Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Internet Use, Perceived Social Support, And Obesity Among African American Young Adults, Marketta Mccollough

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The disproportionately high prevalence of obesity among African American young adults is a significant public health crisis rooted in systemic inequities. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between internet use for health information, perceived social support (online and offline), and obesity in this population. Grounded in the social cognitive theory (SCT), this study investigated how these behavioral and environmental factors interact to influence body mass index. Using secondary data from the 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a complex samples logistic regression with a Bonferroni correction (α = .0125) was conducted on an …

Proposal For A Comprehensive Workplace Violence Program In An Acute Care Facility, Christin V. Timmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare is a growing threat to caregiver safety, workforce stability, and patient outcomes. At a newly opened acute care facility, the absence of a comprehensive WPV prevention program posed a gap in practice, creating safety risks and regulatory vulnerability. A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed/ MEDLINE, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health collection, and Google Scholar. A total of 50 articles were identified with 11 articles meeting all inclusion criteria. Collectively, findings supported comprehensive, multicomponent WPV prevention programs to integrate leadership engagement, structured governance, staff education, environmental controls, and continuous data monitoring to improve safety …

Enhancing Resilience For Well-Being To Reduce Health Inequity In Global Nursing Professionals, Fiona Yu, Deborah Raphael, Lisa Mackay, Melody Smith, Ritin Santiago Fernandez

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nurses, as the largest population in the healthcare service, play a critical role in achieving global health equity to sustain the health of the entire population (1). They are key when providing care in health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation across diverse populations and clinical settings (2). However, nurses face significant challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated their situations. Specifically, nursing shortages have a significant impact on frontline nurses, contributing to a heavy workload and unsafe practice, and placing them at a high risk of burnout, stress, fatigue, and ill health, thereby increasing turnover (3, 4).

Research shows …

Modeling Cognitive Function With Functional Fitness And Daily Function: A Pls-Sem Approach, Kuei-Min Chen, Hsiao-Ting Tung

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Cognitive decline is a clinically significant issue among older adults with dementia, often compromising their functional independence and quality of life. However, limited research has explored how functional fitness and daily function contribute to cognitive performance in this population. This study aimed to validate a structural model of cognitive function among older adults with dementia, focusing on the roles of functional fitness and daily function as key influencing factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 258 older adults with dementia recruited from adult daycare centers. Participants were identified either through a physician’s clinical diagnosis of dementia or by …

Cafeteria Menu Makeover Could Reduce Students' Sugar, Salt Intake, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Pizza, pastries and parfaits are staples in many school cafeterias. But new research from the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi suggests some of students' favorite meals may contain more sodium and sugar than schools will be allowed to serve under updated federal nutrition standards.

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Chinese Version Of The Death Literacy Index Among Nursing Students, Shu-Fen Wu, Li-Er Hung, Hsiu-Chen Liao, Shih-Ting Lo, Chia-Yu Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Death literacy encompasses the knowledge and skills enabling individuals and communities to access, understand, and act on end-of-life care options. For nurses, it influences communication, decision-making, and palliative care quality. However, few studies have examined death literacy among healthcare providers, and no validated Chinese instruments exist for its assessment.

Purpose: To translate the Death Literacy Index (DLI) into Chinese and examine its reliability and validity among nursing students in Taiwan.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. The DLI underwent translation and back-translation to ensure conceptual and linguistic equivalence, followed by expert review for content validity. Convenience sampling was …

A Professional Development Course On Data-Driven Dynamical Systems At A Primarily Undergraduate Institution - Part B: Professional Development Framework And Institutional Implementation, Alessandro M. Selvitella, Jeffrey R. Anderson

CODEE Journal

This paper presents the professional-development and institutional-implementation component of a three-paper program on introducing data-driven dynamical systems into undergraduate ordinary differential equations instruction at a primarily undergraduate institution. The companion paper \cite{SelvitellaAnderson2026} develops the mathematical and computational content, including regression, regularization, Dynamic Mode Decomposition, Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics, and a Van der Pol oscillator activity. The present paper asks a complementary implementation question: what departmental structures, graduate teaching assistant roles, professional-development activities, and course-support pathways are needed for such materials to become teachable within local undergraduate settings?

