Dissertation Defense Announcements

Candidate Name: Jennifer Nicole Johnson
Title: NEED HELP FINDING YOUR PLACE IN AP CALCULUS? SEEK G.U.I.D.A.N.C.E
 April 03, 2024  1:00 PM
Location: 1. Login into Dr. Lewis' Zoom Video Conference Room 2. Use the following Meeting ID: 859-415-6604 3. Meeting Password: 54125
Abstract:

This qualitative study explores the lack of African American students enrolled in AP Calculus courses in North Carolina public high schools. It considered the perception of student-counselor relationships, academic advising practices, and sense of identity of high school counselor participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with three, African American, female high school counselors with five to twenty-four years of experience in high school counseling. The data yielded five domains: characteristics of a school counselor, expected duties of a school counselor, criteria to become an AP Calculus student, student-counselor relationships, and academic advising practices and the outcomes. From the domains, twenty-seven themes were generated: empathetic, open-minded, organized, flexible, creative, knowledgeable, serving the holistic needs of students, classroom guidance activities, non-counselor duties, resource, enrollments, interventions, advocacy, completion of prerequisite courses, exceptions to the rule, teacher recommendation, AP agreement, importance, trust, connections, race, alternatives, methods, encouragement, benefits, awareness, and partnership. Recommendations include universal access to Math I for African American students in 8th grade, update all stakeholders of the role and purpose of school counselors, professional development for school counselors, and an integrated curriculum for school counselors and administrators.



Candidate Name: Katherine Judge
Title: IMPROVING UTILIZATION OF ETCO2 DURING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ADULT RESUSCITATIONS
 March 20, 2024  1:00 PM
Location: CHHS 131
Abstract:

To impact survival rates by 30%, emergency department (ED) workers should follow the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) guideline of relying on end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring to ensure cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is high-quality. In a large tertiary care hospital-based ED, ETCO2 monitoring was not consistently utilized, despite workers having ACLS training and access to ETCO2 monitoring devices. The purpose of this project was to determine if high-fidelity ACLS simulation and ETCO2 monitoring training affected ED staff’s resuscitation self-efficacy and ETCO2 device application during clinical resuscitations. Twenty-eight interprofessional ED healthcare workers participated in high-fidelity adult cardiac arrest simulation scenarios. Paired-samples t-test results showed a significant pre-post simulation survey total average resuscitation self-efficacy improvement from 3.99 to 4.52 (t= 6.83, p < .001). Ten ED adult cardiac arrest events prior to simulation and twenty events post simulation were retrospectively analyzed for device utilization. Two-tailed paired-samples t-test results showed a non-significant improvement in device utilization (t= -1.96, p= .081), however utilization more than doubled from 20% to 45%. Overall, results indicated high-fidelity simulation can have a significant improvement in resuscitative confidence of ED workers, which in future studies may translate to higher survival rates for adults in cardiac arrest.



Candidate Name: V. Paige Stinson
Title: Micro-Opto-Mechanical Structures for the Infrared Spectral Range Fabricated by Two-Photon Polymerization
 March 27, 2024  9:30 AM
Location: Grigg Hall, Room 131, 9320 Robert D. Snyder Rd., Charlotte, NC 28262, USA
Abstract:

Since initial applications in the latter twentieth century, the field of micro-optics has greatly expanded. Micro-optics now encompasses research in areas such as integrated optics, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), quantum technology, sensing, energy harvesting, and metamaterials. In its current stage, dynamically tunable micro-optics are crucial to providing additional processing power without increasing volume. Micro-structured optics comprise a subsection of micro-optics where the optical response is manipulated by some sub-wavelength or wavelength scale structure. One challenge in developing micro-structured optics are restrictions in terms of geometric freedom and extensive development times. As a solution to some of these challenges, rapid prototyping techniques such as two-photon polymerization (TPP) have been employed in the development of complex two- and three-dimensional optics. TPP provides nano-scale feature sizes, resolutions which surpass the diffraction limit of the light source. In search of ways to add additional degrees of tuning in micro-optics, the unique properties of TPP compatible resins can be exploited. In this study, dynamically tunable micro-structured optics are developed by TPP. Being a polymer, the fabricated structures have unique mechanical properties when compared with conventional glass and metal optics. The structures are designed such that their optical response is sensitive to induced mechanical stress or strain. Both sub-wavelength and wavelength-scale micro-structured arrays were investigated for this mechanical tuning. In each case, changes in the structure's geometry due to mechanical stimuli resulted in a change in the optical response. In combination with a MEMS device, the investigated structures could have applications in integrated optics, mechanical sensing and beamsplitting, and tunable bandgap filtering.



