Impulse

Features:[Page 2] Vision\u27s project alleviates College\u27s space crunch[Page 4] Gifts bring Crothers addition closer to reality[Page 6] Meet the Economic Development Task Force[Page 9] Symposium attendees \u27blown away\u27 by quality presentations[Page 10] College of Engineering takes part in fuel cell research[Page 11] SOS team publishes physics research in Russian journal[Page 12] Andrawis involve Medary third graders in ASA project[Page 13] Electrical engineers facing shortage[Page 14] Engineering students take hea11 from Brookings Hospital donation[Page 15] Faculty, students honored by technical society[Page 16] CAP Center helps relieve anxiety[Page 17] Crazy Horse VolksmarchingStudents:[Page 18] Mechanical engineering students become software \u27pros\u27[Page 19] Alisa Prunty Memorial scholarship established[Page 20] Fowler engineers her way to Goldwater Scholarship[Page 21] Electric companies provide scholarships[Page 22] Seniors design experience for the future[Page 23] Raven Industries creates scholarship[Page 24] Engineering Expo ... Expo-cling with excitementAlumni:[Page 26] Computer science grad earns 3M performance award[Page 27] Berreth, Bucks honored at Distinguished Engineers Banquet[Page 28] Ronald Schauer: no rest for the motivated[Page 29] Roxanne Pillar: pioneers her way to Engineer of the Year[Page 30] Pam Arment: not the Cable Guy[Page 31] Alumni and campus newsContributors: [Page 32] Dean\u27s Club and Donorshttps://openprairie.sdstate.edu/coe_impulse/1024/thumbnail.jp

An Analysis of Trends and Characteristics of the Older Workforce

This report has been prepared for the Department of Family and Community Services to provide background analysis for the assessment of policy options to encourage employment and self-sufficiency among the older workforce (those aged 50 to retirement age). The main focus is on labour supply issues – with a particular focus on the household situation of older (potential) workers. The research here is intended to complement and provide background information for other FaCS and SPRC research projects which are examining personal attitudes and characteristics in more detail and the views of employers on hiring older workers

The Effectiveness of Red Light Cameras In Washington and Oregon

This study considered collision data for Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon in order to determine whether or not red light cameras are effective in reducing red light running collisions. Red light running is extremely dangerous and is a leading cause of urban automobile collisions in the United States. Red light cameras have emerged as a potential means to reduce the incidence of red light running, but their use is clouded in controversy regarding effectiveness. There are two sides to the issue and any data can be viewed from either standpoint, depending on the beliefs of the individual. This has greatly complicated the interpretation of current studies on the issue and added to the controversy. The results from the analysis of the data from Seattle and Portland were ultimately inconclusive. Both cities have very small amounts of collision data, making it difficult to draw conclusions with any certainty. The data does, however, show a general decrease in severe (angle) collisions, but the accuracy of this statement is unknown. In addition, the definition of effectiveness and location also play a role in the difficulty of interpreting the results

Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Erik Rexstad and Rob Williams for useful reviews of this manuscript. The collection of visual and acoustic data was funded by the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change, the Scottish Government, Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment (COWRIE) and Oil & Gas UK. Digital aerial surveys were funded by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd and additional funding for analysis of the combined datasets was provided by Marine Scotland. Collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and Marine Scotland was supported by MarCRF. We thank colleagues at the University of Aberdeen, Moray First Marine, NERI, Hi-Def Aerial Surveying Ltd and Ravenair for essential support in the field, particularly Tim Barton, Bill Ruck, Rasmus Nielson and Dave Rutter. Thanks also to Andy Webb, David Borchers, Len Thomas, Kelly McLeod, David L. Miller, Dinara Sadykova and Thomas Cornulier for advice on survey design and statistical approache. Data Accessibility Data are available from the Dryad Digital Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cf04gPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Patient perceptions of vulnerability to recurrent respiratory tract infections and prevention strategies:a qualitative study

