Digital Commons Network^™

Barriers To Recommendation Of Integrative Oncology Modalities In Supportive Care: A Mascc/Sio Survey, Alexandre Chan, Dalia Kagramanov, Reem Nasr, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana M. Lopez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Integrative oncology (IO) modalities aim to improve the quality of life of persons with cancer, including strategies to manage treatment and disease-related symptoms. As evidence increases to include IO in supportive care, interest grows globally. Understanding barriers to IO recommendation is key to facilitating its uptake.

METHODS: Members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) were invited to complete an online survey in Fall 2023 assessing barriers to IO recommendation on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics assessed demographic data and general counts of scaled agreement, while logistic regression analysis …

Reframing The Conversation: Evidence-Based Communication Strategies To Address Parental Vaccine Hesitancy, Azucena Hernandez

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of the literature review is to identify factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy and evaluate evidence-based communication techniques. Effective communication techniques can be implemented in clinical practice to address hesitancy and improve parental attitudes toward vaccination.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies examining parental vaccine hesitancy and provider communication strategies. Search terms included vaccine hesitancy, parental attitudes, childhood immunization, communication strategies, motivational interviewing, and vaccination uptake. Peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2012 and 2025 were reviewed. Seven studies were selected based on relevance, methodological quality, and applicability …

A Review Of Bast Fibres And Their Composites: Part 5 ~ Sustainability, Luke Branca, Badr Moutik, John Summerscales

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for the evaluation of the (relative) potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle. It is standardised under the ISO14040 and ISO14044 series. When conducted rigorously, LCA provides a quantitative framework for comparing environmental impact and can challenge or substantiate common assumptions regarding environmental performance of the system. However, it is essential that any reported results are read in combination with the defined goal and scope, as the choice of the system boundary and/or the allocation of burdens and other methodological choices can influence the outcome presented. This review will …

Leveraging The Patient Experience: Satisfaction With Hospital Food Services, Daniel Hansen Harwin, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Patients want and expect better health care services than they did in the past. Within hospitals, consumption of proper nutrition is vital. Patients and nutrition share a unique relationship that is essential for health, this connection is complex including important variables such as food quality. This study examined how patients’ satisfaction with food differed by clinical units. Initially, a MANOVA was conducted. For significant findings ANOVA contrasts were conducted on each dependent variable. The independent variables are the individual clinical units to which the patients were admitted. The dependent variables were the patients' responses to survey questions including: 1) There …

The Impact Of Ramadan Fasting On Chronic Disease Management, Abdulwahab Eddib, Aakez Adrak Marjan, Faris Jabbar, Nuzat Indawala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Every year, 2.06 billion Muslims perform Ramadan fasting, a religious practice involving abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset for 30 days. This religious practice changes diet, hydration, sleep, and medication timing, raising clinical concerns for the safety of individuals with chronic diseases who choose to fast. Research reports mixed effects on disease control and treatment safety, emphasizing the need for an overarching analysis of its impact on chronic disease management. This literature review is aimed to examine research on Ramadan and intermittent fasting on chronic disease management and to analyze its effects on disease control, clinical outcomes, …

Ai-Enabled Food As Medicine In Hospitality: Children’S Wellness Menus, Guest Perceptions, And Service Design, Isabella Fonte

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Dietary management plays a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of chronic health conditions, yet accessible, credible resources remain underutilized. This project focuses on collecting and standardizing online recipes designed to support individuals managing ailments through nutrition, emphasizing that these recipes provide foundational dietary guidance rather than curative solutions. For instance, recipes targeting heart disease consistently prioritize whole grains, low-fat proteins, and vegetables, offering structured starting points for those navigating dietary changes. Our methodology involves identifying credible sources that meet specific criteria: nutrition information, dietary tags, serving sizes, preparation and cooking times, and detailed instructions to name a few. Selected recipes …

