A Health Impact Assessment of a Proposed Bill to Decrease Speed Limits on Local Roads in Massachusetts (U.S.A.)

Decreasing traffic speeds increases the amount of time drivers have to react to road hazards, potentially averting collisions, and makes crashes that do happen less severe. Boston’s regional planning agency, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), conducted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) that examined the potential health impacts of a proposed bill in the state legislature to lower the default speed limits on local roads from 30 miles per hour (mph) to 25 mph. The aim was to reduce vehicle speeds on local roads to a limit that is safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and children. The passage of this proposed legislation could have had far-reaching and potentially important public health impacts. Lower default speed limits may prevent around 18 fatalities and 1200 serious injuries to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians each year, as well as promote active transportation by making local roads feel more hospitable to cyclists and pedestrians. While a lower speed limit would increase congestion and slightly worsen air quality, the benefits outweigh the costs from both a health and economic perspective and would save the state approximately $62 million annually from prevented fatalities and injuries

METOPROLOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY AND THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ROLE OF VITAMIN E IN RABBITS

Objective: This study aims to investigate the hepatotoxicity of metoprolol and find a prophylactic way to protect the liver through the use of Vitamin E. Methods: A total of 18 male rabbits were divided randomly into three groups, with six in each group. Group I (control) received corn oil, Group II was treated with metoprolol (20 mg/kg), and Group III was treated with Vitamin E (175 mg/kg) 30 min before metoprolol treatment. All treatments were given orally and daily for 14 days; animals were sacrificed at day 15. Biochemical parameters were estimated, and the liver was used for histopathological examinations. Results: Histopathological changes of liver injury were found in all metoprolol-treated rabbits, while these changes were minimized in all rabbits who were given Vitamin E. Serum liver function tests and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated after metoprolol treatment and returned close to the control value on prior treatment with Vitamin E. Serum MDA, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were significantly decreased following treatment with Vitamin E. Conclusion: Vitamin E may have a hepatoprotective effect against metoprolol-induced liver injury in rabbits

Mapping the Path to Excellence in Student Teaching: Insights from Appreciative Inquiry

The teaching practicum is an important aspect of teacher education because it lays the bedrock upon which good teachers are made. This current research pursues an investigation of effective practices student teachers during their teaching practicum in order to further enhance the entire student teaching experience. In this respect, the 4D model of appreciative inquiry by Cooperrider, Whitney, and Stavros (2008) is utilized with the purpose of finding the best practices, creating a vision of ideal ways of implementation, and further developing strategies for action plans that can be realizable and sustained. Participants consisted of one education expert from the Adventist HEI in Luzon, Philippines, and 11 student teachers from an Adventist HEI in Mindanao, Philippines. Data were collected through appreciative interviews for six student teachers and focus group discussions for five. From the findings, best practices can be noted to involve effective management of teaching responsibilities, character and attitude development, collaboration, and reflective practices. The ideal practices identified in the study include stimulating teaching methods, positive attitude among pre-service teachers, supportive teamwork, and an emphasis on professional growth. For this to be undertaken, the proposed strategies for ideals are comprehensive preparation, collaborative educational programs, varied experiences, systematic reflection and evaluation, and effective management of resources and workload. The study underlines the fact that an enabling environment is important to enhance the teaching practicum. Effective implementation and sustainability of these practices are characterized by an enabling environment, continuous assessment and improvement, and congruence of the curriculum and practices. These strategies would therefore contribute much to enhancing the quality of the teaching practicum, coupled with reinforcement of best practice

How to Top the LET: Strategies from Davao del Sur’s Best

This study investigates the strategies, attributes, and institutional support that contribute to the success of topnotchers in the Licensure Examination for Teachers in Davao del Sur. The key objective is to confirm the strategies employed by LET topnotchers in their preparation and analyze how personal qualities, such as perseverance and motivation, influenced their performance. The research seeks to explore the possible contribution of the academic institution and the review centers attended by the candidates as factors leading to the topnotchers’ success. A qualitative case study design involves conducting semi-structured interviews with two LET topnotchers. Thematic analysis was conducted that unveiled recurring themes on effective ways of studying, personal attributes, and institutional support that influence performance in the board examination. Among the strategies being employed by the topnotchers were the use of goal setting, self-regulated learning, intensive reading, and participation in review programs. The important personal attributes comprising intrinsic motivation, resilience, and discipline also played a vital role in the preparations for the licensure exam. The present study brings to light important insights on what contributes to LET success, putting into focus that personal effort has to be complemented with support from the outside world. These findings can help future LET candidates adopt effective preparation strategies and inform educational institutions on how to better support their students. These insights have practical implications for teacher education, and licensure exam preparation