Digital Commons Network^™

Emergency Department Wait Time Interventions Impacts On Patient Outcome And Hospital Stay, Natalie Vondra

Symposium of Student Scholars

Care Management Activities of Patients in Emergency Department

Background: In the healthcare setting, emergency room visits and wait times have always been a topic of discussion. Patients can suffer short and long-term consequences by having prolonged wait times and delay in the emergency department. Purpose: This project aims to address the question: Among adult patients in the emergency room, what are the care management (Interventions and Activities) that impact their health outcomes and hospital stay? Methods: This evidence-based practice project utilized PRISMA diagram and Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Tools to appraise and analyze literature, identify evidence levels and quality rating. …

The Importance Of Creation: Lessons From The Collision And Performing Justice Projects, Mariah Johnson

Symposium of Student Scholars

The Collision Project is a performance-based project that introduces young artists to an inspiration which drives them to create their own performative art. During my time participating in Kennesaw State University's 2022 New Connections Collision Project, I had the privilege of working alongside the talented youth graduates in the Department of Justice system. Through my first-hand experience and by examining the works through the lens of Megan Alrutz’s book Digital Storytelling, Applied Theatre, & Youth: Performing Possibility, I learned the importance of personal expression through creation. Projects such as our Collision Project and Alrutz’s Performing Justice Project present highly beneficial …

Small-Separation Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscopy For Intraoperative Assessment Of Parathyroid Glands Viability During Thyroid Surgery, Connor Berger

Symposium of Student Scholars

The parathyroid glands (PTGs) are often damaged during thyroid surgeries due to a lack of methods identifying PTGs and assessing their viability. Damage to PTGs can cause hypocalcemia, a deficiency of calcium in the body. This complication can lead to detrimental consequences with economic burden. The surgeon’s current method of viability assessment is qualitative and subjective. Our technical solution is to employ an optical technique called speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) that noninvasively quantifies the blood flow index (Db) of biological tissues at deep tissue levels (>1cm). The goal of this project is to verify SCOS at small source-detector-separation …

What Interventions Are Effective In Reducing The Prevalence Of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections?, Katherine Waldron

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background and Objective: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is one of the most prevalent, costly, and morbid hospital acquired infections (HAIs). Indwelling catheters are one of the most used devices within the hospital setting with 25%-30% of patients having a catheter placed during their stay. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate various forms of literature to determine the most effective ways to prevent CAUTI.

Literature Review: Various bundle approaches were reviewed with main interventions being proper aseptic insertion, collection bag kept lower than the bladder, daily rounds discussing the benefits and risks of discontinuation of the …

Breastfeeding Rates Based On Income Group Globally, Trashauna Franklin

Symposium of Student Scholars

The primary source of nutrition for most new-born babies is breastmilk. Breast milk contains fats, proteins, carbohydrates and a variety of minerals and vitamins. Breastmilk lowers the risk of developing infections and long-term diseases such as type 1 diabetes in infants and children. Studies have suggested that 1 in 5 children have never been breastfed, which could be contributed to where those children are born. Factors such as socio-economic status, lifestyle, and other social determinants in an infant’s place of birth may all contribute to whether a child get breastfed exclusively. The purpose of this research is to see if …

Point-Of-Care Devices To Reduce Iatrogenic Anemia Among Preterm Infants, Jenna Craven

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), the prevalence of anemia and required blood transfusions continues to rise. Blood testing is necessary in this population in order to accurately develop diagnoses and treatment options. However, blood loss in the NICU is the main cause of preterm neonatal anemia. Preterm infants tend to experience larger amounts of blood loss compared to other infants in the NICU. They are born with fewer red blood cells and are not able to rapidly reproduce these blood cells when needed, and multiple blood draws further deplete the infant’s hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. In current practice, …

Characterization Of Caenorhabditis Elegans F07a5.4, Human Ortholog Of Olfactomedin 1, Sade K. Thomas, Karunambigai Kalichamy, Martin Hudson

Symposium of Student Scholars

Accurate control of nervous system development is critical for normal brain patterning, and defects in this process can lead to neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The transcription factor neurogenin is necessary for the development of neural subtypes and is deeply conserved across species. However, the transcriptional targets of neurogenin are poorly understood, creating an imperative for further study. We have used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to better understand ngn-1/neurogenin function. Previous work from our lab revealed that ngn-1 plays a role in nerve ring architecture, and neural cell fate specification. In addition, …

