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BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF PEER TUTORING ON HIGH SCHOOL MATH PERFORMANCE AND SELF-EFFICACY
Full text linkMultiple factors contribute to schools nationwide having an increasing number of teacher vacancies upon the start of each school year. Pay dissatisfaction, high workload, increased expectations with paperwork, and concerns with educational policy are among the reasons that teachers indicate regarding why they leave the profession. With high levels of teacher departures and a diminished pipeline of incoming teachers to fill vacancies, school administrators must explore other strategies to maintain quality instruction. Peer tutoring is one such strategy and involves high-performing students assisting their peers to provide academic support. Often, there can be social-emotional benefits from peer tutoring as well.
At Traditional High School, following the COVID-19 pandemic, math scores were trailing behind the state average. A peer tutoring program was identified as a viable strategy to improve math scores, address the math achievement gap at the school, and place another person in the classroom to help remediate struggling students. This inquiry aimed to examine the effects of this peer tutoring program framework on student attitudes, math achievement, and self- confidence. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from state testing, student surveys, and teacher and peer tutor interviews were collected and analyzed to evaluate how peer tutoring impacted growth and academic success. Findings indicate that peer tutoring increases student attitudes toward math, student self-efficacy, and student achievement in mathematics. The framework implemented for peer tutoring may be replicable in other content areas and similar instructional setting. The findings also offer important insights for improving math performance outcomes and easing the strain caused by teacher shortages in similar schools
Executive Summary- Knowledge is Immunity: An Intervention to Increase Vaccination Rates in Pediatric Patients During Flu Season
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INTEGRATING THE VOICE OF THE DYAD: LISTENING TO THE BIRTH STORIES OF BOTH PARENTS
Full text linkThis study explores how partners make the transition to parenthood together. Men’s and women’s experiences were examined, as well as the couple together. Using a grounded theory approach, the research aims to elevate men's voices while considering the couple as a dyad. Participants were eight heterosexual couples who had a baby in the last year. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each individual and the partnership for a total of 24 interviews. Although societal narratives emphasize women’s roles in pregnancy and childbirth, men’s participation in childbirth has been shown to strengthen family bonds and contribute to positive outcomes for all members of the new family. By applying grounded theory, this study develops a framework that incorporates both parents' experiences, highlighting the differences in how men and women process childbirth and its impact on the couple’s dynamic. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both partners' attachment needs during this transition. It underscores the significance of supporting both mothers and fathers, the latter whose needs are often overlooked. The findings offer clinical implications for therapists and medical providers to improve support for both parents and the dyad during childbirth
The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Consumer Buying Behavior: A Study of Millennial Preferences in the Digital Age
Full text linkThe research investigates how social media influencers influence purchasing decisions among millennial consumers who demonstrate exceptional virtual platform involvement. The demographic of millennials who were born between 1981 and 1996 shapes itself through digital growth since they spent their lives during the online digital era which changed how people make purchasing decisions. Research focuses on analyzing the ways social media influencers modify brand reputation and consumer trust while they interact with culturally varied individuals who belong to the millennial generation.
The research uses meta-analysis to bring together multiple secondary sources from published studies for a comprehensive investigation of influencer and millennial consumer relations. The study analysis primarily consists of reviewing existing literature about the subject to uncover major trends despite initially planning first-hand data acquisition. Research demonstrates that millennial consumers develop more trust in influencers whose character and background matches their own suitability pancultural profile. Changes in millennial attitudes and behaviors toward influencers depend heavily on the cultural and regional background they belong to.
The last part stresses the necessity for businesses to develop marketing methods that adapt to cultural differences when they aim to connect with millennial consumers. Brands need to build sustained authentic relationships with influencers because authenticity together with credibility serve as fundamental factors for influencing successful consumer interaction and buying choices. The findings improve the comprehension of influencer marketing because they emphasize why brands should modify their digital plans to match changing consumer patterns. Social media influencers represent a substantial component of contemporary marketing strategies since they influence the outcome of future marketing campaigns targeting millennial audiences
MAXIMIZING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF TITLE I FUNDING THROUGH A HIGH DOSAGE READING TUTORIAL PROGRAM IN A NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Full text linkIn 1965, President Johnson launched a national initiative to promote educational equity. He focused on ensuring access to a basic education for all students. The goal of the initiative was especially those from low-income families. Despite significant advancements since then, the search for a genuine educational equity still continues. The mixed-methods research study examined the development, effectiveness, and impact of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), a vital resource allocation aimed at reducing educational disparities in student achievement. The initiative would ensure all students had a fair chance at a quality education.
The study's quantitative component scrutinized longitudinal data on academic performance and resource allocation in schools that benefited from Title I funding of a high dosage reading tutorial program. The analysis identified patterns, evaluated the influence of funding on student outcomes, and measured the overall success of a Title I initiative over time.
Concurrently, the qualitative component involved detailed interviews with educators and policymakers, alongside comprehensive case studies of selected schools. These qualitative approaches sought to reveal the details of Title I funding on the implementation of high-dosage tutorial reading intervention, delved into the challenges and achievements experienced by schools and the perspectives of those directly engaged in the process.
