Socio-emotional support in Higher Education: Evidence from First Year Learning Communities

First-year learning communities (FLCs) are known to improve student integration during the first year at university. The FLC classroom social climate and its potential role in contributing to this positive effect of FLCs have not been studied. The current study wants to elucidate students’ perceptions of the social climate within the Utrecht Undergraduate Pharmacy FLCs by exploring students’ perceptions and perceived value of peer and student-teacher interactions within these FLCs, relate these perceptions to the dimensions of the classroom social climate and clarify which factors help or hinder a positive perceived value. Fourteen first-year students from the cohort 2020-2021 (n=208) participated in semi-structured individual interviews in the first, second, and fourth period of the first year. At year’s end, first year students completed an online questionnaire on the quality of peer and student-teacher interactions. Our results show that FLC interactions are positively valued when students experience academic support from peers and teacher, socio-emotional support from peers and teacher, and active participation in class activities which corresponds to the classroom social climate dimensions student cohesiveness, student involvement and personalisation. Students’ perceived value of interactions was influenced by a variety of factors of which online classes hampered all valued classroom social climate dimensions. Socio-emotional support from peers and teacher was not only one of the most valued classroom climate elements, it also indirectly promoted academic support and active participation. This highlights the importance of socio-emotional support in the classroom, which should receive an increased amount of attention in higher education

Alles eine Frage des Preises?

Der österreichische Umsatz von Bio-Produkten stieg 2007 um mehr als 20% an, der von Fairtrade-Produkten 2007 sogar um über 27%. Auf Grund der steigenden Aktualität dieser Labels kam die Idee auf, den Zusammenhang zu weiteren Produktmerkmalen zu untersuchen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein möglicher Zusammenhang zwischen Preis, den Labels “Bio” und “Fairtrade” und Qualitätswahrnehmung von Konsumenten untersucht. Dazu wurden zwei empirische Studien durchgeführt, in denen Qualitätswahrnehmung mittels sensorischer Qualitätsbewertung operationalisiert wurde. In der ersten Untersuchung wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob die Variablen “Preiswahrnehmung” und “Label” einen Einfluss auf die Qualitätsbewertung und die Preisschätzung von Orangensaft hatten. Dafür wurden unter fünf Bedingungen sensorische Bewertungen und Preisschätzungen abgegeben. Das zu bewertende Produkt blieb, bis auf die unterschiedlichen Beschriftungen, das Gleiche. Außerdem wurden Kaufmotive, Kaufhäufigkeit und Produktgruppen erhoben, bei denen auf die Labels “Bio” und/ oder “Fairtrade” geachtet wird. Die Ergebnisse aus Studie I zeigten, dass die Bedingungen einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die sensorischen Bewertungen und auf die Preisschätzungen hatten. Weiters ging höhere sensorische Bewertung mit höher geschätztem Preis einher. “Bio-Orangensaft” wurde sensorisch am höchsten eingestuft, während “Fairtrade- Orangensaft” preislich am höchsten geschätzt wurde. In Studie II wurden sowohl Preis als auch Label manipuliert. Daraus resultierten sechs Bedingungen, in denen die drei Bedingungen “Bio-Orangensaft”, “Fairtrade-Orangensaft” und “keine Zusatzinformation” mit höherem und niedrigerem Preis variiert wurden. Ein möglicher Interaktionseffekt zwischen den unabhängigen Variablen “Preis” und “Label” konnte in dieser Studie nicht gefunden werden.In 2007 the austrian sales-volume of biological products increased by more than 20%, the one for fairtrade-products even by 27%. The obviously rising importance of these labels yielded the idea to examine their cohesion and possible interaction with other product characteristics. This thesis’ topic is to explore a possible connection between price, the labels “biological” and “fairtrade” and quality perception by consumers. Therefore two empirical studies were conducted, where quality perception was operationalized by sensorical quality rating. The first study examined whether the variables “price perception” and “label” had an influence on quality rating and price appraisal of orange juice. Sensorical quality ratings and price appraisals were given under five conditions. The product remained, apart from different marking, unchanged over all conditions. In addition buying motives, buying frequency and product groups concerning “biological”- and/ or “fairtrade”-label where conducted. The results showed a significant influence of conditions on sensorical quality rating and price appraisal. Furthermore higher sensorical rating was associated with higher estimated price. “Biological orange juice” was sensorically rated highest while “fairtrade orange juice” was rated highest in regard to price. For the second study “price” as well as “label” were manipulated. Thus six conditions, where three conditions “biological orange juice”, “fairtade orange juice” and “no further product information” where varied with low and high price levels, were alternated. A possible interaction- effect between the independent variables “price” and “label” could not be found in this study

