Creating Pathways to Develop Student Professionalism - A New Direction

The 2007-2008 academic year brought a new program of student employment to our IT department called IT Fellows. This program brings together the technological skills of IT along with soft business skills to assist our student employees in becoming well-rounded individuals fully prepared for life after college. In previous years our primary area of student employment was the Help Desk in which there was a tiered system in place with opportunities for resume and interview experience, raises, and promotions. The area of training needed further development and the move to the new program provided enhanced opportunities for training at all levels of employment. First-year candidates attend a week-long Leadership Academy, followed by a full year of training in four six-week rotations of their choice, after which they interview for year-long assignments as interns. Internship opportunities are provided in all areas of the department as well as some campus departments outside of IT, and provide transcript credit for them to carry forward in their prospective careers. As they progress, some upper-class Fellows become mentors, coaches, managers, and trainers themselves. All Fellows participate in educational seminars throughout the year which address many areas of technology and professionalism. Come journey with us as we explore the new terrain of students as colleagues, and the benefits of expanding time staff as well as student employees

The Influence of Whiteness on Female Gender Roles: a Study of Race, Class, and Gender in Sula, The Awakening, and The Handmaid's Tale

A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts-EnglishIn this thesis I explore how Toni Morrison, Kate Chopin, and Margaret Atwood use the central female characters in their respective novels, Sula, The Awakening, and The Handmaid's Tale, to showcase the intricate relationship between race, class, and gender as it relates to the struggle to break free from society's expectations. Differences in race and levels of class allow for small glimpses of freedom, but in reality the possibility of true freedom is simply an illusion. From the perspective of Sula, Edna, and Offred, the ability to transcend the expectations society has placed upon them, which varies based on class and race, and create a unique self would mean achieving true independence. In their novels, Morrison, Chopin, and Atwood stress the dangers that lie within this puzzle of male domination, class rank, and white privilege. I contend that this danger is the incongruence that exists between society's view of female independence and its meaning to these women. I also argue that the dominant race and class, white, middle-class society, controls the illusions of freedom. As long as the female characters play within the boundaries approved by the "white norm," those around them will view their actions as the harmless testing of boundaries and as meaningless play, but, to these female characters, their actions reflect willful and serious struggles to gain autonomy and freedom. As these women push the boundaries, they go through a journey of realization. Through the analysis of the novels, it is clear that these women are not naive in terms of their limitations as women, but because their respective societies allow them to "play" within the confines of their gender, early in the novels they believe they can actually transcend their socially assigned gender roles, but they do not understand the relationship between their class, gender, and race and the power which white privilege has in controlling their freedom. As all three women progress toward what they believe to be a true, independent self, they begin to see the relationship between their class, race and gender and the unique challenges they face because of these social markers. Ultimately, these women come to realize that although race, class, and gender provide unique experiences for them, it is the power of white, middle-class society that holds them back. Ultimately, once these women realize their experiences will never result in true independence as long as white, middle-class society determines their boundaries, they find little hope for the future

A systematic review of enteral feeding by nasogastric tube in young people with eating disorders.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2021-07-01, epub 2021-07-22Publication status: PublishedBackgroundAdolescents with severe restrictive eating disorders often require enteral feeding to provide lifesaving treatment. Nasogastric feeding (NG) is a method of enteral nutrition often used in inpatient settings to treat medical instability, to supplement poor oral intake or to increase nutritional intake. This systematic review sets out to describe current practice of NG in young people with eating disorders.MethodsA systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching AMED, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from 2000 to 2020. Inclusion terms were: enteral feeding by nasogastric tube, under 18 years, eating disorders, and primary research. Exclusion terms: psychiatric disorders other than eating disorders; non-primary research; no outcomes specific to NG feeding and participants over 18 years. Titles and abstracts were screened by all authors before reviewing full length articles. Quality assessment, including risk of bias, was conducted by all authors.ResultsTwenty-nine studies met the full criteria. 86% of studies were deemed high or medium risk of bias due to the type of study: 34.4% retrospective cohort and 10.3% RCT; 17.2% were qualitative. Studies identified 1) a wide range of refeeding regimes depending on country, settings, and the reason for initiation; 2) standard practice is to introduce Nasogastric feeds (NG) if medically unstable or oral intake alone is inadequate; 3) NG may enable greater initial weight gain due to increased caloric intake; 4) there are 3 main types of feeding regime: continuous, nocturnal and bolus; 5) complications included nasal irritation, epistaxis, electrolyte disturbance, distress and tube removal; 6) where NG is routinely implemented to increase total calorie intake, length of stay in hospital may be reduced; however where NG is implemented in correlation to severity of symptoms, it may be increased; 7) both medical and psychiatric wards most commonly report using NG in addition to oral intake.ConclusionsNG feeding is a safe and efficacious method of increasing total calorie intake by either supplementing oral intake or continuously. There are currently no direct comparisons between continuous, nocturnal or bolus regimes, which may be used to direct future treatment for YP with ED

