Digital Commons Network^™

An Exploration Of Temporally Differentiated Associations Between Alcohol Outlets, Social Disorganization, And Assaults: A Multilevel Approach, Jinuk Jeong, Yunho Yeom

Publications and Research

A substantial body of research consistently shows that the concentration of alcohol outlets is positively associated with violent crimes, such as assaults. While recent studies have incorporated both spatial and temporal dimensions of this relationship, particularly within-day variations, how this temporally differentiated association of alcohol outlets with violent crimes varies depending on the broader context, such as social disorganization, remains underexplored. This study addresses this research gap by investigating whether the relationship between alcohol outlets and assaults in New York City from 2017 to 2019 differs by time of the day, while accounting for neighborhood structures in terms of their …

Musculoskeletal Health And Physical Performance In Gynecological Cancer Women During Chemotherapy, Yu-Yun Hsu, Keng-Fu Hsu, Cheng-Feng Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Chemotherapy-related musculoskeletal adverse effects, such as muscle wasting, reduced muscle mass, muscle and joint pain, decreased bone density, joint stiffness, and inflammation, can impair physical activity and impact overall survival (Sutton et al., 2019; Sturgeon et al., 2019; Pin et al., 2018; Jang et al., 2020; Lee et al., 2019). However, limited research exists on the changes in musculoskeletal health and physical performance among women with gynecological cancer throughout chemotherapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in musculoskeletal health and physical performance across chemotherapy cycles and identify factors influencing these changes.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal …

Addressing Lgbtq+ Health In Ireland: A Scoping Review To Identify The Current Landscape, John P. Gilmore, Tonda Hughes, Laurie Drabble, Chris Noone, Siobhan Thomas, Sean Kearns, Diarmuid Stokes, Lauren Bochicchio

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) health research in Ireland remains limited, with substantial gaps in knowledge concerning health disparities among diverse LGBTQ+ populations. This scoping review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence, offering a foundational understanding of the existing research landscape and pinpointing areas for future exploration.

Aims & Objectives: The review aims to map the scope of SGM health research in Ireland, identifying primary areas of focus and critical gaps in representation to guide future research priorities and policy development.

Methods: A systematic search was performed across PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Embase, utilising search terms created …

C.A.R.E. Symposium And Caritas: Co-Creating Community Engagement To Advance Health Equity, Shelitha R. Campbell

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The foundation of nursing lies in the art of caring, addressing emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial health beyond the physical. Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and the eighth Caritas Process, Co-Create, which focuses on creating healing environments at all levels, offers a guiding framework for nurses, healthcare providers, survivors, and community members to bridge divides created by social drivers of health, such as those perpetuated by human trafficking.

The inaugural C.A.R.E. Symposium: An Anti-Trafficking Movement offered a platform to address the global health crisis of human trafficking. It provided a collaborative space for community members and advocates to promote health …

Health Department Factors That Support Cross-Sectoral Collaborations In Promoting Physical Activity, Kimberly Brinker, Sarah Gimbel, Katherine Stamatakis, Betty Bekemeier

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study aims to identify factors within local health departments (LHDs) that assist in maintaining engaged and sustainable cross-sector collaborations that promote physical activity (PA) in the Hispanic community.

Physical inactivity is a common modifiable risk factor for chronic conditions which disproportionately impact the health of Hispanics in the US.¹ The prevalence of physical inactivity is highest among the Hispanic adult population at 32% compared with non-Hispanic black (30%), non-Hispanic white (23%), and non-Hispanic Asian (20%) adults.²

LHDs play a critical role by supporting programs that promote PA,³ through cross-sector collaborations. The social determinants of health (SDOH) …

Post-Pandemic Stress, Depression, And Anxiety After Difficult Or Distressing Shifts In The Ed, Ellen Beth Daroszewski, Dawn Zakzesky, Terrie Cole, Katie Mellgren, Sue Schoenbeck, Mark Semrad

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: The emergency department (ED) has always been complex and stressful. Nurses face unique causes of stress from the physical, psychological, and social features of ED practice (Alomari, et al., 2020). Browning, et al. (2007) found ED nurses had more distressing work environments than other nurses resulting in higher persistent stress. In a review of 25 years of research, Adriaenssens, et al. (2015) found a 25% burnout rate in ED nurses. Prior to the pandemic, the WHO estimated that one-third of ED staff were at high risk for stress disorders (Stéphane, et al. 2016). Moukarzel, et al. (2019) found 50.7% …

An Evaluation Study Of Entry-To-Practice Competency Requirements For Rns In The Kingdom Of Eswatini, Bethany A. Murray, Nkosinathi Rejoice Nkwanyana

