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Exploring the Association Between Spatial Awareness and Situation Awareness Among Nurses in Intensive Care Units
No full textObjective: This study examines the relationship between spatial awareness and situation awareness (SA) among ICU nurses, focusing on how physical environmental factors influence their ability to perceive, comprehend, and anticipate critical situations in high-pressure settings.
Background: SA is a well-established concept in high-risk fields, including healthcare, where it has been widely studied in relation to clinical decision-making and patient safety. However, the role of spatial awareness in shaping SA, particularly in ICU settings, remains underexplored. Nurses rely on spatial awareness to navigate complex environments, manage patient care, and respond to emergencies. However, the extent to which specific environmental factors affect SA has not been fully examined.
Method: A qualitative research approach was used to explore ICU nurses’ memory of using information gained from their spatial awareness and SA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ICU nurses from various specialized units. Thematic analysis was applied using NVivo software to categorize environmental influences and examine how nurses process spatial information to maintain SA.
Results: Findings reveal that spatial awareness is integral to SA, with room size, room layout, and equipment accessibility emerging as the most critical factors influencing nurses' ability to navigate and manage ICU workflows. Nurses described how restricted pathways, cluttered workspaces, excessive noise, and crowding increase cognitive burden and impair SA, while clear sightlines, standardization of the physical environment, controlled lighting and temperature, and reduced environmental distractions enhance their ability to anticipate patient needs. Additionally, the study identified emerging themes beyond existing SA models, highlighting cognitive overload, team coordination, and environmental adaptability as essential components of SA in ICU settings.
Conclusions: This study underscores the interdependence of spatial awareness and SA, emphasizing how environmental conditions shape nurses’ cognitive processes and decision-making. Recognizing the role of spatial awareness in clinical performance provides a foundation for further research on improving ICU environments to enhance SA and reduce cognitive load. Future studies should expand on these findings by exploring how environmental modifications, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary design approaches can better support spatial awareness in critical care settings
Numerical Assessments of Subcellular Electroporation Driven by Ultrashort Electric Pulses
No full textThe field of electroporation has risen to prominence in recent years as a new technique useful for a wide array of biomedical applications, including electro- chemotherapy. Accurate and rapid simulation of the occurrence and effects of the electroporation (EP) are necessary for the continued advancement of this field as it moves towards larger experimental trials. Most simulations of electric field driven bioeffects have considered spherical cellular geometries or probed symmetrical structures for simplicity. Furthermore, EP studies have tended to focus mostly on the outer cell membrane. This thesis presents quantitative predictions and simulation-based assessments of cellular transmembrane potential build-up and electroporation in a Jurkat cell, which is non-spherical in nature. It also includes potential EP processes at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, both of which have complex shapes, in response to external nanosecond electric pulses. The simulations are based on a time-domain nodal analysis that incorporates membrane poration utilizing the Smoluchowski model with angular-dependent changes in membrane conductivity. Consistent with prior experimental reports, the simulations show that the ER requires the largest electric field for electroporation, while the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) is the easiest membrane to porate. Repeated pulsing and/or using multiple electrodes are shown to create a stronger poration. The roles of mutual coupling, screening, and proximity effects in bringing about electric field modifications are also probed
Bilingual Teacher Candidates: Addressing Cultural Assumptions in Standardized Mathematics Assessment for Elementary Students Through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Get PDFThis study explored how bilingual Latine teacher candidates (TCs)—undergraduate students in a teacher preparation program working toward obtaining a teaching license and identifying as individuals from Latin America or of Latin American descent, using the gender-neutral term in Spanish, “Latine”, to encompass all genders—identified and addressed cultural assumptions in mathematics questions on the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test. Twenty Latine TCs who were enrolled at a major southern research university (pseudonym: Southland University) program reviewed fifth-grade STAAR mathematics questions to assess cultural assumptions and suggest revisions for cultural relevancy. The findings reveal that the TCs identified cultural assumptions in questions about probable unfamiliar currency, non-standard measurement units, and culturally specific terms that could impede students’ understanding. In their revisions, the TCs proposed simplifying language and provided contextual examples to enhance clarity, aligning with the first tenet of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). However, few revisions addressed CRP’s second and third tenets, which involve fostering cultural competence and critical consciousness. This study underscores the importance of integrating comprehensive CRP training in teacher preparation programs to better equip TCs to create culturally responsive teaching practices. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about improving the cultural relevancy in standardized tests and supporting diverse student populations in achieving academic success
Biosmart Radiator: An Innovative Solution for Energy Efficiency in Space Systems
Get PDFAlbino Quaranta, Thales Alenia Space, ItalyAndrea Ferrero, Thales Alenia Space, ItalyFederica Tessarin, Thales Alenia Space, ItalyTiziano Schillaci, Thales Alenia Space, ItalyMirko Simeoni, CREO, ItalyMatteo Gaspari, CREO, ItalyMaria Pelizzo, Università di Padova, ItalyMarta Padovani, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ItalyAlain Jody Corso, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ItalyGinevra Hausherr, Università di Roma Tre, ItalyGiulia Lanzara, Università di Roma Tre, ItalyRoberto Bertacin, Italian Space Agency (ASI), ItalyICES104: Advances in Thermal Control TechnologyThe 54th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Prague, Czechia, on 13 July 2025 through 17 July 2025.In the frame of an ASI co-founded research project (CUP
F89J20000970005) an advanced radiator with an innovative
biomimetic surface was developed for new-generation
satellites and pressurized modules. The project involved
Thales Alenia Space in Italy, University of Roma Tre, CNR
and C.R.E.O. and ran for 36 months starting in 2021.
