Search

A priority of agricultural teacher education programs is to develop technically competent, prepared school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers. SBAE teachers should be knowledgeable in various agricultural subject matter, such as agricultural mechanics. Using Roberts and Ball's (2009) Content-based Model for Teaching Agriculture as the conceptual framework for our study, we used a three-round Delphi technique to identify the agricultural mechanics knowledge and skills SBAE teachers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas need to successfully teach agricultural mechanics courses. Spread across all four states, a panel of 47 SBAE teachers with expertise in agricultural mechanics contributed data for our study. Thirty-five teachers participated in all three rounds. After all three rounds were completed, 71 technical agricultural mechanics knowledge and skill items (e.g., circular saw use, computer numerical control [CNC] systems use, etc.) and 49 agricultural mechanics "teacher skill" / laboratory management knowledge and skill items (e.g., budget management, developing a student traffic control system, etc.) were identified. We recommend various efforts to help expand teachers' competence in these items should be undertaken within these states, including: (1) establishing and expanding partnerships with agricultural industry stakeholders to provide professional development opportunities for SBAE teachers, (2) realigning agricultural teacher education courses and experiences to better reflect teachers' agricultural mechanics knowledge and skill needs, and (3) facilitating opportunities for teachers to develop competence in agricultural mechanics through SBAE teacher-led training. To help provide systematic, consistent examination of teacher competence needs in agricultural mechanics, replication of our study should occur at regular intervals.

Two years after the onset of the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to take a toll on educators' morale and well-being. The need to strengthen relationships between educators and students is growing. The MyTeachingPartner-Secondary (MTP-S) program, which is a strengths-based coaching program for middle and high school teachers, helps educators respond to the demands and stresses of the pandemic. In this article, the authors speak with veteran district coaches who use this program to talk about their experience using MTP-S with teachers before and during the pandemic. Meg Ryan, a coach in Louisa County, Virginia, and Becky Odajima, a coach in Midway, Texas, are enrolled in a three-year research project to study student outcomes as a result of being in classrooms with teachers who are receiving MTP-S coaching. The authors also talked with coaching experts Anna Savitsky and Destiny Woodbury, who train, support, and coach coaches on using the MTP-S model. These experts shared their insights.

Educational laboratory management is a paramount issue in agricultural education settings. Agricultural mechanics laboratories are found in many agricultural education programs. One of the most important issues an instructor in agricultural education settings faces is safety in the agricultural mechanics laboratory. Identifying and cultivating a culture of safety in students early on is key to reducing injuries and accidents. The purpose of this study was to gauge safety climate attitudes within a university-level agricultural mechanics laboratory. The population for this study was university-level agricultural students who were enrolled in two agricultural mechanics courses. Through the lens of Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behavior, the students' safety climate attitudes were assessed by the Safety Climate Attitudes Questionnaire. The highest mean scores were found in the constructs of Personal Motivation for Safe Behavior and Positive Safe Practices. The lowest mean scores were found within the constructs of Risk Justification and Fatalism. We recommend that further study of this topic be conducted in additional agricultural education settings to understand students' attitudes toward safety in laboratory environments.

African American male third graders in U.S Title I schools frequently fail to read on grade level. However, in three Title I schools in East Texas, this demographic demonstrated exceptionally high reading ability. This explanatory case study investigated the instructional strategies and practices linked to high reading achievement for these students. The study is grounded in Ladson-Billings's theory of culturally relevant pedagogy and supported by Vygotsky's theory of social and cognitive constructivism. The research questions were used to examine the instructional strategies and practices used on each campus that may have resulted in such high reading achievement. This study engenders a deeper understanding of effective instructional reading strategies and practices for African American boys at the elementary level.

This qualitative research focuses on a curriculum, "Oil-land," designed and implemented at a public high school in the United States. The premise of the course was to explore complexities associated with the American oil and gas industry using elements of inquiry-based learning, shared dialogue, and with an expectation to take action. The research examines students enrolled in the course and their experiences in how exploring these issues using democratic ideals challenged and changed their thinking. Themes emerging from the data include how students' experiences and reflections helped them transcend binary thinking often found with complicated subject; how students were able to not only analyze issues associated with oil and gas, but humanize them as well; and how students were foster agency through their lived experiences in this course study.

