Duval County Public Schools

As aerospace engines advance to obtain higher thermal efficiencies, it is imperative to develop high temperature materials. Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy that has been used for decades in aero-engine parts as it allows for use in high temperature applications. ATI 718Plus is a newer nickel-based superalloy that has been developed with a 55°C higher temperature capability over Inconel 718. ATI 718Plus components are manufactured by forging a wrought billet in stages to obtain the desired geometry and microstructure. Parts are heat treated to optimised proportions of γ’ and η phases. η phase is an acicular phase that precipitates on the grain boundaries, whereas γ’ is the primary strengthening phase. η phase is an important phase to understand as it is utilised in controlling the grain size during hot working processes at temperatures below its solvus temperature. When η phase is fully solutioned, the grain size is free to increase and hence the material mechanical properties can become detrimental. The short-term precipitation kinetics of η phase in strain-free ATI 718Plus is still not completely understood. In this study, the aims and objectives were to study the η precipitation kinetics in strain-free material as well as studying η phase precipitation in equilibrium conditions. TTT diagrams were produced for the η phase in strain-free material and compared to the limited data available in the open literature. In addition, the equilibrium η phase content, aspect ratio, length and width were determined and compared to the very little data that is currently published.

This study investigated the relationship between the Transformed School Counseling (TSC) initiative counselor educator programs, the perceptions of school principals hiring TSC-prepared school counselors, and factors affecting principal’s hiring practices. Results indicated that principal’s value TSC candidates because they: (a) have effective principal-counselor relationships that positively affect students, (b) exemplify leadership qualities, (c) align their work with the mission of the school, (d) have strong communication skills, and (e) do not require additional training.

International audience

Duval County (Jacksonville, FL, USA) has a long history of environmental health hazards, especially prevalent within its urban core, referred to as Health Zone 1. In 2009, the Duval County Health Department conducted a survey of awareness of and actual exposure to methylmercury among women in the county. The survey found that women with more education or higher incomes had a higher awareness of potential mercury exposures. Furthermore, women in the urban core were less aware and had higher exposure than those in more affluent areas. This study assesses the mercury-exposure awareness and education by healthcare providers serving women of child-bearing age. We surveyed 28 women's health clinic offices. Sixty-one percent (17/28) indicated that they provide mercury exposure education to female patients, either written or verbal. Of these, only half (8/17) provide written education materials. Ninety-three percent of the providers indicated that a benefit to providing education on mercury exposure, is having "healthier developing fetuses and young children in the community". Two barriers identified by providers to offering information on mercury exposure and risk were (a) a lack of interest among patients, and (b) a lack of clear, understandable educational materials. The long-term goal of our * -8project is to develop and distribute culturally effective, low literacy materials for distribution by health clinics, to document the increased awareness of mercury exposure risks, and to lessen the adverse health outcomes that may result from mercury exposure among vulnerable population groups in Duval County.

The Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) methods provide the necessary framework and tools for large urban communities to investigate feto-infant mortality problems. Adapted from the Periods of Risk model developed by Dr. Brian McCarthy, the six-stage PPOR approach includes epidemiologic methods to be used in conjunction with community planning processes. Stage 2 of the PPOR approach has three major analytic parts: Analytic Preparation, which involves acquiring, preparing, and assessing vital records files; Phase 1 Analysis, which identifies local opportunity gaps; and Phase 2 Analyses, which investigate the opportunity gaps to determine likely causes of feto-infant mortality and to suggest appropriate actions. This article describes the first two analytic parts of PPOR, including methods, innovative aspects, rationale, limitations, and a community example. In Analytic Preparation, study files are acquired and prepared and data quality is assessed. In Phase 1 Analysis, feto-infant mortality is estimated for four distinct perinatal risk periods defined by both birthweight and age at death. These mutually exclusive risk periods are labeled Maternal Health and Prematurity, Maternal Care, Newborn Care, and Infant Health to suggest primary areas of prevention. Disparities within the study community are identified by comparing geographic areas, subpopulations, and time periods. Excess mortality numbers and rates are estimated by comparing the study population to an optimal reference population. This excess mortality is described as the opportunity gap because it indicates where communities have the potential to make improvement.

Achievement outcomes for students participating in a school counselor-led Student Success Skills intervention were investigated. Students in Grades 4 and 5 in a single school participated in the action research. Achievement outcomes were measured using the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Students who participated in the intervention showed greater mean improvement in reading and math scores than students at the district or state levels. The authors describe how sharing improved student outcomes led to a decrease in duties assigned to the school counselor unrelated to facilitating the school counseling program and a greater appreciation and respect for contributions of the school counselor.

Abstract The study explored the relationship between the level of primary and specialty care continuity and the likelihood of subsequent emergency room use for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Administrative files from the state's Agency for Persons with Disabilities from 1999 to 2003, containing demographic and clinical information, were used to identify persons with I/DD living in Florida and then were merged with the Florida Medicaid Claims database for outpatient and emergency room services from 1999 to 2003. For individuals with at least two primary or specialty care visits in 2000 and 2001, the Modified, Modified Continuity Index (M,MCI) was calculated and the M,MCI scores were used in multivariable models to predict emergency room utilization in 2002. Primary and specialty care continuity varied by sex, ethnicity, age, and IQ. Multivariate analyses controlling for socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics showed that high continuity for both primary and specialty care was associated with a 28% reduction in the likelihood of an emergency room visit. Continuity in both primary and specialty care is important for adults with I/DD in order to adequately manage their complex health problems and prevent health problems from deteriorating to the point of needing emergency care.

This study examines the effectiveness of computer-generated telephone reminders in improving infants receiving on-time immunizations. A computer called parents at home, reminded them of their child's visit, and asked if they could keep the appointment. If parents either canceled or failed to honor the appointment, the computer called back a few days later and asked them to reschedule. A medical assistant recruited 124 consecutive mothers to receive automated computer reminders. These mothers' infants were younger than 6 months, were being seen at an outpatient clinic for a first visit, and were patients of three attending physicians and three nurse practitioners. These infants were compared to 89 infants from the same clinic, in the same age range, who were being seen for the first time during the same period by the same providers but not contacted by the medical assistant. Subjects were selected from mothers who brought their infants for their first visit in an outpatient urban clinic that serves predominantly minority clients. A research assistant reviewed patients' medical records and collected the infants' birthday, mothers' age, race, source of payments, and the immunization record of the infants. Immunization was considered to be late if, at the time of the first visit, it was more than 30 days past due for any of the recommended immunizations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, except for Hepatitis B vaccine which was not recommended at the time of the study. The dependent variable was on-time immunization. The independent variables were age of the mother at baseline, age of the child at baseline, and membership in either the comparison or the experimental group. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The participation rate for appointments for the experimental group was 82%, as compared to a 69% overall participation rate for the clinic providers. The on-time immunization rate for experimental subjects was 67.8%, whereas the comparison group had an on-time immunization rate of 43.4% (differences were significant at alpha levels less than 0.01). Computerized reminders sent to the parents led to an increase in participation rate at the clinic and an increase in on-time immunization for their infants.

The problems associated with middle and secondary schools are neither new nor unique. Through a two-year pilot program, one junior high school made a significant step toward improving academics, morale, and student/parent involvement—a step that earned the school national recognition.