Digital Commons Network^™

Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-Kay, Jp 章曼琪女士, Jp

Honorary Fellowship 榮譽院士

No abstract provided.

Ms Guo Jingjing 郭晶晶女士

Honorary Fellowship 榮譽院士

No abstract provided.

Empowering Students To Engage With Climate Change Action: A Project-Based Module For Artificial Intelligence Literacy And Sustainability Thinking, Gabriel Granco, Yu Chen, Heather Macias, Yunfei Hou, Frank A. Gomez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

There is a growing need to prepare students to address complex environmental challenges, particularly climate change and the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI). This article examines the adaptation of the Artificial Intelligence for Social Good (AI4SG) Ideation module, a pitch- and project-based teaching framework designed to integrate AI literacy and sustainability education. Implemented in an upper division climate change course, the module combines project-based learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, and geographic thinking to guide students in developing community-oriented AI proposals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students were encouraged to approach their communities not through deficit lenses, …

Persistent Peristomal Pain Due To An Exposed Cutaneous Nerve, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Kaylin Beiter, Natasha Hakkal, Emily Hejazi, Paul Hernandez, Melissa Laughter, Shannon Nugent, Samir Thaker, Xiaowei Xu, Misha Rosenbach

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction]

Case description

A 25-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative colitis treated with multiple abdominal surgeries complicated by peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) presented with severe peristomal pain and ulceration. Treatment course was complicated; disease control was achieved via combination infliximab 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks, corticosteroids (topical triamcinolone 0.1% ointment, intralesional 10 mg/ml injections, and oral prednisone 30 mg daily with a gradual taper), and cyclosporine 125 mg tapering by 25 mg every 3 weeks, ultimately tapered to infliximab monotherapy.

Regional Pain Is Associated With Functional Performance In People With Parkinson's Disease, Ryan P. Duncan, Monica R. Hendricksen, Luke Ekdahl, Kevin Smaller, Benjamin Friedman, Miriam R. Rafferty

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose:

Little is known about how pain influences physical function in people with mild Parkinson disease (PwPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between physical function and pain presence, location, and intensity in PwPD who were evaluated in an early physical therapy program.

Methods:

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electronic medical records from patients with PD evaluated at a single center (2016-2023). Pain presence, location, and intensity (0-10 scale) were recorded at the initial physical therapy evaluation. Functional outcomes included 5-time sit-to-stand, 10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, timed up and go, mini-BESTest, and Functional …

Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness’ Impact On Achievement In Graduate Health Education, Olivia J. Fulton, Lizeth S. Iboy, Bonnie Decker

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Graduate students with chronic illness encounter barriers as they navigate graduate programs to achieve their personal goals. Chronic illnesses are often invisible, which makes it more challenging to navigate the educational system. This study aimed to understand participants’ ability to engage in their academic environment and how the severity of their symptoms related to their diagnosis impacted participation in lectures, laboratory activities, exams, and competencies. Nineteen participants completed the online survey with questions regarding demographics and perception of how their condition impacted their academic performance on their best days versus worst days. Three assessment tools were incorporated into the survey: …

Validity And Reliability Of The Professional Belonging Scale For Occupational Therapy Students Version 2, Sarah Corcoran Otd, Otr/L, Pooja Patel Drot, Otr/L, Izabela Dubiel Drot, Otr/L, Theresa Rhett-Davis Edd, Otr/L, Nancy Green Ms, Drot, Otr/L, Emily Pasqualetto Drot, Otr/L, Amanda Carter Drot, Otr/L

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A strong sense of belonging supports student engagement, motivation, clinical competency, retention, and overall well-being; yet few tools specifically assess this construct in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. To address this gap, Corcoran et al. (2025) developed the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students (PBSOTSv1). The current study aimed to revise the PBSOTSv1 for clarity, inclusivity, and alignment with emerging theoretical frameworks and to evaluate the revised version (PBSOTSv2) for content validity and internal consistency reliability. Revisions involved expert cognitive interviews and Content Validity Index (CVI) ratings, guided by Allen et al.’s framework of belonging, …

