Digital Commons Network^™

Public Administrators’ Role In Law Enforcement Training: How Public Administrators Influence The Communication Gap Between Law Enforcement Personnel And Society, Lori B. Singer-Bare

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Communication training in police academies has historically been lacking across the nation. Prior research indicates that communication skills are necessary for law enforcement professionals. Recent incidents have indicated that a communication gap occurs between law enforcement professionals and community members. Ultimately, public administrators play a role in the delivery of law enforcement services. In Ohio, the 2024 Blue Ribbon Task Force uncovered that communication training for law enforcement professionals is lacking. Public administrators are often charged with making proposals for organizational and law enforcement training to address societal needs. State Attorney Generals often oversee the Peace/Police Officer Training Academy and …

A Case Study Of Ai-Enabled Software As A Medical Device Cleared By The Fda For Assessing Hemorrhage Risk Index (Appraise-Hri) After Trauma, Andrew Frock, Jeffrey T Robbins, Francisco G Vital-Lopez, Valmik Desai, Gheorghe Doros, Barry E Sands, Arunkumar Prabhakaran, Christopher Nemeth, Gregory T Rule, Jason L Sperry, Francis X Guyette, Stephen R Wisniewski, Ernest E Moore, Martin Schreiber, Bellal Joseph, Chad T Wilson, Bryan Cotton, Daniel Ostermayer, Brian G Harbrecht, Mayur B Patel, Suzanne Tamang, Sanjay Malunjkar, David A Spain, Andrew T Reisner, Jonathan D Stallings, Jaques Reifman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield, yet combat medics lack clinical decision support systems to help stratify hemorrhage risk in trauma casualties. We previously trained the Automated Processing of the Physiological Registry for Assessment of Injury Severity - Hemorrhage Risk Index (APPRAISE-HRI) software to associate patterns in vital signs (heart rate and blood pressure) collected from trauma patients with three HRI levels: I (low), II (average), or III (high). To independently validate APPRAISE-HRI and obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, we collected trauma registry and continuous vital sign data from 5895 trauma patients …

Prevalence And Predictors Of Depression And Other Mental Health Disorders In Brazilian Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Population-Based Secondary Analysis, Gabriela A. Wagner, Pedro Cesar Lopes Gerum, Luiz Felipe Martins, Hugo Rafel Souza Silva, Mauricio Lima, Fernando Ribeiro Duraes, Luciene Covolan

Business Faculty Publications

Objectives To investigate the occurrence of depression and mental health disorders other than depression among Brazilian people with intellectual disabilities, analysing data from a national household survey.

Design Cross-sectional epidemiological study using data from the 2019 National Health Survey (PNS).

Setting Brazil, nationwide data collection in urban and rural private households.

Participants 272 499 individuals, among whom 1.2% (n=3198) reported intellectual disabilities.

Primary outcome measures Self-reported depression and mental health disorders other than depression (anxiety, panic, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis or obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)), either isolated or comorbid.

Results Among people with intellectual disabilities, 43.2% reported at least one mental …

Invited But Not Welcome: Assimilation, Emotional Labor, And The Limits Of Belonging For Middle-Class Haitians, Jodie Boisvert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The problem of the 21st century is not simply that of the “color line,” but rather of how diverse groups of Blacks (Americans and immigrants alike) experience the “color line.” This interview-based dissertation project addresses this problem by examining how thirty-eight first-, 1.5-, and second-generation middle-class Haitian immigrants engage with and reconcile the color line in their lives. This dissertation finds that these immigrants “performatively assimilate” to access privileged middle- and upper-class spaces. Through strategies of strategic ethnicity, code switching, and signifying Haitian exceptionalism, they are able to achieve stable and fulfilling careers and financial security. This dissertation proposes a …

Addressing Language Challenges In Bilingual Neuropsychological Assessments At The South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (Adrc), Stephanie Santiago-Mejias, Gabrielle Hromas, Ashley Laroche, David A. Gonzalez, Robin C. Hilsabeck, Katya Rascovsky, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Amy Werry-Mcfarlin, Claudia Satizabal, Hector Trevino

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: Neuropsychological assessment of bilingual (English/Spanish) individuals presents challenges that can impact test validity. Language proficiency influences cognitive performance, yet clear guidelines for determining the appropriate test language are lacking. We describe our experiences at the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (STAC) in addressing these challenges within the context of National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set (UDS) assessments and broader Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) protocols. We outline steps toward a structured language assessment approach.

