Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging University And Hospital Libraries: Evidence-Based Strategies For Developing A New Medical School Library, Dana Thimons, Nancy Hampton, Kelly Fogarty

Faculty and Staff Publications

This poster, presented at the Medical Library Association (MLA) Annual Meeting, describes how Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health partnered to establish a new medical school, requiring library leaders to address LCME Standard 5.8 (Library Resources/Staff) within the data collection instrument and self-study for preliminary accreditation. A cross-institutional workgroup undertook a multi-method approach to building an evidence-based case for library planning, including a literature review, comparator institution database analysis, mapping of needs to LCME Standards, informal stakeholder interviews, consultation of AAHSL statistics and Doody's resources, evaluation of current holdings, and price estimation for needed resources. Key challenges included communicating …

Effect Of Platelet Rich Fibrin (Prf) Addition In Autogenous Bone Graft To Mandibular Bone Healing, Yudy A. Utomo, Lilies D. Sulistyani, Vera Julia, Putu Gpd. Kawisana, Arbi Wijaya, Muskab, Ditha Noviantika, Iin S. Amalia

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

No abstract provided.

The Kincare Craze In Child Protection: Romanticism, Subterfuge, And Racial Separatism, James G. Dwyer

FIU Law Review

A deluge of federal and state legislation in recent years aims to channel maltreated children removed from parents’ custody into kin placements, responding to advocates for parents who claim this is categorically better for children than entering or remaining in foster care with biologically unrelated caregivers. The claim has romantic appeal, sufficient to beguile legislators. But the research on outcomes for children in different post-removal placements does not support it. In reality, motivations other than child welfare underlie the advocacy for this legislation. The core aim is to evade federal child-welfare mandates adopted in the 1990s and long condemned by …

The Effects Of Reciprocal Teaching On Improving Reading Comprehension In Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities, Christopher Gilmartin

Education Masters Theses

I was introduced to a reading strategy called reciprocal teaching. Placing an emphasis on group work, reciprocal teaching allows students to investigate the text and deepen understanding of it. Since I am an actor and I thoroughly analyze text daily, I wanted to thread the concepts together and to impart my knowledge. This made me wonder what would happen if reciprocal teaching was implemented in a secondary special education classroom in the hopes of improving reading comprehension. The research question I sought to answer became: Does the strategy of reciprocal teaching help improve the reading comprehension skills of high school …

The Impact Of Structured Communication Check-Ins On Student Self-Direction And Work Completion In An Elementary School Resource Room, Tim Osburn

Education Masters Theses

The purpose of the project is to examine how structured communication check-ins may improve the self-direction and task completion of third, fourth, and fifth grade elementary students with IEPs. The intervention will consist of short, intentional check-ins at the beginning and end of each instructional session. During the opening check-in, one of the intervention students (3B, 4B, and 5B) will set a personal academic or behavioral goal for that session. At the end of the session, they will reflect on their progress, evaluate their effort, and discuss the strategies that either aided or impeded their success. Each check-in will last …

Effect Of Walking With An Active Ankle Exoskeleton On The Biomechanical Responses Of The Lumbar Spine, Jose E. Rubio, Junfei Tong, Aravind Sundaramurthy, Anup Pant, Sridevi Nagaraja, Meredith K. Owen, Michael A. Samaan, Brian W. Noehren, Jaques Reifman

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: Musculoskeletal injuries pose a health threat to U.S. Service members. In particular, the physical demands of walking and running with load carriage contribute to a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries of the lower back. Active ankle exoskeleton devices are promising technologies that may help mitigate the impact of load carriage on the incidence of these injuries. However, the safe extended use of these devices requires an understanding of their beneficial or detrimental effects on the lumbar spine. In this pilot study, we investigated the impact of walking with an ankle exoskeleton device on lumbar biomechanical responses.

