Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Utility Of Age-Dependent Cranial Vault Thickness As An Aging Method For Juvenile Skeletal Remains On Dry Bone, Radiographic And Computed Tomography Scans, Kelly R. Kamnikar

Theses and Dissertations

Age estimation, a component of the biological profile, contributes significantly to the creation of a post-mortem profile of an unknown set of human remains. This goal of this study is to: (1) refine the juvenile age estimation method of cranial vault thickness (CVT) through MARS modeling, (2) test the method on known age samples, and (3) compare CVT and dental development age estimations. Data for this study comes from computed tomography (CT) scans, radiographic images, and dry bone. CVT was measured at seven cranial landmarks (nasion, glabella, bregma, vertex, vertex radius, lambda and opisthocranion). Results indicate that CVT models vary …

Fiscal Management Practices And Quality Programming In Early Childhood: The Impact Of Administrator Preparation, Charles E. Allgood

Theses and Dissertations

The early childhood administrator is tasked with overseeing all operations within the early childhood program. Operational functions include functions traditionally associated with education including the design and implementation of curriculum, creating and maintaining the learning environment, and ensuring the health and safety of children enrolled in the program. The administrator of the early childhood program is also tasked with other functions including human resource functions, budgeting, as well as income and cost management. Additionally, the administrator should be an advocate within public policy concerning early childhood education. Research has acknowledged the functions associated with the early childhood administrator role. In …

Evaluation Of Soil And Forage Nutrient Levels In Habitats Of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus) In South Mississippi, Bridget Nicole Hodges

Theses and Dissertations

Populations of federally-listed gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are in decline in Mississippi. Soil and forage quality may be linked to their health and recruitment. To gain a better understanding of existing soil and forage quality conditions on areas inhabited by gopher tortoises, I investigated soil chemistry parameters, forage nutrients, and plant community characteristics from 2012 to 2013. These parameters were collected on 7 soil and habitat management treatment types in uplands on public forest lands in south Mississippi. Soil sample analyses indicated that most pH levels in soils were acidic (pH < 5.0) to strongly acidic (pH < 4.5). Greatest soil calcium levels were detected on growing season burn, moderately suitable soil areas, and soil phosphorus levels were greatest on mowed, less suitable soil areas. Greatest levels of nutrients were detected at 0 – 10 cm soil depths. Weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and soil calcium and magnesium levels, while weak, negative associations were detected between soil pH and soil phosphorus levels. Greater levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were detected in plants collected in mowed, less suitable soil areas. Cacti, forbs and, legumes were found to have greatest nutrient levels of all the plant growth forms. Moderate, positive associations were detected between soil pH and calcium levels in legumes and vines. Weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and forage calcium levels in forbs and native grasses. Very weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and forage phosphorus levels in vines. I found greatest species richness and percent coverage of legumes and forbs on moderately suitable soils that received growing season fire; whereas, greater species richness and percent coverage of native grasses were detected on moderately suitable soil regardless of season of burn. Greatest percent coverage of cacti (puntia sp.) and greatest quantities of above-ground plant biomass were detected on mowed, less suitable soil areas. This information can be valuable to habitat evaluation and management for gopher tortoises.

Parental Substance Use And The Need For Family Dependency Treatment Court In Taylor County, Rebekah Rich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The impact of parental substance use and the need for Family Dependency Treatment Court in Taylor County are qualitatively explored and described, analyzing interviews of identified key informants. The areas explored are the current practices and process in Taylor County when a substance use issue is identified in a parent during a child welfare case, the impact of parental substance use on the child welfare system, knowledge and opinions regarding treatment options, and knowledge and opinions of Family Dependency Treatment Court. The sample size was 8 professionals who worked as attorney ad litems, Department of Family and Protective Services workers, …

