Digital Commons Network^™

Applying X-Ray Fluorescence With Monte Carlo Methods For Analysis Of Surface Defects On Coated Zr4, James Tyler Cahill

Theses and Dissertations

Chromium-coated Zircaloy-4 cladding represents a novel solution for creating nuclear cladding that has passive safety features. This and related developments aimed at improving nuclear safety are broadly categorized as accident-tolerant fuel and cladding. However, implementing this material presents practical challenges such as the vulnerability that cladding has to surface damage such as fretting wear. This research aims to determine if the pre-existing technique of X-ray fluorescence analysis is applicable for detecting these defects on the surface of the cladding. This was done by developing Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport models of a handheld device, the XL-5, alongside experimental measurements using this …

Machine Learning Assisted Optimization For Calculation And Automated Tuning Of Antennas, Lauren Linkous

Theses and Dissertations

The Antenna Calculation and Autotuning Tool (AntennaCAT) software suite represents a significant advancement in the field of antenna design by automating the entire design, CAD, simulation, and optimization process compatible with several EM simulation software suites. It is the first comprehensive implementation of machine learning in this context. In particular, this work includes the capability to create and export structured datasets from the aforementioned EM software for iterative improvement and includes an expandable selection of optimizers.

Felix Frankfurter, Collector Of People, John Q. Barrett

Faculty Publications

Felix Frankfurter engaged, intensely, with people—they were the treasures that he hunted down, evaluated, and collected. This essay, written on the great occasion of Brad Snyder’s Frankfurter biography, considers some of Frankfurter’s most treasured people. One group is people who made Frankfurter, including Frankfurter himself, Henry L. Stimson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Another group is Justice Frankfurter’s three great U.S. Supreme Court colleagues: Justices Hugo L. Black, Robert H. Jackson, and William O. Douglas. A third group is biographers who Frankfurter admired and pushed: Harlan Buddington Phillips, Mark DeWolfe Howe, Jr., McGeorge Bundy, Alexander Bickel, Andrew L. Kaufman, and Philip …

Current Developments In Tax Malpractice: Basics And Beyond, Jacob L. Todres

Faculty Publications

It was always assumed that “tax malpractice” referred to a situation in which an error occurred with respect to some tax provision or in a tax-related administrative or legal proceeding. However, several recent cases have expanded this thinking, introducing the possibility that tax malpractice may also occur where damages include an increase in taxes—irrespective of whether there was an error that directly involved tax law. Beginning with a discussion of the evolving definition of that term as seen in the New York cases of Serino v. Lipper and Bloostein v. Morrison Cohen LLP and whether these cases may have returned …

What The Warhol Court Got Wrong: Use As An Artist Reference And The Derivative Work Doctrine, Jessica Silbey, Eva E. Subotnik

Faculty Publications

In Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith, the Supreme Court conflated “use as an artist reference” with preparing a “derivative work." It did so on the erroneous assumption that permission to use a copyrighted work as an artist reference is a license to prepare a derivative work. But copyright law does not necessarily deem all uses of references for making new art to be the preparation of a derivative work. In other words, not all adaptations of an original work are infringing. Some may be neither derivative works nor substantially similar copies, and some may …

The Stories We (Don’T) Tell: Using Case Briefing To Explore Bias And Oppression In The Law, Ashley B. Armstrong

Faculty Publications

Traditional case briefing focuses on the text of the opinion—how courts frame and resolve legal issues. This Essay explores how to teach case briefing to investigate bias and oppression in the law. By discussing socio-historical context during class or assigning reimagined judicial opinions alongside the original opinion, teaching case briefing this way asks students to consider the stories that judges don’t tell (and why). This Essay proffers two examples that illustrate these approaches: United States v. Robinson, 414 U.S. 218 (1973) and Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co., 350 F.2d 445 (1965).

