Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of A Major Educational Shift On Cognitive Load: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Uae University Students, Yousef Aljawarneh, Hasan Al-Omari

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The shift to remote learning has significantly influenced cognitive load among university students, impacting their ability to learn and comprehend effectively. In this study, we assessed cognitive load among students at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, we collected data from 2,085 students via self-administered questionnaires between February and May of 2021. The sample was predominantly female (78.5%) and single (91.3%). The Cognitive Load Scale (subscale range: 0-40) revealed moderate mean scores of 19.59 for intrinsic load (ICL) and 16.69 for extraneous load (ECL), with …

Vr-Glasses And Serious Games To Promote Well-Being And Reduce Stress Of Older Persons In Hospitals, Iris Tamara Schneider, Daniela Karl

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Over the last decades an increasing number of older persons in the population, is recognized worldwide, followed by a rising number of older patients in clinical settings (UN, 2024). Isolation, stress, less activities for the patients (Schneider, 2019), staff shortage and limited time resources are illustrated (Buchnan & Catton 2023, WHO, 2020). Technical innovations may help assist patients reduce stressors. Well examined are effects of training cognitive skills within a virtual reality environment (Apochi et al., 2024, Chan et al., 2024). VR-Glasses and serious games with immersive experiences form an environment by shielding personal surroundings and settings (Doerner et al. …

Faculty Senate Chronicle September 4, 2025, Heather Loughney

The University of Akron Faculty Senate Chronicle

Minutes for the regular meeting of The University of Akron Faculty Senate on September 4, 2025

Skilled Nursing Facility Interprofessional Bedside Rounds: Perspectives From Nurses, Soliel Marianne Diez Flores, Joseann Helmes Dewitt, Lisa Moshiri, Faye Felicilda-Reynaldo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The project addresses the pressing issue of poor interprofessional collaboration in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and its impact on care coordination. The practice-based question guiding the study is whether the implementation of a hybrid telehealth model of structured interprofessional bedside rounds (SIBR) impacts the relational coordination (RC) survey scores of nursing staff in SNFs. The project evaluates the impact of an innovative collaborative model on RC scores in two SNFs using a quantitative quasi-experimental before and after study design. Theoretical underpinnings are grounded in the dynamic theory of RC, providing a framework that aligns with purposeful interprofessional collaborative practice principles. …

Evaluation Of Mobility And Functional Balance In Elderly Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Based On Selected Kinematic Variables, Osama Abdel Fattah, Khaled Atiyat, Thamer Al-Manaseer

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aims to evaluate the kinematic indicators in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the level of functional balance in the study sample according to the Berg Balance Scale. Additionally, it examines the relationship between BMI and the duration of diabetes with the values of kinematic indicators in the study sample in the TUG test and the level of functional balance on the Berg Balance Scale. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between the values of the kinematic indicators in the TUG test and the level of functional balance. To achieve this, the researchers employed a descriptive approach …

Utilizing Generative Ai To Counter Learner Groupthink By Introducing Controversy In Collaborative Problem-Based Learning Settings, Andrew Wiss, Mary Showstark, Kyle Dobbeck, Jennifer Pattershall-Geide, Elke Zschaebitz, Dawn Joosten-Hagye, Kirsten Potter, Erin Embry

Montclair State University Scholarship & Creative Works

This article highlights the foundational challenge of rapid interprofessional student team formation and the potential challenges that groupthink poses for newly-formed teams participating in collaborative problem-based learning activities. This article describes a mixed-methods study that addresses groupthink by introducing a generative artificial intelligence-based agent (genAI agent) into the small group processes of student teams engaging in a session of a well-established virtual interprofessional education methodology. The integration of this novel genAI tool into each student team was an intentional pedagogical technique, introduced in response to the challenges that newly-formed student teams may encounter as they rapidly come together and potentially …

Multigenerational Caregiving And Its Effect On Human Capital: Insights From A Human Resource Development Perspective, Rob E. Carpenter, Brandy Dial

