Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Impact Of School-Based Rebound Therapy On Chest Health In Children And Young People With Neurodisability And Respiratory Issues: A Series Of Single Case Studies, Rachel Knight Lozano, Harriet Shannon, Kayleigh Bell, Julia Melluish, Christopher Morris, Rachel Rapson, Jonathan Marsden

School of Health Professions

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility and impact of an individualised rebound therapy programme on chest health in children with complex neurodisability.Methods and materialsA single-case ABA design was conducted over 18 weeks with five children aged 5–15 years with complex neurodisability. Intervention involved twice weekly rebound therapy for six consecutive weeks in school. Summary outcomes included parent/carer-reported chest health, quality-of-life and clinician-observed motor ability. Serial weekly outcomes included chest health observations, usual care changes, adherence and adverse events. Parents completed a semi-structured interview after follow-up. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsWithin-case and across-case findings indicated improvement …

Operating Room Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention, Audrey E. Dillon, Lexi K. Johnston, Grace L. Johnston, Amy N. Cochran

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Our change project focuses on preventing pressure injuries in OR patients using an alternating pressure overlay and gel pad system during surgery and recovery. Pressure injuries cost the healthcare system upwards of $26 billion annually, and surgery patients are at high risk due to prolonged immobility, constant pressure on one area, hemodynamic changes, and excessive moisture. Nurses can play a critical role in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes by utilizing proper training and outcome tracking. The estimated cost of implementing this system is $37,000, significantly lower than the long-term cost of pressure injuries. Key
stakeholders include nurse managers, …

Multi-Sensor Integration And Machine Learning For High-Resolution Classification Of Herbivore Foraging Behavior, Bashiri Iddy Muzzo, Kelvyn Bladen, Andres Perea, Shelemia Nyamuryekung’E, Juan J. Villalba

Wildland Resources Student Research

This study classified cows’ foraging behaviors using machine learning (ML) models evaluated through random test split (RTS) and cross-validation (CV) data partition methods. Models included Perceptron, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, KNearest Neighbors, Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost (XGB). These models classified activity states (active vs. static), foraging behaviors (grazing (GR), resting (RE), walking (W), ruminating (RU)), posture states (standing up (SU) vs. lying down (LD)), and posture combinations with rumination and resting behaviors (RU_SU, RU_LD, RE_SU, and RE_LD). XGB achieved the highest accuracy for state classification (74.5% RTS, 74.2% CV) and foraging behavior (69.4% CV). RF outperformed XGB in …

Session Iib: Natural Sciences Presentation 1 - Pantry To Plate: Using Local Food Pantries To Improve Diabetes Self-Care Deficits, Rachelle Zielazienski

Life of the Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference

The purpose of this project was to improve diabetes self-management, knowledge of healthier diabetes eating habits, and cultural relevance through diabetes education and meal planning by including pertinent information in food boxes provided by a food pantry over two months of project implementation. The project provided culturally sensitive educational resources on diabetic food education and meal planning to individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetics, or those who prepare meals for diabetic individuals. The assistance of a qualified diabetes specialist was used to provide a collaborative effort offering educational support for participants' diabetes health goals and evidence-based diabetes food education.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated With Physical Fitness And Activity Levels: An Exploratory Study Of Us College Students, Keegan T. Peterson, Gabrielle Barraco, Jennifer Niessner, Melissa Rodgers, Melissa Bopp

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 379-393, 2025. College students are a vulnerable population at risk of developing and/or experiencing poor physical fitness and insufficient physical activity (PA) levels, both associated with poor cardiometabolic health. Thus, this study assessed the association of physical fitness and domain-specific PA levels on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) among college students. A volunteer sample of students enrolled in general health and wellness courses at a large, Northeastern U.S. institution from Spring 2023 – Spring 2024 (n=1418, 69.0% male, 89.9% non-Hispanic White) completed an objective health assessment as part of a required course assignment. CMRFs (e.g., …

Eng 5260-001 Communication In Science And Technical Organizations, Rashelle Spear

Fall 2024

No abstract provided.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - March 21, 2025, Lindsay Hughes

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the Friday, March 21, 2025 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter -- Watercooler.

