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Heterogeneity Estimators In Random-Effects Meta-Analysis In Education, Qian Wang

Dissertations

Over the last four decades, meta-analysis has proven to be a vital analysis strategy in educational research for synthesizing research findings from different studies. When synthesizing studies in a meta-analysis, it is common to assume that the true underlying effect varies from study to study, as studies will differ in design, participants, interventions, or sample size that can lead to heterogeneity in their underlying effects. The magnitude of this heterogeneity between studies can be quantified as τ2 in a random-effects meta-analysis. Estimating the between-study heterogeneity (τ2) becomes an important part of random effects meta-analysis reporting, since this quantity plays a …

Evaluating Translocation Strategies For Box Turtles In Urbanizing Landscapes, Elizabeth D. Hays

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Urbanization of landscapes, resulting in habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation, is a significant contributor to the global decline of reptile biodiversity. Although translocation is a common management strategy for wildlife populations subject to urbanization, the efficacy of reptile translocation studies, including those of box turtles (Terrapene spp.), is highly variable. Hard-release translocation of box turtles has often proven ineffective due to homing attempts and rapid post-translocation movements. Some studies have presented soft-release as a possible method for mitigation of the negative effects of hard-release, yet those studies have also produced mixed results. Therefore, I radiotracked 18 translocated Terrapene carolina …

A Structural Examination Of The Connection Between The Amygdala And Nucleus Accumbens In Adolescents With Clinical Anxiety, Alyssa Griffith

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The prominence of anxiety disorders in today’s general population is a major public health concern. Advancing research of the underlying pathophysiology of anxiety disorders can lead to the discovery of effective treatment interventions to treat the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety, and thus improve quality of life. This study aimed to examine two brain areas in the limbic and reward systems, the amygdala and Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc), and the structural white matter connection between them. This neural circuit assigns affective valence to environmental stimuli and motivates behavior to avoid potential harm. This study utilized diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) …

Survey For Usage Of And Interest In Personalized Nutrition As A Possible Health Approach, Kimberly Garrett

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dietary factors can lead to chronic diseases and impact certain health factors such as sleep and mood. Personalized nutrition is based on an individual’s phenotype and genotype to meet specific dietary needs. This approach could be an intervention to benefit an individual’s health. This study surveyed a population to analyze the population’s view on and usage of personalized nutrition. The use of personalized nutrition was minimal, but there was interest within the population. In addition, a relationship between health and mood was found. However, the sample size was a limiting factor for this study. Future directions could include studying why …

A Comparative Study Of Graph Search Algorithms For Planar Manipulator To Avoid Obstacle Collision, Mustafa Laith Muhammed, Amjad Jaleel, Enas Hassan Flaieh

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The search algorithms are characterized by their ability to find the optimal path in a short calculation time. In this study, a comparative analysis has been conducted to perform path planning of planar manipulator for static obstacle avoidance based on graph search algorithms. Four methods have been taken into account to establish a comparison platform; namely, conventional A*, modified A*, Chaos A*, and circulation heuristic search (CHS) algorithms. The performance of comparison is evaluated in terms of length of optimal path and consumption time of calculation. All algorithms have been coded and simulated within the MATLAB software environment. According to …

Joseph T. Freeman Award And Excellence In Rehabilitation Of Aging Persons Award Presentations And Lectures, Cynthia J. Brown

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gerontological Society of America 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting; November 2 - 6, 2022; Indianapolis, IN

Process Evaluation Of A Community Asset Mapping Protocol For Diabetes Prevention And Management, Andrea Peterson

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are highly prevalent conditions with new diagnoses occurring each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a). Type 2 DM negatively impacts many aspects of life, to include social, financial, cultural, and everyday living. Asset mapping is a useful tool to build upon existing resources to help community members identify and expand services based on understanding the interconnected systems that influence type 2 DM prevention, screening, education, and care management. An Asset Mapping Protocol was created and piloted through a rural community coalition in Nebraska. The protocol includes an activity for community stakeholders …

Identifying & Addressing Barriers To Child Care For Formerly Incarcerated Mothers, Joanne Bird

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

As women’s incarceration rates have risen significantly in recent decades, gender-specific programs are needed to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated mothers (FIM). Although child care can be difficult to access for many families, this marginalized population faces unique obstacles to accessing child care. In order for FIM to be employed and reintegrate, they must be able to access child care; however, FIM experience unique barriers to securing child care services. This policy brief aims to identify the special considerations FIM face, as well as to explore why existing programs are not meeting their specific needs. A literature review was …

