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The Inclusion Of Behavioral Healthcare Providers In Primary Care Settings: A Phenomenological Study, Janette A. Hernandez

Dissertations

With the shift toward integrated care, Behavior Healthcare Providers (BHPs) play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and accessibility to mental health services. However, challenges such as time constraints, role ambiguity, and limited understanding of BHP contributions persist. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the experiences of BHPs in integrated primary care settings. Using semi-structured interviews with eight BHPs, the study examines their roles, challenges, and contributions within healthcare teams. Findings indicate that BHPs enhance collaboration with medical staff and facilitate timely mental health interventions. Yet, barriers such as inconsistent role recognition and workflow inefficiencies hinder full integration. This study …

Literature Review: Parkinson's Disease And Non-Motor Symptoms, With A Focus On Constipation And Potential Therapeutics, Daria Smirnova

ALL - Honors Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that tends to affect elderly individuals and is most commonly associated with the emergence of motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia. However, non-motor symptoms (NMS), such as gastrointestinal (GI) issues, namely constipation, are also prevalent, and deeply affect the lives of individuals suffering with the disease. Among these, constipation stands out as one of the most common and frustrating problems for patients, typically arising from a variety of interrelated factors including disruptions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), diminished dopamine activity, gut microbiota imbalances, inflammation, and side effects from PD …

Impact Of Water Ionic Chemistry On Kombucha Fermentation, Katherine A. Thompson-Witrick, Olivia Sundman, Sadie Disselkoen, Nicholas Hanson, Cheyenne Butler, Victoria Jordan, Ian Galbraith, Jada Spake, Seiler Pollock, Drew M. Budner

Chemistry

Kombucha is made by using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) to ferment sweetened tea. This fermentation produces a beverage with a unique aroma and acidic flavor. Kombucha has recently gained popularity in the United States and has been reported to have numerous health benefits. While there is a wide variation in kombucha composition, little is known about the impact water’s chemistry has on the fermentation and the resulting kombucha. Brewing water for kombucha was altered using the following ions: bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate at different concentrations. Pre-(tea) and post-(kombucha) fermentation (kombucha) products were analyzed for …

Use Of Equine H3n8 Hemagglutinin As A Broadly Protective Influenza Vaccine Immunogen, David Verhoeven, Brett A. Sponseller, James E. Crowe, Sandhya Bangaru, Richard J. Webby, Brian M. Lee

Chemistry

Development of an efficacious universal influenza vaccines remains a long-sought goal. Current vaccines have shortfalls such as mid/low efficacy and needing yearly strain revisions to account for viral drift/shift. Horses undergo bi-annual vaccines for the H3N8 equine influenza virus, and surveillance of sera from vaccinees demonstrated very broad reactivity and neutralization to many influenza strains. Subsequently, vaccinating mice using the equine A/Kentucky/1/1991 strain or recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) induced similar broadly reactive and neutralizing antibodies to seasonal and high pathogenicity avian influenza strains. Challenge of vaccinated mice protected from lethal virus challenges across H1N1 and H3N2 strains. This protection correlated with …

Decoding The Influence Of External Beam Radiotherapy To Brachytherapy Duration And Overall Treatment On Response And Early Recurrences In Cervical Cancer Patients Treated With Chemoradiation, Abhishek Krishna, Bharat Sai Makkapatti, M. S. Athiyamaan, Dilson Lobo

Open Access archive

Purpose: Cervical cancer is a significant global health issue affecting approximately 600,000 women each year. This study aimed to address the knowledge gaps surrounding the influence of treatment time parameters, including the duration of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to brachytherapy and overall treatment duration, on early recurrences. Materials and Methods: Details on demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment details, and outcomes in patients undergoing chemoradiation and brachytherapy for cervical cancer were collected from the medical records. Early recurrence was defined as tumor reappearance within 6 months after treatment in patients with an initial complete response. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics chi-square tests, …

Arima-Genetic Algorithm Approach For Forecasting Milk Production In India, Pramit Pandit, Bishvajit Bakshi, Moumita Paul, B. S. Pooja

Open Access archive

Background: Dairying in India has witnessed a radical transformation from a largely unorganised activity into a thriving organised industry. However, there are only a limited number of earlier attempts that specifically evaluated the milk production pattern of India. Moreover, most of these earlier studies are quite dated and have employed autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, which suffer from the problem of local optima. To overcome this lacuna, we have utilised a genetic algorithm (GA) in the ARIMA framework. Its suitability to forecast the annual milk production in India has also been assessed comparatively with respect to the traditional ARIMA …

