Digital Commons Network^™

Repairing Medical Equipment In Times Of Pandemic, Ofer Tur-Sinai, Leah Chan Grinvald

Scholarly Works

The COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world since early 2020 has underscored the need for an effective right to repair medical equipment. As healthcare systems have been pushed to the limit, keeping critical medical equipment (such as ventilators) in working order has become a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, the ability of hospitals and other healthcare providers to service and fix their medical equipment is often hindered by the tight control that original equipment manufacturers keep over repair of their products. On top of direct contractual restrictions on repair, one of the major difficulties encountered by hospital-based and …

Spatial And Temporal Variation In Aedes Albopictus Prevalence Across Arkansas, Alyssa N. Jones, Eric C. Lovely, Douglas G. Barron

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Aedes albopictus is a well-known vector species of mosquito that is responsible for the transmission of many arboviruses such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. The objective of this study was to quantify spatial and temporal variation of Ae. albopictus prevalence in Arkansas. We used egg abundance as a proxy for mosquito prevalence. Across 2 years, we worked with the Arkansas Department of Health to collect mosquito eggs using oviposition traps. Eggs were desiccated, counted, and later rehydrated in rearing chambers and raised through adulthood for species determination (>99% Ae. albopictus). We determined mean egg abundance by month, year, …

Minimizing Psychological Distress And Promoting Resilience During Quarantine: Piloting The Town Hall Model, David S. Cates

Journal Articles: Nebraska Medicine

Quarantine and isolation are important public health strategies for containing highly hazardous communicable disease outbreaks, particularly when vaccines and effective treatments are unavailable. Despite their effectiveness in disease containment, both quarantine and isolation, whether home- or facility-based, can lead to negative psychological outcomes in the short and long term. This article describes a novel, evidence-informed pilot intervention to prevent psychological deterioration during facility-based quarantine and isolation. Designed for the National Quarantine Unit during the repatriation of 15 American passengers exposed to COVID-19 on a cruise ship, the model incorporates findings from several areas of research, including factors that increase stress …

A Short Film That Addresses Substance Use Disorders In Rural Communities And Strategies In Prevention And Treatment Of Addiction, Sarah R. Poteracki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper and accompanying video (link to the short film is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1etDnUmEvkOds8J0EKnq1gnFO79-GggjY) offer insight into the current state of research collaboration surrounding substance use disorders in West Virginia. This professional project explores the importance of collaboration both in a research and clinical setting and in the social realm. The film was shown at the 2nd annual meeting for the Appalachian Node of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network on February 25, 2021. I interviewed 14 researchers and experts from a diverse range of disciplines who shared insights and strategies in the prevention and treatment of …

Design And Synthesis Of Targeted Immunotherapeutic Agents, Md Shohel Rana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are very important tools to fight against the diseases especially in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Many immunotherapeutic antibodies are being used to treat cancer that target multiple different components of the cancer microenvironment. Cells with extracellular juxtacrine ligands [JL-cells] and extracellular juxtacrine receptors [JR-cells] form JL-cell-JR-cell interfaces that produce juxtacrine signals inside JR-cells. [76] Juxtacrine signaling unlike endocrine or paracrine signaling requires no release or cellular uptake of ligands. [76] Immune checkpoint inhibitors are soluble IgG antibodies that block juxtacrine ligand engagements with juxtacrine receptors on tumor or other immune cells. [77] Rapid Nobel Prize …

Unique Biological Applications Of Charge Transfer Dissociation Mass Spectrometry, Halle M. Edwards

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The ever-changing landscape of mass spectrometry is driven by gaps in knowledge, and one of the biggest driving forces is the desire to understand the structure and dynamics of biomolecules in living organisms. New and better methods of tandem mass spectrometry are often at the heart of technological developments. Some fragmentation methods are limited to expensive FTICR instruments, some techniques are limited multiply charged precursors, and others are limited to breaking only the weakest bonds in precursor ions; all of which support the pursuit of new activation methods. Charge transfer dissociation (CTD) addresses some of these concerns by providing structurally …

United States Nursing Homes And Health Equity During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Carla Cooper

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected older populations, with nursing homes impacted early on by the disease. The contribution of race/ethnicity of nursing home residents and facility characteristics on COVID-19 were unknown. The Donabedian model framework was used to study the relationship between the racial/ethnic characteristics of nursing home residents and COVID-19 outcomes and to examine if this relationship was moderated by the racial/ethnic composition of the county of nursing home location.

