Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

School-Based Sensory Room Education Program: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Makenzie Stiles, Bonnie Fischer-Camara, Tracie Ostrander, Elizabeth Young, Sophia Theodorou, Jacie Schneider

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

Sensory rooms are commonly used within school settings to support students' self-regulation, behavior, and participation in educational activities. However, evidence suggests that special education teachers and teacher aides often receive limited training on the appropriate use of sensory rooms, including identifying students who may benefit and selecting activities based on individual sensory needs. The purpose of this mixed-methods, pre-experimental capstone project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based sensory room education program for special education teachers and teacher aides at Deposit Central School District. Guided by Ayres Sensory Integration® and Adult Learning Theory, the project included a needs assessment, …

Exploring Parents’ Perspective Of Outdoor Occupational Therapy Sessions, Harold Ho, Michelle Huynh, Christina Le, Amy Morrison

Master's Projects

Introduction: Outdoor play is recognized as critical for supporting children’s development across physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains (Firby & Raine, 2022; Walker & Ray, 2024; Zhu et al., 2024). The current literature suggests that outdoor play strengthens executive functioning, early learning skills, and enhances social-emotional competency (Dinkel et al., 2019; Walker & Ray, 2024; Zhu et al., 2024). Furthermore, accessibility to outdoor play is shaped by contextual factors, including parental perceptions of safety, environmental barriers, and broader societal influences (Cox et al., 2025; Faulkner et al., 2025; Jelleyman et al., 2019). The research suggests that common parental concerns have emerged …

Identifying And Prioritizing Essential Healthcare Services For A Private Start-Up Healthcare Hub In Laxmipasha, Bangladesh, Ferdous Ara Mostofa

Dissertations

This quantitative study identifies and prioritizes essential healthcare services for developing a private start-up healthcare hub in Laxmipasha, Bangladesh, a rural community with significant gaps in healthcare access. Using secondary data from national and international sources, the research analyzed disease burden, population characteristics, and service availability to determine the most urgent health priorities. A structured, evidence-based framework was used to evaluate services based on mortality and morbidity, service gaps, and potential health impact. The findings indicate that Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) management, and infectious disease control represent the most critical priorities for initial implementation. The study …

Trends In Dermatologic Biologic Prescribing: A Medicare Part D Public Use File Analysis From 2018 To 2023., Cathleen V D'Angelo, Patricia Wilberger, Chase Merritt, Joshua Burshtein, Dawn Merritt

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

No abstract provided.

Risques De Blessures Professionnelles Et Leurs Déterminants Parmi Les Jeunes En Emploi Au Québec Entre 2015 Et 2021 : Analyses Selon Les Parcours D'Emploi Et D'Études, Jaunathan Bilodeau, Marc-Antoine Busque, Martin Lebeau, Gabriel Beauchamp

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les blessures professionnelles parmi les jeunes demeurent un enjeu de santé publique majeur. Bien que les jeunes soient considérés comme une des populations à mettre en avant pour la prévention de la santé et la sécurité du travail, les mécanismes et processus impliqués dans leurs blessures au travail demeurent à explorer. Cette étude vise ainsi à mieux comprendre les facteurs contribuant aux risques de blessures professionnelles et de leur récurrence parmi les jeunes âgés de 15 à 24 ans. Plus particulièrement, l’objectif consiste à (1) documenter l’association entre les profils de parcours professionnel ainsi que d’études et le risque de …

Sox11 Overexpression Restores Embryonic Pro-Growth Transcription In Mature Corticospinal Tract Neurons, Eliazbeth Batsel, Zimei Wang, Elizabeth Otten, Syed Roshan, Rabia Mohammad, Paula Pascual, Darby O'Shea, Jose Rosas, Pantelis Tsoulfas, Murray G. Blackmore

