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Contextual Scaffolding And Self-Efficacy: Supporting Computer Skill Development Among Blind Learners In India, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Yash Prakash, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok Jan 2026

Contextual Scaffolding And Self-Efficacy: Supporting Computer Skill Development Among Blind Learners In India, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Yash Prakash, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Inclusive computer literacy education efforts, broadening the participation of blind or visually impaired (BVI) individuals, have gained traction in recent years. Existing literature investigating these efforts primarily draws evidence from affluent Global North contexts, where accessibility resources and legal frameworks are relatively more mature. Little is known about the in-situ teaching and learning challenges faced by trainers and BVI students, respectively, in resource-constrained, multicultural Global South countries like India. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a four-month contextual inquiry at two computer training centers catering to 94 BVI students in India. We notably observed a rigid, experience-driven training environment …


Memebuddy: Dialog-Style Audio Representations For Engaging Non-Visual Meme Experiences, Chirag Bhansali, Vikas Ashok, Hae-Na Lee Jan 2026

Memebuddy: Dialog-Style Audio Representations For Engaging Non-Visual Meme Experiences, Chirag Bhansali, Vikas Ashok, Hae-Na Lee

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Image memes are a pervasive form of online communication, widely used to convey humor, opinions, and cultural references. Prior work has explored making memes accessible to blind users, primarily through auto-generated descriptive captions. While these approaches improve comprehensibility and sometimes incorporate prosodic or emotional cues, they often fail to capture the humor, narrative structure, and contextual nuances that make memes engaging. We present MemeBuddy, a system that models memes as dialog, generating structured, multi-turn audio representations using role-based speakers. MemeBuddy reinterprets a meme as a conversation between two speakers, integrating extracted meme text with contextual knowledge implicitly inferred by a …


Replicatorbench: Benchmarking Llm Agents For Replicability In Social And Behavioral Sciences, Bang Nguyen, Dominik Soós, Qian Ma, Rochana R. Obadage, Zack Ranjan, Sai Koneru, Timothy M. Errington, Shakhlo Nematova, Sarah Rajtmajer, Jian Wu, Meng Jiang Jan 2026

Replicatorbench: Benchmarking Llm Agents For Replicability In Social And Behavioral Sciences, Bang Nguyen, Dominik Soós, Qian Ma, Rochana R. Obadage, Zack Ranjan, Sai Koneru, Timothy M. Errington, Shakhlo Nematova, Sarah Rajtmajer, Jian Wu, Meng Jiang

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The literature has witnessed an emerging interest in developing and evaluating AI agents for automated assessment of research claims in scientific papers. Existing benchmarks focus primarily on the computational aspect of this task, testing agents' ability to reproduce or replicate research outcomes when having access to the code and data. This setting, while foundational, (1) fails to capture the inconsistent availability of new data for replication as opposed to reproduction, and (2) lacks ground-truth diversity by focusing exclusively on fully reproducible or replicable papers, thereby failing to evaluate an agent's ability to identify non-replicable research. Furthermore, most benchmarks only evaluate …


Toward A Centralized Cross Domain Database For Reproducibility And Replicability Studies, Rochana R. Obadage, Sarah Rajtmajer, Jian Wu Jan 2026

Toward A Centralized Cross Domain Database For Reproducibility And Replicability Studies, Rochana R. Obadage, Sarah Rajtmajer, Jian Wu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Reproducibility and replicability (R&R) are structural properties of scientific knowledge, yet existing R&R evidence remains fragmented across domains and initiatives. We present an ongoing effort to develop a centralized, cross-domain database of R&R studies that links published works to their corresponding R&R attempts and supporting assessments. Bibliographic metadata and title-based matching through scholarly indexing services identify canonical records and persistent identifiers. A heuristic, uncertainty-aware matching algorithm supports intra-source and inter-source deduplication, complemented by manual review of ambiguous cases. A unified schema accommodates heterogeneous assessment frameworks and records original studies, R&R studies, assessments, aggregated summaries, and source provenance. The database currently …


The Balance Of Power In Ukraine And Deterrence Effectivenes Against Nuclear-Armed Russia, Chick Edmond Jan 2026

