Grossly Misunderstood: How Two Low Socioeconomic Black Parents In The Rural South Perceive Their Involvement In Their Children's Education, Diana Carver

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of low-socioeconomic Black parents living in the rural South regarding education. The study was designed to amplify the voice a marginalized community that is misunderstood regarding their children’s education. Using a detailed narrative design, I interviewed two single-parent families living in a Section 8 apartment complex to capture their perceptions of their children’s education.

In this study, the participants were single mothers who expressed their desires and goals for their children. In addition, these mothers shared their backgrounds and experiences growing up and attending school, which shaped and molded …

Legal Issues And Outcomes Of A Medical-Legal Partnership For Cancer Patients, Allison B. Dowling, Abigail Sweeney, Megan E. Gordon, Lisa Kessler, Deborah Perry, Vicki W. Girard, Shreya Kalra

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

The medical-legal partnership (MLP) model is a multidisciplinary intervention with demonstrated success in addressing health-harming legal needs. We analyzed initial data from the Georgetown University Health Justice Alliance’s Cancer Legal Assistance and Well-being Project (Cancer LAW), an MLP between Georgetown University and MedStar Health serving cancer patients receiving care at an urban, safety-net hospital in Washington, D.C. The sample included 81 patients, who had an average of two legal issues, most commonly in the areas of Social Security, estate planning, housing, and health insurance. Data collected during legal representation captured both financial and non-financial benefits to patients. Patients who responded …

Evaluation Of Escherichia Coli Lithium Binding Properties, David Andrew Gonzalez

Theses (2016-Present)

Lithium is a commonly used element in everyday items such as batteries, electronics and industrial applications. With the common use of lithium comes the problem of what to do with lithium waste. This problem calls for the need of an efficient environmentally friendly recovery process. This study investigates the potential of Escherichia coli for lithium biosorption in aqueous solutions. Although the roles of copper and Bacillus coagulans were initially explored for comparative biosorption potential, they were not used in experimental trials. This study explores the potential of E. coli and its potential for lithium biosorption in water solutions. Lithium chloride …

Participant Personal Characteristics And Adherence To Oral Capsules: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Antenatal Probiotics, Lisa Hanson, Kathlyn Albert, Emily Malloy, Maharaj Singh, Mikala Kallay, Ava Brandt, Courtney Morris, Diana Kleber, Marie Forgie

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Adherence to study interventions is critical to the conduct of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The relationships between participant characteristics and intervention adherence are understudied in pregnant populations. The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of adherence to study capsules in a double-masked, placebo-controlled RCT of a probiotic intervention to reduce antenatal Group B Streptococcus colonization, in relationship to participant characteristics.

Methods

We analyzed the relationship between capsule adherence rates and demographic characteristics among 81 RCT participants. Categorical variables were reported using counts and percentages, and continuous variables were expressed as means along with their standard …

Standardized Classification Of Infants With Robin Sequence Using Micronaps: The Impact Of Syndromes And Comorbidities., Cory M. Resnick, Jody E. Heffernan, Snigdha Jindal, Zaara Mehra, Irfan Ahmad, Bimal Chaudhari, Christopher Cielo, Nicole Deptula, Zarmina Ehsan Md, Kelly N. Evans, Semsa Gogcu, Scott E. Hickey, Jeffrey S. Marschall, Maithilee Menezes, David Molter, Michael A. Padula, Stacey L. Peterson-Carmichael, Stephen Alex Rottgers, Christopher M. Runyan, Jordan W. Swanson, Tara L. Wenger, Andrew Deek

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: MicroNAPS, a classification for infants with Robin sequence (RS) intended to guide treatment decisions, consists of 5 elements: micrognathia, nutrition, airway, palatal clefting, and syndromes/comorbidities. Scoring of the first 4 elements is well defined, but the assignment of the syndromes/comorbidities score (S score) introduces subjectivity by necessitating judgment regarding the clinical impact of the diagnosis. A database of comorbid diagnoses associated with RS and consensus-based S scores for each is needed for the MicroNAPS system to be reproducible.

