Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Psychosocial Risk Factors For Disordered Eating Among Future Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Ayron Walker, Manan Roy, Jenna Warnock, Karlee Prater, Alisha Farris, Danielle Nunnery

Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review

Background. The prevalence of disordered eating (DE) patterns is significantly higher among college-aged students and health-related majors. This study explored associations between DE behaviors and psychosocial risk factors, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), food insecurity, weight stigma, fat phobia, and family ‘fat talk’, among health science students at a large, rural U.S university, using an anonymous online survey.

Method. An anonymous online survey was distributed to a randomly selected, cross-sectional sample of 3,000 health science students. Participant responses (n = 550; 18.3% response rate) were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results. The sample was …

Assessing Rural Homelessness: A Mixed-Methods Case Study, Matthew Lyons, Ashley Feierstein, Christy Storey, Akilah Hairston, Jonathan Jones, Jada Brown, Sarah H. Cross

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

Rural homelessness represents a significant public health and human rights challenge, but research on homelessness in the United States has predominantly focused on urban settings. This case study describes a mixed-methods assessment of the prevalence, causes, and consequences of homelessness in a rural county. Through both surveys and interviews with stakeholders from multiple sectors (including both service providers and those experiencing homelessness), we built a rich picture of the scale and experiential dimensions of homelessness within the county. Here, we present our research methods, the main findings of each primary data collection arm, and the actionable conclusions drawn from the …

Co-Designed Interventions Package For Enhancing Women's Resilience In Reproductive And Child Health Through Income-Generating Associations: A Human-Centered Design Study In Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Aminieli Itaeli Usiri, Eunice Pallangyo

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Maternal and under-five mortality remain major public health concerns in many low- and middle-income countries, including Tanzania. Despite their widespread use in strengthening economic resilience, income-generating associations (IGAs) have not fully utilized their potential as platforms for addressing reproductive and child health (RCH) challenges.

Objective: This study aimed to co-design an intervention package with women participating in income-generating associations to enhance their preparedness and resilience in addressing RCH challenges in Tanzania.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study guided by a Human-Centered Design (HCD) framework was conducted in the Arusha and Shinyanga regions of Tanzania. The study followed …

Ecological Support For Stem International Doctoral Student Success, Emily A. Crider

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

International doctoral students enrich U.S. institutions but often encounter challenges that affect belonging and academic success. This qualitative study examined the social, cultural, and institutional challenges faced by international STEM doctoral students and the role of faculty advisor relationships in their adaptation. Guided by ecological systems theory, interviews with eight participants revealed five major challenges: language barriers, cultural differences, building social networks, financial challenges, and navigating institutional processes. Positive faculty mentorship was critical, with effective advisors demonstrating empathy, adaptability, responsiveness, guidance, and trust while supporting professional development, funding, and networking. Microsystem and mesosystem interactions were most influential. Findings emphasize the …

Intouch Week Of June 1, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Annual NYMC Golf Tournament Recognizes Excellence in Leadership and Service
• NYMC Announces 2026-2027 Translational Science Initiative Recipients
• Suicidality Is Key Predictor of Treatment-Resistant Focal Epilepsy
• TCDM Celebrates Class of 2026 Commencement
• Top It Off: 20% Off Select Hats
• Student Spotlight: Inspired to Innovate, Driven to Heal 
• Alumni Spotlight: A Passion for Performing Arts and Physical Therapy
• Alumni Spotlight: Two Lives in One Career

From Institutions To Families: Assessing The Progress Of Egypt’S National Strategy For Alternative Child Care Reform, Yasmine M. El Hagry

Theses and Dissertations

This study serves as a critical mid-term review of the Egyptian National Strategy for Alternative Care for Children and Youth without Parental Care (NACS) (2021-2030). The 10-year strategy overall goal is to shift from institutional care, such as orphanages, to family-based care, such as kafala, the Islamic alternative to legal adoption, for children deprived of parental care. While the global literature strongly advocates deinstitutionalization, empirical research on the operational risks and unintended harms that can arise during such complex transformations remains scarce.

Adapting the International Civil Service Effectiveness (InCiSE) Framework, this research uses a qualitative approach to diagnose the …

Exploring The Role Of Vitamin D In Familial Mediterranean Fever: Pathogenesis, Triggers, And Immune Modulation, Hagop Sassounian, Saad Aad, Hilda E. Ghadieh, Lara Khouzami, Elsa Nicolas, Sami Azar, Frederic Harb

All Works

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is among the most frequent autoinflammatory diseases in populations originating from the area of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene, which causes dysregulated pyrin expression and thus an immunologic anomaly. FMF is diagnosed by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal inflammation, predominantly peritonitis and pleuritis, as well as other systemic symptoms. Recent research is dedicated to searching for factors beyond genetic code contributing to how FMF evolves, the severity of its symptoms and response to conventional therapy—colchicine. These factors include epigenetic modifications of the MEFV gene and other …

Exercise Therapy For Mood Disorders In Retiring/Former Athletes, Christian Antos

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the potential integration of exercise therapy and psychotherapy as a treatment approach for mood-related difficulties experienced by former elite athletes during the transition out of competitive sport. Retirement from athletics is often associated with significant biopsychosocial challenges, including disruptions in identity, healthy routines, social support, and emotional well-being. Existing literature suggests that exercise may serve as an effective adjunctive intervention for improving mood and overall psychological functioning, though limited research has explored its application among retiring athletes within psychotherapeutic contexts. This literature review synthesized current research related to athletic retirement, neurobiological mechanisms associated with physical activity, and …

Afterschool Program Attendance And Academic Outcomesin A Vermont District, Hans W. Cabra Hernandez

Journal of Youth Development

Afterschool programs can bridge opportunity gaps by providing children with venues for learning and cultivating socioemotional skills. This paper examines the relationship between attendance in afterschool programs in a Vermont school district and two academic outcomes (the Scholastic Reading Inventory/SRI and the EasyCMB math test) using cross-sectional data from Spring 2018. Using multivariate regression analysis, this study found a positive association between afterschool program attendance and academic achievement on these tests. Moreover, the findings indicate the persistence of socioeconomic academic disparities. While the study’s design does not permit causal claims, the results suggest that afterschool programs are a valuable resource …

Fostering Developmentally Nurturant Relationships To Promote Character And Thriving: Perspectives Of Program Practitioners In Rural South Africa, Jonathan M. Tirrell, Alexa Hasse, Margaret Mackin, Elizabeth Dowling, Kirsten Olander, Roya Abbasi-Asl, Katherine Mcconnel, Thobeka Kwela, Raah Msimango, Justine Mccarthy-Martin, Tyler Howard, Angela Larkan, Richard Lerner

Journal of Youth Development

Developmentally nurturant relationships are fundamental to enabling children to thrive across contexts, including homes, schools, and communities. Such relationships are also a central feature of effective positive youth development (PYD) programming. As strengths-based PYD programs are increasingly being adopted in majority-world countries, a better understanding of how to foster and promote developmentally nurturant relationships is needed. As part of the Thanda Study of Character and Health, we interviewed 15 program practitioners about their understandings of and approaches to fostering developmentally nurturant relationships with children enrolled in Thanda programs in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Phenomenological analysis indicated that practitioners’ understanding of …

A Qualitative And Quantitative Comparative Analysis Of Ballistic Bone Trauma From Frangible And Full Metal Jacket Projectiles, Hajar S. Hassan

Student Theses

Ballistic bone research is essential as 90% of homicides with the use of a firearm include injuries to bone. Forensic anthropologists use ballistic bone trauma to gather details and reconstruct an event, but ballistic bone trauma depends on many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors include the type of bone, the type of firearm, and the type of ammunition. As new ammunition and firearms emerge, the literature on ballistic bone trauma remains limited. This novel study compares the bone trauma from the most common projectile, the full metal jacket, to a frangible projectile which is made to break upon impact. …

Enhancing Soil Security In Brazilian Cerrado: Composted Sewage Sludge As A Sustainable Conservation Agriculture Strategy, Raimunda Eliane Nascimento Do Nascimento, Nathércia Castro Elias, Philippe Solano Toledo Silva, Rodrigo Silva Alves, Aline Renée Coscione, Jussara Borges Regitano, Wanderley José, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Gian Franco Capra, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira

Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Oxisols in the Brazilian Cerrado are intensively cultivated due to their strategic importance in producing a range of commodities exported worldwide. To achieve high productivity, a large amount of conventional mineral fertilizer (CMF) must be used, which raises multiple concerns. Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is a promising organic fertilizer that enhances soil health while increasing agricultural sustainability. The objective of this study was to monitor soil chemical quality at two depths (0–0.1 m and 0.1–0.2 m) after CSS applications over three agricultural years under a no-tillage system. The experiment was conducted under field conditions by applying and evaluating five rates …

Exploring Capacity For Future Sustainability Of Healthy Eating Policy, Systems, And Environmental Change Strategies Previously Implemented Through Snap-Ed Programming, Carrie L. Draper, Nicholas Younginer Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Phenomenon of Interest

Analysis

Results

Soybean Plant Population Density Recommendations Across The United States, Giovani Preza Fontes, Carrie Ortel, Emma Macham, David Moseley, Shawn Conley, Chad Lee, Mark A. Licht, Laura E. Lindsey, Haleigh J. Ortmeier-Clarke, Rachel Vann, Maninder P. Singh, Seth Naeve, Jeremy Ross, Jake Mcneal, Michael Plumblee, Shaun Casteel, Eros Francisco, Michael J. Mulvaney, Nicolas Cafaro La Menza, Andre Froes De Borja Reis, Daniela Carrijo, Emerson Nafziger

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Rising production costs and declining commodity prices have compelled farmers to reassess their input and management strategies. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] seed costs, in particular, have continued to increase due to advances in biotechnology, higher-yielding germplasm, and available seed treatments, accounting for 32–35% of the total operational expenses in current soybean production systems. Optimizing seeding rate is therefore one area of consideration for improving profitability and maximizing return on investment. However, soybean yield response to plant population density is influenced by the combination of several factors, including water availability, temperature, radiation interception, planting practices, and crop growth and development. …

Practice With Purpose Policy Project: The Pediatric Ng/Og Tube Safety Hierarchy, Caitlin Roush, Christine Hajovsky, Delaney Dewolf, Elizabeth Hernandez, Giselle Daclan, Jay Barber, Kris Noel, Kristen Dickey, Lynde Craig, Madeline Herrera, Margaret Willenburg, Mckenzie Pedigo, Melynda Olguin, Myesha Vines, Rhianna Brard, Teresa Wynee

Practice With Purpose

No abstract provided.

Cardioprotective Effects Of 1,3 Butanediol In Masld Via Reversal Of Cardiac Lipid Accumulation And Suppression Of Cardiac Fibrosis, Olufunto O. Badmus, Landon D. Parrow, Karis E. Mcgowen, La Brenda Bell, Jennifer R. Greer, Marcela De Carvalho Cruz, Terry D. Hinds, David E. Stec

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is highly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the mechanisms responsible are currently unknown. We have developed a model of MASLD due to the loss of hepatocyte peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα^HEPKO). We found that plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB) levels were significantly reduced in PPARα^HEPKO mice and aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of restoring BHOB levels in the development of CVD in these mice. Thirty-week-old PPARα^HEPKO and control PPARα^FL/FL mice were randomized to receive 1,3 butanediol (1,3-BDO), a precursor of BHOB, in drinking water for 6 …

Antioxidant Therapy Reverses Hepatotoxicity Induced By Microcystin-Lr In A Cellular Model Of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (Masld), Apurva Lad, Jason Kindle, Prajwal Hegde, Gabriel G. Kleer, Andrew L. Kleinhenz, Johnna A. Birbeck, Judy Westrick, Nicholas J. Peraino, Terry D. Hinds, Neeraja Purandare, Andrew M. Fribley, Steven T. Haller, David J. Kennedy

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent hepatotoxin that has been shown to cause liver damage even at doses lower than the established Low Observable Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 200 μg/kg in animal models. We have previously observed that low-dose exposure to MC-LR in animals with diet-induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and subsequent treatment with antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase-Src kinase inhibitor pNaKtide significantly alleviated hepatic infiltration of immune cells, downregulated markers of inflammation and hepatotoxicity, increased the breakdown of the toxin molecule, and restored phase I and II drug metabolism pathways, including …

GαQ Is A Heterotrimeric G-Protein Subunit That Directs The Selectivity Of Pparγ-Induced Gene Pathways Toward Energy-Related Processes Rather Than Adiposity, Evelyn A. Bates, Zachary A. Kipp, Wang Hsin Lee, Genesee J. Martinez, Sally N. Pauss, Philipp E. Scherer, Terry D. Hinds

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Signaling mediators of PPARγ influence pathways involved in adipogenesis, lipid storage, inflammation, energy-related processes, and glucose utilization. Recent research indicates that PPARγ coregulators, recruited or released during ligand binding, govern specific gene pathways. It was recently discovered that Gα_q, a heterotrimeric G protein subunit, also signals to PPARγ and may significantly affect adipogenesis and glucose sensitivity. Methods: To explore Gα_q’s role in adipocytes, we generated CRISPR-mediated Gα_q (Gnaq) knockout (Gnaq KO) and scramble control cells from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Results: The absence of Gα_q resulted in increased lipid accumulation and elevated serine 273 (but …

Understanding The Role Of Age And U.S. Acculturation Factors On The Relationship Between Allostatic Load And Cancer Mortality Risk In Hispanic Americans, Jessica Amezcua, Valeria Miranda, Melissa Lopez-Pentecost, Jessica Y. Islam, Marlo M. Vernon, Kathleen O’Connor, Justin Xavier Moore

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: Despite growing recognition of stress-related health inequities, the role of nativity and acculturation in shaping the relationship between chronic stress and cancer outcomes among Hispanic populations remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether nativity factors (United States (US) citizenship status and length of time residing in the US modify the association between allostatic load (AL), a measure of chronic physiologic stress, and cancer mortality among Hispanic adults. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 – 2010, linked to National Death Index with …

Structured Telehealth Community Health Worker-Clinician Feedback And Diabetes Outcomes: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Elizabeth Vaughan, Xiaoying Yu, Amber Amspoker, Aanand Naik, Ashok Balasubramanyam, Craig Johnston, Christi Ballantyne, Salim S. Virani, Shelton Brown, Kristina Mena

Population Health, East Africa

Importance  Community health workers (CHWs) improve chronic disease management in underserved populations, but scalable integration strategies are limited.

Objective  To evaluate whether a multidimensional intervention incorporating telementored CHWs and a structured participant-CHW-clinician feedback loop can improve diabetes outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This 12-month randomized clinical trial was conducted at 3 institutionally and geographically diverse community clinics in Texas between September 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, and included low-income, uninsured White Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes identified through clinic databases. Data were analyzed between May 1 and July 31, 2025.

Intervention  Individuals were randomized 1:1 to the intervention …

Ai, Medicine, And Social Determinants Of Health Data, Ryan Doyloo, Nicholson Price

Articles

This article examines how medical AI systems are incorporating SDoH data and the governance challenges that follow. The authors show that while SDoH integration can enhance clinical workflows and predictive accuracy — potentially improving outcomes for underserved populations — it also introduces acute risks of proxy discrimination, where facially neutral variables replicate protected characteristics. Surveying U.S., EU, and international frameworks, the authors argue that existing regimes lack clear ex ante guidance to distinguish beneficial from harmful uses of SDoH data. In response, they advance post-market monitoring as a pragmatic and scalable pathway: generating real-world, SDoH-stratified evidence that can support enforcement, …

Free Flap Eras, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Facilitators And Barriers That Exist For Patients Receiving Dental Care In Rural Communities, Monse Sandoval Brumbaugh

University Honors Theses

Rising healthcare costs and limited access to care have exacerbated the shortage of healthcare providers. Although multiple factors contribute to a clinician’s preference for practicing in rural areas, the imbalance created leads to rural communities with significantly reduced access to essential services, particularly dental care. The disparity between urban and rural healthcare is a well-documented global problem, but it remains a pressing issue in the United States, particularly in Oregon. The Full Time Equivalents (FTE) count of full-time practicing dentists in rural regions is significantly lower than in urban areas. Statewide, there are about 0.48 dentists per 1,000 residents. However, …

Advancing Telehealth Pulmonary Rehabilitation For Individuals With Copd: Integrating Scoping Review, Quantitative, And Qualitative Studies To Inform A Multidomain Telewellness Framework, Pooja Arora

ETDs from 2020-2029

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous, progressive respiratory condition and the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is associated with dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, significant psychological burden, and poor quality of life. Telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has evolved as an effective approach to improve health outcomes and overcome barriers related to center based pulmonary rehabilitation. However, it is important to determine whether these programs are guided by intervention frameworks that effectively promote overall well-being in individuals with COPD. This dissertation examined current telehealth PR models and evaluated the effectiveness of a generic, comprehensive telewellness program (MENTOR: …

Volume 41, Issue 1, Full Issue, Journal Of Rural Social Sciences

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

“Grandpa, Can You Speak Nicer?”: Envisioned Chatbot Roles And Design Tensions In Intergenerational Communication Conflicts, Tianyi Zhang, Emran Bin Elias Poh, Yueyue Hou, Yi-Chieh Lee, Renwen Zhang, Jiannan Li, Anthony Tang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Intergenerational conversations often break down when differences in tone, language, or expectations lead participants to feel dismissed or misunderstood. In this work, we explore how people envision AI-driven chatbot interventions for addressing communication problems in text-based intergenerational family chat. We conducted a scenario-based design interview with 10 pairs of family members from different generations, in which participants designed chatbot interventions that varied in intervention target and timing. Our findings show that participants expect chatbots to perform multiple themes of intervention, including mediating understanding, providing emotional support, offering evaluative commentary, and guiding interaction through behavioral suggestions. These expectations varied systematically across …

Screening Tools For Maternal Mental Health In Africa: A Systematic Review, Joyce Jebet, Irene Mageto, Benard Mutwiri, Abednego Ongeso, Ruth Wagathu, Rose Maina, Denis Munene, Kawira Kithuci, Peter Gatiti

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background:

Maternal health during pregnancy and the postnatal period encompasses mental health, which is a key aspect in enhancing a positive outcome. Despite screening for other possible complications during pregnancy and the postnatal period, very little attention has been paid to screening for mental health. Screening is a key tool in early diagnosis and, eventually, timely diagnosis and management in cases where complications arise.

Aim:

This study aimed to assess the available maternal mental health screening tools and compare the outcome on their utilization during pregnancy and postnatal periods in the African continent.

Methodology:

This was a …

The Impact Of Economic Stability On Diagnostic Timing Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children, Leslie Box Simms

ETDs from 2020-2029

Diagnosis of neurodevelopmental delays in children, including autism spectrum disorder, is an often lengthy and burdensome process, potentially placing children with economic instability at risk for diagnostic delay. The first aim of this dissertation was to explore the impact of economic stability on diagnostic timing of autism spectrum disorder via a scoping review of the literature. Papers were summarized by study design, data sourcing, handling of variables, statistical methodology, and the effect of economic stability factors on diagnostic timing of autism. Income and healthcare insurance were the most frequently employed measures of economic stability, with transportation, housing, and food security …

Aging Like A Pro: Altering Health Behavior Motivation Through Community Education Programs, Susan Eva Fox-Rosellini

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT Population aging presents significant public health challenges, particularly in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining functional independence among older adults. Today in the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that about 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-associated memory issues. That number is expected to more than double by 2060. Community-based education programs can represent a scalable strategy to influence behavior modification that may be linked to successful cognitive aging. This dissertation evaluated the Aging Like A Pro (ALP) community education program that focused on key aspects of health: sleep, mindfulness, nutrition, and fitness, encouraging …

The Association Of Motherhood And Maternal-Related Life Events And Cardiovascular-Related Health, Disease Events, And Mortality, Taishayla Mckitt

ETDs from 2020-2029

More than 40% of U.S. women have cardiovascular disease (CVD), and nearly half have at least one major risk factor. Sparse evidence exists related to the role of childrearing (regardless of prior pregnancy) on CVD. A recent literature review highlighted the influence of reproduction on CVD and health and identified opportunities for advancement. At present, it has yet to be discovered from prospective epidemiologic studies the extent to which parenting and maternal events have influence on cardiovascular health and clinical events. It has been demonstrated that parous women have greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., short sleep duration and …