Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment And Measurement Of Adherence To Oral Antineoplastic Agents, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Charles W. Given

Peer Reviewed Articles

OBJECTIVES: The increase in oral anticancer medications with complex regimens creates a need to assure patients are taking therapeutic dosages as prescribed. This article reviews the assessment and measurement of adherence to oral antineoplastic agents.

DATA SOURCE: Research and journal articles from CINAHL and Pub Med.

CONCLUSION: Assessing and measuring adherence to oral antineoplastic should include three dimensions: the percentage of medications taken, the duration, and the timing of taking the medication.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinicians need to conduct ongoing assessment and measurement of adherence to oral antineoplastic agents. This includes eliciting patient report of adherence, pill counts, drug diaries, …

Integration Of Ce-Sscp In Genetic Analysis: Fabrication And Optimization Of The Polymer Matrix, Hannah Lintag

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Genetic analysis has become an essential aspect in the field of biological research. Genetic material contains an abundance of information that can be harnessed, from the pathological study of diseases to the identification of algal species used for alternative fuel. The detection of genetic species and/or their mutated counterparts is an approach that still warrants improvement, however. Capillary electrophoresis-single strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) offers a rapid and highly-reproducible means to detect alterations in genetic material. In this project, its implementation in the field of genetic studies as a way to detect mutations in hereditary diseases and identifying species via genetic …

Biodiesel Production From Waste Algae Through Supercritical Methanol And Solid Catalysts, Alexander Lopez

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The need for alternate fuels continues to rise as fossil fuel reserves decline, and the effects of harmful fuel emissions on the environment begin to take its toll. One alternate fuel that has great potential is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum based fuel composed of alkyl esters from feedstocks. Using biodiesel as an alternate fuel source has a variety of advantages over traditional petroleum diesel, including producing no SOx emissions and low COx emissions. Another important advantage of biodiesel is that it can be produced from a wide variety of feedstocks. Biodiesel processes using waste cooking oil, animal fats, and …

“To Reveal Or Not To Reveal”?: A Comparison Of Hispanic Daughters' Openness Toward Mothers & Risky Behavior As A Function Of Father-Involvement, Cynthia A. Chavez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Using Communication Privacy Management Theory as a framework, this study examined the relationship between father-involvement, daughter-mother openness, and risky behavior. All participants were given a questionnaire that measured their openness toward their mother, perceived/desired father involvement, and their risk behavior. The questionnaire addressed subject’s willingness to disclose information on specific topics (i.e. sex, pregnancy, contraception and drugs) that involve high risks when disclosed. This specificity of topics will serve as an aid to measure the extent or degree of openness that may exist within the daughter-mother relationship as a function of father-involvement and at risk behaviors. Predicted results are expected …

Spatial Variations In Willingness To Pay For Water At The Local And Regional Scales Using Geographically Weighted Regression, Robyn Lane Dennis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two decades of rapid urban growth and increasing per capita water consumption has left water providers in Northwest Arkansas concerned about their ability to meet future demand for water. Beaver Water District (BWD) is the largest of four regional water providers that draw from Beaver Lake, the only source of potable water in the region. Growth projections and per capita consumption patterns indicate that BWD could exhaust its raw water allocation as early as 2031. Municipal water customers served by BWD were surveyed about their stated priorities for water use, their water conservation behaviors, and their attitudes and perceptions about …

Eastern, Spring/Summer 2011, Eastern Washington University. Division Of University Relations.

