University of Southern Mississippi
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Best Practice Recommendations for Anesthesia Providers in Preventing Postoperative Delirium in the Geriatric Population Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery
No full textPostoperative delirium (POD) is a significant and preventable complication in geriatric patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Such complication is associated with foreseeable consequences, such as prolonged hospitalization, long-term cognitive decline, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased costs. Despite the emerging awareness of evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventional strategies, POD still represents a clinical challenge for anesthesia providers.
Currently, there is a lack of clinical guidelines to guide formalized education and evidence-based interventions on POD prevention across anesthesia practice settings. Consequently, there is a critical need to raise awareness that the lack of clinical guidelines and the high incidence of POD may be interrelated. This doctoral project aims to evaluate the anesthesia providers\u27 current knowledge regarding non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for POD prevention, followed by the dissemination of best practice recommendations through an online intervention. The intervention includes a visual flyer and extends digital content, distributed via email to anesthesia providers across multiple clinical sites. Participants will complete pre-and post-intervention surveys to assess changes in knowledge.
Data was collected from 46 anesthesia providers, and findings suggest that the educational intervention significantly improved provider knowledge, especially in areas where baseline understanding was weakest, such as the rationale for dexmedetomidine and postoperative monitoring frequency. These results indicate that targeted, evidence-based educational tools effectively prepare anesthesia providers to prevent postoperative delirium (POD)
Role of Assistive and Adaptive Technologies in Promoting Inclusivity in Classrooms: A Study on Special Education Trainees
No full textIntegrating assistive and adaptive technologies is vital for fostering inclusivity in special education. However, awareness and perceived impact of these tools among aspiring special educators remain underexplored. This study examined the awareness and perceived impact of assistive and adaptive technologies among 56 students enrolled in a Multiple Disabilities (MD) B.Ed. Special Education program. Validated scales with strong reliability and unidimensionality were employed, with the awareness scale explaining 70.62% of the variance and the perceived impact scale accounting for 53.68%. Descriptive and inferential analyses indicated that awareness levels ranged from basic to moderate (mean = 3.37), with a subset showing high awareness (mean = 4.09–4.73). Perceived impact scores were consistently positive (mean = 4.31), emphasizing the role of these technologies in fostering inclusivity. Gender- and semester-based comparisons revealed no significant differences (p \u3e .05). A moderate positive correlation (r = .473, p \u3c .01) between awareness and perceived impact highlights their interdependence. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, such as workshops and field experiences, in teacher education programs to enhance awareness and practical application. Such measures are critical for bridging gaps in teacher preparedness and promoting the effective use of assistive technologies in inclusive classrooms
The Effects of Distraction on Confidence Rating Reactivity During Cued-Recall
No full textOne of the current areas of research into memory accuracy improvement focuses on the concept of reactivity or changes to behavior that occur outside of the manipulated independent variables which may be attributable to biases or expectations of participants (Adair, 1984; Saretsky, 1972). Although reactivity is often interpreted as a threat to internal validity, research using metacognitive judgments has demonstrated that asking individuals to predict future performance at study can promote memory on subsequent tests of cue-target word pairs. An important question is whether these positive reactivity effects are specific to metacognitive judgments provided at encoding, or whether positive reactivity effects operate more generally and manifest when judgments are provided at test. One such judgment type, confidence ratings (CRs), ask individuals to estimate the likelihood that a retrieved item is correct. In a pilot dataset, providing CRs produced positive reactivity effects versus a no-CR control. The current experiment then tested whether CR reactivity effects reflect enhanced monitoring by evaluating CR reactivity patterns under conditions of full or divided attention. Compared to full attention, divided attention was expected to reduce test-based memory monitoring, thereby reducing or eliminating reactivity patterns relative to a no-CR control group. However, results showed no significant reactivity effects, either positive or negative, between groups
Exploring the Connection Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement in Senior Nursing Students
No full textThe need for nurses is now greater than ever, with a projected shortage of nearly five million nurses by 2030. Several factors exist that hinder the number of practice-ready nurses, causing nursing programs worldwide to explore and re-examine admission practices and increase student retention rates. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2024) reported that over 100,000 students were denied enrollment in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2024, indicating that maximizing admission processes is crucial in addressing the current nursing shortage. This emphasizes the need for greater participation to ensure that all students have access to the educational opportunities they deserve.
