Digital Commons Network^™

The Importance Of Play-Based Learning, Nina Cavanaugh

Masters Projects

Play-based learning is a beneficial tool that can help support development of not only young children but students of all ages and abilities. While research may show that play-based learning has benefits for students’ development, many schools in the United States, including public schools in Macomb County do not have professional development opportunities to educate teachers on play-based learning. This project covers the benefits, theories, and implementation strategies of play-based learning. It explains how play-based learning can be beneficial for students cognitive and academic skills.  It also supports social emotional development, physical development, and language development. Not only does play-based …

Addressing The Hidden Curriculum Through Trauma-Informed And Culturally Responsive Teaching For Multilingual Learners, Gabrielle Moeggenborg

Masters Projects

Multilingual learners (MLLs), including refugee, transient, and culturally and linguistically diverse students, often enter schools with experiences of trauma that impact academic performance, behavior, and sense of belonging. Additionally, the hidden curriculum in U.S. schools reinforces inequities for these students. The purpose of this project was to develop a high-quality, research-based educational handbook integrating trauma-informed practices with culturally responsive teaching to better support MLLs and mitigate the effects of the hidden curriculum. This project involved an extensive review of peer-reviewed and interdisciplinary research on learning theories, trauma, culturally responsive teaching, and multilingual education. Historical and contemporary literature was synthesized to …

Comparative Analysis Of Rectal Dose In Two-Arc Versus Three-Arc Vmat Prostate Cancer Using Spaceoar, Amanda Bookout

Masters Projects

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the dosimetric impact on rectal dose by comparing two arc versus three arc VMAT plans on prostate patients who have received SpaceOAR.

Methods

A retrospective planning technique was performed on eight prostate cancer patients who had been previously treated with three-arc VMAT plans. For each plan, a two-arc plan was generated by removing the third arc and re-optimizing the plans using identical constraints and objectives. Dosimetric parameters were analyzed using dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis, including rectal dose metrics, V60 Gy, V65 Gy, V70 Gy, target coverage, PTV V95%, conformity …

Providing Individualized Support For Students With Adhd, Jeremy Scott Clymer

Masters Projects

Many general education teachers lack sufficient skills to successfully serve students with special needs. This project aims to provide professional development materials for pre-service and in-service educators which will provide them with information to help them achieve better outcomes for students with ADHD. Based on existing research about how ADHD can affect students differently and how to best account for those learning differences, the project provides background information about the different subtypes of ADHD, best practices for curriculum design, common accommodations for students with ADHD, and types of interventions that can help students with ADHD succeed. It includes a slide …

Vestibular Schwannoma Microsurgery In The Era Of Multimodal Treatment: Advances In Technique And Patient Selection, Ibrahem Albalkhi, Basel Musmar, Nimer Adeeb, Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar, Jacques J Morcos

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) has traditionally prioritized gross total resection to achieve high tumor control, often at the cost of cranial nerve injuries and quality of life impairment. However, advances in surgical approaches and intraoperative technologies, coupled with active surveillance and/or adjuvant treatment, have shifted the management paradigm towards prioritizing patient-centered outcomes, which are as critical as oncological control.

Content: The authors reviewed the technical advances driving this paradigm shift, including endoscopic assistance in the different microsurgical approaches (retrosigmoid, translabyrinthine, and middle cranial fossa approaches) of VS resection and advanced neuromonitoring (facial nerve electromyography and cochlear/auditory evoked …

Risk Of Alzheimer Dementia After High-Dose Vs Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccination, Avram Samuel Bukhbinder, Yaobin Ling, Lauren Jhin, Elizabeth He, Kristofer Harris, Mya Rodriguez, Jenna Thomas, Gabriela Cruz, Kamal Phelps, Yejin Kim, Luyao Chen, Xiaoqian Jiang, Paul E Schulz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and objectives: Previous studies, including large cohort analyses comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated adults, suggest that routine immunizations such as inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) may reduce Alzheimer dementia (AD) risk. Whether AD risk differs after high-dose IIV (H-IIV) vs standard-dose IIV (S-IIV) remains unexamined. We hypothesized that AD risk would be lower among adults ≥65 years after H-IIV compared with S-IIV.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data spanning 2014-2019 from IQVIA PharMetrics Plus for Academics, a US health care claims database. Eligible participants were ≥65 years with ≥2 years of continuous medical and pharmaceutical coverage and no previous diagnostic …

