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In the United States, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the 3rd leading cause of death for infants; other unintentional sleep injuries are the 5th. In addition, the estimated newborn fall rate in the United States is 1.6 to 6.6 falls/10,000 live births. At the project facility, postpartum registered nurses observed parents engaging in behavior that did not contribute to a safe newborn environment such as placing the infant at risk for injury from a fall or from a sleep injury. This observation led to this current project, which examined the development of an educational program for post-partum nurses to educate families in the creation of safe newborn environments. The educational project was guided by the concepts of adult learning and social learning theories, and on the recommendations resulting from the review of the literature and of the American Academy of Pediatrics' for creating a safe sleep environment. The education program included a safe sleep environment education handout for nurses to give parents, a safe newborn environment policy, and a PowerPoint presentation describing the contents of the new policy and the handouts. The PowerPoint will be retained by the facility to present at the biannual skills days to approximately 120 registered nurses working on the postpartum unit. Evaluation measures included an assessment of nurses' comfort and confidence to teach families how to create a safe newborn environment. Process evaluation included a team member questionnaire assessing leadership, analysis of evidence, and meeting facilitation. An increase in comfort and confidence and a consistent method of teaching parents would represent positive social change. Far reaching effects of creating a safe newborn environment could include improving the health of infants and preventing future health problems.

The purpose of this study is to examine the progression of Multicultural to Intercultural Education in the prospect of sustaining social cohesion. Multicultural and Intercultural Education are two major educational pedagogies that came into existence in multicultural societies. The purpose of the case study is to explore the implementation of the practices of Multicultural and Intercultural education as part of fostering the social cohesion in Mauritius. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and a survey which has been conducted to 300 trainees at the Mauritius Institute of Education to examine and analyze their perceptions of Multicultural and Intercultural Education. / 博士(グローバル社会研究) / Doctor of Philosophy in Global Society Studies / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

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Biological functions take place within tightly controlled parameters, including pH, which is managed in part through the ventilatory chemoreflex. This reflex is mediated by central respiratory chemoreceptors (CRCs) specialized to detect blood pH/CO2. Two neuronal populations are thought to mediate this response: the serotonergic (5-HT) neurons of the medullary raphé, and the Phox2b expressing neurons of the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN). These groups are both responsive to CO2 stimuli in vivo and in vitro. There are also apparent one-way connections from the raphé to the RTN, which is sensitive to 5-HT. Due to its complex innervation, study of RTN neurons while isolated from other cells, especially 5-HT neurons, has been limited. Here, we developed a culture model that simplifies this circuit, limiting cell types to those found in the rostral ventral medulla. This protocol yielded healthy RTN and 5-HT neurons in vitro, as well as other cell types from that area. Upon study with patch-clamp electrophysiology, cultured RTN neurons responded to CO2 and 5-HT in similar ways to what is reported for different RTN neuron preparations. Using this model, RTN neuron chemosensitivity was significantly decreased during application of 5-HT7 antagonists (SB258719, SB269970) and a 5-HT2A antagonist (MDL 11,939). The effect of 5-HT7 antagonists was recapitulated in slice recordings. Therefore, signaling at 5-HT7 and 5-HT2A receptors is necessary for RTN neuron chemosensitivity. Exogenous 5-HT application also increased RTN neuron firing rate without potentiating the response to CO2, most likely indicating that the necessary 5-HT stimulation must come from neurons that can alter their activity during acidosis. We conclude that RTN neuron chemosensitivity is largely driven by chemosensitive 5-HT neurons, and should be considered an integrative or relay center, rather than an independently chemosensitive one.

