Digital Commons Network^™

Ai-Driven Stratified Modeling For Early Liver Disease Detection: A Comparative Study Of Ensemble And Conventional Machine Learning Classifiers, Ghadeer Murtadha Ali, Ali Aqeel Hadi, Mustafa Abdulkareem Abbas, Abdullah Alkarar Mohammad, Ahmed Fadhil Abdulhussein

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Background: Early prediction of liver disease remains challenging in routine clinical diagnostics due to the multifactorial nature of hepatic dysfunction and the limited discriminative capacity of conventional laboratory-only assessments.

Objective: This study aims to develop and rigorously evaluate a robust machine learning framework for binary liver disease classification, emphasizing predictive stability, diagnostic balance (sensitivity–specificity), and statistical reproducibility across repeated experiments.

Methodology: A structured dataset of 1,700 records with 11 features representing demographic, behavioral, genetic, and clinical determinants was used to train and compare five supervised models: CatBoost, AdaBoost, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Tree. Performance was assessed …

Review And Revision Of A Preclerkship Ophthalmology Curriculum By Senior Medical Students, Serina S Applebaum, Leena Surapaneni, Sofia Miguez, Christina Jayaraj, Phillip Braun, John Encandela, Ninani Kombo

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Curricular time dedicated to ophthalmology is limited in undergraduate medical education. High-quality, early exposure to ophthalmology is necessary both as foundational training for all future physicians and to foster interest in the field.

Purpose: Through a student-led review, the present study aimed to evaluate and revise the preclinical ophthalmology curriculum at a medical school in the Northeastern United States.

Methods: Four senior medical students systematically evaluated the completeness and instructional effectiveness of preclinical ophthalmology curriculum materials for the 2024-2025 academic year. We evaluated alignment of content with the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) standardized …

Normalizing Ai: The Evanishing Effect And Rethinking The Machine Heuristic, Bumju Jung, Cameron W. Piercy, Patric R. Spence

Human-Machine Communication

This study examines how people evaluate factual claims attributed to human journalists versus artificial intelligence (AI) news bots, and how these evaluations are shaped by individual endorsement of the machine heuristic. An online experiment (N = 233) used a 2 (Agent: human vs. AI) × 2 (Information Veracity: accurate vs. inaccurate) design in which participants viewed a short tweet embedded in either a human or AI profile and then rated perceptions of source credibility, objectivity, bias, and accuracy. Endorsement of an AI-focused machine heuristic was significantly associated with higher source credibility, perceived objectivity, and perceived accuracy, and lower perceived bias, …

Ai Humanizers, Pragmatists, Skeptics: A Cluster Analysis Of Normative Attitudes For Ai’S Capabilities And Roles, Kate K. Mays, Ekaterina Novozhilova

Human-Machine Communication

This study explores people’s attitudes about artificial intelligence’s (AI) capabilities through a normative lens. Drawing from literature on phenomenological, ontological, and heuristic judgments about machines, we aim to better understand what capabilities people think AI should be able to have and how that relates to enthusiasm about having AI take certain roles in their lives. Survey participants (N = 601) were grouped via two-step clustering based on their attitudes, revealing three clusters: AI humanizers, who expect empathy and social interaction from AI; AI pragmatists, who expect cognitive capabilities; and AI skeptics, who prefer AI with limited human-like traits and emphasize …

Two Years To Madness: A 30-Month Journal Of Human–Machine Communication And Second-Hand Reality, Andrew Prahl

Human-Machine Communication

Drawing on a 30-month analytic-autoethnography of the first author’s journal as an earlyaccess OpenAI user, this study examines how sustained communication with generative AI affects everyday lived experience and identity. Inductive content analysis of 166 entries by independent coders is followed by theory-driven coding with the extended-mind and sensemaking frameworks. Three interlocking themes emerge. Enabled and Degraded captures the tension between new capabilities and efficiency versus creeping skill atrophy. Scary New World charts rising anxiety as productivity gains erode competitive and relational distinctiveness. The findings also show a growing, pervasive doubt about the human authorship of texts, images, and other …

Whole Earth Machines: Human-Machine Communication For A Green Transition, Klaus Bruhn Jensen

