Impact Of Inhibiting Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake On Calcium Homeostasis And Postmortem Metabolism In Porcine Muscle, Fatema Rahaman Mishu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

After harvesting the animal, pork muscle continues to undergo changes as it turns from muscle into meat. During this early period, the muscle uses up energy and produces acid, which lowers pH and can affect important quality traits such as color and how well the meat holds water. A key driver of these early changes is calcium, a natural mineral inside muscle cells that helps control contraction and energy use. In this study, we tested whether mitochondria (the cell’s “powerhouse”) help control calcium after harvest and, in turn, influence early postmortem changes in pork. We used a research compound (DS16570511) …

Evaluating The Impact Of Myplate-Based Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program (Efnep) On Healthy Dietary Choices Among Low-Income Families, Theresa N. Agbonome

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Dietary behaviors towards healthy food choices remain a major public health issue in the United States, with prevalence among low-income families. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) with Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) trains both health educators and volunteers to provide community-based nutrition education, which prioritizes low-income families. The initiative employs the MyPlate guidelines that are composed of 5 different food groups which include fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy products. This project focuses on evaluating nutritional habits of disadvantaged families within San Bernardino County (SBC) by using an evidence-based evaluation tool known as the …

Development Of An Employee Leave Guide Handbook At The California University Of Science And Medicine, Leyal Nidal Fakhreddine

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Employee leave policies play an important role in supporting workforce well-being, organizational compliance, and retention of skilled labor, especially in medical and educational health institutions. However, employees still experience confusion when trying to make sense of complicated leave options such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), maternity and paternity leave, and military leave. The lack of clear, centralized guidance can result in delays, miscommunication, and increased workplace stress.

This project was carried out as a part of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program integrative learning experience requirements at California State University, San Bernardino, and was conducted during …

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Through Post-Discharge Follow-Up Programs, Gurjeet Singh

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Within 30 days of the discharge, hospital readmissions continue to be one of the significant problems in healthcare organizations and are commonly seen as the measure of care quality, coordination, and efficiency. The high readmission rates indicate the disconnect between inpatient and outpatient settings, patient education, medication reconciliation, and discharge planning. They also have high financial implications in value-based reimbursement settings. The proposed project will be a descriptive and analytical literature review studying the effects of structured post discharge follow up interventions such as scheduled telephone calls, telehealth visits, and home based outreach on preventing unnecessary hospital readmission and enhancing …

Certified Health Education Specialist Exam Toolkit For Undergraduate Public Health Students, Briana C. Villari

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) is a credentialing exam that is offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC) for public health professionals and students. With the completion of this exam, individuals can demonstrate their mastery of core health education skills and concepts. With the 2025 testing cycle, roughly 63 to 73 percent of test takers passed. The purpose of this project is to create a CHES exam toolkit for undergraduate public health students in preparation for their exam. The development of this toolkit was guided by the Health Education Specialists Practical Analysis (HESPA II 2020), …

Assessing The Needs Of Public Health Professionals In The Inland Empire, Esteban Silva-Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

An effective public health system relies on the need for highly trained professionals with degrees or certifications within the field of public health. As public health continues to evolve, professionals are required to improve and evolve with the pace of technology and knowledge advancements. This project focuses on reviewing literature on the current ongoing needs of public health professionals and providing them with resources that are available at low to no cost. It surveys the needs of public health professionals in the Inland Empire and the solutions created by organizations and federal agencies to support professional development for current and …

The Quantification Of Fluoride Water Quality And Its Significance On Oral Health, Harleen Kaur Maroak

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and studies have shown that when added to community water supplies, it effectively reduces dental caries. According to the U.S. Public Health Services (PHS), 0.7mg/L is the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay. This study focuses on examining the fluoride levels in water in San Bernardino County (SBC) and Riverside County (RC). Data is collected from recently published articles, databases along with assessing the laboratory water sample (n=45) analysis to determine if the fluoride levels are meeting the optimal standards. In SBC, there are total of 154 water systems with …

