Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2017

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 1621 - 1650 of 38776

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Tools Of The Trade: Improving Nurses Ability To Access And Evaluate Research, Phyllis Helms Dec 2017

Tools Of The Trade: Improving Nurses Ability To Access And Evaluate Research, Phyllis Helms

2017 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

In their daily practice, nurses continuously seek answers to clinical questions. It is critical that they know how to find evidence-based guidelines, standards, and research to guide their care and optimize patient outcomes. However, there are few studies of processes to increase nurses’ ability to find and analyze evidence for practice. Therefore, the purpose of this longitudinal quasi-experimental descriptive study was to measure the effect of an educational project on nurses’ knowledge and frequency of using library database resources to acquire and appraise evidence-based practice (EBP). A secondary purpose was to examine the effects of nurse characteristics (educational background, professional …

Go to article

Diversification On Continents And Islands: A Herpetological Perspective, Kyle Anthony O'Connell Dec 2017

Diversification On Continents And Islands: A Herpetological Perspective, Kyle Anthony O'Connell

Biology Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation seeks to understand the geological and climatological processes that have promoted diversification on continental and island systems. Using molecular genetic data generated using Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing platforms, I conduct phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses, estimate gene flow, and conduct species delimitation. Using these analyses, I explore diversification processes on continents and islands using reptile and amphibian systems. In Chapter 2 I evaluate the role of geographical features to whipsnake diversification. Chapter 3 resolves the taxonomy of several poorly understood whipsnakes species and tests the effect of missing data on species delimitation. Chapter 4 investigates the biogeographical …

Go to article

Development Of A Framework And Analysis System To Support Intervention In Newborn Healthcare, Holly E. Lane Dec 2017

Development Of A Framework And Analysis System To Support Intervention In Newborn Healthcare, Holly E. Lane

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

One of the most vulnerable populations in healthcare is the newborn infant. As hospitalization for childbirth is the largest cause for entry into a healthcare facility, the population of newborns each year is extensive as is their cost of care. Newborn infants also may have additional costs associated with readmission for common or preventable illnesses, which may occur due to insufficient infant screening or lack of caregiver knowledge. Much research has been done to attempt to determine causes of readmission, what contributes to an increased or decreased readmission rate among newborns, and how healthcare interventions can impact these rates and …

Go to article

Investigation On Metal-Composite Hybrid Flywheels Using Finite Element Method, Ching Huai Wang Dec 2017

Investigation On Metal-Composite Hybrid Flywheels Using Finite Element Method, Ching Huai Wang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

This research is aimed to investigate the kinetic energy storage of a hybrid metal-composite flywheel rotating at high speeds. The upper limit of energy, which flywheel can supply, is restricted by the strength of material because both energy and stress are proportional to the density of the material and the square of the velocity. Metal flywheels operate at lower rotational speed and supply less energy than the composite flywheels. Composite flywheels have a very high density per unit mass, but lower energy density per unit of the design volume. The ultra-high speed of composite flywheels creates some engineering challenges such …

Go to article

Reliability Assessment Of Solder Joint Interconnects Of Bga Package-Megtron Series Under Power Cycling, Mahesh Pallapothu Dec 2017

Reliability Assessment Of Solder Joint Interconnects Of Bga Package-Megtron Series Under Power Cycling, Mahesh Pallapothu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Solder joint interconnects are the second level assembly in surface mount interconnection technology. Mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between package and substrate or PCB creates failure in solder joints such as excessive warpage, low-k dielectric cracking, solder mask cracking and bump cracking. Conventional accelerated thermal cycling tests are performed to evaluate the Solder Joint Reliability (SJR). But, in everyday application, the package is subjected to Power cycling. Power cycling is the phenomenon where the package experiences non-uniform temperature distribution in the package with the chip as an internal heat generating source when an electronic device is turned …

Go to article

Effective Thermal Conductivity Of Porous Media By Inverse Heat Transfer Analysis, Oscar Javier Ii Fabela Dec 2017

Effective Thermal Conductivity Of Porous Media By Inverse Heat Transfer Analysis, Oscar Javier Ii Fabela

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

This research describes the application of inverse analysis to estimate the thermal conductivity of a porous material using temperature measurements at the surfaces. Finite volume analysis code is implemented in MATLAB and it is utilized to solve the steady state, axisymmetric heat transfer governing energy equation. The analysis code is coupled with a numerical optimization method and utilized to predict thermal conductivity using the measurements. An experimental setup was developed to test a porous media composed of a mixture of small pellets and air. In experiments, temperature is measured at outer surface of copper tube. These data, serves as input …

