Digital Commons Network^™

[W]Hole Health, Maudlin, Kimberly Williams-Roberts

Education Projects

Since the onset of COVID-19 during the early part of 2020, business owners and leaders have mostly focused on keeping their doors open amidst lockdowns and social distancing mandates. After over a year into the pandemic, the world is slowly opening up, despite the imminent threat of the virus. As we continue to adjust to this “new norm,” business leaders now must look at how these changes have and will affect their employees. The continuation of this process includes finding ways to provide the much-needed support to employees by way of improving wellness programs. Despite the availability of vaccinations, businesses …

Spreading Encouragement To Seniors In A Pandemic, Bonnie L. Rogulj, Lashia Hicks

Physical Therapy Collection

This brief note describes a "virtual calendar" project created by students of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The calendar of images and poetry was shared with older adult community members to reduce loneliness and increase mental health and wellness in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doc In The Box: Diabetes Care And Management During Covid-19, Lena K. Heino

Anthropology Honors Projects

Of patients with COVID-19, 94 percent of deaths are patients with pre-existing conditions of pneumonia, hypertension, and diabetes. Current research shows the comorbidity of patients with COVID-19 and Type 2 Diabetes. Despite a growing literature on the interaction of these two diseases, most research focuses on physiological interactions. There remains a pressing need for research on the biosocial mechanisms contributing to the interaction between Diabetes and COVID-19. This research focuses on the social conditions constructed during COVID-19 that influence the care and management of Type 2 Diabetes. To investigate the topic, I conducted interviews with healthcare providers and community leaders …

The Current Pandemic, A Complex Emergency? Mental Health Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Highly Vulnerable Communities In Guatemala, Dana Alonzo, Marciana L. Popescu, Pinar Zubaroglu-Ioannides

Covid-19 Digital Research

Background: On March 5th, Guatemala declared a ‘State of Calamity’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict lockdown measures were initiated. The psychological consequences of these measures are yet to be fully understood. There is limited research on the psychological impact of the virus in the general population, and even less focused on Latin America and high-risk communities characterized by poverty, limited mental health resources, and high rates of stigma around mental illness. The goal of this study is to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 across several highly vulnerable districts in Guatemala. Methods: A semi-structured phone interview was …

The Role Of Tradition For Food And Wine Producing Firms In Times Of An Unprecedented Crisis, Alessandro Bressan, Abel Duarte Alonso, Oanh Thi Kim Vu, Lan Thi Ha Do, Wil Martens

Business Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is twofold. First, the study will investigate the importance of tradition for businesses operating during the COVID-19 crisis, notably, as a valuable proposition and strategy. Second, the study seeks to advance theoretical understanding, proposing two frameworks based upon emerging dimensions, the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach: An online survey gathered the views of 107 predominantly micro and small-scale owner-manager and family-owned firms involved in the food and wine sector. These participants are based in Italy, one of the hardest-hit countries in the crisis.

Findings: Three fundamental dimensions emerge from the findings. The …

Crisis Redeployment: An Evidence-Based Plan For Nursing, Lauren Setzer

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available

Current Infection Prevention And Control Strategies Of Covid-19 In Hospitals, Gamze Kalin Ünüvar, Mehmet Doğanay, Emi̇ne Alp

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been appeared first in China since December 2019. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs primarily with droplets through coughing and sneezing and also occurs through inhalation of aerosolized secretions, which travel, remain suspended in the air longer. Materials and methods: Since early stages of the outbreak, COVID-19 cases have been described in healthcare workers (HCWs). However, in the early stages, the disease may be asymptomatic. This may lead to incorrect diagnosis or delayed diagnosis and may lead to the nosocomial spread of the virus. One of the …

Evaluating The Efficiency Of Public Policy Measures Against Covid-19, Hati̇ce Rahmet Güner, İmran Hasanoğlu, Fi̇rdevs Aktaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Afterward, it spread rapidly all over the world, causing almost 4 million deaths as of June 2021. It is clear that effective preventive measures are needed in this devastating disease, which still has no cure. In addition to mask using, social distancing, and hygiene practices, which enter our lives as the most basic precautions, communities aim to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. All over the world, the measures taken and activities performed …

