bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Nudging in the Meteorological Model for Retrospective Air Quality Simulations. Part I: Evaluation against National Observation Networks
Authors: Otte Tanya L.
Published: July 2008

It is common practice to use Newtonian relaxation, or nudging, throughout meteorological model simulations to create “dynamic analyses” that provide the characterization of the meteorological conditions for retrospective air quality model simulations. Given the impact that meteorological conditions have on air quality simulations, it has been assumed that the resultant air quality simulations would be more skillful by using dynamic analyses rather than meteorological forecasts to characterize the meteorological conditions, and that the statistical trends in the meteorological model fields are also reflected in the air quality model. This article, which is the first of two parts, demonstrates the impact of nudging in the meteorological model on retrospective air quality model simulations. Here, meteorological simulations are generated by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) using both the traditional dynamic analysis approach and using forecasts for a summertime period. The resultant fields are then used to characterize the meteorological conditions for emissions processing and air quality simulations using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Modeling System. As expected, on average, the near-surface meteorological fields show a significant degradation over time in the forecasts (when nudging is not used), while the dynamic analyses maintain nearly constant statistical scores in time. The use of nudged MM5 fields in CMAQ generally results in better skill scores for daily maximum 1-h ozone mixing ratio simulations. On average, the skill of the daily maximum 1-h ozone simulation deteriorates significantly over time when nonnudged MM5 fields are used in CMAQ. The daily maximum 1-h ozone mixing ratio also degrades over time in the CMAQ simulation that uses MM5 dynamic analyses, although to a much lesser degree, despite no aggregate loss of skill over time in the dynamic analyses themselves. These results affirm the advantage of using nudging in MM5 to create the meteorological characterization for CMAQ for retrospective simulations, and it is shown that MM5-based dynamic analyses are robust at the surface throughout 5.5-day simulations.
The Impact of Nudging in the Meteorological Model for Retrospective Air Quality Simulations. Part II: Evaluating Collocated Meteorological and Air Quality Observations
Authors: Otte Tanya L.
Published: July 2008

For air quality modeling, it is important that the meteorological fields that are derived from meteorological models reflect the best characterization of the atmosphere. It is well known that the accuracy and overall representation of the modeled meteorological fields can be improved for retrospective simulations by creating dynamic analyses in which Newtonian relaxation, or “nudging,” is used throughout the simulation period. This article, the second of two parts, provides additional insight into the value of using nudging-based data assimilation for dynamic analysis in the meteorological fields for air quality modeling. Meteorological simulations are generated by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) using both the traditional dynamic analysis approach and forecasts for a summertime period. The resultant meteorological fields are then used for emissions processing and air quality simulations using the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ). The predictions of surface and near-surface meteorological fields and ozone are compared with a small network of collocated meteorological and air quality observations. Comparisons of 2-m temperature, 10-m wind speed, and surface shortwave radiation show a significant degradation over time when nudging is not used, whereas the dynamic analyses maintain consistent statistical scores over time for those fields. Using nudging in MM5 to generate dynamic analyses, on average, leads to a CMAQ simulation of hourly ozone with smaller error. Domainwide error patterns in specific meteorological fields do not directly or systematically translate into error patterns in ozone prediction at these sites, regardless of whether nudging is used in MM5, but large broad-scale errors in shortwave radiation prediction by MM5 directly affect ozone prediction by CMAQ at specific sites.
Near-Real-Time Applications of CloudSat Data
Authors: Mitrescu Cristian , Miller Steven , Hawkins Jeffrey , L’Ecuyer Tristan , Turk Joseph , Partain Philip , Stephens Graeme
Published: July 2008

Within 2 months of its launch in April 2006 as part of the Earth Observing System A-Train satellite constellation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) CloudSat mission began making significant contributions toward broadening the understanding of detailed cloud vertical structures around the earth. Realizing the potential benefit of CloudSat to both the research objectives and operational requirements of the U.S. Navy, the Naval Research Laboratory coordinated early on with the CloudSat Data Processing Center to receive and process first-look 94-GHz Cloud Profiling Radar datasets in near–real time (4–8 h latency), thereby making the observations more relevant to the operational community. Applications leveraging these unique data, described herein, include 1) analysis/validation of cloud structure and properties derived from conventional passive radiometers, 2) tropical cyclone vertical structure analysis, 3) support of research field programs, 4) validation of numerical weather prediction model cloud fields, and 5) quantitative precipitation estimation in light rainfall regimes.
Comparisons of Transport and Dispersion Model Predictions of the Joint Urban 2003 Field Experiment
Authors: Warner Steve , Platt Nathan , Urban Jeffry T. , Heagy James F.
Published: July 2008

