Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Nontraditional Students And The Innovative Strategies Higher Education Leaders Can Implement To Support Their Success: A Phenomenological Study, Fernando Jose De Oliveira Castro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences and strategies employed by nontraditional college students to achieve academic success at public universities in Massachusetts. Nontraditional student experiences were generally defined as the ways in which adult learners, part-time students, and those balancing work and family responsibilities navigated challenges, used support systems, and developed strategies to persist in higher education. The central research questions this study was: How do innovative strategies and support systems contribute to the lived experiences of nontraditional students’ success in Massachusetts’s higher education institutions? I employed Ryan and Deci’s (2017) self-determination theory to …

From Military Service To Civilian Life: Nature Intervention In Vha Psychiatric Care, Austin T.B. Corbett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing nature- based interventions in locked psychiatric units of the Veterans Health Administration to support veterans during military- to- civilian transition who experience severe mental health crises. The transition from military service to civilian life represents one of the most significant psychological adjustments and individuals can experience, involving fundamental changes in identity, social structure, purpose, and daily routine. This transition creates vulnerability for developing mental health conditions including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Veterans experiencing severe health mental crises during transition often require intensive inpatient psychiatric care, yet current VHA …

Analyzing The Effects Of Supervisors’ Conduct On The Persistent Stress Experienced By Nevada Law Enforcement Officers, Kendra D. Still

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study aimed to identify the specific actions of supervisors that contribute to chronic stress among law enforcement officers in Nevada. Chronic stress is a common issue in law enforcement and can have detrimental effects on officers’ mental and physical well-being. Despite the acknowledgement of supervisors' actions as a significant stressor for officers, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the actions that officers perceive as most stress-inducing, particularly in Nevada. This research gap hinders efforts to address and alleviate these stressors, allowing them to persist and impact officers' well-being. To address this gap, a Likert-scale survey was …

In Situ Detection Of Dead Cells From Live Cells Via A Dc Plus Low Frequency Ac Resistive Pulse Sensor, Jiang Zhe, Ge Zhang, Joseph Ketchum, Ashely Wong

University Research

Differentiation and detection of live and dead cells are critical for assessing cell viability in biomedical research, evaluating drug efficacy, and monitoring cytotoxicity in therapeutic applications. We present a microfluidic sensor that consists of two successive resistive pulse sensing channels. An excitation signal composed of a low-frequency AC (75 kHz) component and a DC bias was used to measure four key parameters. Through the AC measurement, differences in cell impedance causes variations in phase angle and voltage peak. From the DC measurement, cell size can be inferred from the resistive pulse magnitude, and the cell’s zeta potential is represented by …

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …

Understanding K-12 Public High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence In Education: A Phenomenological Study, Jackie Samantha Mcallister

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand high school teachers' perceptions of artificial intelligence in education (AIEd) in a K-12 public school district in the northeastern U.S. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which provided insights into how teachers’ beliefs about their technology capabilities likely influence their motivation and decisions to integrate AI into the educational process to enhance teaching and learning. The central research question was, “How do K-12 public high school teachers perceive the integration of artificial intelligence in education”? The problem was studied using the qualitative research methodology, transcendental phenomenology. The study …

Has Anything Changed For Fibromyalgia? Focus Groups With Patients On Their Lived Experiences In England, Cosima Locher, Anna Kharko, Joseph W. Lanario, Leo Druart, Kirralise Hansford, Helen Koechlin, Anthony Davies

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background While awareness of Fibromyalgia (FM) has evolved across healthcare and social settings, individuals with FM continue reporting poor understanding of their condition in the everyday. Objective To explore the lived experiences and subjective illness narratives of individuals with FM, focusing on personal understandings of FM, outlook on healthcare, and perceived attitudes of surrounding peers. Methods We carried out four online focus groups with individuals diagnosed with FM. Participants were recruited from a pool of patients in a pain management centre in the Southwest of England, UK, that previously took part in a FM management course, ‘Body Reprogramming Course’ (BRC). …

