Digital Commons Network^™

International Pooled Patient-Level Meta-Analysis Of Ketamine Infusion For Depression: In Search Of Clinical Moderators, Rebecca B Price, Nicholas Kissel, Andrew Baumeister, Rebecca Rohac, Mary L Woody, Elizabeth D Ballard, Carlos A Zarate, William Deakin, Chadi G Abdallah, Adriana Feder, Dennis S Charney, Michael F Grunebaum, J John Mann, Sanjay J Mathew, Bronagh Gallagher, Declan M Mcloughlin, James W Murrough, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, Rebecca Mcmillan, Rachael Sumner, George Papakostas, Maurizio Fava, Rebecca Hock, Jennifer L Phillips, Pierre Blier, Paulo Shiroma, Peter Šóš, Tung-Ping Su, Mu-Hong Chen, Mikael Tiger, Johan Lundberg, Samuel T Wilkinson, Meredith L Wallace

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Depression is disabling and highly prevalent. Intravenous (IV) ketamine displays rapid-onset antidepressant properties, but little is known regarding which patients are most likely to benefit, limiting personalized prescriptions. We identified randomized controlled trials of IV ketamine that recruited individuals with a relevant psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., unipolar or bipolar depression; post-traumatic stress disorder), included one or more control arms, did not provide any other study-administered treatment in conjunction with ketamine (although clinically prescribed concurrent treatments were allowable), and assessed outcome using either the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale or the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17). Individual patient-level data for at least …

Estimating Sewage Flow Rate In Jefferson County, Kentucky, Using Machine Learning For Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Applications., Dhiraj Kanneganti, Lauren E. Reinersman, Rochelle H. Holm, Ted Smith

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Direct measurement of the flow rate in sanitary sewer lines is not always feasible and is an important parameter for the normalization of data used in wastewater-based epidemiology applications. Machine learning to estimate past wastewater influent flow rates supporting public health applications has not been studied. The aim of this study was to assess wastewater treatment plant influent flow rates when compared with weather data and to retrospectively estimate flow rates in Louisville, Kentucky (USA), based on other data types using machine learning. A random forest model was trained using a range of variables, such as feces-related indicators, weather data …

What Does It Mean To Take Online Classes As An International Student During Covid-19?, Katie K. Koo, Mei Jiang

Faculty Publications

Using the Theory of Social Support and the Community of Inquiry as theoretical frameworks, this qualitative study explored international students’ experiences, challenges, and perceptions of online learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. By conducting three virtual focus group interviews with 18 international students, we identified four key themes that encapsulate participants’ challenges and experiences of online learning: social isolation in online learning spaces, difficulties with engaging in online class discussions and activities, limited opportunities for improving English proficiency in the online setting and limited academic support from faculty and advisors. Implications for research and practice to …

Beyond The Boundaries Of Nursing Care: A Phenomenological Study, Tri Ismu Pujiyanto, Shindi Hapsari, Umi Hani

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic created an emergency and challenging situation, especially for nurses, who have experienced feelings including fear and questions concerning their job responsibilities and professional ethics. They needed to maintain safety on the basis of their knowledge and skills. This study aimed to explore nurses’ experiences related to the pandemic. This research was conducted by using qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenological design. The participants were 15 nurses on duty in COVID-19 units at hospitals and who were delivering or had delivered direct care to patients with COVID-19. Data were collected from in-depth interview and analyzed with Colaizzi technique. …

Cluster Analysis Of The Productivity Of Nurses’ Work, Hermansyah Hermansyah, Agung Riyadi, Rina Delfina

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Productivity is a measure of performance, including effectiveness and efficiency. The importance of work productivity for nurses includes its evaluation role in contributing to continuous improvement. The purpose of this study is to determine the classification of nurses in clusters based on work productivity in the inpatient room. It is an analytic study with a cross-sectional design. The study sample were 130 nurses in the inpatient room at the Bengkulu Provincial Hospital, selected using the proportional random sampling technique. A questionnaire was employed for the data collection. Data analysis was performed univariately, and multivariately with cluster analysis. The study results …

Exploring The Experiences Of Clients Receiving Opioid Use Disorder Treatment At A Methadone Clinic In Kenya: A Qualitative Study, Sarah Kiburi, Jackline Mwangi, Geoffrey Maina

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Assessing the experiences of individuals on methadone treatment is essential to help evaluate the treatment program’s efectiveness. This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients receiving methadone treatment at a clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.

