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Soc/Crm 3842 : Sociology Of Drugs And Drug Use, Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminology

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Jou 4751 : Advanced Photojournalism, Communication And Journalism

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Communication Satisfaction On Division I Student Athletes, Gabriella Gnewuch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Communication satisfaction is vital for the motivation, retention, and interpersonal success of collegiate student-athletes. While coaches play a pivotal role in the athletic experience, current literature focuses predominantly on head coaches, leaving a significant gap regarding the influence of assistant coaches. This study utilized Confirmation Theory, comprised of the dual dimensions of acceptance and challenge. The study examined how these communication behaviors impact student-athlete satisfaction at the Division I level. A census was conducted among Division I student-athletes at South Dakota State University using the Coach Confirmation Instrument (CCI) and the Student Communication Satisfaction Scale (SCSS). Quantitative results from multiple …

Chm 4830 : Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry And Biochemistry

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

An Integrated Evaluation Of Trace Mineral Status, Regional Variation, And Supplementation Effects On Circulating Mineral And Reproductive Performance In American Plains Bison, Bailey M. Rodriguez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The continued expansion of the American Plains Bison (Bison bison) industry has increased the need for science-based nutritional recommendations tailored specifically to the species, due to limited species-specific research. Because trace minerals influence immune function, growth, and reproductive performance, establishing baseline mineral status and evaluating responses to supplementation are critical for advancing bison production and conservation efforts. This thesis integrates two complementary investigations to evaluate trace mineral status in American Plains bison at both regional and herd management levels. First, a herd level comparison evaluated the influence of differing mineral supplementation strategies on circulating mineral concentrations, herd performance, and reproductive …

Winter-Feeding High Forage Vs. High Concentrate Diets To Beef Cows: Effects On Placental Transcriptomics, Lactation Capacity, And Enteric Methane Emissions, Megan Ann Wehrbein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutritional management and lactation performance are critical factors influencing productivity in cattle. This research includes two complementary studies. The first study was a meta-analysis to develop a lactation curve for Bos taurus cattle in North America using data from machine or hand milked cows. Data from 7 studies were used resulting in 1340 cow-day observations. Milk yield was analyzed by parity (primiparous or multiparous) and feeding management (non-nutrient restricted or nutrient restricted), revealing that primiparous cattle peaked earlier and at lower yields than multiparous cattle, and nutrient restriction reduced peak milk yield. Overall, Bos taurus cattle followed lactation trends similar …

Wlf 1101: Beginning French I, World Languages And Cultures

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Methodologies For Estimating Enteric Emissions And Modeling Greenfeed Technology Utilization In Extensive Beef And Bison Grazing Systems, Aletta Laura Husmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grazing ruminants represent a significant component of U.S. agricultural emissions. However, enteric methane (CH4) from cow– calf systems on extensive rangelands pose substantial measurement and management challenges. The Northern Great Plains (NGP) supports nearly one-quarter of the U.S. beef cow population, yet regionally representative, herd-level enteric emission data from commercial ranches remain limited. This thesis integrates empirical field measurements with modeling approaches to evaluate the feasibility of quantifying enteric emissions on extensive rangelands and to examine system-level drivers influencing data yield, costs, and operational performance. Enteric methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were measured from …

A Multiscale Computational Framework Bridging Molecular Dyanmics, Phase-Field, And Elasto–Viscoplstic Fast Fourier Transform: Applications To Process–Structure–Property Relationships In Metallic Materials, Chaimae Jouhari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Metallic materials exhibit process–structure–property relationships that arise from physical mechanisms operating across multiple length and time scales. Atomistic processes control diffusion, thermal response, and interfacial behavior; mesoscale mechanisms govern grain morphology, interface migration, and microstructure evolution; full-field crystal-plasticity calculations resolve heterogeneous mechanical fields; and continuum-scale finite-element (FE) models connect material response to component-level deformation, damage, and performance. Because no single simulation method can resolve all of these mechanisms, predictive modeling requires a framework in which information obtained at one scale can be transferred to the next. This dissertation develops a multiscale computational framework that bridges molecular dynamics (MD), phase-field (PF) …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk, Yasir A. Alshehry, Matthew S. Halquist Phd, Sandro R.P. Da Rocha Phd

Graduate Research Posters

Background

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance …

Management Of Seroma After Posterior Lumbar Spine Decompression, Ayman Mohamed Basha, Ahmed Anas Zahra

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Postoperative seroma formation represents a significant complication following posterior lumbar spine decompression (PLSD) that can compress neural structures, cause radiculopathy, and serve as potential infection sources. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and therapeutic approaches for seroma formation after posterior lumbar decompression procedures.

