Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Micrornas In Impaired Gut Permeability Following Ethanol And Burn Injury, Niya Latrice Morris

Dissertations

Every year there are nearly 500,000 reported burn injuries in the United States; half of which occur under the influence of alcohol. Clinical studies have shown that burn patients who are intoxicated at the time of injury have a worse prognosis; including increased risk of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and sepsis. The etiology behind these pathological consequences of ethanol and burn injury remains to be elucidated. The Gut-lymph hypothesis of MODS theorizes that trauma (e.g. ethanol and burn injury) results in a redistribution of blood flow to protect more vital organs which leads to ischemia/hypoxia (diminished oxygen delivery) in …

Spoilage Detection In Raspberry Fruit Based On Spectral Imaging Using Convolutional Neural Networks, Karthik Kuchangi Jothi Prakash

Dissertations

Effective spoilage detection of perishable food items like fruits and vegetables is essential for retailers who stock and sell large quantities of these items. This research is aimed at developing a non-destructive, rapid and accurate method which is based on Spectral Imaging (SI) used in tandem with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to predict whether the fruit is fresh or rotten. The study also aims to determine the number of days before which the fruit rots. This research employs a primary, quantitative and inductive methods to investigate the Deep Learning based approach to detect fruit spoilage. Raspberry fruit in particular has …

Predicting Happiness - Comparison Of Supervised Machine Learning Techniques Performance On A Multiclass Classification Problem, Dorota Nieciecka

Dissertations

In the modern world, especially in contemporary economies and politics, a population's subjective well-being is a frequent subject of the public debate. As comparisons of happiness levels in different countries are published, different circumstances and their effect on the value of the subjective well-being reported by people are also analysed. However, a significant amount of the research related to subjective well-being and its determinants is still based upon survey answers and employing conventional statistical methods providing details regarding correlations and causality between different factors and subjective well-being. Application of Supervised Machine Learning techniques for prediction of subjective well-being may provide …

A Mixed-Methods Study: An Examination Of The Relationship Between Private Social Media Participation And Accountability, Adherence, And Social Connectedness In, Diana A. Cabori

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods sequential explanatory study was to examine the influence of private social media usage on accountability, adherence, and social connectedness in weight loss and fitness program participants.

Methodology: This study utilized a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design comprised of a multi-state quantitative survey of weight loss and fitness participants and subsequent qualitative interviews to elucidate the influence of private social media on weight loss and fitness program participants regarding program accountability and adherence, and social connectedness to others. The population included 3,000 participants of The Camp Transformation Center and 1,000 participants of Warrior Fitness and …

Interindividual Neuromuscular Characteristics And Their Relationships To Running Economy, Barbara Jean Schornstein

Dissertations

Running economy (RE) has previously been shown to be associated with endurance running performance. Neuromuscular characteristics, such as the activity of lower-extremity biarticular muscles during stance, have shown both positive and negative relationships with RE. That is, a positive relationship would indicate as there is more muscular excitation, more oxygen would be used for running, leading to a performance detriment. These conflicting relationships with neuromuscular activity have used two separate electromyographic (EMG) analyses, as there is no gold standard for the processing of EMG data. The first study was performed in order to compare the EMG analysis methods of each …

Exploring Students’ Use Of Learning Contracts In Preparing For The National Athletic Training Board Certification Examination, William Dill

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the application of learning contracts in the process of preparing to take the AT BOC exam. The goal of this study was to investigate best practices to assist students in being successful when taking the BOC certification examination. Self-directed learning in medicine was an important skill in the ever-changing healthcare landscape. One self-directed learning tool, learning contracts, had been studied in other healthcare fields. However, little research had been conducted utilizing learning contracts in athletic training. In addition, providing students with a research based instrument that could be used to improve success …

A View From Within: A School Founder's View Of Educating Children From The Inside Out, Allison B. Slade

Dissertations

The media and political affiliations often color the view of charter schools within different sectors of the community. However, there is no argument that there is much to be done improve achievement in our public school systems across the country, especially those who educate high numbers of often marginalized populations. This study looks at one charter school in Chicago, Illinois, which has a focused mission and vision to “Educate Children from the Inside Out.” It examines the school through the social science portraiture method. Data collection includes interviews with current and former staff and students, observations, review of school documents, …

Ecological And Oceanographic Influences On Leatherback Turtle Behavior And Scyphozoan Jellyfish Distributions In The Gulf Of Mexico, Katrina Aleksa

Dissertations

Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are a wide-ranging, oceanic species that feed exclusively on gelatinous zooplankton. Leatherback have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) for several decades and consistently had a high level of interactions with longline fisheries. However, no quantitative studies have been performed to address the spatiotemporal distribution of these turtles in the GoM. This research determines 1) leatherback movements and high-use areas in the GoM, 2) their association with oceanographic features, 3) the distribution and density of two abundant medusae in the northern GoM and any association with biophysical parameters, and 4) the body …

