Surface Morphology And Moisture Adsorption/Desorption Characteristics Of Hybrid-Dielectric Moisture Sensors, Ronak Ali

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Relative humidity sensors are used for high-humidity measurement. Moisture sensors, or dew point sensors are used for low-humidity measurement (< 1 ppm_v). The dissertation contains two parts of studies. In the first part, the effect of surface morphology on the response speed of moisture sensors is studied. Moisture sensors using α-Al₂O₃ films as porous dielectric materials deposited by anodic spark deposition are studied. In this part of the study, a variety of small pores have been studied to investigate the response speed of moisture sensors. Three different surface morphologies have been studied using scanning electron microscopy. One …

Measurement Of Moisture Levels In Oils And Lubricants Using A Novel Moisture Sensor, Aaron Swartz

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

It is very challenging to measure moisture levels in oils. There is not a good method to measure it. Using the novel moisture sensor, we tried various methods to measure the moisture levels in oils. The initial trials are to immerse the sensor chip into the oils to see any sensor reading changes with the change of moisture levels in oils. It was observed that the sensor reading was unstable. The idea for immersion of the sensor chip into the oils failed. The last idea is to heat the oil to let all moisture evaporate fully. Before heating, the dew …

Mathematical-Programming Modeling Of Power-Electronics-Based Microgrid Systems, Jack A. Robey

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

The emergence of power-electronics-based microgrid systems is driven by the shift to cleaner energy, transportation electrification, renewable integration, grid modernization through smart grid advancements, and growing demand for energy-efficient solutions. For utilities, these systems present unique opportunities for enhancing grid resilience, improving load management, and enabling distributed energy resource integration. This work presents a modeling and simulation approach for microgrid systems that uses mathematical programming to represent power flow and capture the system dynamics. By solving an optimization problem at each time step, the method enables evaluation of power distribution and system performance under a range of operating conditions, without …

Lifecycle Carbon Footprint And Sustainability Evaluation Of Dram-Based Processing In Memory Computing Architectures, Samrat Pravin Patel

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

The use of computing technologies has significantly enhanced several aspects of our day-to-day lives. But it has still revealed significant environmental concerns, primarily related to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Initially, the primary environmental problems associated with computing were energy consumption during device operation. However, with the rapid advancement of technology and increasing computational demands, attention has shifted towards the embodied carbon footprint. This term refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions throughout a product’s lifecycle from the extraction of raw materials to end-of-life processing. It has become increasingly significant in the context of manufacturing integrated circuits (ICs), such …

Afapbp: Aggregate Function Accelerated Parallel Bit-Pattern Computing, Charles Z. Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Classical computing models have proven sufficient for problems of the complexity class ``P", but problems of a higher complexity class like ``NP", ``NP-Hard", etc. have been shown to be more resistant to efficient computation. Quantum Computing is an alternative computing model that specifically targets performing computations within the ``NP" complexity class in close to linear time. However, Quantum Computing has its own set of problems. Methods for dealing with quantum decoherence, error correction, and difficulty in scaling have all inhibited Quantum Computing from becoming a commonly used computational model. This thesis introduces AFAPBP (Aggregate Function Accelerated Parallel Bit Pattern), a …

Multi-Objective Design Optimization Of Power Converters For Electric Aircraft Propulsion, Ben Luckett

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

As global focus shifts to the electrification of the aviation sector, the need for high efficiency, lightweight, and reliable electric aircraft propulsion power converter systems has become apparent. These goals can be somewhat conflicting with each other, and a single multi-domain-optimized solution is not guaranteed. The search for a design which presents satisfactory merits becomes a drudge through various trade-off studies which can expend vast quantities of manpower and time. As a remedy to this, design automation allows the process to be computer-assisted. This dissertation presents the core fundamentals for a general multi-objective design optimization framework intended for the design …

A Nurse-Driven Protocol To Increase Music Therapy Referrals To Manage Patient Pain And Anxiety In The Medicine Intensive Care Unit, Ashley Fox

DNP Projects

Background: Critically ill patients often suffer from pain and anxiety. Music therapy is a safe and effective treatment option. However, most nurses never receive education or training on it, resulting in a lack of awareness of its value and its actual usage in care.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase the number of music therapy referrals to manage pain and anxiety in eligible medicine intensive care unit (MICU) patients via a music therapy protocol that increased nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to the use of music as an alternative treatment option for pain and anxiety in …

Implementation Of A Process To Improve Compliance With A Nurse Driven Foley Catheter Removal Protocol In Nursing Staff Of A Medicine Intensive Care Unit, Kendall L. Pfister

