Digital Commons Network^™

Portfolio Project Social Work 599, Christopher S. Plummer

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Abstract This portfolio reflects the culmination of my journey to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) and demonstrates my mastery of the 10 core competencies outlined by the University of Montana School of Social Work. Through the lens of the five elements of advanced integrated practice, this work illustrates the transformation I underwent as I developed the skills, knowledge, and values essential to ethical and effective social work practice. Each section of this portfolio provides evidence of my growth in applying critical self-reflection, integrating historical and cultural contexts, bridging direct practice with community intervention, engaging in evidence-based practices, and …

Where I’M Meant To Be: Reflections From My Msw Experience, Brittany Nicole Mathena

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Faculty And Staff Pay Satisfaction And The Impact On Organizational Commitment And Retention, Jennifer Hennings

Dissertations

This mixed-method study explored the relationships between pay satisfaction, organizational commitment, retention, and seniority among faculty and staff at a private, four-year institution in the Midwest. The research investigated how satisfaction with a compensation program influences organizational commitment and turnover intentions. The researcher used a quantitative method to study the impact of pay satisfaction on organizational commitment and turnover intention. Additionally, a quantitative method explored relationships between seniority and turnover intention. Findings revealed positive relationships between pay satisfaction and organizational commitment, along with pay satisfaction and turnover intention. Findings also revealed positive relationships between seniority, measured as years of service, …

Msw Professional Portfolio, Jessica J. Christian

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Elizabeth Helen Brenneman J.D.

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Nichole Nuehring

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Fundamentals Of Advocacy, Tiffany Borland

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A portfolio on a compilation and a celebration of my work throughout my MSW program.

Numerical Simulations On Rayleigh Taylor Instability For Co2 Sequestration In Saline Aquifers, Bhargavi Vandadu

Mechanical Engineering Theses

The density-driven convection appears promise for CO₂ storage, precise prediction on a reservoir size is problematic due to limited data availability. Changes in permeability impact flow patterns and the effectiveness of mixing processes. Permeability differences influence the sorts of density-driven mixing phenomena such as fingering and stable mixing. Improving CO₂ storage models is challenging due to the unpredictable nature of these processes. The study looks at the flow phenomena in which carbon dioxide with a lower viscosity displaces on heavier fluid water. Causes instability by producing finger-like structures at the gas-liquid interface. This study uses the species transport technique to …

Study Of The Synergistic Effect Of Two Different Flame Retardants In Soy-Based Polyurethane Foams, Sujal A. Chaudhari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Polyurethanes (PUs) are defined as synthetic copolymers prepared using polyols and polyisocyanates. They have a wide range of applications in a variety of products, such as furniture, medical equipment, packaging, foams, coatings, elastomers, and adhesives. Out of all these, one of the most significant commercial products is polyurethane foams (PUFs). However, most of the raw materials used for PUFs production originate from non-renewable sources and due to their highly porous nature, these foams are highly flammable. It is considered essential to combine bio-based components to produce polyurethanes with good flame retardancy. Thus, introducing renewable polyol and halogen-free flame retardant are …

Eco-Friendly Polyester Vitrimer: Enhanced Stretchability, Self-Healing, And Reprocessability Through Dynamic Covalent Crosslinks Via Melt-Polycondensation, Saiprasanna Neerukonda

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Dynamic covalent polymer networks offer new possibilities for designing sustainable polyester vitrimers owing to their excellent reprocessability and malleability; however, maintaining the high performance of the adaptable network with amazing healing properties remains a challenge. Therefore, the proposed approach considers the one-pot synthetic strategy to fabricate highly stretchable polyester vitrimer networks via condensation polymerization of different aliphatic diacids which are glutaric acid, pimelic acid, azelaic acid with 1,4-butanediol in the presence of glycerol and dithiodicarboxylic acids as the curing agent and dynamic covalent crosslinkers. The synthesized polyester network with simultaneous disulfide metathesis and carboxylate transesterification exhibited vitrimeric behavior which can …

