Step Forward Research Articles

Stepping Back, Stepping Up, and Stepping Forward: Exploring One Teacher’s Evolving Approach to Teaching Social and Emotional Learning in High School Physical Education

Purpose: Utilizing social constructivist learning theory and a conceptual framework for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), this self-study explores how I as a teacher-researcher intentionally evolved my approach to teaching SEL in a high school Physical Education setting. Method: Data were collected over twenty 75-min lessons over 15 weeks. One critical friend interview, 20 postteaching reflections, 18 observations, and 22 journal entries were conducted. A deductive and inductive approach utilizing the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana Framework for Qualitative Data Analysis was implemented. Results: Findings demonstrate how aligning my teaching with a contemporary framework led to a more explicit and intentional focus on SEL within my already utilized repertoire of pedagogies. Discussion/Conclusion: Incorporating self-study structure as a teacher-researcher led me to understand how I evolved and felt better equipped to teach for targeted SEL competencies and skills to further compliment the teaching of core Physical Education content.

Confronting compositional confusion through the characterisation of the sub-Neptune orbiting HD 77946

Abstract We report on the detailed characterization of the HD 77946 planetary system. HD 77946 is an F5 (M* = 1.17 M⊙, R* = 1.31 R⊙) star, which hosts a transiting planet recently discovered by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), classified as TOI-1778 b. Using TESS photometry, high-resolution spectroscopic data from HARPS-N, and photometry from CHEOPS, we measure the radius and mass from the transit and RV observations, and find that the planet, HD 77946 b, orbits with period Pb = $6.527282_{-0.000020}^{+0.000015}$ d, has a mass of Mb = 8.38 ± 1.32 M⊕, and a radius of $R_{\rm b} = 2.705_{-0.081}^{+0.086}$R⊕. From the combination of mass and radius measurements, and the stellar chemical composition, the planet properties suggest that HD 77946 b is a sub-Neptune with a ∼1% H/He atmosphere. However, a degeneracy still exists between water-world and silicate/iron-hydrogen models, and even though interior structure modelling of this planet favours a sub-Neptune with a H/He layer that makes up a significant fraction of its radius, a water-world composition cannot be ruled out, as with $T_{\rm eq}~= 1248^{+40}_{-38}~$K, water may be in a supercritical state. The characterisation of HD 77946 b, adding to the small sample of well-characterised sub-Neptunes, is an important step forwards on our journey to understanding planetary formation and evolution pathways. Furthermore, HD 77946 b has one of the highest transmission spectroscopic metrics for small planets orbiting hot stars, thus transmission spectroscopy of this key planet could prove vital for constraining the compositional confusion that currently surrounds small exoplanets.

Another Step Forward for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease.

The study "A spinal cord neuroprosthesis for locomotor deficits due to Parkinson's disease" by Milekovic et al. introduces a novel neuroprosthesis for treating locomotor deficits in late-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). This approach employs an epidural spinal array targeting dorsal roots and electromyography to create a spatiotemporal map of muscle activation, aiming to restore natural gait patterns. Significant improvements in gait freezing and balance were observed in both non-human primate models and a human patient, resulting in improved mobility and quality of life. This innovative method, integrating real-time feedback and non-invasive motor intention decoding, marks a significant advancement in PD treatment.

ENG 140: Personal Perspective

I was assigned to teach an English language course to students in one of the science colleges. The designated book is:
 Step Forward: Language for Everyday Life 4 by Barbara R. Denman.
 The first half of the book is the part required to be taught to first-level students. The book contains twelve units; the second half will be taught as a second English course to students in that college. Students have only two English courses in their program and this book is taught in both. This article will address some personal points I wrote while teaching the course in order to share them with my colleagues in the profession.

