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Improving the Detection of Refractive Errors in First and Third Graders
Full text linkBackground: Vision is a crucial component of the learning process, with academic tasks being heavily dependent on visual acuity. Undetected or diagnosed visual impairments can significantly alter a student’s educational performance and overall development. Currently, in Alabama, kindergarten, second, and fourth grade students are the only students to receive routine vision screenings; therefore, regular screening for visual acuity and eye issues is critical for school health programs. Early screening, diagnosis, and correction of refractive errors prevent permanent visual impairment and support academic success by reducing educational barriers and delayed cognitive impairment.
Purpose: This project aims to improve the early detection of refractive errors in first and third graders by using more precise and approachable screening techniques. This quality improvement project was conducted in a Title I elementary school in the Southeastern United States where first- and third-graders do not receive routine vision screenings.
Project Design: School and parental consent were obtained for students to participate in vision screenings. A community-based non-profit organization focusing on improving vision screened 75 students over two days using a photo screening device. Students who did not meet the screening threshold established by the photo screener\u27s pre-programmed settings were referred to an optometrist for further evaluation.
Results: Seventy-five students were screened, with 38.7% (29 students) referred for further evaluation.
Conclusion: The screening process identified a significant number of students who required further evaluation, emphasizing the effectiveness of the increased vision screening initiative
Enhancing Patient Outcomes: The Sepsis Navigator Approach
Full text linkBackground: Sepsis is the leading cause of hospital mortality, accounting for over $20 billion dollars in total healthcare costs and more than 5 million deaths annually worldwide. The increased burden of sepsis led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to institute a quality core measure known as the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) as a protocol for sepsis treatment. CMS reports national SEP-1 compliance at 62% and 61% for Alabama. The undisclosed project site reports a much lower SEP-1 compliance average of 49% over six months. Compliance with the SEP-1 bundle improves overall patient outcomes and decreases patient mortality.
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to implement a sepsis navigator to improve the facility’s SEP-1 compliance rate to 61% so that national goals are met.
Project Design: A retrospective review of facility SEP-1 compliance was conducted to gather data, which revealed a gap in practice at the facility. Using Lewin’s Model of Change, the sepsis navigator was implemented over a 12-week period in the project facility. At the end of the 12th week, project data was obtained and compared with preliminary data to determine statistical and clinical significance.
Results: During the 12-week project, 46 sepsis alerts were received. Twenty-five patients received SEP-1 bundle implementation, and six did not. SEP-1 bundle implementation averaged 87.5% compliance.
Conclusion: The addition of a sepsis navigator is an effective evidence-based practice intervention for improving SEP-1 compliance to achieve national averages
Twelfth Night (2025) | Performance Video
No full textThis performance of Shakespeare\u27s Twelfth Night was adapted and directed by Emily Duncan, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg. The cast features: Viola/Cesario: Eleanor Boozer Orsino: Christian Watts Sir Toby: Forrest Hinton Maria: Jennie Wall Feste: Jason Wright Malvolio: Trevor McMullen Olivia: Tea Wilson Sir Andrew: Ian Johnson Sebastian: Dylan Hurst Antonio: Laurellei Veasey Valentine: Semaje Newtonhttps://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/shakespeare_proj/1018/thumbnail.jp
Twelfth Night | Image 14
No full textThis performance of Shakespeare\u27s Twelfth Night, set in 1915 in the United States against a background of jazz and a hurricane, was adapted and directed by Emily Duncan, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/shakespeare_proj_images/1123/thumbnail.jp
Twelfth Night | Image 25
No full textThis performance of Shakespeare\u27s Twelfth Night, set in 1915 in the United States against a background of jazz and a hurricane, was adapted and directed by Emily Duncan, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/shakespeare_proj_images/1134/thumbnail.jp
Assessing Vegetation Changes and Ecosystem Impacts of Invasive Species in Florida\u27s Water Conservation Area 3A (2004–2024) Using Landsat Data
No full textThe spread of invasive species is a concrete problem, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and the functional status of wetlands. As these species continue to advance, it is crucial to assess their spread as well as management success through the more sophisticated invasive monitoring methodologies. This research examines the change in vegetation communities and the spread of invasive plants in the Water Conservation Area 3A (WCA-3A) using Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers on time series Landsat images. Unlike traditional pixel-based methods, OBIA enhances classification accuracy by incorporating spatial, spectral, and contextual information, enabling precise differentiation between native vegetation (sawgrass, open marsh, shrubland) and invasive species (Cattail). The study area, WCA-3A, is a critical component of the Florida Everglades, a globally significant wetland undergoing extensive restoration efforts, making it imperative to assess whether these initiatives effectively control invasive species and restore native plant communities.
