Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of Network2work At Piedmont Virginia Community College, Cynthia M. Finley

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Barriers to education and training can have a generational impact on socioeconomic status and economic development. Post-traditional students have been shown to experience a variety of barriers to education and family sustaining employment. Social capital has been shown to help alleviate some of the barriers for students resulting in stronger economic outcomes, such job retention, and higher wages. This case study examined a workforce development approach to providing support to post-traditional students in non-credit industry training. The researcher examined student outcomes, credential attainment and employment, between two student groups (Network2Work versus a nonNetwork2Work group) using chi-square and logical regression analysis. …

Cheiloscopy Examination And Classification Of Lip Prints With And Without Parafunctional Oral Habits: A Cross-Sectional Observation Study, Emily Smith Regan

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Problem: Lip prints are unique and have potential for use as a human identifier. The purpose of this study was to observe possible cheiloscopy differences of individuals with and without parafunctional oral habits. Additionally, inter-rater reliability (IRR) of lip print examiners was observed. Methods: This IRB approved blinded cross-sectional observational study collected lip prints from sixty-six individuals using lipstick and adhesive tape to transfer lip prints to white bond paper for viewing purposes. Each set of included lip prints was divided into quadrants and dichotomized as those with or without an oral parafunctional habit. Each quadrant sample was manually analyzed …

Organic Carbon Decay Mediated By Mesopelagic Microbial Communities, Noah Jonathan Craft

OES Theses and Dissertations

Substantial remineralization of organic carbon occurs in the mesopelagic zone (i.e., the biological pump), the efficiency of which is responsible for the oceans’ capacity to store carbon originally derived from the atmosphere. To better understand how a substrate’s composition influences its degradation by mesopelagic microbial communities, we added treatments made of live algal cells, dead particulate organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon from ¹⁴C-labeled algal cultures to mesopelagic water collected in-situ. Each incubation took place in the laboratory over a period of months, during which PO¹⁴C, DO¹⁴C, ATP, prokaryote abundances and biochemical fractions were measured. …

Modified Vaccine Vectors To Understand Adjuvant Functions Of Listeria During Chronic Schistosomiasis, Stephanie K. Norwood

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies employed to prevent infectious diseases. Successful vaccination is dependent upon the induction of a specific, robust, and prolonged immune response. One of the major challenges faced by vaccine development is vaccine failure due to host-related factors that can modulate the immune system, which leads to non-responsiveness to vaccinations. The generation of new vaccine strategies is imperative to combat these effects. Live bacterial vectors are one approach used as they can elicit humoral immunity, cellular immunity, or both. Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram positive, intracellular pathogen that is an effective bacterial vaccine vector …

Pspa-Mediated Aggregation Protects Streptococcus Pneumoniae Against Desiccation On Fomites, Jessica R. Lane, Muralidhar Tata, Rahena Yasmin, Hansol Im, David E. Briles, Carlos J. Orihuela

APC Fund

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) resides in the nasopharynx where it can disseminate to cause disease. One key Spn virulence factor is pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which promotes survival by blocking the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin. PspA has also been shown to mediate attachment to dying epithelial cells in the lower airway due to its binding of cell surface-bound mammalian (m)GAPDH. Importantly, the role of PspA during colonization is not well understood. Wildtype Spn was present in nasal lavage elutes collected from asymptomatically colonized mice at levels ∼10-fold higher that its isogenic PspA-deficient mutant (ΔpspA). Wildtype Spn also …

Perbedaan Kadar Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Dan Tumor Necrosis Factor-Α Serum Pada Berbagai Derajat Sarkopenia Pasien Lanjut Usia: Studi Potong Lintang, Auliangi Tamayo, Roza Mulyana, Rose Dinda Martini

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Sarcopenia is a phenomenon of progressive decline in muscle function that occurs due to the aging process. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have an important role in the occurrence of sarcopenia as a positive and negative regulator of muscle mass. Research shows differences in IGF-1 and TNF-α levels between sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, but research on differences in severity of sarcopenia remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in levels of IGF-1 and TNF-α in various degrees of sarcopenia in elderly patients.

