Digital Commons Network^™

Promoting Maternal Well-Being: Occupational Therapy In Pregnancy And Postpartum, Nora Udrys

Capstone Projects

Navigating pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a complex experience for women. There is a lack of diverse information, accessible resources, and support during this phase of life. Hormonal levels fluctuate not only during pregnancy but after giving birth as well, contributing to significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Some of these changes may create barriers to meaningful participation in daily occupations, contributing to feelings of isolation, mood disruptions, and decreased overall well-being. Occupational therapy has a unique role in supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum by helping them navigate these transitions through a holistic, client-centered lens. The purpose …

Sexuality And Intimacy: Education On Ot Approach, Abby Stritzinger

Capstone Projects

Providing proper education on sexuality and intimacy is important for increasing comfort when addressing sex and intimacy with individuals in the professional field.  “Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled” (WHO, 2006a). Creating occupational therapists (OTs) that are comfortable addressing this topic is extremely important for the OT profession to continue to maintain its holistic, client-centered …

Expanding Nbcot® Exam Readiness Resources In An Entry-Level Otd Program, Thahiyatul Sarah

Capstone Projects

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam is a critical requirement for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) practice in the United States; however, many students face challenges in effectively preparing for its clinical reasoning demands. This literature review examines existing research on NBCOT® exam preparation strategies to inform the development of a comprehensive exam content guide and resources tailored for OT graduate students. Existing barriers, including gaps in curriculum alignment, limited access to effective study tools, and high levels of student stress, highlight the need for more structured and accessible preparation methods. By examining key themes such as …

Expanding Access To Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy: Integrating Clinical Application And Program Development, Deanna Rietveld

Capstone Projects

This capstone project explored the role of hippotherapy in occupational therapy through enhanced clinical practice skills as well as supporting program development through community education and funding accumulation for the capstone site organization. Guided by a needs assessment drawn from literature, site mentor input, and other local organizations providing similar services, it was determined that occupational therapy using equine movement provides more impactful results while simultaneously addressing deficits in a variety of areas, but lack of financial resources, community participation, and therapy scholarships threaten the opportunity to expand programs and provide access to individuals who would benefit from services. In …

Practical Exploration Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Nature-Based School Setting, Emma Campbell

Capstone Projects

School-based occupational therapy (OT) plays a critical role in supporting children’s participation, development, and engagement in educational environments. However, non-traditional school settings often lack therapeutic supports, such as OT services. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) is to explore and expand the role of occupational therapy within a non-traditional academic setting, specifically a nature-based preschool program. Sunflower Farm’s preschool program provides a unique learning environment that supports children’s development through farm-based learning. While this setting offers rich opportunities for exploration and growth, additional supports are needed to facilitate students’ sensory processing, self-regulation, and participation.

The objectives of this …

Simple Guide To Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Writing Tools In Research & Scholarship At Unh, Julie Simpson, Patricia Condon, Bonnie Brown, William C. Clyde, James J. Connell, Ramonda Kindle, Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Christopher Neefus, Jennifer O’Brien, Theresa Oehmke, Shantel Palacio, Allyson Ryder, Nathan A. Schwadron, John E. Sparrow, Xueting Sun, Engin Taze, May-Win Thein, Anita R. Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, James Wible

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have existed for years, the recent arrival of widespread generative AI writing tools such as ChatGPT has provoked varied reactions in the scholarly community worldwide. Undoubtedly easy access to such tools may help to level the scholarly playing field for certain groups, particularly those with limited writing skills or proficiency with English as the primary language for written and oral communication of research and scholarship. There are, however, concerns about these tools, including, but not limited to, the accuracy, consistency, and bias of the information generated, appropriate acknowledgement of source material, and the tools’ lack …

Multifocal Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With Ret P.V804m, Eml4-Alk Fusion, And Braf V600e Positivity, Jacob Beiriger, Leonard Estephan, Lubna Zuberi, Stacey Gargano, Elizabeth Cottrill

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Multifocal papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) can arise from independent primaries with discordant drivers in parallel clonal evolution rather than a single-clone pattern. We present a 31-year-old female with multifocal PTC harboring 3 distinct oncogenic alterations: a germline RET p.V804M mutation, low-frequency EML4-ALK fusion, and BRAF V600E mutation. The RET and ALK alterations were identified in a midpole nodule, whereas BRAF positivity was seen in a separate lower pole tumor. Ultrasound revealed multiple right-lobe thyroid nodules; the dominant 2.1-cm lesion was hypoechoic with calcifications. Fine needle aspiration revealed Bethesda III cytology, prompting thyroid lobectomy and an ipsilateral central neck dissection was …

