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Remonetizing Esports Through NFTs: A Diffusion of Innovations Approach
No full textThe esports industry, facing slowing growth and revenue challenges, is actively seeking innovative monetization strategies to revitalize its revenue generation capabilities. This study investigated the adoption of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a viable tactic to these challenges. NFTs, unique digital assets secured by blockchain technology, are becoming increasingly integrated into the esports landscape. Guided by a Diffusion of Innovations framework, we analyzed factors influencing the attitudes and purchase intentions toward NFTs of 294 competitive esports gamers. Results revealed that the adoption factors had a significant impact on attitudes toward NFTs, and thus significantly influenced purchase intentions. Notably, investment intentions did not moderate the relationship between attitude and purchase intention, suggesting that the intrinsic value of NFTs drives their appeal, rather than their potential solely as financial instruments. This research underscores the importance of leveraging NFTs’ ability to provide exclusive content and experiences, thereby enhancing fan engagement, diversifying revenue sources, and fostering a more sustainable business model
HeartLines Issue 5 (December 2025)
No full texthttps://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/heartlines/1004/thumbnail.jp
Addressing School Counselor Occupational Stress: An Improvement Science Study in Redefining Roles
No full textThis dissertation examines the issue of chronic occupational stress among school counselors in the Farmville School District (FSD), a challenge rooted in outdated systemic practices that have led to role misalignment, work overload, and insufficient administrative understanding. Using an improvement science framework, this qualitative study sought to identify and address the organizational conditions contributing to counselor stress while aligning district practices with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. Through interviews, document reviews, and environmental scans, the study explored how systemic factors and unclear role expectations impact counselors’ ability to provide effective student support. The findings revealed that a lack of administrative awareness of the counselor’s professional scope contributes directly to excessive non-counseling duties, resulting in diminished well-being among counselors. In response, the researcher developed a two-phase theory of improvement aimed at fostering systemic change. Phase 1 focused on immediate strategies such as clarifying counselor roles, developing self-care plans, and revising job descriptions, while Phase 2 established a long-term plan for sustainable reform through professional education and workload redistribution. Collectively, the study highlights the urgent need for structural and cultural shifts within FSD to reduce chronic occupational stress, strengthen role clarity, and enhance school counseling effectiveness
Critical Appraisal of Evidence: Synthesis and Recommendations
No full textThis is the fifth article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). It builds on AJN\u27s award-winning previous series—Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to https://links.lww.com/AJN/A133). This follow-up series on EBDM will address how to teach and facilitate learning about the evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) processes and how they impact health care quality. This series is relevant for all nurses interested in EBP and QI, especially DNP faculty and students. The brief case scenario included in each article describes one DNP student\u27s journey
Teacher Mindset: Improving Academic Outcomes for Students With Disabilities
Get PDFThis mixed-methods Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice (ISDiP) explores the discrepancy between general and special education student performance on measures of growth and achievement in English Language Arts and Math in a small, suburban school district in Southwest Connecticut. Research supports that the growth rate for students with disabilities often decreases as they get older, leaving special education students with fewer opportunities to close the achievement gap over time. This study illustrates the importance of addressing teachers’ mindsets, perceptions, and collective efficacy to close the achievement and growth gap. Fifteen special education teachers and related service providers participated in a six-week intervention that included professional learning sessions, exit tickets, mindset rubrics, and focus group conversations. Results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the pre-and post-test survey, which assessed teachers\u27 mindsets regarding the performance of students with disabilities on high-stakes testing. Results further indicated that teachers and related service providers found the intervention to have an important, positive influence on their work with students and colleagues. This research is promising for using professional learning on teacher mindset, teacher perception, and collective efficacy to close the performance gap between general and special education students at the elementary level. Recommendations for future research include expanding the intervention to the middle and high school levels and broadening the scope of the intervention to target general education staff members, paraeducators, and school and district administrators. This study can guide other school leaders looking to advance all students\u27 academic growth and achievement, including those receiving special education services
Underpinning Performance Metrics Between a Winning and Losing Season in Division 1 Women\u27s Basketball
No full textAthletic success depends on several factors, including measurable factors such as training, sleep, and mental state. The women’s Basketball team at Sacred Heart University, USA, has been monitored over two consecutive seasons. The first season, 2021/22, was relatively unsuccessful, followed by a much-improved performance in the 2022/23 season, with a higher win percentage. Six metrics have been measured consistently: Training, sleep, mental state, game workload, jump analysis, and game performance. We compare those metrics over the two seasons, and our findings show the direct relationship between better training, better sleep, and mental health on the team\u27s performance as a group. We analyze the performance of the players common to both seasons and note the improvement of this group\u27s fitness over the two seasons (3.5% better sleep, 8% in recovery, 12% in stress, and 13% in jump height) even before the games started, and the effect of the new players on the team performance
Improving Blood Culture Contamination Rates in the Emergency Department: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project
Get PDFBackground/Significance
Blood culture (BC) contamination in the Emergency Department (ED) leads to false-positive results, unnecessary antibiotic use, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Contamination rates at the project site ranged from 2.2% to 6.8%, exceeding the hospital goal of \u3c1%. Addressing this issue is critical for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and optimal resource utilization.
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to reduce BC contamination rates in the ED by implementing a modified BC kit, providing staff education, and conducting real-time blind audits with feedback over three months.
Methods
An evidence review, appraisal, and synthesis using Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s EBP process confirmed that BC kits and diversion devices are effective interventions to reduce contamination. Using the Model for Improvement and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, the project was conducted in a 50-bed ED. The modified BC kit was introduced on October 1, 2024, and staff were educated on its use and the importance of reducing contamination rates. A knowledge check was administered post-education. From November to December 2024, 10 staff members conducted real-time blind audits of BC collection, providing immediate feedback. Data on contamination rates, staff compliance, and process measures were collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 81% of full-time RNs and ED technicians (EDTs), 75% of part-time staff, and 67% of all RNs and EDTs were educated and achieved over 90% on the knowledge check. BC contamination rates decreased from 5.3% in September (pre-implementation) to 3.7% in October, 3.6% in November, and 2.0% in December. Audit data revealed moderate compliance with the diversion device (69% in November, 50% in December) and room for improvement in using the fill volume sticker (41% in November, 55% in December). The project achieved a return on investment of +66.6% with potential savings of $8,000 by avoiding two contaminations.
Conclusion
While the project demonstrated a reduction in BC contamination rates, further improvement is needed to meet the hospital goal of less than 1%. The use of a dedicated BC collection team could enhance compliance and sustainability. The project highlights the importance of ongoing education, real-time feedback, and staff engagement in reducing BC contamination rates and improving patient outcomes
Naloxone Education: Supporting Patients with Substance Abuse
No full textIn this poster presentation, I discuss the need for accessibility to naloxone, an opioid antagonist that prevents fatal overdoses following consumption of opioids
Conversations With My Imagination
No full textConversations With My Imagination is the capstone project of Studio Art major Samantha Cunniff, which explores the vivid imagery her mind produces in a surrealist style that emphasizes the emotional and figurative meanings behind her ambitious dreams and adventurous thoughts