Multicultural education professional development: A review of the literature

When their teachers are well equipped to foster inclusive and equitable classrooms, students from marginalized communities show higher rates of academic achievement, motivation, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. However, many teachers complete preparation programs feeling underprepared to work in culturally diverse classrooms, making high-quality professional development in this area crucial. We undertook a meta-ethnographic, systematic literature review of 40 studies of multicultural-education-focused professional development programs in order to better understand the forms and features of such programs that contribute to teachers’ self-efficacy and success in working with culturally diverse students. We found a small literature base with too much variation across types of programs studied and outcomes analyzed to draw conclusions about the factors that contribute to effectiveness. However, the extant literature does point to important questions and considerations for both providers and researchers of multicultural education professional development. One area for future research is how PD providers navigate tensions or challenges arising from resistance to discussions of diversity and equity. Another is locating the balance between providing specific knowledge about students’ cultures and guarding against promoting stereotypes or broad generalizations. Researchers and PD developers should also pay close attention to their underlying theories related to both teacher learning and multicultural education

Ripple Effects: How Teacher Action Research on Culturally Relevant Education Can Promote Systemic Change

Teacher action research has been shown to both promote professional growth in teachers as well as produce gains for students. However, to date, little research has examined how action research might contribute to systemic changes in schools and school districts. This qualitative study of six teachers from various districts, subject areas, and grade levels, illustrates how action research can have simultaneous impacts on teachers, their students, and their schools and districts. The teacher action research projects all focused on culturally relevant education and the pursuit of equity. Impacts included teachers’ deepened understandings of equity and inclusivity; students’ diversity awareness, positive self-identities, and access to wider opportunities; and schools’ adoption of equity-focused strategies. The findings suggest that action research on culturally relevant education serves not only as a powerful form of professional development but also as a means to potentially transform schools

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Análise de conteúdo do fórum de discussão da Aliança Global para Enfermagem e Obstetrícia: uma comunidade on-line de prática

Objetivo: examinar el uso y contenido del foro de discusión de la Alianza Global para Enfermería y Obstetricia (Global Alliance for Nursing and Midwifery, GANM) en relación con la educación y práctica de Enfermería y Obstetricia. Método: se realizó un análisis de contenido convencional cualitativo. Se extrajeron líneas de 1689 hilos de conversación en foros de discusión y se utilizaron como unidad de análisis. A priori, los códigos se desarrollaron sobre la base de la relevancia del tema (por ejemplo, salud materna) y el uso típico de los foros de discusión (por ejemplo, anunciar oportunidades educativas). Los códigos emergentes se identificaron con mayor precisión al codificar los datos (por ejemplo, enfermedades infecciosas). Resultados: el foro de discusión de la GANM se utilizó con mayor frecuencia para el intercambio de información (43,8%), como la difusión de nueva información sobre la práctica basada en la evidencia, y para anunciar oportunidades educativas (24,8%). Los temas más discutidos fueron la Enfermería (14,2%; por ejemplo, el rol de los enfermeros en la atención primaria, educación en Enfermería, etc.) y la salud materna (13,8%; por ejemplo, atención postparto, mortalidad materna, etc.). Las enfermedades infecciosas se discutieron en 9% de los hilos de conversación, de los cuales, el 40% refirieron a la actual pandemia de coronavirus. Conclusión: los hallazgos refuerzan la utilidad de la GANM como plataforma para el desarrollo profesional y la educación continua. Como plataforma para difundir investigación empírica, la GANM se puede aprovechar para influir en la práctica basada en la evidencia del mundo real.Objetivo: examinar o uso e o conteúdo do fórum de discussão da Aliança Global para Enfermagem e Obstetrícia (Global Alliance for Nursing and Midwifery, GANM) em relação à educação e prática de enfermagem e obstetrícia. Método: análise de conteúdo convencional qualitativa. Foram extraídas e usadas como unidade de análise linhas de assunto de 1.689 tópicos do fórum de discussão. A priori, os códigos foram desenvolvidos com base na relevância do tópico (por exemplo, saúde materna) e no uso típico de um fórum de discussão (por exemplo, anúncio de oportunidades educacionais). Códigos emergentes foram identificados posteriormente durante a codificação dos dados (por exemplo, doenças infecciosas). Resultados: o fórum de discussão da GANM foi utilizado com maior frequência para troca de informações (43,8%), como divulgação de novas informações sobre a prática baseada em evidências e para anunciar oportunidades educacionais (24,8%). Os tópicos mais discutidos foram Enfermagem (14,2%; por exemplo, o papel do enfermeiro na atenção primária, educação em enfermagem, etc.) e saúde materna (13,8%; por exemplo, cuidados pósparto, mortalidade materna, etc.). Doenças infecciosas foram discutidas em 9% dos tópicos, sendo que 40% estavam relacionados à atual pandemia de coronavírus. Conclusão: os achados reforçam a utilidade da GANM como plataforma de desenvolvimento profissional e educação continuada. Como plataforma para disseminar a pesquisa empírica, a GANM pode ser aproveitada para ter uma influência na prática do mundo real baseada em evidências.Objective: to examine the usage and content of the Global Alliance for Nursing and Midwifery (GANM) discussion forum in relation to nursing and midwifery education and practice. Method: a qualitative conventional content analysis was performed. Subject lines from 1689 discussion board threads were extracted and used as the unit of analysis. A-priori codes were developed based on topical relevance (e.g. maternal health) and typical discussion board usage (e.g. announcing educational opportunities). Emerging codes were further identified while coding the data (e.g. infectious diseases). Results: the GANM discussion forum was used most frequently for information exchange (43.8%), such as dissemination of new information on evidence-based practice, and to announce educational opportunities (24.8%). The most frequently discussed topics were nursing (14.2%; e.g. the role of nurses in primary care, nursing education, etc.) and maternal health (13.8%; e.g. postpartum care, maternal mortality, etc.). Infectious diseases were discussed in 9% of threads, 40% of which concerned the current coronavirus pandemic. Conclusion: findings reinforce the utility of the GANM as a platform for professional development and continuing education. As a platform for disseminating empirical research, the GANM can be leveraged to have an influence on real-world, evidence-based practice

