Search

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Welcoming School Climates." Contents include: (1) Welcoming and Safe Schools Require Authentic Relationship Building (Morgan Craven); (2) Texas School District Becomes First to Adopt Policy to Prevent Identity-based Bullying; (3) 70th Anniversary of "Brown v. Board of Education"; (4) The Value of Integrating STEM, the Arts and Ethnic Studies (Aurelio Montemayor, Stephanie Garcia, & Asaiah Puente); and (5) IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Win Reflection Contest Awards --Tutors Share Stories of the Program's Impact on Their Lives.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Language Rights." Contents include: (1) Navigating Policy Landscapes for Linguistic and Cultural Equity (Morgan Craven & Lizdelia Piñón); (2) Language Rights are Civil Rights -- 50th Anniversary of the "Lau v. Nichols" Ruling (Paige Duggins-Clay); (3) AI as a Tool for Inclusive Bilingual Education (Lizdelia Piñón); and (4) Transnational Students Deserve a High-Quality Education on Both Sides of the Border (Rebekah Skelton).

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "School Safety." Contents include: (1) Students Demand Safe, Supportive Schools: Student Authors Call for Ending Zero Tolerance and School-Based Policing (Paige Duggins-Clay); (2) Where Some Policymakers and School Leaders Get School Safety Wrong (Morgan Craven); (3) Thirty Years Later, the 1994 Gun-Free Schools Act Continues to Harm Students and Communities (Rebekah Skelton); and (4) IDRA Names Youth Advisory Board Members: Five High School Students Serve as Advisors for Education Equity Initiatives While Learning New Skills.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Education Research." Contents include: (1) Mexican American Studies -- A Deep Look by High School Students (Marcela Hernández, Jonas Lokensgard & Hannah Rosales); (2) Embedding Social-Emotional Learning into Student-Serving Programs (Stephanie García); (3) IDRA Youth Advisory Board Members Study Culturally Responsive Teaching and School Discipline (Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz); and (4) New Texas School Finance Data Maps.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "College Readiness and Success." Contents include: (1) Texas School Counselors Point to Troubling State of College Advising: IDRA Studies the Role of Middle School Counselors in Supporting Students' College Readiness; (2) Texas' Ban on College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Offices Takes Effect (Chloe Latham Sikes); (3) Encouraging STEM Pathways through Student and Teacher Experiences (Stephanie García); and (4) IDRA Priorities for the 2024 Georgia General Assembly Session.

Objective. Conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rehabilitation has little impact on sedentary lifestyles that have negative long-term health consequences. The purpose of this trial was to determine the effect of telehealth-based physical activity behavior change intervention on physical activity and functional outcomes following TKA. Methods. This study was a 2-arm, parallel randomized controlled superiority trial at a regional Veterans Affairs medical center. The participants were 92 US military veterans (mean age = 65.7 [SD =7.8] y) undergoing unilateral TKA. The Physical Activity Behavior Change (PABC) intervention included telehealth-based self-management training (10 30-minute sessions) delivered over 12 weeks. The control intervention included telehealth-based health education sessions that matched PABC frequency and duration. Both groups participated in standardized conventional outpatient rehabilitation. Physical activity, measured as average daily step count, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were Life-Space Assessment questionnaire, 30-Second Chair-Stand test, Timed 'Up & Go' Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. The Self Efficacy for Exercise scale and daily time spent in different postures (sitting/lying, standing, stepping) were exploratory variables. Outcomes were measured at baseline (before surgery), mid-intervention (8 weeks after surgery), after the intervention (14 weeks after surgery; primary endpoint), and follow-up (38 weeks after surgery). Results. The PABC group had an estimated 931 (95% CI = 42-1819) more daily steps than the control group from baseline to 14 weeks, though a between-group effect was not sustained at 38 weeks. There were no group differences in secondary outcomes. Participants included only military veterans using Veterans Health Administration services. The intervention targeted self-management and did not include peer support. Conclusion. The PABC intervention improved physical activity for veterans recovering from unilateral TKA at 14 weeks after surgery, though the effect was not sustained at 38 weeks. Physical function improved with rehabilitation but was not different between groups, indicating that physical function was not a primary driver of physical activity behavior. Impact. Conventional TKA rehabilitation has a negligible effect on free-living physical activity, which is relevant to long-term health outcomes. This trial identified telehealth physical activity self-management as effective in addressing activity behaviors, separate from conventional rehabilitation strategies. Keywords: Accelerometry, Aged, Arthroplasty, Exercise, Physical Activity, Telerehabilitation, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Veterans, Introduction People who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrate low to moderate levels of physical activity, which are relatively unchanged from values before surgery when tested 6 to 12 months [...]

