Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Lung Cancer Screenings In A Family Medicine Clinic, Ashley Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although lung cancer screening is an established guideline for intervention in primary care, eligible patients do not receive it. Patients at high risk of developing lung cancer are aged 50 to 80 and currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years. Obtaining an annual low-dose computed tomography for patients at high risk of developing lung cancer helps detect lung cancer earlier and, therefore, improves patient outcomes.

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing (DNP) project aimed to increase lung cancer screenings in patients at high risk of developing …

Implementing A Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Program For Patients With Tobacco Use Disorder, Jalen Eaton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Individuals who use tobacco are at an increased risk for the development of heart disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of death in the world.

Purpose: The focus of the quality improvement project was to improve access to tobacco cessation resources in patients with tobacco use disorder at a primary care clinic.

Methods: Weekly stakeholder meetings were held to ensure the validity of the project. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) model of continuous quality improvement guided the project. A comprehensive tobacco-cessation program including informational materials and …

A Quality Improvement Project: Improving The Clinical Practice For Assessing Hemoglobin A1c On Admission In Diabetic Ketoacidosis Patients Admitted To The Intensive Care Unit, Tiara Lawson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. Early treatment and adherence to guidelines are crucial in preventing DKA. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) publishes annual guidelines for effective DKA management, and the Education Recognition Program National Benchmarks program can help maintain adherence to the published guidelines. Improving the intensive care unit (ICU) admission process enhances the quality of care to DKA patients and improves progress towards national benchmarks.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to improve Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) evaluations in DKA patients admitted to the ICU.

Methods: The intervention of triggering HbA1c orders …

Reducing No-Show Rates In An Outpatient Gi Endoscopy Lab, Mwaba Chisela

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Patients who do not attend their scheduled appointments cost the healthcare industry approximately $150 billion annually. They are at higher risk of missed diagnoses, delay in care, and increased morbidity and mortality.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to determine the effectiveness of serial reminders using phone calls and electronic messaging to reduce no-shows for patients scheduled for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Methods: No-show data was retroactively analyzed from June 2023 to December 2023 and compared to post-implementation data from February 2024 to March 2024. For eight weeks, a trained staff team called patients scheduled for endoscopic procedures seven days …

Gustav Klimt: A Modern Representation Of The Pregnant Female Body, Emma Fanger

Theses

This thesis analyzes Gustav Klimt’s Hope I (1903) and Hope II (1907–1908) to explore how the artist offered a revolutionary and rare representation of pregnancy at the turn of the twentieth century. Klimt, a key figure in the Symbolist and Art Nouveau movements, is recognized for his decorative, allegorical, and emotionally charged style. His portrayal of the pregnant female body challenged traditional artistic conventions. This thesis argues that Hope I and Hope II are significant not only for their modern visual language, but also for their contribution to the limited representation of pregnancy in Western art. In addition to examining …

Michigan's Youth Justice Reform: A Potholed But Sure Road To Change, Kimberly Thomas, Jason Smith

South Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Analysis Of Artificially Flavored Coffees, Hannah Knights

Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal

This project aims to determine the molecular components that give artificially flavored coffees their advertised flavor. Much work has been conducted to determine various characteristics such as antioxidant properties, phenolic compounds, flavors, and aromas found in natural coffees. In addition, there is ample literature on the results of sensory tests for a variety of commercial coffees. However, not much work has been conducted to determine the compounds found in artificially flavored coffees that give rise to their distinctive aroma and flavor. This is, perhaps, due to the proprietary nature of the flavoring process employed by commercial producers. The goal of …

Effects Of Spatial And Temporal Variability On Bacterial Diversity And Community Composition In Roof-Harvested Rainwater Across Central Virginia, Jade Riddle

Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Pac-Loaded Polymer Membrane Thickness On Chloroform Removal And Comparison Of Solvent And Thermal Membrane Regeneration Methods, Yizhi Hou, Brooke K. Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) has better adsorption performance than granular activated carbon (GAC) and is widely used in water purification. In most cases, PAC is dosed into water directly, then precipitated as sludge, and landfilled. In this study, PAC was mixed with a polymer and dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent to form a PAC-loaded membrane, which was then tested for chloroform removal. The chloroform adsorption capacity of the PAC membrane increased with increasing membrane thickness because of higher carbon loading. However, regardless of membrane thickness, the flux of the PAC membranes was similar since flux resistance predominantly occurred at the …

In Their Voices: Kenyan Women's Experiences With Cancer Treatment–Related Side Effects, Tayreez Mushani, Dinah Kassaman, Sharon Brownie, Peterson Kiraithe, Margaret Barton-Burke

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Objective This article reports on a secondary analysis of a qualitative study conducted in Nairobi, Kenya that reported several initial themes. In this article, the authors explore the theme of treatment-related side effect management by women receiving treatment for breast or cervical cancer.

