5026 research outputs found
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Aligning Higher Education Preparation Programs with Workforce Needs: An Interdisciplinary Approach
No full textWhile institutes of higher education are highly dynamic, academic programs and faculty within them often operate in an isolated, independent manner. As a result, the training they deliver can lack the interdisciplinary perspectives students need to navigate a diverse and evolving workforce successfully. This editorial explores the importance of interdisciplinary training and discusses the challenges college students who lack exposure to collaborative, integrative learning face as they transition to their respective professions. Finally, faculty are encouraged to consider strategies to enhance training in preparation programs and best position their graduates for success in interdisciplinary contexts
Folklore Matters, or the Truth in Tunnels Beneath Columbus, Georgia
No full textDr. Bryan Banks is a historian and professor at Columbus State University whose work explores how stories, scholarship, and the past shape our understanding of the world today. With a passion for teaching and an eye for uncovering deep human narratives, he brings curiosity and clarity to every conversation. Dr. Banks invites audiences to rethink what they know about history and discover the insights it offers for modern life
Improving the retention rate in the introductory programming courses at Georgia Southwestern State University
No full textPost COVID, the incoming students in CS and IT programs have seen a significant increase in the fail, withdrawal rate. Though some of it is associated with the lack of classes and changes in modalities during COVID and the initial years that followed, most of it is due to the lack of proper foundation after high school and before introducing the programming courses. In this paper we identify the major reasons for the low retention rate and how it can be mitigated by introducing a logic course in the curriculum
Exploring Advancement Department Staff Perspectives on Strategic Communication and Philanthropic Donor Giving at Public Universities
No full textThis qualitative study investigated advancement staff perspectives on how donor communication impacts philanthropic giving at higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was to identify the communication practices that are most influential for philanthropic donor giving. While prior research has examined university marketing efforts, why alumni give back, and how affinity for a university compels donors to give, there is a research gap in how strategic communication impacts donor behavior at public universities. Eight university advancement staff members (N=8) from public universities across the Southeast United States were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed via semi-structured interviews. After interviews, thematic analysis generated four major themes: (1) the cautionary use of artificial intelligence, (2) the importance of timing and maintaining consistency, (3) creating a sense of belonging, and (4) the need for interpersonal communication over mass communication. This research affirms the relationship management theory as a way to explain strategic communication and offers practical suggestions and recommendations for strengthening donor giving and fundraising efforts in higher education
Online Parameter Adaptation of LQR Controllers via RLS for Prosthetic Joint Control: Experimental Validation on a Quanser Qube-Servo 2 Platform
No full textThis thesis develops and experimentally validates an online adaptive Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control method for prosthetic joint systems using Recursive Least Squares (RLS)-based real-time parameter estimation on the Quanser QUBE-Servo 2 platform. Traditional LQR controllers assume a fxed system model, which limits adaptability and results in reduced tracking accuracy, poor robustness, and loss of optimal performance when applied to dynamically changing prosthetic joints, infuenced by load variations, user gait changes, and mechanical wear. Limited experimental validation exists for combining RLS with online LQR adaptation in prosthetic-like systems.
To address these limitations, an RLS-driven Adaptive LQR framework was implemented to continuously update LQR gains in real-time based on measured system parameters. Experiments on two QUBE-Servo 2 systems demonstrated that, compared to the fxed-gain LQR, the Adaptive LQR improved performance for Qube 1 and Qube 2 as follows: mean squared error (MSE) by 36.2% and 69.4%, root mean squared error (RMSE) by 20.1% and 44.7%, mean absolute error (MAE) by 25.0% and 59.8%, and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) by 25.0% and 59.8%, respectively. The Adaptive LQR also exhibited consistent performance across both platforms, whereas the fxed-gain LQR showed substantial variability between Qube 1 and Qube 2. These results confrm that RLS-driven online adaptation can signifcantly enhance tracking accuracy, robustness, and adaptability, supporting its potential application in prosthetic joint control and other dynamically changing systems
An Analysis of Coal Ash Pollution in the State of Georgia
No full textThis social science paper will explore the factors contributing to the prevalence of coal ash in specific regions of Georgia and its impact on local ecosystems and human health. It provides an analysis of the current environmental and political issues surrounding the containment and spread of coal ash throughout the State. Coal ash is primarily found in the central, southwestern, and northeastern regions where coal-fired power plants and coal ash storage sites are located. The paper will then discuss the political, economic, and legal reasons behind the lack of effective regulation and mitigation of coal ash spread. Coal ash illustrates how corporate influence can sustain environmentally damaging practices. This paper also examines the role of government inaction in facilitating such outcomes, particularly in relation to Georgia Power. This paper argues that coal ash pollution and its subsequent damage to the environment is caused by weak enforcement of government regulations that allow energy companies seeking to maximize profit to operate without regard for their local community’s health
Addressing Barriers to Preventive Healthcare Access Through Community Outreach in Underserved Populations
Full text linkAccess to preventive healthcare is a significant public health challenge, particularly for underserved populations in Muscogee County, Georgia. This project addresses systemic barriers such as transportation, limited health education, and economic constraints, which contribute to health disparities and reliance on emergency room services. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework and the Health Belief Model (HBM), the project aims to enhance access to preventive care, improve health literacy and identify barriers to healthcare access.