How Are Women Dealing With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?, Adrianna A. Brown

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background and Aims: PCOS is one of the leading multisystem conditions among women of reproductive age. Dietary changes may help improve outcomes associated with PCOS and its comorbidities. While a lower carbohydrate, moderate protein diet is often recommended, those with PCOS often use temporary diets or dietary supplements instead of or in addition to prescription medications due to dissatisfaction with their treatment options. Additionally, studies examining the usefulness of supplements and their effects on PCOS symptoms are lacking. This study explored the prevalence of use of temporary diets, prescription medications, and dietary supplements among women with PCOS.

Methods: An anonymous …

Tips For Health Care Practitioners: A Guide For Adolescent Obesity, Regina Santana

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adolescent obesity continues to be a significant public health concern that is associated with long term physical consequences. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence based, user friendly guidebook that supports healthcare professionals in the education of adolescents with obesity and their families. A structured literature review development process was used to inform the current development of the guidebook. The guidebook includes components of obesity management such as nutrition and physical activity recommendations. The validity of the content was established through the evaluation of five healthcare professionals that include registered dietitians and licensed therapists. The guidebook was …

The Effects Of Administration Policies On Patient Care Quality And Healthcare Service Costs, Rajveer Kaur

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines how administrative policies in U.S. healthcare systems affect patient care quality and service costs. It addresses a gap by analyzing the combined effects of policy, leadership, and technology on both clinical outcomes and financial performance. Using a qualitative descriptive approach guided by the PRISMA protocol, the study systematically identified and analyzed eighteen peer-reviewed articles. The findings show that value-based purchasing policies relate to improved patient safety indicators. Standardized clinical protocols and workforce competency initiatives strengthen care consistency and reduce hospital readmissions. The use of digital health technologies, such as telehealth and predictive analytics, helps optimize resources and …

Associations Between Water Intake, Dietary Quality, And Beverage Consumption Among University Students, Mohammad A. Qazi

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Title: Associations Between Water Intake, Dietary Quality, and Beverage Consumption Among University Students

Background and Aims: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption significantly contribute to chronic disease risk and is often more common in underserved and racially/ethnically diverse communities. Drinking water is a low-cost, calorie-free behavior that may support healthier beverage and dietary patterns. Previous studies show that increased daily water consumption positively correlates with better diet quality and is inversely correlated with SSB and UPF consumption. This study aims to examine whether (1) increased daily water intake is associated with self-reported diet quality and (2) self-reported hydration …

Easy Travel-Friendly Snack Recipes For College Students To Support Mental Well-Being, Lidia Vides

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

College is a pivotal period in life of a young adult, marked by newfound independence, increased responsibilities, heightened academic pressure, and significant changes in daily routine. While this transition can often be exciting for a young adult, it also presents many different challenges. As a result, many students experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Nutrition plays a powerful yet often overlooked role in supporting mental and physical health. Current research studies show that a balanced diet rich in whole food ingredients can help regulate mood and promote emotional well-being through multiple biological pathways. However, despite this knowledge, convenient, …

Examining Physical Activity Behaviors And Associated Health Indicators In College Students, Elizabeth A. Reyes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a critical determinant of both physical and mental health, yet many individuals fail to meet recommended guidelines. College students face increasing challenges related to physical inactivity, elevated stress levels, and poor sleep quality, all of which negatively impact their overall health and academic success. College students who fail to meet recommended PA guidelines are at an increased risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to examine patterns of PA among college students and explore associations with sleep quality and perceived stress.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered questionnaire that included items on …

