Digital Commons Network^™

Scoping Review On Exploring Nunchi In Healthcare Among Korean American And Immigrant, Hannah J. Kim, Minseung Chu, Changhwan Kim, Helen Haebitna Park-Chong, Rebekah L. Hayes, Eve Melton, Jennie De Gagne

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nunchi is a unique Korean concept often described as the ability to “read the room” by perceiving and responding to subtle interpersonal cues. It reflects a nuanced form of social attunement that involves sensitivity to context, anticipation of others’ needs, and adaptive behaviors to maintain harmony in relationships. In healthcare and nursing, where effective communication, teamwork, and leadership are essential, nunchi may play a critical role. This review explores how nunchi has been defined, conceptualized, operationalized, and applied in nursing and healthcare literature, and discusses its potential implications in healthcare settings where individuals from diverse backgrounds collaborate.

The review guided …

Trauma-Informed Academic Practice Partnerships To Support Nursing Students’ Transition To Practice, Lori Dawn Mcelroy, Stacy King

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The transition from nursing student to professional nurse is a vulnerable phase marked by stress, uncertainty, and emotional fatigue. These challenges can lead to burnout and attrition, making healthy work environments essential for fostering resilience and retention. Trauma-Informed Education (TIE) strategies centered on safety, trust, empowerment, and peer support offer a framework to support students and new nurses. When integrated into academic-practice partnerships, TIE strategies enhance clinical learning, promote well-being, and strengthen the workforce.

The project explores how trauma-informed strategies embedded in academic practice partnerships create psychologically safe environments for nursing students transitioning into practice. Goals are to impact transition …

Factors That Empower Nurses To Lead In Support Of Healthy And Sustainable Work Environments, Lori Murray, Deanna Jan Emory, Thomas Kippenbrock

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Effective, empowered nurse leaders are central to the development of a healthy work environment and workforce (Morvati et al., 2024). Student and early career nurse involvement in professional organizations is thought to encourage leadership growth and potential by promoting leadership skills, self-efficacy, networking and providing a sense of belonging to the profession (Beal, 2022). However, there is limited empirical evidence identifying the specific factors that influence a nurse’s decision to pursue or accept leadership positions. Understanding key factors, such as mentorship, professional organization involvement, and organizational support, is essential for addressing leadership gaps within the nursing workforce. This evidence …

Inhibition Of Epac1 Prevents Neuronal Death Mediated By Diesel Exhaust Particles In Ferroptotic Cell Death Conditions, Hong Yan, Leshan Zhang, Ana L Manzano-Covarrubias, Phoeja S Gadjdjoe, Anja Land, Christina H J T M Van Der Veen, Teresa Mitchell-Garcia, Heba A Fayyaz, Marco Venema, Christoffer Åberg, Marieke Van Der Hart, Frank Lezoualc'h, Xiaodong Cheng, Amalia M Dolga, Martina Schmidt

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Air pollution is a growing hazard to global health. Epidemiological studies have reported a potential role of air pollutant exposure in the development or aggravation of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are ill-defined. Ferroptosis is an iron- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent form of cell death that drives neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous studies reported the involvement of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and EPAC (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) in ferroptotic cell death. Here, we investigated the effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in mouse hippocampal (HT22) neuronal cells. Our data showed that toxicity induced by …

Analysis Of Bacterial Virulence And Resistance In A Model Of Recurrent Uti, Rachel L. Proper

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a major women’s health issue, affecting approximately 40% of women during their lifetime. Formation of a biofilm by UTI-causing bacteria poses a major challenge in treatment, as the protection provided by the biofilm hinders both host defenses and antibiotic treatment. Failure to eradicate these infections causes them to become recurrent (rUTI). Previous research indicates that rUTI may be comorbid with a mutation in the SERPINE1 gene, which causes fibrin to accumulate within the body. Literature also indicates that fibrin provides a better scaffold for bacterial attachment and, subsequently, biofilm formation. In this work it was …

Public Sector Employment: An Examination Of The Perceptions Of Potential Employees And The Realities Of Public Sector Hiring Agencies, Davis B. Chambliss

Honors Theses

This study investigates the growing challenge of recruiting Gen Z employees into the public sector, focusing on the disconnect between younger workers’ career preferences and their perceptions of government employment. While prior research suggests that Gen Z values purpose-driven work, stability, and community impact, public sector organizations continue to face hiring shortages and an aging workforce. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a literature review with original survey data collected from two groups: college students and public servants from three states. The student survey generated 119 responses, with 72 qualifying participants, while the public servant survey yielded 30 responses. …

Whose Fault Is It Anyways?: An Investigation Into Mississippi Divorce And Contested Custody Laws In Practice, Charles Conner

