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Empathetic Pedagogy: Fostering Inclusivity in Library Instruction for Neurodiverse Learners
Get PDFAs neurodivergent librarians, we are well aware that the traditional classroom structure doesn’t always meet our neurodivergent students where they are. Through the discovery of our own neurodiversity and newly recognized cognitive needs, we refined our own teaching practices to be more equitable and to extend more intentional empathy toward our students. With this in mind, we have continued our previous best practices using universal design for learning (UDL), but shifted our practice to create an even more inclusive and brave space to begin or continue the process of learning with librarians.
In this chapter, we share techniques that can be adapted from one-shot sessions through to full credit-bearing courses, for traditional and non-traditional students alike. With a focus on Empathetic Pedagogy, we begin by outlining practices that emphasize mindful teaching, deliberate interventions, and a positive shift in perspective in perceiving learners, particularly those who are neurodiverse. This includes UDL techniques, such as scaffolding to enhance the acquisition of knowledge, providing resources in multiple formats, and varying the types of assignment submissions. We also share strategies for fostering a supportive teaching environment during high-stress periods of the semester. This includes effective approaches to offering assistance and creating space for students to express emotions, even those considered 'undesirable,' as they can contribute to persistence and learning.
We also incorporate the use of open pedagogy to promote learner agency and ensure equitable access to resources. Open pedagogy prioritizes creating brave spaces for learning, prioritizing care and compassion. Open pedagogy offers three major benefits for students with neurodiversity.
Fostering student autonomy throughout instruction empowers learners to engage with course content according to their preferences and strengths, promoting greater success and achievement. This approach proves beneficial for students exhibiting a Persistent Drive for Autonomy or Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile, allowing them the flexibility to choose their preferred methods of engagement.
Scaffolding conceptual frameworks and technological tools throughout the learning experience equips students with the essential support necessary for their success. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to provide supplementary context they may need, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Empowering students as content creators not only enhances instructor-student relationships by spotlighting student expertise and autonomy but also serves as a platform to cultivate empathy. This is achieved through intentional check-ins at the commencement and conclusion of each class, building a continuous thread of connection throughout the entire learning journey.
To round out these strategies, we recommend adopting the addition of learning technology into our lessons that intentionally aids students battling executive dysfunction to fully embrace an empathetic pedagogical approach to teaching for neurodivergent students.
Our hope is for our readers to become more reflective in their current teaching practices, finding ways to incorporate these strategies into their own. With a gentle and slow shift in the ways we approach our teaching, we aim for the field as a whole to become more friendly to the neurodiversity of both our student populations, as well as our colleagues.Publisher allows immediate open acces
The effect of polymer topography on lens epithelial cell morphology and epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Get PDFThird place, EHIRS symposiumPosterior capsule opacification (PCO), also called secondary cataract, is the clouding of the posterior lens capsule that occurs after cataract surgery. When a patient has cataracts, an ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore sight. However, leftover lens epithelial cells (LECs) can migrate, attach, and proliferate on the back of the lens capsule after the surgery. The stress experienced by these cells during the procedure can lead to the production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, leading to a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This transition causes the cells to become myofibroblasts, adopting fibrotic phenotypes and producing opaque proteins like collagen and fibrin. The accumulation of these fibrotic cells can cause post-operative clouding that negates the benefit of the initial surgery. The objective of this project is to investigate a potential method for preventing human LEC attachment, migration, and proliferation using micropatterned polymer surfaces. These polymer surfaces could be implemented on IOLs to prevent the secondary clouding that can be detrimental to the vision of cataract patients. To approach this goal, a specific polymer was synthesized from a 1:1 TRIS and HEMA polymer combination. This polymer solution was spin coated on glass coverslips and then left with a micropattern using a polymer stamping process. Cells were seeded on these surfaces, which were tested for cytotoxicity, cell attachment in the desired patterns, and for markers of EMT in cells on the surfaces. The result was the continued promise of biocompatible TRIS-HEMA 1:1 as a polymer that deters LEC attachment and viability, but the patterning on the surface increased EMT rather than decreasing as hoped. Treating a TRIS-HEMA 1:1 surface with a TGF-β inhibitor or differentially patterning the surface may be the key to lowering levels of attachment and EMT for LECs in the posterior capsule.No embargoAcademic Major: Biomedical EngineeringAcademic Major: Classic
