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Health Outcomes Of Adolescents And Young Adults After Traumatic Injury: The Role Of Stress Resilience And Social Support, Belanie Peavy

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Traumatic injury is a major health problem and has been linked to mental and physical disability following injury. Although it is the leading cause of disability in the United States (US) for adolescents and young adults, there is a paucity of evidence in the literature regarding association(s) of perceived stress on the outcomes of anxiety and depressive symptoms and the moderating role of resilience and social support in which to develop prevention and treatment interventions for this patient population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perceived stress on anxiety and depressive symptoms …

Sex-Specific Effects And Gene-Sex Interactions In Serum Metabolome Levels: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Zhe Wang

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Metabolomic signatures associated with complex disease have been identified. Metabolomic profiling and the integration of genomic data have proven to be powerful tools to investigate genetic effects underlying intermediate phenotype levels and may facilitate improved understanding of pathophysiologic processes of disease. However, most published studies did not consider sex as an effect modifier, analyze sex-specific effects, nor gene by sex interactions. One reason can be incomplete knowledge of the power of statistical methods used in a given dataset.

I first investigated sex-specific genetic effects by performing sex-stratified exome-wide association studies for 271 chromatography-mass spectrometry measured metabolites in the Atherosclerosis Risk …

Observed Cooking Behaviors Of Families With And Without Childhood Cancer Survivors And The Development Of A Healthy Cooking Assessment Tool, Margaret Pleta Raber

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Diet is a modifiable risk factor for several cancers and other chronic diseases. Cooking skills are a target for dietary intervention, with much of the general population reporting infrequent and inadequate home preparation of meals. Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are a population at high risk of several chronic conditions including secondary cancers that may be influenced by home cooking behaviors. We conducted observations of food preparation practices in 29 parents of healthy school-aged children and 11 parents of CCS. Observations included an audio and video recording of one evening meal per family. Parents were asked to wear a small body …

Impacts Of Cold Weather On Health In Texas, Tsun-Hsuan Chen

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Recent events with recorded low temperature and unusual snow accumulation in the United States and Europe have raised the public awareness of the potential health impacts of extreme winter weather. Excessive cold was the leading cause of weather-related death during 2006-2010 in the U.S., accounting for 63% of weather related deaths. Several studies worldwide have demonstrated that, in general, mortality rates are higher in winter compared to summer. Studies have also shown that the association between cold temperature and death vary across cities, regions and countries and is especially relevant with decreasing latitude or in regions with mild winter climate. …

Investigation Of Hantavirus And Leptospira As Possible Contributing Factors Of The Unexplained Kidney Disease Epidemic In Nicaragua, Nicole J. Delgado

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Throughout Latin America, an epidemic of a kidney disease of an unknown etiology has been occurring since the late 1990s, and this disease is being called “Mesoamerican nephropathy.” Mesoamerican nephropathy predominantly affects male sugarcane workers. In Chichigalpa, Chinandega, Nicaragua, there is sugarcane plantation that is being heavily impacted by the Mesoamerican nephropathy epidemic, and they invited researchers from Baylor College of Medicine to investigate the epidemic. The prospective epidemic investigation began in 2015, and it is an ongoing investigation. Based on the compilation of data collected during the preliminary investigation, our hypothesis is that a possible zoonotic disease, such as …

Exposure To Ambient Air Pollution And Fetal Death In Harris County, Texas, Amal Rammah

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The evidence from studies of maternal ambient air pollutant exposure (including O3, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and PM2.5 metal constituents) and stillbirth is limited and equivocal. There is also limited evidence of the acute effect of temperature increases in the week preceding delivery and stillbirth. In the first investigation of ambient air pollution, temperature and stillbirth among a large cohort of women in Harris County, Texas, we obtained birth and fetal death records from 2008-2013 and estimated weekly residential levels of apparent temperature and ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 metals from the local monitoring …

Examining The Effect Of Service Delivery Factors On Timely Initiation Of Tuberculosis Treatment Within Primary Care Settings In Uganda, Michael Juma

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Timeliness of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is critical to stopping its transmission and preventing disease complications and death. Efficiency in identifying and treating presumptive TB cases is critical to reducing delays.

Aims: We determined the association between health service-related factors and delays in initiating TB treatment within primary care settings in Uganda. Perspectives of healthcare workers on practices underlying healthcare facility level delays were also described.

Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted based on facility-register records of 1199 treated TB cases and key informant interviews with 27 outpatient staffs. Health service-related factors (size, ownership, number of …

Does Space Matter? An Investigation Of The Spatial Variation In Gestational Weight Gain Associations With Country Of Birth Among Hispanic Women And Access To Care In Texas, Christopher R. Webb

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Inadequate and excess gestational weight gain (GWG) are serious, but potentially preventable adverse pregnancy outcomes which affect as many as two-thirds of pregnant women in the United States. While location and space are associated with a variety of pregnancy outcomes, limited research has investigated potential spatial variation in GWG. The goal of this research is to improve the knowledge of how spatial geography is associated with GWG through secondary analyses of 70,000 to 160,000 birth certificate registry records for Texas mothers with a live birth delivery in 2014. Specifically, this research attempts to assess whether access to obstetrics and gynecologist …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression, And Resilience In African-American Adolescents, Jamie C. Freeny

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Research shows that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common among adolescents; however, no studies have examined the prevalence of ACEs in a racially homogenous sample of African-American adolescents. Thus, the present study examined the cumulative and individual prevalence of ACEs in African-American adolescents. Data were collected from African-American adolescents (n = 241) who attended youth events hosted by churches in Houston, TX. An expanded ACEs tool was used to collect data. ACE scores were summed and dichotomized to 0-3 ACEs versus 4-19 ACEs because a score of four or more indicates a higher risk for adverse mental and …

A Secondary Data Analysis For The Refinement Of Empirical Modelling For The Estimation Of Environmental Health & Safety Program Resourcing For Colleges And Universities, Seth Michael Parker

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The use of potentially hazardous physical, chemical, biological, and radiological agents is inherent to the teaching, research, and services missions of any university. To manage the risks associated with these agents, it is common for universities to host environmental health & safety (EH&S) programs to protect the safety of the institution’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors. However, since EH&S programs in universities are primarily focused on prevention, it is difficult to estimate the appropriate “industry average” in terms of budget and staffing resources a particular university needs for such programs. Historically, the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) …

2018 Winter Graduate & Undergraduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

Lindenwood University Commencement program.

Venom Composition Of Little Known Mountain Rattlesnakes And Predator-Prey Interactions Of Crotalus Pricei Pricei And Its Natural Prey, Sceloporus Jarrovii, Emily Grabowsky

Master's Theses

The Crotalus intermedius clade is a small group composed of four species: C. intermedius, C. transversus, C. pricei, and the recently identified C. tancitarensis (Alvarado-Díaz and Campbell, 2004; Reyes-Valesco et al. 2013). Though these species are restricted to high elevations of Sky Islands of southern Arizona and throughout México, little has been reported about their natural history and basic biology, including venom composition. Specifically, the Western Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (C. pricei pricei) is a small lizard specialist restricted to the more northern Sky Islands of México, with isolated populations in southern Arizona, where they are a protected species. …

Impact Of Sepsis And Non-Communicable Diseases On Prognostic Models To Predict The Outcome Of Hospitalized Chronic Liver Disease Patients, Fakhar Qazi, Shahab Abid, Preet Ayoub Shaikh, Safia Awan

Section of Gastroenterology

AIM: To evaluate the impact of sepsis and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the outcome of decompensated chronic liver disease(CLD) patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical records of patients with CLD admitted to the Gastroenterology unit at the Aga Khan University Hospital were reviewed. Patients older than 18 years with decompensation of CLD (i.e., jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy, and/or upper gastrointestinal bleed) as the primary reason for admission were included, while those who were admitted for reasons other than decompensation of CLD were excluded. Each patient was followed for 6 wk after index admission to assess mortality, prolonged hospital …

Full Issue, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Scholarships, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Ftsq Phosphorylation On Mycobacterium Septation, Dominic French

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Modelling The Effects Of Disease-Associated Single Amino Acid Variants And Rescuing The Effects By Small Molecules, Yunhui Peng

All Dissertations

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a variation of a single nucleotide in the genome. Some of these variations can cause a change of single amino acid in the corresponding protein, resulting in single amino acid variation (SAV). SAVs can lead to profound alterations of the corresponding biological processes and thus can be associated with many human diseases. This dissertation focuses on integration of existing and development of new computational approaches to model the effects of SAVs with the goal to reveal molecular mechanism of human diseases. Since proton transfer and pKa shifts are frequently attributed to disease causality, the proton …

Women As Ritualistic Agents In The Roman Catholic Church: A Comparative Theological Dialogue, Simonmary Asese Aihiokhai

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

In sub-Saharan African religious worldview, a woman inhabits the interstitial space of connectedness. She serves as the medium for the birthing of physical and spiritual life. Today, many in the continent have embraced Christianity and many profess the Roman Catholic faith. African Catholics can contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of women as ministerial agents in the Catholic Church. To do this, they can articulate a theology of ministry that is grounded in the religious worldview of African indigenous religions.

