Digital Commons Network^™

Life Cycle Assessment Of The Construction Process In A Mass Timber Structure, Mahboobeh Hemmati, Tahar Messadi, Hongmei Gu

Architecture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Today, the application of green materials in the building industry is the norm rather than the exception and reflects an attempt to mitigate the sector’s environmental impacts. Mass timber is growing rapidly in the construction field because of its long span, speed of installation, lightness and toughness, carbon sequestration capabilities, renewability, fire rating, acoustic isolation, and thermal resistance. Mass timber is close to overtaking steel and concrete as the preferred material. The endeavor of this research is to quantitatively assess the ability of this green material to leverage the abatement of carbon emissions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a leading …

Metamorfosis Tecno-Humana (2024), Judit Grau Navarro

Grado en Diseño de Moda

No abstract provided.

Morphometry Of The Superior Ophthalmic Vein Unaffected By Dilating Factors, Farida Mehrhoff, Melissa Zolnierz, Alla Barry, Shelby Kuhnert, Mary Kilmer, Dmitry E. Tsyplakov, Robert Hillard

Faculty and Staff Publications

Context:
Data on the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) dilation captivate the attention of neurologists as an early sign of several neurovascular disease manifestations, but measurements vary widely in publications.

Aims:
This study attempts to shed light on disparate data and develop more stringent criteria for determining the dilation of these veins.

Settings and Design:
To this end, 44 orbits of 25 formalin-embalmed human cadavers without risk factors for SOV dilation were dissected.

Materials and Methods:
The SOV branching pattern and length were photographed, and multiple segments were analyzed microscopically, histologically, and statistically.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Simple descriptive statistics as well …

Integration Of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment For Patients With Chronic Pain, Sharon Gustowski, Turner Slicho, D'Angeleau Newsome

Faculty and Staff Publications

The Five Models of Osteopathic Medicine offers guidance on creating a treatment plan that includes OMT for patients with chronic pain. Using OMT on one body region or system has numerous downstream effects and can influence multiple models. This paper describes this therapeutic modality.

Opioid Use Disorder In Missouri: An Evidence-Based, Public Health-Oriented Approach, Benjamin Grin

Faculty and Staff Publications

Opioid use disorder (OUD) represents a growing public health crisis in Missouri and nationwide. Reversing the trend of rising OUD-associated morbidity and mortality will require implementing evidence-based approaches grounded in public health principles. Key evidence-based interventions include medications for opioid use disorder, naloxone distribution, overdose education, and syringe services programs. The increasing presence of fentanyl and xylazine in the drug supply represent new challenges to the OUD crisis in Missouri. Optimal implementation of evidence-based interventions will require action at the individual physician, community, and state policy level.

Human Platelet Derived Mitochondrial Opa-1 Isoforms And Interaction With Tdp-43 In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Su Han Lee, Duyen Pham, Edina Kosa, Abdulbaki Agbas

Faculty and Staff Publications

Optic atrophy 1 (OPA-1) is a GTPase protein that controls mitochondrial fusion, cristae integrity, and mtDNA maintenance. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), the mitochondrial network morphology is compromised. Studies on TAR-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) has been the focus in our lab. OPA-1 and TDP-43 interaction may shed a light on how aberrant TDP-43 interacts with OPA-1, which will lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. The preliminary study tested the idea of whether OPA-1 and TDP-43 are physically interacting in human platelet derived mitochondria obtained from healthy human subjects.

Kcu Sharpens Focus On Population Health And Equity Through New Center Of Excellence, Marc Hahn

Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

The Neurochemistry Of Depression: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Kami Pearson, Kimberley Beier, Thornton Mardis, Bryan Munoz, Asma Zaidi

Faculty and Staff Publications

A large constellation of experimental evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is involved in the onset of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. Many studies have shown impairments in tryptophan metabolism, the major pathway for the synthesis of serotonin, the mood regulating neurotransmitter. This article reviews the various metabolites generated in the competing pathways of tryptophan metabolism including the kynurenine pathway. Increased synthesis of the neurotoxic compound quinolinic acid occurs at the expense of the synthesis of the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid. This shift in equilibrium plays a critical role in the induction of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity. Sufficient protein intake with adequate …

Energy Expenditure In Partial-Foot Amputees With Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Nicholas Obias, Madeleine G. Mehaffey, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Objective: The energy cost of walking in amputees is often cited in modern scientific literature and clinical rationales for determining amputation levels. However, many referenced papers do not study diabetic populations with partial foot amputations (PFAs) – relatively widespread conditions in podiatric patient populations. Commonly cited papers include Waters (1976), which is significantly dated, Goktepe (2010), which studies traumatic PFAs in a military academy, and Jeans (2011), which studies traumatic PFAs in pediatric populations. These papers do not study diabetic populations and PFAs specifically. We hoped to find a study population more reflective of diabetic patients with PFAs.

