Reviewer Acknowledgements for Sustainable Agriculture Research, Vol. 10, No. 4

Sustainable Agriculture Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated. Sustainable Agriculture Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: [email protected] Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 4 Aaron Norris, Texas Tech University, USA Bed Mani Dahal, Kathmandu University, Nepal Darwin Pangaribuan, Lampung University, Indonesia Jiban Shrestha, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal Katarzyna Panasiewicz, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Luciano Chi, Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, Belize Manuel Teles Oliveira, University Tras os Montes Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal Patrice Ngatsi Zemko, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon Roberto José Zoppolo, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (Uruguay), Uruguay Tenaw Workayehu, Hawassa Research Center, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia Waqar Majeed, University of Agriculture, Pakistan

Reaching Out by Looking Within: The #WellnessWednesdays Initiative at Texas Tech University

Yoga is both a movement-based and contemplative practice, and has been used as a programming option in public libraries for many years. With more research being conducted on yoga and its efficacy on various health issues, many academic libraries are offering yoga as part of their de-stressing programs and events during their finals weeks or other high stress periods. Student wellness programs and self-care are also briefly reviewed. This paper summarizes some related research on yoga and college students, and its efficacy on easing depression and anxiety. This paper also describes a small survey of 64 academic librarians (faculty and staff) who were asked about yoga programming at their institutions and their libraries, with considerations for both accessibility and online practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

User Experience Testing in the Open Textbook Adaptation Workflow

As library publishers and open education programs grow, it is imperative that we integrate practices in our workflows that prioritize and include end users. Although there is information available on best practices for user testing and accessibility compliance, more can be done to give insight into the library publishing context. This study examines the user and accessibility testing workflow during the modification of an existing open textbook using Pressbooks at Texas Tech University.

Comparing Observations and Simulations of the Streamwise Vorticity Current and the Forward Flank Convergence Boundary in a Supercell Storm

The forward-flank convergence boundary (FFCB) in supercells has been well documented in many observational and modeling studies. It is theorized that the FFCB is a focal point fore baroclinic generation of vorticity. This vorticity is generally horizontal and streamwise in nature, which can then be tilted and converted to mid-level (3-6 km AGL) vertical vorticity. Previous modeling studies of supercells often show horizontal streamwise vorticity present behind the FFCB, with higher resolution simulations resolving larger magnitudes of horizontal vorticity. Recently, studies have shown a particularly strong realization of this vorticity called the streamwise vorticity current (SVC). In this study, a tornadic supercell is simulated with the Bryan Cloud Model at 125-m horizontal grid spacing, and a coherent SVC is shown to be present. Simulated range-height indicator (RHI) data show the strongest horizontal vorticity is located on the periphery of a steady-state Kelvin-Helmholtz billow in the FFCB head. Additionally, similar structure is found in two separate observed cases with the Texas Tech University Ka-band (TTUKa) mobile radar RHIs. Analyzing vorticity budgets for parcels in the vicinity of the FFCB head in the simulation, stretching of vorticity is the primary contributor to the strong streamwise vorticity, while baroclinic generation of vorticity plays a smaller role.

Technology Focus: Artificial Lift (March 2021)

