Digital Commons Network^™

Using Plithogenic Statistics To Determine Optimal Guinea Pig Manure Dosing In Prickly Pear Cultivation, Jorge F. Troya-Sarzosa, Cristian Oña

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study applied plithogenic statistics to evaluate how different doses of guinea pig manure affect the cultivation of Opuntia ficus-indica (commonly known as prickly pear) and soil quality. It was determined that 7.5 tons/ha, referred to as treatment T3, is the optimal dose, as it maximizes the growth and production of the plant, improves plant height, and increases the production of buttons and berries. T3 also optimized organic matter and adjusted the pH to ideal levels, maintaining a nutritional balance that ensures the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This balance enhances agricultural production without sacrificing soil sustainability. In conclusion, …

Neutrosophic Clustering Analysis With Data From Cysticercus Tenuicollis Dna Samples, Blanca Mercedes Toro Molina, Rafael Alfonso Garzón Jarrin, Mauricio Rafael Aguilera Vizuete, Christian Geovanny Ávila Rocha, Luis Favian Cartuche Macas, Edilberto Chacón Marcheco

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Parasitic diseases caused by Cysticercus tenuicollis significantly impact the livestock industry. The quantification of such impacts presents challenges due to the handling of data obtained through modern molecular techniques. This investigation explores the application of neutrosophic cluster analysis to the study of Cysticercus tenuicollis DNA. Neutrosophic clustering and the use of linguistic terms help interpret analyses, employing a five-step neutrosophic clustering algorithm: selection of the clustering algorithm, definition of distance metrics, data preparation, algorithm execution, and examination of results. Samples from 20 sheep exhibiting liver cysts were collected in Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The analysis resulted in a neutrosophic cluster where …

Integrating Remote Sensing And Machine Learning To Determine Past, Current And Future Crop Water Use From The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, Moaz Ishag

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The agriculture sector is a significant consumer of water, and sustainable water use begins with monitoring irrigated land. Delineating irrigated land supports decision-makers and promotes the sustainable use of this crucial resource. This study focuses on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS), the largest aquifers in the world, which spans Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Chad. The study aims to: 1) quantify the increase in irrigated hectares (both pivot and non-pivot) from 2000-2001 to 2023-2024; 2) identify major irrigated crop types and their water requirements; and 3) quantify groundwater crop water use from the NSAS using remote sensing via the Google …

Elucidation Of Potential Antimicrobial Properties Of Chalcones, Caleb Howell

Theses

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a growing concern for the medical and biological community. Increased use of antibiotics has led to increased development of bacterial tolerances. This phenomenon, driven by the principles of evolution, has been exacerbated by the improper antibiotic use of these antibiotics. Often, individuals stop taking antibiotics once symptoms subside, mistakenly believing the infection is cured. This practice allows bacteria or fungi to develop resistance.

These antibiotics have been developed from secondary metabolites. While we have many effective antibiotics we are facing new threats. Chalcones are being looked at for their potential in addressing this issue. …

Tenure And Promotion Announcement, 2024, University Of Mississippi. Provost

Tenure and Promotion Announcements

No abstract provided.

Parental Political Engagement And Self-Efficacy: An Exploratory Study, Christina Randolph, Robert Needlman, Ellen Hutchinson

Faculty Scholarship

Political engagement (PE) is associated with a sense of empowerment. PE by parents affects children's lives. This study explored parents' attitudes about inclusion of political engagement discussion in well-child care. Because voting is an expression of empowerment, we hypothesized that voting would be related to higher parenting self-efficacy. We administered a brief questionnaire to a convenience sample of parents/guardians at well-child visits at an urban hospital. The questionnaire included 10 Likert scale questions touching on parenting efficacy; beliefs about political engagement; voting behaviors; and demographics. Analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations, and factor analysis. Among the 70 respondents 84% were mothers; …

Marketplace Summer 2024, Southern Adventist University

MarketPlace - School of Business Newsletter

The Summer 2023 issue of MarketPlace features information on Business department events, Alumni features, and a research competition.

