Digital Commons Network^™

Staff Education On The Phq-9 Tool And Its Use, Claudine Agwi Mbah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Gad-7 Screening For Generalized Anxiety Disorder In Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings, Senami Olubunmi Edalere-Lukula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

What Are The Specific Parameters Of Cold-Water Immersion On Its Positive Effects On Recovery And Sleep In The Physically Active Population?, Landyn L. James, Jay Albrecht, Dawn Hammerschmidt

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Cold-water immersion (CWI) is widely used in athletic and rehabilitative settings to enhance post‑exercise recovery, yet optimal treatment parameters remain inconsistent across clinical practice. Physically active individuals frequently seek recovery strategies that improve muscle function and sleep quality, creating a need to evaluate the evidence supporting specific CWI protocols. Focused Clinical Question: The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) was to determine which temperature and duration parameters of CWI most effectively improve muscle recovery and sleep in physically active populations. A focused clinical question was developed using the PICO framework. Search Strategies: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified through …

Comparative Behavioral Impacts Of Neuroactive Pharmaceuticals On Crayfish Locomotion, Grace Elizabeth Smith

Masters Theses

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly recognized as contaminants of concern in aquatic ecosystems, often entering waterways due to incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants. Despite frequent detection, the effects of these compounds on non-target, neurochemically sensitive organisms such as crayfish remains underexplored. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that binds to presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels and reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release, is one such emerging contaminant. Given crayfish’s ecological importance and sensitivity to neuroactive substances, exposure to gabapentin may disrupt key behaviors such as locomotion. To place gabapentin’s effects in context, we also examined escitalopram (Lexapro), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that elevates synaptic 5-HT, and …

Machine Learning-Based Prediction Of Proximal Junctional Pathology After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review And Diagnostic Test Accuracy Meta-Analysis, Shaan Patel, Shiva A. Nischal, Yi Hein Chai, Kush M. Kale, Kevin Hines, Joshua Pelta-Heller, Jack Jallo, James S. Harrop, Srinivas K. Prasad

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and failure (PJF) remain challenging and incompletely predictable adverse event following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Machine learning (ML) models have been proposed to improve risk stratification, but performance varies and clinical applicability remains uncertain. A systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the predictive performance of ML-based models for proximal junctional pathology after ASD surgery.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to February 2026. Studies developing or validating ML models predicting PJK or PJF following ASD surgery were included. Diagnostic performance was synthesized using random-effects models, pooling …

Determining The Relatedness Of Simian Varicella Virus Strains Using Polymerase Chain Reactions And Delta Herpesvirus-Dervied Primers, Ellyn M. Waits

Honors Theses

This study examines genetic variation among strains of Simian Varicella Virus (SVV) using genomic analysis. The primary goal of this experiment was to observe potential genomic differences among the Liverpool vervet virus (LVV), the Tsukuba herpesvirus, and the Delta herpesvirus (DHV) strains using primer sets developed from the fully sequenced DHV strain. SVV strains were initially cultivated in Vero cell cultures to begin viral propagation. Viral proliferation in these cell cultures enables DNA isolation via standard purification methods. The extracted viral DNA is subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification targeting specific regions of open reading frames (ORFs) in the …

Tale Of Two Pharmacies, Katie R. Jadin

Honors Theses

Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers in the United States and play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes. This study observes whether geographical distance and demographic differences influence patient healthcare needs within community pharmacy settings. Communities in Wisconsin and Mississippi, approximately 800 miles apart, were compared due to differences in population demographics, socioeconomic factors, and disease burden.

A survey was distributed to community pharmacy employees, including pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians, to assess common disease states, medication patterns, pharmacy workload, and patients' barriers to care. Twelve responses were collected from pharmacy employees.

Despite the …

The Impact Of Hearts For The Homeless On Students At The University Of Mississippi, Ellie Menszer

Honors Theses

Hearts for Homeless (H4H) is an international organization that works to help one of the most vulnerable populations for cardiac disease, the homeless, due to the lack of access to health care and information. At the University of Mississippi, H4H is a registered student organization that volunteers weekly at the Oxford Community Market (OXCM) to provide free blood pressure screenings and heart health information. H4H helps the community while also providing students with hands-on patient care experience. The goal of this research is to determine how volunteering with H4H impacts students at the University of Mississippi. A literature review informed …

Synthesis Of Novel Tetrafluorinated Alcohols Through The Dimerization Of Difluoromethyl Ketones For Use In Drug Development, Abigail A. Ryan

