Digital Commons Network^™

Breaking Bias: A Singular Chapter Solution For Racial Equity In Consumer Bankruptcy, Jerron R. Wheeler

Faculty Articles

This article explores the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing a looming medical debt crisis among Black families, while examining the intersection of racial bias, attorney practices, and the existing two-chapter consumer bankruptcy system. Proposing a solution, the article advocates for the consolidation of Chapters 7 and 13 into a single chapter, citing the Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2020 (CBRA) as a potential remedy. Further, this article argues that a single chapter would simplify the bankruptcy process, reducing the influence of attorney bias and promoting uniform eligibility criteria. This approach aims to make debt relief more accessible, especially for …

Bio-Active Metabolites From Chinese Medicinal Herbs For Treatment Of Skin Diseases, Ching Tung, Dawn Au

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Skin diseases have become serious issues to human health and affect one-third of the world’s population according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). These consist of internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) factors referring to genetics, hormones, and the body’s immune system, as well as environmental situations, UV radiation, or environmental pollution respectively. Generally, Western Medicines (WMs) are usually treated with topical creams or strong medications for skin diseases that help superficially, and often do not treat the root cause. The relief may be instant and strong, sometimes these medicines have adverse reactions that are too strong to be able and …

How Do Socio-Demographic Factors, Health Status, And Knowledge Influence The Acceptability Of Probiotics Products In Hong Kong?, Shun Wan Chan

Department of Food and Health Sciences

In recent years, due to growing interest in gut health, the potential benefits of probiotics on the gut have received much attention. Probiotics, now readily available in both dietary supplements and a variety of foods, have become a focal point of consumer health choices. This study aims to explore the impact of consumer-related factors, including socio-demographic profiles, health status, and probiotics knowledge, on the acceptance of probiotics products in Hong Kong. A total of 385 participants engaged in a survey, providing data for an in-depth analysis of how these factors influence attitudes toward probiotics. Findings revealed a general confidence in …

How Do Socio-Demographic Factors, Health Status, And Knowledge Influence The Acceptability Of Probiotics Products In Hong Kong?, Shun Wan Chan, Zilin Xu, Nan Wu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

In recent years, due to growing interest in gut health, the potential benefits of probiotics on the gut have received much attention. Probiotics, now readily available in both dietary supplements and a variety of foods, have become a focal point of consumer health choices. This study aims to explore the impact of consumer-related factors, including socio-demographic profiles, health status, and probiotics knowledge, on the acceptance of probiotics products in Hong Kong. A total of 385 participants engaged in a survey, providing data for an in-depth analysis of how these factors influence attitudes toward probiotics. Findings revealed a general confidence in …

Informing The State Of Process Modeling And Automation Of Blood Banking And Transfusion Services Through A Systematic Mapping Study, Shaima' Abdallah Elhaj, Yousra Odeh, Dina Tbaishat, Anwar Rjoop, Asem Mansour, Mohammed Odeh

All Works

Purpose: The current state of the art in process modeling of blood banking and transfusion services is not well grounded; methodological reviews are lacking to bridge the gap between such blood banking and transfusion processes (and their models) and their automation. This research aims to fill this gap with a methodological review. Methods: A systematic mapping study was adopted, driven by five key research questions. Identified research studies were accepted based on fulfilling the following inclusion criteria: 1) research studies should focus on blood banking and transfusion process modeling since the late 1970s; and 2) research studies should focus on …

Pcv15, A Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Infants And Children., Timothy J. Chapman, Liset Olarte, Ghassan Dbaibo, Avril Melissa Houston, Gretchen Tamms, Robert Lupinacci, Kristen Feemster, Ulrike K. Buchwald, Natalie Banniettis

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION:

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent of pneumonia and acute otitis media (AOM), as well as invasive diseases such as meningitis and bacteremia. PCV15 (V114) is a new 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) approved for use in individuals ≥6 weeks of age for the prevention of pneumonia, AOM, and invasive pneumococcal disease.

AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes the V114 Phase 3 development program leading to approval in infants and children, including pivotal studies, interchangeability and catch-up vaccination studies, and studies in at-risk populations. An integrated safety summary is presented in addition to immunogenicity and concomitant use of V114 with …

Ai Is A Viable Alternative To High Throughput Screening: A 318-Target Study, Martin St. Maurice

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

High throughput screening (HTS) is routinely used to identify bioactive small molecules. This requires physical compounds, which limits coverage of accessible chemical space. Computational approaches combined with vast on-demand chemical libraries can access far greater chemical space, provided that the predictive accuracy is sufficient to identify useful molecules. Through the largest and most diverse virtual HTS campaign reported to date, comprising 318 individual projects, we demonstrate that our AtomNet® convolutional neural network successfully finds novel hits across every major therapeutic area and protein class. We address historical limitations of computational screening by demonstrating success for target proteins without known binders, …

Opioid Policy Solutions: Administrative Law, Legislation, And Constitutional Reform, Trevin Stevens

Honors Theses

I have written three separate policy briefs addressing issues in the pharmaceutical industry that allowed for the opioid epidemic to reach the magnitude that it has in the last three decades. I examined public policy regarding labeling, drug diversion, and misuse, as well as marketing. By studying existing policies, I was able to provide insight into possible reforms, while accounting for potential obstacles to systematic reform, such as constitutional concerns regarding free speech.

Chicken Infectious Anemia Virus: A Causative Agent Of Immunosuppressive Diseases In Poultry Industry, Amal R. Abdel Aziz, Kh. M. Elbayoumi, Sanaa S. A. Awad, Abou El-Azm

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Due to the emerging status of chicken infectious anemia in Africa, especially Egypt, and its resemblance to infectious bursal disease, it was needed to look into this disease. This review article's goal is to draw attention to how the chicken anemia virus (CAV) affects the poultry industry and how vaccinations can help keep the disease under control. CAV is an immunosuppressive disease and therefore, causes great economic losses to the poultry industry. It is caused by the chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV), a member of the genus Gyrovirus family Annelloviridae. Progenitor cells of the erythroid and myeloid series are the …

The Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Insights And Strategies, Foram Patel

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Serum Resistance In Haemophilus Parainfluenzae, Morgan J. Mcpartland

Open Access Master's Theses

Around 50% of the United States adult population suffers from some form of periodontal disease. From gingivitis to severe periodontitis, periodontal disease is associated with a plethora of chronic and systemic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, type-two diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Prevention of periodontitis relies on the establishment and maintenance of a resilient, eubiotic oral microbiome. A key member of the healthy oral microbiome is Haemophilus parainfluenzae (Hp). Hp is a highly prevalent and abundant oral generalist. As a health-associated commensal, understanding its relationships within the microbial community and its interactions with the host may shed light …

Vision 2024

Vision

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Preventive Reproductive Screening And Intervention Program In A Primary Care Clinic To Improve Women’S Health During The Preconception Period, Wienelmine Estime-Joiner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Unintended pregnancy, a significant public health concern in the United States, is linked to poor health outcomes due to inadequate preconception care. This DNP project aimed to enhance preventive reproductive health services for reproductive-age women (ages 18 to 44) in a primary care clinic in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Recognizing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Primary Care Physicians, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Healthy People 2030's recommendations for preventive reproductive screening, and daily folic acid intake pre- pregnancy, the project focused on implementing a reproductive screening tool to assess pregnancy risk, and folic acid …

Effect Of Haemonchus Contortus Excretory/Secretory Protein On Differences In Host Neutrophil Migration, Hannah Grace Teddleton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An excretory/secretory (E/S) product, common to many helminths, is neutrophil inhibitory factor (NIF) which negatively affects neutrophil migration and activity. Due to differences in neutrophil accumulation between parasite resistant St. Croix STC and parasite susceptible Suffolk (SUF) sheep, we hypothesized that Hc-NIF may inhibit migration of SUF and not STC neutrophils. Previous studies have demonstrated that Hc produces NIF but is not commercially available. To test our hypothesis, neutrophils were cultured from STC and SUF sheep in the presence of Ancylostoma caninum-derived NIF (Ac-NIF) and measure chemotaxis to Interleukin-8 (IL-8), HcLA or H. contortus third-stage excretory/secretory (E/S) products. Neutrophils were …

Implementing A Nurse-Driven Clostridium Difficile Screening Protocol, Sandrela Magnuson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a prevalent infection often contracted in hospitals. CDI is also increasingly originating from community settings. In addition to the health risks associated with CDI, diagnosis of a hospital-acquired CDI can have a significant financial impact on hospital systems. When hospital acquired, hospital systems are no longer reimbursed by payers. Secondary to the increasing prevalence of community-acquired CDI, mechanisms for early detection and isolation are warranted.

Local Problem: J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital has an integrated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) electronic health record (EHR) screening questionnaire that requires updating to align with current guidelines.