The research aimed to design and test a novel radiator with
embedded a fully passive power saving feature. Main goal
was to reach a radiator turn-down ratio lower than 1:4, to
tune thermal rejection depending on satellite/module needs.
The biomimetic surface enables passive thermal control
features by covering the radiator at low temperature
(closure at 0°C, exposing a low thermal emitting surface,
ε≈0.1) and discovering it at high temperature (opening at
20°C, exposing a white coating, with low solar absorbance
α≈0.1, and high thermal emittance ε≈0.8) in a purely
passive way. In this way the power budget is reduced and
the on-board computer is simplified, especially saving
energy during long transient phases. Once on orbit the
radiator maximizes heat rejection when fully exposed.
Following the definition of requirements, technological
specimens, bio-mimetic surface samples and, finally, a
full-scale radiator demonstrator were developed and tested.
Samples representative of bio-mimetic surface key
technologies were optimized, manufactured to a full scale
model and subjected to environmental tests, including
exposure to protons, electrons radiation and atomic oxygen,
to verify their compatibility with space conditions. A
full-scale demonstrator was finally built to validate the
system.
During thermal vacuum testing, the bio-mimetic surface
successfully demonstrated petals-like opening and closing
based on radiator panel temperature. Thermalization was
achieved using a heating fluid (ethylene glycol-water
mixture) circulated through 4 mm internal diameter radiator
piping.
This project demonstrates the feasibility of an efficient
radiator for space applications, with significant potential
for future thermal control systems
Box 2, Folder 7, MGN Costumbristas, La Vida en México, misc.
Get PDFThe Boyd Carter Papers represent a significant archival collection housed in the Hispanic Studies Collection in Texas Tech University's CMLL building. Dr. Boyd Carter was a distinguished scholar of Latin American literature who was active from the 1940s to his death in 1980. He held professorships at the University of Nebraska, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Missouri before concluding his career at Texas Tech University (1978-1980). Upon joining TTU, Carter donated his extensive archive to the university, including rare books, microfilm collections, bibliographical notes, and periodicals focusing on Latin American literature from 1850-1950, with particular emphasis on the famed Mexican writer Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera
Roadmap to Develop Design Requirements for Mechanical Counter-Pressure Martian Exploration Spacesuits
Get PDFGabriella Schauss, University of Colorado - Boulder, United StatesAllison Hayman, University of Colorado - Boulder, United StatesICES407: Extravehicular Activity: Emerging Space Suit
TechnologiesThe 54th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Prague, Czechia, on 13 July 2025 through 17 July 2025.As long-duration Martian missions are in the initial stages
of planning, the development of spacesuits that facilitate
surface exploration is imperative for mission success. A
crewed mission to Mars presents unique environmental,
operational, and mission-specific conditions, which makes
designing a robust extravehicular activity spacesuit
challenging. Progress in the development of novel spacesuit
architectures incorporating mechanical counter-pressure has
stalled due to a lack of informed design requirements. In
this paper, a synthesis is conducted for three critical
technologies: surface exploration thermal systems, pressure
garment fabrication, and on-body pressure measurement
systems. The synthesis focuses on alternative spacesuit
concepts and methods to define system-level design
requirements to guide future spacesuit development. From
the evaluation of each technology gap, recommendations for
how to address gaps in future work are determined through a
design roadmap. Additionally, operational considerations
will be incorporated to allow engineers to focus on the
limitations or benefits of alternative spacesuit
architectures in addressing the challenges of Martian
surface exploration during the development process. The
proposed roadmap incorporates critical design components
and methodologies to progress mechanical counter-pressure
spacesuit design and develop design requirements
Expanding Controlled Environment Agriculture for Long-Duration Space Missions through Crop Diversification
Get PDFPierre-François Pluchon, ORIUS, FranceBastien Aubry, ORIUS, FranceNathan Fouéré-Klein, ORIUS, FranceSara Dellaglio, ORIUS, FrancePaul-Hector Oliver, ORIUS, FranceGregory Navarro, Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), FranceICES204: Bioregenerative Life SupportThe 54th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Prague, Czechia, on 13 July 2025 through 17 July 2025.As NASA’s Artemis program and ESA’s Terrae Novae roadmap
