Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Towards Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Student Population In The United Kingdom: A Quantitative Study, Philip Boadu Anim

Theses

Aim: To explore the knowledge on the risk factors, signs and symptoms, management, and complications of Diabetes, attitudes, and practices towards prevention of Diabetes Mellitus among university students in the United Kingdom.

Methods: The researcher utilised a quantitative study design in carrying out the study. The study was conducted at Cardiff Metropolitan University with Cardiff Met students being the target population. Thirty (30) participants were recruited through convenient sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires using closed ended questions. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27 as used to analyse the data collected. Statics were performed to form a …

Book Review: The Dark Path: The Structure Of War And The Rise Of The West, John A. Nagl

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Williamson Murray

Reviewed by: Dr. John A. Nagl, General John J. Pershing Professor of Warfighting Studies, US Army War College

The Dark Path covers five decades of Western expansion as the author explores aspects of military organizations throughout history, focusing on the five Military-Social Revolutions. The reviewer believes this book “synthesizes [the author’s] career in an important and accessible package well worth the time for readers of this journal.”

©2025 John A. Nagl

Intouch Week Of January 12, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology Unites Three Disciplines
• Paul Arnaboldi, Ph.D., Receives More Than $500,000 NIH Grant to Support Respiratory Vaccine Development
• Action speaks louder than words in dealing with antisemitism and violence
• Celebrate the Publication of the 8th Edition Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology
• Gabriel Project Mumbai, Welcomes Second Cohort of TCDM Students and Faculty
• Love at NYMC
• Student Spotlight: A Full-Circle Journey

High School Dropout Rates Among Latin Students In The United States, Taryn T. Marriott

Student Works

An ongoing concern of educators and community members is the disproportionately high amounts of Latinx students dropping out of high school in the United States. Although there has been notable research done and action taken, the problem still remains. Lack of familial support, discrimination, and residence in low-income areas all contribute to the low retention rates of Latinx youth on track to graduate high school. As a result, youth who do not complete their education and set their sights on career goals have a harder time with employment, communicating in their society, and tend to show higher levels of engagement …

Journal Staff

Law and Contemporary Problems

No abstract provided.

Alcohol And The Endocrine System: A Critical Review Of Disruptions, Potential Mechanisms, And Health Implications, Patricia E. Molina, Liz Simon

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The endocrine system coordinates and integrates cellular activity throughout the body by regulating cellular and organ function and maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis, the dynamic maintenance of internal balance despite changing external or internal conditions, is essential for proper cellular function. The endocrine system achieves this through a complex regulatory network of hormone-mediated signaling among multiple endocrine organs, relying on precisely regulated synthesis and release of hormones and specific hormone-receptor interactions. Endocrine-mediated actions coordinate critical physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress adaptation, and circadian rhythms throughout the lifespan. Endocrine glands—such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pancreas, adrenal glands, and …

Association Between Lifestyle And Dietary Habits With C-Reactive Protein And Glucose: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Reaz Morshed, Shamim Alam, Jakir Hossain, Md Shahedul Islam

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Aims: Lifestyle and diet influence chronic disease risk through their impact on systemic inflammation. This research evaluated the association among dietary habits, physical activity, and inflammatory biomarkers, specifically glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: This cross-sectional study examined lifestyle, sociodemographic, and nutritional indicators using a structured questionnaire, which was adapted from the WHO STEPwise guideline. A total of 200 participants were included based on their attendance for CRP and glucose assays at two health centers between May and September 2023 in Bangladesh. Results: Among participants with high fiber intake (> 20 g/day), 22% had normal blood glucose levels …