Methods Women were interviewed at three points during their active treatment trajectory. Participants were purposefully selected and saturation was reached when interviews did not yield any new themes. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for internal consistency, frequency, extensiveness, intensity and specificity. The Nvivo pro 12 software was used in organizing and managing the data to facilitate …

Green Finance Growth Prediction Model Based On Time-Series Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks, Aya Salama Abdelhady, Nadia Dahmani, Lobna M. Abouel-Magd, Ashraf Darwish, Aboul Ella Hassanien

All Works

Climate change mitigation necessitates increased investment in green sectors. This study proposes a methodology to predict green finance growth across various countries, aiming to encourage such investments. Our approach leverages time-series Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (CT-GANs) for data augmentation and Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Networks (NARNNs) for prediction. The green finance growth predicting model was applied to datasets collected from forty countries across five continents. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test confirmed the non-stationary nature of the data, supporting the use of Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Networks (NARNNs). CT-GANs were then employed to augment the data for improved prediction accuracy. Results demonstrate the …

Interdisciplinary Perspectives On Multimorbidity In Africa: Developing An Expanded Conceptual Model, Justin Dixon, Ben Morton, Misheck Nkhata, Alan Silman, Ibrahim Simiyu, Stephen Spencer, Myrna Van Pinxteren, Edna Bosire, Christopher Bunn, Claire Calderwood

Brain and Mind Institute

Multimorbidity is an emerging challenge for health systems globally. It is commonly defined as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions in one person, but its meaning remains a lively area of academic debate, and the utility of the concept beyond high-income settings is uncertain. This article presents the findings from an interdisciplinary research initiative that drew together 60 academic and applied partners working in 10 African countries to answer the questions: how useful is the concept of multimorbidity within Africa? Can the concept be adapted to context to optimise its transformative potentials? During a three-day concept-building workshop, we …

The Role Of Social Capital In A Fishing Community’S Adaptation To Climate Change, Endah Saptutyningsih, Romi Bhakti Hartarto, Wanggi Jaung

DLSU Business & Economics Review

Climate change threatens the livelihoods of many communities around the world, including fishing communities. Low catches of fish caused by climate change may have devastating impacts on fishing communities, particularly on those poor communities with a lack of preparation for climate change adaptation. This study investigates how social capital influences fishermen’s support for climate change adaptation. We conducted a contingent valuation survey in a fishing community vulnerable to climate change in Lamongan, Indonesia. Our study results reveal that fishermen’s trust in a person and their community involvement played significant roles in their support for climate change adaptation. These study findings …

Staff Matters: Supporting Working Parents As A Recruitment And Retention Strategy, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Supporting employees who are parents is essential. Harvard data shows 73% of employees have caregiving responsibilities, highlighting the need for proactive strategies. First, communicate with employees to understand their needs for flexibility. Consider offering flexible schedules, part-time roles, and on-call staff to manage absences. Partnering with local childcare providers for sick coverage and allowing children at work occasionally can also help. Clear communication and defined parameters for flexibility are crucial. Implementing these strategies can build a supportive culture, enhancing employee retention and commitment.

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2024

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It is the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists.

The July issue of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) journal focuses on the member and public value of the association's Public Education Campaign through a cover story "Smile Brighter Michigan!". It also features articles on:

• How to get value from your MDA membership

• Joining the MDA Forensic Dental Team

• A new professional column, News you need, an editorial and regular department articles covering MDA …

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Mda At Your Service: How Can I Protect My Practice From Cybercrime?, Kristin Johnson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Cybercrime poses a significant threat to dental practices. To safeguard against attacks, the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends educating employees on phishing, enforcing strong passwords, requiring multifactor authentication, and updating software regularly. Additional resources include Complete Dental IT for security assessments and MDA Insurance for cyber liability policies. Further support for dental practices includes the transferability of MDA Radiography Training vouchers, using specialized CPA firms for better financial insights, and guidance on insurance network decisions for hiring associates.