Human-Machine Communication

The climate crisis of the 21st century represents an existential risk to humanity and biodiversity, posing essential questions of how communication may serve to coordinate mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. One recent response has been massive investments by governments and corporations in systems providing feedback on the state of Earth— Whole Earth Machines (WEMs). For human-machine communication (HMC) studies, WEMs invite sustained engagement with communication infrastructures as a key constituent of research agendas, beyond the interface encounters at the center of many HMC studies to date. The article presents a conceptualization and operationalization of WEMs as critical infrastructures …

From Clicks To Clarity: Advanced Searching In Cinahl, Tracy Ashby, Jennifer Stockton

Library Class: Lunch & Learn

Take your CINAHL search to the next level. Learn practical techniques for combining Subject Headings, keywords, and filters to create strong, effective search strategies that support your evidence-based research.

Monitoring Of Dissolved Calcium Levels In Creeks, Embayment, And Kentucky Lake Waters In Western Kentucky, Majeda Dalloul

Posters-at-the-Capitol

In order to reduce economic and ecological impacts from aquatic alien species, studies are warranted across major taxonomic groups, geographic regions, and habitat types. This study addressed the dissolved calcium levels in Kentucky Lake and its implications for one of the top- ranked invasive species, the zebra mussel, and its colonization. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are well known for their “biofouling” capabilities, costing billions of dollars (for northeastern and midwestern states) in their removal from industrial, public, and power plant water supply lines. Calcium is one of the essential elements that contribute to the growth and reproduction of zebra mussels. …

Assessing The Challenges Faced While Distributing Aid From The Perspectives Of Aid Workers In Gaza, Luke Ragan

Capstone Collection

This study explores the challenges faced by humanitarian aid workers living and operating inside the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas War. Despite unprecedented levels of need and significant international funding, aid operations have been severely hindered by a combination of logistical, political, and mental health barriers. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, this research draws on eight semi-structured interviews with four medical professionals, two logisticians, one security personnel, and one protection specialist who were either deployed to Gaza or worked extensively on Gaza-related aid operations. Findings reveal that the logistics challenges were due to restrictive and inconsistently enforced authorization procedures, …

From "Voluntourism" To Reciprocity: A Critical Service-Learning Model For Ethical Study Abroad In Cadiz, Rayanna Townsend

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes a semester-long study abroad program in Cadiz, Spain that integrates advanced Spanish language immersion, community-based service-learning, and structured intercultural reflection within an ethical, reciprocal framework. It responds to long-standing critiques of extractive and charity-oriented international education and is guided by the research question: How can service-learning study abroad programs be designed to foster reciprocal partnerships with host communities and mitigate harmful or extractive impacts, while supporting second language acquisition and intercultural learning for U.S. undergraduate students?

The program design is grounded in Critical Service-Learning, Fair Trade Learning, sociocultural theories of language acquisition, and developmental models of intercultural …

Global Pathways: Suwon, South Korea - Semester Abroad Program Proposal, Amanda D. Ledger

Capstone Collection

This capstone proposes the Global Pathways: Suwon program, a semester-long study abroad initiative developed in partnership between Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Kyonggi University (KGU) in Suwon, South Korea. The program responds to current limitations in study abroad, particularly the prevalence of short-term tourism-oriented experiences and curricula that prioritizes Western perspectives. A needs assessment consisting of student interviews, surveys, and professional consultation demonstrated strong interest in programs that combine language learning, cultural immersion, and career development. Findings also highlighted the importance of financial accessibility, reciprocal host partnerships, and ongoing advising support. Drawing on Freire’s critical pedagogy and Vygotsky’s sociocultural …

Student Liaisons For Autism: Using College Students In Bridging The Communication Gap, Michael Ota, Gabrielle Carter, Anna Mittal

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

This three-year action research study, currently in its first year of implementation, pairs Kennesaw State autistic undergraduate and graduate students with trained student researchers who serve as liaisons and support resources. These researchers address behavioral and social challenges in college settings, including miscommunication with peers or professors, executive functioning difficulties, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Through mentorship and advocacy, the project seeks to reduce risks of mental health issues, academic withdrawal, and future under- or unemployment. The mixed methods include single-case research design and quantitative analysis, incorporating pre- and post-intervention normed assessments to evaluate impact. Preliminary results show a positive …

