Search Results (291)

Sustaining a well-designed healthcare intervention justifies the resources allocated during its conceptualization and implementation and maximizes its clinical benefits, but staff influences on sustainment have been studied insufficiently. This study evaluates the effects of pharmacy staff (i.e., pharmacists/technicians) perceptions about the sustainability of Senior Safe^TM, a U.S. pharmacy-based intervention to reduce older adult over-the-counter (OTC) medication misuse. Three months after introducing Senior Safe into 67 pharmacies in a large Midwestern health-system, all pharmacy staff (N = 279) received a survey invitation. Fifty-nine pharmacists and 94 technicians completed the survey. Using logistic regression modeling for the 14 belief-based survey items, and staff roles (pharmacist or technician), the final factors significantly predicting staff views that Senior Safe was sustainable were as follows: perceiving Senior Safe as well-integrated into leadership operations (OR = 5.606, p < 0.001) and believing the intervention reduced OTC misuse (OR = 8.217, p < 0.001). Also, technicians were more confident than pharmacists about Senior Safe’s sustainment and its OTC misuse reduction success. Overall, an intervention’s sustainability relies on those using it. Since the principal predictor of maintaining Senior Safe was its perceived effectiveness, increasing staff buy-in and awareness of an intervention’s benefits may be central to its long-term viability. With an aging U.S. population, sustainable solutions to older adult medication misuse remain critical. Full article

Blood transfusions are indispensable in Veterinary Medicine, providing therapeutic support in cases of hematological disorders. Several pathogens can cause disease and/or exacerbate the condition of immunocompromised dogs or those requiring a transfusion. This study aimed to investigate the molecular occurrence of hemopathogens (Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., piroplasmids, and hemoplasmas) in blood donor and patient dogs using samples from a clinical veterinary laboratory in Brazil. One hundred blood samples were collected from each group. All dogs tested negative for Bartonella spp. in all performed assays. Among the 100 dogs from the clinical veterinary laboratory, 15% (95% CI: 9.3–23.3) tested positive for Ehrlichia spp., 6% (95% CI: 2.8–12.5) for Anaplasma spp., 3% (95% CI: 1.0–8.5) for Babesia spp., and 2% (95% CI: 0.6–7.0) for hemoplasmas. Blood donor dogs tested positive for hemoplasmas (5%) (95% CI: 2.2–11.2). Additional conventional and real-time PCR assays followed by sequencing confirmed the presence of Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Babesia vogeli, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum’, and Mycoplasma haemocanis. The molecular detection of E. canis, A. platys, ‘Ca. M. haematoparvum’, and M. haemocanis in dogs from midwestern Brazil reinforces the relevance of molecular tools in diagnosing hemopathogens. This is the first molecular detection of hemoplasmas in canine blood donors from Brazil. This finding indicates their silent circulation and highlights the importance of molecular screening to prevent the worsening of clinical conditions and the risk of turning recipients into new sources of infection. Full article

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is a nutrient-rich multipurpose crop. Its grains are used as a cereal, green leaves as a vegetable for humans, and the whole green plant as an alternate forage for livestock. Recently, whole-plant quinoa forage has been evaluated in several countries in Asia and Europe for its potential use as an alternative forage for livestock; however, this has not been performed in the United States. We investigated forage yield and related agronomic traits, nutritional composition, and feed quality-related traits in 60-day-old quinoa whole plants of four quinoa lines over a two-year period. The goal was to evaluate the feasibility of quinoa forage production in Missouri, a drought-prone midwestern state of the USA. Morphological traits (height and fresh and dry weight per plant), chemical composition (fiber contents), and nutritive quality (digestible nutrient contents) of forages were affected by quinoa genotype and year of planting. The crude protein content of quinoa forage averaged 16.23% and fiber 22.08%, which was similar to the values reported in Asia and Europe, but was slightly lower than that of alfalfa. Calcium (1.26%) and phosphorus (0.47% dry weight) were significantly higher than those reported in published quinoa forage results and are comparable to those in published alfalfa minerals. Lysine (0.98%) and methionine (0.25%) were higher than the published results for quinoa and alfalfa. Neutral detergent fiber (34.10%) and acid detergent fiber (25.01%) were lower than those of alfalfa, indicating better digestibility of the quinoa forage. The calculated digestible dry matter (69.40%), dry matter intake (3.56%), relative food value (192%), and total digestible nutrient (70.33%) were higher than those of alfalfa and comparable with published results for quinoa forage. Our preliminary results indicate that the quinoa lines evaluated in this study have excellent potential to be used as a non-traditional alternative forage, especially in environmentally stressed areas where the production of other forage crops is limited. Further research should explore the full multipurpose benefits of quinoa, including its use as grains, leafy green, and whole-plant forage. Full article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a multi-component soil conditioner consisting of zeolite, calcium carbonate, potassium humate, and Ascophyllum nodosum extract affects selected soil properties (physical, chemical, and water-related properties, as well as microbial and enzymatic properties) and the growth and grain yield of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). To achieve the goal, one-year research experiments were conducted at three conventionally tilled sites, which were situated on farms across three geographically separate regions in the Kuyavian–Pomeranian Region of Midwestern Poland. Most of the chemical properties, namely, total organic C, total N, pH in KCl, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), as well as exchangeable (Mg, Ca, K, and Na) and available (Mg, K, and P) forms of nutrients, were not significantly affected by the conditioner or sampling time. Independent of the study location, the percentage of macropores in total porosity (TP) and dissolved nitrogen content (DNt) determined in July were considerably greater in the soil treated with Solactiv compared to the reference soil. Bulk density (BD), in turn, showed the opposite tendency, also suggesting the positive effect of the studied conditioner. At all study sites, application of the conditioner significantly reduced the percentage of micropores in total porosity (TP) (by 17%), while significantly increasing the content of macropores in TP (15%) and enhancing the percentage of available and readily available water capacity (8.5% and 14%). No clear changes in the results of C and N form and enzymatic activity were noted. The activities of DHA and FDAH behave differently in each study site, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. The cellulase was the only enzyme that was significantly and positively affected by Solactiv at all study sites and for both sampling times. The values of dry matter of roots and plants, barley root length and surface, and barley grain yield were considerably greater in soil amended with Solactiv compared to the reference soil. Because some important soil and plant properties showed a positive response toward the tested conditioner, despite the low dose used, further studies should be conducted at a larger scale, focusing on different soils and plants. Full article

