Digital Commons Network^™

Moving From Traits To The Dynamic Process: The Next Steps In Research On Human Resilience, Yannick Hill, Michael L. Dolezal, Patric C. Nordbeck, Ruud J. R. Den Hartigh, David Pincus, Adam W. Kiefer, Bernard P. Ricca

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The current literature on resilience shows a trend toward a dynamic process conceptualization, moving away from the previous trait-approach. However, the term “dynamic” is increasingly treated as a buzzword and is thereby oversimplified in the literature. The aim of this article is to develop a unified language pertaining to resilience as a dynamic process, so as to ensure progress in this field. First, we briefly introduce the traditional trait approach alongside the implicit assumption on which it is built. Next, we contrast this approach by discussing what dynamics entail and how this approach differs from mainstream psychological approaches. Specifically, dynamics …

Mitigating Compassion Fatigue, Sylvia Lee Christian-James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue is the physical, emotional, and spiritual result of chronic self-sacrifice and/or prolonged exposure to difficult situations that renders a person unable to love, nurture, care for, or empathize with another’s suffering. The attributes that led nursing leadership to believe compassion fatigue (CF) was an issue for registered nurses (RN) at the project site facility included increased RN turnover, vacancy rates, absenteeism, and dissatisfaction. The project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the RN staff of an inpatient psychiatric hospital. The practice question was as follows: Does the evidence support usability of a standardized practice guideline …

Mitigating Compassion Fatigue, Sylvia Lee Christian-James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue is the physical, emotional, and spiritual result of chronic self-sacrifice and/or prolonged exposure to difficult situations that renders a person unable to love, nurture, care for, or empathize with another’s suffering. The attributes that led nursing leadership to believe compassion fatigue (CF) was an issue for registered nurses (RN) at the project site facility included increased RN turnover, vacancy rates, absenteeism, and dissatisfaction. The project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the RN staff of an inpatient psychiatric hospital. The practice question was as follows: Does the evidence support usability of a standardized practice guideline …

Readmissions And Death Rates In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease At Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Adam Ikli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Readmissions and death rates can serve as indicators of performance in healthcare organizations and can reflect a lapse in staff performance particularly for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to determine the extent to which readmissions and death rates within 30 days of discharge for patients with COPD at selected Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, differed between 2015 and 2018. The transitions theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. The research questions evaluated readmissions and death rates for patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at VA medical centers …

Spectrum, Volume 53, Issue 10, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include:“Election Reflections”: A Campus-Wide Discussion -- Connecticut Wildfires Cause Concern on Campus -- Helping Friends & Helping Ourselves: A Heart to Heart -- Dance Program Helps Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer -- SHUdent Thanksgiving Traditions -- $300,000 Raised for SHU Performing Arts Programs

Rooted In Nature: Pre-Service Teachers' Development Of Nature-Based Pedagogical Insights Through A Forest School Field Experience, Janet Vanlone, Lauren Shearer, Makenna Luzenski, Ellen Amarante, Susan Chlebowski, Chris Boyatzis

Faculty Journal Articles

Outdoor education programs, such as Forest School, have physical, social-emotional, and academic benefits for children, and teachers trained in nature-based pedagogy are more likely to provide outdoor education opportunities for their students. Incorporating outdoor field experiences in teacher preparation may teach new teachers how to implement nature-based programming. However, little is known about how outdoor field experiences affect pre-service teacher development. Grounded in self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977), this mixed-methods study examined in a pretest-posttest design how participating in a 12-week outdoor field experience contributed to pre-service teachers’ (N = 9) knowledge of nature-based pedagogy and their self-efficacy. Participants also completed …

Mitigating Neuroinflammation In Cognitive Areas: Exploring The Impact Of Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitor, Carlos Henrique Rocha Catalão, Luis Henrique Angenendt Da Costa, Jonathas Rodrigo Dos Santos, Luciane Carla Alberici, Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho, Diogo Dominguini, Tatiana Barichello, Maria José Alves Rocha

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Existing literature suggests that infection-specific mechanisms may play a significant role in the onset and progression of dementia, as opposed to the broader phenomenon of systemic inflammation. In addition, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for sepsis, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) by analyzing neurodegenerative markers, mitochondrial respiration, and neuronal tracing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) of sepsis survivor animals. Adult Wistar rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture or left non-manipulated. …

2024-11-20 The Rocky Horror Picture Show Is Back!, Milan Damjanac

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Upstream Lawyering: A Framework For Poverty Law, L. Kate Mitchell

DePaul Law Review

No abstract provided.

