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Internet Of Medical Things: Integrating Machine Learning And Wearables For Healthcare, Jingwen Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which integrates Internet of Things technologies into healthcare, has become a powerful tool for enhancing health monitoring and predicting clinical outcomes. By leveraging wearable devices, IoMT facilitates continuous, cost-effective, and convenient tracking of patients' health conditions over time. This dissertation applies data-driven methods to address critical clinical challenges involving wearable devices. Specifically, it focuses on three significant clinical problems: (1) indoor contact tracing for healthcare workers using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, (2) predicting surgical outcomes using wearable data, and (3) developing robust models for surgical outcome prediction that account for patient variability using …

Internet Of Medical Things: Integrating Machine Learning And Wearables For Healthcare, Jingwen Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which integrates Internet of Things technologies into healthcare, has become a powerful tool for enhancing health monitoring and predicting clinical outcomes. By leveraging wearable devices, IoMT facilitates continuous, cost-effective, and convenient tracking of patients' health conditions over time. This dissertation applies data-driven methods to address critical clinical challenges involving wearable devices. Specifically, it focuses on three significant clinical problems: (1) indoor contact tracing for healthcare workers using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, (2) predicting surgical outcomes using wearable data, and (3) developing robust models for surgical outcome prediction that account for patient variability using …

Potential Urban Hazard Zones Of Shanghai, Prc, C. Nicholas Raphael, Jinan Li

The Geographical Bulletin

Land-use data derived from large scale aerial images were used to determine potential hazard zones of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Using a GIS, nine cultural and physical parameters in onekilometer2 pixels are identified, classified and mapped. A coefficient of urban hazard is calculated per square kilometer within the city. Of the 10 administrative municipalities, Jinan and Luwang, in the central city, are determined as having high urban disaster potential. Natural hazards such as storm surges and subsidence in the delta complex have been recognized and addressed. However, in view of increasing urbanization, urban hazard is yet to be adequately …

An Epidemiological Approach To The Rise In Syphilis In The United States Between 2018 And 2022, Ashley Forrest, Erica Rankin, Lahana Maharjan, Cyril Blavo, Jyotsna Chawla

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the recent increase in syphilis rates from 2018 to 2022, utilizing publicly available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background. Syphilis has seen a dramatic resurgence since 2018, reaching levels not observed since the 1940s. While this increase has prompted significant discourse among healthcare professionals, a comprehensive demographic analysis remains limited. Methods. CDC public datasets from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed descriptively, followed by chi-squared tests and logistic regression modeling conducted using R. The analysis examined syphilis rates across different demographic and behavioral factors, including sex, race/ethnicity, and reported sexual …

Otitis Media Causes In Children And The Role Of Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques In Its Treatment, Laure Deliscar, Jyotsna Chawla, Cyril Blavo

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the disease process of pathogens in the middle ear space while considering the effectiveness of treatment methods. Background: Otitis Media (OM) is a common infection of the middle ear, presenting in acute, chronic, and effusion forms. It is characterized by erythematous inflammation of the middle ear space spanning from the tympanic membrane to the end of the eustachian tube, and is often accompanied by fever, earache, and often temporary hearing loss. While OM can affect all age groups, it disproportionately impacts children under the age of 6 and is a leading cause of …

Improving Treatment Outcomes For Bacterial Vaginosis By Affecting The Vaginal Microbiome, Aleya Devries, Jyotsna Chawla Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Jackeline Moljo Assistant Professor, Family Medicine

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective: The goal of this review is to educate providers about the importance of maintaining the balance of the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and how modifiable factors may be used to improve treatment outcomes of patients with bacterial vaginosis. Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and is treated with Metronidazole, which has a high recurrent infection rate. Preliminary studies highlighted the balance of VMB species affects the development of BV and therapeutic outcomes of Metronidazole. Furthermore, previous studies have described how VMB composition can be shaped by various factors. Methods: Here, we …

Urinary Bladder Neurofibroma Management And Complications, Isabella Cook, Haroon Nawaz

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder causing multisystemic manifestations at birth or an early age, with its most prominent symptom being widespread neurofibromas. These neurofibromas can present in any organ, leading to complications depending on their size and location.

Case Presentation: We present a 55-year-old African American female with bilateral nephrostomy tubes after resection of neurofibromas of the bladder.

Deviation From the Expected: The patient developed sepsis due to a urinary tract infection caused by the tubes. Urology and interventional radiology consultants discussed whether to replace the nephrostomy tubes during this admission or wait for her …

Efficacy And Safety Profile Of The Maternal Rsv Vaccine, Abrysvo, Dhanvi Patel

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Efficacy and safety profile of the maternal RSV vaccine, Abrysvo Dhanvi Patel1, Jyotsna Chawla2, Cyril Blavo3 Department of Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, USA Department of Foundational Sciences, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, USA Department of Public Health, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, USA Abstract: Objective: To study the vaccine efficacy and safety of the FDA-approved maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Abrysvo, manufactured by Pfizer. Background: RSV-associated lower respiratory infections are the leading cause of hospitalizations in …

Case Study: Navigating The Complexities Of Variegate Porphyria, Derek Weimer, Tanya Ramadoss, Una Milovanovic, Sydney Risman, Amber Fouts, Syed Hakeem Shah Md

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Introduction. Variegate Porphyria (VP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mutations in the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) gene, leading to dysfunctional heme biosynthesis. The clinical manifestations of VP are highly variable, including significant neurovisceral symptoms and cutaneous photosensitivity. This variability reflects the disease's ability to often go undiagnosed, especially in pediatric populations where the disease is not frequently seen in clinical practice. Case Presentation. This case study focuses on a 12-year-old male who presented with persistent photosensitivity, painful blistering, severe abdominal pain, and dark-colored urine. Despite normal renal and liver serology testing, elevated porphyrin levels in both urine and …

Flexor Tenosynovitis Of The Wrist And Hand Due To Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria, Mariafe Reyes, Tatevik Malisetyan, Skylar Harmon, Mohammadali M. Shoja Md, Gary B. Schwartz Md

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Title: Flexor Tenosynovitis of the Wrist and Hand Due to Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria Authors: Mariafe Reyes1,Tatevik Malisetyan1, Skylar Harmon1, Mohammadali M. Shoja, MD1 Gary B. Schwartz, MD1 1Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, USA INTRODUCTION: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of bacteria, including Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI), that usually exist in the soil and water sources. The most common site of infection is the lungs, but extra-pulmonary involvement of the skin and rarely the musculoskeletal (MSK) system does occur, especially the hands and wrists. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old, …

Comparison Of Bacterial Meningitis Complicated By Stroke In Adults Versus Children: A Scoping Review, Isabella Cook, Apurva Ramanujam, Afrida Sara, Arjun Nair, Sabina Chon, Erick Boldt, Miranda Londono, Alan Wang, Sarah Mohamed, Shivani Dave, Yuri Zagvazdin

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Title: Comparison of Bacterial Meningitis Complicated by Stroke in Adults versus Children: A Scoping Review Authors: Isabella Cook, OMS-II; Apurva Ramanujam, OMS-II; Afrida Sara, OMS-II; Arjun Nair, OMS-II; Sabina Chon, OMS-II, M.S.; Erick Boldt, OMS-II; Miranda Londono, OMS-II; Alan Wang, OMS-II, M.A.; Sarah Mohamed, OMS-II; Shivani Dave, OMS-II; Yuri Zagvazdin, Ph.D. Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, Florida Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) complicated by stroke in adults include distinct manifestations compared to children. Although there are notable differences in presentations between children and adults, there is limited availability in research defining a protocol for …

The Lived Experiences Of Nurses Caring For Dying Pediatric Patients, Danna L. Curcio

Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. Nurses and health care professionals may at times have difficulty adjusting and processing when life ends and this may have the potential to interfere with patient care. Reflection on past events and actions enable critical discovery of strategies to benefit both nurses and patients. The method for conducting this research study was from a qualitative phenomenological perspective exploring the lived experiences of nurses caring for dying pediatric patients. The philosophical underpinning of Merleau-Ponty (2008), in combination with the research method of …

Genital Hair Removal And Sexually Transmitted Infections: A History And A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison O. Marshall

Dissertations

Background: Genital hair removal is a popular practice in Westernized cultures and has been associated with the belief that removal is necessary for hygiene. A body of literature exists that has found that genital hair removal is associated with adverse health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This dissertation aims to detail the history of the practice, why the hygiene belief exists, and to systematically review the existing literature that assesses genital hair removal and STIs.

