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Illinois State Magazine, Spring 2026, University Marketing And Communications, Illinois State University

Illinois State Magazine (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

University Oral Hygiene Behaviors Compared To The National Population, Noura Naami, Jordan Monteiro, Trisha Jois

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for preventing dental caries, periodontal disease, and systemic complications. However, the combined effects of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash, which are common oral practices, remain incompletely understood. While each practice has been studied individually, there is limited data existing that evaluates how different brands and the frequency of use interact to influence the oral environment. In this study, we use a cohort of 40 university aged individuals to examine oral hygiene behaviors compared to the general U.S. population. In regard to flossing, national data suggests that this behavior is the least consistently utilized method of …

The Effects Of Gender Crime Congruency On Jurors' Decisions And Confidence, Elizabeth Avila

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A basic principle of the U.S. court system is that every individual has the right to a fair and unbiased trial. While this is the ideal, it is not always reality. Jurors come in with their own beliefs and attitudes before the trial starts. These preconceived beliefs can jeopardize the integrity of the trial. An example of these beliefs is gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes can influence a juror's attitude towards a defendant, to either have a more negative or positive view on whether the defendant's gender matched the nature of their crime. This is called gender crime congruency. In this …

The Effects Of Parental Psychological Control On Adolescent Social Behavior And Outcomes: A Moderation Mediation Model, Bailee Hill

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Adolescence is a salient developmental period in which family and peer contexts jointly shape youths’ social behavior and adjustment. One family process that has received sustained attention is parental psychological control, a form of intrusive parenting characterized by guilt induction, love withdrawal, and autonomy suppression (Barber, 1996). Although prior research consistently links psychological control to adolescents’ maladaptive emotional and behavioral outcomes, less is known about the mechanisms through which these parenting practices extend beyond the home to influence adolescents’ social behaviors and social standing within school contexts.   Social behaviors within peer groups, particularly relational aggression and prosocial behavior, represent key …

Hemispheric Processing Of Conspiracy Theories: The Role Of Inference Constraint And Individual Differences, Abigail Van Nuland

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This study explored how textual constraint and individual differences influence the hemispheric processing of inferences as individuals read about conspiracy theories. In Study 1, participants judged the likelihood of a conspiracy after reading either a clear cause (i.e., strongly constrained text), a vague cause (i.e., weakly constrained text), or neutral text about a historical event. In addition, several individual difference measures were administered to participants. It was found that participants were more likely to report that official explanations were not accurate (i.e., indicating a possible conspiracy) after reading a vague text compared to a clear text. However, participants who scored …

Regional Price Index 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Statistics

The 2025 Regional Price Index (RPI) is the 12th State Government index comparing the cost of a common basket of goods and services in regional Western Australia to the Perth metropolitan area.

Reducing Unplanned Copd Readmissions Through Utilization Of A Nursing Discharge Checklist, Rachael Mcallister

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

The quality improvement (QI) project aimed to decrease readmission rates at the project site through implementation of a nurse-driven disease-specific discharge checklist when compared to the same timeframe the year prior.

BACKGROUND

The project site’s 2024 national ranking declined due to unplanned chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) readmissions. COPD readmissions remained at national average and was not nationally competitive. This metric increased cost to the hospital and contributed to worse quality outcomes for the patient.

METHODOLOGY

Project design used the IOWA Model Revised framework and supported with an evidence-based review of the literature. PDSA cycles were conducted during implementation. …

Optimizing Vbac Outcomes Through A Structured Tolac Pathway, Alexandra E. Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Evaluate whether implementing a structured TOLAC clinical pathway improves VBAC success, increases TOLAC attempts among eligible patients, and improves maternal and neonatal outcomes. The project was conducted at a Southeast hospital in Houston, Texas. 