The Future Is Now: The Digital Dentistry Symposium, Casper Jonker

Peninsula Dental School

Introduction: From the perspective of our current undergraduates the period that I grew up in must appear something akin to a technological Stone Age. Concepts such as browsing web pages were unheard of, everything was done on paper, and communication could take weeks or even months to complete. Something as simple as making a phone call could cause endless frustrations: not being able to reach someone or just leave a voice message, running out of credit mid-conversation or ridiculously high phone bills was the norm in most households. Most of us will remember our time attending primary and secondary school, …

Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life (Ohrqol) In People With Dentin Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review Of Interventional Studies, Sumanth Kumbargere Nagraj, Georgios Kitsaras, K. Bekes, C.L. Randall, K. Asimakopoulou

Peninsula Dental School

ObjectiveThis systematic review, the first in this field, aimed to evaluate if interventions for dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affect patient-reported oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodsA systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases and gray literature sources, focusing on interventional studies published from 2010 onward. Eligible studies included adult participants with DH and assessed OHRQoL using validated measures. Data extraction followed the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was appraised using the JBI tool.ResultsThirteen randomized controlled trials involving 616 participants were included. Interventions ranged from desensitizing agents, fluoride varnishes, and laser therapy to nonpharmacological approaches like behavioral techniques. QoL was measured …

Learning The Notes: Developing Absolute Pitch, Emma Joyce

Student Publications and Presentations

Absolute pitch (AP) is the ability to identify or name a musical pitch without the aid of a reference tone. Although the concept has been known for centuries, the processes of its development remain unclear. Researchers have proposed a variety of explanations, yet despite advances in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, there is still no agreement on whether AP results from natural ability or learned experience. By understanding neurological and developmental research, reviewing existing literature, analyzing case studies, and evaluating current theories, this paper aims to identify gaps in previous research and suggests a new approach for developing AP in young …

Reassessing Additive Diversity Measures: Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony In A Brass Audition Context, Daniel Combs Jr.

Student Publications and Presentations

There is a notable gap in representation of American composers—especially historically underrepresented African American composers—on most symphonic brass audition lists used today. Audition repertoire shapes what orchestral musicians study, and educational institutions also prioritize a nearly exclusively Eurocentric canon to produce audition-ready musicians. As a result, engagement with Black American composers in symphonic culture remains limited. Recent scholarship by Brandon Farnsworth suggests that one commonly used method of addressing this issue—including a requirement that auditionees find and include works by underrepresented composers—further masks structural inequity rather than changing it. In this context, William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony (1934, rev. 1952) …

The Role Of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence In Crewed Mars Missions, Jordan Neuman

Student Publications and Presentations

The suggestion of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crewed missions to the Martian surface can revolutionize mission operations, psychological support, and ethical decision‑making under challenging conditions. This study is a structured, qualitative literature review of current AI research for the future of human space exploration. It uses publicly available peer‑reviewed journal articles and NASA/ESA technical reports on AI for Mars missions. Using Perplexity, the researcher first prompted the AI tool to identify recurring topics across these sources and generate themes. The researcher independently reviewed all sources to confirm and refine those themes. Three themes—mission autonomy, local resource utilization and life‑support, …

Moving On Stage, Moving The Audience: The Overlooked Impacts Of Body Language On Performance Reception Of Classical Music, Julia Jacobsen

Student Publications and Presentations

A large focus in productions of classical music is put towards executing the music at the highest level to achieve both the composer’s and interpreter’s visions. However, modern-day musicians often overlook the importance of visually conveying their music through their emotional expressions and movements. In this paper, I will examine existing research on audience perceptions of classical music performances, utilizing highly successful musicians as examples to determine their impact on audience reception of classical music. In so doing, I hope to develop strategies for greater audience engagement that will help music students and performers increase their connection to their auditors. …

Digital Marketplaces As Conditional Economic Infrastructure In Conflict-Affected Economies, Diana Umerova

Student Publications and Presentations

Armed conflict disrupts trade, logistics, and financial institutions, constraining firms’ ability to participate in domestic and international markets. While prior research documents macroeconomic losses and supply-chain shocks, there is limited explanatory analysis of how digital marketplaces operate as conditional economic infrastructure under active conflict. Using the Russia–Ukraine war as a contextual case, this thesis extends a qualitative, secondary-data analysis to explain how digital marketplaces function through the economic mechanisms of alternative market access, organizational reconfiguration, and digital payment facilitation, while acknowledging structural constraints, elevated transaction costs, and platform governance risks. Building on existing research, the study argues that digital marketplaces …

The Opioid Crisis In The United States Vs. Portugal’S Public Health Approach, Ciara Dillon