Effect Of Simulation On Occupational Therapy Students' Self-Efficacy When Preparing For Level Ii Fieldwork, Juliet Steffe, Karen Menard, Angela Gibson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy academic programs provide students with knowledge and professional skills through coursework and clinical skills practice, enabling them to transition successfully into clinical placement. Despite completing multiple semesters of didactic work, students may experience high levels of anxiety and self-doubt when preparing for Level II fieldwork. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of perceived self-efficacy in clinical skills when preparing for Level II fieldwork, leading to the potential for difficulty transitioning from the classroom to the clinic among entry-level occupational therapy graduate students. A basic qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to explore how providing …

Effective Teaching Behaviors Of Adjunct Faculty In Occupational Therapy Education: Perspectives Of Students, Adjuncts, And Core Faculty, Kayla Collins, Marian Gillard, Christine Davis, Kirsten Davin, Barbara M. Doucet, Bridget Scheidler

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Adjunct faculty constitute nearly half of the higher education workforce in the United States, yet they often receive limited preparation and institutional support for their teaching responsibilities. In occupational therapy education, where rapid program expansion has heightened reliance on adjunct instructors, understanding which teaching behaviors are most valued is critical to ensuring instructional quality, student success, and professional readiness. This study examined perceptions of effective adjunct teaching behaviors in a doctoral occupational therapy program using the Teaching Behavior Checklist (TBC), a validated 28-item measure of teaching effectiveness. Participants included students (n = 33), adjunct faculty (n = 19), and core …

Assessing Supports And Barriers To Equitable Participation In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork For Students From Minoritized Backgrounds: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Kristin M. Nxumalo, Coalition Of Occupational Therapy Advocates For Diversity Cotad, Alexia Rebne, Janis Yue, Ryan Thomure, Ricardo D. Ramirez

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) education introduce students to novel environments that they must successfully navigate. When examining the experiences of OT and OTA students from minoritized backgrounds, it is critical to understand their fieldwork experiences so that fieldwork educators and partners can create inclusive, supportive environments that promote success for all students. Within this study, a needs assessment was conducted to explore factors that impacted the OT and OTA fieldwork experiences of students from minoritized backgrounds. Using a mixed methods design, a cross-sectional survey was completed by non-faculty OT practitioners (n=48), Academic Fieldwork …

Recognizing Excellence: Key Traits, Qualities, And Behaviors Of The Exceptional Fieldwork Educator In Occupational Therapy, Piper Hansen, Lydia H. Schallenberg, Jayde M. Kahn, Jacqueline Rizzi, Ariel Torres

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

All students of occupational therapy enrolled in accredited programs are required to complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. A critical factor in shaping successful fieldwork experiences is the fieldwork educator, who guides clinical learning, models professional behaviors, and supports skill development for practice readiness. Despite the importance of the fieldwork experience, the fieldwork educator, and the impact of the supervisory relationship, there is limited understanding of the unique attributes and strategies that distinguish exceptional occupational therapy fieldwork educators. This study sought to investigate the key traits, qualities, and behaviors of the exceptional fieldwork educator in occupational therapy and …

Toward A Critical Occupational Therapy Education: A Discrit-Informed Framework, Robert Niewiadomski, Chia-Yang Chiang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy has long articulated commitments to equity, inclusion, and occupational justice, yet its dominant educational approaches often remain focused on interpersonal competence rather than structural analysis. This conceptual paper argues that contemporary occupational therapy education is insufficiently equipped to prepare practitioners to address the sociopolitical forces shaping occupational participation. Drawing on disability critical race theory (DisCrit), critical pedagogy, intersectionality, and occupational justice scholarship, the authors propose the Critical Occupational Therapy Education (COTE) framework as a structural, justice-oriented reorientation for occupational therapy education. COTE positions racism and ableism as interlocking systems that shape professional norms, knowledge production, and access to …

Perceived Applicant Experiences Applying To Hybrid Doctor Of Occupational Therapy Programs, Jackson M. Miller, Melissa Yeung, Jason Hughes, Noah Zebrak

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs have expanded rapidly across the United States, yet little is known about how applicants experience the admissions process or what influences their decisions to apply and enroll. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore enrolled students’ retrospective accounts of applying to hybrid OTD programs, with particular attention to the factors influencing their decision-making, the support systems they relied upon throughout the admissions process, and the barriers they encountered. Eight students enrolled in hybrid OTD programs across the United States participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Interview transcripts were member …

Covering The Care: The Fourth Trimester, Susy Hawes

All Materials

The weeks following the birth of a baby are often described as a time of extremes: profound joy paired with deep exhaustion, vulnerability, and adjustment. For birthing people, this period involves physical recovery from childbirth, dramatic hormonal shifts, disrupted sleep, learning to feed and care for an infant, and navigating major emotional changes. While some new parents have strong support systems, others face isolation, housing instability, or unsafe home environments. This critical 12-week period after birth is now widely known as the “fourth trimester.” Although the language is new, the reality is not. Across cultures and history, the postpartum period …

Beyond Humor: Code-Switching And Egyptian Modern Identity In Elkabeer Awy., Hala S. Hammad

English Language and Literature

In the stylized Egyptian series ElKabeer Awy, code-switching is an artistic and performative tool by which the writers and actors achieve specific comedic effects and mirror the country's continuous interaction with the global culture. The series employs humor to depict the mixing of Egyptian morals with Western cultural influences. This study implements Poplack's (1980) code-switching categories and Giles' (1979) accommodation theory to analyze characters who code-switch to resemble or differ from their interlocutors. In addition, incongruity theory offers a basis for understanding how some instances of code-switching result in laughter. The results show a high frequency of code-switching among the …

The Representation Of Urban Peripherality In Selected Noir Narratives, Mona Sayed

English Language and Literature

This thesis examines the representation of two forms of urban peripherality, i.e. city periphery and peripheral city, in selected noir narratives from two Akashic short story collections, Brooklyn Noir (2004), edited by Tim McLoughlin, and Mumbai Noir (2012), edited by Altaf Tyrewala. The study investigates these representations to attempt forming a broader conceptualisation of urban peripherality that goes beyond the conventional Western one, which foregrounds the geographical divides as identifying features between urban centre and periphery. The thesis draws on the urban conceptual framework to conduct a close reading of the spatial, cultural, and social representations of urban peripheries within …

Establishing Legitimacy: Analysing Legitimation Strategies In Who’S Anti-Smoking Discourse., Hala S. Hammad

English Language and Literature

Children spend almost one-third of their day in schools, and much of the peer pressure arises in this educational setting. In September 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released two publications to urge schools around the world to take the necessary steps toward creating a smoke and nicotine-free environment and implementing policies that prevent young people from starting smoking. The language of such documents usually conceals a high level of legitimation and persuasion to reach the target audience and achieve the intended goals. Meanwhile, the organisation strengthens its legitimacy when its actions are perceived by the public as desirable, moral, …

The Dynamics Of Arabic Proverbs: A Pragma-Cognitive Study Of Folkloric Proverbs In The Egyptian Series El-Kabeer Awy, Hala S. Hammad

English Language and Literature

This research presents a pragma-cognitive analysis of Arabic proverbs in the Sa'idi (Upper Egyptian) cultural context based on television discourse as its corpus. It investigates proverb usage, their roles in the communication of social norms, and the connections between language, thought, and culture. By employing a pragmatic framework based on Speech Act Theory and the concept of recontextualization, this study examines the use of indirect, culturally loaded speech acts and the endorsement of the local community as a source of metaphor and irony. The results show that the illocutionary force of a proverb is highly dynamic and shifts based on …

