Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Factors Associated With High Frequency Emergency Department Use By Children And Young People: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Akshay Kumar, Rebecca M Simpson, Kerryn Husk, Graham D Johnson, Chris Burton

Peninsula Medical School

Objective To explore drivers of high frequency emergency department (ED) use by children and young people, particularly among those attending EDs most often.Design A population-based retrospective cohort study using routinely collected linked healthcare data.Setting EDs in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK.Patients 288 545 children and young people aged 17 and under making at least one ED attendance in the year period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.Main outcome measures ED attendances made by individuals in the year period.Results Of the 288 545 distinct children and young people making at least one attendance to an ED, 27 …

Plastic Progress Or Plastic Paralysis?, Andrew Rowan, Kathleen Rowan

WellBeing News

This article explores the growing global plastic crisis, highlighting why recycling alone cannot keep pace with rising plastic production and calling for stronger efforts to reduce unnecessary plastics and improve waste management.

More Than Companionship: How Dogs May Improve Human Well-Being, Andrew Rowan

WellBeing News

Dogs enrich our lives in countless ways, but studies indicate that dog ownership is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and longer survival after major heart events. Explore what the science says in this article.

A Reduced-Order Framework For Stochastic Criticality Estimation In Granular Energetic Materials, Philip T. Melton

LSU Master's Theses

Granular energetic materials (EMs) exhibit stochastic shock initiation because pore collapse, frictional dissipation, and localized thermal activation depend on microstructural descriptors that vary between nominally identical samples. Fully resolved mesoscale and atomistic calculations can represent these mechanisms, but their computational cost limits direct ensemble evaluation of microstructure-conditioned criticality thresholds. This thesis introduces a reduced-order framework for stochastic criticality estimation in granular EMs by coupling five explicitly defined model components: first, a one-dimensional steady compaction-shock model that maps initial solid volume fraction and shock pressure to a bulk mass-specific dissipated-work budget; second, an SEM/synthetic-image segmentation workflow that extracts pore area, perimeter, …

Virtual Lunch And Learn: Finding And Using Validated Surveys In Health Science Research, Stephanie Lapka

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Finding and Using Validated Surveys in Health Science Research on July 31, 2026 at noon.

Finding the right measurement tool can be challenging. In this month’s Lunch & Learn, discover how to find reliable, evidence-based measurement tools and determine whether a survey is the right fit for your research project.

Register to attend this virtual session!

July 15, 2026 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Unilateral Soft Palate Paralysis, Vitorino Modesto Dos Santos, Kin Modesto Sugai, Rafael Campos Nunes

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Perception Of Substance Addiction Among Medical Students Of Al-Zahraa College Of Medicine In Basrah, 2023, Jhood Abdul Samad Molan, Ziyad Tariq Maki, Anfal Mohammed, Fatima Hani Jaber, Noor Alhuda Abdul Wahab, Noor Alhuda Hameed, Noor Riyadh

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Substance abuse is a persistent global problem. It can have multiple effects on behavioral and cognitive functions and may lead to psychological symptoms. This global epidemic not only harms individual health but also adversely affects the psychological and moral well-being of society. The prevalence of substance abuse is increasing worldwide, with a more rapid rise in developing countries. Youth constitutes the primary population at risk for substance abuse in each country. Aim: The study aimed to assess substance use-related literacy among the second and fifth-year students of Al-Zahraa College of Medicine in Basrah. Methods: This study included 158 second- …

Socioeconomic Status, Nutritional Risk, And Glycemic Outcomes In The Diabetes Population At Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Iraq, Huda Abdulsattar Mazeal

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Diabetes mellitus, encompassing both type 1 and type 2, represents a significant global health burden. Socioeconomic status (SES), nutritional risk, and glycemic outcomes are interrelated determinants of disease management. Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between SES, nutritional risk, and glycemic outcomes among diabetic patients at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Iraq. By analyzing demographic, clinical, and nutritional characteristics, the research seeks to identify predictors of poor nutritional status and uncontrolled glycemia to inform targeted interventions and health policy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2025 at the Diabetes Center, Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, …

Correlation Between Voice Handicap Index-10 Score And Auditory Perceptual Evaluation In Lebanese And Iraqi Patients: Impact Of Cultural Disparity, Abdul-Latif Hamdan, Zeina Maria Semaan, Omar Aboul Hosn, Jonathan Abou Chaar, Maher Kasti, Batoul Jaber