Background: This study examined the effects of virtual reality on students' confidence and knowledge in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and understanding of substance use disorders (SUDs) in mental health and primary care settings. Method: Using a pre- and postdesign, questionnaires were distributed before, immediately after, and 3 months after the simulation. Results: Data analysis revealed significant increases in SBIRT characteristics, screening tools, and alcohol consumption guidelines from pre- to postsimulation (p <.05) among the participants (n = 380). Confidence levels improved significantly (p <.001), with no notable difference between post-simulation and follow-up surveys. Conclusion: Simulation training with structured prebriefing and debriefing sessions facilitated the application of learned skills during the simulation, boosting students' self-efficacy and readiness. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(7):453–459.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current preoccupations in teacher education reform include data gathering, teaching technique, and preparing PK-12 students for standardized tests. The purpose of American education has been reduced to economic benefit. Concerns with ethical behavior, the good life, and democratic citizenship have fallen by the wayside except perhaps in a single social foundations course. Media literacy education infused in the teacher education curriculum offers one way to restore purpose to teacher education, encouraging both pre-service teachers and their students to think critically about their media-dominated society.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to generate theory to explain why some hospital staff chose to stay on the job during a prolonged public health crisis. BACKGROUND: The "great resignation" of 2021 created shortages across the healthcare industry. Why some healthcare staff chose to stay at work when coworkers were leaving in large numbers through retirement, transition to different careers, or perceived suddenly better clinical opportunities was not clear. METHODS: Qualitative Grounded Theory methods guided this research study. Sixteen healthcare workers participated in open-ended interviews that provided data to identify major concepts in an emerging model of commitment during crisis. RESULTS: A "Commit to Stay" model emerged showing 4 major influences including sense of personal agency, supportive organization, social connections at work, and external connections and influence. CONCLUSIONS: The Commit to Stay conceptual model can help guide nurse leaders as they grapple with supporting those who choose to stay at work in healthcare during intense, sustained healthcare crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are capable of long-distance migrations (hundreds of kilometers) but also exhibit resident behaviors in estuarine and coastal habitats. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon and identify migration pathways of adult tarpon in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon was investigated using gillnet data collected by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) over the past four decades. Generalized additive models (GAMs) indicated that salinity and water temperature played a significant role in tarpon presence, with tarpon occurrences peaking in the fall and increasing over the past four decades in this region. Adult tarpon caught off Texas (n = 40) and Louisiana (n = 4) were tagged with acoustic transmitters to characterize spatial and temporal trends in their movements and migrations. Of the 44 acoustic transmitters deployed, 18 of the individuals were detected (n = 16 west of the Mississippi River Delta and n = 2 east of the Mississippi River Delta). Tarpon tagged west of the Mississippi River Delta off Texas migrated south in the fall and winter into areas of south Texas and potentially into Mexico, while individuals tagged east of the delta migrated into Florida during the same time period, suggesting the presence of two unique migratory contingents or subpopulations in this region. An improved understanding of the habitat requirements and migratory patterns of tarpon inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico is critically needed by resource managers to assess the vulnerability of each contingent to fishing pressure, and this information will guide multi-state and multi-national conservation efforts to rebuild and sustain tarpon populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is imperative that schools and communities give students opportunities to participate in active citizenship and prepare them with the important skills and dispositions needed to become informed citizens. Action civics is a promising practice that puts students at the heart of civics learning by providing them with the opportunity to learn about civic and political action by engaging in a cycle of research, action, and reflection about problems they care about. As a response to move civics education toward a more action-oriented approach, the researchers planned and hosted two iterations of a summer civics institute for students entering 5th-9th grades. Using Jessica Gingold's (2013) framework for action civics evaluation, this mixed-method research study explores the outcomes of the iEngage Summer Civics Institutes. Findings suggest that iEngage successfully incorporated four key competences from this framework, including producing 21st-century positive youth leaders, producing active and informed citizens, increasing youth civic participation, and encouraging youth civic creation. However, iEngage was not without its limitations and challenges.

There has been a drastic increase in the use of technology in the classroom over the past 20 years. As computers and tablets permeate our schools, their presence is oftentimes seen as a cure to whatever problems may exist. While the promise of technology has held true within some domains, little has been done to examine its efficacy in some areas. The literature remains largely silent about the use of technology as a handwriting intervention in struggling learners. This study compared handwriting practice performed on iPads to handwriting practice performed through traditional means to determine the extent to which iPad-mediated handwriting practice transfers to traditional assessments. Twelve kindergarten and first-grade students from an urban public elementary school in central Texas participated in this small-scale study. The results indicate that traditional methods, while similar, were superior in terms of letter formation and letter orientation to iPad-mediated practice. Likewise, letter recognition increased for those using traditional handwriting methods but stayed stable for the iPad-mediated group. Similarly, iPad-mediated letter production was increased more so than with traditional methods. This study demonstrates a real world example of what an intervention looks like in a public school setting.

Five classes of Art Appreciation first semester undergraduate Hispanic students assigned to one professor were selected to experience cooperative learning over a full semester. Pre-semester surveys and post-semester surveys were completed by 104 Hispanic freshmen college students. Strategies used in the classes included Think-Pair-Share, Ticket Out the Door, Jigsaw and being a member of base groups of two. This study is based upon theories of social interdependence, cognitive development, and behavioral learning. The surveys were completed by the first time college freshmen to compare and contrast knowledge about their experiences in: 1) individual learning, and 2) learning with a partner. (Contains 1 table.)

