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Can Engaging In Social Activities Prolong Life?

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Bibliographic Instruction And The Need For “Librarian-First” Oer Repositories, Michael Kirby

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation On The Uncertainty For The Routine Of Dosimetry Calibration At The National Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory, Albania, Klotilda Nikaj

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Every employer must, in relation to any work with ionizing radiation that they undertake, take all necessary steps to restrict so far as is reasonably practicable the extent to which their employees and other persons are exposed to ionizing radiation. This goal leads to an increased awareness about the proper maintenance and annual calibration of the personal dosimeters to ensure an accurate and precise radiation dose. The present work has described the performance of the radiation system of the ¹³⁷Cs source at the National Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL), located at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics at the …

Vision Of Nuclear Power Deployment In Latin America And The Caribbean: A Focus On Small Modular Reactors And The Regional Experience Of Central Argentina De Elementos Modulares, Alejandra Loreto Alfaro, Florencia Rentería, Camila Araujo

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Increasing the number of nuclear power reactors in the Latin American and Caribbean region presents technical, financial, regulatory, and environmental challenges. Focused on fostering economic stability, growth, and human capacity development, the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) emerges as a key aspect in the region’s energy landscape. The emergence of SMRs represents an opportunity for multidisciplinary cooperation among different sectors. To comprehensively address the challenges related to the protection of nuclear facilities in the region, the Tlatelolco Treaty and the Non-Proliferation Treaty should be strengthened as legally binding instruments to enforce the safety and safeguarding principles integral to the …

Associations Between Older Hispanics’ Diabetes Control And Their Caregiver’S Health Literacy, Jorge Rico

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Background: Older Spanish-speaking Hispanics are a rapidly growing population in the United States that face disproportionally high rates of diabetes and inadequate health literacy. Familism is valued among Hispanics and caregivers may play an important role in overcoming the social determinants of health facing this vulnerable population. Methods: This descriptive correlation study sought to explore correlations between the caregiver’s health literacy and the patient’s control of diabetes. Findings: Mixed effects model found a significant correlation between the caregiver’s print literacy and the patient’s hemoglobin A1c. Conclusion: The findings are encouraging for future research to explore interventions that target the caregivers …

Perception Of Spirituality By Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Adejoke Felicia Ogidan

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

ICU nurses are identified as a population of nurses with a high risk of experiencing psychological stress due to the nature of their job in the ICU (Lyndon, 2015; Welp et al., 2015). Psychological stress is detrimental to nurses' mental health and the quality of patient care.

According to Watson’s Transpersonal Human Caring Theory, the spiritual perception of the nurse influences the nurse’s spiritual care practice, which in turn affects their self-care and care provided by the nurse to patients (Watson, 2021)This research explored the ICU-Ns' perception of spirituality and its relationships with spiritual care practices and self-assessed competency in …

The Lived Experiences Of Older Adults With Cancer Who Are Non-Adherent To Prescribed Oral Chemotherapy: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Ludmila Kosmari

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Background: Despite the ease of receiving OCT, patients’ OCT adherence is low. With this low prevalence rate, patients are not likely obtaining the full life-promoting effects of OCT. Since medication adherence is often related to lived experiences and standardized medication adherence instruments may not capture these experiences completely, the purpose of this study was to explore how the lived experiences of older adults with cancer influence their adherence to OCT.

Methods: the researcher used a descriptive phenomenological design and conducted individual interviews with 20 older adults with cancer. All participants were prescribed OCT and reported missing at least one dose. …

Case Management For End-Stage Renal Disease Patients, Jamie L. Andrews

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) and health literacy directly impact adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK], 2022; Ulrich, 2020). Adults with ESRD account for 1.5 million hospital admissions and 500,000 re-admissions within 30 days annually (NIDDK, 2022). Case management is essential in reducing re-admissions for adult ESRD patients, requiring abilities to identify factors affecting adult ESRD patients appropriately.

Methods: Therefore, an evidence-based practice (EBP) project using the IOWA Model framework was implemented to increase the knowledge base in identifying care and resources for ESRD patients for telephonic …

Nursing Workplace Rituals: Communication Before, During, And After Covid-19, Angel Infante

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

ABSTRACT

NURSING WORKPLACE RITUALS: COMMUNICATION BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER COVID-19

Angel Infante, PhD

The University of Texas at Arlington, 2025

Professors: Dr. Deborah Behan (Committee Chair), Dr. Yungfei Kao (Committee Member), and Dr. Jessica Grace Smith (Committee Member)

Background: According to Griner et al. (2021) many disruptions caused confusion for healthcare workers during the pandemic. Communication is imperative when dealing with everyday disruptions in a hospital setting. However, it is even more important to learn about the different types of communication and what is communicated during a past pandemic to know how and what to communicate in a future pandemic. …

Factors Contributing To Technostress In Nursing Education: A Study Of Master Of Science In Nursing (Msn) Education Students, Jennifer Weber

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

This mixed-methods study examined factors contributing to technostress among Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education students enrolled in a fully online program. Guided by the Technostress Trifecta Model, the study explored the relationships among age, grade point average (GPA), years of nursing experience, and self-rated technical skills, as well as students’ perceptions of technology use in learning.

Data were collected from 94 participants using the Technostress Scale by Upadhyaya and Vrinda (2021). Quantitative analyses showed that self-rated technical skill was significantly associated with lower perceived technological complexity, while age was significantly associated with both techno-invasion and techno-uncertainty. GPA and …

Improving Pediatric Delirium Assessment Documentation And Nursing Knowledge In A Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Heather E. Herrera

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Pediatric delirium is prevalent in the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (PCICU). It is associated with longer PCICU stays, extended hospital stays, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, and higher hospital costs (Mallick et al., 2022). It has also been associated with increased mortality risk and decreased quality of life after hospital discharge (Rohlik et al., 2021). Due to the adverse sequelae associated with pediatric delirium, routine screening with a validated screening tool is recommended (Flagg & Mauney, 2023). Despite consensus guidelines advocating routine screening for pediatric delirium, routine screening is not being completed (Flagg & Mauney, 2023).

Decreasing Hospital-Acquired Clostridium Difficile Infections, Angel S. Louder

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Clostridium Difficle Infection (CDI) is a significant healthcare threat due to its ability to be transmitted rapidly in healthcare settings. Patient engagement and participation in infection prevention initiatives at admission will lead to early implementation of isolation precautions, diagnosis of infectious pathogens, and treatment. A quality improvement project was implemented at a south-central Texas acute care hospital to engage alert and oriented adult patients, using a bundled approach to screen for the early detection of CDI within 48 hours of hospital admission, thereby reaching the goal of reducing hospital-acquired CDIs. This initiative improved patient engagement with CDI screening, reducing confirmed …

Improving Knowledge And Confidence Of Family Nurse Practitioners In Offering The Hpv Vaccine, Leni Terano Fisher

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the recommendations of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, HPV immunization lags behind other routine vaccines by up to 31%. Although there are many reasons for the low vaccine rate, provider hesitancy and lack of confidence significantly contribute to suboptimal HPV vaccine uptake.

Objectives

This project aimed to utilize evidence-driven interventions to increase family nurse practitioners' (FNPs) knowledge and confidence in offering the HPV vaccine.

Methods

Participants were given pre- and post-questionnaire surveys. The Wilcoxon Rank Test was used to compare, quantify, and measure the results of the eight-week data collection.

Results

The subjects were …

A Quality Improvement Approach To Reducing Post-Surgical Acute Care Falls, Tiffany C. Mitchell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Inpatient falls remain one of the most preventable adverse events in hospitals. Falls result in serious injuries and increasing healthcare costs. This quality improvement project evaluates the implementation of Fall TIPS to reduce fall incidence and promote sustainable safety practices.

Safe Schedule Ii Stimulants Prescribing Bundle For Adults With Adhd, Etienne C. Poufong

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

The evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed at improving the prescribing and monitoring of Schedule II stimulant medications for adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with ADHD in private practice settings. The project addresses the growing concerns of stimulant overprescription, shortages, abuse, and diversion, which have significant public health implications. Despite the increasing use of stimulants, there is no standardized protocol for prescribing these medications to adults. The proposed intervention includes a prescribing bundle consisting of provider education, mandatory in-person visits, periodic urine drug screens (UDS), access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), and the use of diagnostic tools, such …

Gaps In Knowledge: Topological Insights Into The Structure Of Science, Gavin Engelstad

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Understanding scientific development is essential to ascertaining the mechanisms leading us into the future. Building this understanding requires both methodological developments and empirical research. This thesis contributes in both aspects using a topological approach to examine scientific knowledge. The first section presents a new algorithm to find optimal cycle representatives for homological features in complex networks, a context for which we demonstrate existing algorithms can be inadequate. The second section applies a number of topological methods, including our cycle optimization algorithm, to data on individual scientific fields, demonstrating the value of topological approaches and highlighting new insights about how science …

Patients’ Experiences And Management Practices Of Hypertension Among The Pastoralist Community Of Marsabit County, Christine Chepkemoi Chesiror

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Hypertension is a global public health challenge and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where it accounts for 86% of deaths from non-communicable diseases. With over 1.5 billion cases projected by 2025, hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Despite this, little is known about the experiences and self-care practices of pastoralist communities living with hypertension.

This study employed a descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional design to investigate the experiences and self-care practices of individuals managing hypertension among the pastoralist of Marsabit County. Twelve participants receiving follow-up care at Uran and Sololo …

Benefits Of A Hybrid Learning Environment On Work-Life Balance, Thomas Robert Anez

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the impact of hybrid learning on the work-life balance of graduate-level students, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with this evolving educational model. Hybrid learning offers flexibility, enabling students to balance academic responsibilities with professional and personal commitments. Many students benefit from reduced commuting time, asynchronous learning options, and the ability to tailor their schedules to fit their needs. However, the study also reveals challenges, including difficulties in maintaining clear boundaries between work, school, and personal life, and the potential for increased workload perception and burnout. Through a qualitative, phenomenological approach, this research captures the lived …

Recruitment, Reprogramming, And Function Of Trpv1+ Sensory Nerves In The Development And Progression Of Head And Neck Cancer, Anthony Restaino

Dissertations and Theses

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are an epithelial cancer prevalent across the world and are divided into two subcategories: human papillomavirus-mediated (HPV+) and carcinogen-mediated (HPV-) HNSCC. These subgroups have distinct patient populations, divergent responses to therapy, and prognoses, however the foundational mechanisms that facilitate these differences are not well understood or defined. Recently, the presence and function of sensory neurons within the tumor environment of various solid tumors has been identified and investigated. Herein, we identify differences in the presence of TRPV1+ sensory neurons and neuron structures in the tumor environment of HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC, correlating with …

Evaluating A Novel Lifestyle Intervention Trial: Mitigating Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension And Depression In Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Living In Adult Family Homes, Matthew Lee Velissaris

Dissertations and Theses

This study evaluated a 90-day lifestyle intervention for nine ambulatory adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) residing in three adult family homes (AFHs). The intervention integrated approximately 120 minutes per week of structured exercise, promotion of the Mediterranean-style eating pattern emphasizing whole foods and omega-3–rich seafood, and adjunctive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Using a single-group pre–post design, outcomes included a primary endpoint (A1C) and secondary endpoints (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and depressive symptoms assessed by the Glasgow Depression Scale adapted for adults with IDD). Mixed-effects regression analysis indicated that group-level change in A1C was not statistically significant at α …

Evil, Suffering, And The Divine: Reassessing Theological Responses In Schillebeeckx's Work, Paulinus Daeli

Obsculta

Human suffering has transformative potential, both at the individual and community level. This article specifically explores Edward Schillebeeckx’s theological reflections on the transformative dimension of suffering. By highlighting the complexity of suffering and the challenges it poses to Christian faith, the article offers seven reflections from Schillebeeckx’s theological perspective on human suffering, which encourage the faithful to face the “unanswered questions” surrounding suffering with humility and hope. In this context, Schillebeeckx’s theological reflections offer deep insights into the goodness of God, which can encourage Christians to respond to suffering with compassion, resilience, and a commitment to justice. Ultimately, this article …

Imago Dei: Recognizing Divine Dignity And Revitalizing Caritas In The Fight Against Oppression, Andrenique D. Rolle

Obsculta

This paper explores the story of Fainess Lipenga, a resilient survivor of human trafficking. It highlights her journey and its connection to broader social justice themes. Using a theological framework, it examines how ideas of liberation and justice shape our understanding of her resilience. It also emphasizes the role of faith and spirituality in healing for survivors and the need for justice to address the systemic issues behind oppression.

Sitting In The Presence Of Jesus: Self-Care In Ministry Rooted In Martha And Mary, Kristyn Demers

Obsculta

Many ministers face burnout and compassion fatigue based on their jobs and are not given the proper tools to care for themselves. This essay analyzes some theologies of self-care, using humility and kenosis as guiding principles, before using Luke’s narrative of Martha and Mary as a case study for how self-care is necessary within ministry.

