Digital Commons Network^™

Fiscal Deficit And Human Development: Empirical Evidence From Nigeria, Elijah O. Akanni Dr

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This study investigates the effects of fiscal deficits on human development in Nigeria from 1990 to 2021, employing standard econometric and machine learning approaches. Specifically, the paper applies autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models to examine linear relationships, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) to capture linear and nonlinear interactions among key variables influencing human development. Results from the ARDL analysis reveal that fiscal deficit does not significantly impact human development in Nigeria both in the short- and long run. However, MARS results indicate that fiscal deficits only enhance human development when kept below 1.34% of GDP but become detrimental beyond …

Investigation Of Conductive Die-Top Thermal Capacitors During Short Circuit Operation Of Silicon Carbide Devices, Youssef Abotaleb

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Silicon carbide (SiC) power devices have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their superior thermal and electrical properties compared to traditional silicon devices. However, SiC power devices suffer from severe reliability issues arising from their mechanical properties. This is because the Young's modulus of SiC is about three times larger than that of silicon, which correspondingly raises the mechanical stresses acting on the bonding structure, often leading to device failure under power shock events.

Traditional packaging materials and designs tend to constrain SiC performance, as hot-spot temperature resulting from a power shock is one of the key factors …

Not All Samples Are Created Equal: Task-Aware Informative Sampling And Adaptive Inference For Efficient Edge Ai, Rebati Gaire

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has resulted in an unprecedented influx of data generated at the edge by billions of sensors. Traditional approaches relying on cloud-based processing are increasingly inadequate due to constraints in bandwidth, latency, and privacy. Edge computing has emerged as a transformative paradigm, enabling real-time data processing and decision-making by decentralizing computation to the edge. While the integration of deep learning into edge environments—termed edge intelligence—promises autonomous and personalized operations, it is hindered by challenges such as limited computational resources, energy constraints, and data redundancies.

This thesis addresses these challenges by presenting three …

Prevalence Of Autism Spectrum Characteristics In Students Taking Undergraduate Computing Courses, Rachel Michaela Mettenbrink

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The incidence rate of autism spectrum condition (ASC) has increased significantly in recent decades, as awareness of the condition and its impacts increases amongst clinicians, parents, and the general population. Medical literature has proposed that there may be a relationship between ASC and participation in the computing field. This study tests for the prevalence of autism spectrum condition traits measured by delivering the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to a population of undergraduate computer science students. We examine the relationships between AQ scores and students taking undergraduate computer science classes, sex, socioeconomic status, and parents in the computing industry. Additionally, we …

Quality Of Life After Myocardial Infarction In The Pakistani Population – Insights From A Single-Center Cohort Study, Javerya Hassan, Manzar Abbas, Hajra Arshad, Angelina Jessani, Izza Tahir, Shiza Qazi, Jasmit Shah, Zul Merali, Zainab Samad

Brain and Mind Institute

Background Health-related Quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is essential for optimizing patient care, treatment adjustments, and medical decision-making, particularly in post-Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients, but limited data exists on HRQOL post-MI from Pakistan. This study aimed to assess HRQoL and its determinants in the Pakistani population.

Methods A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Patients≥18 years old with a primary diagnosis of acute MI (ICD-9 codes: 410.0-410.9 and ICD-10 codes: 121.0- 121.9) discharged from the Cardiology Service from January 2019 to December 2020 who could be contacted and consented to participate were included. …

Guidelines For The Standardization Of Pre-Analytical Variables For Salivary Biomarker Studies In Alzheimer's Disease Research: An Updated Review And Consensus Of The Salivary Biomarkers For Dementia Research Working Group, Ted K. S. Ng, Chinedu Momoh, Mei-Ann Lim, Helena Sophia Gleerup, Wayne Leifert, Catherine Ajalo, Nicholas Ashton, Henrik Zetterberg, Robert A. Rissman, Charisse N. Winston

Brain and Mind Institute

There is a pressing need for accessible biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis to facilitate widespread screening, particularly in underserved groups. Saliva is an emerging specimen for measuring AD biomarkers, with distinct contexts of use that could complement blood and cerebrospinal fluid and detect various analytes. An interdisciplinary, international group of AD and related dementias (ADRD) researchers convened and performed a narrative review of published studies on salivary AD biomarkers. We critically appraised the current state of the literature, examining both consistencies and discrepancies in existing pre-analytical variables and methodologies. We discussed how various pre-analytical variables …

Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Among Presumptive Multidrug Resistance Tuberculosis Patients Identified In A Drtb Surveillance Study In Western Kenya, Albert Okumu, James Orwa, Ruth Sitati, Isaiah Omondi, Ben Odhiambo, Jeremiah Ogoro, George Oballa, Benjamin Ochieng, Steve Wandiga, Collins Ouma

