Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Parallel Programmes: A Roadmap For Operational Integration Of Family Planning And Nutrition In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Marleen Temmerman, Samuel Ojong

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Eating Disorder Prevention And Early Intervention In U.S. Higher Education – A Comparative Benchmarking Study, Jake R. Arcement

Senior Theses

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa, have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, yet remain underrecognized relative to their severity and treatment burden. Because the period of peak onset aligns with the college years, institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to play an important role in prevention, early identification, and referral to specialized care. However, limited research has examined how colleges and universities structure ED prevention and treatment resources. This thesis applies a comparative benchmarking framework to assess current institutional practices across U.S. colleges and universities. A national survey of student health and counseling centers examined staffing, …

A Review Of Yellow Fever: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, Treatment, Prevention, And Prognosis, Farah Ebrahim, Samina Somji, Reena Shah, Salim Surani

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. Despite the availability of an effective live-attenuated vaccine, the disease remains endemic in regions of Africa and South America. Transmission occurs primarily via an infected mosquito called Aedes aegypti, with distinct urban, sylvatic, and intermediate transmission cycles. Clinically, infection ranges from mild febrile illness to severe disease, which is characterized by jaundice, hemorrhage, and multiorgan failure. Pathogenesis involves viral replication in hepatocytes, immune-mediated injury, and dysregulated inflammatory responses, leading to characteristic hepatic mid-zone necrosis. Diagnosis relies on molecular detection …

Evaluation Of Tick-Derived Peptides For Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidates, Madelyn Futral

Honors Theses

The lack of effective preventive measures for tick-borne diseases represents a major public health challenge. Transmission-blocking vaccines targeting tick molecules essential for feeding or reproduction could provide a sustainable and broad-spectrum solution. In this study, we evaluated two tick-derived proteins as potential vaccine antigens, subolesin, a key regulator of blood-feeding and cellular processes, and vitellogenin, a protein involved in egg development. Using bioinformatic tools, we identified immunogenic peptide sequences from each protein and chemically conjugated them to virus-like particles (VLPs) to enhance antigen presentation. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intradermally with VLP-peptide conjugates, followed by a booster dose. Blood and spleen …

Yield And Agronomic Response Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) To Municipal Organic Waste-Derived Biochar Amended With Vermiculite Or Gypsum And Npk Fertilization, Umar Kyari Wulgo, Samir Gamil Al-Solaimani, Khurram Shahzad, Mohamed Hassan Abd El-Wahed, Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid

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

This study investigated the influence of biochar, produced from municipal organic waste, amended with either vermiculite or gypsum, and varying rates of NPK fertilizer on the agronomic response and yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.). A field experiment using a split-plot design was conducted across two growing seasons (2023 and 2024), with NPK fertilizer rates (150, 300, and 600 kg/ha) as the main plots and eight different biochar formulations as the subplots. The key agronomic parameters measured were fresh biomass, cob dry weight, shelling percentage, and harvest index. The findings revealed that vermiculite biochar and gypsum biochar …

Effects Of Kiwifruit Extract On Apoptosis And Cytokine Production In Inflamed Thp-1-Derived Macrophages, Adrian Cruz, Isbella Brigman

Posters - 2026

White blood cells are essential components of the immune system involved in helping defend the body against infections. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in stimulating and regulating the inflammatory response. Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to infection, injury, or harmful stimuli. Scientific research commonly studies inflammation by exposing immune cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Macrophages stimulated with LPS undergo changes in cell processes such as apoptosis which is programmed cell death. Apoptosis is crucial for the immune system that helps eliminate infected or damaged cells to prevent the spread …

Slurry-As-A-Service: A Modest Proposal On Scalable Pluralistic Alignment For Nutrient Optimization, Rachel Hong, Yael Eiger, Jevan Hutson, Os Keyes, William Agnew

Articles

Pluralistic alignment has emerged as a promising approach for ensuring that large language models (LLMs) faithfully represent the diversity, nuance, and conflict inherent in human values. In this work, we study a high-stakes deployment context—mulching—where automated systems transform selected individuals into nutrientrich slurry for the dual purposes of food security and aesthetic population management. Building on recent pluralistic alignment frameworks, we introduce ValueMulch™, a reproducible training, deployment, and certification pipeline for aligning mulching models (MMs) to a wide range of community norms. Through a real-world testbed spanning 32 communities, we show that ValueMulch™ improves distributional agreement with community mulching preferences …

Hyperglycemia And Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin Impacts On Lung Epithelial And Fibroblast Injury And Recovery, Alejandra Y. Delgado, Naila Villagomez, Shuri Magdalene

Posters - 2026

Mycoplasma pneumoniae CARDS toxin induces cytotoxicity and inflammation in lung epithelial cells²·¹⁰·¹¹, while hyperglycemia independently elevates ROS and disrupts fibroblast repair¹·⁵·⁸, contributing to the heightened respiratory infection severity seen in diabetic patients¹. However, the interaction between hyperglycemic conditions and CARDS toxin-induced lung injury remains unexplored.