Honors Theses

When compared to almost any other state in the country, Mississippi is an outlier when it comes to divorce and child custody laws. Mississippi still retains a fault-based system to adjudicate contested divorces and still maintains best interest of the child as the default custody standard in court. These standards make Mississippi an exception nationally, requiring dedicated hearings to assign blame for the collapse of a marriage. This thesis aims to study how this unique system has impacted those going through it by surveying attorneys in the state who practice family law. This thesis will compare experiences both nationwide and …

Charity Pharmacies: An Integrative Overview Of Operations: A Continuing Education Program For Pharmacists, Stella Bertram

Honors Theses

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of this activity is to educate pharmacists about Charity Pharmacies by creating an integrative overview of their purpose, laws and regulations, processes and procedures, eligibility, and opportunities for involvement. This course will ensure pharmacists are competent in the operations involved in volunteering or working within a charitable pharmacy.

Additionally, the information provided supports pharmacists in understanding their roles as well as roles of volunteers. They will understand the importance of their role in the community and the depth of their service within Charity Pharmacies.

Young Bay Staters Report Considerably Lower Mental Health, Higher Stress Than Older Mass Residents 4/29/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Seven in ten Massachusetts residents rate their mental health as very good or good but a quarter say that their mental health has declined over the past 12 months. Three in eight report feeling bothered by feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge at least several days in the past two weeks and a quarter have felt that they lack companionship at least several days in that time. A quarter of Bay Staters report high levels of stress, with politics, work, international news, and household finances the most common contributors to daily stress. Massachusetts residents report most often dealing with stress …

B. M. V. Upper Darby School District

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Revolutionizing Hematology/Oncology Education With Visual Storytelling And “Gamification” For Internal Medicine Residents, N Smith1, A Patel1, J Dechet, C Powell

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Hematology/oncology ranks among the lowest scoring sections on in-training exams for internal medicine residents. Prior resident feedback expressed a need for an improved didactic curriculum that was applicable to internal medicine residents and board examinations Aim: To enhance curriculum through multimodal education by integrating traditional didactic presentations along with specific lectures utilizing visual storytelling, memory palaces, and gamification. Methods: Trainees completed a 5-point Likert scale survey on their perceptions of hematology and oncology with a 16-question quiz before and after the curriculum. Multimodal lecture series created using "murder mystery" and "jewel heist" to teach hemolytic anemia, team-based Jeopardy-style format …

Breakthroughs In Cervical Cancer Screening: Hpv Self-Collection At Pmg Milwaukie Family Medicine Clinic, Brandon Bartlett, Sataj Johnson, Emily Miyasako, Rachel Gallagher, Daniel Ruegg

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: Cervical cancer screening is a cornerstone of preventative healthcare and cancer screening in primary care. Based on data from the CDC, in the US alone, the rate of new cervical cancers each year is ~13,000, accounts for ~4,000 deaths annually, and disproportionally effects people of color and people of low SES (CDC, 2025). In our clinic (PMG Milwaukie), the rate of cervical cancer screening has remained around 70% for years, which is below the national average of ~75% (Healthy People, 2021). Primary HPV screening with self-collected swabs has been used successfully for years outside of the US, improving screening …

Improving Post-Hospital Medication Reconciliation In A Rural Primary Care Clinic Through An Rn-Led Workflow, Jack Kennady

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Context/background: Adverse events after hospital discharge are common and represent a major patient safety concern. Approximately 1 in 5 patients experience a safety event after discharge, and 39% of these events are adverse drug events (ADEs), with 26% considered preventable. Medication discrepancies during transitions of care contribute significantly to these events, with an estimated 40% of medication errors resulting from inadequate medication reconciliation. Rural primary care clinics face additional challenges, including limited communication between inpatient and outpatient systems and inconsistent reconciliation workflows. Improving medication reconciliation during the transition from hospital discharge to outpatient follow-up represents an important opportunity for family …

Improving Recognition Of Chronic Kidney Disease In A Federally Qualified Health Center Through A Quality Improvement Initiative, Rachel Monroe, Evan Saulino, Kathleen Mckenna

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Context/background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 15% of adults in the United States, yet nearly 90% of affected individuals are unaware of their diagnosis. Early identification in primary care enables interventions such as blood pressure optimization, renin –angiotensin system blockade, and kidney -protective medications that can significantly delay disease progression and postpone dialysis. Screening and diagnosis gaps disproportionately affect high -risk populations, including Latinx patients and immigrant agricultural workers commonly served in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). National CKD screening rates among patients with diabetes or hypertension remain low, leaving many high -risk individuals unscreened for kidney disease. Improving …

Uc Transcript 2026-04-29, Northern Illinois University

University Council Archives

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Game: A Four-Phase Financial Development Program For Student-Athletes, Joanna Cirrincione