From Cinematography To Public Speaking: A Hyland’S (2005) Metadiscourse Model Case Study Analysis Of Spielberg’S Harvard Speech., Hala S. Hammad

English Language and Literature

The study explores the intersection of linguistic metadiscourse and cinematic narrative structure within the genre of public speaking, drawing on Joseph Campbell’s (1949) "Hero’s Journey" as a narrative framework. The paper argues that Steven Spielberg’s rhetorical success is rooted in his ability to direct a live linguistic performance that mirrors the hero’s journey of a film. Utilizing Hyland’s (2005) Metadiscourse Model, the study analyzes Spielberg’s 2016 Harvard Commencement Speech to determine how linguistic markers may function as directorial tools. The study suggests that Spielberg’s strategic placement of interactive markers to construct the Hero’s Journey narrative for the graduates may contribute …

Predicting Student Academic Performance Using Behavioural And Parental Engagement Data From Learning Management Systems, Saeed Alfalasi

Theses

This paper explores how behavioral, academic, and parental engagement data provided within the xAPI-Edu-Data dataset can be used to predict the academic performance of students when training on machine learning models with supervised learning. Due to the developing demands of the data-driven initial selection of the learners under risk, the study will create a valid and explainable predictive model that can consider the most significant factors of student success in Learning Management System (LMS). The research is based on behavioral engagement and self-regulation learning theories; the observations included in the analysis of student interaction, i.e. resource usage, classroom engagement and …

Predicting Undergraduate Fallout And Success, Ammar Ahmed Alzarooni

Theses

Universities need to uncover students who are likely to drop out early and do something about it. It should be easy to find and use this information. This thesis evaluated interpretable machine-learning models (MLMs) for predicting three final student outcomes including Dropout, Enrolled and Graduate, using solely demographic, administrative/financial and first-semester academic variables. Study employed publicly accessible Portuguese UCI student retention dataset (4,424 records) and incorporated end-of-Semester-1 feature window to prevent look-ahead leakage and align with actual advising cycles. We trained and compared models using stratified validation, explicit class-imbalance handling and decision-threshold optimization to make dropout detection most critical factor. …

Microalbumin Screening In Hypertension: An Evidence Based Implementation, Nicole C. Votaw

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction

Microalbuminuria is an early indicator of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Hypertension (HTN) is one of the leading causes of CKD. Early treatment of CKD can delay and even prevent progression to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Monitoring patients with HTN more frequently for microalbuminuria can identify CKD earlier than annual screening so that treatment can be initiated sooner to offer greater protection of the kidneys over time.

Background

In a small, rural clinic, it was determined that Urine Microalbumin (UMA) screening in office was not being done, but has been shown to be beneficial in identifying CKD.  Current practice …

Improving Nurse–Patient Communication Through Evidence-Based Strategies, Tekhesia Phillips

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Effective nurse–patient communication is essential to patient understanding, safety, and experience. This quality improvement project evaluated a structured communication bundle consisting of Teach-Back, intentional bedside nurse rounding, and nurse leader rounding on an adult intermediate care unit. A pre–post quality improvement design guided by the Plan–Do–Study–Act framework was used. The historical nurse communication composite baseline was 46.7%, and the project objective was to increase the composite by at least 10 percentage points while achieving at least 80% adherence to each process measure. During implementation period, nurse leader rounding was completed in 313 of 523 eligible opportunities (59.8%). Teach-Back was validated …

Managing Complexity: Manager-Stakeholder Communication, Relational Dynamics, And The Dual Nature Of Rtw Communication, H. Bertolini, Marc Corbière, Alessia Negrini, Nadine Larivière, Patrizia Villotti, Dominic Prévost, Meryl Caiada, Jason Amorim, Fergal O'Hagan

Études primaires

Purpose

The return to work (RTW) process of worker absent due to common mental disorders (CMD) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represents a complex challenge that involves multiple stakeholders. The aim of this study was to examine how managers perceive the factors that facilitate or hinder communication with other stakeholders during the RTW process.

