Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Comparing Us Medicare Coverage Options As A Contributing Mechanism To Sticking Or Switching To An Insurance Plan, Lisa M. Grabert, Brian J. Miller, Kathryn L. Wagner

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

In 2025, the US Medicare program is expected to spend over $1.1 trillion taxpayer dollars. A growing trend in the US Medicare program is more beneficiaries electing a private insurer, referred to as Medicare Advantage (MA), to manage their care. Since 2023, a slight majority of Medicare beneficiaries have elected to enroll in MA, yet little is understood about the mechanisms that drive beneficiaries toward their choices.

Methods

Our objective was to examine the association between comparing coverage options and ‘switching’ or ‘sticking’ with Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare or Medicare Advantage (MA). We conducted a panel study, using data from …

Dopaminergic Regulation Of Aversive Motivation, Elaine M. Grafelman

Dissertations (1934 -)

We all experience adversity in our lives, and we must be able to effectively respond to these challenges in order to thrive. One way to respond to stressors is to change one’s behavior to cope with the stress. This can include escaping or avoiding the stressor, focusing effort to diminish the effect of the stressor, or other coping strategies such as drug use. In fact, stress is one of the principal triggers of relapse for those in the abstinence phase of a substance use disorder and it exacerbates a variety of other disorders. Therefore, it is critical to understand the …

Activation Of Pro-Regenerative Gene Programs In The Mature Central Nervous System, Elizabeth Carlisle Batsel

Dissertations (1934 -)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects millions of people worldwide. Damage to the spinal cord disrupts the long-distance axon tracts of central nervous system (CNS) neurons. These axons fail to regenerate, leading to permanent dysfunction. Past work has shown that CNS neurons lose the capacity to elongate their axons as they mature. Conversely, after injury, embryonic and peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons can elongate axons towards target cells, driven by the growth cone at the growing tip of the axon. Previous research has identified transcription factor (TF) families, such as the SoxC family, that contribute to embryonic and peripheral neurons’ high …

Energy Flow Differences In Throwing Arm Joints Between Javelin And Weighted Balls In Male Javelin Throwers, Hans-Peter Köhler, Kristof Kipp, Nikola Prvulović, Maren Witt

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: To enhance release velocity during competition, javelin throwers incorporate implements of varying mass into their training regimens. Previous research has demonstrated that, although velocity contributes quadratically to the computation of kinetic energy, heavier implements generate substantially greater kinetic energy at the moment of release, despite markedly lower release velocities. The primary objective of the present investigation was to analyze energy transfer within the throwing arm to gain deeper insight into the biomechanical mechanisms underlying the use of implements with different masses.

Methods: The three-dimensional coordinates of 16 reflective markers were recorded for 6 athletes during throws using 6 different …

Black Women’S Experiences Accessing Health Care And Law Enforcement After Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Pilot Study, Kaylen M. Moore, Linda M. Wesp, Jeneile Luebke, Peninnah M. Kako

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue impacting millions of people each year. Black women constitute 14% of the US population but alarmingly comprise 31% of homicides resulting from IPV. African American women survivors of IPV experience intersecting impacts of racism, sexism, and historical mistrust. This research aimed to raise awareness about their experiences of violence and perceptions of institutional support.

Objective:

This study sought to explore African American women’s experiences with IPV and navigation of health care and law enforcement after experiences of violence.

Method:

Critical ethnography was used as an approach for this qualitative …

Glp-1 Medications For Kids: Do They Work, And At What Price?, Sylvia Peña, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Context

Childhood obesity continues to increase along with the numbers of children with severe obesity and related comorbidities. This meta-analysis1 sought to determine whether or not glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications are safe and effective for children and adolescents.

Methods

Appropriate search and abstraction approaches were used in the meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials making it the highest level of evidence. Included studies were those with participants younger than 18 years with obesity, overweight, pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes (T2D) assessing GLP-1 RAs alone or with lifestyle modification versus placebo published between 2023 and 2025. Most participants …

Improving Dynamic Balance And Gait Adaptation With Ischemic Conditioning Post-Stroke, Stephanie Christine Wolfe

Dissertations (1934 -)

