Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Depression Screening And Treatment For Adults Living With Hiv/Aids, Velma Asneth Frasier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lifetime prevalence of clinical depression in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is approximately 22% compared to 3% to 10% in the primary care population. The nursing practice problem at the project site concerned nurses' lack of knowledge and understanding of procedures to help ensure that all patients living with HIV/AIDS were properly screened for depression and referred for further evaluation and treatment. The purpose of this project was to implement a staff education module to address the use of the PHQ-9 screening tool to identify depression in people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The theoretical framework …

Microbial Communities Associated With Dragonfly Nymphs Raised In Varying Concentrations Of Amoxicillin, Michelle Basha

Honors Theses

The bacteria on and within an organism make up that organism’s microbiome. Given interest in the use of antibiotics in agriculture and the effect of microbes on human health, more studies are needed on the microbial community composition of different organisms and how it responds to antibiotic use. This study investigated changes in the amount of antibiotic resistant bacteria present in dragonfly nymphs exposed to differing concentrations of amoxicillin. Next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify cultures of these antibiotic resistant bacteria. Increasing the concentration of antibiotics the dragonfly nymphs were exposed to resulted in …

Examining The Impact Of Meaning And Resilience On Survivors' Life Satisfaction After Hurricane Harvey, Emily A. Gawlik

Honors Theses

The experience of a traumatic event such as a natural disaster can often lead individuals to suffer a variety of negative sequelae, including the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, certain positive psychological constructs like meaning and resilience have been shown to mitigate these consequences. The purpose of this study was to explore the contributions of meaning and resilience to the life satisfaction of individuals (N = 55) impacted by 2017’s Hurricane Harvey. It was hypothesized that not only would meaning and resilience be significantly and positively related to life satisfaction but that meaning would contribute more to the prediction …

Risk Factors Associated With The Contraction Of Ebola Virus Disease In Liberia, Beyan Yancy Sana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a highly transmittable disease with high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors associated with the contraction of EVD in Liberia. A retrospective cross-sectional design was used to analyze secondary data collected on 1,658 patients admitted to Ebola treatment units in Liberia, using the social ecological model as a theoretical framework. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test for association and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study revealed that funeral attendance, exposure to body fluids, and contact with a living sick person were associated …

Assessment Of Tuberculosis Underreporting By Level Of Reporting System In Lagos, Nigeria, Mustapha Gidado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease. Unfortunately, 4.1 million cases were missed in 2017 globally, and Nigeria contributes 9% of the missing TB cases. At least 73% of the estimated TB cases in Nigeria were not reported in 2017 to the National TB Program (NTP); therefore, the true burden of TB was not certain, and this affected planning for prevention and control of TB. This quantitative secondary data analysis (NTP Lagos TB Inventory study database) guided by the integrated behavioral model assessed TB underreporting based on the TB reporting process in Nigeria. …

Child Malnutrition In A Developing Country: A Persistent Challenge In Haiti, Jeanne M. Constant-Edma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malnutrition is characterized by the insufficient intake of certain nutrients and the inability of the body to absorb or use these nutrients. This health problem continues to be a persistent challenge among children under 5 years of age in developing countries, including Haiti, despite food aid provided. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between dietary habits in children under 5 years of age in Haiti and their malnutrition status. Community organization theory was used to determine the association between determinants of health such as dietary habits, parents' knowledge and experience, cultural eating habits, socioeconomic status, and …

Body Weight Self-Perceptions And Experiences Of Nigerian Women Immigrants, Fatimah Binta Ali

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low-income immigrants in the United States experience declining health with increasing length of stay in the country. Their declining health over time has been associated with increased smoking, obesity prevalence, and higher risk for developing diabetes and heart disease. How immigrants perceive their body weight and size, influenced by social interaction, culture, gender, and acculturation is also significant to healthy weight maintenance. Not knowing one's healthy weight could result in body weight misperception and resistance to attaining a healthy weight. The aim of this qualitative study, based on the social constructivist framework, was to understand Nigerian women immigrants' (NWI's) body …

