Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Nanoparticle Conjugated Photosensitizer For Targeted Photodynamic Inactivation Of Cancer Cells, Symone D. Crowder

Honors College Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered to be a potential replacement for traditional methods of chemotherapy. It includes the administration of photosensitizing agents (PS), which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon excitation at a specific wavelength. With new outlooks and techniques, cancer research is advancing each day. It has allowed the progress of several theranostic drug delivery systems (DDS) exploring the area of nanomedicine.2 In the present work, a Rhodamine derivative, Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as the PS. In general, rhodamine compounds undergo cytotoxic reactions on photoexcitation by electron transfer reactions with folic acid within cells, making them a favorable …

From The Other Side: Nurses’ Perception On The Use Of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy In Clinical Setting, Chinal Patel

Honors College Theses

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a revolutionary technology being used more frequently in clinical settings across the United States. Though there has been extensive research on the efficacy of NPWT medically and otherwise, there has been little research regarding the healthcare providers’ perception of use of “wound-vacs,” the device used for NPWT. As new techniques and/or devices are made available for use in a clinical setting, the burden to educate staff falls upon patient care providers. The administration of NPWT is wholly reliant on a nurse as they are the ones to apply the dressing, change it and document …

Synthesis Of Trifluoromethyl Ketones By (Diethylamino) Sulfur Trifluoride (Dast)-Mediated Nucleophilic Trifluoromethylation Of Benzoic Acids, Michael A. Vescio

Honors College Theses

Within the past few decades, the presence of fluorine containing

organic molecules has increased significantly. Many of the

current industrial production methods are not cost-effective,

practical, or inherently safe. This work describes a new methodology

for the synthesis of trifluoromethyl ketones. Our new method involves

the use of benzoic acid and trifluoromethyl trimethylsilane (TMSCF₃) as starting

materials along with diethylamino sulfur trifluoride (DAST) as a reagent

to obtain moderate to good yields of expected products in a short

reaction times.

Effects Of Physical Activity On The Cognitive Performance Of Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Critically Appraised Topic, Amaiah N. Young

Honors College Theses

The aging population is the fastest growing population currently. Older adults are most susceptible to cognitive impairment, because of the natural cognitive decline with age. Physical activity changes the body physically by increasing strength and endurance of muscles, and aids quality of life by decreasing the negative impact of cognitive impairment. This study investigated the influence of physical activity on cognitive performance of cognitively impaired older adults. This study found that physical activity had a beneficial effect on cognition when physical activity plans were done for at least 6 months and of moderate to high intensity. While, all areas of …

The Use Of Silica Nanoparticles For Controlled Drug Delivery Of Nicotine, Jennifer C. Iwenofu

Honors College Theses

Drug molecules can be administered in different ways to the human body. Nanotechnology stands out over other alternatives by delivering drugs to specific locations and reducing reactivity time. In this research, the hydrogen bond between silica nanoparticles and the drug molecule, nicotine, were studied to controllably deliver nicotine by varying pH values.

Barriers To Exercise And Physical Activity - Insight From The Rural Practitioner, Erin G. Tillery

Honors College Theses

Sedentary lifestyles are a growing public health concern. Furthermore, many rural Americans lack adequate access to healthcare resources. When healthcare is sought, the patient-practitioner interactions may serve to influence the patient’s lifestyle choices. The practitioners' exercise and physical activity habits may shape the effectiveness of the patient-practitioners interaction. Here, we explored the potential barriers to exercise and physical activity (PA) in licensed physical and occupational therapists. In addition, we aimed to describe barriers to exercise and PA in individuals with a history of stroke from the perspective of the practitioner. Lastly, how current exercise and physical activity habits influence their …

Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Health Behaviors And Mental Health During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Kara C. Middleton

Honors College Theses

The Coronavirus pandemic had many negative impacts on healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, specialist care providers closed their offices to reduce transmission. Maternal healthcare was severely impacted. Mothers were unable to receive the prenatal and perinatal care they needed. Other specialist care, such as mental healthcare was severely impacted as well. There was also a lack of prenatal care occurring due to offices being closed. There is an established link between anxiety, depression, emotional eating, and Gestational weight gain. Gestational Weight Gain is associated with a higher prevalence of behavioral health conditions that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role Of Socio-Cultural Perspectives And Vaccine Misinformation On The Intention To Receive Covid-19 Vaccination In A Selected Sample Of Georgia Southern Students, Alyssa G. Love-Archey

