Texas Tech University Research Articles

32 Depot-Specific Transcriptome and Adipocyte Metabolism in Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Beef Cattle

Abstract Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT; marbling) deposition is the primary determination of beef quality grade in the U.S. While finishing diets increase marbling, they also increase subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) accumulation, leading to excessive fattening and economic losses due to ‘waste fat’. Our objective was to investigate the IMAT and SAT-specific transcriptional profile and adipocyte function in vitro. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying IMAT and SAT-specific characteristics will help to identify molecular and cellular molecules for developing targeted strategies to enhance marbling while limiting overall fatness in beef animals. A section of the Longissimus dorsi muscle from 9-11th ribs was collected to dissect IMAT and adjacent SAT (backfat) from six beef animals harvested at the Texas Tech University Meat Lab. The SAT and IMAT RNA was extracted and sequenced in an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 targeting a minimum of 30 million reads per sample. Transcriptome analysis showed more than 1,800 differently expressed genes (DEGs) in IMAT and SAT. There was a downregulation of genes associated with adipogenesis, lipolysis regulation, insulin sensitivity, and fatty acid metabolism (e.g., LEP, INSIG1, and PLIN4) in IMAT vs. SAT, while pathways of insulin resistance and ß-adrenergic signaling were activated. To elucidate whether the differences between IMAT and SAT transcriptional profiles were translated into changes in the adipocyte function, preadipocytes were isolated, cultured, and differentiated into adipocytes in vitro for 14 followed by functional analyses of adipogenic capacity, insulin sensitivity, and lipolytic responses. Statistical analysis was performed in GraphPad 9. Even though preadipocytes were more abundant in IMAT than in SAT (flow cytometry quantification of CD45-CD31- cell), IMAT preadipocyte proliferation rates were decreased compared with SAT. Additionally, SAT adipocytes were larger than IMAT. These findings suggest an enhancement in SAT adipogenesis/lipogenesis compared with IMAT. Metabolically, SAT adipocytes released greater glycerol concentrations compared with IMAT upon ß-adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis with isoproterenol and tended to have greater insulin-stimulated glucose uptake compared with IMAT. Altogether, these findings indicate that IMAT is unable to accumulate lipids as efficiently as SAT, and these differences may be underlined by a decreased preadipocyte hyperplasia, insulin resistance, and potential dysregulation of ß-adrenergic receptors, all of these similarly suggested by the transcriptome analysis. Our study revealed molecular and cellular differences between IMAT and SAT that may partly explain why it is common to observe increased SAT fatness and limited marbling beef cattle.

Evidence-based practice

Carol Boswell is a professor emeritus in the department of nursing at Texas Tech University in Odessa, Tex. The author has disclosed no financial relationships related to this article.

Student performance and satisfaction in the first iteration of an integrated renal and respiratory systems course in a redesigned one-pass preclinical curriculum

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine converted its legacy two-pass preclinical curriculum to a one-pass organ system-based format and changed the grading system from categorical to pass/fail (>70%). Our objective was to assess first-year medical student (MS1) performance and satisfaction in the first iteration of Organ Systems-2:Renal and Respiratory ( RNR), an 8-week block taught at the end of Year I. RNR integrates the physiology, pathophysiology, infectious diseases, and pharmacology of the renal system (Weeks 1-4) and respiratory system (Weeks 5-8), using reorganized and updated material from legacy Year-I blocks ( General Principles & Infectious Diseases and Structure & Function of Major Organ Systems) and Year-II blocks ( Immunity & Multisystem Disorders and Systems Disorders). Instruction was delivered via didactic lectures, team-based activities, case-based reviews, dry labs, cognitive integration of clinical reasoning (CICR) sessions, and simulations. Formative weekly quizzes and practice exams were assigned before each exam. Learning in the renal physiology, renal pathophysiology, and respiratory physiology units was assessed by instructor-generated exams at the end of Weeks 2, 4 and 6, respectively, and a final customized, comprehensive NBME exam at the end of Week 8. Aggregate performance on instructor-generated renal and respiratory exam questions was compared to that on similar questions from legacy curriculum exams. Aggregate performance on the NBME exam was compared to USMLE Step 1 exam difficulty, as the legacy curriculum did not include a dedicated renal/respiratory NBME exam. Aggregate performance on instructor-generated renal physiology and pathophysiology and respiratory physiology questions was comparable to that in the legacy curriculum. Average performance on the renal portion of the NBME exam was 0.76 vs. Step 1 exam difficulty of 0.78; average performance on the respiratory portion of the exam was 0.77 vs. Step 1 exam difficulty of 0.78. Per end of block survey and student focus group feedback, overall student satisfaction with RNR was 73%. Thus, the first iteration of the integrated organ systems-based renal and respiratory systems course in Year I yielded a MS1 performance on the NBME that was comparable to USMLE Step 1 source difficulty, and student satisfaction was positive overall. More detailed analysis of exam performance is needed. Further modifications of RNR will include additional simulations and flipped-classroom sessions. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Management of Chronic Disease and Mental Health Issues in Primary Care.

