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Effects Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus And The Fungicide Azoxystrobin Additions On Larval And Post-Metamorphic Fitness Of American Toads (Anaxyrus Americanus), Michael Vosburgh

Dissertations

Since European settlement, vast areas of U.S. land have been modified by humans. In the Midwest, an estimated 99% of native grasslands have been replaced by agriculture and urban development. Such alternations have replaced native habitat, redefined hydrology and introduced a wide array of chemicals into aquatic ecosystems. Modern agricultural practices utilize fertilizers and pesticides to maximize crop production. These chemicals frequently runoff into surrounding waters, potentially effecting aquatic organisms. One group of organism thought to be susceptible to agricultural contaminants are amphibians. Amphibians are vulnerable to pollution due, in part, to their permeable skin and biphasic life history. Global …

In-Person Versus Peer-Coordinated Virtual Health Coaching For Metabolic And Behavioral Outcomes In Women In Sober Living Facilities, Craig R. Witt

Dissertations

Background: Women in early recovery from substance use disorder often face metabolic health vulnerabilities, yet physical health behaviors are frequently under-emphasized in sober living settings. Feasible and accessible wellness strategies are needed to support both behavioral and metabolic health in this population.

Purpose: To compare the effects of professionally delivered in-person health coaching versus peer-coordinated virtual health coaching on metabolic outcomes and health-promoting behaviors among women in sober living facilities.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 32 women enrolled in a 12-week group-based health coaching program focused on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management; 18 completed post-intervention assessments (in-person: n = …

Learning Paradigms For Rhythm Detection And Generation Using Mathematical Models, Biophysical And Artificial Neural Networks, Prianka Bose

Dissertations

Humans possess an inherent ability to recognize evenly-spaced rhythms, known as isochronous rhythms, owing to the brain's predisposition to entrain to external auditory stimuli with regular temporal intervals. The central focus of this research is to understand how the brain learns and retains rhythmic time intervals in the context of music. This dissertation studies rhythm detection and generation through mathematical models, biophysical networks, and artificial neural networks, addressing both isochronous and non-isochronous patterns.

A primary focus of the thesis is on isochronous rhythms. In particular, given a perturbation to an isochronous rhythm such as a tempo change or phase shift …

Machine Learning Methods For Pattern Recognition Analysis Of Genomic And Molecular Data, Kuang Du

Dissertations

While immune therapies achieve remarkable success in treating various cancers, only a subset of patients achieves a durable clinical response, and many exhibit innate or acquired resistance. Precision medicine aims to tailor treatments to individual patients based on specific biological markers, ensuring that each patient receives the therapy most likely to be effective. Predictive biomarkers and gene signatures offer potential for more personalized treatment strategies by identifying patients likely to benefit. Recent studies suggest that gene signatures, comprising sets of genes, hold predictive value for certain clinical variables. Typically derived from biological expert knowledge, these signatures demonstrate substantial predictive potential, …

Rethinking Safe Nurse Staffing In The Post-Covid Icu: A Comparative Analysis Of The Nurse-To-Patient Ratio And Mixed Model Approach For State Policies, Emilie A. Maxie

Dissertations

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) led to an unprecedented surge in ICU admission, increasing the nurse-to-patient ratios and intensifying stress on ICU nurses. This prompted many nurses to leave bedside care, exacerbating the ongoing nursing shortage and creating unsafe working conditions. Fourteen states have enacted safe nurse staffing policies. California implemented a mandated nurse-to-patient ratio, while Massachusetts adopted a mixed model for ICUs that involves a ratio, nurse committees, and workload tools. In post-COVID, this raises the question of which state policy approach is more effective in retaining ICU nursing staff. Literature suggests a mixed policy may be more effective.

A Phenomenological Study Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) Through Covid-19, Maria Iracema Da Rocha-Alvarez

Dissertations

Purpose: This phenomenological study aimed to identify and describe the social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies used by elementary teachers in California before and during the shift to distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also sought to determine which SEL strategies were most effective in supporting students’ emotional well-being in a virtual learning environment.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to explore the lived experiences of elementary teachers who implemented SEL strategies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through 20 interview questions aligned with the research objectives to gain insight into effective SEL practices during virtual …

K-12 Education And The Covid-19 Pandemic, Candice Beasley

Dissertations

This quantitative study aimed to explore how schoolwide closures during the COVID-19 pandemic affected student academic performance in selected Mississippi school districts and to examine the instructional strategies schools used during these closures. While there has been global research on the pros and cons of different teaching methods during and after the pandemic, specific data for Mississippi is still limited.

