Digital Commons Network^™

Induction Of Cerebral Hyperexcitability By Peripheral Viral Challenge: Role Of Cxcl10 Chemokine, Tiffany J. Petrisko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Peripheral viral infections are po­tent comorbid factors that exacerbate neuro­degene­ration. Although the under­lying mecha­nisms have not been defined, neuronal hyperexcitability has been established as an underlying feature. Our lab has developed a preclinical model in which a viral mimetic, poly­inosinic-poly­cytidylic acid (PIC) is injected in­tra­peritoneally to induce an anti-viral acute phase response (APR). APR in turn elicits robust neuronal hyperexcitability. The present study was undertaken to characterize molecular mechanisms that mediate the development of hyperexcitability in response to PIC challenge. The analysis of brain tissue after PIC challenge revealed a robust elevation of CXCL10 chemokine, indicating its putative role in …

Open Access Solutions For Biodiversity Journals: Do Not Replace One Problem With Another, A. Townsend Peterson, Robert P. Anderson, Maria Beger, Janine Bolliger, Lluís Brotons, Christopher P. Burridge, Marlon E. Cobos, Angela P. Cuervo-Robayo, Minin E Di, Jeffrey Diez, Jane Elith, Clare B. Embling, Luis E. Escobar, Franz Essl, Kenneth J. Feeley, Lucy Hawkes, D Jimenez-Garcia, Laura Jimenez, David M. Green, Eva Knop, I Kuehn, José J. Lahoz-Monfort, Andres Lira-Noriega, Jorge M. Lobo, Rafael Loyola, Nally R Mac, Fernando Machado-Stredel, E Martinez-Meyer, Michael Mccarthy, Cory Merow, Javier Nori, C Nunez-Penichet, Luis Osorio-Olvera, P Pysek, M Rejmanek, Anthony Ricciardi, Mark Robertson, Soto O Rojas, Daniel Romero-Alvarez, Núria Roura-Pascual, Luca Santini

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

For much of the twentieth century, many or most scholarly journals in biodiversity, ecology, biogeography and conservation were owned and published by scientific societies and made available to the broader scientific community at relatively low cost. However, the past several decades have seen a dominant process of commercialization of the publication process in this field, either by commercial publishing firms taking over publication of journals owned by a society (e.g., Evolution), or by commercial publishers starting new journals to fill “niches” that were until then empty in the scholarly publishing ecosystem. Diversity and Distributions is an example of this latter …

Effects Of Historic And Projected Climate Change On The Range And Impacts Of An Emerging Wildlife Disease, Stephen J. Price, William T.M. Leung, Christopher J. Owen, Robert Puschendorf, Chris Sergeant, Andrew A. Cunningham, Francois Balloux, Trenton W.J. Garner, Richard A. Nichols

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

Forging Relationships Between Faith-Based And Secular Organizations To Address The Global Water Crisis A Case Study From Liberia, Kristin R. Alford, Jamison L. Koeman

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

It is imperative to engage in interdisciplinary and multisector partnerships as we seek to develop and deliver effective solutions to address the global water crisis. These partnerships allow us to live out our Christian charge to demand justice for the vulnerable and promote human flourishing. This case study reviews the benefits and challenges of multisector partnerships between faith-based and secular organizations using the example of a multi-year water filter distribution project in Liberia. Benefits of the partnership include shared expertise, investment in students and Liberians, and results-driven research. Challenges include differing sub-goals, logistical challenges, communication difficulties, and different ways of …

Socio-Anthropological Methods To Study The Feasibility And Acceptability Of The Minimally Invasive Autopsy From The Perspective Of Local Communities: Lessons Learnt From A Large Multi-Centre Study, Maria Maixenchs, Rui Anselmo, Guillermo Martínez Pérez, Kelvin Oruko, Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, Pamela Catherine Angoissa Minsoko, Kounandji Diarra, Mahamane Djiteye, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Shujaat Zaidi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