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

Maternal Genetic Structure Of Iraqi Faili Kurds Revealed Using Whole Mitochondrial Genome Sequencing, Mayyadah Khalid Ibrahim, Suhaili Abu Bakar, Cheah Yoke Kqueen, Majeed Arsheed Sabbah

Baghdad Science Journal

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a commonly utilized genetic marker in determining maternal ancestry because of the hypervariable regions in it, as well as haplogroups, which enable scientists to establish ancestral links among populations. This research involved the analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of 100 Faili Kurd women in different cities in Iraq using the Illumina system. The most common haplogroups were HV14 (53%), H14a (16%), M37e2 (16%), and HV2a1*1 (15%). The pair-wise AMOVA-FST analysis in terms of population revealed that there were various levels of genetic differentiation between Faili Kurds and other populations in Iraq, Iran, and surrounding areas. …

Luteolin Mitigated Neuroinflammation And Glial Activation In Oxaliplatin-Induced Central And Peripheral Neuropathy In Rats, Nourhan Gamal El-Rahmany, Omar Alshazly, Mamdouh F. A. Mohamed, Amira Abd El-Rhman

Baghdad Science Journal

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the potential of luteolin to mitigate the neurotoxic effects of OXL. Oxidative injury, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction are the cardinal factors in OXL-triggered neuropathy. LUT modulates sensory and motor behavioral changes induced by OXL. Notably, LUT treatment significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased antioxidant activity by increasing paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels, attenuating oxidative damage. Additionally, LUT inhibited neuroinflammation by repressing the levels of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), while significantly increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and downregulating the relative gene expression level of mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 …

Kinetic Study Of Sorption And Desorption Of Cr(Vi) And Mn(Vii) From Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon, Aveen M. Hanna, Rounak M. Shariff

Baghdad Science Journal

This research evaluated activated carbon prepared from Lantana camara charred (LCC) and olive stone charred (OSC) for the adsorption of chromium (VI) and manganese (VII) ions from aqueous solutions. Analytical methods such as XRD, SEM, EDX and FTIR demonstrated that the materials have highly porous surfaces. Adsorption tests were conducted using comprehensive statistical physics models for Cr(VI) and Mn(VII) at three temperatures (25,40 and 55 °C) and at two pH levels (3and5), respectively. The adsorption capacity was determined by the Langmuir model, with monolayer adsorption peak values recorded at 55 °C for Cr (VI) and Mn(VII) for each adsorbent –metal …

A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based On A Pencil Graphite Electrode Modified Mno2 For Detection Of Pb2+ Metal Ion In Water Samples, Rahmi Wahyuni, Trisna Kumala Sari

Baghdad Science Journal

This research aims to develop an ion Pb²⁺ sensor and determine the optimal conditions for testing Pb²⁺ ions using an MnO₂/PGE modified electrode with the voltammetric method. In this study, the Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE) was modified using MnO₂ through drop-casting. Next, the optimization of the electrode was carried out by varying the supporting electrolyte type, voltammetric technique, and supporting electrolyte concentration. The results showed that the modified electrode (MnO₂/PGE) provided a better response for Pb²⁺ detection compared to the unmodified electrode (PGE). The optimal experimental conditions were found to be 0.1 …

Clinical Implications Of Circulating Mirna-200a And Mucin 16 In Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer: A Study In Iraqi Patients, Eman Sh. Ali, Ali W. Al-Ani

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: Colorectal cancer, the most common gastrointestinal cancer, is a significant health issue globally. Mucin 16 plays a critical role in cancer signal transduction pathways and is a potential glycoprotein target for cancer therapy. The miRNA-200 family also regulates the expression of numerous genes that play vital roles in cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the changes in mucin 16 and miRNA-200a in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Subjects and Methods: Fifty-six patients with CRC, including 26 in stage 3 and 30 in stage 4, were included in this study, along with 38 healthy volunteers as a control group. …

