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Nephrocheck Implementation And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Michael Maccourtney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

NephroCheck Implementation and its Impact on the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Michael C. MacCourtney

Problem Statement: Acute kidney injury occurs in up to 50% of patients after cardiac surgery (Meersche et al., 2017). This contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and costs (Helgadottir et al., 2016). At the time of the project implementation, the standard of care involved measuring renal function utilizing serum creatinine (SCr) and urine output (UOP) without NephroCheck. These renal function labs do not represent a timely and accurate assessment of the patient’s current renal status because they do not …

Effects Of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation On Impulse Control Disorders In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease On Dopamine Replacement Therapy, Katherine Muksuris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor deficits, cognitive impairment, and depression. The mainstay treatment for motor symptoms is dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). DRT takes the form of levodopa or dopamine receptor agonists (DAs) and can be associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs). Currently, the approach to mitigating these side effects is to decrease or stop DRT, which may cause motor symptoms to return, making the management of the disorder more difficult. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation treatment for multiple disorders, including its approved use for smoking cessation. It has also shown …

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Haley Lynne Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Haley Lynne Johnson, BSN, RN

Background: Stroke and brain injuries remain among the leading causes of mortality in the United States, accounting for 162,890 deaths in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Although frequent neurological assessments are essential for monitoring patient status, limited evidence supports the prolonged use of hourly neuro-checks (LaBuzetta et al., 2022). Excessive neuro-check frequency has been linked to sleep deprivation, an increased risk of delirium, and inefficient resource utilization (Kishore et al., 2021).

Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of …

Influence Of Different Rates Of Biochar And Deer Browsing On Pollinator Plant Productivity, Bipana Bhusal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, has received wide attention for soil amendment to improve plant growth. However, its specific effects on pollinator friendly plants remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of four biochar application rates (0, 10, 20, 40 tons/acre) and deer exclusion (fenced vs. unfenced) on the productivity of three pollinator species; Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) in a utility right of way with a history of mining. A split-plot randomized design was used, and the results were analyzed using …

No Man’S A Stone: A Qualitative Approach To Characterizing Masculinity In Older Adulthood, Montgomery T. Owsiany

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Suicide rates are exceedingly high in U.S. older men (aged 65 years and older). In 2020, older men were about 6.5 times more likely to die by suicide than older women and 1.14 times more likely than men aged 18 to 64 years. Masculine norms (e.g., emotional suppression, self-reliance, anger, physical toughness risk-taking behaviors, alcohol misuse) are believed to influence the presentation of mental disorders, such as depression, which has led to the conceptualization of masculine depression. Research on masculinity often focuses on the experiences of younger men, ignoring how gender identities may change as one progresses through adulthood. Meanwhile, …

Development Of High-Performance Coaches And Burnout, Amy Cashin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coach education is imperative, especially as coaching moves towards professionalization (Lara-Bercial, 2022). The literature has shown that high-performance coaches are closest to fitting the criteria of a profession (Lara-Bercial et al., 2022) while also being at risk of experiencing burnout due to the high level of stress faced within their job (Bentzen et al., 2014; Olusoga & Kenttä, 2016). The purpose of this study was twofold. First to have a more comprehensive understanding of Australian Athletics high-performance coaches’ wants and needs regarding coaching education as it pertains to coach wellbeing and burnout; and second, to have an in-depth exploration of …

Computational Approaches For Diagnosing Neurological Impairments And Restoring Functional Movement, Serhii Bahdasariants

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is the primary means by which the nervous system converts intention into interaction with the environment. Voluntary limb motion enables standing, walking, reaching, and grasping—actions that underpin self‑care, communication, and economic participation. When diseases or injuries disrupt the pathways that couple neural commands to muscle forces—whether through cortical stroke, spinal cord injury, or peripheral nerve damage—mechanical outcomes such as weakness, loss of coordination, and ultimately reduced mobility emerge. These impairments cascade into secondary complications, increased dependence on caregivers, and diminished quality of life. Quantifying how the lesion alters the mechanics of movement is therefore essential for designing targeted interventions …

Soft Epilogue, Chloe C. Firth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written document is the accompanying thesis for my Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Soft Epilogue. The work in the exhibition serves as a visual record of my eating disorder recovery process. Each piece in the exhibition addresses a selected writing prompt from the book 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder, published in 2011 and written by therapists and former eating disorder patients Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. The book provides information and journal assignments regarding the development of eating disorders, how to maintain the motivation to recover, and how to navigate the complicated emotions …