How Efficient Are Facial Masks Against Covid-19? Evaluating The Mask Use Of Variouscommunities One Year Into The Pandemic, Aslıhan Candevi̇r, Cem Üngör, Fi̇gen Çi̇zmeci̇ Şenel, Yeşi̇m Taşova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Face masks are devices worn over the mouth and nose to protect against splashes, infectious respiratory droplets, or aerosols generated during breathing or coughing according to their filtering capacity. Medical masks, respirators, or cloth masks have been used for source control and for the protection of the exposed. After the first case on March 11, 2020, in Turkey, National COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board published various contents for the correct use of masks. Medical face masks have been used in healthcare settings for both source control and potential personal protection before the COVID-19 pandemic. Adverse events associated with using masks are …

Factors Affecting Mortality In Geriatric Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19, Rabi̇a Bağ Soytaş, Damla Ünal, Pinar Arman, Veysel Suzan, Tuğçe Emi̇roğlu Gedi̇k, Günay Can, Bora Korkmazer, Ridvan Karaali̇, Şermi̇n Börekçi̇, Mert Ahmet Kuşkucu, Hakan Yavuzer, Ülev Deni̇z Erdi̇nçler, Alper Döventaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the mortality of patients aged 65 years or older who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of patients 65 years old or older with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Hospital, between March 11 and May 28, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors for in-hospital death. Results: A total of 218 patients (112 men, 106 women) …

Post-Pandemic Privacy Law, Tiffany C. Li

Law Faculty Scholarship

COVD-19, the global pandemic that began in 2019, altered how we live our lives in just about every way imaginable. Some of those changes were obvious-for example, those who were fortunate enough to be able to work from home began working online-while other changes were more subtle. The latter category included unprecedented levels of data collection by governments and organizations purporting to collect information that would help stop the pandemic's spread. Given the deadly nature of COVID-19, few would question any public health efforts, no matter their impact on privacy. However, the lack of attention to privacy issues during the …

Privacy In Pandemic: Law, Technology, And Public Health In The Covid-19 Crisis, Tiffany C. Li

Law Faculty Scholarship

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of deaths and disastrous consequences around the world, with lasting repercussions for every field of law, including privacy and technology. The unique characteristics of this pandemic have precipitated an increase in use of new technologies, including remote communications platforms, healthcare robots, and medical Al. Public and private actors alike are using new technologies, like heat sensing, and technologically influenced programs, like contact tracing, leading to a rise in government and corporate surveillance in sectors like healthcare, employment, education, and commerce. Advocates have raised the alarm for privacy and civil liberties violations, but the emergency …

Going Back To Normal, But How? Re-Opening Policies And The Standards For A New Normal, Levent Akin

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Governments implemented to nonpharmacological methods and various limitation policies such as closing nonessential businesses, schools and limiting group gatherings, promoting social distancing, use of personal protective equipment, advising staying at home. These policies have caused various problems in social and economic life and gradual increase in psychosocial well-being problems. All societies yearningly are waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to be brought under control and the measures to be lifted in order to return to their previous lives. Indicators are needed to assess the burden of disease in the country while lifting measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. When using these …

Consensus Recommendations For Botulinum Toxin Injections In The Spasticitymanagement Of Children With Cerebral Palsy During Covid-19 Outbreak, Ebru Yilmaz Yalçinkaya, Nai̇me Evri̇m Karadağ Saygi, Özden Özyemi̇şci̇ Taşkiran, Nalan Çapan, Şehi̇m Kutlay, Bi̇rkan Sonel Tur, Özlem El, Ece Ünlü Akyüz, Süda Teki̇n, Demet Ofluoğlu, Murat Zi̇nnuroğlu, Pinar Akpinar, Tuğçe Özekli̇ Misirlioğlu, Berri̇n Hüner, Ahmet Hakan Nur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Spasticity is the most common motor disturbance in cerebral palsy (CP). Lockdown in the COVID-19 outbreak has profoundly changed daily routines, and similarly caused the suspension of spasticity treatment plans. Besides, the delay in botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection, which is important in the management of focal spasticity, led to some problems in children. This consensus report includes BoNT injection recommendations in the management of spasticity during the COVID-19 pandemic in children with CP. In order to develop the consensus report, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) specialists experienced in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and BoNT injections were invited by Pediatric …

Characteristics And Mortality Determinants Of Covid-19 Patients Undergoinghemodialysis, Savaş Si̇pahi̇, Hamad Dhei̇r, Aysel Toçoğlu, Meli̇ke Bektaş, Seyyi̇d Bi̇lal Açikgöz, Ahmed Ci̇had Genç, Fuldem Mutlu, Mehmet Köroğlu, Ali̇ Fuat Erdem, Oğuz Karabay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The COVID-19 infection, which started in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019, turned into a pandemic in a very short time, affecting mainly the elderly and those with serious chronic illnesses. COVID-19 infections have been observed to have a high mortality rate, especially in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Materials and methods: Forty-two patients over 18 years of age who underwent a maintenance hemodialysis program at our unit, who tested positive for COVID-19 by PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs, and/or who were observed to have disease-related signs in their CTs were included in the study. Results: In this study, 23 of …

Mckee Library Annual Report 2020-2021, Southern Adventist University

Annual Reports

The 2020-2021 Annual Report includes statistics, McKee Library's 50th anniversary, and information on the Writing Center and Tutoring Center.

