Digital Commons Network^™

Using Constructed Wetlands To Remove Pathogenic Parasites And Fecal Coliforms From Wastewater In Tanzania, Abdallah Zacharia, Wajihu Ahmada, Anne H. Outwater, Billy Ngasala, Rob Van Deun

Tanzania Journal of Science

Wastewater treatment is a widely used health protection measure that can be applied to control the transmission of wastewater-related infectious diseases to communities exposed to wastewater. This study determined the efficiency of three full-scale constructed wetlands (CWs) in removing pathogenic parasites and fecal coliforms (FC) bacteria from wastewater. Wastewater samples were collected from three CW systems located in the Dar es Salaam and Iringa regions of Tanzania. The modified Bailenger and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain techniques were used to detect and quantity parasites. The membrane filtration method was used to detect and quantify FC. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version …

Mathematical Modelling Of Syphilis Transmission Dynamics: Impacts Of Mass Media Report, Risky Sexual Behavior And Treatment, Gasper G. Mwanga

Tanzania Journal of Science

Syphilis is one of the deadly sexually-transmitted diseases. This paper studied the impacts of sexual behavior, mass media report and treatment of infected individuals on the dynamics of syphilis transmission. The analytical and numerical analyses of the model are presented. The disease free equilibrium of the model is both locally and globally asymptotic stable when the associated reproduction number is less than unity.  Analysis of the Reproduction number shows that it is not possible to control syphilis disease transmission if the rate of individuals practicing risky sexual behavior is high. Furthermore, the treatment of late (latent and tertiary) syphilis infection …

2022-March-30-Welcome To Etsu, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

East Tennessee State University welcomes the following faculty and staff members who recently joined the university:

Ben Carpenter is a transfer advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He comes to ETSU from Bushnell University, where he was an academic advisor. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Milligan University.

Olivia Dover is director of Clinical Education and assistant professor of radiologic science in the Department of Allied Health Sciences. She was previously a CT technologist at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. She holds a Master of Science in Allied Health degree from ETSU.

Dr. Richard Hough is a professor …

Tick Surveillance And Pathogen Detection In Eastern South Dakota, Holly E. Black

Honors Thesis

Tick-borne diseases threaten the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, but surveillance efforts are lacking in some regions. Throughout 2019, 2020, and 2021, we conducted tick surveys aimed at determining the status of the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the lone star tick (Amblyoma americanum) in eastern South Dakota. Each year, ticks were collected using a flagging method and identified in the lab. A subset were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dermacentor variabilis was the most commonly identified tick, …

Efficacy Of Tuberculosis Vaccine Candidate Pcdna3.1-Rpfb In Inhibiting The Growth Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis In Vitro With Mycobacterial Growth Inhibition Assay, Ratih Pujilestari, Andriansjah Rukmana, Anis Karuniawati

Makara Journal of Science

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the only licensed vaccine against TB, and it is effective in children but not in adults. The Vaccine Research Team, Department of Microbiology FKUI has developed a DNA-based TB vaccine candidate pcDNA3.1-rpfB. This candidate induces immune responses in mice, but its potency is unknown. The gold standard for potency testing of TB vaccine is the challenge method. The BSL3 animal laboratory for the challenge method is currently unavailable at FKUI. Therefore, mycobacterial growth inhibition assay (MGIA) was used as a preliminary test before the in vivo …

Intermediate Anticoagulation Dosing In Covid-19 Icu Patients: Evaluation Comparing Ventilated Vs Non-Ventilated Populations, Christopher Michael D'Amico

Applied Research Projects

Surges of COVID-19 have been seen to place large numbers of patients into the ICU. Establishing standards of care is critical not only for patient care, but to also implement a baseline of therapy to build upon with future research. COVID-19 produces a hypercoagulable state resulting in higher occurrences of clotting such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Anticoagulation medications thin the blood to combat this aspect of the disease from occurring but does so at the risk of increasing bleeding potential. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk/benefit of anticoagulation usage between ventilated …

Reducing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Beyond The Bundle, Deana Cirillo

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are preventable but are still the most common healthcare-associated infection (HAI) worldwide, encumbering the health of patients and escalating financial burden on society (CDC, 2021; Shadle, 2021).

