Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Topical Delivery Of N-Acetylcysteine And Collagen Via A Novel Electrospun Collagen/Pmma Nanofibrous Mats As Facial Mask Development: Nanofibers Optimization And In Vitro Experiments, Samar A. Salim, Galala University, King Faisal University, Badr University, National Research Centre, City Of Scientific Research And Technological Applications (Srta-City),, Badr University

Nanotechnology Research Centre

This study endeavours to craft a potent topical facial mask using electrospun nanofibers. The nanofibers were carefully fabricated based on loading of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) onto electrospun marine collagen (MC), and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers. Through precise adjustments of electrospinning parameters, a uniform array of nanoscale fibres with a smooth surface was achieved. The morphology and chemical structure configuration of nanofibers (NFs) were examined using SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses. Furthermore, the cytotoxic impact was assessed on a human normal fibroblast cell line (BJ1), while protein levels were gauged using the Bradford dye-binding assay (Coomassie assay). Also, the antioxidant potential …

Longitudinal Association Between Sleep Disturbance And Disordered Eating In Adolescents: The Mediating Role Of Emotion Dysregulation, Antonia Louise Hamilton

Theses - ALL

Accruing evidence suggests a significant relationship between sleep disturbances and disordered eating. Early adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability for sleep disturbances and disordered eating. However, the longitudinal relationship between sleep disturbance and disordered eating remains unclear in early adolescent samples. The current study aims to examine if sleep disturbance longitudinally predicts disordered eating in early adolescents three years later, how the odds of having clinically significant disordered eating change per each unit increase in sleep disturbance, and if emotion dysregulation mediates these relationships. It is hypothesized that baseline sleep disturbance will predict greater disordered eating at follow-up, and …

Using A Heuristic Tool To Improve Symptom Self-Management In Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial., Suzanne Ameringer, Grace Hodges, R K Elswick, Lauri Linder, Catherine Fiona Macpherson, Kristin Stegenga

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer experience multiple distressing symptoms during treatment, yet few developmentally relevant resources have been developed to help them self-manage their symptoms. Empowering patients to have a more active role in self-management during cancer treatment may lessen their symptom severity and distress.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to test an intervention designed to improve symptom self-management, the Computerized Symptom Capture Tool (C-SCAT), by helping AYAs understand their unique symptom experience and discuss it with their health care providers.

METHODS: We are conducting a multisite, 2-group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects …

Three Essays On The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap): Examining External Shocks, Protective Effects, And Administrative Challenges, Hyojeong Kim

Dissertations - ALL

Abstract In this dissertation, I present three studies that examine how different forms of inconsistency—arising from timing disruptions, eligibility structures, and administrative churn—shape the functioning and effectiveness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Although SNAP is designed to provide a reliable source of food assistance, access to benefits is not always predictable, continuous, or evenly accessible. The studies show that inconsistencies can emerge through external shocks that alter the timing of benefit delivery, through eligibility rules tied to disability determinations in other programs that may exclude self-reported disabled households from accommodations, and through administrative procedures that generate temporary interruptions …

Perceptions Of Lumbee Tribe Members On Participating In Diabetes Type Ii Prevention Practices, Jeremy Wesley Lowery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type II diabetes (DB2) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, whether directly or as a comorbidity. This is especially alarming for Native Americans, who have the highest DB2 prevalence and death rates when compared to their non-Native American peers. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Lumbee Tribe members in Robeson County regarding DB2. The health belief model was used as a lens through which to understand and interpret findings. In-person semi-structured audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 12 participants recruited through social media. Data were coded and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. …

Mobile Markets And Farmers’ Markets: Evaluating Food Accessibility For Underserved Communities In The Bay Area, Rajeshwari Rajesh

Master's Theses

Studies indicate including farmers’ markets, mobile markets, and other local food systems improve fresh food access for low-income communities, especially when paired with food assistance programs that offer financial incentives. This study aims to evaluate mobile markets and farmers’ markets in the Bay Area using the five dimensions of food access: accessibility, availability, acceptability, affordability, and accommodation. The study is based on primary data collected from 173 in-person surveys at six mobile and eight farmers’ markets in the Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties. Key survey participants were market shoppers participating in food assistance programs. A mixed research methodology included …

Laser And Light-Based Therapy For Hair Growth And Hair Removal, Michelle Wiryadana, Nelva Karmila Jusuf

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Recent advances in laser and light-based technologies have introduced new options for both the stimulation of hair growth for alopecia and the reduction of unwanted hair growth. However, the clinical evidence remains varied, and treatment outcomes are influenced by factors such as device type, wavelength, and individual response. Ongoing evaluation of safety, efficacy, and standardization of treatment parameters is therefore essential.

