Digital Commons Network^™

Heart Failure And Death In Older Adults With Elevated Cardiac Biomarkers But Without Risk Factors: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Xiaoming Jia, Mahmoud Al Rifai, Chiadi Ndumele, Amil Shah, Elizabeth Selvin, Salim S Virani, Ron C Hoogeveen, Biykem Bozkurt, Christie M Ballantyne, Vijay Nambi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Prioritising Time-Critical Injuries And Interventions For Trapped Motor Vehicle Collision Patients: A Delphi Study, Tim Nutbeam, Rob Fenwick, Ian Marritt, Brian Lee, Luke Staveley-Wadham, Nigel Lang, Louise Johnson, Nicolas Mattock, Jane Ogilvie, Emily Foote, Francis Screech, Lara Lebeau–Humarau, Caroline Leech

Peninsula Medical School

Background Physically trapped patients following motor vehicle collisions are at high risk of time-critical injuriesand poor outcomes. Despite this, there is limited consensus on which injuries should be prioritised and which earlyinterventions are both necessary and feasible in the prehospital setting. This study aims to develop expert consensuson injury categorisation and the delivery of early care interventions to guide clinical and operational decision-makingat the scene.Methods A modified Delphi method was used to gather consensus from a multidisciplinary panel of subjectmatter experts, including clinicians, paramedics, and members of fire and rescue services. In Round 1, participantscontributed to the development of draft …

Collaborative Research: Bocp-Implementation: Us-China: Multi-Scale, Multi- Proxy, Integrative Investigation Of Functional Biodiversity On A Changing Proterozoic Planet, Carol Dehler

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Efficient Decontamination Of Organophosphate-Based Pesticides And Nerve Agent Simulants Mediated By N-Containing Nucleophiles, Emmanuel Kingsley Darkwah, Puspa Aryal, Saidulu Todeti, Jared Kenik, Samuel Insall, V. Prakash Reddy, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

There is a growing interest in developing safer and more effective decontaminating agents for organophosphate-based pesticides and nerve agents. In this study, we present an effective method for the nonaqueous decontamination of these compounds using small-molecule-based decontaminating agents under ambient conditions. Our approach utilizes aryl and heteroaryl carboxaldehyde hydrazones and hydrazides to effectively hydrolyze nerve agent simulants into their nontoxic degradation products. The effectiveness of this method was evaluated using a range of nerve agent simulants, including dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP). In the presence of the heteroaryl hydrazone, the rate of hydrolysis …

Three Essays In Gamification, Innovation, And Cybersecurity, Eduard Yelagin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation consists of three essays on Gamification, Innovation, and Cyber Security. The first essay investigates gamified stock trading. Gamification of stock trading is a novel practice by brokers to incorporate game-like features to increase clients’ engagement with trading. This study examines how the market reacts to the introduction of 142 gamification features in the mobile trading apps of 17 major U.S. brokers. I find that the gamification of trading can be viewed as a double-edged sword. It alters and worsens retail traders’ strategy by reducing their returns and increasing return volatility. However, it also reduces costs and risks for …

Enhanced Meropenem Activity And Stability Following Load In Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofiber Scaffolds With Sitagliptin As Quorum Sensing Inhibitor On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Samar A. Salim, Abdelrhman Mohsen, Mohamed Emara, Taghrid Elmahdy

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics poses a significant health challenge. Innovative strategies, such as combining antibiotics with agents like quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs), have been developed to combat this issue. QSIs enhance antibiotic efficacy without inhibiting bacterial growth, minimizing the risk of resistance. Aims Evaluate the combined effect of Sitagliptin (STG) as a QSI with Meropenem (MER), fabricate drug-loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, and investigate their antimicrobial activity against standard Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA). Methods The combinatorial effect was assessed using a checkerboard assay. PVA/STG, PVA/MER, and PVA/STG/ MER nanofibers were fabricated …

Predictability And The Pleasure Of Music, Amy M. Belfi

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

“I Feel Like A Lot Of Times Women Are The Ones Who Are Problem-Solving For All The People That They Know”: The Gendered Impacts Of The Pandemic On Women In Alaska, Marya Rozanova-Smith, Andrey N. Petrov

Faculty Publications

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery in urban communities in the Arctic have been substantial, but their gendered aspects remain largely unknown. The goal of this study was to enhance the understanding of the gender-based impact on women in the urban areas of Alaska by exploring strengths and constraints to resilience in the social and economic domains of gender equality during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on grounded theory methodology, this study is based on 29 in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The study methodology utilized a conceptual framework that integrated deficit-based and strength-based analytical perspectives. …