This case study describes the process of implementing and evaluating an interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) program for primary care and behavioral health integration focused on chronic disease management. The result was a strong IPCP program in a nurse-led federally qualified health center serving medically underserved populations. The IPCP program at the Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center spanned >10 years of planning, development, and implementation, supported by demonstration, grants, and cooperative grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program launched 3 projects: a patient navigation program, an IPCP program for chronic disease management, and a program for primary care and behavioral health integration. We established 3 evaluation domains to track the outcomes of the program: TeamSTEPPS education outcomes (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety), process/service measures, and patient clinical and behavioral measures. TeamSTEPPS outcomes were evaluated before and after training on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Mean (SD) scores increased significantly in team structure (4.2 [0.9] vs 4.7 [0.5]; P < .001), situation monitoring (4.2 [0.8] vs 4.6 [0.5]; P = .002), and communication (4.1 [0.8] vs 4.5 [0.5]; P = .001). From 2014 to 2020, the rate of depression screening and follow-up improved from 16% to 91%, and the hypertension control rate improved from 50% to 62%. Lessons learned include recognizing partner contributions and the worth of each team member. Our program evolved with the help of networks, champions, and collaborative partners. Program outcomes show the positive impact of a team-based IPCP model on health outcomes among medically underserved populations.

The Presidency of George W. Bush by John Robert Greene

Reviewed by: The Presidency of George W. Bush by John Robert Greene Joel Webster The Presidency of George W. Bush. By John Robert Greene. (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2021. Pp. 421. Notes, bibliographical essay, index.) While not the first attempt to make sense of the presidency of George W. Bush, John Robert Greene's book takes advantage of both a suitable distance from his subject—over a decade since "the most tumultuous presidency of the modern period" (xi)—and the availability of the archival records of the George W. Bush Presidential Library that opened to research in 2013. As the latest installment of the American Presidency Series from the University Press of Kansas, this work clearly sets the bar for future attempts to understand Bush's two terms. This is not, nor does it attempt to be, a traditional biography. It is instead a political analysis that utilizes fresh evidence and time to ponder its conclusions. Despite being academic in nature, it is highly readable and strikes a strong balance between narrative and analysis. Greene's criticisms of the existing literature, academic or otherwise, about President Bush is its almost single-minded focus on the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent War on Terror. While this is a significant piece of the story that must be told, Greene seeks to show that there was more than that to the man and to his administration's plans and accomplishments. Greene starts at the beginning of Bush's life and assesses how his West Texas roots and patrician ties, through both family and formal education, defined and challenged his early life. Greene emphasizes Bush's effort to learn from his father's political career, to distance himself from it, and to prove that he was his own successful man. Part of this process is shown through two life-altering events: quitting heavy drinking and adopting born-again Christianity. Another key to revealing that Bush's story is bigger than the War on Terror is Greene's illustrating that much of Bush's domestic policy was built on his experience as governor of Texas. This pre-presidential material takes up almost one-third of the content. As for Bush's time in the White House, Greene discusses the dark days after September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and the opening of two Middle Eastern wars to understand how and why the Bush Administration handled and mishandled them. Bush's use of bipartisan solutions and support, another strategy from his days as governor, and his self-identification as a "compassionate conservative" (32), provided Bush and the Republican Party with opportunities to reform education, the welfare system, and Medicare. In the realm of foreign policy, Greene suggests that Bush's version of conservatism pushed him to provide massive funding to curtail AIDS in Africa. Given Greene's criticism of the focus in Bush literature on September 11 and the War on Terror, one can see his efforts here as [End Page 606] an attempt to shift that focus and in the process unveil other aspects of President Bush and his presidency. Future authors will undoubtedly find some fault with Greene's work either as new evidence comes to light or other lines of argument are employed, but as a single-volume history of President George W. Bush that is told in just over three hundred pages of text, this book will stand as the one with which all forthcoming works must contend. Joel Webster Texas Tech University Copyright © 2022 The Texas State Historical Association

