Digital Commons Network^™

Prospective Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Nutrition Literacy: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, John J. Spano

Theses and Dissertations

Proper nutrition is essential to the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It is also important during the recovery period from disease as well as in the maintenance of general good health. In many health care settings, nurses are the initial health care provider with whom patients have contact. All forms of literacy require a solid foundation in fundamental literacy concepts that must be reinforced to fully develop content-specific literacy, such as nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy is defined as the extent to which nutrition information is acquired, processed, comprehended, and applied in ways that benefit …

Does Dbt-Informed Treatment Address Comorbid Symptoms Of Social Anxiety For Adolescent Eating Disorder Patients In A Day Program? Exploring Emotion Regulation As A Mechanism For Change, Megan Bisanzo

Theses and Dissertations

Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN), often begin in adolescence and can be extremely challenging to treat effectively (Dawson, 2018; Martin & Golden 2014; Robatto et al., 2024). Eating disorder behaviors such as acute caloric restriction, excessive exercise, binging and purging can cause dangerous medical complications, while comorbid psychological conditions can lead to suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2022; Dancyger & Fornari, 2005; Martin & Golden, 2014). Social anxiety is one such comorbid disorder that can be a barrier to patients fully engaging in treatment (Goodwin & Fitzgibbon, 2002; Smith, 2018). Deficits …

Sphingosine Kinase 2 Depletion Dysregulates Hepatic Redox Metabolism And Enhances Inflammation In Early Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (Mash), Kaitlyn Georgene Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently affects one in three people worldwide; its prevalence is growing alongside other cardiometabolic disorders. Aberrations to redox and sphingolipid metabolism contribute to MASLD pathologic progression. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is an active lipid, meaning that S1P participates in biochemical processes within the cell. S1P is generated by two distinct isoenzymes, sphingosine kinase (SphK)1 and SphK2. The localization of the SphK enzyme dictates S1P function. While cytosolic SphK1-generated S1P is well-characterized, nuclear and mitochondrial SphK2-generated S1P is less known. Moreover, SphK2 depletion effects on cellular redox processes and inflammation are not well-defined.

This study defines the …

A Retrospective Chart Review Of Avulsion Injuries Treated At Virginia Commonwealth University., Ryan Hediger

Theses and Dissertations

A RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF AVULSION INJURIES TREATED AT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY. By: Ryan Hediger, DMD

Objective: Outcomes related to healing following an avulsion injury are multifactorial. However, contemporary literature suggests that tooth survival can be enhanced after such injuries by promptly replanting the tooth and adhering to proper management guidelines. Despite the abundance of resources available, the actions taken immediately after the avulsion injury play a pivotal role in determining the fate of an avulsed tooth. The primary objective of the current investigation is to unveil prognostic factors associated with the survival of avulsed teeth.

Methods: A chart review …

Cardiometabolic Genomics And Pharmacogenomics In Filipino Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Khalifa Y. Alrajeh

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the country, with significant ethnic disparities. Filipino Americans (FAs), the third-largest Asian subgroup in U.S., face an elevated burden of dyslipidemia, a primary modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Objectives: This community-based study addresses critical knowledge gaps by characterizing the cardiometabolic and genetic factors contributing to dyslipidemia among FAs and implications for personalized cardiovascular drug therapies, particularly statin pharmacogenomics (PGx). Methods: We characterized dyslipidemia prevalence in FAs and major ethnic subgroups using nationally representative NHANES data. We examined associations between uric acid (UA) levels and lipid profiles, …

A Bioarchaeological Overview Of The Late Woodland Period Gooden Mound Group, Fulton County, Illinois, Aaron M. Durchholz

Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research in paleopathology has documented adverse effects accompanying a shift in subsistence strategy from largely nomadic, hunting and gathering lifestyles to those of more sedentary, agrarian systems. Comparative assessment of the human skeletal remains of early foragers and later farmers recovered from archaeological sites around the world have consistently demonstrated a decrease in average age at death in the latter.

