The Vehicle, Spring 2011

Table of Contents Note from the Editorpage 5 Vehicle Award Winnerspage 6 James K. Johnson Creative Writing Award Winnerspage 7 GravelDan Davispage 9 ThankfulElizabeth Marlowpage 15 Featured Artist: Sarah Gillespiepage 16 Introspectioncover Good Observationpage 19 A Onenesspage 20 Life Mandalapage 21 Flora Universalpage 22 Creative Writing Graduate Student Interviewspage 23 Dan Davispage 24 Chris Houchenspage 26 Clint Walkerpage 28 Daniel Paquinpage 30https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1094/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 2011

Table of Contents Note from the Editorpage 5 Vehicle Award Winnerspage 6 James K. Johnson Creative Writing Award Winnerspage 7 GravelDan Davispage 9 ThankfulElizabeth Marlowpage 15 Featured Artist: Sarah Gillespiepage 16 Introspectioncover Good Observationpage 19 A Onenesspage 20 Life Mandalapage 21 Flora Universalpage 22 Creative Writing Graduate Student Interviewspage 23 Dan Davispage 24 Chris Houchenspage 26 Clint Walkerpage 28 Daniel Paquinpage 30https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1094/thumbnail.jp

Changing Patterns of Human Campylobacteriosis, England and Wales, 1990–2007

To explore hypotheses for age-related changes in the incidence of Campylobacter infections in England and Wales during 1990–2007, we analyzed electronic laboratory data. Disease incidence was reduced among children, and the greatest increase in risk was for those >60 years of age. Risk factors for campylobacteriosis in the elderly population should be identified

EXPLORING STUDENTS’ VIEWS ON PERSISTENCE ON NURSING PROGRAMMES: AN INTERACTIVE QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

In a context of national nursing shortages, reducing attrition on undergraduate nursing programmes is a high priority. Existing models of retention and attrition derive largely from the USA with limited applicability to the UK context. In this study a new model is developed which seeks to map the interrelationships between student-identified factors associated with ‘staying the course’ on nursing programmes. Using Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA) – a methodology not previously applied to persistence in the UK or indeed to pre-registration nursing anywhere in the world – the study seeks an understanding of the experience of persisting on an undergraduate nursing degree from the start to finish, from the perspective of the students themselves. A multi-site IQA study was designed involving four UK HEIs. Following a pilot phase, four workshops were conducted across the HEIs with a total of 25 students. Semistructured follow-up interviews were conducted with three workshop participants at each site in order to further elucidate issues raised, and themes discussed, during the workshops. The researcher was able to identify five participant-generated themes which the students themselves perceived to be the most important and exert the greatest influence of their desire to remain on-programme: Political Context, Support, Motivation, Placement/ Caring for Patients and Personal Goal Achievement. These superordinate factors were commonly identified by all study participants. The study finds that a single ‘one-size-fits-all’ model explaining the phenomenon of undergraduate student nurse persistence is neither possible nor desirable. Instead, it shows how elucidating commonalities in the experience of persistence can indicate interventions and strategies to enhance the student journey. Such an approach stands to provide universities with detailed insight on the nursing student experience, allowing the tailoring of provision, and improving the experience of ‘staying the course’ – an outcome which in turn has the potential to positively impact retention rates

Concurrent Conditions and Human Listeriosis, England, 1999–2009

The epidemiology of listeriosis in England and Wales changed during 2001–2008; more patients >60 years of age had bacteremia than in previous years. To investigate these changes, we calculated risk for listeriosis by concurrent condition for non–pregnancy-associated listeriosis cases reported to the national surveillance system in England during 1999–2009. Conditions occurring with L. monocytogenes infection were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, and compared with appropriate hospital episode statistics inpatient denominator data to calculate incidence rates/million consultations. Malignancies (especially of the blood), kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and age >60 years were associated with an increased risk for listeriosis. Physicians should consider a diagnosis of listeriosis when treating patients who have concurrent conditions. Providing cancer patients, who accounted for one third of cases, with food safety information might help limit additional cases

DIT Library Services: An Evolving Learning Environment

DIT Library Services: an evolving learning environment The library as a place of learning has seen progressive change. DIT Library Services is listening and responding to the student need for a library service that supports all their learning requirements and learning styles. A service designed to reach them at their point of need

Remote Acculturation 101: A Primer on Research, Implications, and Illustrations from Classrooms Around the World

Remote acculturation (RA) is a modern form of acculturation common among youth, which results from contact with a distant culture via the 4 Ts of globalization (trade, technology, tourism, and transnationalism). This article provides an introduction to RA by describing the what, who, how, where, and why of RA, summarizing its implications for youth development and health, and offering additional resources for student/classroom use. Utilizing our perspectives as psychology researchers and secondary school educators spanning 19 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, we supplement research findings from our lab and others with real-world illustrations from our classrooms around the globe. We conclude that the prominent role of media in RA presents cost-effective opportunities to promote its benefits (e.g., foreign media can sharpen cultural competence) and proactively buffer its risks (e.g., media literacy for inoculation against poor health habits)