Consolidation Of California School Districts To Achieve Financial Equalization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether it was possible to develop an effective consolidation plan which would result in greater equalization of financial resources, more equitable tax structures and an increase in the revenue available for school support among California school districts within the requirements established by the Serrano v. Priest case. Procedure: The most recent data available were collected from the California State Department of Education and eleven county school superintendents\u27 offices. The following data for every elementary, secondary and unified school district in the state were included: (1) modified assessed valuation of real property, (2) general purpose tax rate, (3) average daily attendance, (4) revenue available per average daily attendance as generated by the general purpose tax rate, and (5) geographical location and boundaries. A uniquely designed computer program was written to utilize these data in an attempt to consolidate all school districts in California. The integrity of each of the 1,046 existing school districts as an administrative unit was maintained in combining districts; i.e., school districts were combined only in terms of consolidated taxing areas. School districts were consolidated by combining rich districts with poor districts by boundary realignments to achieve financial equalization as measured by the revenue available per average daily attendance. Only contiguous districts, those districts which had common boundaries, could be linked to form consolidated districts. Conclusions: 1. Within the constraints of this study, it is not possible to develop an effective consolidation plan for California school districts to achieve financial equalization which meets the requirements of Serrano. 2. The uneven distribution of school districts throughout the state in terms of wealth forms pockets of wealth which are not conducive to the consolidation of school districts to achieve financial equalization. 3. The use of a $75 variance which was utilized for purposes of comparison made no difference to the outcome of the study; it is not possible to develop a feasible consolidation plan utilizing the$75 variance. Recommendations: 1. Combine this study with the proposal to remove commercial and industrial property from the local tax base. 2. Replicate this study with different constraints and with the latest data available. 3. Consider replicating this study in another state where the distribution of wealth among districts is different from that of California but where financial inequalities may also exist. 4. Investigate the possibility of·combining other finance proposals with the consolidation of school districts to achieve financial equalization

Increasing Inpatient Autonomy Through Self-Administration of Medications (SAM)

Abstract The purpose of this poster is to highlight a Performance Improvement Project (PIP). The PIP addressed a recent increase in hospital readmissions for joint surgery patients related to medication mismanagement post-discharge. The objective was to propose a solution to reduce readmissions through increasing inpatient autonomy. Existing literature and current practice guidelines were reviewed. A standard survey was created and distributed to gather healthcare professionals’ opinions on areas of improvement. Additionally, the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model was selected to provide a framework for the project. Evidence indicated the self-administration of medication (SAM) could address the aim of increased autonomy, including increasing the patient’s knowledge of medications. Previous SAM research studies have shown an increase in medication adherence. Increased medication adherence has a positive impact on hospital readmission rates. A SAM program proposal was designed as a test of change to be implemented in the virtual acute care orthopedic setting. If proven effective, the SAM program would be implemented hospital-wide. To implement this intervention, the authors recommend a three-leveled system of SAM, supported by an interdisciplinary team during the course of the patient’s hospital stay. Limitations included are the current COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining staff buy-in, and liability concerns

Guidance and Control Design for High-Speed Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO)

A ROTO architecture, braking and steering control law and display designs for a research high speed Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) system applicable to transport class aircraft are described herein. Minimum surface friction and FMS database requirements are also documented. The control law designs were developed with the aid of a non-real time simulation program incorporating airframe and gear dynamics as well as steering and braking guidance algorithms. An attainable objective of this ROTO system, as seen from the results of this study, is to assure that the studied aircraft can land with runway occupancy times less then 53 seconds. Runway occupancy time is measured from the time the aircraft crosses the runway threshold until its wing tip clears the near side of the runway. Turnoff ground speeds of 70 knots onto 30 degree exits are allowed with dry and wet surface conditions. Simulation time history and statistical data are documented herein. Parameters which were treated as variables in the simulation study include aircraft touchdown weight/speed/location, aircraft CG, runway friction, sensor noise and winds. After further design and development of the ROTO control system beyond the system developed earlier, aft CG MD-11 aircraft no longer require auto-asymmetric braking (steering) and fly-by-wire nose gear steering. However, the auto ROTO nose gear hysteresis must be less than 2 degrees. The 2 sigma dispersion certified for MD-11 CATIIIB is acceptable. Using this longitudinal dispersion, three ROTO exits are recommended at 3300, 4950 and 6750 feet past the runway threshold. The 3300 foot exit is required for MD-81 class aircraft. Designs documented in this report are valid for the assumptions/models used in this simulation. It is believed that the results will apply to the general class of transport aircraft; however further effort is required to validate this assumption for the general case

Rational design and characterization of bioplastics from Hermetia illucens prepupae proteins

In this study proteins extracted from prepupae of Hermetia illucens, also known as black soldier fly,are investigated as promising base for a new type of bioplastics for agricultural purposes. Designof experiments techniques are employed to perform a rational study on the effects of differentcombination of glycerol as plasticizer, citric acid as cross-linking agent and distilled water as solventon the capability of proteins to form a free-standing film through casting technique, keeping asfixed the quantity of proteins. Glycerol shows interesting properties as plasticizer contributing tothe formation of homogenous and free-standing film. Moreover, mechanical and thermalcharacterizations are performed to estimate the effect of increasing amounts of proteins on thefinal properties and thickness of the specimens. Proteins derived from H. illucens can be success-fully employed as base for bioplastics to be employed for agricultural purposes

Dynamic Behavior in Enzyme-Polymer Surfactant Hydrogel Films

Dynamic protein-polymer surfactant films are highly hydrophilic and show a soft solid to hydrogel transition upon hydration to produce a swollen hydrogel. An unusual reversible autospreading/self-folding response is observed when the water-saturated films are transferred from water into air