The minimally invasive autopsy (MIA), an innovative approach for obtaining post-mortem samples of key organs, is increasingly being recognized as a robust methodology for cause of death (CoD) investigation, albeit so far limited to pilot studies and research projects. A better understanding of the real causes of death in middle- and low-income countries, where underlying causes of death are seldom determined, would allow improved health planning, more targeted prioritization of available resources and the implementation of coherent public health policies. This paper discusses lessons learnt from the implementation of a Feasibility and Acceptability (F&A) study evaluating the MIA approach in …

Barriers To Using New Needles Encountered By Rural Appalachian People Who Inject Drugs: Implications For Needle Exchange, Stephen M. Davis, Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, Danielle Davidov, Keith Zullig, Adam Baus, Melanie Fisher

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Using a new needle for every injection can reduce the spread of infectious disease among people who inject drugs (PWID). No previous study has examined new needle use barriers among PWIDs residing in the rural Appalachian part of the United States, an area currently in the midst of a heroin epidemic.

Objective

Therefore, our primary aim was to explore self-reported barriers to using a new needle by PWID attending a needle exchange program (NEP).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of PWID attending two NEPs in rural West Virginia located in the heart of Central Appalachia. A convenience sample …

Uncommon Misconceptions: Holding Physicians Accountable For Insemination Fraud, Jody L. Madeira

Articles by Maurer Faculty

No abstract provided.

Effects Of E-Cigarette Flavoring Chemicals On Human Macrophages And Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Anna Manzi Morris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

E-cigarettes and vapes are relatively new devices which are popular among young adults and teens. These devices vaporize an “e-liquid” for the user to inhale, which typically contains a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), varying concentrations of nicotine, and flavoring chemicals. Due to these flavoring chemicals being intended for ingestion as a food additive, their respiratory health effects are not well understood. Thousands of e-cigarette flavors are available on the market, many of which have the potential for toxicity. The majority of e-liquid flavoring chemicals (ELFCs) have not been tested for inhalation safety. In this study, we …

Training Friends And Overseas Relief: The Friends Ambulance Unit And The Friends Relief Service, 1939 To 1948, Nerissa Kalee Aksamit

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This transnational case study investigates the establishment and development of training programs by two British faith-based voluntary relief organizations, the Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU) and the Friends Relief Service (FRS), during the Second World War and explores the implementation of learned skills by members of those organizations working during the immediate postwar period in the British Occupation Zone in Germany. It contributes new perspectives to scholarship on humanitarianism as it highlights both the continuities and ruptures in the approaches to and practices of humanitarian aid. It identifies the Quaker traditions that shaped the work of the FAU and FRS—particularly the …

Evaluating The Consistency Of A Breathing Flow Recording Device Across Different Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators, Samuel Jennings Munnis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the organization in charge of approving respiratory devices in the United States, as permitted by 42 CFR Part 84. Standards that NIOSH uses to certify powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are based on respiratory data collected before the 21^st century. With new technologies, it is possible to gain a more accurate understanding of breathing flow of healthcare workers (HCWs). A new portable breathing flow recording device developed by The S.E.A. Group was intended for use with a Sundström SR100 mask with a P100 filter. This study tests the device with …

Population Health Of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In Created Vernal Pools: An Integrative Approach, Alice R. Millikin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Habitat creation is an important tool for conservation to counteract habitat loss and degradation. Vernal pools are susceptible to destruction due to limited detection, protection, and regulation. These wetlands provide fishless breeding habitat for many amphibian species including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in eastern North America. Determining whether created vernal pool habitat is successful is often determined by demographic data of colonizing populations. I suggest that hormone levels, population genetics, and disease prevalence can improve our understanding of population health in created habitat. The goal of this dissertation was to assess the health of spotted salamander larvae in …

