Digital Commons Network^™

Non-Contact Optical Spectroscopy For Metabolic And Vascular Characterizations Of Orthotopic Tongue Cancer Models In Vivo, Md Zahid Hasan, Jing Yan, Sumit Sarker, Pranto Soumik Saha, Caigang Zhu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Most tissue optical spectroscopy platforms use a fiber probe for light delivery and collection, while the inconsistent probe-sample contact could induce significant distortions in the measured optical signals, which consequently bring analysis errors. Moreover, it will be practically difficult to use a fiber probe for measurements in some cases such as oral cancer investigations using small animal models. To address the critical challenge, we report a portable, lens-based, optical spectroscopy device capable of quantifying key vascular and metabolic parameters in vivo without probe-sample contact. We combined lenses based diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy into one portable platform to enable multi-parametric …

Combined Autofluorescence And Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy For Rapid Metabolic And Vascular Characterizations Of Orthotopic Tongue Tumors In Vivo, Pranto Soumik Saha, Jing Yan, Sumit Sarker, Zahid Hasan, Caigang Zhu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Precise label-free quantification of tissue metabolic and vascular dynamics in vivo represents a critical challenge for cancer therapy prediction and longitudinal treatment assessment. In this study, we demonstrated a portable autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy device along with novel spectroscopic algorithms to quantify tissue vascular and metabolic parameters of orthotopic head and neck cancer models in vivo. Tissue-mimicking phantom studies were used to verify the dual-modal optical spectroscopy and easy-to-use spectroscopic algorithms for rapid and accurate estimation of tissue oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin contents, and intrinsic optical redox ratio. Animal studies were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of our …

Noninvasive Diffuse Optical Monitoring Of Cerebral Blood Flow And Oxygenation Responses To Intermittent Hypoxia In Neonatal Rats, Pegah Safavi, Mehrana Mohtasebi, Chowdhury Azimul Haque, Faezeh Akbari, Xuhui Liu, Yiqi Yuan, Li Chen, Lei Chen, Guoqiang Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Significance: Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is common in preterm neonates and can cause hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. Simultaneous monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygenation is essential to detect oxygen delivery-extraction mismatches and guide intervention.

Aim: We aimed to adapt and test an innovative diffuse speckle contrast flow oximetry (DSCFO) system for continuous monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics during IH in neonatal rats, a model approximating human neonates.

Approach: Two compact laser diodes and a miniature CMOS camera were integrated into a fiber-free probe for continuous monitoring of changes in relative CBF (rCBF) and oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations (Δ[HbO₂] and …

Successful Anesthetic Management Of Patient With Marfan Syndrome: Optimizing Cardiovascular Stability And Maternal Outcomes, M Roberts, C Cox, K Leavitt

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Comparative Evaluation Of R134a And Hfo‐1234ze Cryogen Spray Cooling Using A Mouse Model With Controllable Epidermal Pigmentation, Wangcun Jia, Yurie Jeong, Crystal Huynh, Oswald Lai, Emily Nguyen, Grant Swajian, Jade Niu, Ayana Kashikar, Joshua Khaw, Hong Pu, Bernard Choi, John August D'Orazio, J. Stuart Nelson, Bahman Anvari

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Objectives: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is critical for protecting the epidermis during laser dermatologic procedures. The widely used cryogen, R134a, has a high global warming potential (GWP), motivating interest in environmentally favorable alternatives such as HFO-1234ze. This study evaluated whether HFO-1234ze provides epidermal protection comparable to R134a during laser exposure and investigated the mechanistic basis underlying any differences in cooling performance.

Methods: Laser-induced epidermal injury in conjunction with two cryogens was assessed in K14-SCF Mc1r^e/e mice with pharmacologically controllable interfollicular epidermal pigmentation. Laser treatment sites were assigned fluences relative to baseline skin lightness (L*) to span subthreshold …

From Tension To Teaching: Combating Incivility And Bullying Behaviors Directed At Nursing Students, Shelley Dyal

Theses

Background: The phrase “nurses eat their young” has long been used to describe the culture of incivility and bullying often directed at nursing students. These behaviors in the nursing clinical learning environment break down nurse-student relationships. To address this issue, nursing staff must have the tools to fulfill their roles as educators and mentors in clinical settings. The purpose of this project is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based asynchronous educational workshop focused on incivility reduction and student mentorship among nursing staff in a rural hospital setting.

