Digital Commons Network^™

Executive Leadership System Improvement Program Proposal For Capturing At-Risk Patients In A Primary Care Setting, Winter Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unmet social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute significantly to poor health outcomes, increased healthcare utilization, and persistent inequities in access to care. In a primary care organization, the inconsistent identification and management of patients’ social needs resulted in variable documentation, limited referrals to social work services, and avoidable emergency department (ED) utilization. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop an executive leadership systems implementation proposal to standardize the identification and referral of at-risk patients through the integration of a validated social needs screening tool into the electronic health record (EHR). The guiding practice-focused question …

Staff Education On Telehealth Monitoring Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dinnah Makori

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require consistent monitoring of communication skills, behavior patterns, sensory responses, and adaptive functioning to support timely intervention and improved developmental outcomes. Although telehealth has expanded access to care, many nurses have not received structured training in conducting virtual assessments for children with ASD. Variability in telehealth competency can affect documentation quality, workflow consistency, and provider confidence. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop and evaluate a structured staff-education program designed to strengthen pediatric nurses’ competencies in telehealth monitoring of children with ASD. A quantitative pretest–posttest design was used …

Post-Operative Hernia Site Infections, Agatha Francesca Inga Gittens-Stay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was a clinical practice guideline (CPG) focused on the development of a perioperative guideline for patients undergoing various types of hernia repairs. Hernia repair is a common surgical procedure to address various types of hernias.. To assure continued compliance with nationally set benchmarks and minimize the rate of postoperative hernia infections, a systematic review of evidence-based practices (EBP) to foster infection prevention was initiated at a hospital in England. The practice-focused question used was: For patients who underwent hernia repair surgery, what evidence informs CPG recommendations on the type of material, surgical interventions, and nursing interventions to …

A Nurse-Led Staff Education Program To Prevent And Detect Elder Abuse By Caregivers In The Home, Nicola Violet Brown-Walters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a nurse-led, evidence-based staff education initiative designed to improve the prevention and detection of elder abuse in the home by caregivers within an outpatient primary care setting. Elder abuse places older adults at risk for physical harm, neglect, medication mismanagement, and violations of autonomy and patient rights. Elder abuse remains a pervasive and underrecognized problem in nursing practice, often resulting from limited staff education, inconsistent screening practices, and uncertainty regarding mandatory reporting requirements. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing a nurse-led targeted education program guided by the ADDIE instructional design model and …

Patient Education Brochure On Diabetic Foot Care In A Primary Care Setting, Trinitas (Nitas) Duru Oha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctoral Nursing Practice (DNP) project was an evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiative. The practice problem was the absence of expert-validated diabetic foot care education materials, insufficient and inconsistent patient education, and patients' limited knowledge of self-care for diabetic foot care, all of which led to the persistence of diabetic foot complications in primary care settings. Due to the organization’s identified lack of patient education materials, an evidence-based diabetic foot care brochure for diabetic self-foot care education was developed. The patient education materials assessment tool (PEMAT) was used to evaluate the brochure's efficacy. The practice question was designed to determine …

Cell-Cell Communication As Underlying Principle Governing Color Pattern Formation In Teleost Fishes, Marleen Klann, Lila Solnica-Krezel, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The diverse pigmentation patterns of animals are crucial for predation avoidance and behavioral display. This diversity arises from interactions among distinct pigment cell types, yet mechanisms generating pattern variation across teleost fishes remain incompletely understood. In zebrafish, Turing models have been proposed to explain stripe patterns, but it is unclear if they apply to other fishes. Here, we investigate the Snowflake mutant of the anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris, which displays enlarged white bars with irregular boundaries. Using genome-wide association mapping and targeted sequencing, we identify a missense mutation (E42K) in gja5b, encoding the gap junction protein Connexin 41.8. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing …

Psychosocial Determinants Of Hand Hygiene Practices Among Children And Adolescents Living With Hiv In The Northern City Of Malawi, Balwani Chingatichifwe Mbakaya, Maggie Zgambo, Richard Moyo, Paul Uchizi Kaseka, Obed Nkhata, Fatch Kalembo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The common cause of death in HIV and AIDS patients are opportunistic infections such as diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Many of these infections are spread through contaminated hands. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring hand hygiene practices among HIV positive children and adolescents in Mzuzu City, Malawi. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was used to collect data from children and adolescents living with HIV (aged between 9 and 18 years) WHO were attending teen clubs in Mzuzu City. Data were analysed using Stata 17. Chi-Square and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the association among multiple …