The Problem Of Insight: An Interpretive Phenomenological Approach To Understanding Awareness Following Acquired Brain Injury, David Bennett, Alyson Norman, Mark Holloway

School of Psychology

Context: Acquired brain injury (ABI) can result in executive impairments that can detrimentally impact an individual’s level of insight into the changes in functioning caused by their ABI. This, along with the difficulty professionals have in identifying executive impairments and relating these to functional changes, can lead to wrongful assumptions of functional abilities among those affected. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experience of individuals with ABI who demonstrate an impairment of insight with a view to documenting specific examples of impaired insight. Method: Four participants took part in a semi-structured interview analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Feedback …

Fragments, Editors Of Fragments

Fragments

No abstract provided.

Fragments, Editors Of Fragments

Fragments

No abstract provided.

Father Of The Bride: Vindicating Deanda’S Claim Against 42 C.F.R. § 59.10(B), Matthew S. Mcguire

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

Across the judicial landscape of U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law or at the prerogative of Congress and HHS. Veiled behind the complexity of administrative law, 42 C.F.R. § 59.10(b) precludes parental consent notifications for all Title X services for all parents. In 2020, the HHS Final Rule came to light after the District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacated the directive. Although the 5th Circuit affirmed and reversed in part, HHS does not enforce § 59.10(b) in Texas. For the rest of …

Bridging Biology And Biomaterials: In Silico Discovery Of Bioactive Surface Molecules To Enhance Osseointegration, Samuel Thomas, Akash Patel, Shilpa Bhandi, Frank W. Licari, Shankargouda Patil

Annual Research Symposium

This study presents a biologically guided strategy to enhance dental implant osseointegration by integrating peri-implant transcriptomic analysis with molecular docking simulations to identify bioactive surface molecules that may promote osteoblast attachment, extracellular matrix formation, and early bone healing. By aligning implant surface chemistry with host tissue biology, this translational in silico workflow offers a rapid, cost-effective pathway toward next-generation bioactive coatings designed to improve healing, strengthen bone–implant integration, and support long-term clinical success.

Moby-Duck, Or, The Synthetic Wilderness Of Childhood, Donovan Hohn

Creative Nonfiction Magazine

No abstract provided.

Filter Element And Filter System For Filtering Fluids

Defensive Publications Series

The invention relates to a filter element (10) for a filter system (100) for filtering fluids, in particular a liquid filter system, at least comprising a filter media body (12), being arranged between a raw side (80) and a clean side (82) of the filter element (10), wherein a pre-separating element (20) is arranged upstream of the filter media body (12), covering an in­flow surface (26) of the filter media body (12). The pre-separating element (20) com­prises a biocide agent.

Psilocybin And Animal Testing: Charting An End To The Use Of Animals In Drug Development Research, Amanda L. Elyse

Journal of Health Care Law & Policy Online Issue

No abstract provided.

City Of Grants Pass, Oregon V. Johnson: The Intersection Of Health, Homelessness, And Eighth Amendment Protections Against Cruel And Unusual Punishment, Jordan Hartung

Journal of Health Care Law & Policy Online Issue

No abstract provided.

Clinical Practice Guideline For Universal Anxiety Screening For Advanced Practice Providers, Kelechi Blanton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a clinical practice guideline (CPG) focused on anxiety screening in a primary care setting using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) screening tool. The practice problem addressed general anxiety disorder and the need for standardized assessments for risk, as recently been recommended by the U.S. Prevention Service Task Force (USPSTF). Anxiety disorder is common but frequently untreated, due in part to low rates of screening. Lack of an evidence-based guideline for anxiety screening may contribute to delayed diagnosis and inconsistencies. The practice-focused question was, Does the evidence support development of an evidence-based CPG for universal anxiety screening in …

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Across The Lifespan, Lauren Roth

Grand Rounds

1. Understand PCOS as a multisystem, lifelong condition.
2. Review pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies for PCOS.
3. Recognize age-specific clinical implications of PCOS.
4. Incorporate PCOS into risk assessment and decision-making.

