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The Impact of Provider Communication on Treatment Adherence in Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes
No full textCurrent research cites effective provider communication as an important factor in improving treatment adherence and the health outcomes of patients. This study examines the effect of provider communication on treatment adherence in patients with chronic illnesses with a specific focus on hypertension and diabetes. Provider communication was measured using patient satisfaction surveys and treatment compliance was measured as the percentage of hypertensive and diabetic patients with a blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg and hemoglobin A1C levels below 9%. A one-way MANOVA revealed that provider communication had no significant impact on the combined treatment compliance variables for hypertension and diabetes (Wilk’s Lambda = .830, F (8, 166) = 2.03, p = .046, η 2 = .09). However, a post hoc Tukey test revealed a significant difference in the mean value for blood pressure treatment adherence between physician groups with very good and poor communication ratings (p = .025, 95% C. I. = .524, 11.925). Trends indicated that as provider communication scores went up, treatment adherence generally went up as well. These findings indicate that provider communication and treatment adherence in patients are associated. Limitations to the study include small sample sizes and simplified adherence metrics, so future studies could be larger and more detailed in their data collection. Although the findings were inconclusive, provider communication and treatment compliance by patients were found to be connected in some way
Chipotle Mexican Grill Strategic Audit: An Analysis of Chipotle Mexican Grill Business Strategy
No full textThis report outlines a strategic audit of Chipotle Mexican Grill and its business strategy and policies. The report dives into how Chipotle creates strategic value and competes in the fast-casual food industry. Chipotle’s strategic mission, Cultivate A Better World, motivates them to focus on sustainable practices involving farming, emissions, and water stewardship. Despite facing issues involving health concerns, Chipotle has recovered and positioned itself in a strong position for the near future. With its new CEO, Scott Boatwright, Chipotle has to navigate a crowded fast casual industry that faces market pressures from consumers around healthy eating
Integrated Geophysical Modeling of Newly Identified Pseudofaults within Southern Cascadia Subduction Zone
No full textThe Cascadia Subduction Zone, located off the western coast of North America, has a long history of seismic activity, causing various geohazards such as megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis for the coastal population (Goldfinger et al., 2000; Tréhu et al., 2022). It is necessary to identify areas of greater risk, as seismic hazards will continue to affect the area due to ongoing subduction of the oceanic Juan de Fuca plate beneath the North American continent. Heavily fractured, weakened zones of oceanic crust, known as propagator wakes and pseudofaults, have been shown to correlate with greater seismicity (Ashraf and Filina, 2023a). Propagator wakes have been established in the area by mapping magnetic chron data (Wilson, 2002). However, magnetic data in the area was revisited recently and showed that some smaller features had not been mapped (Ashraf, 2021; Madsen and Filina, 2023). This study uses integrated geophysical analysis to map and model two newly identified pseudofaults in Southern Cascadia. Our modeling shows that the observed pseudofaults correspond to areas of lower-density crust. In addition, one of the pseudofaults is aligned with an earthquake that occurred in the subducting slab, which shows strike-slip motion. Moreover, the identified features also correlate with known landslide complexes in this region, suggesting seismic activity in the past (Goldfinger et al., 2000). The connection to seismic activity underscores the importance of mapping these features and understanding their properties
Dental Disparities: An Analysis of Dental Caries Risk Factors Promoting Disparities Between Rural and Urban Communities in Nebraska
No full textThe prevalence of dental caries in the United States remains a public health concern, as it is one of the most common chronic conditions across people of all ages. Research shows that preventative measures including brushing, fluoridated water, and regular checkups are effective strategies to mitigate tooth decay. However, there appears to be a divide between rural and urban populations, as the presence of dental cavities is significantly greater in remote areas in the State of Nebraska. Research methods used in this analysis included analyzing accredited academic literature to illustrate how cavities form from a biochemical perspective. Research methods also will include pulling demographic information and statistics from the State of Nebraska for analyzation of the divide between the rural and urban communities, as well as pulling dental treatment and food insecurity programs from various websites. The goal of this project is not to conduct a new research study, but rather to understand why cavities may form and highlight discrepancies amongst rural and urban Nebraska communities found from other studies in hopes of raising public awareness. The results from the analysis of literature and data demonstrate that fluoridated water, dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and accessibility to dental care appear to be contributing factors to this divide
Sodium and Potassium in Health and Cellular Function
No full textSodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) are essential electrolytes that regulate numerous physiological processes. These include cell function, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. The Na+/K+-ATPase plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of these ions by actively transporting three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients. This process is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential and supporting the function of excitable cells. The Na+/K+-ATPase consists of two main subunits, with the alpha-subunit being primarily responsible for ion transport activity. Isoforms alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 are tissue-specific and contribute to a variety of cellular functions. Mutations in the genes encoding for these isoforms are linked to a range of diseases, including several neurological disorders. Homeostasis of sodium and potassium is tightly regulated through feedback, feedforward, and predictive control mechanisms. Disruption of this balance, particularly through high sodium and low potassium intake, contributes to the development of hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, increased potassium intake has been associated with lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the structure and function of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, its alpha-subunit isoforms, and the mechanisms underlying sodium and potassium homeostasis. It also examines the impact of these ions on blood pressure and their role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease
Understanding Automation from a Computer Science Perspective
No full textThis thesis looks into automation and analyzes its benefits and problems. It begins with an explanation of a capstone project, automating the UNL State Museum’s reservation system. Problems of automation are presented in unsuccessful attempts and some pitfalls of automation. Next this thesis turns to an examination of artificial intelligence in automation. Along with that, we look at bias in automation and how people can bias automated tools or be biased by them. Turning successful examples of automation and then automation in manufacturing shows its benefits. Automation creates new jobs or changes work as much as it eliminates positions. At the end, we will look into what jobs are more likely to be automated in the future
Human Impacts, Extinction Risk, and Relative Rarity of Terrestrial Mammals
No full textThe Mammalia represent a diverse group of species, providing a wide range of ecosystem services that benefit humans and non-human species. Mammalia is also one of the most threatened taxonomic orders, with roughly a quarter of species reflecting some degree of extinction risk according to the IUCN. One way to better understand the underlying mechanisms of extinction risk in mammals is to apply the Rabinowitz rarity classification system, which I used to categorize approximately 75% of mammal species. The Rabinowitz rarity categories use population size, habitat specificity, and range size to determine whether a species is relatively more or less rare compared to others. Categories 1-8 confer different combinations of being either relatively rare or common for each of the three traits. Rarity and other ecological traits have been found to have a significant relationship with IUCN category (i.e., extinction vulnerability). However, how much of that vulnerability is influenced by inherent characteristics vs. human impacts remains an open question. In order to explore this question, I classified mammal species with available data into a rarity category based on both modern and present natural ecological trait values. Present natural values represent estimates of a species\u27 ecological traits in an alternate world without humans, whereas modern trait values represent reality.
