Digital Commons Network^™

Public Policy Education: Insights From Graduate Dietetics Students, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Lindsay Ganong, D. Coleen Kaiser, Emily Patten

Journal of Dietetic Education

Objective: To examine graduate dietetics students’ experiences completing a public policy course outside of their discipline. Methods: Participants were 40 graduate dietetics students at a university in the Western United States. At the conclusion of a public policy course offered through another department, students completed online surveys with fixed-response and open-ended items. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t tests, and qualitative responses were examined using codebook thematic analysis. Results: Three themes included (1) Recognizing the interconnection between policy and dietetics practice, (2) From policy hesitancy to policy understanding; and (3) Humanizing policy: public policy and holistic client care. Students …

Oral Streptococcus And Vitamin B12 Deficiency In E-Cigarette Users: A Microbial–Nutrient–Neurotransmitter Axis Linking To Mood Disturbances, Maryam Sabah Naser, Ali Jabbar Abd Al-Hussain Alkawaz, Ali Abbas Hashim Almusawi, Ali Jalil Obaid, Hasanain Ayed Mohammed Al-Khafaji, Reihaneh Sabbaghzadeh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, questions have emerged regarding their broader influence on oral ecology, nutrient absorption, and psychological health. Disruptions in the oral microbiome may alter vitamin B12 dynamics. This, in turn, may indirectly influence serotonin biosynthesis and mood regulation.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study involved 150 young adults segregated into groups of 50 each as vapers, smokers, or non-users. Streptococcus sanguinis and vitamin B12 metabolism-related variable statuses methylmalonic acid and holotranscobalamin were quantified in samples, along with inflammatory markers interleukin-6, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, and serotonin. Statistical techniques, including ANOVA and the Kruskal-Walli’s test, correlation, and serial mediation …

Diet: Another Piece Of The Crime Puzzle?, Jerrod Brown, Jeremiah Schimp, Leanne Skehan, Amanda Fenrich, Janina Cich

Nutritional Neurocriminology Today

An expanding body of research suggests that diet and nutrition may play an influential yet underrecognized role in problematic and criminal behaviors. This article synthesizes research linking excessive consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, impaired impulse control, aggression, mood dysregulation, and sleep problems. Integrating research suggests that metabolic disruption, neuroinflammation, and gut–brain axis dysfunction may influence cognitive and emotional regulation. While criminal behavior is complex and multifactorial, this article emphasizes nutrition as a modifiable factor to inform forensic mental health practice, correctional policy, and rehabilitative strategies.

Prevention Of Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Early Recovery: A Comparative Study Of Ondansetron And Metoclopramide In Adults Undergoing Elective Lower Abdominal Surgery, Majid Fakhir Al-Hamaidah, Ali Ihsan Abdul Mahdi, Maytham Alaa Shahid, Sajjad Salih Rasan, Lina M. Shaker, Shahab Abdulla, Ralela Makline

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain common complications following surgery, despite the availability of various prophylactic antiemetic agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ondansetron and metoclopramide in preventing PONV in patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 80 adult patients were equally allocated into two groups: one receiving 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous ondansetron and the other 0.2 mg/kg of intravenous metoclopramide at the end of surgery. The incidence, frequency, and need for rescue antiemetics were evaluated over 24 hours postoperatively. The overall incidence of nausea was higher in the …

Supervised Resistance Training In An Individual With Glioblastoma Undergoing Chemoradiation: A Case Report, Bruce Nakfoor, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

Introduction:

Exercise has demonstrated safety and efficacy in mitigating treatment-related symptoms across cancer populations; however, evidence in neuro-oncology remains limited, particularly during active chemoradiation.

Methods:

We report the case of a 63-year-old individual with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, experiencing symptoms of fatigue, balance issues, headaches, and memory loss, who initiated a 12-week supervised resistance training program during concurrent chemoradiation. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included physical function and quality-of-life outcomes.

