Digital Commons Network^™

Aspirin Use For The Prevention Of Preeclampsia: A Clinical Update, Megan Murray

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a serious and deadly complication in pregnancy that affects thousands of women every year. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the efficacy of aspirin therapy to prevent the occurrence of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: PubMed was searched using the key terms “pregnant,” "aspirin," “high-risk,” "preeclampsia," and “prevention”. Operators and filters narrowed results to 21 quality articles with 5 relevant to the topic for review.

Results: One article is an RCT comparing the prevention of preeclampsia with aspirin therapy to no therapy. Four articles are meta-analyses of multiple RCTs. Three of …

Combined Low/Moderate-Intensity Statin With Ezetimibe Vs High-Intensity Statin Alone: A Comparison, Haden Baker

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a continually rising global health crisis and is one of the leading contenders in chronic disease, with traditional statin monotherapy being at the foundation of LDL lowering treatment interventions. The purpose of this review is to compare two different therapy options, 1.) combined low/moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe, and 2.) monotherapy high- intensity statin, and assess their efficacy in reducing LDL values in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Methods: PubMed was searched using the search "high intensity" statin AND "ezetimibe" AND "lipid.” Operators and filters were added to narrow the results to four relevant, quality articles for review.

Results: Three …

A Clinical Review Of The Efficacy Of Masks In Preventing Spread Of Sars-Cov-2, Harrison Nobles

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has sparked debate over the effectiveness of masks in reducing viral transmission. This clinical review aims to evaluate the efficacy of cloth masks, medical masks, and N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 transmission.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted on PubMed for articles published between January 2020 and August 2024. Out of 27 screened articles, 5 met the inclusion criteria, focusing on mask efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Results:

Of the 5 studies included, three were systemic reviews, one was a metanalysis and one was a systemic review and meta-analysis. The largest …

Prophylactic Aspirin For The Prevention Of Pre-Eclampsia In High-Risk Pregnant Women, Nia Walker

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the efficacy of aspirin vs placebo in the prevention of pre- eclampsia in high-risk pregnant women.

Methods: PubMed, COCHRANE, and JAMA Network were searched with terms “pre- eclampsia” AND “prevention” AND “aspirin." Operators and filters were added to find RCTs, reviews, and meta-analyses within the last five years. One article was found using article reference searching. Four articles were chosen for review.

Results: One article was a randomized controlled trial comparing low dose aspirin against placebo in women identified as high …

Ablation Vs Drug Therapy For Long-Term Outcomes Of Atrial Fibrillation, Taylor Yaw

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF), a rapid and irregular arrhythmia, is the most common cause of cardiac-related stroke and other serious complications for those affected. The first-line treatment for long-term rhythm control of AF remains in question and simplification of therapy would be a significant development. This review aims to determine the efficacy of ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of AF.

Methods: A search via PubMed using the keywords ablation* AND drug therapy* AND atrial fibrillation* AND long-term effects produced 770 results. Results were consolidated by excluding those without full text. Filters were set to randomized control trials …

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair And Heart Failure: A Clinical Review, Caroline Robbins

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Secondary Mitral Regurgitation due to heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There is debate about surgical versus medical treatment options. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of adding transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with standard treatments for heart failure.

Methods: Using Pubmed, the search terms “transcatheter mitral valve repair” AND “heart failure” resulted in 835 articles that were then filtered to <5 >years, English language, and type of article. This produced 22 articles that matched the search criteria. In total, 6 articles were used to analyze all-cause mortality and rehospitalization of heart failure patients receiving …

Mohs Surgery Versus Surgical Excision: A Clinical Review Of Skin Cancer Recurrence Rates, Gabriella H. Malone

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Skin cancer is a serious, yet preventable disease that impacts individuals worldwide. Skin cancer is treated through both surgical and non-surgical interventions. Designed to preserve healthy skin tissue, Mohs surgery has shown favorable outcomes in lessening skin cancer recurrence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether Mohs surgery is superior to traditional surgical excision in reducing recurrence rates in patients with skin cancer.

Methods: PubMed was searched for clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of Mohs surgery compared to surgical excision in cancer recurrence. Five articles were selected for clinical review.

