Search

For decades, stable boundary layer (SBL) turbulence has proven challenging to measure, parameterize, simulate, and interpret. Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are becoming a reliable method to sample the atmospheric boundary layer, offering new perspectives for understanding the SBL. Moreover, continual computational advances have enabled the use of large-eddy simulations (LES) to simulate the atmosphere at ever-smaller scales. LES is therefore a powerful tool in establishing a baseline framework to understand the extent to which vertical profiles from UAS can represent larger-scale SBL flows. To quantify the representativeness of observations from UAS profiles and eddy-covariance observations within the SBL, we performed a random error analysis using a suite of six large-eddy simulations for a wide range of stabilities. We combine these random error estimates with emulated observations of a UAS and eddy-covariance systems to better inform future observational studies. For each experiment, we estimate relative random errors using the so-called relaxed filtering method for first- and second-order moments as functions of height and averaging time. We show that the random errors can be on the same order of magnitude as other instrument-based errors due to bias or dynamic response. Unlike instrument errors, however, random errors decrease with averaging time. For these reasons, we recommend coupling UAS observations with other ground-based instruments as well as dynamically adjusting the UAS vertical ascent rate to account for how errors change with height and stability. Significance Statement Weather-sensing uncrewed aircraft systems are rapidly being realized as effective tools to collect valuable observations within the atmospheric boundary layer. To fully capitalize on this novel observational technique, it is necessary to develop an understanding of how well their observations can represent the surrounding atmosphere across various spatial and temporal scales. In this study we quantify the representativeness of atmospheric observations in the stable boundary layer by evaluating the random errors for parameters such as temperature, wind speed, and fluxes as estimated from a suite of large-eddy simulations. Our results can better inform future studies utilizing uncrewed aircraft systems by highlighting how random errors in their observations relate to vertical ascent rate, atmospheric stability, and measurement height.

Pitvipers are known for their sexual dimorphism in their body size with males being larger than females. One hypothesis for the increased size of males is the selective pressure from ritualistic combat between males within a species. The Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) is a diminutive species that has not seen a lot of research outside of central Florida. This study aimed to see if a southwestern Missouri population of S. miliarius follows the typical sexual dimorphism found in pitvipers. 48 S. miliarius were captured and 27 adults were compared based on the ratios of their tail length (TL) and mass, to snout-vent length (SVL). Males had longer TL:SVL than females but were no different in their body size. Like the central Florida populations, this Missouri population doesn’t show any sexual size dimorphism. We discuss the potential implications of these findings in the context of future research and other pitviper species.

Brane observers executing appropriate motion through a partially compactified Lorentz invariant bulk spacetime, such as $M_4 \times S^1$, can send signals along the brane that are instantaneous or even travel backward in time. Nevertheless, causality in the braneworld remains intact. We establish these results, which follow from superluminal signal propagation reported in arXiv:2206.13590, through classical analysis and then extend our reasoning by examining quantum mechanical microcausality. One implication is the capacity for real time communication across arbitrarily large distances., Comment: 15 pages. v2: added reference, dependence of effective speed on angle. v3: fixed a minor typo

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of phone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with an adjunctive smartphone application CBT MobileWork-DM© to improve self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Participants were 12 patients with T2DM on antihyperglycemic medication and had an A1C level of 8 or greater. A randomized controlled pilot study assessed treatment as usual (TAU) T2DM care versus a phone-delivered CBT (6, 8, or 12 weekly sessions) augmented with a CBT skills practice smartphone application. The CBT telehealth intervention addressed T2DM self-management and diabetes distress. Electronic and self-report medication taking, diabetes-related distress, and A1C were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results: After 16 weeks, a decrease in A1C and distress levels was observed in all 3 CBT phone groups and TAU group. The group with the most improvement was the 12-week CBT group, which had the greatest mean decrease in A1C (−2.33) and diabetes distress (−31.67). The TAU group exhibited a mean decrease of −2.15 and −21 for A1C and diabetes distress, respectively. The overall rate of completion for phone CBT sessions across the 3 CBT groups was 83%. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that telehealth CBT augmented with a smartphone application is feasible and acceptable. Patients demonstrated improvements in both T2DM management and distress.

