Digital Commons Network^™

Leveraging Community Health Worker’S Deep Community Knowledge To Address Food And Nutrition Security In Appalachia, Alexis Kimbro Scott, Melissa D. Olfert, Dawn Brewer, Makenzie Barr, Julie Plasencia

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted professionals in communities because of the deep understanding and cultural insights learned from their lived experiences. In Appalachia, CHWs are embedded in the community, giving them a unique understanding of how social determinants, like food and nutrition security, impact health outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the professional characteristics and knowledge of CHWs while identifying culturally sensitive practices around food insecurity.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study used an online survey and in-depth phone interviews with CHWs in the Appalachian Region to examine their professional characteristics and knowledge on food security in their …

Stigmatization And Healthcare Inequity Perceived By Individuals Served By Homeless Shelters In An Appalachian City, Molly Powney, James M. Mears, Reagan Sharp, Lisa Calderwood

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: People experiencing homelessness are medically vulnerable and suffer disproportionately from chronic physical and mental health conditions. Evidence-based standards to inform decisions surrounding care would be valuable for this population. Studies exploring how homeless individuals in Appalachia perceive their interactions with the healthcare system remain limited, however.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess perceptions of the healthcare system among homeless individuals served by temporary housing shelters in an Appalachian city.

Methods: A voluntary anonymous survey was administered to residents at three shelters in Charleston, West Virginia (WV) from September 2023 – March 2024. Responses were collected utilizing …

Influence Of Family Health History And Parental Education On Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, And Lipid Levels In 5th Grade Children: A Secondary Data Analysis Of The Cardiac Project, Madha Rani Das, Lee A. Plyes, Eloise Elliott, Christa L. Lilly

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Childhood obesity and related cardiovascular risks reflect the interplay of genetic predispositions and socioeconomic adversity. Appalachia’s poverty, limited health care, and educational gaps worsen family health risks, driving early cardio-metabolic problems in children, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the association of family health history and parental education with BMI, BP, and lipid profiles among 5^th grade children in West Virginia (WV).

Methods: The study used WV CARDIAC data from 2006–2009. Outcomes were BMI, SBP/DBP, and fasting lipids (HDL, LDL, TG). Predictors were parental education and family health history …

Memo Metodológico: Elaboración De La Investigación Titulada “Ser Deseo. El Deseo Femenino Como Abyecto En El Filme Thelma.” [Reporte De Investigación], Ximena Diaz Santillán, Romano Ponce Díaz

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Realizar una tesis de grado siempre constituye un reto, pero también una oportunidad para desarrollar las habilidades y métodos de investigación que serán la base de futuros trabajos. Pese a que, en apariencia, la elección de un filme como objeto de estudio en la licenciatura en Lengua y Literaturas Hispánicas puede resultar extraña, las herramientas adquiridas a lo largo de la formación permiten explorar diversos productos culturales como textos; es decir, se trata de entramados sígnicos que se interrelacionan para generar un sentido dirigido a un público. Si bien existen teorías como la estética de la recepción en la que …

Role-Playing Game Studies: A Transmedia Approach Por José Pablo Zagal, Y Sebastian Deterding, (Editores). (2018). [Reseña], Cristo Leon, Edgar Meritano

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

"Role-Playing Game Studies: A Transmedia Approach," editado por José P. Zagal y Sebastian Deterding (2018b), es una recopilación exhaustiva del estado actual de la investigación sobre los juegos de rol a través de diversas disciplinas, culturas y medios. El libro traza la historia de los juegos de rol desde sus precursores en los juegos de guerra (wargames) hasta los juegos de mesa (Tabletop), el juego de rol en vivo (live-action role-play), y los juegos de rol contemporáneos de computadora y en línea. Cada capítulo ofrece perspectivas y hallazgos de disciplinas clave como …

Umwelt, Sujetos Transindividuales E Intencionalidad Compartida: Cuerpo, Significación Y Socialidad En La Construcción Del Conocimiento, Juan C. González Vidal

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En este trabajo abordamos, desde el punto de vista semiótico, el vínculo indisoluble que existe entre el cuerpo humano, la significación y la socialidad. Partimos del postulado de que el cuerpo es, desde el nacimiento, una entidad sintiente; luego, una vez adquirida la capacidad de generar procesos semiósicos primarios, empieza a ordenar y a clasificar los estímulos exteriores, hecho en el que se asienta el fundamento de su orientación básica en el entorno. Conforme aumentan sus competencias semiósicas, se incrementan sus capacidades perceptivas y cognitivas que, al ser afirmadas, lo llevan a alcanzar finalmente los más altos grados de socialidad. …

