Digital Commons Network^™

Autistic Female University Students And Their Experiences With Depression: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Rosemarie Joy Hopkins Keenan

Theses and Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (autism) can have significant impacts on the lives of those who experience it. However, as autism can affect each person in unique ways, the exact impacts of the condition on a person's experiences are not well understood. This is especially the case for women and girls with autism, who are on diagnosed later in life and have historically been neglected in research studies when compared to autistic men and boys. Autistic people are underrepresented in university populations, and characteristics of a university education present new challenges for autistic students. Little research has been done to inform supports …

Quantifying Capacity Of Otolaryngology-Head And Neck Surgery In Zimbabwe, Katerina J. Green, Daniel G. Eyassu, Amiti Jain, Priya Arya, Estephania Candelo, Dontre' M. Douse, Naboth N. Matinhira, Clemence Chidziva, Joshua P. Wiedermann

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the otolaryngology surgical capacity in Harare, Zimbabwe by analyzing procedural volumes across four hospitals, one private and three public, from 2019 to 2022.

METHODS: A retrospective review of hand-written surgical case logs was conducted at Harare Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute (HEENT), Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH), Sally Mugabe Children's Hospital (SMCH), and Sally Mugabe Adult's Hospital (SMAH). Patient age and surgical intervention for all otolaryngology surgeries performed in the operating room from 2019 to 2022 were recorded. Procedures were categorized into six groups: head and neck malignancy, laryngeal surgery, oropharyngeal surgery, otologic surgery, rhinology/sinus surgery, …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 1/7/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Black/African American Community Health Workers In Hhs Region 4 And Covid-19 Vaccination: Position Perspective And Power, Cecily A. Gray

All ETDs from UAB

COVID-19 is caused by the novel and easily transmissible SARS-C0V-2 virus. SARS-C0V-2 was first reported in the Chinese Providence of Hubei in December 2019 and in the United States in January 2020. After nearly 120,000 confirmed global cases and 4,200 deaths in 114 countries, the WHO declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic in March of 2020. By fall of 2020, COVI9-19 had become the third leading cause of death in the United States. When compared to other groups, Black/African Americans were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to ongoing racial inequities/disparities including chronic illness. Black/African Americans who are more likely …

Increased Positive Tree Species Mixture Effects On The Abundance And Richness Of Collembola With Stand Development In Canadian Boreal Forests, Yakun Zhang, Sai Peng, Zilong Ma, Chen Chen, Bilei Gao, Xinli Chen, Han Y.H. Chen

Aspen Bibliography

It is well established that species mixtures could enhance ecosystem functioning in diverse ecosystem types, with these benefits increasing over time. However, the impact of tree mixtures on Collembola communities following stand development in natural forests remains unclear, despite the critical roles Collembola plays in litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. We investigated the effects of tree species mixtures on Collembola abundance, diversity, and community structure by sampling pure and mixed jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) of 15-year-old and 41-year-old stands in natural boreal forest. In total, 6,620 individuals of Collembola were identified …

January 7, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Improving Staff Knowledge Regarding Culturally Competent Care And Implicit Bias, Angela Woodfaulk-Trent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health staff in the project site outpatient office lacked knowledge of cultural competence and the risk for implicit biases. This staff education project was implemented to improve their knowledge related to cultural competence and implicit bias in an outpatient mental health setting. Nursing theories and frameworks are imperative for bettering the health outcomes of diverse patient populations, and the nursing theory that informed this project was Leininger’s transcultural nursing framework. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed staff knowledge regarding cultural competence specifically implicit bias towards diverse mental health populations in an outpatient setting. The project was designed …

Navigating The Burnout Crisis: Its Influence On Clinical Relationships And Treatment Efficacy, Jeremiah James Cleland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A nonprofit behavioral health organization (XYZ) has experienced challenges related to staff burnout and high turnover rates. To evaluate and address these challenges, this research study explored the complex relationship between XYZ organizational leadership, workforce engagement, and employee retention. The study focuses on understanding how effective leadership, supportive supervision, and career development strategies can mitigate burnout, thus reducing turnover rates. Using the Baldrige Performance Framework, the study critically evaluated the role of leadership in fostering an environment that promotes staff well-being and operational excellence. Data were collected through interviews with employees and behavioral health leaders, offering insights into real-world challenges …

Delta-Opioid Receptor Targeted Agent For Molecular Imaging And Immunotherapy Of Cancer, Mark L. Mclaughlin, David L. Morse

USF Patents

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to cancer therapy and to anticancer compounds and imaging agents. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to agents that target (X) R and their use in the treatment of cancer.