Religiosity And Internalized Homonegativity: The Effect Of Religious Conservatism On Depression In Sexual Minorities, Matthew Thaxton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual minorities report higher rates of mental illnesses than the general population, most notably depression. This study focuses on the relationship between religious commitment in sexual minorities, internalized homonegativity, and depression. In order to do this, 265 participants answered a survey that consisted of inventories to test for sexual orientation, religious commitment, political and religious views, and internalized homonegativity. Participants came from Abilene Christian University and LGBT groups from the surrounding Abilene, Texas area. Of the 265 participants, 33 self-identified as a sexual minority. The data from those that identified as a sexual minority was analyzed to find correlations between …

2016 Spring Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on May 7.

Commencement Speaker:
9a.m.: Cheri Pierson Yecke
noon: David B. Burks
3p.m.: Larry R. Long

Global Trends In Cancer Burden Based On Geographic Location, Socio-Economic Status And Demographic Shift, Sanjib Chowdhury

Theses & Dissertations

The global burden of cancer is rising at an alarming rate. It remains as one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is predicted that within 2020, there will be 15 million new cases of cancer in the world, with cancer-related deaths increasing to 12 million. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global cancer burden is expected to surge 57% worldwide in the next 20 years. A significant rise in cancer burden will occur in the low-income and middle-income (developing) countries not only due to demographic shifts, but also by the transition of risk factors …

Diet Quality Of Adolescent Females In Relation To Disease Risk, Heidi Pfeifer

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Many people are living longer with chronic diseases costing billions in healthcare costs every year. Many things influence the risk of chronic diseases but one easily modified risk factor is diet. Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) diet quality indexes have been associated with chronic disease risk but has not been studied in disease risk in adolescents.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to look at adolescent girls’ diet quality scores compared with known adult values associated with chronic diseases and risk of mortality.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a previous …

Proportion Of Heart Failure Patients Who Meet Criteria For Malnutrition Upon Hospital Admission Based On Aspen Guidelines, Sarah L. Johnson

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Current research estimates that approximately 50 percent of heart failure patients are categorized as malnourished. Heart failure patients are at increased risk of malnourishment due to increased catabolic processes that increase resting energy expenditure, decrease appetite, impair nutrient absorption, and lead to unintentional weight loss. The goal of standardized diagnostic criteria is to identify malnutrition early for more effective treatment. Current studies suggest the association of early diagnosis and nutrition intervention with increased positive patient outcomes and improved quality of life for heart failure (HF) patients. However, the proportion of patients with HF who meet criteria for malnutrition at …

Effects Of Prenatal Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Education Class And Individual Follow-Up On Maternal And Infant Outcomes, Samantha List

Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined by glucose intolerance detected with the onset of pregnancy, and if gone undetected and untreated, can lead to morbidities for the mother and baby. Implementation of nutrition counseling can work to reduce the risk of complications through dietary modification promoted and adopted during pregnancy. Follow-up is important, as individual assessment is used to modify recommendations. GDM class and follow-up provided through the Diabetes Center of Nebraska Medicine covers and promotes proper management of blood glucose (BG) during pregnancy for women with GDM.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact …

Using The Minimum Data Set (Mds) To Triage Long Term Care Facilities’ Residents For A Systematic Evacuation In The Case Of Mass Casualty Disaster Events, Zoumana I. Traore

Theses & Dissertations

Long Term Care facilities preparedness for disasters has been questioned, and evacuation before or during disasters is crucial for life saving. This thesis attempted to develop a systematic triage methodology based on the use of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), which is a powerful resource for gathering residents’ vital information including physical ability, cognitive functioning, and other health related conditions. Our assumption was that 90% of caregivers’ triage categorization will match with the categorization generated from the MDS dataset. To achieve our objectives and aims, we compared the triage categorization carried out by residents’ caregivers versus the MDS generated triage …

Essays On Immigration-Related Disparities In Health Behavior And Health Care Utilization, Yang Wang

Theses & Dissertations

The number of immigrants in the United States has recently been increasing significantly. Immigrants may experience some worse health outcomes than natives, due to substantial legal and socioeconomic barriers. Many immigration-related disparities in health behavior and health care utilization still remain unexplored. This dissertation comprises of 3 independent studies examining such disparities across immigration status, including (1) E-cigarette use and acculturation effects; (2) Cancer-related office-based medical provider visits among cancer patients; and (3) Potentially preventable emergency department visits.