Docking-Based Virtual Screening Of Bisbenzylisoquinoline Derivatives From Stephania Genus Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Aulia Syahfitri, Denny Satria, Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, Jane Melita Keliat, Syukur Berkat Waruwu, Choo Yeun-Mun

Baghdad Science Journal

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive subtypes of liver cancer. It has a poor prognosis, a high rate of recurrence and shows limited response to current therapies. In order to combat this condition, the use of natural products as multitarget anticancer agents is gaining momentum. In this study, we investigated the medicinal value of bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids from the Stephania genus via an integrative in silico approach. Due to their improved pharmacokinetic profiles and expected low toxicity, we chose 11 BBI derivatives. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 334 overlapped targets between the compounds and HCC. Functional …

Utilization Of Pensi Shell Waste As Hydroxyapatite Composite With Biopolymer From Shrimp Shell And Peg And Its Application, Novesar Jamarun, Nabiila Ayyu Trycahyani, Upita Septiani, Vivi Sisca, Muhammad Refki Novesar, Sri Mulya

Baghdad Science Journal

This study focuses on the synthesis, structural analysis and antibacterial properties of a composite comprising hydroxyapatite (HAp), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and chitosan (CTS). CTS was extracted from shrimp shells, and CaO for Hap was obtained from pensi shell. These composites were synthesized using the sol-gel method in situ by varying the concentrations of PEG (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) and CTS (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%). The synthesized composites were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and TGA-DTA analyses, and their antimicrobial activities were also evaluated. The HAp-PEG-Chitosan composite with 5% chitosan and 10% PEG was identified as the …

Analysis Of Phytochemical Compounds From The Leaves Of Kitaibelia Balansae Plant And Their Biological Activity On Some Fungi, Ayten Ozturk, Zerrin Zerenler Caliskan, Fadime Yildirim Dimen, Meysun Ibrahim Abdullah

Baghdad Science Journal

In this work, the preliminary phytochemical screening of the compounds found in the leaf extracts of Kitaibelia balansae Boiss. plant, obtained from solvents of different polarities, was investigated by LC/ESI/QTOF in the negative ion mode, and their biological activity on fungal species was studied. More than sixty compounds were observed, most of which were recognized and identified as flavonoids of all classes. Acids such as shikimic, chlorogenic, jasmonic, and its ester, methyl jasmonate, were also detected. The activity of these extracts on fungi was investigated and the results showed a dual biological effect on fungi Fusarium solani and F. equiseti, …

Isolation And Identification Of Airborne Bacteria Within The University Of Baghdad Campus, Iraq By Using 16s Rrna Gene Technique, Shahad Emad Muheisen, Israa Mohsin Jasim, Fouad K. Mashee Al-Ramahi

Baghdad Science Journal

This study aimed to identify and classify airborne bacteria in outdoor air within the campus of the University of Baghdad, Iraq, using the passive sampling technique. Air samples were collected from ten sites and analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The results revealed significant seasonal differences in both microbial and particulate matter concentrations. Bacterial concentrations were considerably higher during the wet season, with 3238.6 CFU/m³ compared to the dry season, with 1872.6 CFU/m³. PM2.5 levels averaged 47.58 μg/m³ in the wet season and declined to 11.33 μg/m³ in the dry season, while PM10 …

Associations Between Smoking Habits And Weight-Related Behaviors Among People Who Smoke In The United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sharifa Alblooshi, Maryam Hassan Dawood, Dana N. Abdelrahim, Marika Lo Monaco, Falak Zeb

All Works

Background: Smoking is one of the leading global public health problems, and is complicated by multiple reasons for its prevalence and associated health problems. An understanding of the influence of smoking activity on weight management is essential to formulate successful health programs. Aim: The objective of the present study was the investigation of the association between smoking habits and weight management among adult people who smoke in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 232 participants who completed a 36-item questionnaire assessing their smoking habits and weight management practices. Results: The sample consisted mostly of males (75.4%) aged …

