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An Investigation Of Loss Of Control Eating Episodes And The Five Indicator Variables Of Loss Of Control Eating In A Non-Clinical Sample, Erica Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

Binge eating is common across both clinical and non-clinical populations; the diagnostic definition of binge eating has been scrutinized by extant literature in that findings have shown loss of control (LOC) to be more related to pathology than the amount of food consumed. The current study aimed to elucidate this notion further by investigating different types of LOC eating based on perception and amount of food consumed. College students (N = 227) completed self-report questionnaires assessing disordered eating, psychopathology, emotion regulation, impulsivity, quality of life, and self-esteem; 173 (76%) also completed an interview on typical and LOC eating in the …

Hidden Gem: Realizing The Value Of Community In Healthcare Environments, Nicole Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Holistic approaches in healthcare address a problem from its root causes. The American healthcare model – both its treatment and distribution methods – is among the many issues that divides the nation. We have found ourselves with millions of uninsured people among a growing population where chronic illness is on the rise among adults and children, especially within low-income demographics (Goodman & Conway, 2016). Though this is a widespread epidemic, only recently has there been any effort to question and reform traditional healthcare.

The way that wellness is assessed in America has been detrimental to patient outcomes …

Behavior Change Techniques To Promote Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy: A Theory-Based Meta-Analysis, Caroline A. Orr

Theses and Dissertations

Despite significant progress, smoking during pregnancy remains one of the leading preventable causes of adverse fetal and maternal health outcomes. Using the current best practice standard of psychosocial counseling, only about one out of every 20 pregnant women quits smoking, and relapse rates are very high. Developing more effective interventions to promote smoking cessation during pregnancy is a critical public health priority that requires a thorough understanding of behavior change and its complex pathways and determinants. As such, the purpose of this three-part study was to conduct the first systematic theory-based evidence synthesis of smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy, and …

The Effects Of Antioxidant Status, Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio, And Dietary Diversity On Cognitive Performance, Jonathan Santiago

Theses and Dissertations

Past research on the relationship between nutrition and cognitive performance has suggested that dietary diversity decreased the risk of cognitive decline among Japanese older adults, that a lower ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3s is linked to a better MoCa score, and that Vitamin E was positively associated with higher scores on a variety of cognitive tests. The main purpose of this study was to compare younger adults (18-35) and older adults (65+) on measures of nutritional intake and examine how nutritional impact influences performance on a neuropsychological battery. Participants were recruited from North Dakota. There were two sets …

Parental Practices And Home Environmental Influences On Children’S Physical Activity In A Controlled Lab Setting: An Observational Study, Tia Klein

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a rise of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults over the past decades. This rise in obesity has led to many health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, some cancers and depression. Physical activity [PA] has been shown to decrease these risks and aid in positive growth and development for children and adolescents. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parental and child PA in a controlled lab experiment. The secondary aim was to examine parental practices (physical and social home environment) and their influences on children’s PA in a controlled …

Characterizing The Transport Of Parasitoid Wasp Genaspis Hookeri Venom Serca Into Host Drosophila Hemocytes, Christopher Lark

Theses and Dissertations

The female endoparasitoid wasps introduce venom accompanied by an egg into the larval hosts’ body cavity during oviposition. The venom contains a mixture of proteins that exploit the host’s biological processes, such as, regulating gene expression, disrupting immune signaling pathways, or inducing immune cell death to give a decided advantage to the incipient wasp to develop unchallenged. Drosophila possesses a highly conserved innate immune response that recognizes and neutralizes foreign microbes and macroparasites. The venom of Ganaspis hookeri (strain G1) endoparasitoid wasp has co-evolved to suppresses the humoral phase Drosophila’s innate immune response by inhibiting Ca2+ bursts needed to induce …

College Students’ Perceptions Of Popular Diets And Orthorexia Nervosa, Madison W. Weinstock

Theses and Dissertations

Data suggest that individuals’ purported dietary patterns influence others’ perceptions of them. However, few studies have investigated how adherence to specific popular diets might influence these perceptions. This study investigated female undergraduates’ (n = 463) perceptions of vignette characters described as adhering to specific dietary practices perceptions of a vignette character in a sample of 463 female undergraduates. Characters described as adhering to a Clean Eating diet were viewed most positively, followed by individuals on the Ketogenic diet or nondieters. Characters following an Intermittent Fasting diet, and those with Orthorexia Nervosa were viewed most negatively. These findings support the …

The Role Of A Principal In Creating A School Climate In Which New American Students Thrive: An Ethnographic Case Study Of A Midwest Magnet School, Attia Noor

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study used the lens of multiculturalism to examine the role of a school principal in creating a climate in which New American students can thrive. Three discrete data gathering methods were utilized in this study including policy documents obtained from the school district website and the school, a two week period of in-school observations, and interviews of the principal and school staff members selected through purposive sampling. A focus group interview of parents was also used for data collection. Data were analyzed by using a constant comparative method to explore the meanings educators had attached to their …

