Digital Commons Network^™

Fall Risk In Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Potential Role Of Physical Activity In Counteracting Age-Related Impairment, M Kushkestani, M Moghadassi, M Bates

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Closing The African American Achievement Gap, Cherie Mcelroy-Burch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a persistent academic achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. Federal and state governments have made numerous efforts, implemented policy changes, and allocated more resources to struggling school districts, yet the disparity in academic achievement persists. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of closing the achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Coll and Lamberty’s model of developmental competencies in minority children. The research question for …

Middle-Income Housing Affordability: An Exploration Of The Residual Income Approach In Delaware, Alexis Bryan-Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Families with children face challenges finding affordable housing. The research problem addressed through this quantitative group comparison design study was the need for alternative measures of determining housing affordability for families with children. Efforts to determine the best evaluation of housing affordability could help some families that may fall into the gap and lack a substantiated voice in the development of public policy. Researchers have demonstrated issues with housing affordability, such as the rising costs of housing and a shortage of affordable housing units but have not established the significance of using alternative measures to determine affordability and the implementation …

Staff Education On Psychoeducational Interventions For Older Patients With Mood Disorder, Vera Ngenwie Nkweti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No included because we used the Walden University School Template

Integrating Community Assets, Place-Based Learning, And Career Development Through Project-Based Learning In Rural Settings, Denae Kizys, Christine Lotter Ph.D., Lucas Perez, Rachel Gilreath, Dodie Limberg

Faculty Publications

Our study investigates the first year of a two-year place-based education (PBE) professional development model that focuses on career development in rural middle schools through project-based learning (PBL) units. Rural science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educators face unique challenges, including geographic isolation, limited resources, and reduced access to professional development opportunities, which can hinder the effective integration of career-oriented learning in the classroom. We addressed these challenges by implementing professional development in which school counselors and teachers collaborate to design PBL units aligned with rural community local needs and STEM careers. Using a descriptive multiple-case study methodology to document …

Multiagent Copilot In Industrial Ai Applications, Chathurangi Shyalika, Renjith Prasad, Utkarshani Jaimini, Cory Henson, Fadi El Kalach, Amit Sheth

Publications

In the era of smart automation and digital transformation, achieving efficiency, precision, and adaptability is essential for industries to remain competitive. Sectors, including manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, healthcare, finance, and retail, face significant challenges in deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions tailored to their unique needs, particularly in critical, resource-constrained applications. According to Gartner’s 2024 Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, composite AI, which integrates techniques like machine learning, knowledge graphs, and rule-based systems, is becoming foundational for industries, enhancing predictions, decisions, and scalability across complex environments.

The complexity of real-world systems requires Industrial AI solutions to be customizable to business …

Ccaat/Enhancer-Binding Proteins Α And Β Regulate Ovulation And Gene Expression Via Dose- And Stage-Dependent Mechanisms, Hanxue Zhang, Rainer B Lanz, Jimmy Dhillon, Paul D Soloway, Bo Shui, Yi Athena Ren

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge orchestrates complex cellular and molecular events leading to ovulation. CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α and β (C/EBPα/β) are transcription factors acutely induced by the LH surge and crucial for ovulation and granulosa cell luteinization. However, biological processes (BPs) and their regulatory mechanisms downstream of C/EBPα/β in the preovulatory ovary are not completely understood. To address this knowledge gap, we generated Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants and compared them with Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutant female mice: Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutants have undetectable levels of C/EBPα/β throughout the preovulatory stages and do not ovulate, aligning with previous reports; and Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants present gradual depletion of …

