Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Different Methods Of Smoking On Serum Level Of Vitamin D Among University Students In Baghdad, Sabiha Aljubory, Usama Salman Altimari

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Vitamin D has different biological actions in the body. Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects in multiple organ systems. Vitamin D deficiency has been found to have an inverse relationship with tobacco smoking. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of Vitamin D level and its correlates with tobacco smoking among University student male and female. Volunteer was conducted on a sample of university student, both males and females Iraq, during the period from January to December 2020. A pretested questionnaire was used for data collection adopted from previous standard national surveys and studies, and the questionnaire included …

Human Service Professionals’ Perspectives Of Family Reunification Programs, Tasha Tolbert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

When Stress Cardiomyopathy Meets Iron Deficiency: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Emmanuel Olumuyide Md, Alfredo Toll Md, Lukan Abdulraheem Md

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) commonly complicates cardiovascular disease, but its association with outcomes in stress cardiomyopathy (SC) is not well defined.

Purpose:

We examined whether IDA in SC is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and greater resource utilization.

Methods:

Using the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2022), we identified adult SC hospitalizations and stratified admissions by IDA status. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association of IDA with in-hospital mortality (primary outcome).Key secondary outcomes—cardiogenic shock (CS), mechanical circulatory support (MCS), acute kidney injury (AKI), vasopressor use, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges (THC)—adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics.

Results: …

Music Therapy For The Treatment Of Body Image Dissatisfaction: Implications For Future Practice, Elizabeth Hope Vance

Honors Projects

Body image dissatisfaction has become a growing concern in recent decades. Negative body image has been linked to anxiety, depression, elevated stress, eating disorders, and relational problems (Smith et al, 2024). Body image can negatively affect a wide variety of populations such as cancer survivors, people diagnosed with eating disorders, and adolescents. Fortunately, recent studies have investigated ways to improve body image perceptions among those affected.  Common treatments for body image dissatisfaction include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and alternative therapies (Peng & Xie, 2021).  Despite social efforts to reduce negative body …

When Metabolism Meets Mind: The Diagnostic Challenges Behind Late-Onset Otc Deficiency, Rebecca Hoshaw Do, Lauren Amendola Do, Faap, Catherine Raquel Bs, Mallory Logsdon Do, Faap

Scientific Day

Introduction/Background:

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is the most prevalent urea cycle disorder (UCD), affecting ~1 in 60,000 people. As an X-linked condition, it was historically associated with severe neonatal disease in males. However, newer data shows females often present postnatally with highly variable symptoms and age of onset, frequently causing mis- or delayed diagnosis.

Description:

We report a case of a 10-year-old female with cyclic vomiting syndrome, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and recent orthopedic surgery who presented with acute onset altered mental status, lethargy, and visual hallucinations without focal neurologic deficits on exam. Initial labs were notable for normal glucose and …

A Unique Complication Of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Relapse Of Atypical Anorexia Leading To Persistent Hypoglycemia In A Transgender Patient, Syed Basit Haider Md, Sameen Hassan Md

Scientific Day

Introduction/Background:

Post-bariatric hypoglycemia is a known complication of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), often due to dumping syndrome or, rarely, noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS), characterized by hyperinsulinemic postprandial hypoglycemia from pancreatic β-cell hyperplasia. Eating disorders, including anorexia, are prevalent in bariatric candidates (up to 17-19% with binge eating or depression per meta-analyses). Though anorexia nervosa relapse, post-surgery is uncommon and underreported. Current guidelines (AACE/TOS/ASMBS 2020) recommend preoperative mental health evaluation but do not view eating disorders as absolute contraindications unless active and untreated.

Description:

A 37-year-old transgender woman (MtF) with prior type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity (>270 lbs) …

Pfas Exposure And Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Population-Based Exploratory Study, Ashley Robinson Do, Eli D. Ehrenpreis Md, Agaf, Facg, Ethan Anderson Do

Scientific Day

Background/ Significance:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants known as “forever chemicals.” PFAS accumulate in human tissue and have potential for carcinogenesis. Prior studies have examined the effects of environmental exposure to PFAS on human disease and suggest a link between PFAS exposure and breast and thyroid cancer, but associations with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies have not been assessed.

Purpose:

We conducted a geographic ecological analysis to examine correlations between PFAS concentrations and the incidence of GI and other cancers across the United States.

Methods:

County-level cancer incidence rates for multiple cancers were merged with maximum PFAS drinking …

From Chronic Constipation To Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: A Pediatric Gi Perspective, Umar Aker Do, Paula Gamero Kubota Md, Tiffany Patton Md

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Chronic constipation is one of the most common pediatric complaints and accounts for 1/4 of pediatric GI consults. It affects approximately 12-18% of individuals between 0 to 18 years of age. Although outcomes are generally positive with appropriate management including dietary changes, laxatives, and medications such as linaclotide, undiagnosed or inadequately treated constipation could have detrimental results. Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) due to fecal impaction is a considerably rare complication of constipation. We present the exceptional case of an adolescent who developed ACS secondary to severe constipation and required prolonged intensive care admission.

