Digital Commons Network^™

Histological Analysis Of Six Atlantic Scleractinian Coral Species Exposed To Three Hydrocarbons, 1-Methylnapthalene, Phenanthrene, And Toluene, Jalyn R. Lee

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Coral reefs are biologically diverse marine ecosystems that provide numerous goods and ecosystem services. These sessile organisms are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, habitat degradation, climate change, and pollution, particularly Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. Previous research has characterized coral species' sensitivity to hydrocarbons, using a continuous passive dosing system, but the specific histological impacts of petroleum hydrocarbons remain underexplored. This study investigates the histological effects of three petroleum hydrocarbons, 1-methylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, and toluene, on six Atlantic scleractinian coral species: Acropora cervicornis, Porites astreoides, Porites divaricata, Solenastrea bournoni, Stephanocoenia intersepta, and Siderastrea siderea. Coral fragments were exposed to species-specific hydrocarbon concentrations, and …

Outcomes Of Deep Peroneal Neurectomy: A Scoping Review Of Complications, Postoperative Recovery, And Patient-Reported Satisfaction, Krista Elizabeth Samreth, James Hughes, Amayrani Sanchez, Nicholas Obias, Madeleine Mehaffey, Stephanie Campbell Dpm, Aacfas

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Background: Deep peroneal neurectomy (DPN) evolved as a surgical treatment alternative for patients with painful midfoot arthritis who may not tolerate more invasive surgery such as arthrodesis. This scoping review aims to display current evidence of postoperative recovery complications and patient-reported outcomes specific to alternative surgical treatment of DPN.

Methods: A scoping review was completed using PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. Investigators searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Foot & Ankle Orthopedics, and Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery for studies from 2002 to 2025 with search terms: “deep peroneal neurectomy,” OR “deep peroneal nerve excision,” OR “peroneal neurectomies” AND “midfoot arthritis”. Exclusion criteria …

Utilization Of Natural Pumice Stone As A Low-Cost Ion Exchanger For Lead (Pb(Ii)) Removal: A Kinetics, Isotherms And Mechanisms Studies, Ahmad Sulaiman

Baghdad Science Journal

Pumice is one of the raw materials that is widely available, especially in the ``Middle East region and Turkey''. In this research, an ion exchanger was prepared from Syrian pumice by converting it into a low-silica ion exchanger (P_Na) for the removal of Pb²__MATH₀__⁺ uptake was 4.3 mmol/g (308.15 K). Removal efficiency was 100% at low concentrations and >80% at medium/high concentrations. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model, and the equilibrium data fit well to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson isotherms (R² > 0.99).

Evaluation Of Enolase1 And Il-9 As Biomarkers To Determine Stratifying Severity Of Vaginal Candidiasis In Iraqi Women, Shams I. Ali, Teeba H. Mohammad

Baghdad Science Journal

Vaginal candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the lower female reproductive tract caused by Candida species. This study aimed to investigate the roles of Enolase 1 and Interleukin-9 in the pathophysiology of vaginal candidiasis and examine their correlations with anthropometric and lipid profile parameters. A total of 120 participants were enrolled, including 80 patients with VC and 40 healthy controls. Patients were classified into Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans groups based on clinical and microbiological criteria. Serum and vaginal secretions levels of ENO-1 and IL-9 were measured using ELISA, while lipid profiles were assessed spectrophotometrically. Both ENO-1 and IL-9 …

Molecular Characterization And Virulence Factors Of Streptococcus Mutans Isolated From Dental Caries In Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Tiba Abed Maarij Al-Ogaidi, Shaymaa Ismael Kadhim Al-Juboori

Baghdad Science Journal

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are particularly susceptible to frequent and uncontrolled dental caries. Streptococcus mutans, a main cause of dental caries, impacts millions each year and presents significant oral health challenges. Although extensively studied, the bacterium's pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, underscoring the need for further research. This study aimed to isolate and analyze the molecular characteristics of Streptococcus mutans in patients with type 2 diabetes. It explored the bacterium's capacity to infect, survive, and endure acidic oral environments. Samples were taken from 50 individuals with both type 2 diabetes and dental caries, 50 with dental plaque, and 20 …

