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China is a country with a large alcohol user population, but it also faces other public health challenges like the growth of older adult population and shift in dietary behaviors in the past few decades. We examined the associations of alcohol consumption and dietary behaviors with severe cognitive impairment among Chinese older men and women. We used panel data from three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) to examine this topic of interest. Older adults who answered three survey waves were analyzed (age ≥ 65), with a total of 7,950 observations (n = 7,950). In the panel logistic regression models, only former alcohol use was positively associated with severe cognitive impairment among older men (p <.05), but not in older women. Neither current light nor heavy alcohol consumption was associated with cognitive impairment. Older men and women who did not consume or rarely consume fruits and vegetables were more likely to develop severe cognitive impairment (all p <.01). Public health practitioners can use the empirical results from this research to identify what patterns of alcohol use and dietary behaviors can help prevent cognitive impairment among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study assessed the nutrition and physical activity (PA) needs, practices, and programming preferences of adults ages 40+ years from seven states (n = 1,250). Respondents were mostly educated, White, food-secure, adults ages 60+ years. Many were married, suburban-residing, and interested in health programming. By self-report most respondents were "at nutritional risk" (59.3%), in "somewhat good health" (32.3%), and sedentary (49.2%). One-third reported PA intention in the next two months. Desired programs were less than four weeks and under 4 h weekly. Respondents preferred to attend self-directed online lessons (41.2%). Program format preference varied by age (P < 0.05). More respondents aged 40–49 years and 70+ years reported a preference for online group sessions compared to those aged 50 to 69 years. Respondents ages 60 to 69 years reported the highest preference for interactive apps. More older respondents (60 years and older) preferred asynchronous online lessons compared to the younger respondents (age 59 years and younger). There were significant program participation interest differences by age, race, and location (P< 0.05). These results revealed a need and preference for self-directed, online health programming for middle-aged and older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study examined whether trajectories of depressive symptoms of one spouse are associated with the other spouse's memory. Methods: Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (2004–2016) were used (N = 5690 heterosexual couples). Latent-class growth analysis and structural equation models examined the actor and partner effects of depressive symptom trajectories on memory. Results: Four depressive symptom trajectories were identified (i.e., persistently low, increasing, decreasing, and persistently high). Compared to the low trajectory group, the increasing and persistently high trajectories were associated with worse memory for both men and women. While none of the wives' depressive symptom trajectories was significantly associated with husbands' memory (p >.05), husbands' decreasing trajectory was linked to wives' better memory (β = 0.498, 95% CI = 0.106, 0.890). Discussion: Older adults with increasing and persistently high depressive symptoms may experience worse memory. Psychosocial interventions targeting depressive symptoms among older men may be beneficial to their spouses' memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which community colleges in 10 Midwest states relied on 12 current funds revenue sources between 1990 and 2000 is presented in this study. Four models of funding were identified and evaluated. All models generated revenue in excess of the change in the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), a measure of inflation over the period studied. Implications for practice are discussed.

Linear models of two of the most salient motivations for undergraduates to attend college--learning (intrinsic) and enhanced post-graduation earnings (extrinsic)--are estimated from a sample of 2,199 respondents to the 2000 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey of first-year students, supplemented by institutional records. Model results, using composite variables derived from exploratory factor analysis, emphasize that women are more motivated to attend college to learn than men. Implications are drawn regarding student development and higher education administration, focusing on the need to use different teaching approaches for students with different goals. (Contains 1 table.)