Results:

Adherence was 56% (20/36 sessions), and no adverse events occurred. The patient showed improvements in 6-minute walk distance and short physical performance battery score that exceeded established minimal clinically important …

Dual-Task Effects On Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, And Kinetic Parameters And Their Variability During Running, Hsiang-Ling Teng, Jo Armour Smith, Will F.W. Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.

Research question

Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?

Methods

Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while …

Dietary Flavonoid Intake And Psychological Well-Being – A Bidirectional Relationship, Alysha S. Thompson, Nicola P. Bondonno, Yan Lydia Liu, Farah Qureshi, Laura D. Kubzansky, Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald, Julia K. Boehm, Eric B. Rimm, Aedín Cassidy

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background and aim

Methods

Modulation Of Hypothalamic–Limbic Circuits Regulating Appetite In Response To Health Lifestyle In Obese Adults, Nour Shakir Rezaieg, Muthanna M. Awad

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: Overeating leads to obesity a low-grade inflammatory disease. In this context, aguati-related neuropeptide (AgRP) and ghrelin are pivotal players in appetite regulation, while chemerin is an adipose tissue-secreted adipokine that contributes to low-grade inflammation associated with obesity. Objective: This study used a healthy lifestyle program designed for each obese participant to identify diet-related neuro-hormonal changes in appetite regulation. Design, Setting, and Participants: This a longitudinal quasi-experimental controlled study was conducted from 1^st December 2024, to 30^th July 2025, at University of Anbar. The sample included 100 participants, 50 obese (weight between 100–140 kg) and 50 healthy participants …

The Ethical Limits Of Physician Autonomy In Reproductive Medicine, Isabel Martens

Honors Theses

In vitro fertilization is a relatively new medical practice that helps people who face infertility be able to reproduce. Reproductive medicine providers face ethical dilemmas often in their field, only some of which have standards of care. There are questions in the medical landscape pertaining to physician autonomy versus patient autonomy, which heavily apply to reproductive medicine providers. Patient autonomy is highly valued in medical ethics; however, physician autonomy should also be considered. When a physician decides who can and cannot reproduce, ethical considerations must be followed to maintain the practice of reproductive autonomy. Limited policies exist that manage reproductive …

Elevated Trna Halves In Olfactory Epithelial Cells Of Patients With Schizophrenia, Justin T. Gumas, Megumi Shigematsu, Karin E. Borgmann-Winter, C. G. Hahn, Yohei Kirino

Computational Medicine Center Faculty Papers

Schizophrenia patients' olfactory epithelial cells contain abundant immune-activating tRNA fragments, linking small RNA biology to inflammation and suggesting avenues for diagnostics.

Brain Gains: A Review Of Remediation Treatment Strategies Using Exercise Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Jessica Smith, Kristin Biggins, Loriann Helgeson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In this Opinions in the Profession article, we explore remediation treatment strategies using exercise for recovery from post-traumatic brain injury and aim to justify the use of such treatment in the occupational therapy profession to increase skills for functional gain. Common treatment strategies used by occupational therapists after brain injury are compensatory strategies, indicating the client learns a new way to perform the task. Though effective, it is also necessary to consider how remediation and neuroplasticity are essential. Teaching new approaches to complete tasks results in functional gains; however, focusing on foundational skills using exercises to relearn motor patterns to …

Retention On Buprenorphine For Opioid Use Disorder In Justice-Involved Individuals: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Andrea Yatsco, Francine R Vega, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Marylou Cardenas-Turanzas, James R Langabeer, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Criminal justice system (CJS) involvement is common among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), yet limited research examines retention in medications for OUD (MOUD) within community settings. This study assessed whether CJS involvement predicted retention on buprenorphine/naloxone and explored related demographic and clinical factors. A retrospective cohort included adults (n = 367) enrolled in a low-barrier outpatient MOUD program in Texas (January 2022–April 2024). CJS involvement was identified from program records. Retention was measured as the number of continuous days with buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions. Analyses used univariate tests, logistic regression, and nonparametric kernel regression. Nearly one-quarter (24.8%) were CJS-involved. Retention at …