The researcher collected publicly available data from the Mississippi Department of Education. Student performance results from the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) for the years 2019 to 2021 were analyzed to see if academic performance changed due to the pandemic …

Journey Of Decisions: Understanding Parental Perspectives On Vaccine Hesitancy And Decision-Making Approaches In Childhood Vaccinations, Carlene Joy Brown

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of parental attitudes toward childhood vaccinations and decision-making styles. Overall, this study worked to comprehensively examine the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among parents of children under 18 utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies and conducting qualitative analytic comparisons to enhance understanding for future research practices.

The study’s objective in the first phase was to quantitatively assess whether decision-making styles predict vaccine hesitancy, considering demographic factors. The contextual research question guiding this phase was, “Do general decision-making styles predict vaccine hesitancy controlling for age, gender, level of education, employment status, marital status, …

Public Health Implications Of State-Level Public Health Organizational And System Structures, Cameron Ferguson Hays

Dissertations

Public health thought leaders such as the Institute of Medicine and National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have long been concerned about the lack of standardization among state-level public health systems (IOM, 1988; NASEM, 2023). However, little research studies these systems, their structures, and whether structural constructs affect population health outcomes.

This study attempted to examine the structural constructs that make up these systems and the impact of those constructs using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. Variables from management science were qualitatively extracted from materials describing all 50 state-level public health systems. Those variables were then analyzed using a …

Establishment Of Structure-Property-Processing Relationships For Design Of Sprayable Hydrogels And Amyloid/Peo Electrospun Composites, Xianjun Wang

Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is the design, synthesis, characterization, and prototyping of bio-inspired materials to understand the role of structure, intermolecular interactions, and processing technique on the self-assembly, bioactive properties, and mechanical properties of the biomaterials. This work is divided into three research areas: 1) sprayable and adhesive glycopolymer based hydrogels; 2) decapeptide-based composite nanofiber mats; and 3) prototyping sutures and meshes via electrospinning. The established structure-property-processing relationships provide a foundation for designing biomaterials in the future.

The first chapter provides an introductory overview of the requirements necessary for the development of hydrogels, glycopolymers, and peptides, including relevant processing …

The Lived Experiences Of Nurses Caring For Dying Pediatric Patients, Danna L. Curcio

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. Nurses and health care professionals may at times have difficulty adjusting and processing when life ends and this may have the potential to interfere with patient care. Reflection on past events and actions enable critical discovery of strategies to benefit both nurses and patients. The method for conducting this research study was from a qualitative phenomenological perspective exploring the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. The philosophical underpinning of Merleau-Ponty (2008), in combination with the research method of …

Genital Hair Removal And Sexually Transmitted Infections: A History And A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison O. Marshall

Dissertations

Background: Genital hair removal is a popular practice in Westernized cultures and has been associated with the belief that removal is necessary for hygiene. A body of literature exists that has found that genital hair removal is associated with adverse health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This dissertation aims to detail the history of the practice, why the hygiene belief exists, and to systematically review the existing literature that assesses genital hair removal and STIs.

Methods: Historical, socio-cultural analysis from the feminist perspective was performed on the literature to outline why genital hair removal was adopted at a population …

The Impact Of Disaster Tabletop Exercise On The Nursing Knowledge Of Emergency Preparedness And The Influence On Professional Quality Of Life, Vivian Fuentes

Dissertations

It is widely reported that nurses are underprepared to respond to a disaster event, despite the available resources for emergency preparedness education. The purpose of this project was to measure the impact of disaster tabletop exercises on emergency preparedness knowledge of the emergency department (ED) nurses and its influence on the professional quality of life. Twentynine nurses from a south Florida hospital participated in the evaluation of this evidence-based project. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and adapted Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) were implemented before and after disaster tabletop exercises. The EPIQ findings included an overall 20% increase in …

Emergency Preparedness Curriculum: Essential Skills For Nurses Responding In Disasters, Sallie J. Shipman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experiences of nurses first time responding to a civilian disaster response in shelters or temporary community medical clinics in an attempt to identify the essential knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to disaster victims. The theoretical framework for this study was the theory of novice to expert, experiential learning, clinical reasoning, and using real life situations to develop the student's sense of salience by Benner et al. (1996, 2009; 2010).

