Digital Commons Network^™

Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Tdcs) Modulates Quadriceps Motor Cortex Inhibition And Facilitation During Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Reconstruction: A Triple-Blind, Randomised Controlled Proof Of Concept Trial, Myles Calder Murphy, Colin Sylvester, Casey Whife, Peter D'Alessandro, Ebonie Kendra Rio, Ann Maree Vallence

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives Following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), maladaptive changes occur in the motor cortex representation of the quadriceps, evidenced by increases in intracortical inhibition and facilitation. The primary objective of this proof-of-concept study was to determine if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alter quadriceps intracortical inhibition and facilitation in an early-ACLR population after 6 weeks of application during exercise. Methods We performed a randomised, triple-blind controlled trial for proof of concept comparing anodal-tDCS to sham-tDCS following ACLR. Anodal-tDCS or sham-tDCS was delivered to the primary motor cortex for 20 min, three times per week, for 6 weeks from …

Deputy Sheriffs’ Experience With Inmate Suicide, Tiffany Buco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deputy sheriffs working in correctional facilities are responsible for enforcing rules and regulations of the facility, supervising inmates, ensuring security, and preventing inmates from escaping. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of deputy sheriffs experiencing an inmate’s death by suicide. The sample for this study consisted of six deputy sheriffs who had been a deputy sheriff for at least 3 years and experienced an inmate suicide. The theoretical foundation applied to this study is the personal construct theory because it requires constructs that are used to make sense of people’s experiences, in this …

National Parks For Future Generations?: The Covid-19 Pandemic’S Impacts On National Parks And Tourism, Colin Cummings '25

Student Research

This paper explores the complex relationship between tourism and the environment in U.S. National Parks, with a focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines how increased visitation affects wildlife, the spread of invasive species, and the overall health of natural ecosystems. The author argues for a shift in public perception of national parks, emphasizing education, community engagement, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of nature to ensure the preservation of these areas for future generations. The paper also discusses the role of park rangers and historical interpretations of wildlife and the environment, as well as the …

Designing An Interactive System For Early Social Learning: Leveraging Emotion Recognition And Real-Time Feedback To Foster Early Childhood Emotional Mirroring And Social Skill Development, Yue Gu

Theses

For young children, traditional educational methods often rely too heavily on the caregiver's own time and energy as well as social attributes. There is currently no product on the market that mirrors emotions and provides real-time feedback on personality drawings that can simultaneously stimulate young children's recognition of facial emotions, understand and mimic expressions, and promote their social development. The purpose of this thesis is to design an interactive system to enhance early social learning in young children through emotion recognition and real-time feedback. The system utilizes a digital device's camera for emotion detection to detect children's facial expressions. It …

Factors Associated With Receipt Of Tobacco Treatment Integrated With Nurse Navigation In A Centralized Lung Cancer Screening Program At An Urban Academic Medical Center, Christine S. Shusted, Sarah Mukhtar, James Lee, Brooke Ruane, Emily Muse, Lawrence Emeigh-Mcbride, Eboni Gatson-Anderson, Gregory C. Kane, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee-Soon Juon, Julie A. Barta

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Optimal approaches for tobacco treatment counseling among individuals who currently smoke and are undergoing shared decision-making (SDM) and lung cancer screening (LCS) are unknown. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the rate of reported interest in tobacco treatment counseling and pharmacotherapy among individuals who currently smoke and are receiving integrated nurse navigation for LCS and tobacco treatment in a centralized LCS Program.

METHODS: We identified individuals undergoing SDM through our centralized LCS Program between March 2021 and March 2022. The LCS Program tobacco treatment protocol includes counseling both in-person and via telephone during SDM, LCS results …

Comparison Of Quality Of Life, Anxiety, And Depression Levels Based On Acne Vulgaris Severity, Annisaul Husna, Satya Wydya Yenny, Desmawati Desmawati, Gardenia Akhyar, Masrul Masrul, Yulistini Yulistini

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit. Although acne vulgaris is not fatal, it can cause psychological effects. This study aimed to compare the quality of life, anxiety, and depression levels based on the severity of acne vulgaris among medical students at Andalas University.

