Digital Commons Network^™

The Incorporation Of Salivary Diagnostic Testing In Dental Hygiene Program Curriculum; A Pilot Study Using A Self-Reported Questionnaire, Carrie B. Palmer-Hawkins

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study evaluated the incorporation of salivary diagnostic testing in dental hygiene program curricula. A recruitment email and survey link were sent to a convenience sample of 296 CODA-accredited program directors in the United States. Using a descriptive research approach, the survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data exploring directors’ perspectives on the role of salivary testing in dental hygiene education. Thirty-seven responses were gathered over three weeks, and 34 participants were included in the study, resulting in a response rate of 13%. Thirty-eight percent (n=13) reported incorporating salivary testing into their dental hygiene program curriculum through didactic or clinical coursework. …

Guillaume Dustan's Ethico-Politics Of The Body, Noah Mertz

Foreign Languages & Literatures ETDs

In this MA Thesis, I lay out a synthetic overview of polemical French writer Guillaume Dustan's (1965-2005) political philosophy. He is criticized first as irresponsible and dangerous for his defense of barebacking (sex without condoms) in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, and then, after his death, as a neoliberal/anarcho-capitalist for his focus on individual liberty. My overview touches on Dustan's Freudian belief that repression is the root of all social ills, his functional ethics of self-responsibility, the revaluation of heteronormative Judeo-Christian morality towards 'virtusex,' and his social contract that minimizes repression. Dustan’s goal is for you to autonomously subjectify …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Implementing An Education Model From School Leaders’ Perspectives, Jackie Marie Cusimano Phd

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

A high school science teacher asked the question, “Why not make every class an elective?” He noticed that when his high school students were required to take a course, such as biology, the attendance and participation lacked when compared to his elective course of forensic biology. Both classes covered the same science standards. This question led him to applying for a public charter license and ultimately opening the first Choice Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2014. Choice Charter Schools follow the created Choice Charter Education Model, which is based on William Glasser’s Choice Theory (Glasser, 1998). Since the …

When Two Worlds Collide: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Teacher Identity Development Of Graduate Students Of Additional Languages, Hannah L. Garver

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This study explores a population that has been understudied in teacher identity research: native English-speaking graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) of additional languages who assumed this role with no prior teaching experience. Influenced by my own experience as a GTA, the purpose of this study is to gain insight into how this population’s experiences shape their identities as teachers and later careers. This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry as a method by which to examine their experiences through the stories told by participants: six former GTAs of French and German.

Using data in the form of semi-structured interviews and some participants’ …

Prevention Of Suicide As Perceived By Educated Adults In Ondo Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, Margaret Kehinde Soetan

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study investigated prevention of suicide as perceived by educated adults in Ondo metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. Population of the study consisted of all educated adults in Ondo metropolis, Ondo State. The sample comprised two hundred (200) educated adults randomly selected from the metropolis. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument to collect data for the study. Data collected was analysed using mean, ranking, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed the perception of prevention of suicide as giving people hope for a better life after current problems are resolved, …

Just A Place Or A Just Place?: Domestic Violence, Urban-Rural Differences, And Access To Justice, Cassie Chambers Armstrong

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Distinguishing Acute Cardiac Events From Chronic Troponin Elevation: Integrating High-Sensitivity Troponin Trends With Objective Ischemic Evidence Under The 4th Udmi Across Diverse Renal Function Profiles, Aidan Fernandez, Amanda Green, Silvija Milanovic, Eric Han, Asia Elbooz, Michael Petrauskis, Justin Nippert, Michael Marchick, Nicholas Maldonado, Mohammed Ruzieh, Elizabeth Warren, Matthew Shaw, Lars Beattie, Brandon Allen

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

The Fourth (4th) Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI) provides a standardized framework to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making. However, challenges can arise due to the use of subjective clinical assessment in diagnostic criteria or in the presence of impaired renal clearance. This study modifies the 4th UDMI by requiring objective ischemic evidence to improve consistency in myocardial infarction (MI) classification and applies it across diverse patient populations.

In this retrospective study, patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with 99th percentile high sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) values were classified using the modified 4th UDMI into the categories …

Caring More For Our First-Year, First-Generation And Low-Income Students: Perceptions Of Barriers And Transitional Success, Joshua Burns

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

First-generation and low-income (FGLI) students often encounter challenges during their transition into higher education, including limited access to institutional knowledge, social networks, and financial resources. While many colleges and universities offer targeted programs to support FGLI populations, not all eligible students enroll in or engage with these initiatives. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of first-year, nonprogrammatic FGLI students who are not actively participating in formal support programs to better understand how they navigate the transition to college. Through in-depth interviews, the study investigated the types of support these students seek independently, the institutional and social barriers they …

Building Resilience One Connection At A Time: A Guide To Developing Retention Programming On College Campuses, Stephanie Sibley, Rachel Daltry

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

Despite college students having the potential to be more socially connected than ever before thanks to technology and social media, many students still struggle with isolation, loneliness, and a lack of belongingness and community. These feelings and experiences not only increase the risk for suicidal behavior and diminish resilience, but they can also negatively impact student retention. Outreach programming that targets social connectedness will be described. Specific guidelines developed from first-hand experiences with implementing such programming will be highlighted, and readers will be encouraged to consider how similar programming could be implemented by various offices or personnel at their own …

The Success Equation: Scaling The Pivot Framework For Stem & Healthcare Student Success, Ryan Clark, Jarrod Lockhart

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

Student success in STEM and healthcare increasingly depends on intentional design of equitable, scalable pathways that integrate structured programming, immersive experiential learning, and modern workforce-aligned upskilling. This manuscript introduces the PIVOT Framework— Pathways, Innovation, Vision, Opportunity, and Transformation—as a comprehensive, evidencedriven model for reimagining student success strategies in STEM and healthcare education. The framework emphasizes early engagement, longitudinal support, and competency-based preparation, ensuring students develop the skills and professional identities necessary for success. Drawing from a range of high-impact practices—including paid internships, research-based learning experiences, mentoring structures, digital skills integration, and stackable credentialing—the manuscript demonstrates how coordinated institutional strategies improve …

Mentoring Through A Cultural Lens: Faculty Mentorship Experience In The Bunche Fellows Undergraduate Research Program, Audrey Devost, Passion Lord, Kiana Billot-Vasquez, Zeyna Faucette, Ketema Paul, Walter Allen

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

This manuscript explores the significance of faculty mentorship in underrepresented student success within a culturally engaged on-campus research program. Drawing on data derived from the Pathways Through Research case study, a mixed-methods empirical study of the Bunche Fellows Program at the University of California, Los Angeles, this paper centers student voices to better understand the manifestations of cultural engagement among faculty mentoring experiences, and how these cultural experiences shape student development among the program’s alumni. Guided by Critical Race epistemology and the Culturally Engaging Campus Environments (CECE) Model, this research highlights the effectiveness of mentoring relationships within a structured on-campus …

Rethinking Academic Integrity: Deconstructing Academic Norms In A Technologically And Culturally Shifting Lanscape, Ilknur Sancak-Marusa

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

The rise of generative AI use in higher education calls for a critical reexamination of academic integrity, revealing its culturally-constructed and context-dependent nature. While institutions scramble to create generative AI policies, many rely on Western-centric definitions of integrity that overlook the diverse cultural and linguistic students’ backgrounds. Traditional frameworks often misunderstand behaviors like patchwork writing or collaborative learning, viewing them as misconduct rather than culturally influenced practices. This paper argues that academic integrity standards differ across cultures and institutions rather than follow universal principles. As generative AI further complicates ideas of authorship and originality, institutions must move beyond punitive responses …

Disaster Exercise: Evaluating Mci Triage Training, Michael J. Steflovich Jr, Jodie Stobierski, Alexis Davis, Natasha Pavlinetz, Nela Isic, Nicole Roberson, Earl Best Md

Florida Journal of Emergency Medicine (FJEM)

Abstract

Study Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a didactic lecture-based training on mass casualty incident (MCI) triage performance among first- and second-year medical students. Specifically, the study aimed to measure improvements in overall triage accuracy, as well as reductions in over-triage and under-triage rates for both adult and pediatric patients.

Methods

This study employed a pre-test/post-test design involving 31 participants. Participants completed an electronic pre-test consisting of 30 patient scenarios (20 adult and 10 pediatric) before attending a 40-minute didactic lecture on MCI triage principles. The lecture covered the identification of MCI …

2025 Fall Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Fall 2025 commencement program. Commencement was on Friday, December 12, 2025. There were 2 ceremonies at 9:00am and 11:30am.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.

Relcovaptan: A Promising Therapeutic Agent In Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury That Acts By Modulating Newly Identified Transcriptional Regulators Of Aquaporins Compared To Tolvaptan, Şeyma İş, Duygu Ceman, Meri̇h İş, Neşe Keser, Şaban Teki̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Every year, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide suffer from traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI), which causes irreversible damage, edema, and inflammation. Despite its devastating impact, no safe and effective medication is available. Edema formation is one of the earliest pathological events in tSCI, beginning within minutes after injury. Cytotoxic edema progresses to vasogenic edema, exacerbating irreversible damage. Our study aimed to investigate a therapeutic approach targeting cytotoxic edema in the acute phase of tSCI to improve treatment outcomes. Aquaporins (AQPs) are crucial in edema formation and tSCI pathogenesis. Vasopressin, also known as the antidiuretic hormone, modulates Aqp expression …

Preoperative Awareness Of Nasal And Facial Aesthetic Deformities Among Rhinoplasty Candidates, Ağah Yeni̇çeri̇, Nagi̇han Gülhan Yaşar, Burak Hazir, Meli̇h Çayönü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study primarily aimed to evaluate the preoperative awareness of nasal and facial anatomical deformities among patients scheduled for primary rhinoplasty. The secondary objective was to assess changes in patients’ self-perception and aesthetic expectations regarding surgical outcomes following preoperative consultation with the surgeon.

Materials and methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 56 adult patients seeking primary aesthetic rhinoplasty at a tertiary care center were included. Each participant completed a 10-item anatomical evaluation form. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon independently evaluated the same parameters. Additionally, participants completed a two-item visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire both before and after the preoperative consultation. …

Subjective Memory Complaints Among Older Adults In Türkiye: Prevalence And Contributing Factors, Mustafa Çeti̇n, Zehra Sarikaya Demi̇rbaş, Mehmet İlki̇n Naharci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs), defined as self-perceived declines in memory performance, are common among older adults and may serve as early indicators of neurocognitive impairment. Despite their clinical relevance, no previous studies have examined the prevalence and associated factors of SMCs in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: A total of 500 community-dwelling older adults were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study; all underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment at a tertiary-level outpatient clinic. Participants with an mini-mental state examination score ≥27, independence in instrumental activities of daily living, and no diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment were assessed for SMCs. Sociodemographic …

Impact Of Patient Education Meetings On Disease Knowledge In Chronic Urticaria Patients, Nazan Beyhan, Hati̇ce Eylül Bozkurt Yilmaz, Asli Çi̇ftci̇, Ömür Aydin, Di̇lşad Mungan, Betül Ayşe Si̇n, Gülfem Eli̇f Çeli̇k, Murat Türk, İnsu Yilmaz, Sevi̇m Bavbek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a manageable disease with symptoms of itching and visible lesions that can disrupt daily life and reduce quality of life. The severity of symptoms can vary, and the cause is often unknown. Concerns among patients as regards to treatment and prognosis highlight the need for disease education to enhance self-management and reduce anxiety. The present study examines the effect of disease education on the knowledge level of CU patients.

Materials and methods: Patients with CU who presented to the allergy clinics of two tertiary university hospitals were invited to inperson education sessions including slide presentations …

Exploring Gender Differences In The Impact Of Sleep And Fatigue On Disease Severity In Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Moderated Mediation Model, Musa Salmanoğlu, Habi̇p Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often accompanied by fatigue and sleep disturbances, which aggravate disease severity. Gender differences in these interrelationships remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine whether fatigue mediates the association between sleep quality and disease severity in RA, and whether these pathways differ by gender.

Materials and methods: A single-center study was conducted with 68 RA patients (55.9% female). Disease severity was assessed using the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data-3, fatigue using the Bristol Rheumatology Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results: Fatigue significantly mediated the relationship between …

Outcomes Of The First Adolescent-Focused Smoking Cessation Clinic In Türkiye On Tobacco Control, Demet Taş, Furkan Kalayci, Alkim Öden Akman

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Adolescent smoking remains common, highlighting the need to control tobacco use and identify influencing factors. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of an adolescent-focused smoking cessation clinic and the factors influencing them.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 262 adolescents, who, along with their parents, had direct access to the clinic. Data were drawn from patient records containing structured registration and follow-up documentation. The study investigated the effects of baseline cigarette consumption, sociodemographic characteristics, and nicotine patch use on smoking cessation rates at three months, six months, and one year.

Results: The three-month, six-month, and one-year …

Effects Of Communication Boards On Improving Communication In Assisted Living Care Facilities, Koleen Beatrice Arribas

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: A Residential Care facility utilizes paper charting causing limited access to vital information such as code status, allergies, and/or diet for those caring for the resident.

Context: Exceptional charting only when a resident’s condition changes may not provide enough vital information for the caregiver to administer medication or provide proper support during an emergency, such as the resident’s DNR status.

Interventions: A communication board was placed in a secure space near the nurses’ station with key resident information. Nurses would huddle at the board at before the change of shift and make updates as necessary.

Measures: Staff input in …

Language Attrition As A Social Process, Or Barzilay

Master's Projects and Capstones

Language attrition is a process in which the gradual decline in proficiency of a language occurs when another language becomes more prominent among individuals, families, and broader societies. This shift often occurs not by choice but by necessity, as speakers are expected to adapt to the other language in educational settings, for employment, and to conform to societal pressures in their new environments. Although language attrition is often described as an individual loss of proficiency, contemporary research reveals a far more complex picture—one shaped by factors that determine which languages are valued and which fade into obscurity. These forces collectively …

Improving Efficiency In Volunteer Onboarding, Madeline Ly Bredehoft, Samantha Nicole Contreras

Master's Projects and Capstones

Project Access, a nonprofit organization serving residents of affordable housing communities, depends significantly on volunteers and student interns to deliver health, education, and employment programming. The current onboarding process lacks standardization, resulting in inconsistent training quality, delayed volunteer readiness, increased staff workload, and reduced engagement and retention. This quality improvement (QI) project aims to address these deficiencies by developing and implementing a standardized onboarding toolkit. The toolkit will include orientation modules, a learning agreement, defined deliverables, and digital resources to facilitate communication and clarify expectations. The project is guided by a PICOT question focused on efficiency and engagement, a structured …

From Fear To Familiar: Reducing Technology-Induced Anxiety In Seniors, Justin Kyle V. Manalang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

This quality improvement project focuses on reducing the average technology-induced anxiety score among senior community members through 1:1 mentorship sessions. Aim During an eight-week period from September 10, 2025, to November 5, 2025, this project will reduce the severity of technology-induced anxiety by 25% from the established baseline. Methods: A 5P Microsystem assessment was conducted alongside an initial questionnaire to gauge the residents’ interests and concerns regarding technology use. From the results, focused mentorship sessions were conducted once a week and pertained to the chief complaint the resident had for eight weeks. The mentorship sessions were one-to-one and individualised …

Stop, Look, And Save A Spot! Implementing The Hapi Prevention Tool, A Visual Cuing System That Aims To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries In Acute Care Units, Jada Baldoza

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries continue to be a major challenge in many healthcare settings as it poses increased risk in patient safety. Additionally, it creates a significant financial burden on hospitals as it increases operational costs that can increase strain on healthcare resource demands. Nurses play a major role in mitigating these injuries through practicing quality patient care and utilizing prevention strategies that have been proven effective. Aim: A quality improvement project was conducted by introducing a visual cueing system, the HAPI Prevention Tool to investigate its potential sustainability on reducing HAPI rates in the medical-surgical unit. Methods: The QI …

From Fear To Familiar: Alleviating Technology Anxiety In Older Adults Through A Community-Based Mentorship Program, Inyoung Jang

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project was implemented in a senior residential facility in Richmond, California, catering to older low-income adults who frequently experience elevated levels of technology anxiety. Aim This project aims to reduce the mean modified technology-anxiety score among residents aged 65 and older by at least 25% from baseline by November 5, 2025. Methods The Abbreviated Technology Anxiety Scale (MTAS) was modified to consider the cognitive, linguistic, and experiential differences among target population. The original 11-item instrument, which was validated primarily within college-aged populations, used terms and repeated items irrelevant to older people. The adapted tool included five simplified …

Assessing The Efficiency Of Methods To Teach Adolescents About Testicular Cancer And Testicular Self-Examination, Ayşe Gül Güven, Laden Jafari̇, Murat Doğuş Günel, Özlem Akbulut

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Due to the increasing incidence of testicular cancer (TC), early testicular self-examination (TSE) in adolescent males is crucial for early detection and treatment. However, it is uncertain which method is best for teaching about TC and TSE in this age group. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of formal (face to face with model) and informal (video presentation) approaches in male adolescents about TC and TSE.Material and methods: This intervention study was conducted in 2 high schools, and included a study group (n = 142) and a control group (n = 102). In the study group, a video …

Scaling Ai In Decision-Based Learning: A Data-Driven Evaluation For Resource Optimization, L. Ashley Schumacher

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This project evaluated a AI Assistant built inside ChatGPT to support faculty in creating Decision-Based Learning (DBL) expert decision models in the Conate DBL software. The evaluation addressed a persistent training bottleneck: faculty experienced high cognitive load and significant time loss when navigating a documentation-heavy workflow that required repeated movement between training guides, ChatGPT, and the DBL platform, including extensive copy-and-paste steps. The AI Assistant was developed to replace much of the manual prompting process by providing structured protocols that guide model creation (e.g., exploring possible DBL models, creating paths, generating scenarios, and drafting learning modules) while faculty still build …

Enhancing Flu Vaccination Rates Through Improved Electronic Health Record User Workflow Training, Grace Sayre

Master's Projects and Capstones

A quality improvement project was implemented at an urban community health clinic primarily serving low-income, underinsured, and Latinx individuals. The site had a history of poorly organized flu vaccine rollout and low vaccination rates among the patient population. Seasonal influenza infects millions of people across the US each year, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths (Garza et al., 2023), and vaccination is the best prevention. Electronic health record training has been shown to reduce user burnout and improve efficiency (Gordon et al., 2022). The QI project aims to increase medical assistant satisfaction with the flu vaccine rollout by 15%, …

Charting The Course: Improving Psychotropic Medication Documentation Through Staff Education To Promote Patient Safety And Cms Compliance, Anne J. Bertram Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

The University of San Francisco master’s level nursing program culminates with a clinical nurse leader (CNL) quality improvement project. The objective of this project is to reinforce the program’s didactic CNL classes by allowing students the opportunity to design, implement, and analyze a quality improvement project in a microsystem. SETTING: Skilled nursing facilities often prescribe psychotropic medications to help manage residents’ behavioral and psychological symptoms. Due to the possibility of side effects and increased sedation, there are concerns for patient safety and quality of life. Inadequate management of these patients and symptoms compromises patient safety and breaches state and federal …