DNP Projects

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most prevalent healthcare acquired infection (HAI) in the acute care setting. Unfortunately, CAUTIs can lead to high morbidity and mortality rates, longer length of stay (LOS) and increased healthcare costs. Unfortunately, in critically ill patients which often suffer multi-organ failure/injury, there remains an increased risk for infection and poor outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to increase medical intensive care unit (MICU) nursing staffs’ knowledge of existing nurse driven indwelling urinary catheter removal protocol and to implement an electronic medical record (EMR) prompt for removal of unnecessary urinary catheters …

Utilizing Integrative Medicine Services For Yoga To Reduce Cancer Related Fatigue, Leah R. Yeager

DNP Projects

Background: Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, many patients report CRF as more debilitating than pain itself. CRF is characterized by persistent, severe exhaustion that is not alleviated by sleep and is not linked to prior exertion. Despite its widespread impact, the options available to manage CRF are limited, typically including practices like good sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, mindfulness, and supplements. Integrative medicine, particularly yoga, has emerged as a promising intervention for reducing CRF. However, yoga is underutilized as a therapeutic approach to combat …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Competency-Based Phased Orientation Program For Nurse Practitioners In The Intensive Care Unit Setting, Meredith Sherer

DNP Projects

Background: Research has demonstrated that structured orientation helps to integrate new nurse practitioners (NPs) into practice, ease role transition, decrease NP turnover, and lead to better patient care. However, at University of Kentucky HealthCare (UKHC) clinical orientation programs for NPs are not standardized.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a competency-based phased orientation program for NPs in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting at UKHC.

Methods: This project utilized a prospective, single group, presurvey-postsurvey design to examine the effect of a three-phased competency-based orientation program on the outcome variables of NP confidence, autonomy, proficiency of …

The Effect Of A Hospital Community Garden On Healthcare Workers’ Professional Quality Of Life, Madelyn Renee Cline

DNP Projects

Background: Healthcare professionals experience a variety of stressors which negatively impact their professional quality of life (ProQOL) potentially leading to increased turnover and nurse shortages in hospitals. There are growing studies addressing ways to improve healthcare ProQOL, yet few have examined the impact of alterations to the workplace on these outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of a dedicated outdoor green space for nurses during shift breaks on their ProQOL.

Methods: This project used a one-group pretest-posttest design. Data analysis was completed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software. The Professional Quality of …

Implementation Of A Pilot Post-Code Debrief Tool Initiated By The Chaplains And Unit Lead Nurses Within The Medicine Intensive Care Unit, Sarah Stigall

DNP Projects

Background: Post-code debriefs are shown to improve teamwork and communication, increase performance, and reduce burnout. According to the University of Kentucky HealthCare (UKHC) policy, teams are to perform a post-code debrief immediately after an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). However, the current policy does not provide guidance on what to include during a debrief session. At UK post-code debrief sessions are documented as occurring 60-72% of the time; however, personal observation and discussions with other bedside and rapid response nurses suggest that post-code debriefs are underperformed when compared to the documentation. Purpose: This study aimed to explore barriers to post-code debriefs …

Nurse-Led Cbt For Depression In Heart Transplant Patients: A Feasibility Study, Matthew R. Wallace

DNP Projects

Background: Heart transplant recipients are at an elevated risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to the general population. Those with depression post-transplant face increased complications, e.g., infection, organ rejection, prolonged hospitalization, and higher mortality rates. However, specific psychotherapeutic interventions tailored for heart transplant recipients remain limited. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of various interventions for adults with heart failure, a condition frequently diagnosed in these patients. This suggests that successful strategies for managing depressive symptoms in heart failure patients could be adapted for heart transplant recipients.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate …

Effectiveness Of A Multi-Departmental Nursing Tiered Orientation Model On Service Line Culture, Self-Efficacy Of Nurses, Positive Patient Outcomes And Nurse Satisfaction, Kimberly Thompson

DNP Projects

Abstract
Background: Nurses who transition into specialty practice areas in healthcare settings may demonstrate a lack of confidence and a high level of stress. Decreased levels of nursing engagement, self-efficacy, and interdepartmental team collaboration may also be seen. Multi-departmental tiered orientation models can help facilitate the development of increased confidence and competence and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-departmental tiered orientation model for nurses hired into a specialty area. The specific objectives included were to a) determine the effectiveness of the model on service line …

Evaluation On The Effectiveness Of A Virtual Reality (Vr) Guided Meditation Intervention On Pre-Procedural Anxiety In An Outpatient Dental Clinic, Anansa Thompson

DNP Projects

Background: Mental health issues, particularly anxiety, represent a significant public health concern in the United States, with dental anxiety affecting anywhere between 50% and 80% of adults (White et al., 2017). Pre-procedural anxiety in outpatient dental clinics complicates patient care and can lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatments, impacting both oral and overall health. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as immersive virtual reality (VR) guided meditation, offer promising solutions to address anxiety in healthcare settings.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VR guided meditation on pre-procedural anxiety among adults undergoing painful dental procedures at an outpatient …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Diet And Physical Activity Screening Tools For Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Primary Care, Ashley O. Dalton

