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Minimally Invasive Therapies In The Treatment Of Arthropathy, Steven Bateman

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

It is estimated that 27% of adults over 45 years of age suffer from osteoarthritis of the hip secondary to articular cartilage damage over the lifespan. Joint pain diminishes life quality, limits range of motion and overall activity, and frequently impairs basic ambulation. These functional deficits worsen the progression of comorbidities that are often referred to as lifestylerelated chronic disease as physical activity subsequently declines. This literature review explores the efficacy of minimally invasive therapies that precede and delay surgical intervention in adult patients experiencing functional limitations and pain in major joints. The study examines the effectiveness of various interventions, …

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: Immunosuppression Versus Stem Cell Therapy, Bailee Blickensderfer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

methotrexate monotherapy, rheumatoid, arthritis, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, anti-TNF, CXCL8, CXCL12, CXCL13, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell, and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Pcos Outcomes, Allison Stoeffler

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial metabolic, endocrinologic, and gynecologic condition affecting up to 5 million women in the United States. It is a disease characterized by oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and/or polycystic ovaries. Phenotypic presentation can include irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, hirsutism, insulin resistance, or difficulty conceiving. If untreated, PCOS can result in a sequelae of chronic disease burden. Current standard of care consists of metformin for blood sugar control, oral contraceptives for menstrual regularity, and spironolactone for androgen imbalance, but newer research is identifying gut dysbiosis as a possible contributing etiology to disease development and symptomology. This …

The Efficacy Of Probiotic Use In Patients With Anxiety And Depression, Joanna Mcclelland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Given the impact of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, it is helpful to know the available resources and treatment options to offer patients to aid in the modulation of symptoms. The gut-brain connection has become more widely researched for its impacts on anxiety and depression. This bodes the question that if the gut microbiome can be altered, would there be a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result? One way to alter gut microbiome is to implement a probiotic. To determine if this is an effective treatment option for anxiety and depression, a literature …

Optimization Of A Low-Cost Corona Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma Wastewater Treatment System Through Central Composite Design/Response Surface Methodology With Mechanistic And Efficiency Analysis, Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Yuanhang Zhan, Jun Zhu

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Water pollution, which is intensified by the release of hard-to-degrade pollutants, poses severe threats to ecosystems, human health, and economic development. The existing advanced oxidation processes often involve high operational costs and can potentially result in secondary pollution, highlighting the necessity for innovative and more sustainable solutions. To address these challenges, our study introduces a cost-effective and eco-friendly corona dielectric-barrier discharge for wastewater treatment. Using the central composite design/response surface methodology, a high decolorization rate of 98% of methylene blue (MB) was achieved within 10 min by optimizing parameters such as pH and voltage. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the generation …

2024 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Packet, Nh 4h Unh Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Stroke Survivors’ Telemedicine Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Investigation, Barbara Kimmel, Annette Walder, Anette Ovalle, Chethan P Venkatasubba Rao, Sean I Savitz, Mark Goldberg, Steven Warach, Salvador Cruz-Flores, Daiwai M Olson, Jane A Anderson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe stroke survivors' experiences receiving telemedicine visits at the Lone Star Stroke Consortium during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was applied to gather patients' telemedicine experiences through in-depth interviews, using a study guide. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted via ZOOM and transcribed verbatim. Two independent reviewers used the Giorgi descriptive method to analyze the data and search for the essence of stroke survivors' follow-up telemedicine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS: Fifteen underserved patients were recruited: mean age, 51.8 (15.7), and 9 (60%) females. Three themes emerged: (1) vivid memory …

New Testing Capabilities Of The Missouri University Of Science And Technology Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Joshua Gary, Davide Viganò

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The development of non-intrusive, laser-based diagnostic techniques has significantly enhanced supersonic experimental aerodynamics, enabling the measurement of many parameters in complex flow fields. Among these techniques, Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry, capable of measuring 3 components of velocity in 3-dimensional volumes, is now available at the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. To integrate this new system into the university's supersonic wind tunnel, a redesigned nozzle, test section, and diffuser have been implemented. The upgraded modular test section features 4 large ports which can be configured with windows for optical diagnostics or lead plates for model …

Investigation Of Setmelanotide, An Mc4r Agonist, For Obesity In Individuals With Smith-Magenis Syndrome, Julia Lazareva, Stephanie R Sisley, Sheila M Brady, Ann C M Smith, Sarah H Elsea, Jeremy J Pomeroy, Christian L Roth, Jennifer E Sprague, Martin Wabitsch, Jill Garrison, Jack A Yanovski

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by RAI1 haploinsufficiency. Obesity in people with SMS is believed partially due to dysfunction of the proximal melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. We therefore studied effects of treatment with the MC4R agonist setmelanotide on obesity and hunger, as well as metabolic, cardiac and safety, in individuals with SMS.

