Digital Commons Network^™

Integrative Approaches To Evaluate Challenges Faced By Songbirds During Migration And Associated Physiological Trade-Offs, Gabriella L. Orfanides

Theses

Migration is a demanding time for birds, and birds face numerous physiological, behavioral, and environmental challenges. As migratory birds balance the costs of numerous stressors during migration, this could result in detrimental physiological trade-offs. Understanding the trials and trade-offs that birds encounter during migration has important conservation implications. I utilized two component studies to better understand challenges encountered by migratory songbirds as well as to identify physiological metrics that may provide insight into these challenges. For the first study, I used nested PCR and DNA sequencing to determine parasite prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidians in Canada Warblers (Cardellina canadensis) …

Consequences Of Global Climate Change On Biodiversity And Food Security: A Mini Review, Hasan M. Agha, Abdulmutalib Alabeed Alkamil, Rana Tariq Yahya, Amjad Abdulhadi Mohammed, Zaid Tahseen Ali, Muneer Mohammed Saleh Alsayadi

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

A thriving eco-system and abundant species diversity are crucial for all forms of life on Earth. Whether or not the climate remains stable has a direct impact on biodiversity and the ecosystem services that are provided by that diversity. There is a strong correlation between biodiversity and food security, and this is influencing how the impact of biodiversity on climate change is felt. Changes in the duration of the growth season for plants, the distribution of arable lands, and the availability of high-quality water are all ways in which climate change impacts agriculture. There will be numerous positive effects on …

Higher-Dose And Adjuvanted Seasonal Influenza Vaccines Can Improve Immunogenicity In People With Hiv, Ethan Gladhill, Heather Rollins, Heather Justice, J. Brumitt

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Background- People with HIV have proportionally higher mortality and morbidity from seasonal influenza and have a reduced immune response to seasonal influenza vaccines. Improvement of their immune response to influenza vaccines may lead to improved health outcomes.

Methods- CINAHL and Medline were searched using the terms “high dose influenza AND HIV”, “high antigen AND influenza vaccine”, “influenza vaccine AND HIV AND immunogenicity”, “influenza vaccine AND HIV AND adjuvant”, and “adjuvanted influenza vaccine AND HIV”. Articles were selected based on criteria of investigating higher-dose (30μg or higher) or adjuvanted influenza vaccines …

The Impact And Potential Of Digital Health Technologies, Craig Kimble, Thomas Pile, Alberto Coustasse

Pharmacy Practice & Administration

Digital technologies and smart devices are now used in every aspect of our lives. Further innovation in the digital health realm is growing and has the potential to reduce inefficiencies in the health care system by sharing health data with providers, decreasing costs related to unnecessary health care visits and improving patients’ quality of life and clinical outcomes by better tailoring treatment to the individual’s health needs.

Improving Transitions In Care Through Early Discharge Planning: A Quality Improvement Initiative., Sarah Markgraf

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: A substantial body of evidence has shown transitions in care are one of the weakest links in healthcare networks, especially for older adults with complex comorbidities. Residents receiving short-term rehabilitation (i.e., rehab) transitioning to home from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) are the most vulnerable in the first 30 days post-discharge for adverse resident events, including avoidable rehospitalization. Avoidable rehospitalizations cost Medicare billions of dollars annually and lead to poor resident outcomes. Early discharge planning in SNFs for short-term stay rehabilitation has decreased rates of avoidable rehospitalizations, improved quality of life in geriatric residents, and improved care partners' perceived …

Reducing Stress And Improving Mindfulness Practices Among Mental Health Professionals Through Guided Meditation., Liara G. Patton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to psychological stress places mental health providers in a vulnerable position when coping skills are not learned or available. Mental health providers are at risk for both mental and physical illness due to the empathetic demands of their client’s stressors. The deficit in adequate coping skills can cause provider-client relationships to suffer and create an undesirable work environment.

Setting: This project took place in Somerset, KY, at a mental health company called A New Beginnings Achievement Center (ANBAC). Twenty-six employees work at ANBAC, all of whom are involved in providing mental health services to developmentally delayed …

2024-2025 Pediatric Subspecialty Trainees, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Residents and Fellows Portraits

Photo composites of the graduate pediatric trainees in advanced non-invasive imaging, adolescent medicine, allergy/immunology, child abuse pediatrics, child neurology, clinical neuro-psychology, clinical child psychology, clinical child psychology internship, developmental-behavioral, epilepsy, headache medicine, hospice & palliative care, laboratory genetics & genomics, pediatric anesthesiology, pediatric bioethics, neonatal-perinatal medicine, pediatric adolescent gynecology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric clinical pharmacology, pediatric critical care medicine, pediatric dentistry, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric hospital medicine, pediatric EM/child abuse, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric nephrology, pediatric ophthalmology; pediatric optometry, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric pathology, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric rehabilitation, pediatric sports medicine, pediatric surgery, …