This study investigates how increasing high-glucose (HG) pre-conditioning modifies CARDS toxin-induced injury and recovery in A549⁶ and IMR-90⁷ cells compared to normal glucose (NG ≈ 5mM) controls. We hypothesized that increasing glucose pre-conditioning concentrations would produce a dose-dependent increase in CARDS toxin-induced oxidative stress¹² and inflammatory cytokine production¹⁵ in IMR-90 and A549 compared with normal …

Financial Fraud In Mississippi Public Agencies: Case Studies Of Control Failures And Implications On Civic Engagement, Gracie Sullivan

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the relationship between financial fraud in Mississippi public institutions and its potential impact on civic engagement. While the existing literature explores the mechanics of fraud through frameworks such as the Fraud Triangle and the role of internal controls in preventing misconduct, limited research examines how government corruption influences civic disengagement, particularly in Mississippi. Using a quantitative, comparative research design, this study examines the relationship between major public financial fraud cases and voter turnout in case-linked and comparison counties. These cases include the Mississippi TANF welfare fraud, the Department of Corrections bribery case, and the misuse of funds …

Enhancing Feeding Skills: Development And Implementation Of A Pediatric Feeding Group Program In An Outpatient Setting, Alexia Spyrka

Capstone Projects

Children with autism spectrum disorder are five times more likely to present with feeding difficulties when compared to the general pediatric population (Baraskewich,et.al., 2021). Pediatric feeding difficulties can include picky eating, restrictive diets, limited independence with feeding skills, and limited food repertoire. Not only can this effect the child’s nutrition and growth but can affect family members as they are additionally focusing on their child's socialization, communication, and regulation. When addressing feeding difficulties, occupational therapy services are provided 1:1 with clients while educating and supporting family members to improve carry over into the home. However, there is a gap in …

Beyond Baby: How Occupational Therapy Supports Families In The Prenatal And Postpartum Period, Taylor Maysonet

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project focuses on the role of occupational therapy in maternal and infant health, supporting families during the prenatal and postnatal period. While occupational therapy has a strong foundation in promoting health, independence, participation and roles and routines, there remains a gap in community awareness of available support for families during this life transition. Many caregivers report feeling underprepared, overwhelmed, and disconnected from resources that could support their physical, emotional, and occupational wellbeing.

The objective of this project was to identify gaps within the interdisciplinary team during the prenatal and postpartum period. From there, I was able to …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food, And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 National heritage, statewide research, local impact
[Page] 7 About the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations
[Page] 14 Managing the mooo-ment: How SDSU researchers are looking to improve cow health during the Transition Period
[Page] 18 Discovering strength in science: How education through undergraduate research prepares students for the future
[Page] 20 From India to Brookings: One grad student’s path to make a world of difference in virology
[Page] 22 Solving a billion-dollar problem: Identifying disease-resistent wheat genes
[Page] 24 Unlocking manure’s potential: SDSU leads multistate study on the power of swine manure in growing better crops
[Page] 28 …

Draft 2025 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report, Abby Peltomaa

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Caries Risk Assessment As The Strongest Predictor Of Oral Health–Related Quality Of Life: A Cross-Sectional Multivariate Study Of Adolescent Students, Fadil Abdillah Arifin, Mila Febriany, Husnah Husein, Eva Novawaty

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescent students, with a particular focus on identifying the strongest predictor using a multivariate analytical approach.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 249 adolescent students in Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 54 Makassar, Indonesia, was conducted. Clinical examinations were performed to assess dental caries experience using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth index (DMF-T), oral hygiene status using the Oral Hygiene Index–Simplified (OHI-S), Body Mass Index (BMI), sex, and caries risk level using the Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) tool, categorized into low, medium, …

Oral Health–Related Quality Of Life Following Complete Denture Rehabilitation In Diabetic Edentulous Patients: A 6-Month Prospective Study, Eri Hendra Jubhari, Edy Machmud, Mohammad Dharma Utama, Bahruddin Thalib, Stang Stang, Rifaat Nurrahma, Indah Tresnawati

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: Edentulism and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with impaired oral function and diminished quality of life. Complete denture rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in the restoration of mastication, comfort, and self-confidence. This study aimed to examine changes in oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) after complete denture insertion in diabetic edentulous patients using the OHIP-14 and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaires.

