Digital Commons Network^™

Strategic Nutritional Interventions With Probiotics And Their Relationship To Performance, Feeding Behavior, And Reticulorumen Environment In Cows And Calves Under Subacute Ruminal Acidosis Risk, Gustavo Mazon Correa Alves

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a digestive disorder in ruminants characterized by extended periods of low reticulorumen pH. This digestive disorder is commonly observed in ruminants fed diets with elevated proportions of non-fibrous carbohydrates. This disorder has been vastly studied in adult dairy cattle and has been associated with losses in milk production, changes in feeding behavior, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, and premature culling. Although vastly studied in adult cattle, there is limited research on the effects of SARA in calves. SARA might be prevented by modifying the reticulorumen environment with probiotic supplements containing lactateutilizing bacteria such as Megasphaera …

Identifying Public Perceptions Towards Precision Dairy Technology Use, Brad Kelly

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

To remain sustainable, the dairy industry must demonstrate commitment to addressing concerns from the public, such as sustainability and animal welfare. Precision dairy technologies (PDT) are a potential solution to ameliorate this issue, but public perceptions towards PDT are currently underinvestigated. This thesis aims to describe public perceptions towards PDT. Specifically, the objectives are to 1) describe baseline perceptions of the U.S. public towards PDT, 2) determine the effects of framing information about human-animal bond, data transparency, and animal welfare on PDT perceptions, and 3) evaluate how demographic characteristics mediate these perceptions. An online survey was used to measure baseline …

Essays On Public And Nonprofit Financial Dynamics, Yunjun Kim

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

This dissertation consists of three essays that explore different dimensions of financial dynamics in the public and nonprofit sectors. Each chapter examines how the fiscal behavior of neighboring jurisdictions, policy interventions, and financial practices influence fiscal decision-making and financial performance within these entities.

In the first essay, I investigate yardstick competition in local government spending in South Korea by leveraging the exogenous variation introduced by by-elections. This approach allows me to estimate the influence of neighboring jurisdictions on local expenditures. Contrary to previous empirical studies from other countries, my findings reveal no significant interdependence in spending among South Korean municipalities, …

Exploring The Therapeutic Relationship In Mental Health Therapy With Queer And Disabled Adults, Rachel Womack

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

Queerness and disability have been shown to be intimately connected, with members of the LGBTQIA+ community significantly more likely to identify as disabled compared to the general population. Though there are roughly 3-5 million queer and disabled individuals living in the United States, this remains a multiply marginalized and understudied population. Owing partially to stigma, minority stress, and discrimination, these individuals face an increased risk of a variety of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, self-harm, PTSD, and suicidality. Additionally, several barriers to mental health treatment exist, including inaccessible services, lack of provider knowledge, and outright discrimination from providers. Though …

Fowl Play And Lame Ducks: How A Three-Headed Circuit Split Confuses Century-Old Migratory Bird Protections, Omer Arain

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.

Three Essays On Environmental Risk And Policy, Samuel Owens

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

This dissertation comprises three essays that investigate different facets of environmental hazards and their implications for policy and governance. While each essay examines a different topic area, they are all linked by examining how entities respond to incentives at the intersection of environmental risk and public policy. Each chapter informs a distinct literature within environmental policy and utilizes different methodologies to examine largely unexplored research questions.

In the first essay, I examine how individuals respond to the low-visibility, long-term environmental risk presented by radon. I employ radon zone data from the Kentucky Geological Survey and home information from Zillow to …

Astrocyte Ca2+ In The Dorsal Striatum Suppresses Neuronal Activity To Oppose Cue-Induced Reinstatement Of Cocaine Seeking, Navid S. Tavakoli, Samantha G. Malone, Tanner L. Anderson, Ryson E. Neeley, Artin Asadipooya, Michael T. Bardo, Pavel I. Ortinski

Psychology Faculty Publications

Recent literature supports a prominent role for astrocytes in regulation of drug-seeking behaviors. The dorsal striatum, specifically, is known to play a role in reward processing with neuronal activity that can be influenced by astrocyte Ca2+. However, the manner in which Ca2+ in dorsal striatum astrocytes impacts neuronal signaling after exposure to self-administered cocaine remains unclear. We addressed this question following over-expression of the Ca2+ extrusion pump, hPMCA2w/b, in dorsal striatum astrocytes and the Ca2+ indicator, GCaMP6f, in dorsal striatum neurons of rats that were trained to self-administer cocaine. Following extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior, the rats over-expressing hMPCA2w/b showed a …