Microarray Analysis Of Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm With Emphasis On Cardiovascular Genes Revealed Differentially Expressed Genes, Song Lu, Li Ping Li, John V. White, Xiaoying Zhang, Ifeyinwa Nwaneshiudu, Adaobi Nwaneshiudu, Nectaria Ntaoula, John Gaughan, Dimitri S. Monos, Wan-Lu Lin, Charalambos C. Solomides, Emilia L. Oleszak, Chris D. Platsoucas

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/AIM: We examined gene expression profiles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) lesions vs. normal aortas by cDNA microarray and real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phosphorus (³²P)-labeled cDNA from AAA specimens (mean AAA size 6.65 cm) and normal aortas were hybridized with a 588-gene microarray primarily of the cardiovascular system. The results were validated by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS: A total of 35 out of the 588 genes were differentially expressed, with either log₂ ratio of AAAs/controls ≥1 (upregulated; 20 genes) or ≤-1 (downregulated; 15 genes) in AAA lesions vs. normal aorta, and …

Forget-Me-Not: Facilitating Social Vibrancy In Spaces Designed For Alzheimer's Disease, Torilyn Mossner

Honors Theses

The objective of this capstone project is to create a foundation for vibrant community interactions and connections that support those living with Alzheimer’s disease, their loved ones, and the broader members of the community through interior design. This work is relevant because Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 in 9 people over the age of sixty-five worldwide. Without a cure, as people continue to age, there is going to be a constant need for development of care. Additionally, design should go a step further than healthy living and begin to prioritize creating a vibrant life and community integration for those living with …

Priority Research Questions To Generate Decision-Grade Data To Enable Coastal Ecosystems To Mitigate The Climate And Nutrient Crises, Gordon J. Watson, John Aldridge, Louise Anderson, Martin J. Attrill, William E.N. Austin, Keisha D. Bahr, Nicola Beaumont, Stefanie Broszeit, Annette Burden, Estela Delgado-Gargiulo, Evangelia G. Drakou, Mike Elliott, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Robinson W. Fulweiler, Angus Garbutt, Boze Hancock, Joerg D. Hardege, Joanna Harley, Ian W. Hendy, Jenny R. Hillman, Tim D. Jickells, Ana I. Lillebø, Mariana D.A.C. Lima, Peter I. Macreadie, Paulina Martinetto, Jackie Mellan, Alf Norkko, Ruth Parker, Michael P. Perring, Bernadette Pogoda

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Nature-Based Solutions, green-finance instruments and policies are now routinely constructed around carbon sequestration/storage (CSS) and nutrient bioremediation (NB). This integration builds on how Market-Based Instruments (e.g. payments-for-ecosystem-services) are regularly used in policies focused on terrestrial ecosystems. In marine and coastal systems poor understanding of CSS/NB biophysical processes and impacts of ecosystem quality/stressors, combined with methods and governance framework knowledge gaps, generate substantial uncertainty in outcomes. Reductions in output confidence preclude integration into Nature-Based Solutions, stifling market-based investment centred on conserving and restoring temperate coastal ecosystems. To navigate this complex, rapidly evolving area, researchers from six continents engaged in a Priority …

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention And Vascular Access Complications: A Contemporary Review, Tanawat Attachaipanich, Muzamil Khawaja, Edwin A Takahashi, Hafeez Ul Hassan Virk, Mahboob Alam, Ian C Gilchrist, Chayakrit Krittanawong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Transradial approach (TRA) is preferred over transfemoral approach (TFA) for percutaneous coronary interventions due to lower bleeding, vascular complications, and mortality, particularly in acute coronary syndrome. Radial access complications included intraprocedural events (spasm, dissection, and perforation) and postprocedural events (radial artery occlusion, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, nerve injury, and infection). TFA remains necessary in certain settings but carries higher complication risk. Optimizing patient selection and procedural planning is essential to minimize vascular complications.