Population Health, East Africa

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by M. tuberculosis (Mtb) with resistance to the first-line anti-TB medicines isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). In Western Kenya, there is reported low prevalence of drug resistant strains among HIV tuberculosis patients, creating a need to determine factors associated with drug resistance patterns among presumptive MDR-TB patients. To determine factors associated with drug resistance patterns among presumptive MDR-TB patients in western Kenya. Three hundred and ninety (3 9 0) sputum sample isolates from among presumptive multidrug TB patients, were analyzed for TB drug resistance as per Ministry of Health (MoH) TB program diagnostic …

Rwu Law Alumni Newsletter December 2024, Roger Williams University School Of Law, Pbn Connect, Edward Fitzpatrick, Danna Lorch

RWU Law

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Influence Of Black Male Graduates’ Cross-Racial Relationships On Social Engagement During Their Undergraduate Years At A Predominantly White Institution, Dominique Fowler

Education Doctoral

With a sample of 12 Black male college graduates, the purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influenced the participants’ cross-racial relationships with their peers at a predominantly White institution (PWI), how stereotypes and biases affected their relationships and social engagements, and how the participants navigated power dynamics and the microaggressions that occurred within their formed and maintained cross-racial relationships during their undergraduate years. The theoretical frameworks for this study were social identity theory and contact hypothesis, which provided a foundation for examining how stereotypes, biases, power dynamics, and microaggressions affect cross-racial relationships. The findings from this …

A Talking Cart, Abdullah Bin Naeem

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the development of a robust AI-powered detection and tracking engine aimed at revolutionizing the retail checkout experience. The foundation of this work is a comprehensive exploration of state-of-the-art Computer Vision methodologies, particularly focusing on object detection, segmentation, and tracking. The study employs a modular pipeline that integrates advanced visual recognition algorithms with a robust data processing framework.

Key to this work is the construction of a synthetic dataset using Unity3D, enabling the generation of high-quality annotated data that mirrors real-world retail scenarios. This approach addresses the challenge of insufficient labeled datasets by simulating diverse and cluttered shopping …

Climate Change , House Prices And Inequality In The United States, Zeynullah Gider

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the multifaceted relationship between climate change, housing values, and inequality in the United States using county-level data from 2005 to 2022. In Chapter 1, we examine the heterogeneous impact of climate change on house prices, employing fixed-effect panel data analysis, Difference-in-Differences (DiD) with Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and fixed-effect panel quantile regressions. Findings indicate that climate change significantly impacts housing values, but this effect is not uniform. Low-value homes experience substantial price discounts due to heightened climate risk perception, while high-value homes are largely unaffected. This heterogeneity suggests that climate change poses a greater financial threat to …

Examining The Impact Of Eds And Meds Anchor Institutions On Local Communities: A Mixed Methods Case Study On University Medical Center New Orleans, Samuel P. Firmin

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how the University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO), a major Eds and Meds anchor institution, has contributed to the well-being outcomes of surrounding communities within the New Orleans BioDistrict since its opening in 2015. Eds and Meds institutions often have mixed impacts on their local communities, and little research has focused on their effects in the Deep South, particularly in New Orleans, a region with pronounced socioeconomic disparities. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the following question: to what extent does UMCNO's Community Health Needs Assessments align with …

Black Lives Still Matter: Freedom Schools As An Embodiment Of Critical Literacy Through Reflection And Action, Elena M. Venegas, Lakia M. Scott

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

The continuation of racial inequities in the United States has ignited the recent Black Lives Matter Movement, a protest of police brutality and gun violence. Black lives matter in public school classrooms, too—where students of color face barriers to equitable educational experiences. The Children's Defense Fund Freedom School program is a major component in developing critical literacy skills through critique, inquiry, and transformation through social justice and action. Critical literacy is enacted through identity—mainly as difference, self, consciousness, narrative, and positionality. Historical and contemporary relevance of Freedom Schools connects to the urgency of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Measuring Palatability Of Pet Food Products: Sensory Components, Evaluations, Challenges, And Opportunities, Natalia Calderon, Brittany L. White, Han-Seok Seo

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The pet food industry is a growing business launching a variety of new products in the market. The acceptability or preference of pet food samples has traditionally been measured using either one-bowl or two-bowl tests. Academic researchers and professionals in the pet food industry have explored other methods, including the cognitive palatability assessment protocols and the ranking test, to evaluate more than two samples. A variety of approaches and perspectives were also utilized to predict palatability and key sensory attributes of pet foods, including descriptive sensory analysis by human-trained panelists and pet food caregivers’ perceptions of pet food. This review …

