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Manuka Honey and Black Seed Oil In Combination as Antimicrobials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes
No full textHoney is a natural and organic substance known to have antimicrobial activity and be used as an alternative to antibiotics. Many studies have been done that illustrate the positive antimicrobial effects of honey. The mixture of honey with Nigellasativa, often referred to as black seed extract or oil, is a unique study of this combined antimicrobial against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Honey and black seed oil are effective separately as antimicrobials. This could lead to an alternative to fighting microbes besides using antibiotics. The experimental design included an in vitro tryptic soy broth diffusion test with phenol (for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) and Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test (for all bacterium) with antibiotic standards with manuka honey and black seed oil agents independently used as well as a mixture of the two agents. For the disc diffusion test, discs impregnated with the test agents were plated on agar plates inoculated separately with the three bacterial types. The manuka honey alone killed some of the S. aureus bacterial cells with a slight effect. The BSO independently was more effective in the Kirby-Bauer procedure as S. aureus and S. pyogenes were susceptible compared to resistant to manuka honey alone and in combination. P. aeruginosa was susceptible only to the combination treatment and not the independent use of the agents. These two agents can have great potential in combination with other natural products and antibiotics against certain bacterial strains that required further testing
Enhancing Stroke Awareness Through Interprofessional Education and Collaboration
Full text linkStroke remains a leading cause of disability in the United States, disproportionately affecting older adults in underserved communities. This project, Enhancing Stroke Awareness Through Interprofessional Education and Collaboration, highlights a collaborative effort between graduate and undergraduate students in speech-language pathology, nursing, occupational therapy, community health, and addictions studies. The Interprofessional Education and Collaboration (IPEC) project was implemented at the Bremen Township Senior Wellness Center, engaging seniors in stroke awareness education, prevention strategies, and communication resources for stroke recovery. Through a three-session model, students developed interdisciplinary teamwork skills while providing community members with evidence-based information about stroke prevention, lifestyle modifications, and rehabilitation options. This poster presentation will showcase the development, implementation, and outcomes of this initiative. Topics include the role of each discipline in stroke prevention and recovery, best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration, and lessons learned in engaging diverse senior populations. Pre- and post-assessment results from the ICCAS-R tool will be discussed, demonstrating knowledge gains and attitudinal shifts in collaborative practice. The project also addresses health disparities by ensuring accessibility and cultural responsiveness in stroke education. This initiative aligns with GovState’s mission to integrate academic learning with community engagement, fostering future healthcare professionals\u27 readiness for interprofessional collaboration. Attendees will gain insights into effective interprofessional education models and strategies for implementing similar health initiatives in their communities
Spasticity and Ultrasound Imaging: A Retrospective Study
No full textThis study aims to quantify differences between spastic and unaffected limbs in patients with chronic stroke by using diagnostic US to measure spastic muscle characteristics of medial gastrocnemius/soleus and rectus femoris including muscle thickness, fascicle length, and pennate angle. This study will also correlate LE spastic muscle architecture findings with Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity level. Stretching will be performed for quadriceps, gastrocnemius, or soleus musculature according to Kisner and Colby’s Foundations and Techniques. Based on understanding of current impairments and treatments related to stroke and spasticity, study results will be to used to guide further research to determine effective PT intervention selection and management
Governors State University Board of Trustees Full Board Meeting, Video Recording March 10th, 2025 Pt. 2
No full textInfluence of Miscanthus Floridulus on Heavy Metal Distribution and Phytoremediation in Coal Gangue Dump Soils: Implications for Ecological Risk Mitigation
No full textCoal gangue dumps, a byproduct of coal mining, contribute significantly to heavy metal contamination, impacting soil and water quality. In order to assess the levels of heavy metal contamination in soils at different stages of abandonment, this study investigated the role of Miscanthus floridulus (M. floridulus) in the spatial distribution and remediation of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Pb) in coal gangue dump soils abandoned for 0, 8, and 12 years in Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. Fieldwork was conducted at three sites operated by the Pingxiang Mining Group: Anyuan (active, barren), Gaokeng (8 years, natural vegetation), and Qingshan (12 years, partially remediated). Anyuan remains largely barren, while Gaokeng supports natural vegetation without formal remediation. In contrast, Qingshan supports diverse plant species, including M. floridulus, due to partial remediation. Using a randomized design, root exudates, heavy metal concentrations, and soil properties were analyzed. The results showed that Cd poses the highest ecological risk, with concentrations of 64.56 mg kg−1 at the active site, 25.57 mg kg−1 at the 8-year site, and 39.13 mg kg−1 at the 12-year site. Cu and Pb showed accumulation, while Cr and Mn decreased over time. Root exudates from M. floridulus enhanced metal bioavailability, influencing Cd, Cr, and Ni concentrations. These findings highlight the importance of rhizosphere processes in metal mobility and inform sustainable remediation strategies for post-mining landscapes.https://opus.govst.edu/fac/1243/thumbnail.jp
Thinning Intensity Enhances Soil Multifunctionality and Microbial Residue Contributions to Organic Carbon Sequestration in Chinese Fir Plantations
