Progressive muscle relaxation: A stress management program for nursing students

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the use of progressive muscle relaxation reduced the physical complaints of stress among nursing students. This pilot quasi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest design with a convenience sample of five volunteers. Data were collected by the use of the stress-related complaint scale. In this 5-week intervention, students learned about stress management and practiced the use of this progressive muscle relaxation technique as a method for reducing the stress in their life. Stress-related symptoms rated as irritating or higher (3 on a 5 point scale) were tension headaches (3 .2), frequent colds (3.6), insomnia (3.8), fatigue (3.8), and anxiety (3.6). After the intervention, only four symptoms were rated this high, anxiety (3.0), frequent colds (3.0), insomnia (3.0), and fatigue (3.4). Results suggest that stress management programs for nursing students may be an important component of nursing education

Finite Element Model Validation and Testing of an Off-Road Vehicle under Dynamic Loading Conditions

In the vehicle design life cycle, validation tests consume a significant portion of the available development time. With a short, one-year design cycle, the Embry-Riddle Baja Team leverages computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools to simulate critical test cases whose loading conditions can be accurately represented by a series of static loads and constraints. Using these conditions, a Finite Element Model (FEM) can be employed to accurately predict the effects of the loading conditions in the components. During the initial design of the front suspension, one major load case was determined to be the main failure load. However, after validation testing the suspension exhibited a failure indicative of a load path not predicted. To obtain a more complete understanding of the dynamic loading conditions on the affected component, instrumentation was implemented to measure strain in the critical member. A dynamic vehicle test case was performed to measure a high-frequency, high-load case representative of an event during the vehicle service life. The measurement was then utilized to validate a Finite Element Model, in turn used to re-design the member. This component withstands the loading condition for infinite fatigue life without increasing the overall weight of the design, although the failure was not reproduced during testing

Life prediction systems for critical rotating components

With the advent of advanced materials in rotating gas turbine engine components, the methodologies for life prediction of these parts must also increase in sophistication and capability. Pratt & Whitney's view of generic requirements for composite component life prediction systems are presented, efforts underway to develop these systems are discussed, and industry participation in key areas requiring development is solicited

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of young people and their parents regarding the impact of missing school to attend hospital based orthodontic appointments

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of young people and their parents regarding the impact on school performance due to time away from school for orthodontic appointments and to explore their views about a possible extension to the current service. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. SETTING: UK district hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven pairs of interviewees: Young people undergoing fixed appliances and their parents. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people and their parents. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A framework approach was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Thematic analysis of the data identified five main themes which were (i) Expectations of the treatment process and appointments, (ii) Impact of school absences and treatment, (iii) Appointments, (iv) Implications for young people, parents, and others and (v) Satisfaction with treatment. These themes were then further subdivided and analysed. CONCLUSIONS: Thematic analysis of the data identified five main themes which were (i) Expectations of the treatment process and appointments, (ii) Impact of school absences and treatment, (iii) Appointments, (iv) Implications for young people, parents, and others and (v) Satisfaction with treatment. These themes were then further subdivided and analysed

Higher Education Internationalisation Policy and Home Student Populations

Policies on internationalisation exist in Higher Education around the world, but no literature is currently available which draws together scholarly responses to these policies. This study reviews responses to internationalisation policy for ‘Home’ students (as opposed to international students) in Higher Education Institutions globally. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify internationalisation policy responses which focused on practice impacting specifically on ‘home’ students. Eighteen peer reviewed sources were selected for analysis. Key themes were purpose, collaboration, implementation and defining success. Conclusions centred around the need for clarity in policy objectives, means of measuring policy success, and the risks of perpetuating dominant paradigms of inequality. Recommendations for policymakers are for clarity in the purposes of internationalisation, for alignment between national and institutional policies and student experience, and for policy outcomes to be measurable

Postgraduate student perceptions of face-to-face and distance education in Orthodontics: a cross-sectional qualitative study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate postgraduate student perceptions of face-to-face and distance education on a three-year programme in orthodontics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional qualitative study. SETTING: UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 25 current postgraduate orthodontic students in the first, second and third years of training were included in this study. METHODS: Postgraduate student perceptions were obtained by conducting online focus groups on Zoom Video Communications Inc. A focus group topic guide was developed, and a facilitator was trained to host the focus groups. There were separate focus groups for each year group, with a maximum of five participants in each group. The focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were assessed by all members of the research team and analysed using a thematic content analysis, with a framework approach to identify themes and subthemes regarding perceptions of distance and face-to-face education. RESULTS: A total of 25 students participated. Six key themes were identified relating to student perceptions of face-to-face and distance education: (1) social support network; (2) technology; (3) learning experience; (4) education environment; (5) interpersonal interactions; and (6) effective teaching/learning. There were perceived benefits and drawbacks for both modes of teaching delivery. In particular, students highlighted the importance of reliable technology, peer support and accessibility of educational resources for their academic learning. Students favoured a blended approach to learning where practical skills were taught in person and some theoretical aspects taught remotely. CONCLUSION: The results aid the understanding of how educational tools and digital technology can enrich the student academic experience. The results provide important information for the future development and delivery of orthodontic postgraduate education

Life Chaos is Associated with Reduced HIV Testing, Engagement in Care, and ART Adherence Among Cisgender Men and Transgender Women upon Entry into Jail.

Life chaos, the perceived inability to plan for and anticipate the future, may be a barrier to the HIV care continuum for people living with HIV who experience incarceration. Between December 2012 and June 2015, we interviewed 356 adult cisgender men and transgender women living with HIV in Los Angeles County Jail. We assessed life chaos using the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS) and conducted regression analyses to estimate the association between life chaos and care continuum. Forty-eight percent were diagnosed with HIV while incarcerated, 14% were engaged in care 12 months prior to incarceration, mean antiretroviral adherence was 65%, and 68% were virologically suppressed. Adjusting for sociodemographics, HIV-related stigma, and social support, higher life chaos was associated with greater likelihood of diagnosis while incarcerated, lower likelihood of engagement in care, and lower adherence. There was no statistically significant association between life chaos and virologic suppression. Identifying life chaos in criminal-justice involved populations and intervening on it may improve continuum outcomes

Einstein on the beach: A study in temporality

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Performance Research, 17(5), 34 - 40, 2012, copyright @ Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13528165.2012.728438.In this paper I seek to examine and analyse the sense of duration induced by performances of Einstein on the Beach, and the entailed sense of time which its internal structure creates. I initially sketch out the stylistic context and artistic intentions of this work's creators, Glass and Wilson, and I briefly describe the process of its creation. Certain features of this process indicate how the work may be interpreted. Having cited the creators' thoughts on structure and temporality, I address directly aspects of Einstein's temporal effects, comparing it to works of similar lengths. I give the briefest synopsis of its staging and motifs. I then outline three kinds of devices which seem to inform our temporal sense of this work as spectators. In the final section I invoke two ideas which serve as analogies to help characterise this work's overall effect on us: Heidegger's notion of the ‘hermeneutic circle’ and, more speculatively, Nietzsche's ‘theory’ of Eternal Recurrence