The Lady Makes Boots: Enid Justin &amp; the Nocona Boot Company by Carol A. Lipscomb

Reviewed by: The Lady Makes Boots: Enid Justin & the Nocona Boot Company by Carol A. Lipscomb Tracey Hanshew The Lady Makes Boots: Enid Justin & the Nocona Boot Company. By Carol A. Lipscomb. (Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2021. Pp. 252. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index.) Boots are among the most recognized icons of Texas—in company with the lone star and the longhorn. Carol A. Lipscomb's biography of Enid Justin places one of the more instrumental leaders in the boot industry into the historical record. Justin was heavily influenced by her father, "Daddy Joe," who began his boot making business in Spanish Fort, Texas, under the name "H. J. Justin, Boot Maker" (4, 9). In 1889, he moved his family to Nocona, Texas, which began a close relationship between the Justin boot business and the town of Nocona; more importantly, it deeply established Enid's roots there in both the town and the business. This relationship would become the bedrock that saw Enid through heartbreak and contributed to her success. In 1925, when she began her own boot company, Nocona, she was an anomaly in a world of companies owned by men. Through her success, however, she "set an example for women entrepreneurs who came after her" (159). Lipscomb explains both Enid Justin's connection and commitment to her childhood community and her important contributions to Texas history, revealing her determination through the hardships of losing a child, divorcing twice, and maintaining dedication to the business in the face of such loss. At a time when women rarely worked around hypermasculine [End Page 602] cowboys and oil field workers, and knowing that some "would not do business with a company run by a woman," Enid did not let this stop her (36). When asked about her participation in the women's liberation movement, she replied "I was a libber before the word and the definition were invented" (159). Enid Justin's contentious relationship with her siblings, who managed the Justin Boot company they had inherited from their father, promoted to some degree both the Justin and the Nocona company through a series of misprints in various newspapers. But it also increased her resolve to succeed with her own company, which she built from the ground up to be competitive with big-name companies like Justin, Lucchese, Tony Lama and others. That the 80th Texas Legislature designated the cowboy boot as the "official State Footwear of Texas" in the early 2000s is due in part to the presence of these nationally known companies, including hers (201). Among the ample use of Enid's own words, like the personal quotations that begin each chapter, the one that most encapsulates Enid is, "I've been blessed to have been in this business with these people right here in Nocona, Texas. What more could I have asked for?" (179) Carol Lipscomb's account of Enid Justin's life reveals how one woman made history and earned her place among the "greats" in Texas. That her name, Justin, is synonymous with Fort Worth, and that Nocona boots maintained the label of the "best boots in the world" for years, speaks not only to her commercial success but also to her leadership and business management. This biography is long overdue and is a significant contributor to the history of the economic and cultural development of Texas. Lipscomb successfully weaves Enid Justin's life through its historical context so that even those unfamiliar with it can appreciate the importance of women's history as much as Texas history. Tracey Hanshew Eastern Oregon University Copyright © 2022 The Texas State Historical Association

Charge capture in the BICU: Increasing revenue by improving documentation behaviors

