Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ai-Based Pilot Fatigue Monitoring For Enhanced Aviation Safety, Joshua Henderson, Alexander Landau, Braxton Moor, Jacky Yang, Caleb Difabio

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Pilot fatigue remains a persistent systemic operational hazard in commercial aviation because it can degrade attention, reaction time, decision-making, and crew coordination during safety-critical phases of flight. Although regulatory duty-time limits and Fatigue Risk Management Systems provide baseline protections, these controls rely heavily on voluntary reporting and post-event analysis, which may fail to detect fatigue in real time. The purpose of this project was to design and evaluate an artificial intelligence-enabled fatigue monitoring concept intended to reduce undetected pilot fatigue risk within the airline Safety Management System framework. The study applied a structured research approach including a literature review to …

Assessing The Impact Of Various Factors On Hypoxic Response, Reese Kim, Allysa Hayden

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Hypoxia is a condition in which the body’s tissues are deprived of oxygen and has deleterious effects on cognition, perception, and performance. Hypoxia has a myriad of symptoms such as euphoria, difficulty concentrating, headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, tunnel vision, and more. Outward signs of hypoxia include cyanosis (blueing of the fingertips and lips), tremors, loss of coordination, pallor, and complexion change, and can be used to notice the onset of hypoxia in others. Many factors are known to contribute to the manifestation of hypoxia, namely altitude, exposure duration, and certain physiological conditions such as heart problems and low blood flow …

Radiographic Evaluation Of Kidney Size In Cats: Effects Of Sex And Gonadal Status, Somchin Sutthigran, Auraiwan Klaengkaew, Chutimon Thanaboonnipat, Suppawiwat Ponglowhapan, Nan Choisunirachon

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Radiographic evaluation of kidney size using the kidney-to-second lumbar vertebral body length (K/L2) ratio is a standard method for assessing kidney size in cats. However, current reference values underdetermine biological factors such as sex and gonadal status, which may influence kidney and lumbar length. Reproductive hormones are known to influence kidney and vertebral development, but their specific effects on radiographic kidney and vertebral measurements in cats are unclear. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effects of gonadal status on kidney length, L2 vertebral length, and the K/L2 ratio in clinically healthy cats. A total of 285 cats were included …

From Crisis To Reform: How The 1918 Influenza And Covid-19 Pandemics Redefined The Relationship Between Nurses And The American Healthcare System., Anh N V Le

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

The 1918 Influenza and COVID- 19 pandemic have become two major public health crises that reshaped the role of nurses in the America healthcare system. Although a hundred years apart, both pandemics revealed how deeply the country depends on nurses during emergencies without proper and efficient strategies. This paper argues that these pandemics acted as turning points that redefined the social contract between nurses and the U.S. healthcare system. By examining historical context, nurses’ responsibilities, public perception, and long-term effects, this research show how pandemics expanded nurses’ authority while also exposing long-term weakness of the systems. In 1918, nurses were …

The Chameleon Experience: Queer Identity, Mental Health, And Transformation, Cameron Penny

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

In this autoethnographic piece, I examine the correlation between queer identity and mental health through reflective analysis of my own experiences within a Western socio-cultural setting. I expand external perspectives on the queer experience by highlighting the normalization of queer prejudice and its adverse impact on self-image. I share how the religious praxis of Catholicism enforces binary conformity by promoting dichotomous thinking that simultaneously constricts queer expression and subjugates implicit biases. In tandem, I utilize autoethnography as my medium because it provides a unique outlet to raise awareness for chronically stigmatized identities by centering marginalized voices (Atay, 2011; Chavez, 2013). …

Reducing Live Discharges Using A Tiered Protocol In A Rural Hospice: A Quality Improvement Project, Jemma Lowak

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To reduce 30-day caregiver-driven hospice revocations by implementing a tiered post-admission nursing visit protocol based on caregiver preparedness. Background: Caregiver distress and inadequate support contribute to hospice revocations and interruptions in care. Increased nursing contact during the first week of enrollment may improve caregiver preparedness and reduce crisis-driven hospitalizations. Methodology: An eight-week quality improvement project using the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework was implemented at a rural hospice agency. Caregivers completed a Caregiver Preparedness Survey to assign preparedness tiers and guide additional nursing visits during the first week. Process measures included survey completion and protocol adherence. Outcome measures included caregiver preparedness and …