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

A multigenerational caregiving crisis is emerging at the interface of family and work, and human resource development (HRD) should pay attention. This perspective considers the impact of multigenerational caregiving-induced responsibilities on human capital frameworks, and their implications for HRD. We believe traditional models often neglect the unique challenges multigenerational caregivers face—such as stress, absenteeism, and constrained opportunities for self-development—which contribute to the erosion of human capital. This paper uses quantitative models to show that multigenerational caregiving is a critical driver of human capital depreciation. Integrating multigenerational caregivers into human capital discourse foregrounds the need for adaptive HRD strategies. These strategies …

Improving The Assessment Of Functional Ability In Older Adults, Aneela Rahman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Deficits in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are a hallmark of dementia, and the unprecedented aging of the population strongly motivates early identification of older adults at-risk for functional decline. In 2015, the White House Conference on Aging emphasized the need to improve detection of diminished capacity across important areas of functioning. To date, there is very limited research on early IADL changes in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals and those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), who may be in early preclinical dementia stages. Additionally, little is known about how changes in functional brain networks …

Ageism In Employment, Aaron Li, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The World Health Organization defines ageism as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed at individuals based on their age. As people remain in the labor force longer, they are increasingly exposed to ageist attitudes and discrimination. Ageism often manifests through negative assumptions about older workers’ abilities, adaptability, and value in the workplace. Older workers are frequently perceived as less competent, resistant to new technology, inflexible, or physically and mentally less capable.

How Do Self-Employment Rates Change Across The Lifespan?, Cal J. Halvorsen, Bruna C. Lopez

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

People pursue self-employment for a variety of reasons, including autonomy, the ability to pursue their own goals, and income. Yet for many older people who are not yet eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, which can begin at age 62, or Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program that generally begins at age 65, self-employment is also associated with less health insurance and retirement savings program coverage. 1,2 3,4

This research brief asks, What is the proportion of Americans who are self-employed, and how do these rates change throughout the life course?

Older Adults And Financial Exploitation, Aaron Li, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

The National Adult Protective Services Association defines elder financial exploitation as misuse, mishandling, or exploitation of an older adult’s property, possession, or assets. These actions often occur without consent and are typically carried out through false pretense, undue influence, coercion, or manipulation.

Supporting Employed Informal Caregivers, Michele Dinman, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

More than 53 million Americans are informal caregivers. These family members, friends, and acquaintances provide social, medical, transportation, and other support to individuals because of illness or disability without getting paid. Additionally, at least 2 million grandparents, not counting other kinship caregivers, provide care for children who cannot remain with their parents.1

Mental Health Challenges In Later Life, Sophie Mauk, Michele Dinman, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Although older adults are less likely to be diagnosed with mental health challenges than younger adults, Americans over the age of 65 have experienced the greatest growth in new diagnoses — an increase of 57% between 2019 and 2023. By 2023, about 1 in 7 adults age 51 and older had received mental health diagnoses, including major depressive, generalized anxiety, adjustment, bipolar, and mood disorders. However, older adults are less likely to receive treatment than younger people. At the same time, older adults may also misuse substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription and nonprescription medications. Americans age 75 …

Age & Dementia Friendly Bellingham: Assessment Of Community Needs And Ideas For Action, Caitlin E. Coyle, Katherine Burnes, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

In 2022 a steering committee of three Bellingham residents involved in the COA/Senior Center served as a catalyst in helping Bellingham attain the designation of Age and Dementia Friendly. A Task Force including an impressive mix of individuals from town government, schools, local organizations and older residents was formed to help Bellingham set and implement annual goals of activities designed to make Bellingham a good place to grow older for all residents.