Contributions To Nonparametric Testing In Clustered Data, Hasika Kalani Wickrama Senevirathne

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Clustered data refers to a specific kind of correlated data where units within the same cluster are correlated while units from different clusters are independent. The number of units in each cluster, known as the cluster size, can be associated with the cluster’s outcome. This is known as the informative cluster size (ICS) and affects the inference drawn from clustered data. Recently, a hypothesis testing method has been developed to detect the presence of ICS. However, considering ICS alone may not be sufficient when comparing outcomes across multiple groups of units within clustered data. The size of a group within …

A Comparison Of Specialized And General Orientation Courses For Community College Students, Heather R. Sorrell

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the effect of specialized orientation courses on community college student academic achievement and retention. The study utilized a quantitative design and compared the outcomes of specialized orientation courses to a more generalized orientation course. Due to the lack of previous research, there was little to suggest either a positive or a negative influence on student success measures for a targeted, specialized version of orientation courses. The study found that achievement outcomes did not differ between specialized orientation courses and general orientation courses. The study did find retention differences based on the type of orientation course completed. Students …

A Criminological Analysis Of The “White Supremacy To Anti-Immigrant Violence Pathway”, Ida Oesteraas

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

White supremacy consists of intricate ideologies, systems, privileges, and personal beliefs that result in unequal outcomes based on race in various aspects of life, such as wealth, freedom, health, and happiness (Belew & Gutiérrez, 2021). This dissertation explores the manifestation of white supremacy across various societal levels and its consequent harm and violence against people of color, immigrants, and particularly immigrants of color from Latin America. Here, I coin the term “white supremacy to anti-immigrant violence pathway” to examine how white supremacy has intertwined with our institutions and society, demonstrating how the exclusion and policing of immigrants of color sustain …

A Mixed-Methods Study To Examine Protective Behavioral Strategies For Simultaneous Alcohol And Cannabis Use In College Students, Jennifer Lynn Shipley

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

State-level cannabis legalization is becoming more common in the United States. With the rise of cannabis legalization, cannabis use among college students has increased and young adults’ perceptions of the harms associated with cannabis use have decreased. Moreover, simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis (so that their effects overlap; SAM) is prominent in the college student population. Negative consequences related to SAM use are greater than those for alcohol or cannabis single-substance use. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are robust predictors of reduced harm, and critical components for efficacious interventions for reducing alcohol and cannabis use and their related harms. PBS …

A Hermeneutic Analysis Of Relational Dynamics In Counseling And Psychotherapy Supervision, Onur Özmen

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counseling and psychotherapy supervision is a process that includes crucial relational dynamics (Calvert et al., 2016). Power dynamics and multicultural considerations (Green & Dekkers, 2010), as well as parallel processes (Tracey et al., 2012) are among those concepts playing nuanced roles in the relationship and underlining an intersubjective nature of a mutual process.

In this study, I explore these relational dynamics in a single individual supervisory relationship. Following a qualitative, interpretive methodology of Gadamer’s (2013) philosophical hermeneutics, I focused on interpreting eight supervision video recordings of a counselor education and supervision doctoral student (supervisor), with a master’s practicum student of …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Cobalt-Based Complexes And Metal-Organic Frameworks For Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis Under Acidic Conditions, Elizabeth A. Tonsel-White

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The synthesis of two cobalt(II) complexes: the novel complex [Co(phen)₃]₂[Co(pytc)₂]•16.25H₂O 1 and the previously reported [Co(bpy)₃](OH)₂•7H₂O 2, along with a cobalt(II/III)-containing MOF, Co-PPF2, previously reported as well, was achieved. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, microscopy, conductivity measurements, TGA, SEM, CV , and UV-visible , and FTIR spectroscopies. From the CV scan rates, diffusion coefficients for complexes 1 and 2 were determined to be 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹ and 4.8 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹. Electrocatalytic studies with complexes 1 and 2 revealed insights into the mechanistic aspects of …

Study Of Atypical Alarmone Synthesis In Clostridioides Difficile, Declan Nathaniel Butler

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that causes infections in humans that costs healthcare systems billions per year. C. difficile infection has high rates of recurrence due to multiple antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are in stressful environments, they produce hyperphosphorylated guanosine ribonucleotide signaling molecules called alarmones. The accumulation of alarmones activates the stringent response (SR), in which bacterial cells induce transcription of stress survival genes to delay growth and replication. The C. difficile SR is regulated by enzymatic activity of a bifunctional synthetase/hydrolase, RelA/SpoT homolog (RSH), and a monofunctional small alarmone synthetase (RelQ). Additionally, the SR is potentially regulated …