Impact Of Non-Thermal Plasma Generated Using Air And Nitrogen On Functional Properties Of Milk Protein Dispersions, Nikitha Modupalli, Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study focuses on improving the functionalities of milk protein concentrate (MPC) using a nonthermal plasma jet and plasma-activated water (PAW) with atmospheric air and nitrogen as source gases. The 5% and 10% MPC dispersions were directly treated with a plasma jet, and PAW was used to make the MPC dispersions. The dispersions were analyzed for changes in protein structure and functional properties. The treatment altered the secondary structure of MPC protein structure by increasing β-components and changing the order of random coils. The solubility of the PAW-treated 5% protein dispersions doubled due to plasma-induced modification of hydrophilic and covalent …

Occupational Therapy Newsletter, Summer 2024, Occupational Therapy Department

News, Magazines and Reports

Highlights: 2024 Graduates, AOTA Inspire, Pi Theta Initiation 2024, Faculty Focus: Professor Jaimee Hegge, Professor Stefanie Seanor, Professor Amanda Wheeler, Recent Presentations and Publications

In This Issuereview Articleoriginal Articlescase Report

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Analysis Of The Clinical Utility Of Multi-Cytokine Profiles In Smear-Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Xuemei Li, Weidong Zhao, Hong Han, Zhi Yang, Fengqing Bi, Yingchun He

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate cytokine profiles and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for their diagnostic capabilities in the differentiation of tuberculosis (TB) from non-TB conditions, as well as smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPT) from smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPPT). Methods: A total of 125 participants were included, 77 of whom had TB and 48 who didn’t, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, including cytokine levels and IGRA results. The TB patients were further divided into 2 subgroups: SNPT (n=42) and SPPT (n=35). Results: Compared to non-TB, the TB group had lower BMI, higher WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, ESR and CRP ( p <0.05). TB patients showed higher IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-8 ( p <0.001) and higher IGRA positivity (88.3% versus [vs.] 29.2%, p <0.001). Between SNPT and SPPT, moderate effect sizes were observed for IFN-α, IL-2, IL-10, IL-8 (Cohen’s d 0.59-0.76), with lower IGRA positivity in SNPT (81.0% vs. 97.1%, p =0.015). ROC analysis indicated IFN-α, IL-2, IL-10, IL-8 had moderate accuracy for SNPT diagnosis (AUCs 0.668-0.734), and combining these improved accuracy (AUC 0.759, 80% sensitivity, 64.2% specificity). Conclusion: A multi-biomarker approach combining these cytokines demonstrates enhanced diagnostic accuracy for tuberculosis.

Exploring Burnout Program Effectiveness With Adult Day Health Providers, Katy R. Maguire

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Stress and burnout are frequently experienced by those in healthcare professions. While extensive research has been done on the impact of stress and burnout on nurses and physicians, other healthcare fields are less researched. One of these populations of health providers excluded from current studies is adult day health providers. Health providers at adult day health centers provide specialized services to persons with acquired, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. They orient these individuals to the community, administer their medications, provide opportunities for socialization and learning, accommodate leisure activities, and many other services that promote community and personal independence for their clients. …

Understanding Differential Reductions In Undernutrition Among Districts In Rwanda Through The Perspectives Of Mid-Level And Community Actors On Policy Commitment And Policy Coherence, Elyse Iruhiriye, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Deanna K. Olney, Emmanuel Niyongira, Simeon Nanama, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd, Eugene Rwibasira, Paul Mbonyi

