Digital Commons Network^™

Early Detection Of Sepsis, Precious Aina

Honors Capstones

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs because of an infection. Sepsis can lead to shock, SIRS, organ failure, and other emergent conditions. This literature review paper is aimed at determining the early detection of sepsis in patients as well as examining early symptoms of sepsis, the significance of early diagnosis, and the implications for patient safety and treatment. In several studies, they used the early warning scores (EWS) and Machine learning with patients' information, vital signs, prehospital patient data, and physician assessments embedded in it to identify patients at risk for sepsis. One of the studies incorporated a device …

An Analysis On The Most Effective Parental Involvement Behavior(S), Katrina Viloria

Honors Capstones

Parental involvement is the parent participation in the learning and educational process of their children (Myers-Young, 2018). Within parental involvement, there are home-based, school-based, and home-school communication forms of involvement. Previous research indicated that even after accounting for diverse background characteristics and risk factors, parent involvement in school was consistent in positive association with academic achievement, lower rates of high school dropout, increased on-time high school completion, and highest grade completed (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003). The current study investigated which of the various parental involvement behaviors are the most strongly associated with childrens’ academic achievement as well as how these …

The Multilingual Book Club Model: Engaging Multilingual Learners In Bilingual (Spanish-English) Graphic Novel Book Clubs To Acquire Language And Vocabulary, Maureen L. Flanagan

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This project explores the importance of using translanguaging to support multilingual learners in predominantly English speaking classrooms. The main intent is to provide an engaging curriculum that provides culturally responsive material for multilingual students whose home language is Spanish. The project explores seminal research in second language acquisition and the importance of vocabulary instruction. It also acknowledges the importance of the Book Club Model

Pulmonary Embolism Response Team In Acute Care Settings: A Scoping Review Of The Evidence, Tia Glover Bsn, Rn, Leslie Asplund Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a critical cardiovascular emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence, traditional PE management often lacks cohesion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERTs) offer a multidisciplinary approach aimed at improving patient outcomes by streamlining diagnosis, facilitating timely interventions, and promoting evidence-based treatment. This scoping review evaluates the evidence supporting PERT efficacy across various clinical and resource-related outcomes with the aim to decrease mortality rates, shorten inpatient length of stay, improve cost efficacy, and minimize adverse events from treatment modalities.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines across …

Analysis Of Clinical Outcomes And Cost Effectiveness Of Neuromuscular Blocking Drug Reversal In Patients Classified As Obese, Trevor Mack

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Obesity predisposes patients to heightened risks of adverse outcomes following surgery, including residual neuromuscular blockade and postoperative complications. The administration of non-depolarizing neuromuscular agents (NMBAs) is fundamental for muscle relaxation and optimal surgical conditions. However, the subsequent reversal of these blockers with agents like sugammadex or neostigmine is crucial to mitigate these risks. While sugammadex is recognized as a clinically superior choice due to its rapid and more complete reversal, its extensive use is often limited by cost, presenting challenges in obese patients who already face increased susceptibility to complications. This project evaluates the cost-effectiveness of sugammadex versus neostigmine in …

Examination Of Eating Disorder Risks And Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Division Iii Student-Athletes, Maddie Wisener

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Eating disorders (ED) and pathogenic behaviors are prevalent concerns among collegiate athletes due to performance pressures and body image expectations. This cross-sectional study examined the risk of ED among 243 student-athletes (Males: 54.9%, Females: 44.3%, Non-Binary: 0.4%) at a private institution in the Midwest. The convenience sample included student-athletes from baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling teams. The participants were given a demographic survey, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Sex-Specific Figural Stimuli Silhouettes to assess eating behaviors and perceived and desired body images. Overall, 22.1% of participants were at risk for …

Evaluating The Extent And Consequences Of Polarization In The Supreme Court, Brianna Pechman

