Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examining Pathogenesis And Preventatives In Spontaneous And Staphylococcus-Induced Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis In Broilers, Nnamdi Simon Ekesi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis is the most important cause of lameness in broilers. This is important to poultry production, as it poses animal welfare issues, and causes a significant loss in revenue. The remediation of this disease requires the study of its etiology with fitting models and evaluating preventatives. The research reported herein covers genomic virulence analysis of BCO isolates, mainly Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli retrieved from lame birds. We found that S. aureus isolates were closest to chicken strains in Europe but may have been in the Arkansas area for a decade. Phylogenomics suggest our S. aureus is …

The Surveillance Of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Nematodes Of Northwest Arkansas Dairy Cattle Using Traditional And Genetic Parasitological Identification Procedures, Eva M. Wray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traditional and genetic parasitological identification procedures were compared using naturaland artificial nematode parasite infections in Holstein steer calves. The traditional parasitological procedures measured fecal egg counts, coprocultures with subsequent larval collection and adult nematodes collected at necropsy. The genetic identification procedures measured ITS-2 sequences extracted from different stages of nematode development: raw feces, concentrated nematode eggs, third stage larvae and adults. The primary nematodes observed were Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata and Ostertagia ostertagi. The traditional techniques were not significantly different from one another, while the genetic sequencing showed variation amongst the different procedures. The raw feces sequences showed the most …

Understanding Radiation Resistance In Head And Neck Tumor Xenografts Using Diffuse Reflectance And Raman Spectroscopy, Sina Dadgar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Each year, 800,000 new patients are diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a majority of whom are treated with a combination of daily fractions of radiation and weekly chemotherapy sessions for up to seven weeks. Current methods to evaluate treatment response of individual patients are limited to anatomical measurements of tumor burden using CT scan or MRI 4-8 weeks after completion of treatment. However, earlier knowledge of radiation-response prior to or at early days after commencement of therapy can aid oncologist with escalating and de-escalating treatment plans for exceptionally non-responding and responding patients. Such a knowledge can …

Functional And Physiological Role Of Extra-Hypothalamic Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons In The Nucleus Of The Hippocampal Commissure In Regulation Of Stress Response, Hakeem Kadhim

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons located within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are known to be involved in regulation of stress responses. Recently, CRH neurons were identified above the PVN within the nucleus of the hippocampal commissure (NHpC) that located in the septum. We hypothesized that CRH neurons in the NHpC play a critical role in the stress response due to their rapid activation and could be a part of the traditional hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The dissertation addresses the role of 1) CRH expressing neurons in the NHpC compared with those within the PVN utilizing two different stressors, food deprivation (FD) …

Biogeography Of The Bovine Respiratory Microbiome And Its Relationship With Bovine Respiratory Disease, Jianmin Chai

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common and costly disease in the beef cattle industry, leading to high morbidity, mortality and huge economic loss. Despite the recent advances in vaccination and antimicrobial techniques, no significant health-improved outcomes have developed. Due to a deep investigation of the microbiome, respiratory microbiotas are known to have important roles for host health and disease. However, BRD specific pathogens have not yet been identified since they are found in both healthy and diseased animals. A systemic and comprehensive study of the biogeography of the bovine respiratory microbiome and its relationship with BRD is lacking …

Ensemble Learning With Recursive Partitioning Methods To Explore Relationships Between Mental Health And Physical Activity, Jessica Gilmore

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physical and mental health are imperative to maintaining a well functioning immune system, which is especially critical during a global pandemic. Moreover, physical and mental health contribute to the overall quality of life experienced by an individual. Consequently, it is important to explore factors that contribute to both physical and mental health. Physical activity has been previously shown to improve physical and mental health yet many individuals do not get enough physical activity daily. Using data collected during the larger Exercise is Medicine (EIM) study, the current study utilized ensemble learning with recursive partitioning methods to explore the relationships that …

Occupational Health Nursing - Musculoskeletal Disorders & Stretching, Katherine Hale

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For employees who work in food processing plants, work related injuries can take a serious physical toll because of the continuous repetition of the tasks that they perform. Occupational health nurses work hard to encourage correct body mechanics in the workplace and are often the ones to treat those injuries. An internship at a food manufacturing plant allowed me to step into the shoes of an occupational health nurse and witness the difficulties that come with the position. The purpose of my position was to educate the food processing plant employees on proper ergonomics as well as create a stretching …

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide, Cheyenne Star Lowrey-Lagrone

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physician-assisted suicide, or PAS, is end-of-life option in which patients self-administer physician-prescribed lethal medication to end their life. Nurses' own interpretations and understandings of the legalities, ethical dilemmas, and factors that influence their attitudes can be analyzed to determine the nurses’ role in the support or opposition of the practice. Although nurses do not have an active role in PAS, they play a pivotal role in patient advocacy and education. This paper analyzes the factors that contribute to nurses’ attitudes toward the practice, along with the benefits of education of this topic going forth.