Tie Strength, Optimal Connections, And Distance In Social Networks, David Anthony Buch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Social network analysis seeks to understand the structure of relationships in networks of actors. As researchers identify structural properties of interest (e.g. vulnerability to network cuts) they introduce measures to quantify the expression of those properties in observed networks. In fact, it is not uncommon that multiple measures are introduced purporting to evaluate a single property. Relative merits of competing measures are not self-evident but the corresponding inferences can conflict, encouraging arbitrary choice among measures and endangering the validity of conclusions. We argue (i) that multiplicity of measures is a necessary consequence of the de rigueur practice of conflating different …

Control Efforts And Serologic Survey Of Pseudorabies And Brucellosis In Wild Pigs Of Tennessee, Lisa I. Muller, Neelam C. Poudyal, Roger Applegate, Chuck Yoest

Human–Wildlife Interactions

European wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an introduced invasive species that now constitute a major threat to agriculture and the natural ecology of the environments they now inhabit. Wild pigs also carry many diseases known to infect wildlife, humans, and livestock. Two of these diseases, pseudorabies (PRV) and brucellosis, constitute major diseases in the United States. Better data are needed regarding the prevalence of these diseases in wild pigs to understand and manage the potential risks to wildlife, humans, and livestock. From July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2017, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency personnel trapped and euthanized 4,727 …

Carnivore-Livestock Conflicts In Chile: Evidence And Methods For Mitigation, Valeska Rodriguez, Daniela A. Poo-Muñoz, Luis E. Escobar, Francisca Astorga, Gonzalo Medina-Vogel

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human population growth and habitat loss have exacerbated human–wildlife conflicts worldwide. We explored trends in human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs) in Chile using scientific and official reports to identify areas and species with higher risk of conflicts and tools available for their prevention and mitigation. The puma (Puma concolor) was considered the most frequent predator; however, fox (Lycalopex spp.) and free-ranging or feral dog (Canis lupus familiaris) attacks were also common. Our results suggest that the magnitude of puma conflicts may be overestimated. Domestic sheep (Ovis spp.) and poultry (Galliformes) were the most common species predated. …

A Broadly Protective Thermostable Next Generation Hpv Vaccine Based On A Concatemer Peptide And A Consensus Peptide Of L2 Displayed On Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particles, Lukai Zhai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Current human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil-9) are highly immunogenic and derived from the major capsid proteins (L1) of different HPV types. L1 is not conserved among different HPV types. Thus, these L1-based vaccines protect mostly against the HPV types included in the vaccines with minimal cross-protection against non-vaccine HPV types. In addition to this, the vaccines require refrigeration during transportation and storage. To broaden protection against diverse HPV infection, we targeted epitopes (17-31, 69-86, and 108-122) on the major capsid protein (L2) of HPV, which are conserved among different HPV types for vaccine design. We explored the display …

การปรับปรุงพื้นผิวตะแกรงกรองตะกอนเพื่อลดการเกาะติดของฟิล์มอินทรีย์สำหรับระบบหมุนเวียนน้ำเพื่อการเลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำ, เหมือนตะวัน อ่อนน้อม

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้เป็นการศึกษาการปรับปรุงพื้นผิวตะแกรงกรองตะกอนของเสียจากระบบหมุนเวียนน้ำเพื่อการเลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำด้วยวัสดุนาโนเพื่อป้องกันการเกาะติดของฟิล์มชีวภาพ โดยช่วงแรกเป็นการศึกษาการปรับปรุงพื้นผิวด้วยแนวทางต่างๆ ผลการทดลองพบว่าการพ่นเคลือบด้วยอนุภาคซิลิกาขนาดนาโนลงบนพื้นผิวตะแกรงหนา 1 ชั้นทำให้พื้นผิวตะแกรงมีสมบัติความไม่ชอบน้ำยิ่งยวดโดยวัดค่ามุมสัมผัสบนพื้นผิวได้มากกว่า 150º ซึ่งเพิ่มขึ้นจากการวัดบนพื้นผิวตะแกรงแบบปกติ 30º ในขณะที่การสังเคราะห์ชั้นเลเยอร์ดับเบิลไฮดรอกไซด์ที่แทรกด้วยสเตียเรตไอออนสามารถเพิ่มค่ามุมสัมผัสได้เพียง 16º ทั้งนี้การปรับปรุงพื้นผิวทั้งสองแนวทางส่งผลให้พื้นที่การไหลของน้ำลดลงไม่เกินร้อยละ 5 และ 6 ตามลำดับ สำหรับการศึกษาประสิทธิภาพการทำงานของตะแกรงที่ปรับปรุงพื้นผิว พบว่าโครงสร้างของอนุภาคซิลิกาขนาดนาโนและชั้นเลเยอร์ดับเบิลไฮดรอกไซด์มีความคงทนอยู่บนพื้นผิวตะแกรงได้สูงสุด 15 และ 10 วัน ตามลำดับ ภายใต้อัตราการไหลของน้ำที่ 750 ล./ชม. การทดลองช่วงสุดท้ายเป็นการประยุกต์ใช้หน่วยแยกตะกอนกับน้ำเสียจากระบบการเลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำ พบว่าประสิทธิภาพในการแยกตะกอนของตะแกรงปกติ ตะแกรงที่สังเคราะห์ชั้นเลเยอร์ดับเบิลไฮดรอกไซด์และแทรกด้วยสเตียเรตไอออน และตะแกรงที่พ่นเคลือบด้วยอนุภาคซิลิกาขนาดนาโนมีค่าเฉลี่ยร้อยละ 59 52 และ 65 ตามลำดับ ทั้งนี้ตะแกรงที่พ่นเคลือบด้วยอนุภาคซิลิกาขนาดนาโนสามารถป้องกันการสะสมของตะกอนและการเกาะติดของฟิล์มชีวภาพบนพื้นผิวตะแกรงได้นานกว่าตะแกรงปกติ 7-10 วัน ดังนั้นการปรับปรุงพื้นผิวตะแกรงให้มีสมบัติความไม่ชอบน้ำยิ่งยวดจึงเป็นแนวทางในการพัฒนาหน่วยแยกตะกอนในระบบหมุนเวียนน้ำเพื่อการเลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำให้มีประสิทธิภาพในการป้องกันการเกิดฟิล์มชีวภาพเพื่อเพิ่มระยะเวลาการทำงานได้ดียิ่งขึ้น

Identification Of Streptomyces Strains Isolated From Humulus Lupulus Rhizosphere And Determination Of Plant Growth Promotion Potential Of Selected Strains, Fadi̇me Özdemi̇r Koçak

Turkish Journal of Biology

In the present study it was aimed to obtain novel strains of actinomycetes that have the ability to promote plant growth. For this, seven soil samples from the rhizosphere of Humulus lupulus (Pazaryeri, Bilecik) were used and potential isolates were obtained. 16S rRNA genes of 30 isolates were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Eighteen isolates were found to be closely related to Streptomycetes spp. and they were tested for their proteolytic activity, cellulase activity, phosphate solubility, IAA production, biofilm formation, and growth in nitrogen-limited medium. Two isolates, HCI 12 and HCI 36, were selected according to the results of these …

Issue No. 111: Spring 2019

La Crónica de Nuevo México

ii President’s Message

1 World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic in New Mexico by Rick Hendricks

6 Interview with David Holtby—A Preview of His Plenary Session of the 2019 New Mexico History Conference, “Conflicted Legacy: New Mexico and World War I”

10 Mock Peace Conference to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the World War I Armistice, by Judy Reinhartz

11 Book Reviews and Notes, compiled by Richard Melzer

12 HSNM News—Calls for Applications for 2019 HSNM Grant Programs

13 Anna’s Warning, edited by John Ramsay

Binding Of Elementary Bodies By The Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Candida Albicansor Soluble Β-Glucan, Laminarin, Inhibits Chlamydia Trachomatisinfectivity, Michael D. Kruppa, Jeremy Jacobs, Kelsey King-Hook, Keleigh Galloway, Amy Berry, Jennifer Kintner, Judy D. Whittimore, Rolf Fritz, Robert V. Schoborg, Jennifer V. Hall

ETSU Faculty Works

Microbial interactions represent an understudied facet of human health and disease. In this study, the interactions that occur between Chlamydia trachomatis and the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans were investigated. Candida albicans is a common component of the oral and vaginal microbiota responsible for thrush and vaginal yeast infections. Normally, Candida exist in the body as yeast. However, disruptions to the microbiota create conditions that allow expanded growth of Candida, conversion to the hyphal form, and tissue invasion. Previous studies have shown that a myriad of outcomes can occur when Candida albicans interacts with pathogenic bacteria. To determine if C. …

Playing To Live: Outcome Evaluation Of A Community-Based Psychosocial Expressive Arts Program For Children During The Liberian Ebola Epidemic, Caroline A. Decosimo, J. Hanson, Megan Quinn, P. Badu, E. G. Smith

ETSU Faculty Works

Background. This paper reviews the efficacy of a community psychosocial arts program focused on building mental health capacity within post-Ebola Liberia. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the outcome effects of two groups using pre- and post-treatment data. We hypothesized that there would be a difference in symptoms pre- and post-treatment, and the longer program would yield more significant results.

Methods. There was a total of 870 child participants. Of 40 sites, 24 were selected for a 5-month treatment (TG1) while the remaining 16 sites received 3 months of treatment (TG2). Paired t tests and a mixed-model analysis …

Impact Of Area-Under-The-Curve Monitoring For Vancomycin On Incidence Of Acute Kidney Injury In Orthopedic Patients, Kelli R. Keats

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used regularly in hospitals across the world. The most concerning adverse effect of vancomycin is its documented effect on kidney function. This study examines the impact of two dosing strategies of vancomycin on patients’ kidney function at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center. It specifically focuses on patients on the orthopedic service because these patients traditionally receive higher doses of vancomycin for longer periods of time due to the severity of their infections, which puts them at an increased risk of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity compared to other patients.

This study will serve as a …

Assessing The Temporal Dynamics Of The Lower Urinary Tract Microbiota And The Effects Of Lifestyle, Travis Kyle Price

Dissertations

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans, accounting for $3.5 billion in health care expenditures yearly in the United States alone. Yet, treatments for UTI have seen little innovation over the past decade. As demonstrated in other body sites, such as the vagina and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, acute and infectious diseases often have indirect microbial contributions which serve as intriguing new targets for therapies. The recent discovery of the existence of a resident community of bacteria (i.e., microbiota) in the bladders of both women and men, represents a novel avenue for targeting UTIs. However, …

Lead Us Not Into Temptation: A Response To Barbara Fedders’S “Opioid Policing”, Anna Roberts

Faculty Publications

(Excerpt)

In “Opioid Policing,” Barbara Fedders contributes to the law review literature the first joint scholarly analysis of two drug policing innovations: Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program and the Angel Initiative, which originated in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Even while welcoming the innovation and inspiration of these programs, she remains clear-eyed about the need to scrutinize their potential downsides. Her work is crucially timed. While still just a few years old, LEAD has been replicated many times and appears likely to be replicated still further—and to be written about much more. Inspired by Fedders’s call for a balanced take, this …

Assessing Medical Expenditure Disparities Among U.S. Adults With Hiv Or Cardiovascular Diseases, Lorraine Nnacheta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older adults with infectious and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are at high risk for associated chronic comorbidities, which are associated with increased medical expenditures to cover treatment costs. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) whether adults 65 or older with either HIV or cardiovascular disease were predisposed to increased medical expenditures versus adults 64 and younger, and (b) the impact of race and type of health service used on total direct medical expenditures incurred among adults with HIV or cardiovascular disease. A quantitative, deductive, retrospective cross-sectional design was used, and …

Implementing A Sepsis Protocol In A Long-Term Care Hospital, Kristine Lynette Harral

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a response to infection that causes multiorgan failure. This condition causes high mortality and morbidity rates and leaves permanent disabilities. The purpose of this project was to create a sepsis protocol and an education training program for clinical staff in a hospital setting where no sepsis protocol was in place. The practice-focused question examined whether an educational program would improve clinical staff perception of their knowledge of the early recognition and management of sepsis. A literature review was conducted to identify an evidence-based practice protocol; the results were used to develop the education …

Serological Survey And Pathogen Exposure Of Adult Female White-Tailed Deer In The Western Dakotas, Katherine L. Moratz, Bailey S. Gullikson, Eric S. Michel, Daniel M. Grove, Jonathan A. Jenks, William F. Jensen