PICOT: In adult patients with spinal cord injury, does direct observation of urinary catheter insertion, compared to the standard of care, reduce the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, within ten weeks of implementation?

Evidence: Multiple factors contribute to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), but hand hygiene is the most important prevention measure to decrease contact transmission (Gould et al., 2017). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) clinical …

Nurse-Led At Home Management Of Patients With Covid-19, Sherry Clement, Barbara Hayes, Erica Sullivan, Kathleen Craig

Covid-19 Webinars

This webinar demonstrates the process by which experienced Registered Nurses adapt and respond to a pandemic emergency, by implementing skills in care coordination, home safety assessments, patient education and caregiver support. Utilizing the transitional care model, Nurses implemented an effective and low-cost telephone-based approach, by assessing, coordinating, and evaluating patient needs, and making appropriate referrals when indicated.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Create an action plan within your facility to deal with an emergent event, utilizing the Coordinated Transitions of Care (C-TraC) model.​

2. Develop an algorithm for nurse implementation when caring for patients' with COVID- 19.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 112), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Individualized Homeopathy In A Case Of Liver Abscess: A Case Report, Jyoti Chhikara, Rahul Singh

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Liver abscesses (LAs) are purulent collections in the liver parenchyma that result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection which can spread to the liver by extension of an adjacent infection, or as a result of trauma. Homoeopathic approach of treating the disease based on symptom totality is a relevant alternative to often unsatisfactory conventional medicine in cases of LA.

Case Summary: A 35-yearold male who presented with LA was treated with homoeopathic medicine based on the totality of symptoms and significant improvement was seen with resolution of abscess in the liver along with relief in other presenting …

Ohio Anuran Gut Microbiomes, Serena Hoffman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Recent studies focusing on the skin and gut microbiome of vertebrates have found how important microbiomes are to maintaining host health. Understanding the role the gut microbiome plays to host health is of great importance for conservation. Less is known about the gut microbiome than the skin microbiome for amphibians. Literature is especially lacking for local Ohio anuran species. The purpose of this study was to establish the baseline composition of the gut microbiome for local Ohio anurans and to determine whether host species or habitat is the best predictor of gut microbiome composition. Tadpoles were collected from seven different …

Extending Psychological Reactance Theory To Include Denial Of Threat And Media Sharing Intentions As Freedom Restoration Behavior, Noel H. Mcguire, Hannah Ball

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

This study extends psychological reactance theory by examining denial of a public health threat and resistance toward media sharing as two novel types of freedom restoration. Participants (N = 220) were randomly assigned to watch a video advocating COVID-19 guidelines and completed an online survey assessing corresponding perceptions and behavioral intentions. Results of structural equation modeling supported the two-step model of reactance: greater perceived freedom threat was related to greater reactance, which in turn was linked to lower intentions to comply with COVID-19 guidelines, lower intentions to share the video with one’s online social network, and greater denial of COVID-19 …

Infective Endocarditis: An Old Problem With A Changing Face, Kin-Lam Tsui

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Variant, Vaccine And Booster, Manas Mandal

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Various Essential Oils Against The Sars Cov-2 Virus, Elizabeth Wagstaff, Chandrelyn Kraczek, Jack Brandon Lopez

Annual Research Symposium

A poster presentation and abstract for the Roseman Symposium. The project focuses on testing 3 essential oil blends and two disinfectants containing an essential oil blend against SARS CoV-2 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project procedure involves plaque assays, disinfection, and neutralization techniques.