Elucidating The Role Of Fatty Acid Synthase In Apc-Driven Colorectal Cancer, Courtney O. Kelson

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. Currently, there is a growing incidence rate for individuals aged 20-49 years. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of this cancer. Early detection of CRC allows for the most effective treatment option in which surgical resection of the primary tumor occurs along with adjuvant chemotherapy. This therapeutic approach contributes to 5-year survival rate of 91%. However, surgical procedures and chemotherapy struggles against metastatic and relapsed CRC resulting in 5-year survival rate of 14%. Inefficacious treatments for relapsed and metastatic diseases emphasizes the need for more …

Southeastern Law Librarian Winter 2024, Seaall

Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Co-Authorship Maps To Support Leadership Selection, Robert Hc Chen

Research Analytics Summit 2024

VOSViewer co-authorship mapping is a powerful tool typically used for analyzing research collaboration. Users provide publication data and VOSViewer produces a map where authors are plotted on a 2-dimensional map based on how often they are in the author lists of the same publication.

In this presentation, I propose a series of tweaks to the input data that can leverage co-authorship maps to support leadership selection based on how often candidates co-author papers with their institutional peers and some of the attributes of these papers. I will suggest how best to interpret the resulting maps and address the major assumptions …

Project Final Report Watershed Center Of Excellence, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

With the goal of providing a structured foundational background for watershed management to Kentucky’s watershed coordinators and other water quality professionals, the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute developed the Kentucky Watershed Academy, a six-module series of core training content. The modules address the following subject areas:

• Module 1: The Clean Water Act & Related Water Quality Laws

• Module 2: Water Quality Basics

• Module 3: Dealing with Data

• Module 4: Land Use Impacts & Related Best Management Practices

• Module 5: Likely Partners

• Module 6: Effective Communications

As a result of this project, a total of …

Maximizing Mining Operations: Unlocking The Crucial Role Of Intelligent Fleet Management Systems In Surface Mining’S Value Chain, Arman Hazrathosseini, Ali Moradi Afrapoli

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

On the one side, the operational expenses of mining enterprises are showing an upward trend; and on the other side, conventional mining fleet management systems (FMSs) are falling short in addressing the high-dimensionality, stochasticity, and autonomy needed in increasingly complex operations. These major drivers for change have convinced researchers to search for alternatives including artificial-intelligence-enabled algorithms recommended by Mining 4.0. The present study endeavors to scrutinize this transition from a business management point of view. In other words, a literature review is carried out to gain insight into the evolutionary trajectory of mining FMSs and the need for intelligent algorithms. …

Elucidation Of Mismatch Repair Regulation By Abl1: Advantages/Disadvantages Of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment, Hannah Daniels

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is a critical repair process necessary for not only repairing mispairs incorporated into the DNA during replication, but also for inducing apoptosis in response to certain types of DNA damage. MMR is required for maintaining genomic integrity and due to the importance of this pathway, any impairment of its function can lead to increased mutation frequency, which is well known to be a driving force of cancer development, progression, and resistance. Despite extensive studies involving the proteins involved in the MMR pathway, the regulation of those proteins remains relatively unknown. Regulation of MLH1, a protein necessary …

Understanding The Mechanism Of Ferroptosis Susceptibility Variation In Colorectal Cancer, Aziza Alshahrani

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the use of chemotherapeutic agents, CRCs remains to be difficult to cure at least partially due to their intrinsic and/or acquired resistance to cell death inducers. Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. Studies have shown that dysregulation of ferroptotic pathways is associated with the development of resistance to various cancer treatment. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a known target for inducing ferroptosis due to its critical role in detoxifying lipid hydroperoxides, and ferroptosis suppressor protein (FSP1) also …

Porcupine’S Role In The Enhancement Of Enzalutamide Efficacy In Drug Resistant Prostate Cancer, Katelyn Jones

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling continues to participate as a vital component of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Subsequently, this has led to the development of Androgen Signaling Inhibitors (ASI), specifically Enzalutamide (ENZ), which is a direct inhibitor of AR, to clinically manage CRPC. Inevitably, ENZ treatment only provides improvement for approximately two months before advancing to an incurable form, ENZ-resistant CRPC. With PCa ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in USA males, there is an urgency and necessity for the discovery and development of novel therapeutic approaches for CRPC. Wnt signaling has been extensively documented in its involvement …