The Mediterranean Diet And Lipid Profiles In Hyperlipidemia, Aarav Shah, Kartheek Malireddy, Advith Katta, Ishani Sunkara, Alyssa Resendez, Serena Bhaskar

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) reduces risk of hyperlipidemia by reducing LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) levels, which cause plaque buildup. However, the comparison of the MedDiet with other diets for improving lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates how MedDiet compares to diets such as the Vegan, Keto, and DASH diets on adults with hyperlipidemia concerning our primary outcome LDL-C levels and our secondary outcome HDL levels. A meta-analysis on 47 studies, 169 screened, from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect focused on comparing effects of DASH, vegan, low-fat, Western, and Keto diets against MedDiet. …

Development And Characterization Of Mycelium-Based Biocomposites From Ganoderma Lucidum Using Spent Yerba Mate And Residual Sunflower Oil For Sustainable Insulation In Construction, Paula V. Alfieri, Guadalupe Canosa

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mineral wool. Mycelium-based biocomposites offer a promising solution by valorizing agricultural waste while delivering competitive thermal and acoustic performance. In this study, developed and characterized biocomposites using Ganoderma lucidum mycelium combined with spent yerba mate and residual sunflower oil (70 g/30 mL), both commonly generated as waste in Argentine institutions. Two formulations were evaluated: high density (HD: 280 ± 5 kg/m³) and low density (LD: 185 ± 5 kg/m³). Samples were cultivated for 90 days at 28 °C and 65% relative humidity and …

Information Exposure, Communication Channels, And Ssgi 2024 Data Utilization In Health Bureaucracy, Fachrudin Ali Ahmad, Tetrian Widyanto, Leny Wulandari, Ully Adhie Mulyani, Evi Suryani, Grace Lovita Tewu, Herianti Herianti

Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the influence of information exposure frequency and communication channel choice on the utilization of SSGI 2024 data. This study used mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative. Data were collected through a survey of 153 respondents, predominantly government officials, and in-depth interviews with 7 key informants. Analysis was conducted using the Chi-Square test and source triangulation. The frequency of information exposure was shown to have a significant effect on data utilization (p=0.001), where high exposure increased the likelihood of data utilization by 1.7 times. In contrast, the type of communication channel (formal vs. informal) did not have …

Cytotoxicity Of Bioactive Peptides From Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) Against Breast Cancer Cells (Mcf-7), Dian R. Ningsih, Zusfahair Zusfahair, Ely Setiawan, Purwati Purwati, Kasta Gurning, Fitri A. Puspita Sari, Elya Widiawati

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Cancer is characterized by dysregulated metabolic signaling pathways, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Current cancer treatments, which involve surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, still cause adverse systemic toxicities. Accordingly, one possible effort that can be undertaken is to explore safe anticancer substances from protein sources such as peptides. Bioactive peptides can be isolated by hydrolyzing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) protein with trypsin. The objectives of this study were to isolate and fractionate bioactive peptides from cowpea, to determine the anticancer activity of peptide fractions, to identify active peptide fractions as anticancer agents using Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry …

Murder Of A Creative: Mfa Thesis, Himani Sanjeevkumar Mehta

Masters Theses

In the creative industry, the phrase “fast-paced environment” is often treated as an essential ingredient for productivity and success. The contemporary design landscape operates within an output-driven system that prioritizes speed, visibility, and measurable worth, contributing to the growing commercialization of creativity. Within this framework, the creative process is often diminished or overlooked where it no longer serves efficiency, reducing creativity to a consumable outcome rather than a reflective and sustaining practice. As a result, creative professionals and students increasingly experience creative anxiety, burnout, and paralysis, alongside imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and self-doubt. These conditions are rarely examined as systemic outcomes …

Gestational Exposure To Bisphenols And Perceived Stress Predict Dna Methylation Changes In Mothers And Newborn Infants, Samantha C. Lauby, Ariel Bellatin, Mariah L. Deserisy, Julianne C. Botelho, Antonia M. Calafat, Beatrice Beebe, Julie B. Herbstman, Amy E. Margolis, Frances A. Champagne

