Digital Commons Network^™

Gait Analysis In Rett Syndrome: Integrating Linear And Nonlinear Techniques, Dacia Martinez Diaz, Brock Futrell, Bernhard Suter, Charles S Layne

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly impairs bipedal postural control and walking ability. This study quantifies the gait characteristics of 22 females with Rett syndrome (divided into 3 age groups) and compares them with age-matched neurotypical females. Bilateral sagittal plane joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle were analyzed. Measures included joint range of motion, stride time, peak angular velocity, angle-angle diagrams, phase portrait areas, and asymmetries. Results revealed reduced joint range of motion and angular velocity in individuals with Rett syndrome, as well as greater asymmetries in gait parameters reflecting disruptions in bilateral coordination. Phase …

Can Predictive And Functional Methods Locate The Dysplastic Hip Joint Center?, Michael Harris, Emma C. Behrman, Keith R. Lohse, Molly C. Shepherd, Bruce A. Macwilliams, Erin M. Mannen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Properly characterizing biomechanics in populations with known hip deformities, such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), requires accurately identifying the hip joint center (HJC). Many studies have assessed the accuracy or repeatability of predictive and functional methods to locate the HJC in normally shaped hips, but not for hips with DDH.

RESEARCH QUESTION: For patients with DDH, which of three common functional and four common predictive HJC methods is most accurate compared to a magnetic-resonance-imaging-based anatomic method?

METHODS: HJC method accuracy was calculated as the resultant vector distance from the anatomic HJCs. Bias was calculated as distance errors …

An Event-Based Time-Incremented Snn Architecture Supporting Energy-Efficient Device Classification, David L. Weathers, Michael A. Temple, Brett J. Borghetti

Faculty Publications

Recent advances in Radio Frequency (RF)-based device classification have shown promise in enabling secure and efficient wireless communications. However, the energy efficiency and low-latency processing capabilities of neuromorphic computing have yet to be fully leveraged in this domain. This paper is a first step toward enabling an end-to-end neuromorphic system for RF device classification, specifically supporting development of a neuromorphic classifier that enforces temporal causality without requiring non-neuromorphic classifier pre-training. This Spiking Neural Network (SNN) classifier streamlines the development of an end-to-end neuromorphic device classification system, further expanding the energy efficiency gains of neuromorphic processing to the realm of RF …

Blue-Shifted Ancyromonad Channelrhodopsins For Multiplex Optogenetics, Elena G Govorunova, Oleg A Sineshchekov, Hai Li, Yueyang Gou, Hongmei Chen, Shuyuan Yang, Yumei Wang, Stephen Mitchell, Alyssa Palmateer, Leonid S Brown, François St-Pierre, Mingshan Xue, John L Spudich

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Light-gated ion channels from protists (channelrhodopsins or ChRs) are optogenetic tools widely used for controlling neurons and cardiomyocytes. Multiplex optogenetic applications require spectrally separated molecules, which are difficult to engineer without disrupting channel function. Scanning numerous sequence databases, we identified three naturally blue-shifted ChRs from ancyromonads. They form a separate branch on the phylogenetic tree and contain residue motifs characteristic of anion ChRs (ACRs). However, only two conduct chloride, whereas the closely related Nutomonas longa homolog generates inward cation currents in mammalian cells under physiological conditions, significantly exceeding those by previously known tools with similar spectral maxima (peak absorption at …

Variability In Arthropod Community Surveys: Observations Of Ground-Dwelling Arthropods Are Dependent On Methodological Choices, Katherine Mcnamara Manning, Kayla I. Perry, Christie A. Bahlai

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Sampling approaches are commonly adapted to reflect the study objectives in biodiversity monitoring projects. This approach optimizes findings to be locally relevant but comes at the cost of generalizability of findings. Here, we detail a comparison study directly examining how researchers’ choice of arthropod trap and level of specimen identification affects observations made in small-scale arthropod biodiversity studies. Four arthropod traps (pitfall traps, yellow ramp traps, yellow sticky cards, and novel jar ramp traps) were compared with respect to an array of biodiversity metrics calculated at two levels of identification. The arthropod community captured varied by trap type. Pitfalls and …

Traditional And Technologically Reliant Studying Methods Of Bsn Students: A Comparative Study, Sofia Magdalena Norbe Robles

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Incorporating technology has emerged as a significant and influential factor in education that alters conventional approaches to teaching and learning. (Kulshreshtha, M. et al, 2023). Though technology has significantly influenced the global educational system, contributing to the advancement of education, traditional learning methods still exist. This study compares the preferences, advantages, and disadvantages between traditional and technology-reliant studying methods among Gen Z nursing students at Centro Escolar University.

