Digital Commons Network^™

Bioelectrochemical Systems: Prioritizing Energy Density, Long-Term Stability, And Validation, Luana C.I. Faria, Steffane Q. Nascimento, Filipe C.D.A. Lima, Graziela C. Sedenho, Thiago Bertaglia, Rodrigo M. Iost, João C.P. De Souza, Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez, Shelley D. Minteer, Serge Cosnier, Ariel L. Furst, Frank N. Crespilho

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pioneering work in bioelectrochemistry, particularly the employing of yeast cells to generate electrical current, had substantially favored the comprehension of bio electrochemical reactions. This foundational research has boosted the development of bio electrochemical systems (BES), which are significant for sustainable energy solutions. BES technologies, such as biobatteries, bio supercapacitors, and enzymatic and microbial biofuel cells, harness organic and biological systems to provide environmentally friendly alternatives for energy storage and conversion. Despite their potential, these technologies face challenges in achieving competitive energy densities and long-term stability compared to traditional accumulators and converters. Here, we introduce a new Ragone plot for BES, …

Investigating The Effects Of Cognitive Loads On Serial Dependence And Metacognition In Visual Working Memory, Wing Sum Chiu

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Humans tend to perceive the physical world based on the input from the recent past, a phenomenon known as serial dependence. Serial dependence typically results in an attractive bias toward prior stimuli to maintain perceptual stability. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether cognitive loads can modulate serial dependence and metacognitive processes may depend on serial dependence. In this study, we investigate how memory and perceptual loads affect serial dependence, memory precision, and metacognition in visual working memory.

In Experiment 1, we manipulated memory load by varying set sizes. During each trial, 1, 3 or 6 Gabor patches (as a between-subjects factor) …

Carbonation For Enhancement Of Fine Recycled Aggregate Applied To Mortar, Henrique Comba Gomes, Augusto Cesar Da Silva Bezerra, Conrado De Souza Rodrigues, Flavia Spitale Jacques Poggiali, Boksun Kim

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Some of the challenges faced by the construction industry related to sustainability are the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW), environmental impacts caused by the demand for natural aggregates, and associated carbon (CO₂) emissions. One potential solution is recycling CDW as recycled aggregates (RA). Though, RA generally performs poorly compared to natural aggregates (NA) in concretes. Researchers suggest that CO₂ curing via accelerated carbonation may improve the properties of RA. However, further investigation is needed to understand the impact of CO₂ curing on mortar made with fine recycled aggregates (FRA). This study explores the effects …

Spectral–Spatial Transformer With Multiscale Convolutional Attention For Hyperspectral Image Classification, Junde Chen, Wenzhao Li, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Hyperspectral image (HSI) classification plays a vital role in remote sensing by leveraging rich spectral and spatial information for accurate material recognition. However, existing methods, particularly Transformer-based approaches, still face challenges in effectively modeling multiscale spatial–spectral features, preserving local details, and maintaining robustness to noise. To mitigate these limitations, we propose TMCANet, a spectral–spatial Transformer with multiscale convolutional attention, designed to effectively leverage both local and global contextual dependencies for HSI classification. Our design is guided by three core strategies: first, a convolutional feature extraction module, consisting of four convolutional layers, to learn hierarchical spectral multiscale representations and enhance local …

Resolution Of Physics And Deep Learning-Based Protein Engineering Filters: A Case Study With A Lipase For Industrial Substrate Hydrolysis, Spencer Gardiner, Peter Dollinger, Filip Kovacic, Jörge Pietruszka, Daniel Ess, Karl-Erich Jaeger, Gunnar F. Schröder, Dennis Della Corte