Methods:  This study used a quantitative, one-group pretest–posttest intervention design …

Empowering Change: Impact Of Motivational Interviewing On First-Semester Nursing Students' Perceived Confidence And Communication Skills, Norma L. Branyon

Theses

Background: Effective communication is vital when interacting with others, regardless of the profession. When healthcare providers lack the skills to facilitate conversations about behavior changes, poor patient outcomes can be produced. New graduate nurses often encounter difficulties in effectively communicating with patients and display reluctance to engage with patients and their families. Ineffective communication may lead to increased anxiety, miscommunication, and mistrust. This communication gap can hinder therapeutic relationships, patient engagement, and overall health outcomes. Communication plays a crucial role in student nurses’ self-confidence, motivation, and personal and professional growth. Therefore, role transition for new nurses can be difficult and …

Genomic Characterization Of A Novel Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterial Species From Western Kansas., Louisa Acquah

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are a danger to freshwater systems, particularly in water limited regions such as western Kansas, yet the genetic identity and diversity of bloom-forming taxa in this region remain poorly characterized. In this study, I investigated a cyanobacterial bloom in Horsethief Reservoir (Kansas, USA) in summer 2024 with the aim of resolving the taxonomic identity and genomic features of the dominant organism. Bloom water samples were collected, and the dominant cyanobacterium was enriched and rendered nearly axenic through controlled cultivation and repeated subculturing. Preliminary 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated affiliation with the genus Limnothrix, but with notable …

The Effects Of Childhood Maltreatment On Executive Functioning: The Difference Between Cumulative Trauma, Abuse Severity, And Neglect, Kelly Krehbiel

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Childhood maltreatment is prevalent in the United States with around 558,899 children being victims of abuse in 2022 (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2024). Neglect is the most common form of abuse with around 74 percent of abused children being neglected; however, neglect tends to be the least researched form of abuse. Childhood maltreatment has long-term effects on a person’s mental, physical, and cognitive health. Previous research suggests that childhood maltreatment leads to severe deficits in executive functioning skills such as working memory and cognitive flexibility. Executive functioning skills are important for almost every aspect of life including …

Exploring The Link Between Soil Microbes, And Land Use Through A One Health Lens, Yaw A. Antwi

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The diversity of microbes within the soil plays an essential role in soil ecosystem

functioning. However, these microbes may also serve as environmental reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes. The study examined the diversity of bacteria that are found in soil across Rural/Agricultural and Rural/Nonagricultural landscapes within some selected counties in Kansas and its associated antibiotic resistance genes taxa. A total of twenty-four soil samples was collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing which targeted the V3-V4 regions. Statistical analysis revealed that the alpha diversity metrics (Chao1 richness and Shannon evenness) showed no significant difference in microbial structure (p=0.693, …

Increasing Mental Health Literacy In An African Immigrant Community In The United States, Dominic T. Nchamukong

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this quality-improvement project was to assess the impact of an educational intervention on mental health literacy, attitudes, stigma, and help-seeking behaviors among members of an African immigrant community in Maryland.

Framework: The Health Belief Model (HBM) guided implementation of the project. The intervention was delivered using HBM constructs to promote increased mental health literacy.

