Digital Commons Network^™

Early Laser For Burns Scars (Elabs): A Qualitative Exploration, Vanessa Heaslip, Sharon Dochety, Shelley Rhodes, Obioha Ukoumunne, Katie Breheny, Kate Attrill, Jonathon Pleat, Mark P. Brewin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Burns are a global public health issue. Due to improvements in burn management, mortality rates are reducing, resulting in burns being a leading cause of morbidity globally (WHO 2023). Up to 70% of patients develop hypertrophic scars after burns (Finnerty et al., 2016) as well as other associated physical (itching, pain, tightness and limited joint mobility) and psychological complications (low mood, anxiety and PTSD). These complications have a significant impact upon the individual’s quality-of-life which Finnerty et al., (2016) argues is the greatest unmet challenge in burn rehabilitation. Current treatments for burn scar management include moisturisation, silicone gel, pressure therapy, …

Quality Of Life Of Young Adults Living With Chronic Kidney Disease At A Tertiary Hospital In Ghana, Gloria Achempim-Ansong, Menford Owusu Ampohah, Ramatu Tanko Adams

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Globally, Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent (10-13% of the population), irreversible, progressive, and associated with higher cardiovascular risk. The diagnosis of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is still a death sentence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Ghana, some patients with moderate to advanced CKD eventually progress to end-stage renal disease and have poor quality of life (QOL). Attempts to lower the morbidity and mortality of kidney disease may be thwarted by rising economic and health inequities, migration, demographic change, unsafe working conditions, environmental risks, natural disasters, and pollution. Young adults perform worse than younger adolescents do or older …

Decoding Teen Slang: A Simulation Model For Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education, Kristen M. Vandenberg

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In the rapidly evolving world of teen and young adult slang, staying current with the latest terminology is crucial for healthcare professionals working with this demographic. For providers in psychiatric and mental health fields, an understanding of this evolving language can facilitate improved communication and foster trust, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes.

This study introduces a simulation model specifically designed for nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric mental health program, aiming to bridge the communication gap between providers and young clients. Grounded in a conceptual framework of cultural competence and communication theory, the simulation seeks to improve student understanding of adolescent …

Postgraduation Ngn Preparation Lived Experiences Of Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates, Kristy P. Ludy

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore baccalaureate nursing graduates’ lived experiences of preparing for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) after graduation.

Background and Problem: The American Nurses Association (ANA) projects that by 2030, there will be approximately 194,000 nurse vacancies (American Nurses Association, 2023). Nursing programs must adequately prepare students for practice and to be successful on the licensure examination to address the nursing shortage. The newer licensure examination format of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) evaluates clinical judgment, an essential aspect of decision-making in patient care. (Nunn-Ellison et al., 2020). With the implementation of the NGN, …

Perceived Impacts Of Self-Care Strategies To Reduce Stress In First-Year Bsn Students, Valerie Pauli

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Research identifies considerable stress among students enrolled in nursing programs. Coloring is known to de-stress; therefore, students experience lowered anxiety and stress levels. The purpose of this study was to (1) explore the impacts of mindful coloring on reducing perceived stress of first-year baccalaureate nursing students and (2) explore the students' insights into effective self-care and stress management approaches formed during their first semester in the nursing program (N=29).

Methods: This study applied a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, design. A convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students attending a four-year Midwest university was used. The mindful coloring intervention included participants engaging in …

Advancing Herbal Medicine: The Role Of Nanosomal Technology In Treating Skin Diseases, Pedro Anugerah Aswan, Baitha Palanggatan Maggadani, Wilzar Fachri, Raditya Iswandana

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Herbal medicine has become popular worldwide, especially in developing countries, with around 80% of the population opting for herbal treatments. The perceived benefits of natural remedies, such as affordability and fewer side effects, drive this trend. Herbal therapies effectively manage skin diseases, infections, and common ailments. However, the absorption of bioactive compounds in herbal extracts is often limited. Recent developments in nano-based herbal delivery systems, like nanosomal, show promise in enhancing the efficacy of herbal remedies for topical applications, providing improved solubility, stability, and skin penetration. This review describes various nanosomal studies developed and successfully used to enhance the topical …

A Week-Long Departmental Scholarship Curriculum For Pediatric Subspecialty Fellows, Amy Creel, Amanda Messer, Robin English