Poor air quality can harm human health and the environment. Air quality data are needed to understand and reduce exposure to air pollution. Air sensor data can supplement national air monitoring data, allowing for a better understanding of localized air quality and trends. However, these sensors can have limitations, biases, and inaccuracies that must first be controlled to generate data of adequate quality, and analyzing sensor data often requires extensive data analysis. To address these issues, an R-Shiny application has been developed to assist air quality professionals in (1) understanding air sensor data quality through comparison with nearby ambient air reference monitors, (2) applying basic quality assurance and quality control, and (3) understanding local air quality conditions. This tool provides agencies with the ability to more quickly analyze and utilize air sensor data for a variety of purposes while increasing the reproducibility of analyses. While more in-depth custom analysis may still be needed for some sensor types (e.g., advanced correction methods), this tool provides an easy starting place for analysis. This paper highlights two case studies using the tool to explore PM_2.5 sensor performance under the conditions of wildfire smoke impacts in the Midwestern United States and the performance of O₃ sensors for a year. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted rural communities in unique ways. Those living in rural communities encounter several challenges in managing the effects of COVID-19, and exploring the perceptions of those from rural communities provides valuable information about rural health behaviors. This study aimed to explore the various reactions that individuals in a predominantly rural Midwestern state had regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on them at two time points (December 2020 and March 2021) during the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: Utilizing an inductive thematic approach to analyze data, researchers found several themes reflecting the participants’ reactions to COVID-19. Results: Participants described varying reactions to public health information around COVID-19 and how those reactions, and subsequent behaviors, were impacted by different rural values. The themes that emerged from the data were Vulnerability factors, Experiences of Emotions, Government Response, COVID-19 Guidelines, Politicization of Pandemic, and Hope/Optimism. Conclusions: The findings suggest the importance of a community-responsive approach to implementing public health interventions that align with community values and priorities. Using behaviorally based interventions that acknowledge individual experiences, beliefs, capacity/resources, and cultural norms may be effective in supporting promotive health behaviors in rural communities. Full article