Description:

A 17-year-old male with a …

A Heart-Stopping Decision: An Ethical Dilemma Involving Pacemaker Deactivation At End Of Life, Hailee Grannan Md, Nora Badi Md, Kavita Sharma Md

Scientific Day

Introduction/Background:

Pacemaker deactivation at the end of life presents complex ethical and logistical challenges. While Heart Rhythm Society affirms a patient’s right to withdraw life-sustaining treatments, clinicians often experience moral distress when patients are pacemaker-dependent. Unlike defibrillators, pacemakers are perceived as integral to the body rather than external interventions, leading to concerns regarding hastening of death with pacemaker deactivation. In this case, we highlight how device manufacturer procedural requirements can also create obstacles to deactivation, resulting in unintended prolonged suffering and increased distress for the patient and family.

Description:

A 74-year-old male with metastatic renal cell carcinoma developed third-degree heart …

Balancing Safety And Quality With End-Of-Life Realities: A Single Inpatient Hospice Facility Review, Hailee Grannan Md, Sarah Riutta Phd, Kavita Sharma Md

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Patient safety in hospice care requires balancing traditional safety metrics with individualized, comfort-focused goals at the end of life. Inpatient hospice units manage complex symptoms, high-risk medications, and dynamic family preferences, yet limited literature characterizing safety events in this setting. Despite routine event reporting, no comprehensive evaluation of safety incidents has been conducted at Zilber Family Hospice (ZFH).

Purpose:

The purpose of this project was to characterize and analyze patient safety incidents at ZFH to identify patterns, clarify event categorization, and inform hospice-specific safety practices and staff education that support comfort and harm reduction.

Methods:

Safety incidents at ZFH …

An Analysis Of Professional Development Preferences, Needs, And Engagement Among Family And Consumer Sciences Teachers In Illinois, Sally E. Arnett

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

The purpose of this study was to identify the professional development preferences, needs, and engagement of family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers in Illinois. Signature pedagogy and its three theoretical elements served as a foundational framework for structuring respondents' professional development considerations. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through an online survey completed by 45 (42%) Illinois FCS teachers. Findings indicated that teachers preferred professional development that was offered in person, located within geographical proximity, and scheduled during contracted working hours. Respondents identified discipline-specific FCS content, effective lab management, and the integration of AI in an FCS classroom …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Chosen Career And Job Fitness, Grace Corinne Jennings

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined how experiences of abuse and neglect influenced career choice and whether individuals perceived their chosen careers as a good fit. Data were collected through an electronically distributed survey shared via social media, resulting in a sample of 542 participants. Analyses explored relationships between ACE scores, career field, job fit, and demographic variables including age and sex. Findings indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between ACE scores and perceived job fit. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between men and women in reported levels of job fit, nor between sex and highest level …

The Association Between Diet Quality, Nutritional Knowledge, Low Energy Availability, And Eating Disorder Risk In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Laurel Koontz Awald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to investigate the association between diet quality, nutritional knowledge, low energy availability, and eating disorder risk in a sample of collegiate student-athletes across several sporting disciplines. The quantitative cross-sectional survey was developed using validated questionnaires to investigate diet quality (The Athlete Diet Index), nutritional knowledge (The Platform for Evaluating Athlete Knowledge in Sports – Nutrition Questionnaire), low energy availability (The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire and Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire), and eating disorder risk (DESA – 6). College athletes were recruited from Division I and III universities: (N = 31) from the track and …

A Qualitative Single Case Study To Understand What Types Of Support Best Enable Early Childhood Teachers In A Mid-Atlantic State To Achieve Curriculum Fidelity, And How These Supports Benefit Teacher Practice And Classroom Outcomes, Tatiana Rizzotto Queenan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to understand what types of support best enabled early childhood education teachers achieve curriculum fidelity and how these supports benefited teacher practice and classroom outcomes in a mid-Atlantic state. The theory guiding this study was Domitrovich et al.’s conceptual framework for maximizing the implementation of quality of evidence-based preventive interventions in schools. The central research question that was answered during this case study was: What support best enables early childhood education teachers in a mid-Atlantic state to achieve curriculum fidelity, and how do these supports benefit teacher practice and classroom outcomes? …