By combining thorough statistical analysis with insightful qualitative findings, this study offered an evaluation of Title I’s contribution to meeting the educational needs of students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The results aimed to guide future policy decisions and improve the effectiveness of Title I, thereby enriching the ongoing conversation on educational equity in the United States
The Role of Complex Type N-Glycans in Neuronal Development
No full textOligosaccharides are attached to up to 70% of human proteins. N-linked glycosylation is one of the predominant forms of co- and post-translational modifications in vertebrates. Discrepancies in glycan processing result in congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs), a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by impaired glycan synthesis or processing, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations. CDGs are divided into two classes: type 1 and type 2. Regarding N-glycosylation, CDG type 1 disorders result from improper glycan synthesis or transfer of the precursor oligosaccharide, while CDG type 2 disorders result from disrupted processing of the precursor oligosaccharide linked to protein. Many identified CDG disorders are lethal within the first year of life, and those that survive often have neurological complications. Those who survive are impacted by epilepsy, locomotor skill deficiency, and slowed or stunted growth. N-linked oligosaccharides are processed by many enzymes, such as N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases (GnTs) and transporters. The three common types of N-glycans are oligomannose, hybrid, and complex. The first GnT to act is GnT-I, which is responsible for the processing of oligomannose to hybrid N-glycans via addition of a N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNaC) residue to the conserved core of N-glycans. The importance of glycan processing by GnT-I has been implicated in several studies using knockdown organismal and cell models. Global GnT-I knockout in mice was found to be lethal at the embryonic age of 8.5-10.5 days. This timeframe coincides with neurogenesis and the neural tube formation from the neural plate, which involves cell migration and proliferation. GnT-I was inactivated in developing neural tissue of mice, which perturbed neuron development. Further, these mice suffered from a shortened life span and reduced body size. These findings highlight the critical role of GnT-I in neurogenesis, growth, and longevity.
This study used zebrafish as an organismal model since embryonic and larval development stages are well-characterized, and the number of individual fish studied can be relatively large. Zebrafish, unlike mice, possess two gene copies of GnT-I referred to as mgat1a and mgat1b, resulting from multiple whole genome duplications. Inactivation of one of the two mgat1 genes, mgat1b, reduced the level of glycan processing from oligomannose to hybrid and complex N-glycans. Glycomics profiling supported this knockout with an increase in the Glc2Man5 structure acted upon by GnT-I. The GnT-Ib knockout fish had reduced complex N-glycans. Survivability was greatly reduced in the mutant fish line which began to drop around 10hpf. Developmental milestones were delayed when mgat1b was knocked out such as the presence of a heartbeat and swim bladder inflation. Sensory motor function was reduced in mutant line fish as indicated by reduced motor activity and slow touch or vibrational startle response as well as motor coordination and stamina. Muscle structure development of mgat1b knockout fish was delayed until up to 72 hpf via birefringence microscopy. Spinal cord caudal primary (CaP) primary motor neurons transiently expressing electric green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were examined using fluorescent microscopy with the mutant line having reduced collateral branching. These results indicate the importance of complex N-glycosylation on zebrafish development and motor function
The Effects of Bat Grip Type on Baseball Hitting Performance
No full textINTRO: The success of a hitter for the longest time was defined by batting average but in today’s game success is more focused on performance metrics such as bat speed, attack angle, and exit speed. One aspect of hitting that has been shown to have a potential effect on performance is the way you grip the bat. The few common ways to grip the bat include the “conventional grip” (aka normal grip), choked up grip, and the “palmar hamate grip” (aka pinky or pinky off grip). The palmar hamate grip is becoming more popular across baseball as there is belief that it can increase performance. If there is some type of performance benefit, it would be valuable to investigate the mechanism or explanation for the improvement in performance. With the wrist being near the bat and slight movements potentially affecting the orientation of the bat, an analysis should be performed to see if changes in wrist kinematics could explain potential performance benefits from the palmar hamate grip. Prior research in regards to the palmar hamate grip and its effect on performance and wrist kinematics is limited. Additionally, a major limitation in prior research is not accounting for grip preference. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the palmar hamate grip on baseball hitting performance in comparison to the conventional grip, accounting for grip preference. The secondary purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the palmar hamate grip on wrist kinematics in comparison to the conventional grip, also accounting for grip preference. METHODS: Twenty-one high school and collegiate right-handed hitters (ages 16-22) participated and were separated into two groups based on grip preference (conventional, n = 14; palmar hamate, n = 7). The study consisted of two conditions: in the first, participants completed 5 maximal effort swings off a tee with their preferred grip; in the second, participants completed 5 maximal effort swings off a tee with their non preferred grip. Bat speed and attack angle were measured via Blast Motion sensor, exit speed was measured via Stalker Sport 2 radar gun, and smash factor was calculated by dividing exit speed by bat speed. Wrist kinematics were measured via 12 camera Qualisys 3D motion capture system. Wrist angle at contact, wrist range of motion (ROM), wrist angular velocity at contact, and maximum angular velocity in all three axes (x-flexion/extension, y-ulnar/radial deviation, z-pronation/supination) for both left and right wrists were calculated in V3D. RESULTS: Statistical significances were found for attack angle and smash factor but not for bat speed