Digital Commons Network^™

Immigration Stress And Inequities Driving Diabetes Distress In Hispanic Adults: A Scoping Review, Rachell Nguyen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Hispanic adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-occurring mental health conditions. These disparities are intensified by immigration-related stress, acculturation challenges, and minority stress, all of which contribute to heightened diabetes distress and reduced self-management capacity.

Purpose: This scoping review examined how immigration stressors, acculturation processes, and minority stress influence diabetes distress and mental health outcomes among Hispanic adults with T2DM.

Methods: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step scoping review framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (OVID), and ScienceDirect identified studies published between 2015 and …

Risk Stratification And Screening For Sleep Apnea In Cardiology Outpatient Setting, Ma Vanessa Simoy Mabazza, Tanya Tanzillo, Paul H. Nguyen, Rubina D. Nguyen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent sleep disorder and is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but remains widely underdiagnosed due to inconsistent and non-standardized screening practices in outpatient settings.

Local Problem: Patients with CVD were reported to be diagnosed with OSA following sleep studies at an outpatient cardiology clinic. The need for a consistent, evidence-based approach to risk-stratification and screening was recognized.

Aim: The aim of this project was to increase the sleep apnea risk stratification rate among new adult cardiology patients from 53% to at least 85% over a 16-week implementation period by incorporating the …

Bridging Theory And Innovation: Cultivating Nursing Scholars Through Research, Ai And Mentorship, Charlene Whitaker-Brown, Judy Cornelius

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As a newly R1 Carnegie Classification institution, in the Southeastern part of the United States, there is renewed emphasis on expanding research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. In response, the Research Explorer Program commencing in Winter 2025 is being launched as a pilot initiative to enhance student research engagement within the School of Nursing.

This program introduces a cohort of 10 undergraduate nursing students to the fundamentals of nursing research through mentorship with graduate nursing students. Grounded in the belief that early exposure to research strengthens clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and leadership, the initiative will provide undergraduates with hands-on …

Fmea-Based Risk Assessment And Improvements For Vascular Access Education In Hemodialysis, Nai-Hua Hsiao

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study evaluates and improves the patient education and care process before and after arteriovenous fistula surgery in hemodialysis patients. Inadequate implementation of this process may lead to multiple clinical risks. Currently, Southern X Hospital lacks a standardized patient education protocol, resulting in duplicated, omitted, or inconsistent content. These deficiencies negatively affect patients' comprehension and adherence, potentially leading to resource waste and reduced dialysis quality. To address these issues, this study applies Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to systematically identify potential failure modes within the education and care continuum. The CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method is used …

Multi-Interactive Teaching For Clinical Nursing Preceptors: Impact On Learning Styles And Competence, Shui-Tao Hu, Shu-Ling Yeh, Yi-Ling Chang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Newly recruited nurses face high turnover and adaptation challenges, requiring clinical preceptors to possess diversified teaching competencies. Multi-interactive teaching, integrating simulation, discussion, and immediate feedback, can enhance teaching reflection and professional development.

Purpose: To examine the effects of multi-interactive teaching on clinical preceptors’ learning styles and teaching competence.

Design: Quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design.

Methods: Six multi-interactive workshops were conducted for experienced clinical preceptors, covering preceptor characteristics, learner learning styles, teaching competence, and strategies for coaching difficult learners. Workshops included seminars and real-time interactive communities. Participants were registered nurses (clinical ladder 3 or above, or ladder 2 with >5 years’ …

Rewilding Health: A Global Nursing Framework For Nature-Based Interventions And Planetary Well-Being, Amber Lea Vermeesch, Mary Rockwood Lane, Erica Timko Olson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Rewilding—defined as restoring natural ecosystems and reconnecting humans to nature—offers a scalable, evidence-informed strategy to advance global health goals identified by the World Health Organization and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. This project examines how nurses can operationalize rewilding and nature-based interventions (NBIs) as ethical, clinical, and policy actions supporting universal health coverage, mental health promotion, non-communicable disease prevention, and global well-being.

