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Beyond Opioids: The Role of Polysubstance Exposure in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Treatment and Hospitalization
No full textThis thesis explores the impact of prenatal polysubstance exposure, specifically focusing on the need for pharmacological treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and the duration of their hospital stay. A retrospective analysis of 462 infants, including 121 exposed to polysubstances during pregnancy, showed significant associations between polysubstance exposure and adverse neonatal outcomes. Infants with prenatal polysubstance exposure were more likely to require pharmacological treatment for NAS (52.8%) compared to non-exposed infants (38.7%), as determined by chi-square analysis (χ²(1, N = 462) = 7.36, p = .007). Additionally, infants exposed to polysubstances experienced longer hospital stays on average (M = 14.88 days, SD = 13.87) compared to non-exposed infants (M = 10.01 days, SD = 8.76), with Welch’s t-test indicating a significant mean difference of 4.87 days (95% CI: 2.20, 7.54, p \u3c .001). These results demonstrate the risks associated with prenatal polysubstance use and emphasize the need for early intervention, tailored treatment protocols, and interdisciplinary care models to address maternal mental health and substance use. This research contributes to a growing body of literature that advocates for comprehensive healthcare strategies to improve neonatal and maternal outcomes
Rural High-School Principals’ Perceptions of Their Understanding of Special Education Law
Full text linkThis phenomenological study aimed to determine rural high school principals’ perceptions of their understanding of special education law. Although there is some literature regarding administrators\u27 perceptions of their understanding of special education policies and procedures, this study focused specifically on special education law and perceived versus actual levels of understanding.
Data Collection strategies include voluntary, focused interviews of rural high school principals via Zoom. Data analysis included transcriptions of interviews, member checking, open coding, identifying themes and content analysis, and finally, interpretation and triangulation of the data. The analysis of this study was based on the theoretical proposition of andragogy. Andragogy is a theory that describes how adults learn and how it is different than teaching children. Adult learners are motivated to learn and will focus on information applicable to their daily lives (Livingston & Clay, 2023).
The findings revealed that special education law plays a critical role in ensuring equitable access to education for students with disabilities. Rural high school principals are tasked with implementing these laws, yet their perceptions of their understanding and the challenges they face remain underexplored. The findings illuminate how principals perceive their roles, acquire knowledge, and influence special education services in their schools. Although there may be certain gaps in knowledge as adult learners, principals desire to continue to obtain knowledge and understanding can be used to develop focused professional development to support principals
A Comparative Study of Quantum Computing Performance in Information Systems Analysis
No full textThe thesis will involve a comparison between quantum and classical computers to determine how quantum technology can be used to solve problems faced by modern information systems. Research on quantum technology as a solution to modern information processing challenges will help to provide solutions for some unanswered questions – whether in the field of quantum computing, information systems design, or both. Given that a real quantum computer is expensive, a bare-metal hardware approach is simply not possible for this project’s limited timeframe. Therefore, the researcher will gather the relevant data using a virtual machine designed to emulate a modern quantum system. Quantum computing research is still a developing field, but its future prospects are exciting – especially in enterprise information systems. Quantum computers, at their core, are fundamentally different from classical computers in how computational logic is handled. The differences, while not yet fully understood, allow a quantum system to achieve results in calculations that are considered impossible to solve by a classical system. Some calculations that quantum systems might face will be solvable with classical technology, but in an impractical amount of time. Quantum computers have the potential to speed up some calculations that would otherwise be considered infeasible with certain time constraints, depending on the problem’s context. Quantum research is no longer purely theoretical, with many well-known companies worldwide establishing implementation of quantum principles into their own workflows. The choice to explore quantum computer science for the thesis is an ideal opportunity to provide new insight into the effects that quantum can have on information management. Quantum systems can potentially be applied in many different contexts, and modern enterprises are eager to take advantage of their capabilities
Investigation into the Effects of Antibiotic Resistance on Cell Membrane
No full textCell membranes are selectively permeable due to their need to control what enters the cell in an ever-changing environment. Outside stressors can also have an effect on the membrane. Antibiotics, pH level, and temperature all change the behavior of the cell membrane. This research aims to look at antibiotic resistance when the path of glycolysis is interrupted. This will be accomplished by harvesting lipids from B. subtilis using methanol and chloroform. Experimental testing has not started yet. Thus far, the project has consisted of growing bacteria and verifying their respective antibiotic resistance
History of co-flowering among plant species can mediate pollination failure in natural communities
No full textPollination plays a key role in the maintenance of natural plant communities and in securing food production. Understanding that processes that lead to pollination failure is thus central in ecology and for human-wellbeing. Pollination can fail when a pollinator transfers pollen between flowers of different plant species, a process called heterospecific pollen (HP) transfer. HP transfer occurs in about 88% of plants and can reduce seed production by 20%. However, some plant species have shown some degree of tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms that confer such tolerance remain unknown. In this study, I will test the prediction that plants that co-flower and thus are commonly exposed to HP can develop tolerance and thus will have lower HP effects compared to plants that do not co-flower (no history of HP exposure). This will be the first study to investigate the potential role of history of HP exposure in mediating HP effects. To examine the effect of heterospecific pollen (HP) on the recipient species, Mimulus guttatus, five HP donors were selected based on their degree of flowering overlap with the recipient species and divided them into two groups: co-flowering donors (donors that co-flowering with the recipient); and non-co-flowering donors (donors that do not co-flowering with the recipient). I conducted over 200 hand pollinations using a mix of recipient and HP donor pollen applied to M. guttatus plants in the greenhouse and then quantify pollen deposition, pollen tube formation, and seed production to estimate HP effects on reproductive success. I expect that the HP recipient (M. guttatus) will experience smaller effects from HP donors that have more overlap in co-flowering