Distorted Narratives In The Treatment Program Complex, Evelyn Lia Malavé

Faculty Publications

Problem-solving courts and alternatives to incarceration have been both celebrated as successful attempts to address the factors that lead to defendants’ involvement in the criminal legal system and critiqued as ineffective reforms that worsen mass incarceration. Specifically, critiques of the “treatment program complex” have tended to focus on how it harms defendants by exposing them to higher levels of incarceration if they fail to complete court mandates. But these critiques have failed to account for another way the treatment program complex harms defendants: by suppressing their voices regarding what kind of help they need and how they are affected by …

Early Supplier Involvement Framework For Reducing Construction Waste During The Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Yomna Abdelghany El-Saeidy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to facilitate early supplier involvement (ESI) as an approach for reducing construction waste (CW) generated during the design process. Design/methodology/approach – A research methodology consists of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire was designed to achieve the abovementioned aim. First, the literature review was used to investigate CW, CW generated during the design process, the design process and ESI. Second, two construction projects were analysed to investigate the role of ESI towards reducing CW generated during the design waste. Third, a survey questionnaire was carried out with …

Mathematical Formulae For Neutron Self-Shielding Properties Of Media In An Isotropic Neutron Field, Elsayed Salama, Elsayed K. Elmaghraby, Ateia W. Mahmoud, A. Elghazaly, S. A. El-Fiki

Basic Science Engineering

In the current study, an ab initio derivation of the neutron self-shielding factor to solve the complex neutron transport problem of the decrease of the neutron flux as it penetrates into a material placed in an isotropic neutron field having equal flux in all directions. The theory of steady-state neutron transport was employed, starting from Stuart’s formula, to derive simple analytical formulae based on the integral cross-section parameters. The formulae could be adopted by the user according to various variables, such as the neutron flux distribution and geometry of the simulation at hand. The concluded formulae of the self-shielding factors …

Epr Study Of Irradiated Starch: Induced Radicals And Dose Assessment, Elsayed Salama, Ahmed M. Maghraby, Samy A. Anwer, M. El-Sayed

Basic Science Engineering

Irradiation of starch is of much importance to get rid of microbes and for disinfection. EPR study of the ionizing radiation-induced radicals can lead to the assessment of radiation doses delivered during irradiation. The EPR spectra properties, microwave power saturation behavior, short- and long-term temporal dependencies, and other significant factors are studied. Response of EPR spectra of irradiated starch over the range (0.5–10 kGy) was investigated. The time dependence study of the radiation-induced signal radicals of starch showed that variation of the EPR signal can be noticed within ±7.7% relative to the average value over 38 days following irradiation. Results …

Synthesizing And Using Iron Oxide Nanoparticles As Nanocomposite In Cotton Fabrics Nanofinishing, Hoda Sharouf, Ziad Saffour

Baghdad Science Journal

Metal oxide nanoparticles, including iron oxide, are highly considered as one of the most important species of nanomaterials in a varied range of applications due to their optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. Iron oxides are common compounds, extensive in nature, and easily synthesized in the laboratory. In this paper, iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of (Fe+2) and (Fe+3) ions, using iron (II and III) sulfate as precursor material and NH4OH solution as solvent at 90°C. After the synthesis of iron oxide particles, it was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These …

ความท้าทายในการทำหนังสือแสดงเจตนาไม่ประสงค์จะรับบริการสาธารณสุขที่เป็นไปเพื่อยืดการตายในวาระสุดท้ายของชีวิต (Living Will) ในผู้ที่เป็นมะเร็ง, อธิพงศ์ มุณีโน, รัตติยา ไชยชมภู