Honors Theses

As the most electronegative element, fluorine has unique applications and properties. The carbon-fluorine bond is known to be one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. As a result of fluorine’s high C–F bond strength, fluorine chemistry has become an interdisciplinary field of chemistry, pharmacy, physics, geology, and ecology. In pharmaceuticals for example, current estimates indicate that about 15–20% of FDA approved small-molecule drugs include at least one fluorine atom. The incorporation of fluorine atoms into organic molecules has become a powerful strategy in modern drug development, as fluorination can enhance metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and biological activity. Despite these advantages, …

Celiac Plexus Radiosurgery For Retroperitoneal Pain In Advanced Cancer: A Pre-Specified Secondary Analysis Of Health-Related Quality Of Life In A Phase Ii Single-Arm Trial, Aisling Barry, Ronen Fluss, Laura Dawson, David Hausner, Michael Buckstein, Talia Golin, Laurence Freedman, Marcin Miszczyk, Dayssy Diazpardo, Artur Aguiar, Dror Limon, Raphael Pfeffer, Moaz Ben-Ayun, Liat Hammer, Ziv Symon, Ofir Morag, Gali Jacobson, Adam Dicker, Jerzy Wydmanski, Camilla Zimmermann, Yaacov Lawrence

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal pain syndrome seen in pancreatic cancer is a major clinical challenge. Celiac plexus radiosurgery, a new palliative technique for retroperitoneal pain syndrome, decreased pain levels in a phase II study. Here Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) outcomes are reported.

METHODS: Evaluable patients, who were enrolled between January 2018 and December 2021, in an international single-arm Phase II ethics-approved study (NCT03323489), were included. The pre-specified secondary endpoint-change in HRQOL from baseline to 3- and 6-weeks post-treatment, was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) version 4 questionnaire. Mean change was deemed clinically significant (CS) if …

Community Composition Of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Marisa Martin, Colin Jackson

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an important resource for transportation, economic development, and recreation. Given its economic and cultural importance, it is crucial to maintain clean and safe conditions along the coast for public health, but other than routine beach monitoring, few studies have examined microbial contamination of coastal waters in this region. This study aimed to determine the quantity, composition, and distribution of bacteria resistant to six different antibiotics (Vancomycin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, or Amoxicillin) in seawater at seven public beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. No bacteria resistant to Ciprofloxacin were detected, and bacteria resistant to Kanamycin …

Lifestyle And Activity Patterns Of The Classic Period Maya From Chac Balam And San Juan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Abigail L. Hornbeck

Honors Theses

Bioarchaeological research often uses skeletal remains to reconstruct patterns of activity and labor in past populations. This study examines potential sex-based differences in long bone morphology among individuals from the Classic Maya sites of Chac Balam and San Juan on Ambergris Caye, Belize. These coastal communities participated in maritime trade networks, and daily activities such as cargo transport, canoe travel, and fishing may have placed distinctive mechanical stresses on the skeleton. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether measurable differences in bone structure between males and females reflect differences in habitual activity patterns.

Two complementary methods were used …

Mapping Information Literary To The Medical Curriculum, Ella Hu, David Stewart

Posters

Medical school accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) requires library staff to be responsive to educational needs. Despite a move toward integrated learning, library instruction is often limited to single sessions early in the curriculum. Curriculum mapping addresses this by providing a systematic analysis of program courses to visualize teaching priorities and the student experience. This strategic tool enables librarians to shift from reactive service to proactive engagement, finding high-impact courses through syllabus analysis. Furthermore, aligning the ACRL Framework with medical education standards, such as AAMC Core EPAs and ACGME requirements, is essential for identifying instructional gaps …

Not All Health Problems Are Medical, Lisa George, Jennifer Hartke, Linda Caurdy-Bess, Karen Glorio

Posters

Medical Legal Partnership (MLP) started in 1993 in Boston. Currently MLP’s have been established in over 450 health care institutions in 49 states. Patient Legal Support (PLS) began in August 2009 and is a collaborative effort between Corewell Health East (then Beaumont Health system) and Lakeshore Legal Aid. Modeled after Boston Medical Center’s Family Advocacy Program, PLS provides educational training to health care providers, helping them recognize legal issues that affect the health of their patients, refer patients with legal problems, and improve their own advocacy skills.

