Digital Commons Network^™

Both Studying And Protecting Octopuses “On Their Own Terms”, Jennifer Jacquet, Janelle Kaz, Becca Franks, Christine Webb

Animal Sentience

Cephalopods – indeed, all animals – “must be seen on their own terms,” with respect for their autonomy and their ecological imperatives. This will provide greater scientific insight along with a more ethical and accurate understanding of minds beyond our own.

Assessing E-Health Utilization: An Integrated Analysis Of Social Determinants Of Health, Population, And Psychosocial Factors Using Data From The National Cancer Institute Hints Survey, Farah Faizah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The rapid integration of digital technologies into health systems has transformed the way individuals’ access, manage, and utilize health information. Yet, persistent inequities in e-health engagement highlight the role of social determinants of health (SDoH) in shaping access and utilization. This dissertation examines how demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic determinants influence three domains of e-health utilization—cancer information seeking, internet use, and wellness application/wearable device adoption—using nationally representative data from the 2022 cycle of the National Cancer Institute’s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The study further investigates whether these determinants vary by cancer status and across racial/ethnic groups, providing a multidimensional …

Institutional Mobility Intentions And Job Satisfaction Of Model Minority University Faculties In The United States, Maki Kato

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively understand the institutional mobility intentions and job satisfaction of Asian Female Foreign Faculties (AFFFs) working in colleges and universities in the United States (U.S.) to supplement previous qualitative research focusing on their experiences and perceptions. This study uses 2012–2020 data from the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education’s (COACHE) Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey. The results show that among both, AFFFs and other foreign faculties, the intention to move from one’s current university is uncertain. AFFFs’ job satisfaction, including their interactions with other faculties, is lower than that of white U.S. …

Patterns Of Teaching And Professional Development Practices In Brazilian-Finnish Transnational Education, Terhi Skaniakos, Tahani Z. Aldahdouh, Johanna Annala, Pauliina Alenius, Vesna Holubek, Leonardo Drummond Vilaça, Vesa Korhonen

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study investigates teachers’ professional practices during the delivery of a transnational professional development programme by one Finnish university for a cluster of Brazilian private universities. The objective is to identify local instructors’ patterns of teaching (teachers’ personal-professional qualities), which are conceptualised as approaches to teaching and self-efficacy beliefs, as well as participation in professional development practices (professional cultures and professional development activities). An online questionnaire was sent to the teaching staff of five universities and 201 responses were received and analysed. The most important explanatory aspect was self-efficacy beliefs, which formed the basis for categorising teachers into meaningful clusters. …

An Investigation Of International Students’ Satisfaction With Their University Experience Using An Expectation Confirmation Theory Lens, Mehraz Sarker, Jonathan Worae, Jason D. Edgerton

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study examines how various challenges and support systems influence international students’ satisfaction, as reflected in their intention to recommend their university. Using the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), it examines whether students’ initial expectations moderate the relationships between challenges and satisfaction, and between institutional support and satisfaction. Analysis of survey data (N = 712) indicates that the majority of international students report satisfaction with their university experience. Ordinal logistic regression analyses reveal that perceived institutional support and higher initial expectations are associated with increased likelihood of recommending the university. Conversely, academic and discrimination challenges are associated with decreased likelihood of …

Cultivating A Sense Of Community: International Students Navigating Community Engaged Learning Opportunities In Line With Their Social Goals, Katherine Lyon, Nicole Malette

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

International students often envision their time studying abroad with particular academic, professional, social, linguistic, and identity-related goals in mind (Fong, 2011; Jones, 2013; Montgomery & McDowell, 2009; Page, 2019; Page & Chahboun, 2019). Post-secondary institutions can provide resources and opportunities to help this heterogeneous group of students bring their vision into fruition. One such opportunity is community engaged learning (CEL), which has been shown to help students expand their social and academic abilities as they make contributions to an organization (Arnold, 2019; Greenberg, London & McKay, 2020; Mayer et al., 2019). Through in-depth interviews with 25 new international students who …