Deep Learning for Automatic Diagnosis of Skin Cancer Using Dermoscopic Images

Over the past few years, the healthcare industry has seen a dramatic increase in the use of intelligent automation enabled by AI technology. These developments are made to better the standard of medical decision making and the standard of treatment given to patients. Fuzzy boundaries, shifting sizes, and aberrations like hair or ruler lines all provide difficulties for automatic detection of skin lesions in dermoscopic images, slowing down the otherwise efficient process of diagnosing skin cancer. However, these difficulties may be conquered by employing image processing software. To address these issues, the authors of this paper provide a novel IMLT-DL model for intelligent dermoscopic image processing. Multi-level thresholding and deep learning are brought together in this model. Top hat filtering and inpainting have been included into IMLT-DL for use in image processing. In addition, Mayfly Optimization has been used in tandem with multilayer Kapur's thresholding to identify specific trouble spots. For further investigation, it uses an Inception v3-based feature extractor, and for data classification, it makes use of gradient boosting trees (GBTs). On the ISIC dataset, this model was shown to outperform state-of-the-art alternatives by a margin of 0.992% over the duration of trial iterations. These advances are a major step forwards in the quest for faster and more accurate skin lesion detection.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act—a Bipartisan Step Forward

This Viewpoint describes key provisions of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and discuss the proposed Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rule, as well as its application to health care employment in particular.

ENG 140: A Personal Reaction

I was assigned to teach an English course for students at a College of Science. The assigned book is Step Forward: Language for Everyday Life 4 by Barbara R. Denman. The first half of the book is to be introduced to the first level students. The book has twelve units; the second half is to be taught in a second English course for students at that college have only two English courses in their program. This article will address some personal points I have written while teaching the course in order to share them with my colleagues in the career.

A Comprehensive Review of Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Composite Materials.

The interaction between matter and microwaves assumes critical significance due to the ubiquity of wireless communication technology. The selective shielding of microwaves represents the only way to achieve the control on crucial technological sectors. The implementation of microwave shielding ensures the proper functioning of electronic devices. By preventing electromagnetic pollution, shielding safeguards the integrity and optimal performances of devices, contributing to the reliability and efficiency of technological systems in various sectors and allowing the further step forwards in a safe and secure society. Nevertheless, the microwave shielding research is vast and can be quite hard to approach due to the large number and variety of studies regarding both theory and experiments. In this review, we focused our attention on the comprehensive discussion of the current state of the art of materials used for the production of electromagnetic interference shielding composites, with the aim of providing a solid reference point to explore this research field.

Pola-R-CHP: A Dramatic Shift in the Frontline Treatment Paradigm for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, or a Small Step Forward?

Pola-R-CHP: A Dramatic Shift in the Frontline Treatment Paradigm for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, or a Small Step Forward?

Sleep apnoea in congestive heart failure: one step forwards

Sleep apnoea in congestive heart failure: one step forwards

The Situations Related to the Functioning of the Administrative Judiciary in Jordan for the Year 2020: A Step Forward

The Situations Related to the Functioning of the Administrative Judiciary in Jordan for the Year 2020: A Step Forward

The Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe Case: One Step Forward Towards an Appropriate Application of the Ban on State Aid

The judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice of 8 November 2022 (joined Cases C-885/19 P and C-898/19 P) marks an important point in the Court’s jurisprudence on State Aid because the principle of legality in tax matters, the attribution of competencies to the European Union, and the application of State Aid are addressed in a coordinated way. The decision clarifies that the reference system, which is relied upon to measure the actual selectivity of a national measure, must be based exclusively on the statutory law applicable at the national level, according to the principle of legality. This is a first step towards an appropriate application of Article 107 TFEU, whose application had been stretched too much in the last years. The next steps should be the overruling of Gibraltar jurisprudence and the need to limit the ban on State Aid to national measures for which evidence of actual damage to free trade between the Member States is manifest. Ban of State Aid, Selectivity, Reference system, Legality principle, Attribution of competences, Tax rulings, Arm’s length principle, Transfer pricing, Tax sovereignty, Competition, Trade between Member States

STEAM Experimental Facility: A Step Forward for the Development of the EU DEMO BoP Water Coolant Technology

Within the EUROfusion roadmap for the technological development of the European-DEMOnstration (EU-DEMO) reactor, a key point has been identified in the discontinuous operation (pulse-dwell-pulse) of the machine. Water Cooled Lithium Lead (WCLL) Breeding Blanket (BB) Primary Heat Transfer Systems (PHTSs) adopt technology and components commonly used in nuclear fission power plants, whose performances could be negatively affected by the above mentioned pulsation, as well as by low-load operation in the dwell phase. This makes mandatory a full assessment of the functional feasibility of such components through accurate design and validation. For this purpose, ENEA Experimental Engineering Division at Brasimone R.C. aims at realizing STEAM, a water operated facility forming part of the multipurpose experimental infrastructure Water cooled lithium lead -thermal-HYDRAulic (W-HYDRA), conceived to investigate the water technologies applied to the DEMO BB and Balance of Plant systems and components. The experimental validation has the two main objectives of reproducing the DEMO operational phases by means of steady-state and transient tests, as well as performing dedicated tests on the steam generator aiming at demonstrating its ability to perform as intended during the power phases of the machine. STEAM is mainly composed of primary and secondary water systems reproducing the thermodynamic conditions of the DEMO WCLL BB PHTS and power conversion system, respectively. The significance of the STEAM facility resides in its capacity to amass experimental data relevant for the advancement of fusion-related technologies. This capability is attributable to the comprehensive array of instruments with which the facility will be equipped and whose strategic location is described in this work. The operational phases of the STEAM facility at different power levels are presented, according to the requirements of the experiments. Furthermore, a preliminary analysis for the definition of the control strategy for the OTSG mock-up was performed. In particular, two different control strategies were identified and tested, both keeping the primary mass flow constant and regulating the feedwater mass flow to follow a temperature set-point in the primary loop. The obtained numerical results yielded preliminary feedback on the regulation capability of the DEMO steam generator mock-up during pulsed operation, showing that no relevant overtemperature jeopardized the facility integrity, thanks to the high system responsivity to rapid load variations.

Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention: A Step Forward

Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention: A Step Forward

Sampling from Extracorporeal Circuit: A Step Forward for Dose Monitoring in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Introduction: Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) require constant monitoring and periodic treatment readjustments, being applied to highly complex patients, with rapidly changing clinical needs. To promote precision medicine in the field of renal replacement therapy and encourage dynamic prescription, the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) recommends periodically measuring the solutes extracorporeal clearance with the aim of assessing the current treatment delivery and the gap from the therapeutic prescription (often intended as effluent dose). To perform this procedure, it is therefore necessary to obtain blood and effluent samples from the extracorporeal circuit to measure the concentrations of a target solute (usually represented by urea) in prefilter, postfilter, and effluent lines. However, samples must be collected simultaneously from the extracorporeal circuit ports, with the same suction flow at an unknown rate. Methods: The proposed study takes the first step toward identifying the technical factors that should be considered in determining the optimal suction rate to collect samples from the extracorporeal circuit to measure the extracorporeal clearance for a specific solute. Results: The results obtained identify the low suction rate (i.e., 1 mL/min) as an ideal parameter for an adequate sampling method. Low velocities do not perturb the external circulation system and ensure stability prevailing pressures in the circuit. Higher velocities can be performed only with blood flows above 120 mL/min preferably in conditions of appropriate filtration fraction. Discussion/Conclusions: The specific value of aspiration flow rate must be proportioned to the prescription of CRRT treatments set by the clinician.

Publishing with Permanyer: a step forward

Publishing with Permanyer: a step forward

Being intentional about intersectionality and positionality

ABSTRACT This paper describes how a familiar exercise, known as the ‘Privilege Walk’, or Step Forward or Back line activity, could be used to develop s understanding of the skills and knowledge needed, prior to their first placement. Specifically, the activity puts particular emphasis on the need to apply ethical principles, values and anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles into professional practices, as well as applying, and advancing human rights and promoting social justice and economic wellbeing. Encouraging a deeper understanding of students’ motivations to become social workers, particularly exploring Carl Jung’s 1951 ‘wounded healer’. The activity, used in the training of foster carers and adopters, will be described as a teaching technique to provide an opportunity to understand the intricacies of privilege, and to explore how membership of specific social identity groups endows individuals with privilege and power. Social work courses can help students recognize ways that they can use their privileges, both collectively and individually, to work for social justice. The purpose is not to imply culpability, provoke shame or guilt due to being in a position of relative power or privilege. Instead by raising awareness of the obstacles and benefits experienced, students gain an understanding of the significance of identity in order that they become better social work professionals.

ESR1 Gene Mutations and Liquid Biopsy in ER-Positive Breast Cancers: A Small Step Forward, a Giant Leap for Personalization of Endocrine Therapy?

The predominant forms of breast cancer (BC) are hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumors characterized by the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and/or progesterone receptors (PRs). Patients with HR+ tumors can benefit from endocrine therapy (ET). Three types of ET are approved for the treatment of HR+ BCs and include selective ER modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and selective ER downregulators. ET is the mainstay of adjuvant treatment in the early setting and the backbone of the first-line treatment in an advanced setting; however, the emergence of acquired resistance can lead to cancer recurrence or progression. The mechanisms of ET resistance are often related to the occurrence of mutations in the ESR1 gene, which encodes the ER-alpha protein. As ESR1 mutations are hardly detectable at diagnosis but are present in 30% to 40% of advanced BC (ABC) after treatment, the timeline of testing is crucial. To manage this resistance, ESR1 testing has recently been recommended; in ER+ HER2- ABC and circulating cell-free DNA, so-called liquid biopsy appears to be the most convenient way to detect the emergence of ESR1 mutations. Technically, several options exist, including Next Generation Sequencing and ultra-sensitive PCR-based techniques. In this context, personalization of ET through the surveillance of ESR1 mutations in the plasma of HR+ BC patients throughout the disease course represents an innovative way to improve the standard of care.

Integration of Telehealth in Routine Perinatal Care: A Model of Care for Primary Healthcare Clinics in Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to introduce a new model of antenatal/postnatal care that integrates virtual clinics with the current model of care, including a discussion on the current model, pre-existing barriers, and prenatal framework, and the need for transition to telehealth beyond the pandemic. In antenatal primary health care centers, such as King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), low-risk antenatal/postnatal care receives clinical care through complete physical attendance in antenatal/postnatal clinics in primary care clinics for pregnancy follow-up and in tertiary hospitals for fetal ultrasound and invasive procedures if needed. Pregnancy is confirmed through a regular family medicine (FM) clinic where risk assessment through history, physical examination, and investigations are carried out. If the pregnant woman is at low risk, she will be started on folic acid, 1 mg or 5 mg based on the risk assessment (if it was not received before). Pregnant women will be given a telehealth appointment for the lab results. Concomitantly, the pregnant women will receive an appointment in the antenatal clinics, which board-certified family physicians run. High-risk patients will be referred to the hospital for further care. Current postnatal care is delivered through regular booking with the FM clinic through physical attendance sometimes, and virtual care is provided upon physican/patientrequest. Current care meets the past quality care and patient expectations. However, with the current Saudi Vision 2030 and after the experience with virtual care during the COVID-19pandemic, the current services need to move a step forward to meet the rapidly developing medical care/needs in Saudi Arabia. Various challenges must be addressed, and new models must be included in clinical care for pregnant and postnatal women. Introducing virtual antenatal/postnatal care to the current care could be a new era in maternity primary health care; this model will move the clinical care provided to pregnant/postnatal women a step forward that meets the excellence of high-quality, evidence-based medical care.

Recent AADSM Protocol Update: A Step Forward, or Backward?

Recent AADSM Protocol Update: A Step Forward, or Backward?