Student Publications and Presentations

The opioid epidemic in the United States is a persistent public health issue exacerbated by increasingly dangerous and potent synthetic opioids. Although there are growing levels of access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as well as growing numbers of overdose-related deaths, these data indicate that U.S. drug policy continues to be characterized by a primarily reactive and partially punitive framework. This study will compare the U.S. drug policy model to that of Portugal, which fully decriminalized all illicit drugs in 2001, shifting from a national drug policy based on punishment and repression to one focused on preventing the consumption …

Engineering Function In Lung Biology: Integrating Imaging, Regenerative Constructs, And Functional Biodesign, Rene A Girard, Jamie Tran, Yuqing Cai, Mary C Farach-Carson, Hadi T Nia, Allison M Greaney, Laura E Niklason, Killian Hurley, Elvin Blanco, Sinem Koc-Günel, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The lung is a uniquely demanding target for regeneration because function depends on the coordinated integration of cellular diversity, three-dimensional architecture, cyclic mechanical forces, vascular perfusion, immune surveillance, and extracellular matrix remodeling. While single-cell and spatial profiling, lineage tracing, and iPSC-derived models have transformed our understanding of lung cell states and developmental potential, these descriptive approaches have also highlighted a central bottleneck: the field still lacks broadly adopted platforms to test whether engineered tissues and regenerative interventions restore function under physiologic load. In this review, we focus on emerging technologies that enable functional biodesign in lung biology by coupling engineered …

University Challenges, Ewen Mccoll, Philip Preshaw

Peninsula Dental School

The recent article by Lalloo highlighted some of the conflicting challenges faced by universities across the world, particularly the UK. The conclusion drawn in the article related to metrics for ranking dental schools touching on the importance of research to universities: the rankings are biased to research metrics and reputation, rather than the quality of the teaching of oral health professionals.

Brass Routes: Merging Performance, Pedagogy, And Entrepreneurship In The Creation Of Community-Based Brass Band Programs, Dylan Mashburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation examines the development, implementation, and evaluation of Brass Routes, a curriculum-based model and set of instructional tools designed to help existing secondary school band programs implement New Orleans-style brass band ensembles within their current schedules, personnel, and resources. As many schools face declining arts funding and increasingly standardized ensemble models, traditional band structures often fail to engage all students or reflect diverse musical identities. Brass Routes proposes an alternative ensemble model that integrates performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship to foster student engagement, leadership, and sustainability in school music programs. Grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy, informal learning practices, and community …

Impact Of Optimized Afos On Functional Outcomes In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy., Teresa Pierce, Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Mark Geil, Karl Barner

PCOM Scholarly Works

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the immediate functional impact of wearing ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) designed using the Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR method) versus wearing standard ankle foot orthosis (AFO)-footwear in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Ten participants, ages seven to 13 years, from local pediatric clinics in a large suburban area participated in the study. Each participant wore both types of orthoses in a randomized order. This was determined by participants choosing a sealed envelope containing a sticker indicating which orthosis to be worn for the first data collection. Participants were …

Navigating The Generative Ai Wave: Ai Literacy Instruction In Academic Libraries Today, Lili Li, Kay G. Coates

University Libraries: Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Identifying Delays Impacting Maternal And Perinatal Deaths Using A Facility-Based Death Audit Review System Integrated With Community Engagement: A Mixed Methods Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Soofi, Shanti Chouhan, Arjumad Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pakistan's persistently high maternal (178 per 100 000 livebirths) and neonatal (41 per 1000 livebirths) mortality ratios are compounded by lack of reliable data on the root causes and preventable risk factors, which hinders their effective use in improving care and progress toward safe, high-quality services. We sought to identify system delays impacting maternal and perinatal deaths using a facility-based death audit review system integrated with community engagement for implementing actionable solutions.

METHODS: We used a mixed methods, concurrent parallel study design at three secondary level healthcare facilities in District Matiari, Sindh, Pakistan. We reviewed 319 cases that included …

Elected Sheriffs’ Election Process And How It Affects Their Behavior, Brian James Ardoin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholars have widely examined how electoral pressures influence the behavior of judges and prosecutors; however, less attention has been given to how elections affect law enforcement leaders. This quantitative study examined whether sheriff election cycles in Louisiana were associated with changes in law enforcement behavior. Louisiana parish sheriffs occupy a unique role as both elected officials and chief law enforcement executives, which may create incentives that influence enforcement priorities. Using secondary arrest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting program, this study analyzed parish-level arrest patterns from 2009 through 2019 to determine whether deputies’ arrest behavior differed …