Journal of Nursing Research, Innovation, and Health

ในช่วงสุดท้ายของชีวิต ผู้ป่วยอาจไม่สามารถสื่อสารหรือตัดสินใจเองได้ การตัดสินใจเกี่ยวกับการดูแลรักษามักตกไปอยู่กับผู้อื่น ซึ่งอาจไม่ใช่สิ่งที่ผู้ป่วยปรารถนา จะดีกว่าหรือไม่หากผู้ป่วยมีการวางแผน
และเลือกแนวทางการดูแลรักษาในช่วงสุดท้ายของชีวิตไว้ล่วงหน้าด้วยการทำหนังสือแสดงเจตนาไม่ประสงค์จะรับบริการสาธารณสุขที่เป็นไปเพื่อยืดการตายในวาระสุดท้ายของชีวิต (living will) ซึ่งนับว่ามีความท้าทายเป็นอย่างมากในกลุ่มผู้ที่เป็นมะเร็งที่แตกต่างออกไปจากกลุ่มโรคอื่นเป็นอย่างมาก บทความนี้นำเสนอ ผ่านการทบทวนวรรณกรรม มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่ออธิบายถึงความท้าทายในหลากหลายแง่มุม อุปสรรคของผู้ที่เป็นมะเร็งที่มีผลต่อการทำหนังสือแสดงเจตนาฯ และอธิบายถึงบทบาทของผู้ให้บริการด้านการดูแลสุขภาพ หนึ่งในนั้นคือบทบาทของพยาบาล ในการสนับสนุนการตัดสินใจเลือกแนวทางการดูแลตนเอง
ล่วงหน้าของผู้ที่เป็นมะเร็ง ด้วยพื้นฐานของข้อมูลการเจ็บป่วย ความรู้ ความเข้าใจที่ถูกต้องเกี่ยวกับการ ทำหนังสือแสดงเจตนาฯ เพื่อสนับสนุน อำนวยความสะดวกให้ได้รับการรักษา การพยาบาล และการดูแลจากครอบครัว ตามเจตนาของผู้ป่วย อันจะนำไปสู่การพัฒนาขับเคลื่อนประเด็นการทำหนังสือแสดงเจตนาฯในการรักษาในวาระสุดท้ายของชีวิต ให้เป็นที่ยอมรับในวงกว้างของบุคคลในสังคมต่อไป และเกิดประโยชน์สูงสุดกับทุกชีวิต

Farewell To Cultural Superiority: Resolving The Alleged Chinese Misappropriation Of Korean Cultural Heritage Through Unesco's 2005 Convention For The Protection And Promotion Of The Diversity Of Cultural Expressions, Daniel Hyungtae Kim

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

No abstract provided.

Holocaust Denial Legislation In The United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, And The United States: How The Law Presently Addresses The Issue And Proposals For Reform, Madeline Epstein

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review

The note examines the legal frameworks addressing Holocaust denial in the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and the United States, highlighting the need for more robust legislation to combat Holocaust denial effectively. It argues that while countries like Germany and Austria have stringent laws criminalizing Holocaust denial, jurisdictions like the U.S. and U.K. rely on civil remedies, which may be insufficient. The analysis advocates for adopting legal measures that balance free speech with the protection of historical truth and human dignity.

A Paradox Theory Approach To Investigating Individual Level Responses To Corporate Social Responsibility In Small To Medium Enterprises, Muhammad Abdulsater

Theses

In Australia, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) occupy important positions within their communities, contributing to employment and national economic growth. Despite their significance, it remains unclear how SME owners, as individuals, navigate and respond to the tensions arising from their unique business characteristics and the adoption of social and environmental activities. This research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating how SME owners manage and respond to paradoxical tensions in implementing social and environmental responsibility practices within the SME context. The conventional definition of corporate social responsibility (CSR) does not integrate with the lexicon or landscape of SMEs. This …

Does A Case Study Based Intervention About Return To Play After A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Increase Knowledge And Confidence In Dnp Students, Courteney Lam

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

No abstract provided.

Improving Integrated Care Through An Interprofessional Communication Education Module Using Teamstepps®, Hailey Drangsholt, Natalie Truong

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Despite spending the most money on healthcare per capita (World Health Organization, 2020), the United States (US) has the worst health outcomes for birthing persons and newborns, measured by maternal mortality, infant mortality, and preterm birth rates. These outcomes are attributed to inadequate access to care and errors in interprofessional communication. Intervention: This quality improvement initiative implements early intervention of an interprofessional communication training using an evidence-based interprofessional collaboration frame called TeamSTEPPS®. Measures: Effectiveness of this intervention was evaluated using pre- and post- qualitative survey data gathered from participants. Outcomes: Of the 8 survey participants, 100% of …

Rapid Response Education For Acute Care Registered Nurses And Certified Nursing Assistants, Christine Le

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Aim(s): To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention for acute care registered nurses and certified nursing assistants on rapid responses and the Modified Early Warning Score.

