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Expressive writing interventions for pre-service teachers’ mathematics anxiety
No full textMany pre-service teachers suffer from mathematics anxiety, which hinders their mathematics learning. This can cause a deficit in their mathematics content knowledge, which must be addressed to become effective mathematics teachers. The present study explored whether positive expressive writing was better at mitigating pre-service teachers’ mathematics anxiety than general expressive writing. Expressive writing is emotional writing, which was shown to be successful in medical fields to reduce anxiety and more recently in the field of education. In contrast, research on positive expressive writing has recently shown beneficial results for treating test anxiety. Therefore, the potential for positive expressive writing in reducing mathematics anxiety was examined in this mixed methods study involving 27 pre-service teachers enrolled in a hybrid (i.e., half of the instructional time was in-person, while the other half was online) mathematics for teachers course. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three writing groups (positive expressive, expressive, and neutral) and completed pre- and post- measures of mathematics anxiety using the abbreviated mathematics anxiety rating scale at time 1 (beginning of course), time 2 (mid-term examination), and time 3 (final examination). In addition, participants completed a measure of their mathematics ability at the beginning of the course and then proceeded to engage in the three types of writing at the beginning of each of the nine consecutive classes. Although results did not show a significant difference between the three writing groups (positive, expressive, and neutral) and mathematics anxiety, there was a significant relationship between pre-service teachers’ mathematical ability and measure of mathematics anxiety taken at the mid-term examination. This strong negative relationship demonstrated that pre-service teachers with low mathematics ability have high mathematics anxiety. Valuable insights were gained into mathematics anxiety effects on pre-service teachers, as well as contextual factors in terms of writing
An Evaluation of Risk Ratios on Physical and Mental health correlations due to Increases in ambient Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) concentrations
No full textNitrogen oxides (NOx) are gaseous pollutants contributing to pollution in their primary form and are also involved in reactions forming ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Thus, NOx is of great interest for targeted pollution reduction because of this cascade effect. Primary emissions originate from fossil fuel combustion making NOx a common outdoor and indoor air pollutant. Numerous studies documenting the observed physical health impacts of NOx were reviewed and, where available, were summarized using risk ratios. More recently, the literature has shifted to focus on the mental health implications of NOx exposure, and a review of the current literature found five main categories of mental health-related conditions with respect to NOx exposure: common mental health disorders, sleep, anxiety, depression, and suicide. All the physical and mental health effects with available risk ratios were organized in order of increasing risk. Mental health concerns emerged as those most influenced by NOx exposure, with physical health impacts, such as asthma, only beginning to surface as the fourth highest risk. Mental health conditions occupied seven of the top ten highest risk health ailments. The results summarized in this narrative review show that there are clear positive correlations between NOx and negative physical and mental health manifestations, thus strengthening the argument in support of the reduction in ambient NOx levels.Canadian Government National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)Government of Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)University of Guelp
Toward Inummarik (well-balanced humans): an investigation of the role of land-based learning programs in public education
No full textAs a reaction to imposed education systems, traditional land-based education can be viewed as a source of resistance against a capitalist settler state, and most importantly, for the maintenance of Indigenous autonomy and sovereignty. However, formal k-12 learning environments are dominated by values systems and orientations to environmental education that potentially undermine Indigenous land-based education values and approaches. Within Canada, though there is a growing body of literature outlining the advantages of land-based learning for academic success and student well-being in public schools, funding models and policy restrictions have been slower to change and can impede implementation. With this article we hope to add to the growing body of evidence, supporting land-based learning as a legitimate pedagogy in public education. We approach this through a cross-case analysis of the results of two separate research projects and identifying the parallel themes, which emerged: youth resilience, Inuit autonomy, and authenticity in learning. Although our results focus on the development of individuals, within our conclusion we extend the argument toward systemic changes needed in Canadian public education not only as an act of decolonization but in supporting the development of Innumarik.Ministry of Education and Economic Development (Nunatsiavut)Inuit Taparit Kanitami (ITK)National Committee on Inuit Education (NCIE)ArcticNe
COVID-19 case-fatality variations with application to the Middle East countries
No full textDuring a pandemic outbreak, it is important for health officials to know the proportions of deaths among infected individuals and to understand how these proportions change overtime, to accurately predict the impact of the pandemic and to implement effectively new intervention policies and health protocols and to adjust them accordingly. However, most studies where efforts have been made to estimate accurately the case fatality rates did not address the issue of measuring the dynamics of the pandemic deadliness during its course. Daily data on COVID-19 cases and deaths were collected from selected MENA countries. In this paper, two new measures of the pandemic fatality are developed based on the estimated time it takes hospitalized infected patients to eventually die from the disease. The first measure assigns COVID-19 deaths to its most significant lagged number of cases based on a fixed-effects panel data model. The second fatality measure relates pandemic deaths and cases based on their respective change points. The results find notable variations of the pandemic lethality between the Middle East countries, likely due to the difference in the quality of health care. Although crude case-fatality rate does not identify the pandemic lethality variations during the ongoing of the disease, this paper develops two novel measures for COVID-19 case fatality which can identify the dynamics and the variations of the pandemic deadliness
Factors influencing oncology nurses discussing cannabis use with patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea
No full textPrevalence, management and outcomes of unrecognized delirium in a National Sample of 1,493 older emergency department patients: how many were sent home and what happened to them?
