Digital Commons Network^™

Ai-Supported Analysis Of Jury Deliberation Impact Factors, Jennifer Siciliani Phd

Generative AI Teaching Activities

Students conduct a controlled, two-run generative AI jury simulation to examine how a single socio-legal variable affects simulated jury deliberation. They compare and manually code the AI-generated outcomes against peer-reviewed human jury research to evaluate the model’s accuracy, limitations, and potential biases.

Surviving The Divide: Exploring Endometrial Cancer Survival In Idaho’S Urban And Rural Landscapes, Elena G. Estrada

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with a rising incidence among postmenopausal women. Although geographic disparities in cancer outcomes have been documented nationally, survival differences by urban versus rural residence and receipt of surgery remain understudied in Idaho. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective cohort study was to examine the associations of urban versus rural residence, and receipt of surgery with 5-year survival among women in Idaho, a largely rural and underserved state. Guided by the social-ecological model and social determinants of health, this study used secondary data from the National Cancer Institute, …

The Impact Of A Modified Hospital Elder Life Program On Delirium, Ashley Okray

SIU Journal of Medical Science Scholarly Works

Background: Delirium, an acute state of fluctuating inattention and cognitive impairment, is prevalent among hospitalized older adults and associated with longer hospital stays, increased mortality, and significant healthcare costs. The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) was developed to reduce delirium through interventions addressing common risk factors. Although HELP has proven effective, many hospitals face challenges in implementing the program, leading to modified versions. This review examines recent studies using modified HELP to assess their impact on delirium prevention.

Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify studies from the last ten years that implemented modified HELP programs. Relevant studies …

Preoperative Urine Drug Screen To Increase Surgical Efficiency, Joseph Mashinchi

SIU Journal of Medical Science Scholarly Works

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to standardize the use of preoperative urine drug screens for adults scheduled for elective surgery in order to improve surgical efficiency and reduce perioperative and postoperative complications.

Method: A PubMed Search was conducted to review literature published within the past five years. The joint terms “urine drug screen and surgery” were used in the search. A literature review was conducted after reviewing multiple articles and screening for their quality, timeliness, and pertinence to elective surgical procedures and illicit drug use.

Results: Performing a urine drug screen prior to elective surgical procedure identified illicit …

The Promise Of Precision: Evaluating The Efficacy Of Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty, Jodi Wernikoff

SIU Journal of Medical Science Scholarly Works

Purpose: This article aims to review the treatment of patients diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis requiring a total knee arthroplasty and examine if the use of robotic- assisted surgery compared to traditional manual surgery results in improved functional outcomes and fewer post-operative complications.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted using the search terms total knee arthroplasty, robot surgical procedures, knee osteoarthritis, and quality of life. Nine articles were retrieved and served as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: While RA-TKA holds promise, more comprehensive comparative research is still required to assess the efficacy of RA-TKA in comparison to …

Barriers To Breast Cancer Screening In Native Hawaiian Women, Luna M. Noel

SIU Journal of Medical Science Scholarly Works

ABSTRACT:

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to identify barriers for breast cancer screening in Native Hawaiian (NH) Women, identify ways to overcome those barriers, and increase breast cancer screening in NH Women.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms barriers to reasons to screen for breast cancer, barriers to breast cancer screening, barriers to breast cancer screening in Hawaii, barriers to breast cancer screening in Native Hawaiian women, breast cancer screening AND Native Hawaiian Women. Seventeen pertinent articles were retrieved and serve as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: Some barriers to mammography for …

Impact Of The Widespread Use Of Online Pharmacies On Overall Consumer Safety, Hasanain Am. Abbas, Eswar Kumar Kilari, Shereen M. Mekkey, Hussein Ahmed Jabbar, Mohammed Haider Majid, Haider Majeed Abd Abbas, Hassanein Khaled Hassan

