Digital Commons Network^™

Digital Teaching In Midwifery Education Since 2021: A Literature Review Of Trends, Technological Advancements And Challenges, Michelle Gray, Kristina Vogel, Annette Bernloehr, Terri Downer, Melanie Welfare, Nicola H. Bauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To produce an updated synthesis of digital learning and teaching approaches in midwifery education since 2021. Background: Globally, there is an increasing trend towards using digital technologies in midwifery education with little examination of trends, terminology or impact by midwifery academics. Design: A comprehensive literature review. Methods: Ten databases were searched (2021–March 2025) guided by JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting, resulting in 36 empirical studies focusing on digital technologies used with midwifery students. The review mapped recent technological developments, associated benefits and emerging challenges. Results: Digital innovations were in 15 countries and ranged from immersive virtual reality, augmented and …

Effects Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea On Circulating Immune Cells Profiles: Evidence From Nhanes Dataset And Mendelian Randomization, Yajie Jia, Xiang Gao, Shenglong Xu, Jingli Shi, Haifeng Hou, Yanru Li, Demin Han

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on immune cell profiles by utilizing both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset and a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) method. Methods: We included 20,732 participants from the NHANES to explore the relationship between symptom defined OSA and peripheral immune cells. Additionally, we conducted a two-sample MR analysis to investigate the effect of OSA on 35 summarized peripheral immune cell properties and 731 immunophenotypes. To ensure the robustness of findings in MR analysis, we conducted a sensitivity analysis. Results: The NHANES dataset and MR analysis …

Inpatient Versus Outpatient Management Of Bilateral Optic Nerve Head Elevation Presentation To A Tertiary Emergency Department, Mengchen Suo, Johnny Lo, Fred K. Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Increased accessibility to fundus cameras has changed the referral pattern for patients with suspected bilateral optic nerve head elevation (BONHE) presenting to emergency departments (EDs). We aim to review the management of these patients to streamline the process. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with suspected BONHE referred to a tertiary centre ED between 2017 and 2022. We collected demographics, referral source, clinical assessment, neuroimaging and retinal imaging results. Final diagnosis and treatment outcomes were compared between those managed as inpatients and those managed as outpatients. Results: 100 patients were referred to the ED with a suspected BONHE. Most …

Integrative Oncology For Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Review, Kevin T. Liou, Nicole A. Metri, Robert U. Newton, Divya Ajay, Eleanor M. Walker, Channing J. Paller

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prostate cancer is most common malignancy among men in the United States. As men are now living longer with prostate cancer due to advances in treatment, there exists a growing need to manage the long-term physical and psychological sequelae of this disease, which range from genitourinary dysfunction to cardiometabolic and psychosocial consequences. Over half of men with prostate cancer report unmet needs in symptom management. Integrative oncology, a patient-centered, evidence-informed field combining lifestyle, natural product, and mind–body interventions with conventional treatments, offers a promising approach to prostate cancer symptom management. This review summarizes the current landscape of integrative oncology research …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Sorghum Polyphenol In Alzheimer’S Disease: In Vitro And In Silico Analyses, Rasheed A. Abdulraheem, Ralph N. Martins, Rajapandiyan Krishnamoorthy, Mohammad A. Alshuniaber, Prashant Bharadwaj, Zhaoyu Li, Ranil Coorey, Vijay Jayasena, Stuart K. Johnson, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background/Objective: Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) senile plaques in the human brain is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which manifests as progressive decline in memory and cognitive functions and currently lacks effective disease-modifying therapies. Emerging evidence demonstrates that polyphenol-rich plant foods are potential complementary therapies for AD. Methods: In this study, we investigated crude polyphenol extracts (CPEs) and purified polyphenol extracts (PPEs) from three sorghum genotypes for their ability to inhibit Aβ42-induced toxicity in MC-65 cells. Thioflavin T fluorescence, cell viability, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress assays, and Western blotting, along with RNA sequencing and computational analyses, were used to …

