PLTTER user's guide

The PLTTER graphics system, which is part of CDDMS is discussed. CDDMS is a comprehensive system for data basing and subsequent plotting of data acquired during wind tunnel tests or from computational flow analyses. The PLTTER is a system which creates report-quality plots of data which is stored on a CDDMS data base. The Requests file system allows plot-controlling information to be arranged in the way which is most appropriate for any application. The PLTTER system features many capabilities which are especially useful when plotting wind tunnel data. The PLTTER offers a variety of page formats, different grid options and parametric curve fitting algorithms, and a powerful legend capability to identify relevant information about individual curves. One or more plots on a page can be suppressed if desired so that an established page format can be maintained. Final plot output may be standard Versatec plots, QMS Laser printer plots, or microfiche

Local Efforts Toward Addressing Health Disparities in DeKalb County, Georgia

Background: In underserved African American communities throughout DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) is implementing community-based initiatives using policy, systems, and environmental improvement approaches to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities by increasing opportunities for nutrition and physical activity. Methods: The initiatives are being implemented in priority census tracts where the population is at least 40% African American, 30% live below federal poverty level, and 25% did not graduate from high school. Communications promote awareness of the programs, and evaluation activities document processes and outcomes. Results: To date, implementation of five interventions has affected approximately 276,000 DeKalb residents. Conclusions: By implementing strategies for community-based policy, systems, and environmental improvement, DCBOH is increasing access to nutrition and physical activity opportunities for underserved African American communities in DeKalb County

Conflicting priorities : Observation of medicine administration

Author's accepted version (post-print).This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Alteren, J., Hermstad, M., White, J. & Jordan, S. (2018). Conflicting priorities: Observation of medicine administration. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(19-20), 3613-3621, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14518. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Available from 19/05/2019.acceptedVersio

Working in a minefield; Nurses’ strategies for handling medicine administration interruptions in hospitals, -a qualtiative interview study

Background: Administering medicines is one of the most high-risk tasks in health care. However, nurses are frequently interrupted during medicine administration, which jeopardises patient safety. Few studies have examined nurses’ experiences and the strategies they adopt to cope with interruptions during medicine rounds. This paper identifies nurses’ strategies for handling and reducing interruptions and ensuring safety during medicine rounds, within the confines of the hospitals’ organisational systems. Methods: This descriptive and exploratory research study was undertaken with experienced nurses in Norwegian hospitals in 2015 using semi-structured interviews. Interviews were designed to elicit experiences and strategies used for handling interruptions to medicine rounds. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis based on inductive reasoning to identify meaningful subjects and reach an interpretive level of understanding regarding nurses’ experiences. Results: All 19 senior nurses who were approached were interviewed. From 644 condensed meaning units, we identified eight interpretative units and three themes: ‘working in environments of interruptions’, ‘personal coping strategies’, and ‘management-related strategies’. Nurses’ working environments were characterised by interruptions and distractions, which often threatened patient safety. To handle this unpredictability and maintain ward organisation, nurses developed their own personal strategies to overcome inherent problems with their working conditions, the absence of effective management, and colleagues’ reluctance to assume responsibility for minimising interruptions. Conclusions: Administration of medicines in hospitals can be described as ‘working in a minefield’. Our findings indicate that the hospital management, in cooperation with nurses and other healthcare professionals, should take responsibility for improving the routine process of medicine administration by minimising avoidable interruptions. Patient safety can be improved when the hospital management takes steps to protect nurses’ work environments and assumes responsibility for resolving these challenges.publishedVersio

A Clinical Trial to Increase the Identification, Genetic Counseling Referral and Genetic Testing of Women at risk for Hereditary Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer

Background: Approximately 1/300 individuals in the general population are at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer due to an inherited mutation in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes. BRCA mutations are associated with dramatically increased risks for breast cancer, especially at younger ages, in addition to ovarian cancer. Enhanced screening and risk reduction strategies can significantly reduce associated morbidity and mortality. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends identifying women at-risk for BRCA mutations for receipt of genetic counseling and if appropriate, testing. The Breast Cancer Genetics Referral Screening Tool (B-RST) is a validated screen endorsed by USPSTF to facilitate this process. This implementation study seeks to evaluate the most effective means of follow-up for screen-positive women to maximize the number who are referred to, and receive, cancer genetic counseling (CGC) services. Methods: B-RST (v3.0) was used in three Emory Healthcare breast-imaging centers. Screen-positive women were randomized into three methods of follow-up (patient initiated, physician notification, or staff phone call). Primary outcomes were to compare the number of screen positive individuals who were referred for, scheduled, and completed a CGC appointment among the three groups. Results: Of 3,419 women approached, 63% participated and 579 (27%) screened positive. Appointments were scheduled by 7% of Group 1 participants, 17% of Group 2 individuals, and 11% of Group 3. Conclusions: Genomic medicine is receiving increased attention in the public health arena. Screening with B-RST 3.0 in mammography settings can improve identification of individuals at-risk for BRCA mutations and facilitate referral to CGC services. Despite B-RST’s ability to easily and accurately identify individuals appropriate for CGC, additional strategies are needed to facilitate completion of CGC in routine clinical practice

Hvordan påvirkes den norske elevs psykososiale skolemiljø av sosiale mediers kraft?

