Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Night Shift On New Nurses: Effects On Mental Health And Work-Life Balance, Avery Windham, Abby Maruskin, Elizabeth Yoder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research examines the impact of night shift schedules on new nurses' mental health and work-life balance as they transition into professional practice. The transition from nursing school to the workforce presents challenges that are further compounded by shift work, which can disrupt circadian rhythms and contribute to stress, fatigue, and reduced job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to evaluate how starting on night shift versus day shift influences nurses’ self-evaluation of work-life balance within their first year of practice. This systematic review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed sources to assess the physical, emotional, and professional consequences of night …

The Compass, Summer 2026

The Compass, 2018-

The Compass is an annual orientation guide for VCU students produced by the Student Media Collective in the VCU Student Media Centered. The guide is distributed physically during summer orientation sessions for new and transfer students. The publication includes short articles, illustrations, letters of welcome from students and administrators, comics, and advertisements from VCU and Richmond organizations.

Proceedings Of The Eleventh Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: Stem Journeys, William S. Walker Iii, S. Selcen Guzey

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference are edited by the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST, https://www.education.purdue.edu/catalyst/) at Purdue University. The theme for the 2026 conference is STEM Journeys, celebrating the multiple pathways and experiences that advance student learning in STEM education.

Bare Bones Creamery/Ice Cream, Hanna Pope, Mason Dexter, Stephen Parker, Evan Trumpower, Logan Miller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Essentially, our project focuses on the fictional company, “Bare Bones Creamery.” Bare Bones Creamery is a company that sells all natural, affordable, no nonsense ice cream targeted towards people between the ages of 18 to 40. Our main goal is to document the process to grow and scale this company to 100 employees in about 10 years. Outside of this, we’ll also develop different departments of the company including finance, accounting, supply chain, IT/ data analytics, human resources, legal, sales, and marketing. Each department will grow with the company and will become more detailed as time progresses. Certain variables such …

Magnifying Mental Health In The Perinatal Population: A Systematic Review, Kasey E. Arnold, Alyssa M. Maki

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Pregnant individuals often experience significant anxiety, which can negatively affect both pregnancy and fetal outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of pharmacologic versus non-pharmacologic anxiety-relieving interventions, primarily focusing on the labor period. The PICOT question is: In perinatal patients, do non-pharmacologic anxiety-relieving measures, compared to pharmacologic anxiety-relieving measures, have a greater impact on ease of delivery and overall mental health during pregnancy and the perinatal period? PRISMA (2020) guidelines were used with inclusion criteria of human subjects, English language, and published within the last six years. Databases included PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Twenty-three studies were analyzed to examine …

The Connection Between Medicaid And Obesity In Northeast Ohio, Sophie Kheder, Emmie Kelley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States that is projected to increase exponentially over the next few years. Obesity is commonly associated with a lower socioeconomic status. Lower-income individuals tend to be supported by Medicaid, a federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Prior studies have shown a positive correlation between income status and obesity prevalence. Our goal was to find if there was a correlation between Medicaid patients and obesity in Northeast Ohio, to provide physicians with a set of characteristics to better combat obesity, since preventative and treatment guidelines are tailored to national trends. We …

Fitting A Square Peg In A Round Hole – The Regulatory Landscape Of Cryptocurrency, Jaxon Hill

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Health Care Governance And Structural Exclusion In Florida: A Human Rights Analysis Of Access For Latinx Communities, Natalie Medrano

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Access to health care in the United States is a complex system shaped by statutory programs and the discretionary powers of state governance. This thesis examines how Florida’s healthcare system structures access through administrative design, with particular attention to its impact on Latinx communities. Although formally race-neutral, Florida’s reliance on Medicaid non-expansion, managed care delivery, and complex eligibility processes produces systemic barriers that limit access for low-income populations. Drawing on the international right-to-health framework articulated in General Comment No. 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, alongside Latinx Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), this study analyzes how …

Social Determinants Of Health Affecting Cardiovascular Health Among South Asian Americans, Ann Mary Thomas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: South Asian Americans experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, yet the social determinants contributing to these disparities remain understudied.