The Balance Of Power In Ukraine And Deterrence Effectivenes Against Nuclear-Armed Russia, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has raised several significant questions regarding the impact of deterrence, the European balance of power and the ability of current security frameworks to restrict the actions of nuclear-armed revisionist powers. This paper uses an integrated theoretical framework consisting of deterrence theory, the balance of power theory, the security dilemma and neorealism to analyze the dynamic relationships between Russia, Ukraine and the Western alliance. The primary contribution of the paper is to develop a comprehensive analytical framework to evaluate the relationship between different aspects of deterrence (i.e., to prevent an initial attack, to limit further escalation and …


Nuclear Deterrence And The Security Dilemma In A Complex Multipolar World, Chick Edmond Jan 2026

Nuclear Deterrence And The Security Dilemma In A Complex Multipolar World, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Objectives: The purpose of this research project is to examine how nuclear deterrence intersects with the concept of security dilemma, i.e., when a state takes an action intended to increase its own security it may inadvertently create a risk or threat to another state and contribute to increased levels of tension. Fourth, how nuclear and conventional systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, which will serve to potentially amplify risks associated with these systems.

Methods: Utilizing a qualitative analytical approach of documents such as national strategy documents, defense policy statements and historical records of crises dating from 1945-2025, the study identifies four …


Prevalence And Correlates Of Anxiety And Depression Symptoms Among Medical Students: The Role Of Student Debt Burden, Foroozan Afsharchi, Joshua F. Edwards, Kailash S. Ram, Jingru Huang, Valicia Hale, Ismail El Moudden Jan 2026

Prevalence And Correlates Of Anxiety And Depression Symptoms Among Medical Students: The Role Of Student Debt Burden, Foroozan Afsharchi, Joshua F. Edwards, Kailash S. Ram, Jingru Huang, Valicia Hale, Ismail El Moudden

Department of Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

This cross-sectional study examined whether anxiety and depression symptoms decrease as medical students progress through training (suggesting adjustment disorder) or persist (suggesting chronic conditions), while identifying associated risk factors, including student debt burden and treatment effectiveness.

Methods

We surveyed medical students (years 1-4) at VHS-ODU using a sociodemographic questionnaire and validated screening instruments (GAD-7 for anxiety and PHQ-9 for depression) via RedCap from September to November 2024.

Results

Among 126 students, Scores were higher in Years 2-3 than in Years 1 and 4, but differences by year were not significant (GAD-7 p=0.055; PHQ-9 p=0.352). Students with a prior mental-health …


Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Perioperative And Interstage Outcomes In Congenital Heart Surgery A Systematic Review, Sara Sakowitz, Jennifer S. Nelson, Justin Robinson, Camilla S. Rossi, David M. Shahian, David T. Cooke, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Shelby Aughtman, Megan Schultz, Meena Nathan, Claude Beaty, Michal Shafer, Deborah Kozik, Glenn J. Pelletier Jan 2026

Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Perioperative And Interstage Outcomes In Congenital Heart Surgery A Systematic Review, Sara Sakowitz, Jennifer S. Nelson, Justin Robinson, Camilla S. Rossi, David M. Shahian, David T. Cooke, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Shelby Aughtman, Megan Schultz, Meena Nathan, Claude Beaty, Michal Shafer, Deborah Kozik, Glenn J. Pelletier

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Importance: Social determinants of health (SDoH)- conditions in which patients live, grow, and age, - are increasingly recognized to influence the health of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Objective: To explore the impact of SDoH on short-term mortality and morbidity, interstage outcomes, and resource utilization, among patients following congenital heart surgery.

Evidence Review: A systematic review was completed according to PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies evaluating the association of SDoH with surgical outcomes of pediatric and adult CHD patients were identified from five databases queried including PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PYSCINFO, and Cochrane between January 1999 and February 2024. Inclusion criteria …


Multimodal Machine Learning For Alzheimer's Disease Classification Using Adni Biomarker Fusion, Hesameddin Mostaghimi, Hamid R. Okhravi, Bahar Niknejad, Daniel A. Cohen, Michel A. Audette, Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Jan 2026

