Digital Commons Network^™

Medical Providers' Use Of Maternal Mental Health Screening Tools During Prenatal Appointments In Southeast Georgia, Andreka Ewing

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In the United States, maternal mental health disorders are the most common comorbidities experienced during pregnancy and after childbirth. In particular, the state of Georgia reports that 1 in 7 Georgian mothers experience depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or psychosis related to these disorders. Research suggests that untreated maternal mental health can have adverse effects on the mother and unborn child. Conditions such as autism, mixed handedness, reduced cognitive ability, and affective disorders can develop while the child is in the womb of a depressed mother. Routine maternal mental health screening using a validated screening tool has been recommended to help …

Middle Savannah River: An A/R/Tographic Ecopedagogical Ethnography Experimenting With Rhizomatic Perspectives, Lisa Augustine-Chizmar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research is an experiment in perspective. Using the four commonplaces (Schwab, 1978), I practiced letting the Savannah River teach me what there is to know about the water, the land, the people, and the other entities that depend on ki through artistic, ethnographic, and ecopedagogical lenses. The ethnographic findings describe the social actors that depend on ki and give a voice to the River. The a/r/tographic findings display the River on a canvas map through two hundred years using paint, clay, photography, video, abstract acrylics, and fabric. Together, these methods contribute to a unique ecopedagogical journey. This word cloud …

Methods On Implementing Radar And Antenna Solutions To Defense And Biomedical Problems, Jalexis E. Vanga Guzman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Growing developments in antenna and radio frequency systems have created a strong incentive for researchers to study and apply electromagnetic (EM)-based solutions to modern defense and biomedical problems. The ability to transmit and receive EM waves using antenna systems has not only increased global connectivity, but also increased the need for innovation in antenna size reduction and development of radar systems.

Size reduction techniques have been extensively studied for antennas after the development of electrically small antennas (ESAs) which follow Chu’s limit. ESAs allow the implementation of antennas with much smaller foot-size than traditional full-sized designed while keeping the same …

The Relationship Between Age, Sport, And Years Coaching On Knowledge, Confidence, Preparedness, And Intention To Intervene With Youth Athletes Experiencing Mental Health Challenges, Allyson P. Looby

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Mental disorders can affect all ages and populations, but there is an increasingly high prevalence in the pediatric population. It is estimated that 1 in 5 youth between the ages of 9-17 experiences some degree of impairment from a diagnosable mental health disorder (Merikangas et al., 2010). Youth are often not equipped to seek professional support; making parents, teachers, and coaches key to detection and referral to professional help (Ng et al., 2021). The environment youth sports creates gives coaches the opportunity to have a greater impact on youth mental health (Das et al., 2016). Purpose: Determine if age, …

Emergency Preparedness And Response: Examining Rural Hospitals (Rhs) Communication Systems Before, During, And After A Natural Disaster, Geremy D. Lloyd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Rural Hospitals (RHs) have distinctive characteristics that constitute unparalleled challenges. One of those challenges is the ability to communicate effectively in a disaster, impacting the various effects on the affected society. Research has shown that effective emergency preparedness and response (EPR) communication is paramount when communicating informed details about emergent events. Despite the evolving complexities of communication and the technology associated with disaster communication, very few studies have successfully investigated RHs communication systems before, during, and after a natural disaster. The purpose of this study was to examine and assess RHs communication systems and to highlight the strengths, identify …

Investigating Salinity Intrusion Effects On Sapelo Island, Georgia Using Benthic Macroinvertebrate Bioindicators, Raymond Paul Kidder Ii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Coastal wetlands are threatened by the compounding effects of sea level rise and historical land modification. Historically, much of Sapelo Island, Georgia was deforested and drained using a series of ditches and canals to create arable land fit for agriculture and to provide drainage to the inhabited parts of the island. Today, this network of artificial channels is believed to be facilitating the movement of saltwater from the nearby estuary into freshwater areas on the interior of the island. This study aimed to better understand the frequency and magnitude of salinity intrusion events along with their resulting impacts to the …