Feeding patterns of sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, in the northwest Gulf of Mexico were examined from samples collected at two locations in Texas, USA; Galveston and Port Aransas. A total of 53 sheepshead stomachs (Galveston, n = 35; Port Aransas, n = 18) had their contents analyzed along with tissue samples from the muscle and liver for a stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) because they provide a contrast between short-term (liver) and long-term (muscle) measurements. Multiple species of amphipods made up the majority of the prey items in sheepshead from Galveston (%IRI = 61.79), whereas barnacles were the primary diet item for sheepshead collected in Port Aransas (%IRI = 39.53). We observed diet shifts prior to and during the spawning season. MANOVA revealed significant differences in δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S stable isotope values from the muscle and liver tissue of sheepshead based on the location. In both muscle and liver samples, δ13C values were lower in Galveston than Port Aransas, but δ15N and δ34S values were higher in Galveston than Port Aransas. Niche size and overlap also differed between sheepshead from both locations and tissue types. Sheepshead collected in Galveston had a larger niche size in the muscle and liver samples ((mean ± SD) 479.3 ± 131.2, muscle; 433.3 ± 120.3, liver) than Port Aransas (178.8 ± 54.3, muscle; 270.0 ± 80.9, liver). The trophic niche of sheepshead from Galveston overlapped Port Aransas in muscle samples by 16.47% and 18.56% in liver samples. The trophic niche overlap of sheepshead from Port Aransas measured in muscle samples overlapped with sheepshead from Galveston by 18.49% and by 39.17% in liver samples. This study shows that there are subtle but significant differences between the diets of sheepshead along the Texas coast, with the majority of the differences potentially attributable to differences in the prey field along the natural salinity gradient of the Texas coast. This work provides an insight into the widely generalist grazing behavior of sheepshead, which potentially changes during the springtime spawning season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among other arguments, advocates for lifting bans on carrying concealed handguns on campus propose that this would increase the prevalence of legitimately carried handguns, which might then deter crimes or be used to intervene in campus shooting incidents like the one that took place at Virginia Tech in 2007. Opponents suggest that increased prevalence of concealed handguns would lead to increases in other negative consequences, such as accidental shootings. Little empirical research has examined the potential outcomes of such a policy change, nor has existing research examined the prerequisite issue of whether lifting these bans would result in substantial increases in the prevalence of concealed handguns among students. Using a sample of undergraduate classrooms selected from five academic buildings at a public university in Texas, this study examines the potential impact of lifting the concealed handgun ban on the likelihood that a given classroom would contain at least one legally carried handgun. Results reveal that the impact of potential policy changes in this area vary based on the building under consideration and the measure of potential handgun prevalence. Limitations of the study and implications for future research on the issue of concealed handgun carrying on college campuses are discussed. (Contains 5 tables and 5 notes.)

In efforts to reform the child welfare system, agency leaders must involve staff at all levels; yet, little research has been done to determine which organizational factors encourage or inhibit staff engagement. Employees from an urban child welfare agency were invited to complete a survey regarding organizational effectiveness and its influence on reform efforts. The results show how these findings can be used by managers to improve practice, specifically through increased information sharing with stakeholders. (Contains 3 tables.)

Score equity assessment is an important analysis to ensure inferences drawn from test scores are comparable across subgroups of examinees. The purpose of the present evaluation was to assess the extent to which the Grade 8 NAEP Math and Reading assessments for 2005 were equivalent across selected states. More specifically, the present study examined the consistency of the achievement level results (i.e., Basic, Proficient, and Advanced) across five selected states for each assessment when they were treated separately versus as part of the national sample. The proportions of examinees within each achievement level were obtained using the item statistics for the respective state and the national sample. The achievement level proportions were highly comparable for each state comparison for the Math and Reading assessment (almost indistinguishable), which suggests any lack of score equity with respect to the five studied states was inconsequential. These findings lend credibility for the current practice of using national item statistics in the calculation of state results. (Contains 2 footnotes, 4 tables, and 1 figure.)

