Digital Commons Network^™

It's A Hard Nacht Life: Understanding How Nlrp12 Ticks, Abbigale Julia Brown

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The protein NOD- like receptor pyrin domain containing 12 (NLRP12) comes from a family of protein receptors with a wide range of functions including fertility as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The biological role of NLRP12 is poorly understood: research on the mechanisms behind its function and/or activation remains contradictory between different cell models. Current research suggests its involvement in a multi-protein complex named the inflammasome. The alternative hypothesis that has also been proposed is that NLRP12 is not a part of the inflammasome, rather it negatively regulates a transcription factor known as NF-��B down stream of Toll-like receptors. NLRP12 is …

Pneumothorax: What’S A Pediatric Pulmonologist To Do?, Terrence W. Carver

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

A pneumothorax is a collection of air in the pleural space commonly associated with respiratory symptoms. Patients may be relatively asymptomatic but may present with life-threatening distress. Confirmation of a clinically suspected pneumothorax is most often by chest x-ray when patients have been stabilized. Pneumothoraces are first categorized as primary, secondary, or iatrogenic and informs the evaluation and treatment plan. However, despite management guidelines in the literature, their applicability for pediatric patients is limited. Understanding of the historical risk factors including the acute clinical course and how radiographs, both chest X-ray and CT chest illuminate which patients are at highest …

Functional Analysis In The Home Setting Of An Older Adult With Neurocognitive Disorder, Emily Norton

Masters Theses

Currently within the behavioral gerontology literature there are no published studies that include a functional assessment in the home setting. The primary goal of the present study was to address this gap by conducting a functional analysis on a challenging behavior of an older adult with neurocognitive disorder in the home. This study occurred in two phases. During phase one, researchers conducted an antecedent functional analysis on the bizarre speech of an 81-year-old female with suspected dementia across four conditions (television on, no interactions initiated; television on, interactions initiated; television off, no interactions initiated; television off, interactions initiated). Results from …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Ion-Implanted Gold Nanoparticles, Nurlathifah Fnu

Masters Theses

Gold negative ions of 70 keV energy were implanted within the quartz substrates at room temperature at seven different fluences starting from 2 x 10¹⁶ particles/cm² to 8 x 10¹⁶ particles/cm² with the increment of 1 x 10¹⁶. Prior to the implantation, Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) calculations were carried to obtain the Bragg peak below the surface of quartz. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) was carried out using 2.0 MeV He⁺⁺ ions to measure depth and implanted fluence of gold, and learn how they varied with fluence. Backscattered He particles …

Behavioral Skills Training And Literacy: Supporting Reading Instructors In Adult Education Centers, Mya L. Hernandez

Dissertations

The present study evaluates the effects of a behavioral skills training package (BST) on training adult literacy tutors to implement the steps of BST when teaching parents with low literacy. Four adult literacy tutors participated in the study along with one parent with low literacy. The primary dependent variable was the percentage of steps of the BST package implemented correctly during tutor training probe measures. Secondary measures were taken on the parent’s performance of each step of the literacy activities on which they were trained. In baseline, all tutors were provided with instructions for performing two literacy activities and tutors …

Smart Sensors With Dual Modes Of Signal Transduction For Monitoring Molecules Pertinent To Health And The Environment, Jared T. Wabeke

Dissertations

The dissertation focuses on the design and synthesis of smart materials for the detection of molecules pertinent to environmental protection and healthcare. The use of computational simulations is pivotal toward advancing molecular design for targeted applications. Research was conducted to investigate the use of simulations to develop novel sensors with dual modes of signal transduction. The molecular properties were determined using computational modelling, and then used to elucidate the binding mechanism of the corresponding sensor complexes. Several molecules were produced that respond to important organic analytes, such as glucose and fenthion, an organophosphorus pesticide. Glucose is an exceedingly important biological …

Special Education Teachers Use Of Reading Strategies To Support Students With Learning Disabilities In Reading, Ali A. Alhamdan

Dissertations

This research captures how special education teachers select, use, and monitor reading strategies for 4^th and/or 5^th grade students who have learning disabilities in reading. A multiple case study, the research focused on five different southwest Michigan classrooms where special education teachers teach students with learning disabilities in reading. Data was collected through teacher interviews, classroom observations, and document review. The study results include that small group instruction is the approach teachers value most for Tier II instruction, while direct instruction is valued most for Tier III instruction. At both Tier II and III, teachers select interventions and …

Measurement Of Defusion: Further Validation Of The Drexel Defusion Scale, Christopher A. Briggs

