Digital Commons Network^™

Medicare Reimagined: Past, Present And Future Envisioned For Aging In Place, Nancy Patterson

DSW Capstone Projects

The older population is persons aged 65 and older. Many older adults live healthy and active lives while others have one or more illnesses or comorbidities that make it difficult for them to live alone. Older adults aged sixty-five and older who have one or more comorbidities often require assistance to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Older adults who do not have this needed assistance often have frequent falls, make frequent trips to the emergency room, have frequent hospital admissions, or end up in a nursing home.

Product one of the Capstone Presentation is the systematic …

Experiences Of Muslim Mothers Of Children With Disabilities: A Qualitative Study, Enaya Othman, Lee Za Ong, Irfan A. Omar, Abir K. Bekhet, Janan Najeeb

Arabic Languages and Literatures

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Muslim mothers of children with disabilities. Many studies have addressed the challenges faced by family caregivers in Western societal settings and little is known about the challenges of Muslim mothers of children with disabilities faced and the impact to their well-being. The study revealed several themes regarding the values in caregiving, disparity, fortitude, and needs. It provided a unique perspective on the intersection of gender with culture, religion, and immigrant status for the caregivers. The implication on the cultural stigmatization of disability in Muslim communities is discussed.

“They’Re Just Playing”: Why Child Social Media Stars Need Enhanced Coogan Protections To Save Them From Their Parents, Nila Mcginnis

Missouri Law Review

In May 2020, American social media influencer Myka Stauffer, who boasted almost one million followers across various internet platforms at the peak of her career, announced that she and her husband were “rehoming” their autistic son, Huxley, whom they adopted from China three years prior. Over the course of their journey to adopt Huxley, the Stauffers monetized dozens of posts and videos across several channels and accounts on YouTube and Instagram, prominently featuring Huxley in advertisements for brands like Dreft, Danimals, and Playtex Baby. The Stauffers, who were also accused of duct taping Huxley’s hands to stop him from sucking …

Editorial For The Special Issue On Micromachines For Non-Newtonian Microfluidics, Lanju Mei, Shizhi Qian

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

In lieu of an abstract, this is an excerpt from the first page.

Microfluidics has seen a remarkable growth over the past few decades, with its extensive applications in engineering, medicine, biology, chemistry, etc [...]

Trust In Human-Robot Interaction Within Healthcare Services: A Review Study, Dedra Townsend, Amirhossein Majidirad

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

There has always been a dilemma of the extent to which human can rely on machines in different activities of daily living. Ranging from riding on a self-driving car to having an iRobot vacuum clean the living room. However, when it comes to healthcare settings where robots are intended to work next to human, making decision gets difficult because repercussions may jeopardize people’s life. That has led scientists and engineers to take one step back and think out of the box. Having concept of trust under scrutiny, this study helps deciphering complex human-robot interaction (HRI) attributes. Screening essential constituents of …

Disparities In Uptake Of The Primary Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine Series In A Southern Indiana Vaccine Clinic, Cassidy Padgett

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objective: COVID-19 is a potentially severe respiratory disease caused by infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 was first discovered in 2019 and vaccines against the virus began development in early 2020. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clark Memorial Health is a 236-bed community health system located in southern Indiana. As one of the first four hospitals in the state of Indiana to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine in December of 2020, this health system led the area in vaccine administration. Prior to the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the COVID-19 vaccines, …

Identifying Factors Associated With Syringe Reuse Among People Who Inject Drugs (Pwid) In Appalachia Kentucky, Grayson Keith Fuller

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Aim: Syringe reuse contributes to the spread of infectious diseases. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with syringe reuse among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kentucky.

Methods: PWID (n=238) completed interviewer-administered questionnaires to collect data on syringe reuse and demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics. Negative log binomial regression was used to model the associations.

