Digital Commons Network^™

Art Justice: The Nazi Aesthetic, Cultural Theft, And Restitution In The 21st Century., Kathryn Elaina Jacob

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the origins of the cultural aesthetics of the National Socialist Party of Germany, generally referred to as the Nazi Party. The Nazis aestheticized their politics to reinforce their antisemitic system of beliefs to further the pursuit of ethnic cleansing. Within this aesthetic, the doctrines of the party principles were illustrated for the acceptable citizens of the territories they dominated to assimilate the ideals that were espoused, originating from classical Greek artworks. By creating a structure of aesthetics, the Nazis were able to demonstrate a distinction between what art they found as acceptable and unacceptable, using this difference …

Electrochemical Modulation Of Surface Plasmon Wave To Investigate Dna-Based Sensing Platforms And Detection Of Sars-Cov2., Anil Sharma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study offers a thorough comparative analysis of optical and electrical signaling strategies for assessing the electrochemical properties of different redox-labeled DNA-based biosensing platforms. In addition, it illustrates the development of an optical interrogation technique with electrochemical modulation of surface plasmon waves (ECM-SPW) as a route for analyzing and implementing DNA-based hybridization sensors. For those quantitative analyses, we chose a model sensing platform composed of a methylene blue (MB)-modified single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) signaling probe and an unlabeled capture ssDNA probe that complements the signaling probe. Two types of signaling probes were employed in this work: one with MB attached to …

Socioecological Factors Associated With The Timing Of Prenatal Care Initiation In Kentucky And Beyond: An Exploratory Study., Melissa B. Eggen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Early prenatal care is initiated in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and is a known contributor to improved short- and long-term outcomes for women and infants. Despite its known benefits, many women do not initiate early prenatal care. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the socioecological factors associated with the timing of prenatal care initiation in the United States and in Kentucky. Methods: Chapter Two of this dissertation used a scoping review methodology to identify barriers and facilitators related to first-trimester prenatal care initiation among women in the United States. Chapter Three of this dissertation used …

Using Aashe Stars As A Pedagogical Instrument: An Experiential Learning Opportunity In Sustainability Education., Robin Frederick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates faculty interest in utilizing the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) as an educational tool within higher education curricula. In recent years, there has been a noticeable uptick in the availability of sustainability courses and programs within higher education. The STARS framework evaluates the quantity and diversity of these offerings across universities. Employing a mixed-method approach, a literature review was conducted, and a survey was disseminated to United States universities to gauge barriers and interest in incorporating STARS within the classroom. Results demonstrate that faculty at institutions with regular STARS submissions show considerable interest, ranging from …

Preclinical Stability Assessment Of Epicertin, A Biotherapeutic Candidate For Ulcerative Colitis Mucosal Healing., Wendy Michelle Kittle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

EPICERTIN is a biotherapeutic candidate for mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis (UC), a major type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite the critical role of mucosal healing in achieving successful remission of UC, there are currently no targeted mucosal healing agents available. EPICERTIN has previously demonstrated epithelial repair and mucosal healing activity in colon epithelial cells, murine colitis models, and tissue explants from IBD patients, highlighting its therapeutic potential to meet this unmet need for UC patients. The development of appropriate chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) data will facilitate our ultimate goal to bring EPICERTIN to the clinic for a …

Exploring Cultural Enrichment And Musical Development: The Role Of The Brazilian Ensemble In The Jazz Program At The University Of Louisville., Diego Jose Da Silva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis undertakes the multi-dimensional study of the Brazilian ensemble as a powerful source of cultural enrichment and musical development under the jazz pedagogy framework at the University of Louisville. This paper attempts to establish the role of the ensemble in nurturing students' musical skills, promoting cultural understanding, awareness, and a sense of collaboration among the students through observation, interviews, and analysis.

Fingerprinting Cinematic Soundtracks: Examining Identity In Film Music Through Gender And Temporality., Sarah Elizabeth Moser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the soundtracks of six Hollywood films and their treatments of two factors of cinematic identity – gender and temporality. Six case studies are used throughout the thesis using an original analytic system I designate as Fingerprinting, which examines film using a five-tier, intersecting system on both the macro and micro level. The gender chapter analyzes Weird Science (1985) and Pretty Woman (1990) in order to demonstrate the utility of the cinematic soundtrack in constructing new frameworks of gender expression within fictional media. The temporality chapter uses four case studies - Easy Rider (1969), Eddie and the Cruisers …

A Mixed Methods Investigation Of First-Year Medical Students' Competency Development In The Gross Anatomy Laboratory Context., Emily M. Porta-Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Competency-based medical education and competency assessment are common in the clerkship years of undergraduate medical education and in graduate medical education; however, they are less commonly included in the preclinical, or basic science, years of medical education. This study investigated the effects of a novel competency-based curricular thread which assessed Communication, Teamwork, and Professionalism competency development of first-year medical students in the gross anatomy lab context. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods approach. The quantitative phase used a pretest/posttest design with paired dependent t-tests to determine if students’ exhibited growth, stagnancy, or decline within any of the …

