Analog device simulates physiological waveforms

An analog physiological simulator generates representative waveforms for a wide range of physiological conditions. Direct comparison of these waveforms with those from telemetric inputs permits quick detection of signal parameter degradation

Growth and Production of Golden Shiner, Notemigonous crysoleucas, Under Different Stocking Densities and Feeding Rates

Experiments on the effects of stocking densities and feeding rates on growth and production of golden shiner were conducted under laboratory conditions. The stocking densities were 20, 28 and 36 fry per 60 gal of water. The fish in tanks with 28 fry were fed at 1, 3 and 5% feeding rates and the rest were fed at 5% feeding rate. A 5% feeding rate was found to be essential for good production. The stocking density of 20 fry (400 lb/acre production) with 5% feeding rate yielded better growth in weight and length and better production than the rest of the experimental conditions

A Digital Dud? New Media, Participation, and Voting in the 2004 and 2008 United States Presidential Elections

This dissertation analyzes the linkages between new media and the possible emergence of the youngest members of the voting population (the “digital native” generation, who have grown up concurrently with the rise of the internet as a means of communication). The main question is whether this digital native generation will have more civic and political participation due to their use of online news sources and social media communication on news media websites and elsewhere on the internet. Regression analyses are used to explain civic and political participation, using American National Election Studies (ANES) from the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. The analysis is done in three components. In the first paper, looking at the 2008 election, the impact of the “new media” was important for all generations, but the oldest generations—rather than the digital natives—had the highest levels of civic and political participation. In other words, the digital native generation did not, in fact, have more civic or political participation. In the second paper on the 2008 ANES data set, the impact of urban and rural differences were also tested to determine whether a presumed lack of access to new media would impact civic and political participation. This also proved not to be the case. Connected to this, an examination of various regions of the country did not have a significant impact upon levels of participation. In the third paper on both the 2004 and 2008 ANES, the explanation of civic and political participation diverges. Although online news consumption may be important for civic participation, members of older generations still participate more. For political participation, the youngest generation in 2004 had a positive effect on participation, which was the opposite result of the study on the 2008 ANES. Education was more important in 2008 than in 2004. Generally, the overall investigation finds that while new technology does have a sizeable impact upon political and civic participation, the digital natives’ more frequent use of these new media is not large enough to counteract the more traditional explanations of civic and political participation. Older generations of voters have higher incomes, more education, and more free time. These factors lead to higher levels of political and civic participation, compared to members of the youngest generation. As such, the “digital revolution” has been something of a “digital dud”, with significantly less impact than has been previously suggested by journalists in the media and indeed by some academics. Nonetheless, the impact of the new media affects all of the generations studied, and is thus still noteworthy and significant

Patients, carers and nurses : collaborators in development of a new model of nursing care for older persons in the acute care setting

Globally the population is ageing and as a consequence people are living longer with multiple chronic conditions. A range of factors, including decreased lengths of hospital stay and a greater focus on community based care, has led to an increasing acuity of patients admitted to acute care settings, many with complex care needs. To date, models of nursing care in acute settings have been configured to focus on acute, procedural care and do not meet the unique needs of the older person. In order to ensure optimal health outcomes of older hospitalised people, nursing care needs to be responsive to the priorities and needs of patients and their families. This study sought to collaboratively develop a model of nursing care with nurse clinicians to improve the care of older people in the acute care setting. Model development was driven by an action research framework, using evidence-based principles and a comprehensive needs assessment. A three phased, mixed method design was embedded within the overarching conceptual and philosophical framework of action research. The first phase of the study comprised a needs assessment and allowed appraisal of the needs of patients as perceived by patients, carer’s and nurses, this was performed using the Caring Activity Scale [CAS]. Qualitative data and semi-structured interviews added depth to the survey data and qualified responses by confirming that patients thought that nurses did the best they could within a culture of busyness, while patients strived to maintain and sustain their own independence. Managing the discharge process and carer burden arose mainly from the carer semi-structured interviews only. Data revealed significant differences between patients, carer’s and nurses in relation to priority and satisfaction with care. Patients did not place a large importance on discharge care which contrasted with the focus of nursing initiatives. During the subsequent phases of the study a collaborative approach, using action research principles, was used to develop and implement a model of nursing care. A key feature of this model was the introduction of a team structure with a focus on patient centred care. Significant differences were identified in the pre model and post model patient groups in relation to satisfaction with care, with the post model group more satisfied than the pre group model group. Further, improvements in functional status and medication knowledge were demonstrated among patients cared for under the new model. This study has demonstrated that developing a model of care appropriate to the needs of patients, carer’s and nurses can be achieved through the use of action research principles. Study data illustrates the importance of collaboration, empowerment and change management principles in driving clinical improvement and patient satisfaction with care. The findings also underscore the importance of promoting and educating patients and carers as well as nurses about the importance of discharge planning to optimise post-discharge health outcomes

A Comparative Evaluation of Gait between Children with Autism and Typically Developing Matched Controls

Anecdotal reports suggest children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ambulate differently than peers with typical development (TD). Little empirical evidence supports these reports. Children with ASD exhibit delayed motor skills, and it is important to determine whether or not motor movement deficits exist during walking. The purpose of the study was to perform a comprehensive lower-extremity gait analysis between children (aged 5–12 years) with ASD and age- and gender-matched-samples with TD. Gait parameters were normalized to 101 data points and the gait cycle was divided into seven sub-phases. The Model Statistic procedure was used to test for statistical significance between matched-pairs throughout the entire gait cycle for each parameter. When collapsed across all participants, children with ASD exhibited large numbers of significant differences (p \u3c 0.05) throughout the gait cycle in hip, knee, and ankle joint positions as well as vertical and anterior/posterior ground reaction forces. Children with ASD exhibited unique differences throughout the gait cycle, which supports current literature on the heterogeneity of the disorder. The present work supports recent findings that motor movement differences may be a core symptom of ASD. Thus, individuals may benefit from therapeutic movement interventions that follow precision medicine guidelines by accounting for individual characteristics, given the unique movement differences observed