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From Bed To Table: Improving Outcomes By Encouraging Patient Mobility During Meals, Quyen Ho

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a preventable complication associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. Early mobility, particularly positioning patients out of bed for meals, is a key strategy to mitigate this risk. Problem: On a 42-bed telemetry unit, only 24% of eligible patients were positioned out of bed for meals. This low rate of mobility presented an opportunity to reduce the risk of HAP and improve patient outcomes. Interventions: This quality improvement initiative, guided by the Donabedian Model, employed a nurse-led intervention that included daily mobility assessments, visual bedside cues, and targeted staff education. …

Diagnostic Imaging-Based Radiation Therapy Planning (Dbrp) For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Nsclc) Patients, Joshua Langer

Masters Projects

Purpose

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients benefit by starting radiation therapy (RT) promptly upon diagnosis. Diagnostic scan-based radiation therapy planning (DBRP) eliminates the need for computed tomography (CT) simulation. This is a retrospective study comparing dosimetric differences between volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) diagnostic scan-based plans recalculated onto simulation CT scans.

Methods

Radiotherapy (60 or 66 Gy in 20-30 fractions) for eight NSCLC patients was planned on diagnostic CTs. The plans were recalculated onto the fused simulation CTs, mimicking first treatment setups. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) were used to compare the minimum dose received by 95% of the planning target volume …

Fostering Students' Metacognitive Awareness Through Student Led Learning Logs, Jessica M. Carter

Masters Projects

A key component for middle school students' success is structured opportunities to develop metacognitive awareness and autonomous skills. This project addressed the gap between students' metacognitive capabilities and available classroom tools by developing a comprehensive student-led learning log system for middle school contexts.

Grounded in Flavell's metacognitive theory and culturally responsive pedagogical principles, this project created four primary components: (1) a flexible learning log framework with templates adaptable across subject areas, (2) a reflection prompt bank containing over 100 metacognitive questions organized by planning, monitoring, and evaluating stages, (3) a practical implementation guide requiring minimal professional development, and (4) a …

Chew On It: A Pilot Study Of A Multimodal Assessment Of Mastication Protocol, Michelle Catão

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite its subconscious nature, deglutition is an elaborate and multifaceted process, contingent on the activation of specific neural pathways and muscles. The inherent complexity gives rise to a wide array of potential complications and difficulties, known as dysphagia. Screening and assessment for dysphagia aid in determining the presence and etiology of swallowing difficulties, providing information that is critical for maintaining and improving the health status of vulnerable populations from the standpoint of nutrition, hydration, and socialization (Dziewas et al., 2017). Previous studies surrounding dysphagia assessment have prioritized formulating clinical protocols to evaluate the nonvolitional stage, often failing to address the …

Illness Terminable And Interminable: A Lacanian Exploration Of Medical Assistance In Dying, Matthew Devine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More and more people worldwide are requesting euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide (PAS), or medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Arguments in favor of expanding access to MAiD tend to prioritize the rational, competent, autonomous subject who has the right to make decisions about their body, including their death. Some have argued that this perspective – common in biomedical and bioethical literature – tends to neglect the fact that requests for assisted dying involve a relational structure: a relationship between the subject who requests an assisted death and the Other to whom this request is addressed. After reviewing relevant psychoanalytic approaches to suicide …

Describing Latent Tuberculosis Infection And Treatment Completion In Virginia: A Social Determinants Of Health Approach, Amber N. Harmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection is a key strategy in tuberculosis elimination nationally and globally, there is a limited understanding of the general prevalence of latent tuberculosis as well as factors related to successful treatment. This dissertation describes the known landscape of latent tuberculosis in Virginia and explores possible factors related to latent tuberculosis infection treatment through three manuscripts. The first manuscript, Chapter 1, outlines the overall proposal for this dissertation research in the style of a National Institute of Health grant proposal. The second manuscript, Chapter 2, describes the current understanding of the factors related to latent …

Exploration Of The Cultural Beliefs, Values, And Practices Of African American/Black Women Or Birthing Persons Regarding Postpartum Depression: A Focused Ethnography, Stephanie Jacobs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent perinatal mental health illness in women, affecting approximately 10% to 20% of all women in the United States, and a disproportionately higher number of African American women. The aim of this study was to explore the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of African American/Black women or birthing persons regarding postpartum depression.

