Digital Commons Network^™

The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence In Pharmacy: Transforming Medication Management And Patient Care, Gracia Anastasya, Miski A. Khairinisa

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, with significant implications for pharmacy practice. This review explores the diverse applications of AI in pharmacy, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize medication management, patient care, public health, disease management, and pharmacy workflow efficiency. AI algorithms can analyze a vast amount of patient data, allowing pharmacists to identify potential drug interactions, evaluate medication safety and effectiveness, and offer personalized treatment suggestions. In the realm of public health, AI supports disease management through epidemiological monitoring and targeted interventions. Additionally, AI-driven robotic dispensing systems and automated inventory management enhance pharmacy workflow efficiency by streamlining operations and …

Fictional And Historical Narratives Of African American Soldiers Of Wwii, Abigail Rae Stewart

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the experiences of African American soldiers during World War II through the dual lenses of oral histories and fictionalized accounts, arguing that both are essential to fully understanding their multifaceted journeys at home and abroad. Oral histories provide direct, personal narratives from veterans themselves, capturing their voices, emotions, and reflections on the discrimination, camaraderie, and resilience that defined their wartime and postwar lives. These firsthand accounts offer invaluable insights into the structural realities of systemic racism within the military and society, as well as the personal sacrifices these soldiers made in the name of a country that …

Sustainability Of Food Prescription Programs In Rural Mississippi, Eve Davis

Honors Theses

Food prescription programs are an innovative strategy to address food insecurity and to promote health as a preventative measure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Mississippi has high rates of chronic diseases relating to nutrition, poverty, and limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Throughout this research, I have analyzed program funding and sustainability mechanisms such as community investment, nutrition education, and awareness. The preliminary research has identified the need for collaboration between healthcare providers, local farmers, nonprofit organizations, and government officials. I interviewed various individuals that could become potential stakeholders for food prescription programs, such as individuals from nonprofit …

A Kid's Guide To Infectious Disease, Abby Carroll

Honors Theses

A Kid’s Guide to Infectious Disease is an educational illustrated book intended for young pediatric patients, ages three to five. This project was inspired by my personal interests, involvement at the University of Mississippi, and experience as a medical assistant. Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to work as a medical assistant, interacting with many pediatric patients and their families at HealthPointe Primary Care. As a pre-physician assistant student studying biology, I was inspired to create a resource for these kids by both my classes at the University of Mississippi and my passion for pediatric …

Eleven Are The Stars Of Joseph’S Dream; His Coat, Many Colors, Alexander B. Bloom

Capstones

At the Conservative synagogue where I attended Saturday school for part of my childhood in the 90s I recall the teachers’ reimagination of the popular Michael Jackson song “We Are the World,” taught to the seven and eight year-olds who were made to sing it in chorus at some holiday celebration that year.

“We are the Jews,” we bleated out, in concert, “We are the Chosen.”

From my place among them I remember the unsettled feeling I had, to consider my non-Jewish friends at school, teachers and babysitters who knew not of tefillin, my maternal grandparents in the pews of …

Calls Grow To Give New York's Ccrb More Power, Despite Police Resistance, Stephen Wentzell, Anastasia Tomkin, Moses Bustos, Olivia Graffeo

Capstones

This group capstone project, which was completed in the Criminal Justice Reporting Lab, is an investigative article exploring the current state of New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). Through more than a dozen interviews with complainants, board members, politicians, law enforcement, and others, the article highlights the push for the CCRB to have the authority to enforce disciplinary measures against police who are found to have engaged in misconduct. The article is accompanied by a video, with captions available in English and Spanish, that features bodycam footage from an incident involving police and our central compelling character who …

Patient-Centered Language During Peripartum Bedside Reports, Krystal H. Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Using complex medical language that excludes the patient can result in lower patient satisfaction, increased miscommunication, and heightened anxiety for patients. Hospital A’s peripartum mesosystem currently does not have a training on the use of patient-centered language during labor and delivery (L&D) patient transfers to postpartum (PP). Context Hospital A is an urban tertiary care medical center located in the Bay Area, with its peripartum mesosystem consisting of 35 L&D and postpartum beds distributed across two floors. Intervention Through analysis of stakeholder engagement, an ongoing literature review and a mesosystem needs assessment, potential barriers to implement patient-centered language in …