Bio-Based Polyurethane Films: Effect Of Hydroxyl Numbers On The Properties Of The Polyurethane Films, Fenilkumar Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In today's world, there's a growing shift towards adopting eco-friendly and sustainable materials in response to pressing environmental concerns. Among the key polymeric materials utilized in various industries, polyurethanes stand out, being widely employed in the manufacture of everyday essentials. However, the conventional method of producing polyurethanes relies heavily on hazardous and fossil fuel-derived substances, presenting significant environmental challenges. To address this issue, there's a critical need to substitute petroleum-based materials with more sustainable alternatives. In our research, we focused on utilizing limonene, a compound found in citrus fruit peels such as lemon and orange, and geraniol, extracted from rose …

Effect Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus In Rigid Polyurethane Foams Synthesized From Bio Derived Polyol, Jonsi Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) are widely used as thermal insulators due to their excellent mechanical properties and low thermal conductivity. However, their dependence on petrochemical-derived polyols and inherent flammability poses environmental and safety challenges. This study investigates the synthesis of bio-based rigid PUFs using canola oil polyol (COP), a sustainable alternative to petrochemical polyols. The research explores the incorporation of nitrogen and phosphorus-based reactive flame retardants, including diethyl phosphate (DEP), melamine (MA), and a novel compound (TDHTPP) synthesized from cyanuric chloride, diethyl phosphate, and vanillin, to enhance both flame retardancy and mechanical properties. Preliminary results demonstrate that PUFs containing 15gm …

Effects Of Mastery Criterion On Response Maintenance, Sydney Mcfall

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized as having at least two deficits in areas of functioning such as impaired language development, impaired social development, and the presence of excessive or stereotyped repetitive behaviors or interests (Granpeesheh et. al., 2009). Early and intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is an evidence-based practice for remediating deficits in individuals with ASD (Love et. al., 2008). One important component of intensive intervention is defining the mastery criterion, or the point at which a skill has been learned to a sufficient level that allows for maintenance. Mastery criterion is necessary to progress intervention targets on a rapid …

Thyroid And Cardiovascular Diseases, Si̇nem Başak Tan Öksüz, Mustafa Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The thyroid gland is one of the major regulator organs of hemostasis in the human body, controlling the function of numerous systems. Thyroid hormones exert a modulating effect on particularly cardiovascular system, ensuring optimal functioning within the normal range. Triiodothyronine (T3), as an active form of thyroid hormones, is mainly responsible for this effect via both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. It has been reported that overt thyroid disorders are associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases and cardiac mortality. While hyperthyroidism appears to be related to atrial fibrillation and heart failure, the most pronounced cardiovascular complication of hypothyroidism seems to …

Bridging The Gap: Technology Education For Health Advancement In Older Adults, Shannah M. Gozo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem Educational workshops are essential for helping older adults gain the knowledge and skills to live independently. However, at Independent Living Facility A, a lack of resident participation in these workshops was identified through a microsystem assessment with key stakeholders. Engaging more residents is critical for the facility to secure funding for these programs. Aim This project aimed to improve resident engagement in educational workshops by 10%, increasing it from 4.4% to 4.8%, over a 5-week period from October 16, 2024, to November 13, 2024. Methods A 5P Microsystem assessment highlighted resident participation in workshops. To address this, Master of …

Practicing Responses To Acute Clinical Troubles: Initiative Through Clinical Education (P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.) To Improve Medical Emergency Response Increasing Nurse Confidence And Preparedness Through Low-Stakes Clinical Education, Lauren Castelblanco Rn, Viviana Lopez Rn, Nosa Odiase Rn, Everly Pompa Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

A newly established pediatric outpatient infusion center in Los Angeles does not have immediate access to a Code Blue Team or a Rapid Response Team, and instead relies on the Staff Assist protocol to manage medical emergencies. Via direct interviews, registered nurses at the infusion center report feeling underprepared and lacking confidence to respond to medical emergencies that must be escalated to code blue. Microsystem assessment tools determined the root cause to be limited clinical exposure and limited opportunities for skills development. To address the nurses' concerns, Practicing Responses to Acute Clinical Troubles: Initiative through Clinical Education (P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E.) was implemented …

Journey To Baby-Friendly Designation: Standardizing Infant Feeding Education, Jasmine Geronimo Ibay

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem The influence of formula companies in hospitals has caused a decrease in national breastfeeding rates, increasing risks of adverse health outcomes among infants. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1991 to support breastfeeding practices for infant development and eliminate commercial interests of formula companies from hospitals. Context The quality improvement (QI) project was conducted at Hospital A’s Birth Center, serving a diverse population of patients in the greater East Bay of Northern California. The microsystem has 24 labor beds, 13 antepartum beds, and 33 …