Alumni Journal - Volume 95, Number 2, Loma Linda University School Of Medicine

Alumni Journal, School of Medicine

Editorials
2 | From the Editor
4 | From the President
6 | From the Dean

News
8 | School of Medicine News
10 | Alumni News
12 | Students
14 | This & That
16 | AIMS Report: Global Presence: Teaching and Healing in Sub-Saharan Africa

Graduation 2024
19 | Graduation Feature

Features
36 | By the Graduates: Stories and reflections
42 | Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum: Transforming the Globe
45 | Spiders and C. S. Lewis
48 | Alumni Spotlight: Christine Shen '17
49 | Life After Medicine

In Memoriam
50 | Alumni Remembered: Featured obituary - Anton N. …

Mitigating Algorithmic Bias: Strategies For Addressing Discrimination In Data, Sonia Gipson Rankin

Faculty Scholarship

This article examines the pervasive issue of algorithmic bias, particularly within large language models (LLMs) and the legal system. It argues that unlike simple programming bugs, these biases are deeply ingrained in the design and training data of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. By understanding the historical roots of bias and its realworld consequence across various sectors, we can develop effective strategies to mitigate its impact and ensure AI serves as a tool for progress. Weaving together historical insights, case studies, and forward-looking recommendations, the article aims to equip legal professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead the charge …

Quillen Magazine - Summer 2024, Quillen College Of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

Quillen Magazine

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate And Graduate Course Descriptions, Summer 2024, Wright State University

Course Descriptions

Wright State University undergraduate and graduate course descriptions from Summer 2024

Heparin-Binding Protein Stratifies Mortality Risk Among Ugandan Children Hospitalized With Respiratory Distress, Hridesh Mishra, Núria Balanza, Caroline Francis, Kathleen Zhong, Julie Wright, Andrea Conroy, Robert Opoka, Quique Bassat, Sophie Namasopo, Kevin Kain

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background Current prognostic tools do not reliably and objectively identify children with pneumonia at risk of a severe or life-threatening episode. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a host immune protein that is released in response to infection. We hypothesized that measuring HBP concentrations at hospital admission could help risk-stratify children with pneumonia and identify those at higher risk of an adverse prognosis.

Methods We evaluated the prognostic accuracy of HBP for predicting in-hospital mortality among children with respiratory distress, and whether HBP could improve the accuracy of validated composite clinical severity scores.

Results Of 778 Ugandan children under 5 years of …

Introduction To Programming And Applied Analytics Using Python, Matt Brown

ATU Faculty OER Books and Materials

This open electronic textbook is a collection of lecture notes, assignments, and additional background material for a junior level analytics course targeted for business students, it is free to use and copy. The text assumes readers have not had prior programming or computing courses, but have had at least one analytics course. The textbook differs from other textbooks because it serves a dual purpose, to first introduce to students the Python programming language and secondly to introduce analytics programming in Python. It is not meant to be a comprehensive book on the Python language or data analytics, rather a semester’s …

Role Of Hospital Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness: Experience At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lucy Wangari, William Macharia, Benjamin Wachira, Jemimah Kimeu, Boniface Mativa, Lukoye Atwoli

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Introduction Pandemic preparedness refers to being ready for, responding to and recovering from public health crises, and is integral for health security. Hospital leadership is a critical building block of an effective healthcare system, providing policy, accountability and stewardship in a health crisis.

Objectives and methods We aimed to describe the leadership and governance structures put in place at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, a private not-for-profit tertiary healthcare facility, following the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed over 200 hospital documents archived in the COVID-19 repository including those received from the Kenya Ministry of Health, emails, memos, bulletins, meeting minutes, …

Multicountry Spread Of Influenza A(H1n1)Pdm09 Viruses With Reduced Oseltamivir Inhibition, May 2023-February 2024, Mira C Patel, Ha T Nguyen, Philippe Noriel Q Pascua, Rongyuan Gao, John Steel, Rebecca J Kondor, Larisa V Gubareva

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Since May 2023, a novel combination of neuraminidase mutations, I223V + S247N, has been detected in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses collected in countries spanning 5 continents, mostly in Europe (67/101). The viruses belong to 2 phylogenetically distinct groups and display ≈13-fold reduced inhibition by oseltamivir while retaining normal susceptibility to other antiviral drugs.

Issue 9: Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider, Bharat Bajantri Md, Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman Mls, Ya Gao Md, Sivaprakash Sivaji Do, Caleb Hoppe Pharmd

Critical Care & Pulmonary

Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider Issue 9

Compiled by Bharat Bajantri, MD, and librarian Sarah Ellsworth, MLS for the clinicians of the Pulmonary and Critical Care team of Parkview.

