Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions And Clinical Practice Around Use Of Airway Clearance Devices In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ahmed Alzahrani, Ahmed Alzahrani, Saeed Alghamdi, Mansour Majrshi, Ali Alasmari, Ziyad Alshehri, Fahad Alahmadi, Sultan Al Qahtani, Abdulrahman Alhawsawi, Ahmed Alasimi, Owis Eilayyan, Michael Polkey, Surinder Birring, Hopkinson N. S

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Effective airway clearance is a critical component of COPD management. Airway clearance devices (ACDs) can assist this, but their effectiveness relies on consistent use in clinical practice. Objectives: To identify awareness and clinical practice related to device use for people with COPD among respiratory therapists and physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Primary and secondary care in Saudi Arabia Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted among respiratory care and physiotherapy practitioners working in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The survey assessed familiarity with, attitudes towards, and utilisation of different types of ACDs in …

Understanding White-Collar Worker Experiences In Using Worksite Wellness Programs To Achieve Weight Loss, Anna Nicole Hermanson Hartwig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult obesity rates have increased from approximately 15% in 1980 to more than 40% of adults in 2018, and the rates continue to increase. White-collar workers are disproportionately impacted as a result of the sedentary work performed in a white-collar work environment. Increased levels of obesity result in elevated levels of psychological stress, chronic health conditions, and increased organizational costs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of the obese white-collar worker who has used a worksite wellness program to lose weight and to understand what additional support was needed to achieve weight loss. …

Intouch Week Of September 8, 2025, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Ribbon-Cutting Marks Official Opening of Converted Instrument Shop Classroom
• NYMC Goes Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
• Great Things are Happening on Campus
• Dana Mordue, Ph.D., Leads Future Scientists in the Fight Against Tick-Borne Diseases
• CDM Designated as NYS CTLE Sponsor for Educator Training
• Accelerated iBMS Program Paves the Way to Medicine
• NYMC Alpha Omega Alpha Chapter Receives Grant to Combat Food Insecurity
• NYMC Club Fair 2025 Ignites Campus with Community Spirit
• TCDM Educates on Oral Health Care at Tarrytown Back to School Bash
• In the Community-NYMC Students Create No-Sew Blankets for Ronald McDonald House

Interindividual Genetic Differences Drive Discordance Between Serum Calcidiol And Calcitriol Concentrations In Females., Elizabeth K Hutchins, Changran Niu, Jing Xue, Debin Wan, Carolina V Campos, Molly Warren, Megan M Knuth, Michael B Whalen, Venkata S Voruganti, Rafiou Agoro, James C Fleet, Bruce D Hammock, Folami Ideraabdullah

Faculty Research 2025

Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) is primarily determined by serum levels of calcidiol, which serves as a biomarker for the less abundant but most potent bioactive metabolite, calcitriol. However, population studies often show discordance between calcidiol and calcitriol. Here, a genetically diverse population of 7 inbred mouse strains was used to investigate the role of interindividual genetic differences in driving calcidiol-to-calcitriol discordance under vitamin D sufficient (VDS) vs depleted (VDD) conditions. We found high interstrain variability in calcitriol that was discordant with calcidiol under VDS and VDD conditions. However, under VDS conditions, stratification by calcitriol level revealed that strains with serum …

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 03, September 8, 2025, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – current

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Intestinal Microbiome Changes In Response To Amino Acid And Micronutrient Supplementation: Secondary Analysis Of The Amaze Trial, Monica N Mweetwa, Kazi Ahsan, John Louis-Auguste, Ellen Besa, Joram M Posma, Nathan Mcnulty, Micheal J Barrat, Jeff Gordon, Paul Kelly

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Microbial dysbiosis has been linked to environmental enteropathy (EE) and alterations in nutrient absorption; however, compositional modifications following exposure to supplementary nutrients are poorly understood. Here, we report the effect of amino acid and micronutrient supplementation on the gut microbiome of adults with EE. In the AMAZE trial, adults with EE were randomized to amino acids (AA) and/or micronutrients (MM) for 16 weeks in a 2 × 2 factorial design against placebo. Endoscopy was performed before and after intervention, during which duodenal aspirates were collected as well as fecal samples. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was performed on both these samples, …