The Contribution Of Adolescent Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors To Vascular Stiffness And Cardiac Remodelling In Young Adults, Anne E. Barden, Lawrence J. Beilin, Nick S.R. Lan, Amro Sehly, Girish Dwivedi, Rae-Chi Huang, Brendan Adler, Trevor A. Mori

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Early identification of abnormalities in vascular and cardiac structure offers an opportunity for intervention to reduce future cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined factors contributing to increased CVD risk from adolescence to young adulthood. Methods and results: Raine Study participants (n = 716) classified as low- or high-CVD risk using cluster analysis at 17 years were re-studied at 27 years. Outcomes at 27 years were vascular stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular (LV), right ventricular (RV), and left atrial (LA) myocardial strain and respective ejection fractions (EF) assessed by cardiac …

The Effect Of Cyp1a2 Gene Polymorphisms On Caffeine Pharmacokinetics And Exercise Performance In Male Recreational Athletes, Chloe Masters, Ajmol Ali, Claire Badenhorst, Martin Dickens, Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined the effects of caffeine consumption on endurance exercise performance, and the influence of CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms in caffeine pharmacokinetics and exercise performance. The data sets of two randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design experiments have been merged. Thirty-eight recreationally active male participants provided saliva samples for CYP1A2 genotyping (AA homozygotes n = 19; AC heterozygotes n = 19) and completed either a 10-km run or 40-km cycling time trial of 60-min following a single dose of 6 mg·kg⁻¹ caffeine (CAF) or placebo (maltodextrin; PLA) throughout which heart rate (HR) and time to completion (TTC) were …

Fraud And Focus: Examining Self-Control Strategies In Students Experiencing Impostor Phenomenon, Francesca Angela Catalano

Theses and Dissertations

Impostor phenomenon (IP) is a common experience among individuals in achievement contexts characterized largely by feelings of self-doubt, attributions of success that focus on external factors, and beliefs that one is “fooling” others about their competence. Current research suggests the effects of IP are complex (e.g., IP is associated with higher grade point average and productivity but also self-handicapping, psychological distress, and difficulties adjusting to college). To better understand these complex effects, this study proposes a self-control perspective for IP, where this phenomenon is seen as involving additional self-control burdens. Specifically, the study examines whether IP is associated with grade …

Cellulose Membrane Performance And Properties With Focus On Dialysis Application, Juliana Marçal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 35 million individuals in the United States, with nearly 550,000 patients dependent on dialysis for survival. Chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease impose substantial burdens on patients and healthcare systems, driving demand for improved dialysis membranes with enhanced flux, selectivity, and biocompatibility. The performance of dialysis membranes plays a critical role in treatment efficiency, governing solute transport, fluid removal, and overall therapeutic outcomes. In hemodialysis, membranes must achieve an optimal balance between high permeability and selective solute rejection while maintaining mechanical stability and long-term biocompatibility. Conventional dialysis membranes are commonly fabricated from polymeric …

Valorization Of Rice Bran For Functional Film Fabrication Using Cold Plasma For Food Packaging And Biomedical Applications, Saydul Md Safwa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Over the past few years, conventional plastic packaging materials have become increasingly concerned with their environmental impact. Therefore, the demand for bioplastics has been increasing significantly over the years. Rice milling, a process that modifies paddy rice into edible rice, generates by-products such as rice bran. Rice bran has cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and protein, which makes it a potential material for bioplastic fabrication. However, like most biodegradable films, rice bran films fall short when it comes to practical packaging applications. They often lack the strength, flexibility, moisture resistance, and barrier performance needed to compete with synthetic plastics. Most importantly, …