Examining Nursing Students' Awareness Of Various Medical Errors During Clinical Internships To Enhance Patient Safety: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study, Ola Mousa, Basma Salameh, Asmaa Saber Ghaly, Md Gulzarull Hasan

Open Access archive

Background Patient safety is a global concern within health facilities, primarily attributed to medical errors, constituting a significant global public health issue. Patients experiencing medication errors face serious problems, with increasing mortality rates and escalating hospital costs. Aim The study aims to examine nursing students' awareness of various medical errors during their clinical internships at Al- Ahsa, identifying types of errors to enhance patient safety. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 nursing students during their internship at King Faisal University, Al Ahasa, Saudi Arabia.A total of 131 participants completed a self-administered questionnaire based on a medical error scale …

Reproductive Injustice, Feminist Resistance, And The Uses Of History In Constitutional Interpretation, Serena Mayeri

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Part I examines the erasure of constitutional memory about reproductive injustice and feminist mobilizations and the benefits of recovering these histories. Part II explores how cases involving women’s subordination provide particularly effective illustrations of the anti-democratic, even absurd, results the current supermajority’s approach to history-and-tradition is designed to produce. Part III concludes with a brief discussion of some sites for the expansion of constitutional memory about reproductive control and freedom.

This abstract has been taken from the author's introduction.

Cultivating And Sustaining Community Engagement At The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rose Masui

Student Projects for Graduate Degrees

The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) was established in Homer, Alaska in 1999 with an overarching purpose of conducting community relevant place-based research, education, training, and outreach within our region. The need to have the Reserve reflective of community needs was also captured within KBNERR’s 2021-2026 Management Plan. As of 2024, the process for engaging the community both to share information and to inform focus areas at the Reserve is not being implemented in a unified approach. Since 2021, three-quarters of the positions at KBNERR have experienced staffing turnovers. A need to re-establish the role the community plays …

Study Of The Effect Of Social Anxiety And Social Support On Third Place Perceptions In Student Samples, Lillian M. Lestrange

Honors Theses

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and perceived social support are well-documented to influence social interaction styles and behaviors. Some data suggests that SAD and social support relate to perceptions and familiarity with various public spaces outside of home and work (i.e., third places). This study assessed relations among social anxiety, self-perceived social support, and attitudes/beliefs about ten common third places (i.e., perceived degree of restorativeness, preference, and sentiment for these places) among undergraduate psychology students (n = 92). Contrary to predictions based on prior research (Fong et al, 2021, Case & Hunter, 2012), social anxiety symptoms did not correlate with any …

Biomechanics And Clinical Implications Of Fontan Upsizing, Vijay Govindarajan, Akshita Sahni, Emily Eickhoff, Peter Hammer, David M Hoganson, Rahul H Rathod, Pedro J Del Nido

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Fontan operation, a palliative procedure for single ventricle patients, has evolved to improve outcomes and reduce complications. While extracardiac conduit (ECC) is favored for its simplicity and potential hemodynamic benefits, concerns arise about conduit size adequacy over time. Undersized ECC conduits may cause hemodynamic inefficiencies and long-term complications, while oversizing can lead to flow disturbances, stagnation, and thrombosis, necessitating surgical revision or upsizing to optimize hemodynamics.

Objectives: The study aimed to predict the impact of upsizing by developing a patient-specific workflow using cardiac magnetic resonance-based imaging and computational fluid dynamics to assess Fontan hemodynamic changes and determine the …

Surgical Suturing Skill Assessment Using Estimated Hand Roll Angle From A Deep-Learning Computer Vision Algorithm, Jianxin Gao, Amir Mehdi Shayan, Simar P. Singh, Joe Bible, Ravikiran Singapogu, Richard E. Groff

Publications

This paper proposes a deep-learning computer vision algorithm to estimate hand roll angles for metric-based assessment of surgical suturing skills. The number of rolls metric, previously calculated directly from IMU data, counts the number of hand roll reversals during a single suture. To calculate this metric using computer vision, we apply a deep-learning algorithm that can reliably estimate hand roll angles after training on suturing videos collected on the SutureCoach simulator. Results show that the estimation accuracy of the deep-learning algorithm is robust to different video backgrounds. The number of rolls metrics were used to analyze suturing performance in the …

