Digital Commons Network^™

Dnp Final Report: Can Implementing A Mindfulness-Based Program Help Reduce Stress In Nursing Students?, Shelby Devreeze Msn, Rn, Cpn, Cne-Cl

DNP Final Reports

Stress among nursing students is a well-documented problem that contributes to physical, mental, and emotional issues, substance abuse, and program dropout. A mindfulness-based stress reduction program was implemented with nursing students to evaluate its impact on perceived stress levels over a five-week period. A review of evidence-based articles provides strong evidence that this intervention correlates with reduced reported stress. An MBSRP was implemented with nursing students who completed a Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) before the intervention and again after five weeks.

Results from this project showed a statistically significant reduction (t=2.725, p=0.025) in stress among the nursing student population …

A Rare Presentation Of Extra-Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm Of The Anus, Pincus Joshua, Marianne Estrada, Lance Horner University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Introduction: Mucinous neoplasm of the anus is an uncommon malignancy, representing less than 3% of all anal cancers. Even more rare is extra-appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. As a result, limited literature exists to define diagnostic strategies and optimal management. Our case report details the presentation and management of a patient with recurrent mucinous neoplasm of the anus. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed which includes clinic documentation., operative notes, pathology reports. Results: The patient is a 76-year-old male with a history of T3N0M0 anal mucinous carcinoma diagnosed in 2015 and treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation with complete pathological response. In 2024, …

On Humans And Ai: A Financial Reporting Dilemma, Jeremy Bertomeu, Edwige Cheynel, Radhika Lunawat, Mario Milone

Olin Business School Faculty Research

This study examines the resolution of ethical dilemmas in financial reporting by human participants and large language models. Participants act in the role of a CFO deciding whether to discontinue a prior policy with biased reporting; however, the bias is known and corrected by investors whereas a change may temporarily mislead investors. We find that models are less amenable to competing ethical considerations than humans, and exhibit greater preference for truthful reporting. Moreover, they respond with greater consistency to institutional ethical guidance, while humans become more indecisive under pressure from management. The models exhibit more internal coherence between their moral …

Becoming Laser-Focused On Sustainability Leadership In Higher Education Institutions, Ray F. Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This dissertation explored leadership responses to integrating sustainability into higher education institutions (HEIs). Specifically, it compared statistical differences between self-perceptions of leadership and student, staff, and faculty perceptions regarding leadership effectiveness for sustainability in two Florida based HEIs: one holding a sustainability certification and one without such certification. In response to a shortage of survey instruments regarding this topic, I produced a new instrument to assess perceptions of leadership sustainability, made statistical comparisons between these two institutions to inform others of those perceptions, and synthesized several leadership components into a proposed change process identified as the Attitude Based Cognitive Dissonance …

Maternal Inflammation Alters Nuclear And Mitochondrial Dna Methylation Patterns In Neonatal Brain Monocytes, Andrew Ebenezer, Jonathan Hicks, Brooke Hollander, Alexander Hone, Mona Batish, Robert Akins, Adam Marsh, Elizabeth Wright-Jin

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common birth complication that can cause death or lifelong disabling conditions like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. It is well established that maternal infection and inflammation are significant risk factors for HIE but reasons for this increase in neurological risk to the offspring remain unknown. Inflammation or infection are associated with epigenetic changes and may contribute to the increased risk of neurodevelopmental disability in exposed offspring. Here, we analyzed and compared DNA methylation patterns in brain monocytes isolated from control, maternal immune activation (MIA), and an inflammation sensitized HIE (IS-HIE) CF-1 mouse model …

Hydatid Cyst In The Right Ventricle Leading To Tricuspid Stenosis And Heart Failure: A Case Report, Muhammad Sheraz Hameed, Syed Rafay Hussain Zaidi, Shafaq Saleem, Muhammad Ahsan, Sarah Rahman, Azeen Razzaq, Ali Iqbal, Muhammad Sohaib Alvi, Muhammad Usama Naveed

