Digital Commons Network^™

Nurse Practitioner Students' Perceptions Of An Artificial Intelligence Differential Diagnosis Tool: A Pilot Study, Nilufeur Mckay, Peter Palamara, Adam Mccavery, Kaoru Nosaka, Wai Hang Kwok

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess nurse practitioner students' perceptions and engagement with Isabel's artificial intelligence (AI) based differential diagnosis tool to support their decision-making skills during their theoretical and clinical placement training. Design: This pilot study used a cross-sectional design. Methods: Twenty-six nurse practitioner students provided feedback on their use of an AI differential diagnosis tool in both academic and clinical contexts. This survey used the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire to assess the engagement levels and usability of the AI tool. Additional questions were included to evaluate the usage patterns, adequacy in training and confidence in …

Sexuality Education In An Age Of Resistance: Reflections At The Nexus Of Education, Health And Rights, Sarah Vrankovich, Katrina Marson, Giselle Woodley, Jordina Quain, Hanna Saltis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is internationally recognised as essential to public health and young people’s rights. Yet its implementation in Australia and globally is increasingly undermined by conservative backlash, moral panic and political interference. This paper offers a critical reflection on the current landscape of CSE, drawing on insights from a panel discussion at the 2025 World Association for Sexual Health congress, and collaborative analysis. As early-career researchers, sexologists and practitioners working across education, communications, public health and sexual violence prevention, we utilise our collective experience to examine how various influences shape and constrain the delivery of CSE. We map …

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Syndrome Through The Lens Of Gut‑Derived Uremic Toxins, Chudan Xu, Matthew Snelson, Francine Z. Marques

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) syndrome represents a complex, interconnected cluster of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. These conditions share overlapping metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular pathways, with the gut microbiome increasingly recognised as a key contributor and common underlying risk factor. Uremic toxins, traditionally considered waste products of host and microbial metabolism, are now recognised as active mediators of tissue damage across the CKM spectrum, particularly in the context of impaired renal function. Their production and accumulation are amplified by disrupted intestinal barrier integrity, chronic inflammation, and reduced renal clearance, collectively driving systemic …

Predictors Of Academic Success, Fieldwork Performance, And Licensure Examination Outcomes In Occupational Therapy Students: A Scoping Review, Sabina Khan, Leila Gojraty, Karen Park, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Rayya Ibrahim-Muzaffarr, Sade Harris, Janay Jones, Llonique Jackson, Christianah Edema

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Declining first-attempt National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy pass rates and concerns regarding student retention underscore the need to identify factors associated with occupational therapy student success. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on predictors of academic success, fieldwork performance, and licensure examination outcomes in occupational therapy programs. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and OTSeeker were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2016 and January 2026. Empirical studies examining predictors of occupational therapy student outcomes were included. Predictors were mapped using Astin’s Input-Environment-Output model and grouped into subthemes. Of 3,402 records, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. …

Embracing Anomalous Perceptions: Sensory Anomalies, Social Stigma, And Self-Acceptance, Ty R. Hetrick

Honors Theses and Capstones

Anomalous Perceptual Experiences (APEs), which include auditory and visual hallucinations, occur in the general population to varying degrees, but are often stigmatized in media and healthcare settings. However, there is an increasing focus on those who report APEs to be positive and meaningful. This study explored the lived experiences of individuals who report APEs that are interpreted meaningfully. Using a concurrent mixed methods approach, interviews and questionnaires were conducted with 3 adults who identify their APEs as meaningful. Participants described their experiences as sources of guidance, connection, and personal transformation that positively influenced their relationships, spirituality, and daily occupations. They …

Optimisation Of Sampling For A New Skin Microbiome Assay Pilot Study, Anita Smith

Theses

Recent interest in the diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses that make up the skin microbiome has led to numerous studies investigating the microbiome in healthy skin and in dermatological diseases. An imbalance of the normal skin microbial flora can cause some skin diseases, and current culture techniques are often unable to detect a microorganism to further our understanding of the clinical–microbiological correlates of disease and dysbiosis. Atopic dermatitis and rosacea are presentations that General practitioners (GPs) often manage that may have an infective or microbiological component and can be challenging to treat. Further research using culture-independent techniques is …

Tau In Alzheimer’S Disease: Shaping The Future Patient Journey, Catherine J Mummery, Christopher Chen Li-Hsian, Cristian A Lasagna-Reeves, Rik Ossenkoppele, Christopher C Rowe, Douglas W Scharre, Huali Wang, Simon Kyaga, Jeffrey L Cummings