Effects Of Alcohol On The Inflammatory Response During Toxoplasma Gondii Infection: Literature Review, Amani Sastry

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Meta-Analysis Of Transcriptomic Datasets For The Investigation Of Differential Expression In Hantavirus-Infected Human Tissue, John Krapohl

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Health Disorders And Exercising Behaviour That Characterize The Transitional Stage Of First-Year Students At The Lithuanian University Of Educational Sciences, Vida Juškelienė, Aušra Kalinkevičienė

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Previous studies have revealed high prevalence of students exhibiting unhealthy behaviour, such as insufficient physical activity during their transitional phase from school to university. Research shows that students’ health is worse compared to non-student pears. However, health and its determinants in specific subgroups, such as students –future teachers, have remained largely unexplored. In contemporary society, teachers are expected to fulfil the role of health educators regardless of the subject they teach in school. So they may maintain good health potential and develop healthy lifestyle themselves. The present study aims to estimate the health status of first-year students at the …

Hiv-Related Stigma, Sexual Identity, And Depressive Symptoms Among Msm Living With Hiv: A Moderated Mediation Modeling Analysis, Tianyue Mi, Guanghua Lan, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Shan Qiao Ph.D., Zhiyong Shen, Yuejiao Zhou

Faculty Publications

Depression is one of the biggest health issues among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, where sexual identity might play an intricate role. Yet, findings of the relationship between sexual identity and depression were mixed and few studies explored its underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to examine the association between sexual identity and depression, and the potential mediating role of HIV-related stigma and moderating role of age. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 203 MSM living with HIV in Guangxi, China. Participants provided information on sexual identity, depression, HIV-related stigma, and background information. Descriptive statistics, bivariate …

Etiology, Clinical Characteristics, And Outcome Of Infective Endocarditis: 10-Year Experience From A Tertiary Care Center In Pakistan, Sara Salim Ali, Imran Ahmed Qureshi, Ahmed Ayaz, Ainan Arshad, Awais Farhad, Bushra Jamil, Muhammad Rizwan Sohail

Medical College Documents

This study was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics, causative agents, complications, and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) among patients presenting to our tertiary care center over the last decade. This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital with the diagnosis of IE over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2020. Outcomes variables included complications during hospitalization, surgical intervention, mortality, and length of stay. We identified a total of 305 cases out of which 176 (58%) were males and 129 (42%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 46.9±18.8 years. 95 …

Mental And Physical Health Profile Of Syrian Resettled Refugees, Rahel S. Bosson, Monnica T. Williams, Victoria A. Powers, Ruth M. Carrico, Virginia Frazier, Julio A. Ramirez, Wei Shuang Schneider, Lisa M. Hooper

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Newly arriving Syrian refugees can present with specific health characteristics and medical conditions when entering the United States. Given the lack of epidemiological data available for the refugee populations, our study examined the demographic features of Syrian refugees resettled in the state of Kentucky. Specifically, we examined mental and physical health clinical data in both pre-departure health screenings and domestic Refugee Health Assessments (RHA; Kentucky Office for Refugees, n.d.) performed after resettlement. METHOD: The current study adopted a cross-sectional research design. We analyzed outcome data collected from participants from 2013 and 2015. Specifically, a comparative cross-sectional analysis was performed …

Development And Validation Of Standard And Real Patient Gallstone Library Using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, Lena Jafri, Muhammad Abbas Abid, Humera Asif, Syed Bilal Hashmi, Hafsa Majid, Farooq Ghani, Sibtain Ahmed, Imran Siddiqui, Aysha Habib

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Analysis of the constituents of gallstones using various spectroscopic techniques assists in identification of the pathogenesis of gallstones. In the current study, using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, a Gallstone Standard Library (GSL) and a Gallstone Real Patients' Library (GRPL) were developed and validated for gallstone composition analysis.
Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Pakistan. Pure standards (cholesterol, calcium carbonate, bilirubin and bile salts) and gallstone specimens were analyzed using FTIR Nicolet iS-5 Spectrometer from Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA. Thermo Scientific™ QCheck™ algorithm, embedded within the OMNIC™ software, was …

Investigation Of Athletes' Health Disorders Risk Models, Fikrat Azizovich Kerimov, Davronbek Zikrullaevich Narzullaev, Alisher Tulkunovich Tursunov, Gaffor Bobosharipovich Yomgirov, Bekzod Boyqobilovich Karimov

Eurasian Journal of Sport Science

Purpose: Development and theoretical-experimental substantiation of the risk model for the health impairment of athletes in order to further automation of the process of training highly qualified athletes, as well as optimizing the construction of the training process based on the use of innovative technologies that increase its efficiency with optimal expenditure of time and energy of athletes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of applied automation and modeling methods, questionnaires of athletes and coaches, sports testing, applied pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics.