For a hazardous material release in a city or densely populated area, effective mitigation requires an understanding of the transport and dispersion of these hazards in the complex urban environment. Improved characterization and understanding of urban transport and dispersion will allow for more robust modeling. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency has developed a Hazard Prediction Assessment Capability (HPAC) that includes features to address hazardous releases within an urban environment. During the summer of 2003, a series of tracer gas releases were carried out in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and extensive meteorological and tracer concentration measurements were collected in a field experiment known as Joint Urban 2003 (JU03). This analysis uses the observations of JU03 to evaluate “Urban HPAC.” Twenty sets of simulations, or “predictions,” using four Urban HPAC modes and five meteorological input options, were created and compared using a variety of metrics. Strong consistency was found between the conclusions of this study and those of two previously reported Urban HPAC evaluations. For example, improved predictions were associated with the inclusion of a simple empirically based urban dispersion model within HPAC, whereas improvements associated with the inclusion of a more computationally intensive urban wind module were not found. In this study, two new results are reported. First, there was a substantial difference in the performance of Urban HPAC as a function of release time—day or night—that was not discovered earlier because the previously examined urban field experiments focused on nighttime releases only. Daytime releases tended to be underpredicted and nighttime releases tended to be overpredicted. Second, and with respect to the under- and overpredictions described above, the inclusion of the new “Micro” Stationary Wind Fit and Turbulence (SWIFT) “SPRAY” (MSS) Urban HPAC mode typically led to less underprediction during the day and less overprediction at night than the other Urban HPAC modes. In addition, predictions that included MSS typically resulted in the least scatter between observations and predictions. These improvements warrant further investigation to determine whether this conclusion can be extended to other urban environments.
Use of Numerical Forecasts for Improving TMI Rain Retrievals over the Mountainous Area in Korea
Authors: Kwon Eun-Han , Sohn Byung-Ju , Chang Dong-Eon , Ahn Myoung-Hwan , Yang Song
Published: July 2008

Topographical influences on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) rain retrievals over the terrain area of the Korean peninsula were examined using a training dataset constructed from numerical mesoscale model simulations in conjunction with radiative transfer calculations. By relating numerical model outputs to rain retrievals from simulated brightness temperatures, a positive relationship between topographically forced vertical motion and rain retrievals in the upstream region over the mountainous area was found. Based on the relationship obtained, three topographical correction methods were developed by incorporating slope-forced vertical motion and its associated upward vapor flux, and vapor flux convergence in the surface boundary layer into a scattering-based TMI rain retrieval algorithm.

The developed correction methods were then applied for the rain retrievals from simulated TMI brightness temperatures with model outputs and measured TMI brightness temperatures. Results showed that orographic influences on the rain formation can be included in the TMI rainfall algorithms, which tend to underestimate rainfall over the complex terrain area. It was shown that topographical corrections surely improve the rain retrieval when a strong rain event is present over the upslope region. Among various elements, moisture convergence in the boundary layer appears to be an important factor needed in the topographical correction. Overall topography-corrected estimates of rainfall showed a better agreement with ground measurements than those without correction, suggesting that satellite rain retrieval over the terrain area can be improved when accurate numerical forecast outputs are incorporated into the rain retrieval algorithm.
Evaluation of Satellite Estimates of Land Surface Temperature from GOES over the United States
Authors: Pinker Rachel T. , Sun Donglian , Hung Meng-Pai , Li Chuan , Basara Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2008

A comprehensive evaluation of split-window and triple-window algorithms to estimate land surface temperature (LST) from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) that were previously described by Sun and Pinker is presented. The evaluation of the split-window algorithm is done against ground observations and against independently developed algorithms. The triple-window algorithm is evaluated only for nighttime against ground observations and against the Sun and Pinker split-window (SP-SW) algorithm. The ground observations used are from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Central Facility, Southern Great Plains site (April 1997–March 1998); from five Surface Radiation Budget Network (SURFRAD) stations (1996–2000); and from the Oklahoma Mesonet. The independent algorithms used for comparison include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service operational method and the following split-window algorithms: that of Price, that of Prata and Platt, two versions of that of Ulivieri, that of Vidal, two versions of that of Sobrino, that of Coll and others, the generalized split-window algorithm as described by Becker and Li and by Wan and Dozier, and the Becker and Li algorithm with water vapor correction. The evaluation against the ARM and SURFRAD observations indicates that the LST retrievals from the SP-SW algorithm are in closer agreement with the ground observations than are the other algorithms tested. When evaluated against observations from the Oklahoma Mesonet, the triple-window algorithm is found to perform better than the split-window algorithm during nighttime.
Ship Observations of the Tropical Pacific Ocean along the Coast of South America
Authors: de Szoeke S. P. , Fairall C. W. , Pezoa Sergio
Published: July 2008