Enhancing Communication And Reducing Near Misses Through Comprehensive Handoff Tools At A Residential Nursing Facility, Sabrina Guralnik, Sophia Nguyen, Gabriela Benelyahu, Giselle Peyus

Master's Projects and Capstones

Our quality improvement project at Regina House addresses communication gaps during patient handoffs, which have led to missed or delayed care. The research underscores the critical role of effective communication in patient safety, particularly for vulnerable populations in nursing homes. Current handoff practices at Regina House are inconsistent, especially among Certified Nursing Assistants, resulting in frequent reporting errors and communication disparities.

To enhance patient safety and care continuity, this project introduces a standardized handoff tool and an incident reporting system, aligning with Regina House’s goal of improving care quality. Over three months, CNAs will receive training on the tool, with …

Implementing The Donna Wright Competency Model In Pediatric Perioperative Units For Nursing Professional Development, Benjamin Amezcua

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background Each year, preventable adverse events in hospitals lead to numerous deaths. Research consistently indicates a strong correlation between nurse competency and improved patient outcomes, emphasizing the importance of healthcare organizations prioritizing the continuous development of their staff's skills. Bay Area Children’s Hospital A is taking a proactive step by adopting the Donna Wright Competency Model (DWCM), changing from the traditional approach competencies to a collaborative, shared governance model that incorporates the input and perspectives of the nursing staff. Objectives The project aims to utilize the DWCM to enhance the competencies of 90 nurses in the pediatric perioperative units at …

On Food And Restaurants, Liya Cui

Capstones

This portfolio contains a collection of stories about New York City restaurants and broader food culture, including reported features, a profile and criticism. Food is literally inescapable; even if you believe you don’t care about what you eat, every bite is a choice. This subject deserves critical thought and exploration as it influences our lives in myriad ways and reveals cultural trends that can tell us so much about who we are right now.

https://medium.com/@LiyaC/capstone-portfolio-on-food-and-restaurants-bc4c18c7f2a9

Queens Residents, Sex Workers At Odds Over What It Means To Keep The Community Safe, David L. Paiz-Torres, Mia Hollie, Asad Jung

Capstones

Exploring the Impacts of Operation Restore Roosevelt Avenue.

On October 15, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced a 90-day operation along Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, targeting sex-workers, unlicensed vendors and “other quality-of-life offenses.” This year, nearly 30% of all arrests for sex-work related offenses occurred on Roosevelt avenue, according to NYPD data released in late October.

Our project sought to explore the impacts the operation has had on sex workers and business owners - we also spoke to local residents to get their opinions on the operation. We also looked at arrest data, laws regarding sex-work, previous efforts to crack down on …

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Becoming Baby-Friendly Designated, Krystal Angelique Mora

Master's Projects and Capstones

Section I: Abstract

Problem Despite efforts to increase breastfeeding rates, the influence of formula companies has contributed to the decrease in rates, affecting the health outcomes of infants. In response, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) introduced standardized education for nursing staff to support infant growth and development. Context Hospital A Birth Center is a 33-bed culturally diverse unit that provides care to mothers in Northern California, delivering approximately 7,400 babies each year and helping patients transition into motherhood. Aim The quality improvement project aims to enhance the retention of BFHI-aligned education provided during hospitalization by 26.2%, raising retention rates among …

Impact Of Supply Organizational Culture Within A Surgical Unit, Irene T. Peng

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: This quality improvement project aims to propose an intervention that helps anesthesia technicians improve communication efforts, reduce delays in care, and reduce medical waste. Aim: At least 80% of the anesthesia technicians are educated on properly stocking the pediatric anesthesia medical lockers utilizing the standardized checklist and handoff report tool to reduce waste and increase timely patient care after three months of implementation. Methods: Assessment surveys were used to identify the surgical unit’s current issues and Hospital A’s staff's opinions of pediatric medical anesthesia C-lockers. Resources such as the GANTT Chart, Fishbone Analysis, Budget Analysis, SWOT Analysis, and PDSA …

