Confidence in the Use of Technology of Low-Income First-Year College Students\u27 Retention

Compared to their peers, low-income students are 90% less likely to graduate within 6 years and are more likely to drop out. At the local site, this problem was also evident in that the retention rate for the Fall 2014-15 cohort was 78.3%, but just 60.2% for those defined as low-income students.https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/symposium2018/1015/thumbnail.jp

Mixture Transition Distribution Modelling of Multivariate Time Series of Discrete State Processes: With an Application to Modelling Flowering Synchronisation with Respect to Climate Dynamics

A new approach to assess synchronicity developed in this chapter is a novel bivariate extension of the generalised mixture transition distribution (MTDg) model (we coin this B-MTD). The aim of this chapter is to test MTDg an extended MTD with interactions model and its bivariate extension of MTD (B-MTD) to investigate synchrony of flowering of four Eucalypts species—E. leucoxylon, E. microcarpa, E. polyanthemos and E. tricarpa over a 31 year period. The mixture transition distribution (MTDg) is a method to estimate transition probabilities of high order Markov chains. Our B-MTD approach allows us the derive rules of thumb for synchrony and asynchrony between pairs of species, e.g. flowering of the four species. The latter B-MTD rules are based on transition probabilities between all possible on and off flowering states from previous to current time. We also apply MTDg modelling using lagged flowering states and climate covariates as predictors to model current flowering status (on/off) to assess synchronisation using residuals from the resultant models via our adaptation of Moran’s classic synchrony statistic. We compare these MTDg (with covariates)-based synchrony measures with our B-MTD results in addition to those from extended Kalman filter (EKF)-based residuals

Soluble RAGE: a hot new biomarker for the hot joint?

The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) interacts with distinct ligand families linked to the inflammatory response. Studies in animal models suggest that RAGE is upregulated in the inflamed joint and that blockade of the receptor, using a ligand decoy soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE), attenuates joint inflammation and expression of inflammatory and tissue-destructive mediators. In this issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy, Rille Pullerits and colleagues reported that plasma levels of sRAGE were reduced in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy controls or subjects with non-inflammatory joint disease. These findings suggest the possibility that levels of sRAGE might be a biomarker of inflammation. Not resolved by these studies, however, is the intriguing possibility that endogenously higher levels of sRAGE might be linked to a lower incidence of arthritis or to the extent of inflammation. Nevertheless, although 'cause or effect' relationships may not be established in this report, fascinating insights into RAGE, inflammation and human arthritis emerge from these studies

Confidence in the Use of Technology of Low-Income First-Year College Students\u27 Retention

Compared to their peers, low-income students are 90% less likely to graduate within 6 years and are more likely to drop out. At the local site, this problem is also evident in that the retention rate for the Fall 2014-15 cohort was 78.3%, but just 60.2% for those defined as low-income students. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of low-income 1st year college students\u27 perceived confidence in their use of technology and how it influenced their decision to stay in college. Understanding the role technology plays in the decision to stay in college will shed light on ways to offer support to increase retention of these students. The conceptual framework that guided the study was Bruno\u27s confidence based learning methodology. This framework suggests there is a connection between knowledge and confidence. A qualitative descriptive design was used collecting data through a series of 10 open-ended interviews with low-income 1st year college students. The central research question explored how low-income 1st year college students describe their confidence in the use of technology as a factor in their retention. Data analysis consisted of manual coding to identify themes from the interview data. The findings suggested low-income 1st year students do not have confidence in their ability to use technology and remain in college. A policy recommendation to reinstate the information literacy policy for low-income 1st year students could affect social change as additional resources help to raise low-income 1st year college students\u27 confidence using technology and supports them to persist in college

The Welfare of Traveller and Gypsy Owned Horses in the UK and Ireland

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Travellers and Gypsies are recognised ethnic groups in the UK and Ireland. Horse ownership is an important part of their lives; however, poor horse welfare is often perceived to be associated with these horse-owning communities. Nevertheless, studies on the welfare of Traveller and Gypsy-owned horses are lacking. The welfare of 104 horses in the UK and Ireland was evaluated using a horse welfare protocol that assessed health conditions, resource provision, management and horse behaviour. In order to potentially understand how a horse was feeling, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) was used to evaluate their body language. Most horses were found to have good body condition, a healthy coat and few skin problems or joint issues, however, 27% of horses were found to have neglected hooves. In the voluntary animal approach test, most horses showed a friendly response. Positive QBA terms were more prevalent than negative terms, therefore, the emotional state of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses was deemed to be positive overall. An association between QBA and various horse welfare measures was identified, e.g., improved mood was associated with better water availability. Findings in this study did not support previous negative perceptions of horse welfare in Traveller and Gypsy horse owning communities. ABSTRACT: Travellers and Gypsies are recognised ethnic groups in the UK and Ireland. Horse ownership is an important cultural tradition, however, practices associated with poor welfare are often perceived to be linked to these horse owning communities. Despite this, empirical studies on the welfare status of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses are lacking. To determine the welfare status of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses, 104 horses were assessed using a bespoke horse welfare protocol. This protocol assessed animal, resource and management-based measures. In addition, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) identified horses’ emotional state. Results indicated that 81% of horses had an optimal body condition score, with no horse recorded as very thin/fat. The absence of limb conditions (95%), ocular (98%) and nasal (93%) discharges were evident in most horses, and 81% of horses responded positively to the voluntary animal approach test. The most commonly observed welfare issues were hoof neglect (27%), with hoof cracks/breakages (19%) being the most prevalent. QBA indicated that positive emotional states were more commonplace than negative. A relationship between QBA and other horse welfare measures was observed, e.g., improved mood was associated with better water availability. This research provides novel data in the under-researched area of the welfare of Traveller and Gypsy owned horses and counters perceptions of a poor welfare state in this group of horses

