Digital Commons Network^™

From Confirmation To Guidance: Making The Case For Intraprocedural Pocus As The Next Developmental Step In Ultrasound-Supported Shoulder Reduction A Conceptual Practice Proposal And Research Agenda, James Espinosa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is well established for the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation and for the confirmation of successful reduction. However, its role during the reduction maneuver itself remains under-described. This conceptual practice proposal argues that intraprocedural POCUS represents the logical next developmental step in ultrasound-supported shoulder reduction. By introducing real-time visualization of humeral head translation during reduction attempts, clinicians may identify ineffective vectors earlier, adjust technique midstream, and potentially reduce repeated attempts or escalation of procedural sedation. This work does not present outcome data but instead proposes a practical framework, workflow model, and research agenda for intraprocedural implementation. Future study …

Sharing Research Posters With The World: Clinical Education Posters Can Demonstrate Global Diffusion And Conceptual Portability--Evidence From Readership Maps, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Traditional academic metrics emphasize citation counts and journal impact factors as measures of scholarly influence. These metrics often overlook the early and informal diffusion of ideas across global clinical communities. Educational posters and case-based teaching materials frequently circulate through digital repositories, yet little attention has been paid to how readership analytics may illuminate patterns of knowledge diffusion across healthcare systems.

Objective

To explore the concept of conceptual portability and to introduce readership mapping as a framework for understanding how clinical ideas travel across diverse global contexts.

Methods

We examined readership analytics from an institutional digital repository hosting clinical posters …

Congruence (Healthy Adaptation And Resilience) Under Stress: A Human Systems Model For Healthcare Microsystems Integrating Virginia Satir’S Communication Theory With Clinical Microsystems And Complex Adaptive Systems Using The Emergency Department As A Model Of Adaptive Team Function, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Emergency departments operate as complex human systems under continuous cognitive, emotional, and operational stress. Healthcare delivery occurs within clinical microsystems—small frontline units where patients, clinicians, and staff interact directly. While microsystem theory has provided an operational framework for improving quality and safety, less attention has been given to the relational communication dynamics within these systems.

Objective:

To integrate Virginia Satir’s human systems theory with clinical microsystem theory and complex adaptive systems thinking in order to better understand communication patterns, team dynamics, and adaptive functioning within emergency medicine residency programs and ED clinical teams.

Conceptual Framework:

Satir described several communication …

Impact Of A Caregiver Wellness Workshop On Well-Being And Mental Health, Keertana Jonnalagadda, Morgan Yacoe

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Family caregivers provide care for loved ones by addressing their activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and psychological needs. These demands impact a caregiver’s time and overall well-being. To address burnout and improve education regarding caregiver wellness, a workshop was created to build an effective support system for caregivers and teach them practical self-care strategies. Activities using visual art were designed to reduce caregiver anxiety and stress. Results from validated scales such as Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and a unique caregiver wellness survey (CWS) in a small sample showed …

A Comprehensive Review Of Photothermal Therapy: Tumor Responses, Safety, And Clinical Translation, Taniya Sood

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Cancer affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery often lack selectivity, resulting in significant systemic side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging modality that utilizes light-activated nanoparticles to generate localized heat, selectively destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (2009–2024). Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled, cohort, and controlled trials involving adults (18+) with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Studies were required to evaluate PTT using gold nanomaterials …

Genetic Analysis Of Triplicated Genes Affecting Sex-Specific Skeletal Deficits In Down Syndrome Model Mice, Kourtney Sloan, Kristina M. Piner, Pathum Randunu Nawarathna Kandedura Arachchige, Charles R. Goodlett, Yann Herault, Gayla R. Olbricht, Joseph M. Wallace, Randall J. Roper

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the triplication of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), resulting in skeletal insufficiency (low bone mineral density) and altered bone development. DS mouse models recapitulate these deficits, including sexual dimorphism in long bone alterations. Historically, Ts65Dn mice provided much of the insight behind DS-related skeletal deficits with ∼100 trisomic orthologous genes, but there are concerns about the genetic fidelity in this model due to the included triplication of genes not homologous to Hsa21. A new DS model, Ts66Yah, subtracted the non-Hsa21 homologous trisomic genes from Ts65Dn but has not been evaluated for long bone deficits. Comparing …