Improving Adherence To Remote Patient Monitoring (Rpm) For Patients With Hypertension, Chioma Udegbune

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Hypertension is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease, and suboptimal adherence to remote patient monitoring (RPM) limits opportunities for timely intervention and effective blood pressure management in outpatient primary care.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: Among outpatient clinic nursing staff responsible for remote patient monitoring (RPM) in adults with hypertension (P), how does implementation of a structured nurse-led education and reminder protocol (I), compared to standard RPM practices consisting of routine onboarding and passive reminder processes (C), influence patient adherence to RPM protocols (O) over a 10-week period (T)?

Evidence: Evidence supports nurse-led education, …

Telomere-To-Telomere Genome Assembly And A Pangenome For The Rat, Kai Li, Julia L Ciosek, Sergey Koren, Adam M Phillippy, Yaming Zhu, William A Lauer, Shelise Y Brooks, Gerard G Bouffard, Brandon D Pickett, Beth L Dumont, Melissa L Smith, Theodore S Kalbfleisch, Peter A Doris

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

We report a complete rodent telomere-to-telomere genome assembly from the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus. Annotation was enriched with multi-tissue long-read RNA sequencing and uncovered numerous novel genes. Assembly of both sex chromosomes reveals the absence of gene coding in the presumed pseudo-autosomal regions and the presence of centromeric satellite repeats on distal chromosome Y (chrY). We provide evidence of meiotic conjunction between Xp and Yq. The genome assembly reveals several expanded autosomal regions enriched for testis-expressed genes. Finally, we have generated a pangenome from recent high-quality assemblies of 8 distinct inbred rat strain genomes. This allows the strain-specific distribution of …

Draining The Risk, Holding The Line: A Nurse-Driven Approach To Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention, Thy Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain among the most common preventable healthcare-associated infections, with CMS eliminating reimbursement for hospital-acquired cases since 2008. Within a five-unit, high-acuity microsystem at an urban acute care hospital, four CAUTIs were documented between January and July 2026 despite established prevention protocols. Adherence gaps were identified in catheter necessity assessment, maintenance practices, and nurse-driven removal protocol use. This quality improvement project was guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice framework and Lewin's Change Theory. A targeted nursing education intervention addressing bladder scanning, dependent loop identification, and catheter care bundle adherence was implemented across the microsystem over …

Confidence Versus Competence: Addressing Nursing Knowledge Gaps In Catheter Care To Reduce Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, Leslie Anne Villanueva Bautista

Master's Projects and Capstones

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain among the most prevalent and preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), contributing substantially to patient morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and healthcare expenditures. Most hospital-acquired UTIs are related to urinary catheters, and this burden costs the United States alone an estimated $340 to $450 million annually (Yang et al., 2022). CAUTIs are UTIs that occur in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. This quality improvement project aimed to increase adherence to existing bladder scanning protocols and strengthen urinary catheter care to prevent CAUTI. Baseline staff nurse knowledge was obtained, and reinterpretation of the facility’s existing protocols and bundles …

Shared Equity Leadership In An Offshore Medical School: Distributing Responsibility For Equity, Vishal B. Surender, Sreekrishna Penna, Oluwabusola Osimosu

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This essay applies the Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) framework to an offshore MD program at a private Caribbean medical school where students complete basic sciences on an island and clinical clerkships across multiple international sites. Using SEL scholarship and de-identified institutional data, we ask how equity work is currently distributed, where gaps emerge in assessment, remediation, and mobility for historically underrepresented students in medicine, and how responsibility for equity might be more deliberately shared. The Woven model of SEL provides a lens to map existing structures like curriculum committees, CQI dashboards, advising systems, and clinical site partnerships. We propose a …

A Rare Sight: Isolated Third Nerve Palsy As The Sole Presentation Of A Non-Functional Pituitary Adenoma, Jorge A. Aboytes, Jose J. Loayza, Ivan Mogollon, Ismael Cantu

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Hypopituitarism results from insufficient pituitary hormone production, often due to adenomas—accounting for ~15% of intracranial tumors. Non-functional adenomas, typically affecting older adults, may present with visual field deficits, headaches, or cranial nerve palsies when extending into the cavernous sinus. Isolated oculomotor (third nerve) palsy is a rare initial manifestation.