Approach To The Patient: From Endocrinopathy To The Diagnosis Of A Histiocytic Disorder, Polyzois Makras, Dana Erickson, Caroline J Davidge-Pitts, Eli L Diamond, Carl E Allen, Kenneth L Mcclain, Jithma P Abeykoon, Ronald S Go, Krishmita Siwakoti, Houman Sotoudeh, Aishwarya Ravindran, Lucinda M Gruber, Gaurav Goyal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Endocrinopathies are frequently the initial presentation of histiocytic neoplasms, which are rare hematologic disorders affecting multiple organ systems. Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Erdheim-Chester disease are 2 such disorders known to infiltrate the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, leading to arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) and anterior pituitary dysfunction (APD) in 20% to 30% of cases, often as the first manifestation. Conversely, histiocytic disorders account for a notable proportion (10-15%) of all pituitary stalk lesions. The diagnosis of histiocytoses is often delayed in such cases due to the nonspecific presentation of endocrinopathies and pituitary involvement. Consequently, endocrinologists are at the frontline and uniquely …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Implement An Educational And Behavioral Intervention To Address Childhood Obesity And Depression, Hillary Oluwatosin Ayokunle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The doctoral project was a quality improvement initiative aimed at addressing the co-occurrence of obesity and depression in children aged 9-18 years. The practice problem is critical within the context of nursing practice, as both childhood obesity and depression are significant public health concerns that impact physical and mental well-being. The practice-focused question guiding the project explored whether the implementation of an educational program centered on nutrition, physical activity, and mental health leads to improvements in body mass index (BMI) and reductions in depressive symptoms, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The purpose of the doctoral project …

Burnout, Life Satisfaction, And Meaning-Focused Coping In Correctional Mental Health Providers, Danielle Janet Tsamouris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have found that burnout among correctional mental health providers is related to unique stressors that impact their physical, psychological, and emotional health, including the perceived and actual threat of violence. Using the transactional theory of stress and coping, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the influence of burnout and meaning-focused coping strategies on life satisfaction in correctional mental health providers. Online survey data from 102 master’s-holding correctional mental health professionals were recruited by SurveyMonkey who also administered the survey. Results from a standard multiple regression analysis suggested that meaning-focused coping strategies significantly and positively influenced life …

Food Insecurity, Myplate Utilization, And Hba1c In United States Adults With Prediabetes, Lindley R. Sharp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rising prevalence of prediabetes in the United States presents a significant public health challenge, particularly due to its progression into Type 2 diabetes. Despite national dietary guidelines, disparities in dietary adherence persist, especially among food-insecure adults. This quantitative study examined the impact of food insecurity and MyPlate utilization on HbA1C levels in prediabetic U.S. adults, while accounting for structural and intermediary determinants of health. Guided by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health framework, this cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the 2015–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey including a sample size of 1,417 noninstitutionalized male and …

Artificial Intelligence Applications In Decision-Making For Disease Management A Scoping Review, Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda, Fatemeh Ranjbaran Madiseh

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Artificial intelligence (AI) has several potential applications in medicine, creating opportunities for reliable and evidence-based decision-making in disease management. To explore the practical aspects of AI in decision-making, this scoping review was conducted to identify AI applications in disease management using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Data collection involved searching relevant keywords in Web of Science and Scopus databases in May 2023. Eligibility criteria for study inclusion and exclusion were established, and the review process adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A total of 80 extracted sub-themes were identified and categorised into 6 main themes: data processing and management, characterisation and analysis, prediction …

Antimicrobial And Antibiofilm Activity Of Local Wheat Bran Extract And Bacteriocin Combination Against Gastrointestinal Pathogens, Omer Natheer Abbas, Majid Rasheed Majeed

Baghdad Science Journal

Gastrointestinal microbial infections have increased especially between children and represent a community burden. The present experiment was designed to examine the combined impact of local wheat bran bioactive compounds and Bacteriocin over locally isolated pathogens including S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans and evaluate their antimicrobial and antibiofilm eligibility. Local wheat Ibaa99 bran extract consists of phenolic compounds, phytic acid and inulin, Bacteriocin was purified from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei that was identified as a new strain (namely MOIQ35) by the 16S rRNA gene using the PCR technique and after its registration with The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The …

The Effect Of Bio And Nano Fertilizer On Growth And Yield Of Basil Plant And Its Content Of Active Ingredients, Radhiyah Ali Hasan Ahmad, Hayder Abdulmunem A. Turk, Suha Dhia Abid Ali Twaij

Baghdad Science Journal

A factorial experiment was conducted at the College of Education for Pure Sciences Ibn al-Haitham/University of Baghdad for the 2023 growing season to study the effect of the biofertilizer represented by the mycorrhizae vaccine and the NPK Nano fertilizer on some indicators of vegetative and root growth, yield, and volatile oil production of the basil plant, Ocimum basilicum L., the experiment included two factors. The first factor was mycorrhizae inoculum at 2 levels: 0 (no addition) and an addition of 25 g plant^–1, as the seeds were inoculated upon planting. The second factor was spraying the plant’s shoots …