DNP Projects

Background: Only half of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of less than 7%, indicating poor glycemic control and contributing to a global diabetes epidemic. Diabetes is considered a diet-sensitive disease and an individual’s diabetes-related nutrition knowledge is one of the most challenging aspects of the treatment plan. Empirical evidence supports that a combination of dietary and physical activity interventions is more effective than nutrition education alone. Performing a dietary evaluation is fundamental to establishing nutrition goals. The use of the Starting the Conversation (STC) tool, which assesses an individual’s dietary practices, and Physical …

Improving The Diabetic Foot Screening Process And Foot Care Patient Education In A Primary Care Setting, Keelie Tillett

DNP Projects

Background: Foot ulcerations are a common diabetes-associated complication that can lead to significant morbidity, mortality, and financial burden for patients and health care systems. Health care providers (HCPs) play an important role in providing diabetic foot care. Despite national guidelines recommending HCPs perform an annual foot exam in all individuals with diabetes to recognize at-risk feet, research shows that many patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) do not receive routine diabetic foot exams (DFE) in the primary care setting.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of provider education, a standardized DFE template, an electronic health record (EHR) alert, and online educational …

Introducing An Eating Disorder Protocol In The Pediatric Primary Care Setting, Brandi Bozarth

DNP Projects

Background: The incidence of eating disorders has been on the rise, often beginning in adolescence and continuing well into adulthood. Consequences of untreated disrupted eating patterns can affect multiple body systems and are responsible for thousands of deaths annually. Despite these facts, research and data regarding eating disorders in adolescent patients are severely deficient. There is also a lack of standardization regarding assessing eating disorders in the pediatric primary care setting, as there are no specific guidelines or screening processes recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the detection of eating disorders.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is …

Evaluating The Implementation Of Social Determinants Of Health Screening In An Interdisciplinary Clinic, Taylor M. Adams

DNP Projects

Background: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), including food, housing, interpersonal violence, and transportation are non-medical problems that can influence health outcomes (World Health Organization, 2020). Low-income minorities and public-payer groups are at considerable higher risk for social needs. Collaboration within the community can improve health outcomes (Sulley et al., 2021). A literature review revealed limited evidence of screening in dental clinic settings. Failure to identify and address SDOH needs in this population can lead to poorer health outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate social determinants of health screening and evaluate the …

Utilization Of Organ Inventories In The Primary Care Setting: Two Questions To Increase Usage, Siobhan A. Lister

DNP Projects

Background: The Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) population experiences significant health disparities in accessing preventative care when compared to their cisgender counterparts. These disparities often occur with organ-specific screenings and lead to poorer health outcomes, due to patients having organs that do not match their sex assigned at birth. The evidence recommends a two-question method of gender identification to identify those patients whose gender does not match their sex assigned at birth. Using the 2-question method can help identify patients who need an organ inventory completed, which will lead to appropriate preventative health screenings being done.

Purpose: The purpose was …

Facilitating Caregiver Involvement In Reducing Delirium Among Critically Ill Children In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Emma R. Bilberry

DNP Projects

Background: The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a dynamic, fast-paced, and high-acuity unit where children are prone to the development of pediatric delirium (PD). PD is a condition of neurologic dysfunction increasing risk of morbidity and mortality among patients. Literature on PD is rapidly expanding, providing an opportunity for increased research on how to manage PD. Caregivers know their children, are often readily available at the bedside, and invested in being included in care. Additionally, literature shows that caregiver presence at the bedside is one non- pharmacological intervention that can aid in reducing PD. The development and implementation of …

Primary Nurse Framework: All-Registered Nurse Staffing Model In A Twelve Bed Critical Care Unit, Jeanette E. Sanders

DNP Projects

Background: Registered Nurses (RNs) comprise one of the largest professions in healthcare, and they play a critical role in delivering patient-centered care. The nursing shortage exacerbates inadequate nurse staffing levels, leading to increased workloads, higher patient-to-nurse ratios, and a high-stress work environment.

Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate the implementation of a primary-nurse-led care delivery model with an all-RN staffing design and its effects on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes, patient length of stay, nurse-sensitive related outcomes, and associated financial implications in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting. Nursing knowledge and opinions about the all-RN staffing model were also assessed.

