Carroll Scholars

Carroll Scholars, a service of Corette Library, centralizes, preserves, and provides access to the research, creative scholarship, and unique resources produced and deposited by Carroll College faculty, students, and staff. Carroll Scholars makes these resources easier to find, share, and use. Find out more about Carroll Scholars at https://www.carroll.edu/library/about/carroll-scholars-institutional-repository

Recent Submissions

Cluster-Agnostic Line Detection for Computer Vision
(2025) Said, Charles; Wendt, Theodore; Fasteen, Jodi; Street, Alex
A core challenge for autonomous robots is implementing computer vision techniques to detect navigable spaces around the robot and to differentiate navigable spaces from non-navigable ones. In this project, we develop a line detection algorithm using clusters of points interpreted as lines, which indicate the edges of the navigable space for our robot. This algorithm, combined with open-source keypoint extraction techniques, theoretically enables a robot to see the edges of its navigable space, a critical first step in pathfinding. Importantly, this algorithm is durable even when the number of lines in the original image is unknown. The algorithm is also relatively lightweight, relying only on a video stream and no other sensors.
The Effect of Aromatherapy on Cancer Treatment Induced Nausea
(2025-04-25) Dane, Kyla; Betz, Julian; Lewis, Melissa
Patients receiving cancer treatment are subject to side effects ranging from moderate to severely debilitating. Recognized as one of the most common side effects of treatment, nausea and vomiting can have major effects on patients’ quality of life. Aside from severe discomfort, nausea and vomiting can contribute to fluid and electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, fatigue, weight loss, and other metabolic disturbances. Patients often utilize pharmacological treatment for the reduction of side effects, however there are non-pharmacological methods that have begun to gain popularity within the healthcare setting. The purpose of this evidenced-based practice review is to examine the effect of aromatherapy using essential oils on decreasing the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving cancer treatment, compared to patients who have not utilized aromatherapy. Common essential oils that have been previously studied include peppermint, ginger, and lemon scents, administered via inhalation. The results generated from this review can provide additional evidenced-based treatment modalities to cancer care. Aromatherapy can be used as a non-pharmacological option, limiting the number of medications patients would be prescribed. Nurses will be able to utilize these results and apply them to practice to reduce the burden of treatment induced nausea and vomiting. By identifying a cost effective, minimally invasive solution to these side effects, nurses can continue to provide safe and holistic care to cancer patients.
The Effect of Birth Ball Use on Labor Duration
(2025-04-25) Bunger, Eva; Johnson, Callie; Lewis, Melissa
Prolonged labor can increase maternal fatigue, risk of medical interventions, and overall dissatisfaction with the birthing experience. There is a growing focus in the obstetric field on non-pharmacologic interventions to improve labor outcomes and birth experience. Birthing balls are an accessible non-pharmacologic laboring tool. A birthing ball is a large, inflatable exercise ball that is used to increase pelvic movement, promote optimal fetal positioning, and enhance maternal comfort during labor. Labor duration refers to the time from the onset of regular contractions to the delivery of the baby. In this context, birthing ball movement refers to pelvic movements performed while seated on the birthing ball, including but not limited to rocking, bouncing, or circular movements. The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice review is to evaluate whether the use of birthing ball movements during labor can reduce the duration of labor compared to women who do not use a birthing ball. This review examines current research related to birthing ball use and labor outcomes, specifically looking at labor length. The purpose of the paper is to provide nurses with current knowledge and supply evidence-based practices to support laboring individuals. Nurses or other healthcare providers can use this information to provide laboring patients with an accessible, low-cost intervention to improve maternal outcomes and decrease labor duration.
The Effect of Telehealth Support on Caregiver Burden
(2025-04-25) Larson, Tim; Nelson, Brennan; Lewis, Melissa
Caregiver burden is a growing concern in healthcare as more individuals take on unpaid roles to support loved ones with chronic or serious illnesses. Defined as the emotional, physical, and financial strain experienced by caregivers, this phenomenon can negatively impact not only the caregiver’s well-being but also the outcomes of those receiving care. With an aging population and rising healthcare demands, it is vital for nurses and healthcare providers to recognize, address, and mitigate caregiver burden. The key components of this review, home caregivers and telehealth support, are defined respectively as individuals providing care within the home setting and the use of digital platforms to deliver health services remotely. The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice review is to examine whether telehealth support interventions reduce perceived caregiver burden compared to onsite or no support. By synthesizing findings from four recent studies, this review highlights that most structured telehealth interventions, especially those involving nurse-led education or virtual counseling, are effective in lowering caregiver burden. Nurses or other healthcare providers can use this information to advocate for and implement evidence-based telehealth services tailored to caregivers' needs, helping to reduce stress, promote emotional well-being, and improve overall care quality. This review emphasizes the critical role nurses play in caregiver support and the potential of telehealth to extend compassionate care beyond the hospital setting.
The Effects of Night Shift Work on Cardiovascular Health in Healthcare Workers
(2025-04-25) Blatchford, Hailey; Olsen, Elizabeth; Lewis, Melissa
Night shift work is critical to any healthcare system, yet its potential health risks are often underrecognized. Cardiovascular health is one area of concern that is growing among healthcare workers who work night shifts. Results revealed that when comparing night shift work to day shift work, night shift workers experienced higher rates of elevated blood pressure, increased waist circumference, and a greater risk for ischemic and coronary heart disease. Findings were particularly notable in male night shift workers who averaged more than six night shifts per month. Although the results are not definitive, it is believed that a disruption in the circadian rhythm can play a role and be worsened by other confounding factors, such as increased stress levels, poor sleep quality, and irregular eating patterns. Findings suggest a significant connection between working night shifts and adverse effects on cardiovascular health. This evidence-based practice review aims to examine how night shift work impacts the cardiovascular health of healthcare workers compared to day shift workers. Healthcare workers can utilize this information to understand how working alternative shift hours impacts their cardiovascular health. Therefore, they can make more informed decisions about their health and well-being. Providing education and resources on regular cardiovascular screenings, the importance of sleep hygiene, and participating in heart-healthy behaviors can empower healthcare workers to prioritize their own health in an occupation where they often prioritize the health of others.

