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Learning to descend stairs requires motor and cognitive capacities on the part of infants and opportunities for practice and assurance of safety offered by caregivers. The American Academy of Pediatrics prescribes the age strategy to teach toddlers to safely descend stairs but without much consideration for individual differences in infants' skills or caregivers' techniques. The purpose of this study was to observe the natural ways in which caregivers teach infants to descend stairs at home and the extent to which infants abide. Of particular interest was to examine the dynamic nature of caregivers' teaching and infants' learning over the session with attention to individual differences. Dyads (N = 59) were videorecorded on Zoom for 10 min interacting on stairs at home in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and Spain. Infants (n = 30 girls, 29 boys; 13-month-olds ± 1 week) were novice walkers (M = 2.04 months walking experience). Caregivers used a variety of teaching strategies and focused on "backing" and "scooting." Infants were more likely to heed caregivers' guidance when caregivers provided hands-on support and verbal encouragement suggesting infants were engaged and responsive to caregivers' overtures. Infants' walking experience predicted change in descent strategy over the session. Although infants did not show evidence of learning over the session, consistent caregiver instruction suggested caregivers were persistent, if not effective, teachers. Teaching and learning motor skills in a potentially risky task creates a unique opportunity for interaction, allowing infants and caregivers to learn from one another. Public Significance Statement: This work contributes to the general body of knowledge regarding infant motor development and problem solving in specific contexts. This study is one of the first to explore the nature of caregiver-infant interaction on stairs and identifies caregiver teaching strategies and infant motor characteristics that are associated with safe infant stair descent. By doing so, we hope to encourage further investigation of infant behavior in this context, upon which recommendations to caregivers for safe infant descent may be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with intellectual disabilities (IDs) demonstrate below-criteria motor competence (MC) compared with typically developing (TD) youth. Whether differences in MC exist for youth with ID from different countries is unknown. This study examined the MC of youth with ID from Brazil (BR) and the United States (US) and compared it with norms for TD youth as established by the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). The authors measured 19 BOT-2 test items for bilateral coordination, balance, and upper limb coordination of 502 youth (BR = 252, US = 250) with ID (6–21 years). Raw scores were converted to %ceiling (percentile of highest expected scores). For all test items, no significant differences were seen between BR and US participants in %ceiling scores. Participants from both countries demonstrated equivalent to slightly below BOT-2 norms in 14 of the 19 test items, with lowest scores seen in contralateral synchronizing bilateral coordination, balancing on one leg, and ball handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our interest is in the development of gratitude as a moral virtue, and its variability across different cultural contexts, Given psychology's overreliance on samples collected from the United Sates, Western Europe, and Australasia, we contrasted patterns of age-related expressions of gratitude among a sample of U.S. 7- to 14-year-old children with those from same-age samples from Brazil, China, Russia, South Korea, and Turkey (N = 2,540,54.7% female, Mage = 10.61 years). The U.S. sample was diverse (n = 730: Black 26 . 4 %, White 40.4%, Latinx 19. 9%, Asian 3 .8%, Other 1 . 6 %, Missing 7 .0%; 55.1% female, Mage = 10.52 years). The remaining samples were largely homogeneous by ethnicity. Our data were gathered using one quantitative scale to measure variations in the extent of gratitude that children expressed, and one qualitative measure to assess variability in the types of gratitude expressed by children of different ages. Both measures were chosen for their fit with the definition of virtuous gratitude. Hypotheses that the U.S. sample would differ from the others in extent and type of gratitude were largely supported. However, age-related differences in the type of gratitude expressed were similar across societies (e.g., in most samples older children were less likely to express concrete gratitude and more likely to express connective gratitude). Our results reveal the importance of treating gratitude as a virtue that develops during childhood and that is influenced by one's cultural group. Reliance on samples from a limited set of cultures is thus to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe beginning nursing student learning styles and to determine whether there are relationships between learning style and sociodemographic or educational background. We also aim to compare these data with the normative values of the 3.1 version of the Kolb learning style inventory and verify its reliability. Background/Literature: Learning style is related to the way in which an individual interacts with learning conditions, involving cognitive, affective, physical and environmental aspects. In nursing education, few studies have focused on knowing the learning styles of beginning nursing students, despite the need for students to develop critical thinking skills required of nurses. Design: Descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational, multi‐site study. Method: The study took place at five universities in Brazil and one university in the United States. Data were collected from a sample of beginning nursing students (n = 176) in 2019, using the Portuguese and English 3.1 versions of Kolb's learning style inventory. Results: Most students' learning styles were classified as divergers (34.10%), while 28.41% were assimilators, 23.86% were accommodators and 13.63% were convergers. Kolb describes learning as a four‐stage cyclical process grounded in experience. The mean score of one learning stage, the concrete experience, showed those who attended public high schools compared with private high schools was higher (mean = 26.22; p =.0019), and there were different results between Brazilian state