Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index In Relation To Hospital Characteristics And Social Determinants Of Health, Philipp Lirk

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective

Substantial investments have been made in hospital emergency preparedness. The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index (HMSPI) has been proposed as a metric to assess health system readiness. This index summarizes hospital system characteristics, space and facilities, staff availability, and supply planning.

Methods

The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between the HMSPI and characteristics of the respective hospitals, including size, type, location, performance on the Hospital Resilience Index (HRI), and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).

Results

Higher HMSPI scores were found in suburban compared to rural hospitals, a higher HMSPI in larger hospitals with greater patient volumes and …

Evaluating Knowledge Of Emergency Procedures For Top Hazards Among Hospital Staff, Aisha Zahid

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Hospitals serve as frontline responders during public health emergencies, but the effectiveness of their response relies heavily on staff awareness and engagement with emergency preparedness training. This capstone project assesses hospital staff’s baseline knowledge of procedures for responding to the top emergency hazards. These hazards were selected based on Nebraska Medicine’s biannual Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA), which identifies fire, severe weather events, and winter storms as high-priority risks requiring consistent staff readiness. Despite the existence of emergency procedures and training materials, literature reveals limited data on staff knowledge of these procedures across different hazards. This study, conducted at a large …

The Road To Regulation: A Literature Review Of The Influences On The Updated Silica Standards, Skye M. Medcraft

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Silica is a hazardous compound that poses a risk to human health resulting from dust creating activities across various industries. Several agencies, including OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) have adopted regulatory oversight of silica exposure in the workplace. As more research has been conducted on silica exposure, the health effects are becoming better described, which has led to the creation and updating of exposure regulations to protect worker health. The objective of this literature study is to review the data presented to the Department of Labor and discuss how the factors that …

Barriers To Parental Engagement In Early Childhood Education, Jordan E. Clark

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Parental engagement in early childhood education has long been recognized as a foundational contributor to children's academic success. However, many families face persistent barriers that limit their participation. This study examined three primary obstacles to parental engagement: disabilities, socioeconomic status, and underdeveloped parent–teacher relationships. The findings suggested that intentional, community-centered approaches effectively reduce barriers to engagement, strengthen school–family partnerships, and offer replicable models for promoting equitable participation in early childhood education settings. To bring these strategies to life, the study included a family engagement event developed in collaboration with a childcare center serving children with developmental delays, which provided a …

Supporting At-Risk Students Through Alternative Education: A Case Study On Reintegration, Behavior, And Stakeholder Perceptions At Sharpie Academy, Bryan O'Neal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a mixed-methods case study examining the effectiveness of Sharpie Academy, an alternative education program within the Chalkboard Champions School District. The study investigated three central research questions: (1) How does participation in the alternative learning environment at Sharpie Academy influence students' behavior upon reintegration into the traditional education setting? (2) What are the perceptions of parents, teachers, and community members regarding the program's outcomes? (3) How do these perceptions influence stakeholder support for the academy? Data was collected from 121 participants, including 43 students and 78 adult stakeholders, using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and document analysis. …

Programmable Network Approaches To Resilience And Security In Phasor Measurement Unit Networks, Zhiyao He

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The security and resilience of smart grids are critical for ensuring reliable and stable power delivery. As modern power systems evolve to incorporate more advanced sensing and control capabilities, Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) have become an important source of high-frequency, time-synchronized measurements that support wide-area monitoring, control, and protection. However, the growing complexity of smart grids and their reliance on real-time communication expose them to a range of cyber threats, including data loss, tampering, and coordinated attacks. This dissertation explores the use of programmable network technologies, particularly P4-based programmable switches, to provide in-network solutions that enhance the reliability and security …

“No Man Is An Island:” A Critical Discourses Analysis Of Newspaper Reporting On The Marshallese Community In Northwest Arkansas, Johana Vazquez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine local newspaper coverage of the Marshallese community in Northwest Arkansas from 1998 to 2017 and analyze discourses that could be attributed to linguistic bias, stereotypes, and Pacific transnationalism. This analysis examines how marginalized immigrants are portrayed in local news coverage using a critical discourse analysis (CDA). The study analyzes the labels and metaphors used in the coverage of Marshallese immigration, adapts the Stereotype Content Model for a discourse analysis, and compares the experiences of Marshallese in the area with larger scholarly work on Pacific transnationalism. The researcher analyzed 11 published pieces from …

