Digital Commons Network^™

Preserving The Health & Well-Being Of Elderly Adults: Encouraging Standards Of Care Within Residential Care Facilities, Katie Schollander

Master's Projects and Capstones

Hospitalizations are expensive to our healthcare system, and too often can be prevented. A large portion of preventable hospital stays are elderly individuals. In this case, these hospitalizations can also be detrimental to the health of the individual, as they may begin to decline while not going through their daily routines. The Institute on Aging (IOA) is an agency that seeks to keep elderly and disabled adults out of institutionalization. The Community Care Settings Pilot Program (CCSP) is a subset of IOA as a whole, which works with the San Mateo Health Plan patients. Residential care facilities for the elderly …

Health Starts In The Home: An Assessment Of Efforts To Improve Occupant Health Through Healthy Building Materials In San Francisco’S Affordable Housing, Staci Hoell

Master's Projects and Capstones

Americans spend 90% of their lives indoors, and much of this time is spent at home, surrounded by building materials that typically have added chemicals like flame retardants, highly fluorinated compounds, and antimicrobials. Recent research has linked these chemicals to adverse health outcomes such as asthma, endocrine disruption, cancer, neurodevelopmental issues, and reproductive problems (Bayer et al., n.d.; Green Science Policy Institute). Furthermore, these chronic health conditions disproportionately affect low-income populations. Fortunately, substantial efforts in research, practice, and policy are working to reduce the use of these potentially harmful chemicals in building materials, particularly in San Francisco’s affordable housing sector. …

Improving Early Sepsis Identification On Inpatient Units, Courtney Sumanqui

Master's Projects and Capstones

Sepsis is a medical emergency that if left untreated can rapidly cause death for many patients due to effects that this systemic infection has on the human body. Millions of Americans nationwide are affected by sepsis on an annual basis. To reduce the number of patients who decline to sepsis in the hospital, efficient sepsis protocols must be effectively implemented throughout the hospital. Healthcare organizations must dedicate themselves to providing high quality patient care from the time of admission to discharge. This quality improvement project focused on improving early sepsis identification on inpatient units.

Nurse practices, knowledge, understanding related to …

Improving Early Sepsis Identification On Inpatient Units, Leslie Virtudazo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises from a complication of severe infection characterized by a systemic inflammatory response (SIRS). As a time critical illness requiring early identification and treatment, delayed recognition of sepsis can lead to organ failure and death. Effective sepsis protocols need to be established and implemented to reduce the number of patients declining to sepsis in the hospital setting. For this project, nursing practice and knowledge of SIRS and sepsis protocol were assessed to obtain a baseline measure of the nurses’ knowledge.

A root cause analysis was used to identify existing barriers to performing timely sepsis …

Dancing At My Desk: Examining The Foundations Of A Nonprofit Dance Education Organization, Caeli Koizumi

Honors Thesis

With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, the demand for further development in arts education has grown. In California, the Visual and Performing Arts have been mandated components of education since 2001; yet, students often experience limited and inconsistent access to the arts due to budget cuts. Thus, the need for a specialized approach to synthesizing the arts and education is imminent. Arts Integration, a pedagogical method that refers to the combination of a visual or performing art with a core content area to provide equal understanding of a topic from both selected fields, is sprinkled throughout primary …

Habitat Selection, Survival, And Movement Ecology Of The American Woodcock (Scolopax Minor) In Louisiana Usa, Elisa Constancia Elizondo

LSU Master's Theses

The American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a migratory upland game species occurring across much of eastern North America. Across its breeding range in the northern U.S. and southern Canada, this species has experienced significant, pervasive declines over the last half century. As woodcock populations continue to decline, active habitat management for this species has become increasingly important.

The state of Louisiana has substantial amounts of woodcock habitat and receives wintering birds from across the woodcock range. However, few data exist regarding survival rates, habitat utilization, and movement patterns across the state.

In order to better manage for woodcock …

Two-Dimensional Fluorescence Difference Spectroscopy Of Zno And Mg Composites In The Detection Of Physiological Protein And Rna Interactions, Amanda Hoffman, Xiaotong Wu, Jianjie Wang, Amanda Brodeur, Rintu Thomas, Ravindra Thakkar, Halena Hadi, Adam K. Wanekaya, Robert K. Delong, For Complete List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Two-dimensional fluorescence difference spectroscopy (2-D FDS) was used to determine the unique spectral signatures of zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and 5% magnesium zinc oxide nanocomposite (5% Mg/ZnO) and was then used to demonstrate the change in spectral signature that occurs when physiologically important proteins, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ribonuclease A (RNase A), interact with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). When RNase A is bound to 5% Mg/ZnO, the intensity is quenched, while the intensity is magnified and a significant shift is seen when torula yeast RNA (TYRNA) is bound to RNase A and 5% Mg/ZnO. The intensity of …