Investigation Of A Sars-Cov-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Cluster - Nebraska, November-December 2021, Lauren Jansen, Bryan Tegomoh, Kate Lange, Kimberly Showalter, Jon Figliomeni, Baha Abdalhamid, Peter C. Iwen, Joseph R. Fauver, Bryan Buss, Matthew Donahue

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021, in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa;* the first confirmed case of Omicron in the United States was identified in California on December 1, 2021 (1). On November 29, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was notified of six probable cases^† of COVID-19 in one household, including one case in a man aged 48 years (the index patient) who had recently returned from Nigeria. Given the patient's travel history, Omicron infection was suspected. Specimens …

Community Health Workers And Covid-19 In New York State: Adaptable And Resilient, But Strained, Annis Golden, Amy Williams

Understanding and eliminating minority health disparities in a 21st-century pandemic: A White Paper Collection

This report summarizes findings from an interview-based study conducted in October and November 2020, and inferences that may be drawn from those findings with respect to the contributions of CHWs to eliminating disparities in the impact of COVID-19, and resources needed by CHW-based programs going forward. Findings are reported in the following areas: New connection strategies with clients used by CHWs in response to physical distancing requirements, barriers to connections; new areas of support CHWs provided; socioemotional impact of the pandemic and adaptations on CHWs; resources needed going forward; CHW support for efforts to eliminate disparities in COVID-19 impact on …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Minority Disparities In Sexual And Reproductive Health Care In New York State, Elise Andaya, Rajani Bhatia

Understanding and eliminating minority health disparities in a 21st-century pandemic: A White Paper Collection

This report presents the findings from a qualitative study of the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care to minority groups in New York State from March to October 2020. Drawing on interview material with frontline SRH providers and advocates, we illustrate the deepening inequalities in access to, and quality of, SRH care during the first surge of the pandemic, as well as their implications for future policy and practice. Key findings include: 1) Negative birthing conditions experienced disproportionately by women most vulnerable to poor maternal and birth outcomes; 2) delays and avoidance of …

Identifying Critical Psychological Characteristics Related To Successful Performance As A Contact Tracer: A Job Analysis, Dev Dalal, Jason G. Randall Phd, Gabrielle Danna, Joshua Ash

Understanding and eliminating minority health disparities in a 21st-century pandemic: A White Paper Collection

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a massive workforce of contact tracers to help end the global pandemic. Rapidly accelerating the recruitment, selection, and training of contact tracers proved to be difficult due in part to the lack of a valid, structured, and systematic approach to hiring and training contact tracers. This demonstration presents the results of the first step in developing a systematic selection and training program: a worker-oriented job analysis of the contact tracer job. Using archival records and structured interviews with 15 subject matter experts, we identified 26 unique characteristics related to successful performance as a …

Food Insecurity In Ny State. Solutions To Address The Multifaceted Problem, Janine Jurkowski, Tomoko Udo, Angela Hackstadt

Understanding and eliminating minority health disparities in a 21st-century pandemic: A White Paper Collection

Food is an essential determinant of health; the challenges in meeting nutritional needs for all are complex. Food insecurity involves the availability of enough safe and nutritious food, having access to that food, and being able to effectively utilize that food for household consumption. Availability has to do with the supply chain, which is affected directly by the social and physical environment. Access is related to the social and economic factors that determine individuals and households’ socioeconomic opportunities. Utilization has to do with having the ability, storage and tools for food preparation. Food insecurity is a growing social problem with …

Shadow Pandemic: Covid-19 Lockdown Brings Increased Risk Of Violence For Rohingya Women And Girls, Sara Edwards

Law in a Post-Pandemic World

This blog is a reflection on the increases in gender-based violence (GBV) against Rohingya women in Bangladesh due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect Of School Return During The Covid-19 Pandemic On Children’S Physical And Mental Health, Kaitlynn Craig

