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Increasing Care in Foster Care Youth Through Provider Education and Child Welfare Collaboration With a Trauma-Informed Framework
No full textFoster youth frequently endure trauma that has a serious negative influence on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Unfortunately, a lot of healthcare professionals are not properly trained to handle these complicated needs. Implementing a trauma-informed care (TIC) training program is the goal of this evidence-based project (EBP), which aims to increase provider competence and confidence in identifying and reacting to trauma-related behaviors in foster youth. To strengthen the practical implementation of TIC principles, the training program combines online modules, practical workshops, and continuous mentoring. The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model will serve as the project's development and implementation framework. The Kirkpatrick Model will be used for evaluation in order to gauge gains in foster youth outcomes, shifts in clinical practice, and provider knowledge development. This project aims to increase provider efficacy and support better treatment and long-term outcomes for adolescents in the foster care system by creating a sustainable, trauma-informed framework
Examining central blood pressure and anxiety in NCAA athletes in response to physiological stress.
Full text linkLoad carriage is an essential activity of daily living yet there is little research on vascular measures such as blood pressure (BP) or arterial stiffness in response to different types of load carriage. Anxiety is prevalent in athletes and the general population, but there seems to be no research on the relationship between anxiety and BP in NCAA athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between central BP and anxiety when introducing a physiological stress in Division II NCAA athletes. The second purpose of our study was to examine the differences in responses between normotensive (BP < 120/80) and hypertensive (BP >120/80) athletes. Thirty Division II NCAA athletes (23 F, 7 M) participated and completed the sports competition anxiety test (SCAT) to assess competitive trait anxiety. Athletes completed a 30-sec Zercher (weight held in front of the body) load carriage where pre- and post-carry vascular measurements were assessed using pulse wave analysis.We found no relationships between SCAT score and central BP. A 30-sec loaded carry led to increases in peripheral systolic BP (115.7 to 125.2 mmHg, P = <0.001, d= -1.23), central systolic BP (99 to 109.9 mmHg, P = <0.001, d = -1.51), and arterial stiffness (AIx@75) (-0.77 to 16.17 %, P = <0.001, d = -1.11) in all athletes. AIx @75 was not different between normotensive and hypertensive groups, but all BP measures were significantly higher in hypertensive athletes, as expected. Using a self-report anxiety scale, there was no relationship between anxiety and BP responses to load carriage in NCAA athletes. More research is needed to further examine this relationship
Co-Designing Screen Reader-friendly Apps by Visually Impaired Developers and Users: An Interview Study
Full text linkWith the increasing reliance on digital services, ensuring accessibility for visually impaired users has become a significant challenge, particularly in web applications. Despiteexisting accessibility guidelines, screen reader users often encounter diffic ulties in navigating these environments. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a co -design procedure involving visually impaired developers and users, developing and improving high -usability applications. By examining case studies of native applications developed by visually impaired developers, the study demonstrates how these apps significantly enhance usability comparedto their web-based counterparts in mediating popular inaccessible web services such as Peing, Google Classroom, and X (Twitter). The key findings emphasize the importance of user involvement throughout the development process and the critical role of service providers in ensuring accessibility through supportive APIs and policies
Exploring the Challenges for Low-Income Earners for Following Their Medication Plan: A Medical Provider Perspective
Full text linkBarriers faced by patients in following a medication plan creates non-desirable outcomes with their health. Additionally, the cost of care begins to rise as non-adherence to a medication plan exacerbates the medical condition. This study explored the challenges that low-income earners experience in adhering to their medication plans from the perspective of medical providers. Current research suggested a correlation between the rising cost of medication and barriers for patients to adhere to a medication plan. This study used a quasi-experimental qualitative method where the perceptions of medical providers were collected through interviews. The qualitative data analysis was guided by the framework of the health belief model. Findings suggested that there are multi-factorial barriers affecting low-income earners for following their medication plan: Medical provider perception points to medication costs as the biggest barrier, but other barriers such as type of health insurance, the economy, political atmospheres, and medication development were also factors
Parasocial Relationships, Social Media, and the Clinical Implications
Full text linkTechnological and social media advancements allow people to interact with others more than ever before. However, increasing rates of loneliness and concern for adolescent well-being in the social media age raise important questions. Parasocial relationships allow individuals to practice social interaction, alleviate loneliness, and meet needs for belonging without the risk for rejection. Virtual spaces can provide community and visibility, especially for people with marginalized identities. However, virtual PSRs may deprive users of valuable social feedback while subjecting users to privacy concerns and manipulative marketing, further isolating them from in-person connections. In turn, a reliance on virtual relationships may become a clinical problem and exacerbate mental health symptoms. Clinicians should discuss with clients how they engage with social media and media personas and assess the quality of social and virtual relationships. Client identification with book characters and popular media personas can illuminate client needs and desires. Bibliotherapy can be an effective adjunctive psychotherapy tool through parallel discussion, psychological distance, and leverage client identification with characters as a catalyst for change. Individuals can reap the benefits of virtual connection and parasocial relationships with favored media figures while minimizing risk if they can remain cognizant of the one-sided nature of the relationships and maintain in-person connections simultaneously
Process Improvement for Gel Substrate Creation
No full textVeritas Substrates, located in Carlsbad, California, produces gel-based agricultural substrates engineered to enhance water retention, aeration, and nutrient delivery. A primary inefficiency in the current manufacturing process is the prolonged gel preparation stage, creating a bottleneck in production. This study evaluated three modifications to the standard method of addition (MoA) to identify process changes capable of reducing production time without compromising plant quality. The most effective approach, designated as "Heat First," involved pre-heating deionized water prior to the addition of gel powder components. Experimental trials were performed at 4-liter and 20-liter production scales across four species—Eruca sativa (Arugula), Ocimum basilicum (Basil), Lactuca sativa (Jericho lettuce), and Brassica rapa (Bok Choy)—selected for their rapid germination and visibly distinct responses to substrate quality. At the 4L scale, the Heat First method reduced batch time by approximately 20 minutes (~15–25% reduction) without statistically significant reductions in germination rate or digital biomass accumulation. Gel scale-up to 20L revealed increased variability, likely due to non-uniform heating and mixing within the larger volume chamber. Process modeling indicated potential annual labor savings exceeding 480 hours, corresponding to over $12,000 in reduced labor costs. While biological outcomes were not significantly improved, no adverse effects were observed, supporting the Heat First method as a viable time-saving strategy. The Heat First modification is recommended for selective implementation in small-batch production and for specific crops, with potential further validation and engineering refinement required for reliable mid-scale application
Adolescent Access to PMHNP Services on Campus and Its Effect on Suicidality Amongst Teens: A Pilot Study
Full text linkBackground: Adolescent suicide is a significant public health crisis, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 14 to 18 globally. In the United States alone, 6,400 adolescents die by suicide each year (What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide, 2023). Several barriers exist that make it difficult for adolescents to access care, and more than 60% of teens with depression do not receive treatment for their symptoms (Quick Facts and Statistics About Mental Health, 2023). This proposed study aims to measure the impact of integrating a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) into a high school setting on adolescent suicidal ideation prevalence. Any impact is hypothesized to be through enhanced mental health care accessibility, reduction of stigma, and improved adolescent mental health outcomes by providing accessible and timely interventions by a school-based PMHNP. Research question: "Will having a PMHNP on high school campuses to provide teaching, intervention, and collaboration lower the reports of suicidal ideation among high school students in one academic year?" Methods: This proposed quantitative study uses a quasi-experimental design using questionnaires and the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SI-DAS) at two high school campuses in Southern California. A sample of at least 946 students who scored positive for suicidal ideation on the SI-DAS will be divided equally into intervention and control groups. Intervention group participants will have access to on-campus PMHNP services, while the control group will receive standard school-based mental health referrals. Data is collected in a longitudinal manner. Time one is prior to any intervention, time two is after one academic semester, and time three is after one additional academic semester
NACHO Modulations in Aging, Cognition, and Anxiety Related Behaviors
Full text linkThis thesis investigates how the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor chaperone protein (NACHO) influences cognitive and reward-based behaviors and how its expression changes with age in key brain regions tied to reward, aversion, memory, and anxiety. Using mouse models, we found that NACHO expression varied significantly with age, especially in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and hippocampus, suggesting region-specific vulnerabilities related to cognition and reward processing. Our study also utilized NACHO knockout mice and found that removing NACHO disrupted nicotine reward processing as observed in the nicotine conditioned place preference task. The findings also suggest compensatory mechanisms involving other receptors that may help maintain behavior despite nicotinic acetylcholine receptor loss. Overall, the study highlights NACHO's critical role in nicotine reward and aging-related nicotinic acetylcholine receptor decline, offering insight into addiction vulnerability and potential therapeutic targets
Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) of HPLC Process in Reagent Manufacturing
Full text linkQuantum Si, Inc. purifies reagents using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a multi-step process that purifies samples through specified types of chromatography, such as Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) or Reverse Phase Chromatography (RP), depending on product composition. HPLC involves a series of equipment components to complete a purification run, isolating samples or chemicals of interest from impurities, which are undesirable artifacts in a sample. The purification method is crucial to achieve the desired purity and functionality of the sample, ensuring success in biotechnology and medical device diagnostics. To achieve successful purification and ensure a robust, repeatable process for Quantum Si's commercial manufacturing, a Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) was conducted to determine which process steps have the highest risks that could prevent a successful purification run. This analysis was conducted at Quantum Si, Inc. in San Diego, California. A PFMEA is a tool used in biotechnology manufacturing and quality systems to predict possible process failures, evaluate product and process impact, and recommend corrective actions before issues and risks occur (Mikos et al., 2007). This process is crucial for processes recently transferred from research and development to operations, where customer-facing products are manufactured and require instructions to successfully repeat processes. HPLC is widely used in the biotechnology industry (Sandford, 2020), making education and analysis on equipment use and processing through a PFMEA essential for becoming a successful manufacturing operation and supplying impactful products. The HPLC process was broken into major process steps: Area Line Clearance, Hardware Set Up, Software Set Up, Method Execution, Column Wash, and Storage. Failure modes were identified, evaluated for severity, occurrence, and detection, and assigned Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) to quantify risk and prioritize steps with high risks. This ensures that process controls, such as integrating cGMP practices and providing training documentation and verification steps, are executed. The PFMEA conducted for the HPLC purification process at Quantum Si, Inc. identified critical failure modes and proposed structured risk mitigation strategies. By integrating controls, the process can achieve greater reliability, reproducibility, and scalability, supporting both current research and potential future regulated manufacturing
Imani: Black Birth Stories from San Diego
Full text linkHow are Black persons experiencing birth in the United States of America? In my second pregnancy I stressed for months about my birth plan and it was thrown out due to the emergency c section I feared since I found out where I was birthing. I was in shock and concerned about what it was like for others. This prompted my research Fall 2023. The United States' infant and maternal mortality rates have skyrocketed to unimaginable levels in recent years, especially for a country that is technologically advanced. Where families should be created, they are irreparably fractured. Black birthing patterns reveal serious health concerns: depression, anxiety, unnecessary cesarean sections, mortality and morbidity. These are often ascribed to a problem of race, effectively blaming the birth person, rather than of treatment based on race. America ranks third globally for overall maternal mortality, a crisis that everyone who gives birth or is given birth to possibly faces. Moreover, if you are Black in America, you are 2-7 times more likely to die in pregnancy and birth related complications. Measuring maternal health solely in birth "outcomes" risks dehumanizing and reducing these unique experiences of Black birthing individuals and their infants. Black maternal health is not a means to an end. Our bodies, minds, and souls are connected to this experience. This research documentary centers Black birthing persons using a Reproductive Justice lens to examine and uplift narratives of their Black birthing experiences in San Diego County specifically