Digital Commons Network^™

Paternalistic Approaches To Care In Intensive Care And Its Potential Effects On Securing Consent For Organ Donation, Brian Tierney, Matt Carey

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: Organ Donation saved the lives of 1510 transplant recipients in the United Kingdom (UK) last year (NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), 2024. Although over 28 million people in the UK have registered a decision to ‘opt-In’ on the Organ Donor Register (ODR) (NHSBT, 2024), and a soft opt-out system has been adopted across all parts of the UK, securing next of kin agreement remains essential to proceed with organ donation (Rees et. al., 2024).Research Aims: Data from the UK’s Potential Donor Audit continues to highlight instances of limited engagement with organ donation services teams (O’Neill et al, 2024; NHSBT, …

E-Government Utilization And The Political Logic Of Network Governance In Indonesia’S Local Administration, Dewi Anggraini, Faturachman Alputra Sudirman, Nur Atnan, Muhammad Najib Husain

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This article investigates the utilization of E-Government applications within the framework of network governance in Indonesia’s local administration. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study captures public perceptions of electronic information-based government services and explores the political and institutional dynamics underlying their implementation. Data were collected through questionnaires, document analysis, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected informants, including leaders and staff from local government institutions. The findings demonstrate that e-government platforms enhance service efficiency, transparency, and public satisfaction. Moreover, these applications promote openness in financial management and intra-organizational communication, contributing to greater trust and comfort …

Psychometric Evaluation Of Nursing Perceptions In Caring For Patients With Delirium Scale, Yunchuan Zhao, Elena Jacobs, Brittany Kelley, Anna C. Quon, Laura J. Tivis

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background/Purpose: Delirium is a serious and often under-recognized condition in hospitalized patients, particularly in critical and acute care settings. Nurses play a key role in delirium prevention, screening, and management.1 However, nurses may not consistently use evidence-based practices when caring for patients with delirium.2,3 Research shows that nurses’ attitudes and perceptions towards delirium can significantly affect the quality of delirium care.4,5 It is important to identify and understand nursing perceptions of delirium to address barriers in delirium prevention and management. Currently, there is no valid instrument to assess nursing perceptions when caring for patients with delirium. The study aimed to …

Investigation Of The Influences Of Planned Exercise On Food Choices In School-Age Children, Carol Frances Holt, Dan Cooper, Gwen Van Servellen, Lynn Doering, Andria Pontello

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This investigation explored the influence of a single bout of planned intense exercise on food choices (calories and macronutrients) in a controlled laboratory setting, in normal-weight school-age children. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2022) reports that 1 in 5 children have obesity. Yet, research on the effect of exercise on children is limited. Studies often lack controls for environmental, social, or behavioral influences that may impact food choices. Also, studies often provide limited food options to identify macronutrient choices. (Donnelley et al., 2014) (Fearnbach, et al., 2016) (Kristina, et al., 2021) (Noll, et al., 2017).

A quasi-experimental …

Interventions To Optimize Dietary Patterns In Black Pregnant Individuals: An Integrative Review, Katherine Erbe, Anne Thorndike, Melissa Nelson, Melis Lydston, Sara Looby

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Black pregnant individuals bear an inequitable burden of maternal morbidity and mortality and adverse fetal outcomes.¹ Behavioral factors including dietary patterns² and adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) influence these disparities. Nutrition and diet quality are modifiable risk factors that can reduce pregnancy-related complications including cardiometabolic disease.¹ The objective of this integrative review is to identify and evaluate research exploring interventions to optimize dietary patterns in Black pregnant individuals.

This review was reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted. Inclusion criteria: full-text articles on intervention …

Primary Care Dietary Program To Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk In South Asian Americans, Saranya Elena Wallooppillai, Amy Giles

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: South Asian Americans (SAAs) living in the United States face a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)-related events compared to their European counterparts due to genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle factors. While community-level lifestyle and dietary interventions show promise in ASCVD risk reduction, specific dietary guidelines for SAAs are not established in primary care settings. This quality improvement project aimed to assess the impact of SAA-specific dietary counseling on weight and self-perceptions of diet and health quality, with the goal of improving eating habits and lowering ASCVD risk.

