Digital Commons Network^™

The Back Page: A Toast To The Future: From Boomers To Gen Z Zoomers, George T. Goodis Dds, Gerald J. Halk Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article highlights a leadership brunch that brought together multiple generations of dental leaders to encourage engagement in organized dentistry. The gathering emphasized mentorship, leadership development, and the transfer of institutional knowledge to younger dentists. Participants celebrated the future of the profession while discussing the importance of community involvement, leadership participation, and professional growth.

Exploring Factors Related To Retention Of Young Soccer Officials, Jacob K. Tingle, Lynn L. Ridinger, David J. Hancock, Joseph Foran, Lucas Ribeiro

School of Business Faculty Research

Purpose/Rationale

The purpose of this study was to examine factors (needs and motivations) that contribute to retention of young soccer officials.

Design/Methodology/Approach

An online survey was distributed to soccer referees who received their first USSF officiating license as a juvenile.

Findings:

Correlational and regression analyses yielded five key findings: (1) Self-Determination Theory (SDT) principles are salient to retention; (2) Intrinsic Motivation and Sense of Community significantly impact retention; (3) variables across scales were highly correlated and had large effect sizes; (4) findings were similar across demographic variables; and (5) small increases to Relatedness and Choice had a large impact on …

The Joint Effect Of Bilingualism And Sleep On Executive Functions Among Children And Adolescents With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Yirou Jiang

Doctoral Dissertations

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly impacts cognitive and behavioral functions, leading challenges for individuals across the lifespan. While extensive research has been conducted to understand the connection between executive functioning (EF) and ADHD, research findings related to the contributing factors of bilingualism and sleep still remains inconsistent (Bialystok et al., 2017). Investigating the joint effect between bilingualism and sleep on EF among children and adolescents with ADHD may help further clarify the connection between EF, language, and sleep, and facilitate the development of interventions from the perspective of these protective factors. EF encompasses cognitive processes …

Analysis Of Terpenes In Cannabis Flowers Using Gas Chromatography Via Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction (Hs-Spme), Hannah I. Bergner

Forensic Science Master's Projects

As cannabis commercialization grows, rigorous profiling of cannabinoids, terpenes, and chemical contaminants is legally required for industry standardization and consumer safety. Terpenes are highly volatile components that dictate the unique aromatic profiles and therapeutic properties of cannabis via receptor pathways. This project focused on a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector/mass selective detector (GC-FID/MSD) combined with headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) sampling to analyze terpenes present in four cannabis samples. Cannabis samples were tightly sealed in vials (10 mL) and heated to vaporize terpenes in the headspace above the samples, followed by the extraction of the vaporized terpenes using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated SPME …

Dean's Research Newsletter, August 2026, Neil W. Schluger

SOM Dean's Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Autistic Traits And Mental Health Support Service Use Among Parents Of Young Children With Autism, Margaret Janse Van Rensburg, Robert Hock, Emmanuella Asabea Twum, Resia-Maria Cooper, Abigail K. Reza Jameson, C. Andrew Conway, Mark Ethan Feinberg

Faculty and Staff Publications

Parents of children recently diagnosed with autism often experience elevated psychological distress, yet little is known about whether parental autistic traits are associated with support-seeking. Using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a parent mentoring intervention, this study examined support use among 355 parents of children aged 18 months to 8 years whose child had received an autism diagnosis within the previous 12 months. Parental autistic traits were assessed using the Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale–14 (RAADS-14). Overall, 36.1% of parents reported accessing support for stress, emotional, or mental health concerns, and 33.2% scored above the RAADS-14 …

What Fire Reveals: A Portfolio Of Integrated Practice, Harm Reduction, And Liberation-Centered Social Work, Jackie Brittain

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Difference In Social Media Coverage For Male And Female Athletes, Amanda Thomas