The Dangers Of Long Shifts In Mines, Phillip Beeslaar, Michael W. Paul

Symposium of Student Scholars

Michael and Phillip

The Dangers of Long Shifts in Mines

There are many reasons for workplace injuries, ranging from not paying attention, being inadequately trained, or working at a time outside of the normal working hours. Sleep deprivation is usually not thought of as a reason for workplace injury, but it can significantly increase the risks of injury or accident in the workforce. This becomes especially prevalent in jobs with long shifts and low light conditions such as work done in mines. Mines are already notorious for having higher rates of workplace injuries and since mines run 24 hours a …

Cauti Infection In Acute Care Setting, Kai Zheng, Katherine Waldron, Andrea Medina

Symposium of Student Scholars

CAUTI Infection in Acute Care Setting

Background: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) is one of the most common and costly hospital-acquired infections (HAI) within the acute care setting that prolongs the length of stay and negatively affect patient health outcomes. Purpose: This evidence-based practice project addresses the question: Within the acute care setting, what nursing interventions are effective in preventing CAUTI? Methods: PRISMA was utilized, and various peer-reviewed literature have been appraised using the John Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Tools to determine the most effective interventions to reduce the prevalence of CAUTI within the adult acute care setting. Results: Implementation of …

Comparison Of Non-Pharmacologic Pain Interventions For Nicu Infants, Mira Cothran

Symposium of Student Scholars

Infants in the NICU unfortunately have to endure repeated procedures that cause pain. Over time, these painful experiences can compound into larger issues. Infants receiving repeated procedures with uncontrolled pain can develop neurological issues in the future. Because infants have no way of verbally expressing the pain that they experience, their pain can often be overlooked. Premature infants have underdeveloped kidneys and livers leaving them at risk for adverse outcomes to some pharmacological interventions, especially opioids if not given at the correct dose. This highlights the importance of non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce pain.

This proposed project would help to determine …

Trilingualism In The United States: A Case Study Of An Arabic And Greek Household, Seongyo Gwon, David E. Posada, Milly Romo

Symposium of Student Scholars

Recent studies suggest that trilingual families in the United States are experiencing limited resources due to failing efforts to promote heritage language (HL) maintenance, diversity, and language rights both nationally and locally. Using a case study methodology, this paper will address obstacles identified in an interview with an Arabic speaking mother raising a trilingual child along with a Greek speaking partner while living in a monolingual society (U.S.). There is a need to uncover complex language practices and issues that different trilingual groups in the United States experience in order to preserve their heritage languages (HL) and cultures. Qualitative data …

“It’S Getting Hot In Here”: Climate Change And Tensions Surrounding Environmental Injustice For Minority And Low-Income Communities, Symone Gaskin

Symposium of Student Scholars

Our current climate crisis presents the perfect opportunity to address other social ills that reflect environmental injustice. The purpose of this research was to explore if, when, and how climate change disproportionately impacts minority communities. A thematic analysis was developed through the creation of a literature review matrix comprised of twenty academic and practitioner articles. This thematic analysis uncovered four key themes: implications in the workplace, the housing market, the economy, and the standard of health. Consequently, confirming the disenfranchisement of marginalized groups in relation to the environment, this research uncovered the long-lasting effects of systemic racism as an important …

Soil And Human Health, Maggie Davis, Christian Thomas

Symposium of Student Scholars

Healthy soil is considered an ecosystem with a multitude of interrelated parts that can provide multiple benefits such as sustaining plant and animal production and health, enhancing or maintaining water and air quality, managing nutrient availability, accumulating soil carbon, supporting biodiversity, and reducing erosion. Soil health is the foundation of crop health and productivity, as well as sustainable agriculture. A secondary research study relating soil health and human health was conducted via a literature review consisting of scholarly articles from Kennesaw State University’s library database. The purpose of this research is to thoroughly investigate the topic of soil health and …

The Role Of Purpose In Navigating Health And Social Barriers In Marginalized Older Adults, Ameesha Narine

Symposium of Student Scholars

A sense of purpose is defined as a “central, self-organizing life aim that organizes and stimulates goals, manages behaviors, and provides a sense of meaning” (Mcknight & Kashdan 2009). Purpose is crucial to guide individuals’ choices and decisions across their lifespans (Lewis, 2020). Particularly in older adulthood, having a sense of purpose is linked with positive overall well-being, including in the physical (Musich et al., 2018), cognitive (Boyle et al., 2012), and socioemotional/psychological domains (Lewis & Hill, 2021). Although a sense of purpose fosters well-being in late life, it remains understudied whether t purpose is a resource for resilience in …