We consider a braneworld scenario in the simplest setting, $M_4 \times S^1$, with a 4D Minkowski metric induced on the brane, and establish the possibility of superluminal propagation. If the brane is at rest, the 4D Lorentz symmetry of the brane is exact, but if the brane is in motion, it is broken globally by the compactification. By measuring bulk fields, an observer on the brane sees a slice through a higher-dimensional field profile, which carries an imprint of the extra dimensions even when the brane is at rest. If the brane is in motion we find that bulk fields can propagate outside the brane lightcone by a parametrically large amount set by the brane velocity. We mention observational tests and possible applications to cosmology., 19 pages. v2: references added

The history of pirate radio in Ireland remains understudied by comparison with other countries with histories of unlicensed broadcasting. This is surprising given the extent and longevity of a large pirate radio scene which was at its zenith between 1978 and 1988. Drawing on our own archive of Irish pirate radio recordings, interviews with those involved and pirate paraphernalia, we contend that the cultural, social, political, economic., and technological influence of Irish pirate radio was far-reaching. However, although the pirates were influential and left a lasting legacy, they ultimately lost out in the new licensed regime rolled out from 1989. peer-reviewed 2022-04-12

Aims and objectives To examine the understanding of caring in the practice of community nursing from the perspectives of patients and nurses. Background An increasing population of patients with chronic disease has produced a need for humanistic caring in communities. As a result, caring has become a core value of community nursing professionals. However, community nurses meet many difficulties in trying to practice person-centred care with their clients. Furthermore, most community nurses-especially in China-lack systematic education and training about caring because the practical meaning of caring in community practice is unknown. Design The qualitative study described herein employed inductive content analysis. Methods Eleven community patients with chronic disease and fifteen community nurses who were nominated as a caring nurse from different community clinics in Beijing, China, participated in thirty-one interviews during January to August in 2018. Nine documents from the interviewed nurses were collected. Both interview data and documents were analysed using strategies of inductive content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used. Results Patients and their corresponding nurses described a wide range of caring experiences that were generalised into 28 concepts. Caring emerged as an inter-dynamic system that comprised the foundation and quality of a caring relationship, the caring philosophy and behaviours of interactions, and positive feedback from caring interactions. A relationship-based framework of caring in community nursing practice was constructed. Conclusions Identifying this systematic concept of caring provides insights that are applicable to the creation of targeted management, education and practice interventions to ultimately enhance the quality of community health care-in China or elsewhere. Relevance to clinical practice The systematic understanding of caring in community nursing practice will inform nurses in community health clinics, their educators and their managers on how to provide care to community patients and how to develop caring competence for community nurses.

BACKGROUND: Substance use among adolescents remains a major public health concern, which is correlated with mortality. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine risk factors predisposing adolescents to substance use and (2) identify patterns of simultaneous drug exploration among adolescents. METHOD: Data ( N = 15,624; collected in 2015) were drawn from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is a national school-based survey of 9th- to 12th-grade students to monitor health risk behaviors. Substance use was assessed using self-reported questionnaires, and latent class analysis and logistic regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Five latent patterns of substance use were identified: (1) abstinent (64%); (2) 1st-step social experimenter (25%) (i.e., used alcohol, e-cigarettes, and/or marijuana); (3) 2nd-step social experimenter (6%) (i.e., used alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and/or prescription pills); (4) pill experimenter (4%), (i.e., used prescription pills); (5) full experimenter (2%) (i.e., likely to use all assessed substances). Gender, race, grade, and depressive mood were strong predictors of membership in a particular substance use class. CONCLUSION: Adolescents presenting for care may possess symptoms associated with various substances beyond those being managed. Mental health nurses can leverage these results in reducing adolescent substance use through primary and secondary prevention. A longitudinal study of not only substance use patterns but also the progression to substance use disorders among adolescents is warranted.