Materials and Methods: This prospective, longitudinal observational study included 25 completely edentulous diabetic patients. Their OHRQoL was evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, and 6 months postdenture insertion using validated questionnaires, namely, OHIP-14 and GOHAI. …

Effects Of Ethanol On Opg Expression, Osteoclasts, And Osteoblasts During Orthodontic Tooth Movement In Wistar Rats: An Experimental Study, Nadia Setiawati Widjaja, Ardiansyah S. Pawinru, Nasyrah Hidayati, Eddy Heriyanto Habar, Eka Erwansyah, Baharuddin M. Ranggang, Ita Purnama Alwi

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This research sought to assess how ethanol influences the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts during alveolar bone remodeling associated with orthodontic tooth movement.

Materials and Methods: A laboratory-based experimental study was conducted using 30 male Wistar rats. Palatal movement of the maxillary incisors was induced using a nickel–titanium (NiTi) closed coil spring applied to the maxillary arch. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (CG) receiving orthodontic force only, and an experimental group (EG) receiving both orthodontic force and ethanol administration. Observations were conducted on days 0, 3, and 14. …

Advancing Dental Research: From Biomaterials And Precision Dentistry To Population-Based Oral Health And Service Delivery, Acing H. Mude, H. Hasanuddin, Nisrina E. Nasrun, Muhammad Ikbal

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This editorial review aims to synthesize the thematic contributions of 14 manuscripts published in Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science Volume 11 Issue 1, and to identify emerging scientific trends across contemporary dental research.

Methods: A descriptive thematic review was conducted by systematically analyzing the titles, abstracts, study objectives, methodologies, and key findings of all included manuscripts. Articles were grouped through qualitative synthesis into major thematic categories to capture the shared scientific directions and methodological patterns.

Results: The analysis identified six major thematic clusters: (1) biomaterials and oral tissue regeneration, (2) oral hygiene, saliva, microbiology, and vulnerable populations, (3) oral pathology …

The George-Anne Inkwell Edition, Georgia Southern University

The Inkwell

No abstract provided.

Burden Of Cardiovascular Disease In Pakistan – Insight From Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Ali Bin Jabbar, Taha Mansoor, Sana Sheikh, Tazeen Jafar, Sawera Hanif, Christian Razo, Mahboob Alam, Jamal Rana, Khurram Nasir, Salim Virani

Population Health, East Africa

Background Pakistan, currently the fifth-largest country by population globally, has experienced a population increase of over 100% since 1990. It is facing an escalating challenge from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study provides an in-depth evaluation of Pakistan's health situation since 1990, offering essential insights into the nation's overall health conditions.

Methods The data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, which provides records for global, regional, and national burden of diseases. Specifically, data regarding CVD and its subtypes, morbidity, and mortality in Pakistan and globally from 1990 to 2019 were used …

A Topic Modeling Analysis Of Stigma Dimensions, Social, And Related Behavioral Circumstances In Clinical Notes Among Patients With Hiv, Ziyi Chen, Yiyang Liu, Mattia Prosperi, Krishna Vaddiparti, Robert L Cook, Jiang Bian, Yi Guo, Yonghui Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To characterize stigma dimensions, social, and related behavioral circumstances in people living with HIV (PLWHs) seeking care, using natural language processing methods applied to a large collection of electronic health record (EHR) clinical notes from a large integrated health system in the southeast United States.

Methods: We identified a cohort of PLWHs from the University of Florida (UF) Health Integrated Data Repository and performed topic modeling analysis using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to uncover stigma-related dimensions and related social and behavioral contexts. Domain experts created a seed list of HIV-related stigma keywords, then applied a snowball strategy to iteratively …

Eating For Healthy Eyes: The Role Of Nutrition In Ocular Health, Brianna Stroh

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The central research question of this thesis asks: How does nutrition influence ocular health overall and the impact of nutrition on the development or progression of common eye diseases? Building upon existing research in optometry/ophthalmology, nutrition science, and public health, this project examines the physiological mechanisms linking diet to eye health and evaluates how specific nutrients and dietary patterns contribute to disease prevention and visual function. This thesis employs a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the relationship between nutrition and ocular disease. Key areas of focus include the role of oxidative stress in eye disease development, the protective …

Initial Site Of Metastasis Influences Prognosis In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Eleanor Mancheski, David Baek, Wilbur Bowne, Harish Lavu, Charles Yeo, Avinoam Nevler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy. Prior studies suggest that the initial site of metastasis may impact prognosis. This study investigates whether overall survival in mPDAC patients differs between patients first presenting with lung metastases versus those presenting with liver metastases.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis utilized the multi-institutional TriNetX database, identifying patients with histologically diagnosed PDAC who initially presented with either liver or lung metastases. Demographic, histologic, and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Patients were matched 1:1 using a nearest neighbor propensity score (PS) algorithm, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed. Cox regression was …

Nh Guide To 4-H Dog Shows, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

April 2026, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

• Stress Awareness Month
• Stress Management Tips for Bulldogs
• Bulldog Resources

Review Of Reinventing Food Banks And Pantries: New Tools To End Hunger, 2021, By Katie S. Martin, Washington, Dc: Island Press. Paper, 253 Pages., Thomas Hansen

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Review of book which makes recommendations on setting up and conducting successful food pantries and food banks to help persons suffering from food insecurity issues.