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the entry-to-practice (ETP) licensure requirements for RNs in The Kingdom of Eswatini. Eswatini implemented RN licensing requirements in 2020. Previously, RNs were licensed by graduation from a nursing training institution. Now, nurses must also pass a written general nursing exam and submit a signed record book of clinical practice skills (SCCRB) (1). RNs who want to practice midwifery or mental health have additional requirements. In 2023, the Eswatini Nursing Council (ENC) collaborated with a midwestern U.S. nursing school to evaluate the ETP requirements. The Nursing Registrar of Eswatini and nursing faculty from …

Distress To Success: Video-Based Interventions To Enhance Nursing Student Mental Health, Kacie Duncan, Heather S. Cole, Suzanne Prevost, Staci Simmons

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Nursing students have high stress levels that significantly impact their mental health, making them vulnerable to mental health disorders, burnout, poor academic performance, and dropout, ultimately contributing to the ever-increasing nursing shortage. Unaddressed mental health issues in nursing raise the risk of medication errors and the inability to focus. The purpose of this study was to introduce Mastering Mindset: A Mental Health Initiative, which aims to empower students to manage stress and succeed in their careers by using short TikTok-style videos.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 291 baccalaureate nursing students to assess changes in mindset, wellness, …

Variations In Bio-Psycho-Behavioral Profiles And Quality Of Life Among Obesity Subtypes, Ching-Ling Lin, Yu-Ju Chen, Lih-Yeu Huang, Shu-Ling Chu

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Obesity, a complex metabolic condition, is linked to chronic diseases and reduced quality of life (QoL) (Ben Othman et al., 2023). Traditional metrics like Body Mass Index (BMI)fail to capture the full spectrum of metabolic health impacts (Iacobini et al., 2019). A nuanced classification into obesity subtypes—metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MuHNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO)—reveals significant variations in health outcomes (Després, 2023). Understanding these differences in bio-psycho-behavioral aspects and QoL is crucial but underexplored.

Aim: This study examines bio-psycho-behavioral factors and QoL variations across different obesity subtypes.

Methods: In …

Trajectory Of Meaning In Life After Heart Failure Hospitalization Is Associated With Quality Of Life, Min Hui Liu, Chao-Hung Wang, Ai-Fu Chiou

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and objective: Patients with heart failure (HF) are at a high risk of sudden death and have poor health-related quality of life (QOL). The uncertainty of living substantially challenges the presence of their meaning in life (MiL). Previous studies suggest that the presence of a strong MiL has a protective effect for patients to face this incurable disease and help them improve their QOL. We hypothesized that characterizing the trajectories of MiL can help identify the patients at the high risk of developing poor QOL for early therapeutic interventions.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 200 patients with HF hospitalization. From …

The Explorative Of Eating Behavior, Quality Of Life And Related Factor In Bariatric Surgery Patients, Shih-Ting Lo, Shu-Fen Wu, Yu-Rong Hsu, Tien-Chou Soong

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Obesity is now recognized as one of the most important public health issues worldwide. Bariatric surgery is the most durable weight-loss solution for patients with morbid obesity. However, adopting healthy eating behaviors is essential for successful weight loss and improving health-related quality of life.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the association between eating behaviors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and examined influencing factors among patients after bariatric surgery.

Methods: The cross-sectional study design was adopted with convenience sampling conducted at bariatric center in Southern Taiwan. A total of 296 morbid obesity patients were recruited. Data were collected …

Bridging The Gap: Opportunities And Barriers In Diabetes Self-Management Education, Paul R. Boy, Sorina Long, Manpreet Sidhu, Barbara Roces, Dante Anthony Tolentino

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs are essential for navigating the complexity of diabetes management, yet engagement in these programs is poor.^1,2 A gap remains in understanding AAs' DSMES engagement due to the exclusion of their perspectives and the tendency to treat them as a monolithic group,³ missing nuanced experiences. This lack of understanding prevents the creation of interventions to improve DSMES engagement among AAs. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the determinants of DSMES engagement among AAs with T2DM. We used an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach to explore how AAs engage with DSMES programs. We conducted …

The Physical Activity Effect On Lowering Blood Pressure In Adults: A Meta-Analysis Of Rct Studies, Talato Kabore, Tanja Baum Low, Kay Yang, Taqialdeen Zamil

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Prehypertension is a silent major contributor to the world's burden of cardiovascular diseases. Individuals with prehypertension may progress to cardiovascular diseases (Barone Gibbs et al., 2021; Nesnawy et al., 2024; Kariuki et al., 2024). Different combinations of physical activity interventions lowered blood pressure among prehypertensive adults worldwide. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluated the pooled effects of multiple physical activity interventions on reducing blood pressure among prehypertensive adults.