How Medical Education Reframes Perceptions Of Substance Use Disorder: A Study Of Evolving Student Attitudes, Eva Neueunschwander, Cameron Davidson

Posters

According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2022 about 50 million people had experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.1 Despite the alarming prevalence of SUD, stigma remains a major barrier to seeking and obtaining high quality treatment. Understanding how medical students view SUD and how perceptions change across their educational journey is essential for improving patient care. While previous studies have investigated SUD stigma among medical students, the effect of study year on attitudes remains largely mixed and unclear.2 This project compares attitudes across educational levels to understand how medical training influences …

The Library As A Partner In Wellness: A Curated Resource Collection For Medical Students, David Stewart

Posters

Medical education involves intense stress; 82% of students experience high distress, facing higher rates of burnout and mental illness than the general population2,3. This is often attributed to a medical culture prioritizing technical efficiency over humanistic care1 . Medical libraries are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap, as students perceive them as safe, confidential communal spaces2 . Despite this, only 18% of U.S. medical libraries currently offer dedicated wellness resources2 . To address this, Narrative Medicine, the engagement with patient stories, has emerged as one way to foster narrative competence1 . These interventions improve clinical connections and self-perspective, helping students …

Reframing Inclusion Through Scholarship & Equity (Rise) Equity Project 2026, Tonya Bailey, Brandon Harris, Abhinav Krishnan, Trini Mathew, Amita Pai, Julie Zaituna, Tracey Taylor

Posters

The OUWB RISE program is a faculty development educational initiative, and this poster disseminates both clinical and foundation faculty scholars’ year-long, project-based learning focused on advancing inclusive and equitable medical education.

Staff Education To Improve Appointment Adherence In Outpatient Behavioral Health, Yvonne Joseph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Reducing Emergency Department Overuse Through Patient Education, Maddie Pieper, Joshua Heuertz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background/Introduction

Emergency departments (EDs) are designed to provide rapid evaluation and management of acute, life-threatening, and time-sensitive conditions. However, EDs are frequently used for nonemergent or low-acuity concerns that could be managed in primary care or urgent care settings. This overuse contributes to rising healthcare costs, resource strain, longer wait times, and overcrowding. Underserved populations may rely more heavily on ED services because of barriers such as limited primary care access, language differences, low health literacy, restrictive work schedules, transportation challenges, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. These factors can make the ED seem the most accessible source of care. …

The Ethical Imperative Of Public Health Institutions To Protect The Reproductive Autonomy Of Vulnerable Populations, Kennethea Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation establishes the ethical responsibility of public health institutions to safeguard reproductive autonomy, especially among vulnerable populations. While reproductive decision-making is traditionally framed within individual clinical encounters, this work contends that reproductive autonomy is fundamentally a matter of public health ethics. Socioecological determinants, including social, legal, environmental, and structural factors, often constrain individuals’ ability to make meaningful reproductive choices, leading to preventable harm.

Reproductive autonomy is defined as the capacity to make informed decisions about whether and when to conceive, as well as how to parent. The dissertation critiques the sufficiency of clinical ethics frameworks, such as informed consent …

Agenda (Pdf), Department Of Surgery

Surgery Research Symposium

Agenda for the 4th Annual Surgery Research Symposium held May 7, 2026.

Genetic Analysis Of The X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Gene Abcd1 In Drosophila Uncovers A Conserved Phenotype, Joshua Manor, Sharayu V Jangam, Hyung-Lok Chung, Pranjali Bhagwat, Jonathan C Andrews, Hillary Chester, Shu Kondo, Saurabh Srivastav, Juan Botas, Ann B Moser, Suzette M Huguenin, Michael F Wangler

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss-of-function (LOF) mutation in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily D member 1 (ABCD1) gene, leading to the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This disorder exhibits striking heterogeneity; some male patients develop an early childhood neuroinflammatory demyelination disorder, while other patients, including adult males and most affected female carriers, experience a chronic progressive myelopathy. Adrenocortical failure is observed in almost all male patients, with the age of onset varying, sometimes being the first diagnostic finding. The gene underlying this spectrum of disease encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that …

Pharmacogenomic-Guided Prescribing And Polypharmacy Across Age Groups In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Retrospective Study, Sheldon R Garrison, Matthew W Boyer, Anthony W Zoghbi, Rachel A Schwartz, Nicolette Weisensel, Martin E Franklin, Madeline M Hartig, Maharaj Singh, Sreya Vadapalli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: This study evaluated medication utilization in children, adolescents, and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Although first-line treatments include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the heterogeneous biological underpinnings contribute to suboptimal outcomes, with 40-60% of individuals not responding to SSRIs. This complex phenotype often leads to psychotropic polypharmacy, which may be mitigated by incorporating combinatorial pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing into protocol-based care to identify potential gene-drug interactions.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of individuals with OCD aged 8 to 65 years who received either …

