The purpose of this body of work was to address medication errors and safe medication administration practices in relation to practicing nurses and nursing students via several different approaches. These different approaches will be presented as three separate papers but interrelated themes. The specific purpose for each paper and the corresponding research questions were addressed individually in each chapter. The approach used in the first paper was a systematic literature search of medication administration errors and the pediatric population; five themes emerged including the incidence rate of medication administration errors, specific medications involved in medication administration errors and classification of the errors, why medication administration errors occur, medication error reporting, and interventions to reduce medication errors. The approach used in the second paper included a systematic literature review and implementation of a survey, both focusing on the assessment strategies for safe medication administration with practicing nurses and nursing students. Results of both the review and the survey indicated a lack of a comprehensive assessment of safe medication administration. The approach used in the third paper was a research study to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the Safe Medication Administration (SAM) Scale with baccalaureate nursing students. Results provided evidence of the validity and reliability of the SAM Scale. This body of work exposed a gap in nursing and demonstrates the importance of having a standardized assessment of safe medication administration with evidence of validity and reliability to demonstrate competency in this area.

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This study addresses the question of how an individual’s perception of the safety of his or her institutional space impacts on shame management skills. Shame has been widely recognised as a core emotion that can readily take the form of anger and violence in interpersonal relationships if it is unresolved. When shame is not acknowledged properly, feelings of shame build up and lead to shame-rage spirals that break down social bonds between people. Some might consider the total avoidance of shame experiences as a way to cut the link between shame and violence. However, there is a reason why we cannot just discard the experience of shame. Shame is a self-regulatory emotion (Braithwaite, 1989, 2002; Ahmed et al., 2001). If one feels shame over wrongdoing, one is less likely to re-offend in the future. That is to say, shame is a destructive emotion on the one hand in the way it can destroy our social bonds, but on the other hand, it is a moral emotion that reflects capacity to regulate each other and ourselves. This paradoxical nature of shame gives rise to the necessity of managing shame in a socially adaptive way. A group of scholars in the field of shame has argued that institutions can be designed in such a way that they create safe space that allows people to feel shame and manage shame without its adverse consequences (Ahmed et al., 2001). This means that people would feel safe to acknowledge shame and accept the consequences of their actions without fear of stigmatisation or the disruption of social bonds. Without fear, there would be less likelihood of displacing shame, that is, blaming others and expressing shame as anger towards others. The context adopted for empirically examining shame management in this study is workplace bullying. Bullying has become a dangerous phenomenon in our workplace that imposes significant costs on employers, employees, their families and industries as a whole (Einarsen et al., 2003a). Teachers belong to a professional group that is reputed to be seriously affected by bullying at work. Teachers from Australia and Korea completed self-report questionnaires anonymously. Three shame management styles were identified: shame acknowledgement, shame displacement and (shame) withdrawal. The likely strengths of these shame management styles were investigated in terms of three factors postulated as contributions to institutional safe space: that is, 1) cultural value orientations, 2) the salience of workgroup identity, and 3) problem resolution practices at work. The present thesis suggests that further consideration should be given to institutional interventions that support and maintain institutional safe space and that encourage shame acknowledgement, while dampening the adverse effect of defensive shame management. The evidence presented in this thesis is a first step in demonstrating that institutional safe space and shame management skills are empirically measurable, are relevant in other cultural contexts and address issues that are at the heart of the human condition everywhere........ [For the full Abstract, see the PDF files below]

<p>Peat mosses (<i>Sphagnum</i>) are widely distributed and are a major component of mire vegetation and peat throughout the boreal and temperate regions. Most boreal <i>Sphagnum</i> species regularly produce sporophytes, but the ecological role of the spore has been questioned. This study shows that the spores can form a spore bank and have the ability to germinate and contribute to moss establishment whenever suitable conditions occur. The results suggest that spore production is important for explaining the wide distribution and omnipresence of <i>Sphagnum</i> in nutrient-poor wetlands. The results further imply that initial recruitment from spores predominates in <i>Sphagnum</i> after disturbance or formation of suitable habitats.</p><p> A series of experiments showed that addition of phosphorus-containing substrates, such as fresh plant litter or moose dung, resulted in spore establishment on bare, moist peat. A field experiment indicated establishment rates of about 1% of sown, germinable spores on peat with added substrates. Plant litter on moist soil, without a closed cover of bryophytes, is an important safe site for the establishment of <i>Sphagnum</i> spores. The results fit the observed pattern of colonisation by <i>Sphagnum</i> beneath <i>Eriophorum vaginatum</i> tussocks in mires severely disturbed by peat extraction. Successful long-distance dispersal was indicated by the occurrence of several regionally new or rare <i>Sphagnum</i> species in disturbed mires.</p><p>Spore number per sporophyte ranged among <i>Sphagnum</i> species from 18 500 to 240 000, with a trade-off between spore number and spore size. Annual spore production was estimated at 15 million spores per square metre on two investigated mires. Sporophyte production showed a large interannual variation. Sporophyte production was positively related to the amount of precipitation the preceding summer. This was probably because a high water level promoted gametangium formation. Spore dispersal occurred in July and August. The earlier timing of spore dispersal in the more drought-sensitive, hollow-inhabiting sphagna should reduce the risk of sporophytes drying out prematurely during summer droughts.</p><p>Spores kept refrigerated up to 13 years retained high germinability. A field experiment showed that <i>Sphagnum</i> can form a persistent spore bank, with a potential longevity of several decades.</p>

Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are widely distributed and are a major component of mire vegetation and peat throughout the boreal and temperate regions. Most boreal Sphagnum species regularly produce sporophytes, but the ecological role of the spore has been questioned. This study shows that the spores can form a spore bank and have the ability to germinate and contribute to moss establishment whenever suitable conditions occur. The results suggest that spore production is important for explaining the wide distribution and omnipresence of Sphagnum in nutrient-poor wetlands. The results further imply that initial recruitment from spores predominates in Sphagnum after disturbance or formation of suitable habitats. A series of experiments showed that addition of phosphorus-containing substrates, such as fresh plant litter or moose dung, resulted in spore establishment on bare, moist peat. A field experiment indicated establishment rates of about 1% of sown, germinable spores on peat with added substrates. Plant litter on moist soil, without a closed cover of bryophytes, is an important safe site for the establishment of Sphagnum spores. The results fit the observed pattern of colonisation by Sphagnum beneath Eriophorum vaginatum tussocks in mires severely disturbed by peat extraction. Successful long-distance dispersal was indicated by the occurrence of several regionally new or rare Sphagnum species in disturbed mires. Spore number per sporophyte ranged among Sphagnum species from 18 500 to 240 000, with a trade-off between spore number and spore size. Annual spore production was estimated at 15 million spores per square metre on two investigated mires. Sporophyte production showed a large interannual variation. Sporophyte production was positively related to the amount of precipitation the preceding summer. This was probably because a high water level promoted gametangium formation. Spore dispersal occurred in July and August. The earlier timing of spore dispersal in the more drought-sensitive, hollow-inhabiting sphagna should reduce the risk of sporophytes drying out prematurely during summer droughts. Spores kept refrigerated up to 13 years retained high germinability. A field experiment showed that Sphagnum can form a persistent spore bank, with a potential longevity of several decades.

Many economists and politicians have blamed fixed exchange rate regimes for several crises taking place in developing countries after the 1980s. According to them, since the beginning of the 2000s, widespread implementation of flexible exchange rate regimes and high international reserves have prevented developing countries from experiencing similar catastrophic experiences. This interpretation seems to be misleading. We believe that even flexible exchange rate regimes with high international reserves do not have a magic to prevent a financial crisis. Although flexible exchange rate regimes and high international reserves might have played some positive roles in the relatively calm period of 2001-2008 / the main reason behind the calmness of this period is the fact that developing countries did not face a strong financial shock during this period. In the presence of &ldquo / safe havens&rdquo / , which implies existence of safe developed countries for financial capital to move into, flexible exchange rate regimes and the accumulated large reserves may not be adequate when a wave of financial shocks, as in the form of sudden stops and capital reversals, hit developing countries. Indeed, the absence of safe heavens and very low yields in developed countries eased the pressure on developing countries during the recent financial crisis of 2008-2009. If developed economies get their safe haven status back, developing countries might face new financial shocks. In this sense developing countries would experience new financial crises in this new period. We will elaborate on the possible conditions of these prospective financial crises in this thesis.

INTRODUCTION: More than 1.8 million diarrheal disease deaths can be attributed to the lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene. These deaths occur mostly in developing countries where water quality testing resources are limited. Several tests are currently used to detect and quantify E. coli and other fecal coliforms in drinking water, however they can be expensive, complex, and technically demanding. There is a need for a simple, reliable, low-cost water quality test that can be used in resource limited settings. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to perform a rigorous evaluation of the recently developed compartment bag test for detection and quantification of E. coli against the standard method, membrane filtration. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 270 water samples were collected from forty-five various naturally contaminated water sources around metro-Atlanta from August 2011 through April 2012 and processed using the compartment bag test and membrane filtration with mI agar. Concentrations of E. coli were significantly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.904 (95% CI 0.859 – 0.950). Sensitivity and specificity were 94.9% and 96.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the compartment bag test produces results consistent with those produced by membrane filtration on mI agar. Based upon its performance, the compartment bag test has the potential to be used as a reliable, low-cost drinking water quality test globally where water quality testing resources are not readily available, and can be implemented in monitoring activities for microbial water quality.

Few African American males do not have at least one memory of a barbershop. The barbershop is a space that finds a home in virtually every community in which you find Black males. To some degree, virtually all genres and periods of African American literary expression have situated the barbershop as a mediating space in the formulation of a Black masculine identity. The barbershop as mediating space allows Black males the opportunity to view themselves and also critique the ways in which they are gazed upon by the literary imagination. African American authors, through the use of the barbershop, bring to the center the construction of this space in Black masculinity identity formation. ¬ Although a common presence in African American literature, the barbershop has not received any serious, i.e. book length examinations in literary analysis. I argue that the historical portrayal of the barbershop as mediating space problematizes the intersections of ancestor, culture, history, memory and literary imagination to reveal the intricate relationship between Black males and the space. I seek to address the gap in coverage of the literary treatment of the African American barbershop as mediating structure in the formulation of a black masculine identity. My research will show that we cannot fully understand the literary formation of Black masculine identity unless we attend to the barbershop as a formative mediating space.

Kan polisnärvaro skapa trygghetskänslor hos människor? Studien har undersökt förhållandet mellan människors upplevda trygghet och tre olika typer av polispatrullering i en relativt trygg och relativt otrygg stadsmiljö. För att besvara frågeställningarna genomfördes en enkätundersökning där respondenterna, 112 män och 131 kvinnor (M=30 år, SD=12.98), fick skatta sin upplevda trygghet utifrån bilder med de tre olika typerna av polispatrullering. Resultatet indikerade att alla typer av polisnärvaro ingett trygghet i den relativt otrygga stadsmiljön. Polispatrullering till fots frambringade mer trygghetskänslor än polisbilspatrullering. Resultaten var giltiga för både män och kvinnor. Slutsatsen är att polisnärvaro kan inge trygghet i relativt otrygga stadsmiljöer men i relativt trygga stadmiljöer är inte någon av de tre undersökta typerna av polispatrullering effektiva. / Can police presence make people feel safe? This study explored the relationship between people’s experience of feeling safe and three different kinds of police patrolling in a relatively safe and a relatively unsafe urban area. A survey was distributed, 112 men and 131 women (M=30 years, SD=12.98), to estimate the perception of feeling safe by looking at photos with three different kinds of police patrolling. The result indicated that all kinds of police patrolling had positive effect on the respondent’s feelings of safety in the relatively unsafe urban area. Police foot patrol tended to increase the respondents feelings of safety more than police patrolling by car. Similar results were found for both men and women. Police presence may increase people’s feelings of safety in relatively unsafe urban areas, but in relatively safe urban areas none of the three types of police patrol were effective.

The military threat of the Soviets disappears, the communist China should meeting general matter reorganization power deceleration But, by in recent years national defense budget to see, but keep on significant the growth of the degree with every year. Understand manifestation the communist china sets up the soldier reorganization actively, accelerating national defense reformation. Therefore, intention that the Communist china national defense reform also is the research motive of the thesis where. The research point of this thesis, post cold war the national defense strategy of period communist china develops after keeping on the understand, and try the main content of tidying up the national defense reformation, detailed study to the current conditions and developments of the Liberation Arming military strength particularly, furthermore further analyze to the pacific Asia region, influence of security Taiwan strait, then put forward the suggestion toward my country national defense construction. Study through this thesis. can find, the communist china is outside safeguard national security benefit and the war of Persian gulf etc. inside under factor influence, concentrate on the construction of developing the high technique limited war and consociation battle. The special features that is among them is as follows first: fast reaction troops .two establishments of the cannon troopses , make the communist china have the offensive and limited nuclear of the limited war to shoot the ability. Second promote the sea, air force¡¦s position, emphasize maritime power, system the importance of the empty power. Third promote the military thought of the information war, dissymmetry battle, strengthen the information war power. Forth value national defense science and technology self-made ability, weapon buys outside and the military communicates. Fifth emphasize special kind the soldier grows of construction. Meanwhile, the national defense reformation that the communist china carry on will threaten to the formation military of neighboring nation in pacific Asia region, as a result must make the communist china promote the new national security view, to avoid to sink into the security dilemma, then become big country in World.