Background: Growing evidence demonstrates that exposure to nature reduces stress, improves immune function, decreases depression and anxiety, enhances cancer survivorship outcomes, and promotes social connectedness. Aligning with Watson’s Unitary Caring Science and Chinn’s Emancipatory Nursing, …

Trends And Characteristics Of Behavioral Trials On Hpv Vaccination: A Systematic Review (2006-2025), Jutamas Suwannawat, Megan Whaley, Tsui-Sui Annie Kao, Angela Chia-Chen Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has effectively prevented HPV-related cancers and infections since 2006 (Rosenblum et al., 2022; Semprini et al., 2025), uptake remains suboptimal (Franco et al., 2019; Guo et al., 2025; Han et al., 2025). Behavioral clinical trials have increasingly sought to enhance HPV uptake, yet few have examined overall trends. This study examined trends and characteristics of behavioral HPV vaccine trials between 2006 and 2025.

Methods: We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number for behavioral HPV vaccination trials registered between 2006 and 2025. Inclusion criteria …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

No abstract provided.

Improved Foraminal Expansion And Pain Scores Following Placement Of Novel Expandable Interlaminar Stabilization Device For Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Robert P. Norton, Ian Koch, Kendra Primavera, Roy Y. Miloh, Alex R. Vaccaro, Mitchell K. Ng

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate radiographic durability and clinical outcomes following placement of a novel expandable interlaminar stabilization device for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis. Specifically, we aimed to: 1) quantify immediate postoperative posterior column distraction; 2) determine whether foraminal expansion is improved postoperatively without radiographic subsidence; and (3) assess potential improvements in patient-reported pain/clinical outcomes.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of adult patients undergoing single-level decompression supplemented by an interlaminar device for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis by a single surgeon from 2024 to 2025. Radiographic parameters included anterior, middle, and posterior disc height, foraminal height, and …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Their Children With Disabilities’ Mental Health During The Rapid Transition To Online Learning At The Time Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Arnell Rorie Footman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an abrupt shift to online learning, raising significant concerns about the mental health of children with disabilities. Existing research highlights increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation during due to the disruptions in structured routines and in-person support systems. This generic qualitative study, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s EST was conducted to explore parents’ perceptions of the mental health challenges experienced by their students with disabilities during the rapid transition to online learning at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews in which parents voiced their perceptions and experiences concerning their children’s mental …

Mindful Parenting And Toddlers' Food Responsiveness: The Role Of Controlling Feeding Practices, Qingyu Jiang, Holly Wilhite, Natalie A. Williams, Dipti A. Dev, Caron A. C. Clark, Pearl Avari, Sarah B. Ladd

Journal of Extension

Controlling feeding practices may negatively impact children's eating behaviors. Mindful parenting may offer a promising way to reduce the use of these practices. This study examined the mediating role of pressuring children to eat and using food as a reward in the association between mindful parenting and toddlers' food responsiveness. Results indicated that higher levels of mindful parenting were associated with lower pressuring to eat, which was related to lower food responsiveness in toddlers. The results may inform Extension professionals providing mindfulness strategies for mothers of young children to improve feeding practices, ultimately reducing children's unhealthful eating behaviors.

The Role Of Green Competence In Enhancing Green Performance Among Healthcare Workers In Indonesian Community Health Centers, Dewi Susanna, Tris Eryando, Dwi Agustina, Artha Prabawa, Rabiatul Adawiah, Lusianah Lusianah, Ratna Sari Dewi

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Climate change poses increasing risks to population health and healthcare systems worldwide. Primary healthcare facilities, partic-ularly community health centers, play a critical role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through environmentally sustainable practices. This study aimed to assess the level of green competency of Puskesmas staff and analyze relationship in the green behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 personnel at the Community Health Center in East Jakarta, Indonesia, using a total sampling approach. Green competence was measured across five dimensions (knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, awareness) involving a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptively and inferentially using chi-square …

