Digital Commons Network^™

Challenges And Prospects Of Polymeric Biomaterials In Immune Engineering: A Review, Boyka Andonova Lilova, Desislav Dinev, Probal Basu

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Immune engineering is a vast and rapidly developing field with a strong focus on polymeric materials. The importance of these biomaterials in immune engineering revolves around their ability to provide bioactive molecules to the target site, which influences the immune system. Their functional performance depends on various structural and functional properties of the biomaterial, which are also influenced by the host immune microenvironment. This work focuses on the current state of the art, the attributes of polymer-based biomaterials, and their limitations in immune engineering applications. This review not only elaborates on the advantages of polymeric biomaterials in immune engineering but …

Leading Schools Effectively During A Crisis: Lessons Learned From The Covid-19 Pandemic, La Tonya Elizabeth Overton

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This qualitative study explored the successes, challenges, and lessons learned by elementary principals serving systemically marginalized communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through in-depth interviews with nine principals across multiple school districts, the study identified three overarching themes that characterized effective crisis leadership: relationships, well-being, and innovation. Principals described how sustaining strong relationships, prioritizing humanity, and centering trust were essential for navigating trauma, uncertainty, and rapid change. They emphasized meeting basic needs such as food, technology access, health supports, and housing stability as foundational to school continuity. Principals also demonstrated equity-driven responsiveness by removing systemic barriers, adapting communication to diverse …

Infection Control Across Clinical And Laboratory Dental Settings Protocols, Risks, And The Role Of Emerging Technologies, Khrystyna Vyprynyuk, Laura Andreesku

Publications and Research

This article explores infection prevention strategies and disease transmission pathways in dental settings, emphasizing the critical connection between clinical practice and dental laboratories. It highlights the risks of cross-contamination, disinfection and sterilization challenges, and the growing role of technology in enhancing infection control.

Primitive Reflex Integration Training For Occupational Therapy Students In India, Nalini Sripall, Samuel K. Durairaj, Arun Kumar, Suja A. Chandrasekaran

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Primitive Reflex Integration (PRI) is an important intervention for occupational therapists for the treatment of neurological, motor, and sensory processing issues in children. The topic is clinically relevant, yet there is scarce formal education available on the subject for occupational therapists in India. A needs assessment survey was developed and implemented to better understand the knowledge related to PRI of 40 postgraduate occupational therapy students in India. The needs assessment showed that most of the students were aware of PRI but were not consistently using PRI techniques to treat retained primitive reflexes. The participants also noted barriers, such as a …

The Performance Of Machine Learning Algorithms In Predicting Under-Five Anaemia In Tanzania, Henry Ofori Duah, Derrick Nyantakyi Owusu, Godwin G. Duah, Paul Shidende

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim

Anaemia in children under five remains a major public health concern, contributing significantly to global child morbidity and mortality. With the rise of machine learning (ML), novel opportunities exist to model and predict anaemia more effectively. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of five ML algorithms in predicting anaemia among under-five children in Tanzania.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2017 Tanzania Malaria Indicator Survey (TMICS). The dataset (n = 5906) was randomly split into training (70%) and test (30%) sets. Five ML algorithms, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Logistic Regression, Random Forest (RF), …

Improving Effective Completion Of Catheter Care Using A Reminder System To Minimize Incidence Of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: A Quality Improvement Project, Morgan K. Leonard

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: CAUTI rates can be decreased by implementing a care cluster for RNs for CAUTI care into morning assessments and medication administration to ensure it is being done regularly with reminders through cards at the computers in patient rooms. LOCAL PROBLEM: The local problem in the microsystem were the catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates at 1.199, while the national benchmark is 1.000 (Medicare, n.d.).

METHODS: Reminder cards were placed in patient rooms on the computers which are highly utilized by staY while providing patient care to serve as a reminder to complete catheter care in a high task burden …

Incorporating Structured Safety Huddles To Improve Nursing Communication And Reduce Medical-Surgical Inpatient Fall Rates: A Quality Improvement Project, Alexia K. Leonard

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Patient falls are a significant concern for patient safety in the acute care setting and are typically connected to inadequate communication during shift transitions. Bedside shift report is considered the standard of care, however, barriers are still present when shifting patient care responsibilities among nursing staff. A literature review identified standardized safety huddles as an evidence-based practice to improve areas of communication, teamwork, situational awareness, and patient safety. This quality improvement (QI) project concentrated on the implementation of a standardized evening safety huddle in order to improve nursing communication and reduce patient falls on an inpatient medical-surgical/telemetry unit. METHODS: …

A Case Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Deepa Nuthalapati, Natalie Kuo-Hsuan Yang, Rajiv Shah, Valerie Sinkler

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Nocardia Pseudobrasiliensis Intramuscular Abscess In An Immunocompromised Patient, Lauren Abusal, Ish Patel, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Sputum Collection Within 24 Hours Of Admission For Patients Hospitalized With Pneumonia, Sally Baker, Madelaine Duarte, Lauren Kirk, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Geniculate Artery Pseudoaneurysm Formation Following Debridement, Antibiotics, And Implant Retention (Dair) For Management Of A Septic Knee, Jennifer Grimm, Anand Shah

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Persistence Uncovers Hepatic Abscesses Missed On Initial Imaging In An Elderly Immunocompromised Patient, Eva Kalra, Amy Mangla, Afzal Muhammad, Julie Worthington

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Ulcer Osteoma: The Role Of Mri In Differentiating Reactive Proliferative Periostitis From Osteomyelitis, Reza Ayoubi, Mathew Dixon

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Oral Vancomycin Dosing Strategies For Initial, Non-Fulminant C. Difficile Infection Treatment, Hunter Mcdowell, Eric Shaw, Danielle Lott

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Lungs: Acute Hepatitis Associated With Mycoplasma Pneumonia Infection, Rajiv N. Shah, Brett Leer-Greenberg

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …

Building A Cell Specific System For In Vivo Rna Imaging Of The Endogenous Actin Gene In C. Elegans, Jasmine A. Huerta Canete

Theses and Dissertations

Messenger RNA (mRNA) plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and cellular processes, important for the development of cells such as neurons. When dysregulation occurs, it can lead to outcomes such as aberrant translation, causing neurodegenerative conditions to arise. Unfortunately, the localization of mRNA in an in vivo cell specific manner is still not understood. To address this, we decided to develop a cell-specific system to image RNA in vivo, within the organism known as C. elegans with a focus on the actin gene. The Actin gene encodes for an important cytoskeleton protein expressed ubiquitously, vital for the cell …

First Report Of A Trematode Infection In An Invasive Population Of Pomacea Maculata: Evidence Of A Phaneropsolid (Trematoda: Microphalloidea) And Recommended Methods For Surveillance, Jonah A. Nguyen, Lori Tolley-Jordan, Annie P. Slayton, Bradley M. Richardson, Thomas G. Rosser

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Giant apple snails, Pomacea maculata (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae), are native to South America but are now invasively established in subtropical freshwater habitats worldwide. In May 2017, P. maculata from an urban pond in Mobile, Alabama, USA were found infected with a larval trematode, prompting further collections to determine prevalence and investigate effects of infection by snail sex and size. In total, 284 snails (n = 184 female, n = 100 male) were collected in May, August, and October of 2017 and 2018. Of these, 60 females and 23 males were infected with prevalence per sampling event ranging from 4 to …

Genetic Variants Associated With Sjögren’S Disease Subtypes Stratified By Clinical Feature, Nitesh Enduru, Chihiro Iwaya, Akiko Suzuki, Zhongming Zhao, Junichi Iwata

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia) due to inflammation in exocrine glands, particularly the salivary and lacrimal glands. The condition presents a wide variety of clinical features, suggesting that it may involve heterogeneous conditions without a clear boundary. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genetic variants associated with SjD, their roles in SjD pathogenesis remain unclear.

Methods: In this study, we aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SjD by categorizing patients based on four diagnostic markers: anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies, IgG levels, and lymphocyte …

Preclinical Ischemic Stroke Multicenter Trials (Prism) Collective Statement: Opportunities, Challenges, And Recommendations For A New Era, Cenk Ayata, Philip M Bath, Anna M Planas, Stuart M Allan, Johannes Boltze, Ryan P Cabeen, Claire L Gibson, Marilyn J Cipolla, Marcio A Diniz, Stefano Fumagalli, Fahmeed Hyder, Raymond C Koehler, Arthur Liesz, Sarah K Mccann, Tim Magnus, Louise D Mccullough, Emily S Sena, Simone Beretta, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Francesca Bosetti, Clinton B Wright, Patrick D Lyden, Lauren H Sansing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Preclinical stroke research faces a critical translational gap, with animal studies failing to reliably predict clinical efficacy. To address this, the field is moving toward rigorous, multicenter preclinical randomized controlled trials (mpRCTs) that mimic phase 3 clinical trials in several key components. This collective statement, derived from experts involved in mpRCTs, outlines considerations for designing and executing such trials. mpRCTs offer advantages such as increased sample sizes, robust statistical design, incorporation of heterogeneity, and standardized protocols, but they face challenges in finding the right balance between standardization and heterogeneity, appropriate stroke model selection, and outcome measures, as well as the …

Dietary Responses Of Taste Receptor Genes To Plant-Based Diets In Farmed Fish: A Literature Review, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana, Cyrus Rumisha, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Gerald Misinzo

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Taste receptor genes, particularly those in the bitter (tas2r) and umami/sweet (tas1r) families, are critical in regulating chemosensory perception and feeding behavior, influencing fish’s acceptance of plant-based diets. This review synthesizes the current research on how these genes respond to plant-based diets in farmed fish. A comprehensive search of scientific databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, was conducted to identify relevant studies. Plant-based diets modulate gene expression, receptor activity, and signaling pathways, enabling fish to adapt to alternative feeds. The findings of the studies analyzed in this review show that plant ingredients affect fish taste receptor …

Gut And Blood Microbiota Of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Reared With Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) And Challenged With Escherichia Coli And Vibrio Cholerae In Aquaponic Systems, Ang´Elica Adiaç˜ Ao Jossefa, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aquaponics, a bio-integrated system that combines fish farming and vegetable cultivation, has gained significant attention due to its rapid expansion and potential for sustainable food production. In aquaponics, along with plants and fish, both beneficial and harmful microorganisms are also present. This study was conducted to assess the microbiota diversity of Nile tilapia reared with lettuce in aquaponic systems, with a focus on food safety implications. A total of 144 Nile tilapia juveniles with an average initial weight of 30.7 ± 0.03 g were randomly stocked and allocated to three treatments, each with three replicates. In treatment one, the fish …

Effect Of Diets Containing Soybean Or Seaweed (Kappaphycus Sp.) On Growth, Feed Utilization And Nutrient Digestibility In Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus), Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana, Cyrus Rumisha, Gerald Misinzo, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aquaculture is rapidly expanding, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) being a key freshwater species. Rising fishmeal (FM) costs and environmental concerns have increased interest in sustainable alternative protein sources. This study evaluated the effects of diets containing soybean (SB) or Kappaphycus sp. on the growth, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Four dietary treatments were tested over a 62-day feeding trial: FM diet, a diet containing SB, Kappaphycus sp. (seaweed [SW]) and a natural meal (NM) serving as a negative control. Diets were formulated to be isoproteic (360 g/kg) and isocaloric (3600 kcal/kg). Growth performance, feed …

Occurrence And Levels Of Multiple Veterinary Antibiotics In Broiler Chicken Processed And Sold In Southern Mozambique, Noemia Andre Mugabe, Jamal Kussaga, Abdulsudi Issa-Zacharia

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Antibiotic residues in chicken meat pose a health risk to the general public, particularly to sensitive consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibiotic residues in on-the-market dressed chicken in the Southern Region of Mozambique. A total of 160 samples were randomly collected from eight markets located in five districts in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane. The residues of β-lactams, quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides in chicken breast muscle were separated, identified, and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled with ultraviolet light (UV–VIS). Results revealed that 26.9% of the analyzed samples displayed detectable …

Discrimination Through The Direct Threat Defense: A Case Study Of Healthcare Providers With Hiv, Melinda R. Week

Case Western Reserve Law Review

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Potential Neurotoxic Effects Of Cell-Free Factors By Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis On Locomotion In Xenopus Laevis, Anna Lennon, Laura K. Reinert, Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Will Best, Chase T. Kinsey Phd

Funded Scholarship

Chytridiomycosis is a contributor to amphibian population declines. Diseased amphibians show symptoms of lethargy and loss of righting reflexes, likely due to ion imbalance across the skin. However, it is possible developing zoosporangia release toxins that affect neuromuscular activity. Using Xenopus laevis as a model, we hypothesized that locomotor performance would be affected by injection of Bd supernatant factors. X. laevis were injected and then filmed performing a swimming escape response with high-speed cameras at 4 hours, 24 hours, and 1- week post-injection. Average maximum swimming velocity and escape latency were digitized using high speed video. Despite no difference in …

Provider Perspectives On Sociotechnical Alignment Of Intelligent Clinical Decision Support Systems, Andrew Behrens, Cherie Noteboom, Patti Brooks

Research & Publications

Intelligent Clinical Decision Support Systems (ICDSS) are increasingly integrated into healthcare settings to enhance clinical decision-making, efficiency, and patient safety. Despite advances in artificial intelligence-enabled decision support, ICDSS adoption remains inconsistent, particularly in complex clinical environments where professional autonomy, workflow alignment, and accountability are critical. This study examines healthcare providers’ perspectives on ICDSS through a grounded theory approach informed by established Information Systems theories, including the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), and the Human-Organization-Technology fit (HOT-fit) framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 providers within a large, integrated …

Evolution And Spread Of Regionally Adapted Newcastle Disease Virus Isolatesfrom Live Bird Markets In Nigeria 2023–2024, Mohammed Usman Sajo, Dongyeop Lee, Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana, Augustino Chengula, Abdul-Dahiru El-Yuguda, Dong-Hun Lee, Gerald Misinzo

All Grantees Publications

Newcastle disease (ND) virus (NDV) infection ranks among the most important poultry diseases globally. In Nigeria, ND remains a persistent menace to poultry production, marked by recurrent outbreaks. However, there is limited understanding of the evolutionary changes and transmission dynamics of the virus in the region. A molecular epidemiological study was conducted to elucidate the evolutionary and transmission patterns of NDV in Nigeria. Phylogenetic analysis of seven NDV isolates from cases recorded between 2023 and 2024 in four Northeastern states exhibited genetic diversity and formed distinct clusters that correspond to the prevailing subgenotype XIV.2. The maximum clade credibility (MCC) tree …

Provider Perspectives On Sociotechnical Alignment Of Intelligent Clinical Decision Support Systems., Andrew Behrens, Cherie Noteboom, Patti Brooks

Research & Publications

Intelligent Clinical Decision Support Systems (ICDSS) are increasingly integrated into healthcare settings to enhance clinical decision-making, efficiency, and patient safety. Despite advances in artificial intelligence-enabled decision support, ICDSS adoption remains inconsistent, particularly in complex clinical environments where professional autonomy, workflow alignment, and accountability are critical. This study examines healthcare providers’ perspectives on ICDSS through a grounded theory approach informed by established Information Systems theories, including the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), and the Human-Organization-Technology fit (HOT-fit) framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 providers within a large, integrated …

Don't Crash Out: The Effects Of Personality And Social Support On Subjective Stress Responses And Heart Rate Variability, Nicholas Kilpatrick

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the relationship between personality traits, physiological stress responses, and subjective stress during a social-evaluative stress task, as well as the potential mediating role of heart rate variability (HRV) and moderating role of imagined social support. Participants completed a laboratory-based modified Trier Social Stress Task while HRV was continuously recorded, and self-reported stress was assessed across task phases. Results indicated that neuroticism and protective self-monitoring were associated with higher levels of subjective stress, while acquisitive self-monitoring was associated with greater reductions in stress following the task. Neuroticism was also associated with greater increases in HRV during the …