Research Infrastructure Core Facilities At Research Centers In Minority Institutions: Part I-Research Resources Management, Operation, And Best Practices, Paul B Tchounwou, Mohamad Malouhi, Elizabeth O Ofili, Emma Fernández-Repollet, Daniel F Sarpong, Richard Yanagihara, Renato J Aguilera, Cecilia Ayón, Xiaoxin Chen, Asok Dasmahapatra, Song Gao, Cimona V Hinton, Robert Holt, Vladimir Kolesnichenko, Michael D Powell, Fatima Merchant, Kinfe K Redda, Abiel Roche-Lima, Cecilia M Shikuma, Jacqueline J Stevens, Jose A Torres, Robert T Trotter, James Wachira, Paul Wang, Kristen J Wells, Jason White, Yanyuan Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program fosters the development and implementation of innovative research aimed at improving minority health and reducing or eliminating health disparities. Currently, there are 21 RCMI Specialized (U54) Centers that share the same framework, comprising four required core components, namely the Administrative, Research Infrastructure, Investigator Development, and Community Engagement Cores. The Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) is fundamentally important for biomedical and health disparities research as a critical function domain. This paper aims to assess the research resources and services provided and evaluate the best practices in …

Experiences And Concerns Of Female Hotel Housekeepers In The First Stages Of The Covid-19 Lockdown In The Balearic Islands (Spain): A Qualitative Study, Xenia Chela-Alvarez, Cristian Sanchez-Rodriguez, Oana Bulilete, Mclara Vidal-Thomàs, Joan Llobera

The Qualitative Report

Strongly enforced mobility restrictions to deter the spread of COVID-19 severely impacted tourism, a pivotal economic sector of the Balearic Islands. Little is known about the experiences of the most economically affected groups, such as hotel housekeepers. This study aimed to explore the experiences and concerns of hotel housekeepers (approximately 13,000 worked in the Balearic Islands before the pandemic) during the first stages of the COVID-19 lockdown. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone in April of 2020. Thematic analysis was used for interpretation. Eighteen hotel housekeepers were interviewed. Main experiences and concerns identified were: (a) distress due to employment status …

Toward An Informal Informed Classrooms: Professional Musicians' Informal Music Learning Experiences, Rachel M. Smith

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Authors have studied informal music learning with different age groups. Lucy Green (2005) studied the topic with adolescents and identified it an intuitive and natural way children learn. Chad West and Radio Cremata (2016) studied informal music learning at the collegiate level, and Martina Vasil (2019) studied secondary music teachers who implemented informal music learning strategies in their teaching practices. Informal music learning in adults is relatively under-explored compared to adolescent and collegiate age groups. Utilizing lenses drawn from John Dewey’s curricular ideas to help students find meaning in learning and motivation as viewed through Self-Determination Theory, I sought to …

Improving Access For Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Patients: A Health Policy Analysis, Malinda B. Whitfield

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Services (IPS) policy, originally developed in the 1960s and without any significant or meaningful updates since the 1980’s, is physician specific, does not reflect the current model of care for psychiatric inpatients, and is restrictive for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) practice. The policy is complex, consists of outdated regulations, and results in millions of dollars in compliance costs for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) annually (NABH, 2019). Although clearly an important part of the inpatient psychiatric services team, PMHNPs are not identified or defined in the policy (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2019). …

Developing A Quality Improvement Process: Impacting Patient Outcomes And Achieving Ambulatory Accreditation, Colleen E. Nappi

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States (US) and colonoscopy is the best method for screening and detecting cancer before symptoms are present. A colonoscopies' ability to detect precancerous lesions or identify colorectal cancer (CRC) relies on patients having a high-quality bowel preparation. The US Multi Society Task Force (USMSTF) on colorectal cancer set quality standards for colonoscopy including bowel preparation quality, adenoma detection, and cecal intubation times. As a private gastroenterology practice in Northern Virginia was preparing for re-accreditation with the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) it was determined that …

Improving Glycemic Control During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Project, Megan Henderson

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Diabetes is a costly, chronic health condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of health care and exacerbated chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most significant comorbid conditions associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes (Cariou et al., 2020). Control of blood glucose levels during the COVID-19 pandemic has proved challenging to maintain. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify gaps in diabetic self-care and then implement a diabetic toolkit to improve self-efficacy of diabetes self-management. According to the American Diabetes Association (2022), self-management of diabetes, education, and support from providers is …

