Factors Influencing Student Placement Decisions in Elementary School Assignments

This qualitative comparative case study examined three unique elementary classroom placement processes used within the same school district to place students in next-level classroom communities. Findings revealed participants used eight different student placement factors to place students into classroom groups for the next academic year. These included: (1) reading and mathematics scores (2) gender; (3) teacher data regarding students with behavioral challenges; (4) students identified for special education services; (5) parent requests for teachers; (6) data from either teacher or family members regarding previous family or student history; (7) teacher experience, specialization and expertise; and (8) student mobility. Interviews conducted with participants confirmed the connection between principal leadership style and the procedures used to create next-level classrooms. Principals adopted different approaches to decision-making, adopting a structural, human resource, political, and/or symbolic approach (Bolman & Deal, 2008). The decision-making style and processes adopted by principals affected the heterogeneity of classroom communities with varying degrees of success. A recommendation for elementary classroom placements included the importance of continued evaluation and assessment of student placement processes and the need for professional conversations to address this complex issue. Theoretical frameworks informing this study included theories related to leadership and organizational theory and critical pedagogy

The ecology of Nomuraea rileyi (Fungi: Deuteromycotina) and other natural enemies of the green cloverworm in Iowa agroecosystems

Studies of the ecology of green cloverworm (GCW), Plathypena scabra (F.) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae), populations and associated natural mortality agents, especially Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson (Hyphomycetes:Moniliales), were divided into six parts;In Part I, significantly fewer GCW larvae occurred in till-plant and no-till soybean plots than in fall moldboard plow and fall chisel plow plots during the first year of the study. Substantially more larvae occurred in plots that were fall moldboard plowed than in reduced-tillage plots in the second year. The differences in tillage plot GCW numbers were not explained by analysis of moth activity nor by the occurrence of natural biotic mortality agents, including N. rileyi. In Part II, consumption patterns of soybean leaf tissue by N. rileyi-infected larvae, up to the times of their deaths, were very similar to those of healthy larvae. The annual occurrence of N. rileyi-infected larvae and data presented in Part III suggested that N. rileyi conidia and stroma survive Iowa winters to initiate mycoses in host larvae the next season;Part IV compared GCW larval populations and incidences of biotic mortality agents in alfalfa and soybean habitats. In central Iowa, alfalfa fields may act as nurseries for biotic mortality agents. Early-season N. rileyi infections of alfalfa GCW larvae may supply inocula for infections of soybean GCW larvae later in the season. In Part V, analyses of 10 years of GCW collections in soybean provided several quantitative expressions that help explain GCW population dynamics in Iowa. The dates of first N. rileyi occurrence may be predicted by regression equations that use the accumulated number of larva-days during the season and the accumulated precipitation from 1 June as independent variables. Also, the seasonal increase in rate of N. rileyi-caused mortality in outbreak GCW populations is described as a function of the number of days after the date of initial detection of infected larvae. Part VI traced N. rileyi mycoses in infected GCW larvae. After cuticular penetration and hemocoel colonization, the pathogen invaded all body tissues and caused larval death in ca. 6 to 7 days. Conidiogenesis produced a covering of green conidia on larval cadavers

The ecology of Nomuraea rileyi (Fungi: Deuteromycotina) and other natural enemies of the green cloverworm in Iowa agroecosystems

Studies of the ecology of green cloverworm (GCW), Plathypena scabra (F.) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae), populations and associated natural mortality agents, especially Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson (Hyphomycetes:Moniliales), were divided into six parts;In Part I, significantly fewer GCW larvae occurred in till-plant and no-till soybean plots than in fall moldboard plow and fall chisel plow plots during the first year of the study. Substantially more larvae occurred in plots that were fall moldboard plowed than in reduced-tillage plots in the second year. The differences in tillage plot GCW numbers were not explained by analysis of moth activity nor by the occurrence of natural biotic mortality agents, including N. rileyi. In Part II, consumption patterns of soybean leaf tissue by N. rileyi-infected larvae, up to the times of their deaths, were very similar to those of healthy larvae. The annual occurrence of N. rileyi-infected larvae and data presented in Part III suggested that N. rileyi conidia and stroma survive Iowa winters to initiate mycoses in host larvae the next season;Part IV compared GCW larval populations and incidences of biotic mortality agents in alfalfa and soybean habitats. In central Iowa, alfalfa fields may act as "nurseries" for biotic mortality agents. Early-season N. rileyi infections of alfalfa GCW larvae may supply inocula for infections of soybean GCW larvae later in the season. In Part V, analyses of 10 years of GCW collections in soybean provided several quantitative expressions that help explain GCW population dynamics in Iowa. The dates of first N. rileyi occurrence may be predicted by regression equations that use the accumulated number of larva-days during the season and the accumulated precipitation from 1 June as independent variables. Also, the seasonal increase in rate of N. rileyi-caused mortality in outbreak GCW populations is described as a function of the number of days after the date of initial detection of infected larvae. Part VI traced N. rileyi mycoses in infected GCW larvae. After cuticular penetration and hemocoel colonization, the pathogen invaded all body tissues and caused larval death in ca. 6 to 7 days. Conidiogenesis produced a covering of green conidia on larval cadavers.</p