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Breaking Barriers to Learning." Contents include: (1) The Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Education for All Students (Hector Bojorquez and Michelle Martínez Vega); (2) Classroom Censorship Laws Sweep Across (Terrence Wilson); (3) Identity-Based Bullying Undermines Student Safety and Success (Paige Duggins-Clay and Makiah Lyons); and (4) Academy: Discover the Power of AI for Educators.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. This issue is the "50th Anniversary Edition." Contents include: (1) IDRA Milestones Across Five Decades to Fulfill the Promise of Education that Every Student Deserves (Celina Moreno, María Robledo Montecel, and Aurelio M. Montemayor); and (2) One Mission, Many Paths: 50 Years of Transforming Education by Putting Children First (Celina Moreno, María Robledo Montecel, and Aurelio M. Montemayor).

The World Health Organization recognizes that aging is a life-long process. Aging is a universal phenomenon, and the number of people aged ≥65 years is expected to increase exponentially over the next 30 to 50 years. Thus, the universality and globalization of aging requires that our interconnected societies be equipped to meet the needs of humans across all developmental and life stages. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic taught us to be agile, innovative, and always prepared to tackle new health issues that target older adults and their communities. Thus, the future of gerontological nursing must support optimal aging through practice, education, research, and policy initiatives. In recognition of the Journal of Gerontological Nursing's 50th anniversary, the current article forecasts future priorities and how gerontological nursing will address persistent challenges while capitalizing on opportunities to optimize health congruent with individuals' preferences and abilities, improve the care of older adults, and advance the study of aging. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(12), 31–40.], The global population of older adults continues to trend upward, with projections to 12% in 2030 and 20% in 2050 (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). The United Nations (UN) Decade [...]

Background: Although suspicions of cancer may be raised in patients who visit the emergency department, little is known about emergency department use before a cancer diagnosis. We sought to describe emergency department use among patients in Ontario within the 90 days before confirmed cancer diagnosis and to evaluate factors associated with this emergency department use. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, population-based study of patients aged 18 years or older who had a confirmed cancer diagnosis in Ontario from 2014 to 2021 using linked administrative databases. The primary outcome was any emergency department visit within 90 days before the cancer diagnosis date. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with emergency department use, such as demographics (e.g., age, sex, rurality, Ontario Health region, indicators of marginalization), comorbidities, previous emergency department visits and hospital admissions, continuity of primary care, type of cancer, and year of cancer diagnosis. Results: We included 651 071 patients with cancer. Of these, 229 683 (35.3%) had an emergency department visit within 90 days before diagnosis, 51.4% of whom were admitted to hospital from the emergency department. Factors associated with increased odds of emergency department use before cancer diagnosis included rurality (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.17), residence in northern Ontario (North East region OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10-1.17 and North West region OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.21-1.32, v. Toronto region), and living in the most marginalized areas (material resources OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.35-1.40 and housing OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.11, v. least marginalized quintile). We observed significant variation in emergency department use by cancer type, with high odds of emergency department use among patients with intracranial, pancreatic, liver or gallbladder, or thoracic cancer. Interpretation: Emergency department use is common before cancer diagnosis, with about one-third of patients with cancer in Ontario using the emergency department before diagnosis. Understanding why patients visit the emergency department before cancer diagnosis is important, particularly for patients who live in rural or marginalized areas, or those who have specific cancer types., The emergency department plays an important role in the diagnosis of cancer for many patients. Several large studies have identified several routes to cancer diagnosis, with the emergency department representing [...]

