11549 research outputs found
Sort by
CONNECTING ACROSS SILOS: A COHERENCE APPROACH TO ENHANCING EFFICIENCY OF THE TITLE I PROGRAM IN A SMALL, RURAL SCHOOL DIVISION
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of collaborative efforts among central office administrators on the planning and implementation of the Title I program, with a focus on improving academic outcomes for at-risk students. The purpose of the study was to explore how the components of the Coherence Framework, specifically focusing direction and cultivating a collaborative culture, can enhance the planning and execution of the Title I program. Using a convergent parallel, mixed methods design, the study addressed two primary questions: (a) how does focusing direction among central office grant administrators through a collaborative process improve the planning of the Title I program, and (b) how does instituting professional learning communities (PLCs) among central office administration facilitate the implementation of program improvements? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six participants, a series of four PLCs, and participant surveys. Qualitative data were coded using in vivo and descriptive coding, while quantitative data were converted into numerical values. Findings suggest that focusing direction through collaboration enhances Title I program planning by creating an environment of teamwork, incorporating diverse perspectives, and implementing a structured framework. Additionally, PLCs facilitated program improvements by promoting communication, efficiency, and collaboration, with a structured framework guiding the work. The study highlights the importance of a fully implemented Coherence Framework in division transformation and the necessity of a structured PLC framework to ensure focus and effectiveness. It also suggests that establishing a structured data management system is essential for data-driven planning and leadership. The limited research on central office administrator collaboration highlights the need for further studies, particularly qualitative research to deepen the understanding of this collaboration and studies to assess how Coherence Framework implementation translates to student outcomes
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAY ZONE IN THE MARITIME DOMAIN: A CASE STUDY OF RUSSIA AND NATO IN THE BALTIC SEA
No full textThis thesis investigates the evolving challenges in the maritime gray zone by conducting a case study on Russia's activities in the Baltic Sea and their impact on NATO and adjacent nations. It argues that Russia has adopted gray zone tactics in the maritime domain against NATO in the Baltic Sea region, and NATO is currently not postured to adequately deter these measures. It analyzes Russia’s clandestine tactics, including the covert transportation of ballistic missiles, deployment of undersea research vessels for malicious purposes, and disruption of maritime traffic using unconventional means in a concerted effort to coerce NATO without breaching the threshold of armed conflict. The study emphasizes the constraints faced by actors in effectively countering these actions, such as legal limitations on maritime operations and barriers to information sharing and cooperation among allied states. The research highlights the pressing need for enhanced coordination, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance strategies to address the escalating gray zone threats in the maritime domain
Placebos and Panaceas
No full textThis body of work, Placebos and Panaceas was created as an educational tool to expose the public to the kind of treatments that claim to help or cure everything from obesity to cancer. Rather than just get upset at the ways these companies swindle those with illnesses, I turned that passion into comedy to get others to really want to interact with my work, rather than see it as just another dour piece of art screaming into the void. I’ve found that it’s easier for someone to enjoy learning about something angering or depressing if you reframe the problem as comedic and ridiculous. The goal of the work isn’t to insult those who use the products and practices, it’s to point out the ridiculousness of the products themselves, exaggerating the intended effects or unintended harmful effects from each treatment
Integrating Trauma-Informed Care Post-ACE Screening in School Settings
No full textExposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is strongly associated with negative academic, behavioral, and health outcomes in school-aged children. This quality improvement project assessed the feasibility of integrating ACE screening into a school-based support model by training student support staff from a nonprofit organization in trauma-informed care.D.N.P
EPOC Substrate Metabolism AT/RT
No full textExcess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) represents the elevated oxygen intake following physical activity as the body restores itself to resting state, and it is influenced by both the intensity and modality of exercise. While EPOC has been well-documented, its role in substrate metabolism—particularly the differential utilization of fats and carbohydrates post-exercise—warrants further investigation. This study examines EPOC and substrate metabolism following distinct bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise in untrained individuals, aiming to compare the metabolic outcomes associated with each mode of training. Participants completed randomized sessions of aerobic and resistance exercise, with metabolic variables including oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and resting energy expenditure (REE) measured before, during, and after exercise using indirect calorimetry.