Methods: Historical, socio-cultural analysis from the feminist perspective was performed on the literature to outline why genital hair removal was adopted at a population …

The Impact Of Disaster Tabletop Exercise On The Nursing Knowledge Of Emergency Preparedness And The Influence On Professional Quality Of Life, Vivian Fuentes

Dissertations

It is widely reported that nurses are underprepared to respond to a disaster event, despite the available resources for emergency preparedness education. The purpose of this project was to measure the impact of disaster tabletop exercises on emergency preparedness knowledge of the emergency department (ED) nurses and its influence on the professional quality of life. Twentynine nurses from a south Florida hospital participated in the evaluation of this evidence-based project. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and adapted Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) were implemented before and after disaster tabletop exercises. The EPIQ findings included an overall 20% increase in …

Emergency Preparedness Curriculum: Essential Skills For Nurses Responding In Disasters, Sallie J. Shipman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experiences of nurses first time responding to a civilian disaster response in shelters or temporary community medical clinics in an attempt to identify the essential knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to disaster victims. The theoretical framework for this study was the theory of novice to expert, experiential learning, clinical reasoning, and using real life situations to develop the student's sense of salience by Benner et al. (1996, 2009; 2010).

Sepsis Escape Room: A Game-Based Learning Approach For Nurses, Emily Selby Dnp, Aprn, Accns-Ag, Ccrn, Lauren Knepper Msn, Rn, Chse

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

After recognizing inefficiencies with system-wide online sepsis education, a Sepsis Coordinator developed an education plan utilizing multiple modalities to engage learners. One resulting activity was a Sepsis Escape Room. Escape rooms can enhance teamwork, confidence, and motivation while increasing knowledge and retention in an active learning environment.

Purpose

The purpose of the Sepsis Escape Room activity was to provide a unique, game-based learning opportunity for nurses to reinforce knowledge of sepsis, while demonstrating problem-solving skills in a team to solidify real-life processes.

Methods/Evaluation

The Sepsis Escape Room was redesigned from another site and implemented in collaboration with the simulation …

Meet Me In The Midline: Decreasing Risks Of Clabsi In Rehabilitation, Brandy Marler Bsn, Rn, Crrn, Heather Cox Bsn, Rn, Crrn

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction and Context 

The problem identified is a recent increase in Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI). The rationale for addressing this problem is to decrease the number of infections through the use of a nurse-led decision tree and the development of a midline IV access program. The goal is to improve patient care by reducing the incidence of CLABSI infections and to empower nurses by giving them more autonomy and decision-making power in patient care. These initiatives allow nurses to take a more active role in preventing CLABSI infections and improving patient outcomes.

Implementation Strategy 

A nurse-led education …

Nurse-Driven Sepsis Bpa Usability Improvement, Emily Selby Dnp, Aprn, Accns-Ag, Ccrn, Susan Dziura Msn, Rn, Tns, Cpps, Melinda Jamil Ms

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction & Context

A site noted a safety trend related to the Sepsis Best Practice Advisory (BPA). Cause analysis determined that BPA usability contributed to delays in ordering sepsis labs per nurse-driven protocol and led to a serious safety event. The goal was to enhance BPA usability and increase compliance with the protocol.