Method: This study employed an exploratory qualitative study design. Through purposive sampling, participants were enrolled from individuals attending a methadone clinic for at least 2 years. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data on substance use and experience before methadone treatment and experiences after starting methadone treatment, including benefts and challenges. Interviews were transcribed, and NVIVO 12 software was used to …

Development Of The Teaching Twice Exceptional Students Scale, Michelle Ann Godzinski

Dissertations

Twice exceptional (2e) students are a unique population of students, who present with a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, it is important for teachers to be trained and feel prepared to work with these students. Teacher self-efficacy has been shown to influence both student and personal outcomes (e.g. student perceptions of school, student academic success, teacher retention, etc). The Teaching Twice Exceptional Students Scale (TTESS) was developed as a way to measure teacher’s self-efficacy in regard to working with 2e students, so that districts may better identify gaps in knowledge or training that teachers may have. …

Negative Memory Bias And The Impact Of Early Childhood Stress, Elizabeth Cecile Shmikler

Dissertations

Childhood Trauma is a pervasive problem in the United States, and research suggests it serves as a strong contributor and. Predictor for a multitude of negative mental and physical health disorders (Vrijsen et al., 2018). Negative memory bias, a neuropsychological precursor to later onset of adult mental health disorders, has been scientifically related to childhood trauma (Pollak et al., 1998). Despite numerous findings supporting the relationship between negative memory bias, childhood trauma, and mental health, little is known regarding the age of onset of negative memory bias (Brainerd & Reyna, 2012; Kujawa et al., 2011). Given the research supporting the …

The Experiences Of Beginning Counselor Education And Supervision Faculty In The Supervision-Of-Supervision Relationship, Bonnie Jean Nicholson

Dissertations

This narrative study attempted to explore the experience of beginning counselor educators in providing supervision to doctoral supervisors-in-training. The need for a greater understanding of the supervision-of-supervision process is well recognized within the profession of counseling (e.g., Barker & Hunsley, 2013; Borders & Giordano, 2016). Four counselor educators in the beginning years of employment at a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (2015) accredited counselor education and supervision doctoral program provided narratives of their own experiences providing supervision-of-supervision. Nine themes and 18 subthemes emerged from the data analysis; the following nine themes were confirmed by the participants …

Decision Making By The Prefrontal Cortex And The Role Of Dopamine In Pyramidal Neuron Function, Nesrien Muftah Milad Mohamed

Dissertations

There were two primary focuses of this research. The first aim was to investigate how students’ perception toward the flipped classroom and video learning correlate to their characteristics including their demographics, first generation status, English language learner status, Grit level, motivation types, quality of peer collaboration, and social self-efficacy. Our data indicated that there is significant correlation between student’s motivation status and attitude toward learning from video lectures. The intrinsically motivated students have a higher attitude toward learning from video. This study also demonstrates that participants with high Grit scores performed better than the participants with low Grit scores. The …

Predicting Nurse Faculty Intent To Stay: A Quantitative Study Of Contributing Factors And Their Influence, Erica Frost

Dissertations

The United States faces a shortage of nursing faculty members, impacting the nation’s ability to meet the demand for more nurses in the workforce. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predicted nurse faculty members’ intent to stay in academe. Dozens of factors were identified in the literature and grouped using Herzberg’s (1966) motivation-hygiene theory of job satisfaction. An online questionnaire was administered to 402 full-time prelicensure baccalaureate nursing faculty in the United States. The survey measured personal, job, and organizational factors including demographics, emotional intelligence, resilience, educational preparation, self-efficacy, mentoring and orientation, interpersonal relationships, and satisfaction …