Self-Determination And Its Role In The Foster Care Environment: A Three-Part Investigation, John Martin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Youth have multiple pathways to adulthood and for some of those youth that journey takes them through the foster care system either temporarily or until emancipation. A vital part of the foster care system is to protect and care for children in a variety of circumstances including unsafe and traumatic experiences. However, a history of foster care has been tied to certain risks like substance use. The focus of this dissertation is to investigate the strength of the relationship between self-determination and substance use through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in foster care in three phases. In Study I …

Association Between Food Insecurity And Nervous System Disorders In Caddo Parish, La: A Call To Action For Health, Megan Gremillion, Morgan Uebinger, Claire Crosby, Kaitlyn Tholen, Marie Vazquez Morgan, Ammar Husan

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: Food insecurity (FI)–the lack of access to affordable, nutritious food–affects millions of Americans. Caddo Parish, Louisiana, is of interest due to high FI prevalence and socioeconomic risk factors. While FI is known to exacerbate chronic health issues, its association with neurological health remains understudied, especially in high-risk communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients in Caddo Parish in 2022 using Epic Electronic Medical Record data to identify diagnoses of migraine, dementia, and stroke—the top neurological causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the United States. FI status was determined using the Hunger Vital Sign screening questionnaire. …

Volume 5 November '25 Full Issue, Donna Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Art And Critical Thinking, Audrey Nixon

University Honors Theses

The voice of art molds and dictates norms and behaviors of society. Art eases people into sitting with discomfort or alternate ideas of the world. I work with mixed-media collage to respond and react to culture and the current American political climate. Through the act of expressing and working through thoughts and emotions, art teaches people how to process, it teaches histories of resistance, and empathy. Artists have the ability to engage their audience to critically think about what is happening in our world. By channeling expression and passion, art can help people make necessary connections about concepts that lead …

Exploring The Perceived Management Priorities Between Physiotherapy And Osteopathy For Chronic Low Back Pain, Mollie Ford, Alec Rickard

School of Health Professions

Purpose:Physiotherapists and osteopaths are integral to the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP), yet patient confusion often arises due to overlap in their roles and techniques. Whilst existing literature has examined the approaches of each profession separately, limited research explores the perceived roles and management priorities. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the perceived roles and management priorities of physiotherapists and osteopaths in addressing CLBP.Methods:A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Individual online semi-structured interviews were conducted with five UK-based healthcare professionals; two physiotherapists and three osteopaths. Participants were recruited through volunteer sampling and data was collected …

Improving The Efficiency Of Interhospital Transfers Through Best Practices Of Care, Victoria Frink

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The variability within interhospital transfers represents challenges for hospitals to maintain a standardized level of care for patients. This integrative review explored evidence-based healthcare interhospital transfer practices to improve outcomes and efficiency of care for patients. Under the framework of the Donabedian model of health quality, the study examined 28 empirical and nonempirical articles published from 2021–2025 for best practices to provide improvement measures towards care for transfer patients and increase support for healthcare personnel. These articles were analyzed for quality using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model. Through analysis, seven themes were identified: improving interhospital communication, improving time-based care, …

Barriers And Facilitators To Engaging With Academia: A Black Dental Student Perspective – Pilot Study., Amitha Ranauta, Favour Onwudiwe, Tanaka Anthony Jeremy Kadiyo, Obioma Mofiyinfoluwa Ukoha, Rachel Adebukola Anuoluwa Ogunleye, Vivienne Banke Onamusi, Nicole Meerah Elango, Oluwasola Helen Asaolu, Antonia Oluwatosin Oluwakemi Ajayi, Modupe Toluwanimi Osunkoya, Kaamilah Shitta-Bey, Amy Maame Aba Amanfu, Cathy Coelho, Alasdair Robertson, Julie Monk, Nikos Donos, Sally Hanks