Go to article

Real-Time Minimum Jerk Optimal Trajectory Synthesis And Tracking For Ground Vehicle Applications, Naga Venkata Murali Veerapaneni Dec 2017

Real-Time Minimum Jerk Optimal Trajectory Synthesis And Tracking For Ground Vehicle Applications, Naga Venkata Murali Veerapaneni

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Research on wheeled mobile robots has been an active research field for several decades with focus on the problems of stability, maneuverability and control. The trajectory generation for wheeled mobile robots is usually handled by considering a smooth function satisfying the boundary conditions. Even though this problem is well posed for several function classes, the real issue occurs in generating a feasible trajectory for the robot which takes into account the constraints of the system. Another problem from the control system perspective is, whether the derived controller is stable for the entire trajectory span to track the given trajectory. The …

Go to article

Pseudo-Spectral Methods Based Real-Time Optimal Path Planning For Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Denish Kamleshkumar Baman Dec 2017

Pseudo-Spectral Methods Based Real-Time Optimal Path Planning For Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Denish Kamleshkumar Baman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Real-time optimal trajectory design and tracking for autonomous ground vehicles are maturing technologies with the potential to advance mobility by enhancing time and energy efficiency in application such as indoor surveillance robots or planetary exploration rovers. Pseudo-spectral methods based trajectory generation framework provides the desired trajectory which minimizes a prescribed objective function (i.e. minimum time, acceleration, and energy) while satisfying kinodynamics and various types of constraints (i.e. obstacle avoidance and smooth turning at waypoint transitions). In this thesis cyber-physical system architecture is used for the communication between rover-vehicle and the ground station. By using optimal state and control vector from …

Go to article

Development Of Plasma Functionalized Nano-Additives For Oils And Study Of Their Tribological Properties, Vinay Sharma Dec 2017

Development Of Plasma Functionalized Nano-Additives For Oils And Study Of Their Tribological Properties, Vinay Sharma

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Lubricants used in motor engines contain various chemical species to help enhance energy efficiency and provide increased longevity. Unfortunately, at the same time, these additives become a source of catalytic poisoning, thus increasing emissions from the tailpipe. With growing concern for the negative impacts of human activities on the environment, regulatory bodies for the automobile lubrication industry have set up strict guidelines for chemical compositions of their end products, including engine oils. This research work is a step towards development of a new class of lubricant additives, which are less harmful to the environment and, simultaneously, also reduce friction and …

Go to article

Statistical Estimation In Multivariate Normal Distribution With A Block Of Missing Observations, Yi Liu Dec 2017

Statistical Estimation In Multivariate Normal Distribution With A Block Of Missing Observations, Yi Liu

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

Missing observations occur quite often in data analysis. We study a random sample from a multivariate normal distribution with a block of missing observations, here the observations missing is not at random. We use maximum likelihood method to obtain the estimators from such a sample. The properties of the estimators are derived. The prediction problem is considered when the response variable has missing values. The variances of the mean estimators of the response variable under with and without extra information are compared. We prove that the variance of the mean estimator of the response variable using all data is smaller …

Go to article

Framing Leadership Rhetoric: Exploring Gender (In) Equality In Corporate Training Material, Anna Elizabeth Prieto Dec 2017

Framing Leadership Rhetoric: Exploring Gender (In) Equality In Corporate Training Material, Anna Elizabeth Prieto

Communication Theses - Archive

This study explores gender equality in the workplace using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Two sets of data were analyzed: leadership training and development materials and in-depth interviews. This two-fold method allowed for a holistic approach to analyzing data and made it possible to compare findings from the textual analysis with insights gained from the interviews. This study revealed a lack of attention being devoted to developing and promoting leadership training materials and experiences that acknowledge gender differences and encourage gender equality. It was determined that overall, gender associated rhetoric used in the course titles and descriptions made up barely …

Go to article

A Standard Tensile Testing Procedure For Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Frc) And Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Uhp-Frc) Based On Double Punch Test (Dpt), Shuveksha Tuladhar Dec 2017

A Standard Tensile Testing Procedure For Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Frc) And Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Uhp-Frc) Based On Double Punch Test (Dpt), Shuveksha Tuladhar

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Current test methods such as ASTM 1609, ASTM 1550 and direct tensile test are used for evaluating the mechanical properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and to determine the quality of mixture in design and construction practice. These test methods show high variability in the results, requires large specimen and complicated test setup. An ideal material test method for FRC should give consistent results in determining mechanical properties such as peak strength and residual strengths. Moreover, current test methods are expensive and time-consuming as more specimens are needed to acquire reliable test results. Double Punch Test (DPT) is a simple, …

