Digital Commons Network^™

Prevalence Of Ticks And Tick-Borne Pathogens In Mined Land Areas Of Southeast Kansas, Sydney Nippoldt, Hallee Belgium, Cassady Utley, Ayushee Dasgupta, Anuradha Ghosh

Posters

Ticks serve as vectors for many disease-causing pathogens, particularly bacterial and rickettsial pathogens. Diseases such as Lyme, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia can result after bitten by ticks. These tick-borne diseases are more common in the Great Plains region than is recognized. The present study aimed to conduct a three-year long surveillance on various tick species in the mined land area in Cherokee County (KS) using dry ice bait as well as flag-drag technique. Over several visits (June 2020 – November 2021) to the collection site, ticks were collected using both trapping methods. Detailed environmental data …

Access, Socioeconomic Environment, And Death From Covid-19 In Nebraska, He Bai, Michelle M. Schwedhelm, John-Martin Lowe, Rachel Lookadoo, Daniel R. Anderson, Abigail Lowe, James V. Lawler, M. Jana Broadhurst, David Brett-Major

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Our study assesses whether factors related to healthcare access in the first year of the pandemic affect mortality and length of stay (LOS). Our cohort study examined hospitalized patients at Nebraska Medicine between April and October 2020 who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and had a charted sepsis related diagnostic code. Multivariate logistic was used to analyze the odds of mortality and linear regression was used to calculate the parameter estimates of LOS associated with COVID-19 status, age, gender, race/ethnicity, median household income, admission month, and residential distance from definitive care. Among 475 admissions, the odds of mortality is greater among …

Role Of Grasses In Oviposition Site Selection By Malaria Vectors In Western Kenya, Eticha Bokore Getachew

All PhD Dissertations

Malaria continues to be among the top leading causes of illness and deaths in Africa. Its elimination is challenging in high transmission areas using insecticide-based intervention tools alone. Understanding the ecology and behaviour of disease vectors, including the olfactory cues, are essential for the development of novel, insecticide-free control tools. Recent work has highlighted that selected graminoid plants release volatile chemicals that attract malaria vectors. However, there is dearth of information on the type of dominant graminoid plants in habitats, nature of volatiles they emit and how volatiles affect behaviour of malaria vectors during oviposition sites selection. The objectives of …

Transforming Social Determinants To Educational Outcomes: Geospatial Considerations, Gary Szirony, S Banerjee, Mccune, Davis

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

“Albertania” And “Egbenema”, Panding Biodiversity In The Oculatellaceae (Cyanobacteria)., Mildred Akagha

Masters Theses

To conduct molecular studies of cyanobacteria of Lagos, Nigeria, a total of eight soil/subaerial samples were collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, and used to isolate cyanobacterial cultures that were characterized microscopically, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. Within the resulting set of cultures, a number of Synechococcales were observed, particularly belonging to Oculatellaceae. “Egbenema” and two new putative species of the recently described genus Albertania were found. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new putative species of Albertania, “A. egbensis” and “A. latericola”, were from …

The Use Of Compression To Treat Phlebolymphedema Symptomology: A Systematic Review, Naomi Moran

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: There is a lack of clinical practice guidelines regarding treating phlebolymphedema symptomology. To facilitate client centered evidence-based practice, occupational therapists (OTs) who are Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) need disease specific evidence for treating phlebolymphedema. Finding available evidence regarding the use of complete decongestion therapy (CDT) for this population will support evidence-based practice. For this capstone compression usage is the one component of CDT that will be researched.

Purpose: A systematic review of evidence related to use of static compression for treatment of lower leg phlebolymphedema that is within the scope of a CLT who is not wound care certified. …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Rock Lobster Resource : Workshop Procedure And Outcomes, R Stoklosa

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Inquiry: The Unversity Of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal - Volume 21 Issue 1 - Spring 2022, Inquiry Editors

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Armed Conflicts, Hiv Testing, Hiv Prevalence, And High-Risk Sexual Behaviors: An Epidemiologic Analysis, Aissatou Thilo Ba

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Armed conflicts have a wide array of consequences on health and behavior possibly serving a role in the spread of HIV, yet there is limited research on the quantitative association between armed conflicts and HIV. To address this gap in the literature, we evaluated the effect of armed conflicts on HIV testing, HIV prevalence, and high-risk sexual behaviors, using Demographic and Health Surveys data from 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (years 2010 to 2018) and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. We hypothesized that armed conflicts, measured using number of conflict days, fatalities, or distance to nearest conflict, would …