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) display a high capacity for axon growth during early development but lose this ability at a pivotal differentiation stage marked by synaptic maturation, circuit integration, and a profound shift in gene transcription. Once mature, most CNS neurons fail to reverse this transcriptional switch after axon injury, fundamentally constraining their intrinsic capacity for axon regeneration. Here, we show with single-nucleus RNA sequencing that forced expression of the transcription factor Sox11 in mature corticospinal tract (CST) neurons produces large-scale and stable changes in gene expression that are highly enriched for growth-relevant processes, and which strongly …

Clinical Outcomes With Perioperative Nivolumab By Nodal Status In Patients With Stage Iii Resectable Nsclc: Phase 3 Checkmate 77t Exploratory Analysis, Mariano Provencio, Mark M Awad, Jonathan D Spicer, Annelies Janssens, Fedor Moiseyenko, Yang Gao, Yasutaka Watanabe, Aurelia Alexandru, Florian Guisier, Nikolaj Frost, Fabio Franke, T Jeroen Nicolaas Hiltermann, Jie He, Fumihiro Tanaka, Shun Lu, Cinthya Coronado Erdmann, Padma Sathyanarayana, Phuong Tran, Vipul Devas, Tina Cascone

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with metastases to the ipsilateral mediastinum or subcarinal lymph nodes (N2 disease) have poor long-term survival. This exploratory analysis from the randomized phase 3 CheckMate 77T study assessed clinical outcomes by nodal status in individuals with stage III NSCLC who received neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant nivolumab (nivolumab) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant placebo (placebo). Here we show that among patients with N2 disease, nivolumab versus placebo improved event-free survival (1-year rate, 70% versus 45%; hazard ratio, 0.46 (95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.70)) and pathological complete response rate …

Navigating Nursing Professional Governance: Unveiling Its Significance, Part 2, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Misty Daugherty

Podcasts

Learn about the fundamental principles and practices of NPG to elevate nursing practice, foster professionalgrowth, and enhance patient outcomes.

Revolutionizing Nursing Care: Implementing Acuity Based Staffingstrategies, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Natalie Denson, Marshall Stephenson

Podcasts

On this episode, we are discussing an innovative approach to staffing based on tailoring nurse staffing to meet patient needs, and how this can lead to enhanced patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction.

Navigating Nursing Professional Governance: Unveiling Its Significance, Part 1, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Tammy Webb

Podcasts

Children’s Health Chief Nurse Executive Tammy Webb discusses some of the key components of nursing professional governance or NPG and why we transitioned to this new model. Together, Tammy and Brennan laid the groundwork and spearheaded the strategy for NPG at Children's Health.

Cultivating Wellness: Nurturing Gratitude And Resilience, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Elaine Beardsley, Alison Kell

Podcasts

This heartfelt discussion on the power of wellbeing and gratitude in nursing practiceoff ers practical strategies to gear up for the busy season, prioritize wellness and recognize the invaluable contributions of your nursing colleagues.

Fueling Nursing Excellence: Exploring New Talent Pipelines, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Deb Echtenkamp, Christina Smith

Podcasts

Learn about an innovative talent pipeline developed to help build our clinical nursespecialist team, and how they are shaping the next generation of nursing professionals that will lead the way in care delivery.

Judge Me Not: Exploring Black Mothers’ Perceptions Of Maternal Health Care Services And Structural Racism In South Carolina, Julisa Tindall, Teri Browne Ph.D., Msw, Tisha M. Felder Phd, Msw, Bongki Woo Ph.D., Bree Alexander-Richardson

Publications

Black women in the United States face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, driven by structural racism, patient-provider mistreatment, and gendered and racial discrimination. However, little research has explored Black mothers’ perceptions of maternal health care services and structural racism in the Southeastern U.S. This study aims to address this gap by examining Black mothers’ maternal health care experiences in South Carolina. Using semi-structured interviews conducted during the summer of 2023 with Black mothers who had given birth within the previous five years, this qualitative study employed grounded theory to analyze recurring themes in their maternal health care experiences. The …

