Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of High Fat Diet On Lipid Deposition In Skeletal Muscle, Alexander Huss

Theses and Dissertations

By the year 2030, almost 50% of adults in the United States are expected to be obese. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of several chronic metabolic diseases, several cancers, and is associated with impaired skeletal muscle function and metabolism. Despite this, little it is known about the role of altered muscle lipid homeostasis, lipid droplet dynamics, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial interactions in contributing to muscle dysfunction in obesity. Therefore, we sought to investigate the impact of high-fat diet induced obesity on overall skeletal muscle lipid deposition, intramyocellular lipid droplet content and morphology, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial contact. Male C57/BL6 …

Injectable, Reversibly Thermoresponsive Captopril-Laden Hydrogel For The Local Treatment Of Sensory Loss In Diabetic Neuropathy, Amit Chandra Das, James M Nichols, Caitlin V Crelli, Lu Liu, Riddhi Vichare, Hoang Vu Pham, Caitlyn M Gaffney, Fisher R Cherry, Peter M Grace, Andrew J Shepherd, Jelena M Janjic

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A major and irreversible complication of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which can lead to significant disability and decreased quality of life. Prior work demonstrates the peptide hormone Angiotensin II (Ang II) is released locally in neuropathy and drives inflammation and impaired endoneurial blood flow. Therefore, we proposed that by utilizing a local thermoresponsive hydrogel injection, we could deliver inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to suppress Ang II production and reduce nerve dysfunction in DPN through local drug release. The ACE inhibitor captopril was encapsulated into a micelle, which was then embedded into a reversibly thermoresponsive pluronics-based hydrogel matrix. …

Monitoring Response To Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Circulating Tumor Dna, Jennifer H Chen, Sridevi Addanki, Dhruvajyoti Roy, Roland Bassett, Ekaterina Kalashnikova, Erik Spickard, Henry M Kuerer, Salyna Meas, Vanessa N Sarli, Anil Korkut, Jason B White, Gaiane M Rauch, Debu Tripathy, Banu K Arun, Carlos H Barcenas, Clinton Yam, Himanshu Sethi, Angel A Rodriguez, Minetta C Liu, Stacy L Moulder, Anthony Lucci

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis. We aimed to determine whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cell (CTC) could predict response and long-term outcomes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS: Patients with TNBC were enrolled between 2017-2021 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX). Serial plasma samples were collected at four timepoints: pre-NAC (baseline), 12-weeks after NAC (mid-NAC), after NAC/prior to surgery (post-NAC), and one-year after surgery. ctDNA was quantified using a tumor-informed ctDNA assay (Signatera

RESULTS: In total, 37 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50 …

Learning Through Discourse: Impacting Fractional Understanding Through Virtual Discourse, Laurie A. Gentry-Goodale

Theses and Dissertations

There is a strong need for fifth-grade students to become proficient in mathematical problem-solving using fractional computations because it will have a lasting impact on student achievement. Traditionally, mathematics is taught inside a brick-and-mortar classroom, grounded in rote memorization of facts, rules, and formulas. In recent years, more elementary students have enrolled fully in online learning environments, which emphasize on students becoming problem-solvers, specifically in fractional computation. The NCTM strongly encourages using mathematical discourse as an instructional method but employing mathematical discourse, but its applicability to online math learning is not well understood. This study addressed students' problem-solving skills, mathematical …

Layers Of Support: Cognitive, Psychological, And Social Factors That Contribute To Success In The High School-To-College Transition, Paige Cristine Mckeown

Theses and Dissertations

The future of individual and societal progress is largely dependent on students’ success following completion of K-12 education. For most traditionally aged students, this entails a journey into higher education at colleges and universities. This transition is rife with pitfalls that may lead students to stop out, fail out, or make inadequate progress towards completion – which further compounds social, psychological, financial, and personal challenges they may be facing. However, the challenges that contribute to these outcomes can be addressed and interventions can be designed to best support students in transition. This dissertation addresses these factors through a thematic literature …