Association between frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Eighty percent of all breast cancers and almost 90% of breast cancer deaths occur among post-menopausal women. We used a nested case control design to examine the association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and breast cancer occurrence among women over 65 years of age. The cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme is expressed more in breast cancers than in normal breast tissue. COX-2 inhibition may have a role in breast cancer prevention. METHODS: In the Canadian province of Quebec, physician services are covered through a governmental insurance plan. Medication costs are covered for those ≥ 65 years of age and a publicly funded screening program for breast cancer targets all women 50 years of age or older. We obtained encrypted data from these insurance databases on all women ≥ 65 years of age who filled a prescription for COX-2 inhibitors, non-selective NSAIDs (ns-NSAIDs), aspirin, or acetaminophen between January 1998 and December 2002. Cases were defined as those women who have undergone mammography between April 2001 and June 2002 and had a diagnosis of breast cancer within six months following mammography. Controls included those who have undergone mammography between April 2001 and June 2002 without a diagnosis of any cancer during the six months following mammography. The exposure of interest, frequent NSAID use, was defined as use of ns-NSAIDs and/or COX-2 inhibitors for ≥ 90 days during the year prior to mammography. Frequent use served as a convenient proxy for long term chronic use. RESULTS: We identified 1,090 cases and 44,990 controls. Cases were older and more likely to have breast cancer risk factors. Logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders showed that frequent use of ns-NSAIDs and/or COX-2 inhibitors was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer (OR: 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.89). Results were similar for COX-2 inhibitors (0.81, 0.68–0.97) and ns-NSAIDs (0.65, 0.43–0.99), when assessed separately. Frequent use of aspirin at doses > 100 mg/day in the year prior to mammography was also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer (0.75, 0.64–0.89). However, use of aspirin at doses ≤ 100 mg/day did not have any association with breast cancer (0.91, 0.71–1.16). CONCLUSION: Women who use NSAIDs or doses of aspirin > 100 mg frequently may have a lower risk of breast cancer

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19

AbstractEmployees from a large government agency were abruptly switched to telework for an extended period of time. There was no plan to address potential psychological stressors associated with the disruption of work-family-life balance that emerged as a result of COVID-19. A knowledge gap in how to support employees was apparent from discussions during team and administrative meetings. The project question explored whether the use of stress first-aid (SFA), an educational program, would enable employees to learn self-care strategies to address stressors in a less protected environment. The purpose of this DNP project was to provide a staff education awareness program in SFA to identify early warning signs of stress reactions to avert a stress injury. The scientific evidence supported education awareness training as an effective strategy to address the gap among healthcare professionals. Survey Monkey collected and analyzed 37 surveys. The summative evaluation found most employees were very satisfied with teleworking and very frustrated with the return to in-person office settings. Employees 50 years and older, married without children, with advanced degrees, and with years of work experience were worried and extremely worried about the psychological impact of COVID-19. Recommendations included integrating SFA as a competency, new employee orientation, and a mentoring program. Other recommendations included training for SFA site champions and providing leadership training in disaster management to prepare for the next epidemic or pandemic. The project’s positive social change impact may lead to reduced stress by fostering peer and organizational support, addressing stigma, and changing the culture to provide a safe work environment

Effect of menopause on the modified Rodnan skin score in systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the effect of menopause on skin thickening, as measured by the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: We identified women with either limited or diffuse SSc, aged ≥ 18 years, enrolled within the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) cohort, between 2004 and 2011. As part of the CSRG cohort, subjects undergo annual assessments with standardized questionnaires and physical examinations. We performed multivariate regression analyses using generalized estimating equation (GEE) to determine the effect of menopause on the mRSS, adjusting for relevant covariates including notably age, follow-up time, and disease duration. RESULTS: We identified 1070 women with SSc, contributing a total of 3546 observations over the study period. Of these women, at baseline, 65% had limited disease and 35% diffuse disease. In multivariate analyses, we observed a substantial effect of postmenopausal status on the mean mRSS in women with diffuse disease subtype [−2.62 units, 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.44, −0.80] and significant interaction between menopausal status and disease subtype (2.04 units, 95% CI 0.20, 3.88). The effect of postmenopausal status on the mean mRSS was smaller in women with limited SSc (−0.58, 95% CI −1.50, 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that menopause has a substantial effect on skin thickening in diffuse SSc, with postmenopausal status being associated with a lower mean mRSS compared to premenopausal status