Women with a prior cesarean often have limited labor options because many hospitals default to repeat cesarean delivery. TOLAC remains underutilized due to safety concerns, limited provider education, and lack of standardized protocols. Evidence shows that appropriate counseling, standardized management, and close maternal–fetal monitoring can support safe vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

A pre–post implementation design guided by the RE-AIM framework was used. Eligible participants included …

Streamlining Patient Workflow: Enhancing The Screening Process For Social Determinants Of Health To Ensure Consistent Patient Intake In A Medical Clinic, Candice L. Bruce

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase social determinants of health (SDOH) screening rates by incorporating an enhanced patient history form into the patient intake process in a women’s health clinic.

Background: The project was implemented in a small, rural clinic led by advanced practice providers that is affiliated with a large academic healthcare institution in southeast Texas. Addressing SDOH is essential for improving health outcomes and supporting value-based care initiatives, yet screening is often inconsistent in outpatient settings.

Methodology: The Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) framework was used for implementation. A brief SDOH screening tool was embedded …

Gynecological Effects Of Sex Trafficking, Tracey Sylvester

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Consequences Of Sex Trafficking, Brenda Myers-Powell

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Call To Action Against Sex Trafficking Of Black Women And Girls, Stephany Powell, Tracey Sylvester, Brenda Myers-Powell, Audrey Morrissey, Melanie Thompson

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Not Just A Castle In The Sky: A Legal Remedy For Race-Based Takings In Virginia, Michaela R. Hill

William & Mary Law Review

Part I will address federal and state statutes and case law surrounding physical takings and the eminent domain power. Part I will also discuss Virginia’s history of racial discrimination in housing, the Shoe Lane Community in Newport News, and CNU’s expansion into the neighborhood for the elimination of blight. Part II will present the first prong of this Note’s three-pronged approach to correcting Virginia’s abuse of its eminent domain power to take residential properties: adopting stricter statutory blight standards. Part III will present the second prong: a new formula for calculating increased just compensation. Part IV will outline the third …

Hlt 101 Introduction To Public Health, Elyse Gruttadauria

Open Educational Resources

The syllabus, created by Professor Elyse Gruttadauria as part of the CUNY OER Initiatives for HLT 101 contains a course description, course objectives, course readings divided by week and a link to four OER textbooks.

Salvation From The Purgatory Between Personhood And Property: Disinterring Evidence For Property Rights In Human Remains, Harris J. Burton

William & Mary Law Review

This Note argues that next of kin have property rights in the remains of decedents, as opposed to a quasi-property right in their burial. Changing this distinction will allow courts to address wrongs committed against human remains through remedies traditionally available for harms to property, thereby incentivizing institutions, such as prisons, to exercise care and transparency in dealing with human remains. Treating human remains as property will result in courts applying concrete tests, rather than assessing the infringement of a vague quasi-property right, in cases involving human remains. If courts apply a property standard, next of kin will have …

Exposome In Relation To Psychopathology And Physical Pain In Adolescence, Alexsia E. Newman

Honors Scholar Theses

The overall well-being of adolescents is dependent on a variety of factors during development, including both mental and physical health. Mental health, or psychopathology, which includes internalizing and externalizing problems, represents a common and persistent concern among youth. Physical pain is another important aspect of adolescent well-being. Although prior research has examined associations between mental health and pain, less is known about how these relationships unfold over time, and few studies have considered the role of multilevel environmental factors. This honors thesis explores the predictability and bidirectionality of mental health and chronic pain in developing adolescents, and tests associations of …

Collaboration Agreement For Use Of Generative Ai In A Research Project Template, University Of New Hampshire

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

Agreeing about generative AI use in a collaborative project at the start is important to promote understanding, ethical use, and research integrity. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scholarly Activity Committee developed this Collaboration Agreement for Use of Generative AI in a Research Project Template to facilitate such discussions. This agreement may also be used/adapted for discussions among advisors, committee members, and students for theses and dissertations.

