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Background: Phonological difficulties are prevalent in children with speech and/or language disorders and may hamper their later language outcomes and academic achievements. These children often form a significant proportion of speech and language therapists' caseloads. There is a shortage of information on evidence-based interventions for improving phonological skills in children and adolescents with speech and language disorder. Aims: The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to systematically examine the effects of different intervention approaches on speech production accuracy and phonological representation skills in children with speech and language disorders. Methods: A preregistered systematic review (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42017076075) adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was completed. Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ERIC, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS and Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts) were searched for studies related to oral language interventions with children with developmental speech and/or language disorder (mean age ranging from 3-18 years) published between January 2006 and August 2022. The included articles reported intervention studies with a group design in which speech production accuracy was the outcome measure. Studies were appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and individual effect sizes were calculated using standardised means differences when enough data was available. A meta-analysis was conducted obtaining the average standardised mean difference d. Heterogeneity, influence of possible moderator variables and publication bias were explored. Results: The 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria presented low-medium risk of bias. Nine effect sizes were obtained from seven of these studies that presented a pre-post-test with a control group design. Medium-high average effect sizes were found in phonological accuracy. Heterogeneity was found between individual effect sizes. Significant moderator variables and publication bias were not detected. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis indicate positive effects on speech production accuracy. Based on this review, further improvements in the quality of reporting for intervention research are required in developing the evidence base for practice.

The latest developments in virtual reality (VR) are gaining attention in education as they are expected to provide risk-free, hands-on learning experiences. However, the use of VR in laboratory settings is still in its early stages of adoption. Therefore, it remains unclear whether these technologies will be widely adopted to educate students in laboratories, as well as their advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional laboratories. This study aims to map the global scientific publications related to the use of VR for teaching in virtual laboratories. To achieve this, we analyze the global scientific landscape of publications related to the use of VR for teaching students in laboratories. We combined bibliometric and network analysis techniques to analyze the metadata of related research articles published between 1994 and 2022 indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Our findings show a rising trend, with almost 65% of all articles published between 2018 and 2022. Leading journals include the "Journal of Chemical Education," "Computers & Education," and "Computers Applications in Engineering Education." Most publications are indexed in the research areas of Education & Educational Research, Computer Science, and Engineering. The United States leads in publications, collaborating mostly with Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The University of California is the top organization in publications, with Griffith University facilitating knowledge exchange among organizations. By providing an overview of publications related to the use of VR in laboratory education, we hope that this study will be of interest to researchers, educators, and students.

Teacher immediacy and classroom communication apprehension have been well researched in the United States. Instructional communication research in Brazil is limited, and several topics still demand investigation among the population of Brazil. This study extends current research on teacher immediacy and classroom communication apprehension to the Brazilian population. We should extend the analysis to the Brazilian context instead of relying on previous investigations from other regions as the basis for cross-cultural theorizing. A total of 221 students participated in the survey. This study reports four significant findings: (1) Brazilian students' perceptions of teacher immediacy are greater than American students' perceptions of teacher immediacy; (2) American students have higher levels of Classroom Communication Apprehension than Brazilian students; (3) Classroom communication apprehension is negatively correlated with American students' perceptions of teacher immediacy; and (4) Classroom communication apprehension is not significantly correlated with Brazilian students' perceptions of teacher immediacy. Highly immediate teachers will have less apprehensive students.

The purpose of this article is to uncover what makes learning enjoyable for Generation Z college students (born 1995-2010) in the United States (U.S.) and Brazil. Qualitative data from 1,282 participants in the U.S. and 775 participants in Brazil were analyzed independently and for comparison using content analysis and thematic coding. The results of this study show both similarities and differences between these two populations. Both groups enjoy learning that is interesting, inspiring, relevant, and engaging. U.S. students enjoy knowledge acquisition, learning for societal impact, and having instructors who are competent and relatable. Brazil students, on the other hand, enjoy peer learning. While these results align with previous research findings on preferences for learning and cultural nuances, it is important to note that studies on Generation Z college students and learning are sparse. Thus, understanding this generational cohort in higher education is paramount for both informing and supporting individual pedagogical practices and shaping training initiatives on teaching and learning in higher education. In addition, given the impact of globalization on technology, commerce, entertainment, and information, uncovering the similarities in how young people from different cultures perceive learning may have global implications on research, training, and individual instruction in a more macro and universal way.

The objective of the research was to analyze the scientific production regarding accident prevention in early child rearing institutions. An integrative literature review, referring to the years between 2011 and 2021, whose research was carried out in May 2021 in seven information resources, raised the following issue: it was found that not all educators considered their knowledge about accident prevention satisfactory. However, most of them had already witnessed cases of injuries of this nature at schools. The first aid actions of these professionals were sometimes inefficient and many of them were not able to perform it due to the lack of appropriate materials and/or training to handle them, showing a need for qualification. The findings show weaknesses related to the knowledge and training of professionals from day care centres and preschools about accident prevention and first aid in early child rearing institutions, which makes a health-education interface crucial.

