Digital Commons Network^™

When Probiotics Guidelines Differ: A Practical Guide For Clinicians And Researchers, Geoffrey A Preidis, Hania Szajewska, Marla Cunningham, Howard Bauchner, Daniel J Merenstein

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Many professional organizations publish clinical practice guidelines for the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders. Generally, no two guidelines align perfectly, and some differ markedly. These discrepancies occur because clinical practice guidelines are not purely mechanical outputs of data synthesis. They are shaped by structured interpretation, value judgments, and predefined thresholds for uncertainty. These elements become particularly visible when effect sizes are small, heterogeneity is high, and outcomes vary in clinical relevance-as is the case with probiotic research. This article examines why discordance among probiotic guidelines is predictable and provides practical guidance for clinicians who must decide among conflicting recommendations …

Diet Quality As Assessed By The Healthy Eating Index-2020 Among Individuals Diagnosed With And Without Type 2 Diabetes, Minghao Zhou, Hairui Yu, Renee Underwood, Hongning Cai, Tung Sung Tseng, Susu Luo

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Dietary management is key to preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few studies have examined differences in Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) scores and components among individuals with and without diagnosed T2DM. This study aimed to assess gender differences in HEI-2020 scores and its 13 components by T2DM status. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2018, this cross-sectional study analyzed 19,464 adults. Diagnosed T2DM was identified via self-report or diabetes medication use. Diet quality was assessed using the HEI-2020, scored from 0 to 100, with a higher HEI score indicates …

Study On The Concept And Framework Of Synergy Between Mitigation And Adaptation, Xianchun Tan

Double Helix Methodology

Carbon neutrality and the Global Goal on Adaptation jointly drive the integration of mitigation and adaptation; however, a clear conceptual and analytical framework for their synergy remains absent. This study first examines the components of mitigation and adaptation, and analyzes the mechanisms through which they interact. It then explores the fundamental principles underlying the synergy between mitigation and adaptation, and construct a corresponding analytical framework. It emphasizes that mitigation and adaptation are mutually influential, providing a foundation for achieving synergy. Furthermore, synergy should be promoted in the five aspects of objectives, regions, sectors, pathways, and policies—and follows the logic of …

Toward Mapping Multiphase Multicomponent Mixtures With Neural Networks, Kristen L. Hallas, Melissa De Jesus, Christine J. Wu, Jianzhi Li, Jason Bernstein, Philip C. Myint

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Equation of state (EOS) tables are commonly used in hydrodynamic simulations of high-pressure, high-temperature phenomena in fields like planetary science, astrophysics, and high-energy-density science. However, generating and storing EOS tables for multiphase, multicomponent mixtures over a wide range of pressures and temperatures is computationally infeasible due to their memory-intensive nature. To address this issue, we have developed a neural network-based machine learning model to predict new EOS tables for binary mixtures. In particular, a deep feedforward neural network trained on a set of ten EOS tables at particular mixture compositions is able to predict nine new (hold-out) EOS tables at …

Steroid Receptor Coactivator 3-Deficient Regulatory T Cells Eradicate Multiple Solid Tumors In Syngeneic Mouse Models, Nuri Sung, Eunsu Kim, Yosef Gilad, Yuri Park, Adam M Dean, Yan Xia, Jianming Xu, Clifford C Dacso, David M Lonard, Sang Jun Han

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) is highly expressed in regulatory T cells (Tregs) and is important for their immunosuppressive activity. Recently, we demonstrated that disrupting SRC-3 expression in Tregs eliminates triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and prostate cancer in syngeneic animal models by generating an anti-tumor immune microenvironment without inducing immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Further analysis of these mice revealed that SRC-3 knockout (KO) Tregs infiltrated breast tumors and facilitated the infiltration of CD8

Using Randomization To Compare Ai And Expert-Generated Formative Assessment Questions In Medical Education, Akshat Kumar, Katie Stinson, Litao Wang, Elizabeth Nugent, Yongsu Lee, Mark Hormann, Latanya Jones Love, Toufeeq Ahmed Syed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: AI-generated content is being used across the education spectrum and is beneficial for creating complex multiple-choice questions, such as those used in medical education. However, evaluating AI-generated content is challenging, and existing testing and evaluation methods are falling short. This study uses randomization to compare medical students' performance on and subjective evaluation of AI versus expert-generated questions. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in student performance or subjective evaluation of AI vs expert-generated questions.

Methods: We designed a single-center, randomized study where medical student participants received either one AI- or expert-generated question per day over four weeks. …

Diagnostic Delays In Endometriosis Among Reproductive-Aged Women: An Evidence-Based Primary Care Policy Proposal, Francis P. Ronayne

Capstones

No abstract provided.

