Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Early Palliative Care Consultations On Hospital Length Of Stay And In-Hospital Mortality, Renuka Mahatara, Lisa Michelson, Faris Mohammed, Des'ree Garvin

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Yield Of Head Ct For Headache In The Emergency Department: A Systematic Literature Review, Jennifer Y. Cho, Bassel Zein, Hannah Wells, Dennis Besong

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor Causing Cephalad Shift Of Left Lung In A Young Patient, Akriti Arora, Dmitri Zbarsky

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Interpersonal Violent Blunt Head Trauma As A Cause Of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report, Gabriella A. Rivas, Sirin Khajaviyan, Sahil N. Parikh, Dmitri Zbarsky

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

A Qi Project: Fostering Methods Of Communication To Promote Hospital Discharge Follow-Up Rate And Access To Primary Care, Radhika Mohan, Sanket Patel, Deepa Nuthalapati, Michael Smith, Valerie Sinkler, Dennis Besong, Pooja Paunikar

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Lungs: Acute Hepatitis Associated With Mycoplasma Pneumonia Infection, Rajiv N. Shah, Brett Leer-Greenberg

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Gastroparesis – An Often-Overlooked Sign Of Multiple Sclerosis, Breveenn Kukan, Kaylee Brown, Minh Chung, Steven Veselsky, Joshua Ferrell

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Adjustment Of Autistic First-Generation Students To Higher Education, Paris J. Cumba

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of the current study is to investigate how first-generation students on the autism spectrum adjust to higher education compared to their continuing generation and neurotypical peers through the lens of intersectionality. Previous research has studied how first-generation students and autistic students transition into college environments, but little research has explored how these identities intersect and affect college adjustment.

For this study, 189 undergraduate students completed a survey that measured different dimensions of college adjustment, such as academic motivation, self-efficacy, and current life satisfaction. ANOVA tests showed that there was no significant interaction between first-generation status and autism status …

The Qualitative Investigation Of The Role Of Nicu-Based Slps, Netanya Tsang

Selected Full-Text Master Theses Collection 2018-

In 2004 that the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) released a position statement pertaining the roles of SLPs in swallowing and feeding disorders, specifically in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In the NICU, one of the last criteria for discharge of the neonate is to demonstrate consistent and stable feeding. For NICU-based speech-language pathologists (SLP)s, a primary responsibility is treating the neonate’s ability to feed and swallow. Within this specialized setting over time, the role of the SLP has changed, but there is significant variation across locations and setting; with little formally documented regarding updated responsibilities. Therefore, this …

Burnout Among Licensed Central Office Administrators In Illinois School Districts: A Quantitative Study, Ivone De Jesus

Dissertations of Practice

Burnout among educational leaders is well documented; however, limited empirical research has focused on central office administrators. This study examined burnout among licensed central office administrators in Illinois school districts, focusing on self-reported levels of burnout and associated organizational stressors. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources model, burnout was conceptualized as a systemic organizational phenomenon shaped by workplace conditions. A cross-sectional survey was administered to licensed central office administrators across Illinois public school districts. Descriptive analyses assessed burnout prevalence, while correlational analyses examined relationships among burnout, organizational stressors, and coping strategies. Results indicated that burnout was common and multidimensional, with organizational …

Measuring Academic Momentum: A Quantitative Study Of Supplemental Instruction As A Community College Student Support Strategy, Cornelia Slater

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

MEASURING ACADEMIC MOMENTUM: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION AS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE

STUDENT SUPPORT STRATEGY

Cornelia Vanessa Slater, Ed.D.

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

Northern Illinois University, 2026

Quortne R. Hutchings, Director

Community colleges serve as critical access points to higher education for diverse populations of students where completion rates are an ongoing challenge. Supplemental Instruction have been used as an academic intervention to improve success largely in four-year institutions. This quantitative study, guided by Xueli Wang’s momentum theory analyzed two research questions: (1) how supplemental instruction (SI) participation is associated with student academic success, course retention …

Examining The Association Between Educational Spending In Well-Resourced School Districts And The Academic Performance Of Hispanic Students In Low Socioeconomic Communities, Alicia Cieszykowski

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL SPENDING IN WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF HISPANIC STUDENTS IN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC COMMUNITIES

Alicia Cieszykowski

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2026

Benjamin Creed, Director

This study examined the relationship between school district expenditure patterns and academic performance for Hispanic students in adequately funded Illinois school districts. Using a quantitative correlational design, the study explored whether overall spending levels and the allocation of financial resources were associated with Hispanic student achievement and Hispanic–White academic disparities in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The sample included Illinois Tier …

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Through Critical Pragmatism And Equity, Cathy Davis

Dissertations of Practice

Student loan debt in the United States has surpassed $1.8 trillion, placing substantial financial strain on more than 42 million borrowers. Public service professionals—including teachers, social workers, nurses, and government employees—are among those most affected, as their essential work is often undercompensated. The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was created to reduce these burdens and strengthen the public service workforce, yet persistent administrative complexity, low approval rates, and inequitable access undermine its intended impact.