APPLYING TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS TO IMPROVE HEAT EXCHANGER ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE IN REFINERY CRUDE PREHEAT TRAINS

Fouling of heat exchangers in crude preheat trains is a major refinery operations business factor. It is realised that fouling cannot be completely eliminated, but considerable economic and environmental benefits are available with the proper application of improved technology in both the equipment and software asset management tools areas. This paper presents a technology update of refinery applications of a heat exchanger network analysis software to identify optimal crude preheat train cleaning

Socio-emotional support in Higher Education: Evidence from First Year Learning Communities

First-year learning communities (FLCs) are known to improve student integration during the first year at university. The FLC classroom social climate and its potential role in contributing to this positive effect of FLCs have not been studied. The current study wants to elucidate students’ perceptions of the social climate within the Utrecht Undergraduate Pharmacy FLCs by exploring students’ perceptions and perceived value of peer and student-teacher interactions within these FLCs, relate these perceptions to the dimensions of the classroom social climate and clarify which factors help or hinder a positive perceived value. Fourteen first-year students from the cohort 2020-2021 (n=208) participated in semi-structured individual interviews in the first, second, and fourth period of the first year. At year’s end, first year students completed an online questionnaire on the quality of peer and student-teacher interactions. Our results show that FLC interactions are positively valued when students experience academic support from peers and teacher, socio-emotional support from peers and teacher, and active participation in class activities which corresponds to the classroom social climate dimensions student cohesiveness, student involvement and personalisation. Students’ perceived value of interactions was influenced by a variety of factors of which online classes hampered all valued classroom social climate dimensions. Socio-emotional support from peers and teacher was not only one of the most valued classroom climate elements, it also indirectly promoted academic support and active participation. This highlights the importance of socio-emotional support in the classroom, which should receive an increased amount of attention in higher education

Estimating severity of sideways fall using a generic multi linear regression model based on kinematic input variables

Item does not contain fulltextMany research groups have studied fall impact mechanics to understand how fall severity can be reduced to prevent hip fractures. Yet, direct impact force measurements with force plates are restricted to a very limited repertoire of experimental falls. The purpose of this study was to develop a generic model for estimating hip impact forces (i.e. fall severity) in in vivo sideways falls without the use of force plates. Twelve experienced judokas performed sideways Martial Arts (MA) and Block ('natural') falls on a force plate, both with and without a mat on top. Data were analyzed to determine the hip impact force and to derive 11 selected (subject-specific and kinematic) variables. Falls from kneeling height were used to perform a stepwise regression procedure to assess the effects of these input variables and build the model. The final model includes four input variables, involving one subject-specific measure and three kinematic variables: maximum upper body deceleration, body mass, shoulder angle at the instant of 'maximum impact' and maximum hip deceleration. The results showed that estimated and measured hip impact forces were linearly related (explained variances ranging from 46 to 63%). Hip impact forces of MA falls onto the mat from a standing position (3650+/-916N) estimated by the final model were comparable with measured values (3698+/-689N), even though these data were not used for training the model. In conclusion, a generic linear regression model was developed that enables the assessment of fall severity through kinematic measures of sideways falls, without using force plates

Decision-making experiences of patients and partners opting for active surveillance in esophageal cancer treatment