High Test-Retest Reliability Of Nucleus Accumbens Activity During Reward Anticipation, Nathaniel Bouton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent research has questioned the reliability of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI). The findings suggest poor test-retest reliability of FMRI measures across brain areas and tasks, and specifically in subcortical brain areas during reward-related tasks. Further, data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study showed low reliability and low stability of the fitted coefficients from whole-brain regression analyses of the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task. However, optimizing methods might improve reliability, for example: (1) acquiring single-band rather than multi-band FMRI sequences, (2) extracting raw activity rather than fitted coefficients, and (3) honing analyses to target brain areas during specific …

Influence Of Food Insecurity On Adolescent Mental Health: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Sarah Foss

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Food insecurity is a growing public health concern with significant implications for adolescent mental health. This literature review provides an overview of current research on the relationship between food insecurity and adolescents’ mental health in the United States. A literature review was completed to identify studies examining the association between food insecurity and anxiety, depression, or attention deficit disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Evidence shows that the experience of food insecurity in adolescence is associated with a higher risk of developing or experiencing an exacerbation of anxiety, depression, or ADD/ ADHD. This review utilizes the socioecological model to explain …

A Literature Review: Back Injuries Affecting Certified Nursing Assistants In Nursing Facilities, Nesta Nsembene-Ntoutoume

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are at a higher risk of back injuries in healthcare, particularly in long-term care settings. This literature review assessed the primary causes of these injuries and the efficacy of current interventions, particularly Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs. A total of 26 peer-reviewed articles were published between 2014 and 2025, including experimental simulations, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, quasi-experimental training interventions, and evaluations of SPHM programs. Across the literature, the primary contributors to back injuries included high physical workload, inadequate ergonomic design, limited access to assistive devices, and staff shortage.

Experimental and biomechanical studies have demonstrated …

Linking Training To Confidence: A Literature Review On Advancing Nutrition Environments In Child Care Programs, Jeanne M. Vanorsdal

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This comprehensive literature review examined child care nutrition training interventions using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand how to increase providers’ ability to serve nutritious food. By analyzing HBM constructs such as perceived severity, benefits, and barriers, the review assessed how training influences provider abilities and identified barriers and facilitators to consistently offering healthy meals and snacks. Studies were 1) published in English; 2) research conducted in the United States; 3) population involved home-based or center-based child care providers caring for children from birth to age 5; 4) articles published from January 1, 2015, to October 5, 2025; 5) …

Infectious Disease Crisis Communication After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Macy Lloyd

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has experienced a proliferation of mis- and disinformation, an increasing politicization of health and science, and growing distrust in government, science, and institutions. While these trends present challenges for normal public health communications, during a public health emergency, such as an infectious disease outbreak, these challenges are even more acute. To address challenges at the local level, health departments need plans, products, and tools that adapt health crisis communications to the current media environment and meet community members where they are across the trust continuum. To develop an infectious disease incident communication plan, …

Local Government Standing As State Standing, Katharine Cooney, Katherine Mims Crocker

Faculty Scholarship

It is increasingly common, and controversial, for local governments to bring lawsuits as plaintiffs in federal court. Many questions about this practice raise matters that sound in policy. But some, including the issue of standing to sue, also raise issues of constitutional law. How local governments fit into standing rules should reflect how they fit into the U.S. constitutional system more broadly. As the Supreme Court put it in the famous (and infamous) 1907 case Hunter v. City of Pittsburgh, "[m]unicipal corporations are political subdivisions of the State, created as convenient agencies for exercising such of the governmental powers of …

A Narrative Case Study Exploration Of The Impact Of A Youth Development Program On Black Male High School Graduates, Christopher J. Means

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative narrative case study was to explore how eight recent Black male high school graduates perceived the impact of their participation in a 6-week youth development organization based in a Midwestern U.S. city between 2019 and 2024. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and the review of program documents, including handbooks, logic models, and annual reports. The data were analyzed thematically using both inductive and deductive coding methods guided by the positive youth development framework.