Across the pre-Columbian North American Midwest, the transitional period between the Late Woodland and Mississippian periods, sometimes referred to as the terminal or Mississippian Acculturated Late Woodland, portended establishment of semi-permanent to permanent hamlets, increasingly reliant upon the adoption …

Pressing Toward Progress: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Perceptions Of Wellness Among Black Female Non-Traditional Students, Stacey Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

Black female nontraditional student enrollment is increasing. Black women have higher rates of preventable stress related health issues than their white counterparts. While they have shown endurance and resilience to pursue their degree, it can jeopardize their wellness. This study provides an understanding of how this population perceives their wellness and what can be done to help them matriculate higher education without violating their wellness.

Advancing Explainability In Multi-Label Classification For Tomato Disease Detection Using Machine Learning Interpretability Techniques, Md. Nurullah

Theses and Dissertations

Plant diseases pose a significant threat to global food security, affecting crop yield, quality, and overall agricultural productivity. Traditionally, diagnosing plant diseases has relied on timeconsuming visual inspections by experts, which can often lead to errors. With the rapid growth of technology, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have opened new possibilities for automating this process. One of the most promising technologies for plant disease diagnosis is Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which have proven effective in image classification tasks. Plant leaves, often exhibiting symptoms such as discoloration and irregular textures, serve as key indicators for disease detection. By processing …

Social Engagement Gaps Between Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) F-1 Visa International Students And American Students In Us Universities, Sairagul Matikeeva-Kinney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory descriptive study was to explore the perceptions of F1 visa STEM international students at a four-year private university about their social engagement experiences with their American peers, and how the absence of such engagement practices frames the international students’ sense of mattering and marginality and overall college experience. The study focused only on F-1 visa international students’ perceptions and utilized the marginality and mattering theory (MMT) (Schlossberg, 1989) as a theoretical framework. The social constructivism paradigm was utilized to explain how international students construct their knowledge and perceptions of social engagement with American peers, …

Carotenoids And The Associations With Gut Microbiota Bacterial Populations In Chronic Kidney Disease Hemodialysis Patients, Andrea Kendall

Theses and Dissertations

Background: With increased prevalence and mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD), treatment by renal replacement therapy using hemodialysis (HD) has increased in parallel. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota play an important role in the progression of CKD; influential dietary factors have not been studied exhaustively to date.

Objective: To explore the relationships between dietary carotenoid intake, the abundance of specific gut microbiota, and symptom-related outcomes in patients with CKD on HD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the gut microbiota characteristics relative to carotenoid intake in CKD subjects on HD in central Illinois (n = 20). The Block Dialysis …

Associations Between Physical Activity And Academic Achievement In Young Adolescents, Alex Wolfe

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the associations between physical activity and academic achievement among young adolescents. A secondary aim of this study was to analyze differences in physical activity and academic achievement by SES and race/ethnicity. The sample consisted of 30 middle school students (10 boys and 20 girls) between the ages of 11.0- and 14.9-years. Partial correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement while controlling for SES and race/ethnicity. 2 x 2 factorial analysis of covariance were utilized to examine the differences in SES and race/ethnicity groups, as well as interactive effects within physical …

A Phytochemical Analysis Of Secondary Metabolites In Eupatorium Serotinum, Elise Snow

Theses and Dissertations

Phytochemistry, a subset of Natural Products Chemistry, studies chemically derived products from natural substances. Advances in this field have important applications in medicinal research due to the distinctive and unique properties of natural compounds. All metabolites are produced from the metabolic cycle, which is a pathway that provides energy for the organism. These metabolic compounds vary greatly and are classified based on their function within the organism. Primary metabolites are abundant and contribute to organism growth, development, and maintenance of energy. Secondary metabolites are found in lesser quantity and correlate to natural defense mechanisms. For example, salicylic acid is a …

Leadership Best Practices In Fostering Collaboration For Transformative Change In International Nongovernmental Organizations: A Phenomenological Study, Colton Manley