Gut Microbiota Modulation Of Regulatory Dna Elements Revealed By Massively Parallel Functional Characterization, Chadmirah Zaratiana, Adheet Ganesh, Yang E Li, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are central to dynamic gene regulation in hepatocytes, yet most functional annotations derive from in vitro models that poorly capture physiological regulation. We systematically profiled 109,386 human liver-derived CREs using massively parallel reporter assays in hepatocytes under matched in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vivo-active functional CREs (fCREs) were enriched for H3K27ac and chromatin accessibility and were regulated by diverse transcription factors in the human liver. We further demonstrate that gut microbiota-derived signals modulate fCRE activity and target gene expression in vivo, in part via the KEAP1/NFE2L2 antioxidant pathway. Specific microbial metabolites directly altered the activity …

Mind Over Measure: The Role Of Self-Care Practices In Mitigating Mental Health Strain Among K-12 Educators, Jerry Burkett, Ryan Hulla

School Leadership Review

Teacher mental health is a critical concern in K-12 education, with high rates of burnout demanding effective protective strategies. This study investigated the relationship between five dimensions of teacher self-care (Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Spiritual, and Professional) and overall mental health outcomes, while specifically exploring differences between elementary (K-5) and high school (9-12) educators. A sample of K-12 teachers completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and the Self-Care Inventory. Correlational analysis found that all five self-care dimensions were significantly and positively associated with mental health, with Professional Self-Care demonstrating the strongest link (r=.48, p

Screening Novel Secreted Proteins For Their Effects On Pancreatic Islet Function Using Qpcr-Based Gene Expression Analysis, Deepti Agarwal, Neha Mishra, Marcus Seldin

Cumberland Medica

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) involves progressive dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells and systemic insulin resistance. Although a handful of secreted factors acting on pancreatic islet have emerged as important therapeutic targets, many additional signaling processes remain unknown. The identification of such mediators can make a new contribution to the regulation of islet biology and serve as another approach for disease treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether three novel peptides could modulate islet-specific gene expression in vivo. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with proteins then pancreatic tissues were collected six hours post-treatment. Total RNA was isolated, converted to cDNA, and …

Comparative Analysis Of Antegrade And Retrograde Nailing For Proximal, Shaft, And Distal Femur Fractures, Saahil Noupada

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Antegrade and retrograde intramedullary nailing are widely used for femoral fractures, yet their relative advantages across fracture locations remain debated. This study compares union rates, time to union, malunion, and functional outcomes between approaches, stratified by AO/OTA classification.

Methods:

A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus (2015 to 2025) was performed. Studies reporting outcomes of antegrade and/or retrograde nailing for proximal (31), diaphyseal (32), and distal (33) femoral fractures were included. Data on demographics, fracture classification, fixation method, and outcomes were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Pooled estimates were calculated …

Medical Providers’ Perspective On Barriers Faced By Intellectual And Developmental Disabled (Idd) Patients From Medically Underserved Backgrounds, Mayra A. Flores

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

•Complexities of obtaining healthcare access can be difficult for all patients across the board, so much so that it’s viewed as a maze. Studies have shown that these challenges are added on for medically underserved communities.2-3 Some of these challenges include insurance, language barriers, appointment availability, stigma, financial limitations and lack of transportation.2 •Identify the barriers that patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from medically underserved backgrounds face in healthcare access. •Intellectually and developmentally disabled patients from medically underserved communities face exacerbated barriers in healthcare access. •Participating medical providers from the Regional Integrated Special Needs Center (RISN) – Sewell …

Management Of Libman-Sacks Endocarditis: The Role Of Anticoagulation And Immunosuppressive Therapy, Klaudia Matanaj, Demi Poulathas, David Altimore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis detected in 10-40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), depending on imaging modality. LSE is strongly associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The condition significantly increases the risk of cerebrovascular accidents and inpatient mortality compared to SLE without cardiac involvement. Despite these serious complications, optimal management remains uncertain. Objective: To review the current evidence on the pathophysiology and management of LSE. Methods: A literature review was conducted using 12 peer-reviewed articles addressing LSE pathophysiology, clinical outcomes, and treatment strategies. Results: Combination anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic therapy achieved 76% …

Age And Genotype-Dependent Baseline Characterization Of Spatial Learning And Memory In App/Ps1 Rats Using The Morris Water Maze, Thomas George, Mohammadreza Arbab, Nathanael Ricardo Alicea, Mahdie Kerdari, Christopher Janson

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Transgenic APP/PS1 rat models offer improved translational relevance compared to mouse models due to closer similarity to human neurobiology.

Objective: To establish a baseline profile of spatial learning and memory across age and genotype in rate model.

Methods: The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was used to assess four groups of rats: young Wild Type (WT), young APP/PS1 (AD), middle-aged WT, and middle-aged AD. Spatial learning was evaluated during acquisition (Day 1–4) using cumulative proximity and escape latency. Memory was assessed using probe trials (Day 2–4). Swim velocity …