Digital Commons Network^™

An Informatics Solution For Operating Room Efficiency, Richard A. Barrow

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: For most hospitals, a major cost is the operating room. Inefficiency increases costs and risks for adverse events. An efficient operating room can also be a major revenue generator.

Context: This evidence-based performance improvement project was conducted in a small rural Veteran’s Hospital, which belongs to an integrated health network in Central California. The facility has four operating rooms and is expanding services provided to their patients.

Intervention: The intervention was the use of analytics and evaluations to improve the operating room efficiency by five percent. The use of 3 separate queries which were combined to generate reports and …

Assessing The Current Efficiencies Of Farm Credit Of Western Arkansas, Hailey Paulsen

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Farm Credit is a unique banking structure, as it is a cooperative which pays patronage dividends to its members. As such, the rates for loans (nominal interest rates) that Farm Credit offers can be slightly higher than larger commercial banks because the patronage payment can offset some, all or more of interest rate difference, which results in an effective rate. Farm Credit, like other globally evolving industries, must continuously look for ways to differentiate themselves to compete for new customers and retain existing ones. Thus, this study sets out to survey the members of Western Farm Credit of Arkansas to …

Eco-Friendly And Efficient: Redesign Of Friends Outside’S Intake System, Nolan Balaam

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Friends Outside provides opportunities for their clients to reduce recidivism and not return to their bad habits. By using an electronic form to create an efficient intake system, the organization hopes that this will increase the number of new clients. This project is being implemented through an electronic form and “walk-in” hours in hopes to better serve potential Friends Outside clients. This project’s goal is to make a positive impact on the surrounding community. Recommendations for Friends Outside include: Training Manual and expansion of training for future interns, staff, and volunteers; fully-trained staff on all office duties, and accept “walk-in” …

Improving The Efficiency Of Wind Farm Turbines Using External Airfoils, Shujaut Bader

Masters Theses

Wind turbine efficiency typically focuses on the shape, orientation, or stiffness of the turbine blades. In this thesis, the focus is instead on using static fixed airfoils in proximity to the wind turbine to control the airflow coming out of the turbine. These control devices have three beneficial effects. (1) They gather air from “higher up” where the air is moving faster on average (and therefore has more kinetic energy in it). (2) They throw the used (and slowed down air) downwards. This means that any turbines in the wind farm behind the lead turbines do not get “stale” air. …

Secure And Efficient Delegation Of A Single And Multiple Exponentiations To A Single Malicious Server, Matluba Khodjaeva

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Group exponentiation is an important operation used in many cryptographic protocols, specifically public-key cryptosystems such as RSA, Diffie Hellman, ElGamal, etc. To expand the applicability of group exponentiation to computationally weaker devices, procedures were established by which to delegate this operation from a computationally weaker client to a computationally stronger server. However, solving this problem with a single, possibly malicious, server, has remained open since a formal cryptographic model was introduced by Hohenberger and Lysyanskaya in 2005. Several later attempts either failed to achieve privacy or only achieved constant security probability.

In this dissertation, we study and solve this problem …

The Effects Of An Electronic Whiteboard On Transfer Process Efficiency And Staff Satisfaction In An Interdisciplinary Proton Therapy Practice, Tammy Buchanan

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

How To Effectively Improve Nurse-Physician Communication, Savannah R. Lacoste

Honors Theses

A study of the issue of Nurse-Physician communication, its causes, effects, importance, and possible improvements through research. The results suggest both physicians and nurses agree that nurse-physician communication is an important problem, and can be effectively improved in many ways including: a required nurse-physician communication class for pre-medical and pre-nursing students at an undergraduate level, improved and structured communication tools, and inter-professional education (IPE) between nurses and physicians. The research provides the outlooks of twenty-five nurses and twenty-five physicians independently, as well as demonstrating the nurse-physician disconnect through data comparison and analysis.