The Impact Of Rater Effects On Decision Consistency And Decision Accuracy Under The Many-Facet Rasch Measurement Framework, Haussohou Daniel Edi

Dissertations

The rise of performance-based assessments in high-stakes licensure examinations has brought many challenges in the field of measurement. Although examiners are commonly trained to apply a standardized rating of examinees, the introduction of human subjectivity to the measurement process poses a threat to the reliability and validity of scores from these assessments (Wind & Guo, 2021). Considering the high-stakes decisions based on performance-based assessments when they are used for licensure, it is essential to provide evidence of the consequences that rater effects have on decision consistency and decision accuracy, within and across rating designs. The purpose of this dissertation study …

Volume 42, Number 4, December 2022 Olac Newsletter, Laura Kane Mcelfresh, Kristi Bergland, Emily Creo, Sarah Hovde, Jami Judge Almeida, Tanesa King, Nerissa Lindsey, Amanda Mack, Scott Piepenburg, Lisa Romano, Meg Wang, Alex Whelan, Jay Weitz

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized December 2022 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

The Effect Of Freezing Rates And Storage On Atlantic Salmon And Peaches, Wesam Aljeddawi

All Dissertations

The effect of long-term frozen storage of Atlantic salmon and sliced peaches was studied to determine methods to optimize quality. The first experiment was conducted to determine the quality changes in Atlantic salmon stored at different freezer temperatures over 12 months. Fresh and pre-frozen salmon were placed in five different freezers set at –7°C, –12°C, –18°C, –29°C and –77°C and evaluated for quality at 30, 90, 180, 270 and 360 days of storage. In general, higher quality was retained to a greater extent in salmon held at –29°C and –77°C for 360 days compared to the other storage temperatures. No …

Etiology And Epidemiology Of Mini-Ring In Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens, Lukas Dant

All Dissertations

Mini-ring is a disease in ultradwarf bermudagrass (UDBG) [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis (Burtt-Davy)] putting greens caused by Waitea zeae (Voorhees) J.A. Crouch & Cubeta, (formerly Rhizoctonia zeae). Symptoms typically resemble frog-eye patches that are 10 to 40 cm in diameter with a bronze to orange outer ring and green center. In the southeastern United States, mini-ring symptoms appear in late-summer and generally persist until UDBG dormancy in late-fall. Mini-ring is often problematic in UDBG when nitrogen (N) fertility is reduced to manage organic matter production and improve putting green performance and perceived green speed. While …

Carbon Fibers From Bio-Based Precursors Derived From Renewable Sources, Sagar Kanhere

All Dissertations

Carbon fibers have the highest strength and modulus among all known fibers and are used as reinforcements in high-performance composites [1]. Carbon fibers also have a very low density relative to metals. Therefore, carbon fibers possess ultrahigh specific strength and modulus, which make them desirable for high-performance light-weight composites. A vast majority of commercial carbon fibers are produced from PAN precursors that are expensive, which limits the use of PAN-derived carbon fibers to aerospace applications (e.g., airplanes). However, for costsensitive applications, there is a need for low-cost, moderate performance carbon fibers. Lignin is a low-cost by-product of pulping and biorefining …

Learning Graphical Models Of Multivariate Functional Data With Applications To Neuroimaging, Jiajing Niu

All Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the functional graphical models that infer the functional connectivity based on neuroimaging data, which is noisy, high dimensional and has limited samples. The dissertation provides two recipes to infer the functional graphical model: 1) a fully Bayesian framework 2) an end-to-end deep model.

We first propose a fully Bayesian regularization scheme to estimate functional graphical models. We consider a direct Bayesian analog of the functional graphical lasso proposed by Qiao et al. (2019).. We then propose a regularization strategy via the graphical horseshoe. We compare both Bayesian approaches to the frequentist functional graphical lasso, and compare the …

Profiling And Engineering The Unfolded Protein Response In Therapeutic Protein-Producing Cho Cell Lines, Dyllan Rives