Methodology: Data were collected pre- and post-intervention through surveys and physical …

The Role Of Ceramides As Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets For Cardiometabolic Disease And Its Intersection With Cellular Aging, Youssef Moustafa Shalaby

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Ceramides (Cer), a subclass of sphingolipids with potent bioactive properties, have gained recognition as key players in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). They modulate critical cellular functions such as apoptosis, inflammation, insulin signaling, and oxidative stress. This dissertation explores the dual role of Cer as both early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, bridging clinical insights with mechanistic understanding through a combination of human and experimental studies.

A highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify intracellular levels of specific Cer species, including CerC16:0, CerC18:0, CerC22:0, CerC24:0, and CerC24:1. This method was translated into …

Evaluating The Impact Of Zoa Energy Drink On Muscular Strength, Psychomotor Vigilance, And Mood In Active Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jose J. Rojas, Jason M. Curtis, Flavia F. Pereira, Cassandra Evans, Kaelan Jones, Alyana Andal, Juan Carlos Santana, Hena Thakkar, Jose Antonio

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

This study evaluates the effects of ZOA Energy Drink, a commercially available energy beverage, on muscular strength, sustained attention, and mood in exercise-trained individuals. Using a randomized, blinded, two-arm design, 24 participants (15 males, 9 females; age = 31.8 ± 8.4 years) were assigned to consume either ZOA Energy Drink or a caffeine-matched placebo. The primary outcomes included psychomotor vigilance (PVT), mood state (POMS), handgrip strength, and push-up performance. Baseline body composition was also assessed using bioelectrical impedance.

Results revealed no statistically significant differences between the ZOA and the caffeine matched control groups in psychomotor vigilance (p = 0.155), mood …

Beneficial Effects Of Performlytetm, A Prodosomed Phytonutrient-Enriched Electrolyte Formulation, In Enhancing Neuro-Muscular Synergy, Immune Competence, Cellular Aerobic Glycolysis And Sports Performance, Bernard William Downs, Samudra P. Banik, Bruce S. Morrison, Tandra Chakraborty, Manashi Bagchi, Sanjoy Chakraborty, Steve Kushner, Debasis Bagchi

Publications and Research

An optimised sports nutrition formulation achieving the correct blend of electrolytes with antioxidants and vitamins is integral towards meeting the demanding performance in professional sports arena. In this work, we describe a pilot study carried out to understand the effect of a novel phytonutrient- and electrolyte-fortified sports nutrition composition, PerformLyte^TM, developed in our laboratories, in boosting the performance of trained male cyclists. PerformLyte^TM is a unique fortified formulation comprising of polyphenolic antioxidants, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as carotenoids, sulforaphanes, exotic spices, sea water-derived electrolytes, and vitamin C, encapsulated in proprietary patent-pending Prodosome absorption technology, enabling sustained …

How Is Food Insecurity Measured In The United States And What Share Of Older Adults Are Food Insecure?, Colleen M. Heflin, Madonna Harrington Meyer

Population Health Research Brief Series

The U.S. Department of Agriculture measures food insecurity based on whether households had problems affording food during the last twelve months. Based on the current definition, in 2023 9.2% of households with adults ages 60 and older were food insecure. But there are many problems with the existing definition for accurately capturing food insecurity among older adults.

Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes those limitations, noting that existing measures do not account for barriers that are common among older adults, such as mobility, physical distance, and transportation barriers.

Integrative Techniques To Alleviate Abiotic Stress In Plants Using Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria And Fungi: Mechanisms, Interactions, And Applications, Muhammad Naseem, Amjad Iqbal, Muhammad Qadir, Anwar Hussain

All Works

No abstract provided.

Iwu Welcomes Largest Incoming Class In 15 Years, Julia Perez

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily, September 9, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 7

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

Smart Aquaculture Technology: Building Climate Resilience And Food Security In The Agrifood Supply Chain, Ikape Simon I., Goma Ruth P., Lise Hunter, Ed-Idoko John O., Christiana O. N.