Faculty Publications

Understanding the drivers of improvements in child undernutrition at only the national level can mask subnational differences. This paper aimed to understand the contributions of factors in the enabling environment to observed differences in stunting reduction between districts in Rwanda. In 2017, we conducted 58 semi-structured interviews with mid-level actors (n = 38) and frontline workers (n = 20) implementing Rwanda's multi-sectoral nutrition policy in five districts in which stunting decreased (reduced districts) and five where it increased or stagnated (non-reduced districts) based on Rwanda's 2010 and 2014/15 Demographic and Health Surveys. Mid-level actors are government officials and service providers …

They See Themselves In The Lesson: Leveraging Students’ Scientific And Cultural Insights Through The Cultural Biohealth Synergy Science Curriculum [Se Ven A Sí Mismos En La Lección: Aprovechando Los Conocimientos Científicos Y Culturales De Los Estudiantes A Través Del Currículo De Ciencias De Sinergia De Bio Salud Cultural], Miriam M. Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the global crisis of type 2 diabetes prevalence, this dissertation investigated the impact of a culturally sustaining, health-centric science curriculum contextualized in type 2 diabetes. Using a case study methodology, it explored how the curriculum shaped math and science preservice teachers’ (PSTs) perceptions of science and how it can be taught and how prepared they felt to design and implement culturally sustaining, health-centric lessons. Four themes that emerged across both cases included: 1) connecting health, nutrition, everyday science, and culturally sustaining pedagogy through the CBSS curriculum, 2) connecting science to health and wellness concepts through the CBSS …

Development Of A Mechanical Boot For Prevention Of Deep Vein Thrombosis In Outpatients, Julian David Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

This work presents the development of a mechanical boot designed to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in high-risk individuals such as those who have just had major procedures. DVT is a serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the deep veins, particularly of the lower limbs, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not adequately addressed. The mechanical boot utilizes the principle of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) to facilitate blood flow in the lower extremities, thereby mitigating the risk of clot formation. Through a combination of mechanical engineering, biomedical research, and user centered design, the project outlines …

The Combined Effect Of Weisella Cibaria And Fusarium Oxysporum Nanoparticles On Cervical Cancer Cells, Yusra Mb. Muhsin, Huda Zuheir Majeed, Ali Murtatha Hasan, Sundus Qasim Mohammed, Nadia Zuhair Jassim

Baghdad Science Journal

The predicted global cancer burden is expected to surpass 20 million new cancer cases by 2025. Despite recent advancements in tumor therapy, successful cancer treatment remains challenging. The emerging field of nanotechnology offers great opportunities for diagnosis, imaging, as well as treatment of cancer. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by fungi is an ecologically clean and nontoxic method compared to other physical and chemical methods. The purpose of this study is to determine the Synergistic Effect of Combination Nanoparticles Synthesized from Fusarium oxysporum with Weisella cibaria against cervical cancer cells. The study has done from 2022 to March 2023 in …

An Examination Of Self-Identity In Relation To Smoking And Vaping In South Carolina, Jaron Hoani King

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND

This dissertation examines self-identity in the context of smoking and vaping among adults in South Carolina (SC) using data from the 2023 SC Adult Tobacco Survey (n=1370). The conceptual model created to guide this dissertation is called the “Smoker and Vaper Behavior-Identity Model” and draws constructs from theoretical frameworks in health behavior and social identity theories. Behavior was defined as lifetime and past 30 day cigarette or e-cigarette use. Self-identity was defined by asking respondents with a history of cigarette or e-cigarette use “Do you consider yourself a smoker/vaper”, respectively.

METHODS

First, this study assesses the prevalence of mismatching …

Examining Risk Factors For Early-Onset Breast Cancer, Jennifer Grace Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: There have been great advancements in screening and in the identifying of risk factors associated with breast cancer, however, there is a lack of information of these factors in women with breast cancer occurring under the age of 45, known as early-onset breast cancer (EOBC). EOBC is often found at later stages, negatively impacting young women’s careers, family planning, and mental health. Additionally, because of the health disparities that exist within the U.S. health care system, women belonging to racial and ethnic groups, specifically young Black women, tend to have poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates of EOBC …

