Effective First Impressions Online: A Case Study of Working With Industry Professionals to Analyze Web Site Usability

The Internet has opened doors for communicators, giving them new ways to reach a variety of audiences in an unfiltered and timely fashion. However, good Web site design is complex, and an unfriendly or confusing site can easily intimidate or discourage users. This paper describes a recent partnership between researchers in academia and an agricultural organization whose aim is to educate the public about the agricultural industry. Together, they used current usability testing methodology to determine the effectiveness of the organization\u27s Web site. This paper presents the results of the study as well as recommendations for individuals considering such a partnership

Managing Media Relations: Determining the Reputation of Land Grant Institutions from the Perspective of Media Professionals

In recent years, the land grant university has struggled with public awareness outside of its traditional audiences, indicating a potential disconnect between the general public and the media. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and awareness of media with regard to the image and reputation of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). A sample of 150 state and local media professionals was surveyed to assess perceptions and awareness of UF/IFAS. The results indicated that the media’s perceptions of UF/IFAS image and reputation were positive, but their awareness of the institution’s range of program areas was low. Media professionals consider the information provided by UF/IFAS to be credible, useable, and newsworthy. Respondents said the environment, followed by disaster preparation and recovery were the most important topics to their target audience, while the least important topics to their target audience were 4-H youth development and agriculture. Media professionals were more likely to use UF/IFAS as a source for agriculture and natural resource topics than other topics. Other universities should consider conducting similar research to develop a body of knowledge on media relations at land grant institutions

The Role and Value of Chaplains in an Australian Ambulance Service: A Comparative Study of Chaplain and Paramedic Perspectives

Chaplains are embedded in several ambulance services across Australia, however as Australia’s religiosity is currently in decline and questions are being asked about retaining chaplains, little is actually known about their role and value within Ambulance services. The aim of this paper is to present the key findings from interviews with chaplains about their role and value of being ambulance chaplains. These findings are then compared with those of paramedics derived from an earlier phase of this study. Thirteen chaplains participated in semi-structured interviews, and data were analysed using framework analysis. The results indicated that ambulance chaplains provided paramedic-centred emotional and spiritual care through proactively and reactively supporting paramedics in their work. Chaplains saw value in their relational approach which facilitated trust and access, did not seek to ‘fix’ or diagnose but instead offered physical and emotional presence, and promoted supportive conversations. Chaplains and paramedics valued operationally trained and equipped ambulance chaplains who provided a relational, around the clock, ‘frontline’ staff support presence in paramedic workplaces, regardless of the paramedic’s personal religious/spiritual beliefs

Zika virus preferentially replicates in the female reproductive tract after vaginal inoculation of rhesus macaques.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus that can cause severe defects in an infected fetus. ZIKV is also transmitted by sexual contact, although the relative importance of sexual transmission is unclear. To better understand the role of sexual transmission in ZIKV pathogenesis, a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of vaginal transmission was developed. ZIKV was readily transmitted to mature cycling female rhesus macaque (RM) by vaginal inoculation with 104-106 plaque-forming units (PFU). However, there was variability in susceptibility between the individual RM with 1->8 vaginal inoculations required to establish infection. After treatment with Depoprovera, a widely used contraceptive progestin, two RM that initially resisted 8 vaginal ZIKV inoculations became infected after one ZIKV inoculation. Thus, Depoprovera seemed to enhance susceptibility to vaginal ZIKV transmission. Unexpectedly, the kinetics of virus replication and dissemination after intravaginal ZIKV inoculation were markedly different from RM infected with ZIKV by subcutaneous (SQ) virus inoculation. Several groups have reported that after SQ ZIKV inoculation vRNA is rapidly detected in blood plasma with vRNA less common in urine and saliva and only rarely detected in female reproductive tract (FRT) secretions. In contrast, in vaginally inoculated RM, plasma vRNA is delayed for several days and ZIKV replication in, and vRNA shedding from, the FRT was found in all 6 animals. Further, after intravaginal transmission ZIKV RNA shedding from FRT secretions was detected before or simultaneously with plasma vRNA, and persisted for at least as long. Thus, ZIKV replication in the FRT was independent of, and often preceded virus replication in the tissues contributing to plasma vRNA. These results support the conclusion that ZIKV preferentially replicates in the FRT after vaginal transmission, but not after SQ transmission, and raise the possibility that there is enhanced fetal infection and pathology after vaginal ZIKV transmission compared to a mosquito transmitted ZIKV