Go to article

Attrition In A High School College Readiness System: Advancement Via Individual Determination (Avid), Michael D. Mozingo Dec 2017

Attrition In A High School College Readiness System: Advancement Via Individual Determination (Avid), Michael D. Mozingo

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study is to examine the substantial attrition that occurs during the high school years in the college readiness system known as Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). The literature on this topic is very minimal, and studies in which students are dropping out of AVID are virtually non-existent. Through this study, I attempt to determine which characteristics of students that join AVID in the ninth grade are associated with exiting AVID prior to high school completion, and relative to one another, how strong those characteristics are as predictors of AVID dropout. I analyze student-level data from a …

Go to article

Waiting As Resistance: Lingering, Loafing, And Whiling Away, Harold Schweizer Dec 2017

Waiting As Resistance: Lingering, Loafing, And Whiling Away, Harold Schweizer

Faculty Journal Articles

„Waiting as Resistance: Lingering, Loafing, and Whiling Away” is a critique of the economics of consumption, suggesting that the widespread denigration of waiting as lost time and its economic and psychological displacements in consumer goods amount to a denigration of human life itself. In the practice of lingering and its related temporalities, the author proposes, we regain an appreciation of the fundamental temporality of all things, that everything, we humans included, is constituted by time. Conceptually indebted to Theodor Adorno and substantiated with reference, chiefly to Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and other poetic works, this argument throughout opposes the …

Go to article

Peppermint, Anthony Isaac Bradley Dec 2017

Peppermint, Anthony Isaac Bradley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This collection contains poetry introduced in a critical way via a theory-based creative nonfiction essay. The work included is a meditation on what identity means on both an intimate and a larger scale, and how the two might be affected by the choices we are faced with from a young age. Elements of pop culture are used alongside rural elements of the surrounding areas to illustrate changing or stagnant viewpoints on topics such as masculinity, gender norms, and queer expression. Peppermint is a document of my mind as it once was, and how it has been shaped up to this …

Go to article

A Qualitative Study Of Group Therapy Incorporating Rap Music With Inmates, Abigail V. Richards Dec 2017

A Qualitative Study Of Group Therapy Incorporating Rap Music With Inmates, Abigail V. Richards

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to explore the lived experiences of inmates who participate in group psychotherapy incorporating elements of rap music. Rap music includes elements such as emotional expression, songwriting, community building, freestyling, and beat, which can be beneficial for individuals experiencing typical symptoms of incarceration such as anxiety, self-discovery, and difficulties regulating emotion. Ten inmates of a Missouri county justice center (50% male) were recruited on a volunteer basis to participate in a five-week psychotherapy group. The study involves psychoeducation, group-drumming, self-expression, and improvisation. Qualitative data were collected through an interview process with participants, including inmates, facilitators and supervisors. Results …

Go to article

Entangled Trade: Peaceful Spanish-Osage Relations In The Missouri River Valley, 1763-1780, Maryellen Ruth Harman Dec 2017

Entangled Trade: Peaceful Spanish-Osage Relations In The Missouri River Valley, 1763-1780, Maryellen Ruth Harman

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines peaceful Spanish-Osage and Spanish-Missouri relations with an emphasis on the period 1763-1780. Using specific primary source documentation, this study highlights frequent reports from Lieutenant-Governors stationed at St. Louis concerning the thriving fur trade and positive Osage economic exchanges with Spanish-licensed traders. The multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial inhabitants and the entangled nature of trade and political interactions in the Missouri River Valley region, specifically in the Upper Louisiana capital, St. Louis, complicated and sometimes undermined peace. During this period, however, the Spanish, Osage, and Missouri nations, sought to overcome these misunderstandings and emphasized instead the mutual benefits of trade …

Go to article

The Effect Of Weight Carried And Time Ridden On Back Pain In Horses Ridden During Horse Shows As Determined By Pressure Algometry, Meghan Louise Mothershead Dec 2017

The Effect Of Weight Carried And Time Ridden On Back Pain In Horses Ridden During Horse Shows As Determined By Pressure Algometry, Meghan Louise Mothershead

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of weight carried (rider + tack) on back pain in horses used in riding classes and a series of intercollegiate horse shows. Sixteen school horses (431-649 kg) were ridden consistently over a semester. Cross sectional images were used to measure width and put in a mapping program to figure total area. Back pain scores were determined using a pressure algometer on predetermined points over the horses back. Pain scores were recorded over five periods, including 28 d into the semester (P1) and during the show period on three consecutive Fridays …