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Voice disorders are prevalent, impacting nearly 25% of adults, with even higher rates among who rely on their voices professionally. Contributing factors include smoking, poor vocal hygiene, and environmental conditions. These factors can disrupt laryngeal biomechanics, leading to functional and structural voice disorders, which can cause communication issues and diminished productivity. Evaluation methods encompass subjective evaluations, such as self-reported quality of life scales, alongside objective auditory perceptual evaluations. This study aims to establish a correlation between self-reported vocal handicap and perceptual voice evaluation, while also investigating the influence of cultural factors on auditory perceptual evaluation, specifically comparing Lebanese …

Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis In Β -Thalassemia Intermedia: A Case Report, Rawshan Zuhair Jaber

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a serious complication that may occur post-splenectomy in patients with β -thalassemia intermedia. This complication is particularly prevalent among individuals with iron overload and protein C and S deficiencies. Diagnostic investigations for PVT include blood tests and imaging assessments, such as abdominal Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography (CT). Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for the diagnosis and management of PVT, with improved outcomes associated with early anticoagulant therapy. Surgical thrombectomy is rarely recommended in such cases. The prognosis for PVT in patients who are not cirrhotic and do not have cancer is favorable, with …

Role Of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage In The Management Of Infected Acute Pancreatic Necrosis, Wasam A. Al-Asadi, Bahaa K. Al-Neama

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is often complicated by pancreatic collections. Symptomatic collections typically require intervention, with drainage options including percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical techniques. Aim: This study aims to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the management of infected pancreatic collections associated with necrotizing pancreatitis. Methods: A randomized prospective study was conducted at a tertiary center between August 2020 and April 2022. Thirty-one patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis were enrolled and randomly assigned to either ultrasound-guided PCD (n = 20) or primary surgical necrosectomy (n = 11). Outcomes were compared …

Nasal Cockroach: A Rare Cause Of Nasal Foreign Body In A Healthy Adult Female—A Case Report, Wael J. Alshihaby

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Nasal foreign bodies are commonly encountered in pediatric patients but are relatively rare in adults. The presence of a live insect as nasal foreign bodies is an unusual occurrence that can cause significant discomfort. This report describes the case of a cockroach lodged in the right nasal cavity of an otherwise healthy adult female that was successfully removed endoscopically. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old otherwise healthy female presented with right-sided nasal discomfort and persistent rhinorrhea of two days' duration. She reported a sensation of an insect entering her right nostril but was unable to identify the insect. Nasal endoscopy revealed …

The Role Of Mental Health In Postoperative Complications: A Literature Review, Kayla Monet Alwahhamy, Abbas Rasoul Alwahhamy

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Currently, it is not standard practice to screen all surgical patients both pre- and postoperatively for either a prior history of mental health disorders (MHD) or active symptoms of MHD at the time of surgery. This is despite growing evidence that MHDs may impact wound healing and are recognized as a mortality risk factor in many patients. Aim: This review aims to evaluate existing literature examining mental health (MH) in surgical patients, assess whether there is a relationship between MHDs and postoperative complication rates, and determine whether outcomes differ based on the timing of MHD manifestation (pre- …

Clinical Outcomes And Technical Consideration In Transcatheter Closure Of Ventricular Septal Defect Closure, Khalid A. Khalid, Musaab H. Almaliki, Hala Hussam Naser

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease, with an estimated incidence of 2–6 per 1,000 live births. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous transcatheter closure of VSD using different occlusion devices in a resource-limited, real-world setting. Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted at Basra Specialized Cardiac Hospital, Iraq, including patients who underwent percutaneous transcatheter VSD closure between August 2020 and August 2024. A total of 87 patients with various VSD types were enrolled. Procedural success, immediate and follow-up residual shunt, and procedure-related complications were assessed. Results: Transcatheter …

Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Medical Students At The University Of Sulaimani, Bushra M. Ali Bajalani, Danya Nadhim Mohammed, Shoxan Othman Mohammed, Lanya Chalak Abas

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global public health and is risk factor for liver cancer. HBV spreads through contact with infected blood or semen, from infected mothers to, through sexual contact, and via unsafe medical practices such as injections, dialysis, and blood transfusions. Aim: to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students regarding hepatitis B vaccine in association with colleges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to December among undergraduate medical students from three the University of Sulaimani, Iraq. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed. Data were collectedentered into Microsoft analyzed using the Statistical Package …

Antimicrobial Susceptibility And Prevalence Of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae In Pediatric Patients In Karbala, Iraq: A Two-Year Retrospective Study, Hussein Abd Ali Mohammed Sadeq Al Her, Al-Shalah Al-Shalah, Saif A.J. Abdulrahman, Ekhlas Abdulameer Hameed Alazzawi, Noor Hussein Abdulrahman