Promoting The Positive: A Case Study Of The Influence Of School Climate On One Turnaround School From 2016-2022, Cynthia Gunner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Schools across the country are finding various means to address the social realities that often exist in high poverty schools. School climate is one of those social realities. While there is research related to school climate in high poverty schools, there are limited case studies related to this subject. This qualitative case study examined how one elementary school was transformed by creating a positive school climate between 2016-2022. This study also explored the impact that the pandemic and subsequent school lockdown had on the newly established school climate. Findings from this study indicated that PF Elementary School established a positive …

Exploring Relationship Among Programmatic Expertise, Work Engagement, And Turnover Intentions Across Different Generation Cohorts In State And Local Governmental Public Health Agencies, Stephanie L. Irvin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the relationship among public health programmatic competencies, work engagement, and turnover intentions among state and local public health workers. It also explored the moderating role of generational cohorts in these relationships. It employed a quantitative secondary data analysis using the 2021 PHWINS survey, a collaboration between the de Beaumont Foundation and The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The study's principal findings shed light on critical relationships within the public health workforce: Firstly, an increase in programmatic expertise among public health professionals is linked to increased work engagement, particularly notable within the Millennial cohort. Secondly, a …

Mapping Landcover Change And Population Displacement Of Lakshmipur District, Bangladesh Due To Riverbank Erosion From 2001-2021: A Geospatial Approach, Israt Jahan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Due to the geographical setting, the Lakshmipur district of Bangladesh experiences adverse effects of global climate change that include but are not limited to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, coastal flooding, and riverbank erosion. While riverbank erosion is an implicit impact of climate change, it directly affects human settlements, agricultural activity, and the overall livelihoods of people in this area. Examining the spatiotemporal changes in land cover and population due to riverbank erosion in this region could help us better understand the dynamics of human-environmental relations. This study aimed to classify land cover for every five years …

Using The Cipp Model Of Evaluation On A Health Disparities Curriculum Delivered To Medical Residents In 12 Residency Programs, Gauri K. Shevatekar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Although the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has provided educational directives on health disparities education during residency program for the medical residents, there is paucity of curricula focused on disparities education within the graduate medical education.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a Health Disparities Curriculum (HDC) that was delivered to twelve residency programs at a College of Medicine.

Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional study design. Stufflebeam’s Context-Input-Process-Product (CIPP) model was utilized as theoretical framework to assess whether the curriculum achieved its stated goals and objectives, the teaching and learning processes, and the …

Child Sexual Abuse Cases In The Catholic Church Vs. Secular Groups: A Media Content Analysis, Hannah G. Adkison

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious public health problem in the United States, with estimates suggesting that approximately 8% of males and 20% of females experience some form of sexual violence before adulthood (Pereda et al., 2009). Adult acquaintance victim-offender relationships account for 83% of all cases (Ullman, 2001). And while the acquaintance of victim- offender relationships is facilitated by a range of social institutions, perhaps none have received as much media attention as those occurring in the context of the Catholic Church (Formicola, 2014). Although child sexual assault is recognized as a serious punishable charge in all 50 …

Blockchain Securities Issues: Decentralized Identity System With Key Management Perspective, Olalekan O. Adaramola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Blockchain was created many years ago to solve the problems of data transfer Integrity, several years later the issues persist. Blockchain securities are one of the most important considerations to be investigated, and data integrity is about ensuring the accuracy and validity of messages such that when they are read, they are the same as when they were first written. It is of the opinion that passing information across from one person to another cannot be the same as it was first said at the onset. Our work investigated Blockchain security issues, studying Integrity emanating from transactions across the blocks …

Examining The Oxidative Stress Effects In Rats Exposed To 2-Aminoanthracene In Utero And High Fat Diet Three Months After, Brianna A. Lanoix

Honors College Theses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are created synthetically or found in partially burned oil, gasoline, and coal. 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) is a common example of a PAH and can affect lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and resulting in inflammatory problems and oxidative stress. The objective of the research project is to investigate oxidative stress in relation to diabetes in rats exposed to 2AA in utero and a high fat diet later in life. Pregnant dams were separated into treatment groups based on their dosages of 2AA; 0 mg/kg (control), 50 mg/kg (low), 100 mg/kg (high). During the gestation -postpartum period, …