The purpose of this dissertation was to quantify the benefits of ischemic conditioning on reactive balance responses and gait adaptation during treadmill walking in chronic stroke survivors. Reactive balance and gait adaptations are believed to be limited in this population. Ischemic conditioning is an emerging adjunct to physical therapy that improves motor function post-stroke via improvements in strength, voluntary muscle activation, walking speed, and fatigability. Here, we quantified how ischemic conditioning could impact performance of a more complex task: altering gait to meet various perturbing conditions. Specifically, we quantified mediolateral margin of stability in response to lateral cable pulls (both …

A Novel Method For Examining Autistic Children’S Comprehension Of Individual Words Produced Within Delayed Echolalia: A Proof-Of-Concept Pilot Study, Janine Mathee-Scott, Grace Corrigan, Emily Lorang, Zachary Hesse, Jennifer Johnson, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Delayed echolalia, or the repetition of previously heard speech, is often observed in the expressive language of autistic children. Relatively little is known about how the production of delayed echolalia fits within the overall picture of autistic children’s language ability, including receptive language. To date, no empirical studies have tested autistic children’s comprehension of individual words within their delayed echoes. The present study aimed to establish proof-of-concept for a novel method of examining children’s comprehension of individual words that they produce in their own delayed echoes. Using natural language sampling combined with parent report, we identified instances of delayed echolalia …

Reproducibility Of Fnirs Within Subject For Visual And Motor Tasks, Julie C. Wagner, Anthony Zinos, Scott A. Beardsley, Wei-Liang Chen, Lisa Conant, Marsha Malloy, Joseph Heffernan, Brendan Quirk, Robert W. Prost, Mohit Maheshwari, Jeffrey Sugar, Harry T. Whelan

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is becoming a popular metric to noninvasively identify brain activity through assessing changes in oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin concentration. Several aspects of fNIRS imaging are appealing for clinical applications but the reproducibility of fNIRS signals has yet to be determined over several sessions. To address this, four participants completed at least ten sessions on separate days where they performed Motor and Visual tasks while fNIRS signals were measured from 102 channels spanning the entire head. Reproducibility was quantified as the percentage of significant task related activity occurring across sessions at the channel and …

Cultural Humility In Patient Education: Development Of A Nutrition-Related Simulation For Nursing Students, Theresa G. Schnable, Sylvia Peña, Juanita T. Garcia, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction:

The Latinx community is disproportionately impacted by social and structural inequities such as food insecurity and culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. To address a gap in culturally appropriate nutrition education with Latinx individuals among baccalaureate nursing students, a simulation learning experience (SLE) was developed.

Methodology:

The SLE was designed using best practice standards by faculty experts and reviewed by consultants. After the SLE, students and faculty provided feedback regarding simulation design and implementation.

Results:

Participants reported improved knowledge and confidence when providing culturally appropriate nutrition education and valued working with an interpreter.

Discussion:

This innovative strategy using simulation offers …

Identification Of Ethanol-Insensitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Glun2a And Glun2b Subunit Mutants With Minimal Alterations In Ion Channel Gating, Claire M. Fellbaum, John L. Mckee, Yulin Zhao, Josephy M. Harris, Danicamae Padua, Rohan Katti, Tarini Mitra, John L. Levahn, Priya Katti, Hong Ren, Robert W. Peoples

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose

Ethanol inhibits N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors through actions on positions in the membrane-associated (M) domains. Ethanol-insensitive mutant NMDA receptors would be valuable molecular tools for evaluating the roles of NMDA receptors in ethanol actions. However, mutations that decrease ethanol sensitivity also usually alter ion channel gating, which would likely affect glutamatergic synaptic transmission and central nervous system (CNS) function. We selected candidate ethanol-insensitive mutations in the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits with relatively low disruption of ion channel gating: isoleucine substitution at two positions (F636/F637) in M3 of GluN2A and tryptophan substitution at G826 in M4 of GluN2B. …

A Scoping Review Of Oral Feeding Skill Development In Typically Developing Children Part Ii: Exploring Variability In Oral Feeding Skill Descriptions, Amy Delaney, Anna Flatt, Hannah Koepp, Alissa Fial, Katherine C. Hustad

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This scoping review is the second in a two-part series that aims to synthesize the literature on oral feeding skills development and to create a classification system of observable skills. Building on the findings from Part 1, this article compiles and analyzes the types of feeding skills reported across studies and proposes a framework for standardizing terminology.

