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Exploring Incivility Among Nursing And Health Science Students: A Descriptive Study, Diane Louise Smith

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Incivility has infiltrated our institutions of higher learning as well as the world of nursing. All too familiar in nursing is the phrase “eating their young,” which aptly describes how nurses treat other nurses, even though they should be nurturing and caring professionals.

The investigator explored nursing and health science students’ perceptions of student and faculty uncivil behaviors within the academic environment, seeking the levels and frequency of the problem. Bandura’s social learning theory presents a sound theoretical framework for this dissertation. The research methodology consisted of a quantitative descriptive approach. The Incivility in Higher Education-Revised (IHE-R) Survey was used …

Evaluating The Impact Of Adopting 3d Printing Services On The Retailers, Sharareh Rajaei Dehkordi

Dissertations

As additive manufacturing technology becomes more responsive to consumers’ demand, one important question for the retailers is whether they should provide 3D printing services in their brick-and-mortar store in addition to the traditional off-the-shelf product? If so, what should be the retailers pricing scheme to achieve a higher profit? What should be the optimal inventory level of off-the-shelf products? What is the optimal capacity of 3D printers? In this study, stochastic models are examined to capture the joint optimal 3D product price and capacity of 3D printers to maximize retailer’s expected profit while considering consumer product choices. Moreover, a stochastic …

Carbon Fiber Electrodes For In Vivo Neural Recording, Esma Cetinkaya

Theses

Multi-channel micro electrodes for neural recording is a growing field that thrives on novel materials and fabrication techniques offered by micro fabrication technology. The material and the design of microelectrodes have a critical role on the quality of neural signals recorded. The neural signals collected by chronic implantation of these devices in experimental animals reveal new information about the brain functions and guide the development of new diagnostic and treatment options for neurological disorders.

Ideally, a microelectrode should meet two important criteria: longevity after implantation and minimal tissue insult. Carbon fibers` high tensile strength and flexibility allow fabrication of micro-scale …

Formulation Of Uv Curable Resins Utilized In Vat Photo Polymerization For The Additive Manufacturing Of Gun Propulsion Charge In 3d Printers, David T. Bird

Theses

Formulating resins for Additive Manufacturing (AM), utilizing UV laser stereolithography, is a new technique that makes it possible for the fabrication of complex geometries with high dimensional resolution. This layer by layer photopolymerization approach spans various industrial sectors from adhesives, inks and optical fibers to nanotechnology and biomaterials. UV curable resins such as epoxides, vinyl ethers and other acrylates are important monomers that offer effective mediums for energetic materials, and the potential exists to develop environmentally friendly formulations with suspended energetic materials at various solids loading levels.

Developing techniques for UV curing formulations of highly loaded energetic suspensions is a …

Play Dead, Ann Hackett

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cancer Survivorship: Promoting A Lifetime Of Health, Janelle Coleman-Smith

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Introduction Cancer survivors can face post-cancer treatment effects that need addressing throughout their care trajectory. Education provided to stakeholders and patients will be beneficial in preventing fragmented care, increasing patient satisfaction, and expanding ongoing supportive clinical survivorship care. Methods An adapted Dr. Joanne Lester survivorship needs survey was given to n=7 post-cancer treatment patients within a northern California cancer patient advisory committee. The survey results were analyzed to identify common underserved chronic long-term survivorship needs. Based on the data, an evidence-based educational component was included within a booklet to enhance future survivorship care. Additional surveys were sent to stakeholders …

Understanding Process-Structure Relationship For Site-Specific Microstructure Control In Electron Beam Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Process Using Numerical Modeling, Narendran Raghavan

Doctoral Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing (AM), the fabrication of 3-D parts from CAD models, is a disruptive technology that is transforming the manufacturing industry. In any manufacturing process, understanding the process-structure-property-performance (PSPP) linkage is crucial to predict the lifespan of the manufactured component. In the PSPP linkage, the solidification microstructure (liquid-solid phase transformation) is one of the important factors affecting the mechanical property and performance of the additively manufactured components. During rapid solidification, the solidification microstructure is dictated by the thermal gradient (G) at the liquid-solid interface and velocity (R) of the liquid-solid interface. In this work, the transient heat transfer and fluid …

Micro-Architectured Metamaterials: Design And Analysis, Li Ai

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

Metamaterials are engineered materials with unusual properties deriving mainly from their micro-architectures rather than composition. They have attracted increasing attention owing to their tailorable multi-functional properties that cannot be exhibited by naturally-occurring or traditionally-manufactured materials. Materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio (PR) and materials with a non-positive coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) are examples of mechanical metamaterials. In this dissertation, metamaterials with negative Poisson’s ratios and negative coefficients of thermal expansion are designed using both heuristic approaches and topology optimization methods.

