Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2020

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 3871 - 3900 of 74525

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Sick Ones., Christian Loriel Lucas Dec 2020

The Sick Ones., Christian Loriel Lucas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of a collection of linked short stories, connected at the intersections of medicine, public health, race, gender, and socioeconomics. The Sick Ones was completed during a time of social unrest and the emergence of the Covid-19 virus. Inspired by medicine’s history of exploiting sick, poor, and racialized bodies, The Sick Ones explores the treatment of illness and societal woes in a near-speculative future. Each story is plot-driven, but complimented by a protagonist who keeps the narrative grounded, as they attempt to survive unprecedented circumstances. Some of the protagonists are complicit in their own medical exploitations, while others …

Go to article

The Green House Nursing Home Model: The Gh Elements And Their Impact On Quality Of Care In Nursing Homes., Deborah Kaminka Niyongabo Dec 2020

The Green House Nursing Home Model: The Gh Elements And Their Impact On Quality Of Care In Nursing Homes., Deborah Kaminka Niyongabo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nursing homes (NHs) have been described as hospital-like facilities where residents are more likely to experience isolation or abuse. The Green House (GH) model is a type of culture change which focuses on deinstitutionalizing traditional NHs to provide better quality of care and quality of life to NH residents. The two main objectives of this study are: to describe the GH model and its elements and to identify which GH elements impact the quality of care. This study also seeks to identify organizational theories used in the GH analysis. The next objective is to analyze the impact of the GH …

Go to article

Modified-Half-Normal Distribution And Different Methods To Estimate Average Treatment Effect., Jingchao Sun Dec 2020

Modified-Half-Normal Distribution And Different Methods To Estimate Average Treatment Effect., Jingchao Sun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three projects related to Modified-Half-Normal distribution and causal inference. In my first project, a new distribution called Modified-Half-Normal distribution was introduced. I explored a few of its distributional properties, the procedures for generating random samples based on Bayesian approaches, and the parameter estimation based on the method of moments. The second project deals with the problem of selection bias of average treatment effect (ATE) if we use the observational data. I combined the propensity score based inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method and the directed acyclic graph (DAG) to solve this problem. The third project …

Go to article

Statistical Approaches Of Gene Set Analysis With Quantitative Trait Loci For High-Throughput Genomic Studies., Samarendra Das Dec 2020

Statistical Approaches Of Gene Set Analysis With Quantitative Trait Loci For High-Throughput Genomic Studies., Samarendra Das

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, gene set analysis has become the first choice for gaining insights into the underlying complex biology of diseases through high-throughput genomic studies, such as Microarrays, bulk RNA-Sequencing, single cell RNA-Sequencing, etc. It also reduces the complexity of statistical analysis and enhances the explanatory power of the obtained results. Further, the statistical structure and steps common to these approaches have not yet been comprehensively discussed, which limits their utility. Hence, a comprehensive overview of the available gene set analysis approaches used for different high-throughput genomic studies is provided. The analysis of gene sets is usually carried out based on …

Go to article

The Ball Is In Your Court: A Phenomenological Study Examining College Athletes With Learning Disabilities And/Or Adhd On College Campuses., Stephanie Thea O'Donnell Dec 2020

The Ball Is In Your Court: A Phenomenological Study Examining College Athletes With Learning Disabilities And/Or Adhd On College Campuses., Stephanie Thea O'Donnell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Approximately only 1% of scholarly top-tier higher education published research focuses on the experiences of students with disabilities since the passing of the ADA in 1990 (Pena, 2014). Even fewer studies have explored the learning-disabled collegiate athlete experience. The purpose of this emerging phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of college athletes with learning disabilities and/or ADHD at NCAA Division 1 FBS institutions, giving voice to the untold stories, and commonalities amongst this population. This study provides findings grounded in student perspective by examining their experiences related to disability disclosure, self-advocacy, and academic support within the college environment. …

Go to article

Evaluating The Effects Of Pcbs In Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease & Diabetes And The Role Of Ahr In Regulating The Hepatic Proteome And Lipid Metabolism., Jian Jin Dec 2020

Evaluating The Effects Of Pcbs In Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease & Diabetes And The Role Of Ahr In Regulating The Hepatic Proteome And Lipid Metabolism., Jian Jin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes. Based on their ability to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), PCBs are subdivided into two classes: dioxin-like (DL) and non- dioxin-like (NDL) PCBs. This study not only evaluated the chronic effect of DL PCBs (PCB126), NDL PCBs (Aroclor1260 mainly contains NDL), and the DL/NDL PCB mixture (PCB126/Aroclor1260 mixture) on liver, but also explored the acute hepatic effects of DL PCB and potential mechanisms in NAFLD and the role of AhR in regulating hepatic proteome and lipid metabolism, and whether the process independent of …

