Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of Iron Supplementation And Albendazole On Anemia In Ghanaian Children, Megan M. Zitting

Theses and Dissertations

Half a billion school aged children suffer from anemia, with the majority of anemia caused by iron deficiency. Researchers have shown a strong correlation between low hemoglobin levels and presence of intestinal parasites in children with anemia. Childhood anemia has profound negative effects on physical growth, maturation, and cognitive development leading to poorer educational achievement. Using hemoglobin as a measure of anemia, this quasi-experimental study investigated impact of either iron supplementation or an antiparasitic medication on hemoglobin levels in two groups of children in a rural region of Eastern Ghana. Surprisingly, after a 6-month intervention period, hemoglobin levels in both …

The Activity Of Alkaline Glutaraldehyde Against Bacterial Endospores And Select Non-Enveloped Viruses, Justen Thalmus Despain

Theses and Dissertations

Alkaline glutaraldehyde (GTA) has been used as a high level chemical disinfectant and sterilant for many years and is known to kill a broad spectrum of organisms ranging from vegetative eukaryotes to bacterial endospores. Although the mechanism of sporicidal action has been studied on numerous occasions, GTA's exact mechanism(s) of action are still debated. In addition to the uncertainty of GTA's mechanism(s) of action, GTA has also shown significant variability in the time required to kill endospores and naked viruses. A better knowledge of the lethal mechanism(s) of GTA is needed to understand this discrepancy in kill times for GTA …

Contributions Of Fatigue, Pain, And Functional Limitation To Future Depression In Cancer Survivors, Thomas Santo Recine

Theses and Dissertations

This study expanded upon Green (2014)’s study and examined the unique contributions of fatigue, pain, and functional limitation to future depression (depression measured at a later point in time) in cancer survivors. The findings demonstrate that functional impairment and fatigue are both strongly associated with subsequent depression. These findings follow from and are consistent with Green’s (2014) study, and demonstrate that functional impairment and fatigue strongly impact ongoing and future depression, with higher levels of functional impairment and fatigue being associated with higher levels of future depression. As a whole, the findings of this study are commensurate with prior research. …

Memorable Dining Experiences: Formative Index And Model Development, Yang Cao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study is to understand the nature of memorable dining experiences (MDE), to conceptualize MDE, to develop a formative index to measure MDE, and to test a conceptual model to examine the antecedents and outcomes of MDE. Developed primarily from strategic experiential modules and from the cognitive appraisal theory, this study proposed that MDE consists of five dimensions: affect, sensory, social, intellectual, and behavioral.

This study applied a mixed method approach using a sequential exploratory design. Specifically, the in-depth interviews and a detailed literature review were used to generate the research instrument, and then the online …

Vitamin D And Stress Fractures In Collegiate And Professional Athletes, Christian Michael Askew

Theses and Dissertations

An important aspect of orthopedics and sports medicine is to provide quality care and oversight for the overall health and wellbeing of athletes. Research in these fields aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of sport-induced injuries in order to improve treatment plans and prevent future complications. Overuse bone stress injuries are prominent among elite athletes and can cause detrimental setbacks to training and performance. Thus, prevention of these injuries is of primary concern. Vitamin D has been known to play an integral role in skeletal metabolism. Current research suggests vitamin D status may be indicative of bone density, structural integrity, …

Practice Characteristics That Matter In The Provision Of Health Education Services By Primary Care Physicians, George Paul Newby Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The onset of chronic disease is occurring earlier and more often in the lives of adult citizens of the United States. The literature has effectively demonstrated the efficacy that physician provision of health education services offers their patients and the positive effects it has for lowering risk factors for chronic disease. The literature has described the complexities physicians encounter in providing these services. The literature is not as plentiful in defining and describing the characteristics of physician practice that are associated with increased health education provision.