Methods: We collected …

A Woman’S World Through The Lens Of Socialized Politics: How Accurate Knowledge Politically And Socially Empowers A Woman’S Autonomy, Claire G. Herzog

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women have dealt with being perceived as inferior to men, defective, and in need of control. My research draws a connection between the ways societal beliefs, judicial action and political action interact with each other to reinforce and reproduce these limiting beliefs about women. The interaction between these institutions result in underlying policies that target women's rights, silencing their voices and sense of independence, all while aiming to control the female body completely. Despite the perception that modern society has moved away from the sexist beliefs that had been created and ingrained into society centuries ago, we are left with …

The Role Of Advocacy And Occupational Justice In Increasing The Accessibility Of Parks For Parents With Disabilities, Nathan Burke-Tan

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to address ongoing accessibility barriers experienced by adults with disabilities, particularly those in caregiving roles, in public parks and playgrounds in the greater San Diego region. Although many parks meet the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), research shows that caregivers with disabilities continue to encounter obstacles that limit safe, meaningful participation in community spaces (Dalpra, 2022; Fernelius, 2017; Firkin et al., 2024; Movahed et al., 2023; Ogletree et al., 2020; Prellwitz & Skar, 2007). These persistent gaps indicate a need for stronger advocacy and clearer public awareness of …

Grounded In Experience: A Collaborative Approach To Resource Development For Adults With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Morgan Kam

Doctoral Projects

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a complex connective tissue disorder that significantly affects daily occupations, participation, and quality of life, yet early support for individuals pursuing or newly receiving a diagnosis remains limited. Occupational therapy (OT) is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through interventions that promote self-management and functional engagement.

Purpose: This project aimed to develop an experience- and evidence-informed educational resource for individuals undergoing or newly receiving an EDS diagnosis, while increasing awareness of OT’s role in managing this chronic, multisystemic condition.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach integrated qualitative insights from interviews, online support groups, and practitioner feedback. A …

Family-Level Impacts Of Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy For Children With Disabilities: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Pilot Study, Emily Canigiula

Doctoral Projects

Equine-assisted occupational therapy (EAOT) has been shown to enhance functional, social, and quality-of-life outcomes for children with disabilities (McDaniel Peters & Wood, 2017; Prieto et al., 2022). While child-focused outcomes are well documented, significantly less is known about how EAOT participation may influence caregivers and the broader family unit, as existing research largely prioritizes individual outcomes over family experiences (Peters et al., 2017; Tan & Simmonds, 2018; Trzmiel et al., 2019; Xiao et al., 2023). Emerging qualitative studies suggest potential family-level impacts including family engagement, reduced parental stress, and enhanced feelings of pride, empowerment, and connection (Kalmback et al., 2020; …

Bridging Gaps With Occupational Therapy: The Unique Role Of Occupational Therapy In Women’S Day Shelters, Alex Sato

Doctoral Projects

Homelessness is a multifaceted, complex issue that we face as a society. Mainstream services provided to homeless or vulnerable populations tend to focus on housing and basic services. While these are essential and meaningful, literature suggests there is a lack in trauma and self-care support (Marzana et al., 2023; Milaney et al., 2020). Looking through an Occupational Therapy (OT) lens, there are a multitude of ways the profession can provide holistic care. Current OT service provision within this population most commonly focuses on obtaining and maintaining housing and addressing the survival occupations these individuals may be engaging in (Cunningham & …

Applying Occupational Empowerment Principles In A Life Skills Program For Unhoused Transitional-Aged Youth: Feasibility And Early Outcomes, Eriza Navarro

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this occupational therapy doctoral capstone project was to address a gap in community-based services for unhoused transitional-aged youth (TAY) by promoting life skill acquisition and supporting participation in meaningful activities in order to enhance self-efficacy. This project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a structured occupation-based life skills program that builds upon existing services at a local drop-in center. The program incorporated life skill education and activity-based, experiential interventions tailored to meet the needs and learning styles of the population. Methods included conducting a needs assessment, developing the program curriculum, and piloting the 6-week program consisting of …

Promoting Participation And Self-Efficacy Among Youth With Disabilities In Community-Based Vocational Education, Allison Hollender

Doctoral Projects

Occupational therapy, with its focus on participation, contextual adaptation, and strength-based practice, is uniquely suited to support the growth and inclusion of youth in transition (Angell et al., 2018; Cahill et al., 2020; Carroll et al., 2025). Research indicates that transitional-aged youth (TAY) with disabilities, ages 14-24, are less likely to graduate from high school, pursue postsecondary education, or live independently (BLS, 2024; Cheng & Shaewitz, 2022; Cook et al., 2015). These disparities are compounded by occupational deprivation, or limited opportunities for meaningful participation, which can negatively impact long-term self-efficacy and belonging (Arbesman & Logsdon, 2011; Cahill et al., 2020). …

From Silos To Synergies: How To Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration Among Graduate Students, Jennifer Jimenez

