Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of Northwest Indiana’S Community Supports And Resources For Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities, Veronica Lin, Julianna Colon

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Background: Caregivers of children with disabilities in Northwest Indiana (NWI) face limited services and often receive unclear, overwhelming information, leaving them unsure how to access support.

Methods: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with six caregivers across Porter, Lake, and La Porte counties. Participants completed a single 30-40 minute interview about their experiences with community resources and ideal support. Transcribed interviews were thematically analyzed.

Results: All six caregivers used at least one form of community support. Common resources included Facebook support groups (n=6), outpatient therapies (n=5), and First Steps (n=4). Five key themes emerged: (1) importance of early intervention and …

Determinants Of Revolutionary Violence: A Comparative Analysis Of The Carnation Revolution And The Stono Rebellion, Eva Fava-Rodrigues

History Department Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

What Makes Leaders In Human Services Effective? A Pilot Study Linking Systems Thinking, Perspective-Taking, And Leadership Success, Ryan Witterschein

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Leadership effectiveness is a persistent challenge in human services nonprofits, where organizations serving individuals with disabilities and complex needs have grown dramatically but lack validated tools for assessing the cognitive competencies that distinguish effective leaders. This quantitative pilot study introduces the ABA Leadership Assessment Tool version 2.0 (ABLA 2.0), a 48-item instrument integrating transformational and transactional leadership frameworks with three constructs from Relational Frame Theory—perspective-taking, temporal reasoning, and systems thinking. Eight Board Certified Behavior Analysts in organizational leadership roles completed the assessment, yielding 100% completion and strong preliminary reliability across all subscales (α = .71–.94). Leaders who demonstrated stronger cognitive …

Separating Access Legitimacy From Utilization Analytics: A Two-Layer Evaluation Model For Philanthropy And Development, Stephanie Zabriskie

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article introduces a two-layer evaluation model for philanthropic and development decision-making in access-based interventions. The first layer treats Access as Outcome (AAO) as a recognized outcome when essential goods, services or resources are delivered through a viable delivery pathway, without requiring post-access utilization or compliance to validate legitimacy. The second layer evaluates post-access variation through System Coherence Conditions (SCC), defined as internal alignment across governance and decision-making, distribution and logistics, social accountability and norms, and scarcity management and continuity, which explain differences in utilization, continuity, and downstream effects as signals of system coherence rather than as retroactive worthiness thresholds. …

Utilizing Supervised Practice In School Settings As An Opportunity To Increase Student Awareness Of Food Waste Reduction Strategies, Maria Givler

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) play a vital role in facilitating nutritional health across a wide range of settings, from clinical care to community-based environments. As the profession continues to evolve, dietetics training programs are emphasizing experiential learning opportunities that address real-world public health challenges (Wegener, 2018). One such challenge is food waste, an issue with significant nutritional, environmental, and economic implications (Seberini, 2020). Within school food service systems, where millions of meals are served daily (Toossi et al.,2024), reducing waste while maintaining student satisfaction presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This article will discuss four ways supervised practice rotations …

When Social Fundraising Is Active But Hard To Measure: Nonprofit Lessons From Social Media Roi Research, Dr. Blair W. Loveland

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article examines a nonprofit measurement problem that appears when social media is used to support fundraising but the organization cannot clearly connect that activity to a measurable financial result. The article draws on a non-experimental quantitative survey of 106 participants in roles tied to marketing, sales, or revenue reporting. The findings showed that social media use was common, but visibility into spending, formal ROI tracking, and end-to-end attribution was often weak. Seventy percent of respondents who answered the spend question did not know their organization's annual social media spend, 59 percent of respondents who answered the ROI question said …

Enhancing Transparency And Accountability In Federally Funded Nonprofits: A Convergent Framework Integrating Artificial Intelligence Analytics And Blockchain Technology, David A. Oduro, Vida Adeti

