43618 research outputs found
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Time and Flesh: Exploring the Embodied Experiences of Black Mothers
No full textDrawing on Black feminist theories of intersectionality and concepts of temporality and embodiment, this study centers Black girlhood to understand Black girls embodied journeys of “becoming” Black women. Findings revealed that: (a) Black girls often have complicated histories that lead to constrained and liberatory choices in adulthood and motherhood; (b) becoming a Black woman involves continual adaptations to temporal and historical contexts; and (c) Black motherhood is a contested space, deeply shaped by remembering Black girlhood and navigating maternal responses to legacies of harm. This study highlights the challenges and strengths in the transitory states of Black womanhood
The Impact of Electronic Health Record Training: How Students Utilize the Electronic Record to Inform Clinical Judgment
No full textNurses practice within a complex healthcare environment and must make well-informed judgments about their patients to provide safe, quality care. The electronic health record (EHR) is a piece of healthcare and informatics technology which houses important patient information that nurses utilize frequently while making clinical judgments surrounding patient care. The importance of entry-level nurse competency with the EHR and similar healthcare and informatics tools has been outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and other nursing organizations concerned with the preparation of future nurses (AACN 2021; QSEN, 2020). Currently, there are limited established best practices for schools of nursing to follow to determine to appropriately prepare their students to utilize the EHR as a clinical judgment tool within their nursing practice. In addition, there is a lack of guidance on how the EHR should be integrated within pre-licensure nursing curricula. The purpose of this study was to 1) describe how pre-licensure, direct-entry master (DE-MSN) nursing students utilize their patient’s EHR to inform clinical judgment while providing nursing care and 2) understand the relationship between EHR training and implementation of patient care. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with a purposive, convenience sample of nursing faculty and nursing students in one DE-MSN, pre-licensure program. Data was collected from participants via surveys and one-on-one interviews. Survey findings indicated that both nursing faculty and students felt that EHR training within the curriculum was inadequate to meet students’ learning needs. One-on-one interviews demonstrated that nursing students utilized the EHR throughout all phases of Tanner’s Clinical Judgment Model (CJM) during their off-campus clinical practicums: noticing, interpreting, responding, and reflecting. The medication administration record (MAR) was a large component of EHR utilization for participants as well. Nurse educators must partner with off-campus clinical practicum sites to ensure that students are prepared for clinical judgment using the EHR in alignment with the competencies outlined by the AACN Essentials. Further research is needed to determine how best to integrate EHR-related curriculum within pre-licensure nursing education
Proteins Associated with the Early Endosome Contribute to de Novo [PSI+] Prion Formation
No full textPrion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative disorders associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“Mad cow” disease) and kuru. In prion disease, a native protein can misfold and further convert a normal version of itself to the misfolded conformation. These misfolded proteins can form aggregates which are associated with these diseases. While much work has been dedicated to understanding how protein aggregates impact cellular health, less is known about the cellular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the prion. To dissect these mechanisms, we use the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which provides a powerful tool for studying prion formation. The yeast translation termination factor, Sup35, is similar to the human prion protein in that it can misfold and aggregate to form [PSI+] prion. Sup35 contains an N-terminal prion-forming domain (PrD), which is rich in glutamine (Q) and Asparagine (N) residues followed by a C-terminus that is important for translation termination. The PrD is required for the formation of the prion. Sup35 as well as the PrD alone, can misfold to form aggregates that are transmitted from mother to daughter cell in a process called propagation. The cellular mechanisms that underlie the formation of [PSI+] are poorly understood. Previous work has shown that deletions of certain endocytic coat protein genes, SLA1 and LAS17, reduce [PSI+] formation. Yeast 2-hybrid (Y2H) studies suggest that Sup35PrD interacts with the C-terminus of Sla1 protein. Similar to Sup35PrD, the C-terminus of Sla1 is Q-rich. I hypothesize that [PSI+] formation is dependent upon early endocytic coat proteins and the Q-rich C-terminus of Sla1. In this study, I elucidated the mechanisms driving de novo prion formation with a focus on the role of endocytic coat proteins. Using in silico methods, I analyzed the amino acid sequences of several early endocytosis coat proteins and showed that Ede1, Ent1, Ent2, Sla1, and Vrp1, all harbor extensive intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), and some are enriched with glutamine (Q)-rich sequences (Sla1). Focusing on these IDR-containing endocytic coat proteins, I generated several gene deletions in order to test whether loss of these genes would result in changes in prion formation. Using prion induction techniques, my work shows that only loss of SLA1 and LAS17 significantly impairs prion formation, specifically sla1∆ mutants exhibited a 1.6-fold reduction in the percentage of cells with visible Sup35PrD-GFP aggregates, whereas las17∆ mutants showed a 5.1-fold reduction. Similarly, [PSI+] induction frequencies decreased by approximately 4.2-fold in sla1∆ and 4.8-fold in las17∆ mutant strains. To test if the C-terminus of Sla1 influences prion formation, I used a Sla1-mCherry mutant (lacking the C-terminal domain) to test prion induction frequency. These experiments revealed no significant difference in prion induction compared to wildtype, suggesting that the N-terminal region, especially the SH3 domains of Sla1, may play a critical role in prion formation