By integrating Markov Chain Analysis, this research further projects future vegetation dynamics, providing data-driven insights for ecosystem management and conservation planning. The findings will inform wetland restoration strategies at the regional and state levels, particularly in guiding the allocation of resources within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Additionally, the methodological framework developed in this study can be adapted for other wetland ecosystems worldwide, offering a scalable approach to invasive species monitoring and long-term environmental sustainability
Graphic Design | Khaled Mahmud
Full text linkGraphic design entry for 2025 Student Symposiumhttps://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1073/thumbnail.jp
The Importance of Black Acting Techniques for Young Black Actors
No full textPlease note: no video is available for this presentation.
Black Acting Methods (BAM) is a new form of acting that has yet to be discussed in education and within the arts. It is a form of expression that can be utilized within the theatre industry and in daily life. This new method was created as another outlet for young, Black theatre artists to express themselves in theatre. However, within this presentation, Black Acting Methods provides several reasons why this method does not have to be used only for Black artists, but it can be used for all artists. Black Acting Methods targets emotional vulnerability, intelligence, and creativity like no other. The reason I have decided to spread awareness of Black Acting Methods is because it is beneficial for all forms of art and it is a healthy way for young artists to be comfortable within themselves and their crafts.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1067/thumbnail.jp
Caffeine and Competitive Edge: The Impact of Acute Intake on Performance in Intermittent Sports
No full textPlease note: no video is available for this presentation.
Athletes in intermittent sports often seek strategies to maximize high-intensity performance. Here we investigate caffeine\u27s role in boosting sport-specific actions to enhance competitive outcomes. Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid that can potentially enhance athletic performance. Intermittent sports are characterized by repeated bouts of high-intensity activity mixed with periods of rest or low-intensity activity. These sports demand a complex interaction between physical and cognitive functions. Understanding these effects can help optimize training and competition strategies. We began with our inclusion criteria and decided to use the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. Our population comprised athletes who participated in team, racket, or combat sports. The intervention was acute caffeine ingestion. A placebo comparison group was used. The primary outcome measures were sport-specific actions observed during real or simulated competitions. For the framework of our test, we decided only to use single- or double-blind, randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials were conducted. Within these trials, 399 athletes were used. Participants were categorized as recreationally active, trained, highly trained, or elite athletes. After classification, caffeine was administered. Athletes were given different caffeine options to investigate the effect of different delivery methods. These options included caffeine-filled capsules, caffeinated energy drinks, and chewing gum. During these trials, caffeine was administrated 45 to 60 minutes before the training period started. Once this was finished, multiple tests assessed specific movements found in intermittent sports. As a result, we found that caffeine ingestion significantly enhanced high-intensity actions, including sprints, accelerations, and offensive movements, while improving competitive success rates. Additionally, our data suggest that caffeine improves an athlete\u27s ability to sustain high-intensity actions over time. This likely leads to increased player involvement and improved overall game performance, ultimately contributing to a competitive advantage. Our findings offer new insights into caffeine\u27s potential to elevate performance in intermittent sports, paving the way for future research and practical applications. While the findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm their applicability across diverse athlete populations. Future research should also explore whether athletes\u27 expectations about caffeine\u27s ergogenic effects influence their performance.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1061/thumbnail.jp