Digital Commons Network^™

An Investigation Of Chlorate And Perchlorate In Onsite-Generated Hypochlorite, Kaleisha Haynes Miller

2016 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This investigation evaluated the occurrence and concentration of chlorate and perchlorate in two low-strength onsite-generated hypochlorite systems in the DFW Metroplex, and attempted to correlate their concentrations to operating conditions and input materials of the generation process. Chlorate and perchlorate are disinfectant byproducts found in drinking water treated with hypochlorite and are known to pose potential health problems. Hypochlorite samples were quenched to remove chlorine and then analyzed using ion chromatography to determine the byproduct concentration. Results showed a correlation between byproduct concentration and the density of the solution as well as with the chlorine concentration. Other factors, such as …

Integrative Approaches For Large-Scale Biomedical Data Analysis, Ashis Kumer Biswas

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Advancement of the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), also known as the High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) technologies allow researchers investigate genome, transcriptome, or epigenome of any organism from any perspective, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the biomedical data repositories for many of the lesser known phenomena. The regulatory activities inside genome by the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), the transcribed product of the long-neglected "junk DNA" molecules is one such phenomenon. While large-scale data about the ncRNAs are becoming publicly available, the computational challenges are being imposed to the bioinformaticians for efficient mining to get reliable answers to few subtle questions. Given …

Compliance With Hand Hygiene Policy In A Nursing Home: A Pilot Study, Nina Ling

2016 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This project investigated the unanswered question of nursing staff’s practice and attitudes toward hand hygiene policy in a nursing home. Hand hygiene is the most essential measure known to limit nosocomial infection (Eveillard et al., 2011). The gerontologic population is one of the biggest population segments in the healthcare system due to the period of the baby boomers (Eveillard et al., 2011). This population is known to have a weaker immune system in comparison to younger generations (Travers et al., 2015). Infection prevention is especially important to prevent the geriatric cascade, and the decline in quality of life (Travers et …

Municipal Golf Facilities And The Democratization Of Golf: Does Government Structure Make A Difference?, Clifford Smith Blumberg

Public Affairs Dissertations - Archive

The game of golf has a tumultuous history that includes long bouts with classism, racism and sexism. From its arrival to the United States more than 200 years ago, golf has found itself as a barometer for democracy. The symbolism for elitism demonstrated through the demographic makeup of its participants is evident and remained practically unchanged during this time. However, within public administration, there is a massive void in research related to municipal golf policy. This study provides a comprehensive review of municipal golf policy in cities and towns where golf facilities are located in order to determine whether the …

Fiber Bragg Grating (Fbg) Sensors For The Simultaneous Measurements Of Strain And Temperature, Abhay Kumar Singh

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

This research presents a single fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor that is capable of measuring the axial load and temperature simultaneously. The FBG sensor is coated with a block of recrystallized Lophine, which introduces the bandwidth modulation of the FBG reflectance spectrum. Thermal-mechanical testing of the Lophine-coated FBG sensor under different load and temperature combinations was carried out. It was discovered that the FBG bandwidth is linearly proportional to the applied load and temperature. By fitting the measured FBG bandwidths and central Bragg wavelengths as linear functions of the axial load and temperature, we demonstrated that the axial load and …

Recipients Of Major Scientific Awards A Descriptive And Predictive Analysis, Andrew Calvin Barbee

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Recent trends demonstrate an increase of women in leadership roles, STEM fields, and participating in higher education including graduate and doctoral programs, which is a result of Title IX. This quantitative study considered major scientific awards awarded to females and examines demographic characteristics of awardees from the Nobel, National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and National Science Foundation (NSF). More specifically, the following awards were examined the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the NAS Public Welfare Medal, and the NSF National Medal of Science within the discipline of Physical Science. Also, this study focused on equality to determine if a fair playing …

Understanding The Perceptions Of Mattering, Feelings Of Burnout, And Job Satisfaction Of Resident Assistants At Four-Year Midwestern Universities, James C. Stoner

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Since first conceptualized in the 1970s, employee burnout has received much scholarly attention in various service-oriented fields. While some disciplines have benefited from an abundance of burnout research (e.g., nursing, education), other specific jobs have received limited attention. One such position is the Resident Assistant (RA) job on college campuses. RAs serve a critical, service-oriented role in higher education and have a wide range of difficult job responsibilities. As such, RAs are not immune to burnout. The limited existing research on RA burnout has failed to address the foundational cause of burnout; that is, the relationships between RAs who provide …

Cost Analysis Of Large-Scale Implementation Of The ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ Newborn Resuscitation-Training Program In Tanzania, Sumona Chaudhury, Lauren Arlington, Shelby Brenan, Allan Kaijunga Kairuki, Amunga Robson Meda, Kahabi Isangula, Victor Mponzi, Dunstan Bishanga, Erica Thomas, Georgina Msemo, Mary Azayo, Alice Molinier, Brett D. Nelson

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) has become the gold standard globally for training birth-attendants in neonatal resuscitation in low-resource settings in efforts to reduce early newborn asphyxia and mortality. The purpose of this study was to do a first-ever activity-based cost-analysis of at-scale HBB program implementation and initial follow-up in a large region of Tanzania and evaluate costs of national scale-up as one component of a multi-method external evaluation of the implementation of HBB at scale in Tanzania.