A descriptive comparative research design was used to elicit the preferences, advantages, and disadvantages between traditional and technologically reliant study methods. Questionnaires were randomly given to 310 nursing students from level 1 …

Early Detection Of Congenital Heart Disease: From Heart To Sole, Tami L. Jakubowski, Simranjot Mann, Emma Cartnick, Sarah Curtis, Carole Kenner, Marina Boykova

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: "From Heart to Sole” is a study exploring a non-invasive, low cost screening method for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: This pilot study explores identification of a specific crease on the sole of the foot as a marker for early detection of CHD in newborns. A Qualitrics survey was developed and distributed on social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) and the Adult Congenital Heart Association “Studies Recruiting Subjects” webpage. Participants were queried whether they have been diagnosed with a CHD and what type, whether they have the specific crease on either foot, and about the presence other health issues …

Mentoring To Answer Applied Research Questions And Develop A Clinician-Researcher Career Pathway, Eamon Merrick, Claire Harris, Kathleen Baird, Christine Catling, Anna Williams, Margaret Fry

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: To develop a research mentoring program that has a measurable impact on clinical outcomes and create a career pathway for nurses and midwives.

Background: Nurse-led research and innovation are key to improving health experiences and outcomes and reducing health inequalities. Yet nurses and midwives are underrepresented in the leadership of research (Eckert et al., 2023). We present a partnership between university and government-funded health services (the Health District) to provide mentoring for nurses and midwives to lead research. The Health District employs approximately 6,000 nurses and midwives who care for over one million people in a region greater than …

Loneliness, Technology, And Culture: Insights From Older Chinese Immigrants’ Experiences, Shao-Yun Chien, Oleg Zaslavsky, Basia Belza, Annie T. Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Loneliness and social isolation significantly impact the well-being of older adults, particularly immigrants from minority groups. Chinese immigrants are the third-largest immigrant group in the United States and may encounter unique challenges related to loneliness and social isolation due to life transitions. The prevalence of loneliness among older Chinese immigrants is 26%, significantly higher than in the broader aging population. Despite information and communication technology (ICT) interventions developed to address these issues, their effectiveness remains unclear, possibly due to neglecting the subjective nature of loneliness and the diverse backgrounds of participants, including racial and cultural differences.

Research Purpose: This …

Internalizing Stigma And Distancing Behaviors: Social Media Youth Perspectives, Lauren L. Niles

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Significance: Rates of youth mental health difficulties have risen drastically in recent years. Transition-aged youth (TAY) ages 18-24 years old represent a vulnerable population at risk for poor mental health outcomes, with depression and anxiety diagnoses increasing faster than any other age group. While the cause for this upsurge is multifaceted, these trends have occurred concurrently with the increasing popularity of social media (SM) platforms. Current evidence presents contradictory findings as to the impact of SM platforms on mental health, revealing a critical gap in knowledge.

Methods: This interpretative phenomenological study aimed to explore the social media perceptions of TAY …

Ready, Willing But Not Enabled: Families’ Perspectives On Participation In Early Mobilisation In Icu, Turkiah Saeed Alahmari, Peta Drury, John Rihari-Thomas, Yaseen Arabi, Bronwyn Everett

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Family participation in healthcare improves care quality and patient health outcomes (Price et al., 2022). It redirects family psychological distress into an active participatory role, humanising the patient's illness and recovery experience (Van Delft et al., 2021). Studies have focused on family participation in medical rounds, nutritional care, delirium assessment, and physical care of ICU patients (Goldfarb et al., 2023). Early mobilisation is advised for restoring functional ability, but patient-related issues, staffing shortages, and budget limitations may prevent its use in ICU settings (Bakhru et al., 2016). Current approaches to facilitate early mobility can be time-consuming, increase nurse burden, …