Ready, Set, Woes: A Narrative Inquiry Into Special Education Teacher Attrition By Transfer To General Education, Brent G. Collom

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Despite the prevalence of unfilled special education teaching positions nationwide, it is fair to ask whether there is truly a shortage of special education teachers (SETs). While SETs leave education at high rates, they are almost twice as likely to transfer to general education positions. Many former SETs are employed in schools yet outside of special education.

This narrative inquiry examined the stories of 10 former SETs who transferred to general education. This study found that former SETs continue to identify as teaching special education. Former SETs want general education teachers (GETs) and administrators to have training in special education …

Strategic Thinking And Its Impact On Organizational Compatibility: An Analytical Study In The Iraqi Media Network, Fatima Naeem Hamish, Saadoon Mohsin Salman

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Purpose: This research aims to achieve the most critical objective: to reveal the relationship between strategic thinking and organizational compatibility in the Iraqi Media Network. Theoretical Framework: In light of what researchers (Srivastava, S., & D’Souza, 2021) and  (Nafei, 2017)have stated, this study provides practical guidelines for improving strategic thinking in the face of challenges and difficulties to enhance organizational compatibility. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study aimed to analyze the data of employees in the Iraqi Media Network (2024) using strategic thinking and its dimensions (organizational thinking, processing divergent ideas, contemplation) on the impact of organizational compatibility and its dimensions (organizational loyalty, …

Connecting Through Screens: A Case Study On Student Engagement In Online Esol Classes In The Post Pandemic Era, Meral Kacar

Master's Theses

The sudden shift to emergency online education during the global pandemic affected various academic fields, including English language teaching. While many schools faced challenges, some successfully implemented online educational programs. Despite the large impact of the global pandemic on education, there is limited research that examines the effectiveness of online ESOL programs with a focus on the key factors that contribute to student engagement. This thesis explores the factors contributing to effective online ESOL instruction, focusing on fostering engagement and improving teaching practices in the post-pandemic era. The study for this thesis employs an instrumental case study methodology, focusing on …

Data Privacy Protection For Zero-Permission Sensors In Iot Systems, Xinyi Liu

Theses

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized various domains through real-time decision-making and automation, with sensors serving as foundational components. Zero-permission sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are widely used in most IoT systems, enabling unrestricted data access without permission. Despite being traditionally perceived as low-sensitivity, recent studies have shown that these sensors can be exploited to infer sensitive personal information, raising serious privacy concerns. Local Differential Privacy (LDP) is a rigorous technique for numerical data privacy protection even when the data collector, such as an IoT service provider, is untrusted. LDP ensures privacy by adding noise to sensor readings …

Investigating The Relationship Between Mathematics Instructional Time And Perseverance Growth With Elementary Pre-Service Teachers, Joseph Dinapoli

Department of Mathematics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This study investigated how the time that elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) spend studying certain mathematics topics during a content course is related to growth in their perseverance in problem-solving. Using a quasi-experimental design, PSTs from two classes taught by the same instructor engaged in 12 problem-solving sessions each to measure their willingness to initiate and sustain, and re-initiate and re-sustain upon an impasse, productive struggle during engagement. Inspired by the thinking-oriented and knowledge-oriented theoretical approaches to teacher preparation in elementary mathematics, there were two class conditions. Over one semester, the treatment group studied five mathematics topics (averaging about 400 min …

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) Image Preprocessing To Reduce Artifacts And Improve Geometric Registration When Generating Orthophoto Mosaics And 3d Models, Eddie Ironsmith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drones can now be used to quickly collect imagery data in a highly automated way; however, individual images must be combined to form an orthomosaic or 3-Dimentional (3D) model using photogrammetry software. Currently, the existing software may generate erroneous output in the form of artifacts or positional errors caused by homogeneous areas, light reflections, object movement between photos, or sub-optimal algorithms. The goal of this research was to develop preprocessing algorithms that would filter movement (or other time or position-based differences) and areas of homogeneity. The hypothesis is that filtering these parts of the image would reduce artifacts and improve …