Documentation by a healthcare provider is the key to capturing appropriate reimbursement for effort, expertize, and time given to patients. However, patient encounters are known to be under-coded; often describing a level of service that does not reflect the physician’s labor. If there is deficient medical decision making (MDM) documentation, this will ultimately lead to a loss of revenue, as coders can only evaluate service levels from the documentation during the encounter. Physicians at the Timothy J. Harnar Regional Burn Center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center were experiencing below-average reimbursement for work performed in the burn center and theorized that deficiencies in documentation (particularly in the area of MDM) were the cause. They hypothesized that poor documentation by physicians was resulting in a substantial proportion of encounters being compulsorily coded at inadequate and imprecise levels of service. To improve the service levels of MDM in physician documentation at the Burn Center and consequently, increase the numbers and levels of billable encounters in the unit with an accompanying increase in revenue, two resources were created and employed with the purpose of providing increased documentation recall and thoroughness. These resources included a pocket card, designed to prevent missed details when documenting patient encounters, and a standardized EMR template that was mandated to be used by all BICU medical professionals rotating through the unit. After completion of the intervention period (July - October 2021), a comparison was made between the 4-month periods of July-October 2019 and 2021. Based on the encounters provided by residents and one fellow assigned to the BICU medical director, inpatient subsequent visit codes showed an average increase in billable encounters of 1500% amid the compared periods. Upon implementation of the intervention, subsequent visit codes 99231, 99232, and 99233 (higher-numbered codes indicating an increased level of service and accompanying reimbursement) raised by 142%, 2158%, and 2200%, respectively. An additional finding since the implementation of the pocket card and revised template, billable encounters have replaced the once-dominate global encounter, 99024 (associated with no reimbursement); realizing an increase in billable inpatient services due to complete and thorough documentation of non-global issues patients experienced throughout their hospital stays. Obtaining buy-in from physicians proved a significant challenge; consistent training and feedback allowed for an improved understanding of billing and coding processes within the BICU. The described findings indicate that a focused effort to improve documentation offers a promising method to yield potentially significant improvements in a unit’s profitability.

An Experimental Study of Non-Gaussian Properties of Tornado-like Loads on a Low-Rise Building Model

This paper focuses on the non-Gaussian properties of tornado pressure loading on a Texas Tech University (TTU) building model. External pressures of the model were measured at multiple radial positions in a two-celled tornado-like vortex generated by a tornado-like vortex simulator. High-order statistical moments of pressure coefficients were studied. The spatial distributions of non-Gaussian zones were presented and compared with the figure for boundary layer wind. Four exponential models were used to fit the probability density of tornado pressures. The peak factors obtained by five methods were also investigated. Results indicate that non-Gaussian regions of a low-rise building in a tornado-like vortex significantly differ from that in boundary layer wind. The peak pressure coefficients exhibit a maximum value near the end of windward eaves when the model is located at a tornadic core radius. The probability density of tornado pressure time series cannot be fitted by a single exponential distribution. The gamma distribution and generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution can describe the probabilistic behavior of pressure coefficients at the most unfavorable load position. Compared with other methods, the skewness-dependent peak factor method exhibits the advantages of reliable results, easy calculation, and wide applicability.

Training transferable skills: Using “SPARK” as a stepping stone to career readiness, social engagement, and program relevance

Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching GermanEarly View FORUM Training transferable skills: Using “SPARK” as a stepping stone to career readiness, social engagement, and program relevance Anita McChesney, Corresponding Author Anita McChesney [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-0738-1411 Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA Correspondence Anita McChesney, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Anita McChesney, Corresponding Author Anita McChesney [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-0738-1411 Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA Correspondence Anita McChesney, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 20 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/tger.12229Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

An Interview with Fran Lebowitz: Reflections on Film, Warhol's Legacy, Public Persona, and American Culture

The Journal of American CultureEarly View Original Article An Interview with Fran Lebowitz: Reflections on Film, Warhol's Legacy, Public Persona, and American Culture Victoria Surliuga, Corresponding Author Victoria Surliuga victoria.surliuga@ttu.edu Corresponding author mail id: victoria.surliuga@ttu.eduSearch for more papers by this author Victoria Surliuga, Corresponding Author Victoria Surliuga victoria.surliuga@ttu.edu Corresponding author mail id: victoria.surliuga@ttu.eduSearch for more papers by this author First published: 06 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/jacc.13435 Victoria Surliuga: is Associate Professor of Italian Studies, World Cinema and Italian Program Coordinator at Texas Tech University. She was awarded The 1905 Fellowship of the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association for her research on Peggy Guggenheim and art patronage, a CH Foundation grant to the Italian Program at Texas Tech University, and Scholarship Catalyst Grants from Texas Tech University. She was also a Humanities Fellow at the Humanities Center of Texas Tech University. Her publications include “The Fran Lebowitz Series in Scorsese's Pretend It's a City and Public Speaking” (Series: International Journal of TV Serial Narratives, 2022) and “The Art of Fran Lebowitz's Public Persona” (The Journal of American Culture, 2022). Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Facile Electrochemical Preparation of Hydrophobic Antibacterial Fabrics Using Reduced Graphene Oxide/Silver Nanoparticles