Two nationally representative data sources included National Health Interview Survey and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We categorized the respondents into three immigration …

Physical Activity Levels And Related Factors In Midwestern Rural Hispanic Or Latino Adults, Alison K. Clevette

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine physical activity levels and specific intrapersonal, interpersonal and community physical environment factors that influence physical activity in Midwestern rural Hispanic or Latino adults. Instruments used in the study included: Self-Efficacy for Exercise Behaviors Survey, Social Support for Exercise Survey, Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH), and Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical activity was measured by 7-Day Physical Activity Recall and ActiGraph^® accelerometer data. In the study of 54 participants, it was found that there was a very low level of physical activity. For example, 97% of the time was spent …

Human Papillomavirus And Its Impact On Vulnerable Populations, Harpriya Kaur

Theses & Dissertations

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The infection is higher in certain racial/ethnic groups and those who are immunocompromised including pregnant women. Because immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, women are at higher risk of various types of infection including HPV, a known risk factor for pregnancy complications. However, its role in adverse pregnancy outcomes is unclear. Another high risk population is Northern Plain American Indian. In the Northern Plains region, American Indian women have significantly higher rate of HPV infection than white counterparts and are infected with different types of HPVs than the general population. …

Intel Vitality Program Campaign, Katie Devore

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

This integrated marketing communication plan's goal is to have Intel Blue Badge employees adopt the Intel Vitality Program, which is a program offered to Intel employees that supports mindset, nutrition, movement, and recovery. This plan uses diffusion of innovation to achieve this goal through outlined objectives, strategies, and tactics.

Volume 3, 2015-2016

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

No abstract provided.

Place In Habits And Habits In Place, Robert E. Low

Doctoral Dissertations

The concept of habit has had a controversial history in psychology, but support for a habit theory is plentiful in various areas of research, such as learning and environmental psychology, including embodied and dual-process theories of cognition. Further, recent advances in measurement have provided support for habit as an independent construct and enabled research into the contribution of habits to a wide variety of behaviors. As a framework to guide further advances, I propose a 3-part conceptualization based on recurring elements within the definitions of habit in previous research: Habits are patterns of responding characterized by repetition, automaticity, and psychological …

Evaluating Gaps In Consumer Behavior Research On Organic Foods: A Critical Literature Review Under Bangladesh Context, Khandoker Mahmudur Rahman, Nor Azila Mohd Noor

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

The global demand for organic foods has inspired the academicians and practicing professionals to explore consumer purchase behavior in this sector. The multiple promises that organic foods hold for the future – like sustainable food production, food safety, food security, nutrition and reduction of green-house gases – all might have influenced the recent rise of behavioral research in the organic food sector. Interestingly, Bangladesh has been a producer of organic foods since the early ‘80s; however, only a handful of studies could be traced that actually studied consumer behavior in this sector. The current paper explored the important roles that …

Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, Baccalaureates, May 6, 2016, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

Honorary Doctor of Pharmacy - James Martinez; King O'Neal Scholar - Kyla Hoffer

Changes In Oxidative Patterns During Dormancy Break By Warm And Cold Stratification In Seeds Of An Edible Fruit Tree, Dilinuer Shalimu, Jia Sun, Carol C. Baskin, Jerry M. Baskin, Liwei Sun, Yujun Liu

Biology Faculty Publications

The transition from seed dormancy to germination is triggered by environmental factors, and in pomegranate (Punica granatum) seeds higher germination percentages are achieved by warm + cold stratification rather than by cold stratification alone. Our objective was to define the pattern of internal oxidative changes in pomegranate seeds as dormancy was being broken by warm + cold stratification and by cold stratification alone. Embryos isolated from seeds after 1–42 days of warm stratification, after 56 days of warm stratification + 7, 28 or 56 days of cold stratification, and after 1–84 days of cold stratification alone, were used …

Friday Facts, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Friday FACTS

No abstract provided.