The Exploration Of The Long-Term Effects Of Stroke Patients In The Icu, Hannah Smith

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been shown to have poorer long-term effects in stroke patients from the time of admission up to one year of discharge. Throughout the world, people suffer from the complications of having a stroke and being in the ICU. Increased mortality rate, dysphagia, poor speech, loss of mental status, and decreased muscle movement are found in stroke patients who received treatment in the ICU. The poorer long-term effects in stroke patients receiving treatment in the ICU may be caused by the type of stroke, comorbidities, or mental status at admission. The long-term effects …

Identifying Signs Of Human Trafficking In Healthcare Settings: A Literature Review, Mary Elizabeth Baldwin

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Human trafficking is the commercial trade of human beings for profit, and it is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. There are an estimated 40 million people that are trapped in this modern day slavery (National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2020). In the United States, over 86% of trafficking survivors reported accessing healthcare at some point during their trafficking situation (Lederer & Wetzel, 2014). Healthcare workers are on the front lines of battling this crime, as they have a vital role in identifying signs of trafficking in their patients. This review evaluates ways in which healthcare workers can screen …

Reflections On Southwestern Diabetic Foundation Internship, Katherine Hamilton

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Residential diabetes camp plays an important role in the health care plan of children with diabetes. The multidisciplinary team at Camp Sweeney provides primary care and continued diabetes health education for their patients, empowering them to build healthy lifelong habits. An internship with the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation allowed me to gain more hands on experience with a pediatric population, acquire a greater understanding of the complex variables that go into treating chronic illness, and create age appropriate teaching presentations. The purpose of my position was to engage with children in order to create a positive experience for both their physical …

An Extensive Literature Review On Neonatal Pain Assessment & Management, Bailey Bishop

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neonatal pain assessment and management is a field requiring much more research. This literature review outlines the current climate of neonatal pain assessment, compares a variety of neonatal pain scales on validity and clinical utility, and implications for how neonatal pain management can be improved. Neonates experience pain to the same degree, if not more, than everyone else. Unmanaged pain during the neonatal period leads to adverse health outcomes. In order to prevent these atrocities from this vulnerable population, NICU pain assessing needs to become the standard of care.

Respiratory Illness And Household Air Pollution: Problem Identification And Intervention, Hannah Flournoy

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study is an expanded literature review that identifies the key concepts of Household Air Pollution (HAP) and the relationship it has with respiratory illness. This study identifies twenty research studies that inspect HAP and respiratory symptoms across a number of communities that utilize biomass fuel as their primary fuel source. It seeks to identify the problems that come with HAP, such as childhood respiratory infection, COPD, and other respiratory illnesses. This review seeks to identify if people in low to middle income countries, who utilize biomass fuel sources, see and improved respiratory outcome from using modern cookstoves and other …

Prevention Of Pediatric Mortality Associated With Malaria: An Exhaustive Literature Review, Taylor Mosley

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Malaria, a disease that is preventable yet frequently fatal, disproportionately affects pediatric African populations at a rate that results in a child under the age of 5 dying every two minutes. Since 1955, the World Health Organization has contributed to a significant reduction in the morbidity and mortality of malaria; however, progress has stalled in recent years. In some countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, cases have increased since 2015. This literature review seeks to identify factors associated with this incline, as well as what interventions can have the greatest impact to prevent pediatric mortality in areas with the largest …

The Healing Garden, Riley Norman

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Beginning in the 14^th century, gardens have been used to heal patients in hospitals around the world. In post-World War I America, they were reestablished as a part of hospitals, but not necessarily seen as a healing mechanism. The goal for this project was to create a garden that could potentially have similar beneficial effects on the children and staff at the Jean Tyson Child Development Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Healing gardens and nature as a whole can help with physical healing, as well as emotional, spiritual, and mental health. This creative project is a demonstration garden that has …

Design Of Hfgf1 Variant(S) With Increased Stability And Enhanced Bioactivity, Shilpi P. Agrawal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in various cellular processes such as cell growth,proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, wound healing and embryonic development. Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF1) binds non-selectively to all the four FGF-receptors and is therefore considered as a powerful mitogen with broadest specificity. However, pharmacological applications of hFGF1 are restricted due to the low thermal stability of the growth factor. hFGF1 has low thermodynamic stability under physiological temperatures which leads to impairment of cellular signaling process thereby preventing its potential mitogenic properties. hFGF1 has a heparin binding pocket at the C-terminus which comprises of positively charges residues. …