Faith And Flourishing: Describing The Lived Experiences Of Christian Counselors Who Integrate Christian Faith Into Their Wellness, Angela Joy Stanley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of counselors who integrate Christian faith into their wellness. The basis for this study was rooted in the work of Myers and Sweeney’s (2004) model of the indivisible self and the spiritual framework of coping for optimal health as introduced by Walker et al. (2015). Both models provide a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes the complexities of wellbeing which require the integration of multiple dimensions. Further, each model points to spirituality as an essential part of wellness. The research questions that guided this study were as follows: …

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals Leading Learning Recovery, Charlene Catherine Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of principals who worked to support the recovery of the learning lost by the school's fourth graders from a large, urban school district in Texas. Three centralized research questions guided this study. How did principals describe the lived experience of working to support the normalization of the educational experience so that the learning lost by the school’s fourth graders was recovered? How did principals describe their work as leaders who supported the educational process by developing resilience in the face of crisis? How did principals describe the impact …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Cardiovascular Adaptations To Exercise And Endurance Performance Among Male And Female Collegiate Athletes, Ronnie Wayne Eggleston Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise are prominent among endurance athletes. While heart rate is used to determine exercise prescription and to measure overall health, little research has explored the influence of sex-based differences on changes in heart rate and performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in male and female endurance athletes, with a focus on heart rate and performance times. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used with a sample of 19 (nine males, ten females) collegiate triathletes on a university club sports team. Data was collected at the beginning and end …

Workplace Health: Blood Pressure Education And Self-Monitoring At The Worksite, Pamela E. Carver

DNP and Student Works

Hypertension (HTN) is the most common diagnosis in the United States and one of the 10 most expensive health conditions for employers. Poorly managed and undiagnosed HTN increases health care costs and contributes to lost employee productivity. The literature strongly supports self-monitoring as key to blood pressure (BP) control, especially when paired with additional interventions such as education. Although much has been done to review various worksite health promotion programs over the last 20 years to 30 years, specific evidence regarding the potential impact of providing BP self-monitoring equipment at the worksite is lacking. The purpose of this study was …

“We Are Physically Alive But Mentally Dead”: The International Community Must Take Action To Ensure Women’S Right To Education In Afghanistan, Solveig J. Clifford

BYU Law Review

International treaties recognize the right to education as a fundamental human right. The Taliban, which currently act as the government as Afghanistan, are legally bound by treaty obligations to respect the right to education. The Taliban have banned women and girls from receiving education past the sixth grade, which is illegal under international law. During the Taliban’s previous regime in Afghanistan, they implemented a similar policy, which had disastrous results for an entire generation of Afghan women. Once again, the education ban is causing severe harm to the women and girls of Afghanistan. The international community has failed to take …

A Behaviourally Segmented Assessment Of The Environmental, Nutritional, And Economic Impacts Of Household Food Waste In The Republic Of Ireland, Courage Y. Krah, Paul Hynds, Anushree Priyadarshini

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Household food waste represents a multifaceted sustainability challenge with environmental, nutritional, and economic repercussions. However, no integrated multidimensional assessment has examined how impacts vary across different household food waste behaviours, representing a critical knowledge gap. This study presents the first nationally representative, behaviourally segmented assessment of household food waste in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), integrating life cycle assessment (LCA), nutrient composition, and economic assessment. Data from 966 households were used to quantify food waste volumes across twelve food categories and four behavioural clusters. Environmental impacts were estimated using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method, while nutrient and monetary losses …

Heat Shock Factor 1 Signaling: A Novel Pathway Implicated In Rett Syndrome Pathophysiology, Sonia Gonzalez

Dissertations

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with loss-of-function mutations in the methyl-CPG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. There are limited therapeutic options to address the wide range of social, cognitive, motor, and respiratory symptoms that patients experience throughout their lifetime. To identify novel therapeutic targets, we leveraged a rare form of RTT known as MeCP2-mutation-negative or atypical RTT. Traditionally, RTT is first diagnosed clinically and then confirmed through the identification of mutations in the MECP2 gene. However, ~5% of RTT patients are found to be MeCP2-mutation-negative (atypical), despite sharing overlapping symptomology with typical RTT. We …

Does Enrollment In A Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) Program Predict Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors And High School Graduation Rates In A Rural Georgia High School: A Descriptive And Correlational Analysis, Breanna M. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of the Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) program in a rural Georgia high school and its effectiveness on high school graduation rates and maladaptive behaviors in the setting. Grounded in both the Social Learning Theory and Happenstance Theory, this study explores how structured and unplanned experiences influence student outcomes. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze archivable data from approximately 512 students across six cohorts spanning the 2015-2016 school year through the 2024-2025 school year. Variables in the study include CTAE participation, behavioral referrals, and graduation rates.