Chronic Disease Screening And Detection In Vulnerable Populations, Courtney J. Seman, Hussein Hadid, Tania Jaimes, Robert Walls

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project aims to address gaps in chronic disease screening by implementing standardized protocols for diabetes, hypertension, vision impairment, and scoliosis within the University of San Francisco (USF) Nurse-Led Clinic in Orange County. Problem: The clinic identified a lack of screening practices, which limited early detection and intervention for two specific vulnerable populations. Context: The clinic serves two high-risk groups: older adults, including formerly homeless individuals, and children in two local grade schools. These populations face significant healthcare disparities, making early detection of chronic conditions critical. Interventions: Guided by Kotter’s Change Theory, the project developed and implemented evidence-based …

Reducing The Incidence Of Nosocomial Aspiration Pneumonia In Adult Oncology Patients Through Improved Compliance With Oral Hygiene Protocols, Rickey Maung

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy are at increased risk of mucosal barrier injuries and aspiration pneumonia, with current aspiration pneumonia rates exceeding target levels. Enhanced oral hygiene protocols and improved compliance have been shown to reduce these complications in this vulnerable population.

Context: The microsystem under review comprises six oncology units within Hospital A, a major medical center in California. Aspiration pneumonia, frequently linked to mucosal barrier injuries, poses a significant threat to patient safety and increases treatment costs and complications in oncology care. Recognizing the critical need to address this issue, an aspiration pneumonia task force has prioritized efforts …

Improving Performance And Documentation Of The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool, Joseph P. Chellew

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objectives: Decreased patient mobility is associated with negative health outcomes including decreased functional capacity, pressure injuries, deep vein thrombosis, and bloodstream infections (Yasmeen et al., 2020). Early and increased mobilization mitigates these complications and is associated with positive outcomes (Wang et al., 2020). The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool 2.0 (BMAT) is a mobility assessment that guides the selection of equipment to safely mobilize patients (Boynton et al., 2020). Aim: This quality improvement project aims to increase BMAT documentation compliance by 10% in three medical-surgical units at Hospital A where only 31.3% of patients were assessed per day using the BMAT. …

Increasing Access To Fresh Fruits And Vegetables At An Urban Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Jordan Michael Leahy

Master's Projects and Capstones

The microsystem setting for this quality improvement project is an adult health unit at one of five safety net clinics housed within a macrosystem in a large urban setting in Northern California serving a low-income, predominantly Hispanic population. Professionals involved in the delivery of the food security program include patient support services, medical assistants, case managers, health promoters, registered nurses, and providers. With enrollment in clinic’s food security program significantly lower than program goals, clinical site stakeholders sought to identify and address gaps in delivery. This quality improvement aimed to improve the screening process to increase the percentage of eligible …

Improving Mood Scores With Social Robot Dog ‘Pupper’ In Pediatric Cardiovascular Patients, Alyssa Lopez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective Pediatric hospitalization has been shown to increase the risk of developmental delays, social isolation, and mental health disorders. Consequently, decreased happiness also results from hospitalization, leading to reduced motivation and less engagement in their care. Aim The aim of this project is to improve the mood of pediatric patients aged 3-25 years by 50% from the patient’s baseline level within one month, from October 16, 2024 to November 13, 2024, on a pediatric cardiac step down unit by utilizing a social robot dog to motivate patients in engaging in their care. Methods Twelve participants between the ages 4-18 years …

Sleep To Heal: Creating A Quiet At Night Environment, Victor Marie V. Blardony

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Noise in hospitals disrupts patient well-being, recovery, and satisfaction. A 120-bed community hospital in South San Francisco consistently scored below the national average for nighttime quietness (Medicare, 2023).

Context: Over six months, a multidisciplinary committee launched the Quiet at Night (QAN) Program, focusing on the high-acuity telemetry unit. The program utilized Kotter’s 8 Steps Model and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement (MFI) to tackle nighttime noise issues.