We describe a three-phase professional-development model for graduate teaching assistants in the …

Safe Steps: Protecting Pediatric Patients From Pivie's, Nya Saturley, Mikayla Cruz, Edlira Hoxha, Chelsea Valdez-Martinez, Evan Niimi, David Estrada Gonzalez, Michael Seeger

2025

No abstract provided.

Oerfsj Year 2 Annual Report With Sustainability Reflection, Oerfsj

OERFSJ Templates & Resources

Year 2 annual report focused on year 3 project plan and sustainability reflection for OERFSJ faculty.

Early Indicators Of Transition To Severe Dependency In Older Adults With Dementia, Kuei-Min Chen, Szu-Yu Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Functional assessment plays a critical role in monitoring dementia progression. However, the early identification of individuals who are at risk of rapidly deteriorating into severe functional dependency remains a significant challenge in dementia care. This study aimed to address this issue by examining the association between cognitive impairment and functional ability among older adults with dementia.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, recruiting 258 older adults from 22 adult daycare centers in southern Taiwan. Data collected included demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, marital status, and cohabitation status), chronic diseases, cognitive impairment, psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, and functional …

Evaluating The Validity Of Item Scoring In Course Examinations, Mariann M. Harding, Samantha Jo Bonaduce

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) added 5 new item types. A dilemma nursing faculty continue to face in incorporating these new item types is how to approach testing to ensure that tests are fair and valid. Based on published NCSBN materials, faculty developed a scoring guide for NGN and traditional item types. This study investigated the validity of the proposed scoring model, which faculty believed most replicated the NCLEX approach.

Method. Data was collected using a retrospective design from the computer testing records of students in a medical-surgical nursing course in an ADN program. Study variables included course grades …

Tile-Based Knot Assembly With Celtic!, Divya Bajaj, Ryan Knobel, Juan Manuel Perez, Rene Reyes, Ramiro Santos, Tim Wylie

Computer Science Faculty Publications

In this paper we focus on the intersection of tile assembling systems, edge-matching puzzles, combinatorial games, and knot construction and identity. As a basis, we utilize the game Celtic!, which is a 2-player board game where the goal of the game is to construct knots where one knot uses more of a player’s pieces than the other player over all knots. All pieces must build off an existing knot and a valid knot must be closed. We consider three variations: a 0-player self-assembly variation that deterministically places pieces to form a closed knot of some length, a 1-player puzzle variation …

Allen V. State Of Nevada, 142 Nev. Adv. Op. 45 (July 22, 2026), Michael Martinelli

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

In an alternative-suspect defense to sexual assault, evidence of prior similar sexual offenses by the alternative suspect is relevant to establish propensity thereby making the defense theory more probable.

Prevalence And Risk Factor Of Chronic Illnesses Among Staff Attending Employee Wellness Clinic, Elham Mansour Alsanea

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Chronic diseases (CDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity represent a major public health concern globally and nationally. In Saudi Arabia, one-third of adults are affected, and the economic cost exceeds $24 billion annually. Despite ongoing national efforts, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence and risk profile of chronic diseases among healthcare workers (HCWs)—a group exposed to unique occupational stressors and lifestyle risks.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases, modifiable risk factors, and preventive screening uptake among HCWs attending the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – …

Effectiveness Of Telehealth For Dsmes Among Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ramida Subpaiboonkit, Asmat Burhan, Hsiu-Ting Tsai

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is recommended as standard care. Telehealth may extend DSMES beyond clinic settings, but its effects on self-efficacy and quality of life are unclear. We evaluated the effectiveness of telehealth for DSMES on (1) self-efficacy and (2) quality of life (QoL) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials following the Cochrane Handbook guidelines and PRISMA2020. Following PRISMA, six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched from 2000 to 10 October 2025, plus reference lists. Eligible studies were …

Parent Perspectives On The Potential For And Process Of Infant Organ Donation, Julia St Louis, Amy L. Wright, Sonny Dhanani, Charles Keown-Stoneman, Jennifer Woolfsmith, Danielle Joseph, Kimberley Widger