Predicting Different Psychological Profiles Amongst Substance Users., Zach J. Gray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are some of the most prevalent issues facing society. As SUDs are highly individualized in how they manifest, recent work has attempted to classify distinct profiles of drug users to better understand what factors put someone at risk for shifting from casual substance use to developing a substance use disorder (SUD). Common risk factors for SUD development include stressor exposure, difficulties with emotion regulation, personality, and risky decision-making. As many of the behaviors that constitute SUDs are exhibited prior to potential diagnosis, developing “profiles” that combine these traits and experiences could eventually predict SUDs. The current …

Encapsulation Of Probiotics By Cellulose Nanocrystal-Alginate Composite Beads For Ph Stimuli-Responsive Delivery, Akrip Jati

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microencapsulation has garnered significant interest, with oral probiotics delivery systems showing enormous potential to help restore the gut microbiome. This method holds vast potential to protect and release specific microbial strains to the desired target site (i.e., colon) within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, current encapsulation methodologies, utilizing either synthetic or biological materials as carriers, encounter challenges such as suboptimal encapsulation efficiency, premature probiotic release, and inadequate control over release kinetics. In this work, hydrogel microsphere (HM) composites of different cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) forms (i.e., colloidal (c), and crosslinked (x)) and alginate (ALG) were used as advanced controlled release systems …

A Single Session Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy In A Group Format To Promote Health-Related Behavior Change In Nutrition And Sleep: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Thi Anh Tran

Dissertations

Nutrition and sleep are important health-related behaviors for which only a small percentage of the population meet recommended guidelines. To impact population-health it is important to develop focused, flexible, efficient, and efficacious interventions. This study examined the efficacy of a 60-minute Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in a group presentation format to initiate change in nutrition and sleep related behaviors in college students. Thirty-two collegians (M age = 18.55 [.85], 66% female, 34% Hispanic, 25% white) were randomized to receive ACT focusing on nutrition (n = 18 participants across 4 groups) or sleep (n = 14 participants across 3 …

The Case Of Dr. Anna Pou: Criminal Or Hero?, Katherine Bonnell

Honors Thesis

This paper provides an analysis of the ethical and legal complexities of Dr. Anna Pou’s actions preceding Hurricane Katrina. Faced with the harsh reality that a handful of critically ill patients would not survive or be rescued from the hospital, Dr. Pou administered lethal doses of morphine in a desperate attempt to alleviate her patients' suffering. Ethical dilemmas of palliative care during catastrophic emergencies are explored, as well as an examination of where Memorial Hospital’s executive board failed in its preparedness. One year after Hurricane Katrina, the grand jury refused to indict Dr. Anna Pou and she was exonerated from …

Assessing The Short-Term Outcomes Of Erase And Replace: A Series Of Health & Wellness Activities, Gabriela Murza, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Melanie Dabb, Cris Meier

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension faculty addressed Utah's high rate of poor mental health with activities that improved participants’ connections, confidence, and abilities. These efforts positively impacted adults' mental health and quality of life and offered an additional resource to address self-care needs while encouraging connection and skill-building.

Evaluation Of Cardiometabolic Monitoring In Patients Taking Antipsychotic Agents Within A Community Health System., Kendra Yarian Pharmd, Jenna Gilbert Pharmd, Bcpp, Libby Stabler Pharmd, Bcacp, Quyen Nguyen Pharmd, Bcacp, Leia Gaddis Pharmd, Bcps, Dpla

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This evaluation found that the majority of patients on antipsychotic agents do not have all baseline monitoring completed, and that there are significant gaps especially in lipid panel and hemoglobin A1c. Other parameters (e.g., blood pressure, weight) were more likely to be gathered, likely as part of routine visit procedure.

Medication Use Evaluation Of Fecal Microbiota Spores (Live-Brpk) For The Prevention Of Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection., Haley Michaud Pharmd, Trent Towne Pharmd, Bcps, Sarah Ferrell Pharmd, Bcpps, Bhavika Patel Pharmd, Noah Budi Pharmd

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This medication use evaluation found that infectious diseases providers were more likely to prescribe advanced treatments such as fidaxomicin or fecal microbiota compared to other specialties. Of the 93.1% of patients seen by Infectious Disease, 62.9% (n=17) of those patients were prescribed fecal microbiota spores (live-brpk) (VOWST). Of the 29 eligible patients, 41.4% (n=12) were identified as missed opportunities.

Optimization Of Beta-Lactam Dosing In Critically Ill Patients With Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration Or Augmented Renal Clearance., Kristin Lytal Pharmd, Mspgx, Robert D. Beckett Pharmd, Bcps, Luke Keller Pharmd, Bcps, Bcccp, Michael Todt Pharmd, Bcccp

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This evaluation found that traditional dosing of beta-lactams found in practice is often (20 to 90%) suboptimal when compared to ideal evidence-based dosing, that optimizes efficacy while limiting adverse effects from drug toxicity.