In a recent SPE Podcast, Shauna Noonan asked me why I chose a career in artificial lift. My answer was twofold. First, I explained that I love instant gratification and that there is probably no other discipline within petroleum engineering that allows you to see immediate results from your work the way artificial lift does. Second, I explained that, when I was an incoming freshman at Texas Tech University, I learned that past department chair Herald Winkler was revered throughout the industry as one of the pioneers of gas lift technology. I figured that, if artificial lift was a good enough career path for “Wink,” it was good enough for me. It did not take long, however, for me to learn that not everyone felt the same way. When I was given the opportunity to select a senior petroleum engineering elective, I chose Artificial Lift. On the first day of the semester, I was one of only two students to show up for that class. We were disappointed when, at 8 a.m., a department staff member informed us that the class did not make and that we had been enrolled in Thermal Recovery Methods instead. This would not be the last time I learned that artificial lift did not always receive the love that it should. Years later, I was visiting with a seasoned artificial lift professional at a meeting and mentioned the need to better leverage the resources SPE has to offer. He immediately retorted, “Oh, Greg, SPE is for reservoir engineers. Why waste your time?” I am pleased to report that, in the decade since that meeting, artificial lift has experienced something of a renaissance within SPE. Past President Shauna Noonan is a career artificial lift professional, and, during her administration, the SPE Board of Directors greatly expanded the role of artificial lift technology within our professional society. Since 2014, SPE International has presented a dedicated series of artificial lift conferences, the most recent of which was the virtual 2020 SPE Artificial Lift Conference and Exhibition—Americas. This biennial event has greatly enhanced the breadth, depth, and quality of artificial lift papers available to our members through the OnePetro online library. For the 2020–21 season, two artificial lift experts, Anthony Allison and Ken Decker, were selected as SPE Distinguished Lecturers. In 2020, SPE established a new technical section dedicated to artificial lift technology. Beginning in 2021, JPT is expanding its coverage of artificial lift to two features per year. Finally, since 2014, SPE has recognized 16 eminent artificial lift professionals for their outstanding contributions by presenting them with the Legends of Artificial Lift award. As it happens, the very first class of Artificial Lift Legends included both Herald Winkler and Joe Clegg—the very individual who told me that SPE was for reservoir engineers. One common theme shared by each of the Artificial Lift Legends in their talks is that artificial lift really shines during a downturn. This is because, when capital spending is constrained, artificial lift is one of the few levers an operator has available to increase production while reducing operating expenses. As my colleagues and I can attest, this was certainly the case in 2020. While many groups within my company and others like it struggled to stay busy, artificial lift professionals found that they had never been busier. I am proud of the work that my colleagues in the industry have done to help operators achieve positive free cash flow during one of the most challenging periods of our industry’s history. The results of your dedication, ingenuity, and hard work demonstrate the important role artificial lift technology plays in our industry today.

Classic clinical descriptions of disease: curing medical education with a dose of the past

The importance of clinical skills, including obtaining patient history and performing physical examination, has been de-emphasized in the modern medical school curriculum. With advancements in diagnostic technologies, the clinical presentation of diseases in medical textbooks has been simplified, diminished, and largely replaced with detailed pathophysiology and laboratory findings. The implementation of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 has also contributed in pushing medical education toward classroom-based learning rather than emphasizing clinical experience. Clinical skills competency is crucial to accurately diagnose patients and simultaneously lowers health care costs by not relying on unneeded diagnostic tests. To address this gap in medical knowledge, a group of students at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, have created a website documenting classic clinical disease descriptions written by some of the renowned physicians from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Osler, Flint, Gowers, etc. This website will continue to grow and will be a useful tool for professors, physicians, and medical students.