Objective: This systematic review examines the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping cardiovascular outcomes among South Asian Americans.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science using predefined search terms related to South Asian populations, cardiovascular health, and SDOH. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 reporting guidelines, and study screening and management were performed using Covidence. A total …

Investigating The Interaction Of Gram-Positive Lactobacillus Species With Mucin In The Context Of Barrett's Esophagus, Ritisha Suresh

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can progress to the precancerous Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) condition, in which the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced with a columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. Mucins, sticky substances, are secreted in response to bile acid exposure during reflux episodes to protect the esophageal epithelium. Goblet cells secrete these mucins, which can also scaffold microbial colonization. Probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria can use glycosidase enzymes to process mucin and metabolize them into their component sugars (glycans). This project aims to identify the role of the Lactobacillus-mucin interaction in BE, as glycan availability could confer an advantage to Lactobacillus …

Investigating Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Cardiometabolic Outcomes Among Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: An Umbrella Review, Gianna C. Santoni

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinological disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Due to the possibility of a genetic component affecting women with PCOS, evidence supports varying health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups. This literature aims to answer the question: Does the prevalence of cardiometabolic outcomes differ among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome across racial/ethnic groups? This umbrella review was conducted in accordance with JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRIOR reporting guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420261303872) before completion. PubMed, MEDLINE via EBSCOhost, and Web of Science via EBSCOhost were searched from …

Activity-Dependent Remodeling Of Muscle Architecture During Distinct Locomotor Behaviors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Adina Fazyl, Akash Anbu, Sabrina Kollbaum, Andres G. Vidal-Gadea

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Muscle structure is dynamically shaped by mechanical use, yet how distinct locomotor behaviors influence sarcomere organization remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, crawling and swimming constitute discrete gaits that differ in curvature, frequency, and mechanical load, providing a tractable model for studying activity-dependent remodeling. Using confocal imaging of phalloidin-stained body-wall myocytes, we quantified myocyte geometry, sarcomere length, and sarcomere number across anterior, mid-body, and posterior regions in animals reared exclusively under crawling or swimming conditions. Quantification and hypothesis testing used linear mixed models that accounted for repeated myocyte measurements within animals, with interaction terms testing region-specific effects of locomotor …

To Flea Or Not To Flea: Abiotic And Biotic Factors Driving Flea Parasitism On Wild Deer Mice, Parker Todd, Angela Luis, Mike Kinsella

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are an abundant North American rodent and the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre virus (SNV), a hantavirus with a 30-40% case fatality rate in humans. While ectoparasites, such as fleas, are not considered vectors of SNV, their bites may indirectly affect the transmission of SNV by impacting host condition or immune function. These impacts could potentially lead to an increase in host susceptibility and/or an increase in viral shedding, yet there is still little knowledge on what influences flea parasitism on deer mice in western Montana. This study looks to examine how mouse sex, …

Association Between Caregiver Status And Physical And Mental Health Among National Senior Games Athletes, Chibuzo Uchechukwu Victor Obasi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

As the population ages, more people rely on informal caregivers, which puts many older adults at risk for health problems. Caregiving can be meaningful and strengthen family bonds, but it often leads to more psychological stress, especially for older adults who also have their own health concerns. Research shows that regular physical activity can help older adults build resilience and improve their mental well-being. Still, we know little about the health of older caregivers who stay very active. This study examines the health effects of caregiving among members of the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a group of highly active …

The Sub-Lethal Effects Of Trematode Parasites On The Migratory Behavior Of Lesser Scaup (Aythya Affinis), Scott Alan Herman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The introduction of the invasive freshwater faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) and its associated parasites in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region provides the opportunity to investigate how anthropogenic stressors impact the life history of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) using the Mississippi Flyway. To understand the life histories and interactions between lesser scaup and faucet snails we examined historical records, research, and ecology textbooks. Our literature review identified critical knowledge gaps in lesser scaup literature surrounding population dynamics, reproduction, and migration. Specifically, the sub-lethal effects of invasive trematodes on the migratory behavior of lesser scaup in the Upper Mississippi …

