Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Health And Well-Being Outcomes Associated With Protected Coastal Ecosystems: A Fundy National Park Case Study., Mhairi K. Chandler

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health and well-being of Canadians, prompting many to turn to nature for consolation and social interaction. However, there is a lack of evidence linking these outcomes specifically to coastal areas. To address this gap, we conducted a self-reported survey at Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada, in summer 2022. Over 400 visitors participated, revealing nature enjoyment, physical health, and mental well-being as primary motivators for park visitation. Notably, mental well-being showed significant differences across gender, sexual identity, and ethnicity, with males, straight individuals, and others exhibiting distinct preferences compared to females, 2SLGBTQIA+ …

Assessing A Potential Deviation In The Legislative Process: The Use Of Vehicle Bills In South Dakota, Neil Fulton, Sarah Kammer, Patrick M. Garry

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Trial Of The Jurors - A Commentary On 12 Angry Men, Jonathan K. Van Patten

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Sustainability In Education And Healthcare Field: An Integrative Review Of Factors, Barriers, And The Path Forward For Informed Practices, Joseph U. Almazan, April Manabat, Zulyar Kavashev, Meruyert Smagulova, Paolo C. Colet, Ejercito Mangawa Balay-Odao, Ainetta Nurmagambetova, Srinivasa Rao Bolla, Alma Syzdykova, Zhaniya Dauletkaliyeva, Jonas P. Cruz

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This integrative review consolidated and synthesized diverse research articles aimed at investigating various environmental factors in sustainability education, including in the healthcare field. Likewise, it provided a holistic understanding of challenges, facilitators, and their significance.

Method: Eight databases with different search terms were searched in this integrative review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A total of 19 papers were quality evaluated using a standardized review tool.

Results: Three major themes emerged from the integrative review such as: “Factors affecting Sustainability Education” which include specific factors such as responsible environmental behavior, …

Investigating The Effects Of Debriefing In Obstetric Anesthesia Simulation Sessions On Non-Technical Skills, A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study, Meriem Bouchareb, Wafa Guellati, Hayet Makhlouf, Samia Felfli, Mahfoud Djebien

Health Professions Education

Purpose. The present study aims to investigate the utilization of simulation-based training in addressing obstetric emergencies, with the goal of enhancing the crisis management capabilities of anesthesia professionals through what is known as Crew Resource Management (CRM) techniques in obstetric settings. The primary objective of this paper is to assess the influence of this program, which is centered on emergency obstetric scenarios, on the non-technical proficiencies among upcoming anesthesiology practitioners.

Method. The research employs experimental setup involving both experimental and control groups. The independent variable involves the application of debriefing sessions on non-technical skills, administered solely to the …

Hite: A Fast And Accurate Dynamic Boundary Adjustment Approach For Full-Length Transposable Element Detection And Annotation, Kang Hu, Peng Ning, Minghua Xu, You Zou, Jianye Chang, Xin Gao, Yaohang Li, Jue Ruan, Bin Hu, Jianxin Wang

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Recent advancements in genome assembly have greatly improved the prospects for comprehensive annotation of Transposable Elements (TEs). However, existing methods for TE annotation using genome assemblies suffer from limited accuracy and robustness, requiring extensive manual editing. In addition, the currently available gold-standard TE databases are not comprehensive, even for extensively studied species, highlighting the critical need for an automated TE detection method to supplement existing repositories. In this study, we introduce HiTE, a fast and accurate dynamic boundary adjustment approach designed to detect full-length TEs. The experimental results demonstrate that HiTE outperforms RepeatModeler2, the state-of-the-art tool, across various species. Furthermore, …

You Shall Know A Forum By The Words They Keep: Analyzing Language Use In Accessibility Forums For Blind Users, Nithiya Venkatraman, Anand Aiyer, Yash Prakash, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Discussion forums are one of the favored platforms for knowledge sharing. Given their popularity, copious research exists on understanding linguistic and behavioral characteristics of forum conversations. However, prior investigations have mainly focused on general forums designed primarily for sighted users, and as such the applicability of their findings to the dedicated accessibility discussion forums frequented by blind individuals remains unanswered. To bridge this knowledge gap, and facilitate the development of better-informed assistive technologies for blind people, we investigated language use and identified the key semantic and cognitive characteristics of online accessibility forums. To aid our investigation, we collected a dataset …