In October 2007 the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown sailed southward within 300 km of the coast of Ecuador and Peru, sampling surface meteorology, air–sea turbulent and radiative fluxes, cloud properties, and upper-air soundings from the equator to 20°S. Two distinct water masses characterize the coastal region: cold-pool water below 19°C in the Southern Hemisphere, and warm-pool water above 20°C to the north, with a transition between the water masses at 2.5°S. Net turbulent and radiative fluxes warm the cool water south of 2.5°S by 100 W m−2 but do not warm the equatorial water significantly. Winds blow parallel to the shore, about 5 m s−1 over the cold pool and 7 m s−1 over the equator. Stratocumulus clouds are remarkably solid over the coastal cold pool, with only brief periods of partial clearing, mostly in the afternoon. Lower aerosol concentrations and thicker clouds observed farther from the coast on 22–23 October are coincident with a pocket of open cells seen to the west and southwest of the ship. Observations from this cruise and other NOAA Stratus cruises (2001 and 2003–07) are suitable for comparison with model simulations and provide context for future field experiments. These datasets are publicly available.
Lipidomics-Based Safety Biomarkers for Lipid-Lowering Treatments
Authors: Laaksonen Reijo , Jänis Minna T. , Orešic Matej
Published: July 2008

Recent data suggest that aggressive lipid-lowering treatment results in significant reductions of atherosclerotic complications, ie, strokes, heart attacks, or peripheral vascular diseases. Thus, more patients will be titrated to higher doses of statins in order to reach the aggressive targets of low-density lipoprotein— cholesterol reduction. However, aggressive treatment with high statin doses has increased the risk of statin-induced myopathy. The incidence of myopathy in cohort studies and in randomized trials has been low, supporting the good safety profile of statin drugs. However, muscle effects seem to be more frequent in clinical practice. Of all statin users, approximately 1% to 5% suffers from muscular symptoms caused by medication. This potentially reduces the compliance toward treatment and number of patients reaching their treatment targets due to withdrawal of therapy. Thus, novel biomarkers are needed for prediction or improved diagnoses of statin-induced side effects. This would potentially increase the quality of life of patients and improve treatment results. Using lipidomic analysis, we found that the plasma lipidomic changes following simvastatin treatment correlate with the muscle expression of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein. Intriguingly, these results suggest that the plasma lipidomic profile may serve as a highly sensitive biomarker of statin-induced metabolic alterations in muscle and may thus allow us to identify patients who should be treated with a lower dose to prevent a possible toxicity.
A Violence-Prevention Program Helps Teach Medical Students and Pediatric Residents About Childhood Aggression
Authors: Scholer Seth J. , Brokish Peter A. , Mukherjee Anamika B. , Gigante Joseph
Published: July 2008

There were 65 third-year medical students and 59 pediatric residents who participated. The intervention was a 40-minute multimedia program that teaches how to counsel parents about childhood aggression. Comparing pre- and 2-month postintervention data, there was an increase in the proportion of medical students (11% pre vs 92% post; P < .001) and residents (3% pre vs 95% post; P < .001) who felt that their ability to counsel parents about hurtful behavior was high or very high. Compared with baseline, a higher proportion of trainees at the 2-month follow-up recommended redirecting (11% pre vs 69% post; P < .001), promoting empathy (13% pre vs 42% post; P < .001), and not using physical punishment (25% pre vs 50% post; P < .001). A brief, independently viewed curriculum addition expanded the repertoire of health care trainees related to counseling parents about childhood aggression. These findings have implications for violence prevention.
Venous Hum Causing Tinnitus: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Anderson Jane E. , Teitel David , Wu Yvonne W.
Published: July 2008

Hearing one's own heart murmur has been reported in adults, but has not been reported in the pediatric literature. This study reports the case of a young child who clearly heard her own venous hum, causing her to complain of pulsatile tinnitus. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of pulsatile tinnitus and by doing so pediatricians and cardiologists may avoid ordering unnecessary diagnostic procedures.
Black Studies and Political Ideology as Predictors of Self-Esteem
Authors: Livingston Jonathan , Pipes McAdoo Harriette , Mills Catherine J.
Published: July 2008