Evaluating Social Network Dynamics Of Bigg’S Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca) And Vessel Traffic Within A Transboundary Region: Implications For Conservation Management, Courtney Smith

Dissertations

The social lives of animals are defined by group dynamics based on the nature and strength of associations and movements between individuals, often resulting in highly complex and interconnected social networks. However, understanding of how environmental variables may shape this structure is poorly understood. Within the inland waters of Washington State and southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, mammal-eating Bigg’s (transient) killer whales occur in relatively small, but stable social groups. Group size and occurrence in recent years has increased, coinciding with a growing whale watching industry. Given the central importance of the social network within killer whale population dynamics, such …

Addressing The Assessment Of Professionalism In Physical Education Teacher Education: A Multi-Case Study Of Nationally Accredited Programs, Brandy Michelle Lynch

Dissertations

Many nationwide reform efforts in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) have revolved around the development of the National Standards for PETE, which outline essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of successful physical educators (Metzler & Tjeerdsma, 2000a). With the inclusion of Standard Six in the 3rd edition of the Initial PETE Standards (National Association of Sport & Physical Education [NASPE], 2008), programs have been challenged to integrate, teach, monitor, and assess teacher candidates’ (TCs’) dispositions in systematic ways. According to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), programs seeking to achieve or maintain accreditation have the freedom to …

Anna He Purnabramha: Deorukhe Women’S Agency In The Making Of Bodies, Cuisines, And Culture In Maharashtra, India, Gauri Anilkumar Pitale

Dissertations

The world is changing. India is changing. Food is changing. Bodies are changing. What does this mean for the women of Maharashtra, India? Globalization and modernity manifest in new and interesting ways the world over. As people establish networks of global commodity, capital, and human circulation, anthropologists raise pertinent concerns. While some are apprehensive about cultural loss and western cultural imperialism, others make a case for the rise of glocalization. While some espouse the positives of a free market economy, others are critical of the nutrition transition in developing countries and what this means for the health of the people …

A Qualitative Analysis Of African-American High School Students’ Transitioning From Middle School To High School In An Urban Private High School Setting, Syreeta R. Holland

Dissertations

Research indicated the transition from eighth grade into ninth grade can be a difficult time for students. His Grace High School (HGHS) ninth grade students illustrated this difficulty. The purpose of this study was to examine African American student and parent perceptions regarding the transition process into high school. Currently, all students and parents at HGHS participate in a two-part orientation session to prepare and acclimate to the new school community and learning environments. Orientation sessions are facilitated by predominately African American staff members; however, the premise of the session was developed and implemented by Caucasian staff and faculty. Furthermore, …

Estimating The Impact Of Capability Factors On College Student Debt Levels Utilizing The Generalized Sustainable Capability Framework, Louis Joseph Zabaneh

Dissertations

The current unprecedented level of college student debt in the United States at over $1.4 trillion (Federal Reserve, 2017) is of major concern for all who desire to improve higher education, income and social inequality, and the general welfare of society. This study’s purpose is both theoretical and empirical: first, to develop and propose the Generalized Sustainable Capability Framework (GSCF) as a conceptual model to analyze human development; and second, to test four specific hypotheses. The hypotheses were: 1) Students with lower test scores will incur higher levels of debt; 2) Minority students will incur higher levels of debt; 3) …

Technology Integration And English Language Learners, Joshua James Carter

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ levels of mobile device implementation and any measured differences in English Language Learners’ (ELLs’) performance in each modality of the ACCESS test. Researchers often support the use of mobile devices in the classroom, but this study was unique because of a combination of how it was focused solely on language development in ELLs, how classrooms were placed on the SAMR spectrum, and how student performance was analyzed in each modality measured by the ACCESS test (Budiman, 2014; Donahue, 2014; Marek, 2014; Mulcahy, 2017). Included in this study were 37 classrooms and …

The Mother's Experience : A Phenomenological Study Of Maternal Self-Efficacy Among Mothers Attending Outpatient Treatment For Substance Abuse, Lisa Witkowski

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to better understand the perceptions of maternal self-efficacy among mothers in substance abuse recovery. A phenomenological research design using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews captured the lived experiences of mothers attending outpatient drug and alcohol treatment. For this study, the researcher distributed approved flyers to designated outpatient treatment centers to voluntarily recruit mothers for purposeful sampling. Eligibility requirements include women at least eighteen (18) years or older, at least one living child, attended prior rehabilitation services, and display good mental status after assessed by the researcher with the Mini Mental Status Exam. During the interview, the …

The Relationship Of Conscience And Ethical Climate Among Registered Nurses In The Acute Care Environment, Theresa A. Kyzar

Dissertations

Although there has been extensive research on factors contributing to moral distress, burnout, and turnover intentions in the nursing profession, there has been limited research on the relationship of conscience and ethical climate. Both the ethical climate theory and moral distress theory were utilized to guide the implementation of this study. A predictive correlational design was utilized to determine the relationship between the variables defined as perceptions of conscience, hospital ethical climate and stress of conscience. A purposive, non-probability-based sampling of 193 registered nurses throughout the state of Louisiana was surveyed using a web-based survey instrument.

