Cupcake Smash

Katy Wright is from Benton, Arkansas and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas and a graphic design major

The Disco Garden

Katy Wright is from Benton, Arkansas and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas and a graphic design major

Public School Administrators and Montessori Education

As the Montessori method of education bursts into the public education sector, public school district administrators are finding themselves leading Montessori programs without any Montessori training. Through surveys and individual meetings, this action research project examines traditionally trained administrators’ knowledge and perceptions of Montessori and how these perceptions affect support of a public Montessori program. This research shows that an increase in knowledge of Montessori philosophy, practice, and outcomes does indeed increase support for a Montessori progra

Prevalence of incidental breast cancer and precursor lesions in autopsy studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Autopsy studies demonstrate the prevalence pool of incidental breast cancer in the population, but estimates are uncertain due to small numbers in any primary study. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of autopsy studies to estimate the prevalence of incidental breast cancer and precursors. Methods Relevant articles were identified through searching PubMed and Embase from inception up to April 2016, and backward and forward citations. We included autopsy studies of women with no history of breast pathology, which included systematic histological examination of at least one breast, and which allowed calculation of the prevalence of incidental breast cancer or precursor lesions. Data were pooled using logistic regression models with random intercepts (non-linear mixed models). Results We included 13 studies from 1948 to 2010, contributing 2363 autopsies with 99 cases of incidental cancer or precursor lesions. More thorough histological examination (≥20 histological sections) was a strong predictor of incidental in-situ cancer and atypical hyperplasia (OR = 126·8 and 21·3 respectively, p < 0·001), but not invasive cancer (OR = 1·1, p = 0·75). The estimated mean prevalence of incidental cancer or precursor lesion was 19·5% (0·85% invasive cancer + 8·9% in-situ cancer + 9·8% atypical hyperplasia). Conclusion Our systematic review in ten countries over six decades found that incidental detection of cancer in situ and breast cancer precursors is common in women not known to have breast disease during life. The large prevalence pool of undetected cancer in-situ and atypical hyperplasia in these autopsy studies suggests screening programs should be cautious about introducing more sensitive tests that may increase detection of these lesions

A qualitative study exploring the impact of UK military deployment on female spouses and their children

Due to the current military climate, a large number of military service men and women often experience prolonged and repeated separations from their families due to overseas deployment. This has been shown to have potentially detrimental effects on the family system, spouse relationships and on the child. This study aimed to use qualitative methods to explore the individual experiences of UK mothers who had children living at home when their husbands deployed overseas. It aimed to examine their views on how they believed the deployment experience impacted on their children. This included reports on their experiences of welfare packages offered by the military and related support services. The study also aimed to highlight any personally developed examples of possible good practice. A single method design was used, utilising semi-structured interviews following a discovery spine interview technique. The conducted interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and drawing on aspects of Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach (2006). From the analysis it was shown that it was felt by mothers that deployment affected children both positively and negatively. For some there were negatively perceived changes in behaviour as well as significant feelings of loss both in terms of relationship and physical presence. There were also descriptions of increased negative emotional states and an ongoing experience of maladaptive life events concurrent with life within a military community. In positive terms, the experience of deployment was described as prompting beneficial behavioural changes as well as enabling them to develop more positive aspects to their character. Their increased thoughtfulness and ability to empathise was seen as a contributing factor to enhancing their relationships both with the deployed parent and with those who remained at home. This study highlights the need for increased attention to military children’s well-being in the UK and the under-researched impact of overseas parental deployment on their development and functioning. It also demonstrates the need for improvements to support services and welfare packages to families who currently feel unsupported at times of deployment. It suggests the importance of acknowledging and addressing the concerns of those individuals most closely affected by these procedures and the benefits that sharing their experience with others in similar positions can have.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A qualitative study exploring the impact of UK military deployment on female spouses and their children