Honors Capstones

This research joins a limited number of existing studies investigating polarization on the Supreme Court by focusing on a specific policy area, reproductive rights, through an analysis of Martin-Quinn scores, a traditional measurement of judicial ideology. Following previous studies investigating polarization in the judicial system, polarization on the Supreme Court is identified through partisan sorting, the alignment of party affiliation and issue position, and traditional polarization, increasing support for extreme positions relative to more positions. Overall, the Court shows no signs of traditional polarization as moderate justices are still present on the Supreme Court and liberal and conservative justices are …

The Relationship Between Popular Uprisings And Militarized Interstate Disputes: The Case Of The Republic Of Georgia And The Russian Federation, Claire Meyer

Honors Capstones

This analysis examines the relationship between popular uprisings in Georgia and the militarized interstate disputes initiated by Russia. In particular, the Rose Revolution and the anti-Saakashvili campaign are analyzed to determine what kind of relationship these popular uprisings have to the militarized interstate disputes during the time of the uprisings. It is determined that the popular uprisings in Georgia between 2003 and 2013 have a complex relationship with Russia’s use of military force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, often building off each other, with an ambiguous understanding of which conflict began first. This relationship, specifically, is a bidirectional relationship in …

Jamie Rogers Art399 Portfolio, Jamie Rogers

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Sex is political. Here, I view kink as a non-authoritarian resistance to conservative sexual values. This subculture has a long tradition of opposition to mainstream conservative values, particularly those of sexual and political correctness. While the association of pain with sexuality can be dated back to ancient rituals, such as those in favor of the Goddess Inanna in 3000 B.C., the post-World War II era witnessed an exponential growth of sexual fetishism, particularly in BDSM. This period also saw the emergence of fetish material like rubber, latex, and military or medical gear, with leather fetishism evolving into a subculture. Leather …

Evaluation Of Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance From Bacterial Pathogen Isolates In Bison, Aleena M. Kallan

Honors Capstones

Bison, the American buffalo, are increasingly utilized for food consumption due to their high protein content. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important food-borne pathogen that leads to severe clinical infections and becomes antimicrobial-resistant (AMR). Specifically, fluoroquinolone antibiotics can complicate human treatment when infected with resistant STEC. This study aims to determine the presence of STEC in bison reservoirs and their antimicrobial resistance. Fecal samples (n=320) from bison herds were collected, followed by specific culture-based isolation for STEC. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for pathogen confirmation, with 25.6% prevalence. PCR targeting gene, gyrA (resistant to fluoroquinolone), was tested …

Globelly: The Travel App, Diana S. Alvarez

Honors Capstones

My honors capstone project, Globelly: The Travel App, began as a feature-rich Android application designed to simplify travel planning, enhance global exploration, and foster community-driven sharing among travelers. The app was envisioned to integrate real-time suggestions using APIs like Yelp and TripAdvisor, incorporate a badge-based gamification system, and support advanced customization and privacy controls. While not all of these features were implemented in the final version, the project achieved a solid and functional foundation focused on core travel-sharing experiences.

Developed using Java, XML, and the MVC architecture in Android Studio, the completed app allows users to pin locations they’ve …

Development Of A Clinical Pathway For Acute Pain Management As An Element Of The Prevention Of Delirium In Older Adult Trauma Surgery Patients, Stacey Mermigos

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

For hospitalized patients, delirium is prevalent and associated with poor outcomes including increased mortality, morbidity, hospital length of stay, and healthcare costs. Although past studies have identified effective interventions to both prevent and manage delirium in critically ill patients, the most widely used evidence is not easily generalized to non-critically ill patients, specifically trauma patients who experience acute pain, serial surgical procedures, and other notable precipitating and predisposing factors. Clinical pathways are structured plans that are useful for encouraging consistent, evidence-based interventions for various medical conditions and situations. At this time, there is no clinical pathway for the prevention of …