The Merit Of Inclusion: A Policy Review Examining The Convergence Of Special Education And Inclusions Policies With Compensatory Medicaid Policies In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Corbyn Baggett

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a global pandemic. This global issue compelled governments to announce careful virus containing policies in order to prevent further spread and control of the disease. Although it has been proven that measures like social isolation could aid in scaling the spread of illness, the resulting extended school closures that occurred in response to an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks posed significant challenges for all students, but especially those students with special needs. The unpredictable nature of COVID-19 at the outset of the pandemic …

Health Effects Of Neonicotinoids On An Agricultural Community, Jocelyn Rodriguez-Paar

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Mead, Nebraska, a small United States agricultural community consisting of approximately 600 people, was accidentally exposed to high amounts of neonicotinoids when AltEn, an ethanol plant that used neonicotinoid coated corn and soybean seeds for biofuel, was discovered not disposing of the toxic byproduct safely. Coincidentally, there was also a leak in their wastewater system that also contaminated the nearby areas. Although neonicotinoids are not considered highly dangerous with low dose exposures, large dose exposures can cause symptoms similarly to nicotine poisonings, such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, hypertension, tachycardia, and lethargy (Imamura, T. et al., 2010). Neonicotinoid poisoning can …

The Risk Factors Of Long Covid In The Acute Covid And Solid Organ Transplant Retrospective Cohorts, Ahmed Nyandemoh

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients is associated with more severe outcomes than non-immunosuppressed hosts. The risk factors for developing the long COVID in acute COVID remain unknown, and the survival outcomes of long COVID in SOT patients remain understudied.

Methods: We developed several retrospective cohorts. This project included all patients identified with acute COVID in the National COVID Collaborative Cohort Registry from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022.

Patients with long COVID were compared to those without long COVID in the acute COVID cohorts. Similarly, we compared the patient demographic with long COVID …

Impact Of Coalition Building To Promote Maternal Infant Health Equity In The District Of Columbia, Maryland, And Virginia, Sydney J. Turner

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The health of women and babies is critical to creating a healthy world. Stratified data shows the overwhelming rates at which Blacks are affected more than Whites. Literature has shown that leveraging partnerships and community engagement are critical components of decision-making and can positively impact the health of communities. Through a direct observational study, the Community Coalition Action Theory was used to analyze the current structure of the March of Dimes Maternal Infant Healthy Equity Coalition. The study aimed to identify strengths and gaps and subsequently provide recommendations to advance the coalition work and promote maternal and infant health equity …

The Importance Of Intentional Outdoor Play Spaces For Young Children, Reagan G. Bernskoetter

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to observe outdoor play in infants and toddlers and examine their traffic patterns throughout the play space as well as their interests in the areas. It was hypothesized that the more intention and careful consideration that goes into planning the play space, the more the children would want to interact with that space rather than other areas. There were 58 participants recruited from a childcare center in a large mid-south community to play and interact with play spaces as well as the educators and peers to learn more about specific interests and patterns associated …

Il-1Β Enhances Cell Viability And Decreases 5-Fu Sensitivity In Novel Colon Cancer Cell Lines Derived From African American Patients, Marzia Spagnardi, Jenny Paredes, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jone Garai, Tiana Reyes, Laura A. Martello, Jennie L. Williams

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: In the U.S., African Americans (AAs) present with the highest incidence and mortality rates for Colorectal Cancer (CRC). When compared to Caucasian American (CA) patients, AAs also have reduced response to the first line standard of care chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Previously, we observed differential gene expression between the two populations, suggesting that colon tumors from AA patients display a decreased antitumor immune response and an increased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in inflammatory processes, such as Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Here, we investigate the role of IL-1β in modifying chemotherapeutic response and altering expression of proteins in novel AA …

Clinical Advantages Of Immediate Posterior Implants With Custom Healing Abutments: Up To 8-Year Follow-Up Of 115 Cases, Richard Akin, Andrew G. Chapple

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Purpose: Proper management of the soft tissues around dental implants is crucial to their long-term function and esthetics. The purpose of this article is to report the survival rate of immediate posterior implants when using an immediate chair-side technique for custom healing abutments. Materials and Methods: The investigator implemented a retrospective case series analysis of a sample of 115 consecutive patients with 1 posterior dental implant placed between February 1, 2012 and December 9, 2014, in the author's private practice who underwent the previously published technique for immediate custom chair-side healing abutment fabrication. In this descriptive analysis, the primary outcome …

Implementing Screening For Depression And Anxiety For Patients With Thyroid Disease, Sarah Maria Drake

