Digital Commons Network^™

Local Public Health Legal Landscape Report, Christina Hitz

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This report provides a framework for understanding and examining local public health authority and implications of proposed legislative changes, specifically whether a shift is occurring in public health authority from the executive to the legislative branch. It compares the public health governance and legal infrastructure of states making a shift in 2021 relative to Nebraska’s current and proposed public health infrastructure and provides a synopsis of the legal context for and the scope of local public health authority currently in Nebraska. Three resources were used to create two tables to compare both states with legislative changes in 2021 indicating a …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Recruitment And Retention Strategies For Primary Care Providers In Rural Communities, Christian Folken

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Workforce trends within the United States indicate a growing crisis in the availability and distribution of primary care providers. Rural communities have been disproportionately affected by the lack of primary care providers. The gap in available primary care services in rural areas severely affects the population health outcomes of these communities. There is a critical need for rural healthcare systems to effectively understand and implement recruitment and retention strategies of primary care providers to meet the needs of their patients and community. The goal of this paper is to provide a centralized resource of evidence-based strategies regarding the recruitment and …

Exploring Factors Related To Cancer Recurrence In Nebraska, Zenghan Tong

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Currently, the studies of cancer burden are focused on the incidence, mortality, and survival of cancer. Due to the early detection and advancement of therapies, more patients can live much longer after a cancer diagnosis. Health care providers and patients want to know more about cancer recurrence, which can significantly impact cancer survivors’ quality of life. At this moment, the cancer recurrence studies are clinically based on specific treatments of particular cancers and are usually limited to small and selected populations. This study utilized the population-based cancer registry data between 1996-2015 to examine the cancer recurrence status in Nebraska. The …

A Walk In Two Worlds: An Indigenous Health Research Mentorship Model Developed From The Experiences Of Mentors And Mentees In A Cancer Research Education Program Aimed At Increasing Representation Of American Indians/Alaska Natives In Cancer Research And Healthcare Professions, Kiana Borengasser, Aislinn C. Rookwood, Joyce C. Solheim, Maurice Godfrey, Karen Taraszka Hastings, Keyonna King, Hannah Robbins, Mariah Abney, Rudy Smith Jr., Liliana Tamayo, Regina Emily Robbins

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The National Cancer Institute promotes workforce development programs that aim to increase representation of American Indian/Alaska Natives in health science and research careers. One such program, Youth Enjoy Science at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has employed American Indian/Alaska Native youth in mentored cancer research internships from 2017 to 2022. The primary purpose of this study was to examine mentor and mentee experiences of participation in Youth Enjoy Science research education internships to learn from their stories. We conducted semi-structured interviews with current and former Youth Enjoy Science mentees (n=8) and mentors (n=8). We analyzed and collectively re-storied the …

The Epidemiology Of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales In Nebraska, 2018 – 2021, Axel A. Vazquez Deida

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales are considered a serious public health threat by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, surveillance of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales is currently limited to select states and the epidemiology of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Nebraska is still not well understood.

Objective: To describe the incidence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales across local health department (LHD)-jurisdictions as well as at the state-level over time and assess population-specific factors associated with infection or colonization with these pathogens in Nebraska.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of public health surveillance data reported to the Nebraska Department of …

Atrazine Levels In Rural Nebraska Counties And Parkinson's Disease, Muhammad Zahid

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder, connecting both genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors. Several epidemiological and experimental studies support the evidence that pesticides exposure is positively associated with enhancing neurodegenerative diseases. The high amount of atrazine used in Nebraska and increased PD cases led us to evaluate the association between the long-lived water-soluble pesticide atrazine and PD in Nebraska counties. A person's exposure to atrazine may come from inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. Three types of atrazine data covering 1992 to 2017 were used for this study: applied atrazine, atrazine in surface water, and atrazine in groundwater. In …

A Systematic Literature Review Of The Use Of Technology As An Emergency Preparedness Tool To Control And Contain The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alyssa Spartz

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Various tools and strategies have been utilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to preexisting measures, novel mechanisms and methods have also been developed since the COVID-19 pandemic began to address several different needs worldwide. Technology, for example, has served as a unique and multifunctional tool to aid with controlling and containing the pandemic. While studies and reviews have been conducted to analyze specific types of technology, such as digital applications, a gap in the literature currently exists that fails to comprehensively understand and compare how multiple types of technology were implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This …