Methods. This was an analytical observational …

Sarkopenia Pada Lanjut Usia: Patogenesis, Diagnosis Dan Tata Laksana, Edwin Nugroho Njoto, I Gusti Putu Suka Aryana

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

‘Sarcopenia’ involves a progressive age-related loss of muscle mass and associated muscle weakness that renders frail elders susceptible to serious injury from sudden falls and fractures and losing their functional independence. This disease has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis, which involves not only age-related changes in neuromuscular function, muscle protein turnover, and hormone levels and sensitivity, but also a chronic pro-inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and behavioral factors – in particular, nutritional status and degree of physical activity. In the previous definition by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) in 2010, the diagnosis of sarcopenia requires the presence …

Feminization Of Sri Lankan Doctors And Key Specialties: 2000 To 2020, Dileep De Silva, Pamila Adikari, Mihiri S. Rubasinghe, Udeni L. Seneviratne

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The study focused on the feminization of Sri Lankan generalist doctors in all major and selected minor specialties between 2000 and 2020. The study analyzed all relevant documents by exploring Sri Lanka's male-to-female doctor and specialist ratio over 20 years. This was determined by analyzing state medical faculty records from 1990 to 2020. For better clarity, the researchers analyzed the gender ratio changes in every five-year block from 1990 to 2020. Focus groups filled PGIM's gender data fields. Five-year medical students surged from 43% to 63% between 1990 and 2020. Linear trend analysis predicts 68% of female medical students by …

Sensitive Intervention Policy Recommendations To Reduce Stunting Rates Based On Spatial Analysis Of Sanitary Factors In Dki Jakarta Province 2021, Septiria Irawati, Ema Hermawati

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of stunting in children under five and the percentage of proper sanitation, as well as recommendations for priority areas for stunting control interventions in the Province of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta in 2021. This study used a descriptive approach to present an overview of the percentage of sanitation and prevalence of stunting in children under five by sub-district in 38 districts in DKI Jakarta. Data is displayed as a map to show distribution areas based on high, medium, and low categories. An overlay was made between the distribution …

The Effect Of (Tabata) Exercises Using Resistances On Some Health And Motor Fitness Components, Rasha Raed Hamid, Bibak Mohammad Ali, Kamran Kareem Hama-Salih

Modern Sport

The importance of the research lies in the preparation of (TABATA) exercises using resistances in some functional and morphological variables and the physical fitness of the trainees in fitness centers for the purpose of improving the level of fitness elements and burning calories among the trainees. The differences between the pre and posttests in the researched variables of the control and experimental groups and to identify the differences between the post tests in the researched variables of the experimental and control research groups, the researchers used the experimental approach as it fits the nature of the research problem to be …

Aquaculture In Hydropower Reservoirs, Racheal Macharia

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

There is an undoubtedly existing relationship between water, energy, and food and their interaction with the natural environment and mankind. Climate change is the talk of the day in global development discussions as it intensifies water shortages, energy, poverty, food shortages, and environmental degradation. Currently, most of the hydropower dams constructed in Africa are majorly built to store water for agricultural purposes, control flooding, and generate electricity. Notable projects include the seven forks hydropower stations located on the Tana River in Kenya; Aswan high dam in Egypt; Grand Renaissance dam in Ethiopia; Kariba dam in Zimbabwe and Akosombo in Ghana. …

Designing A Cylindrical Capacitive Based Sensor For Monitoring The Table Salt’S Moisture Content During Iodization, Mwajuma Lungo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Coaxial cylinder capacitive moisture sensor for determination of moisture content of table salts has been fabricated. The CMS method for determination of moisture content of table salts overcomes the effect of evaporation of iodine in table salt which results from heating in the oven drying method. The CMS overcomes the polarization effect result from the resistive methods of moisture content determination and it is non expensive to construct and it has high accuracy since measurements involves programming system in interpretation of the results. In this research, moisture content sensor based on capacitive principal created using two coaxial cylinders with height …

Fresh And Microstructural Properties Of Saw Dust Ash (Sda) Admixed With Millet Husk Ash (Mha) In Self Compacting Concrete (Scc), Solomon Ayuba

Platform: A Journal of Engineering (PAJE)

The quest to mitigate the high cost and the environmental hazard associated with cement production has increased globally. Saw dust ash (SDA) and Millet husk ash (MHA)were obtained by burning at temperatures between 600ºC-650ºC and used at a varied mix proportion of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. SDA and MHA were employed to partially replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in the production of grade 40 self-compacting concrete (SCC). To enhance the strength properties of SDA-SCC, an optimum dose of MHA was incorporated to produce SDA-MHA-SCC. Several trial mixes per standard specifications were conducted to obtain grade 40 …

Evaluation Of The Inhibitive Properties Of Silver Nanoparticles In Senna Occidentalis Root Extract As Corrosion Inhibitor Of Mild Steel, Victor O. Egbeneje, Samuel E. Okhale, Chinyere Imoisi, Isaac O. Ogbogo, Omolade Ojo

Tanzania Journal of Science

The use of nanoparticles as corrosion inhibitors has gained popularity because of its increased corrosion efficiency due to increase surface to volume ratio. Nanoparticles which undergo physisorption/chemisorption to the corrosion metal surface and inhibit the corrosion efficiently also have low toxicity, low cost and easy production. In this research work, weight lost method was applied to study the inhibitive properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Senna occidentalis root extract as environmentally benign corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 medium at 298 K and 308 K. It was observed that the corrosion rate of the steel sample …

A Short Communication On Exploring The Rearing, Breeding, And Future Outlook Of Damani Sheep In Pakistan, Muhammad Jamil, Ashiq Saleem, Abdul Razzaq, Naveed Ahmed, Muhammad Faraz Ahsan, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Irem Anwar, Faiqah Ramzan, Zaheer Ahmad, Abdurehman Ameen

Journal of Bioresource Management

The intentional production of animals is predicated on their genetic proficiency, which is dependent on optimal resource utilization and manipulation of biotic and abiotic environmental components to increase production for societal sustenance. The annual global consumption of sheep meat is approximately 2.5 kilograms per individual, out of a total of 41.6 kilograms. Three management systems are used to rear sheep: extensive wool and meat production, intensive milk production, and traditional pastoralism. Possessing adequate resources for sheep husbandry contributes to positive welfare outcomes. This review examined the rearing, breeding, and future potential of Damani sheep in Pakistan. Damani sheep are a …

Guidelines For Enhancing The Success Of Online Learning For Undergraduate Students At The Faculty Of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University, Darunee Tippayakulpairoj

Journal of Education Studies

Instructors in higher education increasingly use technologies for instruction; therefore, undergraduate students are able to access and engage in online learning more conveniently. This study was divided into two phases; the first phase consisted of an analysis of the online learning characteristics of undergraduate students and validation of the causal model for the online learning success of undergraduate students. A total of 607 undergraduate students who studied in the Faculty of Education at Ramkhamhaeng University were selected through stratified random sampling according to year level. The research instrument employed was a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way …

Ochrobactrum, Bacillus And Enterobacter Isolates Of Hot Water Spring Augment The Growth Of Zea Mays Seedlings, Noor-E-Saba Naz, Rida Batool, Nazia Jamil

Journal of Bioresource Management

Hot springs situated at high altitudes is a kind of remarkable ecosystem for the exploration of microbial flora. It was hypothesized that hot springs can harbor bacteria with plant growth-promoting and exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing ability that can favour the growth of plants. For the investigation of this hypothesis, seven EPS producing bacterial isolates were isolated from a water sample of hot water spring of Tattapani, Azad Kashmir and characterized morphologically and biochemically. Three out of seven isolates (BE1, BN1 and BN3) showed significant production of EPS (14-15 mg / 100 ml). Growth kinetics study revealed that optimum EPS production was …

Health Policy Reform Through Strengthening Indonesia's Health Resilience System, Wahyu Sulistiadi

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The National Health System in Indonesia is developing and being discussed more seriously after entering the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national health system and several existing tools, Indonesia needed more time to be ready to face the challenges of that time. Upstream health policies should be optimized to mobilize resources and increase the nation's efforts to build a national resilience system. This paper was built using selected policy documents up-to-date and reliable literature. By reviewing empirical evidence, the author believes and shows the role of strengthening health policies in building a robust national health resilience system. Indonesia has several policies …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Using Volunteer Support In Health Care Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review, Kate Crookes, Rosemary Saunders, Vivien Kemp, Olivia Gallagher, Manonita Ghosh, Caroline Bulsara, Karen Gullick, Bev O'Connell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To understand nurses’ perceptions of volunteer support in health care settings. Background: Increasingly, volunteers provide specialised support to health care service users, requiring volunteers and nurses to work closely together. However, little is known about nurses’ perceptions of volunteer support. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A mixed-methods convergent integrative approach was taken guided by the JBI framework. Quantitative data were transformed into qualitative data for synthesis and descriptive thematic analysis. Six databases were searched (CINHAL+, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, ProQuest Health and Medical Collection) on 24 January 2022 using terms related to nurses, perceptions, …

Spirulina (Arthrospira Fusiformis, Gomont 1892) As A High-Quality Feed Ingredient For Nile Tilapia Fingerlings, Angelina Michael, Margareth S. Kyewalyanga, Charles V. Lugomela