Denne masteroppgaven skal belyse hvordan barn og unge i dag erfarer det psykososiale sosiale skolemiljøet. Den norske skolen fremmer med lover og regler en skole som står for helse, trivsel og læring. Klarer den norske skolen å fremme disse grunnsteinene ved siden av teknologiens inntog og sosiale medier i spissen. Utfordringene er mange og psykisk helse, depressive tanker og mobbing er sentrale faktorer ved unges identitetsutvikling. Prosjektet utforsker om hvordan elevene forstår og håndtere disse forskjellige utfordringene. Samtidig utforsker prosjektet hvordan skolen stiller seg med tiltak opp mot utfordringene. Prosjektets metodologiske ramme er en kvalitativ litteraturstudie, der tidligere empiriske studier blir undersøkt for å få en oversikt om hvordan dagens psykososiale skolemiljø blir erfart og forstått. Databasene for søkene ble foretatt gjennom Idunn og Oria. Søkegrensen for de inkluderte artiklene er fra år 2010 til 2022, og det ble sju artikler utvalgt som tilfører empiriske funn. Empiriske funn henviser at idealkulturen blant unge har endret seg og viser til at unge opplever et press for å leve det perfekte liv. Det perfekte liv blir fremstilt via influensere og kjente personligheter der unge opplever å bli sammenlignet, og blir påvirket både bevisst og ubevisst. Videre blir det henvist at psykisk helse og depressive tanker er et stort tema i skolen og for dagens ungdom, og kommer av mobbing og trakassering i forskjellige former. Digital dannelse blir også henvist som for mekanisk når det kommer til opplæring, og det tyder på at skolen til nå har for lite fokus på temaet. Disse empiriske funnene blir både sett sammen og mot hverandre i en diskusjon, og blir belyst ved hjelp av forskjellig teori som omhandler psykososialt skolemiljø. Oppsummert og samlet status rundt temaet hvordan norsk ungdom opplever det psykososiale skolemiljøet er at det trengs mer forskning. De empiriske funnene konkluderer forskjellig og viser ikke til et konkret sammensatt svar. Funnene viser til forskjellige hjelpemidler, men det er ikke sikkert om de sikrer både kunnskap og helsen til elevene i norsk skole. Nøkkelord: Psykososialt skolemiljø, psykisk helse, mobbing, identitetsutvikling, dannelse og digital dannelseThis master's thesis will shed light on how children and young people experience the psychosocial school environment. In conjunction with laws and regulations, the Norwegian school system emphasizes health, well-being and learning. Is the Norwegian school system able to promote these cornerstones alongside the introduction of technology and social media at the forefront? The challenges are many and mental health, depressive thoughts and bullying are central factors in the development of identity amongst young people. The project explores how students understand and deal with these different challenges. At the same time, the project explores what measures the school system take to approach the challenges. The project's methodological framework is a qualitative literature study, where previous empirical studies are examined to get an overview of how today's psychosocial school environment is experienced and understood. The databases for the searches were made through Idunn and Oria. The search for the included articles is limited from 2010 to 2022, and seven articles were selected that add empirical findings. Empirical findings indicate that the ideal culture among young people has changed and indicates that young people are experiencing pressure to live the perfect life. The perfect life is presented via influencers and famous personalities which young people compare themselves to, and are influenced both consciously and unconsciously. Empirical evidence shows that mental health and depressive thoughts are a major issue both in schools and for today's youth, and are a result of bullying and harassment in various forms. Digital education is also referred to as too mechanical when it comes to learning, and suggests that the schools so far had too little emphasis on the topic. These empirical findings are both viewed together and put up against each other in a discussion, and are elucidated with the help of different theories that deal with the psychosocial school environment. The summarized and overall status of the topic of how Norwegian youth experience the psychosocial school environment, is that more research is needed. The empirical findings conclude differently and do not point to a concrete conclusion. The findings point to various aids, but it is not certain whether they ensure both the knowledge and health of pupils in Norwegian schools. Keywords: Psychosocial school environment, mental health, bullying, identity development, education and digital educatio

Findings from a National home food Environment Survey: How does Georgia Compare?