Gpr-1194 Computer Vision-Enhanced Spectroscopy For Glucose Prediction: An In Vitro Validation Study, El Arbi Belfarsi

C-Day Computing Showcase

This study introduces a novel computer vision-based spectral approach for non-invasive glucose detection using synthetic blood samples. We developed an experimental setup with glucose concentrations from 70 to 120 mg/dL, using two dye methods. Light sources tested included an 850 nm LED, 850 nm laser, 808 nm laser, and 650 nm laser, with image capture via a 1080p IR camera. Data augmentation, including Gaussian noise, contrast and brightness adjustments, rotations, and zooming, produced seven variants per image. Three machine learning models—CNN, AdaBoost, and ResNet—were evaluated, with the 850 nm light source yielding the best results: 87.5% of predictions fell within …

Gmr-8195 Machine Learning-Enhanced Hpcc Systems For Alzheimer's Disease Detection: A Scalable Solution For Early Diagnosis, Zularbine Kamal

C-Day Computing Showcase

Alzheimer's disease is an incurable brain disorder that gradually deteriorates memory and cognitive abilities, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, difficulty in thinking, and changes in language, behavior, and personality. Early diagnosis that is effective, innovative, and cost-efficient can help mitigate damage to nerve cells. Detecting these symptoms through voice responses and analyzing the corresponding transcripts offers a promising approach. This poster demonstrates how an open-source platform can be utilized for text classification to identify Alzheimer's disease, employing fast, inexpensive, and non-invasive methods to complement other diagnostic techniques

Gmr-7179 Improving Alzheimer’S Detection Via Synthetic Data Generation Using Gpt-4 And Multi-Level Embeddings, Venkata Sai Bhargav Mutala, Imaan Shahid

C-Day Computing Showcase

This study leverages large language models (LLMs), particularly GPT-4, to overcome the data limitations often encountered in Alzheimer’s detection. We utilize GPT-4 for data augmentation, generating synthetic speech transcripts to enhance machine learning model training. Our approach combines fine-tuned BERT embeddings with CLAN-derived linguistic features, as well as sentence-level embeddings, to improve classification performance on the ADReSS2020 dataset. BERT and CLAN features capture detailed linguistic variants, while sentence embeddings offer robust semantic representations, collectively enhancing the accuracy and generalization of the models. Among the classifiers tested, the Random Forest model shows the best performance, achieving an accuracy of 88% with …

Gpr-233 Human-Assisted Ai For Detecting Mental Health Indicators In Social Media, Abm Adnan Azmee, Francis E Nweke, Mason V Pederson

C-Day Computing Showcase

Mental health is essential to overall well-being, and mental illness includes conditions that affect a person’s psychological health, causing significant distress and limiting daily functioning. With advancements in technology, social media has become a platform where individuals openly share their emotions and thoughts, offering a unique window into their psychological states. However, traditional machine learning models struggle to interpret social media data's wide range of linguistic nuances. To analyze this data effectively, collaboration with human experts is crucial. This study proposes an innovative human-AI teaming framework that integrates human expertise with artificial intelligence (AI) to address these challenges. Our framework …

Uc-145 Eerie, Diana Kabar, Joshua Whorton, Alex J Gann, Skyler A Freeman

C-Day Computing Showcase

Eerie is a psychological horror/thriller game that plunges players into the harrowing journey of Alice, a young girl trapped in her home. As she navigates the dimly lit corridors of her once-familiar environment, Alice grapples with haunting hallucinations and a distorted reality that intertwines the tangible and surreal. The gameplay revolves around her desperate quest to recover cherished belongings, each revealing deeper layers of her fractured story. Players must confront both real enemies and manifestations of Alice’s psyche, creating a tense dynamic that challenges them to strategize against both physical threats and the shadows of her fears.

