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Session IIA: Social Issues Presentation 2 - Influencing Others: How Can We Benefit Society?
No full textNonverbal behavior makes up over half of the information used in the perception and judgments of others based on the three components of communication. As such, a two-part study series of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of nonverbal behavior was conducted to investigate factors that influence physical movement. The first study focused on types of bodily reactions to academic anxiety within a population of honors students. This study aimed to primarily investigate body language mirroring; however, various types of movement patterns were found. The second study used participants from various backgrounds to investigate the differences in demographics on the number of bodily movements produced in normal social situations. Understanding the results of these studies based on how much people move and the patterns of behavior utilized in conversation is imperative in strengthening social interactions. Society can benefit from this understanding due to increased usage of social marketing and positive persuasion
Session IA: Biology Presentation 3 - Beyond Weight Loss: The Effects of the GLP-1 Agonist, Semaglutide, on Weight Care, Type II Diabetes Management, and Cardiac Function in Obese Patients
Full text linkDetermining whether the drug Semaglutide, also known as Ozempic or Wegovy, is not only an effective treatment for weight loss, but also for management of type II diabetes and obesity-related heart failure, such as adverse cardiac remodeling and left atrial volume increase
Session IIC: Religious Studies Presentation 3 - Prayer Benefits in Relation to Mental Health
Full text linkMy presentation is on a research paper I wrote for my Adult Discipleship class in Fall 2024. It discusses the relationship between prayer and mental health by identifying ways prayer can have benefit on mental health, factors that are required in order for prayer to have benefit on mental health, different types of prayer and how they impact mental health, and different mediationg variables between prayer and mental health
Gardner-Webb Divinity School and Religious Studies and Philosophy Department Host Baptist Women in Ministry Film Screening on April 15
Full text linkThe School of Divinity and the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy are sponsoring the screening of “Midwives of a Movement” on Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in Dover Chapel. Produced by Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM), the film features the organization’s Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Meredith Hare Stone.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3791/thumbnail.jp
Exploring Teacher Perceptions and Implementation Factors Influencing Career Development Plan Completion in Middle Grades: A Study of the MajorClarity Platform
No full textThis qualitative study investigated the implementation fidelity, teacher perceptions, and contextual factors influencing the use of the MajorClarity career readiness platform to support career development plan (CDP) completion among middle grade students in a North Carolina school district. Guided by Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory and Darling-Hammond et al.’s (2001) Learning Theory, the study explored how instructional strategies, training quality, leadership support, and systemic barriers shape program outcomes. Data were collected through two rounds of semi-structured interviews with six Career and Technical Education teachers, using inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns across participant responses. Findings revealed that while educators recognized the potential of MajorClarity to personalize learning and engage students in career exploration, implementation was hindered by limited training, misalignment with pacing guides, and inconsistent access to technology. Teachers also emphasized the need for structured, ongoing coaching; peer collaboration; and leadership modeling to ensure fidelity and sustainability. Although some participants anticipated positive student engagement through interactive features and collaborative activities, actual usage was minimal, reflecting broader concerns about compliance-driven implementation. The study highlights the importance of embedding CDPs into curriculum, developing role-specific protocols, and leveraging data feedback loops to shift practice from meeting mandates to fostering authentic career readiness. Recommendations focus on professional development, accountability structures, and family engagement, while implications underscore the systemic challenges of scaling digital career platforms equitably
Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Full text linkIntroduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease associated with numerous effects on quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADLs). In recent years, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been evaluated as a symptom management option for KOA due to its non-invasive mechanistic properties. The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of LLLT as a modality of treatment to help reduce mild to moderate symptoms associated with KOA.
Methods: A search via PubMed database was made using the keywords “LLLT” AND “osteoarthritis” AND “knee” with additional specifiers resulting in 10 articles for review. Four articles were chosen to include due to their study parameters aligning with the purpose of this review. The remaining six articles were excluded.
Results: Of the four articles included, two were RCTs, one was a meta-analysis, and one was a systematic review. Each article looked at varying wavelengths and protocols for LLLT. The main outcomes of each of the four studies included function, pain control, and the effects on QoL.
Discussion: Results of the data show supportive evidence favoring the use of LLLT as a treatment method for symptomatic relief and pain management for individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate KOA. LLLT used in combination with exercise therapy (ET) has shown significant improvement on functional performance, QoL, and pain management. Therefore, laser therapy is suggested to be integrated into rehabilitation programs to improve muscle strength and functional performance. Further investigation is needed to determine the long-term benefits and the efficacy of treatment method for patients diagnosed with severe KOA
Efficacy of Pharmacotherapy vs Psychotherapy for Insomnia: A Clinical Review
Full text linkIntroduction: Insomnia is a widespread sleep disorder with significant impacts on public health, economics, and vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. This review examines current literature comparing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for insomnia.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted via PubMed using the keywords “insomnia,” “cognitive behavioral therapy,” and “pharmacotherapeutics” which was refined using MeSH terms, Boolean operators, and specific parameters (English, free full-text, published between 2019 and 2024). Six articles were selected for an in-depth review of pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic treatments for insomnia.