This study is an analysis of the factors that are associated with provision of …

Understanding Conceptualizations And Structural Environment For Improving Pre-Pregnancy Planning For Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Harare, Zimbabwe, Chiwoneso Beverley Tinago

Theses and Dissertations

Zimbabwe has a high maternal mortality with adolescent girls and young women facing disproportionately high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Current approaches to reducing maternal mortality in Zimbabwe focus on the pregnancy period with antenatal care, obstetric care, and micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy. Although important, these approaches are not reaching a large number of women and may benefit from integration with pre-pregnancy approaches. The importance of pre-pregnancy interventions to promote young women’s health has been emphasized, yet many young women in developing countries like Zimbabwe do not have access to pre-pregnancy care because little is understood about the concept …

Examining Organizational Change Through A Socio-Cultural Lens: A Case Study Of Persistent Educational Inequity In A Rural, Mid-Sized School District In South Carolina, Deborah Hooks-Ward

Theses and Dissertations

This researcher in this study examined the dynamics of organizational change in a rural, mid-sized school district in South Carolina, with a focus on socio-cultural factors that hindered effective implementation of reforms aimed at reducing educational inequity. The research was conducted through a series of 15 interviews with board members and current and former superintendents from the school district and surrounding school districts. An analysis of the various responses led to the following findings: 1) a deep level of distrust seems to exist between board members and superintendents, 2) there is an ignorance of how income disparities may block educational …

Motivation Towards Success: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study Illustrating The Differences In Motivating Factors In Achievement Between Low Ses High Achieving And Low Achieving African American High School Females, Ashanti C. Friels

Theses and Dissertations

For years educators have made attempts to explain the effects of poverty on student achievement. Many have set out to explore methods for better helping students with limited resources succeed academically, thus bridging the achievement gap between these students and their financially stable counterparts. The ultimate combination of poverty and race/ethnicity define major sources of disadvantage in educational outcomes (Maruyama, 2003). Viewing this from a racial standpoint places African American students at the receiving end of low achievement as a result of low socioeconomic status.

The missing thread that could potentially pull this together exists among the population of impoverished …

Base Rates Of Cognitive And Academic Weaknesses, Allison L. Stafford

Theses and Dissertations

The identification of learning disabilities is critical for receiving intervention services; however, special education eligibility criteria often varies across districts, resulting in large variations in identification rates. (Hallahan, Keller, & Ball, 1986; Scruggs & Mastropieri, 2002; Reschly & Hosp, 2004; Maki, Floyd & Roberson, 2015). A new method for identifying learning disabilities, patterns of strengths and weaknesses (PSW), has risen in popularity as a method for assessing and informing interventions for students with learning disabilities. Despite the growing popularity of PSW approaches, little is known about the prevalence of cognitive and academic weaknesses in the population (Miciak, Fletcher, Stuebing, Vaughn, …

Cultural Perceptions Of Chikungunya In The Dominican Republic, James Preston Kerns

Theses and Dissertations

Chikungunya (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that recently (2013) entered the Western hemisphere and tore through the Caribbean and most of Latin America. The symptoms include rash, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fever. In many cases, sufferers report persistent arthralgia long after the actual viral infection has subsided. There are a variety of misperceptions about CHIKV, which directly impact public health efforts aimed at reducing the prevalence of the disease. Understanding the epidemic spread of CHIKV in the DR and the growth of misconceptions about the origin, severity, cause, and treatment of the disease requires a perspective that encompasses …

Enslaved Labor In The Gang And Task Systems: A Case Study In Comparative Bioarchaeology Of Commingled Remains, William D. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

This study designs and tests an approach intended to confront one of the major problems faced within biological anthropology, the commingling or mixing of human skeletal remains. The first goal of the study is to implement an approach to sorting mixed human remains in order that they can be made amenable to comparative study. Bioarchaeologists depend on an array of measures, preserved in the human skeleton, to assess the lifestyles and identity of past human groups. As many of these measures are preserved within the morphology of different bones, it is imperative that the association and context of remains are …