Utilizing Re-Aim To Assess Adolescent Weight Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review, Jordan Mccullough

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Adolescent overweight/obesity is an ongoing concern for public health professionals. One out of every five adolescents are overweight, and one out of every three is at risk. Adolescent overweight/obesity is associated with a higher chance of overweight/obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. A 2018 systematic review by Moores et al. compared the effectiveness of community-based treatment programs for adolescents (13-17 years) who are overweight and obese by comparing pre-program to post-program changes in weight-related measurements and health-behavior changes. While looking at the effectiveness of a program provides valuable information, other elements (i.e., representativeness of participants, implementation measures such as …

Helping Our Heroes: An Evaluation Of Mental Health And Organizational Policies Surrounding Suicide Prevention And Postvention Strategies For Nebraska First Responders, Maria S. Mickles

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Suicide is ranked as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Over 40,000 individuals die by suicide each year (Stanley, Hom, & Joiner, 2016; Vigil et al, 2021), and, in 2020, it was ranked in the top 9 causes of death for all ages (10-64), and second for those 10-14 and 25-34 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). These statistics disproportionately reflect first responders (i.e., firefighters, dispatchers, law enforcement, EMS, paramedics, etc.), as they die by suicide more than the general public (National EMS Management Association, 2016). Within their line of work …

Rural And Agricultural Natural Disaster Stress And Recovery Study: Identifying Experiences And Community Preferences, Kristin K. Gaffney

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective: The Rural Natural Disaster Stress and Recovery study surveyed flood and tornado affected residents (N=159 for analysis) in Arkansas and Nebraska, U.S., to address three hypotheses: 1) agricultural producers have different stress and recovery experiences compared to non-agricultural counterparts, 2) rural residents prefer community resources over external resources for disaster stress relief, and 3) communities can provide effective emotional health supports after disaster.

Methods: Demographics, exposure, stress, and recovery measures, and a resource use and effect inventory were analyzed in SAS with Chi-square tests, t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and multiple linear regression modeling to identify differences between agricultural and non-agricultural …

Evaluation Of The University Of Nebraska Medical Center’S 4ms Geriatric Training Program At Nebraska Medicine Midtown, Holly M. Sesker

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

In 2015, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) created the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) to address geriatric workforce challenges and improve the health outcomes of older adults. The GWEP redefines care delivery through a movement for age-friendly healthcare guided by evidence-based practices that align with the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. The 4Ms identify the key issues that should drive the decision-making and care for every older adult. 4Ms training sessions were conducted at the Nebraska Medicine Midtown Clinic and evaluated through a cross-sectional survey administered to both residents (trainees) and attendings (trainers). Data was collected …

Housing To Health: A Literature Review Analyzing Housing Pathways And Policy Initiatives, Evan P. Lesser

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Housing is a vital aspect of an individual’s ability to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. It is so integral that the United Nations has stated that housing is a human right and extends beyond just basic shelter where housing should provide a certain level of structural integrity of the infrastructure, security, affordability, and access to surrounding resources. Existing research studying the relationship between housing and health outcomes suggest those with poor housing exhibit higher levels of chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes, and higher chances of accidents within the home. The goal of this literature review, which has …

The Effect Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder On First Responders Following A Disaster: A Literature Review, Briar Butner

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

First responders work in a high-stress environment that can potentially produce traumatic situations. This includes aiding in the recovery and response efforts of critical events such as a disaster. A significant risk factor for developing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms is people who have been through a disaster (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). This literature review aims to search for evidence on PTSD in first responders following a disaster, identify the factors associated with the development of PTSD, and make recommendations on best practices to reduce or mitigate the incidences of PTSD. The search was conducted in three academic databases: …

Inadequate Healthcare, Inadequate Recovery: Exploring The Challenges Of Compensating Pregnant Inmates Deprived Of Adequate Healthcare At State Prisons, Katherine Mckeon

Connecticut Law Review

Prenatal healthcare services available to pregnant inmates in state prisons are wholly inadequate. Despite the glaring shortcomings of state prisons’ healthcare services, there has still only been limited attention paid to rectifying the problem. This lack of attention is problematic for many reasons, but especially because the number of women in prisons has increased in recent decades and inmates who are pregnant when they arrive to prison face conditions that risk extreme health condition.

