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Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with difficulties in writing performance. Despite the importance of writing to achieving positive academic, employment, and social outcomes, relatively little research has been conducted examining the effects of intervention on the writing performance of individuals with ASD. Previous reviews of research examining these interventions have not evaluated the quality and rigor of studies. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the extant writing intervention research for individuals with ASD using two sets of quality indicators to offer recommendations for practices and areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional communication training (FCT) provides an efficient means for reducing a variety of challenging behaviors while increasing social communication. After establishing a functional communication response (FCR), interventionists may need to design a program to thin the schedule of reinforcement to provide more durable effects and maintenance in the natural environment. Hanley et al. provided one means for thinning schedules that involved the systematic introduction of extinction (or denial trials) following a process of delaying reinforcement. This study evaluates a southeastern U.S. classroom application of this thinning process with three elementary age students who engaged in a variety of aggression, self-injury, disruption, and crying. The results indicate positive effects of the FCT program with systematic introduction of denial trials once the participants demonstrated proficiency with the FCR. In addition, data for two participants show prolonged effects post-intervention. Results are discussed in terms of extending Hanley et al. and how these procedures can be used within typical school-based settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SYNGAP1‐ related intellectual disability (SYNGAP1‐ID) is a rare genetic disorder presenting with intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, maladaptive behaviours and communication challenges. To date, few studies have assessed the context in which these maladaptive behaviours occur. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of problem behaviours, characterise the behavioural phenotype and use well‐validated measures to explore variables that maintain the behaviours. Methods: Our sample includes 19 individuals diagnosed with SYNGAP1‐ID and their parents. Parents provided information on behaviours that their children engage in, as well as their general behavioural dispositions. Well‐validated measures (e.g., the Repetitive Behaviour Scale‐Revised, Sensory Profile‐2 and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale) were used. A subset of individuals underwent further direct experimental assessment of their problem behaviour to identify the variables maintaining those problem behaviours. Parental reports were analysed using nonparametric statistical analysis; the direct assessments of individuals' problem behaviour were analysed using visual analysis and validated supplemental measures. Results: All 19 individuals engaged in some form of maladaptive problem behaviour. Ratings of ritualistic, sameness and restricted behaviours measured by the RBS‐R were commensurate with individuals diagnosed with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while self‐injurious behaviours were endorsed at a higher level in SYNGAP1‐ID when compared with idiopathic ASD. The problem behaviours in our cohort of patients with SYNGAP1‐ID were maintained by automatic reinforcement and social attention and are positively correlated with atypical sensory responses. Conclusions: Individuals with SYNGAP1‐ID engage in problem behaviours commensurate with other populations (e.g., those with ASD), they exhibit atypical response to sensory stimuli. Problem behaviours were frequently maintained by automatic reinforcement, which may result from a dysregulated sensory system. Children with SYNGAP1‐ID may benefit from strategies used in persons with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R) is a well-established measure for measuring illness representations with sound psychometric properties. However, one limitation is that it provides a generic measure of illness representations and lacks specificity to individual health conditions, making it difficult to capture the nuances of illness beliefs for different populations. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop reliable and valid versions of the IPQ-R for young people with anxiety and depression to better understand how they perceive and cognitively represent the course, severity, impact, and treatability of their anxiety and depression. Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of a qualitative study, involving semi-structured interviews (n = 26) followed by think-aloud interviews (n = 13), and a quantitative study (n = 349), resulting in the development of the IPQ-Anxiety (IPQ-A) and IPQ-Depression (IPQ-D). Item development is reported, along with the psychometric properties of the measures. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the IPQ-A and IPQ-D with the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (B-IPQ) across equivalent dimensions. Results: Results suggest that the IPQ-A, IPQ-D, B-IPQ-A and B-IPQ-D are valid and reliable tools for measuring mental illness representations. The measures show acceptable model fit, high factor loadings, and good to excellent internal consistency, test – retest reliability across subscales and concurrent validity with mental health measures. Conclusions: The development of these measures represents an important step in the field of youth mental health by providing the opportunity for reliable assessment of young people's conceptualisations of their anxiety and depression. Better understanding of young people's illness beliefs has the potential to open a range of intervention possibilities by prioritising illness perceptions over the supposed objective condition severity and trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conflict monitoring theory posits that the simultaneous activation of incompatible responses in the current trial leads to response conflict. Conflict occurrence signals to enhance attention to the target stimulus, reduce attention to distracting stimuli, and ultimately lead to conflict adaptation (i.e., reduced interference effect after conflict trials compared to nonconflict trials). However, this theory does not explicitly assume whether the involvement of response execution is necessary in the process of conflict occurrence. Research on the negative emotion theory suggests that even in the absence of response execution, incompatible response representations can induce conflict. Our present study aimed to provide direct behavioural evidence regarding whether conflict activated without response execution is sufficient to trigger conflict adaptation. In a word--colour Stroop task, this study employed the LOOK-to-DO transition design, in which participants refrained from responding in half of the trials (LOOK trials) and responded with key presses in the other half (DO trials). Across three experiments, we controlled for feature integration and contingency learning and manipulated the stimulus presentation duration in the previous trial. The results indicated a significant conflict adaptation effect in reaction time when the stimulus presentation duration was shorter in the previous trial. This finding suggested that in a confounding-minimal design with no response execution in the previous trial, conflict triggers control adjustments and leads to conflict adaptation. This finding aligns with and further elaborates on the original conflict monitoring theory by demonstrating that response execution is not a necessary condition for the generation of response conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study. Objective. Characterize physical therapy (PT) utilization following single-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF). Summary of Background Data. PLF is a common procedure that is increasing in frequency. After such surgeries, PT may be considered to facilitate mobilization and return to activities. However, the usage of such therapy has not been well-characterized in the literature. Materials and Methods. Patients undergoing single-level PLF were identified from the 2010 to 2021 PearlDiver administrative database. These patients were stratified based on usage of therapy, home versus outpatient therapy, and timing of therapy within the year after surgery. To determine predictors of therapy, patient characteristics were determined and multivariable regressions were performed. Results. A total of 213,240 patients undergoing single-level PLF were identified, of which therapy was done in the year after surgery for 63,231 (29.0%, of which home therapy accounted