16144 research outputs found
Sort by
Can Generosity Increase Well-Being? Identifying Experimental Effects and Possible Mediators
No full textStudies suggest that threats to meaning elicit negative and defensive reactions, but sometimes can result in positive actions such as prosocial behaviors. By living up to the cultural standards of virtue and morality, those who behave prosocially should perceive their lives to be more meaningful. In this study, we seek to extend the research on virtuous behavior and meaning by assessing the extent to which other-orientation mediates the link between virtuous behavior and meaning in life. This assessment is derived from findings that connect relationships to meaning and meaning to prosocial behavior (Van Tongeren et al., in press). Putting others before the self is a large part of relationships, and therefore we expect other-orientation to have a mediation role in the link between prosociality and meaning in life. Participants were randomly assigned to engage in either a virtuous action that involved other-orientation, or a neutral condition. In the virtuous condition, participants were given 10 raffle tickets on which they could write their own name, or they could allocate some or all of their tickets to friends. In the neutral condition, participants were told to only enter their own names into the raffle. After the donation opportunity task, participants completed various measures and debriefed. Results revealed that generous donation behavior increased well-being relative to not donating. This research highlights an additional way for people to find or increase well-being
Crystalline Channeling of MeV Ion Beams
No full textThin film strontium titanate (SrTiO3) on single crystal MgO substrate, and thin film strontium manganese oxide (SrMnO3) also on single crystal MgO substrate, are being considered for use in engineered superlattices. Crystal matching of the films to the substrates is indicated by channeling of an ion beam through the lattice. With its ability to resolve depth in a sample, Rutherford backscattering of helium ions is used to determine layer thickness and the depth profile of the elemental composition of a sample. Ion beam channeling occurs when the beam’s incident angle is parallel to crystal planes, or rather normal to the surface. Channeling can occur in well-ordered and pure crystals, providing an indication of sample quality. Comparison of the backscattering yields at different incident angles will show a drop in yield as the optimum channeling angle is approached. Channeling is seen with the bulk SrTiO3 sample as well as with the thin film samples. Even though an 8% lattice mismatch exists between SrMnO3 and MgO, channeling was still evident, although in this case the yield suppression revealed structure around normal incidence
Effects of Phthalates on Zebrafish Embryonic Development
No full textDi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), common plasticizers found in many consumer, medical, and building products, are ubiquitous environmental toxicants. Routine exposure to phthalates is unavoidable, posing a significant health threat to humans and animals. Recent epidemiological studies suggest a causal relationship between early-life phthalate exposure and neurobehavioral deficits, thus raising concerns about the potential toxic effects of phthalates during early development. The objective of our research is to utilize the zebrafish embryo as a model system to identify the developmental consequences of phthalate exposure. The aim of our current study is to determine the effects of developmental phthalate exposure on larval teratology at the phenotypic level (hatch-rate, touch response, mortality and structural malformations to the brain, spine, or craniofacial regions). To date, BBP and DBP have proven lethal at high concentrations, while DEHP had no effect on mortality. Exposure to sublethal levels of BBP and DBP resulted in developmental defects, which will be further investigated through craniofacial staining and characterization of structural malfunctions
Elucidating the Anti-Tumor Mechanisms of Naturally Derived Capsaicin
No full textStudies have suggested that capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat sensation when eating chili peppers, possesses anti-cancer effects. More specifically, recent in vitro results demonstrate that capsaicin extracted from organically grown Capsicum chinense (commonly known as the yellow lantern chili), prompts cell death of neuroblastoma cells. Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer. Conventional treatment options require the use of agents that could affect brain and reproductive tract development. To determine the mechanism of action of naturally derived capsaicin on inducing the death of this tumor, we treated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with naturally derived capsaicin. Next, we utilized Western blotting to determine levels of proteins that regulate apoptosis (caspase-8, caspase-9 and bcl-2) after incubating cells with capsaicin. While our research is ongoing, this work will corroborate and extend previous findings demonstrating the anti-tumor effects of capsaicin extracted from organic peppers and elucidate mechanisms for these effects. The results of this work will highlight how capsaicin may be best used for treating the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma
Emergency Department Quality Improvement: Patient Medication Education
No full textNurses play a key role in patient medication education, which impacts medication adherence and affects patient outcomes. This study examined how Emergency Department (ED) nurses in a small community hospital educated patients about medications in order to identify strengths and areas for improvement using a short questionnaire in conjunction with observation. A convenience sample of 101 registered nurses was recruited from the ED of a small community hospital in the Midwest. Analyses were completed using SPSS statistical software. Faye Abdellah’s Theory, the foundation for this study, focuses on providing information to the patient to help meet each patient’s needs and increase self-care ability. A data collection tool was created based on a draft version of the Emergency Department Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems (ED-CAHPS) survey to assess whether the nurse explained medication purpose and possible side effects and to collect relevant demographic data (age, gender, degree, years of experience). There was a significant relationship between degree preparation and medication side effect explanation by nurses in the Emergency Department (χ2= 3.84, p= 0.05). BSN-prepared nurses were more likely to explain medication side effects to each patient. This study concluded that there is room for improvement regarding provision of medication side-effect education to each patient. Limitations included participation/observation bias, limited generalizability, and small sample size. The ED-CAHPS survey will dictate future reimbursement of the hospital, contribute to the quality improvement of the unit, and potentially identify areas of nursing practice in need of intervention. Future nursing research will need to be done to identify whether or not improvement has occurred based on the changes made as a result of this study