Findings from the study reveal positive …

Inadequate Access To Healthcare In Low-Income Hispanic Communities In Brooklyn, Joanna Marie Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative research was to understand healthcare disparities using the Solar and Irwin conceptual framework and to shed light on healthcare disparities as the reason low-income Hispanic patients, male and female, from the ages of 20-90 in Brooklyn, New York, received inadequate access to healthcare. Healthcare disparities represented a critical issue in providing adequate patient care for adult Hispanic patients within the United States healthcare system. Research into healthcare disparities has been conducted; however, detailed information about the causes of the disparities was lacking, especially concerning inadequate access to healthcare in low-income Hispanic communities. This qualitative research …

Silent Invaders: Stopping The Spread Of The Spotted Lanternfly, Sloane Z. Hall

Masters Theses

The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect originating from China, has rapidly spread across the United States, harming agriculture, forestry, and surrounding ecosystems. It’s destructive feeding behavior severely impacts grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods, which directly affects wine production, farm communities, and local environments. The aim of this research was to investigate the biological, ecological, and economic stakes of the infestation, as well as the methods currently used to monitor and control its spread. Specifically, it examines how communication frameworks, design practices, and extension approaches influence producers’ adoption of recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. Through the research, a literature review, …

Adsorption And Kinetic Study Of Toxic Dye (Methylene Blue) Removal From Simulated Industrial Wastewater Using Sustainable Material, Zahraa H. Obaid, Jasim M. Salman, Alaa R. Omran, Noor S. Naji

Baghdad Science Journal

Water pollution is a global issue that affects both human health and the environment. The increasing use of the methylene blue (Mb) dye in various industrial applications poses significant risks. The study aimed to use hydrochloric acid-modified Ziziphus Spina Christi powdered leaves (ZSC) as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing Mb dye from effluents. Batch experiments were conducted with contact times of 10–180 minutes, initial dye concentrations of 10–60 mg/L, temperatures of 25–60°C, pH values of 5–9, and sorbent dosages of 0.25-2 g per 40 ml of dye solution. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of Mb …

Antagonistic Activities Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoproducts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Sirwan M. Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

The rise of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat and reduces the efficacy of current treatments. The present study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of exoproducts from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against MRSA. The confirmation of the identities of P.aeruginosa and S.aureus was achieved through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Using the agar diffusion assay, the cell-free supernatants (PA-CFS) derived from both the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strain and the reference strain ATCC 27853 demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against MRSA, exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 28.67 ± 0.33 to 33.33 ± 0.33 mm and …

The Effect Of Spirulina Supplementation Into The Basal Diet On The Productivity And Environmental Cost Of Thin-Tailed Lambs Fattening, Nadlirotun Luthfi, Edy Rianto, Sutaryo Sutaryo, Endang Purbowati, Hasna Fajar Suryani

Baghdad Science Journal

Spirulina platensis is a supplement that has a good impact on the growth performance of lambs, but information about the amount of this substance in feed efficiency and environmental impact is still required to be determined. The study aimed to examine the effect of the supplementation level of Spirulina platensis in the basal diet on the productivity and environmental costs of Thin-tailed lambs fattening. Twenty-four male lambs (aged 4 months; weighing 14.99 kg) were allocated to a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and six replications in each treatment. The treatments were 1) 100% basal diet without Spirulina supplementation (T0); …

Examining The Link Between Adenomas And Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer In Adults Aged 20–44, Ijeoma F. Erondu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has increased among adults younger than 50 years, raising concerns regarding risk identification and screening practices in younger populations. This study examined the association between colorectal adenomas and EOCRC among adults aged 20–44 years in the United States and evaluated whether this relationship was influenced by selected demographic and behavioral factors. A cross-sectional analytic design was used to examine medical claims data from the Optum Partner Health database. The study population included 186,790 individuals aged 20–44 years who underwent colonoscopy procedures. Demographic variables included age group, sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Smoking status was …

The Experiences Of Females With Adhd Receiving Their Diagnoses In Post-Secondary School: A Phenomenological Study, Sarah A. Schultz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the educational experiences of females who received attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses while attending postsecondary schools. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. This theory explains the relationship among environmental, internal, and external factors in a person’s motivation. The central research question was: What are the educational experiences of females who received ADHD diagnoses while attending postsecondary schools in the United States? This study used transcendental phenomenology to understand the experiences of females who received delayed ADHD diagnoses while attending postsecondary school. There were 10 participants in …

Exploring The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dorothy Elaine Rolling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of self-efficacy for nursing students whose primary language was not English and who were enrolled in higher education in the northeastern area of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy. The major tenets of the self-efficacy theory aligned with the metaparadigm of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing) and with the study’s focus, which was to explore how English as a second language (ESL) nursing students could successfully complete the registered nursing program at an institution of higher learning. The central research question was: …