Master of Dental Hygiene, The Ohio State University, 2021, Dental Hygiene

The administration of local anesthesia is an important focus in the field of dentistry, and its application has facilitated painless treatment among patients, allowing dental professionals to provide appropriate patient care. Current research related to the success and safety of local anesthesia application among registered dental hygienists, evidences its importance. However, there presents a lack of research related to the administration of local anesthetic among dental hygienists in different practice settings, as well as the utilization rate. The purpose of this study is to: identify the utilization rate of local anesthesia by dental hygienists and identify the reasoning associated with use or non-use of this skill. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey research design was used on a non-probability sample of dental hygienists practicing in the state of Ohio. The survey was designed with demographic questions, questions regarding use of local anesthesia, the non-use of local anesthesia, and attitudes related to local anesthesia application. The data evidenced that 95.7% reported having administered local anesthesia while licensed. Results further indicated that 93.5% reported that they like to administer local anesthesia. The findings from this study suggest that there is active utilization of local anesthesia among registered dental hygienists and that there is an appreciation for the skill. Additional research is recommended to explore the qualitative reasons for use and non-use of local anesthesia and the perceptions related to this skill, and to better understand the potential relationships among variables associated with the profession of dental hygiene and local anesthesia application.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Engineering and Applied Science: Civil Engineering

Traditionally, columns in two-way unequal depth beam-to-column gravity moment connections, with large eccentricity between the compressive flange forces, are designed for the governing limit state of web compression buckling. This study focuses on finite element modeling of such connections to identify the governing limit state and examine the validity of this traditional design assumption. It was hypothesized that web local crippling, and not web compression buckling, would control when the compressive flange forces delivered from the unequal depth beams to the column are far enough apart. The work presented in this report offers (1) application of the design equations; (2) benchmarking of finite element analyses techniques for experimental two-way equal depth beam-to-column moment connection; (3) application of the same modeling techniques and investigation of the compression region in a two-way equal and unequal depth beam-to-column gravity moment connection, with various combinations of inclusion or exclusion of initial imperfections and axial load; and (4) conclusion based on the failure modes and scope for any future work. It was concluded that the finite element analyses with the inclusion of initial imperfections and axial load captured both web compression buckling and web local crippling. Still, it was difficult to distinguish between the failure modes. The finite element analyses models that exclude initial imperfections and axial load predicted the failure modes well. The peak loads in all the cases were higher compared to the AISC design equations. Therefore, further investigation for web compression buckling and web local crippling in unequal depth beam-to-column moment connection is recommended.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Chemical Engineering

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSARs) are empirical or semi-empirical models which correlate the structure of chemical compounds with their biological activities. QSAR analysis frequently finds application in drug development and environmental and human health protection. It is here that these models are employed to predict pharmacological endpoints for candidate drug molecules or to assess the toxicological potential of chemical ingredients found in commercial products, respectively. Fields such as drug design and health regulation share the necessity of managing a plethora of chemicals in which sufficient experimental data as to their application-relevant profiles is often lacking; the time and resources required to conduct the necessary in vitro and in vivo tests to properly characterize these compounds make a pure experimental approach impossible. QSAR analysis successfully alleviates the problems posed by these data gaps through interpretation of the wealth of information already contained in existing databases. This research involves the development of a novel QSAR workflow utilizing a local modeling strategy. By far the most common QSAR models reported in the literature are “global” models; they use all available training molecules and a single set of chemical descriptors to learn the relationship between structure and the endpoint of interest. Additionally, accepted QSAR models frequently use linear transformations such as principal component analysis or partial least squares regression to reduce the dimensionality of complex chemical data sets. To contrast these conventional approaches, the proposed methodology uses a locality-defining radius to identify a subset of training compounds in proximity to a test query to learn an individual model for that query. Furthermore, descriptor selection is utilized to isolate the subset of available chemical descriptors tailored specifically to explain the activity of each test compound. Finally, this (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Mathematics

We compute the local Rankin-Selberg factors and the local Jacquet-Shalika exterior square gamma factors of special classes of supercuspidal representations of $GL_n(F)$ for a $p$-adic local field $F$. For the local Rankin-Selberg gamma factor of a pair of level zero supercuspidal representations, we prove that it is equal to the Rankin-Selberg gamma factor of the pair of corresponding cuspidal representations over the residue field $\mathfrak{f}$ of $F$. Using this equality, we further show that such a gamma factor over $\mathfrak{f}$ can be written as a product of Gauss sums, which solves a conjecture by Nien and Zhang. For the Jacquet-Shalika exterior square gamma factors, we show the existence of exterior square gamma factors for irreducible cuspidal representations of $GL_n(\mathfrak{f})$ which have no non-zero Shalika vectors, and prove the equality between exterior square gamma factor of a level zero supercuspidal representation and that of its corresponding cuspidal representation. We show that the Jacquet-Shalika exterior square gamma factors match those from the Langlands-Shahidi method in the $GL_3(F)$ case. We also compute the local (twisted) Jacquet-Shalika exterior square gamma factors for simple supercuspidal representations, which we use to prove a local converse theorem for simple supercuspidal representations.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2019, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