Graduates of teacher education programs throughout the nation must pass state-mandated standardized paper-and-pencil exit tests to become certified teachers. This study examines the relationship between the reading levels of preservice teachers enrolled in a south Texas university and their scores on the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards-Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam. The validity of determining one's teaching effectiveness through standardized testing is examined in light of the emphasis that this process places on the test taker's reading abilities. Implications for teacher educators in response to the gatekeeping process of certification examinations for entry into the teaching profession are discussed. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

The practice of catch and release fishing is common among anglers but has been shown to cause unintended mortalities in some species. Current post-release mortality estimates used in coastal shark stock assessments are typically derived from boat-based shark fisheries, which differ from shore-based operations that expose sharks to potentially more stressful environmental and handling conditions. Recreational post-release mortality rates in shore-based fisheries must be quantified to improve stock assessment models and to create guidelines that protect species from overexploitation. Here, we partnered with experienced anglers acting as citizen scientists to deploy pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags (PSAT, n = 22) and acceleration data loggers (ADLs, n = 22). on four commonly caught sharks including the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus, n = 11), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas, n = 14), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier, n = 6), and great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran, n = 2). Mortality occurred within minutes to hours post-release. If evidence of mortality occurred after normal diving behavior had been re-established for 10 days, then the mortality was considered natural and not related to the catch-and-release process. Post-release mortality estimates ranged from 0% for bull and tiger sharks to 45.5% for blacktip sharks. Of the two great hammerheads, one died within 30 minutes post-release while the other exhibited mortality characteristics 14 days after release. Moribund blacktip sharks experienced on average 3.4–4.9°C warmer water compared with survivors. Recovery periods were estimated for survivors of each species and were highly variable, differing based on duration of tag deployment. High variability in responses to capture and release between species demonstrates the need for species-specific assessments of post-release mortality in shore-based recreational fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch production has expanded beyond the native distribution as the genetic diversity of the species, in part, has allowed the trees to grow under broad geographic and climatic ranges. Research in other plant species has demonstrated that the phytobiome enhances their ability to survive and thrive in specific environments and, conversely, is influenced by the prevailing environment and plant genetics, among other factors. We sought to analyze the microbiota of pecan seedlings from the controlled cross 'Lakota' × 'Oaxaca' that were made in Georgia and Texas, respectively, to determine if the maternal geographical origin influences the microbiome of the resulting progeny. No significant differences in bacterial communities were observed between the seeds obtained from the two different states (p = 0.081). However, seed origin did induce significant differences in leaf fungal composition (p = 0.012). Results suggest that, in addition to some environmental, epigenetics, or host genetic components, ecological processes, such as dispersal mechanisms of the host, differentially impact the pecan microbiome, which may have ramifications for the health of trees grown in different environments. Future studies on the role of the microbiome in plant health and productivity will aid in the development of sustainable agriculture for improved food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence and how it helps improve the literacy skills of all children in El Paso, Texas. The goal of the collaborative is to ensure that all children are successful in school and are prepared to enter and be successful in a four-year college. Its role is to expand leadership and knowledge in the schools. To help literacy leaders build their schools' capacities, the collaborative focused on developing their use of three resources: (1) state and national literacy standards; (2) nationally recognized content specialists; and (3) a flexible observation checklist to focus classroom visits. With these resources, literacy leaders and principals can identify classroom issues and challenges.

