26419 research outputs found
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Why Should I Stay? Canadian Black Youth and Public Libraries
No full textThis study used narrative inquiry and critical approaches to race to explore Black youth perceptions of public libraries and community-based programs. The study was conducted in Ontario with youth aged 13 to 24 and parents of youth. Data was drawn from semi-structured interviews with youth and parents and an arts-based qualitative tool. Libraries were identified as safe and welcoming community spaces. However, youth feel poorly represented and seek youth programs with a race-conscious and inclusive approach. Core recommendations include equitable approaches to representation, strengthening relationships with partner organizations, and addressing performative approaches to inclusion
Should More Teams Trust the Process of Tanking?
No full textIn many professional sport leagues, the worst-performing teams receive higher probability of earning top draft picks. This provides teams incentives to purposefully lose, or tank, if they are not likely to contend for the playoffs or championships. We evaluate the effectiveness of tanking to improve team outcomes by examining the most explicit tanking case in the NBA: the Trust the Process Philadelphia 76ers. Using synthetic control, we demonstrate that tanking caused the 76ers to be more successful in terms of winning and operating income. However, only operating income had a plausibly positive present value when calculating discounted present values
Analyzing Microbial Communities in Porites Astreoides
No full textCoral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that support many different species and ecosystem services through protecting coastlines from storms and erosion, providing raw materials for medication, and facilitating diversity amongst marine species. Anthropogenic climate change is causing ocean temperatures to exceed the range of coral thermal tolerance resulting in more coral bleaching events globally. However, some corals have the capacity to withstand high temperatures through different thermal tolerance strategies. A balanced microbial community plays a critical role in coral health and recent studies have indicated that a balanced microbiome is associated with temperature-stress tolerant corals. Yet, there is a severe lack of understanding of how corals respond to temperature shifts based on the bacteria present. This research utilizes 16s rRNA sequencing to characterize the microbial community in Porites astreoides from two populations in the Florida Keys. Samples were collected from an inshore and offshore site with documented differences in thermal tolerance. Coral microbial communities were compared between populations for differences in community structure and to identify unique microbial assemblages that could potentially aid in coral thermal tolerance. Results from this project give valuable insight into bacteria may be associated with thermal tolerance which can help with overall coral reef restoration efforts
Brief Videos During Informed Consent May be Helpful for Participants\u27 Understanding of Study Information
No full textAlthough an informed consent process is required for all research, it is not clear how well study participants read informed consent forms and understand their content. A systematic review of medical clinical trials revealed participants had only a 50% rate of understanding for concepts of the consent process, including voluntary participation, blinding, and freedom to withdraw, with lower rates for randomization, risks, and safety issues (Pietrzykowski & Smilowska, 2021). This issue may be more pronounced for online research, with a recent study indicating half of participants report not reading informed consent forms at all (Perrault & Keating, 2017). Although increasing interactivity did not improve comprehension in a recent study (Geier et al., 2021), forms of interactivity all still focused on reading and writing (e.g., breaking the form across web pages, asking questions along the way), rather than more engaging presentation styles, such as brief videos. The current study developed videos that were integrated into the informed consent process. The aim of these analyses was to describe participant behavior during the consent process, and the perceived utility of the videos for a fully online ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study
Protocol for Development and Validation of an Early Intervention Device and its Influence Using STructured Early Physiotherapy (PreemieSTEP) Intervention on Neuromotor Development in Preterm Infants
No full textEarly physiotherapy interventions for Moderate to Late Preterm (MLP) infants often lack continuity of care from hospital to home settings. This research aims to develop an Early Intervention (EI) device for home program and determine its influence using STructured Early Physiotherapy (Preemie STEP) intervention in MLP infants. For phase I, qualitative interviews will be conducted with healthcare professionals and parents, to understand user needs on developed prototype. Based on identified needs, an EI device will be developed using a human-centered design approach and iterative design process. In phase II, usability and validity of EI device will be evaluated on 10 infants to assess its appropriateness and ease. Further, a pilot Randomized Control Trial (RCT) will be conducted on 24 MLP infants using Preemie STEP intervention in which EI device will be incorporated as a tool to facilitate home program. Treatment includes from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which constitutes Movement Imitation Therapy (MIT) and followed by a home program using the developed EI device from post-hospital discharge to 6 months follow-up. Data collected will be analyzed using thematic for qualitative interviews and descriptive for usability and feasibility outcomes. Clinical effectiveness will be analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman\u27s test
Radon and Radium Isotope Signatures on a Massive Ice- and Permafrost-Rich Coastline
No full textRapid warming in the Arctic is degrading permafrost and massive ice deposits, which releases solutes previously trapped in ice and frozen soils into groundwater, rivers, and the coastal ocean. Radium and radon isotopes are enriched in groundwaters and may therefore have utility as tracers for the delivery of permafrost-derived solutes to the ocean, particularly if massive ice- or permafrost-derived meltwaters have a distinct isotopic ratio. The ratio of radium isotopes within massive ice deposits can also be used to constrain timescales of ice segregation, as the four isotopes will decay with known rates once removed from contact with sediments. Here we present the first measurements of radium and radon in massive ice deposits along the Beaufort Sea coast in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Measurable levels of short-lived radium and radon isotopes indicate relatively recent ice segregation and/or inputs from sediment grains frozen within the ice lenses; the radium-224/radium-228 ratio is used to identify ice samples that must have experienced segregation within the last five years, and desorption experiments provide evidence that sediment within the ice can support the radium activities observed in older ice. Short- to long-lived isotope ratios were low in ice and increased in meltwater and groundwater, while coastal ocean ratios were similar to those of the nearby Mackenzie River. Thus, we find that the radium isotope ratio of massive ice is not preserved during transport, and the river is the main control on the coastal radionuclide distribution in this region. A distinctly low (\u3c 1) radium-224/radium-228 ratio was measured in massive ice deposits, similar to previous observations in permafrost, suggesting that this low ratio may be characteristic of cryogenic environments
Preparation of MOCVD-Grown Photocathodes Containing a Strained GaAs/GaAsP Superlattice
No full textIn this work, we investigate heat cleaning options for high-polarization GaAs/GaAsP strained-superlattice (SSL) photocathodes with a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) that were grown using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). This was done using a microMott polarimeter at Jefferson Lab to optimize both quantum efficiency and polarization. The fabrication process for MOCVD-grown photocathodes does not allow for the inclusion of an arsenic cap, contrary to what is done when fabricating photocathodes using molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Without proper preparation, the performance of MOCVD-grown photocathodes can be limited due to surface contamination. Here, we varied both duration and temperature of the heat cleaning process and observed increased quantum efficiency with negligible loss of polarization. Results of the optimized cleaning process in addition to upgrades to the testing apparatus are presented
Advanced Technology Intraocular Lens Implants (ATIOLs) and Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): Visual and Intraocular Pressure Outcomes
No full textPurpose : Advanced technology intraocular lenses (ATIOLs), including extended depth of focus (EDOF) and multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs), are designed to enhance vision across multiple distances. However, their impact on patients with glaucoma requires further investigation. This study evaluates visual and intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes in patients who underwent cataract surgery with ATIOLs, either alone or in conjunction with MIGS.