Five key themes emerged: mentorship and professionalism, confidence and public voice, time management and discipline, navigating societal barriers, and visions …

Running The Race Twice As Hard: A Phenomenological Study On The Academic And Athletic Experiences Of Black Female College Student-Athletes At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwi), Jazmin Dunham

Education Doctoral

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black female college student-athletes at Division III predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Although Title IX and NCAA reforms expanded access to athletics, Black female student athletes continued to face unique challenges related to race, gender, and representation. These athletes often struggled with social isolation, microaggressions, and a lack of institutional and cultural support, which affected both academic performance and athletic participation. The study applied the theoretical framework of intersectionality to analyze how overlapping identities shaped these women’s experiences and contributed to broader patterns of marginalization in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. …

The Need For Mentorship For Black Women Ascending To C-Suite Position In Nonprofit Human Service Organizations: A Qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Nkem Norris

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of five Black women who ascended to C-suite positions within nonprofit human service organizations. This study sought to understand how these women navigated systemic barriers, developed leadership identities, and leveraged or lacked mentorship opportunities throughout their professional journeys. Drawing on intersectionality theory, the research examines how race and gender intersect leadership trajectories, access to mentorship, and systemic barriers. The research highlights the critical importance of culturally responsive mentorship, inclusive organizational practices, and intentional leadership development strategies. This study offers actionable insights for nonprofit leaders and …

Did Copyright Fail Music Artists?, Rachel Landy

Articles

Music soundtracks our lives, supports over two million domestic jobs annually, and is listened to more than ever before. The record industry is thriving, having made over $17 billion in 2024. Yet, many professional artists are barely surviving. Artists signed to record deals lament royalty payments that amount to a fraction of a penny for each stream of their songs. So where is all the money going, and who, or what, is to blame? Public rhetoric and existing legislative proposals implicate copyright as a guilty party. But are those concerns justified?

This Article unpacks the music supply chain. It builds …

Nursing Students’ Attitudes Regarding Technical Standards For Entrance Into A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program, Jordyn Cook

Honors Theses

Admission into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program requires students to meet specific criteria including a non-negotiable set of technical standards. Technical standards encompass physical abilities including twisting, bending, and handling objects of varying weights (Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science, n.d.). While physical capabilities may hold significance in bedside nursing, the American Nurses Association does not establish specific physical qualifications (American Nurses Association, 2010). Due to admission criteria and technical standards, individuals with disabilities are rarely found among career nurses and nursing students (Leslie & Miller, 2020).

This study aims to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards …

Servant-Leadership Books In Brief: Seven Recently Published Books On Servant-Leadership, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Thinking back to when I began working in the servantleadership field in 1990, there were two books and a dozen essays on servant-leadership that had been written by Robert K. Greenleaf. Thirty-five years later, so much has changed. Today, there is a burgeoning area of books, journals, articles, essays, and so much more written on a wide array of servant-leadership topics. Much has been written by servant-leadership scholars and practitioners alike, and there is tremendous value to be found in the engaging writings of authors.

On Servant-Leadership And Aging, Kathleen Patterson, Larry C. Spears

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

In 1986, at the age of 83, Robert Greenleaf wrote what would become his last published essay titled, “Old Age: The Ultimate Test of Spirit—An Essay on Preparation” (Greenleaf, 1986). That last phrase, “An Essay on Preparation,” suggests a preparation for death. And while there is an element of that aspect in the essay, the greater emphasis in Greenleaf’s final essay is upon how each of us can take steps to create a life that each of us can say as we near its end, was well-lived.

Preface To Song's "What Must I Do? Servant-Leadership And Choice", Shann Ray Ferch

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Dr. Jiying Song’s research on servant-leadership integrates archival work on Robert K. Greenleaf’s manuscripts with contemporary leadership theory. Her analysis of themes such as greatness, responsibility, and personal growth illuminates the ethical foundations of legitimate power, fostering dialogue on leadership that promotes community, foresight, and global well-being.