universities, Brazilian federal universities and the American university (p =.0149). Conclusion: The diverger style was the most common among beginning nursing students in Brazil and the United States. There was a significant relationship between learning style, the educational background of students, the type of institution they attend and their previous experience with some active learning methodologies. Relevance to clinical practice: Aligned with Kolb's experiential learning theory, nurse educators must be aware of student learning styles so they may use teaching strategies to meet their students' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study was designed to develop normative functional fitness standards for the Portuguese older adults, to analyze age and gender patterns of decline, to compare the fitness level of Portuguese older adults with that of older adults in other countries, and to evaluate the fitness level of Portuguese older adults relative to recently published criterion fitness standards associated with maintaining physical independence. A sample of 4,712 independent-living older adults, age 65-103 yr, was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Age-group normative fitness scores are reported for the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Results indicate that both women and men experience age-related losses in all components of functional fitness, with their rate of decline being greater than that observed in other populations, a trend which may cause Portuguese older adults to be at greater risk for loss of independence in later years. These newly established normative standards make it possible to assess individual fitness level and provide a basis for implementing population-wide health strategies to counteract early loss of independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of the method proposed in 2009 by the Institute of Medicine for the anthropometric assessment of pregnant women, predicting perinatal outcomes: adequacy of birthweight, adequacy of birthweight according to gestational age [small for gestational age ( SGA), large for gestational age ( LGA)] and gestational and neonatal complications. Methods The study comprised a cross-sectional study involving 827 post-partum women (>20 years) who were treated in a public maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Data collection occurred by interviews and record consultation. Adequacy of weight gain during pregnancy was determined as being insufficient and excessive for the recommended range according to nutritional status category. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for logistic regression. Results Some 36.2% of women initiated gestation with some weight deviation. The prevalence of the outcomes studied was 4.6% ( n = 35) for low birthweight, 3.7% ( n = 31) for SGA, 5.7% ( n = 47) for LGA, 45.2% ( n = 374) for pregnancy complications and 15.2% ( n = 85) for neonatal complications. For women with insufficient weight gain, the new recommendation indicated a correlation in the prediction of low birthweight ( OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.53-9.21), SGA newborns ( OR = 5.77, 95% CI = 2.10-15.8) and gestational complications ( OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.20-2.48). Conclusions The method evaluated demonstrated a better sensitivity and specificity for the main outcomes related to insufficient weight gain (low birthweight and SGA). Regarding excessive foetal growth ( LGA), gestational and neonatal complications demonstrated sensitivity for an intermediate value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are indicators of carbohydrate consumption and widely used in studies evaluating the risk for breast cancer. However, the effect of chemotherapy on these indices has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary levels of GI and GL in women with breast cancer during chemotherapy treatment and their relationships to body fat and phase angle. Twenty-five patients were assessed according to demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and food consumption data. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recalls applied on nonconsecutive days. Anthropometric measures and body composition were determined at all study timepoints: prior to the first chemotherapy cycle (T0), immediately after the last chemotherapy cycle (T1), and 2 months after T1 (T2). There was no difference in mean GI and GL among study timepoints. However, a high prevalence of inadequate GI and GL values was noted, independent of study timepoint. GI and GL were associated with phase angle at T1. GI was associated with percentage fat at T0 only. Dietary GI and GL were unchanged during chemotherapy, but were associated with indicators of clinical outcome, such as percentage fat and phase angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the connection between leadership and citizenship behaviors in a comparative study of Brazilian and U.S. employees. The influence of country and power distance orientation on the relationship between perceived charismatic leadership and follower organizational citizenship behaviors is analyzed statistically, while controlling for demographic factors. Given the ambivalent frameworks and findings in the literature, we also proposed and tested a quadratic effect of power distance orientation on citizenship behaviors, and analyzed the adequacy of the model to explain two dimensions of citizenship: altruism and generalized compliance. We found that charismatic leadership was positively associated with citizenship behaviors in the U.S. group, but not in the Brazilian group. Although the groups differed regarding power distance orientations, that cultural factor did not significantly moderate the relationship between charismatic leadership and citizenship behaviors, only country of origin did. However, we confirmed that both very high and low power distance orientation were associated with citizenship behaviors across the samples. While the tested hypotheses were confirmed when altruism was the criteria, the same was not observed regarding generalized compliance. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory, research, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The willingness of male-male dyads to use couples voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) has not been previously investigated globally among men who have sex with men (MSM). Using online advertisements, data were collected from 3245 MSM in seven countries who were ≥18 years of age and had ≥1 male sex partner in the previous 12 months. The analysis examined associations between individual characteristics and willingness to utilize CVCT. The willingness to utilize CVCT was compellingly high, ranging from 79% in Australia and UK to 90% in Brazil. Older MSM and those who reported not knowing their sero-status reported lower odds of willingness to use CVCT. The relationship between being in a relationship and willingness to use CVCT varied across countries, perhaps reflecting varied local understandings of the nature and content of CVCT. Further work is required to examine willingness to use CVCT among a more heterogeneous population of MSM, and to examine how CVCT services are locally perceived in order to provide information vital for the development of locally appropriate messages to promote CVCT for MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Phytosterols have been used alone, or combined with lipid-altering drugs, to reduce cholesterol levels and the burden of cardiovascular disease. Considerable variation in the composition of phytosterols exists and its consumption, in a regular diet, by the Brazilian population is still unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the phytosterols content of the most consumed plant foods and to estimate the phytosterols intake by this population. Methods: Intake of plant foods of a representative population of the city of São Paulo (n =1609), randomly selected on the basis of the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics census data (2010), was obtained by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Foods were chosen on the basis of the Consume Expenditure Survey (2002-2003) and from answers to the FFQ. Phytosterols composition of most consumed greens, legumes, cereals, and seeds, fruits, and vegetable oils was determined by gas chromatography (flame ionization detection). Daily phytosterols intake was estimated in terms of mg per 100 g (mg/100 g-1) of edible portion. Underreporters and overreporters were excluded. Results: Mean (SE) daily phytosterols intake in the diet of the study population was 100.6 (1.2) mg, with β-sitosterol as the largest sterol component (65.4%), followed by campesterol (23.2%), and stigmasterol (10%). No significant changes in daily phytosterols intake were observed after exclusion of underreporters and overreporters. Considerable variation was observed in phytosterols content among the most consumed plant foods. Conclusions: Analysis of phytosterols composition in most consumed plant foods has shown that phytosterols content varied among food groups. Dietary intake of phytosterols in a large population of the city of São Paulo is in the same range of some countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some research suggests that the risk of physical aggression by an intimate partner is related to marital status, but this relationship may vary across cultures and by gender. In the present study, we systematically examine the relationship between marital status and physical partner aggression by gender across 19 countries. Logistic and multilevel regression confirmed previous findings of lower rates of physical aggression for legally married versus cohabiting and separated/divorced women and men across most, but notably, not all countries. Single status was associated with higher risk in some countries and lower in others reflecting possible cultural differences in risk for different marital statuses. For example, single women had significantly lower rates of victimization than did married women in India where violence against wives is often accepted. The variation in the cross-cultural findings highlights the importance of examining both men and women and considering the cultural context when interpreting the relationship between partner aggression and marital status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging population is recognized by many as a unique global phenomenon and has become a subject of interest among multidisciplinary professionals. Perhaps one of the most common key concerns among individuals and family members in many countries today is to meet the increasing demand for elderly healthcare, particularly the real challenges and crisis in old age morbidity and health. As the socioeconomic, demographic and cultural context of populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief intervention (BI) for illicit drugs (cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and opioids) linked to the World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). The ASSIST screens for problem or risky use of 10 psychoactive substances, producing a score for each substance that falls into either a low-, moderate- or high-risk category. Design Prospective, randomized controlled trial in which participants were either assigned to a 3-month waiting-list control condition or received brief motivational counselling lasting an average of 13.8 minutes for the drug receiving the highest ASSIST score. Setting Primary health-care settings in four countries: Australia, Brazil, India and the United States. Participants A total of 731 males and females scoring within the moderate-risk range of the ASSIST for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants or opioids. Measurements ASSIST-specific substance involvement scores for cannabis, stimulants or opioids and ASSIST total illicit substance involvement score at baseline and 3 months post-randomization. Findings Omnibus analyses indicated that those receiving the BI had significantly reduced scores for all measures, compared with control participants. Country-specific analyses showed that, with the exception of the site in the United States, BI participants had significantly lower ASSIST total illicit substance involvement scores at follow-up compared with the control participants. The sites in India and Brazil demonstrated a very strong brief intervention effect for cannabis scores ( P < 0.005 for both sites), as did the sites in Australia ( P < 0.005) and Brazil ( P < 0.01) for stimulant scores and the Indian site for opioid scores ( P < 0.01). Conclusions The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test-linked brief intervention aimed at reducing illicit substance use and related risks is effective, at least in the short term, and the effect generalizes across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]