Motivation Is A Myth: Supporting Doctoral Students During The Dissertation Writing Process, Njeri M. Pringle, Jamie Workman

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

This session brings together the results of two larger bodies of ongoing research, one on dissertation writing groups, and one on dissertation coaching. The purposes of both studies were to determine if participating in either or both initiatives had a positive affect on doctoral students’ dissertation writing process. Data were collected via surveys and interviews over the course of multiple semesters. The session will highlight key findings from both studies. The researchers will also share practical implications they have learned from facilitating writing groups and coaching services, debunking the myth that motivation alone leads to successful dissertation completion.

A Review Of Deborah Weiss's Women And Madness In The Early Romantic Novel: Injured Minds, Ruined Lives, Jennifer L. Nault Ms

ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830

A review of Women and Madness in the Early Romantic Novel by Jennifer Nault.

Teaching Phillis Wheatley Peters’S Morals On Words And Actions In American Literature To 1860, Don Holmes

ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830

This article argues that teaching Phillis Wheatley-Peters (c. 1753-1784) as a moral authority during the American Revolution provides a robust historical framework for fostering an empowering humanism in students. When Phillis Wheatley Peters wrote to Indigenous Mohegan Minister Samson Occom (1723-1792) in 1774, she expressed satisfaction with his reasons for recognizing the conditions faced by enslaved Africans in North America. Her didactic perspective aimed to enlighten her readers about the limitations of the human condition: “This I desire not for their Hurt, but to convince them of the strange Absurdity of their Conduct whose Words and Actions are so diametrically …

“[B]Oth In Body And Mind”: Gothic, Affect, And Power In Eliza Parsons’S The Mysterious Warning (1796), Rayna Rosenova

ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830

Drawing on recent enquiries into how affect theory could enhance our understanding of eighteenth-century fiction, this article offers a reading of Eliza Parsons’s Gothic novel The Mysterious Warning (1796) to examine how affective resonances in the text are used to codify relations of power. It therefore argues that the power dynamics between the characters are enacted through encounters with human agents and material objects, such as letters and haunting (dis)embodied voices. The article further suggests that affective intensities in the novel, articulated through the language of sensibility typical of mid- and late eighteenth-century writing, generate an ensuing imbalance of power, …

Association, Affect, And Material Reading Practices Of Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Renee Harris

ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830

At the end of the eighteenth century, reading practice was shifting from an embodied, affective exercise to a detached cognitive one. This essay examines how debates about truth and knowledge diverged along disciplinary and gender lines during this critical transition. The essay traces the influence of association psychology—particularly the theories of David Hartley and Joseph Priestley—on Romantic-era poets including Anna Laetitia Barbauld and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Through Feminist Formalist Analysis attuned to affect and cognition, this essay demonstrates how Barbauld's poetic montages challenge the period's scientific discourse. Her "Inventory of the Furniture in Dr. Priestley's Study" and two "Hill of …

The Gendered Duality Of Coldness In The Portrayals Of Eliza Hayley, Francesca Blanch-Serrat

ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830

In the eighteenth century, coldness was defined, on the one hand, in relation to the body and the senses (a body that is lacking in heat) and on the other, to emotion (an individual lacking in passion). It was linked to illness and disability (Turner, 2012), equated to death, seen as both a cause and effect of physical decline and older age, and used as a synonym for low libido and infertility (Toulalan, 2015). In contrast to these negative connotations, coldness was also regarded as a remedy to temper the passions and to ensure longevity (Yallop, 2015), and taking cold …

A Retrospective Review Of The Effects Of Patient Financial Assistance On Glycemic Control In Adults With Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Renee Kuess, Rachele Subik, Alexander Hill, Ron Carico Jr

Marshall Journal of Medicine

This study examined the effects of patient financial assistance on glycemic control in patients with type I and type II diabetes mellitus. Records for patients in our institution's endocrinology clinic who were enrolled in patient financial assistance were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were included if they were age 18 years or older, diagnosed with type I or II diabetes mellitus, enrolled in patient assistance through either manufacturer programs or our institution’s program, and had at least 6 months of glycemic data (i.e., A1c) prior to patient assistance enrollment and 6 months after, excluding 6 months of washout immediately after enrollment. A1c …

Rural Undergraduate Shadowing Program Bolsters Interest In Rural Healthcare Careers, Victoria Sanchez, Christie Zachary, April L. Vestal, Megan C. Govindan, A. Brianna Sheppard

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Background: Addressing rural healthcare provider shortages requires approaches to inspire and prepare future generations for rural health careers. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the impact of an undergraduate rural shadowing pipeline program in advancement to graduate health professional school and future rural practice.

