Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Application Of Differential Mathematical Modeling Techniques To Study The Ongoing Rabies Epizootic In China, Christopher Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rabies remains a global public health issue with a wide variety of neurological symptoms such as confusion, slight paralysis, hypersalivation, and hydrophobia. Rabies is usually fatal once symptoms appear. Many species are reservoirs for rabies, such as foxes, racoons, and wild dogs, which in turn can transmit the disease to humans, leading to complex transmission chains. There is a long latent period of rabies, between 1 to 3 months after infection, which further complicates control efforts. Mathematical modeling is a valuable tool in the study of infectious disease outbreaks and there have been many models applied to rabies outbreaks. However, …

Double Consciousness And Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors In Young Black And White Adults, Priscillia Ihionkhan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the previously understudied notion that Black individuals are buffered against being dissatisfied with their bodies and in turn developing unhealthy eating and weight control behaviors. Double consciousness, a racially/ethnically sensitive measure of body dissatisfaction, was tested as a mediator of the relation between ethnic identity and unhealthy eating and weight control behaviors in Black and White adults. It was anticipated that unhealthy weight control behaviors would be more common in Black women compared to White women and that double consciousness would mediate the association between ethnic identity and unhealthy weight control behaviors among Black women, but …

Deception Of Resistance And The Effects On Muscular Fitness And Perceived Exertion, Tyler Mchenry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resistance training has been a popular tactic that individuals have used to increase muscular fitness for decades. Muscular fitness includes muscular endurance, strength, and power. However, limitations such as self-efficacy and the Central Governor Theory may influence individual maximal performance ability. One training tactic that has been rarely researched is the deception of resistance during exercise, which is assumed to increase performances in all aspects of muscular fitness and improvements in perceived effort. Inconsistent results have been concluded from previous studies that have examined the same topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance …

Predicting Covid-19 Behavior: Is It All Due To Political Orientation?, Caleb Potts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Adherence to COVID-19 preventing measures is becoming increasingly important as governments across the world realize COVID-19 is not an acute, but a chronic problem. There is, however, disagreement over to what extent COVID-19 is a problem. In the United States, the division appears to be primarily along party lines (Democrat and Republican[1]), though even within parties there is division. This division might be explained by differences in: the behavioral immune system and trust in government. Additional factors to examine include: personality, fear of COVID-19, and religious beliefs. The present study used previously validated self-report measures to assess …

Effects Of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Plus Ingestion On Cycling Time Trial Performance, Henry D. Gebhardt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to limited glycogen stores, carbohydrate (CHO) consumption during exercise is effective at improving performance in endurance events lasting longer than 90 minutes in duration. Recent research has established that CHO mouth rinsing may improve performance over shorter durations, independent of actual consumption. However, research is lacking in determining if an extended period of mouth rinsing has any additive benefit in conjunction with typical CHO beverage consumption over longer competition durations, where CHO ingestion/consumption is likely warranted. PURPOSE: Determine the effects of CHO mouth rinsing combined with consumption compared to CHO consumption alone on cycling performance. METHODS: Following …

The Effects Of Two Modes Of High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise On Postprandial Metabolism, David J. Buckley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if exercise in the form of Tabata or Sprinting would lower postprandial lipemia and glycemia. Tabata was composed of body-weight exercises. Both Tabata and Sprinting consisted of 5 rounds with each round lasting 4 minutes and included movements performed for 20 seconds followed by 10sec of rest. Following the completion of each round, participants received a 60 second break. Both exercise sessions were isocaloric and lasted 25min. Thirty minutes following exercise, participants were given a 75g-oral glucose solution and a high-fat meal two hours following exercise. The postprandial assessment lasted 6 hours. …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Vision Loss: Investigating The Lived Experiences Of Adventitiously Blinded Adults, Jennifer Perry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to share the lived experiences of four adventitiously blinded individuals. The researcher interviewed participants regarding the events surrounding their vision loss. The researcher used a descriptive phenomenological method to analyze the results.

Through analysis, seven themes emerged as essential experiences for experiencing adventitious vision loss: Medical Dysfunction, Others’ Reactions, Ancillary Losses, Rehabilitation, Sensory Enhancements, Benefits of Vision Loss, and Participants’ Advice.

The study indicated that participants’ experiences are influenced by how others in society understand blindness. Suggestions included providing a greater awareness to the public for blindness, its effects, and its available rehabilitation options.