Contents include:

• Match Day 2025: Senior medical students match in residency programs -- and love
• Integrative Health and Wellness Program gaining state and national recognition
• 14th Gulf Coast Trauma Symposium set for March 26-28
• Children's & Women's Hospital receives grant for neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Cancer researcher awarded $300,000 NSF grant to study mitochondria

Evaluation Of The Distress Thermometer In Older Patients With Cancer, Charlotte Zuber, Kristine Swartz, Andrew Chapman, Lora Rhodes, Tingting Zhan, Kuang-Yi Wen

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The Geriatric Depression Scale is a useful tool in screening for depression in older adults, a particularly vulnerable population in oncology. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT) has been validated as a fast and effective screening tool for psychological distress in general oncology populations, and it could possibly be used as a surrogate for the longer Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) test in older adults with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study in older adults prior to starting cancer treatment, we evaluated the relationship between the DT and GDS by comparing 242 older adults …

Racial And Ethnic Inequalities In Actual Vs Nearest Delivery Hospitals, Nansi S. Boghossian, Lucy T. Greenberg, Jeffrey S. Buzas, Joshua Radack, Molly Passarella, Jeannette Rogowski, George R. Saade, Ciaran S. Phibbs, Scott A. Lorch

Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Minoritized racial and ethnic groups, such as American Indian and Black individuals, often receive lower quality health care compared with White individuals. There is limited understanding of how these disparities extend to obstetric care, particularly when comparing the quality of care at the actual delivery hospital vs the nearest obstetric hospital based on the birthing individual’s residence. OBJECTIVE To examine inequality in care based on the actual delivery hospital and the closest delivery hospital to the birthing individual’s residential zip code centroid. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This population-based retrospective cohort study used data from 5 states (2008 to 2020 …

Genome And Gwas Analyses For Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance In Usda World-Wide Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Germplasm, Ainong Shi, Haizheng Xiong, Thomas E. Michaels, Senyu Chen

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, has become a significant threat in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production, particularly in regions like the upper Midwest USA. Host genetic resistance offers an effective and environmentally friendly approach to managing SCN. This study aimed to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction for resistance to SCN HG Types 7 (race 6), 2.5.7 (race 5), and 1.3.6.7 (race 14) using 0.7 million whole-genome resequencing-generated SNPs in 354 USDA worldwide common bean germplasm accessions. Among these, 26 lines exhibited resistance to all three HG types, with a female index (FI) of less than …

Connections Between Co-Occurring Symptoms Of Eating Disorders, Gut Dysbiosis, Anxiety, And Depression, Erin L. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Eating disorders (ED) are a pervasive mental health condition that puts individuals at risk for long-term physical consequences or even death, and current treatment methods typically do not offer long-term efficacy. The current study aims to examine relationships between co-occurring symptoms of EDs, gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, and depression to add to the scientific literature and point towards directions that may increase the benefits of treatment efforts. A total of 72 participants were asked to complete an online survey that consisted of measures from each variable and took about 20 minutes to finish. Participating individuals had to be at least 18 …

Identifying And Defining The Healthcare Needs Of A Rural Missouri Community: A Case-Study, Maggie Maria Finley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to understand and describe the healthcare needs of the citizens of a rural community in Missouri. The study was completed using the case study theory developed by Kathleen Eisenhardt. Eisenhardt follows a “no theory first” approach in which the research is used to both develop a theory and elaborate on the developed theory. This theory used the gaps in research to develop a research question and establish its relevance. Current research on rural healthcare provides evidence that rural citizens face healthcare disparities. While this research establishes that there are healthcare gaps in rural …

Neighborhood Disadvantage And Inequities In Access To Preemptive And Living Kidney Transplantation, Brandon M Fairless, Oluwatunmise A Fawole, Duc T Nguyen, Ankona Banerjee, Kenneth J Nobleza, Abiodun O Oluyomi, Omar Rosales, Jayna M Dave, Elizabeth A Onugha

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Key Points:

1. Pediatric patients residing in low-resource neighborhoods experienced lower rates of preemptive and living donor kidney transplantation.

2. Household-level factors (single-parent, non-English primary language, and receiving government assistance) may also affect the type of transplant received.

3. Area Deprivation Index scores offer an objective way to quantify neighborhood-level disadvantage and can enhance pretransplant screening.

Background: Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) generally results in better outcomes than deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT). Preemptive kidney transplant (KT) allows patients to bypass undergoing maintenance dialysis and is associated with improved patient and graft survival. Studies in the US pediatric population have shown racial-ethnic disparities …

Improving Management Of Suicidality Within An Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Program Through Standardization Of A Suicide Rating Scale Among Clinical Staff Members: An Evidenced-Based Practice Project, Nicole Neale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Standardization of suicide assessment protocols is essential for maintaining standards of care and optimizing patient safety. However, many healthcare organizations lack a universal protocol for suicide assessment, likely due to the absence of a gold-standard method or tool. This evidence- based practice project aims to enhance the accuracy and consistency of suicide assessments for individuals diagnosed with eating disorders as well as other mental health disorders, ultimately improving patient safety measures and outcomes within an eating disorder treatment center. This project includes a thorough literature review of suicide risk factors, assessment methods, and available tools, followed by the education and …

Effect Of Prehabilitation On Functional Outcomes And Hospital Length Of Stay Following Total Joint Arthroplasty, Kristin Nicole Kaplewicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine how prehabilitation effects functional outcomes and length of stay in patients that have undergone total joint arthroplasties. Patients have continued to report being unhappy with their results of surgery and a large majority of the time is secondary to patients not being appropriately prepared for what to expect during their surgical recovery period. This information is important because occupational therapists and physical therapists continue to strive to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. One of the ethical principles that healthcare providers commit to achieving is that of beneficence which means the clinicians must …

Diverse Roles Of Stress-Responsive Rnp Granules In Oogenesis And Infertility, M. Rebecca Glineburg, Carolee Nguyen

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Effectively responding to cellular stress (e.g., nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress) is essential for cell and organismal survival. A protective mechanism is especially critical in developing oocytes, where a prolonged quiescent state and the inability to divide render oocytes highly susceptible to accumulating stress that can result in cell death if unaddressed. Despite the common view that stress granules are the primary stress-responsive ribonucleoprotein granule, accumulating evidence shows that in ovaries, other ribonucleoprotein granules also uniquely mediate gene regulation in response to stress. Here, we review recent insights into ribonucleoprotein granule dynamics and ribonucleoprotein granule protein function during stress in the …

Protocol For Unlocking Alternative Polyadenylation Insights From Bulk Rna-Seq Data With Polyaminer-Bulk, Venkata Jonnakuti, Sriya Jonnakuti, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

PolyAMiner-Bulk, a deep-learning-based algorithm to decode alternative polyadenylation (APA) dynamics from bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data, enables scientists to identify and quantify APA events from processed bulk RNA-seq data. The protocol allows researchers to explore differential APA usage between two conditions and gain a better understanding of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. The major steps involve input data preparation, executing PolyAMiner-Bulk, and interpreting the results. A basic familiarity with pre-processing bulk RNA-seq data and command-line tools is suggested.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Jonnakuti et al.¹

Molecular Mechanisms And Role Of Camel Milk Derived Bioactive Peptides Towards Insulin And Glp-1 Receptor Activation, Irfa Anwar

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Camel milk (CM), renowned for its exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties, has been a crucial resource in arid regions for centuries. Its notable antidiabetic effects, supported by extensive research through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, have gained significant scientific attention. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Our previous research demonstrated that camel milk whey hydrolysates (CWHs) induce insulin receptor (IR) activation and downstream signaling, promoting glucose uptake in vitro using HEK293 and HepG2 cells. Building on this foundation, the current study focused on synthesizing nine of the most potent peptides (designated P1-9) derived from …

Longitudinal Changes In Aerodigestive Responses To Varying Nipple Properties In Infant Pigs, François D H Gould, Christopher Mayerl, Khaled Adjerid, Jessica Reibel, Nichole Charles, Chloe Edmonds, Rebecca Z German

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Coordination of respiration and swallowing is critical for survival in infant mammals and changes throughout infant maturation. Infants show sensorimotor feeding responses to changes in physical properties of nipples. Commercial nipples are promoted as improving aerodigestive coordination. However, it is unknown how nipple properties influence coordination of respiration and swallowing. Furthermore, how infant-nipple interactions change throughout maturation is not well understood. We designed and manufactured four silicone nipples of the same shape that varied in two parameters: nipple opening diameter and nipple stiffness. We used our validated infant pig model to test the impact of nipple parameters on aerodigestive coordination …

Bridging The Gaps In Nutritional Development: A Literature Review On Toddler Nutrition Interventions, Stephanie L. Branstine

Master of Nutrition and Dietetics

Optimal nutrition in early childhood is essential for achievement of developmental milestones all of which encompass established benchmarks of physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. The field of early childhood nutrition is dedicated to devising strategies that ensure young children receive the necessary nutrients for their ideal development. Despite advancements in areas such as the availability of diverse food options on the market, educational programs for young parents, and nutrition-focused school initiatives, nutritional deficiencies remain a significant challenge. These deficiencies hinder the ability of toddlers to thrive both physically and mentally, impacting their overall growth and developmental potential.

Recent research has …

The Bison, March, 20, 2025

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Using The 5ms Framework To Advance Aging-Responsive Care For Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, Abigail Latimer, Debra K. Moser, Jia-Rong Wu, Kim K. Birtcher, Malachy J. Clancy, Jennifer D. Portz, Joanna Paladino, Daniel D. Matlock, Christopher E. Knoepke

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Complexity of care is the inevitable consequence of an aging population and is particularly true in instances where patients are managing chronic conditions such as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). HFrEF itself is complex, with an undulating course of illness, increased risk of sudden cardiac death, and myriad accompanying treatment considerations. Generalist management of HFrEF among older patients is further complicated by competing comorbidities, potential for financial toxicity, potential for mental health symptoms, and risk of care with does not align with goals and preferences. The 5Ms (multicomplexity, mind, mobility, medications, and matters most) is a holistic conceptualization …

Molly Bruggeman Selected For The 2025 Doris Drees Speaker Series, University Of Dayton. School Of Education And Health Sciences

School of Education and Health Sciences Blog Archive

The champion rower and Olympian will be the guest speaker for the health and sport science annual student awards.

Vitamin D Status And Oxidative Stress In Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia In Sagamu, Nigeria, Ayobola A. Sonuga, Oyebola O. Sonuga, Olatunbosun O. Ogundeji, Sunday P.

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is characterised by nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress. Vitamin D possesses antioxidant properties; however, its role in SCA within sub-Saharan Africa remains inadequately understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status, oxidative stress and antioxidant levels in children with SCA, exploring its possible role in mitigating complications associated with oxidative stress in SCA. Methods: This study was conducted for a period of 9 months from November 2022 until July 2023 at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Nigeria. This case-control study involved 100 HbS genotype and 100 HbA genotype …

Adipose Progenitor Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Suppress Macrophage M1 Program To Alleviate Midlife Obesity, Qing Zhou, Jia Gao, Guorao Wu, Chenwei Wang, Yan Yang, Teng Huang, Yi Wang, Tiantian Yue, Zhichao Gao, Hao Xie, Fei Xiong, Ke Xiang, Tuying Yong, Wanguang Zhang, Tongtong Zhang, Wen Kong, Cai Chen, Shu Zhang, Qilin Yu, Xuemei Fan, Shiwei Liu, Yanjun Liu, Cong-Yi Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Among different age groups, middle-aged individuals are particularly susceptible to obesity, with a 22% higher risk of all-cause mortality. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identify adipose progenitor cells (APCs) in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of middle-aged subjects as potential causes of midlife obesity. Specifically, the extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from APCs display an impaired ability to mitigate the inflammaging of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in middle-aged individuals. Mechanistically, these EVs, lacking miR-145-5p, fail to suppress the expression of L-selectin in ATMs, thereby facilitating their M1 program via the NF-κB signaling pathway. In contrast, EVs …

Women's Empowerment In Apcnf: A Critical Examination Of Feminist Goals In Agroecology, Anvitha Ravipati

Student Scholarship

This paper delves into the critical issues surrounding agroecology, with a specific focus on the intersection of ecology, polity, society, and economy. In the context of the Anthropocene era, the global threat of climate change poses significant challenges such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions in food production. The paper highlights the predicted impacts of climate change on food security, particularly in the tropics, emphasizing the need for social and environmental justice in mitigation and adaptation efforts. Furthermore, it discusses the concept of political agroecology as a lens to address sociological and political aspects within the realm …

Exploring The Role Of Physical Health Interventions In The Management Of Mental Health Disorders: A Comparative Study Of Mental Health And Kinesiology Professionals' Perspectives, Vicki Hamill

Doctorate in Kinesiology

The study's purpose was to understand the factors that may influence the use of physical health interventions in the mental health treatment process. The lack of professional guidelines for kinesiology professionals has been linked to an implementation gap of evidenced based exercise prescription in the prevention of the physical health comorbidities associated with mental illness. These comorbidities are linked to a 15-20 year decrease in life expectancy, long-term disability, and increased healthcare costs. The Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire-Health Professional (EMIQ-HP) was used in the study to compare the mental health and kinesiology professional perspective in the domains of exercise …

Improving Female Health At Various Life Stages: A Systematic Review Of The Impact Of Date Fruit Products, Elham Shirdel, Farinaz Rahimi, Masoumeh Abdi, Fatemeh, Fatemeh Alsadat Rahnemaei

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This systematic review examines the effects of date fruit products on female health across different life stages. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool. A total of 21 eligible studies were reviewed, demonstrating that date fruit consumption benefits puberty, reproductive health, and menopause. During puberty, date fruit intake was associated with improved hemoglobin levels in adolescent girls. In reproductive-age women, date fruits positively influenced fertility parameters and sexual function. Additionally, in menopause, they contributed to alleviating dyspareunia and supporting ovarian reserve maintenance. Providing women with proper nutrition and integrating date fruits into their …

Nutritional Status, Social Determinants Of Health And Clinical Outcomes In Critically Ill Children, Yash Desai, Andrea Marroquín, Paola Hong-Zhu, Nicole Knebusch, Stephanie Vazquez, Marwa Mansour, Thomas P Fogarty, M Hossein Tcharmtchi, Fernando Stein, Jorge A Coss-Bu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Childhood malnutrition remains a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are at a higher risk of worsening nutritional status with adverse clinical outcomes. The burden of malnutrition is strongly linked to various well-defined social determinants of health, including race, socioeconomic status, and geography, as these factors influence household food insecurity. This study aimed to analyze the interrelationships of nutritional status, social determinants of health, and health outcomes in critically ill children.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 6418 critically ill children admitted to PICU from January 2014 to December 2017. Demographic …

Desired Student Learning Outcomes For Middle School Agricultural Education: A Modified Delphi Study, Jacob P. Englin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Middle school agricultural education programs across the U.S. have continued to increase, but modern systems have failed to provide support for the preparation of middle school agricultural education teachers. For instance, middle school teachers have expressed concern regarding the development and implementation of middle school agricultural curriculum. In response, this investigation sought to identify learning outcomes related to agricultural content, technical skills, and career readiness for middle school agricultural education. A modified, three-round modified Delphi study was used to identify these learning outcomes. The expert panelists consisted of 19 middle school agricultural education teachers who completed a teacher certification program …