Impacts Of Covid-19 And Taliban Takeover On U.S. Afghan Refugee Women’S Mental Health: A Socio-Ecological Approach To Resilience Resources, Atefeh Aghaei

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the escalating global refugee crisis, intensified by ongoing conflicts and environmental changes, this dissertation research focuses on the mental health of Afghan refugee women in the United States (U.S.), particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 Taliban takeover. With over 114 million people displaced globally, Afghan refugees, notably women, encounter heightened mental health risks due to violence, deprivation, systemic persecution, and the challenges of migration. This vulnerability is exacerbated by recent mass traumatic events, including the pandemic and political upheaval in Afghanistan. Our study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with Afghan refugee women and …

Examining Systems To Improve Third Grade Literacy: Focus On Schools With High Poverty Index, Brenda Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

This improvement project was designed to ensure students enrolled in elementary schools with a high poverty index received literacy instructional strategies that promoted literacy achievement. When analyzing Graham County School data, I noticed third-grade students attending high poverty elementary schools were not achieving literacy success at the same rate as third-grade students attending low poverty elementary schools. An improvement team, consisting of myself, administration, and teachers at a high poverty elementary school implemented the improvement science framework to further study the root causes of this problem. Utilizing the six principles of the improvement science framework, problem focused and user centered, …

Eco-Domestic Femininity: The Collapse Of Domestic And Wild In Southern Women’S Writing, Christina Xan

Theses and Dissertations

When the Agrarians set out to assert their definition of southern in I’ll Take My Stand (1930), they planted roots deep in the ground of the south that slowly wrapped its tendrils around its descendants. In the years that have followed, southern women have had to push back against these limiting boundaries. Their individual stories are linked by the communal lineage of the south, specifically the binary of domestic and wild. Traditionally, southern women have had to stay in the boundaries of the home, cultivating domesticity, ordering the space, and warming the hearth. The land itself, posed as opposite from …

Connecting Family Funds Of Knowledge With Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum: A Strengths-Based Approach, Molly Kathleen Hamel

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study investigated the application of funds of knowledge research to supplement a Pre-Kindergarten curriculum in order to connect the previous knowledge and lived experiences of students and their families with the concepts and objectives of the classroom. The research combined funds of knowledge theory with social constructivism to form its theoretical framework. The research study used semi-structured interviews with parents to collect information about student and family funds of knowledge which the researcher used to supplement the existing curriculum with materials, activities, and experiences with which students were familiar. The findings revealed how enhancing existing curriculum with …

Nutrition And Mental Health Related Factors Across Historically Black College And University Students, Nancy Anai Uriegas

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of food insecurity across college campus in the United States has been widely explored, with the primary focus placed on large, 4-year, primarily White institutions. Less is known about the prevalence of food insecurity and the impact it may have on health behaviors among minority serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Young adults attending college, and more specifically student-athletes (SAs), are typically in a new place, facing new stressors and high rates of food insecurity, which in turn may play a critical role in their current health status as it pertains to meeting their energy …

Black Mph Internship Experiences In Racialized Organizations: Critical Counter-Narratives For A More Racially Just Public Health Workforce, Zach Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Internships are a vital component of Master of Public Health (MPH) programs. Despite 14% of MPH students identifying as Black, limited research has examined their internship experiences. This is particularly troubling given the racial demographics of the public health workforce and the racialized nature of most public health organizations. Using critical race theory (CRT) as a theoretical framework and critical counter-narrative as a methodology, this study sought to answer the following research questions: 1) How do Black MPH students describe their racialized experiences in their internships? and 2) What are the implications of Black MPH students’ narratives for policies and …

Effects Of Mmp14 Overexpression On Cardiac And Ovarian Connective Tissue And Myocyte Size In Pregnant And Post-Partum Mice, Emily Catherine Walliser