Generating Climate Resilience Or Intensifying Vulnerabilities? A Feminist Poltitical Ecology Analysis Of Climate Resilient Agriculutre Projects In Sri Lanka’S Dry Zone, Nethmi Sachithma Perera Bathige

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

Conserving water for irrigation of crops has become a concern in the dry zone of Sri Lanka due to changes in climate patterns. In response, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has developed climate-resilient water management projects designed to build climate-resilience and water management practices among farmers. One such program called ‘Wew Gam Pubuduwa’ disseminates climate smart home gardening techniques, where women farmers receive sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, seeds and fertilizers, as well as training on water management methods. This study draws on a feminist political ecology framework to analyze the experiences of women home gardeners who …

Digital (Re)Production: Spatial Mediations Through Augmented Reality Landscapes In ‘Pokemon Go’, Brigitte Pulminar Perkins

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

Since 2016, the mobile augmented reality game Pokémon GO has renewed interest within communities by mediating spatial engagement using in-game markers that must be engaged with throughout physical urban landscapes. This thesis identifies factors that influence the spatial distribution of digital markers used by this game to help inform analyses of urban gamification, urban spatial distribution, and cultural knowledge production processes. Drawing specifically on theories of urban spatialization and digital media studies, I highlight features of physical and digital legacies of redlining within Lexington, KY that are reproduced via Pokémon GO. I argue that the urban racialized landscape of Lexington …

Navigating The Crooked Road: A Case-Study Into The Appalachian Regional Commission’S Strategy To Promote Economic Development Through Cultural Tourism, Nicholas Relich

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

Since 1965, the federal government’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has sought to improve Appalachia’s wellbeing by funding state and local economic development projects. One recent ARC strategy is investing in projects to develop the region’s tourism sector as a means of growth, particularly “cultural tourism,” which markets Appalachia’s cultural heritage to potential visitors. This paper seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of such ARC investments based on economic theory and by performing an empirical and qualitative case-study of one such series of projects: The Crooked Road, a music heritage trail located in Southwest Virginia. Officially organized in 2004 and receiving substantial …

Redefining Ed Utilization: A Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Perspective, David Bennington

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

Rabies, though rare in the United States, remains a lethal viral disease with significant public health implications. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) through timely administration of rabies vaccines and rabies immune globulin (RIG) is critical for preventing the progression of the virus following potential exposure. However, the current system of healthcare delivery in the United States has witnessed an alarming trend: the unnecessary utilization of emergency department (ED) visits for rabies PEP, including follow-up vaccinations. This paper aims to examine and address this issue through a review of the factors contributing to the inappropriate use of ED services for rabies treatment.

Through …

Zebrafish Drug Screening Identifies Erlotinib As An Inhibitor Of Wnt/ Β-Catenin Signaling And Self-Renewal In T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Majd A. Al-Hamaly, Anna H. Cox, Meghan G. Haney, Wen Zhang, Emma C. Arvin, Shilpa Sampathi, Mary Wimsett, Chunming Liu, Jessica S. Blackburn

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway’s significance in cancer initiation, progression, and stem cell biology underscores its therapeutic potential. However, the clinical application of Wnt inhibitors remains limited due to challenges posed by off-target effects and complex cross-talk of Wnt signaling with other pathways. In this study, we leveraged a zebrafish model to perform a robust and rapid drug screening of 773 FDA-approved compounds to identify Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with minimal toxicity. Utilizing zebrafish expressing a Wnt reporter, we identified several drugs that suppressed Wnt signaling without compromising zebrafish development. The effi- cacy of the top hit, Erlotinib, extended to human cells, where it …

A Case Study In Prospective Program Evaluation, Sarai Rosemary Combs

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

Evaluation is a helpful tool in public health to provide transparency about community interventions and programs. The following is a prospective evaluation of a case study, looking at a recently designed program by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, as a capstone project for the Health Management and Policy concentration of the Masters in Public Health program of the College of Public Health. The health department developed a series of online training modules to increase knowledge of Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other similar organism outbreaks and how to respond to these outbreaks. The program targets were Fayette County Public School …

Characteristics Of Congenital Syphilis Cases In Kentucky 2019-2023, Ines Roy

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

Abstract:

Background: The incidence of congenital syphilis (CS) has increased both in the United States (US) and globally and remains a public health concern. In Kentucky alone, there has been a significant increase in CS cases, from 9 cases in 2019 to 27 cases in 2023. CS is a preventable disease, but testing and immediate treatment are critical to prevent its spread. We have limited knowledge regarding Kentucky’s characteristics and behavioral factors that may be associated with this rise. The goal of this study is to identify characteristics and potential risk factors that contribute to the rise of CS in …

The Distribution Of Cp-Cre Cases From 2013-2020 In The Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Hannah Hiscox

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

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), particularly Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), pose a significant threat to public health due to their resistance to multiple antibiotics, including carbapenems. CRE infections, especially those producing carbapenemases (CP-CRE), are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, making them a growing concern in healthcare settings. Despite the prevalence of CRE infections in the United States, limited data exist on the incidence and distribution of CP-CRE infections in specific regions, such as the Appalachian counties of Kentucky.

This study aimed to investigate the cumulative incidence and distribution of CP-CRE cases in Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties of Kentucky, as well as …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Iantha Wright

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

The framework for program evaluation is a systematic way of improving and accounting for public health actions by providing practical, feasible, ethical, and accurate information. As a practical, non-prescriptive tool, it guides public health professionals through the essential steps in program evaluation. The framework uses the six steps to understand how to improve and conduct assessments effectively. Additionally, it emphasizes integrating stakeholders and using ongoing evaluation strategies to plan effective interventions, improve existing programs, and demonstrate the efficient use of resources.

Demographic And Behavioral Characteristics Of People Who Help Others Inject Drugs: A Study Of People Who Inject Drugs In Appalachia Kentucky, Ryli Hockensmith

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

Aim: This study aims to understand the demographic and behavioral characteristics of people who inject drugs (PWID) who assist others with injection, hereafter “injection assistors,” and assess the characteristics of injection assistors compared to PWID who do not assist others with injection in Appalachian Kentucky.

Methods: A cross sectional secondary data analysis of data collected from 433 PWID enrolled in the ongoing Kentucky Outreach Service (KyOSK) was performed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to compare injection assistors to those who do not assist others on demographic, behavioral, service usage, and harm reduction characteristics.

Results: In total, 128 (29%) PWID reported …

Mail-Based Or Home Delivery Services: Preferences Among People Who Inject Drugs In Appalachian Kentucky, Su Su Zin

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

Aim: To explore acceptability of delivery-based syringe services program (SSP) among people who inject drug (PWID) in Eastern Kentucky and compare those who wanted to participate in delivery-based SSP to those who did not.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from PWID who injected drugs to get high in the past 30 days (n=246) collected during the baseline assessment administered to the Gateway2Health cohort. Chi-square tests, t-tests, univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were calculated between independent variables and the outcome variable (likelihood of participating in a delivery-based SSP).

Results: 52.9% of PWID reported being likely to participate in …

Human Papilloma Virus Type 16 Seroprevalence Among Men Living With Hiv, Ashley Duff

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

Objectives: Individuals living with HIV are at a higher risk for developing human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). There are no methods for early detection; however, HPV16 E6 antibodies have been identified as a promising early marker. The objective of this study was to evaluate seroprevalence and predictors of HPV16 E6 seropositivity among men living with HIV.

Methods:2,334 men aged 40+ living with HIV with blood specimens banked within the Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (TN-CFAR) biorepository were evaluated using HPV multiplex serology. Seroprevalence of HPV16 antibodies was calculated for all HPV16 proteins analyzed (L1, E1, E2, E4, E6, E7). …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Sierra L. Williams

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

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) developed an education program targeted toward infectious disease outbreaks. The program ensures timely reporting and action during an infectious disease outbreak within the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) system. I have been tasked with evaluating the program and its implementation of training modules through pre and post-surveys to determine if the program is significantly increasing the overall knowledge of program participants and make recommendations for how program aspects can be improved.

Program Evaluation Case Study, Grace Mullikin

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

Program evaluation case study utilizing Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Case Evaluation Framework.

The Health Literacy Practices Of Rehabilitation Providers Of Perioperative Orthopedic Education, Allen Keener

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Health literacy is the ability to utilize information to make decisions about one’s health or the health of others. It is estimated that a large percentage of the population has inadequate health literacy, yet healthcare professionals, including rehabilitation providers often do not have procedures in place for assessing and addressing the health literacy of their patients. Related to orthopedic patients, a large portion of the interventions are educational in nature. Therefore, it is important that the health literacy of orthopedic patients be considered when addressing their needs perioperatively. There is little currently published related to health literacy among rehabilitation providers …