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Decoding Nuclear Power with Data
No full textNuclear energy can be harnessed to create electricity as an alternative to coal or other sources that release carbon and other by-products into the atmosphere. Using a dataset dedicated to nuclear energy generation, energy safety, and global trends, multiple applications were created using Plotly Studio to analyze the data. The applications included interactive features and filters that created a user-friendly web based experience to investigate different aspects of the data set in depth. We found that the country that uses the largest percentage of nuclear energy compared to their total usage was France. Additionally, we found that although the deaths associated with nuclear energy have been highly publicized, coal and oil deaths are significantly greater. We also generated figures to determine the relationship between summer total generating capacity and the net production for the year to see if it followed a linear pattern
Visual Attention, Emotional Arousal, and Moral Judgment in Legal Evidence Processing
No full textMoral judgment in legal decision-making is influenced not only by the evidence presented but also by emotional and attentional processes. Prior research has shown that physiological arousal during exposure to emotionally charged or socially relevant information can shift the way evidence is evaluated and weighted in decision-making (Armstrong & Olatunji, 2012; Godwin et al., 2016). However, few studies have examined how autonomic arousal relates to guilt decisions using real, high profile case materials. We were interested in examining how possible exposure to violent content on social media might desensitize individuals, like jurors, leading to lighter judgments for serious crimes. This project investigates whether autonomic arousal, measured as electrodermal activity and heart rate, can predict moral judgment when evaluating legal evidence, and how that relates to level of social media use. Participants will view surveillance images, crime scene photographs, witness statements, and forensic reports from a real high-profile criminal case while connected to physiological monitoring equipment. EDA responses, changes in respirations, and heart rate changes will be recorded as participants process each piece of evidence, followed by a final guilt judgment. With the integration of multiple physiological measures and context-rich legal materials, a more valid model of juror decision-making can be achieved. We expect emotionally salient evidence to elicit heightened physiological arousal, with stronger arousal responses predicting higher likelihood of judging the suspect as guilty. This study clarifies how emotional responses and social media use can be linked to biased legal judgments, providing insight into how jury instruction, bias awareness, and wrongful conviction rates can be improved
Mini-SIEM
No full textThis project presents the design and implementation of a mini-Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system using PostgreSQL and Python. A SIEM enables real-time cybersecurity analytics through log ingestion, normalization, and correlation to identify suspicious behavior. The system developed in this project demonstrates how structured SQL queries can detect common attack patterns such as brute-force authentication attempts, lateral movement across hosts, and data exfiltration events. By building an open-source, database-driven SIEM pipeline, this project highlights the intersection of data engineering and cybersecurity analytics. The final deliverables include a poster presentation and a live demonstration showing how raw JSON logs are transformed into structured security alerts with severity scores, mimicking the functionality of enterprise SIEM platforms such as Splunk and Elastic SIE
Early Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease: Motor and Speech Patterns
No full textParkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily impairs motor function. On average, individuals with PD experience a reduced life expectancy of approximately 5–10 years compared to the general population, which is around 77 years. Despite extensive research on the motor symptoms of PD, limited information exists regarding how these motor deficits relate to potential speech impairments. In the present study, we utilized the Early Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease Based on Natural Connected Speech dataset from the UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository to investigate motor and speech-related difficulties in individuals with PD. In addition to PD, the dataset also included healthy controls (HC) and participants diagnosed with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), a known precursor to PD. Our findings revealed a significant increase in motor rigidity, particularly in the neck and limbs, among PD patients compared to HC and RBD groups (p \u3c 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in speech timing measures between the three groups (p = 0.724). Our analyses also revealed notable similarities between RBD and PD, emphasizing the potential value of RBD as an early biomarker for identifying individuals at risk of developing PD
Evaluating the Effects of Water Quality and Anthropogenic Disturbance on Salamander Species Diversity, Abundance and Health in Warner Parks
No full textSalamanders utilize cutaneous respiration, making them vulnerable to pollution, shifts in water chemistry, and habitat degradation. Increased anthropogenic habitat use may be a detriment to local salamander populations and pollution increases with land use. Understanding how water quality influences salamander abundance, diversity and physiological condition is crucial for amphibian conservation and for assessing freshwater ecosystem health, as they serve as a key bioindicator species. The objective of this study was to examine how variation in water quality parameters influences salamander species abundance, diversity and locomotor performance across stream sites within Warner Parks in Nashville, Tennessee. Field sampling was conducted weekly across five stream sites of varying pedestrian use during June 2025. Water quality at each site was measured using a multiparameter YSI meter and locomotor performance captured using high speed cameras with escape velocity as a proxy for physiological health. Salamander abundance and locomotor performance was significantly and negatively correlated with conductivity and specific conductance, while other predictors such as dissolved oxygen, barometric pressure, and temperature were not significant. Streams with higher ionic stress supported fewer salamanders with slower performance velocities, while cleaner sites supported greater abundance and faster individuals. This study highlights the role of salamanders as sentinel species whose population trends and health metrics can reveal broader patterns of freshwater degradation. By demonstrating that ionic pollution strongly influences salamander health, this research underscores the importance of monitoring water chemistry in conservation planning
Management of Sensory Processing Differences to Support Children’s Participation in Church
No full textThis doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Nashville (FPCN), with the shared objective of fostering a more inclusive and sensory-friendly environment within its Children’s Ministry. In alignment with FPCN’s mission to nurture young disciples through holistic, age-appropriate faith formation, this project addressed the growing need to accommodate children’s diverse sensory needs. Key outcomes included improved staff confidence as measured through pre- and post-training surveys, the creation of a resource binder on sensory processing, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and concrete changes to curriculum structure and classroom environments to better support all children’s participation in church
Expanding Programming: Implementation of Adaptable STEM Activities at Center for Courageous Kids
Get PDFThis doctoral capstone was completed through partnership with the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is a camp catering to children with serious illnesses or medical complexities, providing opportunities for participation in a variety of different camp activities. In the spring and fall, CCK hosts family weekend retreats while offering independent camps for the children during the summer. The goal of this project was to expand current programming to create adaptable STEM activities, implement these activities during spring weekend camps, then provide resources for CCK to continue to easily execute them in future camps. Upon researching various activities and meeting with local STEM professionals, three activities were put into effect: strawberry DNA extraction, personalized greenhouses, and a microscope experiment. All activities were provided with adaptations/modifications to enable participation across functional abilities. Outcomes included providing new experiences for the campers that enabled hands-on learning through recreation. As well, CCK was provided with instructional materials and donated supplies for continuation of STEM activities
Evolving MOVE Inclusive Dance\u27s Evaluation System
Get PDFThis doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to promote goal setting for each dancer, and to develop manageable systems for evaluation data and progress monitoring. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as independent sensory regulation, social participation, memory, and sustained attention. The project involved creating a web-accessible platform to easily input dancer progress and implementing suggestions from staff as they utilized the platform. Efficient data collection promoted dancer growth while also providing meaningful data for stakeholders to assess the impact of MOVE\u27s programming
Making Moves: Magnifying the MOVE Inclusive Dance Professional Development Workshop 2025
Get PDFThis doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create a full-scale professional development program for special education teachers to learn how to incorporate movement into their classrooms. An occupational therapy-based handout was created using evidence-based research and provided to all workshop participants. The project involved planning and executing the workshop, while also providing participants with resources to learn more about to importance of movement in the classroom, overall promoting inclusive learning
Improving Same-day Access To Highly Effective Contraceptives In Middle Tennessee
Get PDFProject Title: Improving Same-day Access To Highly Effective Contraceptives In Middle Tennessee
Background and Rationale: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are highly effective at preventing pregnancy at 99%. A two-visit protocol is a known barrier to access. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends same-day placement to increase access to LARC. A Step Ahead Middle Tennessee (ASA) is a non-profit organization partnered with Belmont University that provides free, long-acting reversible contraceptives. However, most ASA clinical partners offer services with a two-visit protocol, and there is no process to identify patient preference for same-day placement.
Purpose: The primary purpose of this phased quality improvement project was to facilitate timely same-day LARC placement for women who stated a clear preference for a single visit.
Project Design: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement was utilized as a framework for this QI project. Three key change ideas were implemented in April 2024. This included early identification of patient preference for same-day placement, adjustment of call script, intake forms, and addition of a post-appointment survey.
Outcomes: Between April and October of 2024, 57% (n=115) of clients opted for same-day placement. 43% (n=87) opted for a two-visit protocol. Timely reproductive care was provided regardless of patient preference, with all clients receiving their desired appointment in approximately one month.
Implications for Practice: Increased clinical capacity is an essential next step toward accommodating patient preference for same-day placement and ensuring timely access to the most effective contraception. Additionally, a cost-effectiveness analysis of a two-visit protocol versus same-day placement may support clinical workflow and scheduling changes.
References
ACOG Committee Statement No. 5: Increasing access to intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants (2023). Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 141(4), 866-872. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000005127
Bergin, A., Tristan, S., Terplan, M., Gilliam, M. L., & Whitaker, A. K. (2012). A missed opportunity for care: Two-visit IUD insertion protocols inhibit placement. Contraception, 86(6), 694-697. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2012.05.011
Stark, E. L., Gariepy, A. M., & Son, M. (2022). What is long-acting reversible contraception? JAMA, 328(13), 1362-1362. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.1423