The Pulmonary & Critical Care Insider newsletter was created by Dr. Bharat Bajantri, MD and Sarah Ellsworth, MLS in 2023 as a form of current awareness for current practice at our hospital, Parkview Health.

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Topics:

VIEWPOINTS:

Non-Shockable Cardiac Arrest Management

Try and try again till CPAP succeeds!

ORIGINAL STUDY SUMMARY & PERSPECTIVE:

Fungal Pneumonias in the ICU: Clinical Insights and Diagnostic Strategies.

ARDS Update and Guidance

SNAPSHOTS:

Making sure massive …

Assessing The Feasibility, Effectiveness, And Outcomes Of Engaging Family Planning Services In Peri-Urban/Rural Areas Of Islamabad, Iqbal Shah, Ali M. Mir, Nauman Safdar, Saima Zubair, Mumraiz Khan, Muhammad Khalil, Irfan Masood

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Provider Experiences With Daily Use Of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators In Health Care, Morgan Lane, Lisa Pompeii, Janelle Rios, Elisa Benavides, Marie Kasbaum, Scott Patlovich, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Adam Hornbeck, Caitlin Mcclain, Rohan Fernando, Margaret Sietsema, Colleen Kraft

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: During public health emergencies, demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs) can outpace supply. Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) are a potential alternative that are reusable and provide the same or higher levels of protection. This study sought to examine the practical aspects of EHMR use among health care personnel (HCP).

Methods: Between September and December 2021, 183 HCPs at 2 tertiary referral centers participated in this 3-month EHMR deployment, wearing the EHMR whenever respiratory protection was required according to hospital protocols (ie, when an N95 FFR would typically be worn) and responding to surveys about their experience.

Results: …

Impact Of Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes Disinfecting Clostridioides Difficle On High-Touch Surfaces, Tyler Wolf Ramirez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrheas worldwide (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control [CDC], 2022). 15% of all hospitalized patients in the United States develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), with 15-25% of cases caused by C. difficile (CDC, 2022). C. difficile costs the United States Healthcare system $5.4-6.3 billion annually (Balsells et al., 2019). The project’s purpose was to see if implementing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) wipes using an interprofessional team leads to the following expected outcome(s): reduction in hospital-acquired C. difficile infections and comparable disinfection rates to sodium hypochlorite. An interprofessional team consisting of the primary lead, Clinical …

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Among Adolescents In South Carolina, Rebecca Jane Morrison

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Among adolescents 11-17 years of age in South Carolina, low rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination can negatively impact health outcomes through increased risk of acquiring HPV-associated cancers.

Purpose: To determine if the 4 Pillars™ Immunization Toolkit increased HPV vaccination rates among adolescent patients.

Methods: The 4 Pillars™ Immunization Toolkit was the framework for this bundled intervention. Pillar 1, convenience and easy access, included after-school HPV express clinics. Pillar 2, communication, utilized staff motivational interviewing skills, campaign promotion materials, documentation of declination, and second-dose callback appointments. Pillar 3, enhanced vaccination systems, was designed to use …

The Greenbook, Faculty Handbook, 2024-2025, Marshall University Academic Affairs

The Greenbook

This book has been published for the faculty of Marshall University for the specified period of time. This book was created by Academic Affairs and is for the period of 2024-2025.

Maggot Therapy And Its Clinical Application In The War Against Microbial Resistance, Nicholas Leidy, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Antibiotic resistance poses a growing threat across the globe. The United Nations estimates that up to 10 million deaths by 2050 will be due to superbugs and antimicrobial resistance. Finding effective solutions has been obstructed by the expensive and time-intensive research and development process. Maggot therapy, however, has emerged as a promising, cost-effective approach to wound debridement or cleaning. This unconventional method takes advantage of the natural capabilities of maggots to effectively debride chronic, non-healing wounds, even those infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Through the utilization of proteolytic and digestive enzymes, maggots are able to break down necrotic tissue and promote …

Wooster Magazine: Summer 2024, Caitlin Paynich Stanowick

Wooster Magazine: 2021-2030

In the summer 2024 issue of Wooster magazine students and alumni share what inspired their capstone scholarship at Wooster and where it led them. The Class of 2024 drew from their own interests to design scholarly research and creative expression unique to them; students featured include Athena Tharenos, Levi Gainer, Briana Mosley, Corey Knauf, and Tyara Thompson. For some students, I.S. uncovers a wonder and eagerness to further their study in the area. This issue also shares the stories of alumni who built upon the foundation of their I.S. for ongoing research, professional work, and everyday inspiration including John Trainor …

Development Of A Durable And Low-Dose Universal Vaccine Against Swine Influenza A Virus, Erika Petro-Turnquist