move towards sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars,
food autonomy for extended missions becomes critical. The
objective of Spaceship FR team at CNES (French Space
Agency) is to develop innovative technological bricks for
the future Moon and Mars bases, thanks to technologies and
skills of its partners’ network. Bricks related to Food
Management System can be used for food production,
transformation, conservation, and cooking with the highest
degree of autonomy. Here, our research expands the
capabilities of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) by
introducing high-yield, nutrient-dense crops suited to
space-based cultivation systems. We selected high yield,
nutrient dense crops, including cereals (wheat, millet) and
legumes (lentils, kidney beans, peanuts), to complement
vegetable production, enhancing both nutrition and food
security options for long-duration missions. This study
pursues the design and implementation of a modular,
multi-layered cultivation system capable of continuously
supplying over 50% of the daily caloric intake required by
a four-person crew. Cultivation trials were conducted to
quantify both primary crop yields and byproducts.
Byproducts are quantified and characterized for their
potential in repurposing for in-situ mushroom cultivation,
thereby maximizing resource use within closed-loop life
support systems. Findings from these trials provide
critical data for refining cultivation protocols and
optimizing CEA systems, marking a significant step toward
sustainable, autonomous food systems for lunar and Martian
habitats
Cu(II)-Schiff base complexes for sustainable catalytic applications
No full textThe global demand for energy and industrial production of the last twenty years
has driven the need for more sustainable processes. In chemistry this has given birth to
green chemistry, a series of practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of a
reaction while improving its efficiency and safety, and overall reducing costs and energy
requirements. Among the twelve principles of green chemistry, catalysis plays a crucial
role. While traditional catalytic reactions rely on expensive rare metals like Pd, Pt orqe
Rh, their use is cause of concern because of their toxicity especially in large scale and
pharmaceutical applications. Earth-abundant metals have thus emerged as valid
alternatives, thanks to their lower cost and increased safety.
In this work we report the use of Cu(II)-Schiff base complexes as catalysts for a variety
of reactions. Copper is well known for its redox properties and in conjunction with
Schiff bases, it can help to further stabilize transition states during a catalytic process.
A series of newly designed complexes bearing imidazolium moieties has been found to
effectively promote C-H activation of allylic and benzylic substrates using water as the
reaction medium. This catalytic system, in addition of high activity and selectivity,
allows for easy separation of products from the reaction mixture. Additionally, the metal
complex can be recovered and recycled in successive reactions. The copper catalyzed
C-H activation was explored using MD-DFT, to obtain an updated reaction mechanism
that includes the effect of solvents and ligands. Copper can also substitute palladium in
cross-coupling reactions; we report the use of our catalytic system in the Chan-Lam-
Evans reaction to afford N-arylated products, important intermediates in the synthesis
of pharmaceutical compounds
Building Teacher Capacity using Authentic Data Teaming with Middle School Reading Language Arts Teachers
Get PDFThis insider action research study explores the perceptions of 7th grade Reading teachers as they build their instructional capacity by authentic data teaming. The study takes place in a suburban public school district in Texas where the student population has seen a significant increase and content mastery student performance has dropped. The sharp increase in students has created a need to hire teachers and many are inexperienced. Therefore, the need to understand ways to build teacher capacity through authentic data teaming practices to design specific, targeted instructional units to meet the mastery needs of students guided the study. The study aim was to understand how teachers perceive the effectiveness of authentic data teaming in addressing the diverse learning needs of students as well as the impact on their instructional efficacy.
The literature review explores the challenges of instructional planning in 21st-century classrooms, literacy gaps, and the educator shortage that resulted in unqualified and novice teachers in classrooms. It also discusses the concept of authentic data teaming within the professional learning community (PLC) framework, and the impact of peer coaching in support of the PLC process to build professional growth