Theses and Dissertations

For nearly a century, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have spearheaded humanitarian relief and development efforts worldwide. However, the increasing complexity and interconnectivity of global challenges demand a fundamental shift in the operations of INGOs. Collaboration has emerged a key strategy in driving systemic change and addressing the root causes of complex issues. Leaders play a pivotal role in fostering these essential relationships and cultivating a collaborative ecosystem. While leadership remains paramount, there is a critical need to understand how INGO leaders can cultivate transformative collaboration, a collaborative approach aimed at addressing the root causes of complex issues and driving systemic …

Impact Of Supervisors’ Person-Centered Listening On Sense Of Belonging Among Occupationally Minoritized Healthcare Professionals, Nelu Nedelea

Theses and Dissertations

Significant gender and racial disparities are evident when comparing the composition of the U.S. healthcare workforce to the general U.S. population. Latinx individuals are underrepresented across all professions, while non-White individuals and women are occupational minorities in executive roles and in physician, surgeon, and advanced practitioner roles. Lack of diversity poses problems for underrepresented healthcare professionals, their organizations, and their patients. While diverse professionals experience various forms of microaggression, discrimination, prejudice, and diminished sense of belonging in their fields, these conditions can compromise communication among the various healthcare professionals involved with a patient, in turn, potentially threatening patient safety and …

My Secret Struggle: Starving, Purging, And Numbing My Emotions. An Autoethnographic Analysis Of My Lifelong Battle With Anxiety, Depression, And Eating Disorders, Hasmek G. Siwajian

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent females and young adult women between the ages of 12 and 25 are at a higher risk of engaging in self-destructive and life-threatening behaviors linked to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders when they do not have access to suitable treatment options or coping mechanisms (Garcia et al., 2020). This study highlights the heightened vulnerability of adolescent females and young adult women aged 12 to 25 who engage in self-destructive behaviors associated with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders when adequate treatment options or coping mechanisms are lacking. Through an autoethnographic approach, the researcher delves into her daily struggles and breakthroughs …

Understanding Resilience With Chinese Emerging Adults Who Had Early Relational Trauma: An Integrative Systematic Review, Yuen Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This integrative systematic review aimed to enhance understanding of resilience among Chinese emerging adults with early relational trauma by synthesizing available information on how culture is incorporated into the conceptualization, measurement, and interpretation of resilience in the current body of literature. By utilizing a qualitative content analysis approach, the researcher identified main ways in which resilience was conceptualized, assessment tools used to assess, and culturally-specific elements in conceptualizing and understanding resilience. Analysis results indicated the static way of conceptualization was most common among other ways of conceptualizing. Results also revealed that the majority of literature incorporated culture in their conceptualizations …

Hasta La Raíz: An Exploration Of Latinidad In Venture Capital, Mariela Salas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the multifaceted experiences and career management strategies of Latinos/as in the venture capital industry, an area marked by significant underrepresentation. This study aims to illuminate the unique challenges and strategies of Latino/a investors. Drawing on literature from identity formation, Latinidad, diversity and inclusion, and career management, this research addresses the gap in academic literature regarding the lived experiences of Latinos/as in venture capital. The study utilizes 18 narrative interviews with active Latino/a investors of diverse backgrounds and varying experience levels to develop a conceptual framework. This framework highlights the constructed identity of the venture capital investor through …

The Effect Of Experienced Compassion At Work On Nursing Home Certified Nursing Assistants' Well-Being And Turnover Intentions, Kristin M. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Statement of problem and objectives: Could experienced compassion at work alleviate nursing home certified nursing assistant (CNA) burnout? This study investigates whether experienced compassion at work predicts higher well-being (meaningfulness of work, psychological vitality, and resilience) for CNAs, and if well-being predicts lower turnover intentions.