This study captures student perceptions of the effectiveness of remote learning and assessment in two associated engineering disciplines, mechanical and industrial, during the COVID-19 pandemic in a cross-national study. A structured questionnaire with 24 items on a 5-point Likert scale was used. Parallel and exploratory factor analyses identified three primary subscales. The links between student perceptions and assessment outcomes were also studied. There was a clear preference for face-to-face teaching, with the highest for laboratories. Remote live lectures were preferred over recorded. Although students found the switch to remote learning helpful, group work and communication were highlighted as concern areas. Mean scores on subscales indicate a low preference for remote learning (2.23), modest delivery effectiveness (3.05) and effective digital delivery tools (3.61). Gender effects were found significant on all subscales, along with significant interactions with university and year-group. Preference for remote delivery of design-based modules was significantly higher than others.

This mixed-method study examined whether Brazilian students in the US use an indigenous problem-solving practice, "jeitinho," as a coping strategy for acculturative stress. Forty-two participants answered an online survey, which was a culmination of demographic information, the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students, BriefCOPE, "jeitinho" questionnaire, and three open-ended questions about how Americans may perceive "jeitinho." Results showed that a negative dimension of "jeitinho" was associated with nonadaptive coping strategies, but it was not a significant predictor of acculturative stress. Qualitative themes highlighted the multidimensionality of "jeitinho," which could help in students' adjustment (positive) or reinforce stereotypes and prejudices (negative) against Brazilians. Findings elucidate the complexity of "jeitinho" Brazilian students can be mindful about and when to use it to avoid stereotyping.

The purpose of this study was to engage in a comparative analysis of Generation Z college students in the United States and Brazil regarding characteristics, motivations, interpersonal styles, learning styles, and learning methods. Quantitative data in both countries were collected and analyzed to formulate comparative findings. Themes that emerged include learning that makes a difference, achievement orientation, logic-based learning, intrapersonal and interpersonal learning, applied and hands-on experiences, learning through words, recognition, and lacking vision, inspiration, and creativity. More similarities than differences were found across themes in both populations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe have been exposed to large amounts of statistical data. Previous studies have shown that individuals' mathematical understanding of health-related information affects their attitudes and behaviours. Here, we investigate the relation between: (1) basic numeracy; (2) COVID-19 health numeracy; and (3) COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours. An online survey measuring these three variables was distributed in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) (n = 2032). In line with predictions, basic numeracy was positively related to COVID-19 health numeracy. However, predictions, neither basic numeracy nor COVID-19 health numeracy was related to COVID-19 health related attitudes and behaviours (e.g. follow experts' recommendations on social distancing, wearing masks etc.). Multi-group analysis was used to investigate mean differences and differences in the strength of the correlation across countries. Results indicate there were no between-country differences in the correlations between the main constructs but there were between-country differences in latent means. Overall, results suggest that while basic numeracy is related to one's understanding of data about COVID-19, better numeracy alone is not enough to influence a population's health-related attitudes about disease severity and to increase the likelihood of following public health advice.

Objected: Parkinson's disease (PD) is an important cause of neurological dysfunction, and the aim of this study was to explore whether neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic inflammatory response (SIRI), and systemic immune inflammation (SII) are associated with the risk of developing PD. Based on this, we may identify people at high risk for PD and intervene early. Method: Our study included 31,480 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2018. Basic information and inflammation‐related indicators were obtained by questionnaires and laboratory tests, respectively. NLR, PLR, LMR, SIRI, SII, and PD risk were analyzed using weighted logistic regression models. Results: There were 261 and 31,219 in the PD and non‐PD groups, respectively, and the prevalence of PD was 0.83%. Separate analyses of NLR and PLR were conducted after fully adjusting for confounding factors. According to our analysis, there was an increased risk of PD for both NLR and PLR in the higher level group (Q4) as compared with the lower level group (Q1) (OR = 1.83 and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–3.07, and OR = 1.92 and 95% CI = 1.20–3.08). However, we did not find similar relationships in LMR, SIRI, and SII. Conclusions: There was a significant association between elevated levels of NLR, PLR, and PD risk, while LMR, SIRI, and SII were not statistically significant. It suggests that NLR or PLR could be used to screen people at risk of PD at an early stage. It is essential to conduct more large‐scale prospective studies to investigate the role that NLR and PLR play in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the association between oral conditions and their interaction with salt taste disability among American adults. Methods: Data from the 2013–2014 NHANES cycle were used (n = 2373). The exposures were periodontitis, defined by the 2017 EFP‐AAP classification, dental caries, missing teeth, and edentulism, as per the DMF‐T index, and xerostomia. The outcome was salt taste disability, objectively assessed. Covariates included sex, age, educational level, poverty index, obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and medications related to mouth dryness. Weighted multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between oral conditions and their interaction and salt taste disability. Results: Participants who reported xerostomia were more likely to have salt taste disability (OR 2.42; 95%CI 1.44–4.07), especially those older than 60 years (OR 3.63; 95%CI 1.72–7.63). Among participants aged 40–59, xerostomia increased the chance of salt taste disability; however, the confidence interval included the null value. The interactions between xerostomia and edentulism increased the chance of salt taste disability. Conclusion: Oral conditions seem to influence the ability to taste salt. Dental professionals may help identify individuals with taste alterations and raise their awareness of the risk of systemic diseases that require the reduction of salt intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to