for 16.5% of therapy visits). Of those who utilized PT, the average number of visits was 10.6±10.6. Home therapy peaked within the first month after surgery and outpatient therapy peaked at month two. Factors associated with any PT following PLF in decreasing odds ratio (OR) were having commercial insurance (OR: 1.68), being from the Northeast (OR: 1.41), age (OR: 1.13 for 70+ of age) female sex (OR: 1.09), and ECI (OR: 1.04 per point) (P< 0.001 for all). Of those who received therapy, factors associated with home PT utilization were being from the Northeast (OR: 2.55), age (OR: 1.91 for 70+ of age), Medicaid insurance (OR: 1.48), female sex (OR: 1.39), and interbody fusion (OR:1.07) (P<0.001 for all). Conclusions. After single-level PLF, the minority of patients received home or outpatient PT. Of those who did, there was significant variation in the number of visits, with nonmedical factors such as insurance plan and geographic region being strongly associated suggesting room for more consistent practice patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected multicenter registry. Objective. To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures in an operative cohort of patients (OP) and compare them with a matched nonoperative cohort (NON). Summary of Background Data. Historically, the surgical outcomes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been radiographically evaluated. However, the importance of HRQOL measures and their impact on surgical outcomes are increasingly being understood. Materials and Methods. We identified 90 NON patients with curves in the operative range who were observed for at least two years. These patients were matched with an OP cohort of 689 patients. All patients completed the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire at the initial evaluation and at a minimum of two-year follow-up. Subgroup comparisons were based on curve type: primary thoracic (Th), primary thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L), and double major (DM) curves. Results. The preoperative major curves in the Th, TL/L, andDMOP subgroups averaged 50.4°, 45.4°, and 51.5°, respectively, and 49.4°, 43.7°, and 48.9° in the NON cohort (P>0.05). At two years postoperatively, the major curve in the Th, TL/L, and DM OP subgroups improved to 19.0°, 19.2°, and 19.3°, respectively, compared with the progression to 51.3°, 44.5°, and 49.7° in the NON group at two-year follow-up (P<0.05). The SRS-22 self-image, mental health, satisfaction, and total scores at the two-year follow-up were significantly better in all OP subgroups (P<0.001) but remained largely unchanged in the NON group. A significant percentage of patients (P<0.001) in the OP cohort reported better SRS-22 scores at the two-year follow-up in the self-image, mental health, and satisfaction domains than the NON group at two years. Conclusions. Surgically treated patients with AIS have improved HRQOL outcomes in several domains compared with agematched and curve magnitude-matched nonoperatively treated patients at two-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Retrospective cohort. Objective. Examine the relationship between compensatory pelvic retroversion, positive sagittal imbalance (measured by C2 tilt), and the C2 pelvic angle (C2PA) in patients before long spinal fusions; and to determine the association between changes in C2PA and pelvic tilt (PT) following long spinal fusions. Background. Adult spinal deformity surgical goals often include a PT target, yet patients frequently demonstrate persistent compensatory pelvic retroversion following surgery. Methods. Adults above 18 years old undergoing long spinal fusions (> 4 levels) with standing preoperative and postoperative radiographs were included. To examine drivers of preoperative sagittal balance, regression models were fit to estimate the association between preoperative C2PA and pelvic incidence with preoperative PT and C2 tilt. To predict postoperative change in PT, multivariable regression was used to estimate change in PT, adjusting for change in C2PA and preoperative C2 tilt. Results. Among the 80 patients identified, the median age was 61 (IQR: 45-72) and 46 (58%) were female. The median number of levels fused was 10 (IQR: 8-13) and 55 (69%) were instrumented to the sacrum/pelvis. Preoperative C2PA had a significant nonlinear association with preoperative PT (r2=0.81, P<0.001) and preoperative C2 tilt (r2= 0.41, P= 0.002). Postoperative change in PT was strongly associated with change in C2PA (β=0.81; P<0.001) and preoperative C2 tilt (β= 0.55; P< 0.001). Conclusions. Following long spinal fusions, change in PT (or lack thereof) can be reliably predicted based on change in C2PA and preoperative C2 tilt. In patients with normal preoperative C2 tilt, the change in C2PA is nearly equivalent to the change in PT, but in patients with more positive C2 tilt (sagittal imbalance), a greater change in C2PA will be required to achieve an equivalent change in PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments are frequently used in the travel and hospitality literature to provide stronger evidence of causal relationships between various constructs. Recently, despite the use of online platforms for experimental studies, such studies have often failed to find significant results, as expected. To increase the probability of obtaining significant results for experiments using online panels, this paper suggests six practical recommendations across three categories: (i) handling less homogenous online participants; (ii) understanding and managing different motivations and abilities in online participants; and (iii) using effective and transparent experimental designs and procedures. This paper provides the results of three empirical investigations to support these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of information and communication technology has enabled travelers to access abundant information and a wide range of available products/services that may satisfy their needs or wants. However, this phenomenon also poses a challenge to travelers who have to choose from an overwhelming collection of travel products. This situation, known as the paradox of choice, may have negative outcomes. This research tested the mechanism of relationships between choice set size and perceived responses to choice overload as affected by psychological distance. Results of multiple scenario-based experimental design studies indicated a negative influence of choice set size on the choice process (e.g., choice complexity/difficulty and task difficulty) in the context of tourism-related choices. This research demonstrated the moderating effects of hypothetical and social distances on the choice process. Therefore, it extended the theory of decision-making and provided important practical implications for tourism marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality by an infectious disease worldwide. Despite national and international efforts, the world is not on track to end TB by 2030. Antibiotic treatment of TB is longer than for most infectious diseases and is complicated by frequent adverse events. To counter emerging Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance and provide effective, safe drug treatments of shorter duration, novel anti-TB medicines, and treatment regimens are needed. Through a joint global effort, more candidate medicines are in the clinical phases of drug development than ever before. To review anti-TB medicines and treatment regimens under clinical evaluation for the future treatment of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB. Pre-clinical and clinical studies on novel anti-TB drugs. Description of novel protein synthesis inhibitors (oxazolidinones and oxaboroles), respiratory chain inhibitors (diarylquinolines and cytochrome bc1 complex inhibitor), cell wall inhibitors (decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose 2′-epimerase, inhibitors, thioamides, and carbapenems), and cholesterol metabolism inhibitor currently evaluated in clinical trials and novel clinical trial platforms for the evaluation of treatment regimens, rather than single entities. A large number of potential anti-TB candidate medicines and innovations in clinical trial design for the evaluation of regimens, rather than single medicines, provide hope for improvements in the treatment of TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-drinkers report experiencing stigma, which can act as a barrier to non-drinking. Two studies were undertaken to develop and test a new scale to measure attitudes towards non-drinkers. In Study 1, 29 items were presented to 426 Australian drinkers. In Study 2, the refined 12-item Cheers Attitudes to Non-drinkers Scale (CANS) was presented to 389 drinkers. Alcohol consumption, Harm and the Regan Attitudes towards Non-drinkers Scale (RANDS) were presented for scale validation. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors representing the Threats to Fun, Connection and Self that drinkers perceive non-drinkers to pose. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale meets the required fit indices and had good reliability (α = 0.842). Evidence of validity was shown through significant correlations with Alcohol Consumption, Harm and the RANDS. These studies show the CANS to be a reliable and valid measure that could be utilised to understand and modify the stigma experienced by non-drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the effects of board games on children in a range of cognitive areas, considering both inclusion (i.e. pre- and post-comparisons, playing style [board games], participants belonging to PreKinder and Kindergarten, and experimental approach) and exclusion criteria (i.e. video games). Nineteen articles were selected using both PsycInfo and PubMed as databases. All of them, except one study, focused on exploring the relationship between board games and mathematical knowledge and numerical skills. These studies show that in 52% of the analysed tasks, significant gains were found considering pre- and post-comparisons in math skills. When comparing intervention and control groups, significant differences appeared for 32% of the cases. Board games enhance mathematical abilities for children from 45.6 to 100.6 months since they help achieve statistically significant gains. Future studies should be designed to explore the effects that these games could have on other cognitive and developmental skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous work has examined the impact of prenatal illicit drug use (PDU) on children's problem behaviors. However, many PDU-related risk factors, including genetic and rearing environmental risks, can also influence offspring's problem behaviors, thus confounding PDU, genetic, and rearing environmental influences. This study aimed to (a) identify effects of PDU on school-aged children's problem behaviors, including both externalizing and internalizing behaviors at Age 7, after controlling genetic and specific rearing environmental (e.g., maternal and paternal hostility at Ages 4.5 and 6) influences and (b) examine interaction effects between PDU and maternal and paternal hostility in predicting children's problem behaviors at Age 7. We used a parent–offspring adoption design to partition genetic and prenatal effects from postnatal rearing environmental influences. Participants were 561 children adopted at birth (42% female; 56% White, 19% multiracial, 13% Black/African American, 11% Latine, and 1% other), their adoptive parents, and their birth parents. Results indicate that PDU did not show a direct impact on Age 7 problem behaviors before or after controlling genetic risks and adoptive mother's and father's hostility. However, we found significant interactions between adoptive father's hostility and PDU when predicting children's problem behaviors, such that higher paternal hostility was associated with higher externalizing and internalizing behaviors for children whose birth mothers were non-use or rare use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. The results suggest that different from non- or rare drug-exposed children, higher levels of PDU may override the effects of paternal hostility, but not maternal hostility, on problem behaviors at Age 7. Public Significance Statement: The results suggest that school-aged children with prenatal drug exposure raised in genetically unrelated adoptive families may not be different from unexposed children with respect to problem behaviors at Age 7. However, children with non- or rare-drug exposure were more sensitive to the effect of paternal hostility on problem behaviors at Age 7, compared to children who had higher levels of prenatal drug exposure. Moreover, the findings indicate that maternal hostility may have pervasive impacts on children's problem behaviors, regardless of children's predisposition (e.g., exposure to prenatal illicit drugs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) allows patients to define their goals and preferences. Spending more time at home and less time in the hospital, along with avoiding death in the hospital, are often considered desirable outcomes of palliative care (PC). In 2015, 36% of cancer patients died in the hospital and 13% died at home in Norway. Method: From 2015 to 2022, this prospective controlled non-randomized intervention trial observed 144 cancer patients with or without an organized ACP conversation in primary health care and a summarizing palliative plan (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02170168, 23 June 2014). The patients were identified through contact with the local cancer outpatient clinic or hospital-based PC team. Results: A total of 128 patients died during the observation period. Of these, 67 patients had an organized ACP conversation and summarizing palliative plan (intervention (I) group) and 61 had not (control (C) group). Dying in the hospital was significantly less common for patients in the I group compared to the C group (17.9% vs. 34.4%; X2 (1, n = 128) = 4.55, p = 0.033). There were no differences between the groups in terms of where they spent their time in the last 90 days of life (home, nursing home, or hospital). Most patients (62%) preferred to die at home. The observed differences between the groups regarding preferred and actual places of death did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: With organized ACP conversations in primary health care and a summarizing palliative plan, cancer patients died less often in the hospital in our observational study. A structured ACP approach integrating palliative care for cancer patients into primary health care can support patients´ preferences at the end of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sound exposure studies require replicated sound treatments for the results to be representative for sound classes in general. Additionally, reused treatments in replicated designs need to be accounted for statistically. The lack hereof is referred to as simple and sacrificial pseudoreplication, respectively, and results should be interpreted accordingly. We quantified the occurrence of these issues and subsequent interpretation of results in 104 underwater sound exposure studies (2019–2023). The majority of the studies (85%) did not replicate sound treatments. From the ones that did, most did not statistically acknowledge the hierarchical structure of the data. Unreplicated treatment designs limit the generalizability of the findings. Nevertheless, only small differences were found in how the results of unreplicated and replicated treatment designs were interpreted. This commentary aims to provide guidance in the design, analysis and interpretation of sound exposure studies, which are equally valid for aquatic and terrestrial research. • We quantified sound treatment pseudoreplication in underwater sound exposure studies. • Most papers did not replicate sound treatments (simple pseudoreplication). • Hierarchical treatment designs were often not statistically acknowledged. • We hope to contribute to reducing pseudoreplication in sound exposure studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global initiatives to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in experimental design arrived during a period of exciting technological innovation for the field of behavioral neuroscience. The field's historical reliance on male rodents has resulted in standard paradigms that are both overly simple and focused on male-biased behaviors, risking inaccurate interpretations when females are used. Reports of experimental effects in males but not females are becoming common, and the examination of additional metrics that better tap into female-biased behaviors may be required to improve experimental rigor. Experiments that appear to 'fail' in females can also be followed up with investigations into female-specific mechanisms that may suppress effects normally observed in males. New machine learning approaches offer a promising means by which the sophistication of behavioral assays can catch up to that of our tools, allowing unbiased evaluation of behavior in both sexes. The field of rodent behavioral neuroscience is undergoing two major sea changes: an ever-growing technological revolution, and worldwide calls to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in experimental design. Both have enormous potential to improve the precision and rigor with which the brain can be studied, but the convergence of these shifts in scientific practice has exposed critical limitations in classic and widely used behavioral paradigms. While our tools have advanced, our behavioral metrics – mostly developed in males and often allowing for only binary outcomes – have not. This opinion article explores how this disconnect has presented challenges for the accurate