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New Publishing Benefit For Tmc Authors: Mdpi, Joanne Romano

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Publishing with MDPI? TMC-affiliated authors can now take advantage of new benefits through MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), including a discount on article processing charges (APCs) when publishing in MDPI journals.

Planning to publish? Learn more about the MDPI author benefit and how to take advantage of your TMC affiliation: Publishing Support at the TMC Library: MDPI

Heartland Virus Preclinical Research Project, Brian B. Gowen

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Biochemical And Histological Assessment Of Oral Wound Healing Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-Hyaluronic Acid Composite Gel In Rat Models, Shahida Rasoul Husain, Amal Hanna Aziz, Treefa Farouq Ismail

Baghdad Science Journal

Oral wound healing is a complex biological process involving coordinated inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biomaterials have highlighted the potential of composite formulations to enhance tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and histological effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and hyaluronic acid (HA) composite gel on oral wound healing in rat models. Green-synthesized ZnO NPs, prepared using Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract, were gradually incorporated into methylcellulose (MC) and commercially available HA gels. The physicochemical characterization of the composite gel was assessed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy …

Dung Removal And Tunneling Contributions: Ecomorphological Traits And Functional Performance Of Onthophagus Gazella And Onthophagus Ramosellus, Takhmina Nazir, Mubashar Hussain

Baghdad Science Journal

Dung beetles perform various functions in ecosystems, such as nutrient cycling, aeration of soil, and dung burial activities that increase soil properties. Genus Onthophagus is well known for its role in dung removal and decomposition. We appraised the role of Onthophagus ramosellus and Onthophagus gazella in dung removal under field conditions. Species-specific functional features like body size and dry body weight associate these dung beetle species with tunneling depth and dung removal. We installed mesocosms (18 cm height and 12 cm diameter) at three sites in district Gujrat, i.e., Chak, Chopala, and Kot Mir Hussain. Treatment groups used in the …

Probable Renal-Limited Sarcoidosis Presenting With Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Without Granulomas On Renal Biopsy: A Diagnostic Challenge, Jawahar Hamood Alnoumani, Muhammad Shoaib, Asma Marzouqi, Ali Al Lawati

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterised by non-caseating granulomas and a wide range of reported prevalence. Renal-limited sarcoidosis is a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis which remains a diagnostic challenge due to lack of extra renal manifestation and specific diagnostic criteria. We report a 37-year-old man who presented to a tertiary care hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2024, with a two-month history of fever, weight loss, hypercalcaemia, high-to-normal 1,25-Vitamin D, high angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and acute kidney injury. His renal biopsy showed evidence of tubulointerstitial nephritis without granulomas or nephrocalcinosis. After exclusion of infectious, malignant, drug- related and autoimmune causes, …

The Cul-De-Sac Paradox: The Relationship Between Walkability, Playability, And Children’S Physical Activity, Lydia Reader

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Walkability and playability are two constructs on how the built environment can support physical activity, the former most relevant to adults and the latter designed with children in mind. There are concerns that walkability and playability are intrinsically in competition with one another, with urban forms supportive of physical activity for adults detrimental toward the physical activity of children and vice versa. This thesis explores this conflict using agent-based modeling as a tool for refining the theoretical constructs behind playability and children’s physical activity. We examine the state of the current evidence for the relationship between walkability and children’s physical …

Data-Driven Staging Of Neurodegenerative Pathology Related To Alzheimer’S Disease, Thomas Earnest

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a dual proteinopathy exhibiting deposits of extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) and intracellular tau in brain tissue. Models which describe the spatial and temporal trajectories of these pathologies have been invaluable for understanding AD and have the potential to support diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment development. Disease staging systems, which provide protocols for assessing individual disease severity based on their extent of brain pathology, have been crucial for explaining and diagnosing AD. However, these systems have been primarily informed by post-mortem histological assessments and are not directly applicable to disease assessment in …