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston on behalf of …

Supporting Satisfaction, Satisfying Support: Bidirectional Associations Of Social Support And Life Satisfaction, Jonathan Louis Jie Sheng Chia, Andree Hartanto, William Tov

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Existing literature has explored the impact of social support (SS) on life satisfaction (LS). However, the reciprocal relationship—that is, the influence of LS on SS—remains understudied, despite extant theoretical support. In addressing this gap, the present study employed bivariate latent growth modeling to examine bidirectional associations between SS and LS trajectories among 8,449 middle-aged and older adults in Singapore, over seven waves spanning almost 6 years. Results provided evidence supporting the notion of bidirectional associations. Specifically, baseline SS positively predicted subsequent changes in LS, and baseline LS positively predicted subsequent changes in SS. Findings underscore the potential for interventions and …

Drivers Of Frequent Emergency Department Use In Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Older Adults: A Qualitative Study, Anita Chary, Annika Bhananker, Michelle Suh, David Leavitt, Elise Brickhouse, Shreya Tamma, Jose Ramirez, Mariana Rios, Aanand D Naik, Margaret Samuels-Kalow, Naomi George

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The emergency department (ED) is the safety net for and a common point of healthcare access for socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults. Little is known about socioeconomically disadvantaged older ED patients' perspectives on their health, healthcare access, and ED use. Such insights could guide tailored interventions to address unmet clinical and health-related social needs (HRSN).

Methods: We performed a qualitative study with older adults in a single public safety net hospital ED. We interviewed patients age 60+ who had ≥ 4 ED 4 visits in the past year. Semi-structured interviews explored perceived health needs and motivations underlying ED visits. We …

Reliability And Spatial Consistency Of Mr Diffusion Tensor Imaging Measures Along The Cerebral Perivascular Space, Enchao Qiu, Joga Chaganti, Phillip Phan, M. Alizadeh, Devon Middleton, Kiran Talekar, Prabath Mondel, Scott H. Faro, Feroze Mohamed, Hsiangkuo Yuan

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) has emerged as a promising noninvasive method for evaluating water motion that may reflect glymphatic system function. However, the reliability of DTI-ALPS measurements across different region-of-interest (ROI) selection methods remains underinvestigated. This study aimed to assess the interrater reliability among three neuroradiologists in native space and compare DTI-ALPS indices derived from ROIs placed in subjects' native space versus standardized Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space.

METHODS: DTI-ALPS indices from 16 healthy subjects were calculated from both left and right hemispheres using two ROI placement approaches: (1) native space ROIs …

(Wp 2025-05) Expanding Black Reparations With Human And Social Capital Investments, John B. Davis

Economics Working Papers

Disadvantaged social groups in the US suffered disproportionately in the covid pandemic and Great Recession, worsening high levels of inequality associated with their post-1980 declining intergenerational income mobility. For black Americans this reflects the long history of racial discrimination beginning with slavery. Reparations paid to descendants of enslaved individuals to eliminate the black-white wealth gap is a step toward addressing this history. A further needed step is to build predominantly black communities human and social capital through public investments in community health care centers (CHCs) and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). There is considerable evidence that investments in early …

Restricted Social Engagement Is Associated With Depressive Symptoms In Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study, Zheng Guo, Yulu Zheng, Yahong Zhu, Huacheng Wang, Jian Geng, Hengrui Liu, Piyong Ma, Lois Balmer, Xingang Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Aims: Social isolation has been linked to depressive symptoms in older adults. Previous studies have shown that greater engagement in social activities is associated with better mental health. However, it remains unclear whether restricted social engagement is related to poorer mental health outcomes. This study examined the association between reduced social activities/networking and the presence of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Chinese adults. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people chose to minimize going out to reduce the risk of infection, creating a natural setting that mimicked a passive intervention of restricted social engagement for community-based individuals. Data were …

Prevalence Of Depression, Anxiety, Burden, Burnout, And Stress In Informal Caregivers: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Xun Ci Soh, Andree Hartanto, Naoki Ling, Mayr Reyes, Lester Sim, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Informal caregiving is a physically and emotionally taxing role that has a profound impact on caregivers’ emotional and mental well-being. Previous research has examined the mental health of caregivers and found elevated levels of depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, or stress. However, the global rates of the five mental health factors and/or outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, and stress) among caregivers remain largely unclear. Therefore, this umbrella review examines the prevalence of these factors and/or outcomes, including various subgroup factors, such as gender, medical and/or psychological condition of the care recipient, region, and assessment tools. A systematic search was conducted …