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cystic hydatid infection is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus granulosus, most commonly involving the liver and lungs. Cardiac involvement is rare, accounting for less than 2% of cases, with the left ventricle being the most commonly affected site. Involvement of the right ventricle is extremely uncommon and may lead to life-threatening complications such as tricuspid valve obstruction and hemodynamic compromise.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of a 42-year-old patient who presented to the emergency department with exertional dyspnea, hemoptysis, chest pain, syncope, peripheral edema, and signs of right-sided heart failure. The patient …

Mitochondrial Translation Is A Targetable Dependency Of Chemo-Refractory Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Mariah J Berner, Steven W Wall, Mokryun L Baek, Audra Lane, Allison S Greer, Karen Wang, Lacey E Dobrolecki, Ivy Strope, Qian Zhu, Bing Zhang, Jonathan T Lei, Michael T Lewis, Gloria V Echeverria

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients harboring residual cancer burden following completion of conventional neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy regimens have poor relapse-free and overall survival rates and limited therapeutic options. We and others have demonstrated that mitochondrial function is required for the survival of chemo-refractory TNBC. Here, we define the mitochondrial translation machinery as a critical and targetable dependency underlying chemo-refractory TNBC. Analyses of human and orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mass spectrometry proteomics datasets revealed that mitochondrial protein translation-related signatures were among the top associated with chemoresistance. These signatures included core mitoribosome components and the mitoribosome-associated factor Oxidase (Cytochrome C) Assembly 1-Like …

The Contested Terrain Of Sport For Development And ‘Peace’ Amidst Persistent Global Aid Cuts And Geopolitical Tensions, Derrick Charway, Umair Asif, Zohreh Khani, Mazen Alkhatib

Journal of Global South Sport Studies

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) has emerged as a global concept for advancing humanitarian, peacebuilding and social benefits, particularly in disadvantaged communities and conflict-affected regions of the world. Yet, its promise is often entangled with the broader contradictions of international aid, which in the Global South often shifts from solidarity to systems shaped by power asymmetries, geopolitics and self-interests. Drawing on critical aid theory and decolonial thought, foregrounded in the Palestine context, we argue that SDP offers potential benefits but remains constrained by the very systemic issues it purports to redress. Further, we critique the International Olympic Committee’s stance …

Evaluating The Feasibility And Preliminary Effectiveness Of A Tailored Diabetes Education Program For Rural Residents, Brittany L. Smalls, Oluwatosin Leshi, Suraksha Khanal, Grejika E. Abram-Erby

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Diabetes is a top ten Rural Healthy People 2030 priority for health improvement among rural Americans. Socioeconomic, environmental, geographic and political barriers contribute to the type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence and its disparate impact in rural communities. However, promoting proper self-care behaviors via self-management education can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.

Purpose: To account for the social environmental factors that affect rural residents, a tailored diabetes education program was developed, and the program’s effectiveness in improving diabetes knowledge and T2D-related health outcomes was assessed.

Methods: Using data collected from Appalachian Kentucky residents enrolled in a six-week, …

Improving The Students' Skill In Writing English Abstract Through The Directed Writing Activity (Dwa), Sigit Budisantoso

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

Every year, most of the fifth-semester students in the Accounting Department, State Polytechnic of Malang always had a problem in writing English abstracts. This study was intended to improve students’ skill in writing English abstracts through the Directed Writing Activity (DWA). This research is a collaborative classroom action research. The data were collected through students’ portfolios, questionnaires on the students’ responses, and the observation sheet on the teacher’s performance. The assessment was done by evaluating the students’ portfolios, the students’ responses on the DWA implementation in their classroom, and the observation on the teacher’s performance. After evaluating all the data, …

Emily Brontë'S Wuthering Heights In Indonesian Version: Lulu Wijaya's Translation Strategies And Inappropriateness Explored, Maria Lucia Luciana

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study is aimed at providing the answers to the two research questions proposed. First, it is to examine the strategies used by Lulu Wijaya in translating Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Second, it is to explore how inappropriate Lulu Wijaya’s translation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is. The research data were obtained from both the English and the Indonesian versions of the novel under discussion. The data were then analyzed dealing with the translation strategies and the researcher’s suggested translation version for the inappropriate translation. The suggested translation version was later validated by two validators to make sure that the …