Results: On average, people reused each syringe 9.3 times (median: 3; IQR: 2-10, range 1-95). Syringe reuse was higher among men [aOR=1.386; 95% CI: 1.041-1.845] and those who injected methamphetamine [aOR=2.122; 95% CI: 1.445-3.116]. Reuse was also higher among those who …

An Analysis Of The Association Between Cognitive Decline And Geographic Residence Among Women Over 65 In The Southeastern United States, Christine Invergo

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Abstract

Introduction: The United States is an increasingly aging nation, and aging increases the risk of cognitive decline. Information on the relationship between cognitive decline and geographic residence in the U.S. is limited. Available evidence suggests that rural residents tend to suffer persistent disadvantages in cognitive functioning when compared to sociodemographically similar urban peers. This analysis focused on women over 65 years of age living in the southeastern U.S. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine if there was a significant association between geographic residence and cognitive decline. A secondary objective was to explore variables of interest that …

An Analysis Of The Association Between Cognitive Decline And Geographic Residence Among Women Over 65 In The Southeastern United States, Christine Invergo

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Abstract

Introduction: The United States is an increasingly aging nation, and aging increases the risk of cognitive decline. Information on the relationship between cognitive decline and geographic residence in the U.S. is limited. Available evidence suggests that rural residents tend to suffer persistent disadvantages in cognitive functioning when compared to sociodemographically similar urban peers. This analysis focused on women over 65 years of age living in the southeastern U.S. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine if there was a significant association between geographic residence and cognitive decline. A secondary objective was to explore variables of interest that …

Disparities In Access To Chemotherapy Among Kentucky Stage Iv Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients, Joshua Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

OBJECTIVE: This population-based retrospective cohort study examines the association of sociodemographic disparities with the receipt of chemotherapy among patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the precision oncology and immunotherapy era.

METHODS: Kentucky Cancer Registry data from 2010 through 2017 was analyzed using univariate, bivariate, unadjusted, and adjusted multivariate regressions to assess disparities in our population (N = 9490).

RESULTS:We found no significant difference in receipt of chemotherapy between sexes (OR 0.99, P=0.90) nor races (OR 1.12, P=0.22). Patients diagnosed in an Appalachia county were significantly less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR 0.71, …

Demographic Characteristics Of Individuals Needing Treatment For Substance Use Disorder, Amber Hill

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction:

While multiple options are available for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD), 9% of individuals reported needing treatment within the last year for illicit drug or alcohol use, according to the 2020 National Survey for Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Despite concerns about widespread disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, there are limited current data regarding demographic characteristics of individuals that need treatment. It is crucial to identify these characteristics from population-based data in order to develop and implement targeted public health interventions.

Methods:

The NSDUH is an annual, nationwide survey that collects data about substance use and …

Policy Approaches To Address Childhood Obesity, Omoadoni Roseline Obielodan

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Childhood obesity continues to be a serious international public health concern. Unfortunately, there are limited treatment options for obesity. One notable intervention option is the University of Kentucky (UK) Pediatric high BMI clinic intervention for childhood obesity. The Clinic provides intervention for childhood obesity through healthy lifestyle habits. This intervention has been reported to be effective.

Even though there is evidence that public health policies that promote healthy behaviors would substantially reduce and prevent the alarming prevalence of childhood obesity, the state of Kentucky does not have well-established practical policies that promote healthy behaviors in children. Studies have shown …

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Using A Rapid Coaching Intervention To Teach Parents Naturalistic Strategies To Teach Communication, Rose Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

In this study, a multi-component, rapid coaching intervention that included providing rationales, modeling, coaching during brief practice sessions, and performance-based feedback to train parents of children with communication delays to use naturalistic strategies during play. In addition, this study modeled successful interdisciplinary collaboration. A multiple baseline design across behaviors was used to evaluate the intervention and subsequent changes in the parent’s behavior. Results indicated that hat the rapid coaching model can be effective when it came to teaching parents how to implement naturalistic strategies. Additional data are needed before a definitive decision can be made regarding the effectiveness of the …

Biomechanical Behavior And Life Span Of Maxillary Molar According To The Access Preparation And Pericervical Dentin Preservation: Finite Element Analysis, Nawar Nawar, Mohamed Kataia, Henry Cheol Kim, Engy M. Kataia, Nada Omar

