Digital Commons Network^™

Sammie Slusher, Bryce Fletcher, Dawson Helton, Ty Ledford

Impact of World War II in Eastern Kentucky

Staff Sergeant Slusher enlisted in July 1942 and passed in June 1944 before his daughter could meet him. In 1943, he became the recipient of the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. His medals are the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign and the World War II Victory Medal.

The Silver Star is awarded to those who had valor in combat and the Purple Heart is given to those were injured or killed while serving the US military.

Modeling Pricing And Profit Testing Of Chronic Disease's Insurance Policies Using Prostate Cancer Data In Kenya, Cynthia Mwau, Howard Omukami

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Chronic diseases have been on the rise globally and more so in the African continent. Treatment of chronic diseases requires lots of finances hence posing a challenge even to those people who are considered financially stable. Chronic diseases are expected to rise even further due to the rapid lifestyle change. In an attempt to mitigate the challenge of accessing treatment for chronic diseases, we develop a model for pricing and profit testing chronic disease insurance policy using the modified equivalence principle. We use the Kenyan mortality tables for the computation as they reflect the true mortality rate of the population …

Trevor Paglen: Visible Through The Invisible, Kailey Agoo

Global Contemporary Artist Analysis Archive

Trevor Paglen is a practicing artist, geographer, and photographer. Paglen investigates our relationship with the evergrowing advancements in technology and surveillance. By examining the “invisible through the visible” with multidisciplinary practices and image-making, Trevor Paglen explores the fragments of Artificial Intelligence and mass surveillance to understand the underlying forces of the systems we live in.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, December 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Meet Drew Miller
--- Farewell Kendall
--- IWRC Advisory Member Updates
--- Changes Coming to Online Painter Training
--- January Reporting Deadlines
--- IAEP: 30 Years of Supporting Iowa Small Businesses

Time For A Copyright Remix: Learning From Djs’ Problematic Pandemic Livestreams & Reimagining A More Productive Framework For Music On Social Media, Aaron Thompson

Chicago-Kent Law Review

No abstract provided.

Breaking Barriers: Bridging The Gap In Financial Literacy And Representation, Triniti Boson

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

This thesis explores the connection between the lack of financial literacy in Black communities, the underrepresentation of women in financial leadership, and the significance of building generational wealth. Many Black families have historically avoided financial conversations, often overshadowed by pressing economic challenges and a legacy of systemic exclusion, from redlining to discriminatory banking practices. These barriers prevented access to essential financial tools and knowledge, creating distrust in institutions and limiting opportunities for wealth accumulation across generations. Addressing these issues is essential for community empowerment. Financial literacy provides the knowledge to manage resources, build savings, and plan for the future. Generational …

The Benefits Of Telehealth Among Disadvantaged Communities, Anoosh Arshad

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

This study aims to understand how the widespread integration of telehealth services affects underserved communities, helping reduce health disparities in this group. Telemedicine includes various technologies and applications, supported by extensive research, public health, administrative, and patient-care benefits, to adapt to different fields. It involves clinical applications that focus on patient care, like making health decisions, and nonclinical applications like arranging board meetings. Telehealth is a health platform that uses communication technologies that allow doctors and patients to meet online through video and telephone visits, ensuring that patients receive high-quality care. It increases access to healthcare by removing geographical and …

The Effects Of Family Dynamics On Relationships, Alexus Nunley

Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal

For my Advanced Statistics class, Professor Floyd assigned us to research and collect data on a topic that we were interested in. Since my goal for my future career is to become a marriage and family therapist, I decided to research if individuals choose their significant other based on their parents. The results of my research led me to wonder about the effects of family dynamics on relationships. Understanding how family dynamics affect relationships matters because it helps explain why individuals choose the partners they do. This research can help reduce relationship departures. Critics argue that family dynamics strongly influence …

Characterization Of Sediment-Flow Interactions In Tidally Driven Salt Marsh Environments, Elijah Rousseau

Master's Theses and Capstones

Salt marshes are effective sediment traps and under static sea levels are known to increase in elevation over time. However, current sedimentation rates are insufficiently high to keep up with the estimated sea level rise. Strategies such as the mud motor, which proposes the injection of dredged sediment into incoming flood tides, require a deeper understanding of how tidal flows evolve in complex estuarine systems and how suspended sediment is dispersed and deposited in vegetated environments. Two field deployments occurred in the summer of 2023 to study the mechanisms of sediment transport and accretion along a horizontal marsh transect in …