Teaching Bilingual Learners With Dysgraphia, Angela Gonzalez-Urbina

Masters Projects

With the push for legislation on the Dyslexia law in Michigan and elsewhere, teachers need to understand what dyslexia and dysgraphia are to support all students. An extra understanding is necessary in bilingual education and reading challenges because they use two language systems in and out of the classroom. Reading and writing are already areas that impact the working memory of the learner; adding dysgraphia to that proves to be more of a challenge. Dysgraphia can coexist with dyslexia, and individuals with dysgraphia often experience difficulties with spelling and writing speed. This project introduces dysgraphia as one of the reading …

A Brief History Of Circadian Time In The Heart, Martin E Young, Vanya Khanna, Mallory Metcalfe, Niruththaan Rameshkumar, Sarah Harington, Leo H Li, Janan Shoja Doost, Heinrich Taegtmeyer, Tami A Martino

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This review tracks the discovery of circadian biology in cardiovascular science, starting with early clinical observations of daily changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiovascular events. These patterns suggested that time of day matters, but it was not until the past two decades that the mechanisms and knowledge translation of these rhythms were uncovered. We describe the heart's intrinsic circadian properties and importantly how this leads to regulation of cardiac gene and protein expression, neuroendocrine and vascular rhythms, metabolism, cellular electrophysiology, and cell signaling pathways. Next, we explore emerging themes, including the impact of circadian timing on ischemic injury, …

Revisiting The Effect Of Udenafil On Exercise Performance In Patients With Fontan Circulation: Results Of A Post Hoc Analysis Of The Fuel Trial., David J. Goldberg, Victor Zak, Chenwei Hu, Adam M. Lubert, Rahul H. Rathod, Daniel J. Penny, Robert Whitehill, Kurt R. Schumacher, Salil Ginde, Michelle Ploutz, Gi Beom Kim, Todd T. Nowlen, Michael V. Dimaria, Benjamin P. Frischhertz, Jonathan B. Wagner, Kimberly E. Mchugh, Brian W. Mccrindle, Mark J. Cartoski, Jon Detterich, Anji T. Yetman, Anitha S. John, Marc E. Richmond, Matthew Files, R Mark Payne, Andrew S. Mackie, Christopher K. Davis, William B. Orr, Ruchira Garg, Kevin D. Hill, Jennifer S. Yauck, Michael G. Mcbride, James Yeager, Gail D. Pearson, Stephen M. Paridon, Bryan H. Goldstein

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: In the FUEL (Fontan Udenafil Exercise Longitudinal) trial, a positive treatment effect was identified for outcomes at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold but not for the primary outcome, oxygen consumption (Vo₂ in participants with near-normal baseline exercise performance.

METHODS: Participants were divided into subgroups by baseline predicted peak Vo₂ (< 80% versus ≥80%). Treatment effect was evaluated in those with a baseline peak Vo2 < 80% predicted and linear regression was performed to examine the interaction between subgroup and response to therapy for the primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS: Of the 379 participants with paired exercise data, 302 (80%) had a baseline peak Vo₂ < 80% predicted. In this subgroup, the primary outcome of peak Vo₂ improved significantly after 6 months of udenafil treatment, when compared with placebo (0.23±4.17 mL/kg per min versus -0.90±3.74 mL/kg per min; P=0.021). Secondary outcome measures, including Vo₂ at …

The Impact Of Maternal Diabetes On Sacral Agenesis: A Paediatric Report, Gabriella M. Calabrese, Márcio L. Duarte, Leonardo F. Freitas, Eduardo O. Narvaez

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Pulmonary Embolism In Patients Admitted To Sultan Qaboos University Hospital: A 5-Year Experience, Maryam Al Riyami, Abdullah Al Alawi, Hajar Al Balushi, Raya Al Ghafri, Hafsa Al Mamari, Jamal Al-Aghbari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal condition among hospitalised patients, with a prevalence of approximately 1.0%. PE is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify patient characteristics and risk factors related to the development, recurrence, and mortality of PE in hospitalised patients at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at SQUH, involving patients diagnosed with PE during admission between January 2015 and December 2019. Data were collected from electronic patient records, including demographic details, comorbidities, risk factors and healthcare outcomes. Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) scores …

Improving The Timing To Antibiotic Administration In Patients That Present To The Emergency Department With Sepsis, Adriana Lott, Christina Vejnovich

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Early identification and timely management of sepsis in the emergency department (ED) is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality. Delays in sepsis recognition and antibiotic administration can worsen outcomes. This project aimed to address these challenges. Intervention: A triage sepsis screening (TSS) tool was implemented over 30-days to improve sepsis identification at triage. Staff education related to knowledge and confidence of sepsis was also provided. Measures: The impact of a TSS tool was evaluated using pre- and post-intervention data on antibiotic timing. Staff knowledge was measured with a 4-item multiple-choice quiz, and confidence with a 5-item Likert scale, adapted …