Operational Factors Influencing Branch Revenue In Multi-Branch Child Therapy Services, Muhammad Luthfi

Jurnal Administrasi Bisnis Terapan

The management of multi-branch child therapy services requires a strong understanding of operational factors that contribute to revenue performance. This study aims to analyze the relationship between operational days, occupancy rate, service attendance, and the number of practitioners in relation to branch revenue within a child therapy service organization operating in urban areas in Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed using operational data collected from 24 child therapy services. This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design using branch-level operational data collected in December 2025 from 24 child therapy service branches. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the …

Neonatal Sepsis: Empiric Treatment And Monitoring Of Gentamicin Troughs In The Nicu, Aleese Palfreyman

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Relationships Between Clinical Symptom Scales And Eeg Biomarkers In Oud Patients, Jess Delange, Benjamin M. Latey, John Glinski, Braden Ashcraft, Jasmine Pannu, Cassidy Beatty, Lauren Knudson, Benjamin Chafetz, Bryan Fugal, Patrick Tanner Brain, N P. Griffin, Christopher Gowans, Amanda Brandaris, Amanda Page, Blake D. Harris, Sophia Delgado, Lorissa Thorpe, Kyle Bills, Andrew Payne

Annual Research Symposium

This poster examines the relationship between clinical symptom scales and electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers in patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Participants from inpatient substance use treatment facilities completed validated mental health and withdrawal assessments, including the COWS, PHQ-9, HAM-A, and ASRS followed by cognitive testing while undergoing 19-lead EEG recording.

Preliminary findings indicate that synthetic opioid use is associated with prolonged P300 response latency across brain regions, suggesting measurable neurophysiologic differences tied to substance type and addiction severity. The study explores how EEG metrics may complement subjective symptom reporting to provide more objective markers of addiction status, co-morbid psychiatric burden, …

The A1 Segment Of The Anterior Cerebral Artery: A Systematic Review Of Cadaveric Morphometry Studies, Marlena Muszynska, Emily Awdish, Afua Osei-Wusu, Parker Ballard

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The P1 Segment Of The Posterior Cerebral Artery: A Systematic Review Of Cadaveric Morphometry Studies, Marlena Muszynska, Afua Osei-Wusu, Emily Awdish, Parker Ballard

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Review Of Methodological Practices In Cadaveric Cerebral Arterial Morphometry: Variability In Contemporary Protocols (2015-2025), Marlena Muszynska, Emily Awdish, Afua Osei-Wusu, Parker Ballard

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Nicotine's Influence On The Oral Microbiome: Harm Reduction Or Hidden Risk?, Trevor Ward, Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Orthodontic Trial Transparency Audit: Automated Registry To Publication Linkage And Outcome-Switching Signals In Registered Rcts, Stephen P. Osman, Frank Licari, Shankargouda Patil, Shilpa Bhandi

Annual Research Symposium

Objective: To quantify transparency gaps in orthodontic randomized controlled trials by linking trial registry records to publications and characterizing timing of registration, publication delay, and selective outcome reporting signals using automated text-based methods.
Methods: A retrospective computational audit was designed around trial registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov and other major registries used in orthodontics) and bibliographic records. Registry entries marked completed were programmatically screened for publication linkage using identifier matching (e.g., registration IDs) and document-similarity approaches aligned with prior registry-publication linkage research. Trial-level transparency indicators included (i) prospective vs retrospective registration, (ii) completion to publication lag, (iii) presence/absence of posted results in …

Ai Applications In Assessing Risk For Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review, Grant O. Korte, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

Objectives:

The goal of this systematic review is to examine the impact of using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict a patient’s risk level for periodontal disease by analyzing proven systemic health diseases linked to periodontitis. This is being done by primarily focusing on prevention and early diagnosis using machine learning programs that have been proven effective in other fields of periodontitis research.

Methods:

To conduct this study, a comprehensive literature review of journals published after 2020 was performed through four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Dentistry and Oral Science Source. The search was completed in adherence …

Mapping The Unexpected: Aberrant Celiac Trunk Origination With Atypical Splenic Artery Bifurcation, David A. Delano, Fernando D. Gonzalez, Franco R. Ramos, Parker J. Ballard

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Imaging In Acute Neurovascular Emergencies: Optimizing Outcomes In Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke, Chandu Goli, Rohit Patel, Elliott Beard, Anna Liles, Saeed Saleh, Aleeza Namit, Alissa Ongaco, Kevin Steed Ph.D.