Assessment Of Multidrug Resistance Among Tuberculosis Patients In Lesotho, Jerry Yakubu Yahaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) jeopardizes the tremendous efforts in the fight against tuberculosis in Lesotho. To understand the occurrence of MDR-TB, it is important to identify the associated risk factors and how to address them. There is a literature gap on the sociodemographic risk factors associated with MDR-TB in Lesotho. This study assessed whether there is any significant association between age, employment, income, sex, education, place of residence and MDR-TB. The association between HIV and MDR-TB was also evaluated. Guided by the health belief model and social cognitive theory, a retrospective case-control study design and a proportionate stratified …

Comparing Prairie Management Methods’ Effects On Three Native Texan Grasses, Stephanie Howell

2022 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The Texas Blackland Prairie habitat is under extreme threat. Currently, only 1% of the original prairie remains. Restoration efforts across the state have aimed to address these concerns. This research set out to test the efficacy of the methods used to restore prairies regarding three grasses. Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans, were surveyed to establish their species abundance on two fields in North Texas. Based on their abundance and the history of each field, conclusions were drawn on the efficacy of the maintenance. Seeding was found to be inconsequential for A. gerardii and …

First Contribution To Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge In Cambodia (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae), With Description Of Two New Species, Thomas Kaltenbach, Jhoana M. Garces, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Biology Faculty Publications

Material collected in 2018 in Cambodia gives us first insights into the diversity of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge, 1987 in this country. No species has been reported so far. We identified two new species using a combination of morphology and genetic distance (COI, Kimura 2-parameter). They are described and illustrated based on their larvae. A key to all Labiobaetis species of continental Southeast Asia is provided. The interspecific K2P distance between the two new species is 20–21%, the intraspecific distance of one of them is 1%. The total number of Labiobaetis species worldwide is augmented to 156.

County Walkability And Small Business Receipts, Talia Perluss

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis explores the correlation between county walkability and small business receipts, as well as other possible demographic variables that could explain the success of small businesses, by using a fixed-effect panel regression model. Using county-level data in the years 2012 and 2017, this paper finds that there is a significant correlation between an increase in walkability and an increase in receipts. When running the fixed-effect regressions, this paper found that there is a moderately high positive correlation between walkability and per capita income, suggesting that the effects of an increase in walkability may also capture the effects of an …

Review Of Methods For Ecological Research On Terrestrial Small Mammals, By Robert Mccleery, Lynda R. Lafond

The Prairie Naturalist

Small mammals are used in ecological studies throughout the world, yet the subject has lacked a clear reference that included upto- date methods pertaining to passive detection, molecular, and statistical approaches. In Methods for Ecological Research on Terrestrial Small Mammals, McCleery and his coauthors build on previous research references (Braun 2005, Sutherland 2006, Krebs 2014, Silvy 2020) and present methodologies specific to the study of small mammals that are applicable globally. Written as an asset for novice and experienced small mammal researchers alike, Methods for Ecological Research on Terrestrial Small Mammals is organized in a logical format, providing readers …

Digging For Information: Investigating The Efficacy Of Tracking And Augmenting Lacunicambarus Nebrascensis For Endangered Dragonfly Conservation, Danielle Elaine Tesar

Dissertations and Theses

Restoration and preservation of habitat for threatened and endangered species can proceed in many ways. Augmentation strategies can be used to supplement threatened and endangered populations or the species and resources on which those imperiled species depend. Comprehensive knowledge of species movement and home range is necessary to formulate effective augmentation plans. For freshwater burrowing crayfish, this type of information is generally lacking. The studies reported here were designed to acquire detailed information that is essential for augmentation of the plains devil crayfish, Lacunicambarus nebrascensis (formerly, Cambarus diogenes). Although L. nebrascensis populations are not considered threatened, this crayfish provides vital …

Ecocinema Theory And Practice 2, Stephen Rust, Salma Monani, Sean Cubitt

Gettysburg College Faculty Books

This second volume builds on the initial groundwork laid by Ecocinema Theory and Practice by examining the ways in which ecocritical cinema studies have matured and proliferated over the last decade, opening whole new areas of study and research.

