Digital Commons Network^™

The Effectiveness Of Visual Aids In Motivational Counseling On Oral Health Literacy, Christian Peck

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if motivational interviewing with written/illustrated infant oral health education provided to caregivers of pediatric dental patients increases caregivers’ oral health literacy compared to verbal only motivational instruction. Methods: This is a cohort study of caregivers and their child receiving oral health anticipatory guidance utilizing motivational interviewing with and without visual aids. Caregivers (N=20) of pediatric dental patients age 0-4 that presented to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry for a new patient exam were recruited for the study. Caregivers were randomly assigned into 2 groups: the intervention group (IG), and …

Examining Racial Differences In Sympathetic Activity Assessed During Recovery From Exercise In Obese Adolescent Females, Stacey Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Sympathetic overactivity (SO) is associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Black adolescents have an increased risk of obesity and CVD later in life, particularly females. PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in SO between black (BOA) and white obese female adolescents (WOA). METHODS: Sixty-one BOA (n=49, 13.7±1.6 yrs, 38.1±6.1 kg/m2) and WOA (n=12, 13.3±2.2 yrs, 34.3±4.9 kg/m2) completed a maximal graded treadmill test after which an exercise recovery index (ERI; heart rate/VO2 plateau) was calculated. RESULTS: The ERI was significantly greater in BOA compared to WOA (29.8 ± 6.4 vs. 24.1 ± 3.1, P = 0.004). Multiple linear regression modeling …

The Portrayal Of Older People In Marketing Materials For Senior Centers, Jason Robert Gillespie

Theses and Dissertations

This content analysis examined 128 senior center brochures and newsletters to determine how older people (those 65 years and older) were portrayed. Findings indicated that portrayals of older people in this medium that targets older people and their caretakers exclusively were overwhelmingly positive. Older people were portrayed favorably in terms of health status, personality descriptors related to level of happiness, interaction with others, mental state, as well as body image and overall evaluation. In several other categories such as energy level and activity level they were portrayed neutrally, and not a single category was dominated by negative portrayals. In fact, …

Three Dimensional In Vitro Model Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Anna Bulysheva

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the leading causes of cancer related deaths throughout the world. The survival rate for this type of cancer is extremely low and has not changed significantly in recent decades. There is an imperative need to study tumor progression in a representative model in order to generate more knowledge about this disease as well as develop more effective treatment options. Multiple methods already exist for studying HNSCC and other types of cancers, including in vitro and in vivo models. Although in vivo models are more representative of the human carcinomas in terms …

Iron Deficiency Causes A Shift In Amp-Activated Protein Kinase (Ampk) Catalytic Subunit Composition In Rat Skeletal Muscle, John Merrill

Theses and Dissertations

To determine effects of iron deficiency on AMPK activation and signaling, as well as the AMPKα subunit composition in skeletal muscle, rats were fed a control (C=50-58 mg/kg Fe) or iron deficient (ID=2-6 mg/kg Fe) diet for 6-8 wks. Their respective hematocrits were 47.5% ± 1.0 and 16.5% ± 0.6. Iron deficiency resulted in 28.3% greater muscle fatigue (p<0.01) in response to 10 min of stimulation (1 twitch/sec) and was associated with a greater reduction in phosphocreatine (C: Resting 24.1 ± 0.9 micromol/g, Stim 13.1 ± 1.5 micromol/g; ID: Resting 22.7 ± 1.0 micromol/g, Stim 3.2 ± 0.7 micromol/g; p<0.01) and ATP levels (C: Resting 5.89 ± 0.48 micromol/g, Stim 6.03 ± 0.35 micromol/g; ID: Resting 5.51 ± 0.20 micromol/g, Stim 4.19 ± 0.47 micromol/g; p<0.05). AMPK activation increased with stimulation in muscles of C and ID animals. A reduction in Cytochrome c and other iron-dependent mitochondrial proteins was observed in ID animals (p<0.01). The AMPK catalytic subunit (alpha) was also examined because both isoforms are known to play different roles in responding to energy challenges. In ID animals, AMPK alpha2 subunit protein content was reduced to 71.6% of C (p<0.05), however this did not result in a significant difference in resting AMPK alpha2 activity. AMPK alpha1 protein was unchanged, however an overall increase in AMPK alpha1 activity was observed (C: 0.91 pmol/mg/min; ID: 1.63 pmol/mg/min; p<0.05). Resting phospho Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (pACC) was unchanged. This study indicates that chronic iron deficiency causes a shift in the expression of AMPK alpha subunit composition and potentially altered sensitivity to cellular energy challenges.

