Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Staff Education Program To Enhance Patient Handover Communication, Olufemi Olawale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient handover communication is the process that occurs when nurses transfer responsibility for patient care and give status reports to nurses who are assuming care of the patient. The practice problem at the project site was the gap in quality, accuracy, and completeness of information that was shared during the handover process. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a staff education program on effective communication handover between nurses and care providers. The practice-focused question for this project was: Will a staff education project increase nurses’ and clinicians’ knowledge and competency with using the situation, background, …

Impact Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions On Nursing Burnout: An Integrative, Lily Myo

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Burnout in the nursing profession is prevalent and can be a significant burden for not only the individual nurse but to patients and the healthcare system at large. Burnout is considered by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomena specifically resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and is not related to other life events. Given the need for support among registered nurses in reducing consequences of burnout and the emerging data about mindfulness based practices as a tool to enhance resilience, this integrated review seeks to understand if education on mindfulness based interventions can …

Developing Coexpression Systems To Introduce Hydroxyproline Into Protein Engineered Collagen Peptides Utilizing Hydroxylase From Acanthamoeba Polyphaga Mimivirus, Jennifer Soldatich

Theses and Dissertations

A major challenge of developing collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) by bacterial expression is to include hydroxyproline for biomedical applications. Coexpression of Prolyl-4-hydroxylase from A.mimivirus with CMPs was investigated. Additionally, four expression designs were created for potential applications in mammalian cells to utilize their natural ability of proline-hydroxylation by post-translational modification.

Imaging Markers Of Future Neurodegeneration Following Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Daniel Brennan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The overall goal of this dissertation was to identify patterns of cerebral atrophy following traumatic brain injury and relate relevant imaging measures to that atrophy. In Chapter 2, we outline a spatiotemporal profile of atrophy in the first year following moderate-severe TBI: prior to 3-months post injury, the frontal and temporal cortices were observed to be thinner than controls, and thalamic volumes were reduced. From 3-12 months post-injury, significant atrophy was observed in white matter, subcortical gray matter structures (including thalamus), and cortical thinning was observed in the parietal and occipital cortices.

In Chapter 3, we identified widespread white matter …

Repurposing Bt-11 To Treat Alzheimer’S Disease: Exploring The Glutathione-S-Transferase Lancl2 As A Target, Emily Birnbaum

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Approximately 99.6% of potential Alzheimer’s drugs fail, thus developing successful drugs is a high priority. The failure at developing successful drugs relates to the complex nature of the disease itself. Many components act together to trigger a cascade that ultimately results in neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction associated with the disease. In building a multiplex model of Alzheimer’s it is important to understand its specific biological mechanisms. One of these key pathological mechanisms is neuroinflammation. Understanding the pathways involved in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s is an urgent need, as it poses a promising avenue for future effective therapeutics. Specifically, as many investigational …

The Epigenetic Impact Of Dietary Choline On Growth Outcomes Of Children Exposed To Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Ismail Kadam

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Maternal insulin resistance and hyperglycemia lead to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) which can cause fetal hyperinsulinemia, ultimately leading to excessive fetal growth associated with macrosomia and increased adiposity at birth. Increased placental macronutrient transport and epigenetic changes in growth and metabolic genes affected by GDM contribute to fetal overgrowth and can result in complications such as overweight/obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk factors, as well as cognitive impairment later in life. Choline, an essential nutrient, participates in lipid and energy metabolism by providing methyl groups for DNA methylation and thus may overcome the hypomethylation of growth and metabolic …

Reviving Hysteria: The Nineteenth Century At The End Of The Twentieth, Christina Quintana

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation explores popular and medical representations of female madness in two time periods: the late nineteenth and late twentieth centuries. I argue that 1990s American culture produced an abundance of texts, images, and narratives that revitalized the iconography and medical discourses of late nineteenth-century hysteria. Analyzing popular texts, films, and cultural touchstones of the 1990s, I explore how Victorian ideas about women’s minds—such as the inherent feebleness of the female brain and nervous system; the fatalistic, life-altering effects of female puberty; the association between hysteria and deviant female sexuality; and the implicit racialization of hysteria and female madness more …

Examining Mental Health Differences Between Traditional And Nontraditional College Students From 2017-2022, Terrence A. Calistro Jr.