Purpose: …

Advanced Techniques In Time Series Forecasting: From Deterministic Models To Deep Learning, Xue Bai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation discusses three instances of temporal prediction, applied to population dynamics and deep learning.

In population modeling, dynamic processes are frequently represented by systems of differential equations, allowing for the analysis of various phenomena. The first application explores modeling cloned hematopoiesis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) via a nonlinear system of differential equations. By tracking the evolution of different cell compartments, including cycling and quiescent stem cells, progenitor cells, differentiated cells, and terminally differentiated cells, the model captures the transition from normal hematopoiesis to the chronic and accelerated-acute phases of CML. Three distinct non-zero steady states are identified, representing …

The Identification And Characterization Of Novel And Improved Antigens For Next-Generation Pertussis Vaccines, Gage Michael Pyles

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by infection with the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis affects all age groups and populations; however, it is most severe in infants who are too young to receive vaccinations and remains a global health concern with more than­­­­ 200,000 cases reported globally in 2023. Vaccines against pertussis have been available in the United States since the 1940’s with the development and widespread use of whole cell pertussis vaccines. Following their introduction, the incidence of pertussis was controlled and limited to fewer than 5,000 cases per year. Despite …

Comparing The Prevalence Of Stereotypic Behaviors And Enrichment Use In Rhesus (Macaca Mulatta) And Japanese Macaques (M. Fuscata), Jesscia Oscavich

All Master's Theses

To improve captive nonhuman primates’ welfare, particularly those utilized in biomedical and behavioral research, it’s important to understand their behavior. Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese macaques (M. fuscata) are two closely related species that are commonly utilized in biomedical and behavioral research. In this study, I compared the frequency of stereotypic behaviors, which are abnormal repetitive behaviors that are apparently non-functional, and enrichment use among four groups of each species. Stereotypic behaviors were divided into motor, which the animal performed while active, and self-directed stereotypies, which the animal performed towards themselves. Enrichment use was divided into …

Key Indicators For Effective Implementation Of Smart City Standards In Indonesia During The Covid-19 Pandemic : A Case Study Of Four Cities, Tampubolon Biatna Dulbert, Mulyono Ary Budi, Anggundari Widia Citra

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Resources management owned by smart cities in Indonesia must be effective and efficient because the concept of urban development is based on information technology principles application. To ensure the environment is safe for human health is necessary to apply standards. SNI ISO 37122 implementation has affected the effectiveness of health protocols. Indicators in the standard are arranged to detect the COVID-19 control spread and prevention. The linkage of indicators and health protocols resulted in the indicators scoring that affected the pandemic spread. The indicator's data is obtained from personal authority guided by a questionnaire. This research contains evidence of the …

Known Unknowns: Unmeasurable Hazards And The Limits Of Risk Regulation, Timothy D. Lytton

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Big Data Visualization For Black Sigatoka Disease Of Bananas And Pathogen–Host Interactions (Phi) Of Other Plants, Soichiro Takashashi, Prasanna Rajbhandari, Richard S. Segall

Arkansas Biosciences Institute

Black sigatoka is a leaf spot disease affecting banana plants that has caused significant yield reductions of up to 50% (Arman et al., 2023). This research presents data visualizations of 8,761 data points related to black sigatoka in banana plants, encompassing attributes such as time, canopy temperature, and relative humidity. The paper also reviews related work, including the application of data mining to plant studies, the use of deep learning neural networks for plant disease data, and the use of machine learning for predicting crop yields and detecting disease. Additionally, it presents big data visualizations for 20,952 values obtained from …

Diagnostic Utility Of Chest Radiographs In Children With Clinically Diagnosed Pneumonia As Per The Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol, Ivy Waruguru Wakahora

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Introduction; Pneumonia causes significant morbidity and mortality in children globally, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis. While chest radiographs have traditionally been the gold standard for diagnosis, recent international guidelines discourage their routine use in paediatric community acquired pneumonia (pCAP). Despite this, chest radiographs are still regularly acquired for pneumonia diagnosis, resulting in practice variations and imaging overutilization. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic utility of chest radiographs in children with clinically diagnosed pneumonia as per the Kenya Basic Paediatric Protocol (KBPP).