From Feelings To Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective On All Things Regulation, Caroline Travaglin

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Social-emotional learning (SEL) and self-regulation are essential components of childhood development that support participation in daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being. While SEL is commonly addressed in school-based settings, there is a gap in the carryover of these skills into the home environment; where caregiver understanding and implementation play a critical role. This doctoral experiential capstone project, From Feelings to Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective on All Things Regulation, aimed to address this gap through the development and implementation of a caregiver-focused educational program in an outpatient pediatric mental health setting.

The project involved the creation of online modules …

Aiding Our Heroes: Addressing Gaps In Care For U.S.A. Veterans With Disabilities In Low-Income Areas, Marisa E. Gabriel

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Veterans with disabilities living in low-income areas must overcome significant obstacles to access affordable rehabilitative care. These challenges alongside physical and mental health concerns severely impact their independence, social participation, and overall quality of life. Following military service, many veterans experience additional physical and mental health difficulties that contribute to financial burdens and stressors and increase the demand for community resources. However, inflated healthcare costs and limited service availability leave many veterans without the support they need despite existing resources. Many veterans, particularly those in underserved regions, face further barriers due to geographic isolation, financial constraints, and lack of transportation …

Transforming The Future Of Accessibility In Healthcare For The Hearing-Impaired Population, Loredana Randazzo

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Healthcare is continually evolving to meet society's changing needs; however, accessibility remains a persistent challenge for individuals with hearing impairments. This doctoral capstone project, Transforming the Future of Accessibility in Healthcare for the Hearing- Impaired Population, identified gaps in current healthcare systems through scholarly publication reviews, rounds of needs assessments, AOTA critical appraised topic, and individual interviews. Collected evidence informed the development of educational workshops for current students enrolled in healthcare-related degrees who will shape the future of healthcare practice. Workshops highlighted etiology and functional implications of hearing impairments within healthcare settings, informed participants of existing healthcare gaps, provided evidence-based …

Impact Of Occupational Therapy–Led Education On Adaptive Snow Sports Staff And Volunteers Working With Individuals With Diverse Diagnoses, Olivia L. Hall

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This doctoral experiential capstone project, titled “Impact of Occupational Therapy–Led Education on Adaptive Snow Sports Staff and Volunteers Working with Individuals with Diverse Diagnoses,” was developed to address a gap in educational training for adaptive snow sports instructors. Notably, there is limited research examining the education and training provided to staff and volunteers within adaptive sports programs, further emphasizing the need for this work. The project was implemented at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and included three instructors participating in the adaptive program. Educational sessions were delivered through a combination of group-based and individualized formats, conducted live and synchronously via Zoom. …

Factors Associated With Lapses In Care Among People Living With Hiv In South Carolina, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Fanghui Shi, Shujie Chen, Gavi Samuel, Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Utilizing statewide electronic health records (EHR) data, this study aims to assess the factors determining the occurrence of lapses in HIV care among people with HIV (PWH) in South Carolina (SC). All adult (≥ 18 years old) PWH who were diagnosed with HIV between 2006 and 2018 with at least two HIV care encounters and at least 1-year follow-up record were included in the analysis. The outcome, a lapse in care, was defined as a repeated measure of HIV care encounter that occurs over a year following the previous visit. Generalized Estimation Equation models were employed. The study cohort had …

Bcaas Newsletter Spring 2026, Bcaas

BCAAS Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Lessons Learned From The Implementation Of A Pragmatic Trial Evaluating Non-Pharmacological Approaches To Dementia Care In Us Nursing Homes, Carin Wong, Catherine V. Piersol, Felicia Chew, Cara Lekovitch, Victoria Shier, Mike Morris, Jenny Martínez, Julie Britton, Natalie E. Leland

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

RATIONALE: The consistent delivery of effective evidence into nursing home practice has been shown to enhance quality of care and residents' outcomes. Pragmatic trials enable the evaluation of efficacious interventions in a real-world context, including care of residents living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Yet, there are limited pragmatic trials conducted in nursing homes and even less evidence on the strategies to successfully conduct such research in this setting.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the lessons learned from a pragmatic trial and provide recommendations for future successful studies in United States (US) nursing homes.