Retrospectively Exploring Differences, Relationships, And Predictors Associated With The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool And Patient Outcomes​, Sandra Torres, Angela Ramirez, Nicole Boswell, Sigrid Somarriba, Simone Cheong, Natalie Bermudez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Prolonged immobility in hospitalized patients is prevalent and associated with hospital-acquired functional decline and other adverse hospital outcomes. Early mobilization (EM) of hospitalized patients reduces the incidence of hospital-acquired conditions. Therefore, early identification of patients’ mobility status and EM are essential. Evidence shows that using the Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT) promotes early mobility and improved patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the BMAT assessment on patient outcomes (falls, hospital-acquired pressure injuries [HAPIs], and length of stay [LOS]). Methods: This was an IRB-approved retrospective research study. Data were collected from patient records …

How Low Can We Go: Evaluation Of A Pharmacist-Led Weight Loss Management Program, Kelly Rubi, Elaina Rosario, Sara Panella, Jacqualine Igwe, Maria Pulido, Faaria Quadri

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Obesity is a major health challenge that is associated with several health risks, including diabetes and hypertension. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacists on the therapy optimization of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in a weight management program. Methods: This project evaluated a quality improvement initiative through a retrospective chart review that included patients who were treated with semaglutide or liraglutide between October 2022 and July 2023, with body mass indices (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater with at least one weight-related comorbidity or a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2. …

Pharmacist-Led Care In Collaboration With A Cardiovascular Team To Improve The Management Of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Hospitalized Patients, Dayana Martinez, Radhan B. Gopalani, Kristen De Almeida, Maura Falli, Lisa K. Davis, Jody Murray, Adedapo Iluyomade, Tarak S. Rambhatla, Jonathan Fialkow

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting approximately 17.5 million people yearly. In high-risk patients, reducing lipids, decreasing blood pressure, and ceasing smoking have been shown to lower primary and secondary CVD risk. This project aims to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led care by identifying and managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and further optimizing guideline-directed medical treatment (GDMT) in hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This biphasic quality improvement project was conducted at a community hospital. Patients aged 18 or older with acute coronary syndrome or undergoing elective cardiac catheterization were included. Patients …

Addressing End-Of-Life Care Education Gaps For Registered Nurses: A Quality Improvement Project, Mayra Villalba, Alejandra Angel, Arvinder Singh

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: As the global elderly population grows rapidly, end-of-life care (EOLC) needs have expanded, warranting comprehensive nursing education. There is a significant gap in exposure to EOLC during nursing undergraduate education, clinical experiences, and training opportunities in the professional setting. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate nurses about end-of-life care. Methods: In an established medical-surgical unit, hospice patients with comfort-only measures were placed into a cohort labeled Transitional Care Unit (TCU). Between October 2023 and May 2024, nurses working in the TCU were surveyed on their knowledge regarding EOLC. Staff attended mandatory education sessions after the …

Beyond “C”: A Nurse Navigator-Led Education Project To Increase Survivorship Referrals And Cancer Survivorship Attendance, Carem Irma Costa Castro, Morgan Nestingen, Tania Silva Santos, Pamela Delongchamp, Luz Morales, Barbara Quintana, Marguerite Rowell, Merly Alonso, Natalie Bermudez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Recent advancements in cancer care have improved the prognosis of many cancer survivors who are living longer due to early detection and improvements in treatment. These survivors remain at risk for long-term physical treatment side effects. Survivors may also experience depression and anxiety related to fear of recurrence. Studies show many benefits for patients who participate in survivorship programs; however, participation remains low due to various barriers. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement an oncology nurse navigator (ONN)-led survivorship patient education initiative and evaluate its effectiveness on survivorship program referrals and participation. Methods: Baptist Health’s …

Building A Meditation Room To Improve Critical Care Nurse’S Work Environment: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Jennifer Alonso, Daphne Pierre, Stephanie Wald, Stephen Breazeale

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue are common among nurses, especially for those working in intensive care and during night shifts, and may contribute to the global nursing shortage. Thus, nursing organizations have issued recommendations to improve workplace health. Aligned with these initiatives, we sought to improve nurses' stress by creating a meditation room in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Miami. Methods: This evidence-based practice project took place from March to August 2023. The meditation room opened in May 2023 with a variety of therapeutic modalities, including meditation, music, and aromatherapy. We conducted two custom-designed surveys to …

Geology, Alteration And Mineralization At The Cerro Del Medio Porphyry Au-Cu Deposit, Santa Cecilia Project, Maricunga Belt, Northern Chile, Jose David Franco Moraga

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Cerro del Medio system, situated within the Santa Cecilia-Caspiche district in the southern segment of the Maricunga Belt, exhibits a complex sequence of magmatic and hydrothermal processes that align with regional geological activity during the late Oligocene to early Miocene (25.2â??24.7 Ma). This study highlights the temporal and spatial (i.e., genetic) relationship between subvolcanic diorite porphyry intrusions, hydrothermal alteration, and copper-gold mineralization, providing a framework for future exploration.The hydrothermal system at Cerro del Medio is defined by four main alteration zones: biotite-magnetite (potassic), chlorite-white mica (chlorite-sericite), white mica (sericitic), and aluminosilicate (advanced argillic lithocap). These zones display a halo …

