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My Partner, Their Mother, and Turbulence: An Application of the Relational Turbulence Model
No full textGiven the folk knowledge surrounding in-laws being terrible and the recent research suggesting there is conflict prior to marriage, this study examined the relationship an individual has with their partner and their partner’s mother prior to engagement or marriage. Guided by the Relational Turbulence Model, the current study utilized a design aimed at asking participants questions geared towards self-uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relational uncertainty, and interference in regard to both their partner and their partner’s mother. Participants (N = 81) were individuals (a) currently in a relationship, but not engaged or married, (b) had met their partner’s mother, (c) physically in the United States, and (d) over the age of eighteen (18). Three hypotheses were made. H1: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, relationship uncertainty with the partner, as well as perceptions of a partner’s interference will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H2: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H3: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with the partner’s mother and (b) decreased satisfaction with the partner’s mother. If all four components of the Relational Turbulence Model are found, then results from this Qualtrics Survey are expected to support all three hypotheses. These findings will help advance both theory and practice
UTILIZING AI-ENHANCED PLATFORMS FOR EFFICIENT SUPPORT IN RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED ORGANIZATIONS
No full textThe increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents opportunities for improving communication and engagement, yet academic institutions and businesses struggle to manage high inquiry volumes with limited human resources. Existing AI-driven solutions often require extensive customization, making them costly or too complex for organizations without dedicated technical teams, while proprietary systems demand significant financial and technical investment. This project explores a cost-effective, no-code AI-enhanced engagement system using widely available technologies: a conversational chatbot (DenserAI) for automating responses, a knowledge base (Google Docs) for maintaining accurate, updatable information, and an analytics dashboard (Tableau) for monitoring trends and optimizing responses. A case study in Using Information Technology (CSCI 1100), a high-enrollment course at East Tennessee State University, demonstrated how this system reduced repetitive inquiries and improved student satisfaction by streamlining communication between students and faculty. The results show that institutions can implement sophisticated AI-enhanced solutions without complex infrastructure or specialized development teams. Beyond academia, this approach offers businesses with large customer bases a scalable way to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience using automation and intelligent design without the costs and complexities of custom-built technology
Student Performance and Course Modality: The Relationship between Outcomes, Modality, and Course Subject
Get PDFThe purpose of this quantitative study was to identify if a significant relationship existed between teaching modality and student performance outcomes while also considering the factor of course subject being taught during the 2021-2023 academic years. Three courses were included in the research: Math 1630 Finite Mathematics, English 1010 Composition I, and Biology 1110 General Biology. Each of the three courses are introductory level courses in the math, English, and science subject. The study also included statistical analysis on gender as related to student performance outcomes.
The findings presented of this research showed a significant relationship between teaching modality and student performance outcomes. Students who took Math 1630 as a Desktop Video Course (DVC, virtual synchronous courses via Zoom or Microsoft Teams) performed significantly better than students who took the in-person course. Also, students performed better in the web Biology course than in the DVC and in-person courses. Students who took the English course in a web format significantly performed better than students who took the course in DVC and in-person formats. Female students who took Math 1630 as a DVC course performed significantly better than female students who took the course as a web or in-person course. Male students in English performed significantly better when they took the course as a web course compared to male students who took the course as DVC or in-person courses. For both male and female students in Biology, student performance was significantly better when the course was taken as a web course. Thus, faculty, advising staff, and students should determine which modality is appropriate for each course subject and student characteristics
Behavioral Alterations in THC and Alcohol Co-Use: Insights into Fear Learning and Implications of mGlu5 Modulation
No full textCannabis is one of the most used illicit drugs, particularly in vulnerable populations such as veterans diagnosed with PTSD, adolescents, and those diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder. With increased legalization of recreational marijuana use across the United States, it is vital to understand the combined effects of THC and other commonly used drugs. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been shown to significantly impact both physiological and behavioral outcomes related to fear memory when used concomitantly with alcohol. Our lab aims to study these deficits and to investigate the benefits of mGlu5 modulation with CDPPB, a compound used to enhance extinction learning in models of drug dependence. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that combined THC and alcohol exposure exacerbates fear learning, and extinction of fear can be enhanced with glutamate modulation via CDPPB treatment. To model THC and alcohol dependency, rats were exposed to 2 daily THC vapor for 5 days, followed by a chronic intermittent ethanol exposure (CIE) for 9hr/day for 10 days. Next, animals underwent a contextual fear conditioning paradigm where they learned to associate contextual and auditory cues with a mild foot-shock (0.75mA). Animals were then exposed to an extinction procedure that involved presentation of cues with no shock. Twenty minutes prior to each extinction session, rats received a subcutaneous injection of CDPPB (30mg/kg) or saline. The amount of time the rats remained still (freezing) during the tone was used as a measure of fear-related behavior. Our data supports our hypothesis that THC+CIE exposure increased deficits in fear extinction, and these deficits were recovered with CDPPB treatment. Therefore, deficits in extinction learning due to THC+CIE exposure can be prevented through modulation of mGlu5 function
Factors that Affect the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale (VFS) in Adults with Hearing Technology