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology address persistent challenges in federal nonprofit grant management. Through systematic analysis of government pilot programs and nonprofit technology adoption patterns, we develop an integrated implementation framework. Treasury Department and National Science Foundation blockchain prototypes demonstrate 40% reductions in administrative burden, with report generation decreasing from 40 staff-hours to seconds. Nonprofit AI adoption reached 92% by 2026, though significant disparities exist between large organizations (58% using AI for data analytics) and small nonprofits (19%). Drawing on interviews with federal agencies and grant recipients, this research identifies technical capacity constraints, regulatory complexity, …

Rethinking Ngo Sustainability: A Framework For Developing Support Structures Beyond Traditional Donations And Grants, Angie Holzer, Jackson Cooper

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This thought paper examines the growing instability of traditional funding streams in the global nonprofit sector and argues for a fundamental shift in how sustainability is conceptualized. Moving beyond a narrow focus on financial capital, the paper introduces a practical framework of five interconnected resource types—financial, material, human, knowledge, and network resources—supported by a sixth foundational element, relational capital, or trust. Drawing on examples and applied models, the authors demonstrate how nonprofits can strengthen resilience and long-term impact by intentionally leveraging diverse and often underutilized forms of support. The paper also highlights the evolving role of board members, emphasizing the …

Successful Strategies Business Leaders Use To Implement Artificial Intelligence For Achieving Financial Benefits, Swain C. Riley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) strategies can erode organizational performance. Senior business leaders who struggle to integrate AI into core operations may find their organizations facing increased costs, reduced efficiency, and weakened competitiveness. Grounded in Lewin’s change management theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore effective strategies business leaders use to implement AI technologies to reduce costs and improve profitability. The participants were 10 senior business leaders who successfully implemented AI strategies within their organizations and were recruited via professional networking platforms. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available …

Staff Education On The Implementation Of Walking Interventions, Cynthia Ononobi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The doctoral project was a staff education project aimed at improving the knowledge of psychiatric nurses on the use of structured walking interventions to manage depression. The practice problem was related to the lack of consistency in the application of walking as a treatment for depression. This gap was significant to address because psychiatric nurses are in the center of behavioral activation, and insufficient knowledge may deny patients the right to potentially valuable, affordable, and nonpharmacological treatment. The practice-based question was: Among psychiatric nursing staff does education on structured walking intervention, compared to standard care, improve staff knowledge and skills …

Evaluation Of A Training On Psychosocial Oncology For Mental Health Practitioners In Maine, Kevin Stein, Kathryn Burnham Phd, Lori Travis, Jamil Mouehia Bs, Dani Searle

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2026

To address this identified gap, Maine Impact Cancer Network (MICN) Rehabilitation & Survivorship Task Force hosted a full day, in-person training for mental health practitioners across the state with the goal of enhancing attendees understanding of and confidence in managing the psychosocial issues of individuals affected by cancer.

Silicone Wristband Based Passive Sampling Methods Development And Evaluation For Use In Community Exposure Studies, Emily Broniewicz, Sophie Novak, Kenneth Brown, Julie Peller

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Indoor air quality is a critical determinant of human health, particularly in communities located near industrial activity, where residents experience disproportionate exposure to harmful pollutants and spend a greater proportion of time indoors. Outdoor sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include emissions from industrial processes, vehicle exhaust, fuel storage, and manufacturing operations. Indoor environments further contribute to personal exposure, as they are emitted from building materials, paints, adhesives, carpets, furniture, cleaning agents, personal care products, and consumer electronics. Combined, these sources create complex exposure profiles associated with adverse health outcomes, including respiratory disease, neurological impairment, endocrine disruption, and cancer. As …

Effect Of Simulated Microgravity On Candida Albicans Resistance To Caspofungin And Fluconazole, Kendall Carter, James Livengood, Gracie Holt, Liwia Zachara, Patrice G. Bouyer

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic commensal fungus that can alter its behavior under low-shear stress modeled microgravity by exhibiting phenotypes associated with increased virulence. For instance, it has been previously reported that microgravity increased C. albicans resistance to amphotericin , but did not change its resistance to caspofungin. Here, we investigated how microgravity (5 and 6 days) influences the resistance of two C. albicans strains (SC5314 and NCCLS11) to fluconazole (25 µg) and caspofungin (5 µg). Drug susceptibility was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) around the treatment discs after 24h of exposure under microgravity and …

