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LEADING IN NEPANTLA: THE COMPLEXITY OF SERVING AS A TEACHER AND LEADER IN A TEACHER-LED SCHOOL
No full textTeachers traditionally work in a classroom and have little to no say outside those walls. I engaged a group of four co-practitioner researchers (CPR) from an alternative teacher-led school in a participatory action and activist research (PAAR) project and study. As teachers and leaders, they occupied nepantla – a liminal space between teaching and leading and between their values and district constraints. I analyzed how teachers as leaders developed and implemented a project-based instructional program in an alternative school and the assets and challenges they encountered. In the final data cycle, I conducted an ethnographic study of two teacher leaders as they shared their successes and challenges in operating a teacher-led school focused on shifting the power structure to include students. Using the Community Learning Exchange axioms and protocols (Guajardo et al., 2016), the team crossed boundaries to develop their individual and collective capacity as school leaders. At the intersection between teaching and leading and between district demands and their belief in the power of student-generated curriculum, the teachers as leaders collaborated to leverage student voices amid challenges. The team challenged the traditional hierarchy, elevating teachers as leaders and allowing them to exist in a complex environment in which they experienced freedom and conflict. The findings emerged as a cautionary tale: (1) Teacher leaders in an alternative school without a principal did not rely on a traditional hierarchy for decision-making, simultaneously existing in a position of decision-making dissonance and empowerment, and (2) teacher leaders in an alternative setting focused on project-based learning were empowered to authentically use student voices to develop curriculum and school structures, causing internal conflict due to longstanding educational
traditions and limited resources. While teachers felt liberated beyond the classroom to lead, they simultaneously felt overwhelmed by the demands of teaching and leading. They recognized that they needed decision-making and conflict-resolution structures to more effectively navigate the liminal space of teacher and leader. The implications for those engaging in democratic structures for schools need processes and protocols for decision-making and conflict resolution
HOUSING CONDITIONS EFFECT ON SPINAL CORD REGENERATION POST SPINAL CORD INJURY IN LARVAL ZEBRAFISH
No full textSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a major public health burden. There is currently no cure for SCI and up to 30% of people with SCI will develop anxiety. Regenerative models, like the zebrafish, may be our best resource for finding new treatments. Our lab previously demonstrated that when given a food source that is alive and moves (rotifers), a larger percentage of larval zebrafish form a complete glial bridge and recover motor skills after SCI than larvae given a pellet diet. However, it was unclear whether increased motor recovery was from a difference in nutrition or the visual stimulation of moving prey. In addition, whether the zebrafish exhibited anxiety-like behavior after SCI and during recovery, particularly in the presence of live food, was never determined. In this study, we tested how housing conditions, larvae individually housed or housed together, affect anxiety and locomotor activity in uninjured larvae. In addition, we were able to test whether spinal cord regeneration via glial bridging post SCI was affected by these different housing conditions. The visual motor response test (VMRT) was used as a metric to measure thigmotaxis and locomotor activity. Live imaging was utilized to measure whether a complete glial bridge was formed or not in injured larvae. Measuring both total swim and thigmotaxis (an anxiety assay for larval zebrafish), we observed no difference in % thigmotaxis between housing conditions for uninjured animals. However, total swim increased with time when placed in a group housed environment. Further, we found that glial bridging was increased when larvae with SCI were placed in a group housed environment suggesting that housing conditions can enhance pro-regenerative outcomes
Improving SDOH Screening in an Inpatient Setting: A Quality Improvement Study
No full textAbstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine if the implementation of an educational toolkit for nurses improved social determinants of health (SDOH) screening compliance on an inpatient unit. The overarching goal was to increase identification of those with SDOH needs and to address those needs. Design: A quantitative design was used. Methods: A toolkit was developed to educate nurses on a 24-bed unit on SDOH and screening for SDOH. A total of 323 patients were admitted to the study unit, where 49 nurses are employed. The study evaluated the number of patients who were screened for SDOH needs upon admission to the unit, as well as nursing perception of SDOH and SDOH screening with two surveys. The goal was to improve SDOH screening by 10%. Results: Survey results indicate nurses thought the toolkit was helpful; however, SDOH screening rates increased by only 1.8%. Conclusion: Although the educational toolkit was well-received, other methods are needed to improve SDOH screening rates in an inpatient setting. Implications: Further studies are necessary to address SDOH screening compliance. Possible realms of improvement include streamlined screening forms and several on-site nurse champions. Impact: SDOH plays a large role in people’s health and well-being. Addressing SDOH needs can improve patient outcomes and the health of the community. Even a small increase in screening rates is impactful, although further studies are needed to make a lasting impact on SDOH screening. Contribution: There were no patient or public contributions. Contribution to the Clinical Community: This study ameliorates a paucity in research surrounding SDOH screening and improving SDOH screening compliance.D.N.P
Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Rural Harm Reduction Programs that Target Opioid Use Disorder
No full textThe purpose of this project is to explore factors that serve as barriers or facilitators to the provision of harm reduction programs in rural areas in North Carolina. North Carolina has been deeply impacted by the opioid epidemic, and opioid-related harm rates exceed national averages in many parts of our state, with rural areas experiencing the highest rates of harm. Harm reduction programs seek to mitigate opioid-related harm by providing services such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, peer support, safe needles, and treatment referrals. Research indicates people living in rural areas experience higher rates of opioid-related harm, and this project seeks to contribute to understanding how to meet the needs of rural communities through the provision of harm reduction services. This qualitative descriptive study used secondary data from an in-progress parent study titled, “Facilitators and Barriers to Harm Reduction Services.” The parent study includes interviews with harm reduction workers throughout North Carolina. Through analysis of the interviews, person-centered care, advertisement, and community partners were identified as facilitators; funding and education were identified as facilitators or barriers; policy, transportation, and stigma were identified as barriers. These identified barriers and facilitators suggest ways that harm reduction workers, specifically those working in rural areas, can increase the efficacy of their programs. Workers should be conscious of these barriers and facilitators and use them to make well-informed decisions about their program
Investigating Predictors of the Transition from Fat to Carbohydrate Oxidation in Overweight Individuals during Submaximal Exercise
No full textABSTRACT
Purpose: This study is important for knowing the mechanisms behind fuel transitions from fat to carbohydrate oxidation, so that we can further understand what the main predictors are in this crossover point in a group of people who are currently overweight and are at risk of obesity. Understanding what factors are associated with the transition from fat to carbohydrate oxidation will help us better recognize who could be at risk for metabolic diseases later in life. Methods: Up to 60 subjects (29 ± 7 yr) men and women classified as overweight (26.4 ± 1.8 kg/m2) were recruited and participated in this observational study. Blood pressure and blood metabolites were measured after an overnight fast. Lactate was also measured before and after a three-day eucaloric high-fat (70 %) diet. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as a measure of insulin resistance. Visceral adipose tissue mass was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry. A 65% VO2 max test was then administered to assess the transition point from fat to carbohydrate oxidation. Prior to the test, age, height, weight, and resting heart rate was first collected from the participant. A 10-lead ekg was also attached to the participant for continuous monitoring which is essential throughout the test. The participant was then ordered to maintain a steady cadence of 50-70 revolutions per minute (RPM) throughout the exercise phase. The test duration is typically between six and twelve minutes, allowing the participant to reach a steady-state heart rate. Throughout the test, heart rate and their perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at the end of each stage using the Borg scale to gauge the individuals level of intensity of each stage. Once the individual’s 65% of their VO2 max was achieved, the test then transitioned to a cool-down phase. During this stage the resistance was decreased on the ergometer and the participant was told to cycle at a low intensity for several minutes. This allowed for adequate time for blood pressure and heart rate to return to resting levels. Once the values returned to normal levels, the test was then terminated. Results: To investigate the associations between various physiological, metabolic characteristics and the primary variable of transition time, a series of Pearson correlations were performed. Each variable was analyzed in relation to the independent value of transition time. The level of significance of each variable was assessed using the corresponding P-value (significance level) and R-value. Among all the variables tested, carbohydrate oxidation (CHOX), fat oxidation (FAOX), age, and body mass index (BMI) emerged as the statistically significant predictors (p < 0.05) of transition time, each demonstrating a meaningful level of significance. CHOX displayed the strongest connection with a p-value of 0.01 and an r-value of -0.36. FAOX was also a statistically significant predictor with a p-value of 0.04. Another variable that was significant was age, which yielded a p-value of 0.02 with an r-value of 0.35. The last variable we tested that showed significance as predictor of transition time was BMI (p= 0.02, r-value= -0.33). Several variables (fat mass, lactic acid, % body fat, REE, among others) failed to demonstrate statistically significant relationships with the transition time from fat to carbohydrates, and their significance was minimal. Discussion: This study identified carbohydrate oxidation, fat oxidation, age, and BMI as significant predictors of the transition from fat to carbohydrate oxidation during submaximal exercise. These findings suggest that both substrate utilization patterns and basic physiological characteristics can have significant influence on an individual's metabolic flexibility. With substrate oxidation patterns, BMI, and age being significant indicators of transition time, traditional fitness markers such as VO₂ max, resting energy expenditure, and time to exhaustion did not show a significant enough correlation. These findings suggest that metabolic flexibility is influenced more by physiological factors such as body composition and substrate oxidative capacity rather than peak aerobic and exercise performance. Future research of this transition should aim to validate these findings in larger and more diverse populations. This includes individuals with obesity, different ethnic backgrounds, and varying levels of physical activity. This would be of great benefit for continuing research in the future