Amplifying The Coloring Art Of A Friend With Alzheimer’S Disease Through Collaboration, Liz Langdon

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

The act of coloring pages, is recognized for its therapeutic value and this research shows how amplifying the artistry of a practitioner with Alzheimer’s disease enhances understanding about the disease, improves relationships and adds value to an underrated art practice. My collaboration with a neighbor experiencing Alzheimer’s disease involved presenting her coloring pages as fine art in a gallery, increasing recognition of the practice as valuable for maintaining normalcy and serving as a model for other people with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers.

Crip Time And Creativity: Exploring Intergenerational Artmaking In A Children's Museum, Kelly M. Gross

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This paper investigates the intersection of "crip time" and creativity through an intergenerational artmaking project conducted during an artist residency at a children's museum. The article, framed within the "Shadows and Light: Investigating with Children" project, explores how play-based learning and the non-linear concept of crip time influenced the creative process and outcomes in a museum setting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the role of intergenerational interactions in fostering creativity, agency, and engagement among children and the artist-in-residence. The research methodology involved qualitative analysis of imagery and iterative documentation of art processes, emphasizing the impact of flexibility and …

Pearl And Murray Greenberg Award Lectures, Linda J. Helmick, Margaret Walker

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Connections: Full Journal

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Rifles And Rivals: A Study Of The Domestic Effects On American Military Policy, Rachel Warren

The Dialogue

Rachel Warren analyzes the domestic forces shaping U.S. military foreign policy in the post-Cold War era. The paper evaluates the roles of political polarization and the military-industrial complex, using quantitative analysis to assess their influence on legislative decisions​

Sexual Violence In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Kate Schaible

The Dialogue

Katie Schaible investigates the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on the prevalence of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Schaible explores how underdevelopment and continuous conflict exacerbate social issues, limiting economic and institutional development. Recommendations include international intervention strategies, governance reforms, and support for victims to address the widespread human rights abuses in the DRC​

Cross-Party Voting In 21st Century Presidential Primaries: A Social And Empirical Analysis, Mark Trautmann

The Dialogue

This paper by Mark Trautmann explores the phenomenon of cross-party voting in U.S. presidential primaries, focusing on its prevalence and impact in open primaries. Trautmann examines cases in the Midwest, analyzing data and media narratives surrounding the Michigan Republican Primary (2000, 2012) and the Democratic Primaries in Wisconsin (2004) and Indiana (2008). The findings suggest that while media often overemphasizes the influence of cross-party voting, its actual effect on primary outcomes remains limited, though potentially disruptive in certain cases

Jose Rizal And The Birth Of The Social Sciences In The Philippines, Resil B. Mojares

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

The paper narrates jose Rizal’s sojourn in Berlin in 1887 as a defining moment in the emergence of the social sciences as a Filipino discipline. it situates this moment in a much wider history, in which such factors as the expansion of the economy, civil bureaucracy, education, and nationalism gave rise to the first Filipino writings in such fields as history, anthropology, sociology, economics, and political science. in recalling Rizal and his time, the paper argues that there is a longer history of the disciplines in the Philippines than is usually acknowledged.

The Southern Nevada Care Economy: Addressing Child Care And Elder Care Challenges, The Lincy Institute

Lincy Institute Events

This community forum examines the economic and societal impact of the “care economy” in Southern Nevada in collaboration with Tripp Umbach, a nationally recognized consulting firm that provides comprehensive services including research and strategic plans to further the operations and activities of healthcare services.