Plymouth Business School

This paper examines the impacts of climate change on fish production within the agrifood supply chain and its implications for food security. It reviews smart aquaculture technologies as key adaptation and mitigation strategies for sustainable fish production and resilient food security. Adaptation measures include data-driven tools for site and species selection, as well as automated monitoring systems and predictive models that enable proactive risk management under climate variability. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing the sector’s carbon footprint through optimized feed utilization, waste reduction, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Findings suggest that smart aquaculture not only strengthens production efficiency …

Impact Of Black Shale Weathering On Stream Water And Sediment Quality In Eastern Kentucky, Brett Hopt

Dissertations and Theses

Black shales contain high concentrations of trace elements in addition to their elevated organic carbon content. Once exposed at the surface, weathering processes release these elements into the environment, including many (e.g., As, Cu, Cd, Cr, U, Zn) that could pose threats to human and environmental health. Previous studies have focused on how these metals are incorporated into the soil column and their effects on crop nutrition. However, few studies have focused on the impact of natural weathering of black shales on local stream water chemistry and the transport and subsequent partitioning of these geogenic contaminants into stream environments.

This …

Minimum Standards For Training In Colorectal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Among Advanced Endoscopy Trainees, Dennis Yang, Ernesto Robalino Gonzaga, Muhammad Khalid Hasan, Arvind Julius Trindade, Mark Radlinski, Rebecca A Burbridge, Jeffrey Mosko, Pushpak Taunk, Salmaan Jawaid, Mohamed O Othman, David L Diehl, Harshit S Khara, Quin Liu, Srinivas Gaddam, Harry Aslanian, Shailendra S Chauhan, Amrita Sethi, John Poneros, Jason Samarasena, Ali M Ahmed, Uzma D Siddiqui, Dennis Chen, Moamen Gabr, Andrew Y Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and study aims: Data on colorectal endoscopic mucosal resection (C-EMR) training during advanced endoscopy fellowship remain limited. We aimed to determine the number of procedures required by an "average" advanced endoscopy trainee (AET) to achieve competence in cognitive and technical C-EMR skills.

Methods: AETs from advanced endoscopy training programs (AETPs) were graded on every C-EMR using a standardized assessment tool. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was used to generate individual and aggregate learning curves to estimate the minimum number of cases required to achieve competence for overall, technical, and cognitive components of C-EMR. AETs completed a self-assessment questionnaire on C-EMR …

Predicting Weaning Failure From Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: The Promise And Pitfalls Of Clinical Prediction Scores, Maneesh Gaddam, Dedeepya Gullapalli, Zayaan A Adrish, Arnav Y Reddy, Muhammad Adrish

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Prediction of weaning success from invasive mechanical ventilation remains a challenge in everyday clinical practice. Several prediction scores have been developed to guide success during spontaneous breathing trials to help with weaning decisions. These scores aim to provide a structured framework to support clinical judgment. However, their effectiveness varies across patient populations, and their predictive accuracy remains inconsistent. In this review, we aim to identify the strengths and limitations of commonly used clinical prediction tools in assessing readiness for ventilator liberation. While scores such as the Rapid Shallow Breathing Index and the Integrative Weaning Index are widely adopted, their sensitivity …

Dissecting The Effect Of Mitochondrial Bcat Inhibition In Methylmalonic Acidemia, Madeline G Hemmingsen, Guo-Fang Zhang, Yunhan Ma, Hannah Marchuk, Kalyani R Patel, Tong Chen, Xinning Li, Mark Chapman, Sabrina Collias, Dolores H Lopez-Terrada, James Beasley, Ashlee R Stiles, Randy J Chandler, Charles P Venditti, Sarah P Young, Mercedes Barzi, Beatrice Bissig-Choisat, Doug Krafte, Christopher B Newgard, Karl-Dimiter Bissig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a severe metabolic disorder affecting multiple organs because of a distal block in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism. Standard of care is limited to protein restriction and supportive care during metabolic decompensation. Severe cases require liver/kidney transplantation, and there is a clear need for better therapy. Here, we investigated the effects of a small molecule branched-chain amino acid transaminase (BCAT) inhibitor in human MMA hepatocytes and an MMA mouse model. Mitochondrial BCAT is the first step in BCAA catabolism, and reduction of flux through an early enzymatic step is successfully used in other amino acid metabolic …

Community Engagement Studios To Improve Racial Diversity And Health Equity In Parkinson's, Eunyoung Kang, Dominique Woodhouse, Kandace Davis, Jane Q Yap, Peter S Myers, Meghan C Campbell, Yvonne D Hughes, Joyce E Balls-Berry, Erin R Foster

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Black or African Americans (AA) with Parkinson's disease (PD) are underrepresented in both care and research and experience significant health disparities. The existing literature provides limited guidance on how to enhance the engagement of AA individuals in PD care and research, particularly from the perspectives of AA patients, care partners, and healthcare providers. This project aimed to (1) describe the use of Community Engagement (CE) Studios as a community-engaged research approach to inform culturally appropriate and inclusive research and (2) examine factors influencing AA engagement in PD-related activities.

METHODS: We conducted three CE Studios: one with AA with PD …

Validity And Reliability Of The Mongolian Version Of Functional Assessment Of Cancer Therapy, Gelegjamts Gelgersuren, Gaalan Khulan, Kim Jin Sun

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator for determining the health outcomes of cancer treatment. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale, which was developed in the USA and validated in many countries, is widely used to measure the HRQOL in cancer patients. In Mongolia, there is no valid and reliable instrument to measure HRQOL for cancer patients. The purposes of this study was to empirically validate the FACT-G scale with Mongolian cancer patients.

Methods: This study was a methodological study. The English version of FACT-G was translated into the Mongolian language using the Functional …

Impact Of Technology On Physical Activity Levels Of Pediatric Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review, Aylin Akca Sumengen, Eysan Hanzade Savas, Ayse Ay, Ilcim Ercan Koyuncu, Munevver Erkul, Remziye Semerci

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Pediatric cancer survivors often face long-term health challenges such as muscle weakness and obesity [1, 2, 3]. Physical activity is essential for lessening these effects, and technological interventions have been suggested to promote physical activity among pediatric cancer survivors [3, 4].

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to evaluate technological interventions' impact on pediatric cancer survivors' PA levels.

Methods: The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines [5] and included studies published until May 2024 from various databases. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used to assess study quality. The study was registered in PROSPERO under registration …

Volume-Based Feeding Protocol In Metropolitan Medical Icu, Abraham J. Wang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Optimal nutritional support is a fundamental aspect of the recovery process for critically ill patients (Compher et al., 2022). It plays a crucial role in mitigating the catabolic effects of severe illness and trauma (Bharal et al., 2019). In the intensive care unit (ICU), enteral feeding (EF) is the preferred nutrition delivery method (Holyk et al., 2020). However, traditional EF protocols such as Rate-Based Feeding (RBF) fail to meet patients’ nutritional requirements. RBF protocol provides only 60% of the prescribed daily caloric intake (Wang et al., 2023). An evaluation of our Medical ICU (MICU) has revealed that the EF was …

The Effectiveness Of Medical-Grade Honey Towards Burning Wound Healing: An Evidence-Based Approach, Ting-Ting Yang, Hsiang-Chu Pai

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: According to World Health Organization, there are approximately 18,000 people die due to burns around the world every year. Burns often lead to prolong hospitalization, affect outlooks, increase treatment cost, and even disability. Besides, people might reject the burning patients owing to their appearance which could also affect their mental health.

There was a burning patient received the standard wound care method, then put on medical-grade honey gel with foam dressing, and it gradually helped wound healing.

Literature Review: After reviewing literature with PICO in different databases (e.g., Medline, PubMed and Cochrane), which P refers to burning wound, I …

Effects Of Exercise Program On Symptom And Psychological Distress In Frail Cardiac Surgery Patients, Li-Kai Cheng, Ai-Fu Chiou

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Postoperative cardiac surgery patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, poor sleep, depression, and anxiety. Healthcare providers need to identify effective interventions to alleviate these physical and psychological issues.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a multidimensional exercise program on symptom and psychological distress in frail patients after cardiac surgery.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 88 cardiac surgery patients from two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 45) or control group (n = 43). The intervention group participated in a 12-week multidimensional exercise program, which …

The Use Of Indigenous Plants In Home And Health Clinic Gardens To Engender Urban Rewilding In The Urban And Peri-Urban Areas Of The North-West Province, South Africa, Nanamhla Gwedla, Sonja De Beer, Dikeledi Seshoka, Sarel S. Cilliers

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

There is a need to rethink the sustainability and resilience of cities, where there is often limited availability and access to urban green spaces (UGS). Urban rewilding is an opportune avenue to connect humans to nature. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand the potential for urban re-naturing through home and health clinic gardens (HCGs). This was done through vegetation surveys in the naga (natural area) micro-gardens of 16 HCGs and household surveys with 80 households with home gardens (HGs) in two districts of the North-West province, South Africa. The size of the naga across HCGs ranged from …

Restoring Chevron Deference By Statute, Scott Dodson

Duke Law Journal Online

This paper details a solution for legislatively restoring Chevron deference: amend the APA to direct lower federal courts to give deference to reasonable agency decisions but retain nondeferential judicial review by the U.S. Supreme Court. This solution restores most of the practical benefits of Chevron by giving agencies flexibility to implement congressional policy directives with the expertise they have acquired, by maintaining stability in administrative regulation, and by relieving lower federal courts of the burdens of nondeferential review. And retaining nondeferential judicial review in the Supreme Court will preserve the constitutional role of the judicial branch to say what the …

Perceptions And Clinical Practice Around Use Of Airway Clearance Devices In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ahmed Alzahrani, Ahmed Alzahrani, Saeed Alghamdi, Mansour Majrshi, Ali Alasmari, Ziyad Alshehri, Fahad Alahmadi, Sultan Al Qahtani, Abdulrahman Alhawsawi, Ahmed Alasimi, Owis Eilayyan, Michael Polkey, Surinder Birring, Hopkinson N. S

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Effective airway clearance is a critical component of COPD management. Airway clearance devices (ACDs) can assist this, but their effectiveness relies on consistent use in clinical practice. Objectives: To identify awareness and clinical practice related to device use for people with COPD among respiratory therapists and physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Primary and secondary care in Saudi Arabia Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted among respiratory care and physiotherapy practitioners working in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The survey assessed familiarity with, attitudes towards, and utilisation of different types of ACDs in …

Understanding White-Collar Worker Experiences In Using Worksite Wellness Programs To Achieve Weight Loss, Anna Nicole Hermanson Hartwig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult obesity rates have increased from approximately 15% in 1980 to more than 40% of adults in 2018, and the rates continue to increase. White-collar workers are disproportionately impacted as a result of the sedentary work performed in a white-collar work environment. Increased levels of obesity result in elevated levels of psychological stress, chronic health conditions, and increased organizational costs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of the obese white-collar worker who has used a worksite wellness program to lose weight and to understand what additional support was needed to achieve weight loss. …

Interindividual Genetic Differences Drive Discordance Between Serum Calcidiol And Calcitriol Concentrations In Females., Elizabeth K Hutchins, Changran Niu, Jing Xue, Debin Wan, Carolina V Campos, Molly Warren, Megan M Knuth, Michael B Whalen, Venkata S Voruganti, Rafiou Agoro, James C Fleet, Bruce D Hammock, Folami Ideraabdullah

Faculty Research 2025

Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) is primarily determined by serum levels of calcidiol, which serves as a biomarker for the less abundant but most potent bioactive metabolite, calcitriol. However, population studies often show discordance between calcidiol and calcitriol. Here, a genetically diverse population of 7 inbred mouse strains was used to investigate the role of interindividual genetic differences in driving calcidiol-to-calcitriol discordance under vitamin D sufficient (VDS) vs depleted (VDD) conditions. We found high interstrain variability in calcitriol that was discordant with calcidiol under VDS and VDD conditions. However, under VDS conditions, stratification by calcitriol level revealed that strains with serum …