Conceptions Of Latinos And Latinas About The Grieving Process And Associate Concepts Of Dying, Death, Bereavement, And Loss: A Covid-19-Post-Pandemic Case Study, Rosario Garcia Ortiz

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to recognize the grieving process and the related concepts of Latinos who lost a loved one to the COVID-19 pandemic. Death and dying have been studied in the United States, with limited studies focusing on the Latino culture. The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating experience for the world and continues to be studied for understanding and lessons in the aftermath. This research included four participants from the Latino culture who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. An inductive approach and data analysis were used to form theoretical constructs. Three main categories were …

Resiliency And Positive Childhood Experiences: Implications For Black Youths' Mental And Behavioral Health And School Engagement, Sharnequa Nashay Hunter

Dissertations

Two independent studies were conducted to examine the buffering impact of positive childhood experiences on Black youths’ mental and behavioral health and school engagement outcomes. The purpose of Study 1 was to investigate the potential moderating effects of positive childhood experiences on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and the occurrence of mental or behavioral health conditions (anxiety, depression, ADHD/ADD, and/or a behavioral/conduct problem) and school engagement, using secondary data from the 2020 National Survey of Children’s Health, a survey completed by primary caregivers. The study sample included 2,201 Black youth ages 6-17 across the United States. Logistic regression and …

Asian Americans’ Experiences Of Covid-Related Discrimination: Collective Identity, Critical Consciousness, And Intergroup Solidarity, Han Na Lee

Dissertations

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has stirred fear and panic with a surge of anti-Asian hate in the United States. Racial discrimination was exacerbated by labeling COVID19 as “the Chinese virus” and blaming Asians and Asian Americans as the source of the virus. Within the exacerbated xenophobic and racist rhetoric since the COVID outbreak in 2019, racial discrimination was amplified towards anyone who phenotypically presented as “Asian.” It is unclear how various Asian ethnic individuals identify with their Asian American identity while experiencing the intensified discrimination. Specifically, experiencing COVID-related racism and group-based rejection may increase or decrease Asian …

Data Driven Decision Making For Sustainable Planning And Operations Of Large Scale Networks, Bahareh Kargar

Dissertations

This dissertation explores data-driven decision-making networks, focusing on sustainable planning and operations for large-scale systems such as healthcare supply chains and power systems. One significant application in healthcare is the optimization of vaccine supply chains. An agent-based simulation-optimization modeling framework is developed to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of vaccine distribution. First, an agent-based epidemiological model of COVID-19 is extended to capture disease transmission dynamics and forecast the number of susceptible individuals and infections. Then, a sustainable vaccine supply chain considering the impacts of greenhouse gases is developed and integrated with the simulation model to minimize total costs and environmental …

Implementation Of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Dressings And The Effect On Bloodstream Infections In Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients At A Pediatric Hospital, Kaitlin Vernier

Dissertations

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced lifesaving therapy used for patients with significant cardiorespiratory failure not responding to conventional therapies. The most common and life-threatening complications associated with ECMO are blood stream infections (BSIs). In addition to increased mortality, BSI's increase patient length of stay and cost. Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) is known to be a significant factor in BSI reduction. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess the utilization of CHG-impregnated dressings on the incidence of BSI rates in pediatric ECMO patients. The setting was a 40-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and a 30-bed cardiac …

Wiping Out Central Line Associated-Bloodstream Infections: Cleaning High Touch Surfaces In The Picu, Emily Heth

Dissertations

Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant, preventable healthcare-related complication of hospital admission and medical management of critically ill and medically complex patients. CLABSIs result in significant adverse outcomes such as increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital, increased cost of treatment, and increased rates of readmission. Direct and indirect contact within the patient’s hospital environment are potential means of transmission for microorganisms, increasing the inherent risk of acquiring a CLABSI.

Method: For this quality improvement (QI) project, a pre-post design was utilized to evaluate the …

Implementation Of Intentional Hourly Rounding At Pediatric Hospital, Margaret Bernard

Dissertations

Problem: Intentional hourly rounding improves patient safety and can impact patient fall rates. At a pediatric hospital in suburban Missouri, the fall rate is 25%. This quality improvement project worked to implement a standardized intentional hourly rounding process at a pediatric hospital to bolster their fall prevention program.

Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted using a descriptive, observational design utilizing patient chart review and hospital quality department records. The setting was a 60-bed pediatric hospital in the Midwest with 2 inpatient units that specializes in chronic, complex care. The sample was a convenience sample of 92 male and female …

Influence Of Social Capital On Community-Based Health Care Programs In Rural Paupa New Guinea: An Ethnographic Study, Carol J. Bett

Dissertations

This descriptive, ethnographic study explored the influence of cultural health beliefs and social capital on the adoption of community-based health care interventions by rural villages in Papua New Guinea. The development of local level resources that lead to improved health indices requires an awareness of both the cultural context and the relational components of social capital that link people within the community. Social capital has been defined as resources that are an inherent part of a social group and the elements of social organization such as trust, networks, and norms of reciprocity that facilitate mutual cooperation (Billings, 2000; Carpiano, 2006). …