Vaccination For Prevention Of Postherpectic Neuralgia, Erik C. Burke

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Brief History Of Corn: Looking Back To Move Forward, Jon Derek Pruitt

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Maize was domesticated from teosinte in Mexico some 7,000 to 10,000 years ago and quickly spread through the Americas. It has become one of the most important crops at a local and global level. Two types, Northern Flint corn and Southern Dent corns provided the basis of the genetic background of modern maize hybrids. The development of hybrids, first double-cross and later single-cross hybrids, along with a transition to high input farming provided huge yield increases, which have continued to improve with improving technology.

Increase in maize production also caused a rise in Western corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera …

Technological And Managerial Gaps In The Adoption Of Improved Groundnut Seed Varieties In Uganda, Neha Paliwal

Master's Theses

The international community has successfully developed improved varieties of seeds that yield high returns in the presence of drought, pests, and disease. This effort is in response to the persistent concern of food security, especially in regions that are most vulnerable to climate change. This study uses cross-sectional data from the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Survey to obtain estimates for the adoption of improved groundnut varieties (IGVs) in Uganda as well as gaps in farmer managerial capacity (alternatively known as technical inefficiency). To do so, this study employs an adoption logit model, in conjunction with a stochastic production frontier …

A Study Of Native Parasitoids And Rearing Diet Efficacy For The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha Halys, Zachary R. Donais

Master's Theses

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys (Stål), (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae) is an insect native to Asia. It was first discovered in the United States in the mid-1990s near Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was found in Connecticut in 2008 and since then numbers have continuously grown to where the pest is becoming an agricultural problem. A study was done to detect what native parasitoids attack the BMSB. Two different parasitoids were detected along with numerous accounts of egg predation. A second study focused on the effect of rearing diets on BMSB development. Time to maturation and longevity were significantly affected by …

Dominique Wakefield Wins Wellness Leadership Award: U.S. President's Council Selects Annual Recipients, Becky St. Clair

Andrews Agenda: Campus News

No abstract provided.

Molecular Basis And Consequences Of The Cytochrome C-Trna Interaction., Cuiping Liu, Aaron J Stonestrom, Thomas Christian, Jeongsik Yong, Ryuichi Takase, Ya-Ming Hou, Xiaolu Yang

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

The intrinsic apoptosis pathway occurs through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to the cytosol, where it promotes activation of the caspase family of proteases. The observation that tRNA binds to cytochrome c revealed a previously unexpected mode of apoptotic regulation. However, the molecular characteristics of this interaction, and its impact on each interaction partner, are not well understood. Using a novel fluorescence assay, we show here that cytochrome c binds to tRNA with an affinity comparable with other tRNA-protein binding interactions and with a molecular ratio of ∼3:1. Cytochrome c recognizes the tertiary structural features of tRNA, particularly in …

Good Will Ambassador With A Cookbook: Flemmie Kittrell And The International Politics Of Home Economics, Allison B. Horrocks

Doctoral Dissertations

In 1936, Flemmie P. Kittrell (1904-1980) became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Home Economics. Across her career, Kittrell taught Home Economics at a range of historically black institutions and traveled internationally on behalf of several Cold War agencies to develop programs abroad. Kittrell’s flexible use of rhetoric about the home and the family made her an adept administrator stateside and an “effective” ambassador abroad. In charting her contributions, this dissertation challenges the assumption that African American women in the field were trained exclusively for service and the idea that the field was “homeward bound” throughout …

First Think College Graduates Participate In May 7 Commencement, Winthrop University

Winthrop News 2016

• The Think College program brings students with intellectual disabilities to campus for two years to take classes, participate in internships and to live in Phelps residence hall with a peer mentor.
• Kevin Rauppius of Rock Hill and Barbara “Basia” Oley and Sara Oxenfeld, both of Fort Mill, said they never thought they would be able to go to college.

Service After Being The Served, Nicholas Daly

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.