Digital Commons Network^™

Expanding A General Surgery Practice: Privileges, Ambulatory Care Centers And Hospital Interactions, Julia Snow

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The objective of this case study is to document the interactions between a general surgery practice group and a university medical center as the physician group establishes and seeks to expand its revenue base. The group proposes to lease or purchase a practice location where they can consult with patients and perform procedures. The practice location is near a competitive hospital, Saint Jose East. The surgeons currently have privileges at Saint Jose Hospital and request to continue the privileges.

The case study's design and methods include benchmarking and financial analysis. The results of the study are :

• Benchmarking of operating …

Nonprofits: Recruiting And Retaining Baby Boom Volunteers In Central Kentucky. An Analysis Of Volunteer Needs In Central Kentucky And Best Practices For Recruiting Baby Boom Generation Volunteers, Ashley R. F. Moore

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Statement of the Problem

Faced with tight budgets and expanding needs to serve and roles to play in the community, non-profit organizations have a shortage of volunteers. Especially desired are knowledgeable, passionate and dependable volunteers willing to serve on a regular basis. Although, the largest generation in our history, the Baby Boomers, which comprise 28% of American citizens and 77 million people, are retiring and acquiring increased free time, many are not being connected with volunteer opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that only one-third of those between ages 43 to 61 are serving as volunteers (US Bureau of …

Evaluating If The Built Environment Has A Substantial Effect On Obesity In Fayette County, Kentucky, Will Warren

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Background:

Obesity is a major health issue in the United States and Fayette County. As Fayette County has become increasingly obese, it too has had an issue of sprawl within its urban service area and beyond. Relationships between obesity and aspects of the built environment are continuing to be studied.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact certain factors may have on the body mass index of Fayette County residents, in particular whether urban sprawl has an overriding impact on the weight of residents.

Methods:

The study area used was Fayette County, which was broken down into its fourteen zip code areas …

Secure Image Processing, Nan Hu

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

In todays heterogeneous network environment, there is a growing demand for distrusted parties to jointly execute distributed algorithms on private data whose secrecy needed to be safeguarded. Platforms that support such computation on image processing purposes are called secure image processing protocols. In this thesis, we propose a new security model, called quasi information theoretic (QIT) security. Under the proposed model efficient protocols on two basic image processing algorithms linear filtering and thresholding are developed. For both problems we consider two situations: 1) only two parties are involved where one holds the data and the other possesses the processing algorithm; …

Approximate Analysis Of Re-Entrant Lines With Bernoulli Reliability Models, Chong Wang

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Re-entrant lines are widely used in many manufacturing systems, such as semiconductor, electronics, etc. However, the performance analysis of re-entrant lines is largely unexplored due to its complexity. In this thesis, we present iterative procedures to approximate the production rate of re-entrant lines with Bernoulli reliability of machines. The convergence of the algorithms, uniqueness of the solution, and structural properties, have been proved analytically. The accuracy of the procedures is investigated numerically. It is shown that the approaches developed can either provide a lower bound or a closed estimate of the system production rate. Finally, a case study of automotive …

A Controller Area Network Layer For Reconfigurable Embedded Systems, Nithyananda Siva Jeganathan

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Dependable and Fault-tolerant computing is actively being pursued as a research area since the 1980s in various fields involving development of safety-critical applications. The ability of the system to provide reliable functional service as per its design is a key paradigm in dependable computing. For providing reliable service in fault-tolerant systems, dynamic reconfiguration has to be supported to enable recovery from errors (induced by faults) or graceful degradation in case of service failures. Reconfigurable Distributed applications provided a platform to develop fault-tolerant systems and these reconfigurable architectures requires an embedded network that is inherently fault-tolerant and capable of handling movement …

Nanostructured Sensors For In-Vivo Neurochemical Recording, Nagari Silpa

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

L-glutamate plays a vital role in central nervous system. It is a neurotransmitterassociated with several neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, epilepsyand stroke. Continuous and fast monitoring of this neurotransmitter has become amajor concern for neuroscientists throughout the world. A simple, sensitive, and reliable L-glutamate microsensor with short responsetime has been developed using ceramic-based microelectrode arrays with platinum recording sites. The electrodes were modified by electrodeposition of Platinum black (Pt-black) to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) which was produced by enzymatic reactions of glutamate oxidase immobilized on the electrode surface. Modification of Pt electrodes with Pt-black has been adoptedbecause the microscale roughness …

Operation Unite: A Qualitative Analysis Identifying Critical Factors For Implementation, Crystal D. Pryor

