Kicking hornets nests: An occupational hazard

This poster reflects on an innovative process used to review an existing NZNO publication: “Social media and the nursing profession: a guide to online professionalism for nurses and nursing students” (2012) and considers how the process disrupted the dominant professional voice that is a characteristic of publications by an influential author such as NZNO

Thinking critically about critical thinking in nursing: a challenge for nurse educators.

Thinking critically about critical thinking in nursing: a challenge for nurse educators. Critical thinking (CT) is purported to be an essential component in the practice of nursing for determining the most appropriate patient care and ensuring that the care is safe and effective (Brunt, 2005; Rubenfeld and Scheffer, 2010, 2015; Alfaro-LeFevre, 2009). However, despite attempts to define CT for nursing practice, there remains a lack of agreement of the definition of CT as it applies to the nursing discipline. For example, some researchers maintain that CT includes wider dimensions such as, “critical reflection”, “clinical decision making”, “complex judgement” and “clinical judgement and reasoning” (Benner, Hughes and Sutphen, 2008), while others argue that it is a rational approach which favours logic over emotion (Benner, Tanner and Chelsa, 2009). Without a clear consensus of what CT is, and what it involves for nursing practice, it is difficult for nurses to apply it. This presentation first examines what exactly CT is, how it can best be defined, why it is needed, and how its use can be taught. It also examines debate around generalist versus specifist perspectives on CT and philosophical and educational perspectives on its transferability. It then presents evidence from literature and experience that the teaching of CT in higher education and for nursing is compromised by the lack of agreement in defining CT. The presentation concludes with an endorsement of the views and recommendations of Brookfield (2005, 2011) as offering a helpful definition and process for CT and a useful way forward in the CT debate and the application of CT for nursing

Rethinking assessment of competence within a first year nursing science module

The project evaluated an innovative assessment tool that was developed to provide evidence that students were developing science-informed competence for nursing. Measuring and assessing competence in nursing education is a current world-wide concern, with few solutions offered (Anderson, 2008). At Waikato Institute of Technology, the prescription of Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) nursing competencies into the science modules of the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum commenced in 2009. Examination of the alignment of pedagogy, curriculum and assessment revealed that existing methods of assessment did not effectively assess all aspects of competence. This research investigated what tools could be used to assess evidence of the development of all aspects of science-informed competence in nursing education, and developed a new assessment tool. The tool was evaluated in terms of its construct, concurrent and consequential validity through a variety of data collection methods. Findings indicated that the new assessment tool enabled assessment of all aspects of competence, including the contribution of student attitudes, values and abilities. It was also effective in providing students with opportunities to make links between science learning and nursing practice. Questionnaire and focus group results indicated that most students had some understanding of the purpose of the assessment tool and understood the practical test as linking to a ‘nursing perspective’. However, the students’ immediate response to the assessment was negative, due to their experience of having limited time during the assessment. Future changes to the assessment tool are more likely to be based on students’ pedagogical preferences (Boud, 2007)

Comparative Response of Two Hydrilla Strains to Fluridone

Experiments were conducted in a controlled-environmental growth chamber to evaluate the response of two strains of the invasive submersed plant Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle to fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 4(1H)-pyridinone). (PDF has 6 pages.

Applications of Mass Spectrometry to Synthetic Copolymers

Over the last decade, application of mass spectrometry has grown immensely especially in polymer characterization. The focus of this thesis is to assess and extend the applicability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) in the analysis of synthetic copolymers. Characterization of a non-ionic copolymer was attempted. The copolymer was styrene-co-maleic anhydride, which is in a class of copolymers that are used for commercial applications where low viscosity, high polarity and/or high reactivity are needed. MALDI-TOF MS was employed to obtain weight and number average molecular weight values (Mw and Mn), polydispersity index (PDI), monomer ratio, and endgroup identity. Results closer to the manufacturer’s specifications were obtained for Mw, Mn and PDI using this instrument. However, suitable internal standards were not found to enable distinction between isobaric endgroup possibilities by assessment of accurate mass. Important information about polymers can be obtained using ESI MS. In conducting studies of in-source depolymerization for copolymer analysis by ESI MS, the limit of detection of monomers in the absence and presence of polymers was determined. In doing so, differences in fragmentation were observed when comparing pure monomer and monomer derived from depolymerization. The hypothesis was then made that monomer contamination could be determined in polymers based on these differences. To validate this method, a homopolymer of styrene sulfonic acid (SSA) was used. It was shown that the monomer-to-fragment ratio could selectively determine the amount of SSA monomer present. It was then of interest to assess whether determination was possible in a copolymer. The copolymer used to test this was poly(styrene sulfonic acid- co-maleic acid) (PSSA-MA). SSA monomer concentrations were assessed in a 1:1 mole ratio PSSA-MA copolymer. Unknown monomer concentrations were calculated from ESI-MS data using matrix algebra. It was then assessed whether monomer ratios could be obtained simultaneously with contamination. Both a 3:1 and 1:1 mole ratio PSSA-MA copolymer were analyzed. It was found that both characteristics (contamination and monomer ratio) could be determined