BACKGROUND Interprofessional communication is essential for the coordination and collaboration of healthcare team members during patient care, especially in critical situations. Therefore, nursing students must learn and practice interprofessional communication skills throughout their education and clinical training. Previous studies evaluating standardized communication frameworks in the United States (e.g., ISBARR [identify, situation, background, assessment, recommendation, and repeat]) suggest that nursing students feel more confident about interprofessional communication and collaboration through familiarity with these frameworks. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of an ISBARR workshop on knowledge of and attitude about effective communication among Chinese undergraduate students. DESIGN A pre- and posttest quasi-experimental study. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 90 undergraduate nursing students at a vocational health college in China. METHOD The two-part ISBARR workshop featured a lecture and a video-simulation exercise. Differences in students' knowledge of and attitudes about interprofessional communication skills using ISBARR were compared pre- and post-workshop. RESULTS We observed a statistically significant (p

Depression is not only a major global public health concern, but also a common comorbidity among patients who experience chronic diseases, such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Yet the recognition and treatment varies widely around the world. This study (1) provides an integrated review of the literature on the prevalence of depression among patients with chronic diseases in China and the United States and its relationship to poorer health outcomes and (2) compares the differences in the percentages of patients receiving treatments for depression between the United States and China. Given the current situation, we recommended that primary care and specialty providers should be knowledgeable and alert regarding the signs of depression. Efforts should be directed to further implement integrated care based interventions to manage depression and improve quality of life among patients suffering chronic diseases in both China and the United States. Keywords: Chronic disease, China, Depression, United States

Background: Continuing nursing education (CNE) is an effective approach to maintain and elevate professional knowledge and skills for nurses. We sought to understand the attitudes and expectations of hospital nurses concerning current CNE in Beijing. Method: Hospital-employed nurses ( N = 2,826) from 23 secondary and tertiary general hospitals in Beijing were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 72% to 88% of nurses recognized the practicality, helpfulness, importance, and support provided by the current CNE program in Beijing. Obtaining required CNE credits and improving overall comprehensive quality are the top two motivations for nurses to participate in CNE. The top two barriers to CNE are time constraints and the inability to receive timely training information. Expectations that nurses have for future CNE programs also are identified. Conclusion: The nurses surveyed have a positive attitude about the current CNE program; however, our survey revealed several barriers and needs concerning CNE that should be addressed from an organizational perspective. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(11):526–536.

Floodplain forests in rapidly changing landscapes with increased urbanization may reshape habitat conditions to the detriment of native biota and favor invasive species. We assessed whether introduced Ligustrum sinense distribution and abundance are causally linked to urbanization and whether mechanisms that promote L. sinense cause the demise of native plant species. We surveyed vegetation in 12 independent floodplain forests along an urban to rural gradient in South Carolina, USA. We then used a seedling transplant experiment in nine watersheds to assess how increased urban development affects survival and growth of L. sinense and three native species over two growing seasons. Urban development ranged from 1 to 45% and L. sinense cover was positively associated with development. However, in our transplant experiment, growth and survival of L. sinense did not differ significantly among watersheds. Native species were able to survive at all sites, but performance varied greatly among sites and species but not as a function of urban development. Our results suggest that although L. sinense invasion and urbanization are related (likely due to proximity of propagules from urban sources), the demise of native species cannot be explained by increased urbanization or changes in edaphic conditions and points to L. sinense as an agent of change in our floodplain forests. These results indicate that all floodplain forests are at risk of invasion if propagules arrive and that land managers need to be vigilant against new species introductions regardless of the proximity to urban areas.