The Financial And Environmental Returns In Green Banking, Julia C. White

Honors College Theses

With dire climate circumstances looming, simply recycling aluminum cans and driving EV cars is not enough to offset the past consequences our planet has withstood. Large initiatives have to be set in motion to combat and ward off future problems, which takes the amount of money that is afforded by dedicated investments. Private and public sectors are putting their money into green banking, which is proving to provide impressive returns. This paper examines the progress that has been made due to green investments and how the planet can be the recipient of groundbreaking and impactful initiatives. I will focus mostly …

Eating Disorders: Barriers To Peer And Self Recognition And The Ability To Seek Or Give Help, Savannah Mcvey

Honors College Theses

A lack of knowledge concerning eating disorders has been found to play a major role in self-recognition, peer recognition, and barriers to seeking treatment at all. More specifically, straight men were more often not able to identify these issues in themselves or others. Theories that have been presented involve the image of eating disorders being a “woman’s issue” and a possible obsession with weight lifting and changing one’s body to take on a more masculine build. Combatting this issue needs to begin in the form of basic education on college campuses due to the prevalence in this particular age group. …

Using Telemedicine And Telehealth To Extend Services In Hiv Care, Jeffery Dockery Mr., Heather G. Peebles Ms.

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many barriers to healthcare but especially for HIV Public Health clients who struggle to meet basic socioeconomic needs. Southeast Health District (SEHD) Ryan White clients are immunocompromised increasing isolation and fear. In addition to client barriers, the pandemic resulted in a staffing shortage. The shortages were due to COVID diagnosis and subsequent isolation, staffing turnover, and unfillable vacancies.

Method

A dedicated schedule is utilized for Telehealth/Telemedicine. A patient is scheduled at a remote site and connected with a practitioner at another location. The SEHD Ryan White Program currently has 4 clinics located in Bulloch, Coffee, …

The Learning Agenda 2.0: An Approach To Facilitate Systems Change, Laura M. Lloyd, Melissa Alperin

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background: The public health (PH) workforce is currently facing many complex challenges that stand at the root of community health issues (e.g., racism, poverty, mental health). Existing PH workforce development models focus largely on improving individual competency, but individual competency alone cannot address these complex challenges at the individual, organizational, community, and systems levels. Developing the necessary cross-cutting skills (e.g., systems thinking, persuasive communication, problem solving) requires a new approach to training and learning.

Method: The Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change (PHLASC) helps public health organizations and their partners use transformative, collective learning as a driver for systems …

Unmasking Microaggressions On The Homefront: Exploring Faculty And Staff Perceptions After Attending An Online Workshop On Microaggressions In Higher Education, Andrea N. Crenshaw, Natasha N. Ramsay-Jordan, Allyson Deskins

Georgia Educational Researcher

Microaggressions are brief and everyday slights, insults, indignities, and denigrating messages sent to people of color and/or marginalized groups (women, LGBTQ+, etc.) by well-intentioned [people] who are unaware of the hidden messages being communicated (Sue et al., 2007). Microaggressions are connected to broader conceptualizations of the impact of implicit bias and systems of inequity. Specifically, in K-12 and higher education, microaggressions impact the physical, social, and emotional well-being of those who experience them. Growing research posits the need for more discussions in education about racism, sexism, and other bias prevalent in the field of education (Bergerson, 2003). As such, some …

Champions For Social Good: How Can We Discover Social Sentiment And Attitude-Driven Patterns In Prosocial Communication?, Raghava Rao Mukkamala, Robert J. Kauffman, Helle Zinner Henriksen

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) is pursuing a social media strategy to inform people about displaced populations and refugee emergencies. It is actively engaging public figures to increase awareness through its prosocial communications and improve social informedness and support for policy changes in its services. We studied the Twitter communications of UNHCR social media champions and investigated their role as high-profile influencers. In this study, we offer a design science research and data analytics framework and propositions based on the social informedness theory we propose in this paper to assess communication about UNHCR’s mission. Two variables—refugee-emergency and champion …

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, 4th Quarter, 2023, Georgia Southern University Center For Business Analytics And Economic Research

