Digital Commons Network^™

Fall 2021

Scientia

A Decade of Progress and Success; Speech Language Pathology Program; COVID-19 Long-Hauler Study; Peer Mentors Initiative; Faculty Update; Expert Engagement: Three CSH initiatives further education and scholarship while supporting communities in need; Strategic Command: Business consultant and med tech expert Stephen Sichak helps others face pandemic challenges; Taking Care: A School of Nursing research team plumbs the pandemic experiences of nurses nationwide

Changing Expectations In Higher Education Post-Pandemic, Gregory R. Mackinnon, Tyler Maclean, Mohamad El Maouch, William Yuan, Zhao Kaibin, Bi Dandan, Marwa Saab

Journal of Global Education and Research

A sample of higher education students in Canada and China was surveyed and interviewed to ascertain any changes in their educational expectations given their experiences with emergency remote teaching during the pandemic. In addition, the instructors of these students were interviewed to corroborate student feedback. The research suggested that students in Canada and China expressed expectations of increased flexibility and improved pedagogy. Whereas Canadian students were overtly demanding of the instructor and the educational system, Chinese students were comparatively subtle in their expectation that the post-pandemic level of support be maintained. The primary concern of the Chinese cohort was a …

Disrupting Higher Education: Assessing The Impact Of Covid-19 On Higher Education Institutions In Indonesia And The United States, Tristan Prodjomaroeto, Ali Muhyidin

Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran

This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on higher education institutions in Indonesia and the United States using qualitative document analysis dedicated to higher education institutions. The findings suggest that the perplexing problems found in higher education institutions have downcutting the ability to achieve equal distribution of quality education, and the crisis caused by COVID-19 has made higher education less accessible specifically towards under-privilege students. Hence, the utilization of EdTech is pivotal in creating equal access and distribution in higher education. It is expected that the prevalent use of such technology is expected to stick in the long run

Fear, Anxiety, And Clinical Training Disruption Among Dental Students During The Covid-19pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study With Multivariate Analysis, Suzan Mohammed Abdul Raheem, Ahmad Fliah Hassan, Abdullah J. Jasem

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: COVID-19 pandemic posed an unparalleled challenge to dental education, impacting dental student clinical education and further exacerbated the dental student occupational stress globally. The students are at a higher risk than any other profession considering the nature of the profession and some of the aerosol generating procedures used in dentistry and the psychological and clinical training consequences have not been quantified enough, particularly in a Middle East academic setting. Objective: To find the prevalence of fear, anxiety and perceived clinical training disruption associated with COVID-19 among dental students and identification of independent predictors of fear of occupational infection …

Hidden Thermal Signatures Reveal The Microclimatic Influence Of Scheduled Cave Tourism, Matt Rowberry, John Gunn, Andrew Smith

International Journal of Speleology

Tourist activity is widely recognised as a source of cave microclimate disturbance, yet visitor-induced variability is difficult to distinguish from natural environmental fluctuations. The coronavirus pandemic created a natural experiment at Poole’s Cavern, United Kingdom, in which periods of complete closure could be compared with contrasting visitor access regimes. Two years of high resolution temperature records from six monitoring points were analysed. Harmonic regression and a state space model removed deterministic diurnal cycles and lower frequency temperature variability. The remaining residual variability differed systematically among visitor access regimes and between daytime and nighttime conditions. Spectral analysis of the residuals identified …

Words And Places That Shape Behavior, Nicole J. Olynk Widmar,, Michael L. Smith, Erin Robinson

Purdue University Press Books

Words and Places That Shape Behavior, the sixth installment in the Consumer Corner series, brings the concept of place to the forefront, connecting what people say to where they actually go. By combining insights from online and social media conversations with real-world foot traffic data, the book reveals how consumers’ stated preferences align with—or diverge from—their actions..