Noise Reduction In The Intensive Care Unit, Carolina Gomez

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the noise levels in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a metro atlanta medical facility and to establish interventions that could be used to reduce the noise. Determining the effects is significant because it can improve a patients’ outcome in the ICU. The challenge explored was evidenced by 15 out of 20 patients stating that they are suffering sleep deprivation due to excessive noise levels. After 3 days in the ICU, patients have developed confusion and delirium; they are not oriented to date and time without reminders. After 3 days in …

The Effect Of Elective Induction Reduction On Maternal And Fetal Labor Complications And Health Outcomes, Caitlin Kelley

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background

An induction is the stimulation of labor in a pregnant woman, either through medicinal or other mechanical interventions, before labor has begun on its own. In current practice, elective induction generally has no or very soft medical indication, and is commonly performed for convenience. Labor induction rates have increased markedly over the past 30 years, with elective induction of labor (EIOL) numbers contributing heavily to these rates. Current research suggests a greater risk for adverse outcomes during labor and postpartum in EIOL vs spontaneous labor. The purpose of this project is to, in collaboration with the MD’s and Midwives, …

How Frequent Oral Care Can Decrease The Incidence Of Aspiration Pneumonia Within The Critical Care Setting, Patrick Subers

Symposium of Student Scholars

Within the critical care hospital setting, many patients are declared NPO, or nothing by mouth, for various reasons. Typically, these patients have had a stroke, are at risk for aspiration, or are pending an operation. In the case of stroke patients, they are often held NPO for an extended period while their ability to swallow improves to a safe level. One of the greatest risks for this patient population is the development of aspiration pneumonia, as they have a decreased ability to clear secretions from their throat and mouth. Pair that with the fact that this population is heavily care-dependent …

Second Reaction: Gender Queer: A Unique Insight, Aaron M. Wilder

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

First Opinion: Gender Queer: A Memoir Offers Conversation About Queerness, Marie Lewis

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

Second Reaction: A Mother-Daughter Perspective, Elizabeth Dougherty, Maddie Dougherty

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

First Opinion: Anne Frank As She Was, The Value Of An Uncensored Voice, Audrey Taylor

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

Second Reaction: How Do You Teach What Is Silent To Some And Reality To Others?, Megan Paulk

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

First Opinion: White Symbols Of Hope Or Threats To Black Youth’S Self-Perception, Breanya Hogue

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

Editorial: A Call To Share Challenged & Banned Books, Allison Segarra Hansen

First Opinions, Second Reactions

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Forthcoming Publications

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant, edited by John Gee
and Brian Hauglid, is volume 3 in the Book of Abraham
Series. It includes FARMS conference papers on the Book
of Abraham and its commonalities with ancient texts,
Abraham’s vision of the heavens, and the significance of
the Abrahamic covenant. Available autumn 2003.

A Call For Emendations, Royal Skousen

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

As I have been working on the Book of Mormon Critical Text Project, people have
occasionally written or talked to me about passages in the Book of Mormon that seem strange or difficult. A good many have made specific suggestions about emendations (or revisions to the text). Surprisingly, a large percentage of these have ended up being correct or have led me to come up with an appropriate emendation.

The New World Promised Land’S Economic Base

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

A majority of people in the modern world are absorbed in performing their daily work, conceived in terms of jobs, money, food, and other things practical and economic. Would it have been different for the Nephites or Lamanites? Not really. The center of their daily concerns, too, was “making a living.” But what that meant differed greatly from what we mean by the expression.

The Desert Libraries Of Timbuktu

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution have opened an exhibit titled “Ancient Manuscripts from the Desert Libraries of Timbuktu,” the famous trading town at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Mali. The manuscripts include Qur’anic teachings, mathematics, physics, medicine, and astronomy.

Institute Researchers Share Findings At Lds Apologetics Conference

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Three Institute researchers were among the speakers at the fifth annual FAIR conference, held August 7–8 at Utah Valley State College, in Orem, Utah. Founded in 1997, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research is a nonprofit
corporation dedicated to providing sound information and research that support the doctrine, beliefs, and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly on matters that are challenged by unbelievers.