Collegiate Student-Athlete Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexa Jenny Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Exercise imposes a physiological stressor on the body which is amplified as training intensifies. Collegiate fall-sport student-athletes return after summer break (off-season) and have approximately two weeks of training (preseason) with coaching staff before competition begins. The 2020 fall season was preceded by a five-month period away from campus due to the timing of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This also meant all commercial gyms and training facilities were closed, and student-athletes were forced to train with the resources they had at home. Upon return to campus, significant changes were made to practice and competition structures in attempt to …

“I Know How Much He Cares For Our Learning”: Moral Life In University Elt Classrooms, Leila Tajik, Seyyed Abdolhamid Mirhosseini, Mahsa Kashkooli

The Qualitative Report

In Iran’s higher education English language teaching (ELT) context, we explored the moral nuances embedded in two conversation courses offered to undergraduate students majoring in English Literature at one of the branches of the Islamic Azad University (IAU) in Tehran. We collected data through classroom observations, field notes, and semi-structured individual and focus group interviews. Our content analysis revealed a range of moral values embedded in significant incidents, which we categorized into five themes: (a) relations, (b) rules and regulations, (c) assessment, (d) curricular substructure, and (I) culture. These themes were further subcategorized into more specific concepts that emerged from …

Incorporating Ultrasonography To The Nutritional Assessment Process In Intensive Care Settings To Improve The Prescription Of Enteral And Parenteral Nutrition: Benefits, Practicality, And Challenges, Sara Zaher

Saudi Medical Journal

The validity of the traditional nutritional assessment tools in intensive care settings might be compromised when the patient has conditions such as oedema and inflammation. Ultrasound (US) is considered a non-invasive, bedside tool that can be utilized to assess changes in muscle mass. Hence, US could guide healthcare practitioners in identifying the varying degrees of malnutrition and adjusting the nutritional prescription accordingly. This review discusses the currently available data regarding the feasibility and practicality of using US measurements in intensive care settings. Overall, the data suggest that using US as part of the standard anthropometric assessment for critically ill patients …

Biomarker For Cardiorenal Syndrome Risk In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis And Type 2 Diabetes In Saudi Arabia, Walaa Mohammedsaeed, Zain J Alghamdi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between different attributes, levels of biomarkers, and the probability of developing cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) in patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and liver cirrhosis (LC). The hypothesis suggests that liver illness may be linked to renal impairment, cardiac dysfunction, and the development of cardiorenal syndrome Methods: The current study retrospectively assessed the medical records of patients who had LC and T2DM diagnoses and were hospitalized at Al Madina Al Munwara hospitals in 2022 and 2023. Results: This research investigated T2DM patients with physician-confirmed to have LC. Poor glycemic control is …

A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Preterm Birth Incidence And Survival In Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Mshari Alghadier, Muneera Alasraj, Ragab Elnaggar, Mashael Alazmi, Asma Aldawsari, Saud Alnadah, Faisal Alqahtani, Donia Zaghamir

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To understand the prevalence and survival rates of preterm birth (PTB) is of utmost importance in informing healthcare planning, improving neonatal care, enhancing maternal and infant health, monitoring long-term outcomes, and guiding policy and advocacy efforts. Methods: The medical records of preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a diagnosis of prematurity at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital (MCH), Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed between January 2018 and December 2022. Data were collected on birth weight (BW), gender, number of live births, gestational age, mortality, nationality, APGAR score, length of stay in the NICU, …

Assessing The Prevalence And Knowledge Of Anabolic Steroid Use In Male Athletes In Al Madina Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia, Bandar D. Alrehaili, Samar F. Miski, Fahad M. Alzahrani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of anabolic steroid use and the level of knowledge on anabolic steroids among the male athletes in Al Madina Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on male athletes randomly selected from the private athletic centers in Al Madina Al Munawara over 5 months. Data were collected from all participants using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire with 33 questions. The questionnaire covered the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, and their knowledge, attitudes, and use of anabolic steroids. Results: Of the 150 male athletes surveyed, 121 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 80.6%). Over half …

