SWEET PERSUASION: SOFT DRINKS, SCHOOL FUNDING, AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH

"Pouring rights" contracts between soft drink companies and schools have created substantial controversy. Treating the issue as externality problem, we analyze the Pigouvian tax solution and propose a contract between the government and schools to provide an incentive compatible method for government to utilize the tax revenue.Public Economics,

Predicting NCLEX-RN performance : an exploration of student demographics, pre-program factors, and nursing program factors.

Nursing programs are experiencing a decline in National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rates among graduates. While researchers have attempted to identify predictors of performance on the NCLEX-RN, identification of predictors remains elusive. Although the literature is replete with studies exploring NCLEX-RN predictors, prediction under the new 2013 NCLEX test plan and passing standards is not well established. Considering the ever-evolving diversity in students, combined with recent changes in the NCLEX-RN, further exploration of predictors of performance is warranted. Using a correlational design, the study sought to identify the predictors of NCLEX-RN performance for Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates. The focal research question for this study was, “Do baccalaureate nursing students’ academic outcomes predict NCLEX-RN performance?” To answer this primary question, the researcher conducted a retrospective review of student records at a single pre-licensure BSN program. A binary logistic regression was performed to model the relationship between academic outcomes and NCLEX-RN outcomes. The analysis revealed a combination of nursing program academic outcomes predicted NCLEX-RN performance. Most particularly, the use of the Adult Health course exam average, score on the Adult Health ATI exam, ATI Comprehensive Predictor performance, and graduation GPA can predict NCLEX-RN outcomes, when controlling for student profile characteristics and academic factors. This study suggests nursing exam scores and standardized test scores can aid in predicting NCLEX-RN performance for BSN graduates. Findings from this study can provide nursing educators a foundation for understanding the factors associated with NCLEX-RN performance and offer a framework for identifying students who are at-risk for NCLEX-RN failure. Moreover, study findings can provide insight into the additional needs of students in preparing for NCLEX-RN and guide educators in developing early intervention programs for high-risk students. Given the national decline in NCLEX-RN pass rates, early identification of at-risk students and implementation of interventions targeting high-risk students can offer a solution for reducing the number of graduates unprepared for the NCLEX-RN and alleviate the burden associated with failure

Death and the Process: Addressing a Spatial Problematic

Death is the lone certainty of animate existence. How and where it occurs remains the only variable. It is the where that serves as the spatial problematic this thesis serves to investigate. For many, death is not an event but a process. It is a process where the space serves as the fi nal sensorial effect on the body. In Western society, one is typically born in a hospital. Does it mean that one should also die there? Is a space appropriate for birth also appropriate for death? Should they not differ greatly? There are typologies that address the conditions of the deceased in a reverent and dignifi ed way. Why does architectural absolve itself from assuming its responsibilities in the death process? Death, both tragic and arresting, is frequently arranged. Where do you go to die? Where do you send someone to die? It is the contention of this thesis that spaces that specifi cally address the process of dying for patients, families, and caregivers are absent from the architectural landscape. Facilities occupied and operating as ‘nursing homes’ for the terminally ill are dismissive of the somatosensory capabilities of its patients, families, and caregivers. Spaces that incorporate the full compliment of somatosensory events are required to fully accentuate the process of dying. This thesis explores the qualities of space that can serve the conditions of the dying body. I will present fi rst the argument of the body’s ability to experience space through a multitude of sensory means followed by an analysis of the psychological, ideological, material, and natural components of the cell, home, and place. The vehicle for these explorations will be the design of a palliative care + hospice care facility in the North Atlanta suburb of Buford, Georgia

Temporal Factors Affecting Foraging Patterns of a Diurnal Orb-weaving Spider, Micrathena gracilis (Araneae: Araneidae)

Several studies have investigated the ecological factors that affect behavior in Micrathena gracilis, a diurnal orb-weaving spider that forages on flying insects during the day. However, none yet have considered how the temporal distributions of prey and predator occurrences shape their daily behavioral rhythms, especially web construction, which involves a heavy energetic investment well in advance of potential nutritional benefit. Recently, several orb-weaving spider species have been shown to exhibit a variety of abnormal rhythms, suggesting that circadian clock-controlled rhythms may play an unexpected role in behavioral evolution. Despite the appearance of significant insect abundance in the evenings, M. gracilis individuals stop foraging, take down their webs, and retreat before they can capitalize on this opportunity. Is the nutritional benefit of this forfeited prey significant compared to what they collect during the day, and if so, what potential cost might justify opting out of this potential gain? To investigate, sticky traps for prey collection and a camera array for recording predator activity were used at a local field site to survey what risks and rewards these spiders face throughout the 24-hour day. Spider activity and web captures in the field were also used to confirm behavioral patterns and capture success throughout the day. It was found that spiders begin foraging when prey becomes available but cease while prey is still abundant. These observations appear to support a theoretical model of behavioral decisions under predation risk. However, recorded predation events were rare, and predation was not confirmed outside of the foraging timeframe. These results support the notion that the circadian rhythm of Micrathena gracilis is shaped by factors other than prey availability, but the theoretical pressure from predation risk requires further investigation

Small Business Website Development: Enhancing the Student Experience Through Community-Based Service Learning

Small-scale retail and service businesses often do not have the knowledge, skills, time or money to develop an online web presence. These small businesses recognize that in order to be competitive they need to use technology and have an online presence in order to attract customers. At the same time, research suggests that students can benefit from projects that provide real world experience. Community-based, experiential service learning offers a way for students to work on realistic and valuable projects while benefitting small-scale retail and service business owners. Therefore, this research uses experiential service learning as a way to meet the web development needs of small businesses while providing students with a real world educational experience. This study presents the findings in terms of impact and lessons learned from a student partnership with small-scale businesses from a small community for experiential service learning website development

Expanding Effective 21st Century Access to Historical and Academic Materials: Examples, Strategies and Implications

Given the capabilities for digitization that have emerged in recent years along with mobile access to the internet, new library and business partnerships are now not only possible but also compelling in various ways. HTML5 web apps now make available library collections that historically have been closed or difficult to access. A partnership involving The British Library, Microsoft and BiblioLabs realizes some of these new potentials