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Quantifying The Dosimetric Impact Of Proton Range Uncertainties On Rbe-Weighted Dose Distributions In Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy For Bilateral Head And Neck Cancer, Suresh Rana, Noufal Manthala Padannayil, Hina Saeed, Michael Kasper

All Publications

Background: In current clinical practice, intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) head and neck cancer (HNC) plans are generated using a constant relative biological effectiveness (cRBE) of 1.1. The primary goal of this study was to explore the dosimetric impact of proton range uncertainties on RBE-weighted dose (RWD) distributions using a variable RBE (vRBE) model in the context of bilateral HNC IMPT plans.

Methods: The current study included the computed tomography (CT) datasets of ten bilateral HNC patients who had undergone photon therapy. Each patient's plan was generated using three IMPT beams to deliver doses to the CTV_High and CTV_Low for doses …

Roles Of Mitochondrial Chchd2 And Gpcr-Associated Β-Arrestin2 In The Pathogenesis Of Lewy Body Disorders, Teresa R. Kee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain containing 2 (CHCHD2) is a mitochondrial protein that plays important roles in cristae structure, oxidative phosphorylation, and apoptosis. Multiple mutations in CHCHD2 have been associated with Lewy body disorders (LBDs), such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), with the CHCHD2T61I mutation being the most widely studied. We generated the first transgenic mouse models expressing human CHCHD2WT and the PD-linked CHCHD2T61I mutation driven by the mPrP promoter. CHCHD2T61I Tg, but not CHCHD2WT Tg mice exhibit perinuclear mitochondrial aggregates, neuroinflammation, and have impaired long-term synaptic plasticity associated with synaptic dysfunction. Dopaminergic neurodegeneration, a hallmark of PD, …

Infantile Haemangioma Treated With Homoeopathy: A Case Report, Harpreet Kaur, Ravinder Singh

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are common benign tumours of infancy. Approximately, one in ten infants gets affected. The male-tofemale ratio is variable, with some reports suggesting that females are more prone than males. In India, the prevalence of IH in various studies has been reported as varying from 0.1% to 0.28%. The head and neck are the regions where most of the haemangiomas are located. The lesions are apparent soon after birth and are followed by rapid proliferation during the first year of life and a gradual involution occurs over the next five to ten years. Case summary: …

Management Of Tinea Corporis With The Minimum Doses Of Homoeopathic Nosode Psorinum: A Case Report, Punam Kumari, Shivam Kumar, Renu Verma

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Tinea corporis (TC) is the most common superficial fungal infection of the skin that invades and grows in dead keratin. The topical treatment causes suppression of TC and with the effect of it, a repeated episode of relapse occurs, which hampers the quality of life of the patient. Case Summary: This case of TC, with extensive spread on the body, demonstrates the curative effect of homoeopathic medicine with minimum dosage. A 64-year-old male diagnosed with TC was treated successfully with individualised homoeopathic medicine for seven months. The outcome was assessed through before-and-after-treatment photographs. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score …

A Case Report Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Preschool Children Treated With Individualised, Constitutional Homoeopathic Medicine, Karunakara Moorthi, Lalitha K S

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder affecting children of all ages, including preschoolers, adolescents, and adults worldwide. ADHD patients often face challenges in academic and social settings. Notably, pre-school children are more likely to exhibit hyperactive-impulsive symptoms than school-age children. Research on treating pre-schoolers with ADHD is limited compared to older children. This case report demonstrates the treatment of ADHD in pre-schoolers using individualised homoeopathic remedies. Case Summary: A 4-year-old boy presented with a 2-year history of symptoms, such as restlessness, easy distractibility and aggressive behaviour. After assessing the case, the institute’s psychiatric consultant diagnosed it …

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease With Vocal Cord Oedema Treated With Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine: A Case Report, Partha Pratim Pal, Laijun Nahar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: The diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is still ambiguous due to limited and cumbersome diagnostic standards. To achieve regression of both symptoms and laryngeal findings due to LPRD, it typically requires more vigorous and sustained treatment. In certain patients with chronic acid or non-acid reflux, surgery may be helpful. Case Summary: This is the case of a 68-year-old man who was diagnosed with LPRD and had vocal cord oedema. Individualised homoeopathic medicine, Natrum sulphuricum, was prescribed, and the patient improved steadily in terms of signs and symptoms and had no further complaints at the end of 16 …

Cutaneous Warts Treated With A Single Dose Of The Homoeopathic Medicine Carcinosin 200c: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Sivakumar K, Mamatha Mohan

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Cutaneous warts are hyperkeratotic protrusions over the skin caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). These are common throughout the world. Cutaneous warts can occur at any age but are unusual in early childhood and infancy. Warts are often diagnosed clinically on physical examination, but some dysplastic lesions may require laboratory confirmation of HPV. Spontaneous clearance is not always possible, and offering a reliable prognosis to the individual case is impossible. Even though warts are frequently encountered in the day-to-day practice of homoeopathy, and the results are promising, there are limited research studies available in the online database. Case Summary: …