Correlates Of Processing Speed Change With Combined Cognitive Rehabilitation And Exercise In Progressive Ms: Secondary Analysis Of The Cogex Trial, Brian M. Sandroff, Robert W. Motl, Roberto S. Hernandez, Maria Pia Amato, Giampaolo Brichetto, Jeremy Chataway, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Gary R. Cutter, Ulrik Dalgas, John Deluca, Rachel Farrell, Peter Feys, Massimo Filippi, Jennifer Freeman, Matilde Inglese, Cecilia Meza, Maria A. Rocca, Amber Salter, Anthony Feinstein

School of Health Professions

Background: Cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training are promising approaches for improving cognition in persons with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying heterogeneity of change and factors that influence the effects of cognitive rehabilitation and/or exercise training on cognitive outcomes at the individual level have direct relevance for developing tailored and optimized rehabilitation interventions for improving cognition in progressive MS. Objective: This study involved a secondary data analysis from the CogEx trial in progressive MS. This study first described heterogeneity of change in cognitive processing speed (CPS) across the intervention conditions and then identified possible adherence/compliance, baseline performance, and demographic/clinical variables as …

Voice Interaction With Conversational Ai Could Facilitate Thoughtful Reflection And Substantive Revision In Writing, Jiho Kim, Philippe Laban, Xiang 'Anthony' Chen, Kenneth C. Arnold

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Writing well requires not only expressing ideas but also refining them through revision, a process facilitated by reflection. Prior research suggests that feedback delivered through dialogues, such as those in writing center tutoring sessions, can help writers reflect more thoughtfully on their work compared to static feedback. Recent advancements in multi-modal large language models (LLMs) now offer new possibilities for supporting interactive and expressive voice-based reflection in writing. In particular, we propose that LLM-generated static feedback can be repurposed as conversation starters, allowing writers to seek clarification, request examples, and ask follow-up questions, thereby fostering deeper reflection on their writing. …

Interaction-Required Suggestions For Control, Ownership, And Awareness In Human-Ai Co-Writing, Kenneth C. Arnold, Jiho Kim, Jason G. Chew, Jooha Yoo, Juyeong Kim, Ray Flanagan, Heonjae Kwon

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This paper explores interaction designs for gen-
erative AI interfaces that necessitate human in-
volvement throughout the generation process.
We argue that such interfaces can promote
cognitive engagement, agency, and thoughtful
decision-making. Through a case study in text
revision, we present and analyze two interac-
tion techniques: (1) using a predictive-text in-
teraction to type the assistant’s response to a
revision request, and (2) highlighting potential
edit opportunities in a document. Our imple-
mentations demonstrate how these approaches
reveal the landscape of writing possibilities and
enable fine-grained control. We discuss impli-
cations for human-AI writing partnerships and
future interaction design …

Breaking New Ground: Division Directly In Memory, M. Hassan Najafi, Mehran Shoushtari Moghadam

Faculty Scholarship

In-memory computing (IMC) has emerged as a promising paradigm for overcoming the limitations of traditional von Neumann architectures by reducing data movement and enhancing computational efficiency. Despite significant advancements in this area, implementing complex arithmetic operations, such as division, directly within memory has remained an elusive challenge. This paper introduces a pioneering technique for performing division operations directly in memory, representing the first successful integration of such functionality into the IMC framework. Our approach leverages an innovative circuit based on an unconventional model of computing–stochastic computing (SC). Our technique extends the computational capabilities of IMC systems and paves the way …

Endemism Shapes Viral Ecology And Evolution In Globally Distributed Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems, Marguerite V. Langwig, Faith Koester, Cody Martin, Zhichao Zhou, Samantha B. Joye, Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Karthik Anantharaman

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Viruses are ubiquitous in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where they influence microbial communities and biogeochemistry. Yet, viral ecology and evolution remain understudied in these environments. Here, we identify 49,962 viruses from 52 globally distributed hydrothermal vent samples (10 plume, 40 deposit, and 2 diffuse flow metagenomes), and reconstruct 5708 viral metagenome-assembled genomes, the majority of which were bacteriophages. Hydrothermal viruses were largely endemic, however, some viruses were shared between geographically separated vents, predominantly between the Lau Basin and Brothers Volcano in the Pacific Ocean. Geographically distant viruses shared proteins related to core functions such as structural proteins, and rarely, proteins of …

Alumnus Supports Student-Athletes' Success After College, Bill Dabney

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A former student-athlete at the University of Mississippi hopes his gift will show current and future Rebels that alumni are fully committed to their success in sports and in life after college.