This program evaluation report examined a community-based initiative that utilized a mobile health unit to improve access to preventive healthcare in underserved areas of Muscogee County, Georgia. The mobile unit delivered health screenings, education, and referrals, while culturally and linguistically appropriate materials were distributed to enhance community understanding of preventive care. Data were collected during mobile visits to analyze demographic trends and identify barriers to healthcare access. These findings informed the local Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The outcome indicated improvements in health literacy and a reduction in emergency room visits for preventable conditions. The report demonstrated success in advancing health equity by addressing systemic barriers and promoting proactive health behaviors. By bridging critical gaps in health care, this intervention contributed to sustainable improvements in health outcomes for underserved populations while informing broader public health strategies
Investigating the Impact of Roundup® Exposure on Hearing in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
No full textTower Day 2025 Undergraduate Poster 3rd place Winner
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) such as Roundup® are used extensively worldwide, yet their potential to disrupt fish sensory physiology has remained relatively unexplored. Previous studies have established that glyphosate exposure can induce various neurotoxic effects in fish and other vertebrates—ranging from oxidative stress to altered neurotransmitter systems and anxiogenic-like responses. Despite these documented impacts, no published research has directly assessed whether glyphosate compromises auditory function in fish.
Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the hearing sensitivity of farm- raised Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) following a 96-hour exposure to Roundup® (3 mg/L glyphosate concentration). Auditory thresholds at frequencies spanning 100 to 2000 Hz were measured using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique, providing a refined method for detecting potential shifts in hearing. In addition to elucidating possible glyphosate-induced changes in catfish auditory function, these findings lay the groundwork for subsequent investigations of other sensory modalities, such as olfaction, under chronic or low-level glyphosate exposure
Anti-Cancer Compounds Based on Natural Imidazole Compounds
Full text linkWe are developing a comprehensive review on imidazole-based compounds of natural origin, the most common groups of compounds, and their properties, such as the imidazole ring. The intent of this presentation is to learn about the compound’s occurrence, general/predicted properties, and advantages. The review will be a fluid development comparing imidazole derivatives of natural origin with antinociceptive/lethal properties from the last 5 years. This review would include both purely extracted products but also those modified by synthesis
Prevalence of Hypertension Among Low-Income Individuals in Muscogee County Columbus, Georgia
Full text linkThis study investigates the prevalence and predictors of elevated blood pressure (BP) among 409 low-income adults in Muscogee County, Columbus, Georgia—a population disproportionately burdened by hypertension. The findings reveal that elevated BP is significantly more prevalent among African Americans (71.4%) compared to non-African Americans (27.1%), highlighting the role of racial disparities influenced by systemic inequities, healthcare access, and chronic stress. Gender differences were modest, with females exhibiting a slightly higher prevalence (77.9%) than males (76.7%), potentially due to age-related hormonal changes post-menopause. Older adults (50+ years) represented most of the sample and showed significantly higher hypertension rates, consistent with established links between aging and vascular health.
Additionally, a strong correlation was found between family history and elevated BP, suggesting a combined effect of genetic and environmental influences. Logistic regression analysis identified a prior hypertension diagnosis as a significant predictor of elevated BP (p \u3c 0.05), while age, gender, and family history were not statistically significant. These findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of hypertension and underscore the need for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions that address social determinants, early detection, and long-term management strategies to mitigate hypertension in vulnerable populations