Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Habitual Protein Consumption On Vasodilation In Young Adults, Natalie O'Neal, Jordan Rezac

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Blood pressure is a critical indicator for a number of health risks and conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and stroke. Decreasing blood pressure occurs by vasodilation (relaxation) of blood vessels. The consumption of high amounts of protein is hypothesized to have a correlation with the vasodilation of vessels, thus creating a decrease in blood pressure. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to relate blood vessel diameter to habitual protein consumption. Our findings have the power to make individuals more aware of the effect their habitual protein intake can have on cardiovascular health. Methods: This …

Carpenter V. United States: A New Era For Protecting Data Generated On Personal Technology, Or A Mere Caveat?, Aaron L. Dalton

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

In deciding Carpenter, a majority of United States Supreme Court Justices recognized that, at a fundamental level, historical cell-site location information (CSLI) differs from other categories of business records in terms of deserving Fourth Amendment protection. However, the majority’s opinion is unclear about the precise source of this distinction, and about how, or whether, to protect other data generated from personal technology in the future. Although the majority opinion purports to be limited to CSLI, this narrow scope is not in the best interest of consumers. At best, Carpenter presents the opportunity to establish a predictable and comprehensive system for …

Parametric Payouts And Evironmental Conservation: How A Tech-Based Insurance Policy Could Pave The Way For Economically Viable Conservation Efforts, Hannah M. Petersen

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

This year, the state government of Quintana Roo, Mexico, the Nature Conservancy, and the reinsurance company, Swiss Re, created the first parametric insurance policy to be taken out on a natural resource; the Mesoamerican Reef. This innovative policy creates a technology-based approach to establishing economically viable environmental conservation by assigning a quantitative value to a vulnerable resource that protects the $10 billion tourism industry in the Caribbean. It also creates an entirely new and unregulated subsector of the insurance field. Although this type of policy sets the stage for innovative environmental conservation efforts, parameters and payout mechanisms might not align …

Using Dna For Data Storage: Encoding And Decoding Algorithm Development, Kelsey Suyehira

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The recent explosion of digital data has created an increasing need for improved data storage architectures with the ability to store large amounts of data over extensive periods of time. DNA as a data storage solution shows promise with a thousand times greater increase in information density and information retention times ranging from hundreds to thousands of years. This thesis explores the challenges and potential approaches in developing an encoding and decoding algorithm for use in a DNA data storage architecture. When encoding binary data into sequences representing DNA strands, the algorithms should account for biological constraints representing the idiosyncrasies …

Student Perceptions Of Instructor Immediacy In Online Program Courses, Anthony Charles Saba

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The first online course was taught over 30 years ago. Over that time, instructors have primarily used text-based asynchronous communication in the online courses they teach. However, advances in technology over the last ten years have given rise to more opportunities to use new synchronous and semi-synchronous communication technologies (e.g., video, mobile and social networking technologies) in online courses. These advances in technology are likely to not only influence how instructors today communicate in the online courses they teach but ultimately influence their instructor immediacy. Instructor immediacy is the degree of psychological closeness students perceive there to be with their …

Surprise! You Are Accepted To College: An Analysis Of Idaho's Direct Admissions Initiative, Carson Howell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to improve the rate at which Idahoans ‘go on’ to postsecondary education, Idaho launched an initiative called Direct Admissions in the fall of 2015. This initiative informed students and their parents that the student had already been accepted to at least six of Idaho’s public colleges and universities, even before the student had applied. Although the students still needed to apply, the letters guaranteed the student a seat at any of the colleges listed in their Direct Admissions letter. The goal of the initiative was to encourage students to enroll in one of Idaho’s public colleges or …

Structure-Based Drug Design Of Novel Therapeutics Targeting Oncostatin M, Kelsey Skluzacek

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

At 30% of all new diagnoses, the most prevalent malignancy for women is breast cancer, which in the United States will result in an estimated 266,000 new cases this year alone. Of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer, approximately 10-15% will develop distant metastases within three years of the initial detection of a primary tumor. For comparison, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 99%, whereas, the survival rate for metastatic breast cancer drops drastically to only 27%. The significant difference in survival rates is indicative of a need for a novel treatment strategy for metastatic breast cancer. …

Exploring Referee Abuse Through The Lens Of The Collegiate Rugby Coach, Brittany Lauren Jacobs

