Factors affecting the programme completion of pre-registration nursing students through a three year course: a retrospective cohort study

© 2017 Students who leave pre-registration nurse education having failed to complete remain a concern for higher education institutions. This study identifed factors influencing completion using a retrospective cohort analysis to map student characteristics at entry against Year 3 completion data. The study was set in a nursing faculty in a higher education institution in northern England. Data were collected between 2009 and 2014 with five cohorts of students participating (n = 807). Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the dependent variable Progression Outcome with categories of; completion and non-completion (academic and non-academic reasons). Predictors included cohort, programme, branch, gender, age on entry, ethnic group, disability status, domicile, change of home postcode, change of term-time postcode, entry qualifications, previous experience of caring, and dependents. Age on Entry and Domicile or alternatively Dependents and Domicile emerged as statistically significant (p  <  0.05) in the multivariable analysis. Older students were less likely to be lost from the programme, as were students who lived locally at all times and those with dependents. There is currently little reliable, consistent information on nursing student attrition, progression and completion. This study contributes to the evidence base by identifying some of the factors that may contribute to successful programme completion

Global rainfall monitoring by SSM/I

Significant accomplishments in the last year of research are presented. During 1991, three main activities were undertaken: (1) development and testing of a preliminary global rainfall algorithm; (2) researching areas of strong surface scattering; and (3) formulation of a program of work for the WetNet PrecipWG. Focus of present research and plans for next year are briefly dismissed

Reducing Barriers to Entry for the Direct Sales of Local Foods in Ohio

According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, Ohio ranks in the top 10 states for direct farm sales. Other signs of growth include an increasing number of farm markets, farmers' markets, wineries, produce auctions, and chef grower networks. The growth of grower conferences such as the Mid-Ohio Growers, the Southwest Ohio Vegetable Conference and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association (OEFFA) shows growers are interested in growing and providing local foods throughout Ohio. When making direct sales, Ohio growers and marketers are voicing concerns regarding the barriers to entry they face. In most cases, this relates to the sales of eggs, meats and cottage foods at farm markets, farmers' markets and other retail locations. Current laws, rules and interpretations vary significantly. Growers in one county face steeper costs for licensing and equipment than others. Some aspects of these laws are not up-to-date with food safety research. To combat this issue and to make a level playing field, OSU Extension partnered with the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Together, they completing a multi-faceted project to gain insight into the rules and regulations affecting farm direct marketers in Ohio. The team conducted literature reviews in the areas of barriers in other states and food safety concerns relating to the sales of local foods. A chart was developed to show the top direct marketing states in the United States and Ohio to give a side-by-side comparison of laws and regulations to gain a better understanding of how Ohio compares to similar states. A comparative analysis was used to compare the available information for producers regarding the implementation of the laws and rules of each state. Additionally, listening sessions were held across Ohio, and surveys were conducted of both farmers' market managers and health department sanitarians to gain insight into current processes and potential improvements. Four themes were identified as a result of the project. These themes include: 1) The confusion about regulations and oversight needs to be addressed by the state and partnering agencies/groups; 2) Issues relating to food safety need to be addressed at farmers' markets; 3) Education is needed, possibly in a one-stop-shop location for producers to go for information; and 4) Ohio should consider a farmers' market manager certification to address other issues. Initial work to reducing the barriers outlined in the report include addressing the need for educational resources. The team published a direct marketing eggs fact sheet, a law bulletin about selling food foods at the farm, and has plans more fact sheets. The project's findings are being shared with this and other groups to address the issues and possible changes which could help reduce barriers to entry for Ohio's growers and marketers.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Eric Barrett, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Peggy Hall, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University Extension; Emily Adams, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension.Ohio ranks in the top 10 states for direct farm sales. When making direct sales, growers and marketers are voicing concerns regarding barriers to entry. In most cases, this relates to the sales of eggs, meats and cottage foods. Current laws, rules and interpretations vary significantly. Growers in one county face steeper costs for licensing and equipment than others. Several colleges at Ohio State partnered to combat the issues. Four themes were identified as a result of the project. These include: 1) confusion about regulations and oversight that needs to be addressed; 2) issues relating to food safety direct marketing sites; 3) education is needed, possibly in a one-stop shop location for producers; and 4) the need for a farmers' market manager certification to address other issues. This poster will share the project's findings to address the issues and possible changes which could help reduce barriers to entry for Ohio's growers and marketers