Tanzania Journal of Science

A partially randomized experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effect and potential of spirulina species (Arthrospira fusiformis) isolated from Momela Lakes, Tanzania, on the growth, antioxidant capacity, feed utilization, and body composition of Nile tilapia fingerlings. Five dietary treatments were formulated, including spirulina meal at 5%, 10%, and 15% of the total diets, as well as control diets with freshwater shrimp or Lake Victoria sardine. The protein content of the experimental diets was 25, 28, and 35% for a treatment containing spirulina at 5, 10, and 15% inclusion, respectively, while the control diets had 35% crude protein each. After …

Design Of A Cooling System Integrated With Ultraviolet Light For Preservation Of Fruits And Vegetables At Variable Tropical Weather Conditions: A Case Study Of Arusha, Tanzania, John Pyuza Gunda, Alexander Pogrebnoi, Baraka Kichonge

Tanzania Journal of Science

Post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables pose significant challenges, especially in tropical climates. This study introduces the development and performance evaluation of a solar-powered evaporative cooling storage system integrated with ultraviolet light (UV) designed for preservation of perishable fruits and vegetables. The cooling chamber supplied with ultraviolet lamp was developed using locally available materials such as sisal, sponge, and bricks. The performance of the system was evaluated in terms of air temperature decrease, relative humidity increase, and evaporative cooling power capacity both for sunny and cloudy tropical weather conditions. The study reveals that activating the UV light considerably extends the …

Effective Enhancement Of Post-Harvest Tomato Storage Through Wrapping Using Deacetylated Chitin Nanofibril-Plasticized Honey Films, Ngesa Ezekiel Mushi, Edina Meela, Divina Kaombe

Tanzania Journal of Science

As one of the most grown seasonal fruit, tomato is widely consumed for making food products, drugs and ornaments. However, poor post-harvest handling system, transport and storage facilities deteriorate the quality of tomato fruits resulting into post-harvest losses. These problems have been addressed by the use of nanotechnology in this study. The combination of a chitosan surface and the core shell chitin results into novel deacetylated chitin nanofibril (DeChNF) with good biological activity and mechanical strength. The effectiveness of the DeChNF films for food preservation as an alternative material to chitosan is investigated. The DeChNF with degree of acetylation (DA) …

The Intensity Of Physical Activity Improves Cognitive Performance Among Aging Americans, Imtiaz Masfique Dowllah, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga, Gladys E. Maestre, Ulku S. Karabulut, Murat Karabulut

Research Symposium

Background: Currently there is no pharmacological cure for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, physical activity (PA) has emerged as a promising approach. The optimal intensity of PA to improve cognitive health remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate associations between different durations and intensities of PA on performance across cognitive domains (executive function, processing speed, and memory) among aging Americans.

Methods: 2377 adults aged ≥ 60 years from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014, were included. Linear regression in hierarchical blocks and the size of effect (η2) were analyzed with R software.

Results: The mean age …

Randomized Clinical Trials Of Obesity Treatments In Mexican Population. Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Marisol Rosas Diaz, Esperanza Milagros Garcia-Oropesa, Adriana L. Perales-Torres, Yoscelina E. Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Maria Ruiz Cejudo, Jose Dario Martinez Esquerro, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Carlos Ramirez Pfeiffer, Alejandra Bustamante-Fuentes, Elena Beatriz Lopez Sosa, Edna J. Nava Gonzalez, Oscar M. Moctezuma Chavez, Lucia Monserrat Perez Navarro, Beatriz Tapia, Kathleen V. Carter, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez

Research Symposium

Background: Mexicans and Mexican Americans share similar culture, genetic background, and predisposition for obesity and diabetes. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) assessing obesity treatments (ObT) are reliable to assess efficacy. To date, there is no systematic review to investigate ObT tested by RCT in Mexican adults.

Methods: We conducted systematic searches in Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science to retrieve ObT RCT from 1990 to 2019. The ObT included alternative medicine, pharmacological, nutritional, behavioral, and surgical interventions. The analyzed RCT were at least three months of duration, and reported: BMI, weight, waist circumference, triglycerides, glucose and blood pressure.

Results: We found …

Piperine Encourages Apoptosis In Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells Through Ros Generation, Dna Fragmentation, Caspase-3 Activation And Cell Cycle Arrest, Asif Jafri, Juhi Rais, Sudhir Kumar, Md Arshad

Research Symposium

Background: Cancer is one of the most common destructive diseases and the second leading cause of death in humans. Among cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women globally. Thus, there is a continuous need to search for chemotherapeutic chemicals or naturally occurring drugs to resolve this global health problem. Piperine (1-piperoylpeperdine) is present in the fruits of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) and long pepper (Piper longum Linn.). It possesses several pharmacological properties and in the present study we have evaluated its anti-cancer potential on human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells.