Discussion: This review provides an in-depth discussion of the principles, mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of lasers in promoting hair growth, as well as on lasers and light-based therapies used for hair removal. The mechanisms of laser-induced hair growth …

Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Blighia Unijugata Baker Aril Protein-Rich Extract, Oludele O. Odekanyin, Ifeoluwa M. Adepoju, Tolulope A. Anjorin, Oluwatobi S. Adekoya

Tanzania Journal of Science

The study investigated the in vitro oxidative-stress-mitigating effect and anti- inflammatory potential of the soluble protein of the arils of Blighia unijugata in order to establish possible use in inflammatory therapy. Air-dried Blighia unijugata aril was pulverized into powder, defatted using petroleum ether, and homogenized in Phosphate Buffer Saline. The homogenate was centrifuged, and the supernatant was subjected to ammonium sulphate fractionation. The precipitate was thoroughly dialyzed, dialysate was freeze-dried, and termed partially purified Blighia unijugata aril protein extract (ppBUAPE). The antioxidant potential of the protein-rich extract was investigated using DPPH, H2O2 scavenging activity, and FRAP. The ability of ppBUAPE …

Enterobacteriaceae Contamination In Locally Packaged Roasted Cashew Kernels From The Coast And Morogoro Regions, Tanzania, Douglas Mushi, Silvia Francis Materu

Tanzania Journal of Science

The increased sales of locally packaged roasted cashew kernels (RCK) in Tanzania reflect growing consumer demand for healthy, convenient snacks. Despite this popularity and frequently reported cases of gastrointestinal illness, the microbial safety of these plastic- bagged products is not well-documented, posing a potential public health concern. To address this, a study was performed to evaluate packaging hygiene, package integrity, and microbial contamination of randomly selected packages of RCK (small: n=99; medium: n=87; large: n=118) from vendors in Coast and Morogoro regions, Tanzania. Package integrity was assessed using a vacuum decay leak tester while microbial contamination on surfaces including RCK, …

Effectiveness And Safety Of Moisturizing Wash And Cream In The Treatment Of Elderly Xerosis Cutis, Lili Legiawati, Shannaz Nadia Yusharyahya, Rinadewi Astriningrum, Fathirah Rahmatiah Puteri, Nabila Chalisya Ilyas

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: The skin undergoes degenerative and metabolic changes with aging, increasing susceptibility to dermatological conditions. Xerosis cutis, characterized by rough, scaly skin on the lower legs, is the most common cause of pruritus in elderly patients, with a prevalence of 38–85%. Treating xerosis cutis is challenging due to its multifactorial causes, especially in the elderly. Moisturizers remain the primary and most effective treatment, providing convenience and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of QV Intensive Moisturizing Cleanser™️ and QV Intensive Cream™️ (Ego Pharmaceuticals, Australia), which contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives.

Case Illustration: This observational case series involved six …

Comparison Of Xrf And Icp-Oes Methods To Determine Trace Element Concentrations Of Kidney Stones In Iraqi Patients, Farah Khalid Denyeif, Saadiyah Ahmed Dhahir

Baghdad Science Journal

Understanding the nature and composition of stone formation as well as developing treatment strategies that prevent stones from forming in kidneys are dependent on researching the chemical makeup of kidney stones. Therefore, 11 samples of kidney stones were collected and digested, and the concentration of metal ions such as (Ag, Al, Cu, Mn, Ni, Ti, Zn, Ca, Na, K and Mg) was measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy method and X-ray Fluorescence. it was found that Ca is the highest concentration and most abundant in all samples in both methods, followed by Na, Mg and Ni. …

Organic And Inorganic Carbon Drives Zooplankton Composition In Tigris River Within Baghdad, Mohammed Hamdan, Batool Kadhim

Baghdad Science Journal

Increasing availability of organic and inorganic carbon in aquatic ecosystems became a common phenomenon that was influenced by manmade activities and ongoing climate change, which could influence zooplankton communities. Zooplankton composition in Tigris River under the effects of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon inputs (DOC and CO₂) has not been studied yet. Hence, we studied those impacts by taking three locations that were distributed in Tigris River within Baghdad City. Eighty-four taxa of zooplankton have been recognized during the study. These taxa were divided into three main groups that are: Rotifera forms 69.04% and Cladocera forms 16.66%, while …