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Alzheimer's disease is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by two key pathological hallmarks: amyloid-beta plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Recent progress has led to the development and approval of disease-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease in the form of anti-amyloid-beta monoclonal antibodies. However, findings suggest that amelioration of multiple pathological drivers may be required to maximize clinical effect. An increasing body of evidence suggests that tau is a critical player in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, contributing significantly to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. There are now several tau-targeting drugs in clinical development. In this review, we build on research and advancements in …

Case Series Of Nizon-Isidor Syndrome By Heterozygous Variants In Med12l With Further Evidence Of Mitotic Instability In One Case With Diploid-Triploid Mosaicism, Russell Stewart, Kimberly M Ezell, Deanna S Bell, Brian Corner, Ashley Mcminn, Joy D Cogan, Rizwan Hamid, Lynette Rives, John A Phillips, Nina Paddu, Gitanjali Srivastava, Ronit Marom, Farah A Ladha, Claudia Soler-Alfonso, Rachel Franciskovich, Mary Koziura, Sumit Pruthi, Gabriele Richard, Christina B Sheedy, Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Thomas Cassini

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Nizon-Isidor syndrome is a rare disorder caused by heterozygous variants in MED12L, with only eight documented cases in the literature. Here, we present three additional cases of this syndrome. Proband 1 was a 7-year-old female who presented with developmental delay, right-leg hemihypertrophy, laryngeal cleft, esotropia, abnormal skin pigmentation, sectoral iris hypopigmentation, dysphagia, periventricular nodular heterotopia, seizures, morbid obesity, and a pelvic kidney. Genome sequencing (GS) revealed a MED12L variant, NM_053002.5:c.3559+2T>G. Both computational models and transcriptomic analysis confirmed that this variant induced splice loss of MED12L exon 25. Probands 2 and 3 presented with overlapping phenotypes of developmental delay; sequencing …

Utilizing A Culture System For Horizontal Cells To Study Neural Circuit Assembly In The Developing Mouse Retina, Ross M Perez, Yong H Park, Ajeet Singh, Collin Todora, Marlon F Mattos, Daniela Becerril, Rajashree Venkatraman, Arlene A Hirano, Nicholas C Brecha, Rinki Ratnapriya, Benjamin J Frankfort, Elizabeth Zuniga-Sanchez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The precise wiring of the nervous system relies on neurons extending their processes at the right time and place to find their appropriate synaptic partner. The mechanisms that determine when and where neurons extend their neurites during synaptogenesis remains a central question in the field. In the present study, we used a cell culture system coupled with live imaging to investigate the wiring mechanisms in the developing mouse retina. We focused on horizontal cells which are a class of interneurons in the outer mouse retina known to synapse selectively to the distinct types of photoreceptors. Previous research has shown horizontal …

Peace Counseling In The Scientific Spotlight: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Global Research Trends, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to map global trends in peace counseling research using a bibliometric approach. Data were taken only from the Scopus database, focusing on publications containing keywords related to peace counseling, such as peace counseling, peace psychotherapy, and peacebuilding therapy. The analysis was conducted on 769 selected documents published between 1937 and 2025. The results showed a significant increase in publications since 2020, reflecting the growing need for counseling approaches that support peace and psychological well-being. Authors from various countries made different contributions, with the United States dominating the number of publications and citations, while developing countries such as …

A Spatiotemporal Model Of Cxcl10 As A Master Regulator Of Immune Evasion And Metastasis In Osteosarcoma, Benjamin B Gyau, Tsz-Kwong Man

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) is implicated in the progression of osteosarcoma (OS), the most aggressive pediatric bone malignancy. However, its role often presents a profound clinical paradox: although high circulating levels are strongly linked to poor prognosis, its canonical function is to recruit anti-tumor immune cells. This review unravels these contrasting roles by proposing a novel spatiotemporal model. We argue that in the early stages, immune-evading OS cells initiate the formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) in the lungs, creating a localized inflammatory environment that becomes the primary source of elevated circulating CXCL10. As the disease progresses, …

Abc Pharmaceutical Company Change Model: Implementing J.P. Kotter's 8-Step And Adkar Change Models For Ethical Alignment, Shelbi B. Chandler, Amalfi Gayosso, Alison Lawton, Ali Holness-Roland

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

In this paper, we use the pseudonym ABC Pharmaceuticals (ABC) to refer to the company under examination, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). ABC Pharmaceutical (ABC) must assess, adapt, and change to ensure regulatory compliance, maintain and attract employees, and remain competitive. ABC has a history of erroneous practices and is at risk internally with employees, and externally with regulators and the public sectors. The authors applied J.P. Kotter’s (1996) 8-step and the ADKAR (Hiatt, 2006) models for change management. J.P. Kotter’s top-down model addresses leadership’s role in creating a compelling vision aligned with its actions, and the ADKAR bottom-up model assesses employees’ readiness …

Best Integrated Writing Fall 2025 - Complete Edition, Wright State University School Of Humanities And Cultural Studies, Tracy Smith, Kristie Mckiernan

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University.

