Digital Commons Network^™

A Strategic Research Project Exploring An African American Church’S Engagement In Public And Nonprofit Healthcare Partnerships, Josephine Louise Evans

Transformations

This Strategic Research Project examines how churches engage in public and nonprofit healthcare partnerships to address community health disparities and strengthen congregational well-being. Guided by organizational leadership principles and supported by frameworks such as the Social Ecological Model, change theory, and systems thinking, the study explores the perceptions, experiences, and decision-making processes of pastoral leaders involved in cross-sector collaboration. Using a mixed-methods design, the research analyzes qualitative insights from leadership interviews alongside quantitative data on community health trends to identify facilitators, barriers, and perceived effectiveness of these partnerships. Findings reveal that trust building, cultural competence, shared mission alignment, and resource …

The Role Of Trauma-Informed Care In Supporting At-Risk Students In Alternative Education, Jar'mel D. Taylor Dr.

Transformations

Students with traumatic experiences commonly fail to meet educational goals and control their emotions while also losing their involvement in classes. Standard trauma-informed care practices remain absent from numerous alternative educational institutions, which leaves their teaching community without adequate support to help traumatized students effectively. The application of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) strategies toward student outcomes requires investigation to develop effective educational approaches that enhance school success. The researcher used qualitative exploratory case study methodology to study TIC practices in alternative education for Black and Brown adolescent students (aged 12–18) in Washington, D.C. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group with 16 …

Assessment Of Parents' Informational Needs Before Pediatric Day Care Surgery In Makkah City, Saudi Arabia, Ammar H. Habiballah, Raghad Y. Shosho, Raed M. Babukur, Sultan M. Banser, Sarah S. Almohammadi, Muhannad M. Alharbi, Thekra A. Alwafi, Shahad S. Alkabkabi, Raed F. Alsufi

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Introduction Pediatric surgical procedures can be highly stressful for children and their parents due to factors such as limited understanding, lack of control, and anxiety. The study aims to assess the informational needs of parents of children scheduled to undergo day care surgery in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months. The study included parents or caregivers of children scheduled for day care surgery in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.A convenient sampling techniques was used for participant selection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results The study included 380 participants and assessed parental informational needs …

Dameon Allen V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Chitinase Variants Establish Environmental Inflammatory Lung Conditioning, Yilin Wang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Environmental particulate exposure contributes to the severity and persistence of numerous acute and chronic lung diseases, including asthma, viral pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis. Chitin, a highly abundant environmental polysaccharide present in fungi, insects, and mites, is continuously encountered at mucosal barrier surfaces and functions as an immunostimulatory particulate substrate within the respiratory tract. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase; CHIA) is an evolutionarily conserved mammalian enzyme that degrades chitin-containing particles and regulates inflammatory responses at barrier tissues. Common human CHIA polymorphisms reduce AMCase enzymatic activity and are associated with asthma susceptibility; however, the physiologic consequences of these variants …

Cultivating Collective Impact: A Playbook For Building Community Data Capacity, Jenrose Fitzgerald, Ally Terhaar, Dan Ferris

Center for Social Development Research

Data for Social Impact (DSI), an initiative of the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, has played a key role in cultivating community data capacity in the St. Louis region—particularly at the organizational and collective levels. DSI has done this by building capacity among social sector organizations to work collaboratively with data across government, philanthropy, nonprofits, and impacted communities. This playbook outlines DSI’s approach to building community data capacity in St. Louis and lessons learned along the way.

Immigration Status And Lung Cancer Diagnosis In U.S. First-Generation Immigrants, Valeriya Lockwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The healthy immigrant effect (HIE) is an observed phenomenon in which immigrants exhibit better health outcomes than native-born residents, though relatively few studies have examined its role in chronic diseases in the United States. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess the associations between immigration status, age, sex, race/ethnicity, median household income, and geographic location and lung cancer diagnosis in first-generation immigrant adults aged 18 or older. The subsequent health trajectory model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Data were obtained from the SEER*Stat Database 1975-2022 (N = 1,993). Binomial regression analysis showed that immigrants were …

Nurses' Perspectives On Parental Involvement In Infant's Pain Care In Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Danielle Sobers, Carol Mcnair, Marsha Campbell-Yeo, Fabiana Bacchini, Mariana Bueno

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Hospitalized infants are frequently exposed to painful procedures with suboptimal pain care, which can negatively impact infants’ growth and development. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding for pain relief, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in pain care in intensive care. However, parental involvement for pain care is not yet standard practice. As nurses play a key role in neonatal and pain care, the goal of this study is to understand nurses’ needs to enable parental involvement in pain care.

Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-designed needs assessment study. Nurses residing in Canada and working …

Leveraging Innovation And Resilience: A Qualitative Project Of Mid-Level Managers Driving Business Performance In Multinational Corporations, Karla Karey Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee underdevelopment in multinational corporations (MNCs) can weaken the organization’s agility and competitive advantage in the global market. Mid-level managers must be leveraged effectively, as this level of management holds primary adaptive responsibility for building, integrating, and reconfiguring resources during organizational change. Grounded in the dynamic capabilities theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore effective strategies mid-level managers in MNCs use to improve dynamic capabilities. Participants were 10 U.S.-based MNC mid-level managers with experience using strategies to improve dynamic capabilities. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available documents, including strategic plans, …

Process From Noise: Erosion Threshold Variability And The Morphology Of Gravel-Bed Rivers, Robert Paul Kostynick

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Rivers are remarkably consistent as their geometry, width, depth, and slope change systematically downstream in response to differences in fluid discharge and sediment transport throughout a channel. Rivers move both water and sediment through terrains that depend on these downstream geometric adjustments influencing water quality, ecology, infrastructure, channel morphology, and landscape evolution at increasing timescales respectively. Rivers thus influence all aspects of life and define our spatial landscapes that shape boundaries, whether physical, politically, or socially. Nevertheless, a river is dynamic and does not adhere to human-defined boundaries, making it vital that we understand how these features change over time …

Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cell Reprogramming During Breast Cancer Progression Promotes Myeloid-Biased Hematopoiesis, Emily Maria Eul

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer progression is associated with systemic immune dysregulation characterized by the expansion of immunosuppressive myeloid populations that promote tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. However, the mechanisms that sustain pathological myeloid expansion remain incompletely understood. In particular, it remains unknown whether solid tumors functionally reprogram hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to drive enhanced myeloid output and if bone-derived signals can regulate tumor-associated hematopoietic remodeling. In murine models of primary and metastatic breast cancer, tumor progression induced the remodeling of the hematopoietic compartment, characterized by the expansion of HSPCs, enhanced myeloid differentiation, and systemic accumulation of myeloid populations. …

Preventing The Next Tragedy: Applying Root Cause Analysis (Rca) In A Military Suicide Event, Li-Ling Lin, Kai-Wen Li, Yun-Shih Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study examines a near-miss suicide by a high-risk military patient in an acute psychiatric ward. Using Root Cause Analysis (RCA), latent errors in system design and communication were identified, guiding strategies to enhance patient safety and care quality.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to implement RCA in a military suicide event and improve the process of care in an acute psychiatric ward.

Methods: The RCA process involves identifying the problem, establishing a timeline, identifying the causes, creating a cause-and-effect diagram, and implementing strategies. We conducted personnel interviews and on-site walk to understand the operations and environment, reconstructing …

Impact Of Electronic Health Records On Nursing In Low-And Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Wahab Osman, Kimberley Widger, Alexandra Harris, Vida N. Yakong, Charlene Chu, Stephanie Asah-Ofori

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Electronic health records (EHR) are increasingly being implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), a significant shift from paper-based documentation, with goals to enhance clinical decision-making (1-5). However, implementation challenges such as lack of technical skills, funding constraints, and equipment issues exist (2-4). Furthermore, there is a lack of research focused on the impact of EHR implementation on nurses in LMIC, despite the critical role of nursing documentation on care decisions and planning (1-5).

Aims: To map evidence and identify research gaps from primary studies on the impact of electronic health records on nursing care in LMIC from 2015 …

Advancing Accessibility: Integrating Inclusive Design And Ai To Support Students With Disabilities, Stephanie Black, Jennifer Green

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

 Nursing students with disabilities often face barriers in didactic, simulation, and clinical environments that can limit academic success and contribute to underrepresentation in the nursing workforce. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight practical, evidence-based strategies for promoting accessibility in nursing education through universal design principles, collaboration with internal and external partners, and selective use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). This session will explore approaches such as flexible learning activities and assessments, accessible simulation experiences, and technology-assisted supports that complement traditional accommodations. While AI can enhance accessibility - through adaptive study aids, note-taking supports, and alternative content …

Male Partners' Experiences During Their Spouses' Menopausal Transition, Veronica Adwoa Agyare, Martha Yawa Benti, Martha Atiemo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Menopause involves a range of physical, emotional, behavioural and physiological changes that may affect the quality of life of women and their partners. Usually, men endure in silence and seem invisible. Evidence shows a dearth of literature on men’s perspectives regarding their spouses’ menopause in Sub-Saharan Africa (Zhang et al., 2020; Matina et al., 2025). The study explored Ghanaian men’s experiences during their spouses menopausal transition.

Method: The study utilised an exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach to understand the phenomenon. Thirteen men living with wives experiencing menopause involved in the study based on information power. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and …

Martin And Harris Private Ltd V. Merck & Co Inc

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Usa V. Randall Hayes

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Young-Onset Stroke In The Uae: A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis Of Risk Factors And Outcomes, Sobia Siddiq, Saryia Adra, Kamel A. Samara, Batool Aldaher, Mohamad Emad Aldeen Mahfouz, Nour Sakan, Fathima Musfira, Roomiyah Riyaz Assadi, Ahlam Mohamed Almarzooqi, Hiba Jawdat Barqawi, Eman Abu-Gharbieh

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Young-onset stroke represents a growing public health concern, yet data from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remain limited. This study aimed to examine the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with young-onset stroke in the UAE.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 419 patients aged below 50 years who were admitted at Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah, UAE, with a diagnosis of stroke between 2016 and 2022. Data on demographics, comorbidities, stroke subtype, management, and outcomes were collected and analyzed using Python-based statistical libraries.

RESULTS: The study population comprised predominantly of male individuals (78.28%), with most patients originating …

Perceived Trustworthiness As A Pathway Linking Adhd Traits To Large Language Models Dependency: Evidence From Uk And Chinese Samples, Ala Yankouskaya, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Haibo Yang, Xiaokun Wang, Jiaojiao Chen, Tina Yunsi Ma, Sameha Alshakhsi, Guandong Xu, Raian Ali

All Works

Large language models (LLMs) create contexts in which individual differences may shape reliance on digital systems. Drawing on neurodiversity, this study examined whether perceived trustworthiness of user’s primary LLM mediates associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits and LMM dependencyinstrumental and relationship LLM dependency. Adults in the UK (n = 567) and China (n = 577) reported ADHD traits, perceived LLM trustworthiness of LLM, and both types of dependency. Across samples, higher ADHD traits were associated with lower trustworthiness, whereas greater trustworthiness was associated with greater instrumental and relationship dependency, yielding negative indirect effects. In the UK, direct ADHD-dependency associations were …

Quality Improvement In Pediatric Electrophysiology Through Post- Case Surveys And Quality Moment Analysis, Asher Shillcutt, Jeffrey A. Robinson, Daniel L. Hames

Posters: 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Pediatric electrophysiology procedures are complex and require thorough planning and coordination among physicians, anesthesia providers, and nursing staff. In the following cases, quality improvement receives recognition, but these moments, specifically in pediatric EP labs, lack a standardized data-collection method. By creating a standardized “Quality Moment,” we can better analyze patterns and identify opportunities for positive clinical improvement.

Supporting Graduate Student Flourishing: Development Of A Whole-Person Framework Through A University-Wide Task Force, Elisa Greene, Amanda Grieme-Bradley, Maren Bishop

Posters

How do whole persons form for lives of character and flourishing within graduate schooling years? What steps could an institution take to move toward that end? This work describes the process of one institution’s use of a task force examining these questions using a combination of literature review and structured interviews with key stakeholders across campus. The context of the institution’s unique mission, vision, and virtue framework provided a foundation out of which four areas of focus emerged: 1) infrastructure and representation, 2) belonging and community, 3) communication, and 4) professional identity formation. Investment in these institutional themes supports formation …

Parents' Perspectives Of Factors Contributing To Speech Delays In Children Born During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alva Jessica Daniels

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted children’s developmental environments by limiting access to childcare, healthcare, and opportunities for social interaction, raising concerns about speech and language outcomes in children born during this period. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this qualitative study was an exploration of factors associated with speech and language delays and examined parents’ perceptions and experiences in Philadelphia. The qualitative study included a sample of nine parents who cared for children during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period. Analysis of the interview data revealed five emergent themes: (a) limited social interaction during the pandemic, (b) delayed identification and diagnosis …