Methods: An observational study was conducted on 140 patients aged 18 years and older who underwent elective PLSD. Patients were systematically evaluated at predetermined intervals using clinical examination and diagnostic imaging when seroma was suspected. Management protocols were stratified according to seroma size, symptom severity, and clinical progression, ranging from conservative compression dressings to percutaneous aspiration …

Computed Tomographic Assessment Of Morphological Parameters Of The Normal Vermiform Appendix In Adults: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study, Asmaa Mohamed Mansour Mahmoud, Magdy El-Sayed Mohamed Steen, Ahmed Mohamed Tawfik

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: The vermiform appendix is a hollow tubular structure arising from the cecum, typically located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Aim: This study aimed to estimate the visualization rate of CT scan in the detection of normal appendix, along with its characteristics (length, diameter, and site). Methods: For this prospective cross-sectional investigation, 56 individuals were included who were scheduled to have abdominal CT. The helical scanner was used to acquire CT images with 5 millimeters of collimation and reconstruction for each 2.5 millimeters. The CT films were reviewed by an experienced radiologist, who was unaware of the …

Assessment Of Serum Adropin In Erectile Dysfunction Patients And Its Correlation With Disease Severity, Ahmed M. Eltohami, Sh. Fouad, Khadiga M. El-Hamaky, Abdel Khabir A.

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be considered an indicator of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adropin is identified to be accompanied by insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism, so we aimed to investigate serum adropin levels in ED cases compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods This case control study included 50 men with ED and and control group of 25 agematched, sexually active healthy men with normal erectile function. Cases group was divided into two groups (25 each) as ED patients with and without type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Validated Arabic version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 was used to evaluate …

Impact Of Autonomic Dysfunction On Quality Of Life In Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Single-Center Exploratory Study, Hadeer Elsaeed Aboelfarh, Ahmed S. Alkotami, Mohamed Galal Elkhateeb, Aya Zhran

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Autonomic dysfunction represents one of the major non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can negatively influence patients’ health-related quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the frequency and severity of autonomic symptoms in individuals with PD and examined their relationship with QoL in a single-center cohort.

Methods: Thirty patients with idiopathic PD were assessed for autonomic dysfunction, quality of life, and motor severity using validated PD–specific rating scales.

Results: Among the autonomic subdomains, urinary symptoms demonstrated the greatest degree of impairment (median score 41.67%) and showed the strongest correlation with overall PDQ-39 scores (r=0.605, p≤0.001). Higher …

Metabolomics Driven Discovery Of Bioactive Natural Products Leads From Marine And Terrestrial Sources For The Development Of Analgesics, Sahar Mofidi Tabatabaei

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Natural products remain a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive compounds for drug discovery, particularly for pain therapeutics. However, the chemical complexity of natural product extracts presents significant challenges for the efficient identification and prioritization of bioactive metabolites. This dissertation integrates untargeted LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics, molecular networking, classical natural products chemistry, and neurobiological assays to accelerate the discovery of analgesic lead compounds targeting the emerging pain-associated receptor σ₂R/TMEM97.

An untargeted metabolomics workflow was developed to systematically profile complex biological extracts and guide bioactive compound isolation. High-resolution LC-MS/MS data were analyzed using molecular networking (GNPS/GNPS2) to visualize chemical space, dereplicate known metabolites, …

Faster Than The Speed Of Law: Data Privacy And Judicial Deference In Matters Of Technological Development And Social Media, Andrew A. Bohon

Missouri Law Review

Judge Richard Posner, formerly of the Seventh Circuit, once wrote, “the courtroom is not the place for scientific guesswork, even of the inspired sort. Law lags science; it does not lead it.” The particular occasion for this maxim was a case in which Judge Posner disregarded the testimony of an expert witness who claimed the use of a nicotine patch had caused the plaintiff to suffer a heart attack—a claim with “no backing from scientific theory or data.” Cutting-edge technology is antithetical to the law, which is better-suited to an era of horse-drawn carriages and often requires judicial guesswork to …

From Barriers To Breakthroughs: Academic Advising And Resilience Among Online Social Work Students In Appalachia, Jessica Williamson

DSW Capstone Projects

This Doctor of Social Work (DSW) capstone project examines how academic advising can be leveraged as a resilience-informed intervention to support persistence among online social work students in the Appalachian region. Although online education has expanded access to higher education, Appalachian students continue to face significant structural, technological, and cultural barriers, including limited broadband access, financial instability, geographic isolation, and norms that emphasize self-reliance. These challenges contribute to lower retention and degree-completion rates, highlighting the need for intentional, context-responsive support strategies. This project integrates three scholarly products: a systematic literature review (SLR), a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper. …

