Digital Commons Network^™

Centering Community Voices Through Children's Literature: Co-Authoring An #Ownvoices Picture Book For The Maine Migrant Education Program, Melanie Shelton

Master's Theses

Since its inception, the field of migrant education has been characterized by a tension between honoring the subjectivity of migrant families and positioning them as victims. This same tension exists in the analysis of children’s picture books that depict the daily lives of migrant farmworkers. In response to Eve Tuck’s (2009) call for a moratorium on damage-centered research in the field of education, this report describes the collaboration process between a representative of the Maine Migrant Education Program and a migrant

farmworker and her family to write, illustrate, and present an autobiographical picture book. Las aventuras, travesuras, y peligros del …

Estimating Treatment Effect Heterogeneity In A Comprehensive Microenterprise Intervention, Mary Gathungu

Master's Theses

Do cash transfer programs have heterogeneous treatment effects within the treatment group? Why do some households in these interventions seem to benefit more than others? What is the overall treatment effect of the Microenterprise Intervention? I address these questions through the study of a comprehensive microenterprise intervention program carried out in Kenya, Africa by a non-profit organization called the Village Enterprise Organization and I obtain economic outcome data from a randomized control trial that gives out conditional cash transfer that is conditional on business formation. The Microenterprise Intervention combines cash grants and mentorship and training to achieve long term economic …

The Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Ntca Immigrants’ Accessibility To Mexico’S Health Care System, Ken Nishikata

Master's Theses

Mexico’s geographical location has made the country play a centric role in trans-national migration from the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA) comprising Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. As a result, immigration has increasingly become a political issue for Mexico over the past decades^[1]. Before the eruption of the Central American crisis in the 1980s, Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala was recognized for its openness. However, such a tolerating status-quo changed as the number of NTCA immigrants entering Mexico increased upon the exacerbation of the crisis that placed thousands of individuals in exile. Indeed, the turmoil during the …

The Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Ntca Immigrants' Accessibility To Mexico's Health Care System, Ken Nishikata

Master's Theses

Mexico’s geographical location has made the country play a centric role in trans-national migration from the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA) comprising Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. As a result, immigration has increasingly become a political issue for Mexico over the past decades^[1]. Before the eruption of the Central American crisis in the 1980s, Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala was recognized for its openness. However, such a tolerating status-quo changed as the number of NTCA immigrants entering Mexico increased upon the exacerbation of the crisis that placed thousands of individuals in exile. Indeed, the turmoil during the …

Implementing Nurse Education And Training On Sapphire Patient-Controlled Analgesia (Pca) Pump To Establish Competency And Improve Patient Pain Management And Outcomes, Gregory Punsalan

Master's Theses

Pain management is a never-ending battle when caring for patients, whether post-operative for surgical procedures, managing disease processes, or caring for acute injuries. Nursing understanding and proper utilization of their tools and resources are imperative to maximize patient comfort levels as best as possible when dealing with pain. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps are a modern marvel which allow patients to control (to an extent) medication received when feeling discomfort, however, as well all devices, PCA pumps must be programmed correctly and monitored to ensure accurate, effective, safe dosing. This quality improvement project examined the utilization of a new Sapphire PCA …

Examining Opportunity In The Dental Community To Identify Prediabetes, Kirsten S. Carew

Master's Theses

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In response to the growing epidemic of prediabetes and diabetes (type 2), the State of Connecticut passed Public Act 19-72 “An Act Concerning Dental Practitioners” effective July 1, 2019 allowing licensed dentists to administer an in-office blood screening test to consenting patients identified as having an increased risk for diabetes. The intent of this law is to expand the venues to screen, identify and inform those at-risk for disease.

METHODS: An anonymous online cross-sectional pilot study was conducted utilizing membership of major statewide dental societies to recruit licensed practicing dentists in the state of Connecticut. Participants completed a …

Bobcats Within A Mosaic Of Housing Densities In Connecticut, Kristen Beattie

Master's Theses

Understanding a species’ ability to adapt and persist in a human-dominated landscape is important as urban development continues to spread, resulting in wildlife living in close proximity to people. Mesocarnivores are using urban landscapes, yet differences in habitat selection across a species’ range and among urban areas are beginning to emerge. Bobcats are a strict mesocarnivore species that is considered sensitive to fragmentation and intolerant of human activity yet is now living within densely populated areas in some regions. An important first step in understanding bobcat habitat use throughout a range of housing densities is understanding how the effectiveness of …

