Digital Commons Network^™

Movimiento Saludable "Movs" Project: Impact On Fruit And Vegetable Intake Using Reflectance Spectroscopy And Relationship With Behavioral Theory Predictors, Karen Marleen Juarez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background. Movimiento Saludable (MOVS), a component of Ciudadanos Comprometidos con la Paz (CCOMPAZ) in Ciudad Juarez, MX is an after-school lifestyle program that was implemented at five schools during 2016 - 2017. The purpose of the MOVS program is to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes in children. The MOVS curriculum includes two components: a) physical conditioning through dance, body expression, and free play, and b) nutrition education and healthy meals to increase fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. The Paso del Norte Institute for Healthy Living (IHL) at UTEP collected the data to conduct an evaluation of the …

"Nací De Nuevo:" Examining The Functions Of A Prosthetic Limb Through The Lived Experiences Of People In México, Roger Andrew Renteria

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

80% of the people living with a disability live in developing countries (WHO 2018). With this being said, there is limited social research examining the experiences of this population (Connell 2011; Meekosha 2011). This Thesis seeks to gain an understanding of the broad functions of a lower-limb prosThesis through the lived experiences of people living in México. Through the use of qualitative data collected from participants living in Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Cuernavaca, the conversation on the "functionality" of a prosthetic limb has been expanded to include the social function that the prosThesis serves in the roles of navigating …

Differences In The M1 And M2 Macrophage Subtypes Between The Sexes Determine Susceptibility To Francisella Tularensis Infection, Michelle Arlene Sanchez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of the human disease tularemia. It is highly infectious with as few as 10 microorganisms via inhalation causing a lethal infection. F. tularensis infects a variety of cell types, including macrophages and neutrophils, since it needs to enter, survive and proliferate in order to cause pathogenicity. Disease is the result of over activating the host's own inflammatory response initiated by the macrophage's response to infection.

Known differences exist in the intensity of the inflammatory response between the sexes which leads to differences in sensitivity to autoimmune and infectious disease. Males tend to be more …

Development Of An Iridium-Ceramic Substrate Catalyst Bed For The Decomposition Of Ionic Green Liquid Monopropellants, Alejandro Andre Vazquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In an effort to advance green monopropellant propulsion using ionic liquids, the Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) has developed a pellet based catalyst bed for the decomposition of AF-M315E. The present paper will go over some of the fundamental research conducted towards the development of a catalyst bed and some of its applications. Three different catalyst bed designs were produced where each uses a different ceramic substrate material. The three different substrates are aluminum oxide, tungstated zirconia, silicon carbide each coated with iridium as the catalyst material. An experimental setup for testing the catalytic decomposition AF-M315E was …

Thermal Characterization Of Abs/Carbon Fiber, Abs/ Glass Fiber And Petg/Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites Used In Large Area Additive Manufacturing, Fernando Adrian Rodriguez Lorenzana

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Additive manufacturing has seen continuous advancements, such as the inclusion of large-area additive manufacturing extrusion systems. These systems precede small-scale 3D printing by means of research and technological development for the manufacturing of plastic and fiber industries. Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM), a material extrusion process, is capable of 3D printing large parts using thermoplastic composites by adding fiber reinforcements. The incorporation of fibrous materials, carbon fiber (CF) or glass fiber (GF), is a common practice in which percentage nominal ratios of fiber reinforcement by weight are implemented to the polymer matrix. In general, this enables warpage reduction during printing, …

Validating A Masculinity Scale In A Non-College Sample, Rubi Gonzales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Sexual assault in the United States is prevalent. One out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted rape or complete rape. Previous research demonstrates that hypermasculine attitudes are positively predictive of sexual aggression toward women. In these studies, researchers have continued to utilize outdated and inappropriate measures like the Hypermasculinity Inventory (1984) to assess hypermasculinity. Measures that assess hypermasculinity have only been validated on college samples. A modern measure of masculinity is the Auburn Differential Masculinity Inventory-23 (Burk, Burkhart, & Sikorski, 2004), which has been validated in college samples. The present research evaluated the psychometric …