Pengembangan Model Kedekatan Pertemanan Berdasarkan Resiprositas, Kesetaraan Dan Dukungan, Wina Aulia, Faturochman, Wenty Marina Minza

Jurnal Psikologi Sosial

Individuals need close friends. How is close friendship developed? Generally, closeness in friendship can be developed and maintained if the relationship is equal and mutually supportive. The purpose of this research is to develop a model of friendship closeness, with reciprocity as the antecedent and equality and support as mediators. The participants in this research were 234 first-year students at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Data were collected by survey method. Closeness, reciprocity, equality and support were measured by Likert-like scales which met the criteria for psychometric property tests. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with four latent variables was applied to test the …

A Consensus Guide To Preclinical Indirect Calorimetry Experiments, Alexander S Banks, David B Allison, Thierry Alquier, Ansarullah, Steven N Austad, Johan Auwerx, Julio E Ayala, Joseph A Baur, Stefania Carobbio, Gary A Churchill, Morten Dall, Rafael De Cabo, Jose Donato, Nathalia R V Dragano, Carol F Elias, Anthony W Ferrante, Brian N Finck, Jose E Galgani, Zachary Gerhart-Hines, Laurie J Goodyear, Justin L Grobe, Rana K Gupta, Kirk M Habegger, Sean M Hartig, Andrea L Hevener, Steven B Heymsfield, Corey D Holman, Martin Hrabě De Angelis, David E James, Lawrence Kazak, Jae Bum Kim, Martin Klingenspor, Xingxing Kong, Sander Kooijman, Louise Lantier, K C Kent Lloyd, James C Lo, Irfan J Lodhi, Paul S Maclean, Owen P Mcguinness, Gema Medina-Gómez, Raghavendra G Mirmira, Christopher D Morrison, Gregory J Morton, Timo D Müller, Yoshihiro Ogawa, David Pajuelo-Reguera, Matthew J Potthoff, Nathan Qi, Marc L Reitman, Patrick C N Rensen, Jan Rozman, Jennifer M Rutkowsky, Kei Sakamoto, Philipp E Scherer, Gary J Schwartz, Radislav Sedlacek, Mohammed Selloum, Saame Raza Shaikh, Shuai Chen, Gerald I Shulman, Vojtěch Škop, Alexander A Soukas, John R Speakman, Bruce M Spiegelman, Gregory R Steinberg, Katrin J Svensson, John P Thyfault, Tony Tiganis, Paul M Titchenell, Nigel Turner, Licio A Velloso, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Christopher S Ward, Ashley S Williams, Christian Wolfrum, Allison W Xu, Ying Xu, Juleen R Zierath, International Indirect Calorimetry Consensus Committee (Iiccc)

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Understanding the complex factors influencing mammalian metabolism and body weight homeostasis is a long-standing challenge requiring knowledge of energy intake, absorption and expenditure. Using measurements of respiratory gas exchange, indirect calorimetry can provide non-invasive estimates of whole-body energy expenditure. However, inconsistent measurement units and flawed data normalization methods have slowed progress in this field. This guide aims to establish consensus standards to unify indirect calorimetry experiments and their analysis for more consistent, meaningful and reproducible results. By establishing community-driven standards, we hope to facilitate data comparison across research datasets. This advance will allow the creation of an in-depth, machine-readable data …

Spatial Omics Enters The Microscopic Realm: Opportunities And Challenges, Yichen Si, Joo Sang Lee, Goo Jun, Hyun Min Kang, Jun Hee Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) enables systematic profiling of whole-transcriptome gene expression in tissues while preserving spatial context. Recent advances in sequencing- and imaging-based ST technologies have ushered in the era of microscopic-resolution ST (μST), allowing transcriptome mapping at cellular and even subcellular scales with unprecedented precision. Despite these advances, μST faces substantial challenges, including sparse transcript discovery per submicron (or micron)-sized spatial units and data fragmentation across platforms, hindering integration and analysis. There is also a growing demand for scalable, segmentation-free, and universally applicable analysis methods, as well as strategies for 3D mapping, multi-omics integration, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven spatial analysis. …

Bone Quality Response To Lifestyle Intervention In Older Adults With Obesity (Limb-Q Trial): A Randomised Controlled Trial, Giulia Gregori, Sanjay Mediwala, Michael Liebschner, Daeseung Kim, Mon S Bryant, Nina Klonis, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Lifestyle interventions for weight loss might exacerbate age-related bone loss and osteoporosis. However, there is limited knowledge about their effects on bone quality. We examined whether lifestyle intervention can preserve or enhance bone quality, despite reductions in bone mineral density.