Methods: The anti-proliferative effect …

Fat Distribution And Differential Effects On Metabolic Liver Fat Infiltration In Young Mexicans In Reynosa, Mexico: A Collaborative Study Across The U.S.-Mexico Border, Esperanza Milagros Garcia-Oropesa, Adriana Leticia Perales-Torres, Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Claudia Munguia-Cisneros, Edna Nava-Gonzalez, Monserrat Perez-Navarro, Marisol Rosas-Diaz, Neyla Baltazar, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Octelina Castillo-Ruiz, Joselin Hernandez-Ruiz, Srinivas Mummidi, Laura Yanneth Ramirez-Quintanilla, Carlos Ramirez-Pfeiffer, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Introduction: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a descriptive term for NAFLD (Non-alcoholic) physiopathology associated with obesity. The age of onset linked to body fat distribution is poorly studied. Therefore, we aimed to assess the body fat effect on liver fat infiltration and stiffness (LSt) mediated by insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: After obtaining informed consent, five hundred freshmen from two universities in Reynosa, Mexico (UMAN & UAT) were enrolled in the study. They completed a questionnaire focused on familial cardiometabolic risk and provided anthropometric measurements. In a subset of N=200, we obtained blood samples for biochemical measurements, body fat percentage …

Vitamin D Deficiency Among Children And Adolescents Living In Sunny South Texas, Yoscelina E. Martinez-Lopez, Margarita Faz, Beatriz Tapia, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Francisco J. Cervantes

Research Symposium

Background: Exposure to sunlight is essential to produce Vitamin D (ViD). Recent studies suggest obesity is associated with low ViD concentration. Living in South Texas with 220 sunny days a year should be enough to maintain adequate ViD levels. We aimed to analyze ViD levels and obesity in children and adolescents.

Methods: We included 1239 pediatric (1.5 to 18.8 years old) participants (primary care clinic from Laredo) with registered CDC percentiles of BMI (pBMI) and serum concentrations of ViD (Atellica™). Data are described as median (p25, p75), Loess correlation between pBMI and ViD, ANCOVA to adjust by age, sex, and …

Chromium Picolinate, Biotin, And Sodium Bicarbonate Combination As A Dietary Supplement In The Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes, Luis E. Fernández-Garza, Fernando J. Lavalle, Hugo A. Barrera-Saldaña

Research Symposium

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance, which can lead to micro and macrovascular complications. The importance of glycemic control for prevention demands the need to promote accessible and safe treatments among others in the form of scientifically proven nutritional supplements. Previous studies have suggested that the consumption of bicarbonate-rich mineral water altered blood metabolites and gut microbiome which has beneficial effects on patients with T2DM. Likewise, chromium picolinate and biotin have shown usefulness in glycemic control. The objective of our study was to evaluate the supplementation with chromium picolinate, biotin, and sodium …

Association Of Nutritional Status With Failure To Complete Planned Treatment In Patients With Hnscc- A Prospective Cohort Study In A Tertiary Cancer Centre In Northern India., Anshika Arora, Sunil Kumar Saini

Research Symposium

Background: To determine the association between Nutritional status of patient and the ability to complete all planned treatment in Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma(HNSCC).

Materials & Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at CRI India between 2018 and 2020. Patients diagnosed with HNSCC and planned for treatment were enrolled after written informed consent. Nutritional status was determined using- anthropometric measures and Subjective Global Assessment(SGA) scale before starting treatment. Patients were followed up for treatment details, complications and failure to complete planned treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Data was analyzed using parametric and non-parametric …

Reversing Quiet Destruction: Florida's Attempt To Regulate Pfas Known As Forever Chemicals, A. Colleen Donald

Environmental and Earth Law Journal (EELJ)

Introduced by manufacturing companies in the 1940s, Per-and polyfluorinated substances (“PFAS”) which consist of a group of over 6,000 chemicals, have insidiously made their way into the bloodstream of humans and into the environment. These nearly indestructible, “forever chemicals” that were once thought to be safe for use in firefighting foams, cosmetics, food packaging, non-stick cookware, and water-resistant clothing, are now found to be toxic. PFAS have been found in animals, aquatic life, and natural resources, and are associated with illnesses in humans: PFAS have been linked to various cancers, reproductive issues in women, and birth defects in children. As …