Iron Uptake And Accumulation Is A Target Of Nickel Toxicity During The Lag Phase In Escherichia Coli, Geoffrey Tuttle Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Various transition metals are essential to all forms of life, and are only required in trace amounts. But this dependence comes as a double-edged sword. All organisms must maintain a careful intracellular quota that does not traverse outside an acceptable range. One transition metal in particular is nickel. The importance of this transition metal has been debated widely and its function varies greatly between organisms, including bacteria. However, the adverse effects caused by over exposure to this metal have been the center of much experimentation in recent years. Still, the mechanisms of nickel toxicity and the subsequent effects on cellular …

Who Are They ? A Case Study Of Community Health Worker (Chw) Programs In Primary Health Care, Constance Renee Williams Shepard

Theses and Dissertations

Community health workers (CHW) programs are an important emerging strategy to address the rising cost of health care, the shortage of healthcare staff, and the lack of accessible, affordable and quality health care (Sanders & Lehmann, 2007; WHO, 2010; CDC, 2012). The American Public Health Association (APHA) defines community health worker (CHWs) as frontline public health workers, trusted members of their communities and individuals that have a unique understanding of the people and communities they serve. CHWs develop trusting relationships that enable them to serve as an intermediary between healthcare, social services providers, and community members. By doing so, they …

The Cranial Morphology Of The Black-Footed Ferret: A Comparison Of Wild And Captive Specimens, Tyler Antonelli

Theses and Dissertations

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), a North American mustelid species, was once found abundantly throughout the Midwest until extreme decline in prairie dogs, the black-footed ferrets primary food source, brought the species to near-extinction. This resulted in the development of the Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program which included bringing the entire species into captivity with the intention of breeding the species back to sufficient numbers to allow for successful reintroduction. While in captivity, many components of the ferrets’ health were accounted for, but the current study aims to address the effects that captivity may have had on the cranial morphology of …

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effects On Core Temperature, Hydration, Gastrointestinal Distress, And Performance In Exercising Humans, Dawn Marie Emerson

Theses and Dissertations

Naproxen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug designed to relieve pain and inflammation. Due to potentially adverse effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, cardiovascular and immune system, and renal function, naproxen may negatively affect thermoregulation, fluid and electrolyte balance, and performance during exercise, particularly in the heat. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of naproxen on core temperature (Tc), inflammation, hydration, GI distress, and performance during cycling in a hot environment. We utilized a double-blind, randomized and counterbalanced, cross-over design to determine the effects of naproxen (dose = 3 220 mg naproxen sodium pills) …

Assessing The Effects Of The Mud Snail, Ilyanassa Obsoleta, On The Benthic Microalgal Community In A Pristine Saltmarsh, Miranda Gore

Theses and Dissertations

Saltmarshes are among the most productive ecosystems globally. At North Inlet estuary, South Carolina, about one third of the primary production comes from benthic microalgae. During the tidal cycle, mobile microalgae vertically migrate through the upper 3 mm of sediment. At low tide, algae are vulnerable to a variety of grazers, including the mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, which is abundant in tidal creeks. Many species of intertidal snails have been shown to significantly alter the community structure and density of microalgae within the sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine how I. obsoleta affects the benthic microalgae community …

The Effects Of Ionizing Radiation And Oxidizing Species On Strains Of Deinococcus Radiodurans Lacking Endogenous Oxidative Protection Methods, Dylan L. Klawuhn

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple strains of Deinococcus radiodurans were transformed, creating knockout mutations in genes responsible for manganese ion transport, manganese and copper/zinc super-oxide dismutase, and bacillithiol synthesis. These mutated strains were then irradiated with ~20,000 Gys. The results showed that the mutated strains had a higher sensitivity to ionizing radiation, those responsible for bacillithiol synthesis having an increase in sensitivity 3000 times more than wild type Deinococcus radiodurans. In addition to radiation the mutated strains were also exposed to paraquat, an oxidizing herbicide. Strains missing manganese super-oxide dismutase showed increased sensitivity.

