Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Nursing Simulation For Pediatric Communication: An Integrative Literature Review, Jayla R. Call

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aim of this thesis is to explore literature focused on enhancing nursing students' communication skills with pediatric patients through simulation. Effective communication is key to building rapport and trust, which are essential for improving patient outcomes. However, nursing students may experience anxiety when interacting with pediatric patients due to limited training in communication techniques. Simulation offers a valuable opportunity for students to practice and refine their skills in a risk-free environment, allowing them to build confidence and competence. An integrative literature review was conducted, utilizing three databases and PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021) to gather relevant studies for …

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Substance Use Amongst The Hispanic Maternal Population, Emily C. Olivo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To explore and synthesize existing research that focuses on the relationship between socioeconomic status and the use of substances amongst the maternal Hispanic population. By examining research and these factors, interventions can be identified to lower reported substance use rates amongst Hispanic mothers of childbearing ages.

Background: Minorities such as Hispanic women deal with a myriad of struggles, especially during motherhood. Socioeconomic status and substance use can contribute to a large part of the struggles faced by this population. Hispanic and Latina will be used interchangeably throughout this review of literature.

Method: A comprehensive electronic review of 3 databases …

Organization And Activation Of Caffeine Expectancies, Catherine S. Forsyth

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Caffeine is the most consumed and widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Whether someone uses caffeine or not, expectations about use can be influential to some degree. Expectancies exist everywhere and are extremely influential in all aspects of life. Regarding drug use, expectancies can affect behavior, outcomes, and one’s experience with the drug. Caffeine is no exception, caffeine expectancies have been seen to play a role in several actions such as the development, maintenance, and reinforcement of caffeine use. This study examined latent use profiles of caffeine and relationships between the profiles and the activation of caffeine expectancies. Multidimensional …

Assessing The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological And Physical Pain In Adults With Orthopedic Pain, Daniel C. Karimi Dehkordi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Suicide remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly among individuals experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceived physical and psychological pain in 41 adults with chronic orthopedic conditions. The relationship between other risk and protective factors and perceived levels of pain distress was also examined. Results showed a significant positive correlation between psychological distress and physical pain (r(39) = 0.388, p < .05) and psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (r (39) = 0.477, p < .01). Psychological distress was moderately associated with feelings of hopelessness (r (39) = 0.403, p < .01), however, the relationship between physical pain and hopelessness was weak and nonsignificant (r (39) = -0.06, p = .71). Contrary to expectations, emotional support did not buffer the effects of psychological distress (r (39) = 0.07, p = 0.66). Mediational analysis confirmed that emotional support did not influence the relationship between physical pain and psychological distress (Beta (β) = -0.969, p = 0.572; Sobel Z = 0.5598, p = 0.575). Age was not correlated with psychological distress (r (39) = -0.24, p = 0.13) or mental health symptoms (r (39) = -0.05, p = .77). While there was no significant difference across sex, males reported higher mental health symptomatology and psychological distress scores than female counterparts. These findings underscore the direct impact of physical pain on psychological distress and challenge assumptions about the protective role of social support. The study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary interventions targeting both physical and psychological pain to mitigate suicide risk among individuals with chronic orthopedic conditions. Future research should iii explore alternative support mechanisms and resilience-building strategies to address the complex interplay of pain, distress, and suicidality.

Physical Activity And Hypertension Outcomes Around Menopause In Adult Women—A Secondary Analysis Of The All Of Us Research Program, Meriam F. Naguib

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension significantly impacts menopausal women due to a decrease in estrogen levels. That is due to estrogen level changes, causing many metabolic alterations, one of which is increased vascular resistance, leading to hypertension. Advanced treatments are made available to help alleviate the condition; however, lifestyle modifications—especially physical activity—show a critical role in hypertension control. This thesis explored the effect of physical activity as a non-pharmacological, lifestyle intervention on hypertension in women by menopausal status (pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal). This study used a secondary analysis with a retrospective design. Physical activity was defined using the American Heart Association's (AHA) guidelines (i.e., …