This article assesses the relationship between enrollment in Black studies courses, political ideology, and self-esteem in Black college students. Although a number of studies have focused on racial identity and self-esteem, few have investigated how a race-first political consciousness among African Americans develops and whether it is related to healthier psychological outcomes. To elucidate the relationship between Black nationalism, Black studies courses, and self-esteem, 231 students from an historically Black college in the Southeast are sampled. Preliminary analysis indicates enrollment in Black studies courses is related to nationalism and self-esteem. However, subsequent regression analysis controlling for classification indicates enrollment in Black studies courses is not a significant predictor of self-esteem or Black nationalism. Black nationalism predicted self-esteem, and older African American students reported higher nationalism scores. The findings suggest early exposure to Black studies courses among students may prove beneficial and predictive of psychological well-being in African American college students.
The Quest to Understand Self-employment in American Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Oh Joong-Hwan
Published: July 2008

The mechanisms shaping a shift in intrametropolitan self-employment remain poorly understood. In response, this study aims to examine shifts in both central-city and suburban self-employment by integrating the changing forces of intrametropolitan economy and population with their economic interdependence within an entire metropolitan area. Using a change-score model, data collected over two time-periods (1980—90 and 1990—2000) are pooled. The analysis shows that a decline in intrametropolitan manufacturing employment, which can be understood as an aspect of local economic restructuring, leads to an increase in intrametropolitan self-employment. Also, the data suggest that a rise in metropolitan-level immigrant population contributes to the growth of central-city self-employment. Moreover, this paper demonstrates that a shift in central-city self-employment is affected by both central-city and suburban economic transformations.
Public Management of Urban Land, Enabling Markets and Low-income Housing Provision: The Overlooked Experience of Iran
Authors: Keivani Ramin , Mattingly Michael , Majedi Hamid
Published: July 2008

This paper examines the first 10 years (1979—89) of the implementation of the Urban Land Act in Iran in order to revisit the debate on the capacity of market-enabling policies to improve low-income housing provision in developing countries. The outcome of the Iranian experience during the study period shows that, at the very least, governments can play an important and effective role in low- and middle-income housing provision through direct provision of urban land in parallel with markets. This suggests that the best way forward may be a combination of market-enabling approaches that develop basic institutional functions plus proactive government intervention for developing public land banks to provide better access to cheap land for a range of housing providers including individual households, co-operatives and private developers.
The Territorialisation of a Pedestrian Precinct in Malmö: Materialities in the Commercialisation of Public Space
Authors: Kärrholm Mattias
Published: July 2008

This paper sets out to describe and conceptualise four different ways of investigating material stabilisation involved in the territorialisation and commercialisation of a centrally located pedestrian precinct. In recent decades, Swedish retail areas have tended to grow larger and more visible; a large number of new large shopping areas have been established on the outskirts of cities, whereas stores in the city centre tend to be concentrated in certain streets or pedestrian precincts. This paper investigates the case of Malmö. Malmö has been quite successful during the past decade in terms of retail business and the on-going pedestrianisation has resulted in a large and coherent pedestrian precinct, consolidating the city centre as a shopping district. On the basis of an empirical investigation, the paper discusses how this urban type (and its paraphernalia) has developed in Malmö and how it has stabilised over recent decades as a `territory for shopping'. This territorialisation has also been accomplished by material means. The main aim of this discussion is to investigate the delegations and mediations involved in the process. In so doing, a spatial perspective on materialities is proposed, discussing networks, bodies, framings and sorts, as four intersecting ways in which materialities can be described as having territorial impacts on the everyday life and culture of the pedestrian precinct.
An Assessment of Combining Tourism Demand Forecasts over Different Time Horizons
Authors: Shujie Shen  , Gang Li  , Haiyan Song
Published: July 2008

This study investigates the performance of combination forecasts in comparison to individual forecasts. The empirical study focuses on the U.K. outbound leisure tourism demand for the United States. The combination forecasts are based on the competing forecasts generated from seven individual forecasting techniques. The three combination methods examined in this study are the simple average combination method, the variance–covariance combination method, and the discounted mean square forecast error method. The empirical results suggest that combination forecasts overall play an important role in the improvement of forecasting accuracy in that they are superior to the best of the individual forecasts over different forecasting horizons. The variance–covariance combination method turns out to be the best among the three combination methods. Another finding is that the encompassing test does not significantly contribute to the improved accuracy of combination forecasts. This study provides robust evidence for the efficiency of combination forecasts.
Decentering Urban History
Authors: Connolly James J.
Published: July 2008

