Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of Decision-Support Tools For Water Resources Management In Coupled Human-Natural Systems, Edgar J. Guerrón Orejuela

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water is an indispensable resource for all forms of life. Water is a cornerstone for economic development, public health, and social well-being. However, increasing water demand and challenges posed by climate change, pollution, population growth, and land use change underscore the urgent need for effective water management strategies. To address these complexities and ensure the sustainable use of water resources, it is imperative to adopt science-based decision-support tools. These tools leverage data, models, and analytical techniques to provide valuable insights and recommendations that guide decision-makers in formulating evidence-based policies and practices.

Effective water management requires a comprehensive understanding of the …

Exploring Online Language Learning Activities And Intercultural Communicative Competence: Perspectives Of International Students, Moneera Abdulaziz Alsubaihi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Societies are increasingly aware of the need to connect and communicate globally. Thus, navigating diverse cultural contexts becomes critical, which necessitates intercultural competence—the skill of effective communication and understanding across cultures. As the digital age reshapes our interactions, online learning platforms have emerged as dynamic spaces that foster intercultural engagement and competency development. The purpose of this study was to explore this engagement and development through online English language activities that enhance international students' intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and language learning experience. This qualitative study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of international students' experiences in online English language courses, …

Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training For The Acquisition And Generalization Of Run Blocking Skills Of High School Football Players, Jason Caleb Wiley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral skills training has been used to increase football player’s performance in one prior study, but limited data were collected on how the skill generalized from the training environment to the natural environment. The purpose of this study is to further evaluate the effects of BST in enhancing football player’s performance while also evaluating the generalization of a skill taught in a training environment (i.e., practice) to the natural environment (i.e., game simulated scrimmage). This study included five high school offensive line football players and recorded their run blocking skills in the training context and a game context in baseline …

Frontline Nursing Staff’S Perceptions Of Intravenous Medication Administration: The First Step Toward Safer Infusion Processes-A Qualitative Study, Masashi Uramatsu, Naoko Kimura, Takako Kojima, Yoshikazu Fujisawa, Tomoko Oto, Paul Barach

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous medication errors continue to significantly impact patient safety and outcomes. This study sought to clarify the complexity and risks of the intravenous administration process.

DESIGN: A qualitative focus group interview study.

SETTING: Focused interviews were conducted using process mapping with frontline nurses responsible for medication administration in September 2020.

PARTICIPANTS: Front line experiened nurses from a Japanese tertiary teaching hospital.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was to identify the mental models frontline nurses used during intravenous medication administration, which influence their interactions with patients, and secondarily, to examine the medication process gaps between the …

Dietary Saturated Fatty Acids Modulate Host Innate Immunity, Amy Lorraine Seufert

Dissertations and Theses

Nutrition, cellular metabolism, and inflammatory regulation of the immune system are interconnected, and advancing our understanding of this will greatly improve treatment of metabolic and inflammatory disease. Specifically, dietary saturated fats are becoming increasingly appreciated for their ability to modify innate immune cell function in mammals following absorption into the blood and lymphatic circulation systems. The work herein focuses on the capacity for lipids in the diet to modulate innate immune memory. My thesis first broadly outlines fundamental background, including: the evolution of human nutrition, the discovery of innate immune memory, and key topics that reoccur throughout the text surrounding …

Electrochemical Detection Of Glucose Using A Prussian Blue Modified Electrodes Combined With Glucose Encapsulated Within A Xerogel, Daniel Baker, Sarah Davis, Drew Budner

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Recent literature reports examples of electrochemical biosensor systems that have been developed based upon on the encapsulation of enzymes and metal nanoparticles into a xerogel. These systems have been utilized for the detection of biologically important compounds, such as glucose. These reports on these systems have found acceptable detection limits and linear ranges. At the same time, Prussian blue modified electrodes have been shown to have better operating parameters than metal electrodes for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. In this work, a biosensor system is described that incorporates the encapsulation of glucose oxidize within a xerogel combined with electrochemical detection …

A Systematic Review Of Telehealth Utilization For Bowel Management Programs In Pediatric Colorectal Surgery., Elizaveta Bokova, Ismael Elhalaby, Seth Saylors, Irene Isabel P. Lim, Rebecca M. Rentea

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Recent advancements in pediatric surgery have embraced telehealth (TH) modalities, transitioning from traditional in-person consultations to virtual care. This shift has broadened access to healthcare, potentially enhancing affordability, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. In pediatric colorectal surgery, telehealth has been effectively utilized to support Bowel Management Programs (BMPs) for children suffering from constipation and fecal incontinence. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of virtual BMPs, analyzing studies from January 2010 to December 2023, sourced from MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library, with five studies included. Remote BMPs, implemented through video or telephone consultations, …