Theses and Dissertations

The main protein component of extracellular matrix is collagen, which fills spaces and supports cells. In the heart, collagen provides the scaffolding for cardiomyocytes and aids in contractile forces. In the ovary, collagen gives follicles their structural support. MMP14 or membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase is a membrane bound proteinase that cleaves extracellular matrix proteins, including collagen I and III. Recent studies have shown that overexpression of MMP14 influences collagen content in the heart, and elevated MMP14 has also been linked to ovarian cancer. In the current study, we investigate the effects of overexpression of a human MMP14 (hMMP14) transgene …

The Autistic Adult's Perspective On Genetic Testing In The Prenatal And Cancer Settings, Robin Lisa Urban

Theses and Dissertations

Prenatal and cancer genetic tests are recommended by many professional medical organizations. Previous studies have shown that autistic adults have a negative opinion towards genetic testing for autism but have not explored if this sentiment is shared for other types of genetic testing. We used a descriptive, web-based survey of autistic adults to assess their attitudes towards prenatal and cancer genetic testing (n=36). Our data showed that overall attitudes towards prenatal and cancer genetic testing are positive. Notably, participants had slightly more positive attitudes towards prenatal genetic testing related to neurodevelopmental disorders when compared to testing for disorders primarily affecting …

Impacts Of Teacher-Led Staff Meetings On School Climate, Culture, And Teacher Voice, Alison Ely

Theses and Dissertations

A staff development team composed of four teacher leaders was chosen at a public high school to plan and facilitate two staff meetings. The purpose of this study is to determine how the use of a staff development team influences teacher voice within the school, the overall direction of staff meetings, and the culture and climate of the school. 21 teacher participants completed surveys that measured their perceptions of school climate, school culture, and teacher voice. Additionally, these teacher participants also completed post staff meeting surveys that measured their perceptions of the productivity/ effectiveness of four staff meetings. As a …

Evaluating Gender Bias In An Early Reading Screener Of Word Identification Abilities, Donna Perazzo

Theses and Dissertations

Children who have difficulty learning to read, particularly those with a specific learning disorder in reading (SLD-R) are at risk for an array of adverse outcomes. However, children who are identified and receive reading interventions early perform better on social, emotional, academic, and behavioral outcomes relative to those who do not receive early identification and intervention. In response to the growing body of research that has developed on the importance of the early identification of children have difficulty reading, many states have mandated the screening of all children for reading difficulties, specifically dyslexia. However, with the development of new reading …

Therapy Use And Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help Among College Students Of Color, Rawle David Sookwah Ragoonath

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst rapid diversification of higher education student bodies, discrepancies in help-seeking relative to endorsed psychological distress have been noted among college students of color. The treatment utilization disparity exhibited by minoritized racial and ethnic groups attending college necessitates analysis of factors that impact help-seeking. Colleges have increasingly implemented multi-systemic interventions to address rising mental illness prevalence rates across college student demographics. Addressing treatment use disparities and implementing culturally competent services are foci of updated college mental health models. Empowering help-seeking is vital to promoting campus community health. Saint Arnault’s (2009) cultural determinants of help-seeking model (CDHS) posits the interplay of …

A Holistic Quality Management Model For Optimization Of Quality Assurance In Manufacturing, Devon Blakeney Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Quality Management (QM) is essential in manufacturing to ensure products are consistent and functional every time. Consumers expect high quality products that last, and industries unable to accomplish this are destined to fail. Therefore, product quality has always been at the forefront of manufacturer decision making, though it is normally viewed as a given more than as a goal. This means that businesses want quality because it is needed for their survival, but there has not been consideration for how to incorporate innovation into this essential field. Quality needs to be viewed holistically with regards to all manufacturing factors that …

Demystifying The Choral Music Of Herbert Howells: A Pedagogical Approach Via Selected Works, Michael Ballard

Theses and Dissertations

The music of Herbert Howells is a mystery for many choral musicians. Howells’s popularity in England is unquestioned, but knowledge of his music has grown slowly in the United States. While the BBC Singers’ performance of Requiem in 1980 brought new enthusiasm for his music and the Requiem, he is still seldom performed in the United States outside of small circles which are generally in Anglican or Episcopalian communities. This is likely due to lack of exposure to his music and the perception that the music is inaccessible and mysterious. Some of Howells’s more complex music is inaccessible for …

Erlang-Distributed Seir Epidemic Models With Cross-Diffusion, Victoria Chebotaeva

Theses and Dissertations

We examine the effects of cross-diffusion dynamics in epidemiological models. Using reaction-diffusion dynamics to model the spread of infectious diseases, we focus on situations in which the movement of individuals is affected by the concentration of individuals of other categories. In particular, we present a model where susceptible individuals move away from large concentrations of infected and infectious individuals.