The training function in a pharmaceutical facility is vital to site operations. The objective of training is straightforward; training is responsible for employee learning. Site training programs must be effective [...]

If you would have told me that the criminal justice field would be the driving force that developed my career and my purpose, then I would not have believed you. [...]

Dried cells--it's what's for dinner. At least that's what a new crop of biotech startups, armed with carbon-guzzling bacteria and plenty of capital, are hoping to convince us. Their claims [...]

CASE AT A GLANCE The question is whether the Court should consider petitioner's request for judicial review when the Department of Homeland Security revokes approval of an I-130 petition for petitioner's noncitizen spouse because the approval was a mistake as the spouse previously entered into sham marriages. The district court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction and the Eleventh Circuit affirmed., Facts The petitioner, Amina Bouarfa, is a U.S. citizen who married Ala'a Hamayel, a citizen of the Palestinian Authority, in 2011. They have three children, and Hamayel was divorced twice [...]

Women's health in physical therapy has historically focused on sexual and reproductive health. The biological and social constructs of sex and gender, respectively, are determinants of health, including pathophysiology of disease and therapeutic outcomes, and an expansion of the concept of 'women's health' is warranted. This Perspective explores the role of sex and gender as key determinants of women's and girls' health and highlights the factors pertinent to physical therapist practice. The Scale for the Assessment for Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), a 6-point assessment to evaluate the quality of narrative reviews, was used a priori and consulted throughout. Across the lifespan, sex- and gender-based health disparities exist. These include sex-based disparities in maternal-fetal outcomes linking female fetal sex to maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, along with a sex-based female advantage in birth outcomes and the emergence of gender differences in motor development. A complex interplay of biological and socially influenced factors contributes to an increased care burden for women throughout adulthood and specific risks for the development of cardiovascular and pelvic floor conditions, decreased function, and increased disability. Sex- and gender-disaggregated data are lacking in outcomes literature. A sex- and gender-informed approach in physical therapy, including analyzing data by sex and gender, may better meet the needs of patients and better prepare physical therapist professionals to contribute to women's health across the lifespan. Success will take coordinated effort involving many stakeholders within and adjacent to the physical therapist community. The influence of sex and gender are lifelong determinants of health, making them critically important to consider in physical therapist practice, education, research, advocacy, and policy. In women's health, focusing on sexual and reproductive health is limiting and insufficient. Keywords: Female, Health Disparities, Life Course Health Development, Sex and Gender, Women's Health, Introduction Contemporary language characterizes women's health as including health conditions and experiences unique to women, along with those experienced differently or disproportionately by women, representing an expansion of historical precedent. [...]

Objective. Self-efficacy for leisure-time or health-promoting physical activity (SEPA) is a psychosocial determinant of physical activity. The socioecological model can provide a robust perspective of SEPA. The objective of this study was to synthesize the evidence on multilevel correlates of SEPA among individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The second aim examined the extentto which socioecological disparities are associated with SEPA among individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods. An integrative review was conducted. Included studies needed to investigate the relationship between SEPA and socioecological factors at the interpersonal, institutional, community, and/or macrosystem level among adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain ([greater than or equal to]3 months). Searches in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were performed (December 30, 2020, and October 12, 2022), yielding 4047 records after duplicates were removed. Two independent reviewers completed screening, full-text reviews, and data extraction. After title and abstract screening and full-text reviews, 17 studies were included. The constant comparison method included: data reduction, data display, data comparison, and conclusion drawing/verification. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Results. Five themes emerged with respect to relationships between SEPA and socioecological factors: social relations, social comparisons, patient-provider relationship, organizational resources, and accessibility to physical activity. Relationships between interpersonal factors and SEPA were most prominently studied. One study examined and addressed potential disparities in SEPA at the macrosystem level. Conclusion. A spectrum of relationships from supporting to straining SEPA were found at the interpersonal level. Relationships between institutional, community, and macrosystem factors and SEPA were comparably sparse. Gaps in the literature were identified regarding how health disparities present across the socioecological model with respect to SEPA. Impact. Clinicians can use this review to evaluate how SEPA can be supported or threatened by factors across the socioecological model. This may be a preliminary step towards examining and addressing health disparities in SEPA. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Pain, Physical Activity, Self-Efficacy, Socioecological, Introduction Chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions are among the greatest contributors to years lived with disability worldwide, and their impact has steadily increased since 1990. (1,2) Partaking in leisure time and [...]

