Digital Commons Network^™

Archaeoparasitology Of The Colorado Plateau, Karl J. Reinhard, Morgana Caacho

Karl Reinhard Publications

Archaeoparasitology has been conducted in the Southwest for 57 years. In the first decade of the period, two pictures of parasitism emerged. Analysis of compressed organic sediments from a latrine at Elden Pueblo presented a spectrum of geohelminths not different from medieval Europe. These findings contrast pronouncedly with an analysis of coprolites from all other studies that show consistent pinworm parasitism at other sites in the Southwest. We summarize the paleoepidemiological bases for these contrasting phenomena.

Integrating Lifestyle Medicine Into Undergraduate Nursing Education, Lyndsay Wright

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Objective: Lifestyle Medicine (LM) effectively addresses the lifestyle-related diseases that contribute most to global morbidity, mortality, and healthcare spending. However, nurses and nursing students struggle with maintaining healthy lifestyles themselves, with LM and health behavior change strategies insufficiently taught in nursing education. Method: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design examined the effects of an LM educational intervention on undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of LM and intentions for health behavior change. Data were collected using demographic questions, an LM knowledge (LMK) questionnaire, the Lifestyle Medicine Assessment (LMA), and a modified Intention to Change Behavior Scale …

Uplifting Youth: An Adolescent Mental Health Promotion Intervention, Adriana Cornejo

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

The Lift Project™ is an initiative that combines positive psychology and lifestyle medicine to promote mental health. This DNP project investigated the effectiveness of The Lift Project™ in enhancing mental health outcomes in adolescents for the first time. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with participants aged 12 to 17 who attended The Lift Project™ workshop over 10 weeks (n = 22; age M = 15.3 years, SD = 0.99; 68.2% female, 100% Hispanic). Quantitative mental health assessments measuring anxiety, depression, stress, vitality, emotional well-being, flourishing, and life satisfaction were administered pre- and post-intervention. Results revealed a 30% reduction …

The Impact Of Nutrition On Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms In Adults, Joseph P. Galabit

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

The Potential Of Vitamin D As An Adjunct Therapy For Eczema, Kimberly Hill

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Congestion Mitigation For Foraging Robot Swarms Using Spiral Path Strategies, Arturo Gonzalez, Qi Lu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Swarm robotics offers robust and scalable solutions for tasks such as foraging, but congestion near central collection zones remains a critical challenge, especially with increasing swarm sizes. Traditional solutions, such as static path planning or local repulsion-based methods, often fail to prevent interrobot collisions or bottlenecks near the collection zones. This research presents a comparative study of three strategies to mitigate congestion when returning resources to the central collection zone. The research herein focuses on tightly packed environments where, in theory, robots should follow a preplanned spiral, either ad-hoc, square, or circular, with congestion detection as described in the first …

Improving The Reporting And Tracking Of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries, Melinda Rosado

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) affect millions of patients a year, impacting patient safety and creating a significant financial burden for healthcare systems. Inadequate reporting and tracking of HAPIs lead to delays in care, inaccurate data reporting and missed opportunities for quality improvement. This is in large part due to a lack of training and education around HAPIs, poor communication of injuries during hand-off and a lack of system integration. A process improvement program to improve the reporting and tracking accuracy of HAPIs was piloted on two post-surgical units in a large urban cancer center. This initiative combined comprehensive training via …

Implementing A Patient-Centered Pediatric Obesity Protocol In A Population With Social And Environmental Risk Factors, Carolyn Walsh

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Children and adolescents exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative social determinants of health (SDoH) have an increased risk of developing pediatric obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity (2023) recommends assessing these factors in children with obesity. At a School-Based Health Center (SBHC), the standard of care for pediatric obesity did not include ACEs and SDoH screening, highlighting a gap in practice. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project developed, implemented, and evaluated a patient-centered pediatric obesity protocol incorporating ACEs, SDoH screening, and referrals to patient-centered …