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Scholarly activity is a key requirement in pediatric subspecialty fellowship training. However, clear guidance on how to effectively support fellows in their scholarly endeavors remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the impact of a week-long departmental scholarship curriculum designed to enhance fellows' research competencies. METHODS: In 2024, a curriculum was designed and delivered to first-year pediatric subspecialty fellows over 5 days, combining group learning sessions with individualized tasks. Pre- and post-curriculum surveys assessed fellows' confidence and knowledge across key scholarly domains. Daily session evaluations provided additional feedback. Fourteen fellows from 9 pediatric subspecialty programs participated. RESULTS: All first-year fellows …

Peer-To-Peer Transitional Coaching Program, Jennifer Marie Carpenter, Susan J. Owens, Khristina Grimm

Biennial Convention (CONV)

High nurse turnover is an international concern that exacerbates the nursing shortage, and this shortage impacts patient outcomes, quality of care, patient satisfaction with care and job satisfaction for employees (Bae, 2023; Winter et al., 2020). According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (2023), 193,100 openings for Registered Nurses (RN) are expected each year, over the next decade. In 2023, the national turnover rate for hospital-based nurses was 22.5%, and the RN vacancy rate was 15.7% (NSI Nursing Solutions Inc., 2023). Even more alarming is the suggestion that first year registered nurse turnover within hospitals, far exceed all …

Generational Differences Among Nurse Leaders And The Development Of Nurse Leader Role Competence, Hephzibah Sophie Edwin, Cassandra Lawrence

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Nurse leaders practice under extreme stressors and poor organizational support decreases their job satisfaction, increasing their intention to quit^1,5. As nurse leaders’ role continues to expand, it is crucial to enhance their role competence through comprehensive training and ongoing support for their successful transition ^2,4.

Purpose: Nurse leaders differ in their competence based on experience and generational diversity. This study is about the development of a leadership academy to promote nurse leader development, and retention through ongoing training, while also targeting generational differences in building nurse leader-role competence.

Methods: This project was instituted with the mission …

Nurses' Contributions To Zero Hunger: An Integrative Review, Janice Evans Hawkins, Beth Tremblay, Roy E. Brown

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Hunger, or food insecurity, is a growing problem globally and contributes to disproportionally higher mortality and morbidity rates, particularly within vulnerable populations. As frontline healthcare workers, the daily work of nurses is critical to meeting social and environmental needs of health, such as hunger. Yet, to date, there is no comprehensive review of the literature that examines nurse-involved research related to food insecurity.

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize findings of nurse-involved observational and interventional studies that address food insecurity.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of multiple databases for peer-reviewed literature from inception through …

Lgbt Healthcare Access Experiences - “I Had A Doctor Who Literally Tried To Kill Me", Austin Nation

Biennial Convention (CONV)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to: (a) explore the current experiences and needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population when accessing healthcare services. LGBT individuals are known to experience adverse situations when accessing health care services.

METHODS: Qualitative focus groups were conducted with members of the LGBT community utilizing a cross-sectional convenience sample from two organizations serving the LGBT community. Analysis was done to examine themes and to look for differences and similarities within and between LGBT sub-populations.

RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the analysis including: issues accessing LGBT providers, need for LGBT competency and …

Empowering Nursing Education With Generative Ai And Freire’S Critical Pedagogy, Kechi Iheduru-Anderson, Chimezie Agomoh, Julia U. Ugorji

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: This abstract explores integrating Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, with Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy in nursing education. It aims to demonstrate how this intersection can foster critical thinking, student empowerment, and ethical awareness, ultimately transforming the way nurses are educated.

Background: Generative AI technologies are increasingly used in nursing education to create personalized learning experiences and simulate real-world healthcare scenarios. However, there is a risk of reinforcing passive learning models without a solid pedagogical framework. Freire's critical pedagogy, which emphasizes dialogue, reflection, and praxis (action based on reflection), offers a robust framework to ensure that students remain active …

Self-Calibrating Passenger Flow Simulation And Spatial Optimization For Public Building Based On Gru-Sa, Jinglin Xu, Qianru Chen, Yang Peng, Fangqiang Yu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Real-time and precise passenger flow simulation provides critical data support for the optimal allocation of resources in public building facilities and the rational design of spatial layouts. This study proposed a self-calibrating passenger flow simulation and spatial optimization method for public buildings based on the GRU-simulated annealing algorithm. A simulation model incorporating spatial structures and flow lines was constructed using Anylogic. A self-calibrating passenger flow simulation method for public buildings was designed based on the GRU-simulated annealing algorithm and applied to the outpatient department of a hospital in Shanghai for passenger flow simulation. The effectiveness of the method was …

