Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Translated Phq-9 And Gad-7 Scales On Treatment Recommendations In An Adult Vietnamese Population: A 3-Month Primary Care Evaluation, Vivienne Bui

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Depression and anxiety are prevalent yet underdiagnosed in limited-English-proficient (LEP) populations due to language barriers, cultural stigma, and provider bias. Vietnamese-speaking patients are particularly vulnerable to under-recognition in primary care. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing Vietnamese-translated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tools would improve mental health diagnosis and referral rates. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model, a pre–post design was conducted at a San Diego clinic from March 26 to June 26, 2025. Vietnamese-speaking adults (≥18 years) completed translated PHQ-9 and GAD-7 forms during intake. Providers used scores in conjunction with clinical …

Retrospective Evaluation Of Steroid Utilization For Pneumonia Treatment In The Critically Ill Population, Cassandra Caringella Pharmd, Amina George Pharmd, Jill Argotsinger Pharmd

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy remains controversial. IDSA guidelines recommend routine steroid use in severe CAP, while SCCM guidelines support corticosteroids based on the recent landmark trial, CAPE COD.

Purpose:

This study evaluated the effect of adjunctive steroid therapy versus no steroid therapy on clinical outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe CAP and real-world adherence to guideline endorsed steroid regimens. Risk factors associated with clinical failure were also assessed.

Methods:

We conducted a multi-center retrospective evaluation of adults ≥18 years …

Patient And Provider Perceived Barriers To Completion Of Breast And Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Spanish-Speaking Patients, Alexa Figueroa Baiges Md, Mph, Kayla Flores Md, Dawn Wankowski Ms, Manuel Lamptey Ms

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Limited studies have shown that Latino/Hispanic populations have disproportionately low breast and colorectal cancer screening rates in the United States. The role of language barriers on these disparities remains understudied. This project evaluated patient and provider-perceived barriers to breast and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Spanish-speaking patients.

Purpose:

Given that 16% of the Milwaukee population is Spanish speaking, this project aimed to identify barriers to cancer screening among Spanish-speaking patients receiving primary care at Aurora Healthcare clinics, to inform strategies to improve screening equity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey project was conducted among Spanish-speaking patients due for breast or colorectal …

The Live For Band Pilot Study: The Utility Of A Wearable Mental Health Tool For Teens, Huma Ali Khan Md, Mph, Gabrielle Roberts Phd, Matt Mussman Md, Maureen Shields Mph, Anjali Patel

Scientific Day

Background/Significance:

Depression and anxiety are serious and alarmingly common challenges adolescents face, with 19.2% of teens screening positive for depression in 2023. Many barriers to mental health care exist, including social stigma, treatment cost, and limited provider availability. Little is known on the utility of other supplemental mental health tools for teens. Mental health wearables are a novel concept, with limited past research. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the effects of nonelectronic wearable tools on adolescents’ mental health.

Purpose:

The purpose of the pilot study was to distribute LIVE FOR Bands (LFBs) to Adolescent Medicine Clinic patients and …

Navigating Behavioral Changes Post Acquired Brain Injury, Katherine Barhorst

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Focus

Supporting individuals in navigating behavioral changes following acquired brain injury (ABI) through the development and dissemination of educational materials with an emphasis on evidence-based, non-pharmacological, de-escalation strategies.

Setting and Site

The Brain Injury Association of Iowa (BIAIA) was the setting for this experience. BIAIA is a community-based organization focused on education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ABI and their carepartners. My capstone mentor was their executive director June Klein-Bacon, BSW, CBIST.

Purpose

To enhance confidence and competence in navigating neurobehavioral changes, improving quality of life and supporting meaningful occupational engagement. This project aimed to bridge gaps in education …

When Qtc Shrinks After Rhythm Conversion, Mohammed Hussein Kamareddine, Alyssa Zakala, Farid Farkouh, Ibrahim Alameh, Gan-Xin Yan

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation on amiodarone therapy was admitted for direct-current cardioversion because of recurrent atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of approximately 105 beats per minute. Cardioversion successfully restored sinus rhythm. Postcardioversion 12-lead electrocardiography revealed an unexpectedly short QTc of 344 ms despite chronic treatment with a QT-prolonging agent. This finding was attributed to QT hysteresis, reflecting delayed adaptation of ventricular repolarization to the abrupt reduction in heart rate after rhythm conversion.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: QT hysteresis can result in transient QTc shortening and has important implications for interpretation of QT intervals during …

Pr Interval Alternans And The Mystery Of Inverse Decremental Conduction, Alyssa Zakala, Mohammed Hussein Kamareddine, Farah Olleik, Ali Keramati, Gan-Xin Yan