Dissertations

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) seeks to develop psychological flexibility through the engagement of the six interrelated processes. Four processes employ mindfulness and acceptance strategies and consist of acceptance, defusion, present moment awareness, and the contextualized self. Two other processes, values and committed action, are grouped with present moment awareness and the contextualized self and are termed behavior change strategies. One issue encountered by contemporary behavioral approaches in general, and ACT in particular, is the measurement of the proposed processes. Measurement is complicated by the functional nature of some of the repertoires described making the development of instruments for assessment …

Analyzing Impacts Of Transportation And Non-Transportation Activities On Human Health With An Advanced Platform For Collecting Travel And Physical Activity Data, Raed Abdullah Hasan

Dissertations

Recently much attention is paid to the lack of physical activities that may cause the health problems in many counties. Travel activities provide a certain amount of physical activities, and the active transportation, such as walking and cycling, becomes more important as an essential element of transportation. The active transportation is expected to contribute to improving human health by reducing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and premature death. However, detailed relationship between the transportation choices and human health has not been well understood. Therefore, there is a need for investigating traveler behaviors and how their choices affect physical activities and public health. …

The Era Of Trump: How Jamaican Daca Recipients Are Coping With The 2017 Daca Policy Change, Rachele M. Hall

Education Doctoral

The topic of undocumented immigrants living in the United States stimulates consistent national and local debate. In 2012 President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy which provided undocumented immigrants work authorization and reprieve from deportation. In 2017, newly elected President Donald J. Trump announced the removal of the DACA policy. Researchers have focused on the impact of the removal of the DACA policy on undocumented Latino/a immigrants, but limited to no research has focused on the impact for Black immigrants, specifically those identifying as Jamaican. The purpose of this study was …

Objective Sleep Quality As A Predictor Of Mild Cognitive Impairment In Seniors Living Alone, Brian Chen, Hwee-Pink Tan, Irus Rawtaer, Hwee Xian Tan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Singapore has the fastest ageing population in the Asia Pacific region, with an estimated 82,000 seniors living with dementia. These figures are projected to increase to more than 130,000 by 2030. The challenge is to identify more community dwelling seniors with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a prodromal state, as it provides an opportunity for evidence-based early intervention to delay the onset of dementia. In this paper, we explore the use of Internet of Things (IoT) systems in detecting MCI symptoms in seniors who are living alone, and accurately grouping them into MCI positive and negative subjects. We present feature extraction …

A Discussion And Mathematical Formula For The Impact Of Working Hours And Overtime Pay After The Residents Included In The Labor Standard Law In Taiwan, Ming-Yu Hsieh, Kuo-Shu Huang, Tzu-Ling Wang, Hui-Ying Low

Journal of Medical Education

To the inclusion of residents in Labor Standard Law, the first step is to figure out different combinations of working hours and numbers of duty in residents under the latest regulations. This study mainly converts the latest resident working hours regulations into mathematical formulas to check the different combinations of duty numbers and working hours, and the overtime pay. According to the guidelines announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, we formulated them as mathematic formulas. We also conducted the concepts of expected value to deal with the effect of saving time by PM off in different combinations of …

Using The Audience Response System To Improve A Lecture-Based Pathology Course: Students' And Teachers' Perspectives, Jing-Jou Yan, Cheau-Jane Peng, Chyi-Her Lin

Journal of Medical Education

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of the audience response system (ARS) on medical students' learning outcomes and teachers' performance in a traditional lecture-based pathology course. Methods: We introduced the ARS to teachers in the Department of Pathology in a medical school and invited them to use it during pathology lectures voluntarily. Those not using the ARS were non-ARS controls. Each student had a clicker to vote for questions or count attendance in classes conducted using the ARS. Student attendance for classes not using the ARS was counted by a research assistant. Student's opinions regarding ARS use in classes, attendance, …

Twenty Years Of Open Source Software: From Skepticism To Mainstream, Gregorio Robles, Igor Steinmacher, Paul Adams, Christoph Treude

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Open source software (OSS) has conquered the software world. You can see it nearly everywhere, from Internet infrastructure to mobile phones to the desktop. In addition to that, although many OSS practices were viewed with skepticism 20 years ago, several have become mainstream in software engineering today: from development tools such as Git to practices such as modern code reviews.