Sccad: Cluster Decomposition-Based Anomaly Detection For Rare Cell Identification In Single-Cell Expression Data, Yunpei Xu, Shaokai Wang, Qilong Feng, Jiazhi Xia, Yaohang Li, Hong-Dong Li, Jianxin Wang

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have become essential tools for characterizing cellular landscapes within complex tissues. Large-scale single-cell transcriptomics holds great potential for identifying rare cell types critical to the pathogenesis of diseases and biological processes. Existing methods for identifying rare cell types often rely on one-time clustering using partial or global gene expression. However, these rare cell types may be overlooked during the clustering phase, posing challenges for their accurate identification. In this paper, we propose a Cluster decomposition-based Anomaly Detection method (scCAD), which iteratively decomposes clusters based on the most differential signals in each cluster to effectively separate …

Profound First-Degree Atrioventricular Block In A High-Level Basketball Athlete., Justin D Stumph, William K Cornwell, Michael A Rosenberg, Morteza Khodaee

Heart and Vascular Articles

First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block (PR interval >200 ms) is commonly observed among screening electrocardiogram (ECG) in athletes. Profound first-degree AV block (PR interval >400 ms) and Mobitz type I (Wenckebach) second-degree AV block are generally uncommon and often require further workup on a case-by-case basis, particularly when there is concern for a structural cardiac abnormality. In this case, we present an example of an asymptomatic profound first-degree AV block with Mobitz type I (Wenckebach) second-degree AV block. Transthoracic echocardiogram and stress echocardiogram were unremarkable and the patient was cleared to participate in sports without any restriction. Physicians managing athletes should …

Immunohistochemical Analysis Of Dentigerous Cysts And Odontogenic Keratocysts Associated With Impacted Third Molars—A Systematic Review, Luis Eduardo Almeida, David Lloyd, Daniel Boettcher, Olivia Kraft, Samuel Zammuto

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: This systematic review investigates the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications of immunohistochemical markers in dentigerous cysts (DCs) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) associated with impacted third molars.

Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed across major databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, from the inception of the databases to March 2024. Keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms such as “dentigerous cysts”, “odontogenic keratocysts”, “immunohistochemistry”, “Ki-67”, and “p53” were used. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed to ensure methodological rigor. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies on humans and animals providing definitive diagnoses or specific signs and symptoms …

Bayesian Rare Variant Analysis Identifies Novel Schizophrenia Putative Risk Genes, Shengtong Han

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

The genetics of schizophrenia is so complex that it involves both common variants and rare variants. Rare variant association studies of schizophrenia are challenging because statistical methods for rare variant analysis are under-powered due to the rarity of rare variants. The recent Schizophrenia Exome meta-analysis (SCHEMA) consortium, the largest consortium in this field to date, has successfully identified 10 schizophrenia risk genes from ultra-rare variants by burden test, while more risk genes remain to be discovered by more powerful rare variant association test methods. In this study, we use a recently developed Bayesian rare variant association method that is powerful …

The Effect Of The Advocacy Social-Emotional Learning Program On Emotional Competence, Thomas Lee Morgan, Amie B. Cieminski, Suzanne Marmo, Keisha Kayon Morgan

Education Faculty Publications

School leaders are integrating social and emotional skills content into their academic curriculum to create a supportive learning environment and improve the implicit curriculum. The Generation Schools Network (GSN) Advocacy Program is a comprehensive, multi-component schoolwide initiative designed to promote students' social-emotional competence, college and career readiness, and academic success. Overall, the GSN Advocacy Program represents a holistic approach that promotes the interconnectedness of social-emotional development and academic success, aiming to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter. The study aimed to test for baseline equivalence between the comparison and intervention groups regarding school climate, leadership, school …

