The Effects of Public School Prekindergarten Attendance on Academic Achievement in Language Arts and Mathematics

The effect of public school prekindergarten (pre-K) attendance on academic achievement has not been extensively studied for the purpose of funding these programs. The MCT2 scale scores in the areas of language arts and math and the report card number grades for the areas of language arts and math were analyzed for 114 students. Of this number, 49 students attended a public school pre-K program, and 65 students did not attend a public school pre-K program. This study was a causal-comparative study. A repeated measures approach with a between-within design was used. An analysis of covariance, ANCOVA, was used to examine if there was a statistically significant difference in the MCT2 scale scores for language arts for 3rd-grade students who attended a public school pre-K program and students who did not attend a public school pre-K program. In addition, 3 separate t-tests were run for each grade level for language arts and math report card grades. Results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the MCT2 language arts mean scale scores. For the area of math, the students who attended a public school pre-K program had comparable MCT2 math mean scale scores with the participants who did not attend a public school pre-K program. For language arts and math report card number grades, students who attended a public school pre-K program had higher report card number grades compared with students who did not attend a public school pre-K program. Based on these findings, it can be implied that public school pre-K attendance was effective for the academic areas language arts and math. It is recommended that public school pre-K programs continue to be funded and implemented for 4-year-old students in the Raleigh School District. The subjects of language arts and math should continue to be instructed for the pre-K students. It is also recommended that public school pre-K programs be funded and implemented in school districts across the state of Mississippi, as well as nationwide

Understanding the Dynamic Nature of Contribution in Virtual Project Teams

Two dysfunctional contribution behaviors in virtual project teams are non-contribution (e.g., social loafing, free riding, and shirking) and over-contribution (e.g., being a lone wolf or a “diligent isolate”). To prevent these behaviors or mitigate them when they occur, some coping actions (e.g., increasing contribution visibility) can be undertaken. In this research-in-progress, we report on the findings of a pilot study run to increase our understanding of the dynamic nature of such dysfunctional contribution behaviors and coping actions. We also briefly explain our plans for the main study

Knowledge sharing and health-care coordination : the role of creation and use brokers

This paper arises from research that examined a health-care coordination improvement initiative that was focused on increasing knowledge sharing among a network of health-care workers involved in the care of children with complex medical needs. Part of this initiative involved a summary medical note (the Single Point of Care (SPOC)) that was paper-based and carried by parents between the specialists involved in their child’s care. The SPOC’s effectiveness is discussed through a knowledge-as-practice perspective, which focuses on the role of mediators (both material and human). Our analysis demonstrates that the SPOC’s effectiveness can be understood by looking at the combined roles of boundary objects and human brokers. We identify two distinct broker roles: creation brokers and use brokers. In discussing our case, we extend our analysis to suggest how these broker roles may also be useful in thinking about how to improve the effectiveness of (electronic) health record systems more generally – for researchers as well as for practitioners

Big Data, Big Decisions: Reflections on AIS’s Role in Ethical Guidance and Oversight

This panel will introduce and debate a controversial resolution suggesting that the AIS community should take an active role in developing guidelines for the ethical practice of Big Data and analytics both in academic research and organizational practice. In addition, the resolution proposes that the AIS community should monitor and study the relevant stakeholders’ compliance with these guidelines. The panel will first provide background to the implications of Big Data and analytics based on a recent NSF-funded research agenda setting workshop. The panelists will then comment on potential benefits and potential harms from the perspective of key stakeholder segments: individual citizens, organizations, and society as a whole. The panel will invite the audience to debate the major provocation: What is the appropriate role for the AIS community in ethical leadership on the uses of Big Data and analytics

Pelvic Girdle Pain in the Antepartum Population: Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Section on Women’s Health and the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

The purposes of these clinical guidelines are to: Describe evidence-based physical therapy practice including diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and assessment of outcome for musculoskeletal disorders commonly managed by women’s health and/or orthopedic physical therapists Classify and define common musculoskeletal conditions using the World Health Organization’s terminology related to impairments of body function and body structure, activity limitations, and participation restrictions Identify interventions supported by current best evidence to address impairments of body function and structure, activity limitations, and participation restrictions associated with common musculoskeletal conditions Identify appropriate outcome measures to assess changes resulting from physical therapy interventions Provide a description to policy makers, using internationally accepted terminology, of the practice of women’s health and/or orthopaedic physical therapists Provide information for payers and claims reviewers regarding the practice of women’s health and/or orthopaedic physical therapy for common musculoskeletal conditions Create a reference publication for women’s health and/or orthopedic physical therapy clinicians, academic instructors, clinical instructors, students, interns, residents, and fellows regarding the best current practice regarding women’s health and/or orthopaedic physical therap