Library Professionals Job Satisfaction Level In Autonomous Arts And Science Colleges In Tamil Nadu: A Study, Ganapathy Kaniappan, Geetha A., Jayashree R.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study was conducted to expansively explore the job satisfaction of employees towards the career development opportunities as the main objective, followed by identifying the main factors and concluding with suggestions to conquer the dissatisfaction level of jobs of staff serving in respective libraries. The study sample consisted of 250 respondents representing all librarians, deputy librarians, assistant librarians/documentation officers, information scientists, and library assistants working in 39 district libraries in Tamil Nadu. A structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was used to collect quantitative data for the study. Based on the survey findings, this study concluded that the library …

Letter From The Editor, Kiley Fry

The Corinthian

No abstract provided.

Defining Success In Collegiate Recovery Programs: A Systematic Review, Brooke Trogdon, John B. Moore

The Corinthian

Background: The transition to higher education is a critical period for emerging adults. Often marked by increased substance use experimentation due to a variety of internal and external factors. This group faces a heightened risk of developing substance-related health issues, necessitating targeted intervention and prevention efforts. Purpose: To systematically review and define key indicators of success for collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) that support students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted using GALILEO and Google Scholar databases. Articles were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: CRPs provide a supportive …

A Retrospective Chart Review: Screening Patients With Type 2 Diabetes For Depression, Jennifer Sheldon, Glynnis Haley, Monica Ketchie

The Corinthian

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is defined as an impaired production of insulin resulting in elevated blood glucose levels (Brutsaert E., 2020). Globally, approximately 8% to 9% of adults have diabetes mellitus, the majority of which (95%) have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, equating to between 624 million to 702 million people (WHO, 2020). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus represents the seventh leading cause of death, with approximately 1.5 million new cases diagnosed annually in the United States (CDC, 2020).

Depression is clinically defined as a mental health disorder that presents with a continually depressed mood or a loss of interest in daily …

Music And Movement For Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Jordan Butler

The Corinthian

Parkinson’s disease, affecting approximately 10 million people worldwide, causes deficits in fine motor function, speech, and movement, as well as many other secondary symptoms, such as depression (Parkinson’s Foundation, 2020, para. 1). Past researchers have outlined many different studies and interventions regarding Parkinson’s and the effects of various types of music therapy (Andrejeva et al., 2019; Bukowska et al., 2016; Tamplin et al., 2019; Thaut, Rice, Braun Janzen, Hurt-Thaut, & McIntosh, 2019; Zhang, Liu, Ye, Li, & Chen, 2017). This review includes numerous ways that music therapy has benefited, and assisted people diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Vocal practices, auditory stimulation, and …

The Longevity Of Dna From Bloodstains And Its Forensic Implications, Nadia Walter

Senior Honors Theses

Human DNA is valuable forensic evidence, helping to solve a wide range of cases. It is often sourced from biological fluids found at a scene such as blood, saliva, semen, and urine. Many different factors can influence the longevity of DNA sourced from bloodstains, including the type of substrate, storage conditions, and weather. The quality of a DNA sample from a bloodstain found at a crime scene may influence its admissibility in court.