Perceptions Of Student Views On Anatomical Education In Occupational Therapy Program Across Indiana: A Mixed Methods Study, Rachel Kujawa, Ash Flores

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Anatomy education is often required for healthcare professionals in their specialized programs. Occupational therapy programs often utilize anatomy in their coursework, however, there is high variability across programs in instruction techniques, content areas, and overall course format. These programs have a variety of teaching methods ranging from typical lecture style to lab experiences including dissection/prosection or digital tools, such as virtual reality and the Anatomage Table. A review of the literature provides background information on multiple approaches that enhance anatomy education, student engagement and outcomes, technology used, education in occupational therapy, and clinical experiences. The study aims to explore occupational …

Post-Protocol Vivistim: Assessing The Efficacy Of A Follow-Up Accountability Check-In, Sidney Swanson, Erica Habas

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Research Topic: This is a cohort study looking at the efficacy of a post paired vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) protocol accountability check-in. The purpose of this study is to determine if an accountability weekly check-in will increase engagement in home exercise programs for patients who have completed the intensive therapy protocol.

Methods: Our cohort study was approved by the IRB committee through Powers Health Care system (PHCS)  and Valparaiso University. Sample size (n=3) was based on those who have completed the Vivistim protocol through Powers Health.

Results: Participants swiped their Vivistim magnet 5.5 times per day prior to the start …

Enhancing Family-Centered Practice In Gobabygo, Peyton Throw

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Abstract

The GoBabyGo program provides modified ride-on vehicles to children with mobility impairments to promote early mobility, environmental exploration, and participation. Early powered mobility has been shown to support cognitive, social, and motor development in young children with disabilities (Huang & Galloway, 2012; Logan et al., 2016). Despite these benefits, the literature identifies challenges including inconsistent caregiver training, variability in program implementation, and limited standardized guidelines, which may affect long-term device use and participation outcomes (Logan et al., 2020; Hospodar et al., 2023). At Valparaiso University, an interdisciplinary team of occupational therapy, engineering, and health professions students collaborates to design …

Gamification Of Physical Therapy To Promote Adherence, Katie Bennett

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Rehabilitation and physical therapy are essential components of recovery, yet patient adherence is often limited by low motivation and the repetitive nature of prescribed exercises. Similar challenges are observed in general fitness, where individuals are more likely to engage in physical activity when it is paired with goal-setting, feedback, and enjoyable experiences. Prior work, such as gamified fitness systems (e.g., Wii Fit), has demonstrated the potential of utilizing games to increase user engagement and consistency. In this work, the application of gamification principles to rehabilitation is examined by designing an interactive game that utilizes a balance board as an input …

Staff Perceptions’ Of Social Isolation And Loneliness In Older Adults Transitioning To Assisted Living Facilities, Ellie Schuck, Becca Haller, Riley Gaskill, Eugene Airhiagbonkpa, Ariel Farrar, Brianna Taylor, Giselle Nava Contreras, Carmen Marie Ruiz

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Background: As loneliness negatively impacts older adults who move into assisted living, staff need to detect and manage loneliness with tailored interventions (Horgan et al., 2024; Sun et al., 2021). Healthcare professionals view loneliness as individualized experiences triggered by different coping mechanisms, negatively affecting older adults' health (Dobarrio-San et al.). Few articles were found that considered the staff’s viewpoint on loneliness during the transition period. The purpose of this study is to interview staff to gain their perspective on the challenges residents face during their move into an assisted living facility.