Faculty Publications

Computational enzyme design remains a powerful yet imperfect tool for optimizing biocatalysts, especially when targeting non-natural substrates. Using design tools we investigated Pseudomonas aeruginosa LipA, a lipase with a flexible lid domain crucial for substrate binding and turnover, aiming to enhance its hydrolysis of the industrially relevant substrate Roche ester. We generated an initial set of single-point mutations based on structural proximity to the active site and evaluated their effects using a computational pipeline integrating molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and ensemble-based energy scoring. While we identified several active variants, attempts to rank them by activity …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Child, Caregiver, And Clinician Perspectives On Mental Health In Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Justin H Qian, Andrew D Wiese, Clarissa Gonzalez, Whitney S Shepherd, Hannah Cho, Gianna M Colombo, Julia M Morales, Selena Guo, Kristin M Kostick-Quenet, Dianne Nguyen, Sophie C Schneider, Kara Ayers, Members Of The Bbdc, Marie-Eve Robinson, Chaya N Murali, Brendan Lee, V Reid Sutton, Eric A Storch

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective disorder with clinical manifestations including bone fragility and short stature. Previous research identified psychosocial themes related to mental health among children with OI and their caregivers, such as independence, social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Several studies have also examined clinicians of individuals with OI for their perspectives on mental health among their patients. However, no known studies have compared psychosocial themes among all three participant groups concurrently. This qualitative study examined mood and anxiety, along with risk and protective factors, from perspectives of youths, parents, and clinicians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were …

The Hidden Link Between Hiv And Cardiomyopathy: Unraveling Hiv's Impact On The Heart, Toluwalase Awoyemi, Oluwaremilekun Zeth Tolu-Akinnawo, Andrew Greek, Oluwakemi Adenuga, Chukwuebuka Asogwa, Isaac Ekundayo, Olamide Odusola, Oyinlola Fasehun, Mercy Ajayi, Onyinye Ugoala, Luther-King Fasehun, Adeleke Oluwaseun Dorcas, Michael Angarone

Student Publications

This comprehensive review examines the complex relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cardiomyopathy, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies. It highlights the significant global health burden posed by HIV and its potential to cause long-term cardiovascular complications. The review investigates the pathogenesis of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy. It elucidates the intricate cellular and molecular pathways involved, including the actions of neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes in cardiac inflammation. Key signaling pathways such as TNF-NF-κB and the caspase-1 inflammasome are detailed, as they contribute to cardiac infection and injury. The clinical manifestations of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy …

The Diamond, September 12, 2025, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Staffing and Service Challenges in the New Atrium; Summer Storm Recap: Historic 'Derecho' Wind Hits Sioux Center; In God's Hands, On Our Helmets: Honoring Liam Sorensen's Life
• News: The Cottages: A Place to Call Home; Sioux Center Welcomes New Pickleball Courts
• Feature: Construction Updates and Ripples Seen on Campus; Dr. Justin Bailey and the 2025-2026 Chapel Vision; Dordt Welcomes Kristin Brouwer as New Director of Campus Ministries
• Politics: 'Pursuing Peace': Trump's Meeting with Putin; Funding Cuts Hinder the "Second Space Race"
• Opinion: Jersey on the Wall: Recent Reflection on Grief; Kraft Korner: …

Improving Communication And Collaboration: How Using A Communication App Improves The Online Student Learning Experience, Gina L. Solano, Jennifer Miller

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Due to the isolation of asynchronous learning, online university students face challenges that can impact performance, increase anxiety, and lead to dropout. This study explores the use of communication apps, such as WhatsApp, Nectir, and GroupMe, to enhance engagement, peer socialization, and learning in graduate-level online courses across New York from Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. Data from purposeful sampling reveals that these tools reduced anxiety, improved confidence in asking questions, and provided timely support for assignments. The qualitative study aimed to identify strategies to boost student success, constructive dialogue, and motivation. Results suggest that communication apps effectively mitigate isolation …

Exploring Interprofessional Collaboration In A Rural Community’S Pandemic Response Efforts, Susan E. Young, Stephanie R. Duea

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Community resilience refers to the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme events¹. While community leaders, health departments, faith-based organizations, and other agencies can greatly influence an area’s socioeconomic, physical, and mental well-being², building capacity through community competence involves interprofessional collaboration, community action, and empowerment³.

Methods: This qualitative study investigated the collaborative response by healthcare and community leaders to the recent pandemic in a rural North Carolina county. A community competence framework guided the inquiry by exploring the extent to which participants collaborated to identify problems, establish a working consensus, …

Ai Use In The Management Of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Primary Care: A Narrative Review, Adelina Ailarov, Vicky Chen, Sergine Delma

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition marked by insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML), into primary healthcare is enhancing predictive and diagnostic accuracy in T2DM management. This narrative review aims to summarize current AI applications in the prediction and management of T2DM among adults in primary care and to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for nurse practitioners (NPs) on integrating AI tools into their practice. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria limited studies to English …

Factors Influencing Health-Promoting Behaivors Of Adults In Cambodia, Youngran Yang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Cambodia is with NCDs responsible for 64% of deaths in 2018. Health-promoting behaviors play a vital role in reducing the risk of NCDs. The aims of the study is to identify the determinants of health-promoting behaviors among adults living in Cambodia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and through stratified sampling, 268 adults aged 19 years or older residing in Phnom Penh participated. A structured questionnaire was used. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire was used to assess health-promoting behaviors across six subscales. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 23.0.

Results: A total of 267 adults participated. …

Nurse Strong: Building Resilience Through De-Escalation, Carrie Ann Bailey, Lynn Beeler, Robin Hicks, Vikki Meloy, Staci Wheeler, Darren Gilbert

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

In 2015, the American Nurses Association called upon nursing faculty to develop and create workplace violence prevention programs. In response to the ANA, our innovative educational experiences show how the implementation of scaffolded experiences in self-defense, de-escalation, and leadership within an accelerated nursing program better prepares students for the realities of practice. In healthcare, especially in fast-paced settings, nurses often face challenging situations that require quick decision-making, conflict management, and assertive leadership to maintain safety for all. Workplace violence continues to increase in prevalence in the healthcare setting. Scaffolding—a progressive, structured approach to skill development—enables students to build foundational skills …

Psychiatric Observation Unit, Patient Outcomes, And Boarding, Brandi Baugh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities occurred after the Community Mental Health Act, which aimed to transition mental health care from institutions to community centers to deliver psychiatric crisis intervention (Hung et al., 2020). Due to a lack of funding, the Acts' goals were unmet, causing patients to seek care in emergency settings and creating the revolving door phenomenon (Stien et al., 2022). Emergency departments had an increase in patients with mental health conditions of 6.6% to 10.9% over ten years (Kim et al., 2022). Boarding is defined as patients in the emergency department requiring transfer to an outside …

A Systematic Review Of Caregiver Burden Of Children With Adhd, Nadia Abed Amro, Lila De Tantillo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Raising a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a key challenge for the primary caregiver. This systematic review aims to identify major burdens facing primary caregivers of a child with ADHD.

Methods: The electronic databases CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published in English from 2017 to 2023 assessing the challenges facing caregivers of a child with ADHD.

Results: Eleven articles included in this review revealed that caregivers of children with ADHD have poor quality of life and high-stress levels. Supportive parenting programs can be effective for improved coping and adaptation mechanisms with children …

Resilience In Health Science Education: An Integrative Review, Kylie Padron Newsom, Michelle Nichols, Susan D. Newman, Teresa M. Stephens, Diana Layne

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Healthcare worker burnout in the US has reached crisis levels, leading to harmful consequences for healthcare workers, patients, communities, and the healthcare system (Murthy, 2022). Burnout-related turnover costs $9 billion for nurses and $2-6 billion for physicians annually (Murthy, 2022). Symptoms of burnout appear even before entering the workforce, with 44% of medical students and 30% of nursing students affected (Murthy, 2022). One way to decrease burnout is through resilience which reduces stress and anxiety while improving well-being (Stephens, 2013). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021) and the National Academy of Medicine (2019) support incorporating resilience into education …