determine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, length of hospital stay (LOS), and quality of life (QOL) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods The search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Handbook and included the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and CENTRAL. The review included randomized controlled trials utilizing IMT during phase 1 or 2 postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (PoCR) versus alternative treatment (active or passive control) in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Results Fifteen studies were included (11 phase 1 studies, 4 phase 2 studies) with no reported adverse events. In phase 1 PoCR, IMT reduced the LOS (−1.02 days; 95% CI = −2.00 to −0.03) and increased exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance) (+75.46 m; 95% CI = 52.34 to 98.57), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (10.46 cm H2O; 95% CI = 2.83 to 18.10), but had no effect on maximal expiratory pressure. In phase 2 PoCR, IMT increased 6-minute walk distance (45.84 m; 95% CI = 10.89 to 80.80), MIP (−23.19 cm H2O; 95% CI = −31.31 to −15), maximal expiratory pressure (20.18 cm H2O; 95% CI = 9.60 to 30.76), and QOL (−11.17; 95% CI = −17.98 to −4.36), with no effect on peak oxygen uptake. There was a high risk of bias for MIP (75% of the phase 1 studies) and 6MWT (1 of 4 phase 2 studies). The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusion IMT significantly improves exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, LOS, and QOL in phase 1 and 2 PoCR. Impact IMT may benefit patients during phase 1 and 2 of PoCR, considering the safety, low cost, and potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous stereotypes of the veteran population miss the diverse backgrounds of veterans as a group, particularly that one quarter of known veterans are living in rural communities across the United States (VA, 2022). Despite the Federal focus on veteran rural health, there needs to be more literature available on veteran success in community colleges, particularly in rural‐serving community colleges. Also, it is important to know more about how veteran student success influences the communities in which they live. This manuscript includes a comprehensive literature review examining rural veterans in the United States, particularly in higher education, and develops a framework for community colleges to better understand the needs of their rural veteran populations. We conclude by offering several promising practices to effectively serve this diverse population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigações em Ensino de Ciências is the property of Instituto de Fisica-UFRGS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mixed findings characterize the literature on skills and economic distributions within and across countries. The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) offers new, internationally comparable data on literacy, numeracy, and digital problem-solving skills that can be combined with wage information. This paper presents statistical analyses, aimed at quantifying the contributions of observable and unobservable contributors to earnings inequality. Substantial inequality is documented across countries and skill measures, thus reinforcing previous findings that skill, even by the broader definition used here, is only a partial explanation for differences in economic inequality across countries. The paper concludes with future research possibilities that can further understandings of inequality dynamics within and across nations. [The original version of this paper was commissioned by American Institutes for Research (AIR), funded through a contract with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).]

The study examines diversity-themed course offerings in criminal justice and criminology (CJC) bachelor's degree programs in the United States in 2020–21. Using a sample of 359 CJC programs, we document the presence of diversity-themed courses and degree requirements using data collected from university websites. We explore patterns of diversity-themed courses by department and institutional characteristics and assess the current state of diversity curricula in the discipline of criminal justice and criminology. Results of our analysis reveal that a substantial majority (75 percent) of CJC programs possessed at least one diversity-themed course while only 12 percent required students to complete a diversity-themed course in the major. We consider what these and related findings mean for the discipline in light of previous research and discuss the importance of developing student competencies in racial, gender, and other dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the contemporary context of American criminal justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charcoal is one of the most essential energy sources in the world and is used mainly for domestic and industrial purposes. Brazilian charcoal production occurs in rudimentary masonry kilns without concern for process safety or energy waste. This work aimed to develop a mini carbonization system of three kilns coupled to a vertical smoke burner for optimized and environmentally correct charcoal and wood vinegar (WV) production on small farms. The project was divided into three parts for dimensioning: the three-kiln set, the WV condensing device, and the smoke burner. The condenser was designed following the procedures from the standards of TEMA (Tubular Exchangers Manufacturers Association); ASME (Society of Mechanical Engineers of the United States) Section VIII, Division 1; and the NR-13 (Regulatory Standard) of ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards). In contrast to the current scenario, in which primitive carbonization technologies are still employed, bringing about low charcoal yields and significant pollution release, the use of a mini-kiln that allows charcoal production and wood vinegar recovery combined with pollutant smoke burning is an interesting eco-friendly solution. Thus, the mini-kiln model presented here brings a low cost and environmental safety to the charcoal production chain, reaching sustainability parameters and offering higher income opportunities to small producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasingly impacting marine fisheries worldwide. Concurrently, scientific interest has grown to understand how these systems can cope and adapt, with research shifting from examining vulnerability to assessing risks to focusing on determining and operationalizing resilience. As fisheries-climate-resilience researchers and practitioners navigating a sea of frameworks, toolkits, strategies, policy goals, and management desires, we take stock to ask: what does resilience mean to us? Drawing on our experiences in the northeast United States, we discuss the challenges and ambiguity we encounter in concepts of social-ecological resilience and explore implications for research and implementation. We bring together perspectives to discuss various approaches to resilience, highlighting shared and unique challenges we face. We outline three key considerations as we move forward in resilience