Directory Of Services And Resources To Support Breastfeeding Initiation, Exclusivity, And Longevity In The El Paso Texas Region, Tiffany Nichelle Butler

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Human milk is recognized as the ideal food for infants; however, in order for human milk to get to the infants, breastfeeding requires the support of the healthcare system. Among infants born in 2015 in United States, 4 out of 5 started to breastfeed and despite of this high rate, only 22% of mothers exclusively breastfed for 6 months. The decisions to breastfeed are influenced by multiple factors including breastfeeding education and support, hospital practices, and participating in tailored education programs. The Office of the Surgeon General has identified the need for healthcare systems to "guarantee continuity of skilled support …

The Battle Off The Battlefield: Exploring Medical Cannabis Use Among U.S. Veterans Looking For Relief, Viridiana Edwards

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study analyzed the reasons U.S. veterans use cannabis, focusing on what ways cannabis is socially acceptable, what ways it is viewed as deviant, and to what extent veterans are using cannabis for pain and/or mental relief. To answer these questions, an open and closed ended questionnaire was created and was available online. My results showed that U.S. veterans were using medical cannabis due to the negative side effects from the pharmaceutical medication that they were prescribed, physicians not listening to them during their appointments, and for social integration.

Trypanosoma Cruzi Trypomastigote Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Mucins And A Synthetic Alpha-Gal-Containing Neoglycoprotein As Potential Biomarkers And Vaccines For Chagas Disease, Igor Leandro Estevao

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease that kills or permanently disable thousands of people annually. About 6-8 million people are estimated to be infected worldwide. Although many efforts have been made for the development of an effective immunotherapy, currently there is no vaccine to prevent or treat CD in humans. Despite their toxicity, the two current drugs for CD, benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX), have medium-to-high efficacy in the chronic stage of the disease and could save or improve the lives of thousands of patients. However, negative seroconversion in treated patients, as …

A Coupled Modeling Framework For Allocation Design In Land-Use And Land-Cover Changes To Optimize Biofuel Feedstock Production, Ana C. Cram

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Environmental awareness has increased the demand for renewable energy. Notably, the production of biofuels from feedstock is gaining interest as a viable measure to reduce fossil fuels consumption. Nevertheless, it is crucial to identify the trade-offs between bioenergy crop cultivation and the environmental impact on land, water, and atmosphere.

Intensifying biofuel cultivation trigger effects associated with Land Use and Land-use-change, which are complex to assess. While hydrological models had been used to investigate the environmental impacts of land-use changes on water and soil quality, their quantitative assessment is often incomplete. Changes in land use and agricultural activities also contribute to …

Examination Of Sex Differences And The Role Of Ovarian Hormones In Modulating Nicotine Withdrawal In Rats, Rodolfo Jesus Flores Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Aim 1 characterized sex differences and the role of ovarian hormones in physical signs and negative affective states produced by nicotine withdrawal in female, ovariectomized female (OVX), and male rats. We also compared nicotine withdrawal and corticosterone levels with estradiol (E2) and progesterone across the 4-day estrous cycle. Aim 2 validated the role of ovarian hormones in withdrawal in OVX females that received vehicle, E2, or E2+progesterone. Methods: Female rats received a sham surgery or an ovariectomy procedure. Fifteen days later, all rats were implanted with a pump that delivered nicotine for 14 days. On the test day, separate …

Patient Perception In Quality Of Health Care In Civilian And Military Hospitals, Rodolfo Gonzalez Garza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to examine and relate Erving Goffman's theory and concept of total institution to the perceived experienced quality of health care that occurs in the treatment of patients, in both preoperative and postoperative surgical procedures, at civilian and military hospitals. Goffman argues that there is a distinct relationship between the medical staff and patients at the hospitals. The staff most often feels superior and correct in their actions, while the patients perceive themselves as weak, inferior, and defenseless. In my thesis, I use a qualitative method approach to determine how veteran patients perceive their quality …