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Establishing baseline values for pathogen exposure and nutritional indices is necessary to monitor population health. However, little is known about white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) pathogen exposure and nutritional condition in the Northern Great Plains. Our objective was to assess pathogen exposure and establish nutritional indices for female white-tailed deer in Dunn and Grant counties, North Dakota and Perkins County, South Dakota. During 2014, we collected blood serum from 150 adult female white-tailed deer. Pathogens with the highest antibody prevalence included West Nile Virus (WNV; 85%), epizootic hemorrhagic disease (48%), and malignant catarrhal fever (32%). Serum values for creatine kinase, globulin, …

Mice, Acorns, And Lyme Disease: A Case Study To Teach The Ecology Of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Laurieann Klockow

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Ebola, Zika, the recall of contaminated lettuce - these are just a few recent outbreaks making headlines. Students should be able to connect what they learn in their biology courses to explain these events happening around them. Unfortunately, students do not necessarily make those connections. Therefore, it is important, as instructors, to provide opportunities where students engage with societal issues and problems related to course content and case studies, using headlines from the news are one way to do this.

Here I describe a case study about Lyme disease that engages students in learning about the ecology of infectious disease. …

Is Sinupret (Bno 1016- Herbal Combination) An Effective Treatment For The Symptoms Of Acute And Chronic Rhinosinusitis Compared To Non-Treatment In Male And Female Adults Ages 18-75?, Sarah K. Boyle

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Sinupret (BNO 1016- herbal combination) is an effective treatment for the symptoms of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis compared to non-treatment in male and female adults ages 18-75? Study Design: This is a systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Sinupret treatment for sinonasal symptoms. All RCTs were published in the English language in peer-reviewed journals in 2011, 2015, and 2017. Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMED and CINAHL databases. Outcomes Measured: Symptom relief of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis was measured …

Is Acupuncture Effective In Reducing Opioid Cravings In Detoxifying Opioid Abusing Adults?, Sarah Kish

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is acupuncture effective in reducing opioid cravings in detoxifying opioid abusing adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three RCTs published in English, each of which was published in 2009, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals that evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture to reduce opioid cravings found via PubMed and ScienceDirect.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Opioid cravings via 100 millimeter analog scale score, the Maudsely craving score consisting of five-point Likert scales and withdraw symptoms as measured by a 4-point …

Is Frozen Fecal Microbiota Transplantation As Effective As Fresh Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Via Colonoscopic Versus Nasogastric Tube Administration In Treating Adults With Clostridium Difficile Infection?, Baylee D. Summers

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “is frozen fecal microbiota transplantation as effective as fresh fecal microbiota transplantation via colonoscopic versus nasogastric tube administration in treating adults with Clostridium difficile infection?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and one randomized, open-label, controlled pilot study published between 2014 and 2017. Each included study was published in a peer reviewed journal in English language.

DATA SOURCES: Two RCTs and one pilot study were researched via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Resolution of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was measured via written subject diaries of …

Does Probiotic Supplementation Help Decrease Pain And Number Of Tender Joints In Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis?, Brittany Snyder

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “probiotic supplementation helps decrease pain and number of tender joints in adults with rheumatoid arthritis?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three double-blind, randomized control trials published between 2008 and 2018. All studies were published in English in peer reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind, randomized control trials were found via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured included number of tender joints from baseline to end of study counted by an investigator, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain severity, and a Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire visual analog scale …

2019-2020 Maine Medical Center House Staff, Maine Medical Center

Graduate Medical Education

No abstract provided.

Lack Of Vaccination Risks, Abigail Sebunia

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper is a study regarding how vaccination rates are related to the number of measles cases that occur in a particular state. First, I will review the history of vaccines and the motivations for the refusals of this medical procedure. In addition, I will examine the various regulations regarding vaccinations and which states allow non-medical exemptions for religious or personal reasons. Within my analysis, I will provide examples of recent outbreaks to represent the extent of this current dilemma. Furthermore, I will offer potential solutions to mitigate measles outbreaks and the science regarding Herd Immunity Thresholds (HIT) to limit …

Climate Change As A Hazard In Emergency Management, Christen Swayer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will provide a basic overview of hazards, a scientific overview of climate change, examine evidence used to document climate change, investigate how the public and private sectors are impacted by climate change, and determine if states are preparing for this hazard. Sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and Climate Impact Lab will be consulted to determine if it would be beneficial to implement changes to prepare for the worsening effects of climate change. The methodology for this project will include quantitative climate data for temperature extremes and trends, hurricanes, …