Maps & Apps: Mobile Media Marketing Education for Food and Farm Entrepreneurs

With an increasing number of consumers using smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to find and interact with local businesses, Ohio State University Extension developed a new curriculum aimed at improving market access for food and farm entrepreneurs. The literature review, curriculum framework, and lessons learned shared in this article can be used by Extension professionals to improve their own online presence, as well as by educators working with entrepreneurs and community leaders

Patient Understanding of Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives to Screening Colonoscopy

While several tests and strategies are recommended for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, studies suggest that primary care providers often recommend colonoscopy without providing information about its risks or alternatives. These observations raise concerns about the quality of informed consent for screening colonoscopy

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Spectroscopy of the Nova-like BB Doradus

We present an analysis of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer ({\it{FUSE}}) spectra of the little-known southern nova-like BB Doradus. The spectrum was obtained as part of our Cycle 8 {\it FUSE} survey of high declination nova-like stars. The FUSE spectrum of BB Dor, observed in a high state, is modeled with an accretion disk with a very low inclination (possibly lower than 10deg). Assuming an average WD mass of 0.8 solar leads to a mass accretion rate of 1.E-9 Solar mass/year and a distance of the order of 650 pc, consistent with the extremely low galactic reddening in its direction. The spectrum presents some broad and deep silicon and sulfur absorption lines, indicating that these elements are over-abundant by 3 and 20 times solar, respectively

Coarse-Graining of Anisotropic Molecules for Energy Materials Simulations

Coarse-graining--simplifying models of molecules by representing a collection of atoms with a simulation element like a sphere or ellipsoid--can significantly increase the timescales accessible to simulations without loss of structural accuracy. Spherical simulation elements are inaccurate representations of flat molecular structures, though, which are better represented with anisotropic shapes like ellipsoids. In this work we debug and extend open source software (GRiTS) for calculating the shapes and orientations of an ellipsoid representing a collection of atoms. These functionalities are useful for both validating the correctness of coarse-grained models and for training advanced anisotropic potentials that can be used in accelerated molecular simulations

Developing a 21st Century Aerospace Workforce

White Paper Version 2Across the industry there are leaders at every level who are being challenged to think and act in new ways. The same is true for this commission. This can't be a "business as usual" review of the industry's status. As the first such government commission in this new century we are faced with a unique opportunity and a unique set of challenges. In this paper we provide analysis and recommendations on human capital issues that are simultaneously designed to be practical and visionary -- aimed to address root causes, not symptoms

What About the “T’s”?: Addressing the Needs of a Transgender Student at a CCCU Member Institution

As the discussion of the LGBT community continues to evolve and inform decisions at higher education institutions, evidence suggests the “T”–transgender–discussion at CCCU institutions has remained stagnant and largely unrecognized. In June 2011 ACSD’s New Professionals Collaborative asked professionals to present a case study on how a CCCU institution would house a transgender student who had already been admitted into the institution. The authors found the literature on the subject to be sparse, and within the Christian context it is nearly nonexistent. The few precedents and best practices on housing a transgender student do not appear to align with the values of a CCCU institution. There are, however, a few viable housing options to explore, and while an exhaustive list was not created, several of the most likely are examined and discussed. Understanding that a transgender student’s situation is unique and recognizing a lack of knowledge, precedent, and expertise on the subject, the recommendation is to have a conversation with the student about institutional fit. If an agreement to live by the institution’s values is reached, the authors assert housing the student with his/her biological sex most aligns with the institution’s values. Ultimately, the most compelling conclusion and discussion is that CCCU institutions must urgently lay a philosophical and theological foundation on the transgender issue