Communities in Carroll Scholars

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 24

Anthrozoology
Business, Accounting and Economics
Carroll College Publications
Carroll College Student Research Festival
The Student Undergraduate Research Festival SURF (now SRF because we have both graduate and undergraduate participants) was initiated at Carroll College in 2012 by Dr. Brandon Sheafor and Dr. Jeanette Fregulia. Since its inception, it has been embraced by the campus community as an important part of what student research looks like at Carroll. In our first year, it was largely, although not exclusively, undergraduate students in the sciences who shared the exciting work they were pursuing in conjunction with faculty mentors. This led the organizers to the conclusion that not only did we need to reach out more intentionally to the other disciplines, but also that we needed to think more broadly about what undergraduate research means. For the sciences, students may work on projects with their faculty members or on their own. In the humanities, undergraduate research is often a solitary pursuit amidst primary sources, and the faculty member serves as a guide and a mentor. In theater, undergraduate research may combine a performance with research on some aspect of that production. The variety of research methods and modes of presentation also vary. For some, the accepted means of transmission is the presentation of a paper, for others, posters work well, and for still others, a group presentation is the best reflection of their intellectual pursuits. Today, SRF has grown into a major event on campus, with several hundred student presenters participating every year. During Carroll’s 2018 accreditation visits, the Student Undergraduate Research Festival was lauded as one of our major achievements because, what started as a small, science-heavy gathering in 2012, has become a pillar of institutional identity and a celebration that embodies the “Not for school, but for life” motto. It is an institutionalized day for our campus community, and the public at large, to celebrate scholarly inquiry and experience how student research works in unique and interdisciplinary ways. The event occurs every April, and everyone is invited to attend. SRF is seen as the highlight of the year for all of the students doing research, and it is a wonderful opportunity for other Carroll students, Carroll faculty and staff members, and community members to see the amazing work done by our students.
Chemistry and Physics