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A 2-week community health clinical experience in Ghana, Africa, provided undergraduate nursing students a study abroad opportunity to expand their cross-cultural skills. Journal entries (N = 512) of four cohorts were analyzed for common themes using Atlas.ti 7 in this descriptive qualitative study. No emphasis was placed on how to cope with cultural shock in Ghana, nor any attempt made to teach effective coping skills during the trips. Bochner's ABC cultural learning response model provided the framework for grouping themes. Positive coping skills included the need for control, humor, normalizing, and reframing as well as a need for a break and relaxation. Venting, frustration, and physical ailments were coded as negative responses to culture shock. Due to these findings, student preparation for short-term study abroad should include discussions on effective coping with culture shock during orientation sessions and on-going debriefing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study examined the relationships between stress, stress buffers, acculturation and birth outcomes of infants born to 81 Mexican and Mexican American women living in West Michigan. Method An interrupted times series design was used to collect data prior to labor and delivery. Neuman's Systems Model was used as the theoretical framework as it illustrates how stress impacts health outcomes. Women were recruited from local health and community agencies. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish as desired by the subject using standardized questionnaires. Results Acculturation was negatively correlated with age (r = -.378, p < 0.001) and social support (r = -.258, p = .02). Bicultural women had the highest mean birth weight, and very Mexican-oriented women had the longest gestation. The third trimester of pregnancy was significantly different from the second trimester for stress, coping and social support. The women least integrated in either culture, e.g. marginalized (ARSMA-II), had the most stress. Spiritual coping predicted weight (β = .278) while pregnancy distress (β = -.237) and sense of belonging (β = -.258) predicted length of gestation. Conclusion Pregnancy-related distress was able to penetrate all lines of defense and impacted the core per Neuman's Systems Model. Women who had strong spiritual coping and a sense of belonging were able to deflect stress and thus protect their core resulting in healthy birth outcomes. Nurses could thus promote healthier birth outcomes by focusing on social support and coping, especially with women who are culturally marginalized. These results add to the understanding of the Latino paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first version of a decision-support tool (DST) for the management of the transboundary water resource of the Volta Basin is presented in this article. The DST coupled a hydrologic model with the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) water-allocation model. It was calibrated and validated by reproducing observed river flows and water stored in the hydropower reservoirs, respectively. It considered the impact of possible future climate changes (potentially critical) and the development of upstream small reservoirs (leading to upstream-downstream trade-offs) on the Akosombo hydropower scheme. This DST may foster transboundary dialogue for the integrated management of the basin's water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the status of the electronics industry in the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Background of the industry's presence in the region; Progress of the industry's development highlighted by import substitution, growth of offshore production contracts and establishment of new priorities for the industry; Comparisons according to countries.