Ellipticity-Controlled Exceptional Points From Nanoscale Metasurfaces, Benjamin Goldberg

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Precise control over light polarization is critical for advancing technologies in telecommunica- tions, quantum computing, and image sensing. However, existing methods for manipulating polarization around exceptional points in non-Hermitian systems, have exclusively focused on circular polarization and work with reflected light. To address this limitation, we de- velop a novel metasurface platform with high-Q resonators that enables tunable control of polarization exceptional points across arbitrary ellipticity for transmitted light. Our design uses orthogonally polarized guided mode resonators in a two-layer silicon metasurface, where careful tuning of the dipolar guided mode resonances (DGMRs) and layer spacing allows us to control the …

The Impact Of Food Law Policies On Local Community Empowerment In Indonesia’S Sustainable Food Garden Program, Tiyas Vika Widyastuti, Achmad Irwan Hamzani, Anis Masdurohatun

Indonesia Law Review

This research examines the impact of food law politics on community empowerment and sustainable agriculture in Indonesia, focusing on the Sustainable Food Garden Program (P2L). Utilizing a normative juridical analysis, it explores how legal frameworks can support or obstruct community-led agricultural initiatives. The study highlights the empowering effect of laws aligned with community goals and the challenges arising from legislation favoring industrial agriculture. It proposes legal reforms to address ambiguities and barriers, such as clarifying land tenure rights and simplifying organic certification processes. Recommendations aim to foster a legal environment conducive to sustainable, community-driven agriculture, enhancing food security and environmental …

Engineering Faculty Perceptions On Student-Use Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gai) In Course Completion, Michaela Harper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Computer science and engineering faculty often argue whether students should be allowed to use GAI tools, such as ChatGPT, or banned from using them for fear of decreasing learning and workforce quality. This research gathers and reports engineering and computer science faculty members’ perceptions, opinions, and recommendations for GAI use in higher education. Faculty members agree that these technologies are here to stay and must be understood to address GAI in college and university courses. However, their willingness to implement GAI into their courses varied based on prior experience in industry and with the technology itself. Those with very limited …

Agriculture In The Urbanizing Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Views On Water Quality, Agricultural-Related Conflicts, And The Adoption Of Nutrient Management Plans, Edem Avemegah

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation analyzes Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) agriculture by exploring residents' views on water quality issues, agriculture-related conflict, and farmers' adoption of nutrient management plans. The following questions were asked: What is the level of concern among non-agricultural and agricultural residents about water quality issues in local streams and waterways and the CBW, and to whom do the two groups attribute water quality problems? What are nonfarming residents' and farmers' levels of support for various interventions outlined in previous research on water quality issues in local streams and waterways and the CBW? What is the level of nonfarming residents' and …

Ecological Interactions Of Cougars, Deer, And Wild Pigs In The Central Coast Range, California, Mitchell A. Parsons

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wild pigs are an introduced species in the Americas that negatively affect ecosystems in many ways. Previous research has documented their negative effects on water quality and vegetation and their potential to spread disease among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. However, how wild pigs affect predator-prey interactions between native wildlife has received little attention. This research explores multiple interactions between wild pigs, a native predator (cougars), and a native prey (black-tailed deer). First, I studies cougar diet to understand how frequently pigs are used as prey. During this project, I also placed wildlife cameras at cougar killed prey to monitor …

Designing Technology-Enriched Learning Environments: The Effects Of An Agent-Based Computer Model On Biology Students' Understanding Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Nature Of Models In Science, April Sullivan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Science education researchers have called for increased attention to the science practice of modeling to engage students in authentic scientific inquiry. A major challenge to integrating the modeling practice into science instruction is that students tend to conceptualize models as static end-products of research rather than generative tools for theory-building. Engaging students in using computer models, specifically agent-based computer models (ABMs), to explain and predict scientific phenomena could improve students' understanding of models in science. In this design-based research project I investigate the effects of an ABM-supported learning environment on high-school biology students' understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and the …

Molecular Pathways Of Odontogenic Keratocysts: A Systematic Review, Paolo Boffano, Francesca Neirotti, Matteo Brucoli, Muhammad Ruslin

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) stands out as one of the most prevalent odontogenic tumors. Since its initial description, numerous studies have delved into various aspects of this lesion, aiming to unravel its distinctive biological behavior.