From the rhythms of back-to-school shopping and childcare to the draw of state fairs, lakes, and local landmarks, this book explores how everyday choices shape the places where people gather and spend their time. It examines seasonal shopping and dining trends, what …

Time And Money: Patterns Of Nonstandard Work Across The First Year Of Covid-19, Ellen M. Whitehead, Alison Winiarski, Emily Wornell, Justin Schupp

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic had a well-documented impact on the formal economy, with the extent of these consequences varying across industries and sociodemographic groups. Less attention has been paid to whether the nonstandard economy, including informal and gig work, mirrored this broader economic fallout. We draw on 2019 and 2020 data from the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking to assess participation in, time spent on, and money earned from nonstandard work across the first year of the pandemic. We find evidence of an overall decline in participation in nonstandard work during this time. However, our results indicate heterogeneous experiences across …

Hubungan Skor Rale Gambaran Foto Toraks Dengan Kadar D-Dimer Pada Pasien Covid-19, Marsa Zaidan, Arifin Arifin, Sulistyani Kusumaningrum, Ratih Tri Kusuma Dewi

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. COVID-19 pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 leads to extensive pulmonary infiltrates. The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score is a quantitative radiological tool to evaluate the severity of lung lesions. Meanwhile, elevated D-dimer levels reflect coagulation and fibrinolysis activation. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the initial RALE score on chest radiography and D-dimer levels upon hospital admission.

Methods. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, from March to July 2021. A total of 98 patients were selected via simple random sampling based …

Faktor Risiko Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kejadian Gangguan Ginjal Akut Pada Pasien Covid-19 Di Rsupn Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Radita Ikapratiwi, Pringgodigdo Nugroho, Herikurniawan Herikurniawan, Alvina Widhani, Ikhwan Rinaldi, Muhammad Yamin, Anna Ariane, Syahidatul Wafa

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects not only the respiratory system but also cause systemic complications, including acute kidney injury (AKI). The occurrence of AKI in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Global data indicate that AKI occurs in approximately 4,3–50,6% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, particularly among the elderly and those with comorbidities. This acute impairment of kidney function may worsen the course of the disease and increase the burden on hospital services. This study aimed to determine the proportion of AKI and analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of AKI in COVID-19 patients …

A Quantitative Content Analysis Of Major United States-Based Religious Organizations' Framing Of Mask-Wearing On X (Formerly Twitter) During Covid-19, Michael J. Farzinpour

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative content analysis was to examine how major U.S.-based religious organizations framed mask-wearing on X (formerly Twitter) during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether identifiable framing cues were associated with observable audience engagement. Grounded in framing theory and prospect theory, the study analyzed publicly available tweets posted by 14 nationally prominent U.S. megachurches and affiliated public-facing organizational representatives between March 2020 and December 2022. The final sample consisted of 1,288 tweets. Tweets were coded for gain- and loss-framed valence-framing cues, compliance- and resistance-oriented frame-orientation cues, and engagement outcomes measured through publicly visible likes, comments, and retweets. Because …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Post-Acute Sequelae Of Sars-Cov-2 Infection (Pasc) In Rwanda: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Iliza Grace Ndatinya, Simal Thind, Fernand Rwamwejo

Global Health Articles

OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively explore the lived experiences of individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in Rwanda, with the aim of informing context-appropriate interventions to improve patients' quality of life.

DESIGN: Qualitative, phenomenological study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.

SETTING: All provinces of Rwanda, including the City of Kigali.

PARTICIPANTS: Adults who tested positive for PASC during a nationwide prevalence study were purposively sampled across all study sites. A total of 30 people were interviewed before saturation was reached.

RESULTS: Participants' lived experiences with PASC were characterised by numerous themes. Despite describing significant life changes since their COVID-19 …

Predictors Of Psychological Strain In College Students In The Context Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Randy M. Ludwig

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated the traditional challenges of being a college student. This study examined the factors associated with the mental health difficulties many college students faced during the pandemic. Factor analysis was used to uncover a latent variable called psychological strain, which was composed of mental instability, mental health strain, sadness, anxiety, and unhappiness. An exploratory path model was created to determine which factors most closely related to psychological strain. Of the 14 factors considered, 11 were significant predictors. Overall, the most important risk factor was found to be social isolation (total effects = .437), while …

Abstracts From The 2026 Health Care Systems Research Network (Hcsrn) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, Health Care Systems Research Network

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) comprises 18 learning health systems with integrated care delivery and embedded research units. The network’s annual conference serves as a forum for research teams from member institutions to disseminate project findings, explore scientific collaborations, and share insights about population-based research practices that can measurably improve health and health care for all. The theme of this year’s conference was “Scaling Learning Health Systems: Data-Driven Pathways to Better Outcomes.” Abstracts presented at HCSRN 2026 are published in this issue supplement of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the journal of record for HCSRN’s annual …

