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Cognitive Copycats: An EEG Study of Imitative Behavior in Infants
The neural mirroring system activates during action observation and execution. This overlap in activation may support various social cognitive functions (e.g., imitation)—however, associations between infants’ neural mirroring activity and imitation remain relatively unclear. The present study examines whether 6-month-old infants’ mu rhythm desynchronization (MRD; indicator of neural mirroring system activity) is associated with their imitation. We hypothesized that infants with stronger MRD during action observation would imitate more actions than infants with weaker MRD
Assessing variation in oyster survival, growth, and parasite community prevalence between aquaculture methods
Oyster aquaculture uses multiple farming techniques, such as on-bottom cages and floating bags, to optimize oyster survival, growth, condition, and marketability. These different methods expose oysters to a variety of abiotic and biotic factors that can independently and interactively affect growth and survivability. In particular, the relationship between grow-out methods and parasite exposure, and the consequent effects on oyster survival and growth, merit further investigation. Here, we compared survival and growth of oysters grown on-bottom vs floating at four aquaculture sites in Massachusetts, and measured prevalence of micro- and macro-parasites. We found that oysters grown in on-bottom cages from July to December 2023 had consistently lower survival, decreased growth, and worse condition than oysters grown in floating bags. However, parasite prevalence varied across site x depth combinations. Our findings can be used to inform aquaculture in New England, specifically how variation in parasite community prevalence affects oyster survival, growth, and marketability
The Effects of Immigration on Mental Health from the Perspective of Mental Health Professionals
Currently, there are over 45 million immigrants living in the United States. The policies regarding immigration have fluctuated over the years, impacting immigrants depending on their status, where they are entering from, etc. While there is ample research showing how the process of immigration is traumatic and grueling, there seems to be limited information about how the mental health of immigrants can be adversely affected over time. In children, the effects can appear after living through an adverse childhood experience, which can manifest in mental distress and developmental delays. Many adult immigrants report living with anxiety and depression, which continued to strongly affect them even post-immigration. If mental health is so strongly impacted, it is important to understand how mental health professionals working with them perceive the impact of their experiences.The purpose of this research study is to look at the correlation between immigrants in the United States and their mental health status, through the lens of mental health professionals
Mixed Reality (MR) Application for Aircraft Harness Assembly
Aircraft maintenance and assembly processes are intricate and demand high precision to ensure safety and functionality. One critical aspect is the assembly of wiring harnesses, which can be complex and time-consuming. This project proposes the development of a Mixed Reality (MR) application using Unity for the Microsoft HoloLens 2 to assist technicians in aircraft wiring harness assembly tasks.
By integrating MR, AeroVis shifts the assembly process from traditional, error-prone manual methods to a digital, interactive format. This transition addresses the complexities of aircraft wiring. MR headsets provide real-time, accurate instructions directly to technicians, streamlining assembly and reducing errors. This technological advancement not only enhances efficiency and accuracy but also represents a significant leap in bridging the digital and physical assembly processes.
AeroVis integrates various technologies, including OpenCV and Python for schematic scanning and data extraction, and the A* algorithm for efficient pathfinding. The Unity Game Engine plays a pivotal role in developing the MR application, offering a dynamic UI/UX. The project not only showcases the potential of MR in manufacturing but also sets new standards for aircraft assembly efficiency and precision.