Methods: We used activity-based costing to examine budget expense data during the two-month implementation and follow-up of HBB in one of the …

Tax Benefits Of Government-Owned Marijuana Stores, Benjamin Leff

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This Article is the first to address whether independent governmental affiliates that sell marijuana are exempt from federal income tax under section 115 of the Internal Revenue Code. It argues that such entities should easily pass the IRS's current interpretation of the three requirements for tax-exemption under section 115: (i) that exempt income be derived from "the exercise of any essential governmental function"; (ii) that such income "accru[e] to a State or any political subdivision thereof"; and (iii) that the income "not serve private interests[.]" In addition, this Article argues that though selling marijuana is illegal under federal law, that …

Backpacking Brothers: An Experiential, Adventure Education Program To Transform Rape Culture And Prevent Sexual Violence, Matthew Lynn

Capstone Collection

Sexual violence is a public health crisis in the United States and globally, that has devastating interpersonal, social, psychological, spiritual and economic impacts. The root causes of sexual violence are tied to all forms of oppression. The normalization and perpetuation of sexual violence is buttressed by cultural paradigms used by media, religion, education and other systems that maintain rigid gender roles and power dynamics. There are promising initiatives for preventing sexual violence before it occurs. This paper explores one of those initiatives called Backpacking Brothers. The purpose of Backpacking Brothers is to engage middle school boys in an adventure education …

The University Of Hawaii At Hilo: National Student Exchange Four-Part Workshop For The Outgoing Students At The University Of Hawaii At Hilo, Kadian Shaw

Capstone Collection

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is part of the National Student Exchange Consortium, a unique, not for profit organization of nearly 170 accredited, baccalaureate-granting Colleges and Universities that provide exchange opportunities to undergraduate students. These exchange opportunities are across the US mainland, the US territories and Canada. The purpose of the National Student Exchange Office at the University of Hawaii at Hilo is to provide UH Hilo students with exchange opportunities at a reasonable and affordable cost. This capstone explores the idea that it is important to prepare students for a domestic exchange program. This capstone will …

Conductive Inks And Films Via Intense Pulsed Light., Gabriel L. Draper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the investigation of Earth abundant copper and carbon based nanomaterials that are subjected to Intense Pulsed Light Processing to create conductive films, as future flexible electronics and renewable energy solutions would benefit from the quick and scalable production of conductive films. Use of nanomaterials in their oxide/hydroxide forms leads to higher stability in aqueous inks for efficient large area solution deposition. IPL Processing utilized 2044 μs pulses ranging from 589 J - 2070 J over an area of 1.9 cm x 30.5 cm, with energy densities of 10.1, 12.8, 15.8, 19.2, 22.9, 26.8, 31.1 and 35.7 …

Scalable Production And Applications Of Metal Oxide Nanowires., Tu Quang Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Metal oxide nanowires are materials of interest in number of applications such as lithium ion batteries, solar cells, catalyst support, and gas sensing due to their unique charge transport properties and short diffusion length scales. To incorporate nanowires for any applications, one would need hundreds of grams to kilograms of these nanowires. However, state-of-the-art methods for producing metal oxide nanowires are limited to producing only milligrams to a gram in a batch. Hence, there is a need to develop scalable and cost effective processes and reactors to address this challenge. Direct gas phase oxidation of zinc metal powders using a …

The Impact Of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity Following Traumatic Brain Injury On Intensive Care Unit Length Of Stay And Discharge Disposition., Kimberly S. Meyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity (PSH) is a complication affecting a subset of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is associated with increased morbidity, longer lengths of stay, and delayed recovery (Perkes, Baguley, Nott, & Menon, 2010). The most prevalent signs and symptoms of PSH include unprovoked tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, dystonia, and diaphoresis (Lemke, 2007). If untreated, PSH can lead to impaired cerebral blood flow, sub-endocardial damage, dehydration, malnourishment, and contractures (Lemke, 2007). Results from this retrospective study indicate that there is no difference in intensive unit (ICU) length of stay in TBI patients with PSH compared to those without …

The Zodiac Army., Keith Charles Marks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is the beginning of a book title The Zodiac Army. The book is the first in a trilogy and follows three different characters. The first, Ash, is a teenage boy who discovers he is a powerful magician who, along with another magician, can control the elements of nature. The two form a Twin pairing and will fight for each other and for the safety of the kingdom. Alora, the second character, is a young and faithful priestess in the Temple. Her faith, in both the gods and those in charge of the Temple, could bring the entire system …

Retinoic Acid Signaling Regulates Krt5 Independently Of Stem Cell Markers In Submandibular Salivary Gland Epithelium., Timur Maratovich Abashev

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vitamin A metabolism, which produces the signaling molecule Retinoic Acid (RA), has been demonstrated to be important for growth and branching morphogenesis of mammalian embryonic salivary gland epithelium. However, it is not known whether RA functions directly within epithelial cells or in associated tissues that influence morphogenesis of salivary epithelium. Moreover, downstream targets of RA transcriptional regulation have not been identified. Here we show that canonical RA signaling occurs in multiple tissues of embryonic mouse salivary glands, including epithelium, associated parasympathetic ganglion neurons, and non‑neuronal mesenchyme. By culturing epithelium explants in isolation from other tissues we demonstrate that RA influences …

Exploring The Relation Between School Pushout And Future Outlook For Black Youth., Kish Cumi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study is an examination of the relation between school pushout and future outlook for Black youth. Theoretically, this dissertation study is framed by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model (Bronfenbrenner, 1977) and Racial Encounter Coping Appraisal and Socialization Theory (RECAST). In light of the systemic racial disparities entrenched in school pushout phenomena among Black youth, the researcher sought to explore parental warmth as a protective factor for youth subjected to school pushout. School pushout as praxis was discussed in conjunction with the school-toprison pipeline (STPP), as school pushout is identified as an entry point within the STPP. This dissertation study explored …

Mechanism Of Interaction Of Peptide Modified Nanoparticles With Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Ankita Jain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies suggest that P. gingivalis functions as a keystone pathogen and interacts with primary colonizers in the supragingival biofilm such as S. gordonii. This interaction contributes to the initial colonization of the oral cavity by P. gingivalis and thus represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. We have identified a peptide (BAR) derived from the streptococcal SspB protein that functions to inhibit P. gingivalis adherence to S. gordonii. In addition, we showed that nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with BAR inhibit this interaction more potently than free soluble peptide, possibly by promoting interaction with P. gingivalis at higher valency than …

Professional School Counselors : Integral Stakeholders In The Recruitment, Retention, And Support Of African American, Latino, And Low-Income Students In Advanced Placement Programs., Damien Sweeney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have been conducted that show the importance of diversifying Advanced Placement Courses. However, Griffin and Steen (2011) state that: Despite a vast body of literature that stresses the importance of school counselors in addressing inequities that exists in schools, few articles provide concrete strategies that school counselors can infuse in their practice. More research is warranted because many school counselors face barriers when trying to implement systemic change in the schools. (p. 76) This qualitative research study is based on a collective phenomenological case study of six participants (five Professional School Counselors and one Director of School Counselors) …

The Role And Regulation Of Inhibitor Of Kappa B Kinase In The Impaired Monocyte Response., Norman James Galbraith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma, major surgery and systemic infection can lead to a subsequent immunosuppressed state which can predispose patients to nosocomial infection and death. Approximately a sixth of patients will have impaired monocyte function, as determined by decreased HLA-DR expression or decreased TNF-α production in response to ex-vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. This project aimed to develop an in-vitro model of impaired monocyte function using isolated monocytes from healthy volunteers, to study the effect of monocyte impairment on IκK signaling, and determine the role of IκK in the impaired monocyte response. These studies have provided the following results:

1. Monocytes treated with low dose …

Detecting Evidence Of Systemic Inflammation From Osteological Markers In The Indian Knoll Population Of Ohio County, Kentucky., Krysta Wilham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Indian Knoll is an Archaic shell midden site located in the Green River region of west-central Kentucky, and was excavated twice in the first half of the 20^th century. While Indian Knoll has been the subject of frequent bioarchaeological studies, the present study presents an osteological analysis of the relationships between skeletal markers commonly associated with local inflammatory processes, and that have the potential to be used as proxies for systemic inflammation. The analysis revealed a significant positive association in the presence of periodontal disease (PD) and periosteal lesions (PL), suggesting a potential underlying hyper-inflammatory status or phenotype. These …

Cost Of Care For Hospitalized Patients With Pulmonary Mycobacterial Diseases In The United States., Mary Beth Wells Allen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Pulmonary mycobacterial diseases describe both tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Few data are available measuring the cost burden of mycobacterial diseases on the national level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost burden and measure emerging trends in hospitalization of pulmonary TB and NTM in the US from 2001 through 2012. Methods: This study was a retrospective community based cost analysis of hospitalized patients with a principal diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacterial diseases from 2001 through 2012. Data for pulmonary TB and NTM were retrieved from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), US Department of …

Patchwork : A Southern Family Portrait., Rebekah Dement Farmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a jointly scholarly and creative exploration of the potentials of autobiography. Specifically, this dissertation seeks to examine how the personal narrative may be utilized to undermine or challenge prevailing cultural myths and legends of the American South as they are manifested in master narratives propagated within an individual family’s narrative. As emblems of Southern culture, these master narratives have privileged the white male experience over other Southern voices. An interdisciplinary examination of selected historical and literary texts reveals certain external challenges to the resilient master narrative, but this dissertation suggests autobiography may prove a particularly potent force …

Identification Of Residual Descending Pathways After Human Spinal Cord Injury., Darryn A. Atkinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in humans is a heterogeneous diagnosis, resulting in variable paralysis and paresthesia based on the mechanism, rostro-caudal location, and severity of injury. Both neurophysiological and anatomical studies have suggested that subclinical residual supraspinal-spinal connectivity exists in a subset of individuals deemed to have motor and sensory complete injuries. Recent reports of volitional movement in chronic, motor complete individuals during epidural spinal stimulation have provided compelling evidence that these residual projections may be capable of mediating volitional movement when the functional state of spinal circuitry is electrically modulated. It was the goal of this project to identify …

Order Picking Strategies For Healthcare Warehouses., Ehsan Khodabandeh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Order picking is the process of collecting goods and items in specified quantities from storage locations, in response to customer orders. Since many labor resources are involved in this process, finding ways to make it more efficient have been a primary goal for researchers and practitioners. Determining a better allocation of products to the storage areas, finding the best route and sequence to pick multiple products, and choosing the best picking policies to minimize congestion in the aisles are just a few of many objectives regarding order picking process. Due to regulatory compliances and the chance of product spoilage, additional …

The Role Of Nicotine, A7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors And Extracellular Matrix Remodeling In Pulmonary Fibrosis., Glenn Ward Vicary

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The median survival for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients from diagnosis is a dismal 3 years. This condition is characterized by pulmonary fibroproliferation and excess production and disordered deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins resulting in obliteration of the original tissue architecture, loss of lung function and eventual death due to respiratory failure. The main hindrance to the development of effective treatments against pulmonary fibrosis is the late detection of its progression and is often of unknown cause. Tobacco smoke represents the most important environmental factor linked to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, with over 60% of IPF patients current …

The Effects Of Direct Peritoneal Resuscitation On Leukocyte Infiltration After Acute Brain Death., Jessica Lee Weaver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Brain death triggers an inflammatory response that is associated with worse outcomes for recipients of transplanted organs procured from brain dead donors. The intestine has been shown to release inflammatory mediators in other types of shock, but its role is brain death is not well described. Direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) improves visceral organ blood flow and has been shown to reduce inflammation after hemorrhagic shock. Better understanding of this inflammatory process within the peripheral organs, the effects of DPR, and the role of the intestine could aid in better resuscitation of potential organ donors. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were …

Assessing Moral Injury And Existential Well-Being In Returning Servicemembers Using The Spiritual Attitudes Inventory - Revised (2010)., Leann E. Armes-Bruce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Military personnel returning from deployment often report a variety of distressing symptoms stemming from exposure to prolonged, extreme deployment stress, and traumatic experiences. In addition to reporting symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, they are also known to report struggling with existential angst often leading to great despair and a sense of profound changes in the core of their being. While this phenomenon, referred to herein as Moral Injury, has traditionally received little attention, it is beginning to emerge as a potentially viable construct in practice and research and may assist in explaining the effects of war …

Challenging Conventional Wisdom : Section 8 Housing And The Real Impact On Neighborhood Values In Louisville, Kentucky., Paul Francis Dries

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Section 8 Housing was designed to de-concentrate poverty and spread affordable housing across communities. There are many studies that have evaluated the successes associated with the policy of dispersing the urban poor to the surrounding suburban areas in various cities. The positive impacts of dispersing the urban poor, in terms of education, self-esteem, and jobs, is well documented. There are fewer studies related to the potential externalities associated with these programs. This study uses advanced multiple regression techniques to study 170 Louisville neighborhoods to look at whether large concentrations of Section 8 housing have a negative impact on neighborhood housing …

A Reduced Labeled Samples (Rls) Framework For Classification Of Imbalanced Concept-Drifting Streaming Data., Elaheh Arabmakki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stream processing frameworks are designed to process the streaming data that arrives in time. An example of such data is stream of emails that a user receives every day. Most of the real world data streams are also imbalanced as is in the stream of emails, which contains few spam emails compared to a lot of legitimate emails. The classification of the imbalanced data stream is challenging due to the several reasons: First of all, data streams are huge and they can not be stored in the memory for one time processing. Second, if the data is imbalanced, the accuracy …