Results: In 5 studies, there was …

Tax Compliance, Social Norms, And Influencers, James Alm, Jay A. Soled, Kathleen Delaney Thomas

Faculty Publications

While attaining perfect tax compliance is unachievable, more can and must be done. In the past, the country has relied primarily on a traditional system of sticks (e.g., audits and penalties) and carrots (e.g., refunds and whistleblower awards) to help narrow the “tax gap,” or the difference between what taxpayers owe in taxes and what they actually pay. Now, in the social media era, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should look beyond these traditional enforcement mechanisms. To achieve an even higher voluntary compliance rate, this Article advocates for policymakers to invest greater resources to enhance the social norm …

Phase I Study Of Nt-I7, A Long-Acting Interleukin-7, In Severe Treatment-Related Lymphopenia Following Standard Radiation And Temozolomide For High-Grade Glioma, Jian L Campian, Milan G Chheda, John F Dipersio, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas (HGG) have a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. Severe, persistent lymphopenia occurring in HGG patients after concurrent chemoradiation is associated with worse survival. NT-I7, a long-acting interleukin-7 analog, has been shown to increase CD4 and CD8 counts in healthy, septic, and HIV-positive adults. This multi-institutional, NCI-funded dose-escalation trial is the first to evaluate NT-I7 safety and activity in HGG patients with severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) and the effect of co-administered glucocorticoids.

METHODS: Eligible HGG patients had CD4 counts < 300 cells/mm

RESULTS: NT-I7 was well tolerated in all 12 patients (median age 64; median CD4 count 161 cells/mm³) before the …

Treatment Of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasias With Sclerotherapy: A Case Series, Jenny Ji, Andrew M Peterson, Jay F Piccirillo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation. One treatment for HHT-related arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is sclerotherapy, which collapses the blood vessels by irritating the endothelial lining.

METHODS: This case series describes two HHT patients undergoing in-office sodium tetradecyl sulfate sclerotherapy for non-nasal telangiectasias and AVMs. The first patient had AVMs on the red lip while the second patient had an AVM and several telangiectasias on the tongue.

RESULTS: Both patients' AVMs required only one treatment visit and were no longer noticeable within a week. Neither of the patients had any side effects from treatment.

CONCLUSION: …

Exploring Postsecondary Students’ Beliefs Relative To Behavior That Promotes Sleep, Levi T. Kirkpatrick

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Sleep research has extensively quantified poor sleep among postsecondary students and established associations with adverse consequences; however, research exploring students’ beliefs toward sleep-promoting behavior is scarce. The current qualitative study explored postsecondary students’ beliefs toward behavior that promotes sleep at a midwestern state university. Using the integrated behavioral model, the current study aimed to expand the understanding of how students perceive and engage with behaviors that promote better sleep. The primary research question was: “How do currently enrolled postsecondary students attending a state university located in the Midwest region of the United States describe their beliefs relative to behavior that …

The Next Generation Science Standards And Their Implementation In Iowa High Schools, Janell Wright

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Almost a decade ago, the state of Iowa used the Next Generation Science Standards’ (NGSS) performance expectations as the basis for its state science standards for K-12 students. Several key changes were implemented within these standards, including an increase in the amount of Earth and space science content at the high school level and a three-dimensional approach interweaving science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts along with disciplinary core ideas. In this dissertation, I used a three-paper format in an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to explore how districts in Iowa are using scope and sequence to address the NGSS. …

Check All That Apply: The Persistence And Problem Of The Black/White Racial Binary In Iowa Public Schools, Jessica Nessan Kluck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The promotion of monoracial normativity has profoundly influenced the language used in policies, creating societal expectations that other the identification of Black/white Biracial and multiracial identities. Despite the reality of our quickly shifting demographics, multiracial identities continue to be marginalized and misconstrued through racial reporting guidelines. Racial reporting used on forms required by the Iowa Department of Education are comingled with non-racially categorized data to further distance reality in education and the public-school rankings (Iowa Department of Education, 2012; State of Iowa, 2024).

The purpose of this study was to trace the legacy of the socially constructed racial binary, preserved …

A Proposal For One “Super” Independent Accountability Mechanism, Daniel D. Bradlow

Perspectives

This essay will discuss how the MDBs- for example, the World Bank Group, the African, Asian, and Inter-American Development Banks, and more recently the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the New Development Bank – are dealing with the issue of accountability. It will argue that, although the MDBs have been leaders in promoting international organizational accountability, their mechanisms of accountability are not keeping up with the evolution in their operations. In the interests of promoting new and creative thinking about these issues, it will also make an ambitious proposal for how the MDBs jointly …

Collaborative Dispute Resolution: Five Essential Questions, Scott Adams, Aparna Mukerjee

Perspectives

This essay identifies five key questions regarding the dispute resolution process and explores the answers to these. The five questions are:

1. How Should Parties Decide Whether to Participate in Dispute Resolution?
2. What are the Roles of Advocates and Advisors?
3. Does Dispute Resolution Provide Accountability and Remedy?
4. How Can Dispute Resolution Foster Institutional Learning for dfis?
5. Why Is it Important for Dispute Resolution to be Independent rather Than Embedded in DFI Management?

