Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing Structural Inequities Within Medical Care In The Us Vs. Norway, Shreya Devarajan

Student Scholarship

Spring 2026 SOCI 232: Social Policy and Global Issues course.

Research questions:

1) To what extent do race and education contribute to unequal healthcare access in the US, and how does this differ from inequality patterns in Norway?

2) To what extent has medical innovation improved overall health while simultaneously reinforcing or widening health inequalities over time in the US vs. Norway?

Structure–Activity Modeling And Hybrid Machine Learning-Based Prediction Of Bioactivity In Pyrazole Derivatives For Drug Discovery Applications, Kader Şahi̇n, Serhat Kiliçarslan, Serdar Durdaği, Emi̇n Saripinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Pyrazole derivatives are of growing interest due to their diverse pharmacological activities. However, their biological activity is often highly sensitive to subtle structural modifications. Existing quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) approaches frequently fail to capture the conformational flexibility and nonlinear structure–activity relationships (SAR) of such heterocyclic scaffolds, creating a gap in the accurate prediction of their biological profiles. Therefore, there is a strong need for more robust and predictive computational frameworks. This study addresses this gap by integrating four-dimensional (4D)-QSAR descriptors with hybrid machine learning (ML) techniques to improve predictive accuracy and provide a more reliable tool for structure-based drug …

Clinician Tele-Mental Health Attitudes In North American Indigenous Communities, Elleh A. Driscoll, Justin Douglas Mcdonald

Journal of Indigenous Research

This study examined mental health clinicians (n=104) serving North American Indigenous clients and how tele-mental health (TMH) factors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted future willingness to continue TMH. Results indicated predictors of future TMH usage were not statistically significant due to the high baseline of willingness to utilize TMH, regardless of factors. The goal of this study was to investigate awareness of clinician attitudes of TMH and promote continued research and training for tele-mental health care with Indigenous populations.

Influence Of Film Formation Kinetics On The Dispersion Of Colloidal Quantum Dots In Organic Small Molecule Matrices, Rachel C. Kilbride, Michael P. Weir, James Xiao, Simon A. Dowland, Jurjen F. Winkel, John E. Anthony, Akshay Rao, Richard A.L. Jones, Anthony J. Ryan, Daniel T.W. Toolan

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Improving the dispersion of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) within organic semiconductor (OSC) matrices remains critical for advancing hybrid nanocomposite optoelectronic technologies. This study investigates how film-deposition kinetics influence the morphology of TIPS-tetracene (TIPS-Tc):PbS QD blends, comparing spin-coating and blade coating for QDs ligated with either native oleic acid (OA) or a matched carboxylic acid functionalised tetracene analogue (TET-CA). Films spun-cast at low spin speeds form highly crystalline TIPS-Tc domains with highly aggregated QDs. Increased spin speed induces a deeper solvent quench, driving rapid TIPS-Tc nucleation while kinetically arresting QD diffusion, which improves QD dispersion within the crystalline matrix. TIPS-Tc:PbS-OA blends …

Vol. 70, No. 7 (February 23, 2026)

Indiana Law Annotated

No abstract provided.

Quenching-Based Electrochemiluminescence Detection Of Chlorpyrifos Using A Portable Sensor Platform, Emre Dokuzparmak

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate pesticide extensively used in agriculture, posing significant threats to human health due to its neurotoxic effects. Its presence in food products has raised considerable public health concerns, necessitating the development of rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection methods. This study aims to design and validate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor platform operating via a quenching-based mechanism to enable ultrasensitive detection of CPF in food matrices.

Materials and methods: The sensing strategy exploits the coreactant mechanism between 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol (DBAE) and [Ru(bpy)₃]²+ (tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)), wherein CPF suppresses the ECL emission by interfering with the excited-state electron transfer pathway. The …

Investigation Of Antimicrobial Synergism Of Actinomycin Derivatives From Streptomyces Parvus 35m1 Against Escherichia Coli Atcc 25922, Özge Can, Mustafa Ünver Kurt, Meli̇s Küçüksolak, Ataç Uzel, Erdal Bedi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Limited drug development and increased antibiotic tolerance among Gram-negative bacteria have led researchers to consider combination therapy. Actinomycin derivatives, particularly actinomycin D, exhibit a wide range of bioactivities, including antibacterial effects. However, actinomycin D is less effective against Gram-negative pathogens. Therefore, it is essential to demonstrate the synergy of actinomycin D and its derivatives with clinically known antibiotics against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and investigate the effects on cellular morphology.