Intraspecific Genetic Variation in Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) at Bays Mountain Park
No full textAmphibians are declining globally due to various site-specific and regional factors including disease, over-collection, climate change, and large-scale habitat loss and degradation. Obtaining complete taxonomic information on threatened species is critical for accurately identifying these organisms and developing effective conservation strategies. Green salamanders (Plethodontidae: Aneides aeneus) are vulnerable cryptic species in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity in A. aeneus at Bays Mountain Park (BMP) in Kingsport, Tennessee to better understand the aeneus complex and promote conservation initiatives. It was hypothesized that individuals in BMP would exhibit genetic similarity to those in the characterized northern lineage but could demonstrate genetic isolation. Previous mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic analysis determined four distinct lineages within the complex: Northern Apps, Southern Apps, Hickory Nut Gorge (HNG), and Blue-Ridge Escarpment (BRE) with genetic analysis concluding the HNG green salamander is a separate species. The goal of this project is to determine where the BMP population resides within these lineages. Tail tips were collected from individuals found in BMP from April to October 2024. Locality data including longitude, latitude, elevation, description of the habitat, and pictures or notes of distinct morphological differences were recorded for all sampled individuals. DNA was extracted from each tail-tip followed by PCR to amplify two mitochondrial genes: Cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nd4). Gel electrophoresis verified amplification before sending the samples off for Sanger sequencing. The resulting sequences were cleaned, aligned, and assembled into contigs before running a multiple-sequence alignment using Geneious. Maximum likelihood (ML) analyses were applied based on SNP allele frequencies to generate a phylogenetic tree demonstrating the genetic relationship between sequenced individuals. Results support the hypothesis that the BMP population exhibits high genetic similarity to the northern lineage, consistent with its position on the phylogenetic tree
Investigation of Sensory Cyclic-di-GMP Phosphodiesterases in Salmonella
No full textSalmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infects humans and animals via consumption of contaminated food or water. Human infections with Salmonella typically lead to gastrointestinal disease but may also cause a systemic infection if it reaches the bloodstream where Salmonella is taken up by macrophages. After undergoing phagocytosis, Salmonella creates a vacuole inside of the macrophage allowing Salmonella to survive and continue to infect healthy cells. We want to study Salmonella’s adaptation inside macrophages to find out what signals are being used to trigger intracellular survival. Cyclic-di-GMP is one signaling system used by Salmonella to respond to its environment. External stimuli activate phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) to degrade and synthesize cyclic-di-GMP respectively. Three PDEs were identified that work to degrade cyclic-di-GMP during intracellular survival and are required for full virulence. Two of these PDEs (STM2215 and STM2503) contain sensory domains that stimulate the dimerization required for activity. To monitor the response of these sensory domains to potential signals, we have modified a Bacterial Two-Hybrid system and Miller Assay to measure dimerization of PDEs when exposed to specific signals found inside of a macrophage. We are testing a wide range of potential signals that could be the source of intracellular stimuli to these PDEs. Our end goal is to see what type of signals STM2215 and STM2503 respond to once inside of a macrophage that promotes Salmonella survival in the midst of phagocytosis
Evaluating the Impact of the Appalachian Farmacy Produce Prescription Program on Food Insecurity and Dietary Health in Northeast Tennessee
No full textFood insecurity remains a critical public health issue in the United States, particularly in low-income rural areas, where access to nutritious food is often limited. Low-income households face higher risks of nutritional deficiencies and poor health outcomes compared to higher-income households. Factors such as food prices, accessibility, household size, and time constraints further exacerbate food insecurity. Healthy diets are often more expensive and time-consuming, making them less accessible for many. To address these challenges, produce prescription programs have emerged as a promising intervention, aiming to improve access to healthy foods and promote better eating habits. The Appalachian Farmacy, a produce prescription program funded by the USDA Nutrition Incentive Hub and implemented by the nonprofit Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD), aims to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for low-income residents in Northeast Tennessee. Participants received $45 produce vouchers monthly, with opportunities to earn additional vouchers through interviews, and nutrition education classes to cover topics such as cooking and food preservation. A program evaluation, conducted in partnership with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), utilized surveys administered via REDCap and Qualtrics to assess voucher use, food insecurity, eating habits, and health indicators. These surveys were administered pre-program and one year into the program with ongoing post program data collection. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, and medians, were used to analyze changes in key variables such as fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity, and BMI. The Chi square test of association assessed the significance of these changes. Preliminary findings suggest the program improved participants’ access to healthy foods, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and reduced food insecurity. The Appalachian Farmacy demonstrates the potential for produce prescription programs to address food insecurity and promote healthier eating in underserved communities. Further research is needed to explore scalability and long-term impact