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major pediatric pathogen causing infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, and meningitis, with heightened risk in children due to immune immaturity and hospital exposure. Aim: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from various clinical samples in pediatric cases at Karbala Children's Hospital from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Methods: This retrospective study examined 68 pediatric K. pneumoniae infection cases at Karbala Children's Hospital in Iraq from 2022 to 2023. Clinical samples, patient demographics, and antibiotic susceptibility were …

A Corpus-Based Topic Modelling And Discourse Analysis Of Pakistan-Russia Diplomatic Discourses, Muhammad Afzaal, Ahmed Bux Jamali, Syedah Nobia Zehra, Abida Kausar Chaudhary

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study explores the underlying themes and trends embedded in the diplomatic discourses of Pakistan and Russia by employing the KeyATM approach. It also identifies and compares the linguistic strategies employed to (re)shape bilateral ties between these states. The corpus of the study comprises press releases taken from the official websites of Pakistan and Russia from 2009 to 2024. The findings reveal how discourse patterns mirror geopolitical shifts, reflecting mutual interests and shared challenges while negotiating historical legacies. This research not only contributes to the understanding of Pakistan-Russia relations but also demonstrates the efficacy of KeyATM in analyzing complex, multi-dimensional …

Tau Seeds Induce Neurofibrillary Tangle Formation Across Brain Regions Via Individual-Specific Connectivity, Audrey J Weber, Bernard Ng, Kelsey M Greathouse, David A Bennett, Shinya Tasaki, Chris Gaiteri, Jeremy H Herskowitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The spread of tau pathology across the cerebral cortex is closely tied to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate mechanisms underlying tau spread, we measured bioactivity of tau seeds from inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and superior frontal gyrus (SFG) synaptosomes in 128 individuals and demonstrated that tau seed bioactivity associates with tau phosphorylation, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and cognitive impairment. Incorporating genotype data from the same individuals within a Mendelian randomization framework showed that tau seeds in ITG induce NFTs locally as well as drive tau seeds and NFTs in SFG. Integrating antemortem functional magnetic resonance imaging data from …

Ay 2026/2027 Sec Meeting Minutes, 2026-07-15, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Navigating Queer Identities In Rural Communities: The Role Of Social Support In Shaping Lgbq+ Adolescents’ Identity Development, Michaela Elaine Pierson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ+) develop their identities within complex social contexts. In rural settings, limited access to affirming resources and greater exposure to stigma may further shape identity development. Guided by social ecological and minority stress theories, this study examined whether perceived family and friend support predict identity affirmation and internalized homonegativity among rural LGBQ+ adolescents. Participants included 53 adolescents ages 13 to 18 drawn from a larger dataset. Group differences across demographic variables were examined, and regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictive role of family and friend support. No significant group …

Sophisticated Song: Exploring The Evolution And Ontogeny Of Large Repertoires And Syntax Usage In The Bachman’S Sparrow (Peucaea Aestivalis), Heather Jean Wolverton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While humans have the most complex vocal communication system, many of the features that make human language so intricate can be found in other taxa. One building block of language commonly studied in animal communication is syntax, or the organization of vocalizations. Birds, wolves, and cetaceans all display complex vocal signaling that utilizes syntax. Understanding how syntax functions in different taxa can help illuminate the evolution and development of human language and the role it plays in social cognition. The Bachman’s sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) is a species of songbird that utilizes syntax in the form of preferred transitions …

Resource Highlight: Boardvitals, Joanne Romano

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

BoardVitals is now available through the TMC Library! This online exam preparation platform provides thousands of board-style practice questions, customizable quizzes, and detailed answer explanations to help you prepare for certification and licensing exams across a variety of health professions.

Learn more and get started: https://library.tmc.edu/boardvitals-for-exam-preparation/

Start The Year Strong With Library Support, Stefanie Lapka

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

The new academic year is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to schedule a library orientation or instruction session with the TMC Library. Our librarians are here to connect your students and teams with the resources and research skills they need to succeed.

Request a library orientation or instruction session today: https://librarytmc.libwizard.com/f/Class

Applied Research In Field Crop Pathology For Indiana, 2019, Darcy E. P. Telenko

Purdue University Press Books

Applied Research in Field Crop Pathology for Indiana, 2019 serves as a summary of the applied field crop pathology research trials conducted in 2019 under the direction of the Purdue Field Crop Pathology program in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. In Indiana, there are more than 57,600 farms, 16,000 crop producers, and 900 certified crop advisers, Extension educators, and crop-protection industry representatives who manage more than 11.4 million crop-production acres with a total value of $6.3 billion annually. There are more than twenty diseases affecting corn, soybeans, and wheat that may decrease crop production and …

Climate Change, Governance Failure, And Violent Insurgency In Cabo Delgado, Hala Thabet

All Works

Contemporary literature increasingly links rising levels of armed violence in several African countries to the repercussions of climate change, particularly long-term environmental stresses such as the deterioration of agricultural livelihoods, resource scarcity, and recurrent climate shocks. However, this study argues that the relationship between climate change and violence is not an inevitable causal one, but can be understood as the result of the intersection of the failure of the post-independence nation-building project and the impacts of climate change on livelihoods and economic security. In Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, repeated climate shocks and the resulting deterioration of coastal agriculture and …

Aberrant Stat Signaling And T Cell Dysregulation Define A Targetable Pediatric Sepsis Endotype, Robert B. Lindell, Samir U. Sayed, Jose S. Campos Duran, Sydney A. Sheetz, Apoorva Babu, Montana S. Knight, Andrea A. Mauracher, Ceire A. Hay, Peyton E. Conrey, Julie C. Fitzgerald, Nadir Yehya, Stephen T. Famularo, Teresa Arroyo, Richard Tustin, Hossein Fazelinia, Edward M. Behrens, David T. Teachey, Lisa R. Forbes Satter, Alexandra F. Freeman, Jenna Re Bergerson, Steven M. Holland, Jennifer W. Leiding, Scott L. Weiss, Mark W. Hall, Deanne M. Taylor, Rui Feng, E. John Wherry, Nuala J. Meyer, Sarah E. Henrickson

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUNDSepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children, yet heterogeneous immune responses complicate the development of targeted therapies and the host immune factors driving sepsis pathobiology remain unclear.METHODSWe integrated deep immune phenotyping, plasma proteomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and phosphoflow cytometry in a prospective cohort of 88 critically ill children to elucidate the mechanisms underlying immune heterogeneity.RESULTSUnsupervised clustering of plasma cytokines identified 3 immunologic subgroups, including a high-severity group ("Group C") characterized by hypercytokinemia driven by IL-6 and IFN-γ. Group C exhibited distinct alterations in immune cell frequency and activation, with a strong association between hyperinflammatory cytokine …

Nurse Staffing Variation Viewed Through The Lens Of Institutional Isomorphism, Mara Raggi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse staffing is strongly associated with organizational and patient quality outcomes. Existing studies have not adequately explained why nurse staffing levels vary across hospitals operating under similar external institutional isomorphic pressures. Secondary and administrative datasets, along with random-effects regression models, were used to analyze 6 years of data (2014-2019) and examine the relationship between institutional factors and hospital nurse staffing in the general acute care setting. The results indicate that coercive factors of state laws were significantly associated with nurse staffing. Staffing mandates and staffing committees were significantly associated with increases in nurse staffing, while public reporting was significantly associated …

Co-Designing Translanguaging-Informed Transformative Socioemotional Learning With Bilingual Kindergarten Teachers In Colombia, Catherine Restrepo-Widney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Emergent bilingual children enter early childhood classrooms with rich, dynamic linguistic repertoires that span languages, cultural practices, and ways of knowing. Socioemotional learning (SEL) often fails to meaningfully incorporate children’s linguistic and cultural repertoires, reflecting critiques that many SEL frameworks privilege individualistic, culturally narrow competencies that may marginalize learners from diverse backgrounds. This is particularly consequential in early childhood dual language bilingual education (DLBE), where children's heritage languages are central to authentic emotional connection and identity development, and where empirical models for culturally sustaining SEL remain limited. Through a participatory design research approach structured around iterative cycles of collaborative inquiry, …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Cvid Reveals Pervasive Detrimental Noninfectious Manifestations, Robert B Lindell, Samir U Sayed, Jose S Campos Duran, Sydney A Sheetz, Apoorva Babu, Montana S Knight, Andrea A Mauracher, Ceire A Hay, Peyton E Conrey, Julie C Fitzgerald, Nadir Yehya, Stephen T Famularo, Teresa Arroyo, Richard Tustin, Hossein Fazelinia, Edward M Behrens, David T Teachey, Lisa R Forbes Satter, Alexandra F Freeman, Jenna Re Bergerson, Steven M Holland, Jennifer W Leiding, Scott L Weiss, Mark W Hall, Deanne M Taylor, Rui Feng, E John Wherry, Nuala J Meyer, Sarah E Henrickson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children, yet heterogeneous immune responses complicate the development of targeted therapies and the host immune factors driving sepsis pathobiology remain unclear.

METHODS

We integrated deep immune phenotyping, plasma proteomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and phosphoflow cytometry in a prospective cohort of 88 critically ill children to elucidate the mechanisms underlying immune heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Unsupervised clustering of plasma cytokines identified 3 immunologic subgroups, including a high-severity group (“Group C”) characterized by hypercytokinemia driven by IL-6 and IFN-γ. Group C exhibited distinct alterations in immune cell frequency and activation, with a …