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis and preexisting right bundle branch block (RBBB) underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Postprocedural day 4 mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry revealed intermittent atrioventricular block. A 12-lead electrocardiogram obtained in the emergency department revealed PR interval alternans with RBBB, with longer PR following longer preceding RP intervals, and shorter PR following shorter RP intervals. He suddenly experienced cardiac arrest due to proximal atrioventricular block, requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Inverse decremental conduction, known as Yan conduction, demonstrates an inverse relationship between conduction time and frequency of upstream stimulation. Inverse decremental conduction within the …

Reassessing Skeletal Stress Indicators: Implications For Changing Population Health In The Freedman’S Cemetery, Dallas, Tx, Samantha M. Mccrane, Megan Fry, Siobhan A.E. Summers

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

Inferring biological stress from stature and skeletal pathological conditions is common practice in bioarchaeology. Interpretations of these data can greatly enrich knowledge about past peoples’ lifestyles, cultural practices, and socio-political constraints and shifts. However, interpretations are not always clear, are often drawn from a single skeletal indicator of stress and not always subjected to statistical testing. In this study, we reanalyze archaeological data from 742 individuals buried at Freedman’s Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. We focus on four commonly used skeletal measures of ‘stress,’ broadly defined (stature, linear enamel hypoplasia, porotic cranial lesions [e.g., cribra orbitalia & porotic hyperostosis], and bone …

Breaking Academic Silos: A Guide To Faculty Collaboration And Intellectual Growth, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

This is a guide to make academic collaboration easy and doable.

Leveraging Technology, Copyright, And Libraries To Benefit The Public Interest, Michelle M. Wu

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

Why The Library Of Congress Matters More Than Ever, Hope O'Keeffe

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

Addressing Triggers Of Anxiety And Depression In A Mental Health Setting, Jacqueline Elos Wahito Kabukuru

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

In order to improve coping capacity and clinical decision-making. This project evaluated the use of the 15-item Coping Adaptation Processing Scale (CAPS-15) alongside RAM’s four adaptive modes (physiological, self-concept, role function, interdependence) to assess coping responses to stressors and support individualized care planning in a mental health counseling setting.

An End To The Madness: How Justice Barrett Provides A Way Out Of The Categorical Approach, Sarah Webster

Catholic University Law Review

Is murder by omission a crime of violence? In its October 2024 term the Supreme Court of the United States was asked this very question in Delligatti v. United States. This case appeared before the Supreme Court because of its 2019 decision United States v. Davis. In Davis, the Supreme Court narrowly held the residual clause of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(B) as unconstitutionally vague as a result of its interpretation that the statute required a categorical approach. As a result, federal courts have been forced to provide pages of painstaking analyses to hold that murder by omission …

Masthead

Catholic University Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Federal Courts Jurisprudence Of Justice Clarence Thomas, Barnett J. Harris

Catholic University Law Review

In “Personal Precedent at the Supreme Court,” Professor Richard Re argues that Supreme Court justices tend to rely on their “previously expressed views of the law,” including their prior separate opinions when deciding new cases. Richard M. Re, Personal Precedent at the Supreme Court, 136 Harv. L. Rev. 824, 825–26 (2023). These “previously expressed views of the law,” which Re refers to as “personal precedent,” play an extremely important and previously unrecognized role in the development of the law. Re even contends that “though typically excluded from the law, personal precedent may actually be its building block.” Richard M. Re, …

Fixing Our Borders Of Injustice: The Fall Of Chevron Brings New Hope For Gender-Based Violence Asylum, Lara Mcleod

Catholic University Law Review

The Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) governs U.S. immigration law and was enacted to assist and protect international refugees from persecution and threats to life or freedom. The primary legislative purpose of the INA was to conform U.S. asylum law to international standards established in the 1967 Refugee Protocol. This Comment will critically examine the former Biden Administration’s June 2024 Proclamation on Securing the Border, illustrating how the Proclamation’s deterrence-based policies failed to meet the United States’ protective obligations under both international and federal law standards and underscored the inherent flaws of the Executive Branch’s enforcement of U.S. asylum law, …

Making Data Usable For Schools And Colleges: The Regional Data Collaboratives Approach, Benjamin Boer

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

This white paper outlines a strategic initiative by the Education Systems Center (EdSystems) to establish regional data collaboratives that improve how schools and colleges use information. Unlike traditional top-down accountability models, these collaboratives focus on longitudinal data sharing to help administrators understand student transitions from ninth grade through postsecondary completion and into the workforce. The framework relies on four core competencies: legal data agreements, secure management, linking analytics, and meaningful presentation of results. By examining factors like dual credit, pathway participation, and 9th-grade performance, these partnerships aim to identify and eliminate educational inequities. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to create a …

Lindenwood Digest, May 20, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

Event & Date: The Lindenwood University Employee Digest was published on May 20, 2026.

