Effects of Explicit Vocabulary Instruction On Reading Comprehension

This action research paper examines the relationship between explicit vocabulary instruction and reading comprehension, specifically with English Language Learners (ELL). The research took place in a second and fourth grade classroom in the same school in central Minnesota. Students took pretests and posttests for grade level comprehension and vocabulary assessments. Students would then receive explicit vocabulary instruction throughout the week. Finally, students would complete the same assessments as were completed at the beginning of Student surveys were also used to measure confidence and motivation. Data was collected in the form of pretest and posttest scores for grade level comprehension and vocabulary assessments, student surveys, and Fountas and Pinnell assessments. Study results suggest that explicit vocabulary instruction does have an effect on reading comprehension and that ELLs showed a greater degree of growth than non-ELLs. However, more research needs to be conducted to verify that the results were because of vocabulary instruction rather than students making gains from other reading areas. After completing this research, a next possible step would be to continue collecting data to increase the sample size. Another step would be to create a control group and only use explicit vocabulary instruction with some of the students and then compare data from both groups

Developing and evaluating interventions of diet and weight control to reduce the risk for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes which develops, or is first recognised during pregnancy. GDM increases the risk of medical complications during pregnancy, and its consequences extend to later in life, as both women and their children are at high risk of developing cardio-metabolic disease. Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are modifiable risk factors for GDM development. Therefore, the research in this thesis aimed to develop and evaluate dietary interventions to help prevent GDM. I initially explored the full burden of the disease using data from a big UK cohort. I found that women with GDM are at high risk of premature death. GDM increases the risk of subsequently developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia), and increases the risk of incident CVD by 50% compared to no GDM. There was no evidence that the CVD risk factors explained the association of GDM with CVD, suggesting that all women with GDM are at increased risk of cardio-metabolic disease post-partum, and should be monitored. I then developed a dietary intervention of moderate total carbohydrate reduction, suitable for use in pregnancy, to help prevent GDM (RECORD). It combined a 30-minute dietary behavioural consultation, with structured written materials, brief telephone support throught pregnancy, and weekly self-weighing. In designing the behavioural component, I sought ways to increase motivation and adherence. I thought about using Motivational Interviewing (MI), a popular counselling style in behavioural weight management programmes (BWMPs). Due to increased training and time required for its delivery, I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore MI’s independent effectiveness over other behavioural approaches in BWMPs for weight loss or maintenance, but found that it only leads to a small short-term weight benefit (-1 kg), and only when compared to no/minimal interventions, which makes it not a worthwile addition to weight management programmes with standard behavioural support. In a feasibility trial, I tested if it is possible to deliver the RECORD intervention alongside routine antenatal appointments, and how successful women with obesity would be in following it from early or mid-pregnancy until delivery. The trial’s retention rate was excellent (96%), but recruitment was difficult. Adherence was highly variable, and on average, the reduction in total carbohydrate intake in women receiving the intervention was small (-19.5 g/day and -24.6 g/day absolute and adjusted changes from baseline), which limits the likelihood of achieving the desired goal to prevent GDM. I observed potentially favourable effects of the intervention on blood glucose, GWG, and blood pressure, but the trial was not powered to detect differences in these outcomes. In qualitative interviews, participants praised the intervention for its structure and simplicity, and generally found it acceptable, but a sub-sample reported barriers to adherence, such as competing priorities, and emotional relationship with food. Combining qualitative and quantitative data from this research, I identified opportunities for refinement of the intervention, recruitment strategy, and for routine practice, which could be explored in the future

Improving the Preparedness of Discharge Education for Patients on the Bone and Joint Center

To improve discharge education in order to increase the percent of overall discharge and patient satisfaction in relation to being discharged.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1016/thumbnail.jp

Injection locking characteristics of indium arsenide quantum dash lasers

The study of injection locking characteristics was performed on an InAs Quantum Dash (QDash) semiconductor laser for the first time. The linewidth enhancement factor(α-parameter) of a QDash laser was measured using an injection locking technique that takes advantage of the asymmetry of the injection range. Studies were performed as functions of injecesed photon density, wavelength, and output power. To understand the behavior of the α-parameter versus wavelength, the Hakki-Paoli method, a technique that utilized the below threshold amplified spontaneous emission spectrum, was used to measure the modal gain over 1550 nm to 1573 nm. The α-parameter was found to have changed dramatically with power, indicating a large nonlinear gain coefficient, ε. Using a curve fit of the α versus power curve taken from the injection locking data, ε was measured to be 1.4*10-14 cm3, 1000 times larger than the typical ε of quantum well lasers, changing the dynamics of the laser. The small α-parameter and giant ε dramatically change the dynamics of the laser. To study the effects of the small α-parameter and giant ε further, an operational map was created using an Agilent Technologies High Resolution Spectrometer (HRS) with a resolution of 1 MHz. The new operational map of the InAs QDash laser has features never before seen with other devices, such as the avoidance of coherence collapse with optical feedback

