Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Quality And Patient Safety Principles To Improve Patient Mobility, Sandhyadevi Tagaram, Md

Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Capstone Presentations

Decreased patient mobility in hospitals leads to an increased incidence of hospital-associated complications, falls, and delirium, resulting in prolonged post-hospital stays, an increase in patient mortality, morbidity, and rise in healthcare costs and utilization. Our project, UMove to IMPROVE, was piloted in two medical-surgical units in November 2023 to enhance safe patient mobility practices, improve patient flow and reduce hospital-associated complications.

The nursing and PCAs will assess the patient's baseline mobility and their level of assistance at admission and during the shift changes by calculating the activity measure for post-acute care( AMPAC) score. The AMPAC scores are used to assess …

Surfactant-Specific Ai-Driven Molecular Design: Integrating Generative Models, Predictive Modeling, And Reinforcement Learning For Tailored Surfactant Synthesis, Miriam Nnadili, Andrew N. Okafor, Teslim Olayiwola, David Akinpelu, Revati Kumar, Jose A. Romagnoli

Faculty Publications

Molecular design is a critical aspect of various scientific and industrial fields, where the properties of molecules hold significant importance. In this study, a 3-fold methodology design is presented that leverages the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI), predictive modeling, and reinforcement learning to create tailored molecules with desired properties. This model synergistically combines deep learning techniques with Self-Referencing Embedded Strings (SELFIES) molecular representation to build a generative model that generates valid molecules and a graphical neural network model that accurately forecasts molecular properties. The Variational Autoencoder (VAE) coupled with reinforcement learning helps refine molecule generation based on targeted attributes. …

Magnetic Control Of Nonmagnetic Living Organisms, Ahmed Al Harraq, Min Feng, Hashir M. Gauri, Ram Devireddy, Ankur Gupta, Qing Sun, Bhuvnesh Bharti

Faculty Publications

Living organisms inspire the design of microrobots, but their functionality is unmatched. Next-generation microrobots aim to leverage the sensing and communication abilities of organisms through magnetic hybridization, attaching magnetic particles to them for external control. However, the protocols used for magnetic hybridization are morphology specific and are not generalizable. We propose an alternative approach that leverages the principles of negative magnetostatics and magnetophoresis to control nonmagnetic organisms with external magnetic fields. To do this, we disperse model organisms in dispersions of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and expose them to either uniform or gradient magnetic fields. In uniform magnetic fields, living organisms align …

Mindfulness Through Biofeedback And Meditation Syllabus, Eric B. Miller

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Ot In Treating Ecmo Patients In The Icu: A Scoping Review, Sophia C. Roe, Angela Blackwell, Whitney Hohman

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This scoping review investigated the role of occupational therapists in treating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients within the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Databases analyzed included CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest. The primary research question aimed to identify the role of occupational therapists in ECMO patient care. The secondary research question aimed to determine the percentage of ECMO patients who received occupational therapy services in the ICU and were discharged home. The search retrieved a total of 400 records. After …

Experiences Of Working Sandwich Generation Caregivers, Kimberly Ben, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents an insightful exploration into the lives of Working Sandwich Generation Caregivers (WSCs), a group defined as individuals aged 30-65 who simultaneously provide care for both aging adults (over 65 years old) and younger dependents (29 years old or younger), while also managing their careers. The study delves deep into the unique challenges and experiences faced by WSCs, aiming to highlight the occupational, emotional, and physical demands inherent in their roles. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and occupational therapy assessments, the manuscript offers a comprehensive look at the balancing act WSCs perform daily. It seeks to inform …

Social And Leisure Participation By People With Dementia: A Caregiver Resource Guide, Rebecca Mcmillian, Beth Lambert, Mary Smith, Katherine Christie

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this caregiver education intervention is to increase caregiver self-efficacy and effectiveness in increasing social participation and quality of life for those they are caring for as well as decreasing caregiver stress and burnout associated with providing care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The guide will include education and resources for these caregivers detailing safety precautions, strategies to reduce difficult behaviors impacting social and leisure engagement, and resources to decrease caregiver burden.

Improving Participation In Physical Education For Children With Disabilities, Randi Major, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Participating in adaptive sports has many benefits for children with disabilities (CWD), however literature demonstrates that many barriers exist within community-setting adaptive sports which impact participation for CWD. There is currently a lack of understanding of the needs of CWD and the barriers that exist within schools that impact their participation in physical activities and sports. In addition, the literature demonstrates that many individuals with disabilities are not meeting the recommended minutes for daily physical activity which can impact the health and well-being of CWD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).