Materiality Of Traumatic Experience And The Limits Of Representation In Hassan Bani Ameri’S Gonjeshkha Behesht Ra Mifahmand (Sparrows Understand Heaven), Maryam Ghodrati

Emerson Authors, Researchers, & Creators

This paper examines the materialization of trauma as both a narrative and embodied phenomenon in Hassan Bani Ameri’s 2006 novel, Gonjeshkha Behesht ra Mifahmand, using contemporary narrative and trauma theory. The postmodernist narrative, told from the perspective of a photojournalist, reconstructs events surrounding the death of a celebrated Iran-Iraq War commander. I argue that traumatic truths resist full integration into conventional frameworks of understanding, evident in the novel’s non-linear, fragmented narrative and its shift from visual realism to confessional surrealism in an ending that challenges traditional storytelling and historical documentation. By vividly simulating the sensory processing of traumatic memories, the …

(Missed) Opportunities To Build Solidarity: A Critical Analysis Of Spanish-English Bilingual Children’S Books, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica, Allison Briceño

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Two-way dual language (TWDL) programs have traditionally served white and non-Black Latinx students, with limited attention to other cultures and races. This limitation can result in the erasure of Afro-Latinx culture from bilingual programs. This study explores the ways Black characters are represented in bilingual picturebooks, which can serve to perpetuate or combat anti-blackness within bilingual education. We completed a critical content analysis of Spanish-English bilingual picturebooks that include Black or Afro-Latinx characters, employing LatCrit and BlackCrit theoretical frameworks to explore how Black characters are positioned. Findings show a significant dearth of bilingual books that include Black or Afro-Latinx characters. …

Ypfs Lessons Learned Oral History Project: An Interview With Francesco Papadia, Francesco Papadia, Mercedes Cardona, Stella Schaefer-Brown

Documents

No abstract provided.

Successful Strategies Manufacturing Leaders Use To Increase Manufacturing Employees’ Productivity, Cathy Robinson-Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of strategies to improve and maintain production employees’ productivity can lead to unfavorable manufacturing outcomes. Business owners often recognize decreased employee productivity as the leading cause of profit losses. Grounded in systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies from manufacturing business owners to use to increase production employees’ productivity. The participants were five business leaders of a manufacturing organization who implemented strategies to improve and maintain production employees’ productivity. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of production reports. Through thematic analysis, six themes were identified: (a) effective communication, (b) …

Midwest Entrepreneurship Case Competition Page In The Pitch Platform, Zoeanna A. Mayhook, Annette H. Bochenek, O'Neill Terence, Ilana Stonebraker

Libraries Faculty and Staff Supplemental Materials

This is an archived version of the competition page for the 2024 Midwest Entrepreneurship Case Competition, a regional, library-led business case competition held from February 10–24, 2024. The page was hosted on Purdue University’s Pitch Platform, an in-house system for managing case competitions. This page was captured on January 7, 2025.

Hale Woodruff’S Herndon Home’S Murals: Path To Economic Independence For The Marginalized, Audra Lanora Gray

All ETDs from UAB

This paper explores how Hale A. Woodruff used his Herndon Homes murals to engage in discussions about the housing crisis affecting African Americans in Atlanta during the Great Depression and the era of Jim Crow laws. These laws segregated White and Black people in public places. Moreover, Jim Crow laws restricted the rights of African Americans, and made them targets of violence, intimidation, and disenfranchisement. Woodruff's Herndon Homes murals sparked conversations about the action needed for improving the unsanitary and substandard housing prevalent in the heart of the city, thereby contributing to the broader dialogue surrounding social justice and equality. …

Development Of Cardiac Tissue Chip Platforms For In Vitro Modeling Of Myocardial Fibrosis, Caleb Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Myocardial fibrosis often accompanies cardiovascular disease of varying etiologies. Initial reparative myocardial remodeling following insult, characterized by fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and myofibroblast-mediated collagen deposition, can become a chronic, maladaptive process if injurious stimuli are not removed and inflammation persists, and the resultant fibrosis worsens cardiac function through myocardial stiffening and arrhythmogenic disruption of cardiomyocyte coupling. There are no FDA-approved therapies targeting myocardial fibrosis, in large part due to the complexity of the disease process. In vitro models can serve as useful complements to in vivo studies as they allow for significantly greater control over experimental variables. Cardiac tissue chips (CTCs) are …

