804 research outputs found
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Aligning Education and Industry: Analyzing Public School Curriculums\u27 Influence on Skilled Trade Preparedness in Texas
No full textExisting literature on education and industry pipeline underscores the rising call for addressing the alignment of the two sectors to achieve relevant career pathways for students. These efforts were demonstrated when Congress enacted the Perkins Act in 1984, emphasizing career and education alignment by strengthening CTE programs in public schools. This study quantitatively determined the students’ skilled trade preparedness by analyzing the relationship between the student\u27s College and Career Readiness Standard (CCRS) skills and those of students who pursued CTE courses and their counterparts. Three student categories composed of STEM, STEM-related, and non-CTE concentrates who graduated in May 2023 from a metropolitan Texas public University form the independent variable, while skilled trade preparedness served as the dependent variable. A Chi-Square Test for independence (with Yates’ Continuity Correction) indicated a significant association between CTE-STEM career clusters and skilled trade preparedness, X2 (1, n = 384) = 41.24, p = .001, with a significant effect size phi = .334. On the other hand, non-CTE career clusters reported X2 (1, n = 384) = .560, p = .454, with a negligible effect size phi = .047. This study found that CTE programs in Texas were significantly aligned with the industry compared to the non-CTE programs
IMPLEMENTATION of THE AMERICAN COLLEGE of CARDIOLOGY and AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES for STATIN THERAPY in REDUCING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES
Full text linkThe incidence of type 2 diabetes has significantly increased over the past decade, making it a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Banach et al., 2022). Individuals with type 2 diabetes are four times more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, accounting for up to a 75% mortality rate. Despite this, the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains underestimated and undertreated in this population (Banach et al., 2022). The purpose of this project was to enhance adherence to the American College of Cardiology 2019 and the American Diabetes Association 2023 clinical practice guidelines regarding statin therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes with an elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. All staff and providers were educated on the project. Patients’ risks were assessed using the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score calculator in conjunction with a medication reconciliation assessment. Risk scores were documented in the charts. Providers ensured patients were taking the recommended statin or were prescribed a statin based on their risk scores. Results showed that 100% of staff and providers attended the project in-service. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk scores were documented on 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes, and 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes not previously on statins were prescribed appropriate statin therapy. Use of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk calculator helps providers identify patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular events. Implementing clinical practice guideline directed statin therapy can significantly reduce mortality and long-term cardiovascular complications in this population
Exploring the Efficacy of the Comprehensive Institutional Model (CIM) in a Post-COVID-19 Hyflex Higher Education Environment: An Instrumental Case
No full textThis instrumental case study examined the efficacy of the comprehensive institutional model, a pre-existing conceptual framework addressing the challenges of HyFlex teaching and learning in the post-COVID-19 environment at one private university in South Texas. The model was constructed using longitudinal data from a two-year pilot study (2021-2023) and focused on improving teaching effectiveness, investing in instructional technology and infrastructure, supporting graduate students’ academic needs, and executing institutional sustainability actions across three stakeholder groups: administrators, faculty, and graduate students. The study also addressed key gaps in the literature, including the lack of tested HyFlex models in real-world settings. A qualitative, design-based research methodology was used to iteratively assess the model’s components, gathering data from personal interviews, a focus group, classroom observations, course audits, and institutional metadata. The process resulted in four overarching themes: faculty readiness, graduate student inclusion and engagement, the evolving educational landscape, and the diverse needs of graduate students. These findings affirmed the model’s relevance and foundational theories in the post-COVID-19 HyFlex teaching and learning environment. Additional insights emerged regarding graduate students’ expectations for faculty HyFlex competency, flexible attendance, real-world curriculum integration, collaborative research opportunities, and a stronger sense of belonging. Researcher recommendations supported by theory and literature are provided for these additional research opportunity areas. The study underscores the transferability of its iterative design-based approach for data collection and analysis, and it provides actionable guidance for institutions facing similar challenges. This research offers a tested framework for supporting HyFlex environments and fostering a sustainable “new normal” in higher education
Treatment Considerations for Early Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Active-Duty Military
No full textBackground: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The tools available to treat glaucoma via intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction include pharmacological therapy or surgical intervention.