All Dissertations

Industrial Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) production of therapeutics requires cell lines with high secretory capacity to avoid an accumulation of improperly folded proteins, or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This presents a challenging engineering bottleneck. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is initiated to overcome ER stress and reestablish homeostasis. In this dissertation, the impacts of ER stress and the UPR on protein production in mammalian cells are detailed, and both selection- and rational-based strategies for enhancing the ER stress response in productive CHO cell lines are reviewed. This project aims to expand on recent research efforts for engineering ER stress-related responses …

Environmental Cleaning Evaluation Project For Rural Tribal Health Center, Brad Strait

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This Tribal health clinic is located on reservation land and serves a community of approximately 1,550 members located over 64,000 acres located in Nevada and California. The clinic offers general health practice and podiatry at its central clinic with satellite offices located off-reservation offering dentistry, optometry, and behavioral health. The clinic is operated by Tribal staff and partners with the Indian Health Service (IHS) for environmental survey on an annual basis for compliance with Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) standards. While this clinic only offers outpatient services, the disinfection and cleaning protocols are an important step in limiting …

School-Based E-Cigarette Education Curriculum, “Team No Vaping”: Impact On Knowledge Of E-Cigarettes, Harm Perception, And Media Literacy Among Middle/High School Students, Niran Tamrakar

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco products among middle/high school students. Youth e-cigarette use is at an epidemic level. While school-based vaping prevention programs exist, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of such programs. To address vaping prevention among this vulnerable population, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in collaboration with the Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands (TEAM) developed and implemented a school-based e-cigarette education curriculum, “TEAM No Vaping.” This study evaluated the impact of the “TEAM No Vaping” program on increasing the knowledge, harm perception, and susceptibility to e-cigarettes, and vaping media literacy for vaping prevention …

An Epidemiological Synthesis Of Emerging And Re-Emerging Zoonotic Disease Threats In Cameroon, 2000-2022 And Community Stakeholder Mapping, Nancy Tahmo

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Introduction: Population factors such as urbanization, socio-economic, and environmental factors are driving forces for emerging/re-emerging diseases in Cameroon, and the effects of these are experienced differently across demographics. Indigenous rainforest communities in the Congo Basin, for example, suffer worse health outcomes compared to neighboring communities, like the Pygmies, who have a life expectancy of 22 years less than neighboring Bantus. It is important to characterize the risk of exposure of these vulnerable communities and map out, through a systematic review, descriptive epidemiological data around zoonoses, to inform preparedness and research efforts.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a protocol was registered …

Evaluating How Physical Activity Affects The Perception Of Resilience In Box Butte County, Nebraska, Eric Pulver

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Physical activity is one of the modern hallmarks for good health in individuals and the public, in general. Resiliency is a growing concentration in all levels of disaster preparedness where the focus is on how to deal with the growing number of disasters stemming from global climate change. This research project’s aim is to look at the possible relationships between physical activity and resiliency in a rural Nebraska population. This was done with the use of a cross-sectional study utilizing a fifteen-question survey to gather demographics, assess the amount of physical activity, and then apply a perception of resilience tool …

Urban/Rural Disparities Of Thyroid Cancer Using The Integrated Cancer Repository For Cancer Research (Icare2), Sunita Regmi

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Abstract:

Background and objective: Multiple studies have shown that the place of residence and the distance to travel from one's residence to nearby health care providers impact cancer diagnosis and treatment. The stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis is paramount for cancer treatment and affects survival. Disparities in cancer treatment exist which affect the outcome disproportionately to certain segments of the population. To date, much of the focus has been on the racial and socioeconomic disparities in the management of thyroid cancer. The effect of geography and location (urban-rural status) on thyroid cancer stage diagnosis has …

A Systematic Literature Review On The Capability Of Sio₂-Np’S Exposure To Exacerbate Parkinson’S (Pd) Pathology And The Risk Factors For Biomedical Applications In Pd, Seth Abdallah

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Silica Dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂-NP) have become increasingly ubiquitous in industry, which has stimulated research into the potential toxicity of these compounds. Recent studies have explored the association between amorphous silica nanoparticle exposure and the potential for neurotoxicity. Additionally, research has been conducted in the application of SiO₂-NP’s in theranostics and as drug directing agents , which based on current literature may be contraindicated for individuals with conditions such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) which is characterized by neuroinflammation. The following literature review will discuss evidence for silica dioxide nanoparticle exposure to induce neurotoxicity which may exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. …