The System: Social Group

Research and Capstone projects Building on the 2017 fall semester and insights from the Fall 2017 trip to Los Angeles, student working groups will predict the future of a system or related issue for an audience of their peers, offering reflections on navigating that future. These projects might take the form of posters, video installations, original speculative fiction, or mixed media that will be incorporated into the atmosphere of a campus party, both to maximize the student audience, and to celebrate our determination for an exciting future.https://scholarship.richmond.edu/ssir-presentations-2018/1003/thumbnail.jp

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen? Interdisciplinary Team Discharge Clinic Prevents Hospital Readmissions

Establishment of Interdisciplinary healthcare teams have shown to improve health outcomes and lower readmission rates in medically complex patients during hospitalization. Exploration of interventions has happened largely during the pre-discharge phase rather than post-discharge. To extend the team based approach, we implemented a pilot study of an interdisciplinary discharge clinic to determine what impact a biopsychosocial approach to care can have on hospital readmission rates. This work was conducted at a large family medicine residency-based practice, and facilitated by a physician, behavioral health clinicians, a clinical pharmacist, nurse care managers, and medical assistant. Patients were seen in the discharge clinic within 7 days of hospital discharge. In addition to patient demographics, data collected prior to visits included the calculation of a LACE score to identify risk of readmission, utilizing the BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older Adults Through Safe Transitions) risk assessment tool to identify high-risk medications. Additional data collected during the team visit included a CESD (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) score and MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) score to determine any psychosocial barriers to optimizing patient care; these standardized measures were conducted as part of a larger clinical interview. The total number of medications pre- and post-visit were collected along with the number of medication related problems identified following a comprehensive medication review. The primary outcome is the number of patients readmitted in 30 days. Secondary outcomes include average length of visits, total number of medications pre and post visit, number of medication related problems identified, existence of social support systems, and degree of patient satisfaction with the team visit. Future considerations include developing a sustainable, reproducible model for interdisciplinary discharge care that includes a component of inter-professional education

The Effect of Cold Stratification on the Germination of Grassland Seeds

One factor that must be considered when reconstructing a prairie is how the prairie seeds being planted need to be prepared for germination. The probability of successful germination of these seeds is dependent on many factors, including exposure to cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. To explore this idea, we collected seeds from 13 species of forbs and grasses, both native and non-native, and stored them at various temperatures for several weeks. We predicted that the germination of the seeds of native grassland species would be enhanced by cold stratification, while non-natives (especially forbs common to flower gardens) could be negatively affected by cold stratification, especially if they are native to an area with less-extreme winters. We also predicted that seeds stored at -80°C (a temperature much lower than they would experience in nature) would respond negatively to the treatment and be unable to germinate. We found that four species (Sow Thistle, Penstemon, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Yellow Foxtail) were significantly affected by the seeds being chilled or frozen, with non-native sow thistle and yellow foxtail responding negatively to being frozen and native foxglove penstemon germinating best at -80°C

