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ASSOCIATIONS OF RARE CADDISFLIES WITH THE WESTERN DWARF SALAMANDER EURYCEA PALUDICOLA
Get PDFThere is limited information on the three species of caddisflies Philopotamidae Chimarra holzenthali, Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche morsei, Hydroptilidae Hydroptila ouachita and the western dwarf salamander Eurycea paludicola. In particular, there is a lack of any habitat associations between these caddisflies and the western dwarf salamander. Museum specimens of the caddisflies are scarce; however, the literature suggests they are spring dwelling like the western dwarf salamander. The goal of this project was to sample previously known and new habitats where these organisms might be found and report overall quality of the habitats and whether the caddisflies were associated with the salamanders. The proposed project examined historical sites of the caddisfly and dwarf salamander populations in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, and Anderson County, Texas, along with new sites located in Smith, Bell, Burleson, Hill, Madison, McLennan, and Travis counties. I expected to find the target caddisfly species and dwarf salamander in pristine and undeveloped spring systems only, and that each of the caddisfly species would be present if the dwarf salamander was also present. Water chemistry analyses showed that the dwarf salamander was only found in sites with low levels of conductivity, where conductivity served as a strong model of salamander presence based off a logistic regression analysis. This supports the hypothesis that these organisms need pristine and undeveloped habitats to survive. One of the three target caddisfly species was found to be associated with salamander presence through a discriminant function analysis. This same species was also found to be an indicator species of the dwarf salamander through an indicator species analysis. These results partially support the hypothesis that all of the target caddisfly species would be found when salamanders were present. It was concluded that these two organisms do indeed share similar habitat requirements
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Vibro-Impact Triboelectric Energy Harvesters
Get PDFImproving the efficiency of energy harvesting, by investigating different techniques to increase the harvester bandwidth, as well as by exploring the influencing factors and adjusting them to optimal setups. Towards this, multiple Vibro-impact energy harvesters were proposed in this study. First, a Two-Degree of Freedom (2DOF) Vibro-impact Triboelectric Energy Harvester with a single and a double impact configuration is proposed. Multi-modality and piecewise linearity were combined to improve the harvesting bandwidth of triboelectric energy harvesters utilizing two resonant frequencies. The harvester structure consists of a primary cantilever beam attached to a secondary cantilever beam through a tip mass in the opposite direction to the primary beam. An aluminum layer is attached to The bottom surface of the secondary beam, acts as an electrode of a triboelectric generator, and the other electrode is an aluminum layer bonded with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) insulator, which is placed at some gap separation distance underneath the upper electrode to create a single impact structure. When the system is subjected to vibration excitation, the beams will vibrate, resulting in an impact between the triboelectric layers, generating an alternating electrical signal. To enhance the resonator\u27s bandwidth, we modified the structure to have a double impact by adding another triboelectric generator for the primary beam. The two beams are designed to have close frequencies, and under the effect of the impact, the bandwidth of the resonators is combined to create a very wide bandwidth. A 2DOF lumped parameter theoretical model was developed to extract the governing equations of both single and double impact systems. Then, a simulation analysis was conducted to examine the structure\u27s dynamic behavior at different excitation levels, separation distance, and surface charge density. Finally, experimental results were extracted to validate the simulation results. The result of this study can pave the way for an efficient energy harvester that can scavenge ambient vibrations over a wide range of excitation frequencies. Second, a harvester under rotational magnetic excitation is proposed for wind energy harvesting applications. The triboelectric beam generates electricity using magnetic impact-induced vibration. The triboelectric energy harvester consists of a clamped-clamped (CC) beam embedded in an outer case. The lower side of the beam acts as an upper electrode that will undergo a contact-separation motion with another lower electrode with a bonded PDMS layer. A permanent magnet will be attached to the beam\u27s upper side facing another magnet attached to a rotating rigid shaft blade at the same polarity. While the fan rotates, a repulsive magnetic force created between the two magnets will excite the CC-beam, leading to the contact-separation motion and generation of electricity. A Single-Degree of Freedom (SDOF) model is presented and simulated to extract the dynamic behavior and the generated electrical signal. The relationship between the output voltage and excitation rotational frequency is analyzed. In addition, the relationship between the output voltage and the distance between magnets and its effect on the bandwidth is also discussed. Finally, the effect of the surface charge density on the amplitude of the generated output voltage signal is examined. The rotational wind triboelectric energy harvester can effectively scavenge wind energy