Candidate Name: Hesam Fallahian
Title: Synthesizing Contextually Relevant Tabular Data Using Context-Aware Conditional Tabular GAN (CA-CTGAN) and Transfer Learning
 April 10, 2024  2:00 PM
Location: https://charlotte-edu.zoom.us/j/96836215539
Abstract:

The Context-Aware Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CA-CTGAN) introduces an innovative architecture for the generation of synthetic tabular data, distinguished by effectively incorporating context-specific elements into its generative process. This enables the production of synthetic datasets that not only accurately reflect real-world distributions but are also tailored to specific contexts across a variety of experimental domains, including laboratory, field, natural, and clinical experiments, as well as survey research. In many cases, CA-CTGAN can generate data suitable for research purposes, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for certain real-world experiments. By utilizing Transfer Learning the model effectively identifies and exploits complex semantic relationships within the data to ensure the implementation of rigorous contextual requirements and maintains high semantic integrity. Furthermore, a novel auxiliary classifier is implemented, which includes entity embedding and multi-class multi-label capabilities, enabling the creation of enhanced datasets that strictly adhere to the specified contextual requirements. These contributions position CA-CTGAN as a remarkably versatile and efficient tool across multiple scientific disciplines. Its ability to generate high-quality, contextually relevant synthetic data not only streamlines research processes and reduces associated costs but also addresses ethical concerns in sensitive studies. Consequently, CA-CTGAN emerges as an essential resource for researchers, facilitating more ethical, cost-effective, and data-informed experimental design and decision-making.



Candidate Name: Zez C. Zawolo
Title: EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE AVENUES TO INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND FIRM ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL GOVERNANCE PERFORMANCE AND THE MODERATING EFFECT OF FIRM SIZE
 March 18, 2024  4:00 PM
Location: zoom https://charlotte-edu.zoom.us/j/95581010984?pwd=VG1OSnh5OFdqMlhzdTVrK2ZmSFp0Zz09
Abstract:

Many research studies have explored the impact of international experience on an organization's strategic decisions and overall performance. However, these studies tend only to examine the connection between a CEO's international experience, such as traveling abroad for work or study during their adult life, and their organization's Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance (ESGP). To expand on this, I examined other methods of gaining international experience, such as personal exposure from living overseas and indirect exposure from foreign-born parents and grandparents. Through the imprinting and upper-echelon theories, I identified CEOs born and raised overseas as "first-generation immigrant CEOs" and CEOs born and raised in the United States by at least one immigrant parent or grandparent as "second and third-generation immigrant CEOs." I then studied the relationship between first-generation immigrant CEOs, second and third-generation immigrant CEOs, and firm Environmental, Social, and Governance performance (ESGP) while also considering the moderating effect of firm size. To conduct this research, I obtained a list of companies from the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 index for FY 2022 (N=444) and data from CSRHub and COMPUSTAT. Although the findings did not support the direct and moderating relationships studied, they provide recommendations for improvement and future research directions.



Candidate Name: Christina Page
Title: The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Clinicians' Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Regarding Occupational Therapy for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment
 March 25, 2024  1:00 PM
Location: CHHS 131
Abstract:

Millions of survivors are living following treatment of breast cancer. Survivors commonly experience cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which is associated with decreased quality of life. Occupational therapists (OT) assess and treat CRCI, yet are under-utilized. A barrier to utilization may be related to clinicians’ lack of education related to OT for CRCI. This project compared clinicians’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding the use of OT for CRCI and the number of referrals to OT before and after an educational intervention.

A pre-test and post-test comparative exploratory design using a 17-item survey was used. Session content included interventions for CRCI focused on OT, and logistical information needed to support OT referrals. OT referral rates were extracted from the electronic medical record. The sample was a convenience sample of 9 clinicians from a suburban oncology clinic.

Significant differences were noted between pre- and post-survey scores in 7 of 8 slider scale items. Clinicians reported greater frequency in assessing for CRCI, comfort in assessing and suggesting interventions for CRCI and knowledge about OT following the educational intervention. More providers identified OT as an intervention for CRCI and fewer clinicians were unaware of available interventions for CRCI. The number of OT referrals for CRCI significantly increased in the post-intervention period.
This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of an educational intervention to improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes of clinicians who care for breast cancer survivors with CRCI. Increase in OT referrals suggests that education led to increased awareness and management of CRCI, which may improve quality of life among breast cancer survivors. This intervention has potential to be broadly replicated, positively impacting oncology clinicians and their patients experiencing CRCI.