This project exemplifies how the implementation of MR technology, through applications like AeroVis, can revolutionize traditional manufacturing and assembly processes. By bridging the gap between digital and physical realms, AeroVis offers a glimpse into the future of aerospace assembly, where precision, efficiency, and safety are enhanced by the seamless integration of digital instructions with real-world tasks. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, the adoption of such technologies will be pivotal in maintaining the high standards of safety and functionality that are paramount in aircraft maintenance and assembly
Assessing Heat Transfer in Pelagic Fishes Part 1: Surface Area to Volume Ratios of Red Swimming Muscle
The Impact of Frequent Repositioning in the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers are a common complication of immobility, most frequently occurring in hospitalized patients who are restricted to bed. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2023), more than 2.5 million people in the United States develop pressure ulcers each year. Pressure ulcers develop as a result of sustained pressure on the body; this causes a restriction in blood flow and deprivation of oxygen to the tissue. Pressure ulcers may be partial or full-thickness wounds and are categorized into four stages depending on their severity. Pressure ulcers have non-blanchable skin and may appear reddened or discolored. Pressure ulcers most commonly occur on bony parts of the body such as the heels, hips, and tailbone, and can expose various body parts such as muscle, ligaments, and bone. (Avsar et al., 2020). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2023) found that 60,000 people die each year from pressure ulcer complications. Pressure ulcers pose an increased risk for infection and necrosis of bodily tissue. The best way to reduce the number of pressure ulcer incidences is by implementing preventative measures. This paper explores the appraisal of two articles- a systematic review and a single quantitative research article- assessing their efficacy in pressure ulcer prevention through the utilization of patient repositioning. Studies suggest that frequent repositioning has shown a significant reduction in pressure ulcer occurrence. Avsar et al., (2020) found that there was a 25% reduction in pressure ulcer development with more frequent repositioning. It is important for caregivers to understand prevention research, measures, and techniques to prevent pressure ulcer development and provide adequate safety in patient care
The Many Flavor of SHU SAACS
Sacred Heart University\u27s student affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society is actively involved in connecting Sacred Heart with chemistry and promoting science to the community. Throughout the year our club has been involved in many activities like, making slime or pH indicators, participating in panels, playing chemistry Jeopardy, and decorating the science wing bulletin board. In honor of National Chemistry Week and National Mole Day, we held a Mole Bowl in collaboration with nearby colleges. We host exciting and educational science-related events on campus, such as giving out liquid nitrogen ice cream and guest speakers to engage students
Growth Mindset in Higher Education: Does Professor Identity Matter?
When professors are perceived to promote a growth mindset—i.e., the idea that intelligence can be improved through hard work—students show greater motivation and performance. Yet, the impact of a professor’s social identities, such as race and gender, on student perceptions remains unexplored. This study addresses this gap. In an experiment involving 467 college students, participants rated four teaching philosophies that conveyed either a growth or fixed mindset. Each teaching philosophy was paired with a photo of a supposed professor: one Black female, one Black male, one White female, and one White male. Students perceived growth mindset professors as warmer and more competent than fixed mindset professors and expected to learn more and showed greater interest in registering for their classes. These findings held regardless of professor race and gender. These findings suggest broad relevance of professor mindset in shaping students\u27 perceptions and expectations, irrespective of a professor’s race or gender. However, we also discuss the potential influence of social desirability concerns on these results and suggest future studies may benefit from more unobtrusive methods
Optimization of a Push Notification System to Improve First Case Delays: A Quality Improvement Project
Background
Delayed first case on time starts (FCOTS) in the operating room (OR) have a trickle-down effect throughout the day leading to wasted resources, patient dissatisfaction, and healthcare staff stress and burnout. In the local practice setting the mean FCOTS was 65%, well below the national target of 83%. Surgeons being late and missing electronic health record documentation were the most common reasons for delays. A push notification system had been implemented to improve FCOTS however few surgeons and nurses were using this technology.
Project Goals Develop a process and training for a push notification system for surgeons and nurses. Increase FCOTS by 7.5% from baseline, within 20 weeks. Increase surgeon and nurse push notification system use by at least 50% from baseline, within 20 weeks.
Methods
The Model for Improvement was used to guide this evidence-based quality improvement project. The clinical setting was three adult perioperative pavilions in a large New England health system. Push notification process mapped for nurses and surgeons and disseminated in training sessions. Tracked first case push notification usage for nurses and surgeons, and reasons for first case delays weekly for 12 weeks then biweekly for 8 weeks.
Results
A total of 4 PDSA cycles were completed from September 2023 to January 2024. PDSA #1 resulted in 87% (n=60) of nurses trained and 100% (n=89) of surgeons received email with training and 31% (n=23) responded to email. PDSAs #2-4 focused on optimizing the push notification usage to increase FCOTS. Nurse push notification usage increased from 22% at baseline to 39% at 20 weeks. Surgeon usage was 7% at baseline and 9% at 20 weeks. The mean baseline FCOTS was 64.67% and 65.67% after 20 weeks. Only one pavilion had an improvement in FCOTS baseline mean 48% and 58% at 20 weeks.
Implications for Practice
While there were some improvements in nurse push notification usage and one pavilion saw an increase in FCOTS, there\u27s still room for improvement, especially in surgeon engagement and overall FCOTS rates. Perioperative policy requirements should include the use of the push notification system