Go to article

Charting Constellations Of Power: Texas Public Education Policy, Hollie Wright Dec 2017

Charting Constellations Of Power: Texas Public Education Policy, Hollie Wright

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

For decades, public education in Texas has been entrenched in neoliberalism-inspired policies that research shows largely fail to produce promised results and have a tendency to perpetuate the very problems advocates claim the policies will solve. This raises questions about the decision-makers and what is happening in the public education policy process. In line with Laura Nader’s directive for more anthropologists to make those in power the subject of their research, I used both ethnographic and social network analysis methods to ‘study up’ in Texas public education. This study describes some relationships of members of the Texas State Board of …

Go to article

Accessibility In The Time Of Limited Resources, Robin Camille Davis, Mark Eaton, Stephen Klein, Junior R. Tidal Dec 2017

Accessibility In The Time Of Limited Resources, Robin Camille Davis, Mark Eaton, Stephen Klein, Junior R. Tidal

Publications and Research

In the spirit of this year’s theme of “opening access,” our panel highlights how library faculty are making technology more accessible for the CUNY community. Despite the rising costs of journal prices and the stagnation of library budgets, librarians have employed low-cost and free techniques to improve access to library services. The panelists’ projects provide helpful examples of CUNY librarians’ work to increase access for our communities through technology.

Go to article

Probability Of Success In Program Management, Tejas Pawar Dec 2017

Probability Of Success In Program Management, Tejas Pawar

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The field of Program Management is subject to high program failures. The Project Management Institute (PMI) states that 74% of programs are executed unsuccessfully (Mulcahy, Rita). The high rate of program failures is primarily due to inadequate planning before a program begins and inadequate management of a program when it is being executed. To avoid these high failure rates, a Program Manager needs a tool to help him assess the Probability of Success (POS) of fully accomplishing the objectives of his program from the initial planning phase and throughout all phases of program execution. Purpose: The purpose of this research …

Go to article

A Description Of Patient And Provider Experience And Clinical Outcomes After Heart Failure Shared Medical Appointment, Lisa Cohen, Parent, Tracey H. Taveira, Sandesh Dev, Wen Chih Wu Dec 2017

A Description Of Patient And Provider Experience And Clinical Outcomes After Heart Failure Shared Medical Appointment, Lisa Cohen, Parent, Tracey H. Taveira, Sandesh Dev, Wen Chih Wu

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Background: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are clinical visits in which several patients meet with 1 or more providers at the same time. Objective: To describe the outcomes of an interdisciplinary SMA for veterans recently discharged for heart failure (HF). Methods: A retrospective chart review for patients’ readmission rates, survival, medication adherence, and medication-related problems. For qualitative outcomes, we performed semistructured interviews on 12 patients who had undergone HF SMAs and their respective caregivers focusing on care satisfaction, HF knowledge, disease self-care, medication reconciliation, and peer support. Results: The cohort comprised 70 patients—49% had left ventricular function 10 medications. Medication-related problems …

Go to article

Implementing Evidence-Based Opioid Prescription Practices In A Primary Care Setting, Cyril Gaiennie Dec 2017

Implementing Evidence-Based Opioid Prescription Practices In A Primary Care Setting, Cyril Gaiennie

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The use and misuse of opioid pain medication has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. More than 16,000 people die each year due to the misuse or abuse of prescription opioid medications, which is more than from heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepines combined. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to establish processes enabling a primary care clinic to implement and adhere to the 2016 Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines for opioid prescription practices in the primary care setting. A retrospective chart review conducted prior to implementation of the guidelines demonstrated that four of six of the CDC’s recommendations …

Go to article

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Increase Statin Therapy Adherence Among Patients With Diabetes Aged 65 Years And Older, Kelly Nunemaker Dec 2017

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Increase Statin Therapy Adherence Among Patients With Diabetes Aged 65 Years And Older, Kelly Nunemaker

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this project was to improve statin therapy adherence among diabetic patients aged 65 and older treated at a small family practice clinic in western San Antonio. Additionally, the project aimed to decrease LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in this patient population as recommended to 70 mg/dl or less. Diabetic patients are more likely to die from a cardiac event than patients without diabetes. Statin therapy is an important factor in lowering cholesterol, which reduces the patient’s risk for atherosclerosis. Educating patients aged 65 and older about the role of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular events, stroke, and vascular …

Go to article

Increasing Depression Screenings In Adults With Advanced Non-Surgical Heart Failure Using 2013 Accf/Aha Recommendations And Healthy People 2020 Target Goals, Valerie Valencia Dec 2017