Individual Eeg Asymmetry As A Predictor Of Hydration Status During Exercise In The Heat, Ayano Katayama

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydration behavior varies among individuals; continuous and correct fluid consumption behavior prevents decreased physical performance and severe dehydration, especially during extended exercise and hot environments. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine individual frontal alpha electroencephalographic asymmetry index (FAI) score in eu-hydrated, hypo-hydrated, and exercise in well-trained men and assess if there is a correlation between FAI score and individual ad libitum fluid consumption behavior. Subjects were kinesiology major college students ranging from 21 to 29 years of age. Subjects were categorized either approach group (n = 8) with resting FAI score more than 0 or avoidance …

Arachidin 3 Modulation Of Lipid Metabolism In Rotavirus Infections, Stormey Wisdom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rotavirus (RV) can cause severe and deadly gastroenteritis in young children, infants, and immunocompromised individuals. Previous studies have shown that arachidin 3 (A3) inhibits RV replication, and that RV replication is dependent on the presence of lipids. This study investigated the alteration of lipid metabolism by A3 in RV infected HT29.f8 cells. A decrease in the RV regulation of lipid biosynthesis genes was observed with the addition of A3 using qRT-PCR. Also, immunofluorescent and histochemical staining for neutral fats, a major component of cellular lipid droplets, revealed an increased accumulation with both RV and RV+A3 when compared to no virus …

Comparison Of Post-Activation Potentiation Methods On Power And Sprint Acceleration, Aaron Piper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a stimulus used to enhance performance by performing specific interventions prior to subsequent explosive movements. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different PAP methods on power and sprint acceleration in resistance trained, college-aged men and women. A total of 13 subjects participated in the study. After determining back squat 1 repetition max, subjects returned for testing on separate days to complete one of four interventions (dynamic resistance, weighted plyometric, isometric, or control) in a randomized order. A standardized warmup was given, followed by a baseline countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20-meter sprint. …

Self-Regulation Abilities Of Low-Income Mothers In Community Based, Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program, Alyssa Abreu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diet is strongly associated with many risk factors for chronic disease. Educational programs such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) are designed to improve dietary behaviors among low-income populations. Although EFNEP has seen improvements, they are not yet up to recommendations. Previous studies have been successful in eliciting behavior change when improving self-regulation in conjunction with dietary education. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine self-regulation in EFNEP participants and its relationship to participants change in dietary behavior. All participants were currently enrolled in an EFNEP program and were asked to complete an additional self-regulation …

The Comparison Of Effects Of Synthetic And Natural Arachidin-3 On Rotavirus Infected Cells, Rebekah Napier-Jameson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rotavirus (RV) causes severe, life-threatening diarrhea, in infants, young children and immunocompromised adults. There are several effective vaccines for young children, however they are strain specific and are not protective against many RV strains in developing countries. Therefore, it is important to investigate anti-RV therapeutic agents. Our laboratory has shown arachidin-1 (A1) and arachadin-3 (A3) significantly inhibit RV replication in two cell lines, however the molecular mechanism(s) of action are not known. A synthetic molecule of A3 (sA3) has been produced, but its’ antiviral effects have not been examined. Our hypothesis is that sA3 produces the same effects on RV-infected …

Survey Of Rickettsia Spp. In Ticks In Nacogdoches County, Texas, Nathaniel Blakley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rickettsia parkeri is an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium that is commonly transmitted by the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum. Rickettsia parkeri is the causative agent of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, which is a disease characterized by nonspecific symptomology. Significant effort by numerous research groups focuses on determining the geographic distribution of potential vectors of this pathogen. The purpose of this study was to study A. maculatum populations in Nacogdoches County, Texas, for the presence of Rickettsia parkeri. Over a two-year period, 49 ticks were collected in Nacogdoches county and taxonomically identified. The DNA was extracted using DNeasy Blood and Tissue …

Entry-Level Physical Therapy Students' Knowledge And Attitudes Of Nutrition, Jordan D. Day

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Like other allied health fields, physical therapy has incorporated health promotion as a part of their practice. A large and important component of health promotion is nutrition. Little research has been conducted on the knowledge and attitudes of nutrition in physical therapists and has only included small sample sizes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to expand upon the knowledge and attitudes of nutrition in physical therapy students. Subjects included doctoral physical therapy students from across the United States, ranging from first year to senior level. The present research was conducted online via a Qualtrics survey. Surveys, included …