Strategies For Integrated Primary Care Clinics To Improve Administrative Costs Due To Medication Nonadherence, Michael A. Watkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication non-adherence is a pervasive issue that drives up administrative costs for integrated primary care clinics. Total administrative costs for medication non-adherence account for one-quarter of U.S. healthcare expenditures. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify cost-reduction strategies that integrated primary care clinic administrators can implement to offset costs associated with medication nonadherence. The theoretical framework for this integrative review was Bertalanffy’s general systems theory. The review question was to identify strategies that primary care clinics could implement to reduce administrative costs associated with patient medication nonadherence. A comprehensive literature search yielded 1,892 potential articles. A quality analysis …

Prenatal Care Access And Pregnancy Outcomes Among Black Women Ages 15–44 In Cook County, Illinois, Deandrea Heggins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal health disparities affecting Black women in the United States remain a persistent public health concern due to inequities in prenatal care access and adverse birth outcomes. Prior research has shown that socioeconomic conditions, insurance coverage, and systemic barriers influence prenatal care utilization and maternal outcomes; however, limited research has examined how Medicaid coverage, household income, preterm birth, and birth weight are collectively associated with prenatal care access among Black women in Cook County, Illinois. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationships among these factors and access to prenatal care among Black women ages 15–44 …

Exercise Behavior Determinants Of The United States Military And Veterans, Ira Seth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite organizational policy and access to physical activity facilities, the U.S. Department of Defense has observed an increase in the prevalence of service members classified as overweight or obese. Guided by the social-ecological model, this quantitative study investigated the work-related exercise determinants within the U.S. military community. Voluntarily recruited current and former service members from Stars and Stripes completed the Office Exercise Behavior Determinant Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, along with demographic and biometric questions, to identify physical activity behavior and potential barriers. Findings revealed statistical significance related to exercise duration and military variables (e.g., occupation, race/ethnicity), as …

Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Final Unreclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Package #7: Ur-01, Ur-12, Ur-03, Ur-04, Ur-15, And Ur-17 Amendment, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Identifying Obstetric Care Needs Among Rohingya Refugee Women In Milwaukee: A Quality Improvement Project, Amulya Suresh, Sarah Yapo, Dahlia Tesfamichael, Manuel Lamptey, Dawn Wankowski, Jessica Kram, Elizabeth Corey

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

Grupo De Apoyo Prenatal: Pregnancy In Good Company, Brigid Hughes, Michelle Buelow, Kimberly Chobanian Balash, Alexandra Medina

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

African American Breastfeeding Network (Aabn): Strategic Planning For Community Advisory Council, Ka’Derricka Davis, Dalvery Blackwell, Zakiya Courtney, Sihkhemmes Akimat, Kjersti Knox

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

Addressing Obesity Management Capacity And Barriers In Primary Care: Supporting The Vidas Program At An Urban Federally Qualified Health Center (Fqhc), Molinna Bui, Bret Valentine, Ryan Baxter

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

Implementing Point-Of-Care Diabetic Retinopathy Screening At A Free Community Clinic, Parabhjot Singh, Vibhusha Kolli, Lynn Dolan, Margie Dunn, Barbara Horner-Ibler, Kjersti Knox

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

Skin And Soft Tissue Wounds Among People Experiencing Homelessness In Milwaukee, Wi: A Cross-Sectional Study, Stephen Halada, Alexa Weber, Seamus Mcwilliams, Benjamin Bateman, Daniel Talebzadeah Shoushtari, Kaitlyn Weix, Alexander Gowing, Michael Costello, David Nelson

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.

High Yield Facial Fractures, Felipe Hernandez

Aurora GME

No abstract provided.

