Digital Commons Network^™

Effectiveness Of A Prescription Drug Take-Back Box Mail Intervention Among Rural Mississippians In The Appalachian Region., Je'kylynn Steen

Theses and Dissertations

The state of Mississippi is undergoing a prescription opioid epidemic that mimics national trends in which prescribing rates are dropping, yet overdoses involving opioids remain high. In response to the state’s crisis, the PReventing Opioid Misuse In the SouthEast (PROMISE) Initiative was created to provide education for preventing the misuse of prescription opioids. A mail survey and post card intervention were distributed in six Appalachian counties in the state to gather the self-reported attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control of residents as it related to using a prescription drug take-box. Descriptive and multivariable analyses indicate the intervention did not increase …

Sperm Functional Genome And Epigenome Regulating Bull Fertility And Sperm Freezability, Muhammet Rasit Ugur

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved sperm has an important positive impact on cattle production. Fertility is the most critical trait controlling livestock production; however, molecular, cellular, and physiological determinants of bull fertility and sperm freezability are not well understood. Better understanding of molecular, cellular, and physiological underpinnings of bull fertility may increase the success rate of AI. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that expression dynamics of sperm nuclear proteins, post-translational modifications (PTM) of sperm Histone 4 (H4), and seminal plasma metabolome are associated with bull fertility and sperm freezability (P = 0.043). Flow cytometry experiments …

An Exploratory Study Of Persuasive Messaging In Information Security, Shan Xiao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore how to make persuasive messages effective to sufficiently motivate individuals to form good security practice through two aspects - affect valence-based message and message framing effect. The two emotional appeals examined in this study include traditional fear appeals and humor appeals. Fear appeals, arousing people's fear to persuade them to take precautionary actions, are predominant in the literature of information security. By contrast, humorous messages have been found to induce positive affect, reduce negativity, and enhance message acceptance. In addition, messages can be illustrated in a broader context or can be presented …

A Nonhuman Primate Model Of The Out Of Africa Theory Utilizing Chinese- And Indian-Derived Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta), Jacob N. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

Evidence suggests that certain genotypic variants associated with novelty-seeking and aggressiveness, such as the 7-repeat dopamine D4 receptor variant (DRD4-7R), short (s) allele of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and the low-activity variant of the MAOa promoter (MAOa-L), are more prevalent in human groups that radiated out of Africa than human groups that remained in Africa. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), like humans, are a widespread species of primates that needed to adapt to different regional environments with one group, Indian-derived rhesus macaques, largely occupying predictable and resource-rich environments, while the other group, the Chinese-derived rhesus macaques, has come to occupy less …

Effective Advising Practices: Undergraduate Students' Perspective On The Impact Of Academic Advising At Rowan University In The Health And Exercise Science Department, Meghan Michele Mcgahey

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to analyze current undergraduate students' perceptions of academic advising practices within the Health and Exercise Science Department (HES) at Rowan University. The department provides a rigorous and enlightening intellectual environment for the professional development, achievement and distinction of leaders in Education, Athletic Training, Public Health and Health Promotion and Fitness Management. Although there has been much research on student perceptions of academic advising, there has not been any done specific to Health and Exercise Science majors at Rowan University. Rowan University is currently undergoing massive changes during the COVID-19 crisis. With the transition to …

Herbal Extracts As Neuroprotective Agents In An In-Vitro Model Of Aluminum Neurotoxicity, Nada Ezzelarab

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Aluminum toxicity due to environmental or industrial exposure, medical applications, or from cooking utensils is a serious medical problem. The current study aims to investigate three herbal extracts: pomegranate peel extract, Achillea fragrantissima extract, and papaya fruit extract to combat this neurotoxicity.

Methods: Chemical characterization of the three extracts were evaluated using HPLC MS while their neuroprotective activity was assayed using MTT assay on SHSY5Y cells and nitric oxide levels.