Emotional Development In Infancy, Claire Sanford, Samantha Gott

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Developmental science has documented that infants’ emotional reactions are shaped by individual dispositions and their environment. This study investigated fear responses along with patterns of brain development in infants 6 to 10 months. Nine infant-mother dyads participated, with each infant observed twice (18 visits). An electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to analyze brain activity during resting-state and fear-eliciting conditions. Infant fear vocalizations were evaluated and coded during two conditions, i.e., an unfamiliar object (an electronic toy-spider), and an unfamiliar adult approaching. Results indicated infants’ fear vocalizations were stimuli-specific, with more fear expressed towards approaching strangers than the novel object. Findings also …

Use Of A Novel Plant Essential Oil-Based Insecticide For Insect Control In Household Gardens And Lawns, Mia Michnik, Alysa Suissa, Liah Brussolo Cremona, Annalise Wellman, Nicholas Nifakos, Alexander Spanoudis, John M. Harlin

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Insecticide use has increased as population and agricultural demand for crops grows. Commercial insecticides contain active ingredients that are often harmful to humans and the environment. A viable alternative to this concern is developing and using insecticides with low toxicity and minimum risk to the environment. In this study, we sought to empirically assess the effectiveness of an insecticide based entirely on plant essential oil active ingredients, which contain complex secondary metabolites. Our results show that a concoction of several plant essential oils was effective in killing a wide range of household garden insect species and bedbugs, encompassing five orders …

Mock Battles: A Time And Place For Conflict, Benjamin Crawford

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Mock battles are a category of ritual widely recognized by cultural anthropologists, and yet the term as used stands as a wide umbrella covering an incredibly disparate range of human behaviors. Ethnographers have applied the label of “mock battle” both to events incorporating actual bodily harm—most famously, the Andean Tinku—and to non-violent theatrical performances such as the Moros dances popular throughout Spain and Mexico. To better understand the particular social functions of these rituals, I distinguish between two separate but interrelated “genres” of mock battle: the Civil War type, in which communities schedule limited outbursts of cathartic physical violence; and …

From Company To Crown: The 1858 Government Of India Act In The British Press, Benjamin Cohen

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

In the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny and the perceived failures of the British East India Company, the British Parliament passed the 1858 Government of India Act, which liquidated the Company and placed India under direct rule by the Crown. The historiography on the Company’s end and the Raj’s beginning has not given adequate attention to the Act itself, portraying it as an uncontroversial measure used to change India’s governing body. This article addresses the controversial nature of the Act. By examining geographically and politically dispersed newspaper articles from when the Act was being considered in Parliament, this research shows …

The Relationship Between Self-Reported And Observer-Rated Maternal Anxiety During Mother-Infant Interactions, Annalisa Tran, Jacqueline Hammack

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

Research pertaining to maternal anxiety and mother-infant interactions is a rapidly growing field. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between self-reported maternal anxiety ratings and observer-rated maternal anxiety scores. Thirty-nine motherinfant dyads participated in a four-minute free-play session via Zoom. The Parent Anxiety measure from the Coding Interactive Behavior scale was used to measure observed maternal anxiety. The General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale was used to measure self-reported maternal anxiety. No significant association was found between self-reported maternal anxiety and observed maternal anxiety. An exploratory analysis was conducted to compare self-reported maternal anxiety and observed maternal sensitivity. …

Letter From The Editor, Ana Tyulmenkova

Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Psychological Stress And Coping Strategies Among Nursing Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study, Khin Thandar Aung, Noor Atikah Mat Ail

Individual Open Access Articles

Nursing students encountered distinctive obstacles during their academic careers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in mental health concerns was the consequence of the pandemic, which necessitated numerous modifications to their daily routines. Subsequently, students have implemented distinct stress-management strategies that are contingent upon their individual perspectives. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the psychological stress levels and coping strategies employed by nursing students during this time. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was implemented online. The data were gathered through online surveys, which encompassed assessments of stress perception and coping strategies. The survey was divided into three sections: …

Full Issue: Summer 2025

DePaul Magazine

In DePaul Magazine's summer 2025 issue, we celebrate The Theatre School's centennial by asking past and present faculty and administrators and illustrious alumni to comment on the venerable institution's enduring legacy of hands-on learning, collaboration and critical dialogue. Plus, learn about the remarkable relationship between the School of Music and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that connects music performance students to world-class musicians, see images of campus life snapped by a new student photo agency, and more.