Corn stover and plastic waste, severely underutilized feedstocks generated in the U.S., could be co-pelletized to produce fuel for cement production. High-density polyethylene bags (0–25% in 5% increments, dry basis) and corn stover were co-pelletized using a flat ring pellet mill with die diameters of 6 and 8 mm. Physical and chemical properties were assessed to determine pellet quality. These results informed techno-economic and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) analyses for a Midwestern plant producing 400,000 metric tons of pellets annually. The system boundary included feedstock acquisition at the pellet plant, size reduction, co-pelletization, and transportation of the pellets to the cement plant by rail. Total resource requirements in terms of raw materials, labor, fuel, equipment, the facility, and utilities were estimated. It was determined that the pellets would be delivered to the cement plant at USD 112.4–138.6/t pellets. The life cycle analysis estimated a total GHGe of 1621.1–1753.1 kg CO₂e/t pellets associated with the pellet production, transportation, and combustion. The results suggest that substituting 25% of the thermal energy requirement of a cement plant with a 1.1 million t clinker annual production capacity with plastic–stover pellets would reduce the GHGe by 2.8% compared to 100% of the total energy requirement supplied by coal. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a tick-borne allergic condition increasingly prevalent in the Southern, Eastern and Mid-western regions of the United States. This study aims to assess the awareness and understanding of AGS among Kansas residents, focusing on its symptoms, impact, and available management resources. Methods: Two anonymous, self-reported surveys were administered using Qualtrics software [Qualtrics XM, Provo, UT, USA], one targeting Kansas Extension professionals and the other directed at Kansas community residents. Results: Participants from both groups demonstrated general awareness of AGS, with 82 respondents self-identifying as having the condition. Beyond the dietary restrictions associated with the condition, individuals with AGS also faced a range of social, financial and health-related challenges. The study revealed critical gaps in healthcare preparedness and support infrastructure for managing AGS in rural Kansas communities. Conclusions: While awareness of AGS is increasing in Kansas, individuals affected by this condition continue to encounter significant challenges. These are not limited to personal and emotional hardships but also include systemic challenges in healthcare and community support. Study findings highlight a critical gap between growing awareness and implementation of effective action. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burnout syndrome among nurses can significantly contribute to the nursing shortage, leading to high turnover and negative impacts on both nurses and patient care. The primary objective of this project was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect of a mindfulness-based mobile application (MBMA) on burnout and well-being in emergency department (ED) nurses over four weeks. Methods: An EBPQI with a descriptive approach was taken to evaluate ED nurses’ burnout and well-being, which was measured with the Mini-Z Single Item (MZSI) and Nurses’ Well-Being Index (NWBI). We also asked three open-ended questions about their experience using the once-daily MBMA over the four-week period. Twelve participants from a mid-western hospital were recruited, and six completed both the pre-test and post-test surveys. Results: Results found no statistically significant improvement in burnout (p = 1.00) or well-being (p = 0.783). However, upon a secondary analysis using imputed data, a statistically significant improvement in burnout was found (p = 0.012). Among the six participants who completed the post-intervention, a significant and positive correlation between burnout and well-being was identified (r = 0.81, p = 0.048). Themes from qualitative responses included perceived helpfulness of MBMA tools, perceived usefulness, and lack of time for daily participation. Although statistical improvements were not observed, individual comments indicated that the tool was helpful; however, setting aside time to engage with it remained difficult. Conclusions: Findings from this project support the need for further research exploring the impact of individualized interventions specifically targeting ED nurses as well as organizational strategies aimed at those already experiencing burnout or impaired well-being. Full article

Effective biosecurity is crucial for preventing swine diseases, but there can be a gap between what producers intend and what actually happens on the farm. We conducted a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey of Midwestern US swine operations (N = 54) to explore beliefs and practices related to the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan. Because some questions had item-level nonresponse, we report proportions for the full sample (denominator = 54) and, where helpful, for those who responded to specific items (sample size varies). Across the full sample, 27.8% (15/54) said they use biosecurity measures always or sometimes. For enhanced biosecurity, 24.1% (13/54) marked always and 3.7% (2/54) sometimes—with all item responders (N = 15) indicating some level of use. Among those who answered, the influence of veterinarians was clear: 81.8% (9/11) said their vet’s opinion is always important when deciding on biosecurity (compared to 16.7% in the full sample). Confidence in controlling an outbreak was similarly high among those who responded: 92.9% (13/14) reported they could always or sometimes control spread (24.1% in the full sample). That said, uptake of several specific SPS components was low—for example, only 27.3% (3/11) reported always monitoring or recording crossings of the line of separation, while 63.6% (7/11) said never. No single biosecurity practice was universally adopted, and overall, fully SPS-aligned programs appeared uncommon in this Midwestern group. These descriptive findings point to clear targets for improvement—such as better monitoring of the line of separation—and highlight potential leverage points, especially the role of attending veterinarians, for outreach efforts. Because this was a convenience sample relying on self-report and had item nonresponse, the results are not statistically representative of the broader regional industry but do provide valuable insights into respondent practices. Full article

