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Renal transplant recipients and complicated UTIs: A path toward next-generation care
Full text linkNext-generation sequencing (NGS) offers diagnostic potential in managing complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in renal transplant recipients by enabling precise pathogen identification and resistance profiling. Integrating NGS into care protocols can improve graft preservation, reduce hospitalizations, and support antimicrobial stewardship. Policies should prioritize its adoption, while research explores cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Medical education must emphasize NGS to prepare clinicians for advanced diagnostic approaches, fostering improved patient outcomes and innovative care solutions. Please cite this paper as: Carpenter RE. Renal transplant recipients and complicated UTIs: a path toward next-generation care. Renal transplant recipients face a heightened risk of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) due to immunosuppression, anatomical changes, and recurrent urinary abnormalities. Traditional diagnostic methods, including standard urine cultures, are often insufficient in identifying fastidious organisms and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens that contribute to recurrent infections. Emerging technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), offer a novel, culture-independent approach that improves pathogen detection, especially in cases involving polymicrobial infections or rare microbes. This article explores the role of NGS in addressing diagnostic limitations for renal transplant patients with cUTIs, highlighting its capacity to identify both bacterial and viral pathogens and their resistance profiles. The clinical relevance of NGS in enhancing treatment precision and improving graft outcomes is discussed, emphasizing the potential for reduced nephrotoxic effects from broad-spectrum antibiotics. As the incidence of antimicrobial resistance rises, advanced diagnostic solutions like NGS offer a promising path for optimizing post-transplant care and safeguarding graft function
Effects of the Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program on Older Adults With Probable Sarcopenia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study
Full text linkPurpose: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is a highly prevalent condition in older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. This pilot study aimed to test the effects of a vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program on muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle endurance, functional fitness, activities of daily living, quality of life, and sleep quality of older adults in LTC facilities with probable sarcopenia in the United States and understand the experiences of residents who participated in the VA program. Design: A mixed-methods experimental design was used for this study. Methods: The quantitative phase included a sample of 27 participants randomly assigned to the control (n = 13) or VA (n = 14) condition. The VA condition consisted of three weekly 40-minute instructor-led seated exercise sessions over 24 weeks. Measures were obtained at baseline, three, and sixmonth intervals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participant\u27s experiences of the program. Findings: Statistical comparison revealed significantly higher handgrip strength for the VA group (p = .008). Narrative analysis revealed that the program had a positive impact on participant\u27s daily lives. Conclusions: The VA program offers a holistic, evidence-based exercise program for older adults with probable sarcopenia living in LTC facilities
LEARNING IN NONLEAFCUTTING FUNGUS-GARDENING ANTS
Full text linkSocial complexity influences learning and other cognitive behaviors, but for insects, this influence is not well understood. Delayed rejection is an aversive learning behavior previously studied exclusively in leafcutting ant species, the most socially complex of the fungus-gardening ants. Fungus-gardening ants are unique in that they do not directly consume the material they forage, using it instead as substrate to cultivate a symbiotic fungus on which the ants are obligately dependent. Here, I attempt to induce delayed rejection in several fungus-gardening ant species that exhibit a range of social complexity, then compare the characteristics of delayed rejection behavior among species. In a blinded experiment conducted over five weeks with five species of fungus gardening ants (four nonleafcutting species and one leafcutting species), I presented ants with a readily foraged substrate adulterated with fungicide to determine a) if, like leafcutters, nonleafcutting fungus-gardening ants will learn to avoid a previously accepted substrate after it becomes unsuitable for the fungus, and b) how characteristics of this learning behavior differ between species. A generalized linear mixed model was constructed to model these observations. My results demonstrate that nonleafcutting fungus-gardening ants learn to reduce foraging of unsuitable substrate, and faster learning speed appears to roughly correlate with greater social complexity
IT\u27S JUST NOT THE SAME : DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THE NURSING DISILLUSIONMENT SCALE (NDS)
No full textThe Covid-19 pandemic led to fractures in the nursing profession. Whereas a nursing shortage related to labor growth has been ongoing with no foreseeable resolution, nursing turnover has also increased in the past five years. Nurses made many sacrifices during the pandemic and unmet expectations seem to be driving dissatisfaction and turnover in the nursing profession.
Chapter 2, “Are We There Yet? A Concept Analysis of Newly Licensed Nurse Transition,” explores the concept of transition in relation to new nurses. Defining attributes are identified and include separation, increased energy expenditure, adjustment, empowerment, and integration. These attributes are important in comparing the transitional reality shock of a newly licensed nurse to disillusionment in experienced nurses.
Chapter 3, “Development of the Nursing Disillusionment Scale,” details the development of the novel instrument to measure disillusionment in bedside nurses. It includes an extensive review of literature on disillusionment and the development of the Theory of Nursing Disillusionment. Foundational works critical to the development are introduced, and the process of item generation and 1 refinement is described.
Chapter 4, “Psychometric Testing of the Nursing Disillusionment Scale,” provides the results of two studies. The first study details further refinement of the Nursing Disillusionment Scale. The second study includes analyses of disillusionment and other variables. Narrative responses to two open-ended questions are presented.
Finally, Chapter 5 provides a summary and integration of the work completed in this dissertation. Implications for nursing academia and nursing administrators are discussed. Directions for future research are also provided
Dataset for comparative analysis of precision metagenomics and traditional methods in urinary tract infection diagnostics
Full text linkThis study presents a comprehensive dataset comparing three diagnostic methodologies—microbial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and precision metagenomics (precision metagenomics)—for the detection and classification of uropathogens in urine samples from patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs). While microbial culture remains the gold standard for UTI diagnosis, it has limitations in sensitivity, particularly for fastidious or non-culturable microorganisms. PCR offers higher sensitivity but is restricted to pre-targeted organisms, limiting its diagnostic range. Precision Metagenomics, a target-agnostic sequencing method, provides a more inclusive approach by enabling the identification of a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, without prior knowledge of the organisms. The dataset includes 47 urine samples, each analyzed by microbial culture, PCR, and precision metagenomics, followed by bioinformatic classification using the Explify® platform. precision metagenomics identified significantly more uropathogens (62 distinct organisms) compared to PCR (19 organisms) and microbial culture (13 organisms), with 98 % of samples testing positive for polymicrobial infections via precision metagenomics. The precision metagenomics method demonstrated superior diagnostic yield by detecting pathogens that were missed by both microbial culture and PCR, particularly in culture-negative and PCR-negative cases. This dataset holds substantial reuse potential for further research into the microbiome of urinary tract infections, pathogen discovery, antimicrobial resistance studies, and the development of more accurate diagnostic models for UTI management. By offering insights into both polymicrobial infections and rare pathogens, this dataset supports the advancement of diagnostic strategies for complex and chronic UTIs
ENHANCING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN HRD WITH AI-DRIVEN DATA EXTRACTION
No full textThis multi-paper dissertation investigates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance data extraction from academic literature in Human Resource Development (HRD). A pre-registered living systematic review (LSR) mapped emerging tools and gaps in AI-supported extraction beyond clinical research. Findings informed a Delphi study engaging global HRD experts to identify context-specific challenges, ethical concerns, and priorities for responsible AI adoption.
Drawing on insights across studies, this work introduces a conceptual model grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework. The model emphasizes that AI benefits are not automatic but depend on researcher competencies, institutional conditions, and governance infrastructure. To encourage empirical progress, detailed variable-level guidance is provided to support testing and refinement of the model across research contexts.
By combining evidence synthesis, expert input, and theoretical development, this dissertation offers a foundation for building adaptive, AI-supported workflows that advance both the rigor and translational impact of HRD research
ELECTRIC FIELD PROFILES UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES WITH UNDER-BUILD DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT
Full text linkThe increasing use of underbuilt lines in recent transmission projects alters electric field profile under transmission lines. By assessing electric field intensity in these transmission and distribution network configurations, the study identifies regions with high electric fields that may exceed standard exposure limits, posing potential risks. This work employs the charge simulation method and the method of imaging to analyze electric fields beneath transmission lines with underbuilt distribution networks. Key objectives include calculating the electric fields at 1 meter above ground, and evaluating the field at conductor surfaces. The study considers transmission line voltages of 69kV, 161kV, 220kV, 345kV and 500kV and distribution line voltages of 12.47kV, 24.9kV, and 34.5kV. The electric field is calculated when underbuild distribution line is energized and when it is de energized and grounded. The study also examines the impact of varying distribution line heights and multiple distribution lines on electric field intensity. Results reveal changes in field profiles and reductions in electric field intensity when underbuilt distribution lines are present beneath high-voltage (HV) transmission lines. The surface electric field on HVTL conductors increases with the presence of energized underbuild distribution circuit. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the charge simulation technique and method of imaging in analyzing electric field effects and emphasize the importance of incorporating underbuilt distribution lines in HV transmission design
MYOCARDIN EFFECTOR PROTEINS AFFECT TGF-BETA-INDUCED MYOFIBROBLAST DIFFERENTIATION IN IPF CELLS
Full text linkIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable interstitial lung disease defined by the progressive, irreversible scarring of the tissues between the lung’s alveoli. To date, only two drugs have received approval for treatment. However, these medications are not considered cures since they do not stop the progression of the disease. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying IPF could aid in discovering a cure. We recently found that myocardin (MyoCD) regulates SMAD2/3 transcription factors in the TGF-β signaling pathway and governs the genes involved in pleural fibrosis. However, it is unclear whether MyoCD plays a critical role in IPF by regulating various genes, leading to the differentiation of myofibroblasts. In this study, six novel MyoCD effector genes were examined to determine their potential roles in myofibroblast differentiation and cytoskeletal reorganization of IPF cells stimulated with TGF-β. At the mRNA and protein levels, MyoD Family Inhibitor (MDFI) knockdown (KD) decreased the expression of MyoCD, α-SMA, PAI-1, CNN-1, and FN-1, while COL-1 remained unaffected. This was the main MyoCD effector protein that showed significance in the data. Results from immunocytochemistry confirmed that MDFI influences cytoskeletal changes by reducing the formation of stress fibers. Furthermore, secretion was also affected by MDFI KD. This data suggests that MDFI impacts myofibroblast differentiation and cytoskeletal remodeling in IPF fibroblast cells through the TGF-β/MyoCD signaling pathway; therefore, it may contribute to the progression of IPF
A secondary analysis of the psychological capital and gratitude of high school students in Northeast Texas
No full textPresented at Great Plains Honors Council (GPHC) Conference, March 7, 2025; UNT, Denton, Texas.https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/honors_nursing_posters/1001/thumbnail.jp
IMPACT OF GAS SUPERSATURATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF GAS BUBBLE TRAUMA IN PAEDOMORPHIC EURYCEA SALAMANDERS
No full textThere are eleven species of paedomorphic lungless salamanders endemic to Texas. Of these, eight are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of these, the Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum), is found only in springs and aquifers in and around Austin, Texas. A large population of this species is found in Barton Springs, located in Austin, TX–where dissolved gas saturation has been measured as high as 134%. Morbidity and mortality events in Barton Springs Salamanders have been documented coinciding with periods of dissolved gas supersaturation. This study seeks to understand what environmental conditions lead to mortality and morbidity events from gas bubble trauma and to investigate gas bubble trauma lesion distribution. For my study, individuals of a surrogate species–the Fern Bank Salamander (Eurycea pterophila)– were exposed to different levels of gas supersaturation and evaluated for changes in metabolic activity using intermittent-flow respirometry. This species was selected due to genetic, morphological, and habitat similarities. To further investigate gas bubble trauma in this clade, diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) was performed on animals from four species that succumbed to a supersaturation event at a federal research facility: Eurycea sosorum, Eurycea rathbuni, Eurycea pterophila, and Eurycea nana. A significant increase in standard metabolic rate was detected in animals exposed to gas saturation levels of 120%. Lesions were detected throughout the body using diceCT, including large hemorrhages in the coelom of multiple individuals. Positive buoyancy and rapid change were identified as potential catalysts for gas bubble trauma mortalities. Identifying these factors provides potential opportunities for mitigation efforts