Datification and the pursuit of meaningfulness in work

Proliferation of digital means of tracking worker activities has contributed to the rise of data-driven approaches to managing people, with employees often required to record their activities for accountability purposes. Increased requirement for such datification work occurs at a juncture where meaningfulness is one of the most sought-after work features. Datification work could both facilitate and hinder the pursuit of meaningfulness, yet literature provides little guidance into the nature of the connection and how it transpires. Our inductive study of academic professionals using an accountability system suggests that datification work characteristics link to meaningful work experiences in complex ways. We advance current theory on work meaningfulness by theorizing the role of a new work condition – datification – in meaningfulness experiences of professionals, outlining how system design and the institutional context become important elements influencing meaningful work experiences, and explaining how meaningfulness experiences are constructed through system appropriations

Cellular metabolism as a basis for immune privilege

We hypothesize that the energy strategy of a cell is a key factor for determining how, or if, the immune system interacts with that cell. Cells have a limited number of metabolic states, in part, depending on the type of fuels the cell consumes. Cellular fuels include glucose (carbohydrates), lipids (fats), and proteins. We propose that the cell's ability to switch to, and efficiently use, fat for fuel confers immune privilege. Additionally, because uncoupling proteins are involved in the fat burning process and reportedly in protection from free radicals, we hypothesize that uncoupling proteins play an important role in immune privilege. Thus, changes in metabolism (caused by oxidative stresses, fuel availability, age, hormones, radiation, or drugs) will dictate and initiate changes in immune recognition and in the nature of the immune response. This has profound implications for controlling the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, for preventing graft rejection, and for targeting tumor cells for destruction

Growing on steroids: rapidly scaling the user base of digital ventures through digital innovation

Digital ventures, start-ups growing by drawing on and adding to digital infrastructures, can scale their business at an unprecedented pace. We view such rapid scaling as a generative process by which a venture’s user base increases significantly between two points in time through digital innovation. We studied WeCash, a Chinese digital venture, nearly doubling its user base monthly, to learn more about this generative process. We trace three contingent mechanisms underpinning rapid scaling: data-driven operation, instant release, and swift transformation. We explain these mechanisms and how they interact in the rapid scaling of digital ventures. The research offers an agency perspective on scaling of digital ventures that speaks to the digital innovation literature

From public ideology to socio-material reproduction of agile principles : the case of pivotal labs

This paper focuses on how regular invocation of a public ideology helps sustain local work practices. Existing research acknowledges that there is a recursive relationship between the local practices and the public ideas, with local practices leading to the adaption of public ideas over time. There is little study of how public ideology sustains local practices over the longer term – seeing translation of the ideology as an ongoing process. Through a case study and web-based analysis of Pivotal Labs, an agile software development company, we contribute to socio-material translation studies demonstrating the manifestation of the public ideology in socio-material practices. We also introduce the concept of a collective cognitive bridge that supports the continued relevance of the public idea as a prop for these socio-material practices

Determinants of Early-Access to Retirement Savings: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Australian regulations strictly limit early withdrawals from retirement plan accounts. However, in 2020, the Government made otherwise illiquid plan balances temporarily liquid, offering emergency relief during the pandemic. The COVID-19 Early Release Scheme allowed participants in financial hardship easy access to up to $A20,000 of savings over two rounds. We use administrative and survey data from a large retirement plan to describe how and why participants withdrew savings under the scheme. A majority report that they needed the money immediately but around one quarter said they anticipated future needs. Most thought about the decision for less than a week, acted soon after each round opened, and withdrew as much as they could. Many people did not estimate, or appear to have mis-estimated, the impact the withdrawal could have on their retirement savings. Our findings offer insights into preferences for liquidity. They also raise questions about whether the features of the early release scheme, and their implied endorsement by the Government, influenced some withdrawers more than personal deliberations over financial welfare