Exploring Marital Resilience Through The Lived Experiences And Perception Of Spousal Support During Events Of Shared Stressors, Prince-James Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Marital resilience during shared stressors remains insufficiently understood, particularly when both spouses are simultaneously affected by the same external stressor and must adapt together over time. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore marital resilience through the lived experiences and perceptions of spousal support during shared stressors among individuals who had been legally married for 10 years or more, with specific attention to how participants described the shift from solo coping to dyadic coping over time. Bowlby’s attachment theory provided the theoretical foundation, and Senge’s learning organization theory served as the conceptual framework. Participants included 18 legally …

Performance-Based Budgeting Implementation Strategies For Improving Financial Performance, Waleed Ibrahim Alsyaegh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of effective strategies for allocating organizational financial resources can lead to adverse business outcomes. Business managers are concerned about the ineffective allocation of financial resources, as it can impede financial performance and sustainability.Grounded in stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore the performance-based budgeting strategies that business managers use to sustain financial profitability. The participants were 10 business managers who oversee subsidiaries that successfully implemented performance-based budgeting.Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of organization documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) traditional versus contemporary budgeting; (b) importance of …

Exploring Leadership Strategies And Personnel Integration Practices During The Post- Merger Phase Influence The Success Of Mergers And Acquisitions, Rebekah Dumas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been widely used as a growth strategy; however, many organizations fail to achieve their desired outcomes. This ongoing risk is a major concern for business leaders because ineffective post-merger personnel integration can disrupt workforce stability, reduce productivity, and hinder organizational performance. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore the strategies business leaders used to integrate personnel during post-merger transitions. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight business leaders from global corporations who had successfully executed mergers and acquisitions, along with a review of publicly available …

Contra Continuous And Irresolute Maps Via M-Open Sets In N-Cylindrical Neutrosophic Topological Spaces, S. Anandhi, R. Vijayalakshmi, Shantha K. Lakshmi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper introduces and investigates the concept of n-cylindrical neutrosophic contra M-continuous mappings within the framework of n-cylindrical neutrosophic topological spaces. Motivated by recent advances in neutrosophic contra continuous functions, irresolute mappings, and n-cylindrical fuzzy neutrosophic topological structures, the study establishes several fundamental properties of n-cylindrical neutrosophic contra M-irresolute mappings. The proposed mappings are analyzed in relation to existing classes of neutrosophic contra continuous and contra irresolute functions, highlighting their structural properties and interrelationships. The obtained results extend and generalize earlier studies in neutrosophic topology, thereby contributing to the theoretical development of neutrosophic topological spaces. Furthermore, this work provides a …

Advancing Common Fixed Point Theorems In Bipolar Fuzzy-2 Metric Space And Applications In Nonlinear Analysis, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mukesh Kushwaha

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study advances common fixed point theorems (CFPT) in bipolar fuzzy-2 metric space (BF2MS) and explores their applications in nonlinear analysis. BF2MS generalizes traditional metric and fuzzy metric spaces (FMS) by incorporating dualistic relationships, allowing the representation of both attraction and repulsion effects. We extend classical fixed point theorems (FPTs) to BF2MS, establishing conditions for the existence of common fixed points (CFPs). The study's applications span nonlinear analysis, stability analysis, control theory, and multi-criteria decision-making under uncertainty. Our findings refine existing results and provide practical real-world applications, supported by numerical examples, enhancing fuzzy mathematics and nonlinear systems modeling.

‘Mobile Consumers’: Interpreting The Consumption Perceptions, Practices And Experiences Of Mobile Brazilian International Students In London, Mark Holton, Leonardo Santana Dos Santos Rodrigues

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

This paper advances existing work on the mobilities and geographies of students by examining the complexities and contestations affecting international students' consumption perceptions and experiences. This is important in positing new ways of understanding how educational mobilities, in both their meta and micro forms, can influence, and be influenced by, consumption practices and ideologies. Drawing on a set of semi-structured interviews with Brazilian international students living and studying in London, UK this paper draws together mobilities and consumption theories as a lens for interpreting consumption knowledge and practice as an evolving and iterative set of performances that align closely with …

Recall Of Varied Stimuli, Zachary Tyler Cain

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Murder And Non-Negligent Manslaughter Rates In Southern And Western America, Madison Penkalski

Student Publications and Presentations

The variation in violent crime rates in the U.S. has been a persistent concern in the criminal justice system, notably homicides and offenses like murder and non-negligent manslaughter (NNM). Prior research has suggested that socioeconomic factors like poverty, firearm availability, population density, along with regional and cultural differences, could be a primary contributing factor to geographic disparities in violent crime rates. It is hypothesized that southern states will exhibit higher mean murder and NNM rates than those in western states. Crime data was collected from the Statista database and from the U.S. Census Bureau. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize …