Digital Commons Network^™

Antenatal Care Utilisation And Receipt Of Its Components In Nigeria: Assessing Disparities Between Rural And Urban Areas—A Nationwide Population-Based Study, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Asa Auta, Mary I. Adewuyi, Aaron Akpu Philip, Victory Olutuase, Yun Zhao, Vishnu Khanal

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Antenatal care (ANC) is crucial for positive pregnancy outcomes, but it is underutilised in Nigeria, suggesting unmet needs, and potentially contributing to the country’s high burden of maternal and neonatal mortalities. This study comprehensively assesses ANC utilisation and receipt of its components in Nigeria, focusing on disparities between rural and urban areas. Methods We used the data disaggregation approach to analyse the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. We estimated ANC utilisation, assessed the receipt of ANC components, and identified factors associated with eight or more (≥ 8) ANC contacts nationally and across rural and urban residences. Results Nationwide, …

Developing A Dual Vision Harvesting Bot Using Ros, Connor Ruybalid, Christian Salisbury, Duke Bulanon

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

With increasing demand for labor in the orchard harvesting field and limited supply to meet that demand, creating a tool for farmers to meet this need is important. Northwest Nazarene University is developing a robot to help farmers by automating harvesting. This robot uses a dual vision system that allows the robot to detect apples on a tree and pick them using the attached arm. This system utilizes the Robotic Operating System, ROS, to allow each piece of the system to communicate to create a seamless package.

Unveiling The Dynamics Of Ai Applications: A Review Of Reviews Using Scientometrics And Bertopic Modeling, Raghu Raman, Debidutta Pattnaik, Laurie Hughes, Prema Nedungadi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In a world that has rapidly transformed through the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), our systematic review, guided by the PRISMA protocol, investigates a decade of AI research, revealing insights into its evolution and impact. Our study, examining 3,767 articles, has drawn considerable attention, as evidenced by an impressive 63,577 citations, underscoring the scholarly community's profound engagement. Our study reveals a collaborative landscape with 18,189 contributing authors, reflecting a robust network of researchers advancing AI and machine learning applications. Review categories focus on systematic reviews and bibliometric analyses, indicating an increasing emphasis on comprehensive literature synthesis and quantitative analysis. The …

Transforming Place-Based Management Within Watersheds In Fiji: The Watershed Interventions For Systems Health Project, Stacy D. Jupiter, Aaron P. Jenkins, Joel Negin, Shylett Anthony, Ponipate Baleinamau, Rachel Devi, Sikeli Gavidi, Alice Latinne, Kini Koto Mailautoka, Sangeeta Mangubhai, Kelera Naivalu, Timoci Naivalulevu, Vilisi Naivalulevu, Nabeela Nasim, Sikeli Naucunivanua, Sarah Nelson, Ingrid Qauqau, Anaseini Ratu, Mereia Ravoka, Jacqueline Thomas, Andrew Tukana, Paul Van Nimwegen, Ama Wakwella, Amelia Wenger, Donald Wilson, Pierre Horwitz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Watersheds offer opportunities for place-based interventions to transform systems health via preventative versus reactive approaches to management that achieve multiple co-benefits for public and environmental health. The Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project embraced participatory knowledge co-production and action-oriented research to identify risks to public and ecosystem health, prioritize interventions to address risks, and monitor responses of the system to interventions. We used screening filters and local knowledge to collaboratively identify five watersheds for action with high prior incidence of water-related diseases (Fiji’s “three plagues” of leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue) and high risk to downstream environmental …

2024 Nh 4-H State Horse Show Supporter Packet, Unh Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Saaed Moslem V. Stephen Strauhs

2024 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Waring Library Society Newsletter, Summer 2024, Waring Library Society, Waring Historical Library, Medical University Of South Carolina, Anna Marie Schuldt, Robert Ball, Joann Livingston Zeise, David Adams

The Waring Library Society Newsletters

In this issue, Waring Library Society President Dr. Robert Ball reflects on the legacy of MUSC's founders; JoAnn Zeise discusses the construction of the Waring Historical Library; Anna Marie Schuldt announces the fall 2024 SHC Noon Lectures; and David Adams provides insight into the fundraising process for the Waring Historical Library.

