Digital Commons Network^™

Akap12 Upregulation Associates With Pde8a To Accelerate Cardiac Dysfunction, Hanan Qasim, Mehrdad Rajaei, Ying Xu, Arfaxad Reyes-Alcaraz, Hala Y Abdelnasser, M David Stewart, Satadru K Lahiri, Xander H T Wehrens, Bradley K Mcconnell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: In heart failure, signaling downstream the β2-adrenergic receptor is critical. Sympathetic stimulation of β2-adrenergic receptor alters cAMP (cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate) and triggers PKA (protein kinase A)-dependent phosphorylation of proteins that regulate cardiac function. cAMP levels are regulated in part by PDEs (phosphodiesterases). Several AKAPs (A kinase anchoring proteins) regulate cardiac function and are proposed as targets for precise pharmacology. AKAP12 is expressed in the heart and has been reported to directly bind β2-adrenergic receptor, PKA, and PDE4D. However, its roles in cardiac function are unclear.

METHODS: cAMP accumulation in real time downstream of the β2-adrenergic receptor was detected for …

Miniature Battery-Free Epidural Cortical Stimulators, Joshua E Woods, Amanda L Singer, Fatima Alrashdan, Wendy Tan, Chunfeng Tan, Sunil A Sheth, Sameer A Sheth, Jacob T Robinson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Miniaturized neuromodulation systems could improve the safety and reduce the invasiveness of bioelectronic neuromodulation. However, as implantable bioelectronic devices are made smaller, it becomes difficult to store enough power for long-term operation in batteries. Here, we present a battery-free epidural cortical stimulator that is only 9 millimeters in width yet can safely receive enough wireless power using magnetoelectric antennas to deliver 14.5-volt stimulation bursts, which enables it to stimulate cortical activity on-demand through the dura. The device has digitally programmable stimulation output and centimeter-scale alignment tolerances when powered by an external transmitter. We demonstrate that this device has enough power …

Multi-Resolution Diffusion For Privacy-Sensitive Recommender Systems, Derek Lilienthal, Paul Mello, Magdalini Eirinaki, Stas Tiomkin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

While recommender systems have become an integral component of the Web experience, their heavy reliance on user data raises privacy and security concerns. Substituting user data with synthetic data can address these concerns, but accurately replicating these real-world datasets has been a notoriously challenging problem. Recent advancements in generative AI have demonstrated the impressive capabilities of diffusion models in generating realistic data across various domains. In this work we introduce a Score-based Diffusion Recommendation Module (SDRM), which captures the intricate patterns of real-world datasets required for training highly accurate recommender systems. SDRM allows for the generation of synthetic data that …

Awareness, Attitudes, And Beliefs Of Dementia In Indonesia, Nicolas Farina, Esra Hassan, Imelda Theresia, Fasihah Irfani Fitri, Ika Suswanti, Tara Puspitarini Sani, Sara Evans-Lacko, Sube Banerjee, Yuda Turana

Peninsula Medical School

INTRODUCTION: Tackling dementia stigma is a policy priority. In Indonesia, we have little insight into the general public's knowledge and attitudes about dementia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 4430 Indonesian adults recruited from Jakarta and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Measures included dementia knowledge and attitudes. RESULTS: A total of 86.3% (n = 3,803) of adults had not heard of the terms dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and commonly viewed dementia as a normal part of aging. Being older, incorrect knowledge about etiology, not having heard of the terms dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease, having less than primary education, and being from North Sumatra were …

Perceived Recovery States And Physical Fitness In Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets, Lianne Emanuel, Jessie Hirsch, James Bodendorf, Amy Loin, Gregory Ioannides, Aliya Catanzarita, Tarek Harhash, Joseph Schnatter, Isaac Stein, Sean Kane, Julianne Rung, Katie Sell

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically with the physical fitness requirements (e.g., Army Combat Fitness Test or ACFT) required within their military science curriculum. Common physical fitness tests such as those for strength, power, and balance can provide insight into the recovery and readiness status of tactical athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between scores on the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) and performance on a physical fitness test battery assessing balance, mobility, body composition, muscular strength, and power in collegiate ROTC cadets. METHODS: Seventeen ROTC cadets …

Knee Injuries In Nfl Linemen — Correlation With Bmi, Robert Farrell Md, Michael Lem Md, John Bianchi Do, Austin Irwin, Cole Siegenfeld

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Knee injuries are among the most common injuries suffered in the NFL which in turn can decrease a player's playing time in a given season and thus negatively impact future performance. Body Mass Index (BMI) may play a key role in knee injuries and possibly general lower-extremity injuries in high-level athletes. Understanding characteristics like BMI can help modify and identify players at risk for knee injuries. PURPOSE: By analyzing the incidence and sequelae of knee injuries in NFL linemen with their respective BMI, It may be helpful for the NFL to emphasize appropriate body habitus in these players. This ultimately …

Comparing The Effect Of N-95 Vs Surgical Mask Use On Resting Metabolic Data Change, Robert Steinberg, Alexander Rothstein, Amerigo Rossi, Alyssa Hillian, Joanne Difrancisco-Donoghue

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Face masks reduce the spread of viral respiratory particles, however, their impact on respiratory physiology requires further research. Previous studies reported reduced gas exchange when wearing a surgical mask, however, breath-by-breath data has not been analyzed. PURPOSE: To compare physiological changes when wearing an N95 mask and surgical mask at rest. Variables measured include oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide ventilation (VC02), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (MV), and discomfort. METHODS: 42 subjects ages 18-55 (19 men; age 22.98±3.83) were recruited. Exclusion criteria was a history of metabolic disease/claustrophobia. Respiratory and metabolic data was …

Effects Of Electrical Exercise On Self-Reported Depression And Quality Of Life In Those With Spinal Cord Injury, Aj Barber, Eric Heidorn, John Mcdaniel, Cody S. Dulaney

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

One of the most common psychological disorders that occur as a result of spinal cord injury (SCI) is depression along with reductions in quality of life. Moreover, depression is correlated with quality of life. It is increasingly apparent that exercise offers an accessible and non-pharmacological intervention to ease depressive symptoms and improve quality of life. Unfortunately, access to meaningful exercise options remains challenging to those with mobility impairments such as those seen with SCI. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the chronic engagement of home-based electrical stimulation exercise (ESE) on self-reported depression and quality of life …

Effects Of Electrical Exercise And Affect On Self-Reported Anxiety In Those With Spinal Cord Injury, John Zimmerman, Eric Heidorn, John Mcdaniel, Cody S. Dulaney

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Those who have incurred a spinal cord injury (SCI) have severe and immediate changes to their lifestyle. Those with SCI have reported reduced levels of positive affect and no change in negative affect compared to controls. Also, those with SCI may have reduced opportunities for engaging in meaningful exercise either due to mobility or equipment access limitations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the chronic engagement of home-based electrical stimulation exercise (ESE) on self-reported anxiety and positive and negative affect. METHODS: 9 individuals with ASIA A or B SCI were recruited for this study. Participants …

Demonstrating The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction During Online Strength Training In Older Adults, Daniela Presta

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training entails limiting perfusion to specific body areas, allowing low-intensity exercise to simulate the effects of high-intensity workouts. Combining BFR and online exercise classes is a novel way of potentially improving both effectiveness and accessibility of training to an older population. It is essential to maintain strength as people age in order to avoid or manage physiological conditions like sarcopenia and osteoporosis. PURPOSE: To investigate if in five weeks of online low-intensity resistance training, improvements in strength will be greater among the older adults wearing BFR straps. METHODS: Men and women (mean age = …

Effects Of Acute Exercise And Socialization On Mood And Cognition, Justin E. English, Kristine Sabo, Jane Ekhtman, Emmanuel Egwuonwu, Andy Fernandez, Douglas J. Oberlin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