Background: Aspects of the home food environment, both social and physical, influence healthy eating and weight management practices. Healthy eating, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, centers on balancing calories consumed and calories expended for weight management combined with consumption of nutrient-dense foods and drinks. Obesity and excess weight increase the risk of numerous chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. With this presentation, we will explore how Georgia home food environments and eating behaviors are similar or different from the rest of the nation. Methods: Survey participants (n=4,942) were recruited from a reputable online survey panel service. Eligible participants were English-speaking U.S. adults ages 18-75; the final sample was representative of the U.S. population in terms of age, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and income level. Georgia participants represented 3% of the overall sample (n=158). Incentives for completing the 30-minute online survey were provided by the panel service. Survey measures included sociodemographics, healthy eating behaviors (e.g., fruit, vegetable, and fat intake), social home food environment (e.g., food shopping/preparation, household member support) physical home food environment (e.g., food/drink inventories/placement), household food security and coping strategies, and broader contextual factors (e.g., the community food environment, and community capacity and assets). Results: Descriptive data to be presented will include characteristics of participant households, including levels of social and environmental support for healthy eating. Prevalence estimates for key environmental (food/drink inventories/placement, social support among household members) and behavioral (dietary behavior) variables across the sample and among Georgia participants will also be shared. Statistically significant differences between Georgia and the nation will be highlighted. Conclusions: This study presents a unique opportunity to explore socio-environmental influences on healthy eating behaviors nationwide and specifically among Georgians. Findings may be useful in informing tailored messages, healthy eating interventions, and related public health priorities for the state of Georgia

LEADing together: Partnerships for a Healthier DeKalb

Background: In 2014, the DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) received a three-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to work with community partners to address health disparities among African Americans in DeKalb County. The project, called Local Efforts toward Addressing Disparities in DeKalb (LEAD DeKalb), relies on a network of partnerships to implement community-based interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity among African Americans throughout low-income parts of DeKalb County. Methods: The evaluation team developed an online survey to assess LEAD DeKalb staff and partner satisfaction with the partnerships created and the work completed through LEAD DeKalb thus far (n=20, response rate of 71.4%). The 20-question survey was adapted primarily from two sources: the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory and the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool. Data analysis was limited to basic descriptive information such as frequencies, percentages, and averages, with comparisons made between DCBOH staff and partners. Results: Partners reported that their organization benefits from being involved in the partnership and attributed a variety of factors to the success of the partnership, including: bringing together diverse stakeholders; exchanging information/knowledge; sharing resources; and developing a shared mission and goals. Identifying new partners and developing a sustainability plan that includes funding, community support, and strong partnerships were identified as areas for improvement. Relevant qualitative findings from key informant interviews were also presented. Conclusions: Two main themes emerged from the data: (1) the network of partnerships is valuable and strong, but may benefit from new partners, and (2) resources (especially funding) are critical for implementing and sustaining the work of the partnership. Taken together, these findings suggest that partnerships are best conceptualized as ongoing processes rather than tasks to complete; and expanding social networks and learning communities allows partners to leverage social, human, and financial capital well beyond the grant period

Forståelser av de sårbare elevene under koronapandemien: Fra inkluderende praksis i klasserom til mulighetsrom?

Sårbarhetsbegrepet har fått en større plass i norsk offentlig debatt i forbindelse med koronapandemien, og de sårbare elevene har blitt løftet frem i diskusjoner om skolenes håndtering av pandemien. Artikkelen setter søkelyset på hvordan begrepet ble fortolket av ulike aktører i og rundt skolen, og hvilke mulige konsekvenser dette hadde for inkludering i perioden med skolestengning. Vi spør hvilke konsekvenser ulike forståelser av begrepet sårbare elever har for inkluderende praksis. Det empiriske materialet omfatter 27 intervjuer med skoleeiere, skoleledere, lærere og støttesystem i seks ulike kommuner og er supplert med dokumenter fra sentrale myndigheter. Resultatene viser at begrepet sårbare barn og unge ble innsnevret av myndighetene i denne perioden. Samtidig åpnet begrepet i nasjonale veiledere for ulike forståelser hos aktørene og dermed et mulighetsrom for tilpasning til lokale praksiser på skolene og en prioritering av enkeltgrupper. Studien bidrar med ny innsikt i fortolkninger av sårbarhetsbegrepet under koronapandemien og mulige konsekvenser for inkludering når rammebetingelsene endres.Forståelser av de sårbare elevene under koronapandemien: Fra inkluderende praksis i klasserom til mulighetsrom?publishedVersio

Community-based Approaches to Reduce Chronic Disease Disparities in Georgia

Background: Among underserved and racial/ethnic minority populations in Georgia, there are profound health disparities and a burden of chronic diseases. Such diseases, which are preventable, are influenced by risk factors, including poor nutrition, physical inactivity, lack of quality health care, and tobacco use and exposure. Awardees of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) and Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) are implementing community-based initiatives using evidence-based, policy, systems, and environmental approaches to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities and the chronic disease burden in underserved urban and rural Georgia communities. Methods: Within the context of a social ecological framework, the REACH and PICH awardees selected interventions. Their impact in the areas of tobacco use and exposure, chronic disease prevention and management, and nutrition are described. Results: To date, the interventions of Georgia’s PICH and REACH awardees have reached approximately 805,000 Georgia residents. Conclusions: By implementing strategies for community-based policy, systems, and environmental improvement, Georgia’s PICH and REACH awardees are reducing tobacco use and exposure; increasing access to healthy foods; and providing chronic disease prevention, risk reduction, and management opportunities for underserved communities in urban and rural Georgia communities. Their efforts to address chronic disease risk factors at various social and ecological levels are contributing to a reduction in racial/ethnic health disparities and the chronic disease burden in Georgia