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

Bisphenols, including bisphenol A (BPA) and “BPA-free” substitute chemicals (e.g., bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF)), are often used in the manufacture of water bottles, food storage containers, lining of tin cans, and thermal paper. Gestational exposure to bisphenols has been associated with poor neurodevelopmental and mental health outcomes in children that are often sex specific. Moreover, there is often a co-occurrence of chemical exposures and chronic stress, such that individuals living in the context of economic disadvantage and associated chronic stress often bear the burden of elevated chemical exposures. Changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) in response to environmental exposures …

Recognizing Ibd In Kids: What Every Pediatrician Should Know, Mike Smith, Julie A. Bass

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

This episode walks through how to identify inflammatory bowel disease in children, the key red flags that matter, and practical steps primary care providers can take before referral. It’s essential because earlier recognition of pediatric IBD can prevent growth problems, nutritional deficiencies, and serious complications. Guest: Julie Bass, DO, Medical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at Children’s Mercy and Professor of Pediatrics, offers clinical tips from years in pediatric gastroenterology. You’ll hear about stool testing like fecal calprotectin, basic blood work including CBC and CRP, growth monitoring, and when to consider colonoscopy or urgent referral for suspected Crohn’s …

Psoriasis And Its Interplay With Liver Diseases: Evidence, Mechanisms, And Clinical Implications, Rajaa Jaber Abdel Rasul, Noor Abdulhussain Naama, Sabaa Abd Jaber, Noor Faraj Kadhem

Muthanna Medical Journal

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of immune-related origin. It is no longer classified solely as a localized skin disorder but is now recognized as a systemic disease associated with numerous complications and co-morbidities. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong link between psoriasis and several liver diseases, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and cirrhosis. This association is attributed to shared pathogenic mechanisms among these diseases, including metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, as well as the pivotal role of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17 (IL-17). Recent studies …

Disruption Of Serum Selenium And Chromium Homeostasis In Insulin Resistance, Farah J. Hasan Alhnon, Ban Adnan Hatem Al-Abadi

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a significant metabolic abnormality that occurs prior to the onset of T2DM and is related to oxidative stress and micronutrient imbalance. Selenium (Se) and chromium (Cr) are trace elements that have important functions in the body, including as antioxidants and in regulating insulin action; however, the relationships between these trace elements and IR remain poorly understood.

Objective: To quantify serum selenium (Se) and chromium (Cr) concentrations in subjects with IR compared to healthy control subjects, and to assess the potential utility of these trace elements as diagnostic biomarkers in IR vs. established metabolic markers.

Methods: …

Loss Of Atp-Dependent Citrate Lyase Drives Left Ventricular Dysfunction By Metabolic Remodeling, Shijie Liu, Seth T Gammon, Lin Tan, Yaqi Gao, Kyoungmin Kim, Mahmoud H Elbatreek, Adrian Arrieta, Ian K Williamson, Rebecca L Salazar, Janet Pham, Angela Davidian, Radhika Khanna Neicheril, Benjamin D Gould, Heidi Vitrac, Alia Sadiq, An Q Dinh, Evan C Lien, Francisca N De Luna Vitorino, Joanna M Gongora, Sara A Martinez, Melanie T Odenkirk, Anna K Boatman, Jessie R Chappel, Lawrence S C Czer, Evan P Kransdorf, David J Lefer, Blake M Hanson, Benjamin A Garcia, Erin M Baker, Matthew G Vander Heiden, Philip L Lorenzi, Heinrich Taegtmeyer, David Piwnica-Worms, James F Martin, Anja Karlstaedt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Metabolic adaptation and maladaptation are hallmarks of the failing heart and may be a target for therapeutic interventions. For example, sustained glucose oxidation during cardiac stress is associated with increased activity and abundance of ACL (ATP-dependent citrate lyase, Acly), which produces acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) from citrate and CoA and supports de novo lipid synthesis. However, our understanding of how ACL supports cardiac metabolic adaptation and its potential to modulate disease pathophysiology has not yet been investigated.