Food Deserts: What Are The Decisions To Achieving A Healthy Life And Well-Being In Low Income €“ Low Access Neighborhoods?, Roxanne Jimenez

Student Scholarship

There has been a great deal of academic material and public policy published on food deserts, however, there still are significant gaps of understanding in regard to the lived experience of those individuals residing within those geographical locations. This study employed a qualitative methodology to elicit the lived experiences of 20 people who are living within a food desert. The findings from this research suggest those residing in food deserts, do not plan their purchases and travel to markets outside of their immediate neighborhoods in search of food products that have quality, variety and lower price points. It was also …

Intrinsic Motivation Factors In Gamified Photography Learning: Direct And Indirect Effects, Domenic Dini, Leping Liu

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

To help students with motivation to learn, gamification has been explored as a method of delivering content to students in an engaging and motivating way. This study explored the motivation components in gamified design that linked to learning outcomes in a gamified photography curriculum. Six intrinsically motivating factors (challenge, curiosity, control, cooperation, competition, and recognition) were carefully integrated into the game experience design. Participant test scores and survey data were used to develop a maximum likelihood structural equation model. The model showed that among the six intrinsic motivation factors curiosity and control were directly linked to learning outcomes while challenge …

Defining The Role Of Neuropilin-2 In Macrophages: Implications In Tumor Associated Macrophages In Pancreatic Cancer, Sohini Roy

Theses & Dissertations

Macrophages are extremely heterogeneous and highly plastic hematopoietic cells that reside in all tissues and act as a bridge between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune responses. Besides, they undertake a wide array of housekeeping functions like, clearance of cellular debris that arise due to regular turnover in tissues, iron homeostasis, immune surveillance as well as tissue repair processes post inflammation. They are also causally associated with several clinical conditions, including cancer where the infiltration of macrophages contribute to disease progression, metastasis and therapy resistance, and thereby poor clinical outcome.

Neuropilins (NRPs) are non-tyrosine kinase cell surface glycoproteins …

Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Treatment Of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Matthew A. Ingersoll

Theses & Dissertations

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most commonly diagnosed solid tumor and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in United States men. While androgen deprivation therapy is the current standard-of-care treatment for metastatic PCa, most patients eventually relapse and develop castration-resistant (CR) tumors, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Therefore, synthesis of novel therapeutic agents and identification of alternative target proteins are necessary to improve treatment. Herein, I investigate the efficacy of novel imidazopyridine and statin derivatives as alternative therapeutic compounds. These molecules not only inhibit androgen receptor signaling, but also block activation of the AKT axis, …

Strength Analysis For The Rudders Of Power-Free Underwater Vehicle In Kuroshio Subjected To Typhoon Waves, Chuan-Tsung Lee, Ray-Yeng Yang, Huang Hsing Pan, Li-An Kuo

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this study, a 1/25 hydraulic model of a power-free vehicle was developed. Typhoon waves and Kuroshio current flow in a wave-current flume (200 x 2 x 2 m3 ) were applied to the model for determining the net flow velocity and mooring forces. Through hydraulic experiments with a wave period of 16 s, wave height of 10 m, and ocean current speed of 1.0 m/s, a net flow velocity of up to 3.81 m/s was measured. The maximum lift and drag forces acting on each rudder were calculated through computational fluid dynamics as -245.6 and 151.6 kN, respectively, when …

Cascaded Uuv Trajectory Tracking Control Based On Model Predictive And Sliding Mode Control, Bing Sun, Wenyang Gan, Man Mei, Daqi Zhu, Simon X Yang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper describes a cascaded dynamic trajectory tracking control approach based on model predictive control (MPC) and sliding mode control for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The proposed method combines kinematic and dynamic controllers to achieve robust control. First, MPC is employed to realize tracking control kinematically. The MPC algorithm is proposed as a solution to the speed jump problem. Considering the computational burden for nonlinear UUV dynamic models, the MPC method is used in conjunction with sliding mode control to achieve dynamic tracking control, which solves problems of modeling uncertainty and external disturbances. Experimental results showed that the proposed method …

Investigation Of Effects Of Wave Directions On Hull Wave Loads By Hydroelastic Experimental Method, Zhanyang Chen, Jialong Jiao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper focuses on the hydroelastic responses of ultralarge vessels under different wave directions. Segmented ship model experiments provide an invaluable tool in naval applications. However, most model tests are performed on heading waves. Therefore, a segmented model with variable cross-section steel backbones was designed and the oblique wave tests were performed in a comprehensive test tank. The oblique wave test system was introduced in detail. Time histories of bending moments in oblique waves were given. In order to analyze the influence of structural elastic effect on hydroelastic responses, the number of segments of the model was changed, and the …

Using Learning Analytics To Improve Instructional Support Design For Online Learning, Lin Zhong

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Learning analytics has been demonstrated as a great tool to evaluate quality of instructional design. This study examined how instructors can utilize learning analytics to improve online learning support design. 128 students from a southern university in United States participated in this study. All learning data related to learners and online learning environment was collected and analyzed. Results showed that learning analytics results were very helpful for instructors to improve online instructional support timing, adjust learning module design, and enhance learning materials accessibility.

Factors Affecting Faculty Use Of Video Conferencing In Teaching: A Mixed-Method Study, Juhong Christie Liu, Rob Alexander

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Teaching and learning can now utilize a variety of real-time technologies to build online social presence and learning interactions. However, teachers and students must effectively prepare for this experience; and the identification of contextual and perceptual influences become evolving and necessary (Lehman & Conceição, 2010; Liu & Kaye, 2016). In this paper, the authors explore factors that impact faculty use of synchronous video conferencing (VC) in teaching. The two-phase mixed-method study spanned a year, converging qualitative and quantitative approaches through observations and recordings during a 6-week faculty professional development program, a campus-wide survey, and focus groups. Thematic analysis was used …

Understanding The Paradox Of Genetic Diversity In Uropathogenic E. Coli: The Uncommon Evolution Of A Common Pathogen, Henry Louis Schreiber

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common bacterial infection of people in the U.S.A and are frequently recurrent, as an initial UTI is quickly followed by a second episode in 30-35% of cases despite appropriate antibiotic treatment and clearance of the bacteria from the urine. The vast majority, >80%, of UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC that colonize the bladder are thought to originate in the gut, where they live as commensal organisms. UPEC can be shed in feces to colonize the vagina and/or periurethral area, and then can ascend into the bladder to start …

Check It Out: Bound Journals On The Move, Katy Kelly

University Libraries Blog Archive

The print journal collection on the second floor is scheduled for relocation through Jan. 21 and will be unavailable during this time.

Untangling The Mechanics Of Co-Entangled Cytoskeletal Networks, Shea Ricketts

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Active networks of interlinked protein filaments comprising the cytoskeleton largely control cellular mechanics and cell architecture. By forming cytoskeleton networks that combine motile, semiflexible actin with rigid, supportive microtubules, cells maintain structural integrity and shape while being able to flow and move. To elucidate the complex mechanical processes that arise between interacting networks of actin and microtubules within cells, we create a suite of randomly-oriented, well mixed networks of actin and microtubules by co-polymerizing varying ratios of both proteins in situ. We use optical tweezer microrheology in order to characterize the nonlinear mesoscale mechanics of in vitro co-entangled actin-microtubule composites. …

Institutional Negligence: The Aids Crisis In 1980s America, Alison Patterson

History & Classics Undergraduate Theses

Previous scholarship published on the AIDS crisis has also sought to assign blame to the various institutions that control American society. Whether it was the lack of media attention, the Reagan administration, or other social factors, historians and critics have blamed numerous characters in AIDS history for their lack of action. This study avoids placing blame on a single actor or institution and, instead, explains how the bureaucratic process allowed for avoidance of the epidemic. Partisanship also played a large role in the responses of the government, as those placed in government and health agency jobs worked for a conservative …

The Impacts Of Explicit Systematic Phonics Instruction On The Areas Of Decoding And Fluency For Students With A Specific Learning Disability In Reading, Marina Hingston

Capstones, Research Projects, and Curricula

The purpose of this embedded, mixed methods action research study was to examine the impacts of explicit, systematic phonics instruction on students with a specific learning disability in reading. A phonics intervention program, S.P.I.R.E., was implemented over the course of four weeks. The participants were two 4th graders and one 6th grader, all who had an identified specific learning disability in the area of reading. Data was collected on decoding accuracy pre and post intervention, as well as on reading fluency using timed one minute fluency drills. In addition, student perceptions of the S.P.I.R.E. program were also gathered using a …

"Call Before You Fall", Kimy Mira

Master's Projects and Capstones

National organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes (CALNOC) have prioritized reduction of inpatient falls as a patient safety goal. An improvement project utilizing the model for improvement and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles was conducted on a 40-bed unit that provides care to cardiac, and medical-surgical patients. The current fall prevention quality council team is composed of nurses and interdisciplinary clinicians, who focus on improving clinical and financial outcomes related to fall prevention and potential injuries. A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) was asked to lead a practice improvement project in …

A Multi-Prong Fall Awareness Program To Reduce The Occurrence Of Falls In A Skilled Nursing Unit, Cheri Labrador