The Effectiveness Of Structured Educational Modules For Primary School Teachers On The Knowledge And Skills In Identification Of Common Mental Health Problems In Selected Schools Of Bangalore District, Esther Shirley Daniel

Dissertations

The teacher plays a significant role in the promotion of the health of the children. Teachers spend most of the school hours with children and are familiar with them. They can detect the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems at the earliest in the classroom setting. It is expected that out of 51 lakh children (6-11 years of age), approximately 5 lakh (9.8 %) children suffer from mental health problems in Karnataka. But there is no organized school mental health programme for teachers in Karnataka. There is no record of active participation of teachers in the school mental …

An Exploration Of College Students’ Cooking Behavior And Factors That Influence That Behavior Using Social Cognitive Theory, Nichelle G. Harris

Dissertations

Patterns of weight gain and poor diets in young adulthood, along with associations between cooking involvement, frequency, and skills and improved dietary intake, suggest that exploration of cooking knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among college students is warranted. This research employed a concurrent parallel mixed methods design and a social cognitive theory framework to study cooking perceptions among college students at a public university in a southern state with obesity rates among the highest in the U.S.

Survey respondents (N=159) scored 9.3+1.1/10 on cooking knowledge, and mean ratings on SCT-related cooking constructs were 39.2+7.4/48 (skill); 8.1+3.2, 9.3+3.4, and 10.1+4.2 out of …

Education And Nutrition Problems In Rural China, Rong Shi

Dissertations

The increasing inequality between rural and urban China has raised many concerns for Chinese scholars. A large gap exists not only in income but in health and education. The rural-urban disparities in health and education may contribute to greater income inequality in the future, thus leading to a vicious cycle. This study explores the factors that contribute to the increasing inequality in health and education between rural and urban China.

Using a randomized controlled trial in Shaanxi province, the first chapter studies the effectiveness of a supplemental meal program in improving students’ development outcomes. This study also compares the impact …

Experiences Of Students Utilizing A Campus Food Pantry, Jamie Daugherty

Dissertations

Food insecurity is a phenomenon with far-reaching impacts on the social, economic, health, and well-being of college students’ lives impacting how they procure food, food choices, and food experiences. A qualitative narrative inquiry explored experiences of three students facing food insecurity and using a campus food pantry. Data collection methods included in-depth semi-structured interviews, journaling, and photo elicitation. Data analysis illustrated five themes: a) financial challenge identification; b) strategizing budget priorities; c) prioritizing health; d) food pantry uses and strategies; and e) having enough. Students’ experiences were impacted by social and physical implications due to their financial challenges. The food …

Fluid Manipulations Using A Piezo Electric Transformer For Sensing And Spray Generation Applications, Zeinab Ramshani

Dissertations

A steady effort has been made on the development of fluid manipulation techniques for sensing and actuating systems. Conventional techniques of fluid manipulation for sensing and spray generation purposes, often need trained staff or high input power and they are complicated, time consuming and expensive. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new systems which can overcome these drawbacks.

In this dissertation, the author has developed piezoelectric-based systems for fluid manipulation. The focus of this dissertation involves novel approaches of enhancing the sensing and actuating systems using the piezoelectric devices. This includes designing a system, which theoretically can overcome the limitations …

Effects Of Early Adolescent Exposure To D-Amphetamine In A Rodent Model Of Nicotine Reward, Eric Louis Harvey

Dissertations

Previous studies with rodents have found that adolescent exposure to psychoactive drugs can alter neurophysiology and produce behavioral effects that persist into adulthood. While several studies have examined the effects of adolescent exposure to nicotine on the subsequent rewarding value of various drugs of abuse in adulthood, to date, no known studies have examined the converse of this relationship. d-Amphetamine (i.e., dextroamphetamine, ProCentra®) is a potent psychostimulant that is commonly used in the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescents. The present study assessed the effects of adolescent exposure to d-amphetamine on the rewarding value of nicotine in …

Age Appropriate Treatment Of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis In South Africa, Brittney Jayne Sullivan