Efficacy Of Salmonella Surrogate Enterococcus Faecium In Poultry And Mash Broiler Feed, Corey Waitman Coe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium as a surrogate for Salmonella in validating thermal inactivation processes during poultry feed manufacturing and meat processing. The research encompassed three studies evaluating microbial kinetics in mash broiler feed, reconstructed ground chicken, and predictive modeling approaches to improve food safety interventions. In the first study, the thermal resistance of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium and E. faecium was compared in mash broiler feed heated at 75–95°C. Results demonstrated that E. faecium exhibited significantly greater heat resistance than Salmonella, with longer shoulder times, greater tailing effects, and higher D-values, supporting its use as …

Customer Segmentation And Fuel Economy Prediction Using Telemetry Data From Heavy-Duty Trucks, Batishahe Selimi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Heavy-duty trucks constitute only a modest fraction of on-road vehicles, yet their intensive duty cycles and high fuel demands yield a disproportionately large share of transportation fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this imbalance requires data-driven tools that capture the realities of fleet operation and translate complex telemetry into actionable insight.

This dissertation introduces a unified machine-learning framework that operates exclusively on high resolution time-series data collected from fifty-nine diesel trucks deployed across Southern California. It begins by constructing a multi-modal feature space that blends statistical summaries of key engine signals, static vehicle descriptors, and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients, thereby …

The Economics Of Crime And Reform: Essays On Alcohol Taxation, Cannabis Legalization, And Felon Enfranchisement., Georgios Marios Bantis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation comprises three independent yet thematically connected essays that explore the effects of public policy on crime and municipal finance. The first chapter examines the relationship between alcohol taxation and crime, assessing how changes in excise tax policies influence criminal activity. The second chapter investigates the fiscal implications of felon enfranchisement, analyzing how the restoration of voting rights to individuals with felony convictions affects municipal public finance. The third chapter evaluates the impact of cannabis legalization on crime, focusing on whether and how legalization alters crime patterns. Each chapter is structured as a stand-alone research paper. A general introduction …

Neuroendocrine Regulation Of The Luteinizing Hormone Surge And Puberty Onset In Sheep, Max J. Griesgraber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are essential for the reproduction of all mammalian species, including both sheep and humans. GnRH is secreted by hypothalamic neurons into the hypophyseal portal vasculature in a pulsatile manner, which then acts within the anterior pituitary to elicit the release of LH and FSH into wider systemic circulation. In females LH and FSH act on the ovaries to promote estradiol (E2) production, follicular development, and under certain conditions in regard to LH, ovulation. Furthermore, while E2 inhibits GnRH and subsequent LH secretion under most conditions, at high concentrations E2 …

Social Support And Negative Affective Outcomes Among Older Adults: Does Valuing Autonomy Matter?, Erika Anne Fenstermacher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While not a normal part of aging, depression is a concerning psychiatric condition in late life. Depression is a significant predictor of suicide and the highest rates of suicide occur in middle aged and older adult men. One factor that may protect against depression and suicidal behavior among older adults is social support. Social support has been demonstrated as a significant factor in health and well-being. Perceived social support has consistently been linked to beneficial outcomes, however, received support has mixed results with some studies even finding received support to be harmful. For individuals who highly value autonomy, it may …

Long-Term Trends In Brook Trout Production And Large Wood In West Virginia Headwater Streams, Halden D. Edwards

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Projects which monitor long-term trends in ecosystems are uncommon but extremely important in the management of fish and wildlife populations. By assessing the health of a population or community over multiple temporal scales, these projects provide true insight into population success that cannot be elucidated through short-term studies. Long-term projects are also instrumental in assessing the effects of disturbance events as they provide valuable baseline information which can be compared to data collected post-disturbance. Even more importantly, long-term studies can help identify crucial changes in the health and success of imperiled and invaluable species to improve and focus conservation efforts. …

A New Electronic Handoff Tool To Facilitate Patient Transfer From The Or To Sicu: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kaylan Jean Kerrigan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Transfer of care is a vulnerable time for patients. Continuity of care depends on good communication from the transferring team to the receiving team. Communication failures contribute to frustration among medical staff and poor patient outcomes. Purpose: The purose of this project was to improve handoff communication and satisfaction between the anesthesia team in the operating room (OR) and the receiving surgical intensive care unit (SICU) nurses. Intervention: A new electronic handoff tool was developed for the Epic electronic health record (EHR) to provide SICU nurses with patient information (name, age, allergies), procedure and diagnosis, intubation status, reversal status, …