The Intersection Of Autism Spectrum Disorder And Mental Health: A Focus On College Students, Sudeepta Matha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Rising prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), changes in diagnostic criteria, and increased public awareness have all contributed to the growing population of college students with ASD. However, many individuals - commonly referred to as the “lost generation” - go undiagnosed, due to experiencing negative interactions with mental health professionals. As a result, these individuals are not given the proper support and interventions required for a successful transition into adulthood, and often face heightened social isolation, academic problems, mental health challenges compared to their neurotypical peers. A combination of these factors can lead to increased suicidal ideation (SI) and …

Generation Z’S Perception Of Skin Cancer And How It Relates To Climate Change, Piercen Bogolea

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and climate change has been identified as a significant contributor. Preventative action early on can help reduce occurrence, but it is unknown if Generation Z is aware of this and is taking the necessary action now to protect themselves. This research aims to gauge the perception of Generation Z on the severity of skin cancer, the relationship between climate change and skin cancer, and the prevalence of preventative measures being taken. A survey was distributed to students aged 18 to 27 enrolled at the University of Central Florida through mixed sampling. The …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …

Uv- Altered Macrophages: Impact Of Uv Radiation On Phagocytic Receptor Expression In M2 Macrophages And Implications For Tissue Repair And Immunosuppression, Hala Hafez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Ultraviolet radiation is an environmental stressor known to suppress immune function in the skin, but its effect on the immunoregulatory M2 phenotype macrophages is poorly studied. This study aims to investigate the impact of UV exposure on key markers of the M2 macrophage, which are critical for tissue repair and immunosuppression. THP-1 monocytes were differentiated and polarized into the M2 phenotype using Phorbol-12 myristate (PMA) and Cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Once differentiation was confirmed, the macrophages were exposed to varying durations of UV radiation. Real Time Quantitative PCR was used to analyze expression changes in phagocytic receptors (CD206, CD163, Arg-1), …

Weighted Family History Density Of Substance Use: Influence On Participant Substance Use Onset, Escalation, And Duration, Carleigh A. Litteral

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Substance use disorders impose a staggering toll on the United States (U.S.), straining healthcare systems, destabilizing communities, and profoundly impacting both individuals and families. Approximately one in six Americans aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder in 2022 (Key Substance Use, 2022), and nearly one-third of adults experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime (Wu, 2010), contributing to an economic burden exceeding $400 billion annually (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2011). Family history of substance use disorders is a key predictor of vulnerability, with individuals who have affected relatives being 2–8 times more …

The Effects Of Plx 3397 On Fentanyl Escalation In Male And Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, Jakob Shaykin

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Purpose: A hallmark characteristic of opioid use disorder (OUD) is a persons’ ‘loss of control’, which leads to the compulsion to seek and obtain opioids, resulting in increased consumption. This phenomenon is known as ‘escalation of drug intake’. Chronic opioid use causes microglial reactivity and subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines leading to neuroinflammation, weakening one’s executive control over drug taking and ultimately leading to greater use. Previous research in our laboratory has explored heterogeneity of fentanyl intake in extended access (6-hr) sessions and identified distinct endophenotypes of fentanyl intake. Moreover, we have observed a positive correlation between Treml1 expression …

Developing Chemically Defined Serum-Free Medium For Leukemic Blast And Stem Cell Expansion, Carmen Eva Finley

Dissertations

The relapse and chemotherapy resistance are the major challenges of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment, driven by a rare population of leukemia stem cells (LSCs). LSCs are unique types of cells which evade standard chemotherapies and can regenerate AML post-treatment. Targeting LSC therapy remains limited, in part due to the lack of reliable in vitro AML culture systems to grow LSCs for drug discovery. This study aimed to engineer a chemically defined, serum-free 2D in vitro culture condition that supports either the expansion of leukemic blasts (LBs) or primary human LSCs by optimizing current protocols for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) …

The Bacterial Sensing Nuclear-Oligomerization Domain 2 Receptor In The Brain: Location And Potential Function, Julia Smyth

Dissertations

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-2 (NOD2) is a cytosolic receptor, activated by bacterial peptides that initiates innate immune responses through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Caspase-1 pathways. While the role of NOD2 in inflammation outside the central nervous system (CNS) is well-established, especially in the gastrointestinal system, its expression and function in the brain remain poorly defined. Previous genetic studies suggest a link between NOD2 and neurological and psychiatric conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. However, information regarding NOD2 expression, localization, and function in the CNS is limited. In this work, we investigated NOD2 expression, localization, and regulation …