No full textBackground
Retrospective studies estimate Emergency Department (ED) delirium recognition at <20%; few prospective studies have assessed delirium recognition and outcomes for patients with unrecognized delirium.
Objectives
To prospectively measure delirium recognition by ED nurses and physicians, document their confidence in diagnosis and disposition, actual dispositions, and patient outcomes.
Methods
Prospective observational study of people ≥65 years. We assessed delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method, then asked ED staff if the patient had delirium, confidence in their assessment, if the patient could be discharged, and contacted patients 1 week postdischarge. We report proportions and 95% confidence intervals (Cls).
Results
We enrolled 1,493 participants; mean age was 77.9 years; 49.2% were female, 79 (5.3%, 95% CI 4.2–6.5%) had delirium. ED nurses missed delirium in 43/78 cases (55.1%, 95% CI 43.4–66.4%). Nurses considered 12/43 (27.9%) patients with unrecognized delirium safe to discharge. Median confidence in their delirium diagnosis for patients with unrecognized delirium was 7.0/10. Physicians missed delirium in 10/20 (50.0%, 95% CI 27.2–72.8) cases and considered 2/10 (20.0%) safe to discharge. Median confidence in their delirium diagnosis for patients with unrecognized delirium was 8.0/10. Fifteen patients with unrecognized delirium were sent home: 6.7% died at 1 week follow-up vs. none in those with recognized delirium and 1.1% in the rest of the cohort.
Conclusion
Delirium recognition by nurses and physicians was sub-optimal at ~50% and may be associated with increased mortality. Research should explore root causes of unrecognized delirium, and novel strategies to systematically improve delirium recognition and patient outcomes
The tiered approach to support all learners in inclusive classrooms
No full textThe aim of the inclusive education strategy in schools in Ontario is for “all students to participate in the education program in a common learning environment with support to diminish and remove barriers and obstacles that may lead to exclusion” (Inclusive Education Canada, 2017, par. 3). This means not just placing students with special education needs in mainstream classrooms, but ensuring they receive the support they need to access the curriculum in the way they learn best. This qualitative case study explores how teachers are using technology and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to identify learning needs, implement instructional strategies and monitor student’s progress in the Response to Intervention (RTI) tiered approach. Due to the impacts of learning during the pandemic, I investigated the instructional practices of eight elementary school teachers in bricks and mortar and virtual inclusive classrooms. From the data two critical areas for successful inclusion were identified: 1) teachers’ capacity for inclusive teaching and 2) student needs. Within the area of teacher’s capacity, four themes impacting capacity either positively or negatively emerged: 1) opportunities for technology training; 2) availability of inclusive education training; 3) building student-teacher partnerships; 4) sharing responsibilities through teacher-teacher partnerships. An additional eleven themes unfolded that related to the needs of students: 1) building student relationships; 2) using inconsistent assessment tools and methods; 3) identifying instructional needs; 4) creating opportunities to increase student engagement; 5) increasing engagement with collaborative learning through technology; 6) accommodating student’s needs with an Individual Education Plan (IEP); 7) differentiating instruction through the content, process
and the environment of learning; 8) providing choice of evaluation methods with technology; 9) ensuring differentiation through the product of learning; 10) monitoring the effectiveness of accommodations in the Individual Education Plan (IEP); 11) recognizing the impact of marking and providing feedback on teacher’s capacity. The findings illustrated how teachers combined RTI, UDL and technology to implement successful inclusive classrooms and overcome their initial challenges of time, and lack of training. Based on these findings and the current literature, a summary of practical recommendations to assist teachers in the transition to inclusion has been included in the discussion chapter. A pilot training program has also been proposed with full details in Appendix P and a summary of effective strategies aligned to each component of the Tiered Approach is also included in Appendix Q
A situational analysis of registered dietitians' participation in network marketing
No full textBackground
Registered dietitians (RDs) are allied health professionals with advanced training in nutrition and food science. To practice, RDs must maintain registration with the regulatory body in their jurisdiction.
