Digital Commons Network^™

Expanding Food Insecurity Screening Across Pediatric Clinical And Community Settings In The South Bronx: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Sana Amreen, Merve Ladik, Emmy Trinidad, Shanta Neupane, Anju Paudel, Yossef Alnasser

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Comprehension Of Food Labels And Dietary Decision-Making Amongst Gw Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Maria Levina, Leslie Davidson

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Characterizing Obesity Phenotypes Through Fitness And Metabolic Markers In Women, Jordyn Walters, Andrea Osorio, Felipe Cabello, Allison Chetta, Gianna Filippou, Clara De Torres Ensenat, Karla Cordero-Ortega, Shery Kamel, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Understanding Perceptions Of Food Is Medicine Among Low-Income Cancer Survivors To Address Food And Nutrition Security, Mritika Rahman, Roya Sakhizada, Sherrie Wallington, Karina R. Lora

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Education As A Right, Homelessness As A Crisis: The Displaced Futures Of American Homeless Youth, Tina Pham

Washington and Lee Law Review

Homelessness in the United States has been a humanitarian crisis affecting youth as one of its most vulnerable populations. Education is one of the few opportunities to break through this cycle of poverty. Recognizing the gap in education for homeless students and other students, Congress enacted the McKinney-Vento Act, which guarantees homeless youth educational rights to access public education. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, however, the rise of criminalizing policies, such as encampment sweeps and anticamping ordinances, threatens the success of the Act. These policies not only destabilize families, but they also leave homeless youth …

How Theists Can Answer The “Why Be Moral?” Question: An Indirect Reason-Generation Account, Justin Morton

Politics, Philosophy, and Law Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this paper, I give a new type of theistic answer to the “Why be moral?” question. After briefly clarifying the version of the question I'm concerned with, as well as extant theistic answers to the question, I argue for a new kind of answer. Roughly, while on standard answers, future (post death) benefits directly generate present reason to be moral, on my view, they only do so indirectly. On my view, we only have present reason to be moral because we will have reason to be moral in the afterlife. I propose a principle of reason inheritance that would …

A Comparative Analysis Of Group Care: Trust, Professional Identity, And Health System Structure In The United Kingdom And The Netherlands, Samantha J. Kohlmann

Senior Theses

Group prenatal care (Group Care) has been associated with improved maternal experiences and select clinical outcomes, yet less is understood about how it functions within high-resource health systems and what mechanisms underlie its impact. This study examines how Group Care is implemented in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with particular attention to professional roles, relational dynamics, and health system context.

I employed a qualitative, comparative design and conducted four semi-structured interviews with midwife researchers involved in Group Care implementation in both countries. Data were analyzed thematically, with attention to cross-context similarities and differences.

Findings indicate that Group Care operates …

Effect Of Ginseng On Obesity And Neurogenesis, Hayden L. Withers, Claudia A. Grillo, Lawrence P. Reagan, Natalia Maciejewska, Sai V. Nallu, Jennifer L. Woodruff

Senior Theses

Obesity and major depressive disorder are two conditions with high comorbidity as well as overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, metabolic/endocrine dysfunction, and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis. Panax ginseng, a medicinal herb, is known to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties. Ginseng has demonstrated its effective antidepressant-like effects within preclinical studies, but its potential to restore neurogenesis in the context of obesity-induced depression is not clear. Within this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested in either a high fat diet (HFD) or control diet (Cont) for 12 weeks and then was treated subsequently with daily intraperitoneal injections of either ginseng or saline …

Empowering Mothers: Occupational Therapy Video Series For Postpartum Depression, Brenda J. Ramos

Student Capstone Papers

The purpose of this research is to highlight the importance of maternal mental health and the use of self-regulation techniques to improve PPD. OTs can use self-regulation techniques as an intervention to assist mothers feel regulated and get through day-to-day tasks.

Improving Student Behavior Through Physical Activity Breaks, Raymond Duve

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students struggle to remain on-task throughout long periods of time in class. This results in off-task behaviors and a lack of focus. As a result, this keeps students from maximizing their achievement. Research has shown that classroom activity breaks can help reduce off-task behaviors and improve on-task behaviors for students. This inquiry-based research study aims to find out if classroom activity breaks can improve on-task behaviors, classroom enjoyment for the students, and student behavior. The study used a quantitative approach via a student survey, a tally chart, and behavior log. The findings showed that students had fewer off-task behaviors and …

Nigella Sativa Oil-Loaded Treated Dentin Matrix Hydrogel As An Alternative Biomaterial For Direct Pulp Capping: A Systematic Review, Alfin R. Cahyadi, Ayu Annafi, Malika Q. Rahmalia, Adelisa D. Ryani, Tania Saskianti, Harly Prabowo, Nadia Kartikasari, Abil Kurdi, Agus Dahlan

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: To assess evidence on Treated Dentin Matrix Hydrogel (TDMH) and Nigella sativa oil (NSO), individually or combined, as biomaterials for direct pulp capping (DPC) and their reparative dentin promotion ability. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and Wiley (January 1, 2018–December 31, 2023) was conducted using MeSH-based terms associated with ``treated dentin matrix hydrogel,'' ``Nigella sativa oil,'' and ``direct pulp capping.'' Eligible studies included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research evaluating TDMH or NSO for DPC; studies with no outcome data were excluded. Risk-of-bias assessment was performed using ROB2 (clinical) and SYRCLE (animal). Because of …

The Influence Of Older Age On Rbc Transfusion Decisions In Icu Patients, Caroline Schaap, Jorinde Raasveld, Florian Reizine, Boillot Corentin, Jimmy Schenk, Sanne De Bruin, Merijn Reuland, Claudia Van Den Oord,, Andrew Flint, Marcus Lance

Anaesthesiology, East Africa

Objectives: RBC transfusions are common in the ICU. Recent studies suggest that a restrictive transfusion policy is noninferior or superior to a liberal policy. However, few studies focus on the influence of age in transfusion. In elderly ICU patients, reduced physiologic reserves may shift the perceived risk-benefit balance of transfusion, potentially leading to different transfusion practices. This study examines whether transfusion practices in ICU patients differ across patient age.

Design: This is a substudy of the International Point Prevalence Study of ICU Transfusion Practices (InPUT), a global, multicenter, prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: ICUs from 233 centers …

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles And Chitosan Exhibited Synergistic Protection Against Diabetic Nephropathy In Mice Model, Abdulkader M Shaikh Omar, Zainab M Al Aamri, Salim M El Hamidy, Muhamed A. El Nobey

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by oxidative stress, impaired glucose metabolism, and renal dysfunction. This study explored the protective effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), chitosan, and their synergism on renal function disorders, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model. Mice treated with STZ exhibited marked hyperglycemia (284.08 ± 0.76 mg/dL), elevated HbA1c (17.35 ± 0.13%), and reduced insulin levels (3.09 ± 1.00 μI/mL), along with increased levels of renal biomarkers: urea (46.01 ± 0.28 mg/dL), uric acid (8.09 ± 0.19 mg/dL), and creatinine (1.79 ± 0.06 mg/dL). …

Multistage Community Intervention In Lung Cancer Screening Awareness And Uptake In Washington D.C., Shelly Dimri, Santoshi Puvvadi, Shweta Raman, Sam Schwartz, Rhea Sharma, Olivia Turcio

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Online Snap, Wic, And Nutrition Incentives In The United States: A Scoping Review Of Program Implementation And Evaluation Evidence, Richie Holmberg, Kin Anjani, Gabby Headrick

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Herblens: A Multilingual Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Rag) Framework Integrating Cross-Cultural Herbal And Nutritional Knowledge Bases, Lilly Shaw, Benjamin Wilson, Hana Mossaddad, Daniel Tehrani, Dezhao Fu, Ali Rahnavard

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Dietary And Behavioral Risk Factors For Diabetes In Asian American Populations, Rob Van Dam, Cecily Phua, Andrew Han, Mariam Chaudry, Rachel Cook

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Examining The Association Between History Of Cancer Diagnosis And Food Insecurity Among U.S. Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The 2024 Nhis, Jacqueline Faerstain, Megan O'Brien

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Ot In Maternal Health, Leslie M. Baker

OTD Capstone Projects

Many organizations that serve the care of pregnant and postpartum women have identified unmet client need specific to the health and well-being of new mothers, which occupational therapy (OT) has the potential to address, through health promotion and well-being initiatives that focus on the prevention of barriers to participation, specific to the co-occupation of motherhood.  While in an emerging practice area, the inclusion of Occupational Therapy (OT) is well positioned to address the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of new mothers. Through the creation of educational programming, this doctoral capstone project supported from an occupational therapy perspective, the development of …

Pfas And Western Diet Effects On Adolescent Rat Feeding And Metabolism, Whesli Kim

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of widespread persistent organic pollutants associated with metabolic and neural dysfunction in humans. These processes are also affected by Western diet high sugar high fat contents. However, interacting effects of PFAS exposure and Western diet on metabolic regulation and feeding behavior have not been tested. Exposure to PFAS is high during sensitive gestational and neonatal periods of development. Adolescence is a key period where nutritional demands shift, eating habits are established, and gonadal hormones change. This study tests the hypothesis that early life exposure to PFOS alters adolescent metabolic function and feeding …

2026 Awardees, Office Of Sponsored Projects, Academic Research And Compliance (Sparc)

Showcase Awards

Every year, St. Mary's honors their students and faculty at the showcase with awards to recognize their hard work and leadership in research on campus. These are the award winners for 2026.

Obesity In The Rio Grande Valley: Applying An Evidence-Based Public Health Approach, Erika Pineda-Horta

Posters - 2026

What structural and social determinants drive elevated adult obesity rates in the Rio Grande Valley, and what evidence-based interventions can reduce adult obesity prevalence in Hidalgo County by 5% by 2030?

Objective: This study applies an EBPH framework to (1) characterize the burden and structural determinants of adult obesity in the RGV, and (2) propose a culturally responsive, evidence-based intervention targeting adults aged 18+ in Hidalgo County.

Adult obesity is clinically defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² in adults aged 18 and older (CDC, 2022). It is a chronic, multifactorial non-communicable disease shaped by structural, social, and …

Pet Foodies: Trait Extension From People To Pets, Richard Flight, Cole Cline

AMTP Proceedings 2026

We propose and empirically examine a Pet Foodie trait—a measurable extension of human foodie identity into pet food consumption. Pet Foodies are theorized to show elevated enjoyment/interest, resource investment, and knowledge regarding pet nutrition and food features. Recognizing the accelerating humanization of pets, we examine whether Pet Foodies can be reliably assessed, how they relate to animal bonding and human foodie identity, and whether they respond differently to pet-food advertising.

Consumer Adoption Of Cultivated Meat: A Multi-Value Perspective Using Empirical And Synthetic Data, Wei Fu

AMTP Proceedings 2026

The global demand for meat is projected to rise by more than 70% by 2050, creating pressure on natural resources and worsening environmental challenges. Cultivated meat, produced by growing animal cells in controlled environments, offers a sustainable alternative to conventional livestock farming; however, consumers acceptance remains uncertain. This study applies the Theory of Consumption Values (Sheth, Newman, & Gross, 1991) to examine how multidimensional consumption values influence consumer’s sustainable evaluation of cultivated meat. Using both empirical survey data from U.S. consumers and a synthetic dataset generated with the same instrument, the results show that functional value (food quality), social value …

Human Advisors Or Ai Algorithms? How Loneliness And Age Impact Trust In Consumer Evaluations Of Services, Kevin Newman, Ainslie Schultz

AMTP Proceedings 2026

This research investigates how loneliness and age shape trust and consumer evaluations of services that provide personalized advice through human versus Artificial Intelligence (AI) recommenders. Across three experimental studies, our findings show that loneliness increased trust and consumer evaluations for services using human- (vs. AI-) based) recommenders among younger adults, but this pattern reversed among older, more lonely adults. Among these individuals, loneliness led to more positive consumer evaluations of a service using an AI-based (vs. human) recommender. Guided by the Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018), these findings suggest that younger lonely consumers exhibit approach motives …

Morocco’S Liquid Gold: The Actual And Potential Role Of International Ip Law In The Protection Of The Traditional Knowledge Of Argan Oil, Christen Smith

Student Scholarship

This paper examines the actual and potential role of international intellectual property law in the protection of the traditional knowledge associated with argan oil, a product linked to the cultural heritage of the indigenous people in Morocco and increasingly commercialized globally. The paper starts with a background on the argan forest and the cultural significance of the argan tree. Then, the traditional production method used to extract argan oil is discussed. The paper also covers the rise of women’s cooperatives and how the argan oil industry has economically transformed in recent decades. The next section identifies problems in protecting traditional …

Oral Multienzyme Supplementation Alters Postprandial Plasma Nutrient Concentrations After A Mixed Meal In Healthy Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial, Max T. Deutz, Andrew T. Askow, Sean M. Garvey, David A. Alvarado, Takeshi M. Barnes, Zan Zupancic, Alexander V. Ulanov, Jared W. Willard, Hannah D. Holscher, Brett R. Loman, Nicholas A. Burd

Kinesiology & Sport Management Scholarship

Background: Age-related decline in digestive function increases malnutrition risk. Supplementing meals with digestive enzymes may improve macronutrient digestion and bioavailability in adults reaching older ages.

Objectives: To assess postprandial plasma nutrient concentrations after co-ingestion of a mixed meal and a mixture of 6 enzyme preparations (ENZ), including proteases, lipase, amylase, and glucoamylase.

Methods: Thirty middle-aged and older adults (56 ± 11 y; 18 females, 12 males) ingested chicken, peas, potatoes, and butter (435 kcal; 34 g protein, 51 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat) with either ENZ or placebo (PLA) in a randomized crossover fashion. Blood samples were collected …

Disparities Between Chronological And Biological Age: A Biocultural Analysis Of Aging In Contemporary Populations, Nicollette S. Appel

Anthropology ETDs

This dissertation investigates how structural and cultural factors collectively influence the aging process and how these effects manifest in both hard and soft tissues. Chapter 2 used an AI-based CT body composition tool and a CT-based biological age model to examine the relationship between age discrepancy and demographic variables such as sex, race/ethnicity, and manner of death. Results demonstrate significant differences in age discrepancy, with females, Native Americans, and individuals who died of natural causes exhibiting greater discrepancies. Chapters 3 and 4 further evaluate whether anthropological approaches to skeletal aging can be improved by adopting a biocultural perspective. These chapters …

Regulation Of Caffeine, Rileigh Gaddini

Gateway Reader- Individual Papers

• The Problem: Public overconsumption of normalized addictive substances like caffeine and sugar results in significant health risks, dependency, and potential cardiac fatalities.

• The Method: An analysis of regulatory policies, product labels, consumer consumption habits, physiological mechanisms, and documented health event case studies.

• Quantitative Finding: The average American daily intake of caffeine is 193 mg, with more than 87% of U.S. adults reporting regular use; the FDA recommended limit for caffeine is 400 mg per day; a 16-ounce Starbucks coffee contains at least 190 mg of caffeine; 70–85% dark chocolate contains 22.7 mg of caffeine per ounce, while …

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Analyzing Pressure Injury Trends Among Hospitalized Older Adults From Tarrant County, Oluwafunto M. Olorundare

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Pressure injuries occur when skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to unrelieved pressure that reduces blood circulation to the affected area. Hospitalized older adults are vulnerable to pressure injuries due to factors such as limited mobility, physiological changes associated with aging, chronic conditions, and longer hospital stays. Despite multiple studies on the prevalence and incidence of pressure injuries at the national and global levels, there is limited research that analyzes trends among hospitalized older adults at the county level, specifically Tarrant County. This research aims to examine pressure injury trends among hospitalized older adults residing in Tarrant County. Using …