Grand Valley Forum, volume 011, number 32, April 20, 1987

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State\u27s faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present

Feeding the Dry Cow to Avoid Parturient Paresis

In the past, dairy producers have regarded the non-lactating or dry period as a time when the dairy cow recuperates from the stresses of her previous lactation and prepares herself for parturition. This kind of thinking usually results in mismanagement of the dry cow since she is seen as an economic drain on the farm. Today this image is changing and through years of research and education the dry period is now considered a vital stage of preparation for the next lactation period. The dry cow should be managed and fed to prepare her for the transition from the low metabolic demand needed during the dry period to the higher metabolic demand of early lactation. If cows are not prepared properly for this transition, periparturient diseases, primarily in the form of metabolic problems, are inevitably going to occur. These problems include: milk fever, retained placenta, dystocia, uterine prolapse, ketosis, fatty liver syndrome, and displaced abomasum

Report to the Community 2006

Contains mission statement, board chair and president's message, senior vice president's message, program information, funders' panel discussion, grantees list, funds list, financial summary, and lists of board members and staff

A Comparison of the Effects of Simulation Training and Non-Simulation Training On Self-Efficacy in Providing Women\u27s Health Care

The Veterans Administration (VA) recognizes that proficiency in the core concepts of primary care women\u27s health is required to provide comprehensive primary care for women. A potentially superior form of training that has been recently used for care providers is simulation. The examination of the relationship between simulation training through the Mini-Residency Course and increased self-efficacy among Women\u27s Health Primary Care Providers (WH-PCP) is important, as the Mini-Residency Course is designed specifically to fill knowledge gaps and enhance the participant\u27s knowledge and skill. A single post-test only, two group design was used for this study. The experimental group included those who completed simulation training on how to provide effective, essential healthcare to women veterans. The simulation-based training occurred July, 2012. The study gathered survey data designed to determine the level of self-efficacy of practitioners from a sample who had participated in the Mini-Residency program (Part I, or Parts I and II) and compared the levels of self-efficacy to a sample of practitioners who did not participate in simulations. Limited by a low response rate, the study sample included 23 practitioners. A self-efficacy survey was constructed using Bandura\u27s self-efficacy theory. The self-efficacy score for this analysis used the mean of six discrete skill items. The reliability of this self-efficacy scale was examined using Cronbach\u27s alpha. Results indicated reliability at a = .71. The results failed to demonstrate any statistically significant differences between groups. However, it was noted that a significant result ( p = .10 level) was evident in the differences in mean self-efficacy scores based on standardized patient experience, which suggests the need for future research using a larger sample size

Grand Valley Forum, volume 021, number 15, December 2, 1996

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State\u27s faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present

Demographic Trends in Rural and Small Town America

This report includes information on: An Overview of Demographic Change Historically, rural places have lost population. However, since the rural rebound of the 1970s, the story of migration into and out of rural areas has become more complex. Changes in Racial and Ethic Diversity Immigration and racial diversity has increased in rural places, and will likely continue to increase. New Realities Farming no longer dominates. Places with high amenities are attracting new migrants into rural areas. Policy Considerations As policymakers consider responses to the issues being faced in nonmetropolitan areas, it is critical that rural constituencies have a seat at the table

Who is my friend? Resources for Teaching Media Literacy in Special Education

Possible characteristics of autism or intellectual disabilities include vulnerability or gullibility in social situations. Therefore, some teens or adults with autism or intellectual disabilities may struggle to discern who is a true friend. In the context of media literacy, such challenges can lead to confusion in social media friend requests or related safe behaviors in using social media. This media literacy team intends for this resource to support teachers of special education or adult education to teach teens or adults with intellectual disabilities or autism about discerning friendships in the context of media literacy. A sample lesson is included