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Thermobarometry applied to the long-lived Cordillera de San Buenaventura volcanic complex in central Andes. Part I: Supra-solidus phase equilibria modelling.
No full textPerceptions of School-Based Occupational Therapists Regarding the Access to Educator Credential Pathways in Kentucky
No full textBackground: In Kentucky public schools, occupational therapists are employed as classified staff without access to educator credential pathways. This study explores occupational therapist’s perceptions of how those state-level structures impact recognition, collaboration, leadership, and day-to-day practice within the educational system context. Purpose: This qualitative descriptive study examines school-based occupational therapists’ perceptions of how the absence of educator credential pathways influences their professional practice, collaboration, and leadership in Kentucky public schools. Research objectives focus on describing Kentucky school-based occupational therapists’ perceptions of leadership opportunities as shaped by state educator credentialing. Objectives also focus on exploring how credentialing influences interprofessional collaboration with educators and administrators. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP) guided the study, foregrounding how micro (individual), meso (organizational), and macro (policy) environments shape occupational therapists’ participation and opportunities in school systems practice. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, 11 semi-structured virtual interviews were completed with licensed occupational therapists employed in Kentucky public schools with greater than 3 years of experience. Interviews were audio-recorded, de identified, and transcribed verbatim. Analysis conducted with manual thematic analysis blending deductive CanMOP informed codes (micro/meso/macro) with inductive codes to capture emergent themes. Rigor strategies included member checking, peer debriefing, reflexive journaling, thick description, and an audit trail. Results: Eleven Kentucky school-based occupational therapists described an interlocking system of barriers created by exclusion from educator credential pathways. Four themes emerged including structural career ceilings, pay inequities, and inconsistent classification; persistent medical-model perceptions that limit recognition as educational professionals; invisible workload and generic evaluation systems that fail to capture occupational therapy contributions, placing the burden of advocacy on individual practitioners; and a trade-off between valued autonomy and lack of formal influence. Together, these themes demonstrate how credentialing gaps constrain occupational therapists’ participation, leadership, and collaboration across micro, meso, and macro levels. Conclusions: The study concludes that Kentucky’s current policies restrict occupational therapists’ full integration as specialized instructional support personnel and leaders in MTSS and systems-level initiatives. Establishing optional educator credential pathways, aligning evaluation and pay structures with advanced training, and formally embedding occupational therapy within educational planning would recognize therapists as educational professionals, promote equity and workforce sustainability, and better leverage their expertise to advance access and outcomes for all students
How a Salamander Gets its Spots: Predation Risk as a Carryover Effect on Aposematic Coloration in Ambystoma maculatum
No full textEarly experience can often induce the expression of traits that subsequently influence fitness later in life, a phenomenon known as carryover effects (COEs). Some COEs influence phenotype expression in both early and late life stages, which then influence expression of additional secondary traits developed in later stages, called indirect COEs. Previous research has highlighted effects of indirect COEs of food availability on body condition and aposematic defensive coloration (i.e., bright colors indicative of toxicity) in amphibians, but little is known of how predation risk experienced during larval stages affects later stage coloration. We hypothesized increased predation risk in larval stages decreases larval body condition, subsequent juvenile body condition, and leads to reduced secondary defensive coloration. To better understand the interplay between larval predation risk, growth and development, and subsequent aposematic coloration in larval amphibians, we monitored a suite of growth, development, and color variables among larval Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) under a predator present/absent mesocosm design. Larvae exhibited developmental plasticity in body condition and behaved appropriately to predation risk. However, time to metamorphosis was long, metamorphic body condition was similar between treatments, and color analyses showed no difference in coloration. The results indicate no effect of predation risk on aposematic coloration of juvenile salamanders, suggesting it does not act as a COE. Future studies should investigate the effect of predation risk with increased prey diversity for larvae and, if possible, extend studies to include time at first reproduction to directly assess ties between individual aposematic coloration and reproductive fitness
EVALUATING AFFORDABLE DRONE TECHNOLOGY FOR YIELD ESTIMATION
No full textThe adoption of precision agriculture technologies has historically been limited by cost barriers, particularly for small-scale farms. This study evaluates the effectiveness of low-cost drone technology for pumpkin yield estimation in small-scale agriculture, addressing a critical need for affordable precision agriculture solutions. Using a DJI Mini 2 SE drone (\u3c$1000), we analyzed five random plots within a 1.23-acre pumpkin field at Eastern Kentucky University\u27s Meadowbrook Farm, developing a methodology for aerial yield estimation. The study employed a flight approach that combined an overview with detailed imagery and ground-truth validation. Results demonstrated 94% accuracy in pumpkin counting and size classification while reducing estimation time by 66% compared to traditional methods. Cost-benefit analysis revealed potential recovery of investment within 1-2 growing seasons for individual farms, with additional benefits through cooperative ownership models. This research provides empirical evidence that affordable drone technology can effectively support small-scale agriculture operations, offering a practical solution for yield estimation while improving operational efficiency
From Self-Soothing to Success: How Behaviors Shape Academic Outcomes.