Exploring Elite Athletes’ Perceptions Of The Practice Of Mindfulness For Mental Health And Optimal Performance, Omar A. Sesay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elite athletes experience physical, cognitive, and emotional demands that affect athletic performance and personal well-being, increasing the risk for anxiety, depression, burnout, attentional difficulties, and maladaptive coping strategies. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been examined for its effect on attentional control, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and stress resilience, but limited qualitative research has examined how elite athletes experience the practice of mindfulness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore elite athletes’ perceptions of the practice of mindfulness for mental health and optimal performance. The theoretical framework draws from mindfulness theory and MBSR principles. Semistructured interviews were conducted …

August 18, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Software Tools And Simulation Exercises For Radiation Oncology Cyber-Attack Resiliency, Yevgeniy Vinogradskiy, James Lamb

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

This review summarizes the rationale for radiation oncology cyberattack simulation exercises, recent results from multi-institutional resiliency drills, and the landscape of software tools developed to help clinics resume radiotherapy treatments rapidly and safely during a cyberattack or other major clinical software outage. Simulation exercises using record-and-verify (R&V) downtime and File Mode treatment delivery have identified failure modes not apparent in theoretical planning alone, including risks related to treatment documentation, repeated fractions, patient setup, and missed safety checks. Available software tools emphasize insulated backup of DICOM-format planning data and clinical notes, treatment-state dashboards, File Mode treatments, redundant R&V installations, and human-readable …

Using Posters To Increase Vegan Entrées Chosen At Classics In Wmu’S Student Dining Center, Sarah Schneider

Honors Theses

The following experiment tested the use of specifically designed posters to see the effect on eating habits of those who ate entrées from WMU’s food counter called Classics in the Student Dining Center. The independent variable was a poster with humorous and factual elements displayed at the point of choice in the dining center. The primary dependent variable was the percentage of vegan entrees chosen out of the total number of vegan and meat entrees served. The secondary dependent variables were the number of vegan entrees prepped and served, and the percentage of each entree that was served out of …

Molecular Pathogenesis And Genomic Profiling Of Fusobacterium Nucleatum: A Review Of Virulence Determinants & Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms In Dental And Systemic Infections, Mawahb Hatem Mones, Thariat Abdualrahman Al-Joubori, Ibrahim Faisal Ibrahim

Muthanna Medical Journal

Fusobacterium nucleatum is one of the key bacteria in the oral microbiota, which plays a key role in the structural integrity of dental plaque, an anaerobic bacterium. Emerging clinical evidence has increasingly linked this opportunistic pathogen to severe systemic pathologies, notably colorectal cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review synthesizes current genomic and molecular insights to elucidate the complex mechanisms driving fusobacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We critically discuss the roles of key adhesins, such as FadA and Fap2, in modulating host cell signaling and facilitating immune evasion. Furthermore, we determine the genomic architecture involved in the transfer …

Emerging Aiot-Based Approaches For Early Detection Of Cardiac Diseases: A Review, Balqees Talal Hasan, Zaid J. Al-Araji, Zainab Al-Badrany, Sarah Kanaan Hamzah, Abdulmajeed Sulaiman

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Cardiovascular disease continues to pose a serious global health burden, emphasizing the need for smart, ongoing, and clinically trustworthy systems for early detection of this condition. The convergence of IoT-enabled sensing technologies with AI has led to the rise of an innovative paradigm known as AIoT, integrating technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, edge and fog computing, and cloud-based analytics with the aim of real-time cardiac monitoring and diagnostic decision support. Despite rapid expansion, current literature appears disparate in its coverage of sensing modalities, learning algorithms, system architectures, data sets, evaluation criteria, and clinical applications. To remedy this, a …

Are 2d:4d Finger-Length Ratios Related To Bdsm Power Play Roles? An Exploratory Study, Phoenix R. Crane