Australian Mental Health Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Consumers With Mental Illness: A Survey Analysis, Anju Sreeram

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Negative attitudes towards mental illness are a global issue for discrimination towards people with mental illness. Literature has identified various dimensions of stigma. Among the different dimensions, professional stigma prevents people from seeking and accessing help, which further increases mental health-related suffering in the community. Despite providing professional care to consumers, negative attitudes towards mental health conditions are evident even among Mental Health Nurses [MHNs] working in acute inpatient psychiatric units. At the same time, there is a lack of research addressing Australian acute inpatient psychiatric units’ MHNs' attitudes towards mental illness. Therefore, this study aims to assess Australian acute …

Patient-Provider Communication In Ckd Care: Patient Experiences And Nursing Implications, Christin Iroegbu, Sheridan Leak, Sam Bartolone, Celsea Tibbitt

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex condition that requires extensive knowledge for adequate patient self-management. Many individuals with CKD lack sufficient understanding of their diagnosis, leading to poorer health outcomes. Effective patient-provider communication is crucial in closing this knowledge gap, particularly given the intricacies of managing CKD, other comorbidities, and complex medication regimens. This communication is essential in primary care settings, where most patients with CKD are managed. Yet, little is known, from the patient’s perspective, about how these critical conversations unfold during the clinical encounter. Understanding patients' experiences communicating with primary care providers about CKD can offer …

Survivorship By Setting: Mental Health-Related Phenomena In Critical Illness Survivors, Rebecca Greene, Beth Mastel-Smith, Barbara Mcalister

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Each year, tens of millions of people worldwide experience a critical illness (Crawford et al., 2023). Many survivors face substantial physiological challenges (Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2024). About 20% will also experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Righy et al., 2019). Prior studies have shown that PTSD significantly reduces quality of life (Presciutti et al., 2020) and increases suicide risk (Fox et al., 2021). Limited access to specialized care (Johnston et al., 2019) may cause survivors in rural or low-resource areas to face greater mental health (MH) challenges and feel less capable of influencing their physical and …

Effects Of Chin Tuck Against Resistance Exercise On Patients With Dysphagia After Stroke: Rct, Chia-Chi Kuo, Kuo-Li Chao

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Stroke patients often experience dysphagia, which can significantly impact nutritional intake and lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality. In clinical stroke rehabilitation, swallowing training is primarily conducted by physical therapists or speech therapists; however, the effectiveness of this rehabilitation is often limited by constraints related to time, space, and available personnel. The Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercise is safe and easy to learn, allowing patients to perform it independently. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of the CTAR exercise on stroke patients with dysphagia.

Methods: This is a …

“A Field Beaten Bare Of Grass”: Samuel Youd’S The Death Of Grass (1956) And The Scouring Of The Shire, Kristine Larsen

Journal of Tolkien Research

One of the novels Tolkien admits to liking (according to his published letters) was Samuel Youd’s thriller The Death of Grass (1956), published under the pen name John Christopher. Among the novel’s aspects that might have particularly resonated with Tolkien included environmental concerns, analogs with Tolkien’s World War II experience (especially rationing), and an emphasis on fairy-story Consolation and Recovery, among others. But in addition, parallels with “The Scouring of the Shire” and other late episodes in The Lord of the Rings clearly deserve further analysis. This paper therefore engages with Youd’s novel through that specific lens.