Crafting A Presence: How Muslim Designers Are Making Their Mark, Imani S. White

Capstones

Muslim designers and models, specifically those who wear hijab, or the Islamic headcovering, are changing the focus of mainstream fashion. They're challenging norms, subverting ideology, and redefining what fashion can mean and who it can include. A handful of Muslim designers sat down with me to discuss how their religious beliefs influced their craft — if it does at all. We also delve into the challenges faced by hijabi designers in an industry that sometimes tokenizes them, emphasizing the importance of individuality and agency. Furthermore, the article touches upon the intersection of fashion, Islam, and sustainability, with new designers like …

2022 Fall Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on December 17.

Commencement Speaker: Susan Hutchinson

Life Story Narratives Of Adults With Intellectual Disability And Mental Health Problems: Personal Identity, Quality Of Life And Future Orientation, Hefziba Batya Lifshitz, Ayelet Shahar

The Qualitative Report

The narrative is a functional skill and a means for sharing stories which consist of a single event or events causally related to the individual’s past, present, and future. In this study we aimed to explore the narratives of a voiceless population in society and in research: adults with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) and a mental health problem (MHP). Our operative goals were to explore the meaning of their lives as people with a dual diagnosis, their quality of life, and their aspirations for the future. The core questions of the study were: which type of disability …

Leadership Skill Development In Master’S-Level Counselor Education, Charity A. Godfrey, Richard J. Cicchetti, Craig R. Blum, Gary Michael Szirony, Tamara Harris

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Student leadership identity is fast becoming one of the most critical challenges educational institutions face today. However, mental health counselors may be limited in the amount of education and training received as they become leaders in the field. There is currently no known mandate at the master’s level for leadership embedded within the counseling curriculum in the educational environment, although research suggests otherwise. The purpose of this correlational predictive empirical study was to investigate leadership identity characteristics as measured by the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale, Revision 2 (SLRS-R2), moderated by demographic factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine outcome …

Patterns Of Consumption At The Uk’S First “Alcohol-Free Off-Licence”: Who Engaged With No- And Low-Alcohol Drinks And Why?, Claire G. Davey

European Journal of Food Drink and Society

No- and low-alcohol beverages are currently experiencing high sales growth in the UK, but academic research regarding the production, regulation, marketing and consumption of these drinks remains limited. This article presents research findings from ethnographic customer observations and semi-structured staff interviews at Club Soda’s temporary “alcohol-free off-licence” in London – the UK’s first shop that sold exclusively no- and low-alcohol drinks. I analyse the demographics of who came to the off-licence, and how and why they engaged with no- and low-alcohol drinks. Findings suggest that relatively equal numbers of non-drinkers and current drinkers were customers of the off-licence, but there …

Understanding Suicide And Its Prevention In The Indian Context: Mental Health Perspective, Dushad Ram, Akash Mathew, Muath A Alammar

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

In India, suicide research has largely concentrated on the prevalence, method, psychological, and demographic risk factors. Suicide processes, paradigms, prevention strategies, and other features of suicide that are common in the West may not be applicable in India. It is vital to study potential underlying processes, various suicide prevention methods, and suicide prevention in general, as well as what more work has to be done in the Indian context. Suicide, on the other hand, is a cross-sectoral public health issue that demands collaboration across all key sectors, and its prevention should engage all stakeholders in India.

Menstrual Knowledge And Biosocial Aspects Among The Poumai Adolescents Of Manipur, Northeast India, P.S. Vaveine Pao, S. Yaiphaba Meitei

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

BACKGROUND Menstrual knowledge, hygiene, and perception are often neglected worldwide, especially in smaller and less developed societies, exposing adolescents to menstrual health hazards. Against the poor communication of menstrual health and hygiene, the present paper attempts to assess the attitude, knowledge, and perceptions towards menstruation among Poumai adolescents of Manipur, Northeast India. METHODS It is a cross-sectional study with data collected from 491 Poumai adolescents through a cross-sectional study using a self-structured schedule on menstrual knowledge. RESULTS The mean age of the respondents was 17.11±1.33 years. 73.12% of adolescents did not know about menstruation before attaining menarche. Most of the …

Relationships Of Academic Expectation Stress & Self-Efficacy, Efficacy For Self-Regulated Learning With Academic Performance During Covid Pandemic, Muath A Alammar, Dushad Ram, Hamad Ali Alwarthan, Fouad A. Alshubayshiri, Abdullah Mohammed Alobaidi