Procedure followed: This is a prospective, observational, survey-based study with three timepoint data collection. Convenience sampling of Kansas and Virginia NHs was conducted (n=13). All CNAs working at the NHs were study eligible. CNAs received gift cards with laddered incentives for ongoing participation. There was in-person administration of a CNA survey at each timepoint. …

A Multilevel, Mixed Methods Examination Of Food Insecurity, Housing Instability, And Cardiovascular Health, Sarah Collins

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND

Housing instability and food access are both robust risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which claims more lives annually in the U.S. than cancer and chronic lung disease combined. We hypothesized that experiencing both housing instability and food insecurity would have an additive effect on CVD risk, resulting in elevated blood pressure (BP) and perceived stress among young adults (YA).

METHODS

This research examined the relationships between food insecurity, housing instability, stress, and cardiovascular disease risk through three aims. First, multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations among YA, focusing on eviction, food insecurity, and blood pressure. Second, …

The Relationship Between Material Circumstances And Primary Care Utilization After Enrollment In Virginia’S Medicaid Expansion, Hannah Shadowen

Theses and Dissertations

Health and health equity encompass not only healthcare but individual level material circumstances like food and housing, neighborhood level conditions like local consequences of residential segregation, and state and federal policies like Medicaid expansion. However, we are just beginning to understand how state level health insurance policy changes operate in the relationship between material circumstances, healthcare use, and health outcomes. This work focuses on newly enrolled Virginia Medicaid expansion members by using both claims data and survey data collected at the point individuals enrolled in Medicaid expansion and a year after Medicaid coverage.

Paper 1 asks if newly enrolled Medicaid …

Chronobiology Of Meal Timing In Early-Stage Hypertension: Effects On Renal And Vascular Function, Natalie J. Bohmke

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Previous research determined that a Western-style meal acts as a stressor to the kidney and contributed to impaired blood pressure and vascular function. Despite an understanding of acute postprandial physiology in humans, studies have not investigated the impact of the time of day of meal consumption on physiology. Methods: Ten participants with elevated or stage-one hypertension underwent a randomized crossover trial with a controlled feeding intervention of a Western-style meal in the morning or the evening. Participants completed a run-in day to standardize diet followed by the experimental day. On day 2, participants completed ambulatory blood pressure, core temperature, …

From Temporary Nurse Aide To Certified Nurse Aide: Examining Temporary Nurse Aides’ Perceptions Of Situated Learning As Preparation For The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination, Amy Taloma

Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) staffing shortages in Long Term Care (LTC) facilities. To address these shortages, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized LTC facilities to employ Temporary Nurse Aides (TNA). The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) developed free online training for individuals which is much shorter than traditional nurse aide training and does not require hands-on skill training or a clinical practicum. The Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended in October 2022. As a result, TNAs are no longer authorized to work in LTC Facilities …

Evaluation Of Cervical Dentin Removal After Orifice Shaping In Maxillary Premolars: A Micro Ct Study, Abdulaziz Mallik

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The research aims to compare the volume and percentage of pericervical dentin removed by Gates Glidden Drills, ProTaper SX, and a 20-06 Rotary File.

Methods: A total of 24 extracted two-rooted maxillary first premolars were divided into three groups (n=8) and were coronally flared using either Gates-Glidden Drills, ProTaper Gold SX, or a 20-06 Brasseler Endosequence CM Rotary File. Pre- and post-flaring micro-CT scans were obtained. The dentin volume of the buccal canals was measured from the chamber floor and 2 mm apically in the buccal canal only. Data were analyzed using the ANCOVA test to compare dentin removal …

Fitbit Engagement In An Health Physical Activity Intervention For Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis Of The Impact Randomized Controlled Trial, Jessica Gomez Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Wearable devices allow for objective remote and real-time data collection and have been increasingly popular among the general public and in mHealth activity (PA) interventions. Despite this, our knowledge of feasibility and efficacy for using wearable devices to increase PA among a particularly vulnerable population—young adult cancer survivors age 18-39 (YACS)—is limited. Engaging in physical activity while undergoing cancer treatment contributes to reduced risk for recurrence and secondary cancers, and can also help to manage treatment side effects. However, there are a multitude of barriers to PA engagement among cancer survivors, with YACS in particular demonstrating low rates of PA. …

Community Informant And Mental Health Provider Perspectives On Access To Mental Healthcare For Lgbtqia+ Communities In Virginia, Chariz Seijo

