Digital Commons Network^™

Online Course Development With University Extension And Industry Experts, Kelsey L. Mccullough

Applied Science Program: Theses

Project Background

While pursuing my college degrees, the highest impact classes have been filled with applications that I understood as being relevant at the time and have used within my career, had hands-on experiences, and included influential interactions with professionals. Taking this idea forward to course development as an online instructor, I know that creating and adapting college classes to be centered on key aspects of the agricultural industry will add to the education quality of the program and the college experience. This paper will describe my first attempt at this model of partnering with academic and industry experts to …

Dancing With Identity: How Women In It Navigate Leadership Construction, Amy Barry

Instructional Leadership Abstracts

Women are underrepresented in the information technology sector and experience pervasive gender bias in the typically male-dominated organizations. Barry explores how women navigate and shape their leadership identities within such an environment.

Graduate List - August 2024, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Lists

No abstract provided.

Contemplating Existence: Ai And The Meaning Of Life, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries …

Health Care Utilization And Behavior Changes After Workplace Genetic Testing At A Large Us Health Care System., Elizabeth Charnysh, Subhamoy Pal, Jonathan M Reader, Wendy R Uhlmann, Sarah Mccain, Kunal Sanghavi, Drew Blasco, Rachael Brandt, William Gregory Feero, Rebecca Ferber, Veda N Giri, Katherine Hendy, Anya E R Prince, Charles Lee, J Scott Roberts, Insight @ Work Consortium

Faculty Research 2024

PURPOSE: This study explored employee health behavior changes and health care utilization after workplace genetic testing (wGT). Wellness-program-associated wGT seeks to improve employee health, but the related health implications are unknown.

METHODS: Employees of a large US health care system offering wGT (cancer, heart disease, and pharmacogenomics [PGx]) were sent electronic surveys. Self-reported data from those who received test results were analyzed. Descriptive statistics characterized responses, whereas logistic regression analyses explored correlates of responses to wGT.

RESULTS: 53.9% (n = 418/776) of respondents (88.3% female, mean age = 44 years) reported receiving wGT results. 12.0% (n = 48/399) received results …

Development And Application Of Genetic Ancestry Reconstruction Methods To Study Diversity Of Patient-Derived Models In The Nci Pdxnet Consortium., Paul C Lott, Katherine Chiu, Juanita Elizabeth Quino, April Pangia Vang, Michael W Lloyd, Anuj Srivastava, Jeffrey Chuang, Pdxnet Consortium, Luis G Carvajal-Carmona

Faculty Research 2024

Precision medicine holds great promise for improving cancer outcomes. Yet, there are large inequities in the demographics of patients from whom genomic data and models, including patient-derived xenografts (PDX), are developed and for whom treatments are optimized. In this study, we developed a genetic ancestry pipeline for the Cancer Genomics Cloud, which we used to assess the diversity of models currently available in the National Cancer Institute-supported PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network (PDXNet). We showed that there is an under-representation of models derived from patients of non-European ancestry, consistent with other cancer model resources. We discussed these findings …

Phenotype Distinctions In Mice Deficient In The Neuron-Specific Α3 Subunit Of Na,K-Atpase:, Yi Bessie Liu, Elena Arystarkhova, Amanda N Sacino, Margit V Szabari, Cathleen Lutz, Markus Terrey, Natalia S Morsci, Tatjana C Jakobs, Karin Lykke-Hartmann, Allison Brashear, Elenora Napoli, Kathleen J Sweadner

Faculty Research 2024

TP1A3 is a Na,K-ATPase gene expressed specifically in neurons in the brain. Human mutations are dominant and produce an unusually wide spectrum of neurological phenotypes, most notably rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism (RDP) and alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC). Here we compared hetero- zygotes of two mouse lines, a line with little or no expression (Atp1a3tm1Ling/+ ) and a knock-in expressing p.Asp801Tyr (D801Y, Atp1a3+/D801Y ). Both mouse lines had normal lifespans, but Atp1a3+/D801Y had mild perinatal mortality contrasting with D801N mice (Atp1a3+/D801N ), which had high mortality. The pheno- types of Atp1a3tm1Ling/+ and Atp1a3+/D801Y were different, and testing of each strain was …

Executing Plans To Enhance Diversity Across Cancer Centers In The United States: Opportunities And Challenges., Christopher I Li, Sherise Chantell Rogers, Carol J Bult, Carmen E Guerra, Angela Talton, Lovoria B Williams, Wendy Law

Faculty Research 2024

BACKGROUND: Lack of diversity in the cancer research workforce persists, which the new requirement for all National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers to have a Plan to Enhance Diversity (PED) seeks to address. However, it is not well understood how different cancer centers are approaching the development and execution of these plans. Our objective was to assess how cancer centers are establishing and pursuing their PED.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of members of the Cancer Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Network, which includes all NCI-designated cancer centers and several emerging centers. A total of 62 cancer centers (75% …