Disambiguation Of Aerococcus Urinae Species Diversity, Brian Ian Choi

Dissertations

Aerococcus urinae is an uncommon inhabitant of the human urogenital tract. The Gram-positive bacterium has been implicated in a wide range of urinary tract diseases that, if left untreated or undiagnosed, can progress to severe disease such as infective endocarditis. Comparative analysis of 115 A. urinae isolates from infection episodes of urinary tract infection, bacteremia, infective endocarditis, urgency urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis / painful bladder syndrome, and asymptomatic individuals reveal substantial diversity with respect to predicted virulence factors, metabolism, and observed biofilm behavior. Through whole genome sequencing analysis, these strains can be reorganized into six new taxonomic …

Unveiling The Path To Lgbtq+ Inclusive And Culturally Competent Healthcare: A Multi-Dimensional Examination Of Trainings, Policies, And Perspectives, Hyunmin Yu

Dissertations

LGBTQ+ individuals encounter enduring discrimination and adverse healthcare encounters within the healthcare system, with profound implications for their health and wellbeing. Policymakers have advocated for the adoption of LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent healthcare, including training for health professionals, to promote health equity among LGBTQ+ populations. However, implementation of these policies within healthcare systems varies, posing structural and individual-level barriers. In this dissertation, I employ an ecological model of LGBTQ+ health disparities and a conceptual model of determinants of health disparities in vulnerable populations within the healthcare system to examine the impact of structural inequities on the implementation of LGBTQ+ …

Synthetic Assembly Of Antibacterial Agents And Metal Chelating Ligands, Zachary Joseph Liveris

Dissertations

The exploitation of chemical synthesis exemplifies the notion of bridging both innovation and curiosity for the strategic assembly of sophisticated molecular infrastructures. By exerting this continuously evolving and versatile tool, synthesis has been applied in the development and influence of a myriad of ligands, biological probes, and persists to direct pharmaceutical innovation and modern medicine alike. Since pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbial strains remain to be a persistent threat to both clinical healthcare and society, the need to develop selective and efficacious antibacterial agents that can impede microbe pathogenicity and regulate cellular mortality is paramount. In contrast to pharmaceutical development, organic …

Using Evidenced-Based Practice To Increase Knowledge And Awareness Of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Amanda M. Brickey

Dissertations

The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project is to increase the knowledge and intent to change practice through education on the importance in assessing sexual health history in patients at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Western Washington State by providing continuing education to primary care providers.

Creating Advanced Processes Through Utilizing Renewable Eutectics For Gas Capture And Separation, Ahmad Mohammad Rasheed Al-Bodour

Dissertations

Global efforts to reduce emissions of environmentally harmful gases have intensified, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being identified as the most significant greenhouse gas and a key target for reduction strategies. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has the highest potential of threatening the environment. It is recognized as one of the greenhouse gases which has the potential of negative effects on the human being, atmosphere, and the environment. Even though CO2 gas has negative effects but at the same time it has high potential to be exploited in beneficial ways. For instance, CO2 is used in the energy field to produce the so-called …

Influence Of Social Media On Mothers' Decision-Making Regarding Vaccinations, Wendy M. Patterson

Dissertations

This study involved determining why mothers hesitate to vaccinate their children and where they get their information about vaccinations. This descriptive qualitative study guided by the health belief model explored the influence social media has on mothers' perceived barriers to vaccinating their children. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, and one-on-one audio interviews were conducted via Zoom or in person with 19 participants. Participants were mothers 19 or older, had children between zero and 18, made medical decisions for their children who resided in their household, and sought information about vaccinations via healthcare providers, social media platforms, friends, or family. …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Technology Professional Development And Implementation In An Urban Middle School: A Case Study, Valeria Williams

Dissertations

This qualitative case study focused on understanding teachers’ perceptions of technology-based professional development sessions and the impact of technology requirements on their decisions to remain in or exit the teaching profession. The study involved seven middle school teachers with varying teaching experience and technology backgrounds. Participants shared their insights through journals, interviews, and document notes, which were then organized into themes reflecting their responses to the research questions.

The findings revealed key themes such as the structure and availability of professional learning sessions, facilitators’ positive impact, teachers’ emotions during and after training, optional learning strategies, and how these factors influence …

Implementing A Clinical Practice Guideline To Reduce Antibiotic Use In Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Connie Sue Clum

Dissertations

Antibiotic use in asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) may not be necessary. At the project site, there was no systematic process to manage ordering antibiotics and urine cultures without first diagnosing a urinary tract infection, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program utilizing the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria would impact urine cultures ordering and antibiotic use among adult patients admitted to the general medical service. The project was piloted over 12 weeks in an urban hospital …