Methods: Staffing …

Evaluating The Effect Of A Mindfulness App On Pediatric Nurses Caring For Adolescent Patients Diagnosed With Disordered Eating, Kaitlyn Green

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background. The health and wellbeing of nurses are affected by the demands of their workplace and the people that they care for. In turn, nurses’ wellbeing affects their work and patient outcomes. There are opportunities to address certain workplace structures, systems, and policies that create stressors and lead to burnout, fatigue, and poor mental and physical health. For nurses to continue to provide quality care in environments that have increasing demands, they must first feel healthy, well, and supported themselves. Healthcare leaders have a role in ensuring the wellbeing of their nursing staff. Compassion fatigue is a large focus …

The Impact Of Code Lavender On Compassion Fatigue And Burnout Of Pediatric Bedside Staff, Sara L. Castle

DNP Projects

Background: Compassion fatigue is a significant problem in healthcare that can impact staff retention, job satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Code Lavender combats compassion fatigue by serving as a crisis intervention tool using evidence-based relaxation techniques, paired with increased support from Leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of Code Lavender on reported levels of compassion fatigue and burnout amongst pediatric bedside staff working on a 12-bed progressive care unit at a Children’s Hospital in a large Academic Medical Center.

Method: This study employed a pilot evaluation design, consisting of pre- and post-surveys utilizing questions from …

Evaluation Of A Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention Of Work-Related Stress, Job Satisfaction, Retention, And Quality Care: A Quality Improvement (Qi) Project, Laura M. Bragg

DNP Projects

Burnout among advanced practice providers (APPs) remains a significant concern nationally and within the University of Kentucky Healthcare system, with post-COVID evidence showing persistently elevated stress and emotional exhaustion. This quality improvement (QI) project implemented and evaluated a brief, app-based mindfulness intervention using the Headspace “Learn the Basics of Meditation” program for work-related stress, job satisfaction, mindfulness, and retention intentions among APPs. A one-group pre-post design was implemented, with 45 APPs completing the pre-intervention survey and four completing both the pre- and post-intervention surveys. Although no statistically significant improvements were observed, nonsignificant decreases in emotional exhaustion, fatigue, and turnover intention …

Evaluating Preoperative Care Providers' Perceptions Of The Autism Support Checklist For Surgical Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amanda Hancock

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to report barriers to healthcare access than individuals with other disabilities and non-autistic persons. Many barriers to healthcare for those on the spectrum have been identified and include: negative interactions with healthcare staff, communication barriers with healthcare providers, lack of providers knowledgeable of ASD, sensory concerns, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. The Autism Support Checklist (ASC) is a tool designed to outline communication methods, sensory concerns, soothing items/actions, triggers, special interests, safety concerns, and other information pertinent to an autistic patient. The tool is designed to convey the …

Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Genes Impact Agronomic Performance, Flavor, Milling, And Baking Traits In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Joyce Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is an economically devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing low yields and poor quality. FHB, caused by Fusarium graminearum, disrupts the grain filling phase and results in bleached spikes and shriveled seeds. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungal pathogen when it infects the plant; DON is harmful when consumed by humans and causes feed rejection in livestock. Using FHB resistant varieties and timely applications of fungicides is the optimum strategy for management of this disease. However, there has been little research focusing on the impact of FHB resistance genes …

The Effects Of Technology-Based Self-Monitoring Intervention To Increase On-Task Behaviors For Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Deris Cox Jr

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

This study aims to assess the effects of technology-based self-monitoring interventions and to promote independent functioning skills for adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It also seeks to replicate the findings of Rosenbloom et al. (2019). IDD typically appears in adolescents before the age of 18 and affects an individual’s ability to learn, reason, and manage daily tasks. Behavior analysis is a common approach used to teach individuals with developmental disabilities new skills, decrease challenging behaviors, and enhance quality of life.

Spanish-Speaking Interpreters’ Perspectives: How Latinx Immigrant Caregivers Navigate The Special Education Process, Lizeth B. Tomas Flores

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

The study examined the experiences of Spanish-speaking interpreters working with Latinx immigrant caregivers during the special education process, their perspectives on how caregivers and the IEP professional committee members participate in the process, aiming to gain a better understanding of how Latinx immigrant families navigate the special education process. Interpreters play a crucial role in the special education process for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as they facilitate the transmission of information between caregivers and special education teams. Interviews were conducted with six special education interpreters in a southwestern suburban school district in the United States. A qualitative …

Characterization Of The Solid-State Bonding For Simulated Charge And Seam Welds In The Porthole Die Extrusion Process, Randall L. Bowers

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The isothermal (ISO-T) compression configuration is ideal for utilizing as a material input of flow stress at temperature and strain rate in models of the porthole die extrusion process due to the isothermal nature of the test. Micro-tensile testing was conducted to validate the solid-state welding integrity of the ISO-T samples at various temperatures and strain rates. Results of the mechanical testing were correlated with fractography and microstructural evaluations of the welds to confirm bonding behavior. Both clean interface conditions and oxidation and lubrication layers were evaluated to simulate the difference of seam and charge welds in the process. Results …