Non-Invasive Digital Restoration Of Damaged Photographic Film Negatives, Ankan Bhattacharyya

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Physical restoration of damaged photographic film causes more damage. Also, existing non-invasive digital restoration of film negatives does not produce print-quality optical images. Instead, they produce X-ray projections, which are not the same as optical projections. This thesis addresses these problems and establishes a framework that can digitally restore old, damaged films without the need to open them physically. Virtual Unwrapping is an existing pipeline that has proven itself over the last couple of decades to work on unopenable papyrus scrolls, like the Herculaneum Scrolls. This thesis utilizes the concept of virtual unwrapping to restore damaged photographic film negatives. Due …

Borrowed Mantles: Neoclassicism, Theology, And The Construction Of Authority In Phillis Wheatley-Peters, Zoe N. Lament

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how Phillis Wheatley-Peters established literary and intellectual authority within an eighteenth-century world that questioned both her authorship and her intellectual capability as an enslaved Black woman. Rather than focusing on the external validation provided by the prefatory materials to Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773), this study argues that Wheatley-Peters constructs authority through the poetry itself. Specifically, it explores how her use of neoclassical poetic conventions alongside Christian theological language functions to establish credibility and strengthen her moral and intellectual arguments.

Through close readings of poems including "On Being Brought from Africa to America" and …

The Fate And Removal Of E. Coli Across Liquid And Sludge Treatment Stages In An Activated -Sludge Water Resource Recovery Facility, Shrawan Tandukar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the fate and removal efficiency of Escherichia coli (E. coli) across both liquid and sludge treatment processes at a full-scale activated sludge water resource recovery facility (WRRF) in Brookings, South Dakota. Understanding pathogen reduction within wastewater treatment systems is critical for protecting public health and ensuring regulatory compliance, particularly in facilities practicing water reuse and biosolids management. Liquid and sludge samples were collected from multiple treatment stages between January and July 2025 and analyzed using the IDEXX Colilert Quanti-Tray 2000 method. This study quantifies E. coli concentrations throughout the treatment train to assess removal performance and identify …

Geospatial Analysis Of Sinkhole Density And Characteristics In West Virginia, Marissa Shannon Loftus

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Creation of a sinkhole map of West Virginia provides useful data to help identify areas susceptible to sinkhole related hazards, as well as allowing for detailed analysis of factors controlling karst development. Newly available, statewide LiDAR-derived digital elevation data have made mapping sinkholes over larger spatial extents feasible. For this study, sinkholes were mapped for all areas of West Virginia that are underlain by carbonate rocks; then the distribution and characteristics were evaluated overall and in four focus areas (Berkeley and Jefferson counties, Pendleton County, Greenbrier County, and Monroe County). These areas correspond to broader physiographic regions, with Berkeley, Jefferson, …

Atrial Fibrillation Detection From At-Rest Ppg Signals Using An Sdof-Tf Method, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

At-rest PPG signals have been explored for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), yet current signal-processing techniques do not achieve perfect accuracy even under low-motion artifact (MA) conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a single-degree-of-freedom time–frequency (SDOF-TF) method in analyzing at-rest PPG signals for AF detection. The method leverages the influence of MA on the instant parameters of each harmonic, which is identified using an SDOF model in which the tissue–contact–sensor (TCS) stack is treated as an SDOF system. In this model, MA induces baseline drift and time-varying system parameters. The SDOF-TF method enables the quantification and removal of MA and …

Radial And Carotid Arterial Pulse Signals For Assessing Cardiovascular Function At Rest And During Post-Exercise Recovery In A Heart Transplant Patient: A Case Study, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Mamun Hasan, Jennifer F. May, John M. Herre, Leryn Reynolds, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Aim: This study investigates the feasibility of using radial and carotid arterial pulse signals to assess cardiovascular (CV) function at rest and during post-exercise recovery in a heart transplant (HTx) patient. Method: Two micro-fabricated tactile sensors were used to simultaneously acquire arterial pulse signals at the radial artery (RA) and carotid artery (CA). Measurements were taken at rest and at multiple time points post-exercise on three subjects: an HTx patient, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; coronary stent) patient and a healthy control. An SDOF-TF-based time-frequency analysis algorithm was applied to extract a comprehensive set of CV parameters, including heart rate …

Hardin Health Link: A Community-Integrated Paramedicine (Cip) Program In Hardin County, Kentucky, Samantha Jones

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

Rural and mixed rural–urban communities face persistent disparities in access to timely emergency medical services (EMS), contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality from time-sensitive conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and injury. Hardin County, Kentucky, reflects these challenges due to its geographically dispersed population, high burden of chronic disease, and variability in EMS response times. This capstone proposes Hardin Health Link, a Community-Integrated Paramedicine (CIP) program designed to expand the traditional role of EMS providers through in-home health assessments, chronic disease monitoring, post-discharge follow-up, medication reconciliation, and connection to clinical and social services.