This essay introduces the articles collected in the special issue devoted to “decentering urban history” and considers some of their implications. For the most part, urban historians have concentrated on major cities or have at least failed to distinguish between the metropolis and smaller, more peripheral cities in meaningful ways. This essay reviews the articles in the special issue, which were first presented at the 2007 Small Cities Conference sponsored by the Center for Middletown Studies at Ball State University. They range across the last two centuries and consider urbanization in China, Japan, South Asia, Chile, Germany, and the United States. The essay then argues that prevailing ideas about the impact of globalization, the definition of a city, and the development of urban identities require further consideration from the perspective of peripheral cities. It concludes by offering an approach to distinguishing the experiences of these communities relative to major urban centers.
Racial Disparities in Health Care Access and Cardiovascular Disease Indicators in Black and White Older Adults in the Health ABC Study
Authors: Rooks Ronica N. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Klesges Lisa M. , Newman Anne B. , Ayonayon Hilsa N. , Harris Tamara B.
Published: July 2008

Objective: Black adults consistently exhibit higher rates of and poorer health outcomes due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) than other racial groups, independent of differences in socioeconomic status (SES). Whether factors related to health care access can further explain racial disparities in CVD has not been thoroughly examined. Method: Using logistic regression, the authors examined racial and health care (i.e., health insurance and access to care) associations with CVD indicators (i.e., hypertension, low ankle—arm index, and left ventricular hypertrophy) in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study, a longitudinal study of well-functioning older adults. Results: Older Black versus White adults had significantly worse health care. Overall, health care reduced the significant association between being Black and CVD only slightly, while race remained strongly associated with CVD after adjusting for demographics, SES, body mass index, and comorbidity. Discussion: Research on health care quality may contribute to our understanding of these disparities.
A Critique of Hall's Contexting Model
Authors: Cardon Peter W.
Published: July 2008

Edward Hall's model of low-context and high-context cultures is one of the dominant theoretical frameworks for interpreting intercultural communication. This article reports a meta-analysis of 224 articles in business and technical communication journals between 1990 and 2006 and addresses two primary issues: (a) the degree to which contexting is embedded in intercultural communication theory and (b) the degree to which the contexting model has been empirically validated. Contexting is the most cited theoretical framework in articles about intercultural communication in business and technical communication journals and in intercultural communication textbooks. An extensive set of contexting propositions has emerged in the literature; however, few of these propositions have been examined empirically. Furthermore, those propositions tested most frequently have failed to support many contexting propositions, particularly those related to directness. This article provides several recommendations for those researchers who seek to address this popular and appealing yet unsubstantiated and underdeveloped communication theory.
Worksite Wellness in the School Setting
Authors: Galemore Cynthia A.
Published: July 2008

Schools exist for children. Indeed, in Olathe District Schools, the first of five guiding principles is “children first.” Facilities, resources, materials, and programs are developed around this principle. Human resources, specifically classroom teachers and various support staff, are considered the most important asset in the education of students. As a result, schools employ an increasing number of individuals in todays workforce. However, school districts lag behind other major employers in the provision of worksite wellness for their employees. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of employee wellness and its application to the school setting. A future Nursing Practice Management section article will discuss the initiation of a school employee wellness program, applying the Comprehensive Health Education Model.
Open-Air Schools
Authors: Fesler Diane M.
Published: July 2008

Open-air schools were initiated in 1908 and maintained through the 1930s to treat children with tuberculosis while meeting their educational needs. During this period, treatment of tuberculosis was accomplished in sanitoriums where patients, both adults and children, were isolated and exposed to fresh air and rest. Isolating and institutionalizing children made it difficult for them to obtain schooling. The open-air schools were seen as a method of educating children with tuberculosis while treating them with fresh air, rest, and nutritious food. Although early reports of the effects of open-air schools were positive, student outcome studies reported conflicting results. Some student health outcomes improved, but reports of academic outcomes were inconsistent, leading to their closure between 1938 and 1941. Nursing roles were limited, but nurses were well prepared to participate in the open-air schools by providing health education, maintaining health records, monitoring student health outcomes, and coordinating the services provided to the students. Nurses can learn from our history and hopefully avoid the missed opportunities of yesteryear.
Early Intervention and School Nursing Practice
Authors: DeStefano Keeta , Bear Bonnie Johnson
Published: July 2008

