Digital Commons Network^™

Loneliness, Superheroes & The Uses And Gratifications Theory, Jason Kramer

Capstone Showcase

This paper tries to analyze the appeal of superheroes through the uses and gratifications theory, and takes a look at how the audience reacts to superhero media that portrays loneliness within it's heroes.

Herniated Nucleus Pulposus Radiculopathy In Athletes, Elizabeth G. Massel

Capstone Showcase

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), commonly referred to as intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation, is the second most common cause of neck and back pain, and most common cause of radiculopathy. The purpose of this CME article is to provide guidance on the medical management and secondary prevention of HNP in athletic populations, and highlight the pathophysiological process of mechanical overload putting athletes at a proportionately higher risk of the disease. It will address the unique pathophysiology of overuse-related HNP, as opposed to underuse, with the mechanical overload on vertebral discs associated with many sports. It will also review, with more emphasis …

A Thoughtful Approach To Weight Loss Management, Zachary Brock

Capstone Showcase

As a student preparing to graduate PA school, one of the areas I hope to improve upon is my ability to educate patients in a comfortable, caring, encouraging, and effective manner. In my experience, the topic of weight-loss is often handled in ways that are insensitive, making patients feel shameful about their condition and less inspired to change. The goal of this article will be to address the current literature on how to medically manage obesity in patients and combine resources that offer more effective, encouraging, and subtle approaches that will help lead to a more effective, shame-free treatment of …

Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet Impact On Chronic Disease Reversal, Veena Patel

Capstone Showcase

This article delves into the prevalence and costs associated with various chronic diseases, elucidates how adopting a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet can effectively combat these ailments, and offers resources and guidance for healthcare providers to engage in discussions about WFPB diets with their patients. A WFPB diet centers around unprocessed, natural foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, while eschewing animal based products. This dietary regimen prioritizes nutrient-rich, plant-derived foods, favoring minimally processed options to enhance overall health and vitality. Its design is deliberate, offering a therapeutic approach to tackling chronic diseases and fostering recovery. By …

Basic Principles Of Chronic Wound Care Management, Mahi-Ruhi Ladhani Jain

Capstone Showcase

This CME article aims to address the basics of chronic wound management, especially related to chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease, and diabetes. Many providers do not know how to treat or manage chronic wounds and may use outdated methods to treat the wounds. There are many wound care supplies and resources available for providers when it comes to wound care management. However, the information is spread out across different resources. This article aims to create a resource that allows one to have a basic understanding of wounds and the different ways to manage them. In the article, I will …

Early Onset Colorectal Cancer: Research, Trends & Challenges, Sarah E. Smith

Capstone Showcase

Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence and mortality are rising in a global trend, contrasting with improvements seen in late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC). EOCRC appears to differ in presentation, histology, and pathology from LOCRC painting concerns of a more aggressive tumor profile. With incidence steadily climbing, there is still lacking awareness and guidance on screening for EOCRC. This article aims to provide background on EOCRC including epidemiology, risk factors, and traits, as well as to explore methods for adjusting provider screening criteria to combat this concerning trend.

Introducing Comprehensive Sexuality Education And Hiv Prevention And Treatment Methods Through Pop-Up Clinics To Secondary School Girls In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Eliza I. Tobin, Joaquin Carlos Pinga, Caitlyn Stanya

Capstone Showcase

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system leading to people living with HIV (PLHIV) immunodeficient and more susceptible to other infections or diseases (UNAIDS, 2023b). This can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) within 8-10 years of infection (UNAIDS, 2023b). HIV does not always present symptoms, making it hard for people to identify their HIV status without proper screening. The lack of awareness around a person’s status has led HIV to spread worldwide. In addition to the worldwide spread of HIV, there is no cure for the disease, however, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is mainly used …

Reducing The Prevalence Of Overweight And Obesity In Children Ages 10-13 In Charleston, West Virginia Through A School-Based Nutrition Education And Physical Activity Program, Isabella Tullio, Emma Heffley, Natalie Scardino

Capstone Showcase

Childhood overweight and obesity, the excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat causing a health risk, is primarily caused by lifestyle issues including inadequate physical activity and too many calories from food and drinks (WHO, 2020; Mayo Clinic, n,d). Key determinants of health for childhood obesity include physical environment, socioeconomic status or occupation, education level, and school environments. Children with parents who have low socioeconomic status, live in a food desert, (a neighborhood with limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), or a food swamp, (a neighborhood with a saturation of fast-food outlets, convenience stores, and corner stores), or …

Evaluating Causes Of Sinus Tachycardia In The Pediatrics Population And Managing In A Primary Care Setting, Guillemette Calderwood

Capstone Showcase

This article’s goal is to fill a gap in research that compares causes of tachycardia in children by appropriately addressing epidemiology, what is physiologically happening with tachycardia, symptoms that may be associated with it, as well as a differential diagnosis. This review specifically discusses positional orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, as well as infection. This is important and needed in order to help providers in diagnosing the cause for this common arrhythmia.

The Role Of Primary Care Providers In Maintaining Weight Loss By Preventing Behavioral Relapse, Hayden R. Blanchard

Capstone Showcase

Supporting patients in optimizing health by treating obesity remains a relevant goal for primary care providers. While weight loss is frequently achieved with behavioral modification, maintaining weight loss by avoiding behavioral relapse is much more difficult. Patient may lose weight by reducing overall energy intake, incorporating intensive behavior change programs, utilizing pharmacotherapy as needed and, in certain cases, undergoing bariatric surgery. With a focus on behavior change and maintenance, primary care providers can support patients by planning more frequent follow up appointments, at least every one to three months. In these visits, PCPs can: focus on reenforcing lifestyle change principles …

Impact Of Sleep Deprivation On Stress And Performance In Students: Best Interventions, Brianna Crowley

Capstone Showcase

Sleep is an essential part of physical and mental well-being, yet, many individuals underestimate its importance.^1,2,4 Sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of detriments including memory loss, disorganized thinking, and mood changes.^3,6,7 Because of this, academic performance can be directly impaired as well, which further perpetuates a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and increasing stress.⁸ Interventions to help improve sleep include adequate sleep hygiene, appropriate physical exercise, lifestyle changes, practicing mindfulness, and using pharmaceutical aids. Providers must continue to address this common issue among patients as it truly impacts various aspects of life and follow good …

Evaluating The Pathogenesis And Treatment Algorithms For Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Nimra Nasir

Capstone Showcase

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal condition that is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort and altered bowel habits. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is thought out to be a multifactorial disorder that involves GI dysmotility, symptomology, altered gut microbial environment and alteration of the CNS with mental health manifestations including depression and anxiety. Many theories of the pathophysiology of IBS have been put forward, however the exact etiology remains unclear to this day. IBS is diagnosed based on the Rome IV Criteria that represent one of the four subtypes; 1) IBS with constipation (IBS-C), 2) IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) 3) …

Migraine Treatment In Primary Care, Vivian Tran

Capstone Showcase

Migraines are a common problem that medical providers encounter, especially in primary care, neurology, and the emergency department. Given that 15% of the population suffers from migraines annually, it is important for providers to know how to diagnose migraines. Migraines may also present as a symptom of another disorder, so being able to recognize whether symptoms are alarming is crucial to start the correct workup. The mainstay abortive therapy for migraines is ibuprofen, and for prophylactic therapy is topiramate. However, CGRP targeted medications like gepants and CGRP mAbs may be the new treatment of choice for abortive and prophylactic treatment …

Impact Of Organizational Culture And Leadership In Professional Environments, Eli Wolman

Capstone Showcase

This paper addresses the importance of a strong organizational culture and effective leadership in a professional working environment. Leadership has been shown to profoundly impact a professional working environment's performance, productivity, mental well-being, and goal attainment. Organizational Culture is the set of values and norms a group shares. As influential organizational culture proves to be effective, leadership may come in the form of several styles, including transformational leadership, directive leadership, or empowering leadership, which also play a pivotal role in the success of a group. Ultimately, even though this paper primarily prioritizes the implications of leadership and culture on professional …

Examining The Efficacy Of Treatments For Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Michael Podcasy

Capstone Showcase

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a disease that affects the sensory, motor, sudomotor, vasomotor and trophic systems of patients. The pathophysiology is currently unknown and the diagnostic criteria that is used, the Budapest criteria, has its own shortcomings. This had led to hurdles in the research of the disease and well as a lack of high-quality studies on the efficacy of the many treatments currently being used to treat CRPS today. This poster explores those concepts.