Our results show that accounting for this cross-diffusion dynamics leads to a noticeable effect on epidemic dynamics. It is noteworthy that this leads to a delay in the onset of epidemics and an increase in the total number of people infected. …

Associations Between The Use Of Ssri Medication In Older Adults And Cognitive Decline And Impairment, Paige Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has indicated that depression is a risk factor for dementia. Since SSRI medication is the most common treatment for depression, it is important to determine if SSRIs are associated with reduced dementia and better cognitive outcomes. Using longitudinal data from the 2004-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study merged with the 2005 Prescription Drug Study, we examined potential associations between SSRI and TCA medication and cognitive impairment and cognitive decline. The study population consisted of 1,775 older adults who participated in the PDS in 2005. We found that SSRIs were associated with significantly higher odds of cognitive …

Design Of An Artificial Transcription Factor For Inducing Potent Interferon-Γ Signals, Ashley King

Theses and Dissertations

Cytokines are small immune signaling proteins responsible for cellular communication and their levels are tightly regulated throughout immune recognition and defense. Interferon gamma is a key cytokine responsible for upregulation of antigen presentation and supports the differentiation of pro-inflammatory effector cells. Due to its role in regulation, excess interferon gamma is cleared from the body limiting the success of interferon gamma immunotherapies. This study reports the design and validation of an artificial transcription factor (ATF) that induces endogenous interferon gamma expression. The transcription factor contains zinc finger proteins to recognize the interferon gamma gene and an activation domain to promote …

A Conductor’S Guide To When We No Longer Touch: The World’S First Aids Requiem, Kevin Crowe

Theses and Dissertations

At the height of the AIDS epidemic, Kristopher Jon Anthony wrote his greatest work, When We No Longer Touch. This was a seven-movement requiem scored for flute, English horn, harp, piano, strings, percussion, tenor/bass choir, small tenor/bass ensemble, and soprano and baritone soloists. It draws on combined texts from the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass and the self-help guide to grief How to Survive the Loss of a Love, featuring poetry by Peter McWilliams. These are grouped together and framed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ model of the stages of grieving. It all combines to make a work of exceptional beauty and emotional …

Using Differentiated Gamification To Teach Systems Interactions: Impacts On Ninth Grade Biology Students' Academic Achievement And Cognitive, Behavioral, And Emotional Engagement, Stephanie Morgan Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the impact of differentiated gamification on student cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement, and academic performance within the unit of plant and animal systems for ninth grade biology students. Scientific literacy is considered a key component of education, as it contributes to societal innovation, economic production, and an informed public. Comprehension of biological concepts and processes, such as plant and animal systems, provide a greater understanding of the living world, and contributes to overall scientific literacy. Although a vital component to science education and literacy, students continue to struggle with the concepts …

Internalizing Mental Health Symptoms And Nicotine Use Among Adolescents In Canada, England, And The Us From 2020-2022, Emily E. Hackworth

Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is a well-established bi-directional relationship between cigarette smoking and internalizing mental health (IMH) symptoms (e.g., symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety). However, it is unclear whether IMH symptoms are associated with using different types of nicotine products among adolescents, as adolescents are using a variety of nicotine products, including combustible products (cigarettes), non-combustible products (e-cigarettes), or combinations of both types of products. This dissertation examines associations between IMH symptoms and current use of various types of nicotine products across three countries from 2020-2022.