depiction and interpretation of sex differences in brain function, arguing for the expansion of current behavioral constructs to better account for behavioral diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When conducting qualitative research on elites, researchers often face issues regarding time-constraints, power asymmetries, and rapport building. In this article, I outline the methodological concept of "the hustle" so that we might better understand how these issues intersect and how the difficulty to access elites for interviews alters research and researcher. The hustle is defined as the pushing or jostling of the qualitative researcher in the face of resistance to access research settings or participants. Inspired by my own hustle when researching elites who design AI recruitment technology (AI-rec-tech), I argue that the hustle has four major effects: first, it requires the researcher to act as networker; second, it influences how much data can be collected; third, it dictates research design; and fourth, it alters interview dynamics. The hustle is an important conceptual umbrella which draws together themes which have arisen in qualitative research on elites for decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping Sr has the potential to enhance bioceramic properties. However, controlling purity, Sr concentration, and properties is crucial. Therefore, precise evaluation of synthesis variables is essential, achieved through experimental design techniques. This study synthesized Sr-doped calcium silicate wollastonite using a Plackett–Burman design with 11 variables to identify key factors affecting synthesis yield and physical, structural, and chemical attributes for tissue engineering. Results indicate that the strontium proportion significantly impacts material properties, affecting porosity, surface area, and pore volume. Moreover, observations reveal that calcination temperature contributes to heightened crystallinity and strontium doping. Adjusting calcium and strontium precursor concentrations while reducing the silicon to calcium and strontium ratio improves efficiency crystallinity, purity, and promotes the formation of the preferred β-CaSiO 3 phase. Overall, consistent and reproducible findings provide valuable insights into the variables influencing the process and facilitate optimization for future ceramic synthesis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines how supportive touch impacts evaluations of esteem support content containing high emotion-focused (HEF) or high problem-focused (HPF) messages during observed esteem support interactions. A 2 (verbal content; i.e., HEF or HPF) by 2 (nonverbal content; i.e., presence or absence of supportive tactile communication) experiment was conducted to test for main and interactional effects. Results revealed that HEF conditions were perceived to be more effective by observers at enhancing the recipient's state self-esteem, state self-efficacy, and alleviating distress compared to HPF conditions. The supportive tactile communication conditions were perceived as better at enhancing state self-esteem and alleviating distress compared to the no supportive tactile communication conditions by observers. However, these main effects were qualified by significant two-way interactions between message content and nonverbal behavior on ratings of state self-esteem and distress alleviation, such that the addition of supportive tactile communication enhanced the effectiveness of HPF message content but not HEF content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the same emotion can be related to different facial prototypes, little is known about the impact of differences in these prototypes on emotion perception. The present research aimed to investigate the impact of different facial prototypes on emotion perception, focusing specifically on anger and disgust. Four major prototypes of anger and six major prototypes of disgust by Asian and White targets were generated by FaceGen and MetaHuman programs. These prototypes were presented to participants from Canada and China, who were asked to identify the corresponding emotions. The results revealed that emotional signals conveyed by different facial prototypes were not uniform. While some prototypes cued distinctive emotions, others cued mixed emotions. Moreover, the signal value of specific prototypes varied across perceiver culture, with prototypes generally perceived as more mixed in Chinese compared to Canadian participants. Notably, emotional signals were also influenced by the facial generation software. Together these findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of specific facial prototypes on emotion perception, especially in cross-cultural contexts, and caution researchers to be mindful of the facial generation software when examining potential variability in emotional decoding associated with different facial prototypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Findings from cardiovascular outcome trials suggest that treatment with fenofibrate may reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, no dedicated large‐scale randomised trials have yet investigated this hypothesis. Methods: LENS is a streamlined randomised double‐masked placebo‐controlled trial, based in Scotland, assessing whether treatment with fenofibrate (145 mg tablet daily or, in the context of impaired renal function, on alternate days) in people with early retinopathy reduces progression to referable diabetic retinopathy (defined in NHS Scotland's Diabetic Eye Screening grading scheme as referable background or proliferative retinopathy, or referable maculopathy in either eye) or treatment with retinal laser, intravitreal injections or vitrectomy. Adults with diabetes mellitus and non‐referable retinopathy (mild background retinopathy in both eyes or observable background retinopathy in one/both eyes at the most recent NHS retinal screening assessment; or observable maculopathy in one/both eyes in the previous 3 years) were eligible. Potential participants were identified from routinely collected healthcare data and followed up using regular contact from the research team and linkage to national electronic morbidity, mortality, biochemistry and retinal screening records. Study treatment was mailed to participants. Results: Between 18 September 2018 and 27 July 2021, 1151 participants were randomised. Their mean age was 61 (SD 12) years, 312 (27%) were female and 305 (26%) had type 1 diabetes. 96% had bilateral mild background retinopathy and 10% had observable maculopathy. Conclusions: LENS will provide a robust evaluation of the efficacy of treating people at risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy with fenofibrate. Results are anticipated in mid‐2024. Trial Registrations: NCT03439345; ISRCTN15073006; EuDRACT 2016–002656‐24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children frequently use Google to answer their questions, yet what they think about Google's capacity and limitations is unclear. This study explores children's beliefs about Google's capacity to answer questions. American children ages 9 and 10 (n = 44; 18 boys and 26 girls) viewed factual questions directed towards Google or a person. After viewing each question, they reported their confidence in the informant's accuracy, the time it would take the informant to obtain the answer and how the informant would obtain the answer. Finally, they generated questions that the internet would be capable or incapable of answering. Children believed Google would be more accurate and faster than a person at answering questions. Children consistently generated appropriate questions that the internet would be good at answering, but they sometimes struggled to generate questions that the internet would not be good at answering. Implications for children's learning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the development of social power perceptions among Chinese children aged 3–5 years (N = 105). After watching videos about various social power cues, such as resource possession, resource control, goal achievement, permission, giving orders, setting norms and popularity, the children were asked to identify the powerful agents (whom do you believe is the more powerful person?) in the videos and provide explanations (why do you think he (she) is a powerful person?). Three‐year‐olds can recognize powerful agents who can grant 'permission' to other agents. By the age of 4, children begin to associate 'popularity', 'resource possession' and 'goal achievement' with social power. Five‐year olds demonstrated the ability to recognize agents who control resources as being more powerful. Analysis of the reasons the children provided for their judgements revealed that for almost every cue (except giving orders), more than 14% of the responses highlighted 'possession of material resources' as an indicator of power. For children aged 