Digital Commons Network^™

Ending Homelessness In Santa Clara County: A Program Evaluation Of Homefirst Services’ Rapid Re-Housing Program Using Client Feedback, Karen Gomez

Master's Projects

This research was designed to evaluate whether HomeFirst Services’ RRH Program has proven to be more effective than traditional approaches in eliminating homelessness for its participants in Santa Clara County, California. Research was based on the Program Satisfaction Survey conducted at the end of the participants’ program enrollment in comparison with data collected for clients in other HomeFirst Services programs. The research question that is being answered from this survey is whether or not the HomeFirst Services RRH Program is fulfilling the clients’ needs. This questionnaire has been able to help HomeFirst Services understand the factors that help satisfy program …

Four Perspectives On A Sustaibable Future In Nosara, Costa Rica, Greg Munno, Alvara Salas Castro, Tina Nabatchi, Christian M. Freitag

Media Studies - Open-Access Faculty Scholarship

The town of Nosara on Costa Rica’s Nicoya peninsula is home to a vibrant community of diverse residents and is adjacent to an important turtle nesting site. However, tensions between lifelong residents, more recent transplants, visitors, and developers have increased as more of the world discovers this once-isolated haven. Climate change, income inequality, and alienation from a distant government apparatus have further complicated effective land-use planning and fractured social cohesion. Using a mixed method approach of in-depth interviews (n = 67), Q methodology (n = 79), and public deliberation (n = 88), we explored residents’ priorities for the future of …

Price Premiums And Willingness-To-Pay For Misleading Food Labels, Alexa Jacobs

Research Papers

There are many food products sold with labels on them that may be misleading to the consumer. Almost every one of these labels comes with a price premium that consumers must pay if they wish to purchase those specific items. Many consumers place a value on these specific food labels and determine that paying more for a product with these labels is worth it to them, despite many consumers not understanding the true meaning of the labels. This study looks at and compares what the price premiums are for different food products at different stores in both the Carbondale, Illinois …

A Responsive Theory Of Judicial Review—A View From India, Jahnavi Sindhu

National Law School of India Review

No abstract provided.

Complexities And Complications Of Extreme Obesity, Haval Ali, Udit Naik, Michelle Mcdonald, Mohammad Almosa, Karen Horn, Alexis Staines, Louis Maximilian Buja

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Obesity is a common chronic disorder and has detrimental long-term consequences if left untreated. Herein, we report a case of a young lady who suffered from morbid obesity and many of its consequences, and we present a literature review of these complications. While the cause of obesity is multifactorial, the genetic component is particularly important in the pathophysiology of marked obesity. Resistance to Leptin is considered one of the main causes of obesity. There is a unique relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity, as observed in our case. Obesity is associated with cardiovascular and lung diseases such as heart …

Morphological Description Of Laevicaulisstuhlmanni (Simroth, 1895) (Pulmonata, Veronicellidae) From Egypt, Reham Fathey Ali, David G Robinson, Fabio Liberto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Terrestrial slugs and snails are increasingly becoming serious pests of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plants in Egypt, resulting in major economic losses.

NEW INFORMATION: This paper provides a detailed morphological and anatomical description of the veronicellid slug Laevicaulisstuhlmanni (Simroth, 1895) that has been recently recorded from Egypt. This population from Egypt is compared with Laevicaulis populations recently reported and described from Libya as L.striatus (Simroth, 1896) and with available data in literature. Some notes and a distribution map of the veronicellids introduced in north-eastern Africa are provided.