Retinol Tracing Within Murine Neural Retina Reveals Cell Type-Specific Retinol Transport And Distribution, Jianye Zhang, Zhiqian Dong, Carolline Rodrigues Menezes, Jun Wang, Jianming Shao, Budd A Tucker, Robert F Mullins, Rui Chen, Philip D Kiser, Krzysztof Palczewski

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

11-cis-Retinal is essential for light perception in mammalian photoreceptors (PRs), and aberrations in retinoid transformations cause severe retinal diseases. Understanding these processes is crucial for combating blinding diseases. The visual cycle, operating within PRs and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), regenerates 11-cis-retinal to sustain light sensitivity. Retinoids are also present in Müller glia (MG), hypothesized to supply 11-cis-retinol to cone PRs and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). To trace retinoid movement through retinal cell types, we used cell-specific knock-in of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), which converts retinols into stable retinyl esters (REs). Ectopic LRAT expression in murine PRs, MG, and RGCs resulted …

Ultra-Low-Field Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Feasibility And Safety In Pediatric And Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Single-Center Year-Long Experience., Jessica S. Wallisch, Asdis Finnsdottir Wagner, John M. Daniel Iv, Allison Taber, Maura Sien, Sarah Foster, Nathan S. Artz, Timothy Zinkus, Hung-Wen Yeh, Jose A. Pineda, Patrick M. Kochanek, Sherwin S. Chan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite improving outcomes, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains associated with high rates of acute brain injury, impacting survival and outcomes. Clinical imaging modalities, including computed tomography and standard-field magnetic resonance imaging (≥1.5 Tesla), have either limited early detection of ischemic-type injuries or are incompatible with ECMO, causing diagnostic delays. A Food and Drug Administration-cleared ultra-low-field portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI; 0.064 Tesla) has shown promise in acute brain injury detection and use with MRI-unsafe equipment, but pediatric ECMO data are limited.

METHODS: This institutional review board-approved, single-center study was conducted at a quaternary children's hospital. Neonatal and pediatric patients …

Improved Technical Outcomes With Converting Thrombectomy Techniques After Failed First Pass Recanalization, Sami Al Kasab, Mohammad-Mahdi Sowlat, Sameh Samir Elawady, Ilko Maier, Pascal Jabbour, Joon-Tae Kim, Stacey Q Wolfe, Ansaar T Rai, Robert M Starke, Marios-Nikos Psychogios, Edgar A Samaniego, Adam S Arthur, Hugo Cuellar, Brain M Howard, Daniele G Romano, Omar Tanweer, Justin R Mascitelli, Isabel Fragata, Adam Polifka, Joshua W Osbun, Roberto Javier Crosa, Min S Park, Michael R Levitt, Waleed Brinjikji, Mark Moss, Richard Williamson, Pedro Navia, Peter Kan, Reade Andrew De Leacy, Shakeel A Chowdhry, Mohamad Ezzeldin, Alejandro M Spiotta, Shinichi Yoshimura, Ali M Alawieh

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: A higher number of recanalization attempts reduces the efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We assessed the impact of switching EVT techniques after a failed first pass on procedural and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This multicenter international study, conducted between January 2013 and December 2022, included patients undergoing EVT for anterior circulation LVO (internal carotid artery or M1 segments) with failed first pass recanalization. Propensity score matching identified a 1:1 matched cohort of patients in whom EVT technique was changed after a failed first pass and those with the same technique …

Be Faster Community Of Practice To Increase Rapid Initiation Of Antiretroviral Therapy In Houston, Texas: A Pre-Post Intervention Study, Monisha Arya, Avishek Ghosh-Hajra, Kathryn Fergus, Shital M Patel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (Rapid ART) is a key strategy of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative. The Baylor College of Medicine Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Facilitating Antiretroviral Start Earlier (BE FASTER) program was developed to address this call-to-action. The program uses the ProjectECHO tele-mentoring model as an implementation tool in Harris County, a priority EHE jurisdiction. The authors present results on the acceptability and feasibility of the BE FASTER program.

