Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Chemical Fragrances On Child Health And Development, Katie L. Gilton

HIM 1990-2015

The American public is bombarded with chemically fragranced products every day, typically in combination with each other. These products can include cosmetics, perfumes, detergents, air fresheners, soaps, and deodorants. Contained in these fragranced products are chemicals that can be harmful to child health and development. Many articles have been published examining the chemicals found in fragranced products and the effects that these chemicals can have on the human body. This integrated literature review examines empirical evidence related to the health and safety of particular chemicals used in these products. Nurses need to be aware of the actual and potential harms …

Bigger Is Better? A Comparative Study Of Humanitarian Efforts Of International Organizations In Haiti, Crisely Melecio Zambrano

HIM 1990-2015

This thesis conducts a comparative study of international organizations in regard to their effectiveness towards addressing humanitarian concerns in Haiti. The three case studies are the operations of the United Nations, Catholic Relief Services, and REBUILD Globally, predominantly after the January 2010 quake. The hypothesis supported in this study is that the services of smaller organizations prove to be more successful than larger NGOs, although they do not have the immense resources of organizations such as the United Nations. The independent variables are type and quantity of funding, form of humanitarian work, and duration of support. All three variables establish …

Ucf Student Perceptions Of A Smoke-Free Campus Policy, Alyssa Roman

HIM 1990-2015

Within the last few decades, the prevalence of cigarette smoking has decreased because of the vast amount of research which indicates that smoking leads to health problems many of which are potentially fatal. Also, smoking harms not only those whom choose to smoke but non-smokers in the area are affected by even low levels of cigarette smoke. Thus, cigarette smoking has become a public health concern. Around the globe, countries are passing smoke-free laws in public areas such as businesses, restaurants, and bars. In the United States, many universities have enacted smoke-free campus policies to ensure the health of all …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Adolescent Breastfeeding, Darci L. Pelland

Theses and Dissertations

Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for human babies, which makes breastfeeding beneficial in so many ways. Breastfeeding promotes health for both the mother and infant, helps prevent disease, and reduces health care and feeding costs. With the superior qualities of breast milk becoming better-established in medical literature, breastfeeding rates have increased; however, many adolescents remain unaware of the role of breastfeeding in health promotion and disease prevention. This independent study identifies the barriers to breastfeeding in which adolescents face as well as strategies to facilitate breastfeeding among this population. The methodology includes a comprehensive review of …

Coping In Parents Of Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Gloria A. Ayuck

Theses and Dissertations

Coping in parents of autistic children has been studied extensively with emphasis on the effect oflong-term disability on families. The increase in the prevalence of autism in the United States increases the likelihood that many families will be managed by midlevel providers including advanced practice nurses (APNs). Parents and siblings of children with ASDs suffer from more stress and mental health issues than families with typically developing children or other disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Down syndrome. The purpose of this independent study was to review the literature and practice guidelines examinjng coping in parents of …

Vitamin D And Malignant Melanoma Outcomes, Jenna L. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Ultraviolet exposure from sunlight and other sources is the major risk factor for the development of malignant melanoma of the skin. Exposure to sunlight is also the main pathway the human body obtains vitamin D. Cell proliferation, differentiation and inhibition is mediated in part by vitamin D, leading researchers to suspect vitamin D has a protective role in various cancers, including melanoma. The purpose of the project was to review the current available literature focusing on the relationship between vitamin D levels and melanoma outcomes. The review of the literature was designed to address the clinical question: What is the …

Implementation Of An Exercise Program In Assisted Living, Cherise A. Norby

Theses and Dissertations

Assisted living facilities are increasingly becoming a popular option for aging individuals. One thing found lacking in these facilities is a structured exercise program. In a review of literature, it was found that strength training programs have resulted in an improvement in elders' functional performance. It has been shown that an older adult can successfully perform strength training exercises. Strength training exercises can add muscle, increase strength, and enhance the elders' flexibility. This improved functional performance plays a significant role in the elders' ability to maintain their independence with ADLs (activities of daily living), which may result in a better …

Using Advanced Practice Nurses As Care Managers For Community Dwelling Elders With Chronic Disease, Andrea J. Athmann-Luksik

Theses and Dissertations

This study looks at the evidence for using Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) as care managers for community-dwelling older adults with chronic disease. A literature review was conducted and twelve articles were reviewed to look at the potential for care management to (a) decrease resource utilization, (b) improve health outcomes, (c) improve quality of care, and ( d) decrease costs. It then summarizes the best practices of transitional and primary care management programs and how these best-practices could be implemented into a policy and procedure with protocols between a tribal IHS service unit and the associated Tribal Health Depart