Stem Cells And Alzheimer's, Matthew Kercheff

Capstone Showcase

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a challenging disease as a whole: not only are there challenges in terms of treatment, but also understanding how the disease progresses is difficult in it by itself. Current on-market drugs can only provide symptomatic relief, and do not tackle disease progression. Luckily, stem cell therapy has emerged as a new way of tackling the disease, possessing the potential to address the pathology and improve the neurodegenerative decline. Still, stem cells have challenges imposing on the progression of their research. These challenges range from diagnostics hindrances to ethical concerns, and as a result often lead to …

Cme: Pcos Diagnostic Criteria, Lindsay R. Phillips

Capstone Showcase

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal imbalance that can affect females of reproductive ages and is described as women having high androgen levels, irregular menstrual cycles, and small cysts on one or both ovaries. PCOS is difficult to accurately diagnose since the diagnostic criteria are vague and the disease falls on a wide spectrum of symptoms, leaving women underdiagnosed. Previous research has shown marked improvement in the diagnostic criteria for PCOS over the years. However, due to the vagueness in symptoms, most of the criteria has been created through expert opinion based on subjective data vs objective data. …

Comradery After Calamity: Bipartisan Rhetoric After 9/11, Sara A. Castro

Capstone Showcase

In the years following 9/11, bills concerning national security came out of Congress with a high bipartisan roll count vote rate. These are at the height of President George Bush’s approval rating.This thesis examines the bipartisan rhetoric during floor debate of the Patriot Act, the Homeland Security Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. Using content analysis, this thesis demonstrates how the President uses public support during a national tragedy to influence Congress to pass bills. Language will be identified using buzz words such as president, executive and …

Pain Prophylaxis With Iud Insertion, Katherine Stanton

Capstone Showcase

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) are a form of long- acting contraceptive that are used worldwide in preventing unwanted pregnancy. Despite their high success rate, there is a lot of hesitancy in women to choose this as their form of preferred birth control. Some of this comes from lack of patient education and other social factors, but another portion is the fear of pain during insertion. Unfortunately, there is no standard of care to mitigate pain with IUD insertion, and use of different modalities continue to be a heavily debated topic. It is believed the cause of pain with IUD insertion is …

A City Of Global Ambition: Duke Cosimo I De’ Medici’S Florence And The Americas, Jillian Hauer

Capstone Showcase

The Age of Conquest marked a turning point in global history, facilitating cross-cultural exchanges between the Eastern and Western hemispheres and paving the way for colonial expansion. Despite Italy's lack of direct involvement in the exploration of the Americas, various city-states eagerly sought to acquire objects and knowledge from the recently exploited lands. This essay focuses on Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici and his efforts to portray Florence as a global center through the collecting, commissioning, and cultivating of objects from and related to the Americas. I investigate mirabilia (objects that evoked wonder or astonishment) associated with the Medici collection, …

Emerging Unconventional Therapies For Glioblastoma Multiforme, Danielle Morang

Capstone Showcase

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor occurring in adults with a median survival of less than two years. It is a highly invasive tumor characterized by genetic heterogeneity, angiogenesis, and rapid proliferation. Patients undergo a multimodal treatment regimen consisting of surgical resection and chemoradiation therapy, yet GBM tumors almost always recur with a worsening prognosis. The molecular and genetic complexities of GBM pose a significant challenge for developing effective therapeutics. Thus, it is imperative to identify new therapeutic targets and explore novel treatment strategies to improve patients’ overall survival time and quality of …

Judicial Independence: An Important Yet Fragile Concept Needed For The Democracy Of The United States, Michael Johnson Jr

Capstone Showcase

My thesis explores the processes by which jurists are appointed to the bench to various State Supreme Courts through several selection methods. I delve deep into the extensive and intricate history surrounding judicial independence as an institutional concept, which has caused signs of concern for many legal and institutional scholars. My research aims to address the question: To what extent do the methods and mechanisms intended to safeguard judicial independence effectively fulfill their purpose? To answer this question, I use a pattern matching method to analyze a selection of six summary judgment cases–chosen randomly–from each state. Three cases where the …