Results: Using HPLC-MS chromatography, we have identified twenty-one compounds in the hydro-alcoholic Achillea fragrantissima, seventeen were determined in the pomegranate peel, eleven were assessed in the Carica papaya …

Current Practices In Residential Treatment Of Co-Occuring Eating Disorders And Type 1 Diabetes, Megan Michelle Austin

Theses and Dissertations

Eating Disorder-Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (ED-DMT1) refers to individuals who have type 1 diabetes and a co-occurring eating disorder. The aim of this study was to identify current treatment practices for individuals with ED-DMT1 in a residential eating disorder treatment setting. Clinical nutrition managers (CNMs) at 18 residential eating disorder treatment facilities were interviewed about treatment practices for patients with type 1 diabetes. Four themes were identified through qualitative case study analysis: 1) nutrition interventions for patients with diabetes, 2) medical diabetes management, 3) interdisciplinary diabetes team, and 4) CNM's assessment of diabetes care. The majority of CNMs interviewed reported …

Ice Cream Formulation Optimization Using "Consumer-Friendly" Hydrocolloid Stabilizers, Benjamin Todd Woodward

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrocolloid stabilizers are commonly used in ice cream formulations to provide body and reduce ice crystal growth during storage. We conducted a retail survey of 65 different vanilla ice cream brands and found the majority of manufacturers primarily use 1 or more of 4 different hydrocolloid sources: guar gum, carrageenan, locust and carob bean gum, or cellulose gum or gel. However, many consumers view hydrocolloids as unnatural, and the presence of hydrocolloids on an ingredient declaration may negatively affect purchase intent. Our survey of 705 consumers showed significant differences in purchase intent for vanilla ice cream, based on ingredient declarations …

Phonation Threshold Pressure And Phonation Threshold Flow In Rabbits Treated With Inhaled Corticosteroids Versus Controls, Heidi Joan Robison

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is part of a larger series of studies being conducted by Kristine Tanner, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Brigham Young University (BYU). The larger project is funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health. This thesis primarily investigated the effects of combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) on aerodynamic measures of the voice. In recent years, an increase in the localized laryngeal side effects from IC treatment, including dysphonia, have been reported. This study employed a between-groups experimental design, with two groups of rabbit larynges having …

Relational And Mental Health Outcomes Of Trauma And Disaster: The Medicating Role Of Grit, Lacey A. Bagley

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature focusing on those exposed to disaster includes calls for more studies with populations who have regular exposure to extreme weather events. The current study reported on a secondary data analysis with a sample of 240 heterosexual couples living in or near coastal regions in the southeast US, who were at risk of experiencing disaster events during the 2019 hurricane season (June-December). An actor-partner interdependence model was fit to the dyadic data via path analysis to test the mediating effect of grit on the relationship dyadic coping (mental health and attachment behaviors) and disaster-related losses, accounting for trauma history. …

Handgrip Strength In Cancer Survivors: 2011-2014 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Ayla Monet Kibler

Theses and Dissertations

Cachexia, or a loss of muscle mass, has been identified as a potential indicator of cancer survival rates. Previous explorations in research have connected muscular strength to muscle loss and cancer survivorship, but nationally generalizable findings are limited. PURPOSE: To investigate handgrip strength in cancer survivors using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS: The analysis included 368 males and 425 females from the 2011-2014 NHANES dataset. Cancer survivor information (type of cancer and age of diagnosis) was determined by questionnaire. Cancer types were grouped into the following: skin cancers, reproductive …

Kujdesi Dhe Menaxhimi I Të Sëmurëve Me Hipertension Dhe Ushqyeshmëria E Tyre, Artan Loshaj

Theses and Dissertations

Hyrje: Tensioni i lartë i gjakut (hipertensioni arterial) është një nga shkaktarët e sëmundshmërisë dhe vdekshmërisë së parakohshme që mund të parandalohet.

Hipertensioni është një faktor i rëndësishëm i rrezikut për insultet cerebrovaskulare, iskemitë tranzitore, infarktin e miokardit, insuficiencën e zemrës, sëmundjet kronike të veshkave, dëmtimit kongnitiv dhe vdekjeve të parakohshme. Hipertensioni i patrajtuar, zakonisht shoqërohet me një rritje progresive të tensionit arterial. Rëndësi të veqantë në trajtim ka edhe ushqyeshmëria e këtyre pacienteve si p.sh: ndryshimi i stilit të jetës, kufizimi i kripës, reduktimi i peshës, ndërprerja e duhanit etj.