Grade point average for residence hall freshmen (N=1,167; 52%male, 90% white, 74% in-state) is related significantly to precollege characteristics (high school rank, gender, ethnicity, parental education, divorced/separated parents, self-perception of abilities, expectation of honors or changing major) and environmental variables (learning community membership, academic college). (Author)

A study examined patterns and predictors of service use by 85 families of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates, specifically premature infants. Enabling variables (NICU contacts and follow-up services) and parents' perceptions of children's problems were major predictors of service use. No demographic characteristics predicted service use. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Provides a brief overview of historical trends in classroom instructional practices and explains the emergence of constructivist theory. Describes two instructional practices at the secondary level: curriculum integration and teaming. Reports findings of a case study examining one high school faculty's teaching practices while engaged in simultaneous instructional reforms including teaming and curriculum integration. (Contains 44 references.) (Author/PKP)

Examined 2- to 5-year-olds' play with peers in their child care classroom and on the playground. Found that children were more likely to engage in interactive dramatic play outdoors than indoors. Outdoors, older children were more likely to interact with peers than were younger children. Outdoors offered older children functional and dramatic play opportunities more readily than the classroom. (Author/KB)

Objective: Explore the relevant evidence about stress‐related cognitive appraisal and coping strategies among registered nurses in the emergency department (EDRNs) coping with the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: This scoping review followed the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley to map relevant evidence and synthesize the findings. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases for related studies from inception through February 2, 2022. This review further conducted study selection based on the PRISMA flow diagram and applied Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory to systematically organize, summarize, and report the findings. Findings: Sixteen studies were included for synthesis. Most of the studies showed that the majority of EDRNs were overwhelmed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Depression, triaging distress, physical exhaustion, and intention to leave ED nursing were cited as major threats to their wellness. Additionally, comprehensive training, a modified triage system, a safe workplace, psychological support, promotion of resilience, and accepting responsibility may help EDRNs cope with pandemic‐related challenges effectively. Conclusion: The long‐lasting pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of EDRNs because they have increased their effort to respond to the outbreak with dynamically adjusted strategies. Future research should address a modified triage system, prolonged psychological issues, emergency healthcare quality, and solutions facing EDRNs during the COVID‐19 or related future pandemics. Clinical Relevance: EDRNs have experienced physical and psychological challenges during the pandemic. The ED administrators need to take action to ensure EDRNs' safety in the workplace, an up‐to‐date triage system, and mental health of frontline nurses to provide high‐quality emergency care for combating COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has faced challenges related to the rapid growth of its ageing population, and sleep is one of the public health challenges to this demographic group. This study examines the socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with status change of sleeping patterns among Chinese older adults, using longitudinal data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Socio-demographic factors were selected from the 2012 wave of the CLHLS to examine the sleep status change in the 2014 wave. Multivariable logistic and multinomial regressions were used to study older adults' changes of sleep quality and daily sleep duration. Older adults, 65 years old or above, were selected as study participants. A higher level of education was negatively associated with poor sleep quality and longer sleep duration (>8 hours). Increasing age was positively associated with both shorter and longer sleep duration. Being female was negatively associated with longer sleep duration. However, exercise status, smoking behaviour and alcohol use all were neither positively nor negatively associated with status change of sleeping patterns. Participants' education, age and gender might be important factors associated with sleep status change. However, the effects of behavioural factors should be studied further. Policy implications and further research directions are discussed based on empirical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to explore and explain the role housing plays in rural community vitality. Community vitality refers to economic strength and social well-being. In spring 2002 we collected primary interview data from informants in 134 small rural communities in nine north-central states and identified related secondary data from the U.S. census. We developed a structural-equation-path model, which supported a 'housing decision chain' that influenced community vitality. Based on this research, local housing decisions do play an important role in community vitality. Strong local leaders use housing planning to secure funding to produce a change in the quantity of housing, which in turn positively influences community vitality. Housing inventory also mediated the effects of total population and percentage population change on community vitality, indicating that housing supply is a fundamental ingredient in community-growth strategies. These findings support the conclusion that a combination of housing plans and strategies orchestrated by skilled, committed leadership strengthens rural communities. Heretofore the link between housing and community vitality has not been investigated; evidence-based data has been missing from the debate on viable rural community-development strategies.