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Online pharmacies improve access to medicines by offering convenient ordering and home delivery, but their growth also creates important risks for medication safety and public health. This review examines the benefits and hazards associated with online medicine supply, including access without a valid prescription, falsified and substandard products, inappropriate medicine use, privacy breaches, and weak cross-border regulatory oversight. The available evidence indicates that illicit online sellers can expose consumers to products of uncertain identity, quality, and dose, while vulnerable users may have limited ability to distinguish legitimate services from unlawful vendors. At the same time, licensed platforms can support continuity …

Preparation And In Vitro Evaluation Of Gastro-Retentive Tablets Of Frusemide Using Gas Generating Excipients As Floating Mechanism, Yousif K. Younis, Ahmed Yousif Fadhel, Nihad Hussein Ahmed

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Frusemide is a loop diuretic used for hypertension, heart failure among many other indications. It has an absorption window in the stomach and it's a class IV drug according to BCS with low bioavailability.
Floating tablets are one of the dosage forms that is best suited for drugs with such absorption window and gas generating excipients can be used to reduce floating lag times even more than traditional floating tablets that relay on density difference alone.
The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of floating tablets as a convenient dosage form for oral administration of frusemide aiming …

Current Advances In Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Strategies, Challenges, And Future Perspectives, Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack, Mahmoud Moustafa, Mahmoud Kamal, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Muhammad Arif, Laith Aldabbagh

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative therapeutic strategy that harnesses the host immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current immunotherapeutic approaches, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), cancer vaccines, dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, and oncolytic virus therapy. The mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and clinical benefits of each modality are discussed. Monoclonal antibodies selectively target tumor-associated antigens, whereas ICIs restore antitumor immunity by blocking inhibitory immune checkpoints. Cancer vaccines and DC-based vaccines enhance antigen-specific immune responses, while CAR-T cell therapy employs genetically …

Associations Between Second-Trimester Maternal Physical Activity And Neonatal Body Composition: Findings From The Origins Birth Cohort, Kristjana Einarsdottir, Natasha Bear, Ayla Sogutluoglu, Desiree Silva, Lisa Gibson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The impact of maternal physical activity on infant body composition remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal activity levels during pregnancy and infant body fat percentage, utilising data from the Western Australian ORIGINS birth cohort. A total of 323 pregnant women and their male (148) and female (175) infants born during 2016-2024 were included in the analysis. Maternal physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise (Godin) questionnaire during the second trimester. Infant body composition was measured within 7 d of birth using infant air displacement plethysmography (PEA …

Current State And Needs Of Clinical Laboratories In Selected Countries In Africa, Merih Tesfazghi, Anne E Tebo, Roa Harb, Anthony O Okorodudu, Lee Schroeder, Jeannette Guarner, Christine Bales, Jack Ladenson, Allison Targowski, Kerry Cosby, Olajumoke Oladipo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The Africa Working Group, under the auspices of the Global Laboratory Quality Initiative of the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM), conducted several educational workshops in Africa to promote laboratory quality in the region. The challenges faced in maintaining quality in clinical laboratories in low-resource countries may differ from region to region and country to country. To better understand current gaps and inform our engagement with partners in Africa, a needs assessment survey was distributed to 1427 ADLM members in Africa and further disseminated through local partners, resulting in 121 responses from participants across 8 countries in the region. …

Artificial Intelligence Models For Automated And Semiautomated Analysis And Interpretation Of Clinical Electroencephalography, Sándor Beniczky, Birgit Frauscher, Fábio Nascimento, Shobi Sivathamboo, Catalina Rojas, Michael Sperling, Samden Lhatoo, Philippe Ryvlin, Levin Kuhlmann

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Electroencephalography is the most commonly used diagnostic tool for epilepsy. However, interpreting electroencephalograms (EEGs) requires expertise that is not widely available. Advances in digital technology and wearables have enabled large-scale EEG recording, generating vast amounts of data that cannot be managed through traditional visual interpretation by experts. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to augment human expertise and reduce workloads. The application of artificial neural networks in analysing clinical EEG recordings has led to major breakthroughs, bringing AI-based EEG interpretation closer to clinical implementation. In this Review, we summarise the most important research and development results in this field from …

Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Profiles In Adults With Tinnitus, Preeti Pandey, Hansapani Rodrigo, Megan Kruger, Eldré W. Beukes, De Wet Swanepoel, Anu Sharma, Gerhard Andersson, Vinaya Manchaiah

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose: The study aimed to characterize the multidimensional burden of tinnitus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) moving beyond symptom severity alone.