Cancer Treatment-Induced Nad+ Depletion In Premature Senescence And Late Cardiovascular Complications, Priyanka Banerjee, Elizabeth A Olmsted-Davis, Anita Deswal, Minh Th Nguyen, Efstratios Koutroumpakis, Nicholas L Palaskas, Steven H Lin, Sivareddy Kotla, Cielito Reyes-Gibby, Sai-Ching J Yeung, Syed Wamique Yusuf, Momoko Yoshimoto, Michihiro Kobayashi, Bing Yu, Keri Schadler, Joerg Herrmann, John P Cooke, Abhishek Jain, Eduardo Chini, Nhat-Tu Le, Jun-Ichi Abe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Numerous studies have revealed the critical role of premature senescence induced by various cancer treatment modalities in the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases. Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) can be induced by telomere dysfunction. Telomeric DNA damage response induced by some cancer treatments can persist for months, possibly accounting for long-term sequelae of cancer treatments. Telomeric DNA damage-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species production are hallmarks of premature senescence. Recently, we reported that the nucleus-mitochondria positive feedback loop formed by p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) and phosphorylation of S496 on ERK5 (a unique member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family …

Is Phentermine/Topiramate Er With Lifestyle Modifications Effective In Achieving Weight Loss In Obese Patients With Comorbidities?, Elizabeth A. Stubbs

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is phentermine/topiramate ER with lifestyle modifications effective in achieving weight loss in obese patients with comorbidities?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English in 2012 or after.

Data Sources: All three studies were found by searching PubMed and were published in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were selected based on ability to answer the proposed question.

Outcome Measured: Percent weight loss was the outcome measured in all three studies. This was measured based on mean percent weight loss from …

Do Probiotics Decrease Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Low Mood?, Kaitlyn Talt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Do probiotics decrease depressive symptoms in patients with low mood?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double blind, randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2016 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were found using PubMed and published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were chosen based on their attention to patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEMS) and their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: All three articles utilized either the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and/or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) to measure the severity of …

Does A Low-Fodmap Diet Decrease Symptoms In Patients With Ibs?, Julia Rembalsky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this evidence-based medicine analysis is to determine whether or not a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), decreases overall symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Study Design: A systematic review including three randomized control trials (RCTs), which were conducted between the years 2014 and 2019.

Data Sources: The RCTs used were located through PubMed. All articles were selected from peer-reviewed journals that directly related to the clinical question and patient centered outcomes.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in symptoms related to IBS was measured using the IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) and …

Is Massage Therapy Effective At Reducing Negative Behaviors In Patients With Dementia?, Casey Reid

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is massage therapy effective at reducing negative behaviors in patients with dementia?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three sources were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in the number of negative behaviors performed by patients with dementia was the outcome measured in all three studies using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory-Short Form (CMAI) or …

2022 Volunteer Impact Report, Tennessee. Commission On Aging & Disability.

Department of Disability & Aging

No abstract provided.

Annual Report State Fiscal Year July 2020-June 2021, Tennessee. Department Of Children's Services.

Department of Children's Services

No abstract provided.

Annual Report 2021, Tennessee. Department Of Human Services.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

2021 Update To The Quality Assessment And Performance Improvement Strategy, Tennessee. Division Of Tenncare.

TennCare Additional Reports

No abstract provided.

Transforming Educators: A Framework For Developing Accomplices For Racial Justice In Prek-12 Schools, Linsay Demartino

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

This article aims to disrupt the manifestations of whiteness in educational spaces. With an understanding that white supremacy is endemic in our society, this article is framed by the manifestations of whiteness in the form of white privilege, emotionality, and shame present within our schools and argues for the adoption of authentic and critical caring, love, and hope in our educational institutions. Most importantly, this article addresses the importance of rejecting the manifestations of whiteness in favor of equity, justice, and antiracism amid resistance in schools and concludes with practical recommendations to better prepare educators for their adoption of equity …

Intuitive Eating Behaviors Among A Sample Of Food Secure And Food Insecure College Students, Morgan Stocker, Christin Seher Phd, Rdn, Ld

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Intuitive Eating (IE) is a food mindset focusing on honoring hunger and fullness, while rejecting the diet mentality. Research demonstrates a clear link between IE and health outcomes across many populations, including college students. Despite a growing body of literature, we still know very little about what complexities food insecurity may present for individuals trying to adopt IE behaviors. This study builds off prior research to investigate IE behaviors in food insecure and food secure students through a Qualtrics survey utilizing the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Six-Item Short Form to determine food …

The Longitudinal Influence Of Adhd Status And Stimulant Medication On Body Mass Index And Blood Pressure Among Obese Youth, Sophie Kollin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more vulnerable to developing obesity, as they have significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and are at increased risk of food addiction and binge eating. Stimulant medication use, which is an evidence-based treatment for ADHD, is associated with lower BMI and higher blood pressure among normal weight youth. The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal influence of ADHD and stimulant medication use on BMI and blood pressure trajectories among a sample of 456 youth treated in a weight management clinic. Mixed linear modeling examined the main and interactive effects of …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Special Education: A Case Study, Megan Cercone

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research project is to explore the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on special education by evaluating the experiences of one child with disabilities who attends public schools. METHODS: A semi-structured interview was conducted with the two parents of the child, who has physical disabilities and an IEP through his school, meaning he receives special education services through intervention teachers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. The interview was recorded and transcribed, and then interview transcripts were evaluated to identify themes in the subjects’ responses regarding their child’s experience with public education during the pandemic. …

Perceptions Of Strength Training For Dancers At A Midwestern University, Abigail Boenig-Dombek

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of the research is to gain a deeper insight into the perceptions of strength training within the dance community. The research aimed to receive feedback from individuals over the age of 18 who are currently studying, practicing, or teaching dance. METHODS: The survey utilized was replicated among a convenience sample of adult dancers associated with The University of Akron’s dance program from the research of Farmer and Brouner (2021) in their scholarly article, “Perceptions of Strength Training in Dance.” The survey contained 14 questions requiring the individual to assess their personal involvement in strength training. The questions were …

Pet Food Protector, Braeden Balch, Trey Dillan, Brandon George, David Owens

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

food consumption while keeping each pet separate from the others. The device will detect a certain pet, using a transmitter and receiver that would be on the collar of the pet and in the device itself, and enable them to access their specific food by way of an opening and closing lid. If the pet leaves the area, the food is no longer accessible. The device will also track the amount of food consumed and regulate how much food should be consumed in a given amount of time. This will allow owners to feed their pets without worrying about overeating …

The Impact Of Social Media On The Participant Turnout Of An Event, Leah Gombosch

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For my Honors Research project, I will be creating and implementing a social media plan to promote a charity 5k that will benefit Akron Children's Hospital. This social media plan will identify a target audience and key publics and use research on these publics to identify the best platforms to utilize in order to reach them. I will create content that will engage my audience and encourage them to participate in the 5k race. After developing and utilizing this social media plan and after the conclusion of the event, I will compare the participant turn out from the current event …

Enzymatic Treatment, Gluten Reduction, And Production Of Celiac Safe Gluten Removed Beer, Alyssa Baumann, Calvin Baumann, Noah Alfman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Celiac Disease affects many people across the world with the only solution being a life-long abstinence from gluten intake. Although beers may be considered “gluten-free”, some still contain remains of gluten which can be harmful to those with Celiac Disease. There exists a large market for high-quality, celiac-safe beer. The primary approach for producing gluten-free beer is enzymatic treatment. The first objective of the project is to measure the natural gluten reduction in the beer brewing process versus the gluten reduction within enzymatic treated beer. The second objective of the project is to create celiac-safe beer through experimentation of the …

Parent Advocacy In Special Education: Critical Principles And Action Steps, Amanda R. Musolino-Olson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parent advocacy in special education is currently an expectation built into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). The Individualized Education Program (IEP) process requires families and school personnel to work together to develop and implement appropriate special education and related services for eligible children. Positive family-professional partnerships are critical to the provision of effective programing with high expectations for students with disabilities and quality student outcomes. However, barriers to successful family-professional partnerships persist. Institutionalized hierarchies in the decision making process of special education programs, limited perceptions of ability, and tracking practices based on disability deficits puts parents at …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of A Broiler House Microclimate In Summer And Winter, Erdem Küçüktopcu, Bilal Cemek, Halis Simsek, Ji-Qin Ni