Objective Dyadic perspective is scarce in existing advance directive (AD) literature. Particularly, the significance of one's own and/or one's partner's cognitive function on AD remains unknown. This study investigates the relationship of cognitive function and other factors with AD completion within the spousal context. Method Data from the Health and Retirement Study (2014–2015) were used. Older heterosexual couples (age ≥65) married for 10+ years were asked if they had a living will and/or appointed a durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC). Structural equation models examined the actor and partner effects of sociodemographic, health, and couple-level characteristics on wife's and husband's AD, respectively. Results Moderate spousal interdependence was observed in living will (kappa coefficient, κ =.60) and DPAHC (κ =.53). Older age and higher education were related to both spouses having AD. Less household wealth and being racial/ethnic minority were associated with a lower probability of having AD. Notable gender contrasts in actor and partner effects were found. Wife's higher level of cognitive function was associated with husband's AD completion. Contrarily, husband's lower level of cognitive function was associated with wife's AD completion. Retirement status had primarily actor effects for both husbands and wives. More chronic conditions were linked to husband's AD completion. Discussion The spousal interdependence of AD warrants practitioner efforts to facilitate family-oriented end-of-life planning. Wives and husbands may have different thoughts regarding their spouse's cognitive capacity to surrogate. Facilitating couple-based discussions may be a feasible approach to promote engagement with AD among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated series of courses on embedded systems has been developed at Iowa State University, Ames, spanning early undergraduate to graduate levels. The newest course in the series is CPRE 488: Embedded Systems Design, an advanced undergraduate course that fills a gap in the curriculum by providing system-level design experiences and incorporating new technology advancements. CPRE 488 development focused on lecture-lab integration and laboratory learning. Course and lab activities were designed using a learning model that captures lower-order and higher-order cognition levels of Bloom's taxonomy. The learning experience in the laboratory is characterized using a technique to assess cognitive behavior. Results of applying the Florida Taxonomy of Cognitive Behavior are presented to summarize the depth of student learning and the opportunities for students to progress to higher-order thinking in the laboratory. After two years of experience with the new course, the authors reflect on the course design and outcomes, from both disciplinary and pedagogical viewpoints. Index Terms--Cognitive behavior, curriculum integration, embedded computer systems.

Using data obtained from the University Project Cost and Efficiency Benchmark Study a new approach was developed to identify the drivers of architectural and engineering services costs (A/E fees). A/E fees are typically identified as a percentage of total construction costs and often are separated by project complexity. For example, residence halls, classroom buildings, and research buildings are perceived to have differing complexity, resulting in differences in A/E fees. The prediction model accounted for 45.9% of the variance in A/E costs, and project complexity was not a significant predictor of A/E costs. The paper is of interest to practicing consulting civil engineers and researchers because it provides evidence to refute the statement proposed by Carr and Beyor [(2005), J. Manage. Eng., 21(3), 110-117] that civil engineering fees are declining due to stagnant fee curves. This study establishes an alternate method for defining a fee schedule based on actual costs and provides evidence that fee schedules do not reflect the actual fees paid to A/E professionals. CE Database subject headings: Partnerships; Project management; Fees; Budgets; Financial management.

Rural-residing older adults (OA) are not meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations, such that identifying methods of increasing PA among OA remains an ongoing challenge. This study evaluated the effect of a community-based exergaming program on PA readiness-to-change and self-efficacy among rural-residing OA (n = 265). There was a significant (p = .008) increase in readiness-to-change classification from PRE to POST. Significant increases in self-efficacy, or confidence in their ability to be physically active for a prescribed period of time, were detected for 35 (p = .011) and 40 min (p = .035) of continuous PA. PA self-efficacy change for 35 min of continuous PA (F [3,137] = 3.973, p = .010) and 40 min of continuous PA (F [3,137) = 2.893, p = .038) were influenced by the interaction between PRE self-reported health and PRE PA readiness-to-change levels. Results suggest that an exergaming-themed PA intervention is effective at increasing PA participation and self-efficacy for PA among rural-residing OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]