Methods: The study was conducted in four phases: pre-project preparation, recruitment, educational intervention, and post-intervention evaluation. The six-week program was delivered both online and in person. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys measuring knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and willingness to seek professional mental …

Protecting Your Largest Organ: A Journey In Skin Cancer Education, Prevention, And Early Detection, Krista Schneider

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Rates of skin cancer diagnoses continue to increase globally, making skin cancer one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. Despite rising incidence, many individuals lack knowledge of risk factors, warning signs, and effective prevention strategies. This quality improvement project aimed to improve skin cancer awareness by providing targeted skin cancer education to young adults enrolled at a university in the Midwestern United States. Conducted from August 18 to December 1, 2025, this project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Educational presentations were delivered to students enrolled in freshman seminar courses over a two-day period, accompanied by distribution of digital flyers and pamphlets. …

Fragments & Formations, Charles D. Schluckebier

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

My work begins with an idea, but is driven by curiosity as it develops, often arriving somewhere different than initially planned. I maintain control over the direction while allowing decisions to shift in response to what emerges. Creating artwork becomes a space where ideas are not illustrated by worked through – physically and mentally at the same time. I approach making as problem-solving, where each sculpture functions as a puzzle resolved through construction. I push materials beyond their intended function, forcing them into new conditions where form emerges through resistance, constraint, and play. Material behavior informs the outcome but does …

Mythology Of Whiteness: Constructing Black Girls As A Bully, Kathleen O'Brien, Pamela Twyman Hoff

Faculty Publications - College of Education

This analytical essay uses data from a qualitative study by O’Brien (2017) that explored the social construction of bullying. O’Brien interviewed 16 high school students enrolled in alternative and college-preparatory high schools. Although the study did not focus specifically on Black girls, their narratives surfaced a distinctly different story—one that exposed how whiteness, intersectional power, and cultural ways of knowing construct Black girls as quintessential bullies in schools. This re-analysis explores how Black girls are cast within the mythology of whiteness as archfoes—not merely as disruptive, but as symbolic antagonists whose existence threatens the normative order of whiteness …

The Synergy Between A Silver-Ruthenium Antimicrobial And Aminoglycosides Is Based On Severe Macromolecular Damage, Emmanuel P. Oladokun, Gracious Y. Donkor, Julius K. Narh, Grady D. Jacobson, Cade Ward, Patrick O. Tawiah, Lisa K. Polzer, Kevin A. Edwards, Kyle A. Floyd, Jan-Ulrik Dahl

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens, including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), highlights the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies to restore antibiotic efficacy. The silver-ruthenium antimicrobial AGXX exerts potent bactericidal effects through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, its potential synergy with antibiotics has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we show that sublethal concentrations of AGXX strongly enhance aminoglycoside-mediated killing across a diverse panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive MDR clinical isolates, including highly aminoglycoside-resistant strains. Combinational treatments significantly reduced the effective concentrations of gentamicin, tobramycin, kanamycin, and amikacin required to kill bacteria. Mechanistic analyses revealed that AGXX/aminoglycoside …

The Impact Of School Climate On Student Achievement, Tonia L. Schiro

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review explores the relationship between school climate and student achievement by examining research from education, psychology, and school improvement literature. School climate encompasses many aspects of the educational environment, including perceptions of safety, the quality of relationships among students and staff, levels of engagement, and students’ sense of belonging within the school community. The review investigates how these factors contribute to academic success and influence students’ overall educational experiences. Findings across the literature consistently demonstrate that positive school climates are associated with higher levels of student achievement, stronger engagement, improved attendance, and greater social-emotional well-being. The review also …

Collective Bargaining In The Usa : Union Success Within And Outside Of The Flawed Legal Framework, Angela B. Cornell

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

The labour movement in the US experienced a powerful upswing under President Biden, but even with a labour-friendly administration thousands of new bargaining units labour without collective bargaining agreements years a#er being organised. The many limitations and weaknesses of the collective-bargaining framework under the private-sector statute, the NLRA, contribute to this very unfortunate outcome including enterprise rather than sectoral bargaining, a lack of meaningful remedies for serious bargaining violations, very little interest arbitration when the parties cannot reach agreement and the extremely limited right to strike. Millions of American workers are deprived of the right to bargain collectively because of …

The Role Of Tumor Microenvironment In Glioblastoma Multiforme(Gbm) Therapeutic Resistance, Kwesi E. Taylor

