Digital Commons Network^™

Social Determinants Associated With The Employment Of Athletic Training Services In Secondary Schools, Sarah Attanasio

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Rural-Urban Residency On Colorectal Cancer Screening, Stage At Diagnosis And Treatment In The Privately Insured Population, Mesnad Alyabsi

Theses & Dissertations

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common and leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Although CRC screening can prevent and detect CRC at an early stage, about 35% of Americans are not screened. Despite the recent increase in screening, people with lower SES and those who live in rural areas have lowest screening. In rural areas, a common obstacle for screening is the long trips for health services which is associated with advanced CRC.

Moreover, surgery is a substantial part of CRC treatment since stages I-III and some metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients are treated with surgery. …

Transfused Architecture: Ascent Of A Developing World, Sandy Ferrier

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Because there is a lack of adequate health care facilities in developing countries, there is a substantial amount of unrealized, optimal health gains and effective, architectural interventions which are not fully realized. With 80% of its population living below the world poverty line, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. The United Nations Development Program’s 2014 report shows the extents of poverty at 75% mainly in the rural areas of Haiti. Only 25% of households benefit from adequate sanitation, thus people become more susceptible to infections and diseases. Reoccurring natural catastrophes have also dented the country's …

An Analysis Of Socio-Economic Consequences Of Cancer In Nepal, Soumi Roy Chowdhury

Economics ETDs

This dissertation investigates the socio-economic burden of cancer patients using a primary survey in Nepal. Given the low uptake rate of cancer screening facilities in developing countries, my study covers three important issues: the need of information dissemination on cancer prevention among asymptomatic individuals, the emotional stress of cancer patients in relation to a control group of patients, and the severity of economic burden due to premature cancer related deaths measured at the national and individual levels. In developing countries with low level of information and awareness, it is difficult to communicate the importance of cancer preventative measures to the …

Mental Health Counselors And Vicarious Trauma, Nicole Sobkowiak

Counselor Education Capstones

Although there are a handful of evidence-based treatment interventions for clients seeking treatment for trauma related concerns, limited evidence-based treatment interventions exist for the professionals treating survivors of trauma that are experiencing symptoms of vicarious trauma. Mental health counselors are potentially at-risk for developing vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress while working with clients seeking treatment for traumatic experiences. Signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma include emotional and physical symptoms similar to those of posttraumatic stress disorder. Risk factors include childhood or personal trauma, work-place organization, lack of supportive clinical supervision, and lack of self-care. Screening tools utilized to measure …

Exploring The Relationships Between Stressors And Cortisol Production In Captive And Wild Sifakas, James R. Mogan

Honors Capstones

The ‘stress response,’ or how an animal responds to external stressors, transpires from a litany of external factors. Past research has examined this response in captive sifakas and wild sifakas without making a direct comparison between these two groups. By using competition over space as a measure of stress, behavioral and hormonal data were gathered in the wild at the Tsinjoarivo Forest (19°40.940S, 47°45.460E; 1,590 m) of Madagascar and in captivity at the Duke Lemur Center to assess differences between less and more competitive sifakas to determine how competitiveness and sex influence behavior and cortisol production. The hypotheses of this …

Abcg5 And Abcg8: More Than A Defense Against Xenosterols, Shailendra B. Patel, Gregory A. Graf, Ryan E. Temel

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

The elucidation of the molecular basis of the rare disease, sitosterolemia, has revolutionized our mechanistic understanding of how dietary sterols are excreted and how cholesterol is eliminated from the body. Two proteins, ABCG5 and ABCG8, encoded by the sitosterolemia locus, work as obligate dimers to pump sterols out of hepatocytes and enterocytes. ABCG5/ABCG8 are key in regulating whole-body sterol trafficking, by eliminating sterols via the biliary tree as well as the intestinal tract. Importantly, these transporters keep xenosterols from accumulating in the body. The sitosterolemia locus has been genetically associated with lipid levels and downstream atherosclerotic disease, as well as …

The Behavioral Response Of Mosquitoes To Different Snake Odors, Caitlyn E. Hicks

Honors College Theses

Due to it causing high mortality rates, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV) is considered to be one of the most medically important encephalitic viruses in the Eastern United States. In order to be able to control the transmission of this virus, understanding of vector behavior and feeding preferences is necessary. In this study, the response of Culex nigripalpus to different snake skin odors was tested to determine if this species of mosquito responded to particular snake species. Culex nigripalpus showed the greatest response to Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) and Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus) snakes, as compared to other venomous …