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Thyroid dysfunctions are the most common endocrine-specific disorders found in the clinic setting. Symptoms of hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism overlap with anxiety/depression symptoms. Research shows a relationship between individuals with thyroid disorders and people with anxiety/depression. Mental health disorders are typically managed in the primary care setting. However, screening for depression and anxiety are low in primary care settings and often go unidentified. Purpose: To implement validated, evidence-based depression and anxiety screening tools in a Texas endocrine clinic to improve the management of patients with concomitant thyroid and mental health disorders. Objectives: The project objectives include initiating screening for anxiety/depression and referral …

Comparison Of Water-Soluble Cbd And Cbd Oil As An Anti-Inflammatory In Canines With Osteoarthritis, Sadie Sims, Tara Joiner, Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman, Barbie Papajeski

Honors College Theses

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis in canines. Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, and typically results in pain, inflammation, decreased range of motion and development of bone spurs. The purpose of this study was to provide clinical research comparing Water-Soluble Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabidiol (CBD) oil as an anti-inflammatory in arthritic dogs by using gait analysis on the Tekscan Strideway System, Canine Brief Pain Inventory owner surveys, and analysis of blood test results. One clinical trial was conducted with thirteen privately owned dogs. Participants were split into three treatment groups by listing them by last names …

Educational Leaders And Their Time: A Grounded Theory Study Of The Mental Models Of Secondary School Principals In Western New York State Secondary Schools, Jason Simoni

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative research study, using the Straussian approach to grounded theory, was to analyze and understand how 10 secondary school principals in Western New York State public schools used their time. The study was aimed at developing a grounded theory that addressed principals’ mental models that connected their activities with their daily responsibilities, and it examined the processes used by each educational leader concerning their time-use decisions.

The results from this study show that secondary school principal time use can be organized into two jobs that conflict with each other during the academic day. The emergent theory …

The Lived Educational Experiences Of Student Clinicians With Non-Apparent Disabilities In Communication Sciences And Disorders: Perspectives Of Recent Graduates On The Current Culture Of Inclusion, Leslie A. Grubler

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to examine retrospectively the lived educational experiences of 10 former student clinicians with non-apparent disabilities as they navigated their graduate clinical education programs in communication sciences and disorders. The goal of this study was to gain insight into the culture of inclusion using a qualitative research design. As a first study on this topic in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders, a descriptive phenomenological approach was utilized to ascertain and explore the participants’ individual experiences. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the primary method to collect, code, and analyze the data. A mosaic of …

Suburban School Teacher And Principal Preparedness For Implementing The Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework In New York State: A Descriptive Analysis, Tasha Potter

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive analysis study was to examine the perspectives of suburban teachers and principals on implementing the New York State Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework. It specifically addressed the conditions needed for ensuring a welcoming and affirming environment, fostering high expectations and rigorous instruction, identifying inclusive curriculum and assessment, and engaging ongoing professional learning.

Perspectives were gathered from 133 teachers and 19 principals regarding their preparedness in implementing the CR-S education framework within three-level responses. Four recommendations were identified from the research analysis for future practices: (a) develop and sustain culturally responsive relationships with students and …

It Project Manager Cultural Intelligence And Project Success With Domestically Diverse Project Teams In The United States: A Correlation Study, Wendy A. Ross

Education Doctoral

Research on project management success has shifted from initially seeing project management as a primarily technical skill, to recognizing the importance of leadership by the project manager (PM). Studies on culturally diverse teams agree that diversity intensifies the challenges to the leader or PM. Cultural intelligence (CQ) predicts how successful people are working within a diverse workforce. The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between the CQ scores of information technology project managers (IT PMs) in the United States and project success with domestically diverse teams. The study used the Cultural Intelligence Scale questionnaire and surveyed PMs on …

An Exploration Into The Lived Experiences Of African American Women Healthcare Executives: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study, Twiggy M. Eure

Education Doctoral

This qualitative, interpretive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of six African American women in healthcare leadership. It reveals how they identify with race and gender as intersecting identities with their perceptions of their impact on patient experiences and outcomes. The six African American women healthcare executives all worked in Central New York State. The primary sources used to collect data were interviews and journal entries. This gave validity to the research that was done. The data analysis process was conducted based on the interpretation of the researcher. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (a) being the only …

Impression Management Behaviors Of Executive Leaders In Higher Education: A Descriptive Phenomenology, David T. Lind

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to gain insights into the impression management behaviors of executive leaders in higher education, within the context of opposing views among their different audiences. It is incumbent upon college leaders to communicate messages to stakeholders that meet expectations during a time of eroding public support. There is a lack of scholarship focusing specifically on how higher education executives experience the challenge of navigating shifting priorities among diverse audiences. This study explores the phenomenon of impression management from the lens of Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, which provides intuitive metaphors for illuminating the subjective …