Featuring fourteen new essays organized into three sections around the themes of cinematic materialities, discourses, and communities, the volume explores a variety of topics within ecocinema studies from examining specifc national and indigenous flm contexts to discussing ecojustice, environmental production studies, flm festivals, and political ecology. The breadth of the contributions exemplifes how ecocinema scholars worldwide have sought to overcome the …

Governing Urban Land For Community Food Cultivation, Kirsten Valentine Cadieux

College of Liberal Arts All Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Standardization And Dna Barcoding Of Cannabis In Thailand And Pharmacological Properties Of Cannabis-Based Thai Traditional Medicine Formula Extract (Kealomkeasan), Kanittha Nakkliang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Indica (Cannabaceae) has been used as a medicinal plant in various aspects. C. sativa has been part of Thai medicine for more than three centuries and its Ingredients in herbal medicine recipe. Kealomkeasan (KLKS) remedy is one of the Thai traditional medicines, consists of seven plants with an unequal part by weight (1:2:3:4:5:20:40) as follows: Cuminum cyminum L. fruits, Nigella sativa L. seeds, Foeniculum vulgare Miller fruits, Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizomes, Plumbago indica L. roots, Cannabis sativa L. leaves and Piper nigrum L. seeds for relief of muscle pain and anti-inflammation. Recently, medical cannabis was officially …

Artificial Intelligence System For Automatic Imaging, Quantification, And Identification Of Arthropods In Leaf Litter And Pitfall Samples, Pierce Helton, Khoa Luu, Ashley Dowling

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

It is well known that arthropods are the most diverse and abundant eukaryotic organisms on the planet. Museum and research collections have huge insect accumulations from expeditions conducted over history that contain specimens of both temporal and spatial value, including hundreds of thousands of species. This biodiversity data is inaccessible to the research community, resulting in a vast amount of “dark data”. The primary objective of this study is to develop an artificial intelligence-driven system for specimen identification that greatly minimizes the time and expertise required to identify specimens in atypical environments. Successful development will have profound impacts on both …

Food Environment, Food Acquisition Behavior, And Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Burmese Immigrants And Refugees : A Socio-Ecological Study, Hnin Wai Lwin Myo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Using the framework of the Socio-Ecological Model, the current study aimed to investigate the associations between nutritional knowledge, food environment, food acquisition behavior, and daily recommended fruit and vegetable consumption (≥5 cups of fruits and vegetables) among Burmese refugees and immigrants in the Capital Region, New York. Methods: During July - November 2018, a cross-sectional survey with face-to-face interviews was conducted among Burmese refugees and immigrants aged 18 years and older living in Albany and Rensselaer counties (n=173, 52.0% female, mean age = 42.8). Daily recommended fruit and vegetable consumption was determined as ≥5 cups of fruit and vegetable …

Developing High-Resolution Meteorological Datasets To Assess The Short-Term Association Between Meteorological Factors And Green Space And Mental Disorders, Xinlei Deng

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Global climate change is linked to the frequency and intensity of local climate extremes such as heatwaves, cold spells, and flooding. Scientific evidence indicates that heatwaves and higher ambient temperature could increase the risk of hospital admission and emergency department (ED) visits for mental disorders (MDs). On the other hand, urban green space is considered a way to reduce heat island effects and provide comfort for area residents. However, there still exist huge research gaps. Except for temperature, few studies have examined how other meteorological factors (relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), heat index (HI), and rainfall) are associated with …

User Satisfaction And The Social And Environmental Benefits Of Urban Green Spaces : A Case Study Of Thimphu City, Bhutan, Chandra Man Rai, Yeshi Dorji, Sangay Zangmo

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Urban green spaces provide important recreational, social, and ecological benefits in urban settings. Understanding of the use and benefits associated with green spaces amongst urban residents is crucial in developing appropriate urban green infrastructure strategies. This study explored visitors’ levels of satisfaction with the benefits, characteristics, and determined factors influencing visitor satisfaction with urban green spaces. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey from a random sample of 125 visitors from three urban green spaces in the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.  Visitors' satisfaction with urban parks was assessed based on their quality, social, and environmental benefits. Descriptive statistics and …

Survival Rate, Blood Feeding Habits And Sibling Species Composition Of Aedes Simpsoni Complex: Implications For Arbovirus Transmission Risk In East Africa, Winnie W. Kamau, Rosemary Sang, Edwin O. Ogola, Gilbert Rotich, Caroline Getugi, Sheila B. Agha, Nelson Menza, Baldwyn Torto, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aedes simpsoni complex has a wide distribution in Africa and comprises at least three described sub-species including the yellow fever virus (YFV) vector Ae. bromeliae. To date, the distribution and relative contributions of the sub-species and/or subpopulations including bionomic characteristics in relation to YF transmission dynamics remain poorly studied. In this study conducted in two areas with divergent ecosystems: peri-urban (coastal Rabai) and rural (Rift Valley Kerio Valley) in Kenya, survival rate was estimated by parity in Ae. simpsoni s.l. mosquitoes sampled using CO2-baited BG Sentinel traps. We then applied PCR targeting the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), region …

