LOUIS University of Alabama in Huntsville
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Pendulum Stand for Detonation-Based Thruster Impulse Measurement
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Effect of Medium Type on Escherichia coli Growth for Modeling its Inhibition by Urinary Lactobacillaceae
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Implementation of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) screening and referral protocol in emergency department patients
No full textThe United States faces a significant public health challenge with the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly in the Southern region. Shelby County, Tennessee, has the highest number of HIV cases in the state. Despite the initial approval of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention by the FDA in 2012, the adoption of PrEP has been low due to various barriers. The barriers include a lack of identification of patients at risk for HIV, screening for PrEP eligibility, and insufficient provision of PrEP resources by healthcare providers. The emergency department (ED) at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis did not have a standardized protocol for screening patients for PrEP eligibility, providing education on PrEP, and connecting at-risk patients to PrEP resources, which resulted in missed opportunities for HIV prevention. To address this, a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) evidenced-based project aimed to increase PrEP referrals and uptake for high-risk sexually active patients by implementing a PrEP eligibility screening and referral protocol at Baptist Memorial ED over twelve weeks. The participants included 121 registered nurses and twenty-two healthcare providers, including three nurse practitioners (NPs), four physician assistants (PAs), and fifteen medical doctors (MDs) who were rotating staff in the emergency department at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. Outcomes were measured through PrEP eligibility screenings, referrals, education, and uptake. Post-implementation, 105 patients received PrEP eligibility screenings; 48 patients were identified as high risk through screening (compared to 34 pre-implementation), 58 patients received PrEP referrals (compared to zero previously), and 89 patients received PrEP education, increasing awareness. However, one patient kept an appointment at the Shelby County Health Department PrEP clinic and started PrEP uptake over the twelve weeks. The findings showed a positive impact on PrEP screening, referrals, education, and increasing PrEP awareness. The implications of these results are further discussed
Transition-aged youth perspectives on social media use behaviors and mental health: a qualitative study
Get PDFRates of mental health difficulties have risen drastically in recent years. Transition-aged youth (TAY) ages 18-24 years old represent a vulnerable population at risk for poor mental health outcomes, with depression and anxiety diagnoses increasing faster than any other age group. While the cause for this upsurge is multifaceted, these trends have occurred concurrently with the increasing popularity of social media (SM) platforms. Current evidence presents contradictory findings as to the impact of SM platforms on mental health, revealing a critical gap in knowledge. This study addresses this gap by exploring how TAY perceive their use of SM platforms and its impact on their mental health. Supported by the Social Support Theory and the Hurtful Communication Theory, a qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study was designed to explore the perceptions of TAY with diagnosed mental health disorders. A sample population of 10 TAY living in Alabama were recruited. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Using thematic analysis, five themes emerged: sharing to find a supportive community; acknowledging negative influences on mental wellness; disengaging through passive use; creating distance to achieve wellness; and internalizing stigma. Study results revealed TAY perceive both positive and negative influences on their mental health. TAY perceive SM platforms as fostering a sense of community based on shared interests and as a critical source of entertainment. They also consider SM platforms to be harmful, increasing stress and anxiety, encouraging them to argue with other users, and inspiring social comparisons. However, TAY overall believe the benefits of SM platforms outweigh the negatives, and report no intention to stop or decrease use. Findings from this study increase our understanding of how TAY perceive their social media use and its impact on their mental health, revealing new outlooks on mental health promotion and maintenance strategies currently used. This study is beneficial to nurses, identifying potential risks to physical and mental health, and a prevailing stigma that may influence TAY’s decision to seek care. Societal impacts of stunted development and political avoidance are also discussed. Future studies are needed to determine the generalizability of these findings
Adaptive discrete time sliding mode control for n-th order flapping-wing micro air vehicles with unknown parameters
Get PDFSmall aerial systems, such as nature-inspired flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles (FWMAV), operate in uncertain and dynamic environments that are subject to unknown disturbances, e.g., wind gusts. With the proliferation of inexpensive system components, extensive research has been dedicated to improving the operation of these FWMAVS, both in civilian and military applications. Given dynamic environments and variations in individual components, sliding mode control has become an increasingly applied control method for FWMAV. Its robustness proves invaluable to ensure stability in the presence of uncertain system parameters and environmental disturbances. This dissertation presents three discrete-time sliding mode control (DSMC) methods and applies them to different simulated FWMAV systems: 1) a robust DSMC for a theoretical butterfly-based FWMAV with variable flapping frequency, 2) a robust Adaptive DSMC (ADSMC) for a FWMAV with unknown state parameters, and 3) a modified robust ADSMC for a FWMAV with unknown state parameters and an unknown control parameter
An assessment of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) in North Alabama with a focus on ranavirus prevalence and urbanization
Get PDFEastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are susceptible to many threats, including development, urbanization, and disease. A novel Ranavirus has been attributed to mortality in both captive and wild box turtles, including one known occurrence in a captive box turtle in Alabama, but no further assessment has been made. The aims of this study were to assess if Frog Virus 3-like Ranavirus infects wild box turtles and if its prevalence is related to urbanization in North Alabama, USA. I conducted visual encounter surveys in eight survey areas in North Alabama that occur across a gradient of urbanization and development. Twenty-six unique box turtles were measured and swabbed for oral and cloacal cells to screen for Ranavirus via subsequent quantitative PCR. Ranavirus was detected in four turtles, all from one survey area – Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve in Jackson County. Three of these test-positive turtles were deceased, suggesting that the virus can cause outbreaks and have severe impacts on populations. Ranavirus does not seem to be correlated with urbanization, as the only turtles who tested positive were from the least urbanized site. This study demonstrates the need for continued assessment of disease dynamics in wild populations as well as actions to slow development and loss of habita
Gender Perceptions of Humanoid Robotics in a High-Stress Enviroment
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The Effectiveness of Turn Teams in Preventing Pressure Injuries
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Atmospheric and Earth Science 498 Professsional Development
Get PDFWhether you\u27re already in the workforce, or you\u27re still in school and haven\u27t yet applied for your first position -- the job application process can be both exciting and demoralizing. Sometimes, finding a new job feels like a full-time job itself -- especially when the competition is steep and the field of candidates is crowded.
How can you help yourself stand out from other applicants and land the job of your dreams? In this course, you\u27ll work through each step of the application process, as well as consider graduate school as an alternative or additional choice. First, you\u27ll explore tips to find opportunities that align with your skills and passions. Next, you\u27ll learn how to write a compelling resume or curriculum vitae and cover letter. Finally, you\u27ll perfect the art of interviewing to seal the deal and land a competitive job offer. And we\u27ll discuss graduate school options for those who plan to stay in school or even work and go to school part-time after graduation.https://louis.uah.edu/oer/1001/thumbnail.jp