62588 research outputs found
Sort by
The impact of nurse staffing on turnover and quality
No full textInadequate nurse staffing continues to challenge healthcare delivery in the United States. In this research, we undertake a fine‐grained, unit‐level analysis to understand the relationships between nurse staffing, nurse turnover, and pressure ulcers, the latter of which is a key nursing‐sensitive care quality indicator. We examine these relationships within two types of hospital units: intensive care units (ICUs) and medical‐surgical (MedSurg) units, which have unique patient mixes and needs. Using hospital unit‐level data between 2008 and 2017, we show that nurse staffing primarily affects nurse turnover in ICUs, and that the adverse effects of nurse turnover on care quality tend to be stronger in ICUs than in MedSurg units. These findings provide important theoretical insights into the varying roles of staffing, turnover, and quality across organizational units. The findings suggest that hospital administrators may prioritize staffing needs for ICUs over MedSurg units to maintain strong quality performance on measures such as pressure ulcers. Further, our study reveals that staffing requirements for ICUs may be inadequate compared with MedSurg units. Thus, there is a need to evaluate existing guidelines on ICU staffing. , Highlights Nurse turnover negatively affects care quality for intensive care units and medical‐surgical units, and the impact is more substantial for intensive care units. Increasing staffing levels is an effective strategy to reduce nurse turnover for intensive care units, but not for medical‐surgical units. We recommend that states re‐evaluate the existing guidelines on nurse staffing, especially for intensive care units
Predicting Electronic Structure of Realistic Amorphous Surfaces
No full textAmorphous materials underlie the functionality of many devices in photocatalysis, electronics, and other technological applications. The performance of such devices is largely altered by the interfacial characteristics of the material motivating better understanding of their structure function relationships. However, open questions remain about how to generate atomistic representations of amorphous surfaces that are realistic while being amenable to computational study using electronic structure methods. Here, model parameters are explored to generate accurate amorphous surface models using prototypical amorphous titanium dioxide and a melt‐quench approach. In particular, non‐standard model considerations such as minimum sample size, unit cell size, and quench conditions are varied to efficiently explore amorphous structural space. The results indicate different modeling parameters have a substantial effect on surface morphology and electronic structure that significantly alters the interpretations gained by computational study of amorphous interfaces. Critically, it is shown that the structural motifs that contribute to such differences are not detectable by short range structural analysis that has traditionally been used to assess the quality of melt‐quench derived amorphous structures
Weighing the Value of Complex Growth Estimation Methods to Evaluate Individual Student Response to Instruction
No full textSophisticated analytic strategies have been proposed as viable methods to improve the quantification of student improvement and to assist educators in making treatment decisions. The performance of three categories of latent growth modeling techniques (linear, quadratic, and dual change) to capture growth in oral reading fluency in response to a 12‐week structured supplemental reading intervention among 280 grade three students at‐risk for learning disabilities were compared. Although the most complex approach (dual‐change) yielded the best model fit indices, there were few practical differences between predicted values from simpler linear models. A discussion to carefully consider the relative benefits and appropriateness of increasingly complex growth modeling strategies to evaluate individual student responses to intervention is offered
An educational program affirming immigrant entrepreneurship, critical consciousness, and cultural strengths
No full textThis study reports on the experiences of immigrants in a culturally responsive community entrepreneurship program named Poder. Immigrants make up a sizable proportion of the workforce and contribute to the US economy by creating jobs through entrepreneurship endeavors. However, research about culturally responsive programs for the immigrant community to assist in exploring entrepreneurship opportunities is lacking. The consensual qualitative research (CQR) method was implemented to analyze the interviews of 11 immigrant students, who participated in the 5‐week program at a community college. Analyses revealed that students engaged in critical consciousness regarding barriers to entrepreneurship, educational values and barriers, achievement values, and the unique experience of immigrant entrepreneurs. Students addressed cultural advantages to reduce barriers during the program by engaging supports, family, technology, and community as resources. These strategies may be helpful to scholars, educators, and practitioners seeking to support immigrants in pursuing community entrepreneurship as educational and career pathways
Do elections make you sick?
No full textElections permit the continuance of democracy and enable economic development, but may have unintended effects on health. By applying a two‐part model with regression discontinuity design to administrative health care claims, we determine that elections increased health care use during legally specified campaign periods by as much as 19% for first‐time voters. Contrary to earlier studies focusing on mental health, we find higher spending on the treatment of physical health conditions, such as acute respiratory infections, gastrointestinal conditions and injuries. Levels of medical spending during campaign periods were highest in rural areas and among low‐to‐middle‐income men. Using data on campaign spending from local elections, we identify campaign rallies as one important mechanism for the transmission of disease. Our findings provide additional rationale for policies that limit campaign spending on the grounds that it is socially wasteful
Artificial intelligence technology, public trust, and effective governance
No full textAdvancement in information technology continues to evolve especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Research studies have been conducted to evaluate the perceptions of Americans on the development and utilization of AI technology and if it is appropriate to use AI in public administrative duties. The research revealed that society is fragmented regarding the acceptance of AI, and whether AI decisions could have long‐term effects on the labor industry, legal system, and national security. The 2018 AI Public Opinion Survey revealed significant concerns among the American public regarding AI, yet also a recognition of its promise. The goal of this article is to further develop a governance framework for AI that considers the importance of public trust in AI policy. First, it discusses the necessity of public trust for the effective governance of emergent technology. Then, it evaluates public opinion on AI technology that specifically pertains to governance. The article concludes with a discussion of why public trust is central to good AI governance. , 摘要 信息技术的进步不断发展，特别是在人工智能 (AI)领域。一系列研究已评价了美国人对AI技术开发和利用的看法，以及在公共行政职责中使用AI是否合适。研究表明，就AI的接受度，以及AI决策能否对劳动力产业、立法系统和国家安全产生长期影响而言，社会的看法是碎片化的。"2018人工智能民意调查"揭示了美国公众对AI的显著担忧，但也揭示了对AI承诺的认可。本文旨在进一步提出一项AI治理框架，将公众信任对AI政策的重要性考虑在内。第一，本文探讨了公众信任对于新兴技术的有效治理的必要性。第二，本文评价了公众对AI技术治理的看法。本文的结论探讨了为何公众信任对于AI善治至关重要。 , Resumen El avance en la tecnología de la información continúa evolucionando, especialmente en el campo de la inteligencia artificial (IA). Se han realizado estudios de investigación para evaluar las percepciones de los estadounidenses sobre el desarrollo y la utilización de la tecnología de IA y si es apropiado utilizar la IA en tareas administrativas públicas. La investigación reveló que la sociedad está fragmentada con respecto a la aceptación de la IA y si las decisiones de la IA podrían tener efectos a largo plazo en la industria laboral, el sistema legal y la seguridad nacional. La Encuesta de Opinión Pública de IA de 2018 reveló preocupaciones significativas entre el público estadounidense con respecto a la IA, pero también un reconocimiento de su promesa. El objetivo de este artículo es seguir desarrollando un marco de gobernanza para la IA que considere la importancia de la confianza pública en la política de IA. En primer lugar, analiza la necesidad de la confianza pública para la gobernanza eficaz de la tecnología emergente. Luego, evalúa la opinión pública sobre la tecnología de IA que se relaciona específicamente con la gobernanza. El artículo concluye con una discusión sobre por qué la confianza pública es fundamental para una buena gobernanza de la IA
What Does it Take to Love a Bug?
No full textDomain knowledge is often considered a minor contributor to environmental attitudes, with social and motivational factors dominating. Yet, domains may differ. Declining insect populations are a critical conservation concern but are not prominent in public discourse, potentially reducing the impact of social and motivational variables. We present data on the relations of insect knowledge (both propositional and causal), associated emotional valences, and political orientation to concern for insect conservation, for samples of American college students and U.S. and U.K. Prolific workers. We asked whether concern for insect conservation is more associated with knowledge than emotional valence or political orientation, and whether this is especially so for U.K. residents, who have a reputation for a love of nature that is not linked to political identity. We found that U.K. participants did show greater overall concern, consistent with the national reputation. Causal knowledge mattered, but political orientation was the strongest predictor of concern for insect conservation for both U.S. and U.K. participants. Valence contributed for U.S. participants but not for U.K. participants. Our results suggest that politicized public discourse penetrates attitudes toward insects even when it does not explicitly concern insects, and knowledge variation has less impact. However, the emotional reaction has a reduced influence where relevant discourse is less polarized. Insects may often evoke negative emotions and motivations, but it is not impossible to love a bug. , We studied psychological barriers to insect conservation, a pressing environmental issue. Despite absence of politicized public discourse about insects, political orientation was a major driver of conservation concern, as was the emotional valence of people\u27s insect knowledge. Knowledge of insects\u27 roles in ecosystems showed more limited influence, but improving causal knowledge may yield more positive emotions and moderate the impact of political orientation
Promoting the activity of a receptor tyrosine phosphatase with a novel <span style="font-variant
No full textCell signaling by receptor protein tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is tightly controlled by the counterbalancing actions of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs). Due to their role in attenuating the signal‐initiating potency of RTKs, RPTPs have long been viewed as therapeutic targets. However, the development of activators of RPTPs has remained limited. We previously reported that the homodimerization of a representative member of the RPTP family (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor J or PTPRJ) is regulated by specific transmembrane (TM) residues. Disrupting this interaction by single point mutations promotes PTPRJ access to its RTK substrates (e.g., EGFR and FLT3), reduces RTK\u27s phosphorylation and downstream signaling, and ultimately antagonizes RTK‐driven cell phenotypes. Here, we designed and tested a series of first‐in‐class pH‐responsive TM peptide agonists of PTPRJ that are soluble in aqueous solution but insert as a helical TM domain in lipid membranes when the pH is lowered to match that of the acidic microenvironment of tumors. The most promising peptide reduced EGFR\u27s phosphorylation and inhibited cancer cell EGFR‐driven migration and proliferation, similar to the PTPRJ\u27s TM point mutations. Developing tumor‐selective and TM‐targeting peptide binders of critical RPTPs could afford a potentially transformative approach to studying RPTP\u27s selectivity mechanism without requiring less specific inhibitors and represent a novel class of therapeutics against RTK‐driven cancers
Quality control criteria for gas permeability testing of concrete structures
No full textCuring is a crucial process during the construction phase of concrete structures, as it plays a significant role in ensuring durability and strength. During the curing process, the concrete is kept moist to allow properly hydration and hardening. This process helps to prevent cracking, increase the concrete\u27s compressive strength, and improve its resistance to weathering, abrasion, and other forms of wear. Therefore, it is essential that the curing process is carried out correctly to ensure the longevity and structural integrity of the concrete structures. The pore system within concrete plays a critical role in determining its durability and resistance to various types of degradation. One way to assess the quality and durability of concrete is by measuring its gas permeability. Gas permeability is a measure of how easily gases, such as air or water vapor, can pass through the concrete. If concrete has high gas permeability, it allows harmful substances, such as water, gases and chemicals, to penetrate into the concrete, causing damage and reducing its durability over time. Herein gas permeability testing is used for the evaluation of concrete curing quality