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic and societal changes in response to the pandemic have contributed to increasing the prevalence of mental health issues among college students globally. Because of their additional responsibilities, the prevalence of mental issues among the subpopulation of Nontraditional College Students (NTCS) is even more concerning. NTCS possess at least one of the following characteristics (e.g., working full-time, part-time employment, having financial dependents, etc.) that differentiates them from typical college students who enter higher education right after high school. Prior research has shown that NTCS generally experience more life stressors and challenges associated with mental health issues (e.g., depression, …

Exploiting The Heavy Chain Glycans For The Improvement Of Radioimmunoconjugates, Cindy Rodriguez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Radiolabeled antibodies have become indispensable tools in nuclear medicine. However, the natural roles of antibodies within the immune system mean that they have several intrinsic limitations as a platform for radiopharmaceuticals. A handful of recent preclinical studies suggest that binding by FcR and particularly FcyRI can affect the pharmacokinetic profiles of 89Zr-labeled radioimmunoconjugates. Fc receptors (FcR) are responsible for many of the interactions between immunoglobulins (IgG) and immune cells. In biomedicine, this interplay is critical to the activity of several types of immunotherapeutics; however, relatively little is known about how FcRs affect the in vivo performance of radiolabeled antibodies. Antibodies …

Control And Management Of Type-Ii Diabetes Among People Living With Hiv (Plwh) Compared To Hiv-Negative Patients And By Clinic Type In The Bronx, Nyc, Aprielle Wills

Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

Control and Management of Type-II Diabetes Among People Living with HIV (PLWH) compared to HIV-Negative Patients and by Clinic Type in the Bronx, NYC

by

Aprielle Wills

Advisor: Heidi E Jones, MPH PHD

Background: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that approximately 1.3 million people in the United States (U.S.) were living with an HIV diagnosis by the end of 2021. With advancements of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and improved access to care, HIV has become a chronic condition in the U.S. As PLWH age, they are experiencing higher rates of other chronic conditions, specifically type-II diabetes (type-II …

Infertility’S Impact On Couples’ Functioning, Elizabeth Sanders

Dissertations

Historically, infertility has been a taboo topic of discussion and is often avoided in conversation because of the stigmatization of the diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization (2022), infertility affects 186 million individuals globally. However, there seems to be a gap in the research as it pertains to the psychological well-being and treatment of men and women diagnosed with this condition. While it has become less of a feared topic, it still is not discussed or researched enough, thus further exacerbating the gap in research on mental health and treatment options. The following dissertation completed a critical review of …

Incorporating Solvation Thermodynamic Mapping In Computer-Aided Drug Design, Yeonji Ji

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Advancements in computational techniques have revolutionized structure-based drug design, substantially improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug discovery process by reducing time, costs, and labor requirements. These advancements include various methods, such as investigating small molecule ligands binding to proteins, exploring alternative protein conformations, and solvation mapping on the protein surfaces. Among these methods, understanding the correlation between protein-ligand binding and the role of solvation is important.

A fundamental concept in protein-ligand binding is shape and electrostatic complementarity, which is complicated by the inherent flexibility of proteins. In the absence of small molecule ligands, proteins are complementary to surface …

Resting-State Eeg Microstate Features For Major Depressive Disorder Classification, George M. V. Quinn

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Neuroimaging studies have revealed consistent abnormalities in functional connectivity within specific neural networks that may serve as biomarkers for major depressive disorder (MDD). It is important to find inexpensive, non-invasive techniques that target these biomarkers to make diagnosis easier and more objective. EEG microstates are quasi-stable potential topographies that are thought to reflect the quasi-stable network activity of the underlying neural generators. MDD has been shown to alter features of the four canonical EEG microstates (A, B, C, D) with some conflicting results. The most consistent network abnormalities in MDD are found in the anterior default mode network, and this …

Self-Perceived Cognitive Functioning In Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome: Enhancing Risk Detection In Health Disparity Older Adults, Caroline O. Nester

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) is a predementia condition that combines two clinical presentations associated with dementia: slow gait speed and subjective cognitive concerns (SCC). MCR diagnosis is associated with increased risk for dementia over its individual components of SCC or slow gait alone, making it a valuable marker of early neurodegenerative changes. MCR does not require expensive, time-consuming assessments to be diagnosed, broadening accessibility in remote or under-resourced settings. At present, there is no consistent method to assess SCC in MCR – a key diagnostic feature of the syndrome. The lack of understanding about SCC in MCR may limit …

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy

Dissertations

This phenomenological study involved assessing the experiences of Black therapists who engaged Black clients in outdoor therapeutic contexts. The study was founded on the existing literature that shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal for client retention and the Western standards that have historically favored treatment within indoor environments. To contextualize this research, a comprehensive literature review was commenced, covering topics such as the decolonization of therapy, the historical and present-day relationship between Blacks and the outdoors in the United States, sedentary lifestyles, the psychological benefits of time spent in nature, various types of outdoor therapy, and the …

Exploring The Nexus Of Perfectionism, Physical Activity, And Smartphone Addiction: A Study Among College Adults, Megan Mccarthy