Pengembangan Perangkat Asesmen Autentik Keterampilan Menulis Kelas Vii Dalam Implementasi Kurikulum 2013, Kasmadi Kasmadi, Titik Harsiati, Nurhadi Nurhadi

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This research aims to develop the authentic assessment of writing skills class VII in the implementation of Curriculum 2013, which includes a Free Assessment Task Authentic Authentic Writing and Writing. The method used is a model Reflective, Recursive Desaign and Development (R2D2) and Authentic Assessment model of O’Malley and Pierce with three main stages, namely: (1) pre-development stage, (2) development, and (3) test product. The result, in general, Authentic Assessment Guide Writing and Writing Task Autentik very worthy and ready for use. Results of the assessment experts and practitioners represents an average of 88.67%. Results of the assessment experts and …

Factors Contributing To Learners’ Autonomy In Efl Reading, Sri Endah Tabiati

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aims to discover factors that assist learners develop their autonomy in EFL reading. The approach employed is qualitative involving EFL learners in an English Department of the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Brawijaya University Malang. There are two stages in the study: the subject selection stage intended to gain potential subjects and the main study intended to find the answer of the research questions. The findings of the study show that the autonomy of EFL learners in reading is influenced by 14 internal and 14 external factors. These factors appear to happen naturally. It seemed that autonomy in reading …

Communication Strategies Employed By Efl Learners In A Speaking Class

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

The present study explored verbal and nonverbal communication strategies (CSs) employed by learners both as message senders (speakers) and as message receivers (listeners) in English in a speaking class. It employed a qualitative design with an ethonography of communication approach in a limited situation setting (speaking class). Thirty two students taking Speaking II subject at the English Education of IKIP Mataram were selected by using a purposeful technique. The techniques used to collect data consisted of non-participant observation and video recording. The research findings showed that there were eleven verbal CSs employed by message senders and six nonverbal. Furthermore, on …

Showpony, George T. Ellington

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a twenty and thirty-year-old woman —pseudonymously known as Mrs. G — during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients …

An Exploration Of Irish-American Identity Through Music And Oral History, Rylee Kay Houser

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

An Exploration of Irish-American Identity through Music and Oral History

The “Irish Jaunting Car” was described by Kevin Shannon of Butte, Montana as a traditional Irish tune played in the Ceili saloons. For Shannon a Ceili simply meant to play music. For musical historians it is more commonly described as a dance or music session of the home or pubs. Common of many Irish traditional tunes, there is an emphasis on placenames:

From Roscommon to Kildare

From Dublin down to Castle Bar

From there to County Clare

From Cork to Limerick and Athlone

Then home by Mullingar

You can view …

How Do Individual And Environmental Covariates Impact The Immune Response Of Deer Mice In Western Montana, Rachel A. Throckmorton

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sin Nombre Virus (SNV) is an exceptional model system for studying wildlife disease because of how simple it is to capture, take samples, and obtain disease status from the primary host. Immune response is an important factor to consider when testing for SNV because it can affect susceptibility of the host as well as transmission of the virus. We examined individual and environmental conditions that may influence immune response and therefore possibly SNV transmission in wild populations. We investigated whether SNV infection status, reproductive status, sex, and season influenced immune response through examining total white blood cell (WBC) counts and …

Mindful Machines: Do Children Trust Ai More When They Think It Has A Mind?, Juhi Singh

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Children are increasingly interacting with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to seek information. Yet little is known about how children discern whether to trust AI responses. This study investigates two related questions. First, children prefer to learn from confident over hesitant people, but do they similarly prefer to learn from confident AI? Second, individual differences in children’s attributions of human-like mental states to non-human entities (anthropomorphism) predicts their social conceptions of AI-embedded technologies. Accordingly, are individual differences in anthropomorphism related to their learning from AI?

Child participants (N=64; ages 5-8) viewed videos of AI and human informants answering questions. Across …

Examining High School Students' Comprehension Of Miranda Vocabulary, Madeline Durrant, Eddy Manning

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Introduction. The Miranda warnings are intended to protect individuals' constitutional rights during police interactions, but their effectiveness depends on whether the language is understood. Research suggests that legal vocabulary embedded in these warnings may be inaccessible to many vulnerable groups, including adolescents.