Objective. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between active, passive, and manual therapy interventions with the escalation-of-care events following physical therapist care for veterans with low back pain (LBP). Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 3618 veterans who received physical therapist care for LBP between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse was utilized to identify LBP-related physical therapist visits and procedures, as well as opioid prescription and non-physical therapy clinic encounters. The association between physical therapist interventions with 1-year escalation-of-care events were assessed using adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression. Results. Nearly all veterans (98%) received active interventions, but only a minority (31%) received manual therapy. In the 1-year follow-up period, the odds of receiving an opioid prescription were 30% lower for those who received manual therapy in addition to active interventions, as compared with patients who received only active interventions. Moreover, the odds of receiving primary care, specialty care, and diagnostic testing were 30% to 130% higher for patients who received electrical stimulation or more than 1 passive intervention in addition to active treatments, as compared with patients who received only active interventions. Conclusion. The use of manual therapy along with active interventions was associated with reduced prescription of opioids, while utilization of specific passive interventions such as electrical stimulation or multiple modalities in conjunction with active interventions resulted in increased escalation-of-care events. Impact. The use of active interventions, which is supported by most clinical practice guidelines, was the cornerstone of physical therapist care for veterans with LBP. However, the use of clinical practice guideline-recommended manual therapy interventions was low but associated with reduced opioid prescriptions. The use of 2 or more different passive interventions along with active interventions was common (34%) and associated with less-than-optimal escalation-of-care outcomes. Keywords: Exercise Therapy, Guideline Adherence, Low Back Pain, Manual Therapy, Veterans, Introduction Low back pain (LBP) is a large burden for individual sufferers and societies around the world. (1-3) Regardless of age, gender, occupation, socioeconomic indicators, and various comor-bidities, LBP is [...]

Objective. The objective was to explore experiences with and identify barriers and facilitators of utilizing physical therapy for people who identify as transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary (TGNB). Methods. A qualitative descriptive design was employed using semistructured interviews conducted in New Zealand. Eligible participants were individuals who were 12 years old or older, who self-identified as TGNB, and who had accessed physical therapy at a community-based clinic that also provides a gender-affirming service. Participants were recruited via email invitation to the clinic database. Interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Demographics are reported descriptively. Results. Seventeen individuals (15-64 years old and identifying as 11 different genders) participated. All participants reported physical therapy experiences relating to 1 or more of the following 4 themes: challenging cisnormativity at policy, environmental, clinic, and therapist levels; safety and trust throughout the clinical experience, including clinic credibility for being a safe provider, clinic displays of TGNB inclusivity, implementation of safe clinic processes, and respectful therapist interactions; inclusive experiences in a clinic that provided affordable care and took active steps to understand and affirm TGNB identities and with physical therapists who had a high level of knowledge of TGNB-specific health issues and took a biopsychosocial approach to care; and sensitivity to body discomfort or dysphoria triggers. Barriers to and facilitators of care were identified at policy, environmental, clinic, and therapist levels. Conclusion. People who identify as TGNB face challenges to accessing safe and culturally sensitive physical therapy. However, there are achievable areas for improvement at policy, environmental, clinic, and physical therapist levels to gain trust and engagement in care for the TGNB community. Impact. This study provides a detailed exploration of TGNB physical therapy experiences and identifies specific areas of improvement for TGNB physical therapy care to provide clinicians and physical therapy clinics insights into the provision of safe and culturally sensitive physical therapy. Keywords: Gender and Sexual Minorities, Gender Identity, Health, Physical Therapy, Transgender, Introduction With an increased visibility of people who identify as transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary (TGNB) in Australia and New Zealand, (1,2) the need for TGNB-specific health care is rising. [...]

Objective. Activity and participation are important for older adults as they are associated with well-being and quality of life. Falls, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations are adverse health outcomes that impact older adults. Limited research has investigated whether measurement of activity and participation are related to adverse health events in community dwelling older adults. This study sought to examine the association between activity and participation with falls, ED visits, and hospitalization over 1 year in community dwelling older adults. Methods. A secondary analysis of a longitudinal clinical trial of 341 community dwelling older adults was conducted. The sample mean age was 80.9 (SD = 7.7) years and 83% were female. One-year risk of falls was associated with baseline Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) components of overall function and disability (frequency and limitations dimensions). Incident rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs were calculated. Results. For each five-point higher score (clinically meaningful difference) in activity as measured by LLFDI-overall function (adjusted for age, race, sex, comorbidities and fall history), there was an 18% lower rate of falls (IRR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.74-0.92), 12% reduction in hospitalizations (IRR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.77-0.99), and 11% lower rate of emergency room visits (IRR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81-0.98). Greater participation as measured by the LLFDI limitations dimension was related to fewer falls (IRR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87-1.00) and hospitalizations (IRR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.83-0.99). Conclusion. Greater activity and participation are associated with a lower incidence of falls, ED visits, and hospitalizations representing an important consideration for targeted physical therapist interventions. Impact Statement. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to identify and address reduced activity and participation. If activity and participation are specifically targeted and improved through physical therapy, undesirable distal health outcomes might be prevented or minimized. Lay Summary. Greater activity and participation were found to be related to lower rate of falls, ED visits, and hospitalizations in a sample of 341 older adults who lived in the community. Keywords: Activity, Falls, Participation, Introduction The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health by the World Health Organization defines activity as the execution of a task or action and participation as involvement in a [...]

Presence equals influence. If we don't have a presence there, our competitors will. --ADMIRAL KARL L. SHUL[GAMMA]Z, COMMANDANT, U.S. COAST GUARD (1) The effects of global climate change have continued [...]

Older age is linked with poorer self-care in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) setting. Informal health supporters (family members and friends) are critical sources of self-care support, but much remains unclear about the characteristics and implications of received support among this patient population. We examined how received self-care support (amount and type) related to positive (CKD management self-efficacy) and negative (depressive symptoms) psychosocial health correlates of self-care in 536 adults aged 65 years and older with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Participants who received a greater amount of support reported less CKD management self-efficacy and more depressive symptoms. We did not observe associations between self-care support type and psychosocial health. Further research is needed to clarify our findings, especially studies that investigate causality and contextual influences. Keywords: Amount and type of older adults, pre-dialysis, family, friends, self-management self-efficacy, depressive symptoms., NCPD 1.3 contact hours/CEPTCs Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent, burdensome, and progressive condition that contributes to substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care costs worldwide (Carney, 2020; Centers for [...]

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Equity Matters." Contents include: (1) Families Insist on Equitable School Funding: "Rodríguez v. San Antonio ISD" Ruling 50 Years Ago Has Lasting Effects (Christie L. Goodman); (2) How to Know if Your District Needs an Equity Audit (Hector Bojorquez); (3) MAS Springs Youthfully: Teacher and Student Advocacy of Mexican American Studies (Aurelio M. Montemayor); and (4) IDRA José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellows Program.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Education Policy Issues in Texas & Georgia." Contents include: (1) What to Expect from Bids to Take Public Money Out of Public Schools (Diana Long); (2) Remove Obstacles to Ethnic Studies for Georgia Students (Ruth Youn); (3) Traditional School Discipline is Harmful for All (Alisha Tuff); (4) Georgia Students Deserve a 21st Century Education for the Multicultural and Multilingual Future (Jonathan Peraza Campos); (5) Dual Credit Programs Give Students a Fighting Chance to Access and Succeed in College (Steve Kemgang); and (6) Black History Month Features.

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Policy Priorities." Contents include: (1) IDRA Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration; (2) Advancing Our Vision for U.S. Public Schools & Students: IDRA Federal Policy Priorities (Morgan Craven); (3) Policy Roadmap for Texas Education: IDRA Policy Priorities for Texas Legislative Session (Chloe Latham Sikes); and (4) Advocacy Goals for Educational Equity in Georgia: IDRA Policy Priorities for the 2023 General Assembly Session (Terrence Wilson).