Remote Monitoring App For Endocrine Therapy Adherence Among Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Ilana Graetz, Xin Hu, Mehmet Kocak, Rebecca A. Krukowski, Janeane N. Anderson, Teresa M. Waters, Andrea N. Curry, Andrew Robles, Andrew Paladino, Edward Stepanski, Gregory A. Vidal, Lee S. Schwartzberg

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

IMPORTANCE: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) use among women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer reduces the risk of cancer recurrence, but its adverse symptoms contribute to lower adherence.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether remote monitoring of symptoms and treatment adherence with or without tailored text messages improves outcomes among women with breast cancer who are prescribed AET.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This nonblinded, randomized clinical trial (RCT) following intention-to-treat principles included English-speaking women with early-stage breast cancer prescribed AET at a large cancer center with 14 clinics across 3 states from November 15, 2018, to June 11, 2021. All participants had …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session ,June 27, 2024, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes (April 25, 2024 Meeting)
• Remarks by the Chair of the Board
• Remarks by the President
• Updates by the Faculty Senate President
• Updates by the Western Student Association President
• Western Michigan University Employee Graduates
• WMU’s Investment in the Future – Academic Tenure and Promotion
• Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Resolution: Trustee Dr. William F. Pickard’s Leadership Legacy
• Academic Tenure and Promotion
• Student Room, Board, and Apartment Rates 2024-2025
• Tuition and Required Fee Rates Fall 2024
• General Fund Budget, Fiscal Year 2024-2025
• Five Year Capital Outlay Master Plan
• Lease Agreement with Formosa …

Gone Smishing: An Integration Of Decision-Making And Protection Motivation In The Context Of Identity Theft Victimization, Taylor S. Fisher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Methods of obtaining sensitive information from Internet users have evolved consistently as technology has advanced and millions of mobile device users communicate through text (SMS) messaging daily, making them a target for smishing attacks. Smishing (short for SMS phishing) is a form of cybercrime where an offender will send fraudulent text messages attempting to gather sensitive information or convince the user to click on a malicious link. These messages often appear legitimate and rely on tactics like convincing users that immediate action needs to be taken. Smishing has become so widespread that in 2020, the Texas Attorney General issued a …

Um To Lead State In New Nanobiotechnology Consortium, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The National Science Foundation has awarded $7 million to fund a University of Mississippi-led initiative to make the Magnolia State a new hub for innovative health care solutions.

Pollution Characteristics Of Heavy Metals In Solid Waste Subgrade Filling Materials, Du Qianhui, Fu Wei, Zhang Junhui, Tang Qiang, Gu Fan

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Using solid waste in the road engineering field for subgrade filling is an important approach for building green and low-carbon emission roads.However,most solid waste contains heavy metal pollutants to varying degrees,and heavy metals will be released under complex environments including rainfall infiltration and groundwater immersion,thereby causing pollution to the surrounding soil and groundwater if not handled properly.This paper reviewed the current status of research on four aspects,including the comprehensive use of solid waste materials in subgrade engineering,the leaching and migration behaviors of heavy metals in solid waste,and the prevention and control treatment of heavy metals in solid waste.It is found …

A Rapid Test Method For Deflection Of Small And Medium‑Span Bridges, Zhang Aipin, Ma Lindong, Chang Zhugang, Fan Zhihao

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Bridge deflection response is on e of the most important indicators used for structural condition assessment of bridges.There are currently many methods and devices for deflection measurement,but they are not satisfying in terms of economy,applicability,and measurement accuracy at the same time.This paper proposed a rapid and highly accurate method for measuring mid-span deflection of small and medium-span bridges.By using the high accuracy of displacement transducers in direct contact measurement,an auxiliary measurement device was developed to transfer the deflection of the measurement points on the bridge to the displacement transducer in the form of a rigid connection,thus achieving accurate and dynamic …

Deflection Basin Characteristics Of Distressed Roads Under Moving Load, Cai Yingchun, Xie Shenjian

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The deflection basins of roads under moving load imply the distress information of subgrade and pavement.Therefore,how to use the information of deflection basins under moving load to rapidly test road distresses non-destructively has received much attention.In this paper,the finite element model of semi-rigid base asphalt pavement was established.By setting different types and degrees of finite element distress models,the continuous changes of surface deflection basins under moving load were analyzed.The results show that when the load moves to the distress area,the center deflection value of surface deflection basins in each distress model will become larger.When transverse cracks appear in the pavement …

Ddx181.1 Visual Identity Design Example 1, Sae University College

Exemplars

DDX181 Project 1 work from 24T2. Student exemplar.