Calcium Carbonate Microparticles As Acid Responsive Targeted Drug Delivery Carriers For Oral Diseases And Its Anti-Bacterial Activity, Hem Raj Joshi

Dissertations and Theses

Dental diseases are mostly caused by bacterial infections in the teeth, forming biofilms that release acids and decay the enamel of the teeth. More than half of the world's population were affected by oral diseases, including periodontitis (gum disease), dental caries (cavities), and oral cancer. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the mostly used antimicrobial drug for dental diseases, but its overexposure to the healthy teeth causes many side effects, such as tooth staining, taste alteration, and many more. Taking advantage of the acidic environment of infected teeth, we designed a pH responsive targeted drug delivery system using calcium carbonate microparticles (CCMPs) as …

The Effect Of Need For Cognition & Need For Affect On Human Reliance And Artificial Intelligence Interactions, Aliyah Mcgowan

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Abstract

With the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) automations in fields like medical diagnoses and mental health queries, there are concerns regarding an individual’s trust and reliance on the technology. Reliance on AI output may lead an individual to accept inaccurate or incorrect information without further analysis. Trust may influence reliance and trust formation may be a product of affective processing. This study investigated the relationship between Need for Affect (NFA), Need for Cognition (NFC), and trust and reliance on AI interactions. Participants were assessed on the NFA scale for willingness to approach or avoid emotional stimuli, the NFC …

ปัจจัยคัดสรรที่สัมพันธ์กับพฤติกรรมการใช้สารเสพติดของผู้ใช้สารเสพติด หลายชนิดร่วมกันในภาคใต้ของประเทศไทย, เตชินี สิทธิอำนวย

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยครั้งนี้เป็นการวิจัยเชิงบรรยาย มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษา 1) สถานการณ์และรูปแบบการใช้สารเสพติดร่วมของผู้ใช้สารเสพติดที่รับการบำบัดสารเสพติดในโรงพยาบาลรัฐบาลในเขต ภาคใต้ และ 2) เพื่อศึกษาความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างปัจจัยคัดสรร ได้แก่ อายุ เพศ อาชีพ ระดับการศึกษา สถานภาพสมรส อายุที่เริ่มใช้สารเสพติด ระยะเวลาการใช้สารเสพติด การดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ การสูบบุหรี่ ภาวะซึมเศร้า ความวิตกกังวลขณะปัจจุบัน การวิตกกังวลประจำบุคคล การเผชิญความเครียดด้านการมุ่งแก้สาเหตุปัญหา การเผชิญความเครียดด้านการจัดการกับอารมณ์ และสัมพันธภาพในครอบครัว กับพฤติกรรมการใช้สารเสพติดของผู้ใช้สารเสพติดหลายชนิดร่วมกันในภาคใต้ กลุ่มตัวอย่างเพื่อตอบวัตถุประสงค์วิจัยข้อ 1 คือ ผู้ใช้สารเสพติด จำนวน 111 คน และกลุ่มตัวอย่างเพื่อตอบวัตถุประสงค์วิจัยข้อ 2 คือ ผู้ใช้สารเสพติดหลายชนิดร่วมกัน จำนวน 211 คน ทั้งเพศชายและหญิง ที่มีอายุ 20 – 59 ปี ที่ได้รับการคัดเลือกตามเกณฑ์คุณสมบัติที่กำหนดไว้ ซึ่งเข้ารับการบำบัดรักษายาเสพติดแบบผู้ป่วยนอก โรงพยาบาลรัฐบาลในเขตภาคใต้ ได้แก่ โรงพยาบาลธัญญารักษ์สงขลา โรงพยาบาลมหาราช นครศรีธรรมราช โรงพยาบาลสิชล และโรงพยาบาลพระพรหม จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัยมี 5 ชุด คือ 1) แบบสอบถามข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล 2) แบบสอบถามพฤติกรรมการใช้สารเสพติด 3) แบบประเมินภาวะซึมเศร้า 9Q 4) แบบวัดความวิตกกังวล STAI 5) แบบวัดการเผชิญความเครียต และ 6) แบบสอบถามสัมพันธภาพในครอบครัว สถิติที่ใช้ในการวิเคราะห์ ข้อมูลได้แก่ การแจกแจงความถี่ ร้อยละ ส่วนเบี่ยงเบนมาตรฐาน สถิติไคสแคว์ และค่าสัมประสิทธิ์สหสัมพันธ์เพียร์สันผลการวิจัยพบว่า 1. จากผลการศึกษาสถานการณ์และรูปแบบการใช้สารเสพติดในภาคใต้ พบว่า ผู้ใช้สารเสพติดเพียงชนิดเดียวมีเพียง 23 คน (ร้อยละ 20.7) และผู้ใช้สารเสพติดส่วนใหญ่มีพฤติกรรมการใช้สารเสพติดหลายชนิดร่วมกัน 88 คน (ร้อยละ 79.3) จำแนกเป็นใช้สารเสพติดสองชนิดร่วมกัน 76 คน (ร้อยละ 68.5) และใช้สารเสพติดสามชนิดร่วมกัน …

ผลของการฝึกการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่มีต่อความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางทางด้านข้าง ในนักกีฬารักบี้ฟุตบอลเพศหญิง, เอนด้า อลีนา ปรียอซูซีลอ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยเชิงทดลองฉบับนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาผลฉับพลันของ การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายใน (internal focus) และการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก (external focus) ที่มีต่อความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางทางด้านข้าง (Side-step cutting: SSC) ตัวแปรทางชีวกลศาสตร์ และความเสี่ยงต่อการบาดเจ็บของเอ็นไขว้หน้าหัวเข่า (cutting Movement Assessment Score: CMAS) ในกลุ่มนักกีฬารักบี้ฟุตบอลเพศหญิง จำนวน 13 คน อายุระหว่าง 18–24 ปี โดยให้ผู้เข้าร่วมทำการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางด้วยขาข้างถนัดและขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัด ภายใต้เงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายใน การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก และเงื่อนไขควบคุม ใช้รูปแบบการถ่วงดุลลำดับ (counterbalance design) เพื่อกำหนดลำดับเงื่อนไขการทดสอบ โดยเว้นระยะห่าง 7 วันระหว่างแต่ละครั้ง วิเคราะห์ความแตกต่างทางสถิติของค่าเฉลี่ยของความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางชีวกลศาสตร์การเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทาง และความเสี่ยงในการเกิดการบาดเจ็บของเอ็นไขว้หน้าหัวเข่า ด้วยสถิติ paired-sample t-test และ one-way ANOVA with repeated measures ที่ระดับนัยสำคัญ .05 ผลการวิจัยพบว่า ผู้เข้าร่วมงานวิจัยสามารถเพ่งความตั้งใจไปยังตำแหน่งที่กำหนดได้อย่างถูกต้องตามเงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่ได้รับ อย่างไรก็ตาม ไม่พบความแตกต่างอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติของระยะทาง ความเร็ว และตัวแปรทาง ชีวกลศาสตร์ภายใต้เงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่ต่างกัน ส่วนคะแนน CMAS ของขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัดภายใต้การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก (3.25±1.15) มีค่าต่ำที่สุด (p = 0.07) แสดงถึงคุณภาพการเคลื่อนไหวที่ดีและความเสี่ยงต่อการบาดเจ็บที่ลดลงสรุปผลการวิจัย การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอกแม้ไม่ส่งผลต่อผลลัพธ์ด้านความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางและตัวแปรทางชีวกลศาสตร์โดยรวม แต่แสดงแนวโน้มที่ช่วยให้คุณภาพการเคลื่อนไหวของขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัดดีขึ้น โดยสะท้อนผ่านคะแนน CMAS ที่ต่ำกว่าเมื่อเทียบกับเงื่อนไขอื่น ชี้ให้เห็นว่าคำชี้แจงการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอกอาจมีศักยภาพในการพัฒนารูปแบบการเคลื่อนไหวในขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัด ทั้งนี้ควรมีการศึกษาเพิ่มเติมด้วยการเพิ่มขนาดของกลุ่มตัวอย่างและศึกษาผลของการเพ่งความตั้งใจในระยะยาวเพื่อยืนยันผลลัพธ์ของการใช้คำชี้แจงการเพ่งความตั้งใจ