Communications and Digital Media Theses

Pulling back the curtain on the reality women athletes face when it comes to their social media coverage. Sports have been male-dominated since the start, but over the years women have become more and more involved in sports as they have their own teams and even sports. However, this issue lies with the overall support and coverage they are receiving from well-known Sports coverage networks. For this study, I looked at social media posts from ESPN, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports focused on the sports of Basketball, Baseball/Softball, and Tennis. In doing this study, I analyzed how many posts men …

The Effects Of An Educational Intervention To Enhance Knowledge And Awareness Of The Prevention Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among College Students, Darcy Yates

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose

The DNP student implemented a single group pretest-postest design underpinned by the Health Belief Model to address the PICOT question: Among a purposive sample of college students at a mid-west college (Population) to what degree does participation in an evidence-based intervention providing information about STIs (Intervention), compared with before that intervention (Comparison), result in to an increase in knowledge and awareness regarding STI infections and associated risks and treatment options (Outcomes) over a six-week period (Time)?

Methods

The pretest and postest scores of 15 students for the 27 items in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ) were evaluated. …

Occupational Health Hazard: Silicosis Policy In California's Engineered Stone Industry, Devany G. Rocha

Master's Projects and Capstones

This policy analysis evaluated the effectiveness of current California regulations that were enacted after the STOP Act was passed to address silicosis incidence rates against Australia's complete ban on manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone with greater than 1% crystalline silica content. Silicosis is a deteriorating fibrotic lung disease caused by the prolonged or massive inhalation of crystalline silica (Dynamed, 2023). To assess the scope of the problem under the STOP Act, we used data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) surveillance from 2019 to present. We assessed incidence rates, mortality rates, and patient demographics. We …

Antiviral Activity Of The Polyene Macrolide Roseofungin Against Influenza A Virus: In Vitro, In Ovo, And Preliminary In Vivo Evaluation, Ahdrey P. Bogoyavlenskiy, Vladimir Berezin, Pavel Alexyuk, Madina Alexyuk, Irina Zaitseva, Aidar Mukhametkaliyev, Yergali Moldakhanov, Elmira I. Anarkulova, Timur Kerimov, Vyacheslav Dushenkov

Publications and Research

Roseofungin, a polyene macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces roseoflavus, was evaluated for antiviral activity against Influenza A virus using complementary in vitro, in ovo, and preliminary in vivo toxicity models, supported by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The compound exhibited antiviral activity against multiple influenza A virus subtypes, including an oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 strain, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 2.0 to 2.5 μg/mL and selectivity indices of 20–25. Functional assays demonstrated that roseofungin interfered with early stages of the viral life cycle by reducing viral adsorption and partially inhibiting neuraminidase activity. In virucidal assays, treatment with roseofungin resulted …

League Of Women Voters' Of The Huntington Area E-Mail Bulletin, August 2026, League Of Women Voters Of The Huntington Area

League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area Bulletin 2020 - Present

The periodical is published by the League, which is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Human-Centered Electric Vehicle Adoption Framework For Smart Mobility: Modeling Perceived Range And Charging Anxiety As A Psychological Barrier, Fatemeh Nazari, Abolfazl (Kouros) Mohammadian, Thomas Stephens

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a transformative pathway toward reducing the environmental, economic, and health-related externalities of internal combustion engine vehicles in urban settings. Despite substantial advances in battery technology, charging infrastructure expansion, and supportive policy incentives, EV penetration remains limited which poses challenges for smart and sustainable mobility planning. A critical yet insufficiently modeled barrier to adoption lies in the psychological perceptions surrounding electric driving range and charging reliability, which is commonly framed as “range anxiety,” but more broadly reflecting perceived range and charging anxiety. To address this gap, this study introduces a latent psychological construct capturing individuals’ perceived range …

From The Editor: Is Giving Actually Better Than Receiving?, Romesh Nalliah

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial examines the relationship between generosity, volunteerism, and well-being. Using the Michigan Dental Association Foundation’s Mission of Mercy as a focal point, the author highlights research suggesting that prosocial behavior can improve mental and physical health while benefiting communities in need. The article encourages oral health professionals to use their skills and resources to support underserved populations through volunteer service, mentorship, and community engagement.

