Digital Commons Network^™

Educating Birthing Professionals About The Benefits Of Occupational And Physical Therapy In The Acute Postpartum Period, Jayde Monteiro, Kathryn Burke Otd, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Purpose: Across all developed countries, the US has the highest maternal mortality rate. The acute postpartum period is considered the first 6 weeks after birth and is often the most prevalent time medical complications arise. Currently there is a trend of OT and PT referral after these complications have already happened negatively impacted patients. To bring awareness and relevance to acute postpartum OT and PT, birthing professionals need more education to gain knowledge on how therapy can produce successful recovery outcomes in their patients. The research question "How does online educational programming increase birthing professionals’ knowledge about the benefits of …

Choosing Your Line: Training Adaptive Ski Instructors How To Facilitate Occupational Participation For Individuals With Complex Communication Needs., Jordan E. Chizmadia, Monique Dawes Otd, Otr/L Cpam

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

The project will explore communication methods for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) in adaptive skiing, focusing on alternative communication methods and the development of a Picture Exchange Communication System. A communication training program for ski instructors will be implemented. Findings will advance occupational therapy by highlighting the role of self-directed communication and autonomy in promoting occupational engagement for individuals with CCN.

Advancing Social-Emotional Wellness In Adolescents Through Structured Physical Fitness Programming, Serena Mora, Tania Rose Otd, Otr/L, Amy Wheadon Otd, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Neurodivergent (ND) adolescents tend to struggle with participating in physical activity (PA) compared to their neurotypical (NT) peers. Current programs available that focus on PA are competitive and can add anxiety to an already difficult adjustment. This doctoral capstone project investigates the effect of participation in PA on social emotional well-being in ND adolescents. An 8-week PA program was created and implemented in this pre-post test quasi-experimental study.

Investigating The Sensory Needs Of Bereaved Children In A Therapeutic Group Setting, Eleanor Gemma, Bethany Horne Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Childhood bereavement is experienced by one in eleven children by age eighteen and is associated with a range of symptoms that impact function (Judi’s House, 2024; Stikkelbroek et al., 2016). Bereaved children often show increased internalizing symptoms for more than two years following loss and demonstrate challenges with self-regulation, which can impact a child’s participation in their everyday environments (Edgar-Bailey & Kress, 2010; Stikkelbroek et al., 2016). While dysregulation has been researched in children exposed to other forms of trauma, it and the resulting sensory needs of bereaved children are largely unexplored. This occupational therapy capstone project utilized mixed methods …

Effectiveness Of Occupation-Based Mindfulness Strategies For Older Adults Experiencing Anxiety Or Depression, Jennifer G. Macnie, Kathryn Burke Otd, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

The purpose of this capstone is to gain an understanding of how sensory-based mindfulness strategies impact feelings of anxiety and depression amongst older adults living in an assisted living facility. Anxiety and depression are extremely prevalent among residents in assisted living facilities, with depression affecting 29% of older adults and anxiety affecting 20%. In light of the fact that mental health amongst older adults is often overlooked in assisted living facilities, it is necessary to evaluate the potential benefits of mindfulness strategies on feelings of anxiety and depression amongst this population. An investigation of how sensory based mindfulness strategies impact …

Advancing Neurodiverse-Affirming Care: Educating Caregivers To Improve Knowledge And Confidence​, Olivia Miller, Bethany Horne Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

This capstone project aimed to implement a six-week education course on neurodiverse-affirming care to caregivers of neurodiverse children at Extraordinary Kids Therapy outpatient clinic in Chepachet RI. The goal of this capstone project was to increase confidence and knowledge of neurodiverse-affirming care in the caregivers participating in the course. To analyze the impact of the education course, pre and post surveys, along with semi-structured asynchronous zoom interviews were administered and analyzed.

Building Adolescents' Social Emotional Wellness Through Physical Fitness Programming, Serena Mora, Tania Rosa Otd, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Neurodivergent (ND) adolescents tend to struggle with participating in physical activity (PA) compared to their neurotypical (NT) peers. Current programs available that focus on PA are competitive and can add anxiety to an already difficult adjustment. This scoping review investigates the effect of participation in PA on behaviors and well-being connected to ND conditions.