Peninsula Dental School

Introduction This pilot study investigates barriers and facilitators to Black dental students' engagement with academic careers in dentistry, focusing on underrepresentation in academia despite efforts to diversify the workforce. Methods and results Through qualitative analysis of focus group discussions with Black dental students from two UK dental schools, several key themes emerged. Participants highlighted the importance of active patronage in addressing underrepresentation, advocating for proactive support systems beyond mere mentoring. They also emphasised the significance of various forms of capital – economic, cultural, and social – in shaping career trajectories and success in academia. Intersectionality, encompassing experiences of sexism, racism, …

“Ready, Set, Prepared!” Promoting Household Emergency Preparedness Of Older Adults, Lavonne M. Adams, Charleen Mcneill, William Ellery Samuels, Tara Heagele

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Abstract Text: Introduction Older adults are at-risk for injury, illness, or death following a disaster or public health emergency, especially if they have chronic health conditions or other functional needs. Understanding their unique perspectives may inform education efforts to improve their household emergency preparedness (HEP) and safety.

Purpose This study investigated self-reported levels of HEP among community-dwelling older adults, exploring feasibility and effectiveness of offering group education virtually and in-person. It built on previous studies of the Nurses Taking on Readiness Measures intervention that examined short-term effectiveness of one-on-one HEP education.

Methods The design was a non-randomized before-after feasibility study …

Effectiveness Of Educational Interventions To Develop Patient Safety Knowledge In Nursing Students, Manana Machitidze, Nato Durglishvili, Maia Gogashvili, Vazha Nebieridze, Jaana Sepp

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Competent and qualified nursing staff are essential to the patient's recovery process. Getting a comprehensive education contributes to the formation of skilled staff. Educational institutions must promote the development of programs corresponding to the competencies developed by the World Health Organization [1], [2]]. Nursing involves the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of the sick, disabled, and dying. Nurses who provide direct patient care must have quality education in identifying patient safety risks to prevent errors and incidents. Nurses are central to patient safety and safe care planning [3]. Nurses have been considered an auxiliary part …

Overcoming Stigma Of Mental Health And Promoting Well-Being With The 4ws Framework ...Nursing Role, Sharon M. Weinstein, Marianne E. Hess

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Nursing plays a pivotal role in addressing global health priorities. Mental health nursing is pivotal in the worldwide effort to overcome stigma, promote well-being, and address the complex landscape of mental health. By applying the 4Ws framework—What is, What if, What wows, and What works—nurses can strategically enhance their role in advocating for health equity and advancing mental health as a global priority.

Assess the current global mental health crisis presents challenges like stigma, discrimination, and inadequate access to care. Reimagine the role by asking questions, brainstorming new strategies, and considering how mental health services can be integrated into primary …

Graphic Narratives On The Us-Mexico Border: Educational Tools To Improve Health Literacy, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Jacob Martinez, Melissa Wholeben

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Using graphic medicine narratives to disseminate health information has emerged as an innovative teaching strategy. Graphic medicine draws on interdisciplinary expertise to communicate complex health information through vibrant imagery and relatable character dialogue using comics or animation. This presentation will discuss three research projects in which graphic narratives were developed in English and Spanish and used to enhance health knowledge among individuals, families, and healthcare providers living on the U.S.-Mexico border. Health topics addressed included brain health promotion, self-care techniques for dementia caregivers, HPV vaccine uptake and cancer prevention, and trauma-informed care strategies for emergency department nurses. This presentation …

Electronic Screening In Outpatient Clinics To Reduce Clinician Administrative Time, Thu Nguyet Sanadi, Rita Annette Leddy, Patricia Francis

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Primary care clinics often dedicate significant time reviewing screening questionnaires completed by patients to assess preventive care needs and identify possible health conditions. This process not only reduces the time patients spend directly with primary care providers but also increases the documentation burden on nursing staff, detracting from other critical patient care tasks.

Objective: The quality improvement projects aim to reduce the time patients spend with nursing staff collecting information from screening during primary care appointments. This will be accomplished by sending the patient electronic screening (eScreening) that will be completed by patients prior to the appointment.

