Digital Commons Network^™

Screening Anticancer Activity By Brine Shrimp Lethality Test Of Extracts Of Annona Stenophylla (Engl. & Diels), Strophanthus Petersianus (Klotzsch) And Synadenium Glaucescens (Pax), Roberto Luis Nhamussua, Faith Philemone Mabiki Mabiki, Alinanuswe Joel Mwakalesi, Lyndy Joy Mcgaw

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Cancer continues to be one of the main public health challenges, driving the search for new compounds with therapeutic potential. Medicinal plants represent a valuable promising source of bioactive metabolites, and the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test has been widely used as a preliminary tool to assess the toxicity of natural extracts, providing clues to their possible anticancer activity. In this study, the cytotoxicity of the extracts of Annona stenophylla (Engl. & Diels), Strophanthus petersianus (Klotzsch), and Synadenium glaucescens (Pax) was investigated using the BSLT as a first step in screening for potential anticancer compounds. The plant materials were harvested in …

Variability In Practice And Outcomes Of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy And Bile Duct Exploration (Lcbde) For Treatment Of Bds – A Survey And Multi-Centre Audits Of Practice In The Uk, Andrei Jackson

Peninsula Medical School Theses

AbstractTitle: Variability in Practice and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) for Treatment of Bile Duct Stones– a Survey and Multi-Centre Audits of Practice in the UKIntroduction: The practice of managing suspected/confirmed bile duct stones (BDS) can vary significantly in the UK. The optimal management approach for suspected or confirmed BDS in patients with symptomatic gallstones remains unclear. We aimed to assess this variability in practice and outcomes of laparoscopic bile duct exploration in the UK.Methods: A UK-wide survey and two national multicentre audits were conducted. An electronic survey containing 40 questions on various aspects of management …

Investigating The Potential Utilisation Of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) As An Alternative Protein Source In Tilapia And Carp Feed, Sahya Maulu

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

Three experimental trials were conducted to evaluate defatted black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) larvae meal and BSF frass as alternative protein ingredients. Defatted BSF larvae meal was tested in diets for both Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio), whereas BSF frass was assessed only in Nile tilapia.In the first experiment, dietary inclusion of 20% and 40% BSF meal, replacing mainly soybean meal (SBM) and corn gluten meal (CGM), was evaluated in Nile tilapia over 5 weeks. BSF improved growth and feed utilisation in a dose-dependent manner, increased posterior intestinal fold length, muscularis thickness, and goblet cell …

Trialing A Novel Method Of Skin Mucus Sampling To Measure Stress And Reproductive Steroid Hormones In Mobula Species Mobula Alfredi And Mobula Munkiana, Bethany Faulkner

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

Anthropogenic pressures, exacerbated by exceptionally slow population growth, have led to all mobulid species being listed on the IUCN Red List. Understanding stress and reproductive physiology is essential for improving mobulid conservation strategies. However, few studies have investigated the hormonal processes that underlie stress responses and reproductive physiology in mobulids. Studies on fish species have identified positive correlations between steroid hormone concentrations in blood and skin mucus, the collection of the latter being a much less invasive technique. This pilot study examined the feasibility of using skin mucus as a non-invasive matrix for detecting steroid hormones in two mobulid species. …

Current Status Of Aflatoxin Contamination And Mitigation Efforts In Mozambique: A Systematic Review, Ibraimo Teleha Chabite, Jamal Kussaga, Frida Nyamete, Rashid Suleiman

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aflatoxin continues to be a major problem for public health and trade in Mozambique. The use of products and sub-products based on maize, cassava, and groundnuts, which are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination is one of the main causes. This systematic review provides an overview of the current state of aflatoxin contamination and mitigation efforts in Mozambique. The study reviewed scientific articles published between 1st January 2004 and 31st July 2024 in peer reviewed journals, after conducting the evaluation process, 667 articles were excluded, and 68 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Based on these included …

Detection Of Bacterial Internalization In Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) Leaves Grown In Aquaponic Systems With Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Under Microbial Challenge, Angélica Adiação Jossefa, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Karoline Moreira Barbuio, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aquaponic systems are increasingly recognized as sustainable technologies for integrated fish and vegetable production. However, concerns remain regarding the potential internalization of human pathogens into vegetables grown in these systems. This study assessed the risk of pathogen internalization in lettuce leaves grown in aquaponic systems with Nile tilapia challenged with Escherichia coli or Vibrio cholerae. The system comprised nine fish tanks, eighteen hydroponic pipes, and eighty-one lettuce plants, with tanks assigned to three treatments. Samples of water, fish gut, fish blood, and lettuce leaves were collected. Microbiological analyses included selective culture, biochemical assays, and molecular identification. Although colonies consistent with …

Bioeconomic Optimization Of Zinc And Iron Agronomic Biofortification In Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.] Walp.) In Mozambique Under Tropical Field Conditions, Tancredo José Carlos Carlos, Leonel Domingos Moiana, Omar Jorge Sabbag, Boniface Hussein J. Massawe

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Agronomic biofortification with zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance crop productivity while improving food and nutritional security. However, fertilizer recommendations based exclusively on maximum biological yield may not maximize farmers’ economic returns. This study integrated agronomic and economic analyses to identify the biologically and economically optimal Zn and Fe fertilization strategies for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) under tropical field conditions in Mozambique. A randomized complete block design with a 3 × 4 × 4 factorial arrangement was used to evaluate three fertilization methods (soil, foliar, and combined soil + foliar) and …

Xrf And Xrd Approaches For Evaluation Of Heavy Metal Contamination And Physicochemical Properties Of Soil And Plants In Tungsten And Tin Mining Sites In Rwanda, Gaspard Bizimungu, S.K. Kolawole, D.O Afolayan

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The increasing of tungsten (W) and tin (Sn) exploitation in some Rwandan mines requires an understanding of their distribution. It was also critical to assess the degradation of main and tertiary concentrates in soils, plants, and mining equipment. In this study, the concentration of elements, and the effect of contamination by W, Sn and other heavy metals (HMs) on soils and plants, as well as on the dump truck tyres were evaluated. The risks to humans, and the tyre composition degradation used at the mining sites, were also assessed. Metal compositions in the random samples collected at 50 m intervals …

Evaluating Quahog (Mercenaria Mercenaria) Nursery Methods And Production Costs To Support Diversification Of Maine’S Fisheries And Aquaculture Sector, Hannah G. Wolf

Honors Theses

Populations of wild and farmed quahogs in Maine are expanding, driven by warming waters, declining soft-shell clam populations, and the need to diversify fisheries. The Northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) is a potential species to diversify Maine’s marine sector, as its geographical range is expanding, and they appear more resistant to green crab predation. Enhancing wild quahog stock provides economic and social advantages for both the aquaculture and wild harvest industries. However, there is limited understanding about the commercial viability of producing quahog seed on existing farms for wild shellfish enhancement in Maine. This research, part of a larger NOAA …

Assessing Medical Professionalism In Future Physicians: A Nationwide Perspective From Saudi Arabia, Jawad S Albashri, Waad I Barnawi, Abdullah F Albukhari, Ahmed S Albashri, Abdullah S Algarni, Khalid Alzahrani, Ramy Samargandi

Health Professions Education

Background:

Medical professionalism is a core competency in medical education and a cornerstone of professional identity formation. In Saudi Arabia, where medical education is rapidly expanding under Vision 2030, limited nationwide evidence exists on professionalism among medical students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2024 using the validated Learners’ Attitudes on Medical Professionalism Scale (LAMPS). A convenience sample of 1,234 students from the 2nd–6th years across all five regions and both governmental and private universities completed the survey. LAMPS scores were compared by academic year, gender, GPA, region, and university type using Mann-Whitney U …

An Exploration Of Npte Predictors Of Success In Nontraditional Pta To Dpt Bridge Students, Stefanie Anderson, Nicole Schroeder, Mario Baker, Sean Mcbride

Health Professions Education

Purpose: PTA to DPT Bridge programs are uniquely designed to bridge the skills of a working physical therapy assistant (PTA) and those needed to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The purpose of this study is to explore factors predictive of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) scores unique to the nontraditional PTA to DPT student.

Methods: This study utilized a quantitative, non-experimental design to examine predictive factors associated with DPT students’ performance on the NPTE. Student records from 86 graduates from the 2022 to 2024 cohorts, of a single PTA to DPT Bridge program were collected and …

Students’ Views On Professionalism As A Window Into Their Professional Identity Formation, Jennifer H. Kwon, Charles F. Shuler, Judith Walker, Hsingchi Von Bergmann

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Professional identity formation (PIF) provides a process-based framework for understanding professionalism, focusing on how individuals integrate professional values and roles into their broader sense of self. Limited research has examined how dental students perceive professionalism and how these perceptions shape their developing professional identities. Understanding these perspectives may provide insight into their PIF journey and help inform the design of educational strategies to address their need.

Method: An online survey, consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions, was emailed to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Dentistry at one Canadian university. Descriptive statistics were conducted using JASP (Version 0.16.1; …

Design, Delivery And Impact: Practical Tips For Impactful Continuing Professional Development, Helen Mcgregor, Brett Vaughan, Louise Horstmanshof

Health Professions Education

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for maintaining competence and improving patient care, yet most approaches often have limited impact on practice. This Practice Brief draws on qualitative research with Australian allied health professionals to identify what motivates CPD engagement and supports meaningful learning. Participants highlighted that improving patient outcomes is the strongest driver, and that learning is most effective when it is relevant, actionable, socially interactive, and linked to real-world practice. We synthesised these insights into the PRACTICAL framework, outlining nine principles for CPD design: Patient Outcomes, Recipients, Actionable Takeaways, Co-design, Theory, Investment, Collaborative Learning, Assessment, and Link to …

Cohen's D In Medical Education Assessment: A Double-Edged Sword For Quality Assurance, Majid Ali

Health Professions Education

No abstract provided.

Integrating Ai-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Into A First-Semester Dpt Course: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Learner Perceptions And Palpation Self-Efficacy, Michael Morgan, Jeb Helms, John Imundi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Accurate palpation skills and three-dimensional anatomical understanding are foundational outcomes of entry-level physical therapist education; however, novice learners often struggle to translate static anatomical knowledge into applied palpation experiences. Ultrasound imaging (USI) offers real-time visualization of living anatomy, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced features may further support novice learners by scaffolding anatomical orientation. The purpose of this study was to examine first-semester Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) learners’ perceptions of AI-enhanced USI integration related to anatomical understanding, palpation self-efficacy, engagement, and perceived relevance to future practice.

Method: A single-group convergent mixed-methods study was conducted with 60 first-semester DPT learners in …

The Role Of Coursework In Promoting Doctoral Candidates’ Research Competence: A Case Study Of Professional Doctorates In Education, Fred Y. Mgata, Luqman Hakeem, Justo M. Lemesaya, Zhiyong Zhu, Huan Song, Jimmy E. Kihwele

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Doctorate programs with coursework aim to develop research-competent graduates who can contribute knowledge and work outside academia. This study explored the influence of coursework on doctoral candidates' development of research competence. The study employed a qualitative case study approach within the Professional Doctorate in Education programs at a Chinese university. The researchers interviewed 13 doctoral candidates, reviewed 10 course syllabi, and conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The findings revealed that coursework contributes to candidates' knowledge base, research direction, skills, and critical thinking. Instructors and peers promote candidates' research competence through instruction, mentoring, collaborative research projects, and peer feedback. …

The Effects Of Speak Out! On Hypokinetic Dysarthria In Individuals With Idiopathic Parkinson’S Disease, Linden King

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single subject research study was to prove the efficacy of SPEAK OUT! therapy in improving loudness, rate of speech, and quality of life for individuals who have hypokinetic dysarthria due to Parkinson’s Disease. In this A-B-A design, five weeks of SPEAK OUT! therapy was provided twice a week to four individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Results showed an increase in loudness in conversation and improved quality of life measured by statistical and visual analysis. These findings contribute to the research behind the use of SPEAK OUT! therapy for individuals with HKD due to PD.

“Police Power” Or Puppeteer: Us Interventions In Latin America And Its Immigration Crisis, Alison Meagher

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Invisible, Manipulated, And Politicised: Rethinking The Conceptual Foundations Of The Un Convention On The Rights Of The Child, Anshul Dalmia

National Law School of India Review

This paper examines whether the rights articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (‘UNCRC’) can be meaningfully assimilated within the broader framework of international human rights. It locates this inquiry within enduring jurisprudential debates on the nature, justification, and enforceability of children’s rights. While international human rights law presumes a relatively stable rights-bearing subject, children occupy an ambivalent position—simultaneously recognised as rights-holders and as dependents mediated through an adult authority. Drawing on Tobin’s critique, which cautions against the dangers of conceptual indeterminacy, the paper argues that the UNCRC exemplifies these risks. It contends that the …

Deconstructing Parenthood: A Critical Queer Analysis Of Gender, Law, And Bionormativity In India, Jwalika Balaji

National Law School of India Review

Parenthood (the legal connection to one’s child) is often assumed to be a biologically determined and natural status, but in reality, it is a legal and social construct shaped by historical, cultural, and political contexts. This paper critically examines the legal framework of parenthood in India, highlighting how it privileges a bionormative, dyadic, heterosexual parental unit, while marginalising LGBTQ+ individuals, unmarried couples, and alternative family structures. Through a critical queer method, the paper deconstructs the bio-essentialist juxtaposition of gender, conjugality, and reproduction that underpins Indian family law. It explores how the legal framework selectively acknowledges the constructed nature of parenthood …

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Regarding Bovine Tuberculosis In Cattle And Humans In Malawi, Alfred Ngwira, Samuel O.M Manda, Esron D. Karimuribo, Sharadhuli I Kimera

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Background

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has a significant impact on both the cattle industry and human health. Understanding its transmission, clinical signs, risk factors, and control measures is essential for prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding BTB in high-burden areas of Malawi.

Methods

A stratified sampling design was employed to collect data from 463 butchers, dairy farmers and cattle farmers in different locations and settings in Malawi. Aggregate scores on knowledge, attitudes, and practices were taken as multivariate measurements and fitted with multivariate linear regression models.

Machine Learning Guided Design Of Doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide (Llzo) For Improved Performance, Bernice Ngwi Abraham, Elvis Twumasi, Desmond Edem Primus Klenam, Tabiri Kwayie Asumadu Asumadu, Abdulhakeem Bello, Vitalis Chioh Anye, Nancy A Burnham, Rodica Neamtu

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

This paper presents a machine-learning approach to the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide (LLZO) electrolytes. LLZO electrolytes are promising solid electrolytes that exhibit high ionic conductivities of approximately ~10−3–10−4 S cm−1. However, optimizing the ionic conductivity of LLZO is a multiparametric challenge involving numerous compositional and processing variables. This work employs a data-driven methodology by applying machine learning to a dataset mined from the literature. This approach was used to model the intricate relationships between the compositional and synthesis variables and ionic conductivity. Tree-based and ensemble models, like Decision Tree, Random Forest, Light Gradient …

The Missing Constitutional Law Of Executive Conditions, Nicole Huberfeld, Matthew B. Lawrence

Faculty Articles

This Article contributes to the development of the constitutional law of executive conditions. The appropriations presidentialism of the second Trump Administration—the shift from bilateral executive/legislative cooperation and compromise in federal spending to executive unilateralism in defiance of congressional control—has forced courts into the administration of federal spending like never before. As a result, judges have been forced to confront legal questions that remained mostly dormant during the era of executive/legislative cooperation, including questions about the constitutionality of efforts to encourage through spending conditions what the federal government cannot mandate (or has not mandated) directly, like speech or silence on particular …

The Paradox Of Intellectual Property At The U.S. Supreme Court, Tonja Jacobi, Matthew Sag

Faculty Articles

The Supreme Court is dramatically more politically polarized in the Roberts Court era, and the justices have been criticized for highly ideological and partisan decision-making. Yet, we show that there is one area of law that is becoming less ideologically divided and predictable: intellectual property (IP). In an earlier study, we showed that, prior to the Roberts Court, IP case outcomes were predictable based on judicial ideology, with more conservative justices embracing IP rights, as they do for real property. In the last two decades, IP has become more influential on the economy and society, through the increasing dominance of …

Review Of Current Research Describing The Influence Of Non-Health Care Drivers Of Health In Rural And Urban Populations, Katie Youngen, Julia Cecil, Tyrone F. Borders

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Social determinants of health (SDOH) (also called social drivers of health) are the conditions of the environment where people live, learn, work, and play that are known to affect health outcomes.¹ The primary objective of this literature review is to summarize the most recent literature related to the Healthy People 2030 domains of a) economic stability, b) education access and quality, c) neighborhood and built environment, and d) social and community context.² Our particular focus is on non-health care drivers of health. The secondary objective is to identify gaps in literature applied to rural populations.

Title Ix's Application To House V. Ncaa Settlement, Parker Westhoff

Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law

No abstract provided.

Management Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors By Rural And Urban Primary Care Practices, Lars E. Peterson, Zachary J. Morgan

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

In the United States, over 650,000 people die annually from cardiovascular disease (CVD) with high associated health care and economic costs.1 Despite a strong scientific basis for their beneficial impact on health,2 rates of preventive screening remain low.3 Levels of adherence to preventive guidelines are even lower in African American populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and underserved rural populations.4 Rural populations have higher rates of modifiable risk factors—obesity, smoking, physical inactivity—for CVD than urban populations and bear a disproportionate burden from CVD.5–7 Rates of undiagnosed and poorly treated high blood pressure are more common in rural areas.8,9 Racial/ethnic minority populations also …

Rural-Urban Differences In Dental Care Utilization After A Public Health Emergency, Quazi Minhaz Tabassum, Redwan Bin Abdul Baten, Ahmed A. Arif

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Overview of Key Findings

• Past year dental clinic visits declined among both rural and urban populations after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rural patients are more likely to report delayed dental service utilization than their urban counterparts.

• Participants residing in Medicaid expansion states or with health insurance coverage were 16% less likely to delay dental visits overall.

• The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the existing challenges in dental healthcare access for urban and rural communities.

Queer, Black & Churched: Exploring Black Lgbtq+ Lived Experience And Spirituality Through Free Verse Poetry And Music, Kei Slaughter

Music and Health Case Studies

This arts-based qualitative pilot study explored the lived experiences of queer Black adults (ages 29–43) and their relationship to the Black Church. Using critical narrative inquiry, six participants completed semi-structured interviews; three also created free verse poems reflecting on their experiences. I created a musical composition in response to participants' narratives. Analysis of participant interviews and poems revealed five themes: the church as formative; queer-antagonistic rhetoric and spiritual harm; community and belonging; Black queer joy; and music as a spiritual pathway. Notably, all participants described gospel music as having an abiding influence on their spiritual and artistic identities, even when …

Sleep Problems In Children With Adhd: Associations With Internalizing Symptoms And Physical Activity, Xiao Liang, Mengping Zhao, Li Su, Justin A. Haegele, Richard H. Xu, Jiayue Li, Jinxian Guo, Choi-Yeung Tse, Shirley X. Li, David H. K. Shum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience high rates of sleep problems and are at increased risk for developing internalizing problems. This study aimed to examine the association of sleep problems and physical activity with internalizing symptoms in children with ADHD. This cross-sectional study included 188 children with ADHD (M age = 8.60 ± 1.38, 78.7% boys). Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and internalizing symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 [DASS 21]). The presence of sleep problems was defined as a PSQI score > 5. Physical activity was recorded by an ActiGraph …