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Regular Fast-Food Consumption Among Adults In The Uae: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ala Al Rajabi, Rafiq Hijazi, Lynne Alexandra Kennedy

All Works

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and identify sociodemographic predictors of regular fast-food consumption (R-FFC) among United Arab Emirates (UAE) adults to inform public health nutrition responses to growing diet-related ill health in the region. Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using purposive, convenience sampling. Data were collected using an online survey adapted from two validated surveys and distributed via social media platforms. R-FFC was defined as visiting a fast-food restaurant to eat ≥ 2 times/week. Pearson’s χ ² tests and multiple binary logistic regression models were used to investigate prevalence and predictors of R-FFC. All statistical significance was considered …

Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Models Provide Insight Into Cancer Cell-Intrinsic And Immune Cell-Dependent Effects On Therapeutic Response, Parisa Nikeghbal

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, largely due to late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. This dissertation applies patient-derived organoids (PDOs), xenograft-derived organoids (PDXOs), and humanized xenografts (huPDX) to investigate therapeutic responses and immune interactions. Organoids were shown to retain critical features of the original malignancy. Across platinum-sensitive, -resistant, and -refractory cases, both PDOs and PDXOs exhibited drug sensitivities that aligned with patients’ clinical classifications. Building on this foundation, a drug screen revealed novel strategies. Auranofin restored platinum sensitivity in Notch3-active models, afatinib broadly reduced viability, and adavosertib–gemcitabine and sorafenib–topotecan combinations produced synergy. Extending this work, immune interactions …

Moltkia Coerulea Extracts Alleviate Caspase-3 Activity Via Reducing Oxidative Stress In Lps-Induced Neurotoxicity In Bv-2 Cells, Asli Can Ağca, Derya Altay, Hüdaverdi̇ Kul, Asli F. Ceylan, Betül Sever Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Moltkia coerulea, a medicinal plant traditionally used for its neuroprotective properties, contains diverse phenolic compounds. However, its mechanisms of action in neuroinflammation remain unclear. We hypothesized that extracts of M. coerulea may protect microglial cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase-3 activity.

Materials and methods: Aqueous and methanol extracts (5–50 μg/mL) were tested in BV-2 microglial cells. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, while ROS generation and caspase-3 activity were measured using fluorescence-based kits. The effective concentration (10 μg/mL) was selected for mechanistic assays based on viability data and …

The Reception Of Neurodiversity Represented Within Netflix’S Wednesday, Anna Stevens

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores how neurodiversity is represented through popular media - particularly Netflix's show Wednesday - and aims to discuss the effects this representation could have in regards to how it's received by the public, as well as those who are neurodiverse.

A Faith-Based Approach To Mental Health Challenges, Patrick Leblanc

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This project sheds light on mental health issues within the Black community and the need for faith communities to intentionally address mental health issues in communities of color. Black men are oppressed by an interplay of cultural, historical, societal, and economic factors that impact their well-being. Racial discrimination and oppression are non-medical drivers exacerbating mental health disorders among Black men. The influences of culture and faith fabricate barriers to help-seeking behavior, and mistaken perceptions of masculinity cause many men to suffer in silence. To begin erasing derogatory perceptions of mental health disorders, faith communities need to increase mental health …

Disruption Of The Placenta–Brain Axis In Transgenic Mice Lacking Serotonin Transporter (Sert) In Trophoblast Cells, David T. Ellenberger, Zhen Lyu, Rosalind T. B. Herrington, Jessica A. Kinkade, Gustavo W. Leone, Ji Ying Sze, Nathan J. Bivens, R. Frank Baker, R. Michael Roberts, Trupti Joshi, Cheryl S. Rosenfeld