The purpose of this capstone project was …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Enhancing Adaptive Golf, Jessica A. Garday, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project is focused on advocating on behalf of golfers with disabilities by providing an educational resource for golf administrators on enhancing adaptive golf at their facility. The project's deliverable was an in-service presentation highlighting the importance of adaptive golf and its positive impact on community, state, and national individuals. The in-service was delivered through the Southern California Professional Golf Association SCPGA Catalyst webinar series. The topics included grants for adaptive equipment, the financial impact of adaptive golf on the industry, community partnerships, and golf course design modifications utilizing the most cost-effective approaches. The student found that more education can …

Occupational Impact Of Caregivers In Pediatric Palliative Care, Lezlye Ramos, Karen Park, Jazminne O. Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this study is to understand the occupational impact for caregivers who had a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition who had received pediatric palliative care. A lack of understanding of occupational therapy’s role in end-of-life care ultimately underutilizes and under-prepares occupational therapists to work in this practice area. Becoming a medical family caregiver, neglecting personal needs and desires becomes a norm having a in-direct effect on physical and psychological health and well-being. Findings from this study suggest that it is reasonable to infer that occupational participation among caregivers is influenced by finding time for self and …

“Everything Is Not What It Seems”: Discovering Public Relations In Business Sectors In Vietnam, Ba-Anh-Tu Truong

LSU Master's Theses

Vietnam is a shining star in emerging markets, with an annual economic growth rate of 6-7%. Its abundant labor supply, stable political climate, and geographic proximity to major global supply chains make it an ideal candidate for manufacturer planning in advanced economies such as the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, China, and Korea. Investing in public relations and communication management, especially understanding the Vietnamese market, effectively prepares multinational corporations for future business expansion. This mission is difficult for academia and industrial professionals since Vietnam is a “silent country” in public relations research. To fill the gap, this thesis employs the …

Building The Church Of San Vitale In Ravenna, Italy, Sally S. Morgan

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis uses the evidence concerning the design and building of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna to reconstruct, as far as it is possible, the sequence of decisions, activities, and methods that led to the construction of the church, made of bricks and mortar, and whose interiors are covered by glorious colored mosaics and marbles. The historiography on the Church of San Vitale begins with the historian Agnellus, who wrote the Liber pontificalis ecclesiae Ravennatis in the 830s to 840s. According to Agnellus and other sources, the Church of San Vitale was founded by Bishop Ecclesius around 525, …

Elders Helping Elders: The Impact Of Stress On The Informal Caregiver, Denise Diane Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Informal older caregivers who care for other older adult's experience stress that can harm them. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relationship between perceived stress and the physical health, quality of life, and coping skills of the informal older caregiver. The stress process model was used as the conceptual framework for this study. Using the Self survey using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), World health Quality of Life BREF (WHQOL-BREF) Scale, and the Brief-COPE Inventory, a total of 80 informal older caregivers were selected as participants. Pearson chi-square and Pearson’s r were used to analyze the …

Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Success And Satisfaction In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Fraley

Honors Theses

Studying the impact of a mentorship program involving undergraduate nursing students can inform educators of methods to increase student success and decrease attrition in baccalaureate nursing programs. This study aimed to determine if a mentoring session every three weeks between a first semester Bronson School of Nursing (BSON) student and a senior year nursing student increased the confidence and satisfaction of the first semester BSON student. A Student Success Survey (see Appendix A) was filled out at the beginning, middle and conclusion of the mentee students fall semester. The Student Success Survey was also administered to a control group made …

Brilliance Unbothered: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Influence Of The Impostor Syndrome On Black Graduate Women Enrolled In Master’S Level Programs At Predominantly White Institutions, Phyllis Clark

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Framed within Hill-Collins' (2009) Black feminist thought, this study delves into the emergence of the impostor syndrome construct among Black graduate-level women in higher education. Despite the growing literature on impostor syndrome and its consequences across various demographics and sectors, inadequate scholarly attention has been dedicated to comprehending the specific challenges faced by Black women in education. Nine participants enrolled in Master's programs at predominantly White institutions were engaged in this exploration. Consistent with most of the existing literature, findings accentuated the pivotal role of educational attainment for Black women, who consistently outpace other groups. Interviews further unveiled a relentless …

Genomic Population Structure Of Great Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna Mokarran) Across The Indo-Pacific, Naomi L. Brunjes, Samuel M. Williams, Alexis L. Levengood, Matt K. Broadhurst, Vincent Raoult, Alastair V. Harry, Matias Braccini, Madeline E. Green, Julia L. Y. Spaet, Michael J. Travers, Bonnie J. Holmes