Background Smartphones and their applications (apps) impact society and health care. With the growth of smartphone users and app downloads in China, patients with chronic diseases have access to a self-management strategy for physical activity. Although studies report physical activity apps improve the physical activity of patients, data is limited concerning their use of these apps. Therefore, this study investigated the current usage, willingness to use, and barriers to using physical activity apps of Chinese patients with chronic diseases. Methods We designed a questionnaire to collect data from chronic disease patients in a tertiary hospital in Beijing, which was sent to 250 patients in four departments. Results Two hundred eighteen questionnaires were returned (87.2% response rate). Most (92.7%) respondents owned a smartphone, 34.9% had used a physical activity app, and 18.8% were current users. Additionally, 53.7% were willing to use a physical activity app designed for them. Respondents more likely to use physical activity apps were younger (i.e., ≤ 44 years), more educated, current smartphone users, and previous users of physical activity apps; moreover, they believed they needed exercise, their disease required exercise instruction and support, and their physical status needed monitored when exercising (p

Plant invasions are often implicated in declines of native plant species. However, common experimental designs have received criticism questioning the assumption that invasive plants are the primary cause for ecosystem deterioration. We used a combination of field observations and a transplant experiment to investigate the influence of an exotic invasive shrub, Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) on native plant species in Piedmont floodplain forests of South Carolina, USA. We conducted vegetation surveys of 12 floodplain forests documenting abundance and cover of all herbaceous and woody plant species. Additionally, we established an experimental garden to compare survival and growth of L. sinense and four common native species transplanted into a mature L. sinense stand and an adjacent uninvaded area over two growing seasons. The vegetation survey demonstrated a strong negative relationship between L. sinense presence and herbaceous vegetation. As L. sinense cover increased, herbaceous cover and height, plant abundance, and native species richness decreased. In our transplant experiment we found drastic effects of L. sinense on native plant seedling survival and growth. Survival for all native species was lower under the L. sinense canopy and native seedling growth was substantially reduced. Results from both the vegetation survey and transplant experiment show that invasion of L. sinense suppresses herbaceous understory and prevents regeneration of native species by reducing seedling survival and growth. With an approach that combines multiple field sites and local site-specific investigations our research provides strong evidence that L. sinense is an agent of change in floodplain forests.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the HELPP (Health, Education on Safety, and Legal Support and Resources in IPV Participant Preferred) intervention among IPV survivors. A sequential, transformative mixed-methods design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: Online (ONL), Face-to-Face (FTF), and Waitlist Control (WLC). The HELPP intervention was offered to 32 adult female participants who were 45.2% Asian, 32.3% White, and 22.5% Black. Outcome measures were anxiety, depression, anger, personal, and social support. In total, 64% (n = 20) of the participants reported having experienced IPV before the age of 18. The anger mean score pre-test to post-test difference was significant for ONL (p0.001) and WLC (p = 0.01). The personal and social support pre-test to post-test mean score differences were significant for ONL (p0.001; p0.001) and WLC (p = 0.01; p = 0.006), respectively. The HELPP intervention (1) decreased anxiety, depression, anger, and (2) increased personal and social support in the ONL group. The HELPP information and intervention was shown to be feasible, acceptable, and effective among IPV survivors compared with participants in the WLC group. The WLC participants displayed (1) increased levels of anxiety, depression, and anger and (2) decreased levels of personal and social support, post-intervention. Further research could be conducted to determine if e-mail alone or e-mail plus mobile devices are more useful modes of delivering interventions.

In June 2002, we studied the natural history of Ameiva ameiva and sympatric anoles, Anolis aeneus and A. richardii, in an altered habitat on Grenada to test three predictions regarding intraspecific interactions in Ameiva, intrageneric interactions between anoles, and interfamilial interactions between Ameiva and anoles. Our data generally supported our first prediction that characteristics of an insular population of A. ameiva would essentially mirror those described for other insular populations of West Indian congeners, were less supportive of our second prediction that structural habitat use and diets would indicate interspecific resource partitioning between anoles, and strongly supported our third prediction that anoles would spend less time on the ground when Ameiva were active. Based on tests that indicated that Ameiva were predators of anoles, we suggest that predator-avoidance is the most parsimonious explanation for the apparent adjustments in foraging strategy.

