The optical response of metallic structures is dominated by the dynamics of their free electron plasma. Plasmonics, the area of optics specializing in the electromagnetic behavior of heterogeneous structures with metallic inclusions, is undergoing rapid development, fueled in part by recent progress in experimental fabrication techniques and novel
theoretical approaches....
This dissertation concerns several problems in the fields of light interaction with nanostructured media, metamaterials, and plasmonics. We present a technique capable of extending operational bandwidth of hyperbolic metamaterials based on interleaved highly-doped InGaAs and undoped AlInAs multilayer stacks. The experimental results confirm theoretical predictions, exhibiting broadband negative refraction response...
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the fourth most common cancer overall, causing an estimated 307,000 deaths in 2012. Prostate cancer is distinct from other cancers in that there are numerous treatment options, yet very few guarantees in relation to outcome. The most common treatments...
Due to inefficiencies and unsustainable growth in health expenditures, a new
approach needed to be taken in the realm of healthcare. There was a need to increase
efficiency and value in order to achieve health outcomes. Hence, arose the concept of the
Coordinated Care Organization (CCO). CCOs are seen as...
Objective: This study used the Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to explore the relationship between preconception dietary restriction and subsequent birth outcomes in an attempt to quantify their association. Methods: The survey question of interest focused on changing diet to lose weight during preconception. Descriptive statistics were calculated...
The Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program is the first and only research focused on non-fatal injury prevention among commercial fishermen.
• No fishermen reported that they had zero chance of injury, regardless of injuries sustained in career and/or in the past year.
• Fishermen who have sustained an injury...
The intention of this research was to analyze the clinical implications of lymph node involvement, cancer stage and cancer treatment administered for 481 breast cancer patients receiving care at St. Charles Health System in Bend Oregon. It was concluded that lymph node involvement has a linear and positive association with...
Background: The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically in recent decades. A lack of control over blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes-related complications. A network of family and friends providing diet-related support and diabetes-related care support may be associated with lower levels and changes in blood sugar (HbA1c) levels....
Research Objective: Nearly 60 million people in the United States reside in a rural area. Residents in rural areas have higher rates of chronic disease, risky health behaviors, disability, infant mortality, and age-adjusted mortality than their urban counterparts. Health insurance and access to care mitigate those risks, in part because...
The purpose of this paper was to consider whether the integration of
complementary and alternative medicine within coordinated care organizations would be
possible and beneficial. Per capita health expenditures in the Unites States are greater
than any other nation’s in the world. However, many complain that the organization and
distribution...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. but is often thought of as a man’s disease. Women with CVD, however, suffer poorer health outcomes due to previous education of stereotypically “male” signs and symptoms of heart attacks, despite the fact...
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable medical devices that can be used by laypersons to treat two common types of cardiac arrest. Awareness surrounding the use of AEDs and willingness to use them in emergency situations is documented in few populations. This investigation aimed to address this gap by gauging...
Background. Total knee arthroplasty, or replacement, is a common, generally successful, and expensive procedure. Tools to predict outcomes following orthopedic procedures are abundant, yet no commonly used assessment accounts for an individual’s propensity to engage in adaptive health behavior. The 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM) questionnaire is a tool that...
African-born population is one of the fastest growing group in the United States. Very little is known about their socio-demographic characteristics, health behavior practices and long-term health. The purpose of this study was to examine hypertension prevalence, health behavior practices and the impact socio-demographic factors have on these outcomes among...
Modified ride-on cars are used by young children with disabilities for self-directed mobility. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to (1) determine the association between modified ride-on car driving time, family income, and primary caregiver education level; and (2) compare modified ride-on car driving time, family income, and primary...
Primary injury prevention strategies are needed to improve worker safety in the fishing industry by reducing the occurrence of vessel disasters. In 2006, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) implemented a novel safety policy intervention for two fleets of freezer-trawlers and freezer-longliners in Alaska. The Alternate Compliance and Safety Agreement...
OBJECTIVES: Despite documented efficacy of injury prevention programs (IPPs) to reduce sport-related lower extremity injury risk, there is evidence of a lack of widespread IPP adoption by high school coaches. This study identified factors related to non-adoption of IPPs by assessing coaches’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to prevention programs...
Background. The US commercial fishing industry is hazardous, as measured by mortality data. However, research on non-fatal injuries is limited. Non-fatal injuries constitute the majority of occupational injuries and can result in workers' lowered productivity and wages, lost quality of life, and disability. In the United States, a Work Process...
This thesis reviewed the current cultural, religious and spiritual concerns of a patient, regarding the relationship between the patient and medical professional. Common issues medical professionals have been exposed to in terms of cultural differences was also explored. This thesis reviewed whether medical schools, nursing schools and pharmacy schools have...