Firstly, based on a star-shaped re-entrant structure, three two-dimensional (2-D) periodic cellular materials are developed, which can be tailored …

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors: Evaluation Of Geometry, Attachment Surface Material And Biofilm Populations On The Uptake Of Ammonia And Synthetic Organic Contaminants In Wastewater., Patrick D. Mclee

Civil Engineering ETDs

Plastic biofilm carriers are used in biological wastewater treatment to encourage the attachment and retention of microorganisms that metabolize pollutants. The following research was conducted to better understand how different characteristics of the biofilm carrier affect the treatment performance of the attached biofilms in moving bed bioreactors. Lab scale reactors were used in this study to grow nitrifying biofilms in reactors with contrasting and controlled conditions. The effect of surface geometry on nitrification performance was evaluated by testing commercially available moving bed bioreactor media that contrast in physical design, and by varying operational parameters. Additionally, mature biofilm from a similar …

The Sediment Analysis Of A Prehistoric Shell Midden From Nevis, West Indies, Erika Harvey

Master's Theses

Archaeology in the Caribbean is a growing area of research. The last few decades have revealed a series of Ceramic Age sites +600BCE - 1620CE along the Windward coast of Nevis, West Indies. These sites must be excavated and examined soon, due to the effects of erosion and sea level rise. It is pertinent to explore and expand the knowledge of the prehistoric Carib peoples, if we are truly going to understand the history of the Caribbean. By bridging aspects of science and humanities through geoarchaeological methods, this project is aiming for an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the pre-Colonial …

Cpap-Mad Combination Therapy For Cpap Intolerant Patients With Moderate To Severe Osa, Jacob Stadiem

Theses & Dissertations

The treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for a multidisciplinary approach between dentistry and medicine. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for OSA treatment, but the non-adherence rates are high. The mandibular advancement device (MAD) has a higher acceptance rate than the CPAP, however the efficacy is much lower in cases of moderate to severe OSA. This thesis attempted to evaluate if there was a change in compliance when a MAD was added as a combination therapy to moderate to severe OSA subjects that were currently non-compliant with their CPAP. In addition, the change in air …

Transcriptome Profiling Of Cleft Palate Intgf-Beta3 Knockout Mice Alleles: Rna-Seq Analysis Of Tgf-Beta3 Mice, Kelsey White

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Orofacial clefts are the most common craniofacial birth defect with a complex, combinatorial etiology. Tgf-b3 regulates palatal fusion in mice; Tgf-b3 knockout mice have cleft palate (CP) lacking other major deformities. The genes downstream of Tgf-b3 during palatogenesis remain largely unexplored. Our objective was to analyze the global transcriptome changes and their contribution to CP and identify novel Tgf-b3 associated genes involved in formation of CP. We used RNA-sequencing to analyze and compare the whole transcriptome of Tgf-b3 alleles during palatal growth and fusion in mice.

Results: …

Remediation Strategies For Mercury Contaminated Lakes And Reservoirs Within The State Of California, Emily Chortek

Master's Projects and Capstones

Mercury is an environmental and public health concern due to its neurodegenerative effects and ubiquitous concentration within the environment. To mitigate these risks and reduce concentrations within the environment, remediation methods are necessary. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the efficacy of a number of remediation options for mercury contaminated lakes and reservoirs in the State of California. This paper also identifies a number of challenges associated with the implementation of each method and provides recommendations for environmental managers to use when remediating mercury contaminated lakes. Hypolimnetic oxygenation (HOS) was found to be the least problematic …

The Effect Of Mechanical Vibration On Pain And Rate Of Tooth Movement During Initial Orthodontic Alignment, Leslie Ellingson

Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of mechanical vibration on pain experienced and rate of tooth movement (OTM) during the initial alignment phase of orthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to control, low frequency or high frequency. An electric toothbrush was modified to provide high frequency vibration. A low frequency vibration device was acquired from a commercial vendor. Experimental groups applied vibration to the dentition for 20 minutes daily. All participants completed questionnaires using visual analog scales at five time points. Pain experience was measured in millimeters (mm) with the scale measuring …

Improving Oral Care Practices And Aspiration Risk Assessment To Mitigate Risk Of Hospital Acquired Pneumnia, Jeniffer Baker

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

The aim of Improving Oral Care Practices and Aspiration Risk Assessment to Mitigate Risk of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia is to decrease rates of hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) on a 16 bed Transitional Care Unit (TCU) with a mixed skill staff. The theme of the project is risk reduction with improved patient outcomes and cost reduction as reasons for implementation. Fourteen cases of HAP were reported in the last 5 quarters which accounts for 48% of all in-patient acquired infections. Through policy development, standardization of oral care technique, and improved risk factor assessment, the project goal is to decrease rates …