Large Changes In Detected Selection Signatures After A Selection Limit In Mice Bred For Voluntary Wheel-Running Behavior., David A Hillis, Liran Yadgary, George M. Weinstock, Fernando Pardo-Manuel De Villena, Daniel Pomp, Theodore Garland

Faculty Research 2024

In various organisms, sequencing of selectively bred lines at apparent selection limits has demonstrated that genetic variation can remain at many loci, implying that evolution at the genetic level may continue even if the population mean phenotype remains constant. We compared selection signatures at generations 22 and 61 of the "High Runner" mouse experiment, which includes 4 replicate lines bred for voluntary wheel-running behavior (HR) and 4 non-selected control (C) lines. Previously, we reported multiple regions of differentiation between the HR and C lines, based on whole-genome sequence data for 10 mice from each line at generation 61, which was …

School Culture And Teacher Retention, Verley Lanns-Isaac

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, single case study was to gain insight into the culture construct in relation to whether it contributes to teachers’ decisions to either leave or stay in a school for the long haul. The research questions of the study were the following: What is the influence of school culture on teacher retention? What aspects of school cultures inform teachers’ decisions to stay or leave the school or teaching profession? What measures instituted by school leaders help to sway teachers’ decisions to either stay or leave the school or teaching profession? Why do some school cultures tend …

Physicians’ Attitude, Knowledge, And Perceived Control Towards The Use Of Exercise As A Form Of Preventive Medicine, Matthew Robert Warner

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a component of physical activity that can aid in the reduction of deaths, lowering obesity rates, and chronic illness. However, many Americans are not meeting the recommended physical activity levels (Carlson, et al., 2018). Quality and accurate health information regarding physical activity is one way to help combat health disparities. Health professionals such as primary care physicians can aid in promoting this lifestyle modification. However, there are shortfalls in physicians’ knowledge of using exercise as a form of preventive medicine for chronic illness. Many medical programs have little to no training in exercise principles (Cardinal et al., 2015). …

Understanding And Improving Law Enforcement Investigations Of Human Trafficking: Focus On Labor Trafficking, Daniela Peterka-Benton, Alison Boak, Christabelle Robinson, Madison Kranis

Articles, Presentations, and Reports

The National Expert Roundtable on Labor Trafficking brought together survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement agents, advocates, and service providers to address systemic gaps in labor trafficking investigations. The discussion revealed that labor trafficking cases remain under-recognized and inadequately prosecuted compared to sex trafficking. Key recommendations include: developing multi-disciplinary task forces, improving screening tools and victim interviews, integrating survivor-led peer support, and strengthening partnerships between police and service providers. The report emphasizes victim-centered, culturally competent methodologies and enhanced training to ensure survivors’ well-being alongside justice.

New Dentist News (August 2024), Ada Committee On The New Dentist

New Dentist News

New Dentist News offers timely information on scientific, social, educational, political and economic developments affecting new dentists. This collection is historical and items may not reflect current standards. For up-to-date information contact the ADA. The New Dentist News was alternately titled ADA Lifeline, 1997-June 2001.

In-Hospital Risk Factors For Reintervention And Amputation In Brachial Arterial Trauma, Aast Proovit Study Group, Justin M. Robbins, Corinna Crayton, Isaac Koloditch, Casey Walk, Limayre Gramajo, Samantha Shugar, Peter Ekeh, Joseph Dubose, Yee Wong, Cathline Layba

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

Introduction: Brachial artery trauma is a rare but potentially devastating injury. There is little data regarding risk factors for reintervention and amputation prevention in this population, as well as anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) regimens and outcomes after discharge in trauma patients with vascular injuries requiring repair. This study aims to identify in-hospital risk factors for reintervention and amputation and stratify outcomes of follow-up by discharge AC or AP regimen. Methods: The AAST Prospective Observational Vascular Injury Trial database was queried for all patients who underwent traumatic brachial arterial repair from 2013 to 2022. Patients were evaluated by need for …

Covid-19 Lockdowns: A Catalyst For Rethinking Assessments In Skill-Based Nursing Courses, Zeenar Salim, Anil Khamis, Shanaz Cassum, Zohra Kurji, Pammla Petrucka

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Accelerating Primary Education Tutors’ Acquisition Of Gender-Responsive Pedagogies, Jane Rarieya, Nyagwegwe Wango, Mary Oluga, Omari Abunga

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

The paper emphasises the value of gender-sensitive teaching strategies that address the often portrayal of gendered stereotypes in primary schools, including those used in textbooks. Professional development programmes are acknowledged for their crucial role in equipping tutors with the essential knowledge and abilities for successful gender-responsive education. This study explores the crucial role of tutor preparation in enhancing student teachers’ conceptions of gender roles. It employed a qualitative approach through focus group discussions, observations, group reflections, and analysis of reflective entries to provide an in-depth understanding of how gender-responsive training affects instructional strategies. The study unveils the need for college …

Issue 10: Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider, Bharat Bajantri Md, Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman Mls

Critical Care & Pulmonary

Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider Issue 10

Compiled by Bharat Bajantri, MD, and librarian Sarah Ellsworth, MLS for the clinicians of the Pulmonary and Critical Care team of Parkview.

The Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider newsletter was created by Dr. Bharat Bajantri, MD and Sarah Ellsworth, MLS in 2023 as a form of current awareness for current practice at our hospital, Parkview Health.

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Topics:

VIEWPOINTS:

Biologics for treating uncontrolled severe asthma

Don't you quit on cannot quit smokers.

Paxlovid may not be your magic bullet for Covid-19 infection.

ORIGINAL STUDY SUMMARY

The DanGer Trial

The ACCESS Trial

The PREOXI …

Not Ready: The Need For A Training Standard In Healthcare Emergency Preparedness, Patrina White

Dissertations: Doctor of Public Health

Background: Disasters, both natural and human-induced, are increasing. Disasters impact public health and safety in many ways including disruption of healthcare. Emergency preparedness mitigates disaster impacts. Training improves preparedness however no training standard exists. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the current state of U.S. healthcare preparedness and the impact of training on preparedness; determine the best strategies to improve healthcare emergency preparedness training; propose a standard for training in healthcare emergency preparedness; and identify barriers to adopting a standard for training in healthcare emergency preparedness including strategies to overcome identified barriers. Methods: A comprehensive literature review, …

Understanding The Motivations Behind Engaging With Hospitality-Related Facebook Fan Pages, Kunsoon Park, Xu Li

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Understanding the motivations behind social media participation is crucial for brand managers looking to enhance customer loyalty and attract new customers. This study explores the factors driving consumer engagement with hospitality brand Facebook pages, identifying key motivations and engagement patterns. Utilizing a comprehensive multi-phased methodology—descriptive analysis, factor analysis, canonical correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis—data were gathered from a survey of 501 adults engaging with the Facebook page. The results show that consumers prioritize brand interaction, social integration, and information-seeking over entertainment or rewards. Two distinct consumer groups emerged: passive observers and active participants, with a preference for contributing …

Investigating The Quantitative Impact Of Varied Hair Densities On Proton Beam Planning For Head And Neck Cancer: A Dosimetric Analysis, Breanna M. Reed

Masters Projects

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of differing hair densities on dose distributions for proton plans in the head and neck region.

Methods: Four CT scans were acquired with varying hair densities. Plans were created on a no hair scan using both a 3cm and 5cm range shifter. Plans were then calculated using three additional datasets with varying hairstyles to analyze dosimetric differences. Water equivalent depth and distance from 80% isodose line to user origin were analyzed for each scan and compared.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the no hair scan …

A Retrospective Comparison Between Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (Aaa) And Acuros Xb (Axb) Calculation Algorithms Concerning The Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Radiation Dose In Left Breast Cancer Patients Utilizing Deep Inspiration Breath Hold, Melissa Wilkinson

Masters Projects

Abstract

Background: Minimizing radiation exposure to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is crucial during left-sided breast cancer radiation therapy to prevent cardiac complications. Dose calculation algorithms can significantly impact the estimated LAD dose. This study investigates the differences between the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB) algorithms in LAD dose calculations.

Methods: Thirty patients treated with radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery were included. Dosimetric data for LAD, including mean and maximum dose, was calculated using AAA and AXB algorithms. The results were compared using statistical analysis.

Results: Statistically significant reductions in mean LAD dose were observed …

Dosimetry Comparison Of Vmat And Hyperarc Plans For A Single Glioblastoma, Tylor Filipiak

Masters Projects

Purpose: This study compares the dosimetric effectiveness of HyperArc and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) techniques in treating primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on ten patients from MyMichigan Health, Radiation Oncology department with primary GBM tumors. Patients were treated with HyperArc on Varian TrueBeam systems. VMAT plans were generated for comparison using identical optimization parameters, except for the Normal Tissue Objective (NTO). Dosimetric factors, including dose distribution, target coverage conformity, and dose to critical structures, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test to compare the two techniques.