Investigating Brain Reward Mechanisms: A Comparative Study In Male And Female Rats, Valeria Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Drug addiction is a serious public health concern. Recently, electronic cigarette use has become increasingly popular among vulnerable populations such as adolescents and women. Previous research on conventional cigarette use has shown significant sex differences in drug-seeking behavior and withdrawal symptoms, which are driven mainly by hormonal differences. However, changes in sex hormones do not completely explain the enhanced reward sensitivity reported in females. Thus, this dissertation aims to examine other alternative reasons that can explain these sex differences, such as differences in reward-seeking and neuronal reactivity. Additionally, there is a dearth of consistency across papers intending to map electrode …

Advancements In Polymer Synthesis And Ceramic Additive Manufacturing For Energy Applications, Sofia Gabriela Gomez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The aim of this work was to create polymer and ceramic materials for integration into energy applications. The first part of this research was to fabricate polymer syntactic foams that exhibited high energy absorption capabilities. The fabrication of polymer syntactic foams was feasible through synthesizing hollow polysiloxane microspheres that were imbedded into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. An array of characterization techniques was used to test the material and physical properties of the syntactic foams. The next step of this research was to fabricate a porous water emulsion foam ink for use in Direct-Ink-Write (DIW) additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Unlike the …

An Integrated Study Of Aerosol Concentrations And Meteorological Conditions In El Paso Airshed Using Modeling And Instrumentation, Joscelyne Guzman-Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Atmospheric aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. Aerosols can be primary, which are directly emitted into the atmosphere, or secondary, which are formed when emitted gases undergo complex chemical reactions. Atmospheric aerosols can range from a few nanometers to tens of microns in diameter. Atmospheric aerosols play a significant role in climate; they can absorb or reflect heat, influencing temperature and weather patterns. Air quality is also affected by aerosols, which can have detrimental effects on human health, contributing to respiratory issues and other health problems. El Paso Texas is located at the south of the …

The New Anthropocentrism: The Problem Of Water Conservation And Water Justice, Benjamin Stuart Milam

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

My objective with my thesis is to argue for and reinforce a type of anthropocentrism that is both environmentally conscious and consumable for an audience that is not necessarily well versed in philosophical literature. In the first chapter I go over philosophical frameworks, such as Anthropocentrism and Biocentrism, and why I believe they do not meet both of those criteria listed. After that I discuss New Anthropocentrism, coined by Clive Hamilton, and why I believe that a slightly modified version possesses qualities that I believe are needed for the crisis at hand. In chapter 2 I use that framework and …

Ni Uno Mas: A Critical Examination Of Zero Tolerance Policies, Marcos Eduardo Peã±A

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of zero-tolerance policies on minority students, emphasizing the school-to-prison pipeline (STPP). Using a qualitative methodology and testimonios, the study reveals how these policies, initially aimed at severe offenses, have disproportionately targeted minor infractions among ethnic minority students, exacerbating systemic inequities. Through a comprehensive literature review and personal narratives, the research highlights the cultural mismatch between strict disciplinary measures and the lived realities of these students, shedding light on the profound consequences these policies have on their educational journey and personal development. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy reform, advocating for restorative justice practices …

“Don’T Bring Your Feminism Here!”: The African Hair Braiding Salon As A Rhetorically Charged Space For Feminist Activism, Efe Plange

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This project extends scholarship on Black beauty and hair care spaces in the US as rhetorically charged for various forms of activism. It specifically explores the nature of work, conversations and feminist ways of being among a group of braiders working together in an African hair braiding salon to legitimize the African hair braiding salon as a site with unique contributions to this body of work. Grounded in Feminist Geo-criticism and Conversational Rhetoric, the study seeks to make contributions that are relevant to the field of Rhetoric and more specifically the sub-field of feminist rhetorics, African and non-Western feminist rhetorics, …

Optimal Route Planning Considering Microlevel Sequence Of Delivery Task Using Computer Simulation, Dana Alejandra Zamorano Orozco

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As globalization reshapes our industries worldwide, supply chain management has evolved into a highly interconnected world that oversees traditional management, making countries more interdependent. Driven by rapid technological advancements, this shift allows companies to share information in a matter of seconds across continents, aligning operations and building adaptability to quick changes. Therefore, industries have greatly needed to adjust to and use the new technology to their advantage. However, even when this impact can be observed globally, the general impact can be analyzed and eradicated by performing micro-level analysis within the supply chain using technologies to their advantage. AnyLogic is a …