Biomedical Sciences

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to pregnant women experiencing depression. Such drugs, however, might adversely affect placenta and fetal brain development. Parietal trophoblast giant cells (pTGCs) in the mouse placenta are postulated to internalize maternal serotonin (5-HT) via transport through SERT, encoded by Slc6a4, and to provide the initial source of 5-HT to the emerging brain via the placental–brain axis. Genetic deletion of Slc6a4 in pTGCs has been hypothesized to impact placental and fetal brain development. A transgenic mouse line with high-affinity SERT, encoded by Slc6a4, was selectively deleted by pairing mice with Cre recombinase linked …

Improved Model For Neurodegeneration In C. Elegans, Jean-Pierre Arditi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

During Alzheimer's disease (AD), insoluble amyloid beta (AP) peptides accumulate to form extracellular aggregates (plaques). The direct cause of neuronal dysfunction observed in AD has been broadly investigated. The amyloid hypothesis states that AP plaques are neurotoxic, but recent studies support the AP oligomer hypothesis, which states that intracellular AP (iAP) is neurotoxic. To test this hypothesis, I used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to generate two transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) strains. I generated a strain (RSLl 11) using the rab-3 promoter to co-express GFP in neurons, which showed no gross behavioral changes but had a 50% reduced egglaying rate. RSLl …

Whipple Disease Initial Presentation As Supraclavicular Lymphadenopathy In A Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Diagnostic Challenge, Sara E Amin, Swati Gite, Audrey Wanger, Violeta Chavez, Jacob Armstrong, Beenu Thakral, Patricia Navarro, Jennifer Makhoul, Amer Wahed, Navneet Narula, Karan Saluja

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Whipple disease is a rare systemic disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei. It can present with a wide range of nonspecific symptoms that might overlap with underlying medical conditions, posing a diagnostic challenge. We present a 61-year-old man with a past medical history of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, who presented with persistent leukocytosis and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. A positron emission tomography scan revealed hypermetabolic activity in the supraclavicular, abdominal, and pelvic lymph nodes along with a myocardial hypermetabolic lesion, concerning a lymphoproliferative disorder versus sarcoidosis. A supraclavicular lymph node excisional biopsy revealed complete architectural effacement by a diffuse foamy …

The Potential Co-Occurrence Of Perfectionism, Food Insecurity, And Gpa With Orthorexia Nervosa Risk, Samantha Kay Gould

Master's Theses

There are indeterminate risk, prevalence, and correlation data on orthorexia nervosa (ON) as shown by current literature on disordered eating (Rodgers et al., 2021). As a roughly defined disordered eating pattern, ON may be better understood after identifying associations among other attributes in a college student sample (Abdullah et al., 2020; Mavrandrea & Gonidakis, 2023; Parra-Fernández, 2019; Rogowska et al., 2021). A cooccurrence and influence of perfectionism, food insecurity, and grade point average (GPA) with ON risk was hypothesized since current literature suggests college students exhibit each of these characteristics independently (Abdullah et al., 2020; Ambwani et al., 2019; Caferoglu …

Aging And The Screen: Toxic Commodification Of The Female Body In The Substance (2024), Damlasu Uyug Sengun, Tuncer Mert Aydın, Zeynep Ozdamar Ertekin

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

Representations of the aging female body have increased in media, but their presence is still shaped by social norms and market-driven ideals. On the contrary, The Substance (2024), an absurd, postmodern body horror, provides us a provocative critique of contemporary society’s obsession with youth and beauty and the way our culture defines and commodifies aging, especially in relation to women’s bodies and identities. Our review of The Substance incorporates consumer culture theory with Julia Kristeva’s concept of the abject (1982), Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze (1975), and Barbara Creed’s notion of the monstrous-feminine, (1993) to explore the toxic …

In-Silico Assessment Of Aortic Valve Function And Mechanics Under Hypertension, Jason A. Shar, Philippe Sucosky

Faculty Articles

Introduction: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disorder. While hypertension is a major risk factor, the mechanisms by which elevated blood pressure contributes to calcification are largely unknown. Given the established sensitivity of aortic valve (AV) tissue to mechanical cues, hypertension may subject AV leaflets to a stress state conducive to CAVD. To address this hypothesis, the objective of this study was to compare AV function and mechanics under normotensive (NTN, 120/ 80 mmHg), pre-hypertensive (preHTN, 125/80 mmHg) and hypertensive (HTN, 130/90 mmHg) conditions using fluid-structure interaction modeling.