Evaluating How The Impacts Of Climate Change On Arizona's Water Supply Will Influence Public Health, Patricia Wrona

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Over the last century, Arizona’s climate has increased more than 1.1 to 1.4 degrees Celsius or 2 to 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in Arizona is expected to increase an additional 2.2°C to 2.8°C in the next 40 years. Climate change poses various health and environmental hazards for the residents of Arizona. One of the most significant impacts is on water supply. As temperatures continue to rise in the desert, the demand for water will increase while the water supply will reduce. A literature review and program evaluation were conducted to evaluate how the impacts of climate change on Arizona’s …

Evaluation Of Human Trafficking Training/Educating Of Nursing Professionals, Emily Morris

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Human trafficking (HT) is a serious public health issue. Victims may present to medical facilities for a variety of health concerns, and therefore, healthcare professionals can identify and provide aid to trafficking victims. However, research shows that providers do not feel adequately trained to identify and support victims. This study evaluates the outcomes of a three hour in-person HT workshop for nurses.

Methods: We administered an online survey with closed- and open-ended questions before and after the workshop to assess improvement in knowledge, health impact, strategies for identification and assessment, and response and follow up of HT.

Results: At …

An Analysis Of Climate Factors And Their Relationship With Lyme Disease And West Nile Virus In California From 2011 To 2020, Emma Dubas

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one-sixth of illnesses and disabilities suffered worldwide are due to vector-borne diseases, and more than half of the world’s population is at risk. Additionally, vector-borne diseases have significant socioeconomic impacts and inflate health inequities, with the greatest burden on poor populations. Lyme disease is the top tick-borne disease in the state of California and West Nile virus (WNV) is the top mosquito-borne disease in the state of California. Vector-borne diseases have a high sensitivity to climatic factors. Research shows that ongoing trends of increasing temperature and varying weather conditions will weaken recent global …

Descriptive Epidemiology Of West Nile Virus In Nebraska, 2005-2021, Luke Murphy

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objectives: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is naturally sustained in a Culex mosquito-bird-mosquito transmission cycle and can cause disease in birds, equines, and humans. Most human infections with WNV are asymptomatic; however, West Nile fever (WNF), or West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) can develop and be fatal in some circumstances. Between 2005 and 2021 there have been over 1,800 cumulative cases of WNV in Nebraska, which currently ranks as fourth in the United States for reported cases. WNV cases are a mandatory reportable disease in Nebraska through an electronic reporting system managed by the Nebraska Department …

Barriers To Healthcare Access For Refugees And Immigrants With Limited English Proficiency In Nebraska: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Mawada Mohammed

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Refugees and immigrants in the United States from a multitude of backgrounds are impacted by limited English proficiency (LEP), resulting in a health disparity. LEP in vulnerable populations can create obstacles in healthcare. In healthcare settings LEP patients experience adverse health events such as longer hospital stays, negative drug reaction, and patient dissatisfaction (Berdahl & Kirby, 2019). The following project aims to identify barriers for refugees and immigrants with limited English proficiency (LEP) in primary healthcare settings in Nebraska. The project utilized a systematic literature review using peer-reviewed and gray literature. The research was conducted utilizing databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Google …

Hispanic/Latino Mothers Of Children With Developmental Disabilities: Identifying Factors Associated With Practicing Self-Care And Mental Health Outcomes, Jessica Gutierrez

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Caring for a child with developmental disabilities can be challenging, exhausting, and overwhelming for many parents. The level of care that a child with disabilities requires can be intense, resulting in stress and negatively impacting caregivers' mental health. Many Hispanic/Latino mothers of children with developmental disabilities are not practicing self-care or using support services; thus, the mothers may experience high stress, depression, and anxiety. Previous research studies have found adverse psychological effects such as high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. This quantitative study sought to identify the gaps and barriers Hispanic/Latino mothers of children with developmental disabilities encounter when …