Dofetilide Initiation In A Tertiary Medical Center: A Medication Use Evaluation., Zhixi Lui Pharmd, Kris Howard Pharm, Aacc, Megan Straub Pharmd, Bcps, Elizabeth Meisberger Pharmd, Bcps, Bccp, Sarah Ferrell Pharmd, Bcpps

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This evaluation found that adherence to a pharmacist-managed protocol significantly increased dofetilide continuation rates at discharge and six months. Future implementation includes refining the current dofetilide order set, expanding the pharmacist’s role in dose selection, and standardizing documentation and intervention notes to improve protocol adherence.

Drop-It Like It’S Hot: A Droperidol Medication Use And Efficacy Evaluation In A Community Health System., Caleb Hoppe Pharmd, Sarah Meeks Pharmd, Allison Clemens Pharmd, Robert D. Beckett Pharm D

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This study found that higher doses of droperidol for abdominal pain could provide more analgesic benefit without compromising patient safety. While droperidol appears effective at relieving nausea, other more cost-effective anti-emetics may be trialed first (without diphenhydramine). Droperidol appeared to provide light sedation, although most doses were low and used on patients without severe agitation (e.g. RASS ≥ 3).

Optimizing Serum Magnesium Monitoring And Replacement In A Community Hospital., Gabrielle O. Carreon Pharmd, Ms, Jesse Christman Pharmd, Bcop, Joshua Winebaugh Pharmd, Bcps, Robert D. Beckett Pharmd, Bcps

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

Findings highlight the need to revise our healthcare system’s standard hematology/oncology treatment plans to better align with appropriate magnesium monitoring, with up to 93% of magnesium lab draws potentially being unnecessary, and replacement, including better utilization of oral magnesium formulations instead of IV which can lower costs.

Discharge Antibiotic Use In Patients Hospitalized With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd) Exacerbations., Jennifer Mccarthy Pharmd, Ms, Sarah Pfaehler Pharmd, Mba, Bcps, Pacs, Ross Witte Pharmd, Bcps

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. New Orleans, LA

This medication use evaluation identified opportunities for improved prescribing in this population. The majority of patients receiving antibiotics had increased dyspnea only. Because of this, 90% of patients did not receive antibiotics appropriately; 94% received an excessive duration. The majority of patients had no prior to admission COPD maintenance therapy, potentially related to lack of baseline FEV1 data required for initiating therapy classification.

Leadership Ways Of The Three Fires Anishinaabek, Grace Boda

Dissertations

Leadership has often been viewed through a narrow lens that primarily reflects Western perspectives, while Indigenous knowledge has been overlooked, marginalized, or excluded, perpetuating colonial systems. This study aims to restore Indigenous knowledge within the Three Fires Anishinaabek community and to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of leadership. Employing an Indigenous research methodology, the study centers relational and wholistic ways of knowing. This approach adheres to Indigenous ethics of relational accountability and utilizes a collaborative strategy for knowledge gathering (data collection) through conversational interviews.

As knowledge contributors (participants), members of the Three Fires Anishinaabek community engaged in discussions that …

Private School Principals’ Leadership Roles In Times Of Change Within The Dominican Republic, Benedicta Calderon

Dissertations

As in many other countries around the globe, the Dominican Republic (DR) has recently implemented important educational changes. The curriculum changed from a content-based to a competence-based approach, and grade configurations changed from four-year to three-year cycles, moving seventh and eighth grades out of elementary and into high school. These changes impacted public and private school structures, with implications on principals’ leadership role. While there is much previous research on principals as instructional leaders implementing significant change; prior to this study, no research was found that looked at private school principals in such roles within a developing country like the …

From Pages To Pixels: Library Workers’ Perceptions Of Power In The Digital Era, Sean Gaffney

Dissertations

This work explores how library workers experience power during the era of digital transformation. As libraries transition from traditional knowledge repositories to dynamic, technology-driven information centers, power structures within these institutions are undergoing significant change. Despite the extensive implementation of digital transformation initiatives, there is a critical gap in understanding how digitalization is impacting employees’ experiences of power within the library context.

Drawing on French and Raven’s Bases of Social Power model, this study investigates how digital tools, platforms, and processes influence how power is perceived among library workers and its distribution and sources. A qualitative survey study was conducted …

Volume 44, Number 4, December 2024 Olac Newsletter, Laura Kane Mcelfresh, Michael Herrick, Alex Whelan, Tanesa King, Nerissa Lindsey, Lisa Romano, Janelle Zetty, Morris Levy, Jan Mayo, Bobby Bothmann, Tomeka L. Jackson, Thumy Webb, Nurhak Tuncer, Katherine Manifold, Michelle Cronquist, Amanda Mack, Michelle E. Colquitt, Carla Davis Cunningham, Meghan Croll, Chelsea Gizzi, Christine Baker, Ann Kardos, Ellen Wright, Beth Fogler, Amy Pennington, Tina Marie Maes

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized December 2024 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.