SLEEP AND ACADEMICS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: ROLE OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING AND SLEEP HYGIENE

Sleep is a vital human function, critical to health across the lifespan. However, college students report significant disturbances in sleep quality and sleep hygiene (ACHA, 2019; Moulin & Chung, 2016). The consequences of poor sleep include lower cognitive and executive functioning abilities (Honn et al., 2019; Whitney et al., 2015) and poorer academic performance (Okano et al., 2019). Given the prevalence of these issues and the deleterious consequences, several sleep hygiene interventions have been developed for college students. However, the effectiveness of sleep hygiene education is not fully supported (Dietrich et al., 2016), and the role of individual characteristics that impact treatment effectiveness (i.e., executive functioning ability) has not been studied. The present study will examine the role of executive functioning in sleep quality and sleep hygiene, which may highlight the need for executive functioning supports within sleep educational programs. Executive functioning allows individuals to engage in health-promoting behaviors (Hall & Marteau, 2014), though limited research is available on its contribution to sleep-specific health behaviors. Given that executive functioning deficits (Sheehan & Iarocci 2019) and sleep problems (Hayley et al., 2017) independently predict lower academic achievement, it is crucial to understand the relationship among these three factors to better understand how to support college students and promote academic success

Institutional Repository Use of Vendor-Based Solutions Relating to Technical Knowledge and Digital Curation

Institutional repositories (IRs) are digital collections that curate and disseminate the intellectual output of an institution. They play a significant role in the open access movement and in providing access to research and scholarly outputs. Vendor-based systems (VBSs) are a popular option for managing IRs. VBSs offer a number of advantages, including scalability, security, and support. However, they are expensive and require a high degree of technical knowledge for staff to extend the IR collections into digital preservation workflows. This paper examines the impact of VBSs on digital curation and preservation in IRs. The paper begins by providing an overview of IRs and VBSs. It then discusses the benefits and drawbacks of VBSs relating to the executable connectivity for digital curation and preservation by digital librarians. Finally, the paper presents the results of a survey that gauged current technical knowledge and other aspects of those working in the librarian roles of digital curation/preservation, asset management, and institutional repository management of scholarly digital assets. The analysis of the survey suggests several factors that inhibit IRs from utilizing VBSs to their fullest for digital curation and preservation. Overall, a VBS is a valuable tool for digital curation and preservation in IRs if gaps in technical knowledge, increased resources, and stakeholder support are improved

Unsolicited written narratives as a methodological genre in terminal illness: challenges and limitations

Stories about illness have proven invaluable in helping health professionals understand illness experiences. Such narratives have traditionally been solicited by researchers through interviews and the collection of personal writings, including diaries. These approaches are, however, researcher driven; the impetus for the creation of the story comes from the researcher and not the narrator. In recent years there has been exponential growth in illness narratives created by individuals, of their own volition, and made available for others to read in print or as Internet accounts. We sought to determine whether it was possible to identify such material for use as research data to explore the subject of living with the terminal illness amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease—the contention being that these accounts are narrator driven and therefore focus on issues of greatest importance to the affected person. We encountered and sought to overcome a number of methodological and ethical challenges, which is our focus here

Lessons Learned in Conducting School Health Research in Massachusetts: A Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network (MASNRN) Project

The Institute of Medicine (2007) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) (2010) recognized that the school environment plays a role in shaping children’s health and health behaviors, and school health services are positioned to model these approaches. The majority of school health services are school nurse (SN) managed (RWJF, 2012; Schainker, 2005), but a research gap exists linking school health services with improved student outcomes (Hootman, 2002; Lear, 2007). In Massachusetts, the student health research question ideally has roots in the expertise of the SN. The researcher conducting a school-based student health study interacts with SNs and administrators in school districts that vary by the type and number of health staff , as well as district location and size. These variables confound the research design in terms of structure and process. IRB issues and permission for research conduction in the school district are particularly vexing. Consent of parents and assent of children are required, and SNs participating in the research must complete human subjects training. Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network (MASNRN) was founded in 2004 by a group of SN experts to conduct school based research. The 100 members of MASNRN have conducted studies across the state and within school districts on asthma, availability of epinephrine for anaphylaxis, bullying, immunizations, training modules and mental health. Particular lessons learned from the unique experience of conducting research in schools are presented

Symptom Assessment in Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer: Cross-Validation of the Patient Symptom Assessment in Lung Cancer Instrument

IntroductionLung cancer symptoms can be burdensome for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patient Symptom Assessment in Lung Cancer (PSALC), a self-report scale for assessing SCLC symptom burden, was developed and validated previously using intravenous topotecan clinical trial data. This study cross-validates the PSALC using oral topotecan (OT) trial data.MethodsData were analyzed from a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial including 71 patients with relapsed SCLC receiving OT with best supportive care and 70 patients receiving best supportive care alone. PSALC and EQ-5D were administered at baseline and at 3-week intervals. Internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness were evaluated.ResultsOnly one factor was indicated in factor analysis, hence PSALC total score (PSALC-TS) was used for psychometric analysis. Internal consistency was supported by Cronbach's alpha of 0.78. Construct validity was supported by significant associations of higher PSALC-TS (higher symptom burden) with worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and by correlations of PSALC-TS with EQ-5D utility index and visual analog scale score (all p < 0.001). Reliability was supported by intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.68 (using PSALC-TS before clinical status change) and concordance correlation coefficient of 0.69 (using PSALC-TS at baseline and before first visit). PSALC-TS was responsive to clinical status change from baseline to tumor response (responsiveness statistic = −0.99) and to tumor progression (responsiveness statistic = 0.94).ConclusionsConsistent with prior psychometric results, this cross-validation study using OT trial data showed acceptable validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the PSALC scale, further supporting its use to measure symptom burden in previously treated SCLC

Using Rapid Reviews in Nursing and Midwifery Research: An Example From a Study Commissioned to Inform Policy-Making

Aim: To illustrate the potential use of rapid review approaches in nursing and midwifery research by presenting a worked example from a study conducted to inform policy decision making. Background: Rapid reviews, which can be defined as outputs of a knowledge synthesis approach that involves modifying or omitting elements of a systematic review process due to limited time or resources, are becoming increasingly popular in health research. This paper provides guidance on how a rapid review can be undertaken and discusses the strengths and challenges of the approach. Data source and research design: Data from a rapid review of the literature undertaken in 2015 is used as a worked example to highlight one method of undertaking a rapid review. Implications for nursing: Seeking evidence to inform health policy making or evidence based practice is a process that can be limited by time constraints, making it difficult to conduct comprehensive systematic reviews

Respite care and short breaks for young adults aged 18–40 with complex health-care needs: mixed-methods systematic review and conceptual framework development

BackgroundThe number of young adults with complex health-care needs due to life-limiting conditions/complex physical disability has risen significantly over the last 15 years, as more children now survive into adulthood. The transition from children to adult services may disrupt provision of essential respite/short break care for this vulnerable population, but the impact on young adults, families and providers is unclear.AimTo review the evidence on respite care provision for young adults (aged 18–40 years) with complex health-care needs, provide an evidence gap analysis and develop a conceptual framework for respite care.DesignA two-stage mixed-methods systematic review, including a knowledge map of respite care and an evidence review of policy, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and experience.Data sourcesElectronic databases and grey/unpublished literature were searched from 2002 to September 2019. The databases searched included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Health Management Information Consortium, PROSPERO, Turning Research into Practice, COnNECT+, British Nursing Index, Web of Science, Social Care Online, the National Institute for Health Research Journals Library, Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care specialist register, databases on The Cochrane Library and international clinical trials registers. Additional sources were searched using the CLUSTER (Citations, Lead authors, Unpublished materials, Scholar search, Theories, Early examples, Related projects) approach and an international ‘call for evidence’.Methods and analysisMultiple independent reviewers used the SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention/phenomenon of interest, Comparison, Evaluation) framework to select and extract evidence for each stage, verified by a third reviewer. Study/source characteristics and outcomes were extracted. Study quality was assessed using relevant tools. Qualitative evidence was synthesised using a framework approach and UK policy was synthesised using documentary content analysis. GRADE-CERQual (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research) was used to assess confidence in the evidence. Logic models developed for each type of respite care constituted the conceptual framework.ResultsWe identified 69 sources (78 records) from 126,267 records. The knowledge map comprised the following types of respite care: residential, home based, day care, community, leisure/social provision, funded holidays and emergency. Seven policy intentions included early transition planning and prioritising respite care according to need. No evidence was found on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative evidence focused largely on residential respite care. Facilitators of accessible/acceptable services included trusted and valued relationships, independence and empowerment of young adults, peer social interaction, developmental/age-appropriate services and high standards of care. Barriers included transition to adult services, paperwork, referral/provision delay and travelling distance. Young adults from black, Asian and minority ethnic populations were under-represented. Poor transition, such as loss of or inappropriate services, was contrary to statutory expectations. Potential harms included stress and anxiety related to safe care, frustration and distress arising from unmet needs, parental exhaustion, and a lack of opportunities to socialise and develop independence.LimitationsNo quantitative or mixed-methods evidence was found on effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of respite care. There was limited evidence on planned and emergency respite care except residential.ConclusionsPolicy intentions are more comprehensively met for young people aged Future workResearch to quantify the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of respite care to support service development and commissioning. Development of a core set of outcomes measures to support future collation of evidence.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018088780.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 6. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information