The Role Of The Individual In Animal Collectives, Tanya T. Shoot

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Animals form groups for a variety of reasons, primarily as a way to increase access to food, mates, and safety. An important attribute of these groups is their personality composition. Personality is defined as repeatable traits over time and context, and has been found across multiple taxa. Traits have been found to be heritable, and are thus a unit for natural selection to act upon. Having a heterogeneous group may be beneficial for survival in a changing environment. The question of how the personality composition of the group affects group behaviour has rarely been asked in the field of animal …

Exploring Mating Patterns: The Interplay Of Genes, Environment, And Their Evolutionary Outcomes, Sanduni Talagala

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

There is great variation in the reproductive tactics exhibited both between and within different species, which is reflected in how individuals engage in mate assessment, mate choice and offspring production. It is therefore important to understand general mating patterns of populations, the factors that influence these mating patterns, and the consequences they carry, in order to get a more holistic understanding of mating systems. This doctoral research represents a multi-pronged investigation of the factors shaping mating patterns and their consequences, how environmental factors influence mating patterns, and how both genotypes and the environment interact to influence mate choice decisions and …

South-South Migration: Examining The Links Between Food Security And Migration From Ghana To Qatar, Bernard Owusu

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation contributes to the migration-development literature by integrating food security into the analysis of South-South migration. While migration and development have been extensively studied, the connection between migration and food security remains underexplored, particularly in South-South migration contexts. The dissertation highlights the role of migration as both a coping strategy for food insecurity and a source of vulnerability for migrants in the specific context of temporary labour migration between Ghana and Qatar. Addressing this gap, the research examines how migration decisions are influenced by food insecurity in Ghana, the food security challenges faced by Ghanaian migrants in Qatar, and …

Fallow Fields Or Fertile Ground: Analysing Food Governance In A Changing World, Johanna L. Wilkes

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Our food systems are failing us. In particular, industrial food systems fail to deliver healthy, adequate food to billions of people (FAO et al. 2019; FAO et al. 2024) and have led to increased instances of mental health crises for farmers (Jones-Bitton 2019; Younker & Radunovich 2021). In addition, industrial food systems contribute to the devastating impacts of a warming climate (IPCC 2021), biodiversity loss (WWF 2021), and soil erosion (Wise 2019; Badreldin and Lobb 2023) worldwide. Yet, little structural change has occurred in the way agriculture is governed and the problems created by industrial agriculture are becoming increasingly entrenched. …

Nature For All? Assessing Equitable Public Access To National Urban Parks In Canada: A Comparative Analysis, Andrew Tenute

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The number of health challenges is rising both globally and in Canada. Research consistently shows that time spent in nature can mitigate some of these health challenges, offering significant mental, physical, and well-being benefits. Parks and protected areas in Canada, including the expansion of the National Urban Park (NUP) program by Parks Canada, provide valuable opportunities for nature-based engagement. However, access to these spaces is unjust, as many individuals face structural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal constraints. While prior studies have explored the motivations and well-being outcomes of women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals, there remains a limited …

How Can University-Community Partnerships Strengthen Food Literacy To Improve Food Access And Food System Resilience In Rhode Island?, Jocelyn Furtado

Student Publications

Nearly two out of every five households in Rhode Island experience difficulties accessing adequate and nutritious food, falling into the category of food insecure. While it is not the responsibility of a sole organization to reverse this complex systemic issue, collaborative efforts are a step toward combating food insecurity and systems resilience through improving food literacy. When accomplished within a community, adequate food literacy can combat food insecurity. To the same effect, food insecurity may cause a lack of food literacy.

To hone in on the relationship of food literacy as it relates to food insecurity and food systems resilience, …

Isapa 2025: Program Guide, Catherine Carty, Gerard Masdeu Yelamos

Publications

ISAPA 2025 is a landmark international event that brings together global leaders, researchers, practitioners, and advocates in Adapted Physical Activity to ignite systemic change under the unifying theme “Shifting the Dial: From Awareness to Transformation.” Hosted in Kerry, Ireland, under the patronage of UNESCO, the symposium integrates five major events into one dynamic platform.