Masters Projects

Student-athletes face unique challenges including, but not limited to, significant time demands, limited financial socialization, and emerging name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities that influence their financial knowledge and behaviors. Although financial education exists, it is often inconsistent and not tailored to the needs of the population which the education intends to serve. This project is grounded in Nancy Schlossberg’s (1984) transition theory and Nevitt Sanford’s (1962) theory of challenge and support, framing financial literacy development as a process requiring intentional challenge and support as student-athletes transition into life after collegiate athletics. A four-phased, structured development program is proposed to …

The Right Time For A Synapse To Change: Windows And Mechanisms Of Multiday Training Trials, Rong-Yu Liu, Yili Zhang, Roberta Calvo, Paul Smolen, John H Byrne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although learning over multiple days is more effective than a single day of training, the underlying cellular mechanisms of repeated training trials remain poorly understood. With a combination of empirical and computational approaches, we determined a critical time window for a second stimulus block of a multiday training protocol to augment long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) of the Aplysia sensorimotor synapse and long-term enhancement of neuronal excitability (LTEE), two cellular correlates of learning and memory. A second stimulus block delivered 24 h after the first block significantly enhanced LTF and LTEE, but was without effect at 18 or 32 h. This …

Rosai-Dorfman Disease In A Rare Cardiac Presentation: Left Ventricular Mass Causing Ventricular Tachycardia, Motaz Al Yafi, Swetha Pasala, Valentina Robila, Cory Trankle, Bharadhwaj Kolipakkam, Patricia Nicolato

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare, benign histiocytic disorder that most often presents with nodal involvement. Cardiac involvement is exceedingly uncommon and poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Case summary: A 51-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and palpitations and was found to have monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Imaging revealed a left ventricular mass, and biopsy confirmed RDD. The lesion was surgically excised with cryoablation and CorMatrix reinforcement. The patient recovered uneventfully and remains disease free 25 months postoperatively.

Discussion: RDD with cardiac involvement has been reported in only approximately 25 cases, with very few affecting the left ventricle. …

Increasing Structured Inpatient Teaching In A Family Medicine Residency, Eric Waelbroeck, Mh Choe

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: What is not measured cannot be improved. Residents at Providence Milwaukie Family Medicine Residency identified a need to increase structured teaching on inpatient rotations. Other projects aimed at increasing structured teaching during family medicine training have demonstrated improvements in resident confidence in key areas of practice, licensing exam performance, and resident satisfaction with their training. However, without a system of measurement, the number of teaching opportunities cannot be reliably improved. Objectives: Develop a method of documenting structured inpatient teaching that occurs at Providence Milwaukie Hospital. Then, implement interventions using a quality improvement model to increase structured teaching over time. …

Addressing Food Insecurity Through Partnering With The Community Teaching Kitchen On Lifestyle Medicine Hypertension Class, Emily Miyasako, Jill Christensen

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: Food insecurity is defined as limited or unreliable access to adequate and nutritious food. In Oregon, approximately 1 in 8 residents experience food insecurity, with rates disproportionately affecting low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and households with children or elderly individuals. Food insecurity remains a significant threat to our patients’ health and is associated with obesity, malnutrition, and poor mental health. As a primary care provider, I have seen the effects of food insecurity on my patients, but I am thankful for the presence of our Community Teaching Kitchen. The Community Teaching Kitchen (CTK) at Providence Milwaukie provides nutritional …

Unleashing Stress: The Effects Of Training, Bond Strength, And Stress On Pet Dog Behaviors And Health, London Maria Wolff

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Humans and dogs have formed a unique ability to communicate with each other through evolutionary and developmental mechanisms. This increased communication serves to form dynamic interspecies bonds by facilitating learning and training over the lifetime of a dog. However, it is not known what factors permit the unique capacity of dogs to form bonds with, and learn from, their human companions. Odor is a notable candidate for interspecies communication about emotional states, with studies showing that both dogs and humans use odor information to detect human emotions (Calvi et al., 2020). Possibly, this may include detection of both acute and …

Development Of A Decision Aid For Single-Sided Deafness Intervention For Adults: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study, Priya Karimuddanahalli Premkumar

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) encounter challenges such as difficulty localizing sounds, understanding speech in noisy environments, heightened auditory fatigue, and a diminished quality of life. The available treatment options for SSD are diverse, ranging from contralateral routing of signal (CROS) devices and bone conduction devices (BCD) to osseointegrated auditory implants (OAI), cochlear implants (CI), or even opting for no device at all. However, each of these treatment choices comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Navigating the decision-making process for SSD treatment can be challenging due to each option's unique pros and cons. Furthermore, there remains a …

Problems With Small Drinking Water Systems In Developing And Developed Countries: How Do They Compare?, Kurt Kesteloot

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation compares the factors that drive the long-term functionality of small drinking water systems (serving fewer than 10,000 people) in developing and developed country contexts, with a focus on groundwater supplies. Using regression analysis in SAS and complementary fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for developing countries, the study integrates two datasets: 23 Engineers Without Borders project surveys (90+ variables across 14 countries) and a multi-year National Park Service inspection dataset (approximately 1,561 systems; 7,460 recorded deficiencies, enriched with U.S. Census ZIP-code aggregates). In developing countries, statistically significant predictors of success include government cash contributions (odds ratio [OR] ≈ 67.6), …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring The Relationship Between Nutritional Awareness, Behavioral Outcomes, And The Prevention Of Early Risk Factors Of Hypertension And Cardiovascular Disease In Elementary School Students: Perceptions Of Parents And Educators In Hull-Daisetta Independent School District, Shante Monique Espree

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the relationship between nutritional awareness and observed behavioral outcomes among elementary school students, with a secondary focus on how these factors may contribute to early risk indicators for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study was situated within Hull-Daisetta Independent School District (ISD), Texas and centered on the perspectives of both parents and educators. The theory guiding the study was the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986) as it emphasizes the role of observational learning, social influence, and behavior change in health-related interventions. This framework supported the exploration of how nutritional awareness shapes …

Mental Health And Well-Being Of Hispanic Pastors In Central Florida: A Phenomenological Study, Darice M. Santos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of pastors' psychological well-being and health has been studied in a variety of approaches. The forthcoming research concentrated on the effects that the responsibilities and pressures of working at Hispanic churches have on Hispanic pastors in Florida. Given the difficulties they face, such as prejudice, discrimination, and a low standard of living, this population required further study. This study explored the pastor's role and involvement level and how it connects to social support and burnout. This qualitative study provided insight on how Hispanic pastors in central Florida handled their mental health and perceived their job as pastors. A …

The Impact Of The Application Of Disability Ministry And Discipleship Within The Southern Baptist Churches Of Virginia, Minsoo Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how individuals with disabilities serving as church leaders and congregants experienced belonging within Southern Baptist churches in Virginia. The researcher framed the study using Baumeister and Leary’s (2017; 1995) need to belong theory, which posits that human beings possess an innate drive to form and maintain meaningful interpersonal relationships. The researcher examined how belonging was expressed through physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions within congregations engaged in disability ministry and contributing to fulfillment of the Great Commission. The researcher employed purposive sampling to recruit 11 participants from Southern Baptist congregations in Virginia who self-identified as individuals …

Life Lessons In Goodbye: Exploring Family Communication And End-Of-Life Depictions And Messages In Disney And Pixar Films Through A Content Analysis, Vanessa A. Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Death is a friend of ours said Francis Bacon, and Hargarten stated that death has an inevitable arrival. This research aimed to explore the depictions and messages of death in Disney and Pixar films. The qualitative content analysis research methodology coded 267 deaths in Disney films (1937–2003) and Disney and Pixar Films (2003–2024). The study centers on replicating the scholarship of three prior works, while extending the research by incorporating more recent films into the analysis. Additionally, this current study applies a new theoretical framework, family communication patterns, to all films, including those previously reviewed solely for depictions of death, …

Protecting Computer Systems In The Post-Quantum World, Thomas C. Gerlach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The 20th century saw remarkable growth due to technological advances, with many of the most significant advances due in no small part to the transistor and the computer revolution it spawned. During the last several decades, an even more transformative technology has been making incredible advances: quantum computing. Quantum computers will significantly impact computer security, with a profound risk to encryption and privacy. However, because of the incredibly complicated nature of quantum computing and the variety of fields involved, quantum computing continues to be viewed as science fiction by many and is failing to garner enough attention within the computer …

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing As A Moderator In Attachment Security Scores Accounting For Trauma, Kimberly Anne Arbelo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in increasing attachment security scores. A theoretical foundation of at attachment theory and somatic therapy are discussed. Attachment theory is expounded upon to better understand the development, maintenance, and break down of emotional and intimate bonds. Traumatic experiences are investigated to better understand its potential influence on insecure and secure symptoms within attachments. The Experiences in Close Relationships, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5-TR, and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) are instruments utilized in the study to measure attachment …

The Effect Of A Mass Casualty Incident Adult Hyper-Realistic Simulation On Nurse Confidence Levels And Satisfaction Of Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Melodie Ann Nutter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine registered nurses (RNs) satisfaction and confidence levels after experiencing hyper-realistic simulations using a mass casualty incident (MCI) simulation method. With the world seeing a rise in MCI events, nurses often become one of the first professional medical providers to interact with the affected individuals. To fill this gap in education, the introduction of intensive hyper-realistic simulation training plays a vital role and provides an advanced perspective on the ever-increasing MCIs in today’s healthcare environment. This quasi-experimental study, using the Wilcoxon rank test and paired, assessed the satisfaction and confidence levels …