A Multifaceted Approach To Managing Agitation In Assisted Living Residents With Dementia ​, Emily Hamed

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Purpose: Dementia is a growing concern and will continue to increase. One symptom of dementia is agitation, which can be disruptive in an assisted living facility (ALF) and can impact quality of life for residents and caregivers/staff. Evidence shows that creating a conducive environment and equipping staff with skills can lead to better resident outcomes (Wong et al., 2024). This capstone project aims to address agitation by implementing physical and social environmental modifications in an (ALF). Design: This quasi-experimental mixed methods design will be conducted in an ALF to measure resident agitation pre and post intervention and staff confidence in …

“Empowering Peer Mentorship” Developing Best Practices Of Peer Mentoring At Empowersci Inc., Caitlyn Menard, Monique Dawes Otd, Otr/L Cpam

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Each Year, 250,000-500,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) , facing challenges in social participation, quality of life, activities of daily living (ADLs), returning to work, and unmet needs in mental health, self-efficacy, and community mobility (Beauchamp et al., 2016 & Divanoglou et al., 2017). While interdisciplinary rehabilitation and peer mentorship aim to support adaptation, growth, and independence, there remains a lack of standardization in adequately preparing individuals for the peer mentor role (Rocchi et al., 2022). Aim: EmpowerSCI is a nonprofit organization that aims to bridge the gap in rehabilitation by offering in-person, holistic residential programming. EmpowerSCI currently …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Impact Of Sensory Integration And Processing On Student Occupational Engagement, Kyla Campbell, Colleen Cameron Whiting

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Sensory Integration (SI) is defined as the brain's ability to organize and respond to information within the body and environment. School-aged children begin school with varying difficulties in SI and processing, which affects their social and academic performances. The field of occupational therapy (OT) promotes engagement in meaningful activities, in which going to school and participating in activities is vital to a child's development and wellbeing. The school setting is the second-largest employer of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in the United States. Children with SI and processing difficulties have decreased participation in the classroom compared to their peers with typical …

Understanding Occupational Therapy Referral Patterns And Knowledge Gaps Among United States Medical Providers, Zachery Edwards, Shannon Strate Otd, Ms Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Medical providers in the United States (US) have limited education and understanding of occupational therapy’s (OTs) full scope of practice (SOP), contributing to reduced access to OT services and potential negative consequences for client outcomes, interprofessional collaboration, and the profession’s viability (Rouch et al., 2022; Vij, 2023). This study aimed to examine US medical providers perspectives on OT utilization and identify areas of desired knowledge. Qualitative data was attained via a national survey administered to medical providers with analysis focused on responses to question three (Q3): “Why don't you refer clients to OT?” (n=424) and question six (Q6): “If you …

Utilization And Impacts Of Pediatric Caregiver Programming On Therapeutic Engagement And Wellbeing: A Pilot Program, Venisa Rodriguez, Tania Rose Otd, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones

Purpose: The proposed doctoral capstone aims to measure the utilization and impacts of pediatric caregiver programming on therapeutic engagement and wellbeing. A scoping literature review and needs assessment of pediatric caregivers of children receiving OT services found that limited access to quality, caregiver-specific resources and programming impact the wellbeing of caregivers, their ability to care for their child, and their confidence and ability to engage in the therapeutic process. The literature points to a want and need for caregiver-specific programming and the use of a family-centered care approach to improve caregiver and child outcomes.

Design: This study will utilize a …

The Coast Guard’S Budget & Its Impact On Operational Efficiency, Jory R. Cardoza

Honors Projects

The United States Coast Guard is constitutionally charged to carry out eleven core missions. This project examines the impact that the Coast Guard’s budget has on its ability to perform those different missions. This is done by using the statistical software program SPSS to analyze the statistical significance of budget related independent variables on multiple mission performance related dependent variables. Mission performance is based on the metrics that the Coast Guard uses to measure each of their missions. These metrics, along with the budgetary variables are published annually in documents such as Posture Statements, Performance Reports, and Budgetary Requests by …