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Background: Academic expectation stress & self-efficacy and efficacy for self-regulated learning may affect academic performance. The Covid pandemic has affected the physical and psychological well-being of all, including students. However, there is a paucity of studies examining these variables in college students in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the levels and relationships of academic expectation stress & self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and its relationships with academic performance in college students of ---- University during the Covid pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of 302 students were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They were assessed with sociodemographic and …

Swosu Fall 2022 Convocation, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Graduation Programs

This is the program for the SWOSU Fall 2022 Convocation Exercises, held at the Pioneer Cellular Events Center on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Opening Remarks were presented by President Diana Lovell.

Senior Recognition Ceremony 2022

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Fertility Considerations In Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives In Individuals With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Andrea M. Reichle, Justin Gambini

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder and the most common cause of infertility among females of reproductive age.1 While the name “polycystic ovary syndrome” implies people diagnosed with PCOS have numerous cysts on their ovaries, this is not always the case. Clinicians currently use the Rotterdam criteria to diagnose PCOS.2 These criteria include: irregular periods/anovulatory cycles, clinical or biochemical signs of androgen excess (acne, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, etc.), and numerous ovarian cysts seen on imaging.2 A diagnosis of PCOS can be made when at least two of three criteria are met.2 As this has become a …

Is The Statistical Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics Ψ-Ontic Or Ψ-Epistemic?, Mario Hubert

Faculty Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Special Topics In Neuroendocrinology Allopregnanolone: Pathophysiology, Effects On Mood, Emerging Treatments, Sarah Jane Lance, Justin Gambini

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

KEY POINTS

● Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid and metabolite of progesterone that has been shown to play a role in mood regulation.

● Low levels and rapid declines in this neurosteroid are associated with mood disorders such as those within the menstrual cycle, postpartum depression, chronic stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. Studies have also linked it to moodrelated aspects of addiction.

● Medications that increase allopregnanolone, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and Brexanolone, are correlated with improved symptoms. These medications represent established and newly developed drugs that increase its level and are currently used for treatments of …

Source Estimation Of The Reward Positivity And Related Resting State Network Activity In Major Depressive Disorder, Christopher J.H. Pirrung

Psychology ETDs

Anhedonia is a complex symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) that presents itself through multiple behavioral phenotypes of diminished reward processing. In order to better understand this deficit, we aim to look at a marker of reward that is sensitive to information content and valence, the Reward Positivity (RewP). The source of this signal is, however, up for debate. This study used concurrent EEG and MEG to establish the source of the RewP as a distributed network involving ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), and insulae. Additionally, only vmPFC showed a deficit in MDD. fMRI resting state functional …

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates In The Psychiatric Inpatient Unit, Diane R. Ventura

Master's Projects and Capstones

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

Abstract

Problem: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cancer deaths in the United States. The Psychiatric Inpatient Unit has a colorectal cancer screening compliance rate of 40% compared to the statewide average of 80%.

Context: The Psychiatric Inpatient Unit is a 58-bed inpatient intermediate care facility mental health program in Northern California. Upon review of the EMR, most PIU nurses give verbal instructions and patient education on colorectal cancer screenings when due. Still, no printed handout was provided to the patients upon review of the EMR.

Intervention: Review of …

Mentorship In A Nursing School Program, Samantha I. Gavirati Yamamoto

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: A Southern Californian community college associate degree nursing program has a peer-to-peer mentorship program that does not get regularly, objectively evaluated.

Context: The community college nursing program has been implementing the peer mentorship program for years, but it does not have an evaluation tool, outside of grades, to evaluate its peer mentors.

Interventions: Implement new educational training tools about mentorship, and its benefits and the many types of roles that a mentor can take on. Also, to develop and implement a pre and post-survey for the mentors to self-evaluate their mentorship skills at the beginning and end of the …

Delirium And Staff Injury, John Olague Jr

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: From April 2021 to January 2022 there were 17 cases of reported patient aggression and staff injury due to patients in the hyperactive state of delirium. In a stroke/tele unit, diagnosis of delirium was delayed due to subjective assessment from the confusion assessment method (CAM) tool. This delay allowed patients to reach the hyperactive state of delirium which poses a threat to patient and staff safety. An objective form of assessment for delirium was needed on this stroke/tele unit.