To address retention and attrition rates in nursing programs, schools must support student enrollment and retention. However, with budget constraints, providing proper resources for programs, addressing faculty burnout and shortages, and addressing student challenges have proven difficult for nursing programs. This study underscores the need for new admissions processes, as generic admission procedures, such as standardized nursing program admission exams, cumulative grade point averages (GPAs), and standard admission exams, like the American College Test (ACT), have not proven to be the best indicators of academic achievement in nursing programs. Examining the reasons that lead to program dismissal is necessary for nursing programs to understand the factors that affect attrition and retention within the nursing program.
This study examined cognitive factors that contribute to student achievement, as well as non-cognitive factors, which encompass personal and emotional reasons for not attaining academic achievement. This quantitative descriptive correlational analysis examined the correlation between cognitive and non-cognitive factors of two different cohorts of graduating senior nursing students. The purpose of the study was to investigate and identify the combination of predictors that best predict academic achievement in students completing an undergraduate nursing program at one public university in the Southeastern United States.
The findings of this study are significant as they offer valuable insights into the factors that influence student achievement in nursing programs. These findings can inform and improve admission and retention practices in nursing education, thereby contributing to ongoing efforts to address the global nursing shortage
Applying Transcriptomics for Technology Development and Conservation in North American Marine Organisms
No full textRNA biology is a rapidly expanding field, with many avenues of discovery among marine organisms. In this study, we analyze both mollusks and sawfish. First, we perform an evaluation of sRNA biogenesis pathways throughout Mollusca, with emphasis on the easter oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Understanding these molecules prescribes RNAi-based gene silencing approaches, benefiting genetic investigation and biotechnology. Similar to other animal groups, mollusks have conserved microRNAs (miRNAs), with some shared with ecdysozoans and deuterostomes; however, there is no evidence of an endogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway. These results suggest that long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-based RNAi is not appropriate for gene silencing in mollusks as well as other members of the broader Lophotrochozoan clade. The study also finds an abundance of piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in both soma and gonads. Differences are also found in piRNA biology. Many invertebrates exhibit somatic piRNAs; however, mollusk piRNAs appear to be restricted to a subset of cells, limiting the potential of piRNA-based RNAi. Further, individual animals also express a unique collection of piRNAs that seem to be only partially determined through inheritance from both parents. Furthermore, we also investigated the RNA biology of ovotestes prevalent in male smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata. We find that the ovotestis has significantly different gene expression from either normal ovary or testis tissue, with immunity, hormones, and sex determination potentially affected by this abnormal tissue. Collectively, our research provides insight into Mollusca’s sRNA biogenesis pathways and Elasmobranchii’s ovotestis formation, broadening our understanding of gene regulation in various marine genomes
An Objective Structured Clinical Examination for Cervical Plexus Block Utilizing Ultrasound Guidance and Landmark Technique
No full textRegional blocks have become an increasingly important part of anesthesia practice. Anesthetists have developed many of these regional blocks in recent years, and because of this, some certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have not received training specific to each kind of block during their education. An example of a block that current CRNAs who graduated in earlier years may have yet to receive specific training on is a cervical plexus block. Developing a learning tool such as an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) will address this knowledge gap.
An OSCE will allow CRNAs to take advantage of hands-on learning stepwise, allowing them to translate these skills to patients in clinical practice. This OSCE includes key information and learning points of the major steps of a cervical plexus block utilizing both external landmark technique and ultrasound guided technique. CRNAs were sent an email invitation letter for participation that included the OSCE and a link to the post-OSCE survey.
Once consent was obtained, the participants completed a survey after completing the educational material that included qualitative and quantitative data. This data pointed to an improvement in participant confidence of the external landmark technique more so than the ultrasound guided technique. Participants said they thought the OSCE had good educational material and overall said they would recommend the OSCE to a colleague looking to improve their confidence in performing a cervical plexus block
The Digital Incorporated Worker Narrative: A Mixed Methods Study of Digital Capital, Work Selection, and Outcomes in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Get PDFDigital technology permeates society and industry, making digital-ready workers necessary for firms of all sizes as a firm seeks competitiveness in the market (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; de Ruyter et al., 2018; Gorski et al., 2022; Karaboğa, 2023; Kim et al., 2017; Qureshi Zia, 2019). Firms seeking digital-ready workers face a complex digital divide that creates a worker shortage (Bergson-Shilcock et al., 2023; Karaboğa, 2023; Qureshi Zia, 2019). This study aims to describe workers\u27 work selection, work experience, and outcomes in a complex digital society.
Most digital divide research focuses on the individuals excluded from owning, accessing, and having skills with information and communication technologies (Heeks, 2022), even though data reveals that the digital divide is not a simple dichotomy between the included and excluded (Ragnedda et al., 2020; Van Dijk & Hacker, 2003). Instead, the divide is a multifactor problem that can also cause stratification in the digital society (Ragnedda et al., 2020; van Deursen & van Dijk, 2015). This study uses the convergent mixed methods design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The study data describes the stratification among workers in the digital society by exploring worker demographics, their accumulation of social, cultural, human, digital, and economic capital, and their work selection and outcomes.
The study reveals (a) digital capital serves as a gateway to human capital and improved economic outcomes or economic capital, (b) the need for economic autonomy by those entering the workforce for the first time results in the selection of work that requires low-skill, and low to no digital capital. While this work is approachable and accessible, it offers low wages. (c) Workers\u27 cultural and social capital and accumulated work experiences shift from pursuing work solely for economic necessity to including purpose, ethics, and value alignment at work, requiring more digital capital to access jobs in this expanded scope. (4) increasing digital capital results in autonomy in pursuing outcomes supporting mental well-being, and (5) increasing digital capital results in feelings of disconnect from other humans
The Influence of Online Dating Pool Size Variability on Mate Selection Satisfaction and Investment
No full textAlthough online dating has increased the ease for individuals to meet a larger number of prospective mates, relationships initiated online are often less stable and lasting than those formed through face-to-face means. This study investigated the extent to which larger dating pools undermine individuals’ investment in potential mates. Single, heterosexual community members viewed dating profiles from small or large mating pools before selecting a preferred partner for a first date. Participants subsequently evaluated their partner and indicated their anticipation for a first date, including various investment behaviors. Larger dating pools heightened satisfaction and attraction, possibly due to greater probability of access to high-quality mates. More specifically, women experienced less decision regret in these larger dating pools compared to smaller dating pools, whereas men were indifferent. This may align with the idea that women invest significantly into reproduction and the ability to offset such cost with mate selection from a larger mating pool is preferable because it could offer better mate choices. Contrary to choice overload theory, these findings suggest greater choice in online mating contexts is perceived as beneficial and informs the relation of evolutionary theory to contemporary mating contexts
Evaluating the Impact of a Modified Positive Greetings at the Door Strategy on Class-Wide and Individual Student Behaviors
No full textClass-wide student disruptive behaviors continue to be a growing concern that often interferes with academic instruction (Griffiths et al., 2019; McKissick et al., 2010). Antecedent interventions, often delivered at the Tier 1 level, provide teachers with the opportunity to proactively set the occasion for students to engage in desired behaviors (Kruger et al., 2019). A promising antecedent, Tier 1 intervention that has been found to successfully increase class-wide prosocial behaviors is Positive Greetings at the Door (PGD) (Cook et al., 2018; Lawson et al., under review). Despite research evaluating the impact of personalized greetings with students at a Tier 2 level, the PGD literature has not evaluated the effects of PGD on specific students who display higher levels of disruptive behaviors compared to their peers. Thus, using a concurrent multiple baseline design across classrooms, the current study expanded PGD by training teachers to deliver a personalized check-in and a pre-corrective statement to three target students. Overall, results indicated that PGD+ increased students’ academically engaged behaviors (AEB) and decreased disruptive behavior at the class-wide level and target student level. Implications and future directions of the study are discussed
Interconnections among self-awareness constructs in schizotypy: The importance of interoceptive sensibility
Get PDFInteroception involves the sensing, interpreting, and integrating of signals from within the body and mind. Interoception is a central concept to our awareness of bodily sensations and thus can be classified as one form of self-awareness. Differences in other forms of self-awareness, such as alexithymia, cognitive insight, and introspective accuracy, have been observed between those with high and low schizotypy. Given the conceptual similarity in these constructs, understanding inter-relationships across measures of self-awareness will serve to advance our understanding of the concept and its various facets for people with high schizotypy. This study examined the relationships between interoceptive sensibility and other measures of self-awareness, including cognitive insight, alexithymia, and introspective accuracy, in those with and without high schizotypy. Participants from two online recruitment sources (n = 728) completed measures of interoceptive sensibility, alexithymia, cognitive insight, introspective accuracy, and schizotypy. Partial correlations found higher interoceptive sensibility was associated with lower alexithymia and lower schizotypy. Network analysis revealed that three interoceptive subscales, Body Listening, Self-Regulation, and Attention Regulation, as well as the cognitive perceptual subscale of schizotypy, had the greatest influence on the overall model. Network comparison revealed that the Emotional Awareness and Self-Regulation subscales of interoception had the greatest influence on the structures in both schizotypy groups. While both groups had distinct cluster patterns, there were no significant differences in the networks’ edges or centrality. These results add to the growing literature on interoception in schizotypy and suggest that measures of interoception may provide a helpful brief assessment of self-awareness abilities