Psychology and Neuroscience Faculty Publications

This study explored the relationships between 2D:4D ratio, a biological marker influenced by prenatal androgen exposure, and personality traits among members of the BDSM community. The 2D:4D ratio, calculated by dividing the length of the second (index) finger by the length of the fourth (ring) finger, is a non-invasive measure of prenatal exposure to androgens, with a smaller 2D:4D ratio associated with higher levels of testosterone exposure. Previous, albeit conflicting, research suggests that higher levels of testosterone are associated with dominance, aggression, risk-taking, and sensation-seeking. The present study draws on these findings to propose an androgenization of power play roles. …

Selective Loss Of Primary Cilia And Neurotrophic Signaling In G51d Α-Synuclein Mice Highlights A Common Pathway To Parkinson’S Disease, Yu-En Lin, Ebsy Jaimon, Youngdoo Kim, Annabeth Loftman, Aaran Vijayakumaran, Benjamin D W Belfort, Claire Y Chiang, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Huda Y Zoghbi, Suzanne R Pfeffer

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Parkinson's disease is characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss and accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in the brain. G51D α-synuclein knock-in mice provide a genetically and clinically relevant model of disease, exhibiting early olfactory deficits, age-dependent motor impairment, and progressive phospho-α-synuclein accumulation. In multiple Parkinson's disease models, striatal cholinergic and parvalbumin interneurons, as well as astrocytes, lose primary cilia and the neurotrophic signaling needed to sustain dopaminergic neurons. We show here that G51D α-synuclein mice share these phenotypes. Phospho-Ser129 α-synuclein accumulation correlates with cilia loss in cholinergic interneurons but not in spiny projection neurons that accumulate higher phospho-α-synuclein levels. In the piriform …

2026 August 18 - Faculty Senate Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Acemannan/Alginate Composite Hydrogels Promote Sto Cell Spreading And Metabolic Activity, Hong Yongxing, Tharasanit Theerawat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Alginate-based hydrogels are widely used as biocompatible scaffolds. However, their limited cell-adhesive properties restrict their application in tissue engineering. This study aimed to fabricate acemannan/alginate (ACE/ALG) composite hydrogels and evaluate their cytocompatibility and ability to support STO cell spreading and metabolic activity. Composite hydrogels were prepared by blending different concentrations of ACE with alginate, followed by Ca²⁺-mediated ionic crosslinking. Rheological analysis showed that ACE incorporation increased both the storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the hydrogels. Cell viability and morphology were evaluated using Live/Dead staining on day 7, and cellular growth was assessed using an MTT assay on …

Multidrug Resistance, Extended-Spectrum Β-Lactamase (Esbl) Production, And Colistin Resistance In Escherichia Coli From Retail Chicken Meat In Fresh Markets In Bangkok, Thailand, Htet Lin Oo, Nawaphorn Roongrojmongkhon, Suwanee Chalermchainukul, Sirawit Pagdepanichkit

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Contamination of chicken meat with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, particularly multidrug-resistant (MDR), colistin-resistant, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), threatens its safety for human consumption. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, particularly ESBL production and colistin resistance in E. coli isolated from retail chicken meat in fresh markets in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 200 (81.6%) E. coli isolates were recovered from 245 chicken meat samples collected from fresh markets across six regions of Bangkok. Among the isolates, 189 (94.5%) exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent tested, with the …

The Lottery You Do Not Want To Win: The Role Of Local Institutional Quality In Brazil's Fight Against The Persistent Transmission Of Poverty, Adaye Sosthene Yvan N'Guettia

Economics Honors Projects

When does improving local institutions increase the poverty-reducing effectiveness of transfers? This paper examines whether federal oversight strengthens municipal administration of anti-poverty programs in Brazil. I develop a governance model in which incumbents allocate resources across diversion, effort, and institutional investment under audits and incentives. Using exogenous variation from Brazil's random CGU audit lottery across 5,500 municipalities, I find audits reduce irregularities, strengthen capacity, improve nutritional monitoring and school infrastructure, and reduce extreme poverty — with effects largest in municipalities with weakest institutions. A marginal-value-of-public-funds analysis confirms the program is self-financing. Results show the poverty-reducing power of transfers depends critically …

