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MS Environmental Biology Capstone Project
Get PDFHistorically, salmon have provided essential marine nutrients to land-locked habitats during their spawning migration. Many plant and animal species are dependent on this source of nutrients for survival and growth, and their absence has been shown to dramatically alter these terrestrial communities. Dams have been built throughout much of the historic range of salmon, cutting terrestrial ecosystems off from the flow of marine nutrients they depend on, leading to degradation of wetland habitats and reduced predator abundance. With time, however, concern for the decreased salmon abundance has resulted in organized efforts to remove dams in historically important salmon spawning areas, but the effects of removal on stream-associated ecosystems remain unknown.
The Rogue River in southern Oregon offers a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of salmon reintroduction on surrounding herbaceous vegetation since it has had eight dams removed since 2003, but also has remaining dammed portions that can serve as controls. I predict that herbaceous plant species richness and above-ground biomass will increase in areas where salmon are reintroduced compared to areas where the rivers remain dammed. By comparing herbaceous vegetation richness and biomass along two tributary streams where salmon have been reintroduced to two tributary streams where dams remain, I will be able to investigate differences in community structure and determine if salmon reintroduction has had positive impacts on formally degraded habitats. Wetlands, such as those surrounding tributary streams, provide 14 essential habitat for numerous plant, bird, and insect species, and their health is imperative to maintaining surrounding ecosystems that are functional and productiv
Nursing Educators Need Our Help
Get PDFThere is a current demand for nurses and nursing faculty. Nursing faculty are necessary in order to meet the need for registered nurses in the United States. In order to meet the need for nursing faculty, nursing colleges are recruiting advanced degree nurses, even with little or no experience in academia. A literature review demonstrates a lack of support and orientation for novice nursing faculty. Various campaigns are underway in order to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty, yet few if any nursing programs offer an organized, structured, comprehensive orientation for new nursing faculty. Novice nursing faculty have reported feelings of apprehension, frustration and the desire to leave academia. This project implemented an online orientation program for nursing faculty at an undergraduate nursing program and measured the levels of self-efficacy before and after faculty took part in this program. Data was collected, analyzed and demonstrated that self-efficacy improved in content areas that the National League for Nursing has recommended as core competencies for nursing faculty. Although this was a small sample, it is recommended that nursing faculty receive an organized, structured, comprehensive orientation in order to minimize the feelings of inadequacy and frustration. This will increase the pool of qualified nursing faculty and therefore decrease the nursing shortage overall
Short- and long-term reproducibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of lower extremity musculature in asymptomatic individuals and a comparison to individuals with spinal cord injury
No full textBackground: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) of skeletal muscle has the potential to be a sensitive diagnostic and/or prognostic tool in complex, enigmatic neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as spinal cord injury and whiplash associated disorder. However, the reliability and reproducibility of clinically accessible DW-MRI parameters in skeletal muscle remains incompletely characterized - even in individuals without neuromusculoskeletal injury - and these parameters have yet to be characterized for many clinical populations. Here, we provide normative measures of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in healthy muscles of the lower limb; assess the rater-based reliability and short- and long-term reproducibility of the ADC in the same muscles; and quantify ADC of these muscles in individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods: Twenty individuals without neuromusculoskeletal injury and 14 individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) participated in this investigation. We acquired bilateral diffusion-weighted MRI of the lower limb musculature in all participants at 3 T using a multi-shot echo-planar imaging sequence with b-values of 0, 100, 300 and 500 s/mm2 and diffusion-probing gradients applied in 3 orthogonal directions. Outcome measures included: (1) average ADC in the lateral and medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus of individuals without neurological or musculoskeletal injury; (2) intra- and inter-rater reliability, as well as short and long-term reproducibility of the ADC; and (3) estimation of average muscle ADC in individuals with SCI. Results: Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the ADC averaged 0.89 and 0.79, respectively, across muscles. Least significant change, a measure of temporal reproducibility, was 4.50 and 11.98% for short (same day) and long (9-month) inter-scan intervals, respectively. Average ADC was significantly elevated across muscles in individuals with SCI compared to individuals without neurological or musculoskeletal injury (1.655 vs. 1.615 mm2/s, respectively). Conclusions: These findings provide a foundation for future studies that track longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle ADC of the lower extremity and/or investigate the mechanisms underlying ADC changes in cases of known or suspected pathology
Exploring Gender Wage Disparity in MFT Academic Programs