A197: Perceptual Behavior And Social Interaction Of Chinese College Students Toward Esports, Xianhua Luo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Social exchange theory (SET) has been extensively used to recognize students’ perceptual behavior (PB) and social interaction (SI). Research has examined the potential factors of recognition and socialization against the economic factors in individual evaluation, seeking rewards or avoiding costs in relationships. The positive impact of PB and SI is a significant experimental approach to studying social psychology. Therefore, the processes of individuals’ perceptual behavior and their social interactions in Esports might address this research gap. Hence, the purposes of this study were to explain the PBs and SIs toward Esports among college students in China. Method: 341college students were …

A090: Development And Efficacy Evaluation Of Virtual Reality (Vr)-Based Personalized Exercise Prescriptions For Perimenopausal Women, Runze Zhu, Zekai Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Perimenopausal women (aged 45–54) frequently experience climacteric symptoms such as vasomotor disturbances, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular risks due to declining ovarian function and estrogen levels. Approximately 75% of women report varying degrees of discomfort, with 80% exhibiting at least one symptom (e.g., sleep disorders, mood fluctuations). Conventional exercise prescriptions often lack specificity to address individual health disparities and comorbidities (e.g., osteoporosis, metabolic dysfunction). This study aimed to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based personalized exercise prescription system to enhance exercise adherence through immersive experiences and evaluate its efficacy in alleviating perimenopausal physiological and psychological symptoms. A personalized exercise prescription generation system was …

A096: Artificial Intelligence Empowering Physical Education In Higher Education: Logical Tensions And Practical Pathways, Yangguiyi Zhao, Ke Wang, Yaohong Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Driven by the strategies of “education digitalization” and “integration of sports and education”, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is reshaping the core values and practical pathways of physical education in higher education. As AI empowers the construction of university sports systems, it has become a key driving force in addressing the challenges of traditional physical education and responding to educational needs. However, AI-driven educational innovation is not a linear evolution; the interplay of its internal logical tensions and external practical constraints necessitates systematic research and pathway exploration. Method: This study systematically explores the multidimensional tensions and coordinated development pathways of artificial …

A114: The Impact Of Online Screen Sedentary Behaviors On Depressive Symptoms Among Children And Adolescents, Mingming Guo, Wenle Chen, Junkai Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Previous research suggests that screen-based sedentary behaviors increase the risk of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents. However, the specific associations between various online screen sedentary behaviors and depressive symptoms remain unclear. Therefore, this study conducted a two-year nationwide cross-sectional survey to examine how different types of online screen behaviors affect depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Method: Drawing on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), a total of 4,289 students aged 10–18 years (2,001 females) were surveyed in 2020 and 2022. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D8). The frequency of …

A008: The Impact Of Quiet Eye Training On Sport Performance: A Systematic Review, Qina Li, Donjian Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Quiet eye training (QET) is a psychological skill training method aimed at improving skill learning and coping with stress by prolonging the duration of quiet eye fixation. Despite a growing empirical evidence base for QET in academic literature, a systematic review of its effectiveness is lacking. Therefore, this paper focuses on the key issue of whether QET can be used as an effective training means to improve sports performance and systematically summarizes and analyzes the related research on the intervention of sports performance through QET. The aim is to explore the underlying physiological mechanisms of QET and assess its practical …

A016: The Impact Of "5e" Teaching Model On College Students' Aerobic Skills And Positive Psychological Qualities, Jiawen Deng, Guanqi Yang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Higher education is a crucial period for cultivating talents and an important driving force for the country to achieve significant development in the process of educational reform. Combining the "5E" teaching model with aerobics, this study explores whether it can promote college students' aerobics skills and positive psychological qualities, facilitate the improvement of students' comprehensive qualities, and lay a foundation for students' lifelong sports. Twenty-five students were selected from two freshman aerobics elective classes in Shanghai University of Finance and Economics as experimental were divided into an experimental group and a control group for a 16-week teaching experiment. The experimental …