Methods: This was an observational-analytic study with a cross-sectional design. It was conducted from May to June 2023. The population included the third-grade students of the Medical Study Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, who had acne vulgaris. The respondents were 70 people, recruited with consecutive sampling techniques. This research …

The Relationship Between Religious Coping Styles And Eating Disorder Risk In Christians In A University Setting, Meghan E. Aubuchon

Honors Theses

Existing research on eating disorders and religion is beginning to gain momentum in the present day, but research is lacking on the topic of religious coping and eating disorder risk. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between two known styles of religious coping—positive and negative—and eating disorder risk in University of Mississippi students, faculty, and staff who identify as Christian. A survey consisting of basic demographic questions, the EAT-26, and the Brief RCOPE was distributed via emails sent by the office of IREP to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Mississippi. A total of 330 participants were …

Early Palliative Care In Advanced Stage Cancer Patients: Barriers To Integration An Integrative Review, Wendy Jarrett, Rachel Girard

Master's Projects

This integrative review examines the barriers to early palliative care (PC) implementation in Stage IV cancer patients and the impact of timely PC on quality of life, symptom management, and patient autonomy. Despite clear evidence that early PC enhances patient outcomes and reduces the need for aggressive interventions at the end of life, its integration is often delayed due to insufficient standardized referral protocols, lack of education for healthcare providers, and misconceptions about its role. The studies included highlight the importance of addressing these barriers to improve care. Oncologists and healthcare providers often lack the necessary communication skills to initiate …

Effectiveness Of Mental Health Interventions For Adults With Cancer In The Us: An Integrative Review, Danielle Lee, Chelsea Ferguson

Master's Projects

The purpose of this review was to synthesize existing literature on the effects of mental health interventions for adult cancer patients following their initial diagnosis and to consolidate findings related to interventions addressing mental health conditions in this population. With the growing number of adults diagnosed with cancer, further research and the development of tailored mental health interventions are crucial to improving health outcomes.

A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Medline Complete, and Health Source Nursing databases between January 2024 and February 2024. To ensure rigor, Toronto and Remington’s (2020) integrative review process was applied. The Johns Hopkins …

The Role Of Equity Leaders In Implementing The Community School Policy Framework In California, Iris Zuniga

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the role of Equity Leadership in implementing the Community School Policy Framework in California, focusing on addressing systemic inequities. Using a qualitative approach, this research drew on six in-depth interviews with public sector leaders in the California Community School Partnership Program (CCSPP). Findings underscored the critical importance of equity-focused leadership, intentional collaboration, and data-driven accountability in advancing equitable practices within the community school model. The research highlighted that effective implementation of the framework depends on tailoring strategies to California’s unique community needs and centering on under-resourced students. Fostering cross-sector partnerships and actively engaging community partners were essential …

Libraries On The Front Lines: The Imperative For Disaster-Ready Information Professionals, Feili Tu-Keefner Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Libraries, particularly local public libraries, have evolved into hubs for community-first services, extending beyond traditional roles. Library personnel are now expected to act as first responders and crisis leaders during times such as natural disasters. This report documents the critical crisis leadership qualifications required for library personnel, identified through comprehensive research from 2015 to 2023. Findings from these situation-specific case studies call attention to the community’s needs for library services during emergencies, underscoring the requirement for LIS education to include disaster management. Continuing education (CE) is also critical in preparing information professionals for these essential roles.

On The Benefits Of Directness In Virtual Characters For Motivational Interviews, Michael O'Mahony, Cathy Ennis, Robert Ross

Conference papers

Understanding the factors influencing successful engagement with Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) remains a significant challenge. This understanding could be used to personalise agents to users to improve interactions. Some studies have shown that simulating personalities in healthcare agents can improve effectiveness and engagement. However, it is not yet well understood how variations of agent personality can be leveraged to improve user engagement with Motivational Interviewing (MI) ECAs. Specifically how the balance between agent warmth and directness can be controlled in an MI agent to improve likeability and engagement. We conducted an online Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) mediated study of two variants of …

Empowering Veterans For Social Innovation: A Study On Bridging Military Experience And Civilian Impact Through Targeted Educational Programs, Jill H. Wolfe

Masters Projects

Transitioning from military to civilian life poses unique challenges for veterans, including difficulties in leveraging their military-acquired skills for impactful civilian roles. This thesis explores how veterans’ leadership, adaptability, and mission-driven purpose can be harnessed for social innovation—a field requiring systemic thinking and collaborative problem-solving to address complex societal challenges. Through qualitative interviews with veterans and case studies of existing programs like The Mission Continues and Team Rubicon, the study identifies gaps in educational frameworks that prepare veterans for social innovation roles.