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the time from DR-TB diagnosis to treatment initiation for people in South Africa with DR-TB with and without HIV and to evaluate the influence of age on the timing of treatment initiation after controlling for patient and health system characteristics. It was hypothesized that younger patients would have a greater number of days from DR-TB diagnosis to DR-TB treatment initiation. Additionally, we address the knowledge gaps pertaining to prescription of guideline-based treatment for DR-TB at treatment initiation and the influence of individual and health system factors on prescribed treatment for youth and …

The Effect Of A School Nurse Led Education Intervention On Blood Pressure And Physical Activity Levels In Adolescents, Nancyruth Leibold

Dissertations

Regular physical activity (PA) is a necessary health promotion behavior for adolescents. Benefits of regular physical activity are optimal body weight, lowering blood pressure (BP), and decreasing risk factors for chronic illnesses. Yet declining physical activity levels and increasing sedentary behaviors along with the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension exists in teenagers. The purpose of this quantitative research was to study the effects of a School Nurse led teaching intervention to promote physical activity as a healthy behavior on blood pressures and physical activity levels in adolescents. Youth empowerment was the theoretical framework for …

A Healthcare Provider Needs Assessment Regarding Transgender Patient Health For A Student Health Services Center, Dorothy J. Cochran

Dissertations

Objective: This study sought to identify education and training needs of university health service providers regarding transgender patient care. Transgender patients are a vulnerable population who tend to have negative health outcomes. Limited information exists regarding transgender patients and their providers at student university health services nationally.

Methods: The researcher conducted a one hour semi-structured focus group with the professional staff at a Midwestern state university health service. The focus group conversation was guided by a list of prepared questions but other issues were allowed to arise. Two readers qualitatively analyzed the focus group transcripts for predominant themes.

Participants: The …

A Functional Algorithm For Weight Loss And Obesity Practice: Guide For Clinical Decision-Making For Treating Women, Jennifer A. Tice Williams

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background

Overweight and obesity have significant impact and consequences on women leading to reduced quality of life, comorbid conditions and premature mortality. Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and the time to properly treat overweight and obesity. Algorithms have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and save time.

Objectives

To develop an algorithm for weight loss assessment and treatment to aid in the clinical decision-making process while improving the quality of care for overweight and obese clients in an efficient manner that can be replicated.

Methods

After an extensive literature review to identify best-practice guidelines for weight loss a …

Spatial Analysis Of Time Between Two Consecutive Dental And Two Consecutive Well-Child Visits For Foster Care Youth, Chenyang Shi

Dissertations

Foster care youth is a medically vulnerable population. Poor dental health and irregular well-child visits may cause serious health-related issues, such as mental disorder, nutrition imbalance, tooth damage, etc. Michigan requires all youth in foster care to receive annual dental and well-child visits. Usually, the study of foster care well-child and dental visits include two parts: time between two consecutive visits (gap time) and number of visits. For this study, a longitudinal-spatial model that has the flexibility to analyze the well-child/dental gap times and number of visits was developed. The longitudinal data (2009-2012) on Michigan foster care youth from 10 …

Discriminative And Reinforcing Effects Of Cocaine-Levamisole Combinations, Zachary J. Zimmermann

Dissertations

The behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaine are well established, and it is one of the most widely abused illicit drugs. Illicit cocaine is often adulterated with levamisole, which is an anthelmintic that was withdrawn from the U. S. market in 2000. It has been hypothesized that levamisole, unlike other common adulterants which are added as simple bulking agents, has effects of its own which may be responsible for its use as an adulterant. Although these effects are speculative, the addition of levamisole to cocaine has become an increasing public health concern, as serious adverse effects (e.g., vasculitis, neutropenia) of …

A Meta-Analysis Of Energy Savings From Lighting Programs In Michigan, Teryila Ephraim Amough

Dissertations

In order to fill the gap in aggregates savings, the challenges faced by electric utilities for the demand of lighting energy are addressed by lighting efficiency programs. The shrinking capacity and electrical grid reliability call for improved ways to evaluate energy saving programs with evaluation methods that are robust in determining the impact of lighting programs. This study employed meta-analysis as an evaluation method to determine energy savings, impact, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), pollutants, and health effects from lighting programs in Michigan. The findings of the study showed the programs impact in Hedges’ g of 0.36 for the overall …

Birth Record Analysis Of Gestational Diabetes: Applications For Intervention Planning, Elizabeth L. Macquillan

Dissertations

Gestational diabetes (GDM) rates in the U.S. and in Michigan have increased over the past several decades, along with the increases in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. GDM is associated with adverse health outcomes for mothers and their offspring. Many current maternal-infant health (MIH) programs in Michigan do not target women with GDM. This study aims to assess state-level rates of GDM in pregnancy with a combination of statistical and spatial analyses using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the purpose of informing content and location of public health interventions.

Existing data from 2013 Michigan birth records (107,743 births) were …