The Harms Of Willful Ignorance: Maternal Healthcare Providers’ Insight On Racial Disparities, Cara Marisa Cancelmo

Master's Theses

Black women in the United States die in pregnancy and childbirth at alarmingly high rates. According to The Center for Disease Control, black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The black-white racial disparity is even greater in New York City, and The NYC Department of Health has found that black mothers in NYC still face higher rates of harm even when accounting for risk factors like educational attainment, obesity, and neighborhood poverty level. Drawing on 18 interviews with NYC-based Obstetricians, Labor and Delivery Nurses, and Midwives, this study examines how …

New Childhood Chronic Illness: Pans/Pandas And The Impact On Family Functioning, Jamie L. Dolce

Master's Theses

The current study examined parents’ reports of change in the parent-child relationship and family functioning following the onset of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)/Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) in their child. Research questions explored 1) how families’ day-to-day lives and functioning changed since the onset and 2) what challenges the families faced in raising a child with PANS/PANDAS. Research was conducted in two phases: narrative thematic analyses of online parent forum threads followed by semi-structured interviews with parents. Four primary themes were compiled from analyses of both data sources: Determinants of Family Functioning; Close Relationships; Routines …

Predictors Of Willingness Of The Sheltered Homeless To Be Screened For Hepatitis C, Linda Casey

Master's Theses

Background. Homeless individuals are at high risk of contracting the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) given that many use intravenous drugs or have a prison history, common risk factors for the disease. Although there is no vaccine, it is curable.

Methods. This cross-sectional study surveyed residents (n=120) of five homeless shelters in Connecticut to understand their screening willingness and knowledge about HCV.

Results. Those who tested previously (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.90) and those who had never spent time in prison (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.15-0.98) were less willing to be screened. Most did not recognize HCV symptoms and risk factors.

Conclusions. The …

Adsorptive Desulfurization Using Rare Earth Exchanged Zeolite Y: A Comparative Study, Tyler Crowl

Master's Theses

Sulfur emissions pose a serious risk to human health and the environment. Adsorptive desulfurization using ion-exchanged Y zeolites has proven to be a promising alternative to the traditional hydrodesulfurization process. Cu in Y (CuY) has proven to be an effective sorbent of sulfur molecules in fuels, even in the presence of aromatics. It was also demonstrated that Cu performs remarkably well when paired with Ce (CuCeY), a rare earth (RE). This study explores the potential of using other REs such as Lanthanum (La), Samarium (Sm), and Neodymium (Nd) ion exchanged in Y zeolite alone or paired with Cu on the …

Food Insecurity, Race, And Adolescent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Nhanes 2001-06, Kritika Shankar

Master's Theses

Abstract

Introduction: Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver condition in the U.S and is an emerging public health concern in adolescents. Risk factors for adolescent NAFLD remain largely unexamined.

Aim: To investigate if demographic and dietary-related factors are linked with NAFLD in adolescents.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from NHANES (2001-2006) ages 12-19 (n=4714) were analyzed. NAFLD was defined as >30 u/L ALT. Food Insecurity levels (child, adult, household), race/ethnicity, sex, BMI, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) were tested using multivariate binary logistic regression with elevated ALT (no, yes) as the dependent variable.

Results: Risk for …

Household Food Security Status, Dietary Patterns And Diabetes Risk (Hemoglobin A1c) Among Cambodian Refugees With Depression, Shanjida Jui

Master's Theses

Background

Cambodian refugees who experienced famine and trauma from the Khmer Rouge genocide are disproportionately at high risk of type 2 diabetes. This risk is exacerbated when this vulnerable population experiences a high prevalence of food insecurity upon resettlement in the U.S. As a result, refugee dietary intake and nutrition uniquely contribute to the rise of often long-term health consequences and pose an unexpected burden on the U.S. healthcare system.