Methods: People with SMS received once-daily setmelanotide injections, with the dose titrated bi-weekly to a maximum of 3 mg over ∼1 month; and a full-dose treatment duration of 3mo. The primary outcome was percent change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included …

The Major Questions Doctrine At The Boundaries Of Interpretive Law, Daniel E. Walters

Faculty Scholarship

The Supreme Court’s apparent transformation of the major questions doctrine into a clear statement rule demanding clear congressional authorization for “major” agency actions has already had, and will continue to have, wide-ranging impacts on American public law. Not the least of these is the impact it will have on the enterprise of statutory interpretation. Indeed, while it is easy to focus on the policy repercussions of a newly constrained Congress and newly hamstrung administrative state, this Article argues that equally important is the novel precedent that is set in this particular formulation of a clear statement rule, which stands almost …

Maggot Debridement Therapy Vs. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy And Their Effectiveness On Tissue Healing On Older Adults, Angelica L. Funes

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chronic ulcers, particularly prevalent in older adults, significantly impact patients' quality of life, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. This study explores the efficacy of two common therapies, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT), in promoting tissue healing for chronic ulcers in adults aged 60 and older. A methodical search was conducted using databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, EBSCO, and ProQuest, employing specific search strategies and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Four high-quality Level 1 randomized controlled trials were selected for analysis, comparing NPWT and MDT in various settings. The results indicate that MDT exhibits superior …

Impact Of Ai On The Hri Dynamic In Search And Rescue Operations Using Uav Swarms, Jordan Morrow, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Anhar Sami Mohammed

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant benefits in search and rescue applications by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the search. However, an over-reliance on AI can hinder the operation due to biases embedded in the underlying algorithms. This partiality, if left un-monitored, can pose a risk to the safety of those in need of disaster relief. Typically manifests into inaccuracies in the decision-making processes and if not carefully monitored can cause larger issues. This paper extends the knowledge presented in a previous work, which presents the design and modeling of search and rescue operations using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms. …

Reflective And Dialogical Approaches In Engineering Ethics Education, Lavinia Marin, Yousef Jalali, Alexandra Morrison, Cristina Voinea

Michigan Tech Publications

This chapter addresses the challenges of implementing reflective thinking in engineering ethics education (EEE). It examines existing methods for teaching ethical reflection in EEE and argues that pedagogical activities aiming to foster ethical reflection need to be infused with dialogical interactions and, at a deeper level, informed by dialogism. Dialogism is understood as a relational approach to inquiry in which interactions between moral agents enable them to develop their own understandings through the process of finding shared meanings with the others in activities such as sharing reasons and deliberation. Drawing on pragmatism and phenomenology, the authors conceptualize reflection as a …

Towards Explainability Of Dimension Reduction Plots Of Unsupervised Learning Model Outcomes, Tony E.Astuhuaman Davila, Daniel B. Hier, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dimension reduction methods are used to visualize the output of unsupervised learning models when applied to complex data. These techniques improve interpretability by transforming a high-dimension space to a lower-dimension space (usually 2D or 3D). The results are typically viewed as 2D scatter plots, and class centroids may be added to increase interpretability. Although useful, the relationship of these class centroids to the underlying feature space remains opaque. The innovative aspect of this work is to create a strong link between the dimension-reduced space and the underlying high-dimension feature space by adding selected feature centroids to the 2D scatter plots. …

Design Of Experiment Analysis On Multiple Pim Sources In An Rf Antenna System, Shengxuan Xia, Yuchu He, Haicheng Zhou, Hanfeng Wang, Chulsoon Hwang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Passive intermodulation (PIM) has been identified as one of the common root causes for receiving sensitivity degradation (desense) on radiofrequency (RF) antennas working in frequency-division duplex mode. The component-level PIM characterization and simulation have been well-established over the years. However, the study has been using an ideal 50 Ω transmission line system while antenna modules are more complicated than a simple transmission line structure. Moreover, the metallic contacts can exist in multiple locations with different connection topologies in real applications. This paper provides a method to simulate the PIM performance caused by the metallic contacts in a practical environment. In …

A Model For Corona Streamer Propagation On Glass During An Air Discharge, Zhekun Peng, Jianchi Zhou, Darryl Kostka, David Pommerenke, Daryl G. Beetner