The Importance Of Fauna-Mediated Sediment O2 Consumption In The Ngom Hypoxic Zone, Hannah Beck, Kanchan Maiti

Faculty Publications

The northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) coastal shelf adjacent to the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers system experiences strong seasonal hypoxia in the late summer and coupled physical-biological models suggest that hypoxia formation in the NGOM is sensitive to benthic biogeochemical processes. However, the processes driving sediment oxygen consumption and their relationship to bottom oxygen concentration remain enigmatic. This study for the first time concurrently measured in situ total oxygen uptake (TOU) and diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) during two different hypoxia seasons. The relatively large DOU: TOU ratio of 0.33 ± 0.07 observed during this study suggests more significant benthic infauna …

The “Gray Zone”: Safeguarding Diplomatic Premises From Attacks By Third Countries, Tim Streit

Human Rights Brief

Diplomatic inviolability is a key norm in international law which guarantees that a state receiving a diplomatic mission from another state will not intrude on the mission’s physical premises and will protect them from any invasion or damage. The concept predates even Hugo Grotius, the so-called “father of international law,” who in his own works referenced it as established practice in the diplomatic community. The receiving state’s obligations towards diplomatic missions in its territory were solidified in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1961. The same principles were later reiterated in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.4 Both treaties …

Sustainable Agricultural Alternatives To Cope With Drought Effects In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Mozambique: Review And Strategies Proposal, Celso Mondlhane, Lawrence Munjonji, Íris Victorino, Carlos Huenchuleo, Paula Pimentel, Pablo Cornejo

All Grantees Publications

Drought, pests, soil fertility depletion, environmental challenges, and the limited use of agricultural inputs continue to plague food production in many developing countries such as Mozambique. As a response to these production constraints, sustainable strategies must be defined to cope with these problems. One strategy, largely applied worldwide, is the combination of the usage of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, conservation tillage, intercropping, and crop residue management. The above can help smallholder farmers to become more resilient, sustainable, and productive, in a framework where the limitations imposed by global climate change are being exacerbated. The impacts of these strategies are less known …

First‑Principles Investigation Of Structural, Mechanical, Electronic, And Thermal Properties Of Half‑Heusler Zrptsn, Lynet Allan, Julius M. Mwabora, Winfred M. Mulwa, R E. Mapasha, Robinson J. Musembi

All Grantees Publications

This study explores the structural, mechanical, electronic, lattice dynamical, and thermal properties of the half-Heusler ZrPtSn using first-principles density functional theory. The goal is to assess its suitability for electronic and thermoelectric applications. Structural optimization confirmed stability under ambient conditions. Mechanical properties, including bulk, shear, and Young’s moduli, were evaluated for stiffness and ductility. Electronic structure analysis determined its semiconducting nature, with band gaps of 1.10 eV (without SOC) and 0.95 eV (with SOC). Phonon dispersion was analyzed to assess dynamical stability. ZrPtSn was dynamically stable, with no imaginary phonon modes. Its band gap suggests potential for optoelectronic applications. These …

Femicide Is A Human Rights Violation, Not A Cultural Consequence: Why Nigeria Is Violating The Maputo Protocol, Bolu Jegede

Human Rights Brief

Femicide, the most extreme form of gender-based violence, is the intentional killing of women simply because they are women. It is driven by harmful societal norms, such as oppressive gender roles, systemic discrimination towards women and girls, and gender power imbalances. Femicide is a universal problem but gaps in data on this issue mask the true scale of violence. For the first time since 2013, when the UNODC began publishing regional estimates, Africa surpassed Asia as the region with the highest number of victims.

Very Short-Term Solar Irradiance Forecasting Based On Open-Source Low-Cost Sky Imager And Hybrid Deep-Learning Techniques, Martin Ansong, Gan Huang, Thomas N. Nyang’Onda, Robinson Juma Musembi, Bryce S. Richards

All Grantees Publications

Solar irradiance (SI) forecasting is vital for reliable photovoltaic (PV) operation. This is especially true for regions like Africa where many SI forecasting approaches rely on scarce historical data and the inherent instabilities of electric grids are further compounded by SI variability. Accurate solar forecasting is essential for improving grid management, enabling operators to balance supply and demand and enhance stability. Ground-based sky imaging is a promising technique for SI forecasting that do not require extensive historical data. However, commercial sky imagers are expensive and offer limited flexibility. This paper introduces the Karlsruhe low-cost all-sky imager (KALiSI), made from off-the-shelf …

Prevalence And Factors Influencing Eating Disorders Among Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Saleh A. Alghamdi, Mohammed A. Al Jaffer, Renad A. Almesned, Sadeem D. Alanazi, Alanoud W. Alhnake, Shahad M. Alkhammash, Nuran M. Baabbad

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the occurrence and contributing factors of disordered eating patterns in individuals post-bariatric surgery. It also investigated the impact of these patterns on weight loss outcomes and long-term weight management, focusing on psychological and emotional factors. Additionally, the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns was explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across multiple medical centers in Saudi Arabia, using self-administered questionnaires to evaluate the prevalence of eating disorders and self-esteem among patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the past five years. Out of 557 respondents, 452 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The study …