11549 research outputs found
Sort by
Sex and Health Disparities Impacts on Survival Rates for Patients with Major Salivary Gland Tumors
No full textObjective
To evaluate demographic and clinical factors influencing survival in patients with major salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.
Study Design
A retrospective cohort study using SEER data from 2000 to 2021.
Setting
Data were collected from the SEER registry, a comprehensive database capturing cancer statistics across the United States.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with major salivary gland malignancies were analyzed for demographic factors including age, sex, race, marital status, and income, as well as clinical variables including tumor grade and site. Stratification by gender was done to assess gender specific outcomes.
Results
The cohort included 13,869 patients. Key findings include that older age and male sex were associated with worse survival outcomes. Single patients had better survival than married individuals, likely due to younger age at diagnosis. Additionally, higher income and Asian/Pacific Islander race conferred a survival advantage. There were disparate impacts between males and females in income, marital status, and race, with higher income and marriage providing a survival advantage for male patients but none for females. Additionally, Black females but not Black males, and widowed females but not widowed males, had slightly increased hazard ratios compared to white individuals.
Conclusion
Men and women experience disparate effects that impact survival and outcomes in major salivary gland tumors. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in care and improve survival outcomes while emphasizing the importance of further research to understand the underlying mechanisms driving these disparities
DO MANUALLY POWERED SOIL AUGERS PRESENT ERGONOMIC-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER (MSD) RISKS AMONG ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS?
No full textThis research examined the associations between the use of manually powered soil augers by environmental health (EH) professionals and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While previous studies have investigated occupational injuries related to repetitive strain and manual labor, there was limited research specific to the use of soil augers by professionals working in environmental health. This study included statistical analyses of survey responses from 60 participants regarding their age, years of experience, soil type, and conditions (presence of roots, rocks to auger through) they typically work in, workload (number of soil borings and depth of borings), and number of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) they have experienced. Soil survey data from each county in North Carolina were analyzed, and the percentage of soils with relatively high clay content (Soil Groups III and IV), which require more torque to turn the auger, was calculated. The data were used to quantify which portions of the state may require more torque to turn the auger, potentially leading to more MSDs. The number of site visits and septic permits issued in each county of North Carolina was summarized to estimate spatial differences in where most of the work using soil auger was performed.
Most (95%) participants reported experiencing at least one MSD, with commonly cited ailments associated with the lower back, shoulders, and wrists. There were significantly more MSDs reported by those who worked in soils where they had to auger through extensive roots and rock more than 30% of the time. Most (63%) participants who worked in multiple regions of the state reported that Piedmont was the most difficult place to work. The Piedmont region had the highest percentage of soils with Group III and IV textures, and counties in the Piedmont had the highest number of site visits and septic permits issued per county. Thus, counties in the region of the state with the highest clay content are where participants auger the most boreholes.
Most survey respondents indicated that their MSDs were directly related to manual auger use and reported receiving little or inadequate training. Despite the high frequency of lower back and elbow disorders, very few respondents indicated the use of back-related or elbow-related personal protective equipment (PPE). These findings suggest that the participants, particularly those in the Piedmont region with a prevalence of higher clay content soil, rock, and roots, may be at greater risk of developing MSDs. Future research is suggested to explore how intervention strategies, such as ergonomic tool modifications and training programs, may influence the health of EH professionals
The Traits of Approval: Leadership Trait Theory Analysis as a Predictor of American Presidential Approval Ratings
No full textThis honors thesis is a project that shows statistical significance between leadership traits of American presidents and their approval ratings in a time-series like project. This project takes seemingly subjective leadership traits and assigns them numeric meaning using Leadership Trait Analysis piloted by Margaret Herman's scholarship. It required a new codebook and leadership analysis research model that the author of this project created, which can be further used to better presidential, federal, state and municipal candidacy
IMPACT OF FATIGUE ON POSTURAL STABILITY AND BRAIN WAVE ACTIVITY
No full textBACKGROUND: To maintain postural control, the brain is required to integrate visual and sensory information within the sensorimotor systems. Increases in fall risk are influenced by many factors such as age, fatigue, and neural dysfunction (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease). While it is known these factors increase fall risk, the relationship between fatigue and neurological function in postural control is still unclear and the effects of fatigue are still unknown. The aim of this study was to directly analyze the effects of neural brain activity and postural control of healthy individuals following volitional fatigue. METHODS: Nine healthy participants, ages 18 to 38, were chosen. Individuals with any previous history of concussions or major lower-extremity injuries were excluded as these conditions may affect postural control. After providing informed consent, the participants were outfitted with a Pedar in-sole pressure distribution system and a g-tec EEG system. The pre-test consisted of three trials, each involving 30 seconds of standing with eyes open and 30 seconds with eyes closed. After, the participant was asked to wear an HTC VIVE virtual reality (VR) headset and do three rounds of 30 seconds in the VR still room, 30 seconds in the VR moving room, and 30 seconds in recovery after the moving room. Next, they underwent a volitional fatigue protocol. Fatigue was defined as reaching a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of 13 or 76% of their target heart rate. Once the fatigue protocol was completed, the pre-fatigue protocol was repeated to assess any changes in the force plate and brain activity. Data was processed using customized MATLAB scripts and EEGLAB, and a repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to compare pre- and post-fatigue indicators.