Doctorate in Kinesiology

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine the relationship between perfectionism, physical activity, and smartphone addiction among college students. College students are at a pivotal point in their development toward adulthood and understanding the impact of perfectionism, physical activity, and smartphone addiction on their overall well-being is important for their future success. A cross-sectional correlational study via a quantitative survey with the valid measures of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale- Brief (FMPS-B), the International Physical Health Questionnaire- Short Form (IPAQ-S), and the Smartphone Addiction Scale- Short Version (SAS-SV) were used for data collection. Results concluded that a …

Large Deviation Theory In Stochastic Processes: Applications To Biological Modeling, Moshe C. Silverstein

Dissertations

This dissertation delves into developing and applying stochastic models to analyze complex biological systems. It leverages Large Deviation Theory (LDT) to gain insights into these systems, focusing on two key examples: neural networks and calcium signaling dynamics. Traditional deterministic methods frequently fail to capture biological processes' randomness and inherent variability. Meanwhile, many stochastic approaches struggle to be mathematically tractable or provide accessible insights. The approach introduced in this study provides rigorous mathematical frameworks to enhance understanding of these stochastic behaviors while remaining tractable and insightful.

A stochastic model for a random biological neural network is constructed that addresses the dependencies …

Investigations On V2o5 And Its Derivative Nanocomposites For Photocatalytic Textile Organic Dye Degradation, Jenifer A

Theses and Dissertations

In recent times, organic dyes from industrial sludge become one of the significant causes of water contamination due to their utility in textile and paper manufacturing industries. These organic dyes are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Fortunately, the photocatalytic degradation process is a practical tool for decomposing toxic organic matter in wastewater by utilizing light. The photodegradation process can be performed using semiconductor materials to purify wastewater. Thus, semiconductor photocatalysis is a desirable alternative technique for decolorizing various organic pollutants.

In this context, the present work reports the preparation and characterization of V2O5 nanocomposites by facile methods and tests them against …

Exploring Berberine As A Novel Therapeutic Agent Against Staphylococcus Aureus Infections: Targeting Inflammation And Antibiotic Resistance, Daniel Kopulos

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile Gram-positive bacterium commonly found on human skin. While often harmless, it can cause various infections when the skin is compromised, ranging from minor issues to life-threatening conditions in immunocompromised individuals.

The bacterium’s ability to resist antibiotics, particularly methicillin, underscores its clinical challenge. Staphylococcus aureus can also acquire vancomycin resistance. It evades immune responses through multiple mechanisms, including capsule formation, interference with immune proteins like staphylococcal protein A, and secretion of toxins such as Panton-Valentine Leukocidin. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective strategies against Staphylococcus aureus infections.

The immune response to Staphylococcus aureus infections …

Caregiver Support For Patients Diagnosed With Dementia, Michelle N. Kabakibi

Dissertations

Background: Current research indicates that caregivers of dementia patients often experience a great deal of stress related to caregiving. Most of these caregivers are informal caregivers without prior knowledge or training in dementia care. Previous studies indicate that informal caregivers often experience stress during this postdiagnosis period due to a lack of high-quality and available information, education, and support services tailored to meet the unique needs of families caring for a dementia patient. Currently published approaches to providing caregivers with information are largely centered on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Purpose: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted to examine the lived experience …

Postpartum Depression Screening In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit At A Tertiary Pediatric Hospital, Abbie Bates

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT A TERTIARY PEDICTRIC HOSPITAL

By

Abbie Kim Bates

Razel Bacuetes Milo, PH.D. DNP., FNP-C

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a treatable mood disorder with an onset at 1-3 months after childbirth. In the United States, PPD occurs at a rate of 1 in 8 women and as high as 1 in 5 women in parts of the country. In unique populations such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), PPD rates can be as high as 40%. The treatment rate for PPD is 50% with a sizable percentage of …

The Neuroscience Of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy: A Literature Review, Elizabeth Strasser

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Art therapy and neuroscience are two fields which are currently growing and expanding with the development of new technology which allows for therapists and scientists to advance their understanding of how the brain and the body respond to the world around us. The interaction between the brain, body, and environment is complex, and for the sake of clarity for this thesis this interaction will be conceptualized through the lens of the body-mind model, polyvagal theory, neuroaesthetics, the flow state, mindfulness, sensory engagement, and art as therapy. Neuroscience in relation to psychology can be used to develop a deeper understanding of …

Inevitable Or Preventable? A Pilot Intervention To Reduce Burnout Risk In Acute Care Nurses, Emily R. Kelly

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Purpose: Burnout among healthcare workers is widespread and costly, resulting in calls for action to reduce the experience and impact of this work-related phenomenon. Burnout among nurses has been associated with impaired patient safety, decreased quality of care, lower levels of patient satisfaction, decreased productivity, and higher levels of intent-to-leave the profession. Aim: The aims of this study are to assess whether sleep problems mediate the relationship between recovery and burnout and to examine the feasibility of a pilot intervention to enhance recovery, improve sleep quality, and reduce burnout among inpatient nurses. Method: Eligible participants included registered nurses who worked …