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Swine Influenza A Virus (IAV-S) imposes a significant burden on the pork industry and poses a great threat to public health due to its zoonotic potential. Susceptibility to human, avian, and swine influenza make pigs the ultimate mixing vessels for reassorted influenza A virus strains. Current vaccination strategies induce short-lived and strain-specific responses against IAV-S. Further, the substantial genetic diversity of IAV-S necessitates consistent revaccination and updating of commercial vaccines. Computational platforms have recently emerged as a promising strategy to develop new-age vaccines against infectious diseases in livestock animals. Here, we describe a computationally derived set of vaccine immunogens, called …

July 2024 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Elucidation Of Potential Antimicrobial Properties Of Chalcones, Caleb Howell

Theses

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a growing concern for the medical and biological community. Increased use of antibiotics has led to increased development of bacterial tolerances. This phenomenon, driven by the principles of evolution, has been exacerbated by the improper antibiotic use of these antibiotics. Often, individuals stop taking antibiotics once symptoms subside, mistakenly believing the infection is cured. This practice allows bacteria or fungi to develop resistance.

These antibiotics have been developed from secondary metabolites. While we have many effective antibiotics we are facing new threats. Chalcones are being looked at for their potential in addressing this issue. …

Ultrapotent Broadly Neutralizing Human-Llama Bispecific Antibodies Against Hiv-1, Jianliang Xu, Tongqing Zhou, Krisha Mckee, Baoshan Zhang, Cuiping Liu, Alexandra F Nazzari, Amarendra Pegu, Chen-Hsiang Shen, Jordan E Becker, Michael F Bender, Payton Chan, Anita Changela, Ridhi Chaudhary, Xuejun Chen, Tal Einav, Young Do Kwon, Bob C Lin, Mark K Louder, Jonah S Merriam, Nicholas C Morano, Sijy O'Dell, Adam S Olia, Reda Rawi, Ryan S Roark, Tyler Stephens, I-Ting Teng, Emily Tourtellott-Fogt, Shuishu Wang, Eun Sung Yang, Lawrence Shapiro, Yaroslav Tsybovsky, Nicole A Doria-Rose, Rafael Casellas, Peter D Kwong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies are proposed as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against HIV‐1, but their potency and breadth are less than optimal. This study describes the immunization of a llama with the prefusion‐stabilized HIV‐1 envelope (Env) trimer, BG505 DS‐SOSIP, and the identification and improvement of potent neutralizing nanobodies recognizing the CD4‐binding site (CD4bs) of vulnerability. Two of the vaccine‐elicited CD4bs‐targeting nanobodies, G36 and R27, when engineered into a triple tandem format with llama IgG2a‐hinge region and human IgG1‐constant region (G36×3‐IgG2a and R27×3‐IgG2a), neutralized 96% of a multiclade 208‐strain panel at geometric mean IC80s of 0.314 and 0.033 µg mL−1, respectively. Cryo‐EM …

Improving Early Detection And Treatment Of Chlamydia By Implementing A Routine Chlamydia Screening And Testing In Females Between The Ages Of 18–24, Isabelle Vikumitsi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Chlamydia Trachomatis is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. One in 20 sexually active females between the ages of 15 and 24 have chlamydia. Most people with the infection are asymptomatic and do not seek treatment. Chlamydial infections in women, especially if untreated, increase the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy, leading to higher medical costs.

Purpose: The project aimed to implement early screening for chlamydial infections in the young adult population to increase early detection of the disease.

Methods: A pre-post design was used for this project to compare chlamydia diagnosis rates …

Standardization Of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing: A Quality Improvement Project In Central Line Bloodstream Infection Prevention, Faustina Muruako

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) are severe healthcare-related infections that can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and even death. Several healthcare agencies provide guidelines to prevent CLABSIs, with Chlorhexidine Gluconate Bathing (CHGB) as one of the preventive measures for individuals with central venous lines (CVL).

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to standardize CHGB procedures for maintaining CVLs on a specific unit for CLABSI prevention through evidence-based practice.

Methods: A quality improvement project was implemented at a Central Alabama hospital to standardize CHGB procedures for CVL patients utilizing a CLABSI unit champion monitoring system to establish …

Implementing A Comprehensive Tobacco-Cessation Program For Patients With Tobacco Use Disorder, Jalen Eaton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Individuals who use tobacco are at an increased risk for the development of heart disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of death in the world.

Purpose: The focus of the quality improvement project was to improve access to tobacco cessation resources in patients with tobacco use disorder at a primary care clinic.

Methods: Weekly stakeholder meetings were held to ensure the validity of the project. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) model of continuous quality improvement guided the project. A comprehensive tobacco-cessation program including informational materials and …