Scholarship & Research
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Item Addressing Communication Challenges Related to Nursing Unit Design(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2024-05) Thorson, Hannah L.When nurses transition from a centralized nursing unit to a decentralized nursing unit, significant workflow changes can occur. A literature review identified four significant themes related to the transition to a decentralized unit. These themes are challenges with collaboration and teamwork, decreased nurse work efficiency, improvement to patient outcomes, and the importance of nurses’ role in departmental design. Additionally, literature related to the efficacy of electronic communication systems for bedside nursing staff was reviewed. The aim of this scholarly project is to propose a quality improvement intervention to increase nurse usage of clinical phones in an intermediate care unit (IMCU) to help with communication challenges caused by the transition to a decentralized nursing unit. By improving communication through use of the phones, nurses will be able to deliver care more efficiently and enhance communication with other members of the multidisciplinary care team. This quality improvement project falls within the scope of the Clinical Nurse Leader, and has the potential to improve job satisfaction for nurses, as well as provide a safer care environment for patients.Item Concrete-filled steel tube to concrete pile cap connections: verification of analysis/design methodologies(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2023) Cota, Cash Daniel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael BerryThis research project focuses on the structural behavior of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) to concrete pile cap connections, a critical component in many Montana bridges. A series of four experimental pile cap connection specimens were designed and tested to assess the influence of key parameters such as specimen scale, concrete strength, and the incorporation of U-bars on the overall connection performance. The findings from this research revealed that all specimens, barring the specimen with U-bars, displayed consistent moment-drift responses, damage progression, and failure mechanisms within the concrete cap. The inclusion of U-bars notably increased the connection capacity by about 60%, altering the failure mechanism to a plastic hinge formation in the CFST pile. Additionally, the study validated the efficacy of a novel moment-rotation methodology for predicting the capacity of cap connections, with an average measured-to-predicted ratio of 0.95 and a coefficient of variation of 10%. However, this methodology showed a tendency to overpredict capacities in connections without U-bars and underpredict in those with U-bars. Overall, this research provides valuable insight into the behavior of these critical connections under diverse conditions and demonstrates the efficacy of the moment-rotation methodology.Item Opto-mechanical design and analysis for coherent active imaging(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2022) Neeley, Jaime Branson; Co-chairs, Graduate Committee: Wm. Randall Babbitt and Joseph A. ShawThe objective of this thesis project was to design a monostatic lidar transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) opto-mechanical apparatus for remote sensing at a variable range of 50 m - 500 m. The scope of this project begins from the fiber output of a pre-designed Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) lidar system. After design criteria for the lidar module are given, the optical and mechanical design is presented, opto-mechanical tolerancing is presented, and assembly, alignment, and testing procedures are covered as well. This thesis shows that the required design criteria of diffraction-limited optical performance was achieved while accounting for predictable manufacturing and assembly errors modeled using a Monte Carlo tolerance analysis. Furthermore, this thesis shows that the modeled and measured optical performance results were in good agreement and recommendations are given for improvements for the next-generation revision of the lidar Tx/Rx module.Item Design, fabrication, and validation of a portable perturbation treadmill for balance recovery research(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2022) Knutson, Robert George; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Corey PewTrips and falls are a major concern for older adults. The resulting injury and loss of mobility can have a significant impact on quality of life. An emerging field of study, known as Perturbation Training, has been shown to reduce injury rates associated with trips and falls in older adults. In a typical training session, the user stands or walks on a treadmill and is subject to sudden, unexpected accelerations, simulating a trip or slip, in a safe environment. This training aims to improve the user's ability to maintain and recover balance in situations that can often lead to falls. Treadmills traditionally used for Perturbation Training are large instrumented devices that are rigidly bolted to the floor. This presents a problem for older adults with limited mobility or those who live far away from Perturbation Training facilities. A portable treadmill would be able to serve a larger portion of the at-risk population then current methods have allowed. We developed a portable, low-cost perturbation treadmill capable of high-intensity training. The system can perform trip and slip perturbations from a stationary or walking state. It features a tandem belt configuration, a small gap between belts, and individual belt control. The belt speed is digitally controlled, dictated by a custom human-machine-interface and software suite, which allows operators with no programming experience to control the device. When connected to a 240-volt power supply, the maximum belt speed is approximately 3.6 m/s. The treadmill was designed to accommodate a user of up to 118 kg and provide a maximum acceleration of 12 m/s 2 under full load. The treadmill weighs approximately 180 kg and can be moved like a wheelbarrow, with handles in the back and wheels in the front. The design has been validated and was used in multiple locations in a clinical trial.Item Advancing student motivation and course interest through a utility value intervention in an engineering design context(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2020) Turoski, Staci Anne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Bill SchellStudent motivation is essential for academic success. Researchers and educators across broad educational spectrums have identified important factors effecting undergraduate student motivation. Understanding and improving student motivation is critical for educators to keep students engaged and motivated. Student motivation is multifaceted and complex with interest as one of many factors related to motivation and motived behavior. Student interest in course material can be supported by helping them understand the value and relevance of the material to their professional goals. This study uses expectancy-value framework to understand students' perceptions of the value and relevance of course material and how these perceptions influence interest and academic performance. One means for understanding perceived value is to assess the perception of the utility value, or the view of usefulness, of the task to their present or future goals. Educators can encourage value by asking students to write about the relevance of the course material to their life through structured utility value interventions. This study compared the performance, interest, and motivation between students who participated in structured utility value interventions and those in a control group who did not while enrolled in a third-year multidisciplinary engineering design course. Secondary research questions explored the effectiveness for low-performing students and the frequency at which connections were made. Students completed a survey at the beginning of the course and near completion of the course. Data was gathered during the initial semester of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students' interest in the engineering design process and in the course material increased significantly for students writing to the utility value prompts. Perceived utility value was shown to be a significant predictor in student interest. Academic performance outcomes were not effected by participating in the intervention. Low-performing students did not experience benefit from the interventions. This study builds on and extends previous research on the effectiveness of utility value interventions in impacting student interest and motivation within an engineering design context. Practical application of the results provides educators a simple, cost-effective tool for increasing student interest and motivation in engineering.