Method: Cross-sectional research design merging data from five publicly available sources. Laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths were compared by the racial composition of the county and nursing …

Risk Factors And Trends In Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns In Strains Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Following Changes In The Cdc Sexually Transmitted Disease (Std) Treatment Guidelines – United States, 2012-2018, Niketta A. Womack

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) has become a major global public health concern in the 21st century. Surveillance activities are essential in identifying risk factors in priority populations. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with and trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in N. gonorrhoeae strains identified through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP). A study sample of 37,157 men was evaluated to measure adherence to changes in CDC’s STD treatment guidelines in 2012 and 2015. Data were analyzed to measure associations between independent and dependent variables by conducting bivariate and logistic regression …

Evaluating Compassion Satisfaction And The Risk Of Compassion Fatigue Among Those Working At Non-Human Primate Sanctuaries And Wildlife Centers, Madalyn Rantala

All Master's Theses

Compassion fatigue, an occupational risk commonly associated with caregiving professions, can have adverse effects for individual employee wellbeing, organizational productivity, and the quality of care that patients receive. Within animal-care worker samples, previous research suggests that around 25 percent of employees are at a high risk of developing compassion fatigue (i.e., experiencing burnout and secondary traumatic stress concurrently). To my knowledge, this thesis is the first study to explore compassion fatigue within the primate sanctuary field. Thirty-nine eligible participants completed an online survey that probed professional quality of life via the ProQOL 5, perceived workplace support via the Trauma-Informed Organizational …

Ecological And Anthropogenic Influences On A Sentinel Species' Gut Microbiome, Carson E. Black

All Master's Theses

Central and South American primates face augmented challenges due to increased rates of forest fragmentation. Among these challenges are implications on the nonhuman primate gut microbiome. Wild Argentine black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) are listed as “least concern” with a population that is decreasing. Despite their propensity to occupy habitats with varying degrees of degradation and disturbance, they are not immune from the stressors that forest fragmentation places on them. Their increased exposure to humans and livestock leaves them vulnerable to cross-species transmission of emerging infectious diseases and pathogens. Therefore, their role as sentinels of ecosystems, …

The Effect Of Probiotics, Prebiotics, And Synbiotics On Indicators Of Lactose Intolerance: A Systematic Review, Taylor Roice

All Master's Theses

Lactose intolerance disproportionately affects racial minority groups in the United States, increasing the incidence of calcium deficiency and low bone mineral density in these populations. The nutritional quality of lactose-containing food products incentivizes the investigation of long-term treatment options for lactose intolerance. Modifying the gut microbiome to increase the quantity of lactose-hydrolyzing bacteria in the intestines is a promising avenue of treatment that merits investigation. Such modification is typically achieved via consumption of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics in various forms. This systematic review examined 25 studies measuring outcomes of lactose intolerance in subjects given probiotic, prebiotic, or synbiotic treatments. Bacterial …

Development Of Environmental Metabarcoding Analysis For Use In Ecological Studies Of Aquatic Fungal And Oomycete Communities Using Nanopore Sequencing, Douglas Bennett

All Master's Theses

One of several factors contributing to amphibian decline are organisms called water molds (oomycetes), which parasitize and kill amphibian and fish eggs, larvae, and occasionally adults. Amphibian decline is one of the most difficult issues facing ecologists and conservationists to date; half of amphibian species are in severe decline and one third of amphibian species are facing extinction, threatening the stability of ecosystems globally. Multiple oomycete species are known to cause the disease saprolegniasis and contribute to amphibian decline; however, the full range of species involved is not presently known. This study evaluated the Oxford Nanopore minION DNA sequencer (R9.2 …

The Dichotomy Of Utilitarian Maximization And Primum Non Nocere In The Unprecedented Times Of Covid-19: Ethics, Standards Of Care, And Protecting Vulnerable Populations, Sarah Polites

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Vaccinations, Religious Exemptions, And Covid-19 Responding To The Pandemic With A Mandatory Vaccination, Joseph Mendonsa

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Radiographic Patterns Of Different Aetiologies Of Community Acquired Pneumonia In Patients Presenting To Aga Khan University, Hanika Ajaykumar Patel

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality globally. The spectrum of causative organisms of CAP varies markedly with region as well as with the immune status of the patient. Chest radiography remains an important initial imaging modality in the diagnostic work-up of patients with CAP. Although previous studies have highlighted major trends and radiographic patterns of various causative organisms of CAP, there is a paucity of recent literature within Sub-Saharan Africa on these various radiographic patterns. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to identify the association between the radiographic patterns of different …

Are Youtube Videos In Turkish Useful As An Information Source For Dental Treatment During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Gözde Işık, Meltem Özden Yüce

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Since the start of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients with dental conditions find it difficult to consult their physicians and to preserve the continuity of dental treatment. All routine appointments were suspended and postponed indefinitely so that infection control procedures could be administered. This study aimed to assess the value of Turkish videos for patients seeking information on dental treatments during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Videos on YouTube were screened using the following keywords: ‘Coronavirus, diş tedavileri’, ‘COVID-19, diş tedavileri’ and ‘SARS-Cov-2, diş tedavileri’. The search results were limited to the first 100 videos. Videos were analysed independently …

[Redacted] Addressing The Disclosure Of Medical Conditions, Mental Health Treatment, And Substance Abuse History In The Online Publication Of Court Documents In Massachusetts, Diana Hurtado

Suffolk Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy

No abstract provided.