From The Pages To The Gaming Table: Designing A Homebrew System To Adapt A Book Series Into A Ttrpg, Ricardo Victoria Uribe, Nazario Robles Bastida, Chris Birmingham

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Adapting media properties, in particular fantasy, science fiction, and horror books, has been a staple of the development of tabletop role-playing games since their inception. Different properties, ranging from Lord of the Rings to Call of Cthulhu and everything in between has been undergoing this process. Developing an indie game based on indie and self-published books can be used as a promoting tool on overlapping audiences, which is the case for the selected book series for this design exercise. This paper has the aim of sharing these developing experiences during the early stages of creating a quick start guide supplement …

Editorial: Jugar, Narrar, Habitar Mundos: Cuerpos Y Ficciones En La Cultura Contemporánea, Romano Ponce Díaz

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En este número del Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM (Vol. 4, núm. 2, Noviembre 2025- abril 2026) buscamos situarnos en ese cruce. En los artículos de investigación que aquí se exponen, se observa cómo los sistemas de juego, los universos narrativos, los performance, la mirada artística y las operaciones cognitivas intervienen en la configuración del concepto de sujeto, paisaje y comunidad. Estos artículos no son meras descripciones de objetos culturales; aquí se enuncian procedimientos metodológicos, contigencias operativas y aplicaciones eminentemente prácticas a campos de conocimientos transdisciplinarios.

Journal Of Roleplaying Studies And Steam (Jrpssteam) Vol. 4 [2025], Número 2 (Issue 2), Cristo Leon, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Ivan Avila Gonzalez Phd, James Lipuma Dr., Bruce G. Bukiet, Ricardo Victoria-Uribe, Nazario Robles-Bastida, Chris Birmingham, Ximena Diaz Santillan, Edgar Francisco Vázquez Martínez He, Jorge Prieto Terrones, Juan Carlos C. González Vidal S, Edgar Meritano, Laura Magela Garcés Ramírez

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En una sesión de juego por medio del registro lingüístico se organiza la escena, se orienta la manera de nombrar las tareas, se distribuyen los roles actanciales, se establecen la expectativas; por lo tanto, se establece una puesta en escena. De tal forma, las prácticas lúdicas y ficcionales se configuran a partir de nuestra mirada del mundo e irremediablemente también reconfiguran esa misma mirada. El ser y el estar en un espacio es la especificidad mediática fundamental de los juegos de rol; dicho de otra manera, en los sistemas de juego de rol dentro de sus universos narrativos, en su …

The Trauma-Informed Supervision Model (Tism), Melissa Luke, Sarah Litt

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

Trauma-informed counseling is an increasingly important component of contemporary counselor training and practice, but it remains under-represented in supervisory models and frameworks. As supervision is identified as the primary and signature practice for the training of all mental health professionals, we developed a conceptual and integrative supervision model grounded in the theoretical and research support for trauma-informed counselor training. Extending the discrimination model, we present the second-generation trauma-informed supervision model (TISM), a six domain by three foci by three role model to address this gap. We illustrate each of the 54 domain-foci-role combinations with trauma-informed supervisory examples that can inform …

Conflict Resolution Styles In Intimate Relationships Of College Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Huijuan Li, David K. Duys, Byeolbee Um

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as potentially traumatic early-life experiences, can influence how individuals relate to others, often leading to challenges in intimate relationships. During the transition to adulthood, college students engage in identity development while also navigating the critical skill of conflict resolution necessary for fostering and maintaining intimate relationships. In this study, we collected data from 434 college students at a Midwest university regarding their ACEs and conflict resolution styles using the 10-item ACEs questionnaire and the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI). Results showed significant differences in ACEs scores based on demographic factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual …

The Emotional Landscape Of Cult Involvement From Recruitment To Disaffiliation: A Grounded Theory Study Of Survivor Experiences To Inform Trauma Counseling, Yaroslaba Garcia, Suzanne M. Dugger, Jackie Greene