Sources And Fates Of Nutrients In The Tidal, Freshwater James River, William Isenberg

Theses and Dissertations

Tidal freshwater reaches of estuaries may play an important role in mitigating nutrient fluxes from watersheds to the coastal zone due to their location at the interface between riverine and estuarine systems. We developed annual N and P budgets for the tidal, freshwater James River over 4 calendar years (2007-2010) taking into account riverine inputs at the Fall Line, local points sources (including CSO events), ungagued inputs, riverine outputs, and tidal exchange. The tidal freshwater James River experiences high areal loading rates of TN (383 mg/m2/d) and TP (70 mg/m2/d) due to the combined effects of large watershed area and …

Exploring The Social Determinants Of Sexually Transmitted Disease And High-Risk Sexual Behaviors, River Pugsley

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract 1: A multi-level assessment of disproportionate population sex ratios and high-risk sexual behaviors among STD clinic patients Low male-to-female sex ratios in a population may influence high-risk sexual behaviors, such as multiple sex partners and inconsistent condom use, which facilitate the transmission of STDs. This study used multi-level modeling to assess whether population sex ratios were associated with these two individual-level behaviors. All analyses were stratified by gender. Interview data were collected from patients (N = 9,203, 48% male) attending participating STD clinics. Interviews included information on socio-demographics and sexual behavior, including number of sex partners in the previous …

Binge Eating After Bariatric Surgery: The Role Of Treatment Groups, Christine M. Peat

Theses and Dissertations

As the recent rates of obesity have increased, so too have the rates of individuals electing to undergo bariatric surgery. Extant literature would suggest that surgical treatment is the most effective in terms of overall weight loss, however the problem of binge eating persists even after surgery and can affect the extent to which weight loss is maintained. Thus, the current study examined the potential effect of a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) group treatment aimed at reducing binge eating the post-surgical bariatric population. Self-reports of binge eating, health-related quality of life, and depression were obtained from a total of 68 post-bariatric patients. …

Comparative Analysis Of Yersinia Pestis Infection In Resistant And Susceptible Mice, Nathaniel D. Lambert

Theses and Dissertations

This study demonstrates that 2 month old, female B10.T(6R) are highly resistant to systemic infection with the KIM5 strain of Yersinia pestis , and that B10.T(6R) mice become susceptible to Y. pestis infection by 5 months of age. In this study we infected both young (2 month) and middle-aged (5-12 month) B10.T(6R) with equal CFUs of Y. pestis. LD50 of young B10.T(6R) was ∼1.4 X 10 4 CFU, while middle-aged B10. T(6R) mice exhibited an LD50 of ∼60 CFU. An elevated bacterial burden was found in the spleens of middle-aged mice at 24 and 60 h and the livers at …

Standardized Follow-Up: The Key To Successful Diabetic Management, Jana J. Heger

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Not A Drop To Drink, Beth A. Monsebroten

Theses and Dissertations

Fluid restrictions for the management of lower extremity edema in patients with heart failure has long been a treatment standard. However, the use of evidence based medicine has found this treatment option does not have the research to support the continued use with patients. An extensive literature review was conducted to find the most appropriate treatment options for these patients. It was determined fluid restrictions are not effective in reducing lower extremity edema in patients with heart failure. The discontinuation of this practice and the use of weight based diuretic therapy are suggested. Further research should be conducted into the …

A Review Of The Benefit Of Pre-Operative Education Prior To Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Patrick C. Jahn

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery is the most common type of heart surgery performed each year in the United States (U.S. Department of HHS, 2010). If your healthcare provider were to tell you that you needed heart surgery what would be the first thing to come to mind, would it be fear, pain, anxiety, denial? Do you have any idea what this procedure entails or what to expect before, during, or after your hospitalization?

Preparation is most often a prerequisite for success. Multiple research studies have shown that proper patient preparation can lead to better patient outcomes, including pain and …

Can Breastfeeding Greater Than 6 Months Reduce The Risk Of Childhood Obesity? A Literature Review, Jessica M. Kotrba

Theses and Dissertations

Breastfeeding has many benefits for infants. It provides nutrients and antibodies that protect them from getting ill. Breastfeeding also has benefits for children as they grow older such as decreasing their risk of becoming obese. This paper will look at current research about how breastfeeding especially for at least six months can reduce a child's risk of becoming obese later in life.