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Despite significant advances in cancer research and treatment, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat effectively, with minimal improvement in long-term survival rates over the past few decades. This is largely attributed to tumor heterogeneity and the ability of tumor cells to develop adaptive resistance mechanisms supported by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although the TME is recognized as a key contributor to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, the underlying molecular pathways and regulatory genes remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the role of the tumor microenvironment in GBM therapeutic resistance using a bioinformatics approach. Single-cell …

Identifying Socio-Economic Areas Of Concern Towards Inclusion In Gis Hazard Management In Detroit, Michigan., Ernestina Osei

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This study examined the spatial distribution of socio-economic vulnerability and accessibility to essential services in Detroit, Michigan, using a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based approach. The research aimed to identify areas of greatest concern by integrating socio-economic indicators, including poverty, housing vacancy, income, unemployment, and crime, with spatial measures of access to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and grocery stores. Both feature-based and raster-based analyses were employed, including buffer and overlay analysis, service area evaluation, Euclidean distance modeling, and multi-criteria suitability analysis.

A mixed-methods framework was adopted to combine quantitative spatial analysis with contextual understanding of urban …

Defend The Fort: Indigenous History, Remembrance, And Memorialization In Ellis County, Kansas, Sarah Keiss

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This thesis provides an in-depth look into the Indigenous history of the area that would later become Western Kansas and Ellis County. Analyzing the history of the area from before European colonization to the Native American resistance against American expansion in the 1860s, this thesis illustrates the complex and layered history of the area. Even prior to European settler presence in the area, the native tribes felt the effects of European settlement and trade around them, leading to drastic changes in geographic distribution and access to new resources, particularly horses. Over the course of the nineteenth century, white settlement completely …

Bridging The Gap In Patient Attendance: A Dnp-Led Quality Improvement Project To Reduce No-Show Rate By Implementing Text Message Reminders, Charles D. Rogers

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Missed medical appointments contribute to revenue loss, workflow inefficiencies, increased staff burden, and reduced patient access to care in primary care settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an automated text message (SMS) reminder system on no-show rates in a privately owned, medium-sized family practice in a rural setting, aiming to reduce the baseline no-show rate of 11.4% to 10% or less. Guided by the Model for Improvement and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, automated SMS reminders were sent 48 hours prior to scheduled appointments. Existing 24-hour phone call reminders were maintained. Formative assessments …

Advanced Practice Workforce: ​Drivers Of Satisfaction & Retention​, Stephanie Bork, Amber Balzer, Sally Russell, R. K. Elswick Jr., Terry Jone, Kimberlee Ketchersid, Joseph Deranieri

School of Nursing Publications

Problem

The turnover of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is costly for institutions and creates gaps in care for organizations. The aims of this study are to describe the characteristics of the APRN and PA workforce in a large, integrated academic medical center and examine relationships between APRN and PA workforce characteristics and organizational outcomes.

Background

APRNs encompass a diverse group of licensed clinicians and are integral to healthcare delivery. As APRNs roles expand to support healthcare needs, turnover is costly and adversely affects patient care. The APRN role remains constrained in many healthcare institutions, contributing to burnout and job …

The Impact Of Somali Parental Involvement On Elementary Education In Minnesota: Opportunities And Challenges, Abdiqani Abdullahi Elmi

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This qualitative study examines the challenges faced by Somali-American parents in Minnesota regarding involvement in their children's education, particularly during elementary school. The elementary level is a critical stage for students' learning and a foundational pillar for both academic development and social integration, making parental involvement during this stage especially important. However, immigrant families, specifically Somali-Americans, face significant challenges that impede their ability to participate actively in their children's educational journey. This qualitative phenomenological research investigated barriers that might stem from limited formal education, low English proficiency, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic challenges. The methodology used in this research is …

The Role Of Mentorship In Women’S Pathways To Senior Superintendency Positions In K–12 Public Education, Tara Falasco

