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Cerebro-Vascular Disruption Mediated Initiation And Propagation Of Traumatic Brain Injury In A Fluid Percussion Injury Model, Xiaotang Ma

Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem for over 3.17 million people in the US. There is no FDA-approved drug for the treatment because the injury mechanisms have not been clearly identified. The knowledge gap is addressed here by the lateral fluid percussion injury (FPI) rat model, through the understanding of layer-structured mechanisms from physical vascular rupture to acute necrosis, as well as biochemical changes in perivascular space as secondary events.

Firstly, the cerebrovascular hemorrhage and related infarct volume are investigated as the primary events in moderate FPI, which is found to be increased with injury severity in …

Topics On High Dimensional Selective Inference, Yan Zhang

Dissertations

In such applications as identifying differentially expressed genes in micro-array experiments or assessing safety and efficacy of drugs in clinical trials, researchers often report confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values only for the selected parameters, which is called selective inference. While constructing multiple CIs for the selected parameters, it is common practice to ignore issue of selection and multiplicity. Although protection against the effect of selection is sufficient in some cases, simultaneous coverage should be also needed in real applications. For example, in clinical trials, multiple endpoints are considered to assess effects of a drug and the ultimate decision often depends …

Cancer Risk Prediction With Whole Exome Sequencing And Machine Learning, Abdulrhman Fahad M Aljouie

Dissertations

Accurate cancer risk and survival time prediction are important problems in personalized medicine, where disease diagnosis and prognosis are tuned to individuals based on their genetic material. Cancer risk prediction provides an informed decision about making regular screening that helps to detect disease at the early stage and therefore increases the probability of successful treatments. Cancer risk prediction is a challenging problem. Lifestyle, environment, family history, and genetic predisposition are some factors that influence the disease onset. Cancer risk prediction based on predisposing genetic variants has been studied extensively. Most studies have examined the predictive ability of variants in known …

Caregivers' Psychological Factors Underlying Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Non-Hispanic Black Preschoolers, Julia A. Franson Tipton

Dissertations

Non-Hispanic black children consume greater amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and are at disproportionately high risk for obesity and other SSB-related health problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between caregivers' beliefs, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, past behavior, and intention to serve SSBs to non- Hispanic black preschoolers. The researcher conducted a cross-sectional, correlational study using multiple regression with path analysis using the Expanded Theory of Planned Behavior as the theoretical framework.

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Influence Of Low-Income Parental Engagement On Academic Achievement, Deborah Cardin

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand and describe the strategies that low-income parents use to support their high school students’ high academic achievement.

Methodology: In this qualitative case study, interviews, artifacts, and researcher notes were used to understand and describe the parental engagement behaviors and strategies of low-income parents that contributed to the academic achievement of students from the participant’s perspective. Several themes were derived from the shared experiences of the participants through analysis of data.

Findings: Key findings included parental use of: verbal communication and their presence in the lives of their student, traditionally …

Exemplary Human Resources Administrators Leading Through Storytelling, Colleen Slattery

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe how exemplary human resources administrators use storytelling to lead organizations using Denning’s (2011) model. In addition, it was the purpose to understand how they use storytelling to create transformational change. Denning’s The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling highlights eight storytelling narrative patterns: to ignite action and implement new ideas, build trust, build your organizations’ brand, transmit organizational values, foster collaboration, share knowledge, neutralize rumor, and create and share vision.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study described the lived experiences of exemplary human resources administrators in Northern California. The researcher was …

Pain And Postoperative Health-Related Quality Of Life In Inguinal Hernia Patients, Cheryl B. Rowder

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between selected variables (i.e., pain issues, hernia characteristics, and personal attributes) and postoperative health-related quality of life in inguinal hernia patients. This study identified preoperative variables predictive of lower postoperative health-related quality of life. The study entailed non-experimental retrospective analyses of variables generated during an ongoing longitudinal cooperative clinical study to examine patient outcomes after inguinal hernia repair. Fourteen Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in the continental United States participated in the study. Data were collected from eligible participants upon entry into the project and at 3 months post-surgery. The sample …

Assessment Of Validity And Reliability Of A Neurophysiologic Evoked Potential Instrument, Wanda O. Wilson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a step by step non-simultaneous method for measuring somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and to determine reliability of a neurophysiologic evoked potential instrument, Bio-logic Evoked Potential System, on healthy, adult volunteers in a controlled environment. The neurophysiologic monitoring during anesthesia and surgery is used to optimize surgical outcomes and minimize neurologic morbidity. During surgery, the anesthetic regimen and subject variables can affect the electrical signals of neurophysiologic monitoring. The neurophysiologic instrument has an important role in the successful monitoring of the central nervous system. The research questions were: (1) What …

The Perceptions Of Advocacy Behaviors In End-Of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced And Expert Nurses, Karen W. Thacker

Dissertations

Nurses have difficulty describing the steps of advocacy to guide practice. In order to improve the status of end-of-life care, nurse educators need to be cognizant of the advocate role in nursing practice. The purpose of this comparative descriptive study was to describe nurses' perceptions of advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing practice. The novice to expert process and the seven domains of a caring practice as they relate to advocacy behaviors (Benner, 1984) provided a framework in which the nurse can move towards becoming an effective patient advocate.