Aku Research 2019, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies

Office of Research and Graduate Studies

Content

- Messages

- AKU: Leadership in aligning research with the SDGs

- Nutrition survey highlights stunting crisis in Pakistan

- KITAB project: using machine learning on ancient texts

- Analysing policy to address the burden of NCDs

- ECD interventions for marginalised communities

- Gut bacteria: exploring new avenues in malnutrition

- Uncovering the expression of Islam in popular culture

- Identifying at-risk fetuses through artificial intelligence

- Detecting and combating XDR typhoid in Pakistan

- Reducing maternal and newborn deaths in Kenya

- Assessing the impact ofteachers’ low status on education

- High impact research

- Facilitating research …

Dispositional Gratitude Moderates The Association Between Socioeconomic Status And Interleukin-6, Andree Hartanto, Sean T. H. Lee, Jose C. Yong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Socioeconomic disparities in health are prevalent and growing in importance as a concern among academics, policymakers, and the general public. However, psychological resources that can narrow such disparities have not been well-examined. The current study examined the moderating role of dispositional gratitude in the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and inflammation risk as an index of health. Participants consisted of 1,054 midlife adults from the biomarker project of the Midlife in the United States. Infammation risk was measured by interleukin-6 biomarker and SES was operationalized by education attainment and income. We found that dispositional gratitude signifcantly moderated the relationships between …

Improving Learning Outcomes And Course Satisfaction Of Nutrition Interns Through Game-Based Learning, Ying-Ru Chen, Shih-Ching Lo, Hsing-Chun Lin

Journal of Medical Education

Nutrition internships provide the opportunity for college students to work in the field of their choice and receive hands-on training from nutrition professionals, preparing them for a job in healthcare following graduation. Professional knowledge courses for nutrition interns have mostly been lecture-based. This has led to passive learning, making it difficult for students to pay attention and to retain knowledge. In response, one clinical nutrition course was modified to include Game-Based Learning (GBL). Through this modified course, interns acquired knowledge and developed problem-solving skills. The games, training process and effectiveness of this course are the focus of this article. Based …

Why Do Young Physicians Make A 'Detour' To Aesthetic Clinics? An Exploration Of Professional Identity Among Young Physicians Who Changed Career Paths, Chiung-Hsuan Chiu, Jeng-Cheng Wu, Chien-Yu Chen

Journal of Medical Education

Purpose: An increasing number of young physicians in Taiwan terminate their postgraduate year or specialty training in favor of working in aesthetic clinics or other industries. Some choose to return to teaching hospitals and complete their specialty training, while others choose alternative pathways. This study aims to understand the reasons and significance of this problem and explore what makes these young physicians change career paths. Methods: This preliminary study collected data via in-depth interviews and analyzed the transcripts using the template coding method. Eight participants recruited via snowball sampling were classified into three groups: those who returned to the training …

Use Of The ＂Teaching On The Run＂ Program For Post-Graduate Year Residents To Improve The Quality Of Papanicolaou Smears, Hsin-Ju Chiang, Shih-Chieh Liu, Yu-Che Ou, Pei-Hsun Sung, Miao-Ling Liu, Ting-Hsun Lan, Kuo-Chung Lan

Journal of Medical Education

Purpose: Papanicolaou (Pap) smear with assessment of cervical cytology may reduce the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer. However, poor quality Pap smears reduce screening efficacy. This study evaluated whether the ＂Teaching On The Run (TOTR)＂ teaching program could improve the skills of junior residents and enhance the quality of Pap smears. Methods: Between May and December 2015, 40 post-graduate year (PGY) residents were divided into two groups. The TOTR group (n = 22) participated in the protocol-driven TOTR teaching program, consisting of plan learning, learning, appraisal/assessment, feedback and outcome evaluation. The non-TOTR group (n = 18) participated in …

The Relationship Between Biofilm Production And Human Respiratory Cell Attachment And Invasion By Acinetobacter Baumannii, Rachel A. Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes many nosocomial infections in immunocompromised individuals. Common infections include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, and bloodstream infections that often lead to septicemia. Increasing multidrug resistance (MDR) in A. baumannii warrants new approaches to understanding its virulence mechanisms and pathogenicity. As a first step in infection, A. baumannii can attach to host cells, providing a surface for the bacteria to grow and perhaps facilitating biofilm formation and subsequent tissue invasion. In this study, we evaluated antibiotic resistance and characterized biofilm formation, attachment, invasion, and surface …

Perceptions Of Higher Education Faculty Of The Quality, Benefits, And Consequences Of Dual Enrollment Participation, John Philip Mcelveen

Theses and Dissertations

In this qualitative study, the researcher sought to address a gap in the literature related to identifying and understanding perceptions of collegiate faculty of the quality, benefits, and consequences of dual enrollment participation upon students, their higher educational organization, and their own career paths. Study participants included 36 collegiate faculty and administrators with faculty standing employed full-time by Columbus State University who have taught dual enrollment students in college settings, high school settings, or in both settings. The sequential qualitative design identified perceptions of the participants through application of a survey instrument. The initial phase of data collection was followed …

Assisting School Level Teams To Identify And Address The Needs Of Struggling Learners Through A Tiered Intervention And Aligned Professional Development Model, Tammy Dionne Person

Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of the IDEA charged schools with the responsibility of identifying students who have disabilities and special needs and then providing them with appropriate educational services so that they progress academically. Schools have adopted, implemented, and revised a variety of screening processes to identify these students. The process of trying to help students who are experiencing difficulties is often referred to as RTI. The RTI framework is comprised of a multi-tiered educational system that outlines instructional practices based on student needs. Many schools have formed teams and devised policies to explore options for student assistance. This study involved designing …

Principals' Perceptions Of Brain-Based Learning, Tami Hudson Godman

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed by the study was a lack of research on principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and the potential impact on classroom instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and instruction at their schools. The following research has been conducted using a qualitative paradigm. A case study involved a focus group of 12 principals and additional interviews with four of those principals. The qualitative data were thematically coded to provide information on patterns and practices within a variety of schools in the area. The findings offer the educational …

Examining The Relationship Between Beliefs And Perceived Experiences During Assistant Principal Preparation For The Role Of Principal, Tonya Holcomb Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Principals have been expected to serve as managers and leaders of curriculum and instruction while facing intense accountability and had to be good communicators capable of building relationships within their school and with community stakeholders. School complexity increased challenges leaders faced, so educational leaders utilized research-based strategies to develop professional resilience and grow in the face of adversity. In preparation for school principalship, assistant principals needed to move beyond school operation and management roles to become a viable candidate for career advancement. Limited research exists describing the preparation of assistant principals for advancement. The purpose of this convergent mixed methods …

A Descriptive Study Of Teacher Perceptions Of International Travel Outcomes, Michael Dale Green

Theses and Dissertations

People have been traveling internationally for hundreds of years seeking enlightenment. There is a plethora of research to discuss how travel has impacted them. However, travel research is lacking where the educational impacts on the educational experiences of teachers are concerned. The purpose of this study was to offer empirical evidence on whether the international travel outcomes appear to be a function of traveling abroad, according to teacher perception. Eleven teachers were interviewed using a semi-structured format. They were questioned concerning the effects of international travel on their personal and professional lives. The researcher analyzed the data by transcribing the …

An Examination Of The Identification Of Student Veterans Within The University System Of Georgia To Assist In The Decision-Making Process To Better Serving Them, Stefane Dione Raulerson

Theses and Dissertations

Within the USG, no systematic approach exists regarding the identification of its student veterans. In support of the significant number of veterans living in Georgia and more of them utilizing VA educational benefits, the purpose of the research was to explore the various means in which USG institutions identify student veterans and use this information to make data-driven decisions as well as establish retention and graduation rates. The research included surveying and interviewing, following theoretical sampling. Interviews were conducted to obtain more comprehensive and detailed information on the survey results where participants indicated the identification of student veterans, use of …

Does Macronutrient Consumption Affect Aerobic Capacity?, Jordan Bush-Means

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Fitness in the United States is declining as the prevalence of obesity rises. It is known generally that exercise and diet both play a part in becoming fit, therefore veering away from being obese and/or overweight. Although people are aware they need to eat healthy foods and participate in physical activity, the role that dietary behaviors have on exercise, particularly aerobic capacity, remains unresolved. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze dietary behaviors and to examine associations with maximal aerobic capacity. We hypothesize that those who consume each food group will have a higher volume …

Determining Whether A Spot Urine Sample Is An Accurate Indication Of A Person's Hydration Status, Hannah Glidewell

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what technique would be an accurate measurement of an individual’s hydration status. According to current research on hydration assessment, the “gold standard” to assess the hydration of an individual is by measuring their total body water (Armstrong, Lawrence 2007). This is the most accurate measurement in a laboratory setting, but finding a measurement that works during a real time setting has been a challenge. It was proposed that a spot urine sample would provide more accurate results than a first- morning urine sample when compared to a 24-hour urine sample set as …

Cardiology Student Nurse Internship, Chimdera Nzelu

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This past summer and into my final semester in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, I became a student nurse intern at Washington Regional Medical Center in the Cardiology department. Heart disease and other heart-related morbidities are on the rise within our population, especially as the baby-boomer generation continues to age – and healthcare must follow suit. The Cardiology department combined with the Walker Heart Institute of Washington Regional is a champion within Northwest Arkansas for the best care related to the heart, and I had the incredible opportunity to serve and learn from their talented healthcare team. Through my …

Willow Creek Women's Hospital Internship, Destinee Ross

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

While the use of midwifery is proven to improve outcomes for low-risk mothers and infants, many healthcare providers, nurses, and patients in Northwest Arkansas continue to be skeptical about utilizing midwifery care. During my internship, I worked directly with labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and a midwife at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and provided high-quality care to women during their birthing process. This hospital focuses entirely on women and infant care and provides gynecological, obstetric, and newborn services. Willow Creek Women’s Hospital is also one of the few hospitals in Arkansas to implement a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and has two …