Coping Self-Efficacy, Acculturation, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, And Perceived Discrimination As Predictors Of Depression Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Olatunde O. Osibote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian immigrants represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. Relocating to a new country can be a major source of stress, often increasing individuals’ vulnerability to mental health challenges. While considerable research has examined predictors of depression in the general population and among certain immigrant groups, limited attention has been given to these factors in the context of Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. This study aimed to address that gap by applying Berry’s acculturation theory to investigate predictors of depression within this population. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used to examine whether acculturation, socioeconomic …

Budget Recommendations Fy2026-2027, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Sex-Specific Associations Between Early Life Unpredictability And Trajectories Of Body Mass Index From Infancy To Adolescence, Emily M. Melnick, Lilybelle K. Deer, Jenalee R. Doom, Hal S. Stern, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia P. Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective:

Unpredictability in early life is an understudied aspect of early life adversity that provides important signals to the child about their environment. Recent work shows the predictability of patterns of parental signals on a moment-to-moment timescale sculpts the developing brain during sensitive windows, offering a potential pathway through which early life experiences shape child development. Both experimental non-human animal models and observational human research show sex-specific links between early life exposure to unpredictable patterns of parental sensory signals and aberrant offspring development. The impact of predictability of sensory signals on physical health outcomes, such as BMI, remains unknown. Here …

Defining Breast Epithelial Cell Types In The Single-Cell Era, G Kenneth Gray, Eric G Carlson, Tatyana Lev, Bailey Marshall, Austin D Reed, Alex P Sánchez-Covarrubias, Alecia-Jane Twigger, Aleix Puig-Barbe, Aatish Thennavan, Ayodele Omotoso, Lyndsay M Murrow, Deeptiman Chatterjee, Siyuan He, Sara Pensa, Brian Aevermann, Norbert K Tavares, Natalie Chen, Jason A Hilton, Kerrigan Blake, Yunlong Liu, Kiet Phong, Zev J Gartner, Devon A Lawson, Alexander Swarbrick, Camila O Dos Santos, Sophia H L George, Joan S Brugge, Mark A Labarge, Harikrishna Nakshatri, Nicholas Navin, Kai Kessenbrock, Walid T Khaled

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Single-cell studies on breast tissue have contributed to a change in our understanding of breast epithelial diversity that has, in turn, precipitated a lack of consensus on breast cell types. The confusion surrounding this issue highlights a possible challenge for advancing breast atlas efforts. In this perspective, we present our consensus on the identities, properties, and naming conventions for breast epithelial cell types and propose goals for future atlas endeavors. Our proposals and their underlying thought processes aim to catalyze the adoption of a shared model for this tissue and to serve as guidance for other investigators facing similar challenges.

Electoral Lies And The Broader Problems Of Strict Scrutiny, R. George Wright

Florida Law Review

States often attempt to regulate political speech in the form of deliberate lies related to ballot initiatives, referenda, candidates, or their political positions. Some courts focus on the various harms of electoral lies, while others focus more on the risks of bias and partisan abuse involved in such speech regulations; the cases are in disarray.

This Article argues, however, that the most important problem underlying this case confusion is inherent in the widely utilized constitutional standard of strict scrutiny. Strict scrutiny typically requires a compelling governmental interest, "narrow tailoring," and some causal relation between the regulation and the compelling interest. …

Positive Changes In Functional Capacity, Muscle Strength And Body Composition After Short Time Of Resistance Training Periodization In Older Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Ericles Vieira

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 949-970, 2025. We investigated the effects of a new approach with mixed session periodization resistance training (MSP) on functional performance, muscular strength, and body composition in older women. Twenty-one participants were tested before and after the intervention (10 weeks) and were allocated for convenience into two groups according to their available time; our schedule made two classes available, one at 6 a.m. (MSP), and one at 7 a.m. (active group-control). Results were analyzed through a mixed-model analysis with repeated measures. There was a group vs. time interaction for timed up and go (p < 0.001, η_{p …}

Evidence-Based Best Practices For Diabetes Education And Self-Care In Appalachia: A Literature Review, Angela J. Occidental, Inga M. Zadvinskis, Jacqueline Hoying

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Appalachian Region has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated adverse health outcomes. Although numerous papers report best practices for diabetes care and education, a clinician-friendly, synthesized summary of best practices tailored to Appalachian cultural preferences is lacking.