Method:

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Of the 14 studies identified in Part 1 that focused on feeding skill development, 11 included unique skill descriptions. These skills were coded and …

Mechanisms For The Age-Related Increase In Fatigability Of The Elbow Flexor Muscles In Healthy Adults, Blaine E. Arney, Andrew Kuplic, Mitchell D. Adam, Christopher W. Sundberg, Sandra Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability of the elbow flexor muscles during dynamic contractions are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of supraspinal and contractile mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability of the elbow flexor muscles. Twenty-eight young (23.2 ± 2.6 years; 14 females) and 32 older adults (72.6 ± 5.6 years; 15 females) performed 80 maximal velocity contractions at 20% of maximal isometric strength. Voluntary activation and muscle contractile properties were assessed before and immediately following the fatiguing exercise using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrical stimulation. Fatigability (% reduction in …

Structure-Activity Relationships Of A–And B-Type Proanthocyanidins In Long-Term Dentin Biomodification And Biocompatibility, Yvette Alania, Mariana Reis-Havlat, Shu-Xi Jing, Fahimeh Tabatabaei, James B. Mcalpine, Shao-Nong Chen, Guido F. Pauli, Ana K. Bedran-Russo

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To explore the structure-activity relationships of plant-based proanthocyanidins (PACs) with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and the long-term biomechanical stability of PAC-modified dentin extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods

Mid-coronal dentin ECM (n= 8) was treated with eight PAC tetramers and trimers with varying A-/B-type linkages. Chemo-mechanical analyses included dynamic mechanical analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Viscoelastic components were calculated after PAC biomodification, 18-month incubation, and protein destabilization. Collagen structure was assessed via IR amide absorbance ratios. DPSCs were cultured with PACs at different concentrations (100, 10, and 1 μg/mL) to measure proliferation. ANOVA and post-hoc tests were used for …

Effect Of Different Implant Abutment Materials On Optical Properties Of Translucent Monolithic Zirconia Crowns, Nisha Patel, Geoffrey A. Thompson, Carl Drago, Mohamed Elshewy, David W. Berzins, Hongseok An

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The use of translucent monolithic zirconia crowns in implant dentistry raises concerns about the underlying abutment color affecting esthetic outcomes. While abutment effects are documented for traditional ceramics, data are limited for modern monolithic zirconia. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate how abutment material and zirconia brand influence the final color of translucent monolithic zirconia crowns.

Materials and Methods

Eighty monolithic zirconia crowns (four brands; n = 20 each) were fabricated in shade A2 and cemented onto five abutment types: titanium (Ti), gold-hued Ti, pink-hued Ti, zirconia, and a natural dentin-shaded control. Crowns were placed on abutments …

In Vitro Study To Analyze Reverse Torque Values Of Attachment Screws With Multiple Loosening/Tightening Preload Cycles, Amira Alhameed, Nikita Sinha, Geoffrey A. Thompson, Carl Drago, Hongseok An

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

To determine the number of torque/reverse torque cycles attachment screws can withstand before fracture, and to record the magnitude of reverse torque values for each of the 10 cycles of screw tightening and loosening.

Materials and Methods

The testing assemblies consisted of 30 temporary cylinder/multiunit abutment/internal connection implants (10 each from Dentsply Sirona Astra, Biohorizons, and Zimmer Biomet Dental). The assemblies were inserted into resin blocks, and temporary cylinders were connected to the multiunit abutments with new attachment screws and torqued to the recommended preload (15 Ncm Dentsply Sirona Astra; 15 Ncm Biohorizons; 10 Ncm Zimmer Biomet Dental) using …

Pacap Signalling Network In The Nucleus Accumbens Core Regulates Reinstatement Behaviour In Rat, Samrat Bose, Gregory Simandl, Evan M. Hess, Linghai Kong, Nicholas Raddatz, Brian Maunze, Sujean Choi, David A. Baker

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) lacks FDA-approved treatments, partly due to the difficulty of creating therapeutics that target behaviour-related neural circuits without disrupting signalling throughout the brain. One promising candidate for circuit-selective neuromodulation is pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with pleiotropic behavioural actions whose signalling network spans the gut–brain axis. Here, we investigated the potential existence and function of an endogenous PACAP signalling network within the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), which is a structure that integrates emotional, cognitive and reward processes underlying behaviour. We found that PACAP and its cognate receptor, PAC1R, are endogenously expressed in the rat NAcc …

