Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health In Rural School-Age Youth: Examining Trends In Adverse Childhood Experiences, Positive Childhood Experiences, And Family Resilience From 2018-2023, Mary Katherine Shires

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examined trends in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive childhood experiences (PCEs), family resilience, and mental health conditions in rural and urban youth in the United States from 2018-2023. It also assessed whether PCEs and family resilience moderated the association between ACEs and youth mental health and whether these relationships differed by geographic setting and across time. Data were drawn from six years (2018-2023) of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative, cross-sectional, caregiver-reported survey assessing child wellbeing. The analytic sample included school-age youth (ages 6-17) residing in states that reported metropolitan (urban) versus non-metropolitan (rural) …

The Experiences Of Faith-Based Non-Profit Human Services Professionals In The Implementation Of Parental Resources For Homeless Mothers, Latasha Sublett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Coping Strategies, Barriers, And Supports Of Female Nurses And Veterans With A Work-Related Traumatic Exacerbation Of An Existing Respiratory Disorder, Joanna Lynn Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States Department of Defense and Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that female veterans and nurses experience work-related trauma at rates of 51% or higher. While many studies have examined their mental health outcomes, posttraumatic worsening of physical health has been less studied in this population. This generic qualitative inquiry was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the subjective lived experiences of female nurses and veterans' work-related traumatic exacerbation of an existing respiratory disorder. The coping strategies developed, the potential barriers they overcame, and the support systems used were examined. The theoretical framework that grounded this study was …

Examining Predictors For Surgical Site Infection Following Abdominal Hysterectomy Among Women In New York, Nicole Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most frequent and preventable complications following abdominal hysterectomy. Existing literature has focused on clinical and procedural risk factors, while less is known about how social conditions shape surgical outcomes. This gap is especially concerning for women in New York State (NYS) where differences in income, marital status, primary payer, rurality, and county-level food insecurity may influence postoperative outcomes and subsequent care. The socioecological model provided the foundation for this retrospective cohort study by examining how social drivers of health (SDoH) are associated with SSI incidence following abdominal hysterectomy, and whether food insecurity …

U.S. Pharmacists’ Perceptions Of Getting The Covid-19 Vaccine And How That Affects Their Interactions With The Public, Megan Boals

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pharmacists play a pivotal role in public health, particularly in promoting vaccination. However, vaccine hesitancy among pharmacists significantly undermines their willingness to provide effective patient counseling and to advocate for vaccination, potentially eroding public trust in vaccines. This descriptive-phenomenological study sought to understand the factors contributing to pharmacists’ COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and how this hesitancy affected their willingness to recommend vaccines to patients. Twenty practicing pharmacists were interviewed via Zoom between September 23 and October 14, 2025. The health belief model helped interpret the study findings. Thematic analysis, as described by Braun and Clarke, was conducted to identify and interpret …

Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Cardiac Point-Of-Care Ultrasound: A Prospective Single-Arm Study, Lior Fisher, Michael Fiman, Yuval Yarkoni, Ella Segal, Boris Fishman, Kobi Faierstein, Noa Rubin, Adiel Am-Shalom, Howard Amital, Qiong Zhao, Smadar Kort, Praveen Mehrotra, Ehud Schwammenthal, Robert Klempfner, Eyal Zimlichman, Ehud Raanani, Elad Maor

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of combining artificial intelligence (AI) with handheld focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) performed by noncardiologist physicians in clinical care settings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, single-arm study conducted from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023 (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05455541), 660 adult patients presenting to the emergency department or internal medicine wards were assessed with handheld ultrasound devices enhanced by AI algorithms. These algorithms provided automated analysis of ventricular function, valvular disease, pericardial effusion, and inferior vena cava size. Participating physicians received focused training and performed examinations either in response to clinical suspicion or as part …