The POR-14-0630 bridge was a three-span bridge over a portion of Lake Rockwell in Portage county, Ohio. The bridge was owned by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and consisted of two piers, each comprised of six piles. Consistent rise and fall of the water level in Lake Rockwell led to severe local corrosion at the waterline of each of the twelve piles. Each of these severely corroded piles eventually experienced failure due to Flange Local Buckling (FLB). It is the goal of this research to determine if legally produced loads could have caused the failure of the above-mentioned piles. Additionally, this research aims to provide a more efficient method for ODOT engineers to assess and monitor the residual capacity of severely locally corroded bridge piles by way of developing a capacity estimation Microsoft Excel file. Determination of the axial forces produced in each of the bridge piles began by modelling the bridge in the commercial finite element software, CSiBridge. The model was created utilizing the original construction plans for the POR-14-0630 bridge from 1982. Various loading conditions were considered, but each scenario utilized the ODOT standard design trucks. The model was executed considering one of each of the design trucks crossing the bridge, as well as two of the same trucks passing one another on the bridge in opposite directions. Each case was considered and the corresponding axial compressive forces in each of the piles were exported for analysis. Upon determining the forces potentially experienced by the piles, it was necessary to estimate the residual capacity of each of the piles. Measurements were taken to adequately define the remaining cross section of each of the twelve piles. Next, capacity calculations were performed according to the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) suggested methods. An attempt to validate the capacity calculation (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Dentistry

Introduction: It is common practice during surgical removal of wisdom teeth to administer local anesthetics to the surgical site.1 This serves to reduce the required depth of general anesthesia or sedation required during the operation, and to offer postoperative pain control. Lidocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic for dental procedures.2 Ropivacaine is a longer acting local anesthetic,6 but it is infrequently used in the dental setting. They are both safe and effective, especially in the low doses used in dentistry. This study aims to compare post-operative pain and patient preference in subjects undergoing extraction of two mandibular third molars using 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine or 0.75% ropivacaine. Materials and Methods: All patients received 2mcg/kg of IV fentanyl. Patients requiring moderate sedation received 2mg boluses of IV midazolam as needed. Patients requiring general anesthesia received 2mg/kg of IV propofol, and 1mg/kg of IV succinylcholine if they were intubated. General anesthesia was maintained with either propofol or sevoflurane. Patients then received a 3 mL injection of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine on one mandibular side and 3 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine on the opposite side according to randomly assigned groups. The extractions were performed by the surgeon. The patients' post-operative pain was scored for each side of the mouth from 0 to 10 (0 being no pain, 10 being the worst pain) in PACU, at 6 hours post-procedure, and the morning after. A preferred side was also recorded at 6 hours post-procedure and the morning after the procedure. Results: The mean pain score in PACU for the lidocaine side was 1.07, and for the ropivacaine side was 1.13. The mean pain score at hour 6 for the lidocaine side was 3.15, and for the ropivacaine side was 2.42. The mean pain score the morning after the procedure for the lidocaine side was 2.73, and for the ropivacaine side was 2.38. There was a significant difference overall in p (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1987, Graduate School

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2016, Mathematics

In this thesis, we prove several results on the local gamma factors for symplectic groups and unitary groups. First, we prove the dependence relation of the local gamma factors on the additive character ¿. Second, we prove a stability property of the partial Bessel functions associated with Howe vectors, which will be used to reprove the stability property of the local gamma factors. We also prove a local converse theorem for U(2, 2).