Small Bowel Crohn's Disease Enterography, Cody Schreiner

Aurora GME

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Hallway Utilization Index To Evaluate Emergency Department Crowding, Andrew Baker, Michael Kennedy, Judy Terri, Ed Gutierrez, Cameron Lewis, Ryan Mckillip

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Hybrid Fabrication Of An Electrochemical Electrode Via Inkjet Printing On 3d-Printed Substrates, Md Tawabur Rahman, Jessica Bone, Thomas J. Roussel, Judith L. Jenkins, Aron J. Huckaba

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Combinations of additive manufacturing methods such as inkjet printing and various 3D printing techniques have led to advances in customizable electronic devices by reducing the need for the complex assembly of individually fabricated components. Such combinations are particularly attractive for the fabrication of electrochemical sensing platforms, where the sizes and spatial configurations of electrodes enable (or limit) the sensitivity of the sensors. However, to realize the potential of the combined fabrication methods, the parameters of each printing technique must be mutually compatible. For instance, electrochemical sensing assemblies consisting of inkjet-printed metals on 3D-printed plastics require post-processing steps that convert nanoparticular …

Contests Of Masculinity: The Model Program, Notre Dame, And Collegiate Football, 1945-1972, Brian Michael Burns

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation examines how collegiate football functioned as a contested site for defining masculinity and institutional identity in the United States between 1945 and 1972. Focusing on the leadership and interactions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Football Foundation (NFF), and the University of Notre Dame, the project argues that these institutions promoted competing models of masculinity that reflected broader tensions between moral authority, institutional control, athletic success, and social change in postwar America. This dissertation argues that postwar collegiate football did not express a single dominant masculine ideal but instead became a site of ongoing institutional …

Bridging The Gap: Empowering First-Generation Nursing Students To Transform Workforce Diversity, Kimberly L. Walsh

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background/Significance: The U.S. nursing workforce remains insufficiently diverse, limiting culturally responsive care for minority and underserved communities. Nursing education is pivotal to diversifying the pipeline. First-generation nursing students (FGNS)—often from underrepresented backgrounds—can help close this gap, yet they face barriers such as financial strain, limited support networks, and unfamiliarity with academic expectations. Evidence is limited regarding which demographic and academic factors most strongly differentiate FGNS success from that of non-first-generation nursing students (NFGNS) in pre-licensure programs.

Purpose: To examine and compare demographic and academic success factors for FGNS and NFGNS in U.S. pre-licensure RN programs to inform targeted retention and …

Improving Undergraduate Nursing Student Self-Care Agency With The Moodfit App, Sarah C. Young, Susan Patton

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome is estimated to range from 14 to 38% (Ge et al., 2023); North America has the highest rate at 38%. Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses found the global prevalence of burnout syndrome in nursing students ranging from 23 to 35% (Kong et al., 2023, Hernandez-Mariano et al., 2024). Arian and colleagues (2023) found student nurse burnout positively correlates with academic semester. As students progress through each term, burnout risk increases.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021) includes the demonstration of “…healthy, self-care behaviors that promote wellness and resiliency” (p.53) as an essential …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Nurse Leaders On Motivational Interviewing For Workplace Well-Being, Quinais S. Yu

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Nurse leaders face challenges in supporting staff well-being while managing their own, and effective communication is crucial.

Aim: This study explored nurse leaders' perceptions of factors influencing well-being, challenges they face, the impact of Motivational Interviewing skills, and their training needs in MI.

Methodology: Employing a qualitative, exploratory design, the study gathered insights from nurse leaders in Hong Kong clinical settings through individual semi-structured interviews, analyzed using thematic analysis.

Key Findings: Nurse leaders perceive MI as a valuable tool for effective communication and addressing staff ambivalence towards self-care. They emphasized the need for improved work environments, work-life balance, career …

Factors Influencing Healthy Work Environments For Hospital-Based Nurse Practitioners In The U.S., Hyunmin Yu, Kathryn A. Connell, Sarah Delgado, Heather Brom, J. Margo Brooks Carthon, Amanda Bettencourt, Corinna Sicoutris, Deena Kelly Costa, Vicki Good, Matthew D. Mchugh

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are a rapidly growing segment of the U.S. healthcare workforce^1,2 and are increasingly integral to patient care in hospital settings.^3,4 Despite their expanding roles,⁵ little is known about the work environment factors that affect their well-being in hospital settings.⁶ This study aims to explore the factors that influence hospital-based NPs’ healthy work environments (HWEs) and identify strategies to enhance their well-being and support retention.

Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used directed content analysis⁷ to examine responses from 493 NPs across 264 hospitals in 10 U.S. states with varying scope-of-practice laws. …

Creating A Safe And Welcoming Environment For New Nurses Through Effective Preceptor Training, Heidi Keeler, Jodie Boswell

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The purpose of this presentation is to emphasize the critical role of nurse preceptors in supporting new nurses as they transition into clinical practice. It aims to highlight the importance of structured preceptor training to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive work environment. This presentation explores the essential role of preceptors in facilitating that transition with the use of the Ulrich Precepting Model. By focusing on the roles of Facilitator, Protector, and Socialization Agent, the presentation seeks to equip preceptors, educators and leadership with the tools and strategies necessary to promote psychological and physical safety, cultural assimilation, and professional growth …

High Concordance Of Physician-Attestation With Manual Data Abstraction For Sickle Cell Type: An Ash Rc Data Hub Study, Alexis Thompson, Ashima Singh, Donna Neuberg, Amanda Brandow, Allison King, Sophie Lanzkron, Emily Semmel, Sam Walters, Susan Rogers, Kathleen Torres, William Wood

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative (ASH RC) has built an SCD Data Hub (DH) to facilitate research and quality improvement using real-world data. To our knowledge, we report here the first analyses from the DH, focusing on cohort demographics and accurate identification of SCD diagnosis type. DH sites have data use agreements with ASH RC to extract and transfer electronic health record (EHR) data at least quarterly. Principal investigators (PI) provided additional attestation of SCD diagnosis based on existing local data sources deemed …

Cross-Sectional Associations Of Metabolically Healthy Obesity, Lifestyle Factors, And Steatotic Liver Disease In Adults From The Fels Longitudinal Study, Ariana L Garza, Audrey C Choh, John Blangero, Cici X Bauer, Stefan A Czerwinski, Miryoung Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To examine the associations of metabolic health and obesity phenotypes with liver fat accumulation and hepatic steatosis in adults.

Methods: We analyzed 676 non-Hispanic white adults (18-95 years; 55.8% female) from the Fels Longitudinal Study using a cross-sectional design. Participants were classified into metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) phenotypes. Metabolically unhealthy status was defined as the presence of ≥1 metabolic dysfunction, consistent with prior epidemiological definitions; secondary analyses using ≥2 were also performed. Obesity was defined using DXA-derived body fat percentage. Liver fat (%) was …

Serum Metabolites Associated With Depression And Anxiety In The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos, Xinye Qiu, Yu Zhang, Yogesh Purushotham, Qibin Qi, Bing Yu, Jan Bressler, Krista M Perreira, Humberto Parada, Martha L Daviglus, Alejandra Cid Vega, Carmen R Isasi, Linda C Gallo, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Omics signatures for psychiatric conditions have been under-investigated. In this study, we used data from a representative observational cohort study of Hispanic/Latino adults to identify serum metabolites associated with symptoms of depression or anxiety and to develop and assess metabolite risk scores (MRSs) of these phenotypes. We conducted a metabolome-wide association study of 768 metabolites with depression and anxiety symptoms, using two separate assay batches measured from baseline samples collected between June 2008 and July 2011 for discovery (batch 1: n = 4002 adults) and replication (batch 2: n = 2178 adults). We estimated the associations via survey-based generalized linear …

Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Youth Health Service Corps And Messmer High School, Jeanette Akuamoah, Mina Gibes, Alder Levin, Seleata Mcdonald, Suzanne Letellier, Elizabeth Prichard

All Other Contributions

No abstract provided.