Characterizing Logistics Operations Within a Federal Staging Area for Hurricane Response: A Qualitative Analysis of Federal, State and Local Perspectives

A successful deployment of logistics operations following a disaster is a collective contribution of federal, state, and local entities to ascertain an efficient and effective response. This research analyzes data from interviews with disaster response logistics experts from these entities. The objective is to investigate the information sources and planning processes used in these organizations to plan vehicle routes for critical resource deliveries to impacted areas. Special attention is directed to the impacts of incomplete knowledge of infrastructure status, such as road disruptions due to debris or flooding. Supported by both qualitative and quantitative evidence, the study finds that incomplete knowledge of infrastructure status poses serious critical transportation risks such as delivery delays in disaster relief distribution. This research reveals both similarities and differences in logistical decision-making among these organization types and emphasizes the need for improved information sharing and coordination among emergency response organizations. The findings of this research are expected to guide future initiatives aimed at disaster relief routing thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities and outcomes

Parent Involvement and Student Achievement in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Evidence from PIRLS 2016 Data

Numerous studies have shown that parent involvement has a significant influence on student achievement. However, most of these studies have been conducted in western Europe and North America. In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, we find that quantitative research that targeted parents’ behavior is limited. In order to design efficient parent engagement programs and family policies, we need to understand how parents interact with their children’s education in this area. Data from PIRLS is the only open-access data that allows us to study parent involvement by using a large sample that may reveal parents' behavior patterns. This work investigates elements of parent involvement addressed in the parent questionnaire of PIRLS and studies their relationship to student reading achievement. The results showed a positive influence of parents’ practice of educational activities and their educational expectation on their children's achievement; and a negative association between the later and parents’ help with homework. Implications are discussed in the perspective of the social context in the GCC countries

Effects of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide on Collagen XI During Skeletal Development

Long bones develop via endochondral ossification, a process in which cartilage precedes bone. During endochondral ossification prechondrogenic cells undergo proliferation and apoptose as cells of the periosteum differentiate into bone. The process of endochondral ossification is regulated by a group of endocrine as well as paracrine molecules that includes bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP). Collagens are extracellular matrix molecules that are present in a spatiotemporal manner during endochondral ossification. Collagen XI alpha 1 (Col11a1) is a minor fibrillar collagen that is alternatively spliced during development and can result in up to eight different spliceforms. During endochondral ossification Col11a1 spliceforms have a distinct expression profile in the growing long bone. The significance of the different spliceforms has not been characterized. Here, I studied the effects of BMP-2 and PTHrP on the expression of Col11a1 in pre-chondrogenic mouse ATDC5 and pluripotent mouse C2C12 cells. I also investigated the role of different Col11a1 spliceforms in BMP-2-mediated C2C12 osteoblast differentiation. My results suggest a role for BMP-2 in regulating Col11a1 splicing and expression that includes the induction of exons 6A, 7, and 8. Further I show that while PTHrP alone did not affect Col11a1 expression, when combined with BMP-2, PTHrP was able to diminish BMP-2-induced Col11a1 expression. In addition, Col11a1 NTD[p6b-7] reduced BMP-2 activity in C2C12 cells while Col11a1 NTD[p7] did not have any significant effects. Col11a1 NTD[p6b-7] also reduced the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen 1 alpha 1 and increased the expression of Runx2 and osteocalcin while NTD[p7-8] induced the expression of osteocalcin, Runx2, and collagen alpha 1. When Col11a1 was knocked down, the expression of BMP-2-induced markers alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, osteocalcin, and collagen 1 alpha 1 were reduced at 24h post induction with BMP-2 suggesting a role for collagen XI alpha 1 during early osteoblast differentiation. In ATDC5 cells, I determined a role for PTHrP in the induction of collagen XI alpha 1 exons 6A, 7, and 8 during early chondrocyte differentiation and exon 6B during late chondrocyte differentiation. Overall the results of this project show a novel role for collagen XI alpha 1 in BMP-2-mediated osteoblast differentiation and also suggest a role for PTHrP in regulating collagen XI alpha splicing and expression during ATDC5 chondrocyte differentiation

A Qualitative Review of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Recommendations for Improving Nutritional Output

