Digital Commons Network^™

An Exploratory Analysis Of Fatal Vehicle Crashes In Urban And Rural Kansas In Relation To Identified Golder Hour Gaps In Hospital Coverage, Mason W. Lipford, Grace N. Whisler Lipford, Gregory L. Newmark, Eric J. Fitzsimmons

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

The state of Kansas is a relatively rural state with a majority of highway/interstate miles through farmland and low populated areas. These rural areas can be hot spots for crashes to occur and the lack of hospitals and emergency response nearby can make these types of crashes turn deadly. Few studies have been done on this topic especially for the state of Kansas. As the Department of Transportation is pushing to the “Drive to Zero” goal, pinpointing the harmful factors to indicate where improvements are needed to reduce the number, and severity of crashes is an important first step. Using …

Analyses And Reconstructions Of Crash Scenarios For Class 8, Long-Haul Trucks, Monish Dev Sudhakhar, Rohan Khaire, Jeffrey Wishart, Yan Chen

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

Knowledge and analysis of crash scenarios from naturalistic driving data can provide insight into the causes of crashes and thus motivate or benefit the future design of automated driving systems (ADSs). The circumstances commonly resulting in crashes for human-driven, light-duty vehicles were previously compiled into the 37 pre-crash scenarios by NHTSA [1]. However, crash analyses and reconstructions for Class 8 long-haul trucks have not yet been explored in the literature. The Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS) database has been used as the crash data source for compiling a dataset containing details on a nationally representative sample of thousands of heavy-duty …

Combining The Concrete Representational Abstract Framework And Video Modeling To Increase Basic Addition Skills Among First Grade Students, Sara Ebner

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Proficiency in mathematics is fundamental for academic success and is linked to numerous skills that are essential for success in the real-world. Despite its importance, many students struggle with math, leading to nationwide declines in math proficiency. This decline highlights the need for effective interventions that are accessible, able to be individualized, and feasible for implementation across settings. In the present study, a single case multiple probe across participants design was used to assess the efficacy of a concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) framework with video modeling intervention on the basic addition problem-solving accuracy of three first-grade students. Results show that participants’ accuracy …

Evaluating Used Farm Machinery And Assessing The Sustainability Of Tile Drainage Installation, Robert C. Ellis

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

This dissertation comprises three essays regarding the impacts of tile drainage implementation in row crop production and the evaluation of the farm machinery markets of combine harvesters and tractors. The second chapter focuses on tile drainage in traditional row crop agricultural systems. Although tile drain systems have been used for many years, recently, their popularity has increased. This increase has led to questions about these systems' costs and environmental impacts. These concerns have left many operations and individuals questioning if the system’s benefits outweigh the costs. This dissertation presents a life cycle cost (LCC) and carbon footprint (CF) Analysis for …

Forage News [2024-12], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Geodatabase And Automation Code Used For Past And Real-Time Dynamic Landslide Hazard Maps In Eastern Kentucky, Nathaniel O'Leary, L. Sebastian Bryson, Jason M. Dortch

Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Data

We developed spatiotemporal landslide hazard maps (LHMs) using soil, hydrologic, and geomorphic parameters from the subaerial infinite slope factor of safety (FS) equation under unsaturated conditions. Soil properties were sourced from the NRCS WSS, while geomorphic variables were derived from a 1.5 m LiDAR-based DEM and ArcGIS Online. Soil moisture from Hydrus-1D, driven by precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET) data from Irrigation Manager, introduced temporal variability. Validation against known landslide sites demonstrated FS accuracy both spatially and temporally, despite some false positives. To reduce false positives and enhance slope stability representation, novel depth-to-bedrock (DTB) and soil root cohesion maps were incorporated …

8th Cauthen Seminar (2024) Program, Cauthen-Seminar

Veterinary Science Presentations

Contained here is the complete program for the 8th Annual Cauthen Seminar held at the Gluck Equine Research Center.

The Cauthen seminar series was started in 2017 as a tribute and memorial to respected and beloved farrier and teacher, “Tex” Cauthen, developed to encourage the sharing of best practices, technology, research, experience, and insight among all communities in the equine industry, from owners, farriers, track managers, veterinarians, and jockeys.