Methods: Baccalaureate-level students from multiple cohorts (2016-2021) who participated in the [University] Rural Undergraduate Shadowing in Healthcare Program completed surveys to assess their experience immediately following program completion. Descriptive statistics of end of program and follow-up surveys conducted 2023 were examined to evaluate the undergraduate pipeline program’s effectiveness.

Results: From 2016-2021, 26 students participated …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

An Enlarging Nodule On The Eyelid: A Case Of Apocrine Adenocarcinoma And Diagnostic Challenges, Kristen E. Bowman, Tyler Van Auken, Erin Reese, David Webb

Marshall Journal of Medicine

This is the case of a 49-year-old female who presented with a chronic, irritated lesion on her left upper eyelid. Following wide local excision, histopathological examination revealed a well-circumscribed lesion consistent with apocrine adenocarcinoma (AC). AC is a rare malignant tumor arising from apocrine sweat glands, typically found in the axillary and anogenital regions. Occasionally, it can present on the eyelid arising from specialized apocrine structures such as Moll’s glands.. AC of the eyelid is often misdiagnosed due to its clinical resemblance to benign conditions such as chalazion, potentially delaying appropriate treatment. Diagnosis relies heavily on histopathology and may be …

More Than A Healthcare Issue: Understanding The Breadth Of Occupational Burnout In Our Patients, Aliza Anderson*, Julia Maniccia*, Marc Moss

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Burnout is an occupation-related condition resulting from chronic workplace stress and is associated with significant psychological and physical morbidity. This commentary recognizes burnout as a public health concern across both healthcare and non-healthcare professions, illuminates key occupational risk and protective factors, reviews the biopsychosocial impacts of burnout, and argues for the integration of occupational health screening into clinical practice. A synthesis of the literature highlighted that existing research has focused primarily on healthcare occupations; however, emerging evidence demonstrates an elevated burnout risk in numerous non-healthcare occupations. Characterized by high job demands, limited autonomy, inadequate social support, and physically demanding labor, …

Supporting Mothering Students In Doctoral Programs, Keisha M. Brown, Janie Copple, Caroline Chubb

Georgia Educational Research Association Conference

Women with children are significantly less likely to complete doctoral programs than their male or non-mothering peers (National Science Foundation [NSF], 2023). This gap underscores the urgency of addressing higher attrition rates for doctoral mothers and the unique challenges that contribute to their departure from the academy. In 2022-2023, women earned approximately 58% of all doctoral degrees (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2024). In 2021, the NSF (2021a) estimated the median age of women in research doctoral programs at 31.7, with a median time to completion of 5.8 years (NSF, 2021b). A 2023 National Health Statistics Report further noted …

Urbanized Life, John Zerzan

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Talking About Gender, Race And Class: Bringing Capitalism Back In: An Outline Of A Preliminary Argument, Joan Acker

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

The Imf In Singapore: The Staging Of A City, Yasmin Ibrahim

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Fast Spectacle: Reflections On Hurricane Katrina And The Contradictions Of Spectacle, Kevin Gotham

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Modern Science, Enlightenment, And The Domination Of Nature: No Exit?, William Leiss

Fast Capitalism

"The disease of reason is that reason was born from man’s urge to dominate nature." —Max Horkheimer, Eclipse of Reason (1947)

In the fuller passage from which this extract is taken, Horkheimer locates the origins of the ‘collective madness’ of modern times in ‘in primitive objectification, in the first man’s calculating contemplation of the world as prey’ (176). Perhaps all one can say in response is, if this diagnosis is correct, there is certainly no cure, so we might as well get on with our lives.

In the early sections of this paper I will first note briefly the argument …

The Killing Fields Of South Africa: Eco-Wars, Species Apartheid, And Total Liberation, Steve Best

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.