Digital Commons Network^™

Grapes Cure Cancer: My First Molecular Docking Analysis Of Resveratrol Binding To Anti-Apoptotic Protein Bcl-2: In Silico, Sydni Ann Kolokoltsev, Vishwas Joshi

Publications and Research

B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) is an anti-apoptotic protein frequently overexpressed in cancer, enabling tumor cells to evade programmed death. Resveratrol, a grape-derived polyphenol, has reported anticancer properties. Here we performed in silico docking of resveratrol to human BCL-2 using AutoDock Vina. The best-ranked pose exhibited a predicted binding free energy of 8.0 kcal/mol and formed at least one short hydrogen bond (~1.8 Å) with pocket residues. These results support further evaluation of resveratrol as a potential modulator of BCL-2-mediated apoptosis.

Ai-Driven Sustainable Textile Waste Utilization In New York State: Part I, Kyshia Anderson, Alyssa Dana Adomaitis

Publications and Research

While technology and awareness are advancing, a significant lack persists in how New York State utilizes innovative reports and enveloping contexts to envision solutions for textile waste, particularly evident in the context of interdisciplinary collaboration among fashion, technology, and construction design, a challenge that remains even with New York State's historical efforts in textile waste utilization (Tonjes, Manzur, Wang, Firmansyah, Rahman, Walker, Lee, Thomas, Johnston, Ly, Medina, Shi, Srivastava, Tucker, Maung, Thyberg, & Hewitt, 2024). Despite a more than nine hundred (900) percent increase in textile waste between 1960 and 2018, from 1,760,000 tons to 17,030,000 tons, current alternatives like …

Asian College Students' Well-Being During A Period Of Rising Anti-Asian Sentiment, Kyuhan Choi, Ying Shi, Maria Zhu

Center for Policy Research

We use a large survey of students in U.S. colleges to study the distinct ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying anti-Asian rhetoric shaped the experiences of Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs). Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the pandemic led to Asian students experiencing more discrimination, feeling less safe during the day, and using fewer mental health services compared to White peers. The increase in discrimination and the perceived lower safety are concentrated among East and Southeast Asians, while South Asians were not affected. Despite these effects, we detect no relative deterioration in severe psychological distress or …

Evaluating The Risk And Etiological Factors Of Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Red-S) In Collegiate Female Wrestlers, Cari Barrett

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Becoming a collegiate athlete requires physical, mental, and emotional preparation through sport-specific training and nutritional strategies, which are critical for peak performance. However, many female athletes, particularly those in weight-sensitive sports, struggle to meet energy needs, increasing the risk of low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This study examined RED-S risk and its etiological factors among female collegiate wrestlers at two time points: preseason and in-season. Fifteen female collegiate wrestlers from a local university completed self-reported questionnaires and anthropometric assessments during both phases. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) assessed physiological symptoms of …

Denise Oliver Vélez - Part 1, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Describing both the connection and discipline of the YLP, Oliver-Vélez remembers “detention” being held in the Bronx, where a member would read and recite their wrongs in writing before returning to Manhattan to pick up children for free breakfast programs, take them to school, pick up papers, and distribute them for the remainder of the day. She remembers this discipline and the art of the Palante newspaper (1970–76) as quintessential parts of most grassroots organizations of the time. Her commitment to the YLP was significant. Members lived collectively and created ingenious solutions to systemic medical, food scarcity, and education issues …

Frederick Collins - Part 1, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Dr. Collins tells the story of 1520 Sedgwick as a place of loss and morality, where tragic events happened “few and far between,” but the community always looked out for each other and was primarily peaceful and safe. It was this environment, of eager youth and supportive adults, that helped the culture that hip hop would blossom from. The sounds that would subsequently be created were a product of this safe space. Also prevalent in the interview is the accurate account of this development from Collins’ perspective, as one of the first three children to live in the building. He …

Bryson Peter - Part 3, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Universal School Meal Policies And Perceived Stigma: Quantitative Evidence From Eight Us States, Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah Chapman, Marlene B. Schwartz, Caitlin D. French, Anisha I. Patel, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Juliana Cohen, Wendi Gosliner

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Universal school meals (USMs) policies, which provide free meals to all students regardless of income, have the potential to improve child nutrition and reduce stigma. Quantitative evidence on the association between USM and stigma is limited.

Methods

Leveraging a natural policy variation in state‐level USM implementation, we surveyed 1066 middle and high school students from eight US states (four with USM, four without) during the 2022–2023 school year. Stigma was measured as self‐reported embarrassment about eating school lunch. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the associations between USM, embarrassment, and lunch participation.