Systemic Racism, The Government's Pandemic Response, And Racial Inequities In Covid-19, Ruqaiijah Yearby, Seema Mohapatra

Emory Law Journal

During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state governments have disregarded racial and ethnic minorities’ unequal access to employment and health care, which has resulted in racial inequities in infections and deaths. In addition, they have enacted laws that further exacerbate these inequities. Consequently, many racial and ethnic minorities are employed in low-wage essential jobs that lack paid sick leave and health insurance. This lack of benefits causes them to go to work even when they are sick and prevents them from receiving appropriate medical treatment. As a result, racial and ethnic minorities have disproportionately been infected and died from COVID-19. …

Risk Of Tuberculosis Is Increased In Behçet's Disease Compared To Other Rheumatologicaldisorders After Anti-Tnf∝ Treatments: A Case Series And Review Of The Literature, Ümmügülsüm Gazel, Derya Kocakaya, İrem Hi̇cret Topçu, Hakan Ömer Karataş, Murat Karabacak, Mehmet Pami̇r Atagündüz, Güzi̇de Nevsun İnanç, Fatma Ali̇baz Öner, Rafi̇ Haner Di̇reskeneli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-a) antagonists are extensively utilized in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases and also shown to be effective in Behçet's disease (BD) patients with major organ involvement. In this study, we aimed to reevaluate the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) infection after anti-TNFa treatments and to reveal the risk of TB in BD. Methods: Data of patients who received anti-TNFa treatment between 2005 and 2018 were assessed retrospectively. Demographic features, TNF-a antagonist type/treatment time, tuberculosis skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON results, isoniazid prophylaxis status, and concomitant corticosteroid (CS) treatments were collected. Results: A total of 1277 (male/female …

Evaluation Of Extensively Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteremia Among Solid-Organtransplant Recipients: A Multicenter Study, Tuğba Yanik Yalçin, Özlem Azap, Adem Köse, Yaşar Bayindir, Eli̇f Muki̇me Saricaoğlu, Güle Çinar, Yeşi̇m Uygun Kizmaz, Ebru Kurşun, Hi̇kmet Eda Alişkan, Ayşe Yasemi̇n Tezer Tekçe, Oya Özlem Eren Kutsoylu, Tufan Egeli̇, Alpay Ari, Yurdagül Albayrak, Hati̇ce Çabadak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the distribution, sources, clinical features, and mortality rates of bacteremia due to evaluation of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gram negative among solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of SOT recipients with bacteremia due to XDR gram-negative pathogens in 11 centers between 2016 and 2018 was conducted. Patients' records were evaluated. Results: Of 171 bacteremia that occurred in 164 SOT recipients, 93 (56.7%) were liver, 46 (28%) kidney, 14 (8.5%) heart, and 11 (6.7%) lung recipients. Bacteremia episodes were recorded in the first year in 63.7% of the patients …

Circulating Mir-29c-3p Is Downregulated In Patients With Acromegaly, Hakan Korkmaz, Kuyaş Heki̇mler Öztürk, Bora Torus

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: miRNAs control various biological functions, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, signaling pathways, apoptosis and metabolism. Recently, it has been shown that there is a relationship between changes in miRNA expression and the development of acromegaly. Studies are needed to identify new disease-specific miRNAs. The aim of the current study is to evaluate plasma miR-29c-3p, miR-31-5p and miR-18a-5p steady-state levels in acromegaly. Another aim is to investigate whether there is a difference in the levels of these miRNAs in patients with inadequate control and controlled acromegaly with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy. These miRNAs targeting the IGF-1 gene were determined by …

Allergic Reactions Against Covıd-19 Vaccines, Hi̇lal Ünsal, Bülent Eni̇s Şekerel, Ümi̇t Murat Şahi̇ner