A187: The Comprehensive Impact Of Competitive Liondance On Bio-Psycho-Social Health: Cohort Tracking Study Of Elite Athletes, Yong Zhu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Competitive lion dance, a traditional sport that integrates artistic performance, cultural heritage, and high-intensity physical training, has not yet been systematically studied for its multidimensional health benefits. Method: This study investigates the comprehensive impact of competitive lion dance on the bio-psycho-social health of elite athletes through a 12-month longitudinal cohort tracking. Thirty-two national-level competitive lion dance athletes (18 males and 14 females, aged 22.5 ± 3.1 years) were recruited and assessed at three time points: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Biological health indicators included cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen uptake, VO₂max), muscle strength (isokinetic strength test), and body composition analysis. …

A241: Study On The Health Value Of Chinese Traditional Archery In The Traditional Daoyin Regimen, Jialin Liu, Ning Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Chinese archery, as a combination of sport, skill, and culture, is the historical crystallization of Chinese national culture. From the perspective of traditional guided health preservation, this paper systematically combs the theoretical basis and practical methods of Chinese traditional archery and reveals its health preservation thoughts of “Body and spirit co-cultivation”, “Dynamic and static combination”, and “Qi and blood harmony”, enriching the theoretical system of traditional sports regimen. Chinese traditional daoyin health care focuses on “Adjusting body”, “Adjusting breath”, and “Adjusting mind”, and analyzes the unique role of traditional archery in “Three tunes”. This paper demonstrates health health-preserving value of …

A273: Coupling Dilemmas And Strategies Of Physical And Health Education In Chinese Schools Under Physical-Medical Integration, Wei Zhong, Youliang Xu, Wen Xiong, Zijun Yan

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

"Physical-Medical Integration" combines sports science and medical disease prevention, supporting the "Healthy China 2030" strategy. Health education, originating from medicine, is vital for promoting youth health knowledge and is key to integrating with school sports. This study examines the challenges and solutions of combining school sports and health education under this integration. The study uses literature review, mathematical analysis, and logical reasoning. Core journal papers from databases like CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were analyzed using keywords like "Physical-Medical Integration," "Health Education," and "School Sports" (2000-2025). CiteSpace is used for keyword clustering to support challenge diagnosis. The study also compares policy …

A282: The Impact Of Creative Dance On The Urban Integration Of Migrant Children In China, Xin Lin, Qiaoyi Liang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Migrant children represent a unique demographic emerging from China's rapid urbanization. Due to disparities in public resource allocation, socioeconomic conditions, and prolonged exposure to unstable living environments, these children often face significant emotional and social challenges. When confronted with conflicts between urban and rural lifestyles and behavioral norms, they are prone to feelings of inferiority and anxiety, leading to communication barriers and social marginalization, hindering their timely integration into urban society. Creative dance emphasizes interpersonal interaction and engagement as an embodied intervention integrating both physical activity and artistic expression. It plays a crucial role in fostering social support networks and …

A303: Is Physical Literacy The Panacea For Gaming Disorder? A Novel Perspective On Exercise Intervention, Shuhan Lin, Zijie Zhao

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Adolescent gaming disorder has become a critical public health issue, driven by its association with reduced physical activity and increased risks of chronic diseases. WHO identifies physical inactivity as the fourth leading global risk factor for mortality. To address this challenge, research highlights the effectiveness of exercise interventions, which work by modulating reward systems, enhancing neuroendocrine adaptability, improving self-efficacy, social skills, and time management. These interventions replace virtual stimuli from gaming with real-world physical engagement, fostering healthier lifestyles. Physical literacy, which emphasizes cultural and holistic engagement with physical activity, extends beyond traditional mechanical exercises and underscores the importance of addressing …

A230: Bibliometric Analysis Of Exercise Interventions For Type 2 Diabetes Over The Past Decade, Haidong Xu, Weiling Huang, Loucheng Yu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aims to analyze the research status of exercise interventions for type 2 diabetes at home and abroad over the past decade, revealing research hotspots and trends to provide a theoretical basis for diabetes prevention, treatment, and the formulation of personalized exercise prescriptions. Based on the CiteSpace software, relevant literature from 2015 to 2025 was retrieved from the CNKI core journals and the Web of Science (WOS) database. A bibliometric analysis was conducted from multiple dimensions, including annual publication volume, author and institutional collaboration, country/region cooperation, keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis, and knowledge mapping. (1) The number of publications …