Structure, Processes & Outcomes Of Sci Peer Mentoring: A Community-Engaged, Cross-Sectional Survey, Susan D. Newman, Martina Mueller, Marychris Pittman, Lindsey Elliott, Jonathan Sigworth, Bill Cawley, Marka Danielle Rodgers

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Peer mentoring is a vital resource for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), providing emotional support, practical advice, and guidance from others who share a similar lived experience (1,2,3). Additionally, peer mentoring is an important component of SCI rehabilitation and supports the role of the rehabilitation nurse in promoting effective self-management and independence after SCI. Research on the effect of community-based peer mentoring interventions' structure and processes on outcomes, as well as quality and effectiveness, is limited (4).

Aim: The primary aim of this study, informed by Donabedian's Model of quality assessment (5), was to describe the structure, processes, …

"It Is Not Easy": The Psychosocial Distress Of Ghanaian Adults Living With Chronic Blood Cancers, Dinah Asantewah Koranteng, Lillian Akorfa Ohene, Samuel Adjorlolo, Yvonne Nartey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Living with chronic blood cancer can cause significant psychosocial challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited healthcare access. Compared to solid tumours, blood cancer patients experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, which are exacerbated for those with chronic blood cancers due to disease uncertainty. Without proper support, these psychological struggles can lead to a poor quality of life, underscoring the importance of identifying the psychosocial burdens and coping mechanisms among adults undergoing treatment.

Method: The study utilized descriptive phenomenology qualitative design to investigate the experiences of adults receiving treatment for chronic blood cancers at a public …

Factors Predicting Possible Sarcopenia In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Wasana Srisuk, Noppawan Piaseu, Sukanya Tantiprasoplap

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Possible sarcopenia, introduced by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) in 2019, is a guideline for early detection of sarcopenia in older adults living in the community. There is limited research on the prevalence of possible sarcopenia and its associated factors. This study aims to describe the prevalence of possible sarcopenia and identify its predictive factors in community-dwelling older adults.

This descriptive study included 117 community-dwelling older adults in Bangkok, Thailand, who were selected through stratified random sampling. Case finding and possible sarcopenia were assessed according to the AWGS guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of …

Effectiveness Of Arm Swing Exercise On Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Noppawan Piaseu, Phatcharaphon Whaikid

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Arm swing exercises (ASE) can improve health for all age groups, in line with World Health Organization guidelines that address the role of physical activity in maintaining health. Increasing exercise can effectively control diabetes, hypertension, waist circumference (WC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Systematic Reviews focusing on the effectiveness of ASE are still limited.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of arm swing exercises on health outcomes.

We systematically searched four online databases—PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Thai-Journal Citation Index Center—for studies published from inception until October 2024, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies …

Addressing Debriefing Needs: Enhancing Clinical Practice And Academic Preparedness, Ryan Nguyen, Zechariah Thompson, Renjith Cherian

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

An estimated 18% of inpatient post-event debriefings occur (Zinns, 2020). Debriefing have seldom occurred with the bedside staff, with one issue being the use of trained facilitators. However, in the academic setting, debriefing is a standard practice for student learning post-simulation. Increasing the education of debriefing and using clinical debriefing tools can improve patient outcomes, increase nurse resiliency, and decrease burnout related to traumatic experiences (Philips).

Professionals in healthcare are experiencing a rise in burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder. This is partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this issue existed long before the pandemic started (Gilroy, 2022). There has …

Socio-Demographic Influences On Digital Game Engagement And Self-Care In Adults With Heart Failure, Namuun Clifford, Nani Kim, Rachel Tunis, Grace Lee, Matthew O'Hair, Kavita Radhakrishnan

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Heart failure (HF) affects 64 million people worldwide, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.^1,2 Effective self-care is essential for improving HF outcomes, and digital health interventions have shown promise in supporting these practices.^3-5 This study explores how socio-demographic factors influence engagement with a digital game app and related self-care behaviors in HF management, presenting preliminary data from a remote, digital health study.