The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is a federal food assistance program for income-eligible individuals and households aimed at preventing hunger and improving nutrition (SNAP, 2016). Although immense growth in the program over the years has served millions of people, a growing body of research has found that program participants consume more calories, less fresh fruits and vegetables, and purchase more sugar-sweetened beverages than their non-participant counterparts (Leung, Blumenthal, Hoffnagle, Jensen, Foerster, Nestle, & Willett, 2013; Nguyen, Shuval, Njike, & Katz, 2014; Bleich, Vine, & Wolfson, 2013). Additionally, other studies have found that SNAP participants consume more high-fat dairy and processed meats and fewer nuts, seeds, and legumes than comparable non-participants (Bleich, Vine, & Wolfson, 2013). In the aggregate, the research suggests a correlation between program participation and long term diminished nutrition. In additional to nutritional deficiencies, concerns about increased program spending, welfare dependence, and fraud and abuse have also surfaced over the years (Schanzenbach, 2013). In response to growing concern and criticism, Congress passed the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, which among other things, changed the name of the Food Stamps Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), thereby promoting diet quality (nutrition) rather than simply promoting food (Leung, Ding, Catalano, et. al., 2012). The new law acknowledged fundamental deficiencies in SNAP and brought them to the forefront of a political agenda, paving the way for more substantive future changes. Studying SNAP’s nutritional impact and amending ineffective policies is critical because of the program’s sheer size and impact (Leung, Cluggish, Villamor, Catalano, et. al., 2014). Today, SNAP is the largest federal nutrition-assistance program in the country, with 44.6 million Americans currently enrolled (Leung, et al., 2014). This paper analyzes aspects of SNAP’s nutritional delinquencies and seeks to develop recommendations for healthy legislative reforms

Characterizing Logistics Operations Within a Federal Staging Area for Hurricane Response: A Qualitative Analysis of Federal, State and Local Perspectives

A successful deployment of logistics operations following a disaster is a collective contribution of federal, state, and local entities to ascertain an efficient and effective response. This research analyzes data from interviews with disaster response logistics experts from these entities. The objective is to investigate the information sources and planning processes used in these organizations to plan vehicle routes for critical resource deliveries to impacted areas. Special attention is directed to the impacts of incomplete knowledge of infrastructure status, such as road disruptions due to debris or flooding. Supported by both qualitative and quantitative evidence, the study finds that incomplete knowledge of infrastructure status poses serious critical transportation risks such as delivery delays in disaster relief distribution. This research reveals both similarities and differences in logistical decision-making among these organization types and emphasizes the need for improved information sharing and coordination among emergency response organizations. The findings of this research are expected to guide future initiatives aimed at disaster relief routing thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities and outcomes

Parenting Gizi Berbasis WhatsApp untuk Meningkatkan Pengetahuan Ibu dalam Mengoptimalkan 1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan

Maternal prenatal nutrition and a child's nutrition in the first two years of life (First 1000 Days of Life) are important factors in children's neurodevelopment and quality of life for children in the future. Unfortunately, not all mothers have sufficient knowledge to optimize this vital period of growth. This community service program aimed to increase maternal knowledge in optimizing the first 1000 days of life in the PKK group of Perum Tlanakan Indah, Pamekasan Regency. Nutrition parenting activities were carried out through WhatsApp group-based counseling. The results of data analysis using gain score showed an increase in maternal knowledge by 82,22% or the moderate category. The result of this program was expected to be a recommendation for the authority to provide education in their working area and support the optimization of 1000 HPK.ABSTRAKNutrisi prenatal ibu dan nutrisi anak dalam 2 tahun pertama kehidupan (1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan) merupakan faktor penting dalam perkembangan saraf anak dan kualitas hidup anak di masa depan. Sayangnya, tidak semua ibu memiliki pengetahuan yang mencukupi untuk mengoptimalkan periode penting pertumbuhan. Program pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan ibu dalam kelompok PKK Perum Tlanakan Indah Kabupaten Pamekasan dalam mengoptimalkan 1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan (HPK). Kegiatan parenting gizi dilaksanakan melalui penyuluhan berbasis WhatssApp group. Hasil analisis data melalui gain score menunjukkan bahwa terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan ibu sebesar 82,22% atau dalam kategori sedang. Dengan demikian, hasil kegiatan ini diharapkan bisa menjadi rekomendasi bagi pihak terkait untuk memberikan edukasi di wilayah kerjanya guna mendukung optimalisasi 1000 HPK