Dentistry And The Law: Is A Lake Of Understanding Of Billing Procedures Fraud?, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This legal column addresses whether improper dental billing resulting from misunderstanding plan requirements constitutes fraud. The author explains the legal elements necessary to establish fraud, including knowledge, intent, and damages. The article distinguishes billing errors and contract violations from fraudulent conduct and encourages dentists to review participation agreements and billing policies to minimize compliance risks.

The Invisible Work: On Expertise, Showmanship, And The Trust That Makes Surgery Work, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary examines how clinicians can make their expertise more visible to patients through communication, education, and clinical narration. Drawing parallels to surgical checklists and professional mastery, the author argues that trust is built not only through excellent outcomes but also through helping patients understand the complexity and judgment behind treatment. The article emphasizes communication, transparency, education, and mentorship as important elements of patient-centered care.

Mission Of Mercy: Restoring Smiles With Dignity, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature chronicles Michigan’s 2026 Mission of Mercy clinic, where more than 1,200 volunteers provided 5,656 procedures to 771 patients. The article describes patient experiences, volunteer contributions, and the extensive planning required to transform a sports arena into a temporary dental clinic. Beyond oral healthcare delivery, the program restored confidence, relieved pain, and highlighted the dental profession’s commitment to serving underserved populations.

A Post-Incarceration Syndrome And Its Impact On Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: A Quantitative Examination Of In-Prison Services And Community Reentry Resources In New York City, Jorge Antonio Diaz

Education Doctoral

The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other nation, yet the effects ofincarceration remain underexamined in quantitative research. Although qualitative research has documented the traumatic sequelae of confinement, including post-incarceration syndrome (PICS), limited work has assessed the perceived adequacy of services available during incarceration, community reentry, and parole supervision. This study addresses that gap through a non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative design. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 31 formerly incarcerated adults using a 40-item researcher-developed tool, the Post-Incarceration Services Assessment Survey (PISAS), which examined perceived adequacy of in-prison coping services, community-based reentry resources, and parole officer support. …

New York City High School Alumni Perceptions Of A School-Community-Based Organization Partnership, Tasha Cooper

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how recent alumni of a New York City public high school described and interpreted their lived experiences with a school–community-based organization (CBO) partnerships through “Program X,” a college and career readiness program. Using semi-structured interviews, the study examined how eight public high school graduates perceived these experiences as influencing their educational decision-making and postsecondary aspirations. Findings revealed that Program X positively influenced the educational decision- making, college readiness, and career aspirations through individualized academic planning, SAT prep, financial aid workshops, college and career events, and mentoring. The participants reported increased motivation, self-efficacy, self-sufficiency, and confidence …

Understanding The Role Of Transformational Leadership In Supporting Well-Being Among Globally Educated Nurses And Contiguous United States Educated Nurses: A Quantitative, Correlational Study, Megan Shone

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to understand the role of transformational leadership in relation to well-being among globally educated nurses (GENs) and contiguous United States, or mainland, educated nurses (CONUS-educated nurses). As internal and external pressures on healthcare systems intensify and impact the workforce, healthcare administrators and leaders must respond. This response must support elements of nurse well-being for both GENs and CONUS-educated nurses. The theoretical framework guiding this study was Transformational Leadership. This quantitative, correlational research design analyzed archival organizational engagement data from two acute care hospitals in New York State. The study examined professional satisfaction, …

Extinction Risk Of Coral Reef Fishes In The Philippine Marine Ornamental Trade, Jemelyn Grace Baldisimo Sepulveda

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Coral reef ecosystems in the Philippines face severe threats from intense fishing and habitat degradation. This dissertation evaluated the extinction risk of fishes in the Philippine Marine Aquarium Trade (MAT) using Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) and temporal genomics. A global PSA framework was modified by including local susceptibility factors. Of the 103 species evaluated, six were categorized as highly vulnerable and 62 as moderately vulnerable, revealing increased local vulnerability and underscoring the importance of local assessments to guide conservation efforts.

