The relationship between NWEA scores of resident and non-resident students

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a relationship exists between the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) scores of school of choice students and resident students. Background factors were also considered in the study, with focus on grade, gender, race, and special education and socioeconomic status of the students. The study included 5,975 students from 14 school districts in one Michigan intermediate school district (ISD). The NWEA computer-adaptive test assessed achievement/progress in math and reading in grades 3–8. This study used pre and post assessments, once in the fall and once in the spring, to assess the level of achievement growth. Students in this study completed the math and reading portions of the NWEA during the 2014–15 school year. A quantitative, correlational design was used in this study to show the relationship, if any, between NWEA math and reading scores of school of choice (SOC) and resident students. What was the relationship between students’ residency status and math and reading achievement as measured by NWEA? and What was the relationship between students’ residency status and math and reading achievement as measured by NWEA after controlling for background factors? These guiding questions and this research are important because of growing nationwide concerns by parents, policy-makers, and school leaders about the educational value of school choice and the competition for per-pupil funding based the school district’s ability to attract and retain out-of-district students. Maintaining high achievement scores is critical. This study concluded that the grade level of the student was impactful to achievement scores, but the SOC status was not

Experimental Constraints on Igneous Iron Isotopic Fractionation and Diffusion

The chapters of this dissertation detail experimental studies that have been conducted in order to determine the diffusivity of iron in the mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) and the high-temperature behavior of iron isotopes during magma crystallization. The experimental study in Chapter 2 is the first to quantify the rates of cation diffusion in ilmenite. Integrating experimentally determined Fe-Mg and Fe-Mn interdiffusivities with disequilibrium preserved in ilmenite grains from natural volcanic samples, this work has established a new geospeedometry tool with which to estimate the time between magmatic perturbation and eruption on the timescale of hours to months. Chapter 3 investigates the effects of olivine crystallization on high-temperature iron isotopic fractionation over a range of oxygen fugacities and melt titanium compositions. The results demonstrate that there is no resolvable equilibrium fractionation of iron isotopes between olivine and melt at the experimental oxygen fugacities (where iron is mainly Fe2+), nor is there a measurable effect of melt titanium composition on iron isotopic fractionation in the investigated compositional range. These experiments also led to the discovery that iron loss in reducing one-atmosphere gas-mixing experiments occurs not only as loss to the metal wire sample container, but also as evaporative loss, and each mechanism of experimental iron loss has an associated iron isotopic fractionation. In Chapter 4, the equilibrium partitioning of iron and titanium isotopes between ilmenite and melt was experimentally determined in order to evaluate the role of ilmenite in generating the compositional variability among the lunar mare basalts. The results of the experiments in Chapters 3 and 4 were then incorporated into models of lunar magma ocean crystallization and used to estimate the iron and titanium isotopic compositions of components in mare basalt parent magmas. The iron, titanium, and magnesium isotopic compositions of the lunar mare basalts indicate Fe-Mg interdiffusion has occurred in the Ti-rich component of the mare basalt source regions via subsolidus reaction between ilmenite cumulates and the olivine- and pyroxene-rich lunar mantle. Though additional experimental constraints will be required to fully assess the effects of diffusive isotopic fractionation in ilmenite-bearing rocks, combining the experimental results for Fe-Mg interdiffusion in ilmenite from Chapter 2 with the ilmenite-melt iron isotopic fractionations in Chapter 4 establishes the foundation upon which to build future studies

How to build a robust provider improvement partnership program to enhance patient experience – A case study

Patient experience is emerging as a key differentiating factor in patients’ choice of healthcare system. Many healthcare organizations are attempting to improve their patient experience by data-driven, patient-centered initiatives. This involves engaging all staff along all the contact points of a patient’s journey in healthcare. Perhaps, the physicians or care providers are most important link in this chain but also the most challenging to engage in improvement efforts. Most healthcare organizations have some training or workshops to educate providers on communication skills and other tools to enhance patient experience. However, there seems to a paucity of a standardized approach or a roadmap to put together a robust physician or care provider coaching or improvement partnership program with patient experience (PX) staff. There seems to be several gaps in this process. The current article attempts to develop broad guidelines and suggest a roadmap to address these gaps. The article also suggests general templates for PX staff to use in conducting these improvement work with providers and suggestions for developing a standard physician observation or shadowing template for consistency. The article has woven several commonly used tools like motivational interviewing, change management (ADKAR model), and several communication tools to suggest a detailed blue print for provider patient experience improvement partnership