Theory-Based Nutrition Education To Improve Food Security In Postsecondary Students, Tara Kelly

All ETDs from UAB

The high prevalence of food insecurity among college students is a public health concern that requires well designed interventions to address. College students experiencing food insecurity are more likely to practice diet-related behaviors that contribute to poor health, yet this population lacks the necessary knowledge and skills to make adequate behavior changes. The purpose of this present dissertation is to (1) assess preliminary data collected to inform the development of a theory-based nutrition education intervention; then (2) evaluate the feasibility of this novel intervention design and (3) its effectiveness at improving college students’ food security and factors that may impact …

The Unknown Turning Point: How Operation Pedestal Secured Allied Dominance In Europe, Brian Zachary Williamson

All ETDs from UAB

Operation Pedestal was a World War II convoy operation in the Mediterranean that successfully resupplied the island of Malta in late 1942. The convoy fought through constant Axis air raids and submarine attacks, which resulted in high British losses. The operation was overshadowed by the Allied invasion of North Africa during Operation Torch, which was launched soon after. Malta’s role throughout the war in the Mediterranean made it vital for the British to hold and the Pedestal convoy’s successful effort to keep the island from capitulation should make the operation be considered as a turning point. The few military historians …

Voices From Rural Classrooms: African American Girls’ Middle School Experiences And Engagement With Science, Malysa Chandler

All ETDs from UAB

Although the number of women pursuing science careers has increased, there is still a very low representation of African American women in science-related professions. In effort to ignite the interest of African American women in science-related careers, a shift will need to take place in the pedagogical practices of middle school teachers that will increase African American girls’ engagement in science. This shift in pedagogical practices will require the conjoining efforts of informal science programs that operate under the same pedagogical practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the middle years science experiences of African American girls …

The Dopaminergic Cell-Intrinsic Clock And Bidirectional Relationships Of Circadian Disruption And Synucleinopathy, Ananya Swaroop

All ETDs from UAB

Circadian rhythms are crucial endogenous cycles with period of ~24 hours that evolved to adapt to light – dark driven changes in environmental conditions. At a molecular level, circadian rhythms are generated by the actions of clock genes that form a transcriptional- translational feedback loop and regulate the rhythmic expression of downstream clock-controlled genes. Cumulatively, the actions of these molecular clocks regulate rhythmicity of physiological and behavioral processes and are extensively characterized within the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Like SCN neurons, dopaminergic neurons of the SN are intrinsically pacemaking, though it is unknown if this intrinsic firing …

Insights Into Rett Syndrome: Social Behavior, Bdnf-Trkb Signaling, And Dendritic Spines, Destynie Medeiros

All ETDs from UAB

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, caused by pathogenic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, which encodes the transcriptional modulator Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). RTT is characterized by motor deficits, loss of speech, autistic features, and intellectual disability. A key gene regulated by MeCP2 is BDNF, encoding the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF levels are lower in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient mice, and experimentally increasing BDNF levels improves several RTT phenotypes in mouse models. Due to BDNF's low blood-brain barrier permeability, we tested LM22A-4, a brain-penetrant small molecule ligand of TrkB receptors, on …

Development Of A Lifestyle Wellness Assessment For Obesity Treatment-Seeking Adults, Katie M. Ellison

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity is strongly associated with, and effective at, preventing and managing cardiometabolic disease but proponents of Health at Every Size® approaches challenge the importance of weight loss for improving health. While some patients want to lose weight, there is evidence that others desire to focus on improving broader aspects of health and wellness such as metabolic, fitness, and psychosocial health. Clinicians may benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial benefits of obesity treatments to effectively capture overall patient wellness. However, existing wellness assessments are often either not comprehensive, unreliable, or subject to time, space, or cost constraints in clinical …

Where The Black Women At? Exploring The Narratives & Experiences Of Black Women In Higher Education Leadership, Jasmine P. Jean

All ETDs from UAB

WHERE THE BLACK WOMEN AT? EXPLORING THE NARRATIVES & EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP JASMINE P. PARKER JEAN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION ABSTRACT This thesis explores the experiences of Black Women in mid- and senior-level leadership roles in higher education, with a focus on the unique challenges they face due to the intersection of race and gender. Black Women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions across the academic landscape, despite earning higher education degrees at high rates. The study seeks to amplify the voices of Black Women leaders, providing insight into the barriers they encounter, the strategies they …

