Educator Mindsets and the Impacts to the Teacher-Student Relationship: An Exploratory Case Study

Teacher-student relationships (TSR) have long been demonstrated to have significant impact on student outcomes. There has been far less research, however, focused on identifying the specific mindsets that educators’ hold which influence their actions toward students. As relationships are situated and contextual and qualitative in nature, this case study sought to explore the specific qualities of effective TSR through the perspectives of both educators (n = 31) and students (n = 65) in two alternative schools in Northwest Canada. Staff members in both the middle school and the high school participated in a professional development TSR intervention designed to coach significant adults on new mindsets and actions, The Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA). Using anonymous survey data, short answer responses, and focus groups for both populations, qualitative data analysis (QDA) revealed three emergent educator themes, with associated sub-themes, and three dichotomous student themes. The results provided evidence that positive TSRs are supported most significantly by personalized, flexible, and relationally focused mindsets and actions. The findings from the analysis of this data gathered in the alternative school settings are additionally significant, as the related, overlapping themes from both educators and students in these unique populations, provide specific recommendations for educators seeking to increase their positive teaching efficacy with challenging students and settings

Screening Practices and Interventions by Pediatric Dentists in Texas to Address Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is emerging as a global epidemic that threatens the health and well-being of children in the United States. Early identification of children at risk for obesity is a key public health priority area. The purpose of this study was to examine the screening practices, intervention procedures, barriers to the provision of services, and attitudes of Texas pediatric dentists for those patients who may be at risk for childhood obesity. Participants of this study consisted of a census sample of pediatric dentists currently licensed in Texas. A paper survey was sent to 548 pediatric dentists actively licensed in Texas. One hundred and nineteen pediatric dentists returned the survey for a response rate of 21.7% (n=119). All survey data were coded and entered into an Excel spreadsheet. The ordinal responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings demonstrated that Texas pediatric dentists agree they have a role in helping children achieve a healthy weight due to the implications of weight to general health. Respondents indicated positive interest towards providing healthy weight interventions. Approximately 36% (n=43) of Texas pediatric dentists agreed they are willing to employ a screening tool to identify those children at-risk for obesity, 19% (n=23) are open to inclusion of behavior-modification programs and 35% (n=42) are willing to offer dietary counseling in their practices. Lack of parental motivation was identified by 54% (n=64) as the greatest barrier to the provision of obesity related services. Additionally, 47% (n=56) felt lack of parental acceptance to advice and 31% (n=49) felt fear of offending the parent were significant deterrents. Texas pediatric dentists identified notable incentives needed to confidently address at-risk populations for childhood obesity. Fifty-nine percent (n=70) identified the need for more CE courses on the topic of obesity and 57% (n=68) felt there needed to be established clinical guidelines to integrate during patient care. Fifty-three percent of practitioners (n=63) felt there was a need for more evidence supporting the link between obesity and dental disease. Sixty-three percent (n=74) report they would be more likely to include obesity related interventions in their practice if there was increased availability of patient education resources. Their opinions are independent of their age, area of practice and years of practice. Future studies need to determine if the pediatric dentists’ perceived barriers to the provision of obesity related services are in fact offensive and not wanted by parents. Future studies could investigate which interventions are most successful and acceptable to children and their parents. Interprofessional collaboration is needed among educators, pediatric health care providers, oral health care providers, parents and community leaders to advocate for societal changes that may lead to a reduction in the prevalence of childhood obesity

Pike County Nutritional Sciences Field Day: The Story of the Strawberry

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings, Pike County ranks 88 out of 88 counties. The rankings are based on obesity rates, health behaviors, healthy food access and other socio-ecological determinants of health. Pike County also ranks low in terms of students who complete post-secondary education training. Many of Pike County's health problems mirror those of the larger Appalachian region and are attributed to socio-ecological determinants such as lack of healthy food access, food preparation skills, lack of awareness of nutrition science, traditional preferences for high-calorie foods, food insecurity and poverty. OSU Extension in Pike County and OSU South Centers developed and coordinated the Nutritional Sciences Field Day – The Story of the Strawberry to address some of the aforementioned challenges. The program was offered at OSU South Centers on May 25 to local high school agriculture and vocational, family and consumer sciences, and other science classes. The program objectives were to provide experiences and opportunities to increase awareness and interest in health science, food science, biotech, agriculture science, basic and applied nutrition science, physiology, food production, and local food resources. The students learned about opportunities from industry and academic leaders in various food and health sectors such as dieticians, biotech engineers, Ohio State faculty, and food processing. Students also participated in various hands-on activities and discussion related to nutrition. About 60 students and teachers from three Pike County schools attended the program. Before they left, each student was asked to complete a program evaluation rating his or her awareness and interest on various topics before versus after the program. Students were also asked what they had learned. Following the field day, students were more aware of the role that genetics play in fruit quality and nutrition, the daily recommendations for fruits and vegetables, and the nutritional benefits of small fruits. Students were also more interested in careers in agriculture, health and food sciences, and also more interested in buying local fruit. When asked what they had learned, several remarked that they had learned much about research, strawberry properties, nutrition and careers.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Tammy Jones, Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, The Ohio State University Extension, Pike County, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Daniel Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition and Wellness, The Ohio State University Extension; Brad Bergefurd, Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University Extension, The Ohio State University South Centers; Jeffrey Fisher, Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University Extension, Pike County; Gary Gao, Extension Specialist, Small Fruits, The Ohio State University South Centers; Carol Hamilton, Program Coordinator, The Ohio State University Extension, Delaware County.The Pike County Nutritional Sciences Field Day – The Story of the Strawberry was offered to local high school students to increase awareness and interest in health science, food science, biotech and agricultural science, basic and applied nutrition science and physiology, food production, and local food resources. The field day is original in that it uses a multidisciplinary approach to address important issues of the county and region – health, wellness, and the vocational opportunities related to agriculture, food science and health. It also original in that it uses a strawberry theme to connect the topics including genetics, nutrition, taste and economic opportunities

How has the presidential election affected young Americans?