Method: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data (N = 428, Mage = 54.9 years, 51.9% female) from several clinical trials examining the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus. Data were collected using a series of online questionnaires including demographic, audiological, and clinical variables. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L profile dimensions.

Results: Participants primarily reported no problems with mobility (76.6%), …

Intimate Partner Violence Against Women And Mortality Among Children Younger Than 5 Years: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Bereket Kefale, Aditi Roy, Daniel Gashaneh Belay, Tesfaye Setegn Mengistu, Jennifer Dunne, Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu, Amanuel T. Gebremedhin, Marshall Makate, Jacqueline Hendriks, Gavin Pereira, Gizachew A. Tessema

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Importance: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a persistent global public health concern with lasting impacts on the health of affected women and their children. Although previous studies suggest a potential link between IPV and mortality among children younger than 5 years (under-5 mortality [U5M]), the evidence remains inconclusive.

Objective: To examine whether different forms of IPV are associated with under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality.

Data Sources: Seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL) were searched from database inception to April 22, 2026.

Study Selection: Studies were included if they examined the association …

Sports Injuries You May Overlook, Sarah Gubara, Greg Canty

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Could this recurring pain or sudden limp mean something more than a sprain? Greg Canty, MD, Medical Director, Sports Medicine Center at Children's Mercy, walks through how to recognize concerning pediatric sports injuries that are often missed. This episode covers X‑ray‑negative knee injuries (patella dislocation, ACL tear, meniscus), pelvic avulsion and transitional ankle growth plate fractures, and overuse conditions such as gymnast wrist, spondylolysis, Little League elbow, and shoulder impingement. Dr. Canty outlines practical red flags—swelling, inability to weight‑bear, point tenderness, pain persisting beyond two weeks in single‑sport athletes, and declines in participation—and explains how assessing training load, sleep, nutrition, …

Ecofriendly Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles As Antimicrobial Active Agents From Its Cationic Precursors, Abdul Haris Watoni Watoni

Chimica et Natura Acta

This review presents a comprehensive survey on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate precursor using plant extracts along with their characterization and antimicrobial activity assessment. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles through a green chemistry approach is increasingly in demand because it is environmentally friendly, easy to do, and efficient, especially for the purpose of antimicrobial active ingredients in disinfectant and antiseptic formulas. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles can be carried out using silver nitrate as a silver precursor and plant extracts as a source of bioreductants and capping agents. The synthesis products are then characterized using UV-Vis …

No Evidence For Modulation Of The Readiness Potential By Respiratory Phase During Natural Breathing, Lucas Jeay-Bizot, Raniyah Chisti, Uri Maoz, Aaron Schurger

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Respiratory processes are increasingly implicated in shaping neural activity and behavior. Recent studies have reported a coupling between respiratory phase and the cortical readiness potential (RP), suggesting that breathing may modulate the neural processes preceding voluntary action. Here, using electroencephalography recordings in humans, we re-examine this claim using the original dataset and a new independent dataset, as well as in simulated data with no coupling. We show that the reported association arises from a confound: both RP amplitude and respiratory phase are coupled to movement onset. The original analysis does not control for this dependency, leading to a spurious effect …

Precision Approaches Improve Community Health, Roger A. Rennekamp, David Buys

Journal of Extension

Recent advances in data science provide Extension practitioners with access to data sorted by zip code, census tract, or neighborhood. Such hyper-local data now allows Extension personnel to assess community needs and assets at a more granular level and focus their work on the people and communities of greatest need. In this article, we introduce an approach we refer to as precision public health. Using such a precision approach to community assessment and, ultimately, programming can save money, increase the likelihood of producing measurable results, and create more manageable workloads for county-based Extension personnel.