Disparities In Maternal Healthcare: Examining The Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Provider Care Quality, Rishita Anumukonda

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Poor maternal health outcomes among racially and socioeconomically marginalized populations are a major public health concern in the United States. Effective clinician discussions during prenatal and postpartum care play an essential role in promoting maternal and infant well-being. However, the content of provider-patient discussions in maternal care and how it varies for patients exposed to different social determinants of health has not yet been well explored. This study aims to examine whether healthcare provider discussions about key maternal health topics, including preventative health tips, risk factors, and available resources, differ based on social factors such as income level and race. …

Self-Awareness And Self-Efficacy In The Novice Professional Phase Of Marriage And Family Therapists After Person Of The Therapist Training, A Comparative Survey, Rubio Betsabé

Dissertations

The study focuses on examining the influence of person-of-the-therapist or self-of-the-therapist training on therapists’ self-reports of self-awareness (as a conscious awareness of one’s internal states and interactions with others) and self-efficacy (perceived beliefs in personal capabilities to perform in ways that give control over events that affect their lives) at the novice professional stage of their career. The study will examine the experiences reported by mental health providers actively providing clinical care by utilizing a survey design focusing on person of the therapist connecting through alumni lists and online solicitation. This research adds to the current literature by using a …

What Works In Telehealth Play Therapy? An Appreciative Heuristic Inquiry, Veronica Ann Ball

Dissertations

With the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States in March 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020), professional counselors providing traditional in-person play therapy found themselves in a quandary regarding the delivery of services during a global pandemic (Evans, 2022; Mitchell, 2020; Whaibeh et al., 2020). Online counseling proffered a means to prevent the disruption of services, respond to the need for emerging counseling services, and comply with social restrictions (Evans, 2022). Prior to the pandemic, telehealth play therapy was used sparingly (Haslam & Harris, 2011; Smith et al., 2021), and many child-serving mental health professionals lacked training …

What About The Children? An Exploration Of Family Counselors' Play Therapy Training And Preparedness To Integrate Children Into Family Counseling, Patricia J. Walker Monical

Dissertations

Children are an important part of families, yet family counselor education programs often do not incorporate training for including children in family counseling. At some point in their careers, family counselors and therapists will encounter clients who have children 3–12 years old. The problem is that since these professionals often receive little to no training in play therapy and thus do not typically include young children in family therapy, these younger family members are often overlooked. Research has confirmed that, due to a lack of sufficient training and supervision in play therapy, many family therapists report feeling unprepared to work …

Quality Over Quantity: Doula Perspectives On Equity, Access, And Quality Of Care In Black Maternal Health Outcomes, Terry-Ann E. Lynch

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Black maternal mortality in the United States is a public health crisis. There are a plethora of reasons as to why maternal and fetal deaths disproportionately impact Black women. From a public health perspective, health disparities are an area of concern in marginalized communities, with Black maternal mortality being a risk factor. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black (subsequently, Black) women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White (subsequently, White) women (26.6)” Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2021” …

Emotions And Cognition, Krystal D. Becks

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Cognitive functioning is linked to emotional processes, with this relationship shaped by various biological (e.g., age, sex, diseases, and genetics), psychological (e.g., emotional well-being, coping strategies, mental health), and sociological (e.g., income and education) factors. Understanding these interactions is critical for advancing research on cognitive-emotional health across diverse populations. Purpose: To examine the relationship between positive and negative emotions and cognitive functioning among healthy adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) study (n=434). The independent variables were subsets from the NIH toolbox emotional battery. The dependent variables were from the NIH …

Investigating The Role Of Rps3 In The Homologous Recombination Dna Repair Pathway, Jerome Robert Dorsey

Theses and Dissertations

Ribosomal proteins have been demonstrated to perform extra-ribosomal functions beyond protein synthesis, including roles in cell signaling, transcription regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3), in particular, has been implicated in DNA repair and apoptosis pathways, suggesting a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. However, the specific mechanisms involving RPS3 are still unknown, particularly in the context of double-stranded break (DSB) repair. DSBs are among the most severe types of DNA damage, often resulting in chromosomal instability or cell death if not properly repaired. Nonhomologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR) are the two primary DNA repair …