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose:

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and patient outcomes are strongly influenced by rapid identification and timely reperfusion. Advances in acute neurovascular imaging have transformed stroke care by enabling precise patient selection, extending treatment windows, and accelerating clinical workflows. The purpose of this project is to evaluate how modern neurovascular imaging strategies influence treatment selection, workflow efficiency, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute LVO stroke.

Methods:

A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published within the past decade was conducted. The review focused on CT-based imaging (non-contrast CT, CT angiography, CT …

Use Of Kcc2 Dna Plasmid Transfection To Modulate Chloride Homeostasis In Cultured Dopamine-Neuron Like Cells, Jacqueline N. Farolan Ms., Ashlee Szwedko, Mason Terry, Andrew Payne Phd., Dario Mizrachi Phd.

Annual Research Symposium

Potassium-chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) works in opposition to Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) to maintain low intracellular chloride concentrations in neurons. In immature neurons, there are high levels of NKCC1 and low levels of KCC2, which creates a high intracellular chloride concentration. Increased KCC2, therefore decreased chloride concentration, creates a GABA switch, switching immature neurons to mature neurons. This changes the activity of GABA from excitatory to inhibitory. Decreased KCC2 has been found to be correlated with reward seeking behaviors in the dopaminergic circuitry. Our study aims to artificially upregulate KCC2 and therefore decrease chloride concentrations in neurons. In the future, …

Epimedin A Prevents Glioblastoma Growth And Invasion, Michael B. Mildner, Erick A. Zecena

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Learning In Clinical Education As A Catalyst To Support Foundational Professional Competencies In Speech-Language Pathology: A Theoretical Framework, Lori-Ann Ferraro

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

As a part of every speech-language pathology graduate program in the US, clinical education is an integral and required element for both academic accreditation and the eventual clinical certification for students. Clinical education is significantly important when considering overall educational models because it is an aspect of a student’s education that contributes to their ability to make connections between what is learned in the classroom and its real-world clinical application while contributing to the acquisition of competencies. The 2:1 collaborative learning model is supported by sound learning theories and evidence from the literature. A theoretical framework was created to demonstrate …

Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Undergraduate Csd Students Through A Case Study Project, Lydia R. Kruse, Windi Krok

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Critical thinking skills are crucial for Speech-Language Pathologists to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders. However, the optimal timing for teaching these skills to future clinicians remains an open question. Most of the current research is focused on developing critical thinking skills in graduate students, though there is some evidence to suggest that students should be working to develop critical thinking skills during their undergraduate education. This work describes the critical thinking skills demonstrated by undergraduate students in a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD program) through a case study project, as well as their self-perceptions. Results indicate relative weakness …

Development And Impact Of A Review Course For The Praxis Examination In Speech- Language Pathology, Miriam Baigorri, George Pagano

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

The Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology is a required national examination for certification and licensure in the United States. However, disparities in pass rates, particularly among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) test takers, create barriers to professional entry. This study examines students' perceptions of the effectiveness of an Examination Preparation Course, designed to enhance student success through structured content review, practice exams, and test-taking strategies. A total of 70 graduates (2018–2023) who completed the course participated in an online survey assessing their demographics, perceptions of the course’s effectiveness, and confidence levels before and after taking the course. …

Recent Advances In The Pharmacological Properties Of Scutellarin: Mechanistic Insights And Therapeutic Potential, Hind A. Satar, Emad Yousif, Ahmed Ahmed, Muna Bufaroosha

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Scutellarin, a flavonoid glycoside primarily derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, has garnered increasing scientific interest for its multifaceted pharmacological properties. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of scutellarin's therapeutic effects, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. Emphasis is placed on elucidating its molecular mechanisms of action, such as modulation of the NF-κB, Nrf2, and PI3K/Akt pathways, and its role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Additionally, we discuss formulation innovations, including nanoparticle and liposomal delivery systems, aimed at overcoming scutellarin's poor oral bioavailability and enhancing therapeutic performance. Key limitations in current research …

2026 February 17 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of E-Cigarettes: A Review Of Risks And Emerging Evidence, Alexander Girgis, Kamran H. Awan Dr

Annual Research Symposium

Abstract Body:

Objectives: This review aims to examine the overall effects of e-cigarettes on oral health, including its associations with xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, NIH, and MDPI, analyzing many studies published between 2010-2025. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer-reviewed human and in-vitro studies that evaluated the oral effects of e-cigarettes. Studies were screened for correlation to caries formation, salivary changes, mucosal alterations, microbiome disruptions, and carcinogenic potential.