Go to article

Kindergarten Readiness And Grade 1 Mathematics Achievement., Faneshia Mcpherson Jones Dec 2020

Kindergarten Readiness And Grade 1 Mathematics Achievement., Faneshia Mcpherson Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

From 2013-2019, all Kentucky school districts have administered a common screener to each student entering kindergarten. In this study, kindergarten readiness—determined by academic skills/cognitive development, language development, and physical development—was a significant predictor of grade 1 end-of-year mathematics achievement. The model predictions show that kindergarten students who met the readiness benchmark had higher grade 1 end-of-year mathematics scores compared to students who entered kindergarten below the readiness benchmark. The model predictions improved substantially with the inclusion of prior level of achievement as indicated by grade 1 beginning of the year mathematics achievement. However, students with stronger readiness skills demonstrated significantly …

Go to article

Social Media And Fear: Social Media As A Catalyst For Political Fear In The United States., Shane R. White Dec 2020

Social Media And Fear: Social Media As A Catalyst For Political Fear In The United States., Shane R. White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract: Using the American National Election Study data from the 2012 and 2016 surveys I explore how social media usage shapes fear. This is likely caused by the nature of social media leading to oversharing of sensationalized articles likely to elicit an emotional and fearful response. My findings suggest first that social media usage has a statistically significant effect on whether they would say they are afraid of a candidate (2012) and how afraid they say they are of the candidates (2016). Second, social media has little effect on economic fear, and may actually make people more hopeful about the …

Go to article

Inclusion Of Classified Staff In The Implementation Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports: A District Case Study., Devon M. Roberts Dec 2020

Inclusion Of Classified Staff In The Implementation Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports: A District Case Study., Devon M. Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined the current use of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) within a large school district and how that district includes classified staff within the implementation process. This study utilized information from interviews and focus groups of district leaders, school leaders, and classified staff to evaluate their perspectives on the daily use of PBIS, specifically how classified staff are included in all aspects of the initiative. Using the Normalization Process Theory (NPT) as a theoretical framework, this study sought to make sense of how complex organizational initiatives are intertwined and become embedded into the normal practices …

Go to article

Development Of A Pediatric Cardiac Assist Maglev Pump For Use With A Universal Driver System., Landon Heath Tompkins Dec 2020

Development Of A Pediatric Cardiac Assist Maglev Pump For Use With A Universal Driver System., Landon Heath Tompkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) remains the leading cause of death, affecting 26 million adults worldwide and 6.5 million adults in the United States. Pediatric HF patients have been a historically underserved population with few options for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) therapy, a leading treatment as an alternative to heart transplantation. To address this clinical need, the Inspired Universal MagLev System is being developed; a low cost, universal magnetically levitated extracorporeal MCS system with interchangeable single-use pumps that will ultimately provide adult and pediatric patients ventricular and respiratory assist therapies. The Inspired Pediatric VAD is the first single-use pump application for this …

Go to article

The Effects Of Whole Life, Low Dose Cadmium Exposure On High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease And The Role Of Zinc., Jamie Lynn Young Dec 2020

The Effects Of Whole Life, Low Dose Cadmium Exposure On High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease And The Role Of Zinc., Jamie Lynn Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global public health concern affecting more than 25% of the world’s population. Although obesity is a major risk factor for NAFLD, it cannot account for many cases, indicating the importance of other factors such as sex and environmental exposures. Cadmium exposure is implicated in the development of NAFLD; however, the influence of early-life, in utero cadmium exposure on the development of diet-induced NAFLD is poorly understood. Therefore, we developed an in vivo, multiple-hit model to study the effect of whole-life, low-dose cadmium exposure on high fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. Additionally, we …

Go to article

On The Straight And Narrow: How Cultural Beliefs About Sex/Gender Manifest In College Biology Learning Environments., Katherine Ray Kng Dec 2020

On The Straight And Narrow: How Cultural Beliefs About Sex/Gender Manifest In College Biology Learning Environments., Katherine Ray Kng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focused on the ways that social beliefs about sex/gender and sexuality manifest in biology classrooms. Especially for health science students, classes include topics like sex, sexuality, sexual behaviors, or sex determination that forms the foundation of their understanding of human forms and behaviors. If the information they receive does not include the LGBTQIA+ community, their education will fail to adequately prepare them for the reality of healthcare practice where they will be expected to treat all patients with dignity and respect. There are three chapters in this dissertation. In chapter one, I asked what beliefs about and conceptions …