Not only are pregnant inmates subjected to inadequate healthcare services, but they also have very few legal remedies available to them when they have been deprived …

In Memoriam, How Phillip Transformed My Life, Richard D. Pomp

Connecticut Law Review

Phillip I. Blumberg served as Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law from 1974 to 1984. These remarks were first delivered at the University of Connecticut School of Law’s tribute to Dean Blumberg, “Honoring Phillip I. Blumberg,” held on December 10, 2021. They have been lightly edited for publication.

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: A Window Into The Reproductive Justice Concerns Underlying Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Caitlyn Pesavento

Connecticut Law Review

More regulatory framework is needed for assisted reproductive technologies. Taken together, the high costs of fertility treatment, lack of widespread insurance coverage, and social perceptions of motherhood make it nearly impossible for women from traditionally marginalized backgrounds to collectively overcome barriers of access to fertility treatments. Viewing the ovarian tissue cryopreservation procedure through a reproductive justice framework illustrates an inherent dichotomy between increasing availability and increasing access to assisted reproductive technologies. This Comment explores the current regulation—or lack thereof—of assisted reproductive technologies; advocates for the regulation of ovarian tissue cryopreservation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; scrutinizes the failings …

In Memoriam, Remembering Dean Phillip Blumberg, Richard S. Kay

Connecticut Law Review

Phillip I. Blumberg served as Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law from 1974 to 1984. These remarks were first delivered to the University of Connecticut School of Law faculty at the Faculty Workshop held on November 10, 2021. They have been lightly edited for publication.

Office Of Community Engagement Newsletter, May 2022, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

--- UNI Engaged: Stories of Impact
--- Award Recognition
--- Service-Learning Institute
--- Civic Action Plan 2.0 - Input Requested
--- Upcoming Events
--- In Other News

The Importance Of Process Documentation In The Workplace, Alisha Chatlani

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper focuses on the benefits of process documentation in the workplace and how individuals can go about creating documentation that best suits their business needs. The author of this paper explains how they went about researching, developing, and creating process documentation for a team at J.B. Hunt Transport Services and the methodology behind the entire process through an internship.

Business Plan: Refuge Coffee, Zachary Lewandowski

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Refuge Coffee will be the premier vendor of high-quality and sustainably sourced specialty coffee in Springdale, Arkansas. Its mission is to improve lives by providing a space that reflects the community—a space in which ideas, beliefs, attitudes, and values can be exchanged, with coffee acting as a common denominator. Refuge Coffee will offer specialty coffee beverages, locally baked goods, and merchandise to consumers. We intend to partner with Canopy NWA, a refugee resettlement organization that aims to welcome and equip refugees with all they need to build new lives, through the means of employment for refugees and the continuous donation …

An Evaluation Of Esg Funds And Their Performance, Mason Hook

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Over the past decade, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) oriented funds have seen a dramatic increase in inflows and many investors have chosen to replace traditional holdings with sustainable ones. Within 5 years, it is projected that ESG exchange traded funds and mutual funds will exceed $53 trillion. Many fund managers claim that ESG funds will outperform traditional funds in the long run. If this claim is accurate, many asset managers would have a fiduciary duty to invest in ESG products. While there is often a non-financial benefit to investing in ESG funds, this paper challenges the claim that they …

Exploring The Impact Of Stock Market Performance On The Real Estate Market, Jake Taylor

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper goes on to analyze the impact of stock market performance on the real estate market. This is done through the analysis of the recent performance of the stock market, real estate market, and key indicators of both markets. The goal of this paper is to inform the reader of potential trends in the real estate market based on key indicators that play a large role in the stock market’s performance in order to make more knowledgeable investments.

Altering Overdraft Fee Policies To Promote Consumer Financial Health, Nadia Barbarawi

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to describe the traditional overdraft practices, explain the reaction of the banking industry from the pressure coming from consumers, regulators, and innovative companies to reduce or eliminate overdraft fees to promote consumer financial health.