Advocating For The Role Of An Occupational Therapy Assistant In The Mental Health Field, Aleah Snell

Honors Theses

As a student in the WMU OTA Bachelor's of Science program, I completed a baccalaureate project. I chose to advocate for the role of occupational therapy in traditional mental health settings. I chose this topic as I have had several close loved ones struggle with mental health, and I wanted to push my learning of occupational therapy's role in this setting further. Upon choosing my topic, I learned although occupational therapy initially started in mental health aiding veterans returning from war, only 2-3% of OT practitioners work in a mental health setting today. I wanted to understand this decline, and …

Exploring Secure Methods For Ensuring Data Integrity: A Theoretical Analysis Of Cryptographic And Detection Techniques, Haryam Garcia Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigates cryptographic methods to ensure data integrity within cloud environments, with a particular focus on comparing the security, performance, and efficiency of MD5 and SHA-256 hash algorithms. Data integrity is critical for protecting sensitive information, especially in sectors like healthcare, where cloud storage solutions are increasingly prevalent. Through a theoretical analysis, the study evaluates the advantages and limitations of MD5 and SHA-256, emphasizing SHA-256’s stronger security capabilities in preventing collision attacks compared to MD5, albeit with higher resource consumption.

The literature review draws from recent advancements in cryptography, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, presenting a comprehensive view …

The Disordered Negatively Charged C-Terminus Of The Large Hect E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Herc2 Provides Structural And Thermal Stability To The Hect C-Lobe, Kelly L. Waters, Kayla J. Rich, Noah D. Schwaegerle, Tianyi Yang, Shuanghong Huo, Donald E. Spratt

Chemistry

Homologous to the C-terminus of E6AP (HECT) and RCC1-like domain (RLD)-containing protein 2 (HERC2) is a large, 528 kDa E3 ubiquitin ligase that is associated with cancer, oculocutaneous albanism type 2, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other neurological diseases. HERC2 has been found to contribute to double-stranded DNA break repairs, tumor suppression, maintaining centrosome architecture, and ubiquitylation. The C-terminal portion of the HECT domain (C-lobe) of HERC2 is responsible for transferring ubiquitin to a substrate but the precise function of the other eight domains in HERC2 are unknown. Interestingly, HERC2 contains a unique and negatively charged C-terminal …

Nutraceutical Supplement Mitigates Insulin Resistance In Horses With A History Of Insulin Dysregulation During A Challenge With A High-Starch Diet, Caroline Loos, Annette Castelein, Eric Vanzant, Emma Adam, Kyle R. Mcleod

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Insulin dysregulation (ID) is associated with an increased risk of laminitis which often necessitates the need for clinical intervention. To test the contention that the prophylactic supplementation of nutraceuticals could mitigate ID in susceptible horses, 16 mature horses with a history of ID were supplemented with either the placebo (n = 8) or nutraceutical (n = 8) once daily. Horses were housed in dry lots with ad libitum access to grass hay and fed a concentrate twice daily to provide 0.5 g starch/kg BW/meal. A combined glucose–insulin tolerance test was performed on all horses before and after 4 weeks of …

Quantum Visual Feature Encoding Revisited, Xuan-Bac Nguyen, Hoang-Quan Nguyen, Hugh Churchill, Samee U. Khan, Khoa Luu

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although quantum machine learning has been introduced for a while, its applications in computer vision are still limited. This paper, therefore, revisits the quantum visual encoding strategies, the initial step in quantum machine learning. Investigating the root cause, we uncover that the existing quantum encoding design fails to ensure information preservation of the visual features after the encoding process, thus complicating the learning process of the quantum machine learning models. In particular, the problem, termed the “Quantum Information Gap” (QIG), leads to an information gap between classical and corresponding quantum features. We provide theoretical proof and practical examples with visualization …

Crypto Failure In The Shadows, Kara J. Bruce

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Link Between Over-The-Counter Pain Medication Use And Hypertension Risk, Maheen Zahidi, Saira Saeed Khan, Sadaf Naeem, Anosh Tahir, Gufran Ullah Khan, Maryam Mehmood, Afshan Bano

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both non-selective and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, are among the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide. NSAIDs alter renal function if given in high enough doses, reducing renal blood flow and the glomerular filtration rate and causing sodium retention. An issue of interest is the association between the consumption of self-medicated over-the-counter (OTC) drugs analgesics, specifically NSAIDs and hypertension (HTN), which is considered as a cardiovascular risk factor. Objectives: This research aims to establish the relationship between the frequent use of OTC NSAIDs and an increased risk of hypertensive disease, emphasizing the implications of …