Results: Students of physical culture universities (athletes) are more likely to encounter syndromes that characterize a violation of the …

For Every Rat Killed, Etienne C. Toussaint

Faculty Publications

If my grandmother had survived the sickness of old age and were alive to witness the economic injustices wrought by capitalist culture, what would she think? If my grandmother were alive to observe familiar technologies for exterminating household pests—surveil-lance, capture, imprisonment, disposal—being increasingly aimed toward low-income Black communities, what would she believe? If my grandmother were alive to discover, in the palm of her hands, a digital platform for spreading information (and misinformation) to the masses and painting new futures into the minds of lawmakers and politicians, what would she say?

Studies have shown that low-income individuals are more likely …

A Bayesian Non-Linear State Space Copula Model For Air Pollution In Beijing, Alexander Kreuzer, L Dalla Valle, Claudia Czado

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Obligations Of Researchers And Managers To Respect Wetlands: Practical Solutions To Minimizing Field Monitoring Impacts, Jessica A. Bryzek, Krista L. Noe, Sindupa De Silva, Andrew Mackenzie, Cindy L. Von Haugg, Donna Hartman, Jordan D. Mccall, Walter Veselka Iv, James T. Anderson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Research and field monitoring can disturb wetland integrity. Adoption of ethical field practices is needed to limit monitoring induced stressors such as trampling, non-native seed and invertebrate dispersal, and disease and fungal spread. We identify a linear pathway of deterioration highlighting stressors that can progress to cumulative impacts, consequences, and losses at the site scale. The first step to minimize disturbance is to assess and classify the current ecosystem quality. We present a tiered framework for wetland classification and link preventative measures to the wetland tier. Preventative measures are recommended at various intensities respective to the wetland tier, with higher …

Gender Inequalities In Polish And International Sports Organisations, Zbigniew Dziubinski, Natalia Organista

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this article is to check whether gender inequalities occur in Polish sports organisations and what the scale of those inequalities is in comparison to international organisations. Other aims relate to verification whether there exists a policy to align these inequalities: provisions prohibiting discrimination due to gender, rules and regulations providing women with a specified number of seats in the crucial positions of the organisation and activity of women’s sports committees. Material/Methods: The study used methods characteristic of sociology, especially methods of examining official documents: on the one hand, information generated by other empirical data from official …

Mentoring Doctoral Students In Counselor Education For Research Competence: A Developmental Perspective, Nayoung Kim, Eunae Han

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Doctoral students in counselor education should develop varying competencies in the degree program including research capabilities. However, there is a dearth of research addressing different characteristics of the students based on their research competence development. This article aims to provide a detailed guideline using a developmental approach that counselor educators may use in research mentorship and doctoral students can refer to in understanding their development and validating their struggles. Specifically, the authors used three themes including (a) tasks, (b) self-efficacy, and (c) researcher identity in the comprehensive framework for counselor educators-in-training researcher development (CFCRD). Implications for counselor educators and counselor …

International Investment And Development, Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile, Tamari Lagvilava, Qingqing Miao, Georg Daniel Birbaumer, Jonathan Burns, Amgad Husein, William E. Thomson, Dylan Mefford, Perlette Michèle Jura

The Year in Review

No abstract provided.

Perceptions And Practices Of Key Worker Stakeholder Groups In Hospital Animal- Assisted Intervention Programs On Occupational Benefits And Perceived Risks, Kathryn R. Dalton, William Altekruse, Peter Campbell, Kathy Ruble, Karen C. Carroll, Roland J. Thorpe Jr., Jacqueline Agnew, Meghan F. Davis

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs, used widely for patient benefit, have increasingly been used for healthcare workers (HCW) to reduce occupational stress. However, there are barriers to these programs which limit their utilization, for both patients and HCW, specifically infectious disease concerns. The aim of the research project is to identify barriers and facilitators to AAI program use for healthcare worker benefit, and determine knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding infectious disease risk and control policies, in order to understand the contextual parameters of program implementation.

Methods: We collected perceptions of key stakeholders involved with hospital AAI programs (HCW and AAI …