Results: HyperArc showed …

Library News August 2024, Research Medical Library

Library News 2024

• BMJ Best Practice
• AccessMedicine and McGraw-Hill Medical Resources
• Best Practices for Reporting Outcomes and Harms
• "Adjust" or "Adjust for"? A Confounding Consideration

Linking Research To Action To Address Unintended Pregnancy In Refugee Settings In Uganda, Baobab Research Programme Consortium

Humanitarian Task Force

The evidence available to support and shape improved family planning (FP) programming in refugee settings is sparse, and little is known about how to effectively deliver such programming to the most vulnerable, including women and girls. Baobab is responding to these questions through two complementary formative studies on unintended pregnancy and abortion incidence in refugee settings in Uganda. The findings pointed to a critical mass of non-users who intend to use an FP method in the future, and of non-users who have no such intention, but are still supportive of FP use. To expand access to FP services using existing, …

Meteorological Data Mining And Synthesis For Supplementing On-Site Data For Regulatory Compliance, Ben Sonpon, Shoaib Usman, Joseph Smith, Sarah Kovaleski, Jason Wibbenmeyer

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many regulatory requirements add significant delay in the licensing of new nuclear power stations. One area of particular interest is the environmental impact of potential atmospheric release. the purpose of this research is to demonstrate effectiveness of meteorological data mining and synthesis from offsite locations to reduce need for onsite data, hence allowing rapid licensing. the automated procedures tested for data mining and extraction of meteorological data from multiple offsite sources and the data analytic tool developed for data fusion are presented here. Three important meteorological parameters from regulatory compliance are considered for this analysis: wind velocity, wind direction, and …

Furthering Ascidian Taxonomy Using Molecular Biology, Nicholas Gulnick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ascidians are our closest invertebrate relatives and comprise nearly 3,000 species separated into three orders: Aplousobranchia (most speciose), Stolidobranchia, and Phlebobranchia (least speciose). Ascidians can be classified as either solitary or colonial organisms. Species delimitation using morphological characters alone has had varied results. Well known, widely distributed, morphological species have turned out to be catch all species comprised of several cryptic species. Molecular markers can help mitigate some of the issues presented by strictly using morphological observations, including resolving the status of cryptic species, and accessing the expert knowledge required to identify a species. By incorporating molecular markers and pairing …

Variability In Nutrient Concentrations Across Regions Of The Winyah Bay River Plume, Anne Mackenzie Gossman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

River plumes are one of the few large-scale features responsible for transporting particulates and terrigenous materials to coastal oceans. Macro-nutrients, such as dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphorus (PO43-), are basic requirements for marine food webs. Due to the plumes’ ability to transport large quantities of these constituents, these systems contribute heavily to coastal productivity. This study focuses on the dynamics of the Winyah Bay river plume located in Georgetown, South Carolina. River plumes, including the Winyah Bay plume, are dynamic systems whose structures are comprised of a multitude of regions and features including the source, lift off, near-field, mid-field, …

Estimating The Effect Of Nuclear Energy On A Country's Electricity Generation Mix: Fukushima As A Case Study, Sarah Elizabeth Zarrilli

All Theses

In this paper, I attempt to estimate the true effects of removing nuclear energy on a country’s energy portfolio, particularly how the country substitutes to other fuel sources for electricity generation and how it impacts the country’s marginal electricity prices. In 2011, anti-nuclear sentiment that arose in Japan following the meltdown of the Fukushima prefecture’s nuclear power plant resulted in the country decreasing its nuclear electricity generation from over 30% of its total supply to 0% in under two years. I use the dramatic variation across Japan’s electricity supply regions over the denuclearization period to attempt to estimate the true …

Survey Of Nematodes Associated With Strawberry In South Carolina And Evaluation Of Short-Term Heat Exposure On Nematode Reproduction Biology, Ivan A. Alarcon Mendoza

All Theses

Nematodes are a growing threat to the multi-billion-dollar strawberry industry in the US due to the lack of safe and effective management methods. Limited information on the distribution of nematodes in fumigated plasticulture strawberry fields further complicates their management. Additionally, climatic anomalies like rising soil temperatures and heat waves are occurring more often, and their impact on crop growth and nematode reproduction is not well understood. The current study was conducted with two main objectives: i) understand distribution and population densities of nematodes associated with plasticulture strawberry production in South Carolina, and ii) understand the impact of short-term high heat …

On-Site Provision Of Family Planning Services In Factory Settings In Egypt [In Arabic], Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Reham Abou El-Fadl, Noha El-Khorazaty, Tarek Alam El Din

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Between February 2023 and May 2024, the Population Council, in partnership with the Egyptian Chamber of Apparel and Home Textile Industries (ECAHT) and with support from the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cairo, assessed the acceptability, effectiveness and cost of an intervention that combines raising awareness of family planning/reproductive health with on-site provision of family planning services. The intervention, known as the “Our Health is Our Capital” project, was implemented in 10 garment factories in El Amereya Free Investment Zone. Results showed that this model of public–private partnership is …