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Seeing Resilience Through Experience: Teachers' Resilience Experiences Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Yashica Dudley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological was to describe the post-COVID-19 resilience experiences of 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers at Hope County Public School (HCPS). The theory that guided this study is the differing pathways to resiliency theory, as it was used to describe teachers’ resilience experiences regarding the outlook on work, self-efficacy, and coping responses. The central research question was, “What are the post-COVID-19 resilience experiences of 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers at the HCPS in the classroom?” Participants included 10-15 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers who taught before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected through …

The Impact Of The Mental Health Epidemic On Recruitment And Retention Of High School Male Singers, Trish Gladstone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative methods study examines the impact of the mental health pandemic on the recruitment and retention of male choral members in Pennsylvania high school music choral programs since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment in many choral programs increased since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of male enrollment is rising slower than ever. This thesis explores existing literature, personal interviews, and student focus group results to understand how mental health affects male singers quitting or remaining in the choral program. Research and investigations into the impact of the mental health pandemic in choral classrooms …

Evaluating The Impact Of Anti-Vaccine Online Search Trends During The Covid-19 Pandemic On Adolescent Pertussis-Containing Vaccine Completion, Deborah L. Fisher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent completion of pertussis-containing vaccines is a public health concern, especially with rising online anti-vaccine misinformation. Incomplete vaccination increases risk for preventable diseases and impacts community health. A gap in the literature on the relationship between online anti-vaccine search trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescent pertussis vaccine completion was addressed in this quantitative, repeated cross-sectional study. Andersen’s behavioral model of health services use guided the study. Secondary data from the 2019 and 2022 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) compared adolescents aged 13–17 in the five U.S. states with the highest (n=5,464) versus the five with the lowest (n=3.031) population-adjusted anti-vaccine …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Sub-Sahara African Catholic Priests On Their Transition Through The Covid-19 Global Pandemic In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Cornelius Kelechi Anyanwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests …

Computational Approach: 3d-Qsar, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigations, Drug- Like-Ness, And Dft Score Evaluation Of A Potential Novel And Retrosynthesis Of Some Tr-H Derivatives As Streptococcus Pneumoniae Drug., Belaidi Mustapha, Tchouar Noureddine, Djelilate Mohammed, Saleh Bufarwa, Dalal K. Thbayh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main source of hospital-acquired pneumonia and meningococcal pneumonia in children, adults, and the elderly, especially the immunocompromised. Recently, it has attracted the attention of many research studies around the world as a potential target for remediation. TR-H are considered SP antibacterial agents, as they can inhibit. To describe their mode of action and to identify new antibacterial drugs against Streptococcus pneumoniae exhibiting the TR-H scaffold, the present work included 3D-QSAR, in- silico pharmacokinetic evaluation and molecular simulation modelling of TR-H. Using an atom-based method for quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study, a comprehensive 3D-QSAR model …

Impact Of Nursing Home Staff Hours And Administrator Turnover On Quality Of Care Post-Covid-19 Pandemic In Texas, Kendra King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing facilities experienced heightened unfavorable outcomes related to quality of care and staffing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, retrospective study was to determine if there was a relationship between nursing home administrator turnover, total nurse staffing (i.e., LPN, RN, and nurse aides) hours per resident per day, and the quality of care as measured by the Long Stay Quality Measure (LSQM) rating in Texas after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023. The Donabedian model, using the elements of structure, process, and outcomes, served as the theoretical framework for this study. Structure was represented by the …

Post-Recovery Viral Shedding Shapes Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Inferences, Tin Phan, Samantha Brozak, Bruce Pell, Stanca M Ciupe, Ruian Ke, Ruy M Ribeiro, Anna Gitter, Kristina D Mena, Alan S Perelson, Yang Kuang, Fuqing Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The prolonged viral shedding from the gastrointestinal tract is well documented for numerous pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of prolonged viral shedding on epidemiological inferences using wastewater data is not yet fully understood.

Methods: To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon at the population level, we extended a wastewater-based modeling framework that integrates viral shedding dynamics, viral load data in wastewater, case report data, and an epidemic model.

Results: Our results indicate that as an outbreak progresses, the viral load from recovered individuals gradually becomes predominant, surpassing that from the infectious population. This phenomenon leads to a …

Commencement, Philadelphia (2025), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

Philadelphia Campus Commencement Program, 2025. Degrees include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology, Educational Specialist in School Psychology, Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Forensic Medicine, Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies.

Commencement Speaker: John J. Lynch III.

Botulism: Delayed Recognition, Hermela K. Gelaye Md, Sean M. Stevens-Fabry Md, Gretta Colby Md, Suzanne Gibbons-Burgener Dvm, Phd, David Kramer Md

Scientific Day

No abstract provided.