Recent investigations have specifically focused on the molecular aspects of OKC, shedding light on its biological characteristics. Substantial differences at the molecular level between OKC and other odontogenic cystic lesions indicate a distinct biological origin. Genetic and molecular research in the realm of odontogenic tumors, particularly OKC, has contributed significantly to the growing knowledge and understanding of their physiopathological pathways. The molecular findings may open …

Effectiveness Of Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata L.) Against Streptococcus Mutans, Staphylococcus Aureus And Porphyromonas Gingivalis Bacteria, Irene E. Rieuwpassa, Nurlindah Hamrun, Maria Tanumihardja, Juni J. Nugroho, Risfah Yulianty, Sherlie Diana, Yogie M. Arief, Nur F. Said, Rezky A. Putri, Boy M. Bachtiar, Heni Susilowati, Retno I. Roestamadji

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: Therefore, this study was aimed at examining the inhibition of green cabbage and purple cabbage against oral pathogenic bacteria and knowing the nitrate content and the theoretical benefits of nitrate in cabbage as a prebiotic material that supports oral and dental health including systemic body health by lowering blood pressure.

Material and Methods: The type of research to be used is laboratory experimental with the post test only control group. Preparation of green cabbage and purple cabbage extracts with maceration technique. Dilution was carried out so that the concentration of green cabbage and purple cabbage extracts was …

Potential Ethanol Extracts Of Super Red Dragon Fruit Peel And Flesh For Detecting Dental Plaque, Euis R. Yuslianti, Dewi Li. Nasution, Nadya S. Pramita

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: Dental plaque is a collection of microorganisms that adhere to surface of tooth and can cause various health problems in oral cavity. To detect plaque on surface of teeth, a coloring agent such as a disclosing solution is needed. As an alternative ingredient that does not harm, this study used super red dragon fruit peel and flesh (Hylocereus costaricensis) which is high levels of anthocyanins and natural coloring agents that can be used as alternative materials for detecting plaque on surface of tooth.

Material and Methods: The research methode were quasi-experimental design research with a post-test control …

Chitosan Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Pupae Can Improve Macrophages And Fibroblast Post-Extraction Teeth, Renie K. Dewi, Sri Oktawati, Asdar Gani, Eko Suhartono, Zakiah H. Noor, Nurlindah Hamrun, Shahida M. Said, Beta W. Oktiani

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective. The objective of this study was to quantify the number of macrophages and fibroblasts involved in the post dental extraction socket healing.

Material and Methods. Chitosan BSF pupae was made into a gel preparation. Eighteen Male Cavia cobaya were divided into two groups (n = 9), control and treatment groups. BSF pupae chitosan gel was applied to the post-extraction tooth socket in the treatment group, while none was applied to the control group. The samples were decapitated on the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 5^th days by cutting the mandibular bone for histopathological examination, which was …

Mental Index, Antegonial Index, And Mandibular Cortical Index For Assessment Of Bone Quality Using Panoramic Radiograph, Supriyadi, Swasthi Prastyarini, Lusi Hidayati, Agus Sumono, Yohana M. Penga, Susi W. Asih

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Background: Several indices for measuring the thickness of the mandibular cortex using a panoramic radiograph have been developed. Indices enable measurements to assess bone quality (bone mineral density/BMD). This study aims to identify bone quality through mental index (MI), antegonial index (AI), and mandibular cortical index (MCI) measurements using a panoramic radiograph. 

Materials and method: The observational study used a cross-sectional research design. The population was panoramic radiographs of patients in the Radiology installation of the University of Jember Dental Hospital. The samples consisted of 87 panoramic radiographs that met the criteria inclusion: Region of Interest (ROI), i.e., …

Impact Of Irrigation Systems On Water Use And Water Productivity: A Case Study Using Aquacrop In Khartoum, Sudan, Abdalhakam Almagzoop

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

Water scarcity significantly challenges agricultural productivity in arid regions like Khartoum, Sudan. This study evaluates the impact of three irrigation systems—furrow, sprinkler, and surface drip—on the water use and productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under different climatic conditions using the AquaCrop model. Simulations were conducted for three representative years: a wet year (2022), a normal year (2015), and a dry year (2018). The results demonstrate that irrigation substantially improved water use efficiency and crop yield compared to non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions. Rainfed crops resulted in lower biomass, harvest index, and yield, particularly in the dry year, highlighting the importance …

Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

This study delves into the critical role of groundwater in addressing global water challenges, with a focus on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in north Africa. Groundwater constitutes a source of potable water, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in arid regions where surface water is limited. We analyzed the status of water quantity, withdrawals, recharge, and geological characteristics in the NSAS, specifically in Sudan, Egypt, and Libya. Though the NSAS is largely an untapped resource, water withdrawals from the NSAS in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya are projected to increase substantially from 2000 to 2100 due to population growth, with …

Leveraging Geo-Ai To Evaluate Conservation Land Conditions In Nebraska, Usa, Fnu Jahangeer

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

Wetlands are among the most vital natural resources, offering extensive ecosystem services that benefit human societies. However, human activities and disturbances have led to widespread wetland degradation and loss worldwide. Key factors contributing to this degradation include pollution, exploitation of biological resources, modifications to natural systems, and agricultural and aquacultural practices. This study examines wetland conservation efforts in Nebraska, focusing on three main areas: (1) AI-Driven Applications in Google Earth Engine for Surface Water Monitoring, Assessment, and Management; (2) Assessing Wetland Hydrological Performance under Three Conservation Programs in Nebraska through AI-Driven Google Earth Engine Analysis; and (3) Identifying Potential Wetland …

Artificial Intelligence And Cracks In The Foundation Of Intellectual Property, Robin Feldman

UC Law Journal

Our implicit image of progress and the standards we use to calibrate human contribution to progress are quietly at risk from the onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to significantly shrink the pool of creative work that is protectable by intellectual property (IP) law and the range of information that is protectable, as well as shrinking the value proposition of IP regimes themselves.

As society faces this changing landscape, we must tread carefully to distinguish fears about AI from the task of defining the boundaries of intellectual property, whose theoretic concepts aren’t designed to bear such weighty …

The Influence Of Trauma History On Opiate Use Disorder In An Urban Treatment Facility In Pennsylvania, Roxanne Jeffries-Baxter, Christopher J. Burant, Joachim G. Voss

Student Scholarship

Background: Opioid use disorder is one of the most severe forms of substance use disorder and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Opiate overdose deaths in the US are increasing every year, claiming over 100,000 lives in 2022. Psychological trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder are major health problems in the United States and may contribute to the development of an opiate use disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of psychological trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder with opiate use disorder. Methods: This study used a retrospective design with a convenience sample size of …

Lgbtq+ College Students’ Willingness To Access Campus Health Services At A Midsized, Urban Christian University: A Study On Disparities, Samual J. Piatt, Christian Williams, Frecia Gonzalez

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Introduction

LGBTQ+ college students face inequitable health outcomes in both mental health and physical health versus non-LGBTQ+ counterparts (The Trevor Project, 2023), (Brittain et Dinger, 2015). LGBTQ+ students experience higher unwillingness and disparities in care access due to negative perceptions of and experiences with UHS providers (Hood et al, 2019). Research indicates that better provider LGBTQ+ cultural awareness contributes to a more affirming space which in turn benefits LGBTQ+ healthcare (Parmenter et al, 2020), (Prasad et al, 2023).

Methods

A 2024 cross-sectional study assessed the comfort levels of LGBTQ+ college students in accessing student health services, explore how affirming healthcare …

Polymeric Sumo-2/3 Chain Signals Are Antagonistically Regulated By The Sumo-Targeted Ubiquitin E3 Ligase Rnf4 And The Sumo-Specific Isopeptidase Senp6, Shaniah A. Irving M.A., Xiang-Dong Zhang Ph.D.

Biology Theses

Polymeric SUMO-2/3 chain modification is critical for chromosome segregation, DNA damage repair, genome stability, stress responses, and protein degradation. However, how these signals are regulated remains poorly understood. Both the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin E3 ligase (STUbL) RNF4 and the SUMO-specific isopeptidase SENP6 recognize poly-SUMO-2/3 chains through multiple SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs). RNF4 contains four tandem SIMs within a short (~80 amino acids) region, whereas SENP6 possesses eight SIMs spanning a much larger (~500 amino acids) domain.

Our preliminary results show that overexpressing an RNF4 N-terminal fragment containing four tandem SIMs (wild type, WT), but not an inactive SIMs mutant (Mut), increases levels …