Implications of Age on Social Media Utilization in Healthcare Practice Development: A Focused Study of Healthcare Faculty and Students (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Social media has revolutionized the way that people interact with each other and with businesses. Medical practices have yet to take full advantage of the reach of social media. This research study looked at data collected using an anonymous survey that was further supported by published literature in order to shed greater light on both the possible opportunities for social media usage in medical practices as well as the challenges of implementing it appropriately. The survey collected data from a diverse population of healthcare professional students, faculty, and physicians affiliated with Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC). The data revealed social media usage across age groups, education levels, and occupations. Results from age group data was further examined in order to develop recommendations for burgeoning practices. Within this focus, the survey explored whether respondents, many of whom work within the health care system, would be open to social media utilization to improve healthcare delivery. Therefore, this study demonstrated the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of social media utilization when growing a medical practice. OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional survey design, exploratory, descriptive investigation, was performed to better understand the benefits and challenges of current social media use in medicine and to explore further innovations in the utilization of these tools to bring further success for a medical practice. METHODS The possible benefits and challenges of the utilization of social media were measured through data gathered from an anonymous, peer validated, Qualtrics survey created by the corresponding authors based on recommendations from a panel of experts made up of TTUHSC faculty and staff. The survey used a variety of question styles to measure differences between social media platforms including frequency of use, current and future implications in medicine, and comfort in a healthcare setting. The sample population included students, interns, faculty, and physicians all affiliated with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centers located throughout West Texas. By analyzing the data gathered from the survey, with support from already published literature, this research provides insights on efficient strategies of utilizations and the demand for social media in the medical field. RESULTS The anonymous survey gathered data from a sample size of 679 individuals spread out among different age groups predetermined at the beginning of the study. The data includes 153 respondents between the ages of 18-25, 174 between the ages of 26-35, 134 between the ages of 36-45, 106 between the ages of 46-55, and 112 between the ages of 56-89. In addition to the wide distribution of ages, the sample population also has a wide variety of educational achievements. The respondents were grouped based upon the highest level of education attained and this included 23% of respondents that earned a high school diploma, 42% that earned a bachelor’s degree, 17% of respondents that earned a master’s degree and an additional 17% that earned some form of doctorate degree. This sample population with a wide distribution of age and education provided significant and actionable data that could be utilized to more efficiently implement a social media strategy focused on age to help develop a medical practice. CONCLUSIONS As social media continues to grow, efficient utilization of the available platforms can help a medical practice reach out to a broader population and deliver personalized care. While the data collected in this study demonstrated an overwhelming interest in using social media in the medical field across all age groups, adoption willingness appears to be higher in younger respondents than with older respondents. Facebook is the most broadly accepted social media platform for healthcare applications. However, other social media platforms, such as Instagram, may be better tools for targeting younger generations. Medical practices should use social media pages to present content that is timely, relevant, and written in clear language familiar to the target audience.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Vaccination among Post-graduate Residents and Fellows

Background Coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide pandemic since December 2019. Since then, clinical trials with vaccines have been started and completed, and at present, 3 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in the United States. Healthcare providers were among the first to get vaccinated, but the precise attitudes of healthcare workers toward vaccination are uncertain. Objective To understand residents and fellows’ attitudes toward vaccination and record any side effects after vaccination. Methods We conducted an anonymous survey that was open from 3-1-2021 to 3-12-2021 using distribution lists from the Graduate Medical Education office on the Lubbock campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center after getting approval from the Institutional Review Board (L21-088). Results Eighty-one residents and fellows (26.6% out of 304) responded to our survey. Among those who responded, 63 (77.8 %) were between 25 and 35 years old, and 41 (50.6%) were males. Seventy-seven (95.1%) received the vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech), 78 (96.3%) reported that they supported vaccination, and 3 (3.7%) reported that they did not want vaccination. Eight members (9.8%) had tested positive for COVID-19 infection before vaccination, but only 1 (1.23%) had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. All residents and fellows reported side effects after the vaccination, including pain at the injection site (77; 100%), local redness (9; 11.6%), local swelling (13; 16.8%), fever (25; 32.5%), fatigue (25; 32.5%), chills (34; 44.1 %), headache (38; 49.4%). Conclusions Most medical trainees have a high interest in COVID-19 vaccination; however, a few reported that they did not want vaccination.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Vaccination Among Medical Students

COIVD-19 vaccination of medical students is essential since these students will have contact with patients and will become future healthcare leaders. Hence, we surveyed medical students at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock, TX, and received 234 responses. The majority of students were vaccinated against COVID-19 (215/234; 91.8%) and reported pro-vaccine attitudes, such as support for a COVID-19 booster shot (191/234; 81.6%) and an annual COVID-19 vaccine (186/234; 79.5%). Among those who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the most frequent reasons included waiting for more evidence (16/19; 84.2%) and concern about the side effects (15/19; 79.0%). These results indicate that medical students consider vaccination important and suggest that students can provide an important resource for patients and public education.