A 2011 Texas statute required that police agencies submit to the state all unanalyzed sexual assault kits between 1996 and 2011. Cases where a match was made with DNA from an individual or case were returned to local agencies for additional investigation. This article examines outcomes of these cases. Consistent with other studies, we found that the ratio of arrests to all kits submitted was below 1%, and the ratio of arrests to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) hits was 5.5%. A cost analysis concluded that the cost per court filing was US$132,000. We argue that the small number of arrests was partially due to the age of the cases, based on 8- to 23-year-old crime reports. We further contend that the program could have produced better results if the state had provided funding more quickly for testing and investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a growth of interest in quadriceps autograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the pediatric population. Hypothesis/Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate children and adolescents who underwent ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft to determine the properties of the harvested graft and to assess the value of demographic, anthropometric, and MRI measurements in predicting the graft size preoperatively. Methods: A retrospective IRB-approved database search was performed from January 2018 through October 2020 for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. Patients <18 years old at the time of surgery in whom a quadriceps tendon autograft was used were selected. Demographic data and anthropometric measurements were recorded and graft measurements were abstracted from the operative note. Knee magnetic resonance images (MRI) were reviewed to measure the quadriceps tendon thickness on sagittal cuts (Figure 1). Graft length and diameter were then correlated with anthropometric and radiographic data. Results: A total of 169 patients (98 male) were included in the final analysis, with a median age of 15 years (range, 9-17). A tendon length of 65mm or more was harvested in 159 (94%) patients. The mean final graft diameter was 8.4 ± 0.7mm (range, 7 – 11mm) (Table 1). All patients had a graft diameter of 7mm or more, and 139 (82%) had a diameter of 8mm or larger. Preconditioning decreased the graft diameter by a mean of 0.68 ± 0.23mm. Age (P=0.04) and quadriceps thickness on MRI (P<0.001) were significant predictors of the final graft diameter. An MRI sagittal thickness of >6.7mm was 97.4% sensitive for obtaining a graft of ≥8mm in diameter. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that tendon-only quadriceps autograft is a reliable graft source in the pediatric ACL reconstruction, yielding a graft of ≥8mm in diameter in 82% of pediatric patients. Furthermore, preoperative MRI measurements can be reliably used to predict a graft of adequate diameter in children and adolescents undergoing ACL reconstruction, with a sagittal thickness of >6.7mm being highly predictive of a final graft size ≥8mm. Table 1. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models predicting a final graft diameter of 8mm or more. Significant predictors are indicated in bold. 95%CI: 95% Confidence interval, BMI: body mass index. Figure 1. Preoperative knee sagittal proton density-weighted MRI of a 13-year-old boy with ACL tear. Quadriceps tendon sagittal thickness was measure 1cm above the patella. The three layers of the quadriceps tendon (vastus medialis/lateralis, rectus, intermedius) are also visible in this image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Applied Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Many cities and states have taken steps to identify and process all untested sexual assault kits (SAKs). Texas was one of the first states to enact such legislation—SB 1636—which created a time line for a statewide audit and mandatory testing of SAKs. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess the effects of SB 1636 at both state and local levels. The study did not detect any effect of SB 1636 on reporting, arrests, or convictions. The legislation did have a significant effect on criminal justice workloads, particularly crime laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Care coordination is an increasingly popular strategy to help patients with complex health conditions manage their diseases more effectively. The purpose of the current study was to assess associations between patient-reported receipt of care coordination and their experiences of health, health care quality, and cost-related outcomes. Regression analyses of data from 431 patients across 13 Texas providers indicate that patients who reported receiving care coordination had higher odds of perceiving having enough information about how to manage their conditions (OR 2.02, P < .01), having information about education and treatments available (OR 1.87, P < .01), and reporting better access to care (beta = .27, P < .01). Receipt of care coordination was not associated with patients' reports of how up-to-date their doctors were about care from other providers, patients' health-related functioning, or patients' intention to return to the emergency department. Patients' reasons for intending to return to the emergency department included the speed of care there relative to alternatives and satisfaction with the quality of care they had received previously in the emergency department. Results suggest that care coordination in usual practice may improve patient preventive care, but not some other health or cost-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed evidence of care management effectiveness raises questions about how these services are provided in practice. This study evaluates care management in nine provider settings using elements from two prominent models: The Chronic Care Model and the Care Transitions Program. Staff interviews addressed organizational and community resources. Patients were also surveyed about their experiences. Patients generally indicated actively managing their own care. However, patient interactions with care managers generally fell below recommended levels. This study suggests a need to examine the quantity of specific elements of care management that yield desired outcomes, such as improved disease self-management and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite evidence that people with serious mental illness benefit from receiving primary care within mental health care settings, there is little research on this type of integration. The objective of this study was to characterize how providers and patients experienced implementation of primary care into specialty mental health services. Methods: During site visits, study team members interviewed staff and conducted focus groups with patients at 10 United States community mental health centres then beginning to integrate primary into their practices. One year later, follow up phone interviews with key centre staff informants validated and updated findings. Data analysis included thematic coding of results from staff interviews and patient focus groups. Results: Findings included the importance of the scope of primary care services provided on site, given limited alternatives available to patients; rapid scale-up; overcoming challenges in provider recruitment and retention; and adaptations to engage patients as well as to improve communication between mental health and primary care providers. Conclusion: Providers and patients perceived improvements through integrated care. However, the majority of patients were uninsured, and the funding was short term. The long-term viability of integrated care for community mental health centre patients may hinge on adequate, predictable public funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given high costs of hospital encounters, providers have increasingly turned to patient-centered health care programs to improve cost-effectiveness and population health for patients with high needs. Yet, evidence is mixed about program effectiveness. This pre–post comparative analysis assessed whether the number of hospital encounters and related costs decreased for patients who received care coordination services funded through Texas's 1115(a) Medicaid waiver incentive-based payment model, under which providers created new programs to improve care quality, population health, and cost-effectiveness. This study compared hospital records for patients who were frequent emergency department users at 4 urban safety net hospitals in Texas and state data for hospital encounters for the calendar years 2013 through 2015. The study included 9061 patients who frequently used emergency departments: 4117 patients who received waiver-funded care coordination services at 2 hospitals and 4944 patients who received usual care at 2 comparison hospitals. Regression models compared changes in patients' hospital use and length of stay for the 2 groups. Patients receiving waiver-funded care coordination had a 19% lower probability of hospitalization after receiving care coordination relative to patients who received usual care, for a mean savings of approximately $1500 per year per patient. Receiving care coordination was not associated with a change in length of stay. Care coordination developed by hospitals to meet the needs of their most vulnerable patients can reduce their use of hospital resources through better preventive care. These findings bolster the business case for care coordination, which may help ensure service continuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to investigate the influence of cattle origin and region of finishing on the prevalence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and select antimicrobial resistance in E. coli populations. Yearling heifers (n = 190) were utilized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Heifers (n = 98) in the northern region were sourced from South Dakota (SD) while heifers (n = 92) in the southern region were sourced from Texas (TX). After feedlot arrival in each respective region, fecal Salmonella prevalence was determined, and heifers were sorted into 1 of 4 treatments: heifers sourced from SD and finished in SD (SD-SD); heifers sourced from SD and finished in TX (SD-TX); heifers sourced from TX and finished in SD (TX-SD); heifers sourced from TX and finished in TX (TX-TX). Transport for SD-TX and TX-SD heifers occurred on d 0. Fecal, pen, and water scum line (WSL) samples were collected longitudinally throughout the study; hide and subiliac lymph node (SLN) samples were collected at study end (d 78 for heifers finished in TX and d 90 for heifers finished in SD). A treatment × time interaction was observed (P = 0.01) for fecal Salmonella prevalence, with prevalence being greatest for TX-TX and TX-SD heifers before transport. From d 14 through study end, prevalence was greatest for TX-TX and SD-TX heifers compared with SD-SD and TX-SD heifers. The TX-SD heifers had a 72% decrease in Salmonella prevalence from d 1 to harvest, whereas the SD-TX heifers had a 2,200% increase in Salmonella prevalence from d 1 to harvest. Salmonella prevalence on hides were greater (P = 0.01) for heifers finished in TX compared with SD. Salmonella prevalence in SLN tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in TX-TX and SD-TX heifers compared with TX-SD and SD-SD. Fecal E. coli O157:H7 prevalence had a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.04), with SD-TX prevalence being greater than TX-SD on d 56 and SD-SD and TX-TX being intermediate. A treatment × time interaction was observed for fecal trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant and cefotaxime-resistant E. coli O157:H7 prevalence (P ≤ 0.01). Overall, these data suggest region of finishing influences pathogenic bacterial shedding patterns, with the initial 14 d after feedlot arrival being critical for pathogen carriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood products are a cornerstone of trauma resuscitation. From the historically distant battlefields of World War II through present-day conflict around the globe, whole blood (WB) has been a potent tool in the treatment of massive hemorrhagic shock. Component therapy with a targeted ratio of packed red blood cells, platelets, and plasma has previously been utilized.Objectives: This narrative review describes modern-day WB transfusion, its benefits, potential drawbacks, and implementation.Discussion: The current form of stored low-titer O WB seems to be the safest and most effective solution. There are many advantages to WB, including the maintenance of coagulation factors, the lack of subsequent thrombocytopenia, and the reduction of infused anticoagulant. Several studies suggest its utility in trauma. Most of the disadvantages of WB stem from a lack of prospective data on the topic, which are likely forthcoming. Logistical issues likely present the greatest barrier to this therapy, but an advanced prehospital protocol developed in San Antonio, Texas, has successfully overcome several of these challenges.Conclusions: Although stored WB holds promise, it is not without its distinct challenges, including logistical issues, which this article addresses. There are programs underway currently that demonstrate its feasibility in metropolitan areas. As demonstrated in military settings, WB is likely the ideal resuscitation fluid for civilian trauma in the prehospital and emergency department settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Care coordination can improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. The objective of this study was to provide a qualitative understanding of the most helpful coordination services as experienced by patients receiving these services to reduce emergent hospital use. Methods Using case study methodology, we conducted focus group conversations with 51 care coordination patients and semi-structured interviews with 29 care coordinators at nine sites throughout Texas. The study team performed constant comparative analysis, beginning with start codes based on prior research. Results On average, focus group participants were 47 years old. The majority of participants reported a high school or General Equivalency Diploma level of education or less (84%), an annual income less than $14,999 (87%), and living with multiple chronic health conditions (60%). The majority (85%) of care coordinators reported backgrounds in nursing or social work. In our analysis, themes of what patients found most helpful fell under a broad social support framework (instrumental, informational, emotional, and advocacy) that care coordinators were uniquely situated to provide. Discussion Our paper adds to existing evidence by providing perspectives of patients with complex medical and non-medical needs about which care coordination services are most helpful. In this sample, patients with high needs describe reliance on professional sources, rather than their own social networks, to address several aspects of social support and to help meet non-health-related, as well as health-related needs. This can inform providers' approaches to treatment as well as program administrators' decisions about addressing and prioritizing services in care coordination programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Article addresses the intersection of oil and gas law and environmental law on a topic that has profound significance for the nation's oil industry and for the environment. In this regard, the Permian Basin is experiencing a renaissance that has fundamentally impacted oil production in the United States. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing now allow the industry to produce in the Permian Basin's unconventional shale formations in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. But, the hot shale plays within the Permian Basin exist above conventional fields that are littered with a century's worth of abandoned wells. Fracturing new wells near improperly abandoned wells creates a risk of environmental pollution as the fracturing of the shale allows hydrocarbons to migrate within the formation, potentially to an improperly abandoned well. The American Petroleum Institute (API) recognizes the environmental pollution risks associated with hydraulically fracturing close to an abandoned well and has set forth a detailed report on the best practices that an operator could employ to mitigate this risk, but that proposal overly relies on operator discretion and judgment and lacks transparency to potentially affected parties. The Environmental Defense Fund has issued a model regulatory framework, but that report overly relies on operator actions and bright-line standards. A growing number of state agencies in oil producing states around the nation have issued regulations, but there is considerable divergence in the adopted standards. The academic work on this topic is sparse to non-existence. Thus, this Article fills an important void in the literature at an important moment. The goal of any regulatory regime should be to ensure sustainable energy development occurs in a manner that adequately addresses the environmental concerns posed by modern development activities. Because contamination and collateral consequences of pollution can have far-reaching impacts, the public has a vital public policy interest that the regulatory regimes that govern this development require the industry to utilize best practices. The Article proposes that the regulatory agency should use its expertise and operator supplied information to make a fact-based determination of the area of fracturing interest as part of the permitting process for any new well that will be hydraulically fractured. The regulatory agency then would utilize its existing data on well locations to determine what existing wells are sufficiently close to the new well that will be hydraulically fractured and then will set forth requirements for the operator to investigate that well. The regulatory agency can then set forth a remediation proposal for the operator to perform. The Article uses the State of Texas as a model for its suggestions. The framework set forth in this Article also affords operators with an opportunity to provide their solutions to any regulatory concerns, and also provides other affected parties an opportunity to participate in the well permit process. Thus, the proposed regulatory framework sets forth a transparent and objective regime that does not solely rely on the business judgment of operators. Moreover, by requiring this analysis to be done in a scientific manner and by providing an opportunity for notice to be given to affected parties, the proposal also provides an opportunity for potentially affected parties to take precautionary steps on their own wells. Currently, Texas does not have any explicit requirements with respect to investigation of close proximity abandoned wells in its well permitting process, and the failure to require an upfront investigation creates an unnecessary environmental risk that could be mitigated if addressed upfront. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thee article talks about farmer and confederate veteran Joseph Noah Rogers who started the "Rural Citizen" newspaper in Texas and his role as a key figure in the first phase of the Texas Farmers' Alliance's official involvement with journal­ism. Topics discussed include the newspaper serving as the official journal of the Texas Farmers' Alliance from 1882 to 1886 and Rogers' abandonment of the order in 1886 as the populist movement of the alliance threatened the interests of his patrons.

