Strengthening Workforce Stability And Operational Efficiency In The Transition To Practice: A Quality Improvement Project, Alana L. Lemoine

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract 

Background: The transition to professional practice is a challenging period for new graduate nurses, and inadequate support can contribute to high turnover and reduced job satisfaction. Structured mentorship programs have been proposed as an effective strategy to improve retention, support professional development, and enhanced perceived impact during the first year of practice for new graduate nurses.

Local problem: Within a single microsystem, new graduate nurses faced challenges related to access to formal mentorship and support throughout the transition to practice. Baseline data indicated that only 50% of nurses had access to active mentorship, and retention rates in 2024 were …

Promoting Equitable Access To Postpartum Hemorrhage Education: A Quality Improvement Project Using Educational Interventions For Night Shift Nurses, Michelle Stella

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious condition that can lead to maternal morbidity or mortality following the birth of their child. It is important for nurses to be properly educated to manage this condition quickly and efficiently. Night shift nurses often face barriers to accessing educational opportunities during their shift because most education is tailored to daytime hours.

Local Problem: At the project site facility, night shift nurses perceived inconsistent access to education compared to day shift nurses. This gap highlighted the need for more flexible educational modalities to meet the needs of night shift nurses.

Methods: This …

Increasing Nursing Perceptions On Advanced Directives Through Education To Promote Patient Centered Care, Michelle Strong

Master's Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Improved Daily Communication To Reduce On-Time First Case Start (Fcots) Delays In The Operating Room: A Quality Improvement Project, Autumn Tourangeau

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: First Case On-Time Starts (FCOTS) are a key indicator of perioperative efficiency and influence operating room (OR) utilization, staff productivity, patient satisfaction, and healthcare costs. Baseline data from an ambulatory perioperative unit demonstrated persistent variability in FCOTS performance and inconsistent interdisciplinary communication regarding surgical delays.

Local Problem: Inconsistent communication and documentation of first-case delays limited interdisciplinary awareness of workflow barriers and contributed to ongoing variability in FCOTS performance.

Intervention: A standardized, HIPAA-compliant daily communication process was implemented, consisting of an end-of-day email summarizing FCOTS delays and the documented reasons for delays. Educational materials and standardized documentation tools were introduced …

Improving Equipment Safety And Operational Efficiency In The Labor And Delivery Setting Using A Standardized Bedside Equipment Checklist: A Quality Improvement Project, Clara E. Lane

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Timely and effective neonatal resuscitation depends on the immediate availability and functionality of emergency equipment. Within labor and delivery settings, equipment failures or delays in obtaining necessary supplies and equipment can be detrimental to neonatal health outcomes. Standardized equipment verification processes have been recommended to improve equipment readiness and reduce preventable delays in care provision during neonatal emergencies.

Local Problem: Baseline observational data within the labor and delivery microsystem identified inconsistencies in equipment verification processes, resulting in variable equipment readiness across the microsystem. Staff reported variations in room preparation, safety checks, and concerns related to missing or malfunctioning equipment …

Introducing Education For Sensory Approaches In Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits: A Quality Improvement Project To Enhance Patient-Centered Care, Jesse O'Neill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Barriers to specialty care access have resulted in emergency departments (ED) operating as temporary psychiatric hold facilities for their communities. Patients boarding in the ED are demonstrated to use a disproportionate percentage of facility resources with minimal benefit to the patient. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement identifies the impact of the healthcare environment on patient outcomes and suggests staff training to foster trauma-informed practice culture (Schall et al., 2020).

Local Problem: High-stress healthcare environments can escalate maladaptive patient behaviors and the use of restrictive interventions. Traditional use of restrictive interventions lacks supportive evidence and contradicts person-centered care goals (Molloy …

Implementing A Standardized Patient Report Sheet To Improve Timeliness And Efficiency Of Patient Handoff Reports: A Quality Improvement Project, Brian F. Mclaughlin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: A successful patient handoff report is a foundational element of nursing care, it encompasses the patient's medical history, current treatment plan, patient-centered goals, and notes of consideration. Blazin et. al. (2020) identified unsuccessful patient handoff reports as the root cause of many medical errors. Improving the patient handoff report process provides opportunities for increased registered nurse job satisfaction, reduced medical errors, and increased time efficiency.