Methods: AV flow and leaflet dynamics were …

Myeov Is A Novel Marker Of Differentiated Corneal Epithelium, Yoshiko Fukuda, Chao Zhang, Bruce R. Ksander, Vickie Y. Jo, Christine G. Lian, George F. Murphy, Markus H. Frank, Natasha Y. Frank, Yuzuru Sasamoto

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose. Myeloma overexpressed gene (MYEOV) was initially identified as a gene amplified in several malignancies and was found to promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Our previous comparative RNA sequencing and epigenetic analyses revealed high MYEOV levels in differentiated corneal epithelial cells and showed that TET2 epigenetically regulated MYEOV expression. In the current study, we aimed to further characterize the expression and regulation of MYEOV in the human ocular surface. Methods. MYEOV expression was examined by immunostaining of the human corneas and by analysis of the publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data. Gene knockdown (KD) of MYEOV and the regulators of …

Diversity In Aquatics:4th Special Issue, Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D., Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The theme of this special issue is “Building a Community of Champions.” The purpose of this theme is to highlight and promote a civic engagement perspective that engages, advocates, and supports communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in addressing the national, regional, and local evolving health-related issue of drowning. Aquatic Settings have been a pivotal focal point of social justice, water safety, and public health, not only in the past but also in our present day (Beale-Tawfeeq, Quash, et al, 2023 and Waller and Bemiller, 2023). Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) strives to positively impact the field of aquatics …

Adopting Stuart Hall’S “Race, The Floating Signifier” As A Conceptual Framework Within Aquatic Research And Education, Kurt J. Cordice

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

During his 1997 lecture at Goldsmiths College in London, Stuart Hall, renowned for his contributions to sociology and cultural studies, offered his argument that the concept of race functions as a Floating Signifier. In this essay, Stuart Hall’s Race, the Floating Signifier is presented as a strong conceptual framework to support more accurate and effective positioning of race as an important consideration within aquatic research and education. Evidence from a range of disciplines, including historical research, is presented to establish both the importance and challenge of race within aquatic research and education. This evidence is also used to demonstrate …

I’M Here Whether I Like It Or Not: A Focused Ethnographic Description Of Transition Into Residential Aged Care, Stacey Scott, Annette Raynor, Julie Dare, Jennifer Grieve, Leesa Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Transition into residential aged care (RAC) is a challenging process, often characterised by vulnerability, fear, and isolation. This study aimed to provide a contextualised description of transition within a care-facility in Australia to deepen our understanding of this major life event. A focused ethnography was conducted, which included formal interviews with residents during their first 6 months of living in RAC. The findings provide an account of the participants’ views on acceptance, highlight the challenges of loss, and showcase the coping practices new residents used. This paper provides a type of report card for the sector, which reveals that there …

Phosphorylation At Serine 214 Correlates With Tau Seeding Activity In An Age-Dependent Manner In Two Mouse Models For Tauopathies And Is Required For Tau Transsynaptic Propagation, Pablo Martinez, Nur Jury-Garfe, Henika Patel, Yanwen You, Abigail Perkins, Yingjian You, Audrey Lee-Gosselin, Ruben Vidal, Cristian A Lasagna-Reeves

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Tau aggregation and propagation are hallmark features of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. The molecular identity and post-translational modifications that contribute to tau seeding activity remain incompletely understood.

Objective

To characterize the temporal dynamics of tau seeding activity and identify specific phosphorylated tau species associated with tau propagation in vivo.

Methods

We profiled tau seeding activity using a FRET-based biosensor cell line and correlated it with the abundance of phospho- and conformational tau species in two transgenic mouse models of tauopathy (P301S-1N4R and P301S-0N4R). Immunohistochemistry and subcellular fractionation were used to examine the spatial distribution of tau species. Functional …

Physical Activity, Screen Time, Dietary Habits, And Health Outcomes Among Children And Adolescents In The Middle East And North Africa Region: A Narrative Review, Shaikha Eisa Alnaqbi, Rahab Sohail, Hadia M. Radwan, Maysm N. Mohamad, Falak Zeb, Haydar Hasan, Mona Hashim, Tareq Osaili, Sharifa Alblooshi, Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri, Lily Stojanovska, Leila Cheikh Ismail

All Works

Background/objectives: Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene and anthropometric measurements might be associated with breast cancer (BC) risk. This study aimed to assess the interactions between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9939609 of the FTO gene, anthropometric indices, and BC risk among pre- and post-menopause women with overweight/obesity in Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective case–control study conducted on a convenience sample of 200 women divided into two groups: a case group comprised of 100 women diagnosed with BC, and control group comprised of 100 (age and menopausal status matched healthy women). Physical activity was assessed using validated questionnaire. Data on body …