Dissertations

Referees are a valuable contributor to the legitimacy of a sporting contest. Despite this, abuse in sport has become a growing concern and is regularly noted as an obstacle with which referees must contend. Continued abuses have been associated with referee discontinuation and have been noted as a key factor influencing the recruitment and retention of referees. Sporting organizations, coaches, and players all feel the impact when there is an inadequate supply of referees. Though the continuance of the referee is related to the continuance of the sport itself, little research has focused on the referee.Further, the studies that have …

Resilience As A Mediating Factor For Behavioral And Academic Outcomes For Adolescents With Executive Functioning Impairments, Bronwyn Louise Lehman

Dissertations

Executive functioning (EF) and resilience have become topics of interest in psychology and education as being key components in determining a person’s ability to engage meaningfully and effectively within their environment as well as a reason for better than expected outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether self-reported resilience factors could account for certain behavioral, adaptive, and academic outcomes for adolescents in the presence of executive functioning difficulties. Mediation analysis was utilized to determine resilience (measured using the Journey to Wellness scale) as a mediating factor for academic and behavioral outcomes (measured using select subscales on the …

Robustness Of Rasch Fit Statistics In Dichotomous And Rating Scale Data, Samantha Estrada Aguilera

Dissertations

To understand the role of fit statistics in Rasch measurement, it is necessary to comprehend why fit is important in measurement. The answer to this question is simple: applied researchers can only benefit from the desirable properties of the Rasch model when the data fit the model; however, the currently available fit statistics are flawed. A problem with fit statistics which are based on residuals is that they are based on unknown distributional properties (Masters & Wright, 1997; Ostini & Nering, 2006). Rost and von Davier (1994) developed the Q-Index. The Q-Index makes use of the statistical properties of the …

The First Amendment In The Second Gilded Age, Jack M. Balkin

Buffalo Law Review

How do we pay for the digital public sphere? In the Second Gilded Age, the answer is primarily through digital surveillance and through finding ever new ways to make money out of personal data. Digital capitalism in the Second Gilded Age features an implicit bargain: a seemingly unlimited freedom to speak in exchange for the right to surveil and manipulate end users.To protect freedom of speech in the Second Gilded Age we must distinguish the values of free speech from the judicially created doctrines of the First Amendment. That is because the practical freedom to speak online depends on a …

Palsgraf-Ian Proximate Cause And Insurance Law: The State Of New York Additional Insured Coverage Following Burlington Insurance Co. V. Nyc Transit Authority, Ryan P. Maxwell

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Healthy Holidays, Dominique Gummelt

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Hungry Cancer Patient: A Case Of Money Ill Spent., Allison Zibelli

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Racial Microaggressions On Black Women’S Work Performance As Government Workers, Samantha-Rae Dickenson

All Theses And Dissertations

This study explored the connection between society’s perception of Black women and their experiences of racial microaggressions in a work environment, and further understand the effect these experiences have on their work performance. Despite federal regulations to eliminate workplace discrimination, there are still racially neutral workplace policies and a lack of inclusion in work environments. Work environments that do not actively account for diversity in formal policies can promote the occurrence of racial microaggressions. Black women’s unique experiences with racial microaggressions may affect their job performance. This study used Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality Theory, and Black Feminist Theory as a …

A Longitudinal Investigation Of Customer Cooperation In Services: The Role Of Appraisal Of Cooperation Behaviors, Junzhou Zhang, Chuanyi Tang, Lin Guo, Hangjun Xu

Department of Marketing Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The customer cooperation level in behavior change programs (e.g., weight‐loss programs, alcohol‐quitting programs, and debt management programs) is low, which leads to a low program success rate. To address this problem, this study draws on the goal‐driven behavior theory and develops a theoretical framework to explain how goal intention, and behavioral appraisal processes influence the subsequent cooperation behaviors, which, in turn, influence customers’ goal attainment. A two‐wave longitudinal survey was used to test the theoretical model. Results show that customers’ appraisals of the cooperation behaviors play a vital role in influencing customers’ cooperation behaviors. Three appraisal factors (self‐efficacy, instrumental belief, …

Standardization Roadmap For Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Version 1.0, Kristine Kiernan, Christian Janke, Kenneth Witcher

Publications

This Standardization Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Version 1.0 (“roadmap”) represents the culmination of the UASSC’s work to identify existing standards and standards in development, assess gaps, and make recommendations for priority areas where there is a perceived need for additional standardization and/or pre-standardization R&D.