The Effects Of Social Skill Training In A Simulated Community Environment For Adolescents With Cognitive Impairments, Jessica Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to (a) evaluate the impact of school and classroom-based social skills instruction on student’s social capabilities, and (b) determine if the skills learned in classroom-based instruction can be generated to the school store. Three 9th grade students aged 15-16 participated in the study. They were learning lessons adopted from Talkabout for Teenagers, taught 30 minutes a day, once a week for 12 weeks during social skill training/instruction. An observation chart was used before and after social skill instruction and a total was calculated at the end of each observation session to measure their social …

The Effects Of Two Different Resistance Training Protocols With Similar Volume On Non-Uniform Muscle Hypertrophy, Vince Bendotti

Theses and Dissertations

Resistance training programs utilize variables such as exercise volume, intensity, muscular activation, and tension in order to obtain specific hypertrophic adaptations. The challenge of designing a hypertrophy-centric program is understanding the non-uniform adaptations of skeletal muscle. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the impact of two volume-equated, whole body exercise protocols over 9 weeks utilizing 9 different compound exercises on non-uniform muscle adaptations. METHODS: Fourteen (age = 20.9 ± 1.3 years; body mass = 84.0 ± 11.1 kg; fat free mass = 67.3 ± 5.7 kg), well-trained men randomly assigned to a hypertrophy based protocol (HG) or …

Validity And Reliability Of A Photographic Method Of Assessing Body Composition, Elizabeth Z. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The LeanScreenTM app uses photographs and touchscreen technology of an iPad or iPhone to estimate body composition using the Department of Defense (DoD) prediction equations that use cirumference measurements of the neck, abdomen, waist, and hips. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the LeanScreenTM app in 148 weight-stable adults (82 men, 66 women) who were normal weight, overweight, or obese as defined by body mass index. The percent body fat (%BF) of each subject was estimated during one visit using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometery (DXA) as the criterion measure, and three field methods: the …

Spiritual Pathways To Healing And Recovery: An Intensive Single-N Study Of A Patient With An Eating Disorder, Troy William Lea

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents an in-depth case study of eight sessions of spiritually integrated psychotherapy with a 20-year-old woman recovering from an Eating Disorder. The inclusion and utility of session-to-session outcome data as well as systematic follow up data in conjunction with in-depth qualitative interviews are shown. The therapist and client's perspectives are highlighted over the course of treatment. Three clinical areas of focus (renewing identity, reducing self-contempt, and fostering hope) are extracted from the qualitative interviews and the therapeutic process of weaving them together is highlighted. The Tau-U and SMA single case study statistical analyses are used to highlight clinical …

An Investigation Of Associations Between Heart Rate Measures Of Aerobic Fitness And Executive Functioning In Pre-Adolescent Children, Kimberly Anne Barnett

Theses and Dissertations

The present study evaluated the associations between direct measures of aerobic fitness and executive functioning in pre-adolescent children aged 8 to 12 years. To evaluate these associations, the study employed a cross-sectional design and a series of three step hierarchical regressions were conducted. Results suggest that after controlling for age, sex, and BMI percentile, heart rate measures of aerobic fitness did not independently predict executive function. These findings provide preliminary evidence that contradicts a growing body of research within the adult literature demonstrating an association between aerobic fitness and executive function.

How Do Law Students Develop Writing Expertise During Summer Internships? An Interview-Based Study, Jonathan Francisco Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Many law students are required to take first-year writing courses. With the increased emphasis in legal education on practical skills training (Sullivan et al. 2007), legal writing scholars have begun exploring how these writing courses equip students with practical skills (Felsenburg and Graham 2010; Cauthen 2010). However, these scholars have not explored how summer internships serve as opportunities for students to practice the skills they gained in the classroom. Following the lead of writing studies scholars who examine the transition from classroom and workplace writing (Russell and Fisher 2009; Devitt 2004, Wardle 2004; Winsor 1990), this study explores how the …

