Multiple Positive Outcomes Research Articles

Implementing a Multidisciplinary Program for Developing Learning, Communication, and Team-Working Skills in Second-Year Undergraduate Chemistry Students

Since 2002, a multidisciplinary program has been used to encourage science students to build on their chemical knowledge and to appreciate how it applies to the world around them. The program is interactive and instills a new set of core learning skills that are often underrepresented in undergraduate curricula, namely, cooperative learning, communication and presentation skills, and resource mining. The second-year science cohort of 220 students is divided into small groups. Each group proposes a topic through which to explore the societal role played by chemistry. The program has two components: a report written by pairs of students and a short competitive group presentation. The multiple positive outcomes of the program have been assessed, including the less tangible benefit of a renewed connectivity between students and staff engaged in the pursuit of chemistry.

Institution-wide peer mentoring: Benefits for mentors

Extensive research has shown the benefits of mentoring, including peer mentoring, for higher education students, especially in their first year. However, few studies have focussed exclusively on the outcomes for the mentors themselves. This paper reports the findings of data gathered over three years about a university-wide peer mentoring program. Benefits identified by 858 mentors were coded inductively and four major categories emerged: altruistic, cognitive, social and personal growth. The findings have implications for the promotion of mentor programs to administrators and to prospective mentors. The study provides evidence that university-wide peer mentoring programs offer multiple positive outcomes for the mentors involved, and potentially for higher education institutions administering and supporting such programs.

Aspiring principal development programme evaluation in New Zealand

PurposeThe New Zealand Ministry of Education has constructed a wide‐ranging “Professional Development Plan” providing a four‐stage national pathway for progression to principalship; the first stage has been the conduction of the National Aspiring Principals Pilot (NAPP) programme in five regional locations. The purpose of this paper is to outline the evaluation of the programme.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method approach for evaluation was employed where qualitative and quantitative data were collected almost simultaneously, and compared and contrasted.FindingsKey findings indicated overall sound programme delivery, curriculum coherence, high relevancy to stakeholders and good rates of principal appointments. Greater emphasis is placed on distinctive findings that have not been reported elsewhere. These included: primary‐sector participants rating course facilitation, online learning, and “relevancy of the course for principal development” more positively than their secondary counterparts; aspirants who had partial or full completion of a relevant post‐graduate leadership qualification rating eight aspects of NAPP lower than those without such qualifications; and aspirants who were approached and encouraged to apply for NAPP by their principal and subsequently supported by them, finding the programme more relevant and applicable.Research limitations/implicationsThe multiple positive outcomes reported reveal short‐term programme adequacy and effectiveness against a range of indicators. Long‐term impact (including capacity to change leadership practice, student learning and school improvement) evaluation is required to determine sustained effectiveness.Originality/valueThe paper provides distinctive findings that have not been reported previously for principal development and more general findings that should inform such development programmes.

Confronting Evaluation Blindness: Evidence of Impact of Action Science-Based Feedback

This article outlines an attempt at realizing mutuality between evaluation and action science in feedback within an aspiring principal leadership development programme in New Zealand. The evaluation was specifically designed to overcome the formative—summative divide through ongoing, often immediate, dialogue using an action science approach. The approach initially focused on detecting and correcting any errors or gaps between ‘‘espoused theory’’ (intentions, goals) and ‘‘theory-in-use’’ (programme implementation) to enable continuous improvements. There is some evidence that the approach may have strengthened the programme. Specifically, in a case study region that had the most intensive feedback, outcomes included lowering of defensiveness and increasing demand for feedback with some facilitators; increased aspirant ratings for the programme; enhanced aspirant confidence in applying for principalships; a greater number of aspirants gaining principalships; and higher response rates to questionnaires. Despite the traditional limitations of time and threat linked to the feedback approach, the multiple positive outcomes noted that might be attributable to the feedback signal that the causal links between such an approach and improved programme outcomes is, at the very least, worthy of further investigation.