How do social interactions, exercise, or a combination of both affect a person’s mood and cognition? Research has shown benefits of aerobic exercise, for example, a recent study showed that group fitness classes decreased perceived stress among a group of medical students. However, it didn’t explain if that was because of the socialization that occurs in a group fitness setting or if it was because of the physical activity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare how aerobic exercise and socialization contribute to acute improvements in mood and cognition. METHODS: Participants, recruited from CUNY campuses (n=19), …

Association Between Social Media Use, Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder And Psychological Health In Urban College Students, Andy Velasco-Arriola, Galila Werber-Zion

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The online fitness industry has expanded significantly in recent years. Since 2014, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat have also grown tremendously, resulting in young adults spending hours scrolling on their smartphones looking at perceived ideal-body images. Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body disorder indicated by a pathological desire for increased muscle mass. Among American college students, the most prevalent diagnosed mental health problems are anxiety disorder and/or depression. PURPOSE: This pilot study evaluated the relationship between social media use, psychological health, and muscle dysmorphic disorder in ethnically diverse students attending an urban commuter college. METHODS: Forty-three students (mean age = …

Restoring Effective Sleep Time In Post Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Brooke Watts Bsn, Rn

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Restoring Effective Sleep Time in Post Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Quality Improvement Project

Brooke Watts, BSN, RN, DNP Student, Murray State University

Dr. Kristin Reid, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, DNP Program Director/Assistant Professor Murray State University

Aims: This quality improvement project was developed using DNP project guidelines provided through Murray State University and was designed to improve sleep in hospitalized cardiac surgery patients.

Processes: IRB approval was obtained from the healthcare institution and academic institution. This two-phase quality improvement project was designed to analyze the effects of a change in normalized hospital routines on self-reported sleep in post-cardiac surgery patients. …

Development And Evaluation Of Trauma Informed Care Education For Licensed Nurses, Kristina O'Meara

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Trauma informed care nursing education is crucial. Trauma informed care is a method of providing health care which understands the likelihood of past and present traumatic events in patients and families. The experience of past or present trauma often led to chronic diseases, substance abuse disorder, fragmented health care, fears surrounding health care, chronic stress, and other negative health consequences. The purpose of this project is to increase licensed nurses’ awareness and ability to practice trauma informed care in clinical practice, as well as promote policy initiation within the health care facilities. Method planning integrated the Knowledge to Action Cycle. …

Will The Implementation Of Nurse Competency Days Improve Knowledge And Satisfaction In Nursing Staff Of A Community Health Center?, Christina Morton

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Background: Nursing competencies are important for quality of care, patient safety, and identifying gaps in knowledge and skills. Patient harm has been linked to a lack of competency and insufficient policy and procedures.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to achieve standardization of nursing competencies within nurse-led clinics.

Aims: The aims of this project were to validate select competency days and determine the satisfaction of the competency days by the participants. The second aim of this project was to develop an electronic tracking form. A third aim was to develop and present a policy and procedure …

The Effects Of Age, Employment, Marriage, And Education On Academic Motivation In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jessica Hamm Msn Rn Phd Student

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

The Effects of Age, Employment, Marriage, and Education on Academic Motivation in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Purpose: The amount of research on non-cognitive variables affecting motivation is limited in nursing students. By using Self-Determination Theory, faculty can determine what motivates students to learn which will allow the creation of a learning environment that promotes student achievement.

Aim: To determine the effect age, marriage status, employment, and education level have on academic motivation in nursing students in the third semester of a baccalaureate nursing program within the framework of Self-Determination Theory.

Method: A descriptive correlational design was used to identify the effect …

Comparisons Of Using Alcohol, Coping Strategies, Anxiety, And Depression Between Usa And Taiwanese College Students, Pi-Ming Yeh Associate Professor, Cheng-Huei Chiao Professor, Jennchang Liou Professor

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: In this study, we compared United States (US) and Taiwanese college students’ using alcohol, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression.

Research Questions:

1. What were the differences in demographic characteristics, using alcohol, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression between US and Taiwanese college students?

2. What were the relationships between US and Taiwanese college students’ using alcohol, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression?

3. How much of US and Taiwanese college students’ anxiety and depression were predicted by their use of alcohol, coping strategies?

