DNP Project Active Anson

Objectives: To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of using a mobile app to encourage hospital workers to increase their physical activity. Methods: Project was open and advertised to all hospital employees in a small rural community hospital in the south-eastern United States through flyers, bulletin boards, emails, banners and in-person registration assistance. Registered participants completed a 30-day walking challenge and recorded their daily step counts. Participants received a gift bag with fitness items such as water bottles. The three highest step count participants were awarded prizes. Weekly prize drawings were conducted for participants with 10,000 steps per day. Post challenge participants were asked to answer an “End Challenge Survey.” Outcome data was collected from (N=57) participants. Results: Project implementation which began on the first Monday after the New Year holiday, was successful as participants did increase their physical activity. Many participants expressed enjoyment with the friendly competition and noted it inspired them to be more active, even during work shifts. Participants noted feeling improved health and well-being, with some participants recording improved blood pressure scores. Participants shared they would continue to use and encourage others to use the mobile app to boost physical activity. Yet, participants did not report significant improvements in sleep quality or levels of stress. Conclusions: While many healthcare employees are often challenged by limited time and lack of energy to participate in physical exercise due to work requirements, fun competitive comradery fitness applications are rising as a solution to encourage physical activities. As a result, more individuals may change their perceptions towards physical activity by using this in business and organization

Supporting the Literacy Development of Striving Readers through Competing Theoretical Perspectives

Abstract In this paper, we present educators with the theoretical underpinnings of competing pedagogical approaches to literacy instruction. Given the recent push by many states to universally screen students in the early grades for dyslexia and institute phonics-only standards, we seek to reiterate the importance of a balanced approach. Our purpose is to explain how two contrasting orientations regarding the reading process can together form a framework for providing the best literacy education possible for all students, especially striving readers. We explore both the cognitive information-processing and constructivist perspectives and examine prominent models and theories that inform each approach. Recent research showcasing effective instructional strategies that have emerged from both perspectives is presented, and practical ways that both perspectives find expression in effective classroom practice, including meaningful use of technology, are also delineated. Last, we provide explicit case studies illustrating what literacy support looks like when competing information-processing and constructivist perspectives are blended and how teachers can practically utilize dual approaches to support their most vulnerable students. We join our voices with those of other scholars who call on educators to embrace a holistic, balanced approach to literacy instruction that is informed by various perspectives in their effort to reach striving readers. Keywords: balanced literacy, effective literacy instruction, striving reader

Historic Rainfall and Record-Breaking Flooding from Hurricane Florence in the Pee Dee Watershed

For the third time in four years, record-breaking flooding occurred in South Carolina. Hurricane Florence, which made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018, moved slowly across South Carolina from September 14–17, 2018. Over those four days, heavy rain fell over portions of the Pee Dee Watershed and eastern North Carolina, with over 30 inches of rain measured by an observer in Swansboro, North Carolina. Most of the excessive rainfall was confined to the Pee Dee region, with reported totals of over 24 inches in Horry County, while closer to the Savannah River Valley observers measured less than an inch of rain. Unlike the more recent flooding events across the state, not as many rainfall records were set during this event. The amount of rainfall at various locations, and at different time intervals (1-day, 2-day, 3-day, and 4-day), had a statistical probability of occurrence of 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 chance of happening in any given year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 (Bonnin et al., 2004). The rainfall associated with Hurricane Florence produced a long duration and significant flood that impacted many of the same communities still recovering from the October 2015 floods and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Many of the rivers and streams within the Pee Dee Watershed experienced major or extreme flooding, with six stream gauges reaching record peaks, some surpassing the records set in 2016. This report provides an overview of the antecedent conditions, a synoptic summary of the event, and documentation on the meteorological and hydrological impacts observed across the Palmetto State

FEMA's Integration of Preparedness and Development of Robust Regional Offices

In October 2006, Congress enacted major legislation to reform the function and organization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to the recognized failures in preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) focused national preparedness responsibilities within FEMA and directed additional resources and responsibilities to FEMA's ten regional offices. Directed by Congress, in October 2008 a National Academy Panel began an independent assessment of FEMA's integration of preparedness functions and progress in development of robust regional offices.Main FindingsOver the past three years, FEMA has taken significant steps in an effort to integrate preparedness and develop more robust regional offices. These efforts, undertaken by both the previous and current Administrations, are documented throughout this report and should be recognized and applauded. However, FEMA has yet to define specific goals and outcomes that would permit it, Congress or the public to determine when preparedness has been fully integrated into all aspects of FEMA's work and whether the development and ongoing operation of robust regional offices has been achieved. In the absence of well-defined, measurable outcome indicators, the National Academy Panel relied upon the assessments of FEMA leaders and staff, documentation provided by FEMA, and a review of secondary sources material to inform its findings and recommendations. Based upon this evidence, the Panel has concluded that, while progress has been made: (1) preparedness is not fully integrated across FEMA, (2) FEMA's regional offices do not yet have the capacity required to ensure the nation is fully prepared, (3) stakeholders are not yet full partners with FEMA in national preparedness, and (4) FEMA has ineffective internal business practices, particularly with regard to human resource management. The Panel made seven recommendations for FEMA:Establish a cross-organizational process, with participation from internal and external stakeholders, to develop a shared understanding of preparedness integrationEstablish a robust set of outcome metrics and standards for preparedness integration, as well as a system to monitor and evaluate progress on an ongoing basisWork to eliminate organizational barriers that are adversely impacting the full integration of preparedness across the agencyContinue to build regional office capacity and monitor implementation consistent with the Administrator's recent policy guidanceUndertake steps to improve the ongoing working relationship between headquarters and the regions in accord with Panel-identified principlesTake steps to improve stakeholder engagement and relationships at all levels in accord with Panel-identified principles; andStrengthen internal business practices, especially in the area of human capital planning

Nebular-Phase Spectra of Nearby Type Ia Supernovae

We present late-time spectra of eight Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) obtained at $>200$ days after peak brightness using the Gemini South and Keck telescopes. All of the SNe Ia in our sample were nearby, well separated from their host galaxy's light, and have early-time photometry and spectroscopy from the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO). Parameters are derived from the light curves and spectra such as peak brightness, decline rate, photospheric velocity, and the widths and velocities of the forbidden nebular emission lines. We discuss the physical interpretations of these parameters for the individual SNe Ia and the sample in general, including comparisons to well-observed SNe Ia from the literature. There are possible correlations between early-time and late-time spectral features that may indicate an asymmetric explosion, so we discuss our sample of SNe within the context of models for an offset ignition and/or white dwarf collisions. A subset of our late-time spectra are uncontaminated by host emission, and we statistically evaluate our nondetections of H$\alpha$ emission to limit the amount of hydrogen in these systems. Finally, we consider the late-time evolution of the iron emission lines, finding that not all of our SNe follow the established trend of a redward migration at $>200$ days after maximum brightness.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 9 tables; accepted to MNRA