Preparation And Preliminary Characterization Of Alligator Mississippiensis Keratin-Rich Extracts, Cristian Josue Macoto Calix

LSU Master's Theses

The state of Louisiana has become the lead producer of alligator skins and meat in the United States. More than 300,000 alligators are harvested annually from farm and wild sources. Simultaneously, the industry generates thousands of pounds of waste during the processing of alligators. This waste contains valuable fibrous proteins such as keratins. This study aimed to identify keratin in keratin-rich extracts prepared from alligator backstraps. Alligator backstrap samples were collected from alligator processing facilities located in Springfield, Louisiana. The percentage of protein extracted with 2-mercaptoethanol (2BME), 2BME and dithiothreitol (DTT), DTT, or sodium metabisulfite (SMBS) was calculated. Sodium Dodecyl …

Tipqc Breastfeeding Collaborative: Lessons Learned, Karen E. Schetzina, Julie Ware, Anna Morad

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Woodland Caribou Habitat Selection Patterns In Relation To Predation Risk And Forage Abundance Depend On Reproductive State, Rebecca Viejou, Tal Avgar, Glen S. Brown, Brent R. Patterson, Doug E. B. Reid, Arthur R. Rodgers, Jennifer Shuter, Ian D. Thompson, John M. Fryxell

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The ideal free distribution assumes that animals select habitats that are beneficial to their fitness. When the needs of dependent offspring differ from those of the parent, ideal habitat selection patterns could vary with the presence or absence of offspring. We test whether habitat selection depends on reproductive state due to top‐down or bottom‐up influences on the fitness of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), a threatened, wide‐ranging herbivore. We combined established methods of fitting resource and step selection functions derived from locations of collared animals in Ontario with newer techniques, including identifying calf status from video collar footage and seasonal …

Childhood Obesity And Absenteeism: Implications For School Leaders, Kyle Johnson

Leadership Education Capstones

This study explored educational leaders’ perspectives on childhood obesity and its effect on absenteeism and school performance and possible measures taken in the future to combat this. This study demonstrated the importance of leaders’ perspectives on childhood obesity and absenteeism in elementary classrooms, the nutrition education that is given to students and their families, and possible measures that should be taken in the future to combat childhood obesity in the nation’s elementary schools.

Diabetes Education, Audra Trump

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) has been shown to improve diabetes management. However, a Midwest academic clinic does not offer formal diabetes education. The health department offers formal diabetes education classes twice a year. However, the classes are not flexible, long, and offered infrequently. Objective: The purpose of this project is to improve access to and standardize DSME for patients newly diagnosed with type II diabetes. Methods: The project design includes a one group pre-test/post-test convenience sample of adult patients who are newly diagnosed with type II diabetes in an academic outpatient setting. Results: At the time of diagnosis, the …

Postoperative Delirium Education, Aaron Wede

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Surgical patients, aged 65 and older, comprise the largest surgical population. Increased age correlates with an increased incidence of postoperative delirium. Postoperative delirium (POD) can drastically increase healthcare costs, length of hospital stay, and overall morbidity and mortality. A clinical reference tool was created to have available for perioperative staff members at a 200-bed community hospital in the Midwest. The tool describes risk factors, prevention methods, and treatment options for POD. The initial implementation of the project was achieved with a PowerPoint presentation which was created to summarize the information found in the literature review and to instruct perioperative staff …

Comprehensive Evaluation Of The Anti-Fibrogenic Effect Of Astaxanthin In Hepatic Stellate Cells, Minkyung Bae

Doctoral Dissertations

'Archival abstract submitted'

Cultivated Edge: Mediating Rural And Urban Gaps In Informal Settlements, Camila Hellebuyck

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Usually when you think of agriculture, you think of a farm, of production and of profitability and not on how can cities benefit from these practices, specially informal settlements. Urban agriculture is practiced almost as a hobby in industrialized nations, but it’s a response to a need in developing countries. In the case of Ciudad Bolivar, an informal settlement on the edge of Bogota, Colombia, urban farming resulted from food scarcity and poverty. The project develops design placemaking strategies aimed at improving the built environment and, as a result, the social cohesion of the neighborhood. The thesis proposes a community …