Methods: Four hundred and one US and 180 Taiwanese college students were recruited in this study. This was …

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 7 Special Issue: Mediatization

Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 7. Special Issue on Mediatization

Artificial Sociality, Simone Natale, Iliana Depounti

Human-Machine Communication

This article proposes the notion of Artificial Sociality to describe communicative AI technologies that create the impression of social behavior. Existing tools that activate Artificial Sociality include, among others, Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, voice assistants, virtual influencers, socialbots and companion chatbots such as Replika. The article highlights three key issues that are likely to shape present and future debates about these technologies, as well as design practices and regulation efforts: the modelling of human sociality that foregrounds it, the problem of deception and the issue of control from the part of the users. Ethical, social and cultural …

The Perturbing Mediatization Of Voice-Based Virtual Assistants: The Case Of Alexa, Leopoldina Fortunati, Autumn P. Edwards, Chad Edwards

Human-Machine Communication

This study examines the role of voice-based assistants (VBAs), specifically Alexa, in the mediatization paradigm framework. The authors hypothesize that emerging technologies such as chatbots and VBAs intensify the process of online meta-reintermediation of news. Three research questions were investigated through a questionnaire administered to 655 university students in the US and Italy: Do participants try to get news from Alexa? Are participants aware that VBAs represent a case of meta-reintermediation of news? Does Alexa contribute to the potential hybridization of news, information, and knowledge? The analysis of 451 open-ended answers showed that only a fraction of participants searches for …

Communicative Ai And Techno-Semiotic Mediatization: Understanding The Communicative Role Of The Machine, Göran Bolin

Human-Machine Communication

Mediatization discourse has so far mainly been centered on media from institutional or social-constructionist approaches. The technological developments within communications industries coupled with the wider societal process of datafication might, however, beg for dusting off the smaller, although the long-time existing, technological approach to mediatization as a complement to the two other approaches, in order to understand aspects of automation and human-machine communication. This theoretical article explores how existing mediatization approaches can refocus to include lessons learned from human-machine communication. The first section accounts for the main mediatization approaches. The second section discusses debates on communication, artificiality, and meaning-making. The …

A New Family Member Or Just Another Digital Interface? Smart Speakers In The Lives Of Families With Young Children, Giovanna Mascheroni

Human-Machine Communication

Based on longitudinal qualitative research involving twenty families with at least one child aged eight or younger, the article provides an account of how families, as distinctive communicative figurations, adopt, use and make sense of smart speakers through diverse socially situated practices. Findings show that parents and children enter in a communicative relationship with smart speakers based on their attribution of human-like or machine-like traits to the device, and the device response to their expectations. Moreover, engaging in communicative practices through and with smart speakers, family members subvert or reinforce existing power relations. However, smart speakers acquire new agency by …

Mediatization And Human-Machine Communication: Trajectories, Discussions, Perspectives, Andreas Hepp, Göran Bolin, Andrea L. Guzman, Wiebke Loosen

Human-Machine Communication

As research fields, mediatization and Human-Machine Communication (HMC) have distinct historical trajectories. While mediatization research is concerned with the fundamental interrelation between the transformation of media and communications and cultural and societal changes, the much younger field of HMC delves into human meaning-making in interactions with machines. However, the recent wave of “deep mediatization,” characterized by an increasing emphasis on general communicative automation and the rise of communicative AI, highlights a shared interest in technology’s role within human interaction. This introductory article examines the trajectories of both fields, demonstrating how mediatization research “zooms out” from overarching questions of societal and …

Smoothing Out Smart Tech’S Rough Edges: Imperfect Automation And The Human Fix, Christian Katzenbach, Christian Pentzold, Paloma Viejo Otero

Human-Machine Communication

In this article, we take issue with an idea of autonomous and efficient automation that is upheld through the paradoxical conjunction of a flawed vision of the technological fix and the under-acknowledged human work required to fill in the gaps between machines and users. Our argument is based on two case studies that sit at opposite tails of automation processes: the front end of self-service checkouts and the back end of content moderation. This juxtaposition allows us to surface three themes on how the hype around automation is enabled by human interventions: the ad-hoc sociality in situated practices of automation, …

Quacking For Noggin: Farm Animal Assisted Therapy For The Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, Alex Sargsyan

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

The Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Animal Assisted Therapies with Farm Animals (AATF) with domesticated ducks on depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) . Furthermore, the following hypothesis was tested:

Engaging in AATF with domesticated ducks will be associated with decrease in depression, anxiety, and an increase in self-efficacy.