3–5 years, 'resource possession' cues may be their preferred basis for inferring and explaining power differences. These results would facilitate researchers to further unravel the mechanisms underlying the development of children's social power perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality has emerged as a powerful tool for the design of immersive tourism experiences. Prior studies have primarily relied on externally produced 360-degree stimuli, with the potential to undermine causal inference among concepts and increase risk of flattening real-world responses. Consequently, building on design principles embedded in human–computer interaction, this paper draws on an exemplar of an iconic nature-based tourism destination to elucidate the process which underpins the development of 360-degree stimuli, with an emphasis on the manipulation of 'presence'. Emergent findings demonstrate the efficacy of a five-step procedure: (1) concept manipulation and location selection; (2) preliminary field filming; (3) expert evaluation and preliminary test; (4) re-filming and editing; and (5) confirmatory test. Physiological and self-report measures assessed the internal and external validity of the 360-degree stimuli, confirming the effectiveness of the manipulation. This research contributes to knowledge through the transfer of core principles from information technology and tourism into the design of immersive 360-degree stimuli to facilitate rigorous manipulation and multi-measurement in experimental design in tourism. Future research should focus on enhancing validity and reliability of internally produced immersive stimuli, overcoming methodological challenges with the design and manipulation of stimuli in tourism research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seamless study designs have the potential to accelerate clinical development. The use of innovative seamless designs has been increasing in the oncology area; however, while the concept of seamless designs becomes more popular and accepted, many challenges remain in both the design and conduct of these trials. This may be especially true when seamless designs are used in late phase development supporting regulatory decision-making. The Innovative Design Scientific Working Group (IDSWG) Oncology team conducted a survey to understand the current use of seamless study designs for registration purposes in oncology clinical development. The survey was designed to provide insights into the benefits and to identify the roadblocks. A total of 16 questions were included in the survey that was distributed using the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section and IDSWG email listings from August to September 2022. A total of 51 responses were received, with 39 (76%) respondents indicating that their organizations had seamless oncology studies in planning or implementation for registration purposes. Detailed survey results are presented in the manuscript. Overall, while seamless designs offer advantages in terms of timeline reduction and cost saving, they also present challenges related to additional complexity and the need for efficient surrogate clinical endpoints in oncology drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although oncology has seen large scientific and clinical advances over the last decade, it also has one of the lowest success rates for novel agents across therapeutic areas. Adaptive clinical trial design has been a popular option for increasing clinical trial efficiency and the chances of trial success. Seamless clinical trial design are studies in which two or more clinical trial phases are combined into a single study with a pre-specified transition between stages. This integration of phases may enhance efficiency. Methods: To understand the precedent for the use of seamless designs, this working group was formed to conduct a comprehensive literature search on seamless clinical trials conducted with confirmatory intent in oncology. Trial design features were extracted into a database and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: A literature search identified 68 clinical trials meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most common design feature was a gate on treatment efficacy, where the trial would only proceed to the second stage if sufficient efficacy was observed in the first. The next most common feature was a selection of a dose or treatment regimen. Inferentially and operationally seamless designs were approximately equally represented. Discussion: Key statistical considerations for seamless phase II/III designs include optimizing design choices by evaluating and comparing operating characteristics across design alternatives as well as showing control of overall Type I error rates. Executing the transition between phases should be evaluated for issues related to accrual, drug production, and procedures to maintain trial integrity. Conclusions: While there are unique statistical, regulatory, and operational considerations for seamless designs they are also uniquely suited to many development settings. These include, for example, addressing dose selection under FDA's Project Optimus and addressing the growing use of biomarkers and personalized medicine approaches in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing complexity of biopharmaceutical sponsored trials has adverse impacts on increased burdens on participants, clinical sites, and sponsors, including greater difficulty recruiting and retaining participants, difficulty engaging sites to participate in trials, excessive cost of trials, and increased cycle times. The schedule of assessments (SoAs) is the origin of and blueprint for complexity that is often generated by copying and pasting from previous SoAs. We developed an approach, termed Lean Design, for redesigning the assessments in SoAs that generate data, the 'Data SoA.' It starts with a simple "ground zero" SoA. Any addition is challenged using several principles of trial design. We employed a system, the Faro Trial Designer Tool, to quantify the impacts of changes in an SoA to provide real-time feedback to the team and sponsor. We applied the approach in workshops with teams for six clinical trials in various stages of design and implementation. The approach resulted in recommendation for substantial potential savings in participant and site staff time, costs, and complexity of the trials. Application of this approach to very early stages of protocol design has the potential to reduce the complexity of biopharmaceutical sponsored trials and its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under current bioequivalence guidelines in Japan, it is mandatory to establish bioequivalence using a single pivotal study. Clinical trials with limited resources usually have a pre-defined maximum permissible number of participants. In this manuscript, we considered a trial design that would allow for bioequivalence evaluation at an interim analysis in which the total number of participants takes into account the resource constraints. Then, available options at the interim analysis are group sequential designs and adaptive designs, A comparison of the performance of the two methods under same maximum participant number has not been conducted thus far. So we examined which method should be used by conducting a simulation study. Since bioequivalence is expected to be achieved at the interim analysis, a study design using a Pocock-type alpha spending function is preferrable. Simulation results using a Pocock-type alpha spending function showed similar performance between group sequential and adaptive designs. Consequently, due to statistical and operational complexity, it is preferable to choose group sequential designs for bioequivalence study in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite global efforts to improve paediatric clinical trials, significant delays continue in paediatric drug approvals. Collaboration between research networks is needed to address these delays. This paper is a first step to promote interoperability between paediatric networks from different jurisdictions by comparing drivers for, and content of, metrics about clinical trial conduct. Methods: Three paediatric networks, Institute for Advanced Clinical Trials for Children, the Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network and conect4children, have each developed metrics to address delays and create efficiencies. We identified the methodology by which each network identified metrics, described the metrics of each network, and mapped consistency to come to consensus about core metrics that networks could share. Results: Metric selection was driven by site quality improvement in one network (11 metrics), by network performance in one network (13 metrics), and by both in one network (five metrics). The domains of metrics were research capacity/capability, site identification/feasibility, trial