Methods : This single-center, retrospective clinical study analyzed electronic medical record data from patients who underwent cataract surgery with an ATIOL between 2016 and 2023. A total of 158 eyes were included, with 68 (43%) male and 90 (57%) female patients, and a mean age of 69 years. Inclusion criteria were mild to moderate primary or secondary glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or anatomical narrow angle. Patients with severe glaucoma, fewer than three months of follow-up, or younger than 18 years were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (Pre-Op) and postoperatively at 1 day (POD1), 1 week (POW1), 1 month (POM1), 3–6 months (POM3-6), and 9–12 months (POM9-12). Outcomes assessed included corrected and uncorrected distance (UDVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuity, IOP, and IOP-lowering medication use.
Results : Of the 158 eyes, 98 (62%) had mild glaucoma, 26 (16.5%) moderate glaucoma, and 34 (21.5%) ocular hypertension or anatomical narrow angle. EDOF and multifocal IOLs were implanted in 104 (65.8%) and 54 (34.2%) eyes, respectively. Both groups demonstrated improvements in UDVA and UNVA by POM9-12. At POM9-12, UDVA of 20/20 or 20/25 was achieved in 58.3% of eyes with an EDOF IOL and 67.7% of eyes with a multifocal IOL. UNVA of 20/40 or better was observed in 78.6% of eyes with an EDOF IOL and 71.4% with a multifocal IOL. Concurrent MIGS, performed in 125 (79.1%) surgeries, was associated with significant reductions in IOP (p\u3c 0.0001) and IOP-lowering medication use (p\u3c 0.0001) at POM1, POM3-6, and POM9-12.
Conclusions : ATIOL implantation, particularly in combination with MIGS, offers promising improvements in both visual and IOP outcomes for patients with glaucoma. Future analysis will expand to include patients who underwent ATIOL implantation between 2023 and 2024
Academic Clustering For Athletes
No full textA trend is developing in academia as it relates to Student-Athletes and advisement practices. With the NIL deals and transfer portals on the continually evolving forefront of collegiate athletics it is difficult to keep the athletes not only eligible to compete but also on track to obtain a degree. A student athlete may be advised to take the track of an Integrated Studies degree and then a transfer to or from a Sport Management Degree. This occurs throughout both the undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education. In addition, certificate programs in athletic administration, sport marketing, sport management, and sport compliance are becoming utilized and are appearing to be used for eligibility purposes. An increasing challenge is marketing the Sport Management degree programs as the viable option for student athletes for long term career benefits and not as a means to better address NIL and transfer opportunities if they decide to engage in such opportunities. From this dilemma stems a multitude of questions for advisors, universities, and sport management degree administrators to wrestle with. How do we as stewards of both the student-athlete and the program itself, best serve all parties well? As both NIL opportunities and transfer restrictions become more student-athlete friendly, it seems that we as academics and mentors may have to focus on the components and aspects of what is within our control as opposed to what many may consider to be a large scale and potentially detrimental landscape for many student-athletes to navigate in their long-term development and degree pursuits. This study will address best practices and the fine line that currently exists between being excellent stewards of our academic programs and the stewardship of serving our student-athletes that is bestowed upon those within the field of sport management education
Gaming, Wellness, and Technology in the Bold Global Workforce
No full textIn today s global workforce, the intersection of gaming and technology is reshaping the way we work, manage stress, and cultivate wellbeing. As the younger generation that grew up on the internet enter the workforce and remote work becomes more normalized, gamified platforms and wellness technologies are merging as powerful tools for enhancing motivation and metal health. Wellness technologies are being integrated into professional environments across cultures and industries, highlighting their potential to support a more adaptive, resilient, and engaged global workforce.
Gaming, Wellness, and Technology in the Bold Global Workforce explores how technology has changed the way global companies communicate and socialize. This book discusses the different tools and practices that help engage workers in this technological world. Covering topics such as artificial intelligence, professional development, and workplace learning, this book is an excellent resource for business leaders, managers, researchers, academicians, and more. [From the publisher]https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/efl_books/1033/thumbnail.jp