Digital Commons Network^™

The Reporting Of Supplement Use By Dental Patients On Their Medical History Questionnaire, Sarmad Bakuri

Theses and Dissertations

The Reporting of Supplement Use by Dental Patients on Their Medical History Questionnaire Objectives: The goals of the study were three fold. Estimate the prevalence of supplement use by dental patients. Determine if the design of a medical history form influences the prevalence of supplement use reported. Determine whether or not patients are aware of supplement side effects and interactions with medications. Methods: Patients were randomly allocated to either a standard medical history form or the same form with additional questions about supplement use. After completing the initial forms, a survey containing questions about supplements was filled out by both …

An Exploration Of The Lived Social, Emotional, And Academic Experiences Of Obese Adolescents Within Three Conceptual Frameworks Using Mixed Methods Research, Julie Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the experiences of obese adolescents and to investigate middle and high school students' attitudes toward obese students. During phase one, quantitative data was collected through the Attitude Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) survey. The survey research sample was 1448 middle and high school students. The quantitative data was analyzed through cross gender and grade level comparisons. Results indicated both female and male students in middle school and high school have a slightly positive attitude toward obese students. During phase two, qualitative data was collected through focus groups with 5 middle …

In Search Of Ubuntu: An Examination Of Enslaved African Domestic And Labor Environments On St. Eustatius, Deanna Lynn Byrd

Theses and Dissertations

The discovery of dry stone rock features in the northern hills on the Dutch island of St. Eustatius presented a unique opportunity to investigate an enslaved African environment during the time of enslavement. Abandoned after emancipation, the area has remained virtually undisturbed by eco-tourism, making it an archaeological gem. The intact nature of the sites held potential to add significantly to our understanding of choices enslaved Africans made in slave village design, orientation, and the construction of their dwellings, as well as the labor activities of daily life. In doing so, this investigation attempted to detect whether higher levels of …

The Benefits And Barriers To Telehealth For Chronic Health Conditions, Schevell Y. Liu

Theses and Dissertations

As life expectancy increases, it is expected that the growing number of aging population will face an increase in chronic illnesses. Thus management of individuals with chronic illnesses will require establishing a primary care provider who can closely monitor these patients which may require frequent follow up visits. However, access to healthcare can pose a challenge to this specific population. In terms of access, this implies the availability of healthcare providers, transportation, and cost factors. Telehealth can be a solution to manage patients with chronic illnesses. In the case study presented, telehealth was the form of communication utilized for the …

Motivational Interviewing: An Effective Intervention For Faith Community Nurses, Lois J. Ustanko

Theses and Dissertations

Motivational interviewing (Ml) is an effective technique for helping clients make lifestyle changes and adhere to recommended treatment plans. Faith community nurses trained to use motivational interviewing can empower individuals to make changes which reduce their risk for complications from chronic health conditions. Findings suggest a faith community nurse who uses motivational interviewing techniques during health coaching has a greater likelihood of helping clients with hypertension make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk for complications from cardiovascular disease.

Perinatal Mood Disorder Education For Public Health Nurses, Mary Zelenak

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A School-Based Intervention’S Impact On Children’S Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Related To Physical Activity And Nutrition: A Pilot Study, Katherine Turley Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity has become epidemic in the United States. One of the best places to combat this problem is within the school system. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in exercise self-efficacy, science interest, and science knowledge of children who participated in a school-based anatomy and healthy lifestyle intervention called Anatomy Academy. In this pilot study, 212 study participants were recruited from 5th and 6th grade children enrolled in one of three charter schools who participated in our 7-week intervention, Anatomy Academy. Children completed four questionnaires pre and post intervention: (1) a science knowledge questionnaire, (2) a …

The Impact Of The Ohana Mana Challenge On Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Children, Kristin Kay Van Tassell