Original research was done on a surgical table from the last major battle of the American Civil War, extracting DNA from latent bloodstains. Some full profiles were …

Growing Up, Going Abroad: A Thematic Analysis Of Cultural Upbringing, Tolerance For Uncertainty, And In-Group/Out-Group Communication, Kristiana Krasteva

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines Study Abroad as a process shaped by students’ responses to uncertainty, rather than as an inherently transformative experience. Drawing on Identity Negotiation Theory, Social Identity Theory, and Uncertainty Reduction Theory, it explores how cultural socialization influences students’ tolerance for uncertainty and, in turn, their patterns of communication and social engagement abroad. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 students who had recently completed a semester abroad, and data were analyzed through a thematic analysis. Findings indicate that students tend to reproduce or extend pre-existing patterns of socialization, rather than fundamentally change them. In-group reliance emerged as a strategic …

Road To Brexit: History Of Euroscepticism In The United Kingdom, Jake M. Flowers

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Scholars in recent years have attempted to understand why citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016, with many taking interest in the history of Euroscepticism in the country. Previous research on the topic has considered the impacts of geopolitical trends after World War II, Eurosceptical political activity in the 1980s, and longer-term historical attitudes. This paper examines the long history of Brexit to consider these events as a whole instead of as separate parts. As this is a history research project, the primary methodology is an analysis of speeches and primary sources from across …

Acquisition Behavior Response: Investigating The Ability Of Leptoglossus Phyllopus To Choose Between A “Good” Versus “Sub-Optimal” Strain Of Caballeronia, Irene L. Pham

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Leptoglossus phyllopus is a polyphagous pest that primarily feasts on citrus, tomatoes, and legumes. They must form a mutualistic symbiosis with Caballeronia every generation by ingesting the bacterium from their environment. However, not all species of Caballeronia confer the same fitness on the L. phyllopus host, raising the question of whether L. phyllopus possesses a partner choice mechanism that would allow it to distinguish between a good (GAOX1) and a suboptimal (Lep1P3) symbiosis partner. This was examined by conducting a choice experiment in which the two symbionts (GAOX1 vs. Lep1P3) were placed in a plastic box, and the bug’s roaming …

Cross-Sectoral Collaborations And Funding And Coordination Mechanisms In One Health Zoonoses Management In Peru, Lisset Dumet Poma, Erin S. Kenzie, Julia Goodman, Veronika Merino, Vanessa Cruz, Ruth Atto, Percy Vilchez, Seth O’Neal

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

One Health (OH) is a comprehensive approach that recognizes the human-animal-environment interconnection to health and is applied to prevent and control zoonoses—diseases transmitted between animals and people. Using a multiple-method case study, we examined zoonoses networks, resource management mechanisms, and coordination strategies among policymakers and decision-makers of Peru’s human, agricultural, and environmental systems at national and sub-national levels. Social network analysis revealed collaborations between the human and agricultural systems, with limited connection with environmental systems. Only a few links were reported between national and sub-national government levels. Qualitative analysis identified structural barriers, including insufficient regulatory mechanisms for funding cross-sectoral activities. …

Staff Education To Improve End-Of- Life Pain Management Confidence Among Long-Term Care Nurses, Andrea Osuji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Small Business Management Decision Making In Department Of Defense Information System Services Markets, Robert T. Noonan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On The Administration Of Long-Acting Antipsychotic Injections And Its Effect On Outcomes, Matilda Che

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education Program On Medication Reconciliation In Primary Care With Integrated Pain Clinic, Jemimah Nimako-Mensah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Transforming Experience Into Practice: A Portfolio Of Growth, Identity, And Leadership, Ana I. Loli

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This professional portfolio documents the integration of my academic learning, practicum experience, and personal transformation throughout the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. Drawing from trauma‑informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive frameworks, I demonstrate competency across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice, with particular emphasis on ethical decision-making, ADEI engagement, community assessment, policy analysis, research-informed practice, and collaborative leadership. Through narrative reflections and applied artifacts—including case analyses, simulated clinical sessions, community-based research, organizational evaluation, and leadership implementation—I illustrate how meaning, context, power, history, and possibility shape my approach to social work. This portfolio highlights my development …

Leadership Styles And Information Security Policy Compliance Intentions: The Mediating Role Of Psychological Empowerment, David Sikolia, Andy Luse

Faculty Submissions

This study extends prior research on psychological empowerment and information security policy (ISP) compliance by examining whether transformational and transactional leadership influence employees' compliance intentions indirectly through psychological empowerment.