The findings are expected to contribute to the growing body of literature on how different forms of exercise affect energy expenditure and fuel usage during recovery, with implications for weight management and metabolic health interventions. Previous studies have shown that resistance exercise often leads to a prolonged EPOC with a greater reliance on lipid oxidation, while aerobic activity may induce shorter, yet immediate changes in metabolism (Borsheim & Bahr, 2003; Lyons et al., 2006). Understanding these distinctions is particularly relevant for developing targeted exercise prescriptions, especially in sedentary or metabolically compromised populations. This research will inform practitioners and exercise scientists of the practical metabolic outcomes of aerobic versus resistance training, potentially influencing exercise program design for health and performance goal
“EVERYDAY LEADERS ARE EVERYWHERE AND ANYONE”: A PHOTOVOICE EXPLORATION OF LEADERSHIP IDENTITY AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
No full textThis study explores how members of the East Carolina University (ECU) community define leadership and whether these definitions align with institutional frameworks or reflect more individualized interpretations. Using Photovoice, a visual research methodology that empowers participants to share experiences through images and reflection, the project invited students, faculty, staff, and alumni to submit a photo representing the phrase “Everyday leaders are everywhere and anyone”, along with their personal definition of leadership and brief demographic information.
A total of 193 participants responded. The data revealed strong themes of service, empathy, inspiration, and leading by example, with many respondents emphasizing the importance of relational leadership over positional authority. Word frequency analysis and photo reflections highlighted leadership as an everyday act rooted in ECU’s motto, Servire—“to serve.” While the project did not reach the scale required to produce a large-scale mural as initially envisioned, the findings offer a meaningful insight into Pirate leadership identity.
The study contributes to ongoing conversations about leadership development in higher education and demonstrates the power of storytelling, visual expression, and inclusive research design. It also lays the groundwork for future student-led projects aimed at continuing this work and visually celebrating the diverse leaders who shape the ECU community
Microplastic Settlement Across a Salinity Gradient in the Tar-Pamlico River
No full textMicroplastics are found in almost all ecosystems on Earth. They pose a threat to organisms through accidental ingestion, bioaccumulation, or by concentrating toxins, such as endocrine disrupters, in the water. While it is understood that rivers transport a great amount of microplastic to the ocean, microplastic movement and settlement in estuaries are not well understood. Increased salinity can increase the benthic accumulation of microplastics due to flocculation, where the ionic activity in the water causes microplastics and suspended material to form dense clumps that settle to the bottom of the water column. We collected surface and benthic samples across a salinity gradient (2-7) during two research cruises at the juncture of the Tar-Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound in April 2024. Our goal was to determine if increased surface salinity led to increased benthic microplastic concentration due to settlement. Microplastics were isolated and counted through a standard operating protocol that included wet peroxide oxidation, density separation, Nile Red dying, fluorescence microscopy, and ImageJ analysis with the MP-VAT2.0 macro. Sampling date and environmental conditions had a greater impact on microplastic concentration compared to salinity. I hypothesize that other factors, such as rainfall, speed of water flow, and proximity to developed areas, may have a greater impact on microplastic presence in the water column vs. the sediment in the Tar-Pamlico River. I found that there is higher plastic in the sediment of the Tar-Pamlico River compared to at the surface of the water column, aligning with other studies of microplastic in estuarine systems. These findings may guide future efforts to better understand microplastic dynamics in the Tar-Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound
School Climate and Mental Health Among Hispanic ELL Students
No full textThis study investigates whether Hispanic English Language Learners (ELL) have higher anxiety and depression than Hispanic non-ELL students and whether this relationship is moderated by their perception of school climate. Researchers often overlook the language heterogeneity within the Hispanic population, instead focusing mostly on comparisons between Hispanic students and their non-Hispanic peers. But at the individual level, one of the most widely documented risk factors for Hispanic students is language proficiency, particularly among the ELL subpopulations. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by disaggregating Hispanic students based on the distinct needs of ELLs. Participants in this study are current fifth grade students enrolled in a school mental health study underway in 16 public elementary schools in North and South Carolina (n = 1,216). We compare ELL status Hispanic subgroups (n = 146) on the PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Depression, and BIMAS-2 Negative Affect scales, and then examine whether the effect of ELL status on these scores changes depending on perceptions of school climate. Our findings will inform culturally responsive educational and behavioral health interventions for Hispanic students
Adolescent Contraception
No full textAdolescent pregnancies are a public health emergency. Many are unintended. Knowledge and access to contraceptives can reduce unintended pregnancies and adverse outcomes. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are considered first-line for adolescents. These devices are safe and effective. Pediatricians play a pivotal role in contraceptive access. Pediatricians untrained in LARC insertion can provide access through referrals. Referrals to Title X facilities can increase access and education.Dr. Sharon Romney, MD
Amanda Easter, RN BSN Director of NursingD.N.P