Methods: This study uses a qualitative approach to interview …

Vo: The Vaccine Ontology, Jie Zheng, Asiyah Yu Lin, Anthony Huffman, Anna Maria Masci, Rebecca Racz, Guanming Wu, Kallan Roan, Edison Ong, Sirarat Sarntivijai, Joy Hu, Eliyas Asfaw, Hayleigh Kahn, Xingxian Li, Xumeng Zhang, Joshua Monickaraj, Nilufer Kosar, Jianfu Li, Warren Manuel, Rashmie Abeysinghe, Hasin Rehana, Benu Bansal, Yuanyi Pan, Jinjing Guo, Virginia He, Justin Song, Andrey I Seleznev, Katelyn Hur, Anna He, Alexander Davydov, Qi Yang, Anna Ostropolets, Randi Vita, Bjoern Peters, Alan Ruttenberg, Alexander D Diehl, Charles Tapley Hoyt, Paola Roncaglia, Rachael P Huntley, Richard H Scheuermann, Melanie Courtot, Thomas Todd, Samantha Sayers, Fang Chen, Xinna Li, Feng-Yu Yeh, Zuoshuang Xiang, Arzucan Ozgur, Patricia L Whetzel, Mark A Musen, Christopher J Mungall, Wolfgang W Leitner, Licong Cui, Lesley A Colby, Harry L T Mobley, Brian D Athey, Gilbert S Omenn, Lindsay G Cowell, Cui Tao, Junguk Hur, Barry Smith, Yongqun He

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Vaccines are widely used in both research and clinical settings. To facilitate FAIR data practices, we urgently need to standardize vaccine representation, integrate information across diverse vaccine types, and support computer-assisted reasoning. Accordingly, we have since 2007 developed the community-based Vaccine Ontology (VO), which aligns with the Basic Formal Ontology and adheres to OBO Foundry principles. VO ontologically models vaccines, vaccine components, vaccine immune responses, vaccine investigation studies and other vaccine-related topics. VO represents more than 10,000 vaccines targeting 289 infectious pathogens and cancers in humans and over 30 nonhuman animal species. VO provides mappings to external resources such as …

Systemwide Advanced Scheduling: Strategy Improving Employee Experience And Efficiency, Yesenia Correa, Tatiana Schrader, Charles Martin, Tammy Ryan Cuellar, David Garcia, Tiana Royal Baptist Health South Florida, Shayleen Castineiras, Evelyn Fajardo, Advanced Scheduling Steering Committee, Vikram Sagi, Jean Putnam, Zuanel Diaz

2026 Baptist Health Academic Conference: The Art and Science of Interprofessional Collaborations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Compact Wearable Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (Fnirs) Patch For Cognitive Assessment, Mauro Victorio, James Dieffenderfer, Tanner Songkakul, Josh Willeke, Alper Bozkurt, Vladimir Pozdin

2026 Baptist Health Academic Conference: The Art and Science of Interprofessional Collaborations

No abstract provided.

Beyond Statins: A Medication Use Evaluation Of Bempedoic Acid In Hyperlipidemia Management, Daniela Luzardo, Kelly Rubi, Faaria Quadri, Sheerida Hosein Mohammed

2026 Baptist Health Academic Conference: The Art and Science of Interprofessional Collaborations

No abstract provided.

Survival Of The Fittest: Extremophilic Actinomycetes As The Future Of Antibiotic Treatment, Kyley Nelson, Ben Reddan

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The antibiotic resistance crisis is an emerging global health threat. In 2019 alone, 1.27 million deaths were attributed to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and researchers predict the problem will worsen without intervention. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a primary model for this crisis because it utilizes genomic adaptations to bypass β-lactam antibiotics. Although temperate actinomycetes have historically provided the majority of clinical antibiotics, recent bioprospecting has revealed that extremophilic actinomycetes represent a critical untapped resource. These organisms exhibit several adaptations to thrive in extreme environments, which results in the production of novel secondary metabolites and resilient extracellular enzymes. This literature review …

Beyond The Brain: Environmental Forces Driving Α-Synuclein Misfolding And Toxic Aggregation In Parkinson's Disease, Emily Mccarthy

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an advanced neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the proliferation of protein aggregates within the brain. This capstone thesis investigates the unique biochemical environment of the gastrointestinal tract and whether it contributes to the formation of distinctive α-Synuclein (αSyn) aggregates affecting PD. Key promoters of αSyn aggregation include genetic mutations, oxidative stress, post-translational modifications, interactions with metal ions, and dopamine (DA) oxidation. These factors result in diverse structures such as oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, which result in unique functional outcomes, with oligomeric conformations leading to the highest level of neuronal toxicity. Evidence …

Abdominal Aortic Pseudoaneurysms: Etiology, Diagnostic Challenges, And Evolving Management Strategies, Jorge Jacob, Amanda Paes, Parnavi Singh, Joshua Baker, Eric Saunders, Raul Herrera, Brian Schiro

2026 Baptist Health Academic Conference: The Art and Science of Interprofessional Collaborations

No abstract provided.

The Pressure Is On For Pediatric Primary Lymphedema (Ple): Guiding Future Occupational Therapy Clinicians To Address The Unmet Needs And Enhance Care At An Academic Health Center, Ginger A. Kohler

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Objective: Pediatric primary lymphedema (PLE) in adolescents is a rare, chronic condition frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and limited healthcare provider awareness. The purpose of this capstone project was to enhance Entry‑Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Students’ knowledge of the characteristics, management strategies, and available resources for PLE in adolescents, while increasing awareness of the critical role of occupational therapists certified in lymphedema therapy.

Methods: A hybrid educational module consisting of two one‑hour sessions, one asynchronous and one in‑person, was developed and delivered to Residential Entry-Level OTD Students at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Module content included …

Cuidarte También Es Trabajar: Hábitos Saludables Para Una Vida Laboral Plena, Lady Carolina Díaz Jurado, Francisco Javier Laguna Polanía

Ciencias de la Salud

El sedentarismo se ha convertido en un problema recurrente en la salud, especialmente en el ámbito laboral donde predomina la ausencia de actividad física prolongada. Diversos estudios indican que pasar mucho tiempo sentado aumenta notablemente las probabilidades de desarrollar enfermedades cardíacas, metabólicas y del sistema musculoesquelético. Ante esta problemática, surge esta publicación a modo de guía práctica y educativa sobre cómo implementar, de forma segura y progresiva, rutinas de HIIT y MISS, basada en el macroproyecto de investigación “Entrenamiento HIIT vs MISS, una mirada desde la salud ocupacional y los efectos cardiovasculares dirigido al personal administrativo de la Universidad de …

Applying Lean Six Sigma To Optimize Pediatric Liver Transplant Workflows: An Investigational Quality Improvement Initiative And Process Improvement Framework, Sarah E. Auletta

Online/Hybrid MPH Integrative Learning Experience (capstone projects)

For children with end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation is the only cure. While organ scarcity is a national challenge, internal pre-listing processes remain within an institution's control. This quality improvement initiative applied Lean Six Sigma and mixed-methods process mapping to the pediatric deceased donor liver transplant pathway at Boston Children's Hospital. By integrating five years of electronic health record data with multidisciplinary interviews, the project developed a comprehensive process map and performance dashboard.

The study revealed a median of 65 days elapsed between referral and waitlist activation—a timeline entirely within internal operational control. This delay was concentrated in two specific …

Igg4-Related Disease As An Uncommon Cause Of Myocarditis: A Case Report., Emily Ellis, Sarah Grebennikov, Rodolfo Jose Denadai Benatti

Heart and Vascular Articles

BACKGROUND: IgG-4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibroinflammatory disease that can affect any organ system. Myocarditis is a rare manifestation.

CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old woman with clinically diagnosed IgG4-RD, who had recently completed corticosteroid taper, presented with multiple admissions for recurrent chest pain and myocardial injury. Coronary angiography repeatedly showed preserved coronary anatomy, and initial transthoracic echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular systolic function. Subsequent transthoracic echocardiography showed rapid decline in ejection fraction, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed myocardial oedema, infarct scar, and patchy non-ischaemic fibrosis. A probable diagnosis of IgG4-RD myocarditis was made clinically based on medical history, …

Case Report Of Mixed Liver Injury Following Five Days Exposure To Cefepime In Young Adults, Widyati Widyati, Pandu Harijono, Gunady Wibowo Rencong

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains a challenge in clinical practice and is still a diagnosis of exclusion. Although it has a low incidence amongst the general population, DILI accounts for most cases of acute liver failure with a fatality rate of up to 50%.

Case : A 56-year-old male was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with fever and severe thrombocytopenia,17,000. The patient was diagnosed with suspected sepsis and potential disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Consequently, the patient was put on cefepime, administered 2g three times daily for over 30 minutes, and combined with amikacin at 1500 mg to be …