Openness To Experience And Creative Capacity Among Active First Responders, William Reagan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Because emergency services demand adaptive, creative problem-solving within procedurally rigid cultures, this study examined whether Openness to Experience predicted creative capacity among active first responders and whether age or tenure moderated that relationship. A cross-sectional design used N = 117 first responders from eight agencies. Openness was measured with the Big Five Inventory-2 (percentile ranks); creativity was assessed with the Divergent Association Task (DAT; n = 116) and the Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT; n = 111). Covariates were age, tenure, rank, gender, and, for 46 participants at one agency, a dispatch-derived operational exposure score. In the full sample, Openness did …

Sbirt Staff Education To Registered Nurses In The Emergency Department, Rosemary Thuet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The project hospitals have, on average, 2,400 emergency department (ED) visits a month. Although patients receive a social screening, there are no specific assessments to determine if the person is at risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The lack of screening is a missed opportunity to provide a Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) assessment of over 2,400 patients a month or 48,000 people annually. Although several screening tools could be used for an SBIRT assessment, the recommendation of ED nursing leadership is to implement the tool known as the CAGE Questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and …

Staff Education To Improve Behavioral Health Integration In Primary Care, Nelly Endah Atu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project addressed a persistent gap in the delivery of integrated physical and mental healthcare for patients with co-occurring conditions. Fragmented care in primary care contributes to untreated mental health needs, increased patient distress, higher costs, and poor outcomes. The aim of this project was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a staff education program equipping nurses, nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary team members with the knowledge, skills, and practical strategies needed to improve behavioral health integration in primary care. The practice question was, among interdisciplinary staff in a community health setting, did the implementation of an evidence-based, ADDIE-designed staff …

Staff Education For Medication Adherence Among Adults With Major Depressive Disorder In A Private Outpatient Psychiatric And Mental Health Practice, Judith Timbui Eta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented a staff education initiative to improve medication adherence among adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a private outpatient psychiatric and mental health practice. Medication nonadherence remains a significant barrier to effective depression treatment and is associated with symptom relapse, increased healthcare utilization, and poorer patient outcomes. Evidence supports provider education as an effective strategy for improving adherence-related practices. The project examined whether a targeted educational intervention could improve staff knowledge and confidence in promoting medication adherence over a 12-week implementation period. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and the …

Lived Experiences And Competencies Of Mental Health Professionals Supporting Postpartum Mothers’ Mental Health And Well-Being, Shaynie Wolski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postpartum psychosis, affect postpartum individuals and their families. Limited research has examined the lived experiences and competencies of licensed mental health professionals who address PMADs, potentially limiting counselor educators’ ability to prepare counselors for postpartum mental health needs. Guided by hermeneutic phenomenology and informed by Ecological Systems Theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to answer the guiding question: What are the lived experiences of licensed mental health professionals in recognizing, assessing, and treating PMADs among postpartum clients? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight …

Staff Education To Improve Consistent Phq-9 Administration In An Outpatient Psychiatric Practice, Ngozi Eboru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a leading cause of disability and is associated with functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Consistent administration of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is an essential component of measurement-based care, supporting the identification, monitoring, and treatment of depressive symptoms. A retrospective chart review at a private outpatient psychiatric practice identified inconsistent PHQ-9 administration and documentation, with a baseline completion rate of 62%. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to evaluate the impact of a structured educational intervention on the consistency of PHQ-9 administration among staff involved in the …

Staff Education To Implementation Of Fall Prevention Education To Improve Fall Prevention Knowledge Among Nurses And Cnas In A Nursing Home, Margret Nkechi Anabaronye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education initiative designed to enhance fall-prevention knowledge among nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in a nursing home setting. The practice problem addressed was the high incidence of patient falls among older adults, which is a persistent safety concern in caregiving facilities since it leads to injury, decreased quality of life, and heightened healthcare costs. The project aimed to determine whether implementing a fall-prevention educational initiative would enhance staff knowledge and confidence levels on fall prevention. Analytical strategies used in this project included quantitative pre- and posttests and descriptive statistics to measure changes in participants’ …