This qualitative study was based on four focus groups conducted in Canada (Quebec and Ontario) with 18 managers.

Thematic analysis identified five themes related to facilitators and seven themes related to communication obstacles. Among the main facilitators, trust, clarity, and collaboration emerged as key elements …

Moral Progress In Legal Doctrine, Philip Petrov

Faculty Scholarship

This article integrates the concept of moral progress – here, moral improvement in the thinking and behavior of individuals over time – into the study of legal doctrine. The article first presents a naturalistic account of what moral progress is and describes three of its most historically and analytically important forms: (1) moral circle expansion, (2) moral domain expansion, and (3) increasing sensitivity to proportionality. The article then analyzes three historical developments in U.S. tort law that qualify as instances of moral progress: (1) the partial demise of the “suicide rule” beginning around the 1980s (according to …

Upr Report Submissions, Sarah Dávila A., Lauren E. Bartlett

Faculty White Papers

No abstract provided.

A Conceptual Framework For Cognitive Engagement And Human Agency In Ai-Mediated Learning, Sam Rhodes, Zuhal Yilmaz, Terrie Galanti, Younggon Bae, Victoria Delaney, Zareen Gul Aga, Stephen Hutt

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this chapter is to propose a conceptual framework that unpacks AI use in instructional practice across three interrelated dimensions: human agency, cognitive demand, and AI orchestration. We ground this work in historical perspectives on technology's mediating role in education. We then propose the conceptual framework and three characterizations of the use of AI in school instruction: cognitive load reducer, cognitive capacity builder, and cognitive companion. We then illustrate a worked example of each, including a curricular example and sample student prompts, and conclude with questions that educators might ask themselves as they consider if and how to …

Reclaiming Sophia In The Age Of Ai: Theological And Ethical Reflections On Consecrated Technology And Human Dignity, Matthew H. Sauber

Faculty Scholarship 2026

The cultural emergence of artificial intelligence systems named after figures of divine wisdom—most notably the Hanson Robotics humanoid Sophia, granted Saudi citizenship in 2017—reveals a gap between the language of the wisdom traditions and that of contemporary technology. This paper treats that gap as the occasion for theological and ethical reflection on AI. Drawing on the Sophia tradition across its Hebrew, Hellenistic-Patristic, Gnostic, Russian Sophiological, perennialist, and Sufi articulations—especially Sergei Bulgakov’s account of Sophia as mediation between divine wisdom and created order—it develops a framework termed Consecrated Technology. The argument unfolds in three moves: (1) a structural critique showing how …

From Disconnection To Well-Being: A Longitudinal Study On Digital Access As A Social Determinant Of Health For Older Adults In China, Minzhi Ye, Jierong Hu

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study innovatively includes digital access as a social determinant of health (SDoH) to examine the longitudinal relationship between digital inclusion and subjective well-being among older adults in China, one of the largest aging populations worldwide.

Methods: We used data from the Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS, 2016 and 2020 waves). We applied the SDoH framework to analyze the interaction between digital inclusion and social structures at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Digital accessibility was captured in waves in 2016 and 2020. Four digital accessibility trajectories were identified: continuous access, gained access, lost access, and never accessed. …

Parents’ Perspectives On Trajectories Of Well-Being For Immigrant Youth From Central America., Tatiana Londoño, Lauren E. Gulbas, Luis H. Zayas

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This study explored the trajectories of well-being among immigrant youth in the United States using an ecodevelopmental and posttraumatic growth perspective. Immigrant youth were from the Northern Triangle of Central America and had recently been released from immigration family detention in the United States. Through time-ordered matrix thematic analysis of interviews with 15 mothers at baseline and follow-up (N = 30 interviews), the research revealed a complex landscape of challenges and adaptations during resettlement. While initial adverse emotional outcomes were common, these tended to improve over time as families gained stability in the United States. Family structure emerged as …