High failure rates in introductory college science courses, including anatomy and physiology, are common at institutions across the country, and determining the specific factors that contribute to this problem is challenging. To identify students at risk for failure in introductory physiology courses at our open-enrollment institution, an online pilot survey was administered to 200 biology students. The survey results revealed several predictive factors related to academic preparation and prompted a comprehensive analysis of college records of >2,000 biology students over a 5-yr period. Using these historical data, a model that was 91% successful in predicting student success in these courses was developed. The results of the present study support the use of surveys and similar models to identify at-risk students and to provide guidance in the development of evidence-based advising programs and pedagogies. This comprehensive approach may be a tangible step in improving student success for students from a wide variety of backgrounds in anatomy and physiology courses.

Purpose Nurses have been called to be leaders in the transformation of health care and to help improve health-care access for the nation’s most vulnerable populations. However, to lead health-care transformation, the profession of nurses must first see themselves as leaders. Unfortunately, nursing has been described as lacking cohesiveness and failing to communicate a consistent brand image. No empirically tested quantitative tools exist to measure the brand identity of nursing, making it difficult to assess where the profession stands in regard to the mantel of leadership. The purpose of this study was to develop empirically sound instruments which could measure nurses’ perceptions of their professional brand image. A total of three scales were developed and then tested: The Nursing Brand Image Scale, Nursing’s Current Brand Position Scale and Nursing’s Desired Brand Position Scale. Design/methodology/approach The factor structure and internal consistency reliability of each scale were examined following survey administration to a national sample of registered nurses. Principal component analyses were used to explore the factor structure of each scale. Item reduction was achieved through examination of the loading of items across the factors and the impact of the item on internal consistency reliability. Findings Respondents to the survey were nursing alumni who received a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing at a private, mid-western university, and nursing faculty affiliated with a private, collegiate network (n = 286). For all scales, principal component analysis showed no inter-item correlations >0.9 or <0.1. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure for sampling adequacy was high and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p < 0001). The internal consistency reliability of each of the three scales was good to excellent. Current brand position mean scores were highest for the factor “caring advocates for patients/public”, and lowest on “influential leaders”. The most desired brand position mean scores were highest and rated similarly for factors “influential leaders” and “patient-centered caregivers”. Originality/value This study provides strong preliminary evidence for the factor structure and internal consistency reliability for each of the three scales and represents an important first step toward quantitatively measuring the brand image of nursing. However, results suggest there is work to be done if nursing is to formulate and adopt a brand image that consistently reinforces their role as leaders. Further testing of the scales with other nursing populations, the general public and with larger sample sizes is recommended.

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to abnormalities within three neural networks: default mode (DMN), salience (SN), and central executive (CEN). This study examined the effectiveness of LORETA z-score neurofeedback (LZNF) training for altering current source within these networks and reducing symptoms associated with PTSD. Methods: Twenty-three adults with chronic PTSD were randomly assigned to 15 sessions of either LZNF (n = 12) or heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB; n = 11). Psychosocial and physiological assessments were completed at baseline and postintervention. Results: The LZNF group showed very large, statistically significant decreases in symptoms on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5; p = .003, d = 2.09) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; p = .003, d = 2.13). The HRVB group also showed very large decreases on the PCL-5 (p = .006, d = 1.40) and medium effects on the BAI (p = .018, d = 0.76). Between-group comparisons showed medium to large effects of group type in favor of LZNF (PCL-5 d = 0.57; BAI d = 0.94), although not statistically significant. LZNF Responders (n = 9) demonstrated very large, statistically significant decreases in abnormal z-scores within all targeted networks (DMN p = .012, d = 0.96; SN p = .008, d = 1.32; CEN p = .008, d = 1.33). Conclusion: The positive outcomes of this study provide preliminary evidence to support LZNF training as a specific, effective, and tolerable intervention for adults with chronic PTSD.

The present study focused on the development of the Multidimensional Dream Inventory, an individual difference measure of dimensions of dreams. Items were administered to 151 college students. Consistent with expectations, results of an exploratory factor analysis of intercorrelations among items indicated a four-factor solution was appropriate. As a result, four dream-relevant scales were constructed, viz, Dream Importance, Dream Vividness, Dream Usefulness, and Dream Recall. In addition, these scales showed good internal consistency for research. Implications and uses for the Multidimensional Dream Inventory were discussed.