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor

Regional Economy Gears Up

Healthy Regional Growth

U.S. Economy Maintains Strong Pace

Regional Forecasting Index Surges

Analysis Of Hippo Pathway Signalling In Schwannoma And Meningioma, Julio Grimm De Guibert

Peninsula Medical School Theses

This project focuses on two tumours of the nervous system, schwannoma and meningioma. A large group of schwannomas and meningiomas display the inactivation of the NF2 gene. The NF2 gene codes for the tumour suppressor protein Merlin and its loss is associated with a multitude of pro-tumourigenic mechanisms leading to the occurrence of schwannomas and meningiomas. The loss of Merlin function causes augmented Hippo signaling i.e. interaction of YAP and TAZ, both co-activators of gene expression and the two main effectors of the Hippo signalling pathway, and TEAD, a group of transcription factors binding to YAP and TAZ. There resulting …

Investigation Of Microbiome Metabolites And Mitochondrial Function In A Model Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Paula Boeira

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Several dietary metabolites produced by gut bacteria have been linked to disease including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and phenylacetic acid (PAA) are microbiome-derived metabolites that have been associated with early onset of NAFLD. Hypothesising that these metabolites contribute to lipid deposition in the liver by altering hepatic mitochondrial function, we assessed how TMAO and PAA affect hepatocyte bioenergetics in cell models of liver steatosis. Proliferative and differentiated HepaRG cells were cultured under standard conditions, and steatosis was established by 48h exposure to oleate and palmitate (2:1 molar ratio). Lipid accumulation was assessed by BODIPY™ staining and …

Evaluation Of Mir-497 & Mir-219 As Non-Invasive Biomarkers For Meningioma And Glioma, Ahmed Abdelrahman

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Introduction: The current WHO classification aids in predicting meningioma and glioma recurrence and prognosis. However, there is a dearth of circulating biomarkers with clinical value for meningioma diagnosis and classification. Circulating miRNAs have shown potential as cancer biomarkers in various tumours. This study evaluated specific miRNAs, miR-497 and miR-219, as convenient and efficient predictors of meningioma and glioma grades. MiR-497 was selected based on preliminary results from Professor Hannemane's group, indicating its potential as a meningioma biomarker. MiR-219 was chosen because of its reported differential expression according to meningioma grade. Methods: Serum and exosomal levels of miR-497 were studied in …

Anastomotic Leakage In Rectal Surgery: Where Are We And Where Do We Go From Here?, Benjamin William Peter Rossi

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery is a significant complication which is feared by surgeons and has considerable consequences for patients. It affects up to 17% of rectal resections and although there is significant knowledge regarding its detection and treatment, there are still no reliable methods for its prevention. We proposed the routine use of intra-operative endoscopy as a method of reducing the risk of anastomotic leak. This thesis explores current knowledge regarding anastomotic leaks, including the causes, prevention and management. We also present the findings from a feasibility trial into intra-operative endoscopy as a method for reducing anastomotic leak rate. …

Comprehensive Measurement Of The Prevalence Of Dementia In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: Stride Methodology And Its Application In Indonesia And South Africa, Nicolas Farina, Roxanne Jacobs, Yuda Turana, Fasihah Irfani Fitri, Marguerite Schneider, Imelda Theresia, Sumaiyah Docrat, Tara Puspitarini Sani, Lydia Augustina, Emiliano Albanese, Adelina Comas-Herrera, Toit P Du, Cleusa P. Ferri, Ishtar Govia, Aliaa Ibnidris, Martin Knapp, Sube Banerjee

Peninsula Medical School

Background A core element of the Strengthening Responses to Dementia in Developing Countries (STRiDE) programme was to generate novel data on the prevalence, cost and impact of dementia in low- and middle-income countries, to build better health policy. Indonesia and South Africa are two middle-income countries in need of such data. Aims To present the STRiDE methodology and generate estimates of dementia prevalence in Indonesia and South Africa. Method We conducted community-based, single-phase, cross-sectional studies in Indonesia and South Africa, randomly sampling participants aged 65 years or older in each country. Dementia prevalence rates for each country were generated by …