Research Question: What are the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of African American/Black women or birthing persons regarding postpartum depression?

Methodology: A focused ethnography was chosen for this study and consisted of semi-structured interviews. Data was transcribed and analyzed …

Ferdinand Rebay And The Sonata Paradigm, Luiz Mantovani

Soundboard Scholar

With an output of over thirty sonatas or sonata-structured works, Viennese composer Ferdinand Rebay (1880–1953) may be considered among the most significant composers of guitar sonatas; as yet, however, little has been written to place Rebay’s sonatas in historical context. Departing from a review of a guitar concert held in Vienna in 1925, which clearly indicates a shift in the perception of the instrument’s role and capabilities among mainstream audiences, I begin this investigation exploring the guitar club environment in German-speaking territories around the turn of the century, with a focus on the activities of the IGV (Internationale Gitarristenverband; International …

Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Michigan’S Drowned River Mouths Using In Situ And Remote Sensing Methods, Jillian A. Greene

Masters Theses

Freshwater estuaries are natural contributors to the carbon cycle including production and emission of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), potent greenhouse gases (GHGs); however, estimates of their contribution to regional and global GHG emissions is largely unconstrained. Few studies have examined the quantification and drivers of lake CH4 and CO2 production in the Great Lakes region and how it may differ in response to anthropogenic development. In this study, CH4 and CO2 emissions were measured from three drowned river mouth estuaries (DRMs) along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in 2024. The DRMs exist along a latitudinal gradient ranging …

Improving Intraoperative Antibiotic Stewardship To Reduce Surgical Site Infections: A Quality Improvement, Allyson Nichelle Heard

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Purpose: Surgical site infections (SSIs) have been associated with poor pre-surgical incision antibiotic and intraoperative redosing practices and are the leading cause of postoperative readmissions and healthcare-acquired infections. A Quality Improvement (QI) project was developed to evaluate SSIs rates and pre-surgical incision antibiotic dosing and intraoperative redosing practices of anesthesia providers at a Level 1 trauma center in the Midwest. Methods: A pre- and post-intervention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey addressing intraoperative antibiotic stewardship was administered to 138 anesthesia providers. Interventions included education, a reference sheet, and a clinical pathway. Data analysis for surgical procedures involving anesthesia services, …

Addressing Medical Errors In Nursing Practice Through An Evaluation Of The Barcode Medication Administration Program, Alma Trigg

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

The barcode medication administration (BCMA) process is complex. When a step is omitted or altered, the risk of a medication error reaching the patient increases, which subsequently increases the chance of the patient experiencing an adverse drug event. A BCMA program evaluation was implemented to address questions related to policy and practice. Dr. Harrington's BCMA checklist provided the framework for the assessment. The Medication Administration System—Nurses Assessment of Satisfaction (MAS-NAS) scale, developed by Hurley et al. (2006), and the BCMA perceived usefulness scale, adopted by Darawad et al. (2019), measured nurses' perception of the program, including technology integration and ease …

Enhancing Care Coordination And Expedited Appointment Scheduling By Structured Workflow Process In Oncology Clinics: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jasmine Lassiter

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background and Significance: Delays in oncology appointment scheduling can negatively impact timely cancer treatment, care coordination, and patient outcomes. Inefficiencies often stem from inconsistent workflows, communication breakdowns, and limited visibility into provider availability, contributing to scheduling inaccuracies, and treatment delays (Fletcher et al., 2023; Johnson et al., 2020). Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to implement and evaluate a structured workflow for expedited oncology appointment scheduling in an outpatient setting to improve scheduling accuracy, care coordination, and healthcare team vitality. Intervention and Implementation Plan: Guided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement and the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based …