Background: Mastery of fundamental motor skills (FMS) in childhood is proposed to facilitate participation in physical activity (PA) opportunities, through context-specific application of FMS (Clarke & Metclafe, 2002; Stodden et al., 2008). Children with disabilities
impacting motor skill development thus are at greater risk for low PA participation. Evidence indicates...
The focus of this study was threefold. This research examined the extent to which parenting alliance between incarcerated parents and the caregivers of their children, influences participation of inmate parents in parenting programs. This research explored the extent to which family contact influences participation of inmate parents in parenting programs....
Over the past few decades, a primary focus has been on the negative health effects of not participating in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MPVA). Only recently has sedentary behavior been studied as a distinct and independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes. This dissertation sought to provide new insights into...
Background: A particular health inequity that has drawn national attention is obesity in persons with disabilities (CDC, 2011). Estimates suggest that as many as 80% of adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID) are overweight or obese (Stanish & Draheim, 2005). Despite the benefits of being active (e.g. controlling...
Repetitive sequences present a challenge for genome sequence assembly, and highly similar segmental duplications may disappear from assembled genome sequences. Having found a surprising lack of observable phenotypic deviations and non-Mendelian segregation in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants in SEC10, a gene encoding a core subunit of the exocyst tethering complex, we...
Jordan has a higher fertility rate (3.8) than the averages of countries similar in income to Jordan (2.2) and compared to the Middle East and North Africa region as a whole (2.8) (WHO, WB, UNICEF, & DHS, 2011). The findings of the 2009 Jordanian Population and Family Health Survey demonstrated...
BACKGROUND: Workers onboard freezer-trawl (FT) and freezer-longline (FL) vessels in Alaska may be at high risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries. METHODS: Traumatic occupational injuries onboard vessels in the FT and FL fleets were identified through two government data sources. RESULTS: The annual risk of fatal injuries was 125 per...
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US. Surveys of Dungeness crab fishermen suggested that emergency preparedness was viewed as important for element of staying safe while fishing. Basic community first aid classes were not relevant for commercial fishermen and they requested tailored training for their...
Background—The current study described patterns of yoga practice and examined differences
in physical activity over time between individuals with or at risk for type 2 diabetes who
completed an 8-week yoga intervention compared with controls.
Methods—A longitudinal comparative design measured the effect of a yoga intervention on yoga
practice and...
School-aged children with disabilities have difficulty in meeting current physical activity guidelines (Stanish et al., 2019). As such, there is a need for providing effective physical activity promotion programs for school-aged children with disabilities. School settings can be the right place to promote physical activity for children with disabilities because...
Having excess weight carries a negative social stigma in the U.S. Previous research has shown that experiencing stigma has negative physical and mental health consequences. Few studies have examined how experiencing weight stigma might act as a barrier to engaging in healthy behaviors among older adults. The purpose of this...
Health systems financing aims at providing adequate services, ensuring sufficient providers’ incentives, and protecting individuals and families from financial catastrophe. Health services are financed through government funding, taxation, out-of-pocket payments, insurance, donations and voluntary aid. Low- income countries mostly rely on out-of-pocket payments. In South East Asia region, the latter...
Chinese international students in American colleges and universities report low levels of physical activity involvement, which may limit them in terms of
realizing their full human potential (i.e., cognitively, physically, socially). The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the psychosocial mechanisms as well as the sociocultural influences to understand...
Classroom-based physical activity (CBPA) breaks are a common and cost-effective physical activity (PA) promotion strategy at elementary schools. Nevertheless, there is limited research examining how teacher-level factors such as value for PA and perceived support to deliver CBPA breaks influence teacher implementation of CBPA breaks. In addition, to date no...
In the U.S., childhood overweight and obesity has grown to epidemic levels. The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) found that nationwide, approximately 32% of children 10–17 years old are identified as overweight, over half of them (nearly 17%) are obese. This is a concern because these rates continue to...
Health officials have recently been sounding the alarm that depression will soon
surpass many of the major medical conditions in causing disability among adults. Recent
demographic and health trends are generating public health concern about depression.
First, the prevalence of chronic conditions has dramatically increased over the last several
generations....
Cognitive impairment can severely impact quality of life, and can place added strain on family and caregivers.¹⁻³ Moreover, cognitive decline has been shown to proceed to more serious conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,⁴⁻⁶ making it critical to intervene on risk factors. In addition to traditional risk factors for cognitive...
We demonstrate time-resolved terahertz transmission ellipsometry of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The angle-resolved transmission measurements reveal anisotropic characteristics of the terahertz electrodynamics in multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The anisotropy is, however, unexpectedly weak: the ratio of the tube-axis conductivity to the transverse conductivity, sigma[subscript z]/sigma[subscript xy] [similar or equal to]...
