Digital Commons Network^™

Using C/Μ Test To Investigate The Coding And Noncoding Regions To Identify Selective Pressures In Hiv-1 Virus., Annie Tran

Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a single-stranded RNA retrovirus whose error-prone reverse transcriptase drives a high mutation rate, enabling adaptive mutations on drug target proteins that confer antiviral resistance and complicate long-term treatment. This study therefore aims to detect such adaptive mutations on HIV-1 drug target proteins using our novel analysis framework (c/µ) on 5,711 genomic sequences, with findings expected to inform timely therapeutic adjustments and guide the development of more robust antiretroviral strategies. In Chapter 1, our novel mathematical framework (c/µ) and the Near Neutral Unbalanced Selection Theory (NNUST), which posits that most mutations experience weak but …

From Compliance To Inclusion Through Collaborative Action Research (Car): Service-Animal Access In Experiential Settings In Higher Education, Allison Christina Gainer

Theses and Dissertations

Experiential learning is essential for degree completion, licensure, and professional preparation, although access to service animals in practical contexts is often ambiguous and inconsistently implemented. This study examined the disconnect between legal access protections and institutional practices in real-time access decisions driven by safety, program integrity, accrediting standards, and decentralized decision-making. The purpose of this qualitative Collaborative Action Research (CAR) study was to examine Rowan University’s understanding, interpretation, and implementation of service animal regulations and procedures and to suggest alternatives for legal and equitable access. The study was based on the social model of disability and used four CAR cycles. …

Predicting Telemedicine Patient Visit No-Shows: Discovering An Actionable Patient Risk Model, Barbara R. Medvec, John D. Knight

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The objectives of this project were to evaluate a large healthcare system’s telemedicine no-show risk model, assessing accuracy in identifying (1) high-risk for no-show patients and (2) refinements to the model that would improve the prediction accuracy and ease of use. The original model factors—Portal Activation, Last Portal Log-In < 90 days, E-Check-In < 90 days, E-Check-In for Visit Completed, and Last Video Visit—showed limited predictive power, making the model challenging to apply in practice. Leadership seeks a more accurate and streamlined model to support targeted interventions aimed at reducing no-shows.

A literature review revealed limited evidence on predictive scoring models for telemedicine visit no-shows. We analyzed 525,333 telemedicine appointments from 30 clinics between 2021 and 2024. Using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, we: (1) assessed no-show rates by risk score; (2) calculated standardized Z scores for model factors; and (3) …

Global Partnerships As Catalysts For Reciprocal Mentoring In Nursing: A Scoping Review, Michele J. Upvall, Adelais Markaki, Shelby L. Garner, Elizabeth E. Fildes, Jerry J. Ouner, Debra Hain, Courtney Sullivan, Allison Walsh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Despite a global increase in the number of nurses, disparities persist in educational preparation and distribution across regions and countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025). Distribution gaps are projected to be most severe in the Global South (WHO, 2024).

Mentorship has emerged as a global, transformative strategy for developing and retaining nurses and midwives across the career continuum (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). However, there is a growing need to shift from traditional mentorship models to reciprocal mentorship with nurses and midwives from the Global South and Global North sharing ideas, resources, and power structures, promoting …

Reality Check: Nursing Graduates' Transition To Practice And Implications For Curriculum Development, Catherine A. Stubin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing workforce instability has intensified due to worsening work conditions and increasing demands on nurses. Burnout disproportionately affects younger nurses and is strongly linked to early-career attrition (Labrague et al., 2025), with nearly 15% of newly licensed registered nurses leaving within their first year and over 30% within two years (AACN, 2024; NLN, 2022). Addressing burnout is vital not only for nurse retention but also for maintaining mental health and ensuring high-quality patient care (Li et al., 2024; Shah et al., 2021).

The purpose of this study was to examine nursing alumni perceptions of how effectively their undergraduate curriculum at …

When We Feel Maxed Out: Increasing Human Capacity Across Four Domains, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The experience of being “maxed out” reflects depletion across emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational domains that collectively determine human capacity. Nurses frequently encounter this state in themselves, colleagues, and patients, where exhaustion and stress diminish coping and resilience. Emerging evidence demonstrates that recovery requires more than time or reduced workload; deliberate engagement in evidence-based practices produces measurable improvement across domains.

This paper introduces a multidimensional framework for human capacity and synthesizes recent findings linking mindfulness, cognitive training, physical conditioning, and social connection with improved well-being. The review identifies five common misconceptions that obstruct recovery—beliefs that time alone restores capacity, that …

Hypertension Management And Addressing Health Equity, Jenny Uguru

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Worldwide, 1.28 billion adults between 30-79 years of age have Hypertension (HTN) (WHO, 2023). HTN is the most common medical diagnosis in the U.S. and individuals with social, economic, and cultural factors have higher prevalence and poor control of their ability to self-manage the disease (Ware, Chidume, & Chou, 2023). HTN has the highest risk for mortality related to cardiovascular disease (Cheng et al., 2022). Care coordination and CHWs provide resources, especially those related to social determinants of health (SDOH), and can improve patient engagement and support improved quality of care (Ibe et al., 2021). SDOH increases the prevalence …

Digital Empowerment For South Asian Immigrants: An Intervention For Metabolic Syndrome (Desi-Mets), Amir U. Islam, Sharon Wexler, Lin Drury, Jeffery A. Stahl

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: South Asian immigrants (SAIs) in the US have a disproportionately high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), leading to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Increased waist circumference and early-onset heart disease further potentiate health disparities, underscoring the need for culturally tailored interventions. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have been recognized for their potential to effectively support lifestyle modifications in minority populations, including SAIs, by providing accessible and culturally tailored health management solutions.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored digital health intervention (CT-mHealth) in reducing MetS among SAIs in Hudson Valley, …

The Development Of The Theory Of Sociocultural Determinants In Breast Cancer Screening, Corvette Vanessia Yacoob, Indra Hershorin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Breast cancer is a disease that strikes women globally every 14 seconds, making it a global health issue. It is among the most common cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black women face disproportionately higher mortality, underscoring the need for early, equitable screening.

Purpose: To explore the key factors shaping breast cancer screening habits among Caribbean-American Women of African ancestry. The study developed a substantive theory of sociocultural determinants to address and improve early and equitable breast cancer screening methods.

Philosophical underpinnings, including constructivism, pragmatism, and symbolic interactionism, guided the …

Graduate Nursing Faculty Work And Wellbeing Survey: Pilot Study Of Dual-Role Faculty, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Burnout among nursing faculty continues to threaten workforce sustainability and academic program stability. Dual academic–clinical faculty experience compounded demands that heighten burnout risk and reduce job satisfaction. Despite recognition of these challenges, limited instruments specifically examine wellbeing in this group. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and initial psychometric properties of the Graduate Nursing Faculty Work and Wellbeing Survey (GNFWWS), designed to assess burnout, job satisfaction, and perceived institutional support among graduate nursing faculty with concurrent academic and clinical practice roles. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources framework, the cross-sectional pilot was implemented at a large academic medical center in the …

Effects Of Aromatherapy On Nurses’ Occupational Well-Being: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ari Woo, Kyungsook Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of inhaled aromatherapy on nurses' occupational well-being (stress, sleep quality, fatigue, and anxiety) to provide integrated evidence for nonpharmacologic management strategies.

Methods: Following PRISMA and the Cochrane Handbook, randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials were identified using PICOSD criteria. Independent reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria.

Results: Across 14 studies, inhaled aromatherapy was associated with improvements in nurses' outcomes. Stress decreased versus controls (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.28; I2 = 65%). Sleep quality improved …

Community Energy Storage: A Framework For Enhanced Energy Trading And Cost Efficiency, Bassam Al-Hanahi, Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into modern electricity grids introduces substantial challenges, primarily due to their inherent variability and the critical need for real-time supply-demand balancing. Community Battery Storage system (CBSS) has emerged as an effective strategy to address these challenges, enhancing grid stability and providing localized economic benefits through optimized energy storage and management. This paper presents a novel energy trading framework that prioritizes community welfare by balancing the reduction of user energy costs with CBSS revenue generation. The proposed model employs a multi-objective optimization approach, utilizing the epsilon-constraint method to strike an optimal balance between minimizing …

Ai-Powered Knowledge Engines As Research Infrastructure For Systematic Knowledge Discovery, Gary Welz

Publications and Research

This paper proposes knowledge engines as a framework for understanding how intelligent systems — both human and artificial — systematically discover, integrate, and generate knowledge. We argue that history’s greatest scientific minds functioned as knowledge engines, processing information through iterative cycles of ingestion, analysis, synthesis, and communication, guided by curiosity and willingness to challenge established beliefs.

