Electromagnetic Integral Equation Methods For High-Order Field Predictions, Jordon N. Blackburn

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Methods like the Method of Moments (MoM) or the locally-corrected Nyström (LCN) method are employed to discretize and solve electromagnetic integral equations. This process results in large, dense systems of linear equations that must be solved. In many cases, the elements of the system matrix can be computed analytically or approximated with high-order numerical methods. In this thesis, various approaches are presented to improve the accuracy and efficiency of integral equation solutions.

The second chapter derives a modified form of the low-rank matrix approximation algorithm known as the adaptive cross approximation (ACA). The original ACA has been observed to lose …

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 …

Scalable Systems And Devices For Wireless Charging Of Electric Vehicles, Donovin D. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

The rising adoption of electric vehicles creates new opportunities that are not possible with conventional gas-powered vehicles such as wireless charging of electric vehicles (EV). Wide-scale implementation of wireless charging could result in benefits unique to EVs such as operation without human intervention, improved charging accessibility, and even in-route wireless charging for charge-sustaining or extended driving range operation. As the technology is in the early stages of development, there are many open-ended challenges to tackle including but not limited to coil and systems cost, weight and size, stray field emissions in high-power, high-frequency operation, and dynamic wireless charging system design …

Analysis And Design Optimization Of Electric Machines With Field Intensifying Configuration, Ali Mohammadi

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

The design and optimization of electric machines face increasing demands for efficiency, improved torque density, manufacturability, and effective utilization of materials. Meeting these demands is particularly vital in for example, electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems, where performance, reliability, and cost are critical. In this dissertation innovative field-intensifying electric machine configurations have been explored, emphasizing advanced topologies, computational modeling, and optimization techniques to advance the state of the art in electric machine design and analysis.

Electric machines with high torque density are essential for many low-speed direct-drive systems, such as wind turbines, in-wheel traction, and industrial automation. This dissertation …

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 …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Progressive Mobility Protocol Among Adult Icu Patients, Clayton Chroust

DNP Projects

Background: Many intensive care unit (ICU) patients are critically ill and require ventilator support, and they often do not receive any progressive mobility interventions until after they are liberated from the ventilator or receive transfer orders out of the ICU. Current literature suggests that patients in the ICU face deconditioning, increased ventilator days, development of deep vein thrombosis, pressure ulcers, pulmonary embolism, muscular atrophy, and increased days in the ICU which can be attributed to a lack of mobility. Current evidence-based research identifies that utilization of a progressive mobility protocol is one way to improve patient outcomes and reduce …

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 …

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 …

Evaluating Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, And Suicide Hotline Referrals In Aprns Screening Children For Depression And Suicide In Primary Care, Brooklyn D. Higginbotham

DNP Projects

Background: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescents across the United States (US). Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the first people an adolescent sees for depression or suicide symptoms; however, evidence shows PCPs may not be comprehensively screening for suicide in the primary care setting by using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) alone. Screening tool usage for depression and suicide among PCPs is currently at rates as low as 26% due to lack of knowledge and insufficient resources. Evidence-based education on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations can improve PCPs’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes when assessing …

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 …

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 …

Screening For The Unseen: Depression Detection Through Phq-9 And Provider Education In Pain Management, Veronica Shaw

DNP Projects

Background: Depression leads to significant economic and health burdens, causing 200 million lost workdays and costing employers $17 to $44 billion annually (CDC, 2022). It accounts for 4.3% of the global disease burden and is a leading cause of disability worldwide (WHO, 2021). Chronic pain, affecting 20.9% of United States adults, often exacerbates depression, creating a vicious cycle of physical and emotional suffering (Rikard et al., 2023). Despite the availability of effective treatments, depression is frequently missed in primary care settings, with 50% of cases undiagnosed (Hawkes, 2019). Addressing both depression and chronic pain through improved screening and holistic care …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Advancing Root Trait Measurements For A Deeper Understanding Of Soil Biogeochemistry, Brian Rinehart

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Climate change is disrupting (agro)ecosystems, with the potential for significant losses in crop productivity and ecosystem resilience due to changes in water and biogeochemical cycling. These disruptions can also release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the degradation of soil organic matter. Plant roots have emerged as a potential tool for mitigating these effects, given their roles in plant function and in driving soil biogeochemistry. While this interest is growing, our ability to implement root trait selection is limited due to constraints on characterizing roots and limited clarity on the effects of traits on plant and ecosystem function. My …

Giving Props To Soil Property Predictive Models: Utilizing Mir To Predict Soil Health Properties, Diala M. Abboud

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Soil health is critical to sustaining life on Earth, influencing plant growth, agricultural productivity, water quality, and overall ecosystem sustainability. In response to climate change and intensifying land use, the need to improve our understanding of soil health has become increasingly urgent. The application of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy coupled with statistical modeling has emerged as a promising, cost-effective approach to predict soil health parameters, offering a quicker alternative to traditional wet chemistry analyses. MIR methods have been successfully applied to predict various soil health properties, such as bulk density (BD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation (BS), electrical conductivity (EC), …

Revolutionizing Grapevine Breeding Programs: A Mobile Genome Editing System For Perennial Crops, Bridget Bolt

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) faces unprecedented challenges from climate change, with up to 90% of current growing regions potentially becoming unsuitable for production within decades. Traditional breeding approaches require 25-30 years for variety development, creating a time constraint incompatible with the pace of environmental change. This research establishes the approach for a novel mobile RNA-based gene editing platform that addresses longstanding bottlenecks in grapevine improvement while preserving cultivar identity and reducing breeding timelines.

This research developed a three-component system for transgene-free gene editing in grapevine. First, a mobile CRISPR/Cas9 system was established using Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and the cut-and-dip …

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 …

An Examination Of The Effects Of School-Based Experiences On High-Achieving Black Female High School Students Using Photovoice 2.0, Kameron R. White Mcdaniel

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

This study used a youth-led participatory action research inquiry and Photovoice 2.0 methodology to investigate the school-based experiences of seven high-achieving black female students across two public high schools. The objectives of the project were to explore how high-achieving Black high school girls perceived their academic identity within their school setting, and to determine any school and/or classroom contextual factors that affected these participants' school-based learning experiences and outcomes. The demographic makeup of each school was also evaluated through qualitative analysis to consider if it served as a moderating variable in participants’ reported school-based experiences. It is through gained insight …

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 …