Texas is one of 8 states that have received a Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver in which federal supplemental payments are being used to incentivize delivery system reform. Under the Texas Transformation Waiver's 5-year Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, hospitals and other providers have established regional health care partnerships, conducted regional needs assessments, and developed and implemented projects addressing local gaps in service. The projects were selected from menus, supplied by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which defined acceptable infrastructure development and/or program innovation and redesign initiatives. Providers receive payment for planning the projects and achieving metrics and milestones related to project implementation and performance. This article describes the major features of the Texas DSRIP model and the resulting implementation and performance to date in the most populous region of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Culturally sensitive interventions are needed to assist Mexican American (MA) patients with cancer and their family members in managing their care, navigating the healthcare system, and decreasing disparities in healthcare outcomes for Hispanics with cancer. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to understand the meaning of culturally sensitive care for oncology clinic healthcare providers and to assess the usefulness and feasibility of the role of a promotora de salud to meet caregiver needs. METHODS: This study involved focus groups of 18 diverse providers who provided data for qualitative analyses. FINDINGS: The findings (themes) defined the facilitators of and barriers to culturally sensitive care and the perceived role of a promotora de salud to support the healthcare team and improve cancer care provided by MA caregivers. In addition, promotoras de salud can help reduce health costs by decreasing patient clinic visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Houston Family Study, overall rates of infection for the three major outbreaks of influenza A from 1977 to 1981 were higher for subtype H3N2 than for H1N1. Rates in school children were almost identical, but rates of infection with H1N1 were lower in adults and in preschool children, especially those younger than two years of age. However, rates for the two subtypes were similar in young children within families that experienced influenza A infections. In the total population overall illness rates among infected persons were identical, and diagnoses were similar. Among 145 identified primary infections (1977–1982), more H3N2 infections resulted in systemic (febrile) illness or lower-respiratory-tract disease, but a detailed comparison of illness features of 54 primary infections in children aged two to five years showed no significant differences. Epidemiological differences appear to be more important than pathogenic potential in determining the community impact of these two subtypes of type A influenza virus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Participants in the Houston Family Study were observed during a period of two mixed outbreaks due to two subtypes of influenza A virus: H3N2 and H1N1 (1977–1981). Virus specimens, serum samples, and clinical records were obtained to identify and characterize infections. In 1977–1978, 40% of 238 persons in 59 families were infected by influenza A virus (H3N2), 11% by influenza A virus (H1N1), and 4% by both. In 1980–1981, for 319 persons in 79 families, the corresponding rates were 27%, 20%, and 5%. Interference between subtypes was not detected. Both subtypes were isolated from six children (range of intervals between isolations, six to 55 days), and five of the six were ill with both infections. Nineteen persons had two infections with one or both detected serologically; illnesses were associated with 77% of isolates and up to 56% of seroconversions in these persons. Infection of the same individual with two subtypes in the same season is a newly observed phenomenon that may affect the future epidemiology of influenza A virus as well as preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the reported efforts to balance the challenges of private property interests, state management authority in Texas water planning, and the legal aspects of endangered species as of 2014, focusing on the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Texas' handling of drought conditions in the state. The ESA's prohibition against the taking of an endangered species is mentioned. It states that Texas adopted the English common law rule of capture for percolating groundwater in 1904.