Doctoral Projects

Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential for preparing collaborative healthcare practitioners, yet opportunities at San José State University (SJSU) have been limited, inconsistent, and largely dependent on individual faculty initiative. This capstone project aimed to strengthen IPE at SJSU by assessing institutional capacity and developing feasible, sustainable strategies to enhance exposure and participation across health-related programs. Guided by the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model and adult learning theory, the project combined a needs assessment, literature review, and partnership with the Healthy Development Community Clinic (HDCC) to create an instructor implementation guide and student introductory modules for HDCC service-learning onboarding. An IRB-approved mixed-methods faculty …

A Guide To Falls In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Sarah Ghione

Doctoral Projects

Approximately one in four older adults experiences a fall each year in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024b; Kakara et al., 2023). Among those residing in nursing homes for either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, the risk of falls is doubled (Acker & Janssen, 2017; Shao et al., 2023). The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop an educational resource aimed at enhancing staff education and fall prevention efforts within a single nursing home, supporting the facility’s goal of reducing fall rates. Methods included a needs assessment, observational experiences, resource development, and the …

Identification Of Potential Prophylactic Medical Countermeasures Against Acute Radiation Syndrome (Ars), Kia T. Liermann-Wooldrik, Arpita Chatterjee, Elizabeth A. Kosmacek, Molly Myers, Oluwaseun Adebisi, Louise Monga-Wells, Liu Mei, Michelle P. Takacs, Patrick H. Dussault, Daniel R. Draney, Robert Powers, James W. Checco, Chittibabu Guda, Tomáš Helikar, David B. Berkowitz, Kenneth W. Bayles, Alan H. Epstein, Lynnette Cary, Daryl J. Murry, Rebecca E. Oberley-Deegan

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) occurs when hematopoietic or gastrointestinal cells are damaged by radiation exposure causing DNA damage to the bone marrow and gastrointestinal epithelial stem cell populations. In these highly proliferative cell types, DNA damage inhibits stem cell repopulation. In humans and animals, this inability to regenerate stem cells is lethal. Within this manuscript, several compounds, Amifostine, Captopril, Ciprofloxacin, PrC-210, 5-AED (5-androstene-3β,17β-diol), and 5-AET (5-androstene-3β,7β,17B-triol), are assessed for their ability to protect against ARS in an in vitro and/or in vivo setting. ARS was accomplished by irradiating mouse bone marrow cells or rat intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cells in vitro …

To Compare Is Human: A Review Of Social Comparison Theory In Organizational Settings, Michael J. Matthews, Thomas K. Kelemen

Management Faculty Publications

Social comparisons are one of the most ubiquitous behaviors that individuals, groups, and firms undertake. In particular, social comparison theory is based upon the premise that actors are motivated to engage in comparisons and that decisions throughout this process impact employees’ core self-evaluations, team relations, executives’ behaviors, firm prestige, and more. However, despite the prevalence of the phenomenon—and thereby the frequent application of the theory in organizational studies—a synopsis of the theory’s underpinnings and extant findings remains absent. Here, we present a state-of-the-art review that summarizes the theory’s history and mechanics and critically examines how social comparison theory has been …

Effects Of An Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Versus Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockers For Pneumonia, Influenza And Lung Related Mortality Risks: A Retrospective Population-Based Cohort Study, Jeremy Man Ho Hui, Jiandong Zhou, Athena Yan Hiu Lee, Oscar Hou In Chou, Keith Sai Kit Leung, Teddy Tai Loy Lee, Xintao Li, Tong Liu, Abraham Ka Chung Wai, Bernard Man Yung Cheung, Gary Tse, Qingpeng Zhang

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background: The association between increased rates of pneumonia and influenza and longterm exposures of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) versus angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) remained unclear. Methods: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study using territory-wide healthcare data in Hong Kong. The study period was from 1st January 2000 and 31st August 2020. Patients who used ARB or ACEI were included. ARB and ACEI users were matched using a propensity score at 1:1 ratio with nearest neighbor search strategy. The follow-up started after one-year lag time after drug initiation until outcome, death or end of study. Risks of new onset …

First In The Field: Pioneering In Structural Heart Interventional Echocardiography, Alex Pui-Wai Lee

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Structural heart disease (SHD) has emerged as one of the most dynamic frontiers in contemporary cardiology. Interventional echocardiography, once a niche discipline, is now central to the planning, execution, and follow-up of complex structural interventions. This comprehensive review traces the evolution of the field, anchored in both scientific literature and firsthand experience. We explore the journey from 2D to 3D imaging, the impact of mentorship and research at the Mayo Clinic, the rise of advanced interventional devices, the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics, and the importance of resilience and teamwork. Our aim is to inspire, inform, and chart a …

