Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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 …

Safe Optimal Control Framework For Cooperative Manipulation Of Objects In Human–Robot Teams, Irfan Ganie, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article introduces a distributed deep neural network (NN)-based adaptive control framework for cooperative object manipulation in human–robot teams with unknown agent dynamics by using three distinct multilayer NN observers (MNNOs). The first observer, termed the reference point estimator, enables each robotic agent to estimate the object's reference center using consensus-based learning, even without direct access to global reference trajectories. The second observer, referred to as the human force-to-trajectory estimator, uses human-applied forces to infer the intended position, velocity, and acceleration of the object, enabling real-time estimation of human intent. Together, these two observers allow distributed estimation of human-intended motion. …

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 …

To Treat Or Not To Treat: Evaluating Antipyretic Use And Patient Outcomes In Febrile Care, Nico Teodosio, Brynley Harris

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This honors project aims to critically examine the evidence-based practice use of antipyretics in fever management, questioning whether suppressing fever is truly in the patient's best interests and if it benefits patient outcomes. Grounded in nursing, past nursing courses, and emerging research, this project aims to answer the following PICOT question: In febrile patients, how does withholding, or not administering, antipyretics compared to administering antipyretics affect patient outcomes during hospitalization? Through a literature review, this project will analyze studies from databases like PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on outcomes like recovery time, symptom severity, complications, and mortality. Using the PRISMA …

The Influence Of Familial Substance Use Disorder On Perceptions And Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders And Participant Substance Use Behavior Among Emerging Adults, Elijah M. Lefeld, Jennifer Stanley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project explores how the lived experience of having an immediate family member with a substance use disorder (SUD) influences a person’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to substance use. Rather than focusing on the individual diagnosed with SUD, the study examines the reciprocal impact on family members within the social subsystem. Using a quasi-experimental design, the project will compare participant responses using with and without a familial connection to SUD. Data will be collected through Qualtrics surveys distributed via SONA. These measures will record demographic information, personal substance use habits, attitudes toward addiction, perception of substance use disorders, …

The Connection Between Medicaid And Obesity In Northeast Ohio, Sophie Kheder, Emmie Kelley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States that is projected to increase exponentially over the next few years. Obesity is commonly associated with a lower socioeconomic status. Lower-income individuals tend to be supported by Medicaid, a federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Prior studies have shown a positive correlation between income status and obesity prevalence. Our goal was to find if there was a correlation between Medicaid patients and obesity in Northeast Ohio, to provide physicians with a set of characteristics to better combat obesity, since preventative and treatment guidelines are tailored to national trends. We …

Morphological Variation Of The Clavicular Rhomboid Fossa: Bilateral Asymmetry, Sexual Dimorphism, And Environmental Influences, Michaela Tucker, Skylar Hall

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Morphological variation on the clavicle, specifically the rhomboid fossa, may be impacted by age, sex, laterality, and mechanical stress. Occupational stress and loading conditions lead to bone remodeling and adaptation to change, altering the costoclavicular ligament site. A sample of 94 bilateral clavicles from individuals ages 16-40 years was analyzed using computer tomography (CT) and 3-dimensional reconstruction. Clavicles were categorized into five groups: flat, smooth, elevated, depressed, and pitted. Chi-squared analyses were used to test associations between morphology and age, side, and history of strenuous lifting. Significant differences were observed between class and sex for the leftsided clavicle group. Female …

C. Difficile Detection Method For First Responder Glove Application, Alli N. Senedak

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Clostridioides Difficile (C. diff) is a Anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus that is capable of spore formation, making it difficult to control its spread and duration in clinical environments. This phenomenon can provide danger to first responders, healthcare workers, and patients. The goal of this project is to create a biosensor capable of detecting C. diff in a clinical setting that can be applied to a glove apparatus. The project will involve the use of C. diff aptamers activated on the surface of an electrode. Once surface activation has been verified via surface analysis, the electrodes will be exposed to C. diff …

Evaluation Of Mycoplasma Genitalium Positivity And Co-Infection With Chlamydia Trachomatis And/Or Neisseria Gonorrhoeae At Various Care Sites Across The United States, Rebecca Lillis, Rodney Arcenas, Christy M. Boraas, Steven E. Chavoustie, Lashonda Crane, Nicole D'Empaire, Aaron C. Ermel, Glenn Harnett, Federico Hinestrosa, Stacey House, Joseph Miller, Anthony Mills, Ronald Poblete, Stephen Young, Barbara Van Der Pol

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), based on results from a trial assessing clinical performance of the Cobas® Liat CT/NG/MG point-of-care test. METHODS: A prospective, US, multicenter, noninterventional study assessed MG positivity in prospective urine samples (male) and clinician-collected vaginal swabs (female) from symptomatic/asymptomatic patients aged ≥14 years attending various clinical settings. Participants were designated positive or negative for MG, CT, and NG based on combined results from three US Food and Drug Administration-approved assays and one laboratory-developed test. MG co-infection with CT and/or NG was assessed. RESULTS: Among …

Associations Between Oral Hormonal Contraceptive Use, Digestive And Other Health Symptoms In Young Women, Silviana E. Buzatu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral hormonal contraceptives (OHCs) are widely used among reproductive-age women; however, their gastrointestinal (GI) side effects remain understudied. The present study examined associations between OHC use, GI, physical, and psychological symptom burden in a large sample of undergraduate women. Participants (N = 669) aged 18 to 25 years were recruited from UCF’s SONA system and classified into three groups based on self-reported contraceptive status: no birth control, combined estrogen–progestin OHC, and progestin-only OHC. Participants completed GI questionnaires, as well as physical and mental health symptoms ones.

Multivariate analyses indicated that overall GI symptom profiles did not differ significantly by birth …

Repurposing Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors For The Discovery Of Novel Antiplasmodial Compounds, Ritam Bhowmik

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Malaria remains a major global health burden with over 282 million cases annually and rising resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies. Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite species in humans, relies on tightly regulated cell cycle progression during replication within red blood cells. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are central regulators of eukaryotic cell division and transcription, and several CDK-like enzymes in P. falciparum, including Pfmrk and PfPK6, are essential for parasite growth and structurally distinct from human kinases. This study evaluated whether commercially available human CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) targeting cancer pathways could be repurposed as novel antimalarial compounds. A library of …

Health Care Governance And Structural Exclusion In Florida: A Human Rights Analysis Of Access For Latinx Communities, Natalie Medrano

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Access to health care in the United States is a complex system shaped by statutory programs and the discretionary powers of state governance. This thesis examines how Florida’s healthcare system structures access through administrative design, with particular attention to its impact on Latinx communities. Although formally race-neutral, Florida’s reliance on Medicaid non-expansion, managed care delivery, and complex eligibility processes produces systemic barriers that limit access for low-income populations. Drawing on the international right-to-health framework articulated in General Comment No. 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, alongside Latinx Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), this study analyzes how …

Manuka Honey Modulates Oxidative Stress In Neuro2-A Cells Through Mitochondrial Regulation, Rachel Abramovici

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Manuka honey is known for its vital usage in wound healing, being an agonist towards fighting infections, and is an acting antioxidant [32]. Its main constituents are flavonoids and phenolic compounds, with methyl syringate (MSYR) being a major active ingredient. The specific compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects, particularly in the CNS, remain unclear. It is hypothesized that pre-treatment of mouse neuroblastoma cells with MSYR followed by hydrogen peroxide exposure will activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1a pathway, due to MSYR’s phenolic structure, and thus reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial biogenesis. Hydrogen peroxide is a standard reactive oxygen species (ROS) treatment to …