A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Of Proprietary And Open-Source Language Models In Closed And Open-Domain Tasks, Abhilash Kanduri

Theses and Dissertations

As the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) continues to evolve, evaluating the performance of both proprietary and open-source language models has become increasingly critical. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of proprietary models like GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4, and GPT-4 Turbo, alongside open-source models such as FLAN-T5, GPT-Neo, and GPT-2. By leveraging traditional metrics like ROUGE and BLEU, as well as custom metrics including ReGrAde, Contextual Precision, and Faithfulness, the study evaluates these models across closed-domain tasks (e.g., factual question-answering) and open-domain tasks (e.g., creative writing and brainstorming). The proprietary models excelled in structured, fact-based tasks, while the open-source models …

Synergistic Adsorption Of Pb (Ii) From Aqueous Solution Using Calcined Biochar-Bentonite Clay Hybrid, Azeezat Faderera Abdul-Raheem

Theses and Dissertations

The biochar-bentonite clay hybrid was prepared by coprecipitation with the goal of producing a material that can remove Pb (II) from aqueous solutions effectively. Incorporating bentonite clay onto the Douglas fir biochar (DFB-BTC) surface significantly improved the adsorption capacity by introducing more active sites, strengthening the structural properties, and promoting strong adsorbate interactions. The point of zero charge of the adsorbent was slightly higher than that of the pristine DFBC. All sorption experiments were performed at pH 5, and the system obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The highest Langmuir adsorption capacities observed at 298, 308, and 318 K were 48, …

Biothermodynamics Of Metal And Dna Coordination To The Pneumococcal Transcription Factors Adcr, Scza, And Copr, Alexander James Cutright

Theses and Dissertations

ransition metals are micronutrients that play critical roles in all forms of life, acting as stabilizing ions, catalytic centers, and as signaling ions. Due to their importance, classes of biomolecules have been designed with the sole purpose of regulating their intracellular concentrations. One group of which are transcription factors, which regulate intracellular metal concentration by activating or repressing transcription, dependent on metal availability. The activation of transcription factors by metal availability can be attested to conformational changes that are governed by both dynamics and thermodynamics. Due to the influential nature of transcription factors, their activity and activation mode have become …

Crystal Plasticity Modeling To Capture Microstructural Variations In Cold-Sprayed Materials, Aulora Gail Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The high-velocity impact of powder particles in cold-spray additively manufactured (CSAM) parts creates intersplat boundaries with regions of high dislocation densities and sub-grain structures. Upon microstructure and mechanical characterization, CSAM Aluminum 6061 showed non-uniformity, with spatial variation in the microstructure and mechanical properties affecting the overall response of the additively manufactured parts. Post-processing treatments are conducted in as-printed samples to improve particle bonding, relieve residual stresses, and improve mechanical properties. In this work, we attempt to implement the effects of grain size and distribution of smaller grains along the intersplat boundaries using the grain size distribution function and powder size …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of Phase Change Material Melting Cycle In Microgravity, Ethan Michael Schuetzle

Theses and Dissertations

Efficient thermal management of spacecraft systems is crucial to overcome the extreme thermal conditions in space. Phase change materials (PCMs) offer significant advantages in thermal energy storage (TES) systems due to their high latent heat of fusion, the amount of energy stored or released during phase transitions. However, PCMs face limitations due to low thermal conductivity, especially in microgravity where heat transfer is primarily through conduction. This research addresses this issue by incorporating a 3D-printed aluminum lattice structure to enhance heat transfer to PCMs. Experimental data from sub-orbital flight tests and ground-based experiments, coupled with numerical simulations, are used to …

Projecting Land Cover Changes And Impacts On Bird Conservation Using Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing And A Cellular Automata – Artificial Neural Network Model In Nairobi National Park, Kenya., Frank Juma Ong'ondo