Central to the care economy is elder care and child care. Having access to elder care and child care services is essential to working age adults, many of whom need one or both types of services to continue participating in the workforce. The delivery of child care and elder care services have far-reaching implications for our …

Revisiting Charles Perrault’S Iconic “Bluebeard” Serial Killer In Modern French Variants, Christa Catherine Jones

World Languages and Cultures Faculty Publications

“Bluebeard” (ATU 321: Maiden-Killer), a fairy tale about a wealthy noble man and serial killer, is the most gruesome of Charles Perrault’s fairy tales. Bluebeard epitomizes evil and horror. In Perrault’s tale, Bluebeard’s evilness is linked to patriarchy and power, as symbolized by the villain’s iconic blue beard. Historically linked to Henry VIII (1491–1547), King of England, Bluebeard has also been associated with Breton commander Gilles de Rais who was hanged for sorcery and satanic abuse. This article examines how contemporary francophone “Bluebeard” variants refashion and redefine evil and whether they contain any new morals linked to evilness. Do …

Experiences Of A Digital Health Innovation For Older Adults Living With Long-Term Health Problems: The Selfstrength Application, Cecilia Åberg, Catharina Gillsjö, Jenny Hallgren, Mia Berglund

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

There is a national call for digital health innovations in the provision of health and social care, especially for older adults in the context of home. The Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue (STRENGTH) method is used to provide individual and holistic care using recurrent dialogues. The SelfSTRENGTH application (app) was developed to support reflection and stimulate activity that enables achievement of meaningful life projects. The objective of the study was to describe how the use of the SelfSTRENGTH app is perceived by older adults living with long-term health problems. A qualitative, descriptive and inductive design. Data, analyzed using a phenomenographic approach, consisted …

Igen + Technology: A Longitudinal Study Of The Effects Of Screen Time And Social Media On Sexual Desire, Jessica Caiola-Rich

ETD Collection

Researchers have extensively analyzed generational cohorts as a means of understanding economic, social, behavioral, and political trends. A growing body of literature has focused on Millennials (individuals born between 1981 and 1996) because of their large makeup within the U.S. population, their early exposure to mobile phones and social media, and their divergent view of the world, compared with previous generations. Millennials have exhibited an increase in depression and anxiety-related symptoms (Twenge, 2017). However, iGen (born between 1995 and 2012), the first digitally native generation, has not received the same degree of attention. Similar to Millennials, GenZ has reported high …

Support Seeking Among Essential Healthcare Workers And First Responders During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Victoria Pezzino

ETD Collection

The present study examined essential healthcare workers’ (HCWs) and first responder’s perceptions about the effectiveness of the quality and quantity of social support received in light of the emotional experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the psychological distress they experienced working during that time. Although healthcare sectors had supports in place, this study used a mixed method approach of questionnaires and interviews, to better understand the healthcare workers’ perceptions about what did and did not work to help them maintain their sense of well-being and ability to work successfully during the extraordinary worldwide health care crisis caused by COVID19. Understanding …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Parenting, Nicole S. Berger

ETD Collection

This study examined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on parenting behaviors. Parent Development Theory (PDT) (Mowder, 2005) suggests the greater social-cultural environment can influence how parents perceive their role in relation to their child. The PDT parenting behaviors can be conceptualized as bonding, discipline, education, general welfare and protection, responsivity, sensitivity and negativity (Mowder, 2018). Changes in society during the pandemic may have influenced parenting behaviors and overall family dynamics. To address this question, participants completed demographic questions, the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire–3 (PBIQ–3) (Mowder, 2018), and an open-ended survey. Results from the PBIQ–3 were compared to previously collected parent …

Pawlingo: Bridging Virtual And Real-World Language Learning Through Mixed Reality, Xueer Wang

Theses

PawLingo harnesses the power of mixed reality (MR) technology to enable users to learn new languages anytime, anywhere. By enhancing the interactivity and immersion of language learning, PawLingo revolutionizes how users engage with new languages. The platform features virtual non-player characters (NPCs), such as a panda representing Mandarin, who guide and interact with users in their daily environments. Whether navigating everyday scenarios like markets or public transit or practicing vocabulary in real-time, PawLingo seamlessly integrates language instruction into the user's surroundings. This research explores the development and impact of PawLingo, highlighting its ability to enhance user engagement, retention, and cultural …

Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Adderall, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information about what Adderall is used for, how it can be misused, and what parents can do to talk to their kids about appropriate use.