Using Sociodemographic Approach To Examine Health Services And Hiv/Aids Awareness In Nigeria, Mercy I. Ebosie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to examine community health services and HIV/AIDS awareness in rural communities in Abia State Nigeria in respect to the sociodemographic factors of level of community health services, level of education, and community leaders' influence. Two questions guided the research process: To what extent are sociodemographic factors associated with HIV/AIDS awareness, and what is the relationship between level of community health services and extent of HIV/AIDS, as perceived by residents of these communities. A mixed method paradigm was used. A sample of 131 participants, who were HIV/AIDS patients, were purposively drawn from a population of …

The Effectiveness Of Two Types Of Adjunct Acupuncture Exposures On In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes, Lindsey Vacovsky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One out of every 8 couples experiences infertility. Few publications exist examining the association between the addition of adjunctive therapies when applied to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure and pregnancy outcome. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 types of adjunct acupuncture exposures on IVF outcomes by applying the concept of the epidemiology triad. The association between the type of adjunct acupuncture exposure received (the independent variable) and pregnancy (the outcome) was determined via binary logistic regression using SPSS software. Medical records of women having received the IVF procedure along with adjunct acupuncture were …

Primary Care And Behavioral Health Services In A Federally Qualified Health Center, Svetoslav A. Arsov

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Between 2013 and 2016, 8.1% of U.S. adults 20 years and older suffered from depression, but only 29% of them sought help. This project addressed the low depression screening rate in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that supported integrated care. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the integration of behavioral health into primary care in an FQHC through the rate of depression screenings. Two theoretical frameworks, the find-organize-clarify-understand-select/plan-do-study-act model and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's framework for program evaluation in public health were combined into a list of questions and data validity tests that were …

Barriers To Utilization Of Malaria Preventive Measures In Rural Nigeria Among Pregnant Women, Olabosipo O. Oreyomi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria is a mosquito transmitted tropical disease that accounts for more cases and deaths in Nigeria than in any other country worldwide. Globally malaria accounts for 300,000 deaths among young children and pregnant women annually. The promotion of the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to reduce pregnant women's contact with mosquitoes has been the focus of malaria prevention efforts in Nigeria. However, the use of ITNs during pregnancy has been inexplicably low in Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to examine barriers to the utilization of ITNs among pregnant women in rural Nigeria. The social ecological model was …

Influence Of Low Rate Of Reporting Of Adverse Events Following Immunization On Immunization Dropout, Samuel Errie Yenyi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Immunization protects millions of children. Yet, many children drop out of immunization in Jigawa State of north Nigeria. This cross-sectional quantitative correlational study based on the Health Belief Model was designed to determine whether the dropout from routine immunization (RI) was influenced by low rate of reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) to health facilities by caregivers. Primary data was collected from 307 caregivers with dropout children using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and descriptive statistics. The results showed that 61.3% of the children had AEFI and dropped out. Rate of reporting of AEFI …

Antenatal Care And Maternal Sociocultural Determinants Of Childhood Immunization In Northern Nigeria, Amaka Tonia Okafor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Immunization has been recognized globally as a cost-effective public health intervention. However, despite its benefits, children in northern Nigeria are still adversely affected by the negative consequences of inadequate uptake of immunization. The purpose of this study was to assess antenatal care and maternal sociocultural determinants that influence childhood immunization within 2 months of birth in northern Nigeria. Constructs of social cognitive theory were applied to this retrospective correlational cross-sectional inquiry involving women 15-49 years old in northern Nigeria. Secondary data (the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey) were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) predictors of uptake of childhood immunization within 2 months of birth were the person who delivered antenatal care, the number of antenatal care visits, the number of tetanus injections, maternal educational level, religion, wealth index, husband/partner educational level, and the person who decides on health care. Educated Christian women from middle-class or rich homes, whose husbands/partners were also educated and who jointly decided on health care, made numerous contacts with health care professionals, and received at least one tetanus injection during antenatal care, had a higher likelihood of immunizing their children within 2 months of birth. The positive social change implications for this study include providing evidence of deterrents to childhood immunization that could lead to relevant policies and interventions leading to healthier children, communities, and society.