Research Productivity On Obesity In The Arab World: A Bibliometric Analysis (2004–2023), Jamil Adnan Samkari, Ahamd Azam Malik

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To examine obesity research trends in Arab countries to inform policies and interventions. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science database accessed via King Abdulaziz University’s electronic library. Publications on obesity research in Arab countries from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed using R-Bibliometrix. Key parameters included publication volume, leading authors and institutions, funding sources, keyword co-occurrence networks, and collaboration patterns. Results: Obesity-related research output in Arab countries demonstrated consistent growth from 2004 to 2023, with a threefold increase in publications since 2015. Regional and international collaborations have intensified, although disparities in research productivity persist across …

Enhancing Nursing Education To Improve Care For Women Experiencing A Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy, Sadie Caddell

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Enhancing Nursing Education to Improve Care for Women Experiencing a Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy

Role Of Mkp-2 In Pancreatic Beta Cell Function & Development Of Diabetes, Nabin Ghimire

Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of β-cells, whereas Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are closely linked, as individuals with T2D are twice as likely to develop MAFLD. Previous work from our lab demonstrated that overexpression of MKP-2 in obesity promotes hepatic steatosis, diet-induced obesity, reduced insulin sensitivity, and increased body weight. However, the role of MKP-2 in the onset and progression of diabetes remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to …

Covering The Care: Why Financial Resources Matter For Health, Mark Bonica, Phd,Mba,Ms

All Materials

Where people end up in the income and wealth distribution has a powerful and lasting influence on how healthy they are and how long they live. This is not just a story about poverty versus comfort. Across the entire population, health improves step by step as financial resources increase. Researchers call this pattern the health gradient.

This brief explains why that gradient exists. Drawing on decades of research from economics, public health, and social epidemiology, it shows how limited financial resources shape health through multiple pathways that unfold over different time horizons—from immediate consequences to cumulative effects that build …

Northeastern Illinois University, Academic Catalog 2026-2027, Northeastern Illinois University

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Climate Change Effects On Biomass And Greenhouse Gas Emissions Are Ameliorated By Nontoxic Endophytes In Southeastern Usa Transition Zone Tall Fescue Pastures, Rebecca Kay Mcgrail, Jonathan D. Moore, A. Elizabeth Carlisle, Jim A. Nelson, Rebecca L. Mcculley

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: The plant–microbe interaction between tall fescue and its endophyte Epichloë coenophiala can affect ecosystem responses to changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures. Endophyte-infected (E+) stands often exhibit improved stress tolerance and differing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to endophyte-free (E−) stands. However, it is unknown if mammalian nontoxic endophyte (NTE) strains introduced into some tall fescue cultivars confer differing stress tolerances or reduce soil GHG emissions.

Methods: We quantified the impact of fescue-NTE symbioses in Jesup and Texoma on biomass and GHG emissions in response to increased temperature (+3°C) and altered precipitation (50% lengthened interval between events) using …

Bridging Gaps, Empowering Futures: Transforming Reproductive Counseling For Women In Primary Care, A Quality Improvement Initiative, Brianna Clark

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the US, unintended pregnancies are associated with poorer maternal and fetal outcomes, especially among marginalized groups. Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended, raising a significant need for proactive interventions. Authoritative bodies now view the incorporation of preconception care as an essential intervention. Many pregnancy intention screening tools are available, but there are no standard practice guidelines or recommendations. Providers experience challenges due to time constraints and ongoing changes inherent in reproductive goals that make pregnancy intention screening complex. To address this, this project implemented an in-person educational training session using a screening tool, the One Key Question, along …

Separation Of Trichothecene Mycotoxins In A Matrix Of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) Seed, And Quantification Of Deoxynivalenol In Hemp Grain Infected With Fusarium Graminearum, Isabelle A. Kagan, Magdalena Ricciardi, Henry S. Smith, Rachel R. Schendel, Robert Pearce, Nicole Gauthier