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

This study used a constructivist grounded theory design to explore survivors’ unwanted emotions across the recruitment, retention, and disaffiliation phases of cult involvement. Through inductive analysis, the researchers developed a theoretical model grounded in participants’ experiences to explain the persistence and impact of these emotions. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 15 U.S.-based cult survivors of diverse types of cults and with varying lengths of membership. Participants completed three onehour interviews, each focused on unwanted emotions during a specific phase of cult involvement. Data analysis included iterative coding, bracketing meetings, and memo-writing. Analysis revealed 16 categories of unwanted emotions, with …

Positive Psychology Interventions For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) Among Earthquake Survivors In Nepal, Niusha Karki, Melissa C. Henry, Mark M. Leach

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

Natural disasters produce both community and individual trauma; Nepal’s 2015 and 2023 earthquakes exemplify this enduring impact. Previous literature has discussed the effects of PTSD and other mental health concerns post-disasters, providing some context to the difficulties in providing counseling services to those in need. However, little is known about unique psychological, cultural, and contextual factors in Nepal and how their influence and understanding may result in modifying traditional PTSD counseling interventions found in much of the existing professional literature. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to propose a culturally responsive, strengths-based framework that integrates positive psychology interventions, positive …

Navigating Collective Trauma Following A Workplace Mass Shooting, Rebecca Cowan, Vanessa Qualls, Shari Andreasen

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

Public mass shootings occur most frequently in workplace settings, yet little is known about the experiences of survivors, co-victims, and first responders of these incidents and how they cope with this shared trauma. This collective case study examined the experiences of 14 survivors, co-victims, and first responders affected by a single workplace mass shooting. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four main themes: (1) the spectrum of suffering, (2) ripple becomes wave: the spread of trauma, (3) forgotten in recovery, and (4) the healing power of shared experience. This study offers insight into the collective nature of impact and recovery, and how …

Beyond The Binary: Gender & Space In The Art Of Helen Mcnicoll (1879-1915), Jakira Ahmed

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

In recent art history discourse, scholars have proposed reworking the binarism perpetuated by separate sphere ideology that led to a lack of nuance. This paper situates itself within this renewed framework, using McNicoll’s market scenes which breaks down the rigid dichotomous nature of gendered spaces and confronts how labor and class relations complicate the gender-spatial dynamic. I propose that these images begin to collapse the binaries of the public/private and urban/rural debates, creating more fluid binaries.

Language Attitudes Towards Drag And The Lgbtq+ As Influenced By American Theater, Kj Myke

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines the relationship between theatrical drag portrayals and American social perception of LGBTQ+ through an analysis of drag characters in theater. This inquiry discusses whether these portrayals influence language towards LGBTQ+ in American culture. Two cases—Knock ‘Em Dead and Kinky Boots—reveal differing attitudes: one being more stereotypical and inauthentic, while the other offers more authentic nuances to queer experience. Findings indicate that the context in which shows are created heavily influences which language attitudes get adapted by the show and advertised to audiences.

Star Wars And Gender In 1980s America, Melissa Ulmer

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This research paper examines the role of gender in the franchise Star Wars. With the first installment of the trilogy released in 1977, many expected this film would turn out like many before. However, the world that George Lucas created was an instant hit and continues to be today. This paper focuses on how the franchise was set apart from other science fiction films based on a defiance of typical gender roles that were prevalent in the late twentieth century, specifically focusing on the two leading roles, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, and employing analysis of the films, cast …

Hydrothermal Vents In Sulfuric Acid Speleogenesis Karst: Isolated Feeders With Pristine Hypogenic Water Or Interconnected Conduits With Rapid Flow And Recycled Water?, Jakub Mareš, Marek Audy, Serban M. Sarbu, Jan Kukačka, Romeo Eftimi, Jiří Bruthans

International Journal of Speleology

Underwater connectivity and flow paths in the saturated zone of hypogenic sulfuric acid speleogenesis (SAS) karst remain unclear, despite sustained research over the past 30 years. Being regarded as sources of pristine H₂S-charged water, narrow inflow conduits called "feeders" are typically considered primary sources of water and hotspots of speleogenesis. In southeastern Albania, there is a newly discovered active SAS karst system comprising numerous caves and springs. Tracer tests were conducted to investigate the connection of these caves to the surrounding springs and to characterize the flow paths. The results show that water flows from cave lakes to …

Under The Influence: New York’S Crisis Of Addiction, Exploitation, And Drug Policy Within Depression-Era Films, Simone White

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

During the 1930s, New York City stood at the center of media innovation and cultural influence. It was also the center of the continuing opioid epidemic and a pivotal site for the reception and promotion of addiction films. This article argues that Depression-era films, The Struggle (1931), Narcotic (1933), and Assassin of Youth (1938), reflected economic, political, and moral anxieties surrounding drug abuse. Using National Board of Review records, studio pressbooks, and contemporary periodicals, this study examines how cinematic portrayals of addiction influenced ideologies, criminalized users, and deepened social stigma.

