Digital Commons Network^™

The Democratization And Development Of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis, Max Z. Levine

Master's Theses

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) using crude lysates has developed into a robust platform technology over the last 60 years to express numerous types of recombinant proteins. The open-nature, elimination of reliance on cell viability, and focus of all energy towards production of the protein of interest represent substantial advantages of CFPS over in vivo protein expression methods. CFPS has provided new opportunities across a series of research fields that include metabolic engineering, therapeutic and vaccine development, education, biosensors, and many more. In recent years, optimizations of CFPS have even allowed the platform to reach the industrial level of protein production. …

Impact Of Critical Illness On Resource Utilization: A Comparison Of Use In The Year Before And After Icu Admission*, Eliot L. Hirshberg Md, Ms, Emily L. Wilson Mstat, Valoree Stanfield Ms, Kathryn G. Kuttler Phd, Sarah Majercik Md, Mba, Sarah J. Beesley Md, Ms, James Orme Md, Ramona O. Hopkins, Samuel M. Brown Md, Ms

Faculty Publications

Objectives:

Increasingly, patients admitted to an ICU survive to hospital discharge; many with ongoing medical needs. The full impact of an ICU admission on an individual’s resource utilization and survivorship trajectory in the United States is not clear. We sought to compare healthcare utilization among ICU survivors in each year surrounding an ICU admission.

Design:

Retrospective cohort of patients admitted to an ICU during one calendar year (2012) in a multipayer healthcare system. We assessed mortality, hospital readmissions (categorized by ambulatory care sensitive conditions and emergency department), and outpatient visits. We compared the proportion of patients with visits during the …

The Effect Of Early Detection And Treatment Of Early Stage Lung Cancer On The Thoracic Navigator Role, Martiza Y. Chicas Rn, Pccn, Raizalie Roman-Rosado Bsn, Ocn, Cmsrn, Kathleen Sevedge Rn, Ma, Aocn, Jeanne Kenna Rn, Ocn, Angela Miller Rn, M.Ed, Ocn, Laura Beaupre Bsn, Ocn, Cbpn-Ic, Jane Zubia Rn, Ocn, Cbpn I-C, Cynthia Smith Rn, Bsn, Ma, Alyssa Pauls Rn, Bsn, Ocn, Tracy L. Walczer Rn, Bsn, Ocn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Drinking Water Quality And Human Dimensions Of Cholera Patients To Inform Evidence-Based Prevention Investment In Karonga District, Malawi., Prince Kaponda, Suresh Muthukrishnan, Rory Barber, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Cholera remains a problem in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Malawi. Our aim was to investigate drinking water source quality compared with water treatment, risk perception and cholera knowledge for patients who had reported to a health center for treatment in the 2017-2018 outbreak in Karonga District, Malawi. The study analyzed 120 drinking water samples linked to 236 cholera patients. Nearly 82% of the samples met the national criteria for thermotolerant coliforms of 50 cfu/100 ml, while 50% met the more stringent World Health Organization criteria of 0 cfu/100 ml. In terms of the human dimensions, 68% of survey respondents reported …

Numerical, Secondary Big Data Quality Issues, Quality Threshold Establishment, & Guidelines For Journal Policy Development, Anita Lee-Post, Ram Pakath

Marketing & Supply Chain Faculty Publications

An IS researcher may obtain Big Data from primary or secondary data sources. Sometimes, acquiring primary Big Data is infeasible due to availability, accessibility, cost, time, and/or complexity considerations. In this paper, we focus on Big Data-based IS research and discuss ways in which one may, post hoc, establish quality thresholds for numerical Big Data obtained from secondary sources. We also present guidelines for developing journal policies aimed at ensuring the veracity and verifiability of such data when used for research purposes.

Simulated Biological Fluid Exposure Changes Nanoceria’S Surface Properties But Not Its Biological Response, Robert A. Yokel, Matthew L. Hancock, Benjamin Cherian, Alexandra J. Brooks, Marsha L. Ensor, Hemendra J. Vekaria, Patrick G. Sullivan, Eric A. Grulke

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Nanoscale cerium dioxide (nanoceria) has industrial applications, capitalizing on its catalytic, abrasive, and energy storage properties. It auto-catalytically cycles between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, giving it pro-and anti-oxidative properties. The latter mediates beneficial effects in models of diseases that have oxidative stress/inflammation components. Engineered nanoparticles become coated after body fluid exposure, creating a corona, which can greatly influence their fate and effects. Very little has been reported about nanoceria surface changes and biological effects after pulmonary or gastrointestinal fluid exposure. The study objective was to address the hypothesis that simulated biological fluid (SBF) exposure changes nanoceria’s surface properties …

2019 November, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications And Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for November of 2019.