Lived Experiences Of Clinical Psychologists: Personal Coping Strategies To Address Emotional Exhaustion, Ayushi Shrestha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emotional exhaustion is a key element of burnout among clinical psychologists. However, there are limited qualitative studies that examine how psychologists experience and cope with it. This study explored how licensed clinical psychologists experience and cope with emotional exhaustion. The study used Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory to explore how clinicians perceive, interpret, and respond to emotional demands. Semi structured interviews with licensed clinical psychologists experiencing emotional exhaustion were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, including descriptive and pattern coding to identify themes. Five themes were identified: workplace and organizational stressors; emotional experience of …

Star Anise's Shield: How Illicium Verum Protects Dna From Oxidative Damage: An Integrated Experimental And Computational Study, Rafeef Amer Abdul-Jabar, Sabaa Ali Mohammed Al. Fadal, Anwar H. Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

Illicium verum, a star anise evergreen tree, is of great ethnopharmacological, medicinal, and biological interest. Objective: To develop an aqueous extract from its fruits and to evaluate its antioxidant potential, particularly in terms of DNA protection. The extraction method was straightforward; total phenolics (123 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (51.3 mg QE/g) were quantified, and antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging and iron (III) reducing) properties determined. The total antioxidant capacity (TAE) of the extract was estimated, and its protectiveness on human genomic DNA was examined. In addition, an in silico computer docking simulation was conducted to describe the molecular interactions of …

Genotyping Of Echinococcus Granulosus And Evaluation Of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract As A Novel Protoscolicidal Agent, Hersh Ahmad Amin, Hoshyar Abdullah Azeez, Sirwan Muhsin Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

Cystic echinococcosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic infection, including in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. It arises when Echinococcus granulosus eggs are ingested, leading to the larval stages that mainly effect the internal organs of humans and livestocks. This study aimed to explore the genetic variability and sequence polymorphisms of E. granulosus and to evaluate the protoscolicidal potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract. Protoscoleces PSCs were isolated from hydatid cysts collected from infected humans, sheep, cattle and goat. Among the 73 hydatid cysts examined, 63 (86.3%) were fertile. DNA was extracted from PSCs, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( …

Comments Re: Commonsense Policy Options To Lower Drug Prices For Patients, Fred D. Ledley M.D., Edward Zhou Pharm. D.

CISI Publication

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comment in response to the Senate Finance Committee Minority Staff’s “Request for Information: Commonsense Policy Options to Lower Drug Prices for Patients.” We are answering as academic researchers with experience in medicine and the biopharmaceutical industry. This comment will focus on sections I and III of the RFI.

We applaud the accomplishment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in establishing the precedent for the government to negotiate “fair market” prices for drugs on terms that address both patients’ needs for affordability and industry’s need for a reasonable return on investment. Our analysis …

Dissecting Tumor Evolution And Immune Composition In Prc2 Loss (H3k27me3 Loss) Vs Retained Mpnst, Kuangying Yang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive sarcomas that arise sporadically or in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Although benign plexiform neurofibromas (PNs) are common in NF1, only a subset undergo malignant transformation, and the molecular events that define high-risk progression remain incompletely understood. A major axis of biological heterogeneity in MPNST is loss of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), commonly detected through loss of H3K27me3 and frequently mediated by alterations in SUZ12 or EED. This dissertation integrates three manuscript-based studies to define genomic resources, tumor-intrinsic vulnerabilities, and immune microenvironmental remodeling in NF1-associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors, …

Unpacking Treatment Effect Heterogeneity In A Large-Scale Dropout Prevention Experiment, Thomas Dee, Chloe R. Gibbs, Rebecca Margolit-Chan, Lillian Morrell, James X. Sullivan

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Timely high school completion is a critical step in successful transitions to post-secondary schooling and the labor market. This randomized controlled trial, deployed in two urban, disadvantaged school districts, tests the effectiveness of a mature and comprehensive student-support program on an unusually large scale (n=2,528). While overall effects on graduation rates are small and statistically insignificant, exploratory analyses reveal notable variation by site and over time, mirroring heterogeneity in treatment timing and program implementation. These findings highlight the challenges of scaling interventions and raise concerns about generalizing results from small-scale, single-site evaluations.