Successfully Initiating An Escalation Of Care In Acute Ward Settings—A Qualitative Observational Study, J. Ede, B. Kent, P. Watkinson, R. Endacott

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Aims: To address knowledge gaps by (i) developing a theoretical understanding of escalation and (ii) identifying escalation success factors. Design: Non-participant observations were used to examine deteriorating patient escalation events. Methods: Escalation event data were collected by a researcher who shadowed clinical staff, between February 16th 2021 and March 17th 2022 from two National Health Service Trusts. Events were analysed using Framework Analysis. Escalation tasks were mapped using a Hierarchical Task Analysis diagram and data presented as percentages, frequency and 95% CI. Results: A total of 38 observation sessions were conducted, totaling 105 h, during which 151 escalation events were …

Emotional Intelligence And Critical Thinking In Practical Nursing Students: A Quantitative Study, Jennifer L. Knaack

Dissertations

The aim of this study was to understand if emotional intelligence was predictive of critical thinking in practical nursing students enrolled in a practical nursing program. The literature shows that nursing students' emotional intelligence and critical thinking directly affect student success; however, there is limited research focused on emotional intelligence and its predictability of critical thinking in practical nursing students enrolled in a practical nursing program. This quantitative, predictive study was designed to fill the gap in the literature on the relationship between emotional intelligence and critical thinking in nursing students enrolled in practical nursing programs.

Effects Of Peer Groups On The Gender-Wage Gap And Life After The Mba: Evidence From The Random Assignment Of Mba Peers, Mallika Thomas

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Using the historical random assignment of MBA students to peer groups at a top business school in the United States, I study the effect of the gender composition of a student’s peers on the gender pay gap at graduation and long-term labor market outcomes. I find that a 10 percentage point increase in the share of male peers leads to a 2.1 percent increase in the relative earnings of female students at graduation, closing the gender gap in earnings at graduation by two-thirds. The effects on women’s long-term earnings grow even larger with time. Using novel data on job offers, …

Nurse Productivity And Related Quality Outcomes Measurements In Behavioral Health, Leslie M. Carlos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In outpatient mental health treatment settings, providers make up the bulk of billing revenue; however, at the inpatient and residential levels, treatment is rooted in 24-hour nursing care. The measurement of nursing’s contribution to patient care has yet to be established, and with the move towards value-based care payment models, private payors are requiring outcome measures for mental health treatment reimbursement related to nursing processes. The purpose of this review was to examine measurement systems that gauge productivity and the consequential quality outcomes associated with the functions of behavioral health nurses. The Donabedian theory was applied to this review because …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives Of Differentiating Social And Emotional Learning, Anya Kayne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers face challenges in differentiating social emotional learning (SEL) to meet the diverse needs of their students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives of strategies and challenges to differentiating SEL curricula to meet students’ diverse needs using the theory of social constructivism. The research questions focused on teachers’ perspectives of strategies they use and challenges they face when differentiating SEL curriculum. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants with 3 or more years of teaching experience in kindergarten through third grade in the United States. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed, resulting in …

Nurse Productivity And Related Quality Outcomes Measurements In Behavioral Health, Leslie M. Carlos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In outpatient mental health treatment settings, providers make up the bulk of billing revenue; however, at the inpatient and residential levels, treatment is rooted in 24-hour nursing care. The measurement of nursing’s contribution to patient care has yet to be established, and with the move towards value-based care payment models, private payors are requiring outcome measures for mental health treatment reimbursement related to nursing processes. The purpose of this review was to examine measurement systems that gauge productivity and the consequential quality outcomes associated with the functions of behavioral health nurses. The Donabedian theory was applied to this review because …

Legalized Sports Betting And Mental Health, Brad R. Humphreys, Jane Ruseski

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

Since the Supreme Court declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 unconstitutional in 2018, 38 states and the District of Columbia legalized face to face and/or on-line betting on sports. A potential unintended consequence of legalized sports betting is an increased risk for mental health disorders and problem gambling. Using a staggered difference-in differences framework, we exploit variation in timing of adoption of legal sports betting across states to evaluate the impact of these laws on mental health outcomes. We combine data on when states passed laws to legalize gambling with data from the Behavioral Risk Factor …

A Critical Analysis Of Latine School Psychology Graduate Students’ Socialization Experiences, Chelsea Salvatore