Advancing analytical techniques for detecting adulteration in fish oil with vibrational spectroscopy and gas chromatography
No full textFish oil is a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly EPA and DHA, with significant health benefits. However, rising demand has increased the risk of adulteration, compromising quality and consumer safety. This study compares vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and NIR) and gas chromatography (GC) for detecting adulteration and authenticating fish oil. GC analysis revealed major fatty acids, including palmitic (12–18%), oleic (3.5–12.5%), EPA (15–21%), and DHA (5–10%), consistent with literature values. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with correlation coefficients of cross-validation (≥ 0.95) and low SECV, confirming that NIR-based fatty acid determinations are comparable to chromatography. SIMCA classification revealed clustering by oil origin, with significant separation in the 4200–4500 cm⁻¹ region, particularly at 4352 cm⁻¹, linked to variations in free fatty acids, unsaturation levels, trans fats, and lipid oxidation. This study demonstrates a rapid, reliable method for authenticating fish oil and quantifying omega-3. The handheld FT-NIR provides precise compositional analysis and can determine fatty acid state and geographical origin, enhancing quality control and regulatory practices in the food industry.No embargoAcademic Major: Food Science and Technolog
Utilizing Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to Improve Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis Efficiency and Runtime
Get PDFThird Place at Denman Undergraduate Research Conference in Engineering and TechnologyComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) enables engineers to simulate and analyze fluid flow behavior in complex systems, playing a crucial role in the design, research, and development of aerospace vehicles. However, high-fidelity simulations often require extensive computational resources, with runtimes spanning several days. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) computing has demonstrated significant speed improvements over traditional Central Processing Unit (CPU)-based methods, but transitioning CFD codes to GPU architectures requires complex adaptation and optimization for parallel execution. This study evaluates methods for converting CPU-based CFD codes to GPU execution by analyzing result accuracy, runtime performance, and power consumption. Various code transition methodologies—including code regeneration translators, compiler-based acceleration, and AI-assisted code conversion—were applied to a simple, stationary Fortran code. The various adapted versions were executed on a GPU-accelerated system and compared against the original Fortran implementation running on a CPU. Power consumption, runtime, and solution accuracy were assessed using energy metrics, pointwise error analysis, and global error norms. Preliminary results indicate that compiler-based acceleration achieves the highest code efficiency but requires the longest translation time. AI-assisted conversion speeds up the process but demands human oversight to ensure accuracy and performance. Code regeneration translators offer the fastest conversion but often produce suboptimal GPU code. Ongoing analysis will further refine these comparisons to identify the most effective approach. Final results will provide practical guidance and valuable insights for CFD engineers, supporting the efficient and reliable adaptation of legacy CPU-based code to GPU computing for faster, more cost-effective simulations.Collaborative Center for Aeronautical Sciences (CCAS)The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC)The Undergraduate Honors Committee (UHC)No embargoAcademic Major: Aerospace Engineerin
Evaluating the role of sphingolipid signaling in paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity of SH-SY5Y cells