Effects Of Television’S Portrayal Of Female Beauty On African-American Women, Zuma Oshiotse Ikharo

Theses (Pre-2016)

Thin idealized television images impact women from varying cultures and backgrounds. There has been limited research on the effects that such images have on African-American women. Therefore, the question of whether African-American women participate in disordered eating habits and if they are negatively influenced by thin images that are presented by the media is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine how thin idealized television images affect African-American women. This study surveyed 193 African-American women currently enrolled at Texas Southern University, which is a historically black institution. The survey administered to the female participants sought to answer …

A Survey Of Heterologous Expression Systems For The Production Of Bovine Follicle Stimulating Hormone And Luteinizing Hormone, Marcia Hesser

All Dissertations

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are glycoprotein gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary gland that are involved in reproductive functions. They are heterodimeric proteins that share a common α-subunit that is highly conserved amongst mammalian species, and is also conserved across this family of proteins. The β-subunit confers receptor specificity and is distinct. Recombinant gonadotropin expression would be an important advance for the bovine superovulation industry, as there are a number of disadvantages associated with the currently used pituitary-derived gonadotropins. For example, these pituitary products are contaminated with other proteins including hormones, exhibit batch-to-batch inconsistencies, and harbor the …

Decolorization Of An Azo And Anthraquinone Textile Dye By A Mixture Of Living And Non-Living Trametes Versicolor Fungus, Christine M. Dykstra

HIM 1990-2015

Wastewater from the textile industry is difficult to treat effectively due to the prevalent use and wide variety of synthetic dyes that are resistant to conventional treatment methods. White-rot fungi, such as Trametes versicolor, have been found to be effective in decolorizing many of these synthetic dyes and current research is focusing on their application to wastewater treatment. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the ability of both living and nonliving Trametes versicolor to separately decolorize textile dyes, no studies were found to have investigated the use of a mixture of live and dead fungus for decolorization. This study …

Foraging Behavior And Risk Assessment Of Six Hummingbird Species In Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2011, Emily Ellison

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

The predation risk allocation hypothesis (RAH) theorizes that animals display more anti-predator behavior in high-risk situations, and should spend less time foraging in high risk situations. Hummingbirds are risk sensitive foragers, and this study examines whether several different species of tropical hummingbirds can assess risk, supporting the RAH. Hummingbirds were presented with feeder location and view obstruction risk situations, and their preferences and foraging behaviors were used to determine their ability to assess risk. This study indicated that hummingbirds have the ability to assess risk, although species differed in their ability depending on the type and severity of the risk …

A Cross-National Analysis Of The Nutrition Habits Of Hispanic Mothers And Daughters, Monica N. Ramirez

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

The rates of obesity in Hispanic women increased significantly between 1994 and 2008 from 35.3% to 45.1% (National Center for Health Statistics, 2010). Poor nutritional habits and obesity have longterm negative health ramifications that warrant targeted efforts to stem this growing epidemic. Two articles are included in this portfolio. The first article discusses the state of the science in relation to cultural aspects of nutrition choices of Hispanic women. The aim of this article is to set the context for the cross-national study which is the focus of the second article. This study examines current eating habits, weight history, health …

Empowerment As A Hypertension Management Strategy For African American Women, E'Loria Simon Campbell

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Successful health management strategies remain elusive for the 25 million African- American (AA) women afflicted with high blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to determine if a psychological empowerment coaching (PEC) intervention had an impact on health promotion outcomes. The primary research strategy measured the impact of a PEC intervention on health care empowerment, self-efficacy, intent to exercise, and health outcomes among hypertensive AA women. Pender's Revised Health Promotion Model (Figure 1) served as the theoretical model for this quasi-experimental study utilizing pretest-posttest measurement with subjects serving as their own controls. A convenience sample of 35 hypertensive women …

Alimentación De La Vaca Seca, Fernando Diaz Royon, Alvaro Garcia, Kenneth Kalscheur

SDSU Extension Extra Archives

En condiciones ideales las vacas lecheras pro¬ducirían leche durante 305 días del año y per-manecerían secas 60 días (tabla 1). La alimentación para niveles de producción altos en realidad comienza durante este periodo seco o hacia fines de la lactancia previa. Con periodos de secado menores a 40 días no existe suficiente tiempo para la regeneración del tejido mamario lo que puede resultar en pérdidas de producción durante la lactancia siguiente de entre 20 y 40%. Periodos secos mayores a 70 días no prom¬ueven un aumento en la producción y pueden resultar en complicaciones al parto lo cual es costoso …

The Self: Your Own Worst Enemy? A Test Of The Self-Invoking Trigger Hypothesis, Bradley J. Mckay