Effective communication among healthcare workers is critically important for patient safety and quality care. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate outcomes of a workshop designed to teach Chinese nursing students to use the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) communication tool and examine their attitudes toward utilizing SBAR as a communication tool.A convenience sample of 18 master's degree nursing students at a Chinese university was introduced to SBAR through a workshop. The workshop combined the SBAR tool, video-stimulated recall and role-play case scenarios to illustrate potential positive and negative communication-related patient outcomes. Students completed a 12-item questionnaire before and after participating in the workshop. Four of the items examined the four elements of the SBAR tool (situation, background, assessment, recommendation, score range 0-20), and eight of the items evaluated students' self-perceived attitudes towards utilizing the SBAR tool in their clinical practice (score range 0-40).Pre- and post-workshop scores on the four elements of the SBAR tool demonstrate significant improvement in knowledge of SBAR (14.0±2.9 vs. 16.6±2.2, respectively; p=0.009). Pre- and post-workshop scores on the items testing students' self-perceived abilities also demonstrate significant improvement (26.9±3.5 vs. 32.6±4.5, respectively; p0.01) in using SBAR. Total scores increased significantly from 40.9±5.0 to 49.2±5.9 (p0.01). Moreover, 93.8% of the students agreed and strongly agreed that they would use SBAR during clinical practice.Participating in the SBAR workshop in combination with video-stimulated recall and role-play case scenarios significantly improved the Chinese nursing students' knowledge of SBAR and their self-perceived attitudes towards using SBAR tool. Future studies using a larger sample size and longer post-workshop follow-up are needed to confirm the long-term benefits of the workshop.

Atoll Research Bulletin, no. 585. Inshore Fishes of Howland Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Kingman Reef.

SUMMARY 1. Trophic linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are common and sensitive to disruption. However, there is little information on what causes variation in the strength and spatial scale of these linkages. 2. In the highly aquatic adults of the headwater salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (family Plethodontidae), use of terrestrial prey decreases along a gradient from early- to late-successional riparian forests. To understand the cause of this relationship, we tested the predictions that (i) terrestrial prey abundance is lower in late-successional forests, and (ii) G. porphyriticus adults cannot move as far from the stream to forage in late-successional forests, thus limiting access to terrestrial prey. 3. We established 100-m long study reaches on six headwater streams in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Three reaches were in early-successional forests and three were in late-successional forests. We conducted pitfall trapping for invertebrate prey in June and July of 2005, with three traps at 0, 2, 5 and 10 m from the stream at each reach. In June, July and August of 2004 and 2005, nighttime salamander surveys were conducted at each reach along ten, 10-m long by 2.5-m wide transects perpendicular to the stream. 4. Abundance of terrestrial prey was consistently lower in late-successional forests, suggesting that consumption of terrestrial prey by G. porphyriticus is affected by prey abundance. Contrary to our prediction, G. porphyriticus adults moved farther from the stream in late-successional forests, suggesting that habitat conditions in late-successional forests do not limit movement away from the stream, and that lower abundances of terrestrial prey in these forests may cause salamanders to move farther from streams. 5. Our results provide novel insight on the extent of terrestrial habitat use by G. porphyriticus. More broadly, these results indicate that major habitat gradients, such as forest succession, can affect the strength and scale of terrestrial-aquatic linkages. Application of this insight to the design of vegetation buffers along headwater streams would have widespread benefits to freshwater ecosystems.

This paper will demonstrate how alternative dispute resolution (ADR) should be considered as a method of lessening the negative impact of litigation in the health care field. Probably, an even more important goal is to build and maintain relationships between and amongst parties so that future dealings can be enhanced. The first part of the paper will consider the importance of lowering the rhetoric between disputing parties. A second purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how student written scenarios can be role-played in the classroom so as to energize students in the learning process. Several mock mediations from these student developed cases will be discussed with video clips shown, as they were utilized in the Health and Employment Law 2005 Fall Semester undergraduate courses at Winthrop University. A final purpose is to consider the importance of student input into this learning method.