The Effect Of A Health Educational Program On Sleep Related Health Outcomes, Swetha Sirigineedi

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Sleep quality has effects on both physical and mental health. Because of this, sleep hygiene is an important health goal. Participation in health programs promoting healthy behaviors has helped people reach their health goals and elicited positive behavior change. Because of this, it was of interest to determine if participation in a virtual, multi-media health education program improved health and wellbeing outcomes of Arkansans. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of a 20-week behavior and health educational program on the ability of participants to achieve their health goals and improve their health behaviors related to …

Life After Death – Does Carcass Biodiversity Scale With Carcass Body Size?, Troy Warfield

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mammals play a large role in the ecosystems where some, especially large-bodied mammals, act as ecosystem engineers. Mammal carcasses, particularly those of large body mass act as a temporary island of dense nutrients that support other organisms, including other mammal species, for an extended period. Research in this field currently focuses on the link between mammal carcass size and nutrient availably or on non-mammalian size and biodiversity, but little is available on the correlation between mammal carcass size and its influence on ecosystem biodiversity. Here we ask, does the available biomass (i.e., body size) of the carcass affect its role …

Seasonality Of Orthohantavirus Seroprevalence In Northwest Arkansas Rodents, Amy Schexnayder

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Zoonotic viruses are viruses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Rodent species are likely to be reservoirs for zoonotic viruses, and particular rodent-borne viruses, such as orthohantaviruses, may greatly threaten human health. Orthohantaviruses are a group of rodent-borne viruses that are at risk for spillover to human populations. Many aspects of orthohantaviruses have been well-researched, yet the seasonality of orthohantaviruses has not yet been thoroughly examined, especially in the southern United States. In this study, we captured 616 rodents trapped over 5953 trap nights across 13 grassland sites in Northwest Arkansas. Rodents were trapped for two consecutive nights …

Effect Of Larval Rearing Environment On Female Bicyclus Anynana Mate Choice, Adriana Beruvides

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Around eighty percent of animals go through metamorphosis or drastic phase changes at some point in their life. We know that juvenile interactions can influence adult behavior and mate choice in species that don’t go through metamorphosis, but we know very little about how social interactions during early life stages of animals who go through metamorphosis affect mate choice. To fill this knowledge gap, I used the butterfly Bicyclus anynana to assess whether female butterflies raised in complete isolation from the beginning of their lives exhibit the same mate preference as butterflies raised in normal social conditions. To test this, …

Root Phenotyping Of Peptide-Treated Glycine Max, Salem Jackson

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Plant elicitor peptides (Peps) – endogenous chains of amino acids involved in natural plant defense – have been shown to decrease damage from herbivores and pathogens by inducing an immune response, increasing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCS), transcripts, and metabolites. Exogenous treatment of soybean seeds with plant elicitor peptide GmPep3 has been shown to induce these broad-spectrum defenses and offers a new method for increasing crop yield. However, the effects of GmPep3 on indicators of soybean health – root characteristics, growth stages, etc. – have not been fully realized.

Using the root-phenotyping platform RhizoVision Explorer, several root traits …

Academic Advising Support Tool: An Optimization Approach, Spencer Loper

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

More than ever, a college education is necessary to remain competitive in the job market. Therefore, colleges are dedicating numerous resources to ensure student success. Nonetheless, one of the most important factors of student success is proper academic advising. Students at the University of Arkansas and more specifically within the department of Industrial Engineering department are fortunate to have access to fantastic advising. However, given the volume of students, academic advisors do not have the time to talk through the nuance of every student’s long-term academic plan. The department does provide an eight-semester plan; however, students who have deviated from …

Memory T Cell Populations In Human Leukemia, Sara Mcelroy, Fang Tao, John Szarejko, John M. Perry

Posters

Background Incorporating the immune system into cancer management is an area of robust research. Treatment modalities aimed at activating cytotoxic T cells against malignancies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific T-cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) tumor-specific T cells. Most anti-cancer T cell research is narrowly focused, but knowledge about the nature of diverse sub-populations of T cells in cancer, particularly memory T cells, is vital prior to potential incorporation into therapies. T memory stem cells (Tscm) are of interest due to their longevity and powerful abilities of self-renewal and creating the full spectrum of memory CD8+ T cells, including …