Context: Through a microsystem assessment and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, stakeholders in this performance improvement plan …

Improving Nursing Staff Knowledge For Management Of Geriatric Patients With Confusion In The Emergency Department, Kareem G. Carter

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Staff knowledge of effective management of confusion in geriatric patients (>65yo) may be limited and inconsistent with the current goal of establishing a geriatric-friendly Emergency Department (ED) Model of Care. Suboptimal management of this patient population can result in prolonged ED stays, which increases the cost to the hospital and the patient (Han & Wilber, 2013).

Context: An Emergency Department at a large Bay Area urban hospital hopes to obtain Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) through the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Interventions: Create a simplified checklist for nursing staff using mnemonic devices to …

Sepsis Inservice And Video At An Urban Hospital In California, Angela T. Ho

Master's Projects and Capstones

The emergency department at an urban hospital in California was performing below institutional goals related to sepsis protocols over the past few months. This intervention was targeted at nurses and was composed of a PowerPoint in-service on compliance to SEP-1 protocols and follow-along video on using the correct sepsis order set and documentation in the electronic health record (EHR). Goals included increased compliance to the SEP-1 protocol and documentation, (2) reduced time between the onset of symptoms, recognition, and intervention, (3) decline in sepsis rates and mortality rates, and (4) lower cost of care. Data was collected from the EHR …

Open Educational Resources Adoption Reduces Textbook Costs Without Sacrificing Student Performance In Business And Economics Courses At A Community College, Dorina Tila, Dawn Levy

Publications and Research

This study analyzed the possibility of saving on textbook costs without sacrificing student performance by using Open Educational Resources (OER) at no cost to students as a replacement for high-priced commercially printed books. Approximately two hundred students enrolled in business and economics courses at Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York from Fall 2016 to Fall 2018 were assessed in this study. Using summative assessments and course grades as a measure of students’ performance, the findings showed that students in courses using OER as compared to students in the same subject area using traditional textbooks perform equally …

Wellness That Doesn’T Work. When Lifestyle Apps Lead To Disordered Eating., Aurelie G. Muntzel

Capstones

Fitness and dieting are nothing new, but what makes the latest generation of dieting apps that pair with smart watch devices which track your nutrition and biometric data so different is how much easier they can lead you towards disordered eating. This capstone explores how corporate incentives drive diet apps to co-opt the language of wellness discourse in order to attract the Gen Z market, while selling a product that equates healthiness to a number on a scale.

Decreasing Hospital Acquired Pneumonia In Adult Patients By Patient Care Technicians: Education With A Focus On Oral Care And Tooth Brushing, Amanda Nicole Lee

Master's Projects and Capstones

Hospital acquired pneumonia’s (HAPs) are unfortunate and preventable events quality improvement efforts should focus on. At a Northern California Hospital, there was an unmet HAP rate goal of 2.3 (20 out of 8795 patients) against a target goal of 2. This increase in HAP rates, both non-ventilated and ventilated was a call to action to reduce HAP to the target goal. The quality improvement project specifically aimed to reduce HAP rates on medical-surgical units through an ultra-brief refresher on the hospital validated and endorsed ROUTE bundle. The education focused on oral care completed by the patient care technicians (PCT’s). The …

Diabetes Prevention And Management Education For Punjabi-Sikh Older Adults, Mandeep K. Gill

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: South Asians from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have a higher prevalence of diabetes than the general global population and are also more susceptible to developing diabetes due to biological and lifestyle factors. The South Asian diet is high in refined grains and monounsaturated fatty acids, increasing the risk of diabetes.

Local Problem: Congregants of a Sikh gurdwara (place of worship) lacked knowledge of diet and lifestyle in relation to preventing and managing diabetes. Many senior congregants have been diagnosed with diabetes or are at high risk of developing the disease.

Methods: Knowledge of diabetes prevention and management were …

Oleoresin Capsicum Gel: Enhancing Safety For The Home Health Clinician, Lilly Dickens

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Home health clinicians (HHC) are at high risk for workplace violence. Providing necessary health care alone in unpredictable and remote environments are associated with poor outcomes from physical violence. Background: Pepper spray is known for its active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum (OC), as a self-defense tool. OC gel is used worldwide as a non-lethal incapacitating agent. There is an opportunity to expand workplace violence prevention (WPV) in home health by training and allowing HHCs to carry OC gel. Intervention: This DNP QI project implemented a safety intervention for HHCs, including nurses, aides, medical social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and …