Materials and methods: Streptomyces parvus 35M1 isolated from coastal sediment in İzmir/Türkiye was identified via genome sequencing. Large-scale (30 L) fermentation followed by chromatographic purification yielded compounds 1 (actinomycin …

Transcriptomic Identification And Developmental Mapping Of Nrg3b Expression In Zebrafish, Elham Tarahomi, Nuray Soğünmez Erdoğan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) is an epidermal growth factor-like ligand that is involved in neuronal circuit formation in mammals. However, the expression profile of its zebrafish ortholog, nrg3b, remains poorly defined. The transcriptomic analyses of zebrafish sco-spondin mutants, which display alterations in their neurodevelopmental pathways, have indicated potential dysregulation of Nrg3b. Guided by these insights, this study aimed to characterize the temporal and spatial expression patterns of nrg3b in vivo in embryonic and adult zebrafish.

Materials and methods: Publicly available RNA-seq data from heterozygous and maternal-zygotic zebrafish sco-spondin mutants at 5, 15, and 30 days postfertilization (dpf) were analyzed to …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Biological Evaluation Of Novel 6,9-Disubstituted Purine Analogues In High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines, Duygu Altiparmak, Deren Demi̇rel Yavuz, Pinar Kul Karadeni̇zli̇, İrem Durmaz Şahi̇n, Meral Tunçbi̇lek

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains one of the most aggressive forms of ovarian malignancy and frequently shows resistance to conventional therapies. This study aimed to synthesize a novel series of purine analogues, 6-[(4-substituted benzyl amine)/(4-substituted aniline)]-9-cyclopentyl purines, and evaluate their anticancer efficacy against HGSOC cell lines.

Materials and methods: We assessed the biological effects of the synthesized purine analogues on the OVCAR3, OVSAHO, and KURAMOCHI HGSOC cell lines using the sulforhodamine B assay. To investigate the mechanism of action, we conducted flow cytometry and western blot analyses, focusing on DNA replication and apoptosis.

Results: Among the tested compounds, …

Crow's Nest, February 23, 2026, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 23, 2026 issue of Crow's Nest.

Digital Competence Of Primary School Teachers In Andalusia (Spain): A Multidimensional Analysis Based On Self-Perceptions, Francisco Ábalos-Aguilera, Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez, Bárbara Mercedes Castillo Abdul Hadi

Artículos científicos

This study analyzes the self-perception of digital teaching competence (DTC) among primary education teachers in Andalusia, using an instrument based on the European DigCompEdu framework. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire applied to a sample of 416 primary education teachers working in Andalusia. The study employed a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative analyses (descriptive, correlational, and comparative) with qualitative analysis of open-ended responses. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research assesses teachers’ competence levels and examines differences according to professional experience, school ownership, teaching specialization, and territorial distribution. Results indicate that most teachers perceive themselves at intermediate levels of digital …

The Secret Garden: Staff Caring For Staff, Erin Quinlan, Jennifer Schlebusch

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Healthcare workers provide for others in thoughtful, therapeutic ways, which becomes problematic if their mental and emotional resources are depleted. When healthcare workers experience a self-care deficit, their well-being and patient care are compromised. Recent factors contributing to staff stress include the impact of COVID-19 and the Pediatric Behavioral Health Crisis. An identified need to improve staff well-being was visible. The purpose of this quality improvement project, using the Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology, was to develop and implement the Secret Garden to improve the health of the work environment. The Secret Garden is a staff-only respite space, operationalized and managed to support …

Shifting Focus: Youth Sports And Mental Health, Tara Boer

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Ultimately, athletes should be encouraged to develop their identity holistically. They are athletes, but they are first and foremost children of the King."

Posting about protecting mental health while participating in sports from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Shifting Focus

The Echo: February 23, 2026, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Experienced Nurses: Improving Retention By Implementation Strategies Found In Research And Those Applied In Practice, Hemilla Raju Matta

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background & Purpose: The lack of literature focused on retention of experienced nurses reflects the need for more research in this area to help develop retention strategies and decrease turnover. Literature notes nurses want a safe work place, collegial relationships, supportive leadership and organization, and professional development. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week educational intervention aimed at professional development.

Methods: The quality improvement project was implemented at a community teaching medical center with outpatient services, located on the east coast post IRB approval. A pre/post educational interventional design method …

A New Nurse’S Journey: How To Increase Retention By Providing The Resiliency Tools Nurses Need, Jocelyn E. Marx, Sara Humeny

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

In a recent study, 68% of nurses put their patient's health, safety, and wellness before their own (Linton, M. & Koonmen, J. 2020). This presentation will take you on a journey beginning from the minute a nurse starts in our organization. We believe nurses caring for themselves so they can care for others is a priority. New nurses begin to learn on their very first day of employment at our network how self-care and well-being are a part of our nursing mission, vision, and philosophy, as supported by the chosen nurse theorist Jean Watson. It is encouraged for nurse leaders …