Alumni Publications

This issue contains articles about: Boots2Suits, Eastern grad, Drew Peneton, helps veterans transition from military life to the civilian job sector, and Favorite Professor, readers share memories of professor who impacted their lives, and Big careers start at Eastern, Alumna Betsy Speare plays leading role at Microsoft, and A course for Success, Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus's right-hand man and Eastern alum, Paul Stringer takes the game worldwide, and Writers in the community, Graduate students, like Paul Merchant and Luke Hammons, share love of teaching the written word to prisoners in Airway Heights Correctional Center

Relative Abundance Of Mitochondria Rich Cell Types In Threespine Stickleback: Interpopulation Differences And Salinity Effects, Dante Paolino

Honors Scholar Theses

The objective of this study is to determine whether there are evolutionary trade-offs among populations isolated to different salinities in nature with regards to mitochondria rich (MR) cell production. We expected differences among populations in MR cell abundances due to the energy requirements needed to maintain and produce these cells. Eggs from three populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were hatched and reared for 10 weeks and then the fish were put into one of two salinity challenges: either 0.4 ppt freshwater or 35 ppt saltwater for 13 days. The populations consisted of one isolated to freshwater, one isolated …

Modeling Plant Ranges Over 75 Years Of Climate Change In California, Usa: Temporal Transferability And Species Traits, Solomon Z. Dobrowski, James H. Thorne, Johnathan A. Greenberg, Hugh D. Safford, Alison R. Mynsberge, Shawn M. Crimmins, Alan K. Swanson

Forest Management Faculty Publications

Species distribution model (SDM) projections under future climate scenarios are increasingly being used to inform resource management and conservation strategies. A critical assumption for projecting climate change responses is that SDMs are transferable through time, an assumption that is largely untested because investigators often lack temporally independent data for assessing transferability. Further, understanding how the ecology of species influences temporal transferability is critical yet almost wholly lacking. This raises two questions. (1) Are SDM projections transferable in time? (2) Does temporal transferability relate to species ecological traits? To address these questions we developed SDMs for 133 vascular plant species using …

An Investigation Of The Composition, Microbial Digestion And Potential Applications Of An Industrial By-Product Of Seaweed Extraction, Juncal Nogales Esteban

Theses

Commercial preparation of seaweed extract from Ascophyllum nodosum, for use as fertilizer and soil improver, produces a residue which requires remediation. This residue is rich in nutrients and offers potential for other added-value products. The residue’s composition and microbial flora were studied, a microbial digestion system was developed, and extracts were screened for anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activities.

The residue had a pH of 8.61±0.39, 16% (w/w) TS which comprised 40.6% minerals, 29.5% fibre, 20.9% lipid, 4.9% protein and 0.48% polyphenols. The microbial digestion included an initial 3-day anaerobic phase during which pH decreased from 9.12 to 7.89. At day 3, …

Breeding Habitat Structure And Use By Kansas-Occurring Black Rail, Stephanie A. Kane

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Two subspecies of Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicenis) occur in the United States, and neither has been studied extensively. Of the two, the Eastern subspecies (L. j. jamaicenis) has a larger range, but has been studied to a lesser degree than the California subspecies (L. j. coturniculus) Eastern Black Rail are known to breed at several locations in Kansas, but as in other inland populations, precisely where these individuals overwinter is unknown. Additionally, little information is available on characteristics of breeding habitat for inland Eastern Black Rail populations, and few studies have investigated the effect of habitat management techniques on these …

Odious Discrimination And The Religious Exemption Question, Laura S. Underkuffler

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

Recently, claims have been asserted that religious exemptions should be afforded to individuals who object to providing public and commercial services to gay and lesbian individuals, as otherwise mandated by law (e.g., municipal clerks who must grant same-sex marriage licenses, or commercial vendors who are asked to serve at same-sex weddings). This article argues that just as religious exemptions of this sort are not granted for discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, or gender, they should not be granted for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status. Discrimination on the basis of an individual's …

Sulforaphane Prevents Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Injury In Mice., Robin H. Schmidt 1984-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, is known to confer antioxidant protection in vivo. Rather than directly reacting with free radicals, however, SFN works by inducing Nrf2, a transcription factor that binds to the promoter regions of several known antioxidant genes and enhances detoxification. Because oxidative stress is a major contributor to acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, SFN may defend the liver against APAP overdose by activating the Nrf2 pathway and increasing endogenous antioxidant response. To test this hypothesis, mice were pre-treated with SFN for four days, injected with APAP on the fifth day, and sacrificed shortly thereafter. APAP overdose …