Evaluating Sources With The Craap Test, Dawn Atkinson

Writing

No abstract provided.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I And Frailty: Associations With The Frailty Index And Fried Phenotype In Older Women, Jedd Pratt, Abadi K. Gebre, Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo, Elsa Dent, Trent Bozanich, Wai E. Lim, Elizabeth Byrnes, Julee Mcdonagh, Caleb Ferguson, Craig Sale, Kun Zhu, Carl Schultz, Richard L. Prince, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the nexus between cardiovascular health and frailty, the relevance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), a biomarker of myocardial injury, to frailty is poorly understood. We examined whether hs-cTnI concentrations were associated with frailty in a well-characterized cohort of older women. A total of 1151 community-dwelling women from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women (mean age ± SD = 75.2 ± 2.7 years) were included. Frailty was operationalized using a validated frailty index (FI) of cumulative deficits and a modified Fried phenotype. Plasma hs-cTnI were categorized into quartiles. Cross-sectional associations between hs-cTnI quartiles and frailty were assessed using …

Self-Efficacy Change Among Diverse Family Caregivers In Dementia Care, Deborah M Oyeyemi, Erich J Greene, Yunshan Xu, David R Lee, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Maya L Lichtenstein, Alan Stevens, Jeff D Williamson, Arun S Karlamangla, Debra Saliba, David B Reuben

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To determine whether changes in caregiver self-efficacy (beliefs about one's ability to manage dementia-related problems and access help) differed by caregiver race and ethnicity across all participants enrolled in a large pragmatic trial of comprehensive dementia care.

Methods: In the Dementia Care Study (D-CARE), community-dwelling older adults with dementia and their unpaid family caregivers were randomized to receive usual care, community-based, or health system-based comprehensive dementia care. Caregiver self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months using a 4-item scale (range 4-20, higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy). Among all caregivers, we compared least squares means for overall …

Kindergarten Teachers’ Experiences And Training With Critical Reflection To Support Adaptive Teaching, Tessa Cushman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study is that kindergarten teachers often lack training in critical reflection as part of their adaptive teaching practice. Despite much research on critical reflection, there was a lack of knowledge regarding training kindergarten teachers receive on critical reflection and how they use it to adapt their teaching. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of kindergarten teachers regarding the training they received on critical reflection and the support they felt they needed to implement critical reflection for an adaptive teaching practice. Schön’s reflective practice theory was the conceptual framework for …

Exploring Juvenile Justice System Social Workers’ Dual Role Conflicts, Tayler Janet Deggendorfer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers working within the juvenile justice system face challenges in managing dual roles of providing social support for clients in a punitive environment of incarceration. The problem that was explored in this study is the ethical and practical dilemmas of dual roles for social workers—specifically the potential for burnout and mental health injury for social workers who work within the parameters of both roles. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of a selected criterion sample of social workers. The study was framed by Goffman’s role theory. Oral narrative data were collected …

Play-Based Curriculum, Marina E. Prawdzik

Masters Projects

This project addresses the drastic decline of play and play-based learning in public education early childhood settings. Kindergarten classrooms have shifted their focus more to academics in the form of lecture based learning and lessons, rather than play based learning techniques. Because of this, children are lacking in cognitive development, physical development and social and emotional development and growth. This project includes research from within the state of Michigan, research within the United States as a whole, and research about play based learning from other countries such as Nigeria, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, Finland, and Germany.

Report On A Self-Directed Pilot Study (For Students), Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

Level Up Your Life: The Science of Spiritual Growth

Ever feel like you're stuck in "mental noise" or struggling to stay focused? This study explores how a simple 4-week routine can literally "accelerate" your brain and emotional resilience. By using checklists and specific mental "switches," I found that we can turn daily frustrations into moments of gratitude and even boost our ability to learn complex subjects. This isn't just about faith; it's about a practical "system" to help you stay calm, sharp, and connected to your higher purpose in a busy world.

Report On A Self-Directed Pilot Study (For Researchers), Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

Strategic Self-Regulation for Spiritual and Cognitive Enhancement

This pilot study investigates the impact of structured spiritual interventions on cognitive processing and emotional regulation. By integrating meta-cognitive tools—such as narrative accountability, systematic scripture application, and "mental toggles" via hymns—the research demonstrates a significant acceleration in learning efficiency and a reduction in emotional recovery time. The findings suggest that spiritual experiences are not merely random occurrences but "probability-controllable phenomena" that can be systematically cultivated through intentional environmental settings and habitual reflection.