Impregnated central venous catheters for prevention of bloodstream infection in children (the CATCH trial): a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Impregnated central venous catheters are recommended for adults to reduce bloodstream infections but not for children because there is not enough evidence to prove they are effective. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of any type of impregnation (antibiotic or heparin) compared with standard central venous catheters to prevent bloodstream infections in children needing intensive care. METHODS: We did a randomised controlled trial of children admitted to 14 English paediatric intensive care units. Children younger than 16 years were eligible if they were admitted or being prepared for admission to a participating paediatric intensive care unit and were expected to need a central venous catheter for 3 or more days. Children were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive a central venous catheter impregnated with antibiotics, a central venous catheter impregnated with heparin, or a standard central venous catheter with computer generated randomisation in blocks of three and six, stratified by method of consent, site, and envelope storage location within the site. The clinician responsible for inserting the central venous catheter was not masked to allocation, but allocation was concealed from patients, their parents, and the paediatric intensive care unit personnel responsible for their care. The primary outcome was time to first bloodstream infection between 48 h after randomisation and 48 h after central venous catheter removal with impregnated (antibiotic or heparin) versus standard central venous catheters, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses compared central venous catheter-related adverse events in the subset of children for whom central venous catheter insertion was attempted (per-protocol population). This trial is registered with ISRCTN number, ISRCTN34884569. FINDINGS: Between Nov 25, 2010, and Nov 30, 2012, 1485 children were recruited to this study. We randomly assigned 502 children to receive standard central venous catheters, 486 to receive antibiotic-impregnated catheters, and 497 to receive heparin-impregnated catheters. Bloodstream infection occurred in 18 (4%) of those in the standard catheters group, 7 (1%) in the antibiotic-impregnated group, and 17 (3%) assigned to heparin-impregnated catheters. Primary analyses showed no effect of impregnated (antibiotic or heparin) catheters compared with standard central venous catheters (hazard ratio [HR] for time to first bloodstream infection 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.34). Secondary analyses showed that antibiotic central venous catheters were better than standard central venous catheters (HR 0.43, 0.20-0.96) and heparin central venous catheters (HR 0.42, 0.19-0.93), but heparin did not differ from standard central venous catheters (HR 1.04, 0.53-2.03). Clinically important and statistically significant absolute risk differences were identified only for antibiotic-impregnated catheters versus standard catheters (-2.15%, 95% CI -4.09 to -0.20; number needed to treat [NNT] 47, 95% CI 25-500) and antibiotic-impregnated catheters versus heparin-impregnated catheters (-1.98%, -3.90 to -0.06, NNT 51, 26-1667). Nine children (2%) in the standard central venous catheter group, 14 (3%) in the antibiotic-impregnated group, and 8 (2%) in the heparin-impregnated group had catheter-related adverse events. 45 (8%) in the standard group, 35 (8%) antibiotic-impregnated group, and 29 (6%) in the heparin-impregnated group died during the study. INTERPRETATION: Antibiotic-impregnated central venous catheters significantly reduced the risk of bloodstream infections compared with standard and heparin central venous catheters. Widespread use of antibiotic-impregnated central venous catheters could help prevent bloodstream infections in paediatric intensive care units. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research, UK

Invertebrate Pitfall Surveys at Glacial Hills Preserve and Buena Vista County Park

Invertebrates are integral members of the ecosystems they inhabit. However, they are often overlooked and understudied. We performed two pitfall surveys in Buena Vista County in September 2021 to study the diversity and abundance of invertebrate species in the presence and absence of two invasive species: Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiola). We collected pitfall samples and brought them back to the lab for identification. We found no significant differences in invertebrate abundance between cedar and non-cedar samples, nor between mustard and non-mustard samples. We propose further research focusing on seasonal changes, as these invasives may have more impacts at certain times of year than others

Investigating Whether Consuming Meals in a Dining Room Impacts Patients’ Mood, Level of Interaction, and Subsequent Nutrient Intake in a Stroke Rehabilitation Ward.

Background/objectivesMalnutrition is evident in hospitals and stroke patients are at increased risk. Protected mealtimes may help increase nutrient intake especially when patients interact and enjoy the dining room atmosphere. The aim of this research is to investigate if eating in a communal dining room increases nutritional intake compared to eating at the bedside and to investigate whether patient interaction and mood affects patient nutrient intake. Population/methods:A randomised cross-sectional study of 20 patients, assessing a comparison of patient’s mealtime consumption at lunchtime in the dining room and at the beside. Patients’ meals were weighed before and after consumption as well as an estimated percentage of their meals consumed. Patients’ interaction was observed and noted using a modified case report form. The Hammond depression scale was used to score patients’ mood. Patient and staff satisfaction surveys were completed at the end of the study period. Results:There was no significant difference in protein and energy consumption in the dining room (16.4g protein and 379.2kcal) compared to at the bedside (13.2g protein and 333.8kcal), p=0.160 and p=0.110 respectively. Interaction was higher in the dining room. The percentage mealtime consumption increased the more interactive a patient was from a mean of 74% in less interactive patients to 98% in highly interactive patients (p=0.193). There was no significant association between depression score and mealtime consumption. All 19 patients enjoyed eating in the dining room and 14 out of the 19 patients preferred eating in the dining room. Conclusion:Further studies are required to explore how intake can be improved among stroke rehabilitation patients