A Mixed-Methods Investigation Of Physician Compassion In Consultations For Chronic Primary Pain, Sarah Daehler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Chronic primary pain refers to physical pain that has no apparent organic cause, cannot be explained by another condition, and has associated psychological distress or functional impairment. Chronic primary pain is common and can significantly interfere with functioning, including occupational or social functioning. Research has shown that physicians struggle to treat this population, with many physicians reporting feeling unequipped and many patients feeling that their physicians are unhelpful and dismissive. Compassion may play a key role in improving these difficult interactions. The present study analyzed a sample of 99 participants with chronic pain and 100 healthy controls to learn more …

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1ra As A Public Health Interventions, Briana Sepeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) medications have become a prominent topic of interest both in clinical medicine and broader societal discussions. Although the medication are relatively new and expensive, ongoing research continues to explore pharmacologic modifications aimed at improving therapeutic effectiveness and prolonged drug half-life. GLP-1RAs have gained significant traction due to their ability to lower glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) and blood glucose levels in individuals who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition to glycemic control, evidence suggests its associations with appetite suppression, weight loss, reducing cardiovascular disease, improved renal dysfunction, neuroprotective effects related to neurodegenerative disease …

What Is Transitional Care And Its Role In Reducing Readmissions, Decia Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Thirty-day readmissions to hospitals creates significant clinical and financial burdens in healthcare systems and worsens patient outcomes. This project reviews transitional care programs as strategic interventions to minimize preventable readmission with a specific focus on pharmacist-led medication reconciliation. Due to the extensive literature review, this work proves that structured transitional care is effective in closing the gaps between acute hospital care and home-based recovery because it coordinates medication management, patient education, and follow-up care. As it has been shown, pharmacists are in a central position to minimize medication errors and enhance compliance, especially in chronic patients such as those with …

When The Eagle Strikes The Vein: A Case Of Styloid-Induced Venous Sinus Thrombosis, Neud Kiros, Ahmad Chehab, Abeer Abukamil, Ali Luqman, Kamil Abu-Shaban, Mehdy Haidar, Ay-Ming Wang

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Clinical History 41-year-old male with no prior relevant medical history presented to the emergency department with severe neck pain and occipital headaches radiating bilaterally to the temporal regions. He also reported diplopia and “tunnel vision.” He had presented two weeks earlier with similar symptoms and was advised outpatient follow-up. Initial CT head and cervical spine were unremarkable. Imaging Findings Brain MRI/MRV demonstrated heterogeneous signal and enhancement in the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses and jugular bulb, initially thought to reflect possible motion artifact. However, CT venography was recommended for further assessment. The MRI also showed subtle left posterior occipital subdural …

Diffuse Marrow And Orbital Fat Signal Abnormality Mimicking Infiltrative Disease: A Case Of "Flip-Flop" On Mri, Mehdy Haidar, Alexander Pietroski, Kamil Abu-Shaban, Anant Krishnan

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Clinical History A 68-year-old male with a history of left tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma treated 5 months ago and reportedly negative recent PET and CT scans of the neck and body with eye pain with possible but uncertain remote history of trauma was sent in for imaging of the orbits. The patient has a feeding tube and was recently hospitalized and discharged for tube obstruction. Imaging Findings Orbital imaging revealed diffuse signal alterations involving the orbital and scalp fat, and marrow, characterized by low signal intensity on T1WI and high signal intensity on T2WI. In particular on the STIR sequence, …

Postoperative Ileus After Lumbar Spine Surgery: Modifiable Risk Factors And Impact On Outcomes, Ali Mehaidli, Richard Easton, Alqasim Elnaggar, Gary George, Ahmad Almaat, Victor Chang, Jad Khalil, Kevin Taliaferro

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Postoperative ileus (POI) is an infrequent but impactful complication following lumbar spine procedures. While well-characterized in abdominal surgery, spine-specific data remain limited, particularly regarding modifiable risk factors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 41,164 patients who underwent elective lumbar spine surgery between 2018 and 2023 using the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) registry. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to identify independent risk factors for POI. We also evaluated the association between POI and postoperative outcomes, including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Results: POI occurred in 1.1% of patients (n = 447). Independent risk factors included older age (RR …