Weight Loss And Chronic Rhinosinusitis In The Obese Population: Associations With Disease Risk And Burden, Zain Mehdi, Akshay R Prabhakar, Jagan M R Dwarampudi, Justina R Varghese, Heli Majeethia, Faizaan Khan, Roshan Dongre, Franklin M Wu, Aatin Dhanda, Sebastian Guadarrama-Sistos-Vazquez, Tania Banerjee, Renjie Hu, Amber U Luong, Dennis M Tang, Edward D Mccoul, Mohammad Chaaban, Masayoshi Takashima, Omar G Ahmed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Obesity is associated with increased risk and severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), yet the impact of weight loss (WL) on CRS development and burden is not well defined. This study investigates whether weight reduction influences the likelihood of developing CRS and improves clinical outcomes among obese adults.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study using the NIH All of Us database. Obese adults (BMI ≥ 30) with complete demographics and follow-up were included. To assess CRS onset, patients were stratified into sequential WL cohorts and followed for 1 year. To assess CRS outcomes, patients who lost ≥ 5 BMI points were categorized …

Growth Failure And Early Recurrence In Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: An International Cohort Study, Rachel C Bordelon, Kylie I Holden, Charles C Miller, Ashley H Ebanks, Kevin P Lally, Matthew T Harting, Allison L Speer, Representing The Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The primary objective was to determine whether growth failure (GF) is associated with early recurrence in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The secondary objective was to characterize the prevalence and severity of GF in CDH survivors.

Background: GF is common among CDH survivors, yet it is unclear how growth challenges affect overall morbidity, including hernia recurrence. CDH-specific nutritional guidelines include high calorie and protein targets during periods of acute illness but may benefit from clarifying the relationship between growth and adverse outcomes in this population.

Methods: This multicenter cohort study retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from the CDH Study Group …

A Flexible Wearable Glucose Sensor For Noninvasive Diabetes Screening: Functional Equivalence And Model Interpretability, Wenhan Xie, Wang, Hao Liu, Shuo Chen, Peng Wang, Yumei Han, Xianxiang Chen, Zhen Fang, Zhan Zhao, Guohong Zhang, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Real-world evidence for wearable noninvasive glucose monitoring (NIGM) remains limited. To evaluate the functional equivalence of a wearable NIGM device and explore its utility for T2DM and prediabetes screening. In this multicenter study, 12-h daytime glucose profiles obtained by a flexible reverse iontophoresis-based electrochemical sensor were compared with capillary glucose using functional equivalence. Subgroup analyses were conducted. Screening models of T2DM and prediabetes were developed using elastic net and Logistic regression. A total of 135 participants (mean age 35.3 years; 60.0% female) were included, and no serious device-related adverse events were reported. Compared to the capillary measurements, functional equivalence was …

Facilitating Food Security Systems Change In Regional Australia Through A Strengths-Based, Co-Design Process, Isabelle Chiera, Doe, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine, Stephanie L. Godrich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Food security is a multifaceted, ‘wicked’ issue that refers to the sufficient physical, social, and economic access to food at all times. Given its complexity, food security action requires a systems-based, collaborative, and adaptive approach. This paper outlines the application of a strengths-based, co-design process to support food security systems change among government and community-led initiatives operating in rural, regional, and remote areas of Western Australia. Baseline, semistructured interviews were conducted with leaders of food initiatives to understand whether and how the initiatives were contributing to food security systems change and identify the ‘windows of opportunity’ where initiatives could be …

Length And Framing Of Anti-Junk Food Ads Impact Inclinations To Consume Junk Food Among Normal Weight, Overweight, And Adults With Obesity, Ross C. Hollett, Brennen Mills, Stephanie L. Godrich, Julia Butt, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Unrestricted junk food advertising increases the risk of short-term junk food consumption among viewers. We aimed to estimate the impact of junk food and anti-junk food advertisements differing in length and framing on junk food consumption inclinations. Methods: Adult participants (N = 505) were exposed to a randomly selected junk food advertisement or anti-junk food advertisement and reported their immediate craving and consumption intentions. These responses were separately analysed for two groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI): participants classified as within the normal range (18.5–25), and a combined group with BMI values indicating either overweight (25+) or obesity …