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Essence Behind the Eyes Reflected In My Mirror
Get PDFI chose to create a magazine of poems showcasing who I am as a person. It is called The Essence and this edition is titled Identity: Essence Behind the Eyes Reflected In My Mirror . I used pictures of me throughout different stages in my life, alongside the events, physical features, and mental/emotional traits I possess. This portfolio truly gives a snapshot of my identity as an English major, future English teacher, student, and person
Enhancing Privacy and Usability in Quantum-Resistant Cryptocurrencies
Get PDFCryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are poised to form a foundation of future finance, but their mainstream adoption is impeded by critical usability and security challenges. Users today struggle with managing cryptographic keys and maintaining privacy, leading to frequent losses and breaches . At the same time, rapid advances in quantum computing threaten to undermine the cryptographic primitives (e.g., ECDSA, RSA) underpinning blockchain systems . This paper explores how to enhance the usable security and privacy of cryptocurrencies in light of the looming quantum era. We review the state of usable security in cryptocurrencies, highlighting issues such as poor wallet UX, human errors in key management, and privacy misconceptions . We then assess the current progress in quantum computing and its realistic threats to blockchain security, detailing how Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms could break popular digital signature schemes and weaken hash and symmetric algorithms. Quantum-vulnerable methods (ECDSA, RSA, etc.) are discussed alongside emerging post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. We survey ongoing developments in PQC – including lattice-based and hash-based signatures – that are practical for blockchain use , and review transition strategies for upgrading existing cryptocurrencies to quantum-resistant schemes . Throughout, we emphasize human-centric security design, examining how wallet design, key recovery mechanisms, and user education can be improved to facilitate security without sacrificing usability. We present data-driven insights and include figures illustrating the scope of the problem and the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Our analysis, drawing on insights from 22 recent studies, underscores that proactively integrating usable security frameworks with post-quantum solutions is essential to safeguard the future of decentralized finance. We conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners to collaboratively advance the security, privacy, and usability of cryptocurrency systems before large-scale quantum computers become a reality
Reducing Unnecessary Cesarean Sections: Identifying Risk Factors and Promoting Evidence-Based Practices at Stamford Hospital
Get PDFAgreement of Body Composition Estimates using Air Displacement Plethysmography and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
No full textImplementing Nutrition Education for Patient’s Being Initiated in Semaglutide: Quality Improvement Project
Get PDFSignificance and Background: The nutrition literacy assessment instrument (NLit) and healthy eating habits assessment, are underutilized tools, as components in providing nutrition education for patients in primary care. There is a lack of knowledge of their availability, thus leading to missed opportunities to provide a more targeted approach to improve nutrition literacy. In the primary care setting, no formal approach is utilized in providing nutrition education to patients being seen for medical weight-loss management. Another element missing from the current process, is a tool that medical providers can utilize, to understand a patient’s baseline nutrition literacy and eating habits. Thus, streamlining nutrition education in the management of obesity.
Objective/Purpose: To increase the nutrition literacy and healthy eating habit scores by 10% from baseline, within a three-month period. To create a nutrition education pamphlet, focusing on the Mediterranean diet, understanding the nutrition facts label, and specific masked named “sugars” seen on nutrition labels, for patients being initiated on Semaglutide.
Methods: Project implementation and evaluation was guided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, utilizing the plan, do, study, act (PDSA) framework. A total of one PDSA cycle was completed. The NLit, healthy eating habits assessment, and patient surveys, were administered during the patient’s initial medical weight-loss appointment, along with follow-up appointment in 8-weeks.
Results: Over a 20-week period, there were a total of 30 patients seen for medical weight-loss with a total of 7 patients included in the study. Exclusion criteria included: another weight-loss medication being initiated or refusing initiation related to cost. Initial NLit scores averaged 4.28 with 8-week follow-up scores averaging 4.57. This displayed a 6.7% increase in nutrition literacy scores. Healthy eating habits scores showed similar variability, with initial scores averaging 28.43 and 8-week follow-up scores averaging 32.71. This displayed a 13.10% increase from initial scores.