The Effects Of Eccentric Overload Bench Press Training On 1rm Performance And Emg Activity In Powerlifters, Lance Dakota Gruber

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

For powerlifters, bench press performance is directly related to success in competitions since it is one of the three main lifts performed during a powerlifting competition. For a powerlifter to be competitive, they must train efficiently, building strength as quickly and safely as possible. Research has shown that eccentric training elicits greater strength increases when compared to concentric training. Furthermore, previous research observed that eccentric overload training for the lower limbs resulted in not only significantly improved strength, but it also takes place at a faster rate than traditional training. However, there is a lack of research on whether the …

Listener Perception As A Measure Of Treatment Effectiveness In Voice Modification For A Transwoman, April M. Gutierrez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess treatment effectiveness using listener perception as a measure of vocal femininity in a 22-year old transwoman.

Participant: The participant for this study was a monolingual, English-speaking, 22-year old transwoman. Inclusion criteria included self-identification as a transwoman. Exclusion criteria included surgical procedures to the vocal folds.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study focused on using listener perception as a measure of treatment effectiveness in voice feminization. This study used surveys to investigate how naïve listeners would perceive the participants voice after she received voice modification treatment at the University of Texas at El …

Novel Maximum Entrophy Method For The Average Survival Time Differences Between Two Groups, Joscelyne Guzman - Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

We suggest a Maximum Likelihood estimator for the Average Survival Time Difference between two groups, based on the extra time in which should be added to one group to produce the maximum entropy of the result. The estimator is calculated only from time to event data, does not assume hazard proportionality and provides directly the magnitude of the clinical differences between the groups. Our Monte Carlo simulations show that, even at low sample numbers the estimator is a reliable predictor for the clinical differences between the groups, and therefore can be used to estimate from preliminary data whether or not …

Interactions Of Bacterial Communities With Hydrous Sulfate Minerals In Water-Restricted Gypsic Environments: A Case Study Based In The White Sands National Monument, Brandon Nicholas Lajoie

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Microbial communities have been commonly found to survive and thrive in arid to hyper-arid gypsic environments that are considered hostile to most other forms of life. The mechanisms through which microbes have conquered these harsh environments remain poorly understood. Here I hypothesize that the microbial communities in water-restricted gypsic settings could benefit in terms of energy and water sources via their interactions with the abundant hydrous sulfate minerals [i.e., gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O)] that build up these niches. Gypsum is of high bio-relevance because its sulfate component may be used as electron acceptor by sulfate-reducing bacteria and the crystallization water may be …

Forecasting Crashes, Credit Card Default, And Imputation Analysis On Missing Values By The Use Of Neural Networks, Jazmin Quezada

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A neural network is a system of hardware and/or software patterned after the operation of neurons in the human brain. Neural networks,- also called Artificial Neural Networks - are a variety of deep learning technology, which also falls under the umbrella of artificial intelligence, or AI. Recent studies shows that Artificial Neural Network has the highest coefficient of determination (i.e. measure to assess how well a model explains and predicts future outcomes.) in comparison to the K-nearest neighbor classifiers, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, naive Bayesian classifier, and classification trees. In this work, the theoretical description of the neural network methodology …

A Quantitative Assessment Of Trace Metals In Subsurface Soils And Groundwater In Agricultural Fields Of El Paso, Texas, Emmanuel Sosa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Intensive agricultural practices such as irrigation, application of pesticides and the use of fertilizers, as well as contamination from urban settings and industrial activities contribute to the input of trace metals onto soils and groundwater. Consequentially, biological uptake and accumulation concentrate these toxic metals in fruits, vegetables, and grains that will be used for human consumption. In southern New Mexico and western Texas, cropland is developed along the Rio Grande valley. These farmers are concerned about the quality of their irrigation water and soils in order to produce adequate crops and maintain healthy soils to maximize revenue. To evaluate loading …