Results: A total of fifteen studies were included. Findings across studies showed that e-cigarettes reduce salivary flow rates and …

Artificial Intelligence Versus Human Dental Expertise In Diagnosing Periapical Pathosis On Periapical Radiographs: A Multicenter Study, Fatma E.A Hassanen, Radwa R. Hussein, Mohamed Riad Elgarhy, Shaymaa Mohamed Maher, Marwa Ezz, Ahmed Hassen, Sherif Heidar, Amr Edress, Asmaa Abou-Bakr

Dentistry

Periapical pathosis in periapical radiographs must be properly diagnosed for the success of endodontic treatment but is often muddled by 2D imaging limitations and subjective interpretation. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a solution, but whether the diagnostic granularity of AI versus human clinicians in everyday clinical practice has been adequately explored remains to be addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ChatGPT-5 in detecting periapical radiographic abnormalities compared with the three-expert consensus reference standard. Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy retrospective study, 270 periapical radiographs were independently read by a large language model (ChatGPT-5) and a …

Neurophysiological Connectomic Signatures Of Consciousness During Propofol-Induced General Anesthesia, Yuqin Li, Xiaoxiao Chen, Hui Zheng, Senqi Li, Qingyu Teng, Chengyu Wang, Fali Li, Zhongcong Xie, Daniel Sessler, Zhe Zhang, Peng Xu, Ti-Fei Yuan, Tao Xu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

General anesthesia induces reversible changes in consciousness through cortical activity and connectivity alterations, yet the functional connectome dynamics underlying propofol-induced unconsciousness remains unclear. We analyze high-density 128-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) from 31 surgical patients using source localization to identify neurobiological connectome signatures of propofol anesthesia. Propofol anesthesia increases delta and theta functional connectivity and decreases alpha, beta, and gamma connectivity. A classification model and dynamic analysis of consciousness loss reveals that alpha-band connectivity between parietal, occipital, and subcortical regions is critical for sustaining consciousness, with its disruption marking a key transition to unconsciousness. EEG from 46 additional patients under mild sedation …

Molecular Profiling And Tumor Biomarker Analysis Of Gog281/Logs: A Positive Late-Phase Trial Of Trametinib For Recurrent/Persistent Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, Robert L. Hollis, Austin Miller, Heather A. Lankes, Kwong-Kwok Wong, William Rodgers, David Millan, Karen Carty, Robert L. Coleman, Kathleen N. Moore, Angeles Alvarez Secord, David M. O'Malley, John K. Chan, Andrea R. Hagemann, Stephanie Gaillard, Saketh R. Guntupalli, Mitchell I. Edelson, Peter G. Rose, Oliver Dorigo, Susana Banerjee, Ailith Ewing, Michael Churchman, Anil K. Sood, C. Simon Herrington, Charlie Gourley, David M. Gershenson

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

PURPOSE: Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a distinct form of ovarian cancer characterized by younger patient age and relative chemoresistance. The GOG281/LOGS trial (NCT02101788) investigated the efficacy of the MEK inhibitor trametinib compared with physician's choice standard-of-care (SOC) in patients with LGSOC with persistent/recurrent disease. The study demonstrated significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in the trametinib-treated arm.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Two hundred and sixty patients with recurrent/persistent LGSOC were enrolled and randomly assigned in GOG281. We performed molecular analysis of 170 patients with available tumor specimens, comprising whole-exome sequencing and phospho-ERK (pERK) IHC, to identify biomarkers of clinical benefit from …

Biomarkers In Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials: 2025, Amanda M. Leisgang Osse, Yadi Zhou, Jefferson W. Kinney, Andrew Hooyman, Ayan Sengupta, Jorge Fonseca, Aaron H. Burstein, Laura Nisenbaum, Howard M. Fillit, Feixiong Cheng, Jeffrey L. Cummings

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Biomarkers play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials in several contexts of use, including defining trial eligibility and serving as outcome measures. Utilizing clinicaltrials.gov, a registry of clinical trials, we assessed biomarker usage across all active AD disease-targeted therapeutic (DTT) trials. Biomarkers are widely used in AD DTT trials, with 84% including a fluid, imaging, and/or digital biomarker, either as an inclusion criterion or as an outcome measure. In DTT trials, biomarkers were included in 83% of Phase 3 trials, 91% of Phase 2 trials, and 72% of Phase 1 trials. Biomarkers were used for trial inclusion …