PHD, Kent State University, 2014, College of Public Health

Abstract With just a year remaining to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline, there is limited evidence for and adequate level of awareness/use of malaria intervention strategies and by extension, decreases in malaria-related mortality and morbidity. This is a cross-sectional study on awareness and use of malaria control interventions based on data collected from a household survey from two of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, Nigeria – Alimosho and Kosofe where a malaria control program of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) is being implemented. The sample included pregnant women (n = 250) and mothers of children under five years old (n = 233) that were interviewed using interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaires in a household survey. Questionnaires developed by the research staff of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research probed respondents' demographic characteristics; knowledge and compliance of policy guidelines on the awareness and use of malaria intervention strategies. The study was implemented over a 6-month period from February to August 2014. This study used both linear and logistic regression analysis. Linear regression was used to predict the Compliance Index as a function of the independent variables of Age, Marital Status, Maternal Status, Religion, Education and Local Government Area of residence, while logistic regression was used to predict alignment into high/moderate or low knowledge of malaria categories also as a function of Age, Marital Status, Maternal Status, Religion, Education and Local Government Area of residence. Results of the linear regression showed that the overall model of the six independent variables was able to significantly predict the compliance index, R2 = .163, F(6,409) = 13.28, p <.001. Age, Education and LGA were significant predictors. Results of the logistic regression showed the Exp(B) of two predictors, LGA and Maternal Status, as statistically reliable in distinguishing b (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2014, Sociology

Participation in the local food movement has grown dramatically in the United States with the farmers' market being one of its most widespread and heavily promoted forums (Gillespie 2007). Movement proponents have hailed this shift from "conventional" food production as a tactic that introduces more environmentally sustainable and socially just outcomes for society. In this light, proponents have argued that the interactions and transactions that occur at farmers' markets benefit market participants, but, more importantly, have broader benefits for the neighborhoods they are located in and for society itself (Lyson 2007). Quite differently, research on food deserts, places that have limited to no access to the conventional food system and high levels of poverty, has documented these areas to be plagued by numerous social ills at both the individual and neighborhood level. For example, an extensive body of research has shown that the individuals living in these areas have diets that deviate substantially from what is considered to be nutritional and that neighborhoods, on average, have worse health outcomes compared to neighborhoods not considered to be food desert. While the effects of living in a food desert are fairly well known, much less is known about the efforts to alleviate the situation. One such proscription that has been suggested to contribute to better food access in food deserts has been the previously mentioned local foods movement, particularly its farmers' market tactic. The promise of benefits by the local food movement to society generally and to food deserts specifically raises several important questions, notably: where are farmers' markets located and who has access to them? While the movements popularity and tactical development has been lauded in the media and academia, few works have examined farmers' markets locations nationally and little evidence exists to systematically describe the neighborhoods they are in or the individuals that live c (open full item for complete abstract)

BA, Oberlin College, 2013, Environmental Studies

This paper looks into the challenges to and opportunities in enabling residential energy efficiency, with a focus on Oberlin, OH. After laying out a basic framework, the paper has three main sections. First, it reviews and discusses financial barriers to residential energy. Next, it discusses social and psychological barriers, and discusses the Energy Advocate program that has successfully addressed these barriers. Finally, it discusses the physical barriers of old housing stock. It recommends developing a home repair cooperative to address the physical barriers to energy efficiency.

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2013, Environmental Sciences

This report summarizes my experiences as an environmental scientist professional with the local government of Hamilton, OH. This report outlines my responsibilities over an 11-month fellowship, particularly in regards to use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It discusses specific projects such as an inflow and infiltration study with the municipality's sanitary system as well as a GIS model constructed to reenact a historic flood event in 1913. This paper presents the steps that initiated the creation of the model and highlights the procedures needed to build an animated model within GIS. This paper discusses some of the challenges and problem-solving processes used in a professional setting.

Bachelor of Science of Journalism (BSJ), Ohio University, 2011, Journalism

Joining a growing body of research on social capital and civic engagement, this project examined the ways that localized newspapers can build better communities.Availability of news outlets in an area is typically positively related to citizens' engagement within the community. It is unclear if community newspapers have similar impacts on engagement regardless of content, or if specific types of community newspaper content have different effects on civic engagement and social capital. This study examined engagement levels within demographically similar communities, differentiated by whether the community newspaper employed hyper-local reporting strategies. A mail survey, containing questions about newspaper readership, public expectations of the newspaper, community connectedness and civic engagement, was sent to residents of Hannibal, Missouri and Defiance, Ohio. Respondents from both communities displayed high levels of community knowledge and direct contact with those engaged in civic affairs (above 80% for all measures). Civic engagement levels were similar for residents of both towns, with slightly higher levels for those who were accustomed to hyper-local reporting. Respondents from both Hannibal and Defiance expected the community newspaper to serve a positive social role by helping to improve the community.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2009, English

The dissertation examines dramatic and performance texts selected from four regions representative of distinct colonial relations: Irish, Nigerian, American Indian, and Korean. Part One examines global and local intersections (glocality) shown in the case of postcolonial artists' engagement with Western absurdist theatre. Part Two investigates how postcolonial and Indigenous artists re-center pre-colonial and indigenous memories (glocal-locality). I argue that a focused analysis of artworks and artists' choices in global and local circuits not only provides more spatio-temporally and politically sensitive understandings of cultural syncretism, but also reveals a paradigm shift—roughly from the 1970s—in postcolonial and Indigenous artists' navigation of global and globalizing influences and concerns.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2008, Physics and Astronomy (Arts and Sciences)