A Nordic Perspective On Patient Online Record Access And The European Health Data Space, Maria Hägglund, Anna Kharko, Annika Bärkås, Charlotte Blease, Åsa Cajander, Catherine Desroches, Asbjørn Johansen Fagerlund, Josefin Hagström, Isto Huvila, Iiris Hörhammer, Bridget Kane, Gunnar O. Klein, Eli Kristiansen, Jonas Moll, Irene Muli, Hanife Rexhepi, Sara Riggare, Peeter Ross, Isabella Scandurra, Saija Simola, Hedvig Soone, Bo Wang, Maedeh Ghorbanian Zolbin, Rose Mharie Åhlfeldt, Sari Kujala, Monika Alise Johansen

School of Psychology

The Nordic countries are, together with the United States, forerunners in online record access (ORA), which has now become widespread. The importance of accessible and structured health data has also been highlighted by policy makers internationally. To ensure the full realization of ORA’s potential in the short and long term, there is a pressing need to study ORA from a cross-disciplinary, clinical, humanistic, and social sciences perspective that looks beyond strictly technical aspects. In this viewpoint paper, we explore the policy changes in the European Health Data Space (EHDS) proposal to advance ORA across the European Union, informed by our …

Changes In Lean Body Mass With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1-Based Therapies And Mitigation Strategies, Ian J. Neeland

Faculty Scholarship

Weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R)/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists is coming closer to the magnitudes achieved with surgery. However, with greater weight loss there is concern about potential side effects on muscle quantity (mass), health and function. There is heterogeneity in the reported effects of GLP-1-based therapies on lean mass changes in clinical trials: in some studies, reductions in lean mass range between 40% and 60% as a proportion of total weight lost, while other studies show lean mass reductions of approximately 15% or less of total weight lost. There …

Reporting Clinical Cases: Advancing Homoeopathy, One Case At A Time, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Case reports have been invariably contributing to the research world in their own way. They remain a popular genre among the readers, especially the clinicians who lay their hands upon a clinical journal with an interest to pick new knowledge about a certain disease or a drug than to learn about new evidence generated through statistical calculations. Its presence in medical literature is reported to be quite ancient, with some evidence dated back to the Egyptian antiquity. In fact, a well-documented case report is a representative version of many similar clinical success stories.

Management Of Psychosis With Individualised Homoeopathic Medicines: A Case Series, Karunakara Moorthi, Susu Pertin, Mohan Narvelil Devasia

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Psychosis is a clinical syndrome. The main clinical signs of psychosis are delusion and hallucination. It is a crucial focus of diagnosis and treatment in neurologic and psychiatric practice since it functionally disturbs numerous psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, neurologic and medical diseases.

Case summary: The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were used to evaluate the patients. The outcomes in all the cases suggested that homoeopathic treatment can play a significant role in easing psychotic symptoms and restoring the patient’s ability to understand. The most frequently prescribed medicines and potencies in these cases were …

Homoeopathic Treatment Of Oral Leucoplakia: A Case Report, Suraia Parveen, Zeeshan Ahmed

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Oral leucoplakia (OL), a premalignant lesion which is more frequently encountered in elderly people, is defined as a white lesion of the oral mucosa. Smoking is one of the most common risk factors. Conventionally, surgical excision is the most recommended treatment option for OL. Case Summary: A 55-year-old male presented with the complaint of a whitish lesion inside the left angle of the mouth (buccal mucosa) for the past 1½ years. The case was clinically diagnosed as OL. He was advised for surgical excision, but he preferred to go for homoeopathic treatment. Based on characteristic symptoms, repertorial analysis and …

Resolution Of Subdural Hygroma With Homoeopathy: A Case Report, Partha Pratim Pal, Tania Chatterjee

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Subdural hygroma (SDH) is a collection of cerebrospinal fluid in the subdural space which may be idiopathic, traumatic or post-surgical occurring mostly in elderly patients. Case Summary: A 42-year-old female reported an acute complaint of compressing headache. The headache persisted even after initial prescriptions of Ruta graveolens 30C and 200C, which did not alleviate the condition. Further evaluation was done with a computed tomography scan, which revealed left-sided SDH. Tuberculinum 1M was prescribed, but even though the pain subsided, profuse, watery discharge began to ooze from both the ears and nose, which eventually stopped spontaneously. After six months, the …

Management Of Post-Operative Breast Nodules With Homoeopathy: A Case Report, Nisanth K.M. Nambison, Smita N. Nambison, Abhishek D. Dwivedi, Nisha Chakravarty

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Palpable masses after mastectomy are commonly detected by patients or their physicians. Imaging of palpable masses is advised following a complete history and physical examination. This is a case of breast nodules occurring after the removal of cancerous tissue in the breast. Homoeopathy, with its holistic approach, can treat the disease by addressing its multifactorial origin.

