Digital Commons Network^™

Hot Heads And Hitchhikers: Hippocampal Gene Expression As A Function Of Simulated Heat Waves And Ectoparasites In Nestling Tree Swallows​, Cassandra Vallon, Vita Pivtorak, Emily J. Levy

Academic Festival

Climate change threatens species that cannot adapt to increasing temperatures. Understanding the physiological responses of endotherms to heat can help predict how species will fare in the face of global warming. However, we know relatively little about the physiological response to heat in endotherms, particularly in the brain. This study tests the impact of simulated heat waves on brain gene expression in tree swallow nestlings (Tachycineta bicolor). Tree swallows are altricial, endothermic songbirds common across a wide range of latitudes. We hypothesize that, within the hippocampus, a simulated heat wave will activate the immune system and self-maintenance mechanisms, increasing the …

Understanding College Students' Knowledge About Filing Taxes, Matthew Roessel, Jordan Leon

Academic Festival

Taxes serve as the foundation for security and prosperity in any organized government. In the United States, taxes play a vital role in allowing our government to provide us safety, education, healthcare, retirement, and an endless list of necessities U.S. citizens depend on. It is our responsibility as citizens to properly pay the taxes we owe our government. However, one apparent flaw regarding taxes in the U.S. is the ability to educate young adults on how to correctly file and pay the taxes they owe as they become productive members of society. The objective of this study is to assess …

Analytical Report Of Texas Instruments, Michael Angeletti

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Women In The Workforce - Wage Gap, Olivia Petrucci, Ella Eagle

Academic Festival

This essay explores the unfortunate modern-day issue women face of the wage gap between genders in the workplace, proposing solutions such as transparency laws, corporate policy changes, and investment in women leaders. After researching the issue, when comparing women and men, it is clear that a lot of progress is needed before we as a country can say that women and men have equal pay. The wage gap is evident when you see that women on average make about 16% less than men when doing the same jobs (Forbes.com). The gender wage gap women face is further complicated by race, …

The Clark Bar, Angelina Turieo, Angelina M. Turieo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Netflix: Streaming Pioneer Turned Market Leader, Megan Albert, Kapaii Fortin, Taylor Hall

Academic Festival

Since its founding in 1997 as a DVD rental service, Netflix has led the streaming entertainment industry through innovation and adaptability. Its success stems from breaking industry norms and expanding into new areas. The research identifies the key factors behind Netflix’s long-term success and offers strategic recommendations, considering market trends, AI, and globalization’s impact on the media sector.

Reducing Unnecessary Cesarean Sections: Identifying Risk Factors And Promoting Evidence-Based Practices At Stamford Hospital, Caroline Miller

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Lesson Sequence: Teaching Author's Craft And Structure, Lauren Casale

Academic Festival

My poster revolved around my capstone lesson sequence that was taught to the 5th grade class I am student teaching in. In this sequence of three lessons I built students knowledge on visualization, point of view, and dialogue in a play. I assessed students on their learning during the lessons and analyzed the class data.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Protocol Impact, Maeve Hamling

Academic Festival

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Model works to improve post-operative care for patients in all hospital settings. This presentation will identify the impacts this model can provide with a select set of pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative interventions. Evidence-based protocols are utilized in the ERAS model to offer better quality, patient-centered care. Healthcare systems are always looking to refine cost reduction strategies and limit complication outcomes. This model defines an intervention to change current standards and improve these care efforts for all patients undergoing surgery.

The Use Of Thermal Imaging For Pressure Injuries, Jessica Greenberg

Academic Festival

Stage three and four pressure injuries are the most prevalent hospital acquired injuries throughout the entire state of Connecticut despite the fact that approximately ninety-five percent of all hospital acquired pressure injuries have been determined to have been preventable (Díaz-Caro & García Gómez-Heras, 2020). This illustrating that despite meticulous efforts to implement preventative measures, such as frequent turning and positioning, proper skin care and nutrition and pressure alleviating mattresses they are not being implemented fast enough to prevent injury or injury progression. The integration of thermal imaging upon admissions to all medical -surgical hospital units has been proven beneficial in …

Hypertension & Diabetes In The Ed: Unpacking Uncontrolled Co-Morbities, Janessa Marchegiani, Hannah Parath

Academic Festival

Hypertension and diabetes are two of the most prevalent yet under diagnosed chronic conditions that disproportionately affect underserved populations. Often asymptomatic in early stages, these "silent killers" frequently remain undetected until patients present to the emergency department (ED) with severe, life-threatening complications. This project explores the recurring issue of patients arriving at the ED with uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes, many of whom are unaware of their diagnosis or lack the resources to manage these conditions effectively. Through a detailed analysis of patient data, clinical case studies, and current literature, the project identifies systemic gaps in chronic disease education, early screening, …