Factors Affecting The Length Of Stay In Psychiatry In-Patient Unit Of A Tertiary Care General Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study, Bheemsain Tekkalaki, Revati Katti, Nanasaheb M Patil

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Backgroud: The state of existing mental health services in low- and middle-income countries are inadequate, inequitable and inefficient.One of the ways to ensure effective health care service utilization is by analyzing the length of stay.

Objectives: 1. To assess the length of stay in psychiatry in-patient unit in a general hospital psychiatry unit. 2. To assess the various soil-demographic and clinical factors affecting length of stay.

Materials and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Study sample was formed by all patients who were above 18 years of age, admitted into psychiatry in-patient unit. Data was collected from the case …

Reclaiming Wholeness In Medical Education: Integrating Darshan In The Curriculum, Deep Pankaj Shah

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Modern medicine has made remarkable progress in understanding the body, yet often misses the deeper human experience of illness, healing and meaning. This perspective calls for reimagining medical education by integrating Indian philosophical systems particularly Darshan, such as “Sankhya” into the curriculum. These ancient frameworks offer a holistic view of the human being as a dynamic blend of body, mind and consciousness, moving beyond the “body-as-machine” model. Rather than replacing science, this is about enriching it with vision and depth. By including such perspectives, we can help future doctors engage not just with disease, but with the person behind it; …

Intramuscular Hemangioma Of The Flexor Digitorum Brevis Of Foot Presenting As A Dermoid Cyst: A Rare Case, Dr Puneet Mallikarjun, Dr Kale Ajay P, Dr. Akshay Kumar, Dr Pradeep S Shindhe, Dr Ramesh Killedar

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Introduction: Intramuscular hemangiomas (IH) are rare, benign vascular tumours that account for less than 1% of all hemangiomas, with the plantar region being an extremely uncommon site. Their clinical presentation often mimics other soft tissue lesions, leading to diagnostic challenges.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 57-year-old female presenting with a 25-year history of progressive swelling on the plantar surface of the left foot, initially diagnosed as a dermoid cyst based on clinical examination and ultrasonography. Surgical exploration revealed a vascular lesion originating from the flexor digitorum brevis, and histopathology confirmed it to be an intramuscular hemangioma. Complete …

Reverse Pharmacology In Ayurveda: Scope And Success Stories In Dravyaguna Research, Aman Singhal, Vanshika Sharma

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Reverse pharmacology (RP) represents a novel “experiential-to-experimental” research approach that begins with clinical experiences and traditional usage, progressing systematically to preclinical investigations and mechanistic validation. In the context of Ayurvedic Dravyaguna Vigyana (pharmacology), RP offers a pragmatic model to integrate classical knowledge of medicinal plants with contemporary scientific methods for drug discovery and validation. This paradigm emphasizes safety, efficacy, and translational relevance, while preserving the essence of historical therapeutic practices. The present review explores the scope of RP in Ayurveda and illustrates its application through key success stories, including Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Nimba), Curcuma longa L. ( …

Antibiotic Use And Mdr-Tb Management In Primary Health Centers: A District-Wide Survey From Karnataka, India, Bilkees Javeed, Junaid Mushtaq, S J Nagaveni, Arunkumar K

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical threat to global health, with India experiencing one of the highest burdens of resistant infections. Primary Health Centers (PHCs) serve as frontline facilities where Medical Officers and Pharmacists play crucial roles in antimicrobial stewardship. However, comprehensive data on antibiotic utilization patterns and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) management in Karnataka’s PHCs remain limited. This study aimed to characterize antibiotic prescribing and dispensing practices, assess AMR knowledge, and evaluate MDR-TB management across all PHCs in Gadag District. A cross-sectional survey employing complete enumeration was conducted across all 42 PHCs in Gadag District, Karnataka. All Medical Officers (n …