Implementation Strategy

Nurses partnered on BPA redesign to improve wording, clarify when to order labs, and simplify ordering. To evaluate the new design, the Human Factors Engineer and stakeholders conducted a usability test. Usability testing gathers observations and feedback from end-users to identify opportunities before investing resources …

Enhancing Patient Safety: A Virtual Approach To Reducing Urinary Catheter Utilization In Critical Care, Karen Marshall Mha, Rn, Ne-Bc, Anna Starnes Rn, Bsn, Michelle Reed Dnp, Msn, Nea-Bc

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction and Context

From mid-2020, the Critical Care Unit at Atrium Health Lincoln consistently exceeded a urinary catheter utilization ratio of 1.0. This ratio was higher than other critical care units within the system and failed to meet established targets. Elevated urinary catheter utilization rates are associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infections. In the first quarter of 2023, the infection rate of the Critical Care Unit was 3.76 per 1,000 catheter days, posing a safety risk to patients.

Implementation Strategy

Before intervention, the process of discontinuing urinary catheters relied on nurses requesting removal from physicians. Despite having a nurse-driven protocol …

Quality Of Newborn Care And Associated Factors: An Analysis Of The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, John Baptist Asiimwe, Earnest Amwiine, Angella Namulema, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Mathius Amperiize, Shamim Nabidda, Imelda Namagembe, Lilian Nuwabaine

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Kenya one of the African countries has pledged to reduce neonatal death as per the 2030 World Health Organization target. Providing high-quality newborn care is critical in minimizing neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the quality of newborn care in Kenya. Secondary data from 11,863 participants of the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) were analyzed. The participants were chosen using two-stage stratified sampling. The quality of newborn care was operationalized as receiving all components of newborn care after childbirth, as reported by the mother. Using SPSS (version 29), univariate and multivariable logistic regression …

The Predictive Relationship Between The Percentage Of High School Students Experiencing Homelessness And On-Time Graduation, Michelle Lee Wiggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to determine how accurately the percentage of students in Oklahoma high schools who graduate on-time be predicted by the percentage of those students who experienced homelessness during their four years of high school. The theoretical framework for this study came from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, resiliency theory, and grit theory. A bivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to examine predictive relationships between the criterion variable, percentage of students who graduated from high school on-time of Oklahoma high school students, and the predictor variable, percentage of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH). Archival data from …

The Impact Of The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic On Urban Nonprofit Organizations In A Southeastern City, Yvette Michelle Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on human services nonprofit organizations in an urban setting and the strategic measures implemented by the leaders to remain focused on their mission. The logic of inference was that the pandemic significantly impacted these nonprofit organizations, forcing the public administration leaders to implement new innovative strategies that should be documented. The study data was collected and analyzed through three streams of data: interviews with nonprofit or public administration leaders, surveys of nonprofit employees, and document analysis of organizational financial reports over four years. The results from the interviews …

The Efficacy Of Suboxone As Mat Therapy For Women: A Phenomenological Study, Sara C. Swepston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Opioid Epidemic has plagued the nation for decades, with little success in treating patients for long-term sobriety. Billions of dollars are spent annually treating patients with opiate use disorder, most popularly with the pharmaceutical drug, Suboxone. However, evidence and research are lacking to truly understand if the synthetic opiate medication works in treating women with OUD. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to know from the women who have been treated using Suboxone if the medication works. The participants are all women, aged 18-45 who used Suboxone for Medically Assisted Treatment for a minimum of 90 days. The …

Covid-19 And Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Study Of Comorbidities And Outcomes, Shang-Ming Zhou, Hossein Ahmadi, Lin Huo, Lisa Lix, Kate Maslin, Jos Latour, Jill Shawe

School of Nursing and Midwifery

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the impact of pregnancy and pre-existing comorbidities on COVID-19 infections and associated complications of hospitalisation and mortality in women of reproductive age (WRA). The study also compared the risk of severe COVID-19 complications between pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NPW) with and without pre-existing comorbidities. Special focus was placed on some understudied comorbidities of immunosuppression, chronic renal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsThe study utilized anonymized patient-related information for a population of 7,342,869 WRA from the Mexican Ministry of Health data repository on COVID-19. Descriptive variables were characterized using frequencies, percentages, means, and …

Atypical Rash As A Presentation Of Pityriasis Rosea In A 23-Month-Old., Kedar Tilak, Erica Ray, Majo Joseph

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting skin disorder that can occur in pediatric patients. We report an atypical presentation of a 23-month-old male with a generalized rash similar in appearance to pityriasis rosea. We then review the literature on pityriasis rosea and its application to pediatrics. Our patient had the rash as the only presentation which was also atypical in appearance as opposed to the regular rashes seen with pityriasis rosea which makes this case further interesting. We only treated the case symptomatically and the patient had spontaneous resolution of symptoms.