Local Problem: Anecdotal discussions with nursing staff on an adult medical-surgical unit  revealed frustration with the patient handoff reporting process. Nursing staff cited interruptions, lengthy patient handoff report times, and the need to …

Cheshire Advisory Council Agenda & Minutes 2026, Carl Majewski

Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive Analytical Investigation Of Tetrahydro-4h-Chromene And Dihydropyridine Derivatives, Ryan J. Burk

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Novel calcium channel blockers (CCBs) with dihydropyridine (DHP) or tetrahydro-4H-chromene moieties are often chiral, so effective enantiomer separation methods are needed for continued drug development. The purpose of this dissertation is to outline a comprehensive method development model for the chiral separations of DHPs and tetrahydro-4H-chromene derivatives. The scope of this dissertation is to address analytical challenges during initial synthesis, chiral separations, and data analysis during post-processing for this class of chiral compounds. The first section focuses on the method development strategies for separations of DHPs in the sub/supercritical fluid (SFC) and normal phase modes with the 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin stationary phase. …

Novel Methods For Environmental Fluoride Measurement, Cable Warren

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Fluoride analysis has been an important focus of analytical analysis for many years and will continue to be so going forward. Today, fluorinated compounds, specifically per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), better known as “forever chemicals” have captured the moment and are the subject of vast research and regulation. Under this context, I have researched new methods of fluoride separation and concentration in complex media as well as a novel method of PFAS destruction and total organic fluorine analysis for screening of PFAS in aqueous samples. Through research and work on micro-scale detection methods, an understanding of the state of the art and …

Andante: Introduction, Ilaria Serra

Andante: An Introduction

Cover art: Dorothy Tennant (1855-1926), Al gioco

Problems And Possibilities Of Namelessness In Late Antiquity And The Early Middle Ages, Jamie Wood, Hope Williard, Máirín Maccarron, Julia Hillner, James R. Burns

Medieval People

No abstract provided.

Full Journal

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Ghostly Grieving In Theatre’S Now Also The Dramaturgy Of Perception And The Body In Contemporary American Ghost Plays, Jacob Mann Christiansen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

“Ghostly Grieving in Theatre’s Now Also” explores how contemporary American plays and playwrights stage the dead as a way of understanding theatre’s unique language for dealing with the shared, complex human experience of grief. Focusing on theatrical ghosts and other “impossible” presences, I articulate how these figures function as dramaturgical devices. I also argue that theatre’s ghosts “set the stage” (as it were) for communicable meaning-making by inviting audiences into the tasks of creation and mourning.

My work draws on performance theory (especially phenomenological accounts of theatrical storytelling), on dramaturgical analysis, and on grief studies. In this dissertation project, I …

Hidden Wounds: Exploring Moral Injury In Childhood Exposure To Domestic Violence, Megan Elizabeth Denny

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The profound impacts of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) have been documented extensively, revealing long-term psychological effects such as the potential development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased likelihood of future victimization or perpetration of violence. Yet, the concept of moral injury (MI) traditionally explored in military and healthcare contexts, remains significantly underexplored in populations exposed to CEDV. This study examines the relevance of MI among individuals who experienced domestic violence (DV) during their youth. The research focused on two primary aims: (1) to describe the level and variability of moral injury-related distress among adults with histories of …

The Forensic Implications Of Hydrochloric Acid (Hcl) Exposure On Dna Preservation In Human Teeth, Shaelyn Lee Zimmerman

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Identity is a human right, and forensic anthropological methods are often aimed at returning identity to decedents. Three main pathways are used for the identification of human remains: fingerprints, dental records, and DNA analysis. Identification efforts may be hindered when perpetrators attempt to obscure the victim’s identity. In cases where corrosive substances, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) are used, dental comparison and fingerprinting often fail and genetic analysis becomes the best chance of achieving personal identification.

Previous studies have shown teeth are an excellent source of DNA. Large, multi-rooted teeth, such as molars, are often preferred because they contain the …

Climate And Seasonal Influences On Indo-Pacific Sea Level: Insights From 30 Years Of Satellite And Tide Gauge Data, Karlina Triana

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

We analyze Indo-Pacific sea-level variability using monthly satellite altimetry (1993–2025) validated against records from 16 tide-gauge stations. Cross-comparisons show strong agreement, especially in the western Pacific, confirming the reliability of altimetry for regional assessments. Seasonal SLA variability is largest in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea and reflects monsoonal forcing, whereas interannual fluctuations in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans are dominated by ENSO and modulated by PDO. Harmonic decomposition isolates annual and semi-annual cycles, and an EOF/PCA framework identifies the leading modes: EOF1 (30.8%) captures basin-scale interannual variability and EOF2 (20.9%) reflects the seasonal cycle. Spectral …

