Original Research: Exploring U.S. Nurses' Perceived Duty to Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Duty to care is both an integral concept in health care and a fundamental nursing obligation. But nurses' perceptions of duty to care can be moderated by their experiences in the practice setting. Research examining nurses' perceptions of their duty to care during the COVID-19 pandemic could shed light on how the pandemic is affecting the nursing workforce. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine nurses' sense of duty to care during the early months of the pandemic, using the Nash Duty to Care Scale (NDCS), and to compare the high-scoring nurses with the low-scoring nurses. METHODS: This quantitative study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. It was conducted among licensed RNs enrolled at two accredited nursing programs in the Northeast region of the United States. Data were collected via a demographics questionnaire and the NDCS. A two-step cluster procedure was used to categorize participants into two groups: those with high perceived duty to care (HPDC) and those with low perceived duty to care (LPDC). Independent t tests were performed to compare NDCS results between the two groups. RESULTS: Nearly two-thirds (61%) of the participants had total NDCS scores indicating an HPDC, while 39% had scores indicating an LPDC. Of the NDCS's four subscales, perceived obligation and perceived risk were the most important in separating participants into the low- and high-scoring groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the literature about the components that affected nurses' perceived duty to care and willingness to report to work during the early months of the pandemic. Just as nurses have a duty to care, health care organizations have an obligation to provide a safe working environment so that nurses can fulfill that duty without sacrificing personal safety. The study findings may guide health care leaders, systems, and organizations regarding how to create safer work environments that support the nurse's duty to care during disasters.

Genome assembly and transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the ability of Nasonovia ribisnigri to break host plant resistance.

Aphid genomic resources enable the study of complex life history traits and provide information on vector biology, host adaption and speciation. The currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (Mosley)) is a cosmopolitan pest of outdoor lettuce (Lactuca sativa (Asterales: Asteraceae) (Linnaeus)). Until recently, the use of resistant cultivars was an effective method for managing N. ribisnigri. A resistant cultivar containing a single gene (Nr-locus), introduced in the 1980s, conferred complete resistance to feeding. Overreliance of this Nr-locus in lettuce resulted in N. ribisnigri's ability to break resistance mechanism, with first reports during 2003. Our work attempts to understand which candidate gene(s) are associated with this resistance-breaking mechanism. We present two de novo draft assembles for N. ribisnigri genomes, corresponding to both avirulent (Nr-locus susceptible) and virulent (Nr-locus resistant) biotypes. Changes in gene expression of the two N. ribisnigri biotypes were investigated using transcriptomic analyses of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data to understand the potential mechanisms of resistance to the Nr-locus in lettuce. The draft genome assemblies were 94.2% and 91.4% complete for the avirulent and virulent biotypes, respectively. Out of the 18,872 differentially expressed genes, a single gene/locus was identified in N. ribisnigri that was shared between two resistant-breaking biotypes. This locus was further explored and validated in Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments and has predicted localisations in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. This is the first study to provide evidence that a single gene/locus is likely responsible for the ability of N. ribisnigri to overcome the Nr-locus resistance in the lettuce host.

Exploring Interprofessional Collaboration in Teaching Between Nursing and Physical Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Integrating interprofessional concepts and competencies in the classroom teaches students to perform successfully in complex interprofessional care environments. There is little information regarding the effects of interprofessional collaboration in education utilizing faculty and students from other disciplines. METHOD: Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Survey (SCLS) scores and written responses were collected from 31 nursing students to explore nursing students' perceptions of an interprofessional collaboration in teaching between nursing and physical therapist (PT) educators. RESULTS: Nursing students' SCLS scores were higher on days where PT educators participated in teaching students. Analysis of written responses revealed five themes: appreciation of an outside expert perspective, enhanced self-efficacy with patient mobility skills, opportunity for interprofessional collaboration, satisfaction with the learning experience, and conflicting information. CONCLUSION: Interprofessional collaboration in teaching resulted in high levels of satisfaction and self-confidence and provided an opportunity to work toward an aspect of core competency for interprofessional collaborative practice. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(X):XXX-XXX.].

The Development and Feasibility of an Empathy Virtual Reality Scenario in Healthcare Education.