The Influence of Fat Suppression Technique on Diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI in Lung Cancer

Purpose: To qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the effect of common vendor-related sequence variations in fat suppression techniques on the diagnostic performance of free-breathing DW protocols for lung imaging.Methods: 8 patients with malignant lung lesions were scanned in free breathing using two diffusion-weighted (DW) protocols with different fat suppression techniques: DWA used short-tau inversion recovery (STIR), and DWB used Spectral Adiabatic Inversion Recovery (SPAIR). Both techniques were obtained at two time points, between 1 hour and 1 week apart. Image quality was assessed using a 5-point scoring system. The number of lesions visible within lung, mediastinum and at thoracic inlet on the DW (b=800 s/mm2) images was compared. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were calculated for lesions and para-spinal muscle. Repeatability of ADC values of the lesions was estimated for both protocols together and separately.Results: There was a signal void at the thoracic inlet in all patients with DWB but not with DWA. DWA images were rated significantly better than DWB images overall quality domains. (Cohens κ = 1). Although 8 more upper mediastinal/thoracic inlet lymph nodes were detected with DWA than DWB, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.23). Tumour ADC values were not significantly different between protocols (p=0.93), their ADC reproducibility was satisfactory (CoV=7.7%) and repeatability of each protocol separately was comparable (CoVDWA=3.7% (95% CI 2.5 7.1%) and CoVDWB=4.6% (95% CI 3.18.8%)).Conclusion: In a free-breathing DW-MRI protocol for lung, STIR fat suppression produced images of better diagnostic quality than SPAIR, while maintaining comparable SNR and providing repeatable quantitative ADC acceptable for use in a multicentre trial setting

The effect of disinfectant ingredients on teat skin bacteria associated with mastitis in Irish dairy herds

peer-reviewedBackground Teat disinfection is an important step in the control of mastitis within a dairy herd. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 96 commercially available teat disinfectant products in Ireland against bacterial isolates on teat skin. Teat disinfection products were applied to the teats of seventeen Holstein–Friesian cows. A split-udder model was used where one cow received two different teat disinfection products on each day. A composite swab sample was taken of the left teats and the right teats before and after teat disinfectant application. Swab samples were plated onto 3 different selective agars to enumerate bacterial counts of streptococcal, staphylococcal and coliform isolates. Results Streptococcal isolates were the most prominent bacterial group recovered on teat swabs taken before the application of a teat disinfection product (55.0%), followed by staphylococcal isolates (41.3%) and coliform isolates (3.7%). Products were reclassified by active ingredients (n = 9) for analysis. These ingredient groups included; chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, diamine, iodine, iodine and lactic acid, lactic acid, lactic acid and chlorhexidine, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and lactic acid and salicylic acid. The ingredient group, chlorine dioxide, resulted in comparable reductions to the iodine group for streptococcal isolates. The ingredient group, iodine combined with lactic acid, resulted in the greatest reduction of staphylococcal isolates. When observing products individually, a product containing 1.6% w/w lactic acid combined with hydrogen peroxide was the most effective at reducing streptococcal isolates on the teat skin, whereas a product containing lactic acid combined with 0.6% w/w chlorhexidine was the most effective against staphylococcal isolates. Minor differences were observed regarding the relationship between effectiveness and active ingredient concentration between products. Conclusions This study suggests that some teat disinfectant products achieve a higher reduction in bacterial levels against different specific bacterial groups on teat skin than other products. Therefore, when choosing a teat disinfectant product, the bacteria in the dairy herds’ environment should be considered. Further studies are necessary to evaluate products efficacy against new IMIs and any possible effects on teat skin condition