Engaging Struggling Readers in Literacy at the Elementary Level

This case study is an investigation into the different ways we as educators can effectively engage struggling readers in literacy at the elementary level. This study takes place at a rural school district 80 miles South of Rochester, in the Finger Lakes area and was conducted over a ten-week period. This case study offers insight into the relationship between literacy strategies in the classroom and student engagement. It investigates ways in which teachers can create engaging lessons that foster early literacy development while also allowing the students to become engaged in the texts they read

Comparison of Simulator Wear Measured by Gravimetric vs Optical Surface Methods for Two Million Cycles

Understanding wear mechanisms are key for better implants Critical to the success of the simulation Small amount of metal wear can have catastrophic effects in the patient such as heavy metal poisoning or deterioration of the bone/implant interface leading to implant failure Difficult to measure in heavy hard-on-hard implants (metal-on-metal or ceramic-on-ceramic) May have only fractions of a milligram of wear on a 200 g component At the limit of detection of even high-end balances when the component is 200 g and the change in weight is on the order of 0.000 1 grams Here we compare the standard gravimetric wear estimate with A non-contact 3D optical profiling method at each weighing stop A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) at the beginning and end of the ru

The influence of hydroalcoholic media on the performance of Grewia polysaccharide in sustained release tablets

Co-administration of drugs with alcohol can affect the plasma concentration of drugs in patients. It is also known that the excipients used in the formulation of drugs may not always be resistant to alcohol. This study evaluates effect of varying alcohol concentrations on theophylline release from two grades of Grewia mollis polysaccharides. X-ray microtomography showed that native polysaccharide formulation compacts were not homogenous after the mixing process resulting in its failure in swelling studies. Removal of starch from the native polysaccharide resulted in homogenous formulation compacts resistant to damage in high alcoholic media in pH 6.8 (40%v/v absolute ethanol). Destarched polymer compacts had a significantly higher hardness (375 N) than that of the native polysaccharide (82 N) and HPMC K4 M (146 N). Dissolution studies showed similarity at all levels of alcohol tested (f2 = 57-91) in simulated gastric media (pH 1.2). The dissolution profiles in the simulated intestinal fluids were also similar (f2 = 60-94), with the exception of the native polysaccharide in pH 6.8 (40%v/v absolute ethanol) (f2 = 43). This work highlights the properties of Grewia polysaccharide as a matrix former that can resist high alcoholic effects therefore; it may be suitable as an alternative to some of the commercially available matrix formers with wider applications for drug delivery as a cheaper alternative in the developing world

Direct cost variance analysis of peroral endoscopic myotomy vs Heller myotomy for management of achalasia: A tertiary referral center experience

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has been the traditional surgical treatment for achalasia. Recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has demonstrated similar clinical outcomes with shorter procedure times. Studies comparing the direct cost-effectiveness of POEM AIM: To compare costs of POEM METHODS: This retrospective chart review aimed to compare the outcomes and cost of clinical care between patients who underwent POEM and LHM procedures for achalasia. The study was conducted at a tertiary academic center from January 2019 to December 2020. Clinical outcomes, including post-operative Eckardt scores and adverse events, were assessed and compared between the two groups. Direct cost variance analysis was utilized to evaluate the cost of clinical care incurred by patients undergoing POEM in the year preceding the procedure, during the index admission, and one year post-procedure, in comparison to patients undergoing LHM. RESULTS: Of 30 patients were included (15 POEM and 15 LHM) in the study. Patients in the POEM group had a mean Eckardt score of 0.5 ± 0.5 post-procedure, which was no different from patients in the LHM group (0.7 ± 0.6, CONCLUSION: Despite similar clinical outcomes, the cost of the index procedure admission for POEM was significantly lower than for LHM. The difference was primarily related to shorter time increments utilized in the operating room during the index procedure, and shorter length of hospital stay following POEM

Aromatherapy Use for Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting for Patients Undergoing Same-day Surgeries

Description: Nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of anesthesia post-operatively. There is an increased prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing intra-abdominal and gynecologic surgeries. Many injectable and enteral medications are available for the prevention and treatment of PONV, each with the potential for side effects. Utilization of medications requires a provider order, which has the potential to delay initiation of therapy. The use of aromatherapy via inhalation for the treatment of PONV has been shown to eliminate nausea in up to 85% of patients. Patients have reported perceived effectiveness and favorable improvement with the use of aromatherapy for post-operative nausea. Aromatherapy products have been shown to be well tolerated with no adverse effects, drug interactions, or contraindications. Aim: To study the effectiveness of QueaseEASE® aromatherapy pods in the treatment of PONV in patients undergoing same-day intra-abdominal surgeries or hysterectomies. Intervention: We distributed 100 QueaseEASE® pods to patients scheduled for same-day intra-abdominal surgeries or hysterectomies. Informed consent was obtained preoperatively. Up to 24 hours after recovery, patients were instructed to document their episodes of nausea, severity at onset and severity 30 minutes after pod use. The severity of nausea was recorded using the visual analogue scale (0-100) where zero indicates no nausea and 100 indicates unbearable nausea. Use of traditional antiemetic medications was not excluded pursuant to individual provider practice. Data for concomitant antiemetic medication use was also recorded, including medication type, dose and frequency. Summary of Results: Results pending