Methods: Multidisciplinary health professionals from 5 Ryan White Part A funded agencies formed the community of practice. The BE FASTER program included 9 monthly …

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of German Volunteers Aged 55 Or Older In Development Service In Tanzania, Barbara Wohanka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As global aging trends and longer life expectancy encourage many seniors to seek meaningful engagement through volunteering, this research examined how such activities influence their perceptions and experiences. While much of the existing literature on volunteering in later life has concentrated on individuals involved in local community service, little research has addressed what motivates seniors to volunteer abroad. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions and lived experiences of German volunteers aged 55 or older in development service in Tanzania and the influence of these experiences on their lives. The theoretical framework examined the guiding approaches …

Depth-Variant Deconvolution Applied To Widefield Microscopy For Rapid Large-Volume Tissue Imaging, Daniel D Lee, Kevin A Telfer, Mark A J Koenis, Yim K Lee, Kevin W Namink, Brian T Saunders, Heyun Lee, Hailey Kelley, Heather S Ruiz, Joseph P Gaut, Gwendalyn J Randolph, Bernd H Zinselmeyer

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Innovations in 3D tissue imaging have revolutionized research, but limitations stemming from lengthy protocols and equipment accessibility persist. Widefield microscopy is fast and accessible but often excluded from 3D imaging workflows due to its lack of optical sectioning. Here we combine tissue clearing with a commercial depth-variant deconvolution approach that we optimized for large-volume widefield imaging. By implementing prefiltering with z-brick splitting, we achieve subnuclear axial resolution in tissues to a depth of 500 µm in multi-tile scan images. We illustrate the utility of this method in a model of ileitis and to gain a 3D perspective in thick brain …

Spartan Daily, November 18, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 36

President Trump And Control Of Administrative Agencies: The Firing Of Nlrb Commissioner Gwynne Wilcox, Gwynne Wilcox, Daniel Silverman, David Rudenstine, Floersheimer Center For Constitutional Democracy, Public Interest Law Student Association (Pilsa), American Constitution Society (Acs), Cardozo Chapter, National Lawyers Guild, Cardozo Chapter, Cardozo Federalist Society

2025 Event Invitations

On November 18, Gwynne Wilcox will join Dan Silverman at Cardozo to discuss her lawsuit against Trump and his administration for firing her as an NLRB commissioner. This conversation will be moderated by Professor David Rudenstine.

On January 27, 2025, President Trump removed Wilcox from the Board prior to her term’s expiration in 2028. Wilcox was the first Board Member to have been removed in 90 years of the Board's inception in 1935. Wilcox filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in Washington, DC, against President Trump challenging her unprecedented and unlawful termination based upon current statutory law and well-established Supreme …

Cooperative Guidance Method Considering Impact Time And Area Sealing, Zheng Guo, Guofei Li, Hua Xiong, Yunjie Wu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the problem of multi-vehicle cooperative strike against maneuvering targets, a cooperative guidance method considering impact time control and terminal area sealing was proposed. The distributed disturbance observer was utilized to estimate target maneuvers. Based on the consensus errors of the impact time, the cooperative guidance law in the line-of-sight direction was proposed to achieve simultaneous hits on targets at a specified time. By considering the motion states of targets, the instructions of the terminal area sealing were designed to construct the sliding mode surface and design the line-of-sight guidance law, so as to ensure the convergence of …

Role Of Endoscopy In The Diagnosis And Management Of Esophageal Cancer, Jennifer Ma, Sharon Pan, Rachel Mortan, Faisal Shaukat Ali, Nirav Thosani, Vaibhav Wadhwa

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Esophageal cancer cases are predicted to reach 957,000 by 2040. Prior mortality rates average 6.5% in men and 2.2% in women, with a poor 5-year prognosis of 20%. A deficiency in screening guidelines, an incomplete understanding of pathophysiology, and limited treatment options contributed to this poor prognosis. Now, as technology and knowledge evolve, endoscopy serves a primary role in improving morbidity and mortality around esophageal cancer, in which early detection and treatment play a profound role. Advances in diagnostic modalities, including higher frequency ultrasound, acquisition of larger specimens, and nodal characterization, all improve esophageal cancer diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. …

Unveiling Humility In Emergency Medicine Chief Residents: A Thematic Exploration Of Standard Letters Of Evaluation, Abagayle Bierowski, Ridhima Ghei, Casey Morrone, Xiao C. Zhang, Dimitrios Papanagnou

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Although humility is a key leadership trait linked to collaboration and trust, current residency application processes lack methods to identify it. By examining whether themes of humility appear in the Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOE) of medical students who later became emergency medicine (EM) chief residents, we sought to determine the presence of humility-related traits in SLOEs and explore their potential to inform the identification of applicants with leadership potential during residency selection.