Optimizing The Operation Of Bulk Energy Storage Devices To Find The Trade-Offs Between Revenue And Co2 Emissions., Laura M. Arciniegas

Theses

The purpose of this research is to encourage policy makers to craft policies that support environmentally sound design practices while integrating bulk energy storage into the electricity grid. Bulk energy storage technology can regulate electricity coming into the grid from different energy sources. Grid flexibility is a powerful tool to empower the clean energy movement because it enables the integration of renewable energy into the electrical grid. However, storage technology has the potential to become another one of the many “tragedy of commons”, considering that there are no regulations forcing storage companies to pursue environmental-friendly operation. Bulk energy storage devices …

Design For Waste Reduction And Efficiency Improvement For The Construction Usage Of The Tower Crane, George Merida, Roman Richard

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Webcor Concrete Group’s on-site tower crane is currently experiencing unknown forms of inefficiency. The project team used the DMAIC methodology to implement Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control in order to guide and structure the project. After the project team formulated a problem statement, observations were collected of tower crane deliveries resulting in 470 individual data points. The data was then analyzed using basic statistics, histograms, and lean manufacturing tools in order to identify wastes and inefficiencies. Once the wastes and inefficiencies were identified, root cause analysis was performed. The identified root causes were then used as the basis for …

Remodeling Office For Growing Grounds, Kyle R. Fawley

Construction Management

This project was my first real re-condition project for a portion of an office space for Growing Grounds Farm here in San Luis Obispo. The purpose of this essay is to look back onto my experience and see how much I struggled and learned, and how I can benefit from it in the future. Throughout my project, I made sure there was constant communication between myself and Craig Wilson, program manager for Growing Grounds Farm, with clarifications and several updates. I made sure to fit and complete the project within my tight schedule and adjust it throughout the process. Throughout …

First-Year Writers And "Student Success": A Framework For Supporting Multiple Pathways Through Higher Education, Cristine Busser

English Dissertations

This project responds to increasing efforts in higher education to retain students, i.e., keep them enrolled until graduation, through various initiatives. Building upon the arguments of composition scholars Matthew McCurrie (2009), Sara Webb-Sunderhaus (2010), and Pegeen Reichert Powell (2013), who propose that retention efforts can overlook students’ needs, goals, and lived experiences, this study evaluates whether retention initiatives communicate a definition of success that ignores and/or aligns with how students value success. This project draws on an historical overview of US success ideology to contextualize a case study of Georgia State University, a leading institution in the country for raising …

Fluidization Of The Office: Relationship Of Place To Productivity, Jacob A. Matherly

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The influence of technology has vastly changed the way in which the office operates. With ideals such as mobility and flexibility on the rise, the office requires more attention in the way it is designed and laid out. By examining existing models of office development as well as research into how employees can be more productive in their office setting, a new adaptation of the office must be designed in order to accommodate the these changes.

Viability Of Concentrator Photovoltaics For Electricity Production In The United States, John Dina

Standard Theses

The energy infrastructure across the United States is at a critical crossroads . On one hand, we could continue to rely on traditional sources of energy by further developing and revitalizing our coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants. On the other hand, given the rate at which various renewable energy technologies are reaching grid parity, alternative energy systems could be widely incorporated into the grid. In this case, it is important to consider which renewable energy technology produces power most effectively. From the perspective of theoretical physics and experimental achievements in photovoltaics, this thesis seeks to evaluate the ability …

Barriers To Expansion Of Supervision Networks At Genetic Counseling Training Programs, Jordan E. Berg

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Job openings outpace new graduates due to exponential growth in genetic counseling, leading to a workforce shortage. Expanding training slots to meet this demand presumably is linked to the number of supervisors. Thus, there is a need to systematically review barriers to supervision. This study aimed to determine and compare barriers to expansion of supervision networks at genetic counseling training programs as perceived by current supervisors, non-supervisors, and Program Directors. Certified genetic counselors were recruited via National Society of Genetic Counselors e-blast with an invitation to complete an online survey; Program Directors were emailed personal letters of invitation. Twenty-three Program …