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

A multi-prong falls awareness program to reduce the occurrence of falls in a skilled nursing unit

Keywords: Fall awareness program, skilled nursing unit, fall rate

The project goal was to reduce the patient fall rate by 20% by implementing a fall awareness program for clinical staff. The program had two prongs and began with a pre-survey to determine current fall prevention knowledge. The staff was encouraged to participate in the training by providing risk factors that contribute to falls and simple strategies to prevent falls based on their knowledge of the patients (Boushon et al, 2012). A post-survey was …

The Effectiveness Of K-12 Principal’S Digital Leadership In Supporting And Promoting Communication And Collaboration Regarding Ccss Implementation, Lin Zhong

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Technology plays an important role in supporting successful College-and Career- State Standards (CCSS) implementation, which requires principals and educators effectively communicate and collaborate at the local, state, and national level. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of digital leadership in supporting communication and collaboration regarding CCSS implementation in K-12 schools. In this study, 254 public school teachers from five school districts in Mississippi were surveyed. Results showed that principals were most effective in supporting professional development and digital citizenship. In addition, teachers’ age and teaching grades have an impact on the effectiveness of principals’ digital leadership strategies. Implications are …

Developmental Effects Of Nicotine Exposure In Drosophila Melanogaster, Lisa Janet Wong

Master's Theses

Approximately 12%-20% of pregnant women smoke at some point during pregnancy, and 10% of pregnant women are reported to have smoked during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy leads to developmental health risks for the fetus and child, including increased mortality, low birth weight, and developmental delays. The direct molecular targets of nicotine are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) due to the similarities in structure between nicotine and acetylcholine. However, in many cases, it remains unclear what molecular events downstream of nAChRs lead to the deleterious effects of nicotine on development. We have established Drosophila melanogaster as a …

Comparison Of Complete Bouguer Anomalies From Satellite Marine Gravity Models With Shipborne Gravity Data In East Sea, Korea, Dong Ha Lee, Tri Dev Acharya

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper describes the results of complete bouguer anomalies (B.A) computed from the free-air anomalies (F.A) of Sandwell and DTU13 marine gravity models that derived from satellite altimetry observations in the area of East Sea, South Korea. In order to confirm the usefulness of satellite-derived gravity anomalies to analyze the geophysical, geological and geographical characteristics in East Sea, the results of marine gravity models have been compared with shipborne gravity anomalies obtained from KHOA (Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency). To calculate the complete B.A, we applied complete bouguer correction which consists of three steps: the bouguer slab correction (Bullard A), …

Determination Of Vertical Datum Level For Tidal Bench Mark Using Gnss Buoy Observations, Jae Young Roh, Kyung Wan Yoo, Yong Cheol Suh, Moon Seung Shin, Dong Ha Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Coastal areas are the most vulnerable areas to sea level fluctuations. Such areas comprise approximately 4% of South Korea's total land; therefore, monitoring these fluctuations is crucial. The present study determined the vertical datum level using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Unlike traditional sea level measurements, which are performed using fixed-type gauge observations, a GNSS has an accuracy of a few millimetres and no spatiotemporal constraints. For this purpose, a set of buoys containing GNSS devices was installed in coastal waters, and observations were performed for more than 8 h. The processed GNSS buoy data were compared with tidal …

Next Generation Sequencing Technologies For Real-Time Genotyping And Targeted Sequencing For Precision Medicine, Priyanka Rawat

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Astounding success of Human genome project and accelerating success of sequencing technologies have enabled $ 1000 genome goals possible. But, this is still far-fetched from the reach of many resource refrained populations with high genetic variations causing lethal genetic diseases. Based on present technology principles, I have developed prototypes for affordable, scalable and customizable point-of-care genotyping and targeted sequencing. Ion-sensitive field effect transistors with novel read-out and signal amplification techniques are used for laying foundation of possible ISFET based allele-arrays. Sequencing-by-synthesis based full-fledge sequencer is made with novel immobilization, flow-cell and data acquisition methods for massive sequenciing.

Preface To Ssl 43:2, Patrick G. Scott, Anthony Jarrells

Studies in Scottish Literature

Introduces the two special sections in this issue, on Scottish fiction and Burns bibliography, and briefly describes the range of other contributions, noting the wide international range of contributors.

The Crème De La Crème: Old Favourites, New-Fangled Works, And Other Fictions, Willy Maley

Studies in Scottish Literature

Introduces the SSL Debate, in which 18 contributors react to and add to the BBC Scotland poll on Scotland's Favourite Novel, discussing the purposes and limitations of various lists that have ranked recent Scottish fiction, and commenting briefly on the differences between this debate and the deliberations of a selection panel.