Determinants Of Self-Efficacy Among Individuals Who Are Hard-Of-Hearing, Sergio Cuevas, Roy K. Chen, Chia Vang, Shawn P. Saladin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Self-efficacy plays an important role in their lives of the estimated 48 million Americans who report having some degree of hearing impairment, helping them navigate through a myriad of communication challenges. The purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of self-efficacy in this disability group by examining an array of social, psychological, spiritual, disability, and demographic variables. A total of 114 persons who identified as hard-of-hearing took part in an online survey. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to answer the research question. The proposed regression model explained 24.7% of variance in self-efficacy among individuals who …

Redux: Empirical Validation Of Medical Equipment Replacement Schedules In Life Care Plans, Irmo Marini, Chia Vang, Danielle Leigh Antol, Elaine M. Mora, Paola Quijano, Rigel Macarena Pinon, Sergio Cuevas

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The present study sought to update and validate the replacement schedules of various durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) commonly cited in life care plans. For life care plans used in litigation, the 1993 Daubert decision, which placed more onus on testifying experts to rely upon empirically-supported and generally accepted literature in their field, increased the need for evidence-based research. In this study, 127 sales representatives and equipment repairers across the United States were contacted to participate in a survey to explore whether replacement values found in similar research conducted in 2005, had significantly changed. Frequency data were …

Increasing The Use Of Evidence-Based Practices In Counseling: Cbt As A Supervision Modality In Private Practice Mental Health, Jerome Fischer, Diana M. Mendez

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

This paper demonstrates how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) supervision can be applied in a private practice mental health setting. The CBT model of supervision is a good fit for a private practice mental health setting because of its action orientation and empirical grounding. The CBT modality meets the challenges of a private practice mental health setting since it is appropriate for the types of issues presented by clients in counseling. While CBT is an effective therapy to use for supervision and counseling in a private practice mental health setting, it is recommended that mental health practitioners expand their professional identity …

Variations In Individualistic And Collectivistic Cultural Orientation And The Protective Factors That Contribute To Resilience: Comparisons From Jamaica, Rwanda, And The United States, Stacey Nicely

Dissertations

Problem

Despite the advancement in resilience research, and although mental health professionals are encouraged to become culturally competent, it is still unclear how I/C cultural orientation influence various protective factors that contribute to resilience. Individualists emphasize independence and autonomy while collectivists emphasize interdependence and in-group consensus (Hofstede, 1991; Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Therefore, it is expected that the protective factors that promote resilience will also operate differently for individualists as compared to collectivists (Triandis, 1995). Yet, mental health practitioners have very little information available to them to guide their intervention efforts with individualists and collectivists. When practitioners work with individuals …

The Influence Of Pornography Consumption, Religiosity, And Family Sexual Communication On Emerging Adults' Engagement In Hookup Culture In The United States, Angie Powels Horner

Dissertations

Purpose

The primary purpose of the current research was to understand the influence of considerable social-cultural factors, including pornography consumption, religiosity, and family sexual communication, on the sexual values and behaviors of the emerging adult population. Particularly, how pornography consumption, religiosity, and family sexual communication influence emerging adult engagement in hookup culture was examined.

Method

Participants completed several surveys, which measured participants’ pornography consumption, personal religiosity, family sexual communication, and engagement in hookup culture. A path analysis model was used to analyze the relationship between the proposed variables.

Results

The path analysis model indicated that the initial model was a …

Islam, Christianity, Traditional Religions And Power Politics In Northern Nigeria Since Pre-Islamic Period, Emmanuel M. Abar

Dissertations

Problem

Currently in Northern Nigeria, religious interaction among the three major religious traditions, Islam, Christianity, and African Traditional Religion, is marred by violent religious conflicts. Also, competing concepts of religious legitimacy, which appeal to the historical heritage of Nigeria, are often used to validate and justify the violation of religious freedom. Does the current state of religious interaction among the various religious groups reflect the true heritage of religious interaction in Northern Nigeria? Or is it possible that the history of the interaction between African Traditional Religions, Islam, and Christianity in the past might actually be a heritage that points …