Research Questions. How well do high school students with typical language skills comprehend the legal vocabulary in the Miranda warning? Are MVS scores correlated with language test scores? Are MVS scores correlated with completion of a civics course?

Methods. Thirty high school students completed the Miranda Vocabulary Scale (MVS), a measure in which participants were asked to define …

Connecting The University Community To Passenger Rail, Evyn L. Kolczak-Hardy, Delaney A. Stewart, Eleanor R. Hollingsworth

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) is a regional coalition of 12 Montana counties with a mission of improving and expanding passenger rail service throughout Montana and the greater northwest region. The BSPRA seeks to restore a passenger rail route that would connect Chicago to Seattle, passing through Montana, known as the Big Sky North Coast Corridor (BSNCC). The goal of QUEST is to provide a relevant, realistic, and research-based recommendation that assists the mission of the BSPRA. We identified a need to actively engage the BSPRA with the University of Montana which is a regional hub and …

Reclamation Of Native Identity: An Examination Of Language Revitalization Efforts, Brittney J. Wagner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Native American peoples of the United States have faced a history shaped by systemic oppression with the government since European settlers landed in the North American continent. This project focuses on Native American community efforts in revitalizing their languages, cultures, and ways of being. One of the traumatic long-lasting events that have affected Native American communities and individuals is federally and/or church run boarding schools. In the United States, there were approximately 300 schools that were open from 1860-1978. My hope with this project is to explore the history of assimilation and oppression the federal government attempted with these …

Exploring The Misdiagnosis Of Schizophrenia In The Setting Of Underlying Neurological Disorders, Jade M. Mcnulty, Andrea N. Weir

Research Day

Introduction: Hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorganization are hallmark features of schizophrenia; however, these symptoms are not pathognomonic and may occur in a variety of neurological conditions. Current guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association during initial evaluation of psychosis recommend comprehensive psychiatric assessment and medical history, but routine neuroimaging is not considered standard of care in typical presentations. Failure to adequately investigate organic causes may result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. In cases of atypical features or poor response to antipsychotics, clinicians should broaden the differential diagnosis and reconsider underlying neurological etiologies.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to …

Language-Based Exclusion In Depression Clinical Trials: Implications For Generalizability, Kruti Patel, Natalia Santiago

Research Day

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 21 million U.S. adults annually. Nearly 22% of individuals in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Language-based exclusion criteria in clinical trials may limit participation of non-English-speaking populations and reduce external validity in psychiatric research.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of English-language requirements in U.S.-based adult depression clinical trials and assess the availability of translation accommodations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional review of U.S.-based interventional clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. Adult (≥18 years) trials focused on major depressive disorder were included. Pediatric-only trials were excluded. Trials were assessed …

Cardiac Arrest In Thyroid Storm: Characterizing A Rare But Survivable Emergency, Andrew Young, Jason Fink, Drew Monteleone-Haught, Melissa Falcon, Sahil Banka

Research Day

Background: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening endocrine emergency with well-documented cardiovascular complications. However, the specific complication of cardiac arrest in the setting of thyroid storm remains poorly characterized in the literature, with no established clinical pathways or management algorithms to guide clinicians. This scoping review aims to identify trends and patterns in the management and outcomes of this rare but potentially survivable complication to inform future guidelines.

Methods: A scoping review of case reports was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase using terms combining thyroid storm or thyrotoxicosis with …

A Persistent Penance: Repetition, Memory, And Moral Stasis In Ethan Frome, Nicholas Howard

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

My project examines Edith Wharton’s novella Ethan Frome through the lens of purgatory. I argue that the story is less a tragedy of failed love than a story about being trapped inside one’s own mistakes, unable to move forward. Rather than reading Ethan’s sled crash as a failed suicide followed by a bleak but ordinary life, I explore the interpretation that the “present-day” Starkfield is a form of purgatory—an endless winter in which Ethan continues the emotional patterns that destroyed him.