The program reflects IFAPA’s mission to advance inclusion, research, professional excellence, and international cooperation, while also contributing meaningfully to the implementation of global frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris 2024 Call …

Validating A Novel Capability Of Assessing Pathways Of Animal Water Gain And Loss, Zachary T. Steele, Karen Caceres, Zachary A. David, Lisa M. Shollenberger, Alexander R. Gerson, Seth D. Newsome, John P. Whiteman

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Understanding variations in the routes by which wild animals gain and lose water is challenging, and common methods require longitudinal sampling, which can be prohibitive. However, a new approach uses Δ′¹⁷O_BW (Δ′¹⁷O of animal body water), calculated from measurements of δ′¹⁷O and δ′¹⁸O in a single sample, as a natural tracer of water flux. Δ′¹⁷O_BW is promising, but its relationship to organismal variables such as metabolic rate and water intake have not been validated. Here, we continuously measured oxygen influxes and effluxes of captive deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and manipulated their water intake and metabolic rate. We used …

Heterotrophy Of Particulate Organic Matter Subsidies Contributes To Divergent Bleaching Responses In Tropical Sclaractinian Corals, Connor R. Love, Kelly E. Speare, Michael D. Fox, Veronica Z. Radice, Kelton W. Mcmahon, Gretchen E. Hofmann,, David L. Valentine, Marie E. Strader

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Heterotrophic feeding on plankton and particulate organic matter (POM) by tropical Scleractinian corals is known to aid in the resistance and recovery from thermally induced bleaching. However, the relative importance of heterotrophy in promoting bleaching resistance and recovery is likely to vary based on ecological context and the severity of heat stress. In 2019, the Pacific Island of Mo'orea experienced mass coral mortality during a widespread marine heatwave. Many Acropora hyacinthus colonies on the shallow reef slope (5 m) were resistant to bleaching, while colonies on the deeper fore reef (14 m) often bleached and subsequently recovered, despite similar thermal …

Hair Growth Rate Estimation In North American Ursids, Jennifer H. Stern, Karyn D. Rode, Craig A. Stricker, Sheriden Ploof, Cindy L. J. Roberts, Celess Edinger, Mary Humbyrd, Nate Wagner, Megan A. Owen, John P. Whiteman, Thea Bechshoft, Brent White, Kristin L. Laidre

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The feeding ecology of wildlife populations has important implications for individual health, population productivity and distribution patterns. For ursids (bears), food resources and feeding behaviour primarily affect population dynamics via effects on cub production and survival. Much of what is known about the feeding ecology of bears is based on analyses of tissues collected from capture-based research efforts, harvested animals or non-invasive approaches. However, inference about diet from hair has been limited by a lack of quantitative data on the timing of the moult and hair growth rates. We conducted a study to develop and test two methods of quantifying …

The Impact Of Age-Friendly Policy On New York State: How Executive Order-190 And Executive Order-23 Shape Community Development For All Ages, Trista Bercarich

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

The demographic shift toward an aging population has created an urgent need for policies that promote inclusive, livable communities for all ages. This quantitative study examined New York State’s implementation of Age-Friendly policy through Executive Order 190 (2018) and Executive Order 23 (2022), which collectively advance the integration of health, accessibility and community participation across state and local systems. Guided by environmental gerontology and psychology, aging in place and successful aging frameworks, this research utilized an adapted version of the AARP Livable Communities Survey to assess residents’ perceptions of livability with the eight AARP domains. The cross-sectional online survey (n …

Health Center Patient Satisfaction: Pre, During, And Post Covid-19, Patricia A. Stroup, Patricia Stroup

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

This study aims to evaluate patients' attitudes toward healthcare services in a predominantly Hispanic population at an urban health center serving a significantly disadvantaged population.  This center is in one of the poorest areas of the city and has one of the highest diabetes rates in the nation. For over 50 years, Federal health centers have provided care to inner-city, rural, homeless and public housing residents. They provide care to vulnerable populations that would not otherwise be available in medically underserved communities. Central to overcoming disparities is assuring patient satisfaction with their healthcare. This study evaluates patients' satisfaction with the …