A conversation with Mark Zuckerberg
No full texthttps://epublications.marquette.edu/zuckerberg_files_videos/1463/thumbnail.jp
PulseSight: AI-Powered Smartphone Solution for Non-Invasive Oxygen Saturation, Respiration Monitoring & EMR Integration
No full textThe utilization of non-invasive, contactless methods to detect physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiration rate has the potential to significantly improve healthcare delivery. This dissertation suggests a new system that utilizes photoplethysmography (PPG) signals extracted from facial and fingertip video recordings. These video recordings are captured using a standard smartphone. The system accomplishes real-time, contactless health monitoring without the necessity of specialized medical equipment by employing advanced image processing and signal analysis techniques. This method addresses critical health challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations, by facilitating continuous monitoring in resource-constrained environments. The development of a context-aware mobile application that is capable of collecting high-quality PPG signals, mitigating motion artifacts, and improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a critical focus of this research. This application is designed to assure the accurate detection of SpO2 and respiration rate. These physiological parameters are indispensable for the surveillance of respiratory health, as hypoxia-related cognitive impairments and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are both characterized by reduced oxygen saturation. The utility of this system is further enhanced by its integration with an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform, which allows caregivers and healthcare providers to monitor patient health over time and make data-driven decisions. The proposed system in this dissertation is especially beneficial for children with cognitive disabilities, as their health may be more susceptible to respiratory fluctuations. The system supports the early detection of health issues and enables timely interventions by facilitating remote monitoring of SpO2 and respiration rate. This work emphasizes the potential of low-cost, broadly accessible health technologies to enhance health outcomes in underserved communities. Validation of the system, particularly its oxygen saturation detection, was conducted in real-world scenarios. This also contributes to enhanced patient care and equitable healthcare access by providing a scalable, non-invasive solution for continuous health monitoring
Influences of Meditation on the Emotional Intelligence of Participants at Buddha Haksa Temple
No full textThis phenomenological study explores the influence of meditation on the emotional intelligence of participants at Buddha Haksa Temple in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Using Daniel Goleman’s (2017) model of emotional intelligence as a theoretical framework, the research examines how meditation affects self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and social skills. The study also incorporates Buddhist teachings, particularly Samatha (concentration) and Vipassana (insight) meditation, to provide a holistic understanding of emotional transformation through mindfulness. Through semi-structured interviews with meditation practitioners, the study investigates four research questions: (1) How does meditation influence emotional intelligence? The study found that meditation enhances self-awareness by fostering emotional recognition and introspection, improves self-regulation by reducing impulsivity, strengthens empathy by deepening social awareness, and enhances social skills through mindful communication. (2) What life experiences or beliefs led participants to begin meditation? Findings reveal that participants were drawn to meditation due to emotional struggles, personal crises, and a quest for spiritual growth. (3) What expectations did participants have regarding meditation? Many sought emotional stability, self-mastery, and, for some, the ultimate goal of Nirvana. (4) Have there been noticeable behavioral shifts since participants began meditating? Results indicate meaningful behavioral transformations, including increased patience, emotional resilience, conflict management skills, and a greater sense of compassion toward others. Findings suggest that meditation fosters emotional intelligence by enhancing self-awareness and control over emotional responses. Participants reported improved stress management, mindfulness in interactions, and greater emotional balance in daily life. The findings align with Goleman’s model and Buddhist teachings, emphasizing meditation’s role in cultivating self-awareness and emotional regulation. This research highlights meditation as a valuable tool for emotional development, with implications for education, leadership, and mental health. While acknowledging limitations in sample size and cultural specificity, the study provides a foundation for future research on the long-term effects of meditation on emotional intelligence across diverse populations and contexts