Symbol Of Defiance: Cultural Reclamation And Resilience In The Symbolism Of The Watermelon, Shukri Mohamed

Gatherings

This paper examines the watermelon as a cross-cultural symbol of nonviolent resistance and identity reclamation in both Palestinian and African American contexts. In Palestine, the watermelon embodies defiant cultural identity amidst occupation, symbolizing resistance against erasure. Within African American communities, it has evolved from a racially charged stereotype to a reclaimed symbol of pride and agency. Through postcolonial theory, intersectionality, transnational feminism, and visual cultural critique, this article examines how marginalized groups repurpose familiar objects to assert identity and reclaim autonomy under oppressive conditions. Drawing on Lila Abu-Lughod's work on media and everyday resistance, Ania Loomba's postcolonial perspectives, Patricia Hill …

Embodying Palestinian Freedom: Yogis For Palestine As A Site Of Transnational And Anti-Imperial Feminist Solidarity, Sheena Sood

Gatherings

In a climate marked by the rise of global fascism, yoga is often appropriated toward the reproduction of caste supremacist and ethnonational agendas, colonial and racial capitalist relations, and neoliberal spirituality. Still, it has also been harnessed for collective liberation. We see this through the effort of Gaza-based yoga teacher, Hadeel Al-Gharbawi, using trauma-informed yoga to help the children of Al-Jawad Camp cultivate endurance during a genocide, and the solidarity of practitioners activating yoga toward Palestinian self-determination. This article examines the social and political activities of Yogis for Palestine (YFP), a Philadelphia-based collective whose vision for collective liberation includes unwavering …

Ruins And Remedies: Hospital Site Archaeology In Medieval Southeast Asia, Karen Hill

Classical Mediterranean and Middle East Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Action Steps Toward Equity In Communication Sciences And Disorders: A Program Evaluation Of Student Self-Efficacy, Monica Bellon-Harn, Lekeitha Morris, Mark Trahan

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: Within communication sciences and disorders (CSD), preparing students for equitable practice requires instruction aligned with social justice principles. Because students’ confidence in engaging in these practices may influence future behavior, this study examined the effects of an asynchronous program, Action Steps toward Equity (ASE-CSD) on undergraduate and graduate CSD students’ self-efficacy for practices aligned with social justice principles.

Method: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used with undergraduate (n = 16) and graduate (n = 33) CSD students who completed ASE-CSD. Participants completed the Social Justice Scale (SJS; Torres-Harding et al., 2012), which assessed self-efficacy associated with …

Equity In Evaluation: Examining Grading Practices And Student Experiences In Speech-Language Pathology Education, Jennifer Essig

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Traditional grading practices remain the norm in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) education, despite evidence these systems may exacerbate inequities and affect motivation and perceptions of learning. This study examined how traditional and alternative grading practices are experienced by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in CSD programs. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, survey data were collected from 73 students regarding perceptions of grading, motivation to learn, and emotional responses to assessment. Quantitative analyses indicated that students in alternatively graded classrooms reported significantly higher perceptions of fairness, clarity, and learning than those in traditionally graded settings. Qualitative analysis revealed contrasting emotional …

Targeted Interprofessional Education (Ipe) Curriculum For First-Year Speech-Language Pathology (Slp) Graduate Students, Cody Marie Busch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

ASHA requires that SLP graduate programs facilitate opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). Research suggests that IPCP initiatives should be integrated throughout the curriculum, rather than isolated interprofessional education (IPE) experiences. 15 first-year SLP graduate students participated in a year-long IPE curriculum focused on the IPEC Core Competencies. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed improved perception of IPCP and appreciation of opportunities to interact with other disciplines. Students noted that SLP graduate programs should integrate IPCP opportunities because they set them up for success with collaboration and help remove the SLP “silo.” Finally, students reported that they plan to use the …