Poppers Maculopathy Due To Alkyl Nitriteinfused Candle: A Case Report, Tori Sayers, Murtaza K. Adam

School of Medicine Publications

Recreational inhalation of alkyl nitrites (“poppers”) is associated with a characteristic toxic maculopathy presumably due to ischemic changes in the central macula. Alkyl nitrite candles are available for purchase online and do not appear to be regulated. We report a unique retrospective case of vision loss following second-hand inhalation of vapor from a “poppers” candle in which a 29-year-old Hispanic male with no previous medical history presented with acute bilateral vision loss after attending a party at a nightclub. The patient denied sungazing, exposure to lasers, and a family history of inherited retinal disease. History was significant for use of …

Implementing Custom Pro And Nps Tools In Private Practice: Balancing Simplicity And Clinical Value In A Retrospective Study, Paul Bonilla, Juan Pablo Flanagan, Anesu K. Murambadoro, Victoria Elizondo, Michael Sander

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The authors describe the development of a custom survey centered around the Three C’s and Net Promoter Scores in a high-volume surgical private practice with limited resources and no research coordinator. This paper aims to examine whether an abbreviated survey can serve as a practical alternative to lengthy validated PROMs in tracking post-surgical recovery outcomes in a private practice setting.

Methods: A retrospective, de-identified analysis was conducted on prospectively collected patient-reported outcome surveys administered via email preoperatively and 120-days postoperatively. Of 2,908 surveys administered, 101 patients undergoing four high-volume procedures (CTR, meniscectomy, TKR, hernia) with matched pre- and post-operative …

Mertk Inhibition Cooperates With Immunomodulatory Cyclophosphamide To Induce Cxcl9⁺ Monocyte-Macrophage Programming And Durable Antitumor Immunity In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Alex J Smith, Zachary Schrank, Nan Guan, Diego A Pedroza, Sebastian J Calderon, Xueying Yuan, Na Zhao, Zoe Gabriel, Yang Gao, Charlotte H Rivas, Fengshuo Liu, Jonathan S Serody, Charles M Perou, H Shelton Earp, Jeffrey M Rosen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high rates of recurrence despite chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can either suppress or support antitumor immunity, but the mechanisms governing these states and therapeutic targets remain unclear. Here, integrating public scRNAseq datasets with TNBC cohorts, we identify a prognostic myeloid signature defined by CXCL9hi programs, associated with improved survival and enrichment of lymphocyte activation pathways. Using immunocompetent p53-null syngeneic TNBC models spanning basal-like (2153L) and claudin-low (T12) subtypes, we show that immunomodulatory cyclophosphamide (CTX) reprograms hematopoiesis toward the monocytic lineage and induces an interferon (IFN) conditioned tumor milieu that supports …

Exploring Wearable Technology In Freshmen High School Physical Education: Effects On Engagement And Enjoyment, Danielle Madrid

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Wearable technology offers physical educators a potential tool for providing real-time feedback and supporting student engagement during physical activity. This mixed-methods study examined the influence of Polar A370 wearable fitness trackers on enjoyment and engagement among 99 ninth-grade students enrolled in high school physical education. During a two-week within-subject crossover intervention, students alternated between participating in physical education lessons with and without wearable technology. Physical activity enjoyment was assessed before and after the intervention using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), while a researcher-developed supplemental survey, open-ended responses, and observational field notes provided additional information regarding students’ motivation, engagement, and …

The Effect Of Aerobic Exercise On Cognitive Function In Individuals With Alzheimer’S Disease, Brianna Pawlowski

Doctorate in Kinesiology

This study investigated the impact of aerobic exercise on cognitive function, anxiety and depression in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Using a quasi – experimental design, the data were collected from 11 participants from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in an assisted living nursing home with mild to early – stage Alzheimer’s disease. This study was conducted over a 15 – week period. The experimental group (n=7) participated in 150 – minutes per week of chair fitness or cardio dancing while. The control group (n=4) maintained their usual daily routines. Cognitive function was tested using a Montreal Cognitive Assessment at the baseline and post …

Double-Port Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Replacement Through A Prosthesis-Sized Working Incision With Posterior Subvalvular Preservation, Cao Dang Khang, Tran Duc Quang, Phan Quang Thuan, Vuong Ngoc Minh, Pham Tran Viet Chuong, Nguyen Hoang Dinh

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and early outcomes of totally endoscopic non-robotic mitral valve replacement using a double-port DCT approach with posterior subvalvular preservation.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective observational study, 76 consecutive patients underwent totally endoscopic non-robotic mitral valve replacement between November 2023 and December 2025. The DCT approach was defined by exclusive endoscopic visualization, no rib spreading, a camera port and prosthesis-sized working incision placed in the same intercostal space, and thoracoscopic intracardiac instrumentation. Posterior ventricular-annular continuity was preserved whenever feasible by posterior leaflet preservation, native chordal preservation, or artificial chordal reimplantation after leaflet resection. Outcomes were reported …

Racial Trauma And Posttraumatic Growth: Implications For Counselors, Margaret M. Poandl, Nowoola Awopetu, Paul C. Harris Dr.

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Racial trauma is ubiquitous among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and people who belong to other marginalized groups. It is likely that counselors will work with individuals who have experienced racial trauma. Aligned with the counseling profession’s values, counselors can take a strengths-based approach that incorporates facilitation of a historical trauma posttraumatic growth (HT-PTG) framework. This paper presents evidence-informed practices that can foster growth on individual and collective levels. A case example is provided that integrates individual- and collective-level interventions bidirectionally, along with implications for counselor training pedagogically, through supervision, and continuing education. Counselors can identify, encourage, and …

The Safe Fishbowl Model: Psychological Safety By Design In Counseling Skills Training, Mike Mariska

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Skills training in counselor education can be constrained by performance anxiety, which may reduce participation, limit deliberate practice repetitions, and shift demonstrations to the instructor. This applied-practice manuscript introduces the SAFE (Structured Avatar and Feedback Experience) Fishbowl model, a simulation architecture designed to address performance anxiety while scaling participation. SAFE Fishbowl integrates rotating counselor roles, a real-time coaching loop, structured observation grounded in experiential learning theory, and purposeful debriefing. An implementation example for group counseling leadership skills is provided, along with adaptation guidance across multiple skill domains and delivery modalities. Descriptive course-evaluation feedback illustrates feasibility and perceived usefulness. Implications include …

A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Cacrep Accreditation Standards: Implications For The 2024 Cacrep Academic Quality Standards, David Moran

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This embedded mixed methods study examined the frequency of CACREP standards cited as ‘not met’ by the CACREP Board of Directors and explored counselor educators’ experiences with program evaluation. Frequency analysis revealed that Section 4 standards were disproportionately cited, yet applied consistently across diverse institutional types and delivery formats. Qualitative interviews with 16 counselor educators identified four themes: The Paradox of Agency, Faculty Workload Challenges, Performative Compliance vs. Authentic Improvement, and Faculty Experience with Program Evaluation. Findings suggest that while accreditation decisions are unbiased, the evaluation process imposes substantial strain on faculty resources. These results have …

Integrating Consensual Non-Monogamy In Counselor Education: Practical Guidelines And A Pilot Descriptive Study, Yun-Zhuo (Zoey) Liu, Lena Salpietro

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a prevalent and diverse relationship structure, yet mononormative assumptions persist in counselor training and practice, contributing to stigma and inadequate care. Research indicates that counselors’ CNM-specific knowledge and attitudes are critical to positive therapeutic outcomes (Schechinger et al., 2018), highlighting the need for clear guidance. In response, this paper presents Guidelines for Incorporating CNM in Counseling Curricula. Three domains are grounded in multicultural and social justice principles: foundational knowledge and terminology, challenging bias and promoting self-reflection, and application informed by attachment theory. Additionally, findings from a survey of counselor educators (N = 54) are presented. Results …