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder) and wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei (Turcz.) Hand.-Maz.) are important invasive plants in Midwestern U.S. forests. We studied how two herbicides at two concentrations combined with three concentrations of a surfactant affected the mortality of these species. For L. maackii, we also studied the effect of application timing, and for E. fortunei, we also measured the treatment effect on native species after one year. For E. fortunei, triclopyr caused complete mortality at both low and high concentrations. The application of glyphosate increased mortality from low to high concentrations. The addition of a surfactant to glyphosate increased mortality, with the low concentration being as effective as the high concentration. There was a negative effect of surfactant on native species, with the high concentration of the surfactant causing a 75% reduction in native species compared to not using a surfactant. For L. maackii, there was greater mortality from the fall application of herbicides. Mortality was higher overall with the addition of a surfactant, but the effect of the surfactant was more important in spring. Glyphosate was more effective in fall, while triclopyr tended to be more effective in spring. Generally, lower concentrations of herbicides tended to have a higher efficacy in the fall. Our results can help managers determine the best method of chemical control that balances cost, efficacy, and recovery of native species. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic pain symptoms can disrupt cognitive processes. Such interruptions may negatively impact one’s overall functioning, causing frustration and distress when engaging in important tasks. This experience has been referred to as cognitive intrusion of pain. To date, only one adult self-report measure of cognitive intrusion of pain exists: the Experience of Cognitive Intrusion of Pain (ECIP). The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the ECIP in a sample of pediatric patients with chronic pain. Methods: The internal consistency reliability, factor structure, and validity of the ECIP were evaluated in a sample (N = 182) of youth ages 11 to 18 who presented to a multidisciplinary chronic pain clinic at a large Midwestern children’s hospital in the United States. Results: Results suggest excellent reliability (α = 0.94). Confirmatory factor analysis results supported a one-factor model, with excellent model fit. The ECIP demonstrated evidence of convergent validity, with moderate and positive correlations with measures of pain-related limitations in functioning, pain symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Regarding discriminant validity evidence, the ECIP was minimally and inversely related to measures of readiness to transition to self-managed care and global health. Conclusions: Overall, the ECIP demonstrated strong initial reliability and validity evidence for use in pediatric chronic pain. Further research is recommended in more diverse samples and to evaluate the clinical utility of the ECIP. Full article

This article examines how Afghan refugee resettlement in Muncie, Indiana challenges dominant narratives about both Midwestern homogeneity and refugee victimhood. Through research with Afghan refugees who arrived following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, I analyze how everyday encounters between refugees and longtime residents reveal complex imperial connections. Drawing on Critical Refugee Studies, I argue that Afghan presence in the American Midwest is not incidental but directly produced by decades of U.S. military intervention. Cultural narratives that portray the Midwest as predominantly white are not only misleading but also fuel dangerous ideologies like nativism and white supremacy, which lead to anti-refugee and immigrant policies and practices that have dire consequences. By centering Afghan refugees within longer histories of imperialism, racialization, and migration, I demonstrate how face-to-face interactions produce unexpected alliances that question previously held ideologies and challenge U.S. empire. This work contributes to understanding how refugee integration collapses boundaries between foreign and domestic, revealing how empire fundamentally shapes citizenship, belonging, and regional identity in America’s heartland. Full article

Trypanosoma vivax, a haemoprotozoan of African origin, has spread throughout Latin America, mainly affecting cattle through mechanical transmission by flies. This study reports an outbreak of T. vivax on a dairy farm in the midwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical signs included progressive weight loss, lethargy, hyporexia, reduced milk production, abortions, neurological signs, and deaths. The herd comprised 238 crossbred Holstein-Gir cattle (200 cows, 38 calves). Blood samples were collected from 104 randomly selected cows and all 38 calves to assess hematocrit (HCT) and total plasma protein (TPP), and detect trypomastigote forms using blood and buffy coat smears. PCR was performed on EDTA blood from 30 smear-negative cows. Trypanosoma sp. was identified in 51.9% (54/104) of the smear samples, with morphometric confirmation of T. vivax infection. About 66.6% (20/30) of the smear-negative cows tested positive by PCR, showing the higher sensitivity of molecular tests. Anemia was observed in 56.8% of infected cows, with significantly lower HCT and TPP values than in uninfected animals. The absence of quarantine for new animals, high fly density, and shared needles for oxytocin injections were likely contributing factors. This study underscores the crucial role of molecular diagnostics in accurately investigating outbreaks. Full article

This study assessed whether COVID-19 pandemic experiences were associated with excessive alcohol use during the first year of the pandemic in Iowa, a heavy-drinking midwestern US state. We analyzed survey data from 4047 adult residents of Iowa collected in August 2020, focusing on three pandemic-related stressors (e.g., emotional reactions to the pandemic; disruption of daily activities; and financial hardship) and salient social support. Using multiple logistic regression, we tested correlates of increased drinking, heavy drinking, and binge drinking, controlling for demographic characteristics and health status. We found that nearly half (47.6%) of respondents did not change their drinking compared to before the pandemic; however, 12.4% of respondents reported increasing their drinking and 5.3% reported decreasing their drinking. Emotional reactions to the pandemic and disruption of daily activities were associated with higher odds of increased drinking, and rurality was associated with lower odds of increased drinking. No pandemic-related stressor was associated with heavy or binge drinking, but social support was associated with lower odds of binge drinking. Thus, we concluded that some pandemic-related stressors may explain increased drinking but not heavy or binge drinking. Understanding the nuances of alcohol use can inform preventive interventions, policy decisions, and preparations for future catastrophic events. Full article