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines land cover changes and their projected future impacts on bird species conservation in and around Nairobi National Park, Kenya. 2016 and 2023 Satellite imagery, analyzed through Google Earth Engine and the MOLUSCE plugin were used to assess changes in five land cover types: grassland, shrubland, forest, urban, and water. Bird population data from the Kenya Bird Map were used to evaluate birds' responses to land cover changes. Birds were categorized into five habitat guilds—grassland-dependent, shrubland-dependent, forest-dependent, water-dependent, and urban-dependent bird species. Between 2016 and 2023, grassland and shrubland decreased by 14.21% and 5.54%, respectively, and urban increased …

Discrimination The Roles Of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases And Aerosols On Tropical Cyclone Frequency From Downscaling Cmip6 Models, George Gyabaah

Theses and Dissertations

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are devastating disasters, yet predicting their future activity remains highly uncertain. To better understand the impacts of different anthropogenic forcings, specifically greenhouse gases (GHG) and aerosols on the TCs, I downscaled the single forcing experiments of 11 CMIP6 models in the Columbia HAZard Model (CHAZ). This analysis focused on changes in the distribution of the North Atlantic (ATL) and Western North Pacific (WNP) basins and explored the shift in environmental variables that drive them. We then used the formulation of the genesis component of CHAZ as a constraint to quantify the relative contribution of each predictor relative …

Fisheries Management In Mississippi State-Operated Fishing Lakes: A Review And Look To The Future, Hayden Gregory Funk

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks currently manages 18 State Lakes and 17 State Park Lakes to provide public fishing opportunities. My goal was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of monitoring and management activities in State Lakes to enhance understanding of lake dynamics, further develop existing management initiatives, and identify alternative avenues for effective management. To achieve this objective, I have undertaken a comprehensive examination and synthesis of the historical background pertaining to State Lakes and conducted an analysis of pertinent data regarding lake characteristics such as the physical and chemical attributes of the lakes, the features of …

Evaluating The Emergent Wetland Plant Juncus Effusus As A Tool In Phytoremediation Of Nitrogen And Copper, Jacob Aaron Hockensmith

Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication is an increasing issue around the globe, including the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley where excess nitrogen runs into the Mississippi River and subsequently the Gulf of Mexico. The restoration of wetlands is one method that has been developed to help reduce nitrogen runoff, however, species selection should be done carefully as species selected must not only remove nitrogen but be able to compete with established species. Chapter II of this thesis investigates whether J. effusus is a viable candidate for use in this role. Additionally, copper contamination around the globe is increasing due to a variety of anthropogenic sources. …

Assessing Plate Load Testing And Modulus Of Subgrade Reaction Determination For Pavements, Jami Lynn Rushing

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to: 1) determine the effect of plate size on the modulus of subgrade reaction (k), 2) investigate the differences between the ASTM D1196-21 and CRD-C 655-95 plate load test methods, and 3) develop new effective k curves. 150 plate load tests were executed on three subgrade materials under varying base course thicknesses. Plate load testing was designed to evaluate various plate sizes and testing standards (e.g., the military standard – CRD-C 655-96 and the ASTM standard – ASTM D1196-21). By performing plate load tests on varying base course thicknesses, newly developed effective k curves were developed from …

The Plastics Crisis: Responsible Recycling In Civil Engineering And Infrastructure, Jason Howell Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

A global plastics crisis exists with around 400 million metric tons (MMT) of plastics production and 350 MMT of plastics waste generated annually around the globe. Plastics are durable and essentially non-biodegradable, so they accumulate in both terrestrial and marine environments as pollution and within landfills without breaking down over time. Plastics are ubiquitous in 21st-century society and culture, comprising essential elements in most industries including packaging, transportation, electrical/electronics, and building/construction. The role of civil engineering and infrastructure in addressing the plastics crisis was specifically explored. Responsible plastics recycling yields products with improved engineering properties, performance characteristics, marketability, and/or manufacturing …