Combination Therapy Of Ido1 Inhibition And Anti-Pd1 Mediates Anti-Tumor Immunity By Promoting Memory Immunity Development And Cytotoxicity Of Γδ T And Nk Cells Via Il-2 Signaling And By Overcoming Pro-Tumor Effects Of Tgf-Β Signaling, Hyuk Jee

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer even though it takes only about 1% of all skin cancers. Even among all cutaneous melanomas, NRAS-mutant melanoma is more aggressive than any other, and about 10-25% of all cutaneous melanoma cases have mutations in NRAS. NRAS is a member of the RAS family of proto-oncogenic GTPase proteins, and it plays a key role in signal transduction pathways responsible for cellular survival, proliferation, and metabolism. Immunotherapy is the first line of defense against NRAS-mutant melanoma because, despite tremendous efforts made for decades, it has not been successful to develop small …

Improving Nursing Communication Through Handoff Tool Education: A Staff Education Project, Linda Holt Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The common practice of handoff of care communication is an integral part of patient care. However, ineffective handoff communication is associated with significant risks to patient outcomes. The issue of ineffective handoff of care is a local practice problem as well as a national issue. Strategies including standardized verbal, written, and electronic clinical handoff tools are emerging. However, many nurses are not knowledgeable regarding use of these standardized handoff of care tools. Therefore, the practice-focused question for this doctoral project asked whether an educational program on use of a standardized handoff tool could increase nursing knowledge as compared pre- and …

Heparan Sulfate Roles In Amyloid-Beta Clearance And Alzheimer’S Disease Pathogenesis, Ilayda Ozsan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia yet remains without an effective treatment due to its poorly understood etiology. Mounting evidence points to the accumulation and aggregation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), which constitute amyloid plaques in the brain, as pivotal in initiating and accelerating AD pathogenesis. Extensive efforts have focused on uncovering the molecular underpinnings and fundamental origins of impaired Aβ metabolism in AD. Heparan sulfate (HS), a linear polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycan family, co-deposits with Aβ in plaques within the AD brain. It directly binds to and accelerates Aβ aggregation, interacts with key players in Aβ …

Effects Of Nursing Faculty Incivility On Nursing Student Attrition, Amber Solheim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Incivility in nursing academia can occur with various people in the role of the perpetrator or victim, including students, faculty, and healthcare professionals in clinical settings. Nursing faculty incivility towards students may lead to nursing student attrition in practical nursing or associate degree programs. The purposes of this study, guided by Bandura’s social learning theory and Tajfel’s social identity theory, were to determine if there is a (a) difference in perceived faculty incivility in nursing students who withdraw from nursing school and nursing students who do not withdraw and (b) the difference in the levels of perceived faculty incivility between …

Clinical Practice Guideline On Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Venipuncture Arm Simulation, Drena D. Belland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Venipuncture is an integral process in clinical care, and it has an indispensable role in diagnostics and determining therapeutic interventions. The process of phlebotomy has faced several challenges that have compromised patients’ safety. The risk of incorrect venipuncture, or preanalytical errors, leading to severe patient complications of hematoma and thrombosis calls for training using current, evidence-based practices. The goal of this project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to determine the efficacy of venipuncture simulation training using an arm task trainer to enhance the phlebotomy skills of nurses. Based on the outcome, present, state, test model and Nightingale’s …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Zoledronic Acid Prodrugs: A Potential Therapeutic For Enhanced Drug Delivery And Targeted Treatment, Shweta Wani

Theses & Dissertations

Bisphosphonates, particularly zoledronic acid (ZA), are crucial in managing bone resorption and treating skeletal disorders like multiple myeloma (MM). While ZA has demonstrated significant anti-myeloma activity in-vitro, its clinical use is limited by poor systemic exposure and potential off-target effects. This thesis investigates two strategies to conjugate polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) to ZA to overcome these limitations. The first strategy, targeting the tertiary alcohol group of ZA, faced significant challenges due to the difficulty in conjugation. The second strategy, focusing on the hydroxyl group of the phosphonate moiety in ZA, successfully yielded a ZA-PEG conjugate, enhancing …

Rural Cervical Cancer Survivors’ Experiences Of Gender Roles: An Application Of Social Constructionism, Olivia K. Pointer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rural cervical cancer survivors, or individuals with a form of cancer that originated in the cervix of the reproductive system, may be uniquely impacted by socially constructed gender roles. The present study utilized the term “females” to describe those who self-identify as having a cervix, which may include cisgender, transgender, intersex, and non-binary gender identities. Rural females have been indicated to hold salience in traditional gender expectations as partners, mothers, community members, and more, which may add survivorship complexity for cervical cancer survivors within this population by to attempting to fulfill gender roles to the pre-cancer level. Moreover, rural cervical …