“I Was Not Wonder Woman And Required Help”: Black, Latina, And White Women’S Recovery From The Covid-19 Pandemic, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Colton Pierce, Harry Foster, Alison Brennan, Nicole Wanago

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected women, particularly women of color, yet less is known about their recovery experiences following the end of the public health emergency. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic among Black, Latina, and White women in the United States. Participants (N = 133) completed a survey that included a self-reported recovery measure and open-ended questions regarding their recovery experiences. A chi-square analysis indicated a significant association between race/ethnicity and recovery status, with Latina women more likely to report ongoing recovery than Black and White women. Codebook thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) …

Did Maryland’S All-Payer Global Budget Revenue Model Change Hospital Margins And Revenue Per Discharge? A Difference-In-Differences Analysis Of Maryland And Massachusetts, 2010–2023, Kola Adegoke

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Maryland implemented an all-payer hospital global budget revenue (GBR) model in 2014 to decouple hospital revenue from volume and improve revenue predictability. This study evaluated whether Maryland’s 2014 GBR implementation was associated with differential changes in hospital total margins, inpatient revenue per discharge, and COVID-period margin volatility relative to Massachusetts.

Methods: A matched hospital-year panel for Maryland and Massachusetts spanning 2010–2023 (2,261 matched observations) was constructed by merging Medicare cost report-based financial measures with provider characteristics using CMS certification identifiers. Two-way fixed-effects difference-in-differences models with hospital and year fixed effects and hospital-clustered standard errors estimated post-2014 changes in outcomes …

Connected But Disconnected: A Covid-19 Youth Participatory Action Research Study, Vianney Atugonza, Jodi Dworkin, Stacey S. Horn, Joanna A. Tzenis, Samantha Lebouef

Journal of Youth Development

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced most schools across the U.S. to close and transition to remote learning. Families were forced to transform their homes into classrooms while facing challenges to their health, finances, and social connections. To better understand how young people experienced these changes, a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project was employed to engage young people in naming, exploring, and sharing their experiences during this time. Nine high school youth leaders were trained as researchers to conduct interviews with their peers. These youth scholars were also trained on how to code, sort, and disseminate data and results. …

Adjusting To Extreme Demand Volatility: A Comparative Analysis Of Air Navigation Service Provider Financial Resilience In The Southern Asia-Pacific, Margaret Arblaster, Gui Lohmann

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Air navigation service providers fund their operations almost entirely through activity-based user charges, creating a structural dependency between revenue and air traffic volume. When traffic collapses, revenue falls immediately, but the cost base, dominated by specialised labour under fixed-term employment contracts and long-lived capital infrastructure, adjusts slowly, if at all. This paper examines how five corporatised, wholly government-owned air navigation service providers in the southern Asia-Pacific (i.e., Airservices Australia, Airways New Zealand, AirNav Indonesia, NiuSky Pacific in Papua New Guinea, and Fiji Airports) responded to the extreme demand shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses the role of government grants …

Disrupted Trajectories: Covid-19, Transnational Youth Mobility And Unequal Transitions To Adulthood, Simon Chambers, Anita Harris, Loretta Baldassar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While the impact of COVID-19 on youth development has been widely studied, less is known about its effects on transnationally mobile young adults. This longitudinal study of Australian outbound and inbound mobility examines how the pandemic disrupted this population's experiences abroad as they navigated transitions to adulthood. It draws on two waves of survey data collected using a convenience sample between July 2020 and September 2022. Our findings reveal that COVID-19 presented significant challenges to young adults living away from home, with disruptions to their future plans, social connections, and well-being. However, these impacts were not uniform. The pandemic magnified …

Loss Of Function Dnmt3a Mutation Leads To Aberrant Neutrophil Migration, Frieda Zimmer, Daniel E Kennedy, Spencer L Redding, Ruoqiong Cao, Sarah M Waldvogel, Apoorva Thatavarty, Bryan Bahoua, Brandon T Tran, Arushana A Maknojia, Margaret A Goodell, Antony Rodriguez, Katie A Matatall, Katherine Y King