Genesurance Counseling: Patient Perspectives, Chelsea Wagner

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Genetic counselors (GCs) have recently reported an increase in the discussion of insurance-related, or “genesurance,” topics during genetic counseling sessions. Despite increasing frequency, little knowledge exists about genesurance conversations and patient expectations. This study aimed to assess patient expectations of GCs in genesurance discussions and evaluate if health insurance literacy impacted these expectations. A 38-item survey, including a validated tool to assess health insurance literacy (HIL) was administered prior to patients receiving prenatal or cancer genetic counseling at three participating institutions. A total of 360 responses were analyzed. Key variables were compared using chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression was …

A Study Of The Sensitivity Of Energy Conversion Efficiency To Load Variation In Class-E Resonant Power Inverter, Richard Samuel Jennings

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis the sensitivity of energy conversion efficiency (ECE) and output power of a class-E resonant inverter under variable resistive and inductive load assignments is examined for wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. By performing simulation and mathematical analysis, it was found that the on-resistance of the switching device has minor effect on the design’s efficiency. Additional comparisons between the simulation and mathematical analysis show reasonable output power and ECE load variation performance for the design, but with unique load impedances where zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero derivative switching (ZDS) are achieved. These comparisons also expose inaccurate mathematical assumptions. …

Aluminum Production Costs: A Comparative Case Study Of Production Strategy, Joseph Nloga Ndjebayi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Slumping world aluminum prices have energized some aluminum producers to institute strategies to reduce product costs. This multiple comparative case study explored the strategies used by 4 aluminum producers in Western Europe: 2 companies that have successfully reduced production costs and 2 companies that have not. Wicksteed's economic theory of production and production costs was the conceptual framework for this research. Data from the companies' strategic and industry reports and from interviews with 32 senior managers were analyzed using pattern finding and clustering, a recursive approach to data gathering and analysis established by Miles, Huberman, and Saldana. Six themes emerged: …

Ghanaian Bank Performance And Ownership, Size, Risk, And Efficiency, Rebecca Attah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ghanaian banks struggle to maintain sufficient capital after the Bank of Ghana increased the minimum capital requirement as a buffer against the 2008 financial crisis. Grounded in the efficient structure theory (EST), the purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationships between efficiency, size, risk, and ownership structure on banks' performance when minimum capital requirement increases. Archival data were collected from PricewaterhouseCoopers website covering all Ghanaian banks with available data for the 5-year period ending 2013. Initial one tail paired sample t tests revealed significant increases over time for efficiency, t(21) = 3.849, p -?¤ .001, net interest …

Automatic Power Management For Instructional Computers At Humboldt State University: A Calculation Of Potential Energy Savings And Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, Nicholas F. Flenghi

Projects

Computers consume an estimated 5,610 GWh per year in California alone. Much of that energy is consumed by computers that are not being used. In this project, detailed user login data are used to estimate the energy consumption of instructional computers at Humboldt State University (HSU) over the course of one semester. The data are also used to estimate the potential energy savings from automating the shutdown process. Potential cost savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions resulting from implementing an automatic-shutdown power management plan are also calculated.

There are approximately 1,000 computers used for teaching and learning purposes at …

Export Dynamics, Success And Efficiency: Micro-Level Evidence From Bangladesh (2004-05 To 2011-12), Mohammad Tariful Bari

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 2017+

The objective of this research is to understand the export dynamics and its efficiency implications in Bangladesh during the fiscal year (FY) 2004-05 to 2011-12, when it experienced rapid export growth. Advocates of firm heterogeneity theory strongly believe that research on firm level is the way to establish export-growth nexus. In line with the current benchmark of trade theories, this thesis conducts micro-level analyses of the export dynamics and its efficiency implications in Bangladesh, a country that is in the least developed set-up.