Dampit Robusta Coffee Effect On The Creatinine Kinase Levels And Muscle Pain Scales Among Sport Enthusiast, M. Fath Alhaqqi Sanis Salamy, Mohammad Fathul Qorib, Lilik Herawati, Rizky Darmawan, M. Izzul Mujahiddin, Salamun Salamun, Ahmed Zaiyan Nahel Salamy, Achmad Yarziq Mubarak Salis Salamy, Moh Nahar Azmi Mohamed, Ain Darojah Siddiq Ramadhan Ramadhan

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Excessive eccentric exercise often results in muscle injury, reflected by elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In Indonesia, coffee consumption after exercise has increased, with Dampit Robusta Coffee (DRC)—a local variety rich in caffeine and antioxidants considered a potential aid for recovery. This study evaluated the effect of DRC consumption on biomarkers of muscle damage and perceived soreness. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 20 healthy untrained men aged 20–25 years, allocated into treatment (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The treatment group consumed brewed DRC (≈200 mg caffeine/day) …

Preeclampsia And Preterm Birth As Predominant Factors Of Low Birth Weight: Insights From A Rural Hospital In Indonesia, Sitisalma Amirah Dzakiyyah, Alissa Rahma, Aziza Salsabila, Devi Silvia Agustina, Syarifah Qamariah, Adhi Mahabudi Duarsa, Nareswari Imanadha Cininta

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Low birth weight (LBW) remains a major public health concern in low-resource and rural settings due to its strong association with neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify maternal determinants associated with LBW in a rural hospital in Indonesia. A retrospective cross-sectional review was conducted on 179 singleton deliveries between January 1st and December 31st, 2024, at Alimuddin Umar General Hospital. Maternal age, parity, anemia, preeclampsia, and gestational age at delivery were obtained from medical records and analyzed using bivariate and multivariate methods. Bivariate analysis showed that preterm birth (p < 0.001) and preeclampsia (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with LBW, whereas maternal age, parity, and anemia showed no significant associations. When adjusted for potential confounders in the multivariate analyses, both preeclampsia (p = 0.019; OR = 4.61; 95% CI: 1.29–16.55) and preterm birth (p < 0.001; OR = 14.60; 95% CI: 5.52–38.57) remained independent predictors of LBW. These findings suggest that preeclampsia and preterm birth are the main contributors to LBW in this setting. Strengthening antenatal care, particularly early detection and management of preeclampsia and prevention of preterm birth, may reduce the burden of LBW. Further studies including nutritional, socioeconomic, and antenatal care variables are recommended to identify independent risk factors more comprehensively.

Effects Of Replacing Antibiotics With Bacillus-Based Probiotics In The Diet Of Lactating Sows On Reproductive Performance, Feed Intake, Serum Immunoglobulin Levels, Milk Production, Oxidative Stress Markers, Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, And Piglet Growth Performance, Chutikan Srisang, Tip-Apa Akkhaphan, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Rafa Boonprakob, Suparlark Nuntawan Na Ayudhya Dr, Lea Hübertz Birch Hansen Dr, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This clinical trial investigated the effects of adding a Bacillus-based probiotic to the lactation diet of sows (without in-feed antibiotics) on maternal and piglet outcomes. A total of 109 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (parity 1–7) were assigned to either a control group (n = 61) or a treatment group (n = 48) receiving Bacillus subtilis – 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens – 516. Piglets in the treatment group also received the probiotics via creep feed from day 3 until weaning. Blood samples were collected within 12 h after farrowing to assess serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and malondialdehyde (MDA) …

Application Of The Phoenix Sepsis Score For Diagnosing Sepsis In Children With Measles, Tam Thi Phung, Nguyen The Nguyen Phung, Tuan An Van Ngo, Minh Duy Vo, Hieu Trung Pham, Hai Nhi Thai Pham

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Objective: To assess the prevalence of sepsis and septic shock in children with complicated measles using the Phoenix Sepsis Score Criteria (PSSC) during the first 24 hours of admission to the Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit (IDICU). Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in the IDICU at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from June 2024 to December 2024. The study included 161 children aged 1 month to 16 years with measles-associated complications. Results: A total of 161 cases, with a median age of 9 months (IQR: 6–21), were included. Among them, the 49.7% were infants …