Sodium Thiosulfate: New Hope for the Treatment of Calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis/calcific uremic arteriolopathy is rare but an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease with increasing prevalence. Intravenous sodium thiosulfate (STS) has rapidly emerged from a seldom used therapy for the treatment of calciphylaxis/calcific uremic arteriolopathy to a treatment that is being increasingly utilized globally due to multiple positive outcomes shared in the form of case reports and reviews during the past 6 years. Its role as a rather potent antioxidant has uniquely been associated with a prompt decrease in pain and its slower chelating properties are associated with regression of subcutaneous calcifications. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate nuclear transcription factor, NF(kappa)B and downstream cytokines resulting in inflammation, which may result in dysregulated hepatic protein synthesis. Indeed, inflammation activates acute-phase reactant synthesis, while concurrently inhibiting synthesis of fetuin-A (an inhibitor of extraosseous calcification) and the antioxidant albumin. Additionally, ROS may decrease locally synthesized matrix GLA proteins and this combination may contribute to increased vascular and subcutaneous calcification. STS used alone or in combination with other novel emerging therapies may result in the improved clinical outcomes in this challenging clinical condition.

Reconsidering work time: a multivariate longitudinal within-couple analysis

Dual-earner couples now work significantly more hours than in the past, but few couple-level studies examine whether work hours are linked to mental health and quality-of-life outcomes. In 2001, Jacobs and Gerson proposed that combined spouse work hours would better predict outcomes than would spouses’ individual work hours. Longitudinal data from a random sample of 211 dual-earner couples with children partially support this hypothesis. Our findings suggest that future research on dual-earner couples’ work hours should be couple-level and longitudinal, estimate both linear and non-linear relationships, and include multiple positive and negative outcomes as well as subjective indicators of the meaning of work hours.

Home-Based Antiretroviral Care Is Associated With Positive Social Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort in Uganda

Home-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) care in Africa has expanded; but social outcomes of home-based ART programs are unknown. Social experiences of participants in an antiretroviral therapy program involving weekly home visits in Uganda were assessed through interviews at enrollment and after 3 months and analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Of 654 participants, 72% were women; median baseline CD4 cell-count was 123 cells/muL. At follow-up, participants were more likely to report community support (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46 to 3.03, P < 0.001), family support (OR 2.65, CI: 2.01 to 3.49, P < 0.001), and relationship strengthening (OR 2.10, CI: 1.46 to 3.03, P = 0.001) than at baseline; 84% attributed these experiences to antiretroviral therapy program participation. There was no change in incidence of negative experiences (P = 0.3). Forty-six percent of women reported a history of partner abuse, but abuse rates 3 months before and after program initiation were low (1% vs. 2%, OR 3.20, CI: 0.94 to 10.9, P = 0.063). Of five women who reported abuse associated with program participation, all had history of domestic violence. Of all participants reporting outcomes associated with antiretroviral therapy program participation at follow-up, 464 (79%) had only positive experiences, 35 (6%) had both positive and negative experiences, and <1% had only negative experiences. Participation in a home-based antiretroviral therapy program was associated with multiple positive social outcomes.

Budesonide/Formoterol Combination Therapy as Both Maintenance and Reliever Medication in Asthma