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH), an age-related expansion of somatically mutated hematopoietic clones, is associated with increased risk of severe infections including coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of Dnmt3a deficiency in a murine model of influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia. Dnmt3a-deficient mice exhibited increased pulmonary viral burden and reduced neutrophil accumulation in IAV-infected lungs despite comparable circulating neutrophil numbers. Functional analyses of neutrophils showed impaired chemotactic migration in vitro, whereas maturation, antimicrobial enzyme content, and metabolic capacity were unchanged. Transcriptomic profiling revealed downregulation of pathways involved in chemotaxis, cytokine signaling, and cellular activation, …

A Web-Based Machine Learning Application For Classifying Post-Covid Risk Among Middle-Aged Adults, Himasha Amarathunga, Dhishan Dhammearatchi, Nimesh Pollwaththage

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Post-COVID syndrome (Long-COVID) represents a significant public health challenge, yet accessible tools for individual risk assessment among middle-aged adults remain limited. This study describes the development and evaluation of a web-based machine learning application for the classification of post-COVID risk in adults aged 30–60 years. A publicly available secondary dataset comprising 9,637 patient records was used, of which 5,871 (61%) were classified as high-risk and 3,766 (39%) as standard recovery, reflecting an imbalanced class distribution. The web application incorporates key demographic and clinical features including age, sex, vaccination status and comorbidities to produce a binary risk classification (High/Low). Five machine …

Md/Mba Dual Degree Trends In Ophthalmology Residency: A 12-Year Analysis (2013-2025), Katherine Krishna, Brandon Chou, Felipe Echeverri Tribin, Steven J. Gedde

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: The number of Medical Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA) dual degree programs has grown fivefold in the last two decades, reflecting an increased integration of business training in medical education. Despite this growth, the role and prevalence of MD/MBA degrees among ophthalmology residents remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose: To characterize trends in prevalence, demographics, and educational patterns of MD/MBA dual degree holders among U.S. ophthalmology residents who entered residency between 2013 and 2025.

Methods: Ophthalmology residents in the United States who entered residency between 2013 and 2025 (n = 5,684) were included, with 80 MD/MBA …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Eye-Related Emergency Department Encounters At An Academic Safety-Net Health System, Eleanor Burton, Taylor Gemperline, Cynthia Wan, Clayton Grundvig, Hannah Harrelson, Caroline Kim, Michael Cusick

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) provide care to millions of patients with eye-related concerns annually. Many patients delayed seeking medical care for routine and emergent conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the demographics and diagnoses of eye-related emergency department visits at an academic safety-net health system.

Methods: The medical records of patients seen in the University of Virginia (UVA) ED from 1 July 2017 to 29 December 2022 with a primary ophthalmic diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and demographic information was extracted from electronic health records, and an acuity …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Black And Latinx Nurses In California, Jerry John Ouner, Patience Afulani, David A. Asakitogum, Nneka Umeh, Monica Getahun, Jaffer Okiring, Michael Denyu, Orlando Harris, Osamuedeme Odiase

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

On January 31, 2020, Santa Clara County reported California’s (CA) first COVID-19 case. As the pandemic unfolded, health systems were severely strained, and health care workers faced dual exposure risks from their communities and households alongside heightened occupational risk from direct patient care.1,2 For Black and Latinx nurses, COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on their communities intensified stress, fear, and uncertainty, and when combined with the demands of frontline work, greatly increased their risk of psychological distress and burnout. We examined COVID-19’s impact on the mental health and well-being of Black and Latinx nurses in CA.

Method: We conducted an explanatory sequential …

Heritable Transgenic Schistosomes As A Living Platform For Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibody Secretion, Wannaporn Ittiprasert, Bruce A Rosa, Sergej Djuranovic, Makedonka Mitreva, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We report the generation and propagation of not only the first heritable transgenic schistosome line but also a line that secretes a functional therapeutic protein in vivo. Using multiplexed CRISPR/Cas-mediated homology-directed knock-in targeted to a predicted genomic safe-harbor, we inserted a VHH-IgG1 Fc (termed C5-Fc) transgene into Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Single-miracidium infections of Biomphalaria glabrata yielded parental P0 lines; serial passage through snail and mouse hosts produced an F2 cohort in which all parasites carried the C5-Fc transgene and secreted C5-Fc into the murine venous circulation. Molecular assays confirmed chromosomal insertion, germline transmission and systemic secretion. Sera from mice harboring …