Temporal genomics compared historical (1908–1909 U.S.S. Albatross Expedition) and contemporary populations of the MAT-targeted Sphaeramia nematoptera and Pseudanthias squamipinnis, …

Hkc07 - Bayesian Conspiracy Theorists? Equivocal Signals And Persistent Polarization, Javier A. Granados Samayoa, Timothy Hyde

Oberlin College Kasper Economics and Business Working Paper Series

Conspiracy beliefs are the subject of a rich literature in psychology, which explains them through personal dysfunction. The corresponding economics literature is scant. We offer a demand-side model of belief in specific conspiracy theories with no biases, misspecification, or strategic manipulation. A conspiracy, by its nature, generates equivocal evidence about its own existence, because the same strength that produces more to detect also produces better concealment. We model belief in a specific conspiracy theory as learning about the strength 𝑞 of a cabal, a stand-in for the secretly coordinating actors of any conspiracy theory. In the baseline the cabal influences …

Hkc08 - Neglect At Your Own Risk? Evidence On Risk-Taking Prevalence And Motives From The Field, Saurabh Bhargava, Timothy Hyde

Oberlin College Kasper Economics and Business Working Paper Series

We study risky choice in a field setting where employees choose among goal-reward contracts resembling financial lotteries and where we observe both choices and beliefs. We find risk aversion and choice heterogeneity far exceeding expected utility predictions and unexplained by prominent behavioral motives like overconfidence, nonlinear decision weights, and loss aversion. We propose and experimentally validate a heuristic explanation for risk taking involving contingency neglect during pairwise evaluation. The heuristic fits the field and lab data better than leading alternative models, uniquely predicts the belief distortions and framing effects we document, and offers a potential explanation for empirical insurance puzzles.

Effects Of Concurrent Neuropathologies With Alzheimer Disease Neuropathologic Change On Cognitive Decline: Minimal Impact Of Vascular Brain Injury Compared With Other Combinations, Sarah M Yasuda, Charles Mock, Kathryn Gauthreaux, Kwun C G Chan, C Dirk Keene, Jessica E Culhane, Yen-Chi Chen, Walter Kukull

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We examined cognitive changes associated with several neuropathologic entities, alone and in combination. We studied 808 participants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to assess associations between neuropathologic diagnoses (from autopsy) and neuropsychologic test scores (trajectories over time for 5 domains: overall cognition, episodic memory, attention, language, executive function). Neuropathologies included: Alzheimer disease neuropathologic change (ADNC), Lewy body disease (LBD), vascular brain injury (VBI), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC). Using linear mixed-effects models, we examined trajectories of cognitive decline for ADNC alone compared to ADNC plus LBD, VBI, or LATE-NC. We also examined differences between observed trajectories …

Financial Toxicity And Cost-Related Imaging Nonadherence In Pediatric Outpatient Imaging, Shireen E Hayatghaibi, Gregory L Jordan, Tucker Hansen, Amy E Ensing, Aditi Gupta, Evan A Mihalakakos, Bin Zhang, Pradipta Debnath, Carrie C Coughlin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Financial toxicity, defined as the financial burden and stress experienced due to medical costs, is increasingly recognized as a key patient-reported outcome and has been linked to cost-related non-adherence in adult populations. However, its prevalence and impact in pediatric imaging are unknown. We examined the prevalence and predictors of financial toxicity among families of children undergoing outpatient imaging and its association with imaging non-adherence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey of parental caregivers of children (< 18 years of age) undergoing outpatient imaging at two free standing children's hospitals in the U.S. (July 2024-May 2025). Financial toxicity was measured using the adapted FACIT-COST instrument and scores < 26 indicated high financial toxicity. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between family characteristics and high financial toxicity.