Autonomous Vehicle Supported Mobility Services For Rural Areas, Alvira Ahmed Tasnim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are emerging as a promising mobility solution to address growing transportation demands, particularly unmet traffic demand in rural areas where conventional transit systems often fall short. Rural areas face unique mobility challenges due to dispersed populations, limited infrastructure, and low/no transit coverage. Existing transit services tend to concentrate around dense urban cores, leaving low-demand areas outside underserved. This spatial undercoverage leads to significant mobility gaps for rural residents. This study examines the potential of AV-based ride-sharing services to address these mobility needs by providing flexible, demand-responsive mobility services where fixed-route transit services are either economically or operationally …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Decrease Sugammadex Expenditures, Jordan Austin Gardo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Decrease Sugammadex Expenditures

Jordan Gardo

Introduction/Background: The manufacturer’s suggestion in the dosing of the Sugammadex is

generally dosed at 2-4 mg/kg of total body weight (TBW) depending on the extent of

neuromuscular blockade. Evidence suggests that in the morbidly obese population, this

can lead to excessive dosing due to the drug's hydrophilic properties, making it less cost-

effective. Dosing based on adjusted body weight (ABW) leads to dose reductions while

achieving full reversal of neuromuscular blockade as measured by quantitative train-of-

four monitoring, resulting in lower costs from decreased vial usage.

Purpose: The purpose …

Evaluating Osmia Cornifrons As An Effective Pollinator For Agricultural Crops: An Analysis Of Hair Morphology And Sex-Ratio Distorting Bacterium, Wolbachia, Nellie Heitzman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Effective pollination relies not only on the presence of pollinators but also on their morphological adaptations and reproductive biology. In this study, I investigated both the external hair morphology and the intracellular bacterial infection status of Osmia cornifrons, a solitary bee species increasingly used in orchard pollination due to its efficiency and early seasonal activity. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), I characterized the distribution and structure of two major hair types present on the bee's body: branched and unbranched. Branched hairs were found widely distributed across the head, thorax, dorsal abdomen, and legs, and appeared to function primarily in incidental …

Current Higher Education Legal Issues And The Roles Of Legal Leadership On Campus, Louis H. Guard, Joyce P. Jacobsen, Patricia E. Salkin

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Cyber Sexual Misconduct: The Evolution Of Sexual Privacy Laws And Best Practices For Representing Victims, Jolie Bodner Zangari, Lindsay Lieberman

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Demonstrating The Potential Of Biophilic Design, Sustainable Site Initiatives, And Regenerative Landscape Design To Transform Neglected And Underutilized Spaces Into Vibrant, Eco-Friendly Hubs In Mckeesport Pennsylvania., Chinweuba Stephen Kikanme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

McKeesport is a city located along Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about 13 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is part of the River metropolitan area. McKeesport, once a thriving center of steel production, is now facing significant challenges associated with industrial decline, urban blight, flood hazard, population decline, brownfield sites and environmental degradation. However, the transformation of neglected spaces within the city into sustainable and vibrant urban hubs offers a powerful opportunity for revitalization. By incorporating natural elements such as green roofs, urban agriculture, and native plant restoration, this project seeks to create spaces that not only …

It Takes Two To Tango: The Overlooked Process Of Co-Creation In Services Marketing, Natalie A. Marquart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of effective co-creation in patient-provider interactions within the U.S. healthcare system, a critical area given pervasive systemic frustrations and the dyadic nature of care. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Service-Dominant Logic, the research proposes a conceptual model where patient self-efficacy fosters cooperation, mediated by the dimensions of symmetry, alignment, and agreement, ultimately influencing patient outcomes. Perceived response efficacy is hypothesized to moderate this relationship. A mixed-methods approach was employed, consisting of two complementary studies. Study 1 utilized qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 20 patients and 5 healthcare providers to deeply explore how self-efficacy, perceived response …

Leveraging Physiological Signal Activity And Self-Report Data To Assess Students’ Trust In “My Friendly Mind” App And Its Impact On Their Mental Health Knowledge: A Mixed-Method Phase 1 Clinical Trial Focusing On Depression And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder From Human Factors Standpoint., Yeganeh Shahsavar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mental health issues have become a significant global public health concern, especially among younger generations. The growing number of mental health challenges, combined with limited access to quality care, makes the problem even worse. Studies reveal that over 70% of individuals worldwide in need of mental health services do not receive appropriate care. Digital health technologies have the potential to enhance mental health services by making them more accessible and affordable. Despite the increasing popularity of mental health mobile applications (mHealth), there remains a lack of robust evidence of their effectiveness and the level of user trust, particularly in areas …