Technology-enhanced simulations such as virtual reality and computer-based experiences allow students to improve their understanding of patient perspectives and increase empathy for patients. These technologies can be daunting to nursing faculty without robust technology and video development resources. The purpose of this project was to share a guide for creating and implementing a patient-centered immersive virtual reality scenario within a nursing program. The research team developed, filmed, and produced a cost-effective virtual reality simulation scenario for use with smartphones and inexpensive virtual reality headsets, which could be widely disseminated for students to watch in class or online. The virtual reality simulation allowed an immersive first-person view and was well received by both faculty and students. The virtual reality scenario was implemented with ease in classroom, virtual, and laboratory settings. These virtual reality simulations work in the live setting or remotely, and synchronously or asynchronously with minimal equipment, which reduces barriers to access.

Likelihood of Extreme Early Flight of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Across the UK.

Myzus persicae (Sulzer, Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major global crop pest; it is the primary aphid vector for many damaging viruses and has developed resistance to most insecticides. In temperate regions, the risk of widespread crop infection and yield loss is heightened following warm winters, which encourage rapid population growth and early flight. Estimates of the frequency and magnitude of warm winters are, therefore, helpful for understanding and managing this risk. However, it is difficult to quantify the statistical distribution of climate events, particularly extremes, because climate observations represent just a small sample of the possible climate variations in a region. The purpose of this study was to establish a large-scale relationship between temperature and M. persicae observations across the UK and apply this to a very large ensemble of climate model simulations, which better sample the variability in climate, to quantify the current likelihood of extreme early M. persicae flight across the UK. The timing of M. persicae flight was shown to be significantly related to January-February mean temperature, where a 1°C warmer/cooler temperature relates to about 12 d earlier/later flight. Climate model simulations predict 40% likelihood of experiencing a year with unprecedented early M. persicae flight during the next decade in the UK. Results from this method can help crop managers assess the long-term viability of crops and management practices across the UK and provide early warning information for targeting pest surveillance activities on the locations and timings at highest risk of early M. persicae flight.

The Development and Testing of a Perinatal Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey.

Background and Purpose: Accurate assessment of tobacco use in pregnant smokers is key to effective nursing intervention. There is a lack of valid and reliable tools easily integrated into prenatal care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a perinatal survey, guided by the Health Promotion Model (HPM). Methods: The survey was tested with 107 pregnant women via iPad. Urine cotinine assays and a process evaluation were conducted. Results: Reliability yielded a Cronbach's alpha of .873 for the ever-smoker sample and .835 for the total sample. Factors dovetailed with HPM constructs. Conclusions: Perinatal Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey (PTABS) exhibits high reliability and validity and is easily utilized. Updates need to include questions on all nicotine products and to be streamlined. With accurate identification of nicotine users nurses can provide targeted interventions early in pregnancy.

Undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards incarcerated persons and their perceptions of clinical experiences.

BACKGROUND: In 2019, an estimated 6.3 million persons were under the supervision of the United States adult correctional systems and one in 40 adult persons were under correctional supervision. At year-end of 2019, nearly seven in ten persons under correctional supervision were supervised in the community. A nurse's attitudes and beliefs about incarcerated persons may influence their behavior. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine nursing student's attitudes towards incarcerated persons and their perceptions of a clinical experience at a correctional facility. METHODS: Data from 137 nursing students were collected through a cross-sectional, electronic survey. The Attitude Towards Prisoners Scale (Melvin et al., 1985) was used. A post hoc analysis of perceptions of their clinical experience at a correctional facility was explored. RESULTS: The mean scores of 93 and 94 (potential range of scores 0 to 144) suggest positive attitudes towards incarcerated persons exist, yet few nursing students report an interest in correctional nursing as a career. Although few (n = 5) students had a correctional nursing clinical experience, most perceived it as an effective clinical learning setting. CONCLUSION: With high rates of incarceration, the researchers recommend that baccalaureate nursing programs include educational teaching strategies that focus on incarceration, incarceration stigma, and explore clinical learning experiences.

The Potential for Decision Support Tools to Improve the Management of Root-Feeding Fly Pests of Vegetables in Western Europe.

Several important vegetable crops grown outdoors in temperate climates in Europe can be damaged by the root-feeding larvae of Diptera (Delia radicum, Delia floralis, Chamaepsila rosae, Delia platura, Delia florilega, Delia antiqua). Knowledge of pest insect phenology is a key component of any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, and this review considers the methods used to monitor and forecast the occurrence of root-feeding flies as a basis for decision-making by growers and the ways that such information can be applied. It has highlighted some current management approaches where such information is very useful for decision support, for example, the management of C. rosae with insecticidal sprays and the management of all of these pests using crop covers. There are other approaches, particularly those that need to be applied at sowing or transplanting, where knowledge of pest phenology and abundance is less necessary. Going forward, it is likely that the number of insecticidal control options available to European vegetable growers will diminish and they will need to move from a strategy which often involves using a single 'silver bullet' to a combination of approaches/tools with partial effects (applied within an IPM framework). For the less-effective, combined methods, accurate information about pest phenology and abundance and reliable decision support are likely to be extremely important.