Methods
We conducted a situational analysis to better understand: (i) RDs participation as independent sales consultants (ISCs) for network marketing companies and (ii) the role of regulatory bodies in overseeing network marketing participation among RDs. We conducted semi-structured interviews with individuals who had, within the past 5 years, concurrently been an RD and an ISC, and with three representatives of non-RD regulatory bodies in the province of Ontario. Other sources of discursive data included relevant articles published in academic journals and in the mainstream media, documentary series and circulating memes.
Results
Our results are depicted in three maps (ordered situational, arenas and positional). Overall, much of what was highlighted in the reviewed articles and expressed in the analytic maps about network marketing remained unsaid in RD interviews (n = 8).
Conclusions
RDs who participate in network marketing were often able to achieve a level of personal fulfilment that appeared unattainable through their professional work alone. However, the stigma of network marketing participation appeared to diminish the benefits of ISC work. Consistent, clear guidelines from RD regulatory bodies are desired by RD/ISCs
Adverse health effects related to shift work patterns and work schedule tolerance in emergency medical services personnel: A scoping review
No full textParamedicine as a profession is continually evolving in clinical practice, responsibilities, and workload. Changes over time in both population demographics and distribution have altered the demand for, and availability of, prehospital emergency medical services (EMS). These factors may also affect scheduling policies in many EMS organizations. However, there is little evidence that suggests optimal shift scheduling patterns to reduce adverse health events such as increased stress or fatigue in prehospital emergency health care providers. Our objective was to describe associations between variations in shift scheduling patterns and EMS provider health outcomes, such as fatigue, stress, sleep quality, and general mental and physiological health. We also sought to identify knowledge gaps. We performed searches of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases for primary studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between January 2000 and December 2020. Studies reporting measurable health care outcomes in prehospital personnel with defined shift schedule patterns in land-based ambulance systems were included. Our search strategy yielded 188 studies, of which 11 met eligibility criteria (eight cross-sectional surveys, one single case report, one retrospective cohort study, one prospective cohort study, and one systematic review), with one additional study found through reference list screening, leaving 12 studies for review. All publications contained a description of shift schedule characteristics and shared similar outcomes of interest, although there was variation in comparators and assessment of outcomes. Most studies showed high rates of fatigue, stress, mental health concerns, and negative general health outcomes in paramedic shift worker populations. The case study reported improved fatigue, alertness, and sleep quality levels following a switch from a 24-hour shift pattern to an eight-hour shift. We did not complete an in-depth risk of bias assessment for any of the studies. Melnyk evidence ratings varied from IV to VI, indicating a low quality of evidence evaluating the impacts of shift schedule patterns in paramedics, with the retrospective cohort study design, ranked as IV, systematic review as a V, and prospective cohort study, case report and surveys ranked as VI. The low quality and quantity of evidence indicate the need for further research to definitively assess relationships between specific schedule patterns and health outcomes
Cloud manufacturing with fuzzy inference system: A supply chain approach to post COVID-19 economy
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic shocked the managerial team with unprecedented fluctuations in supply, demand, and transportation of goods and services. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic proved the urgent need for agility and flexibility in response to similar future crises. This paper proposes a cloud manufacturing model as a clustered supply chain approach that incorporates fuzzy inference systems to provide a platform for the post-COVID-19-economy. Cloud manufacturing is a way to standardize and increase the system’s reliability, and a fuzzy inference system is suited to deal with highly uncertain circumstances. A fuzzy inference system is integrated into a cloud manufacturing model to incorporate uncertainties related to Time, Quality, Cost, Reliability, and Availability in finding the optimum supply chain of manufacturers and service centers. The model is illustrated via a simulation in the manufacturing context. The proposed approach provides a tool to address the uncertainties and disruptions resulting from wide-scale crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic