2270 research outputs found
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Evaluation of Cortical Bone Microstructure’s Effects on Bone Strength via the Generation of Virtual Bone Scans
No full textThe microstructural properties and cortical porosity of cortical bone are large contributors to the overall bone strength. Evaluating this contribution, however, can be difficult due to the complexity of controlling changes to pore structure in human or animal samples. This research was in the development of a computer program that is able to generate three-dimensional models of micron-scale cortical bone. A wide array of variable input parameters allows for the generation of samples with similarity to micro-CT scans of cortical bone or with specific geometric features, depending on the values used. A finite element model is also presented to demonstrate the similarities between generated and natural samples. This program aims to help provide a better understanding of how cortical bone microstructure contributes to overall bone strength, which could have major applications in future biomechanical design
Enhancing Patient Outcomes and Nurse Communication: A Comparison of SBAR Bedside Reporting and Traditional Handoff Methods
No full textProblem
Ineffective shift report communication can result in misunderstandings, medical errors, and decrease the strength in the nurse patient relatonship. Traditional handoff methods, often conducted away from the bedside, contribute to gaps in information transfer and limit patient involvement. It is impaortant to incorporate patients in the handoff between shifts, so they can build a trusting relationship with their healthcare team, while experiencing a smooth shift of care. It is also crucial that nurses have a standardized tool to communicate effectively upon such as the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation). Implementing the SBAR framework alongside bedside shift reporting may enhance communication, improve patient safety, and increase patient satisfaction.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is evaluate the impact of bedside shift report with the SBAR framework in comparison to traditional shift report communication methods, on patient satisfaction, patient outcomes, and overall nurse communication within the acute care setting.
Methods
This quasi-experimental will consist of a pre and post-test to compare traditional handoff methods to SBAR-based bedside shift reporting in a hospital setting. Data will be collected on patient safety outcomes (medication errors, patient falls, and adverse events), patient satisfaction (HCAHPS scores and feedback on involvement in care), and nurse communication (structured survey responses and qualitative feedback from focus groups). This study will last 3-6 months to collect data of the control and intervention groups.
Conclusion
Implementing SBAR-based bedside shift reporting is expected to improve patient safety by reducing medical errors, enhance patient satisfaction through increased engagement in their care, and strengthen nurse communication and collaboration .This approach can lead to more effective handoff and creating an overall smoothly run enviornemnt for both the patients and the nurses
Impact of Stress Reduction Strategies on Burnout in Critical Care Nurses
No full textAbstract
Problem: Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increase of burnout in critical care nurses. Burnout has caused increased turnover in hospitals, decreased quality of care, increased risk of medical errors, and is detrimental to nurses’ mental health. Implementing stress reduction strategies, such as mindfulness or debriefing, after difficult cases can decrease rates of burnout and compassion fatigue among nurses.
Purpose: The purpose of this proposal is to compare burnout rates among critical care nurses that have received stress reduction interventions compared to those who do not.
Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study. Burnout will be measured using the Professional Quality of Life, Version 5 questionnaire (ProQOL-5), pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-months post-intervention. Nurses will receive mindfulness training and will participate in debriefing exercises.
Conclusion: Mindfulness based interventions and debriefing after difficult cases in critical care nurses can decrease the rates of burnout. These interventions give nurses an opportunity to talk about their experiences instead of keeping it to themselves, become more self aware, and become more resilient
Use of Force Policies in Ohio Cities
No full textThis project was composed to look at the use of force policies in the major cities of Ohio. Only two cities were looked at in this project, Cincinnati and Cleveland. This project wanted to figure out if the two cities had any differences in their use of force policies and if they did how the difference affected the crime in that particular city. This project is important because it gives people a basic idea of what use of force policies are in Ohio, it is important for not just police officers to know these but also citizens of Ohio. People need to understand what an officer can and cannot do to citizens when they are stopped by them. For this project I interviewed the administrator of the civil review board for the city of Cleveland and two members of the Communication Action Agency (CAA) located in Cincinnati. I asked a total of thirteen questions to each of the people I interviewed. The questions ranged from basic questions like “what made you get into the profession” and “how long have you been in the profession” etc. To questions like “Do you have a use of force policy” and “what are the consequences for violating the use of force policy” etc. The questions I asked were a wide range of questions that helped me better understand the person I was interviewing and better understand the Cincinnati and Cleveland police use of force policies. The answers that each of them gave were overall good, there were some similarities and differences between the two departments that helped me better understand the polices in their respects city
Interactive influence of alcohol and stress on learning and intrusive memories
No full textStressful, often traumatic, events, such as sexual (or other physical) assaults and motor vehicle accidents, frequently involve individuals who are under the influence of alcohol. Some research suggests that peri-traumatic alcohol ingestion increases the risk for PTSD symptomatology, such as intrusive memories. Indeed, experimental work in neurotypicals has shown that alcohol increases the number of intrusive memories that result from watching an emotionally arousing film. However, no studies have examined the impact of alcohol on what participants remember about a laboratory-controlled stressful event or the number of intrusive memories that result from such an event. We aimed to address this gap in the present study.
Undergraduate students ingested 0.4 g/kg ethanol or a placebo over a period of 30 min. They were then exposed to a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) or the friendly-TSST (f-TSST), both of which were designed to enable participant memory for the experiences to be quantified. The TSST required participants to deliver a ten-minute speech in front of two lab panel members as part of a mock job interview; the f-TSST required participants to casually converse with panel members about their interests and hobbies. In both conditions, the panel members interacted with (central) or did not interact with (peripheral) several objects sitting on a desk in front of them. Participants’ BrAC, subjective intoxication, heart rate, and anxiety levels were assessed before, during, and after the TSST or f-TSST, and saliva samples were collected to assay for cortisol and alpha-amylase. The next day, participants’ memory for the objects that were present on Day 1 was assessed with recall and recognition tests. We also quantified participants’ intrusive memories on Days 2, 4, 6, and 8.
Alcohol led to increased BrAC and subjective intoxication ratings, and TSST exposure resulted in greater subjective anxiety. Participants exposed to the TSST exhibited greater recall of central and peripheral objects and fewer falsely recalled objects than participants exposed to the f-TSST. Participants who ingested alcohol demonstrated greater recognition of central, relative to peripheral objects, an effect that was absent in participants who ingested placebo. Importantly, on Days 2 and 4, participants exposed to the TSST reported a greater number of intrusive memories related to the speech task, and this effect was augmented by alcohol. Our findings suggest that memory for a stressful event is enhanced, relative to memory for a non-stressful event, and that alcohol may increase the development of intrusive memories related to a stressful experience
Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities in the Treatment of Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections: The Role of Pharmacists in Mitigating Barriers
Full text linkAntimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and shaped by socioeconomic disparities. Social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, poverty, low health literacy, and environmental conditions, contribute to higher rates of resistant infections and poorer treatment outcomes in underserved populations. Barriers such as pharmacy deserts, self-medication, and inadequate stewardship infrastructure amplify these risks. Pharmacists, as accessible and highly trained healthcare professionals, play a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance by optimizing antibiotic use, delivering culturally competent education, and leading antimicrobial stewardship programs across settings. Community and clinical pharmacists are especially well positioned to bridge gaps in care, advocate for equitable policy solutions, and implement evidence-based interventions. Expanding pharmacists’ roles through legislative reforms, targeted training, and integration of digital health tools can enhance stewardship efforts and reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance. Prioritizing pharmacist-led approaches is essential for preserving antimicrobial efficacy, improving health equity, and ensuring access to effective treatments for all populations
Development Of Curcumin Monocarbonyl Analogs For Treatment Of Melanoma: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, And Mechanistic Investigation
No full textMelanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited treatment options in advanced stages, and its prevalence is rising in the U.S. Early-stage melanoma can often be successfully treated with surgery. However, as it metastasizes, treatment becomes challenging, typically necessitating chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, which are ineffective due to melanoma resistance and lack of specificity. This underscores the need for new therapies, particularly those using natural compounds with strong anticancer properties. Curcumin, a compound derived from turmeric, holds promise for anticancer development. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Studies show curcumin and its synthetic analogs can inhibit melanoma cell growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis by targeting key molecular pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and p53. We aimed to develop and evaluate novel curcumin monocarbonyl analogs with various substituents on the aromatic rings. These analogs were synthesized through condensation reactions with multiple benzaldehydes and piperidone in glacial acetic acid or sodium hydroxide. We then investigated the antiproliferative activity of these analogs in MeWo and SK-Mel-30 melanoma cell lines, focusing on their structure-activity relationship (SAR) to identify critical components for antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties while maintaining selectivity. Results indicated that these monocarbonyl curcumin analogs exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC50 \u3c 1μM). Monoketone curcumin analogs demonstrate considerable potential as therapeutic agents for NRAS mutant melanoma. These compounds show potent anticancer activity, which may be associated with the induction of apoptosis. Ongoing research will further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity, laying the groundwork for the future development of more effective melanoma treatments