Objectives: This study explored the decision-making experiences of patients and their partners or primary caregiver who opted for experimental active surveillance (instead of standard surgery) for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods: Seventeen couples participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on couples’ joint experiences as well as their individual experiences. Preferred and perceived role in the treatment decision-making process was assessed using the adjusted version of the Control Preferences Scale, and perceived influence on the treatment decision was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: Couples reflected on the decision-making process as a positive collaboration, where patients retain their autonomy by making the final decision, and partners offer emotional support. Couples reported about an overwhelming amount and sometimes conflicting information about treatments among different hospitals and healthcare providers. Conclusions: Patients often involve their partner in decision-making, which they report to have enhanced their ability to cope with the disease. The amount and sometimes conflicting information during the decision-making process provide opportunities for improvement. Practice implications: Couples can benefit from an overview of what they can expect during treatment course. If active surveillance becomes an established treatment option in the future, provision of such overviews and consistent information should become more streamlined.</p

Decision-making experiences of patients and partners opting for active surveillance in esophageal cancer treatment

Objectives: This study explored the decision-making experiences of patients and their partners or primary caregiver who opted for experimental active surveillance (instead of standard surgery) for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods: Seventeen couples participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on couples’ joint experiences as well as their individual experiences. Preferred and perceived role in the treatment decision-making process was assessed using the adjusted version of the Control Preferences Scale, and perceived influence on the treatment decision was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: Couples reflected on the decision-making process as a positive collaboration, where patients retain their autonomy by making the final decision, and partners offer emotional support. Couples reported about an overwhelming amount and sometimes conflicting information about treatments among different hospitals and healthcare providers. Conclusions: Patients often involve their partner in decision-making, which they report to have enhanced their ability to cope with the disease. The amount and sometimes conflicting information during the decision-making process provide opportunities for improvement. Practice implications: Couples can benefit from an overview of what they can expect during treatment course. If active surveillance becomes an established treatment option in the future, provision of such overviews and consistent information should become more streamlined.</p

Developmental venous anomaly : MR and angiographic features

Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is probably the most common anomaly of the intracranial vasculature. DVAs consist of multiple, radially oriented dilated medullary veins that converge into a transcerebral vein. We describe the imaging findings of this vascular anomaly in different patients and the role of different imaging modalities

Natuurvriendelijke oevers in sierteeltcentrum Boskoop : verslaglegging 2000-2004

Bedrijfstechnische, economische en ecologische aspecten bepalen het succes van de natuurvriendelijke oevers. De vegetatie heeft zich goed ontwikkeld en gaf geen extra onkruiddruk op het naastgelegen perceel. Een toename van het aantal muskusratten is waarschijnlijk te voorkomen door enkele typen beschoeiing te vervangen of te verbeteren

Induction chemotherapy followed by response evaluation and esophagectomy for advanced esophageal cancer

Introduction: Patients with limited metastatic/advanced esophageal cancer not amenable for neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery have a poor prognosis and often receive palliative care. Alternatively, induction chemotherapy with response evaluation can be considered and in some patients surgery with curative intent may become feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with induction chemotherapy and to identify patient and/or tumor characteristics associated with survival. Material and methods: Patients with esophageal or junctional cancer who underwent induction chemotherapy between 2005 and 2021 were identified from an institutional database of a tertiary referral center. Response to therapy was assessed by (18F-FDG PET)/CT. Response to therapy and treatment options, including surgery or palliation, were discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using the Kaplan Meier method. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for survival. Results: 238 patients were identified. The majority had esophageal adenocarcinoma (68.9 %) and were treated with a taxane/platinum-based chemotherapy (79.4 %). Response evaluation was performed in 233 patients and 154 of 238 patients (64.7 %) underwent surgical exploration. Resection was performed in 127 patients (53.4 %) resulting in a median and 5-year OS of 26.3 months (95 % CI 18.8–33.8) and 29.6 %, respectively. Presence of T4b (HR = 2.01, 95 % CI 1.02–3.92) and poorly differentiated tumor (HR = 1.45, 95 % CI 1.02–2.10) was associated with worse survival (p = 0.04). Conclusion: In carefully selected patients with advanced disease not amenable for standard curative treatment, induction chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy may result in a 5-year overall survival of approximately 30 %.</p