Fisheries Research Articles

Context

Currently, little information exists describing the population structure of great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) in Australian waters. Aims

This study used single nucleotide polymorphisms to investigate fine-scale population structure in S. mokarran across the Indo-Pacific. Methods

DNA was extracted from 235 individuals across six Australian locations and a Red Sea outgroup. Population parameters were calculated and visualised to test structuring across locations. Key results

No fine-scale population structuring was observed for S. mokarran across the Indo-Pacific. However, population structuring occurred for all Australian locations when compared to the Red Sea outgroup. Conclusions

Findings suggest a single stock …

"Great Injustice In American Literature": African American Girlhood In Black And White Authored Children's Publications, 1887-1920, Becca Driggs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the role of African American girls in creating and dismantling nineteenth-century race myths through a comparison of publications in black and white authored presses. Fictional stories published in St. Nicholas, the most popular turn-of-the-century children’s magazine, reveal that white authors, specifically Southern women, intentionally crafted narratives demeaning African American girls to cement a national racial hierarchy. Their work indoctrinated white children in racism and undermined African American legitimacy in the decades following the Civil War and Reconstruction. Concurrently, black authors recognized these attacks and in their press explored the lived experiences of African American girls to counter …

The Effect Of Massage Therapy On Test Anxiety Experienced By Traditional-Aged Undergraduate Business Students, Jorge A. Pazmiño

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Test anxiety impacts traditional-aged undergraduate business students and influences their academic performance and overall well-being. This study explored the efficacy of massage therapy (MT) as a means of mitigating test anxiety within this demographic. Building on existing literature that addresses the consequences of anxiety and alternative coping mechanisms, this research study focused on MT as a potential strategy for test anxiety management. The study employed the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale–College Version (AMAS-C) to gather data from participants at a private liberal arts institution in the East South-Central region of the United States. An experimental group received an MT intervention, while …

Senate Meeting, April 10, 2024, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Perspective Chapter: Empowering Sustainable Development Through Education – A Perspective On The Educational Landscape And Its Impact On Sustainability, Khalid Aada

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, there has been a compelling discourse on transitioning from a rational paradigm, steeped in functionalist and utilitarian models, to a paradigm more aligned with the preservation of natural resources and life. This shift is crucial for addressing the urgent need to integrate sustainable principles into the educational sphere, with the aim of instigating a genuine cultural transformation. Recognizing the global impact of social, economic, and environmental challenges, numerous international entities advocate for an ambitious, complex, and transformative approach to sustainability in education. This scholarly work explores the intricate relationship between education, cultural change, and sustainability. It …

2024-04-10 “Straight Off The Bus To The Jet”: Private Jet Usage At Seattle U, Daniel Truog

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Ohio Start Peer Recovery Services And Parental Sobriety, Jennifer Mcclellan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental substance use is associated with an increased risk for child maltreatment. The rise of parental substance use in Ohio led the state to implement Ohio START (sobriety, treatment, and reducing trauma), an evidence-based model that incorporates lived experience through peer recovery services embedded within child protection agencies. Researchers have studied the benefits of peer recovery services in community settings but have not extensively explored potential impacts among child protection populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the timeliness and quantity of Ohio START peer recovery services and the length of parental sobriety at case …

The Perception Of Official Housing Policies For Women With Medically Assisted Treatment, Vickie Lynn Roberson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of death among the homeless, with limited access to housing, food, security, and medically assisted treatment (MAT). The women on MAT are affected because they may not be readily accepted into the housing community if considered non-abstinent, unlike other substance users who would not have those problems. There previously had not been research on how housing for women was affected when on MAT or any housing facilities that have established MAT protocol. In this generic qualitative design, 10 female participants on MAT who needed housing were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Bandura's social learning theory …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Reading Comprehension Of Black Boys In Grades 3–5, Chastity G. Baccus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black boys in grades third through fifth are not developing reading comprehension skills compared to their peers in an urban southeastern school district. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore perceptions of third through fifth grade reading teachers on reading comprehension of Black boys in this district. The conceptual framework was culturally relevant pedagogy. Research questions involved teachers’ perceptions of why Black boys in grades 3-5 struggle with reading comprehension skills and what they felt was needed to support them for success. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 reading teachers with …

Response Of Growth And Tuber Seed Production Of G0 Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cv Medians In Medium Lands Of Jatinangor To Biochar Composition And Retardant Type, Tessa Prima Dewi, Jajang Sauman Hamdani, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