Methods: A meta-analysis performed sixteen RCT studies. Among the 1,419 adult participants, 881 men and 538 women. Random effects models were used to evaluate heterogeneity in the study. A funnel plot and a …

Unic Dialogues: Our Experiences Of Partnership As Student Representatives In A European University Alliance, Maddalena Fortune-Brandi, Ella Barrett

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

From Pedagogical Crisis To Partnership: Experiences Of A Student-Teacher Partnership Approach, Linda Murphy, Michael Dowling

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Political Science And Education Policy: A Florida Student's Perspective On Pedagogical Partnership, Ben Gordon

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Nurturing Kindergarten Pedagogy Through Pedagogical Partnership, Brisa Kane

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Critical Hope: Reflections On Pedagogical Partnerships In Higher Education, Austen Morris

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

How Many Symmetries Of The Regular N-Gon Are Even?, Thi Mai Khoi Ha

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

One of the simplest classes of finite groups used as a source of counterexamples in a first course of modern algebra is the class of finite dihedral groups. Among the subgroups of dihedral group, finding subgroups of index 2 is of interest in part because these subgroups are normal subgroups. In this article, we use the representations of the symmetries of the dihedral groups as permutations of the vertices and determine concretely all its subgroups of index 2. Under this representation or embedding, the article determines the intersection of the dihedral group with the corresponding alternating groups when they are …

Incremental Increases Between Successive Integers When Raised To The Nth Power, Sutton J. Olesen

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

For thousands of years, the beautiful field of number theory has captivated mathematicians with its elegant simplicity. Positive integers continue to reveal properties and relationships that are a joy to uncover, and in this paper, we investigate a pattern involving exponents and factorials while exploring some common notations in the field of number theory. Combinatorics, the field dealing with the mathematics of counting and arranging, also holds a presence in this paper. Pascal’s Triangle–the foundation of binomial expressions, also comes into play due to its tight relationship with combinatorics. Pascal’s Identity, the property that builds the triangle, becomes very useful …

Unveiling The Unexpected: Duodenal Ulcer As A Manifestation Of Breast Cancer Metastasis, Emmanuel Gbadehan, Mohammad Abubaker, Parth Adrejiya, Khwaja Haq, Teresa Varghese, Joy Chaudhari, Gurkeerat Singh, Ashok Kanugula

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Breast cancer typically metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, and liver. However, gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is exceedingly rare, particularly presenting as duodenal ulcers. Such metastases often mimic primary GI malignancies, leading to nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain, anorexia, bleeding, and vomiting, which can delay accurate diagnosis. Early recognition through appropriate diagnostic evaluations is crucial to prevent disease progression. We report a unique case of an 86-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities who presented with multiple gastrointestinal ulcers. Further investigation revealed these lesions to be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer. This case underscores the importance of considering metastatic breast cancer in …

Ileal Diverticulitis Leading To Small Bowel Obstruction: A Rare Case Of Ileal Diverticular Disease, Immanuel Raju Tullimalli, Vishnu Saivardhan Reddy Palyam, Srinath R. Allala, Nabil Badro, Sumanth Kumar Bandaru

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

While small bowel diverticulosis, particularly, ileal diverticulitis is rare and often asymptomatic, it can lead to chronic vague symptoms or acute complications. Acute presentations may mimic appendicitis, small bowel obstruction, or colonic diverticulitis but can also appear with atypical symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. In many cases, definitive diagnosis relies on imaging such as abdominal CT, which can identify features like extraluminal air or mass lesions, though surgical exploration may be required in complex cases.

Small bowel diverticula are structural outpouchings of the intestinal wall, typically located on the mesenteric border, and are more common in men with a male-to-female ratio …

Severe Hyponatremia Presenting With Mild Symptoms And Multifactorial Etiology, Nathaniel Lin, Muhammad Cheema, Usman Fahim, Abdullah Ali, Andrew Weber

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disturbance; however, serum sodium level of 99 mEq/L without severe symptoms or known duration is rare and noteworthy. We report a case of an 87-year-old female who presented with fatigue, decreased appetite, and mild emesis for the past 2 days in which blood work revealed a serum sodium level 99 mEq/L. The etiology of hyponatremia in an elderly patient may be complex due to higher likelihood of co-morbid medical conditions. Additionally, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) can pose a diagnostic challenge as fewer than 50% of patients have typical lab results that confirm the …

An Incredible Impact Of Antibiotics On Leukostasis, Ranjana Chimauriya, Chiranjibi Mainali, George John Pyrgos, Christopher James Haas

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Leukostasis is characterized by respiratory or neurological issues in the context of hyperleukocytosis, secondary to elevated blood viscosity and WBC plugs (aggregates of mature leukocytes or leukemic blasts physically obstructing the microvasculature leading to impaired tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction).It is rare in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) unless WBC > 500,000/µL. A 67-year-old female presented with severe respiratory distress and altered mental status. She was diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and pneumonia. Laboratory diagnostics demonstrated hyperleukocytosis (WBC >440,000/µL) and CLL confirmed by flow cytometry. Imaging showed bilateral acute brain infarcts. After 12 days of antibiotic therapy, her WBC dropped to 40,000/µL, …