Findings reveal that while veterans possess the resilience and strategic capabilities essential for social impact, barriers such as …

Greenmind: A Climate-Positive News Portal, Surabhi Singh

Theses

Greenmind is a website that promotes positive climate narratives for environmentally conscious individuals seeking hope and actionable solutions. It redefines how we approach climate change narratives by focusing on hope and progress. Unlike traditional media that often rely on fear to grab attention, Greenmind delivers stories showcasing actionable solutions and positive impacts already happening across the globe. Its core mission is to empower individuals to see themselves as agents of change, fostering collective action rather than promoting fear as a tactic for change. Greenmind’s approach to climate narratives is supported by research emphasizing the power of positive storytelling. Studies from …

Chimes: December 9, 2024, Calvin University

Chimes

“That’s not true inclusion:” For disabled students, full campus accessibility remains elusive by Sarah Sparling

Umm al-Jimal archaeological site added to UNESCO World Heritage by Grace Buller and Elisabeth Stevens

2025 January Series sees restructure and big names by Graham Kort

Changes to dining hall hours, staffing benefits leave students broadly dissatisfied by Maya Oeverman

Making worship more accessible: A Q&A with Eleanor Plutz about ASL chapel interpretation by Anna Caruso

“The Holy Spirit Made Me Dance” by Natasha Jayaputra

How Should Scientists Act? Assessing Public Perceptions Of Scientists And Scientific Practices And Their Implications For Science Communication, Thomas G. Safford, Emily H. Whitmore

Faculty Publications

Is how science is conducted legitimate? Are scientists trustworthy? Whether the public answers “yes” to these questions is critical for science communicators. We explore how social factors affect public perceptions of the practice of science, and then test how those beliefs relate to views about how scientists engage with the public and policy making. Our results show that political ideology and religiosity affect these views. However, more importantly, respondents’ concerns about the integrity of the scientific process are the strongest predictor of views about scientists’ behavior, providing a focus area for future communication efforts in support of science-based decision making.

When Help Hurts: Workplace Instrumental Support And Employee Emotional Exhaustion Within-Person, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Anthony T. Misisco, Eden B. King

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The social support paradox describes mixed findings on the effects of social support on well-being. An application of the person-environment fit perspective can address the paradox by reasoning that similar quantities of social support needs and social support supplies should result in optimal well-being outcomes. We integrate a person-environment fit perspective with self-determination theory in an examination of the relationship between workplace instrumental support and emotional exhaustion through a two-week experience sampling method study. Fifty-nine participants responded to questions about desired quantities of work-related help from their colleagues (coworkers and supervisors) and their perceived quantities of work-related help after work …

Delivering Improved Survivorship Care For People Affected By Advanced Or Metastatic Cancer, Julia Lai-Kwon, Sarah Heynemann, Nicolas Hart, Raymond J. Chan, Thomas Smith, Andrea L. Smith, Larissa Nekhlyudov, Michael Jefford

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Contextualizing Adolescent’S Experiences Of Dementia In England, Esra Hassan, Ben Hicks, Naji Tabet, Nicolas Farina

Peninsula Medical School

Adolescents represent an under-researched group that mayalready have experiences of dementia. In this study, we aimedto capture adolescents’ level of contact (frequency) and qualityof contact (whether experiences were positive or negative) withpeople living with the condition. In this cross-sectional study,1,371 adolescents (aged 11–18 years old) across England wererecruited. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and regres-sions were employed to explore the association between socio-demographic factors and the frequency and quality of dementiacontact in adolescents. Over 64% of adolescents had comeacross people living with dementia, while over a quarter ofadolescents had looked after someone living with the condition.The level of contact and quality of …

Understanding The Current Provisions Of Support For People With An Intellectual Disabilities And/Or Autism In Crisis: A Mixed Methods Study, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Background:There has been significant reduction in inpatient beds for people with intellectual disability and/or autism (PwID/A) in the UK in the last decade following high profile national scandals in specialist psychiatric hospitals. To reduce inappropriate admissions a new strategy (Blue-Light, an emergency multi-disciplinary meeting to prevent admission to hospital) was introduced. However, there is no research on the influence of Blue-Light on crisis management for PwID/A.Aim:To assess Blue-Light’s impact on PwID/A’s crisis presentationsMethods:Co-produced with experts-by-experience, a mixed methods approach using a 13 question Likert based survey of health and social-care professionals along with semi-structured interviews of carers involved with consecutive …

Long-Term Adverse Effects After Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect): A Narrative Analysis Exploring People’S Experiences, Meaning-Making, And Coping, Emily Shipwright, David Murphy

School of Psychology

Approximately 2500 people receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) annually in the United Kingdom; however, there is growing evidence of long-term adverse effects. Few studies have focused on people’s experience of ECT, particularly over the long term. The experience of ECT is known to be complex, requiring qualitative exploration. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the long-term adverse experiences of ECT, including psychological impacts, meaning-making, and coping. Narrative analysis considered thematic, structural, and performative elements of seven people’s stories. Themes were explored across the timeline of participants’ experiences. Before ECT, participants felt misinformed regarding ECT and misunderstood by healthcare professionals. They noticed …

