Teaching Information Literacy Skills to Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Collaborative Approach

Background An expectation of baccalaureate nursing education is to prepare nurses to implement evidenced-based practice (EBP). This expectation extends far beyond a basic understanding of the research process. BSN prepared nurses must be able to effectively and efficiently identify, analyze, and synthesize evidence (AACN, 2008). The acquisition of information literacy skills is foundational to the development of EBP. Implementation The study took place at a College of Nursing within a mid-sized, faith-based university located in the Midwest. Historically, students enrolled in their senior level undergraduate nursing research/EBP course underwent one library instruction session with the nursing librarian to reinforce search strategies for accessing single studies and higher levels of evidence. As part of the course, students conducted EBP group projects which required searching for the best evidence to address a clinical problem. Evaluation of EBP projects revealed that students were not effectively performing systematic searches. This deficit was interpreted as critical since the EBP process is built upon accessing the best evidence. To facilitate development of these skills, a collaboration between the College of Nursing and Library Services emerged. Literature regarding teaching nursing research/EBP and information literacy was reviewed. Specific EBP skills and methods to effectively teach those skills were explored. A collaborative approach to teaching was instituted by embedding a librarian in the nursing research course and integrating information literacy content throughout the semester. Research logs and evidence summary grids for 39 student groups, as well as, individual student final exam and course scores across four semesters were evaluated. Conclusions Collaborative teaching/learning activities significantly improved students’ abilities to perform systematic searches and identify, analyze and synthesize evidence as measured by research log and evidence summary scores. Although course scores for those exposed to collaborative teaching/learning activities were not significantly improved, comprehensive final exam scores, a focused measure of students’ EBP knowledge, were significantly improved. Recommendations Collaboration between nursing faculty and librarians is recommended to promote development of students’ information literacy skills. Information literacy is foundational to the EBP process; time must be dedicated to establishing these skills. Information literacy skills should be introduced early in the nursing curriculum and reinforced in multiple courses

Using a Research Log and Reflective Writing to Improve EBP and Information Literacy Skills of BSN Students

Background Baccalaureate nursing educators must prepare nurses to implement evidence-based practice (EBP). BSN nurses must be able to effectively identify, analyze, and synthesize evidence (AACN, 2008). In a nursing research course, students conducted group projects which required searching for the best evidence. Project evaluations revealed that students were not searching systematically. To facilitate EBP and information literacy skill development, a collaboration between the College of Nursing and Library Services emerged. Targeted Learning Outcomes 1. Formulate a strategic search using databases and Internet resources 2. Evaluate and select the ‘best available’ evidence 3. Document systematic search (keywords, subject headings, limiters, and results) 4. Describe why evidence was selected 5. Reflect on search process, difficulties, and potential revisions for next search. Teaching Learning Activities In spring of 2012, research logs were added to an EBP group project requiring students to identify the best evidence. Groups documented their search using a research log worksheet and narrative which included reflection of the search process, evidence appraisal, and strengths and weakness. Although the research log worksheet provided structure, specific problems including uncoordinated group searches, inadequate articulation of evidence selection, and limited reflection about strengths and weaknesses were still identified. Additional sessions reinforcing information literacy skills were integrated in the course. The information literacy skills sessions and research logs were implemented for two subsequent semesters. Evaluation of Approach Student research log and EBP group project scores will be compared over three semesters using ANOVA to determine differences in group performance. During initial data analysis, an independent t test reflected a significant difference between scores for Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 groups. The Fall 2012 groups who used research logs and experienced additional information literacy skills sessions scored significantly higher on their assignments than Spring 2012 groups. Data collection for Spring 2013 is in progress. Final study results as well as implications for nursing education will be articulated