Honors College Theses

The purpose of the study was to explore sociocultural influences on the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccination and to measure which sociocultural factor had the greater influence: misinformation about the vaccine or specific cultural beliefs (religion and/or cultural practices) on vaccine intent in Georgia Southern students. An anonymous, exploratory survey was utilized to collect information on these constructs in two selected groups of students: those who had been vaccinated prior to taking the survey and those who had not been vaccinated prior to taking the survey. Subjects of the study were undergraduate, master’s degree, and doctoral students of the …

Music As A Treatment For Perceived Postoperative Pain In Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic, Savannah G. Mcdaniel

Honors College Theses

Clinical Question: In postoperative patients, how does listening to music affect perceived pain levels? Clinical Bottom Line: There is consistent evidence to suggest music decreases perceived pain in postoperative patients undergoing nasal septal surgery, open heart surgery, total knee replacement surgery, and general orthopedic surgeries requiring hospitalization. Athletic trainers can confidently implement music during patients’ post-operative care sessions to help reduce pain.

The Effect Of Golf Bag Load Carriage On Human Postural Control, Abigail Hotchkiss

Honors College Theses

Golf is a popular sport for all age groups, and the golf swing is one of the hardest swings to master. It takes balance and trunk stability in order to achieve desired results. Carrying a golf bag for the standard 18-holes may decrease stability and balance from fatigue and lead to injury. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different methods of golf bag carriage on balance. Three participants consisting of male and female college-aged individuals (18-30) with golfing experience in the last six months and no current signs of cardiovascular, metabolic, or musculoskeletal disease were …

Infant Car Seat Safety Education And Confidence Measure For Maternal-Child Nursing Students, Mariah A. Arnett

Honors College Theses

Studies have shown that nursing students experience a greater-than-normal amount of anxiety and decreased clinical confidence when in settings involving infants and children, which is said to have a negative impact on the learning experience (Lassche, 2013; Moscaritolo, 2009). Patient education is a vital aspect of nursing, but one that the student nurse may not feel comfortable taking part in, either because of their lack of nursing experience or because of a lack of experience with infants and infant safety (Potter, 2020; Lassche, 2013). This project attempts to assess for a change in clinical confidence after providing a subject specific …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Childhood Punishment And Adult Ipv, Anna G. Griffith

Honors College Theses

The goal of this project is to examine the relationship between childhood punishment and experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) as an adult. Using an anonymous, self-report survey, students from Georgia Southern University were asked about their experiences with IPV, as well as their experiences of childhood punishment administered by both mother and father. The results show that children who receive corporal, verbal, and emotional punishment from their mother are more likely to experience all forms of IPV later in life. When analyzing the same relationships with fathers, corporal punishment is not associated with IPV while verbal and emotional punishment is.

Kinesiophobia Effects On Returning To Sports Following Shoulder Injuries, Haley Burke

Honors College Theses

Kinesiophobia is a condition in which patients experience an excessive, irrational, and often debilitating fear of movement or physical activity that results in a feeling of vulnerability in which they believe movement will cause painful (re)injury. There is limited research on the effects of kinesiophobia in athletes who suffered shoulder injuries, so the purpose of our research was to examine kinesiophobia effects in adult male baseball players who returned to sport following a shoulder injury. We hypothesized the presence of kinesiophobia and tried to measure its degree level using the 11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) to assess fear during …

Skin Pigmentation And Arterial Stiffness In Young Health Black And White Adults, Zoe R. Lincoln

Honors College Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently the leading cause of death worldwide, killing over half a million people in the US every year. This issue is only becoming more prominent, as both the world and US population are experiencing increased rates of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Black Americans specifically are experiencing increased rates of these risk factors, possibly due to lifestyle, socioeconomic, and genetic variables, ultimately leading to a higher prevalence of CVD in this population. One possible mechanism for this health disparity is racial differences in skin pigmentation, which can influence cardioprotective Vitamin …

Participants’ Satisfaction With Functional Treatment Goals, Ricki M. Botsford

Honors College Theses

Goal writing is an important part of treatment and helps guide SLPs' plan for their clients. Goals need to be individualized and relevant to the client’s life. One type of goal that focuses on being specific to the client’s life is functional goals, which is based on the ICF. The LPATS is a method for writing functional goals that was developed with the ICF in mind. The student clinician participants were taught to use LPATS with adult aphasia clients and were surveyed and interviewed on the method’s feasibility. The survey scores were recorded and presented in a graph. The interviews …