Modern Cemented Furlong Hemiarthroplasty: Are Dislocations Rates Better?, C. U. Menakaya, M. Shah, H. Ingoe, R. Malhotra, A. Mannan, T. Boddice, V. Allgar, S. Gopal, A. Mohsen, N. Muthukumar

Peninsula Medical School

Background Dislocation following hip hemiarthroplasty is a major complication with increased mortality and morbidity. Data looking at dislocation following contemporary bipolar stems are lacking in literature. Methods Retrospective review of our prospective national hip fracture database over a two-year period. Group 1 comprised of consecutive patients receiving bipolar Furlong prosthesis (N222) while Group 2 was made up of a historical cohort (uncemented; N254). Clinical and radiological records were reviewed to determine dislocation rates, causes and associative factors of dislocations. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results Following 476 hemiarthroplasties performed during the study period, 12 (2.5%) dislocations were reported (eight in …

Oral Microbes And The Formation Of Cerebral Abscesses: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study, Raul Bescos, Holly Roy, Ewen Mccoll, Umar Rehman, Elizabeth Cray, Louise A. Belfield, King David Nweze, Kevin Tsang, William Singleton, Peter Whitfield, Zoe Brookes

Peninsula Medical School

Objective: Intracranial abscesses are relatively uncommon, but can result in significant mortality and morbidity. Whilst many potential causes of brain abscesses are recognised, in many cases the origin of infection remains clinically unidentified. Our objective was to investigate the role of bacteria found in the oral cavity in the development of brain abscesses. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from 87 patients admitted to a single UK neurosurgical unit with brain abscesses over a 16-year period. Using microbiological data obtained from abscess sampling and peripheral cultures, species of bacteria were categorised in patients where no primary source of …

Occurrence And Characteristics Of Fibreglass-Reinforced Plastics And Microplastics On A Beach Impacted By Abandoned Fishing Boats: A Case Study From Chellanam, India, N. Manju Lekshmi, Sreejith S. Kumar, P. Muhamed Ashraf, S. P. Nehala, Leela Edwin, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Plastics and microplastics have been quantified and characterised at disposal sites of abandoned fishing boats and along the high-water line (HWL) of a fish landing centre in Chellanam, India. Fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) made a greater contribution to the plastic pool at the disposal sites (~ 4.5 n m−2 and 18 g m−2) than the HWL (~ 0.25 n m−2 and < 1 g m−2) and was an abundant component of the microplastic pool at the former. Infrared analysis of micro-sized FRPs revealed various resins (e.g., alkyd, polyester, epoxy), while X-ray fluorescence analysis of the painted surfaces of meso-sized FRPs returned variable concentrations of copper and lead. Concentrations of Pb were high enough to contaminate sand up to ~400 mg kg−1. The relatively high density of FRP and its association with glass fibres and metal-bearing paints results in particles with potentially very different fates and toxicities to more “conventional” (non-composite) thermoplastics.

Hmp-Reader: Menpa Guidelines For Designing And Reporting Research On Holistic Movement Practices, Including Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, And Conscious Dance, Ineke Vergeer, Adrian Taylor, Mats Hallgren, Stuart J.H. Biddle

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Anticipatory Reward Dysfunction In Alcohol Dependence: An Electroencephalography Monetary Incentive Delay Task Study, Mica Komarnyckyj, Chris Retzler, Robert Whelan, Oliver Young, Elsa Fouragnan, Anna Murphy

School of Psychology

A wealth of functional magnetic resonance imaging monetary incentive delay task (MIDT) research has shown alcohol dependency is associated with a hypoactive striatal response during gain anticipation (gain > neutral) and loss anticipation (loss > neutral). Electroencephalography (EEG) holds clinical advantages over fMRI (high temporal resolution, low cost, portable) however its use to study reward processing in alcohol dependence is limited. We aimed to carry out the first EEG MIDT (eMIDT) study in alcohol dependence. 21 abstinent alcohol dependent individuals and 26 controls performed an MIDT while neural activity was recorded using 64-channel EEG. Trial averaged event-related potentials (ERPs) and single-trial machine …