Perspectives Of Sierra Leoneans Healthcare Workers' Mental Health During The Ebola Outbreak, Guy O. Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The mental health of healthcare workers during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was a serious concern for healthcare professionals and the mental health field. One area in West Africa where healthcare workers played a significant role during the Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015 was Sierra Leone. This qualitative research study was designed to explore the perceptions of Sierra Leoneans healthcare workers' mental health, how they coped, and treatment they received while providing care for Ebola virus patients. This study, with a phenomenological research approach, used purposeful sampling to recruit 10 healthcare workers to participate in semi structured, open-ended …

Women's Empowerment As A Policy For Poverty Reduction In Haiti, Flore Saint.Louis Weinstein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women represent more than 50% of the population of Haiti and embody the poorest group due to their lack of socioeconomic development. Numerous nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) including diaspora NGOs (DINGOs) have engaged in the fight to reduce poverty in Haiti by enabling empowerment programs to help women become self-reliant. The programs appear to be ineffective because the level of poverty remains high and there has been little research on the relative effectiveness and sustainability of the programs implemented by the DINGOs. Using the feminist theories of DeBeauvoir and Friedan in conjunction with the empowerment theory of AlMaseb and Julia as …

Predictors And Risk Factors Of Ebola Virus Disease In Sierra Leone, Kandeh Kamara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sierra Leone had the highest number of cases of Ebola virus disease in history during the 2014 Ebola epidemic. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between sociocultural and behavioral risk factors and Ebola status among women and men ages 15 to 49 years in Sierra Leone. The ecological model served as the theoretical framework. Secondary data were collected from the Sierra Leone Ebola Disease Survey. Results of chi-square tests revealed that attending a funeral (p = .001), touching a dead body at a funeral (p = .023), contact with a sick person (p = …

Cultural Competence Of Public Health Nurses Who Care For Diverse Populations, Althea Michelle Otuata

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite advances in health, science, and technology, U.S. healthcare lags in providing access to care and quality care to racial and ethnic minorities. Cultural competence has been noted as a strategy to improve access and quality. The purpose of this project was to assess public health nurses' cultural competence before and after participating in cultural competence informational modules. Two conceptual models were used in this project for theoretical guidance: Leininger's cultural care diversity and universality theory and Campinha-Bacote's process of cultural competence. To assess the nurses' cultural competence, the Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Checklist questionnaire was e-mailed to 57 public health …

Health Care Determinants Of Cervical Cancer Screening In Harare Zimbabwe, Dominic Chifamba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women of all age groups in Zimbabwe, and mortality and incidence continue to increase. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess the factors that influence the utilization of cervical cancer screening services by Zimbabwean women living in Harare, Zimbabwe. Because personal beliefs influence screening, this study was guided by the health belief model (HBM). A total of 394 women whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years were recruited from a health care facility in Harare. A 40-item closed-ended questionnaire was used to assess participants' knowledge, …

Design, Synthesis, And Evaluation Of The Antimycobacterial Activity Of 3-Mercapto-1,2,4-Triazole--Pyrrole Hybrids, Gheorghe Roman, Andra-Cristina Bostanaru, Valentin Nastasa, Mihai Mares

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A series of 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole--pyrrole hybrids was designed as antimycobacterial agents by employing 5-(4-(1$H$-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-4$H$-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol as the scaffold onto which several types of moieties were introduced in the triazole ring at N-4 and N-2 and as substituents of the mercapto function. The aforementioned moieties are an allyl or a phenyl moiety at N-4; an aminomethyl group at N-2; or methyl, substituted benzyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, or substituted phenacyl at sulfur. Investigation of the compounds in the resulting library as growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium smegmatis showed that their minimum inhibitory concentration was higher than 64 mg/L.