EXAMINATION OF THE TIME DELAYED INDUCTION BETWEEN PRIOR ENCAPSULATION OF CATALYTIC ENZYMES IN P22 VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES
Get PDFProtein cages found in nature have the ability to protect and develop new nanomaterials in order to enhance catalytic reactions. This is due to the ability of these organelle structures to mimic protein-based organelles such as Virus-Like Particles (VLPs). VLPs have the ability to not only resemble virus protein structures but to encapsulate enzymes while retaining their activity. This research examines the in vitro encapsulation withing the bacteriophage P22 derived VLP, and show that some enzymes may require a delay in encapsulation to allowed proper folding
and maturation before they can be encapsulated inside P22 as fully active enzymes. Exploring the usage of sequential expression strategy, where enzyme cargoes are first expressed, given time in order to allow them to fold, and later encapsulated by the expression of the P22 coat protein, altered enzymatic activities obtained in comparison to enzymes encapsulated in P22 VLPs using a simultaneous co-expression strategy. The strategy and results discussed here enhances important of considering the unique requirements and aspects of the enzymes prior encapsulation, and the potential routes that could provide solution for those that have been unable to produce active enzymes upon encapsulatio
An Assessment of Community Response to Life Threatening Bleeding
No full textPresented at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference, November 4, 2022; Dallas, Texas.https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/honors_nursing_posters/1003/thumbnail.jp
Supporting Nurse Residency Programs by Determining Nurse Residency Value
Get PDFThere is a strong influence on retention of the new graduate nurse during the first year of a nurse residency program. A positive correlation between nurse residency programs and return on investment were found. The retention of the new graduate nurse is influenced on precepting and mentoring of the new graduate nurse. Standardizing the reporting of interventions should be the focus on future studies as there are many interventions in regards to precepting and mentoring that influence retention
Using Simulation to Develop Clinical Judgment in New-To-Practice Emergency Department Nurses: An Evidence-Based Benchmark Project
Get PDFIn the past 6 months, the Emergency Department at the George Washington University Hospital has onboarded over twice as many new-to-practice nurses as experienced emergency nurses. Studies suggest that these new-to-practice nurses often are deficient in clinical judgment, and our observations at our hospital support these findings. Researchers have found that onboarding programs that include simulation have success in improving clinical judgment, and advocate for its use. Simulation gives another angle to the onboarding program in addition to preceptorship and classroom learning, and allows participants to bridge the gap between theory and practice safely and without fear of harming a patient. Therefore, an evidence-based project using simulation to improve clinical judgment in new-to-practice emergency nurses should be employed at our hospital.
The project will take an estimated 10 to 12 weeks to complete. Pre- and post-intervention data will be gathered using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric and statistical analysis will be performed to ensure objective measurement of success. The intervention of simulation will target new-to-practice emergency nurses who have been practicing for a year or less. If successful, this program could be easily altered to expand throughout the Critical Care Nurse Internship program to other critical care areas such as the intensive care unit
Benchmark Project Cryotherapy to Prevent Chemo Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Get PDFAs a nurse working in chemotherapy infusion, I have a direct role in symptom management. For patients receiving Taxanes, the most common adverse effect reported by patients is peripheral neuropathy. According to one meta-analysis, Taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) has very high incidence ranging from 11 to 87% and severely impairs patients’ quality of life (Jia et al., 2021). Patients may experience pain, weakness, loss of sensation, decrease in ability to perform ADLs, increased falls among many other impairments as a result. We understand the importance of performance status in oncology patients. This can lead to dose reductions or held treatments depending on the severity of this. With cancer treatment, the prognosis can be affected by delays in treatment.