Cosimo I De' Medici: Politics, Portraiture, And Propaganda, Emilie Kopf

Capstone Showcase

A ruler’s image was an essential part of Italian Renaissance culture, particularly in the realm of the princely court. By commissioning portraits and other forms of art, courtly elites were able to manipulate their public identity by highlighting the aspirational ideals of the time. It is thought that the Florentine senate ratified Cosimo I de’ Medici’s election because they believed him to be weak and easily manipulated. Precisely because his election was so unexpected, Cosimo I focused the resources of his court on establishing his political and social legitimacy. Cosimo employed visual imagery to deflect and neutralize challenges to his …

Diagnosis And Management Of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, Sara Read

Capstone Showcase

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a chronic and debilitating condition that can be encountered in a multitude of clinical settings. It is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder and is often misdiagnosed. Proper identification and management of this condition are crucial to patient care and quality of life. This article reviews the hypothesized etiologies, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of CVS as well as recommendations for management in a variety of settings. As an understudied and underdiagnosed condition, it is important that clinicians have a basic understanding of this disorder.

The Role Of Stigma In The Barriers To Mental Health Treatment In The Arab Culture., Maria Zafaran

Capstone Showcase

Mental illness is a complex issue that affects individuals worldwide, including those in Arab culture. Unfortunately, mental illness stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help, leading to negative consequences. However, several approaches can be implemented to decrease the stigma of mental illness among Arabs. The stigma of mental illness in the Arab region is a persistent issue. This stigma can and often leads to barriers to treatment for individuals seeking treatment. The research found in this literature review supports the existence of multiple stigma related barriers of families, religion, and acculturation, that can make it particularly difficult for Arab individuals …

The Effects Of Caffeine And Exercise On Cardiovascular Health, Caitlin Hubmaster

Capstone Showcase

Pre-workout powders, energy drinks and highly caffeinated beverages are becoming popular amongst adolescents and young adults for use prior to a workout. Caffeine is a known stimulant that gives a sense of increased energy to the consumer. This research looks to evaluate how high amounts of caffeine consumed before exercise specifically can impact the cardiovascular system and its recovery period. By evaluating these changes and their potential cardiac effects, providers will be able to properly counsel patients on proper use before workouts along with the benefits and risks that come with it.

This Is Not An Exit: Abjection And Identity In American Psycho, Danita Mapes

Capstone Showcase

This paper delves into the multifaceted exploration of Patrick Bateman's psyche in the film 'American Psycho' (2000) through the lens of the gaze. By dissecting the cinematic representation of Bateman's abjection, dejection, and his insatiable desire to possess the abject, this analysis reveals how the movie employs visual and thematic elements to exemplify his abject status. Furthermore, it underscores the film's portrayal of Bateman's quest to transcend the constraints of his privileged position, which ultimately destabilizes him due to his lack of a coherent identity.

Throughout the film, Patrick Bateman emerges as a character who is both eroticized and humiliated. …

Considerations In The Management Of Juvenile Absence Epilepsy In Pregnancy And In Females Of Childbearing Age, Casey Brew

Capstone Showcase

JAE is an epilepsy syndrome that typically requires lifelong AED treatment, and valproic acid or lamotrigine is considered first line to manage the spectrum of associated seizures. In females with JAE who become pregnant, there exist risks both from having uncontrolled seizures and from taking AEDs during the pregnancy. Valproic acid carries the highest risks to the fetus but is the most effective in controlling the seizure types seen with JAE. Folic acid supplementation has shown to mitigate some but not all of the fetal risks from valproic acid. Limited guidance from professional organizations exists for management of females of …

Management Of Opioid Use Disorder In Primary Care, Carolyn Jeffries

Capstone Showcase

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States, and worldwide, has drastically increased in the span of 2-3 years. OUD is considered chronic condition and as such requires routine care over a lifetime. This makes OUD patients excellent candidates to be managed by primary care providers (PCPs). This article discusses the various barriers to treatment of OUD in a primary care setting as well methods and models that aim to mitigate these barriers. We will also review how to take a detailed assessment of an OUD patient, mainstays of medication assisted treatment (MAT), and management of side …

Development Of Psychopharmacology In Borderline Personality Disorder (Bpd), Sarah Walsh

Capstone Showcase

This presentation strives to help providers diagnose Borderline Personality Disorder and decide on a treatment option shown to be most efficacious for their patient's symptoms. Currently, no medications are indicated in the treatment of BPD, so information was compiled on researched treatment options. The issue of polypharmacy is also discussed, as an effort to avoid this issue in future clinical practice.