Geographic Grounding: The events and programs originate from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

Key Honorees/Awards: Web Strategy and Development Manager Jason Waack was recognized for enhancing the digital commencement program; Communications Operations Specialist Crystal Carter was commended for optimizing the Honors Academy recruitment invitation email sent to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher; Public Safety and Security Officer April Johnson was thanked for roadside assistance.

Early Chemical Markers Of Spoilage In Thermally Processed Tomato Paste: A Rapid Approach For Shelf-Stable Foods, Hussein Ali Shaghati, Rawia Mahmood Yousif

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This study aims to reduce the incubation period (commercial sterility test) of tomato paste cans before the bacteriological inspection in quality control laboratories. 62 cans of tomato paste were incubated under temperatures (mesophilic 25,37°C and thermophilic 55°C) to accelerate potential spoilage. Chemical indicators(pH, titratable acidity, and lactic acid) and microbial indicators (Total plate count and yeast/molds) were monitored daily to identify the earliest reliable spoilage signals. Incubation at elevated temperatures accelerated acid buildup. D+L lactic acid levels measured using a rapid enzyme assay increased with titratable acidity, while pH decreased. Meanwhile, total platelet counts remained at very low levels, while …

Elucidating The Potential Impact Of Solute Carrier Family2 (Glut4) In Newly Diagnosed Dm-2 Patients, Marwa Ghanim Hashim, Zahra'a Abdul Al-Aziz Yousif, Farah A. Al-Waeely, Raya Khalel Ibrahem

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic condition marked by hyperglycemia due to irregularities in insulin production or activity, leading to poor carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Dysfunctional glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) activity, characterized by insufficient expression or poor redistribution to the cell membrane, is a critical element in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This defect limits cellular glucose uptake, leading to energy deficits and elevated blood glucose levels. Objective: What is the clinical diagnostic potential of serum GLUT4 levels in newly identified type 2 diabetic people, and how do these levels correspond with established metabolic parameters? Materials …

Environmental Impact Of Benzo[A]Anthracene Exposure On Liver Biomarkers And Covid-19 Severity: Evaluation Of Combined Clinical And Molecular Modeling, Osamah Alkilidar, Hayder G. Jawad, Hasan K. Nimr

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly benzo[a]anthracins (BaA), and the severity of the inflammatory response and liver dysfunction in COVID-19 patients, using a combination of statistical analysis and molecular modeling. Molecular docking studies revealed stable and robust interactions between benzo[a]anthracins and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, suggesting that these interactions may contribute to increased oxidative stress and hepatocyte damage. The statistical analysis included 70 COVID-19 patients, stratified by benzo[a] anthracene exposure. The results showed statistically significant associations between exposure to this pollutant and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as a significant increase …

Predicting The Risk Of Diabetes Using Machine Learning Algorithms, Noor Ismail Ibrahim, Jamal Kamil Alrudaini, Hytham Falih Hassan, Sahar Faeq Jaafar

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that many people suffer from. This disease develops when the blood glucose level is high. Serious side effects, such as harm to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs may result from diabetes neglected treatment. Diabetes has numerous causes, including aging, obesity, inactivity, genetics, poor food and lifestyle choices. Early identification of this illness helps lessen its negative consequences. There are many traditional methods for predicting this disease, but they are expensive. Early prediction of diabetes benefits all those at risk by providing early treatment. With the advancement of healthcare technology, machine learning algorithms can …

Evaluation Of Complement Deficiency In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients And Its Effect On Clinical Manifestations And Immunological Markers, Zahra'a Abdul Al-Aziz Yousif

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background and Aim:\ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune chronic disease resulting in multi organ damage and impairment of immune response. Complements such as C3 and C4 are considered important in disease progression and often used for disease activity measurements. The purpose of this research is to assess the frequency of complements deficiencies in SLE patients, and identify associations with symptoms and disease severity. Material and Methods:\ This single-center, cross sectional study involved 50 SLE patients classified in to four groups according to their serum C3 and C4 values. Symptoms, signs of disease severity, immunologic indicators [Erythrocyte Sedimentation …

Measuring Radon Concentration In The College Of Education For Pure Sciences At The University Of Anbar And Its Effects On Public Health, Ahmed O. Frhan, Omar Abboosh, Mazin H. Hasan, Dhafar Th. Altaan