AbstractInvited for this issue's Front Cover are Behnaz Jafari and Prof. Botte from the research group Chemical and Electrochemical Innovation and Technology Laboratory, Texas Tech University in collaboration with Dr. Lacerda from University of Texas at Tyler. The Front Cover shows schematically the in‐situ electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide and electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles on the fabric. The reduced graphene oxide/silver‐coated fabrics demonstrated electroconductivity, hydrophobicity, and antibacterial activity with a controlled release of silver ions which makes their antibacterial effect durable. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/celc.202201111.

US Petroleum Engineering Graduation Rates Keep Falling, but Oil Execs Are Not Complaining Yet

The job market is looking up for petroleum engineers graduating this spring. With oil prices up, companies are hiring, which means most of the shrinking number of graduates have already lined up jobs, according to Lloyd Heinze, a professor at Texas Tech University, who does an annual survey of petroleum engineering (PE) programs. At Texas Tech, he said more than 90% of the students already have jobs upon graduation, with most of them going to work for operators. Demand is also strong for graduates at Colorado School of Mines, Penn State University, and Texas A&amp;M University, where most of the seniors have jobs arranged in advance of graduation. Tom Blasingame, a petroleum engineering professor at Texas A&amp;M, and 2021 SPE president, said the career fair held last fall “was very well attended, and I believe our placement percentage will be very high in 2023.” He said 80% of students who graduated from A&amp;M in December had jobs lined up, and he expected they would all have jobs within 2–3 months of graduation. Jennifer Miskimins, a professor who is head of the petroleum engineering department at Mines, agreed that the hiring rate is at that level, with some students getting job offers after completing summer internships. Sanjay Srinivasan, department head at the Energy and Mineral Engineering Department at Penn State, said hiring demand “looks much better this year than last year. However, we are concerned that many of the oil and gas companies that come on recruitment visits seem more interested in talking to graduates from other departments like mechanical and chemical engineering.” Others are seeing the same trend. “The supermajors will take the engineers and train/mold them into whatever they need,” Miskimins said. Blasingame added that independent operators, however, focus on petroleum engineers because they “don’t have extensive training programs like supermajors, so they hire the people who can ‘work on day 1.’ ” Also, Srinivasan said companies are increasingly selective. “I feel that the companies have lean recruitment targets and so they basically shop for the best-fit graduates from multiple schools,” he said. It is a striking turnaround from a few years ago when record numbers of students flooded a weak job market, looking for any oil industry job they could find or looking outside the industry to companies that valued their math and science skills. Still, given the high price of oil, hiring demand that is equal to a shrinking supply feels odd to Heinze and the others. Based on their experience, when oil prices hit $100/bbl, the demand for PE grads and enrollment go up. Something Heinze finds “spooky” this time around is that oil companies are not complaining about the small size of the graduating classes. It feels odd to Heinze because in the past when prices were high and activity picked up, college administrators heard complaints from oil companies such as “How many (seniors) do you have?” and “We need more.” “We are seeing the same, very good placement. However, I have had companies tell me that they aren’t making their hiring goals,” Miskimins said. She is not hearing complaints about the graduation rate “but definitely concerns.” To address the problem, Mines has hired a direct recruiter as part of an effort to attract more earth sciences students, Miskimins said.

Initial Condition Convection-Allowing Ensembles with Large Membership for Probabilistic Prediction of Convective Hazards