Individual And Workplace Environmental Predictors Of Intent To Leave Current Nursing Job, Kathryn Joyce Leep-Lazar

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: High rates of registered nurse (RN) turnover in hospitals strain their ability to keep fully staffed. Poor nurse staffing leads to poor patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes (Rae et al., 2021; Shin et al., 2018, 2019). High rates of RN turnover are also costly for healthcare organizations (NSI Nursing Solutions, 2023). While RN turnover rates in US hospitals have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic (22.5% in 2022 compared with 15.9% in 2019), historically, newly licensed RNs have even higher rates of turnover than their more experienced counterparts (Kovner et al., 2016). It is critically important to understand the …

Showpower: A New Paradigm For Community Engagement, Sean Green

Community Engagement

For decades, the dominant paradigm in community engagement, education, and social work has relied heavily on the concept of "empowerment" to address the systemic gaps hindering marginalized populations. However, the etymological and practical applications of empowerment have increasingly devolved into a paternalistic, deficit-based model, implying a directional transfer of authority from a privileged institution to a subjugated community. As recent scholarship confirms, historically marginalized groups—such as first-generation and low-income students—continue to face persistent structural barriers despite decades of these traditional institutional interventions (López et al., 2023). This white paper formally introduces a novel theoretical framework, lexicon, and operational mindset: Showpower. …

Population Satisfaction Indicators Of The Quality-Of-Life Standards During The Work Trip (A Case Study Of The Cities Of Minia And New Minia), Shimaa Mohammed Hamdy Derbala, Amna Waz Amgad Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The research examined the indicators of population satisfaction with the quality of life during work trips in the cities of Minia and New Minia, in relation to the problem of low urban communication between the two cities and the continued dependence of debtors on each other to provide employment opportunities. The research examined previous studies linking the quality of life of work trips to the environmental, social and psychological aspects of the movement and economy, A questionnaire was designed for a sample of the population (388 individuals) to assess the residents' impression of the quality of life during their work …

Breast Cancer Mortality In Memphis: A Holistic Approach - Research Findings And Strategies For Improved Outcomes In Segregated Communities, The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute For Social Change

The Hooks Institute Policy Papers

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change (Hooks Institute) is pleased to present its tenth edition of the policy papers, which focuses on breast health outcomes for women living in racially segregated commu-nities. The research that informed the articles in this publication, as well as this volume of the policy papers itself, was funded by a 2022 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant was awarded to a team of researchers that included Shelley White-Means, PhD (Principal Investigator); Arash Shaban-Nejad, MSc, MPH, PhD and Minghui Li, MSc, PhD (Co-Investigators) at University of Tennessee Health Science Cen-ter …

Examining Crime Trajectories At Micro Geographic Locations Across Varied Urban Contexts In The U.S., Xiaoshuang Iris Luo

University Research

Objectives

There is a lack of research for the spatial distribution of crime at micro geographic units across a variety of places. To address the research gap, this study examines crime trajectories over the most recent decade across a wide range of cities in the U.S.

Methods

Using cities of different sizes, developmental stages, and employment levels as the three criteria, official crime data from 12 U.S. cities between 2010 and 2018 are analyzed to examine crime trajectories at the street segment level. Group-based trajectory models are used to determine the distinct longitudinal trajectory profiles of violent crime and property …

Improving Rural Health Through Nutrition Incentives: A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of The First Year Of The Appalachian Farmacy Program, Bethesda O'Connell, Harrison Ihrig, Andrea D Nutsugah, Ignacio Garcia, Michael Rice, Ashley Cavender

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Food insecurity remains a critical public health concern, particularly in rural, low-income communities. In 2023, 13.5% of United States households experienced food insecurity, with rates in Tennessee (15.6%) exceeding the national average. Produce prescription programs have emerged as a strategy to improve food access and promote healthier eating behaviors. This study presents an evaluation of Appalachian Farmacy, a produce prescription program in Northeast Tennessee designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals receiving Medicaid, Medicare, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Program evaluation methods included semi-structured interviews for process evaluation and pre- and post-surveys for outcome evaluation. Interviews …

Synergistic Effect Of Different Ions And Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide On Wettability Alteration For Carbonate Rock, Rafal S. Abdullah, Hussein Q. Hussein, Rana R. Jali

Baghdad Science Journal

Naturally carbonate reservoirs have very low oil recovery efficiency owing to their wettability and tightness of matrix. However, adding surfactant to brine solution can enhance oil recovery by changing the wettability of the carbonate rock surface from oil-wet to water-wet. In the present study, the effects of different brines in the presence of surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), on the wettability of carbonate rock were investigated through different characteristics such as surface tension interfacial tension and contact angle. The best concentration of CTAB was investigated at 500 ppm in brine (NaCl) reduced surface tension and interfacial tensions to 42 mN/m and …