Documentation Of International Classification Of Headache Disorders Criteria In Patient Medical Records: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis., Michelle Pershing, Omkar Hirekhan, Azfar Syed, John O Elliott, Jonathan Toot

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

OBJECTIVE: To determine headache diagnosis and treatment patterns in the outpatient setting, focusing on documentation of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort data were collected from electronic medical records of adults aged 18-35 who presented to resident-staffed family medicine outpatient clinics in the Midwest, USA, for a new or worsening headache between 2015 and 2016. Diagnosis codes were used to summarize the overall nature and prevalence of headaches. A random subset of 30 patients each for migraine headache (MGH) with and without aura and tension-type headache (TTH) were reviewed to determine how …

Pathophysiology Of Pain And Mechanisms Of Neuromodulation: A Narrative Review (A Neuron Project)., Marcin Karcz, Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Krishnan Chakravarthy, Mansoor M Aman, Natalie Strand, Mark N Malinowski, Usman Latif, David Dickerson, Tolga Suvar, Timothy Lubenow, Evan Peskin, Ryan D'Souza, Eric Cornidez, Andrew Dudas, Christopher Lam, Michael Farrell Ii, Geum Yeon Sim, Mohamad Sebai, Rosa Garcia, Lucas Bracero, Yussr Ibrahim, Syed Jafar Mahmood, Marco Lawandy, Daniel Jimenez, Leili Shahgholi, Kamil Sochacki, Mohamed Ehab Ramadan, Vinicius Tieppo Francio, Dawood Sayed, Timothy Deer

Neuroscience Articles

Pain serves as a vital innate defense mechanism that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Understanding the physiological effects of pain well plays an important role in developing novel pain treatments. Nociceptor neurons play a key role in pain and inflammation. Interactions between nociceptors and the immune system occur both at the site of injury and within the central nervous system. Modulating chemical mediators and nociceptor activity offers promising new approaches to pain management. Essentially, the sensory nervous system is essential for modulating the body's protective response, making it critical to understand these interactions to discover new pain …

Town Of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire 62nd Annual Report Year Ending December 31, 2023., Sugar Hill Town Representatives

Sugar Hill, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Mississippians In The Philippine Civil Service, 1901-1946, Bradley Brazzeal

UL Publications

The Philippines became an American colony after the Spanish-American War of 1898, and complete independence was not granted until 1946. The Philippine Civil Service was established in 1901, and this publication examines the lives of various Mississippians who worked for the Philippine government during the American colonial period, focusing on those who either held a prominent position or spent at least five years in the Philippines.

The Personal Is Political: School Board Members’ Motivation For School Governance, Andrew Lobdell

Dissertations of Practice

Understanding the motivation behind school board members' governance is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of public schools. This research aims to analyze the motivations of five newly elected board members and compare them with past research on governance and motivation. The leadership qualities of school superintendents also impact governance and can influence board members' motivations for running and serving their communities. Similarly, board members' motivations can affect how superintendents lead their districts and prioritize different topics. The research is divided into three papers. Paper 1 reviews existing literature and is organized into three distinct sections that explore school board governance, …

Skubitz, Joseph Collection, Special Collections And Archives

Finding Aids

Joe Skubitz was born on May 6, 1907 in Frontenac, Kansas. He attended Girard High School, graduating in 1926 and then attended the Kansas State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State University. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working in public education, and in 1946 received a law degree from George Washington Law School. Skubitz ran for office in 1962 and represented the 5^th District of Kansas as a Republican from 1963 to 1979. Among the things he worked towards were benefits for miners suffering from black lung, and to have the old fort at Fort Scott named a …

The Introduction And Spread Of Kudzu In Georgia, Ingrid E. Baker, Albert Way

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

Kudzu’s popularity in Georgia was born of necessity; the economic ravages of the Great Depression together with persistent soil erosion and depletion had left Georgia’s farmers in need of a thrifty solution. Kudzu’s nitrogen-enriching leguminous properties, along with its success as an inexpensive grazing crop, made it an attractive solution to Georgia’s agricultural woes. Channing Cope, through his radio program and regular contributions to the Atlanta Constitution, was among kudzu’s most ardent defenders. Cope’s charisma and enthusiasm helped to popularize the vine among farmers and laymen alike. At the federal level, the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) financially incentivized farmers to …