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 09, January 12, 2026, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – April 20, 2026

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Insight Into The Decalcification Mechanism Of Calcium Silicate Hydrate Under A Water–Heat–Salt Environment, Wei Zhang, Boya Zhang, Jia Sun, Juntao Dang, Xiangke Guo, Keliang Li, Bo Tao Huang, Biqin Dong, Hongyan Ma, Dongshuai Hou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding the decalcification mechanism of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) under marine environments is crucial for concrete durability. In this study, the decalcification behavior of C–S–H under a water–heat–salt environment was systematically investigated through immersion experiments and reactive molecular dynamics simulations. Experimental results showed that elevated temperature and NaCl solution significantly accelerated Ca leaching and reduced the Ca/Si ratio of C–S–H. Simulation results further revealed that both high temperature and NaCl reduce the dissolution free energy of Ca, making its release more thermodynamically and kinetically favorable. Local structure analysis indicated that Cl^– disrupts Ca–Os (O atoms in silicate tetrahedra) connection …

The George-Anne Daily, Georgia Southern University

George-Anne Media Group: Newsletters & Magazines

No abstract provided.

Employing Ai Tools To Predict Features For Dental Care Use In The United States During The Global Respiratory Illness Outbreak, Preeti Pushpalata Zanwar, Hamid-Reza Kodan-Ghadr, Vijayakumar Thirumalai, Suad Ghaddar, Shuo Jim Huang, Beth Harkness, Eben Rey, Romanch Shah, Sairaja Reddy Kurelli, Jay S. Patel

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Reformulation Of The Protein Databank For Real-Time Search Of Geometrical Attributes Of Protein Structures, Musa Azeem, Christopher Lee, Aaron Hein, Christopher Ott, Homayoun Valafar

Faculty Publications

Introduction:

In this study, we introduce the design and implementation of PDBMine, a large-scale, queryable platform for mining sequence-structure statistics from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). PDBMine enables rapid analysis of local conformational trends across proteins by extracting dihedral angles and sequence patterns at scale. In addition to the design and implementation of PDBMine, we also present results validating its ability to return structurally meaningful information.

Methods:

We first assess the accuracy of its dihedral angle distributions by comparing them to established Ramachandran space and verifying expected behaviors of residues such as glycine and proline. We then use PDBMine to …

Arrhythmia Following Congenital Heart Disease Surgery In Oman: Incidence And Risk Factors – A Prospective Study, Shamsa Al Kaabi, Eslam Mohammed, Tamer Abosalem, Hilal Al Riyami, Ismail Al Abri, Mohammed Al Ghafri

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence, outcomes and risk factors of arrhythmia in children undergoing congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery in Oman. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 at the National Heart Centre, Muscat, Oman. Paediatric patients who underwent CHD surgery were included; those with preoperative arrhythmia or permanent pacemakers were excluded. Demographic, intraoperative and postoperative variables were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of postoperative arrhythmia. Results: A total of 346 patients were included in this study, of which 49 (14.2%, 95% confidence …

Contribution To The Chemotherapy Of Human Trypanosomiasis: Design, Synthesis, And Biological Evaluation Of Dimeric 2-Nitroimidazoles Against Trypanosoma Cruzi Amastigotes And Bloodstream Trypanosoma Brucei, Afonso Santine M.M. Velez, Otavio Augusto Chaves, Carlos Serpa, Fatma M. Salem, Bibo Li Ph.D., Bin Su Ph.D., Celio Geraldo Freire-De-Lima, Debra Decote-Ricardo, Marco Edilson Freire De Lima

