The Effects of Poverty on the Reading Achievement and Vocabulary Development of Students in Economically Disadvantaged Elementary Schools

Abstract This study focuses on the impact of poverty on student achievement in reading and the vocabulary development of students in rural elementary schools. It provides research through the literature review on the impact administrator and teacher leadership has on poverty as it relates to student achievement. The United Nations Development Programme (2020), reported that people are multi-dimensionally poor, experiencing deprivation in health, education, and living standards. The only way to combat poverty is through education (World Vision, 2021). Because of the challenges poverty induces in today’s educational system, there is a greater demand for higher standards and a more diverse educational system. Therefore, educators must exhibit transformational leadership skills and pedagogical knowledge to help students become successful (Pushpandam & Mammen, 2020). This study connects to leadership by exploring the way quality leadership is particularly important for both principals and teachers in schools serving students living in poverty. For this quantitative study, the population group consisted of elementary students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades within a specific geographic region in Southeastern Kentucky. Stratification of the initial population was conducted to determine which schools have a high poverty rate based on the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch based on Kentucky Department of Education and USDA (2021) guidelines. Archival K-Prep and MAP data were used as comparison points between poverty and non-poverty students. By understanding the correlation between poverty and student achievement educators, as transformational leaders, can implement instructional strategies and instructional programs that enhance student achievement

Polarized light transmission through skin using video reflectometry: toward optical tomography of superficial tissue layers

The movement of polarized light through the superficial layers of the skin was visualized using a video camera with a polarizing filter. This study constitutes a description of the impulse response to a point source of incident collimated linearly polarized light. Polarization images reject unwanted diffusely backscattered light from deeper in the tissue and the specular reflectance from the air/tissue interface. Two experiments were conducted: (1) Video polarization reflectometry used a polarized HeNe laser (633 nm) pointing perpendicularly down onto a phantom medium (0.900-µm dia. polystyrene spheres in water). The video camera was oriented 10° off the vertical axis and viewed the irradiation site where the laser beam met the phantom. Video images were acquired through a polarizing filter that was either parallel or perpendicular with the reference plane defined by the source, camera, and irradiation site on the phantom medium's surface. The source polarization was parallel to the reference plane. The two images (parallel and perpendicular) were used to calculate a polarization image which indicated the attenuation of polarization as a function of distance between the source and point of photon escape from the phantom. Results indicated a strong polarization pattern within approximately 0.35 cm (approximately 2.2 mfp') from source. [mfp' = 1/(µ_a + µ_s')]. (2) Optical fiber reflectometry using a polarized diode laser (792 nm) coupled to a polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber, and a multi-mode fiber collector to collect regardless of polarization. Reflectance as a function of fiber separation was measured for the source fiber oriented parallel and perpendicular with the reference plane. Results indicated that the strongest polarization propagated within approximately 0.43 cm (2.2 mfp') from source. The polarization survived ~2.2 mfp', which for skin at 630 - 800 nm (mfp' ≈ 0.066 cm) corresponds to 1.5 mm (or 6.4 ps of travel at the speed of light). Using 6.4 ps as a maximum time of survival, classical paths of photon transport (Feynman paths) were calculated to illustrate the expected depth of interrogation by polarized imaging. The expected mean depth of photons is about 0.36 mm at these longer wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths would result in a shorter mfp' and therefore more superficial imaging of the skin. Polarization images offer an inexpensive approach toward 2-D acquisition of time- gated images based on the early light escaping the tissue. Polarization imaging is an opportunity for a new form of optical image especially useful for dermatology

Detection of an object inside a phantom tissue using a spatial filter

We report the detection of an object inside a phantom tissue using a spatial filter and a 5-mW He-Ne Laser. The phantom tissue is composed of 8% scattering polystyrene spheres and is diluted to different concentrations in water. The solution is placed inside of a cuvette of length 5 cm and width 5 cm. The spatial filter, composed of a 4-cm plano-convex lens and a 10-micrometers pinhole, is able to extract ballistic and quasi-ballistic photons from the transmitted light. A photomultiplier tube is used for detection, and a lock-in amplifier is used to reduce the amount of noise in the signal. We are able to detect the object in a phantom tissue of 20 mean free paths [mfp] with a contrast of 99.0%. The contrast in a tissue with 30 mfp is 22.7%

Understanding ‘value’ in the context of community-based interventions for people affected by dementia: A concept analysis

Aim This study aimed to conduct a concept analysis of value in the context of community-based interventions for people affected by dementia. Background Concepts of value play a critical role in shaping the delivery and distribution of community-based health interventions through related concepts. However, the use and meaning of ‘value’ is rarely clarified limiting the term's utility in practice and research. Increasing need for community healthcare and scarce public resources means developing understanding of value in community-based interventions for people affected by dementia is timely, and may support more informed approaches to exploring, explaining and delivering value. Design Evolutionary Concept Analysis was used to systematically determine the characteristics of value. Data Sources Peer-reviewed and grey literature databases were searched between April and July 2021, with 32 pieces of literature from different disciplines included in the final sample. No limits were set for the years of literature retrieved. Methods Literature was thematically analysed for information on the antecedents, attributes and consequences of value. Results and Discussion The analysis uncovered a need and/or desire to understand the experience of people affected by or that affect interventions; and to demonstrate, prove/disprove the (best) quality and nature of results of interventions as antecedents of value. Attributes of value were stakeholder/person centred, measurable, time and context dependent and multidimensional. Consequences of the concept included shared decision-making, valuation of interventions and internal/external investment and development of interventions. Conclusion Through concept analysis value can now be better understood and applied. The development of a conceptual model to illustrate the constituent elements and relationships of the concept adds transparency to where, why and how concepts of value are enabled that supports future concept development. Patient and Public Contribution No patient or public contribution