METHODS: Diagnoses known to be associated with RS were identified from existing literature, and preliminary severity grades were applied. A series …

Changes In Adequacy Of Splanchnic Oxygen Delivery And Splanchnic Artery Doppler After Bolus Feedings In Infants: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Rohit S. Loomba, Saloni P. Sheth, Joshua Wong, Megan Davis, Juan S. Farias, Enrique G. Villarreal, Saul Flores

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Current practice regarding timing of feed initiation and feed tolerance largely relies on anecdotal practice and protocols. This study aims to provide an objective measure to guide clinical practice by analyzing changes in splanchnic regional oxygen saturation and Doppler patterns with feeds.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed. Inclusion criteria were: 1) patients under 1 year of age; 2) splanchnic regional oxygen saturation with near infrared spectroscopy before and after feeds or mesenteric Doppler findings before and after feeds; and 3) clinical parameters must have been presented as either mean and standard deviation or median and range. Endpoints of …

Funding For Public Transportation: Results From A Midwest Exit Poll, Joseph S. Lightner, Greg Vonnahme, Steven Chesnut, Nancy Ziegler, Nathan Nguyen, Christiana Sylvaine, Rian Snead, Jordan A. Carlson, Jannette Berkley-Patton, Amanda Grimes

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Public transportation can lead to increases in physical activity, access to jobs, healthcare, and healthy food, and may improve overall health. Funding for public transit is essential for a sustainable transportation system. However, most health studies have not focused on voting behavior as a mechanism for sustaining public transportation. This study employs a cross-sectional, in-person, exit poll of voters at 10 randomly selected polling locations during a local election in 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. The voter ballot included a question to extend an existing 3/8 cent sales tax for public transportation. Participants (N = 649) overwhelmingly supported (90.6 %) …

The Effects Of Odevixibat In People With Alagille Syndrome: A Plain Language Summary, Nadia Ovchinsky, Madeleine Aumar, Alastair Baker, Philip Bufler, Mara Cananzi, Piotr Czubkowski, Ryan T. Fischer, Giuseppe Indolfi, Wikrom Karnsakul, Florence Lacaille, Way S. Lee, Philip Rosenthal, Etienne Sokal, Henkjan J. Verkade, Andrew Wehrman, Cher Bork, Roberta Smith, Jessica Ruvido, Alexander Artyomenko, Christof Maucksch, Ekkehard Sturm

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This is a summary describing a phase 3 clinical trial, called ‘ASSERT’, which studied the medicine odevixibat in people with Alagille syndrome.

Alagille syndrome is a rare disease that can affect different parts of the body, but mainly affects how well the liver works. Symptoms usually start at a young age, but the age of first symptoms and seriousness of the disease can vary, and the disease can affect both children and adults. People who have Alagille syndrome may have a build-up of bile acids in the liver and this can lead to organ damage. People with Alagille syndrome …

"Alone I Can't, But Together We Can": A Photovoice Study To Explore Insights Of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (Aot) From Providers Working With Individuals With Serious Mental Illness (Smi)., Monica G. Urquieta

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is a court-ordered mental health treatment program for individuals with SMI (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia) who have a history of noncompliance with treatment and are at risk of deteriorating or causing harm to themselves or others. This dissertation examined the perceptions and experiences of thirteen providers (lawyers, judges, case managers, psychiatrists, housing navigators, treatment guardians, nurse practitioners, therapists and peer support specialists with lived experience) on the AOT program for clients with SMI; and the environments that shape these perceptions, taking into account a system and community-based approach focusing on how the unique …

Navigating The Challenges Of Coccidioides Surveillance: Insights From The Environment Of El Paso County, Texas, Tanzir Hossain

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is a fungal infection resulting from the inhalation of spores from the Coccidioides species (C. immitis and C. posadasii), native to arid areas of the Western Hemisphere. Coccidioidomycosis presents considerable health hazards and can be fatal. It affects between 206,000 and 360,000 individuals annually, leading to 700 to 1,100 fatalities in the United States alone. In response to these issues, extensive research has concentrated on therapeutic goals for this infectious disease. Nonetheless, more limited research has focused on the environmental detection of its causative fungi, which is crucial for forecasting treatment needs and formulating preventive strategies. …

Rectosigmoid Intussusception Due To A Nonmalignant Etiology: An Extremely Rare Cause Of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding In An Elderly Patient, Kashif Ali, Samra Sohail, Grecia Dominguez Rivera, Valeska Balderas

School of Medicine Publications

An intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is exceedingly rare. We present a case of an 88-year-old man who presented in the emergency department with bilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain and frank rectal bleeding for 2 days. A computed tomography abdomen pelvis angiogram with contrast showed a target sign, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy showed congested bowel, ischemia, frank blood, and intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy with the removal of the affected part. The pathology and the peritoneal fluid cytology results came out negative for dysplasia and malignancy.