Results

Overall about one in nine …

Cyshcn: Religion And Spirituality With Qol Theoretical Frameworks, Translating Knowledge, Julia Dankanich

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: There are 14 million U.S. children with a special health care need. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) are a broad, unique subgroup of children with diverse experiences with medical, psychosocial, and behavioral challenges. Children rating themselves as being more spiritual, but not religious, rated themselves as happier compared to children who were less spiritual. However, quality of life (QoL) scores are lower for CYSHCN. Factors influencing QoL for CYSHCN and their caregivers are incompletely understood. Religion and spirituality for CYSHCN and their caregivers impacting QoL is understudied. Research on QoL with theorical frameworks in this …

Psychological Variables That Best Predict Health Related Behaviors In College Students, Arianna Gamaggio

Honors Theses

The present study examined which psychological factors best predicted health behaviors in college students. The psychological factors that were addressed included anxiety, depression, grit, and psychological flexibility. The health behaviors were examined by using a composite variable that included sleep, diet, and exercise. A total of 265 students participated in the study, but only 174 (μ age = 21) met the criteria for inclusion. Participants completed validated self-report measures such as the GAD- 7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), Short Grit Scale, Psy-Flex-6 (psychological flexibility), as well as health behavior assessments that measured eating behaviors, sleeping, and exercise habits. Correlational analyses indicated …

Characteristics Of Unintentional Injuries In Young Children In Low Socioeconomic Status Families, Annabelle Pederson

Honors Theses

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among young children in the United States, with low-income families being at higher risk. This study examined seven weeks of prospective injury data from 89 caregivers of preschool-aged children enrolled in a Head Start program participating in a randomized controlled trial of a modified home safety intervention. Caregivers completed weekly interviews reporting the injury type, location, severity, pain, and caregiver in charge. Slips, trips, and falls were the most common injuries that occurred, with most occurring in the primary caregiver’s home. Mothers were the supervising adults in over half of the incidents. …

The Divided Self: Gothic Duality In Literature, Sarah Anna Meeks

Masters Theses

Gothic literature of the nineteenth century is haunting due to its frequent use of ghosts and monsters. However, the true terror lies in a deeper horror, one that is more intimate and destabilizing– a fright that leaps out of the text, looking into the heart of the reader: the fractured mind of the self torn between reality and repression, haunted by its own, newly manifested internal disunity rather than external monsters. The characters of Gothic fiction are typically caught in a psychological turmoil. They battle with split morals between duty and desire, morality and madness, and science and spirituality. Specifically, …

Primary Care Provider Communication Barriers With College-Aged Students, Mckenna Mahakian, Sharon Schaeffer, Rachel Immel

Honors Projects

As both a researcher and a college student, I’ve noticed that my peers and I share a common negative sentiment toward scheduling and attending routine doctor’s appointments. There are unique barriers in place for the age demographic; college students encountering the medical system and Primary Care Providers (PCPs) seem to have unique challenges in communication. I released a qualitative, anonymous survey to Bowling Green State University students to gauge opinionated responses on sentiments regarding how they felt about the level of communication between themselves and their provider, how the pediatric switch to a regular doctor impacted their inpatient care, how …

Methylene Blue Associated Retinal Toxicity, Sidra Zafar, Martin Calotti, Timothy T. Xu, Justin Muste, Theodore Bowe, Luis Acaba-Berrocal, Brian Cheng, Samir Patel, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, Jose S. Pulido, Jordan D. Deaner

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: To describe a case of inadvertent methylene blue use during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for an epiretinal membrane (ERM).

CASE: A 69-year-old man presented with 1 day of severe vision loss in his left eye. Two days prior to presentation, he had undergone PPV that was complicated by accidental methylene blue use. Visual acuity (VA) at presentation to our institution was CF from his baseline VA of 20/60. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated diffuse hyperreflectivity and thickening of the inner retinal layers. The patient was started on oral prednisone with no improvement. On postoperative month 1, VA was HM. …

Lay-Led Crisis Intervention Strategies In The Adult 3 Ministry Of First Baptist Dallas, Jeffrey Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research project focused on the care, counsel, and advocacy lay leaders can provide to church members who experience a crisis. Due to the growing member-to-minister ratio at First Baptist Dallas, lay leaders can supplement the work of the ministers by providing frontline support. The problem is that most lay leaders within the church have limited training in crisis management outside their own life experiences. If lay leaders are equipped in biblical crisis management and intervention responses, then they will be able to provide guidance to church members in crisis. The qualitative research for this project was completed …

A Concept Analysis Of Entrenched Toxic Cultures In Nursing Academia, Becky Good, Kristen Kirby, Karen J. Foli

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Toxic cultures in nursing academia are environments characterized by incivility, bullying, and harassment, all concepts well defined in the literature (Beckmann et al., 2013; Clark, 2013; Fry & Schmer, 2021). While some toxic cultures can be addressed with targeted interventions, others are more widespread, established, and difficult to dismantle (Beitz & Beckmann, 2023; Clark & Ritter, 2018; Coates, 2024; Goldberg et al., 2013; Olsen et al., 2020). Specific data are scarce; however, as negative behaviors persist and intensify, we believe the unexplored phenomenon of entrenched toxic culture (ETC) emerges.