Detection Of Chalk In Single Kernels Of Long-Grain Milled Rice Using Imaging And Visible/Near-Infrared Instruments, Christopher K. Addison

Faculty Publications

Background and objectives To maintain the competitiveness of U.S. long-grain rice in U.S. and foreign markets, having translucent whole milled grain is critical. An objective technique to detect grain chalk, opaque areas in the grain, will provide breeders and industry with an effective tool for developing low-chalk varieties or agronomic practices that reduce chalk occurrence. Two instruments developed at the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), a single-kernel near-infrared (SKNIR) tube instrument and a silicon-based light-emitting diode (SiLED) high-speed sorter, were compared with two commercially available imaging instruments, WinSEEDLE and SeedCount used …

Factors Related To Congenital Heart Disease In Offspring From Women With Rheumatic Heart Disease: Case Reports From Moi Teaching And Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya, Philippe P. A, Elkanah Omenge, Barasa F. A

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Maternal exposure to environmental factors has been reported to be associated with birth defects. Congenital heart defects are the most common and are associated with high morbidity and mortality in offspring. However, the relation of maternal rheumatic heart disease to congenital heart defects in the offspring is a rare event not yet reported. The authors report 2 cases of infants with congenital heart defects born from mothers with rheumatic heart disease. This study highlights factors related to congenital heart defects in both newborns.

Is There Value To Sub-Specialty Training In Sub-Saharan Africa?, Elkanah Omenge, S. E. Sinasac, Peter Itsura, Philip Tonui, B. Rosen, A. Covens

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Over the past three decades, Africa has focused on combatting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/ AIDS. As treatment strategies for infectious diseases have improved over time, life expectancy has increased, shifting the burden to chronic diseases, such as cancer. The WHO has now identified non-communicable diseases, including cancer, as the new epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa1. Cancer incidence and mortality are increasing rapidly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) as compared to high-income countries. By 2020, it is predicted that 70% of all new cancers worldwide will occur in LMIC2. In 2012 850 000 new cancers were diagnosed …

Association Of Female Sexual Dysfunction And Fertility: A Cross Sectional Study, Felix Oindi, Alfred Murage, Valentino Manase Lema, Abraham Mukaindo

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Sexual function plays an essential role in the bio-psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life of women and disturbances in sexual functioning often result in significant distress. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and subfertility are common problems affecting approximately 43 and 20% of women respectively. However, despite the high prevalence of both conditions, little has been studied on the effects of subfertility on sexual functioning especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We set out to compare the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in patients on assessment for sub-fertility and those either seeking or already on fertility control services at a private tertiary teaching …

Users’ Review On Converged News: Indonesia News Apps Case, Irwansyah Irwansyah

JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA

Review is important for users to adapt, adopt, and accept new mobile applications. The digital and Internet have changed the way of users viewing and reading news. Since news outlet has transformed from print to website, mobile website, and mobile application, the users’ testimony could make them install, use, and be loyal. At the developers’ perspective, the review could make new ways to improve the features of news apps. The news apps that have better features could give better impression to readers. Moreover, news apps could make so much easier for users or readers to keep up with the latest …

From Cradle To Grave: The Life Cycle Of A Digital Learning Object, Valerie Beech, Eric A. Kowalik

Library Faculty Research and Publications

Most librarians have probably experienced finding that a website they liked has disappeared, perhaps a video on YouTube, a tutorial, or even just an informative webpage. Sometimes the URL has simply changed, and the item can be found again. Other times the item has truly been retired. Without trying to track down the original creator or hosting body, we may never know exactly what happened nor why. Since we also place links to some of these items on our library webpages, disappearing websites create broken links or “link rot.”¹ Librarians are also creators of some of these disappearing websites.

Impacts Of Cannabinoid Epigenetics On Human Development: Reflections On Murphy Et. Al. 'Cannabinoid Exposure And Altered Dna Methylation In Rat And Human Sperm' Epigenetics 2018; 13: 1208-1221, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Recent data from the Kollins lab ('Cannabinoid exposure and altered DNA methylation in rat and human sperm' Epigenetics 2018; 13: 1208-1221) indicated epigenetic effects of cannabis use on sperm in man parallel those in rats and showed substantial shifts in both hypo- and hyper-DNA methylation with the latter predominating. This provides one likely mechanism for the transgenerational transmission of epigenomic instability with sperm as the vector. It therefore contributes important pathophysiological insights into the probable mechanisms underlying the epidemiology of prenatal cannabis exposure potentially explaining diverse features of cannabis-related teratology including effects on the neuraxis, cardiovasculature, immune stimulation, secondary genomic …

