Digital Commons Network^™

A Pharmacokinetic Analysis Of Hemodialysis For Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis, Stephen A Harding, Rana Biary, Robert S Hoffman, Mark K Su, Mary Ann Howland

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: Although hemodialysis is recommended for patients with severe metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA), the amount of metformin removed by hemodialysis is poorly documented. We analyzed endogenous clearance and hemodialysis clearance in a patient with MALA.

METHODS: A 62-year-old man with a history of type II diabetes mellitus presented after several days of vomiting and diarrhea and was found to have acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe acidemia. Initial serum metformin concentration was 315.34 μmol/L (40.73 μg/mL) (typical therapeutic concentrations 1-2 μg/mL). He underwent 6 h of hemodialysis. We collected hourly whole blood, serum, urine, and dialysate metformin concentrations. Blood, urine, …

Case Report: Dupilumab Successfully Controls Severe Eczema In A Child With Elevated Ige Levels And Recurrent Skin Infections, Tejas P Joshi, Sara Anvari, Meera R Gupta, Carla M Davis, Joud Hajjar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The efficacy of dupilumab in pediatric patients with severe eczema presenting in the setting of elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and recurrent bacterial skin infections is not well-understood. Here we present the case of a child with elevated IgE levels in whom dupilumab treatment led to remarkable control of his eczema and recurrent skin infections. We also review the use of dupilumab in other patients with molecularly proven cases of hyper IgE (HIGE) syndrome. Our case supports the notion that dupilumab may have a seminal application in treating severe eczema that occurs in the setting of elevated IgE levels and …

Novel Mutations In The Gtpbp3 Gene For Mitochondrial Disease And Characteristics Of Related Phenotypic Spectrum: The First Three Cases From China, Hui-Ming Yan, Zhi-Mei Liu, Bei Cao, Victor Wei Zhang, Yi-Duo He, Zheng-Jun Jia, Hui Xi, Jing Liu, Fang Fang, Hua Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Combined Oxidative Phosphorylation Deficiency 23 (COXPD23) caused by mutations in GTPBP3 gene is a rare mitochondrial disease, and this disorder identified from the Chinese population has not been described thus far. Here, we report a case series of three patients with COXPD23 caused by GTPBP3 mutations, from a severe to a mild phenotype. The main clinical features of these patients include lactic acidosis, myocardial damage, and neurologic symptoms. Whole genome sequencing and targeted panels of candidate human mitochondrial genome revealed that patient 1 was a compound heterozygote with novel mutations c.413C > T (p. A138V) and c.509_510del (p. E170Gfs∗42) in GTPBP3 …

Distribution Of Calcium Volume, Density, Number, And Type Of Coronary Vessel With Calcified Plaque In South Asians In The Us And Other Race/Ethnic Groups: The Masala And Mesa Studies, Mahmoud Al Rifai, Alka M Kanaya, Namratha R Kandula, Miguel Cainzos-Achirica, Jaideep Patel, Matthew Budoff, Michael H Criqui, Michael J Blaha, Salim S Virani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: South Asians (SA) experience disproportionately higher rates of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events than non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and several other Asian groups. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) Agatston score may not capture the unique characteristics of coronary plaque in SA. We therefore evaluated the prevalence and patterns of advanced CAC measures (specific coronary vessel involvement, CAC volume and density) in SA versus other race/ethnicities.

METHODS: We combined data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohorts. We used multivariable-adjusted linear regression models to compare advanced CAC …

How Do Red Blood Cells Die?, Perumal Thiagarajan, Charles J Parker, Josef T Prchal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Normal human red blood cells have an average life span of about 120 days in the circulation after which they are engulfed by macrophages. This is an extremely efficient process as macrophages phagocytose about 5 million erythrocytes every second without any significant release of hemoglobin in the circulation. Despite large number of investigations, the precise molecular mechanism by which macrophages recognize senescent red blood cells for clearance remains elusive. Red cells undergo several physicochemical changes as they age in the circulation. Several of these changes have been proposed as a recognition tag for macrophages. Most prevalent hypotheses for red cell …

Comparing Students’ Study Abroad Experiences And Outcomes Across Global Contexts, Kirsten A. Davis, David B. Knight

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

In this study, we explored the influence of international destinations on student experiences and learning outcomes in study abroad by comparing outcomes across international tracks within a common global program. All students take the same semester-long course then travel on one of seven international tracks to different countries. Our study treated each international track as a case and used a mixed-methods approach to analyze students’ journals kept while studying abroad to compare the experiences and learning outcomes of students across cases. This analysis revealed that although the cultural distance between the United States and the host culture appears to influence …

Emergence Of The Connectivist Leadership Paradigm: A Grounded Theory Study In The Asia Region, Frederique Covington Corbett