Comorbidities, Therapy And Health System Factors Associated With Treatment Interruption Among Males With Tuberculosis In Nairobi County, Kenya, Lorraine Nkirote Mugambi-Nyaboga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While males are recognized as key drivers of tuberculosis (TB) transmission, the association between comorbidities (i.e., diabetes and malnutrition), adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and health system factors (i.e., frequency of drug refills) with TB treatment interruption, remains unclear. I aimed to determine the association between these factors and TB treatment interruption among males diagnosed with TB in Nairobi County, Kenya controlling for age, sub-county of residence, alcohol use, HIV co-infection, type of TB and presence of treatment supporter. Guided by WHO’s framework on adherence to long-term therapies, a quantitative, case-control study was conducted using secondary analysis of Kenya’s TB surveillance …

Staff Expectancies In Conducting Ship Hygiene And Sanitation Inspections: A Qualitative Study At Banten Class I Port Health Quarantine Office, Lukman Waris, Budiman Budiman, Hany Puspita Aryani

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Sea transport plays a vital role in the movement of goods and passengers, yet it simultaneously poses a potential risk for the transmission of infectious diseases, both nationally and internationally. Ship hygiene and sanitation inspection (HSI) is a strategic measure to control such risks, and the outcomes of these inspections are influenced by the expectations of the implementing officers. This study explores how staff expectancy at the Banten Class I Port Health Quarantine Office affects the quality of HSI. A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) was conducted with 80 staff members across five work units. Data were …

Turning Analysis Into Action: Opportunities And Challenges In Implementing Wastewater Science For Public Health Decision-Making, Anna Gitter, Valeria Ruvalcaba, Katelyn Clark, Theresa Tran Carapucci, Fuqing Wu, Blake M Hanson, Jennifer Deegan, John Balliew, Eric Boerwinkle, Anthony W Maresso, Kristina D Mena

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In the 5 years since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has dramatically expanded with programs implemented across the globe to monitor for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses of public health concern. However, the best way to use wastewater surveillance data and inform local communities of the utility of wastewater science remains limited and sporadically discussed. Specifically, there is vague guidance regarding interpreting varying levels of viral loads in wastewater for public health significance. While collaborative efforts are key to implementing these community-specific wastewater surveillance programs, effectively using the data for public health decision-making still …

High Incidence Of Tick-Borne Disease In Midcoastal Maine And Possible Contributing Factors, Susan P. Elias, Robert P. Smith

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Since the 2010s, researchers and public health officials have noted that Maine’s midcoastal counties have higher incidences of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis than elsewhere in the state.

Methods: We examined available data to quantify geospatial clustering, (i.e., “hotspots”) of tick-borne disease incidence and hospitalizations for tick-borne illness. Passive tick surveillance entails collecting ticks found on people and pets, whereas active tick surveillance entails collecting ticks directly from the environment. Using both types of surveillance data, we searched for hotspots of higher blacklegged-tick abundance and pathogen prevalence in ticks. We qualitatively reviewed factors possibly related to tick exposure, such …

Spectrum Of Pediatric Babesia Infection: A Retrospective Case Series, Carol A Mccarthy, Susan P Elias, Robert P Smith

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Babesiosis is a tick-borne infection, primarily reported in the Northeastern and northern Midwest states. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infection is common in healthy individuals, but severe disease can occur in those with impaired splenic function or other immunosuppression. Older adults and infants may also develop severe disease. There are little data reported about Babesia infection in children.

Methods: Children younger than 18 years were identified in a search of patients diagnosed with babesiosis in the MaineHealth medical record between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2024. Charts were reviewed by standardized data extraction.

Results: The 19 cases ranged in …

An Overview Of The History, Ecology, And Phylogeny Of Powassan Virus In Maine, Rebecca M. Robich, Haris Sohail, Robert P. Smith

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Importance: Powassan virus is a tick-transmitted flavivirus that is increasingly reported and can cause fatal human encephalitis. Two lineages circulate in nature: lineage I (Powassan virus-1) is transmitted primarily by the woodchuck tick Ixodes cookei and the squirrel tick I. marxi, and lineage II (deer tick virus) is transmitted by the deer tick I. scapularis. Both lineages can cause human disease and are serologically indistinguishable. In Maine, human cases are increasing—35 cases were reported from 2000 to 2024, of which 14 were reported between 2022 and 2024.

Objective: This review summarizes our current understanding of the history, ecology, …

A Review Of Trends And Contributing Factors In Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance In Maine, 2001–2024, Sara Robinson, Haris Sohail, Megan Porter

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Importance: Tick-borne diseases have a major health impact in Maine. There are 5 endemic diseases: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hard tick relapsing fever, Lyme disease, and Powassan virus disease. Cases of these 5 diseases have increased dramatically over the past 15 years.

Objective: The objective of this review is to summarize tick-borne disease data in Maine. This summary includes showing trends and identifying factors that may be contributing to the trends.