Guided by a critical pragmatism framework that integrates the outcome‑oriented inquiry of classical pragmatism with the equity‑centered critique of critical theory, this dissertation evaluates …

Implementing Restorative Practices For Girls In Elementary School Classrooms: A Participatory Action Research Approach, Mellissa Douglas

Dissertations of Practice

This participatory action research study examined how varying approaches to implementing restorative practices, together with teacher collaboration and influence, support resilience, enhance communication, establish healthy boundaries, encourage accountability, and build confidence among elementary school girls ages 8–10. Two third-grade teachers, three fourth-grade teachers, and three fifth-grade teachers in a midwestern elementary school implemented restorative practices through proactive circles or conferences over the course of forty school days. The eight teacher participants recorded the implementation of restorative practices in an action research journal, field notes, and photographs, and they collaborated to discuss strengths, areas in need of support, and next steps. …

Educator Understanding Of Mtss: A Quantitative Descriptive Study, Danielle Valiente

Dissertations of Practice

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) require coordinated implementation across the full educator workforce. This study examined MTSS knowledge and self-reported understanding across the Illinois educator workforce to identify the specific knowledge gaps a targeted professional learning solution would need to address. Using a quantitative descriptive design, 208 Illinois public school educators across 16 job roles and four experience bands completed an online survey consisting of an eleven-item true/false knowledge assessment, a ten-item multiple-choice knowledge assessment, and a 10-item Likert self-report inventory. Data were disaggregated by job role and by years of professional experience. Educators demonstrated strong understanding of MTSS structural …

Lost In The Language: Data Breaches And The Strategic Fog Of Risk Disclosures, Ling Tuo, Shipeng Han

Accounting Faculty Publications

This study examines whether firms strategically adjust the readability of Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) disclosures following data breaches. Using U.S. firm-year observations from 2006 to 2023, we find that data breaches are associated with a significant decline in Item 1A readability. This decline is not accompanied by a meaningful increase in informational content; instead, post-breach disclosures exhibit higher syntactic complexity, more positive tone, and lower textual similarity to prior and industry peers' filings, consistent with strategic obfuscation rather than transparent reporting. The readability decline is amplified among firms facing higher litigation risk but attenuated among firms with stronger reputations for …

Exploring What Parents And Their Twice-Exceptional Children Need From The Mental Health System, Mehrnaz Mirhosseini M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Twice-exceptional (2e) students, defined broadly as those with both high cognitive abilities and disabilities, have unique psychological needs. Many 2e students struggle in school and at home, and their abilities and disabilities tend to mask each other, making it more difficult to diagnose twice-exceptionality (Foley-Nipcon et al., 2013). Additionally, no gold-standard interventions have been identified (Foley-Nicpon & Candler, 2018). These factors and the relative obscurity of twice-exceptionalism can leave parents feeling helpless, confused, and isolated when seeking care for their 2e child. There is no research on which mental health interventions parents believe their 2e children need, as well as …

Current Regenerative Injection Treatment For Rotator Cuff Disease: A Review Article And Practical Algorithm, Abdallah El-Sayed Allam, Manal Hassanien, Ahmed Omar Mahmoud Abdallah

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff disease is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting shoulder function and quality of life. Traditional management includes conservative treatments and surgery, but ultrasound-guided regenerative orthobiological interventions have emerged as effective alternatives. This review examines epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approaches to rotator cuff disease, with an emphasis on the role of ultrasound-guided regenerative injections. Specific techniques such as platelet-rich plasma, alpha-2 macroglobulin, lipoaspirate, and bone marrow concentrate are discussed. Recent human studies highlight the efficacy and safety of these interventions, supporting their integration into clinical practice.

Sucarnochee Review - 2026 Issue, The Sucarnochee Review Editors

The Sucarnochee Review

No abstract provided.

Real Talk: Piloting A Brief Digital Body Image Intervention For College Students, Logan Faith

Research Honors

The present study examines data from 20 participants who were randomly assigned to a brief digital body image intervention and a waitlist control group. The program, Real Talk, incorporated elements from several evidence-based approaches, namely affirming one’s values, making cognitive reappraisals, building body functionality, and self-compassion. The main outcome measures were body appreciation, functionality appreciation, self-kindness, and self-judgment. We hypothesized that Real Talk participants would experience greater increases in positive body image constructs and self-kindness and lower levels of self-judgment as compared to the waitlist control group. Data were analysed using nonparametric analyses due to the small sample size. Mann-Whitney …

Exploring The Potential Use Of Tead Inhibition As Part Of A Combination Therapy For Nf2-Deficient Schwannoma And Meningioma., Jamie Blake