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Nutrient Deprivation Reduces Nitrate Content In Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa Var. Ramosa Hort.) And Enhances Nitrogen Metabolism, Yingying Zhang, Xuena Liu, Shikai La, Mingjiao Wang, Xu Hu, Ainoug Shi, Jinghuai Guo, Lingdi Dong

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Excessive nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables poses health risks and indicates inefficient nitrogen use in conventional agriculture. While nitrogen metabolism has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms linking nutrient deprivation to nitrate reduction in vegetables remain unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated these mechanisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort.) by analyzing nitrate content and gene expression in leaves and roots under nutrient deprivation. Results After five days of treatment, nitrate content decreased by 57.49% in leaves and 50.77% in roots. Transcriptome sequencing identified 323 and 3,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves and roots, respectively, with …

Mining Medical Data Toward A More Equitable Health System For The Public, Julian Powell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

The aim of this study is to identify predictors of different sleep disorders which are less studied within the field. With sleep disorders affecting the overall well being of millions of individuals worldwide this is an important examination of potential factors which can lead to the development of such disorders. A relational database was constructed using MySql and Python in order to perform multiple different statistical analyses on data provided by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. Correlations and predictions between described sleep disorders and different physiological factors described within the dataset were found to establish conclusions …

Adhd And Its Relationship With Impulsivity And Delay Of Gratification In Terms Of Reward Seeking, Seth Hall

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Abstract ADHD is one of the most common disorders in the world with a prevalence rate between 8-12%. Previous research has shown potential struggles for those with ADHD when it comes to being able to delay their behaviors in multiple facets of their lives. These studies have investigated their ability to fulfill waiting periods in both physical and technology based tasks, as well as incorporating impulsivity levels into the mix. The present study utilized a self-report survey to measure participants' risk for ADHD (ASRS), and placed them into a high risk or low risk category based on their scores. These …

Co-Parenting With The Land In Amazonian Ecuador: Speech, Breath, And Personhood Among The Napo, Runa, Kate R. Nielsen

Anthropology ETDs

This paper explores the processes of personhood in lowland Amazonia and specifically, Kichwa-speaking communities in Ecuador. In lowland Amazonia, personhood is developed through a multitude of social processes in contrast to the Western perception of birth as the defining moment of personhood. As noted in the current literature, an infants' personhood emerges through their relationships with family and community This thesis investigates whether a similar process exists among Kichwa speakers. While Kichwa infants undergo processes akin to their lowland Amazonian neighbors, such as body manipulation and food taboos, shared breath, often through speech, is vital to the ebbs and flows …

Implementation Of A Nurse Practitioner-Led Video Telehealth Program To Improve Triage For Pediatric Patients In An Ambulatory Intestinal Rehabilitation Center, Elizabeth Castle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Children with short bowel syndrome are medically complex, requiring specialized management and coordinated care to address acute triage issues between scheduled visits. Their risk for rapid decompensation and distance from specialty centers often necessitates telephone-based triage—a typically non-reimbursable method. At a leading Northeastern U.S. children’s hospital, the Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) center manages high-risk telephone triage of these patients’ concerns using experienced nurse practitioners. The inability to directly visualize patients during telephone encounters, however, limits clinical assessment and decision-making, presenting challenges to efficient and safe care delivery. A systematic literature review indicated that telehealth can enhance parental confidence, improve clinician …

Urban Fail: The Need For A Capital-Focused Narrative In Federal Urban Economic Policy, Michael Turner

University of Dayton Law Review

This article contains a foreword by Susan Elliott about the presentation of the Susan Newhart Elliott Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship to author Michael R. Turner and editor Jessica K. Turner.

Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Characteristics Of E-Cigarette Ever-Use: U.S. Hints 6 Survey, Lilianna Phan, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee Jun Kim, Julie A. Barta, Hee-Soon Juon

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective

Methods

Results

Human Trafficking: An Examination Of Policies And The Impact Of Trafficking On Victims, Hannah Lyons

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Human trafficking is a pervasive and complex global issue that involves the exploitation of individuals. While there is also the trafficking of objects, this study solely focuses on sexual exploitation and forced labor of humans. This paper defines trafficking and examines the impact that trafficking has on victims’ physical and mental health. This paper also examines the intersection of human trafficking and policies designed to combat it, focusing on the effectiveness of legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of current anti-trafficking laws and initiatives, the paper explores how policies can be improved to better address …

How Protests From 1913 To 1920 Led To The Ratification Of The 19th Amendment, Margaret Stell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Parallel Paths:, Jacob Jones

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Observing The Prevalence Of Wolbachia Found In Tick Species From The Central Virginia Region, Madison Hoover

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Research has found that ticks are considered the second highest global vector of disease. Ticks can serve as a vector for pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease), Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi disease) and Borrelia hermsii (tick-borne relapsing fever). Tick species such as Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog ticks), Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast ticks), Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star ticks), Ixodes scapulari (Black legged ticks), and Ixodes affinis can be found within the southeastern Virginia region. Arthropod hosts that possess Wolbachia can have their reproduction negatively impacted through methods such as Parthenogenesis, Male Killing, Feminization, and …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Dance Movements In Enhancing Activities Of Daily Living For Geriatric Patients And Relevant Implications For Nursing Care, Rachel Bruce

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Within the healthcare industry, the geriatric population holds a unique set of patient-care needs due to a myriad of physical and cognitive challenges that are not present in other subcategories of the population (Cremer et al., 2023). The presentation of these challenges can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life and their overall independence, which in turn decreases their overall quality of life (Cremer et al., 2023). One specific challenge healthcare providers must consider when caring for elderly patients is the reduced range of mobility typically associated with growing older (Machacova et al., 2015; Hartigan, 2007; Sinoff & Ore, 1997; …

The Relationship Between Lynchburg Area Ob-Gyn Physician Exercise Recommendations, Physical Activity Status, And Depression In Postpartum Women., Mckenzie Brundage

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) significantly impacts maternal well-being and infant care, necessitating effective and accessible interventions. This study examines the role of physical activity as a potential therapeutic modality for PPD, focusing on whether OB-GYNs in the Lynchburg, VA area provide exercise recommendations to pregnant and postpartum patients, and how these recommendations relate to postpartum activity levels and mood. We hypothesize that OB-GYN recommendations on exercise will lead to a positive correlation between regular physical activity and reduced PPD symptoms, supporting the integration of exercise into standard postpartum care protocols. Methods: Data was collected through an anonymous Google-Form administered to …

Leading Through Crisis: San Diego County Schools' Response To The Social Emotional Needs Of All Students, Johana Bielma

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented school closures, forcing administrators to take decisive action to radically change the educational system. The imperative to switch to remote learning transformed the dynamics of teaching and learning, leading to both immediate and long-term academic and social emotional consequences for all stakeholders. When schools reopened, administrators faced the challenge of reintegrating students into in-person learning while addressing the pandemic’s lasting effects on academics, mental health, and school safety. While academic regression was evident, the extent of students’ emotional struggles was less anticipated. Many students exhibited increased irritability and mental health issues such as depression …

Determining Diagnostic Criteria To Define Infant Swallowing Through Dyad Interviews With Experts, Evon Youkhana

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing incidence of pediatric dysphagia, understanding what constitutes normal swallowing is essential to identifying aberrant swallowing. The purpose of this investigation is to understand how expert clinicians define swallowing disorders in infants and young children through a qualitative analysis of clinical decision-making processes.

METHODS: Data collection occurred in two phases. Phase I consisted of an online survey, which gathered demographic information and expert opinions on pediatric feeding and swallowing assessments. Phase II consisted of two dyad interviews to discuss key clinical and instrumental components important in determining the presence or absence of swallowing problems in infants and …

Immigrants’ Inhumanity To Immigrants: The Failings Of Modern Us Immigration Policies Through The Lens Of Mauritanian Asylum Seekers, Karuna Kayembe

Senior Theses

By analyzing firsthand accounts of Mauritanian migrants gathered at The Migrant Center of St. Francis Church of Assisi, this paper explores the systemic inequities of U.S. immigration law and enforcement, particularly its impact on African migrants. The research argues that these lived experiences expose the disconnect between official narratives of welcoming migrants and the harsh realities of the immigration system, making a case for a more humane and equitable framework. This will be accomplished by first setting the scene on Mauritania and the culture and history that backs up how the migrants act and why they chose America to emigrate. …