Efficacy And Safety Of Ozoralizumab Versus Moxibustion For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Luthfiana Rofhani Susanti, Arifa Mustika, Lita Diah Rahmawati, Citrawati Dyah Kencono Wungu

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that symmetrically damages the synovial membrane, affecting approximately 13% of the global population. Systemic complications and substantial declines in quality of life may result from untreated rheumatoid arthritis. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of moxibustion and ozoralizumab in reducing disease activity scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Between July 2023 and February 2025, we conducted a thorough search on four online databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and ProQuest) using keywords, reference searches, and other methods following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The obtained randomized controlled trials (RCTs) …

Investigating Secondary Metabolites Of Streptomyces And Bacillus Bacteria That Inhibit Colony Growth Of Pathogenic Potato Fungi (Colletotrichum Coccodes, Pythium Ultimum), Jacob R. Henrie

Theses and Dissertations

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a crucial global food crop, yet its production is threatened by fungal pathogens such as Pythium ultimum and Colletotrichum coccodes, which cause significant yield losses and impact tuber quality. In this study, we investigated the antifungal properties of various Streptomyces and Bacillus isolates against these pathogens. The Streptomyces isolates, known for their prolific secondary metabolite production, were selected for their varying efficacy against these fungi. Despite the anticipated potential, Streptomyces isolates exhibited limited antifungal activity against Pythium ultimum and only moderate activity against Colletotrichum coccodes. In contrast, Bacillus isolates, particularly B1, demonstrated strong inhibition of C. …

Closing The Gaps: Optimizing Emergency Department Protocols For Vaping-Related Respiratory Illnesses, Dominique Roy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rising prevalence of vaping-related illnesses poses significant challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Hospitals increasingly encounter patients with symptoms related to vaping, such as respiratory issues and lung injuries, which strain emergency departments (EDs). Addressing these challenges requires the development and implementation of effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of vaping-related illnesses. This integrative review examined how SOPs can enhance clinical practices within hospitals by identifying gaps in current approaches and providing recommendations to improve patient care. The review, analyzing literature from 2016 to 2023, highlighted several important themes, including the necessity of standardized protocols …

State Capacity And Covid-19 Responses: Comparing The Us States, Kiran Auerbach, Joshua Y. Lerner, Hannah M. Ridge

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

This article addresses the interstate differences in outcomes from the coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on state capacity. State capacity refers to states’ ability to create and implement policy. We posit that states want to limit death and destruction within their borders. COVID-19 created an instance in which states had a shared, preferred outcome but had very different levels of success. Using a novel measure of state capacity that allows for subnational comparisons – and is independent of ideological political will – we show that states with greater capacity experienced fewer excess deaths during 2020 and more successfully distributed …

Combination Therapy For Cryptosporidiosis In Immunocompromised Patients: A Systematic Review, Wiwien Sugih Utami, M.S. Irham Rozaq, Laksmi Indreswari, Cholis Abrori, Bagus Hermansyah

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Cryptosporidium sp. is a gastroenteritis-causing pathogen that may increase mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients. Diarrhea is a common problem among acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, with 30–60% of patients in developed countries and 90% in developing countries affected. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis is 3–5% of the global population, with 14.42% of those affected being immunocompromised. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent cryptosporidiosis, while nitazoxanide monotherapy is ineffective in eradicating the organism in immunocompromised hosts and malnourished children. This study aimed to determine the most effective combination therapy for cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised patients. This study used a systematic …