Noise-Optimized Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Imaging Of Different Post Materials With Multiple Settings: A Comparative Analysis, Solaleh Shahmirzadi, Dilek Helvacioglu-Yigit, Umut Seki, Maharaj Singh, Sarang Saadat, Husniye Demirturk Kocasarac

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 4 different post materials on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in various tooth regions using multiple cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging settings and metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithms. Materials and Methods Forty single-rooted teeth with 4 different post materials were mounted in a skull and scanned using the Planmeca ProMax 3D Max under different conditions: 90 and 96 kVp; no, medium, and high MAR settings; and voxel sizes of 100 and 200 μm. Image analysis was performed with ImageJ software to calculate CNR. The dose-area product (DAP) was recorded, …

Examining Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Nurse Burnout, Intent To Leave, And Student Debt Burden: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jacqueline Christianson, Kyla Aiyeku, Abiola O. Keller

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

A racially and ethnically diverse nursing workforce can only enhance the profession's ability to serve the widely diverse U.S. population. Embracing differences allows nurses to develop a broader understanding of each other and of their patients. Yet many nurses of color face unique challenges that can adversely impact their well-being and their longevity in this profession.

Purpose:

The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to examine levels of burnout, intent to leave the profession, and student debt burden among nurses who self-identified as Asian, Black or African American, or Hispanic, and compare these to the levels reported by …

Supporting Discharge Preparation For Children With Medical Complexity: A Scoping Review, Emily Moore, Mia Waldron, Darlene Acorda, Cara Gallegos, Barbie Giambra, Stacee M. Lerret, Christine R. Platt, Danielle A. Sarik, Zara Sajwani-Merchant, Nesibe Sumeyye Kutahyalioglu, Pamela Gampetro, Susan Groshong, Marianne Weiss, Teri L. Hernandez, Sandra Staveski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The transition from hospital to home is a critical period for children with medical complexity (CMC) and their caregivers, often associated with increased risks and stress. Both registered nurses and advanced practice nurses play a pivotal role in facilitating this transition through discharge preparation, including planning, coordination, and teaching. However, best practices for optimizing discharge processes for CMC remain unclear. The need for a comprehensive understanding of hospital discharge during this crucial time is apparent as adverse events following discharge are common and are often attributed to insufficient preparation and communication. This scoping review aims to identify key nursing …

A Scoping Review Of Oral Feeding Skill Development In Typically Developing Children Part I: Methodologies, Populations, And Normative Data, Amy L. Delaney, Anna Flatt, Hannah Koepp, Alissa V. Fial, Katherine C. Hustad

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This scoping review is the first in a two-part series aimed at synthesizing literature on oral feeding skills and informing the development of a classification system of observable skills. This article consolidates research on feeding skill development in typically developing children. The second paper analyzes individual skills identified. This review addresses three questions: (a) What methods have been used to study feeding skill development? (b) What populations of typically developing children without feeding disorders have been studied? (c) What normative data on feeding skills are available?

Method:

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for …

Color Change In Commercial Resin Composites With Different Photoinitiators, Feng Gao, David W. Berzins

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

The yellowing effect of camphorquinone (CQ) has led manufacturers to add alternative initiators into resin composites (RCs) to reduce the amount of CQ used. The aim of this study was to investigate the color change in commercial RCs with alternative photoinitiators besides CQ. Color change upon polymerization and aging in air and artificial saliva for up to 3 months was tested for seven commercial RCs (traditional and bulk-fill) with either CQ only or CQ and additional photoinitiators (CQ+). Color measurements were obtained with a spectrophotometer. Color change (ΔE) was calculated using the CIELab and CIEDE2000 formulae. ANOVA and a post …

Evaluating Dental Ai Research Papers: Key Considerations For Editors And Reviewers, Sergio E. Uribe, Manal H. Hamdan, Nicola Alberto Valente, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Fahad Umer, Antonin Tichy, Ruben Pauwels, Falk Schwendicke

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in dental research for diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease prediction. However, many dental AI studies lack methodological rigor, transparency, or reproducibility, and no dedicated peer-review guidance exists for this field.

Methods

Editors and reviewers from the ITU/WHO/WIPO AI for Health – Dentistrygroup participated in a structured survey and group discussions to identify key elements for reviewing AI dental research. A draft of the recommendations was circulated for feedback and consensus.