Integrating Burning and Insecticide to Reduce Fire Ant Impacts on Bobwhite Chicks

Hatching northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) chicks experience a low survival rate when exposed to a significant number of foraging red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; RIFA). We initiated a study in southeastern Texas to determine if a reduced rate of insecticide and/or prescribed burning could decrease the foraging activity of RIFA below the threshold that causes mortality of northern bobwhite chicks. Research sites were divided into burned and nonburned plots and individual plots randomly received one of 4 rates of insecticide treatment: 0, 50, 75 or 100% of the recommended label rate (1.68 kg/ha) of Amdro ® (hydramethylnon) insecticide bait (Ambrands, Atlanta, GA). Bait cup sampling of RIFA was conducted and differences in RIFA foraging activity were analyzed among treatments. As the rate of Amdro ® application increased, RIFA foraging activity declined. Data from 2002 and 2003 revealed a difference in mean number of foraging RIFA in insecticide treated plots versus control plots (P \u3c 0.05) when testing for the main effect of insecticide treatment. The mean number of foraging RIFA in 2002 decreased approximately 34%, whereas the mean number of foraging RIFA in 2003 decreased approximately 39%. In both years, the mean number of foraging RIFA collected in bait cups in burned plots was not different from nonburned plots (P \u3e 0.05)

Uncertainty at the Limits of Viability: A Qualitative Study of Antenatal Consultations

Background and Objectives: Antenatal consultation between a neonatologist and expectant parent(s) may determine if resuscitation is provided for or withheld from neonates born in the gray zone of viability. In this study, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of uncertainties present and neonatologists' communication strategies regarding such uncertainties in this shared decision-making. Methods: A prospective, qualitative study using transcriptions of audio-recorded antenatal consultations between a neonatologist and expectant parent(s) was conducted. Pregnant women were eligible if anticipating delivery in the gray zone of viability (22 0/7-24 6/7 weeks' gestation). Over 18 months, 25 of 28 pregnant women approached consented to participate. Applied thematic analysis was used to inductively derive and examine conceptual themes. Results: Inductive analysis of consult transcripts revealed uncertainty as a central theme. Several subthemes relating to uncertainty were also derived, including the timing of delivery, NICU course, individual characteristics (of physician, expectant parent(s), and fetus or neonate), and consequences of the decision for the expectant parent(s). Analysis revealed that uncertainty was actively managed by neonatologists through a variety of strategies, including providing more information, acknowledging the limits of medicine, acknowledging and accepting uncertainty, holding hope, and relationship building. Conclusions: Uncertainty is pervasive within the antenatal consultation for periviable neonates and likely plays a significant role in decision-making toward postnatal resuscitative efforts. Uncertainty complicated, or even paralyzed, decision-making efforts while also providing reassurance toward a positive outcome. Directions for future study should consider whether advanced communication training modulates the impact that uncertainty plays in the shared decision-making encounte

The use of projected autonomy in antenatal shared decision-making for periviable neonates: a qualitative study

Abstract Background In this study, we assessed the communication strategies used by neonatologists in antenatal consultations which may influence decision-making when determining whether to provide resuscitation or comfort measures only in the care of periviable neonates. Methods This study employed a qualitative study design using inductive thematic discourse analysis of ‘naturally occurring data’ in the form of antenatal conversations around resuscitation decisions at the grey zone of viability. The study occurred between February 2017 and June 2018 on a labor and delivery unit within a large Midwestern tertiary care hospital. Participants included 25 mothers who were admitted to the study hospital with anticipated delivery in the grey zone of viability and practicing neonatologists or neonatology fellows who partnered in antenatal consultation. We used a two-stage inductive analytic process to focus on how neonatologists’ discourses constructed SDM in antenatal consultations. First, we used a thematic discourse analysis to interpret the recurring patterns of meaning within the transcribed antenatal consultations, and second, we theorized the subsequent effects of these discourses on shaping the context of SDM in antenatal encounters. Results In this qualitative study, that included discourse analysis of real-time audio conversations in 25 antenatal consults, neonatologists used language that creates projected autonomy through (i) descriptions of fetal physiology (ii) development of the fetus’s presence, and (iii) fetal role in decision-making. Conclusion Discourse analysis of real-time audio conversations in antenatal consultations was revelatory of how various discursive patterns brought the fetus into decision-making, thus changing who is considered the key actor in SDM