Methods: …

Comparative Effect Of Zoledronic Acid, High Glucose Levels, And Oxidative Stress On Macrophage Viability, Bryan Liu, Denae Cantu, Deborah Seixas, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction and Hypothesis: Zoledronate (Zol) is an antiosteoclastic drug widely utilized for osteoporosis and bone metastases, and it may be used off-label for managing diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy¹. Since macrophages share common precursors with osteoclasts, their function may also be affected by Zol. Herein, we hypothesize that Zol impairs macrophage responses, potentially hindering their viability and host defense in diabetic conditions.

Methodology: Raw 264.7 macrophages were seeded at 2.5 x 10³ in 96-well plates for viability assays. Cells were tested under normal glucose (25 mM), high glucose (ranging from 45 to 70 mM), and high oxidative stress (ranging …

Do We Need Another Frame? A Scoping Review On External Fixator Reuse, Nicholas Obias, James Hughes, Dustin Prins, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Statement of Purpose: External fixators in the United States are sold as single-use devices. Though their efficacy is well documented, they remain underutilized due to expense. The aim of this study is to determine if it is safe to reprocess and reuse external fixator components to lower the cost burden of surgeries using external fixation.

Introduction: External fixation is a critical but costly modality for upper and lower limb pathologies, such as trauma, deformity correction, and nonunion. Despite the clinical effectiveness of external fixation using delta, ilizarov, and hexapod frames, its application in the United States as a single-use device …

Amniotic Graft Applications On A Healthy Elderly Patient With Neglected Chronic Wound Due To Trauma, Maya D. Kaafarani, Brittney White, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: AM grafts are angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-microbial, non-immunogenic, and decrease the total time for complex, chronic wounds to heal. This poster will explore a single case study using an AM graft on an elderly male with a chronic wound and provide a brief overview of the general application of AM in chronic wounds.

Case Report: A healthy 92-year-old male sustained a traumatic wound to the dorsum of his foot after dropping a heavy welding torch. The wound was chronically neglected and progressed to tendons before he was taken in for evaluation and treatment. Through a series of amniotic …

Public Perceptions Of Peripheral Nerve Surgery On Social Media: A Narrative Review, Nicholas Obias, James Hughes

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Objective: The intent of this study is to conduct a Narrative review of the Public Perceptions of Peripheral Nerve Surgery on Social Media.

Introduction: Peripheral nerve surgery is an effective therapeutic modality for difficult diagnoses such as peripheral neuropathy, neuromas, and complex regional pain syndrome. This study aims to explore public perceptions of peripheral nerve surgery on Instagram, a popular social media site. Information on posts such as authorship, relevance, accuracy, and purpose were collected. Conclusions from this study may direct efforts to enhance medical advice and improve patient education for extremity nerve surgeons.

Methods: Searches were conducted in September …

Achilles Allograft Fiber Track Graft Preparation Technique For Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Grace Thiel, Troy B. Puga, Tyler D. Perleberg, Benedict F. Figuerres, Jennifer F. Dennis

Student Publications

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is a common orthopaedic injury, with reconstruction the treatment of choice for active individuals. Graft selection is an important consideration for surgical planning. Achilles tendon allograft is a graft choice most likely used in cases of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. This technical note discusses an approach to Achilles tendon allograft preparation that respects and follows the rotation of the fibers of the Achilles tendon. Key considerations in the use of this technique include (1) identifying the rotational fiber tracks, (2) performing careful dissection along the identified tracks of the fibers, and (3) ensuring an appropriate …

Developing A Strategy For Synergy Between Home And Church To Increase Youth Engagement And Faith Formation At Barriere Adventist Church, Timoteus Nagy

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

There was no intentional synergistic relationship between the home and the church at the Barriere Adventist Church. As a result, church leaders often expressed discouragement when they saw teens become disengaged with church and spirituality. They suggested that the root problem of this symptom was the lack of cooperation between the two faith-forming institutions in keeping young people engaged and growing in their faith. As a pastor, I saw this deficiency and our urgent need for change.

Method

A six-month action research strategy was designed and delivered at the Barriere Adventist Church. Twenty members from every generational cohort were …

Desarrollo, Implementacion Y Evaluacion De Un Seminario De Liberazgo Para Lideres De La Iglesia Central De Cojupeque, El Salvador, Alvaro Rafael Linero Vargas

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in the ministry of all believers, and at its base, the local church is not only led by pastors but also by members who take on leadership roles. In order for these members to excel in their ministries, their training and education must be intentional. The Central Cojutepeque Seventh-day Adventist Church of the Paracentral El Salvador Conference did not have an intentional leadership instruction program that can help said leaders assist in the leading of the church.