Sexual Minority Health Behaviors And Potential Benefits Of Same Sex Marriage, Caleb C. Cooley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Sexual minorities experience higher rates of negative health behaviors, yet little is known about the mechanisms which contribute to these experiences. Marriage has been shown to provide protective health benefits for those who opt in to the institution. Much of the previous research has primarily focused on marriage between different-sex couples, or estimated same-sex cohabitation. This study utilizes nationally representative secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey, to investigate the potential mediating influence of marriage on the elevated occurrence of negative health behaviors among same-sex couples. In terms of marriage, sexual minorities experience similar marital benefits to heterosexual couples …

Substrate Availability In The Upper Cretaceous Oyster Exogyra Costata, Marvin Kunath

Theses and Dissertations

The extinct oyster Exogyra (Ostreoida: Gryphaeidae) thrived during the Cretaceous Period. The Genus was especially abundant in the southern parts of the United States, as these areas were once covered under a shallow sea. Left (lower) valves of the species Exogyra costata (Say, 1820), show different variations of the shells including differences in size and scarring of the scar remaining from the point of substrate attachment. The scars are often created by attaching to another organism, leaving an impression of it via a process called bioimmuration. This research analyses specimens from three sites within two different geological formations (Owl Creek …

Effects Of X-Ray Irradiation On Quality And Shelf Life Of Seafood Products, Yuwei Wu

Theses and Dissertations

Comparing the protein compositions of three fishes, grass carp exhibited lower band intensity at 47.9 KDa, β-tropomyosin (36.5 KDa), and missed the band at 15.9 KDa myosin light chain. Bigmouth buffalo had a darker tropomodulin (38.8 KDa) band and smaller α-tropomyosin (33-37 KDa) than silver and grass carp. The breaking force (611.8 g) and deformation (11.7 mm) of silver carp cooked gel were significantly higher than the other two fish products. The addition of starches at 2, 4, and 6% to the grass carp paste lowered the breaking force of the cooked gel in a dose-responsive manner compared to the …

Evaluation Of A Serine Hydrolase Inhibitor Jzl184 As An Immunomodulator Against Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli O78 In Chickens, Cherry Pei-Yee Ho

Theses and Dissertations

Chickens in the poultry industry are reared under intensive conditions where they are often exposed to opportunistic pathogens. Escherichia coli strain O78 is responsible for about half of the cases of avian colisepticemia. Potential therapeutic treatments have been proposed to inhibit the hydrolases that controls the endogenous levels of the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). 2-AG is the full agonist at the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system expressed among leukocytes and it plays a role in mediating the activation of phagocytic macrophages. It is speculated that elevating 2- AG levels could increase macrophage cytokines and promote the recruitment of immune cells …

Identifying Ideal Body Composition Of Female Powerlifters, Elizabeth A. Flinner

Theses and Dissertations

Powerlifting is the sport of maximal effort of back squat, bench press and deadlift. The purpose of this study was to identify the ideal body composition of female powerlifters. Body composition measurements were taken on the day of competition on women who competed in a raw powerlifting meet in United States Powerlifting Federation using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Participants’ powerlifting experience ranged from novice to world-class lifters. One hundred ninetyive women completed the study and ages ranged from 18 to 75 years old. Mean body fat percentage (BF%) of all powerlifters was 31.21% and body mass index was 26.68. Results showed …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of College And University Administrators Towards Secondary Agricultural Education Programs And The Ffa, Karla D. Turner-Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions and attitudes of college and university administrators toward secondary agricultural education programs and the FFA. The study followed a descriptive survey research design. A researcher-modified questionnaire was sent electronically through Qualtrics to 265 college and university administrators who were in charge or undergraduate programs in agriculture, natural resources, and related science programs were offered. One hundred one individuals responded in the study for a response rate of 38 percent. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. The study found that current college and university administrators of agriculture …

Material Characterization Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Chet Raj Bhatt

Theses and Dissertations

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been established as a rapid, in situ, and real-time spectroscopic analytical technique for material characterization. It is very handy for the study of all kinds of materials irrespective of their state. After being used for a Mars mission, LIBS has gained global attention and many scientific researches are investigating its applications. The main objective of this dissertation is to study the possibility of using laser spectroscopic sensing techniques for material characterization and if possible, to develop methodologies. Studying molecular emission spectra for elemental analysis is a relatively new trend in the spectroscopic field. Molecular emission …

Melatonin Implants During Pregnancy On Maternal Hemodynamics And Growth Of Offspring In Beef Cattle, Keelee Jae Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations

Melatonin is a strong antioxidant that has previously been observed to increase uteroplacental blood flow and increase postnatal calf growth when supplemented during gestation. The objective of the current study was to examine the effects of melatonin implants on uterine blood flow and subsequent offspring growth. Commercial beef heifers and cows were artificially inseminated and assigned to one of two treatment groups supplemented with (MEL) or without (CON) melatonin from days 180 to 240 of gestation. Total uterine artery blood flow was increased in MEL- versus CON-treated cattle. Fetal and birth weight were not different between treatments. However, at castration, …

Quantitative Analysis Of Allergens In Peanut Varieties And Assessment Of Effects Of Food Processing On Peanut Allergens, Shi Meng

Theses and Dissertations

Peanut, a major allergenic food, has life-threatening potential and is difficult to be totally avoided due to its common use in processed foods. Thermal processing can influence the allergenic properties of peanuts. However, the kinetics of the reactions caused by thermal processing has not been characterized. In our study, kinetics of the commonly used thermal processing methods on a commercial peanut cultivar (Virginia) using five time intervals was conducted. Water-soluble and SDS-sample buffer soluble proteins were extracted sequentially, and analyzed by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western-blot using human plasma containing IgE antibodies. The relationships between thermal processing (time) …

Serum Banking Of The Mississippi Shelter Dog Population To Estimate Seroprevalence Of Diseases Affecting Animal And Human Health, Kristina Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

Shelter dog populations in the United States are poorly quantified and characterized, but may be effective targets for measuring the occurrence of select diseases affecting animal and human health. Dogs in this population may have increased risk for disease due to intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. Accurate estimates of disease in this population require sound sampling strategies within a comprehensive sampling frame. Knowledge of the prevalence of disease in the Mississippi shelter dog population is important for diagnostic test interpretation, shelter allocation of resources, and public health risk assessment. A serum bank provides a valuable resource to investigate both zoonotic …

Effect Of Lead Contaminated Soils On Lycopene And Mineral Contents Of Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum), Andrea T. Amati

Theses

Eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial to human health, not just because they provide essential nutrients and vitamins, but also because phytochemicals scavenge free radicals and can reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases. However, not all people have access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. People who live in “food deserts” often are limited to smaller stores where prices are higher and the quality and variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce. Urban gardens have been proposed as a potential solution to the issue of food deserts and as a way to promote nutrition in low …

A Program Evaluation Of Zgirls: The Role Of Cognitive Emotion Regulation In Predicting Mental Health Outcomes In Adolescent Girls, Julie Vieselmeyer

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of ZGiRLS, a sport-based youth development program (YDP) that seeks to empower adolescent girls by teaching psychological skills. Sport-based YDPs have shown great potential for promoting healthy psychological development (Anderson-Butcher et al., 2013), and may even serve a preventative function by providing an effective setting for developing positive traits, attitudes, and skills (Weissberg, Kumpfer, & Seligman, 2003). The purpose of this study was to conduct a program evaluation to explore the effectiveness of ZGiRLS. Four specific aims of the study were to examine (a) a change in psychological skills (i.e., self-talk and goal setting), (b) …

Evaluation Of Bacillus Strains For Plant Growth-Promotion Potentials On Corn (Zea Mays), Wheat (Triticum Aestivum), And Soybean (Glycine Max)., Rufus John Akinrinlola

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

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can increase plant growth and yield by facilitating nutrient availability, hormone production, and inhibiting plant deleterious microorganisms. Twelve strains of bacillus (endospore-forming bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Lysinibacillus) isolated from wheat rhizospheres were assessed for plant-growth promotion attributes in greenhouse and laboratory experiments. The objectives were to assess each strain’s potential to promote growth in corn, wheat, and soybean; and to determine whether the physiological traits expressed in vitro by the strains related to their effectiveness in promoting plant growth. Greenhouse experiments to assess growth-promotion potential were conducted by applying the strains …

Diabetic Foot Screening Tool: Utility In A Busy Primary Care Setting, Crystal A. Cusanelli

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Problem: Providers in a Midwest rural clinic identified that foot care is often overlooked due to the complexity of diabetic patients and limited time available during office visits.

Purpose: This project examined the utility of an evidence-based, diabetic foot screening tool, provider satisfaction with the tool, and provider perceptions regarding foot care in a busy primary care practice.

Methodology: Providers were instructed on using the screening tool. The tool was utilized on all diabetic patients during office visits over a two-month period. Anonymous surveys were distributed and a focus group was conducted to gather post-implementation outcomes.

Results: Two providers …