Theses and Dissertations

In this four-week, family-focused pilot intervention study, researchers studied the impact of culturally relevant nutrition and activity sessions on eleven children from eight Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) families. Mixed methods were used in analysis. In their favorite meal drawings, children included more fruits and vegetables at week four than week one, which was consistent with their self-reported intake of healthy foods that were new to them. From week one to four, mean total scores increased on the nutrition and exercise knowledge exercise questionnaire and the physical activity self-efficacy tool; however, the mean total score decreased on healthy diet …

The Role Of Cytoprotective And Non-Protective Autophagy In Radiation Sensitivity In Breast Tumor Cells, Jade Le

Theses and Dissertations

In general, ionizing radiation promotes cytoprotective autophagy in a majority of breast tumor cells. Previous studies from our laboratory indicated that radiation (5x2 Gy) induces cytoprotective autophagy in MCF-7 cells. In the current work, inhibition of autophagy by silencing of Beclin-1 in MCF-7 cells resulted in an increase in sensitivity to radiation based both on cell number and clonogenic survival; however, there was no increase in apoptosis and the basis for this sensitization is currently under investigation. Unexpectedly, enhancement of autophagy by silencing of Bcl-2 also led to an increase in sensitivity to radiation, possibly through the conversion of cytoprotective …

Factors Leading To A Satisfying Career In Airport Management: Evidence From Airport Managers In Norway, Eirik Holdø

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence a person to choose airport manager as a professional career and how these factors relate to the level of satisfaction the person experiences with this career choice. By using a correlational methodology with an explanatory design, this study examined the influence of early aviation interests, demographics, health factors, formal education, and other aviation experiences on Norwegian airport managers’ career choice and its relationship to their level of career satisfaction. A sample of N = 39 airport managers at Norwegian commercial service airports were surveyed. To assess the relationship, a …

Food Allergies Birth Through Age 5 And Nutrition, Renee Cole

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Factors Contributing To Infant Feeding Practices With Latina Mothers, Diana Cartagena

Theses and Dissertations

Background: An estimated 9.7% of U.S. infants and toddlers are considered overweight. Hispanic infants persistently show higher prevalence rates for being overweight compared to black and white infants. Little is known about factors promoting excessive infant weight gain in Latinos. Purpose: Primary aim of this study was to describe multidimensional factors and maternal feeding practices that may correlate with infant overfeeding in Latina mothers. A secondary aim was to determine whether there was an association between these factors and infant weight gain. Subjects: Sixty-two low-income immigrant Latina mothers and their infants ages 4-12 months receiving assistance through the Special Supplemental …

An Examination Of The Fidelity And Best Practices Of Local Implementation Of Student Wellness Policies In Virginia Elementary Schools As Mandated By The Federal Government Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act Section 204, Carol Atkinson Lewellyn

Theses and Dissertations

AN EXAMINATION OF THE FIDELITY AND BEST PRACTICES OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENT WELLNESS POLICIES IN VIRGINIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AS MANDATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION ACT SECTION 204 By Carol Atkinson Lewellyn, Ph.D A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Major Director: Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Educational Leadership School of Education This study examined the extent of local implementation of student wellness policies in Virginia as mandated by the federal Children Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. Using …

The Role Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Early Childhood Caries, Tiffany Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This is a pilot study to determine if there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the development of early childhood caries (ECC). Methods: Serum 25(OH) vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcium were measured from children with ECC, who presented for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. Samples were obtained from caries free controls examined during a well-child medical check. Parents from both sample sizes filled out a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions regarding the child and parent’s medical and dental history as well as socioeconomic background. Results: ECC patients were found to have deficient serum levels of 25(OH) …

Socioeconomic Status And Weight Loss Behaviors, Hannah Seward

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States and many other countries, obesity is viewed as a public health crisis that must be handled. Many social and individual solutions to the problem are proposed in research and policy. On an individual level, many Americans try to get rid of their fat with a multitude of weight loss practices as part of a healthy lifestyle. Obesity rates, feelings towards fatness, and weight control behaviors are significantly affected by a number of sociocultural factors. In this project I explore the relationship between the desire to lose weight and weight control practices with income. Using data from …

Frailty And Depression: A Latent Trait Analysis, Matthew Lohman

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Frailty, a state indicating vulnerability to poor health outcomes, is a common condition in later life. However, research and intervention progress is hindered by the current lack of a consensus frailty definition and poor understanding of relationships between frailty and depression. Objectives: The goal of this research is to understand the interrelationships between frailty and depression among older adults. Specifically, this project aims 1) to examine the construct overlap between depression and three definitions of frailty (biological syndrome, medical burdens, and functional domains), 2) to determine the degree to which this overlap varies by age, gender, race/ethnicity and other …

Glial Cell Modulators And Associated Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Implications In Reducing Methamphetamine Abuse-Related Behaviors In Rodents, Sarah Snider

Theses and Dissertations

Methamphetamine is a psychomotor stimulant that produces hyperactivity and euphoria and can lead to drug-seeking and abuse. An estimate from 2005 put the cost of methamphetamine abuse to society at an estimated 23.4 billion dollars. One of methamphetamine's effects is activation of glial cells and associated neuroinflammatory activity in the periphery and CNS. Glia are responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis, neuroplasticity, immune activity, and cell signaling. Activation of glia and neuroinflammation are becoming recognized as links in drug abuse-related behavior. The goal of the present work was to assess the ability of ibudilast, AV1013, and minocycline, three glial cell modulating …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Childhood Body Size And Adult Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Structure And Function, Yangyang Deng

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Little is known of the effects of obesity, body size and body composition, and blood pressure (BP) in childhood on hypertension (HBP) and cardiac structure and function in adulthood due to the lack of long-term serial data on these parameters from childhood into adulthood. In the present study, we are poised to analyze these serial data from the Fels Longitudinal Study (FLS) to evaluate the extent to which body size during childhood determines HBP and cardiac structure and function in the same individuals in adulthood through mathematical modeling. METHODS: The data were from 412 males and 403 females in …

Redox Triggering Of Podocyte Nlrp3 Inflammasomes And Glomerular Injury In Hyperhomocysteinemia, Justine M. Abais

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys), an important pathogenic factor contributing to the progression of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), has been shown to activate NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and cause podocyte dysfunction and glomerular sclerosis. hHcys induces aggregation of the three inflammasome components – NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), and caspase-1 – and its activation is indicated by increased caspase-1 activity and secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The aims of the present study sought to elucidate the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated redox signaling in hHcys-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, to dissect the contribution of common endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) …

Ailments Of The Soul: Blood Transfusions And The Treatment Of Melancholy In Seventeenth-Century England, Emily Bowlus

Theses and Dissertations

The first animal-to-human blood transfusions performed in seventeenth-century England focused on patients suffering from mental diseases such as melancholy. Many physicians diagnosed melancholy as a disease of the body, mind, and soul in which blood played a key role. Philosophy, religion, and folklore helped formulate blood as an elusive yet powerful substance with access to immaterial mind and soul in addition to the body. English physician Richard Lower conducted these first transfusions yet recorded little about his personal theories regarding how melancholy and blood affected the body, mind, and soul. The philosophies of Lower’s colleagues, Thomas Willis and Robert Boyle, …

Nitrogen Rate Optimization For Grain Yield Within Fall And Spring Applications, Justin Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a comprehensive analysis of research, investigating the impact of fall and spring applied nitrogen at various rates on the vulnerability of fall applied nitrogen, nitrogen uptake, and corn yields. In addition, optimal nitrogen rates and timing were evaluated across East Central Illinois.

An Evaluation Of Prenatal Care Clinic Selection And The Association With Subsequent Process/Outcome Measures Among Medicaid Beneficiaries, Lynn Vanderwielen

Theses and Dissertations

In 2010 Medicaid financed approximately 48% of all births in the United States and nearly 30% of all births in Virginia. Due to strict state-specific eligibility criteria, many low-income women qualify for Medicaid coverage exclusively as a result of pregnancy status. As the nation moves forward with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), state-elected Medicaid expansion has the potential to expand services to women of reproductive age that would precede pregnancy events and offer continuous access to care postpartum. Despite this potential influx of newly insured women, little is known about how this population may make decisions regarding …

Modified Nutrition Facts Panels Help In Identifying Healthier Options, Courtney Marie Markey

Theses and Dissertations

Background Research shows understanding of information portrayed on nutrition facts panels is low.

Objective Nutrition facts panels were modified to increase identification of healthier label when comparing similar foods.

Design This was study was randomized. Participants, from a Midwestern University, were recruited through email for an online survey.

Participants 738 students responded (4.87% response rate) and 622 completed the entire survey.

Intervention Participants were randomly assigned one of three variations. One variation was the current nutrition facts panel. Another variation highlighted nutrients on the nutrition facts panel in traffic light colors indicating healthy, moderate, and unhealthy levels. The third variation …

A Social Cognitive Learning Experience For Baccalaureate Nursing Students: Enhancing The Recognition And Management Of The Patient With Sepsis, Lindsey Unterseher

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Eating Disorders And Suicide In Adolescents And Young Adults, Lisa M. Engelhardt

Theses and Dissertations

This literature review evaluated suicidal ideation among adolescent and young adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) along with the association of gender, psychological comorbidities, self-injurious behaviors, family systems and cultural implications. Eating disorders, with co-occurring psychological comorbidities tend to have a higher incidence of suicidal intent and self-injurious behaviors. For example eating disorders with a comorbidity of depression tend to have a higher association with suicide attempts. Eating disorders who exhibit suicidal ideation need to have prompt attention. At this point it is imperative that the suicidal patient be …

Postpartum Management Of Women With Gestational Diabetes, Brittany R. Tovar

Theses and Dissertations

This case report highlights the importance of postpartum glucose screening, along with diabetes prevention education, for women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Gestational diabetes is a strong indicator of future type 2 diabetes. Postpartum screening allows providers opportunity for early detection of abnormal glucose levels in this vulnerable population (Frazzita, Anderson & Egan, 2013). Clinical practice guidelines establish routine postpartum care that include close monitoring of women with GDM. However, screening rates are as low as 33% among providers (Bihan et al., 2014; Hunt, Logan, Conway & Korte, 2010; Kapustin, 2008). The case description depicted in this paper …

Baseline Concussion Screening Of Adolescents During Pre-Participation Exams, Kristi Hillman

Theses and Dissertations

Assessment of post-concussion injury and return to play (RTP) guidance are frequently used skills in the primary care setting. Whether the mechanism of injury occurred as a result of athletic participation or from other accidental injury, the adolescent's primary care provider is well-suited for post-injury management as he or she has a comprehensive knowledge of the patient's cognitive and physical histories. The case report highlights a 16-year-old female who presented unaccompanied to her primary care provider for athletic clearance following a motor vehicle accident (MV A). The crash resulted in a right sided head injury and grade I concussion. The …

Promoting Parenting Success In Parents With Intellectual Disabilities, Beth S. Juarez

Theses and Dissertations

Persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) who choose to become parents typically encounter significant ban·iers and challenges that too often have less to do with parental competency, and more to do with context1ml factors, stereotypes and perceptions, lack of access to support services, social policy and unjust treatment by child welfare systems. These inequities have historically contributed to an increased risk of harm for both parents and children, including preventable separation of families. With support, parents with ID can and do parent successfully and nurses can play an important role in promoting this success. This review of the current literature describes …

Vitamin D Administration For Treatment Of Depression In Women, Heather Counts

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a mood altering state which can be characterized by feelings of sadness that can affect thoughts, daily activities, emotions, physical health and even behavior of an individual, most often affecting women (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2014, para 1 ). In the United States, depression has affected millions of the U.S. population (Peckofer et al, 2010). It is important that we focus on both the disease itself and depression related morbidity and mortality. A large number of depressed patients will suffer from a depressive crisis. These crises' can lead to sclf-inf1icted injuries, worsening of the individual 's medical …

Outcomes For Coexisting Diabetes And Depression, Veronica Powers

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.