Coaching Graduate Students Through Early Childhood Focused Community-Engaged Learning: Graduate Student Perspectives And Course Design, Sarah Tulane, Shirlene Call Law

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

Community-engaged learning (CEL) in graduate-level coursework contributes to professional development and growth. CEL course design requires intentional and time-intensive planning. A graduate-level child development course was designed for CEL using the following process: needs assessment, training for community education, preparing materials, practicing with feedback, presenting to an authentic audience, and reflection on the experience. Students created presentations for authentic parent audiences based on a needs assessment of parent interest in child development topics. Reflections from four students in the course were analyzed using a general thematic analysis technique. Three themes emerged. …

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 9, Issue 2, Fall 2025

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full-length Fall 2025 issue (Volume 9, Issue 2) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version (with downloadable EPUB format) here.

This issue of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence brings together articles that highlight approaches for engaging students and broader communities through teaching, coaching, and assessment in higher education. The contributions examine community-engaged learning in graduate coursework, the use of coaching practices to support student-centered teaching and advising, Cooperative Extension staff readiness for virtual instruction, and alternative assessment strategies aimed at increasing engagement and reducing anxiety in challenging STEM courses. Collectively, the articles …

Geographic And Sociodemographic Disparities In Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Adherence, Amanda Pavan, Anton Kvit, Michael Van Skiba, Analise Ristic, Kirsten R. Coverstone

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Early identification and intervention are crucial to minimizing impacts of congenital hearing loss. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs recommend newborn hearing screening before one month of age and a diagnostic audiologic evaluation before three months for infants who do not pass the screening. However, not all infants meet these benchmarks, as geographic and sociodemographic factors may influence adherence.

Addresses of primary contacts and audiology clinics were geocoded to calculate drive times to the nearest clinic in 10-minute intervals for infants born in Minnesota between 2019 and 2021. Birth location, NICU admittance, and sociodemographic characteristics were also analyzed. Random …

The Implementation Of Indoor Urban Gardening: A Microgreens Pilot Study In A University Setting, Kathryn Chang, Samantha Brink, Annette Gadegbeku

Transformative Medicine

Introduction: “Food deserts” are geographical areas that lack affordable full-service grocery stores and have higher densities of unhealthy or “fast food” options. These deserts not only exist in communities such as Philadelphia, but also on college campuses. One solution to creating access to fresh vegetables is urban farming, which refers to green areas (i.e. community gardens) that provide places for food to be grown by local residents. Microgreens Health Outreach Project (HOP), aimed to build and implement a small, indoor community garden cart within the Health Sciences Building (HSB) at Drexel University; the organization hoped that this cart would be …

Lived Oral Health Experiences Of Syrian Refugees In The United States, Taniya Michael Henry-Sangar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The oral health status of Syrian refugees has been impacted by war and displacement since the 2011 civil war. To date, limited in-depth knowledge is available on oral health experiences of resettled Syrian refugees in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore lived oral health experiences of resettled Syrian refugees before, during, and after the 2011 Syrian civil war. The health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) were theoretical frameworks for this phenomenological inquiry. The study was guided by semi-structured phone interviews with a purposeful sample of 11 Syrian refugees over the …

Adapter Changes Of Central Line Patients On Total Parenteral Nutrition, Courtney Erin Schappell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain a significant and preventable patient safety issue, especially among hospitalized patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Patients on TPN face a higher risk of infection due to the high glucose content of the solution and the frequent access required for central line therapy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have recognized CLABSI prevention as a national priority. In addition, there is emphasis on high-risk groups like patients receiving TPN. The Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, an evidence-based guideline, recommends catheter care, including timely adapter (i.e., …

Implementing Sbar-Based Staff Education And A Diabetes-Specific Discharge Checklist To Reduce Patient Identification Errors During Handoffs, Maragarate Nesoa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an organization change initiative using staff education to reduce patient identification errors during handoffs among older adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Misidentification during transitions of care contributes to medication errors, unnecessary readmissions, and preventable adverse events

Correlational Study Of Health Checkups And Patient Wellness: Epidemiological Evaluation On Prophylaxis Pathways, Samantha H. Beaubrun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health checkups and wellness visits are a vital pathway to early detection and diagnosis of disease. It is not known whether young adults, insured or not, are opting into preventive care services to optimize health status via health checkups/wellness visits at primary care academic health centers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relation of wellness visits to healthcare insurance and health status while adjusting for gender among young adults ages 18–35 years in the United States. A descriptive correlational design was used with the 2023 National Health Interview Survey data set (N = 6,544). The results …

Evaluation Of Iron Chelation Therapy In Adults With Beta-Thalassemia Major In Hilla City, Murtadha K. Ibrahiem, Muhamad O. Almuhammadi

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: People with thalassemia can have too much iron in their bodies. This overload can come from the disease itself or from regular blood transfusions. Excess iron can harm the heart, liver, and endocrine system.