Methods: We implemented a process to assess language proficiency, integrating self-reported and objective measures, including the language dominance index (LDI). Case examples …

User Behaviour Prediction In E-Commerce Using Logistic Regression, Wei-Wen Lee, Noramiza Hashim, Shaymaa Al-Juboori

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

From a psychological perspective, human behaviourreflectsunderlyingthoughtsand decision-making patterns, for example, consumer behaviour may correlate with the purchase decisions. In the fast-evolving e-commerce industry, predicting user behaviouris essential for enhancing marketing strategies, improving customer experiences, and increasing sales. However, traditional heuristic (e.g.market basket analysis) approaches to analysebuyer behaviour are often rigid and fail to adapt to complex consumer interactions. This research work develops a predictive model that analysesuser behaviour based on data such as historical purchasing patterns and demographic attributes. Based on a review of previous studies, Logistic Regression (LR) is utilized as theprimarymachine learning algorithm to estimate the likelihood of …

Dietary Patterns For Weight And Glycemic Management In Persons With Type 1 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis Of Clinical Trials, Daria Igudesman, Laura M Nally, Alyssa A Grimshaw, Craig G Gunderson, Elizabeth G Considine, Laura M Jacobsen, Mustafa Tosur, Peter A Gottlieb, Irl B Hirsch, Lori M Laffel, Jennifer L Sherr, Chantal Mathieu, Richard E Pratley

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Medical nutrition therapy is fundamental for managing glycemia and weight in type 1 diabetes, yet dietary guidance specific to this population and relevant subgroups is lacking.

Purpose: We synthesized the interventional literature investigating diet patterns for glycemic and weight management in youth and adults with type 1 diabetes, with attention to interindividual variation that suggests the need for precision approaches. The protocol was prospectively registered (CRD42024519941).

Data sources: AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from January 2011 to June 2024.

Study selection: Clinical trials ≥4 weeks with …

The Relationship Between Leadership Styles And Organizational Effectiveness In U.S Military Major Combat Units, Jason A. Chizek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study examined the predictive relationship between leadership and organizational effectiveness (EO) and the predictive relationship within Major Combat Units (MCUs) of the United States Military. Using archival data from the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) 4.1, a large cross-sectional sample of active-duty personnel was analyzed to evaluate how five leadership styles, Democratic/Participative, Transactional, Authoritative/Autocratic, Transformational, and Delegative/Laissez-Faire—predicted nine OE outcomes, including Job Satisfaction, Trust in Leadership, Group Cohesion, Connectedness, Engagement, Organizational Process, Organizational Performance, Perceptions of Senior Leadership, and organizational Commitment. General Linear Models, a non-parametric analysis, demonstrated that Transactional Leadership was the strongest predictor of Job Satisfaction, …

Therapy Dogs As A Catalyst To Physical Exercise And The Effect On Transgender Adolescents’ Mental Health, Tatiana Sokolik

Doctorate in Kinesiology

This dissertation examines the effects of therapy dog interactions on physical activity levels and mental health outcomes among transgender adolescents. Using a quasi-experimental mixed- methods design, participants engaged in three weekly sessions with a certified therapy dog, with data collected through validated measures of anxiety, depression, affect, and physical activity, supplemented by qualitative feedback. Quantitative results indicated no significant increases in physical activity, though participants reported feeling motivated to spend more time outdoors. Notably, negative affect decreased significantly post-intervention, suggesting short-term emotional benefits. Qualitative findings further highlighted enhanced mood, self-awareness, and coping strategies. While improvements in anxiety and depression were …

Exploring How Collaboration Between General And Special Education Teachers Affects Self-Efficacy When Teaching Students Diagnosed With Emotional Disabilities In The Inclusive Classroom: A Qualitative Case Study, Liza K. Hyde

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the self-efficacy of general education and special education teachers at XYZ school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. The central research question was: How does collaboration between general and special education teachers affect their self-efficacy when working with students with emotional disabilities? This qualitative case study explored general and special education teachers’ real-life experiences while collaborating and teaching students with emotional disabilities in the secondary inclusive classroom. The total number of participants (10) were interviewed, allowed to collaborate in focus groups, and completed a reflective letter writing …