The annual series has been hosted at the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY along with a live broadcast as a Zoom webinar, offered free …

A Combinatory Approach To Understanding The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence And Financial Labour Markets, Michael Samers, Yujia He

Geography Faculty Publications

This paper provides a critical conceptualization of the relationship between artificial intelligence and financial labour markets in the United States. In doing so, we ask first, what are the characteristics of ‘actually existing AI’ in the financial sector? Second, what are the various ways in which the relationship between AI and its effects on financial labour or employment over approximately the last decade are approached theoretically, conceptually, or methodologically? Third, what are the (spatial) consequences of AI for financial labour markets in the United States? In responding to these questions, we develop a combinatory approach that integrates a ‘financial ecologies’ …

Navigating Religious Attitudes Towards Assisted Reproductive Technology, Gretchen Ruschman

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

As global infertility rates increase, the growing utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), has introduced a range of ethical concerns. Religious beliefs play a crucial role in shaping societal norms and guiding individual ethical deliberation, which is also true in navigating the ethical framework surrounding ART. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the role of religion in shaping perspectives on ART and explore the role of religion in ethical decision-making on an individual and a community scale. This study explored different religious perspectives on ethical issues surrounding the current state and potential future advancements of …

Star Fever, Joshua Miller

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

Inspired by what drives someone to pursue fame STAR FEVER will explore this topic in the form of an apparel design collection for the fall-winter 2024 under the hypothetical JOSHUA MILLER brand. The project is structured to document the creative process of pulling inspiration from the quest for stardom in a way that’s easy to follow (Kieser et al, 2022). STAR FEVER consists of five sections: “Introduction,” “Theories of a Desire for Fame,” “Case Study – Lady Gaga,” “STAR FEVER,” and “Conclusion.” “Theories of a Desire for Fame” synthesizes research on fame, narcissism, and selfesteem instability to provide context for …

Resonancethe Interdisciplinary Design Process + Site Specific Work In An Interative Lens, Danica Hak

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

This thesis serves as a lineage of research exploring the relationship between dance and design, emphasizing and encouraging interdisciplinary design processes that are cyclic and iterative. As the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion rises in the design field, experimentation in other disciplines and their relationship with design promotes more thoughtful, human-centered spaces. The overlaps of design and dance highlight the relationship of body and space through circulation patterns, ergonomic design, public performance, and site-specific work. Nontraditional performance (anything that is not in a typical proscenium viewing) allows a fostering, mutualistic relationship between performer, audience, and the environment.

Personal Narratives As Mechanisms To Explore The Stem Undergraduate Research Experience, Isha Chauhan

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has popularly been labeled as reliant on objective analysis, while, conversely, humanities are rooted in engaging human virtue and creating connections between people. A particularly interesting piece of the humanities is storytelling, which allows people of unique backgrounds to develop creative connections to their work. In this way, STEM and the humanities are united by personal experience and the ability to convey such. This connection can be demonstrated through the STEM undergraduate experience, which has been greatly underrepresented in the form of personal narratives. With the format of personal narratives being conducive to discussion …

The Fruits Of Our Labor, Joseph Cox

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

Fruits of labor are the triumphs of determination and resiliency. We often place ourselves in the world by referencing those around us. Or those beyond us. When I found myself disoriented, it was looking inward that gained my footing. These friends of mine are all a little fruity in their own way. If you pause and take it in, they’ll remind you that it’s not a label or image that we share, but a strength to love the way we differ. The Fruits of our Labor works to facilitate these connections through shared experiences of creativity. It examines Queer lifestyle …

A Closer Look At The Humanistic Aspects Of The Opioid Epidemic And Its Implications For Pharmaceutical Ethics And Law, Eriel Burns

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

This paper elucidates the humanistic elements of this crisis, that is, the ethical challenges it poses and the role of culture in it. The opioid crisis disturbs several bioethics principles as indicated by the fact that it burgeoned out of the health care system as opposed to the illicit environments of the underground market. The book Dreamland by investigative journalist and storyteller, Sam Quinones encapsulates the complexity of the opioid epidemic through research and interviews with important figures related to the crisis such as physicians, people with opioid use disorder, and pharmaceutical sales representatives, among others. Quinones details that the …