Effects Of Drought On Habitat Quality For Native Bees In Residential Gardens Of Claremont, Ca, Max Proctor

CMC Senior Theses

Over 1,500 of the 4000 bee species found in North America inhabit California. Native bees are declining however, largely due to climate change and agricultural intensification. Previous research shows that cities can sustain diverse bee communities, due to the diversity of ornamental flowers. Urban green space represents an opportunity for native bee conservation. Residential gardens provide lots of green space and are urban pollinator hotspots. Managing yards for increased floral resources and nesting habitat can benefit native bee communities. Turfgrass provides few floral or nesting resources and negatively correlates with bee diversity. The 2011-2017 California drought caused many homeowners to …

Maternal Occupational Exposure To Organic Solvents And Noise: Maternal Effects And Infant Outcomes, Kristen Van Buren

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: Several maternal occupational exposures have not yet been studied for potential reproductive harm or have inconsistent findings in the literature. Despite the challenges, identification of potential risk factors, specifically reproductive toxicants, is necessary to mitigate and prevent adverse health outcomes for working mothers and their infants. The purpose of this study was to examine maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents and noise to small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth (PTB) among infants. Additionally, the study sought to examine maternal occupational exposure to noise and presence of gestational diabetes (GDM) and pregnancy-related hypertension among participant mothers.

Methods: The study population …

Potential Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Complications Associated With Obesity In Adult Women In The United States., Cassidy Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine whether there is an association between socioeconomic factors and complications of obesity in adult women in the United States based on the national 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.

Dependent variables were categorized as complications associated with obesity in adult, obese women. BRFSS items that referenced objective measures regarding chronic obesity-related complications included items such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and breast cancer diagnosis. Two measures relating to participants’ socioeconomic status were also used as independent variables. BRFSS items that referenced objective measures regarding socioeconomic status are educational attainment, …

Local Public Health System Comprehensiveness And Opioid Overdose Mortality, 2012-2018, Stephanie Courtney

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Deaths due to opioid overdose are a significant public health burden in the United States. Studies suggest that local public health systems that perform a high number of essential activities where local health departments contribute to the delivery of the activities and promote increased partnership may positively influence population health outcomes such as overdose mortality. Studies have shown that comprehensive public health systems are associated with improved health outcomes, but this association has not been addressed in the context of opioid overdose deaths. Study Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between local public health …

Social Determinants Of Disease: Hiv And Covid-19 Experiences, Raiza M. Beltran, Ian W. Holloway, Chenglin Hong, Ayako Miyashita, Luisita Cordero, Elizabeth Wu, Katherine Burris, Paula M. Frew

Epidemiology & Biostatistics Faculty Research

Purpose of Review: The differential impact of the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics on marginalized communities has renewed calls for more robust and deeper investigation into structural and social causes of health inequities contributing to these infections, including underlying factors related to systematic racism. Using the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework, we analyzed parallel and divergent factors associated with COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS and the prevalence of disparate disease in diverse communities. We utilized PRISMA guidelines to identify relevant literature (N = 210 articles) that resulted in a review of 125 articles included in our synthesis. Recent Findings: With racial health …

Kinorhynch Diversity In The Southern Gulf Of Mexico And A Description Of Dracoderes Chaac Sp. Nov., Stephen C. Landers, Kellan Hoffman, Nuria Sanchez, Martin Sorensen

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sediment collections from the southern Gulf of Mexico between the Texas—Mexico border and the Yucatán Peninsula have resulted in many new kinorhynch species distribution records and the finding and taxonomic description of a new species, Dracoderes chaac sp. nov. This study focused on the non—echinoderid members of the Phylum Kinorhyncha, many of which are rare or restricted to only a few locations. A total of 136 specimens were identified from 24 sediment stations, distributed among the following species: Antygomonas gwenae, Campyloderes vanhoeffeni, Centroderes readae, Condyloderes flosfimbriatus, Co. rohalorum, Cristaphyes panamensis, Dracoderes chaac sp. nov., …

Accumulation By Dispossession In Protected Areas, A Literatrue Review And Case Study To Create A More Unified Understanding, Leon Russell Miller

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.