Case: A 46-year-old man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes presented with acute right-sided headache, diplopia, ptosis, and right leg weakness. He had right ptosis, a fixed dilated pupil, facial droop, and right leg weakness. Given concern for stroke, he received thrombolytic therapy with partial leg improvement, but persistent diplopia and …

Beyond The Clot: A Rare Case Of Extensive Dvt And Pulmonary Embolism Revealing May-Thurner Syndrome, Jorge A. Aboytes, Jose J. Loayza, Ivan Mogollon, Daniel Pena, Michelle Lopez

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in young adults is uncommon and typically associated with identifiable risk factors. In cases where DVT occurs without apparent provocation, congenital anatomical anomalies should be considered. May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS), a vascular compression disorder involving the left iliac vein, is a frequently overlooked cause of iliofemoral DVT in young individuals, particularly women.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old woman with no significant medical history presented with acute left leg swelling, pain, and discoloration, along with new-onset dyspnea and chest discomfort. She had recently transitioned to a contraceptive patch and reported reduced mobility due to fatigue. Imaging confirmed left …

Myoelectric Transradial Prosthesis Motor Control With Temporal Convolutional Neural Network Signal Processing, Carolyn Ascha Richardson, Katherine Clark, Francis Genco, Hope Lea, Tobiah Rosser

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Transradial (below-the-elbow) amputees account for more than half of all upper limb amputations. Myoelectric prosthetic arms, which use electromyography (EMG) sensors on the surface of the forearm to convert electrical signals from residual limb muscles and mimic hand movement, are popular options for these amputees. However, these prostheses are limited in residual muscle detection and movement accuracy. The objective of this project is to affordably manufacture an externally-powered transradial prosthesis prototype through EMG time-versus-voltage readings collected with six Delsys Trigno Avanti and eight Thalmic MYO EMG sensor channels placed along the extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor …

Fatigue And Circadian Disruption In Long-Haul Ferry Pilots: Human Factors Challenges And Mitigation Strategies, Parneet Makkar

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption present significant human factors challenges in long-haul aviation operations, particularly for ferry pilots (pilots responsible for transporting aircraft long distances between locations) who often travel across multiple time zones before beginning flight duties. Circadian rhythms regulate the human sleep-wake cycle and are closely tied to cognitive performance, alertness, and coordination. Rapid travel across time zones can disrupt these rhythms, producing symptoms commonly associated with jet lag such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced cognitive functioning. For ferry pilots, long travel periods and irregular schedules may increase the likelihood of fatigue before flight operations even begin. …

Mri-Based Estimation Of The Hip Joint Center In Infants Using Two Sphere-Fitting Methods, Victoria Melendez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Accurate estimation of the hip joint center (HJC) is critical for biomechanical modeling and clinical assessment. Common methods include predictive methods (e.g., regression equations) and functional methods such as sphere-fitting. In infants, femoral head-based methods are often limited due to incomplete ossification of the anatomy and poor visualization in computed tomography (CT) images. This study evaluates an alternative approach using MRI-based sphere fitting of the ossified acetabular rim, comparing its accuracy to traditional femoral head-based methods. MRI scans of three male infants (ages 10.7- 12.7 months) were used to manually place landmarks on the ossified acetabulum and the cartilaginous boundary …

Metabolic Regulation And Immunity In The Spaceflight Environment, Graeme Grainger, Riley Dienna, Astrid Senko, Angela Cebula, Arden Rodriguez Arden Rodriguez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Long-duration spaceflight exposes astronauts to chronic ionizing radiation and microgravity that disrupts homeostasis in the immune system and cellular metabolism. While simulated spaceflight models demonstrate altered T-cell polarization and sex-dependent shifts toward regulatory phenotypes, the metabolic mechanisms driving these immune changes remain unclear. Immune cell function is tightly linked to metabolic programming, with effector T cells relying on glycolysis and regulatory T cells favoring oxidative metabolism, making them highly sensitive to shifts in nutrient availability and redox balance. Emerging research further suggests that neutrophils act as metabolic regulators capable of reshaping the immune microenvironment through oxidative stress, cytokine production, and …

Implementation Of Artificial Intelligence In Retinoblastoma Diagnosis, Zana Moldavsky

inSIGHT

The retina is essential for vision. It is composed of 10 distinct layers and contains specialized photoreceptor cells, rods, and cones that are responsible for converting photons of light into electrical signals through a process called phototransduction.¹ These electrical signals are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve where they are interpreted as a visual picture.¹

Retinoblastoma is a rare but aggressive malignant tumor of the retina and represents the most common intraocular malignancy in the pediatric populabon.² The disease follows Knudson's two-hit hypothesis and occurs due to biallelic inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene …

Home-Use Oct For Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Rapid Review, Sneh S. Shah

inSIGHT

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) requires frequent monitoring to identify recurrent exudation and guide treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.1 Clinic-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) plays a central role in management but provides only intermittent assessments of a disease that changes over time. Home-use OCT technologies have recently been developed as a possible solution, allowing patients to perform self-imaging with remote clinician review and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis. This rapid review summarizes current evidence on home-use OCT for nAMD, including feasibility, diagnostic performance, clinical usefulness, and challenges related to implementation. Findings from feasibility studies, AI validation analyses, observational …

Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Ocular Risk, Saharsh Satheesh

inSIGHT

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have moved from second-line diabetes medications toward the frontline of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic care.¹ A meta-analysis of 10 randomized cardiovascular outcomes trials (n = 71,351) demonstrated that longacting GLP-1 RAs reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by 14%, all-cause mortality by 12%, and composite kidney outcomes by 17%.² With GLP-1 RAs usage increasing, ophthalmology is also increasingly encountering patients who have recently started GLP-1 RAs therapy, often alongside substantial improvements in glycemic control.

In the context of GLP-1 RAs ocular complications, two specific topics currently dominate conversations: (1) worsening diabetic …

Dichoptic Therapy Versus Patching – State Of Literature Review, Eve Miller

inSIGHT

Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children. A meta-analysis performed by Hu et al. 2022 estimated the global prevalence of amblyopia to be 1.36%.¹ Amblyopia is defined as a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of one or both eyes caused by abnormal neurologic development in the critical period of visual development. Amblyopia may result from unequal refractive error, strabismus or ocular pathology.² Despite treatment of these inciting factors, suppression of one eye remains, resulting in unequal vision. The clinical consequences of untreated amblyopia include permanent reduction in vision in the affected eye and …

Novel Advancements In Glaucoma Surgery, Eshani Ragam

inSIGHT

Glaucoma is a degenerative ocular condition characterized by irreversible vision loss from damage to the optic nerve. This is usually secondary to increased aqueous production or impaired aqueous outflow, resulting in increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Aqueous outflow is managed by the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal, although secondary pathways may also be involved.¹ Injury to the nerve is permanent, and interventions are primarily aimed at slowing the rate of progression. While eye drops and laser procedures are first-line measures to lower IOP, more persistent or severe etiologies require surgical treatment to preserve sight.² In recent years, advancements in …

Novel Treatments For Keratoconus, Caroline Paik

inSIGHT

Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward, causing it to become steep and irregular. This leads to irregular astigmatism and worsening vision, most often beginning in adolescence or early adulthood.¹ The management of keratoconus has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with novel therapeutic approaches emerging across three critical domains: halting disease progression, improving visual function, and providing surgical alternatives when conservative measures fail. This review examines the latest advances in keratoconus treatment, focusing on innovative approaches that are reshaping clinical practice.