Multimodal Machine Learning For Alzheimer's Disease Classification Using Adni Biomarker Fusion, Hesameddin Mostaghimi, Hamid R. Okhravi, Bahar Niknejad, Daniel A. Cohen, Michel A. Audette, Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Despite ongoing advances, accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains challenging due to its multifactorial nature, comorbidities, and clinical heterogeneity. Accordingly, approaches that combine multimodal data may improve AD classification by integrating complementary information. To investigate this, we evaluated classification performance using a preprocessed ADNI-3 dataset comprising a shared set of clinical/cognitive features along with four imaging modality-based cohorts: trimodal (MRI + amyloid PET + tau PET), MRI + amyloid PET, MRI + tau PET, and MRI-only. We trained a range of supervised machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) classifiers using stratified five-fold cross-validation and evaluated performance using accuracy, …


Steady As She Goes: Remote Work Benefits Daily Goal Progress Through Reduced Energy Variability, Andrew A. Bennett, Kathleen R. Keeler, Emily D. Campion, Sheila K. Keener Jan 2026

Steady As She Goes: Remote Work Benefits Daily Goal Progress Through Reduced Energy Variability, Andrew A. Bennett, Kathleen R. Keeler, Emily D. Campion, Sheila K. Keener

Management Faculty Publications

As the prevalence and allowance of remote and hybrid work evolves, research has shown consistently mixed findings about how work location is related to worker energy and perceptions of daily performance. We aim to resolve this ambiguity by integrating affective events theory with ideas about emotion dynamics to develop new theorizing explaining why energy variability, rather than mean energy level, is an important predictor of daily goal progress. We test our hypotheses using a sample of 219 employees from one organization allowing remote and hybrid work, capturing individual hourly energy levels for five consecutive workdays (4,812 hourly observations). Our …


Organized Sports-Based Interventions And Motor Outcomes In Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Kailash Ram, Maeren Hill, Caitlyn Stewart, Kaitlin P. Hardy Md, Sonia Khurana Jan 2026

Organized Sports-Based Interventions And Motor Outcomes In Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Kailash Ram, Maeren Hill, Caitlyn Stewart, Kaitlin P. Hardy Md, Sonia Khurana

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of organized sports-based interventions on motor outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

Four databases were searched from inception to November 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs) reporting motor outcomes of organized sports-based interventions in children with ASD. Risk of bias was evaluated using ROB-2 (Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, Version Two) for RCTs and ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions) for NRCTs.

Results

Eleven studies (six RCTs, five NRCTs) were included and categorized as martial arts (n = 5), aquatic training (n = …


The Psychiatric Burden Of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Trinetx Analysis Of Sex-Specific Disparities In Mental Health And Medication Use, Emily Sheetz, Julia Feord, Collette Sholi, Parker Adams, Tamas Gal, Susan G. Kornstein, Arturo Saavedra Jan 2026

The Psychiatric Burden Of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Trinetx Analysis Of Sex-Specific Disparities In Mental Health And Medication Use, Emily Sheetz, Julia Feord, Collette Sholi, Parker Adams, Tamas Gal, Susan G. Kornstein, Arturo Saavedra

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background:

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with physical and psychological burden. Prior research has shown increased rates of depression and anxiety among individuals with HS; however, sex-based disparities in the prevalence of these mental health conditions in patients with HS remain underexplored.

Objective:

To evaluate sex-based differences in the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and the prescribing of antidepressants and anxiolytics among patients with HS.

Methods:

Using the TriNetX database, we identified patients over the age of 18 who had a recorded diagnosis of HS. Propensity score matching based on …


Criterion Validity Of The Functional Status And Pain Assessment Scale Versus Pain And Length Of Stay In Hospitalized Adults With Scd, Wally R. Smith, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang, Margaret S. Guy, Rehan Qayyum Jan 2026

Criterion Validity Of The Functional Status And Pain Assessment Scale Versus Pain And Length Of Stay In Hospitalized Adults With Scd, Wally R. Smith, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang, Margaret S. Guy, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives

In prior research we demonstrated face, construct, discriminant, and preliminary convergent validity of the newly developed, 10-item Functional Status Pain Assessment (FSPA) scale (0-50) in adult SCD patients hospitalized with VOC. We aimed in this study to further demonstrate criterion validity of the FSPA.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 561 daily functional and pain assessments from 91 hospitalized adults with SCD from January 2018 to June of 2019. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Partial Least Squares (PLS) models determined the relationship between LOS, pain intensity, and FSPA. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to quantified the impact of …