No full textThis study tested whether there was a significant salary difference between women and men working as faculty in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs within public universities. Additionally, we evaluated whether there were significant differences in academic attributes and how these academic attributes related to gender differences in salary. Results from our Oaxaca decomposition of salary differentials showed academic attributes like the number of peer-reviewed publications and years in academia could be used to explain the $9000 gap found between women and men in our sample of MFT academics. Our results indicated no evidence of salary discrimination against women working as MFT faculty members but showed that women were shown to have significantly less time in academia and to publish significantly fewer peer-reviewed journal articles than men. Implications of the current study findings include developing effective mechanisms for helping women persist in and advance through pathways of MFT academic promotion as well as for helping increase their scholarly productivity
Factors Affecting the Acceptability of Social Robots by Older Adults Including People with Dementia or Cognitive Impairment: A Literature Review
No full textSocial robots are being developed to support care given to older adults (OA), people with dementia (PWD) and OA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by facilitating their independence and well-being. The successful deployment of robots should be guided by knowledge of factors which affect acceptability. This paper critically reviews empirical studies which have explored how acceptability issues impact OA, PWD and OA with MCI. The aim is to identify the factors governing acceptability, to ascertain what is likely to improve acceptability and make recommendations for future research. A search of the literature published between 2005 and 2015 revealed a relatively small body of relevant work has been conducted focusing on the acceptability of robots by PWD or OA with MCI (n = 21), and on acceptability for OA (n = 23). The findings are presented using constructs from the Almere robot acceptance model. They reveal acceptance of robots is affected by multiple interacting factors, pertaining to the individual, significant others and the wider society. Acceptability can be improved through robots using humanlike communication, being personalised in response to individual users’ needs and including issues of trust and control of the robot which relates to degrees of robot adaptivity. However, most studies are of short duration, have small sample sizes and some do not involve actual robot usage or are conducted in laboratories rather than in real world contexts. Larger randomised controlled studies, conducted in the context where robots will be deployed, are needed to investigate how acceptance factors are affected when humans use robots for longer periods of time and become habituated to them
Morphology and evolution of bioluminescent organs in the glowbellies (Percomorpha: Acropomatidae) with comments on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Acropomatiformes
No full textBioluminescent organs have evolved many times within teleost fishes and exhibit a wide range of complexity and anatomical derivation. Although some bioluminescent organs have been studied in detail, the morphology of the bacterial light organs in glowbellies (Acropoma) is largely unknown. This study describes the anatomy of the bioluminescent organs in Haneda\u27s Glowbelly (Acropoma hanedai) and the Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) and places the evolution of this light-producing system in the context of a new phylogeny of glowbellies and their relatives. Gross and histological examination of the bioluminescent organs indicate that they are derived from perianal ectodermal tissue, likely originating from the developmental proctodeum, contrary to at least one prior suggestion that the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is of endodermal intestinal derivation. Additionally, anterior bioluminescent organ development in both species is associated with lateral spreading of the bacteria-containing arms of the bioluminescent organ from an initial median structure. In the context of a 16-gene molecular phylogeny, the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is shown to have evolved within the Acropomatidae in the ancestor of Acropoma. Further, ancestral-states reconstruction demonstrates that the bioluminescent organs in Acropoma evolved independently from the light organs in related howellid and epigonid taxa which have esophageal or intestinally derived bioluminescent organs. Across the acropomatiforms, our reconstructions indicate that bioluminescent organs evolved independently four or five times. Based on the inferred phylogeny of the order where Acropoma and Doederleinia were separated from other traditional acropomatids, the familial taxonomy of the Acropomatidae was modified such that the previously described Malakichthyidae and Synagropidae were recognized. We also morphologically diagnose and describe the family Lateolabracidae
A predictive model to identify skilled nursing facility residents for pharmacist intervention
No full textOBJECTIVE: Develop a predictive model to identify patients in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) who require a clinical pharmacist intervention. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional. SETTING: Nine freestanding SNFs within an integrated health care delivery system. PATIENTS: Patients who received a clinical pharmacist medication review between January 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017. Identified patients (n = 2,594) were randomly assigned to derivation and validation cohorts. INTERVENTIONS: Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to identify factors predictive of patients who required an intervention (i.e., medication dose adjustment, initiation, or discontinuation). Patient-specific factors (e.g., demographics, medication dispensings, diagnoses) were collected from administrative databases. A parsimonious model based on clinical judgment and statistical assessment was developed in the derivation cohort and assessed for fit in the validation cohort. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Model to predict patients requiring clinical pharmacist intervention. Secondary outcome was a comparison of factors between patients who did and did not receive a clinical pharmacist intervention. RESULTS: Ninety-five factors were assessed. The derivation (n = 1,299) model comprised 22 factors (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.84). A clopidogrel dispensing (odds ratio [OR] = 2.42, 95% CI 1.19-4.91), fall (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.59-3.83), or diagnosis for vertebral fracture (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.34-4.05) in the 180 days prior to clinical pharmacist medication review were predictive of requiring an intervention. The model fit the validation cohort (n = 1,295) well, AUC = 0.79 (95% CI 0.74-0.84). CONCLUSION: Administrative data predicted patients in a SNF who required clinical pharmacist intervention. Application of this model in real-time could result in clinical pharmacist time-savings and improved pharmacy services through more directed patient care
Advancing imaging technologies for patients with spinal pain: with a focus on whiplash injury
No full textBackground Context: Radiological observations of soft-tissue changes that may relate to clinical symptoms in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal disorders are highly controversial. Studies are often of poor quality and findings are inconsistent. A plethora of evidence suggests some pathoanatomical findings from traditional imaging applications are common in asymptomatic participants across the life span, which further questions the diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic value of traditional imaging. Although we do not dispute the limited evidence for the clinical importance of most imaging findings, we contend that the disparate findings across studies may in part be due to limitations in the approaches used in assessment and analysis of imaging findings. Purpose: This clinical commentary aimed to (1) briefly detail available imaging guidelines, (2) detail research-based evidence around the clinical use of findings from advanced, but available, imaging applications (eg, fat and water magnetic resonance imaging and magnetization transfer imaging), and (3) introduce how evolving imaging technologies may improve our mechanistic understanding of pain and disability, leading to improved treatments and outcomes. Study Design/Setting: A non-systematic review of the literature is carried out. Methods: A narrative summary (including studies from the authors\u27 own work in whiplash injuries) of the available literature is provided. Results: An emerging body of evidence suggests that the combination of existing imaging sequences or the use of developing imaging technologies in tandem with a good clinical assessment of modifiable risk factors may provide important diagnostic information toward the exploration and development of more informed and effective treatment options for some patients with traumatic neck pain. Conclusions: Advancing imaging technologies may help to explain the seemingly disconnected spectrum of biopsychosocial signs and symptoms of traumatic neck pain
Male Help-Seeking after Sexual Assault: A Series of Case Studies Informing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Practice
No full textBackground A series of three composite case studies of cisgender men who presented to an emergency department for care after experiencing a sexual assault are presented. These cases show common assault characteristics including substance use, force, and multiple perpetrators. Methods We describe the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) findings and treatment and provide legal details of specific cases when available. Results These case reports highlight common challenges to help-seeking and the primary reasons these male victims overcame the barriers to seek care. Discussion SANEs are encouraged to provide consistent care to all sexual assault patients, regardless of gender. SANEs have an obligation to educate peers and broader society about sexual assault prevention and to advocate for policies that encourage help-seeking when a sexual assault has occurred
Oral corticosteroid exposure and adverse effects in asthmatic patients
No full textBackground Significant adverse effects (AEs) have been associated with continuous exposure to oral corticosteroids (OCSs). The potential association with intermittent exposure is unknown. Objective We sought to assess the association between OCSs and AEs based on the number of OCS prescriptions. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of asthmatic patients 18 years and older in the 2000-2014 MarketScan data set. Propensity score matching was used at baseline (12 months before the index date: first OCS use). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between OCSs and new incident AEs (either combined or individual) controlling for covariates. Follow-up continued for 24 months minimum and 10 years maximum after the index date. Results There were 72,063 and 156,373 subjects in the OCS and no OCS cohorts, respectively. Subjects taking 4 or more OCS (1-3) prescriptions within the year had 1.29 (1.04) times the odds of experiencing a new AE within the year. Each year of exposure to 4 or more OCS prescriptions (current and past) resulted in 1.20 times the odds of having an AE in the current year. Exposure to 4 or more prescriptions was associated with significantly greater odds of AEs for osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal ulcers/bleeds, fractures, and cataracts (odds, 1.21-1.44 depending on the AE). Conclusion Although previous research has documented the deleterious effect of continuous OCS exposure in patients with severe asthma, our results suggest that each OCS prescription might result in a cumulative burden on current and future health regardless of dose and duration. OCS-sparing strategies are extremely important to improve patient outcomes