A Collection Of Greenleaf's Works, Robert K. Greenleaf, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

A collection of works written by Robert K. Greenleaf and compiled and edited by Dr. Jiying Song.

The Role Of Servant-Leadership And Employee Work Engagement On Employee Innovative Work Behaviour: An Emerging Economy Perspective, S. M. Ashik Hossain, Muhammad Abdul Aziz

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

This study investigates the impact of servant-leadership (SL) and employee work engagement (EWE) on the innovative work behaviour (IWB) of the professionals in a developing country’s perspective. Besides, the mediation impact of EWE between the SL and IWB link has been assessed that created unique contribution to the literature. This quantitative research utilized cross-sectional survey design where data has been collected using both paper based and online survey. Using structured questionnaire, we collected responses from 215 professionals from manufacturing and service sectors who are working at mid-levels and semi-mid-levels positions in different organizations in Bangladesh. The descriptive analysis and normality …

A Reconceptualization Of Servant-Leadership And Measurement, Lori Doyle, Larry H. Ludlow

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-Leadership (SL) has been gaining traction as an evidence-based leadership theory and there are a range of existing measurement tools focused on self-report attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and behaviors. Concordia University Irvine has embedded a SL framework throughout all programs of study offered by the School of Education in order to encourage current and future education professionals in their understanding of servant-leadership as an effective way to lead. It was determined that a published instrument did not exist for measuring knowledge growth as a pre- and post-test focused on increased understanding. Work to define SL in terms of four specific virtues …

Investigating The Feasibility Of Practicing Servant-Leadership In Hong Kong School Environment: An Exploratory Study, Keyi Zhang, Wing Shan Chan, Benedict S. K. Shum, Daniel H. K. Chow

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Servant-leadership is an emerging area of study in leadership research that emphasises a people-oriented leader-follower relationship and a humanistic approach to leadership behaviour. Due to the limited research on servant-leadership, this study adopts an exploratory approach to examine the applicability of Cheung’s servant-leadership model in Hong Kong schools. Our research investigates both the practical implementation of this model and the challenges encountered in translating theory into practice. We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve experienced school leaders who had participated in a long-running servant-leadership training programme. The interview transcripts were analysed to assess the twelve servant-leadership qualities outlined in the model. …

A Pilot Study Investigating The Impact Of Cigarette Smoking On Oral Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria Within The Oral Microbiome, Tomas L Nicholas, Raul Bescos, Amazon Doble, Katie Muddiman, Paul Kellett, Abish S Stephen, Lisa Du Toit, Robert Witton, Zoë Ls Brookes

Peninsula Dental School

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of cigarette smoke on the activity and abundance of oral nitrate reducing bacteria (ONRB) in vivo and in vitro.Materials and MethodsAn observational study comprising of eleven cigarette smokers and thirty-one non-smokers. A saliva and nitrate-rinse sample were collected from each participant to analyse salivary biomarkers and the activity and abundance of ONRB in vivo. Additionally, the effect of cigarette smoke on the nitrate-reducing activity of four Rothia species was investigated in vitro.ResultsThe beta diversity of the oral microbiome was significantly different between smokers and non-smokers (P = 0.0063). Neisseria flavescens and Actinomyces oris were significantly higher …

Gender Matters: A State-Of-The-Art Review Of Transcatheter Structural Interventions In Older Women Vs Men, Jing Liu, Radmila Lyubarova, Jennifer Riggs, Jina Chung, Puja Kiran Mehta, Simrat Kaur, Abdulla Al Damluji, Vasilis Babaliaros, Leslie Cho

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

With rising life expectancy, the population of older adults over the age of 65 is rapidly expanding, with women comprising the majority. Structural heart disease is common in this group, and transcatheter interventions have transformed its management. Optimal outcomes require careful consideration of sex-specific differences. This review examines transcatheter structural heart interventions in older adults with a focus on sex-based outcomes, procedural planning, and current knowledge gaps.