No full textSoil multifunctionality is essential for the enhancement of soil carbon sequestration, but disturbances such as thinning practices can influence soil microbial activity and carbon cycling. Microbial residues, particularly microbial residue carbon (MRC), are important contributors to soil organic carbon (SOC), but the effects of thinning intensity on MRC accumulation remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of four thinning treatments—control (CK, 0%), light-intensity thinning (LIT, 20%), medium-intensity thinning (MIT, 30%), and high-intensity thinning (HIT, 45%)—on soil multifunctionality in Chinese fir plantations five years after thinning. Soil nutrient provision, microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and microbial residue carbon were assessed. The results showed that thinning intensity significantly affected soil nutrient provision and microbial biomass, with MIT and HIT showing higher nutrient levels than CK and LIT. Specifically, MIT’s and HIT’s total nutrient provision increased by 0.04 and 0.15 compared to that of CK. Enzyme activity was highest in LIT (+0.89), followed by MIT (+0.07), with HIT showing a decline (−0.84). Microbial biomass, including bacterial PLFAs (B-PLFAs), fungal PLFAs (F-PLFAs), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and nitrogen (MBN), was highest in CK and MIT, and lowest in HIT, with MIT showing a 0.13 increase compared to CK. Microbial residue carbon (MRC) accumulation was positively correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). The highest MRC content in the 0–20 cm soil layer was observed in MIT and CK (10.46 and 11.66 g/kg, respectively), while the MRC in LIT and HIT was significantly lower, reduced by 24% and 12%, respectively. These findings highlight the significant role of thinning intensity in microbial activity and carbon cycling. Medium-intensity thinning (MIT, 30%) was identified as the most effective approach for promoting microbial biomass and enhancing carbon cycling in Chinese fir forest soils, making it an optimal approach for forest management aimed at increasing soil carbon sequestration.https://opus.govst.edu/fac/1165/thumbnail.jp
Soil Aggregation, Aggregate Stability, and Associated Soil Organic Carbon in Huron Mountains Forests, Michigan, USA
Full text linkSoil organic carbon (SOC) plays a critical role in regulating the global carbon (C) cycle, with forest soils serving as significant C sinks. Soil aggregate stability and the distribution of SOC in different aggregate fractions would be affected by different forest types. In this study, we investigate the distribution and dynamics of SOC within different soil aggregate fractions across three main forest types in the Huron Mountains, Michigan, USA: white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest, eastern-hemlock-dominated forest, and sugar maple forest. We hypothesize that variations in species composition and soil depth influence SOC storage and aggregate stability through mechanisms such as root interactions, microbial activity, and soil structure development. Soil samples were collected from three depth intervals (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) and analyzed for aggregate size distribution and SOC content. The results showed that aggregate size distribution and SOC stocks differ significantly across forest types, with the white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest exhibiting the highest proportion of large aggregates (\u3e1.0 mm), which contribute to more stable soil structures. This forest type also had the highest total aggregate mass and mean weight diameter, indicating enhanced soil stability. In contrast, sugar maple forest displayed a greater proportion of smaller aggregates and a lower macroaggregate-to-microaggregate ratio, suggesting fewer stable soils. SOC stocks were closely linked to aggregate size, with macroaggregates containing the highest proportion of SOC. These differences in SOC distribution and soil aggregate stability can be attributed to several underlying mechanisms, including variations in plant root interactions, microbial activity, and the physical properties of the soil. Forests with diverse species compositions, such as the white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest, tend to support more complex root systems and microbial communities, leading to improved soil aggregation and greater SOC storage. Additionally, forest management practices such as selective thinning and mixed-species planting contribute to these processes by enhancing soil structure, increasing root biomass, and promoting soil microbial health. These interactions play a crucial role in enhancing C sequestration and improving soil health. Our findings emphasized the importance of forest composition in influencing SOC dynamics and soil stability, offering insights into the role of forest management in C sequestration and soil health. This study provided a reference to a deeper understanding of SOC storage potential in forest ecosystems and supports the development of sustainable forest management strategies to mitigate climate change.https://opus.govst.edu/fac/1059/thumbnail.jp
Preferences for Intuition and Deliberation in Decision-Making in the Public Sector: Cross-Cultural Comparison of China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the USA
No full textThis paper explores hypotheses based on Hofstede’s cultural framework showing that decision-makers’ culture impacts their implicit choice. How people make decisions is tested through the behavioral dimension preference for intuition/preference for deliberation based on data from 1,233 employees in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the USA. This study reveals significant variation in individuals’ intuitive and affective decision-making in the public sector across different countries. Individuals’ deliberative decision-making is impacted by long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance. The study finds that Eastern countries (China, the Philippines, and Taiwan) have higher scores for intuitive/affective decision making than the Western countries (the USA).https://opus.govst.edu/fac/1025/thumbnail.jp
Design and Implementation of an Evidence-Based Pilot Program to Support New Graduate Nurses\u27 Transition to Professional Practice: Application of Soft Skills Education in an Associate Degree Program
Full text linkProblem Statement: Post-pandemic nurse graduates experienced difficulty transition to professional practice due to limited focus on soft skills acquisition in pre-licensure nursing curricula.
Background:Faculty characterized graduates as underprepared for professional practice, stating concerns affecting retention, patient outcomes, and work satisfaction.
Aim:The quality improvement project goal was to address the transition to practice readiness by providing soft skills education to associate degree students.
Theoretical Framework:This project applied Benner\u27s Novice-to-Expert MOdel and Duchscher\u27s Stages of Transition.
Methods:Utilizing a mixed methods approach, March-April 2024, a sample size of 28 participants completed both pre- and post-Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Surveys (CFRPS), and ten Likert-style surveys. Two COVID-19 era graduates were also interviewed. Inclusion was limited to 2020 to 2022 graduates and current students through May 2025.
Outcomes: Participants demonstrated a change in readiness for transition to practice in three of twenty areas.
Conclusion:This project provides a guide to provide soft skills education to improve nursing transition to practice readiness
Ceremonia de Graduación - 2025
No full text17 de mayo de 2025 10:00 h
Estudiante ponente: Sra. Catherine Miles
Facultad de Educación y Desarrollo Humano Facultad de Salud y Servicios Humanos
17 de mayo de 202516:00 h
Estudiante ponente: Sra. Kaylie Dahms
Facultad de Administración de Empresas Facultad de Artes y Ciencia