Metagenomic Insights Into Antimicrobial Resistance In Small-Scale Poultry And Cattle Farms, Elijah Ayilaran, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge

Food and Animal Sciences Faculty Research

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical challenge to global health, with food animal production systems recognized as significant reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study evaluated the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) across small-scale poultry and cattle farms. A total of 468 samples (soil, feces, water, and natural land soil) were collected from four farms and analyzed using shotgun metagenomics. Proteobacteria (34.91%) were the dominant phylum across environments, followed by Cyanobacteria (15.67%), Actinobacteria (14.95%), Firmicutes (10.57%), and Bacteroidetes (8.69%). Tetracycline (33.41%) and beta-lactam (30.30%) resistance genes were the most abundant, with macrolide (9.32%) and …

Spectator 2026-02-12, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Heavy Metals As Endocrine Disruptors, Arzu Or Koca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Heavy metals are widely recognized as endocrine-disrupting agents primarily originating from anthropogenic sources and persisting in soil, air, and water. This review aims to present an updated and comprehensive synthesis of current evidence regarding the endocrine-disrupting effects of heavy metals, with particular emphasis on their roles in the pathogenesis of common endocrine and metabolic disorders. The toxicological impact of these elements depends on the level and duration of exposure, their chemical form, and the biological susceptibility of target tissues. Chronic exposure, even at low doses, has been implicated in the development of diabetes mellitus, obesity, autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, pubertal …

Developing Liposomal And Ethosomal Formulations With Potent Antioxidant And Cytotoxic Effects: Unleashing The Power Of Achillea Millefolium L., Esra Akkol, Sena Akçakaya Mutlu, Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak, Çi̇ğdem Yücel, Selen İlgün, Esra Köngül Şafak, Murat Koç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Achillea millefolium L., a plant rich in phenolics and flavonoids, has been shown to possess strong antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. However, no pharmaceutical formulations have yet been developed for this plant. This study aimed to create and characterize an A. millefolium extract with high antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

Materials and methods: A total of 10 extracts were prepared from the plant’s aerial parts using ethanol concentrations ranging from 10% to 99.9%. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging tests were used to assess the antioxidant properties of the extracts. Cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium …

Tumor Targeting With Peptide-Drug Conjugates: Showcasing Key Progress And Hurdles, Keykavous Parang, Thuy Do, Clare Dinh, Dorna Davanidavari, Max Foroughi, Troy Khong, Mahsa Moazen, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) are modular, targeted therapeutics composed of a homing peptide linked to a cytotoxic or modulating drug payload via a cleavable/non-cleavable linker. PDCs utilize peptide targeting to enhance the delivery of potent drugs to tumors, providing advantages such as superior tissue penetration, reduced immunogenicity, and simpler manufacture compared to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). A comparison of PDCs versus ADCs highlights that PDCs’ small size (~1-3 kDa) enables deeper tumor penetration and faster clearance, whereas ADCs (~150 kDa) benefit from prolonged circulation but suffer from limited tissue diffusion. This review surveys recent advances in PDC design and application. We discuss …

Spartan Daily, February 12, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 10

Radial Peripapillary Capillary Changes And Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Alterations In Diabetic Foot Ulcers With Mild-To-Moderate Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: An Octa Study, Eyüpcan Şensoy, Hi̇kmet Erhan Güven, Mehmet Çitirik

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) on retinal microvascular changes, specifically the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with mild-to-moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Materials and methods: Ninety participants were enrolled and divided into three groups: 30 patients with DFUs and mild-to-moderate NPDR, 30 patients with NPDR but without DFUs, and 30 healthy controls. RPC density and RNFL thickness were evaluated using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), a noninvasive imaging method. Comparisons between groups were made with statistical adjustments, including optic disc area.