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, grounded theory study focused on the exploration of leadership arising within the Asia region. While enduring leadership qualities like strength, humility, resolve, and trust have been foundational in leadership practice globally, scholars have demonstrated that leadership does not exist in absolute terms; it is shaped by the values of local culture, which set expectations for leadership behaviors. This study explored the conceptualization of a more collective and connected form of leadership in the context of a region leading the world with highly networked digital social practices. The question the study explored was, if, and to what extent, leaders …

Call And Response: How Christian Musicians Can Glorify God In Their Work, Sergio Gallardo Palma

Theses and Dissertations

While many Christians take up their work in the world in the context of formal ministry or by pursuing a career in worship music, there are also many musicians who are devout Christians who do not necessarily feel called to express their vocation in such contexts. Nonetheless, they can take up their work in the world through their craft and glorify God in countless ways that do not necessitate making overtly Christian music or leading worship at their church. This thesis will first explore a pneumatological theology of work. It will then explore the calling of the musician, focusing on …

Best Practices For Non-Profit Organizations Using Human-Animal Interaction As An Intervention With At-Risk Youth, Jai Oni Sly

Theses and Dissertations

Non-profit organizations and community programs work with at-risk youth to teach social-emotional skills like empathy, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. This research aimed to examine best practices for community programs that use human-animal interaction as an intervention for at-risk youth. Specifically, the phenomenological study aimed to review the successful strategies that community programs when working with the at-risk youth population. The challenges faced and how these type of community programs measure their success were also important purposes of these research. Participants shared successful strategies, how success is measured as well as challenges and recommendations for other community programs that work with the …

Identifying Characteristics That Lead To Better Academic Performance For International Students In U.S. Colleges, Hadi Rajabbeigi

Theses and Dissertations

A large proportion of students in the United States is international students. Thus, educational leaders need to facilitate the learning process for this population. This study investigated the characteristics of international students that affect their academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine how individual characteristics of international students affect the learning strategies they choose and how it affects their academic performance. For this purpose, the survey was designed according to the literature, which measures characteristic variables based on VIA character strengths (Peterson & Seligman, 2004), learning strategies (MSLQ) developed by Pintrich et al. (1991), and academic performance …

Faculty Leadership Practices In Graduate Hybrid Education, Weina Li Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Hybrid education is an instructional delivery format that includes both online learning and traditional classroom learning and is often seen as the best of two worlds. It is one of the fastest-growing trends in higher education because of its countless educational benefits. Studies reviewed about hybrid learning focused on various areas, including student engagement, student attitudes, faculty experiences, learning effectiveness, and supporting technology tools. However, a review of the literature revealed scant studies focused on faculty leadership, especially graduate-level education faculty's leadership strategies and their influence on teaching. Faculty leadership is a critical component that is directly related to effective …

The Impact Of Exercise On Adolescents With Depression: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Matthew P. Kloeris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to summarize and synthesize the research that pertains to the impact of aerobic exercise on adolescents with depression. This review addressed aerobic exercise as a mental health treatment, such as differences between (a) post-intervention and follow-up response and remission rates; (b) exercise in lieu of psychotherapy or exercise as an adjunct to psychotherapy; and (c) response and remission rates amongst minority gender and racial and ethnic groups. The search results produced a total of 2,122 articles. Of which, eight articles were eligible for the present systematic review. Based on the results, it appears …

Development Of A Resource Manual For Working With Latino Parolees, Abner Flores

Theses and Dissertations

The standard psychological treatment available for Latino men who are newly released from prison has remained unchanged for over thirty years and focuses on decreasing recidivism through cognitive-behavioral interventions by managing and decreasing law-breaking behaviors. However, clinical experience with inmates suggests that personal experiences, cultural values, and intergenerational trauma along with the long-term impact of poverty, gang ties, and repeated incarceration will all influence post-release behavior. Understanding these areas could help draw out protective factors and innate resiliency, therefore informing treatment and helping newly released inmates from becoming repeat offenders. In this dissertation, I developed a resource manual for service …

A Systematic Review Of The Literature On Post-Traumatic Growth In Police Officers After Exposure To Potentially Traumatic Events, Michael Norfleet

Theses and Dissertations

As police departments and officers across the world take on the task of reducing crime and enhancing public safety, their jobs entail the potential of exposure to events that may be experienced as traumatic. In contrast to the larger literature on negative outcomes of potentially traumatic events (PTEs), there is limited knowledge on the potential for post-traumatic growth (PTG) and how clinicians can promote it, generally and in police officers (Westphal & Bonanno, 2007). Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996), “coined the term posttraumatic growth to describe the experience of positive changes that occur as a result of the struggle with major …

Authentic Leadership In Crisis Scenarios: A Phenomenological Examination Of The Lived Experience Of Corporate Leaders During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Natasha Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The coronavirus pandemic unleashed a host of challenges worldwide including political instability, financial turmoil, and public health concerns in 2020. As a result, new constraints including remote work environments, shifting consumer demands, and supply chain disruptions created a complex landscape for businesses. Leaders within companies have been confronted with crisis scenarios. The purpose of the study was to understand the role of authentic leadership in helping corporate leaders navigate the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The central research question was: To what extent, if any, does authentic leadership enable leaders to navigate crises effectively? The research is focused on the intersection of …