METHODS: Two independent reviewers examined 104 SLOEs (52 chief, 52 non-chief) from 2015-2021, representing 43 students (21 who later assumed chief resident positions and 22 who …

Of Rollercoasters And Resilience: The Role Of Ceos’ Biases And Heuristics For Large Firms’ Technological Innovation, Cristina O. Vlas, Radu E. Vlas

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

How do CEOs’ personality biases and motivational heuristics influence innovation in large firms? Because large-firm innovation is more common and less risky, overlooked factors—such as narcissism, self-monitoring, and promotion or prevention foci—become pivotal. Drawing on these traits, we found that narcissistic CEOs differ from self-monitoring CEOs in driving innovation. Moreover, the effect of self-monitoring CEOs depends on whether their regulatory focus is oriented toward promotion or prevention. However, this interplay between personality and motivation does not apply to narcissistic CEOs, suggesting that certain characteristics remain relatively fixed. These findings advance the understanding of how CEO traits shape large-firm innovation and …

Generative Ai And The Future Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning: What Do We Stand To Gain Or Lose?, Kathryn C. Wymer

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Discussions about generative artificial intelligence (AI) seem to predominate current conversations about higher education. It is urgent for those engaged in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to evaluate how generative AI could be used appropriately in course development and evaluation, but it is also important for SoTL practitioners to research the potential pitfalls inherent in the use of generative AI for such purposes. This concept essay presents three key questions that need to be addressed in order to fill in research gaps about generative AI and SoTL. Answering these questions will help us advocate for the importance of SoTL …

Efficacy And Safety Of Glibenclamide Compared With Insulin In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Alifia Fauziyyah Haifa, Khairunnisa Qomariyanti, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Rani Sauriasari

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications compared with non-diabetic pregnancies. Pharmacological treatments, such as glibenclamide, are expected to provide optimal glycemic control and reduce these risks. However, concerns regarding its safety persist and some regulatory agencies have not approved glibenclamide for GDM treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the most recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of glibenclamide compared with insulin in the management of GDM, with a focus on maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the most recent RCT. The objective is …

Assessing The Role Of Lead And Wax Shielding In Electron Beam Dose To Facial Tissue, Emma Abiri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

External Beam Electron Therapy is frequently used to treat facial cancers. Wax and lead shields protect the eye lens and adjacent structures, reducing long term-complications and exposure to healthy tissues. Although these materials attenuate radiation behind the shielding, their impact on surface dose to nearby tissue requires further investigation.

This project evaluated how shielding materials influence surface dose to facial structures using MOSFET detectors on a paraffin wax phantom developed from a patient’s Dot Decimal compensator. Relative surface doses were compared for 6MeV and 9MeV electron beams under varying wax and lead shielding configurations. Results indicate that while wax and …

Predicting School Readiness In Head Start Children: The Role Of The Home Literacy Environment, Executive Function, And Cumulative Risk Factors, Danielle Davis-Newman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Children from low-income families often begin school behind their more affluent peers, showing delays in cognitive, social-emotional, and academic skills. This study examined how variations in the home literacy environment (HLE) and executive function (EF) contributed to school readiness gaps among children facing multiple risk factors. The purpose was to understand whether the HLE supported children’s EF skills, how cumulative family risk shaped these associations, and whether EF was a pathway linking the HLE to school readiness outcomes. Data were drawn from the 2019 Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES 2019), using a nationally representative sample of 1,482 …

Heat And Kidney Health: Exploring The Impact Of Rising Temperatures On Kidney Health And Vulnerable Populations, Hoimonty Mazumder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation examines how ambient temperature influences renal health across three complementary chapters by exploring: sex-stratified temperature-urine biomarkers relationships, a global comprehensive synthesis of evidence on renal colic, and mediation effect of BP in the biological pathway between ambient temperature and proteinuria. We used repeated measurements of urinary electrolytes, 24-h urine total protein (UTP), and volume as outcomes from a stepped-wedge RCT conducted in southwest coastal Bangladesh and collected daily ambient temperature data from Bangladesh Meteorological Board (BMD). We employed piece-wise linear mixed effect models using random intercepts to demonstrate ambient temperature and urine biomarker’s relationships. We summarized global evidence …