Methods: We used human heart tissue samples from healthy donors and patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Next, we used CRISPR (clustered, regularly interspaced …

Health Literacy And Diabetes Self-Care Behavior, Eucharia Amaefule

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited health literacy is a significant barrier to effective diabetes self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet nationally representative evidence using comprehensive health literacy measures remains limited. Guided by the health belief model, the purpose of this quantitative, secondary data analysis using cross-sectional data was to examine the relationship between health literacy and diabetes self-care behaviors among U.S. adults with T2DM and determine whether education level moderated this relationship. Data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed for U.S. adults (N = 9, 535) with self-reported T2DM. Diabetes self-care behaviors included blood glucose monitoring, …

Flexible Concurrent Training In Remote Settings, Christopher Bonilla

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a trainee-driven flexible concurrent training program to a traditional fixed concurrent training program over 16 weeks of remote training in recreationally trained individuals. Participants were randomized into a flexible group that selected workouts based on daily perceived readiness or a control group that followed a fixed training schedule. The primary outcome was a total fitness score derived from a three-repetition maximum deadlift, a two-minute push-up test, and a two-mile run, assessed every four weeks. A secondary analysis used multilevel modeling to examine whether self-reported sleep duration predicted perceived readiness …

Experiences Of Cholesterol Management Among Obese Individuals: A Qualitative Exploration Of Statin Use, Diet, And Physical Activity, Ke'andra S. Foggie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decade, with obesity identified as a major contributing factor. This study examined how individuals with obesity and hypercholesterolemia managed cholesterol and experienced related challenges within their daily lives. Guided by the Chronic Care Model, the research explored participant-reported experiences of statin therapy and lifestyle practices, including dietary behaviors and physical activity, as components of cholesterol management. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to analyze participant-reported barriers, supports, and contextual factors that shape how these practices are incorporated into daily routines. Although extensive research has examined statin …

Coordinating Meaning With Ai System Cards: A Thematic Analysis, Jennifer Rene French Cyrek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the meaning of AI risk remains unsettled across sociotechnical and public discourse, AI system cards are an emergent, yet understudied, genre of technical documentation through which AI technology developers publicly frame new AI system capabilities including risks. This thematic content analysis study examines how AI technology developers coordinate meaning regarding risk and responsible development in stewardship of AI. Guided by a constitutive view of communication and systems theory, second-order cybernetics, and the cybernetic tradition, this study analyzes a purposive corpus of AI system cards collected from 2023-2025 using thematic content analysis and the hierarchy of meaning heuristic from coordinated …

Understanding The Perceptions Of Racial Socialization As A Protective Factor Influencing Resiliency Adaptation Among Black Males Who Matriculated To College In Northeastern Florida When They Were Aged 18 – 24 And Who Had A History Of Criminogenic Risk Factors Or Criminal Justice System Contact, C. Darnell Stroble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of racial socialization (“RS”) as a protective factor that leads to resiliency adaptations among Black males who matriculated to college in Northeastern Florida when they were aged 18 – 24 and who had a history of criminogenic risk factors or criminal justice system contact. Grounded in Unnever and Gabbidon’s (2011) Theory of African American Offending (“TAAO”), the study used a qualitative phenomenological case study research design to explore participants’ understanding of RS messages from their parents and their resiliency adaptations in response to those messages. Two research questions guided the study: (1) How …

Stuck In A Paradox: Loving An Unseen God While Hating The Neighbor That Is Visible: A Quantitative Correlational Study, Felisha A. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Racism within the Christian church is a persistent concern that may influence interpersonal relationships and spiritual development. Although research has examined this broadly, there has been limited research on the relationship between perceived racism and spiritual maturity in a Christian church setting. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between racism and spiritual growth amongst Christians, assess the perceived prevalence of racism in the church, and explore perceptions of responsibility for addressing racism in the church. It was hypothesized that a negative relationship would be found between racism and spiritual maturity. Data was collected from …