Room-Temperature Alignment-Free Magnetometry With Boron Vacancies In Hot-Pressed Hexagonal Boron Nitride, Raul Coto Cabrera

Mathematics Colloquium Series

Magnetic field sensing is essential for applications in communication, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Quantum magnetic field sensors based on solid-state spin defects, such as NV centers in diamond, typically require precise alignment between the external magnetic field and the defect’s spin quantization axis to achieve reliable and directional sensing. This alignment constraint imposes challenges for device integration, especially in scalable or fielddeployable applications. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) from negatively charged boron vacancies (VB-) in commercially available hot-pressed polycrystalline hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Owing to the random orientation of grains in the material, the system …

A Feasibility Study Into The Usability And Application Of An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle For Aircraft Inspection And Quality Assurance Inspections, Reece P. Bhave

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The global aviation industry is often characterized as one of the safest modes of transportation in the modern world. With an abundance of quality assurance inspections and checks to determine operations safety, modern-day commercial aircraft that are utilized for passenger and cargo flights are held to a higher safety standard defined by regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in the European Union. While these quality standards are maintained via a series of inspections, checks, and preventative maintenance procedures, they are limited to only visual or …

Hybrid Conferences As The Standard Offering Of Archival Organizations, Portia Vescio, Regina Bouley Sweeten, Kathleen Dull, Dylan Mcdonald, Jonathan Pringle

Journal of Western Archives

This case study documents the effort to plan and execute a fully hybrid annual meeting for the Society of Southwest Archivists in 2023. By making the conference accessible to both in-person and virtual attendees, the society moved toward greater inclusivity and equity by offering a professional development opportunity that was affordable and within the ability of a volunteer organization. The case study provides a blueprint for any archival organization to follow in creating hybrid meetings.

The Value Of Play In Improving Children’S Experiences With Healthcare, Kylie Howes

Family Perspectives

Hospitalization can be a distressing experience for children, often resulting in heightened anxiety and pain due to unfamiliar environments, procedures, and personnel. This literature review examines the effectiveness of Child Life Play Interventions—specifically Developmentally Supportive Play, Psychological Preparation Play, and Distraction Play—in reducing pediatric patients’ healthcare- related anxiety and pain. Developmentally supportive play provides children with familiar, age-appropriate activities that help maintain normalcy and routine, thereby reducing stress during extended hospital stays. Psychological preparation play uses role-playing and hands-on demonstrations to enhance children’s understanding of medical procedures, alleviating anxiety and decreasing perceived pain. Distraction play shifts children’s attention away from …

When Evidence Is Shocking: The Value Of Struggling With Uncomfortable Ideas, Cortney Evans-Stout, Christin L. Porter

Family Perspectives

No abstract provided.

Marital Conflict And Male Depression: The Role Of Emotional Withdrawal And Hostility, Nicolas Enzo Mouhsen

Family Perspectives

This literature review investigates the relationship between marital conflict and male depression, focusing on emotional withdrawal and spousal hostility as key contributing factors. Male depression, often underreported due to differences in symptom expression such as anger and irritability, is explored in the context of marital dynamics. Emotional withdrawal, characterized by avoidance behaviors during conflict, is particularly prevalent among men and linked to rigid gender role perceptions. This behavior correlates with increased depressive symptoms and reduced well-being. Additionally, spousal hostility, including verbal aggression and criticism, exacerbates male depression through both the perception of aggression from a partner and self-awareness of hostile …

Divorced After Age 50: What Gray Divorced Women Can Do To Move Forward, Sheri Duvall

Family Perspectives

No abstract provided.

Information & Schedule Flyer, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences At Old Dominion University

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Information and schedule for Cardiovascular Research Symposium: Bridging Gaps and Advancing Care.

Bus Wire Designs For Minimizing Visibility Of Diffraction Artifacts, Kellie Shaw

Defensive Publications Series

A transparent panel includes an optically transparent substrate, and a plurality of electrically conducting tracks disposed over a surface of the substrate, the plurality of tracks arranged in intersecting rows and columns and defining therebetween an array of pixels having substantially identical areal shape and dimensions, where the tracks have a periodic shape of varying amplitude and frequency, with a peak-to-peak variability in the amplitude being less than approximately 10%.