start-up, and recruitment/enrolment. The network driven by site quality improvement did not have indicators for capacity/capability or identification/feasibility. Fifteen metrics for trial start up and conduct were identified. Metrics related to site approvals were found in all three networks. The themes for metrics can inform the development of 'shared' metrics. Conclusion: We found disparity in drivers, methodology and metrics. Tackling this disparity will result in a unified approach to addressing delays in paediatric drug approvals. Collaborative work to define inter-operable metrics globally is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Educational environments can have environmental conditions that are incompatible with the needs of students, compromising their well-being and affecting their performance. OBJECTIVE: To identify the environmental variables that influence the performance of university students and measure this influence through an experiment in indoor environments. METHODS: The study applied an experimental methodology for three consecutive days in seven educational environments located in different regions of Brazil, measuring the environ-mental conditions, the students' perception of the environment, and their cognitive performance. The impact of environmental variables and environmental perception on student performance was analyzed using Generalized Linear Models and a Structural Equation Model. RESULTS: Students who took the test at air temperatures between 22.4°C and 24.7°C had a 74.20% chance of performing better than those outside this range. Air temperatures between 26.2°C and 29°C were associated with an 86% chance of taking less time to complete the test. High illuminance levels increased the chance of taking longer to answer the test by 41.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Three environmental variables (relative humidity, lighting and air temperature) and two perceptual dimensions (light and thermal perception) directly influence student performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare professionals frequently encounter various forms of aggression, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults, which can compromise both their occupational well-being and patient-care quality. Despite its prevalence and serious consequences, workplace aggression is often underreported due to a lack of standardized assessment tools. This study aims to develop a valid Italian version of the Hospital Aggressive Behaviour Scale-Users. Methods: The scale's structure was evaluated using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses on two samples of healthcare professionals during and after the pandemic. Reliability, measurement invariance, and nomological validity were examined. Results: EFA revealed a two-factor structure comprising eight items (χ2 = 59.651, df = 13, p = 0.00; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.02), distinguishing non-physical and physical aggression, and meeting all recommended criteria. CFA confirmed this structure, demonstrating good reliability and outperforming alternative models. The same factor structure was confirmed in standard (χ2 = 35.01, df = 19, p = 0.00; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.03; SRMR = 0.02) and emergency (χ2 = 30.65, df = 19, p = 0.04; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.06; SRMR = 0.04) contexts. Full residual invariance was found across job tenure groups. Aggression was positively associated with emotional exhaustion, psychological distance, psychosomatic symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and turnover intentions while negatively related to job satisfaction. Nurses and healthcare assistants reported higher levels of aggression than doctors. Conclusions: This study provides a reliable, context-specific instrument for documenting and analysing outsider aggression. The insights can inform targeted interventions, contributing to a healthier hospital environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adjustment of stroke survivors is self-directed and multi-dimensional. This study developed an adaptive behavior scale for stroke survivors reflecting these characteristics and performed a psychometric evaluation. The item pool was derived based on conceptual attributes and indicators of adaptive behaviors for stroke survivors. Ten experts assessed the content validity. The scale was refined through pilot testing and interviews with 10 stroke survivors. From December 2021 to May 2022, a self-report questionnaire consisting of a five-point Likert scale was administered to 215 stroke survivors visiting a university hospital in S City, South Korea. Item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to assess the construct validity; reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's α. The final scale comprised three factors and 16 items: taking an optimistic view, restructuring daily activities to suit oneself, and carrying out one's daily life. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the three-factor model; Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.90, indicating a very good internal consistency. This easy-to-use, concise self-report scale applies to stroke survivors from subacute to chronic stages, providing healthcare professionals with the basic data needed to assess their adaptation. It may also facilitate individualized intervention program development to improve stroke survivor adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Efficient reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was performed over the modified cellulose filter paper via a simple filtration set-up. A plain cellulose filter paper was covalently functionalized by silane groups followed by Pd/C NPs. The adsorption-reduction took place completely for 30 min under neutral pH, at 25 °C, for 500 mg/L of Cr(VI) in the presence of formic acid. The best conditions for the reduction were achieved by an experimental design on Design-Expert 13.0.5.0 × 64 software. According to the kinetics studies, the reduction follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics. The positive value of ΔH indicates that the adsorption process of Cr(VI) by the adsorbent was endothermic. Also, negative ΔG indicates that the reaction is spontaneous. The obtained positive ΔS value also indicates an increase in disorder in the reduction and an increase in adsorption in the expected phase of solid and liquid during the adsorption process. Also, a deep study was conducted over the mechanism of the reduction, wherein a consecutive adsorption-reduction was suggested and the Pd sites and formic acid play a crucial role in the electron transfer and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) ions. The recyclability studies revealed that the filter paper could be reactivated and recycled several times without loss of catalytic activity, as well as physical quality of the filter paper in terms of swellability and shrinkage. Applicability of the filter was also studied on a real industrial wastewater, wherein Cr(VI) reduction/adsorption was carried out without the interference of other anions and cations. The results suggest that the catalytic filter paper can be effectively used in purification systems to reliably remove Cr(VI). A new approach has been developed for the efficient reduction of Cr(VI) based on an adsorption-reduction on a modified cellulose filter paper via fast filtration [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: The role of the mothers is very important in providing care and monitor their children's health in general. Their awareness concerning quality of foods which is needed for each child's developmental stage can effect on nutritional status This Study assess the effect of an nutritional education Program on mother knowledge regarding their children nutritional status. Materials & Methods: Sixty moms were chosen from Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation International in Al-Samawah City and take on using a quasi-experimental design. The researcher used a non-probability "purposive sample" and measured the height and weight for child before calculating the body mass index. Results: The current study found a relationship between moms' educational level and knowledge regard to sociodemographic characteristics with a p-value of .001. However, there were no significant correlations observed between mothers' knowledge in the control group and their age, level of education, occupation, residency, monthly income, and sources of information. Conclusion: Following the interventional program on nutrition-related health, the level of knowledge among the mothers in the study group was enhanced. The study suggested that the nutrition education program should be offered to all moms in order to enhance their understanding and enthusiasm regarding the significance of child nutrition. Additionally, it was