Online Lifelong Optimal Adaptive Control Of Partially Uncertain Strict Feedback Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Quadrotor Uavs, Maxwell Geiger, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article considers the infinite time horizon optimal adaptive tracking control of partially uncertain strict feedback discrete-time (DT) systems with application to quadrotor uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, the strict feedback DT system is transformed into an equivalent affine nonlinear DT system in terms of the tracking error dynamics. The optimal adaptive tracking control problem is solved using an augmented system approach, where a horizon of future bounded reference trajectory points is used in the augmented state, when compared to using a single point. It is assumed that the internal dynamics of the strict feedback system are unknown, but the …

Bovine Colostrum And Late-Onset Sepsis In Premature Infants: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (Bcsp Study), Hany Wifky Gendy Michael, Hassan Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, Dalia Abu Elmaaref Mohamed Ibrahim

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Aim: Neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have a great impact on morbidity and mortality in immature newborns. We performed our trial to examine the impact of enteral bovine colostrum administration upon late neonatal sepsis in premature newborns. Patients &Procedures: The study included neonates who had a birth weight (BW) of 1-1.8 kg, a gestational age (GA) of full 28-34 weeks, and a postnatal age of ≤ 96 hours. A blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study was done using two groups; one of them received bovine colostrum daily within the first 96 hours starting from the 2nd day of feeding and for …

Auditory Memory In Children Who Stutter, Sanaa Mahran Mohamed Qandel, Nihal Hisham Abdelhamid Mostafa, Nihal Hisham Abdelhamid

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Stuttering has been described as a disorder in motor speech in which disruption in the timing between laryngeal, respiratory, and vocal tract rhythm of speech. It is characterized by prolongations and involuntary repetitions of sounds. Children who stutter (CWS) characterized by inability to produce sounds, with intra-phonemic disruption and involuntary silent pauses. Many studies have examined central auditory processing skills and reported impairments, yet auditory memory skills have not been adequately evaluated, leaving a gap in the available information. Aim of the study Assessing auditory memory performance and auditory memory abilities in CWS. Methods: Measuring recognition memory, memory for …

Early Clinical Outcomes Of The Use Of Del Nido Versus Intermittent Warm Blood Cardioplegia After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Ahmed Abdalla Mohamed, Ahmed M Elshemy, Sherif M Elboghdady, Wael S Nekhila, Ismail R Barrada

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background While the best approach to protecting the heart during surgery varies based on the specific operation and the surgeon's preferences, del Nido cardioplegia, initially successful in children, is gaining traction as an alternative to the traditional blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac procedures. Aim This investigation comparatively analysed the early postoperative consequences in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, contrasting the application of del Nido cardioplegia with conventional warm blood cardioplegia techniques. Methods Randomised controlled clinical research was conducted to compare the efficacy of antegrade del Nido (DNC) and intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWBC) in safeguarding myocardial function …

Prevalence Of Diabetic-Nephropathy In Children And Adolescents With Type-One- Diabetes Mellitus: A Recent Perspective, Randa Mohamed Darwish, Ayat Ibrahim Ghanem, Jehan Ibrahim Altohamy, Dina Mahmoud Khalifa

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Among the most important microvascular complications in Type-one-Diabetes Mellitus (T-1-DM) in adolescents and children, Diabetic-nephropathy (DN) stands high. Early detection is crucial to prevent its progress to chronic kidney disease. Objective This study was designed aiming at the elaboration of an updated prevalence for Diabetic-nephropathy and to identify the risk factors among pediatric patients age group with T-1-DM . Methods The present cross-sectional-study was conducted starting from September 2023 to September 2025 including a group of 100 cases of adolescents and children with T-1- DM (aged 5–16 years) and 100-matched age and sex healthy control group. Clinical evaluation included …

Usage Of Valved Conduit In Replacing The Mitral Valve In Heavily Calcific Or Destroyed Annulus: A Prospective Cohort Study, Yosry M Thakeb, Ahmed Kamel Abdel Ghany Hassan, Wael Abdelatief Mohamed Elhakeem

