Digital Commons Network^™

Emergency Nurses’ Barriers To Caring For Psychiatric Boarders: A Theory Of Planned Behavior Approach, Rachel Keslar, Cindy Bacon

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

In 2021 around 2.5 million patients sought psychiatric care through the emergency department.¹ However, emergency department based psychiatric care has challenges including overcrowded hectic environments ^2–5 and prevalent patient violence.^2,4,5 This includes the practice of boarding where medically cleared patients cannot be dispositioned due to inadequate non-emergency department services6 and wait in the emergency department for hours, days, or longer.⁷ This leads to negative patient effects including increased vulnerability,³ distress,⁵ and violence.⁸ The purpose of this presentation is to show how the Theory of Planned Behavior was used to identify practice barriers in caring …

Enhancing Resilience In Nursing Education Through The Lens Of Gratitude, Sarah B. Hathcock, Deanna B. Hiott, Carol K. Archuleta

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Resilience has consistently been identified as a hallmark characteristic among individuals who invest themselves in the workplace, while also finding meaningfulness and happiness in their work (Keener et al., 2021). Moreover, resilience is a protective health factor essential to an individual’s ability to negate the harmful effects of stress; it is a construct linked to improved mental and physical health (Asensio-Martínez et al., 2019). Nursing faculty, like all nurses, have the personal responsibility to ensure they are employing practices to foster and maintain their personal well-being, while also contributing to a healthy work environment. The Three Good Things gratitude practice …

Using Faculty And Staff Voice To Drive Workplace Well-Being Strategy, Angela G. Opsahl, Jennifer Louise Embree, Whitney Osborn

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The purpose of this presentation is to describe a faculty and staff wellbeing strategy in an academic setting.

Workplaces supporting wellbeing have employees three to nine times more likely to have good mental and physical health, little stress, no burnout, and high-quality work life, compared to workplaces providing little or no wellbeing support.

Academic leaders saw an opportunity to make a difference in faculty and staff wellbeing. Faculty and staff perspectives were identified through the MiniZ Survey General, and open-ended questions, and leaders developed wellbeing sessions and programs. The first session was a wellbeing workshop hosted just prior to an …

Making Fractals: Expanding Learning Opportunities In The Classroom, Eliza Leszczynski, Eileen Fernández, Elise Lahiere

LASER Journal

Fractals have long been appreciated for their beautiful, self-similar structure and infinite complexity. Commonly found in art and architecture, fractals are not only visually appealing but they have been found to reduce stress in individuals because of their patterns’ connections to nature. Fractal structures can even be seen in familiar real-life objects like trees or cauliflowers. Fractal geometry, with its ability to create complicated effects from simple formulas, provides a way to connect mathematics with visual results that are “spontaneously attractive, and often breathtakingly beautiful". The act of creating fractals can spark curiosity, enabling participants to generate vastly different results …

A Technical And Statistical Analysis Of Unleaded Aviation Fuel (Ul94) Adoption In A High- Volume Collegiate Aviation Environment, Nicholas D. Wilson, Ryan Guthridge, Brandon Wild, Jeremy Roesler, Daniel Kasowski, Nick Geinert, Aaron Terbest, Aaron Fettig, Robert Kraus

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The University of North Dakota (UND) adopted unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) for approximately a four-month period in the summer and early fall of 2023. The UL94 fuel was used in all reciprocating engine fleets based at the university’s primary training airport, Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota. During the operational implementation of UL94, the UND flew 46,600 flight hours, consuming 386,778 gallons of fuel across all fleets powered by Lycoming engines. After approximately two months of using UL94, operational reports and maintenance inspections began to indicate potential for exhaust valve seat recession (EVSR), although early indications were limited in …

Self-Leadership Boosts Collaboration And Patient Outcomes, Carine Prinsloo

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Self-leadership is a pivotal concept that enhances the capacity of healthcare professionals to engage in and promote interprofessional collaboration. Self-leadership involves the ability to self-motivate and manage one's actions through behaviour-focused strategies, constructive thought patterns, and natural reward strategies (Neck, et al 2020). Nurses fostering self-leadership, develop a heightened self-awareness that enables them to recognize when to seek support and collaborate with other healthcare professionals effectively. Nurses who exhibit strong self-leadership skills are more likely to engage in proactive communication and collaboration with their colleagues, utilizing interprofessional resources to improve patient outcomes (Matahela & van Rensburg 2023). This collaboration is …

Do Well-Being Programs Improve Work Environments? Evaluating State-Level Nurse Peer Support Programs, Pamela B. De Cordova, Irina Grafova, Jennifer Polakowski

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Introduction: Well-being programs geared to improve the work environment should be tailored to the individual and organization (Browne & Tie, 2024). The New Jersey Nursing Emotional Well-Being Institute (NJ-NEW) launched Stress First Aid (SFA) and Virtual Schwartz Rounds (VSR) – peer support programs to address nurse well-being. SFA is a framework of actions to decrease stressors that exist within an individual’s or organizations’ level of control and facilitate recovery (Dong et al., 2022; McLean et al., 2023; Westphal & Watson, 2021). VSR is an online emotional support program led by 2 mental health facilitators and 2 nurse panelists who share …

Manifestations Of Nursing Burnout From A Nurse Educator Perspective, Sandra A. Nease, Amanda D'Ann Guerrero

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The role of the Nurse Educator is pivotal in preparing nursing students as they transition into the nursing profession. As the facilitator of nursing education, they share the knowledge and skills necessary for students to deliver high-quality patient care. The nurse educator’s role requires guiding students through strenuous academic coursework, as well as the development of clinical competence. To foster students achieving constant learning, nurse educators dedicate extended time and effort (Hosseini et al., 2022). Nurse educators are often selfless in the pursuit of providing support for their students. Intense emotional interactions with students present a risk for burnout (Maslach …

Comparative Analysis Of Patient Acuity Tools: Enhancing Nursing Efficiency With An Ehr Acuity Tool, Carrundlas D. Mathews

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Introduction: This study aims to contrast a mobility acuity tool with an objective, comprehensive patient acuity tool (PAT). The mobility acuity tool subjectively describes the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) based on a progressive Likert scale. A comprehensive PAT is a standardized system that can be integrated into electronic health records (EHR), quantifying the severity of a patient’s condition and evaluating identified nursing tasks to determine the level of care required in an evolving twenty-four-hours.

Purpose: This study will explore the differences in scope, implementation, nurse perception, and key performance indicators between a mobility tool and …

The Lived Experience Of Filipino Nurses Caring For Patients With Covid-19, Kristeline Suasin

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Reports of individuals exhibiting respiratory symptoms causing sudden deaths emerged as a pandemic in the start of a new decade. The onset of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a worldwide health crisis brought out the significance of the nurses’ role in healthcare. This descriptive phenomenological research focused on the caring experiences of Filipino nurses among patients who were infected with COVID-19 in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Seven participants were identified through purposive and snowball sampling and were asked the question: What is it like to be caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Negros Oriental, Philippines during this pandemic? …

Healthcare Providers And The Lingering Influence Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Michelle M. Ness, Leigh Ann Difusco, Jennifer Saylor

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: To gain a better understanding of the experiences of healthcare providers caring for adult patients during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A descriptive, qualitative design was conducted using semi-structured interview questions. Eleven participants were recruited from a sample of 28 healthcare providers to participate in video interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.

Results: Healthcare providers experienced continued distress related to concerns about the long-term effects on themselves, their families, and society. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) exhausted and emotionally numb; (2) vaccinated versus the unvaccinated; and (3) stressors and misguided supports.

Conclusion: …

Evolving Role Of Hospital Chaplains: Optimizing Patient, Staff, Self Well-Being During Pandemic, Linda Y. Kim, Sarah Low, Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth, Jason Weiner, Christina Shu, Bernice Coleman, Lucia Florindez

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Abstract Text: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented strain upon healthcare systems worldwide, presenting hospital chaplains with unique challenges in responding to the increased emotional, mental, and spiritual distress experienced by patients, families, and staff, while also having to prioritize their own well-being.1-3 Traditional methods of providing care were largely unavailable to these chaplains during the pandemic, requiring them to adopt new strategies and innovative ways to maintain engagement with patients and hospital staff.4-5

Study Aim: This study aimed to explore chaplains' experiences in caring for patients, family, and staff during the height of the pandemic, as the initial step …

Exploring Predictors Of Resilience And Burnout In Acute Care Nursing Leaders, Stephanie Bailey, Shirley D. Martin, Shonna Bracco, Norma Rivera, Regina Urban

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Individuals who work in nurse leader roles are vital to support safe patient care and achievement of organizational goals. They are also at risk for burnout and low levels of professional well-being. This presentation will offer a summary of a research study that explored variables associated with mental well-being in acute care nurse leaders and identified predictors of resilience and burnout.

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

Host, Microbiome, And Parasite: How Apicomplexan Microorganisms Interact With Gut Microbiota, Senia Bu, Andrew T. Ozga

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the human gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. It functions in immune system regulation, digestion, and protection against pathogens. Apicomplexan parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., are major pathogens that can significantly disrupt the gut microbiota, leading to alterations in microbial composition and function. This review explores the bidirectional interactions between Apicomplexan parasites and the gut microbiome, focusing on how these parasites influence microbial diversity, immune responses, and host metabolism. It examines the mechanisms by which infection-induced inflammation, altered …

From Infection To Restoration: A Case Study On Dental Extraction In The Maxilla Anterior, Melanie Ramirez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

A dental implant is a restorative surgical procedure that serves as a solution to replace missing teeth that imitate the function, sensation, and appearance of natural teeth. The objective of this dental case study is to examine the diagnosis, treatment, and post-operation of a patient with a history of tooth loss and infection in the anterior maxilla. This case follows a 55-year-old patient, Jorge Marquez, name changed for confidentiality, who presented a severe tooth abscess on tooth #10 on the anterior maxilla which had previously undergone root canal treatment (Figure 1B). Radiographic evaluations illustrated the severity of the abscess the …

Interactive Intelligent Agent For Gaming Assistance, Christopher James Tegethoff

Defensive Publications Series

This document describes techniques that enable a computing device (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, smart watch, server system, etc.) to provide assistance and/or companionship to a player of a game application using an intelligent software agent (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning model, etc.). Gaming environments may present challenges such as difficult learning curves, slow progression, complicated/unintuitive mechanics, and/or hostile social interactions. The intelligent agent may mitigate these challenges by acquiring game knowledge (e.g., via observing and learning from the player, “playing” the game on its own, training on tutorials and/or other instructional material, etc.) and offering in-game guidance …

Battery Enclosure Panel And Associated Means Of Manufacture, Thomas J. Beck, Rahul Vilas Kulkarni, Xavier Varone

Defensive Publications Series

A battery enclosure panel may include a formable inner sheet having a generally planar outer surface and at least one recessed portion formed in the generally planar outer surface that defines a receiving area for a fire suppressant material, and an outer sheet at least partially joined to the generally planar outer surface of the inner formable sheet.

2025 Ursinus College Academic Convocation Program, Ursinus College

Academic Convocation Programs

This Ursinus College Academic Convocation program lists speakers and events for the opening of the 2025 academic year.

Southern Adventist University Commencement Program Summer 2025, Southern Adventist University

Commencement Programs

Program for Southern Adventist University Summer 2025 graduation. The commencement service took place on August 22, 2025 at 10 am in Iles Physical Education Center.

A 6-Month, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Targeted Management (Team) Intervention Vs. Enhanced Treatment As Usual Among Ugandans At Risk For Stroke, Carla Conroy, Joy Yala, Christopher J. Burant, Shirley Moore, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background Among low and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the stroke burden is severe, with increasing trends in stroke incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Aims This 6-month, prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared a novel stroke risk reduction approach (TargetEd manAgeMent Intervention (TEAM)) vs. Enhanced Treatment as Usual (ETAU) in 247 Ugandans at risk for stroke. Methods Participants, enrolled across 3 Ugandan sites, were adults with high stroke risk. The primary outcome was a change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included changes from baseline to 6 months on diastolic BP (DBP), serum lipids, …

Widowhood, Health, And Depression: Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, And Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults, Yooumi Lee

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation focuses on Korean older adults and their experiences with widowhood and health issues in later life. Specifically, it examines the associations between stressful life events, such as recent widowhood and poor health, and depressive symptoms. It then further explores if intergenerational relationships and social support mediate the distressing consequences of these stressful life events. Using longitudinal data from 2006 to 2020 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, this study estimates residualized change Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models predicting depression at Tw as a function of depression at Tw-1 and other covariates among individuals who are 60 or older …

Exploring The Mediating Role Of Autonomous Motivation Between Basic Psychological Needs And Burnout Among Counselors-In-Training, Meredith Si Snieckus

Dissertations - ALL

Burnout is a pressing concern among counselors-in-training (CITs), threatening not only their well-being but also the quality of services they provide. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan & Deci, 2017), this study investigated the relationships among basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS), autonomous motivation (AM), and burnout in a national sample of CITs enrolled in Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited counseling programs. Specifically, it examined whether AM mediates the relationship between BPNS and the three dimensions of burnout, emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and diminished personal accomplishment (DPA), as conceptualized by …

The Residual Impact Of Slavery On How Enslaved Black Females Defined And Made Meaning Of Sexual Violence: A Content Analysis, Suzanne R. Bates

Dissertations

Thompson-Miller & Picca (2016) and Feimster (2023) argued that enslaved African American women, and even free African Americans after the Civil War were victims of non-consensual sexual activity and rape. The NISVS report revealed that before the age of 18 years old, 35.5% of African American women experienced contact sexual violence, 29.5% experienced non-contact unwanted sexual encounters, and 20.7% experienced rape (Basile et al., 2022). Researchers of slave scholarship have made the case for the importance of including discourse on slavery and enslaved Black females’ experiences when discussing present day sexual violence among Black women in the US today (Balfour, …

The American Politics Of Firearms - The Case Between Illinois And Missouri, Michael J. Thompson

Dissertations

The issue of gun control is a hot topic in the field of American politics. It is a huge issue in the field of political science and in American public policy. In 2023, there were 18,874 firearm deaths in the United States, excluding suicides. The highest was in 2021 with the firearm related deaths at 21,068. One side argues that firearms can cause serious harm and death while the other side argues they can also reduce the rates of gun violence. There are different opinions on how to resolve the issue of mass shootings across the country. According to prior …

Multiaxial Expansion Of 4d-Printed Shape Memory Polymer Scaffolds Via Programming Via Printing (Pvp), Verona Hendricks

Theses - ALL

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) offer unique opportunities for engineering responsive medical devices that can adapt to changing anatomical environments. However, most SMP-based systems are limited to uniaxial deformation which restricts their ability to conform to complex geometries found in soft tissue applications. Moreover, 3D approaches to print and program SMPs have demonstrated printed parts that can contract, but printed parts that can expand after printing has not been demonstrated to date. This work presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a 4D-printed SMP scaffold capable of controlled expansion along all three orthogonal axes (x, y, and z). Utilizing a method …

Roles Of Sex And Education Level With Alcohol Use Milestone Attainment And Progression, Elisabeth P. Cabot

Theses - ALL

Emerging adults report the highest rates of alcohol use, with drinking patterns varying by sex and education level. Few studies have explored how these factors relate to the attainment and progression of alcohol use milestones. The current study addresses this gap by examining the associations between sex, education level and alcohol use milestone progression and attainment in emerging adults. Secondary data analyses were conducted using National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) data (N = 36,309, Mage = 45.63 [SD = 17.53], female = 56%, 53% White, 21% Black, 19% Hispanic and 2% Multiracial). Ordinal regressions indicated males …

Vanuatu And The International Court Of Justice: A Food Studies Approach To Climate Governance And Power, Amy Katherine Bentley

Theses - ALL

Vanuatu is a leader among small island developing states (SIDS) working to influence global climate change governance, using international diplomacy as its best defense against the climate crisis. In 2023, Vanuatu spearheaded a successful campaign for the United Nations General Assembly to request an advisory opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) clarifying nations’ legal obligations related to climate change. This study uses a food studies approach to explore Vanuatu’s success in its climate governance campaign, focusing on the relationships between food sovereignty, climate justice, and power. To investigate this subject, I used an interdisciplinary literature review and …

Ectopic Adipose Tissue In Subsistence Populations With Minimal Coronary Disease, Large Left Atria, And Very Low Rates Of Atrial Fibrillation, Randall C. Thompson, Benjamin C. Trumble, Daniel K. Cummings, Angela D. Neunuebel, Paul L. Hooper, Samuel Wann, Adel H. Allam, Frances Neunuebel, Benjamin D. Gans, Samantha I. King, Edmond Seabright, Caleb E. Finch, Margaret Gatz, Kenneth Buetow, Michael I. Miyamoto, Guido P. Lombardi, M. Linda Sutherland, James D. Sutherland, Christopher J. Ward, Madeleine J. Lee, Ashna Mahadev, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, David E. Michalik, Chris J. Rowan, Tianyu Cao, Jonathan Stieglitz, Cameron M. Quick, Gregory S. Thomas, Jagat Narula, Damini Dey, Michael Gurven, Hillard Kaplan

ESI Publications

Background

Methods

Effects Of Storage Temperatures On Quality And Phytochemical Properties Of The Hawthorn (Crataegus Azarolus L.) During Storage And Shelf Life, Ahmet Erhan Özdemi̇r, Oğuzhan Çalişkan, Safder Bayazit, Kazi̇m Gündüz, Nurdan Tuna Güneş, Zafer Karaşahi̇n, Derya Kiliç, Ramazan Bestami̇ Karahan

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aimed to investigate the effects of storage temperature on the quality and phytochemical characteristics in Sultan hawthorn cultivar during cold storage and shelf life. Fruits were stored at 0 ± 0.5 °C and 4 ± 0.5 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 6 months in cold storage and were analyzed every month. In addition, hawthorn fruits were kept at 20 ± 0.5 °C and 75 ± 5% RH for 7 days, and their shelf life was investigated at monthly intervals. Weight loss, appearance, the incidence of physiological disorders and fungal decay, fruit skin color, firmness, …