Results: …

Evaluation Of Colonization With Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms And The Incidence Of Attributable Infections In Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Burcu Çalişkan Demi̇rkiran, Gülşen İskender, İpek Mumcuoğlu, Duygu Mert, Si̇nan Dal, Tuba Dal, Semra Tunçbi̇lek, Mustafa Ertek, Fevzi̇ Altuntaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The global rise in multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) has led to an increased incidence of MDRO infections following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly during the preengraftment period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pretransplant colonization by MDROs or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and the occurrence of infections caused by phenotypically similar microorganisms during the preengraftment period, as well as to assess the clinical outcomes of patients colonized with MDROs prior to transplantation.

Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies who underwent HSCT at the bone marrow transplant unit of …

Levothyroxine Poisoning In Children: A Multicenter Study From Türkiye, Kübra Şen Küçük, Şule Demi̇r, Reyhan Deveci̇ Sevi̇m, Fatma Akgül, Gülşen Yalçin, Öznur Eser, Alkan Bal, Eli̇f Ergi̇n, Sercan Öztürk, Ahmet Anik

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment approaches, and follow-up strategies employed in the management of pediatric patients with levothyroxine poisoning.

Materials and methods: This multicenter retrospective study included patients aged ≤18 years who presented with acute, single-episode levothyroxine ingestion to the pediatric emergency departments of six tertiary care centers between 2010 and 2023. Clinical data, laboratory findings, symptom onset and severity, and treatment modalities were extracted from medical records. Thyroid function tests (TFTs) were interpreted according to the age-specific reference ranges of each center. Treatment decisions, including gastric decontamination and pharmacologic therapy, were evaluated …

Effects Of Transversus Abdominis And Erector Spinae Plane Blocks On Postoperative Pain Control And Postpartum Depression After Cesarean Section: A Randomized Prospective Study, Hi̇lal Bi̇radli, Feyza Çalişir, Alev Özer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Effective postoperative pain management after cesarean section is essential for maternal recovery. Poor pain control can lead to complications, including postpartum depression. This study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane (ESP) and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks following cesarean section, with a particular focus on their potential impact on postpartum depression.

Materials and methods: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive either an ESP block (Group E, n = 30) or a TAP block (Group T, n = 30) after cesarean section. Pain severity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), and the …

Cd20 Molecule Deficiency And Carrier Frequency: A Village-Based Screening Study, Ebru Sümen, Mehmet Ali̇ Karaselek, Serkan Küççüktürk, Tuğçe Duran, Büşra Yüksel, Mustafa Gençeli̇, Ayşe Sümeyra Engi̇n, Muhammed Furkan Erden, Tuğba Esra Pekcandanoğlu, Bi̇lal Bostan, Mahmut Esad Yurtseven, Nazi̇re Nur Onat, Şükrü Nai̇l Güner, Sevgi̇ Keleş, İsmai̇l Rei̇sli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: CD20 deficiency is an autosomal recessive inborn error of immunity (IEI), and the only known affected individual worldwide has been under follow-up in our clinic. Because the consanguineous parents of the index patient are putative carriers, we hypothesized that additional individuals with reduced CD20 expression might exist within their village population. This study aimed to evaluate clinical features associated with IEI and to identify individuals displaying CD20 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) patterns consistent with putative carrier status, while also providing appropriate genetic counseling.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional screening study was conducted in December 2024 in Çukurbağ village. Participants …

Association Between Frailty Status And Pain, Balance, And Quality Of Life In Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Musa Güneş, Aydin Si̇nan Apaydin

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Frailty is a clinical syndrome that affects individuals physically and psychosocially. However, the association between lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and frailty remains unclear. This study aimed to compare pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and quality of life between patients with LSS with and without frailty.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 43 frail and 48 nonfrail patients with LSS according to the frailty criteria of Fried et al. Pain intensity (numeric rating scale [NRS]), static balance (single leg stance test [SLST]), dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go test [TUG]), disability (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), fear of falling …