From Silos to Collaborative Working Relationships with EMS and ED

Opportunity: To establish a strong, collaborative relationship between St. Cloud Hospital Stroke Center, St. Cloud Hospital Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services. Background: Two separate health care systems with one goal in mind: best stroke care for a community member experiencing stroke-like symptoms. Current Practice in 2017: Code stroke activation with LTKW (last time known well) up to 6 hours. Inconsistent pre-notifications and pre-activations by EMS and ED. St. Cloud Hospital and Mayo Clinic Ambulance with siloed/individualized protocols for their respective health systems. Conclusion: In May 2019, after 2 years of working together our teams saw our efforts come together when Mayo Clinic Ambulance adopted and supported St.Cloud Hospital VAN (visual, aphasia, neglect) protocol to be site specific for the St. Cloud Region. Our collaboration efforts have shown when there is pre-notification and pre-activation patients are treated with a thrombolytic consistently under 45 minutes and to the operating room for a thrombectomy within 75 minutes.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1154/thumbnail.jp

Technology Decreases Treatment Decision Times

Patients who experience a stroke while hospitalized have a higher mortality rate than those who present to the emergency department. Our plan is to utilize technology to allow the stroke provider to evaluate the patient while in their hospital room, instead of waiting until the patient is in the CT scanner. Utilizing technology of an iPad for inpatient code strokes will allow for quicker assessment of the patient, resulting in faster treatment decision for this population.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1169/thumbnail.jp

Electroformation in a flow chamber with solution exchange as a means of preparation of flaccid giant vesicles

A recently described technique (Estes and Mayer, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1712 (2005) 152--160) for the preparation of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) in solutions with high ionic strength is examined. By observing a series of osmotic swellings followed by vesicle bursts upon a micropipette transfer of a single POPC GUV from a sucrose solution into an isoosmolar glycerol solution, a value for the permeability of POPC membrane for glycerol, P = (2.09+/-0.82) x 10^{-8} m/s, has been obtained. Based on this result, an alternative mechanism is proposed for the observed exchange of vesicle interior. With modifications, the method of Estes and Mayer is then applied to preparation of flaccid GUVs.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerface

Dietary interventions in pregnancy for the prevention of gestational diabetes: a literature review

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of dietary interventions delivered during pregnancy for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM increases the risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, and also increases future cardiometabolic risks for both the mother and the offspring. Carrying or gaining excessive weight during pregnancy increases the risk of developing GDM, and several clinical trials in women with overweight or obesity have tested whether interventions aimed at limiting gestational weight gain (GWG) could help prevent GDM. Most dietary interventions have provided general healthy eating guidelines, while some had a specific focus, such as low glycaemic index, increased fibre intake, reducing saturated fat or a Mediterranean-style diet. Although trials have generally been successful in attenuating GWG, the majority have been unable to reduce GDM risk, which suggests that limiting GWG may not be sufficient in itself to prevent GDM. The trials which have shown effectiveness in GDM prevention have included intensive face-to-face dietetic support, and/or provision of key foods to participants, but it is unclear whether these strategies could be delivered in routine practice. The mechanism behind the effectiveness of some interventions over others remains unclear. Dietary modifications from early stages of pregnancy seem to be key, but the optimum dietary composition is unknown. Future research should focus on designing acceptable and scalable dietary interventions to be tested early in pregnancy in women at risk of GDM

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering measurement from a lipid bilayer encapsulating a single decahedral nanoparticle mediated by an optical trap

We present a new technique for the study of model membranes on the length-scale of a single nanosized liposome. Silver decahedral nanoparticles have been encapsulated by a model unilamellar lipid bilayer creating nano-sized lipid vesicles. The metal core has two roles (i) increasing the polarizability of vesicles, enabling a single vesicle to be isolated and confined in an optical trap, and (ii) enhancing Raman scattering from the bilayer, via the high surface-plasmon field at the sharp vertices of the decahedral particles. Combined this has allowed us to measure a Raman fingerprint from a single vesicle of 50 nmdiameter, containing just ∼104 lipid molecules in a bilayer membrane over a surface area of <0.01 µm2, equivalent to a volume of approximately 1 zepto-litre. Raman scattering is a weak and inefficient process and previous studies have required either a substantially larger bilayer area in order to obtain a detectable signal, or the tagging of lipid molecules with a chromophore to provide an indirect probe of the bilayer. Our approach is fully label-free and bio-compatible and, in the future, it will enable much more localized studies of the heterogeneous structure of lipid bilayers and of membrane-bound components than is currently possible

Association of gestational diabetes with long‐term risk of premature mortality, and cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors: A retrospective cohort analysis in the UK Biobank

Aim: To investigate the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with premature mortality and cardiovascular (CVD) outcomes and risk factors. Materials and Methods: Parous women recruited to the UK Biobank cohort during 2006‐2010 were followed up from their first delivery until 31 October 2021. The data were linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and mortality registries. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models investigated associations of GDM with all‐cause mortality, CVD, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Results: The maximum total analysis time at risk and under observation was 9 694 090 person‐years. Among 220 726 women, 1225 self‐reported or had a recorded diagnosis of GDM. After adjusting for confounders and behavioural factors, GDM was associated with increased risk for premature mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12‐1.86], particularly CVD‐related death (HR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.63‐3.48), as well as incident total CVD (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.30‐1.74), non‐fatal CVD (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20‐1.65), diabetes (HR: 14.37, 95% CI: 13.51‐15.27), hypertension (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.38‐1.60), and dyslipidaemia (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.22‐1.39). The total CVD risk was greater in women with GDM who did not later develop diabetes than in those with GDM and diabetes. Conclusions: Women with GDM are at increased risk of premature death and have increased CV risk, emphasizing the importance of interventions to prevent GDM. If GDM develops, the diagnosis represents an opportunity for future surveillance and intervention to reduce CVD risk factors, prevent CVD and improve long‐term health