Digital Commons Network^™

Increased Signal Complexity Is Associated With Increased Mating Success, Noori Choi, Matt Adams, Kasey Fowler-Finn, Elise Knowlton, Malcolm Rosenthal, Aaron Rundus, Roger D. Santer, Dustin J. Wilgers, Eileen Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

The evolution of complex signals has often been explored by testing multiple functional hypotheses regarding how independent signal components provide selective benefits to offset the costs of their production. In the present study, we take a different approach by exploring the function of complexity per se. We test the hypothesis that increased vibratory signal complexity— based on both proportional and temporal patterning—provides selective benefits to courting male Schizocosa stridulans wolf spiders. In support of this hypothesis, all of our quantified metrics of vibratory signal complexity predicted the mating success of male S. stridulans. The rate of visual signalling, which is …

Unmanned Aerial System-Based Data Ferrying Over A Sensor Node Station Network In Maize, Jasreman Singh, Yufeng Ge, Derek M. Heeren, Elizabeth Walter-Shea, Christopher M. U. Neale, Suat Irmak, Mitchell S. Maguire

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

Reconstructed Evolutionary Patterns For Crocodile-Line Archosaurs Demonstrate Impact Of Failure To Log-Transform Body Size Data, Roger B. J. Benson, Pedro Godoy, Mario Bronzati, Richard J. Butler, William Gearty

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pea Aphid Winged And Wingless Males Exhibit Reproductive, Gene Expression, And Lipid Metabolism Differences, Omid Saleh Ziabari, Qingyi Zhong, Swapna R. Purandare, Joel Reiter, Anthony J. Zera, Jennifer A. Brisson

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Alternative, intraspecific phenotypes offer an opportunity to identify the mechanistic basis of differences asso- ciated with distinctive life history strategies. Wing dimorphic insects, in which both flight-capable and flight- incapable individuals occur in the same population, are particularly well-studied in terms of why and how the morphs trade offflight for reproduction. Yet despite a wealth of studies examining the differences between fe- male morphs, little is known about male differences, which could arise from different causes than those acting on females. Here we examined reproductive, gene expression, and biochemical differences between pea aphid ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) winged and wingless …

Analysing Bim Implementation In The Egyptian Construction Industry, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Mohamed Marzouk, Heba Elsaay

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – This research is built up upon exploring the concepts of building information modeling (BIM) adoption and strategy formulation with the aim to develop a strategy for implementing BIM in the Egyptian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – The development of the BIM implementation strategy was based on two pillars, namely the literature review and results of the survey questionnaire and interviews. First, the review of literature helped investigating the BIM challenges and international strategies developed to implement BIM worldwide. Findings – The research presented recommendations to assist policymakers in Egypt to facilitate BIM implementation. Originality/value – Although multiple frameworks have …

Achieving Sustainability Through Reducing Risks During Architecture Design Process: A Lean Management Perspective, Sherouk Abdelrehim, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman

Architectural Engineering

The construction industry, as one of the largest industries in the world, plays a critical role in achieving national and international social and economic sustainable development goals. Socially, it is concerned with delivering long-term projects that turn client and end-user requirements into designs that specify technical aspects, functional specific requirements, and standards of quality. Economically, the construction industry contributes to a country's gross domestic product (GDP) by creating jobs and providing the country's infrastructure. the construction industry's nature is more vulnerable than other industries. This is believed to be due to the complex and dynamic nature of construction projects, as …

An Examination Of Ethical Attitudes Towards Wild Pig (Sus Scrofa) Toxicants In The United States, Keith Carlisle, Erin E. Harper, Stephanie A. Shwiff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This research aims to understand ethical attitudes of the U.S. public towards the use of a toxicant to control wild pigs (Sus scrofa), a destructive invasive species whose population growth is proving difficult to control through conventional management methods. Using a nationwide self-administered survey with 2,186 completed and returned questionnaires, we found that among six different lethal control methods, toxicant usage was the only method that a majority of respondents (51%) found to be unethical, with no significant differences between rural and urban respondents or between respondents from counties with wild pigs and counties where the species is absent. The …

Emotional Responses And Coping Strategies Of Medical Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sayyada Ifrah Naaz, Rana M. Hussein, Hiba B. Khan, Mohamed M. Hussein, Shoukat A. Arain

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the emotional responses and coping strategies of medical students during the lockdown and social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This cross‑sectional study is based on data collected from undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the fall semester of academic year 2020-2021. All the participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: demographic information, emotional response scale, and 14-item, adapted brief coping orientation to problems experienced inventory to determine the use of avoidant or approach coping strategies. Coping and emotional response scores …