Age-Associated Hematopoietic Variants In The Rhesus Macaque, Josephine De La Fuente, Chiraag D Kapadia, R Alan Harris, Muthuswamy Raveendran, Giovanne B Diniz, John H Morrison, Jeffrey Rogers, Margaret A Goodell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Training Turfgrass For Drought Resilience, Kelly Kopp, Jerry L. Goodspeed

All Current Publications

Utah’s semi-arid climate always makes efficient irrigation essential, but never more so than during a drought. In many communities, outdoor landscape irrigation represents the largest share of residential water use during the summer months. At the same time, research and Utah State University (USU) Extension observations have consistently shown that lawns across the state are often overwatered, leading to shallow root systems and increased vulnerability to heat and drought stress. Adjusting irrigation practices during drought not only conserves water but also improves the long-term health and resilience of turfgrass systems.

Yap Induces A Prorenewal Metabolic State In Cardiomyocytes, Lin Liu, Jeffrey D Steimle, Chang-Ru Tsai, Fansen Meng, Yuka Morikawa, Yi Zhao, Sandra Carmichael, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyocytes, as highly specialized and differentiated somatic cells, possess a limited capacity for renewal. Neonatal rodents possess the ability to regenerate cardiomyocytes after injury; however, this regenerative capacity declines rapidly with cardiomyocyte maturation, suggesting an inhibitory network between cellular maturation and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Maturing cardiomyocytes undergo a metabolic shift from predominantly glycolysis in the neonatal state to increased fatty acid oxidation in the mature state, which poses a barrier to cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regenerative repair. YAP, a transcriptional cofactor regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes cardiac regenerative repair. We investigated the role of YAP in mediating metabolic …

Feasibility Of Nationwide Remote Chronic Neural Data Collection From Recording-Enabled Deep Brain Stimulation Systems, Kasra A Mansourian, Ajay D Gandhi, Jonathan H Bentley, Kalman A Katlowitz, Danika L Paulo, Nisha Giridharan, Mohammed A Hasen, Tommy B Liu, Zain U Naqvi, Sarah S Soubra, Thomas A Hamre, Rick R Hanish, Eric A Storch, Wayne K Goodman, Sameer A Sheth, Nicole R Provenza

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Bidirectional deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices can continuously record neural activity while delivering stimulation. Due to memory limitations on the implanted device on which data are stored, frequent data downloads are required to prevent data loss. In this study, we present a novel collaborative data collection method utilizing a nationwide network of device representatives to allow frequent data transfer that reduces data loss without imposing travel burden on patients.

Methods: We collected chronic neural data from nine patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder who received ventral capsule/ventral striatum DBS treatment between May 2023 and August 2024. We included patients implanted …

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

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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

2020-Current year OA Pubs

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 …

Mahkamah Kriminal Internasional Untuk Bekas Rwanda Dan Yugoslavia Ditinjau Dari Segi Hukum Internasional Publik, Sri Setianingsih Suwardi

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Beyond Symptoms: A Narrative Counseling Interpretation Of First-Year Student Anxiety In Indonesian Higher Education, Azizah Abdullah, Rizky Andana Pohan, Ramtia Darma Putri, Triyono Triyono, Marimbun Marimbun, Rahmi Dwi Febriani

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The transition to higher education is a critical period in which first-year students face new academic demands, financial pressures, social adjustment challenges, and uncertainty about the future. However, limited research has examined how freshmen make sense of and narrate their anxiety, particularly in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to explore the main domains of anxiety among first-semester students in Indonesian public universities and to interpret these experiences through a narrative counseling lens. The study employed a qualitative online survey design with an interpretivist orientation. Data were collected from 199 first-semester students through open-ended questions addressing anxiety-provoking situations, sources of …

Mitigation Of Race-Based Antihypertensive Prescribing, Victoria Scaccia Msn Rn Cnl Dnp, Bridget O'Brien Dnp, Stephanie Crane Md, Amanda Bradke Md

North American Conference to End Race-Based Medicine

No abstract provided.