Limit Of Detection Variations In Polyphenol Mixtures Using Parafac-Feem Spectroscopy, Ken Overway, Brockton Zorn

Honors Projects

Polyphenols are chemical compounds commonly found in food products like olive oil and red wine. Research suggests that their presence in such foods conveys positive cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits. This group of compounds is often difficult to quantify in such samples due to an overlap in the chemical signals and the presence of interferences, such as coloring, found naturally in the food. Use of 3D Fluorescence Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) measurements combined with pH sensitivity could establish a method in which polyphenols are identified more easily in mixtures. Binary and ternary mixtures of polyphenols were analyzed without the additional …

Development Of A Unique Surgical Implant To Address The Development Of Iatrogenic Trigeminal Neuralgia Following Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery For Osa, Erika L. Manning, Kun Yoon, Robert Diecidue, Joseph Harrington

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty Papers

A 58 y/o male with no significant past medical history presented in 2021 with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including trouble breathing through his nose due to hypoplastic maxilla, retrognathic mandible and chin, and microgenia. He underwent a LeFort 1 maxillary osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO), and genioplasty with fat graft on 2/10/2022. Postoperatively, the patient developed moderate pain and facial edema, which progressed into hypoesthesia with pain in the face with a sensation of fullness in the left ear and left masseter tightness. He also developed a positive Tinel sign in the left mandibular area and was diagnosed with …

Effective Leadership Styles For Middle Managers During Mergers And Acquisitions, Joshua Lee Lahaie

M.S. in Leadership

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Impact Of A Meaningful Recognition Bundle On The Health Of The Emergency Department Work Environment And Emergency Nurse Burnout, Sean Truesdell

Doctoral Projects

Background: The health of the work environment significantly influences emergency nurse practice. The Emergency Nurses Association and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses have called for the establishment of a healthy work environment (HWE) to improve outcomes, reduce burnout and turnover, and increase job satisfaction. Meaningful recognition is consistently among the lowest-performing HWE standards. Purpose: To implement a bundle of meaningful recognition elements in the Emergency Department (ED) and evaluate the outcomes. Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted in the ED of a non-profit community health system in Northern California. The Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) and Oldenburg …

Advancing Equitable Nurse Assignments Through Nursing Workload Score Categorization In An Adaptable Acuity Unit At An Academic Health Center, Moses Albaniel

Doctoral Projects

Inpatient nursing shift assignments often rely on clinical judgment, which can lead to inequitable workload distribution on mixed‑acuity units. This quality improvement project evaluated assignment equity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of nursing workload acuity scores and examined the relationship between workload balance and perceived assignment burden. A single‑group pretest–posttest design was implemented on a cardiac adaptable acuity unit at Stanford Health Care over a 12‑week period, encompassing 168 shifts from December 14, 2025, to March 7, 2026. The intervention, implemented with 11 charge nurses, combined structured charge nurse education with an optimized Epic Reporting Workbench tool incorporating dynamic …

Information Processing Styles, Problem Solving, And Their Relationship With Metamotivation And Perceived Control Among Postgraduate Female Students, Intisar Owaid Ali, Fatimah Abed Malih, Abeer Dakhil Hatem Al-Selmi, Andriy Vovkanych

Modern Sport

The demands of professional, scientific, and academic life have made it necessary to identify the various difficulties faced by postgraduate female students, which lead to problems that hinder their achievement of the required goals. This necessitates directing efforts toward finding solutions to confront and solve problems through appropriate cognitive behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to identify information processing styles and problem-solving and their relationship with metamotivation and perceived control among postgraduate female students (PhD/Master's). To achieve this aim, the descriptive approach using the survey method was adopted due to its suitability to the nature of the research problem. The population …

Jtc 26: Aiming To Change Lives, Srijita Chattopadhyay

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2026 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their academic and personal journeys from college to commencement.