Startle Habituation And Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability Influence The Use Of Emotion Regulation Strategies, Xiao Yang, Fang Fang, Angela Ximena Babb Jan 2026

Startle Habituation And Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability Influence The Use Of Emotion Regulation Strategies, Xiao Yang, Fang Fang, Angela Ximena Babb

Psychology Faculty Publications

Emotion regulation refers to the processes through which people modulate their emotional experiences and expressions, and difficulties in these processes underpin many forms of psychopathology. According to the process model, emotion regulation encompasses five classes of strategies, commonly grouped into antecedent-focused strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) and response-focused strategies (e.g., expressive suppression). These strategies involve both explicit and implicit processes, which can be objectively assessed using physiological indices. The present study examined the effects of startle habituation and vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) on the use of cognitive appraisal and suppression. Forty-nine college-aged participants were recruited, and their resting heart …


Maintaining Balance And Wellness In Remote Work, Michelle Bartlett Jan 2026

Maintaining Balance And Wellness In Remote Work, Michelle Bartlett

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In today's rapidly evolving work environments, remote work has become more than a trend; it is now a mainstay and rising (Ewers & Kangmennaang, 2023). This shift has necessitated a re-evaluation of traditional work paradigms, particularly in the realms of work-life balance and employee wellness. This chapter details the core strategies for thriving in remote work settings by setting boundaries, combating isolation, and fostering supportive corporate cultures. Transitioning from offices to remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional lives (Bella, 2023; Beňo, 2023). This section provides practical advice on how remote workers can effectively delineate these aspects. …


Assessing The Possibilities And Speculations Of Blended Teaching-Learning (Btl) Based On The Online Teaching-Learning (Otl) Experience During Covid-19 In Bangladesh, Nazmun Chaitee Jan 2026

Assessing The Possibilities And Speculations Of Blended Teaching-Learning (Btl) Based On The Online Teaching-Learning (Otl) Experience During Covid-19 In Bangladesh, Nazmun Chaitee

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This research paper investigates the potential and viability of implementing Blended Teaching Learning (BTL) in Bangladesh, drawing on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 Online Teaching Learning (OTL) practice experiences. The study specifically focuses on examining the advantages and challenges encountered by teachers and students in online classes during the pandemic. Through a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaire surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs), data was collected from secondary-level teachers and students in Bangladesh. The findings highlight the dedicated efforts made by educators and students in embracing and adapting to online education during the COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, the study identifies …


The Ai Revolution In Virtual Try-Ons: A Means-End Chain Model Perspective, Ju-Young M. Kang, Ji Young Lee, Dooyoung Choi, Sumin Helen Koo, Jeehyun Song, Youngjin Bahng Jan 2026

The Ai Revolution In Virtual Try-Ons: A Means-End Chain Model Perspective, Ju-Young M. Kang, Ji Young Lee, Dooyoung Choi, Sumin Helen Koo, Jeehyun Song, Youngjin Bahng

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Leading brands have begun to implement artificial intelligence-driven virtual try-on (AI VTO) technology, which helps reduce returns and increase conversion rates, repeat purchases, and customer loyalty. This research aimed to examine how retail user experience with specific perceived quality factors of AI VTOs influences users’ value equity and downstream loyalty and to investigate the moderating effects of clothing in relation to the self as structure and concern for physical appearance, based on a Means–End Chain model. Data were collected from 509 U.S. online apparel shoppers using a consumer panel. Structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis were used for data analysis. …


First-Generation Medical School Applicants: A Quantitative Study Designed To Identify Areas Of Educational Support, Bethsabe Romero, Amanda K. Burbage Jan 2026

First-Generation Medical School Applicants: A Quantitative Study Designed To Identify Areas Of Educational Support, Bethsabe Romero, Amanda K. Burbage

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

First-generation (First Gen) students are unique medical school applicants. Due to their lived experience, they approach patient care by prioritizing trust, comfort and understanding. They have proven ability to overcome obstacles and were found to be more resilient than their continuing generation (Cont Gen) peers. Despite these notable attributes, they face unique challenges in gaining medical school acceptance. There are very few quantitative studies examining this student subpopulation, and our study identifies characteristics of first-generation medical school applicants while highlighting areas of needed support. This cross-sectional study used deidentified Application and Matriculating Student Questionnaire survey data that was obtained from …