Experiences Of A Simulated Medical Malpractice Lawsuit On Nursing Students' Documentation Practices: A Transcendental Phenomenological Approach, Heide Thorne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the perspectives of first semester nursing students participating in a simulated medical malpractice lawsuit and documentation practices. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT), as it explains the relationship of learning and knowledge transfer through a simulation-based learning activity (SBL). Data collection approaches included observations, anonymous reflective journals, and individual interviews or questionnaire capturing students’ personal experiences and emerging themes. Bracketing enhanced reflexivity, reduced bias, and strengthened the study’s credibility and dependability. Results of the study support the efficacy of a specific, powerful SBL activity …

Impact Of Trauma-Informed Care On The Restorative Justice Ecosystem, Amy Kight

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Created and titled as the ARTIC Project (Activating Restoration through Trauma-Informed Courts), this research addresses the gap between industrial/structural realities and relationship/nurturing realities within Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery and restorative justice paradigms. Grounded in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), the project emphasized that sustainable behavioral change requires balancing connection with correction (KPICD, 2022). Through a biblical lens, the researcher posits complete healing only comes from our Heavenly Father and occurs on an individual level. With this in mind, TBRI research affirms that organizations do not change people - people change people (KPICD, 2022). This intentional relationship between God, Creation, Others, …

From Food Desert To Food Security: Implementing Change Through The Augusta Dream Center, Marté Antione Gifford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to design and implement a community garden, supplemented by local farmer partnerships, at the Augusta Dream Center (ADC) to address food insecurity in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) by providing fresh produce, fostering nutrition education, and promoting long-term health equity. This project is driven by the urgent need to reduce health disparities that result from limited access to healthy foods, particularly the elevated risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in low-income and minority communities. The CSRA faces unique challenges as it contains both food deserts, where healthy food options are scarce, and …

Secondary School Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Student Readiness To Engage In Self-Directed Learning Strategies: A Causal-Comparative Quantitative Study, Michael Benitez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students’ self-directed learning readiness and their current course grade in flipped classrooms, fully online courses, and classes with traditional instructional methods. Participants were high school students in central Texas. This study is important because self-directed learner readiness directly impacts student engagement and motivation, leading to better academic results in self-directed student-led instructional contexts, such as flipped classrooms and online learning. This study adds to the literature regarding self-directed learner readiness by examining the differences between three different instructional methods: traditional, flipped, and …

Preparing New Life Pentecostal Ministries Young Adults For God’S Design Of Marriage Through Identity Development, Ameerah Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project, Preparing New Life Pentecostal Ministries Young Adults for God’s Design of Marriage Through Identity Development, addresses the growing crisis of identity, purpose, and relationship instability among young adults within NLPM and beyond. The purpose of this action-oriented research is to provide a theological and spiritually formative framework that prepares young adults for marriage by biblical principles. The project identifies key spiritual and emotional barriers, including unresolved wounds and distorted self-identity. Lack of discipleship and cultural confusion hinder spiritual maturity and readiness for God-ordained relationships. Grounded in Scripture and supported by human development theory and spiritual formation scholars, …

Round The Tárrega Bend, Julian Bream

Soundboard Scholar

In this previously unpublished talk from 2004, delivered two years after his retirement from public performance, Julian Bream traces his own career in relation to the evolution of the modern guitar, recounting his early encounters with nineteenth-century guitars, the introduction of nylon strings to replace gut, innovations in guitar construction, and a transformative meeting with Andrés Segovia. But at the heart of the talk is his approach to sound. Bream discusses the essential elements of his tone production, including his right-hand position with its characteristic “three-quarter Tárrega bend” of the wrist, and his strong preference for the rest stroke. He …

A Plane, A Plaque, And A Prize: J.R.R. Tolkien And Peter Medawar, Kristine Larsen

Journal of Tolkien Research

On May 4, 1941, a military plane crashed near Tolkien's home. This article ties together his family's experience, the impact it had on the Oxford community, and a Nobel Prize, whose winner Tolkien later shared air raid warden duty with.