Peninsula Medical School Theses

NF2-related Schwannomatosis is a genetic cancer predisposition syndrome, resulting in the development of schwannoma, meningioma and ependymoma tumours. Although surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy can be used, new avenues of therapeutic development are essential to target inoperable and recurrent tumours. Previous studies evaluating small molecule TEAD auto-palmitoylation inhibitors have distinguished their anti-proliferative effect in NF2-deficient cancers. Here we aim to identify compounds that could be utilised in conjunction with TEAD inhibition, to target aberrant Hippo signalling and secondary resistance mechanisms. We utilised immortalised and primary cells to evaluate the efficacy and potential synergism of TEAD inhibitors VT3989 and VT107 in …

A Call To Action: Engaging With The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel On Chemicals, Waste And Pollution, Miriam L. Diamond, Gabriel Sigmund, Marlene Ågerstrand, Michael G. Bertram, Alex T. Ford, Rainer Lohmann, Andreas Schäffer, Maria Clara V.M. Starling, Anna Soehl, Noriyuki Suzuki, Penny Vlahos, Marta Venier, Martin Scheringer

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Global Inventory Of Fluoropolymer Production Plants And Their Associated Pfas Environmental Contamination, Anna J. Miller, Kevin Kleemann, Juliane Glüge, Rainer Lohmann, Ian T. Cousins, Dorte Herzke, Mark F. Miller, Amanda Rensmo, Xenia Trier, Zhanyun Wang, Martin Scheringer

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Fluoropolymers are widely used across sectors, but their production is associated with emissions of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are mobile, persistent, and toxic. In this work, we compiled a global inventory of fluoropolymer production plants (FPPs) and assembled PFAS concentration measurements for various media in their vicinity. We identified 52 currently operating FPPs across 11 countries and 41 cities. For 12 FPPs, in 12 different cities, there are peer-reviewed site-specific PFAS measurements specifically attributed to the FPP. At these 12 sites, at least 236 individual PFASs have been detected across multiple environmental media, including surface water, groundwater, air, …

The State Of Short-Term Rentals – 2024, Elena Bigart, Melissa Weddell, Jesse Wheeler, Sophie Morris, Jenna Asnault

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examined the role short-term rentals (STRs) play in Montana’s housing challenges, building on earlier ITRR research (Bigart et al., 2021). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzed STR and housing data from 2019 to 2023 and incorporated interviews with local officials to assess evolving regulations, occupancy patterns, and perceptions of STR impacts. Findings highlight that STRs interact with broader market forces contributing to tight housing conditions and underscore the need for balanced policy approaches that support housing supply and affordability while sustaining tourism-related economic activity.

Reply To The Letter-To-Editor: “On The Preserved Muscle Oxidative Capacity In Copd Patients With Hypoxemia Treated By Long Term O2 Therapy”, Alessandra Adami, Mara Paneroni, Michele Vitacca, Richard Casaburi, Harry B. Rossiter

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Six-Minute Step Test Performance In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Aldair Darlan Santos-De-Araújo, Daniela Bassi-Dibai, Izadora Moraes Dourado, Nelson Francisco Serrão Júnior, Renan Shida Marinho, Paula Angélica Ricci, Cássia De Luz Goulart, Renata Gonçalves Mendes, Alessandra Adami, Audrey Borghi-Silva

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Purpose:

The six-minute step test (6MST) is a valuable assessment to determine functional capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, clinical and behavioral variables, and personal characteristics, may be associated with test performance. No predictive equations are available that account for one or more of these variables in the estimation of functional capacity outcome from the 6MST. We sought to identify clinical and behavioral variables associated with 6MST outcome (total number of steps) in patients with COPD.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis included 122 adults, aged ≥ 50 years, with stable COPD that underwent a 6MST …

Dental Professionalism In A Changing World: Challenges & Opportunities, Robert P. Iovino, Dds, Ma Dds, Ma

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This manuscript examines the erosion of traditional dental professionalism amid rising educational costs, declining membership in professional associations, and the growing influence of corporate ownership and private equity in dentistry. Drawing perspectives from economics, sociology, philosophy, law, and ethics, it traces the historical development of professional licensure and its role in safeguarding clinical autonomy, ethical integrity, and public trust. The analysis highlights how deregulation and profit-driven practice models challenge the profession’s social contract. The manuscript argues that preserving strong civic institutions, restrictive licensure standards, and humanities-informed education is essential to sustaining dentistry as a learned profession rather than a commodified …

Lessons On Generative Artificial Intelligence From The American Association Of Dental Editors And Journalists (Aadej), Christopher J. Smiley

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) recently released "Guidance for Authors, Editors and Publishers on the Use of Generative AI". Developed by an 11-member stakeholder panel, this guidance paper serves a dual purpose: It provides practical strategies for mitigating the risks that generative artificial intelligence (GAI) poses to professional writing and explains how GAI creates these risks. Understanding both the underlying vulnerabilities of GAI and how to address them is critical for users at all levels, from authors and reviewers to editors, publishers, and general users, to maintain the validity and reliability of their written work. This …

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …

From The Archives: Continued Competency Assessment: Its History And Role In The Health Professions

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Each issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) features an archival article selected for its continued relevance to contemporary issues in dentistry. This article provides historical context and enduring insights that inform current discussions in the profession.