Case Report: This case study explores these tools in the context of glaucoma in active-duty military personnel. It involves an active-duty army patient diagnosed with early Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) who was initially prescribed IOP-lowering medication. Barriers in treatment compliance occurred while the patient was deployed that led to significant glaucomatous changes detected when the patient returned stateside.
Conclusion: This report suggests a shift from the traditional pharmacological treatment as the first line approach to laser trabeculoplasty in high-risk personnel in the active-duty component
A Case Report of Vitreopapillary Traction Mistaken for Optic Disc Edema
Full text linkBackground: Traction of the optic disc occurs during incomplete detachment of the posterior vitreous from the peripapillary glial tissue. It can sometimes cause the appearance of disc edema and bilateral cases can be confused with papilledema or cause patients to be worked up for pseudotumor cerebri.
Case Report: A patient presented with an outside diagnosis of unilateral optic disc edema and was found in fact to have vitreopapillary traction.
Conclusion: Costly, ultimately unnecessary testing such as magnetic resonance imaging can be sometimes avoided if vitreopapillary traction is considered as a differential for disc edema. It can be easily identified with transverse spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans
Approaches to Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness in Texas
Full text linkIn the United States, the trend of homelessness is increasing, which is causing negative impacts on society. The present study demonstrated the relationship of various socioeconomic factors with the trend of homelessness to address unsheltered homelessness in Houston, Texas. For this purpose, the study employed a cross-sectional quantitative research design. Under multiple linear regression analysis, the findings of the quantitative data analysis revealed that income level (p \u3c 0.001) and employment status (p \u3c 0.001) were the promotors of homelessness in the country. Though this statistical test revealed race as a less significant promotor of homelessness, chi-square highlighted a strong association of this variable with the trends of homelessness. Thus, the findings implied that policymakers and authorities must address low-income levels and unemployment to curb homelessness in Houston
Analyzing the Recruitment and Retention Strategy of the Federal Government at Fort Cavazos
No full textThe U.S. federal government is the largest employer in the United States of America, employing over two million Americans to fill positions that support the American people. This includes providing service and support to all military installations, including Fort Cavazos. With such a large workforce, challenges are natural, and one of the biggest challenges is retaining and recruiting for its current workforce. Fort Cavazos is not immune to these recruitment and retention challenges. This qualitative study was conducted to provide possible solutions that may help recruitment and retention. The qualitative study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was to analyze the results of the 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). The second phase consisted of conducting two independent surveys. The first survey was to recruit participants who had never worked for the federal government at Fort Cavazos, and the second survey was conducted using former Fort Cavazos federal employees. The intent was to see if salary was a determining factor in accepting a position for new employees and if salary was the reason for resigning from Fort Cavazos. Surveys were emailed after an informed consent form had been signed and returned. Each participant was awarded a $10 gift card for their cooperation
A Qualitative Study Using an Interpretive Description Methodology on the Cognitive Process Used by Subject Matter Experts Preparing to Train Job Skills
No full textMany U.S. companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, rely on subject matter experts (SMEs) to train employees rather than hiring professional training specialists. While SMEs possess deep expertise in their fields, they often lack formal preparation for training. This study focused on how SMEs develop their instructional approach without having a formal training background. This qualitative study incorporated interpretive description methodology to examine the possibility of an unintentional observational learning process among SMEs. Seven pharmacy teaching assistants without formal training credentials participated in semi-structured interviews to describe how they prepared for their training roles. The findings presented a consistent cognitive pattern across all participants. Once assigned a training role, they recalled past instructors they considered effective and drew from those experiences to shape their training behaviors. Interestingly, they not only replicated exemplary teaching behaviors but also consciously avoided instructional methods that had negatively impacted them as learners. This dual-learning process demonstrated a deeper cognitive engagement beyond simple mimicry. While the small sample limits generalizability, this research included practical insights for organizations seeking to improve trainer selection and development. Future studies could refine these findings into a predictive tool to assess SME training behaviors, ultimately enhancing workplace learning and performance