Halo Effect Of Prescribing Guidelines For Opioid Naive Patients Translates To Opioid Non-Naive Patients Undergoing Lumbar Decompression: A Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (Mssic) Study, Anisse Chaker, Geoff Kahn, Michael Melhem, Jian-Hui Hu, Kari Jarabek, Heegook Yeo, Jawad Saad, Abdullah Al-Tekreeti, Kenneth Easton, Jad Khalil, Richard Easton, Doirs Tong, Miguelangelo Perez-Cruet, Noojan Kazemi, Ilyas Aleem, Muwaffak Abulhak, David Nerenz, Victor Chang

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Chronic opioid dependency in spine surgery is an ongoing concern given the ongoing opioid epidemic. We have previously reported on our cohort of opioid-naıve patients, however the literature has shown that patients with opioid use at baseline are at higher risk of less favorable outcomes. Starting in 2022, MSSIC instituted state-wide prescribing guidelines for opioid naıve patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar decompression surgery (laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, microdiscectomy) with performance goals of 80% compliance. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether there would be a form of a “halo” effect on prescribing patterns for patients with baseline …

Persistent Wheezing In An Adolescent Patient, Matilda Dervisevic, Stephen Cliff

Posters

No abstract provided.

Evaluation And Treatment Of Pediatric Pre-Eruptive Intracoronal Resorption, Sophia Rosen, Robin Onikul, Neena Patel, Jenna Sparks, Amy Burleson

Posters

Pre- eruptive intracoronal resorption (PEIR), also known as “pre-eruptive caries,” is a dental condition characterized by the resorption of dental tissue prior to the eruption of the tooth.1PIER is typically found adjacent to the dentin-enamel junction, within the occlusal dentin of the tooth.2PIER may be referred to as “occult” or hidden caries due to the presence of sound enamel and is often an incidental finding on routine radiographs.3PEIR is often misinterpreted as traditional caries due to its radiographic appearance,3however requires careful evaluation for determination of treatment and long term success. Case report: This case report details a 13 year old …

From Data Digitization To Personalized Care: Deep Learning And Decision Analytics In Healthcare Systems, Ahla Ko

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation traces a progression from foundational data infrastructure to individualized clinical decision-making, developing and evaluating three computational frameworks that advance healthcare efficiency and personalization through deep learning and decision analytics. The first study presents an end-to-end pipeline for automated recognition of handwritten medical forms, addressing persistent challenges in health data digitization. Integrating a YOLO-based field detection model, a Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network (CRNN) for text transcription, and a confidence-based human-in-the-loop quality assurance framework, the system achieved 99.75\% Exact Match Accuracy and a 0.13\% Character Error Rate on medical forms collected from a tuberculosis research project in Moldova. A GPU-accelerated …

Fluorescence-Based Quantification Of Hepatic Ldl Uptake And Donor Hepatocyte Engraftment Using Atto 700–Labeled Ldl, Victor Agustin Cortes Flores

All Theses

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) that increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In severe FH, including low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), hepatic LDL clearance is profoundly impaired and many lipid lowering treatment strategies have limited effectiveness. Current advances in ex vivo CRISPR–Cas9 hepatocyte gene editing in vivo and ex vivo approaches for treatment of FH are under development.