Methods: Data come from the 2020-2022 waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Adolescents Tobacco …

The Disruption Of Kinship: Interracial Relationships, Displacement, And Marginalized Mixed-Race Families In Korean War Literature, Hyunwook Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The Korean War (1950–1953) left a profound mark on the Korean peninsula, its people, and their diaspora, with its impact still felt today. Korean War literature serves as a vital source for understanding the war's social and cultural ramifications, particularly for marginalized groups, including military sex workers, mixed-race children, and mixed Korean adoptees. Emphasizing the role of interraciality in their experiences, the dissertation delves into literary representations that depict encounters between Korean women and American soldiers, leading to the formation of novel mixed-race families both within military camp towns in Korea and domestic spaces in the United States. While much …

Professional Helper Engagement And Student Perspectives In K-12 Nontraditional ​Educational Settings​, Rachel Gilreath

Theses and Dissertations

Nontraditional educational settings (NES) cater to diverse student populations, including those considered at-potential or at-risk. Research on interventions and the role of helping professionals in these settings is limited. This dissertation comprises two studies aimed at elucidating interventions and support mechanisms for at-potential students in NES, alongside exploring the role of school counselors in fostering their holistic development. The first study conducts a systematic review synthesizing existing research on interventions in NES, revealing insights into research scarcity, author diversity, and areas for future inquiry. Subsequently, the second study investigates the perceptions of at-potential youth within NES, particularly in the southeastern …

The Role Of Telehealth And Obstetrics Capacity On Maternal Health Care: A Mixed Methods Approach, Shanikque L. Barksdale

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The United States (US) is experiencing a maternal health crisis, with rising severe maternal morbidity and mortality rates and persistent racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities. While telehealth can address access challenges, there is limited evidence of its impact on access to maternity care and outcomes among rural and minoritized communities. The overall objective of this study was to analyze the disparities in maternal outcomes and user satisfaction by hospital-based telehealth and obstetric care availability.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods approach was used. A multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze whether the changes in the proportions of hospitals …

Cell Based Sodium Alginate Microcapsules Within Ocular Disease: A Proof Of Concept, Chelsea Marie Zizzi

Theses and Dissertations

Sodium alginate is a natural polymer that has been widely used as a drug delivery system due to its controlled-release qualities and low cellular toxicity. These capsules are effective at transporting therapeutics in various diseased animal models. Retinitis Pigmentosa is an incurable genetic disease affecting the retina, which causes gradual blindness as the disease progresses. In our study, we injected cell-based sodium alginate capsules into the vitreous cavity of C57BL/6 and Pde6b^rd10/J mice to observe the migration of these capsules in both wildtype and diseased mouse models over a course of 2 weeks. Our intention was …

A Click Chemistry Amplified Nanopore Assay For High Performance Testing Of Protein Biomarkers In Diseases, Xiaoqin Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Nanopore detection technology enables nanometer-scale single-molecule detection, yielding valuable insights into analyte molecules' properties such as size, shape, charge, and concentration. Due to its label-free nature, high sensitivity, and real-time capabilities, it finds widespread application in genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, and environmental monitoring. Click chemistry, encompassing the attachment of a probe or substrate to a biomolecule, termed bioconjugation, features the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition as a quintessential reaction, forming a 5-membered heteroatom ring. This study harnesses this reaction to craft single-strand DNA probes for nanopore testing, leveraging copper's catalytic properties for signal amplification. Host-guest reaction, a noncovalent bond between molecules, specifically …

An Emic Conceptualization Of Veteran, “You're Either One Of Two Things; You're Captain America Or You're Broken”, Steven Wahle

Theses and Dissertations

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) conflicts have been sustained by an all-volunteer force for over 20 years. There have been no drafts, war bond drives, nor rationing. This is a departure from previous prolonged military conflicts in U.S. history. Volunteers with veteran status are often venerated publicly to express gratitude for their voluntary military service. However, the criterion for veteran status is inconsistent.

In the U.S., former military members tend to be regarded on one of two ends of a spectrum as archetypes in attempts to honor such service. On one end is the veteran hero veteran to be …