Nurse Perspectives On The Work Impacts Of Decentralized Nursing Unit Design, Susan Mcdevitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated nurse perspectives on the work impacts of a decentralized inpatient unit model. The study involved two rural acute-care hospitals in rural Nebraska that moved from a centralized to a decentralized inpatient unit design. The researcher conducted focus group discussions with staff and nursing management at both facilities with a total of 28 participants. In addition, the participants completed a 12-item questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale for responding. Focus group discussion and questionnaire were designed to investigate the areas of quality of care, communication, documentation, stress and wellbeing, and transition. Data gathered revealed that on all survey …

The Regulation Of Rotavirus–Infected Ht29.F8 And Ma104 Cells Treated With Arachidin 1 Or Arachidin 3, Caleb M. Witcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rotavirus (RV) infections cause severe life threatening diarrhea in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Several effective vaccines have been developed for young children but are not protective against all strains of RV, and there are no anti-RV therapeutics. Our laboratory has discovered a decrease in the number of infectious simian RV particles (SA114f) in human intestinal cell line, HT29.f8 cells with the addition of either of two stilbenoids, arachidin-1 (A1) or arachidin-3 (A3). This suggests effects on the host cell and RV replication. We examined the cellular effects of human RV strain (Wa) on a human intestinal cell line (HT29.f8) …

Relationships Of Weight-Related Dissatisfaction, Body Image Flexibility, And Coping In Women, Pooja Shah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The present study examined the relationships between body image flexibility, body image dissatisfaction, body image evaluation, and specific coping factors based on the WEIGHTCOPE measure. Body image flexibility was also examined as a mediator of the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and weight-related coping factors in women. Methods: An online link of the survey (Qualtrics Research Software Program) was distributed through social media and word of mouth to women of all body shapes and sizes (N= 267). The survey included the BICS as a measure of body image dissatisfaction, the MBSR (AE) as a measure of body …

Tobacco Use, Cessation, And Locus Of Control Among College Students, Bernard Ambe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to (a) determine the locus of control among American college students (b) determine if tobacco use or cessation correlate with any demographic variables to better understand the efficacy of tobacco interventions and help design an intervention most effective in the prominent LOC of college students.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) was modified for the purposes of this study and used to determine demographic factors and tobacco usage status. The modified GATS survey also included the LOC questionnaire which yielded the data. Seventy-four responses were recorded. The mean locus of control scores were …

Perceptual Variations In Thermoregulation During Exercise In A Hot Environment, William C. Alger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Professionals are seeking to find ways to prevent exertional heat illness (EHI) in populations working in hot environments as well as populations that are physically active. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate individuals’ ability to accurately perceive core temperature ranges associated with homeothermic and EHI temperatures during exercise. Ten physically active males exercised on a treadmill at a self-selected rate until core temperature reached 39°C. Participants rated perceived core and skin temperature on 100 mm scales each time core temperature increased 0.25˚ C (37.5-39.0˚ C), along with thermal comfort and sweating sensation. During exercise core temperature …

Stop The Pricks: A Validation Study Of A Noninvasive Lactate Threshold Device, Rebecca M. Mcmorries

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the validity of a noninvasive lactate threshold device (NID) to determine lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR) and aerobic threshold heart rate (AeTHR).

Methods: Twenty-one recreational athletes completed a personalized graded exercise test on a treadmill. All participants wore the noninvasive device and blood lactate samples were taken at the end of 3-minute stages. Lactate threshold heart rate and aerobic threshold heart rate were then calculated using four traditional methods and compared against the same heart rate values calculated by the device.

Results: No significant differences were found in lactate threshold …

Comparison Of Two Body Weight Screenings Of Self-Conscious Emotions And Coping, Rachel N. Nanez Ms.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Novel technologies are currently being utilized in fitness and clinical settings. However, there is not much research to examine the emotional responses to such screenings.

PURPOSE: To examine the group differences between the FIT3D and DXA protocol on emotional responses and the differences between weight classifications.

METHODS: The Body and Appearance-related Self-conscious Emotions Scale and WEIGHTCOPE were used to assess self-conscious emotions and intention to utilize 10 different weight-related coping strategies following the scans. Motivation was measured by a 10-point Likert scale measuring motivation pre and post scans.

RESULTS: There were no differences in motivation, affective response, or intention to …