Methods: The Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Bone Quality (LIMB-Q) study was a randomised controlled trial conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston, TX, USA) including older adults (aged 65-85 years) with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an intensive lifestyle intervention (intensive lifestyle group, consisting of …

Heightened Risk: Childhood Trauma And Anticipatory Grief Exacerbate The Impact Of Loneliness On Depressive Symptoms And Lps-Stimulated Cytokines In Dementia Caregivers, Kelly N Brice, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D Lai, Daniel L Argueta, Michelle A Chen, Itee Mahant, Bryan T Denny, Charles Green, Luis D Medina, Paul Schulz, Jennifer Stinson, Samantha K Henry, Cobi Heijnen, Christopher P Fagundes

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dementia spousal caregivers are at a disproportionate risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Loneliness is associated with depressive symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine production among caregivers. Additionally, childhood trauma, anticipatory grief, and poor sleep quality are all associated with enhanced stress reactivity. This study used a cross-sectional design to investigate whether loneliness is associated with proinflammatory cytokine production and depressive symptoms in caregivers, and whether these relationships are strongest among caregivers who report high levels of childhood trauma, high amounts of anticipatory grief, or poor sleep quality. A sample of 111 dementia spousal caregivers provided blood samples and completed …

The Gendered Role Of Friendships For Advanced Care Planning And Health In Later Life, Zee Kee Emily Lim

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Friendship is becoming more pertinent to older adults because they are increasingly living with fewer family ties in later life due to changing social and demographic trends (Fiori et al., 2020; Verdery et al., 2019). However, friendships are not as extensively studied as compared to family relationships (Blieszner et al., 2019). Thus, additional research is needed to better understand the influence of friendships on health and health behaviors in later life.

This dissertation includes three studies that focus on the association between friendship and loneliness, advanced care planning, and cognitive function, examining the role of gender in these three studies, …

Quality Of Life Among Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Duaa Dhia Hameed Al-Baghdadi, Rajha Abdul Hassan Hamza

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health concern Approximately 90% of people with diabetes worldwide have diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 23, 2023, to March 2, 2025, in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf City to assess the quality of life among individuals with T2DM. A non-probability sampling technique (purposive sampling) was used to select 167 T2DM patients. Data were collected through a questionnaire, which consisted of three parts: Part I covered sociodemographic information, Part II focused on clinical data, and Part III addressed the quality of life among T2DM patients by using …

Global Advocacy For Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias, Modupe F. Akintomide, Amy Reid

Global Advocacy

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias represent a growing public health challenge, significantly impacting individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide. The increasing prevalence highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to improve care and support for those affected, in alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on health and well-being, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for sustainable development.

Aim: To improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their care partners through a multifaceted advocacy approach.

Methods: …

The Level Of Emotional Balance Among Bethlehem University Students From Their Perspective, Shadia Makhlouf

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to identify the level of emotional stability among Bethlehem University students and its relation to the following variables: gender, faculty, level of education, and place of residence. The researcher employed the descriptive research method for this study, which included 346 students randomly selected from Bethlehem University. A survey consisting of 71 statements was distributed to all 346 students. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, T-test, variance analysis, and LSD test. The results indicated that the level of emotional stability among Bethlehem University students was average. Furthermore, the findings showed no correlation between emotional stability and …

Celebrate The Past Envision The Future, 2001 July, Advocate Health - Midwest

Historical Documents - Combined

Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL: Special bulletin to celebrate when Chicago Union Hospital opened 100 years ago in 1901. Illinois Masonic replaced this hospital in 1921. Included is a timeline of important events from 1901-2001, staff stories, and other milestones.