Methodology

This project is a research initiative in the field of practical theology. It was applied within …

Seminarios Para Aplicar Principios De Interpretacion De Los Escritos De Elena G. De White Para Las Iglesias Adventistas Hispanas En Paterson, New Jersey, Jose Alberto Hernancez Lache

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The observations made by the researcher in the district of Hispanic Adventist churches in Paterson, New Jersey, in the years 2021 and 2022, led to the conclusion that the way the leaders uses the writings of Ellen G. White is not the best. Even the understanding held by fellow church members, mostly used for rebuking the behaviors or judging certain situations of other members, clearly demonstrates a lack of wisdom and balance on this subject. This issue creates discontent and animosity towards the task Ellen G. White sought to accomplish when called by God to encourage, strengthen, and sustain …

Programa Para Fomentar El Ministerio Filantrópico En La Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Día Hispana De Georgetown, Delaware, Luz E. Pinzón González

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the last few years, many of the members of the Hispanic Adventist Church in Georgetown, Delaware, had not learned of community service activities, especially those available in Philanthropic Ministry. The church community has many families with economic needs, which would benefit from a philanthropic program that would supply their basic alimentary needs. Such a program would also open doors for the church to share the Adventist message with the beneficiaries. This problem was directly observed by the author, in consultation with the pastor and the church leaders.

Methodology

This present project is based on creating a program to …

A Strategic Approach To A Discipleship System And Culture At The Adventist Community Church Of Vancouver, Washington, Ryan H. Whitehead

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Discipleship is a term that church congregations use to articulate their goal of fulfilling the call of Jesus to make disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20). The Adventist Community Church (ACC) in Vancouver, Washington is no different. With a mission to “Reach Up in Worship, Reach Deep in Discipleship, and Reach Out in Evangelism,” a discipleship culture is key to the church’s mission. A deficiency in the discipleship culture at ACC is evident in the absence of a disciple-making system. The strategy to address this challenge is to invest in an intentional and robust discipleship growth plan.

Method

A systems-thinking approach …

A Leadership Strategy To Train And Equip African Pastors And Lay Leaders For Effective Ministry To Central African Refugees And Immigrants In Phoenix, Arizona, Joel Mpabwanimana

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Since 2010, there has been a growing number of Central African refugees and immigrants resettling in Arizona. This transition adds many other challenges to the trauma some of them have already endured. Unfortunately, there is a lack of trained pastors and lay leaders to effectively minister to them. I designed this project to develop and implement an effective strategy to train and equip pastors and lay leaders to minister to Central African refugee and immigrant communities in the Ubumwe Seventh-day Adventist Church and Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

Method

This project had several primary objectives: (1) to …

Encouraging Intergenerational Faith Transmission And Spiritual Growth In Home And Church: Reconnecting Youth And Older Generations Through Family Systems Concepts At The Adelaide Seventh-Day Adventist Church, The Bahamas, Larry L. Green

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This Doctor of Ministry (DMin) project addresses a pressing issue within the church context of the Adelaide Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bahamas. We first observed sporadic attendance of our youth (Gen Z and Millennials) and their lack of identity with the church. Wider observation revealed weak relationships among the various generations within our church as well as in our homes. This absence of relatedness across generations potentially hinders some from embracing the community’s faith and growing spiritually.

Method

This study aimed to understand and address the nuanced factors contributing to this generational disconnection through the intervention of an …

Developing A Small Groups Health Ministry At The Ventura County Korean Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Hee Choung Park

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Although the members of the Ventura County Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church (VC KSDA) expressed interest in evangelism, the congregation had not shown evidence of evangelism during the past three years (2017-2020). As the pastor, I suggested that the members lacked a clear, planned, and structured program for outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for small group health programs. This study was to challenge the church to find ways to respond to the growing influence that the church wanted to have on the community.

Method

The program was designed and implemented at the VC KSDA Church in the fall of …

Intergenerational Mentorship Model For Membership Revitalization And Involvement At The Guelph Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Aundrea A. Thompson

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Guelph Seventh-day Adventist Church faced challenges characterized by low spiritual vitality and a generational divide. These factors jeopardized the spiritual well-being of some members, leading to a decline in church engagement.