Results: The selected articles from the PubMed search were reviewed and analyzed to evaluate their methodologies, study designs, and findings on the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy versus pharmacotherapy for insomnia. 1 systematic review/meta-analysis, 1 RCT, 2 cohort studies, and 1 general review. Key findings include the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy as the preferred first-line treatment, particularly in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality, with the digital form showing comparable effectiveness to traditional face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy.
Discussion: The findings presented in this review emphasize the importance of prioritizing non-pharmacological approaches in the management of insomnia, while future research should focus on optimization of the digital form of cognitive behavioral therapy and the refinement of pharmacological strategies should they be a necessary supplement
Digital Hoarders Anonymous: Facing—and Fixing—Clutter in a Mature Repository
Full text linkWeeding—it’s not just for overgrown gardens and neglected bookshelves. As institutional repositories age, they accumulate digital clutter: orphaned collections, outdated records, and the occasional relic that makes you wonder, why did we ever upload this? At Georgia Southern University, our repository, Georgia Southern Commons, recently celebrated its eleventh birthday—a milestone marked not with cake, but with a long-overdue audit of its 1,900+ structures and 150,000+ items records.
However, conducting a large-scale repository weeding project isn’t as simple as hitting delete (tempting as that may be). Without built-in visualization tools in Digital Commons, tracking down what belongs where—and whether it still belongs at all—feels a bit like spelunking without a headlamp. During this session, we’ll share how we tackled these challenges, including our strategies for making sense of the repository’s complex structure, identifying what to preserve, and (perhaps most importantly) deciding what to gracefully retire.
Specifically, we’ll share how we audited Georgia Southern Commons to manually collect and contextualize each structure’s visibility settings, parent/child relationships, and content, both native and collected. Then we’ll share how we used this data to identify candidate structures for immediate deletion, consolidation then deletion, or redescription and regrouping. Finally, we’ll offer best practices we see emerging from this project, which has so far allowed us to delete 550+ structures to date.
Beyond decluttering, our findings offer a roadmap for other institutions struggling with repository sprawl. We address key gaps in existing literature on institutional repository weeding, particularly the lack of practical guidance for repository platforms that lack effective visualization tools. Our experience recommends best practices for maintaining a repository’s relevance, usability, and long-term sustainability—because a well-maintained repository is a happy repository (and a happy repository makes for happy librarians, administrators, and stakeholders). Whether you\u27re facing your own digital hoarding crisis or just looking for proactive strategies, join us to discuss this important topic, and perhaps for a little catharsis
A Preliminary Assessment of Educational Leaders’ Knowledge about School Counseling
Full text linkThe roles and responsibilities of school counselors have rapidly evolved, especially over the last three decades. During this time, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has published many documents, including a program framework, standards, position statements, tools, and training materials to help school counselors fulfill their responsibilities. In particular, the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs was developed to guide school counselors in defining, managing, delivering, and assessing a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) that aligns with educational goals and addresses the needs of students. Educational leaders who understand the nature of a CSCP stand to hire, support, and assess school counselors more effectively in their work. Recent studies on what educational leaders know about CSCPs rely on self-report perceptions. The current study uses the ELKSCI (Educational Leaders Knowledge of School Counseling Inventory), a validated tool, to objectively measure educational leaders\u27 knowledge about CSCPs
Teaching With Confidence: Strengthening Nurse Education on Heart Failure Using the Teach-Back Method
Full text linkHeart failure remains one of the leading causes of hospital readmissions, often due to poor patient understanding of self-care instructions provided at discharge. Nurses play a critical role in patient education, yet many lack confidence and competence in delivering effective education. Additionally, inconsistencies and discharge materials, such as outdated or excessive documentation, can overwhelm patients and hinder their ability to retain vital information. Standardized education enhances the learning experience and ensures consistent messaging across the healthcare system. This project aimed to improve nurses’ confidence and competence in educating heart failure patients at discharge by 10% through the implementation of the teach-back method. Conducted at a 747-bed acute care facility, the project targeted nurses from three inpatient units with the highest heart failure readmission rates. Participants engaged in structured education sessions focused on the principles and application of the teach-back method. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were used to measure changes in nurse confidence and competence. Results demonstrated an increase in 10% of both confidence and competence following the intervention, suggesting that the intervention effectively enhanced nurses’ familiarity with teach-back, increased its use in patient interactions, and strengthened their ability to identify gaps and ensure patient understanding. While long-term patient outcomes were beyond the scope of this project, the ultimate goal is to contribute to a reduction in hospital readmissions through improved patient understanding and self-management. This quality improvement initiative highlights the importance of health literacy strategies in discharge education and supports the ongoing integration of teach-back in nursing practice