Digital Commons Network^™

Fronto-Cerebellar Features Associate With Cognitive Dysfunction In Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Hanne Van Der Heijden, Gabrielle Alonzi, Amanda Cao, Raquel Van Gool, Merve Koç Yekedüz, Lise Vrolix, Itamar Ronen, Vanessa Rameh, Kyle Mcbrearty, Aditi Deokar, Robert P Sundel, Eyal Muscal, Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich, Andrea Knight, Joyce C Chang, Jaymin Upadhyay

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a prevalent symptom in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). This study aimed to investigate the neurobehavioral basis of CD in cSLE.

Methods: Patients with cSLE (N=20) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, N=20) completed questionnaires and multiple neurocognitive tests. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 and laboratory markers were used to monitor patients' clinical status. Neuroimaging assessments included functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and structural MRI.

Results: cSLE patients demonstrated moderate disease activity with high inflammation and immune dysregulation, alongside low medication adherence. Relative to HCs, cSLE patients …

Temporary Protected Status Populations In Massachusetts In 2026, Phillip Granberry, Iván Espinoza-Madrigal

Gastón Institute Publications

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is one of the best expressions of U.S. humanitarian protection and relief. It recognizes a basic truth: people should not be deported to danger.

May this report help build a stronger Commonwealth for all by advancing more thoughtful policymaking and stronger interventions that recognize the deep connections among immigration, community, and economic life.

The Parthenon, April 01, 2026, Baylee Parsons, Kaitlyn Fleming, Abby Ayes, Ella Hatfield, Davina Snyder, Scott Price, Trista Honaker

The Parthenon

No abstract provided.

Transfusion In Transit: A Decade Of Prehospital Blood Transfusion In Pediatric Trauma, Krysta M Sutyak, Eunise C Chen, Lea Mock, Rudolfo Cabrera, Jeannette M Joly, Kuojen Tsao, Bryan A Cotton, David E Meyer, Charles S Cox, Kevin P Lally, Natalie A Drucker

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Background: Prehospital blood transfusion improves mortality in adults, with limited evidence in children. This study describes prehospital blood transfusion in pediatric trauma patients and the impact on shock index, pediatric adjusted (SIPA).

Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients younger than 18 years who received blood transfusions during helicopter transport to a Level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2011 to 2023. Primary outcome was change in SIPA at time of emergency department (ED) arrival with prehospital transfusion. Secondary subgroup analysis was performed based on transport origin.

Results: Of 137 patients, 58% (80 of 137 patients) were …

Telomerase Knockout In Myeloid Cells Predisposes Mice To Foam Cell Formation, Dyslipidemia, Lung Fibrosis, And Cardiac Dysfunction, Zhanguo Gao, Yongmei Yu, David Wiggins, Eva M Sevick-Muraca, Mikhail G Kolonin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Aging-associated changes in myeloid cells are incompletely understood. One of the culprits of aging is the downregulation of the Tert gene coding for the catalytic subunit of telomerase. Studies of mouse models with Tert knockout (KO) in specific cells have revealed the importance of the telomere-independent noncanonical function of TERT in supporting mitochondrial metabolism and protection from cell senescence. To investigate the role of TERT in myeloid cells (MCs), we analyzed mice with Tert KO in the LysM+ lineage, indelibly labeled with membrane green fluorescent protein (mG). Macrophage numbers and properties in various organs were compared. Changes in the vasculature, …

Availability Of Cancer Screening Across Hiv Treatment Sites In The Iedea Consortium, Rachael Pellegrino, Bryan Shepherd, Sanjay Pujari, Valeria Fink, Gad Murenzi, Miriam Nakalembe, Sally Coburn, Eliane Rohner, Antoine Jaquet, Elkanah Orang'o

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with HIV, and the importance of cancer screening increasesas this population ages. In 2017, 2020, and 2023, cross-sectional surveys were conducted at HIV care sites across 5 continentswithin the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. We described cancer screening avail-ability in 2023 and over time for cervical and anal cancer screening using generalized estimating equations with a logit linkfunction to account for site clustering, rurality, and country income. Of the 220 sites in the 2023 survey, 61% (134/220) reportedcervical cancer screening by cytology or human papillomavirus (HPV) …