Asthma Prevalence And The Relationship Between Level Of Knowledge And Quality Of Life Among Asthmatic Schoolchildren In Malaysia, Jenny L. Dinglasan, Li Y. Tang, Mei C. Chong

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To examine asthma prevalence and the relationship between the level of knowledge and quality of life (QoL) among asthmatic secondary school children aged 13-14 years old in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire containing demographic characteristics, asthma symptoms, knowledge on asthma, and QoL. Results: Data from 2891 asthmatic schoolchildren aged 13-14 years old from secondary schools in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, were analyzed. According to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) scoring for asthma prevalence, the number of children who exhibited signs and symptoms of asthma was 9% …

Protective Orders And Limited Guardianships: Legal Tools For Sidelining Plenary Guardianship, David M. English, Nina Kohn

Faculty Publications

By encouraging use of limited guardianships and protective orders instead of full guardianships, states can reduce the likelihood of unnecessarily stripping adults of their civil rights. Yet, although such less restrictive alternatives have long been available to most courts, in practice, their use remains limited and sporadic. This article argues that this lack of use suggests that it is not sufficient for the law to state a preference for these less restrictive alternatives, it must actually create systems that incentivize their use and actively discourage the use of full guardianships. This article then shows, using the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and …

Addressing Big Tech's Market Power: A Comparative Institutional Analysis, Thomas A. Lambert

Faculty Publications

This Article provides a comparative institutional analysis of the three leading approaches to addressing the market power of large digital platforms: (1) traditional antitrust law, the approach thus far taken in the United States; (2) ex ante conduct rules, the approach embraced by the European Union's Digital Markets Act and several bills under consideration in the U.S. Congress; and (3) ongoing agency oversight, the approach embraced by the United Kingdom with its newly established "Digital Markets Unit." After identifying the general advantages and disadvantages of each approach, the Article examines how they are likely to play out in the context …

Data Analytics And Decision-Making Systems: Implications Of The Global Outbreaks, Desheng Wu, David L. Olson, James H. Lambert

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the goals and functions of technology-based systems around the world [16]. From a health perspective, the World Health Organization has reported that over six million have died of the disease. Government efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 have had drastic impact on global supply chains. The world’s health systems have been heavily taxed. Travel is difficult anywhere, and more difficult internationally. Economies are still in downturns [13], as many workers have been taken out of the economy for indefinite periods of time, and the structure of work has radically changed, with many working remotely …

Improving Taxonomic Delimitation Of Fungal Species In The Age Of Genomics And Phenomics, Ashley Stengel, Kimberly M. Stanke, Amanda C. Quattrone, Joshua R. Herr

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Species concepts have long provided a source of debate among biologists. These lively debates have been important for reaching consensus on how to communicate across scientific disciplines and for advancing innovative strategies to study evolution, population biology, ecology, natural history, and disease epidemiology. Species concepts are also important for evaluating variability and diversity among communities, understanding biogeographical distributions, and identifying causal agents of disease across animal and plant hosts. While there have been many attempts to address the concept of species in the fungi, there are several concepts that have made taxonomic delimitation especially challenging. In this review we discuss …

Mis 5e Sea-Level History Along The Pacific Coast Of North America, Daniel R. Muhs

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

The primary last interglacial, marine isotope substage (MIS) 5e records on the Pacific coast of North America, from Washington (USA) to Baja California Sur (Mexico), are found in the deposits of erosional marine terraces. Warmer coasts along the southern Golfo de California host both erosional marine terraces and constructional coral reef terraces. Because the northern part of the region is tectonically active, MIS 5e terrace elevations vary considerably, from a few meters above sea level to as much as 70m above sea level. The primary paleo-sea-level indicator is the shoreline angle, the junction of the wave-cut platform with the former …

Deep Learning For Video-Grounded Dialogue Systems, Hung Le

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In recent years, we have witnessed significant progress in building systems with artificial intelligence. However, despite advancements in machine learning and deep learning, we are still far from achieving autonomous agents that can perceive multi-dimensional information from the surrounding world and converse with humans in natural language. Towards this goal, this thesis is dedicated to building intelligent systems in the task of video-grounded dialogues. Specifically, in a video-grounded dialogue, a system is required to hold a multi-turn conversation with humans about the content of a video. Given an input video, a dialogue history, and a question about the video, the …

Creating A Pre-Illness Covid-19 Action Plan: A Web-Based Public Education Initiative, Brian S. Hustad

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm in the beginning stages of 2020. Public health agencies were overwhelmed, undermanned, and therefore slow to respond. Information began to flow at an unprecedented rate. Yet, very limited resources were put into place to present this information or to instruct the public on evidence-based prevention, treatment, or care at home during active infection.