Sustainable – Low-Cost - Upgrade Of Activated Sludge Process For Nitrogen And Phosphorus (N&P) Removal From Wastewater, Abanoub N. Basta

Theses and Dissertations

Many municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in developing countries were designed primarily for organic matter and suspended solids removal and therefore face increasing difficulty in meeting modern nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) discharge requirements. Conventional biological nutrient removal upgrades commonly require additional reactor volume, recirculation systems, aeration energy, and capital investment. Accordingly, sustainable retrofit strategies that improve nutrient removal within existing treatment footprints are increasingly needed, particularly in water-scarce and land-constrained regions.

This study investigated the integration of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) into the aeration stage of an activated sludge process as a hybrid nature-based enhancement for nitrogen and phosphorus …

A Comparative Study: Force Majeure And The Theory Of Unforeseen Circumstances Across Different Jurisdictions In The Middle East, Omar Hamed Sawan

Theses and Dissertations

The motivation behind this study stems from recent global disruption events that impact construction projects worldwide. These events vary across a wide spectrum, whether they are political events such as the Russo-Ukraine war or the war in the Middle East, economic events such as inflation or currency devaluations; or environmental events such as climate change and the emergence of public health crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. These series of events underscore the growing importance of understanding how the different legal frameworks address unforeseeable events in the construction industry. In this context, force majeure and the theory of unforeseen circumstances (also …

Trends In The Utilization Of Metaverse Technology In Media Content Production:A Second-Level Study Of The Arab Experience, Amal Nabil Badr, Tarek Ismail Mohamed, Nassereldin Abdel Qadir Osman

Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

The research problem is defined through a main question: How did Arab studies discuss the interactions of the Arab media experience with metaverse technology and supporting tools, the limits and levels of current and future use of this technology in Arab media institutions, and how did the quantitative and qualitative trends in these studies reflect the applied aspect in using metaverse technology and related tools in media content industry? The research relies on the secondary analysis methodology of the results reached by studies that dealt with the analysis of A sample of (30 studies) from 2015 until 2023. The results …

Thermal Modelling And Numerical Simulation Of Nanofluid-Based Battery Thermal Management System Using Lattice Boltzmann Method Under High Discharge Rate, Bahram Mahjoobkarambasti, Barun K. Das, Hussein A. Mohammed, Iftekhar Ahmad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Effective battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are essential to ensure performance, safety, and lifetime of lithium-ion battery packs in electric vehicles, especially under high charge/discharge conditions. In this regard, this study investigates a nanofluid-based cooling system for a battery module operating under 5C discharge rate. Batteries in a module are placed in a wavy cooling channel, and the proposed design is analysed for different parameters, including coolant mass flow rate (0.002 to 0.05 kg/s), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 to 0.04), battery spacing (0 to 5 mm) and channel width (4, 5 and 6 mm). For the numerical simulation, a two-dimensional …

Reducing The Detrimental Effects Of Post-Stroke Social Isolation Through Inhibition Of Mirna-10a-5p In A Mouse Model, Peijun Zhao

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Dysregulation Of Lipid Metabolism In Chronic Hypoxia In Neonates, Mason L. Wong

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Sex Hormones On Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease: A Montalcino Aortic Consortium Study, Catherine E. Wilson

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Bacteriophage Encapsulation With Type A And Type B Gelatin Microparticles To Treat Antimicrobial-Resistant Orthopedic Device-Related Infections, Aiden A. Willis

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Leveraging Sports Analytics And Intraoperative Video To Improve Surgical Quality And Outcomes, Jasie L. Williams-Roberts

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Incidence And Risk Factors For Heterotopic Ossification After Acetabular Fracture Fixation Using A Kocher-Langenbeck Approach: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort, Weston W. Wilber

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Narrative Interventions On Cognitive And Emotional Well-Being In Elders, Jasmine N. White

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

A New Tool To Improve Prediction Of Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy For Patients With Large Infarct Core., Demi K. Waworuntu

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Surface Imprinting To Enhance Antibiotic Elution Of Bone Cement Spacers Abstract, David Tran

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Sleep Respiratory Biomarkers Of Sudden Unexpected Death In Epilepsy (Sudep): A Case Control, Cat Tien Tran

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Age And Sex Modulation Of No Signaling In Mouse Brain, Emmaline R. Thorpe

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Improving Adherence To The Ticket-To-Test C. Difficile Protocol In A Medical-Surgical Microsystem, Georgette Marie D. Lim

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Poor adherence to the ticket-to-test protocol on the 3 South unit led to unnecessary C. difficile testing, inappropriate isolation, and workflow variation. These issues mirror national concerns about over-testing and misdiagnosis, which can inflate hospital‑onset C. difficile rates and increase costs.

Context: This project was implemented on a medical‑surgical unit, a team with a strong culture of collaboration, education, and engagement in quality improvement. The unit benefits from structured oversight through the C. difficile committee, which reports to the performance improvement team.

Interventions: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement guided four PDSA cycles, with …

From State To Nation: A Federal Framework For Breast Cancer Primary Prevention Informed By California's Paths To Prevention, Serena Padda

Master's Projects and Capstones

The United States’ federal government should adopt a primary prevention framework for breast cancer modeled after Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ (BCPP) Paths to Prevention: the California Breast Cancer Primary Prevention Plan. The plan focuses on systemic actions to reduce breast cancer risk through a social and racial justice lens. Breast cancer is the leading diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, with incidence rates increasing annually by 1% since 2012. Disparities persist in communities disproportionately burdened by chemical and environmental exposures, contributing to unequal and preventable risk. Current federal policy focuses primarily on secondary prevention through screenings, which does …

Nourishing Births: A Program Evaluation Proposal For Community-Based Nutrition Education, Food Access, And Garden Engagement Among Black Birthing People, Naa Deedei-Vera Hammond

Master's Projects and Capstones

Black birthing people in the United States continue to experience unequal maternal health outcomes, shaped in part by racism and barriers to nutritious food, culturally relevant health education, and supportive community spaces. While prenatal nutrition education and food assistance programs can provide important resources, information alone cannot address the challenges many people face when trying to access healthy and affordable food during pregnancy. The Nourishing Births Initiative is a proposed community-based maternal health program designed to respond to these needs by bringing together prenatal nutrition education, help connecting to food resources, community gardening, and peer support for Black birthing people …

Reducing Acute Healthcare Services With Self-Management Of Blood Pressure Monitoring Through Remote Patient Monitoring For Hypertensive Patients A Quality Improvement Project, Becky J. Wagner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Hypertension (HTN) affects nearly half of U.S. adults and remains a leading cause of preventable emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs due to poor blood pressure (BP) control (Fryar et al., 2024; Mullins et al., 2019). Traditional care models often lack the continuous monitoring and timely intervention needed for effective chronic disease management. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) provides an innovative approach by delivering real-time BP data, enabling early clinical intervention, and encouraging patient engagement in self-management (Omboni et al., 2020).

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated the effectiveness of an RPM intervention in reducing acute healthcare …

Impact Of Implementing Standard Wound Care Guidelines For Patients In The Home Care Setting On Patient Outcomes, Raymond Anthony Flores Jr

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Wound care is among the most significant public health concerns, affecting millions of people worldwide. Most individuals with wounds end up self-managing their condition from their homes due to being discharged early from the hospital, owing to various reasons, and the costs associated with health care. Although home wound management offers convenience and lower costs for patients, it is also associated with substantial challenges, including limited access to and use of appropriate care protocols, wound management tools, and sufficient education on the topic, as well as limited professional advice. These limitations contribute to poor outcomes, including slow healing rates, infections, …

Is Your Cyst Really A Ganglion Cyst? A Case Report Of Angioleiomyoma Mimicking A Plantar Fascia Cystic Lesion, Christopher Anjorin Ms Dpmc, Joseph Bender Dpm

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft tissue masses encountered in podiatric clinical practice, and their diagnosis is often presumed based on location, clinical observation, and transillumination. However, this case highlights a diagnostic idiosyncrasy: a lesion clinically presumed to be a ganglion cyst within the plantar fascia was ultimately identified as an angioleiomyoma following surgical excision and histopathological evaluation. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when assessing cystic lesions, particularly those that transilluminate, as benign vascular tumors may closely mimic more common entities in both clinical presentation and imaging. More importantly, what if …

Standardizing Ascitic Fluid Panel To Improve Outcomes In A Large State Hospital, Yimei Zhang

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase provider compliance with evidence-based, hepatology-recommended ascitic fluid studies among inpatient providers from a baseline of 50% to 60% within five months through electronic health record (EHR) standardization.

Background: Delayed or incomplete ascitic fluid analysis can increase the risk of preventable complications. Workflow variability and non-standardized ordering practices contributed to inconsistent adherence to evidence-based recommendations.

Methodology: Using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement with Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles, two paracentesis workflows were redesigned. For the Mobile Procedure Team, a standardized ascitic fluid panel with six defaulted, evidence-based tests …

Deep Brain Stimulation In Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review Of Neuropsychological Outcomes, Nora Huey

Doctoral Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and disruption of neural networks involved in cognitive functioning. Although existing treatments may provide symptomatic benefit, there remains a need for interventions capable of slowing or stabilizing disease progression. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a potential neuromodulatory intervention for early-stage AD through stimulation of memory- and cognition-related neural circuitry. This dissertation employed a systematic review research methodology to examine teh neuropsychological and neurobiological outcomes associated with DBS targeting the fornix (DBS-f) and nucleus basalis of Meynert (DBS-NBM) in individuals with early-stage AD over 12–24 …