Risk Analysis Index For Estimation Of 30-Day Postoperative Mortality In Hip Fractures., Nithin K Gupta, Hikmat R Chmait, Vikram Gill, Morgan Turnow, Taylor Manes, Benjamin C Taylor, Jack W Weick, Christian Bowers

Surgery Articles

IMPORTANCE: Hip fractures present a substantial public health challenge, with projections of more than 500 000 per year by 2040. As such, frailty indices such as the Revised Risk Analysis Index (RAI) and the Modified Five-Item Frailty Index (mFI-5) have been recently investigated as metrics for preoperative risk stratification for these patients.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the accuracy of frailty, as measured by the RAI and the mFI-5, for estimating 30-day mortality following surgically managed hip fractures.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cross-sectional analysis used the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement database. Patients aged 65 years old …

Equity In Healthcare Service Access, Anvesh Ravipati

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban populations remain a persistent and pressing challenge in the United States, particularly among vulnerable groups such as individuals with disabilities, racial minorities, and low-income communities. These disparities are shaped by complex interactions among geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic factors, leading to unequal health outcomes and limited access to essential services. This study aims to analyze these disparities over the past decade and regional variations in public insurance utilization. Using a mixed-methods approach, the analysis integrates five national datasets: Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE), National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Area Health Resource Files …

Growth Of Methanogens Using Pyrite As An Energy Source: Implications For Life On Mars, Mckenzie K. Ragan

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The search for life beyond Earth has been the motivating factor for many scientist’s research in the past and currently. Specifically, the efforts have largely been focused on Mars. Mars exhibits qualities that are similar to the life-harboring characteristics of Earth, creating the possibility for life to exist on Mars. Mars’ subsurface conditions may be ideal for specific microorganisms to thrive, providing a haven away from the harsh surface conditions (Mancinelli, 2000). It is known that one of the most important elements to support life, H₂O is found in the subsurface of Mars, along with an atmosphere lacking …

Protein Intake And The Wellbeing Of Postmenopausal Women: Investigating Sleep, Mood, And Quality Of Life, Aleesha Imran

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Postmenopausal women commonly experience declines in sleep quality, mood, and overall wellbeing, with limited non-pharmacological options available to address these concerns. This randomized controlled trial investigated whether daily beef consumption as part of a higher-protein diet could improve sleep, mood, and quality of life over four weeks. Participants were randomized to either a standard protein intake control group or a treatment group consuming a high-protein diet with daily lean beef.

The treatment group showed modest improvements in subjective sleep quality and perceived health compared to controls, although these changes were not statistically significant. Fatigue, however, significantly decreased in the treatment …

The Effect Of Antemortem Tooth Loss On Craniofacial Shape In Apes And Humans, Ashley R. Laster

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Antemortem tooth loss (AMTL) (i.e., defined as tooth loss occurring before death) is common among humans and many primates, and several studies have examined AMTL across various primate groups. Some research indicates that AMTL can influence masticatory function and diet; however, the effects of AMTL on craniofacial shape and biomechanics have not been extensively analyzed. We assessed craniofacial and mandibular shape in relation to AMTL, anticipating that individuals with at least one tooth lost antemortem would display significant differences in cranial and/or mandibular shape compared to those without AMTL. AMTL rates were evaluated in three primate species: wild-caught samples of …

The Expression Of Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins Induced By 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Glycosides Supplementation To Reduce Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness In Broilers, Kennedy M. Hicks