Removal Strategies For Staphylococcus Epidermidis Biofilms, Alexander Watson

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2026

Bacterial biofilms are surface-attached communities of bacteria that are notoriously difficult to fully eradicate. This is especially a problem in the healthcare field, as Staphylococcus epidermidis, a commensal bacteria normally present on human skin, can enter the bloodstream through biofilms on medical devices and cause infections. This research project aims to discover how to best eliminate bacterial biofilms. Biofilms were first grown on stainless steel discs, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After baselines were established, treatments of papain, chlorhexidine digluconate, or sodium fluoride were applied to hydrated 5-day biofilms. After chlorhexidine digluconate was proven to be effective, new …

Parkinson’S Report Cards For Rural Communities: Bridging Access To Care For Behavior Change And Fall Risk Reduction, Jamie Haines, Emily Schubbe, Brooke Alexander, Lachane Ballard, Chin-I Cheng

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: People with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) in rural communities face delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialized care, and lower self-efficacy for disease management. A physical therapist designed the Parkinson’s Report Card Program (PRCP) to provide improved access to symptom monitoring, feedback, education, and follow-up support every six months for one year, aiming to enhance disease management when access to specialized care is challenging. This study evaluated the impact of the Report Card Program on non-motor symptoms, physical function, care-seeking behaviors, and self-efficacy in three rural communities in Michigan. Methods: Twenty-eight participants completed assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 1 …

Exploring Burnout Impacting Graduate-Level Faculty And Leadership Within Health Profession Education In The United States: A Systematic Scoping Review, Megan Donaldson, Neeti Pathare, Garry Gilbert, Joshua Cleland

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Phenomenon: Full-time academic clinicians who hold faculty appointments in graduate‑level health professions education are expected to fulfill multiple, often competing role demands, including teaching, scholarship, service, clinical practice, and, for some, administrative leadership. These cumulative expectations can place faculty and educational leaders at elevated risk of burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion, with implications for career longevity, institutional stability, and educational quality. Approach: The objective of this systematic scoping review was to map how burnout has been conceptualized, measured, and associated with organizational and role-related factors among full-time graduate-level faculty and educational leaders in health and medical education (health professions) programs. Eligible …

Impact Of Educational Strategies To Develop Professional Reasoning In Occupational Therapy Students And Therapists: A Systematic Review, Soledad Sánchez-Zamorano, María-Paz Ossandón-Pérez, Samanta Rolack-Jaramillo, Pedro Moruno-Miralles

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Professional reasoning (PR) in occupational therapy (OT) is a central theme in the health professions. Understanding how it is taught and which strategies demonstrate a measurable impact is fundamental to strengthening professional training. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the reported impact of different educational strategies for fostering PR development in OT students and practitioners. Methods: The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. Databases and journals were searched, including studies published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible articles were quantitative or mixed-methods designs, and the risk of bias was assessed …

Unmet Needs In Hospital Birth: Perspectives From Birthing Individuals And Opportunities For Occupational Therapy, Susan L. Iliff, Emily Bryant Schreiber

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to explore the services mothers receive during hospital‑based labor and delivery and to identify perceived gaps in inpatient perinatal care. A secondary aim was to examine how these unmet needs may represent opportunities for occupational therapy involvement within hospital maternity settings. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used with an anonymous electronic survey. Participants were eligible if they were 18 years or older and had given birth in a hospital within the past five years. Eighty‑one participants completed the survey, which included demographic questions, satisfaction ratings related to standard‑of‑care …

The Role Of Resilience Among Emergency Medical Service Personnel And Its Relationship With Their Adaptive Performance In Riyadh-Saudi Arabia., Abdullah Alabdali, Majed Althagafi, Malak Alharbi, Amera Almutere, Alanoud Almawzan, Nourh Aljaber, Reem Muafa

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare workers, particularly Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, are frequently exposed to traumatic physical and psychological events. EMS personnel regularly encounter critical incidents that challenge their resilience, adaptive performance, and overall quality of life. Understanding the factors that support resilience is essential to maintaining workforce well-being and performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 EMS personnel employed by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between September 2020 and October 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing resilience, adaptive performance, coping mechanisms, and demographic variables. Results: EMS personnel demonstrated higher resilience levels …