Reinforcing Nurse Leadership Rounding In Pediatric Float Pool Through Use Of A Checklist Tool, Erika Yourous

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Reducing Heparin-Related Nursing Errors Through Heparin Reminder System, Carley Simler

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

From Campus Gates To City Streets: Uber’S Place In The Ride-Hailing Industry, Andrew Savino

Academic Festival

Uber is a technology company most famous for its ride-sharing service and its food-delivery service, UberEATS. Founded in 2009, the service operates by allowing riders to connect with available drivers as a type of on-demand taxi service, with UberEATS being formed in 2014 after Uber’s initial success, allowing drivers to deliver food from restaurants to customers. Uber’s convenience and simplicity has made them a very common method for quick trips, drop-offs, and quick food pickups.

The Fortune 500 company is immensely popular among Sacred Heart University’s student population, as the travel service allows students to explore farther-out parts of Fairfield, …

Missing The Mark: Uncovering Gaps In Young Adults Investment Knowledge, Sophia Mayo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Education On Implanted Port Access In Outpatient Surgical Patients, Laura Schillizzi

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Best Practice For Chg Baths: Educating Nurses On Timing And Safe Use, Isabella Downes

Academic Festival

Abstract
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) baths are critical for infection prevention, yet many nurses lack proper education and resources on their use. This project identified best practices for CHG bathing and developed an educational brochure for nurses on a medical-surgical floor. The brochure provides clear guidelines on timing, safety, and patient teaching to promote consistent, evidence-based care.

Lactate Limits: A Comparative Analysis Of Cycling Vs. Running, Lauren A. Toia, Grace O. Dedonato

Academic Festival

Objectives: 1. To apply Scientific analysis techniques to a PPC service.
2. To apply Business analysis techniques to a PPC service.
2. To create meaningful visualizations that convey insights from your work, research, and analysis.
3. To present your findings through an academic poster format.
4. To improve your research and presentation skills.

Correlation Of Mental Health Of College Students And Academic Performance, Makenzie Manning

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Lung Cancer Outcomes In Relation To Socioeconomic Status, Kayla M. Marks, Emily C. Raymond

Academic Festival

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While many factors affect diagnosis and treatment, socioeconomic status (SES) plays a critical role. People from lower-income backgrounds often face more barriers to timely diagnosis, access to care, and effective treatment, which can lead to worse outcomes. In this study, we examined the relationship between income and lung cancer prevalence among U.S. adults using secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Our analysis included 4,073 adult respondents and focused on annual family income and self-reported lung cancer diagnoses.

Overall, 3.2% of participants reported a lung cancer diagnosis. When …

Effects Of Socioeconomic Status On Depression Rates In Adults, Jennifer Gramstorff

Academic Festival

Previous literature has concluded that low socioeconomic status and income inequality are linked to increased psychological stress levels and impaired mental health. This research study aims to explore the relationship between socioeconomic income status and depression rates among middle aged adults in America specifically. The hypothesis is that low economic status is related to increased depression rates among adults aged 30-60 years. The exposure variable is socioeconomic status. The outcome variable is depression rates. An observational study design was selected in addition to using cross sectional data. Data used was collected in 2019 by the National Health Interview Survey. The …

How The Lack Of Sleep Affects The Academic Performance Of College Students, Jillian Angeramo

Academic Festival

This poster explores the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among college students, addressing the widespread belief that insufficient sleep negatively impacts GPA. Using data from the 2021 Pioneer Student Health and Well-being Survey, we conducted a cross-sectional observational analysis of 211 students aged 18–40. Sleep quality was measured using the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale, and academic performance was assessed by self-reported GPA. Results revealed a very weak negative correlation (r = –0.064) between sleep quality and GPA, with a p-value of 0.355, indicating no statistically significant relationship. These findings challenge previous literature suggesting a direct link between poor …

The Intersection Of Autism And Poverty: Socioeconomic Status Of Adults On The Spectrum, Chloe Skene, Lindsay Doncaster, Joseph Franzini, Riley Kendall

Academic Festival

This study explores the relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and lower poverty status to assist in the understanding of socioeconomic challenges faced by adults on the spectrum. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether ASD is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing poverty. Using an observational cross-sectional analysis of 2021 National Health Interview Child Survey data, we examined total combined family income and ASD diagnosis. The study included 5,134 participants of various races and socioeconomic statuses aged 2-17, 175 of which responded “Yes” to the question of ever receiving a diagnosis of ASD. The findings reveal …