Method

Recognizing the urgency of revitalization, the study explored the impact of a seven-week intergenerational mentorship model on participants’ spiritual health and church involvement. Employing a Participatory Action Research approach led by the pastor-researcher in collaboration with the church board, the study utilized Lifeway’s Spiritual Growth Assessment and Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger (2020) to guide the development and …

Estrategia Para Fortalecer La Retencion De Jovenes En La Iglesia Adventista Central De Las Tunas, Cuba, Magdiel Larramendy Laurencio

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist church in the city of Las Tunas, Cuba, from 2000 to 2015 has suffered for the loss of the youth ages 18 to 35 years old. A pastoral study of the congregation revealed that 70% of the youth that were born between the years 1990 and 2000 abandoned the church, indicating that it´s services were irrelevant and the absence of younger people and lacked youth in the leadership of the church. The congregation of Las Tunas has been a church centered in the accomplishment of the mission, and focused on the expansion of the gospel in …

Seminario De Orientación Sobre El Acoso Escolar Para Los Adolescentes De La Iglesia Adventista Hispana Atlanta Norte, Georgia, Usa, Andres M. Lizardo

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In the United States, about 160,000 adolescents drop out of school every day because of bullying. A survey of adolescents from the Atlanta North Hispanic Adventist Church (IAHAN), revealed that 83 percent have experienced incidents of bullying. A seminar on bullying at this church informs on the evils caused by bullying, and has the potential to help decrease bullying and dropout rates among IAHAN adolescents.

Methodology

This research belongs to the practical theology area. The purpose is to develop an orientation seminar to instruct IAHAN adolescents on how to face bullying in their social interactions. The task consisted in …

Seminario Sobre La Educacion De Los Hijos Para La Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia Hispana Indy Segunda De Indianapolis, Indiana, Fernando Pizarro

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Instructing parents about the education of children is a task that requires time, willingness, and commitment. Nonetheless, the literature suggests that educating parents on this subject tends to produce favorable outcomes in children (Finders et al. 2016; Nelson 2015; Barth and Liggeth 2014). The Bible also highlights the vital role parents play in educating their children (Deut 6:7; Eph 6:4). However, according to the records of the Indy Second Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church Board in Indianapolis, Indiana, no seminar regarding the education of children has been held in this congregation for the past seven years. In addition to the …

Desenvolvimento De Um Programa Para Capacitar Pastores Em Preparação Pre-Matrimonial Com Antecedência Na Associacao Paulistana De Iasd No Brasil, Jairo De Oliveira

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

At the São Paulo Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brazil, a preliminary survey found that 98% of engaged couples who sought out the pre-marital preparation program offered by the church would get married shortly after the preparation course. Given this trend, there was a need for a strategy to encourage engaged couples to participate in a pre-marital preparation program well in advance. A program was then developed to train pastors in pre-marital preparation in advance in the Sao Paulo Conference whose aim was to form healthy and stable marriages.

Methodology

This study adopted a qualitative approach to …

History, Theology, And Implementation Of A Volunteer Lay Pastor Ministry In The Territory Of The North American Division Of Seventh-Day Adventists, José Cortés Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This study examines the strategic necessity and implementation of a Divisionwide Volunteer Lay Pastor Ministry (VLPM) within the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA Church). The NAD oversees the church’s work in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam, and Micronesia, serving over 1.2 million members across 6,300 congregations. Despite its strong presence, the NAD faces challenges reaching a diverse population of approximately 370 million. With 69 percent of its congregations either plateauing or declining, the church is at a critical point that requires proactive measures to maintain its mission.

Method

Our study begins with an …

Cross-Denominational Dialogue: Sola Scriptura In Setting The Table For Charitable And Faithful Christian Discourse, Ciprian Mihai Manea

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In this project, the problem centers around cross-denominational dialogue. The contemporary Christian theological landscape is highly complex and varied. Theologians engage with different theories of knowledge, authority sources, and theological methods, resulting in diverse perspectives that conflict with each other and with Adventist Christian convictions. The differing rational structures of these perspectives require committed effort to understand and communicate effectively. Best practice cross-denominational dialogue involving the theologically informed must account for these differences and provide a context that can facilitate faithful and charitable discourse. Such a context would not only ease the tensions among different Christian traditions but would …

Estrategia Para Formar Discipulos Na Uniao Sudeste Brasileria Da Igreja Adventista Do Setimo Dia, Eber Soares Nunes

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The work of district pastors of the Southeastern Brazilian Union Conference is typically coordinated by a team of eight to twelve administrators and departmental leaders. This structure, in practice, entails the responsibility of implementing an annual average of 48 official church programs with their respective materials, which takes up almost all of their weekends, the period in which has the most access to members. As a result, local church pastors do not have time to make disciples according to Jesus’ mandate in Matthew in the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20). This study aims to create a discipleship program that answers …