3,451 research outputs found
In-Home Hospice Nursing: Work and Life Experiences Through the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) Lens
The purpose of this study was to analyze the daily lives of in-home hospice nurses in order to learn what life experiences, attitudes, and strategies contribute to their abilities in caring for patients who are terminally ill using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Additionally, the study sought to understand how working in hospice care affects the everyday lives of the nurses outside of their workplace. The research questions were, “How do the interests, values, personal causation (motivation), habits, and roles of an in-home hospice nurse affect their occupational performance in caring for the terminally ill?” and “In what ways does working as an in-home hospice nurse affect important habits and life roles performed outside of the workplace?” Participants included three in-home hospice nurses from a common home health agency. Semi-structured interviews using a modified version of the Assessment of Occupational Functioning-Collaborative Version were conducted. Five overarching themes emerged from the data pertaining to the MOHO concepts of volition, habituation, and performance capacity: “A Caregiving Personality,” “Flexibility and Self-Sacrifice in Time Management,” “Value of Patients’ Perspectives,” “Participation in Stress-Relieving Activities,” and “Finding Purpose Outside of Work.” In conclusion, MOHO is well-suited for studying in-home hospice care professionals. Knowledge of how nurses deal with work-related stress can be utilized by OTs to understand their own perceptions of hospice care. More occupation-based studies of hospice professionals would be beneficial as hospice care needs increase with an expanding older adult population
Oxygenation in The Anesthetized Morbidly Obese Patients Population
Obesity in America is a known public health epidemic. Not only are more Americans considered obese, many are now classified as morbidly obese based on extreme excesses of Body Mass Index (BMI). As the incidence of obesity continues to climb, the need for enhanced knowledge in caring for this patient population exists. Obesity negatively affects nearly every physiological process and patients with obesity present unique challenges for the healthcare provider including the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Of particular concern to CRNAs arc the changes th, 1. occur to the pulmonmy sys cm. Ventilation and oxygenation of H1ese patients during anesthesia is often extremely challenging, yet is paramount to preventing pcrioperative atelectasis and other respiratory complications
The purpose of this independent project is to thoroughly review the literature and to determine from an evidence-based perspective, the best method or methods for ventilating, oxygenating and reducing respiratory complications for the morbidly obese patients undergoing anesthesia. The findings from this project will be presented to the first year anesthesia students and to fellow CRNAs at a state educational meeting. It is anticipated that enhanced knowledge of the CRNA and student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) regarding ventilation and oxygenation of the morbidly obese patient will positively impact patient care and ideally reduce perioperative respiratory complicatio
California Middle School Agriculture Program Enhancement
California is known for its progressive movements and highly regarded education system. California education is faced every day with how to improve and innovate its system even more. Hence, the importance of proposed middle school agricultural programs. In this piece, the author provides research to show why California not only needs to adopt middle school agricultural programs, but also develop standardized curriculum to encourage the success of the program, students, and teachers. Using past and current studies, the author explores different emphases on curriculum topics and needs. The author discusses methods, results, and conclusions from the studies analyzed
Roots Structure and Development of Austrobaileya scandens (Austrobaileyaceae) and Implications for Their Evolution in Angiosperms
Since the resolution of the ANA grade [Amborellales, Nymphaeales, Austrobaileyales] as sister to all other flowering plants, a few comparative studies of root structure have suggested that some of their anatomical traits could be of importance to understanding root evolutionary development and angiosperm phylogeny. However, there is still a paucity of information on root structure and apical meristems (RAMs) in these lineages and especially the sister to all other Austrobaileyales, Austrobaileya scandens. We used microtome sections and bright field, epifluorescence, laser confocal, and scanning electron microscopy to study adventitious root RAMs and tissues of A. scandens. Our results indicate that root structure is relatively simple in A. scandens. The epidermis has a thick cuticle and lacks root hairs. The stele is typically diarch, or some modification thereof, and surrounded by a cortex differentiated into a uniseriate endodermis, a middle region sometimes packed with starch, some oil cells, and colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and a multiseriate exodermis. Secondary growth produced many vessel elements in the secondary xylem and scattered sclerenchymatous fibers in secondary phloem. The absence of distinct patterning within the RAM and between the RAM and derivative differentiating tissues shows that the RAM is open and characterized by common initials. Roots structure and anatomy of A. scandens are thus essentially similar to some previously described in Amborella or Illicium in the ANA grade and many magnoliids, and suggest that the first woody flowering plants likely had an open RAM with common initials. Their functional and evolutionary significance in woody early-diverging and basal lineages of flowering plants and gymnosperms remains unclear, but they are clearly ancestral traits
Point-of-sale marketing and context of marijuana retailers: Assessing reliability and generalizability of the marijuana retail surveillance tool