Methods: Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted on 40 adults from the intervention arm of an RCT after 6 months. Participants used a mobile game app, activity tracker, and smart scale to support …

Shared Decision-Making, Health Literacy, And Self-Care Knowledge On Hemodialysis Self-Care Behaviors, Hyohjung Lee, Mikyoung Cho

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Patients undergoing hemodialysis experience various complications and physical and emotional difficulties, leading to decreased quality of life. Self-care behaviors(SCB) are essential for preventing complications and reducing mortality rates. Effective SCB significantly depend on shared decision-making(SDM), health literacy(HL), and self-care knowledge(SCK), each critical in patient self-care performance and disease management. This study aimed to determine the importance and relevance of SDM, HL, and SCK. In particular, it enhances SCB among hemodialysis patients. Further, it sought to propose practical nursing interventions based on these findings. Participants were 108 adult hemodialysis patients from the nephrology departments of three general hospitals in Region C. …

Lost In Translation? Using Generative Ai To Make Academic Expertise Easier For Partners To Discover, Jackson Anderson, Timothy Cain

International Forum on Expert Finder Systems

Universities increasingly recognize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration as a powerful way to tackle complex challenges. However, establishing effective partnerships across institutions, industry, and government is often difficult due to siloed organizational structures and language barriers between sectors.

The Ohio Innovation Exchange (OIEx) provides a centralized web portal enabling users to discover expertise, research opportunities, intellectual property, and specialized equipment and services across Ohio's higher education landscape. Built upon Symplectic Elements, OIEx directly facilitates connections between academia and industry partners to foster collaboration and innovation.

Simply bringing potential collaborators together is often not enough: effective partnerships depend on clear communication …

When The Hitts Keep Coming: A Case Of Takatsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered By Delivering A New Diagnosis Of Multiple Myeloma, Corey Haines, Yareli Durazo, Tatiana Dacak, Bharat K. Peddinani, Nida Asif

Research Colloquium

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a transient condition often triggered by acute emotional or physical stress, typically presenting with chest pain, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome, but without obstructive coronary artery disease. We report the case of an 80-year-old male who developed TCM following the emotional stress of a new multiple myeloma diagnosis. His hospital course was complicated by acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and likely heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Despite a critical ICU stay requiring mechanical ventilation, diuresis, and dialysis initiation, the patient’s cardiac function partially recovered. This case highlights the severe physiologic impact …

The Price Of Copper: Unmasking Wilson’S Disease, Blake C. Martin, Stephen M. Garcia, Aun A. Bangash, Matthew Peynado, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of acute liver failure in a young adult initially presumed to have alcoholic hepatitis. Wilson disease, a rare but treatable cause of hepatic decompensation, must be considered, particularly in younger individuals with a suggestive biochemical profile and family history. The novelty of this case lies in the evolving diagnostic shift from alcohol-related liver disease to Wilson disease, underscoring the critical importance of comprehensive etiologic evaluation.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old male with no known medical history presented with jaundice, abdominal pain, and systemic symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and RUQ tenderness. He reported heavy alcohol …

Progressive Pulmonary Sarcoidosis In A Young Adult Mimicking Miliary Tuberculosis: A Case Report And Literature Review, Aura M. C. Calderon, Luis Salcedo, Ivan Mogollon, Francisco Arias, Juan Pablo Gomez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Pulmonary sarcoidosis can pose considerable diagnostic challenges, particularly in young adults hailing from regions endemic to tuberculosis (TB), wherein radiographic manifestations may closely mimic those of miliary TB. This case underscores the necessity of sustaining an extensive differential diagnosis and accentuates the critical role of histological verification in the assessment of diffuse pulmonary micronodular infiltrates, especially in instances where the infectious workup yields negative results.

Case Report: A 26-year-old male from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with no significant medical history, presented with a 10–12 month history of chronic dry cough and exertional dyspnea. He denied fever, weight loss, …

Economic Impact Of Nicotine Addiction: A Multi-Stakeholder Cost Analysis, Shikha Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Extensive research has examined the health consequences of nicotine addiction, but economic analyses incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives remain scarce. This study quantifies the annual financial burden of nicotine addiction across users, employers, and insurers. A systematic analysis was conducted on direct and indirect costs, utilizing data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bureau of Labor Statistics, and insurance industry reports (2022-2024). The financial impact was assessed for each stakeholder, including consumption expenses, productivity losses, healthcare utilization, and insurance claims. The estimated annual economic burden of nicotine addiction was ₹1,773.4 billion in India, while in the U.S., costs …