Final Cruise Report: Tn401, Roxanne A. Beinart, Shawn Arellano, Craig Young

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

ปัจจัยคัดสรรที่สัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาล, นวภัทร คงดี, ศิริพันธุ์ สาสัตย์

Journal of Nursing Research, Innovation, and Health

รูปแบบการวิจัยเชิงบรรยายวิเคราะห์ความสัมพันธ์ วัตถุประสงค์: 1) เพื่อศึกษาความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาล 2) เพื่อศึกษาความสัมพันธ์ระหว่าง เพศ ภาวะเปราะบาง ภาวะโภชนาการ ภาวะซึมเศร้า และจำนวนชนิดของยาที่ใช้ประจำ กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาล กลุ่มตัวอย่าง คือ ผู้ที่มีอายุเกิน 60 ปีบริบูรณ์ขึ้นไปที่พ้นระยะเฉียบพลัน มีสภาวะทางการแพทย์คงที่และมีสัญญาณชีพปกติ ทั้งเพศชายและเพศหญิงที่มารับบริการในแผนกผู้ป่วยในโรงพยาบาลระดับตติยภูมิ 3 แห่ง โรงพยาบาลเลิดสิน โรงพยาบาลเจริญกรุงประชารักษ์ และโรงพยาบาลจุฬาลงกรณ์ สภากาชาดไทย จำนวน 93 คน เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการเก็บข้อมูล ได้แก่ แบบสอบถามข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล แบบประเมินความสามารถในกิจวัตรขั้นพื้นฐานของผู้สูงอายุ แบบประเมินภาวะรู้คิด แบบประเมินภาวะเปราะบางอย่างง่าย วิเคราะห์ข้อมูลโดยใช้สถิติพรรณนา สถิติสหสัมพันธ์อีต้า และสถิติสหสัมพันธ์ของ สเปียร์แมน

ผลการศึกษา: พบว่า 1) ผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาลมีความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพในระดับปานกลาง (mean = 55.04, SD = 10.55) 2) ภาวะเปราะบาง มีความสัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาลอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (=.259, p< .05) 3) ภาวะโภชนาการ มีความสัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาลอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (rs = 313, p< .05) 4) ภาวะซึมเศร้า มีความสัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาลอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (rs = -247, p< .05) 5) จำนวนชนิดของยาที่ใช้ประจำ มีความสัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาล อย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (rs = -264, p< .05) และ 6) เพศ ไม่มีความสัมพันธ์กับความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพผู้ป่วยสูงอายุที่มีภาวะพึ่งพิงที่เข้าสู่การดูแลระยะกลางในโรงพยาบาล

สรุป: ควรจัดทำกิจกรรมการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพเป็นรายบุคคลตามความต้องการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพทั้งด้านร่างกายด้านจิตใจ และจัดให้มีกิจกรรมนันทนาการเพิ่มจากการบริการขั้นพื้นฐานการดูแลระยะกลาง เพื่อมุ่งเน้นให้ผู้ป่วยได้เข้าใจคุณค่าที่สำคัญของชีวิตและรับรู้ถึงประโยชน์ของการฟื้นฟูสมรรถภาพ

Artificial Intelligence And Energy Democracy, Joel B. Eisen, Heather E. Payne

Law Faculty Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly transforming many professional activities, and the electric grid has already started to see adverse impacts from its use, such as the burgeoning demand for electricity from data centers. This Article acknowledges these impacts, but also demonstrates that AI can be put to beneficial use on the grid. It proposes and describes a specific use of AI: assisting citizen intervenors in public utility commission (PUC) proceedings, who currently face barriers to participation due to the technical complexity and confidentiality imposed by monopoly utilities. The Article describes how AI can assist intervenors to overcome the barriers to …

Antenatal Interventions To Improve Breastfeeding In High-Risk Pregnancies: An Outpatient Clinic Perspective, Lina Saeday