Variables Influencing Help-Seeking Intentions For Early Symptoms Of Alzheimer’S Disease In An American Indian And Alaska Native Sample, Autumn Arch

Theses and Dissertations

Guided by the Sociocultural Health Belief Model (SHBM) of dementia care-seeking, this study aimed to evaluate the role of several factors, including health system barriers, cultural beliefs and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease, in predicting help-seeking intentions for early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). Participant recruitment and study procedures took place online. Participants completed a series of online surveys designed to assessed predictor variables from the proposed model and help-seeking intentions from several care sources (i.e., informal, traditional, and biomedical). A total of 118 participants were included in the final sample. Three-step hierarchical regressions were conducted to …

At-Home Childcare Providers’ Perceptions Of Gardening With Children, Erin Lauckner

Theses and Dissertations

Children do not consume recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, which has been correlated with negative health consequences. Gardening with children has been shown to positively impact children’s consumption of these foods. While research investigating gardening with children exists, much of this has been conducted with teachers and children in schools, and limited research has been conducted with childcare providers and preschool-aged children. Little research has been conducted about this topic with in-home childcare providers and the children under their care. This pilot study utilized a cross-sectional mixed methods research design through an online survey instrument. A convenience sample of …

Influences On The Development Of Ethical Decision-Making In Speech-Language Pathology Students: A Phenomenological Study Of Graduate Students And Clinical Supervisors, Joni K. Mehrhoff

Theses and Dissertations

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serve as members of the interprofessional team for complex patients. As such, SLPs are required to uphold ethical practices and respond to the needs of patients, their families, healthcare organizations, and the interprofessional team. Speech-language pathology graduates are part of the ethical healthcare team during clinical experiences. Yet, limited research is available to define the development of student ethical decision-making. The purpose of this study was to explore what influences SLP graduate students and clinical supervisors ascribe to in the development of ethical decision-making. Participants included five SLP graduate students and six SLP clinical supervisors from accredited …

Sinorhizobium Meliloti Changes Motility Phenotypes In The Presence Of Serum, Eris K. Bisal

Theses and Dissertations

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing flagellated soil bacterium that engages in a mutual symbiotic relationship with the legume Medicago sativa. Using its flagella, S. meliloti is chemotactic in response to varying environmental cues thereby directed to a target, which is typically the root hairs of M. sativa. Lu et al, 2012 suggested that a signal from the plant can switch S. meliloti from a free-living flagellated microbe to a host-invading non-flagellated microbe, although this signal has not been identified. This switch is thought to occur inside curled root hairs of the plant, and after becoming non-flagellated, S. …

The Relationship Of Internship Setting To Internship Directors' Perspectives On Cultural Competence In Psychological Assessment, Micharra Joshua

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological assessment represents a core competency and a highly specialized skill in professional psychology that is central to the identity of many practicing psychologists. However, more research is needed on the quality of assessment training that psychology doctoral students receive, particularly in relation to developing competence in the assessment of diverse individuals and groups. Moreover, diversity-related considerations for assessment should be broad and incorporate dimensions that include age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, socioeconomic status, and other factors. This clinical dissertation consisted of an archival study that examined predoctoral internship directors' perspectives on their interns' preparation …

Books Or Food? Food Insecurity And The Rise Of Campus Food Pantries, Sonya Sharififard

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a quantitative study of campus food pantries located in public four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The research aims to explain relationships among campus food pantries and surrounding neighborhood characteristics affecting local food environments. There are two parts to the study: (a) the quantitative analysis through responses from a participant questionnaire; and (b) a case study analysis to accompany the quantitative analysis. The researcher identified three metropolitan counties within U.S. census tracts, to determine the relationship between neighborhood demographics, the local food environment, and the impact on campus communities. The researcher explored food accessibility within …

Development Of A Resilience-Oriented Stress Management Group Intervention For Mothers Experiencing Homelessness, Lily Danielle Rowland

Theses and Dissertations

Family homelessness, particularly of mothers and their children, continues to remain an unfortunate epidemic throughout the United States. Personal, relational, and systemic adversity and trauma leave this population at high risk for instability, physical and mental health challenges, and impaired wellbeing. However, despite these difficulties, research strongly suggests that positive functioning can remain in families experiencing homelessness and that many go on to leave shelters and maintain stability, particularly when mothers have effective strategies to manage stress in contexts of adversity. In addition to identifying the needs of mothers experiencing homelessness, the literature also has highlighted factors of individual and …

An Evaluation Of A Transorganizational Development Process Promoting Positive Social Change, Erin Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Humanity's largest and most complex social problems are not going to be adequately addressed by one organization working alone. This study addressed two research questions: (1) what ingredients enable successful transorganization collaboration seeking positive social change? and (2) what roles does trust play? Using a case study methodology, participants and observers were interviewed. The data was analyzed using Ainsworth and Feyerhem's diagnostic model of transorganzational systems and Vangen and Huxham's trust-building and trust-sustaining theory. The findings emphasize the interdependence of transorganizational system (TS) design components and, in particular, of trust with each of the components.

Exploration Of Independent Study Programs In Supporting Re-Engaged Students To Earn A High School Diploma, Christopher Hoang

Theses and Dissertations

Although high school dropouts have been studied in-depth, there is a lack of information pertaining to individuals who dropout and re-enroll. In addition, there is no research on individuals that re-enroll through an independent study high school to attain a high school diploma. This study intended to answer 3 research questions: (a) what factors led high school dropouts to return to high school, (b) what factors led re-engaged youth to stay in school and graduate, and (c) what does an independent study provide re-engaged youths?

This qualitative study utilized the interpretative phenomenological research design. This study was conducted with the …

Systemic Barriers And Facilitators Of Help-Seeking And Highly Performing Individuals In Business And Sports, Jonathan N. Weller

Theses and Dissertations

The mental health and wellbeing of highly performing individuals in business and sport demands attention due to the high costs (personal and financial) that disruptions can create for these individuals and their organizations or teams. Utilizing 13 interviews with support professionals (e.g., executive coaches, psychologists), this study explored factors affecting help-seeking and wellbeing amongst high-performing athletes and executives, consequences of not seeking help, and similarities present in business and elite sports environments. Themes including stigma, career consequences, logistics, culture, and isolation of leadership were identified as factors inhibiting help-seeking and wellbeing. Service delivery factors, organizational resources and policies, and leadership …

The Effects Of Gspt1 Degradation On Serum Calcium, Parathyroid Hormone, And Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Concentrations In Human Cereblon Knock-In Mice, Kamran Ghoreishi

Theses and Dissertations

Test article CC-325 is a potent oral cereblon (CRBN) modulator that has shown potent G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) degradation and anti-tumor activity in pre-clinical models. One of the adverse effects associated with CC-325 was dose dependent hypocalcemia, which was determined to be an on-target toxicity.

To investigate the mechanism of hypocalcemia, we conducted a toxicity study in human cereblon (huCRBN) knock-in (KI) mice with CC-325. The huCRBN KI mice are transgenic mice engineered to express human cereblon that is capable of binding to CRBN and degrading GSPT1. Four groups of mice were treated with vehicle (0 mg/kg), …

Accounting For The Uncertainty Due To Chemicals Below The Detection Limit In Mixture Analysis, Paul M. Hargarten

Theses and Dissertations

Humans are exposed to multiple chemicals every day. Epidemiological studies have shown that chemical mixtures are associated with cancers, allergies, neurodevelopmental disorders, and other adverse health effects. To assess these associations, investigators are increasingly using chemical mixture approaches like weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. In these studies, the research objectives are to determine whether a mixture of correlated chemicals is associated with an adverse health outcome and to identify the important chemicals. However, as experimental equipment measures each exposure to a chemical-specific detection limit, the exposures are unknown between zero and the detection limit. Indeed, the number of exposures below …

Non-Invasive Retrieval Of Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns With Er,Cr:Ysgg Laser From Primary And Permanent Teeth, Connor W. Mccall Dds

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Compromised tooth structure on permanent and deciduous teeth in the pediatric population is increasingly being restored with tooth-colored prefabricated zirconia crowns. These restorations may need to be removed or replaced with permanent crowns. The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore the use of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser for removal of prefabricated zirconia crowns cemented with RMGI as a non-invasive alternative to rotary instruments.

Methods: Thirteen permanent and 12 primary molars were prepared to dentin and prefabricated zirconia crowns were passively fitted and cemented with two resin modified glass ionomer cements. The irradiation parameters for ErCR:YSGG were 4.5 …

Selenomonas Sputigena: Growth Conditions And Projected Virulence Factors Of An Emerging Oral Pathogen, Kayla A. Keller

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal diseases are ubiquitous diseases. They can affect people through a chronic infection that happens over a lifetime, but also as an aggressive infection that afflicts the younger population. It not only results in tooth loss and a lower quality of life, but it can also lead to fatal secondary infections like cervical cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. This study looks at Selenomonas sputigena, an emerging oral pathogen, that has been hypothesized to contribute to periodontal disease. It has been linked to fatal septicemia and has been found in increased abundance within the oral biofilm during peak infection. …

Predictors Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among University Students, Ashley Citrowske