Do What You Love, An Opera In One Act., Kamil Jozef Pedziwiatr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Do What You Love is an opera in one act, based on the American culture idea of doing what you love in life, following your passions or living the American dream. The libretto, which was generated by AI, presents the story of four main characters and one episodic character, each representing the worst outcome or highlighting vicious drives of following the motto Do What You Love. The opera is also a cliché version of historic opera, uniting typical baroque opera characters and styles with quasi AI Generated, cliché, stereotypical music. Synopsis: The Artist is preparing for a huge audition that …

That Limbless Sign The Thesis Document., Donna R. Charging

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Native American Art resists all attempts by non-Natives to define, restrain, and replicate it. THAT LIMBLESS SIGN is a concrete substantiation of this quality of resistance through the scope of language. Native Art indicates a continuity, not of tradition, but of people. In THAT LIMBLESS SIGN, Native people become signs; that is, inimitable cipher devices of the real, living members of tribes who remain in the United States of America. Language is one of the last refuges of Native existence because it represents the point of power where Native realities cannot be transcribed into a superficial, indelible system such as …

Remote Caregiver Teaching To Improve Caregiver Implementation Of System Of Least Prompts., Brandy N. Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved an assessment of the effects of a remotely delivered behavioral skills training (BST) package on caregivers' adherence to an intervention plan for children with extensive support needs (ESN) involving an activity of daily living (ADL) skill. Intervention effects were assessed in a non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design. The study included interobserver agreement and treatment fidelity measures during both baseline and implementation phases, as well as graphical and statistical analyses of intervention outcomes. Additionally, social validity ratings of the training program are reported. Results indicate that BST was effective in increasing correct implementation of the system of …

Assessing The Relationship Between Racism In Medicine, Medical Mistrust And Cardiovascular Disease Among Black American Adults., Osayande Agbonlahor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) persists as the leading preventable cause of death and disability among Black Americans in the United States. Structural and psychosocial factors such as racism have been highlighted as a fundamental cause of persistent cardiovascular health disparities in the U.S. This study examined the associations between racism in medicine, medical mistrust and CVD among Black Americans using the Minority Stress Theory as a theoretical framework. This study evaluates the sociodemographic differences in the quality of care received among Black Americans. Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2022 and the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems …

Barocaloric Heat Pumps Based On Soft Materials., Naveen Weerasekera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Solid-state refrigeration offers a promising alternative to traditional vapor compression systems that are relatively inefficient, unreliable, and have a high global warming potential. Various solid-state cooling technologies, including those based on electrocaloric, magnetocaloric, and elastocaloric effects have been investigated in the recent past. However, concerns regarding their efficiency, scalability and cost remain. Refrigeration and heat pump technologies based on the barocaloric effect (temperature/entropy change due to hydrostatic pressure) hold great promise but have received comparatively less attention. Barocaloric heating/cooling based on low cost, compressible soft materials with large barocaloric response have the potential to pave the way for efficient, scalable, …

Four-Way Cfd-Dem Coupling To Simulate Concrete Pipe Flow: Mechanism Of Formation Of Lubrication Layer, Tooran Tavangar, Masoud Hosseinpoor, Jeffrey S. Marshall, Ammar Yahia, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study introduced a four-way CFD-DEM coupling approach to simulate the shear-induced particle migration (SIPM) mechanism leading to formation of the lubrication layer (LL) during concrete pumping. The CFD-DEM simulations considered the coupled effect of concentration (10 %–40 %) and wide size distribution (1–17 mm) of aggregate and rheology of the mortar for forces between the suspending matrix and the particles (and vice versa), as well as force transmission directly between particles (and the pipe wall). The formation of the LL was successfully simulated through a more realistic understanding the SIPM mechanism and rheological evaluation across the pipe with comparable …

Pedestrian Pathing Prediction Using Complex Contextual Behavioral Data In High Foot Traffic Settings, Laurel Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Ensuring the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into real-world environments requires a comprehensive understanding of pedestrian behavior. This study addresses the challenge of predicting the movement and crossing intentions of pedestrians, a crucial aspect in the development of fully autonomous vehicles.