Objectives

(1) To describe household food security status of Cambodians refugees (2) To examine the association between food security status and socioeconomic status (SES) of Cambodian refugees; (3) To describe …

Developing A Qi Culture In Accredited Local Health Departments: Use Of Normalization Process Theory, Lina Smith

Master's Theses

Background: Accreditation can benefit local health departments (LHDs) through the promotion of a culture of quality improvement (QI); yet LHDs tend not to perform well on QI-related measures (Domain 9 – Evaluate and Continuously Improve Processes, Programs, and Interventions). Methods: This study evaluated whether small/medium LHDs’ performance on Domain 9 impacts their accreditation results or performance on other domains. The qualitative analysis utilized Normalization Process Theory to reveal factors that guide LHDs in accreditation preparations. Results: Small/medium LHDs not required to submit an action plan scored higher on Domain 9. Performance on four domains exhibited a moderately strong correlation with …

Piggybac Transposon-Based Lineage Tracing To Reveal Ependymogenesis, Tasnuva Nuhat Shafin

Master's Theses

The lateral walls of the lateral ventricle of the brain are home to one of the two main neurogenic niches of the postnatal and adult mammalian brain, the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). During late embryonic development (E14 to E16 in mouse brain), a subpopulation of radial glial cells from the neuroepithelial lining of lateral ventricle wall starts ependymogenesis to establish an ependymal cell lining of the ventricular system. Ependymal cell maturation and ciliogenesis continues after birth and the remaining radial glia, designated neural stem cells after birth, are established within the ependymal lining by retention of a thin apical process. The …

Reliability And Validity Of Physical Literacy Assessment Tools In The High School Aged Population, Zachary Malone

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Social Factors Influencing Family Planning Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices In The Ngäbe Population In Bocas Del Toro And The Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama, Carolina Vicens Cardona

Master's Theses

Introduction: According to Panama’s 2009 National Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey, only 19% of indigenous women in Panama use modern family planning (FP) methods. Despite the Ngäbe representing 62% of the indigenous population, there is limited research on their use of FP.

Methodology: 14 Ngäbe communities in Bocas del Toro were surveyed. Women between the ages of 18 and 50, and had >2 children completed a survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding family planning.

Results: A total of 148 women were enrolled, mean age was 32.18; mean number of pregnancies was 5. 32.4% of women …

Mir-433-3p Negatively Regulates Bone Formation And Targets Critical For Osteoblast Function, John Garcia

Master's Theses

Osteoblastic differentiation is tightly controlled by multiple signaling pathways associated with key transcription factors, as well as a number of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that function in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. While clinical strategies to combat the reduction in bone density have often centered on impeding further bone resorption, this strategy neglects to promote bone formation, a component which is particularly problematic in the aging population. miRNAs could serve to bridge that gap, as potential therapeutic candidates. Several studies have established that miRNAs can direct osteoprogenitors towards an osteoblastic lineage through modulation of Wnt, MAPK, …

State Of Community Health Needs Assessments In Connecticut, Miryam Hannah Wilson Reardon

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Pre-Surgery Leptin Level And Weight Loss In Female Bariatric Surgery Patients, Miriam Katz

Master's Theses

Background: Improving weight loss after bariatric surgery remains a clinical concern. An unstudied factor is the role of leptin, the appetite control hormone, as a pre-surgical predictor of weight loss. High serum levels, often seen in obesity, are an indicator of leptin resistance as the brain no longer responds to satiety signaling.

Methods: Leptin levels were ascertained in female bariatric patients (n=28) prior to surgery at a large tertiary care hospital. We calculated Pearson Correlation Coefficients (r) and unstandardized β coefficients using multivariate linear regression. Primary outcome: Percent Excess Weight Loss (%EWL) evaluated at 6- and 12-months post-surgery. …

Exposure To Disability-Related Content And Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities Within The Uconn Mph Program: An Exploratory Study, Holly Labrecque

Master's Theses

Background: The purposes of this study include gathering a baseline assessment of 1) the extent to which UConn MPH students describe their exposure to disability content within the curriculum, and 2) how students describe their experiences encountering persons with disabilities (PWD).

Methods: A survey was completed by 36 current UConn MPH students and alumni.

Results: When asked how often disability was integrated into curriculum and class discussion, a majority of participants (n= 28) answered sometimes, rarely, or never, (77.8%), (88.9%). All students who reported having classes with students from other disciplines reported that it was valuable. Eighty-six percent indicated …

Community Needs Assessment: Opioid Use Within The Central Connecticut Health District, Luis Pantoja

Master's Theses

Objective: An Opioid Community Needs Assessment examining opioid use and its consequences in the Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD) was conducted to characterize the problem in the district and inform future harm reduction program operations through data driven evidence-based research.

Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional, community-based, secondary analysis of opioid use related data sourced from broadly utilized vital statistics and novel syndromic surveillance systems. Data sets were sourced from the Connecticut Department of Health (DPH’s) & Health Monitoring’s EpiCenter Syndromic Surveillance, Washington/Baltimore’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDA) Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) and the Office of the …

Clinical Assessment Of Repetitive And Restricted Behaviors In Toddlers On The Autism Spectrum, Katelynn Porto

Master's Theses

Repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs) are core symptoms of ASD and often emerge in the first year of life. It is important to understand how best to integrate diagnostically relevant information from multiple methods of assessment in clinical settings. The study aims to characterize the association between parent report and clinical observation of RRBs, compare the utility of each method for eliciting information on RRBs, and characterize the presentation of RRBs in toddlers at the time of initial diagnosis. Participants were 65 children ages 18-39 months diagnosed with ASD. Associations between a parent report rating scale, clinician-driven parent interview, and …

The Necessity Of Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein Expression By Ng2 Glia For Maintenance Of Glial And Neuronal Health, Robert Horning

Master's Theses

NG2 glia are vital for the myelination of axons in the brain and spinal cord. Many NG2 cells receive synaptic inputs from neurons through neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA, but the consequences of this input have remained unclear. Interestingly, NG2 cells express voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels and transcripts encoding SNARE proteins that are necessary for vesicle docking in neurons. We therefore hypothesized that NG2 cells respond to neuronal synaptic inputs by releasing bioactive molecules in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. To test this, we generated double transgenic mice in which a cre-inducible botulinum toxin (BoNT/B) is constitutively expressed by …

A Serial Multiplexed Approach To Immunolabeling Brain Tissue For Electron Microscopy, Peter Tiley

Master's Theses

To fully understand how biological systems give rise to complex phenomena, both structural and functional knowledge of the components in the system must be acquired. In this manuscript, I explain why new methods must be developed to achieve this level of understanding with brain tissue and introduce serial multiplexing as a potential solution. I discuss how this method can lead to highly annotated volume reconstructions of brain tissue using electron and light microscopy, along with the steps required to do so. I present what our lab has found throughout the process of adapting, refining, and combining more traditional methods together …

Dealing With Faulty Data Via A Physics-Based Filtering Method, Ross Pellenberg

Master's Theses

Gas turbines are expensive, revenue generating machines and, as such, there is a strong interest in practicing state-of-the-art maintenance techniques to keep them running at healthy performance levels. One way to monitor and evaluate gas turbine health is to train a machine learning model on historical run-to-failure sensor data to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy performance. The biggest barrier to building these models is the scarcity of run-to-failure data. Not only is this data expensive and time consuming to acquire, but the data is often not publicly released for competitive purposes. This thesis uses a publicly available run-to-failure dataset previously …

The Denial Of Black Victimhood: Examining Attitudes Of Sexual Assault And Victim-Blaming On A College Campus, A Continued Analysis, Odia Kane

Master's Theses

This study examines the attribution of guilt and victimhood in the context of rape on predominately white college campuses. The study is comprised of two samples; Sample 1 (n=362) and Sample 2 (n=1,144) of students from a New England university. Each participant read a vignette regarding two classmates: a female victim, Taneesha or Madeline, and a male perpetrator, Jamal or Connor, completing a group project. The findings of this study are critical because they analyze the surrounding attitudes of the treatment of victims of sexual assault and assess the social and political climate of rape culture on college campuses.

Associations Of Cardiovascular Health, Strength, And Physical Activity In Participants With A History Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Kirsten Allen

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Oral Health Literacy And Oral Health Practices In South Asian Populations, Ambika Sharma

Master's Theses

Background: Oral Health is a strong predictor of and has strong implications on overall health and quality of life. The 2018 Surgeon General’s Report of Oral Health declared a need for more data collection and surveillance on the oral health status of minority groups in America. Surveillance studies examining the scope of inequalities can ultimately drive policy to mitigate disparities. Surveillance data can also help shed light on South Asians in Americans, their oral health perspectives and practices.

Methods: A 19-question survey was administered to convenience samples of South Asians in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Study subjects were …

Triplet-Triplet Annihilation-Based Photon Upconversion In Protein Biomaterials, Alexander M. Oddo

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.