The Impact And Sustainability Of A School Improvement Grant On Student Outcomes In An Elementary Setting, Tiesha Denise Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact and sustainability of the School Improvement Grant (SIG) Transformation Model and to determine its impact on a low-performing elementary school. The research study used a quantitative research design to investigate the effects of the SIG on student achievement and school annual reporting data across three time periods: pre-intervention (2014-2015), post-intervention (2016-2017), and six years after the grant ended (2022-2023). The research design was appropriate because it allowed the researcher to collect archival data and examine potential differences across time periods. The independent variable was the three time periods, and the …

Practicing Contemporary Documentation: An Analysis Of Historic Influences And Personal Inspirations, Zoee D. Rasso

Theses and Dissertations

For my Honors Thesis, I proposed and created a solo exhibition of my artwork, researching the inspiration behind this work to determine its place within in the context of contemporary art history. My work as an artist centers on stylized, psychologically charged portraits of birds. Looking at art history, birds as artistic subjects are historically rooted in documentation, from scientific illustrations and game paintings to ukiyo-e. Analyzing my own creative influences such as James Audubon, Walton Ford, and Safet Zec, this Thesis explores my artistic background and influences, examining how I have developed as an artist over my tenure at …

Album Production: A Pedagogical Tool In Collegiate Brass Performance, Alex Doolittle

Theses and Dissertations

This graduate research project investigates the value of musical album production within collegiate brass performance training and pedagogy. Within the collegiate sphere, brass pedagogy has long centered on live performance, such as juries, recitals, and ensemble participation as a primary performance tool; however, the 21st-century musical landscape is deeply rooted in technological and digital artistic dissemination. This study is used to push the boundaries of how technology can be interpreted in brass pedagogy by asking: How does album production function as a pedagogical tool in collegiate brass performance training?

In this project, I used an auto-ethnographic case study design, serving …

The Returns On Educational Investment: Military Retention Among Mid-Grade Enlisted Soldiers After Army-Funded Degree Completion, Robert Kenneth Bandy Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Army Tuition Assistance (TA) program represents a substantial investment in the education and professional development of enlisted soldiers, yet limited empirical research has examined retention outcomes among soldiers who complete degrees using TA. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between selected demographic and educational characteristics and time-to-separation among enlisted U.S. Army soldiers who completed a degree using TA between fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Guided by Human Capital Theory, the study used archival administrative data from the Army Continuing Education Division (ACED) and the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A). A stratified …

Analysis Of Risk Factors And Current Programs For Addressing Injuries In Children And Adolescents, Jahfel Nial Jones Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents in the United States. These injuries result from various causes, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, suffocation, and poisoning. This capstone project examines the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies for unintentional injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. Using a public health approach, this research explores evidence-based interventions and community-based programs that effectively reduce injury-related mortality. The project also incorporates data and insights from the Safe Kids Columbus program at Piedmont Columbus Regional, where various injury prevention initiatives have been implemented.

Findings revealed that motor vehicle crashes …

Metagenomic Polymorphic Toxin Effector And Immunity Profiling Predicts Microbiome Development And Disease-Related Dysbiosis, Hunter W. Schroer, Francesco Beghini, Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay, Nicholas A. Christakis, Dustin E. Bosch

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bacteria use antagonistic interbacterial weapons, such as polymorphic toxin secretion systems (TSS), to compete for niches in the human gut microbiome. We hypothesized that TSS influence gut microbiome development and disease-related dysbiosis. We developed a bioinformatic marker gene approach (PolyProf) to quantify TSS including ~200 effector and immunity genes and applied it to ~15,000 publicly available human metagenomes. PolyProf alpha and beta diversity readily distinguished 12 different human disease states and enabled the construction of highly accurate linear regression classifier machine learning models. Elastic net machine learning models integrating bacterial taxonomy with PolyProf had strong predictive value for 12 disease …

The Critical Role Of Transthoracic Echocardiography In The Evaluation Of Acute Renal Infarction, Gurjeet Dosanjh

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Projects

Acute renal infarction is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed condition that often presents with nonspecific abdominal or left flank pain. Renal infarction is commonly associated with cardioembolic etiologies, making echocardiography evaluation essential. In the case presented, a 60-year-old male had presented with a sudden onset of left flank pain, and a computed tomography (CT) confirmed renal infarction. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed to assess cardiac structures, function, and potential intracardiac thrombus. Results showed the diagnosis of moderately reduced left ventricular systolic dysfunction with exclusion of a cardioembolic source, timely investigation of anticoagulant therapy, and a reduced risk of irreversible damage. …