Get PDFChemotherapies like paclitaxel and other similar microtubule targeting agents commonly used in breast cancer treatment can induce sensory peripheral neuropathy in patients, limiting dosage and impacting quality of life. One pathway implicated in chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is sphingolipid signaling. To study the impact of microtubule targeting medications on sphingolipid signaling, SH-SY5Y cells were differentiated into neuron-like cells and treated with different concentrations of paclitaxel, both in the absence and presence of PF543, an inhibitor of sphingosine-kinase 1, the enzyme involved in the production of sphingosine-1-phosphate. Neurite degeneration was assessed using βIII-tubulin staining and high-content imaging. Imaging of paclitaxel-treated SH-SY5Y cells demonstrated neurotoxicity and a reduction in neuronal network complexity. However, PF543 did not exhibit neuroprotective effects under the tested conditions. Future studies may explore optimizing PF543 treatment parameters, such as preincubation, to assess potential protective effects. Additionally, liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is being employed to detect levels of ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. The impact of paclitaxel on sphingolipid signaling is being quantified to evaluate the involvement of this signaling pathway in neurotoxicity.NCI grant R01CA261068Academic Major: Pharmaceutical Science
Green Roots Market - Innovative Food Systems for Urban Sustainability in Franklinton
No full textBest in Show through IIDA, Senior Capstone Exhibition at Urban Arts SpaceGreen Roots began as a response to food insecurity in Franklinton, a Columbus neighborhood without an accessible grocery store. What started as a question—How can design become a local solution? — turned into a vision for a community-centered market that integrates urban agriculture, sustainability, and education. With a central greenhouse, on-site produce, and space for gardening workshops and learning opportunities, Green Roots aims to create a circular, sustainable grocery system that is both affordable and empowering. It's a space where design meets social impact, blending urban life with the natural world.No embargoAcademic Major: Interior Desig
The Impact of a Clinical Ladder Program: A Quality Improvement Initiative
No full textNurse clinical ladder programs (CLP) serve as structured professional development pathways. Evidence suggests the use of CLPs may improve retention and recruitment efforts and perpetuate organization leadership’s efforts to develop nurse professionals. The intent of this quality improvement initiative was to employ evidence to redevelop and implement a self-sustaining CLP, incorporating organization culture and preferences, and to evaluate the impact on program participation, staff satisfaction, and workplace engagement. Beginning with an evidence-based rewrite of the program, the new CLP was incrementally rolled out for 11 weeks among chair and co-chairs of the organization’s Shared Leadership Council. Prior to implementation, CLP enrollment was less than 1%. After implementation, program participation rose to 44% among the target population. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale – 9 (UWES-9) and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (MSQ) measured impact to work engagement and staff satisfaction (n = 3). Results were not consistent with improved outcomes and were not considered meaningful due to limited sample size and evaluation period. A longer implementation period and assessment of nursing staff’s perception is needed to illustrate a greater impact on the effectiveness of an evidence-based CLP at the organization.No embarg
Examining Confidence in Perceptions of ASL Russian and Portuguese
Get PDFThere are common misconceptions about American Sign Language (ASL) such as it is mostly gesture or that it is easy to learn. These misconceptions can lead to parents delaying the teaching of ASL to their deaf children which could cause developmental delays and permanent problems. This project examined people’s confidence in guessing ASL signs and compared it to confidence in guessing words from an unknown foreign spoken language. An experiment was adapted from a study done by Sehyr and Emmory (2019) which asked participants to guess what ten different ASL signs meant in English. It was changed to also have the participants rate their confidence in their guess. This experiment was further adapted to replace ASL signs with words from Portuguese and Russian. Experiment 1 collected accuracy and confidence ratings from 713 participants across 425 signs. Participants were inaccurate and overconfident in their guesses. Confidence was correlated with accuracy but there was a higher correlation with dominant guess percentage and confidence which indicates that there is a hidden group consensus that leads to confidence. Experiment 2 (Portuguese) and 3 (Russian) collected accuracy and confidence ratings from 98 and 95 participants respectively across 30 words from each language. Both experiments had lower accuracy and confidence on average than ASL. However, both experiments had correlations between confidence and dominant guess which indicates that it is not just accuracy that contributes to confidence. Additionally, in experiment 2 and 3 participants were flatly asked whether they thought ASL was easier to learn than other languages. On average, participants thought ASL was easier to learn than spoken languages. This project indicates that on average people are disproportionately confident in ASL compared to spoken foreign languages, and that misconceptions of ASL still persist.Alkire Grant scholarshipURG scholarshipNo embargoAcademic Major: Psycholog