Associations Between Physical And Sedentary Activity Regularity And Sleep In Preschoolers And Kindergartners, Kara Mcrae Duraccio

Theses and Dissertations

Short sleep duration in childhood has been associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. Research suggests that physical activity might mediate this association; however, studies examining associations between physical activity and sleep in young children have reported equivocal findings. A possible explanation for these inconsistencies is that past studies have looked at total physical activity counts rather than examining physical activity regularity. We aim to explore the relationship of regular physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in preschoolers and kindergartners. 131 children (ages 4-6) were included in this study. Each child wore a waist-worn accelerometer for three days …

Persuasive Performance: Articulating A Space Between The Disciplines Of Rhetoric And Performance Studies, Joshua Evans Mckinney

Theses and Dissertations

This work explores persuasive performances, or performances which are wrought in order to affect changes in the thoughts, attitudes, emotions, ideas, beliefs, and opinions of others. Such performances are located in a space between the disciplines of performance studies and rhetoric. This work offers one way in which such performances might be better understood by proposing a model of negotiation comprised of the techniques of rhetorical dramatism and performance studies. A political debate and parts of Shakespeare's The Tempest are analyzed as examples using the model. This work represents an invitation to scholars of the disciplines of rhetoric and performance …

Layered Double Hydroxides-Biopolymer Nanocomposites For The Controlled Delivery Of Vitamins, Raghda El-Said El-Dessouky

Theses and Dissertations

In this investigation, vitamin B6- and folic acid-intercalated zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxides (Zn2+/Al3+ = 3), were successfully prepared by coprecipitation (B6-LDH and Fa- LDH, respectively). Both vitamin-intercalated LDHs were characterized by XRD and FTIR analyses and compared to control pristine LDHs synthesized following the same method. The XRD analysis confirmed the structural crystallinity of the synthesized LDHs, which are typical of hydrotalcite-like materials, and confirmed the intercalation of both vitamins through the observed expansion in the LDH interlayer spacing. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of the vitamins in the LDH layers by observing the peaks pertaining to the vitamin-specific …

Influence Of Release Timing On Survival And Movements Of Translocated Mule Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus) In Utah, David C. Smedley

Theses and Dissertations

Translocation of wildlife has become common practice for wildlife managers charged with management of animals on increasingly modified landscapes. Translocation can be used to reduce population density in the source area, supplement existing populations, reestablish extirpated populations, and establish new populations. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are a species of great interest to the public in western North America. Although translocations have been used to manage mule deer, very little has been done to document the outcomes of this management practice. The purpose of this research was to evaluate movement, site fidelity, space use, and survival of translocated mule …

Analyses Of Mrna Cleavage By Rele And The Role Of Trna Methyltransferase Trmd Using Bacterial Ribosome Profiling, Jae Yeon Hwang

Theses and Dissertations

Protein synthesis is a fundamental and ultimate process in living cells. Cells possess sophisticated machineries and continuously carry out complex processes. Monitoring protein synthesis in living cells not only inform us about the mechanism of translation but also deepen our insights about all aspects of life. Understanding the structure and mechanism of the ribosome and its associated factors helped us enlarge our knowledge on protein synthesis. Recently, with the dramatic advances of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, a new technique called ribosome profiling emerged. By retrieving mRNA fragments protected by translating ribosomes, ribosome profiling reveals global ribosome occupancy along mRNAs in …

Association Between Expanded Normal Weight Obesity And Insulin Resistance Among U.S. Adults In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Keilah Elizabeth Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to expand the evaluation of Normal Weight Obesity (NWO) and its association with insulin resistance using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. A cross-sectional study including 5,983 subjects was conducted. Body fat percentage was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Expanded Normal Weight Obesity (eNWO) categories (pairings of BMI and body fat percentage classifications) were determined by standard cut-points for BMI and the gender specific median for body fat percentage. Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were used to index insulin resistance. Mean ± SE values were as follows: BMI: 27.9 ± …