When We Raise Our Voice: The Challenge of Eradicating Labor Exploitation, An Evaluation of a Community Empowerment Intervention in Uttar Pradesh, India

Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila Vikas Sansthan (MSEMVS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has worked for decades with communities in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to eradicate forced and bonded labor. This report is an independent, evidence-based assessment of MSEMVS's work, produced by the FXB Center, Harvard's only university-wide human rights center, with funding from the Freedom Fund, a philanthropic initiative designed to bring financial resources and strategic focus to the fight against modern slavery. The research project had two primary aims: 1) To determine whether forced and bonded labor had been eradicated in villages where targeted interventions by MSEMVS took place; and 2) To measure the effect that the intervention had on a wide range of social and economic factors relevant to households within those villages

Different COVID-19 treatments’ impact on hospital length of stay

Abstract Importance COVID-19 has adversely affected global healthcare infrastructure since 2019. Currently, there are no large-scale published reports on the efficacy of combination therapy of dexamethasone, remdesivir, and tocilizumab on COVID-19 patients. Objectives Is the combination therapy of dexamethasone, remdesivir, and tocilizumab superior to other treatments on hospitalized COVID-19 patients? Design This is a retrospective, comparative effectiveness study. Setting Single-center study Participants/interventions We analyzed different inpatient COVID-19 treatment options available in the United States and their impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Hospitalized COVID-19 were categorized as “mild,” “moderate” and “severe'' based on the highest level of oxygen required; room air, nasal cannula, or high flow/PAP/intubation, respectively. Patients were treated in accordance with the availability of medications and the latest treatment guidelines. Main outcomes The endpoints of the study are hospital discharges and death during hospitalization. Results 1233 COVID-19 patients were admitted from 2020 to 2021. No treatment combinations showed a statistically significant decrease in hospital LOS in mild COVID-19 patients (p = 0.186). In moderate patients, the combination of remdesivir and dexamethasone slightly decreased LOS by 1 day (p = 0.007). In severe patients, the three-drug combination of remdesivir, dexamethasone, and tocilizumab decreased LOS by 8 days (p = 0.0034) when compared to nonviable treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma transfusion. However, it did not show any statistically significant benefit when compared to two-drug regimens (dexamethasone plus remdesivir) in severe COVID-19 (p = 0.116). No treatment arm appeared to show a statistically significant decrease in mortality for severe COVID-19 patients. Conclusions Our findings suggest that three-drug combination may decrease LOS in severe COVID-19 patients when compared to two-drug therapy. However, the trend was not supported by statistical analysis. Remdesivir may not be clinically beneficial for mild hospitalized COVID-19 patients; considering its cost, one could reserve it for moderate and severe patients. Triple drug therapies, while potentially reducing LOS for severe patients, do not affect overall mortality. Additional patient data may increase statistical power and solidify these findings