Qëllimi i studimit ishte marrja e informatave lidhur me …

Kujdesi Infermieror Te Pacientët Me Diabet Tip 2, Jehona Llugiqi

Theses and Dissertations

Sëmundja e diabetit duke filluar nga diagnostifikimi, trajtimi e deri te menagjimi i sëmundjes kërkon një kujdes të shtuar si nga stafi shëndetësor ashtu edhe nga pacienti.

Numri i të diagnostifikuarve me diabet është çdo ditë në rritje e sipër. Kjo sëmundje prek të gjitha moshat nga të gjitha vendet, përfshirë edhe vendet më të zhvilluara.

Kujdesi infermieror përbën një rol kyç në menaxhimin e sëmundjes së diabetit dhe edukimin e pacientit lidhur me të.

Qëllimi i këtij punimi është hulumtimi se sa i pranishëm është diabeti në vende të Bashkimit Europian si: Slloveni, Bullgari, Itali, Kroaci gjatë vitit 2014. …

Aplikimi I Nanoteknologjisë Në Shëndetësi, Bahrie Fetahu

Theses and Dissertations

Në këtë punim diplome do të flas për aplikimin e nanoteknologjisë në shëndetësi, e cila përmban një degë të veçantë të saj që quhet nanomedicinë. Nanomedicina është aplikimi mjekësor i nanoteknologjisë. Nanomedicina varion nga aplikimet mjekësore të nanomaterialeve dhe pajisjeve biologjike, deri te biosensorët nanoelektronikë, madje edhe aplikimet e mundshme në të ardhmen të nanoteknologjisë molekulare siç janë makinat biologjike. Problemet aktuale për nanomjekësinë përfshijnë të kuptuarit e çështjeve që lidhen me toksicitetin dhe ndikimin mjedisor të materialeve në shkallë nanoseksuale (materiale struktura e të cilave është në shkallën e nanometrave, d.m.th. miliardat e një metri). Funksionet mund të shtohen …

Rritja Dhe Zhvillimi I Fëmijëve Të Moshës Parashkollore Në Komunën E Ferizajt, Kastriot Ilazi

Theses and Dissertations

Shumë studime argumetojnë vazhdimisht se fëmijëria e hershme është periudha më e rëndësishme dhe më efektive ku ndërtohet baza për jetë, punë dhe për arritshmëri më të lartë në të ardhmen, në krahasim me të gjitha periudhat tjera të jetës njerëzore.

Duke ditur rëndësin e kësaj periudhe në vende të ndryshme të botës, i kushtojn ë rëndësi shumë të madhe duke filluar nga politikëbërësit duke hartuar kurrikula, dokumente, qasje, metoda, teknika, trajnime për edukatoret, duke bërë fushata të ndryshme për vetëdijësimin e shoqërisë në përgjithësi.

Synimi kryesor i këtij hulumtimi është që të identifikohen faktorët që ndikojnë në rritjen dhe …

The Inflammatory Potential Of Diet And Its Relationship With Metabolic, Mental, And Cardiovascular Health Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (Sjlife), Christian Ricardo Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Diet is now known to play an important role in the process of inflammation and subsequent chronic health events, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome (MetS), anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) are tools that can estimate the inflammatory potential of diet of individuals. Previous research has focused predominantly on diet-associated inflammation and adverse health effects in populations that were not composed of cancer survivors. As of the time of this dissertation, none have focused on childhood cancer survivors. Childhood cancer survivors are at an elevated risk of suffering from an …

The Role Of Sexting In The Development Of Romantic Relationships, Max Bretscher

Theses and Dissertations

Using Knapp's stage theory of relationship communication, this pilot study examines "sexting" in the broader framework of relationship development, from initiation to termination. Likert-scale questions (1 = highly unlikely; 2 = highly likely) and open-ended questions were administered through Qualtrics to a small population (N = 45) of undergraduate mass communication students to determine on what communication technology, and in which stage(s) of relationships, is sexting most likely to occur. Quantitative results showed that Snapchat was considered the most appropriate medium for sexts (M = 4.60), followed by texting (4.27). Research that these mediums are used when relationships reach a …

Thinking Like An Historian: Improving Engagement Through Project-Based Learning In A United States History Classroom, George Gray