Move The Table, Elizabeth Browning

Gaines Fellow Senior Theses

This creative thesis project is based on autoethnicgraphical methodology and queer feminist crip analysis, and borne from homegrown loving and learning. In recounting my own experience with education within feminine culinary spaces, I am affirming the teachings of particularly American mothers of color in resistance against oppressive politics in public education. In doing so, I validate my own knowledge and implore higher education institutions to explore collective access for us all. Using autoethnography, cooking as inquiry, historical information, and family recipes and narratives, I will analyze the ways in which the women in my family have created feminist midrash in …

Acceptability And Feasibility Of Screening With A Pediatric Care Provider-Led Social Determinants Of Health Identification Tool, Alison Eyre, Janice Cohen, Sarah Funnell, Lynsey James, Sheena Guglani, Hounaida Abi Haidar, Lindy Samson, Michelle Ward, Radha Jetty, Megan Harrison, John Lyons Dr., Leigh Fraser-Roberts, Susan Bennet, Douglas Archibald, Soha Khorsand, Tobey Audcent

Health Management and Policy Faculty Publications

Background Complex social determinants of health may not be easily recognized by health care providers and pose a unique challenge in the vulnerable pediatric population where patients may not be able to advocate for themselves. The goal of this study was to examine the acceptability and feasibility of health care providers using an integrated brief pediatric screening tool in primary care and hospital settings.

Methods The framework of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) and Pediatric Intermed tools was used to inform the selection of items for the 9-item Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths-Pediatric Complexity Indicator (CANS-PCI). …

Leveraging Local Knowledge To Contextualize The Opioid Epidemic Within Healing Communities Study Communities: A Photovoice Protocol, Peter Balvanz, Ramona G. Olvera, Margaret Louise Mcgladrey, Marisa Booty, Dacia Beard, Sylvia Ellison, Craig Mcclay, Monica Nouvong, Carrie B. Oser, Owusua Yamoah, Linda Sprague Martinez

Health Management and Policy Faculty Publications

Since its inception 30 years ago, Photovoice has gained increasing popularity as a research method and more recently has been incorporated within randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs. Photovoice is a participatory action research method that pairs photography with focus group discussions to record community strengths and concerns, build critical consciousness, and reach policymakers. Adherence of Photovoice implementation to these original tenets of Photovoice varies. This article provides the Photovoice protocol developed by the authors to improve the methodological rigor of Photovoice integration into RCTs and help contextualize the landscape for the HEALing Communities Study (HCS: NCT04111939), a greater than $350 …

Diapause In Eastern North American Populations Of Coccinella Septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), John J. Obrycki

Lady Beetle Research Data

Experiments examined the effect of photoperiod on the expression of adult diapause in the Palearctic ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata, within 10 years of its discovery in North America. The study used beetles from two populations in eastern United States and focused on two aspects of diapause. First, the effects of daylength on the induction and depth (or duration) of diapause were examined by rearing and maintaining adult beetles from Tompkins County, New York,(approx. 42.4°N, 76.5°W) under six constant photoperiods until oviposition, death, or the passage of 125 days. Second, the seasonal progression of diapause maintenance and termination under natural conditions …

Diapause Induction In Eastern North American Populations Of Propylea Quatuordecimpunctata And Hippodamia Variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), John J. Obrycki

Lady Beetle Research Data

Experiments examined the effect of photoperiod on the expression of adult diapause in North American populations of two Palearctic ladybird beetle species, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Hippodamia variegata.

Comparative data for the reproductive responses to different photoperiod conditions for H. variegata were taken from Obrycki (2018). Additionally, comparisons of responses to the four photoperiods between P. quatuordecimpunctata from Jefferson County, NY, USA to P. quatuordecimpunctata from Montreal, Quebec, Canada were also conducted. Data for the Montreal, Quebec, Canada population are from Obrycki et al., (1993).