The research focuses on leveraging Honda's TITAN dataset, comprising 700 unique clips captured by moving vehicles in high-foot-traffic areas of Tokyo, Japan. Each clip provides detailed contextual information, including human-labeled tags for individuals and vehicles, encompassing attributes such as age, motion status, and communicative actions. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks were employed and trained on various combinations of contextual …

Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Of Multi-Materials Fabricated Through A Combination Of Lpbf And Ded Additive Manufacturing Techniques, Christopher J. Bettencourt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This research explores the use of different metals combined through 3D-printing to enhance the performance of materials, with a focus on making heat exchangers more cost-effective for renewable energy. The goal is to replace a costly high-temperature alloy with a more affordable low-temperature alloy, using metal additive manufacturing for its benefits such as less material waste, faster production, reduced weight, and the ability to print entire assemblies in one go. The study delves into a unique combination of two 3D-printing techniques, Directed Energy Deposition and Laser Powder-Bed Fusion, to create a multi-material composed of stainless steel 316L and a nickel-based …

Comparison Of Private And Public Lab Fertilizer Recommendation Impacts On Field Crop Production And Soil Test Results, Megan Baker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

There are many sources that farmers utilize to determine fertilizer needs for crops such as private and public labs, crop advisors, and fertilizer dealers. In many cases, these sources provide recommendations for a specific crop that can vary greatly, which can lead to large differences in cost. An experiment was established in 2021 with 12 sites across the state of Utah in alfalfa, small grains, and corn to test and compare fertilizer recommendations from five labs. The recommendations tested were from two public labs (Utah State University and the University of Idaho) and three commercial labs located in the Western …

The Effects Of Ammonia On The Functionality Of Bovine Granulosa Cells, Micah Henrie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

It is common practice in the livestock animal production industries to feed high levels of protein to maximize the yield of each animal in production. However, diets high in protein can cause decreased reproductive success within these animals. The causes behind this decrease are not fully understood. Increased dietary protein leads to increased levels of both ammonia and urea in the blood of the animal. These increased metabolite levels may be a possible explanation for the decline in reproductive success. The goal of this study is to identify how various levels of ammonia affect the function of bovine granulosa cells …

Teaching Function-Based Assessment And Intervention Skills To Behavior Support Staff Using An Interactive Computer Training, Megan E. Graul

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Behavior support staff (BSS), including paraprofessionals, behavior technicians, and other entry-level school staff that support students with challenging behavior, play an essential role in public education settings, especially in special education classrooms. With the increasing number of students requiring intensive behavioral supports, it is imperative to identify cost-efficient strategies to provide adequate training to expand the behavioral skills of these individuals. For instance, training BSS to implement empirically supported behavioral strategies, such as functional behavior assessment and function-based intervention selection, may have benefits for both staff and students alike. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to develop an interactive …

Respiratory Illnesses In Women And Children From Ghana: Problem Identification And Intervention, Stephanie Dale

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rural communities in the upper east region of Ghana currently cook with traditional coal pots that produce increased levels of smoke resulting in rapid fuel consumption, increased air pollution, and high levels of respiratory illness in the women and children who use them. New stoves have been developed that remain similar to the traditional ones in use but are designed to provide a variety of benefits such as lowering the cost of fuel, reducing air pollution, and decreasing rates of respiratory illness in women and children. The purpose of this research study was to identify why women have not begun …

Effects Of Nonpharmacological And Pharmacological Interventions On The Management Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Ellington Fagg

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is a metabolic endocrine disorder that affects many women of childbearing age. Although PCOS is a rather common disease, there is a general lack of knowledge on how to approach treatment for different types of women.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to investigate both nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment interventions that can be used to manage both the symptoms and underlying conditions associated with PCOS.

Methodology: Twenty articles that contained a mix of clinical trials and randomized control trials were reviewed for the evidence that is included in this literature …

Difference Between The Impact Of Active Social Media Use And Passive Social Media Use On Adolescent Mental Health: An Expanded Literature Review, Lydia Underwood

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: With the first generation of adolescents being raised with seemingly unlimited access to social media, there is a clear need for research to determine the long-term mental health effects of social media use. Social media use can be categorized into two main categories — active use and passive use. Active use refers to a user posting content and engaging in the media they are viewing. Contrastingly, passive use refers to a user consuming social media content, without engaging in it in ways such as liking or commenting. The aim of this extended literature review was to answer the …

Barriers To Breastfeeding In Low Socioeconomic Populations, Nikki Goldberg, Paige Daws

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This literature review assessed and determined common themes among vulnerable populations for the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding habits. The barriers identified were divided into four themes including: lack of support, inflexible employment environment, differences of breastfeeding norms and education, and financial burden. Interventions identified in this literature review were community support programs and the implementation of hospital programs and initiatives to encourage breastfeeding. The need for this research and discussion stems from the sub-optimal infant feeding practices that contribute to infant mortality rates (Gallegos et al., 2020).