The Federated Colored Catholics' Chronicle, 1929‐1932: A Monitor And Barometer Of American Race Relations, Katrina Sanders

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

This essay examines The Chronicle, the Federated Colored Catholics’ official periodical. The author argues that the short-lived publication was an educative vehicle that provided practical strategies for addressing the day-to-day racial disparities facing the larger Black community. Remnants of the social and economic issues that The Chronicle’s founder, Thomas Wyatt Turner, sought to address during the late 1920s and early 1930s remain with us today, and as such, continue to demand both attention and solutions.

Dissecting The Role Of The Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway On Regenerative Organ Growth In Snakes, Kyle Alyson Chi

2018 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The genes and regulatory activity of the Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway are highly controlled within tissues that undergo regenerative growth. Recently, the Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway has been implicated in driving extreme post-feeding organ growth in snakes, but its precise role in this growth remains unknown. Here, we analyzed gene expression before and after feeding in three snake species using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify which specific components of the Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway are likely involved in regenerative growth. Genes involved with cellular stress response, transcription, and protein synthesis, such as Serum/Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase (SGK), Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor …

Qed: The Research Annual Of The Uta Honors College (2018), Misbah Ahmed, Jeremy Dubhrós, Genichiro Fujioka, Gregory Luke, Samantha Oliphint, Valerie Rose Bilton, Alyssa Bragg, Darshan Chalise, Divya Chalise, Sanjari Chelawat, Lauren Crane, Iretomiwa Esho, Islam Hammad, Phyllis Mae Helms, Alyssa Hernandez, Mostofa Hisham, Valery Lofton, Virginia Morris, Jonathan Nufable, Cristian Almendariz, Nicholas Byrnes, Daniela Chavez Garcia, Sanjari Chelawat, Stephanie Dolenz, Arnav Garg, Prasoon Gautam, Wade Girton, Kalen Goss Manshack, Jared Hanes, Ian Harris, Nawal Joulani, Alexandra E. Kessler, Hrishabh Khakurel, Tiffany Kim, Nicholas Lira, Marissa Lopez, Vaishanavi Mirapurkar, Chidalu Mozie, Murtaza Mucklai, Ariel O’Brien, Leonee Onyekwere, Ashley Quimod, Mohammad Rashik, Raegan P. Rust, Tanmay Sardesai, Chanel Sassoon, Swangya Saurav, Romeeka Arfeen Siddiqui, Trevor Stull, Jaycee Weber

2018 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The Honors College of the University of Texas at Arlington is a purposefully diverse community of student scholars in all majors dedicated to student success. The mission of the College is simple: to offer high achieving students an extraordinary undergraduate education through special academic programs and opportunities for research, study abroad, and leadership. The Honors curriculum fits with all majors, and complements and advances the goals of student's academic disciplines.

Certified Child Life Specialists' Perceptions Of Effective Psychosocial Interventions For Adolescents In Japanese Hospital Settings, Yukari Stickley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Adolescents and young adults need psychosocial support in the hospital because of their developing abstract thinking skills that occur during puberty. In addition, it is important to understand the cultural differences of effective psychosocial interventions for adolescents between the United States of America (USA) and Japan. The purpose of this study is to determine perceptions of effective psychosocial interventions for Japanese adolescents based on the experiences of Certified Child Life Specialists (n = 8), who trained in the USA and were presently working in Japan. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the CCLSs in Japan through a one-time online …

Vocabulary Depth And Language Use Of Heritage Learners, Elsy B. Shuford

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Persons whose home environment features a non-majority language are known as heritage speakers. The nature and conditions of Spanish heritage speakers’ interaction with their heritage language significantly affects their command of it. The aim of this study is to explore vocabulary depth among 10-year-old heritage language speakers in Springfield, Missouri, and its relationship to language use at home. This study adds to the body of knowledge related to heritage language development by exploring language use at home and church activities, as well as vocabulary depth in Spanish heritage speakers in the Springfield metropolitan area by investigating social and linguistic aspects …

