Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Death and Its Relationship With Anxiety Levels

This study examined nurses’ attitudes towards death, anxiety levels, and socio-demographic characteristics affecting their attitudes towards death. Three hundred and eighty-four nurses participated in the study. A questionnaire form, the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R), and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire were applied to the nurses. Nurses’ attitudes towards death were positive and their level of fear of death was low. Approach acceptance was high in younger ones; the escape acceptance score was higher in single ones. The neutral acceptance score was higher in those who received training on death. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between nurses' anxiety level and escape acceptance score. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the length of working years of nurses and the escape acceptance and approach acceptance. Nurses should be prepared for and supported on death with in-service training. It will be useful to provide these training programs to nursing students during their education process.

Digital Badging at Scale at Penn State University

In this chapter, the authors discuss two examples of digital credential implementations at Penn State University. Penn State University is a large R1 with a main campus located in Central Pennsylvania. The purpose of this chapter is to situate the broader digital credential movement within one example of how it has played out in higher education. Within this one example, the implementations between the University Libraries and College of Engineering have similarities and differences. This chapter demonstrates that the purpose and goals of a digital credentialing program heavily influence decisions made from the beginning of the effort through maturation. Outside forces that impact what a digital credentialing effort looks like will be discussed such as administrative requirements and concerns over visual identity. Finally, this chapter provides thoughts on where digital credentials are headed within higher education.

Experimental Hemodynamics within the Penn State Fontan Circulatory Assist Device

For children born with a single functional ventricle, the Fontan operation bypasses the right ventricle by forming a four-way total cavopulmonary connection adapting the existing ventricle for the systemic circulation. However, upon adulthood, many Fontan patients exhibit low cardiac output and elevated venous pressure, eventually requiring a heart transplantation. Despite efforts to develop a Fontan pump or use an existing ventricular assist device for failing Fontan support, there is still no device designed or tested for subpulmonary support. Penn State University is developing a hydrodynamically levitated Fontan circulatory assist device (FCAD) for bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy. The FCAD hemodynamics, at both steady and pulsatile conditions for three pump operating conditions, were quantified using particle image velocimetry to determine the velocity magnitudes and Reynolds normal and shear stresses. Data were acquired at three planes (0 mm and ±25% of the radius) for the inferior and superior vena cavae inlets and the pulmonary artery outlet. The inlets had a blunt velocity profile that became skewed towards the collecting volute as fluid approached the rotor. At the outlet, regardless of the flow condition, a high-velocity jet exited the volute and moved downstream in a helical pattern. Turbulent stresses observed at the volute exit were influenced by the rotor's rotation. Regardless of inlet conditions, the pump demonstrated advantageous behavior for clinical use with a predictable flow field and a low risk of platelet adhesion and hemolysis based on calculated wall shear rates and turbulent stresses, respectively.

Academic Library Video Services: Charting a Post-COVID Course

The vast majority of academic libraries offer streaming video services to support teaching and research, and demand for this already popular format from faculty and students increased when libraries closed their physical locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its popularity, many users are unfamiliar with copyright and terms of use for video content. Use of streaming video is further complicated by its availability on a variety of platforms using different licensing models. This case study shows how the Penn State University Libraries (PSUL) helped librarians, faculty, and students navigate access to video content for remote instruction during the pandemic. The examples of training library staff, educating faculty and students, and streamlining internal processes can be adapted by all academic libraries to provide greater access to video content. Demand for streaming video will continue even when libraries return to full in-person operations, so these approaches will continue to be relevant.

Dr. Richard C. Nelson: The Penn State Biomechanics Laboratory and Its Impact on My Career

In 1967, as an undergraduate gymnast, I developed an interest in the mechanics of twisting somersaults. In 1969, after expressing a desire to measure and model human motion in a doctoral program, I was advised that Dr Richard “Dick” Nelson was starting a unique program in biomechanics of sport at Penn State University. In September 1970, I was the fourth or fifth doctoral student to join the new program. In 1972, I photographed a cluster of 18 golf balls hung from a 4′ × 8′ sheet of plywood in Dick’s new biomechanics laboratory. The question: “Could I create a 3-dimensional scale that would allow me to locate these golf balls in 3 dimensions?” From these early beginnings, I went on to develop the mathematical foundation for “motion capture” and a career as an entrepreneur and scientist working in a very wide variety of industrial environments in the United States and abroad. Much of my success can be traced back to the 4 years I spent on the Penn State campus. Dick’s efforts in the late 60s and his persistence in the early 70s, and later, were instrumental in creating a new discipline: “Biomechanics of Sport.” Dick: Thank you.