Technological Advancements In China's Automation Industry: Economic Opportunities And Challenges, Jichen Tan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the transformative impact of automation technology on China's manufacturing sector within the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It systematically examines the dual forces of opportunity and challenge through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analytical lens. The findings indicate that automation has significantly accelerated China's industrial upgrading, enhanced productivity, and positioned the country as a global leader in sectors such as new energy vehicles and photovoltaics. However, the study also identifies persistent dependencies on foreign core technologies, fragmented industrial ecosystems, and social disruptions due to skill mismatches and labor displacement. To address these issues, the paper …

Network Pharmacology And Molecular Docking Reveals The Therapeutic Mechanism Of Musa Acuminata Against Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Hasan Ansari, Prekshi Garg, K. S. Rashmi, Grisilda Vidya Bernhardt

Open Access archive

Network pharmacology integrates systems biology and bioinformatics to explore the intricate relationships among drugs, targets, diseases, and other molecular docking used to explore the effect of Musa acuminata against obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a behavioral and mental neurological condition. The occurrence of patients with OCD has increased in recent times due to both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors involve variations in certain genes that give instructions for proteins that react to or transport the neurotransmitter known as serotonin which has been associated with an increased risk of OCD. Thus, the present study aims to establish the therapeutic properties …

Development And Validation Of A Bedside Scale For Assessing Upper Limb Function Following Stroke: A Methodological Study., Dhaval Pawani, Abraham M. Joshua, Akshatha Nayak, Vijayakumar Palaniswamy

Open Access archive

Background: Numerous tools are available for evaluation of upper limb (UL) functions among stroke survivors. Despite the excellent psychometric properties, many require considerable amount of time, are resource-intensive, and often impractical for bedside evaluation. Objectives: To develop and concurrently validate a simple, resource-efficient, and time-efficient bedside tool for evaluating UL function in stroke survivors. Methods: Relevant literature review was carried out to conceptualize and define the theoretical framework of day-to-day UL movement tasks. Subsequently, an item pool of 18 UL movements was developed. A mini-Delphi method was employed to verify content validity. During the iterative rounds, 18-items were revised and …

Demystifying Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Using Interpretable And Understandable Artificial Intelligence, Krishnaraj Chadaga, Varada Vivek Khanna, Srikanth Prabhu, Niranjana Sampathila

Open Access archive

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a dangerous illness that strikes the central nervous system. The body's immune system attacks myelin (an entity above the nerves) and impairs brain-to-body communication. To date, it is not possible to cure MS. However, symptoms can be managed, and treatments can be provided if the disease is diagnosed early. Hence, supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms and several hyperparameter tuning techniques, including Bayesian optimization, have been utilized in this study to predict MS in patients. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been conducted before training the classifiers. The most essential markers were chosen using a technique called …

A Narrative Review Of Diffusion Kurtosis Mri Parameters In Diagnosing Degenerative Spine Diseases In Animal Models, Neil Abraham Barnes, Winniecia Dkhar, Rajagopal Kadavigere, Suresh Sukumar

Open Access archive

Degenerative spine disease is a significant health concern in animals due to its impact on daily activities such as movement, balance, and thermoregulation. Early diagnosis is essential for effective management and treatment, with MRI playing a crucial role in identifying degenerative changes. Advanced MRI sequences, particularly diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) have determined an important tool for detecting early microstructural changes. This review evaluates the efficacy of DKI parameters for the early diagnosis of degenerative spine disease in animal models. Following the scale for the assessment of narrative review articles guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted to …

Assessment Of Preparedness For Antimicrobial Resistance In The Veterinary Department Of A District In South India, Srajana Uttam Kotekar, Navya Vyas