Conclusion: Results showed practice change of implementing nutrition education by utilizing the NLit and healthy eating habits assessment, improved overall nutrition literacy scores. Next steps will be to disseminate project details to other medical providers within the primary care office
Implementing Breast Milk Expression Education Protocol: A Quality Improvement
No full textSignificance and Background: Prematurity related complications (PRC) are the second leading cause of death for children under the age of five. Breast milk (BM) contains bio-actives that reduce PRC. However, delayed BM expression (BME) reduces BM availability. Adherence to Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative’s recommendation for BME within 6 hours in mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants remain poor without a standardized BME protocol.
Purpose: To increase the percentage of NICU mothers initiating BME within 6 hours of birth. To educate labor and delivery nursing staff on early BME.
Methods: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Model for Improvement Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework was used to guide implementation in a Birthing Center of Connecticut. Participants include nursing staff and NICU mothers. Launch date was October 10th, 2024, with conclusion of data collection on January 20th, 2025. Three PDSA cycles were completed at this time. Data was collected using monthly chart audits and reviewed time and date of BME initiation, BME charting compliance and number of patients given BME education. Results: The percentage of NICU mothers initiating BME within 6 hours increased from 38.89% to 71.43%. Charting compliance decreased from 85% to 59% during the transition of the new charting system and increased to 77% by the conclusion of the project. The percentage of patients receiving BME education in the first 24 hours increased from 85% to 100% by the conclusion of the data collection period.
Discussion: The use of a standardized BME education protocol led to an increase in the percentage of NICU mothers pumping within 6 hours, increased the number of patients receiving BME education within 24 hours, and surpassed target goals. Results indicated that staff adopted the new practice protocol and educated patients consistently once the BME education protocol was implemented. Early BME has the high potential for increasing the availability of MM, directly impacting the incidence of prematurity-related complications among pre-term infants and the economic burden placed on families during prolonged NICU stays. Next steps for future implementation are to improve the time to initial oral administration of colostrum to NICU infants
Monitoring weight loss management and patient satisfaction by utilization of phone-based check-ins: An Evidence-based Quality Improvement Project
Get PDFBackground
Obesity is one of the fastest growing public health issues across the nation. Obesity is a critical factor in prevention of obesity-related non-communicable diseases (OR-NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. The increase in obesity creates a global burden on chronic disease prevention for future healthcare systems. With the increasing popularity of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1’s) being prescribed, the level of provider communication should be evaluated and encouraged for successful weight management outcomes.
Project Goals
1.) Implement a phone call to patients on a GLP-1 to provide education on healthy lifestyle habits from October 2024 to December 2024.
2.) Evaluate patient satisfaction and weight reduction from receiving weekly phone calls through the use of an end survey.
Methods
A phone call was provided to the patient on a weekly basis over the course of 8-weeks between October 2024-December 2024. Patients’ weights were documented at the beginning and end of the trial period. Patients were allowed to opt out of the phone calls. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by having the participants fill out an anonymous survey that was emailed to them at the end of 8 weeks.
Results
A total of 64 phone calls were made over the 8-week period. A total of 47 calls were answered by participants. A total of 17 calls were not answered by participants. This gave the results that only 73% of the time phone calls were answered. The initial goal was to have over 80% compliance with phone calls. Data was then collected from the end survey, which yielded positive results. The three participants who appropriately responded gave us a 100% satisfaction rating that they found a positive association between increased provider communication and weight management. It was also found that 100% of the responding participants voted they would prefer a text message instead of a phone call.
Conclusion
With this QI project, the mindful, effective communication between patient and provider was established. This project helped to shape the effectiveness of patient-provider communication during weight loss programs. After 8 weeks, data trended towards sustainability of weight loss in all participants. This is promising, as it shows the effect of communication and weight loss. Incorporating weekly communication has value to the participant and the organization
Program Development for 18-year old Female Targeting Body Recomposition
No full textOur client, a healthy and motivated 18-year-old, approached us with the goal of reducing body fat while building lean muscle mass, with a particular emphasis on developing upper body strength. She currently maintains a consistent exercise routine, training six days per week, and has expressed a strong interest in more challenging workouts aimed at hypertrophy. Based on her goals and training history, we developed a structured hypertrophy-focused resistance training program, consisting of four days of resistance training complemented by two days of conditioning to support fat loss and improve overall fitness