Exploring The Development Of Three Law-Based Competency Models For Public Health Practitioners, Montrece Mcneill Ransom, Brianne Yassine

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

As public health promotion and protection become increasingly complex and integrated into various fields, public health law is emerging as an important tool for public health professionals. To ensure that public health professionals are adequately trained public health law, public health law-related competencies should to be integrated into educational and other programming. This article provides three competency models developed by the Public Health Law Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: (a) the public health emergency law competency model, (b) the public health law competency model, and (c) the legal epidemiology competency model. These competency models provide a …

Women's Occupational Health And Safety In The Informal Economy: Maternal Market Traders In Accra, Ghana, Joyceline Amoako

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Improving maternal health and women’s health is necessary, especially in countries with high maternal and child mortality rates. Most research on maternal health focuses on women’s reproductive health and, as a result, very little is known about the impact of occupation on maternal health (World Health Organization, 2006). It is also interesting to know that “Occupational Health Research” has been heavily criticized for the general absence of a gender standpoint, usually resulting in the exclusion of women and their concerns at the workplace (World Health Organization, 2006). In Ghana, an open-air market is an integral place of work for women. …

"I Don't Know If I Have The Courage" Reproductive Choices In Times Of Zika, Ana Rosa Linde, Grace Furtado, Elisa Tristán-Cheever, Carlos Eduardo Siqueira

Gastón Institute Publications

In this transnational study, we aimed at providing insights into women's views and attitudes towards their reproductive rights during the Zika epidemic. Women of distinct nationalities and ethnicities were recruited from various locations in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the United States. We conducted semistructured interviews that suggest that participants reproductive decisions were intimately related to personal convictions and cultural beliefs, and their actions and thoughts were embedded in their sociocultural norms. The majority of women interviewed communicated that it takes courage to make the extreme, emotional, and overwhelming decision to have an abortion. The findings of this study suggest that …

Epidemiology, Clinical Features And Outcomes Of Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalized With Influenza, Kyle P. Openo

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Influenza is a respiratory viral infection responsible for annual epidemics, periodic pandemics and regularly causes substantial morbidity, mortality and economic burden worldwide. In the United States alone, influenza causes between 9.2 – 35.6 million cases, 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 – 56,000 deaths annually. Individuals with comorbid health conditions are at increased risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from influenza infection and were recommended for vaccination prior to universal vaccine recommendations. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been included in this group for decades though limited data existed to describe influenza among those with SCD. Recent studies showed …

Investigating The Role Of Coyotes, Canis Latrans, In The Spread Of Parasites And Arthropod-Borne Diseases In Georgia, Usa., Ansleigh Banks

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In order to analyze the role of coyotes, Canis latrans, as hosts of parasites and arthropod-borne diseases in the state of Georgia, USA, 38 coyotes representing 18 counties and multiple geographic regions of the state were dissected and analyzed for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis, intestinal parasites, ectoparasites, and tick-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes from the locations which the coyotes originated were trapped and analyzed for the presence of D. immitis larvae. In compliance with IACUC guidelines, coyotes were obtained from individuals who had previously hunted or trapped the coyotes for leisure. Parasites were identified based on morphological features with the use …

Prevention Of Violence Against Children: A Systems Readiness Assessment In Côte D’Ivoire, Marie-Kaye Soletchi Seya-Sery

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Violence against children (VAC) is a global problem with significant consequences. Recognizing the need to better understand the problem of VAC in Côte d’Ivoire (CI), the government of CI recently completed a survey on violence against children. The recent data will support an evidence-based national action plan for the prevention of VAC. Research shows that initiatives tackling specific problems will only be as successful as the community’s readiness to take action. This study applied the community readiness model to assess the readiness of the multisectoral task force (MSTF) to implement the national action plan in CI. Eight MSTF participants’ interview …

Evaluating The Effects Of Antibody-Conjugated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes In Combination With Microwave Irradiation, Amy Chall

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Cancer remains one of the largest public health concerns of our day, particularly in developed countries where technological advances have allowed populations to live well into their eighth decade. In America, those in their 80’s have a 1 in 2 chance of developing cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer, specifically is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in males. Traditional cancer therapies cause high levels of toxicity to the patient due to mechanisms of action that often attack cancer cells and healthy cells alike. The holy grail of cancer research is to find a treatment that targets the cancer …