Open Access archive

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top ten public health challenges affecting humans worldwide. Antibiotic use in livestock, agriculture, and fisheries is a significant yet often overlooked contributor to AMR. This study aimed to evaluate the preparedness of the veterinary department for AMR in a district in South India. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study involved all veterinary personnel in the department, with 73 participants (administrative officials, veterinary doctors, and para veterinarians). Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and an observational checklist to assess infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Specific questionnaires were administered to …

Delivery Of Nutraceutical Products In Sports, Hrithik Dadasaheb Jadhav, Anjana A. Kailas, Annamalai Rama, Induja Govindan

Open Access archive

Healthy interventions are one of the most significant aspects of first-rate athletic execution. Combat-related tasks necessitate the greatest ratio of muscular tissue to body weight in order to reach the highest level of command feasible. An adequate level of nutrition knowledge is essential, especially when it comes to assessing energy requirements while avoiding misunderstandings about dietary supplements and incorrect assessments of steroid requirements, which could damage health. In that framework, our organization seeks to emphasize healthy needs and assess the importance of a daily diet in combat athletes, which gradually involves a wide variety of sporting food nutrients, and the …

Effect Of Treadmill Exercise On The Liver, Kidney Health, And Serum Il-10 Levels In High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Male Wistar Rats, Samreen M. Sheik, H. Madhukar Mallya, Deepak Nayak Manel, Karkala Sreedhara Ranganath Pai

Open Access archive

This study investigated the impact of treadmill exercise on liver and kidney health in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), alongside serum IL-10 levels. Rats were divided into normal control, HFD, HFD with atorvastatin, and HFD with exercise groups. Obesity was induced over 11 months via the HFD, while the exercise group underwent treadmill training three times per week for 90 days. Parameters measured included body weight, lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests, rat interleukine-10, and histopathology of the liver and kidney. Significant increases in body weight, lipid profile, and liver and kidney function tests, alongside decreased …

Osseointegrative And Antimicrobial Properties Of Graphene Oxide Nano Coated Dental Implants: A Systematic Review, Sounyala Rayannavar, Sunil Kumar Mv, Vignesh Kamath, Mahantesh Bembalgi

Open Access archive

Introduction: Osseointegration stands as a pivotal concept within the realm of dental implants, signifying the intricate process through which a dental implant integrates with the adjoining bone tissue. Graphene oxide (GO) has been shown to promote osseointegration, the process by which the implant fuses with the surrounding bone. The objective of this study was to assess the osseointegrative and antimicrobial properties of GO nano coated dental implants. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) to identify relevant studies published. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies that evaluated the effects of GO nano coating on …

Efficacy Of Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Mouthwash For Managing Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Amee Sanghavi, Laasya Shettigar, Aditi Chopra, Ashmeet Shah

Open Access archive

Background: Removal of the microbial deposits (plaque and calculus) by performing effective scaling and root planing (SRP) is the fundamental step for managing periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). Various adjuncts in the form of mouthwash, gels, and toothpaste are also being used as adjuncts to SRP for managing periodontitis. Recently, Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum), commonly known as goji berry or wolfberry, has gained popularity for managing chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases. However, its efficacy in managing periodontitis has never been explored. Hence the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of goji berry mouthwash compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash for managing …

Justice-Centered Best Practices For Accessibility To Public Buildings In A Tier Ii City: Insights From A Delphi Expert Consensus, Sidhiprada Mohapatra, G. Arun Maiya, Ullas U Nayak, Rashmi Sheelvant

Open Access archive

Background: Despite beneficial progress in policies, awareness and advocacy, accessibility gaps exist in public buildings in India. Challenges achieving full inclusivity still exist, due to a lack of clear guidance for implementing accessible solutions. Retrofitting older buildings, particularly in developing tier II cities is a major challenge. The authors of this paper aimed to address this issue using a four-round Delphi method to generate a Justice-Centered Best Practices (JCBPs) for accessibility provisions for individuals with mobility disabilities. Methods: Conducted in Udupi, the study involved experts including administrators, policy implementers, auditors, advocates, healthcare professionals, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. In …