Use Of Cobalt(Iii) And Copper(Ii) Complexes With Thiosemicarbazone Ligands And Berberine Chloride As Anti-Cancer Agents Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Duaa Rashad Alajroush

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

It is a worrying fact that chemotherapeutic options for treating triple negative breast cancer are limited in nature, including the use of inorganic pharmaceuticals such as cisplatin and its analogues. It has been reported that cisplatin has undesirable side effects when used as a chemotherapeutic drug. As such, there is a need to use non-platinum-containing complexes as chemotherapeutic agents. Based on that issue, it has been reported by our research group and others that cobalt- and copper-containing complexes have shown great potential in anti-cancer properties when compared to cisplatin. In this research project, the cytotoxic effects of the following complexes: …

Co-Teaching Secondary Dual Eligible Students, Heidi Macomber

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Students who qualify for both English Language services and Special Education services tend to be underserved and have high failure rates in secondary schools. This project investigates the details related to dual eligible students’ underachievement and strives to create a curriculum that appropriately integrates language learning into topics such as identity and mental health. Research relates to methods of assessment that lead to qualification for both English language services and Special Education services. It also evaluates the complicated nature of co-teaching and the many methods for co-teaching that have been developed through research. In addition, this research shows that dual …

An Examination Of The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices On Self-Regulation And Social-Emotional Skills Among Students In The Early Elementary Grades, Erica Sederstrom

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this study was: What are the effects of mindfulness practices on students' self-regulation and social-emotional skills in early elementary grades? The literature topics that were researched and analyzed included the benefits and challenges of mindfulness practices, main categories of mindfulness practices, and steps to implementation in school settings. The five-week mindfulness curriculum I designed for this project includes mindful breathing, movement, and listening activities that can be implemented in kindergarten through second-grade classrooms. The curriculum comprises 25 lessons with discussion prompts and writing responses, a printable parent letter, and pre/post assessments. The lessons are designed …

Increasing Diversity In Advanced Placement Classrooms Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Megan Volgren

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This thesis has been designed around the question: How can AP literature teachers use culturally relevant pedagogy to make changes to their curriculum to increase diversity in their classes? Most schools offer advanced classes for students, many of which offer opportunities for them to gain college credit while in school. Yet, these opportunities are not equitably distributed. Students of color are often absent from Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This thesis explores the reasons behind this inequality and considers some changes that can be made to promote equality in schools. The focus of the accompanying project is to create a unit …

School-Wide Policies To Support Ell Students With Lgbtqia+ Identities, Camille Verly

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

My research question is What school-wide policies can be implemented to support ELL students with LGBTQIA+ identities? LGBTQIA+ high school students face a myriad of challenges in achieving full integration within academic and school culture. These challenges are especially pronounced for students from an English Language Learner (ELL) background, who may also grapple with language barriers and cultural differences. This intersectional group is at higher risk of marginalization, and as such, they are in particular need of holistic support within their educational environment. This project is the development of a comprehensive website designed to serve as a resource for all …

Providing Heritage-Based Social And Emotional Learning Opportunities For Middle Grade Latina Students, Brianna Bjorge

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

All students deserve opportunities that help them feel safe and connected to their school environment. For my capstone, I designed a culturally responsive extracurricular program designed for Latina immigrant-origin middle school students, focusing on heritage-based learning and gaining social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies. My capstone project sought to answer the question: “How can Latina immigrant-origin middle school students benefit from a culturally responsive extracurricular program that revolves around the explicit instruction of SEL skills?” In response to this question, I have designed an after-school curriculum that integrates heritage-based elements to address and support the distinct social and emotional needs …

Healing Students’ Collective Trauma And Growing With School Gardens, Will Ashwood

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This paper examines the potential of school garden projects as a therapeutic intervention for addressing collective trauma among students. It investigates how such gardens can help students recognize, work through, and heal from trauma or PTSD, and explores the benefits of using a therapeutic garden as a setting for learning, healing, and personal growth. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration of how building, implementing, and maintaining a school garden can benefit educational institutions, families, and the broader community. It highlights how school gardens can integrate with existing curricula and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to enhance …