The Nurse As The Facilitator Of Patients' Narration: An Educational Intervention, Petra Stockman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More than one million resident patients live and receive care at certified long-term facilities in the United States, many of whom suffer from depressive symptoms and anxiety. Prior research recommended storytelling as a vibrant nursing intervention to assist long-term care residents in overcoming challenges and emotional pain. However, nurses frequently lack knowledge of successful planning and implementation of narrative reminiscence. This scholarly project was designed to increase nursing competence and confidence in using storytelling as a clinical tool to improve mental health in long-term care, using a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized pretest, intervention, and posttest study design. A convenience sample of 10 …

Chronic Kidney Disease: The Need To Increase Nurse Practitioner Awareness, Juan Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major issue in the United States. Individuals with chronic disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hyperlipidemia are at higher risk of CKD. Risk factors include family history, age, obesity, and smoking. Kidney function decreases with age and other related conditions. It is critical to increase awareness, education, and prevention of CKD to advanced practice nurses. Nurse practitioners encounter and have the responsibility to be able to identify and manage patients in their primary practice. To address this issue, a sample of nurse practitioners in a local community health center was surveyed …

Fauna Of The Kemp Caldera And Its Upper Bathyal Hydrothermal Vents (South Sandwich Arc, Antarctica), Katrin Linse, Jonathan T. Copley, Douglas P. Connelly, Robert D. Larter, David A. Pearce, Nick V. C. Polunin, Alex D. Rogers, Chong Chen, Andrew Clarke, Adrian G. Glover, Alastair G. C. Graham, Veerle A. I. Huvenne, Leigh Marsh, William D. K. Reid, C. Nicolai Roterman, Christopher J. Sweeting, Katrin Zwirglmaier, Paul A. Tyler

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Faunal assemblages at hydrothermal vents associated with island-arc volcanism are less well known than those at vents on mid-ocean ridges and back-arc spreading centres. This study characterizes chemosynthetic biotopes at active hydrothermal vents discovered at the Kemp Caldera in the South Sandwich Arc. The caldera hosts sulfur and anhydrite vent chimneys in 1375–1487 m depth, which emit sulfide-rich fluids with temperatures up to 212°C, and the microbial community of water samples in the buoyant plume rising from the vents was dominated by sulfur-oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria. A total of 12 macro- and megafaunal taxa depending on hydrothermal activity were collected in these …

The Scoop, Vol. 6 Issue 8, November 2019, Health Sciences Library

Volume 6

Latest news and events from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for November 2019.

References To Movies In Judicial Opinions And Written Advocacy, Part 2, Douglas E. Abrams

Faculty Publications

In the Journal’s September- October issue, Part I of this article sampled recent federal and state judicial opinions that cite themes, scenes, or characters from movies listed on the American Film Institute (AFI) “100 Greatest American Films of All Time.” This Part II picks up where Part I left off. The discussion below samples recent judicial opinions that cite other well-known movies that have captivated American audiences without winning places on the “100 Greatest” list. Part II concludes by explaining why brief writers should feel comfortable following the judges’ lead by carefully using movie references to help make written substantive …

The Quarterly Interview: Samantha Harlow, Samantha Harlow

LOEX Quarterly

No abstract provided.

A Role For Contrast Gain Control In Skin Appearance, Richard Russell, Carlota Batres, Alex L. Jones, Aurélie Porcheron

Psychology Faculty Publications

Apparent contrast can be suppressed or enhanced when presented within surrounding images. This contextual modulation is typically accounted for with models of contrast gain control. Similarly, the appearance of one part of a face is affected by the appearance of the other parts of the face. These influences are typically accounted for with models of face-specific holistic processing. Here we report evidence that facial skin appearance is modulated by adjacent surfaces. In four experiments we measured the appearance of skin evenness and wrinkles in images with increased or decreased contrast between facial skin and adjacent image regions. Increased contrast with …

A Baker's Dozen Of Top Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Publications In 2018, Elias B. Chahine, Spencer H. Durham, Krutika N. Mediwala, Daniel B. Chastain, Timothy P. Gauthier, Brandon K. Hill, Bruce M. Jones, Jamie J. Kisgen, Ashley H. Marx, Kayla R. Stover, Marylee V. Worley, Christopher M. Bland, P Brandon Bookstaver

Faculty Publications

With an increasing number of antimicrobial stewardship-related articles published each year, attempting to stay current is challenging. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor (SERGE-45) identified antimicrobial stewardship-related peer-reviewed literature that detailed an actionable intervention for 2018. The top 13 publications were selected using a modified Delphi technique. These manuscripts were reviewed to highlight the actionable intervention used by antimicrobial stewardship programs to provide key stewardship literature for teaching and training as well as to identify potential intervention opportunities within one's institution.