Genomic Structure Among Populations Of A Regionally Rare Perennial Plant Indicates The Need For Reevaluation Of Management Units, Cheyenne Moore, Angela J. Mcdonnell, Scott Schuette, Christopher T. Martine

Faculty Journal Articles

Conservation of rare species often relies on the delineation of management units and genomic tools can now be applied for this purpose. However, this is not as common on a local scale, where populations are often small and fragmented, despite the utility of informing conservation and management practice at the regional level. We use a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach to assess the perennial riparian plant species Baptisia australis (Fabaceae) in Pennsylvania, where the taxon is at the edge of its natural distribution and considered threatened. In this system, we investigate whether sampled subpopulations exhibit genetic structure. We find that …

More Easily Facilitating Involuntary Treatment: The Impacts Of Senate Bill 43 On The Intersection Of Mental Illness And Homelessness In California, Linthacum-Janker, Gracean

Santa Clara Law Review

Mental health and homelessness are two of the most prominent matters affecting California. The Legislature has attempted to combat the issues stemming from these concerns through various forms of legislation. Despite legislative efforts, the intersection between mental illness and homelessness continues to present further challenges. California Senate Bill 43 (SB-43) sets out to address the mental health crisis by modernizing California’s laws handling behavioral health, specifically for individuals living on the streets.

This Note analyzes the impact of SB-43 on California’s mental health system and individuals. SB-43 expands the legal definition of “gravely disabled” to include individuals who fit the …

Table Of Contents, Seattle University Law Review

Seattle University Law Review

Table of Contents

Caution: Potholes In E-Scooter Data Collection, Dakota Rakestraw

Seattle University Law Review

Lime scooters keep ending up in major waterways in Washington state metro areas, a testament to the ubiquity of e-scooters in the metropolitan landscape. How they get there is unclear. Why they get there is even murkier. Perhaps the answer lies in the implications of modern geolocation data collection through e-scooters and gaps in current data collection regulation curbing individual liberties.

Since September 2020, electric scooters have run Seattle’s streets and have dramatically overtaken ridesharing bike trips. For example, from September 2020 to September 2021, there were about 1.4 million scooter and bike trips with September 2021 seeing 300,000 scooter …

Machinists Preemption In The New Administrative Law, Andrew J. Ziaja

Seattle University Law Review

This Article assesses Machinists preemption—a labor-specific form of implied field preemption—while freshly considering implications both for and of new developments in administrative law. The radical transformation of administrative law in the Supreme Court, particularly its newfound emphasis on clear-statement rules, provides opportunities to reconsider the Machinists rationale. Aligning with scholars who have called to question the doctrine’s “ossifying” influence on labor and employment policy, it argues that the modern-day version of Machinists preemption clashes with the Supreme Court’s newly constrained view of delegated power and its differing conceptions of the major questions doctrine.