Beyond The Waterfall: A Review Of Project Management Methodologies In Stem, Yessenia Henriquez, Brendan O'Toole

Entertainment Engineering and Design Student Research

Project management has been exercised from the early stages of history to concurrent practices happening today. It has evolved from the early stages of the Gantt chart and five primary principles to well-renowned project management methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile. This literature review focuses on comprehending four project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Kanban, and Scrum), learning their criteria and frameworks, and learning about their application in a specific STEM environment when applicable. This work reviews the recent research literature pertaining to these four methods. An overview of project management certificates and guidelines is covered as well. Waterfall is known …

Narrowing Foia's Exemption For Business Secrets, Deepa Varadarajan

Michigan Law Review Online

This essay examines the judicial aftermath of Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media, a controversial 2019 Supreme Court decision that broadened the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption for trade secrets and confidential commercial information (“Exemption 4”). This decision has made it easier for firms to hide damaging information from public view, frustrating the efforts of journalists and government watchdog groups that make FOIA requests to expose environmental harms, health risks, and failures of agency oversight. But two recent circuit court decisions highlight a promising path forward; they interpret Exemption 4 in ways that can mitigate Food Marketing’s negative …

Implementing The Fall Tips Tool To Reduce Falls In Older Adults, Ruth C. Santiago

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: In many organizations, falls and associated major injuries create a large barrier to maintaining patient safety. Patient falls impact quality of care and create financial difficulty for all parties involved. It is important that prevention measures are effective and individualized.

Context: A significant increase in falls and major injuries have been documented in unit F1 of Facility A in Northern California. Current strategies to prevent falls have not been successful in reducing fall rates over the past year.

Interventions: The intervention to decrease falls on this unit is the Fall Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety (TIPS) tool. The tool …

46th Biennial Convention Of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, University Of Tennessee At Martin, September 16-18, 2022, Richard L. Ford, Lee S. Potter

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE), the national honorary society for the Earth sciences, held its 46th biennial convention (September 16-18, 2022) at satellite facilities of University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) located in Selmer, Tennessee. The convention was hosted by SGE’s Eta Alpha Chapter and the Department of Agriculture, Geoscience, and Natural Resources at UT Martin. Ten (10) of SGE’s approximately 60 active chapters sent delegates to the convention. The traditional convention field trip, an outing to UT Martin’s Coon Creek Science Center, focused on collecting and preparing marine fossils from the Upper Cretaceous Coon Creek Formation. …

Fluvial Channel Path Evolution – Documenting Decades Of Change Along The Little Wabash River, East Central Illinois, Usa, Diane M. Burns, David Viertel, Kwang Il Yoo

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

As highly dynamic landforms, rivers etch their channels into the surrounding and underlying strata over time, continuously reshaping the landscapes they traverse. This study examines geomorphological changes of the Little Wabash River in East Central Illinois between 1938 and 2011. The Little Wabash River is a meandering river sourced in southwestern Coles County, Illinois, and flows southward approximately 390 km to its confluence with the Wabash River. The historical location of the Little Wabash River was delineated to establish a baseline survey using archival aerial photography acquired in 1938. To understand how the channel evolved, investigations were conducted in each …

The Compass - Volume 93 Issue 1 - Complete Issue, Scott R. Beason

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

No abstract provided.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon Student Research Poster Session, Geological Society Of America Annual Meeting 2022, Denver, Colorado, Usa, Scott R. Beason

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon sponsors an annual poster session at every Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America. The 2022 Sigma Gamma Epsilon undergraduate research poster session took place during the 2022 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA, on Monday, October 10, 2022. Ten (10) posters were presented in Exhibit Hall F at the Colorado Convention Center between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the poster session. Titles, authors (italics for the presenting author), affiliations, and abstracts for each poster are listed in this report.

Provider Experiences With Daily Use Of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators In Health Care, Morgan Lane, Lisa Pompeii, Janelle Rios, Elisa Benavides, Marie Kasbaum, Scott Patlovich, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Adam Hornbeck, Caitlin Mcclain, Rohan Fernando, Margaret Sietsema, Colleen Kraft

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: During public health emergencies, demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs) can outpace supply. Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) are a potential alternative that are reusable and provide the same or higher levels of protection. This study sought to examine the practical aspects of EHMR use among health care personnel (HCP).

Methods: Between September and December 2021, 183 HCPs at 2 tertiary referral centers participated in this 3-month EHMR deployment, wearing the EHMR whenever respiratory protection was required according to hospital protocols (ie, when an N95 FFR would typically be worn) and responding to surveys about their experience.

Results: …

Health Care Workers’ Comfort Ratings For Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators Versus N95® Filtering Facepiece Respirators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lisa Pompeii, Janelle Rios, Colleen S Kraft, Marie Kasbaum, Elisa Benavides, Scott J Patlovich, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Adam Hornbeck, Caitlin Mcclain, Rohan D Fernando, Margaret Sietsema, Morgan Lane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Reusable elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMR) are an alternative to address shortages of disposable respirators. While respirator discomfort has been noted as a barrier to adherence to wearing an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) among health care personnel (HCP), few have examined EHMR comfort while providing patient care, which was the purpose of this study.