Theses and Dissertations

Students’ food preferences may change and develop while attending college. These changes could have an impact on their nutritional health during enrollment and after graduation and, as an extension, their disease risk and overall health. College students living on or near a campus are a convenient population to provide health and nutrition education. A cross-sectional, secondary analysis was completed on NCHA-ACHA health survey data from one public, Midwestern university. Survey questions relating to dietary behaviors were included in this secondary data analysis. Females were more likely to report higher intake of fruits and vegetables compared with males. Fruit and vegetable …

Motor Competency's Relationship To Interpersonal Coordination In Stationary Basketball Dribbling, Daniel Bell

Theses and Dissertations

A gold standard for student pairing strategies in a physical education setting has still yet to be discovered and is a widely debated topic in the field. Inclusion and equitable learning environments are areas of emphasis for practitioners while trying to find new ways to elicit these things to benefit students. Interpersonal coordination (IC), a social phenomenon on which this study focused, has direct applications for pairing strategies in physical education. In essence, IC is a state in which two individuals non-consciously mimic each other’s motor patterns. IC was measured between 182 student pairings performing stationary basketball dribbling. Participants included …

Effects Of Exercise Training On Resting Testosterone Concentrations In Sedentary Men: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Nolan James Potter

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The anabolic hormone testosterone plays a pivotal role in the healthy aging of men and tends to decline with age.

Objective: The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were twofold: 1) to evaluate the effect of exercise training on resting total testosterone concentration in men; and 2) to determine if the effects of exercise training differed by training type, age or weight status.

Methods: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched (up to and including 19 September 2019) for peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the following criteria: apparently healthy, previously sedentary men (aged ≥18 …

Bio-Regenerative Life Support Systems Functional Stability And Limitations, A Theoretical Modeling Approach, Curt I. Holmer

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments with Ecological Closed Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for moderate sized crews have shown instability when supporting crews over long periods of time required for deep space travel. Tests such as Russia’s BIOS series, NASA’s Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project (LMLSTP), ESA’s Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA), and Japan’s Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF) have shown that microalgae and higher plants combined with physical-chemical material converters can be a successful part of a Biological Life Support System or a Closed Ecological Life Support System. LMLSTP, MELiSSA, and CEBAS experiments as well as commercial Ecosphere products have proven stability at …

Leadership Development In East Africa: A Case Study Of A Multi-Year College Student Leadership Program, Gregory Armen Muger

Theses and Dissertations

Effectual and ethical leadership is a top need throughout all sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa (Adadevoh, 2007; Ncube, 2010). Unfortunately, there is currently very scant literature on Sub-Saharan African leadership theory or programming (Bolden & Kirk, 2009). A large Christian nonprofit organization operated a multi-year servant leadership-based Christian leadership program for thousands of college students throughout sites in East Africa called the Leadership Development Program (LDP). The LDP endeavored to groom local, ethical, and capable leaders. Therefore, studying the LDP model and its impacts could add significant value to Sub-Saharan African leadership practitioners as well as add to the limited body …

Bridging The Digital Divide: A Risk-Based “Telehealth Needs” Scoring Model For Patient Outcome Prediction, Cindy Ann Crump

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the research was to develop a predictive model of the effect of patient characteristics on outcomes and resource utilization in telehealth interventions for chronic disease management. Clinical studies have shown high variability in telehealth across settings and populations. The central hypothesis of this study was that patient characteristics, including disease type, illness severity, demographic information, and socio-technical preferences play a role in determining telehealth intervention outcomes. A non-experimental, retrospective study evaluated the feasibility of creating a Telehealth Needs score using Medicare and Medicaid claims data from 2016 to 2017. Claims were summarized into de-identified cases to train …

A Randomized Trial Of Cbt4cbt For Women In Residential Treatment For Substance Use Disorders, Sydney S. Kelpin

Theses and Dissertations

Women with substance use disorders (SUD) face unique barriers to substance use treatment, and as a result, are less likely than their male counterparts to seek treatment for the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment known to reduce relapse rates by teaching clients to recognize and respond to their cues for substance use. Recent research suggests CBT may be particularly of benefit to women. Despite the effectiveness of CBT, its dissemination in clinical practice is limited due to a range of barriers (e.g., time, cost). Computer-based training for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT) offers an opportunity to improve …

Characteristics Of Alveolar Bone Marrow Cells From Patients Undergoing Dental Extractions Or Dental Implant Therapy, Meng H. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Alveolar bone marrow stromal cells (aBMSCs) play important roles in craniofacial wound healing. To establish an easy, efficient and reliable method to harvest aBMSCs, we compared three different methods: extraction socket aspiration, osteotomy aspiration and bone core digestion. Samples of aBMSC were collected from two groups of subjects. Group 1 (dental extraction): after dental extraction, 22.5-gauge needles were used to collect 0.5-1cc marrow aspirate. Group 2 (dental implant): during implant surgeries, bone core and 0.5-1cc marrow aspirate were obtained from the osteotomy. Samples were cultured in petri dishes and attached cells were expanded. The population doubling time (PDT), surface markers, …