Gas Dynamics of the Nickel-56 Decay Heating in Pair-Instability Supernovae

Very massive 140-260 Msun stars can die as highly-energetic pair-instability supernovae (PI SNe) with energies of up to 100 times those of core-collapse SNe that can completely destroy the star, leaving no compact remnant behind. These explosions can synthesize $0.1-30$ Msun of radioactive Ni56, which can cause them to rebrighten at later times when photons due to Ni56 decay diffuse out of the ejecta. However, heat from the decay of such large masses of Ni56 could also drive important dynamical effects deep in the ejecta that are capable of mixing elements and affecting the observational signatures of these events. We have now investigated the dynamical effect of Ni56 heating on PI SN ejecta with high-resolution two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations performed with the CASTRO code. We find that expansion of the hot Ni56 bubble forms a shell at the base of the silicon layer of the ejecta about 200 days after the explosion but that no hydrodynamical instabilities develop that would mix Ni56 with the Si/O-rich ejecta. However, while the dynamical effects of Ni56 heating may be weak they could affect the observational signatures of some PI SNe by diverting decay energy into internal expansion of the ejecta at the expense of rebrightening at later times.Comment: Accepted to ApJ, 14 page

Functional characterization and expression of molluscan detoxification enzymes and transporters involved in dietary allelochemical resistance

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution June 2008Understanding how organisms deal with potentially toxic or fitness-reducing allelochemicals is important for understanding patterns of predation and herbivory in the marine environment. The ability of marine consumers to tolerate dietary toxins may involve biochemical resistance mechanisms, which increase the hydrophilicity of compounds and facilitate their active efflux out of sensitive cells and tissues. While several allelochemical-responsive detoxification enzymes have been sequenced and functionally characterized in terrestrial invertebrates feeding on chemically defended host plants, there is virtually no information concerning the role of these biotransformation enzymes that may mediate feeding tolerance in marine invertebrates. The objective of this research was to assess the diversity and dietary regulation of cytochrome P450s (CYP), glutathione S-transferases (GST) and ABC transporters in the generalist marine gastropod Cyphoma gibbosum feeding on a variety of chemically defended gorgonian corals, and to identify those dietary natural products that act as substrates for these proteins. Molecular and proteomic techniques identified both allelochemically-responsive CYPs, and constitutively expressed GSTs and transporters in Cyphoma digestive glands. Inhibition of Cyphoma GST activity by gorgonian extracts and selected allelochemicals (i.e., prostaglandins) indicated that gorgonian diets are likely to contain substrates for molluscan detoxification enzymes. In vitro metabolism studies with recombinant CYPs suggested those Cyphoma enzymes most closely related to vertebrate fatty acid hydroxylating enzymes may contribute to the detoxification of ichthyodeterrent cyclopentenone prostaglandins found in abundance in selected gorgonian species. Finally, the presence and activity of multixenobiotic resistance transporters in Cyphoma and the co-occuring specialist nudibranch, Tritonia hamnerorum, suggests these efflux transporters could function as a first line of defense against dietary intoxication. Together, these results suggest marine consumers that regularly exploit allelochemical-rich prey have evolved both general (GST and ABC transporters) and allelochemical-specific (CYP) detoxification mechanisms to tolerate prey chemical defenses.Financial support for this research was provided by the following organizations and individuals: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Tropical Research Initiative Grant – Ocean Life Institute (WHOI), Ocean Ventures Fund (WHOI), National Undersea Research Center – Caribbean Marine Research Center, Program Development Proposal (CMRC-03-PRMN-01-03A), Seaspace Student Scholarship, Conchologists of America Student Award, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program (Grant No. NA16RG2273), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - Sea Grant (Project No. R/P-66), A grant from Walter A. and Hope Noyes Smith supported proteomic work at the University of California, Davis – Proteomics Center, Academic Programs Office, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutio

The Extremes of Galaxy Formation & Evolution

Galaxy populations are shaped by the physical processes that regulate their star formation and central black hole growth throughout cosmic time. The primary aim of this thesis is to understand how these processes occur and how they shape evolution in some of the most extreme galaxies in the Universe including quasars, compact starbursts, and ultra-diffuse dwarfs. Gas-rich major mergers funnel large amounts of gas towards the nucleus, triggering rapid AGN accretion and compact star formation. In this work, I study powerful quasars and extreme, massive, compact starburst galaxies within the context of merger-driven galaxy evolution scenarios. One aim of this work was to place constraints on the nature of obscuration in AGN. Quasar clustering results suggest that obscured quasars reside in more massive dark matter halos than their unobscured counterparts. However, it is unclear if this discrepancy is tied to galaxy evolution processes, or is a result of other physical and selection effects. Here, I find that models that allow for obscuration to evolve on timescales typical of galaxy evolution are favored. Using similar modeling techniques, I also study a population of extremely compact, massive starburst galaxies that show extreme nuclear star formation and large-scale, energetic outflows. In order to make the first determination of their intrinsic space density, I construct a model population of these galaxies and assess the targeting criteria and selection effects to uncover the timescales over which these sources could be detected. The results indicate that extreme stellar feedback could be responsible for quenching a small but significant fraction of extremely star forming post-merger galaxies. Lastly, this work focuses on spectroscopy of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). Understanding UDGs as a population could provide insight on how the faintest galaxies form and if weak stellar feedback could stunt the growth of what would be Milky Way-like galaxies. I use SALT to measure redshifts of UDG candidates to determine the effectiveness of selection techniques and add to the still small but growing known population of UDGs

Radiation Transport Simulations of Pulsational Pair-Instability Supernovae

Massive stars of helium cores of 35-65 Msun eventually encounter the electron/positron creation instability, and it triggers explosive carbon or oxygen burning that produces several thermonuclear eruptions. The resulting catastrophe collisions of eruptive shells sometimes produce luminous transients with peak luminosity of $10^{43} - 10^{44}$ erg/sec, known as pulsational pair-instability supernovae (PPISNe). Previous 2D simulations of colliding shells show the development of Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities and mixing. Here we present radiation hydrodynamic PPISNe simulations of a 110 Msun solar-metallicity star that was promising to produce a superluminous transit in the early work. Our comprehensive study contains a suite of one-, two-, and three-dimensional models. We discuss the impact of dimensionality and fluid instabilities on the resulting light curves. The results show the RT mixing found in previous multidimensional hydro studies transforms into a thin and distorted shell due to radiative cooling. Radiation from the wiggly shell peaks at its bolometric light curve of $\sim 2\times10^{43}$ erg/sec, lasting about 150 days and following with a plateau of $\sim 3\times10^{42}$ erg/sec for another two hundred days before it fades away. The total radiation energy emitted from colliding shells is $\sim 1.8 \times 10^{50}$ erg, which is $\sim 27\%$ of the kinetic energy of the major eruption. The dimensional effects also manifest on the physical properties, such as irregularity and thickness of the shell. Our study suggests PPISNe is a promising candidate of luminous SNe, the radiation of which originates from colliding shells with a homogeneous mixing of ejecta.Comment: Submitted to ApJ, 16 pages, comments are welcom

Chronology: MSFC Space Station program, 1982 - present. Major events

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) maintains an active program to capture historical information and documentation on the MSFC's roles regarding Space Shuttle and Space Station. Marshall History Report 12, called Chronology: MSFC Space Station Program, 1982-Present, is presented. It contains synopses of major events listed according to the dates of their occurrence. Indices follow the synopses and provide additional data concerning the events listed. The Event Index provides a brief listing of all the events without synopses. The Element Index lists the specific elements of the Space Station Program under consideration in the events. The Location Index lists the locations where the events took place. The indices and synopses may be cross-referenced by using dates

Our Barbed Wire Ivory Tower : Republican and Irish Republican Army Prison Writing, 1973-1999

A critique of the notion that both prisons and prison literature are monolithic entities, this dissertation demonstrates the shaping power of individual historical moment and physical conditions of confinement upon the literary production of political incarceration in the North of Ireland. Though the writings of political prisoners like Gerry Adams, Roseleen Walsh, and Bobby Sands are separated only by a matter of a few years, the marked difference in their works is testament to the impact of place and individual prison regime upon each author. The material is approached in an eclectic fashion, with attention paid to the Hegelian dialectic observable in the writings as well as to motifs reminiscent of Native American trickster stories. Because it is produced within a special matrix— at once removed from the bounds of everyday society, yet also within the undiluted heart of that society as replicated in its disciplinary structure— prison writing by its very nature is able to cast light upon subjects quite external to the physical prison cell, subjects that may be invisible to those outside