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Stature Estimation From Tibial Radiographs Using Known And Newly Developed Regression Formulas, Atlantis Kae Baron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study assesses the accuracy of stature estimation from tibial radiographs using digital measurements as an alternative to traditional osteometric tools. Stature estimation is crucial in forensic anthropology for identifying individuals, especially cases involving skeletal remains. Traditional methods rely on physical measurements and established regression formulas, such as those by Trotter & Gleser (1958).

This research analyzed tibial radiographs from the Forensic Anthropology Skeletal Trauma (FAST) database with ImageJ software to measure tibial lengths digitally. The sample included 59 tibiae, with measurements compared against three regression formulas; Trotter & Gleser (1958), Simon et al. (2023), and a new regression formula …

Juvenile Arthritis, Body Image, And Disordered Eating: An Exploration Of Experiences, Katelyn Ann Melcher

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This qualitative study examined eating and body experiences among youth with juvenile arthritis (JA). JA, an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 300,000 youth in the United States, poses significant challenges including chronic pain, disability, and psychological concerns such as anxiety and depression. Adolescence is a critical developmental time for body image and disordered eating concerns to emerge. However, no qualitative research has explored the interactions of JA, body image, and eating behaviors among youth. Twelve youth with a JA diagnosis participated in a semistructured qualitative interview examining their experiences with JA and their feelings about their bodies and food as they …

Taking God's Country: The University Of Montana, Morton J. Elrod, And Allotment On The Flathead Reservation, Dylan Tate Yonce

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In the early decades of the twentieth century, the University of Montana (UM) developed from a small frontier college into an influential research institution. During its maturation process, the University relied on the acquisition of land to expand. In addition to its main campus in Missoula, the university sought land for research and recreation. When Congress passed the Flathead Allotment Act (1904), UM became one of many non-Native beneficiaries of federal land dispossession policy in the United States. Existing scholarship has largely homed in on “land grant” universities established through the Morrill Act (1862), which effectively dispossessed ten million acres …

College Athlete Workload Management To Improve Performance, Brody Reid

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Load management is an often used and misunderstood term within the realm of sport science. It has been described as the reason behind numerous soft tissue injuries as well as being the reason star athletes sit on the bench for games. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature regarding the workload management paradox within sport. Seminal work in this topic has been gathered mostly by Tim Gabbett in the paper “The Injury Prevention Paradox” where a relationship between fitness gain and fatigue accrued is outlined. This theory was first proposed by Roger Bannister in 1975. This paper …

Feminine Felons: Violent Offenders' Intersectional Experiences In Twentieth-Century Montana, Cassidy Ann Vander Voort

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This paper explores the treatment of violent female offenders in Montana in both the media and prison system from 1900-1960. Women of all races faced gender discrimination from both the carceral system and popular media. Local newspapers sensationalized crimes committed by female offenders, portraying them as women who lived outside of the expectations of womanhood in the twentieth century. Newspapers and courts placed women into two categories: “mad/sad” female offenders, who received forgiveness for their crimes; or unforgivable, “bad” offenders. Crime did not determine these categorizations; instead, gender expectations of the white middle class shaped female criminals’ treatment. If these …

Effect Of Exercise In Children, Jessica L. Moler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Although the health benefits of exercise in adults are well established (Ruegsegger & Booth, 2017), the role of physical activity in promoting health in children is often overlooked. This narrative review synthesizes current research on the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of exercise in children aged 5 to 18, with a focus on providing practical, evidence-based guidance for families, educators, and healthcare providers. Studies consistently show that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors (Dias et al., 2017; Kovács et al., 2009; Migueles et al., 2023), improves insulin sensitivity (Bell et al., 2007; Davis et al., 2012), and …

Love At First Words: A Communication Competency Approach To Romantic Relationship Initiation, Grace E. Wiegand

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Initial interactions are essential to romantic relationship formation, and both parties must desire a second interaction after an initial encounter for the relationship to advance. Many studies have explored the communication styles and tactics that are effective in a person desiring a second interaction from a dating initiation scenario. However, existing research has yet to explain why some communication strategies do or do not result in second interactions. The current study seeks to examine this phenomenon further, testing the extent to which perceived partner communication competence influences a person to want to see another again after an initial interaction. In …

An Interdisciplinary Unit For Today's Learners: Integrating Science, English, And Art To Teach Climate Change, Sydney M. Ruby-Pasternak