My guiding question is: What changes if we read Ethan Frome as already dead, living inside a self-made purgatory? …

A Case Study On Discoloration In A Carotid-Embalmed Cadaver: Histological And Chemical Analysis, Angel Edwards, Mark Shearer, Lakaiya Campbell, Blessed Jordan, Lyubena Stoykova, Georgiana Register, Shiv Dhiman, Rasheed Agboola

Research Day

Introduction/Background

Embalming is a widely used preservation technique in medical and forensic sciences, ensuring the prolonged integrity of cadaveric tissues. However, unexpected tissue discolorations, such as green-blue and red hues, may arise due to physiological, chemical, or microbial factors. Investigating the underlying causes of such discolorations is essential for optimizing embalming practices and maintaining tissue integrity for anatomical education.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the underlying causes of bluish-green and red discoloration in a cadaver embalmed through the common carotid artery. Specifically, we will examine potential contributing factors, including the vascular diffusion efficiency of formaldehyde-based embalming, postmortem microbial activity, …

The Comparative Efficacy Of Mediterranean And Dash Dietary Patterns In Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: The Role Of Intensive Behavioral Counseling, Angel Edwards, Jennifer H. Shaw

Research Day

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global mortality, and poor dietary patterns represent a major modifiable risk factor. The Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets are evidence-based nutritional strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction; however, long-term effectiveness is often limited by suboptimal adherence when interventions rely solely on passive education rather than structured behavioral support.

Objective: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of the Mediterranean and DASH dietary patterns in CVD prevention and to examine the impact of intensive behavioral counseling on adherence and long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: A structured PubMed search was conducted for English-language, …

Epigenetics Programming Of T2dm Risk In The South Asian Community And Its Implications For Clinical Practice, Arpita Harapanahalli, Shalini Patibandla, Francis Jenney

Research Day

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs at disproportionately higher rates among South Asian populations compared with other ethnic groups, posing significant challenges for disease risk and clinical management. South Asians are also predisposed to central adiposity, demonstrating greater visceral fat accumulation even at lower body mass index levels, which contributes to increased insulin resistance. From a clinical perspective, understanding these genetic and epigenetic influences is incredibly important for improving prevention and adapting care for South Asian communities.

Objectives: This review aims to examine current evidence on epigenetic mechanisms contributing to T2DM risk in South Asian communities and its implications …

Community Rx: The Abcs Of A Doctor’S Visit, A Bilingual Health Navigation Workshop For Underserved Communities, Sharon Lackwood, Marisela Benitez, Kayla Hasty, Ty’Tiaunna Thomas, Martin Medina, Matthew Shelnutt

Research Day

Introduction:

Limited health literacy remains a major contributor to healthcare disparities, particularly among rural, uninsured, migrant, and Spanish-speaking populations. Many individuals report anxiety and confusion about how to schedule appointments, complete paperwork, understand costs, and communicate effectively with physicians. To address this gap, Community Rx developed a bilingual, student-led workshop titled The ABCs of Your Doctor’s Visit, designed to demystify the healthcare encounter and improve patient confidence, appointment preparedness, and navigation skills. The curriculum aligns with broader Community Rx goals of empowering underserved populations while fostering empathy and professional identity development among osteopathic medical students

Methods:

This ongoing, community-engaged initiative …

Glp-1 Agonists And Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Rolanda Willacy, Regan Burgess, Simran Rai, Lucy Fisher, Tegshjargal Baasansukh, Damon Ross, Nia Dudley, Jane Boyle, Marvin Dingle

Research Day

Introduction

Optimizing outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a priority in orthopaedics. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) help control blood sugar in diabetics and promote weight loss in obese patients. Studies show they contribute to decreased complications and improved outcomes after orthopedic surgery, but there are inconsistencies regarding its safety and efficacy. Some studies demonstrate reduced infection, readmission, and wound complications in diabetic patients, while others raise concerns about delayed healing, malnutrition, and increased complication rates among non-diabetics. This review evaluates the association between perioperative GLP-1 RA use and postoperative outcomes in TKA.

Methods

A systematic review …