Abstract Convection-allowing model (CAM) ensemble forecasts provide quantitative probabilistic guidance of convective hazards that forecasters would otherwise qualitatively assess. Various initial condition (IC) strategies can be used to generate CAM probabilistic forecasts, but it is still unclear how different configurations perform. Schwartz et al. verified five 10-member IC CAM ensembles over one month of 0000 UTC initializations with a focus on precipitation. Here, we initialize four 42-member IC CAM ensembles every 12 h over 6 weeks and verify forecasts of precipitation, column maximum reflectivity, and hourly maximum updraft helicity. The Texas Tech University real-time EnKF ensemble and three additional IC ensemble modeling systems are verified. Holding the model configuration constant, additional ICs are generated by downscaling time-lagged Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) members, applying correlated random noise to Global Forecast System (GFS) analyses, and recentering EnKF perturbations about GFS analyses. We found that ensemble ICs constructed with correlated random noise and EnKF perturbations about GFS analyses both produced higher-quality precipitation forecasts than downscaled GEFS and EnKF strategies. However, downscaled GEFS and EnKF perturbations about GFS analyses frequently initialized more skillful forecasts of reflectivity than ICs with random perturbations, suggesting that flow-dependent perturbations are important for forecasting deep convection. Even with a suboptimal EnKF configuration, our findings still echo those of Schwartz et al. We extend their work by exploring 1) verification of additional convective hazards and 2) empirical scaling of IC perturbations as a computationally inexpensive method for improving CAM ensemble forecasts.

Preparing for an interview

Richard L. Pullen, Jr., is a professor of nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in Lubbock, Tex., and a Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! Editorial Board Member. The author has disclosed no financial relationships related to this article.

An Evaluation of Nonacademic Predictors of Success in a Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Objective. Pharmacy programs have struggled to predict who will be successful in their programs based solely on cognitive skills. The primary objective of this study was to determine which, if any, nonacademic factors are associated with on-time progression within the school of pharmacy curriculum.Methods. A survey was developed and offered to all Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy students in fall 2020. This survey included questions to collect demographic data and incorporated four validated questionnaires: the Grit-Grid, the Academic Pharmacy Resilience Scale (APRS-16), the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), and the Turkish Time Management Questionnaire (TTMQ).Results. Completed surveys were submitted by 213 students out of 569 (37.4% response rate). On-time progression rate was calculated separately for each class. Through binary logistic regression, we found that on-time progression was significantly associated with prepharmacy grade point average >3.20, high school Grit-Grid score >0.9, APRS-16 score >35, and CPSS score >34. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) composite scores and admissions committee rubric scores were not associated with on-time progression.Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, it may be reasonable to implement the Grit-Grid, APRS-16, and the CPSS in the admissions process to help determine the most appropriate candidates for our program or use them as screening tools for incoming students to identify who may be at academic risk. However, these factors need to be validated in pharmacy programs in other private and public universities before widespread adoption can be condoned.

Abstract P164: Using Mixed Methods to Assess Community Based Participatory Research Implementation: Assessment of a Walking-Based Health Intervention Program

Introduction: The Border Coalition for Fitness (BCF) is a community-based organization sponsored by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso(TTUHSC El Paso) that facilitates walking-based programs. These interventions aim to increase physical activity among a majority Hispanic population in El Paso, TX. To provide programming that effectively meets the community's needs, the BCF aims to operate within a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework that centers on community engagement and the translation of research into tangible benefits to the community. This mixed methods assessment examines perceptions of the BCF and its impact on the community. Methods: For the quantitative study, depending on the self-selected group (BCF, community leader, or community participant), respondents completed either a leadership (BCF, community leaders) or non-leadership (community participants) questionnaire. Both assess perceptions on a scale from 0 to 10, 10 being the best, across three constructs: leadership(L), resources(R), and ability and commitment to organize(C). For the qualitative study, members of the BCF and former walking intervention participants completed one-on-one interviews consisting of 13 open-ended questions. Qualitative interviews are ongoing. Results: Preliminary results from the quantitative survey (n=103) show high ratings across stakeholder groups and constructs. BCF members consistently represent the highest ratings (L:9.6; R:9.6; C:9.3) across all constructs, followed by the community leaders (L:8.3; R:8.1; C:8.5), and finally, community participants (L:8.0; R:7.7; C:7.6). There is good agreement among BCF members (n=5) and community members (n=2) that the BCF has a strong collaborative relationship with its academic sponsor and the community and provides impactful programming. Areas cited for improvement included a need for more autonomy on the part of the BCF and improved understanding of and interaction with the BCF on the part of community members. Conclusion: In conclusion, early findings from this mixed-methods assessment indicate strong support for the BCF and its programming among leadership and the community. However, insight gained from the qualitative interviews highlights several areas of improvement in terms of community-based participatory research practices, particularly encouraging community engagement with the BCF beyond participation in the walking-based programs.

Grit and Gratitude: Strategies for Novice Nurse Faculty.