advised that their education should be regularly updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research lacks an understanding of how decision makers preserve longevity within family businesses. This study examines longevity under a microfoundational lens, through an interpretive qualitative research design. The selected cases are nine long-established Australian family wineries. The outcome is a multilevel grounded model of the preservation of family firm longevity that integrates the dual firm-family relationship with the individual level of decision makers. The model shows the role played by interactions among multiple levels of analysis — namely, the individual, the family and the firm — in preserving the longevity of the family business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Despite the considerable debate concerning the gig economy, research has yet to investigate what platform workers themselves want. In part, this is due to the difficulty of undertaking traditional social surveys in this sector. Therefore, this article makes use of a novel research design that generates a strategic non‐probability sample of 510 platform workers with which to investigate workers' preferences regarding labour rights, representation and voice. Findings suggest strong support for labour rights, trade unions and co‐determination. The low pay, insecurity, risk and lack of organizational voice that we find provides a rationale for these preferences. Moreover, platform workers' preferences are seemingly influenced by wider inequalities, with significant differences according to gender and country of birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical testing is crucial for athlete monitoring, talent identification, optimizing training, and tailoring programs to enhance game-performance in elite competitions. Hypothesis: Load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables discriminate between elite and junior volleyball players, correlate with volleyball-specific performance, and are generalizable across lower- and upper-body exercises. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 9 elite and 11 junior volleyball players were assessed for the L-V relationship (load-axis intercept [ L 0], velocity-axis intercept [ v 0], and area under the L-V relationship line [ A line]) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and bench press throw (BPT) exercises. Block and spike jump height, as well as standing and jumping spike speed were assessed 24 hours later. Results: Elite players presented greater magnitude in the L-V variables (P ≤ 0.03; effect size [ES] ≥ 1.06) and higher volleyball-specific performance (P ≤ 0.03; ES ≥ 1.09) than juniors (except for CMJ v 0 and A line). The L-V relationship variables were significantly associated with the block and spike jump height and jumping spike speed only in elite players (r ≥ 0.703 and P ≤ 0.04 in 11 out of 18 correlations). No significant associations were observed between CMJ and BPT for any L-V relationship variable (r ≤ 581; P ≥ 0.08, except for A line in junior players). Conclusion: The L-V relationship is a practical procedure to assess volleyball players' maximal mechanical capacities, which are associated with volleyball-specific performance in elite players. However, these data should not be used interchangeably between playing standards or exercises. Clinical Relevance: This information might help strength and conditioning coaches to prescribe more effective training programs that focus on developing the specific physical capacities necessary for players to potentially advance to elite status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: For clients to understand social insurance decisions and processes, information from authorities needs to be comprehensible, and clients need sufficient individual abilities. These dimensions are captured by the concept social insurance literacy, which has been operationalized into a measure, the Social Insurance Literacy Questionnaire (SILQ). The aim of this study was to describe the development of the SILQ and evaluate its psychometric properties using Rasch measurement theory. Methods: The development of the SILQ included a Delphi study and cognitive interviews. A preliminary version, divided on four scales corresponding to the domains of the concept (obtaining information, understanding information, acting on information, and system comprehensibility) was psychometrically evaluated according to Rasch measurement theory, in a survey to a stratified random sample of people on sick leave (n = 1151) sent out in the fall of 2020. Results: Overall, the items in the final version of the SILQ demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, and the response scale worked as intended. Unidimensionality was supported for all scales, but minor problems with local dependency was detected for three items. The person separation was 0.80 for the Obtain scale, 0.82 for the Understand scale, 0.68 for the Act scale, and 0.81 for the System scale. Corresponding ordinal alpha values were 0.91, 0.91, 0.86, and 0.91, respectively. Conclusion: This study is a first step toward exploring literacy in the social insurance field. The SILQ covers individual abilities and systems' comprehensibility, and the results show that it has acceptable psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop an index to assess capacity to work in relation to common mental disorders (CMDs) in the general working population and field test its psychometric properties. Methods: Content analysis of three qualitative studies on people (n = 49) with their own experiences of working with CMD guided the items selected for the index. Face and content validity and test-retest reliability were performed. The index was field tested in two versions with 26 and 17 items, respectively, among health care professionals regarding internal reliability, component structure and concurrent validity. Results: The final version of the Capacity to Work Index (C2WI; 17 items) was normally distributed in the field test with high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha, 0.84). Missing responses were randomly distributed and nonspecific. Principal component analysis showed one clear component with negatively framed items. Concurrent validity showed high correlation with the WHO-5 Well-Being Scale (Pearson's r, 0.68), but lower correlation for the general health question (r, − 0.44), one item of the Work Ability Index (r, − 0.33), and the Stress of Conscience constructs (r, 0.44). Conclusion: The C2WI showed promising psychometric qualities. Low and negative correlation with the item from Work Ability Index suggests that the C2WI measures additional dimensions, but further testing in larger and more diverse samples is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current article, we describe the development and validation of the Social Comparison Rumination Scale. This measured was developed as a supplement to existing social comparison measures and to enable us to determine its potential relevance to perfectionism and other personality constructs. The Social Comparison Rumination Scale (SCRS) is a six-item inventory assessing the extent to which an individual is cognitively preoccupied and thinking repetitively about social comparison outcomes and information. Three studies with five samples of university students are described. Psychometric analyses established the SCRS consists of one factor assessed with high internal consistency and the measure is reliable and valid. Analyses showed that elevated levels of social comparison rumination are associated with trait perfectionism, perfectionistic automatic thoughts, perfectionistic self-presentation, ruminative brooding, burnout, depression, and fear of negative evaluation. Links were also established between social comparison rumination and both narcissism and dispositional envy. Overall, our findings support the further use of the SCRS and highlight the tendency of many people to think in deleterious ways about social comparisons long after the actual comparisons have taken place. We discuss social comparison rumination within the context of concerns about excessive social media use and young people being exposed to seemingly perfect lives that became a vexing cognitive preoccupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health literacy research in school gardening is lacking. Development of a psychometrically sound survey can fill this gap. Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to develop and validate a Functional Health Literacy Survey for School Gardening (FHLS-SG), and 2) to determine the effect of health literacy on reciprocal determinism between the individual, environmental, and behavioral factors of school gardening. Methods: 651 children in grades K-4 took the FHLS-SG with 31 questions about gardening and health literacy aligned to social cognitive theory. Results: Cronbach's alpha for 6 factors ranging from 0.69 to 0.84, and test-retest reliability ranging from 0.59 to 0.81 were statistically significant. Health literacy showed a small mediation effect (M) between vegetable eating behavior and the individual (M = 0.27) and vegetable eating behavior and the garden environment (M = 0.22). Health literacy had the strongest mediation effect (M = 0.36) between the garden environment and the individual. Discussion: When classroom environment was used as a covariate, health literacy mediated all relationships between the individual, environmental, and behavioral factors with small to medium effects (p <.01). Translation to Health Education Practice: Reciprocal determinism between individual, behavioral, and environmental factors was supported. Health literacy mediated all relationships with small to medium effects. The FHLS-SG can assess the mediating effect of health literacy on vegetable eating behavior within school garden environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians are tasked with early fluid resuscitation for patients with sepsis. Traditional methods for prehospital fluid delivery are limited in speed and ease-of-use. We conducted a comparative effectiveness study of a novel rapid infusion device for prehospital fluid delivery in suspected sepsis patients. This pre-post observational study evaluated a hand-operated, rapid infusion device in a single large EMS system from July 2021-July 2022. Prior to device deployment, EMS clinicians completed didactic and simulation-based device training. Data were extracted from the EMS electronic health record. Eligible patients included adults with suspected sepsis treated by EMS with intravenous fluids. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving goal fluid volume (at least 500 mL) prior to hospital arrival. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, disposition, and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between 6-month pre- and post-implementation periods (July-December 2021 and February-July 2022, respectively), adjusting for patient demographics, abnormal prehospital vital signs, and EMS transport interval. Of 1,180 eligible patients (552 in the pre-implementation period; 628 in the post-implementation period), the mean age was 72 years old, 45% were female, and 25% were minority race-ethnicity. Median (interquartile range) fluid volume (in mL) increased between the pre- and post-implementation periods (600 [400,1,000] and 850 [500–1,000], respectively). Goal fluid volume was achieved in 70% of pre-implementation patients and 82% of post-implementation patients. In adjusted analysis, post-implementation patients were significantly more likely to receive goal fluid volume than pre-implementation patients (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51–2.66). Pre-post in-hospital mortality was not significantly different (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.59–1.39). In a single EMS system, sepsis education and introduction of a rapid infusion device was associated with achieving goal fluid volume for suspected sepsis. Further research is needed to assess the clinical effectiveness of infusion device implementation to improve sepsis patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas actual comfort largely depends on physiological and emotional soothing. However, there is still no solid work on connecting the bridge between physiological and emotional feelings to the comfort of clothing. In this study, we have conceptualized, formulated and proven the relation between physiological and emotional parameters with clothing fit and fabric to find the true comfort of the wearer. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method research design using physiological and emotional parameters for different fabric and fit combinations were used for this study. The physiological comfort parameters (i.e. heart rate and respiration rate) are extracted from the subjects using gold-standard clinical devices for various fit and fabric combinations. For the emotional response, a survey was conducted for the same subjects wearing all the fit and fabric combinations. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed to obtain the results. Findings: Physiological indicators such as heart rate are closely linked with user comfort. Due to the limitations in environmental control, the physiological changes obtained did not significantly vary for different fabric and fit combinations of the clothing. However, a significant change in emotional response indicated a definite relationship between different fabric and fit types. Based on the participants' responses, weather conditions, size of the clothing item, types of fabrics and style also influence the participants' choice of clothing. Originality/value: The research was conducted to discover the relation between true comfort (physiological and emotional parameters) and clothing (fit and fabric), which is unique to the field. This study closes the gap and builds up the relationship, which can help introduce clothing comfort to users in the future. The findings of this study help us understand how fabric types (natural or synthetic) and clothing fit types (loose or fitted) can affect physiological and emotional responses, which can provide the consumer with satisfactory clothing with the suitable properties needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spor Hekimligi Dergisi/Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine is the property of Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine / Spor Hekimleri Dernegi 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.)

Purpose: Despite the importance of measuring delirium severity in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), no validated instrument currently exists. Our goal was to generate items for use in such an instrument. Method: An interdisciplinary expert panel developed items to assess seven domains and 21 subdomains of delirium severity. Nursing experts provided input on items. Results: Experts achieved consensus on 21 items, including best respondents for each item, and appropriate look-back periods. Nursing experts emphasized the need for educating nursing staff and obtaining information from caregivers. Conclusion: Careful, nuanced identification of distinguishing features is key for generating items for measuring delirium severity in persons with ADRD. Once developed, engaging nurses will be essential to facilitate adoption and relevance of the tool. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(9), 24–30.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess changes following the 2013–21 Home Care Package (HCP) reforms in the rate of HCPs provided to Australians aged 65 years or older, the characteristics of people who have received HCPs, and the capacity of the program to meet demand for its services during 2018–21. Study design: Repeated cross‐sectional population‐based study; analysis of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare GEN Aged Care and Australian Department of Health Home Care Packages program data. Setting, participants: HCPs provided to non‐Indigenous Australians aged 65 years or older, 2008–09 to 2020–21. Main outcome measures: Changes in age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rates (number per 1000 older people) and changes in proportions of recipients for selected characteristics, 2013–14 to 2020–21, overall and by care level; correspondence of proportional HCP supply and demand, 2018–19 to 2020–21, by care level. Results: A total of 490 276 HCPs were provided during 2008–21. The age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rate rose from 9.23 per 1000 people aged 65 years or more in 2013–14 to 16.4 per 1000 older people in 2020–21. The increases in age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rate between 2013–14 and 2020–21 were greatest for level 1 (from 0.19 to 5.05 per 1000 older people) and level 3 HCPs (from 0.35 to 3.62 per 1000 older people); the rate for level 2 HCPs declined from 6.75 to 5.82 per 1000 older people, and that for level 4 HCPs did not change. The proportion of culturally and linguistically diverse recipients rose from 10.8% to 16.2%; the overall proportion of recipients living outside major cities rose slightly, from 28.1% to 28.7%, but declined for higher care level HCPs (level 3: from 30.8% to 27.8%; level 4: from 29.6% to 25.2%). During 2018–19 to 2020–21, the proportions of lower level (1 and 2) HCPs generally exceeded demand, while the supply of higher level (3 and 4) HCPs generally fell short of demand. Conclusions: Despite the increased overall availability of HCPs, the supply of higher care level HCPs is still lower than the demand, probably contributing to suboptimal support for the ageing‐in‐place preferences of older Australians, especially in regional and remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]