Purpose: This paper uses the Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt evidence-based framework to identify the best practices for T2DM care and education for Appalachian residents.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search using the databases CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed was guided by a PICOT question. Quality appraisals were completed for fifty-two articles; thirty papers were selected to synthesize …

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …

Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SWVHA) recently commissioned a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to reduce the high rate of preventable health problems in Virginia’s (VA) Appalachian Region. The CHNA took place over a two-year period from 2023 – 2025.

Purpose: This iterative, mixed-method CHNA informed the development of a new iteration of the regional Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity identifying and prioritizing health issues and develop strategic planning to address them in VA’s three westernmost regional health districts.

Methods: The CHNA followed a sequential mixed methods design to assess the regional health status, the contextual factors …

Effects Of Led Light Therapy On Pressure Ulcers, Nutrition, And Body Mass Index In Nursing Homes, I-Hua Lai, Li-Yin Chien, Chen-Jei Tai

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This study was grounded in the theories of low-level LED light therapy (LLLT) and traditional Chinese medicine, which propose that applying photo energy to acupoints can improve microcirculation, facilitates energy transmission to mitochondria in the skin, augments the activity of the respiratory chain, and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using LLLT to prevent pressure ulcers, improve nutritional status, and regulate Body Mass Index (BMI) in older adults in nursing homes.

Methods: This study applied a one-group pre and post-test design. Data were collected from December 2019 through February …

Food Insecurity, Sodium-Restricted Diet Adherence, And Mental Health In Patients With Hypertension, Reimund Serafica

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study aims to investigate food insecurity, attitudes toward sodium-restricted diets, and mental health outcomes among Filipino-Americans with hypertension in a primary care setting.^1,2 Additionally, it seeks to explore patient perceptions of dietary restrictions and how nurse practitioners can use this information to enhance clinical management.^3,4

A two-phase, mixed-methods approach was employed. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional study was conducted, recruiting a sample of 135 Filipino-American adults with hypertension from a primary care clinic in Southern Nevada. Data collection tools included demographic surveys, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ), …

Examining Proning Covid-19 Patients With Continuous Enteral Feedings: A Retrospective Study, Michael Legal, Sari Winham, Jennifer Ernst

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a unique patient population requiring a triad of therapies: oxygen, nutrition, and patient positioning support. This study investigates the risk of aspiration pneumonia in COVID-19 patients placed in a prone position while receiving continuous enteral nutrition (EN). The retrospective, single-center study reviewed 97 electronic health records (EHR) of patients admitted between March 15, 2020, and June 1, 2022, at a southwest academic medical center. Patients included were diagnosed with COVID-19, aged 18 or older, and received continuous EN via nasogastric or nasoduodenal tubes while on high-flow oxygen support, excluding those on mechanical ventilation.

The study aimed …

Collaborative Care Integration For Improving Outcomes With Type 2 Diabetes And Psychiatric Disease, Leslie S. Arceneaux, Karan Kverno

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Psychiatric disorders and diabetes are problems that frequently overlap in psychiatric and primary care settings. Those patients with psychiatric disorders and/or social problems have a higher incidence of diabetes complications and poor outcomes (Knudsen, et al., 2022). Clinician awareness of the person's diabetes health with measures to identify and support them, may reduce their risk of developing complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this presentation is to address early identification and interventions to prevent complications of T2DM, and the importance of collaboration with diabetic care specialists among patients receiving psychiatric care. Diabetes and psychiatric disorders can …

Essential Community-Based Support For Pregnant Populations At Risk: M-Nest, Khin Aungthein, Carrie Belin, Annemarie B. Curnin, Melanie Mariano, Shannon Whitten

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable, with many resulting from inequities.¹ Pregnant populations, such as Black mothers, are dying at a disproportionate rate: 49.5 maternal deaths/100,000 live births.² M-NEST: The Maternal Newborn, Essential Support Team, provides a community-based supplemental pregnancy program that includes risk assessment, mental health services, doula care, and guaranteed basic income (GBI).³

M-NEST is a person-centered, multidisciplinary team approach with GBI addressing structural inequities. Each team member meets with the pregnant person during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Virtual team meetings are conducted to discuss the continued plan of care.