or exit speed. For attack angle, a significant difference was found between the palmar preferred and conventional preferred group in the preferred grip condition (8.57 ± 4.29° vs. 4.37 ± 4.13°, p < 0.05). Additionally, within the palmar preferred group a significant difference was found between the preferred and non-preferred grip conditions (8.57 ± 4.29° vs. 7.14 ± 5.00°, p < 0.05). For smash factor, the only significant difference found was between the preferred and non-preferred grip conditions within the conventional preferred group (1.16 ± 0.03 vs. 1.18 ± 0.03, p < 0.05), however this difference is not meaningful (d = 0.46). Wrist kinematic variables that showed significance included: left wrist flexion/extension angle at contact, left wrist pronation/supination angle at contact, left wrist flexion/extension ROM, left wrist ulnar/radial ROM, left wrist flexion/extension angular velocity at contact, and left wrist flexion/extension maximum velocity. However, the significance found for these variables were not clear in their effect on performance. No other significances were found for other wrist kinematic variables. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that the palmar hamate grip has some influence on attack angle, but not bat speed, exit speed, or smash factor. Also, the palmar hamate grip had no clear effect on wrist kinematics, suggesting the change in attack angle seen could potentially be due to other body kinematics. The more positive attack angle seen with the palmar preferred group compared to the conventional preferred group in the preferred grip condition is meaningful. Having a more positive attack angle helps in matching the bat path with the downward angle of the incoming pitch which maximizes the chance of solid contact and generates more optimal launch angle potentially leading to increased power and ball flight distance. Given that the changes in attack angle acutely were modest, the findings suggest long term training with the palmar hamate grip would be needed to improve attack angle
Importance of Creating a Healthy Work Environment in a Nursing Unit in the Post-Pandemic Era
No full textThis quantitative descriptive study investigates staff perceptions of the post-pandemic work environment in a nursing unit, concentrating on how these perceptions align with the six Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards. A HWE plays an essential role in increasing staff satisfaction, decreasing nurse turnover, improving patient care outcomes, and empowering nurses. As healthcare systems evolve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding staff experiences and satisfaction is crucial for fostering a supportive work culture. The study uses quantitative methodologies and deductive reasoning, analyzing variables and their relationships to form conclusions and collect data regarding nursing staff’s experiences and perceptions across various aspects of the post-pandemic work environment. The six HWE standards, skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership, serve as the framework for analysis. Fifty-one nursing staff members were eligible to complete the 2020 and 2024 surveys due to their employment spanning these years. The staff members' perception of their environment provides insight into improvement opportunities after the effects of the pandemic. Initial findings reveal a decrease in each HWE standard, indicating that COVID-19 had a negative impact on the nursing workforce and environment. The HWE standards most affected and reviewed for this study were skilled communication, true collaboration, and authentic leadership. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted, unique strategies and interventions to enhance the work environment in these three standards. This research highlights the critical need for healthcare administrators to prioritize creating a healthy work environment by tailoring specific strategies related to the unit’s needs. By addressing challenges identified through the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) survey, nursing units can cultivate a more positive, engaging, and productive workplace that ultimately benefits staff and patients
Force Production of Diverse Populations
No full textThis study examines how physical activity levels influence hand grip strength and accuracy. Sixteen participants split into active and inactive groups (both male and female), completed tests to measure their maximum grip strength and their ability to reproduce submaximal forces (50% and 35% of their maximum). The findings revealed that active individuals consistently demonstrated stronger grip strength, better coordination between hands, and greater accuracy in hitting target force levels. In contrast, inactive participants showed weaker grip strength, larger imbalances between hands, and less precise control during submaximal tasks. These differences highlight how regular physical activity supports better muscle balance, coordination, and motor precision. Active males showed more symmetrical hand strength, while active females outperformed their inactive peers in overall grip strength. Meanwhile, inactive participants struggled with accuracy and consistency, reflecting the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on motor skills. This study highlights the importance of staying active—not just for physical strength but also for improving everyday functional abilities. These insights could inform exercise programs and rehabilitation strategies, helping people of all backgrounds stay independent and thrive
Nutrition can make a difference in mental health
No full textMedical and dietetic students often co-author a column for the Daily Reflector under Dr. Kolasa's byline. The students research the topic a reader or patient has asked. Dr. Kolasa reviews their draft for technical accuracy, patient friendly language, people first language. She fact checks the study or other evidence-based reference the student provides. If a physician review is appropriate, Dr. Kolasa requests a colleague from ECU physicians to review the article. The final draft is submitted to the Reflector with the editor having the final say. The headline is written by the Reflector headline writer. The food and nutrition column has run weekly since 1987. Starting in 2020, in addition to the Daily Reflector, the article is published in daily and weekly papers owned by the Adams Publishing Group East (https://adamspg.com).This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column explores the powerful connection between nutrition and mental health, highlighting how dietary changes and specific foods can significantly enhance emotional well-being and overall wellness.Non