Methods

The study examined the effects of AATF on anxiety and depression among patients with TBI. Time series quasi-experimental design structure was utilized. At the beginning of the study participants received Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey (HADS) and General …

Integration Of Mental Health And Enabling Services In A Rural School-Based Setting: An Evidence-Based Initiative, Kim Ferguson, Teresa Carnevale

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

The Rural Expansion Program for At-risk Communities to Promote Health Outcomes through the Integration of Mental health and Enabling services in an Existing Primary Care School-Based Setting (REACH ME) program was established to increase access to mental health services at two existing school-based health centers (SBHC) in rural Hancock County, TN. These SBHCs are among the most unique in the nation, holding designations as federally funded qualified health centers - proving primary care services in a geographically isolated, rural, and medically underserved area. The aim of the project is increasing the number of patients receiving mental health and enabling services …

Optimal Control Of Coefficients For The Second Order Parabolic Free Boundary Problems, Ali Hagverdiyev

Mathematics Colloquium Series

In this talk I will discuss Inverse Stefan type free boundary problem for the second order parabolic equation arising for instance, in modeling of laser ablation of biomedical tissues, where the information on the coefficients, heat flux on the fixed boundary, and density of heat sources are missing and must be found along with the temperature and free boundary. New PDE constrained optimal control framework is employed, where the missing data and the free boundary are components of the control vector, and optimality criteria are based on the final moment measurement of the temperature and position of the free boundary. …

Nursing Burnout: The Impact Of Fatigue On Patient Outcomes, Leah Mccloud, Kera F. Putnam, Dylan Zeller, Pressley Davis

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Introduction & Background: Nursing burnout is caused by high stress that leads to lack of motivation. Our goal is to review the literature to evaluate the impact of nurse burnout on nursing care.

Purpose Statement & Research Question: The purpose of this literature review was to find the impact on nursing care in response to nursing burnout.

Literature Review: These articles were derived from a variety of databases, including PubMed, JSTOR and CINHAL from the last 5 years by entering search criteria such as: “nursing burnout impact on patient care,” “nursing burnout”, “registered nurses”, “effects of burnout”, “consequences”, “turnover,” “nursing …

Health Literacy And Diabetes Outcomes In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes In Southwest Virginia, Casandra Reyes Arellano

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: To determine if a quality improvement project involving individualized, one-on-one Diabetes education will improve health literacy and Diabetes outcomes in adults with Type 2 Diabetes in a rural primary care clinic. Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting the United States with 9.6% of Virginia’s population living with Diabetes.

Aims: To improve patient’s Diabetes literacy scores, BMI, and Hemoglobin A1c levels through Diabetes education.

Processes: There are pre- and post-education phases. Data to be collected at the end of both phases consist of DNT15 scores, BMI, and A1c. In the pre-education phase, BMI was obtained, DNT15 was administered, and Diabetes …

Implementation Of Provider-Made Follow-Up Appointments For Depression In Primary Care, Rebecca Vaughn

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Implementation of provider-made follow-up appointments for depression in primary care

Rebecca Vaughn

College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University; Whitson Hester School of Nursing, Tennessee Technological University

Author Note

Rebecca Vaughn https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0731-3316 College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Corresponding concerning this manuscript should be addressed to Rebecca Vaughn

108 Reed Mill Lane Monroe TN 38573

[email protected]

Abstract

Depression is a common condition diagnosed and managed in primary care.

Follow-up is inconsistent and low in these settings, creating a gap in care that

impacts management, adherence to treatment, and patient outcomes. The …