The …

The Effects Of The Nice-Support Program On Frailty And Quality Of Life In Heart Failure Patients, Tzu-Chieh Wang, Ai-Fu Chiou, Yu Cheng Hsieh, Chii Ming Lee, Chiu Yueh Yang, Chieh-Yu Liu

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Frailty affects 63% of heart failure patients, significantly diminishing their quality of life (QoL). Targeted interventions are crucial to mitigate frailty and enhance patient outcomes. However, existing research largely focuses on the elderly. This study examines the impact of the NICE-Support program, which includes nutrition, nursing instruction, combined exercise, and support, on frailty and QoL in heart failure patients.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of the NICE-Support program in reducing frailty and enhancing QoL in heart failure patients. A total of 240 patients were recruited from two medical centers in Taiwan through convenience sampling and randomly …

The Influence Of Social Determinants Of Health And Diet Quality On Symptom Experiences In Patients With Colorectal Cancer, Youran Lee

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This study aimed to:

1. Identify subgroups in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with distinct symptom profiles,
2. Examine the association between SDOH characteristics and distinct symptom profiles in patients with colorectal cancer, and
3. Determine if diet quality acts as a mediator between social determinants of health variables and distinct symptom profiles.

Newspaper Clipping, Vegetable Exhibits Judged, September 1973

James Franklin “Frank” Buchanan Papers

James Franklin Buchanan is pictured along with two others in this clipping from the Kosciusko Star Herald in September 1973. The three are judging vegetables as part of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Services.

Access Barriers To Early Childhood Development Surveillance And Screenings: Insights From Pediatric Office Providers, Pamela Russell Ledesma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholarly literature review found a gap in the identification of barriers experienced by pediatric office providers (POPs) for the provision of early childhood development (ECD) surveillance among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children under the age of three years. The barriers may inhibit access to recommended screenings at defined milestones during the state of neurogenesis, whereby a child’s life trajectory may be negatively impacted and further handicap society at large. This qualitative study aimed to explore the access barriers and remedial strategies identified in the reconstructed narratives of southeast Florida POPs. The research design was premised on the behavioral model …

Understanding The Impact Of Patient Engagement In Effective Management Of Chronic Conditions, Tracey Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was developed to address the partner site's need for an evidence-based approach to improving patient engagement among elderly individuals managing chronic diseases. Low engagement, often driven by poor provider–patient communication, non-compliance, and limited use of healthcare technology, was identified as a barrier to effective self-management and optimal health outcomes. Guided by the social cognitive theory, behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors influencing engagement and self-efficacy were examined. Two practice-focused questions examined: identifying barriers to engagement and the impact of the provider–patient relationship on outcomes. The purpose of the project was to develop an evidence-based approach to enhance patient engagement. …

September 5, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Advancing Ckd Diagnosis: Race-Free Egfr, Cystatin C, And Genetic Insights, Halah Tariq Albar

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Globally, the rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing due to the increasing incidence of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease are essential in improving health outcomes. Estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is used to diagnose, stage, and manage CKD. CKD biomarkers are broadly categorized into traditional (serum creatinine), emerging (cystatin C), and disease specific (Interleukin-6). The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize the current evidence regarding the use of eGFR in diverse populations. The initial eGFR equations included race variables, which created a controversial debate about their relevancy and has …

Adolescent Social Media Use And Complete Mental Health: Examining The Intersections Of Identity, Social-Emotional Skills, And Social Support, Reese Hyzer

Dissertations

Social media and technology use have become ubiquitous for today’s adolescents. With the rise in technology use, mental health disorder diagnoses have also increased. Despite the increase in concern for both adolescent social media use and mental health, many schools, parents, and youth service clinicians do not have the knowledge or resources to intervene effectively. The current study explores two research questions. The first is to evaluate the moderating effect of social-emotional skills and social support on the relationship between social media use and mental health through structural equation modeling (SEM). The second research question is to explore whether this …

Drawing The Curtain: A Grounded Theory Analysis Of The Conceptualizations Of Culture, Ethnicity And Race In Professional Training Materials For Child Life Certification, Kia Lee Ferrer

Dissertations

Objectives: Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are pediatric healthcare professionals primarily working in hospital settings to support children and families in navigating the developmental challenges of hospitalization, illness, and enduring medical treatment. Recognizing the presence of racial and ethnic health disparities, coupled with the field’s notable lack of diversity (98% White female), the child life workforce is increasingly acknowledging the undeniable evidence that discriminatory behaviors adversely affect a child’s life and well-being. As advances in the social sciences increasingly reveal that discrimination functions as a "socially transmitted disease" in a child's life, I predict that the failure of child life …