Demand For Sanitation And Hygiene In Rural Households In Cameroon: Case Of And Njinikom Village, Irin A. Njuakom

Theses and Dissertations

Inadequate sanitation and hygiene remain a major health concern in the world today with ill effects that are particularly debilitating in developing nations. Preventable diseases related to poor sanitation (inadequate human waste disposal) and lack of hygiene are estimated to kill some 3900 children daily and are the leading causes of increasing morbidity and mo1iality among the poor in the world. The issue of inadequate sanitation and hygiene has been construed as a problem of the poor. ln the impoverished village of Njinikom in Cameroon, the lack of access to basic sanitation and hygiene is apparent in the practice of …

Ssri Safety During Pregnancy, Julie N. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is one of the most common disorders in our country today. The most frequently used treatment for depression is the antidepressant drug class, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRis). Due to a higher incidence of depression during pregnancy, researchers have been meticulously trying to detennine the risks and benefits of SSRI use and risks of depression to the mother and her fetus. The purpose of this project is to provide healthcare providers with current evidence about SSRI use during pregnancy. A brochure was presented to healthcare providers which addressed the risks and benefits of SSRI use and the risks of …

A Women-Only Comparision Of The U.S. Air Force Fitness Test And The Marine Combat Fitness Test, Tarah D. Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

In 2009, Captain Thomas Worden determined the Air Force Physical Fitness Test (AFPFT) poorly predicted combat capability for his 86 study participants. With only 5 of these 86 volunteers being women, this limited Worden's findings to primarily men. This follow-on research investigated whether these results carried over to women. We recruited 61 female volunteers and compared their performance on the AFPFT to the Marine Combat Fitness Test, the proxy for combat capability. Like Worden's research, we discovered little association between the two (R² of 0.161). However, this association significantly increased (adj R² of 0.572) when utilizing the raw …

The Effect Of Supply Chain Management Processes On Competitive Advantage And Organizational Performance, Ronald M. Salazar

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most significant changes in the paradigm of modern business management is that individual businesses no longer compete as solely autonomous entities, but rather as supply chains. In this emerging competitive environment, the ultimate success of the business will depend on management's ability to integrate the company's intricate network of business relationships. Effective supply chain management (SCM) has become a potentially valuable way of securing competitive advantage and improving organizational performance since competition is no longer between organizations, but among supply chains. This research conceptualizes and develops three dimensions of SCM practice (supplier relationship management, manufacturing flow management, …

The Effects Of Cognitive-Behavioral Motivation For Health Improvement On Anthropometric Measurements In High Risk Individuals, Aimee T. Kirchner

Theses and Dissertations

Unhealthy lifestyles cost businesses, governmental organizations, and the United States military billions of dollars every year. To fight this rising cost as well as potentially save lives this study sought to understand if a cognitive-behavioral motivation treatment could positively affect the cognitive variables (attitude, self-efficacy, and locus of control) that induce long term behavior change. Anthropometric measurements, specifically body mass index, abdominal circumference, and abdominal height, were used to determine if long term behavior change resulted from the treatment. The Theory of Planned Behavior was the basis of this thesis' model, while the Valence, Instrumentality, and Expectancy (VIE) theory was …

A Proposed Mediation Model Of The Effects Of Motivation For A Healthy Lifestyle: Impacts On Emotional Exhaustion, Medication Regimens, And Low-Density Lipoprotein, Nathan M. Leuthold

Theses and Dissertations

This research addressed the following question: "How are behavioral indicators related to physiological responses?" Three theories -- Conservation of Resources, Planned Behavior, and Achievement Motivation -- were employed to build a proposed model of the effects that an individual's motivation for a healthy lifestyle would have on his/her emotional exhaustion, daily medication usage, and low-density lipoproteins. Motivation for a healthy lifestyle was hypothesized to have a negative relationship with emotional exhaustion when using body mass index as a partial mediator. Emotional exhaustion was hypothesized to have positive relationships with daily medication usage and low-density lipoproteins. The model was tested using …

A Prototype Overview For Allocating Usaid Foreign Aid, Deane E. Cover

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. In fiscal year 2011, USAID spent approximately $15 billion in an effort to assist countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. Using Value-Focused Thinking, regression, and optimization techniques, this thesis utilizes overarching USAID objectives and underlying policy to develop a prototype overview model that is used to provide insight to a Decision Maker regarding how changes in funding allocation can lead to improved impact.

A Qualitative Exploration Of Family Strength And Unity In Family Crucibles, Taralyn Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine family relationships in families where one adult member was diagnosed with chronic illness resulting in chronic pain to determine why the crucible, or trial, of chronic illness triggered some families to strengthen while others weakened. The introduction of chronic illness instigates a process of change in family life, yet there is a paucity of research examining families in this situation, specifically when the chronic illness results in chronic pain. Utilizing grounded theory methodology and qualitative data analysis methods, dyadic interviews and periods of observation were conducted with six families across the …

An Investigation Of Current Practice In Management Rotations In Dietetic Internships, Emily K. Vaterlaus

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Leadership and management skills are critical to moving the dietetics profession forward; acquisition of those skills begins in the Dietetic Internship (DI). This study examined DI program components related to higher mean scores on the Foodservice and Management domain of the Registration Examination for Dietitians and compared Program Director and Preceptor perceptions of management rotation structure.