Design: This study used a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative design, incorporating participant surveys and chart review analysis.

Keywords: rapid response teams, rapid response systems, Modified Early Warning Score, MEWS, quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient safety, patient monitoring, educational intervention, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, early warning scores.

Methods: A sample of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants in two medical-telemetry units in a 500-bed regional hospital in the Pacific Northwest.

Results: …

Improving Patient Care Of Adults Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal: A Quality Improvement Project, Sarah Korbonits

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Alcohol use disorder is on the rise in the United States (Esser, et al., 2024). Alcohol-related accidents greatly contribute to costs and expenditures within the healthcare sector. Clinicians need to have adequate screening and assessment skills as well as knowledge when treating patients experiencing withdrawal from alcohol in the hospital. Standardization of protocols and early administration of benzodiazepines decreases morbidity and mortality.

Objective: The project identified evidence-based practice screening and assessment strategies utilized for the care of adults experiencing withdrawal from alcohol. Protocols at the hospital were updated to reflect new information. The project included an education module provided …

The Archaeology Of The Spiritual And Working Lives Of The Muslim Cameleers Of Western Australia In The Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries, Roger Bateman

Theses

This thesis describes the lifeways of cameleers (also identifiable as males, Muslims, Asians, ‘Afghans’) who worked in Western Australia’s transport industry in the period 1887 to 1920. With their camels’ unique capabilities in the dry and sandy terrain of Western Australia’s arid and semi-arid areas, they provided a critical service in the early mining and settlement history of Western Australia. This research has been done through the archaeological record of their campgrounds, other sites, and the historical record. The research’s four aims were to gather and compile archaeological evidence associated with the Afghans and their religious lives as Muslims; describe …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Vaginal Breech Birth Training Program, Kathleen Lynch, Rachel Mackriell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: Most providers do not have the skills, knowledge, or confidence to safely support vaginal breech birth (VBB) despite 3-5% of all pregnancies being breech at term. The presence of a provider skilled in VBB reduces risk in VBB, however VBB skills are not a standard part of birth provider training. Identifying an effective instruction method can make VBB training more accessible.

Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of 3940 surveys submitted by self-selected participants in an international hybrid VBB training program from May 2021 to February 2024. Pre- to post-training analysis using non-paired t-test and chi-squared comparison was …

Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Bundle To Educate Nurses In The Care Of Adult Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Christine Slaughter

DNP Projects

Background: After solid organ transplantation, between 10-40% of patients develop post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) due to the immunosuppression regimen, infection, stress response and pain. Hyperglycemia events are common and managing glycemic targets is critical to decrease the likelihood of graft failure and mortality.

Purpose: To determine the impact of an evidenced-based bundle education strategy on the perceived confidence/knowledge of nurses and on their documentation compliance in the care of adult solid organ post-transplant diabetes mellitus patients.

Methods: A single group, pretest-posttest design was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the electronic educational program on the nurses perceived confidence/knowledge regarding glycemic …

The Effect Of An Intervention To Improve Screening For Opioid Use In Patients With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Tammy Swartz

DNP Projects

Background: Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reported to be higher during COVID-19 than during any other epidemic in history. Patients diagnosed with PTSD are at an increased risk of experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD). Early detection, prevention, and treatment are essential to prevent OUD.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine if education aimed at increasing nurses’ knowledge increased patient screenings for OUD.

Methodology: A baseline chart audit was performed to determine the number of patients seen in the emergency department with PTSD who also were evaluated for OUD. Two hundred and forty emergency department registered …

The Impact Of An Educational Training To Front-Line Nurses And Providers To Reduce Seclusion And Restraint: Assessing Knowledge, Practices, And Attitudes, Kevin Bryant

DNP Projects

Background: The use of seclusion and restraint is common in hospitals, particularly in adult psychiatric settings. Although it is typically agreed that such measures should be used as a last resort in patient care, the majority of nurses feel that seclusion and restraint are necessary interventions in managing adverse behaviors of mental illness. There is a lack of data examining front-line nurses’ and providers’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward the use of seclusion and restraint following the use of a targeted educational training.

Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate the impact of a web-based educational intervention on the knowledge, …

Reducing Nursing Documentation Burden: Evaluation Of An Electronic Health Record Optimization Plan, Jessica Collins

DNP Projects

Background: UK HealthCare transitioned to a new enterprise electronic health record (EHR) system, offered by Epic Systems Corporation, in June 2021. Approximately 2,000 inpatient nurses use the EpicCare Inpatient Module in the 1,086 licensed bed facilities. Compared to other academic medical centers, UK HealthCare nurses take more time documenting in this EHR inpatient module’s Basic Assessment Flowsheet (documentation burden) and have a longer delay between assessment and documentation (timeliness) potentially contributing to nursing dissatisfaction with using this new EHR.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a phase of the Epic Nurse Well-Being Project, a …

Improving Nutrition Screening Practice In The Hospitalized Heart Failure Patient Population, Amanda J. Bourgeois

DNP Projects

Background: Heart Failure is a disease known to affect nearly 6.5 million adults in the United States. Characterized by recurrent hospitalizations, heart failure significantly contributes to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in the United States and worldwide. Because malnutrition is prevalent in the heart failure population, healthcare providers must perform nutritional assessments on admission to intervene in the case of malnutrition, prevent deterioration, and improve patient prognosis. Without intervention and early identification of malnutrition, heart failure hospitalizations will remain a significant problem.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based educational program for cardiac …

An Educational Intervention On Provider Knowledge Of Hypertension Guidelines And Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, Alison Claire Oesterritter

DNP Projects

Background: While hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, disease control remains suboptimal. In the U.S., 47% of adults have hypertension, but only 25% are controlled. Despite having quality evidence-based guidelines, many recommendations are not implemented due to clinical inertia, or the tendency to not change therapy when targets aren’t met. Research has shown that this can be overcome with educational programs. Purpose: To provide training on hypertension guidelines and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) to overcome clinical inertia and improve patient outcomes related to hypertension. Methods: The project was a quasi-experimental, pre- and post- …

Improving Knowledge, Confidence, And Competency Among Icu Nurses Concerning The Benefits Of Using The Uk Ventilator Separation Protocol, Brittany Monroe

DNP Projects

Background: The trauma intensive care unit (ICU) at University of Kentucky (UK) Healthcare uses a ventilator separation protocol which provides specific guidelines on the successful weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. However, many of the nurses are not aware of this protocol as formal education is not included in their orientation or training. This lack of knowledge can lead to risks such as increased patient morbidity, mortality, ICU length of stay, and healthcare-related costs. Research shows that using structured mechanical ventilator weaning tools in the ICU can shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, which in turn, lowers these associated risks. …

The Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Nursing Knowledge Of Post-Operative Care Of Patients After Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Surgery, Kelli Curry

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy surgery is commonly performed by thoracic surgeons on patients with esophageal cancer. The post-operative care of these patients is meticulous and follows a protocol developed by the thoracic surgeons at the University of Kentucky. At UK Chandler Medical Center, concerns have been raised regarding nurses’ lack of education of the protocol, and therefore decreased implementation. Increasing nursing knowledge pertaining to this protocol by performing educational in-services periodically and standardizing and implementing formal education as part of nursing orientation will decrease the knowledge gap and improve patient outcomes and increase utilization of the post-operative protocol.

Purpose: …

The Effect Of An Educational Intervention On Early Mobility Compliance In Oncology Nurses, Jonathan A. Hacker

DNP Projects

Background: Geriatric adult patients admitted into acute care hospital settings are at risk of functional decline in their capacity for activities of daily living and independent ambulation. Many of these patients fail to achieve pre-hospitalization levels of function and continue to decline, requiring additional support and care after discharge. Current literature supports early mobilization and ambulation during hospitalization. However, ambulation and patient mobilization has been shown to be the most missed item of nursing care. There is a gap in literature and patient outcome data regarding the impact of early mobilization on medical-surgical patient populations.

Purpose: The purpose of this …