Methods: …

Unit Based Team Control Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (Clabsi) Rates Down In Icu, Issareegorn Surasrisakul, John Villanueva, Amelia Younes, Jaymie Amador, Tatiana Martinez

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: During the COVID surges, the CLABSI rates are monitored internally. We have seen an increase in both the CLABSI rate and the Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) in our unit. The SIR average of CLABSI was 4.5 with the regional target of 0.50. Although central lines (CL) play a significant role in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the administration of lifesaving treatments, CLABSI is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Moreover, failure to remove a CL in patients without indications for its necessity was highly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of utilization of a …

Learning Different, Randi N. Miget

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

The biggest way graphic design can have an impact is how it interacts with individuals. It is both a necessity and pleasure in society that has the power to give solutions to problems and makes those solutions accessible to everyone. Taking inspiration from my family’s own experience with my younger brother who is on the autism spectrum, I have seen the challenges that come with accessing good neurodivergent education and decided to address those challenges by bringing the solution to the very homes it affects. Learning Different is a variety of branding and product design projects for at-home learning aids …

The Flower Bed, Mara Gagel

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

After the initial loss settles, and grief takes root, it transforms into something else: negative space. It becomes the absence of something that was once so constant in your everyday life that, suddenly, something as simple as a vacant desk chair reminds you of what’s missing. In turn, grief can also bloom, and transform into a sense of community that you may not have had when the loss was first planted. The Flower Bed is a branded communal garden space that focuses on suicide awareness and prevention, but also acts as a representation of everything I wish I could have …

Alteration Of Gut Microbial Ecology By The Direct Activation Of The Brain: Inverse Gut-Microbiome-Brain Dynamics, I-Ching Wang, Jessica L Swanson, Jillian L Waters, Mikhail Y Kochukov, Shelly A Buffington, Sean W Dooling, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Mauro Costa-Mattioli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The gut-microbiome-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system influencing host physiology and overall fitness. While "bottom-up" effects-where gut microbes influence brain function and behavior-are well established, direct evidence for "top-down" modulation-where the brain shapes the gut microbial ecology-remains elusive. Here, we show that the selective expression of the bacterial ion channel mNaChBac in glutamatergic lateral habenula (LHb) neurons increases their bursting activity and leads to endophentypes associated with depression. Importantly, this chronic activation leads to changes in the gut microbiome composition over time, as reflected by shifts in alpha-diversity and alterations in specific microbial taxa. These findings provide direct evidence …

Using Fluency-Building Approach To Increase The Knowledge And Fluency Of Signing With Preschool Teachers: A Pilot Study, Angel Jia Yiuen Tan, Bryan Wen Xiao Tang, Gray Atherton, Liam Cross, Bethan Mair Williams

School of Psychology

Keyword signing, an augmentative communication strategy, is known to promote language acquisition in young children, yet staff in educational settings often receive insufficient training, leading to low retention and usage rates. This pilot study examined the feasibility and impact of a Precision Teaching-based intervention designed to improve preschool teachers’ proficiency and fluency in Makaton signing. Eleven teachers from a mainstream preschool in North Wales, with limited prior training, participated in a six-week intervention involving fluency training with 238 Makaton signs. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured knowledge acquisition, and post-intervention tests evaluated fluency through retention, endurance, and application. Results demonstrated significant …

Development Of Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines For Monitoring Diabetic Patients Using Smartphone Technology, Ganiyat Funmilayo Efuntoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this doctoral project, I developed and validated an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for implementing smartphone technology to monitor diabetic patients in primary care settings with an 80% threshold. The project addressed a critical gap in standardized guidance for diabetes technology integration, which has resulted in inconsistent adoption and suboptimal patient outcomes. A systematic literature review of four major databases yielded 12 high-quality studies representing all evidence levels (I–V) according to the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model. Evidence synthesis revealed strong and compelling evidence with consistent results supporting smartphone technology implementation, including HbA1c improvements of 0.4%–0.8%, sustained patient engagement rates …