Increasing Health Literacy To Improve Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Patients With Low Socioeconomic Status In The Appalachian Region: A Quality Improvement Project, Kara M. Dougherty

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Abstract

Improving health literacy is one of the main goals of Healthy People 2030. However, there are no evidence-based guidelines as health literacy is still in research status (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). Vulnerable populations are especially at risk of having low health literacy skills. Social determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of access to care, few community resources, and low health literacy, are common issues throughout Appalachia, which includes West Virginia. These disparities negatively impact the success of primary and secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease (Mangini et al., 2018). This quality improvement project utilized the …

Evalutaing The Effectiveness Of A Two-Year Nurse Residency Program On Reducing Nursing Turnover In The One To Three Years Tenure, Nancy J. Plum

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background: First-year turnover for new registered nurses continues to take the lead in all tenured categories, accounting for 59% of turnover, carrying with it a financial impact averaging $88,000 per staff nurse lost. A synthesis of the literature finds the research to be ambiguous and anecdotal, with a narrow focus on understanding the causes of turnover, while an underwhelming amount of rigorous research has been conducted on identifying effective solutions. Solutions to mitigate nursing turnover will require an innovative approach.

Purpose: This program evaluation aimed to examine the impact of a two-year nurse residency program (NRP) on registered nurse turnover …

Enhancing Nurses’ Joy And Meaningful Work In A Military Treatment Facility: A Quality Improvement Project, Ann M. Uetz

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background: Prior to the pandemic, there was growing concern regarding nurse burnout and retention – concern which still exists today in healthcare organizations. Purpose and happiness in work ensures staff engagement, positive patient outcomes, improves nurses’ well-being, and decreases burnout. The Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Quadruple Aim emphasizes improving the work life and well-being of healthcare teams. IHI’s white paper, Joy in Work, outlines nine components to guide interventions for enhancing joy and meaningful work. Purpose: This project’s purpose is to determine the impact of implementation of the Joy in Work’s framework on registered nurses and nursing leadership …

Northern Arizona Ecological Conservation: Assessing Quaking Aspen Health In Northern Arizona Using Earth Observations, Ikram Morso, Luke Collins, Margaret Cox, Melissa Schwan

Aspen Bibliography

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests in Northern Arizona provide critical habitat for endangered bird species and support regional tourism and recreation. However, aspen populations are declining due to a combination of abiotic and biotic stressors. In response, land managers implemented strategies, such as ungulate exclusion fencing, prescribed burns, and stand thinning, but efforts are constrained by limited data on where and when to intervene. This project worked in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and Northern Arizona University School of Forestry. The team utilized Earth observations …

Thionine Modulates Tau Phosphorylation In An Alzheimer’S Disease Cell Culture Model, Seda Önder, Kevser Bi̇beroğlu, Özden Tacal

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Tau protein, which is crucial for sustaining the cytoskeletal network by assisting microtubule construction, contributes significantly to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The hyperphosphorylation of tau causes it to detach from microtubules (MTs), leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in neurons, which ultimately results in cell death. Thionine (TH), a cationic phenothiazine-structured compound, has been the topic of extensive research due to its interesting physicochemical properties. It is a common biological dye, especially useful in histology due to its strong affinity for biological membranes. Furthermore, TH serves as a photosensitizer in phototherapy. It has a phenothiazine …

Mca 10100 Oer/Ztc Syllabus, Daniel Gilmore

Open Educational Resources

This is a syllabus for the MCA 10100 Introduction to Media Studies course taught at City College in the Media & Communication Arts department. It is an OER & ZTC compliant syllabus.

Evaluating Dosimetric Outcomes In A Prostate Rapid Plan Model: A Comparison Of Prostate Treatment Plans With And Without Standardized Planning Structures, Erica Wartman

Masters Projects

Abstract

Knowledge-based planning (KBP) using RapidPlan (RP) has demonstrated the ability to produce high quality radiation therapy treatment plans while reducing time. This study evaluated whether the inclusion of department specific standardized planning structures, including rings and other optimization tools, improves plan quality when using a prostate and lymph node RP model, or if the model alone is sufficient to provide a quality plan without the use of these additional planning structures.