Perceptions Of Hypertension And Treatment Adherence In Impoverished Hypertensive Adults: A Qualitative Analysis, Sarah E. Hogg

Honors College Theses

Hypertension is a global public health crisis. It is the largest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death globally (CDC, 2021). While it can be managed, there are additional barriers that hypertensive impoverished populations face in regards to hypertension management. The purpose of this study was to explore knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of hypertension, and treatment adherence in impoverished hypertensive adults. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, and were explained within the context of the health belief model. The results show that there was a lack of understanding of hypertension and its long term effects. …

Narrative Review - Optimal Occupational Therapy Experience, Kaylee G. Clay

Honors College Theses

This narrative review examines factors associated with optimal occupational therapy experiences, including patient perspectives of occupational therapy, cost-effectiveness, use of practices, organization, and patient involvement/experiences. The information found within this review provides information to those interested in creating the most optimal experiences for their occupational therapy patients.

Social Media’S Impact On One’S Mental, Physical, And Emotional Well-Being, Alexandria J. Shearer

Honors College Theses

Social media is widely used in users’ daily lives and is deeply embedded in the world of technology. Cellular devices and their applications have shown primarily negative effects on individuals’ lives. Studies have shown a lower self-esteem in young adults addicted to their smartphone (Aznar-Díaz, et al., et al. 2020). Another study highlighted the reactions to creating one’s own content versus the implications of consuming content. Individuals who created more than they consumed reported a higher level of self-esteem (Hygen, et al., 2021). While there were many studies regarding social media and wellness of young adults, there were gaps in …

The Anxiety, Depression, And Perceived Stress Levels Of Hospice Care Personnel In Georgia, Emily Bauman

Honors College Theses

Working in hospice comes with a variety of unique tasks and stressors that other jobs typically do not require. While this workplace stress can act as a catalyst, too much can be threatening to an individual’s mental state and life in general. Moreover, anxiety and depression can be detrimental to an individual’s life and career. Research has shown positive correlations between stress, anxiety, and depression. The purpose of this study is to use quantitative measures to examine the anxiety, depression, and perceived stress levels of hospice care professionals in Georgia. 12 hospice care workers were quantitatively surveyed regarding their perceived …

Nursing Students’ Perspectives On The Covid-19 Vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, And Johnson And Johnson, Savannah M. Workman

Honors College Theses

There are very few things that everyone in the world shares in common, but there is one thing that has recently plagued our entire world and has impacted each person’s life. The first case of COVID-19 occurred in the United States in January of 2020. In the United States during March of 2020, life as we knew it changed. Restrictions were put in place, schools closed, food and supply chain shortages occurred, travel was banned, and we were warned to stay away from others as they could be symptomatically or asymptomatically carrying the novel coronavirus. Since the time of quarantine …

An Examination Of Hierarchical Leisure Constraint Effects On Sport Participation And Sport Preference From Adolescence Into Early Adulthood, Crystal A. Fields

Honors College Theses

The aim of this study was to understand how hierarchical leisure constraints prohibited sport participation and influenced sport preferences during individuals’ adolescent years, and how these constraint effects may change during their early twenties. A sequential quantitative-qualitative mixed methods design was employed to (1) identify general changes in constraint effects on participation (i.e., quantitative) and then (2) better understand how sport preferences may be impacted by these constraint effects on participation (i.e., qualitative). A sample (n=70) of female (n= 26) and male (n=44) Georgia residents between the ages of 20-25 representing various ethnicities, backgrounds, and income levels participated in the …

The Importance Of Learning Deaf Culture Through A Black Deaf Perspective In The Field Of Communication Sciences And Disorders, Lindsay Lee

Honors College Theses

As the diversity in the demographics of clinical populations increases in the United States, clinicians must also be accountable for learning the culture of their patients. The Deaf community, specifically individuals who identify with Deaf culture and Black Deaf culture, is a multifaceted, cultural group that has been marginalized within various settings including social, political, and employment settings, including academic and clinical research. This review will examine the historical developments within Deaf History in the United States, the injustices related to Deaf culture, and more specifically Black Deaf culture, and discuss the critical need for Deaf research and tools that …

College Students’ Perceptions Of Anxiety And Coping: Physical Activity Versus Alcohol Use, John M. Neville