Lesser quadriceps explosive strength following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) may result in the use of altered landing mechanics that increase the risk for a second ACL injury. Reduced capacity to produce explosive strength in the quadriceps is potentially driven, at least in part, by quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition...
Vessel disasters (e.g., vessels capsizing, sinking, grounding, burning) are the leading contributor to occupational fatalities in the U.S. commercial fishing industry. Vessel disasters are a vital area to target prevention efforts, yet it has been suggested that results produced in scientific studies are not efficiently exchanged between researchers, regulatory bodies...
Empirical studies and theory have identified many early predictors of children's academic achievement and externalizing problems. Moreover, research shows that children's early cognitive abilities and behavioral problems are strong predictors of later academic achievement and externalizing problems. The current dissertation studies extend previous work and unpack how early predictors relate...
This project explores the use of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in a population of men and women United States Army veterans. It explores the literature surrounding this treatment, specifically Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, and argues a clinical application for this therapy could...
Scholars posit that the successful consolidation of post-communist Central and Eastern European democracies can be linked to their subsequent accession to the European Union (EU). This led observers to assume that the continued democratization of Hungarian society was assured due to their integration into EU institutions. However, since the 2010...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging chemical class of concern. Recently in the United States, Health Advisory Limits for two PFAS in drinking water were established for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate in drinking water (set to 70 ng/L combine concentration) by the EPA. Because of PFAS mobility, persistence,...
As Europeans settled the Willamette Valley in the 1800s, they began to simplify Oregon's largest river contained wholly within state boarders—the Willamette. The river lost miles of channels from dikes, dams, and development. Some channels vanished under concrete. Others became meander scars, or shallow, dry depression in the land where...
Purpose – This paper aims to describe a project conducted by the University of Oklahoma Libraries
to create a digital collection consisting of three-dimensional scientific objects.
Design/methodology/approach – The University of Oklahoma Libraries developed the following
methodology for creating a digital collection of three-dimensional objects. Digital still photographs of
six...
This study investigates the use of predictive mapping techniques as well as geotechnical criteria in developing a multiregional soil liquefaction model and subsequent maps. The maps were produced using National Cooperative Soil Survey data, in the gSSURGO format, combined with soil liquefaction data gathered from studies, articles, and traditional seismic...
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide with human papillomavirus (HPV) being the main cause of the disease. Currently available treatment methods are limited and emphasize the need for discovery of new therapies that improve patient outcome. Chromosomal amplifications have been identified as a source of...
The dissertation focuses on the engineering of light-matter interaction using plasmonic nanoparticles and metamaterials to achieve enhanced luminescence and based on which to improve the performance of biosensing and light-emitting technologies. We designed and fabricated a spectrum of nanostructures to exhibit particular dispersion relations capable of controlling the spontaneous emission...
We demonstrate that unidirectionally aligned, free-standing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit highly anisotropic linear and nonlinear terahertz (THz) responses. For the polarization parallel to the CNT axis, strong THz pulses induce nonlinear absorption in the quasi-one-dimensional conducting media, while no nonlinear effect is observed in the perpendicular polarization configuration. Time-resolved...
Background: The use of a lower extremity injury prevention program (IPP) by female athletes before the completion of puberty may mitigate movement changes that develop during puberty and contribute to greater injury risk. It is unknown whether player age influences coaches’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding IPPs. Methods: Fifty-four female...
In this thesis, I present studies in the field of terahertz [THz] spectroscopy. It covers both the generation and detection of ultra-fast broadband THz pulses, as well as the transmission properties of vertically grown multi-walled carbon nanotube forests [MWCNTs]. We have found that these vertically grown MWCNTs respond strongly to...
Low-dimensional electronic materials offer a platform to observe biological processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the closest physical analog to an ideal 1D system and can be scaled and integrated into multiplexed electronic circuitry. The molecular structure of a CNT is also biocompatible, making them...
BACKGROUND: Previous studies report conflicting results regarding a possible association between maternal physical activity (PA) and cesarean delivery. METHODS: 7-day PA recalls were collected by telephone from n=1205 pregnant women from North Carolina, without prior cesarean, during two time windows: 17-22 weeks and 27-30 weeks completed gestation. PA was treated...
The immune toxicity of the ubiquitous environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), commonly referred to as dioxin, has been studied for over 35 years but only recently has the profound immune suppression induced by TCDD exposure been linked to induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The effects of TCDD are mediated through...
This dissertation presents nonlinear terahertz (THz) properties of carbon nanomaterials investigated by time-resolved high-field THz spectroscopy. In order to determine THz characteristics of nanomaterials, we performed THz power spectrum measurement, THz raster imaging, THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and time-resolved pump-probe experiment on two different types of single layer graphene and...