Methods: All 242 DI Program Directors (excluding sponsoring institution) received a 47-item electronic questionnaire. Directors provided contact information for up to three DI management rotation primary preceptors. Preceptors received a 35-item electronic questionnaire regarding their perception of interns' management skill development. …

Intensity Of Physical Activity And Body Composition: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Young Adult Women, Pamela Ruth Borup

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between intensity of physical activity and body composition in 239 young adult women.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional. Participants were recruited from October 2009 to December 2011 and included women from 36 different states and 6 different countries. Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers worn for seven days. Body composition was measured using the BOD POD. Height, weight, and circumferences were assessed.

Results: Participant's mean age was 20.6±1.6 years. Their mean BMI was 22.6±3.0 kg/m2 and mean body fat percentage was 26.4±6.3 %. Average total activity counts per …

Cheatgrass (Bromus Tectorum), Native Grasses, And Small Mammals In The Great Basin: A Test Of The Apparent Competition Hypothesis Facilitated By A Novel Method Of Decanting Seeds From A Flotation Solution, Jacob Elias Lucero

Theses and Dissertations

The effect of shared enemies between invasive and native species has been argued to facilitate biological invasions (i.e., the apparent competition hypothesis or ACH). This study investigated a previously untested possibility: whether granivorous small mammals facilitate cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasion by driving food-mediated apparent competition between cheatgrass and native grasses. Specifically, we tested three predictions that must be true if such apparent competition occurs. First, cheatgrass invasion augments total seeds available to granivorous small mammals. Second, density of granivorous small mammals increases in response to increased seed availability (simulated with experimental additions of cheatgrass seeds). Third, granivorous small …

Lower Extremity Joint Moments During The Active Peak Vertical Ground Reaction Force In Three Different Running Conditions, Tyler W. Standifird

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare joint moments during the active peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) when running in three conditions. Twenty-five subjects, sixteen male and nine female, were measured using 3-dimensional motion analysis while running barefoot, in Vibram FiveFingers® (VF®) minimalist running shoes and in traditional running shoes at a 7-minute-mile pace (3.84 m/s). Joint moment differences were calculated and compared using a mixed model analysis of variance. Results showed the VF® was effective at mimicking both the kinetic and kinematic attributes of barefoot running. The only significant difference found when comparing barefoot and VF® running …

The Effect Of Smoking On Tuberculosis Incidence In Burdened Countries, Natalie Noel Ellison

Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that one third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis. Though once thought a "dead" disease, tuberculosis is very much alive. The rise of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis, and TB-HIV coinfection have made tuberculosis an even greater worldwide threat. While HIV, poverty, and public health infrastructure are historically assumed to affect the burden of tuberculosis, recent research has been done to implicate smoking in this list. This analysis involves combining data from multiple sources in order determine if smoking is a statistically significant factor in predicting the number of incident tuberculosis cases in a country. …

Adolescent Girls' Experience Of Binge And Loss Of Control Eating, Allison Palmberg

Theses and Dissertations

The current investigation used qualitative methodology to examine adolescent girls’ perceptions of control over their eating, as well as triggers, and consequences of binge and related eating behaviors. Focus groups were completed with 19 adolescent girls (aged 13-17, 58% African American, 41% White) who endorsed the behaviors. Responses to focus group questions were qualitatively analyzed using a grounded theory approach and constant comparison coding. Results reflected a fundamental lack of awareness of the loss of control (LOC) eating behaviors. Yet, the data did reflect a central theme of the need to affirm independence and autonomy through eating behaviors via three …

Addressing Functional Decline And Psychosocial Needs In Hospitalized Elderly, Rebecca A. Porier

Theses and Dissertations

Do hospitalized geriatric patients have better outcomes such as increased patient satisfaction, decreased length of stay, and decreased readmission rates with specialized interdisciplinary care, as on Acute Care of Elders (ACE) units, versus usual care? This is one question that this paper will address. The goal in this type of care is to achieve medical stability while preserving maximum functioning. Collaboration with all health care specialties is crucial to geriatric care . Secondarily, the gap in nursing knowledge of the elderly patient's care needs has to be addressed. Thirdly, patient's psychosocial needs should be addressed in order to promote their …

Blood Glucose Monitoring And Metabolic Control In Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Relation To Disease Care, Adrienne Borschuk

Theses and Dissertations

Better disease care behaviors in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are strongly related to better metabolic control (HbA1c). However, HbA1c results are only available, on average, every three months, and may not accurately capture intricacies of blood glucose fluctuations. Youth then must rely on blood glucose levels obtained throughout the day to determine which disease care behaviors to perform to maintain optimal metabolic control. Youth may have difficulty performing these disease care behaviors properly or consistently, which makes parental monitoring a crucial aspect of the diabetes regimen. Additionally, youth who experience frequent or severe hypoglycemia may develop a fear …

Ending Homeiessness In The U.S.: Lessons Learned From The Veterans Affairs Five-Year Campaign, Amanda Higginbotham

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.