Professor and RN to BSN Program Director, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock. Correspondence: Professor Pullen, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, 3601 4th St, Lubbock, TX 79430 ([email protected]). The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Pranav Sharma, MD.

No AccessJournal of UrologyReviewer of the Month1 Feb 2023Reviewer of the Month Pranav Sharma Pranav SharmaPranav Sharma Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003204AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Pranav Sharma Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

A Feasibility Study of Remote Non-Contact Vital Signs (NCVS) Monitoring in a Clinic Using a Novel Sensor Realized by Software-Defined Radio (SDR)

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused panic around the world as it is highly infectious and has caused about 5 million deaths globally. A robust wireless non-contact vital signs (NCVS) sensor system that can continuously monitor the respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) of patients clinically and remotely with high accuracy can be very attractive to healthcare workers (HCWs), as such a system can not only avoid HCWs' close contact with people with COVID-19 to reduce the infection rate, but also be used on patients quarantined at home for telemedicine and wireless acute-care. Therefore, we developed a custom Doppler-based NCVS radar sensor system operating at 2.4 GHz using a software-defined radio (SDR) technology, and the novel biosensor system has achieved impressive real-time RR/HR monitoring accuracies within approximately 0.5/3 breath/beat per minute (BPM) on student volunteers tested in our engineering labs. To further test the sensor system's feasibility for clinical use, we applied and obtained an Internal Review Board (IRB) approval from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and have used this NCVS monitoring system in a doctor's clinic at TTUHSC; following testing on 20 actual patients for a small-scale clinical trial, we have found that the system was still able to achieve good NCVS monitoring accuracies within ~0.5/10 BPM across 20 patients of various weight, height and age. These results suggest our custom-designed NCVS monitoring system may be feasible for future clinical use to help combatting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Disease profile of rheumatoid arthritis and its complications in hispanic population

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that is associated with functional disability and reduced quality of life. The central pathology of RA is the inflammation of diarthrodial joints, but approximately 40% of patients experience extra-articular manifestations of RA. Extra-articular manifestations are complications of RA that constitute multisystem disorders, associated with genetic and environmental conditions, and increase mortality in RA patients. Observational studies of RA patients have suggested ethnic disparities exist for minority populations; however, less is known about the distribution and prevalence of RA complications and drug-related problems (DRPs). Our objective was to construct a disease profile of RA-related complications in the Hispanic Mexican-American population compared to the non-Hispanic population of El Paso, Texas. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in a Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso from 2009 to 2019 to assess the prevalence of RA-related complications in the Hispanic vs non-Hispanic population. The primary parameters were RA diagnosis, serological status, RA-treatment modalities, and history of associated complications. Data were extracted by chart review and correlated to disease-related and treatment-related complications. STATA was used to perform statistical analyses. A p-value of < 0.05 determined statistical significance. ResultsOne thousand five hundred five (N=1505) patients, diagnosed with RA, were included in this study. Of the cohort, 82.52% of patients were females, 76.81% were Hispanic, and 64.12% had no smoking history. From the total cohort, seven hundred fifty-six (N=756) patients had documentation of serological markers (Rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP)); 78.44% of patients whose serological status was documented, were positive for RF and/or Anti-CCP. Multivariate regression analysis revealed Hispanics have 15% and 17% less risk of overall RA complications and drug-related side-effects, respectively, compared to non-Hispanics (p-value <0.0001). However, within the entire cohort, those with a family history of RA had a 44% more risk of complications compared to those without family history (p-value <0.0001). Additionally, modifiable risk factors, i.e., active smoking and alcohol use had a higher complication risk, 19% and 21%, respectively (p-value <0.0001). Significantly, all patients seropositive for RF, and/or anti-CCP had a lower prevalence of RA-related and drug-related complications. However, non-Hispanic patients seropositive for RF or anti-CCP had a higher prevalence of specific complications of RA and DRPs compared to Hispanic patients. ConclusionIn our retrospective review, analysis of sociodemographic characteristics reveals that Hispanic patients paradoxically have less risk of disease-related and treatment-related complications compared to non-Hispanic populations in El Paso, Texas. Genetic predisposition, modifiable environment/lifestyle factors had a higher prevalence of RA complications, congruent with established studies. Further analysis reveals that seropositive RA-patients have decreased complication prevalence compared to seronegative cohorts.