Navigating The Burnout Crisis: Its Influence On Clinical Relationships And Treatment Efficacy, Jeremiah James Cleland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A nonprofit behavioral health organization (XYZ) has experienced challenges related to staff burnout and high turnover rates. To evaluate and address these challenges, this research study explored the complex relationship between XYZ organizational leadership, workforce engagement, and employee retention. The study focuses on understanding how effective leadership, supportive supervision, and career development strategies can mitigate burnout, thus reducing turnover rates. Using the Baldrige Performance Framework, the study critically evaluated the role of leadership in fostering an environment that promotes staff well-being and operational excellence. Data were collected through interviews with employees and behavioral health leaders, offering insights into real-world challenges …

Leadership Implications Of Exploring Educator Perceptions About The Use Of Pbis And Cultural Responsiveness To Promote Equitable Discipline Practices For Black Students, Onika L. Stjames

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School leaders and educators face challenges administering discipline equitably in school environments comprised of diverse student populations due to teachers’ potential inherent biases and lack of understanding and training about cultural responsiveness. To increase equity and reduce the disproportionality of discipline referrals issued to Black students, principals and assistant principals, district leaders, and other stakeholders need to acquire more knowledge about culturally responsive practices. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore educator perceptions about the use of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) and cultural responsiveness to reduce the disproportionality of discipline referrals issued to Black students …

Effect Of Mental Distress And Functional Impairment On Mental Health Service Use By Filipino Americans In California, Marieann R. Brill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health conditions are a significant global public health issue. Research shows that while Filipino Americans frequently experience mental distress and functional impairment, they are hesitant to use mental health services. In this quantitative study, the association between mental distress and functional impairment on mental health service utilization of prescription medication use, visits to primary care providers, and visits to mental health professionals was explored in adult Filipino Americans residing in California. Control variables included age, gender, marital status, education, employment, and income. This study was based on Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare use. Secondary data from the 2021-2022 California …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Regarding Fall Prevention In Long-Term Care, Molly Salmonsen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls in residents at long-term care facilities result in increased hospitalizations and healthcare-associated costs, as well as increased morbidity and mortality, which can significantly decrease quality of life. To help prevent falls for long-term care residents, nurses must be knowledgeable regarding fall risk precautions and fall safety as these are the first-line defenses in fall prevention. This doctoral staff education project focused on improving fall-risk reduction and prevention education in nurses of a 125-bed long-term care facility and aimed to answer the practice-focused question: Does implementation of a standardized education program related to fall-risk reduction in the elderly increase nurse’s …

A Survey On Food Ingredient Substitutions, Hyunwook Kim, Revathy Venkataramanan, Amit P. Sheth

Publications

Diet plays a crucial role in managing chronic conditions and overall well-being. As people become more selective about their food choices, finding recipes that meet dietary needs is important. Ingredient substitution is key to adapting recipes for dietary restrictions, allergies, and availability constraints. However, identifying suitable substitutions is challenging as it requires analyzing the flavor, functionality, and health suitability of ingredients. With the advancement of AI, researchers have explored computational approaches to address ingredient substitution. This survey paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research in this area, focusing on five key aspects: (i) datasets and data sources used to …

Yap Overcomes Mechanical Barriers To Induce Mitotic Rounding And Adult Cardiomyocyte Division, Lin Liu, Shijie Liu, Vaibhav Deshmukh, Matthew C Hill, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Many specialized cells in adult organs acquire a state of cell cycle arrest and quiescence through unknown mechanisms. Our limited understanding of mammalian cell cycle arrest is derived primarily from cell culture models. Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes, a classic example of cell cycle arrested cells, exit the cell cycle postnatally and remain in an arrested state for the life of the organism. Cardiomyocytes can be induced to re-enter the cell cycle by YAP5SA, an active form of the Hippo signaling pathway effector YAP.

Methods: We performed clonal analyses to determine the cell cycle kinetics of YAP5SA cardiomyocytes. We also performed …

Toward Personalized Digital Experiences To Promote Diabetes Self-Management: Mixed Methods Social Computing Approach, Constance Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes affects nearly 34.2 million adults and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Digital health communities have emerged as avenues to provide social support to individuals engaging in diabetes self-management (DSM). The analysis of digital peer interactions and social connections can improve our understanding of the factors underlying behavior change, which can inform the development of personalized DSM interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to apply our methodology using a mixed methods approach to (1) characterize the role of context-specific social influence patterns in DSM and (2) derive interventional targets that enhance individual …