Psychoeducation On Addiction For Healthcare Providers, Lovester Duncan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Walden University College of Nursing This is to certify that the doctoral study by Lovester Duncan has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Kristina Bohm, Committee Chairperson, Nursing Faculty Dr. Mary Martin, Committee Member, Nursing Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2024 The DNP project aimed to increase healthcare providers’ knowledge, awareness, and comfort with prescribing medication-Assisted Treatments (MATs). Inadequate treatment and higher overdose and death risks result from providers lacking experience with …

Deputy Sheriffs’ Experience With Inmate Suicide, Tiffany Buco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deputy sheriffs working in correctional facilities are responsible for enforcing rules and regulations of the facility, supervising inmates, ensuring security, and preventing inmates from escaping. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of deputy sheriffs experiencing an inmate’s death by suicide. The sample for this study consisted of six deputy sheriffs who had been a deputy sheriff for at least 3 years and experienced an inmate suicide. The theoretical foundation applied to this study is the personal construct theory because it requires constructs that are used to make sense of people’s experiences, in this …

The Man Who Would Be Billy Collins, W. Edward Blain

Valparaiso Fiction Review

No abstract provided.

Disparities In The Pregnancy Experience: A Multi-Case Analysis, Tiffany C. Thomas, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Racial disparities in maternal healthcare continue to be a significant issue, with Black women experiencing worse outcomes compared to White women. Despite improvements in healthcare, Black women are still 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and they face higher rates of preterm births, low birth weight, and insufficient prenatal care. This paper examines the experiences of three African American women from high socioeconomic backgrounds, focusing on where these negative experiences are most common throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. The study uses the Pregnancy and Maternity Care Patients' Experiences Questionnaire (PreMaPEQ) to explore different stages of care, …

Treating Depression Using Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Herve Preval, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neuropsychotherapy are all non-pharmacological interventions that have been used in the treatment of depression. This review seeks to investigate the possible advantages of CBT, TMS, and neuropsychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder, and it is an extremely prevalent mental condition that is linked to increased illness and death. More than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Depression is estimated to be at a rate of 5.5 percent annually in developed countries and even higher at 6.7 percent amongst young adults. In this …

The Influence Of Socioeconomic Factors On The Leadership Styles Of Healthcare Leaders, Regina Viney, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Socioeconomic factors have been shown to influence opportunities, decisions, motivation, and outcomes in all areas of life. Yet very little is known about how socioeconomic factors influence the leadership styles of healthcare leaders. Five nurse leaders from different backgrounds were interviewed to identify if those Leaders believed that their Socioeconomic factors played a role in the leadership style, they were comfortable emulating. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare leaders in San Joaquin County. A total of five participants (three female, two male) were interviewed for this study. Participants were asked questions about their leadership style and socioeconomic factors. These questions …

Do New Mothers In Their First-Year Postpartum Feel Prepared To Return To Daily Occupations?, Kim Rose, Jane L. Donat, Cedrica Durham, Bianca Haddock, Danyl Litumbe, Julia Otoski, Katsia Renaud

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: Our research aimed to explore if new mothers felt prepared to return to their daily lives and the role occupational therapy could have in helping prepare women to transition into their new role as mothers. Previous literature has found that limits to occupational engagement and occupational balance have adversely affected the well-being of new mothers.

Methods: This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study employed the RedCap survey platform to collect demographic information, information regarding women’s birth experience and to obtain consent. Twenty-two women who filled out the survey met the inclusion criteria, and ten were selected to proceed with the …

Exploration Of College Students’ Use Of The Occupation Of Music Listening To Support Engagement And Well-Being, Beverly Murphy, Morgan Breen, Jenna Breseman, Jailine Gonzalez, Tiesha Henley, Julianne Sta.Ana

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Heightened feelings of stress or anxiety can often accompany the transition to college, secondary to changes to an existing routine. These changes can potentially lead to occupational disruption or imbalances impacting students’ well-being and performance. This descriptive, exploratory research investigates whether college students are utilizing music as a means to support or enhance their occupational well-being. At this point, little is known about the extent of utilizing music listening as an occupational therapy intervention on college campuses to manage the allostatic load among students. To address this, a quantitative survey with close-ended questions was distributed virtually to college students within …

Understanding Provider Competency In Gender Affirming Care, Vanessa Castle, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual plus (LGBTQ+) individuals, especially transgender patients, face many healthcare disparities. It is extremely important for them to have access to high-quality healthcare, particularly Gender Affirming Care (GAC), to support their well-being and mental health. However, many healthcare providers, including clinical social workers, NPs, PAs, and MDs lack proper training to offer GAC. The current training opportunities available are often basic and lack comprehensive, detailed information. To reduce healthcare barriers for the transgender and gender-diverse community, we must have comprehensive training on GAC available for providers so they can treat their patients with …