As a result of this knowledge, patients implement interventions they have researched online to prevent chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy. The most common intervention seen is the application of frozen mittens and socks. Patients implementing this intervention stake claim to the efficacy and are persistent in doing it every treatment. I investigated this practice to see if there was reliable evidence on cryotherapy usage to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Upon further investigation, I found use of cryotherapy to the hands and feet while receiving Taxol-based chemotherapy shows promising results in preventing the development of peripheral neuropathy. My proposal is to educate patients on this intervention during their treatment review so they could implement this based off patient preference. This would be an effective and inexpensive way to combat this debilitating side effect of chemotherapy and would help sustain quality of life in patients
DNP Final Report: Adolescent Support For Healthy Living
Get PDFAdolescents often make decisions that negatively impact their health and wellness. They do this for many reasons including impulsivity, underdeveloped communication and coping skills, feelings of invincibility, and a perceived lack of support. In adolescents, how does education and training related to risky behaviors compared to no education affect knowledge, skills, and understanding (KSU) of high-risk behaviors three months after instruction? Thirteen peer- reviewed articles were utilized in the body of evidence. A curriculum-based intervention was implemented. Outcomes include an overall increase in KSU in six key concepts including contraception, substances abuse, sexually transmitted diseases/infections, teen pregnancy, peer pressure, and decision making. KSU increased from a mean score of 83 at pre-test up 10.7% to 93 at initial post-test and 5.9% up to 89 at three-month post-test. Sustainment efforts include collaboration between local nursing schools and Boys and Girls Club Big Pines
DNP Final Report: Education Impacting Delirium Knowledge and Recognition
Get PDFBackground: Delirium is a disturbance of consciousness with an acute onset that varies from hours to days. Patients with delirium have a risk of increased length of stay, increased mortality, morbidity, and long-term cognitive effects. Therefore, the following PICOT question arises: In registered nurses in the acute care setting (P), how does education on use of the CAM (Confusion Assessment Method) tool (I) compared to those units not receiving education (C) affect recognition of delirium (O1) and use of the CAM tool (O2) over 6 weeks? (T)
Purpose: The evidence-based practice project described nurse education and pilot implementation using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool for delirium recognition.
Methodology: One-hour education sessions were offered for medical-surgical nurses on delirium and use of the CAM tool. The Nurse’s Knowledge of Delirium (NKD) questionnaire was given prior to the education session and repeated at six weeks. Participating nurses completed CAM assessments at shift change with scoring and observation by second observers.
Results: Forty-six nurses attended the education sessions. Twenty-three nurses completed all NKD questionnaire item pre- and post-responses. Scores overall increased from pre-education (mean 62.35, SD 12.28) to post-education (mean 73.609, SD 8.17). CAM screenings were documented over 50% more frequently during night shift. Nurses identified twenty-three positive CAM assessments during the pilot.
Recommendations: Delirium education is needed for early recognition and intervention. Medical-surgical nurses need targeted delirium educational programs and practice using the CAM tool
DNP FINAL REPORT: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN BARIATRIC SURGERY PATIENTS: AN EVIDENCE-BASED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Get PDFBackground: Research evidence supports that increasing physical activity has been shown to reduce weight and prevent weight regain after bariatric surgery. There is currently no specific exercise recommendation or program at the Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery at Dallas.
Objective: To implement an evidence-based project surrounding physical activity to reduce weight regain in patients 12 months post bariatric surgery.
Methods: The 12-week program will consist of 3 times weekly 1 hour virtual exercise classes led by the Nurse Practitioner and/or Nurse. Patients will be screened for current physical activity via survey using the IPAQ at the beginning and end of the 12-week intervention. Demographic information such as weight will also be asked at the beginning, and end of the intervention.
Results: The patients that completed all 3 of the weekly classes lost weight. Only 2 of the 7 patients completed all 3 weekly classes. The rest of the participants gained weight.
Implications for Practice: This quality improvement project will help to improve postoperative care and focus on implementing current exercise recommendations specific to postoperative bariatric surgery patients found within the evidence