Temporal and Seasonal Variations of Silicate Svratka River and Sediment Characterization, Czech Republic: Geochemical and Stable Isotopic Approach

This study investigated weathering and hydrobiogeochemical processes in a silicate dominated watershed (Svratka river) in the Czech Republic in comparison with nearby carbonate dominated catchments. Elemental and isotopic analysis of river waters, particulates and sediments provided a more holistic view of weathering contributions, anthropogenic contamination, biological activity and evasion or sinks of CO2 to the atmosphere. In water samples, we determined total alkalinity after Gran 1974, and cations and anions were determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and ion chromatograph. δ13CDIC in water samples was determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. pCO2 and saturation indexes of calcite and dolomite were calculated with PHREEQC speciation program. Evasion fuxes were calculated after Broecker, 1974. Isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in particulate matter and sediments were determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Mineral composition of sediments was determined with XRD method and elements with XRF method. Further enrichment factors of elements were calculated. The Svratka river, which is the major tributary of the Dyje river, is dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3 MINUS SIGN (as total alkalinity). Partial pressure (pCO2) concentrations range from close to 0-572-fold of atmospheric pressure. Isotopic composition of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) value ranged fromMINUS SIGN 13.3 toMINUS SIGN 8.0%o refecting degradation of organic matter and exchange with the atmosphere. Bicarbonate weathering intensity for the Svratka river at its mouth is 11.8 mol/(lDOT OPERATOR  km2 DOT OPERATOR  s), more on par with silicate terrains and lower than nearby carbonate watersheds. Isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and isotopic composition of nitrogen (δ15N) values of river sediment refect soil and temperate plant (C3 plant) values, while higher δ15N values could be attributed to application of organic fertilizers in lower reaches. The river sediments, which came from weathering of crystalline rocks, are dominated by silt size, geochemically less mature quartz, feldspar and muscovite particles. All the stream sediments examined revealed slightly increased amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb. However, using Al as the normalization element to calculate enrichment factors, Zn, Cu and Pb are only elevated downstream, related to industrial contamination. This study is important for local and global level since it deals with contribution of weathering rates and contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere in silicate watershed.O

Commentary: Pivoting during a pandemic: developing a new recruitment model for a randomised controlled trial in response to COVID-19.

BackgroundMany non-COVID-19 trials were disrupted in 2020 and either struggled to recruit participants or stopped recruiting altogether. In December 2019, just before the pandemic, we were awarded a grant to conduct a randomised controlled trial, the Should I Take Aspirin? (SITA) trial, in Victoria, the Australian state most heavily affected by COVID-19 during 2020.Main bodyWe originally modelled the SITA trial recruitment method on previous trials where participants were approached and recruited in general practice waiting rooms. COVID-19 changed the way general practices worked, with a significant increase in telehealth consultations and restrictions on in person waiting room attendance. This prompted us to adapt our recruitment methods to this new environment to reduce potential risk to participants and staff, whilst minimising any recruitment bias. We designed a novel teletrial model, which involved calling participants prior to their general practitioner appointments to check their eligibility. We delivered the trial both virtually and face-to-face with similar overall recruitment rates to our previous studies.ConclusionWe developed an effective teletrial model which allowed us to complete recruitment at a high rate. The teletrial model is now being used in our other primary care trials as we continue to face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

