Physical and Behavioral Measures that Predict Cats' Socialization in an Animal Shelter Environment during a Three-Day Period

Information from surveys completed by the cats' caregivers provided a score for the level of socialization of cats. We examined the effectiveness of structured assessments and measures in their ability to distinguish More and Less Socialized cats in a shelter-like setting over a three day period. Statistical models were developed that best predicted More and Less Socialized cats. Measures from these models were used to calculate a point system where more points indicated more socialization. In combination with key socialized behaviors, these points were able to fairly accurately distinguish More Socialized from Less Socialized cats

Defining the Social Dimension of Triple Bottom Line for the Australian Dairy Industry: Challenges, Priorities and Opportunities

Understanding the social impact the dairy industry has on employees and local communities is part of Dairy Australia’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, which emphasises that businesses have social, environmental and economic impacts and responsibilities. This social impact assessment project, currently underway, aims to identify and quantify the social value of the dairy industry, whilst proactively identifying areas for improvements. Through an online survey for employees and a random postal survey of 15,000 dairy community residents, the project investigates how Australians perceive the Dairy Industry, as well as their wellbeing, quality of life, community involvement and work experiences. This paper provides an overview of the study, outlining why developing quantifiable indicators for the social dimension of TBL that are designed to be as rigorous as current financial reporting is a business priority. Examples of how the findings will contribute to the identification and management of issues, measures of industry sustainability and future strategy are discussed

How Communities Can Better Support Parents: Findings from an Effective Parenting Expo

This article focuses on identifying how communities can better support parents, families and young people. Participants at an Effective Parenting Expo (n=57) were surveyed about the value of the event, the challenges facing them as parents, and the changes that would significantly improve life for their family. This paper focuses on responses to one open-ended question, "Thinking of your community, what ONE change could be made to significantly improve life for your family?" Responses were coded into three key categories: Improved Sense of Community, Increased Support for Families and Safer Communities. These responses clearly demonstrate the importance that parents place on having a safe, cohesive and friendly community in which to raise their children. Unfortunately, with social capital, community interactions and connectedness declining, the challenge is how to reverse this trend and foster a stronger sense of community. Participants identified several changes they believed would build better communities, believing that free community activities, meeting places and practical parenting courses would better connect them with families in their own community. This research highlights the importance of community for family well-being, with parents identifying changes they believe will significantly improve life in their community for their family

Utilizing Telecommunication to Provide Patient Centered Care for Adults Newly Diagnosed with GI Cancer: A Quality Improvement Project

INTRODUCTION: A confirmed diagnosis of GI Cancer causes anxiety and stress as patients become overwhelmed with questions, worries and fears. At diagnosis, patients are not yet formally connected to the support services available to those actively receiving chemotherapy, creating a “gap period”. To help reduce anxiety, as well as, foster therapeutic relationships and improve overall patient experiences, a structured telephone communication by the gastrointestinal cancer oncology nurse practitioner (GI NP) was proposed. AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE: Reduction of anxiety has been shown to enhance the quality of life, increase compliance with a prescribed treatment plan and foster the ability to sign informed consent. Nurses play an important role in reducing anxiety by creating an environment in which patients are able to develop trusting relationships to communicate their concerns. A navigation program helps to reduce the gap in oncology care between diagnosis and the start of treatment and connect patient to services which can provide support, education and guidance to the newly diagnosed GI oncology patient. METHODS: The self-reported PROMIS Anxiety Scale short form and the NCCN Distress Thermometer were used to measure anxiety and distress pre and post-intervention along with the Patient Satisfaction with Cancer Care (PSCC) satisfaction tool post-intervention to gauge patient satisfaction. A Paired t-test was utilized to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the PROMIS anxiety scores and the NCCN distress scores. INTERVENTION: Telephone communications were made to patients by the GI NP within 48 hours of the diagnostic visit. Weekly communications were then scheduled as needed until the patient’s treatment began, as requested by the patient, or as determined necessary by any issues or concerns that arose. A final visit was made at the start of care. RESULTS: In this quality improvement study, 16 patients were evaluated over 3 months. Anxiety scores demonstrated a statistically significant reduction from pre to post intervention m=4.375, 95% CI [SD 7.92, p .043). There was no significant difference in distress scores. Patient satisfaction responses (n=8) indicated very high levels of satisfaction with the telephone communications. CONCLUSIONS: Although this QI study was small, results indicate a significant improvement in anxiety levels with telephone communications during the gap period between diagnosis and the start of care. This demonstrates an important role for navigators in increasing the outreach to patients at this time. Our feedback indicated patients felt more connected to the clinic and more trusting of their relationship with their providers at the initiation of treatment. Ideally, this project should be continued on a much larger scale for more valid results

A Technologically Assisted Integrated Curriculum in the Seventh Grade

The purpose of this project was to design and develop interdisciplinary learning units for middle level students which utilize the latest in educational technology. To accomplish this purpose, research and literature on interdisciplinary education and technology in education were reviewed. The learning units were developed for actual use by all seventh graders in seventh grade block classes at West Valley Junior High School in Yakima, Washington. The results of this type of learning have been very encouraging

Therapeutic Exercise and Vibration Training for a Military Veteran Mimicking Relapse-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this case report is to describe the combination of therapeutic exercise and vibration training to improve stair navigation for a patient with mimicking RRMS.https://soar.usa.edu/flsasummer2018/1011/thumbnail.jp

Living smart homes: A Pilot Australian Sustainability Education Programme

This paper documents the rationale and experience of a pilot Australian sustainability education program, ‘Living Smart Homes’ (LSH) based on a community-based social marketing model. Inspired by the Australian ‘Land for Wildlife’ scheme, LSH is designed to engage homeowners with sustainable practices through face-to-face workshops, an interactive website with action learning modules, and a recognition scheme, a sign displayed in front of participant’s houses to which additions were made as they completed modules on energy, water, waste and transport. Participants were asked to change household behaviours and to discuss the changes and the barriers to participation in the program and to making the behavioural changes.----- More than 120 people participated in the program. This paper documents feedback from two surveys (n=103) and four focus groups (n=12). Participants enjoyed and learnt from LSH, praising the household sign as a tangible symbol of their commitment to sustainability and a talking point with visitors. Their evaluation of the LSH program, website and workshops, as well as their identification of barriers and recommendations for improvement and expansion of the program, are discussed