Giving Voice To Everyday Characters In Extraordinary Circumstances, Andrew D. Hasselbring

Theses and Dissertations

Giving voice to everyday characters in extraordinary circumstances -- Undesirable donor -- Blowfish -- Behind the lavender door

A Study Examining Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance Online Peer Support Groups, Jeannette Torres

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the experiences of individuals who participated in one or more online peer support group (OPSG) sessions organized by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) in order to elucidate whether participants experience higher levels of quality of life as associated with their participation in OPSG. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 79 and were primarily White/Caucasian and female. Participants completed a survey, which consisted of a demographics questionnaire and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire- Short Form. Data were collected using Qualtrics and analyzed using SPSS. No statistical significance was found regarding differences in …

Neuropsychological Implications Of Nocturnal Hypoxemia In Sickle Cell Disease, Sheena Ram

Theses and Dissertations

Neuropsychological impairments have been observed in both individuals with sleep-disordered breathing and in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), but there has been little research on the potential effect of sleep-disordered breathing on neuropsychological function in individuals with SCD. This study aims to examine the effect nocturnal oxygen desaturations have on neuropsychological functioning in individuals with sickle cell disease when compared to those with non-sickle anemia and healthy controls. Thirty-four participants with SCD, 18 non-sickle anemia controls (ACTL), and 29 healthy controls (CTL), ages 9 to 63 years, participating in an IRB-approved Children’s Hospital Los Angeles study of cerebral blood …

Social And Human Capital Contributions Of Diverse Board Members, Sharifa Ife Batts

Theses and Dissertations

While most firms serve a diverse population, many have no minorities or women serving as Members on their board. Boards are disadvantaged when their composition fails to align with Their employee population or the stakeholder groups they serve; they are neglecting the Contributions of women and minorities as their voices are unheard. The purpose of this multiple Case comparison study builds on current boardroom diversity and board effectiveness research by Exploring how the unique human and social capital contributions of women and minority board Members increase the boards’ capabilities and impact board governance. I qualitatively examined Six boards of varied …

Understanding The New Wealthy: Ideologies, Consumption Patterns, And Organizational Strategies For A New Generation Of High-Net Worth Individuals, Ana Brant

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the fact that the Ultra High-Net Worth (UHNWI) belong to the wealthiest, most powerful, and influential group of consumers in the society, and nearly 70% created wealth on their own, current marketing approaches fail to consider what drives consumption behavior of this group of consumers and how can brands maximize their socio-economic impact. Across two studies, I develop a model that guides theory and practice regarding this consumer group. The first part of the first study deployed netnography and grounded theory to understand the ideologies of 30 self-made UHNWI derived from self-presentation on 3,393 Instagram posts. To ensure self-made …

A Contemporary Study On The Impact Of Regulations On Business Performance, Brian C. Mulligan

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines Nobel Prize Laureate Hayek's ominous warning that economic liberty in the U.S. is at risk, due to regulations, of becoming an unplanned administrative state. The research seeks to understand the effects of regulations on business performance and how to right-size them for a healthy business environment. These objectives are accomplished with two papers: (1) a macro cross-discipline literature review and call for research on the impact of regulations on business performance, and (2) a qualitative grounded theory study from interviews from elite business executives on their perspectives on the impact of regulations on business performance. The findings …

Corporate Venturing In The Media & Entertainment Industry: Contextual Factors That Influence Corporate Venture Decision Making, Graylind R. Wherry

Theses and Dissertations

This research study focuses on Corporate Venturing (CV) within the Media and Entertainment(M&E) industry and investigates factors that influence CV decision-making. CV provides a viable strategy to facilitate innovation and organizational change within companies; however, this area is understudied within the M&E industry. Companies that make up the entertainment industry may not have specific insight into how best to exploit this opportunity. Specifically, this study looks at the influence of firm characteristics, industry characteristics, and other outside factors using the PESTLE strategy model characteristics impacting the parent or venture unit's CV decision-making within the M&E industry. In terms of this …

The Effects Of Moral Personality, Moral Identity, Ethical Ideology, And Justice Perceptions On Workplace Deviance: A Moderated-Mediation Study, S. Blair Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

The agility, productivity, and financial success of companies depends largely on the quality of their human capital. Employee misbehaviors targeting the organization and individual colleagues leads to poor performance, bad attitudes, and an eroding corporate culture. While hundreds of studies have examined independent effects of moral personality, moral identity, ethical ideology, and organizational justice perceptions on workplace behavior, this is the first offering a moderated-mediation model to collectively explain deviant workplace behavior. The goals of this study were twofold. First, it sought to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how moral and ethical traits combine with state-based perceptions of organizational …

Improper Use Of Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wires, Emre Kubat, Isil Tasoz, Kubilay Karabacak, Suat Doganci

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.