Depaul Digest

DePaul Magazine

College of Communication faculty Matthew Ragas and Ron Culp mentor students on gaining access to executive-level administration. News briefs on exciting developments at DePaul University’s 10 colleges and schools, from nursing students studying public health protocols in Prague to a new DePaul-hosted conference exploring AI in filmmaking. DePaul alumni volunteers share their experiences spreading the Vincentian mission nationwide.

Focus Group

DePaul Magazine

The DePaul Student Photo Agency gives a crew of student photographers the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio while documenting the DePaul community. See photos taken during the 2024-25 academic year, from ribbon cuttings for new program facilities to music performances.

Class Notes

DePaul Magazine

From promotions to performances, see the latest accomplishments by DePaul alumni across class years and generations. Plus, read alumni spotlight profiles of Steve Schmidt (CSH MS ’13), director of machine learning at Nike, and Sarah Brachle Wagner (LAS ’96), CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.

Development Of A New Ground-Based Instrumentation Technique For Low-Resolution Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy, Mary Anne Limbach, Luke M. Schmidt, Ryan J. Oelkers, Darren L. Depoy

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present a new instrumentation technique for high-precision, ground-based spectrophotometric measurements ideal for low-resolution (R ∼ 20–60) exoplanet transmission spectroscopy. This technique employs novel thin-film coating technology for wide-band, simultaneous multi-band imaging, enabling high-precision differential photometry through self-referencing and comparison stars. Theoretical calculations and on-sky results show that this method effectively reduces 96% of amplitude scintillation noise and other systematics that typically limit ground-based spectrophotometric precision for bright stars. On-sky results are demonstrated using the custom-built Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy Imager (ETSI), deployed at the McDonald Observatory 2.1 m telescope in 2022. For a V = 9.7 mag star, ETSI …

Genomic Editing Of A Pathogenic Sequence Variant In Acta2 Rescues Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome In Mice, Qianqian Ding, Peiheng Gan, Zhisheng Xu, Hui Li, Lei Guo, Camryn Macdonald, Wei Tan, Efrain Sanchez-Ortiz, John R Mcanally, Yu Zhang, Dileep Karri, Lin Xu, Ning Liu, Eric N Olson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), the predominant cell type in the aortic wall, play a crucial role in maintaining aortic integrity, blood pressure, and cardiovascular function. Vascular SMC contractility and function depend on ACTA2 (smooth muscle α-actin 2). The pathogenic variant ACTA2 c.536G>A (p.R179H) causes multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome, a severe disorder marked by widespread smooth muscle abnormalities, resulting in life-threatening aortic disease and high risk of early death from aneurysms or stroke. No effective treatments exist for multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome.

Methods: To develop a comprehensive therapy for multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome, we used …

Promising Practices To Address Healthcare Needs Voiced By Local Native Americans, Noelle Taylor, Mykin R. Higbee, Raiden Gaul

Transforming Communities

Purpose

To examine barriers and facilitators to nursing education among Native Americans and identify evidence-based strategies to increase the number of Native American nurses working in their local communities to address health disparities.

Background

Native Americans experience significantly higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and lower life expectancies. Only 4% of registered nurses identify as Native American, with no growth despite increased funding for diversity in nursing education. This underrepresentation contributes to culturally insensitive care and persistent healthcare inequities stemming from historical marginalization and trauma.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, …

Use Of Ict In South African Schools And The Plight Of Marginalized Learners During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Chinegbonkpa Hope Nwakanma, Maryam Chinasa Adewunmi

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Given that information and communication technology is still a luxury for poor students, especially in developing countries like South Africa. It is crucial to examine the extent of the inequalities and social marginalisation learners face due to lack of access to ICT, as well as the impact on their learning. This study, therefore, explores the use of ICT in public schools by synthesising existing literature on its effect on the teaching and learning of socially and economically marginalised learners. Using the qualitative research approach involving document analysis and literature review, this study reveals that lack of resources, skills and the …

Influence Of Self-Confidence, Practice Experience, Learning Outcomes Enterpreneur's Practices And Soul Towards Entrepreneurial Capability Cash Design Vocational Students, Wulidah Ning Tiasari, Tuwoso Tuwoso, Agus Hery Supadmi Irianti, Mingchang Wu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This research aims to find out whether there is a significant simultaneous influence of self-confidence, practical experience, practical learning outcomes, entrepreneurial spirit on the entrepreneurial abilities of Fashion Design Vocational School students in Malang City. In this study, the sample of respondents was 134 students using quantitative methods. The analysis technique uses descriptive and inferential with hypothesis testing using partial correlation and multiple regression analysis techniques with classic assumption tests, namely normality test, linearity test, multicollinearity test, autocorrelation test and heteroscedasticity test. The research is quantitative descriptive in nature. The results of the research show the influence of independent variables, …