Exploring the Effect of Electrolyte Composition on the Charge Capacity of Nickel Hexacyanoferrate Thin Films
No full textA problem that plagues many existing methods of clean energy production is energy storage; the batteries used are very expensive and require rare elements such as lithium and platinum. It is therefore essential to develop cheaper, more earth-abundant replacements for the materials currently used. Due to the intermediate position they occupy between traditional batteries and capacitors, electrochemical capacitors may play a role in solving this problem. This project studies Nickel Hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) thin films, a material that could be used as part of an electrochemical capacitor. The NiHCF thin films were electrochemically synthesized and cycled with cyclic voltammetry in various electrolyte solutions. The material’s charge capacity and diffusion coefficient in each respective electrolyte solution were calculated from the data collected. An enhanced understanding of the interaction between NiHCF thin films and various electrolytes allows the performance of the NiHCF thin films to be optimized. Once optimized, it becomes possible to understand the role NiHCF thin films will play in future methods of energy storage
Free Speech on College Campuses
No full textFirst Amendment rights and how they should extend on college campuses is a debated issue amongst college students and administrators alike. By the Supreme Court definition, the First Amendment protects all speech except: advocacy of illegal action, fighting words, commercial speech and obscenity. Public universities must abide to the first amendment, while private schools such as Hope College do not. Using empirical research, I attempted to come up with a reason as to why this issue has been so controversial. My results appeared to be straight forward; however my recommendation draws from normative results and the impact that school administration can have on handling an incident or preventing one altogether. While studying Hope College and meeting with school administration, I have come to the conclusion that the school’s ability to put ethics ahead of strict policy interpretation, and principles ahead of pride, can serve as an effective solution for large public universities as well
Healthcare: Does the Affordable Care Act Work?
No full textThis project intends to examine policy aimed at healthcare in the United States, specifically, the impacts of the Affordable Care Act. The goal of universal healthcare is a relatively new concept to America, and as such, it has a number of controversial issues. The impacts of the affordable care act have been hotly contested by political pundits from its initial implementation. The focus of this study is on the impacts of the ACA and how it has impacted the ability of Americans to not only obtain health insurance, but also make use of affordable health services. By reviewing scholarly literature, empirical data and current policy, this study intends to analyze the effects of the ACA on the citizens of America
Hospital Readmission Risk Prediction Models: A Literature Review
No full textLimiting 30-day hospital readmissions, a major cost factor for healthcare organizations, requires identifying high-risk patients so that nursing interventions aimed at reducing readmission may be implemented. The identification of key variables contributing to readmission is essential for the development of effective 30-day readmission risk prediction models. The purpose of this study was to complete a comprehensive literature review to examine existing published readmission risk-prediction models and the unique variables utilized in each model. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory served as a foundation for this research as it demonstrates the importance of identifying self-care deficits so that specialized nursing assistance can be provided where most needed. An extensive review of the literature from September, 2010 through September, 2015 was completed with Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases using the keywords readmission prediction model, readmission algorithm, and risk assessment tool. The literature search yielded 16 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The most common variable categories included in the algorithms were demographics, diagnosis, number of admissions, procedures, laboratory values, length of stay, comorbidities, and socioeconomic indicators. Demographics and health literacy were the most promising readmission risk prediction variable categories based on this review. Limitations for this study include the use of published literature when many hospitals use unpublished hospital-specific algorithms. Additionally, specific variables are rarely included in the literature so this study evaluated broad variable categories. A comprehensive understanding of readmission prediction models and variables can direct future nursing research by contributing to the development of increasingly effective models as well as identifying pertinent variables indicating patient readmission risk
Nesting Cavity Preference in Carnegiea gigantea
No full textSaguaros (Carnegiea gigantea) are slow growth, softwood cacti found only within the Sonoran Desert. Because of their pulpy interior and protective spines, they make ideal nesting sites for many bird species. Gila Woodpeckers (Melanerpes uropygialis) and Gilded Flickers (Colaptes chrysoides) are the only two species that create nesting holes, but several other bird species also inhabit them. I hypothesized that nest height would be higher on taller Saguaros, since at least part of the advantage of nesting in Saguaros lies in avoiding ground-dwelling predators. Assuming that most species nesting in Saguaros rear chicks in the summer months, I hypothesized that nest entrances would face north in order to ensure a cooler nest microclimate. In order to test these hypotheses, I measured elevation, nest height, lowest arm height, total cactus height, number of arms, number of nests, and nest entrance compass direction on 71 Saguaros near Tucson, in southern Arizona. Results indicated that average nest height increased with cactus height, and that nest and cactus height were proportionally related. Sample sizes at different elevations were not large enough to test the correlation between elevation and nest height or direction. There was also no significant preference for nest entrance orientation. Other research suggests that there is a non-random selection of nests at Organ Pipe (north-facing) during summer (rearing) months (Inouye and Huntly et al. 1980). However, a broader study that was not focused on rearing season found that nests were located at random orientations and that birds preferred large saguaros (Kerpez and Smith et al. 1990). Bird preference in nest orientation is likely based on the rearing season and current weather conditions. Both my results and previous studies suggest a preference for higher nest locations in mature saguaros. Therefore, maintaining a population of mature saguaros is critical to nesting bird reproduction in the Sonoran Desert