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

UNITE is an acronym meaning Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. It reflects the three-pronged, comprehensive approach deemed necessary to combating substance abuse in Kentucky Fifth Congressional District. Of Kentucky’s 120 counties, 24 of them do not have an organized regional drug task force. Fifteen of these counties with no active drug task force are represented in the Bluegrass Area Development District’s region. Current social and political perceptions across Kentucky recognize Operation UNITE efforts as largely successful. The evaluation responded to the following research questions: What factors lead to success in Kentucky’s Operation UNITE? Are these factors transferable in treating …

Do Per Capita Expenditures Affect The Quality Of State Government Management?, Rachael D. Putnam

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In recent years, an increase in government accountability has come about in American society. The debate began about the consumer business model of government, with citizens demanding results, not just output, because most people viewed government as inefficient and ineffective. As a response, Vice President Gore National Performance Review endorsed the Government Performance and Results Act (1993) which required federal agencies to have “objective, quantifiable and measurable” goals into the federal government budget process (Kravchuk and Schack, 1996, p.348).

This, in turn, led the way to the Government Performance Project (GPP), a study orchestrated by the Governing magazine, in cooperation …

An Impact Study Of Local Historic District Overlays On Property Values In Fayette County, Ky, Suzann Vogel

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Beginning with Fayette County’s first historic district in 1958, the process of assigning historic zoning status to qualifying neighborhoods was seen as a viable option for preserving local built cultural resources. More than a communicative symbol, H-1 districting limits dramatic exterior changes and the demolition of structures certified as contributing to the unique character of Lexington, KY. Guided by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Historic Preservation and Board of Architectural Review, the program currently encompasses 1,851 buildings over 14 districts.

In order to carry out the goal of preservation, historic districting in Lexington is applied in a blanketing …

Preparing For The Future: An Evaluation Of Alternative Methods For Estimating The Needed Capacity Of Nursing Home Beds In Kentucky, Michelle D. Woods

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Due to the aging of the generation known as “Baby Boomers”, the nation is expected to witness extraordinary growth in the total population ages 65 and over. Population projections provided by the United States Bureau of the Census suggest that this segment of the population will double in size to 72 million by the year 2030. In order to prepare for the anticipated increase elderly Americans, policy officials have been analyzing the potential effects on the nation’s long-term care system. Although Baby Boomers can expect to live longer than their predecessors, as they age, it is predicted that this generation …

Tracking R-R Interval Dynamics Between Men And Women During Orthostasis Using Time-Frequency Distribution, Pavan Narasimha

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

To track evolution of autonomic responses during orthostasis in men and women, we used discrete pseudo-Wigner distribution based time-frequency analysis to compute dominant frequencies and spectral powers in RR intervals and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP). Data were collected from 38 healthy volunteers (22 men, 16 women) during 10 min supine posture followed by 30 min of 700 head up tilt. The RR intervals were computed from ECG and systolic blood pressure was and spectral amplitudes of RR intervals were integrated in two regions viz., Low Frequency (LF) region defined between 0.05-0.15 Hz and High Frequency region (HF), sometimes referred to …

Role Of Conduction In The Genesis Of Alternans Of Action Potential Duration In A Simulated One Dimensional Fiber, Sanjiv Ramalingam

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Ventricular fibrillation is one of the leading causes for Sudden Cardiac Death and is characterized by multiple activation wavefronts. Multiple activation wavefronts originate from a reentrant circuit which requires the presence of a unidirectional block in the path of a propagating excitation wave. It has been proposed that at the cellular level beat to beat alternation in the action potential duration at rapid pacing rates can result in a conduction block. Various mechanisms have been postulated to show the mechanisms of alternans. We use simulated activation in a one dimensional tissue fiber to show the existence of a new mechanism …

Kentucky's Adapter For Parallel Execution And Rapid Synchronization, Swetha Mitta

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

As network hardware has become faster, inefficient communication and synchronization mechanisms often have proven to be fast enough but better models are needed in order to support future systems. The aggregate function communication model, and the KAPERS design and implementation presented in this thesis, provide more efficient ways to implement a wide range of higher-level communication and synchronization operations. The main contributions of this work center on a new way to use FPGA-based memory in an aggregate function network (AFN). The basic functions were designed and implemented with modal encoding to create a global memory that allows variable length objects …