Availability Of Cancer Screening Across Hiv Treatment Sites In The Iedea Consortium, Rachael Pellegrino, Bryan Shepherd, Sanjay Pujari, Valeria Fink, Gad Murenzi, Miriam Nakalembe, Sally Coburn, Eliane Rohner, Antoine Jaquet, Elkanah Orang'o

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with HIV, and the importance of cancer screening increasesas this population ages. In 2017, 2020, and 2023, cross-sectional surveys were conducted at HIV care sites across 5 continentswithin the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. We described cancer screening avail-ability in 2023 and over time for cervical and anal cancer screening using generalized estimating equations with a logit linkfunction to account for site clustering, rurality, and country income. Of the 220 sites in the 2023 survey, 61% (134/220) reportedcervical cancer screening by cytology or human papillomavirus (HPV) …

A New Standard: Default Inclusion Of Children In Clinical Trials, Megyn Gordon

Colorado Law Student Scholars

No abstract provided.

Traumatic Brain Injury And Risk Of Early-Onset Dementia: A Population-Based Cohort Study, Aishwarya Saravanan, Katherine Giorgio, Natalia Lakomski, Andrea L C Schneider, Barbara A Olson-Bullis, Behnam Sabayan, James S Pankow, Paul S De Vries, Kristine Yaffe, Alexa Beiser, Abbas Dehghan, Elizabeth A Peterson, Rachel Zmora, John J Stephen, Denise Scholtens, Maxwell Mansolf, Lenore J Launer, Richard F Maclehose, Pamela L Lutsey, Norrina B Allen, Sanaz Sedaghat

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: We investigated the association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and incidence of early-onset dementia (EOD) versus late-onset dementia (LOD).

Methods: We included 501,710 UK Biobank participants (average age 56.5). Over a median 13.6 years of follow-up, 836 developed EOD (before 65) and 8947 developed LOD (after 65). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for TBI's association with EOD and LOD using Cox proportional hazard models with TBI as a time-varying exposure and coefficient.

Results: TBI was associated with higher risk of both EOD (HR: 4.06 [95% confidence interval: 3.13, 5.26]) and LOD (HR: 2.51 [2.31, 2.72]. Among participants included in …

Continuous Versus Bolus Norepinephrine Administration To Treat Hypotension After Induction Of General Anaesthesia In Low-To-Moderate Risk Noncardiac Surgery Patients: A Randomised Trial, Kristen K Thomsen, Finn Külls, Christina Vokuhl, Linda Krause, Dominik Müller, Max Bossemeyer, Mirja Wegge, Alina Kröker, Alina Bergholz, Christian Zöllner, Daniel I Sessler, Bernd Saugel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia (postinduction hypotension) is common in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery and frequently requires treatment with vasopressors such as norepinephrine. We tested the hypothesis that giving norepinephrine continuously using a syringe infusion pump, compared with giving it as repeated manual boluses, reduces postinduction hypotension within 15 min after starting induction of general anaesthesia in low-to-moderate risk noncardiac surgery patients.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery were randomised to either continuous norepinephrine infusion or manual bolus norepinephrine administration intravenously during induction of general anaesthesia. In both groups, norepinephrine was administered through a peripheral venous catheter. Blood …

Fatigue Survival And Biomechanical Behavior Of Two-Piece Titanium And Zirconia Dental Implants, Jefferson David Melo De Matos, Guilherme Da Rocha Scalzer Lopes, Nathália De Carvalho Ramos, Mário Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Alexandre Luiz Souto Borges, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Marco Antonio Bottino

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Titanium implants are considered the gold standard for oral rehabilitation; however, zirconia implants have emerged as a metal-free alternative with promising esthetic and biological properties. Despite these advantages, limited evidence is available regarding their long-term fatigue behavior and fracture resistance.

