veterinary Specialty Certification: Analyzing The Value Of Certification Through The American Board Of Veterinary Practitioners, Jeff Allen

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

When it comes to professional certification a number of potential benefits can be cited by the organizations that offer them. Self-improvement, recognition by peers, public benefit and enhanced career opportunities are just a few of the frequently mentioned values associated with certification programs. This study was conducted to identify the primary benefits of certification for the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) by recording and analyzing the perceived value of ABVP certification within the veterinary community. An online survey was developed to collect data from ABVP certified and non-certified veterinarians, relying heavily on the Perceived Value of Certification Tool (PVCT). …