Lunar Mare Basaltic Volcanism : Volcanic Features and Emplacement Processes

Volcanism is a fundamental process in the geological evolution of the Moon, providing clues to the composition and structure of the mantle, the location and duration of interior melting, the nature of convection and lunar thermal evolution. Progress in understanding volcanism has been remarkable in the short 60-year span of the Space Age. Before Sputnik 1 in 1957, the lunar farside was unknown, the origin of the dark lunar maria was debated (sedimentary or volcanic), and significant controversy surrounded the question of how the multitude of craters on the surface formed

The Potential Impact of Nutrition Education Courses Accepted by the Parent Aware Program on Nutritional and Physical Activity-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Among Childcare Providers and Preschoolers' Parents Whom These Childcare Providers Serve

Recently Minnesota (MN) adopted Parent Aware, a childcare quality four star rating system. At the top-star rating, nutrition and childhood obesity prevention education is recommended. However, little is known of its impact on childhood obesity. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of Parent Aware towards nutrition knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of childcare providers and the parents they serve. A quantitative analysis was conducted using a survey in 2015. Seven hundred and seven childcare providers responded to the questionnaire. The parent survey had 123 responders. There were no significant nutrition knowledge, attitude, or behavioral differences between childcare providers who were part of Parent Aware and those who were not part of Parent Aware. There was a significant difference in nutrition offerings to preschoolers between childcare providers and parents. This study highlights the impact childhood obesity education is providing to all childcare providers. Keywords: Childcare Provider, Parent, Preschooler, Childhood Obesit

A lunar sample renaissance

Though the lunar samples returned by the Apollo and Luna missions have been studied for more than 50 years, scientists are discovering new clues into the early evolution of the Moon by looking through the lens of modern analytical techniques

Ultraviolet/electron beam inks modernize packaging

Ultraviolet/Electron Beam (UV/EB) technology is changing the ink industry rapidly. As the technology continually improves and expands, it will soon overpower traditional ink systems. The cost of UV/EB materials and machinery are coming down because the volume is going up. There is also a reduction in operation costs when switching to this technology. UV/EB inks are better for the environment than most conventional ink systems because they reduce energy and do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They have a quick turnaround rate due to the quick cure and fast press speeds, as well as they improve the overall performance by enhancing mechanical properties and providing a better shelf appeal

Ankle fusion outcomes utilizing anterior ankle plating techniques: A systematic review

Ankle arthrodesis is a time-tested surgical treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis. Fixation constructs continue to evolve with recent advancements in anterior ankle plating. A systematic review of anterior approach ankle arthrodesis using anterior plating was performed to analyze outcomes such as time to weight bearing, union rate, and complications. A systematic literature search was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) prospective or retrospective comparative study or consecutive case series reporting clinical outcomes following ankle arthrodesis; 2) surgeon technique includes anterior incisional approach with anterior plating construct; 3) minimum 3 months follow-up; and 4) reported outcomes including time to weight bearing, union or nonunion rate, complications, and patient population characteristics including age and comorbidities. Thirteen citations met inclusion criteria. Studies were organized into three groups based on similar time to weightbearing protocols. Mean time to weightbearing was as follows: Group A. 0.6 weeks, Group B. 6 weeks, and Group C. 9 weeks with fusion rates of 95.1%, 94.6%, and 97.7%, respectively. The average time to weightbearing post-operation across all groups was 4.6 weeks with a mean union rate of 95.5% (range 82.4-100%). Wound healing complications and infection rates did not increase with earlier weight bearing guidelines. This systemic review revealed comparable fusion rates across different weight bearing regimens following anterior plate fixation for ankle arthrodesis, supporting re-evaluation of historically accepted post-operative weightbearing protocols