Potatoes are the third most consumed food in Indonesia. The availability of high-quality potato tuber seeds is still low which affects potato production. Potato planting in the highlands is limited, so it needs to be expanded into medium lands. The modification that can increase the production of G0 potato tuber seeds on medium lands is the use of biochar and retardant. The purpose of this research was to determine the composition of biochar and the type of retardant to increase the G0 tuber seed yield of potato cv Medians in the medium lands of Jatinangor. The research was conducted from …

Seeking A Uniform Approach To Trumpet Sound Concept, Coleman T. Scott

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

One of the most challenging aspects of trumpet playing that pedagogues must teach is how to produce a professional tone. Trumpet students are often good musicians, play correct notes and rhythms, and even have proficient technique. However, many are unable to consistently produce a tone comparable to that of a professional. There are a number of methods that can be utilized to improve a student’s tone quality. In my own teaching and in the teaching of many professionals, tone concept has been used as a catalyst for the improvement of tone quality. A students’ exposure to a professional-quality trumpet tone …

A Revamped Rat Reference Genome Improves The Discovery Of Genetic Diversity In Laboratory Rats, Tristan V De Jong, Yanchao Pan, Pasi Rastas, Daniel Munro, Monika Tutaj, Huda Akil, Chris Benner, Denghui Chen, Apurva S Chitre, William Chow, Vincenza Colonna, Clifton L Dalgard, Wendy M Demos, Peter A Doris, Erik Garrison, Aron M Geurts, Hakan M Gunturkun, Victor Guryev, Thibaut Hourlier, Kerstin Howe, Jun Huang, Ted Kalbfleisch, Panjun Kim, Ling Li, Spencer Mahaffey, Fergal J Martin, Pejman Mohammadi, Ayse Bilge Ozel, Oksana Polesskaya, Michal Pravenec, Pjotr Prins, Jonathan Sebat, Jennifer R Smith, Leah C Solberg Woods, Boris Tabakoff, Alan Tracey, Marcela Uliano-Silva, Flavia Villani, Hongyang Wang, Burt M Sharp, Francesca Telese, Zhihua Jiang, Laura Saba, Xusheng Wang, Terence D Murphy, Abraham A Palmer, Anne E Kwitek, Melinda R Dwinell, Robert W Williams, Jun Z Li, Hao Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The seventh iteration of the reference genome assembly for Rattus norvegicus-mRatBN7.2-corrects numerous misplaced segments and reduces base-level errors by approximately 9-fold and increases contiguity by 290-fold compared with its predecessor. Gene annotations are now more complete, improving the mapping precision of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomics datasets. We jointly analyzed 163 short-read whole-genome sequencing datasets representing 120 laboratory rat strains and substrains using mRatBN7.2. We defined ∼20.0 million sequence variations, of which 18,700 are predicted to potentially impact the function of 6,677 genes. We also generated a new rat genetic map from 1,893 heterogeneous stock rats and annotated transcription start sites …

The Experiences Of Stress And Resilience On The Allostatic Load Of Transgender And Gender Non-Binary Individuals During Secondary School: How Their Experiences Can Inform Best Practices, Kimberly Skye Ferina

Theses & Dissertations

Transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary (TGNCNB) students face many challenges in secondary school that increase their allostatic load and can lead to allostatic overload. Various aspects of their identity cultivate stress, compounded by variables that impact them throughout the day. TGNCNB youth are at a greater risk of bullying and harassment than their cisgendered peers and are at a greater risk of employing harmful mitigating behaviors and suicidal ideation. TGNCNB youth spend most of their day in the school setting, and there is limited research on this population that identifies what schools can do to support this population better. …

Retrospective Data Analysis To Improve No-Show Rates In An Adult Oncology Clinic, Aaron Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this DNP clinical project was to conduct a retrospective data analysis on no-show patients at a large, urban, academic oncology clinic to determine those factors that may be contributing to the missed appointment and to suggest ways to improve the process that will benefit the patients and the practice. Data abstraction was performed via chart review for no-show visits for the preceding 6 months from the time of analysis (January 2023 to June 2023). Key information collected included date of missed appointments, age, gender, primary language, race, insurance provider, marital status, new patient visits versus follow-up …

Service-Learning Through Chapter Chats: A Personal Reflection, Charity B. Blalock, Maryse Azer, April Garrity

Eagle Showcase: Excellence in Service-Learning (Archived)

Eagle showcase:excellence in service learning