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study is to determine the efficacy of project-based learning activities for improving students’ critical thinking skills and engagement in the classroom. South Carolina’s creation of the United States History end-of-course assessment has led many social studies teachers to design ‘teach to the test’ lesson plans, which this researcher’s students seem to find mundane and uninspiring. Although these teaching methods have helped some students perform well on the end-of-course test, these tactics have sapped their interest in social studies and have not prepared them to be responsible citizens in an active democracy. The social studies …

Using Geospatial Tools To Assess Changes To Marine Ecosystems In Small Island Developing States Following Hurricane Disturbances: A Case Study Of Dominica After Hurricane Maria, Ryan J. Shields

Theses and Dissertations

Seagrass meadows, like coral reefs, are in decline globally but are often neglected in marine policy and conservation despite their equally critical ecosystem services. Both habitats can be heavily impacted by wave surges, rainfall-induced earth movement and flooding, changes to water temperature, salinity, and acidity, and increased levels of turbidity—all occurring at increased rates due to a changing global climate. We demonstrate that multispectral satellite imagery, geospatial tools, and classification techniques can be used to inform management by identifying and quantifying changes in seagrass distribution and the presence of sediment-related threats. Results from Dominica indicate near-shore seagrass habitat area increased …

State Fragility And Sustainable Development Goals In Egypt, Mahmoud Elmakkawe

Theses and Dissertations

This study discusses the problem of state fragility in Egypt and its relationship with sustainable development goals from 2006 to 2016 through utilizing data from relevant literature and reports. Qualitatively analyzing the indicators of the two main variables: fragility and sustainable development goals, the study concludes that Egypt remains politically fragile despite various relative advancements on sustainable development goals recorded. While some progress has been made on multiple socioeconomic indicators throughout the period specified, Egypt still shows an alarming level of fragility, particularly, when it comes to political aspects of democratic governance that include security, justice, rule of law, and …

The Conceptualization Of Women’S Empowerment By Microlenders In Egypt And Its Link To Sustainable Development, Yasmina Abdellatif

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how microlenders in Egypt conceptualize women’s empowerment and how they see it contributing to achievement of the UN sustainable development goals. Ten Egyptian microlenders were interviewed to understand how they defined and assessed empowerment, the strategies they used to support empowerment, and which sustainable development goals they felt their programs were addressing. Results revealed that, overall, microlenders sought to empower women in economic, social, psychological, and familial ways, and that they used indicators to measure empowerment under each area. They also supported empowerment through mentoring, training and follow-up with their beneficiaries, and by working to include men. …

Pre-Existing Anxiety And Vestibular Symptoms: The Relationship To Coordination, Balance, And Reaction Time In College Athletes, Sydney Danielle Hurt

Theses and Dissertations

A growing body of literature suggests that certain pre-existing physical and mental health conditions can contribute to significant differences in important areas of performance among athletes, such as reaction time and balance. These findings have important implications for concussion testing protocols, as factors that potentially skew performance could place the health of athletes at risk by resulting in inaccurate diagnosis or premature return to play following a head injury. Symptoms of both anxiety and vestibular dysfunction, such as dizziness and vertigo, are frequently reported problems in the adult population, and research has documented notable symptom overlap between these two conditions. …

Examination Of Energy Needs And Female Athlete Triad Components In Competitive Cheerleaders, Allison Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The sport of cheerleading has grown immensely over the recent decades. The current sport requires full body athletic abilities like gymnastics, ballet, and swimming and diving. These sports have previously reported high rates of eating disorder (ED) risk, body image dissatisfaction, and Female Athlete Triad (Triad) components (low energy availability with or without and eating disorder, menstrual cycle dysfunction, and low bone mineral density). Scientific research examining these factors within cheerleaders has been limited. The purpose of this study was to examine overall ED risk across cheerleading team type (All-Star, college), squad type (all-girl, coed), and by position (flyer, base, …

Applications And Mechanisms Of Near Infrared Spectroscopy For Age Estimation In Otoliths Of Red Snapper Lutjanus Campechanus, Michelle S. Passerotti

Theses and Dissertations

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a light spectroscopy method useful for non-invasively discriminating and quantifying chemical composition of a wide variety of substances. Recently-developed applications of NIRS to fish age estimation across a range of taxa have sparked intense interest in exploring the feasibility of its use for rapid age estimation in fisheries population management. In this pursuit, development of species-specific calibration models relating traditionally-derived age estimates (i.e., those estimated from growth band counts) to NIR spectral signatures from ageing structures is required to derive predictive models that can then estimate age from rapid scans of whole ageing structures alone. …