We propose a taxonomy of nine integrated capabilities — ingestion, digestion, analysis, calculation, comparison, connection, association, analogy, and multimodal communication — that any serious knowledge engine must combine systematically. The argument is deliberately integrative: achieving ambitious research goals requires orchestrating all nine capabilities within …

The White Hat Hacker's Approach: A Vulnerability Analysis Of U.S. Cyber Laws, Carlissa R. Carson

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Punishing The Pursuit Of Punitive Damages: The Constitutional Flaws In Montana's Punitive Pleading Bar, Colin P. Spear

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Montana Supreme Court, The Montana Legislature, And Judicial Reform, Brit Englund

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Montana Supreme Court – The Statistics, Simon Mcmahon, Bryn Sokoloski

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation On Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Care Of The Dying, Meredith Joyner

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care is a vital yet often underemphasized component of nursing education. Limited clinical opportunities to engage with dying patients can leave nursing students unprepared to provide compassionate care. High-fidelity simulation provides an evidence-based, immersive learning environment that allows students to practice communication, decision-making, and emotional responses in a safe setting.

Research Question/Aims: This study aimed to determine whether participation in a high-fidelity simulation focused on EOL care would improve nursing students’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients. It was hypothesized that simulation participation would positively impact student attitudes as measured by a validated instrument.

Methods: A quantitative …

Adolescent With Pediatric Liver Transplantation: The Perspectives Of Quality Of Life And Self-Care, Ya-Hui Chang, Bih-Shya Gau, Ming-Chih Ho, Jia-Feng Wu, Hsiao-Ling Yang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Significance: Many children with end-stage liver disease have their lives extended by liver transplantation, growing into adolescence and even adulthood. Therefore, it is important to understand the long-term health outcomes of liver transplantation and provide relevant assistance during this developmental process. However, there is a lack of domestic research on the long-term and comprehensive health outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation, and less attention is paid to the children's own self-care ability and development.

Objective: To understand the attributes, health-related quality of life, and chronic disease self-care ability of adolescents who have received liver transplantation in early childhood and …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Kimberly Abraham

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare education and clinical practice, yet many registered nurses returning to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have limited experience with AI literacy, ethical application, and informatics integration.

Purpose: To address this gap, faculty developed an innovative, asynchronous assignment within an online RN to BSN program to enhance students’ digital literacy, confidence, and ethical awareness in applying AI responsibly to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and critical thinking.

Methods: Students used a free version of ChatGPT and (1) developed a clinical PICO(T) question; (2) used AI to generate five keywords and summarize best …

Ecolab Inc V. Sc Johnson Professional Group Limited

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of Delaware

Jonathan Blecher V. Progressive Casualty Insurance Co

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Kenneth Owens V. Us Bank Trust Na

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Digital Dermatitis, Sole Ulcers, And White Line Disease In Dairy Cattle: Pathogens, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet focuses on three common hoof lesions in dairy cattle: digital dermatitis, sole ulcers, and white line disease, and describes how differences in pathogenesis and risk factors influence diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Researchers Study Barriers To Glp-1 Insurance Coverage, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Despite growing evidence that GLP-1 medications improve health and are worth their cost, many insurance plans still limit coverage. University of Mississippi researchers are examining why, and where that leaves patients.

Adaptation Of Malay Culture In The Society 5.0 Era In Malaysia From Cultural Geography Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review, Yanur Merny, Syafri Anwar, Dedi Hermon, Febriandi Febriandi, Saiful Adli

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

Society 5.0 and globalization have transformed social organization in physical and digital spaces, reshaping cultural practices and the construction of Malay identity in Malaysia. Although previous studies have examined Malay culture, modernization, and identity, a systematic synthesis of how Malay culture adapts to technological and social change from a cultural geography perspective remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the patterns of Malay cultural adaptation and identity reconstruction in the Society 5.0 era in Malaysia. This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to review 22 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 concerning …

Strategic Surveillance Against Newsgathering, Courtney C. Douglas

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Court-Connected Mediation In Montana: Law, Practice, And Recommendations For Reform, Paul F. Kirgis, Brianna Anderson, Brock Flynn

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Significant Montana Cases, Claire Bagnell, Meredith Iams

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Using Opt-In Non-Probability Surveys To Estimate Covid-19 Infection And Vaccination Rates, Alexi Quintana-Mathe, Ata Uslu, Jason Radford, James Druckman, Kristin Lunz Trujillo, Alauna Safarpour, Katherine Ognyanova, Matthew Baum, Jonathan Schulman, Roy Perlis, Mauricio Santillana, David Lazer

Political Science Faculty Publications

Public health crises demand timely surveillance of disease and interventions. This was a substantial challenge during COVID-19 in the United States due to the federalized response. States varied widely in infection and vaccination rates. Continuous state-level probability samples for tracking were unavailable and would have been logistically and financially onerous. Administrative data eventually became inaccurate. Thus, the authors evaluate the accuracy of large-scale opt-in non-probability state and national samples (from the Covid States Project) that estimated infection and vaccination rates on a near-continuous basis. The estimates aligned closely with a high-quality national probability sample and state-level administrative data (when such …