Purpose: This concept analysis aims to define ETCs in nursing …

Challenges And Difficulties Faced By Children With Special Healthcare Needs And Their Caregivers, Julia Dankanich

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and children with medical complexity (CMC) encompass a broad spectrum of children with varying medical conditions and health care needs. They use a greater number of resources due to their higher level of specialty care visits, greater emergency department use, and higher rate of hospitalizations compared to children without special health care needs. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the caregivers of CYSHCN and CMC experiences and difficulties related to caring for their high-needs children. A literature search was conducted using the keywords children and youth with special …

Blue Ring Presence In Utah's High Country, Eliza Hammari, Bode Baker, Summer Branham, Ethan Harris, Joe Brown, Natalee Cannon

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Blue rings are incompletely lignified tree rings resulting from cold environmental stress in the late growing season. We identified blue rings in samples from the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains, matching previous samples in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These blue rings are helpful in building comprehension of past climatic data.

Historical Review: More Than Two Decades Understanding The Genetic Architecture Of Hemostasis And Thrombosis, Maria Sabater-Lleal, Florian Thibord, Paul S De Vries, Jennifer Huffman, Alisa S Wolberg, Charles J Lowenstein, Alanna C Morrison, Andrew D Johnson, Nicholas L Smith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

From the beginning of the millennium and the development of genome-wide analyses, the technical advances and remarkable increase in research sample sizes have led to an escalating number of discoveries revealing genetic determinants of levels of the main factors regulating hemostasis and thrombosis and demonstrating a clear polygenic complex regulation of most coagulation factors. These discoveries have been useful to understand the biology underlying hemostasis regulation and to understand risk of associated thrombotic disease, such as venous thromboembolism, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. In this historical review, we outline the main discoveries in genetic studies of coagulation factors (fibrinogen …

The Study Of Hybrid Nanostructures For Optoelectronics, Alex Davis, Khaoula Dehhou

Publications and Research

Hybrid nanostructures that combine zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots (QDs) with two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising building blocks for next-generation optoelectronic devices, such as highly sensitive photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, and tunable light sources. These hybrid systems take advantage of the strong, size-dependent emission of colloidal QDs and the high carrier mobility and tunable band structure of 2D materials. In this research, we investigate hybrid structures composed of colloidal CdSe/ZnS, CuInS/ZnS, and PbS QDs integrated with indium selenide (InSe), a TMD known for its exceptional electron mobility and robust photoluminescence in few-layer form. The goal is to understand how interfacial …

First Mammography Screening Participation And Breast Cancer Incidence And Mortality, Forruk Ahmed, Anna Aleksyeyeva, Oman Balan, Ashley Hassang

Publications and Research

This population-based cohort study evaluated the long-term relationship between initial participation in mammography screening and subsequent breast cancer outcomes among approximately 432,000 women in Stockholm, Sweden. Women were invited to their first screening between 1991 and 2020 at ages 40 or 50 and followed for up to 25 years through national health registries. Overall, 32% did not attend their initial screening. Non-attenders were significantly less likely to participate in later screening rounds and were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease, showing 1.5-fold higher odds of stage III and more than 3.5-fold higher odds of stage IV breast cancer …

Through The Eyes Of Time, Shaneece Prince, Steven Indelicato

Publications and Research

Frames have been a staple throughout history, however in recent times, a trend of having multiple pairs of glasses opposed to one, life lasting pair, has emerged. As a result, frames have piled up in landfills contributing to the polluting of our environment. Through the analysis of previously recorded studies and statistics, conclusions of the eyewear industry's growing impact on society and the planet were formed.