Intervention: A project website was created and accessed through a QR code on the project flyer or by entering the URL into any browser. Participants were able to access three evidence- based video modules, which introduced the …

Enhancing Hospitalists' Knowledge In Relation To Palliative Care, Herline Raphael

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Palliative care was not the specialty of many hospitalists; thus, communication was hindered regarding ELC and advanced directives. Despite healthcare utilization in the United States, inadequate treatment of serious illnesses continues due to the lack of provider education and understanding of ELC (palliative and hospice care). Hospitalists are not formally or informally trained to care for patients that need palliative or hospice care. A quantitative, quasi- experimental and qualitative approach was utilized to determine if hospitalists who received educational training on palliative care communication and collaboration improved knowledge, skills, and collaboration when caring for end-of-life or critically ill patients. …

Admissions Viewbook, 2022-2023, Illinois State University, Office Of Admissions

Admissions Viewbook

Recruitment booklet created by Illinois State University's Office of Admissions

The Effects Of 465nm Blue Light On Sleepiness & Fatigue, Mark E. Childress

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Background: Exhaustion is now accepted in nursing culture. Staff suffering from sleepiness and fatigue are more likely to commit medical errors and sentinel events. Emergency department nurses have the greatest risk of committing these errors. Currently, there is no relief provided to shift workers beyond a single 30-minute meal break within a 12-hour period. Other researched mitigation strategies have either failed or are unrealistic in this environment.

Local Problem: Emergency Department nurses at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN suffer from chronic sleepiness and fatigue that is exacerbated by shift duration, excessive workload, a stressful environment, and lack of …

Impact Of Care Handoff Methods On Emergency Department Throughput Times, Shelby Graves

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding leads to detrimental results including increased morbidity and mortality, delay in evaluation of treatment, increased cost of care, increased length of stay, diminished staff satisfaction, increased ambulance diversion, and reputation damage for the entire institution (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2019). A study performed at three high volume community hospitals revealed inefficiency of nursing handover as one of the many contributors to prolonged ED length of stay (Salehi, 2019).

Local Problem: According to the 2018 Emergency Department Benchmarking Alliance (EDBA) data survey the average length of time from patient arrival to admission disposition was …

Improving Nutrition Literacy In Primary Care, Kami D. Dykes

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

By the year 2030, nearly one in every two adults will have obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m².), and one in four adults will have severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m²) (Ward et al., 2019). Equally troubling is that obesity poses a threat to the health of individuals, decreases the quality of life, shortens life expectancy, causes and worsens comorbidities, and increases all- cause mortality (Abdelaal et al., 2017). Studies have shown a link between BMI, nutritional knowledge, and dietary practices. Nutrition literacy is a newer term that refers to the complex relationship between nutrition …

Supply Chain Transparency: Consumer Reactions To Incongruent Signals, Diane A. Mollenkopf, Simone T. Peinkofer, Yu Chu

Faculty Publications

In response to consumers' growing interest in how products are sourced, produced, and distributed, organizations are increasingly transparent about their supply chain sustainability practices. Supply chain transparency (SCT) efforts are intended to signal positive information about the company to consumers but the benefits are often unclear, especially when consumers receive multiple, but mixed signals that include negative events. We draw on signaling theory to explore how consumers develop impressions of a company's products based on different evaluative dimensions: the positive integrity signal of SCT and the negative capability signal of a product recall. The incongruent signal set creates ambiguity for …

Predicting And Explaining Pre-Service Teachers’ Social Networking Technology Adoption, Nandita Gurjar, Stephen Sivo

Faculty Publications

This research study examined pre-service teachers’ (N=250) intentions to adopt Twitter for professional development. The study used the Technology Acceptance Model to test research hypotheses grounded in the literature. The data were collected with a survey questionnaire and analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling. Findings indicated that ease of use, subjective norms, and perceived connectedness explained the variability in intentions to use Twitter. Perceived mobility, mediated through perceived behavioral control, explained participant differences in the perceived ease of use. Implications for stakeholders include highlighting the role subjective norms and mobile applications play in facilitating the ease of use and connectedness because …