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Fusarium graminearum, one of the causal agents of ear rot in maize and head blight of cereal grains, also infects hemp (Cannabis sativa L. containing a maximum of 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol or THC). This fungal pathogen produces trichothecene mycotoxins when it infects maize and cereal grains, but little is known about its production of mycotoxins in hemp. A method was developed to separate mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) in commercial hemp seed and grain (harvested tissue), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. Results: In HPLC analysis of commercial hemp seed, DON was separated from matrix …

Disrupted Circadian Rhythms Affect Hallmark Pathologies In Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Mouse Models, Valeria Buzinova

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with two hallmark pathologies: extracellular amyloid-b (Ab) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Ab is proteolytically processed from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by b-secretase and g-secretase as a monomeric peptide prone to aggregation. Eventually, the aggregate-prone monomers will form dense plaques that are difficult to break down and remove. These plaques begin to deposit into the cortex decades prior to the formation of NFTs and the onset of cognitive decline. NFTs are comprised of hyper-phosphorylated tau. Tau is a protein that serves to promote and stabilize the formation of microtubules. The formation of …

The Role Of Ombudsman And Social Work Protecting Rights, Roni Alicia Werner

Selected Full-Text Master Theses Collection 2018-

This thesis examines the role of the Ombudsman as an independent and impartial mechanism for addressing complaints, resolving conflicts, and promoting accountability within organizations. It explores how ombudsmen function across institutional contexts—such as higher education, government, and corporate settings—to provide confidential, informal, and accessible pathways for dispute resolution.

The study analyzes key principles guiding Ombudsman practice, including neutrality, independence, confidentiality, and informality, and evaluates their effectiveness in fostering trust and organizational transparency. Through a review of relevant literature and case examples, the thesis highlights how Ombudsman offices contribute to early conflict resolution, reduce formal grievances, and support ethical decision-making.

Additionally, …

Exercise Science Pre-Ot, Kinesiology, Sport, And Recreation

Program Revisions/Additions

No abstract provided.

Exercise Science Pre-At, Kinesiology, Sport, And Recreation

Program Revisions/Additions

No abstract provided.

Investigating Changes In White Blood Cell Composition In Wild Hosts In Response To Viral Infection, Anna Bolding

2026 Research Poster Competition

Reservoir hosts play a critical role in the persistence and spillover of zoonotic pathogens. Upon infection, reservoir hosts can shed viral loads sufficient for transmission and spillover often without displaying apparent pathogenic effects. Investigating how their immune systems control infection can provide insights into the factors that facilitate spillover events. Understanding the mechanisms that enable these infection characteristics is crucial for informing public health and conservation strategies. Though reservoir hosts’ immune responses are well-documented in controlled laboratory settings, these studies are not representative of natural populations. The bank vole - Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) system is well suited for investigating such …

Effect Of Organic Vs Inorganic Zinc Sources In Beef Cattle Diets During Gestation On Calf Immune Function And Colostrum Quality, Naija Sharpley

2026 Research Poster Competition

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of zinc supplementation in cattle feed on beef cattle during gestation and the influences of the trace mineral zinc on colostrum and calf immunocompetence measuring immunoglobulin concentrations and body weight. Cow-calf systems rely on the effectiveness and consistency of their nutritional intake. Beef cattle are fed forages and grain alongside specific minerals and supplements to meet nutritional requirements. The effectiveness of these trace minerals added to the diet helps to ensure that the animal gets the most out of its feed and the producer gets the most out of the …

Effectiveness Of Occupational Recommendations In Maintaining Cognitive Function Under Hot-Dry And Warm-Humid Conditions, Zane Garner

2026 Research Poster Competition

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommendations dictate heat safety practices in occupations throughout the United States. Currently, the effectiveness of these recommendations is unknown. Likewise, there is a lack of consensus regarding the effect of combined heat and exercise stress on cognitive function. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of NIOSH heat safety recommendations in maintaining cognitive function after moderate work in the heat, alongside whether the type of heat has any effect. METHODS: A counter balanced, repeated measures, randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate differences in cognitive function in two distinct environments. Participants completed two experimental …