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Heavily calcified or destroyed mitral annulus present significant technical challenges for conventional valve replacement, often requiring alternative surgical strategies. Aim: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, operative outcomes, and the competency of valved conduit in patients with heavily calcified or destroyed mitral valve annulus. Methods: Fifteen patients (mean age 58.8±8.21 years, 53.3% female) underwent valved conduit mitral valve replacement at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, National Heart Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes (GOTHI), Egypt. Preoperatively, 80% presented in NYHA class III-IV with mean ejection fraction of 37.6±7.65% and pulmonary artery pressure of 50.6±11.39 mmHg. Bioprosthetic valves were used …

A Randomized Controlled Trial In A Teaching Hospital Comparing The Outcomes Of ‎Single-Layer Versus Double-Layer Uterine Suturing With Polyglactin In The Development ‎Of Uterine Niche Following Caesarean Section, Ahmed A. Kassab, Ali E. Khayal

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising globally, with Egypt reporting one of the highest rates. A potential complication of CS is the development of a uterine scar defect, or niche, which may be associated with abnormal bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. The technique of uterine closure may play a significant role in the prevention of niche formation. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of double-layer uterine closure versus single-layer closure in preventing niche formation after a first CS, as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) at six weeks postpartum. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Mataryia Teaching Hospital, Cairo, including …

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Pulmonary Functiontest Follow-Up Rates, Celine Agidigbo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are associated with significant physical, mental, and social burdens that impact patients’ quality of life (Franssen et al., 2018). Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is an essential diagnostic test for identifying and managing pulmonary conditions. Missed or delayed follow-up after abnormal PFT results may derail disease management and lead to frequent hospital readmissions, thereby disease management and patient outcomes.

According to Braveman et al. (2010), socioeconomic status (SES), defined by factors such as income, education, and employment, has been widely associated with disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. This paper examines the impact …

Crashheart, Ellie Riekert, Kennady Skidmore, Madison Furino

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to develop an XR (extended reality) iPad training system to improve pediatric crash cart preparedness among nurses and clinical staff at Akron Children’s Hospital. In emergencies such as respiratory failure or shock, quick and accurate access to crash cart supplies is vital, yet opportunities for hands-on practice are limited. Current nurse training relies on PowerPoint instruction or costly physical simulations, reducing engagement and skill retention. Our interactive XR solution replicates the crash cart’s layout and contents, allowing users to practice identifying and retrieving critical items in a realistic environment without using physical supplies. The system will be …

Redrawing Anatomy: Addressing Female Genital Underrepresentation In Educational Texts, Clara E. Krohn

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The fight for female equality in the historically male dominated medical field is an ongoing battle. This project focuses primarily on the underrepresentation of female genitalia in undergraduate academic textbooks. A dissected pelvis of a female cadaver was initially examined. Pictures were obtained with scale bars to accurately depict size of the structures included. Underrepresented structures such as the clitoris and the broad ligament were closely examined along with the reproductive system as a whole. The pictures compiled along with further research were used to design a portfolio of diagrams and a survey to be later administered. The survey was …

Age-Related Ultrastructural Differences In The Dorsal Cortex Of The Inferior Colliculus In The Fischer Brown Norway Rat, Kylee M. Tenney, Dakota Smallridge, Gillian Barach, Gurveer Singh, Erin Beskitt, Justine Busby, Syllissa Duncan, Alexa Wawrzyniak, Brenda Vega, Nick Tokar, Andrew Ohl, Jesse Young, Jeffrey Mellott

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The inferior colliculus is a nucleus in the auditory midbrain that plays an important role in sound and speech processing through how it encodes temporal precision. Temporal precision depends on the balance of inhibition and excitation within the IC. This balance degrades during aging. Age-related changes in synapses have been described in the lemniscal IC as a contributing factor for this imbalance. However, it is unknown if aging affects synapses throughout the non-lemniscal IC in a similar manner. We sought to determine this by examining the dorsal cortex of the IC. The ICd is a non-lemniscal nucleus that is well …

Cardiorespiratory Response In Esports Participants In Competition And Scrimmage, Jacob W. Bowerman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore how heart rate differs between scrimmages and competitions in varsity esports athletes at The University of Akron. This study also examines how heart rate varies across video game titles, as well as before and after both scrimmage and competition play. A scrimmage is defined as a practice game between two collegiate esports teams in which league standings and tournament eligibility are not affected by the outcome. In contrast, a competition is an official match between collegiate esports teams in which results directly influence league standings and tournament qualification.