A Roadmap For The Journey Home - A Supplemental Tool Guiding Patients From Hospital To Home, Michelle Basco

Master's Projects and Capstones

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have recognized readmission rates as a public health problem. CMS incentivizes hospitals to reduce readmission rates and reduce payments for hospitals with high readmission rates (Berry et al., 2013). Patient education and discharge planning are associated with decreased readmission rates. I gained fieldwork experience at Children’s Health System of Texas in Dallas. Children’s Health, a pediatric non-profit, is the 8th largest pediatric health care provider in the U.S. Prior to discharge patient education occurs on topics related to their diagnosis, plus patients are provided discharge instructions including their diagnosis, medications, and simple instructions for …

Fabrication And Modification Of Titania Nanotube Arrays For Harvesting Solar Energy And Drug Delivery Applications, Ahmed El Ruby Abdel Rahman Mohamed

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The fast diminishing of fossil fuels in the near future, as well as the global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gases have motivated the urgent quest to develop advanced materials as cost-effective photoanodes for solar light harvesting and many other photocatalytic applications. Recently, titania nanotube arrays (TNTAs) fabricated by anodization process has attracted great interest due to their excellent properties such as: high surface area, vertically oriented, highly organized, one-dimensional, nanotubular structure, photoactivity, chemical stability and biocompatibility. This unique combination of excellent properties makes TNTAs an excellent photoanode for solar light harvesting. However, the relatively wide band gap energy of …

Carbohydrates And Fungal Toxin Exposure Influence The Vaginal Microbiota, Metabolome, And Reproductive Health Of Women, Stephanie L. Collins

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The reproductive health of women is influenced by microorganisms and their metabolites, namely those representing the vaginal microbiota and those producing toxins that are ingested. To manipulate the vaginal microbiota toward a health-associated, Lactobacillusdominant state, an approach adopting prebiotic lactulose was taken. Using batch culture, lactulose supported Lactobacillus maintenance and positively altered metabolites, while not disrupting indigenous L. crispatus epithelial adherence. The vagina also harbours abundant glycogen, but initial assumptions that lactobacilli utilize it were incorrect. I have now shown that glycogen selectively stimulates organisms associated with dysbiosis and L. iners in a self-limiting manner. Other compounds such as environmental …

Effects Of Prenatal Bisphenol A Exposure On Adrenal Gland Development And Steroidogenic Function, Samantha Medwid

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Developmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous endocrine disrupting chemical, is associated with organ dysfunction and diseases in adulthood. However, little is known about its effects on the adrenal glands. Therefore, this thesis addresses this important question using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. BPA at environmentally relevant doses was administrated via diet to pregnant mice from embryonic day 7.5 to birth, following which mice were switched to a standard chow. At two months postnatally, adrenal glands and blood samples were collected from adult mouse offspring for structural and functional analysis. I found that: (a) BPA increased adrenal …

Crispr Screen For Identification Of Kinases That Mediate Prostate Cancer Cell Invasion, Hamad Aldhafeeri

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in cancer patients. Inhibition of proteins that are involved in the regulation of metastasis are expected to suppress metastasis and represent treatment targets. Our focus is on prostate cancer metastasis and we have developed a novel high-throughput means of performing in vitro screens for regulators of prostate cancer metastasis. We propose to use a focused CRISPR library screen that will “knock out” all human kinases to determine which ones are responsible for prostate cancer metastasis. CRISPR is a potent genetic editing tool and was used to silence all kinases in prostate cells (BPH …

Synergistic Effects Of D-Δ-Tocotrienol And Xanthorrhizol On Murine B16 Melanoma Cells, Darren H. Chan

Nutrition Theses

Background: Skin cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, of which melanoma is the most lethal form. Conventional chemotherapy treatments come with a host of side effects. d-δ-Tocotrienol and xanthorrhizol have shown potential in treatment of cancers. Tocotrienol, an isomer of vitamin E, has demonstrated apoptotic and cell cycle arrest effects on cancer cells. Xanthorrhizol, a sesquiterpenoid, has demonstrated anticancer effects through both hormonal and nonhormonal pathways. It is unknown whether combinations of d-δ-tocotrienol and xanthorrhizol provide greater growth-suppressive activity than these agents alone.

Methods: The proliferation of murine B16 melanoma cells was …

Nutritional Outcome Measures Of Preadolescents And Adolescents Diagnosed With Anorexia Nervosa After Receiving Nasogastric Feedings Versus Oral Diet Upon Hospitalization, Anita Nucci, Sarah T. Henes, Jessica Williamson

Nutrition Masters Projects

The purpose of this project was to review the literature related to the demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and nutrition therapy characteristics of inpatient preadolescents and adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN). The literature review includes an overview of the prevalence and diagnostic criteria for AN, screening and evaluation of patients, inpatient treatment protocols, the complications associated with AN, and nutrition treatment options (oral diet, enteral feeding, and parenteral nutrition).