The Effect Of Covid-19 On Maryland Community College Students: Mental Health, Learning, And Environmental Challenges, Vickie R. Braxton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to describe the lived experiences of minority students attending a community college in the state of Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theories guiding this study were Hobfoll’s Conservation Resources Theory as it focuses on the impact of a lack of external and internal resources on mental health when recovering from a prolonged disaster; the Theory of Transformative Learning as it focuses on how new learning processes affect cognitive abilities in different study environments; and The Theory of Connectivism as it focuses on how individuals learn digitally through experiences outside their control …

A Qualitative Case Study On The Negative Impact The Global Pandemic Had On The Oil And Gas Industry, Sarah Denise Hagans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this flexible-design single-case study was to expand the understanding of the reasons behind the negative impact the global pandemic had on international trade in the oil and gas industry. The research was critical to understanding the turbulent period for the oil and gas industry during the global pandemic. The study was essential because the possible negative effects of the global pandemic on the oil and gas industry were not fully determined or understood because of the volatility in upstream, midstream, and downstream production. The research aimed to determine the driving factors and explanations for how the negative …

Face Mask Littering: Environmental Impacts, Regulatory Challenges, And Ai-Driven Waste Management Strategies For The Post-Pandemic Era, Pri̇yanka Rathee, Sari̇ta Khatkar, Renu Sehrawat, Pooja Rathee, Anurag Khatkar, Esra Küpeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The widespread use of polypropylene-based face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant and persistent source of plastic pollution. This review aims to provide an integrative assessment of the environmental, toxicological, and public health implications of face mask litter and evaluate current waste management challenges and emerging technological solutions in the postpandemic context. A narrative review approach was employed, synthesizing literature published between 2020 and 2025 and indexed in major scientific databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Studies were selected based on their relevance to the issues of environmental contamination, microplastic generation, toxicological effects, regulatory frameworks, and …

Influenza, Covid-19, And Pneumococcal Vaccination Status Among Adults In Türkiye ​, Gamze Şanlidağ İşbi̇len, Serap Gençer, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Meltem Taşbakan, İftahar Köksal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Vaccines reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases that threaten public health. Lifelong immunization programs are essential for the entire population. This study assessed adult vaccination uptake for influenza, pneumococcal, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Türkiye and examined the barriers and factors influencing vaccination decisions.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey was designed and conducted by the Immunization Working Group of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. A 19-item questionnaire was administered to individuals aged 18 years or older to assess influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The questionnaire collected data on demographic …

Challenges To Longevity Among Native Americans In The Four Corner States, Ashley Lenarz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Previous research has shown that Native Americans within the Four Corners States of the United States experience poor health outcomes and premature mortality. The Four Corners States include Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Research examining COVID-19 pandemic outcomes has also suggested that Native peoples within the Four Corners States have been especially hard hit with high rates of infection and mortality. Our research seeks to (1) understand how life expectancy trends and differences changed among non-Hispanic Native Americans and Whites in the Four Corners States during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) examine how much of these trends and differences …

Post-Vaccination Confidence In Covid-19 Vaccines And Associated Determinants In Post-War Context Of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Study, Genanew Kassie Getahun, Yohannes Addisu Wondimagegne, Alemayehu Deressa, Barkot Tamiru, Trhas Tadesse Berhe, Moges Mekonnen, Tsegay Hadgu, Znabu Hadush Kahsay, Mussie Alemayehu, Gebrehaweria Gebrekurstos, Joy Kenyi, Eshetu Girma, Finina Abebe Ware, Nardos Gelana, Menen Tsegaw, Eyob Ketema Bogale, Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction It is widely recognized that access to and utilization of health services are negatively impacted by war. These effects worsen particularly when combined with pandemics such as COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to assess adults' COVID-19 post-vaccination confidence in the conflict-affected region of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods The study employed a concurrent parallel mixed-methods design, combining a quantitative survey of 1599 adults and six key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Survey participants were selected using a multistage cluster sampling technique, while qualitative participants were purposively sampled. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire administered via …