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although women comprise the majority of the K–12 workforce, they remain underrepresented in senior superintendency leadership positions, a disparity attributed to systemic and social factors such as implicit bias, gender stereotypes, limited access to professional networks, and inequitable mentorship and sponsorship structures that restrict advancement opportunities. Mentorship is widely recognized as an important factor in women’s pathways to senior roles; however, women often report less access to advocacy-oriented sponsorship than men, leaving those in building-level leadership (e.g., principals, assistant principals) facing barriers—such as limited access to networks, implicit gender bias, and work–life balance challenges—when seeking senior superintendency positions. This phenomenological, …

Decision-Making Consistency In Mtss And Special Education: Implications For Equity And Student Outcomes, Alyson Renee Reeves

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) are widely used to guide early intervention and data-based decision making in schools; however, variability in how educators interpret data and apply decision-making frameworks may influence student access to interventions and special education services. This study examined decision-making practices within MTSS and special education systems, with particular attention to eligibility determination, reevaluation, and dismissal processes. Drawing on existing research related to MTSS implementation, equity in special education, and professional judgment in data interpretation, this study explored how educators interpreted student data and applied decision-making criteria within Minnesota school systems. The purpose of this research was …

Examining Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology And Maternal Functioning During The Postpartum Period: Implications For Disclosure And Assessment, Meghan Collins

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Maternal mental health is a significant global health concern, with nearly one in five new mothers experiencing a mental health disorder during the perinatal period. Timely screening, assessment, and treatment are critical for the well-being of both mother and infant, given the potential adverse effects of unaddressed mental health concerns. While much of the existing literature has focused on perinatal depression and anxiety, research specifically examining obsessive-compulsive symptoms and unwanted or intrusive thoughts remains limited. The present study investigated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and maternal functioning, as well as experiences related to the assessment and disclosure of intrusive thoughts. …

The Impact Of Long Covid On Mental Health, Marzena Podkalicka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, a significant portion of the global population has transitioned from acute infection to Long COVID, a multisystemic condition characterized by persistent symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer. This study investigated the psychological impact of Long COVID, to explore rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life in people with Long COVID compared to those without it. A quantitative survey-based design was employed with a sample of 310 adults (Aged 18 to 90; M = 48.2). Participants completed validated instruments, including the Long COVID Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey, General …

Embracing The Green Thumb: Occupation-Based Resources For Stroke Recovery, Brianna Padovano

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Stroke recovery requires ongoing effort from survivors, caregivers, practitioners, and communities to promote meaningful participation in long-term engagement in daily life. Despite the growing amount of evidence supporting continued recovery beyond the acute stages of stroke, accessible resources that address the needs of these stakeholder groups remain limited (Chen et al., 2019). This doctoral capstone experience aimed to bridge these gaps through the development and dissemination of educational, clinical, and advocacy-based resources designed to support stroke rehabilitation across various stakeholders. An evidence-informed, occupation-based stroke recovery guide, which includes relevant theories, decision-making flowcharts, sample protocols, and resources, was created for new …

Restorative Restitution, Lula Hagos

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

How to best meet the needs of crime victims while also furthering the imperative of decarceration has long vexed advocates and scholars alike. This dilemma comes into sharp focus when one examines two developments in criminal procedure that, until now, have been analyzed separately: victim restitution and restorative justice.

Criminal restitution, the monetary payments ordered from defendants to victims, often fails both groups. Because most defendants are indigent, restitution obligations lengthen defendants’ involvement with the criminal legal system without delivering meaningful compensation to victims, making restitution more symbolic than restorative. At the same time, interest in restorative justice has surged …

Justice Kagan’S Presidential Administration Article Twenty-Five Years Later, Richard J. Pierce Jr

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This article is a contribution to a symposium on the durability of the famous article that Visiting Professor (now Justice) Kagan wrote in 2001 in her successful effort to obtain a tenured position on the Harvard faculty. The title of the article was “Presidential Administration.” Professor Kagan described the history of efforts to govern the administrative state and argued in support of the highly personal and overtly political approach taken by her former boss, President Clinton.

Professor Pierce begins by discussing at length agency adjudication--an important topic that Professor Kagan discussed in only a few paragraphs. He concludes that Professor …