TABS: The Development and Testing of a Nicotine and Tobacco Use Research Tool.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tobacco use is declining but the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has increased in young populations. The Interdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Program (ITURP) developed a survey assessing tobacco and ENDS use, and a tobacco-free campus policy. This project analyzes the reliability and validity of the Tobacco Attitude and Behavior Survey (TABS). METHODS: Content and face validity, factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha, and a process evaluation were assessed. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed four constructs. Cronbach's alpha was .70. Process evaluation revealed that students involvement in TABS allowed rapid assessment of changes in ENDS use, and to modify questions based on student feedback. CONCLUSION: Reliability and validity are adequate for a new tool.

Phenology of the Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella) in the UK and Provision of Decision Support for Brassica Growers.

In the UK, severe infestations by Plutella xylostella occur sporadically and are due mainly to the immigration of moths. The aim of this study was to develop a more detailed understanding of the phenology of P. xylostella in the UK and investigate methods of monitoring moth activity, with the aim of providing warnings to growers. Plutella xylostella was monitored using pheromone traps, by counting immature stages on plants, and by accessing citizen science data (records of sightings of moths) from websites and Twitter. The likely origin of migrant moths was investigated by analysing historical weather data. The study confirmed that P. xylostella is a sporadic but important pest, and that very large numbers of moths can arrive suddenly, most often in early summer. Their immediate sources are countries in the western part of continental Europe. A network of pheromone traps, each containing a small camera sending images to a website, to monitor P. xylostella remotely provided accessible and timely information, but the particular system tested did not appear to catch many moths. In another approach, sightings by citizen scientists were summarised on a web page. These were accessed regularly by growers and, at present, this approach appears to be the most effective way of providing timely warnings.

Living on the Edge: Using and Improving Trap Crops for Flea Beetle Management in Small-Scale Cropping Systems.

The use of trap crops to manage pest insects offers an attractive alternative to synthetic pesticides. Trap crops may work particularly well at smaller production scales, being highly amenable where crop diversification and reduction of synthetic inputs are prioritised over yield alone. This paper describes a series of experiments. The first was to demonstrate the potential of turnip rape (Brassica rapa L., var. Pasja) as a trap crop to arrest flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) to protect a main crop of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L., var. Lateman). The subsequent experiments explored two possible approaches to improve the function of the trap crop-either by separating trap and main crop plants spatially, or by introducing companion plants of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv Amateur) into the main crop. In caged field experiments, feeding damage by flea beetles to crop border plantings of turnip rape far exceeded damage to cauliflower plants placed in the same position, indicating a "trap crop effect". Neither turnip rape plants nor cauliflower as a border significantly reduced flea beetle damage to main crop cauliflower plants, although the numbers of feeding holes in these plants were lowest where a turnip rape border was used. In similar cages, leaving gaps of 3-6 m of bare soil between turnip rape and cauliflower plants significantly reduced feeding damage to the latter, as compared to when plants were adjacent. The results of a small-scale open field trial showed that a turnip rape trap crop alone reduced flea beetle damage to cauliflower, significantly so later in the season at higher pest pressures, but that addition of tomato companion plants did not improve pest control potential.

CE: Original Research: The Experiences of Pregnant Smokers and Their Providers.

: Background: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' initiative Healthy People 2020 targets tobacco use, including smoking during pregnancy, as a continuing major health concern in this country. Yet bringing the U.S. Public Health Service's 2008 clinical practice guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, into routine prenatal care remains challenging. Our previous nurse-managed intervention study of rural pregnant women found no significant cessation effect and significant discordance between self-reported smoker status and urinary cotinine levels. PURPOSE: The overall purpose of this follow-up study was to increase our understanding of the experiences of pregnant smokers and their providers. No qualitative studies could be found that simultaneously explored the experiences of both groups. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used focus group methodology. Nine focus groups were held in two counties in upper New York State; six groups consisted of providers and three consisted of pregnant women. Four semistructured questions guided the group discussions, which were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were read and coded independently by six investigators. Themes were identified using constant comparative analysis and were validated using the consensus process. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 66 participants: 45 providers and 21 pregnant women. Most of the providers were white (93%) and female (93%). A majority worked as RNs (71%); the sample included perinatal and neonatal nursery nurses, midwives, and physicians. The pregnant women were exclusively white (reflecting the rural demographic); the average age was 24 years. All the pregnant women had smoked at the beginning of their pregnancies. Four common themes emerged in both the provider and the pregnant women groups: barriers to quitting, mixed messages, approaches and attitudes, and program modalities. These themes corroborate previous findings that cigarette smoking is used for stress relief, especially when pregnancy itself is a stressor, and that pregnant women may feel guilty but don't want to be nagged or preached to. CONCLUSIONS: These results have implications for how smoking cessation programs for pregnant women should be designed. Health care providers need to be cognizant of their approaches and attitudes when addressing the subject of smoking cessation. Specific educational suggestions include "putting a face" to the issue of tobacco use during pregnancy. More research is needed on how best to implement the 2008 clinical practice guideline in specific populations.