RESULTS: Fatigue will impair postural control and increase neural activity in brain regions responsible for balance. These effects are shown to be more pronounced during a visual perturbation and when sensory information is inaccurate
Postpartum Depression and Children’s Social-Emotional Development from Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood
No full textThis thesis examines the long-term associations between maternal postpartum depression (PPD) and children’s social-emotional development from early childhood through young adulthood. Drawing on longitudinal data, I trace behavioral and psychological outcomes for children at ages 3, 5, 9, 15, and 22, focusing specifically on social-emotional behaviors and internalizing symptoms during childhood, and depression and anxiety in young adulthood. Utilizing a life course framework, this study theorizes that early maternal mental health plays a critical role in shaping children’s developmental trajectories, with consequences that accumulate and interact with broader structural and family contexts over time. Multiple regression models test whether the early exposure to PPD predicts later emotional difficulties, adjusting for important demographic and socioeconomic covariates. Findings suggest significant associations between maternal PPD and elevated internalizing symptoms in children, at ages 3, 5, 9, and 15; but there were no significant differences found in depression or anxiety symptoms in early adulthood. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of intergenerational mental health risks and emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention in maternal mental health to support optimal child development
Improving Active Shooter Preparedness in Childcare Settings: A Quality Improvement Project
No full textD.N.P
COLLECTIVE ETHOS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
No full textThe intersection of rhetoric and professional communication scholarship focuses on persuasion in the workplace. Specifically looking at the legal profession, lawyers occupy a prestigious situation in the United States. Lawyers have the privilege to practice law, such as representing clients, advocating in court, and preserving the quality of justice. Society has placed a special trust in lawyers. This dissertation critically analyses the legal profession’s available means of persuasion to gain and sustain society’s trust. An understudied concept of collective ethos is used to consider how lawyers persuade at the societal level. The core of this dissertation is Burke’s concept of identification. Through an analysis of the Rules of Professional Conduct, genres in the legal professional’s activity system, and Disciplinary Statements of errant lawyers, this dissertation develops and defines the concept of collective ethos for the legal profession and other similarly situated professions. In discussion of these findings, new areas of research are proposed and questions raised for emergent professions seeking to develop and maintain collective ethos
Ecdysone Receptor modulates EGFR signaling for timely cyst packaging in Drosophila germ cells
No full textOocytes are packaged into ovarian follicles, each containing a maturing germ cell surrounded by a layer of somatic cells that secrete protective eggshell and chorion proteins. This conserved arrangement is essential for proper oocyte development and reproductive success. Continuous coordination and bi-directional signaling from somatic cells to germ cells is necessary for proper oocyte packaging. In Drosophila, although germ cell packaging was presumed to be largely controlled by somatic follicle cells enveloping passive germ cells, recent studies suggest that germ cells themselves produce motor forces that drive somatic encapsulation. Here, in support of this hypothesis, we present data suggesting that cyst encapsulation is dependent upon Ecdysone Receptor, a steroid hormone receptor known to control multiple aspects of oogenesis. Using tools to deplete EcR levels or block transcriptional activation specifically in the germline, we show that germline-autonomous EcR is necessary for the timing of cyst encapsulation. In the absence of EcR, germ cell encapsulation is slowed, resulting in increased incidence of cyst collision events in the germarium. EcR facilitates germ cell cyst encapsulation by signaling somatic cells to promote proliferation, organize escort cell projections, and intercalate stalk cells. We show that an increase in germ cell cortical contractions is sufficient to rescue cyst collisions. Finally, we conclude that EcR is likely acting with EGFR signaling to modulate escort cell activity. Overall, these data suggest that in addition to its well-characterized roles in somatic follicle cells, EcR is necessary in the germline to promote timely ovarian follicle assembly and development
CULTIVATING BELOVED SCHOOL COMMUNITIES: HOW SCHOOL LEADERS LEARN AND LEAD FOR EQUITY
No full textIn the participatory action and activist research (PAAR) study, I explored how equity-centered school leaders who cultivate beloved communities can interrupt systemic inequities in education. Grounded in psychological safety, collective responsibility, and equity-centered leadership principles, nine school leaders as co-practitioner researchers (CPRs) and I engaged in three cycles of inquiry. Using the PAAR methodology and through Community Learning Exchange (CLE) protocols, 1:1 consultations, and reflective practices, participants examined their dispositions and actions. As a result, the CPR members analyzed their leadership practices collaboratively and implemented strategies to foster beloved communities where students, families, and educators feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Two findings from the study demonstrate that leaders need to experience collaborative, authentic holding spaces—brave spaces—with equity-centered colleagues to become a beloved community (Arao & Clemens, 2013; Drago-Severson et al., 2023; Khalifa et al., 2016). As leaders engaged in a beloved community, their concept of leadership evolved, leading to a shift in their leadership practices. Leaders navigated systemic challenges—including fiscal instability, leadership turnover, and political pressures—by coming together in brave spaces and grounding their leadership in shared frameworks. A key insight from the research was the shift from a model of shared accountability to collective responsibility, emphasizing interconnectedness and mutual care over hierarchical enforcement. This shift aligns with the Kwanzaa principle of ujima (collective work and responsibility) and underscores the importance of co-constructing school environments that are healing-centered and justice-oriented. The study highlights the necessity of affinity groups and networks that support leaders in processing the emotional and strategic complexities of their roles. These spaces enabled leaders to practice vulnerability, engage in productive conflict, and develop sustainable self-care strategies, mitigating the burnout often associated with equity-centered leadership. The research is important for district leaders, policymakers, and scholars seeking to cultivate beloved school communities that prioritize healing, transformation, and racial justice. By centering the experiences of school leaders and fostering a culture of relational trust, this study contributes to the growing body of scholarship on transformative leadership and equity in education