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Corona discharge to a glass surface is challenging to model due to a poorly understood air and surface ionization process. A modeling methodology based on the transmission line modeling (TLM) approach is proposed to simulate the streamer propagation process. The time-changing corona streamer resistance is estimated using the Rompe and Weizel spark model. The streamer is represented using small segments consisting of the arc resistance, per unit length (PUL) capacitance of the streamer, PUL inductance, a switch representing streamer formation, and a surface discharge gap voltage representing the voltage drop caused by ions within the streamer length. The propagation of …

Virtual Inertia Scheduling (Vis) For Microgrids With Static And Dynamic Security Constraints, Buxin She, Fangxing Li, Jinning Wang, Hantao Cui, Xiaofei Wang, Rui Bo

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microgrids feature a high penetration of inverter-interfaced distributed energy resources (DERs). The low inertia characteristic and fast dynamics of DERs pose challenges to conventional decoupled static economic operation and dynamic control design within microgrids. Hence, this paper proposed virtual inertia scheduling (VIS) for microgrids, aiming to ensure both economy and security. First, a unified framework for device-level control and grid-level operation is introduced, with VIS serving as a key application to address low inertia issues. VIS actively harnesses the controllability and flexibility of DERs to effectively manage microgrid inertia. It updates the conventional economic operation framework by incorporating the virtual …

Modeling Of Power Distrubition Network (Pdn) Noise Coupling Induced Clock Phase Noise, Zhekun Peng, Junyong Park, Chaofeng Li, Joey Stecher, Srinivas Venkataraman, Xu Wang, Granthana Rangaswamy, Donghyun Kim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Phase noise analysis is important to clock design. Noise sources of spurs shown on the phase noise result are challenging to find out due to the unknown source locations and coupling mechanisms. Noise from power distribution network (PDN) is one of the most troublesome sources. A behavioral modeling methodology is proposed to simulate the clock phase noise induced by PDN noise coupling for two different mechanisms: PDN-to-clock additive coupling and PDN-to-PDN up-conversion modulation. The thermal noise and 1/f flicker noise are simplified to provide a straightforward view of spur level. The model can be applied to both single-ended clock and …

Improved Peec Modeling Of Antennas Through Time-Dependent Partial Elements, Fabrizio Loreto, Giuseppe Pettanice, Martin Stumpf, Albert E. Ruehli, Jonas Ekman, Giulio Antonini

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Over the Last Twenty Years, the Evolution of Communications Has Extended the Systems' Operating Frequency Range to the Tens of GHz. in This Framework, Time Domain Integral Equation-Based (TDIE) Methods for Antenna Modeling Have Gained Increasing Interest. among Them, the Partial Elements Equivalent Circuit (PEEC) Method Turns Out to Be Attractive for its Capability to Provide Compact Circuit Models. Similarly to Other Integral Equation-Based Methods, Like the Method of Moments (MoM) in the Time Domain (TD), the PEEC Method Can Suffer from Late-Time Instabilities. This Work Shows that a Rigorous Computation of the Time-Dependent Partial Elements Leads to an Improved …

Climate-Influenced Phenology Of Larval Fish Transport In A Large Lake, Spencer T. Gardner, Mark D. Rowe, Pengfei Xue, Xing Zhou, Peter J. Alsip, David B. Bunnell, Paris D. Collingsworth, Edward S. Rutherford, Tomas O. Höök

Michigan Tech Publications

Elucidating physical transport phenologies in large lakes can aid understanding of larval recruitment dynamics. Here, we integrate a series of climate, hydrodynamic, biogeochemical, and Lagrangian particle dispersion models to: (1) simulate hatch and transport of fish larvae throughout an illustrative large lake, (2) evaluate patterns of historic and potential future climate-induced larval transport, and (3) consider consequences for overlap with suitable temperatures and prey. Simulations demonstrate that relative offshore transport increases seasonally, with shifts toward offshore transport occurring earlier during relatively warm historic and future simulations. Intra- and inter-annual trends in transport were robust to assumed pelagic larval duration and …

Characterizing The Effects Of Melatonin On Reproduction In Green Anoles (Anolis Carolinensis)., Nicholas T. Shankey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is involved in the regulation of seasonal behaviors in a variety of species. Specifically, high levels of melatonin are associated with short photoperiods, which often coincide with the non-breeding season in most animals, meaning that melatonin may have an inhibitory role in regulating seasonal reproduction. To exert effects on different target tissues, melatonin must bind to its receptors (MT1 and MT2). Like other seasonally breeding animals, green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis), have large, active gonads, increased levels of testosterone and estradiol, and increased reproductive behaviors during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding …

Changing Careers, Changing Identities: The Role Of Strong And Weak Ties On Career Change Decisions, Christopher S. Lienemann