General Education Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Inclusive Elementary Mainstream Classrooms In Central California, Leah Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was a gap in practice about general education teachers’ support of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms in Central California, where regional inclusion rates fall below state and national averages. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning, the purpose of the study was to explore general education teachers’ perceptions regarding inclusion and recommended support for students with ASD in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms. For this basic qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 general education teachers who taught grades 1 through 6. Through open, in vivo, and subsequent axial …

Improving Medication Adherence Through Structured Telephone Follow-Up To Reduce 30-Day Readmissions Among Adult Patients With Heart Failure, Angela Dean Hamilton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) evidence-based quality improvement (QI) project addressed high 30-day hospital readmission rates among adults with heart failure (HF), a problem associated with poor medication adherence and inadequate transitional care that nurses are uniquely positioned to address through discharge education, medication reconciliation, and postdischarge follow up to improve patient safety and quality of care. The practice-focused question asked: In adult patients discharged with HF, how does a structured, nurse-led, telephone follow-up intervention focused on medication adherence, compared with usual discharge care, affect 30-day hospital readmission rates over a 90-day implementation period? The purpose of this DNP …

Effective Strategies Small Business Owners Use To Sustain Their Businesses During Periods Of Disruption, Tracey Starr Moon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses experience significant challenges sustaining operations during periods of disruption, including economic uncertainty, natural disasters, supply chain interruptions, and other environmental changes. This is a concern for small business owners because disruptions can reduce revenue and strain limited financial and operational resources, putting their continued survival at risk. Grounded in the resilience theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore effective strategies small business owners use to sustain their businesses during times of disruption. The participants were six small business owners in the southern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and …

Strategies To Improve Communication Among Culturally Diverse International Manufacturing Teams, Bessem Enow Nchenge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inefficient communication and insufficient collaboration in multicultural organizations can result in suboptimal team performance and stifle employee creativity. Manufacturing firm leaders who struggle with communication issues are concerned about deterioration in team cohesion, worker productivity, and information flow. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry research project explored strategies that leaders of international manufacturing firms use to bridge cultural differences and improve communication among international team members to enhance team performance. The participants were six leaders from manufacturing firms in the southwestern United States with international manufacturing agreements who demonstrated measurable success in improving communication among …

Implementing Routine Trauma Screening Using The Ace Questionnaire And Pcl-5, Esther Amune

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This evaluation of a quality improvement initiative addressed inconsistent trauma screening and electronic documentation at an outpatient site. The baseline trauma-screening completion rate was 60%, below the organization's 80% target. The gap was relevant to nursing because nurses support screening, documentation, referral, coordination, and follow-up. The practice-focused question addressed whether the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), or PCL-5, would improve documented screening completion and trauma-informed treatment planning over 10 weeks. The purpose was to incorporate both tools into care and …

Staff Education To Improve Skills In Detecting And Addressing Medication Nonadherence Among The Psychiatric Nursing Staff, Uchenna Owunna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education project focused on addressing the knowledge gap of medication nonadherence patterns by the psychiatric nurses in outpatient settings. Nonadherence to psychiatric medications is a major health issue that leads to disruptions of care and symptom relapse, hospitalization, and suboptimal treatment outcomes as well as high healthcare costs. Thus, improving the capacity of the psychiatric nurses to enhance medication adherence through staff education is essential. The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if a comprehensive medication adherence education program would increase psychiatric nurses’ knowledge and skills in assessing …

Exploring The Experiences Of Nigerian Army Personnel With Toxic Leadership, Shamsideen Toyin Shafaru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Toxic leadership has been shown to be present in Nigeria, promoting negative consequences for organizations and adverse effects on employee performance. However, how toxic leadership behaviors impact Nigerian Army operations and the performance of personnel have not been studied. Exploring toxic leadership in the Nigerian Army is important because the way in which leaders exercise influence determines the effects it has on followers. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of Nigerian Army personnel who had worked as subordinates of individuals who exhibited toxic leadership traits and its impact on their performance. The theoretical …

Implementation Of A Standardized Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screening Process In An Outpatient Psychiatric Practice, Dela Mensah Frimpong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an organizational change initiative designed to implement a standardized suicide risk screening process in an outpatient psychiatric practice. The identified practice problem was inconsistent staff use and documentation of suicide risk screening, which could result in missed warning signs, delayed provider notification, incomplete documentation, and inconsistent follow-up care. Suicide risk identification is an essential nursing responsibility and a key component of patient safety (The Joint Commission, 2024; Zero Suicide, n.d.). The practice-focused question examined whether staff education and implementation of a standardized Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) workflow would improve staff compliance, documentation completion, and knowledge …