Honors College Theses

Anxiety is likely to impact every single person in the world. It can, at times, be advantageous; however, at other times, it can be crippling. There is not a consensus as to its cause. But, through years of research it has been discovered it results from structural and chemical changes within the brain. It is believed these changes contribute largely to the development of anxiety. Other factors such as stressors, trauma, and substance abuse may exacerbate anxiety and accelerate its development. This has prompted researchers, scientists, and clinicians to explore ways in which individuals may cope with this condition. For …

Effectiveness Of Telemedicine In Diabetes Management: A Retrospective Study In An Urban Medically Underserved Population Area (Umupa)., Lisa Ariellah Ward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to assess the efficacy of employing telemedicine (TM) technology compared to traditional face-to-face (F2F) visits as an alternative healthcare delivery service for managing diabetes in populations residing in urban medically underserved areas (UMUPA). Researchers investigating public health and healthcare systems fully grasp the enormous challenges encountered by vulnerable populations as a result of healthcare access barriers.¹ Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, F2F visits were most often utilized for healthcare delivery service, which frequently posed barriers for vulnerable populations. When marginalized people, encounter healthcare access barriers, a cascade of events generally occur leading to …

Barriers To Musculoskeletal Injury Reporting In High School Athletes: A Qualitative Study, Mikayla Talak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: There are a substantial amount of sport related injuries recorded at the high school age and it has been recorded as a public health concern in a vast amount of health literature. Although participating in sports has a risk of injury associated with it, it is common for high school athletes to underreport injuries. But there is no known literature on injury reporting behaviors of musculoskeletal injuries in the high school athletic population. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the barriers and facilitators to musculoskeletal injury reporting and towards playing injured in athletes that attend a …

Sexual Minority Stress And Mental Health: An Investigation Of Rural-Urban Differences In Social Support, Justin T. Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As mental health disparities and discrimination facing the LGB (sexual minority) community continues to come into public focus, researchers and clinicians are moving toward identifying LGB-specific mental health interventions to support well-being efforts within this population. Furthermore, much of the current literature on sexual minority mental health is focused on predominantly urban samples failing to consider the sociocultural impacts of living in low resourced and geographically isolated regions of the United States (US). To this end, social support is a promising prevention factor, but few studies to date examine its influence on different minority stress models. As such, the current …

Becoming A Public Health Professional: Millennials’ Perspective On Organizational Assimilation And Professional Identity, Tony K. Winters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Public health must confront the ongoing challenge of workforce transitions and the impending exodus of existing employees. The millennial generation rises as an option to fill this workforce gap. Using the Socialization Resource Theory as a framework and qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 27 millennial professionals from federal, state, local, and non-governmental public health agencies, this study describes (a) the organizational assimilation (OA) process for millennial public health professionals, (b) explores the impact of OA on professional identity, and (c) describes how the OA process may impact the retention of public health professionals.

The results from this study …

Factors Associated With Intention To Disclose Concussive Symptoms In Active Duty Soldiers, Carly Beck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Concussion disclosure is a heavily researched topic, and while previous literature has explored predictors of concussion disclosure in numerous populations, research within the active duty Soldier population is limited. This study further explored predictors of concussion disclosure to a medical professional or leadership in the active duty Solider population through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 181 active duty Soldiers. Descriptive statistics were used to report frequency of high intention to disclose concussive symptoms among demographics, and a multivariate regression model was used to assess significant predictors of intention …

Exploring Sport, Exercise, And Performance Psychology Practitioners’ Attitudes On Attire, Claire Harding

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has revealed that attire has an influence on one’s self-perceptions, self and socially prescribed adjective traits and behavior (Adam & Galinsky, 2012; Lubker et. al, 2008; Peluchette & Karl, 2007). The present study aims to explore the influence of attire on perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of SEPP (Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology) practitioners during their applied work. Specifically, these factors were investigated through various demographic lenses such as gender, experience level, and age in order to describe the population. SEPP graduate students (n = 49) and early career professionals (n = 82) were asked to participate in a questionnaire, …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Female Athletic Trainers Working With Male Coaches In Male Sports, Sierra Hobday

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Female athletic trainers are making great strides in a previously male-dominated profession and are also becoming more prevalent in working with male sports teams. Female athletic trainers working within male sports often face gender bias and discrimination which has been found to come from male coaches of these sports. While previous studies have shown male coaches may demonstrate practices of gender bias towards female athletic trainers working in male sports, no studies have focused directly on the male coach and female athletic trainer relationship. Purpose: To examine the experiences and perceptions of female athletic trainers currently working with male …