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Despite the potential to shorten waitlists for life-saving transplants, infant organ donation is rare globally (1). Infant donors (less than one year of age) can reduce waitlist mortality for both infants and children who require size-matched organs like hearts and lungs, and adults who can receive kidney transplants from infant donors (2). Infants can donate their organs after death by circulatory criteria (DDCC) (i.e., the heart stops beating)(1) if the death follows the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures (WLSM) (i.e., mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic supports like vasopressors). However, donation rates are very low(2). Providers have reported rarely offering donation due …

Entrepreneurship Ecosystems, Desire, And Convergence, Kyle Scott

Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship ecosystem research explains convergence through mechanisms such as informational cascades, institutional isomorphism, herding, clustering, and knowledge spillovers. While these perspectives account for how convergence occurs, they provide a more limited explanation of why entrepreneurs, investors, and other ecosystem participants come to pursue the same ventures, industries, and measures of success. This paper argues that convergence reflects the social mediation of desire. Drawing on René Girard's theory of mimetic desire, it develops a conceptual framework explaining how entrepreneurial desire becomes aligned within shared evaluative environments. The paper advances three propositions. First, ecosystems characterized by evaluative monism are more likely to …

Modern Instructional Science, Ai Integrated Pedagogy & Innovation In Higher Education, Yasmeen Ahmed

Presentations and Posters

The rapid evolution of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping teaching, learning, and knowledge production across higher education. This one-day faculty development workshop, Modern Instructional Science, AI-Integrated Pedagogy & Innovation in Higher Education, explores contemporary approaches to designing, delivering, and enhancing student-centered learning experiences in both face-to-face and online environments. The workshop introduces key principles of instructional science, course design, active learning, formative assessment, and learner engagement, supported by established educational theories and evidence-based best practices. Participants examine strategies for developing well-organized, outcome-aligned courses; fostering collaboration and meaningful interaction; and enhancing student success through effective instructional planning …

Barriers To Recommendation Of Integrative Oncology Modalities In Supportive Care: A Mascc/Sio Survey, Alexandre Chan, Dalia Kagramanov, Reem Nasr, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana M. Lopez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Integrative oncology (IO) modalities aim to improve the quality of life of persons with cancer, including strategies to manage treatment and disease-related symptoms. As evidence increases to include IO in supportive care, interest grows globally. Understanding barriers to IO recommendation is key to facilitating its uptake.

METHODS: Members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) were invited to complete an online survey in Fall 2023 assessing barriers to IO recommendation on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics assessed demographic data and general counts of scaled agreement, while logistic regression analysis …

Research And Innovation Update, July 22, 2026, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Innovation

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Aoc & Buttigieg Lead Dem Field, Vance & Rubio Lead Gop Field In 2028 New Hampshire Presidential Primaries 7/22/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez heads the field of prospective Democratic candidates in the 2028 New Hampshire presidential primary, followed closely by former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Ocasio-Cortez draws much of her support from self-described socialists and progressives, while support for Buttigieg is spread about evenly among progressives, liberals, and moderates. Vice President JD Vance continues to lead on the Republican side, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has closed the gap significantly over the past few months. Vance's support comes mainly from conservatives while Rubio gets more of his support from moderates and libertarians. Two-thirds of likely Republican …

Cmsi Translations #33: A Super-Aip Submarine Under The Bayi Flag, Ming Di

CMSI Translations

Foreign media sources believe that, in recent years, the Chinese Navy has shown keen interest in “small-reactor” nuclear submarines—vessels utilizing compact nuclear reactors as air independent propulsion (AIP) systems—and do not rule out the possibility that engineering trials have already been conducted. So, what exactly is the Chinese Navy’s requirement for such submarines, and through what technical pathways might this requirement be realized?

Prescribing Poetry: Incorporating Literary Arts Into Patient Recovery, Amanda K. Bauer

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Poetry can help people understand and express complex emotions that often become apparent during illness. This literature review aims to determine whether poetry therapy -i.e., reading, writing, or listening to poetry- affects patient well-being when compared with standard of care treatment.

Methods: Google Scholar and Valparaiso University's databases were searched using primary keywords "poetry therapy" and "poetry in medicine" to find six English-language studies published after 2008 that used poetry as the primary intervention.

