Digital Commons Network^™

Ultrasound-Guided Regenerative Injection For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Narrative Review And Authors' Clinical Experience, Yung-Tsan Wu, King Hei Stanley Lam, Chueh-Hung Wu, Ke-Vin Chang, Wei-Ting Wu, Tyng-Guey Wang, Wen-Shiang Chen, Chih-Peng Lin, Kenneth Dean Reeves

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy but current conservative treatments are unsatisfactory. Recently, clinical trials using ultrasound-guided regenerative injection with 5% dextrose water or platelet-rich plasma have reported clinically and statistically significant benefits compared to current conservative treatments for the treatment of CTS. Regenerative injection for CTS is increasingly being utilized, proportional to the worldwide expansion of skills in the use of ultrasound guidance for precise injection and localization, and due to accumulating evidence that it enhances the success rate of conservative treatment, and reduces the rate of surgery. In this narrative review, our goals …

Effects Of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy On Spasticity In Post-Stroke Patients: A Narrative Review, Yen‐Hua Chen, Shu-Mei Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Spasticity is a common complication following a stroke, often leading to pain, joint contractures, and functional limitations, all of which reduce the quality of life of survivors. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is recognized as a safe, non-invasive, and promising alternative treatment option for post-stroke spasticity (PSS). This narrative review aims to synthesize the current evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the efficacy of ESWT in treating PSS. Specifically, we focused on evaluating treatment protocols, technical parameters, outcome measurements, the duration of treatment effects, and the combined effect of ESWT with other therapies, aiming to establish a comprehensive understanding of …

Beyond Borders: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of International Migrant Women In Nigeria, A Deep Dive Into Healthcare Realities And Utilization, Juliet Nwafor, Rowland Edet, Ezebunwa Nwokoch

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

This study explored access to and utilization of healthcare facilities among migrant women in an urban slum community in Nigeria, focusing on factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviors and the implications for public health interventions. A qualitative case study-oriented research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 21 migrant women of reproductive age and 4 key informant interviews with healthcare workers in the Ayobo community of Lagos State, Nigeria. Data collection occurred from June to September 2018, and thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings. Three main themes emerged: living conditions, pattern of healthcare utilization, and factors influencing accessibility and utilization …

Container Port Selection In The Asean Region: Korean Shipping Companies’ Perspective, Inhyeok Yeo

Plymouth Business School Theses

Ports are crucial platforms that connect the sea and inland transportation to foster logistics and transfer of goods and information. Thus, selection of the most optimal ports is ever crucial for decision makers. However, the increasing globalisation and international trade add to the already competitive and saturated market for marine container cargo shipping. Consequently, it may be of best interest to shift focus and find niche market, such as trading to the Southeast Asia, to increase profitability. In near proximity to Southeast Asia, South Korean multinational corporations’ investment and interest in the Southeast Asian countries are significant. South Korea maintains …

Investigating A Motivation Model For Gamified E-Learning: A Mixed Methods Approach, Ali Sen

Plymouth Business School Theses

Investigating A Motivation Model for Gamified E-learning: A Mixed Methods Approach Ali Sen Abstract There has been a recent increase in educational interest in gamification over the past five years (Behl et al., 2022; Ertan & Kocadere, 2022). A central tenet of the increase in its popularity may stem from its motivational power in educational settings (Sailer et al., 2017; Sailer & Homner, 2020). However, prior research on gamification has not sufficiently investigated the mechanisms by which the phenomenon induces its motivational effects. A crucial question to consider is how the motivational theories that underpin gamification work. Consequently, the current …

Tourist Perceived Destination Innovativeness (Tpdi) And Its Impacts On Tourist Experience And Tourist Satisfaction -The Case Study Of Hunan (China), Xiaoshan Yang