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "State Education Policy Impact." Contents include: (1) Texas Legislature Fails to Address the Needs of Texas Students and Teachers (Chloe Latham Sikes and Paige Duggins-Clay); (2) Coalition in Georgia Pushes for Culturally Sustaining Education (Thomas Marshall, III); (3) Lawmakers Refuse to Adopt School Vouchers, for Now (Diana Long); (4) Major Changes Ahead for Texas Future College Students (Steve Kemgang); and (5) Texas Prioritizes Hardening Measures Over Preventative Practices (Alisha Tuff).

Sam, Will, and Max are playing jump rope with their friend Bucky Bug. 'This exercise is good for getting into shape,' says Bucky. 'But can we stop and rest?' 'Sure,' [...]

Sam, Will y Max estan jugando a saltar la soga con su amigo Bucky Bug. --Este es un buen ejercicio para ponerse en forma--dice Bucky--. Pero ¿podemos descansar un rato? [...]

GROWING UP, I was taught that there were nine planets in the solar system. That all changed in 2006, when the International Astronomical Union voted to demote Pluto's status to [...]

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Bridging the Digital Divide." Contents include: (1) Texas High School Attrition Rate Worsens for the First Time in Seven Years -- Highlights of IDRA's 37th Annual Attrition Study (Charles A. Cavazos); (2) Keeping Young Digital Citizens Safe (Michelle Martínez Vega); (3) Digital Divide Stories in South Texas Colonias; and (4) The Parallel Roads to Digital and Racial Justice (Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz).

SrA Smith had been in the unit for 10 months. She had settled in quickly, and immediately had excelled in her duties. She was performing so well she was placed [...]

Value-based care (VBC) aims to improve patient health outcomes relative to the cost of care by shifting from traditional fee-for-service models to patient-centered, outcome-driven approaches. This framework is particularly important in nephrology, where high costs associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease have prompted the adoption of new care models. Key programs such as the Comprehensive End-Stage Renal Disease Care Model and the Kidney Care Choices program have introduced multidisciplinary teams and early-stage CKD interventions to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. This article highlights the essential role of interdisciplinary collaboration in VBC, with registered nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and physicians coordinating care to address clinical and non-clinical needs. Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in medication management, patient education, and addressing social determinants of health. These examples underscore the potential for VBC to significantly improve patient outcomes in kidney care while addressing health care inequities and reducing overall costs. Findings emphasize the importance of early interventions, interdisciplinary teamwork, and targeted support for patients with CKD in achieving VBC outcomes. Keywords: Value-based care, interdisciplinary teams, kidney health, nephrology nurses., NCPD 1.2 contact hours/CEPTCs Value-based care (VBC) focuses on improving patient health outcomes relative to the cost of care. The goal is not merely reducing costs, but ensuring measurable improvements [...]

Word boxes (also known as sound boxes or Elkonin boxes) is a widely used intervention targeting basic literacy skills. The word/sound box intervention has been implemented across grades, settings, and student ability levels, but to date there has not been a quantitative analysis of the effects of the word/sound box intervention. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the word/sound box intervention through a systematic review and meta-analysis and determine if any moderator variables affected the effectiveness of the intervention. A systematic review and meta-analysis of single-case design studies on the word/sound box intervention was conducted. Results show that the word/sound box intervention was highly effective. Significant moderators included adherence to What Works Clearinghouse standards and grade level. Applications, limitations, and future directions for the word box intervention are discussed., Author(s): Kathleen B. Aspiranti [sup.1], Jennifer L. Reynolds [sup.2], Erin E. C. Henze [sup.3], Paulina Grekov [sup.4], Julie C. Martinez [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/02k3smh20, grid.266539.d, 0000 0004 1936 8438, [...]