Health Insurance And The Rise Of Women: Evidence From The New Cooperative Medical Scheme, Xingyu Bai

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Females are traditionally viewed as the primary providers of informal parental care in China, especially in rural areas. We investigate whether health insurance coverage in rural China, the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS), can unleash more female labor force participation by reducing the burden of informal parental care. Employing a heterogeneity-robust difference-in-differences estimation, we find that the NCMS has a significant positive impact on female labor supply, primarily in non-farm occupations. In contrast, we observe no significant changes in male labor supply. We explore the mechanism by showing that the NCMS significantly decreases both the provision and demand for parental …

Foreign Body Ingestion, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Neutrosophic Hypothesis To Validate The Efficacy And Safety Of Propolis In The Treatment Of External Bacterial Otitis In Canines, Nancy M. Cueva-Salazar

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Propolis, known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-parasitic properties, has been the subject of this study to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the treatment of bacterial external otitis in domestic canines. Through questionnaires administered to veterinary experts and the use of neutrosophic logic for hypothesis test-ing, perceptions based on clinical experiences and scientific literature were analyzed. The results indicate strong agree-ment that propolis is effective and safe, surpassing some aspects of conventional antibiotic treatments and demonstrating high tolerability without serious side effects. This acceptance underscores its potential as a natural alternative in veterinary treatments, particularly valuable …

Neutrosophic Statistical Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Biostimulants In Amaranth Varieties, Carlos Torres Miño, Christina Lozano, Emerson Jácome, David Carrera Molina, Murat Gins

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study evaluated the effects of biostimulants on two varieties of amaranth, Valentina (Amaranthus tricolor) and Ne-zhenka (Amaranthus hybridus), in terms of germination, growth, and biomass production. Using neutrosophic statistics allowed for the measurement of indeterminacies and the analysis of variables such as days to germination, stem length, number of leaves, and biomass production. The results showed that seaweed extract was the most effective biostimulant, accelerating germination, increasing stem length and the number of leaves, and maximizing biomass production. Mean-while, Nezhenka stood out for its superior biomass production, especially with seaweed extract, while Valentina was no-table for its rapid germination. …

The Rheological Analysis Of Ancestral Beverages, Neutrosophic C-Means (Ncm) Clustering Algorithm Of Data, Ana M. Trávez-Castellano, Gabriela B. Arias-Palma, Renato A. Romero-Corral

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study focuses on the rheological analysis of cassava and chonta chichas (Manihot esculenta Crantz and Bactris gasipaes) produced in the Province of Pastaza, aiming to preserve and disseminate the cultural and nutritional heritage of these traditional beverages. The research emphasizes the integration of ancestral knowledge into modern production prac-tices, exploring sensory characteristics that could influence consumer preferences and production standardization. In Pas-taza, it has been observed that traditional production methods, such as chewing cassava and chonta to initiate fermentation, expose the product to microbial risks, making it potentially unpalatable and unsafe for consumption. To address these is-sues, this work …

Association Of Candidate Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotypes With Plasma And Skin Carotenoid Concentrations In Adults Provided A Lycopene-Rich Juice, Anna C Norman, Daniel G Palmer, Nancy E Moran, James N Roemmich, Shanon L Casperson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Carotenoids are fat-soluble phytochemicals with biological roles, including ultraviolet protective functions in skin. Spectroscopic skin carotenoid measurements can also serve as a noninvasive biomarker for carotenoid consumption. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in metabolic genes are associated with human plasma carotenoid concentrations; however, their relationships with skin carotenoid concentrations are unknown.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between 13 candidate SNPs with skin and plasma carotenoid concentrations before and after a carotenoid-rich tomato juice intervention.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, participants (n = 80) were provided with lycopene-rich vegetable juice providing low (13.1 mg), medium …