Physical effects upon whey protein aggregation for nano-coating production

Production of edible nanostructures constitutes a major challenge in food nanotechnology, and has attracted a great deal of interest from several research fields — including (but not limited to) food packaging. Furthermore, whey proteins are increasingly used as nutritional and functional ingredients owing to their important biological, physical and chemical functionalities. Besides their technological and functional characteristics, whey proteins are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Denaturation and aggregation kinetics behavior of such proteins are of particular relevance toward manufacture of novel nanostructures possessing a number of potential uses. When these processes are properly engineered and controlled, whey proteins may form nanostructures useful as carriers of bioactive compounds (e.g. antimicrobials, antioxidants and nutraceuticals). This review discusses the latest advances in nano-scale phenomena involved in protein thermal aggregation aiming at formation of bio-based nano-coating networks. The extent of aggregation is dependent upon a balance between molecular interactions and environmental factors; therefore, the impact of these conditions is addressed in a critical manner. A particular emphasis is given to the effect of temperature as long as being one of the most critical variables. The application of moderate electric fields (MEF), an emergent approach, as such or combined with conventional heating is considered as it may inhibit/prevent excessive denaturation and aggregation of whey proteins — thus opening new perspectives for development of innovative protein nanostructures (i.e. nano-coatings). A better understanding of the mechanism(s) involved in whey protein denaturation and aggregation is crucial as it conveys information relevant to select methods for manipulating interactions between molecules, and thus control their functional properties in tailor-made applications in the food industry.Oscar L. Ramos and Ricardo N. Pereira gratefully acknowledge Post-Doctoral grants (SFRH/BPD/80766/2011 and SFRH/BPD/81887/2011, respectively) by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal). All authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and Project "BioEnv - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for a sustainable world", REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000048, co-funded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER

The use of electric fields for edible coatings and films development and production: A review

Edible films and coatings can provide additional protection for food, while being a fully biodegradable, environmentally friendly packaging system. A diversity of raw materials used to produce edible coatings and films are extracted from marine and agricultural sources, including animals and plants. Electric fields processing holds advantage in producing safe, wholesome and nutritious food. Recently, the presence of a moderate electric field during the preparation of edible coatings and films was shown to influence their main properties, demonstrating its usefulness to tailor edible films and coatings for specific applications. This manuscript reviews the main aspects of the use of electric fields in the production of edible films and coatings, including the effect in their transport and mechanical properties, solubility and microstructure.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil

The relationship of learners’ individual differences factors and their engagement in Teacher’s Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) in STEM and HUMSS Context

Written corrective feedback (WCF) has been extensively studied, focusing on the types that encourage substantial repair. However, despite writing teachers\u27 continuous effort in strategizing language instructions, L2 learners still commit errors in following simple grammar rules that should have been mastered in their grade school. The pedagogical and research concern now should focus on determining the engagement of learners in their teachers\u27 WCF and the factors that affect their engagement. This is in the hopes of better low order (e.g., grammar, word choice, and punctuation marks) and high order (e.g., organization and content) writing skills under different learning contexts. Using Ellis\u27s (2010) componential framework, the current study examines the intercorrelations of individual differences (ID) variables (i.e., motivation, beliefs, and preferences) and their direct effect to engagement. Data from STEM and HUMSS students were gathered and compared using structural equations modelling (SEM). Results show that the intercorrelation of motivation to beliefs is strongest in STEM while the intercorrelation of beliefs to preferences is strongest in HUMSS. It was also found that motivation, beliefs, and preferences have direct effect to engagement, with preferences having the highest beta coefficient in both contexts. It is then suggested that writing teachers create more opportunities for error correction and revisit writing curriculum, and more research should be further conducted to reveal the sources of learners\u27 ID variables to eradicate negative emotions towards WCF, which could impede engagement. Keywords: Written Corrective Feedback, L2 Writing, Student\u27s Engagemen

Consolidation Of California School Districts To Achieve Financial Equalization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether it was possible to develop an effective consolidation plan which would result in greater equalization of financial resources, more equitable tax structures and an increase in the revenue available for school support among California school districts within the requirements established by the Serrano v. Priest case. Procedure: The most recent data available were collected from the California State Department of Education and eleven county school superintendents\u27 offices. The following data for every elementary, secondary and unified school district in the state were included: (1) modified assessed valuation of real property, (2) general purpose tax rate, (3) average daily attendance, (4) revenue available per average daily attendance as generated by the general purpose tax rate, and (5) geographical location and boundaries. A uniquely designed computer program was written to utilize these data in an attempt to consolidate all school districts in California. The integrity of each of the 1,046 existing school districts as an administrative unit was maintained in combining districts; i.e., school districts were combined only in terms of consolidated taxing areas. School districts were consolidated by combining rich districts with poor districts by boundary realignments to achieve financial equalization as measured by the revenue available per average daily attendance. Only contiguous districts, those districts which had common boundaries, could be linked to form consolidated districts. Conclusions: 1. Within the constraints of this study, it is not possible to develop an effective consolidation plan for California school districts to achieve financial equalization which meets the requirements of Serrano. 2. The uneven distribution of school districts throughout the state in terms of wealth forms pockets of wealth which are not conducive to the consolidation of school districts to achieve financial equalization. 3. The use of a $75 variance which was utilized for purposes of comparison made no difference to the outcome of the study; it is not possible to develop a feasible consolidation plan utilizing the$75 variance. Recommendations: 1. Combine this study with the proposal to remove commercial and industrial property from the local tax base. 2. Replicate this study with different constraints and with the latest data available. 3. Consider replicating this study in another state where the distribution of wealth among districts is different from that of California but where financial inequalities may also exist. 4. Investigate the possibility of·combining other finance proposals with the consolidation of school districts to achieve financial equalization