Background: Food selectivity (FS), accompanied by nutritional inadequacies, is a common complaint in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The impact of FS on bone mineral density (BMD) in children with ASD and FS, however, is not well documented. We evaluated the feasibility of assessing BMD in children with ASD. The sample included children with mild FS and children with moderate or greater FS. We also explored the impact of FS on BMD. Method: Boys with ASD (N = 20, age = 8.4 [+ or -] 1.47 years) were divided into two groups: 10 mild FS and 10 moderate/severe FS. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured total body (less head) and lumbar spine BMD. BMD Z-scores used reference datasets adjusted for height-for-age (HAZ). Biochemical indices and intake of calcium and vitamin D were collected. Pearson correlations examined associations, and t tests examined group differences in diet, biochemical indices, and BMD. Results: Of the children enrolled, 85% (17 of 20) completed the DXA lumbar spine scan, and 70% (14 of 20) completed the DXA total body scan. No associations among biochemical markers of 25-OH vitamin D and calcium were identified in the full sample. Total body [BMD.sub.HAZ] Z-scores were positively correlated with calcium intake in the mild FS group (r = 0.89, p = 0.017) and negatively correlated with vitamin D intake in the moderate/severe FS group (r = -0.93, p = 0.022). Unadjusted total body BMD Z-scores were lower in the moderate/severe FS group compared to the mild FS group (t = 2.30, p = 0.040). Conclusions: The collection of completed and usable DXA scans supports the feasibility of using DXA scans to measure BMD in children with ASD and FS. A larger study of children with ASD compared to non-ASD controls is needed to examine the impact of FS on BMD. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, bone mineral density, nutritional status, food selectivity., Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by impaired social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivity, affects an estimated 2.3% of children (1 in 44) in the United States (Maenner et al., [...]

Q. ChatGPT-40 was released in May 2024, and I heard it can interact with documents. Does this apply to Excel documents? A. In January 2023, I wrote my first column [...]

Dykes intruding along the Melanson Brook Fault record two magmatic episodes in northern New Brunswick. Dykes at the South Gold Zone of the Elmtree gold deposit are aphanitic and magnesian-calcic, whereas those at Ellis Brook (2.5 km to the west) are ilmenite-series and weakly peraluminous with hornblende- and plagioclase-porphyritic phases. Elevated [.sup.147]Sm/[.sup.144]Nd generated by partial melting, titanium depletion, absence of rare earth element fractionation, and trondhjemite-like compositions indicate that the South Gold Zone dykes were sourced from low-volume fluid-fluxed melting of gabbroic crust. An Sm-Nd-depleted model mantle age of 1.1 Ga for the Ellis Brook dykes suggests that they were sourced from melting of Ganderian crustal rocks rather than the sinking Acadian slab. [.sup.143]Nd/[.sup.144]Nd evolution curves for the South Gold Zone dykes intersect that of the Ellis Brook dykes at 432 and 427 Ma. This suggests that the magma from which the South Gold Zone dykes crystallized was extracted from a similar source area as the magma that generated the Ellis Brook dykes. Evidence of fluid exsolution in the Ellis Brook dykes indicates that they could be a potential source for reduced intrusion-related gold mineralization. The Ellis Brook dykes yielded a U-Pb zircon age of 391 [+ or -] 5 Ma, which is consistent with the timing of oceanic slab break-off at the end of the Acadian orogenic cycle. Extraction of South Gold Zone magma occurred up to 40 Myr earlier, likely during the Salinic orogenic cycle. Key words: U-Pb (zircon) geochronology, New Brunswick, slab failure magmatism, intrusion-related gold, Elmtree Inlier, Introduction Intrusion-related mineralization systems emplaced during the Appalachian orogenic cycle are a significant source of metal endowment in Atlantic Canada (van Staal 2007). Understanding the role of intrusions in mineralizing [...]