RESULTS: Among 399 caregivers, the mean FACIT-COST score was 24.6 (SD 10.2), and 49% were categorized as having …

Kirschner Wire Skeletal Fixation In The Hand And Wrist: Risk Of Infection And Predictors Of Progression To Major Complications, Mitchell S Mologne, Julia M Perugini, Nicholas A Calotta, Lindley B Wall, Charles A Goldfarb

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: Kirschner wire (K-wire) infections continue to be a challenge in hand surgery. Our purpose was to quantify the frequency of K-wire site infections of the hand and wrist, to tabulate major and minor infectious manifestations, to identify factors that may predispose a patient to major complications, and to generate an updated algorithm for prognostication and treatment of K-wire site infections.

METHODS: Patients treated with K-wires in the fingers, hand, and wrist who developed infections between 2018 and 2024 at our institution were identified. Information regarding patient factors, injury, treatment, and subsequent infectious complications was collected. Variables from single variable …

Achilles Tendon Injuries In Major League Soccer: A 10-Year Analysis Of Injury Rate, Return To Play, And Performance Metrics, Brian Forsythe, Catherine Hand, Francis Hand, Henry Eilen, Matthew Varano, Jared Sasaki, Camden Bohn, Anne Timmermann, Lauren Fertig, Eric Giza, Robert H Brophy, Bert Mandelbaum, Kirk Mccullough

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the Achilles tendon, such as tears or ruptures, are commonly observed among elite athletes. These injuries can be debilitating for professional soccer players, leading to prolonged recovery and potential performance declines.

PURPOSE: To investigate the annual incidence, return-to-play (RTP) duration, and postinjury performance outcomes of Major League Soccer (MLS) players who sustained Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: This retrospective matched-cohort study evaluated MLS players with Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021, identified through the MLS Injury Surveillance database, and compared outcomes, including RTP duration, between …

Language And Sound Exposure Across Neonatal Intensive Care Hospitalization And Relationships With Early Outcome, R Pineda, L J Woodward, Z A Vesoulis, C D Smyser, T E Inder, A M Mathur, B L Schlaggar

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: Examine relationships between quantitative measures of language and sound exposure in the NICU and infant neurobehavior.

STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-four preterm infants (≤28 weeks of gestation) had language and sound exposure measured across four time points: within two weeks of birth and at 30, 34, and 35-41 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Neurobehavior was assessed at 35-41 weeks PMA using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales.

RESULTS: Higher average decibel levels in the NICU environment were associated with lower infant orientation scores (p = 0.04, β = -0.33). Higher peak decibel levels were associated with greater hypertonia (p = 0.01, β = …

Effects Of Beverage Color During Mouth Rinsing On Measures Of Muscular Endurance, Muscular Strength, And Exercise Perceptions During Isometric Handgrip Testing, Sydney Andrews

Exercise Science Theses & Dissertations

Previous research has shown that color can influence psychological responses, physiological responses, and exercise performance. These effects have been previously attributed to learned associations or expectations which may influence exercise-related outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether beverage color influences muscular performance during intermittent isometric handgrip exercise. This randomized, single-blind, deceptive crossover study consisted of 34 physically active adults (21.9±3.1 years) who completed a handgrip endurance test under three conditions: red beverage rinse, clear beverage rinse, and no-rinse. Participants were informed that the study would examine the effects of mouth rinsing two commercially available carbohydrate containing sport drinks on muscular …

The Impact Of Liberalism On State Hard Power, Allen Wayne Hammerquist

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the impact of liberalism on innovation, corruption, and, subsequently, state hard power in the international order. It hypothesizes that political, economic, and information freedoms facilitate the evolution of ideas and reduce corruption in society, resulting in a more efficient economy and greater wealth, income, and GDP per capita and, subsequently, greater state economic and military power. It employs four basic statistical models. The first two models examine the statistical relationship between domestic freedoms and innovation and corruption. They use a variety of metrics to measure the three key types of power that constitute the pillars of Western …