The Investigation Of Ground Reaction Forces To Validate Progression Of Plyometric Exercise: A Pilot Study, Bradley Bechard, Brett Walker, Peter Leno

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose. Current approaches lack research toward rehabilitation of the lower extremity following injury regarding progression and the effects of ground reaction forces (GRFs) along the kinematic chain. A typical physical therapy protocol demonstrated the patients initially performing non-weight bearing, or open chain exercises followed by walking and running activities. This initial pilot study entertained the need for a more “seamless” progression of exercises to bridge the gap of GRFs when rehabilitating a weight bearing joint from walking-to-running in healthy individuals. Methods. 10 plyometric exercises were chosen for the study following careful review of evidence-based literature and researched protocols for strength …

Reimagining Clinical Education: Interprofessional Simulation And Clinical Skill Readiness In Nursing And Occupational Therapy Curricula, Gretchen Johnson, Linda Barnett, Lori Aaron-Brija, Emily Berkowitz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: As the healthcare landscape evolves, education for health professionals must prepare future practitioners to meet emerging challenges and navigate diverse care settings. Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities within healthcare curricula supports the development of essential clinical skill competencies and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The Clinical Skill Readiness interprofessional model prepares students for successful clinical rotations by integrating assessment and skill development. Students develop vital interprofessional skills, with specific emphasis on communication, professionalism, and role clarity, all of which are essential for effective practice in a collaborative clinical setting. Methods: Nursing and occupational therapy students participated in timed treatment sessions …

The Impact Of A Board Preparatory Platform On First-Time National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rates, Shuying Lin, Melanie Lauderdale, Alyssa Bradford, Michael Brown, Kimberly Holt, Madelaine Palen, April Coward, Evan Warnick

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Performance on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is a key indicator of academic quality in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Although commercial board preparation tools are widely available, evidence of their effectiveness remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of integrating TrueLearn (TL), a board-preparatory platform, into a DPT curriculum and to examine additional predictors of first-time success on NPTE. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 270 graduates from the University of Mississippi Medical Center DPT program (Classes of 2020–2025). Students in the Classes of 2024 and 2025 (n = 84) were exposed to TL, …

The Long-Term Effects Of Covid-19 On Pulmonary Function, Emily Russell, Chris Russian, Kevin Collins

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of hospitalizations and significant long-term health consequences. While acute COVID-19 symptoms are well-documented, the long-term pulmonary effects remain incompletely understood, particularly in patients with mild or asymptomatic infections. This review examines the long-term effects of COVID-19 on pulmonary function, including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, and related outcomes such as exercise capacity and quality of life. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using CINAHL Ultimate, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, yielding 10 articles for review (6 cohort studies, 3 review articles, and 1 systematic review and meta-analysis). Studies were assessed for …

Systematic Review Of Sports Safety Best Practice Implementation In Non-Scholastic Youth Sport Organizations, Katie Sniffen, Hayley J. Root, Richelle M. Williams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Non-scholastic youth sports organizations offer competitive and recreational activities to millions of children each year but lack centralized oversight for health and safety policy. Despite the benefits of sport participation, there are inherent risks, including cardiac-, concussion-, heat-, and musculoskeletal-related conditions. Therefore, it is important to understand how youth sports safety policies are implemented in non-scholastic youth sport organizations. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the current literature on the implementation of youth sports safety policies in non-scholastic youth sport organizations in the United States. Methods: A computerized search of Cochrane, CINHAL, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus …

Relationship Between Children’S Screen Exposure And Stress Among Parents Of Primary School Children, Malathi S, Koteeswari Arumugam, Sugasini R, Senthil Selvam, Manju B. Manoharan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The increasing use of digital devices among children has raised concerns regarding their potential impact on child well-being and family functioning. Prolonged screen exposure has been linked to behavioural issues, sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, and psychosocial difficulties, which may contribute to increased parenting-related stress. However, limited research has explored the relationship between children’s screen exposure and parental stress. This study aimed to examine the association between children’s screen exposure and parental stress among parents of primary school children. Method: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 45 parents of primary school children aged 6–12 years enrolled at Vels …