Material and methods: In this in vitro experimental study conducted at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, forty implants were divided into two groups (n = 20): zirconia implants (ZZ) and titanium implants (TZ) (4.1 × 10 mm). Implants were embedded in polyurethane blocks according to ISO 14801:2016 specifications. Monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated using CAD/CAM technology and cemented …

Performance Reviews In Project-Based Engineering Firms: Toward A More Holistic And Development-Oriented Approach, Xun He

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Performance reviews are widely used in engineering consulting firms to evaluate employee contributions and determine compensation and promotion decisions. However, research has shown that traditional review systems may overemphasize measurable technical results while overlooking collaboration, leadership, and innovation. In project-based engineering environments, where employees work across multiple teams and stakeholders, this structure may not fully reflect the nature of daily work. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how early-career engineers in project-based engineering consulting firms experienced performance review practices. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 engineers working in consulting firms. The study examined participants’ perceptions of fairness, completeness, and …

Elementary Abelian Sylow Subgroups Of The Multiplicative Group, Geremías Polanco

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

Erdős and Pomerance have shown that 𝜑⁡(𝑛) typically has about 1 2 ⁢(log⁡log⁡𝑛)2 distinct prime factors. More precisely, 𝜔⁡(𝜑⁡(𝑛)) has normal order 1 2 ⁢(log⁡log⁡𝑛)2. Since 𝜑⁡(𝑛) is the size of the multiplicative group (𝐙/𝑛⁢𝐙)×, this result also gives the normal number of Sylow subgroups of (𝐙/𝑛⁢𝐙)×. Recently, Pollack considered specifically noncyclic Sylow subgroups of (𝐙/𝑛⁢𝐙)×, showing that the count of those has normal order log⁡log⁡𝑛/⁢log⁡log⁡log⁡𝑛. We prove that the count of noncyclic Sylow subgroups that are elementary abelian of a fixed rank 𝑘 ≥2 has normal order 1 𝑘⁢(𝑘−1) ⁢log⁡log⁡𝑛/⁢log⁡log⁡log⁡𝑛. So for example, (typically) among the primes p for …

Do Purpleair Monitors Democratize Data For The Environment?, Christopher Rick, Kyla Lorden

Student Publications

PurpleAir monitors may serve a vital role in marginalized or under-monitored communities nationwide. These low-cost monitors—roughly $300—give communities the ability to monitor their air quality at local geographies in ways that are infeasible for expensive, regulatory-grade air monitors. They also have the potential to aid community advocacy efforts around environmental and transportation policy by giving community members literal ownership over the monitoring, including precise locations, and philosophical ownership over the advocacy efforts. To determine the potential democratization of air quality data by PurpleAir monitors in socially disadvantaged communities, we analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of neighborhoods with PurpleAir monitors. We find …

The Importance Of Body Size And Spatial Scale In Modeling Winter Bird Distributions, Carissa M. Mobley

Student Publications

Birds’ annual cycles include biologically linked breeding and non-breeding seasons, yet most research and bird atlases focus exclusively on the breeding season. There have been very few winter bird atlas projects in North America, and none have been published for the northeastern United States. Short daylight hours and harsh weather limit winter survey coverage, making species distribution models (SDMs) essential for addressing spatial gaps.

I evaluated the optimal spatial scale for SDMs across bird species differing in body size and tested whether optimal scale varies with body mass. Using 16,967 eBird checklists collected during the first winter survey period (December …

"Nobody Forced My Mom To Stay Home": College Men’S Perspectives On Parental Leave, Marisa Conners

Student Publications

From "The Second Shift" to Claudia Goldin’s Nobel Prize-winning research on women in the labor market, the inequities affecting women in the labor market have been widely documented. However, progress on this issue has been largely one-sided on behalf of women, perpetuating gender inequality. The goal of my research is to understand how social subgroup values influence male-identifying Gettysburg College students’ predictions on how they will engage with parental leave. This project gathered information on ways to increase male uptake of parental leave, which, if implemented, will help improve gender equity in the labor market.