The Usual Suspects: A Review Of Common Dysbiosis Of The Human Mouth, And The Associated Microbial Species, Sophie Katherine Shields

Honors Theses and Capstones

The mouth, often referred to as the oral cavity in scientific literature, is described as the second most diversely populated microbiome in the human body, only after the gut. The cavity’s temperature, abundant water, high nutrient levels, and diversity of sites are all critical factors that make the oral cavity a space booming with life. The mouth harbors over 700 species of bacteria, in addition to numerous fungi, viruses, and protozoa species. Together, when working in harmony, these species provide critical supports to the functions of the human body. When dysbiosis occurs, however, the overgrowth of a single species may …

Differences In Mental Health Outcomes In Immigrant Vs. U.S.-Born Populations In Urban Vs. Rural Areas In The United States, Zoë Gentles

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background

The immigration process to the United States creates distinct mental stressors. These stressors are influenced by socioeconomic factors including income, education level and insurance status. In rural America, these factors are intensified due to a poor healthcare infrastructure that is limited. This study examines the relationship between urban-rural residence and mental health outcomes among immigrants vs. native-born residents in the United States.

Methods

Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019 and 2022 were used to examine the relationship. The exposure of interest was place of birth, and the outcome of interest was the presence of clinically …

Applying The Ecological Model Of Medical Encounters To Understand Patient-Centered Communication For Older Korean Migrants In The U.S., Seulgi Park

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Patient-Centered Communication (PCC) is defined as an approach that places patients at the center of communication with healthcare providers. PCC has been recognized as a strategy to address disparities experienced by minority populations. However, despite its associations with positive health outcomes and ethical significance, there has been a paucity of research on PCC in minority populations such as older Korean migrants in the U.S. Understanding PCC within this group may contribute to improving healthcare communication tailored to their needs. This dissertation aimed to (1) explore the expectations of PCC in primary care settings among older Korean migrants in the U.S., …

The Relationship Between Mental Health Disclosures, Employee Sentiments And Turnover Intention In The Workplace, Steve G. Winkel

Open Access Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between employees’ disclosure of mental health conditions in the workplace and these employees’ sentiments, feelings, and associated outcomes. Utilizing constructs of job satisfaction, affective commitment, normative commitment, motivation, and turnover intentions, the research aims to understand quantifiable differences in the employment experience between employees who disclose and do not disclose (non-disclosure) mental health conditions, as well as the mediating roles of human resources management (HRM), supervisors support, and employee authenticity. Through self-reported data detailing employees’ disclosure experiences, the research also aims to understand the disclosure conversation's specific impact …

Investigating Mono-Driver Versus Multi-Driver Oncogenesis Via Alterations To Cell Signaling Pathways, Abygail Chapdelaine

Open Access Dissertations

The latest edition of Global Cancer Statistics released by the American Cancer Society reported approximately 20 million newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide in 2022 with 9.7 million deaths. This ranks cancer as the second leading cause of death worldwide. For the majority of cancer patients, the standard treatment approach is chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and while this has been successful in some patients, a lack of specificity to cancer cells causes severe side-effects when these agents damage healthy cells. Despite extensive efforts that have gone into developing targeted cancer therapeutics that block functions specific to cancer, they have not been …

Development And Characterization Of Polysaccharide-Based Controlled Drug Delivery Platforms, Amanda Pepler

Open Access Dissertations

Drug delivery research focuses on overcoming challenges in patient treatment. Most therapeutics are delivered systemically through oral or intravenous routes. However, these administration methods are often inefficient due to therapeutic hydrophobicity, poor bioavailability, and liver metabolic clearance, necessitating frequent dosing. When treatment plans require frequent dosing, patients experience significant fluctuations in therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream, which can increase adverse side effects. These factors contribute to low patient compliance. Therefore, the core focus of drug delivery research is to develop new administration routes for therapeutics. Drug delivery systems (DDS) that can target therapeutics to a localized region offer advantages over …