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Effective and safe treatments for neglected tropical diseases caused by parasites, such as Chagas disease and sleeping sickness, remain lacking, posing a significant challenge for researchers worldwide. The rational design of dimeric compounds inspired solely by the pharmacophoric core of benznidazole (2-nitroimidazole) has proven to be a promising strategy for antiparasitic development. Thus, in the present work, it was increased the linker between the active units (2-nitroimidazole) to improve the interaction with TcNTR, facilitating the bioactivation of the longest dimers. Biological assays confirmed this, demonstrating that all compounds were active against replicative intracellular amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen C2C4-LacZ). Notably, …

Robust And High-Efficiency Demodulation Of Ultra-Weak Fbg Arrays In Ofdr-Based Distributed Sensing, Zhaopeng Zhang, Yuxuan Cao, Xu Liu, Dingcheng Wang, Bo Liu, Chen Zhu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A robust and high-efficiency demodulation scheme for optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) based ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating (UWFBG) array detection system, originating from the Buneman frequency estimation (BFE) algorithm, is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Due to the current limitations and imperfections of FBG inscription technology, the quasi-continuous inscription approach, along with its less-than-ideal outcomes, gives rise to problems of grating spectrum splitting and spectral distortion during the grating demodulation process. This renders the traditional approach of directly applying the BFE algorithm for grating demodulation ineffective, despite its significant enhancement of demodulation efficiency. To address this issue, we propose utilizing the …

Investigating Age-Related Decline In Sensorimotor Control Using Robotic Tasks, Laura Alvarez-Hidalgo, Ellie Edlmann, Gunnar Schmidtmann, Ian S. Howard

School of Health Professions

Aging is associated with changes in sensorimotor control that contribute to functional decline, mobility limitations, and increased fall risk. Traditional motor assessments often rely on subjective measures, highlighting the need for objective, quantitative tools. We developed three robot-based tasks using the vBOT planar manipulandum to evaluate sensorimotor performance in healthy young (<35 years) and older (>60 years) adults. These tasks uniquely combined bimanual control and altered dynamic conditions to assess age-related differences. The first task required bimanual coordination to control a virtual 2D arm over 400 center-out and return trials, targeting de novo motor learning. The second task involved unimanual reaching with the …

Social Prescribing Within Five European Countries: A Protocol Of A Cross-Country Qualitative Analysis, Stephanie Tierney, Debra Westlake, Farhad Rezvani, Daniela Rojatz, Juliane Köberlein-Neu, Trutz Bommhardt, Sónia Dias, Maria João Marques, Donata Kurpas, Hendrik Napierala, Wolfram Herrmann, K Husk

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction Social prescribing is an approach to addressing non-medical issues affecting people’s health and well-being (eg, loneliness, housing or financial problems). It has gained international traction over recent years as complementary to medical care. A larger research project, comparing social prescribing across European countries, is considering how to tailor provision for the following groups: (a) LGBTIQ+persons, (b) refugees and first-generation immigrants and (c) older adults living alone. As part of this research, a qualitative study will address the question: What are the enabling and limiting factors associated with implementing social prescribing, across different European countries, from the perspective of key …

Beyond The Classroom: Physiological Stress Of Academic Travel, Whitley J. Stone, Paula Upright, Stacey Forsythe

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Long-distance travel is often celebrated as an opportunity for growth, but its physiological and cognitive consequences are rarely addressed in academic contexts. PURPOSE: This study investigated the physiological and cognitive effects of long-distance travel on university students journeying from the Southeastern U.S. to Hawaii. METHODS: Using a repeated measures design, participants were assessed at baseline (pre-travel) and across the first four days on island (post-travel). RESULTS: Results from a repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant disruptions in cardiovascular and stress markers. Average daily heart rate increased markedly across the trip (F(4,56)=12.96, pn=38 participants for CRF, n=71 for PSS, n=124 …