The most vital and critical period for early intervention is in the first 3 years of life. The school nurse working in an early childhood program plays a pivotal role in assessing and meeting the health and developmental needs of very young children and their families. This article discusses early intervention, as defined by federal law, as an age-related service delivered within a family-focused, multidisciplinary, interagency, and collaborative model. An assessment framework for school nurses working with this population is described, which includes physical, social, and emotional domains. Identifying children early and then providing needed interventions and services will assist at-risk children in realizing their developmental potential.
Development and Evaluation of a Mexican Immigrant Family Support Program
Authors: Cowell Julia Muennich , McNaughton Diane B. , Ailey Sarah
Published: July 2008

A report to Congress in the fall of 1998 warned that immigrant children are in a state of emergency regarding access to health care. This article presents the three phases involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating a Mexican American Problem Solving (MAPS) program designed to promote the mental health of families. Methods were Phase 1 focus groups to identify concerns and desired approaches for intervention; Phase 2 instrument assessment and prevalence assessment of mental health; and Phase 3 intervention testing. In Phases 1 and 2, 67% of mothers and 59% of children had mental health scores that required referral for evaluation. Participating mothers and children reported positive views of the intervention and showed significant improvements in mental health scores.
Medication Management Problems Reported by Subscribers to a School Nurse Listserv
Authors: Reutzel Thomas J. , Patel Rinku
Published: July 2008

Given the potentially serious consequences of suboptimum medication management practices in elementary and secondary schools and the fact that this topic has been subject to little empirical inquiry, the purpose of this study was to obtain a preliminary understanding of the types of medication management problems that school nurses face, as well as the strategies they use to solve those problems. An analysis of messages related to medication management that appeared on the SCHLRN-L listserv (a 1,400-member discussion group for schools nurses) was performed. All messages sent to the listserv during a 5-month period were monitored. Any discussion thread that began during this time period and addressed the management of medications was selected for possible inclusion in the study. The result was a group of 71 threads. The listserv participants described a wide array of medication management problems and suggested numerous strategies for solving them. This study shows that serious medication management problems exist in schools and that school nurses make use of various strategies or “tricks of the trade” to handle these problems. This research highlights the need for a contribution from the pharmacy profession in this important and neglected area of drug therapy.
Consent and Release
Authors: Pohlman Katherine , Schwab Nadine
Published: July 2008

Because school nursing practice by definition involves delivering services to minors, school nurses often find themselves with questions about consent. Because school districts, much like other health care providers, occasionally face liability for the undesired health care outcomes of their clients (i.e., students), another question that surfaces frequently deals with release from liability. Each question must be answered based on analysis of the specific facts and applicable laws. This article provides an overview of the principles that provide school nurses with general guidance on consent issues and release of liability and, by way of example, applies them in the answers to four specific questions forwarded by practicing school nurses.
Health Jeopardy: A Game to Market School Health Services
Authors: Swanson Mary A. , Ornelas Denise
Published: July 2008

Health Jeopardy was developed by members of the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota to present information about health and to market the role of the school nurse. Although it was created for the Minnesota State Fair, it has been used in a variety of community settings. This interactive and fun game has been popular with both children and adults. Contestants were selected from the state fair audience, and each competed for prizes by answering questions about school health under the five categories of first aid and safety, nutrition, immunizations, communicable diseases, and school nurse facts. In addition to the state fair, Minnesota school nurses have used this game as both an informational and promotional tool in their school and community fairs.
A Handbook for Student Nurses to Guide Clinical Experiences in the School Setting
Authors: English Darlene , Marcontel Marilyn
Published: July 2008

For more than 30 years, nursing students have had the opportunity to have clinical experiences related to their course requirements in the Dallas Public Schools. The Dallas Independent School District School Health Services Department staff provide an orientation to student nurses before their first day in the school clinic. To enhance their learning experience and clarify the regulations and expectations for student nurses, a handbook was prepared for the use of school nurses and the students. The Basic Health Care for the School-age Child: A Handbook for Student Nurses outlines the use of the school as a clinical experience setting. Another purpose for the handbook is to reduce the stress of this clinical rotation for the student nurse and for the staff nurse who serves as the student nurse’s preceptor. This article describes the development of the expectations for the clinical experience and the information included in the handbook. An outline of the material included in each section is presented to provide ideas for school nurses who provide or are considering providing a rotation for student nurses in their schools.
Identifying the Mental Health Needs of Preschool Children
Authors: Delaney Kathleen R. , Belmonte-Mann Frances
Published: July 2008