Rarity has a relationship with IUCN categories under both modern and present natural conditions, indicating both variables illustrate similar information. 78.84% of species remained in the same rarity category across both sets of conditions. Of the species that switched rarity category, there was no significant relationship with IUCN classification. Hence, human impacts do affect rarity categories for a proportion of species, but not in a way that is significantly related to extinction risk. This indicates that for the categorized species, inherent characteristics may have more influence on extinction risk via rarity than negative impacts by humans. There is additional further work required to improve the accuracy of this metric, but it represents a useful tool in monitoring the extinction risk of species. Relative rarity represents a “snapshot” of extinction risk that could be used to inform conservation, especially when more comprehensive spatial and temporal data is not available
Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors for Anti-Zika Infection by Targeting RNA Polymerase
No full textZika virus (ZIKV) remains a significant global health concern with no approved antiviral treatment currently available. This study aimed to identify potential ZIKV antiviral compounds through in vitro approaches. Twelve analogues of OFB3, a benzothiophene-derived compound previously shown to inhibit Flavivirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), were selected for testing on Vero-E6 cells. Of these, four compounds—OFB3-7, OFB3-9, OFB3-10, and OFB3-11—demonstrated strong antiviral activity and low cytotoxicity in Vero-E6 cells. CC50 analyses confirmed minimal toxicity for OFB3-7 and OFB3-10, while OFB3-9 and OFB3-11 showed slightly higher but still acceptable toxicity profiles. Although IC50 values are still being determined, currently available data indicate that these four compounds hold promise as effective and safe ZIKV antivirals. Ongoing experiments, including plaque assays and comparisons with the control compound Remdesivir, will further evaluate their antiviral potential. These findings contribute to the ongoing search for viable antiviral candidates against ZIKV
Translating Deuda Natal: Poetry, Memory, and the Ethics of Language
No full textTranslating poetry is an intricate exercise that demands not only linguistic accuracy but also an understanding of historical, cultural, and literary contexts. This thesis presents translations of poems by Mara Pastor, exploring the complexities of conveying her work in English while preserving its nuance and emotional resonance. Pastor’s poetry addresses themes of Puerto Rican history, ecological disaster, colonialism, and identity, often employing irony and layered symbolism that resist direct translation. Through close readings and comparative analysis, this thesis demonstrates how historical and political context is essential to fully appreciating her work, and how overlooking these elements can lead to flattening or misinterpreting the poetry’s intent. Drawing on translation theory, poetic analysis, and personal reflection, this author argues that direct translation alone cannot capture the full artistry of Pastor’s work. Instead, translation is treated as an interpretive act—one that requires sensitivity to tone, rhythm, and metaphor. This project also traces this author’s own transformation, from approaching translation as a linguistic exercise to recognizing it as an embodied and creative practice. In navigating the space between languages, this thesis emphasizes how sound, feeling, and cultural awareness must work together to create a translation that honors both the original text and the voice of this translator
The Perry-Campbell Collection: An Analysis of Byzantine and Roman Coins
Get PDFThe Anthropology Collections of the Nebraska State Museum are home of the Gladys G. Perry Campbell and Iain Colin Gordon Campbell (I. C. G. Campbell) coin collection, which consists of an estimated 4,000 coins that date between the 1st century BC to the 15th century AD. The collection consists of bronze coins (91%+) and billon (alloy) coins that represent low-denomination currency of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. There are approximately 3,200 Byzantine and 750 Roman coins. This study focused solely on the Byzantine coins of the Collection, to document their chronological range and research value. The collection can support further studies in various areas of Byzantine numismatics. For example, a particular strength of the collection are coins of 10th-13th centuries, with the introduction of the anonymous folles under John I, the “anonymous” and “faithful copy” trachy debate of the 11-13th c., and the Nicaean Empire from 1204-1261.
The majority of coins had been previously identified by I.C.G. Campbell himself or by his assistant, Robert Kutcher. However, little work has been carried out on this significant collection since the 1990s. The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the collection and make it available to other researchers and the public for further study.
Advisor: Effie Athanassopoulo