Increasing Depression Screenings In Adults With Advanced Non-Surgical Heart Failure Using 2013 Accf/Aha Recommendations And Healthy People 2020 Target Goals, Valerie Valencia

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to increase depression screenings in adults with non-surgical advanced heart failure using reliable and valid tools, 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association recommendations, and Healthy People 2020 Target Goals as a method to identify and facilitate appropriate mental health referral, patient education, and follow-up for depressive symptoms. Interventions took place June 5, 2017, through August 10, 2017. This intervention project involving 246 adults with advanced heart failure demonstrated that an evidence-based intervention for depression screenings increased the number of patients screened from 5% to 44%. At project completion, 65% of …

Go to article

Interventions To Increase Diabetes Self-Management Education Referral And Attendance, Genevieve Talamantez Dec 2017

Interventions To Increase Diabetes Self-Management Education Referral And Attendance, Genevieve Talamantez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Despite the proven benefits of diabetes self-management education (DSME), referral and attendance remains suboptimal. DSME has the ability to encourage self-care behavior, improve clinical outcomes, and improve quality of life in a cost-effective manner. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes receive DSME in order to facilitate the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for diabetic self-care. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy People 2020, set a national diabetic patient education attendance target goal of 62.5% for adults. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase referral and attendance to DSME in type-2 …

Go to article

Improving Hpv Vaccination Series Initiation Rates And Compliance Among Indigent Women In South Texas, Ages 19-26, Through Provider Recommendation And Additional Clinic Funding: A Quality Improvement Project, Lacey Cudd Dec 2017

Improving Hpv Vaccination Series Initiation Rates And Compliance Among Indigent Women In South Texas, Ages 19-26, Through Provider Recommendation And Additional Clinic Funding: A Quality Improvement Project, Lacey Cudd

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase human papillomavirus vaccination series initiation rates among indigent women, ages 19-26, at a clinic in South Texas. The human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that has been associated with multiple types of cancers. Each year, approximately 6.2 million cases of the human papillomavirus infection are diagnosed; as many as 75% of all new infections occur among females 18-26 years of age. The human papillomavirus vaccination has a high efficacy in regards to cancer prevention, preventing as many as 76% of cancers with only one dose. The project included educating …

Go to article

Increasing The Vaccination Rates Of Adolescent Males 11 To 18 Years Of Age In An Urban Pediatric Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Victoria Fadare Dec 2017

Increasing The Vaccination Rates Of Adolescent Males 11 To 18 Years Of Age In An Urban Pediatric Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Victoria Fadare

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if an evidence-based educational toolkit and an electronic reminder system would increase the rate of HPV vaccination among male adolescents, age 11-18 years old in an urban pediatric clinic. Background & Significance: HPV is one of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections in the United States. The safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine have been established and approved for both males and females. Despite recommendations, vaccination rates among adolescent males remain lower compared to females. Methods: An evidenced-based educational toolkit from the CDC along with an electronic …

Go to article

Evidence-Based Discharge Education Guidelines To Improve Adherence To Self-Care And Decrease 30-Day Readmissions For Older Heart Failure Patients, Lisette Melton Dec 2017

Evidence-Based Discharge Education Guidelines To Improve Adherence To Self-Care And Decrease 30-Day Readmissions For Older Heart Failure Patients, Lisette Melton

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Heart failure is a complex, debilitating, chronic disease characterized by high mortality and frequent hospital readmissions. Heart failure affects 5.7 million people in the United States with 670,000 new patients diagnosed each year. Patients are most vulnerable during the transition from the acute care setting to home. Limited patient knowledge on symptom recognition leads to detrimental outcomes for the patients; therefore, discharge education is paramount for decreasing readmissions. The national benchmark for 30-day readmission is 27%. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve compliance with the 2013 American Heart Association guidelines through discharge education by Telemetry staff …

Go to article

Exploring Oculus Rift: A Historical Analysis Of The ‘Virtual Reality’ Paradigm, Chastin Gammage Dec 2017

Exploring Oculus Rift: A Historical Analysis Of The ‘Virtual Reality’ Paradigm, Chastin Gammage

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

This paper will first provide background information about Virtual Reality in order to better analyze its development throughout history and into the future. Next, this essay begins an in-depth historical analysis of how virtual reality has developed prior to 1970, a pivotal year in Virtual Reality history, followed by an exploration of how this development paradigm shifted between the 1970's and the turn of the century. The historical analysis of virtual reality is concluded by covering the modern period from 2000-present. Finally, this paper examines the layout of the virtual reality field in respect to he history and innovations presented.

Go to article

First Prev Next Last