How are male-identifying Gettysburg College …

Jdm And The Formation Of Japan’S Underground Car Culture: Street Racing, Identity, And Regulation, Lizhou Chen

Student Publications

Japan’s underground car culture is often associated with street racing, JDM, and modified cars, but these visible features developed from broader economic, social, and regulatory conditions. This paper argues that Japan’s underground car culture was shaped by three factors: postwar economic growth that made mass car production feasible, social identity and status attached to car type and driving behavior, and government regulation of the road system and driving habits that forced reckless driving into less visible times and locations. By examining car ownership, kei cars, youth self-expression, gendered meanings of vehicles, road design, and moral expectations around safe driving, this …

Blessing Or Curse? Natural Resources And Women’S Political Empowerment In Post-Conflict States, Katelyn L. Laplaunt

Student Publications

The end of a civil war represents an opportunity for women to gain political power and improve their societal status. If women are systematically constrained from gaining this power, they are losing a valuable chance to improve levels of gender equality. Little research thus far has focused on how the post-conflict period might be impacted by a country’s natural resource wealth. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by exploring how a country’s dependence on natural resources might influence women’s political empowerment in post-conflict societies. I argue that countries that rely more heavily on natural resources as a source …

Social Media Engagement And Financial Performance In Apparel Retail, Emily M. Burke

Student Publications

As companies increasingly rely on social media to engage with consumers, questions remain about whether social media metrics translate into measurable financial outcomes.This study investigated whether changes in Instagram engagement metrics predicted financial performance among publicly traded apparel and lifestyle retail companies. Social media data, including the number of posts and average likes, were collected manually for February 2025 and February 2026. Financial data, including adjusted stock prices and year-over-year quarterly revenue growth, were collected from Yahoo Finance. The final sample included 28 companies after removing outliers and cases with missing data. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that percent change …

A Palatable Identity: Turkish-German Integration Through Cuisine, Film And Hip-Hop, Thomas Goldsborough

Student Publications

This paper explores how Turkish-German identity is constructed and negotiated through cultural production in contemporary Germany. It argues that belonging is shaped less by formal political inclusion than by processes of visibility, commodification, and marketability. Through case studies of döner kebab culture, Turkish-German cinema, and hip-hop, the paper shows how minority identity is made legible to the mainstream by being aestheticized and adapted to familiar forms. While these processes enable recognition and creative expression, they also reveal how acceptance is often contingent on profitability and cultural “palatability” rather than genuine social integration.

Interspecific Overlap In Seabird Diet Throughout The Breeding Season, Alexis V. Berkey

Student Publications

Seabirds are central-place foragers that breed in multi-species colonies, providing an opportunity to study species coexistence. I quantified interspecific competition among four seabird species (common terns Sterna hirundo, Arctic terns Sterna paradisaea, Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica, black guillemots Cepphus grylle) breeding in the Gulf of Maine in 2022, 2024, and 2025. I hypothesized that, throughout the breeding season, 1) seabird diet would change and 2) interspecific overlap in diet would increase. I compared diets across species and time using direct observation of prey feeds and stable isotope values of seabird egg membranes and blood, which provide …

13 Achieving Success For All Students: Stories And Advice From Four University Of Texas Institutions, María Yareli Delgado, Archie Holmes, Roy Mathew, Heather Shipley, Christine Shupala

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap: A Trauma-Informed Approach To Real-Time Counselor Support Training At Kesem, Elizabeth Fallon

Capstone Projects

This capstone project involved the development and implementation of a trauma-informed care training program for college-aged counselors within Kesem, a nonprofit organization supporting children affected by a parent or caregiver’s cancer. The project addressed gaps in existing counselor training related to recognizing and responding to trauma in real time. The literature identified increased risk for psychosocial challenges in this population, including anxiety, depression, as well as the importance of peer support, safe environments, and developmentally appropriate communication.

The training program included different modules on trauma, grief, and child development, as well as interactive role-play scenarios tailored to different age groups …

From Theory To Practice: Splint Fabrication Through Occupational Therapy Video Library, Caitlyn Mccaughey

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) highlights the need for educational resources on occupational therapy splint fabrication by producing a comprehensive video library to aid skill acquisition among students and new graduates. This project involved developing 21 tutorial videos featuring detailed, step-by-step demonstrations designed to accommodate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles amongst individuals. A literature review emphasized the growing popularity of video-based education and the lack of accessible, high-quality splinting resources, with a needs assessment revealing low confidence levels among occupational therapy students due to limited educational support. Through collaboration and integration of evidence-based practices, this project successfully produced an …

Creation And Implementation Of Nature And Sensory Based Therapy Programming To Support The Health And Well-Being Of Catholic Dominican Sisters, Sydney Payne

Capstone Projects

As the older generation ages, diseases such as dementia can cause sensory processing systems to be less efficient. When they become less efficient, it can create confusion and undermine one’s sense of safety (Champagne, 2018 pg 29-30). Engaging in sensory experiences provides support for these deficits while fostering participation in everyday life activities (Champagne, 2018 pg 30). This capstone project included a sensory garden (nature-based therapy) and associated multi-sensory activities. This was done through creation of nature and sensory-based programming, implementation of this programming one-on-one with sisters, two group sensory, dementia-friendly activities, and formation of a sustainability binder. Occupational therapy …

The Bronco Well: An Educational Podcast For Pediatric Caregivers’ Wellbeing & Quality Of Life, Molly Veldheer

Capstone Projects

Pediatric caregivers of children with increased and complex physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are an often-overlooked population. Though their children may be involved in many essential services including occupational therapy, the needs of these caregivers largely go unmet. Occupational therapists are equipped to provide valuable care and education to the entire family and not just their pediatric clients. In efforts to fill the unmet needs, this occupational therapy-based podcast was created as resource for pediatric caregivers about pediatric caregivers. The development of this capstone considered the time, energy, and financial strains that are often placed on pediatric caregivers and determined …

Life Skills To Promote Independence Following Discharge From Inpatient Psychiatric Care, Alli Bammert

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience focused on program development through the creation and implementation of a structured life skills program and the initial planning of a simulated life skills training space within an inpatient psychiatric setting at Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. Individuals with serious mental illness often experience barriers to community reintegration following hospitalization and benefit from opportunities to practice daily living skills prior to discharge (Gibson et al., 2011). In response to this need, a 12-week life skills curriculum was developed and piloted to address topics including daily routines, medication management, emotional regulation, grocery shopping, cooking, employment readiness, technology use, and …

Social Skill Program Development: Social Thinking Curriculum, Anna Holman

Capstone Projects

This capstone project examined the implementation of the Social Thinking It: Tweens and Teens curriculum to support adolescent social participation within a group-based setting. Social participation is a core domain of occupational therapy; however, many adolescents experience challenges with communication, emotional regulation, and peer relationships. This project addressed a gap in structured, evidence-based social skills programming at the capstone site. Primary objectives included implementing the Social Thinking curriculum, facilitating weekly group sessions, evaluating participant engagement, and skill development. Intervention strategies included role-playing, guided discussion, modeling, and reflective activities embedded within the curriculum framework. Outcomes demonstrated increased participant engagement and improved …

Creative Art-Based Program To Address Body Image In Cancer Survivors And Caregivers, Tisa Lightfoot

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) explored the role of occupational therapy in promoting the use of creative art-based interventions to address body image in cancer survivors and caregivers. Within the oncology population, body image concerns are a prevalent psychosocial factor that affects survivors’ self-perception, emotional well-being, and occupational engagement in their daily lives. To address this gap, a six-week program was developed to promote art as a meaningful occupation to support the psychosocial well-being related to body image in cancer survivors and caregivers. Additional initiatives of the program included resource development and integration of education on current literature on the …

Occupational Therapy And Grief: Building Knowledge, Justifying Scope, And Supporting Practice, Jessica Jacques

Capstone Projects

Grief can disrupt individuals’ ability to participate in meaningful daily occupations (Hoppes & Segal, 2010), yet occupational therapy (OT) remains underutilized in grief support. Given OT’s focus on occupational performance, practitioners are uniquely positioned to address the functional and emotional challenges associated with grief. Despite this alignment, a gap exists in structured, occupation-based grief support, as well as limited integration of OT within community-based grief services. This capstone aimed to address this need by developing and implementing grief-informed, occupation-based resources and educational materials. Objectives included revising a grief resource manual, creating evidence-based handouts for community and school settings, promoting sensory …