Educational Program For Caregivers Of Children With Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea: Impact On Caregiver Self-Efficacy And Clinical Outcomes, Wendy Lord Mackey

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

There is an overuse of oral antibiotics and acute care visits conducted to treat children with uncomplicated tympanostomy tube otorrhea (TTO), a condition easily identified by the child’s caregiver who can then independently initiate treatment with ototopical antibiotic drops (TAD). Yet, some caregivers seek urgent medical attention for children with TTO, which often results in mismanagement of the condition including the administration of oral antibiotics. This quality improvement initiative involved the development and implementation of an educational program for caregivers of children with tympanostomy tubes (TT). Resources for caregivers included a web-based instructional video, informational pocket-card, and a post-operative text …

Sepsis Discharge Program: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Reduce Sepsis Readmissions, Rex Daniel Demetria Lomboy

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

The social and economic burden associated with sepsis readmission remains a global healthcare issue. Sepsis survivors are at higher risk for physical debilitation, readmission, and death, yet despite advanced sepsis prevention and interventions, post-sepsis care and sepsis readmission reduction efforts, remain scant. Sepsis readmission costs ($500M /year) are more than the annual cost of acute myocardial infarction ($142M /year) and heart failure ($229M/year) combined. The overall goal of this DNP project was to reduce sepsis readmissions for patients identified as high risk for readmission using a standardized, safe discharge program (SDP) and implement it using a dynamic interdisciplinary collaborative approach. …

Implementation Of A Medication Adherence Protocol In A Large Urban Safety Net Hospital, Carlie Martinez

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Medication nonadherence has a deleterious effect on patients with chronic health conditions, as it contributes to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare spending. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project sought to improve medication adherence in at-risk patients by enhancing patient-provider communication and improving health literacy in a large, urban, safety net hospital. Utilizing a multi-prong approach, patients were provided with a visual aid – a pill card, in conjunction with the teach-back method, to improve systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DPB) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) over a 6-month period. Twenty-three patients participated in the project. Participant demographics, attitudes …

Using Telemedicine To Optimize The Delivery Of Care In Patients With Liver Disease, Samantha Ramirez

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) is one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Among the spectrum of liver diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common cause of cirrhosis and one of the top reasons for a liver transplant. Patients with NASH end up with hepatic decompensation and liver-related complications such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty, and death. Telemedicine has transformed health care by improving access, reducing cost, and increasing the quality of care. However, telemedicine has not been widely used to manage patients with CLD. This DNP project created a telemedicine protocol to manage patients with NASH, implemented …

Embedding Licensed Independent Providers In A Va Regional Clinical Contact Center, Bonnie Sommers-Olson

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Inappropriate attendance in US emergency departments (ED) account for up to 40% of all ED visits. Overcrowding can lead to poorer outcomes for patients in the ED, including a higher rate of triage to non-monitored area and longer timeframes to physician initial assessment. Additionally, the cost for unnecessary ED care is two to three times greater than care is in an Urgent Care or Clinic and cost billions of dollars in the U.S. yearly. Licensed Independent Providers (LIP); Medical Doctors and Nurse Practitioners were embedded into a VHA VISN registered nurse telephone triage system. Protocols were developed for additional opportunities …

Adoption Of Teamstepps® To Promote Collaboration And Problem-Solving: A Pilot Training Program For Clinical Nursing Leaders, Manvir Nijjar

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Quality improvement, a concept implemented by Florence Nightingale in the 19th century, is now deeply embedded in United States healthcare policy from licensure to payment models (Nightingale, 1863). The culture of safety and the emphasis on process improvement is engrained in high reliability organizations, fostering an environment of collective mindfulness and collective enactment to prevent error. To achieve high quality, healthcare organizations must bridge the core competencies of communication, collaboration, and problem solving taught in pre-licensure and translate them in inter-professional practice using evidence-based approaches. Nurses and nursing leaders must be equipped with the right problem-solving tools to drive efficiency, …

Improving Treatment Outcomes For Veterans With Ptsd And Sleep Disturbance, Gia Santoro

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) improve overall symptoms, but sleep disturbance often persists. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently co-occur with PTSD and contribute to the overall sleep disturbance. Successfully treating the sleep disturbance that occurs in the context of PTSD, including insomnia and OSA when present, will improve sleep, decrease PTSD symptoms, and enhance quality of life. This DNP project adapted an assessment and treatment protocol for veterans with PTSD and sleep disturbance for use in an outpatient veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic. The protocol was implemented in a patient education and treatment-planning group for veterans …