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to uplift and critically analyze the experiences and perspectives of Latine school psychology graduate students regarding their programs' socialization process. I sought to call out oppressive structures and to identify anti-racist practices described by participants. I intended for this to inform school psychology programs on oppressive structures they must dismantle and anti-racist practices that disrupt the status quo to support the well-being and success of Latine graduate students. Seven Latine school psychology graduate students participated in one or two semi-structured interviews. I employed thematic analysis to discover themes from participant interviews. Once themes were identified, I utilized …

Enhancing The Performance Of Interdependent Stormwater Drainage And Roadway Systems Under Future Conditions, Chao Ye

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Flooding can cause extensive and devastating damage to human properties, including damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure systems, and personal belongings and it has become a threatening challenge during the past decades due to the massive damage brought to communities, infrastructures, and ecosystems. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of flooding issues are expected to increase, exacerbating the existing flooding risks for vulnerable communities. Various approaches of modeling, optimizing, and designing for multiple levels of flooding problems have been adopted to deal with flooding control studies and research to alleviate the flooding risks on multiple levels of communities. This …

The Asymmetric Total Synthesis Of Membranolide And Efforts Towards The Oxeatamides, Sean Bradley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Total synthesis is a discipline within organic chemistry that is a constant force that propels the field forward. In our lab, we have immersed ourselves within the field of total synthesis to gain access to complex natural products, perform SAR studies, as well as highlight interesting methodology. Within these endeavors, we have completed the first asymmetric synthesis of membranolide. This has allowed us to explore potential biofilm eradication in our efforts to develop novel therapeutics to combat the ESKAPE pathogens and multi-drug resistance. We have also begun to pursue the first asymmetric total synthesis of the oxeatamides. By utilizing our …

The Influence Of Childhood Trauma On Dna Methylation Patterns And Sex-Specific Cortisol Stress Reactivity: A Secondary Analysis, Isabella F. Correia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Childhood trauma has been shown to significantly impact physical and mental health outcomes, leading to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and difficulties in decision-making and maintaining relationships. Exposure to such trauma has the potential to dysregulate an individual’s stress response system, resulting in abnormal cortisol levels. Many studies suggest a lasting impact of early-life stress on DNA methylation patterns and, separately, cortisol stress reactivity. In addition, there are known sex differences in exposure to childhood trauma and cortisol reactivity; yet studies to date have not investigated whether there is an association to DNA methylation. This study utilized a …

Media Regulatory Dynamics: A Case Study Of Taiwan’S National Communications Commission And Its Implications For Media Independence., Chih-Jeng (George) Huang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In alignment with the US-led regime that champions free speech, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has assumed a prominent role in upholding the freedom of expression stance in East Asia. Rooted in historical origins and institutional conflicts between Taipei and Beijing, Taiwan has established a democratic system, presenting a distinct contrast with the Beijing system, and showcasing an alternative Chinese economy that embraces liberalism. Nevertheless, as Beijing’s influence grows stronger globally, Taiwan’s democratic politics have become increasingly delicate and sensitive. In the winter of 2020, Taiwan faced a critical moment in its control over media freedom, highlighting the ongoing tensions …

Cgmp Compliant One-Step, One-Pot Automated [18f]Fbntp Production For Clinical Imaging Of Mitochondrial Activity, Mai Lin, Cong-Dat Pham, Robert T Ta, H Charles Manning

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

4-[18F]fluorobenzyl-triphenylphosphonium ([18F]FBnTP) is a lipophilic cation PET tracer. The cellular uptake of [18F]FBnTP is correlated with oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria, which has been associated with multiple critical diseases. To date, [18F]FBnTP has been successfully applied for imaging myocardial perfusion, assessment of severity of coronary artery stenosis, delineation of the ischemic area after transient coronary occlusion, and detection/quantification of apoptosis in various animal models. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have also expanded the possibilities of using [18F]FBnTP in oncological diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. However, [18F]FBnTP is typically prepared through a tediously lengthy four-step, three-pot reaction and required multiple synthesizer modules; …

The Significant Associations Between Epigenetic Clocks And Bladder Cancer Risks, Yang Deng, Chia-Wen Tsai, Wen-Shin Chang, Yifan Xu, Maosheng Huang, Da-Tian Bau, Jian Gu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bladder cancer is an age-related disease, with over three-quarters of cases occurring in individuals aged 65 years and older. Accelerated biological aging has been linked to elevated cancer risks. Epigenetic clocks serve as excellent predictors of biological age, yet it remains unclear whether they are associated with bladder cancer risk. In this large case-control study, we assessed the associations between four well-established epigenetic clocks-HannumAge, HorvathAge, GrimAge, and PhenoAge-and bladder cancer risk. Utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS), linked to these clocks as instruments, we constructed a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) for …