Case summary: A 71-year-old female, diagnosed with post-operative breast nodules after surgical excision of mucinous carcinoma portion of the left breast, was treated with individualised homoeopathic treatment for six months with subsequent improvement. This case provides preliminary evidence for the potential usefulness of …

Homoeopathic Medicine Arsenic Album 200c In Treatment Of Plaque Psoriasis: A Case Report, Neha Nagar, Ravi K. Poswal, Ajay Kumar, Kanak Singhal

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Psoriasis is a non-communicable, chronic, mostly painful, disfiguring disease. It can have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life, which may occur at any age. The conventional treatment includes local and systemic therapies, as well as phototherapy. The need for treatment is usually lifelong as remission occurs quite frequently. Case Summary: We present here a case report of a 32-year-old woman with psoriatic lesions all over the body for 15 years with intolerable itching. The present case was completely cured after 1 year 6 months of regular treatment with individualised homoeopathic medicine without any adverse effects. After detailed …

Plantar Warts Treated With Homoeopathic Medicine Antimonium Crudum: A Case Report, Laijun Nahar, Ruma Debbarma

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Plantar warts are cutaneous lesions brought on by human papilloma virus infection. There is a range of alternative treatment available for it, including cryotherapy, chemical cauterisation, curettage, electrodessication and laser removal. However, a majority of these treatments can leave scars or may provide only temporary relief. Case Summary: A 19-year-old female presented with multiple, right-sided plantar warts and was successfully treated by a single, individualised homoeopathic medicine, Antimonium crudum 200C for two months. The improvement was assessed through photographs taken in subsequent follow-up visits. The case was monitored further for a period of six months without any recurrence. This …

Individualised Homoeopathic Treatment For Pilonidal Sinus: A Case Report, Sumit Paliwal, Laijun Nahar, Rachna Paliwal

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Pilonidal sinus is a very common inflammatory disease of the gluteal region. The most common site of occurrence is the natal cleft. It can cause discomfort, absence from work and social embarrassment. There is no single, widely accepted therapy available for this condition. In most cases, the treatment option for this disease is surgical intervention, but recurrences following surgery are common. Case Summary: A 15-year-old male patient reported discharge from the sinus cavity in the natal cleft along with pain and discomfort. Nitric acid, a homoeopathic medicine, was prescribed during the initial consultation and the patient was followed …

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treated With The Homoeopathic Medicine Lachesis Mutus In Millesimal Potencies: A Case Report, Lalith Singh, Raja Manoharan, Niharika Shaw, Saleem Ansari

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the most common neuropathic complication of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes and improper foot care lead to serious conditions like DFU from minor injuries. Regular dressing and proper foot care are required for its improvement. Patients are left with no other option than amputation of the limb. Dressing for a longer period seems not convenient and feasible at the patient’s end. DFU also has wet gangrene as one of its major complications. Case Summary: This case report presents a case of a diabetic patient complaining of a foot ulcer for the past nine years, following the …

Research Highlights, Shatakshi Bhardwaj, Archna Nagar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Research Highlights

Quantifying The Dosimetric Impact Of Proton Range Uncertainties On Rbe-Weighted Dose Distributions In Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy For Bilateral Head And Neck Cancer, Suresh Rana, Noufal Manthala Padannayil, Hina Saeed, Michael Kasper

All Publications

Background: In current clinical practice, intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) head and neck cancer (HNC) plans are generated using a constant relative biological effectiveness (cRBE) of 1.1. The primary goal of this study was to explore the dosimetric impact of proton range uncertainties on RBE-weighted dose (RWD) distributions using a variable RBE (vRBE) model in the context of bilateral HNC IMPT plans.

Methods: The current study included the computed tomography (CT) datasets of ten bilateral HNC patients who had undergone photon therapy. Each patient's plan was generated using three IMPT beams to deliver doses to the CTV_High and CTV_Low for doses …

Effects Of Peer Groups On The Gender-Wage Gap And Life After The Mba: Evidence From The Random Assignment Of Mba Peers, Mallika Thomas

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Using the historical random assignment of MBA students to peer groups at a top business school in the United States, I study the effect of the gender composition of a student’s peers on the gender pay gap at graduation and long-term labor market outcomes. I find that a 10 percentage point increase in the share of male peers leads to a 2.1 percent increase in the relative earnings of female students at graduation, closing the gender gap in earnings at graduation by two-thirds. The effects on women’s long-term earnings grow even larger with time. Using novel data on job offers, …

Detection Of Early-Stage Nash Using Non-Invasive Hyperpolarized 13c Metabolic Imaging, Cornelius Von Morze, Tyler Blazey, Ashley Shaw, William M Spees, Kooresh I Shoghi, Michael A Ohliger

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized from its early stages by a profound remodeling of the liver microenvironment, encompassing changes in the composition and activities of multiple cell types and associated gene expression patterns. Hyperpolarized (HP)