Species Composition, Demographics, And Ecosystem Services Of Residential Trees In Louisville, Kentucky., Shannon A. Scroggins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trees in urban residential neighborhoods provide valuable ecosystem services. Urban trees also face threats from disturbances, such as storms. In 2008, the Urban Forest Effects model was used to estimate abundance and species composition of residential trees and their ecosystem services in 10 of 26 council districts in Louisville, Kentucky. Ten tree species were found to compose half of the estimated 822,576 residential trees in the ten districts, with Celtis occidentalis being most numerous. The ability of sociodemographic and housing variables to predict the distribution of trees and ecosystem services was weak. The strongest relationships were found between % single …

Evaluating Commercially Available Diagnostic Tests For The Detection Of Clavibacter Michiganensis Subsp. Nebraskensis, Cause Of Goss's Bacterial Wilt And Leaf Blight In Corn, Kevin A. Korus

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Goss’s wilt and blight of corn, caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) subsp. nebraskensis (Cmn), is currently diagnosed by symptom identification and successful isolation onto CNS selective medium. An ELISA test kit and ImmunoStrips (Agdia^®) specific to Cm michiganensis (Cmm) reportedly give a cross-reaction with Cm subspecies. Also, the GEN III OmniLog Identification system (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA) is said to provide accurate identification of Cm subspecies. These tests would provide a quick and inexpensive method for diagnosis of Cmn but have not been previously validated. ELISA test kits were provided by Agdia for the detection of …

Self-Monitoring Personality At Work Revisited: A Comparative Meta-Analysis, Michael P. Wilmot

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The validity of self-monitoring personality in work and organizational settings was reexamined. Comparative meta-analyses using both random-effects and fixed-effects models were conducted (349 total samples; N = 75,811) to test the relationship between self-monitoring personality and work-related and demographic correlates, as well as the reliability of the self-monitoring measures. Contributions were made to the literatures of self-monitoring and meta-analysis. Self-monitoring: Results indicated that self-monitoring related to a number of relevant organizational outcomes, including job effectiveness and success, leadership, and ingratiation. Some results ran contrary to the prior meta-analysis (Day, Shleicher, Unckless, & Hiller, 2002). Meaningful differences were found between the …

The Process Of Becoming A Strong Glbt Family: A Grounded Theory, Maureen E. Todd

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Using the qualitative method of grounded theory, data were collected from 21 couples who identified as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and/or Transgender (GLBT) from across the country. The purpose of this grounded theory was to generate a model that explains the process of developing family strengths in GLBT couples. In-depth interviews (both in person and phone interviews), observations with field notes, and member checking were used. A theoretical model was developed describing 1) the central phenomenon of strong GLBT families, 2) the contexts in which GLBT families thrive, 3) the various strategies GLBT couples use to build and maintain their strengths, …

Population Genetics Of The Western Bean Cutworm (Striacosta Albicosta Smith) Across The United States, Erica Lindroth

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith), is a secondary pest of maize (Zea mays L.) and dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the western United States. Recently, this insect has undergone a major territory expansion into the eastern US and has become a pest throughout much of the Corn Belt. This study was instigated to examine the population genetics of this pest to facilitate control and resistance management, as well as to shed light on the current habitat expansion. To this end, western bean cutworm individuals were collected from 28 different locations across the traditional and expanded …

Genetic Variability And Gene Flow Of The Fall Armyworm Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) In The Western Hemisphere And Susceptibility To Insecticides, Difabachew B. Kondidie

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an economically important pest of maize, sorghum, cotton, and rice in the Western Hemisphere. Previous studies on genetic diversity of FAW focused on identification of the corn and rice host strains; there is limited information about geographic genetic variation. To bridge this gap, I investigated the genetic diversity of FAW using representative samples from the United States, Argentina, Panama, and Puerto Rico with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). This study also investigated the susceptibility of the Puerto Rico FAW population to ten different insecticides used by Dow AgroSciences …