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) is a leading cause of lameness in broiler chickens, impacting animal welfare and commercial poultry production. Supplementation using organic trace minerals, vitamin D, probiotics, and prebiotics has been studied to mitigate BCO lameness incidences in broiler chickens. Our previous study demonstrated that feeding Panbonis®-G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ from Solanum glaucophyllum, containing 1 µg/kg G-1,25(OH)₂D₃, to broilers for the first 28 days of their production cycle reduced BCO lameness by approximately 50%. In this study, we investigated the impact of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D₃ supplementation on the expression of tight junction …

Analysis Of Marshallese Perceptions Of Health And Weight In Adolescents, Sterling Thomas

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to understand the perceptions of Marshallese adolescents on the topic of health and weight, in order to provide guidance for interventions and public health efforts. The United States has the largest Marshallese population outside the Marshall Islands. Perceptions of weight and health is under researched for minority communities and from the insight of adolescents. Pacific Islanders such as the Marshallese are often categorized as part of the larger Asian American ethnic population, which is not always accurate in certain aspects where public health could provide support areas of concern.

Design: Focus groups …

The Effect Of Maternal Anxiety On Breastfeeding Exclusivity And Duration, Zoe E. Treat

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The postpartum period, especially during the first year, presents a heightened risk for maternal anxiety. Research suggests a potential negative relationship between maternal anxiety and breastfeeding duration, though there is currently a gap in the existing literature regarding how maternal mental health impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

Purpose: This study seeks to investigate the influence of postpartum anxiety on both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, crucial knowledge required to support and implement targeted interventions. We expected that maternal anxiety would predict shorter exclusive and total breastfeeding durations.

Methodology: To explore the relationship between postpartum anxiety and breastfeeding behaviors, we distributed …

Assessment Of Attitudes, Preferences, And Knowledge Regarding Dietary Protein And Health, Annabella E. Grau

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the area of nutrition and dietary protein, experts often state that there are several barriers to consumption of dietary protein, however there is a lack of published data supporting these claims. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the attitudes, preferences and knowledge regarding dietary protein to identify potential barriers that would prevent purchasing protein or including protein in the diet. A 38-question Qualtrics survey was distributed via University of Arkansas listservs and on social media for three weeks. Participants (n=866) were asked to answer questions related to general nutrition knowledge and current dietary practices related to …

Food Security In Mauritius, Luke Hubbard

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Located over 600 miles off the East coast of Madagascar, Mauritius is an island nation with a population of over 1.2 million people. In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to Mauritius and conduct a representative food insecurity survey alongside other University of Arkansas and University of Mauritius students and professors. With more than 400 surveys in over 80 locations, we gathered data in every district on the primary island of Mauritius. The group used a survey based on the standard USDA question list and compiled the results to find that the population of Mauritius had …

Measuring The Work Of The Federal District Courts, Parth Sagdeo

Buffalo Law Review

The federal district court system is one of the largest and most impactful organizations in the United States. The nation’s ninety-four district courts resolve hundreds of thousands of cases, large and small, each year. Yet surprisingly little scholarly attention has been paid to measuring the work of the federal district courts—a vitally important task. It’s important because it affects substantive law; judges routinely decide the merits of issues based on how busy they think they and other judges are. It’s important because the law relaxes procedural protections—such as the Speedy Trial Act’s seventy-day deadline to bring criminal defendants to trial—if …

Effects Of Food Insufficiency And Family Structure On Parental Aggravation And Child Outcomes, Angel Juarez

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Food insufficiency is a detrimental crisis that impacts families facing financial hardships across the United States (Nam et al., 2015). Research finds that economic difficulties and child maladaptive development are positively associated because parental stress is exacerbated by financial hardships affecting parental sensitivity to their children (Hill et al., 2013; Simons et al., 2016). The current study uses the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) data from the 2021-2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). It builds on these findings, investigating the relationship between food insufficiency and parental aggravation on child behavioral outcomes across different family structures in the …

Demographics And Clinical Features Associated With Abnormal Small Bowel Motility In Systemic Sclerosis, Jenice X Cheah, Jamie Perin, Michael Hughes, Christopher A Mecoli, Julie J Paik, Laura K Hummers, Ami A Shah, Zsuzsanna H Mcmahan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: The small bowel is affected in up to 50% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and some patients experience severe complications. Our aim was to use specific statistical methods to compare demographic and clinical features of SSc patients with and without abnormal small bowel to better characterize patients at risk for this complication.