The electronic transport properties of double-stranded DNA are studied using a tight-binding Hamiltonian. Realistic on-site energies and tunneling constants between adjacent bases are used in the model. The results show that transport properties of DNA molecules can change from insulator to ohmic behavior due to either stronger intra-strand tunneling constants or smaller on-site energy difference between bases. The presence of base mismatches as well as defect vacancies on DNA, the different ways of contacting DNA to electrodes, and the strength of the contact are shown to strongly affect the current flowing through the molecules. Different DNA sequences show different current profiles and conductance. Although more studies are needed, our results suggest the possibility of using transport measurement as a tool in DNA sequencing.The properties of polaron states in short molecules modeled by electron tunneling among few sites and interacting anharmonically with rotational/twisting vibrational modes have been studied. Angle dependent as well as bare tunnelings are considered. Different models of angle dependent tunneling with built-in asymmetries have been used. The effective tunneling calculated using the ground state orbital in the case of symmetric angle dependent tunneling increases with increasing interaction; however, it typically decreases in the case of asymmetric angle dependent tunneling. For soft phonon modes, symmetric electron phonon coupling gives larger effective tunneling. This behavior may have consequences for molecular transport experiments in flexible molecules. The effect of local and non-local phonon on transport properties of a molecule model described by two-electronic states has been studied. A Lang-Firsov transformation is used in treating local electron-phonon interaction. Non-local electron-phonon interaction is treated perturbatively up to first nonzero order in the self-energy. Increasing local electron-phonon interaction changes the volt (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2010, Geography

Much debate exists about whether scientific and local priorities complement each other or are mutually exclusive, with conservation policies and practices raising questions about whose knowledge counts. In Dominica, West Indies, conservation is highly important because of its large tracts of diverse forest and accordingly its image as the “Nature Island.” This research, conducted near Morne Trois Pitons National Park, adopts a stakeholder approach to compare local views on five trees of global (IUCN red-listed) and three trees of national (Forestry Division) importance in relation to trees local villagers view as important resources for their livelihoods. Results from interviews and transect walks show that residents can recognize trees by pictures or local names. They add to existing knowledge on global-national rare trees and broaden the conservation agenda to recognize 36 native and 19 non-native trees. The study complies a new plant guide that exemplifies how local knowledge and local priorities contribute to scientific understanding of plant conservation.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2013, Environment and Natural Resources

Recent decades have seen a rising popularity of local food as a commodity, consumer movement, scholarly interest, and community development tool. Civic agriculture is a valuable framework for encapsulating each of these dimensions of local food systems. The theory of civic agriculture emphasizes the building of community and social networks around local food production and consumption. This paper seeks to explore that potential of civic agriculture through an understanding of the relationship of local food system participation to community sentiment—including community attachment, community satisfaction, and local social ties. Using data from the 2012 Ohio Survey of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Issues, I construct a local food system participation scale based on respondents' reports of their frequency of participation in civic agriculture activities. Then, I apply multivariate regression analysis to correlate this scale with four dimensions of community sentiment and four types of local social ties. I find that local food system participation is significantly correlated with density of acquaintances, level of organizational involvement, and interest in goings-on within the community. However, local food system participation appears to have no significant relationship to the affective dimensions of community attachment, community satisfaction, or the formation of strong ties. The theoretical justification and models used in this analysis are built primarily on the narratives and empirical traditions of the community attachment and satisfaction literature. The findings can be used to understand the role of local food system participation in the interactional field theory of community development, the dialectical tensions between local food systems as a feature of community and global/industrial food systems as a feature of mass society, as well as the strength and practical nature of the claims made by the civic agriculture frame. Suggestions are made for futur (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2013, History

Matt Ferguson argues in "Baseball as Community Identity: Cleveland, Ohio --1891-2012," that through studying key flashpoints in Cleveland baseball history by focusing on the history of League Park, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, and Jacobs/Progressive Field, the positive memories of Cleveland Indians fans, circulated among generations of the team's boosters, have functioned as a shared myth that conceals the negative realities of professional baseball as big business. Fans past and present have created a story of the stadium as a place of civic worship, the team members as familiar neighbors, and the game as an event where gender and race cease to divide. Fans have passed on their characterization of baseball as the great social leveler, providing an emotional glue to secure succeeding generations of loyal supporters, thus effectively disguising the hard and unromantic business of sport and community identity.