Results

The consensus from editors and reviewers identified four key indicators of high-quality AI dental research: (1) relevance to a real clinical …

Corrigendum To “A Compound Of Concentrated Growth Factor And Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium” [Tissue Cell 65 (2020) 101373], Z. Aghamohammadi, M. Kadkhodazadeh, M. Torshabi, Fahimeh Tabatabaei

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Dental Care For Patients With Congenital Bleeding Disorder: A Systematic Review, Afsary Jahan Khan, Sydur Rahaman Riyadh, Mohammed Gh Abd Ali Al-Naser, Norjehan Yahaya, Mas Suryalis Ahmad, Aminda Faizura Omar, Altaf H. Shah

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Dental management in patients with congenital bleeding disorder (CBD) can be complex, as even minor oral surgery may precipitate prolonged bleeding. Effective treatment requires a thorough medical and dental history evaluation, including pre-, intra-, and post-operative planning. This systematic review (SR) aims to analyze data on CBD patients, including age, treatment techniques, outcomes, and recommendations for minimizing bleeding risks.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across five databases—PubMed via MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science—using expert-validated keywords. Manual searches complemented the selection process, covering studies from first January 2009, to December 31, 2024. …

Medication Prescribing Checklists And Their Impact On Patient Safety: A Scoping Review, Yilei Liu, Tate W. Miner, Kawtar Zouaidi, Anika N. Roy, Muhammad F. Walji, Kristin N. Ray, Donald B. Rindal, Elsbeth Kalenderian, Katie J. Suda

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Imagining What’S Next In Pediatric Feeding Care, Amy L. Delaney

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is now recognized as a diagnostic entity, and we have the diagnostic and procedural codes for it. This is a turning point in our field because these codes don’t just unlock reimbursement—they validate and name the invisible. They allow us to collect data and identify patterns, and they open a door to remarkable things.

A “Re-Imagining The Economic Value Of Nursing” Summit Summary And Recommendations, Olga Yakusheva, Marianne E. Weiss, Tanya Mulvey, Anabel F. Castillo, Marcela Campoli

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

In April 2024, the ANA Enterprise sponsored a “Re-imagining the Economic Value of Nursing” Summit to move the conversation forward on recognizing and leveraging the economic value of nursing within organizations across the US healthcare system. Invited participants engaged in a spirited dialogue about reconceptualizing nurses as critical assets in generating value within the production and financial dynamics of contemporary healthcare systems. This article summarizes the discussion and recommendations emerging from the summit.

In healthcare organizations and systems, nurse executives are the bridge between the production of patient care by the nursing workforce and the organizational financial performance. Historically, nursing …

Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain/A1 Uses Fast Synaptic Vesicle Cycling To Cleave Plasma Membrane Bound Snap-25, Alexander Gardner, Molly Sneller, William H. Tepp, Joseph T. Barbieri, Sabine Pellett

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are the most potent protein toxins for humans, yet how BoNT-Light Chain/A1 (LC/A1) journeys to cleave intracellular SNAP-25 is understudied. Here we use a cell-based assay to measure cytosolic EGFP-LC/A1 intracellular trafficking and SNAP-25 cleavage in Neuro-2A cells. Intracellular LC/A1 associated on microtubules and co-localized with Rab GTPases involved in fast synaptic vesicles and endosome recycling. Multiple Dominant Negative (DN) Rabs GTPases involved in fast synaptic vesicles or endosome recycling inhibited LC/A1 trafficking to the intracellular plasma membrane and SNAP-25 cleavage. A cytosolic LC/A1 variant that bound the plasma membrane from the cytosol was insensitive to DNRab …

Multiyear Implementation And Qualitative Evaluation Of A Peer Mentoring Circle Program, Tana M. Karenke, Juanita T. Garcia, Alexandria Zielinski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience intensified challenges, including life stressors, social isolation, discomfort relating to the dominant culture on campus, and under-preparation if coming from low-resource high schools and neighborhoods. Multiyear implementation and outcomes of an ongoing peer mentoring circle (PMC) program for undergraduate nursing students from disadvantaged and underrepresented minority backgrounds are described.

Method

This study examined a 5-year longitudinal descriptive evaluation of ongoing PMC programming using thematic analysis.

Results

Four major themes were identified from student qualitative evaluation data: (a) connection and friendship; (b) adjustment and transition; (c) academic support; and (d) leadership skills. Challenges encountered …