Results: Across three studies, poetry therapy showed reductions in anxiety and stress levels. Patients also showed improvements in emotional regulation, with one study citing reductions …

Emergency-Only Dialysis Under Emtala And Barriers To Kidney Transplantation In Uninsured Patients: Clinical, Economic, And Ethical Considerations, Heta Patel

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Evaluate the clinical, economic, and ethical implications of emergency-only dialysis under the EMTALA and examine evidence supporting pathways to kidney transplantation for uninsured patients with ESRD. The population included uninsured and undocumented patients with ESRD. The intervention was transplant pathways compared with emergency dialysis, with outcomes including transplant access, clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, costs, and ethical considerations.

Methods: A structured narrative literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, UpToDate, and Research Rabbit. Searches focused on uninsured and undocumented populations, emergency dialysis, EMTALA, organ transplantation, health equity, ethical considerations, and post-transplant care. English-language publications after 2019 were included, with older …

Exploring The Role Of Parp Inhibitors For Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer Who Carry A Brca 1 Or Brca 2 Mutation, Kenzee Koselke

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as adjunctive therapy in patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer by assessing their effects on invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) compared with standard therapy.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies published within the past five years evaluating PARP inhibitors in BRCA1/2-mutated breast cancer. Included studies evaluated women with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2-negative early-stage or metastatic breast cancer. Studies involving HER2-positive disease, male patients, or non-BRCA-associated breast cancer were excluded. …

Curcumin Supplementation And Glycemic Control In Type 2 Diabetes And Prediabetes, Anushka Vohra

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current evidence regarding the effectiveness of curcumin supplementation on glycemic control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes. Specifically, this paper examines whether curcumin improves glycemic outcomes when compared to standard treatment or placebo.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on glycemic control and β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes. Randomized controlled trials involving adult human subjects that reported glycemic outcomes, including HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, or insulin levels, were included. Studies involving animal …

Artificial Lung Designs For Simulating Oxygen Therapy In Neonates, Kaylee Roberts, Gil Guinto

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

While supplemental oxygen is frequently administered to premature neonates via oxygen therapy, key details, like oxygen concentration in the lungs, are difficult to measure and not well understood. We aim to simulate the breathing of premature neonates while measuring oxygen concentration through an artificial lung design. Two prototype designs were constructed to control tidal volume and breathing rate as well as observe different breathing patterns. Both designs utilize different methods to expand and compress the lung. Design 1 utilizes a stepper motor and ball screw to expand and compress the bellows, combined with C++ to control tidal volume, breathing rate, …

The Relationship Between Hormone Replacement Therapy And Lipid Profiles In Postmenopausal Women, Renee Seaney

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objectives: This literature review examines the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lipid profiles in postmenopausal women and evaluates HRT’s potential role as an adjunctive or standalone therapy in lipid management.

Methods: Searches were performed in Google Scholar and the Valparaiso University library database using the terms “hormone replacement therapy and lipids,” “menopause HRT lipid levels,” and “menopause HRT cardiovascular.” Five peer-reviewed studies were selected, with designs ranging from randomized double-blind controlled trials to retrospective cohort studies, sample sizes from 22 to 562 postmenopausal women, and follow-up periods up to twelve months.

Results: Four of the five studies demonstrated …

Efficacy Of Curcumin As An Ayurvedic Adjunct To Standard Therapy In Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis, Varsha S. George

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

To evaluate the current evidence regarding curcumin as an adjunctive therapy for adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC) and determine whether using it with standard medical therapy improves clinical remission, clinical response/symptom control, and endoscopic remission compared  with standard therapy alone

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses published between 2014 and 2026 evaluating adjunctive curcumin for UC. Studies of adults with mild-moderate UC receiving adjunctive curcumin were included. Pediatric populations, severe UC, and studies lacking clinical or endoscopic outcomes were excluded.. Five …

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome As A Sequela Of Long-Covid-19: Recognizing The Clinical Spectrum Of Covid-19 Related Dysautonomia, Bridget G. Pollard

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

This review evaluates the association between post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long-COVID, and the development of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in a symptomatic adult population. It examines the spectrum of COVID-19-related autonomic dysfunction, identifies barriers to timely diagnosis, and discusses clinical implications for screening, symptom management, and the necessary specialist referrals.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, citation tracking, and Research Rabbit to identify studies examining long-COVID syndrome, dysautonomia, and POTS. Peer-reviewed, English-language, full-text studies involving adults with long-COVID and dysautonomia were included, while studies published before 2020, acute …