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Different Combinations Of Cad-Cam Crown And Customized Abutment Materials On The Force Absorption Capacity In Implant Supported Restorations – In Vitro Study, Ahmed Sabet

Dentistry

Objectives: To evaluate the force absorption capacity of implant supported restorations utilizing different CAD-CAM materials for the fabrication of crowns and customized abutments. Methods: 80 titanium inserts were scanned to design customized abutments and crowns. The specimens were divided into four groups (n = 20/material): (Z): zirconia, (P): PEEK, (V): VITA Enamic, and (E): IPS e.max. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to customized abutment material: (Z) zirconia, and (P) for PEEK. For the assessment of force absorption, all specimens were loaded in a universal testing machine, applied loads curves were collected from the machine’s software, and resulting …

In Vitro Comparative Sem Analysis Of Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste And Diode Laser: Evaluation Of Efficacy Of Dentinal Tubular Occlusion, Mohamed Shamel, Sara Elbanna

Dentistry

Introduction Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a very common problem that faces many patients and maintaining treatments with a long term effectiveness remains a challenge. Based on hydrodynamic theory, the main approach of overcoming DH are tubular occlusion.

Objectives The aim of this study was to discover the efficacy of diode laser alone and in combination with a desensitizing toothpaste containing nano-hydroxyapatite (nHap) to evaluate dentinal tubule occlusion after acid challenge under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Material and methods Forty dentin discs were divided into 4 groups: group 1, control; group 2, dentin disc treated with nHap toothpaste for one week; …

Sleep Quality, Weight Status, And Executive Functioning In Patients Presenting For Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluation, Justin D. Misterka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Poor sleep quality and elevated weight status are associated with poorer executive functioning (EF). The current study investigated the relationship between sleep quality, weight status, and EF in patients presenting for vocational rehabilitation evaluation, as well as whether EF is related to endorsing well-defined vocational interests. This retrospective study evaluated neuropsychological test data collected as part of standard clinical care from October 2018 to February 2021 from an urban outpatient training clinic. Patients seen for neuropsychological evaluation (N = 96) completed the Booklet Category Test, Trails A & B, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Behavior Rating Index of Executive Function (BRIEF), …

Predicting Adhd Symptoms In Adults From Performance On Selected Neuropsychological Measures, Kara Taylor

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Neuropsychological assessment is useful for identifying and predicting symptoms of psychological disorders. Certain tests within a neuropsychological battery can be better predictors of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms than others. The current study aims to contribute to the growing body of literature supporting the use of neuropsychological assessment in identifying adult ADHD symptoms. Data includes 68 deidentified adults with ADHD collected retrospectively from a private neuropsychology practice. A linear regression model (ANOVA) evaluated the relationship between the dependent variable for Hypotheses 1-3 (Attention and Behavior Rating Form, total score) and independent variables of D-KEFS Tower Test first move time and …

Kinorhynch Diversity In The Southern Gulf Of Mexico And A Description Of Dracoderes Chaac Sp. Nov., Stephen C. Landers, Kellan Hoffman, Nuria Sanchez, Martin Sorensen

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sediment collections from the southern Gulf of Mexico between the Texas—Mexico border and the Yucatán Peninsula have resulted in many new kinorhynch species distribution records and the finding and taxonomic description of a new species, Dracoderes chaac sp. nov. This study focused on the non—echinoderid members of the Phylum Kinorhyncha, many of which are rare or restricted to only a few locations. A total of 136 specimens were identified from 24 sediment stations, distributed among the following species: Antygomonas gwenae, Campyloderes vanhoeffeni, Centroderes readae, Condyloderes flosfimbriatus, Co. rohalorum, Cristaphyes panamensis, Dracoderes chaac sp. nov., …

Temporal And Spatial Occurrence Of Karenia Brevis Blooms In The Northcentral Gulf Of Mexico, Jonathan Jackson, Yee Lau, Paul Mickle, Just Cebrian