Guided by an evidence-informed framework, the program …

Stronger Starts: Advancing Maternal And Infant Health In Breathitt County, Kentucky, Madisyn Smith

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

Maternal and infant health outcomes remain significantly poorer in rural Appalachian communities, where structural and socioeconomic barriers limit access to timely and comprehensive care. Kentucky reports elevated rates of preterm birth and infant mortality, with counties such as Breathitt County facing challenges including limited obstetric services, transportation barriers, and high poverty rates. These factors contribute to delayed prenatal care, fragmented services, and increased risk of adverse outcomes.

The Stronger Starts Initiative is an evidence-informed public health program designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes through a coordinated, multi-level approach. The program integrates nurse-led home visiting, telehealth obstetric consultations, community-based …

Rapid Response To Recovery: Expand Integrated, Technology-Enabled Crisis Care, Madison Chandler

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

Behavioral health challenges in rural communities continue to place significant strain on healthcare systems, particularly through repeated reliance on emergency departments for crisis care. Nelson County, Kentucky, reflects this pattern, with higher reported rates of poor mental health and limited access to behavioral health providers. This paper proposes the Beacon Behavioral Health Response Program, a community-based, multidisciplinary crisis intervention model designed to improve access to timely care and strengthen continuity of support. The program combines mobile crisis response—delivered by a licensed clinical social worker and a peer support specialist—with a technology-enabled component using the Luma AI-supported mental health platform. Together, …

Promoting Maternal And Infant Health In Franklin County, Ky: A Community-Based Physical Activity And Education Intervention, Subin Kim

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

Maternal and infant health outcomes are key indicators of population health, yet persistent disparities exist in rural communities across the United States. In Kentucky, Franklin County reflects this pattern, with concerning maternal and infant health indicators despite relatively favorable socioeconomic conditions. Identified challenges include elevated rates of poor physical and mental health days, high drug overdose mortality, provider shortages, and ongoing reproductive health concerns such as tobacco use during pregnancy and increased infant mortality associated with elevated maternal body mass index.

To address these gaps, a three-pronged, community-based prenatal and postpartum physical activity and education program is proposed. The program …

A Program To Increase Prenatal And Postnatal Care Access In A Rural Kentucky County, Alyssa Thomas

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

Prenatal and postpartum health care access is necessary for positive pregnancy and postpartum outcomes. Many rural areas in the United States are facing maternity care deserts, where there are no obstetric services available in their county. Maternity care deserts typically have higher rates in maternal mortality, low-birth weight, and pre-term births. Fleming County, Kentucky is a small rural community with a population of about 15,000 that is a maternity care desert. To improve prenatal and postpartum care access in this county, this program will use a mobile health clinic and community health workers (CHWs). The mobile health clinic will operate …

Momentum For Healthy Births-Hardin County, Ky, Brittany R. Jackson

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

Maternal and infant health disparities in Hardin County, Kentucky, reflect persistent gaps in timely access to care, particularly among rural and underserved populations. Structural barriers, including transportation limitations and unmet social needs, contribute to delayed prenatal care initiation and low postpartum follow-up, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. This capstone project proposes the MOMentum (Maternal Outreach and Monitoring for Mothers) Program, an integrated care model designed to strengthen access, improve care coordination, and enhance continuity across the prenatal and postpartum period.

The program combines a Community Health Worker (CHW)-led navigation model with enhanced postpartum care supported by telehealth services and …

Improving Prenatal And Postpartum Care Gaps In Breathitt County, Megan Deaton

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

Maternal and infant health remain a major public health issue across the United States, particularly in rural communities. Barriers such as shortages of obstetric providers, transportation challenges, and limited access to prenatal and postpartum care contribute to delayed care, low follow-up rates, and an increased risk of poor outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. In response, the proposed Maternal and Infant Health Program aims to address gaps in care access through a home visiting model that provides in-home support, maternal health education, care coordination, and referrals to healthcare services, with a direct focus on Breathitt County. Expected outcomes …