Theses and Dissertations

The existing literature on mental health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) populations suggests members of LGBTQIA+ populations are at greater risk of mental health disorders than cisgender and heterosexual individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated mental health disparities for many, including LGBTQIA+ populations. Combined with mental health provider shortages and anti- LGBTQIA+ bills across the country, inequities in mental healthcare are a significant concern. This qualitative study was designed to gather unique perspectives of key community informants and mental health providers on their experiences with mental healthcare provision to LGBTQIA+ communities in Virginia. …

Obesity Knowledge And Bmi In Caregiver-Adolescent Dyads: A Descriptive Comparative Pilot Study, John Sykes, John Sykes

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity and associated health risks and costs continue to increase. The majority of these health and cost ramifications manifest in adulthood, making it imperative to intercept the problem during childhood. Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of the research surrounding adolescents and obesity to date involves subjects that are already overweight or obese, and the focus of those interventions are on secondary and tertiary prevention. Focusing on primary prevention of childhood obesity could ultimately decrease the incidence, prevalence, and disease-related burden to society. It is posited that the 20% difference in obesity prevalence between adults and children …

Established Colonization Of Sneathia Vaginalis In A Mouse Model, Kailyn E. Turcios-Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Sneathia vaginalis (Sv) is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. Sv can traverse the fetal membrane and damage epithelial cells in vitro by producing a pore-forming cytotoxin, cytopathogenic toxin A (CptA). To further understand the transition of Sv from normal flora to a pathogen, an animal in vivo model needs to be created to observe the preliminary ascending infection before we begin to study the effects on pregnancy. Experimentation was conducted to optimize mouse breed, bacteria administration methods, and other variables that arise when working in vivo. The C57BL/6 mouse strain displayed the most consistent …

Investigating The Impact Of Chronic Inflammatory Pain On Ethanol Consumption In Mouse Models., Joshua L. Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain affects nearly 20% of Americans annually and for many alcohol provides a convenient and legally acquired palliative. Population-based studies have suggested a link between increased alcohol use and reduced pain, but chronic or excessive alcohol use potentiates the risk to develop alcohol dependence and neuropathy. However, sex differences in chronic pain and alcohol abuse are still not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic inflammatory pain using the inflammatory agent Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) model could alter ethanol consumption in male and female C57BL/6J mice. We observed that only CFA-treated male mice increased their ethanol …

Exploring The Role Of Senescence In Disuse-Induced Bone Loss And Therapeutic Strategies For Prevention, Steven J. Meas

Theses and Dissertations

Both age-related and disuse-related bone loss result in decreases in bone mineral density, cortical thickness, and trabecular thickness and connectivity. Disuse induces physiological changes in bone similar to those seen with aging. This study compared age- and disuse-related bone loss using C57BL/6J mice of various ages that were hind-limb unloaded (HLU). In male and female mice, HLU induced a bone phenotype between those of 6-month-old and 22-month-old control mice. Gene analysis suggested that HLU leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, while aging primarily downregulates cell cycle processes. Although, the specific response to HLU appeared to be dependent on age. The study identified …

Enhancing Chemotherapeutic Efficacy Of Doxorubicin Through Combination Therapy With Rapamycin And Sildenafil, While Providing Cardioprotection In Breast Cancer Models, Rebecca Mathew

Theses and Dissertations

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a common chemo-drug for breast cancer, but it causes severe cardiotoxicity. This study explores combining Sildenafil (Sild) and Rapamycin (Rapa), which inhibit phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) and mTOR, respectively, to boost DOX’s anticancer, but provide cardioprotection. Triple negative human (MDA-MB-231) and murine (4T1) breast cancer cells were treated with DOX (1 µM) with/without Rapa (100 nM) and Sild (10 µM) for 24-72 hours to analyze cell death, cell viability assays and protein expression. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer (SKBr3) spheroids were treated with the same concentrations of DOX and/or AG825 (5µM) with/without Rapa and/or Sild for …