Shocking Financed Emissions: The Effect Of Economic Volatility On The Portfolio Footprinting Of Financial Institutions, Ilmi Granoff, Tonya Lee

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Many financial institutions are now calculating and disclosing their financed emissions, a class of metrics enabling these institutions to calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with investment and lending activities. These institutions have widely adopted the metric to estimate exposure to climate-related financial risk associated with GHG-emitting activities and to provide shareholders and investors a picture of how their financial activity impacts global climate change. Financed emissions metrics, despite widespread adoption, face two key methodological challenges: lack of comparability of outputs within and between portfolios, and vulnerability of calculations to portfolio volatility. Markets are naturally volatile, but the economic …

Climate Change And Human Health: A Synthesis Of Scientific Research And State Obligations Under International Law, Jessica A. Wentz

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

This report synthesizes the latest scientific research on the human health effects of climate change and discusses the legal implications of this research, specifically with regards to State obligations under international law. In doing so, the report seeks to provide insights on issues to be analyzed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its upcoming advisory opinion on the legal obligations of States with respect to climate change. It also seeks to enhance the capacity of judges, advocates, and governments to understand these issues in the context of current and future proceedings involving international law obligations related to climate …

In This Issuereview Articleoriginal Articlescase Report

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of The Genotoxicity Of Propofol And Desflurane Using The Comet Assay In The Lymphocytes Of Patients Who Underwent Lumbar Discectomy: A Randomized Trial, Melike Korkmaz Toker, Basak Altiparmak, Guven Gursoy, Ali Ihsan Uysal, Gulseda Dede, Gulsah Gundogdu, Yavuz Dodurga, Bakiye Ugur

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To compare the genotoxic effects of desflurane and propofol using comet assay in patients undergoing elective discectomy surgery. Methods: This was a randomized controlled study. Patients who underwent elective lumbar discectomy under general anesthesia with propofol or desflurane were included in the study. Venous blood samples were obtained at 4 different time points: 5 minutes before anesthesia induction (T1), 2 hours after the start of anesthesia (T2), the first day after surgery (T3), and the fifth day following surgery (T4). Deoxyribonucleic acid damage in lymphocytes was assessed via the comet assay. Results: A total of 30 patients, 15 in …

Impact Of Change In The Naples Prognostic Score After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy On Survival In Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients, Haowen Zhang, Xin Xiao, Siyuan Luan, Xiaokun Li, Shangwei Sun, Yong Yuan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the clinical relevance and prognostic value of changes in the Naples prognostic score (NPS) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACR) among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Methods: We studied 232 locally advanced ESCC patients who received NACR before undergoing esophagectomy retrospectively. Categorizing individuals into the elevated NPS group and the non-elevated NPS group based on the change in NPS after NACR (ΔNPS > 0 or ∆NPS ≤ 0), we examined and compared the clinicopathological characteristics, survival rates, and postoperative complications between these 2 groups (∆NPS = post-NACR NPS - pre-NACR NPS). Results: Results: Out of the 232 patients enrolled, …

Investigation Of Hematologic Findings Related To Brucellosis In Anatolian Region, Mehmet Çelik, Yusuf Arslan, Ertuğrul Topcu, Mustafa Serhat Şahinoğlu, Deniz Altındağ, Esra Gürbüz, Ebru Atalay, Sümeyye Kışlak Demircan, Salih Emre, Yasemin Kırık, Pınar Yürük Atasoy, Deniz Özer, Davut İpek, Ebru Doğan, Seval Bilgiç Atlı, Evrim Gülderen Kuşçu, Sevil Alkan, Yeliz Çiçek, Esra Yüksekkaya, Özlem Aldemir, Ahmet Şahin, Fatma Yekta Ürkmez, Sevda Özdemir Al, Riyad Boran, Serpil Oğuz Mızrakçı, Mehmet Reşat Ceylan, Hamza Erdoğdu, Süda Tekin

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of hematologic findings and the relationship between hemogram parameters and brucellosis stages in patients. Methods: This multi-center study included patients older than 16 years of age who were followed up with a diagnosis of brucellosis. Patients’ results, including white blood cell, hemoglobin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, mean platelet volume, platelet and eosinophil counts were analyzed at the initial diagnosis. Results: In this study 51.3% of the patients diagnosed with brucellosis were male. The age median was 45 years for female and 41 years for male. A total of 55.1% of the patients had acute brucellosis, 28.2% …

Musculoskeletal Disorders Of The Upper And Lower Limb: Prevalence Among Patients In Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, Ali M. Alshami

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of upper and lower limb musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders among adult patients referred to physical therapy. Methods: Data were retrospectively analyzed from electronic health records of patients referred to physical therapy between April 2021 and April 2023. MSK disorders were categorized based on the affected body region (upper or lower limb). Results: A total of 11,243 patients were referred to physical therapy, of whom 4,156 (37%) had MSK disorders. The 4 most commonly affected regions were the knee (27.7%), followed by the shoulder (26.9%), the ankle/foot (14.9%), and the wrist/hand (11.8%). Within each region, the most …