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected the whole world in a short time. One of the most influential public health initiatives modern medicine has to offer, the vaccine has become even more important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen worldwide. Many vaccine trials were launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these vaccines were widely used around the world, offering realistic hope for ending the pandemic. Allergic reactions to vaccines were reported shortly after their approval. These reactions, in general, are rare, but, in some circumstances, they can be serious. Allergy to vaccines can occur because of either the active vaccine …

High Mobility Group Box-1 Levels May Be Associated With Disease Activity Of Behcet's Disease, Di̇lara Dönmez Güler, Ayşe Bahar Keleşoğlu Di̇nçer, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Hasan Seli̇m Güler, Müçteba Enes Yayla, Serdar Sezer, Emi̇ne Gözde Aydemi̇r Gülöksüz, İlyas Ercan Okatan, Murat Torğutalp, Di̇dem Şahi̇n Eroğlu, Mehmet Levent Yüksel, Tahsi̇n Murat Turğay, Gülay Kinikli, Aşkin Ateş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: High mobility group box- 1 (HMGB- 1) is a nuclear protein acting as a proinflammatory molecule. The serum HMGB- 1 levels were found elevated in chronic inflammatory diseases. In this cross-sectional study, serum HMGB- 1 levels in Behcet's disease (BD) patients and healthy controls (HC) were studied. Also, its association with disease activity scores and clinical findings were evaluated. Materials and methods: Ninety BD patients and 50 age-sex matched HC were included in the study. Disease activity scores were assessed by Behcet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) and Behcet Syndrome Activity Score (BSAS). Serum HMGB- 1 levels were measured …

Pretreatment Serum Uric Acid Level Is Not A Surrogate Marker For The Outcome Offavipiravir Treatment In Covid-19 Patients, Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya, Emre Kara, Nursel Çalik Başaran, Taha Koray Şahi̇n, Oğuz Abdullah Uyaroğlu, Ömrüm Uzun, Serhat Ünal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Administration On The Clinical Course Of Thecovid-19 Disease, Burcu Yormaz, Di̇lek Ergün, Baykal Tülek, Recai̇ Ergün, Uğur Arslan, Fi̇kret Kanat

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Lymphopenia is the most important criterion of mortality and discharging feature for patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment on the clinical course of COVID-19. Materials and methods: Patients' clinical symptoms, radiologic outcomes, hematologic, biochemical, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) results were obtained from their medical records. Participants were separated into 2 groups: one was treated with LMWH and the other was not. Improvement in the patients was compared before and after treatment. Results: Ninety-six patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between April …

The Synapse 28

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

The Global Health Burden Of Neurological Disease: Inequity In Prevalence, Burden, And Outcomes, Anna Harrison

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Learning From Covid-19: Universal Design For Learning Implementation Prior To And During A Pandemic, Jennifer Renée Kilpatrick, Suzanne Ehrlich, Michelle Bartlett

UNF Faculty Research and Scholarship

This study examined whether higher education faculty knowingly and/or unknowingly applied UDL principles prior to and during the COVID-19 rapid online teaching and learning (ROTL) transition. Researchers collected data through a survey that was disseminated nationwide and completed by higher education faculty (n = 38). Findings included a shift in instruction modality where 50 percent of synchronous in person instruction moved to asynchronous online instruction or optional synchronous remote instruction. Additionally, there was an unsurprising, considerable increase in the use of technology to support student engagement with course content. Researchers identified themes in the barriers (e.g., time, resources, training) to …

How The Fallout From Post-9/11 Surveillance Programs Can Inform Privacy Protections For Covid-19 Contact Tracing Programs, Emma Mendelson

City University of New York Law Review

In times of national crises, the government often endows itself with broad and unprecedented powers. Following the events on September 11th, 2001, the government enhanced the scope of its surveillance capabilities in the name of preventing terrorist activity; privacy was second to “safety” as congress reacted rashly to pass legislation. Currently, as the United States responds to the global crisis of COVID-19, surveillance returns as an integral tool for national security. Both local and federal governments are using location metadata and health data to assist in preventing the spread of the disease.

Contact/proximity tracing – “which involves figuring out who …

Face Masking Violations, Policing, And Covid-19 Death Rates: A Spatial Analysis In New York City Zip Codes, Tse-Chuan Yang, Seulki Kim, Stephen A. Matthews

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The use of face masks during a pandemic and compliance with state and local mandates has been a divisive issue in the United States. We document variation in face masking violation rates involving police enforcement in New York City and examine the association between police-enforced face masking violations and COVID-19-related death rates. We assemble a Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code–level data set from the New York City Open Data, Department of Health, and the American Community Survey (2014–2018). We use maps to demonstrate the spatial patterning of police-enforced face masking violation rates and COVID-19-related death rates. Using a Bayesian spatial …