However, a central barrier to translation is the ability to quantitatively measure the percentage of healthy gen edited hepatocytes in the liver while simultaneously assessing functional hepatic LDL handling. This thesis establishes …

Development Of Low-Cost Triaxial Force Sensor For Measurement Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces, Hamdan Khan Sarvathullah

All Theses

Contemporary research suggests that shear force is a major contributor to discomfort and pressure injury. However, the variation of shear forces during human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics is a highly unexplored field. The high cost of commercial triaxial force sensors may be a major factor in the notable lack of research in this field. Therefore, in this paper, we present a low-cost, 3D-printed triaxial force sensor designed specifically to measure the triaxial interaction forces between an exoskeleton and its user. The triaxial force sensor uses Carbon-Black/Silicone Rubber (CB/SR) strings to measure shear forces, whereas the normal force is measured with a Force …

Stochastic Universal Differential Equations For Epidemiological Modeling: Uncertainty Quantification In Disease Transmission Dynamics, Alice Menaya Armah-Bonney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Epidemic forecasting requires not only predictions of expected case counts, but also quantification of uncertainty, although existing surrogate modeling frameworks for agent-based models remain fundamentally deterministic. In this thesis a Stochastic Universal Differential Equation framework is presented that extends the deterministic Universal Differential Equation approach by incorporating a learnable stochastic diffusion term, enabling calibrated probabilistic forecasts while preserving the mechanistic interpretability and computational efficiency of the deterministic baseline. In doing so, a two-phase training algorithm is introduced to ensure stable convergence and the framework is validated against the ensemble output from ExaEpi, an exascale agent-based model of a COVID-19 outbreak …

University Student Mental Health: Service Utilization, Equity Gaps, And Strategies To Improve Access, Richard Mutua Kilonzo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student mental health and access to care are pressing concerns in higher education. This study assesses mental health outcomes and access to campus mental health services at East Tennessee State University. Survey data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study were analyzed to report the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation across the student population. The study evaluates disparities in these outcomes and barriers to care across student groups, with particular attention to equity-impacted students, especially sexual and gender minority students.

Findings indicate widespread psychological distress alongside persistent barriers, including long wait times, limited-service availability, and stigma-related concerns. These barriers …

Bergsonian Blend: Subjective Temporality Within Modernist Aesthetics Of Mental Illness, Lydia Victoria Gervais

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Henri Bergson was a modernist French philosopher who wrote extensively on the topic of the lived experience of time, which he called durée, or duration. His contemporary, Sigmund Freud, was developing psychoanalytic theory in a growing field of psychological study, which serves as a prominent ancestor to modern psychiatry and current psychoanalytical literary studies. Fiction writers of the 1900s absorbed the zeitgeist of melded chronology and consciousness, interweaving themes of time and trauma in their works. Utilizing Henri Bergson’s durée as a philosophical framework, I examine the moralization of time-consciousness in connection with mental illness and investigate representations of …

Malnutrition And Frailty Risk Among Community Dwelling Older Adults In Northeast Tennessee, Shreeyesha Pradhan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Frailty and malnutrition are prevalent conditions among community-dwelling older adults, affecting approximately 10% and 25% of this population, respectively. Despite overlapping symptoms such as functional decline, their relationship remains underexplored in community dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional feasibility study examined the association between frailty and nutritional status among 47 older adults in the East Tennessee Tri-Cities area using the Fried’s Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Long Form (MNA-LF®). Results indicated 13% were pre-frail, 24% were frail, 21% were at risk for malnutrition, and 2% were malnourished. Regression analyses revealed that self-perceived nutritional status (37.6%), daily meal frequency (29.0%), …

Addressing Substance Use Disorder In Rural Appalachia: Improving Access And Treatment Outcomes For Justice-Involved Individuals, Jessica Muldowney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) represents a critical public health crisis disproportionately affecting justice-involved (JI) populations, with approximately 65% of incarcerated individuals having substance use disorders (James & Beatty, 2006). Rural Appalachian communities face compounded challenges due to limited healthcare access, provider shortages, and cultural stigma surrounding addiction treatment. Despite evidence demonstrating that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) reduces recidivism and overdose deaths, only 20% of correctional facilities offer these services (Klein & Seppala, 2019).

Objective: This mixed-methods study evaluated organizational readiness and infrastructure capacity for implementing evidence-based OUD interventions, specifically MAT programs across three rural counties in northwestern North Carolina.

Methods: …