Interventions: Quiet hours were established from 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Patients were provided an “Enhanced Sleep Menu” that included a sleep sound machine and “sleep kits” (eye masks …

Flourine Free, Bio-Based Antismudge Polyurethane Coating With Enhanced Flame-Retardancy, Rutu Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Antismudge coating materials are generally synthesized using petroleum-based polyols and fluorinated compounds, which are harmful to the environment and human health. Thus, researchers are more inclined to develop polyurethane (PU) coating from bio-based polyols and fluorine-free materials. Here, silicone-containing diol was used with soybean oil polyol (SOP) to produce PU coating. The chemical inertness to acid, base, and salt, along with the non-stick properties of silicone, would help achieve the desired properties of the anti-smudge PU coating. Metal (stainless steel) and wood coupons (oak wood) were coated with this synthesized coating material and tested to study chemical resistance along with …

Bio-Based Polyurethane Composites Using Safflower Oil, Silicon & Phosphorus-Based Flame-Retardants, Smit Chaudhary

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile polymer that forms when isocyanate compounds react with compounds containing hydroxyl groups, typically polyols. It can exist in various forms, including rigid foams, flexible foams, coatings, adhesives, elastomers and composites, and is known for its durability, flexibility, rigidity and resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and weathering. PU finds extensive applications in industries ranging from construction and automotive to furniture and footwear. When it comes to vegetable oil-based PU composites, derived from renewable resources, offer eco-friendly alternatives in industries seeking sustainable materials. These composites demonstrate promise in applications for enhanced mechanical properties. This work investigates the PU …

Drug-Drug Interactions And Prescription Appropriateness In Covid-19 Icu Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Shvesh Moza, Pankaj K. Mali, Pratima M. Pattar, Suraj B. Panchal, Somashekara S. Chikkannasetty

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management has been challenging due to varying treatment protocol. Additionally, co-morbidities and older age group receiving polypharmacy increases the risk for drug-drug interactions (DDIs). With limited DDI research studies in Indian setup, we aimed to assess the frequency and severity of potential DDIs in COVID-19 ICU patients. This was a retrospective, observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Karnataka, India. Case record of all patients aged ≥18 years with COVID-19 disease admitted to the COVID-19 ICU during March 2021 to July 2021 and treated with two drugs at least were included. A total of …

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 …

Prescription Pattern Analysis In Patients Of Alcohol Use Disorder Coming To The Psychiatry Opd Of A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Single Centre, Cross Sectional, Observational Study., Pradnya Satav, Abhilasha Rashmi, Sharmada Nerlekar, Sudhir Pawar, Sahana S

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Alcohol is the commonest psychoactive substance used by Indians. The prevalence of alcohol dependence in India is estimated to be 2.7%. In Maharashtra, the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) is about 4.9%. Prescription pattern monitoring studies are a tool for assessing the prescribing, dispensing and distribution of medicines. They promote appropriate use of drugs and reduction of their misuse. With changing guidelines and availability of newer drugs, it is the need of time to monitor the prescriptions. So, this study was done from October 2019 - January 2021 in a tertiary care teaching institute in western India on 100 …

Relationship Between Knowledge And Adherence To Antihypertensive At Public Healthcare In Banjarmasin City, Indonesia, Hasniah Hasniah, Hardiana Hardiana, Rony Rony, Aris Fadillah, Karina Erlianti, Juwita Ramadhani

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Hypertension is one of the world’s most hazardous diseases since it harms the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs. Patients’ understanding of hypertension can be the key to successful treatment. Nonadherence with antihypertensive medication is a primary cause of therapeutic failure and is considered a serious issue. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between antihypertensive knowledge and adherence at public healthcare facilities. This study employed a quantitative approach using a cross- sectional design. The purposive sampling technique determined the sample, resulting in 100 hypertensive respondents from Public Healthcare. Knowledge is the independent variable in data collection; …

Black Mothering: Experiences Of Black Mothers In Safety Conversations With Black Sons, Theresa Libios

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black mothers raising Black sons in the United States face the immense challenge of preparing their Black sons for a society where police violence pose significant threats to their safety. The critical safety conversations, commonly referred to as "The Talk," highlight the need for culturally informed interventions to address the psychological toll on Black mothers. This study explored the lived experiences of Black mothers navigating these safety conversations, with the goal of fostering empathy and developing culturally competent mental health services. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study, grounded in intersectionality theory, examined the interconnected influences of race, gender, and systemic oppression …