On the other hand, Machinists preemption might …

Reviving Humanity, Ana Gomez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The surge in female incarceration rates in the United States has heightened concerns about the mental health challenges faced by women within correctional facilities. This thesis research explores the intersection of women’s incarceration, mental health, and sustainable architectural design aimed at improving outcomes for female inmates. Factors contributing to the increase in female incarceration rates, including changes in sentencing policies and socioeconomic disparities, are discussed. Research indicates a high prevalence of mental health disorders among female inmates, often linked to past trauma and exacerbated by the prison environment. Despite this, the prison system often fails to adequately address the mental …

Subjective Evaluation Of Place Environmental Quality In Conference And Exhibition Buildings In Small- And Medium-Sized Cities: An Empirical Case Study, Yuchen Xie, Jianhe Luo, Peng Du

College of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Papers

The environmental quality of conference and exhibition places in small- and medium-sized cities plays a crucial role in attracting exhibitors, fostering the growth of the conference and exhibition industry and enhancing the market competitiveness of these places. However, past decision makers have often adopted planning models from large cities, neglecting the interaction between conference and exhibition places in smaller cities and local lifestyles as well as urban environments. From an “environment-behavior” per- spective, this study reveals the unique interaction mechanisms between exhibitors and the built environment within such venues. Moving beyond the limitations of traditional research that focused solely on …

Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of Human-Carnivore Conflict In The Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, Tanzania, Sophie Carpenter

Environmental Studies Honors Projects

Livestock depredation by large carnivores significantly threatens human livelihoods across the globe, with severe ecological and socioeconomic implications. Economic costs of livestock depredation impact the tolerance for carnivores among communities living alongside wildlife, often straining human-carnivore coexistence. Using geographic and temporal attributes from livestock depredation records (n=406) collected between 2004 and 2023, we identified spatiotemporal patterns of depredation by African lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem in northern Tanzania. We found significant interactive relationships between the number of attacks reported and the season, time, and site of attack; with these interactions differing between the carnivores. To better …

Counseling Guided Manual: Using Cbt To Reduce Media Addiction And Depression Symptoms, Grace Halverson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This group manual is focused on media addiction, which is defined as the excessive and compulsive need to use any form of media despite negative consequences to people’s social, academic, and work life (Sherer, 2024). The focus of this group will be on people with internet and social media addiction. However, members will be able to self-report any form of media addiction. The members will self-report their depression symptoms. These symptoms will be assessed using Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II on the first and last sessions to measure treatment effectiveness (Young, 2016) & (Beck et al., 1996). …

Ensuring Housing Stability And Protections For The Nation’S Renters: Avenues For Federal Action, Margaret Hagan, Peter Hepburn, Justin Steil, Brandon Weiss

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

What would it take to ensure housing stability and protections for the nation’s renters? This essay reviews the current literature on landlord–tenant laws, eviction court policies, the provision of legal aid, and the residential security of renter households. It then lays out avenues through which the federal government—particularly the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—might work to improve renters’ stability. These include targeted efforts to improve engagement with both tenants and landlords, robust implementation of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing provision of the federal Fair Housing Act, especially around source of income discrimination, and facilitation of reforms to state …

Waylight: Mapping The Journey Of Faith, Emma Woerle

Theses

Waylight is a digital learning platform that reimagines how we explore the life of Jesus through maps, movement, and meaningful interaction. Designed to bridge the gap between static Bible study tools and the physical settings of Scripture, the platform allows users to follow curated journeys such as Miracles or Timelines across ancient Israel. The project began with experimental designs using three-dimensional terrain and literal religious symbols. These early versions lacked cohesion and felt visually heavy. As the work progressed, the design shifted toward a more refined two-dimensional aesthetic inspired by textures like layered paper and the craft of carpentry. This …

A Four-Year Longitudinal Study Of Effectiveness Of Evidence-Based Bundle Practices For Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections In An Academic Health Care Center, May Mei-Sheng Riley

Doctoral Projects

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) significantly contribute to morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and elevated healthcare costs, underscoring the crucial need for prevention to ensure patient safety. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts, CAUTI prevalence remained a concern in our facility at the time of this study. Catheter insertion and maintenance bundles, a recognized framework utilizing teamwork, collaboration, and focused interventions, were implemented to reduce CAUTIs and improve patient safety. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these bundles in reducing CAUTIs and catheter utilization to identify best practices for enhanced catheter management and care quality.