Effect Of Feed Additives And Toxic Elements On Swine Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Immune Function And Reproductive Performance, Richard A. Mudarra Hernández

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To evaluate the effects of peptide in combination of zinc oxide (Zno) or acidifiers (Exp 1), and gossypol (G) from cottonseed meal (CSM) ( Exp 2&3) on growth performance, complete blood cell counts (Exp 1, 2&3), nutrient digestibility (Exp 1), plasma gossypol (Exp 2&3) and semen quality (Exp 3), weaned pigs (Exp 1), growing gilts (Exp 2) and growing boars (Exp 3) were randomly allotted to dietary treatments. Treatments for Exp 1 during phase 1&2 were: (1) Positive Control (PC), formulated to meet NRC (2012) nutrient requirements; (2) Negative control (NC), fish meal was reduced to achieve -0.13% SID lysine; …

Fate And Dissemination Of Salmonella Reading In Market-Age Turkeys At Processing Using Oral Gavage Challenge Model, Aaron Ashcraft

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to evaluate the fate and dissemination of Salmonella Reading (SR) in market-age turkeys using an oral gavage challenge model. One hundred twenty-eight-week-old commercial turkey hens were moved from commercial production to research facilities. Upon arrival, a combination of enrofloxacin, 10 mg/kg, and florfenicol, 20 mg/kg, were orally administered sequentially before comingled placement on fresh pine shavings. Turkeys were challenged with 108 cfu SR by oral gavage on days 4 and 7 post-placement. Subsets were subjected to simulated commercial processing on days 14 (n=40), 21 (n=40) and 28 (n=32) post-placement (corresponding to 10, 11, and 12 weeks of …

Mitochondrial Contributions To Disuse Atrophy: Let’S Talk About Sex, Megan Rosa-Caldwell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a hallmark of many pathologies and is associated with disease prognosis, quality of life, and mortality. Specifically, lack of contractile activity of the muscle can result in disuse-associated atrophy. Disuse-induced atrophy is a common phenomenon in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and significantly impacts patient prognosis and ability to transition of out of intensive care. However, effective therapeutics to mitigate disuse-associated atrophy do not exist, clearly demonstrating the scientific and clinical need to further understand mechanisms contributing to disuse atrophy. In particular, a significant portion of the scientific literature has utilized male models, yet there is …

Hpv Vaccination In Females: The Role Of Primary Health Care And Primary Health Care Providers, Brooke Bouza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two reasons for subpar coverage of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are missed clinical opportunities and nonacceptance of the vaccine upon recommendation from a medical provider. The purpose of study one was to examine factors associated with access and adherence to physician’s recommendations in association with HPV vaccine uptake. Data were obtained from National Health Interview Survey (2017). Variables theoretically related to clinical opportunities and adherence to physician’s recommendations were examined in association with HPV vaccine uptake. Univariate logistic regressions were run to determine the associations between the aforementioned variables and uptake of the HPV vaccine. Multinomial logistic regressions were …

Rejection Sensitivity And Social Support As Predictors Of Peer Victimization Among Youth With Psychiatric Illness, Katherine C. Hyde

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I examined whether rejection sensitivity and perceptions of social support predicted concurrent peer victimization in a sample of adolescents with psychiatric illness. Participants included 43 adolescents, aged 12-18 with diverse psychiatric diagnoses, who were recruited from a summer residential treatment program. Participants completed measures of peer victimization, perceptions of social support, and rejection sensitivity. Participants also completed the global victimization item in the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, which allowed for comparison of rates of peer victimization across studies (Solberg & Olweus, 2003). Results replicate and extend previous research that indicates adolescents with psychiatric illness experience high rates …

The Adult Public’S Perception Of The Utility Of Play Therapy, Margaret L. Hindman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children communicate through symbolism and play as toys are children's words and play is their language (Landreth, 2012; Oaklander, 1988; Piaget, 1951; Ray, 2016). Play therapists facilitate developmentally appropriate support for children (Landreth, 2012). Often parents are unaware of the importance of play in children’s counseling (Brumfield & Christensen, 2011; Landreth, Bratton, Kellam, & Blackard, 2006).