Plymouth Business School Theses

The primary purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of tourist perceived destination innovativeness (TPDI) and to assess its impacts on tourist experience and satisfaction, and the thesis accordingly develops a multidimensional scale for measuring the concept of destination innovativeness. TPDI in this study refers to the willingness and capability of a destination to provide and deliver unique, interesting service and product. The development and validation of the multidimensional scale for the concept followed a rigorous procedure with three different stages of study, the data for which was collected from tourists in Hunan. The first stage analysed …

The Influence Of Marketing On Students' Choice Of Private Higher Education Institutes, Evangelos Vantzos

Plymouth Business School Theses

This thesis investigates the influence of marketing on students' choice of private higher education institutes (PHEIs). It critically examines the factors influencing students' decision to study at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), which offer overseas tourism and hospitality (T&H) programmes and assesses the implications of these factors for the design of marketing strategies of UK HEIs. A survey strategy was selected to support this thesis. 401 valid questionnaires were collected and analysed using the Social Science Statistics Package (SPSS) from international students enrolled in transnational T&H undergraduate programmes at five PHEIs in Switzerland and Singapore. The study results reveal that …

Alarming Literacy Rates In One Of America’S Largest Cities: What Can Be Done In The City Of Detroit?, Hermina G.B. Anghelescu

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

Regarded as a major cultural and industrial center, Detroit is known for its contributions to art, architecture, design, and music, which led to its "Motown" nickname, in addition to its ties to the birth of the auto industry, which brought it the nickname of "Motor City." Despite hosting several higher learning institutions and a national research university, Detroit has been facing a continued decline of its adult literacy rates that amount to 47.00%, meaning that half of the City's population are functionally illiterate. Low literacy skills can profoundly affect adults' ability to fully participate in daily activities and contribute to …

Returning To Physical Activity Following Injury: Exploring Psychological Readiness In Middle-Aged Adults, Hunter Martin

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Previous researchers have focused on a variety of psychological aspects of injury rehabilitation in the context of returning to competitive sport (Ardern et al., 2016; Donald, 2019; Podlog et al., 2022; Webster et al., 2018). Return to sport decisions have been largely based on physical assessment and functional ability tests with little focus on psychological elements of recovery (Podlog et al., 2015). The existing literature on psychological readiness (PR) to return to sport has grown in recent years, primarily exploring the experiences of young adult athletes aged 18-30 (Podlog et al., 2022). There has been no previous research exploring the …

The Influence Of Visual Perspective On The Cognitive Effort Required For Mental Representation, Jeffrey P. Hong

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Mental representation is the process by which an individual simulates an event in their mind’s eye. This process is the foundation of the ability to remember the past, engage in prospective thinking, or imagine fictitious scenarios. An individual can mentally represent any event through their own eyes—the first-person perspective or from the viewpoint of an external observer—the third-person perspective. The perspective of representation influences outcomes related to memory, visuospatial processing, affect, social cognition, clinical diagnoses, and language processing. In turn, an individual’s tendency to favour either perspective is shaped by related factors.

The current research consists of four experiments, designed …

The Prevalence And Consequences Of Gender-Based Violence Among Trans And Non-Binary University Students In Ontario, Jia Qing Wilson-Yang

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Community studies documenting gender-based violence (GBV) experienced by trans and non-binary (TNB) people often find differences in prevalence across TNB subgroups. Studies of TNB university students tend to treat them as a homogenous group, thus gender differences in terms of subgroups are unknown. Using data collected from TNB Ontario university students, I examined the prevalence and impacts of GBV across three TNB subgroups (trans man spectrum, trans women spectrum, and gender queer/non-binary). Specifically, reflecting subtle and overt forms of GBV, among each subgroup I explored the frequency of trans environmental microaggressions, trans interpersonal microaggressions, and victimization, and their relationship with …

Investigating The Mobility Of Arsenic In Subarctic Mining Pollution-Affected Peatlands Near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Jeremy Leathers

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Arsenic (As) is a pollutant of global concern that is detrimental to human and environmental health. Between 1948 and 2004, mining operations near Yellowknife, NT released over 20,000 tonnes of As trioxide (As₂O₃) that continues to persist in the surrounding landscape. Although much effort has been put into studying the chemical forms, spatial distribution, ecological impacts, and environmental cycling of As in the area, more work is needed to determine the controls of As mobility between the terrestrial and aquatic components of the landscape. Soils are known reservoirs of legacy As that can release it downslope …