Ten previously treated Prostate+LN patients were replanned using the departmental RP model in Varian Eclipse treatment planning system.1 For each patient, two plans were created, one with standardized …

Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Production, Productivity, And Harvested Area In Karawang Regency Under Extreme Weather From 1991-2023, Adine Syabina Buswar, Ruminta, Fiky Yulianto Wicaksono

Jurnal Kultivasi

Climate change occurred in Karawang Regency due to extreme weather events, which are included in the El Nino climate anomaly phenomenon. The existence of extreme weather events in Karawang Regency has decreased rice production, which is a climate-dependent crop. Based on this problem, a study was conducted to analyze the identification of extreme weather changes and correlation analysis of rice crops in Karawang Regency to see the magnitude of extreme weather changes and the influence of extreme weather elements on rice crops. The method used is a quantitative descriptive method by analyzing extreme weather changes, correlation analysis of extreme weather …

Effect Of Preharvest Paclobutrazol And Nitrogen Fertilizers On The Sprouting Performance Of ‘Median’ Potato Seed G0 Tuber, Jajang Sauman Hamdani, Rahmat Budiarto, Anne Nuraini, Selika Fitrian Ramadani

Jurnal Kultivasi

Various intensifications of potato cultivation, such as the provision of paclobutrazol and nitrogen (N) fertilizer, are thought to impact the quality of the seeds produced. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different N fertilizer doses and paclobutrazol concentrations applied in the preharvest period on the sprouting performance of G0 potato tuber seeds after storage. Nine treatment combinations, each repeated three times, were tested, using 50%, 100%, and 150% of the recommended N dose and paclobutrazol concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 part per million (ppm), applied at 30 and 45 days after planting, respectively. The interaction effect between …

Exploring Strategies For Mitigating Toxic Behaviors And Improving Employee Retention In Organizations, Roy Lydell Rucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of mitigation strategies for middle manager toxic leadership can negatively affect organizational retention outcomes. Business leaders are concerned with a lack of effective strategies to counteract these behaviors and improve retention. Grounded in the toxic leadership theory, this study aimed to explore executive leaders’ strategies for mitigating toxic leadership and enhancing retention, guided by the toxic leadership framework. A qualitative, pragmatic inquiry design employed purposive sampling of nine C-suite executives from U.S. technology small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Data were collected via semistructured interviews and organizational documents. Thematic analysis, employing iterative coding and constant comparison, yielded six themes: …

Improving Fall Prevention Practices Through Nursing Staff Education In Psychiatric Hospitals, Fidelia Chukwuto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Falls are a significant patient safety concern in psychiatric units due to unique risk factors such as impaired cognition, medication side effects, and behavioral issues. This nursing staff education project focused on fall prevention practices among RNs and mental health technicians (MHTs) in a psychiatric hospital by enhancing staff knowledge through a targeted educational intervention. The practice problem addressed inconsistent fall prevention practices stemming from a lack of specialized training, which increased the risk of patient harm, longer hospital stays, and healthcare costs. The purpose of the project was to determine whether an evidence-based educational intervention could enhance nursing …

Optimizing Sourcing Through Agile Project Management: Enhancing Efficiency And Cost Effectiveness In Apparel Production, Gautami Vikrant Moghe

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Production delays, cost overruns, and inventory mismanagement are a few of the challenges that the garment industry faces in its sourcing process. The main causes of these challenges are fluctuating market demands and evolving customer preferences. This research explored the application of agile project management methodologies to address these challenges by enhancing flexibility and collaboration. This study implemented a qualitative approach, leveraging interviews with industry professionals to gather insights into the practical implementation. The significance of this research lied in its potential to provide actionable insights for companies that were seeking to improve their sourcing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To contextualize …