Since adults often make decisions for children, it is important to know adults’ perceptions of play therapy utility. There is little research on parents’ knowledge of mental health services especially research specific to play therapy (Gallo, Comer, & Barlow, 2013; O’Connor & Langer, 2018). …

Investigation Of The Role Of Heparin-Binding Pocket In Amyloid Fibrils Formation Of Fgf-1, I Gusti Ayu Agung Septiari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF/hFGF-1) is one of the promising molecules to be investigated to generate an in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of amyloid fibrils. Some in vivo and human brain tissue studies proved the correlation of high-level expression of FGF-1-induced neuroinflammation and the occurrence of AD. The presence of amyloid fibrils as a hallmark of AD can be related to the generic property of the proteins to form amyloid fibrils; High level of FGF-1, in this case, may contribute to the formation of amyloid fibrils. As a …

Within-Person Variability Of Internal And External Sexual Consent, Malachi Willis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Sexual consent is often conceptualized as an internal willingness to engage in sexual activity, which can be communicated externally to a sexual partner. Preliminary evidence indicates that people’s sexual consent varies from day to day. Study designs that assess sexual consent at multiple time points (e.g., experience sampling methodology [ESM]) are needed to better understand the within-person variability of sexual consent; however, extant validated measures of sexual consent are not appropriate for ESM studies, which require shorter assessments due to the increased burden this methodology has on participants. As such, the goal of this dissertation was to develop valid …

Long-Term Impact Of Child-Centered Play Therapy On Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Examination Of Academic Success In At-Risk Elementary School Students, Brittany D. Massengale

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the long-term impact of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) implemented through Primary Project on at-risk second-grade elementary school students. The qualifying group received ten 30-minute play therapy sessions during one academic semester during their second-grade year. In a longitudinal analysis for academic growth, MAP testing was used to determine if there was a long-term impact on both the third grade and fourth-grade years for the original qualifying students. The findings reveal implications for identification of and interventions for at-risk elementary students and CCPT as an intervention for academic achievement; specifically, reading and mathematics scores. Recommendations for future research …

Effectiveness Of Ashtanga And Vinyasa Yoga: Combating Anxiety, Depression, Stress And Sleep Quality., Kati Street

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This lack of rigor in yoga research methodology hinders the understanding of yoga components and best practices. This study implements two yoga interventions with recommended adequate structure, one more physically demanding (Ashtanga Vinyasa) and a less physically demanding (slow flow vinyasa). The instructor, who is also the lead researcher, developed a slow flow vinyasa sequence and modified the set sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa for beginners. Both yoga interventions cover domains suggested by Sherman (2012) for meticulous methods in yoga research.

Methods: This study implements two styles of yoga with university students over the course of eight weeks, meeting twice …

Associations Of Sex, Gender, And Gender Role Beliefs With Mental Health Attitudes, Ariel Erazo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mental health stigma is a strong deterrent for individual with mental illness utilizing mental healthcare. Individuals living with a mental illness experience shame and marginalization due to stigma. Stigma is perpetuated through stereotypes created and used by people in the majority. Studies have been done to assess individual’s attitudes toward mental healthcare seeking in regards to gender, age, race, and profession. This study aimed to look at traditional gender role beliefs, sex, and gender expression as predictors of individual’s mental health attitudes and individual’s views of mental health norms. Using a cross-sectional survey, 392 participants completed scales that included the …

Peptoid And Antibody-Based Gfp Sensors, Solomon Isu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this work, we have made and characterized a pair of immunobiosensors for detecting the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in an aqueous matrix. An anti-GFP antibody-based biosensor was assembled to detect GFP, while a novel peptoid (N-substituted oligomers of glycine designated as IOS-1) biosensor was also assembled for GFP detection. A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) gold sensor was used as the supporting substrate for self-assembly of the immunobiosensors. Gravimetric measurements of the QCM gold sensor during immunobiosensor construction and operation were available in real-time using a QCM instrument. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Fluorescence microscopy were used …

Baseline Data Collection On The Overall Health Of First-Year Engineering Students At The University Of Arkansas, Braeley George

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many factors contribute to college student's success both inside and outside of the classroom. Physical activity, mental health, sleep, and grit are key influences for academic achievement and retention. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) On Campus is part of a worldwide initiative through the American College of Sports Medicine that recognizes the importance of physical activity for health by both assessing and promoting physical activity to all students, faculty, and staff. The EIM survey is a tool for collecting general health information about a campus population, as it consists of questions on demographic information, health status, familial health history, diet choices, …

Redesign And Quantitative Assessment Of An Accelerated Venous Valve Fatigue Apparatus, Megan Kueh

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a form of cardiovascular disease that is caused when valves in the leg become incompetent. Current treatment methods serve to manage symptoms, but there are currently no ways to treat the underlying cause of CVI. A venous valve prosthetic made from a xenograft of a bovine jugular vein is one possible treatment method currently in the research phase. Prosthetic valves must be tested with an accelerated wear tester prior to approval for clinical testing. Although such testers exist for heart valves, physiological differences between heart and venous valves restrict the use those testers on venous …