Objectives Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are extremely common, usually self-limiting, but responsible for considerable work sickness absence, reduced quality of life, inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and healthcare costs. Patients who experience recurrent RTIs and those with certain comorbid conditions have higher personal impact and healthcare costs and may be more likely to suffer disease exacerbations, hospitalisation and death. We explored how these patients experience and perceive their RTIs to understand how best to engage them in prevention behaviours. Design A qualitative interview study. Setting Primary care, UK. Methods 23 participants who reported recurrent RTIs and/or had relevant comorbid health conditions were interviewed about their experiences of RTIs. Interviews took place as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Three themes were developed: Understanding causes and vulnerability, Attempting to prevent RTIs, Uncertainty and ambivalence about prevention, along with an overarching theme; Changing experiences because of COVID-19. Participants' understandings of their susceptibility to RTIs were multifactorial and included both transmission via others and personal vulnerabilities. They engaged in various approaches to try to prevent infections or alter their progression yet perceived they had limited personal control. The COVID-19 pandemic had improved their understanding of transmission, heightened their concern and motivation to avoid RTIs and extended their repertoire of protective behaviours. Conclusions Patients who experience frequent or severe RTIs are likely to welcome and benefit from advice and support regarding RTI prevention. To engage people effectively, those developing interventions or delivering health services must consider their beliefs and concerns about susceptibility and prevention.</p

Intervention planning for the REDUCE maintenance intervention: a digital intervention to reduce re-ulceration risk among patients with a history of diabetic foot ulcers

Objectives: To develop a comprehensive intervention plan for the REDUCE maintenance intervention to support people who have had diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) to sustain behaviours that reduce re-ulceration risk. Methods: Theory-, evidence- and person-based approaches to intervention development were used. In phase 1 of intervention planning, evidence was collated from a scoping review of the literature and qualitative interviews with patients who have had DFUs (N=20). This was used to identify the psychosocial needs and challenges of this population, and barriers and facilitators to the intervention’s target behaviours: regular foot checking, rapid self-referral in the event of changes in foot health, graded and regular physical activity, and emotional management. In phase 2, this evidence was combined with expert consultation to develop the intervention plan. Brief ‘guiding principles’ for shaping intervention development were created. ‘Behavioural analysis’ and ‘logic modelling’ were used to map intervention content onto behaviour change theory to comprehensively describe the intervention and its hypothesised mechanisms. Results: Key challenges to the interventions’ target behaviours included patients’ uncertainty regarding when to self-refer, physical limitations affecting foot checking and physical activity, and, for some, difficulties managing negative emotions. Important considerations for the intervention design included a need to increase patients’ confidence in making a self-referral and in using the maintenance intervention, and a need to acknowledge that some intervention content might be relevant to only some patients (emotional management, physical activity). The behavioural analysis identified the following processes hypothesised to facilitate long-term behaviour maintenance including; increasing patients’ skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, positive outcome expectancies, sense of personal control, social support, and physical opportunity. Conclusions: This research provides a transparent description of the intervention planning for the REDUCE maintenance intervention. It provides insights into potential barriers and facilitators to the target behaviours and potentially useful behaviour change techniques to use in clinical practice

Women’s experiences of exercise as a treatment for their postnatal depression:a nested qualitative study

Women with postnatal depression are often reluctant to take medication postnatally and access to psychological therapies is limited. Exercise offers a freely available treatment option but depressed mothers’ experience of exercise has not been investigated. We conducted a qualitative study nested within a randomised trial of an exercise intervention for women with postnatal depression. Women described deterioration in their sense of identity postnatally and through experiencing depression and described the positive impact exercise had on their sense of self. Views of exercise as treatment for postnatal depression ranged from doubts about its practicality to positive comparisons with other traditional treatments and to improved recovery

Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: A qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews

OBJECTIVES: Nasal sprays could be a promising approach to preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study explored lay people’s perceptions and experiences of using nasal sprays to prevent RTIs to identify barriers and facilitators to their adoption and continued use. DESIGN: Qualitative research. Study 1 thematically analysed online consumer reviews of an RTI prevention nasal spray. Study 2 interviewed patients about their reactions to and experiences of a digital intervention that promotes and supports nasal spray use for RTI prevention (reactively: at ‘first signs’ of infection and preventatively: following possible/probable exposure to infection). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: Primary care, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 407 online customer reviews. 13 purposively recruited primary care patients who had experienced recurrent infections and/or had risk factors for severe infections. RESULTS: Both studies identified various factors that might influence nasal spray use including: high motivation to avoid RTIs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; fatalistic views about RTIs; beliefs about alternative prevention methods; the importance of personal recommendation; perceived complexity and familiarity of nasal sprays; personal experiences of spray success or failure; tolerable and off-putting side effects; concerns about medicines; and the nose as unpleasant and unhygienic. CONCLUSIONS: People who suffer disruptive, frequent or severe RTIs or who are vulnerable to RTIs are interested in using a nasal spray for prevention. They also have doubts and concerns and may encounter problems. Some of these may be reduced or eliminated by providing nasal spray users with information and advice that addresses these concerns or helps people overcome difficulties