This Disease Is “Not For Hospital”: Myths And Misconceptions About Cancers In Northern Nigeria, Ahmed Sarki, Babangida L. Roni

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Cancers are one of the major chronic diseases in Nigeria, with over 100,000 new cases and 70,000 cancer deaths recorded annually. Notwithstanding the public health significance of cancers in Nigeria, there is a dearth of evidence relating to cancers in the country, with most of the few available studies conducted in the Southern regions. This paper aimed to highlight some longstanding myths and misconceptions about cancers in the Northern Nigerian region. We consulted key stakeholders including individuals, local leaders, traditional medicine practitioners, and healthcare professionals. The most common myths and misconceptions about cancers in Northern Nigeria include the following: people …

Academic Librarians’ Motivation Toward Professional Development In The United Arab Emirates Federal Higher Education Institutions, Asma Othman Alkatheeri

Foundations of Education Theses

This thesis is investigating the status of professional development (PD) for academic librarians in the United Arab Emirates. The first objectives of the thesis is to investigate the current Professional Development in terms of activities, organization and effectiveness of the programs for academic librarians in Federal Higher Education Institutions in the United Arab Emirates, from the point of view of the librarians. The second objective is to explore the extent to which academic librarians are motivated toward Professional Development in the United Arab Emirates Federal Higher Education Institutions. Qualitative research method has been utilized and data are collected via interviews …

Merged Nces Academic Library Survey 1996 - 2016 Dataset, Starr Hoffman Phd, Samantha Godbey

Library Faculty Datasets

This data set consists of data on academic libraries in the United States from 1996-2016. Multiple data sources from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) were merged, as detailed in the comments below. See also Hoffman, S., & Godbey, S. (2020). US Academic Libraries' Staffing and Expenditure Trends (1996–2016). Library Management, 41(4/5), 247-268.

See also: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/lib_datasets/4/.

Should Las Vegas Bet On Homeownership? Trends In Housing Affordability And Homeownership, Jenny Schuetz

Brookings Mountain West Publications

In many parts of the U.S., rents and housing prices are rising faster than household incomes. Low-income families have always been stretched to pay for housing without sacrificing other necessities. In recent years, housing costs have become a larger source of financial stress for middle-income families. While homeownership has been the primary channel for wealth building in the U.S., two recent trends raise questions about whether this is a viable strategy. First, many homeowners suffered severe financial losses due to housing price declines during the Great Recession (2007-2009). Second, homeownership rates for Black and Latino families lag those of white …

Innovative Business Model For Smart Healthcare Insurance, Maryam Hasan Al Thawadi

Information Security Theses

Information revolution and technology growth have made a considerable contribution to restraining the cost expansion and empowering the customer. They disrupted most business models in different industries. The customer-centric business model has pervaded the different sectors. Smart healthcare has made an enormous shift in patient life and raised their expectations of healthcare services quality. Healthcare insurance is an essential business in the healthcare sector; patients expect a new business model to meet their needs and enhance their wellness. This research develops a holistic smart healthcare architecture based on the recent development of information and communications technology. Then develops a disruptive …

Long-Term Study On The Population Ecology Of Urban Queen Snakes (Regina Septemvittata) In Central Virginia, Rachel Beiler

Senior Honors Theses

As parts of the world are becoming more urbanized, species living in urban habitat fragments are more at risk of extirpation. We conducted, in an urban environment, a 12-year (2008-2019) mark/recapture study on a Queen snake (Regina septemvittata) population in Rock Castle Creek, Lynchburg, VA to determine population viability. Ninety-nine individual Queen snakes were marked to determine stable population estimates (range 3 - 43 snakes) and an annual survival rate of 52%. Our research found that despite the challenges of urban living, this population is stable and similar to rural Queen snake population studies. Certain life-history traits are …

The Power Of Wording: An Evaluation Of Framing Effects, Chelsea Romph

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Electrospray Photochemical Oxidation Of Proteins, Remilekun O. Lawal, Fabrizio Donnarumma, Kermit K. Murray

Faculty Publications

© 2019, American Society for Mass Spectrometry. Photooxidation of peptides and proteins by pulsed ultraviolet laser irradiation of an electrospray in the ion source of a mass spectrometer was demonstrated. A 193-nm excimer laser at 1.5-mJ pulse energy was focused with a cylindrical lens at the exit of a nanoelectrospray capillary and ions were sampled into a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A solution containing a peptide or protein and hydrogen peroxide was infused into the spray at a flow rate of 1 μL/min using a syringe pump. The laser creates OH radicals directly in the spray which modify biomolecules within …