Due to the current military climate, a large number of military service men and women often experience prolonged and repeated separations from their families due to overseas deployment. This has been shown to have potentially detrimental effects on the family system, spouse relationships and on the child. This study aimed to use qualitative methods to explore the individual experiences of UK mothers who had children living at home when their husbands deployed overseas. It aimed to examine their views on how they believed the deployment experience impacted on their children. This included reports on their experiences of welfare packages offered by the military and related support services. The study also aimed to highlight any personally developed examples of possible good practice. A single method design was used, utilising semi-structured interviews following a discovery spine interview technique. The conducted interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and drawing on aspects of Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach (2006). From the analysis it was shown that it was felt by mothers that deployment affected children both positively and negatively. For some there were negatively perceived changes in behaviour as well as significant feelings of loss both in terms of relationship and physical presence. There were also descriptions of increased negative emotional states and an ongoing experience of maladaptive life events concurrent with life within a military community. In positive terms, the experience of deployment was described as prompting beneficial behavioural changes as well as enabling them to develop more positive aspects to their character. Their increased thoughtfulness and ability to empathise was seen as a contributing factor to enhancing their relationships both with the deployed parent and with those who remained at home. This study highlights the need for increased attention to military children’s well-being in the UK and the under-researched impact of overseas parental deployment on their development and functioning. It also demonstrates the need for improvements to support services and welfare packages to families who currently feel unsupported at times of deployment. It suggests the importance of acknowledging and addressing the concerns of those individuals most closely affected by these procedures and the benefits that sharing their experience with others in similar positions can have

Early CRT monitoring using time-domain optical coherence tomography does not add to visual acuity for predicting visual loss in patients with central retinal vein occlusion treated with intravitreal ranibizumab:A secondary analysis of trial data

Our primary purpose was to assess the clinical (predictive) validity of central retinal thickness (CRT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 week and 1 month after starting treatment with ranibizumab for central retinal vein occlusion. The authors also assessed detectability of response to treatment

The impact of welfare conditionality on experiences of job quality

This article contributes to emerging debates about how behavioural conditionality within welfare systems influences job quality. Drawing upon analysis of unique data from three waves of qualitative longitudinal interviews with 46 UK social security recipients (133 interviews), we establish that the impact of welfare conditionality is so substantial that it is no longer adequate to discuss job quality without reference to its interconnections to the welfare system. More specifically, we identify how conditionality drives welfare recipients’ experience of four core dimensions of job quality: disempowering and propelling claimants towards inadequate pay, insecurity and poor employment terms, undermining multiple intrinsic characteristics of work and creating what we term a new ‘Work–Life–Welfare balance’. Instead of acting as a neutral arbitrator between jobseekers and employers, the welfare system is exposed as complicit in reinforcing one-sided flexibility through one-sided conditionality, by emphasising intensive job-seeking, while leaving poor-quality work provided by employers unchecked

Patient outcomes influenced by reduced lymphocyte counts after dimethyl fumarate initiation

Objective: To examine the temporal profile of absolute and lymphocyte subset data from dimethyl fumarate (DMF) start and relationships to disease behavior. Methods: A retrospective study performed on patients with an existing diagnosis of MS and a history of DMF exposure from a single MS center. Demographic, laboratory, and corresponding clinical relapse and MRI data were recorded from baseline and in 3-4-month intervals after treatment initiation extending to 3 years. The Spearman rank coefficient and mixed-effects models were used to assess longitudinal correlations between cell counts and measures of disease activity. Results: A total of 292 patients with MS (228 women; median age at DMF initiation: 40.6 years, range: 16.1-66.7 years) were identified. An increased risk of disease activity was associated with higher absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) values at 3 months (p = 0.001, OR: 1.82) and at 6 months (p = 0.032, hazard ratio: 1.73). A reduced risk of disease evolution in patients with lower ALC values &lt; 1,200 cells/L compared with midtier (1,210-1,800 cells/L) and the highest tertile (&gt;1,810 cells/L) was observed (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Reductions in ALC values at months 3 and 6 after treatment initiation appear to be associated with improved clinical and radiologic outcomes. These data alone may help to provide a better understanding of both the safety and efficacy of DMF