Purpose of the Study. Previous studies have shown that the combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) with long-acting β2 agonists improves asthma control and reduces exacerbations. The authors hypothesized that in patients already receiving daily budesonide/formoterol (B/F), replacing conventional short-acting β2 agonist (SABA) rescue with the B/F combination drug would increase antiinflammatory therapy while simultaneously giving rapid relief of symptoms. The investigators reasoned that using the B/F combination drug in this manner might reduce asthma exacerbations and improve asthma control compared with other possible regimens. Study Population. Subjects were 2760 patients with asthma (aged 4–80 years), all previously on ICSs. Methods. A double-blind parallel-group study was performed with subjects randomly assigned to 3 groups: B/F (80 mg/4.5 μg) twice daily for maintenance and also for rescue; B/F (80 mg/4.5 μg) twice daily with terbutaline 0.4 mg for rescue; or budesonide 320 μg twice daily with terbutaline 0.4 mg for rescue. Pediatric patients (11%–13% of each group) received half of the above-stated doses for maintenance. The primary outcome was time to first severe exacerbation, defined as asthma symptoms requiring an emergency department visit or hospitalization; an increase in ICS dose; use of oral steroids; or a morning peak expiratory flow rate ≤70% of baseline on 2 consecutive days. Results. Multiple positive outcomes were seen in the group using B/F for maintenance and rescue: a significant increase in the time to the first severe and mild exacerbations (P &amp;lt; .001); a 45% to 50% decrease in the number of severe exacerbations; significant decreases in the use of rescue medication, nighttime symptom score, and the number of nighttime awakenings; and fewer courses of oral steroids per year. The average daily dose of ICS received per patient was lower in the 2 B/F groups. All of the medications were well tolerated. Pediatric subjects receiving B/F demonstrated greater linear growth than those on higher-dose budesonide. Conclusions. Use of B/F for both maintenance and rescue is associated with a lower asthma-exacerbation rate and an improvement in several other indicators of asthma control. In addition, subjects using B/F in this manner have a decreased exposure to oral steroids and require less use of rescue medication. The authors suggest that the timing of the increase in ICS use for asthma exacerbations, rather than the total ICS dose administered, provides the greater improvement in efficacy. Reviewer Comments. The rapid onset of action of the β2-agonist formoterol suggests that it could be used as a rescue medication, although this is not a licensed indication. Use of the B/F combination as controller and rescue presents an attractive option because of the decrease in asthma morbidity compared with either B/F and SABA or ICS and SABA. Even with the use of B/F for rescue, the mean dose of ICS received was lower than in the ICS-and-SABA group (240 vs 640 μg/day in the adults) and only slightly higher than in the B/F-and-SABA group (240 vs 160 μg/day in the adults). This combination product is not yet licensed in the United States, but if approved, B/F used in this fashion will offer a novel treatment alternative for asthmatic patients. In addition, B/F maintenance and rescue therapy may provide a significant benefit for patients for whom adherence to 2 separate drugs may present serious difficulties or confusion.

Classification tree and minimum‐volume ellipsoid analyses of the distribution of ponderosa pine in the western USA

AbstractAim Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson &amp; C. Lawson) is an economically and ecologically important conifer that has a wide geographic range in the western USA, but is mostly absent from the geographic centre of its distribution – the Great Basin and adjoining mountain ranges. Much of its modern range was achieved by migration of geographically distinct Sierra Nevada (P. ponderosa var. ponderosa) and Rocky Mountain (P. ponderosa var. scopulorum) varieties in the last 10,000 years. Previous research has confirmed genetic differences between the two varieties, and measurable genetic exchange occurs where their ranges now overlap in western Montana. A variety of approaches in bioclimatic modelling is required to explore the ecological differences between these varieties and their implications for historical biogeography and impending changes in western landscapes.Location Western USA.Methods We used a classification tree analysis and a minimum‐volume ellipsoid as models to explain the broad patterns of distribution of ponderosa pine in modern environments using climatic and edaphic variables. Most biogeographical modelling assumes that the target group represents a single, ecologically uniform taxonomic population. Classification tree analysis does not require this assumption because it allows the creation of pathways that predict multiple positive and negative outcomes. Thus, classification tree analysis can be used to test the ecological uniformity of the species. In addition, a multidimensional ellipsoid was constructed to describe the niche of each variety of ponderosa pine, and distances from the niche were calculated and mapped on a 4‐km grid for each ecological variable.Results The resulting classification tree identified three dominant pathways predicting ponderosa pine presence. Two of these three pathways correspond roughly to the distribution of var. ponderosa, and the third pathway generally corresponds to the distribution of var. scopulorum. The classification tree and minimum‐volume ellipsoid model show that both varieties have very similar temperature limitations, although var. ponderosa is more limited by the temperature extremes of the continental interior. The precipitation limitations of the two varieties are seasonally different, with var. ponderosa requiring significant winter moisture and var. scopulorum requiring significant summer moisture. Great Basin mountain ranges are too cold at higher elevations to support either variety of ponderosa pine, and at lower elevations are too dry in summer for var. scopulorum and too dry in winter for var. ponderosa.Main conclusions The classification tree analysis indicates that var. ponderosa is ecologically as well as genetically distinct from var. scopulorum. Ecological differences may maintain genetic separation in spite of a limited zone of introgression between the two varieties in western Montana. Two hypotheses about past and future movements of ponderosa pine emerge from our analyses. The first hypothesis is that, during the last glacial period, colder and/or drier summers truncated most of the range of var. scopulorum in the central Rockies, but had less dramatic effects on the more maritime and winter‐wet distribution of var. ponderosa. The second hypothesis is that, all other factors held constant, increasing summer temperatures in the future should produce changes in the distribution of var. scopulorum that are likely to involve range expansions in the central Rockies with the warming of mountain ranges currently too cold but sufficiently wet in summer for var. scopulorum. Finally, our results underscore the growing need to focus on genotypes in biogeographical modelling and ecological forecasting.

A Campus-wide Model for Supporting Untenured Faculty Including Women and Minorities: Strategies, Recommendations and Caveats

This paper presents a comprehensive campus-wide strategic model for more effectively supporting tenure-track faculty with a special concern for assisting women and minority faculty. A description of the process and the outcomes includes establishment of a clear, high-level administrative initiative; formation of a campus-wide committee of highly respected faculty and administrators; compilation and discussion of current research and writings on the issue of recruiting and retaining women and minority faculty; collection of campus and national comparison data; creation, administration, and analysis of a survey of untenured faculty; compilation and dissemination of the committee’s final report and specific recommendations; and prioritized implementation of the committee’s comprehensive recommendations with timelines, identification of relevant office responsibilities and estimated costs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the multiple positive outcomes and caveats.

Implications of Extracurricular Activity Participation During Adolescence on Positive Outcomes

The present study was conducted to determine if participation in extracurricular activities predicts multiple positive outcomes such as attending college, voting in national and regional elections, and volunteering for community and religious organizations. From analyses of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, a nationally representative survey of students, our results suggest that consistent participation in extracurricular activities from 8th grade through 12th grade predicts academic achievement and prosocial behaviors in young adulthood. This finding remains after accounting for control and individual, parent, peer, and school process variables. Both research and policy implications are discussed.

Costs and effectiveness of multi-scale integrated management

To understand benefits of integrating management at landscape scales, we estimated cost and projected integrated outcomes for three alternatives for public land management in the interior Columbia River basin over 100 years. Effectiveness was measured in terms of costs and trends of long-term (100 years) land and fire management, landscape health, and reduction of risks across several broad aquatic, terrestrial, landscape, and socioeconomic indicators. Lowest costs with most positive cumulative trends for these variables occurred where alternatives “step down” assessment and planning from broader scales, focusing restoration efforts sufficiently to overcome opposite effects of traditional reserve protection or commodity management strategies. Integrated management implemented at interconnected scales appears to have multiple positive outcomes. Landscape health, conditions for native fish and wildlife species and jobs from restoration activities can improve, while risks to firefighters and property decline.

Long-term effects of early intervention: Turkish low-income mothers and children

The two studies reported in this paper comprise the Turkish Early Enrichment Project (TEEP) spanning a period of 10 years. Both studies were conducted with mothers and children in low-income, low-education areas of Istanbul. Study 1 involved an examination over 4 years of the effects of two different types of early enrichment (intervention), child-focused (center-based) and mother-focused (home-based). Study 2 was a follow-up of Study 1, 7 years after the end of project intervention. Although both interventions produced superior cognitive skills and school adjustment at the end of the program, follow-up assessments in Study 2 revealed that parent-focused intervention had numerous sustained effects in terms of school attainment, higher primary school grades and vocabulary scores, more favorable attitudes towards school, and better family and social adjustment, while most effects of center-based intervention had dissipated (with the notable exception of negative effects of custodial, as opposed to educational, day care). It is concluded that home-based early enrichment through the mediation of the mother is a highly effective strategy with multiple positive outcomes in contexts of socioeconomic disadvantage.