Community College Success: Reexamining Metrics Of Success Through A Cohort Cluster Analysis Of Student Stakeholders, Abigail D. Baird

Education Doctoral

Community college success is measured by graduation rates. This metric of success does not account for the diverse types of students attending community colleges and all the outcomes that result. The purpose of this quantitative cohort cluster analysis is to analyze course taking behavior, and outcomes of various student stakeholders, to better understand the students and how successful community colleges are. Using archival student enrollment data, the study focused on a relatively recent cohort of students enrolled at community colleges in New York State for the first time in fall 2014. The five clusters were identified as: minimally committed, high …

Adolescents In Crisis: A Phenomenological Study Of How School Principals Lead Through Emergencies, With A Focus On Adolescent Emotional Recovery, Breana Mullen

Education Doctoral

Studies show that the immediate effects and the impact of emergencies on adolescent mental health can result in posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Thus, schools create emergency management or safety plans to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from these emergencies. Although recovery is a key phase of emergency management, New York State does not require including recovery in school emergency plans. This study discovered how secondary school leaders support their students’ emotional recovery after an emergency. This descriptive phenomenology included nine participants who engaged in semi-structured interviews about their experiences leading their schools through an emergency. The …

Through The Disciplinary Looking Glass: Examining The Impact Of The Adultification Of Black Adolescent Girls Through The Perspectives Of New York State School Administrators, Caron F. Cox

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the perceptions of school administrators regarding the impact adultification bias toward Black adolescent girls has on their overrepresentation in disciplinary data. Data were analyzed through 10 semi-structured interviews of principals and assistant principals. Social reproduction theory, intersectional theory, and Black feminist thought framed this study’s findings, which suggest that Black adolescent girls experience adultification bias regularly, contributing to their negative schooling experiences. These adverse experiences are often the result of a subjective interpretation of district policies through a biased lens.

The findings suggest that building leaders are often willing to facilitate …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Digital Divide For Elementary Schools: The Lived Experiences Of K-5 Teachers Using Technology For Emergency Remote And Hybrid Instruction During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Francisca Alyssa White

Education Doctoral

In the spring of 2020, schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, teachers had to pivot from in-person instruction to emergency remote instruction. The 2020/2021 school year found schools transitioning to hybrid instruction. Teachers worked with a group of students in the classroom while simultaneously working with students online. This descriptive phenomenological qualitative study aimed to describe Lower Hudson Valley, New York, K-5 public school teachers' perceptions of readiness and their experiences using technology for remote and hybrid instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twelve teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to share their perceptions and experiences using technology …

The Internal Debate: How National Identity Created The Russo-Ukrainian Conflict, Logan James Weisenfels

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The longstanding conflict in Ukraine has prompted more attention, discussion, and research into the relationship between Ukraine and Russia. This relationship dates back to medieval times, but its importance to contemporary issues begins in the 19-20th Centuries and come to a head after the fall of the Soviet Union. This analysis seeks to understand how and why Ukrainian national identity gradually became a solidified civic identity after the Maiden Revolution and annexation of Crimea in 2014. This starts with providing a short history between Russia and Ukraine, that looks at certain events and regions in their shared history, and are …

Understanding Alcohol Use Discourse And Stigma Patterns In Perinatal Care On Twitter, Fritz Culp, Yuqi Wu, Dezhi Wu, Yang Ren, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Peiyin Hung Ph.D, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Kacey Eichelberger

Publications

(1) Background: perinatal alcohol use generates a variety of health risks. Social media platforms discuss fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and other widespread outcomes, providing personalized user-generated content about the perceptions and behaviors related to alcohol use during pregnancy. Data collected from Twitter underscores various narrative structures and sentiments in tweets that reflect large-scale discourses and foster societal stigmas; (2) Methods: We extracted alcohol-related tweets from May 2019 to October 2021 using an official Twitter search API based on a set of keywords provided by our clinical team. Our exploratory study utilized thematic content analysis and inductive qualitative coding methods …

Precipitation Trends In North And South Carolina, Usa, Giacomo Moragila, Erika Brattich, Gregory J. Carbone

Faculty Publications

Study region

North and South Carolina, USA.

Study focus

Intense precipitation poses risks to life and property. Its frequency can change in response to global-scale drivers, but its spatial expression can vary seasonally and regionally, and be dependent on how it is measured and what analysis period is used. We investigate forty-four historical stations from the U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) across North and South Carolina to determine trends in the pluviometric regime defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). New hydrological insights for the region Most of the stations in this area do not …