Sme Ai Outreach In Finland—A Case Study, Kaj Mikael Björk, Anton Akusok, Amaury Lendasse, Leonardo Espinosa-Leal

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a project (work in progress) where entrepreneurship and higher education in AI (from Master level to postdoc level) are integrated in order to produce a dual effect; helping SMEs to gain insight in how AI can aid in the corporate environment and to expose AI researchers to the real-life situations in the company world. If successful, the companies are made ready for the AI revolution and the researchers more equipped for corporate settings. The project is ongoing, so this paper addresses a work-in-progress project. The paper reflects on the project as well on some aspects that need …

Preparing Future Occupational Therapy Practitioners To Provide Culturally Responsive Care For Hispanic Populations, Abraham Ramirez

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

As the United States becomes increasingly culturally diverse, occupational therapy practitioners must be prepared to provide culturally responsive, client-centered care to individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. This doctoral capstone addressed an identified gap in occupational therapy education related to students’ preparedness to work with Hispanic/Latino populations through the development and dissemination of educational resources grounded in cultural humility. Guided by Agner’s Cultural Humility Framework, the project emphasized lifelong self-reflection, recognition of personal biases, collaboration, and openness to clients’ lived experiences rather than mastery of cultural knowledge. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, incorporating a literature review, needs assessment, faculty consultation, …

School-Based Sensory Room Education Program: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Makenzie Stiles, Bonnie Fischer-Camara, Tracie Ostrander, Elizabeth Young, Sophia Theodorou, Jacie Schneider

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

Sensory rooms are commonly used within school settings to support students' self-regulation, behavior, and participation in educational activities. However, evidence suggests that special education teachers and teacher aides often receive limited training on the appropriate use of sensory rooms, including identifying students who may benefit and selecting activities based on individual sensory needs. The purpose of this mixed-methods, pre-experimental capstone project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based sensory room education program for special education teachers and teacher aides at Deposit Central School District. Guided by Ayres Sensory Integration® and Adult Learning Theory, the project included a needs assessment, …

Design Of Novel Gating Systems For Steel Castings, K. Balasubramanian, Laura Bartlett, M. Xu

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Gating systems play an important role in determining the quality and mechanical properties of castings. To understand the efficiency of gating systems, four systems, namely pressurized system, non-pressurized system, naturally pressurized system with a side riser and a naturally pressurized system with a top riser, were studied. The naturally pressurized systems were provided with overflows which collected the incoming metal swirl. Parameters like velocity of metal flow, air entrapment, microporosity and Niyama criterion were considered, and a design was developed with a common pouring basin. 8630 alloy was poured into two molds using a teapot ladle. The inclusion analysis revealed …

Microstructure And Properties Of Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened Alloys, Ertugrul Demir, Seung Min Ha, Anish Ranjan, Xingshuo Zhang, Aaron Penders, Mukesh Bachhav, Xiaochun Li, Lin Shao, Alexander Demblon, Haiming Wen, Enrique Lavernia

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys are a critical class of structural materials for extreme environments, owing to their unique combination of high-temperature strength, thermal stability, and radiation tolerance, enabled by a very high density of nanoscale oxide dispersoids. These features make ODS alloys attractive for advanced nuclear systems, aerospace applications, and other harsh-service conditions where conventional alloys rapidly degrade. Despite decades of development, key challenges remain in understanding how nanoscale oxides interact with matrix microstructures, alloy chemistry, and irradiation-induced defects to control macroscopic performance. This review provides a focused, mechanism-based synthesis of the microstructural features that govern the properties of ODS …

Catalytic Hydropyrolysis Of Beetle Killed Trees For The Production Of Transportation Biofuels, Oluwanisola Makinde, Fernando L.P. Resende, Michael Asama, Demian F. Gomez

Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We conducted catalytic hydropyrolysis of beetle-killed trees: Pine, Ash tree, and Redbay in a micro-pyrolyzer (Py/GC–MS) and investigated the performance of heterogeneous catalysts like HZSM-5, NiMo-HZSM- 5, and NiRe-HZSM- 5. We also investigated the effects of temperature, catalyst-to- biomass ratio, and hydrogen pressure on product yield. Our findings reveal that aromatic yields increase with temperature and catalyst-to- biomass ratio but decline at higher hydrogen pressures; additionally, higher catalyst acidity enhances both total hydrocarbon production and selectivity toward C7–C8 aromatics, with each feedstock exhibiting distinct optimal conditions. The type of metal doped on the HZSM-5 zeolite plays an important role in …