Digital Commons Network^™

Human-Supervised Ai Agents In A Distributed Swarm Intelligence Model, Arunabh Bhattacharjee, Aseem Banshidhar Asthana

Defensive Publications Series

Proposed herein is an innovative approach to artificial intelligence (AI) agent design, testing, and deployment within a contact center environment by introducing a distributed swarm intelligence model through which "human-supervised" AI Agents can learn and operate semi-autonomously in a training school, trained by human agents that are domain experts in one or more technology areas.

50 Universities Working On Research In Public Health Technologies, Angie Holzer, Erica Bassett

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Joni September 2024 Full Issue, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

African American Women: Barriers Encountered When Accessing Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Alexis Jones, Lindsay Gietzen, Madhu Sundarrajan

Pacific Journal of Health

This study identifies barriers that African American women encounter while accessing substance use disorder treatment in San Joaquin County and Sacramento County. There is a gap in research identifying barriers that African American women encounter while accessing substance use disorder treatment. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 5 women. Three themes emerged; perceived racial bias, lack of family support, and believing they did not need treatment. It is recommended that healthcare providers provide more treatment options for African American women and cultural competency training for substance use disorder providers.

Use Of The Integrated Practice Assessment Tool (Ipat) To Evaluate The Clinical Learning Environment For Counselors-In-Training, Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett, Stacy Ogbeide, Heather Trepal, Mercedes Ingram, Swathi Weaver

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

The need for behavioral health integration (BHI) in primary care continues to grow to address the behavioral health needs of patients and families. Developing a competent interprofessional workforce to operate in primary care behavioral health settings necessitates BHI-literate clinical learning environments, as well as tools to evaluate and assist in the integration of services appropriate for BHI training and supervision. The Integrated Practice Assessment Tool (IPAT; Waxmonsky et al., 2014) is an instrument that assesses the level of BHI at a primary care clinic. This paper discusses an example of an implementation approach to examine BHI levels with the IPAT …

Fallen Kingdoms And Ancient Monoliths: The Influence Of Atlantis And Egypt In Tolkien’S Númenor, Charlotte J. Brockway

Journal of Tolkien Research

In light of the recent publication of The Fall of Númenor, my essay aims to focus on Tolkien’s, somewhat underappreciated, influences on Gondor; particularly Ancient Egypt. This essay looks at Plato's Timaeus and Critias, Ignatius Donnelly's theories, and examines the Atlantean and Egyptian motifs in Tolkien’s version of Westernesse, in particular, the remnants of Atlantean civilization survived by Egyptian colonists which mirror the Realms of Exile (Gondor and Arnor).

Ideas For Professional Development In The Nonprofit Sector, Elise Lael Kieffer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

The nonprofit and nongovernmental sector serves the critical role, in our world, of filling in the gaps in service and opportunity that are unfulfilled by the public sector and either unfilled or unobtainable through the private sector. This thought paper presents one option for a professional development program for nonprofit professionals working in rural communities. This program serves to facilitate the training of nonprofit employees and volunteers in critical leadership and management education. Through this educational opportunity, nonprofit leaders, board members, and aspiring nonprofit directors come together in a cohort of peers to learn both foundational and advanced theories, strategies, …

Covid-19 And Health Equity: Lessons Learned From The Pandemic, Sumaya Ali, Lakell Archer, Erica L. Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Health inequities refer to avoidable, unjust differences in health outcomes caused by systemic disadvantages rooted in social, economic, and environmental contexts (Braveman, 2014). Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes between groups, often measured by prevalence, morbidity, or mortality (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Health inequalities are measurable differences in health status that may arise from biological, social, or environmental factors (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). Health inequities, however, are specifically preventable and unjust differences.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these inequities, intensifying pre-existing structural disparities within healthcare and societal systems. The pandemic underscored the urgency of …

Mass Shootings In The United States, Sydney Livingston

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

High rates of mass shootings are becoming a uniquely American problem; the US makes up 73% of the world’s mass shootings, yet makes up only 4.25% of the world’s population. School shootings, in particular, have increased dramatically in the US since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, an event many perpetrators have since drawn upon as inspiration. There is a strong divide of opinions in the nation regarding how firearm deaths should be reduced, which has complicated and slowed progress in identifying effective solutions. Each mass shooting causes additional shootings to occur, and each one takes a toll on …

Meet Megan Shoniker, Unh’S New Women’S Basketball Head Coach, Nicole Sanfilippo

Digital Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire.