A Multi-Stage Pilot Study To Develop Procedures To Examine Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity (Dei) Statements Within Kinesiology Journal Submission Guidelines, Vivianne Felker, Zoe Howard, Jafra D. Thomas, Shannon R. Siegel, Shiina Tsuchiya, Jorge Portillo, Deanna Jun, Alexis V. Willing, Jill M. Maples, James W. Navalta, Matthew J. Garver, Joel D. Reece, Dustin W. Davis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) principles support ethically responsible, cost-effective, evidence-supported health promotion and performance interventions, they are rarely addressed within published biomedical/behavioral science research, including in kinesiology. PURPOSE: Because journal submission guidelines could increase integration of DEI principles’ application, we sought to develop a valid and reliable procedure to quantify DEI statements within kinesiology-related journal submission guidelines. METHODS: The pilot study was conducted between 2023 and 2025. Faculty investigators developed a codebook with good content validity (100% consensus achieved), then the primary faculty investigators produced a written protocol and coding form to standardize the coding process. …

Effects Of Acute And Multi-Day Beetroot Juice Supplementation On Power And Velocity Of Ncaa Division I Baseball Players, Justin M. Foster, Raymond T. Gerardo, Sydney N. Brennan, Trevor J. Molnar, Ryan Tran, Kyle S. Geppert, Christopher B. Sottile, Michael Egiazarian, Abigail F. Ballhagen, Stewart D. Gonzalez, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Dietary nitrate supplementation can enhance power via modulating type II muscle fiber contractility; however, no study has examined the ergogenic potential of nitrate in elite level power-based athletes that heavily rely on type II muscle fiber activation such as baseball players. Moreover, there are no nitrate dosing guidelines available for elite level athletes. PURPOSE: To investigate if acute and multi-day nitrate supplementation influences power and velocity during barbell back squat and barbell bench press in elite level baseball players. METHODS: Eighteen male collegiate baseball athletes (NCAA Division I) reported to the laboratory for 6 visits over ~8 weeks, and were …

Effect Of Sodium Bicarbonate On Gastrointestinal Injury During Repeated Sprints In The Heat, Ozan Kumbasar, Jonathan W. Specht, Marissa Ramirez, Jennifer Raef, Mackenzie Schwartz, Alyssa R. Bailly, Oscar Chavez Jr., Jade X. Dawson, Jessica Apodaca, Raul Freire, Withley C. Atkins, Flávio De Castro Magalhães, Jason Siegler, Fabiano T. Amorim

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sodium bicarbonate (SB) is a widely used supplement that can enhance repeat sprint performance; however, a common side effect is gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Exercise in the heat can cause intestinal injury and endotoxemia, but no study has examined whether SB heightens this injury. PURPOSE: To determine whether SB ingestion exacerbates intestinal discomfort, injury, and endotoxemia during repeated sprints in the heat. METHODS: Ten endurance-trained athletes (6 male) completed randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind trials in which they ingested capsules containing SB (0.2 g·kg⁻¹ body mass) or placebo following a high-carbohydrate meal. The trials consisted of a 22-min warm-up followed by …

Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Worsens Resistance Exercise Performance In Resistance-Trained Females, Sydney N. Brennan, Raymond T. Gerardo, Trevor J. Molnar, Justin M. Foster, Ryan Tran, Kyle S. Geppert, Christopher B. Sottile, Michael Egiazarian, Abigail F. Ballhagen, Stewart D. Gonzalez, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Dietary nitrate supplementation appears to preferentially target type II muscle fibers for beneficial effects; however, research examining the efficacy of nitrate in females and resistance exercise is scarce. PURPOSE: To investigate if dietary nitrate, provided as concentrated nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR), improved resistance exercise performance in back squat and bench press compared to nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (PL) in resistance-trained females. METHODS: Eighteen resistance-trained females aged reported to the lab for a total of four visits over a 2-week period. Participants performed a one repetition maximum protocol (1RM) and familiarization to the experimental protocol, and were assigned in a randomized, double-blind …