Identifying Student Success at a Land Grant Institution

Many higher education institutions use admission criteria to match students with the educational requirements of the institution, thereby increasing the level of success of their students and allocating limited enrollment space in some cases. This study uses two different approaches to identify the affect students’ background characteristics have on first year cumulative GPA, and whether differences exist in the impact of high school grades on success in their first year in college between high schools in the state of Washington. Results show that students’ particular high schools systematically perform better or worse than the model predicts, holding the other characteristics of the students constant including their high school GPA. This suggests the same GPA from different schools is indicating different levels of preparedness, either reflecting different curriculum available or taken by a student, or grade inflations differences across schools.Higher education, inflation, student success, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, I23,

Predictors of painkiller dependence among people with pain in the general population

Aims: Self-medication with painkillers is widespread and increasing, and evidence about influences on painkiller dependence is needed to inform efforts to prevent and treat problem painkiller use. Design: Online questionnaire survey. Participants: People in the general population who had pain and used painkillers in the last month (n=112). Measurements: Pain frequency and intensity, use of over-the-counter and prescription painkillers, risk of substance abuse (SOAPP scale), depression, anxiety, stress, alexithymia, pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, pain self-efficacy, pain acceptance, mindfulness, self-compassion, and painkiller dependence (Leeds Dependence Questionnaire). Findings: In multiple regression, the independent predictors of painkiller dependence were prescription painkiller use (ß 0.21), SOAPP score (ß 0.31), and pain acceptance (ß -0.29). Prescription painkiller use mediated the influence of pain intensity. Alexithymia, anxiety and pain acceptance all moderated the influence of pain. Conclusions: The people most at risk of developing painkiller dependence are those who use prescription painkillers more frequently, who have a prior history of substance-related problems more generally, and who are less accepting of pain. Based on these findings, a preliminary model is presented with three types of influence on the development of painkiller dependence: a) pain leading to painkiller use, b) risk factors for substance-related problems irrespective of pain, and c) psychological factors related to pain. The model could guide further research among the general population and high risk groups, and acceptance-based interventions could be adapted and evaluated as methods to prevent and treat painkiller dependence.The Leonardo Da Vinci Lifelong Learning Programme funded Joana Duarte’s graduate research placement at the University of Derb

STRATEGIES FOR U.S. APPLE EXPORTING FIRMS

International Relations/Trade,

METHODOLOGY FOR TREND ANALYSIS AND PROJECTION OF PRODUCTION, MARKET SHARES, AND CONSUMPTION

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHEME TO EVALUATE CONSUMER APPLE VARIETY PREFERENCES

Consumer/Household Economics,

CONSUMER POTATO DEMAND

Changes in consumer demographics, socioeconomic conditions, lifestyles, food tastes, and health and nutrition concerns have been associated with shifting food purchase patterns. This article focuses on potato purchase decisions and consumption, using a sample of Washington households. The results suggest that potato purchases are affected by factors such as product quality and price but not availability of point-of-purchase information. Reported changes in fresh and processed potato consumption appeared to be related to concerns with health and nutrition and demand for convenience. These findings have implications for the potato industry in developing new products and marketing strategies.Demand and Price Analysis,