The Effect Of Gerrymandering On State Social Policy, Gary D. Brinker

Sociology Faculty Publications

Partisan bias occurs when one party gets something the other party does not. If a given district map results in one party gleaning a higher proportion of the legislative seats than the proportion of votes cast for that party, since this effect is only possible for one party, then partisan bias has occurred. It can be strategically produced via gerrymandering and is thought by many to circumvent the basic principles of democracy. This study uses recent state election results to compute a measure of partisan bias, as well as secondary data measuring the levels of five state social policies, to …

Impacts Of Climate Change In The United States, Nathan T. Thompson

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Climate change, a shift in long-term climate patterns primarily driven by anthropogenic factors, poses a super wicked problem impacting every sector and region globally, including the United States. This paper explores the scientific basis of climate change, its contributing factors, and the myriad consequences on terrestrial and aquatic systems, as well as mental health. Notably, the emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels and agricultural activities is the primary cause, exacerbated by ideological division and psychological distance. The U.S. has seen some progress with a 7% decrease in emissions over the past 30 years and a growing shift toward renewable …

Tribes And Ai: Possibilities For Tribal Sovereignty, Adam Crepelle

Duke Law & Technology Review

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has permeated every facet of modern existence. Governments across the globe are exploring its applications and attempting to establish regulatory frameworks. Numerous scholars have proffered recommendations for governing AI at the local, national, and international levels. However, as is often the case, Indian tribes have been neglected in AI policy discussions. This oversight is significant because the 574 federally recognized tribes are sovereigns with their own judicial, education, and healthcare systems. Due to their relatively small populations and geographic isolation, tribes stand to benefit significantly from the services AI can perform. Moreover, tribes are uniquely well-suited to …

Managing Menopause: The Evolving Role Of Estrogens, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, And Phytoestrogens In Balancing Hormonal Fluctuations, Cassande Besong, Sandy Philippeaux, Ansa Bham, Naicha Gustinvil, Abigayle Castine, Giustino Varrassi, Patricia Sutker, Benjamin C. Miller, Caroline R. Burroughs, Sonja Gennuso, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Menopause is characterized by the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. In this narrative review, we describe the transitional stages of menopause, clinical presentation, pharmacological management of symptoms, and effects on fluctuating hormone levels. To standardize the stages of menopause, the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW+10) system was designed with five distinct categories corresponding to symptom presentation and numerical years. Common clinical presentations consist of vasomotor hot flashes, mood changes, decreased libido, osteoporosis, and genitourinary changes, all of which are associated with changes in hormone levels. Because hormones play a major role in the mechanism of …

A Digital Forensic Analysis Of An Electrocardiogram Medical Device: A First Look, George Grispos, Frank Tursi, William Mahoney

Interdisciplinary Informatics Faculty Publications

The increased frequency and severity of cybersecurity incidents impacting healthcare organizations has prompted the publication of suggested best practices for these organizations, when attempting to respond to incidents in their respective settings. While these best practices provide a wealth of information on how to respond to a cybersecurity incident impacting medical devices, minimal information is provided related to the forensics investigation of the devices themselves. A growing appetite for digital evidence from medical devices, coupled with limited practical guidance from industry best practices prompts an investigation into identifying tools and techniques to assist digital forensic investigators with device disassembly, data …

Nominate Your Pick For The 2025 Common Reading Experience Book, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi committee is soliciting nominations for the 2025 Common Reading Experience selection, the book that will be delivered to each incoming freshman and transfer student before the fall 2025 semester.

101st Annual Inspire Bible Lectureship Program (2024), Harding University

Lectureship Programs

This document contains the printed lectureship schedule.

The Sphere Of Exposure: Centering User Experience In Community Science Air Monitoring, Marisa Westbrook, Valentina Serrano-Salomón, Jay Pecenka, Sumit Sankhyan, Aniya K. Hollo, Shelly L. Miller, Esther Sullivan

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Community science has increased in popularity in communities where residents hope to investigate the relationship between environmental issues and personal health. This study partnered with neighborhoods in the most polluted residential zip code in the US to conduct community science air quality monitoring. We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews after two monitoring deployments to understand participants’ subjective experiences of pollution exposure, their engagement with low-cost air quality monitors, and their data interpretation. We utilize the environmental health concept ‘exposure experience’ to analyze how participants use personal monitors, understand their data, and reinterpret their pollution exposure as a result. We further explore …

Addressing Adolescent Suicide In South Korea, Alyssa Kang

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Suicide is a prevalent issue that widely affects all demographics in South Korea. Among adolescents, it is the leading cause of mortality with an average rate of 7 deaths per 100,000 people. Some of the most significant factors that influence the risk of suicidal ideation and attempts are cultural stigma and academic stress. Other factors, such as bullying and family structure, also increase the likelihood of suicide, while specific characteristics including internet addiction, socioeconomic status, and substance abuse have been found to be predictors of suicide. Adolescent suicide attempts in Korea also increase the individual's risk for future attempts, and …

Research Summaries: Global Health, Lakell Archer, Sumaya Ali, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Wind Symphony: September 29, 2024, Anthony C. Marinello Iii, Christopher Bulding

School of Music Programs

Center for Performing Arts

September 29, 2024

Sunday Afternoon

3:00 p.m.