Landscape Of Physical Activity And Quality Of Life Research In Breast Cancer Survivors: Topic Modeling Analysis., Suryeon Ryu, Ki-Yong An, Min Song, Zan Gao

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background/Objectives: Physical activity (PA) is widely recognized as a beneficial approach to improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors. This study explored key research topics and emerging trends in studies related to PA and HRQoL among breast cancer survivors. Methods: Titles and abstracts of 3847 English-language research articles (2000-2024) were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords related to 'breast cancer', 'PA/exercise', and 'HRQoL'. A text-mining algorithm based on the Dirichlet-multinomial regression approach in Python was applied to identify the top 10 research topics and their trends over time. Results: In total, …

Subsets Of Follicular Lymphoma 3b Have Divergent Outcomes: Results From The Prospective Multicenter Mer And Leo Cohorts, Patrizia Mondello, David Russler-Germain, Brad Kahl, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Follicular lymphoma (FL) 3B is considered an aggressive lymphoma, however recent studies have challenged this paradigm. Additional controversy involves the clinical implication of pure FL3B (FL3Bp) vs FL3B with concurrent diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (FL3Bc). To address these questions, we performed a pooled study of the MER and LEO cohorts comparing 464 newly diagnosed, R-CHOP-treated patients with FL1-2 (n = 216), FL3A (n = 170), FL3B (n = 78) and 739 DLBCL. Among FL3B patients, 19 (24%) had FL3Bc and 59 (76%) FL3Bp. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were similar between the two FL3B subtypes. Compared to FL1-3A, FL3B …

Quality Improvement Project Impact Of Impostor Phenomenon On Medical Personnel, Elizabeth L'Heureux

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The DNP project examined medical healthcare personnel who displayed an impostor phenomenon (IP), as reflected in the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) surveys, identifying a lack of structured support for reducing stress. The aim of the quality improvement project (QI) is to evaluate the impact of a four-week structured mentorship and resilience training intervention on perceived stress levels among medical healthcare personnel experiencing symptoms of the impostor phenomenon. The QI project utilized the Cognitive-Affective framework to shape what needed to change, the origins of IP stress, while Lewin’s Change Theory guided how to implement and sustain those changes. A quasi-experimental study …

Ot And Lactation Consulting: More Than Just A Baby's Breast-Friend, Cara N. Reynolds

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Over the course of 14 weeks, I developed clinical skills related to infant feeding, including—but not limited to—anatomy, conditions that interfere with feeding, maternal health concerns, and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. I gained insight into each discipline's unique role by job shadowing at various lactation clinics. I observed PTs, SLPs, RNs, craniosacral therapists, and interviewed a nutritionist. Many of the centers I visited expressed a desire to one day incorporate an OT into their practice, which was encouraging.

With this knowledge, I created an informational binder to leave at the Kentucky Breastfeeding Center (KBC) for future OT students. …

Should School Board Elections Be Partisan? Analyzing Elite Discourse In The Debate Over The Structure Of Local Elections, Bre'arra M. Long

McNair Summer Research Program

The goal of this research paper is to identify the most prevalent arguments for and against partisan school board elections while also examining what differences, if any, exist between Republicans and Democrats with respect to the way they talk about the issue. The interdisciplinary fields of political science and linguistics provide helpful context to the effectiveness of political communication in smaller scale, yet salient elections in communities where impacts are most directly felt. My interest lies in how the nationalization of politics influences local government and elections, and how language and the media act as conduits for that relationship. It …

Attachment Or Aversion: A Study Of The Effects Of Parental Technoference On Child Emotion Knowledge, Brooklyn Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

Young children's understanding of emotions is heavily socialized by their parents. Through interactions with parents, children learn what emotions look like, when they are expressed, and how they are labeled (Laible, 2004a). Interruptions to interactions between children and parents have the potential to influence the development of children's emotion knowledge. According to the DREAMER framework, how one family member uses media and technology can influence other family members (Barr et al., 2024). Technoference (i.e., digital distraction while with others) is one example of how media might interrupt family life and influence child development as a whole. The current study examined …