Clinical Management Of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome As A Curriculum Thread To Meet Accreditation Standards In Physical Therapy Education, Sallie W. Rediske, Heidi Shearin, Todd E. Davenport, Melinda W. Maxwell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: ME/CFS is a debilitating, complex, chronic illness that is estimated to affect up to nine million Americans. It requires a paradigm shift in treatment approach to one of energy conservation due to metabolic effects resulting in exercise and activity intolerance. Including clinical management of ME/CFS as a curriculum thread in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs is vital for safe and effective care of people with ME/CFS and can help meet accreditation standards. Methods: ME/CFS significantly impacts quality of life. It has been recognized by the World Health Organization since 1969 as a biomedical neurological disorder. Prior to …

Unraveling The Impact Of Spider Cage Therapy On Static And Dynamic Standing Balance In Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Varsha Anbu, Senthil Kumar Natarajan, Jagatheesan Alagesan, Akshaya Venkat, Rekha Chitrada

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The intent of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of spider cage therapy for static and dynamic standing balance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy using Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Cerebral palsy described as a group of disorders with uneven posture and movement were spastic diplegia is the most prevalent type. Method: This study was a randomized controlled trial that used random sampling and blinded evaluators. Children with diplegic CP aged between 5 and 10 years, with GMFCS levels II-IV, were assigned to spider cage therapy group and conventional …

Evaluating The Self-Efficacy Of Novice Educators In Nursing And Allied Health Care Programs As It Pertains To Faculty Development, Amanda Doneski, Martin S. Rice

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Career choices in nursing and allied health include but are not limited to nursing, radiologic technology, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and occupational therapy.¹The majority of health care professions require the practitioner to hold certain required credentials. These credentials are obtained upon successful graduation from an accredited curriculum, passing some sort of board exam, and applying for and obtaining a state license to practice in their designated area of expertise.² Advancement opportunities in management, sales, and education are attainable for many healthcare professionals.³ Individuals who transition from the role of a health care provider to educator …

Assessing Student Physical Therapists' Metacognition In A Foundational Course In An Accelerated Curriculum, Dalila Dias, Cheryl J. Hill, Annie Burke-Doe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: This study addressed the problem of limited empirical evidence on the effective assessment and implementation of metacognitive strategies in accelerated health programs. Certainty-based markings have been implemented in health education to cultivate students’ self-monitoring and regulating skills; however, they have not been evaluated in a foundational course in an accelerated healthcare program. The theoretical framework that grounded this study was the metacognitive theory. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching ProQuest, PubMed, EBSCO, and CINAHL databases Using a one-group pre-posttest study design, the research questions explored whether certainty-based markings improved student physical therapists’ test performance, …

Knowledge And Perceived Barriers About Hand Hygiene Among Interns In A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Riddhi Soni, Pradeep Jadhav (Corresponding Author), Rekha Mane

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose

Good hand hygiene is a significant factor in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and antibiotic resistance. The concepts of hand hygiene need to be evaluated among healthcare interns who are in the training stage.

Aim

To determine the knowledge of hand hygiene and associated barriers among dental, medical, and physiotherapy Interns.

Methods

A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 healthcare interns (50 each from Dentistry, Medicine, and Physiotherapy) selected using a 4-block randomization method. Participants who did not provide consent, undergraduate students, postgraduate residents, and faculty members were excluded. Data were collected using a structured survey comprising two sections: …

Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through Entry-Level Education, Kerstin Mcpherson, Christopher Myers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Climate change is set to profoundly impact community health and access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas of Australia, which already experience limited access to health services like physiotherapy. The implications of climate change on physiotherapy practice underlie the urgent need to prepare future health practitioners. Entry-level education plays a pivotal role in equipping physiotherapists with the knowledge and skills to address climate-related health challenges effectively. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, awareness, and educational needs of rural physiotherapists in Australia regarding climate change. Methods: A survey was designed and distributed via rural physiotherapist via social media using …

A Cross-Sectional Study On Teenage Pregnancy And Its Associated Factors In A District Of Eastern India, Ashifa Sultana, Jayita Pal, Purnashree Mandal, Manoj Ghosh

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is a global public health concern with wide-ranging consequences for adolescent mothers, their families, and society at large. By investigating sociodemographic factors, contraceptive knowledge, and family dynamics, this study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Nadia district, West Bengal, India.