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight: Reimagining The Coming-Of-Age Genre In Film, Jonathan R. Davis

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The coming-of-age genre in film was established during the 1950s, a postwar period defined by rebellious and confused teenagers. Within the film genre, the young protagonist experiences physical or emotional struggle throughout their expedition, resulting in organic identity discovery. One subdivision of the genre that emerged during the 1990s was black coming-of-age stories. However, it was not until Barry Jenkins’ 2016 film Moonlight that the genre was completely reimagined in a new light. Jenkins’ film does not follow the recurrent coming-of-age plotline that has been exemplified in previous films of the genre, which display youthful growth by the end. …

Parental Internalizing Symptoms And Parenting Behaviors: The Moderating Role Of Social Support, Anh Van Nguyen

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

“It takes a village to raise a child”. Social support is vital to parents in carrying out child-rearing duties, which is an additional source of stress for parents. Parents who exhibit higher levels of internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress) are more likely to engage in negative parenting behaviors. These behaviors can, in turn, negatively impact child development. Therefore, it is essential to investigate whether greater social support can buffer or attenuate the relationship between parental internalizing symptoms and negative parenting practices. Understanding this potential moderating effect is particularly important given the central role of parenting in shaping children’s developmental …

Evaluating Impact Of Congenital Zika Virus Infection On Reproductive Health And Neonatal Outcomes In Latin America, Adrianna Soto, Maria Ivanova, Amanda Chinea, Daniela Davila, Ana Laura Alcantara Nascimento, Michelle Rodriguez, Valerie Vargas Ardila

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) represents a severe and multifaceted outcome of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy, with far-reaching implications for both maternal and neonatal health. ZIVK, transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, has been linked to a range of birth defects, most notably microcephaly. CZS also increases the risk of other complications such as stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal death, and a spectrum of congenital malformations. Between 2015 and 2016, over 2,000 confirmed cases of microcephaly linked to ZIVK were reported in Brazil, underscoring the epidemic as a public health crisis, particularly in Latin America, where environmental and socio-economic …

Evaluating The Effect Of Competition On Adult Physical Activity Using Heart Rate Monitoring, Julia De Paula Silva

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As of 2023 it has been reported that the United States is facing a physical inactivity crisis, with approximately 24.2% of adults meeting the recommended engagement levels of physical activity (PA). A lack of PA engagement is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and types of cancer (e.g., colon, breast). Therefore, the purpose of the proposed study is to develop a cost-effective behavioral intervention to promote PA among adults. This study will recruit dyads of existing friends between ages 18–65 who engage in low levels of PA (i.e., at least 45 min per week). …

Cardiopulmonary Interactions In Heart Failure And Chronic Lung Disease, Krish Makhija, Rithvik Bhathivi, Riya Narwani, Stuti Dibbur

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Globally, cardiovascular diseases, which are directly related to cardiopulmonary interactions, affect over half a billion people and cause 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Cardiopulmonary interactions refer to the complex interactions between the heart and lungs, particularly in diseases where dysfunction in one organ significantly impacts the other. This research aims to discover treatments and prevention methods for Cardiopulmonary Interactions in Heart Failure and Chronic Lung Disease. The aim is to help find early detections of these diseases and educate the public on how to prevent these diseases. A systematic review analyzed 22 peer-reviewed studies out of 45 from 2010 to …

The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Cognitive Function Of University Students, Ikshita Achanta, Anthony Hamati, Vanessa Singh, Joanne Nguyen, Rebecca Pothen, Reneta Pothen, George Malki, Bhavisha Hirani

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Sleep is vital for college students, directly influencing their cognitive, emotional, and physical health, which are crucial for academic success and overall well-being. Sleep deprivation affects memory consolidation, learning, focus, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are essential for retaining knowledge, applying it in assignments, and excelling academically. By strengthening neural connections, adequate sleep enhances critical thinking and productivity, while its absence leads to reduced concentration and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation tends to affect multiple areas of the brain in regard to neural activity, alertness, and cognitive function. Our investigation examines the impact of sleep deprivation on undergraduate cognitive …

Book Review: Coexistence: Stories, Gabrielle Velazquez

History in the Making

No abstract provided.