Between Burn And Graft: Evaluating Outpatient Management In Pediatric Burn Patients, Nicholas A. Long, Alexa Cumming, Ananya Sampathkumar, Taylor Sweeney, Emma K. Young, Douglas J. Fox, Joan C. Bruce, Allen Huang, Owen N. Ferriola, Erin M. Morris, Anna Sabu Kurian, Jeannette M. Joly, Carleen V. Cuevas, Kuojen Tsao, Natalie A. Drucker

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Blood Brain Barrier Permeability Upon Exposure To Patient Plasma From Traumatic Injury, Mackenna S. Mcgraw

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Metabolic Correlates Of Suicidal Ideation In A Longitudinal Cohort Of Hospitalized Adults With Mood Disorders, Mihai Bendea, Nanako Matsuda, Ali Muhammad Lalani, Ana Cristina Ruiz, Sophia Mcinturff, Courtney Vecera, Jair C. Soares, Rodrigo Machado-Vieira, Gabriel R. Fries

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Esophagogastric Junction Assessment And Antisecretory Medication Documentation During Egd: A Preintervention Quality Improvement Analysis, Vikram R. Ekambaram, Maneera Chopra, Wasseem Skef

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Sex Differences In Surveillance Outcomes Of Thoracic Aortic Disease: Insights From The “Watchful Waiting” Study, Trang H. Do, Brian Shukwit, Minjae Lee, Siddharth K. Prakash

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Regional Hemodynamic Characterization Of The Thoracic Aorta Using 4d Flow Mri: A Single-Center Pilot Study, John H. Major

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Ai-Segmented Upper Airway Imaging Biomarkers Across The Lifespan, David L. Holt, Vishwa S. Parekh

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Implementation Study Of Aortagpt, An Ai Decision Support Tool For Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease, Noah Mathai

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Functional Characterization Of A Hepcidin Knockout Mouse Model For The Study Of Acute Pancreatitis, Andrew Schmidt, Amanda Bean, Jiajing Li, Danqing Ren, Suhair Al Salihi, Yanna Cao, Tien Ko

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Refractive Accuracy Of Iolmaster 700, Lenstar Ls 900, And Anterion For Iol Power Calculation, Travis Williams Md Ms, Mena Kozman Md, Siddhant Patil, Leon Toursarkissian, Ahmad Kheirkhah Md

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Reducing Over-Isolation: Baseline Evaluation Of Isolation Precaution Reassessment In Hospitalized Children, Laura Brambilla, Wan-Hsuan Chen

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Program Development And Implementation Of Adaptive Fishing Program At Western Michigan University Center For Disability Services, Will Harahan

Capstone Projects

Participation in meaningful leisure occupations is an essential component of health, well-being, and quality of life. Unfortunately, individuals with disabilities continue to experience numerous physical, environmental, and social barriers that limit participation in community-based recreational activities. Recreational fishing has emerged as an inclusive outdoor leisure occupation that promotes physical activity, social participation, confidence, and emotional well-being when appropriate adaptations and supports are available. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop, implement, and evaluate an adaptive fishing program for participants enrolled in the Western Michigan University Center for Disability Services (CDS) Skill Building Program. Guided by occupational therapy principles, …

The Vision-Enhanced Occupational Engagement Program, Zakoria Q Fox Mcelroy, Rebecca King

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Low vision is a significant concern among older adults and can affect independence, mobility, safety, social participation, and overall quality of life. As the aging population continues to grow, understanding the challenges experienced by older adults with low vision is increasingly important for improving supportive services and promoting healthy aging.

Purpose: This capstone project examined the experiences and needs of older adults living with low vision, with a focus on how vision loss and environmental factors may influence daily functioning, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations.

Methods: A multi-method needs assessment was completed to identify the needs of residents …

Climate Change Education For Environmental Sustainability In Health Professions Education: A Modified Delphi, Moses Mutua, Mirriam Kivuva

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Correlation Between Overthinking And Procrastination Behavior Among Nurses, Mona Hassan Abdelaal

Nursing

ABSTRACT Context: A key challenge in understanding internalizing psychological disorders is identifying the cognitive processes that sustain distress and disrupt effective functioning. Recurrent, hard-to-interrupt thinking patterns may interfere with individuals’ ability to initiate and complete intended tasks. Concurrently, individuals may persistently delay necessary actions despite recognizing their negative consequences, indicating a breakdown between intention and behavior. This pattern of delay appears to be associated with seeking short term emotional relief, reduced consideration of future outcomes, and avoidance of prolonged effort. While these issues have been studied independently, their overlapping mechanisms require further investigation. The potential role of repetitive cognitive processes …

The Study Of How Sensory Marketing Techniques Used By Beauty Brands Influence Engagement And Consumer Perception On Social Media Platforms, Particularly By Evoking Specific Consumer Emotions, Eeshani Juthani

Digital Marketing Theses

This study describes how a consumers' attitude towards beauty products on social media is affected by sensory marketing techniques and cues. This study also examines how sensory marketing tactics and elements such as sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste affects the way a consumer engages with content on social media platforms like Tiktok and Instagram.

Hiding In Plain Sight: A Case Of Intestinal Tuberculosis Masquerading As Benign Lower Gi Bleeding, Lavender Otom, Priyanka Panwar, Gerald Odong, Fatma Kassim, Patricia Okiro, Christopher Opio, Saleem Abdulkarim

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) represents the most common form of abdominal TB, often affecting the ileocaecal region. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is an uncommon presentation and may create significant diagnostic uncertainty, particularly in immunocompromised patients and in settings where inflammatory bowel disease is also encountered.

Case Presentation A woman in her sixties from Africa presented with recurrent diarrhoea and intermittent haematochezia over a 6-month period. Initial endoscopic evaluation was nondiagnostic. Cross-sectional imaging later demonstrated multifocal bowel involvement affecting both the small and large bowel, including ileocaecal and rectoanal disease, with associated abdominopelvic lymphadenopathy. Histopathology from repeat colonoscopy biopsy showed caseating granulomas …

May Measurement Month 2023: Results Of An Opportunistic Blood Pressure Screening Campaign In Kenya, Mzee Ngunga, Thomas Beaney, Gabriele Kerr, Bernard Samia, Lilian Mbau, Neil Poulter, Hellen Nguchu, Jeilan Mohamed, Elijah Ogola

Internal Medicine, East Africa

The May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global screening campaign launched in 2017 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Kenya has participated in all previous MMM campaigns. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling in nine counties of Kenya. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP < 140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 4,601 were screened, with a mean age of 41.7 years and 42.7% were female. Of all participants, 1,176 (25.6%) had hypertension, of whom 198 (16.8%) were aware, and 190 (16.2%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 65 (34.2%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 5.5% had controlled BP. The mean systolic and diastolic BPs of those on treatment was significantly higher than those without hypertension. Hypertensive disease in a previous pregnancy was associated with higher BP amongst female participants.

The MMM campaign in Kenya identified a substantial …

Thermal Transport Tuning Via Nanoscale Hierarchical Frameworks For Fe2val Thermoelectric Materials, Apoorva Pradip Joshi

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Waste heat represents a vast, untapped energy resource. Thermoelectric materials offer a promising route to harvest this energy by directly converting thermal gradients into electricity. The Heusler alloy Fe2VAl is a prime candidate for such applications because it is non-toxic and cost-effective. However, its intrinsically-high thermal conductivity severely limits performance. A detailed understanding of thermal transport mechanisms is therefore essential for improving its thermoelectric efficiency. This work examines the effect of atomic disorder on the thermal transport behaviour of Fe2VAl. We use germanium doping to introduce atomic-scale disorder and demonstrate a substantial reduction in thermal conductivity, from 28 W/m-K in …

Current Trends In Remote Sensing-Based Harmful Algal Bloom Research: A Bibliometric Analysis, Joshua T. Ruiz

Research Papers

No abstract provided.