Candidate Name: Anupam Raina
Title: The Motherhood Penalty in the 21st Century - Replication and Extension
 March 28, 2024  1:00 PM
Location: Join Zoom Meeting https://charlotte-edu.zoom.us/j/98104889919?pwd=K2FZeGllblM0TFhZSmUybk9sUDRQdz09
Abstract:

Evaluating the impact of motherhood on a woman’s career is complex. There are interrelated mechanisms resulting in conflicting results. The wage disparity for mothers is noted within the literature to range from 0 – 20 percent, with a similar spectrum of negative impact on career progression, when compared with fathers and childless men and women. In this research I summarize the predominant theory-based explanations for the motherhood penalty and review a sample of the research published from 1979 to August 2023. This study shows evidence that a wage penalty for motherhood continues to persist ranging from 14 percent to 32 percent. From the NLSY97 sample of working women (2004-2021), there is evidence of a wage boost for married mothers, women who choose to delay fertility into their late 20s may experience a wage boost, race and a woman’s level of grittiness have no significant impact on women’s wages, and human capital considerations continue to matter and may work to attenuate any wage penalty for motherhood.



Candidate Name: Lori Eberly
Title: Long-Term Care in the United States: Examining the Role of Socioeconomic Status
 April 10, 2024  9:00 AM
Location: CHHS 426
Abstract:

My research examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and informal versus formal care use, unmet care needs (UCN), and concordance between preferred and actual care used; exploring whether the middle class faces barriers accessing care. Each study involved a cross-sectional analysis using NHATS data. Guided by Andersen and Newman’s behavioral model of health, I explored the relationship between SES and each outcome of interest, controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Descriptive analysis characterized the sample; bivariate analysis examined the relationship between SES and each outcome of interest and associations between SES and the control variables. Logistic regression with backward elimination retained control variables with a p-value less than 0.10. Results were interpreted using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The middle-SES group had decreased odds of using informal care compared to the low-SES group, but increased odds compared to the upper-SES group. The middle-SES group had increased odds of UCN compared to the low-SES group, but no significant association when compared to the upper-SES group. The middle-SES group had decreased odds of concordance between preferred care and actual care used when compared to the low-SES group, but increased odds of concordance when compared to the upper-SES group.



Candidate Name: Camelia R. Taheri Protzel
Title: Evolving to a New Genomics Segmentation Base
 March 26, 2024  10:00 AM
Location: Zoom link: https://charlotte-edu.zoom.us/j/98862945784
Abstract:

Advances in behavioral genetics provide a game-changing paradigm shift in the development of an accurate framework for a more precise marketing segmentation strategy. Genetics can explain most of the systematic variation between individuals, continuity of behavioral and personality traits, as well as 50% of the variance in human traits. Leveraging that all human behaviors are influenced in some way by the individual’s genetic constitution, a theoretical framework is presented for the definition of a new segmentation base called “Genomics Segmentation”. Moreover, we empirically showed the applicability of the new Genomics Segmentation through a K-mean clustering analysis of the alcohol consumption market using 7 different polygenic scores related to personality and cognitive traits. This study increases the predictive power of consumer behavior and marketing segmentation leveraging molecular genetics and 150 years of behavioral genetics replicable findings. It presents for the first time fundamental principles from behavioral genetics to lay the ground for genomics marketing and the transformation of segmentation strategies. It proposes the segmentation of markets through the genetic propensity of consumers. It not only highlights embryonic research in genomics marketing but also shows the practical application of genomics segmentation through the usage of molecular genetics to create clusters and understand consumption patterns of each subset.



Candidate Name: Miranda Lanning
Title: Utilization of an Early Warning Score to Initiate Proactive Rounding by the Rapid Response Team
 March 21, 2024  9:00 AM
Location: CHHS 131
Abstract:

Millions of adverse events, including failure to rescue (FTR), occur around the world each year leading to increasing hospital length of stay, increasing mortality, and decreasing quality of life. FTR events happen when mortality occurs following a major medical complication. With the assistance of electronic early identification of clinical deterioration, interventions may be implemented to decrease FTR events.
This project was guided by the PICO question: In adult medical-surgical inpatients, does proactive rounding by the rapid response team with utilization of an automated early warning system, compared with no proactive rounding, improve recognition of clinical deterioration, and decrease transfers to critical care? A REDCap database was built and utilized to track proactive rounding along with Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS) by the Critical Care Code Team at a tertiary medical center and compared to rapid response and code blue activations. The percentage of transfers to critical care from quarter four of 2022 to quarter four of 2023 was then compared using a paired T-Test to determine statistical significance.
A proactive rounding process was developed, and 664 rounds were entered. Of these, 114 were proactive rounds with the utilization of MEWS and 550 were non-proactive rounds. Rounding triggers were compared and analyzed which revealed that the primary reason for rounding was staff concerns, and that collaboration was important to improve patient outcomes. There was a decrease in transfers to critical care post rapid responses, however it was not statistically significant. Implementation of proactive rounding could be useful to decrease length of stay, decrease hospital mortality, and improve patient satisfaction.  




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