Availability of healthier options in traditional and nontraditional rural fast-food outlets

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Food prepared away from home has become increasingly popular to U.S. families, and may contribute to obesity. Sales have been dominated by fast food outlets, where meals are purchased for dining away from home or in the home. Although national chain affiliated fast-food outlets are considered the main source for fast food, fast foods are increasingly available in convenience stores and supermarkets/grocery stores. In rural areas, these nontraditional fast-food outlets may provide most of the opportunities for procurement of fast foods.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using all traditional and nontraditio nal fast-food outlets identified in six counties in rural Texas, the type and number of regular and healthiermenu options were surveyed using on-site observation in all food venues that were primarily fast food, supermarket/grocery store, and convenience store and compared with 2005 Dietary Guidelines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Traditional fast-food outlets represented 84 (41%) of the 205 opportunities for procurement of fast food; 109 (53.2%) were convenience stores and 12 (5.8%) supermarkets/grocery stores. Although a s imilar variety of regular breakfast and lunch/dinner entrées were available in traditional fast-food outlets and convenience stores, the variety of healthier breakfast and lunch/dinner entrées was significantly greater in fast food outlets. Compared with convenience stores, supermarkets/grocery stores provided a greater variety of regular and healthier entrées and lunch/dinner side dishes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Convenience stores and supermarkets/grocery stores more than double the potential access to fast foods in this rural area than traditional fast-food outlets alone; however, traditional fast food outlets offer greater opportunity for healthier fast food options than convenience stores. A complete picture of fast food environment and the availability of healthier fast food options are essential to understand environmental influences on diet and health outcomes, and identify potential targets for intervention.</p

Tocolytic therapy for preterm delivery: systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most effective tocolytic agent at delaying delivery. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Medline In-Process, Embase, and CINAHL up to 17 February 2012. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials of tocolytic therapy in women at risk of preterm delivery. DATA EXTRACTION: At least two reviewers extracted data on study design, characteristics, number of participants, and outcomes reported (neonatal and maternal). A network meta-analysis was done using a random effects model with drug class effect. Two sensitivity analyses were carried out for the primary outcome; restricted to studies at low risk of bias and restricted to studies excluding women at high risk of preterm delivery (those with multiple gestation and ruptured membranes). RESULTS: Of the 3263 titles initially identified, 95 randomized controlled trials of tocolytic therapy were reviewed. Compared with placebo, the probability of delivery being delayed by 48 hours was highest with prostaglandin inhibitors (odds ratio 5.39, 95% credible interval 2.14 to 12.34) followed by magnesium sulfate (2.76, 1.58 to 4.94), calcium channel blockers (2.71, 1.17 to 5.91), beta mimetics (2.41, 1.27 to 4.55), and the oxytocin receptor blocker atosiban (2.02, 1.10 to 3.80). No class of tocolytic was significantly superior to placebo in reducing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Compared with placebo, side effects requiring a change of medication were significantly higher for beta mimetics (22.68, 7.51 to 73.67), magnesium sulfate (8.15, 2.47 to 27.70), and calcium channel blockers (3.80, 1.02 to 16.92). Prostaglandin inhibitors and calcium channel blockers were the tocolytics with the best probability of being ranked in the top three medication classes for the outcomes of 48 hour delay in delivery, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal mortality, and maternal side effects (all cause). CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandin inhibitors and calcium channel blockers had the highest probability of delaying delivery and improving neonatal and maternal outcomes

The family law DOORS: research and practice updates

The Family Law DOORS (FL-DOORS) is a whole-of-family risk screening tool designed for use across the family law sector. It was released in Australia in March 2013. Following on from an earlier evaluation study by the Australian Institute for Family Studies that claimed only limited take-up of the tool, this article addresses the criticisms and presents new evidence on current use of and research with the FL-DOORS, referring to data from over 7,200 cases