Enhancing Secondary Education in Nuclear Science Technology: Exploring Effective Practices and Capacity-Building Strategies

The study aims to investigate and assess the practices of secondary school teachers in educational programs focused on nuclear science technology. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods through the use of a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The findings of this study aim to shed light on effective teaching practices, areas for improvement, and strategies for enhancing students' learning experiences in the field of nuclear science-related topics. The recent study is designed to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of teacher practices and explore strategies for capacity building within a secondary educational program centered on nuclear sciences technology. In addition, the study seeks to offer recommendations and best practices that educators can employ when navigating the nuances of imparting intricate scientific knowledge to: secondary school students. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-25-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

Effective Strategies for Building Trust in Virtual Teams

Virtual teams often fail to achieve their objectives because virtual team leaders lack strategies for nurturing trust among dispersed team members. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies virtual team leaders in large corporate banks use to build trust among virtual team members. The population of this study included 6 virtual team leaders from a large corporate bank located in the northeast region of the United States. The interpersonal trust theory was the conceptual framework of this study. Data were collected via semistructured telephone interviews and review of company documents. The data analysis process included content analysis and thematic analysis for theme identification. Data analysis revealed four themes related to strategies that leaders of virtual teams can use to build trust among team members: reliable technology, effective communication, teamwork and participation, and respect for people and culture. A fifth theme emerged related to barriers to trust strategies. The implications for positive social change include the potential to improve work environments for virtual team members isolated because of the absence of a social context

Apakah Model Pembelajaran Reciprocal Teaching dapat Meningkatkan Minat Belajar dan Hasil Belajar Biologi Siswa SMA? (Does Reciprocal Teaching Learning Model can Increase Learning Interest and Biology Learning Outcomes of High School Students)

This study aims to investigate the effect of the Reciprocal Teaching (RT) learning model on learning interest and biology learning outcomes of high school students. This research was conducted through a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design. This study involved students of tenth grade of MA Miftahul Ulum Bettet Pamekasan. Two classes were taken randomly each to be applied RT learning model and conventional learning. Student’s learning interest data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires; while learning outcomes were measured through essay tests. The data obtained were then analyzed using ANACOVA test with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that RT could increase student’s learning interest (p = 0.034) and student’s learning outcomes (p = 0.000). Thus, RT can be used as alternative learning model for teachers to empower students' learning interest and learning outcomes. Abstrak. Penelitian ini Bertujuan untuk menyelidiki pengaruh model pembelajaran Reciprocal Teaching (RT) terhadap minat belajar dan hasil belajar Biologi siswa SMA. Penelitian dilaksanakan melalui desain quasi eksperimen dengan rancangan pretest-posttest control group design. Penelitian melibatkan siswa kelas X MA Miftahul Ulum Bettet Pamekasan. Dua kelas diambil secara acak masing-masing untuk diterapkan model pembelajaran RT dan pembelajaran konvensional. Data minat belajar siswa dikumpulkan melalui penyebaran angket; sementara hasil belajar diukur melalui tes essai. Data yang diperoleh selanjutnya dianalisis menggunakan uji ANACOVA dengan nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,05. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa RT dapat meningkatkan minat belajar (p = 0,034) dan hasil belajar siswa (p = 0,000). Dengan demikian, RT dapat digunakan sebagai alternatif pembelajaran bagi guru untuk memberdayakan minat sekaligus hasil belajar siswa

Design and Analysis of Wide-Band Planar Antenna using Meta-material for S-Band Applications

A meta-surface inspired patch antenna is proposed and studied for S-band Applications. The proposed antenna has single fed configuration is loaded with an array of meta-surface unit cells for miniaturization and improve the performance of bandwidth. The detailed antenna radiation characteristics are examined and illustrated with simulated results. The antenna is designed for S-band frequency 2.5GHz on FR4 substrate having dielectric constant 4.4 and loss tangent of 0.02 and simulated using Ansoft HFSS software. The simulated results obtained are 10.4% (2.34-2.62 GHz) for 10 dB return loss bandwidth which is 4% more than antenna without meta-surface, 6.7 dBi for gain performance and patch size reduction up to 29% using meta-surface. This antenna will be applicable for S-band Radar applications such as weather radar, surface ship radar and space borne radar (SAR) etc