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Strengthening Marine Species Protections In Cuba: A Case Study On The Critically Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish, Olga Koubrak, Fabián Pina Amargós, José Alberto Álvarez Lemus, Tonya Wiley, Katie Thompson, Tamara Figueredo Martín, Fernando Bretos, Sonja Fordham

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinate), a critically endangered species of ray, is in urgent need of strong legal protection and conservation action in the Wider Caribbean Region, particularly in Cuba. Cuba has a long history of conservation initiatives for other marine species and is a signatory to multiple multinational agreements that direct the country to protect sawfish. Nevertheless, sawfish are only just beginning to be a species of concern on the island. Here we review existing domestic laws relevant to biodiversity and endangered species protection in Cuba, with a focus on safeguarding sawfish. We offer specific recommendations to …

Life History Of Swordfish, Xiphias Gladius, Caught In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Anna K. Millender, Jeremy M. Higgs, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson, Michael J. Andres, James S. Franks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The current study examined 93 Swordfish, Xiphias gladius, (64 females, 27 males, 2 unknown) ranging in size from 77.6–246.3 cm lower jaw fork length (LJFL) from the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Samples were collected between March and August in 2005–2007, 2017–2019 and 2021. Age estimates of 51 Swordfish resulted in a maximum observed age of 11 years (205.0 cm LJFL) and 7 years (190.4 cm LJFL) for females and males, respectively. Observed and back—calculated length—at—age data were fitted to 4 growth models (2— and 3— parameter von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and logistic). The 2—parameter von Bertalanffy was the model …

An Open Trial Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy With Exposure And Response Prevention In An Intensive Outpatient Setting For Adults With Ocd, L. K. Capel, P. Zurita-Ona, C. Muller, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment settings for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common, but data on their effectiveness is limited. The effectiveness of IOP treatment for adults with OCD using combined Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) was studied with eight adults. The intervention was 15 hours per week for three weeks. Measures were collected at pre-treatment, one-week, two-weeks, post-treatment, and at one-month follow-up. At the end of treatment, all participants were in the mild range of OCD symptom severity with a mean symptom decrease of 58%. Psychological inflexibility, depression, anxiety and stress significantly decreased …

Nutrient Improvements In Chesapeake Bay: Direct Effect Of Load Reductions And Implications For Coastal Management, Rebecca R. Murphy, Jennifer Keisman, Jon Harcum, Renee R. Karrh, Mike Lane, Elgin S. Perry, Qian Zhang

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In Chesapeake Bay in the United States, decades of management efforts have resulted in modest reductions of nutrient loads from the watershed, but the corresponding improvements in estuarine water quality have not consistently followed. Generalized additive models were used to directly link river flows and nutrient loads from the watershed to nutrient trends in the estuary on a station-by-station basis, which allowed for identification of exactly when and where responses are happening. Results show that Chesapeake Bay’s total nitrogen and total phosphorus conditions are mostly improving after accounting for variation in freshwater flow. Almost all of these improving nutrient concentrations …

Genomic Degeneration And Reduction In The Fish Pathogen Mycobacterium Shottsi, David T. Gauthier, Janis H. Doss, M. Lagatta, T. Gupta, R.K. Karls, F. D. Quinn

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium shottsii is a dysgonic, nonpigmented mycobacterium originally isolated from diseased striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Genomic analysis reveals that M. shottsii is a Mycobacterium ulcerans/Mycobacterium marinum clade (MuMC) member, but unlike the superficially similar M. pseudoshottsii, also isolated from striped bass, it is not an M. ulcerans ecovar, instead belonging to a transitional group of strains basal to proposed “Aronson” and “M” lineages. Although phylogenetically distinct from the human pathogen M. ulcerans, the M. shottsii genome shows parallel but nonhomologous genomic degeneration, including massive accumulation of pseudogenes accompanied by proliferation of …