METHOD: Among a cohort of 183 HCP, we prospectively examined how HCP rated EHMR tolerability using the Respirator Comfort, Wearing Experience, and Function Instrument (R-COMFI) questionnaire at Study Week 2 and Week 10. At the completion of the study (Week-12), HCP compared EHMR comfort with …

Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy: An Effective Alternative To Common Pharmacological Treatments For Low Back Pain, Nicole Shirman

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) is a promising non-pharmacological treatment for low back pain, but its efficacy and mechanisms have been debated. This literature review provides a comprehensive assessment of OMT’s therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms for the treatment of low back pain. Multiple randomized trials demonstrate OMT provides statistically and clinically meaningful reductions in pain intensity and disability compared to sham treatments or standard care, particularly among patients with higher baseline symptom severity. Subgroup analyses reveal older age and absence of depression enhance OMT response rates. OMT appears safe and well-tolerated, with high patient satisfaction and reduced analgesic requirements versus …

Using A Collegiate Program To Increase College Retention And Completion Rates Of First-Generation And Low-Income Students, Jerinae Mccollum-Speed

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The research for the study pursued to (1) examine how the Student Support Services TRIO programs impact first-generation and Low-income students in their first year of college and university, (1a) the aspects of the Student Support Services programs that participants have perceived positively affect their academic grades in their first year of college, helping to raise their grades in their first semester as well as their first year, and (2) determine the resources that were available and instrumental in keeping students’ focus as they faced underlying barriers to persist in their first semester and the first year in pursuit of …

Filipino Citizen Planners In Stockton & San Francisco, California: Little Manila Rising (Lmr) & South Of Market Community Action Network (Somcan), Natalie Pauline Delos Santos

City and Regional Planning

Citizen planners are direct representatives of their communities, “often working without formal position, a title, or support from the state” (Beard, 2012, p. 708). The purpose of this project is to enrich the existing literature of planning history, by including stories of citizen planners. And acknowledging them as key actors in building equitable communities. This project asserts the importance of local knowledge and citizen empowerment when it comes to successfully developing community.

This project follows the story of two Filipino citizen planner organizations. One is in Stockton, named Little Manila Rising (LMR) which is located in South Downtown Stockton. The …

Enhancing Self-Concept Among Preschoolers, Amanda Collings

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Academic achievement and what influences it among students is a focus of many researchers today. When students do well in school, they are more likely to succeed in other areas of life. Self-concept is one factor associated with academic achievement among youth. It is important for adults working with children to understand not only its importance but how to improve it among children so that they succeed in school and after graduation. Early childhood educators have an opportunity to instill a positive self-concept in preschoolers before they enter kindergarten, setting them up for high academic performance. It requires professional development …

Using Data-Driven Decision-Making To Guide Instructional Strategies In The Classroom: A School Improvement Plan, Samantha Dolezal

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This paper explores the use of data-driven decision-making in educational settings to improve instructional strategies and student outcomes. Educators can utilize various data sources, such as state summative assessments and classroom formative assessments, to make informed decisions tailored to their students' diverse needs. This school improvement plan suggests that data-driven decision-making can lead to a more personalized learning experience, targeted instructional strategies, and better teacher responsiveness to student needs. The plan also outlines the responsibilities, resources, and process for monitoring success and challenges for each student in schools looking to implement data-driven approaches in teaching and learning.

Professional Learning Community Implementation Plan, Amanda Wirt

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This school improvement plan focuses on the implementation and enhancement of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) within a rural school district. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among teachers, thereby improving student achievement through collective instructional practices. Research highlights the importance of group collaboration over individual classroom efforts, emphasizing that schools need to develop processes that optimize and sustain teacher learning. This plan outlines the methodologies and expected outcomes of the PLC implementation, aiming to create a more cohesive and effective educational community. By establishing structured weekly meetings, administrative involvement, and clear agendas, the school seeks to develop a sustainable and …

Ongoing Professional Development For Teachers To Create A School Community For English Language Learners, Sydney Withrow

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This school improvement plan aims to enhance the school climate and culture for English Language Learners (ELLs) at Fairfield West Elementary. The research focuses on developing and implementing ongoing professional development, including SIOP virtual training, to support teachers in creating a more inclusive educational environment. Key research questions include: How can professional development improve instructional practices for ELLs? What impact does a supportive school climate have on ELL student outcomes? Participants in this study comprise school administrators, teachers, ELL students, and their families. Methods include surveys, feedback forms, classroom observations, and academic performance tracking. Data analysis involves both quantitative and …

Enhancing Learning Through Play-Based Education, Tina Wilson-Cook

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This paper explores the importance and benefits of Play-Based Learning (PBL) in early childhood education, with a focus on West Elementary School. It highlights the current problems, like less playtime in kindergarten, which has caused behavior issues and missed growth opportunities. The study stresses the need for a balanced curriculum that includes PBL to help children grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. Key findings show that adding PBL can improve academic results, reduce behavior problems, and boost overall student development. The proposed plan includes strategies for increasing playtime, creating play-based activities, and providing teacher training. Involving parents and the community …

Improving Fine Motor And Handwriting Skills, Anne Weber

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Early childhood years are a crucial time for the development of fine motor and handwriting skills. Research links these skills to success in other academic content such as letter identification and counting skills. Gripping, pinching, and manipulating interventions have been shown to improve fine motor and handwriting skills. A school improvement plan was created to address the lack of time dedicated to these two skills in a rural Iowa public school. A plan to implement fine motor and handwriting curriculums in preschool through first grade is described in detail. With successful implementation, fine motor and handwriting skills will significantly improve.

Yale University Faculty Handbook July 1, 2024, Yale University

Faculty Handbooks

No abstract provided.

Hd-Tdcs Over Left Supplementary Motor Area Differentially Modulated Neural Correlates Of Motor Planning For Speech Vs. Limb Movement, Fatemeh Tabari, Celeste Patron, Hope Cryer, Karim Johari

Faculty Publications

The supplementary motor area (SMA) is implicated in planning, execution, and control of speech production and limb movement. The SMA is among putative generators of pre-movement EEG activity which is thought to be neural markers of motor planning. In neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, abnormal pre-movement neural activity within the SMA has been reported during speech production and limb movement. Therefore, this region can be a potential target for non-invasive brain stimulation for both speech and limb movement. The present study took an initial step in examining the application of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) over the left …

Application Of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy For Hay Evaluation At Different Degrees Of Sample Preparation, Eun Chan Jeong, Kun Jun Han, Farhad Ahmadi, Yan Fen Li, Li Li Wang, Young Sang Yu, Jong Geun Kim

Faculty Publications

Objective: A study was conducted to quantify the performance differences of the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration models developed with different degrees of hay sample preparations. Methods: A total of 227 imported alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and another 360 imported timothy (Phleum pratense L.) hay samples were used to develop calibration models for nutrient value parameters such as moisture, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Spectral data of hay samples prepared by milling into 1-mm particle size or unground were separately regressed against the wet chemistry results of the abovementioned parameters. Results: The …

Effects Of The Menstrual Cycle And Hormonal Contraceptive Use On Metabolic Outcomes, Strength Performance, And Recovery: A Narrative Review, Hannah E. Cabre, Lacey M. Gould, Leanne M. Redman, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The effects of female sex hormones on optimal performance have been increasingly recognized as an important consideration in exercise and sport science research. This narrative review explores the findings of studies evaluating the effects of menstrual cycle phase in eumenorrheic women and the use of hormonal contraception (oral contraceptives and hormonal intrauterine devices) on metabolism, muscular strength, and recovery in active females. Ovarian hormones are known to influence metabolism because estrogen is a master regulator of bioenergetics. Importantly, the menstrual cycle may impact protein synthesis, impacting skeletal muscle quality and strength. Studies investigating muscular strength in eumenorrheic women report equivocal …

Wood Ducks And Hooded Mergansers As Interspecific Brood Parasites: An Evaluation Of Parasitic Egg Survival, Dylan L. Bakner, Kevin M. Ringelman, Larry A. Reynolds, Richard M. Kaminski, Scott E. Stephens, J. Brian Davis

Faculty Publications

Conspecific and interspecific brood parasitism are alternate reproductive strategies more pervasive in waterfowl than in any other group of birds. While previous research has measured costs incurred by nest hosts incubating parasitized clutches, few studies have focused on the relative success of parasites. Here, we evaluated the success of wood duck (Aix sponsa) and hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) eggs laid parasitically in Louisiana and Mississippi. We monitored nest boxes, assigned eggs in each nest as host or parasitic, and determined the number of eggs that hatched and failed. Across all study areas (1994–1999 and 2020–2023), we monitored 1750 wood duck …