Objectives: This study aims to show how effective Deferasirox therapy is in lowering iron levels in thalassemia patients.

Materials and Methods: We enrolled 30 patients and a healthy control group from November 2022, to February 2023. The participants were gathered from the maternity hospital’s Department of Genetic Diseases in Babylon Province, Iraq. The patients were newly diagnosed, and the data included the sex of the …

Electrochemical Behavior Of Dental Alloys After Surface Modification By Sputtering Coating Technique, Noor Muneerabdulsahib, Nidhal Sahib Mansoor, Muna Noori Ismail

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

For metallic materials, the corrosion behavior is the most important property to be considered due to the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the products of the corrosion process in vivo. Numerous coating processes have been developed to improve corrosion resistance, enhance the metal’s surface qualities, and increase its service life. The purpose of this review was to gather data on the corrosion of alloys in dentistry and plasma sputtering coating techniques to improve the surface characteristics of substrates. Several databases, including google scholar, pubmed, science direct, and web of science were searched electronically, and a manual search of the scientific literature …

Assessing Utah's Agricultural Producer And Small Processor Interest In Value-Added Food Production, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University researchers conducted a study of Utah agricultural producers and food processors interested in value-added food production. This fact sheet provides an overview of the study’s results on respondents’ operational details, including years in business, number of employees, and annual sales, as well as their interest in and rationale for expanding into value-added food production. It also discusses their current or planned timeframe for processing operation implementation, the types of products and markets involved, processing locations, and sales projections. Finally, it highlights the resources, tools, information, and services respondents identified as most useful for their processing …

Enhanced Oviposition Preferences And Larval Performance Of Hermetia Illucens L. In Fruit Wastes Fermented By Effective Microorganisms, Resti Rahayu, Robby Jannatan, Muhamad Ronaldo, Risa Ukhti Muslima

Makara Journal of Science

Organic waste comprises a considerable portion of global waste, requiring effective management. The ability of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) to convert organic waste into biomass has been well reported. However, bioconversion can be hindered by fiber-rich substrates, a challenge that can be addressed through substrate pretreatment. This study examined the oviposition preferences and larval performance of BSFs in several fruit wastes fermented by effective microorganisms (EMs), which were compared to non-fermented substrates. The oviposition attractants utilized pineapple peel and overripe soursop, with larval performance evaluated among different treatments, i.e., non-fermented pineapple peel (NFP), fermented pineapple …

Cytological Changes In Buccal Mucosa Among Yemeni Qat Chewers In Hadhramout Governorate: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study, Saleh H. Ben Sumaidea, Hassan Pyar, Abdullah O. Bin Nashwan, Abdullah M. Bin Fadhl, Abeer A. Marabi, Ahmed A. Al-Shetri, Gumaan S. Rassam, Halima K. Joher, Mashhoor A. Bin Shehab, Mohammed S. Bin Mosalem

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Qat (Catha edulis) chewing is a common practice in Yemen, associated with oral mucosal irritation. The objective of the current study is to compare cytological findings of buccal mucosa between Qat chewers and non-chewers. A comparative cross-sectional study was designed. Buccal smears were collected from chewers (n = 100) and non-chewers (n = 100), fixed, and stained with Harris hematoxylin staining. Smears were assessed for inflammatory changes and cytological atypia by two blinded examiners; disagreements were resolved by consensus. The inflammatory cells were observed in 21% of chewers compared to 8% of controls (P = 0.009), while …

Suitability Of Mobile Phase Recycling For Methylxanthine Quantification In Coffee Samples Using Hplc, Kaitlin O’Keeffe, Marcos Mariano, Brian Murphy

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline fall under a drug class known as methylxanthines. These three compounds are of major interest in the food industry due to their presence in popular foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, and chocolate. As these compounds can cause physical and mental stress at high dosages, their quantification is essential to ensure product safety and quality. Here, we describe an eco-friendly HPLC method developed to quantify the amount of these analytes in coffee samples sourced across the SETU Waterford, Cork Road campus. Using an isocratic mixture of water and methanol, a mobile phase recycling approach was …