The Association Between Leptin And Asprosin Levels In Men Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Duha Qahtan Bakr, Ahmed Y. Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

Leptin and Asprosin are adipokines secreted by Adipose tissue. The leptin and asprosin molecules have a number of functions in the central nervous system and other body systems: appetite, glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and cellular death. The point of this study is to know the potential relationship between leptin and asprosin hormone in men patients with type II diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to conduct a comparative analysis of several essential biomarkers found in the sera of individuals with diabetes via estimating Leptin, Asprosin, Fasting blood Glucose, HbA1c, Body Mass Index, lipid profile as well as liver function …

Preparation, Characterization, And Antimicrobial Evaluation Of A Cefepime Derivative With Divalent Transition Metals, Zahraa A. Jaber, Israa H. Ibraheem, Sahar S. Hassan

Baghdad Science Journal

The Schiff base ligand (L)- 1-((7-((Z), was recently synthesized 2–(2-((Z)–5,5-diethyl2-(methoxyimino)acetamido)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2,6-dioxotetrahydropyrimidin-4(1H)-ylideneamino) thiazol-4-yl8-oxo-5-thia , the next mineral ions, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Co²⁺, are permitted to react with 1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-en-3-yl)methyl)-1-methylpyrrolidinium, leading to the formation of new metal complexes with distinct geometric shapes. By detecting the shifting in the azomethines band and the appearance of M-N and M-O bands, FT-IR confirmed the occurrence of coordination through N of azobenzene and two O atoms of beta lactam and ester, indicating the development of Schiff base complexes as well as the original Schiff base. Additionally, we can use …

Synthesis, Characterization And Photodegradation Study Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Mediated Using Melon Peel Extract, Mohamed Abdelkalik Hussain, Wadhah Naji Al Sieadi

Baghdad Science Journal

The importance of nanotechnology in protecting the environment is represented in multiple applications, including, for example, the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs), using the remains of plant parts, as well as photolysis application that used semiconductors NPs which showed a clear effect in treating water from organic pollutants, this study combines these two applications, in terms of green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) using melon peel (Cucumis melo L.) in sol-gel method, as well as, the photodegradation of methylene blue dye (MB) by using a new irradiation photoreactor device which has designed and implemented for …

The Impact Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, And Interleukin-38 Food And Air Allergy Patients Following The Pandemic Of Covid-19 In Iraq, Esraa Hameed Khamees, Zaizafoon N. Nasif

Baghdad Science Journal

Allergies are a common health issue where the immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are normally harmless. This study further investigates the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-38 (IL-38), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in these individuals, offering insight into the probable processes behind allergic responses following the pandemic. The study comprised 120 non-vaccinated females with previous COVID-19 infection. Groups included controls and food and air (F&A) allergic patients, with 60 individuals matched for age and gender. Serum levels of IL-38, VEGF, IgE, and NGLA were assessed using …

Investigating Interleukin-19 And Interleukin-33 In Breast Cancer Of Iraqi Women: An Immunohistochemical Study, Fouad Najm Abed, Suhad Saad Mahmood

Baghdad Science Journal

Cytokines are immune elements that have been found as marker either for tumor-promoting or inhibiting effects on breast tumor development, depending evidently on their exact quantities as well as the existence of additional modifying variables. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between breast cancer tissue and the expression level of IL-19 and IL-33. This study includes using breast cancer tissue (30 specimens) and normal breast tissue (20 specimens) to analyze the expression level of IL-19 and IL-30. Using immunohistochemical technique, the results indicated that lL-33 and also IL-19 were strongly elevated in patients with stage II and stage III …

In Silico Study Of N-Pyrazoline Derivate Compounds As Anticancer Through Inhibition Of Pi3k And Pr Expression, Denny Satria, Syukur Berkat Waruwu, Eti Nurwening Sholikhah, Mustofa Mustofa, Pamungkas Bagus Satriyo, Tutik Dwi Wahyuningsih, Hesti L Wiraswati, Ema Damayanti

Baghdad Science Journal

Breast cancer treatment has many options directed at therapeutic targets, but some remain incurable, so new therapies are needed. Pyrazoline has shown various biological activities, one of which is anticancer effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in silico analysis of Pyrazoline inhibition of PI3K and PR proteins using docking and MD simulation methods. Predictions of toxicity and pharmacokinetics, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, were also conducted computationally. The analysis showed that the Pyrazoline compound had interactions with ligands of PI3K proteins and PR proteins. Pharmacokinetic predictions showed that the compound in the human intestine …