Materials and methods: Data was retrospectively reviewed of 159 paediatric patients at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi …

Investigation Of The Causative Agent Of Canine Leproid Granuloma Infection Cases In The Northeastern United States, Nicole J. Marcotte

Honors Theses and Capstones

Canine leproid granuloma syndrome (CLGS) is a form of disease in dogs of many breeds that is characterized by a skin infection in the subcutis and/or dermis. The granulomas that form as a result of infection are typically non pruritic, alopecic, raised, and firm. These mass-like granulomas can ulcerate, causing further infection beneath the skin surface, and are present in areas of the body such as the ears, head, neck, and extremities. CLGS has been known to infect dogs of different breeds and ages, but has most commonly been reported to infect shorthaired, large sized breeds. This disease is suspected …

Inquiro 12 (Complete Issue), Inquiro Staff

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

https://www.uab.edu/inquiro/issues/current-issue

Difs And Bayescluster: Novel Methods For Single_Cell Rna Sequencing Analysis, Kun Liu

Theses and Dissertations--Statistics

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has transformed our understanding of cellular heterogeneity and gene expression dynamics. Despite its potential, the inherent noise and sparsity of scRNA-seq data pose significant challenges in clustering cells into biologically meaningful groups. This dissertation addresses these challenges through two novel methodologies aimed at enhancing the accuracy and robustness of scRNA-seq data analysis.

First, we introduce the Differential Feature Selection (DIFS) framework, designed to improve the identification of differential features in scRNA-seq data. DIFS employs a two-stage marker identification process. In the first stage, a modified Dip Test is used to filter and identify genes with significant …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Nurses’ And Midwives’ Experiences In Designated Covid-19 Healthcare Facilities In Rural And Urban Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Lucy Kisaka, Loveluck Mwasha

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background:

Frontline healthcare providers, particularly nurses and midwives, are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to frequent patient contact. However, studies examining their experiences, particularly in low-income countries like Tanzania, are limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives providing care in COVID-19-designated healthcare facilities in selected regions of Tanzania.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive approach was used to investigate the experiences of nurses and midwives in COVID-19 care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 purposefully selected participants from Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Pwani regions. Data were coded with NVivo 12 software and analyzed …

The Genetic Diversity Of An Endangered Buttercup, Ranunculus Triternatus, Ryan Garcia

All Master's Theses

Ranunculus triternatus, a rare endemic species of the Columbia River Gorge, faces conservation challenges due to its limited range and fragmented populations. This study assesses the genetic diversity of R. triternatus and compares it with its widespread congener, Ranunculus glaberrimus, using inter-primer binding site (iPBS) markers. Genetic data from 80 individuals across eight populations were analyzed using Nei’s genetic diversity, Shannon’s diversity index, and AMOVA. Results showed R. triternatus had higher genetic diversity than western populations of R. glaberrimus, with eastern populations of R. glaberrimus displaying greater diversity than western ones. PCA, UPGMA, and STRUCTURE analysis revealed …

Towards An Engaging And Integrated Climate Change Pedagogy, Noor Ul Ain, Fozia Parveen, Nighat Rabbani, Afsana Shaheen

Books

Note Three years ago, we embarked on a journey to create open and free resources for teachers. We were overwhelmed by the positive response to each of our publications, whether in the form of activity booklets, dictionary, fiction, or early childhood lesson plans.
We were fortunate to receive a grant under the Climate Action Fellowship project from the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar. Initially, the project aimed to create a resource booklet of lessons and activities focused solely on climate change and climate change pedagogy. However, as we progressed, we realized the importance of first meeting with teachers to understand their …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Cancer Testis Antigens In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Rinrada Klankajorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with few available treatment options. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), notably from the MAGE gene family, have opened new possibilities for improving immunotherapy in HCC due to their tumor-specific expression and high immunogenicity. However, the mechanisms regulating MAGE gene expression are largely unknown. This study explored mechanisms controlling the expression of MAGE-A3 and MAGE-C2. We utilized HCC organoid cultures derived from patient HCC tissues known to represent cancer epigenetic status more accurately than cell lines to study the MAGE gene family expression patterns and promoter methylation patterns. Our …

Incidence, Risk Factors, And Outcome Of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity In People With And Without Hiv In Thailand And The Philippines, Ryan Christopher Atuel

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) is a common complication among people living with HIV (PLWH), potentially leading to treatment interruptions. Objective: To determine the incidence of DIH and identify risk factors in Thai and Filipino PLWH on tuberculosis (TB) treatment, compared with those with TB mono-infection. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cohort study of Thai and Filipino adults with active TB using retrospective data from Thailand (2000–2024) and prospective data from the Philippines (2024). Eligible participants had AST/ALT results at TB treatment initiation and follow-up. DIH was defined as AST or ALT ≥3 times the upper limit of normal. …