METHODS: Drawing on a case example …

From Ideas To Impact: Cultivating Innovation Among Newly Licensed Nurses, Kate Campbell, Hannah Taylor

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

New nurses often face challenges in adapting to the dynamic healthcare environment and contributing ideas due to a lack of exposure to innovative thinking in their education programs. To address this gap, an innovation workshop was developed and integrated into the Nurse Residency Program (NRP).

2026 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2026.

Shaping The Medical Educators Of Tomorrow: Developing Residents' Teaching And Educational Scholarship Skills, Devang Pastakia, Jen King, Alyssa Schlotman, Ryan Hanson, Kyle Langford, Lauren Starnes, Ryan Wolf, Tara Minor

Presentations

It is widely accepted that residents play an integral role in educating medical students.1 It is estimated that medical students receive approximately one-third of their clinical education from residents.2 It has been demonstrated that good education from residents positively impacts medical student clerkship satisfaction and influences career choices.2 Despite the fact that residents participate in educational responsibilities and many residents want to incorporate medical education into their future careers, residencies often do not have programs that provide a foundation for developing future medical educators.3 Dedicated programs may also serve as an avenue through which residents can explore medical education careers …

Exploring How Parental Involvement Impacts Police Encounters And Delinquent Behaviors Among Black Adolescent Girls, Danielle Porter, Elizabeth A. Otto, Dyamon Brown, Jasmine Alli, Robyn Douglas, Noni Gaylord-Harden

Presentations

Adolescents’ contact with police is a complex outcome that is influenced by both individual behavior and the broader social context. Specifically, while delinquent behavior can lead to more police contact (Crutchfield et al., 2012), hyper-surveillance often occurs in marginalized communities, increasing unjustified police contact for youth of color (Campos-Manzo et al., 2020; Geller, 2021). Indeed, racial disparities in police contact during adolescence persist even after accounting for delinquent behavior (Campos-Manzo et al., 2020; Crutchfield et al., 2012). Thus, it is important to identify factors that may protect Black youth from contact with police. Parental involvement refers to parents’ active and …

Antibiotic-Pathogen Concordance In Pediatric Complicated Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Makenna Steger Md, Marina Dantas Md, Mscr, Berina Karisik Do, Smit Shah, Alaina Burns Pharmd, Jessica Markham

Presentations

Background Complicated community-acquired pneumonia (cCAP)—defined by effusion, empyema, abscess, cavitation, or necrosis—is associated with worse outcomes than uncomplicated pneumonia. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) data in cCAP are limited and often merged with uncomplicated cases. Although guidelines recommend MRSA coverage only in select cases, it is empirically used in >70% of encounters. Lack of pathogen identification likely drives overuse due to diagnostic uncertainty. Clarifying Member of AAP, APA, APS, SPR, ASPN, or PIDS? PIDS JM Jessica Markham, MD, MSc Position: Associate Professor of Pediatrics Organization: Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics Email: [email protected] Role: Co-Author Disclosure Status: Complete Disclosure: Nothing to …

Discovery And Genome Annotation Of Tuti And Charminar: Two Newly Discovered Gordonia Rubripertincta Bacteriophages

Undergraduate Student Symposium

As the most abundant organisms, bacteria are both beneficial and harmful, highlighting the significance of regulating their growth. Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous viruses that require a host bacterial organism for replication, making them an essential component of the microbial ecosystem and used as tools for killing bacteria. Since their discovery in 1915, phages have been used in real-world applications including alternatives to antibiotics, diagnostic agents, pest control in agriculture, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation. Since bacteriophages remain mostly undiscovered, continued isolation and genetic characterization of novel phages are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications. Through Nova Southeastern University's SEA-PHAGES …