Disempowered And Disappointed Locals: The Impact Of Negative Hybrid Peacebuilding On Sociocultural Transformation Of Afghanistan, Seyed Ali Hosseini

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation conceptualizes peacebuilding in Afghanistan (2001-2021) as facilitation of sociocultural transformation of the country towards accepting the international norms important for sustainable peace, such as democracy, human rights, and gender equality. Hence, peacebuilding was highly normative and required enormous changes promoted by key peacebuilding actors to transform Afghan politics, society, and culture from a traditional society marked by fragmentation and radicalization to one that embraced these values.

The dissertation proposes that the peacebuilding effort that took place in post-2001 Afghanistan was hybrid, as the international community pursued the goals of building a state committed to these liberal principles, as …

Language Acquisition, Mental Health, And Acculturation Among Migrants In Canada, Ali Jasemi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation examines the integration of first-generation migrants in Canada, focusing on the constructs of acculturation, language proficiency, and mental health. With nearly a quarter of Canada's population comprising migrants (Statistics Canada, 2022), understanding their adjustment is critical. Acculturation, language proficiency, and mental health can all have an impact on the success of migrants in their new country (Balidemaj et al. 2019; Brance et al. 2023; Iversen et al. 2014; Rousseau et al. 2019; Rashtchi et al. 2012; Salami et al. 2019). There are a limited number of studies examining these variables in relation to certain migrant groups, such as …

“You Do Not Need To Be Skinny Or Look Like An Athlete To Still Live A Healthy Life”: Exploring Anti-Fat Bias Within Health-Related Undergraduate Programs, Maddie Katz

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Anti-fat bias negatively influences well-being, particularly for fat people. This bias is present in healthcare and fitness contexts, where emphasis on bodies and weight are salient. Healthcare and fitness professionals often re-learn anti-fat bias in their education through a weight-centric paradigm of health, which frames weight as a primary indicator of health (good or bad), an individual responsibility, and a direct reflection of individual behavioural choices (i.e., diet and exercise). The failure to control one’s weight within societally acceptable levels is seen as a moral failure rather than resulting from complex factors relating to the social determinants of health (i.e., …

Queer Liberation In Young Adult Fantasy: An Analysis Of Rainbow Islands, Sydney Brouillard-Coyle

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of this study was to explore how the theme of queer liberation can be represented in young adult fantasy novels. I conducted an in-depth analysis of the novel Rainbow Islands (Devin Harnois) utilizing the lenses of queer, transgender, intersectional, and narrative theory. In the novel Rainbow Islands, Harnois presents a utopia in which queer people are able to counter their oppressive realities by building systems of community that support one another; yet, the novel ends up replicating systems of oppression. Thus, Rainbow Islands offers a complex opportunity for analysis when considering the theme of queer liberation and how …

Parental Evaluations And Choice Of Math Apps For Their Young Children: Exploring The Impact Of Individual Differences, Nicola Urquhart

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Well-designed math apps can have positive effects on young children’s math abilities (Bang et al., 2023; Griffith et al., 2019; Outhwaite et al., 2023), but research indicates that many commercially available math apps are not well designed (Dubé et al., 2019; Meyer et al., 2021). Studies also find that parents struggle to identify relevant features from app store descriptions (Montazami et al., 2022; Pearson et al., 2023). The purpose of the present research was to investigate how parents evaluate the apps themselves, and to test whether individual differences can affect parental app evaluations and decisions. In two parts of Study …

Cyberbullying: Media Construction And Framing Tactics In Pakistan, Asma Jamal

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis critically examines the portrayal of cyberbullying within Pakistan's top three newspapers, focusing on how these media outlets shape public discourse over the past five years. Employing an integrated approach using framing analysis and Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Model, my research deconstructs how these newspapers utilize specific framing strategies to construct a narrative that not only informs but also subtly influences public perception and policy responses. The findings show that while the media highlights the roles of parents, educators, and law enforcement in combating cyberbullying, it also tends to reinforce traditional gender roles and overlook systemic solutions. I argue that the …

Language As Power: How Lgbtqia+ Gen-Z Use Language For Identity And Liberation, Kayci Resende-Abbott

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Generation Z LGBTQIA+ individuals are tasked with challenging and overcoming generations of social and systemic oppression related to their identities. One of the primary methods they use to achieve this is through the language and labels they use in their daily lives. From the inception of new acronyms to new labels and language, this new generation of LGBTQIA+ individuals is looking to break out of the mold that was set for them by past generations. This study aims to investigate how LGBTQIA+ Gen-Z individuals utilize language in their everyday interactions to articulate and affirm their gender and sexuality. Through qualitative …

The Torch: College Of Arts & Sciences Program Newsletter, Spring 2024, College Of Arts & Sciences Honors Program

Torch Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Toward A More Inclusive English Major: Current Realities, Especially For Students From The Black Diaspora In The United States, Isabelle L. N. Belice

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This paper aims to research the inclusivity of the English major. This paper will answer whether the major is inclusive, specifically for students from the Black diaspora in the United States, through the use of multiple sources. My paper focuses on four subtopics: the lack of diversity among materials used in English courses, the treatment of Black culture in the classroom, projected salaries after graduation, and lack of general knowledge about the English major. Through my research, my paper will assess the inclusivity of the English major and propose solutions to this problem based on my personal experiences and the …

Empowering Latino Immigrant Parents: Navigating Challenges And Fostering Child Well-Being Ina New Culture, Alexandra M. Vera

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by Latino immigrant parents in facilitating the adaptation, mental health, and educational success of their children in the United States. The research will also explore what support or resources would be helpful and empowering for these parents as they navigate raising their children in a new cultural environment. Particular attention will be given to understanding how cultural values and norms between the home environment and the new society create complex dynamics that affect child development and well-being. The findings from this research will inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions and support …

Generational Trauma And Its Effects On Newer Generation Parents, Hailey I. Bravo

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Generational trauma, stemming from historical events such as systemic injustices, wars, genocides, displacement, and migration, has been shown to influence the newer generation of parents. This literature review explores how such trauma affects parental behaviors, emotional well-being, and relationships between parents and their children. Also, exploring how unresolved trauma from past generations manifests in parenting styles and responses to their own children. By analyzing these dynamics, the review contributes to a deeper psychological understanding of how generational trauma shapes parenting practices and family dynamics, along with examining the intergenerational transmission of trauma, highlighting its implications for parental mental health and …

Holding States Accountable: An Analytical Review Of Reintegrative Laws, Policies And Programs For Felons And Ex-Offenders, Samira Kerkach

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

It is past due that states and the federal government take accountability for the gaps in reintegration of felons into society and begin seeking justice for these communities. In an overview of the political marginalization of criminal felony offenders, Leonor (2022) asserts that because of the significant impact of felon disenfranchisement laws on Black Americans, it is evident that this issue is complicated and proportions on racialized lines, meaning that modern felon disenfranchisement laws disproportionately affect communities of color, and therefore dilutes the political power of these underrepresented communities. There are more barriers to the successful reintegration of felons besides …

The Chinese Tax System: Where It Stands And How We Should Study It, Wei Cui

All Faculty Publications

This book chapter offers an overview of where China’s tax system stands, critically assesses recent scholarship on Chinese taxation, and urges researchers to attend more to normative questions of tax design (e.g., economic efficiency and redistribution). After surveying major tax instruments deployed in China today, the chapter reviews recent studies of taxation’s impact on the Chinese economy, arguing that such scholarship often falls short of providing systematic support for policy analyses, and that ignoring normative questions in tax design leads to poor conceptual framing in positive analyses. The chapter then considers some themes at the intersection between Chinese political institutions …