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

High-risk pregnancies often face unique challenges when it comes to breastfeeding, yet few antenatal interventions specifically target this population. This quality improvement project aimed to improve breastfeeding knowledge, confidence, and attitudes among high-risk pregnant individuals through a brief educational intervention. Ten participants between 33 and 36 weeks gestation with diagnoses including GDM, gestational hypertension, multiple gestations and IVF pregnancies were recruited from an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic. A printed educational brochure and a brief in-person teaching session were provided. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing their knowledge, perceived support, and attitudes toward breastfeeding. Post-intervention survey responses revealed statistically significant …

Addressing Mental Healthcare Barriers Among Bipoc Perinatal Patients In A Community Health Setting, Aimee Nguyen, Ezinne Ndibeshe, Vedika Iyer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Objective. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) perinatal patients often face systemic, cultural, and logistical barriers to accessing mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum. These challenges contribute to disparities in outcomes, yet patient perspectives remain underrepresented in community health settings. This quality improvement initiative aimed to identify key barriers, raise awareness about perinatal mental health, and improve access to care at a community health clinic in Shoreline, Washington. A culturally inclusive educational handout was developed to support awareness and connect patients with mental health resources.

Methods. A mixed-methods approach was used to explore barriers both quantitatively and qualitatively. …

Optimizing Patient Outcomes: The Essential Role Of A Consolidated Nutrition Platform, Hugo Lam

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background and Purpose: Current research identifies a gap in the data regarding electronic health records (EHRs), signage, and digital tools to improve outcomes for patients on modified diets, as well as a lack of government reports on clinically related events (Hoggle et al., 2006; Limketkai et al., 2021; Prgomet et al., 2019). EHRs can facilitate data sharing, but often overlook clinical realities and user needs, which leads to inefficiencies in nutritional care. This quality improvement project examines the experiences of bedside providers in acute trauma settings to inform evidence-based recommendations for enhancing nutritional care practices and system design.

Methods: This …

Utilizing Integrative Medicine Services For Yoga To Reduce Cancer Related Fatigue, Leah R. Yeager

DNP Projects

Background: Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, many patients report CRF as more debilitating than pain itself. CRF is characterized by persistent, severe exhaustion that is not alleviated by sleep and is not linked to prior exertion. Despite its widespread impact, the options available to manage CRF are limited, typically including practices like good sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, mindfulness, and supplements. Integrative medicine, particularly yoga, has emerged as a promising intervention for reducing CRF. However, yoga is underutilized as a therapeutic approach to combat …

Nurse-Led Cbt For Depression In Heart Transplant Patients: A Feasibility Study, Matthew R. Wallace

DNP Projects

Background: Heart transplant recipients are at an elevated risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to the general population. Those with depression post-transplant face increased complications, e.g., infection, organ rejection, prolonged hospitalization, and higher mortality rates. However, specific psychotherapeutic interventions tailored for heart transplant recipients remain limited. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of various interventions for adults with heart failure, a condition frequently diagnosed in these patients. This suggests that successful strategies for managing depressive symptoms in heart failure patients could be adapted for heart transplant recipients.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Diet And Physical Activity Screening Tools For Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Primary Care, Ashley O. Dalton

DNP Projects

Background: Only half of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of less than 7%, indicating poor glycemic control and contributing to a global diabetes epidemic. Diabetes is considered a diet-sensitive disease and an individual’s diabetes-related nutrition knowledge is one of the most challenging aspects of the treatment plan. Empirical evidence supports that a combination of dietary and physical activity interventions is more effective than nutrition education alone. Performing a dietary evaluation is fundamental to establishing nutrition goals. The use of the Starting the Conversation (STC) tool, which assesses an individual’s dietary practices, and Physical …

Introducing An Eating Disorder Protocol In The Pediatric Primary Care Setting, Brandi Bozarth

DNP Projects

Background: The incidence of eating disorders has been on the rise, often beginning in adolescence and continuing well into adulthood. Consequences of untreated disrupted eating patterns can affect multiple body systems and are responsible for thousands of deaths annually. Despite these facts, research and data regarding eating disorders in adolescent patients are severely deficient. There is also a lack of standardization regarding assessing eating disorders in the pediatric primary care setting, as there are no specific guidelines or screening processes recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the detection of eating disorders.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is …