Factors Associated With Behavioral Symptoms In Persons With Dementia Residing In Assisted Living, Julie L. Ellis

Dissertations

Factors associated with behavioral symptoms among persons with dementia residing in assisted living were investigated in this study using a descriptive, correlational design with a cross-sectional methodology. The purposes of the research were to (a) describe the extent of pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, function and behavioral symptoms in a sample of residents with dementia in assisted living and (b) identify the relationship between the of factors pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, and function to the extent of behavioral symptoms in the sample.

Therapeutic Strategies, Health Status And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Asthma: A Meta-Analysis, Catherine B. Bailey

Dissertations

Asthma is a major health problem that affects approximately 17 million people in the United States. Unique circumstances associated with a patient's health status have made evaluations of the management of asthma difficult. The purposes of the study were to assemble information on therapeutic strategies, health status factors and Quality of Life among persons with asthma and make empirical generalizations about the selected variables from a universe of studies. This meta-analytical investigation consisted of fifteen subject studies that used experimental strategies and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire on asthmatic subjects. Four research questions asked: (a) What are the substantive …

White (Non-Hispanic) Nurse Practitioner Student Perceptions Of Hispanic Patients, Rose Iris Gonzalez

Dissertations

As the United States continues to become increasingly more diverse, the health care industry must adjust and develop improved strategies for the effective provision of health care services to all. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States. This population (ethnic group) faces many challenges to receiving adequate health care including: stereotyping by health professionals; language and cultural barriers; limited access to health care; and a lack of trust in the current health care system. Hispanic patients are frequently met by predominantly White (non-Hispanic) health care practitioners, who bring their own set of biases and …

Developing A Scale To Measure Responses Of Clients With Actual Or Potential Myocardial Infarctions, Karen Rae Robinson

Dissertations

An assumption in Modeling and Role-Modeling theory is that meeting instinctive needs promotes growth and development across the life span (Erickson, Tomlin, & Swain, 1988). The need for object attachments is one type of need. Loss of an attachment results in the grief process with denial and shock as the first stage. For the coronary client, an acute episode of chest pain may threaten the loss of an attachment object (one's heart function). Determining a coronary client's level of denial is important data and is needed before the nurse can develop individualized interventions to facilitate the client's adaptation. The purpose …

Implementing Screening To Assess Readiness To Change In Overweight And Obese Patients At A Patient-Centered Medical Home, Jarrod Edward Gant

Dissertations

Obesity is at epidemic levels within the United States (U.S.), but the Southern U.S. has some of the most obese states. Mississippi (MS) is the most obese state in the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2018). Factors such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, cultural influences, and socioeconomic status contribute to the state's citizens being overweight and obese. Contributing to the state's obesity is the fact that MS has more people living in poverty than any other state (Center for American Progress [CAP], 2018). Lacking the ability to afford healthy foods and the ability to afford quality healthcare adds to the state's …

Exploring How Philippine American Nonprofit Leaders Build Trust With Their Staff And Volunteers, Dominic Fernando Laureano

Dissertations

Purpose: Although a considerable amount of literature exists regarding leadership and trust, little research focuses on Philippine American nonprofit organizations and their leadership. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Philippine American nonprofit leaders build trust with staff and volunteers using the five domains of competency, consistency, concern, candor, and connection.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study collected data via semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and review of artifacts. The study sample was comprised of 10 Philippine American nonprofit leaders from Southern California. Weisman’s Trust Model served at the theoretical framework of the study and guided data collection and …

The Histoplasma Capsulatum Ddr48 Gene Is Required For Survival Within Macrophages And Resistance To Oxidative Stress And Antifungal Drugs, Logan Blancett

Dissertations

Histoplasma capsulatum(Hc)is a systemic, dimorphic fungal pathogen that affects upwards of 500,000 individuals in the United States annually. Hc grows as a multicellular mold at environmental temperatures; whereas, upon inhalation into a human or other mammalian host, it transforms into a unicellular, pathogenic yeast. The research presented in this dissertation is focused on characterizing the DNA damage-responsive gene HcDDR48. HcDDR48was originally isolated via a subtractive DNA library enriched for transcripts enriched in the mold-phase of Hcgrowth. Upon further analysis we found that HcDDR48is not just expressed in the mold morphotype, but both growth programs …

The Antimicrobial Activity And Cellular Targets Of Plant Derived Aldehydes And Degradable Pro-Antimicrobial Networks In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Yetunde Adewunmi

Dissertations

Essential oils (EOs) are plant-derived products that have been long exploited for their antimicrobial activities in medicine, agriculture, and food preservation. EOs represent a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics due to the broad-range antimicrobial activity, low toxicity to human commensal bacteria, and the capacity to kill microorganisms without promoting resistance. Despite the progress in the understanding of the biological activity of EOs, many aspects of their mode of action remain inconclusive. The overarching aim of this work was to address these gaps by studying molecular interactions between antimicrobial plant aldehydes and the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We initiated …

Female Student Perceptions Of Factors That Influence Persistence In Male-Dominated Community College Career And Technical Education Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math Programs, Valeria Williams

Dissertations

The number of males enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs outnumber female counterparts (Wang & Degol, 2017). The disparity is even greater in persistence rates for STEM related fields (Glass, Sassler, Levitte & Michelmore, 2013). The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of females enrolled in traditionally male-dominated programs of study, specifically in the areas of STEM in community and junior colleges, to determine factors that influence persistence.

Although previous research exists focusing on women in STEM, most studies explore the barriers women face (Ong, Wright, Espinosa, & Orfield, 2011). The findings from previous …

Bio-Inspired Polymers As Models For Determination Of Non-Covalent Structure/Binding Interactions With Amyloid Β Peptides, Gliadin, And Bovine Γ-Crystallin, Ashleigh Bristol

Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the development of bio-inspired polymers as models to evaluate binding modes with various proteins through specific design of pendent functionality. Genetic variances can result in abnormal protein behavior in the body, such as aggregation events or mislabeling as an antigen, where polymer/protein complexation can provide insight into protein stability and potential therapeutic approaches. Polymer/protein interactions on the molecular level can occur through various modes, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic binding, and hydrophobic interactions. Polymers of different architectures containing acrylamido backbone structures were utilized to study structure/binding interactions in vitro, with the goal of advancing knowledge in …

The Impact Of Social And Cultural Factors On Minority Students’ Participation In An International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Elizabeth Scott-Janda

Dissertations

Although concern about mathematical achievement inequities has become widespread, even in well-funded, high-performing high schools, unequal outcomes for minority and disadvantaged students can seem persistent and difficult to change despite strong efforts. This project reports on an ethnographic study that examined how social environments within schools can affect students’ choices of whether or not to attempt advanced coursework in mathematics, especially among marginalized groups like Hispanic minorities, low socio-economic status (SES) and rural populations. It considered how social and peer environments affect students’ approaches to schooling, and decisions they make that will have long-term implications for their futures. In particular, …

Synthetic Cannabinoids: Characterizing Their Use And Cessation, Richard Vernon Turner

Dissertations

Since their introduction to the United States in 2008, synthetic cannabinoids became the most widely used recreational drug behind marijuana, then regressed to an estimated prevalence of less than 1%. Contrary to expectations for a drug declining in use, emergency department presentations and acute poisonings related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids are increasing. Alongside this phenomenon, a growing body of literature is beginning to uncover a relationship between psychosis and synthetic cannabinoid use. A current gap in the literature exists surrounding harm prevention methods and targeted intervention strategies for users of synthetic cannabinoids. To date, no known studies have …

Diverse Learners In Inclusion Classrooms And Their Standarized Achievement Test, Janice Quartman

Dissertations

Special Education services has opened many opportunities for students with

disabilities and special needs. Disabled students were previously educated

in a separate facility barring them from educational and social interactions

with their non-disabled peers. Disable students are now entering their community

school and receiving services through an I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan). The

primary purpose of this study is to understand the impact of Standard Achievement

Tests of disabled students that learn in a co-taught general education classroom

with a regular teacher and a special education teacher. This study will be valuable

in revealing the academic achievement of students that have …

Longitudinal Relationships Between Sleep Problems And Externalizing Behavior In Children: Investigating Genetic And Temperamental Moderators, Gabriel Casher

Dissertations

The current study aimed to evaluate multiple longitudinal determinants of externalizing behavior problems in twins/triplets aged 7 to 12 years. Specifically, a prospective longitudinal design was utilized to assess relationships between age 5 sleep problems, age 5 temperament traits, and later externalizing problems. Additionally, heritability of sleep problems was assessed by utilizing the twin method, and genetic contributions of two specific genes – DRD4 and 5-HTTLPR – were evaluated. A total of 93 twins/triplets (40 boys and 53 girls) and their parents participated in the current study, and data were collected through self-report, parent-report, and molecular and behavioral genetic methods. …

Monocyte Phenotype And Whole Blood Immune Response In Physically Active Chronic Cannabis Users And Non-Users, Jonathon K. Lisano

Dissertations

Some physically active individuals are now advocating for the use of cannabis with exercise for its potential to optimize the immune response. Yet, it remains to be seen whether the chronic use of cannabis products is linked to alterations in immune characteristics, such as monocyte phenotype and function in physically active individuals. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess resting concentrations of c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte phenotype and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated production of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) following pre-treated with synthetic cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor agonist and antagonist in physically active individuals using cannabis products at least …

Developing A Theoretical Framework For Visualization-Based Pedagogical Content Knowledge (V-Pck) Based On Middle School Teachers’ Views And Uses Of Visualizations As An Instructional Tool, Jacqueline Samuel

Dissertations

Visualizations is a categorical term that is often used to provide visual imagery to the communication of processes, concepts, exemplar phenomena, and general information. Objects such as graphs, tables, diagrams, animations, and pictures fall in this category. Existing literature focuses primarily on the use of visualizations in the science field at the high school level, collegiate levels, and in pre-service teacher education programs. A gap in the literature exists which examines how science teachers at the middle school level perceive and use visualizations as instructional components in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine science teachers views …

Phenomenological Curiosity, Ryan Russell Katz

Dissertations

This transcendental phenomenological study focused on the phenomenon of curiosity. The aim of this research was to explore the following research question with seven research participants: What does curiosity mean? Supported by semi-structured, one-on-one, in-depth phenomenological interviews as the research method, the findings revealed (a) curiosity as an energy for learning and (b) six Curiosity Archetypes defined by the way each gathers, connects, and/or utilizes data to expand consciousness and sense of meaning via creativity. Grappling with curiosity as an energy for learning presents at least three significant educational implications: (a) if curiosity is an energy for learning, then learning …

Model Selection For Longitudinal Data With Time-Dependent Covariates Using Generalized Method Of Moments, Maryann Nishimura Shane

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to establish measures that could be used to assess the relative fit of nested models with parameters estimated using the Generalized Method of Moments for longitudinal data with time-dependent covariates. A secondary data set collected from Filipino children was used as an example of model fitting to evaluate the quality of the assessment of fit of the Kullback-Leibler Information Criterion (KLIC) and a chi-squared statistic derived from the difference in the minimums of the quadratic forms of two candidate nested models. A simulation involving randomly-generated data sets was also used to evaluate the performance …

Social Structure Of The Spiny-Tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura Similis, Ann-Elizabeth Nash

Dissertations

Animal social structure, the social connections and patterns of interactions, its personality, and its genetic relatedness can affect a variety of ecological process within a species, including dispersal, predator evasion, disease transmission, and mate acquisition. While animal social structure has been examined in many mammals, birds, fish, and insects, they have not been widely examined in reptiles. There are few studies that have looked at the social structure of lizards, despite the widespread importance of these species. The Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) is a common species throughout it range, from southern Mexico through Panama. In Palo Verde National Park, C. …

The Wounded Healer: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Counselors-In-Training With Complex Trauma Histories, Jessica Leigh Manson

Dissertations

Thirty percent of the general population report one or more traumatic experiences (National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, 2019), and samples of mental health professionals report rates of traumatic experience as high as eighty percent (Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995). Research on the neurobiological effects of trauma highlights the possibility of a trauma history uniquely impacting counselors-in-training (CITs) in their professional development and counseling work. This study focused on understanding the experiences of counselors-in-training (CITs) with complex trauma histories. Complex trauma is defined as a form of trauma that is chronic in nature and/or timing- specifically, an event perceived as …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences And Perceptions Of Counselor Education Students Who Have Completed An Intensive Social Justice Retreat, Aaron James Henderson

Dissertations

The intention of this phenomenology research study was to better understand the experiences and perceptions of counseling students who attend a weekend intensive social justice retreat. This examination may shed light on whether an intensive social justice experience is a valuable and worthy training modality to compliment the traditional classroom learning environment often found in counselor preparation programs. The data from two semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and research participant journals were utilized from 10 counseling students from CACREP accredited counseling programs in a mid-Western mountain state. Seven themes emerged from the data including: Increased Awareness, Desired for Prolonged Training, …