Towards new sources of resistance to the currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri).

Domesticated lettuce varieties encompass much morphological variation across a range of crop type groups, with large collections of cultivars and landrace accessions maintained in genebanks. Additional variation not captured during domestication, present in ancestral wild relatives, represents a potentially rich source of alleles that can deliver to sustainable crop production. However, these large collections are difficult and costly to screen for many agronomically important traits. In this paper, we describe the generation of a diversity collection of 96 lettuce and wild species accessions that are amenable to routine phenotypic analysis and their genotypic characterization with a panel of 682 newly developed expressed sequence tag (EST)-linked KASP™ single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that are anchored to the draft Lactuca sativa genome assembly. To exemplify the utility of these resources, we screened the collection for putative sources of resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) and carried out association analyses to look for potential SNPs linked to resistance.

Identification of Novel Pesticides for Use against Glasshouse Invertebrate Pests in UK Tomatoes and Peppers.

To inform current and future pesticide availability to glasshouse vegetable growers, the current project trialled more than twenty products, including existing industry standards, against four key pests of glasshouse tomatoes and bell peppers. These included experimental conventional chemical pesticides as well as alternative biopesticide and biorational products based on phytochemicals, microbials and physically-acting substances. The results suggest that certain biopesticide products, particularly botanicals, provide good levels of pest control, with the same being true of experimental conventional chemical pesticides not yet recommended for use against these pests on these crops. Efforts are on-going to ensure that results of the current project translate to industry benefit via new pesticide approvals.

The effects of smoking cessation and a programme intervention on birth and other perinatal outcomes among rural pregnant smokers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of rural pregnant smokers enrolled in the Smoke Free Baby & Me trial. METHODS: Data on smoking status and other pre-natal variables were collected during pregnancy. Outcomes were retrieved from a review of hospital records of 161 singleton births (79 from the control group, 82 from the intervention group). RESULTS: The results show that, after adjusting for gender and gestational age, the more self-reported cigarettes at the first pre-natal visit, the less the infant birth weight (p = 0.033), the less maternal weight gain (p = 0.042) and the shorter the labour length (p = 0.041). Infants of women with positive urinary cotinine at the first pre-natal visit in the intervention group had higher 1 minute Apgar scores than those with negative cotinine (p = 0.022). Smokers also had a preponderance of male infants (64% vs 36%), while non-smokers had more females (59% vs 41%) (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking during pregnancy affects perinatal outcomes. Assuming a foetal origin of chronic disease morbidity, implementing smoking cessation during pregnancy would not only improve maternal and foetal health, but also might contribute to an improvement in the incidence of adult chronic disease morbidity.

Testing and improving the effectiveness of trap crops for management of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.): a laboratory-based study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) as a trap crop for diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella (L.)] on cauliflower [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. Lateman]. Moth behaviour on these plants and the importance of plant age and size in maintaining pest preference for trap crop plants were also investigated. RESULTS: Three times as many eggs were laid on cauliflower plants that were unprotected than on plants protected by a trap crop of white mustard. Moths remained longer on the mustard plants as a result of a doubling in the mean duration of information-providing behaviours. Plant age had little effect on P. xylostella host preference. When plant age was constant, percentage oviposition on mustard was higher when these were larger (93%) than copresented cauliflower plants, compared with when they were smaller (68%). CONCLUSION: Trap cropping with white mustard may reduce the incidence of P. xylostella in cauliflower crops. The pest management benefits of trap crops may be maximised by using trap crop plants that are larger than the main crop plants, although relatively smaller trap crop plants may still be preferred as hosts for P. xylostella per se.