School Principal's Leadership Style And Teacher's Self-Efficacy In High And Low Achieving Schools In Chikankata, Zambia, Pardon Mwansa

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

Much research has been done in past years on the topic of student achievement, with most of those studies focusing on factors that contribute to student achievement. Little, or no research has been done, especially in the country of Zambia, that has focused on the relationship between leadership style, teacher self-efficacy, and the extent to which these constructs impact student achievement. This study explored the school principals' leadership style, teacher self-efficacy, and the extent to which these factors contribute to student achievement in Chikankata District, Zambia. The Ministry of Education in Zambia and other educators, especially those …

Adventist Healthcare: A Qualitative Study Of 19th Century Founding Governing Principles In 21st Century Adventist Hospitals, Cesiah Yareth Pimentel Melendez

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

Founding values and principles can help organizations stay focused on fulfilling their mission. This is especially true in faith-based organizations that seek to continue their founding principles as a governing commitment to their core identity. This study identified Adventist healthcare founding principles in Ellen G. White's early health visions and explored how Adventist healthcare leaders perceived these principles as governing principles applied to current Adventist healthcare practices.

Conceptual Framework and Research Design

Two metaphors and three areas of literature review guided my approach of this qualitative study of Adventist healthcare founding principles. My first metaphor of DNA …

Journey With Autism: Successful Educational And Social Interventions From A Single Case Study, Kwame M. De Jonge-Moore

Dissertations

Problem

Statistics indicate that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is on the increase in America and worldwide (Xu, Strathearn, Liu, & Bao, 2018; Baio et al., 2018). Autism spectrum disorder can impair an individual’s ability to engage in neurotypical behavior, which has the potential to increase their vulnerability to being shunned and bullied. This makes autism a major societal concern with significant costs to the individual, their family, private/public health insurance, state financial aid programs, and to the nation. This present study was undertaken to determine, in the opinions of those connected to the case, whether the interventions engaged in this …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2019), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

This is issue contains the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 2018 Annual Report, and the SDSU Extension 2018 Annual Report.

[Page] 2 Setting Into role as Dean
[Page] 4 Raven Precision Ag Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
[Page] 10 Collaborating for Research-Based Solutions
[Page] 12 From the SDSU Extension Director
[Page] 14 Empowering South Dakotans Through Training and Certifications
[Page] 18 Mental Health and Opioid Education
[Page] 21 Science of Agriculture
[Page] 23 Community Gardens Bring Hope to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
[Page] 26 Energize! Conference
[Page} 28 Disaster Preparedness Training
[Page] 30 Bush Foundation Change Network
[Page] 32 SDSU to Participate …

Determinants Of Maternal Health Care Utilization In The Philippines: Implications On Information Dissemination Strategies, Nancy M. Landicho

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

From 2000 to 2017, maternal deaths in the Philippines considerably decreased. With COVID-19, the mechanisms to ensure safe pregnancy and childbirth for mothers have been greatly challenged. To find possible means by which women can access health care services remotely, the study looked into the factors affecting Filipino women’s utilization of maternal health care services using the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey. Place of residence and employment status significantly affect the frequency by which women read newspaper or magazine, listen to the radio, and access the internet. Wealth status is the sole socio-demographic characteristic that has significant relationship …

Production And Marketing Of Indigenous Cash Crops: The Experience Of Women Farmer-Entrepreneurs In Mountain Province, Philippines, Joyce D. Cuyangoan

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

This study focused on the production factors and marketing mix of five indigenous cash crops cultivated by 67 women farmer- entrepreneurs in the municipalities of Tadian and Lower Bauko in Mountain Province, Philippines. The study used descriptive statistics and applied profit analysis in the analysis of its findings. Results of this study show that the factors that limit the respondents’ production are limited access to transportation, rainfed irrigation, and limited access to agricultural inputs and loans. In marketing their produce, it was found that the respondents have limited knowledge on processing, packaging, labeling, promoting and financial record keeping. They can …