Abstract The 2016 presidential election season and subsequent political events have had physical and emotional impacts on youth. We collected qualitative insights from 14 to 24 year olds across the US related to these events over time. Open-ended probes were sent via text message at three time points before and after the 2016 presidential election. The majority of youth reported emotional stress during all three time points, and female participants were significantly more likely to experience emotional responses. White participants were more likely to report negative symptoms than their peers both pre-election and at 4-months post-election. While preliminary, the results indicate that feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear have persisted in the months following the election, particularly for young women. Additional research is needed to examine the long-term effects of political events on the emotional and physical health of youth.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142377/1/13034_2018_Article_214.pd

Familial Mediterranean fever, Inflammation and Nephrotic Syndrome: Fibrillary Glomerulopathy and the M680I Missense Mutation

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by inflammatory serositis (fever, peritonitis, synovitis and pleuritis). The gene locus responsible for FMF was identified in 1992 and localized to the short arm of chromosome 16. In 1997, a specific FMF gene locus, MEFV, was discovered to encode for a protein, pyrin that mediates inflammation. To date, more than forty missense mutations are known to exist. The diversity of mutations identified has provided insight into the variability of clinical presentation and disease progression. CASE REPORT: We report an individual heterozygous for the M680I gene mutation with a clinical diagnosis of FMF using the Tel-Hashomer criteria. Subsequently, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome with biopsy-confirmed fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN). Further diagnostic studies were unremarkable with clinical workup negative for amyloidosis or other secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome. DISCUSSION: Individuals with FMF are at greater risk for developing nephrotic syndrome. The most serious etiology is amyloidosis (AA variant) with renal involvement, ultimately progressing to end-stage renal disease. Other known renal diseases in the FMF population include IgA nephropathy, IgM nephropathy, Henoch-Schönlein purpura as well as polyarteritis nodosa. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first association between FMF and the M680I mutation later complicated by nephrotic syndrome and fibrillary glomerulonephritis

Kate 2012

Each year, kate seeks to: explore ideas about normative gender, sex, and sexuality work against oppression and hierarchies of power in any and all forms serve as a voice for race and gender equity as well as queer positivity encourage the silent to speak and feel less afraid build a zine and community that we care about and trusthttps://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/kate/1007/thumbnail.jp

Facilitators and barriers to clinical practice guideline-consistent supportive care at pediatric oncology institutions: a Children’s Oncology Group study

Background Clinical practice guideline (CPG)-consistent care improves patient outcomes, but CPG implementation is poor. Little is known about CPG implementation in pediatric oncology. This study aimed to understand supportive care CPG implementation facilitators and barriers at pediatric oncology National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) institutions. Methods Healthcare professionals at 26 pediatric, Children's Oncology Group-member, NCORP institutions were invited to participate in face-to-face focus groups. Serial focus groups were held until saturation of ideas was reached. Supportive care CPG implementation facilitators and barriers were solicited using nominal group technique (NGT), and implementation of specific supportive care CPG recommendations was discussed. Notes from each focus group were analyzed using a directed content analysis. The top five themes arising from an analysis of NGT items were identified, first from each focus group and then across all focus groups. Results Saturation of ideas was reached after seven focus groups involving 35 participants from 18 institutions. The top five facilitators of CPG implementation identified across all focus groups were organizational factors including charging teams with CPG implementation, individual factors including willingness to standardize care, user needs and values including mentorship, system factors including implementation structure, and implementation strategies including a basis in science. The top five barriers of CPG implementation identified were organizational factors including tolerance for inconsistencies, individual factors including lack of trust, system factors including administrative hurdles, user needs and values including lack of inclusivity, and professional including knowledge gaps. Conclusions Healthcare professionals at pediatric NCORP institutions believe that organizational factors are the most important determinants of supportive care CPG implementation. They believe that CPG-consistent supportive care is most likely to be delivered in organizations that prioritize evidence-based care, provide structure and resources to implement CPGs, and eliminate implementation barriers. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02847130. Date of registration: July 28, 2016

Systematic identification of cis-silenced genes by trans complementation

A gene’s transcriptional output is the combined product of two inputs: diffusible factors in the cellular milieu acting in trans, and chromatin state acting in cis. Here, we describe a strategy for dissecting the relative contribution of cis versus trans mechanisms to gene regulation. Referred to as trans complementation, it entails fusing two disparate cell types and searching for genes differentially expressed between the two genomes of fused cells. Any differential expression can be causally attributed to cis mechanisms because the two genomes of fused cells share a single homogenized milieu in trans. This assay uncovered a state of transcriptional competency that we termed ‘occluded’ whereby affected genes are silenced by cis-acting mechanisms in a manner that blocks them from responding to the trans-acting milieu of the cell. Importantly, occluded genes in a given cell type tend to include master triggers of alternative cell fates. Furthermore, the occluded state is maintained during cell division and is extraordinarily stable under a wide range of physiological conditions. These results support the model that the occlusion of lineage-inappropriate genes is a key mechanism of cell fate restriction. The identification of occluded genes by our assay provides a hitherto unavailable functional readout of chromatin state that is distinct from and complementary to gene expression status