No full textChildhood coping mechanisms shape the development of positive behaviors, with self-soothing linked to better coping and increased prosocial actions. Students who engage in prosocial behaviors tend to excel academically, yet research rarely connects self-soothing, prosocial behavior, and academic performance. In the present study, we explore these relationships, starting with self-soothing techniques, the frequency of prosocial behaviors, and academic achievement. We hypothesize that students from low-income backgrounds will exhibit maladaptive self-soothing behaviors, leading to fewer prosocial behaviors and lower academic performance. Our second hypothesis is that students with higher GPAs will demonstrate positive self-soothing behaviors and engage in more prosocial behaviors. Our final hypothesis is that students with fewer support systems will cope poorly, exhibit fewer prosocial behaviors, and perform poorly academically, compared to their peers. We surveyed Eastern Kentucky University students to explore these hypotheses. We hope these findings help prepare students to perform better academically to decrease stress and increase positive long-term outcomes
Play’s the Thing: How do Occupational Therapy Programs Teach about the Occupation of Play?
Full text linkEngaging in play constitutes a fundamental theoretical concept and skill set emphasized in occupational therapy (OT) education. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), play is a key occupation and a core context for development and learning. However, there is a paucity of evidence about if and how entry-level OT programs are effectively teaching students about play as a central occupation, and the demands of OT education can make it difficult for OT students to observe children in real life play during their didactic coursework, particularly in unstructured play environments. This pilot descriptive study surveyed 59 pediatric faculty, program directors, and chairs from United States-based entry-level OT programs to explore how and when OT programs teach about childhood play as a central occupation, including play assessments taught, what active approaches are used, and in what settings OT students observe children at play. Findings reveal that OT programs recognize the value of play both as an essential occupation and as a tool for understanding various performance skills crucial to child development. The curricula incorporated a blend of lectures, active learning strategies, and real-world observations of children during both didactic coursework and fieldwork placements. These approaches allowed students to explore the nature of play, learn how to assess and evaluate it both formally and informally, and develop play-based interventions. Further research with a larger sample of United States-based programs and practicing OT professionals is needed to better understand how play is assessed and utilized as an occupation in clinical practice
Intentional Grouping: Impacts on Cognitive and Social Presence in a Hybrid Classroom
Full text linkHybrid learning models in healthcare education often present challenges related to reduced cognitive and social presence. This study explores the impact of intentional grouping of students, using Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) scores, on cognitive and social presence in a hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Over four seven-week terms, students were grouped intentionally based on their LASSI scores, which measured anxiety, motivation, and test strategies. Quantitative data were collected using the Community of Inquiry survey, and qualitative data were gathered from open-ended questionnaires. Student responses revealed that consistent intentional grouping improved perceived work quality, time management, and relationship building. Students reported enhanced group dynamics and collaboration, though some faced challenges with group conflicts and intellectual stagnation due to familiarity. Preliminary survey data showed no significant difference in cognitive and social presence between intentional and random grouping. However, findings suggest that intentional grouping positively influenced the logistical and relational aspects of group work, warranting further research into optimizing group dynamics in hybrid learning environments
Student Service Based Learning
Full text linkMorehead State University Nursing Programs actively engage students in service-learning activities as they matriculate through their programs. Service based learning activities integrate theory, research, planning, teamwork, evidence-based practice interventions, and evaluation strategies, which contribute to optimizing student creativity and engagement, thus leading to optimal healthcare outcomes within the service region (Mikelic Preradovic, 2015)
Apoyo en Comunidad: A Proposed Manual for Latinx and Hispanic Support Groups
Full text linkNavigating college life can be difficult; add to that the complications of navigating different cultures and it creates a chasm for young adults to overcome. This is true for many Latinx college students who often attend colleges where few resources exist to offer support in navigating these social and cultural issues in their everyday life. Additionally, while group therapy is championed as a treatment modality for many, few groups exist that target Latinx communities, especially Latinx college students. This project aims to highlight these social and cultural issues faced by Latinx individuals and provide clinicians with a treatment manual to help support Latinx students through these issues, while building a support network on their college campus through a support group that is mindful of cultural considerations in the Latinx community
“AI” Doesn’t Mean Engagement: Fostering Student Agency with Generative AI
Full text linkGenerative AI has prompted fervent speculation about its benefits for student engagement. However, evidence and experiences suggest that students may receive AI unevenly in terms of interest and understanding. We propose a framework for engaging students equitably and effectively with AI in ways that develop practical skills and critical literacies