Bachelor of Nursing program enrolment sessions for newly arrived international students

The transition of International students to tertiary study is associated with high levels of anxiety as students negotiate both Australian and University cultures. Academic and administrative staff noted that many new international nursing students were confused about their enrolment patterns and/or the timetabling of classes. This resulted in poor attendance in tutorial and laboratory classes early in the semester and the missing of essential information. Uncertainty about electronic systems, missing orientation sessions, late arrival on campus, and not knowing who to contact for the specific information contributed. In response the Department of Nursing and Midwifery academic staff, the International Office and Faculty of Sciences administration staff developed and trialed supportive Bachelor of Nursing Enrollment Classes for commencing International students in Semester 1, 2009. Students were met at the International office by Academic staff at pre advertised times in the two weeks prior to, and the two weeks after the commencement of the semester. The students were escorted to a computer classroom where they were individually taught and assisted to enroll in their courses. Feedback has confirmed that this resulted in reduced student anxiety and confusion. Administrative staff also noted a considerably reduced volume of individual student enquires. Academic staff reported that International nursing students who participated in these classes were attending and engaged in courses from the commencement of semester and results in early assessment items were much improved on previous semesters. Similar orientation sessions will be conducted in future semesters

WholeTree Substrate and Fertilizer Rate in Production of Greenhouse-grown Petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm.) and Marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

A substrate component (WholeTree) made from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) was evaluated along with starter fertilizer rate in the production of greenhouse-grown petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm. ‘Dreams Purple’) and marigold (Tagetes patula L. ‘Hero Spry’). Loblolly pine from a 12-year-old plantation were harvested at ground level, chipped, and further processed through a hammer mill to pass a 0.64-cm screen. The resulting WholeTree (WT) substrate was used alone or combined with 20% (WTP2) or 50% (WTP5) (by volume) Canadian sphagnum peatmoss and compared with an industry standard peat-lite (PL) mix of 8 peatmoss : 1 vermiculite : 1 perlite (by volume). Substrates were amended with 1.78 kg·m−3 dolomitic lime, 0.59 kg·m−3 gypsum [CaSO4-2(H2O)], 0.44 kg·m−3 Micromax, 1.78 kg·m−3 16N–2.6P–9.9K (3- to 4-month release), and 1.78 kg·m−3 16N–2.6P–10.8K (5- to 6-month release). A 7N–1.3P–8.3K starter fertilizer (SF) was added to each substrate at 0.0, 1.19, 2.37, or 3.56 kg·m−3. Container capacity (CC) was greatest for PL and decreased as the percentage of peatmoss in the substrate decreased with WT having 35% less CC than PL. Conversely, air space (AS) was greatest for the WT and decreased as percentage of peatmoss increased with PL containing 33% less AS than WT. In general, petunia dry weight was greatest for any substrate containing peatmoss with a SF rate of 2.37 kg·m−3 or greater. The exception was that petunia grown in WT at 3.56 kg·m−3 SF had similar dry weight as all other treatments. Marigold dry weight was similar for all substrates where at least 2.37 kg·m−3 SF was used

Marine Environmental Characterisation of Irish Inshore Aquaculture Regions

Understanding the hydrography and ocean dynamics of Ireland's inshore regions is crucial for assessing how these physical processes impact the aquaculture or fisheries industries. This study examines temperature, salinity, and stratification patterns, along with extreme climatic events such as marine heatwaves (MHWs) and marine cold spells (MCSs), which significantly impact marine ecosystems and aquaculture productivity. Using a combination of observational data, numerical ocean models, and literature sources, the study provides insights into physical environmental characteristics per region, both contemporary and historical. Distributions of temperature and salinity within regional bays and harbours, as shown here, highlight the growing threats climate change poses to Irish coastal waters, particularly through increasing sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and MHWs. Results indicate potential for harsher growing conditions and more frequent harmful algal blooms (HABs). Although a decline in marine cold spells (MCSs) at most studied sites offers some respite, the rise in the frequency of cold spells in Bantry Bay highlights the need for continued monitoring and adaptive strategies. Existing, planned and potential long-term observations at key Marine Institute sites, aim to bridge gaps in our understanding of marine environmental trends, aiding mitigation and adaptive efforts, which are evermore required in warming regional seasMarine Institut

Evaluating the Experience of Teen-to-Teen Crisis Line Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Teen-to-teen (t2t) crisis lines are a special type of crisis service where youth volunteers help their peers. Although prior research has examined the experience of adult crisis line responders, no research has examined the experience of adolescents who do this work. In collaboration with two of the largest t2t lines in the U.S., this pilot study is the first examination of t2t crisis line work. Volunteers (ages 14–20) reported: their primary motivation for joining the crisis lines was to help others and give back to the community; responding to a range of peers’ problems on the t2t crisis line, including high-risk suicide contacts; and a range of ways the crisis line work impacted their lives. Findings provide preliminary information about the experience of adolescents engaging in t2t crisis line work. Additional research is needed in larger and more diverse samples to understand the impact of crisis line work for youth

Examining the Experience of Teen-to-Teen Crisis Line Work for Adolescent Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are high and increasing among youth. Crisis lines are one of the oldest downstream approaches for suicide prevention, which have demonstrated effectiveness for adults and preliminary effectiveness for youth. Teen-to-teen (t2t) crisis lines are a unique resource where adolescent volunteers help their similarly aged peers (through texts, chats, calls, and emails). However, no research to date has examined the impacts of t2t crisis line volunteering on the youth. The goal of this pilot study is to begin to evaluate the experience of t2t crisis lines for the youth volunteers. Adolescent (n=20, ages 15-20) volunteers were recruited from two of the largest crisis lines in the U.S. – Teen Line and YouthLine. Enrolled volunteers were administered surveys assessing positive/helpful experiences, negative/unhelpful experiences, and motivations for joining the t2t crisis line. Volunteers were assessed up to five times over the course of one year; once at baseline and then every three months for up to one year (baseline, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up, 9-month follow-up, 12-month/1-year follow-up). Direct content analysis was used to examine the experiences and motivations of volunteering on the crisis line. Preliminary results indicate that all volunteers reported some positive aspects of the t2t line experience, and many reported some negative aspects as well.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gradposters2023_sciences/1011/thumbnail.jp

Prospective Power Calculations for the Four Lab Study of A Multigenerational Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Rodent Bioassay Using A Complex Mixture of Disinfection By-Products in the Low-Response Region

In complex mixture toxicology, there is growing emphasis on testing environmentally representative doses that improve the relevance of results for health risk assessment, but are typically much lower than those used in traditional toxicology studies. Traditional experimental designs with typical sample sizes may have insufficient statistical power to detect effects caused by environmentally relevant doses. Proper study design, with adequate statistical power, is critical to ensuring that experimental results are useful for environmental health risk assessment. Studies with environmentally realistic complex mixtures have practical constraints on sample concentration factor and sample volume as well as the number of animals that can be accommodated. This article describes methodology for calculation of statistical power for non-independent observations for a multigenerational rodent reproductive/developmental bioassay. The use of the methodology is illustrated using the U.S. EPA’s Four Lab study in which rodents were exposed to chlorinated water concentrates containing complex mixtures of drinking water disinfection by-products. Possible experimental designs included two single-block designs and a two-block design. Considering the possible study designs and constraints, a design of two blocks of 100 females with a 40:60 ratio of control:treated animals and a significance level of 0.05 yielded maximum prospective power (~90%) to detect pup weight decreases, while providing the most power to detect increased prenatal loss

Economic Feasibility and Market Readiness of Solar Technologies. Draft Final Report. Volume I.

Systems descriptions, costs, technical and market readiness assessments are reported for ten solar technologies: solar heating and cooling of buildings (SHACOB), passive, agricultural and industrial process heat (A/IPH), biomass, ocean thermal (OTEC), wind (WECS), solar thermal electric, photovoltaics, satellite power station (SPS), and solar total energy systems (STES). Study objectives, scope, and methods. are presented. of Joint Task The cost and market analyses portion 5213/6103 will be used to make commercialization assessments in the conclusions of. the final report

The African Millennium Villages

We describe the concept, strategy and initial results of the Millennium Villages Project (MVP) and implications regarding sustainability and scalability. Our underlying hypothesis is that the interacting crises of agriculture, health, and infrastructure in rural Africa can be overcome through targeted public-sector investments to raise rural productivity, and thereby to increased private-sector saving and investments. This is carried out by empowering impoverished communities with science-based interventions. 78 Millennium Villages have been initiated in 12 sites in 10 African countries, each representing a major agroecological zone In early results, the research villages in Kenya, Ethiopia and Malawi have reduced malaria prevalence, met caloric requirements, generated crop surpluses, enabled school feeding programs, and provided cash earnings for farm families