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As today’s global challenges grow increasingly complex, interdisciplinary thinking is essential for students to make meaningful connections in their learning. Despite this need, high school students continue to have educational experiences in one-subject classrooms, often preventing them from engaging in integrated learning models. This professional project addresses the gap by developing a five-week interdisciplinary unit titled Brushstrokes of Change, which combines climate science with English language arts and visual arts to amplify student understanding of climate change concepts. This unit was designed for grades 9-12 and prioritizes 21^st-Century skills in critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration through …

Sunrise In The Heartland: The Ahmadiyya Movement And The Foundations Of African American Islam, Hazel Videon

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

During the early 1920s, an immigrant missionary from colonial India named Muhammad Sadiq established headquarters in Chicago for a branch of Islam called the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (AMI). The AMI became the first institutional expression of Islam in the United States to draw a significant number of American converts and was particularly popular among African Americans. Following the Second Great Migration, Black migrants to the urban Midwest sought new ways to express their identity, fulfill both spiritual and material needs, and resist racist violence. The AMI became attractive to them as an alternative to respectability politics and drew upon …

Utilization Of Sprint Interval Training In Intermittent Sports, Marcus David Garcia

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a powerful training method that involves short, maximal sprint efforts followed by brief recovery periods. This modality shares similar physical demands of intermittent sports, where athletes repeatedly transition between maximal exertion and submaximal efforts or rest. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of SIT on key performance metrics in intermittent sports, such as sprint speed, repeated sprint ability (RSA), aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power. SIT not only enhances anaerobic performance but also promotes adaptations like faster phosphocreatine resynthesis, increased glycolytic enzyme activity, and shifts in muscle fiber composition. These adaptations contribute …

The Impact Of State-Mandated Certification Of Surgical Technologists On Surgical Site Infection Rates: Evaluating Policy, Practice, And Patient Outcomes, Katherine E. Geiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract

Chairperson: Matthew Schertz, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Morgen J Alwell, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Jill Davis, M.Ed.

As a surgical technology instructor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that certified surgical technologists (CSTs) have on patient safety, particularly in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). This professional paper investigates the relationship between state-mandated certification of surgical technologists and SSI rates, with a focus on how standardized education and credentialing influence clinical outcomes. SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical environments, contributing to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and greater healthcare costs. The research presented here examines certification requirements across various …

The Devil In The Bakken, Kennedy Lorraine Delap

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In 2008 the oil boom hit North Dakota. The oil brought wealth and human health concerns to the state and specifically, the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. In July of 2024 the largest Clean Air Act Settlement of its kind happened on the reservation due to Marathon Oil emitting thousands of tons more pollutants that regulations outlined. This story dives into the human health effects, advocacy and the difficulty in balancing health and wealth on the reservation.

Pathways And Places: Mobility And Lithic Use At 48ye238 In The Late Archaic And Late Prehistoric Yellowstone, Jacob Q. Wilmoth

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Through the lens of Central Place Foraging Theory, an analysis of lithic remains from 48YE238, a medium to high-density archaeological site in the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone National Park, has provided insight into both material value and decision-making among Late Archaic and Late Prehistoric hunter-gatherers of the Hayden Valley. First, an examination of lithic materials and the stages of bifacial reduction, in relation to sourced lithic materials, offers insight into changing ideas of material value between these two periods. This is especially evident when considering the cultural and societal changes that influenced regional residence during the Late Prehistoric period, compared …

Grizzly Bears Moving Onto The Great Plains, John A. Stember

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

High up a coulee on the Montana prairie, Seth and Jennie Becker look over the windswept landscape with binoculars and point out three grizzly bear dens along the rim of a canyon. The couple, who own Stick Leg Ranch, estimate there are eight grizzly bear dens on their property. After their nine-year-old son nearly came face to face with a grizzly, they decided they needed to find a solution.

Over the last five years, grizzly bears have been expanding further and further east onto the Montana prairie. For example, in October 2023, a grizzly bear was caught on game camera …

Mitochondrial Dna Diversity In West Mexico, Emma Zoiss

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The long-standing movement of people, exchange of goods, and transmission of cultural traits are imprinted not only in the archaeological record but also within the genomes of individuals, making ancient DNA a powerful tool for uncovering past interactions and population dynamics. Despite attempts at systematic research, we are still missing critical information about pre-Columbian Mesoamerican populations in the Aztatlán region. This research will focus on those individuals recovered from archaeological sites located both in the highlands of the Lake Chapala Basin, as well as the coast of the Aztatlán core region. The integration of genetics into our understanding of the …