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This study aimed to reduce the risks of lung cancer linked to radon gas concentrations. To ensure public safety in the college and avoid the danger of radiation, and to achieve the goals of sustainable development in providing a suitable, clean, and hazard-free environment. These reasons led to research on measuring indoor radon levels in the Physics department, which is part of the College of Education at Anbar University. The study was conducted over a period of approximately 40 days, during which CR-39 detectors were exposed to indoor air in the halls and laboratories. After that, take the detectors to …

Methyldopa: Chemistry, Structural Modifications, Pharmacological Activities, And Clinical Applications — A Comprehensive Review, Rania Kadhim, Emad Yousif, Suhad Ibrahim, Nany Hairunisa

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Methyldopa (α -methyldopa) is a centrally acting antihypertensive drug that has been extensively prescribed for the management of hypertension, particularly in pregnant women, due to its established safety profile and non-teratogenic nature. Beyond its clinical use, methyldopa has attracted increasing scientific interest because of its unique chemical structure, which contains multiple oxygen- and nitrogen-donor functional groups capable of undergoing structural modification and metal coordination. This comprehensive review highlights the chemical structure of methyldopa, its synthesis pathways, spectroscopic characteristics—particularly FTIR analysis—and its pharmacological mechanisms of action as an α ₂-adrenergic receptor agonist. Special attention is given to methyldopa-induced adverse effects, …

Effect Of Covid-19 Treatments On Kidney Function Within Type 2 Diabetic Iraqi Patients, Esraa Abd Al-Karim Marouf

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Recent studies have shown that the use of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids (especially dexamethasone) in individuals with COVID-19 can help prevent respiratory damage and death by modifying the inflammatory injury that occurs in the lung. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of the use of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids on the level of diabetes and kidney function in patients with COVID-19. The study was conducted at Al-Shifa Hospital for quarantine in Ramadi city on 160 patients with COVID age range (40-70 years), some of whom had diabetes and the other did not have diabetes. They were treated with corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, …

Advantages Of Treatment Pollution By Nanomaterial: Review, Riyam Lateef Khalaf, Ola Abdulkareem Nori

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Pollution remains one of the most pressing global environmental challenges and is increasing day by day, with serious implications for public health and the environment. Among the various approaches to address this issue, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising solution due to its unique properties, such as high surface area, reactivity, and catalytic efficiency. There are four types of pollution that can be treated by nanotechnology, air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution and light pollution. This review studies recent research on the use of nanoparticles for pollution treatment, focusing on the mechanisms through which they degrade pollutants, the diverse applications …

Allopurinol Beyond Hyperuricemia: A Multifaceted Therapeutic Agent With Expanding Clinical, Safa Khaldoon, Emad Yousif, Khawla A. Kasar, Hazim F. Abbas

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Allopurinol is a well-established xanthine oxidase inhibitor widely used in the management of hyperuricemia, gout, tumor lysis syndrome, and uric acid nephrolithiasis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of its pharmacology, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety profile, and emerging insights from recent clinical and translational studies. Despite being in clinical use for over five decades, allopurinol remains the first-line urate-lowering therapy worldwide due to its proven efficacy, favorable safety profile, and cost-effectiveness. Beyond its classical role in inhibiting xanthine oxidoreductase, increasing evidence highlights additional therapeutic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The structural similarity of allopurinol to purine …

Endotoxin Burden In Dialysis Water: Seasonal Trends And Public Health Implications From A Year-Long Study In Iraq, Yasamen R. Humudat

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Dialysis water quality is critical to patient safety, particularly in relating to bacterial endotoxins, which can pose major health hazards. Environmental variables, such as seasonal flocculation, may influence endotoxin levels in treated water. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the seasonal fluctuation in endotoxin concentrations in dialysis water across a number of hospital-based dialysis centers. Over a 12-month period, water samples were collected monthly from various places and tested for endotoxin levels using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. The findings demonstrated considerable seasonal changes, with almost 55.5% of the samples surpassing the international threshold of 0.03 EU/mL. Peaks …

The Ramification Of Mutations In Sonic Hedgehog Gene On The Occurrence Of Deformities In The Course Of The Embryonic Development Stage, Umalbaneen Hilal Hadi, Safa J. Al-Yassiri

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) is one of the most significant genes regulating embryonic development in mammals, playing a pivotal role in cell differentiation, tissue fate determination, and regulating lateral symmetry of the embryo. The results of this research show that any mutation whether, a loss of function or a change in the regulation of gene expression in SHH gene leads to severe and highly complex consequences for embryonic development.as a result for that, severe disorders of CNS development SHH is a morphogen essential for germline formation and neuronal differentiation. Mutations in this gene result in failure to develop properly the cerebellum, …