Smart choices can help minimize holiday weight gain
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 is How to avoid weight gain on Thanksgiving.Non
IMPACT OF FINANCIAL CYCLES ON BANKING AND LENDING IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
No full textThe purpose of this research is to examine how financial cycles influence banking and lending in Eastern North Carolina (ENC). This study aims to identify the underlying factors contributing to the disproportionate economic impacts experienced in the region. ENCs suffer more severe consequences during financial downturns and experience less pronounced benefits during upturns due to the region’s predominantly rural composition, persistent economic disadvantages, and limited access to banking infrastructure
Examining Parasite Diversity as an Indicator of Ecosystem Restoration Success
No full textIn oceans across the world, oyster reefs, ecosystems generated by a foundational species of mollusks, are an essential source of habitat where fauna such as fishes, birds, and crustacea depend both indirectly and directly on the organism’s habitat, food availability, and nursery capabilities for their offspring. Due to primarily anthropogenic effects, the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, has been severely declining in numbers, resulting in impacts being felt across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Because of their foundational role in providing habitat and protection for so many other species spanning multiple different taxa, the loss of these oyster reefs can have a ripple effect through communities. To accurately examine ecosystem health and biodiversity in oyster reef communities, researchers are now exploring an array of sampling schemes. One of these methods gaining in recognition is analyzing parasitic prevalence and diversity as a signal of ecosystem health post-restoration. In previous investigations, scientists have used parasites to examine predator and prey relationships, environmental issues, and coevolution. My study examined the abundance and diversity of crab hosts and the prevalence and diversity of parasites over time to determine whether there were changes in these biodiversity metrics post-restoration. Specifically, I investigated crab species that have been identified as known hosts for taxa-spanning endoparasites, including the Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii, the white-fingered mud crab Rhithropanopeus harisii, the black-fingered mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi, the depressed mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus, and the stone crab Menippe mercenaria. These crabs were collected along Taylor’s Creek at Carrot Island, which is part of the Rachel Carson Reserve near Beaufort, NC. Oyster restoration occurred in late spring 2020, and host-parasite sampling began monthly in October 2020 until October 2021, as part of an ECU master’s thesis, and then continued seasonally through Spring 2024. After collection, crabs were examined in the lab at ECU: crab hosts were identified to species level and then dissected to measure parasite diversity using standard techniques. This project holds significance because global biodiversity is currently facing an unparalleled threat, and with species already reduced to a fragment of the abundance they once were, these ecosystems could be nearing a point of no return without restoring vital habitats like oyster reefs. My data will prove valuable to the scientific community because it can serve as a model for how parasite data can be informative of community biodiversity changes post-restoration, which can be applied in other systems outside of oyster reefs and estuarine environments. From my research, I have acquired an understanding that parasitic abundance can be efficient and accurate when used as another metric for surveying for community biodiversity in ecosystems. There are many challenges and limitations to evaluating community biodiversity and ecosystem health after a restoration attempt has been made; so, having a novel solution like using a highly quantifiable and investigable method of biodiversity surveying (such as parasite surveys from abundant hosts) would allow for results with stronger confidence and evidentiary support
Reproductive Coercion: A Gaming Intervention for Adolescent Females
No full textMany might initially think of RC as synonymous with rape or sexual abuse, however, it is a much broader concept and needs to be a topic of discussion with all adolescents. RC is a form of relationship abuse that can increase the risk of unintended pregnancies. More specifically, RC is related to behavior that interferes with contraception use and pregnancy coercion. Examples of RC include hiding, withholding, or destroying a partner’s oral contraceptives; breaking or poking a hole in a condom or removing a condom during sex in an attempt to promote pregnancy; not withdrawing when that was agreed upon beforehand; and removing vaginal rings, contraceptive patches, or intrauterine devices (IUDs). Furthermore, RC can contribute to health disparities including high unintended pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Being able to understand and address RC is essential to equip adolescents with the resources needed to protect their reproductive rights. This paper aims to provide an overview of RC focusing on adolescent females and the best method of providing pregnancy prevention education through increased knowledge and understanding of RC with created modules that will be used in the spring to create a gaming intervention