Rickettsial Pathogen Perturbs Tick Circadian Gene To Infect The Vertebrate Host, Supreet Khanal, Vikas Taank, John F. Anderson, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Ixodes scapularis is a medically important tick that transmits several microbes to humans, including rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In nature, these ticks encounter several abiotic factors including changes in temperature, humidity, and light. Many organisms use endogenously generated circadian pathways to encounter abiotic factors. In this study, we provide evidence for the first time to show that A. phagocytophilum modulates the arthropod circadian gene for its transmission to the vertebrate host. We noted a circadian oscillation in the expression of arthropod clock, bmal1, period and timeless genes when ticks or tick cells were exposed to alternate 12 h …

Editorial: Tick Saliva: Secret To Blood Feeding Success, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Patricia A. Nuttall, Sukanya Narasimhan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Population Genetic Structure In Chamaecrista Fasciculata (Michx.) Greene (Fabaceae) In The Southeastern United States, Mahboubeh Hosseinalizadeh Nobarinezhad, Lisa E. Wallace

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Chamaecrista fasciculata is a widely distributed, phenotypically variable species in the eastern U.S. Whereas studies have demonstrated genetic structure and local adaptation in northern areas of its distribution, there has been no comparison of genetic variability among populations at the southern extent where phenotypic variation is more complex. We characterized genetic variation at 14 microsatellite loci for populations in Mississippi and Alabama and compared this to variation in a phenotypic trait, leaf pubescence. Geographic distance, climatic variables, and elevation were evaluated as factors to explain the observed patterns of genetic diversity. A significant amount of variation (19%) resided among populations, …

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins Shape TReg Cells, Piotr Kraj

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family includes cytokines controlling cell behavior, differentiation and homeostasis of various tissues including components of the immune system. Despite well recognized importance of TGF-β in controlling T cell functions, the immunomodulatory roles of many other members of the TGF-β cytokine family, especially bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), start to emerge. Bone Morphogenic Protein Receptor 1α (BMPR1α) is upregulated by activated effector and Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Treg cells) and modulates functions of both of these cell types. BMPR1α inhibits generation of proinflammatory Th17 cells and sustains peripheral Treg cells. This finding underscores the importance of …

Mismatches In Scale Between Highly Mobile Marine Megafauna And Marine Protected Areas, Melinda G. Conners, Nicholas B. Sisson, Pierre D. Agamboue, Philip W. Atkinson, Alastair M.M. Baylis, Scott R. Benson, Barbara A. Block, Steven J. Bograd, Pablo Bordino, W. D. Bowen, Paul Brickle, Ignacio M. Bruno, Victoria González Carman, Cory D. Champagne, Daniel E. Crocker, Daniel P. Costa, Tiffany M. Dawson, Tomohiro Deguchi, Heidi Dewar, Philip D. Doherty, Tomo Eguchi, Angela Formia, Brendan J. Godley, Rachel T. Graham, Christian Gredzens, Kristen M. Hart, Lucy A. Hawkes, Suzanne Henderson, Robert William Henry Iii, Luis A. Hückstädt, Ladd M. Irvine, Sarah S. Kienle, Carey E. Kuhn, Damian Lidgard, Stephanie A. Loredo, Bruce R. Mate, Kristian Metcalfe, Jacob Nzegoue, Carmen K. Kouerey Oliwina, Rachel A. Orben, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Richard Parnell, Elizabeth P. Pike, Patrick W. Robinson, Howard C. Rosenbaum, Fumio Sato, Scott A. Shaffer, Donna J. Shaver, Samantha E. Simmons, Brian J. Smith, Guy-Philippe Sounguet, Robert M. Suryan, David R. Thompson, Megan Tierney, Dominic Tilley, Hillary S. Young, Victoria Warwick-Evans, Michael J. Weise, Randall S. Wells, Bradley P. Wilkinson, Matthew J. Witt, Sarah M. Maxwell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna under the assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen to reflect the span of home range size in highly mobile marine megafauna, we show most MPAs are too small to encompass complete home ranges of most species. Based on size alone, 40% of existing MPAs could encompass the home ranges of the smallest …