Family-Level Mediators In The Intergenerational Transmission Of Maternal Childhood Trauma: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Pooled Effect Measures, Emma J. Mew, Rhayna Poulin, Veronika Shabanova, Hannah Gorman, Marie-Claire Meadows, Jessica L. Bonumwezi, Victoria Chung, Rachel Hennein, Audrey Y. Huang, Kevin Quach, Vanessa Blas, Ashlin Ondrusek, Karly Sara Weinreb, Kate Nyhan, Si’Itia Soliai-Lemusu, Jueta Mccutchan-Tofaeono, Nicola L. Hawley, Sarah R. Lowe

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Children of mothers with childhood trauma are at an increased risk for mental health problems, yet the most influential family-related mediators of this intergenerational transmission remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized effect sizes from 29 studies (n = 352,279 dyads) examining psychosocial family-level mediators between maternal childhood trauma and child mental health. We identified 380 simple and 40 serial mediation paths across four domains: child characteristics, maternal characteristics, parent–child relationship factors, and household characteristics. Maternal characteristics showed the largest pooled effects (proportion median [PM]: 31.2%; ratio median [RM]: 0.21), particularly maternal mental health (PM: 36.0%), maternal attachment style …

The Relationship Of Concussion And Alcohol Use: An Investigation Into Intervening Cognitive Mechanisms, Alexi Cranford

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and alcohol use are common and pervasive issues in society today. Alcohol use is frequently linked with brain injury even in its mildest form, concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The brain’s reward system has been shown to be involved in alcohol and substance use behaviors, and a neural basis has been demonstrated to underlie reactivity to alcohol cues. Learning theories such as classical and operant conditioning can also help conceptualize how these relationships develop. Reward sensitivity and executive functioning (particularly decision-making skills) are cognitive processes that may moderate the relationship between brain …

Prevalence And Determinant Factors Of Depression Among Pregnant Women In Poned Health Center In Tangerang City Area, Dian Geumala Hayati, Sudijanto Kamso, Popy Yuniar, Yuli Puspita Devi

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10% of pregnant women experience mental disorders, with depression being particularly prevalent. In developing countries, this rate is was even higher, reaching 19.8% after childbirth and 15.6% during pregnancy. Various studies conducted in Indonesia show that the prevalence of depression among pregnant women ranges widely, from 21.4% to 26.2%.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression during pregnancy in pregnant women at the PONED Community Health Center in Tangerang City Area. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 105 pregnant women attending antenatal check-ups at the 17 PONED …

Multiplex Functional Assessment Of Variant Effect In The Retinal Transcription Factor Crx, James Lewis Shepherdson

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The transcription factor Cone-Rod Homeobox (CRX) is a master regulator of photoreceptor cell fate. Sequence variants in CRX can cause Retinitis Pigmentosa, Cone-Rod Dystrophy, and Leber Congenital Amaurosis, all inherited causes of vision loss and blindness. CRX is the only gene implicated in the pathogenesis of all three of these diseases, which present with both rod- and cone-centric phenotypes of varying age of onset and severity. Several CRX variants have been reported to cause severe dominant disease through antimorphic genetic interactions with wild-type CRX, and yet these mutations are adjacent to variants which are benign or only cause mild, recessive …

Ai Adoption In Research Administration At Emerging Research Institutions, Dylan Ruediger, Ruby Macdougall, Stefanie Brachfield, Douglas R. Dechow, Jonathan Parker, Jana Remy

Library Articles and Research

"With funding from the National Science Foundation’s GRANTED program (grant #2437518), Ithaka S+R, Chapman University, and Montclair State University organized two workshops to help research administrators consider how to leverage AI to build research capacity at ERIs. Our first workshop, held at Montclair State in September 2025, brought together 31 participants from 13 academic and medical institutions in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania region. Our second workshop, hosted by Chapman University on December 5, 2025, included 32 participants from 13 colleges and universities in Southern California. The approximately 2,600 ERIs in the United States receive a disproportionately small amount of federal …

Offside Trap: African Football As A Mirror Of Global Structural Inequality, Ellen Busolo Milimu

Journal of Global South Sport Studies

Football in Africa, as a legacy of European colonialism, is undeniable. The export of football through colonization resulted in the popularization of the sport while also creating a system of economic exploitation and impoverishment that is the cause of considerable problems for African society. This economic system positioned African  countries as dependents of former colonizers even after achieving independence. Sports, specifically football, provide a unique perspective to explore the no-win     situation in which Africa exists within the global economic system. Always chasing the elusive ‘development’ goal that is dictated by others and shifts without the interests of African countries. The …

“Rapturetok”: Tiktok’S Newest End-Of-World Frenzy, Isabella Pizzerrato, The Rattler

The Rattler

Vol. 144 Iss. 3

Cervical Dilation Assessment Simulation For Development Of Student Nurse Competency, Ashley Romans

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Assessment of cervical dilation is an important component in care for the pregnant and laboring patient. However, nursing students frequently encounter barriers to acquiring this assessment skill in the clinical setting. Through application of the ACE Star model, a simulation-based teaching trainer is utilized to promote achievement of student competence while respecting the limitations of the hospital clinical experience. Varied opportunities for purchasing or constructing these simulation tools allows for beneficial learning experiences at different price points, promoting the implementation of this important tool in the most appropriate method for an individual setting. Implementation of the cervical dilation simulator allows …

The Core-Modulation Architecture (Cma): A Structural Overview Of A 14-Paper Research Program (Preprint), Griselda Poe

Publications and Research

This document provides a structural overview of the Core-Modulation Architecture (CMA), a 14-paper research program on cognition, communication, and AI interaction.

The series specifies the conditions under which cognition operates, terminates, fails, and generates structure. Rather than describing cognition by its contents (beliefs, emotions, decisions), it defines cognition through its underlying architecture: constraint-governed processing across layers with distinct termination conditions.

The framework introduces a layered model consisting of Core processing (constraint preservation and structural coherence) and Modulation (affective calibration and social interface adjustment), extended by a Prior layer as the source of constraints. Across the series, phenomena such as miscommunication, …

Fit Check: Making Health Assessments Work For You, Brooklynn Raacke, Ryssa Schlaefli, Caleb Ashley, Makenzie Premer, Brooke Mann, Jessica Phelan

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

When given multiple tools to assess health, people tend to choose the one that is most familiar, fastest, or easiest to interpret. Relying solely on weight can overshadow other important indicators of health, such as body composition, cardiovascular function, and muscular development. Understanding this preference, even when other tools are available, matters for both educators and fitness professionals. This study used naturalistic observation to assess gym-goers' usage of health and anthropometric assessment tools. Results indicated that while gym-goers initially showed interest in less commonly used assessment tools, they overwhelmingly used the scale. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Implementing A Student Standardized Patient Elective To Improve Communication And Confidence In Undergraduate Nursing Simulation, Katie J. Mcqueen

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

Simulation plays an important role in preparing undergraduate nursing students for clinical practice by fostering communication skills and building confidence. Currently, simulation experiences often depend on faculty and staff to play the roles of patients or family members. Research shows that nursing students can be effectively trained to serve as standardized patients, creating opportunities for peer-supported learning and improving simulation experiences. This evidence-based practice proposal recommends the implementation of a 1-credit-hour Student Standardized Patient (SSP) elective in the undergraduate nursing curriculum for senior level nursing students. The elective would provide structured training in role portrayal, safety practices, and case …

Beyond The Building: Leveraging A Library Renovation To Tell A Broader Story, Kristen S. Shuyler

Faculty Scholarship

A library renovation presents a unique communication challenge, requiring a thoughtful strategy that minimizes disruption while building anticipation. When James Madison University (JMU) decided to renovate and expand its flagship library, the JMU Libraries’ Communications & Outreach team pivoted from routine promotional efforts to a streamlined communication model designed to handle significantly increased, narrative-driven messaging related to the renovation. This article outlines the renovation project’s communication plan, describes our streamlining efforts, and highlights unexpected opportunities that emerged along the way—allowing us to share the library’s story in new ways and with broader audiences.

Disclosure Statement Debtor's 4th Amended Plan

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.

Debtor's Fourth Amended Modified Plan

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.

From Arrival To Opportunity: A Policy Analysis For Supporting Newly Arrived English Learners In California, Valeria Gabrielli, Stephanie Mendoza Hernandez

School of Public Policy Capstones

Newly arrived immigrant students, commonly referred to as “newcomers,” represent a notable portion of the English Learner (EL) population in California’s K–12 public schools. As of Fall 2023, the California Department of Education reported that newcomers comprised 3.27% of total student enrollment. Although enrollment is projected to decline in the near term, the potential for future increases highlights the need for sustainable, evidence-based support systems. This study examines how California K–12 public schools with large EL populations provide academic and trauma-informed support services to newcomer students, with a particular focus on early intervention in grades K–5. Using the Bardach policy …

Intrusion Detection Latency: The Neglected Metric, Sandhyarani Dash, John M. Acken

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Accuracy remains the dominant evaluation metric in Intrusion Detection System (IDS) research, yet an IDS that detects attacks too late is functionally equivalent to one that fails—particularly in Internet of Things (IoT) environments. In operational settings, the timing of detection shapes both the scope of adversarial activity and the feasibility of effective response. To the best of our knowledge, latency (the speed at which intrusions are identified) has received no systematic attention. Our analysis of published IDS papers reveals that latency is defined inconsistently—often referring to inference, communication, computation time, or combinations of these-leading to incomparable performance claims. To close …

The Use Of Fire Stations As Satellite Campuses Impact On Paramedic Recruitment, Training, And Retention, Joseph D. Levy

Ed.D. Capstone Reports

The ongoing national shortage of paramedics presents a critical challenge for emergency medical services (EMS), placing immense pressure on agencies to maintain adequate staffing levels while meeting the growing demand for emergency response. Workforce attrition, increasing call volume, limited access to paramedic education, and high burnout rates have compounded this crisis, threatening the sustainability of EMS operations. This capstone examines strategies to improve paramedic student recruitment, training, and retention, with a focus on utilizing fire stations as satellite training campuses to expand access to education and workforce development.

This study is guided by Human Capital Theory and Self-Determination Theory, analyzing …

HawaiʻI’S Housing Crisis: Unpacking The Limits Of S.B. 2919, Carley Matsumoto

Seattle University Law Review Online

The State of Hawaiʻi is facing a housing crisis exacerbated by natural disasters and public health emergencies. Hawaiʻi’s legislature seeks to ameliorate Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis with Senate Bill 2919, which gives all counties in Hawaiʻi the broad power to regulate short-term rentals. While this law was adopted with laudable intentions, it has significant shortcomings and will likely not solve Hawaiʻi’s longstanding housing crisis. This Comment argues for an alternative, tax-based solution to address the housing crisis.

Cilia Dynamics In Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: A Biophysical Characterization Of The Rsph4a Founder Variant, Gabriel Rosario-Ortiz, José Muñiz-Hernández, Natalia M Ortiz-Pérez, Marcos J Ramos-Benitez, Ricardo A Mosquera, Wilfredo De Jesús-Rojas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare ciliopathy resulting in chronic oto-sino-pulmonary disease. PCD diagnosis can be achieved by a combination of different diagnostic and adjuvant tools, including high-speed video-microscopy analysis (HSVA). A founder variant has been described in Puerto Rico as the most common cause of PCD in the island. Background/Objectives: In HSVA, objective parameters such as ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and subjective parameters such as ciliary beat pattern (CBP) shed light on the biophysical properties of cilia. However, the subjective nature of CBP creates a gap in knowledge; characteristics such as the length, angle, and bending index of …

The Effects Of Affordability And Quality Of Care On Utilization Of Primary Healthcare Among Rural Residents In Twifo Ati-Morkwaa District, Ghana: A Qualitative Study, Peter Ansah Boakye, Francis Tei-Nartey, Gideon Owusu

Michigan Tech Publications

Objective: This qualitative study examines how affordability and quality of care influence the utilization of primary healthcare (PHC) services among rural residents in the Twifo Ati-Morkwaa District, Ghana. While Ghana has implemented policies such as CHPS and NHIS to improve access, subjective experiences of rural residents regarding total costs of care and perceived quality remain underexplored. Methods: We conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study between April and September 2024 using purposive and snowball sampling. Ten gender-segregated focus group discussions (FGDs; n = 90 residents) and six in-depth interviews (IDIs) with PHC providers were conducted. Data were collected in Twi, transcribed and …

Humin-Based Bioadhesives For Manufacturing Particleboard Panels, Papiya Bhowmik, Reza Hosseinpourpia

Michigan Tech Publications

This study focused on a novel approach to combine humin, derived from fructose-based biorefinery processes, with two-dimensional graphene nanoparticles and glyoxal, a bio-based crosslinker, to formulate functional bioadhesives for manufacturing particleboards. Five different single-layer 8 mm particleboard panels were prepared using the developed humin-based adhesive formulas with and without graphene and tested by means of their mechanical properties and thickness swelling in accordance with the EN 310 and EN 319standards. The results were compared with panels bonded with commercial melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), showing that the mechanical properties of particleboards bonded with humin reinforced with graphene nanoparticles were almost comparable to those …

A Challenging Presentation Of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: Mild Hepatic Dysfunction With Persistent Leukocytosis In A Pediatric Patient, Robert J. Heins, Sierra Scott, Stephen Mock

Student Publications

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common pediatric respiratory pathogen that can rarely present with extrapulmonary manifestations such as hepatic involvement. Recognition of hepatic dysfunction in this context is important for accurate diagnosis and timely therapy. A five-year-old female with asthma presented with fever, cough, fatigue, pruritus, and scleral icterus. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, mild transaminitis, direct hyperbilirubinemia, elevated PT/PTT, and normocytic anemia. Infectious and hepatic workups were initially unrevealing. The patient showed gradual clinical improvement while receiving empiric ceftriaxone but had persistent leukocytosis. On hospital Day 7, a positive MP IgM prompted azithromycin initiation, which corresponded to …

Case Study: Unique Presentation Of Odontogenic Keratocyst (Okc), Austin J. Davies, Ladan Daly, Jesse M. Fa, Bernadette Alvear Fa

Oral Health

Optimized patient centered care in complex surgical cases requires comprehensive preparation through both clinical examination and radiographic interpretation. Our case demonstrates how diagnostic imaging can reveal critical radiographic findings that alter treatment approach. Pre-operative preparation involving thorough clinical and radiographic examination, in combination with excellent clinician rapport, leads to a biopsychosocial approach to dental treatment, emphasizing whole patient care.

Biopsy returned from oral pathology with diagnosis of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). At the time of publication, the patient is nearing definitive treatment of the cystic lesion with enucleation and removal of tooth #16. In our case, thorough radiographic interpretation, the professional …

Nano Zinc Oxide Against Bacteria Isolated From Burn Infection, Mohammed Jaafar Al-Anssari, Mohammed Sahib Al-Hamami, Hayder Razzaq Al-Ameedee, Rabab Abdul Razzaq Kasema, Hawraa Majid Mahdi

Al-Bahir

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria that is found commonly in the environment, like in soil and in water. This bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), or other parts of the body after surgery. These bacteria are constantly finding new ways to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Zinc oxide nanoparticles' (ZnO-NPs') or Nano zinc oxide antibacterial properties have drawn a lot of attention from around the world, especially since nanotechnology has been used to create particles in the nanometer range. Because of their larger specific surface area and …