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Flashback to midnight on January 1st, 2020. It was New Year’s Day, the beginning of a new decade. Many were filled with excitement and hope to make this year the best one yet. Little did they know that their entire world would be turned upside down a short two months later with a worldwide pandemic, the coronavirus. COVID-19 has affected people in many ways. Some lost their jobs, others struggled to maintain their education virtually, and unfortunately, too many lost their lives. As a nursing student, fear grew while imagining the role of becoming one of the frontline workers battling …

Individual Versus Sequential: The Potential Of Comic Creation In Art Therapy, Christine Phang

Art Therapy | Theses and Dissertations

This research study explored the potential of comics within an art therapy and narrative therapy framework. The process of depicting a past problem as a single image was compared to the process of depicting the same problem as a comic. This study worked with 15 normally functioning adults to compare the effectiveness of the two formats (comics vs. single image) in processing a past problem or challenge. Participants evaluated these two formats through a survey and a brief verbal interview. The quantitative data from the survey and the qualitative data from the interview were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of …

Staff Development For Direct Support Professionals: Perspectives On The Usefulness Of A Literacy-Based Social Skill Strategy, Pattiann Laveglia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to discover Direct Support Professionals’ (DSPs) perceptions of a staff development session for creating a literacy-based social skills strategy known as social stories or story-based instruction. The participants in this study were six DSPs employed by a non-profit agency in the Mid-Hudson Region of New York State which provides community-based residential services to children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Three data collection methods were used in this study: a questionnaire, written reflections, and two in-depth interviews. This study was guided by four research questions exploring the perceived self-efficacy of …

Synchronous Online Instruction, Institutional Connectedness, And Retention In College Students, Kara L. Wicklund

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized items in a campus life survey, administered during COVID-19, to explore relationships among synchronous instruction, institutional connectedness, and retention. Various statistical tests were applied to the data set to analyze relationships between variables. The study showed no relationship between synchronous instruction and retention, and also no relationship between synchronous instruction and institutional connectedness. However, this study did align with earlier research, demonstrating a significant relationship between institutional connectedness and retention. The study also revealed a significant relationship between retention and two key demographics, male gender and advanced standing. Additionally, the study demonstrated a significant relationship between institutional …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Rural Southwest Minnesota Teachers In The Spring 2020 Transition To Distance Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kim Robin Friesen

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of rural teachers in Southwest Minnesota during the spring 2020 transition to distance learning and to unearth any connection between the transition experience and rural teacher retention. The rapid and dramatic transition to distance learning for public schools was a result of the COVID19 pandemic. There was a marked difference in how individual school districts responded to Governor Walz’s mandates regarding school closure. Rural schools faced unique challenges not encountered by metro districts, specifically related to location. Twelve rural Southwest Minnesota career teachers were interviewed using a …

Developing A Self-Sanitizing Mask To Combat The Spread Of Infectious Disease, Matthew Crawford

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Masks have become an important part of everyday life, protecting both the wearer and individuals nearby from the spread of infectious diseases, most notably severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these masks are easily contaminated, whether through continued use or by the wearer touching the mask fabric with contaminated hands, therefore reducing the efficacy and exposing the user to these contagions. When the mask becomes contaminated, it can be discarded, which produces large amounts of waste that will end up in a landfill, or it can be washed, which is …

Changes In Health Behaviors During A Global Pandemic, Olivia Talamo

Senior Honors Projects

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE-2 receptors. COVID-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December of 2019 (CDC). By March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. A COVID-19 infection can cause severe health consequences, including death. COVID-19 affects individuals of all ages. Individuals who are 60 years of age or older, and individuals with underlying medical conditions are considered vulnerable populations for severe consequences from COVID-19 infection (WHO). COVID-19 primarily spreads through physical contact. Respiratory droplets are produced from the nose and mouth when speaking, …

Examining Audience Receptivity To Theatre Across Various Technological Mediums, Chingyi "Ac" Chan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This creative project and study was proposed to investigate the impacts of online theatre on audience members’ emotions, feelings, and comprehension of the show. The Research questions asked were: RQ1: How does the viewing medium, if at all, affect the audience's response to a theatrical performance? And RQ2: Which, if any, technological mediums do audiences members prefer to use to watch theatre? Three versions of the same play were made and adapted to their respective social media platforms: YouTube, Instagram Live, and TikTok. Participants were asked to watch one of the three shows and fill out a survey. Forty participants …