A Digital Twin Framework For Real-Time Energy Optimization: A Simulated Case Study Of The Podium Office Building, New Cairo, Egypt, Maha Fawzy Aly Anber

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The growing demand for smarter and more energy-efficient buildings has led to increasing interest in digital twin (DT) technology for building operation and management. This paper presents a DT framework developed to improve the energy performance of the Podium Office Building in Cairo Festival City, New Cairo, Egypt. A detailed EnergyPlus model, supported by Python-based tools (eppy and pyEnergyPlus), was used to test three HVAC control strategies: a baseline fixed schedule, a real-time DT-informed strategy, and a predictive optimization approach. By integrating local climate data and realistic occupancy patterns, the study assesses energy savings, CO₂ reductions, and indoor comfort improvements. …

3d-Dnn Ion-Eg Model Applications For Ionospheric Characterization Over Egypt: Mans Cors Case Study Of Vtec Variability And Nmf2/Hmf2 Mapping (2020-2024), Ismail Zaher, Zaki Zeidan, Mostafa Rabah, Mahmoud El-Mewafi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study introduces an operational evaluation of a deep learning–driven ionospheric modeling system tailored for Egypt, designed to overcome the limitations of conventional empirical approaches in data-sparse regions. The 3D-DNN Ion-EG model was trained on 737,110 COSMIC-2 radio occultation profiles (2020–2024), integrating spatial temporal coordinates with geophysical drivers to generate high-resolution threedimensional electron density distributions. Validation against the MANS CORS station (Mansoura University) demonstrated strong predictive skill (R2 = 0.9337; r = 0.970) under independent testing. Performance analysis across diverse geophysical regimes confirmed the model’s advantage in capturing storm-time and solar-driven disturbances, surpassing empirical models that perform best only under …

From Prometheus To Pygmalion To Pandora: Teaching Greek Mythology With Frankenstein’S “Dark Brides”, Kyle William Bishop

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

As Mary Shelley unambiguously informs readers on the title page of her 1818 novel Frankenstein, her tale of Victor’s discovery of the secret of non-biological reproduction represents the Promethean myth, a morality tale warning against the usurpation of divine authority. In Shelley’s novel, Victor ultimately recognizes the dangerous path he has discovered, and he refuses to create a female companion for his hideous progeny, risking his own life to protect the world from a potential race of monsters. In the cinematic tradition, however, this unrealized “bride” often has been created, and these fantastic narratives realize the Pygmalion myth, that …

Individualised Homoeopathic Treatment Of Menstrual Distress In Adolescent Girls- A Case Series, Neha Kalra, Ritika Saxena, Anjula Narang, Subhash Kaushik

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Menstrual distress is a broad term describing the constellation of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that occur about menstruation and cause discomfort or disruption to daily life. These symptoms can include abdominal cramps, backache, breast tenderness, mood swings, irritability and sleep disturbances. This complex impact ex tends beyond pain alone and reflects the multifaceted burden that menstruation may impose. This case series brings forth eight adolescent girls suffering from menstrual distress, who were successfully treated with individualised Homoeopathy. Case summary: The results of this case series demonstrate a mean reduction in total Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q) score …

Effectiveness Of Homoeopathic Medicines In Reducing The Size Of Non-Specific Chronic Leg Ulcers - A Single-Arm, Prospective Observational Study, Greeshma Ik, Dastagiri P

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: A chronic leg ulcer (CLU) is a chronic wound of the leg that does not tend to heal easily. Venous, arterial insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, or a combination of these factors may cause pain, restricted mobility, impaired social activities, and increased personal expenses, all of which can adversely affect the quality of life. Objectives: To determine the e ectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in reducing the size of non-specific chronic leg ulcers using the Leg Ulcer Measurement Tool (LUMT) and changes in the quality of life by the Euro QoL (EQ-5D-3L) score. Materials and methods: A prospective clinical study was …

The Feminine Way Of Campaigning: How Female Politicians Navigate Gender Bias, Jordan V. Pruitt

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Women are rapidly taking over the world of politics, holding more elected positions than ever before. With the increase of women in politics, we begin to question how gender stereotypes and bias affect female politicians. There are numerous studies examining the public's perception of female candidates and how they are framed differently from their male opponents in the media; however, the main objective of this project is to learn how gender affects women’s campaign strategies or public personas, and how this differs from their male counterparts. Through interviews with women in locally elected positions, this study examines these issues through …