Insight, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2026

inSIGHT

Contents

7 - Novel Treatments for Keratoconus
By Caroline Paik

12 - Novel Advancements in Glaucoma Surgery
By Eshani Ragam

16 - Dichoptic Therapy versus Patching – State of Literature Review
By Eve Miller

24 - GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Ocular Risk
By Saharsh Satheesh

33 - Home-use OCT for Neovascular Age- Related Macular Degeneration
By Sneh Shah

40 - Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Retinoblastoma Diagnosis
By Zana Moldavsky

Transfemoral Approach To Patent Ductus Arteriosus Occlusion Using Acdo In A Dog With Complex Surgical History, Nawat Sannamwong, Hataichon Owatdhumma, Kornrawee Tharavanij, Thitinan Tangarsasilp, Nardtiwa Chaivoravitsakul, Kongthit Horoongruang, Patmanachatr Bunnag, Nakkawee Saengklub, Krishaporn Kradangnga, Sirilak Disatian Surachetpong, Anusak Kijtawornrat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A five-year-old spayed female Welsh Corgi weighing 12.4 kg presented with exercise intolerance and was diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Due to signs of left-sided volume overload, the dog was initially managed with oral pimobendan and was subsequently referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at Chulalongkorn University for further evaluation and intervention. Upon presentation, the patient was bright, alert, and responsive, with a body condition score of 6 out of 9 and normal muscle condition. The mucous membranes were pink and moist, with a capillary refill time of 1 to 2 seconds. A continuous heart murmur was …

Improving Patient Preparedness Through Implementation Of A Structured Wound Care Discharge Protocol, Kiran N. Gupta

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a structured wound care discharge protocol to improve patient preparedness and confidence in wound self-management after hospital discharge.

Background: Patients discharged with active wounds may experience complications, delayed healing, and unplanned health care use when discharge education and follow-up support are inconsistent. Standardized education may strengthen readiness for self-care and improve transitions from hospital to home.

Methodology: A three-month project used the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework in an inpatient medical-surgical setting. Thirty adults discharged with active wounds received standardized wound care education, written instructions, teach-back verification, and a follow-up telephone call …

Implementing A Standardized Counting Process, Paula M. Mbye

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background: In a Northern California medical center with 11 operating rooms, two retained foreign object (RFO) events occurred following surgical procedures in 2025.

Problem: Surgical teams rely on manual counting processes to prevent retained foreign objects. Variability in counting practices among registered nurses and surgical technologists, combined with workflow interruptions and environmental distractions, can increase the risk of counting discrepancies and missed items. Standardizing the counting process may improve count accuracy and reduce the risk of RFOs.

Interventions: This quality improvement project implemented a standardized surgical counting process based on Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) guidelines within …

What Do Children Think About Bouncy Bands: A Mixed Methods Examination Of Bouncy Bands' Influence On Attention And Physical Activity, Ken Murfay, Sarah Collins

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: To examine how bouncy bands put onto elementary students’ classroom desks influenced students’ physical activity and attention/concentration, in addition to exploring students’/teachers’ opinions of the bands. Methods: Students within both experimental and control groups wore pedometers to assess movement during instruction and completed the d2 test for attention. Results: The group with bouncy bands on the desks had significantly more movement compared to the control group. For d2 scores, there was no significant difference between the two groups, nor was there a significant linear relationship between movement and d2 scores. Interviews were conducted with the students in the experimental …

Early Mobilization In Post Op Care, Jakob Hollenbach, Taylor Grove, Rachael Nembo

Vizient/ AACN Nurse Residency Program™ EBP Projects

No abstract provided.

Miconazole As A Repurposed Anticancer Candidate For Prostate Cancer, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Lindsey Shim, Rajasekhar Baru, Anupam Dhasmana, Ryan Chang, Sung Yun Jung, Rahul Tiwari, Neeraj Chauhan, Vivek K. Kashyap, Sheema Khan, Diane Nguyen, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali Mohan Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

Prostate cancer is one of the major health concerns, with increasing incidence and persistent therapeutic resistance worldwide. Despite various available treatments (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy, biological therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound), patients still show treatment-related side effects over many years. These challenges highlight the urgent need for novel and safe therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we repurposed five FDA-approved antifungal agents, namely natamycin (NM), terbinafine hydrochloride (TH), ketoconazole (KZ), miconazole (MZ), and clotrimazole (CZ), as they can modulate conserved cellular processes, including sterol metabolism and mitochondrial function, which are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of cancer cell …