This thesis begins with an examination of the microdynamics that underly export growth. The dataset used for …

Height, Weight, And Durability In Major League Baseball, Joshua Yeager

CMC Senior Theses

Using data from the 2000-2016 Major League Baseball seasons, this paper looks at the determinants of durability amongst baseball athletes, durability is measured in games played for batters and innings pitched for pitchers, with a particular focus on height and weight. This paper finds evidence that lighter, shorter batters play significantly more games than taller, heavier batters. Additionally, amongst pitchers, there is only circumstantial evidence that height and weight are important determining factors of player durability. Finally, I find that starting pitchers increase the likelihood of becoming injured in the regular season by 10.3% and 21.8% if their hits per …

Efficiency, Growth And The Pursuit Of Social Utility, Mary-Elizabeth Theresa Breitmaier

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This paper discusses and analyzes the claim that laissez-faire policies achieve greater efficiency and growth, which in turn provides overall social utility. This paper outlines and defines the terms used in the defense of laissez-faire policies and shows that this defense is suspect on all grounds. That is to say these policies do not provide greater efficiency, growth, or overall social utility. This paper argues against the questionable claim that a laissez-faire economy attains greater efficiency and growth. Further, even assuming that it did succeed in these two areas, it does not necessarily imply that greater social utility will follow …

Sistema Educativo Indígena Propio "Seip": Eficiencia, Eficacia Y Efectividad, Carla Julieth Rodríguez Ruíz

Licenciatura en Español y Lenguas Extranjeras

La investigación buscó analizar cómo conciben los indígenas de la comunidad Muisca ubicados en la localidad Bosa en Bogotá, la implementación de la política pública nacional SEIP (Sistema Educativo Indígena Propio). Para esto, se realizó una investigación con enfoque cualitativo de tipo descriptivo, en la que se empleó la metodología de estudio de caso. Para la recolección de la información se utilizaron en la encuesta y la entrevista.

Agricultural Input Intensification, Productivity Growth, And The Transformation Of African Agriculture, Didier Y. Alia

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

This dissertation studies agricultural input intensification, defined as the increased use of modern inputs such as hybrid seeds, mineral fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide in African agriculture. It also analyses the potential of this intensification to accelerate productivity growth and tests the effectiveness of two policies, input subsidies and land reforms, in promoting it and consequently in increasing crop yield. In the first essay, we argue that to create the conditions for the emergence of a green revolution in Africa, modern agricultural technologies have to be adopted as a package, not in a piecemeal fashion. This argument is consistent with a …

El Sistema Educativo Como Reproductor De Desigualdades Sociales En Colombia, Angie Lorena Lugo Burgos, Jenny Carolina García Rangel

Economía

Dadas las condiciones de la oferta de la educación superior en Colombia, en términos de acceso y calidad, se plantea que el sistema educativo puede estar excluyendo a importantes porciones de la población colombiana.Estas partes de la población están siendo direccionadas a instituciones que presentan problemas de eficacia ocasionando que las habilidades de los estudiantes de estas instituciones se potencialicen en menor grado; y dadas las características socioeconómicas de la población estudiantil, se puede incurrir en la reproducción de inequidades e ineficiencias sociales en la etapa de formación superior en el sistema educativo.En consecuencia, el sistema educativo podría convertirse en …

Defining Usability Heuristics For Adoption And Efficiency Of An Electronic Workflow Document Management System, Steven Fuentes

CCE Theses and Dissertations

Usability heuristics have been established for different uses and applications as general guidelines for user interfaces. These can affect the implementation of industry solutions and play a significant role regarding cost reduction and process efficiency. The area of electronic workflow document management (EWDM) solutions, also known as workflow, lacks a formal definition of usability heuristics. With the advent of new technologies such as mobile devices, defining a set of usability heuristics contributes to the adoption and efficiency of an EWDM system. Workflow usability has been evaluated for various industries. Most significantly research has been done for electronic healthcare records (EHR). …

Flow-Induced Vibration Of Pivoted Rigid Circular Cylinders With 1 Degree-Of-Freedom: Application To Energy Extraction From Marine Currents, Andrew Dennis Johnstone

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 2017+

Flow-induced vibrations (FIV) of bluff bodies subjected to cross-flow have historically been problematic phenomena responsible for fatigue damage and performance and safety issues in a wide range of areas, including, but not limited to, risers in the oil and gas industry, tall buildings, bridges, heat exchanger tubes, lighting towers and suspended power cables.

The present work views FIV phenomena from a different perspective and examines two of the various FIV processes, namely vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and the galloping phenomena, in regard to their viability for extraction of useful energy from fluid cross-flows.

To this end, the vibration response of a …