No full textListening fatigue is a significant concern for adults who experience hearing loss, as increased listening effort can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Adults with hearing loss can reduce listening fatigue with proper amplification such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. This technology is designed to improve difficult listening situations by improving the user’s speech understanding. The Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale (VFS) is a tool designed to assess fatigue specifically in individuals with hearing impairment. The purpose of this study is to measure reported fatigue with the VFS for hearing aid, cochlear implant, or bimodal users. The study addresses the following questions: 1. Will listening fatigue vary across types of technology used? 2. Will length of device use impact listening fatigue? 3. Will daily wear time impact listening fatigue? We predict that technology will impact listening fatigue, in that cochlear implant users will have the highest amount of reported fatigue on the VFS, followed by bimodal users, then hearing aid users. We expect the length of device use to correlate with perceived listening fatigue, i.e., new users will experience more fatigue than experienced users. Eight adults between the ages of 18-88 that are established patients at the ETSU Nave Audiology Clinic were recruited. The VFS was completed at the end of their scheduled appointment time. Data analysis will be completed using the ANOVA statistical analysis to measure differences across the three groups (hearing aid users, cochlear implant users, and bimodal users) for reported fatigue. The covariates to determine fatigue (VFS) will include daily wear time, and length of device use. Data analysis is underway and will be completed by end of March
Modelling the Predictors of Opioid Use Disorder Among Adults with Lifetime Cancer Diagnosis in the United States
No full textBackground: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical public health concern in the United States, further complicated in cancer patients who often require opioids for pain management. The interplay of cancer-related chronic pain, psychological distress, and a history of substance use disorder (SUD) increases the risk of OUD among this vulnerable population. This study aims to identify predictors of OUD among adults with lifetime cancer in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). A total of 1,948 cancer respondents were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between OUD and predictors such as pain medication misuse, psychological distress, and SUD history, while adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Results :The prevalence of OUD among cancer patients was 3.0%, with 9% reporting pain medication misuse. Respondents who misused pain medications were 11.3 times more likely to have an OUD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 11.3, 95% CI: 4.07–31.3). High to very high psychological distress was associated with a significant increase in odds of OUD compared to low or no distress, [aOR] 10.8 (95% CI: 1.89–61.6). No significant association was observed between a history of SUD treatment and OUD. Conclusion: Cancer patients remain at considerable risk for OUD, driven by pain medication misuse and psychological distress. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies integrating opioid management, mental health support, and early identification of at-risk individuals. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to mitigate the dual challenges of effective cancer pain management and the prevention of OUD
Innovating Professional Learning: A Design Thinking Approach to PK-12 Education Development
Get PDFThe increasing complexity of 21st century education has heightened the demand for professional development (PD) that effectively support educators in adapting to evolving standards and diverse student needs. Despite extensive investment in PD, significant gaps remain in its design, implementation, and evaluation, often leading to ineffective outcomes. This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the processes involved in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating professional learning programs in PK-12 education, with the goal of identifying key factors that contribute to their effectiveness. Grounded in the design thinking framework, this study employs five phases: empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test, to investigate how PD initiatives can be designed.
Through semi-structured interviews with educational leaders, the collaborative effort that shapes PD programs, addressing educators’ needs while aligning with contemporary educational standards were examined. Additionally, strategies used for PD implementation as well as evaluation mechanisms that assess the impact of PD were reviewed. Findings revealed that data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, collaboration with implementation, and the evaluation of professional development are essential components of effective professional development.
By integrating design thinking into PD development, this study contributes to the broader discourse on effective professional development, offering a model that emphasizes empathy to understand the needs, define key challenges, ideate solutions, prototype strategies, and test the effectiveness through continuous evaluation and refinement. The results provide insights for school administrators and educators enabling them to create professional learning experiences that not only support teacher development, ultimately enhancing student achievement
Exploring the Role of Healthcare Affordability in HIV Testing Behaviors Among Young Adults in Tennessee
No full textAbstract Background: HIV remains a significant public health challenge in the United States, with 14% of Tennesseans living with HIV unaware of their status, contributing to ongoing transmission. Young adults aged 18 to 34 years are disproportionately affected, yet barriers such as healthcare affordability limit HIV testing rates. This study explores the relationship between healthcare affordability and HIV testing behaviors among young adults in Tennessee, using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using BRFSS 2023 data. The analysis included 812 individuals aged 18–34 years in Tennessee, representing a weighted population of 1,223,832. The primary outcome was HIV testing status, and the main exposure was healthcare affordability, defined as the inability to afford medical care in the past 12 months. Covariates included gender, age group, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, general health, urban/rural residence, and health insurance status. Weighted logistic regression was performed, including interaction terms to assess effect modification. Results: Healthcare affordability was significantly associated with HIV testing. Participants reporting financial barriers were 42% less likely to undergo testing compared to those without affordability issues (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37–0.92; p = 0.019). Testing rates were higher among females, urban residents, and individuals with health insurance. Age and race/ethnicity were significant moderators, with disparities observed among Black and Asian populations. Conclusion: Addressing healthcare affordability is critical to improving HIV testing rates among young adults in Tennessee. Targeted public health interventions should prioritize financial barriers and focus on underserved demographic groups to enhance HIV prevention efforts