Go to article

Aspects Of Causal Inference., John A. Craycroft Dec 2020

Aspects Of Causal Inference., John A. Craycroft

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Observational studies differ from experimental studies in that assignment of subjects to treatments is not randomized but rather occurs due to natural mechanisms, which are usually hidden from researchers. Yet objectives of the two studies are frequently the same: identify the causal – rather than merely associational – relationship between some treatment or exposure and an outcome. The statistical issues that arise in properly analyzing observational data for this goal are numerous and fascinating, and these issues are encompassed in the domain of causal inference. The research presented in this dissertation explores several distinct aspects of causal inference. This dissertation …

Go to article

Job Satisfaction For Individuals With Disabilities: Youth One Year Out., Katherine Michelle Cooper Phd Dec 2020

Job Satisfaction For Individuals With Disabilities: Youth One Year Out., Katherine Michelle Cooper Phd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Even though there have been decades of research, practice, and legislative efforts in the field of secondary transition, it is believed that students with disabilities are still less likely to enroll in postsecondary education or training, secure competitive employment, and live independently than their nondisabled peers. One of the reasons for this might be the lack of understanding students’ perceptions of employment opportunities. Much of the early vocational legislation focused on the needs of adult workers injured during a war or in civil employment. The last iteration of the Rehabilitation Act in the 1990s described disabilities, even the most significant …

Go to article

Capacity Building: A Study Of Career Academies And Student Career Self-Efficacy., Shawn Timothy Hinds Jr Dec 2020

Capacity Building: A Study Of Career Academies And Student Career Self-Efficacy., Shawn Timothy Hinds Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The phrase “College and Career Readiness” echoes throughout the halls of schools and districts across the United States. Politicians pass legislation aimed at ensuring the readiness of every student graduating from high school. Despite these efforts, the United States is falling further behind in a global race for economic wellbeing and academic preparedness based on one of the most respected global measures of student achievement, the Programme for International Student Assessment (Murphy & Adams, 1998; Tucker, 2016). Even as the social fabric of the country changes and the number of Students of Color and students in poverty increase, there have …

Go to article

Development Of Core Pharmacy Roles With Competency/Epa Alignment And Levels Of Entrustment., Kimberly K. Daugherty Dec 2020

Development Of Core Pharmacy Roles With Competency/Epa Alignment And Levels Of Entrustment., Kimberly K. Daugherty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this two-phase embedded mixed-method project was to investigate the extent to which a consensus exists among pharmacy professionals regarding core practice-ready roles for graduates that align with current pharmacy competencies/EPA statements with entrustment levels. Current competencies/EPAs were perceived as mapping to the core roles developed during this study, with some missing competencies. Some of the EPA levels of entrustment varied depending on the role to which it was mapped. Some levels were different than the current recommended EPA entrustment level recommended to be used by schools/colleges. The development of a set of core roles with the mapping …

Go to article

Predicting Dental Student's Performance On National Board Dental Examination (Nbde) Part I: Exploring Demographic Factors, Dental Admission Test (Dat) Factors, Pre-Program Academic Factors, And Dental Program Academic Performance., Wei-Shao Lin Dec 2020

Predicting Dental Student's Performance On National Board Dental Examination (Nbde) Part I: Exploring Demographic Factors, Dental Admission Test (Dat) Factors, Pre-Program Academic Factors, And Dental Program Academic Performance., Wei-Shao Lin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dental students need to successfully challenge a national licensure examination to be able to practice dentistry. Dental educators currently have difficulty in identifying candidates who are at risk of failing this examination. This non-experimental quantitative study examined existing dental student data from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 graduating classes, using a retrospective and correlational approach to identify possible markers for at risk students. Demographic factors, dental admission test (DAT) factors, pre-program academic factors, dental program academic performance, and National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I performance. A series of independent t-tests and One-Way analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were used to …

Go to article

External Homophobia And Outness In Gay Men., Thomas Charles Isaak Jr Dec 2020

External Homophobia And Outness In Gay Men., Thomas Charles Isaak Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prior studies regarding outness among gay men have often focused on internalized homophobia as a barrier to coming out for gay men, while less emphasis has been placed on external homophobia. Drawing upon social construction theory and Connell’s hierarchy of masculinity, I utilize data from the 2010 Social Justice Sexuality Project to complete an ordinary least square regression to examine the impact of external homophobia on the level of outness among the 987 gay men in this study. In this study, I find that gay men who were exposed to external homophobia reported decreased levels of outness. Further, I find …