Methods: SSc patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were prospectively enrolled and underwent a scintigraphy-based whole gut transit (WGT) study. A cross-sectional analysis was performed comparing clinical features between patients with and without abnormal small bowel transit by WGT. Univariate logistic regression models and multivariable models were used to …

Divine Achilles And His Raging Heart: Cannibalism In The Iliad, Lucca Crowe

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

The story of the Iliad is one of identity. As Achilles struggles with whom to identify with, his divine mother or mortal father, he is consumed by an overwhelming rage that threatens to overpower him, dragging him down from both divinity and mortality into the very depths of monstrous savagery. This article examines the role that diet, particularly the act of cannibalism, plays in differentiating humans from gods and beasts. By examining Achilles identity struggle through the lens of cannibalism, this article sheds light on the broader ways Greek and Roman authors used cannibalism to express notions of otherness, situating …

Understanding Weight Loss Maintenance In Postmenopausal Women: A Qualitative Exploration, Amy M. Field

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Postmenopausal women are treasures in our community. They contribute to society in countless ways, often using their life experience, wisdom, and resilience to serve as caregivers, mentors, and educators. As women age, hormonal changes contribute to increased abdominal adiposity and subsequent metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and bone and joint problems. Weight loss and maintenance of that loss likely contribute to decreased risk factors of comorbidities associated with excess weight and increased daily functioning and fulfillment of desired tasks. Weight management strategies are well-studied. However, postmenopausal women are more likely to regain weight lost. This work explores the gap in …

Optimizing Nutrient Recycling To Achieve Zero–Discharge Management For Controlled Environment Agriculture, Noah James Langenfeld

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) allows for human control of one or more environmental factors affecting crop production. Optimizing nutrient management in such systems allows for translation and predictions of sustainable management strategies in the field. These systems will be used to supply fresh food as public and private space agencies are planning to send humans to the Moon and Mars in the near future. Food resupply becomes increasingly difficult as the distance from Earth increases. Plants can be grown off-Earth as a food source, but their growth must be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability. I describe a model used …

Effects Of Plant Biostimulants On Onion Growth And Production Under Greenhouse And Field Conditions, Prakriti Nepal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The escalating impact of climate change on agricultural production underscores the need to investigate sustainable crop enhancement methods. This research explores the use of plant biostimulants to grow onion (Allium cepa L.) under varying environmental conditions. In the initial germination and greenhouse screening, seven biostimulants were tested on ‘Vaquero’ onion seeds: three bacterial products (Continuum, Spectrum DS, and Tribus Original), two mycorrhizal products (Mighty Mycorrhizae and Myco Apply), one seaweed extract product (Seaweed), and one product containing humic acid (Huma Pro 16). Mighty Mycorrhizae, Continuum, and Myco Apply supported faster germination, while seeds treated with Spectrum and Seaweed took …

Understanding The Impact Of Colloidal Calcium Phosphate On The Ph Variation In Cheddar Cheese During Early Stages Of Aging, Rachel Lindstrom

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Cheddar cheese industry has recently observed variation in the pH of their cheese during the early stage of storage. This variation may be due to the addition of the faster acid producing thermophilic starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus which was recently introduced into the Cheddar cheese making process. This starter culture may impact the calcium buffering properties of the cheese due to more retention of the insoluble calcium (INSOL Ca) within the cheese. To investigate this problem, we studied how insoluble calcium affects cheeses with pH ranging from 4.8 to 6.6 and found that INSOL Ca was positively correlated with …

High-Throughput Phenotyping Of Early Generation Small Grains Breeding Lines To Indirectly Select For Grain Yield, Dalton Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In small grains breeding programs, breeders aim to develop better varieties by selecting for important traits like grain yield. However, it takes many years before yield can be measured because several generations of selection are required to fix lines and increase sufficient seed for yield measurements. This process can be slow and expensive

High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) is a modern approach that can increase breeding efficiency by leveraging technology to quickly measure secondary traits which can be used to indirectly select for important traits in crop plants. For example, researchers can use cameras on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, i.e., drones) to …