The roadmap has examined 64 issue areas, identified a total of 60 gaps and corresponding recommendations across the topical areas of airworthiness; flight operations (both general concerns and application-specific ones including critical infrastructure inspections, commercial services, and public safety operations); and personnel training, qualifications, and certification. Of that total, 40 gaps/recommendations have been identified as …

Prenatal Cervical Cancer Screening Using Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid In A Low Resource Setting, Vincent Nyaboga Oyiengo, Elkanah Omenge, Peter Muhandale Itsura, Philip Kipkirui Tonui, Benjamin Elly Odongo, Emmanuel Wekesa Wamalwa

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Purpose: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women in low resource setting. The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability of prenatal cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in a low resource setting.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Over a period of 12 months, we enrolled 331 women who were attending antenatal care clinic with a gestation of age of less than 22 weeks. We screened them for cervical cancer by applying 5% acetic acid to the cervix (VIA Method). Visualization of …

Uptake Of Three Doses Of Hpv Vaccine By Primary School Girls In Eldoret, Kenya; A Prospective Cohort Study In A Malaria Endemic Setting, Hillary Mabeya, Sonia Menon, Steven Weyers, Violet Naanyu, Emily Mwaliko, Elijah Kirop, Elkanah Omenge, Heleen Vermandere, Davy Vanden Broeck

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: All women are potentially at risk of developing cervical cancer at some point in their life, yet it is avoidable cause of death among women in Sub- Saharan Africa with a world incidence of 530,000 every year. It is the 4th commonest cancer affecting women worldwide with over 260,000 deaths reported in 2012. Low resource settings account for over 75% of the global cervical cancer burden. Uptake of HPV vaccination is limited in the developing world. WHO recommended that 2 doses of HPV vaccine could be given to young girls, based on studies in developed countries. However in Africa …

Emergent Acute Hypertension During Pregnancy-Anomaly Or Future Trend?, Jimi Francis, Darby Dickton

Health & Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Hypertension during pregnancy is a complication that can be life-threatening for the mother/infant dyad. Women who are hypertensive during pregnancy experience higher rates of emergent complications which can lead to induction of labor or, in worst cases, cesarean-section delivery. For the infants, hypertension can cause complications such as intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, and neonatal mortality. Is the rate of hypertension during pregnancy increasing?

Methods: A cohort retrospective chart review was conducted for a 12-month period to identify the number of patients who received a diagnosis of hypertension during pregnancy. Women with documented chronic hypertension were not included in …

Defending Eulalie, Mimi Ayers

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Nonlinear Sliding Mode Observer Applied To Microalgae Growth, Rebecca J. Griffith

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Modeling biological processes, such as algae growth, is an area of ongoing research. The ability to understand the multitude of parameters that influence this system provides a platform for better understanding the dynamics of microalgae growth. Empirical modeling efforts look to understand sources of driving nutrients that influence harmful algal blooms (HABs). These harmful algal blooms are dense aggregates that have an increasingly negative impact on local economics, marine and freshwater systems, and public health. They result from a high influx of nitrogen and nutrients that drive the algae biomass to exponentially grow. This growth blocks out the sun, potentially …

Design And Implementation Of Intelligent Guidance Algorithms For Uav Mission Protection, Karina Rivera

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In recent years, the interest of investigating intelligent systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have increased in popularity due to their large range of capabilities such as on-line obstacle avoidance, autonomy, search and rescue, fast prototyping and integration in the National Air Space (NAS). Many research efforts currently focus on system robustness against uncertainties but do not consider the probability of readjusting tasks based on the remaining resources to successfully complete the mission. In this thesis, an intelligent algorithm approach is proposed along with decision-making capabilities to enhance UAVs post-failure performance. This intelligent algorithm integrates a set of path planning …

A Systematic Comparison Of Functional Assessment Outcomes In Organizational Behavior Management, Nathan T. Bechtel

Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to compare the recommendation outcomes of two commonly utilized functional assessment tools in the field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM): the Performance Diagnostic Checklist (PDC) and the Performance Flowchart. Recommendations made using these tools fell into one of three categories: antecedent-based, consequence-based, and uncategorized interventions. In order to assess the recommendations resulting from each of these tools, participants were trained to either (a) play the role of a manager with an organizational issue, or (b) play the role of a performance consultant. A between-groups design was utilized in which performance consultants used either …

Finite Element Modeling And Experimental Characterization Of Knot Configuration Effect On The Mechanical Performance Of Surgical Suture, Arz Y. Qwam Alden