Petroleum-based fuel dominates the global energy system despite the fact that this resource is diminishing. Additionally, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a number of challenges to development such as resource scarcity, locational isolation, and uneven development. These challenges make it difficult for these nations to compete in the global market for fuel. Incidentally, biodiesel, made from waste cooking oil, can be used in automotive diesel engines or diesel generators for electricity. Currently, these two areas: development in SIDS and biodiesel, are separate topics in the literature and a relationship between the two has yet to be developed. This research will describe how a biodiesel-based energy system can address some of the challenges to development faced by SIDS. One such system in Barbados is used as a case study. Informal interviews and participant observation reveal the benefits and challenges of setting up and maintaining a biodiesel energy system. Also, the potential to scale-up the biodiesel energy system to the national level is assessed. An evaluation framework, derived from the literature, is used to rate the success factors of the existing biodiesel operation and as well as the steps required for scaling up. The results of this study prove the numerous and interconnecting benefits of a biodiesel-based energy system. Biodiesel produced on the island using locally-generated waste cooking oil creates a new local resource, addressing the challenge of resource scarcity, and reduces the demand for imported petroleum-based diesel. The biodiesel system addresses the issue of uneven development by connecting different communities across the island through public participation. However, funding difficulties in the biodiesel operation arose after a change of ownership. This made obtaining methanol, an ingredient in biodiesel production, problematic and ultimately halted production. Based on the findings, it is recommended that community biodiesel-based energy systems include the use of a locally-produced alcohol as a substitute for methanol. Also, operations should be scale-up through decentralization in order to keep equipment costs down and better address the challenge of uneven development faced by SIDS. With proper management and sufficient funding and community support, a biodiesel-based energy system is able to contribute to sustainable development in light of the unique situation present in SIDS.

Petroleum-based fuel dominates the global energy system despite the fact that this resource is diminishing. Additionally, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a number of challenges to development such as resource scarcity, locational isolation, and uneven development. These challenges make it difficult for these nations to compete in the global market for fuel. Incidentally, biodiesel, made from waste cooking oil, can be used in automotive diesel engines or diesel generators for electricity. Currently, these two areas: development in SIDS and biodiesel, are separate topics in the literature and a relationship between the two has yet to be developed. This research will describe how a biodiesel-based energy system can address some of the challenges to development faced by SIDS. One such system in Barbados is used as a case study. Informal interviews and participant observation reveal the benefits and challenges of setting up and maintaining a biodiesel energy system. Also, the potential to scale-up the biodiesel energy system to the national level is assessed. An evaluation framework, derived from the literature, is used to rate the success factors of the existing biodiesel operation and as well as the steps required for scaling up. The results of this study prove the numerous and interconnecting benefits of a biodiesel-based energy system. Biodiesel produced on the island using locally-generated waste cooking oil creates a new local resource, addressing the challenge of resource scarcity, and reduces the demand for imported petroleum-based diesel. The biodiesel system addresses the issue of uneven development by connecting different communities across the island through public participation. However, funding difficulties in the biodiesel operation arose after a change of ownership. This made obtaining methanol, an ingredient in biodiesel production, problematic and ultimately halted production. Based on the findings, it is recommended that community biodiesel-based energy systems include the use of a locally-produced alcohol as a substitute for methanol. Also, operations should be scale-up through decentralization in order to keep equipment costs down and better address the challenge of uneven development faced by SIDS. With proper management and sufficient funding and community support, a biodiesel-based energy system is able to contribute to sustainable development in light of the unique situation present in SIDS.

Background: In the United States, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in children less than one year old, and the third leading case of death in infants. In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended to place infants supine for sleep, and the SIDS rate declined by 50%. Despite these efforts, the SIDS rate has plateaued since 2001. With the growing number of advanced practices nurses (APN) providing care to pregnant women and infants, APNs are in a position to educate new parents on preventing SIDS using the 2011 AAP safe sleep recommendations. Yet, knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of APNs regarding SIDS risk reduction are unknown in the State of Arizona. Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to assess the attitudes, knowledge, and current practices of APNs regarding risk reduction strategies. Methods: This study was a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Target study participants included APNs that provided care to pregnant women and/or infants up to 12 months old. The study was conducted in the State of Arizona through online surveys using the Qualtrics software. The study participants' knowledge, attitudes, and current practices were assessed using an adapted validated survey tool that included multiple choice items and responses using Likert scales. Results: Twenty-three APNs completed the survey. Knowledge about SIDs was average, with a mean score of 74% correct. Although most APNs felt it was important to educate parents about SIDS, only three-quarters of APNs provided verbal education to parents, and less than half of participants provided written information to parents. To decrease the SIDS rate, it is necessary for APNs to gain more knowledge about current safe sleep recommendations.