Polarized light transmission through skin using video reflectometry: toward optical tomography of superficial tissue layers

The movement of polarized light through the superficial layers of the skin was visualized using a video camera with a polarizing filter. This study constitutes a description of the impulse response to a point source of incident collimated linearly polarized light. Polarization images reject unwanted diffusely backscattered light from deeper in the tissue and the specular reflectance from the air/tissue interface. Two experiments were conducted: (1) Video polarization reflectometry used a polarized HeNe laser (633 nm) pointing perpendicularly down onto a phantom medium (0.900-µm dia. polystyrene spheres in water). The video camera was oriented 10° off the vertical axis and viewed the irradiation site where the laser beam met the phantom. Video images were acquired through a polarizing filter that was either parallel or perpendicular with the reference plane defined by the source, camera, and irradiation site on the phantom medium's surface. The source polarization was parallel to the reference plane. The two images (parallel and perpendicular) were used to calculate a polarization image which indicated the attenuation of polarization as a function of distance between the source and point of photon escape from the phantom. Results indicated a strong polarization pattern within approximately 0.35 cm (approximately 2.2 mfp') from source. [mfp' = 1/(µ_a + µ_s')]. (2) Optical fiber reflectometry using a polarized diode laser (792 nm) coupled to a polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber, and a multi-mode fiber collector to collect regardless of polarization. Reflectance as a function of fiber separation was measured for the source fiber oriented parallel and perpendicular with the reference plane. Results indicated that the strongest polarization propagated within approximately 0.43 cm (2.2 mfp') from source. The polarization survived ~2.2 mfp', which for skin at 630 - 800 nm (mfp' ≈ 0.066 cm) corresponds to 1.5 mm (or 6.4 ps of travel at the speed of light). Using 6.4 ps as a maximum time of survival, classical paths of photon transport (Feynman paths) were calculated to illustrate the expected depth of interrogation by polarized imaging. The expected mean depth of photons is about 0.36 mm at these longer wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths would result in a shorter mfp' and therefore more superficial imaging of the skin. Polarization images offer an inexpensive approach toward 2-D acquisition of time- gated images based on the early light escaping the tissue. Polarization imaging is an opportunity for a new form of optical image especially useful for dermatology

Detection of an object inside a phantom tissue using a spatial filter

We report the detection of an object inside a phantom tissue using a spatial filter and a 5-mW He-Ne Laser. The phantom tissue is composed of 8% scattering polystyrene spheres and is diluted to different concentrations in water. The solution is placed inside of a cuvette of length 5 cm and width 5 cm. The spatial filter, composed of a 4-cm plano-convex lens and a 10-micrometers pinhole, is able to extract ballistic and quasi-ballistic photons from the transmitted light. A photomultiplier tube is used for detection, and a lock-in amplifier is used to reduce the amount of noise in the signal. We are able to detect the object in a phantom tissue of 20 mean free paths [mfp] with a contrast of 99.0%. The contrast in a tissue with 30 mfp is 22.7%

Post - COVID-19 students’ remote learning experiences from the discipline of Tourism and Hospitality Management at The University of the South Pacific

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the perceptions and feelings of belonging to a community, country, or world. The increase in worldwide mobility and travel has affected many in recent decades. Pacific Island mobility is focused on education, employment, migration and maintenance of familial ties, with travel for leisure relatively uncommon except for visiting friends and relatives. However, the abrupt pause on travel within Fiji on 30th March 2020 left many with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of uncertainty and fear. This intensified with increased COVID-19 cases in Fiji and The University of the South Pacific (USP) moving to online learning. While the transition from the physical learning environment to virtual platforms highlights the potential of online learning in Pacific Island Countries, it is important to understand student experiences and perceptions to assist with the planning and development of academic curricula. This study investigated students’ online learning experiences in the Discipline of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the USP post-COVID-19, using an online survey and Zoom to conduct interviews. The study aimed to understand the effects of the different core components of the online learning environment on the students’ experiences and perceptions. In addition, the study investigated the coping measures students used to deal with self-isolation, maintaining relationships, and the sudden change from onsite to online classes caused by COVID-19. It explored the extent to which students have been affected by the pandemic. Findings revealed that while students found online learning difficult, they reported a generally positive attitude towards this mode of study. Online learning allowed students to spend more time with their families and friends. Students also found new and innovative ways to utilise technology to facilitate their learning. However, students did miss the socialisation aspects of attending face-to-face classes and faced mental health issues such as anxiety, stress and depression. This study will contribute to research in online education in tourism and hospitality literature and help educational institutes, including USP, with future curriculum planning and development

Interaction of a dengue virus NS1-derived peptide with the inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1 on natural killer cells

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) interact with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands and play a key role in the regulation and activation of NK cells. The functional importance of KIR-HLA interactions has been demonstrated for a number of chronic viral infections, but to date only a few studies have been performed in the context of acute self-limited viral infections. During our investigation of CD8(+) T cell responses to a conserved HLA-B57-restricted epitope derived from dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein-1 (NS1), we observed substantial binding of the tetrameric complex to non-T/non-B lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a long-standing clinical cohort in Thailand. We confirmed binding of the NS1 tetramer to CD56(dim) NK cells, which are known to express KIRs. Using depletion studies and KIR-transfected cell lines, we demonstrated further that the NS1 tetramer bound the inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1. Phenotypical analysis of PBMC from HLA-B57(+) subjects with acute DENV infection revealed marked activation of NS1 tetramer-binding natural killer (NK) cells around the time of defervescence in subjects with severe dengue disease. Collectively, our findings indicate that subsets of NK cells are activated relatively late in the course of acute DENV illness and reveal a possible role for specific KIR-HLA interactions in the modulation of disease outcomes