Using Polygenic Risk Scores To Evaluate Definitions Of Self-Reported Sleep Phenotypes Across Cohorts, Annah B Wyss, Michael Brown, Xiang Li, Brian W Spitzer, Zhijie Huang, Heming Wang, Richa Saxena, Linda Gallo, Qibin Qi, Wassim Tarraf, Robert Kaplan, Melissa Lamar, Hector M González, Charles Decarli, Myriam Fornage, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Kent D Taylor, Xiuqing Guo, Alexis C Wood, Peter Y Liu, Susan R Heckbert, Chloé Sarnowski, Jan Bressler, Alanna C Morrison, Bing Yu, Pamela L Lutsey, Carmen R Isasi, Susan Redline, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Study objectives: Since genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of sleep phenotypes have been conducted in differing populations and definitions of sleep phenotypes vary across studies, we investigated associations between several polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and potential sleep definitions among multiethnic cohorts.

Methods: Using data from four cohorts (HCHS/SOL, ARIC, MESA, BHS, N = 16 895), we considered multiple definitions of short and long sleep, insomnia, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). PRSs were developed based on summary statistics from GWAS in European ancestry individuals from the UK Biobank (UKB) and from GWAS conducted in a multiethnic population from the Million Veteran Program …

Slowing Down With The Archives: Reexamining An Archaeological Context From Pre-Columbian Coastal Ecuador, Madison Rieth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Archaeological excavations leave behind extensive paper trails and repositories of materials. When these materials are transformed into an archive it disjoints the archaeological process and increases the possibility for knowledge loss. The archive from Salango Site 141C showcases this. These materials have remained in storage or on display since their original excavation and over time the understanding and significance of the site has been lost. Utilizing the theoretical framework of slow archaeology, this thesis analyzes the various parts of the archive from 141C. Using both mortuary archaeology and skeletal analysis, these parts of the archive are reconciled, compared, and integrated. …

A Brief History Of Access To Dental Care Issues In The Us, Sam W. Galstan Dds, Mph

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Family Oral Education With Clinical Guidelines For Pediatric Dental Care, Tegwymn H. Brickhouse Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Letter To The Editor - The Dental Doctor And Malignant Neoplasia, Marvin E. Pizer Dds, Ms, Ma, Ficd

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Va Dent J July, August And September 2011

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Position Statement By The Saudi Heart Failure Working Group Of The Saudi Heart Association On The Management Of Advanced Heart Failure In Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim Jelaidan, Abeer Bakhsh, Ammar G. Chaudhary, Ebtisam Alkhattaby, Fahmi Alkaf, Feras Khaliel, Ismail Raslan, Mohammed Alreshidan, Mosaad Alhussein, Waleed Alhabeeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia. Despite remarkable progress in guideline-directed medical therapy, a significant proportion of patients progress to advanced HF and require evaluation for heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In response to this growing burden, the Saudi Heart Association (SHA) developed recommendations to guide identification, timely referral, and optimal management of candidates for advanced HF therapies in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of 10 HF experts from Saudi Arabia convened for a series of structured virtual meetings to review local and international evidence. The panel integrated …

Prevalence Of Tuberculosis Infection By Interferon-Gamma Release Assay And Risk Factors Associated With Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Household Contacts Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients In Roi Et Province, Thailand, Sakaren Lawong

Journal of Health Research

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global public health challenge. This study determined the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) using the Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) and identified associated risk factors among household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Roi Et Province.

Method: This cross-sectional analytic study included 334 pulmonary tuberculosis patients (index cases) and their 359 household contacts in Roi Et Province. The data was collected using screening and follow-up tools for TB patients and household contacts between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square or …