The Interactive Effects Of Nontoxic Levels Of Microplastics - Textile Microfibers And Tire Wear Particles, On The Acute Toxicity Of Bifenthrin In The Estuarine Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes Pugio, Xiaoxuan Fan

Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary pollution issues are primarily focused on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) which may include Brominated and Fluorinated flame retardants, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs), Contemporary Use Pesticides (CUPs), nanomaterials and microplastics (Muraya et al., 2014). Tire wear particles and textile microfibers are examples of CECs which may gradually increase in the environment and may cause adverse effect on the health of some aquatic species (Marwood et al., 2011; Taylor et al., 2016). Microplastic particles are so small that they can be ingested by many marine species such as filter feeders and small particle feeders including mollusk and crustaceans, …

Panaxynol’S Pharmacokinetic Properties And Its Mechanism Of Action In Treating Ulcerative Colitis, Hossam Sami Tashkandi

Theses and Dissertations

Panaxynol (PA) is a polyacetylene that was found to be an abundant active ingredient in American ginseng (AG). Pharmacokinetics (PK) studies of PA were conducted to determine how the body reacts to it by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to measure PA’s concentration. In vitro, PA’s clearance by microsome metabolism is a moderate 48.1 minutes. In vivo, CD-1® mice were treated with PA by intravenous (IV) injection or orally (PO). Concentrations of PA were measured in plasma and tissue using LC-MS/MS. Also, PA has a high bioavailability of 50.4% and a moderate half-life of 5.9 hours. In addition, mice …

Examining The Relationship Of Blood Transfusions And Acute Morbidity In Preterm Infants, Kayla Chavis Everhart

Theses and Dissertations

Preterm infants, those that are born less than 37 weeks gestational age, often suffer major morbidity and mortality during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit due to their prematurity; one of the major morbidities is Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a devastating gastrointestinal disease. The exact aspects that cause preterm infants to develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis are unknown; however, our hypothesis is preterm infant thermal stability and/or preterm infant stress around packed red blood cell transfusions are etiological factors in the relationship between these necessary transfusions and morbid outcomes such as Necrotizing Enterocolitis.This dissertation includes an in-depth background and introduction of various morbid …

Previvor And High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients’ Opinions On A Specialized Management Clinic, Madeleine Nicole Tjoelker

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 5-10% of cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by pathogenic variants in genes associated with inherited cancer syndromes. Previvors, individuals who have a higher predisposition to cancer due to genetic or other risk factors, have specific healthcare and psychological needs that may be better served by a specialized management clinic. This study compared the experiences of previvors who had access to a specialized management clinic with those who did not, in order to better understand the unique needs of previvors. This study utilized a mixed methods design including an online survey (N=26) and semi-structured phone interview …

Exploring Effects Of Sample Storage, Preparation, And Tissue Type On Fourier Transform-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (Ft-Nirs) Ageing Across Fish Taxa, Keith Fuller

Theses and Dissertations

The accurate determination of age for fish is a vital part of both populationmanagement and ichthyological research. However, the methods which are primarily employed to age fish can be difficult, time consuming, inaccurate, or some combination thereof. Most ageing is currently done via hard parts (such as otoliths, vertebrae, or scales) which are read in a manner similar to tree rings with markings corresponding to known or presumed periods of time. Recently, Fourier transform-near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIRS) has been investigated as a novel tool to age fish more quickly and objectively. This method works by recording the vibrational frequencies of …

Ready Or Not For K5: A Study On Early Childhood Interventions Within Special Education And General Education Setting, Paulette Mizzell

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study describes how using the Enhanced Alphabet Knowledge model affects preschool students' readiness for Kindergarten. The theoretical framework that supported this study was based on Cindy Jones', Sarah Clark's, and D. Ray Reutzel's Enhanced Alphabet Knowledge Method (2013). This study used quantitative data to further indicate the impact and importance of early intervention classrooms. The participants of this study included eight students from one preschool intervention class. Data collection instruments included pre-and post- phonological awareness literacy screening scores and a teacher questionnaire. Results of this study indicated that the majority of student participants experienced an increase in …