P23h Rhodopsin Accumulation Disrupts Synaptic Protein Levels In Rod Photoreceptors, Samantha Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rod photoreceptors are specialized neurons located in the retina, the neural tissue that lines the back of the eye. Rod photoreceptors are necessary for dim light and peripheral vision through the photoactivation rhodopsin (Rho). Rho is synthesized in the inner segment of rods before being unidirectionally trafficked to the outer segment. In diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Rho trafficking can be disrupted, leading to progressive rod cell death. In many cases of RP, Rho is mislocalized to the rod photoreceptor synapse (“spherule”). The impact of Rho mislocalization on spherule structure and protein organization is poorly understood. We hypothesize that …

Investigation Of Spalling Effects On The Brittle Behavior Of Rectangular Pillars In Underground Stone Mines, Yolver Yesid Jimenez Ibanez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent catastrophic collapses in U.S. limestone mines have exposed the limitations of traditional empirical design formulas for brittle rock masses. These events, especially those involving slender pillars, underscore that traditional methods often fail to account for progressive, spalling-dominated failure, highlighting a crucial gap in our understanding. This research addresses this issue by conducting a comprehensive investigation into the mechanics of spalling in rectangular stone mine pillars, utilizing advanced three-dimensional numerical modeling with FLAC3D combined with LiDAR-based geometric modeling.

The stability of a pillar is governed by a complex interaction between the in-situ stress field, rock mass properties, and pillar geometry. …

Media Framing Of The Local And National News Coverage Of The East Palestine Train Derailment, Lauren Delo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examined digital news coverage of the East Palestine train derailment to determine the frames and dominant frames used in both local and national coverage of the disaster, and whether these frames differed over time. Specifically, this research used a content analysis of digital newspaper articles from five media outlets—three national level and two local level—and applied the frames identified from Colistra’s (2010) study of print news coverage of the 1972 Buffalo Creek mine disaster. Results revealed significant differences between the most frequently used frames between local and national coverage, shifts in frame usage over time within each media …

Investigating The Physiological, Metabolomic, And Transcriptomic Changes In Response To Telomerase Deletion In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Taizina Momtareen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Telomerase is an enzyme found in rapidly dividing cells that maintains chromosome ends and prevents the loss of genetic information during cell division. When telomerase is inactive, cells gradually lose their telomeres and eventually stop dividing. In yeast, a rare subset of cells can bypass this growth arrest by switching to a recombination-based mechanism to maintain telomeres. Therefore, yeast provides a powerful system to study this adaptation, as telomerase-deficient strains can generate 'survivors' that mimic the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway observed in some human tumors. In this work, my goal was to examine how a telomerase-null (TLC1 …

Distress Tolerance And Sleep Quality: Potential Moderating And Mediating Factors, Alivia Kay Murdock-Frazier

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has shown that insomnia and poor sleep quality are related to a variety of negative physical and mental health outcomes. There is emerging evidence that the psychological construct of distress tolerance is related to the quality of one’s sleep, including the presence of insomnia. However, few studies have explored how additional factors may be related to this association. This study aimed to replicate previous research supporting the association between distress tolerance and sleep and exploring this relation by examining three different hypotheses (e.g., health behaviors, perceived stress, and emotion regulation) that could potentially explain how these two variables are …

Exploration Of Coping And Mental Health In West Virginia Farmers, Jodi Meadows Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Compared nationally, West Virginia currently ranks lowest for life expectancy, highest for drug related deaths and 35^th for access to adequate health (WV DHHR Organization Assessment & Strategic Plan, 2022). The state also ranks first in the nation for depression with one in four adults experiencing some form of depressive condition each year (CDC, 2020). The rurality of the state may limit social interaction and availability of medical treatment facilities (Brew et al., 2016).

The situation is even more dire for those in farming-related occupations. Farmers often struggle with management stress, utilizing appropriate coping strategies, and accessing mental health …

Police Abuse In America And The Search For Remedy, Howard Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The dissertation contends that, despite many diligent efforts—from mass protests to a presidential task force—America is not yet on path to remedying its outsized patterns of police abuse. The abuse problem is broadly characterized herein through a “triad” of over-enforcement, excessive force, and racial discrimination. The Washington Post’s “Fatal Force” database, covering the years 2015 through 2024, is offered as a bellwether of American progress in addressing its police abuse; and, it is observed, the nation’s yearly count of fatal police shootings of civilians has been increasing, rather than decreasing.

To help make sense of our lack of national progress, …