Jtc 26: Ole Miss Had Her At Hello, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2026 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Metabolic Dysfunction And Metabolic Management In Episodic Migraine, Delora E. Denney, Michael J. Marmura

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Evidence suggests a significant link between migraine and metabolic syndrome,, especially in those with chronic or refractory migraine. Weight loss and exercise may effectively prevent migraine. Here, we review the evidence behind exercise and weight loss as migraine treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS: While metabolic syndrome and pain have long had a known association, only recently have strong studies demonstrated a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome in people with migraine. Additionally, other sequelae of metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, hypercoagulability, and diabetes also interplay with migraine. New medications like GLP-1 agonists may be a potential treatment for migraine as …

Doctor Of Medicine Commencement: May 2, 2026, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Doctor of Medicine Commencement program from May 2, 2026.

Voices From The Noise: Experiments And Considerations On Radio As Musical Instrument, Justin Taveras

Student Theses

One of my primary goals in entering the Sonic Arts program was to familiarize myself with the tools and processes necessary for creating electronic music. My initial expectation was to learn how to use synthesizers, microphones, and effects processors to expand the timbral palette of my compositional practice. Coming from a background in contemporary classical music, I independently practiced working within the DAW timeline, and I was attracted to the level of compositional detail and control that a studio environment could offer. While these tools proved universal enough to become essential components of my current work, I did not expect …

Antibody-Drug Conjugates Beyond Her2 In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Nsclc): Mechanisms, Emerging Targets, And Future Directions., Ahmed Ismail, Aakash Desai, George R Simon, Yanis Boumber

Oncology Articles

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly evolving class of oncology therapeutics that enable precise delivery of potent cytotoxic agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. While HER2-targeted ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in HER2-mutant, Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-Dxd) in EGFR-mutant, and telisotumumab vedotin (Teliso-V) in MET IHC 3+ expressing lung cancer have already established a clinical role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple ADCs targeting alternative antigens, including additional TROP2 ADCs, HER3, MET, CEACAM5, B7-H3, Nectin-4, and others, are now in advanced clinical development. This review synthesizes the current evidence for non-HER2 ADCs in NSCLC, highlighting mechanisms of …

Caree J'Nai Hymon

African American Funeral Programs

Program for the funeral of CaRee J'Nai Hymon held at Campbell and Sons Funeral Home Chapel on May 2nd, 2026

Mr. Bobby Joe Lee

African American Funeral Programs

Program for the funeral of Mr. Bobby Joe Lee held at AGAPE Worship Center on May 2nd, 2026

Terry Mikell

African American Funeral Programs

Program for the funeral of Terry Mikell held at New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church on May 2nd, 2026

Practice Research In Social Work-Participation, Co-Creation, And Service Users' Positions: Introduction To The Articles From The Sixth International Conference On Practice Research, Bowen Mcbeath, Sui Ting Kong, Lars Uggerhoj

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

This special issue examines practice research in social work, focusing on participation, co-creation, and service users’ positions in knowledge production and utilization. Practice research is advanced as a collaborative, context-sensitive approach that challenges hierarchical models of evidence and foregrounds co-produced knowledge.

Method

Drawing on the Sixth International Conference on Practice Research at Aalborg University, Denmark, the 11 special issue articles explore service user involvement, positionality, and organizational conditions shaping inquiry.

Results

The introduction synthesizes cross-cutting themes from the articles into an integrative framework linking epistemic justice, co-methodologies, and institutional supports for co-learning and improvements in practices, structures, and policies. …

Propasafe-Hybrid: A Text-Based Hybrid Propaganda Detection Tool (Ila 2026 Presentation), Thomas Kimmeth, Avijit Roy, Vivek Sharma

Publications and Research

This presentation introduces Propasafe-Hybrid, a hybrid system for sentence-level propaganda detection that combines offline transformer-based classification with selective large language model (LLM) explainability. The system employs a two-stage pipeline in which a local BERT-based classifier evaluates all input text and filters non-propagandistic content, while only high-confidence candidates are forwarded to an LLM for rhetorical technique labeling and explanation. This design enables cost-aware, privacy-conscious, and scalable analysis by reducing unnecessary reliance on external models.

Propasafe-Hybrid identifies propagandistic techniques such as loaded language, obfuscation, and appeal to fear, and generates concise natural language rationales that make these techniques interpretable to users. By …