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Career development theories and business management/human resources explanations for career change and employee turnover suggest that there are many potential influences on career change including a lack of congruence between an individual’s changing needs and their environment, the discovery of new career options previously ignored or overlooked, ineffective or harmful management practices, and organizational or life changes outside of the individual’s control. However, we do not have a comprehensive sociological understanding of how workers leverage and are influenced by their social networks when changing careers. Working from Granovetter’s theory that “weak” and “strong” network ties provide access to job leads …

College Instructors’ Experience With Flexibility Through Pandemic Teaching, Kate Marie Quesenberry Orugboh

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study explores flexibility in teaching during and since the COVID-19 pandemic through the lived experiences of instructors at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In-depth interviews were conducted to investigate how instructors implemented flexibility and adapted to the rapid transition to online and hybrid teaching models during a global health crisis. The study explores the effects these measures (and the pandemic) had on their students, their pedagogy, the perceived expectations for them to provide it, and their well-being. The findings illuminate the strategies instructors employed to maintain educational continuity ranging from adjustments in course delivery and assessments to accommodations for student …

Differential Photosynthetic Yield And Accumulated Degree Day Estimation For Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum Aquaticum) To Determine Invasive Potential In The Midwest, United States, Alyssa Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Thank you to the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS) and affiliated chapters for funding this project. I would like to thank Mississippi State University for sending my source parrotfeather for propagation throughout the course of this project. Thank you to Jenna Eklund, Allison Squires, Thomas Zellmer, Justin Kjorness, and others in the Weed Science lab for their assistance. Finally, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to my committee members: Ryan Wersal, PhD, Christopher Ruhland, PhD, and Gray Turnage, PhD for their everlasting support and guidance throughout this project.

Life-Skills And Transition Training In Special Education: Evidence-Based And Stakeholder Driven, Lindsay Busha

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

No abstract provided.

Point Of Care Ultrasound (Pocus) For Advanced Practice Providers (Apps), Crystal S. Rogers

DNP Projects

Background: Advanced practice providers (APPs) routinely lack the skillset to perform Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) because currently, there is not a standardized curriculum within scholarly programs (Santos et al., 2018) and/or inadequate hospital training to perform these competencies (Huang et al., 2021). The absence of a standard curriculum has limited the ability of APPs to practice with full scope, provide care that is comparable to physician partners in the acute care setting, and deliver highest quality of patient care. Implementing standard education to train APPs for POCUS addresses this identified gap.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to …

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Lydia Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The three core functions of public health are assessment, policy development, and assurance, and program evaluation falls under the latter category. A program is incomplete without an in-depth understanding of how well it works and what steps can be taken to make sure there is continuous progress and improvement.

In this case study, I developed an evaluation plan for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s (LFCHD) infectious disease outbreak education program. The need for such a program was realized after a MRSA outbreak among a Kentucky high school football team. This case study employed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention …

Patterns Into Pathways For Improving Safety Culture: Refined Latent Class Analysis Informs Tailored Decision Support For South Carolina Dss Safety Culture Improvements, Michaela Voit

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

The rising prevalence of exposures to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) demands a coordinated public health response, as a significant body of research details the cumulative impact of ACEs on chronic morbidities contributing to reduced life expectancy. Child welfare workers (CWW) are embedded in this public health effort, tasked with preventing and mitigating the impacts of ACEs through family and prevention services. The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS) may improve the wellbeing of CWWs and the effectiveness of Child Welfare (CW) services by improving the quality of safety culture within CW organizations. To inform NPCS quality improvement efforts, our project …

Evaluating The Length Of Clinical Rotations In Medical Laboratory Science Education, Kendal Beazer

Dissertations and Theses

Medical laboratory scientists and technicians play a crucial role in healthcare by utilizing advanced methods to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prevention of a wide range of diseases. Certifying as an MLS or MLT professional is detailed and specific, requiring years of laboratory training that is crucial to accurately perform testing that impacts patient care. Shortages of qualified medical laboratorians have persisted for decades, causing laboratory administrators to hire individuals who lack basic laboratory training. Laboratory education programs are not keeping up with the staffing demands, in part due to the lack of clinical rotation placements needed for MLS …

A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Oropharyngeal Cancer Post-Treatment Surveillance Practices, Rema Shah

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Post-treatment surveillance imaging for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is guided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and often is routinely performed beyond the suggested guidelines. With the advent of biomarker-based disease surveillance, there may be an alternative option that can reduce the cost-burden of post-treatment imaging for OPSCC. This study investigates the comparative cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical miRNA biomarker test for specifically HPV-negative (HPV-) OPSCC post-treatment surveillance and also investigates whether the extra imaging practices that are often employed for both HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC are truly cost-effective in order to inform evidence-based decision making after OPSCC treatment. …