A practice improvement project improving tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education in a doctor of nursing practice program

Tobacco use is a global epidemic and the leading cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022h). Approximately 5.4 million people die annually due to tobacco-related illnesses. About 70% of tobacco users visit primary care clinics annually and even brief advice from clinicians can improve cessation rates ( United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2020). However, four out of nine adult smokers who visited healthcare providers did not receive any advice or counseling on quitting smoking. Lack of training and confidence were identified as a barrier among providers as to why they were not providing regular counseling or pharmacologic intervention (Meijer et al., 2019). This practice improvement project improved the tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education curriculum in North Dakota State University?s (NDSU) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program based on the recommendation provided by former DNP student, Dr. Doan (Doan, 2023). Dr. Doan first incorporated tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment education into the DNP curriculum in 2022. This project was implemented in NURS 810 class among DNP students. The education consisted of an online program (NDQuits QuitLogix) and an in-class presentation. Students were provided with toolkits. NDSU DNP students? knowledge, motivation, confidence in helping people quit tobacco and nicotine, and comfort with providing information about cessation medications, programs and services, and referrals for evidence-based tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment were assessed through pre- and 2-month post-education questionnaires. Motivation to help users quit was high before the intervention began and did not have a significant increase post-intervention. Significant increases in knowledge, confidence, and comfort were observed in helping patients quit and in providing information about cessation medications, programs and services, and referrals for tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment. The results of this practice improvement support the effectiveness of formal tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment curriculum for DNP programs. Additionally, this project serves as a guide for DNP and other primary care programs for adding tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment curriculum into DNP and other primary care professional programs

In Touch with Prairie Living, August 2024

August 2024 column for North Dakota and South Dakota newspapers

Farm Operator Preferences Regarding Site Specific Weed Control Adoption

An increasingly popular use for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is drone applied site specific weed control (SSWC). Site-specific herbicide application allows applicators to target previously mapped weed clusters and spot sprays the targeted weeds individually. This benefits farmers by generating cost savings from reducing herbicide usage and limits overapplication of herbicide. This study aims to identify characteristics of spray drones that are desirable amongst farmers. A discrete choice experiment is used to identify attributes which farmers deem more valuable than others. This study finds that price, herbicide reduction rate, and application rate significantly impact a farmer?s decision to rent or purchase a spray drone for SSWC use

Versatile Venue: How Can the Acoustics of a Space Be Optimized for Varied Performances?

Live music and performance have been an integral part of the entertainment industry for decades. This research focuses on how the live experience can be enhanced, to benefit both the performer and audience. Utilizing historically effective design strategies, material choices, and acoustic comparisons in the design process to create a venue like no other. The hall is designed with the optimization of acoustics in mind. This is focused within un-amplified performance halls which have the capability to transform into amplified halls. Simulations of the halls determined the acoustic capability within each, and what kinds of performances can take place. This allows for more versatility within the space, and more use than one singular venue can offer

A Landscape for Play: An Exploration of Sensory Architecture Solutions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In the kaleidoscope of human experiences, the sensory realm unfolds as a tapestry that uniquely colors our perceptions of the world. For children navigating the intricate landscape of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this tapestry takes on profound significance as their sensory sensitivities can both illuminate and obscure the path to understanding and learning. The concept of sensory architecture combined with the ?neuro-typical? approach presents an innovative and promising solution to developing inclusive spaces for children with ASD. Influenced by ?the play of light? and ?the play of the waves,? this thesis aims to create an understanding of dynamic interaction, freedom and flexibility, unfolding and discovery, and creativity through physical interaction with the spatial environment