Data were collected from a convenience sample of 119 employed individuals enrolled in a US MBA program. The model was estimated using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Psychological empowerment was modeled as a second-order construct comprising meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. Indirect effects were assessed with 5,000 bootstrap resamples and 95% bootstrap confidence intervals.

Both transformational and transactional leadership were positively associated with psychological empowerment, and psychological empowerment strongly …

Neurodevelopmental Effects Associated With In Utero Exposure To Bpa, Maximilian A. Nilsen, Grace A. Carlucci, Cody V. Thompson, Berfin Gul

Student Work

No abstract provided.

Trauma, Memory, And Decision-Making: How Covid-19 Shaped Autobiographical Memories And Risky Decision-Making In Young Adults, Rachel Seo

Student Theses

Autobiographical memory is a critical component of the memory process that guides future behaviors by relying on past personal experiences connected to major public events. This decision-making process is heavily influenced by trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as they may guide individuals to riskier behaviors. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a global traumatic stressor that contributed to shifts in behavioral outcomes post-pandemic. Despite research showing associations between memory accessibility, traumatic symptoms, and decision-making, there is limited research on health-related behaviors and post-pandemic behavioral outcomes in individuals with high trauma exposure specifically from the pandemic. The present study investigates …

Seasonal Variation And Size Distribution Of Particulate Matter In The Mississippi Delta: Implications For Source Attribution, Abigail E. Barnett

Honors Theses

This study examines seasonal patterns of particulate matter in the Mississippi Delta using data from PurpleAir sensors, with a focus on particle size distributions across PM₁.₀, PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀. The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether particulate trends in the region reflect signatures consistent with wildfire smoke or are better explained by local environmental and agricultural factors.

Daily average concentrations were analyzed and grouped by season to compare spring and summer conditions. Results show that all particle size fractions increased from spring to summer. However, PM₁₀ concentrations remained consistently higher than PM₂.₅ in both seasons. The PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ ratio …

A Remote Sensing Approach To Identifying Zones Of Instability In Mine Tailings Impoundments Using Multi-Sensor Satellite Data, Arden K. Pierce

Honors Theses

Mine tailings impoundments are structures built to contain the chemical and sedimentary byproducts generated by ore extraction activities. In this common method of mining waste storage, the tailings can be pumped into containment ponds and held behind earthen embankments to prevent the release of hazardous substances into the surrounding environment. Monitoring environmental factors that influence the structural integrity of these impoundments is essential for identifying areas vulnerable to instability and failure. Soil moisture is a factor that can affect the stability of mine tailings impoundment structures. This study evaluates the relationship between satellite-derived soil moisture and surface deformation at mine …

Quantifying Genetic Diversity In Nematode Feeding Rate, Jacob King

Honors Theses

Understanding how populations persist under changing environmental conditions is a central question in ecology and evolutionary biology. Variation in traits related to resource acquisition may play a key role in determining population survival when resources are limited or fluctuate over time. In this study, I investigated how variation in feeding-related traits influences population persistence using a combination of computational modeling and laboratory experiments. I developed a stochastic, individual-based consumer–resource model to simulate population dynamics across varying levels of trait variance and resource regimes. Across 60,000 simulated populations, increased trait variation consistently reduced extinction risk and extended persistence time, although the …

How Ux Design Shapes Brand Perception In Digital Environments Among Gen Z, Adriane R. Arinder

Honors Theses

This study examines how user experience (UX) design shapes brand perception among young adult consumers, with a focus on digitally active individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. Drawing on a review of academic and industry literature, qualitative data from a focus group of seven University of Mississippi students, and quantitative data from a survey of 153 participants, this research argues that intuitive, accessible digital experiences function as a form of brand communication that significantly influences how users evaluate the companies behind them. The study conceptualizes UX through four primary dimensions: usability, navigation clarity, interaction efficiency, and accessibility. Findings …

Coherent Breathing As A Stress-Reduction Intervention, Ete Kwegang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Ventilator Weaning Protocol, Manpreet Mahal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.