Methotrexate Toxicity Management In Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Case Report, Devi Meghana Kotharu, Sai Diksha Vutukuru, Prafullkumar Patel, Athmananda Nanjundappa, Sumanth Kumar Bandaru

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Methotrexate (MTX) is an anti-folate drug with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Low-dose methotrexate (10-25mg/week) is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for various autoimmune disorders. While toxicity from low dose methotrexate is uncommon it can lead to severe complications like pancytopenia. We present a case of a 68-year-old male with a history of steroid-resistant Polymyalgia Rheumatica on methotrexate (20 mg weekly) and prednisone. He presented to the emergency room with oral mucosal lesions and reduced oral intake. Upon evaluation, he was found to have pancytopenia and transaminitis, raising concern for methotrexate toxicity. Treatment included folinic acid rescue therapy …

Isolated Gastrointestinal Kaposi’S Sarcoma: A Case Report, Sandesh R. Parajuli, Maya Pillai, Bidisha Baral, Fikru Merechi, Anish Paudel

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Introduction Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining malignancy of the vascular endothelium. Gastric KS without skin lesions is rare. We present a case of a newly diagnosed HIV-positive male with gastric KS in the absence of dermatological involvement.

Case Description A 25-year-old male with no prior medical history presented with intermittent headaches, weakness, nausea, and abdominal fullness. Examination revealed temporal wasting, conjunctival pallor, and oral thrush. There were no skin manifestations. He was newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (CD4/µL, viral load 276,000 copies/mL) complicated by cryptococcal meningitis and CMV colitis and had lesions suggestive of KS on esophagogastroduodenoscopy …

Concurrent Histoplasmosis & Blastomycosis In A Young Woman, Gizem Reyhanoglu, Mohsan Khan, Andrea Venturini

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background:

Histoplasmosis capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis are fungi that are uniquely distributed across the United States. Co-infection with both fungi remains uncommon. The literature review of coinfection was limited to three cases. Only two cases were recorded in humans. Infection can yield symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening. On radiographic imaging, diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates with hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy can be seen. Management depends on the severity of the disease and the patient’s immune state.

Case Description:

A 35-year-old female with a medical history significant for HIV and substance use disorder presented to the hospital with severe lower abdominal pain, …

Thyrotoxicosis Triggering Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy And Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Of Severe Cardiovascular Manifestations In Hyperthyroidism, Raiyan Ali, Nathaniel Lin, Taha Siddiqui, Mohit Sharma

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Hyperthyroidism can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias, high-output heart failure, and myocardial ischemia. Thyrotoxicosis, a hypermetabolic emergency, may mimic or exacerbate acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and, though rare, has been associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We present a case of a 54-year-old thyrotoxic female without significant cardiovascular history who presented with atypical chest pain complicated by both takotsubo cardiomyopathy and myocardial infarction. This case not only emphasizes the diagnostic challenge posed by thyroid-induced cardiac dysfunctions but also highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management in these patients.

Fecaloma In Chronic Opioid-Induced Constipation: A Fatal Case Of Stercoral Colitis, Claudia Georges, Simardeep Singh, Eskandar Alex Yazajiadepartment Of Medicine, Medstar Health Georgetown University (Baltimore) Program, Baltimore, Md, Usa

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Stercoral colitis (SC) is a rare and potentially lethal condition characterized by severe colonic inflammation resulting from fecal impaction. This disorder is more prevalent among the elderly and vulnerable groups, especially those on chronic opioids. Our case study involves a 56-year-old male with a history of chronic opioid use who faced an acute colonic obstruction due to longstanding constipation. Despite receiving surgical treatment, the patient dies from ischemic bowel complications and multiorgan failure. The case accentuates the complexities of diagnosing and treating stercoral colitis, highlighting the critical need for early identification and proactive therapeutic intervention to prevent fatal outcomes.

Role Of Addiction Medicine Consultation Service In A Community Hospital: Evaluation Of The Novel Service, Srikrishna Varun Malayala, Wesley Cervantes Perez, Rukshar Thapa, Archie Madan, Kushagar Singla, Pragyat Singh, Pelash Kumar, Akshay Thaper

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Objectives: Fewer than 2,500 physicians nationwide are certified in addiction medicine. Inpatient addiction hospitalist services have been shown to improve patient outcomes, but their capabilities and impact are underexplored in community hospitals. This study evaluates the role of an addiction medicine hospitalist service in enhancing patient outcomes in two community-based hospitals.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who received care from addiction medicine service in two hospitals. The data were collected within the first 120 days of the establishment of service. The reason for consultation, substances used, types of management, impact on transition of care, readmissions and …