Aneurysmal Dilatation Following Common Femoral Artery Directional Atherectomy, Timothy H.H. Kam, Bryan P. Yan, Guangming Tan

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Aneurysmal dilatation is an uncommon but serious complication of directional atherectomy for heavily calcified lower extremity arterial disease. In the absence of established treatment guidelines, this case report describes the successful endovascular management of a common femoral artery aneurysm following directional atherectomy using covered stents.

Iatrogenic Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula After Leadless Pacemaker Implantation Treated With Balloon-Expandable Stent: A Report Of Three Cases, Cheuk Yin Lai, Timothy Ho Him, Mark Tk Tam, Guang-Ming Tan, Bryan P Yan

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Endovascular covered stenting is a minimally invasive option for treating iatrogenic femoral access site complications, including arteriovenous femoral fistula (AVF). Reports on AVF repair mainly concern small bore devices, but large bore devices such as leadless pacemakers post unique challenges. We present 3 cases of iatrogenic femoral AVF after large-bore, 27Fr access sheath insertion for leadless pacemaker implantation. Both underwent endovascular balloon-expandable covered stenting, with resolution of AVF and durable long-term results. As patients referred for leadless pacemaker implantations are often frail with co-morbidities, endovascular stenting is an appealing alternative to open surgical repair for AVF.

Health Sciences Tenure Criteria, Department Of Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University

Tenure and Promotion Criteria

No abstract provided.

Health Services Management And Policy Promotion Criteria, Department Of Health Services Management And Policy, East Tennessee State University

Tenure and Promotion Criteria

No abstract provided.

Health Services Management And Policy Tenure Criteria, Department Of Health Services Management And Policy, East Tennessee State University

Tenure and Promotion Criteria

No abstract provided.

Health Sciences Promotion Criteria, Department Of Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University

Tenure and Promotion Criteria

No abstract provided.

Examining Differences In Rural And Urban Medicare Ffs Beneficiaries’ Emergency Department Use Before And During Covid-19, Alana Knudson, Craig D. Holden, Marilyn Klug, Tricia Stauffer, Shena Popat

ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center Policy Briefs

No abstract provided.

Examining Collaborative Healthcare For Substance Use Disorder: A Case Study Of Brigham And Women's Hospital Bridge Clinic, Megan Bidgood

Psychology Honors Papers

Individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are clinically underserved due to increased health and psychiatric comorbidities, structural barriers to treatment, stigma, and insufficient resources. This suggests that there is a need for an accessible and culturally competent treatment model. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Bridge Clinic is a multi-disciplinary, low threshold SUD treatment to promote collaborative healthcare and the transitioning of patients to longer-term care. The aim of the current study is to better understand personal accounts of patients and various clinical and non-clinical providers to optimize the BWH Bridge Clinic’s approach to treatment. Patients (N=5) and providers (N=6) participated …

The Exactions Illusion: Sheetz's Missing Dissent, Lee Anne Fennell, Timothy M. Mulvaney

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

No abstract provided.

Space Over Time: Housing For The Life Cycle, Lee Anne Fennell

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

People need housing throughout the life cycle, and what they need from that housing changes over time. Yet the menu of residential options is often too static, rigid, and limited to respond to these changes. What would it mean to configure housing to adapt to households’ evolving spatial requirements, risk tolerances, health challenges, and financial statuses? How could greater flexibility in the built environment enable communities to deliver better residential services to their populations? Elder housing offers a illuminating window into these questions and their answers. Addressing life-stage correlated housing mismatches could help to loosen the larger supply constraints—and failures …

The Constitution And The War On Dei, Sonja A. Starr, Genevieve Lakier

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

his Article examines how the second Trump Administration’s aggressive attacks on programs, policies, and speech loosely associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] intersect with the constitutional guarantees of equal protection and freedom of speech. We argue first that there is little doctrinal support for the administration’s pervasive efforts to justify its war on DEI by invoking the Equal Protection Clause and parallel statutory law. Instead, the administration is stretching existing colorblindness doctrine beyond recognition, into a radical vision that we label “anti-antisubordination.” On this view, vindicating equality values does not only require restricting practices that treat individuals differently based …