Abca4-Mutant Human Retinal Organoids Sequencing Reveals Organoids Application In Inherited Retinal Diseases, Yourong Bao, Sujung Soh, Jean Li, Zhen Zuo, Salma Ferdous, Xinye Qian, Jin Li, Jiaxiong Lu, Xuesen Cheng, Anna Matynia, Yumei Li, Rui Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In the studies of Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs), the knockout of traditional animal models like mice often fails to accurately replicate human phenotypes due to genetic and anatomical differences. Human retinal organoids (ROs) derived from stem cells have emerged as promising developmental models in retinal studies to delineate cell growth, but their ability to represent the characteristics of late-onset IRDs remains unclear. This study aims to validate ROs as a disease model for Stargardt's Disease (STGD) caused by ABCA4 mutations. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, ROs from 2 STGD patients were compared with healthy control-derived ROs at two developmental stages on …

Adenovirus Types In Us Children Hospitalized Or Seen In The Emergency Department With Acute Respiratory Illness, 2016-2019, Tess Stopczynski, Varvara Probst, Adam Gailani, Justin Z Amarin, Olla Hamdan, Haya Hayek, Laura S Stewart, Herdi K Rahman, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer E Schuster, Christopher J Harrison, Mary E Moffatt, Marian G Michaels, John V Williams, Julie A Boom, Leila C Sahni, Vasanthi Avadhanula, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P Schlaudecker, Christina Quigley, Geoffrey A Weinberg, Peter G Szilagyi, Janet A Englund, Eileen J Klein, Aaron T Curns, Heidi L Moline, Ariana P Toepfer, James D Chappell, Andrew J Spieker, Natasha B Halasa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common cause of pediatric acute respiratory illness (ARI), contributing to 5-13% of cases worldwide. Clinical manifestations vary by HAdV species and type; therefore, delineating type-specific disease presentations and understanding severity of specific HAdV types' disease may help develop targeted interventions.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective study within the New Vaccine Surveillance Network to characterize HAdV types. Children < 18 years old with ARI were enrolled in the emergency department or inpatient setting at 7 US children's hospitals from 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2019. Respiratory specimens were collected and tested for HAdV and other viruses. Subsequently, typing was conducted on HAdV specimens using single-plex real-time PCR assays targeting sequences in the hexon gene. Comparisons between HAdV types were performed to determine differences in characteristics and outcomes. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate severity.

Results: Among the 1843 HAdV-positive cases, 1402 specimens (76%) were typed. The most common types detected were HAdV-C1 (n = 439), HAdV-C2 (n = 393), and HAdV-B3 (n = 221). Children with HAdV-B7 (n = 78) …

Bypassing Cisplatin Resistance In Nrf2 Hyperactivated Head And Neck Cancer Through Effective Pi3kinase Targeting, Pedram Yadollahi, Kelli A Mccord, Yang Li, Hussam Dayoub, Kalil Saab, Fonma Essien, Sean Hyslop, Emerald Kan, Kazi M Ahmed, Parker R Kirby, Vasanta Putluri, Chandra Shekar R Ambati, Karthik Reddy Kami Reddy, Patricia Castro, Heath D Skinner, Cristian Coarfa, William K Decker, Abdullah A Osman, Rutulkumar Patel, Jeffrey N Myers, Stephen Y Lai, Nagireddy Putluri, Faye M Johnson, Mitchell J Frederick, William H Hudson, Vlad C Sandulache

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), failure of definitive radiation combined with cisplatin nearly universally results in death. Although hyperactivation of the Nrf2 pathway can drive radiation and cisplatin resistance along with suppressed anti-tumor immunity, treatment-refractory HNSCC tumors may retain sensitivity to targeted agents secondary to synergistic lethality with other oncogenic drivers (e.g., NOTCH1 mutations).

Methods: Using state of the science mechanistic, metabolomic and spatial transcriptomic approaches combined with preclinical models of HNSCC, we tested whether a novel PI3K inhibitor, gedatolisib, can bypass hyperactivation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Results: The PI3K pathway is activated in …