The article presents a retrospective cohort study which determined the proportion of inmates who filled an antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription within 60 days of release from prison. The study was conducted to investigate the extent to which HIV-infected inmates experience ART interruption following release from prison. The main outcome was the proportion of inmates who filled an ART prescription within 10, 30, and 60 days of release from prison. Predictors of the outcome were examined. Researchers found that a small percentage of Texas prison inmates receiving ART filled an ART prescription within 60 days of their release.

Study objective: Many studies have shown that community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylacoccus aureus (CAMRSA) is a very prevalent organism. However, no data have been published to date with regard to CAMRSA prevalence in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) or a military medical facility. Our objective is to estimate the period prevalence of CAMRSA in cases of soft tissue abscesses seen in the emergency departments of two major military hospitals. Methods: A retrospective review of electronic records was performed from January 1, 2004 to August 10, 2005. This database was used to identity patients with the diagnosis of abscess, the procedure code for incision and drainage, and culture of wound. After data were accumulated, standard prevalence calculations were applied to determine prevalence of CAMRSA in abscesses at our emergency departments. Antibiotic susceptibilities were then evaluated with regard to the CAMRSA bacteria. Results: The prevalence at our two emergency departments was 68% (751 abscesses, 220 cultured, 155 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)-positive cultures). The prevalence at Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center emergency departments was 70%, (520 abscesses, 145 cultured, and 101 MRSA positive) and 65% (231 abscesses, 75 cultured, and 49 MRSA positive), respectively. Conclusion: The occurrence of CAMRSA is not isolated to the civilian population. The prevalence of CAMRSA in this population is significant, and may pose serious operational and deployment-related ramifications requiring the attention of military medical planners as well as forward medical care providers. The probability of CAMRSA infection should be considered when treating soft tissue abscesses in the military emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graduates of teacher education programs throughout the nation must pass state-mandated standardized paper-and-pencil exit tests to become certified teachers. This study examines the relationship between the reading levels of preservice teachers enrolled in a south Texas university and their scores on the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards-Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam. The validity of determining one's teaching effectiveness through standardized testing is examined in light of the emphasis that this process places on the test taker's reading abilities. Implications for teacher educators in response to the gatekeeping process of certification examinations for entry into the teaching profession are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In May and June 1998, reported Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections increased sharply in Texas.Objective: To determine factors that contributed to the increase in V parahaemolyticus infections.Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional survey of persons reporting gastroenteritis after eating seafood in Texas; survey of environmental conditions in Galveston Bay.Main Outcome Measures: Traceback of oysters, water quality measures in harvest areas, presence of V parahaemolyticus in stool cultures; comparison of median values for environmental conditions before and during the outbreak compared with during the previous 5 years.Results: Between May 31 and July 10, 1998, 416 persons in 13 states reported having gastroenteritis after eating oysters harvested from Galveston Bay. All 28 available stool specimens from affected persons yielded V parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6 isolates. Oyster beds met current bacteriologic standards during harvest and fecal coliform counts in water samples were within acceptable limits. Median water temperature and salinity during May and June 1998 were 30.0 degrees C and 29.6 parts per thousand (ppt) compared with 28.9 degrees C and 15.6 ppt for the previous 5 years (P<.001).Conclusions: This is the first reported outbreak of V parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6 infection in the United States. The emergence of a virulent serotype and elevated seawater temperatures and salinity levels may have contributed to this large multistate outbreak of V parahaemolyticus. Bacteriologic monitoring at harvest sites did not prevent this outbreak, suggesting that current policy and regulations regarding the safety of raw oysters require reevaluation. Consumers and physicians should understand that raw or undercooked oysters can cause illness even if harvested from monitored beds. In patients who develop acute gastroenteritis within 4 days of consuming raw or undercooked oysters, a stool specimen should be tested for Vibrio species using specific media. JAMA. 2000;284:1541-1545. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]