When Slides Replace Thinking: How Powerpoint Culture Undermines Conceptual Learning In Engineering Education, Shahin Nayyeri Amiri, Hamid Eisazadeh Jan 2026

When Slides Replace Thinking: How Powerpoint Culture Undermines Conceptual Learning In Engineering Education, Shahin Nayyeri Amiri, Hamid Eisazadeh

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Engineering education has gradually shifted from deep conceptual teaching to a culture dominated by presentation slides. In many universities today, core courses such as Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials are taught through PowerPoint files rather than through reasoning, derivation, and problem solving. While slide-based instruction may appear efficient, it encourages passive learning and has severely weakened students’ ability to think independently and make sound engineering judgments. Traditionally, these fundamental courses were taught by seasoned instructors who had mastered the subjects and took genuine pride in explaining complex ideas with clarity and passion. They guided students through the logic behind …


Mediating Effect Of Social Determinants Of Health Between Race And Phthalate Biomarkers In Pregnancy, Tetsuya Kawakita, Misa Hayasaka, Carole Barake, Trinity Soto, Jillian Fleming, Amir Lueth, Stevens Danielle, Alfred Abuhamad, Ann Pryzybylska, Elena Sinkovskaya, Kelly K. Ferguson, George Saade Jan 2026

Mediating Effect Of Social Determinants Of Health Between Race And Phthalate Biomarkers In Pregnancy, Tetsuya Kawakita, Misa Hayasaka, Carole Barake, Trinity Soto, Jillian Fleming, Amir Lueth, Stevens Danielle, Alfred Abuhamad, Ann Pryzybylska, Elena Sinkovskaya, Kelly K. Ferguson, George Saade

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction

Prenatal phthalate exposure is linked to adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes and is consistently higher among non‐Hispanic Black compared to non‐Hispanic White pregnant individuals, yet the factors responsible for these disparities are poorly characterized. We sought to quantify Black–White differences in repeated urinary concentrations of phthalate biomarkers during pregnancy and to estimate the extent to which neighborhood‐level social determinants of health (SDoH) mediate these disparities.

Methods

This secondary analysis used data from the Human Placenta Project Study, a prospective observational cohort study conducted at two academic institutions between 2016 and 2018. Eligible participants had singleton pregnancies, were recruited before …


Biomechanical Integrity Of The Female Pelvic Floor: A Comparison Of Military And Civilian Women, Vladimir Egorov, Peter Takacs, Vincent Lucente, Heather Van Raalte, Joy A. Greer, Noune Sarvazyan Jan 2026

Biomechanical Integrity Of The Female Pelvic Floor: A Comparison Of Military And Civilian Women, Vladimir Egorov, Peter Takacs, Vincent Lucente, Heather Van Raalte, Joy A. Greer, Noune Sarvazyan

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction

The health of the pelvic floor depends on the integrity of its muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, and their innervation. The female pelvic floor may be more vulnerable to repetitive heavy loads in a military environment than the male pelvic floor because of anatomical and physiological differences. The study aim was to identify and explore possible differences in the female pelvic floor conditions between active military and civilian women with similar demographics.To identify and explore possible differences in the conditions of the female pelvic floor between active military women and civilian women with similar demographics.

Materials and Methods

Military active …


Hungarian Validation Of The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory - 20 (Pfdi-20) Questionnaire And The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire - 7 (Pfiq - 7), Barbara Kozma, Bence Kozma, Peter Takacs, Dávid Rátonyi, Nelli Farkas, Attila G. Sipos, Balint Farkas Jan 2026

Hungarian Validation Of The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory - 20 (Pfdi-20) Questionnaire And The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire - 7 (Pfiq - 7), Barbara Kozma, Bence Kozma, Peter Takacs, Dávid Rátonyi, Nelli Farkas, Attila G. Sipos, Balint Farkas

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction and Hypotheses

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) affect women's quality of life through physical, psychological, and social domains. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) are validated tools for assessing symptom severity and quality of life impact. The current study aim to investigate the reliability and validity of the Hungarian versions of these questionnaires in women with PFD symptoms.

Methods

This validation study was carried out at the University of Debrecen among women with clinically confirmed pelvic floor disorders. The PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 questionnaires were translated into Hungarian using independent native English speaker in …


The Impact Of The 7th October War On Preterm Birth Rates And Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Comparative Study From Northern Israel, Raghda Zidan Sweid, Adi Sharabi Nov, Hana Helfgot, Steven L. Warsof, Inbar Ben-Shachar Jan 2026

The Impact Of The 7th October War On Preterm Birth Rates And Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Comparative Study From Northern Israel, Raghda Zidan Sweid, Adi Sharabi Nov, Hana Helfgot, Steven L. Warsof, Inbar Ben-Shachar

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Maternal psychological stress is associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth and low birthweight. Warfare represents a significant source of acute and chronic stress, yet its impact on pregnancy outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between a 6-month period of continuous wartime exposure following October 7, 2023, during the "Iron Swords" conflict and preterm birth, neonatal outcomes, and obstetric management.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all deliveries at ZIV Medical Center during the 6-month conflict period, compared with a pre-war cohort from 2021 until October 6, 2023. The primary outcome was …


Racial Differences In Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes And Incident Hypertension: A Mediation Analysis, Lucia C. Petito, Xiaoning Huang, C. Noel Bairey, Natalie Bello, Janet Catov, Ernesto Licon, Abbi Lane, David M. Haas, Lisa D. Levine, Rebecca B. Mcneil, Eliza Miller, Uma M. Reddy, Bethany Barone Gibbs, George Saade, Lauren Theilen, Laura E. Wiener, Brian M. Mercer, Hyagriv N. Simhan, Lynn M. Yee, Philip Greenland, William A. Grobman, Sadiya S. Khan Jan 2026

Racial Differences In Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes And Incident Hypertension: A Mediation Analysis, Lucia C. Petito, Xiaoning Huang, C. Noel Bairey, Natalie Bello, Janet Catov, Ernesto Licon, Abbi Lane, David M. Haas, Lisa D. Levine, Rebecca B. Mcneil, Eliza Miller, Uma M. Reddy, Bethany Barone Gibbs, George Saade, Lauren Theilen, Laura E. Wiener, Brian M. Mercer, Hyagriv N. Simhan, Lynn M. Yee, Philip Greenland, William A. Grobman, Sadiya S. Khan

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are associated with increased hypertension risk. Black women experience higher rates of APOs and hypertension compared with White women, but whether APOs contribute to Black-White hypertension disparities remains unknown.

Methods

The nuMoM2b-HHS (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be-Heart Health Study) prospectively recruited nulliparous pregnant people at 8 US centers (2010-2013) with follow-up 2 to 7 years postpartum (2014-2017). Race, which represents a social construct, was self-identified. The primary outcome was incident hypertension at follow-up. APOs included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational age birth. Potential confounders (psychological health, social factors, and health behaviors) …


A Phenomenological Analysis Of Sense Of Belonging Among Community College Educators, Muhammad Owais Aziz Jan 2026

A Phenomenological Analysis Of Sense Of Belonging Among Community College Educators, Muhammad Owais Aziz

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the complex phenomenon of sense of belonging (SB) among diverse health professions educators (HPEs) and non-health professions educators (non-HPEs) at a Canadian community college. SB, as a dynamic construct shaped by an individual's perception of being valued and respected, is influenced by personal preferences and by complex interactions with the individual's surroundings. To better understand SB and foster a more inclusive environment for diverse educators, it is necessary to investigate SB among these educators. This qualitative study used eleven semi-structured interviews and seven steps of data analysis. The results of this study can inform strategies, policies, …


Comparison Of Mental Illness Comorbidity Pre-Pandemic Vs. Pandemic-Era And Associations With Clinical And Demographic Characteristics For Virginia Public Hospital Inpatient Discharges With A Substance Use Disorder, Marilyn Bartholmae, Tharidu Gunawardena Jan 2026

Comparison Of Mental Illness Comorbidity Pre-Pandemic Vs. Pandemic-Era And Associations With Clinical And Demographic Characteristics For Virginia Public Hospital Inpatient Discharges With A Substance Use Disorder, Marilyn Bartholmae, Tharidu Gunawardena