The city of Chicago offers publicly funded preschool education to 20,000 3- and 4-year-olds through its State Pre-Kindergarten program. The students attend some 300 schools, and their health needs are monitored by 11 nurses and 8 aides. In the last several years, the nursing coordinator recognized the need to improve the mental health assessment skills of the school nurses. To that end, a relationship was developed with a child psychiatric nurse who had expertise in assessing young children’s behaviors, particularly in the context of the classroom milieu. The collaboration of the school nurse and mental health nurse-consultant was structured as one-on-one sessions, each focusing on a particular child. A case is presented to illustrate the assessment method and accompanying suggestions for early intervention strategies. The case also points out how school nurses can structure assessments of at-risk children that lead to classroom-based interventions.
Vision Screening in Central Iowa
Authors: Gustafson Jeri K. , Kinne Marilyn J. , Little Donita G. , Strawhacker MaryAnn T.
Published: July 2008

This study assessed the vision-screening practices of all preschools and elementary schools during the spring of 2000 in the Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) in central Iowa. Surveys were returned by 7% of the preschools and 56% of the elementary schools. Survey questions were drafted based on recommendations from the Iowa Vision Screening Program Guidelines, which were distributed to all Iowa school districts in 1997. Areas surveyed included vision-screening personnel, attainment of students’ visual history, rescreening practices, referral and follow-up, and screening procedures. Survey results indicated that there is a need for improvement to standardize vision-screening procedures within Heartland AEA. Time and effort are invested in activities that are not recommended, and not enough effort is being put into recommended activities such as obtaining vision histories, rescreening to avoid overreferrals, and follow-up to make sure students receive required treatment.
Enhancing School Nurse Visibility
Authors: Brandt Charlotte M.
Published: July 2008

The school nurse is in a powerful position in the school district, but only by expanding visibility efforts can it be a viable one. School nurses are viewed as “health experts” in their school districts. They need to continually fine-tune and expand their visibility, as well as to widen their circle of influence in the school district and its community-based partnerships. Feeling comfortable in giving school board presentations and participating in other highly visible activities will highlight and enhance the valuable services school nurses provide. School nurses must be visible to be perceived as a powerful influence for health in the school district.
HIV/AIDS Peer Education: A Rural Health Project
Authors: Marick Josephine
Published: July 2008

This article describes a program conducted by a group of adolescents in a rural western Nebraska high school that was designed to inform their peers about the risk of HIV/AIDS. The program was funded by state and county agencies. An AIDS Task Force composed of community health leaders developed the guidelines for the program. The Task Force met annually to plan for the coming year, implement changes, and evaluate the program. A community health nurse served as the coordinator of the program and also served as a rural school nurse. A group of students called peer helpers carried out the HIV/AIDS program. Peer helpers created an awareness of HIV/AIDS with dissemination of factual information and also served as a referral resource for their peers. A number of recommendations are provided for future implementation of programs designed to help adolescents develop a healthy lifestyle.
How to Cook Up a Healthy Summer Camp
Authors: Joyce Esperanza V. , Sparks B. J. , Martinez Petra , Brown Adriana , Buckley Bettie , Duff Elizabeth , Harwood Adrian , Jones Robert , Von Kanel Laura
Published: July 2008

This article is designed to help school nurses plan a children’s summer camp. In many ways, it is like a recipe, filled with tried experiences leading to success. Many of the ideas in this article may help others to brainstorm about implementing a camp. The idea for this summer camp originated from an obesity study conducted during the school year. In that study, it was found a large number of students were obese, and the majority of them spent a considerable amount of time in sedentary activities. In addition, the study questionnaire findings indicated that the children were not eating enough fruits or vegetables and had diets with high carbohydrate and fat content. Therefore, the major objective for the summer camp was to introduce the children to structured exercise and nutrition classes. Evaluation indicated the children profited socially, physically, and intellectually from the camp’s activities.
Small Group Intervention for Children With Attention Disorders
Authors: Houck Gail M. , King Mary Catherine , Tomlinson Bill , Vrabel Ann , Wecks Kathleen
Published: July 2008

Children with attention disorders can experience adverse long-term effects on academic performance, vocational success, and socioemotional development. They experience some level of functional impairment that extends across settings, including the home and school. In combination with medication, group interventions with school-age children were found to be effective for enhancing social behavior. This article describes two practice improvement projects that provided group experiences for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, including disruptive behavior. Four skill domains were addressed: communication, friendship, self-control, and social problem solving. One project provided activities for early school-age children with ADHD who were treated with medication only. Another provided a support group on self-management for freshman boys with ADHD who were also treated with medication only. In both projects, the disruptive behavior of the participants decreased by the end of the group sessions.
Mentoring Nursing Career Pathways: The Maryvale High School Student Nurse Academy
Authors: Peterson Randall M.
Published: July 2008