Influence Of Poverty Status On Prevalence Of Coronary Heart Disease Among U.S. Adults 50 And Older, Skyla Contarino, Nicole Lapointe, Rebecca Chernik, Alyssa Brady

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Off-Season Strength And Conditioning Program For A Collegiate Rugby Athlete Post-Rehabilitation From Tibia-Fibula Fracture, John F. Campbell Iii

Academic Festival

This project examines the off-season strength and conditioning program for a sophomore Division I rugby athlete transitioning from rehabilitation to full recovery following a compound tibia-fibula fracture. After completing surgical intervention and physical therapy, the athlete's primary goals now center on improving ankle stability for cutting movements, minimizing discomfort during running, and restoring lower-body strength and power to support optimal on-field performance. Initial assessments identified asymmetries in unilateral mobility and power, alongside movement inefficiencies related to landing mechanics and joint stability. This program prioritizes progressive strength training and low level plyometrics to address the strength needs and optimal mechanics to …

Gradual Release Of Responsibility, Kathleen Plitt

Academic Festival

In the TCAPC, I demonstrated strategies to make complex text accessible to a fourth grade class of 18 students. As a student teacher, I supported their learning in terms of reading, writing, and use of academic language. This consisted of contextualizing, planning and preparing, instructing, assessing and reflecting. Due to a Literacy crisis around the world, I tested out research based teaching strategies to effectively teach my students. My central theme was understanding point of view within a text, and I focused on utilizing the gradual release of responsibility throughout my lesson planning and instructing. In the end I was …

Augmentative And Alternative Communication And Quality Of Life Across A Variety Of Communication Disorders And Impairments, Olivia Plaia

Academic Festival

This literature review examines the impact of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices on the quality of life of individuals with various communication disorders. AAC encompasses a range of technologies and methods that facilitate communication without the necessity of verbal speech, improving self-expression and social interaction for users. This investigation highlights the spectrum of AAC devices, ranging from low-tech options like printed icons to sophisticated high-tech offerings such as tablet applications and eye-tracking technology. Through a comprehensive literature review utilizing specific search terms related to AAC and quality of life, the research identifies a significant positive correlation between AAC usage …

The Utility Of Teletherapy In The Treatment And Assessment Of Pediatric Speech And Language Disorders, Gianna Cutola

Academic Festival

Access to high-quality speech-language therapy is critical for children with speech and language disorders, yet barriers such as geographic limitations and provider shortages often delay intervention. Teletherapy has emerged as a viable alternative, offering cost-effective and accessible services. This literature review compares the efficacy of teletherapy versus traditional in-person therapy, evaluating post-therapy outcomes, cost efficiency, and family/provider satisfaction. Findings suggest that teletherapy is equally effective, with some studies reporting superior outcomes in teletherapy groups. Additionally, teletherapy proves to be significantly more cost-efficient over time and enhances family engagement by reducing missed sessions. While challenges exist, particularly in receptive language improvements …

Treating Language And Related Factors In Bilingual Children, Tamara Hillman

Academic Festival

Bilingual children with developmental language disorder (DLD) face unique challenges in acquiring both their native and societal languages. This literature review evaluates the most effective treatment approaches for bilingual children with DLD, comparing English-only, bilingual, and non-linguistic cognitive interventions. Findings suggest that while English-only treatments yield the greatest improvements in English proficiency, bilingual approaches support development in both languages, leading to broader linguistic gains. Non-linguistic cognitive interventions enhance attention and processing speed, indirectly benefiting language acquisition. Additionally, phonological awareness training and literacy-focused interventions improve reading skills across languages, indicating cross-linguistic transfer effects. These results highlight the importance of bilingual instruction …

Burnout Rates In School Versus Medical Settings For Speech-Language Pathologists, Nicole Ramundo

Academic Festival

Burnout among Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) is an increasingly recognized concern, characterized by emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion stemming from overwhelming work demands and stress. This literature review aims to investigate and compare burnout rates among SLPs in school and medical settings, focusing on factors such as job satisfaction, caseload size, and resilience strategies. A systematic literature review was performed using the Sacred Heart University library databases. Studies were analyzed based on their design, methodology, and findings, using the PEDro scale for quality assessment. Findings indicate that SLPs in medical settings generally experience higher burnout rates due to larger caseloads and …