Go to article

Full Issue Winter Special Issue 12(4) 2020 Dec 2020

Full Issue Winter Special Issue 12(4) 2020

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Go to article

Radiographic Evaluation Of Bone And Mucosa Using Low-Dose Cbct With Radiopaque X-Resin Stent Versus Ct And Ridge Mapping: A Validity Study, Enji Ahmed, Nader Nabil Riskallah, Mushira Muhammed Dahaba, Eman Abdelaziz Ahmed Dec 2020

Radiographic Evaluation Of Bone And Mucosa Using Low-Dose Cbct With Radiopaque X-Resin Stent Versus Ct And Ridge Mapping: A Validity Study, Enji Ahmed, Nader Nabil Riskallah, Mushira Muhammed Dahaba, Eman Abdelaziz Ahmed

Dentistry

Aim: To compare the abilities of computed tomography (CT), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with X-resin and ridge mapping and to measure the thickness of bone and soft tissue during implant planning, which allows increasing the success criteria of implant placement. Materials and Methods: This validity study included a total of 96 samples chosen from 20 patients undergoing implant surgeries (mandible and maxilla) aged between 25 and 50 years. Measurements of bone and mucosa were done by using three techniques, which are the CT, CBCT with X-resin, and finally ridge mapping at 4 points that are 3, 4, 5, and …

Go to article

Influence Of Blood Contamination On The Bond Strength And Biointeractivity Of Biodentine Used As Root-End Filling, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr. Dec 2020

Influence Of Blood Contamination On The Bond Strength And Biointeractivity Of Biodentine Used As Root-End Filling, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr.

Dentistry

Aim: To evaluate the influence of blood contamination on the bond strength and apatite forming ability of Biodentine used as root-end filling material. Methodology: Eighty (n = 80) extracted single-rooted, sound human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared and obturated. Then, the roots were resected, retrograde cavities were prepared and Biodentine was inserted as the root-end filling material. Teeth were then randomly divided into 2 equal groups (n = 40) according to the setting environment of Biodentine i.e., group A where setting took place in human blood and group B where setting took place in deionized water (control group). Teeth were …

Go to article

Status And Factors Associated With Healthcare Choices Among Older Adults And Children In An Urbanized County: A Cross-Sectional Study In Kunshan, China, Yuxi Zhao, Linqi Mao, Jun Lu, Qi Zhang, Gang Chen, Mei Sun, Fengshui Chang, Xiaohong Li Dec 2020

Status And Factors Associated With Healthcare Choices Among Older Adults And Children In An Urbanized County: A Cross-Sectional Study In Kunshan, China, Yuxi Zhao, Linqi Mao, Jun Lu, Qi Zhang, Gang Chen, Mei Sun, Fengshui Chang, Xiaohong Li

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

As important unit for regional health planning, urbanized counties are facing challenges because of internal migrants and aging. This study took urbanized counties in China as cases and two key populations as objects to understand different populations’ intentions of choosing corresponding health service resources and to provide support for resource allocation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kunshan, a highly urbanized county in China, in 2016, among older adults aged 60 or over and children aged 0–6. Multinomial logistics models were used to identify the factors associated with healthcare choices. In this study, we found that income, distance of the …

Go to article

Introduction To Neutrosophic Genetics, Florentin Smarandache Dec 2020

Introduction To Neutrosophic Genetics, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Neutrosophic Genetics is the study of genetics using neutrosophic logic, set, probability, statistics, measure and other neutrosophic tools and procedures. In this paper, based on the Neutrosophic Theory of Evolution (that includes degrees of Evolution, Neutrality (or Indeterminacy), and Involution) – as extension of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, we show the applicability of neutrosophy in genetics, and we present within the frame of neutrosophic genetics the following concepts: neutrosophic mutation, neutrosophic speciation, and neutrosophic coevolution.

Go to article

The Role Of Faculty In Fostering Psychosocial Wellbeing Among University Students, Kelley Wick Dec 2020

The Role Of Faculty In Fostering Psychosocial Wellbeing Among University Students, Kelley Wick

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The transition to college represents a major life event, and successfully navigating this shift has implications for students’ psychosocial wellbeing. While there is ample support for the idea that social relationships can facilitate student wellbeing during the transition to college, there is limited understanding of the unique role faculty may play in supporting students. The aim of this study was to determine the relation of faculty support to student wellbeing and self-efficacy, independent of peer support and student level of stress. Additionally, the primary questions were to examine whether self-efficacy mediated the relation of faculty support to student wellbeing, and …

Go to article

Relationship Between Personal Distress And Aggression Is Moderated By Nucleus Accumbens Volume, Yuan Ta Poh Dec 2020