Physiological stress can be …

The Impact Of Night Shift On New Nurses: Effects On Mental Health And Work-Life Balance, Avery Windham, Abby Maruskin, Elizabeth Yoder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research examines the impact of night shift schedules on new nurses' mental health and work-life balance as they transition into professional practice. The transition from nursing school to the workforce presents challenges that are further compounded by shift work, which can disrupt circadian rhythms and contribute to stress, fatigue, and reduced job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to evaluate how starting on night shift versus day shift influences nurses’ self-evaluation of work-life balance within their first year of practice. This systematic review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed sources to assess the physical, emotional, and professional consequences of night …

“It Feels Like A Safe Container”: Experiences Of Finding Solid Ground Groups For Adults With Dissociative Disorders., Laura Hawkins, Sarah Chipps, Kim Foreman, Stephanie Johnson, Aimee Mccann, Rebecca Braughton, Abidemi Mary Ajuwon, Dongjuan Xu

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective: Dissociative disorders (DD) are trauma-related conditions marked by disruptions in memory, identity, and consciousness. Despite high prevalence, DDs are underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study explores the experiences of adults with DD participating in a 31-week Finding Solid Ground (FSG) psychoeducational group. Method: Participants (N=72) were mostly women (81%), who experienced a DD or PTSD dissociative subtype, along with multiple mental health comorbidities. Eight groups (seven virtual, one in-person) completed 31 weekly 90-minute sessions based on the FSG curriculum as adjunctive to individual psychotherapy. Thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyze participants’ hopes, challenges, helpful and unhelpful aspects, and perceived …

Pawpulse Dog Collar, Sean Graham, Hailey Barger, Connor Mulichak, Addison Towne, Kieran Nolan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

PawPulse is revolutionizing pet care through innovative technology that enhances pet health, safety, and well-being. Combining advanced hardware designs, AI-driven analytics, and IoT integrations, PawPulse offers a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers pet owners with actionable insights into their pets' health and activity. As a global leader in pet health technology, PawPulse integrates features like real-time health monitoring, predictive analytics, and location tracking into a seamless mobile app experience.

This project examines the growth and scaling strategies of PawPulse, focusing on critical areas such as Information Systems, Analytics, and Legal frameworks. It details the company's strategic evolution from a startup to …

Propofol Vs Dexmedetomidine: Impact On Reintubation And Respiratory Depression, Dominic J. Hamad, Stephanie Wodrich, Logan Campola

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to compare the effects of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol on breathing recovery in ICU patients who have been mechanically ventilated. Specifically, we want to find out whether one sedative is more likely than the other to lead to respiratory depression or reintubation after sedation is stopped. These outcomes are important because they directly affect patient safety, ICU length of stay, and overall recovery. Our team will conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials found through databases like PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. We will focus on adult ICU populations and only include studies that report on relevant …

Magnifying Mental Health In The Perinatal Population: A Systematic Review, Kasey E. Arnold, Alyssa M. Maki

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Pregnant individuals often experience significant anxiety, which can negatively affect both pregnancy and fetal outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of pharmacologic versus non-pharmacologic anxiety-relieving interventions, primarily focusing on the labor period. The PICOT question is: In perinatal patients, do non-pharmacologic anxiety-relieving measures, compared to pharmacologic anxiety-relieving measures, have a greater impact on ease of delivery and overall mental health during pregnancy and the perinatal period? PRISMA (2020) guidelines were used with inclusion criteria of human subjects, English language, and published within the last six years. Databases included PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Twenty-three studies were analyzed to examine …