Limited research has analyzed how the values espoused by Western alternative food systems, such as taste and territoriality, are adopted and refashioned in post-socialist societies. Muscovites now echo the global quality turn that reconnects consumers to their food sources. This research qualitatively explores the perspectives of the cosmopolitan consumers of...
Autobiography is usually categorized with essays and other technical writings, and rarely considered creative or artistic literature in the public eye. This project explores the elements of autobiography and two authors who break the barriers of conventional practices to create works that also function as creative and artistic literature. Maya...
This thesis will cover work that I have completed relating to the field of terahertz (THz) science. My work has consisted of generating tunable, narrowband THz pulses in a table-top optical setup and using both narrow- and broadband THz pulses to study various material systems. Broadband THz pulses were used...
Ion-selective polymeric optical sensors – ion optodes – are a promising alternative to ion-selective electrodes and fluorescent dyes for analytical and biological applications, e.g. extra- and intracellular measurements. They are non-toxic, highly selective robust probes for ionic fluxes monitoring.
A large-scale fabrication of ion optodes using a solvent displacement method...
Although the seafood processing industry is vital to Alaska’s economy, limited research has addressed workers’ safety and health. Federal and state regulators have classified both offshore and onshore seafood processing worksites in Alaska as high-hazard environments; however, there is a dearth of published information on safety and health outcomes in...
Solid-state amorphous materials show amazing promise in thin-film electronics. The interface-to-bulk ratio of thin films makes interfacial chemistries of these systems of utmost importance. Thin films of amorphous metals, dielectrics and semiconductors have novel chemistries that are not only based upon their elemental constituent makeup, but also based upon the...
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are relatively common in female athletes with greater frontal plane knee motion and loading during a landing task predictive of injury. As a result, decreasing knee abduction motion and loading is important for ACL injury prevention. While increased strength of the hip abductors, extensors, and external...
This thesis will cover my work relating to the developing field of terahertz (THz) science and technology. It will present experimental and theoretical studies investigating the optical and electrical properties of various material systems using novel THz imaging and spectroscopy techniques. Due to its low photon energy, THz imaging and...
This dissertation covers my work relating to the application of strong terahertz (THz) radiation to study the nonlinear properties of nano-scale material. It presents experimental and numerical studies on the optical and electronic properties of various material system including single-layer graphene, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanoantenna-patterned gallium arsenide (GaAs) and...
With the rapid growth of worldwide internet traffic in data centers and clouds, silicon photonics has been utilized to provide enormous data bandwidth and outstanding energy efficiency over electronics. Computing servers and storage servers that are connected by communication links are relying more on optical rather than electrical means mainly...
Evidence-based interventions (EBIs), which demonstrate efficacy in research settings, are rarely sustained when implemented in public health organizations. Rather, EBIs are often de-adopted - potentially undermining the positive benefits of the EBIs for the communities that access them. The lack of sustainability is particularly troubling among public health organizations that...
Sexual assault is a major public health concern in the U.S, and college students are particularly vulnerable to victimization. A health issue that affects nearly one in four women (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000; Karjane, Cullen, & Turner, 2005) and that is associated with severe negative health outcomes, including depression...
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Brian R. Flay
Sexual assault is a major public health concern in the U.S, and
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major crops produced in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, a region known for its wheat production for international export. Wheat production in the region is threatened by diseases such as Cephalosporium stripe and stripe rust. Cephalosporium stripe is a vascular wilt disease of...
The sudden and unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant sets in motion a number of linked processes with potentially complex and far-reaching ramifications. While individuals, families and communities grapple with the shock and heartbreak associated with the loss of a young life, a chain of multidisciplinary investigative responsibilities is...
In this dissertation, a series of studies in the field of terahertz (THz) science are presented, specifically using nonlinear THz spectroscopy. We exploit huge field enhancement and subwavelength confinement in plasmonic structures. There are three distinct projects which will be discussed: nonlinear THz spectroscopy using plasmonic induced transparency (PIT), THz-triggered...
The objective of this dissertation is to develop amorphous metal thin films (AMTFs) for two-terminal electrical device and nanolaminate applications. Two AMTFs, ZrCuAlNi and TiAl, are investigated in both two-terminal electrical device and nanolaminate applications. Material properties including composition, atomic order, surface morphology, surface potential, and electrical resistivity are explored....
Mountain pine beetle infested forests in the Rocky Mountain region raise complicated economic, environmental, and social impacts and pose severe forest management challenges to land managers and public and private landowners. Harvesting infested forest stands provides an opportunity to utilize otherwise wasted resources, mitigate economics losses to landowners, and generate...