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

The rise in mental illnesses after the COVID-19 pandemic is well documented. However, it is not known whether the rates of mental illness comorbidity increased. The objectives of this study were to compare mental illness comorbidity rates before and after the pandemic among inpatients with SUD and to test associations between mental illness comorbidity, physical illness, and demographics. We used a retrospective cross-sectional design in a sample of inpatient discharges (N = 233,017) at Virginia public hospitals from January 2018 to December 2022. We used Z tests to compare rates of mental illness comorbidity pre- and post-pandemic and Chi-square tests …


Persistent Peristomal Pain Due To An Exposed Cutaneous Nerve, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Kaylin Beiter, Natasha Hakkal, Emily Hejazi, Paul Hernandez, Melissa Laughter, Shannon Nugent, Samir Thaker, Xiaowei Xu, Misha Rosenbach Jan 2026

Persistent Peristomal Pain Due To An Exposed Cutaneous Nerve, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Kaylin Beiter, Natasha Hakkal, Emily Hejazi, Paul Hernandez, Melissa Laughter, Shannon Nugent, Samir Thaker, Xiaowei Xu, Misha Rosenbach

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction]

Case description

A 25-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative colitis treated with multiple abdominal surgeries complicated by peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) presented with severe peristomal pain and ulceration. Treatment course was complicated; disease control was achieved via combination infliximab 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks, corticosteroids (topical triamcinolone 0.1% ointment, intralesional 10 mg/ml injections, and oral prednisone 30 mg daily with a gradual taper), and cyclosporine 125 mg tapering by 25 mg every 3 weeks, ultimately tapered to infliximab monotherapy.


Insurance Disparities In Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Comprehensive Review Of Demographics, Outcomes, And Access To Care, Alim Osman, Alexandra R. Nigro, Michael C. Povelaitis, Marc Z. Handler Jan 2026

Insurance Disparities In Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Comprehensive Review Of Demographics, Outcomes, And Access To Care, Alim Osman, Alexandra R. Nigro, Michael C. Povelaitis, Marc Z. Handler

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that disproportionately affects women, African Americans, and individuals of biracial descent. It is associated with substantial physical and psychiatric morbidity, reducing quality of life.

Objective: This review analyzed disparities in treatment outcomes, disease progression, and healthcare access among HS patients based on insurance type.

Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search identified 7 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Owing to data heterogeneity, studies were qualitatively analyzed.

Results: Findings consistently demonstrated that Medicaid patients experienced worse outcomes than those with private insurance or Medicare. Medicaid patients had higher rates of comorbid …


Regional Pain Is Associated With Functional Performance In People With Parkinson's Disease, Ryan P. Duncan, Monica R. Hendricksen, Luke Ekdahl, Kevin Smaller, Benjamin Friedman, Miriam R. Rafferty Jan 2026

Regional Pain Is Associated With Functional Performance In People With Parkinson's Disease, Ryan P. Duncan, Monica R. Hendricksen, Luke Ekdahl, Kevin Smaller, Benjamin Friedman, Miriam R. Rafferty

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose:

Little is known about how pain influences physical function in people with mild Parkinson disease (PwPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between physical function and pain presence, location, and intensity in PwPD who were evaluated in an early physical therapy program.

Methods:

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electronic medical records from patients with PD evaluated at a single center (2016-2023). Pain presence, location, and intensity (0-10 scale) were recorded at the initial physical therapy evaluation. Functional outcomes included 5-time sit-to-stand, 10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, timed up and go, mini-BESTest, and Functional …


The Impact Of Substance Abuse Problems And Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Distress On Post-Discharge Residential Status Among Clients With Behavioral And Cognitive Disorders: Evidence From Samhsa Mh-Cld Data, Eden Moges, Norma Rochez, William Peycha, Aditya Chakraborty Jan 2026

The Impact Of Substance Abuse Problems And Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Distress On Post-Discharge Residential Status Among Clients With Behavioral And Cognitive Disorders: Evidence From Samhsa Mh-Cld Data, Eden Moges, Norma Rochez, William Peycha, Aditya Chakraborty

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Behavioral and cognitive disorders can undermine housing stability, a key determinant of mental health recovery, with persistent disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups. This study examined the associations of substance abuse problems (SAP) and serious mental illness/serious emotional distress (SMISED) with residential status at discharge from mental health facilities.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the utilized data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics, whereas univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between the covariates and the residential outcome, adjusting for a variety of …