Care Recipient Diagnosis Moderates the Relationship Between Caregiver Worry and Vigilance

Family members of persons diagnosed with dementia or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often relied upon to provide daily support to their care recipients. However, research on the differing experiences of caregivers based on care recipient diagnosis is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of worry and feelings of vigilance among caregivers of people with cognitive impairment due to either TBI or dementia. This sample included 61 caregivers (88.5% female, mean age 57.3±15.5) of persons with either a TBI (n = 32) or dementia (n = 29). Worry was assessed with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and Vigilance was assessed with the Caregiver Vigilance Scale. Linear regressions revealed that after controlling for age, care recipient diagnosis moderated the relationship between worry and caregiver vigilance. Specifically, worry was significantly associated with caregiver vigilance in those caring for someone with dementia; however, a similar relationship was not seen in those caring for someone with a TBI. This suggests caregivers of people with TBIs have a different experience of worry and vigilance than caregivers of people with dementia. These findings demonstrate the need for more research on the unique needs of caregivers of people with TBIs. Additionally, this research suggests interventions targeting worry may be particularly effective in supporting caregivers of people with TBIs.

Lessons learned: a meta-synthesis examining library spaces, services and resources during COVID-19

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the evolving ways library users engaged with services and resources and how library services adapted to meet their needs, in order to improve practice post-pandemic.Design/methodology/approachDuring Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, nine studies were conducted which examined the usage of space, services and resources; and employee and student perspectives. Findings from these studies were synthesized for this investigation through a process of qualitative meta-synthesis.FindingsThe themes from this meta-synthesis point to an ongoing need for streamlining services and processes, to improve efficiency as well as enable the Libraries to be prepared for the next crisis.Originality/valueWhile change takes time for large organizations, the existence of system-wide processes and services enabled library employees to continue assisting users across all Penn State campuses, demonstrating that the University Libraries could be considered a model for the “One Penn State” vision that the university strives to achieve by 2025.

Dr. Richard C. Nelson: Teacher, Researcher, Motivator, Leader, and Incredible Human

As one of the early graduate students of the Penn State Biomechanics Laboratory (1970–1974), I had the pleasure of being involved in the lab developed under the direction of Dr. Richard Nelson. His vision of applying engineering principles to human movement, particularly through the vehicle of sport analysis, inspired many to commit to a career of biomechanical exploration of the many aspects of human movement. By bringing many international scholars to the lab, he exposed his students to innovative and unique approaches to research. By developing technical applications, he made biomechanical inquiry more scientific and applicable. By caring for and mentoring a new generation of scientists and providing them the direction and tools they would need to establish their own labs and careers, he helped us become teachers, researchers, consultants, and mentors for a new generation of students. His love of life inspired us all to further the groundbreaking work he had begun and continued throughout his amazing career. His contributions to the field of biomechanics through his visionary establishment of societies, journals, collegial relationships, and consulting skills have served our community well. It was an honor and a privilege to know and learn from him.

Dr. Richard C. Nelson: A Water Tower Remembrance

The author recalls his initial introduction to the field of biomechanics in the Penn State Biomechanics Laboratory, known as the Water Tower, and its positive and profound effect on his lifetime career. Under the directorship of Dr. Richard Nelson, Penn State’s biomechanics program provided the author with a variety of both professional and personal learning opportunities. The author credits these experiences as having a direct relationship to his successful development as teacher, mentor, and researcher.

Age-Friendly Care, PA: A Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program

Age-Friendly Care, PA is co-led by Primary Health Network, the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Pennsylvania, and Penn State College of Nursing that aims to bring reliable, high-quality, age-friendly care to all older adults living in rural PA. Sponsored by HRSA through its Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, Age-Friendly Care, PA utilizes the ECHO, all-teach-all-learn, platform to engage isolated rural providers in incorporating the 4Ms (IHI) into their practice. Age-Friendly Care, PA reaches out directly to rural older adults and their care partners to co-design education and support. We have hosted 28+ events and reached 450+ individuals. Results include tracking and improvement in quality indicators assessed including support for individuals living with dementia and their care partners (NA-66.7%), risk for opioid misuse (NA-78%), high-risk medication management (NA-47.8%), fall-risk management (NA-9.4%), and advanced care planning (NA-8.9%). We will discuss the creation, co-development, implementation, lessons learned, and future of Age-Friendly Care, PA.