Two Data sets are included:

(1) Pre-oviposition period (days) as a measure of induction and …

Students Participating As Ambassadors For Research In Kentucky (Spark): A Health Equity Undergraduate Research Training Program, Ariel A. Arthur, Rebecca L. Delacerda Allen, Fidelis Y. Sesenu, Maxwell Groznik, Carrie B. Oser, Justin X. Moore, Jessica R. Thompson, Alexis N. James, Madeline Dunfee, Philip A. Kern, Nancy Schoenberg

Center for Health Equity Transformation Faculty Publications

The Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) program provides novel health equity research training and targeted mentorship for undergraduates, particularly those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral research and workforce. SPARK aims to address inadequate diversity in the medical and scientific research fields by providing comprehensive research mentorship and skill-building. Unlike most existing research training programs that are brief, focus on laboratory research, or are limited to graduate students and junior faculty, SPARK delivers a 16-month intensive behavioral and population health science training, equipping students with needed tools to conceptualize, plan, execute, and analyze their …

Using The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research To Identify Church Leaders’ Perspectives On Contextual Determinants Of Community‑Based Colorectal Cancer Screening For Black Kentuckians, Aaron J. Kruse-Diehr, Derek Cegelka, Carlee Combs, Rose Wood, Elizabeth Holtsclaw, Jerod L. Stapleton, Lovoria B. Williams

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background Black Kentuckians experience more deleterious colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes than their White counterparts, a disparity that could be reduced by increased screening in Black communities. Previous research has shown that Black Kentuckians may not be equitably informed of different CRC screening options by health care providers, making community‑based screening a potentially effective option among this disparate population. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify church leaders’ perspectives of con‑ textual factors that might influence community‑based screening and explore the feasibility of using church‑based screening outreach.

Methods Six participants were selected, based on leadership roles and …

Glioblastoma Standard Of Care: Effects On Tumor Evolution And Reverse Translation In Preclinical Models, Louis Rodgers, John L. Villano, Anika M. S. Hartz, Björn Bauer

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) presents a significant public health challenge as the deadliest and most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite standard-of-care treatment, which includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, mortality rates are high, underscoring the critical need for advancing GBM therapy. Over the past two decades, numerous clinical trials have been performed, yet only a small fraction demonstrated a benefit, raising concerns about the predictability of current preclinical models. Traditionally, preclinical studies utilize treatment-naïve tumors, failing to model the clinical scenario where patients undergo standard-of-care treatment prior to recurrence. Recurrent GBM generally exhibits distinct molecular alterations influenced by treatment selection pressures. …

Public Library Lending Programs Increase Radon Testing In Rural Communities, Stacy Stanifer, Kathy Rademacher, Whitney Beckett, King Simpson, Mary Kay Rayens, Amanda Thaxton Wigging, Ellen J. Hahn

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, yet few Americans test their homes for radon, particularly in rural areas. The academic team and community partners engaged the public library systems in four rural counties to offer digital radon detectors for check-out as a means of increasing the public’s access to free radon testing. The check-out procedures and instructional materials were created through an iterative process, and library personnel were educated on radon and home radon testing prior to launching the lending program. Library patrons reported high usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. Library patron- staff interactions …

Adapting The Serious Illness Conversation Guide For Unhoused Older Adults: A Rapid Qualitative Study, Abigail Latimer, Natalie D. Pope, Chin-Yen Lin, Junghee Kang, Olivia M. Sasdi, Jia-Rong Wu, Debra K. Moser, Terry A. Lennie

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background Older adults experiencing homelessness (OAEH) age quickly and die earlier than their housed counterparts. Illness-related decisions are best guided by patients’ values, but healthcare and homelessness service providers need support in facilitating these discussions. The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) is a communication tool to guide discussions but has not yet been adapted for OAEH.

Methods We aimed to adapt the SICG for use with OAEH by nurses, social workers, and other homelessness service providers. We conducted semi-structured interviews with homelessness service providers and cognitive interviews with OAEH using the SICG. Service providers included nurses, social workers, or others …

What Influences Trust In And Understanding Of Clinical Trials? An Analysis Of Information And Communication Technology Use And Online Health Behavior From The Health Information National Trends Survey, Aurora Occa, Allison S. Merritt, Allison Leip, Jerod L. Stapleton

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background: Using information and communication technologies to seek, discuss, and share health-related information influences people’s trust and knowledge of several health practices. However, we know little about the associations between individuals’ information and communication technology use and their perceptions of trust and knowledge of clinical trials. Examining these associations may lead to the identification of target audiences and channels for developing effective educational interventions and campaigns about clinical trials.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed Health Information National Trends Survey data to document perceptions of clinical trial-related knowledge and trust that were recently added as questions in this annual national …