Materials & method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 232 pregnant women of Chakdaha block. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling from the line list available at the sub-centres. The Chakdaha block of Nadia district was chosen by multistage sampling. All the pregnant women thus included …

Printing The Future: A Collaborative Approach To Integrating 3d Printing In Physical Therapy Education, Amanda L. Thomas, Teresa Munecas, Andreina Lander, Amber Sivalls, Abigail Tong, Tyler Turner, Lauren Butler

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Integrating 3D printing into healthcare education presents an opportunity to enhance learning, foster innovation, and address challenges in patient care. This study explores a collaborative approach to incorporating 3D printing into a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program through interdisciplinary partnerships with biomedical engineering, architecture, and immersive studio technologies. The study's primary aim was to provide DPT students with hands-on experience in designing and creating 3D printed adaptive devices for individuals with unique healthcare needs while encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance innovation and problem-solving. The initiative was structured around a series of pilot projects embedded in the DPT curriculum, focusing …

Implementation Evaluation Of Blood Flow Restriction In The Rehabilitative Setting, Corbit Franks, Madison Wellborn, Matthew A. Chatlaong, Daphney M. Carter, William M. Miller, Matthew B. Jessee, Robert E. Davis

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Blood flow restriction refers to a training/rehabilitation method consisting of an external pressure system applied to a limb to partially inhibit blood flow to the tissues. Though much research has been conducted concerning the use of blood flow restriction, there is limited research concerning why clinicians may or may not utilize it. Objective: The current qualitative study utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to investigate why clinicians may or may not implement blood flow restriction in the clinical setting. Methods: A semi-structured interview addressing twelve implementation constructs within four domains (Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, Inner Setting, and Characteristics …

The Feasibility Of Virtual Reality To Provide Visual Feedback To Correct Lower Extremity Biomechanics: A Descriptive Retrospective Case Series, Margaret R. Klausing, Kylie Scott

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study explored the feasibility of using the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) to enhance visual biofeedback for patients with lower quarter pain, aiming to improve awareness of faulty movement patterns. Methods: Six patients aged 19-66 (3 males, 3 females), with lower quarter pain involving the ankles, knees, or hips completed one session in an outpatient orthopedic setting using CAREN. The motion capture system projected an avatar onto a 180-degree screen, providing visual biofeedback from sagittal and frontal planes. Joint angles, Knee dominant squat (KDS), and Dynamic Q-Angle (DQA) were compared pre- and post-biofeedback during gait and squats. KDS …

Prevalence, Patterns, And Factors Influencing Decision To Sport Specialize During High School In Current Division-I And Sport Club Ice Hockey Athletes, Emily C. Srygler, Eric A. Caloud, Laura A. Zdziarski-Horodyski, Masaru Teramoto, Madison N. Renner, Stephanie N. Adler, David R. Bell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Young athletes are continuing to choose high levels of sport specialization despite growing evidence of associations with chronic injury. Perceptions of specialization leading to greater athletic success have been found to be a motivator for these athletes and their parents, but little is known about its prevalence in ice hockey. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence, patterns, and factors influencing sport specialization during high school in current Division-I and sport club ice hockey athletes. This information can assist in filling in the knowledge gap in high school sport specialization in ice hockey athletes, specifically …

A Case Series: Effectiveness Of Nintendo Ring Fit In Improving Balance And Stability Deficits After Recovery From Acl Reconstruction, Emma C. Lord, Melissa A. Tolbert, Whitley J. Stone

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 10, 2025. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a gaming system in improving balance, strength, and power after recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Existing bilateral deficits were also assessed among patients.

Four participants between the ages of 18-24 years were recruited for this case-control study. Participants must have had an ACLR in the last 2 years, been discharged from formal physical therapy, and have a continued history of participating in physical activity at least three times a week. Participants were assigned to either the …

Va Dent J October 2025

Virginia Dental Journal

This issue introduces Dr. Marlon Goad as the new VDA President, detailing his journey, goals, and vision for addressing workforce shortages, reimbursement challenges, and increasing membership among young dentists. It also features the opening of the Dr. Roger Wood Special Care Clinic at VCU School of Dentistry, aimed at providing specialized care for adults with disabilities and training future oral health professionals.

The journal includes updates on legislative advocacy, such as the VDA PAC's fundraising progress and the 20th anniversary of Virginia’s Medicaid Dental Program. It explores the integration of artificial intelligence into dental practices, emphasizing accessible tools for patient …