Gender And Nostalgia In Period Drama: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel And Mad Men, Deidre Pribram

Communications: Faculty Publications

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023) and Mad Men (2007-2015) share a common genre, location, and era.  Both are period dramas, set in New York City, as the waning 1950s transition into the 1960s.  Additionally, both television serials address changing cultural conditions, especially surrounding gender.  Yet, when analyzed through the prism of nostalgia, the two programs deviate in significant ways.  This essay uses Grainge’s (2000) distinction between nostalgia as mood and nostalgia as aesthetic style, applying it to the two television serials.  It also incorporates concepts of nostalgia as critique (Cook, 2005), as well as imagined nostalgia as the longing “for …

Introduction (To Emotional Expressionism), E. Deidre Pribram Ph.D.

Communications: Faculty Publications

The primary purpose of Emotional Expressionism: Television Serialization, The Melodramatic Mode, and Socioemotionality is to explore the forms, functions, and nuances of emotions in popular, mediated narratives. Clearly, emotions constitute a key means by which audiences experience and make sense of narrative media, in that mediated stories make compelling arguments or take up resonant positions through their emotional methods and meanings. The value of developing an emotional template for screen media lies in generating new analytical and interpretative approaches to narrative aesthetics, especially in terms of their pains and pleasures. As this study seeks to demonstrate, emotional analysis opens up …

Education And Religion In Shaping Support For Same-Sex Relations: Considering Differences Over Time And Across Geographical Areas, Amy Adamczyk, Ashely French

Publications and Research

Across the world, attitudes about same-sex relationships have become rapidly more supportive. While education is typically viewed as a liberalizing force, religious beliefs are often seen as restricting more tolerant perspectives and contributing to more conservative attitudes in general. Focusing on the United States this study examines the roles of religion and education, as individual and group properties, for understanding disapproval of same-sex relationships. Drawing on restricted information that makes it possible to identify where General Social Survey respondents lived, we find that graduating from college is associated with more support, but has less of an effect on Evangelicals and …

Development Of The “Laser Surgical Skills Evaluation For Residents” (Laser) Scale Through A Modified Delphi Method, E Sédillot-Daniel, A Melkane, C Chiesa, N Fakhry, V N Young, L J Smith, J R Lechien, L Guertin, M J Olivier, A Maniakas, R Jun Lin, E Bissada, A Christopoulos, T Ayad, Andrée-Anne Leclerc

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The CO2 laser is frequently used during microlaryngeal surgery (MLS) for a variety of pathology including laryngeal malignancy and stenosis. Learning how to use the laser safely is part of the curriculum for every otolaryngology resident. However, assessment of laryngoscopy technical skills can be challenging for supervisors, making it difficult to adequately provide feedback to trainees.

Objectives: "LAser Surgical skills Evaluation for Residents" (LASER) Scale aims to facilitate the evaluation of residents' performance and promote constructive feedback.

Methods: The initial evaluation grid was based on a literature review of CO2 laser laryngoscopy (with an emphasis on indications, technique, safety, …

Antiangiogenic Therapy Combined With Immune Checkpoint Blockade In Urothelial Cancer: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mohammad Jad Moussa, Iuliia Kovalenko, Emanuele Crupi, Ekaterina Proskuriakova, Yimin Geng, Giuseppe Fallara, Raed Benkhadra, Daniele Raggi, Matthew T. Campbell, Pavlos Msaouel, Omar Alhalabi

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Antiangiogenic therapy had been tested in urothelial cancer (UC) without reaching the clinic.

Objective: We provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials to assess efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with antiangiogenic agents in UC.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched for trials with at least one arm of patients with UC treated with ICI plus antiangiogenics. Data were analyzed with the "meta" package from R using a one-staged frequentist meta-analysis.

Results: After screening 13,708 titles and abstracts, 9 studies were selected for analysis with 14 identified cohorts comprising 621 patients: 448 were ICI-naïve (ICI-N) and 173 …