Nutrient Runoff Following Manure Application, Chance Thayer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A field study was completed to measure the effects of varying flow rate on nutrient transport following the application of varying amounts of beef cattle manure to plots containing either no-residue or a wheat residue cover.  Beef cattle manure was applied and incorporated into the soil in May 2010 to meet zero, one, two, four or eight year corn phosphorus requirements. Simulated rainfall events were applied in June and July 2010. The presence of a crop residue cover significantly increased the transport of dissolved phosphorus, total phosphorus, NO₃-N, NH₄-N, and total nitrogen in runoff but decreased …

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Response To The Restoration Of A Hypereutrophic Midwestern Reservoir, Jennifer L. Swanson

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Eutrophication has been the most challenging global threat to the quality of our freshwater resources (Likens, 2010). Reversing the effects of eutrophication can be difficult and takes a great deal of time and money. A hypereutrophic Midwestern reservoir underwent a restoration from 2000-2002, which added a sediment basin at the inlet, three islands, five rock jetties, and the removal of rough fish. The primary objective of this study was to determine changes in the benthic macroinvertebrate community in response to the restoration. Water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate samples were collected once per month in June, July, August, and September in …

Natural Selection And Age-Related Variation In Morphology Of A Colonial Bird, Mary Bomberger Brown

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In May 1996, inclement weather led to the deaths of thousands of Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in Nebraska. Survivors had larger skeletons, shorter wings and tails, and less wing asymmetry than non-survivors. This population was followed for 10 years to study 1) whether natural selection events result in permanent microevolutionary changes, 2) if variation in climate affects the development of morphological traits, and 3) if morphological traits vary systematically with age.

Patterns in morphology exhibited by swallows following the selection event were studied by measuring yearling birds. Wing and middle tail lengths decreased, beak length and width increased, …

Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse And Alcohol: Proposed Pathways To Problematic Drinking In College Via Ptsd Symptoms, Emotion Dysregulation, And Dissociative Tendencies, Alicia K. Klanecky

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Research has discussed the use of alcohol to self-medicate posttraumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms following child/adolescent sexual abuse (CASA). Less research has examined the self-medication hypothesis in college students. Further, investigation of the self-medication hypothesis generally precludes the integration of additional psychological vulnerabilities that may impact students’ alcohol consumption. Supported by the “dynamic” stress-diathesis perspective, emotion regulation (ER) difficulties and insufficient dissociative tendencies existing prior to and potentially altered after CASA exposure may relate to problematic alcohol use. The current study aimed to provide an initial, cross-sectional examination of 1) the relations between CASA exposure severity and alcohol use, 2) the …

Communicatively Forming Developed Adoptive Identity: Explicating The Association Between Parental Communication, Developed Adoptive Identity, And Adoptee Adjustment, Colleen Colaner

Department of Communication Studies: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Adoptive families are inherently discursive, with communication acting as the lifeblood connecting the child to his or her adoptive parents.  Adoptive families rely upon communication to create and maintain their relational bond.  Communication is also the basis of our understanding of self as our identities are rooted in social interaction.  Identity development for the adoptees is a unique process in which adoptees construct both a cohesive definition of the self and an understanding of what it means to be an adopted person.  In the current study, I examined the communicative pathways through which adoptive identities are formed.  I specifically focused …

Characterization Of Novel Macrocyclic Polyether Modified Pseudostationary Phases For Use In Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography And Development Of A Chemiluminescence Presumptive Assay For Peroxide-Based Explosives, Raychelle Burks