Dissertations

Tendon injuries in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine are escalating; hence there is great interest in improving tendon repair. The integrity of tendon repair depends in part on a combination of suture material, suture size and knot configuration. Recent studies have indicated the failure of surgical knots as a failure mode during surgical repair. Further, there is still no consensus on the ideal (best/safest) surgical knot techniques. Also, this failure mode is related to stress concentrations, which cannot be easily established with traditional tensile testing. Most researchers have focused on the measurement and comparison of the gross structural response of …

Taxon-Specific Aerosolization Of Bacteria And Viruses In An Experimental Ocean-Atmosphere Mesocosm, Jennifer M. Michaud, Luke R. Thompson, Drishti Kaul, Josh L. Espinoza, R. Alexander Richter, Zhenjiang Zech Xu, Christopher Lee, Kevin M. Pham, Charlotte M. Beall, Francesca Malfatti, Farooq Azam, Rob Knight, Michael D. Burkart, Christopher L. Dupont, Kimberly A. Prather

Faculty Publications

Ocean-derived, airborne microbes play important roles in Earth’s climate system and human health, yet little is known about factors controlling their transfer from the ocean to the atmosphere. Here, we study microbiomes of isolated sea spray aerosol (SSA) collected in a unique ocean–atmosphere facility and demonstrate taxon-specific aerosolization of bacteria and viruses. These trends are conserved within taxonomic orders and classes, and temporal variation in aerosolization is similarly shared by related taxa. We observe enhanced transfer into SSA of Actinobacteria, certain Gammaproteobacteria, and lipid-enveloped viruses; conversely, Flavobacteriia, some Alphaproteobacteria, and Caudovirales are generally under-represented in SSA. Viruses do not transfer …

Primary Challengers: Examining Competition In U.S. House Primary Elections With Female Candidates, Savannah Nicole Renslow

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has established that voters and political elites hold gendered stereotypes toward female candidates. Additionally, traditional family roles and gendered expectations are found to affect the self-confidence of women and their political ambition. However, little is known about how potential challengers perceive women as candidates. To fill this gap, I examine whether the presence of a woman in a primary election influences the entry of prospective candidates. Are women perceived to be more vulnerable candidates, thus attracting more competition in primary elections?

To answer this, I estimate a negative binomial regression with primary election data for the U.S. House …

Multiple Environmental Stressors Induce Complex Transcriptomic Responses Indicative Of Phenotypic Outcomes In Western Fence Lizard, Kurt A. Gust, Vijender Chaitankar, Preetam Ghosh, Mitchell S. Wilbanks, Xianfeng Chen, Natalie D. Barker, Don Pham, Leona D. Scanlan, Arun Rawat, Larry G. Talent, Michael J. Quinn Jr., Christopher D. Vulpe, Mohamed O. Elasri, Mark S. Johnson, Edward J. Perkins, Craig A. Mcfarland

Faculty Publications

Background

The health and resilience of species in natural environments is increasingly challenged by complex anthropogenic stressor combinations including climate change, habitat encroachment, and chemical contamination. To better understand impacts of these stressors we examined the individual- and combined-stressor impacts of malaria infection, food limitation, and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) exposures on gene expression in livers of Western fence lizards (WFL, Sceloporus occidentalis) using custom WFL transcriptome-based microarrays.

Results

Computational analysis including annotation enrichment and correlation analysis identified putative functional mechanisms linking transcript expression and toxicological phenotypes. TNT exposure increased transcript expression for genes involved in erythropoiesis, potentially in response to …

The Purpose (And Limits) Of The University, John Inazu

Utah Law Review

Scholars of the university have produced volumes about growing pressures on the coherence and purpose of institutions of higher education. Meanwhile, legal scholars’ writing about the university has typically focused on its First Amendment dimensions. This Article links insights from these two groups of scholars to explore the purpose of the university and defend it against increasing technological, ideological, and cultural pressures. It argues that a better understanding of the relationship between the First Amendment and the university can help strengthen the coherence of the university’s purpose against these pressures. The connection between the First Amendment and institutional purpose is …

How To Sue A Robot, Roger Michalski

Utah Law Review

We are entering the age of robots where autonomous robots will drive our cars, milk cows, drill for oil, invest in stock, mine coal, build houses, pick strawberries, and work as surgeons. Robots, in mimicking the work of humans, will also mimic their legal liability. But how do you sue a robot? The current answer is that you cannot. Robots are property. They are not entities with a legal status that would make them amendable to sue or be sued. If a robot causes harm, you have to sue its owner. Corporations used to be like this for many procedural …