Cancer Research Provides A Model For Advancing Clinical Trials In Dementia In The Era Of Disease-Modifying Alzheimer’S-Type Dementia Therapies, Gregory Jicha, Thomas Tucker, Susanne Arnold, Peter T. Nelson

Neurology Faculty Publications

Dementia and cancer are multifactorial, widely-feared, age-associated clinical syndromes that are increasing in prevalence. There have been major breakthroughs in clinical cancer research leading to some effective treatments, whereas the field of dementia has achieved comparatively limited success in clinical research. The lessons of cancer research may help those in the dementia research field in confronting some of the dilemmas faced when the clinical care regimen is not entirely safe or efficacious. Cancer clinical trials have assumed that untreated individuals with cancer are at high risk for morbidity and mortality after primary diagnoses. Thus, patients deserve a choice of clinical …

Estimating Socio-Economic Status For Alzheimer’S Disease Trials, D. M. Rentz, J. D. Grill, D. P. Molina-Henry, Gregory Jicha, Michael S. Rafii, A. Liu, Reisa A. Sperling, Paul Aisen, R. Raman

Neurology Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Metrics of a participant’s socioeconomic status (SES) are not routinely collected or standardized in clinical trials. This omission limits the ability to evaluate the generalizability of trial results and restricts clinicians from confidently interpreting the efficacy of new treatments across important sub-populations. METHODS: We adapted an SES measure of social disparity; the Hollingshead Two Factor Index of Social Position, which combines education and occupation into a single metric. We modernized the 1965 occupations to reflect the 2017 careers tabulated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. We currently use this adapted measure in Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium studies. RESULTS: …

Clinical Trial Protocol For Beach: A Phase 2a Study Of Mw189 In Patients With Acute Nontraumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Radhika Avadhani, Wendy C. Ziai, Richard E. Thompson, W. Andrew Mould, Karen Lane, Angeline Nanni, Michael Lacobelli, Matthew F. Sharrock, Lauren H. Sansing, Linda J. Van Eldik, Daniel F. Hanley

Neurology Faculty Publications

Patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) develop secondary neuroinflammation and cerebral edema that can further damage the brain and lead to increased risk of neurologic complications. Preclinical studies in animal models of acute brain injury have shown that a novel small-molecule drug candidate, MW01-6-189WH (MW189), decreases neuroinflammation and cerebral edema and improves functional outcomes. MW189 was also safe and well tolerated in phase 1 studies in healthy adults. The proof-of-concept phase 2a Biomarker and Edema Attenuation in IntraCerebral Hemorrhage (BEACH) clinical trial is a first-in-patient, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It is designed to determine the safety and tolerability …

Cancer Survivorship Care In The United States At Facilities Accredited By The Commission On Cancer, Julia Stal, Kimberly A. Miller, Timothy W. Mullett, Judy C. Boughey, Amanda B. Francescatti, Elizabeth Funk, Heidi Nelson, David R. Freyer

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Since 2021, American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation standards require providing a survivorship program for patients with adult-onset cancer treated with curative intent. Since more than 70% of all patients with cancer in the US are treated at CoC-accredited facilities, this presents an opportunity for a landscape analysis of survivorship care availability.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, types, and outcomes of cancer survivorship services at CoC-accredited facilities.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This survey study used an anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey conducted from May 4 to 25, 2023. Participants were CoC-accredited facilities in the US representing diverse …

The Potential Beneficial Role Of Anti-Platelet/Anti-Coagulant Medications On Diabetic Retinopathy: A Scoping Review Protocol, Sarah Draud, Qingjun Wang, Lauren E. Robinson

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM, both types 1 and 2), affecting millions of individuals worldwide. DM is known to induce changes in platelet function and hemostasis, thereby elevating the risk of thrombotic incidents. The hyperglycemic environment in DM can trigger platelet hyperactivity, potentially exacerbating the onset and progression of DR. Despite the intricate pathophysiology of DR, which involves oxidative stress, inflammation, retinal neovascularization, and the disruption of the blood-retina barrier, the specific mechanisms underlying platelet hyperactivity in the microvasculature of DM patients remain inadequately explored. Antiplatelet and anticoagulation medications have proven beneficial in …