Nursing Faculty Demographics, Attitude, Knowledge, And Integration Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Nursing Curriculum, Patricia L. Balistreri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses have demonstrated positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); however, additional education is limited in nursing programs to prepare them to discuss and educate patients about these practices. Nursing faculty play a significant role in educating, mentoring, and influencing students’ knowledge levels and attitudes toward CAM. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study, guided by the CAM healthcare model, was to examine relationships among nursing faculty demographics, CAM knowledge, attitudes, and curriculum integration. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of CAM survey was administered to 111 nursing faculty across multiple programs. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression …

Differential Substance Use Screening Approaches Among Medical Providers Based On Pregnancy Status, Ericka L. Suarez-Vella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exploring medical providers’ role in relation to pregnant individuals who use substances is critical. Understanding how screening practices and provider biases influence addiction treatment referrals based on pregnancy status can help address several key issues, including potential disparities resulting from provider bias. It can ensure fair referral practices, promote equitable access to treatment, and ensure timely intervention resulting in better health outcomes. It can influence changes to policy and procedure among healthcare and judicial establishments, ultimately improving the relationship between providers and patients. The purpose of this study was to explore how medical providers’ screening practices of substance use in …

The Experience Of Black Mothers Preparing Their Black Sons For Race-Related Risks, Yamilka Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite progress in addressing racism in the United States, its effects remain deeply entrenched, particularly for Black families. Research on Black parenting shows that parents adapt their strategies to protect children from criminalization, discussing violence, providing safety within the home, and limiting exposure to unsafe environments while also managing their own stress. Yet limited attention has been given to how Black mothers prepare their sons for race-related risks within the modern sociopolitical climate shaped by the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore how Black mothers prepare their Black sons for race-related risks. Carter’s …

A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Multifaceted Versus A Discrete Implementation Strategy On Fidelity To An Occupational Guideline For The Prevention Of Mental Health Problems At The Workplace: A Dual Perspective From Swedish Schools, Andreas Rödlund, Anna Toropova, Rebecca Lengnick-Hall, Byron J Powell, Liselotte Schäfer Elinder, Christina Björklund, Lydia Kwak

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Although the management of psychosocial risks in the work environment represents an evidence-based approach to the prevention of mental health problems, its implementation is limited, including in schools, and knowledge on how to support better implementation is scarce. This study compares the effectiveness of a multifaceted vs. a discrete implementation strategy on fidelity to an occupational guideline for the prevention of mental health problems. Dual perspectives were used to assess fidelity, an important aspect of the measurement agenda.

METHODS:  A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 55 schools in Sweden. A multifaceted strategy (educational meeting, implementation teams, ongoing training, …

Fatf Recommendation And Charitable Organizations Supervision Policy In Indonesia: A Study On The Prevention Of Terrorism Financing, Fithriadi Muslim, Eva Achjani Zulfa

Indonesian Journal of International Law

This research aims to analyze the supervision policies of charitable organisations in Indonesia, particularly in the context of preventing terrorism financing, and comparing them to international provisions, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It also explores the oversight practices in other countries to identify the best practices that Indonesia can adopt. The research addresses two key questions: (1) How do Indonesia’s supervision policies for charitable organisations prevent terrorism financing? (2) How do Indonesia’s supervision practices compare with international standards in preventing terrorism financing? This study uses a normative juridical approach, focusing on legislative and comparative methods. Primary legal …

Examining Microbial Biomass And Soil Organic Carbon In Annual Vs. Perennial Agricultural Ecosystem Soils, Paige Kenyon, Jacob Rutz, Kelsey S. Bitting

RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences

Soil systems have the ability to store large amounts of carbon for both short and long periods of time, much like other carbon pools such as oceans and forests. As increased amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere via anthropogenic means, including the agricultural industry, scientists have been researching how to increase the amount of carbon cycled from the atmosphere and into soils as a climate change mitigation strategy. Soil systems have the capacity to sequester carbon in part due to fungal and bacterial community activity. Differences in soil microbial biomass levels between annual and perennial agricultural systems …