PB1768 2013 Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops

Provides insect control recommendations that include cultural practices, variety selection, biological control and use of insecticides to control/manage insect pest populations in cotton, soybeans, field corn, sorghum and wheat

Understanding the marine environment : seabed habitat investigations of the Dogger Bank offshore draft SAC

This report details work carried out by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), British Geological Surveys (BGS) and Envision Ltd. for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). It has been produced to provide the JNCC with evidence on the distribution and extent of Annex I habitat (including variations of these features) on the Dogger Bank in advance of its possible designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The report contains information required under Regulation 7 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 and will enable the JNCC to advise the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as to whether the site is deemed eligible as a SAC. The report provides detailed information about the Dogger Bank and evaluates its features of interest according to the Habitats Directive selection criteria and guiding principles. This assessment has been made following a thorough analysis of existing information combined with newly acquired field survey data collected using ‘state of the art’ equipment. In support of this process acoustic (sidescan sonar and multibeam echosounder) and groundtruthing data (Hamon grabs, trawls and underwater video) were collected during a 19-day cruise on RV Cefas Endeavour, which took place between 2-20 April 2008. Existing information and newly acquired data were combined to investigate the sub-surface geology, surface sediments and bedforms, epifaunal and infaunal communities of the Dogger Bank. Results were integrated into a habitat map employing the EUNIS classification. Key results are as follows: • The upper Pleistocene Dogger Bank Formation dictates the shape of the Dogger Bank. • The Dogger Bank is morphologically distinguishable from the surrounding seafloor following the application of a technique, which differentiates the degree of slope. • A sheet of Holocene sediments of variable thickness overlies the Dogger Bank Formation. At the seabed surface, these Holocene sediments can be broadly delineated into fine sands and coarse sediments. • Epifaunal and infaunal communities were distinguished based on multivariate analysis of data derived from video and stills analysis and Hamon grab samples. Sediment properties and depth were the main factors controlling the distribution of infauna and epifauna across the Bank. • Epifaunal and infaunal community links were explored. Most stations could be categorised according to one of four combined infaunal/epifaunal community types (i.e. sandy sediment bank community, shallow sandy sediment bank community, coarse sediment bank community or deep community north of the bank). • Biological zones were identified using modelling techniques based on light climate and wave base data. Three biological zones, namely infralittoral, circalittoral and deep circalittoral are present in the study site. • EUNIS level 4 habitats were mapped by integrating acoustic, biological, physical and optical data. Eight different habitats are present on the Dogger Bank. This report also provides some of the necessary information and data to help the JNCC ultimately reach a judgement as to whether the Dogger Bank is suitable as an SAC. In support of this process the encountered habitats and the ecology of the Dogger Bank are compared with other SACs known to contain sandbank habitats in UK waters. The functional and ecological importance of the Dogger Bank as well as potential anthropogenic impacts is discussed. A scientific justification underlying the proposed Dogger Bank dSAC boundary is also given (Appendix 1). This is followed by a discussion of the suitability and cost-effectiveness of techniques utilised for seabed investigations of the Dogger Bank. Finally, recommendations for strategies and techniques employed for investigation of Annex I sandbanks are provided

Unlacing carnal margins : portraits by Angela Stewart

In this research I examine artistic doubt as a way to unlace the becoming of a portrait. My interest is in the personal encounter between the painter and sitter. My muse is the sixteenth-century Italian portrait painter, Sofonisba Anguissola and through both creative practice and exegetical writing, which takes an epistolary approach, I investigate the process, mistakes and interruptions of making that can impact on portrait painting. As such doubt is positioned as caches of ontological moments

Cardiovascular Disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Health Issue</p> <p>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Canadian women and men. In general, women present with a wider range of symptoms, are more likely to delay seeking medial care and are less likely to be investigated and treated with evidence-based medications, angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft than men.</p> <p>Key Findings</p> <p>In 1998, 78,964 Canadians died from CVD, almost half (39,197) were women. Acute myocardial infarction, which increases significantly after menopause, was the leading cause of death among women.</p> <p>Cardiovascular disease accounted for 21% of all hospital admissions for Canadian women over age 50 in 1999. Admissions to hospital for ischemic heart disease were more frequent for men, but the mean length of hospital stay was longer for women.</p> <p>Mean blood pressure increases with age in both men and women. After age 65, however, high blood pressure is more common among Canadian women. More than one-third of postmenopausal Canadian women have hypertension.</p> <p>Diabetes increases the mortality and morbidity associated with CVD in women more than it does in men. Depression also contributes to the incidence and recovery from CVD, particularly for women who experience twice the rate of depression as men.</p> <p>Data Gaps and Recommendations</p> <p>CVD needs to be recognized as a woman's health issue given Canadian mortality projections (particularly heart failure). Health professionals should be trained to screen, track, and address CVD risk factors among women, including hypertension, elevated lipid levels, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, diabetes and low socio-economic status.</p