Millions of frames are in constant circulation, studies show that up to 31% of spectacle wearers out of a group of 375, disposed of their eyewear in the trash. The lifespan of popular eyewear …

Place: Dwelling Within The Built And Natural Environments, Christine Gratia

Publications and Research

This study argues that “place” is not simply physical, it is actualized by the relationship between human beings and the environments they inhabit. This research will spotlight various philosophical theories that pertain to where humans do human activities, the ever evolving containers of socialization and how the external environment informs self-concept. This research narrows in on Edward Relph’s phenomenology of “place” and Martin Heidegger's concept of dwelling. Both concepts are defined as foundational structures of human existence which create an interdependent relationship between humans and the places we inhabit. From that relationship stems a responsibility of caretaking. Through a conceptual …

Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, And Women: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal E. H. Stephenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Substance use disorders (SUDs) do not discriminate who or how they impact individuals, families, or communities. Women impacted by SUDs face challenges such as lack of transportation, minimal family support, some of the women were triggered by co-ed groups, and childcare needs are just a few categories that prevent them from adhering to and engaging in treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight women with substance use disorders and trauma. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured guide that covered areas of their lives impacted by substance use disorders and trauma. Data was analyzed using methods …

A Phenomenology Study Of African American Male’S Perception Of Black Church Leadership, Eric Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Previous research has identified a gender disparity exists within the context of the Black Church. More specifically, the gender disparity focuses on the fact that there are more women than men in the context of the Black Church. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes that African American males have about Black Church leadership. In addition to this, to also identify if there is a congruence between the perceptions that Black males have about Black Church leadership and their level of engagement or non-engagement. The theory guiding this study is hermeneutic phenomenology, also known …

A Critical Comparative Analysis Of The Ecclesiologies Of Carl F. H. Henry And James H. Cone Through The Lens Of Social Consciousness: Towards A Liberative Ecclesiology, Phyllis D. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The doctrine of the Church has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Since its inception, scholars have debated the doctrine of the Church, challenged its boundaries, and questioned its role in society. As contemporary society evolves, the Church encounters multifaceted challenges, compelling it to adapt while maintaining its spiritual mission. To address this concern, this study analyzes the ecclesiologies of Carl F. H. Henry and James H. Cone through the lens of social consciousness. A critical comparative analysis provides the most dynamic framework for examining these perspectives. By exploring probable theological points of convergence and divergence, this study …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Experienced K-5 Teachers' Perceptions Implementing The Science Of Reading, Christian Brady Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of implementing the SoR for experienced K-5 teachers at Carlton County School System in rural Georgia. This study was guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which was utilized to explore the lived experiences of experienced K-5 educators who were required to implement the SoR strategies into their literacy instruction. This hermeneutic phenomenological study used a qualitative research design to explore the following research question: What are the perceptions of experienced K-5 teachers implementing the science of reading? A combination of experienced K-5 teachers from three Title I …

Determining The Efficacy Of A Digital Small-Group Formatted Spiritual Care Program In Increasing Ministry Volunteer Resiliency And Retention At Groundwire, Andrew J. Ondo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project examined the efficacy of biblically informed, trauma-aware, peer-to-peer spiritual care systems within the solely digital ministry context of Groundwire. The study addressed the growing need for effective pastoral care in digitally mediated environments, where formation and fragmentation occur simultaneously and traditional leadership structures are often absent. The purpose was to design, implement, and evaluate a protocol that could cultivate the core concepts of resilience, intentionality, and wisdom among participants, reinforcing both practical resilience and retention. An action-oriented, primarily qualitative methodology was utilized. The final sample population consisted of eleven Groundwire participants engaged in peer-to-peer care on Discord, with …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Common Themes Among Individuals Who Have Broken Generational Cycles Of Conflict Avoidance, Codependency, And People Pleasing, Joseph Daniel Mcginnis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many healthy and unhealthy adult behaviors are transmitted from parent to child as generational behavior cycles. Conflict avoidance, codependency, and people-pleasing are all unhealthy relationship dynamics that are generationally passed down in such a way. Breaking these generational cycles of unhealthy relationship dynamics is often difficult. The goal of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the common themes among individuals who have broken the generational cycles of conflict avoidance, co-dependency, and people-pleasing. The study consisted of 17 participants who were identified as having broken the generational cycles of conflict avoidance, codependency, or people-pleasing. Each participant was either previously involved …

Music’S Transformative Power: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Christian Music’S Role In Enhancing Human Development, Crystal Ann Hubbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music is one of the most fundamental expressions of art, communication, and worship, linking to the conscience and personalities across cultures. Music provides a pathway to human emotions where music manifests as a therapeutic component for psychosomatic change. Furthermore, Christian music has not been explored as a therapeutic component for individuals struggling with mental health or cognitive challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Christian music may serve as a therapeutic component of wellbeing in everyday lives of individuals. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, this study investigated the lived experiences of 10 individuals who have experienced Christian …