research and practice: (1) the need for greater transparency and reflexivity among researchers regarding how they frame and approach resilience; (2) the value of increasing coordination and communication among fisheries groups working on these topics; and (3) the use of co-developed and co-produced resilience research and strategies. We urge for greater centring of communities in these discussions and to explicitly consider how resilience interacts with equity outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the invariance of an oppositional defiant disorder toward adults, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-hyperactivity/impulsivity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattention, and an Academic Competence factor model between mothers' and fathers' ratings within Brazilian (n = 894), Thai (n = 2,075), and American (n = 817) children with the Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavior Inventory (G. L. Burns, T. Taylor, & J. Rusby, 2001a, 2001b). The results showed invariance of item loadings, intercepts, and residuals, as well as factor variances, covariances, and means between mothers' and fathers' ratings within each sample. Convergent and discriminant validity was also observed for the between-parent factor correlations, thus providing additional support for the construct validity of the Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavior Inventory. The confirmatory factor analysis invariance procedure provides a much better way to examine between-source ratings of behavior problems in children than do the simple correlation and raw discrepancy score procedures. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)

Objective: To identify the main ventilatory support medical devices related to the occurrence of pressure injuries in hospitalised adults, as well as the most frequent anatomical localisations of these injuries. Methods: The Integrative review was registered at Open Science Framework as per DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/P3NTZ. Two independent reviewers, in May 2022, searched the databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, LILACS and CINAHL; no language or publication year restriction. The review question was: What are the ventilatory support medical devices that cause PIs in hospitalised adults more often? The terms for searching the database were: "adult," "noninvasive ventilation," "artificial respiration." and "pressure injury," and their synonyms. This review followed the PRISMA checklist. Results: The final sample was 21 articles. Oxygen nasal catheters caused up to 40.7% of the pressure injuries by ventilatory support devices identified, all in the ears. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation oronasal masks presented an incidence of pressure injuries of 63.3%. The nasal bridge was the site most affected by this mask. The Set of Holders for Insight® endotracheal tubes was the device that caused the most pressure injuries, with an incidence of 75%, affecting lip commissure. Tracheostomy cannula accounted for 18.2% of the pressure injuries related to ventilatory support devices; all lesions were in the neck. Conclusion: The ventilatory support devices causing pressure injuries and the most affected sites were, respectively, nasal catheters, ears; masks, nasal bridge; endotracheal tubes, lip commissures; tracheostomy cannulas, neck. Relevance for clinical practice: Knowing which respiratory devices cause pressure injuries more often in hospitalised adults and which anatomical localisations are more likely to be affected is fundamental for adopting preventive measures and reducing the occurrence of this problem. No patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution because of the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hospitals have implemented various wellness interventions to offset the negative effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on emergency physician morale and burnout. There is limited high quality evidence regarding effectiveness of hospital-directed wellness interventions, leaving hospitals without guidance on best practices. We sought to determine intervention effectiveness and frequency of use in the spring/summer 2020. The goal was to facilitate evidence-based guidance for hospital wellness program planning. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study we used a novel survey tool piloted at a single hospital and then distributed throughout the United States via major emergency medicine (EM) society listservs and closed social media groups. Subjects reported their morale levels using a slider scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) at the time of the survey and, retrospectively, at their respective COVID-19 peak in 2020. Subjects also rated effectiveness of wellness interventions using a Likert scale from 1 (not at all effective) to 5 (very effective). Subjects indicated their hospital’s usage frequency of common wellness interventions. We analyzed results using descriptive statistics and t-tests. Results: Of 76,100 EM society and closed social media group members, 522 (0.69%) subjects were enrolled. Study population demographics were similar to the national emergency physician population. Morale at the time of the survey was worse (mean [M] 4.36, SD 2.29) than the spring/summer 2020 peak (M 4.57, SD 2.13) [t(458)=-2.27, P=0.024]. The most effective interventions were hazard pay (M 3.59, SD 1.12), staff debriefing groups (M 3.51, SD 1.16), and free food (M 3.34, SD 1.14). The most frequently used interventions were free food (350/522, 67.1%), support sign display (300/522, 57.5%), and daily email updates (266/522, 51.0%). Infrequently used were hazard pay (53/522, 10.2%) and staff debriefing groups (127/522, 24.3%). Conclusion: There is discordance between the most effective and most frequently used hospital-directed wellness interventions. Only free food was both highly effective and frequently used. Hazard pay and staff debriefing groups were the two most effective interventions but were infrequently used. Daily email updates and support sign display were the most frequently used interventions but were not as effective. Hospitals should focus effort and resources on the most effective wellness interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Palabra Clave (1666-2938) is the property of Universidad Nacional de La Plata and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality amongst females in Latin America (LATAM). Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and HPV vaccination is a main key strategy towards its elimination. This study analyzes HPV vaccine implementation current status and the main barriers to achieve adequate coverage in the region. Data from the nineteen sovereign states of LATAM (comprised of all Portuguese and Spanish-speaking nations located south of the United States) were collected, including year of HPV vaccine implementation, gender and age targets, the number of doses included in the public program and coverage by dose. Sixteen out of the 19 evaluated countries have already implemented HPV vaccination programs. However, despite its proven efficacy and safety, HPV vaccine uptake in LATAM has been lower than expected. There is an evident decline in adhesion, mainly regarding the second dose. Several reasons are probably involved, of note: limited knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine, misguided safety concerns, high cost, cultural barriers, and the Covid19 pandemic. Proper strategies to overcome these barriers are needed to ensure successful uptake. Effective policies are: adopting the one dose schedule, delivering the vaccine on both health center and schools, and advising health professionals to recommend the vaccine. Further research regarding HPV vaccine hesitancy in Latin America is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, a pre-market regulatory submission for any medical device that comes into contact with either a patient or the clinical practitioner must include an adequate toxicity evaluation of chemical substances that can be released from the device during its intended use. These substances, also referred to as extractables and leachables, must be evaluated for their potential to induce sensitization/allergenicity, which traditionally has been done in animal assays such as the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT). However, advances in basic and applied science are continuously presenting opportunities to employ new approach methodologies, including computational methods which, when qualified, could replace animal testing methods to support regulatory submissions. Herein, we developed a new computational tool for rapid and accurate prediction of the GPMT outcome that we have named PreS/MD (predictor of sensitization for medical devices). To enable model development, we (1) collected, curated, and integrated the largest publicly available dataset for GPMT results; (2) succeeded in developing externally predictive (balanced accuracy of 70%–74% as evaluated by both 5-fold external cross-validation and testing of novel compounds) quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) models for GPMT using machine learning algorithms, including deep learning; and (3) developed a publicly accessible web portal integrating PreS/MD models that can predict GPMT outcomes for any molecule of interest. We expect that PreS/MD will be used by both industry and regulatory scientists in medical device safety assessments and help replace, reduce, or refine the use of animals in toxicity testing. PreS/MD is freely available at https://presmd.mml.unc.edu/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and an independent predictor of mortality. The prevalence of hypertension has doubled in the last two decades and evidence suggests that almost half the individuals are unaware of their condition. The antihypertensive effects of exercise are now undisputable, and exercise training is recommended by the major professional and scientific societies, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), as first-line treatment to prevent, treat, and control hypertension. This review aims to overview the evidence supporting the current ACSM Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type exercise recommendations for hypertension, discuss new and emerging evidence on exercise in the treatment of hypertension from our laboratories; and propose future directions of research integrating this new and emerging evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative scheduling (CS) and related practices impact the performance of construction projects which can be measured by key performance indicators (KPIs). However, little is known about which of these practices are implemented and how their combined implementation might impact KPIs. The objectives of this research are to identify perceptions of CS practices that drive project performance, define CS practices used by industry that impact KPIs, and establish practices that are more commonly implemented and have a higher potential to positively impact KPIs. The research team conducted a nationwide survey in the United States and obtained 241 usable responses. Utilizing an information theory approach to measure the uncertainty of implementation and impact of each practice, the research built a set of Chow–Liu tree models to determine the most efficient sequence of actions to improve CS. Results indicate that meeting owners' expectation throughout the life-cycle of the project from design through construction and commissioning, using the schedule to support a strong project culture, and an effective communication plan were the top CS levers for overall KPI improvement. An innovative method was developed to help construction project managers discover the value of each CS practice, the relation between CS practices, and CS practices' influence to project KPIs so that managers can improve KPIs efficiently by prioritizing their CS practices according to their own project needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study sought to explore Brazilian immigrant fathers' perspectives on physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) of their preschool-age children. Subjects and methods: Qualitative study consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of fathers. Interviews were conducted in Portuguese by native Brazilian research staff using a semi-structured interview guide, and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in Portuguese. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a hybrid method that incorporated deductive and inductive analytical approaches. Results: Twenty-one fathers participated in the study. Analyses revealed that fathers in this study recognized the importance of PA and of limiting ST for their preschool-age for children's overall health. Fathers also recognized their role in helping their children's development and maintenance of healthy PA habits. Nonetheless, most fathers reported daily barriers faced in their day-to-day lives since immigrating to the United States that limit PA and promote ST in children. Fathers perceived several factors across levels of the socio-ecological model that influence their children's PA and ST behaviors including low socioeconomic status, beliefs and practices related to PA and ST, housing, lack of access to safe spaces for PA, lack of affordable organized PA and sports programs for young children, lack of time, work demands, and cold weather. Conclusions: This is the first study conducted with Brazilian fathers living in the United States exploring fathers' perspectives on PA and ST. Findings may assist in the of development of family-based interventions to promote healthy PA and ST behaviors among this ethnic minority population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: There is concern regarding how the COVID‐19 pandemic may impact the psychological and physical health of children, but to date, studies on mental health during the pandemic in children are limited. Furthermore, unprecedented lifestyle stressors associated with the pandemic may aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic, but the role of BMI on child activity levels and psychological outcomes during COVID‐19 is unknown. Objectives: We investigated how emotional responses (positive/negative affect), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours related to anxiety among U.S. children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity during the pandemic. Methods: Sixty‐four typically developing children (63% girls, 53% healthy weight) aged 9 to 15 years completed two virtual visits during the height of 'stay‐at‐home' measures from April 22 to July 29, 2020. Children completed 24‐hours PA recalls, state portion of State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the 10‐item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children. Results: Independent of child BMI status, child anxiety scores were over five standard deviations greater than normative values from paediatric populations prior to the pandemic. Higher positive affect and PA were each associated with reduced anxiety levels in children with overweight/obesity, whereas higher positive affect was associated with reduced anxiety in children with healthy weight. Greater leisure screen time was associated with higher negative affect irrespective of child BMI status. Conclusions: These associations highlight the potential mental health benefits of maintaining positive affect, engaging in PA and limiting leisure screen time for children during the pandemic and suggest that these associations may be particularly relevant for children with overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine differences in demographic, clinical, social, functional and help‐seeking characteristics of homeless vs housed individuals enrolled in specialized early intervention teams in the United States. Methods: Participants comprised 1349 individuals enrolled across 21 teams. Teams report individual‐level data including homelessness status at admission. Bivariate differences between homeless and housed participants were analysed using Wilcoxon‐rank, chi‐square, Fisher‐exact and t tests, as appropriate. Results: Approximately 5% of participants were homeless at admission. Homeless participants were less likely to be enrolled in school and/or employed (12.2% vs 43.4%); to have more involvement in the legal system (23.0% vs 6.2%); and to have had a more restrictive pathway to care, than housed participants. Conclusions: Homeless young people with recent‐onset psychosis have a substantially greater need for a diversity of services for psychosocial needs. Homeless individuals may also have a more adverse pathway to care and directed outreach to engage this population may be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This paper examines health profiles and work environments of hired U.S. farmworkers to understand the risk to essential workers and their employers, to the food supply, and to rural health systems such as what is possible with the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Large-sample statistical methods and proprietary data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey from 2000 to 2018 were used to assess factors associated with exposure to COVID-19 and vulnerabilities associated with medical complications. Results An aging workforce and increased access to health care within the crop worker population has been associated with a higher reported incidence of diabetes, asthma, and heart disease among workers over time. These trends confirm a vulnerable, but essential, workforce with higher risks for COVID-19 complications than would have been true of U.S. farmworkers as a group in earlier years. Conclusions Increasing age and disease burden in the U.S. agricultural labor force puts workers at increased risk for developing COVID-19 complications. Limits to field sanitation and housing quality inflate the probability of the development of COVID-19 hotbeds in rural communities that could further compromise the physical health of workers, the economic health of farm establishments, the agricultural supply-chain, and rural health capacities. Additional and more targeted worker protections may minimize public health and economic costs in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate prevalence estimates and incidence rates (IRs) for SSc and SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) cohorts and describe patient characteristics, immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and comorbid outcomes among incident SSc and SSc-ILD cohorts. Methods Data were obtained from the US IBM MarketScan (2008–2017) claims database using algorithms developed with expert consultation. For the SSc cohort, newly diagnosed patients (aged ≥18 years) had one or more diagnostic claim for SSc. For the SSc-ILD cohort, patients had an additional ILD claim. Sensitivity analyses using two or more claims or alternative ILD diagnostic codes were also conducted. Results When requiring one or more diagnostic claim, the prevalence of SSc and SSc-ILD per 100 000 persons was 72.1 and 19.0. The IR for SSc and SSc-ILD per 100 000 person-years was 18.3 and 4.3. Sensitivity analyses requiring two or more claims yielded much lower prevalence (SSc: 41.5; SSc-ILD: 13.3) and IR (SSc: 8.8; SSc-ILD: 1.6) estimates. Patients with SSc-ILD were older, with increased comorbidities and diagnostic procedures at baseline. MTX and MMF were the most common ISTs; 12.7% of the SSc-ILD cohort received therapy at baseline vs 8.2% for SSc. A total of 42.5% and 45.0% of the SSc and SSc-ILD cohorts, respectively, started a stable IST regimen and 21.7% and 19.4% of these had an escalation. Skin disorders were the most common comorbid outcome in both cohorts during follow-up. Conclusions SSc, with or without associated ILD, is a rare disease in the US. Newly diagnosed patients with SSc-ILD had received more IST and had more comorbidities compared with newly diagnosed SSc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to present the transition between the Golden Age of the United States film industry and its new production phase, called New Hollywood. The proposal is, through a bibliographic search, to describe what are the elements and milestones of the transition between the two moments of American cinema, and which are the outstanding elements of the new phase of film production in that country. It is important to realize that the existence of Hollywood and its mode of production has greatly affected mass communication and pop culture worldwide since the first half of the last century. Studios located on the American West Coast are an important focus of attention to understand the development of Western culture in the past century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is vital for frontline emergency physicians to immediately recognize the signs and symptoms of measles to initiate appropriate therapy and prevent spread to the health care team and other patients.Objective: This review serves as a clinically practical updated reference for when the differential diagnosis includes measles.Discussion: Measles is a highly contagious illness that classically presents with a rash, fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. Cases in the United States since 2000 have been attributed mainly to travelers who are infected abroad and then spread the illness to small, susceptible populations within the United States. Complications from measles are relatively common and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical suspicion should be confirmed with laboratory testing, which is most commonly a serum immunoglobulin M. The management of measles is mainly supportive. Patients that require more aggressive management include those who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated. Treatment may consist of the measles vaccine, intravenous immunoglobulin, vitamin A, and even ribavirin. Additionally, special precautions are required by hospital workers to help prevent the spread of the virus, which include N-95 masks and patient isolation in an airborne infection isolation room.Conclusion: Emergency physicians must be readily able to identify, contain patients with suspected measles, and determine who will need further medical management for this potentially life-threatening illness. As this public health crisis evolves, novel ways of screening for and reporting cases of measles is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest of researchers in physical performance tests such as walking speed (WS) in the older adult population. This study examined the association between lower extremity functional strength (LEFS) and WS, accounting for potential confounders, and the extent to which LEFS significantly predicts WS in 72 older adults living in a senior housing facility. Participants completed LEFS and WS measures. We observed strong associations between LEFS and WS, and a significant regression equation was found with LEFS and height emerging as significant predictors of WS. This suggests that an equation using LEFS and height could be used as a surrogate to predict WS in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results presented are part of a larger mixed-mode study on supplier quality practices focusing on the cross-analysis of interviews, focus groups, and a questionnaire, which collected actual data about timing, costs, practices, and non-conformances associated with purchase orders (POs) from Engineering Procure and Construct (EPC) projects for four material types considered relevant to projects built by EPC contractors based in the United States. The present discussion specifically focuses on the analysis of the non-parametric dataset obtained from the POs to investigate a subset of companies labelled as highly effective companies (HECs). This contribution is unique as it used a mixed-mode approach to collect data beyond construction sites and investigate the product/supplier side of construction processes to advance knowledge of how materials can be sent to construction project sites free of defects and rework and indicates practices that contribute to this goal. When compared to other companies in the dataset, HECs engage in more hours of observation in suppliers' facilities, communicate more often with suppliers, put more effort and time in the planning stages of the project, use more practices related to supplier quality surveillance and supplier quality management, and find non-conformances earlier in the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article seeks to identify and evidence (i) material marks that emigration in six cities in the Rio Doce Valley inscribes in these territories by the subjects and groups that migrate to the United States. For this purpose, it activates the theories of international migration and combines them with territorial studies. It also uses photography as a research tool and expository language of the results anchored in Semiotics as a methodology for analyzing images. In this article, the photographic series of household items is analyzed, revealing the existence of striking aspects that (re) configure a territory historically marked by the experience of migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Agricultural employment is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Workers' compensation coverage requirements for agricultural work vary from state to state, and experience modifier rates (E-mods) affecting insurance premiums sometimes vary drastically across state lines and according to claim severities and farm sizes. We proposed to develop an interactive software application that would educate farmers on the impact of employee time loss on annual E-mod factor change specific to their geographic location and farm size. Methods: We conducted a comparative analysis of workers' compensation formulations, including E-mods among Upper Midwestern states. We performed sensitivity analysis of the formulas to claim amount and payroll to highlight differences related to claim severity and to farm size. Results: The state to state variation and remarkable complexity of these formulas was confirmed. E-Mod factors are shown to increase substantially across states with both claim size and payroll, though are found to be similar across Wisconsin and Minnesota which were examined in detail. Conclusions: The findings confirm that creating a nationally applicable interactive educational software tool for farmers and ranchers to view hypothetical rate changes by inputting on-farm injury scenarios represents a significant challenge and that educational outreach coupled with the use of commercial software, especially as less costly options become available, may serve the role of minimizing misunderstandings by current producers as may other informational sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rev Rene is the property of Rev Rene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study evaluated the rose bengal‐ and erythrosine‐mediated photoinactivation against Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus planktonic and sessile cells using green LED as a light source. The free‐living or 2‐day‐old biofilm cells were treated with different concentrations of the photosensitizing agents and subjected to irradiation. Only 5 min photosensitization with rose bengal at 25 nmol L−1 and 75 μmol L−1 completely eliminated S. aureus and S. Typhimurium planktonic cells, respectively. Erythrosine at 500 nmol L−1 and 5 min of light exposure also reduced S. aureus planktonic cells to undetectable levels. Eradication of S. aureus biofilms was achieved when 500 μmol L−1 of erythrosine or 250 μmol L−1 of rose bengal was combined with 30 min of irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy allowed the observation of morphological changes in planktonic cells and disruption of the biofilm architecture after photodynamic treatment. The overall data demonstrate that rose bengal and erythrosine activated by green LED may be a targeted strategy for controlling foodborne pathogens in both planktonic and sessile states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hazardous nature of the agricultural environment, reflected in the numerous injuries and deaths to children who live, work and play on farms, coupled with the lack of a comprehensive national surveillance system in the United States, highlights the need for making the best use of publicly available youth agricultural injury data. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe a 3-year collection of youth agricultural injuries using the publicly available injury and fatality data from AgInjuryNews.org and present recommendations for future injury prevention strategies. Methods: Data were obtained from AgInjuryNews.org, a web-based collection of U.S. news reports of agricultural injuries. We analyzed cases from 2015 to 2017 for youth aged 0–17. We classified injuries as occupational and non-occupational related, based on the Farm and Agricultural Injury Classification (FAIC) code. Each case was also coded for source and event using the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS). Results: Of the 348 injury reports reviewed, 51% were fatal, and about one-third of the victims were 6 years old or younger. Most injuries were non-occupational, and the most frequent injury sources were vehicles (includes tractors and all-terrain vehicles) and machinery. Youth operators, extra riders, roadway operations, and unsupervised youth playing near or in a worksite were four key contributing factors associated with vehicle and machinery related injuries. Conclusions: This study reaffirms that youth agricultural-related injuries and fatalities are still a persistent problem in the United States. The hypothesis generating AgInjuryNews system can provide more current data than traditional surveillance datasets as a tool for understanding the sources of youth agricultural injuries, monitoring injury trends, and informing policy efforts and prevention strategies. Future studies should continue to explore and evaluate the comprehensiveness of this system's data and the impact of its dissemination, as well as similar rural health informatics solutions for integration into sustainable interventions that can be customized and delivered domestically and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Movimenta is the property of Universidade Estadual de Goias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the implication of COVID-19 in oral oncology practices in Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. Topics include the most common signs and symptoms are fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath which can progress to severe viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure in susceptive patients, and the droplet transmission and person–person transmission appear to be the main route of transmission of COVID-19.

The purpose of this paper is to present the first stage of the United States film industry, called the Golden Age of Hollywood, from its founding until its crisis in the late 1940s. The proposal here is to describe how it was born, who were the fathers, and how it developed into the largest entertainment factory in the world. It is important to realize that the existence of Hollywood and its mode of production greatly affected not only mass communication but global politics in the first half of the last century. The studios located on the west coast of America are an important focus of attention to understand the development of Western culture in the last century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How might we understand the current political formations that emerged from the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the parliamentary coup in Brazil? Despite the U.S. disavowal for human rights violations in foreign policies, the victory of explicitly anti-black, anti-female, anti-gay, anti-poor forces in both democracies seems to be part of the vociferous restructuring of global racial capitalism, apartheid enforced by law and police violence. The more conventional analysis is that the Brazilian coup and Trump's election represent a threat to electoral democracy. Within this perspective, the protests generated by the outcomes of electoral politics in the United States and Brazil aimed to counter the reproduction of white supremacy and racial capital. We propose an alternative reading: the political conflicts that emerged in the aftermath of both events illustrate democracy's strength and its fulfilling promise to maintain racial domination and the political grammar that authorizes its reproduction. If we consider the continuum of racial violence—from slavery to democracy—that permeated the human rights–oriented Obama and Rousseff administrations, why would we unquestionably accept that liberal democracy is the pathway to racial integration and to control anti-black violence and police terror in Brazil and the United States? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We studied relationships between demographic and work-related characteristics and exposure to health-related risk associated with field sanitation within the population of U.S. farmworkers while critically examining adequacy of existing data toward understanding patterns. Methods: We used statistical and econometric large-sample data methods to analyze correlations between observable variables and access to field sanitation as measured by responses to the nationally and regionally representative National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS). Results: Analysis suggests that field sanitation risk is relatively low on U.S. farms, especially in the most current periods, though there is regional variation. A number of socioeconomic characteristics are predictive of remaining gaps in access to basic field sanitation. We found that men, workers with less education, workers who do not speak English well, and those from Mexico are systematically more likely to lack access to field sanitation than are other workers, all else equal. We also found associations with job-related characteristics. Conclusion: We conclude that regulatory standards do not affect all workers equally and that field sanitation risk for some workers has continued though the current period. Basic sanitation definitions provided in available data are limited and may not reflect the true extent of risk associated with the incomplete nature of field sanitation access. This motivates the importance of continued study of field sanitation and of targeted public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using skill and earnings data from the OECD's newly released Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and decomposition methodology from literature on economic distributions across countries, this research provides new evidence about the limited extent to which levels of and rates of return to skills explain unequal wage distributions in subgroups defined by race and ethnicity in the United States. The specific importance of PIAAC skill levels and of rates of return to skill varies substantially between racial and ethnic minorities relative to Whites and across the upper and lower parts of the wage distribution, while unobservables remain critical. These findings about differential characteristics of wage spreads are in contrast to relatively high correlations between the means of wage distributions and the more comprehensively defined skill measures observed in PIAAC (in comparison to those that have been examined in past literature), and are robust to the inclusion of other observable human capital and socioeconomic determinants. Results have implications for understanding how formal and informal institutions, discrimination, and labor market compensation practices may translate differentially across racial and ethnic groups and into observed variation in earnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]