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The self invoking trigger hypothesis was recently proposed by Wulf and Lewthwaite (2010) as the mechanism underlying the robust effects of attentional focus on motor learning and performance. The hypothesis suggests that causing individuals to access their self schema will negatively impact their ability to learn and perform a motor skill. The purpose of the present study was to provide an initial test of this hypothesis by causing one group of participants to activate their self schema in a straightforward manner. Participants (N = 32) were assigned to either a self-activated or control condition and asked to practice a wiffleball …

Exploring Geographic Proximity To Fast-Food Restaurants And Convenience Stores With Dental Caries In Patients At The University Of Nevada Las Vegas School Of Dental Medicine, Charles K. Hill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Dental caries is present worldwide and has afflicted over 90% of all adults in the United States. Biological determinants of the disease are well understood but social determinants and how they interact with biological factors are not. Programs designed to reduce incidence and prevalence of caries often target certain individuals and involve behavioral change. Some programs are more successful when environmental and societal issues are also addressed (Watt, 2002). Biological and behavioral processes leading to caries should include the modification of social factors to enhance results of prevention programs designed to reduce caries in populations. Preventing disease comes not only …

Analysis Of Ghrelin Concentrations In Serum Samples Processed At One, Two, And Three Hours After Collection, Christine E. Prato

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Obesity is becoming an epidemic of modern society. While the health-related consequences of obesity have been well studied, scientists continue to search for biological risk factors associated with this disease. Since the 1999 discovery of an appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin, researchers have further questioned the physiological interactions that lead to obesity. The fundus of the stomach, as well as the intestines and kidneys produce ghrelin before it circulates throughout the body and attaches to its receptor sites located within the section of the brain responsible for appetite-regulation. The hormone increases and decreases in a circadian rhythm that may dictate the routine …

The Development And Evaluation Of A Safety Skill Intervention For Child Victims Of Neglect, Heather H. Hill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Child neglect is the least studied, yet most frequently indicated, type of child maltreatment. Still, there are few assessment and treatment methods specifically designed for victims of child neglect. Unintentional injuries have long remained the leading cause of death for children in the United States after the first year of life, and research suggests the majority of these child fatalities are actually the result of child neglect. Homes of neglectful families are often inundated with safety hazards but child-focused home safety skill interventions have yet to be developed. Thus, the present study focused on the development and initial evaluation of …

Lead Concentrations In Extracted Primary Teeth Among Clark County Pediatric Patients, Jennifer A. Berger

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Childhood lead poisoning is a completely preventable condition, yet only a small portion of children in Nevada are screened for elevated blood lead levels. In 2009 only 6.11 percent of children in Nevada were screened for lead indicating that Nevada would benefit from an alternative method of screening for childhood lead exposure. Deciduous teeth are not currently recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as diagnostic samples for the measurement for lead exposure. However, this unique and innovative detection method utilizes opportunistic samples that will contribute to the childhood lead poisoning prevention efforts in Nevada.

The objectives of …

Bioarchaeology Of Compassion: Exploring Extreme Cases Of Pathology In A Bronze Age Skeletal Population From Tell Abraq, U.A.E., Jamie D. Vilos

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Tell Abraq is a Bronze Age archaeological site located in the modern day United Arab Emirates and was occupied from the 3rd millennium BC to the 1st century AD. The coastal location provided access to both marine and agricultural resources as well as trade routes and foreign exchange. The tomb at the site was in use for 200 years (2200-2000 BC) and housed the commingled remains of a minimum of 286 adults. These individuals lived hard lives, dependent on good health to maintain a life-line of sustenance for themselves and each other. A number of individuals with severe expressions of …

Calcium Supplemental Usage And Potential Health Issues Sssociated With The Rate Of Usage In Las Vegas, Nv, Tanesha Nicole Moss

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Calcium is a very important nutrient and as such, it is very important that all humans consume sufficient amounts. However, some calcium supplements have been known to contain small quantities of lead. This research project used a retrospective approach to explore the trade-off between the benefits of calcium vs. the potential lead exposure amongst people who are taking these supplements. A survey consisting of 10 questions was used to try to assess the rate of consumption of specific types of calcium supplements. This research project obtained lead levels in calcium supplements from previous research and applied that data into this …

Identifying And Reducing Lead Exposure Associated With The Use Of Cultural Practices In Southern Nevada Hispanic Communities, Maria Castillo-Couch

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite large amounts of national data on lead and childhood lead poisoning, the status of childhood lead exposure in Nevada as a result of the use of cultural practices in the Hispanic population is unknown. The influx of immigrant Hispanic populations to Nevada, their low education level, the high number of them who are living in poverty present an increased risk for children to be exposed to lead through the use of imported consumables, home remedies and alternative medicine (i.e., healers/ sobadores).