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This work describes the first use and characterization of macrocyclic polyether (MP) modified sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) pseudostationary phases (PSPs) for use in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), as well as the development of a presumptive chemiluminescence assay for peroxide-based explosives. In MEKC separation and detection, resolution is optimized by using various PSPs or by altering the properties of a single PSP using different class I or II modifiers. Class I modifiers target the PSP through direct interaction with micelles, while class II organic modifiers operate by altering the BGE. The of MPs 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, and 12-crown-4 were used to modify …

Beneath The Forest, Volume 4, No. 1, Spring 2011, Johanna L. Kovarik

Beneath the Forest

Contents: Virgin Cave Survey Project - Disinfection-Just a Way of Life - Renewing Our Partnership with the Cave Research Foundation - The Attractive Nuisance at Big Ice Cave - The Three Fingers Survey Project - Regional Cave and Karst Coordinators

Evaluating Dimensional Accuracy And Reliability Of "Stitched" Small Field Of View (Ssfov) Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Cbct) Datasets For Use In Proprietary Dental Implant Guided Surgery Software, Nicholas Luke Egbert

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Recently a "stitched" small field of view (SSFOV) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) extraoral imaging system (Kodak 9000D, Carestream Health Inc, Kodak Dental Systems, Marne‑la‑Vallee, France) has been released. The benefits of the 3D stitching module of stitched SFOV CBCT may include: broader range of applications, affordability, flexibility, safety optimizing radiation dose and improved workflow. With the reduced effective dose of radiation and cost to both the patient and clinician, this superior imaging modality becomes more accessible to the community, potentially elevating the standard of care. Currently, stitched data sets are restricted to diagnostic data gathering only. To date, …

Inflammatory Proteins, Genetic Variation, And Environmental Influences On Health Care Associated Infection Development In Sepsis, Reba Antoinette Umberger

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of baseline systemic inflammation (pro‑inflammatory cytokine, anti‑inflammatory cytokine, and their ratio), genetic variability, and environment on the development of health care associated infections (HAI) among sepsis patients during their ICU stay (up to 28 days).

Methods: A prospective observation study was conducted at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Medical Intensive Care Unit over an 18 month period. A total of 78 patients were enrolled within 72 hours of presenting to the ICU with sepsis. Patient were excluded if they were receiving immunosuppressants (chemotherapy or greater than one mg/kg …

The Relationship Between Psychometrically-Defined Social Anxiety And Working Memory Performance, Timothy L. Paskowski

HIM 1990-2015

Anxiety disorders are among the most commonly diagnosed class of mental illness in the United States, and often involve abnormally high levels of stress and social fear. Despite high lifetime prevalence rates, social anxiety disorder (SAD) has remarkably low diagnosis and treatment rates. Furthermore, while individuals with other specific psychiatric disorders tend to exhibit significant neuropsychological deficits, neuropsychological functioning in individuals with SAD remains largely untested. A majority of the few existing studies concerning neuropsychological performance in SAD samples focus on specific functions, and their limited results are highly mixed. The primary objective of this investigation was to provide a …

A Critical Phenomenology Of Civilization, J. C. Brinson

HIM 1990-2015

Civilized culture is killing the planet. At present, we are facing the largest extinction event in 65 million years and the cause, according to most scholars, is "patently" human. My question, however, is not whether the mass destruction of the biosphere is the result of an unfortunate and misguided particularity within civilization (e.g., over consumption, driving too much, etc.), but rather: Is it the case that civilization, by its very nature, entails the destruction of the natural world and of both human and non-human communities? In the vein of a fairly recent movement in scholarship, my answer is a resounding …

Predictors Of Presence In Virtual Reality, Brandon Sollins

HIM 1990-2015

The subjective experience of presence is considered to be important in the treatment of anxiety disorders using virtual reality. Presence can be defined as a psychological phenomenon through which one's cognitive processes are oriented towards another world. Most of the research on presence has focused on the roles of technological factors influencing presence, while the number of studies focusing on the personality and physiological predictors are far fewer. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between various personality variables and presence, along with physiological correlates of presence when engaged in a virtual environment. The Presence Questionnaire, to determine their experience …