Effects Of Parafluvial Flows On Interstitial Ammonia And Freshwater Mussels In The Buffalo National River, David Alan Johnson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Freshwater mussel populations and distributions have declined over the past several decades in the Buffalo River, Arkansas. Among many possible causes, this study tested the hypothesis that ammonia concentrations in parafluvial flows through gravel bars might be high enough to impair the survival and growth of juvenile mussels. Ammonia, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured in interstitial and water column samples from gravel bars to test for possible longitudinal gradients. Samples were taken along 3 large bars at locations within the Buffalo National River, at approximate bi-weekly intervals between June and September of 2010. Water sample ammonia concentrations were …

Investigating The Attitudes Of Adolescent Male Singers In Gender Choirs, Heidi Joy Williamson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of gender choirs within a middle school choral classroom to investigate (a) attitudes about singing, (b) confidence and self-efficacy of their own voices, and (c) peer perceptions of adolescent males’ participation in choir. Data were obtained from 40 students, in Grades 7 or 8, who were enrolled in a male gender choir at one of the five participating middle schools. Most participants enrolled in choir because they thought choir was fun, and they were good singers. Most participants did not think that choir was “better” when the genders were separated. …

Modeling The Response Of Black Walnut -Dominant Mixed Hardwoods To Seasonal Climate Effects With Uav-Based Hyperspectral Sensor And Aerial Photogrammetry, Tyler G. Bradford

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The development of compact sensors in recent years has inspired the use of UAS-based hyperspectral and aerial imaging techniques for small-scale remote sensing applications. With increasing concerns about climate change, spectrally-derived vegetation indices (VIs) have proven useful for quantifying stress-induced vegetation response. The goal of this study was to develop predictive models and assess methodology for modeling the biological response of a black walnut -dominant mixed hardwood stand to seasonal climate events using UAV-based hyperspectral remote-sensing. The derived VIs were evaluated against the means of four seasonal measures of climate calculated for a two-week period prior to the flight date. …

Nesting Success And Habitat Preference Of The Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) In Southwest Missouri, Samantha Ann Meilink

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a cavity-dwelling species and has been known to inhabit both natural and artificial cavities, such as nest boxes. The Barn Owl has a global distribution and can be found as far north as British Columbia and as far south as South America. They have a stable population in the United States; however, although generally stable in the United States, Missouri populations have experienced recent declines, prompting their listing as a species of special concern. In order to assist conservation efforts, land cover needs to be assessed to determine where it is best to place …

Impacts Of Sea-Level Rise And Thin-Layer Deposition On Salt Marsh Elevation Dynamics In New Hampshire, Andrew Payne

Master's Theses and Capstones

The survival of salt marshes depends largely on their ability to build in elevation, thereby preventing increases in flooding due to sea-level rise, but the rate of marsh elevation gain depends on processes that are not well-understood, i.e. belowground productivity, sedimentation, and subsidence. The application of sediment to the marsh surface (thin-layer deposition) is a potential mitigation tool for increased flooding, but its effects on plant growth and elevation gain are understudied, especially in New England marshes. A marsh organ experiment was constructed and installed in the field to examine the effects of tidal flooding and thin-layer deposition on productivity. …

Site-Specific And Landscape Features Associated With Shrubland Bird Occurence In Anthropogenic Shrublands In The Northeastern United States, Randy Shoe

Master's Theses and Capstones

Habitats dominated by low-growing trees and shrubs are becoming increasingly uncommon in the northeastern U.S. Human development, altered natural-disturbance regimes, and forest succession have reduced the quantity and quality of these shrublands. As a result, over half of the shrubland-dependent songbirds in the region have experienced long-term population declines. Anthropogenic shrublands, including regenerating clearcuts, sand and gravel mines, old fields, and transmission line rights-of-way may provide nesting habitat for most shrubland birds; but differences in size, site-specific features, and landscape composition may affect bird use. To assess the features that may influence shrubland bird occurrence in anthropogenic shrublands, I conducted …

Assessing The Impact Of Submerged Vegetation On Methane Dynamics In A Discontinuous Permafrost Lake System, Abisko, Sweden, Christopher Daniel Horruitiner

Master's Theses and Capstones

Across the Arctic, postglacial lakes contribute a substantial amount of the total atmospheric methane (CH4), and their emissions are predicted to increase. However, there is still much uncertainty as to the contribution of northern water bodies to atmospheric CH4 emissions. This is mainly due to the spatiotemporal variability of the predominant pathway of emission from high latitude lakes: ebullition (bubbling). There are a myriad of factors that affect ebullition fluxes, including solar radiation input and atmospheric pressure, which make it difficult to model the impact on regional emissions. Very few studies have correlated sediment characteristics and submerged vegetation density with …