Relationship Between Personal Distress And Aggression Is Moderated By Nucleus Accumbens Volume, Yuan Ta Poh

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Studies into the relationship between empathy and aggression has found that the effect is weak (Vachon et al., 2014). This weak relationship is observed through aspects of empathy interacting with aspects of aggression in different ways depending on the types of empathy and aggression being measured. The present study utilized neuroimaging approach to examine the relationship among empathy, aggression and nucleus accumbens (NAc) volume. Forty nine college students underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans and completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index as well as the Reactive-Proactive Questionnaire. Using FreeSurfer, bilateral NAc volumes were obtained for statistical analysis. Hierarchal regression analyses were utilized …

Go to article

Through Their Eyes: Photo Stories About Family Strengths In Johannesburg, South Africa, Megan Ribbens Dec 2020

Through Their Eyes: Photo Stories About Family Strengths In Johannesburg, South Africa, Megan Ribbens

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A study by DeFrain, Asay and Geggie (2010) outlines six characteristics of strong families. This qualitative case study investigates one of the six qualities. Using an adapted photovoice research method, 12 parents in Johannesburg, South Africa describe what spending enjoyable time looks like in their personal and community context. Additionally, they outline the barriers that keep families from enjoyable activities. Qualitative data for analysis included: photographs, written descriptions, compiled activity lists, and focus group discussion. Open, axial, and selective codes and theme analysis were used to analyze the data. This study hopes to contribute to the understanding of the strengths …

Go to article

The Influence Of Proximal And Distal Familial Factors On Preschool Children's Inhibitory Control And Social Emotional Skills, Amy Encinger Dec 2020

The Influence Of Proximal And Distal Familial Factors On Preschool Children's Inhibitory Control And Social Emotional Skills, Amy Encinger

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Children in the United States experience higher rates of poverty than any other age group, including elderly adults and the poverty rate of young children (0-5 years) is considerably higher than that of older children (Proctor et al., 2016). There is an extensive body of research examining familial socioeconomic status (SES) and the influence on the skills and behaviors of young children; however, common key indicators of family SES may not fully depict the ways in which children living in poverty/low-income homes are influenced by economic disadvantage. The focus of the current study is to explore the ways in which …

Go to article

Assessment Of Grain Safety In Developing Nations, Jose R. Mendoza Dec 2020

Assessment Of Grain Safety In Developing Nations, Jose R. Mendoza

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Grains are the most widely consumed foods worldwide, with maize (Zea mays) being frequently consumed in developing countries where it feeds approximately 900 million people under the poverty line of 2 USD per day. While grain handling practices are acceptable in most developed nations, many developing nations still face challenges such as inadequate field management, drying, and storage. Faulty grain handling along with unavoidably humid climates result in recurrent fungal growth and spoilage, which compromises both the end-quality and safety of the harvest. This becomes particularly problematic where there is little awareness about health risks associated with poor …

Go to article

Strategic Audit Of Optum, Connor Crow Dec 2020

Strategic Audit Of Optum, Connor Crow

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Optum is a large American-based pharmacy benefit manager, healthcare consultant, healthcare delivery service, and business analytics corporation that has dominated the industry with sister-company UnitedHealthcare underneath the umbrella UnitedHealthGroup. This report seeks to understand through internal and external analyses how Optum’s business model and strategies have allowed them to gain and sustain competitive advantages in the everchanging, volatile environment of healthcare. Specific tools used to highlight this include Porter’s Five Forces, PESTEL, and SWOT analyses. Additionally, strategic recommendations are given for Optum’s next steps.

Go to article

The 2019 P-Mig Student Survey Report And Capturing The Undergraduate Perspective Of Physiology Programming, Jennifer Rogers, Jenny L. Mcfarland, Claudia I. Stanescu, Patrick L. Crosswhite, Anne R. Crecelius Dec 2020

The 2019 P-Mig Student Survey Report And Capturing The Undergraduate Perspective Of Physiology Programming, Jennifer Rogers, Jenny L. Mcfarland, Claudia I. Stanescu, Patrick L. Crosswhite, Anne R. Crecelius

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

The aim of the 2019 Student Survey was to inform the Physiology Majors Interest Group (PMIG) of characteristics of undergraduates enrolled in physiology courses or degree programs from across the United States, to be used as one input source for development of program-level guidelines. 1389 participants from seven universities completed the 2019 P-MIG Student Survey. 37% reported enrollment in a physiology/human physiology major; allied health related programs were the second most common (24%). 61% of respondents reported attending a community college, the majority of whom enrolled in one or more courses at a community college while in high school (44%). …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last