Introduction From Chapman Rackaway, Chapman Rackaway

eJournal of Public Affairs

No abstract provided.

College Students As Participants In Our Democracy: Models For Engagement, Suzanne E. Walker-Pacheco, Otto Brown, Sarah Nash, Seth Andersen, Allison Rank

eJournal of Public Affairs

Low rates of voter engagement characteristic of the college-age demographic are determined by a host of factors. These factors vary according to geography, demographic variables, and individual inclinations. Those who strive to strengthen our democracy through increasing access to our political system confront many challenges, and there exists no “one-size-fits-all” approach. College campuses, where young voters obviously congregate in large numbers, provide a primary access point for democratic engagement efforts. Institutions of higher education are compelled to respond to the federal mandate put forth by the Higher Education Act to provide information on voter registration. Anecdotal information suggests a greatly …

Considering Ai For The Classroom To Boost Civic Learning And Democratic Engagement, Joseph P. Zompetti, Lance R. Lippert, Stephen K. Hunt

eJournal of Public Affairs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses significant risks to society generally and higher education specifically. However, it offers potential benefits in terms of students’ civic learning and democratic engagement. By equipping students with the skills to use AI for the common good and fostering their awareness of the potential dangers of AI, we can bolster democracy. In this article, we explore the status quo along with expectations and near-term predictions for AI. Next, we explore some of the most significant and common concerns related to AI. Finally, we draw upon a variety of resources, identify “best practices,” analyze the strengths and weaknesses …

The Time Is Now, The Time Is Always: Moving Civics From The Classroom To The Campus, Amanda O. Maher, Brigid Beaubien

eJournal of Public Affairs

The time could not be more urgent, and university faculty and leaders must act and reclaim their responsibility for civic preparation. In the face of enrolment decline, an emphasis on student credit hours, and a history of siloed tunnel vision, action seems impossible in a climate that resists the core mission of higher education. In this article, authors—faculty from two teacher preparation departments—share their journey that started as state-mandated program revision to a campus-wide civic agenda. They argue for the integration of civics teaching in disciplinary courses and share classroom teaching ideas that cultivate civic identity and virtues. Feeling empowered, …

From Institutional Trauma To Institutional Healing, Molly B. Kerby, Gayle M. Mallinger

eJournal of Public Affairs

The societal struggles in American higher education have intensified in recent years, impacting various facets of academic life. Enrollment declines, rising costs, student debt, and emerging alternatives pose significant threats to colleges and universities. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained institutions, leading to deeper budget cuts and potential closures. Falling tuition revenue coupled with culture wars and political polarization have led to prolonged institutional trauma in higher education institutions. Conservative-leaning states have restricted faculty tenure, courses dealing with social and political inequity, and DEI initiatives, while progressives emphasize universities' role in fostering critical thinking and truth.

Organizational trauma can significantly impact …

Book Review: Democracy Awakening: Notes On The State Of America, Keisha L. Hoerrner

eJournal of Public Affairs

No abstract provided.

Civic Education For Civic Leadership: Renewing Faith In Democracy, Ryan V. Weaver

eJournal of Public Affairs

Civic education and civic leadership are at the forefront of renewing faith in democracy on our campuses and communities. There is an urgent need for higher education to return to its historical foundation to fulfill the mission of democracy by educating students for democratic citizenship (Harkavy, 2006). Effectively integrating curricular and co-curricular civic engagement involves a balanced approach that is “both political and non-political” (Ehrlich, 2000, p. vi) to guide students to identify core values, develop civic knowledge, and build civic leadership skills (Finley, 2011; Hurtado, 2019). Civic leadership is an integral student learning outcome embedded within civic engagement praxis, …

Effects Of Gerrymandering On State Social Policy, Gary D. Brinker

eJournal of Public Affairs

Partisan Bias occurs when an election results in a party gleaning a significantly different proportion of legislative seats than the proportion of votes cast for that party. It can be strategically produced via gerrymandering and is thought by many to threaten the basic principles of democracy. This research uses the 2022 state election results to compute statewide measures of Partisan Bias, then analyzes the correlation with controversial state social policies. Results showed that the redistricting method used and the percent of the party’s legislators were related to Partisan Bias. Analysis also showed that Partisan Bias explains significant levels of variance …

Who Pays The Price For The Cost Of Voting: The Impact Of Voting Policies On Presidential Election Turnout, 1996-2016, Amelia S. Minkin

eJournal of Public Affairs

The gap between the percentage of registered White voters who cast a ballot and that of registered nonwhite voters in the 2020 United States Presidential election was approximately 13 percent. This trend varies widely across the United States due to state legislators having jurisdiction to craft, enact, and implement election and voting legislation. In 2022, 408 pieces of legislation that would have made it more difficult to register to vote, cast a ballot, or stay on the voter rolls were considered in 39 states and 11 made it into state codes across the country. Given the increase in legislation considered …