A 61-question survey collected data from Hispanics over 18 years of age who have or take care …

The Effect Of Self-Controlled Practice On Forearm Passing, Motivation, And Affect In Women’S Volleyball Players, Nels Rydberg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Motor learning research has suggested that self-controlled practice (or “autonomy”) leads to more effective learning of motor tasks. Debate continues, however, as to why. Most motor behaviorists maintain the better learning is due to cognitive and information-processing factors. Recently, others have proposed the learning enhancement is due to such psychological factors as motivation and affect. The present study sought to measure motor skill learning, intrinsic motivation, and affect in self-controlled versus externally-controlled (yoked) practice conditions.

Participants, 16 collegiate women’s volleyball student-athletes from two National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I programs, were paired by forearm passing skill level, and one of …

The Effect Of Low-Cost Incentives On Active Transportation To School Rates Among Elementary School Students, Sheila G.J. Clark

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study assessed the effectiveness of a school-based active transportation to school (ATS) encouragement program for elementary school students. ATS shows promise for increasing physical activity and preventing excessive weight gain in children. ATS rates were assessed through frequency counts at the control school (N=697) and intervention school (N=693). The intervention encouraged ATS through the distribution of low-cost incentives on one weekday each week. It also required helmet use for participation and included a Walking School Bus component. Findings from this study suggest that the intervention effectively increased ATS on both intervention and non-intervention days.

Agonist And Stabilizer Muscle Activity During A Push Up On Unstable Surfaces, Anthony J. Dyrek

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A recent trend among fitness professionals is to have clients perform resistance exercises on unstable equipment. Anecdotally, this is done with the intent that stabilizing and agonist muscles are more active while doing certain exercises on unstable surfaces. However, there are limited data as to whether or not this is the case and no studies have investigated muscle activity while doing the same exercise on surfaces that offer different levels of stability. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to measure electromyography (EMG) during push up exercise performed on unstable surfaces as well as on the ground. Surface EMG was …

Effect Of Aquastretch On Range Of Motion At Knee Joint In Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients, Raja Devinder Kochar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The success of the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) depends upon its functional outcomes of increase in reduction in pain, and gait ambulation and performing functional activities of daily living. Compromised range of motion, pain and weakness can reduce their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aquatic Physical Therapy may offer an alternative intervention to traditional Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and many studies have shown improvements in range of motion, swelling, pain reduction, stiffness and quality of life after TKA. AquaStretch, a relatively new form of aquatic therapy, claims to restore the functional mobility which is lost restrictions caused due to …

Examining Activity Levels And Motor Proficiency: A Comparison Of Children Who Are Overweight And At A Healthy Weight To Their Parents And Peers, Aaron Copeland, Maresa Madsen, Riley Phelps, Brandon Richards

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships and differences between motor proficiency, activity level, and parental activity level in children who are at a healthy weight and children who are overweight or obese.

Methods: Forty-four children (26 children at a healthy weight and 18 children who were overweight or obese) between the ages of 8-16 (BMI: 14.3-43.6 kg/m2) and 36 parents (BMI: 18.1-44.7) participated in this study. Children and parents wore StepWatch activity monitors (SAM) to measure activity levels over a 72 hour period. Tests reflecting several determinants of motor performance were also administered to …

Effects Of Environment On Children's Motor Scores, Eligibility Status, And Administration Times, Derrick Mittelstadt, Abigail Parker, Kirsten Pickett, Heather Temkin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Best practices for assessing developmental skills in young children focus on naturalistic observation in everyday settings, but the effects of environment on test scores, eligibility status and administration time have not been explored. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition (PDMS-2) was administered to 34 children aged 18 to 59 months in natural and pull-out settings. PDMS-2 total, gross, and fine motor quotient (TMQ, GMQ, and FMQ) scores were significantly lower in the natural environment (p’s≤.014). Based on our results, more children would qualify for services when tested in natural environments using TMQ and GMQ scores. It also took significantly longer …

Resilient Leadership In High Poverty Schools, Edward P. San Nicolas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Children in high poverty schools often receive inadequate services in dilapidated facilities while enduring inexperienced and unprepared educators (Darling-Hammond, 2004). Communities with a dense impoverished population in turn create school wide poverty, which is ultimately more detrimental than individual family poverty (Books, 2004). With most teachers leaving impoverished urban schools within the first five years, it is no surprise of the difficulty to retain qualified and professional school leaders. As suggested by Haberman (2005), attracting educators with specific qualities to fill these critical roles may be the best route to lasting success. Equally important is the possibility to transform existing …