Illuminating Connections: A Theatrical Intervention in Urban Loneliness

Amidst the hustle of urban life, an epidemic of loneliness grips our modern cities, casting shadows upon the once vibrant display of community. Before the 19th century, public spaces thrived as stages where every encounter was a theatrical exchange, a space to recognize oneself through the presence of others. However, the cityscape shifted with time, veiling the human connection behind privatization and specialization. This project intertwines theater and urban intervention to capture the fleeting moments of human connection. Each scene serves as a bridge between solitude and community, inviting audiences to rediscover the beauty of shared experiences. Through storytelling, we can reignite the flame of interaction, breathing life into forgotten urban corners. Located in the once-vibrant neighborhood of Cabrini-Green in Chicago, IL, this project will act as a new foundation for this redeveloping community, offering a beacon of hope among its storied past. It will function as a community hub, a stage for the play of urban life, where all are invited to participate. This redevelopment marks a unique opportunity to honor the past while forging a new path forward, bridging divides, and fostering belonging for generations to come

Benefiting Youth and the Natural Environment: Integration of Biophilic Design in a Youth Center

This thesis will entertain the idea of integrating biophilic design principles into a youth center. First there is a discussion of biophilic design, community centers, and youth centers with the intent to understand what they are and the benefits of each. Seven case studies are examined next to provide examples of how biophilic design has been applied to community centers, youth centers, and preschools. The design of a youth center that uses biophilic design principles to foster a relationship with children and nature is presented as a solution. The created youth center is titled Elk River Community Center. There is a detailed description of the youth center along with plans and renderings that show Elk River Community Center. Lastly, steps that could make the youth center even more integrated with nature are stated

Evaluation of Blackbird Damage to Sunflower and the Relationship to Producer Damage Estimates

Sunflower producers face profit losses due to crop depredation by migrating blackbirds (Icteridae). Blackbird damage to sunflower in North Dakota is highly localized, where economic loss to some sunflower fields is severe (loss >20%), others face negligible loss (<5%). To mitigate conflict between producers and blackbirds, an understanding of severity and distribution of bird damage is essential. We investigated blackbird damage to sunflower using estimates collected in the field and estimates gathered from producers through a written survey and direct contact. Damage estimates indicate a state-wide loss of US$10.3-33.5 million. Our comparison of estimates from 2020 indicate that blackbird damage is higher when reported by producers (i.e., survey and direct contact) when compared to infield estimates. The disparity of estimates and unpredictability of bird damage warrants investigation into estimation practices by both biologists (i.e., improved field and survey methods) and farmers (e.g., yield monitors) to achieve accurate estimates of damage

Automating the design of deep learning models using neural architecture search for medical image classification

Designing Deep Learning (DL) models for medical image classification tasks poses significant challenges, demanding substantial expertise owing to the intricate nature and critical importance of the undertaking. Creating a DL model tailored for such purposes entails iterative processes of designing, implementing, and fine-tuning algorithms to achieve optimal performance. To mitigate these difficulties, Neural Architecture Search (NAS) has risen as a key field to generate the most effective DL models automatically. However, much of the previous studies involving NAS focus on automating the design of DL models for well-established datasets such as CIFAR-10 and ImageNet. This technique should also be extended to medical image datasets where detecting crucial features accurately in medical images is essential to detect specific illnesses correctly. Therefore, in this study, we investigate NAS to autonomously design best performing DL models for skin lesion detection, thereby demonstrating its usefulness for additional medical image classification endeavours

International grain origin switching: contract washouts and embedded switching options

Changing dynamics in the international grain trading industry have led to a rise in two new contracting practices colloquially termed washouts and switching options and formally defined as contract washouts and embedded origin switching options. When spatial arbitrage opportunities exist, grain buying firms switch from one origin to another. This thesis documents the increased frequency with which these contract practices have been used and examines the factors that incentivize firms to use them. Using data from 2018 to 2023, two models are developed with a binomial lattice that value these contracting terms. The results indicate that these practices have significant value, which is largely driven by price volatility and the correlation between prices at different international origins. This explains the observed increase in contract washouts and origin switching options in recent years, as grain prices have been characterized by higher price volatility