Gray Code Composite Pattern Structured Light Illumination, Pratibha Gupta

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Structured light is the most common 3D data acquisition technique used in the industry. Traditional Structured light methods are used to obtain the 3D information of an object. Multiple patterns such as Phase measuring profilometry, gray code patterns and binary patterns are used for reliable reconstruction. These multiple patterns achieve non-ambiguous depth and are insensitive to ambient light. However their application is limited to motion much slower than their projection time. These multiple patterns can be combined into a single composite pattern based on the modulation and demodulation techniques and used for obtaining depth information. In this way, the multiple …

Kentucky Wineries Networking Activities For Tourism Development In Relation To Growth And Profitability, Lee Ann Berlin Walton

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Tourism plays a vital role in the success and sustainability of the wine industry in Kentucky. In order for the wine tourism industry to be successful in Kentucky, it is essential to continue to find ways to attract visitors to Kentucky wineries. Networking with competitors and other tourism industry stakeholders can be a successful way for winery owners to attract visitors to wineries; however, literature demonstrates that winery owners often need incentive to do so. This research explores the economic impacts of tourism on Kentuckys wineries that network with competitors and tourism industry stakeholders and those that do not. It …

A Communication Link Reliability Study For Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Alicia K. Mylin

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Dependable communication links for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are crucial to operational reliability and mission success. This study is focused on evaluating the probability of successful communication links for small UAVs. A program based on the Friis Transmission Equation was developed to calculate the power received in a line-of-sight communication link. The program was used to evaluate the probability of success for a variety of flight pa

Spatial Location Of Electrostatic Discharge Events Within Information Technology Equipment, Robert A. Oglesbee

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

In this thesis, a system to locate an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event within an electronic device has been developed. ESD can cause a device to fail legally required radiated emissions limits as well as disrupt intended operation. The system used a fast oscilloscope with four channels, each channel attached to a high frequency near-field antenna. These antennas were placed at known locations in three dimensional space to measure the fields radiated from the ESD event. A Time-Difference-of-Arrival technique was used to calculate the location of the ESD event. Quick determination of the ESD event location provides developers with a tool …

Deus Ex Machina And The Unfulfilled Promise Of New York Times V. Sullivan: Applying The Times For All Seasons, Joseph H. King Jr.

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Fencing In The Frontier: A Look Into The Limits Of Mail Fraud, Kristen Kate Orr

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Economic Torts And English Law: An Uncertain Future, Hazel Carty

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Economic Loss Rule And Missed Opportunities: How To Keep Kentucky From Drowning In A Sea Of Tort, Matthew J. Pujol

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Mucking Out The Stalls: How Krs § 230.357 Promises To Change Custom And Facilitate Economic Efficiency In The Horse Industry, R. Kelley Rosenbaum

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Corporate Deferred Prosecutions Through The Looking Glass Of Contract Policing, Candace Zierdt, Ellen S. Podgor

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Auctioning Off Integrity: The Legitimacy Of Seller-Rebate Agreements In The Thoroughbred Auction Context, Daniel Waxman

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Bumping Along The Bottom: Abandoned Principles And Failed Fiduciary Standards In Uniform Partnership And Llc Statutes, Rutheford B. Campbell Jr.

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Law Firm Partners As Their Brothers' Keepers, Douglas R. Richmond

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Friend Or Fiend? A "Fair Use" Analysis Of Audioblogs, Carson Blythe Morris

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Infinite As Originative Of The Human As Human: A Transcendental Phenomenological Explication Of The Philosophy Of Emmanuel Levinas, Ronald Lynn Mercer, Jr.

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Few philosophers, today, are doing more than simple recognition of Levinass debt to phenomenology when a thorough explication of how phenomenological methodology impacts Levinass work is needed. This dissertation is the needed discussion of methodology that has been so absent in Levinas as well as in so many of his interpreters. The purpose, herein, is to synthesize Levinass work, explicating it in terms of transcendental methodology, the result of which reveals Levinass claims to be more defensible when understood in these terms than when the full rigor of this methodology is not properly grasped. First, to connect Levinas to transcendental …

Virtual' Brides In The Post-Soviet Context, Michael Paul Begin

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This project offers a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the contemporary post-Soviet Internet bride phenomenon and the rationales, motives, and aspirations of the industry's participants. As international marriage services have incorporated information and communications technologies (ICTs) to assist in the marketing of women of post-communist nations for correspondence courtship with Western men, the industry has furthered the globalization of marriage markets and the opportunities for communicative exchange among disparate nations and cultures. By way of case study, the project takes a special focus on the Belarusian/American segment of the industry, turning to personal interviews with participants and employing qualitative techniques …