As recreational marijuana expands, standardized surveillance measures examining the retail environment are critical for informing policy and enforcement. We conducted a reliability and generalizability study using a previously developed tool involving assessment of a sample of 25 randomly selected Seattle recreational marijuana retailers (20 recreational; 5 recreational/medical) in 2017. The tool assessed: 1) contextual/neighborhood features (i.e., facilities nearby); 2) compliance/security (e.g., age-of-sale signage, age verification); and 3) marketing (i.e., promotions, product availability, price). We found that retailers were commonly within two blocks of restaurants (n = 23), grocery stores (n = 17), liquor stores (n = 13), and bars/clubs (n = 11). Additionally, two were within two blocks of schools, and four were within two blocks of parks. Almost all (n = 23) had exterior signage indicating the minimum age requirement, and 23 verified age. Two retailers had exterior ads for marijuana, and 24 had interior ads. Overall, there were 76 interior ads (M = 3.04; SD = 1.84), most commonly for edibles (n = 28). At least one price promotion/discount was recorded in 17 retailers, most commonly in the form of loyalty membership programs (n = 10) or daily/weekly deals (n = 10). One retailer displayed potential health harms/warnings, while three posted some health claim. Products available across product categories were similar; we also noted instances of selling retailer-branded apparel/ paraphernalia (which is prohibited). Lowest price/unit across product categories demonstrated low variability across retailers. This study documented high inter-rater reliability of the surveillance tool (Kappas = 0.73 to 1.00). In conclusion, this tool can be used in future research and practice aimed at examining retailers marketing practices and regulatory compliance. Keywords: Marijuana use, Retail environment, Marketing, Recreational marijuana, Measure developmen
Glutathione treatment protects the rat liver against injury after warm ischemia and Kupffer cell activation
Background/Aim: The generation of reactive oxygen species by activated Kupffer cells (KC) may contribute to reperfusion injury of the liver during liver transplantation or resection. The aim of our present studies was to investigate (1) prevention of hepatic reperfusion injury after warm ischemia by administration of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and (2) whether GSH confers protection through influences on KC toxicity. Methods: Isolated perfused rat livers were subjected to 1 h of warm ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion without (n = 5) or with GSH or catalase (n = 4-5 each). Selective KC activation by zymosan (150 mug/ml) in continuously perfused rat livers was used to investigate KC-related liver injury. Results: Postischemic infusion of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM GSH, but not 0.05 mM GSH prevented reperfusion injury after warm ischemia as indicated by a marked reduction of sinusoidal LDH efflux by up to 83 +/- 13% (mean +/- SD; p < 0.05) and a concomitant significant improvement of postischemic bile flow by 58 +/- 27% (p < 0.05). A similar protection was conveyed by KC blockade with gadolinium chloride indicating prevention of KC-related reperfusion injury by postischemic GSH treatment. Postischemic treatment with catalase (150 U/ml) resulted in a reduction of LDH efflux by 40 +/- 9% (p < 0.05). Accordingly, catalase as well as GSH (0.1-2.0 mM) nearly completely prevented the increase in LDH efflux following selective :KC activation by zymosan in continously perfused rat livers. Conclusion: Postischemic administration of GSH protects the liver against reperfusion injury after warm ischemia. Detoxification of KC-derived hydrogen peroxide seem to be an important feature of the protective mechanisms. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
Results of a Feasibility and Acceptability Trial of an Online Smoking Cessation Program Targeting Young Adult Nondaily Smokers
Despite increases in nondaily smoking among young adults, no prior research has aimed to develop and test an intervention targeting this group. Thus, we aimed to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of an online intervention targeting college student nondaily smokers. We conducted a one-arm feasibility and acceptability trial of a four-week online intervention with weekly contacts among 31 college student nondaily smokers. We conducted assessments at baseline (B), end of treatment (EOT), and six-week followup (FU). We maintained a 100% retention rate over the 10-week period. Google Analytics data indicated positive utilization results, and 71.0% were satisfied with the program. There were increases (P < .001) in the number of people refraining from smoking for the past 30 days and reducing their smoking from B to EOT and to FU, with additional individuals reporting being quit despite recent smoking. Participants also increased in their perceptions of how bothersome secondhand smoke is to others (P < .05); however, no other attitudinal variables were altered. Thus, this intervention demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness among college-aged nondaily smokers. Additional research is needed to understand how nondaily smokers define cessation, improve measures for cessation, and examine theoretical constructs related to smoking among this population
Small Value-add Local Food Retailer’s COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Strategies
The pandemic came as a blow to retailers that were already under pressure from online competitors that offered low prices and provided the convenience of shopping from home. The media tended to cover the plight and challenges for larger chain stores and big box retailers. However, the small local food providers and retailers also faced challenges and had to manage without the luxury of having dedicated staff and deep pockets with which to navigate through the pandemic. This paper explores the experiences and strategies used by 20 small local value-added food providers and retailers as they navigated the pandemic. Additionally, this paper discusses specific challenges that were unique to small local value-added food providers and reveals unique strategies and their accompanying tactics. Further, the study details the pandemic policies and tactics these small local value-added food providers and retailers plan to keep after the pandemic in order to better compete against larger competitors and to mitigate future disruptions caused by external forces beyond their control
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