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Niche Modeling of Eight Crayfish Species in Texas
Get PDFFreshwater species make up ~10% of all known species and occupy less than one percent of earth’s habitat, which is being degraded by human usage. Crayfish have a large impact on their aquatic or terrestrial environment and can serve as a health indicator of aquatic environments, as they generally require undegraded environments. In many habitats, crayfish make up more than half of the macroinvertebrate biomass, and play important ecological roles, as a food resource for both aquatic and terrestrial species, as predators of fish and invertebrates, and as bioprocessors of vegetation and detritus. The objective of this project was to model the habitats that Texas crayfish inhabit. These models were run for the species: Procambarus clarkii, Procambarus acutus, Procambarus simulans, Procambarus texanus, Procambarus fayettei, Lacunicambarus ludovicianus, Faxonius nais and Faxonius occidentalis. Crayfish are an understudied taxon, especially in Texas. To model species distributions throughout Texas, environmental data and species occurrence locations were combined using the software Maxent to make maps of habitat
suitability for each species across the entire landscape. Some habitat associations for the various species had reoccurring themes, specifically those for: precipitation seasonality, available water capacity, percent clay, organic matter and baseflow. Future work with central Texas crayfish can use the results of this study to compare niches and understand where competition and invasion could affect populations of native crayfish
Indocyanine-type Infrared-820 Encapsulated Polymeric Nanoparticle-Assisted Photothermal Therapy of Cancer
Get PDFOrganic small-molecule photosensitizers are well-characterized and known for the light-responsive treatment modality including photodynamic therapy. Compared with ultraviolet−visible (UV−vis) light used in conventional photodynamic therapy with organic photosensitizers, near-infrared (NIR) light from 700 to 900 nm is less absorbed and scattered by biological tissue such as hemoglobin, lipids, and water, and thus, the use of NIR excitation can greatly increase the penetration depth and emission. Additionally, NIR light has lower energy than UV−vis that can be beneficial due to less activation of fluorophores present in tissues upon NIR irradiation. However, the low water stability, nonspecific distribution, and short circulation halflife of the organic photosensitizers limit its broad biological application. NIR responsive small-molecule fluorescent agents are the focus of extensive research for combined molecular imaging and hyperthermia. Recently a new class of NIR dye, IR-820 with excitation and emission wavelengths of 710 and 820 nm, has been developed and explored as an alternative platform to overcome some of the limitations of the most commonly used gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy of cancer. Herein, we synthesized a core−shell biocompatible nanocarrier envelope made up of a phospholipid conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) as a shell, while poly(lactic glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used as a core to encapsulate IR-820 dye. The IR-820-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation and characterized for their physicochemical properties and photothermal efficiency. These nanoparticles were monodispersed and highly stable in physiological pH with the hydrodynamic size of 103 ± 8 nm and polydispersity index of 0.163 ± 0.031. The IR-820-loaded nanocarrier showed excellent biocompatibility in the dark, whereas remarkable phototoxicity was observed with breast cancer cells (MCF-7) upon NIR laser excitation. Therefore, the IR-820-loaded phospholipid mimicking biodegradable lipid-polymer composite nanoparticles could have great potential for cancer theranostics
Exploring Feasibility of mHealth to Manage Hypertension in Rural Black Older Adults: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Study
Get PDFObjective: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived ease of use, usability, and the feasibility of using mobile health applications to manage hypertension self-care in rural Black older adults with hypertension.
Methods: A convergent parallel mixed method design was used to study a purposeful sample of 30 Black older adults (29 females, 1 male) from rural East Texas. Quantitative data included demographic characteristics and measured blood pressure, height, and weight, along with questionnaires: the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale, the Krousel-Wood Medication Adherence Scale-4, and the Technology Acceptance Model Questionnaire (adapted). Qualitative data were obtained from five focus groups and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Mean age was 66.3 ± 9.6 years. Less than half of the participants (46.7%) had a systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure \u3e130/80. Greater participant adherence was noted with the Hill-Bone Compliance scale (63.3%) than the Krousel-Wood scale (23.3%). With the Technology Acceptance Model, perceived ease of use was significantly correlated with behavioral intention (r = 0.654, p \u3c 0.000) and perceived usefulness (r = 0.585, p \u3c 0.001), while behavioral intention was negatively associated with age r = −0.047 (p=0.009). Focus group data revealed five themes: 1) useful, 2) counterintuitive, 3) communication, 4) comfort with the status quo, and 5) educate/show me how.
Conclusion: Smartphone technology and other health-related computer technologies were not preferred by older adults in this study due to limited digital literacy. Simplicity and easy navigation in the design of mHealth apps are needed to improve treatment adherence and blood pressure control in rural older adults with hypertension. Clinical Relevance: Mobile health applications have the potential to increase self-management of chronic hypertension if users are digitally literate. Health-care providers need to assess older patients for digital literacy and offer educational support and assistance
Exploring the Roles of the Craft Trainer in the Construction Industry
No full textThe construction industry is a significant contributor to the overall U.S. economy. Since the early 1980’s the industry has been suffering from a workforce shortage at the individual contributor level, craft employees. This sector of the workforce comprises between 40-50% of the workforce, and contributes significantly to the revenue stream. Given this, the craft workforce shortage continues to pose a significant threat to the overall sustainability of the industry. Training and the transfer of knowledge are important concepts across all industries given the investment in training that has been reported. It is of heightened importance when labor shortages exist, such as the construction industry. Although considerable research has been conducted in the area of training and transfer, the focus on the trainer has been limited. Further, research specific to the construction industry has been largely absent, and limited to the topic of safety training and transfer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the roles craft trainers enact that may facilitate learning and enhance the potential for knowledge transfer within the construction industry. It also explored influencing factors that might help or hinder craft trainers’ roles. Organizational Role Theory was drawn upon to understand how an individual behaves within the constraints of an organization, culture or within boundaries of a specified role, based on an individual’s perceptions of those roles. A qualitative research design was employed, as it most appropriate for underexplored areas of inquiry. Multiple cases were used in order to gain the perspectives of multiple craft trainers. It was found that craft trainers enact multiple roles within differing contexts. This suggests that a variety of personal characteristics, skills, and capabilities are required to enact those roles. Further, it suggests that contextual, organizational or social factors may influence the roles and the role diversification that occurs
Habitat decline of the largest known Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) population in poorly protected areas associated with the hypoxic zone
Get PDFReserve planning based on the investigation of the core habitat distribution of wild cetaceans is a powerful conservation strategy for protecting target species. However, studies on core habitats and their variations at the large-scale distribution of cetaceans are limited. In this study, we conducted a seven years (2015-2021) boat-based field observation surveys with highly applicable and generalized methods to analyze the habitat changes and how these changes influenced the largest known Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) population in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. Our findings revealed that there is 3204 km2 of dolphin habitat in the PRE, and dolphin distribution preferences are related to nutrients and biological resources. The decreasing trend of dolphin sighting rates in most areas (73.2%) indicated that the dolphin habitat had declined, and the annual habitat decline rate (2.83%; 95% confidence interval: 0.58%-5.08%) was consistent with the population decline rate. The annual habitat decline rate in the hypoxic zone revealed that lowdolphin sighting rates from March to October in the hypoxic zone was 0.43% faster than that in the non-hypoxic zone, indicating long-term sustained effects of summer hypoxia on the dolphin population. Existing reserves have partially prevented habitat decline. However, more than 82.3% of the habitat has not been effectively protected and encounters the threats of pollution and hypoxic stress. This study offers new scientific evidence for developing effective monitoring strategies for humpback dolphin populations in the PRE, and also help establish spatial planning and management measures for reserve habitats
A review of ductless mini split HVAC system
Get PDFAlthough a conventional ducted system is the HVAC system used by most of the household in the United States, the ductless mini split system is gaining popularity in the market. The ductless mini split heat pump system consists of an outdoor unit that provides hot or cold refrigerant into a house to one or more wall- or ceiling-mounted indoor fan units. Ductless mini splits can have several advantages over conventional systems including improved thermal comfort, performance, and energy saving. There have been several studies and research in the field of ductless mini splits to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the system and determine its market potential. Future research and progress in the field require an in-depth understanding of the current state and challenges of the research done about the system. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the research and studies performed using ductless heat pumps and to quantify them based on their research focus within the topic. So, by performing a comprehensive literature review of the current state of research in the field of ductless mini splits, we have presented an overview of the methodology used and the results obtained by several researchers. In this paper, a reference guide is created to classify the papers based on the topic. The literature is classified into four main topics: performance, thermal comfort, energy savings, and market potential, and then summarized based on the topic. Moreover, the reference guide is also used to distinguish simulations from field evaluations
Using the annotating strategy to improve students\u27 academic achievement in social studies
Get PDFPurpose: This experimental study aimed to examine the effects of annotating a historical text as a reading comprehension strategy on student academic achievement in an eighth-grade social studies class. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data sequentially. First, the authors collected quantitative data with a series of pre- and post-tests from all student participants during a six-week instructional time frame. Next, the authors collected quantitative and qualitative data with a survey from teacher and intervention group student participants. Quantitative data were analyzed to evaluate the mean differences in participants\u27 test scores and survey responses. Finally, qualitative data from open-ended survey questions were transcribed and analyzed using an inductive approach to supplement the quantitative findings and develop a holistic picture of the participants\u27 learning experiences. Findings: The results showed that the annotating strategy increased student engagement, reading comprehension and thus academic achievement in social studies. Annotating helped students visualize key points, break down complex texts and slow down when reading complex historical texts. As a result, it helped students focus, think critically and discourse to understand complex content. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted with eighth-grade students in one middle school in South Georgia. Practical implications: The findings of this study provide evidence that the reading comprehension strategy of annotating is a valuable teaching and learning tool for daily use in social studies classrooms. Social implications: Educators must prepare students to use reading comprehension strategies such as annotating in all content areas and not only in a traditional academic setting. Originality/value: This study adds to the current body of research and undergirds reading comprehension strategies used to improve the learning outcomes in content other than reading
Collaborative Conversations for Culturally Sustaining, Socially Just Pedagogy: Creating A Safe Space for Dialogue and Practice
Get PDFGiven the increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse students in our nation’s schools (NCES, 2020), we need teachers and school leaders who teach in inclusive and socially just ways. In this qualitative case study (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016), we paired up leader candidates (LCs) and teacher candidates (TCs) in a series of collaborative conversations focused on culturally sustaining, socially just pedagogy (CSSJP) (Authors, 2018), to learn how bringing teacher and leader candidates together may support their understandings of enacting CSSJP. Collaborative conversations may help TCs and LCs share the responsibility of doing the challenging, but necessary, work of enacting CSSJP – work that is too big and important to shoulder alone
Intellectual Property and Commercialization for Academicians: The Lung Therapeutics Inc. Story
No full textCardiopulmonary Resuscitation using High-Fidelity Simulators
Get PDFSimulation and high-fidelity simulators (HFS) have become an important part of nursing education and its implementation into the curricula. It has become important in enhancing their knowledge and the development of competent nurses by reinforcement of skills that have been previously learned. HFS also increases students\u27 confidence and reinforces their skills and knowledge while introducing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The literature suggests that overall the students have greater retention of CPR skills if HFS is used instead of classical CPR training with low-fidelity simulators (LFS). However, some studies suggest that using HFS does not lead to retention of CPR skills or increased knowledge alone. Therefore, enhancing simulation with HFS will need to be practiced and discussed more often than every two years at recertification. This evidence leads me to recommend not only adding HFS at the introduction of CPR training but to follow up this training every few months as a scenario in simulation