A235: The Impact Of Psychological Skills Training On The Sports Performance Of Adolescent Athletes: A Systematic Review, Lingzhi He

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Psychological skills training, as an essential component of competitive sports training, is currently a popular method widely applied to enhance athletes’ performance. Particularly for adolescent athletes, psychological training not only helps them perform at their best in competitive settings but also promotes the comprehensive development of their psychological qualities. However, current research primarily focuses on adult populations, and studies targeting adolescents still have certain limitations. This article aims to review the impact of psychological skills training on the sports performance of adolescent athletes by analyzing the content, methods, and findings of existing research. It summarizes the shortcomings of current studies …

A243: The Relationship Among Sport Confidence, Failure Coping, And Athletic Motivation Of Students In Physical Education, Yinru Chen

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

In the research on the psychological abilities in sports competitions, exploring sports motivation is indispensable. Sports motivation has the functions of stimulating students' sports behaviors, guiding students to choose sports events, and strengthening and maintaining students' participation in sports. Sports confidence is the main stabilizing factor in students' mental health. Failure coping is the most important link in students' psychological adjustment after competitions. Paying attention to the characteristics and relationships of the students' confidence in sports, coping with failure, and motivation for sports is conducive to making the students of this major attach importance to the development of their competitive …

A249: The Occurrence Of Depression Among Chinese High School Students, Herun Han, Qiran Li, Ziwen Mu, Xiao Zhou

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition globally, with significant implications for adolescent well-being. To safeguard adolescents' physical and mental health, it is critical to examine the prevalence of depression and its risk factors. However, existing studies on adolescent depression have limitations, and the regional distribution of depression among adolescents remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents. This study recruited 617 high school students aged 15–18 years from the 12th High School in Huaibei, Anhui Province. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect demographic information and data from the Self-Rating Depression …

A266: A Study On The Health Promotion Mechanisms And Practical Paths Of Traditional Lion Dance Sports, Jiahao Leng, Jingshuo Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

As a living cultural heritage of Chinese traditional sports, lion dance combines physical exercise, cultural heritage, and social cohesion. Although its health value is widely recognized in folk practices, there is a lack of systematic and theoretical mechanism analysis in academia. This study aims to reveal the promotion mechanism of lion dance sport on individual physical and mental health and social adaptation through multi-dimensional analysis, and to propose its practical path in modern health governance. The literature method was used to systematically sort out the relevant literature during the period of 2006-2025 and establish a theoretical analysis framework. The expert …

A275: The Effectiveness Of Ai In Empowering Pre-Service Pe Teachers' Professional Knowledge Learning: Chatgpt As An Example, Quanfu Liu, Yueying Gong, Zijian Zhao, Wangyang Zhang, Ziyan Bai

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The rapid development of AI has driven educational innovation. The Education Power Strategy (2024–2035) emphasizes improving teachers' digital literacy, while the 14th Five-Year Plan for Sports Development supports digital technology in sports education. ChatGPT is reshaping pre-service PE teachers' learning, covering sports science, education, psychology, and interdisciplinary theories. This study explores the effectiveness and risks of ChatGPT in professional learning, aiming to promote its responsible application and provide theoretical support. Method: (1) Using the literature review method to collect relevant research on the empowerment of physical education teachers, providing a theoretical basis for this study. (2) Design a semi-structured interview …

A274: Baduanjin For Rehabilitation In Stable-Stage Copd: A Review Of Recent Research, Guanjiankao Huang, Huemei Li

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Recently, the traditional Chinese exercise Baduanjin has garnered attention for its potential benefits in the rehabilitation of patients during the stable phase of COPD. This study aims to review and analyze existing research on the application of Baduanjin in COPD rehabilitation to provide insights for clinical practice. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, and PubMed to collect studies published in recent years focusing on "Baduanjin" and "COPD stable phase rehabilitation." The collected studies were systematically reviewed and analyzed to summarize the therapeutic …