Review: There is a long history of publications about tick-borne diseases in Maine, with articles first appearing in the 1980s. We analyzed tick-borne disease surveillance data collected by Maine Center for …

Early Disseminated Lyme Disease With Multiple Cranial Neuropathy, Brooke Horowitch, William Einhorn, Hadeel Zainah

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the Ixodes tick, encompasses a variety of symptoms across multiple stages. Early localized Lyme disease may present within 1 month of tick bite with erythema migrans, arthralgias, and fever. Disseminated infection typically occurs 3 to 12 weeks later and can cause neurologic symptoms of dizziness, headache, diplopia, cranial neuropathy, cranial nerve (CN) VII palsy, meningitis, encephalopathy, and cardiac arrhythmia or heart block. Late Lyme disease may arise after months or years and is characteristically associated with monoarticular arthritis. Among patients who have cranial neuropathy in early disseminated Lyme …

Tick-Borne Diseases: New Territory, New Agents, Robert Smith, Sam R. Telford Iii

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Importance: The incidence of tick-borne diseases is on the rise across North America as the ranges of tick vectors, such as the blacklegged or deer tick and the lone star tick, expand. In addition, 8 new agents of human tick-borne disease have been discovered in North America in the past few decades.

Objective: Our objective is to provide a current overview of tick-borne diseases, including recently described pathogens, in North America for public health professionals, researchers, and clinicians. Our focus is on the importance of regional epidemiology and the clinical spectrum of tick-borne diseases to increase their recognition.

Review: …

A Case Of Anaplasmosis Infection With Rash And Coinfection Or Antibody Cross-Reactivity, Lucy Algeo, Christina Lincoln

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Maine and include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Anaplasmosis is an infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacterium of the Rickettsiales order. A. phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged or deer tick. Symptoms of fever, chills, headache, malaise, cough, and confusion usually occur within several days of the tick bite. Rash in patients with anaplasmosis is uncommon and may indicate coinfection with another tick-borne disease. Laboratory values may show thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and transaminitis. Bacteria may be visible within the granulocytes on peripheral smear. Rocky Mountain …

Ulceroglandular Tularemia In A Pediatric Patient In Maine After A Trip To Martha’S Vineyard, Calvin Schaffer, Kevin Burke, Amanda Goddard

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Vector-borne lymphadenitis in children is uncommon. A detailed exposure and travel history can facilitate diagnosis.

Clinical Findings: The pediatric inpatient service admitted a 6-year-old patient after multiple acute care visits for right posterior auricular tenderness, erythema, and swelling.

Clinical Course: Upon admission, the patient received intravenous ceftriaxone and clindamycin for progressive suppurative lymphadenitis. After a review of the patient’s history, which included the removal of an engorged tick and recent travel to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the treatment was transitioned to intravenous gentamicin for ulceroglandular tularemia.

Conclusions: Francisella tularensis can be transmitted via tick and deer-fly bites and should be …

Alpha-Gal Syndrome In New England – A Case Report, Neil Korsen

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an increasingly common allergy to mammalian meats and other mammalian products that is caused by a tick bite from the Lone Star tick. Climate change is likely contributing to expansion of the tick’s range into parts of southern New England.

Clinical Findings: The patient was 68 years old at the time of his sensitization. He developed gastrointestinal symptoms, including cramps and diarrhea, approximately 4 to 5 hours after eating a hamburger that he cooked on his home grill. After a second episode a few weeks later, he remembered reading about an allergy to beef and …

An Unusual Rash In An Infant: Expanding The Differential Diagnosis For Sepsis In An Infant Younger Than 3 Months, Jennifer Jubulis, Amanda Goddard, Carol Mccarthy

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: We present a case of Lyme disease in an infant younger than 3 months. Although Maine is a Lyme disease endemic area, infants younger than 1 year rarely present with Lyme disease.

Clinical Findings: The infant was evaluated due to rash and a history of fever and irritability, with a history of tick bite 1 week earlier. Laboratory findings were normal.

Clinical Course: The infant was evaluated for sepsis as recommended for young infants with fever. Because of the presence of erythema migrans rash and negative bacterial cultures, the infant was treated with ceftriaxone parenterally for 7 days and …

Infant With Fever And Splenomegaly—Time Is Ticking, Brianne C. Drury, Molly W. Olmsted, Gabriela M. Deoliveira, Amanda Goddard, Lorraine L. Mcelwain

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: We report on a case of babesiosis in an infant younger than 6 months who presented with fever and splenomegaly in late fall.

Clinical Findings: This full-term, previously healthy infant was febrile at home and clinically well-appearing, though pale with splenomegaly on examination.

Clinical Course: The patient presented with several days of irritability and pallor, following suspected viral illness with fever, and treated at home. Initial outpatient work-up revealed a normocytic anemia and splenomegaly was confirmed on abdominal ultrasound. They were admitted to the hospital for blood transfusion and comprehensive evaluation. Peripheral smear was normal and Babesia microti was …

Lyme Disease: A Call For A One Health Approach, Kathleen F. Gensheimer

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Network Analysis Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus: Characterization Of Hub Genes And Their Functional Implications, Md Imran Hasan, Davida Smyth, Jeong Yang, Ashley Teufel

Masters Theses (Archived)

Antimicrobial resistance is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with S. aureus infections. In this study, we analyzed genes, molecular mechanisms, and pathways driving drug resistance in S. aureus using network analysis. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and systems biology approaches, we identified 229 AMR-associated genes and constructed a protein-protein interaction network among these genes. Through network topology and functional enrichment analyses, we not only confirmed their association with resistance, but also highlighted the central roles of these genes in resistance pathways, such as efflux, target replacement, and target protection, which are directly linked to multiple drug …

Evaluation Of Knowledge, Attitudes And Vaccine Hesitancy Towards Mmr Vaccine Among Parents In The United Arab Emirates, Kamel A. Samara, Hiba Jawdat Barqawi, Deema M. Alhayali, Samah Mohamed Kannas, Rim M. Elmorsy, Eman Abu-Gharbieh

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, but vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a key barrier to achieving herd immunity. This study aims to assess the general attitudes and knowledge of UAE parents regarding measles and the MMR vaccine while identifying determinants of VH.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done from 15th April 2024 and 5th June 2024. This study recruited 462 parents residing in the UAE using convenience sampling. Recruitment occurred through various social media platforms including WhatsApp, X, and Instagram, as well as in public by approaching parents in parks and malls. Information collected included …

Unlocking Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Enhancing Second-Year Medical Students’ Knowledge Recall And Self-Efficacy With A Physician-Led Ultrasound Session, Nathan Cowan, Abdus Sattar, Qian Wu, Allison N. Schroeder

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) enhanced medical students’ knowledge and self-efficacy in understanding basic US principles, MSK anatomy and physical examination, and use of US to evaluate MSK structures. Materials and Methods: Forty-three second-year medical students were divided into control (n = 22) and experimental (n = 21) groups. All participants completed a pre-session self-efficacy questionnaire and were encouraged to view a recorded 20-min MSK US lecture. All participants then attended a physician-led 35-min MSK US hands-on scanning session covering the shoulder and knee. The control group took a …

Assessment Of Pyriproxyfen 0.5% (Juvenile Hormone Analog) Against Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae: A Multiscale Study From Laboratory To Field, Neetu Kachhwaha, Vinod Kumari, Rajbala Verma, Nirmala Sharma, Asif Khan, Mohit Singh, Sanyam Nimoria, Priyadarshini Sharma

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Vector control strategies increasingly focus on nonconventional chemicals with high insecticidal efficacy, persistence, and low toxicity to nontarget organisms. The present multiphase study, conducted in laboratory, semifield, and field conditions in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, evaluated the efficacy of pyriproxyfen (0.5%) (juvenile hormone analog) in controlling mosquito emergence. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated significant susceptibility of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae, with the first and second instars exhibiting 100% mortality at 1 ppm and third and fourth instars showing emergence inhibition (IE) of 86.11% and 65.28%, respectively. Probit analysis determined lower LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and LC₉₉.₉ values for the first instar larvae …

Big Data As Potential Tool For Success In Developing Countries, Jean-Claude Pedjeu, Aurore J. Kamssu, Jeffrey S. Siepke-Sambo

Journal of African Policy Studies

Big data and the computer technology to analyze it are said to be one of the top 10 revolutions in the coming decade. While the developed world is making strides in the use of big data for decision making purposes, the Low-income countries (LIC) or poor countries and some medium-income countries (MIC) or developing countries are lacking behind in their collection and use of digital data to aid decision making. This is especially the case with many businesses and government agencies that have the potential to benefit in their policy designs and implementations from big data. The purpose of this …

Engineering Hiv-1 Env Protein To Elucidate In Situ Structural Dynamics Of Env, Narendra Kumar Gonepudi

Biotechnology Theses

The HIV-1 Envelope (Env) glycoprotein trimers undergo structural changes upon interacting with host receptor CD4 and coreceptors (CCR5/CXCR4) for virus entry. As the only surface-exposed viral protein, Env is a key antibody target but evades recognition through structural changes. Studying Env dynamics with respect to the coreceptor binding region (V3 loop) provides insights into virus entry and immune evasion. Fluorescence labeling via genetic code expansion (amber–TAG suppression) offers a minimally invasive approach for fluorescence microscope-based Env dynamics studies. Here, two V3-related dual-amber Env constructs (A135_TAG-P308_TAG, P308_TAG-E395_TAG) were generated by incorporating two non-canonical …