Objective. The aims of the current study were to investigate the presence of widespread pressure hyperalgesia, the presence of structural changes in the wrist extensor tendon and muscle, and their association in people with lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Methods. Thirty-seven patients with LE (43% women; mean age = 45.5 [SD = 9.5] years) and 37 controls matched for age and sex and free of pain participated in this study. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed bilaterally over the symptomatic area (elbow), 2 segment-related areas (C5-C6 joint, second intermetacarpal space), and 1 remote area (tibialis anterior) in a blinded design. Ultrasound measurements (eg, cross-sectional area, thickness, and width) of the common wrist extensor tendon and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle as well as the thickness of the supinator muscle were assessed. Results. Patients with LE exhibited lower PPTs bilaterally at all points and lower PPTs at the lateral epicondyle and second intermetacarpal space on the symptomatic side as compared to the nonsymptomatic side ([[eta].sup.2] from 0.123-0.369; large effects). Patients exhibited higher cross-sectional area and width of the common wrist extensor tendon ([[eta].sup.2] from 0.2680.311; large effects) than controls bilaterally, whereas tendon thickness was also higher ([[eta].sup.2] = 0.039; small effects) on the painful side than on the nonpainful side. Conclusions. This study reported bilateral widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia and morphological changes in the tendon, but not the muscle, in LE. Pressure pain sensitivity and morphological changes were not associated in individuals with LE. Impact. Management of LE should consider altered nociceptive pain processing and structural tendon changes as 2 different phenomena in patients with LE. Keywords: Lateral Epicondylalgia, Muscle, Pain, Pressure Pain Threshold, Tendon, Introduction Lateral epicondylalgia (LE) is a prevalent and painful condition of the upper extremity that can affect 1% to 3% of the general population and has a peak incidence at [...]

Estate planning for clients in the investment real estate business is fraught with potential landmines that require careful consideration to ensure an effective plan. A key consideration for any estate [...]

As any older hunter from Ohio, and some other Midwestern states will tell you, the legalization of straight-walled rifle cartridges has made deer hunting much more 'normal' when compared to [...]

What does it mean to sustain a Black-woman-led dance company for 40 years? What kind of vision is necessary? What are the key resources, broadly interpreted--not just money, but also [...]

Covid Impact and Disparity in General The world faced a huge obstacle in March 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic. This had a catastrophic impact on not only the world, but on [...]

Twenty-five years after the beginning of the first so-called China shock, when a surge in Chinese exports disrupted manufacturing and industrial sectors worldwide, Beijing has again begun to flood global [...]

Purpose: To define prescribing cascades (PCs) and provide tools to identify PCs, including the most common PCs described in the literature. PCs lead to the accumulation of medications prescribed to older adults, disproportionately affecting those who often have additional health care complexities, such as multiple chronic conditions and multiple transitions of care. Method: Review of recent research efforts to identify and describe evolving clinical practice interventions to detect and reverse PCs. Results: Clinicians can contribute to mitigating PCs through better understanding of how PCs occur in practice. Armed with this knowledge, clinical team members can implement proposed strategies and techniques to engage in primary and secondary prevention of PCs. Conclusion: Ultimately, PCs are a culprit of preventable medication harm. Several tools are presented, which are initiated through maintaining a high index of suspicion for PCs in the evaluation of a new symptom presentation by older patients. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(9), 7–11.], One in five adult patients experience a hospital-related medication error in the form of an adverse drug reaction (ADR) (Alqenae et al., 2020). Traumatically, some ADRs cost patients their lives. [...]

Purpose: To understand perceived facilitators and barriers older adults experienced in accessing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Method: An electronic survey was distributed to older adults and those familiar with experiences of older adults accessing COVID-19 vaccines. Analysis included descriptive statistics and directed content analysis of open-ended responses, guided by the National Institute on Aging Health Disparities Research Framework. Results: Most participants (n = 294) identified as White (79.5%), 33.8% identified as Hispanic, 8.1% identified as Black, and 12.4% identified as Other. Two thirds of respondents were male (68.6%), and the median age was 67 years. Five key themes emerged: Availability and Accessibility, Information, Cost, Safety and Side Effects, and Sense of Security. Conclusion: Barriers and facilitators to accessing COVID-19 vaccines for older populations paralleled those seen in other demographics. Similar needs likely exist for access to other vaccines and health care in general. Vaccine rollouts, particularly in public health emergencies, must be carried out with care and an awareness of the barriers faced by vulnerable groups. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(9), 12–17.], Availability of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the United States in December 2020 promised to lessen the toll of the virus, especially among older adults. The first phase [...]