The health care system faces a critical challenge in recruiting younger and more ethnically diverse students into the nursing profession. The innovative Maryvale High School Student Nurse Academy was developed as a collaborative partnership among the public school system, the community college system, public and private universities, and the hospital industry, with guidance from Arizona Nursing Associations and Sigma Theta Tau. The program provides at-risk, minority teens exposure to the health system, professional nurses in a variety of roles, and employment opportunities that can expand in a number of directions within the health industry. Results of the first year pilot are encouraging, resulting in a 100% completion of the program with high student satisfaction ratings. Students demonstrated an increase in overall grade point average and a decrease in school absence rates.
Nursing Discipline: Demystifying The Process
Authors: Pohlman Katherine , Schwab Nadine
Published: July 2008

This article provides a general overview of the disciplinary process for nurses. It also outlines at least one example of an alternative, often called a diversion program, to the standard disciplinary process. It urges school nurses to obtain legal counsel when responding to an inquiry from the board of nursing and discusses several factors to consider when seeking an attorney. The article also briefly discusses how the Nurse Licensure Compact affects the disciplinary process.
Developing School Health Services In Massachusetts: A Public Health Model
Authors: Sheetz Anne H.
Published: July 2008

In 1993 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) began defining essential components of school health service programs, consistent with the public health model. The MDPH designed and funded the Enhanced School Health Service Programs to develop 4 core components of local school health services: (a) strengthening the administrative infrastructure; (b) promoting health education, including tobacco control activities; (c) linking school health services with health care providers; and (d) implementing management information systems. Funds were appropriated in 1992 from the tobacco excise tax. With additional funding appropriated in 1999 and 2000 from the Tobacco Settlement Fund, these school nurse–managed programs have increased in number. The goal is to develop a statewide system of high-quality school health service programs responsive to the specific needs of students in each community. To be effective, these programs must be recognized as essential components of the primary health care delivery system serving children.
Making Schools Safer and Healthier for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Students
Authors: Benton Jeremy
Published: July 2008

This article describes some of the special health and safety concerns that many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth face in schools. Among these problems are increased drug and alcohol use, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy risks, depression and suicidality, and increased likelihood of being a victim of harassment or assault. School nurses can play a unique role in the lives of these students. A needs assessment is reviewed that describes school nurses’ perceived professional responsibility and their actual practice with regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth. Five barriers to optimal health care for these students are discussed. Methods that encourage students to view the school nurse as an ally, as well as issues surrounding disclosure or “coming out,” are discussed. Special considerations of confidentiality, community agency referral, and family disclosure are discussed. Appropriate interventions at school and ways to begin to change the school climate are also presented.
Health Practices of School Nurses
Authors: Petch-Levine Deborah , Cureton Virginia Young , Canham Daryl , Murray Meg
Published: July 2008

The health practices of school nurses affect our role as advocates and educators to promote the health of youth. This study describes the health practices of a convenience sample of 388 school nurses who attended the business meeting at an annual school nurse conference. A self-administered, 40-item questionnaire identified health practices of school nurses in the following areas: (a) health promoting behaviors, (b) exercise, (c) nutrition, (d) relaxation and well-being, (e) safety, and (f) substance use. The subjects most often avoided tobacco and wore seatbelts. The majority did not maintain their weight or exercise consistently. Statistical relationships were explored among the subscales and background items. These data document the need to design strategies to narrow the gap between actual school nurse health practices and the important health messages being delivered in our schools.
School Nurses’ Experiences With Medication Administration
Authors: Kelly Michael W. , McCarthy Ann Marie , Mordhorst Matthew J.
Published: July 2008

This article reports school nurses’ experiences with medication administration through qualitative analyses of a written survey and focus groups. From a random sample of 1,000 members of the National Association of School Nurses, 649 (64.9%) school nurses completed the survey. The quantitative data from the survey were presented previously. However, 470 respondents provided written comments on the survey. Comments on the eight items that had the most written comments were qualitatively analyzed. In addition, to clarify information obtained from the surveys, two focus groups with local school nurses were conducted. A constant comparative method of analysis was used, and results were combined from the two data sources. The combined analyses resulted in six final categories of concern: (a) delegation of medication administration, (b) comfort with delegation, (c) self-administration of medication, (d) medication administration errors, (e) storage of medication, and (f) administration policies. The findings suggest that school nurses across the country have similar concerns regarding the administration of medications in the school setting.