School of Agricultural & Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Appropriate microclimate conditions in broiler housing are critical for optimizing poultry production and ensuring the health and welfare of the birds. In this study, spatial variabilities of the microclimate in summer and winter seasons in a mechanically ventilated broiler house were modeled using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. Field measurements of temperature, relative humidity, and airspeeds were conducted in the house to compare the simulated results. The study identified two problems of high temperature in summer, which could result in bird heat stress and stagnant zones in winter, and simulated possible alternative solutions. In summer, if an evaporative cooling …

The Effect Of Virtual Learning As A Result Of Covid-19, Ann Redle Ms., Joel Mcmullen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In the early spring of 2020, the United States began to experience the effects of the question-inspiring, novel COVID-19 viral illness, with the onset of massive business, school, and entertainment closures, initiating a shift towards virtual learning, communication, and professional interactions. This paper is intended to identify the common experiences of two nursing students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a personal narrative, or autoethnographic approach, coupled with reviews of previously published literature relating to shared themes of the authors, including the rapid changes to an online environment from traditional classroom settings, the stressors that were experienced as a result …

Health Disparities And Psychosocial And Behavioral Interventions For Type 2 Diabetes Within Latinx Communities: A Systematic Review, Elisa Hernandez-Guerrero Smith

Theses and Dissertations

As Hispanic adults are 70% more likely than non-Hispanic White adults to be diagnosed with diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022), there is an urgent need to provide culturally appropriate care to the people with diabetes of Latinx heritage. The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand the availability and effectiveness of psychosocial and behavioral interventions for T2DM within the Latinx population. Additional focus was given to the impact of health disparities and complexities within the Latinx population that have been diagnosed with, or are at risk of, T2DM. With a greater understanding of health disparities …

Icu-Related Medical Trauma: A Socioecological Exploration Of Contributing Factors And Experiences Of Traumatic Stress In Adult Icu Survivors, Jacqueline Hanson

Theses and Dissertations

Advances in biomedical technologies and critical care are leading to increased survivorship rates of ICU patients. During critical care, patients confront a variety of stressors that may contribute to adverse psychological outcomes, including posttraumatic stress. The nature of posttraumatic stress in this population differs from that associated with traditional trauma. The phenomenon of medical trauma in ICU survivors is complex: it is highly subjective, exists on a continuum, is cumulative in nature and carries cumulative effects, involves a combination of endogenous and exogenous, physical and emotional stressors that vary in intensity and duration, occurs in an interpersonal context that involves …

Systematic Review Regarding The Use Of Mindfulness-Based Mobile Applications To Reduce Psychological Symptoms And Enhance Well-Being Among General And Clinical Population Adults: Benefits, Limitations And Future Directions, Brian Clawson

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness is now utilized throughout Western Society and is part of the growing behavioral health, self-help, and wellness movements. Mobile applications have become increasingly popular for a wide variety of uses related to physical health, mental health, and self-improvement. Therefore, mindfulness-based mobile applications have promise both as stand-alone tools for end-users seeking self-help resources and as clinician-recommended adjunctive tools to enhance the process and outcomes of professional therapy. This systematic review identified, reviewed, and synthesized the findings from studies (n = 29) concerning the impact of mindfulness-based mobile applications on specific aspects of psychological functioning in both the general population …

Speech Fluency Changes Following Deep Brain Stimulation Of The Subthalamic Nucleus In Parkinson’S Disease: A Meta-Analysis, Emily Morphis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Speech fluency changes following deep brain stimulation are one aspect that is crucial to consider when exploring treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Deep brain stimulation, specifically of the subthalamic nucleus, has been linked to a decrease in speech fluency despite improved bodily motor control. This acquired dysfluency is referred to as “neurogenic stuttering.” The purpose of the current study is to determine the incidence and severity of speech fluency decline following deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease. A meta-analysis was conducted with 7 studies (239 subjects) that recorded changes in speech fluency. All studies used a quantitative assessment, …