The Effects Of Exercise On Mental Health: A Research Review, Kaylani Benson

Honors College Theses

This research review looks at the effects exercise and physical activity have on mental health. The results of this review are based upon the results of the formal studies that have been included. These studies are Benefits of Exercise on Physical and Mental Health in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Exercise Effects on Mental Health of Preschool Children, The Effect of Morning Exercise on Mental Health of Female Police Employees, Exercise and Mental Health of People Living with HIV: A Systemic Review, Exercise Improves Physical Function and Mental Health of Brain Cancer Survivors: Two Exploratory Case Studies, Effect of Yogic and Physical …

What 2017 Holds For Technology In Dentistry, Arshi Siddiqui

Honors College Theses

Dentistry in the United States is a field that grows and expands based on the needs of its consumers. This paper aims to highlight this very versatility through the analysis of specific demographics of dental practitioners, consumers, and the changes in technology that are predicted for the future of dentistry. With the rise of Generation X and the Millennial Generation, dentistry will undergo many changes alongside the rise of technology throughout the recent years. More evidently, the population is undergoing a very seismic shift in the way they view themselves. Because people are harboring more of an individualistic mindset, the …

Identification And Characterization Of Farr And Fare As A Regulator And Effector Of Fatty Acid Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus, Heba Alnaseri

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Although Staphylococcus aureus is exposed to antimicrobial fatty acids on the skin, in nasal secretions and in abscesses, specific mechanisms for regulating gene expression and intrinsic resistance in response to these fatty acids have not been reported. Through in vitro selection for increased resistance of S. aureus to linoleic acid, I identified fatty acid resistant clone FAR7, where a single nucleotide polymorphism caused a His₁₂₁Tyr substitution in an uncharacterized member of the TetR family of transcriptional regulators, which is divergently transcribed from a gene encoding a member of the resistance-nodulation-division superfamily of multi-drug efflux pumps. I named these …

The Analytical Methods Used To Detect Fluoride In Dental Pharmaceuticals, Amber Aboona

Honors College Theses

My thesis, “The Analytical Methods Used to Detect Fluoride in Dental Pharmaceuticals” discusses the various analytical chemistry methods which are incorporated in the field of dentistry in order to detect fluoride in pharmaceuticals such as toothpaste and mouthwash. The oral cavity is exposed to various forms of bacteria, many of which enter through the consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar and starch. The side effects of fluoride have been a controversial component of oral healthcare, however, many benefits have been discussed. Water fluoridation has been one of many significant methods of incorporating fluoride into the oral cavity, enhancing …

Understanding A Discourse Marker In Quito, Ecuador, Hannah Jesberger

Honors Projects

The present research project examines the possible factors to explain the word-final /f/ in Ecuadorian Spanish including but not limited to: where it is used, who uses it (gender, age ranges, social class), and with which words it is most commonly used. As the first extensive research study on the word-final /f/, the project may lead to other investigations of this phenomenon and other features of Ecuadorian Spanish. In addition, if there are other variations of the marker pues in the Spanish varieties spoken in different regions and/or countries, researchers can use this present study as basis to analyze the …

Reflection Through Revision: A Master's Portfolio, Laura Hoebing

Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

This document is a compilation of four essays centered around a theme of reflection and teaching English at a high school level. The essays include pedagogical research on reflective writing, teaching grammar, and standards-based grading in a junior high curriculum, as well as an analytical research essay on the role of the police in two contemporary domestic noir novels.

Dietary Study Of The Postclassic Sites Of El Rey And San Miguelito, Isla Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Emily Duke

Anthropology Theses

This thesis is the isotopic dietary study of two Postclassic Maya archaeological sites of El Rey and San Miguelito on the Island of Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula. A bone and tooth sample were used from the individuals in the selected study populations and processed to extract carbonate and collagen to be analyzed for carbon and nitrogen isotopes to determine the dietary utilization of maize and marine protein of these two populations. At this point, the collagen results have not been received from the laboratory and are not part of the conclusions. The carbonate results indicated that the populations were …

From War To Home: The Systematic Issues Operation Enduring And Iraqi Freedom Veterans Face Transitioning With Ptsd, Tiffany D. Ware

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans with PTSD, who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, regarding their participation in the Disabled Transition Assistance Program.

Methodology: The methodology for this research study will be qualitative from a phenomenological perspective. When thinking of research as it pertains to qualitative methods, it is appropriate to use when a researcher is trying to study the lived experiences of individuals (Flipp, 2014; Patton, 2015). This method will describe perceptions of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans with PTSD, who are …