Developing A Fit-For-Purpose Composite Symptom Score As A Symptom Burden Endpoint For Clinical Trials In Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Charles S Cleeland, Karen N Keating, Brian Cuffel, Cem Elbi, Jonathan M Siegel, Christoph Gerlinger, Tara Symonds, Jeff A Sloan, Amylou C Dueck, Andrew Bottomley, Xin Shelley Wang, Loretta A Williams, Tito R Mendoza

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

We developed a composite symptom score (CSS) representing disease-related symptom burden over time in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Longitudinal data were collected from an open-label Phase IIB study in which 239 patients completed the validated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for MPM (MDASI-MPM). A blinded, independent review committee of external patient-reported outcomes experts advised on MDASI-MPM symptoms to include in the CSS. Through iterative analyses of potential symptom-item combinations, 5 MPM symptoms (pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, coughing) were selected. The CSS correlated strongly with the full MDASI-MPM symptom set (0.92-0.94) and the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale-Mesothelioma …

The Role Of Spontaneous Activity In Maturation Of The Calyx Of Held Nerve Terminal And Its Synaptic Target In The Medial Nucleus Of The Trapezoid Body, Daniel Tatsuo Heller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Neural circuit formation is a complex process involving synergistic roles between neurons and glial cells regulated by coordinated genetic and molecular cues and activity-dependent mechanisms. The canonical pathway for synapse formation begins with neurogenesis and migration followed by axonal outgrowth and dendritic arborization allowing for the capture and formation of nascent synapses. These initial synaptic contacts are exuberant in nature ensuring proper neural connectivity and undergo a period of pruning of superfluous inputs followed by maturation and strengthening of the remaining contacts. This maturation includes pre- and postsynaptic specialization of the active zone, localization and clustering of ion channels, and …

Employee Retention Strategies Of The U.S. Power Industry, Michael Robert Schulz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover in the U.S. power industry continues to be a challenging issue. Leaders of U.S. power organizations tend to be concerned about employee turnover, which has a negative impact on productivity and profitability. Grounded in Herzberg’s hygiene-motivator theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore successful strategies that some U.S. power company leaders use to improve employee retention. The participants were seven business leaders from seven power companies across the Midwestern United States who successfully implemented strategies to improve employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and company website information. Through thematic analysis, …

Records Management As A Risk Mitigation Strategy At Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana., Tolani Blackie, Nathan Mnjama

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Records management is a very important component that can be used to mitigate risks in all organisations. The key objectives of the study were to establish whether Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has a risk management strategy for records and evaluate the importance, status of records as well as risk management in place. Study participants were purposively sampled in this simple stratified random sampling research design study.

The study revealed that WUC has a risk management strategy called "The Enterprise Risk Management Strategy" that covers aspects of records management. However, the study further revealed that records management policies, disaster preparedness plans, …

Benefits Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) For Chronic Pain, Maria Kleinstaeuber, Ashley Yaugher, Emily Roundy, Michael Levin

All Current Publications

Chronic pain is a common experience for people and can be difficult to manage. However, there are many evidence-based and effective psychological treatments for chronic pain to help people improve their lives. One of these is acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. ACT teaches how to accept pain and live a life full of meaning and quality, with pain. It helps individuals increase their quality of life through mindfulness-based methods, experiential processing, and a focus on values, goals, and actions. ACT has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain management and personal well-being. Consult the resources …

Broadened Positive And Emotion Congruent Attentional Biases And Emotion Regulation, Michael Mctighe

Theses

Attentional processes or concentration of mental faculties is a vast area of research in the cognitive sciences that is complicated by an abundance of other variables. Evidence overwhelming suggests that exogenous attention is biased toward emotional stimuli. Prevailing theories suggest that positive emotions can improve attentional processes, and that a participant’s emotional state can lead people to better attend to congruent information. Systems associated with emotion regulation overlap with processes related to biased attention. This study sought to further explore the theories of broaden and build, and emotion congruence, while also exploring how emotion regulation influences various types of attentional …

Khi Ăn, Nhai Kỹ (When Eating, Chew Carefully): Poetry Collection, Ngoc My T. Tran

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

In this poetry collection, I used my own experiences as a Vietnamese-American to present a realistic image of life in America as a minority. With the use of translanguaging and presentation of social norms in both Vietnamese and American cultures, my hope is to promote awareness of issues such as racism, colorism, body shaming, and language insecurity among Asian communities so that these problems can be healthily addressed. Khi ăn, nhai kỹ (When eating, chew carefully) is a Vietnamese proverb and is similar to the saying "think before you speak," by naming the collection this, it serves as an underlying …

Tolerance For Violence Toward Public Servants, Peter Simi

NCITE Envision Conference

Slides for the presentation presented at the ENVISION24 Conference Session 5: Galvanizing Events: The U.S. Election

Pain, Punishment, And Nietzsche's Vitalist Politics, Jonathan Mckenzie

The Journal of Economics and Politics

No abstract provided.