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This study examined how 16 female teacher candidates in two sections of a math methods course, which implemented high leverage professional development school practices, described the aspects of richness of mathematics (i.e., linking between representations, explanations, mathematical sense-making, multiple procedures or solution methods, patterns and generalizations, and mathematical language) from the "mathematical quality of instruction" (MQI; Hill et al., 2008) when observing a clinical faculty, their peers, and their own instruction. After analyzing written reflections and reflections using the Edthena video tool, we found that the teacher candidates were mainly focused on mathematical language and explanations. They described patterns and generalizations and linking between representations least frequently. Furthermore, their descriptions of mathematical language and explanations centered around instructional practices they could implement in their own classrooms, critical reflections of their teaching, and noticing how the teachers fostered students' use of mathematical language and rich explanations.

Current assessments of research impact have been criticized for capturing what can be easily counted not what actually counts. To empirically examine this issue, we approached measuring research impact from two directions, tracing forwards from research and backwards from policy, within a defined research-policy system (childhood obesity prevention research and policy in New South Wales, Australia from 2000 to 2015). The forward tracing research impact assessment component traced a sample of 148 local research projects forward to examine their policy impacts. Of the projects considered, 16% had an impact on local policy and for a further 19%, decision-makers were aware of the research, but there was no evidence it influenced policy decisions. The backward tracing component of the study included an analysis of research use across three policy initiatives. It provided a more nuanced understanding of the relative influence of research on policy. Both direct uses of specific research and indirect uses of research incorporated as broader bodies of knowledge were evident. Measuring research impact from both directions captured the diverse ways that research was used in decision-making. Our findings illustrate complexities in the assessment process and in real-life policymaking trajectories. They highlight the role that timing of assessment plays in perception of impacts and difficulties attributing longer-term impacts to specific research. This study supports the use of models where politics and complex system dynamics shape knowledge and its influence on decision-making, rather than research being the primary driver for policy change.

Introduction:To examine the use of telehealth for delivery of health care in persons with sickle cell disease in a resource-constrained country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods:This study was a retrospective review of patient encounters at the Sickle Cell Unit (SCU), Jamaica during a 3-year period, March 10, 2019 to March 9, 2022 and a comparison of endpoints between 1 year before and 2 years during the pandemic. Primary endpoints of registration numbers, day-care admissions, and study visits were obtained from logbooks and the electronic medical records. Additional endpoints included well visits, hydroxyurea (HU) visits, and bone pain crisis. Results:Patients registered at the clinic on 17,295 occasions, with 7,820 in the pre-pandemic year decreasing by 43.8% and 35% in the 2 subsequent pandemic years. Overall, study visits increased by 4.9% and 1.3% in the pandemic years. They increased in adults by 13.1% and 8.9% but fell by 3.2% and 6.2% in children. Fewer people were seen in the pandemic years, with children showing a 20.7% decline in numbers. Tele-visits accounted for 31.4% of all study visits during the pandemic years and increased by 23.6% between the pandemic years. There were more well-visits and HU visits, but fewer pain visits and day-care admissions in the pandemic years. Conclusions:The SCU maintained health care delivery for a high-risk population during the pandemic, with tele-visits mitigating the short-fall from in-person visits. Tele-visits may be more acceptable to adults with a chronic illness and may be a suitable alternative for delivering health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey-based needs assessment of barriers to optimal sickle cell disease care in the emergency department. 2007; 10 (1): 10 - 8. 7 Ross D, Sinha C, Bakshi N, Krishnamurti L. Educational needs of patients and caregivers living with sickle cell disease results in development of web-based patient decision aid. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is common throughout Jamaica.[[1]] The Sickle Cell Technical Working Group (SCTWG), led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), includes members from the Sickle Cell Unit (SCU), Sickle Cell Support Foundation of Jamaica (SCSFJ) and all the Regional Health Authorities. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To investigate consumers' understanding of terms commonly used to provide guidance about frequency and quantity of food consumption. Methods: A survey of 405 shoppers explored how frequently consumers thought food labeled with the terms "eat often," "eat moderately," "eat occasionally," "a sometimes food," and "an extra food" should be eaten. In a separate phase, 30 grocery buyers responded to open-ended questions about their interpretation of these terms. Results: Responses indicated significant differences in meaning between the terms. However, the specific interpretation of each term varied considerably across respondents. The qualitative research found the terms to be highly subjective, and there was a high degree of uncertainty about the meaning of the term "an extra food" in particular. Conclusions and Implications: Food frequency and descriptive terms currently used do not provide meaningful or consistent nutritional guidance. There is a need for simple, unambiguous terminology. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)

Objective: To determine the extent to which (1) promotional characters are used on food packaging for healthful and less-healthful food and (2) different companies use this persuasive marketing strategy. Design: Cross-sectional supermarket audit of all food and beverages featuring promotional characters on the packaging. Setting: Three Australian supermarket chains. Variables Measured: Frequency of observed products, package size, nutritional composition. Analysis: Frequencies and bivariate analyses was conducted. Nutritional composition (healthful vs less healthful) was analyzed by character type and company type, that is, whether the company was signed to the Australian Food and Grocery Council "Responsible Marketing to Children Initiative" (RMCI) signatory. Results: Products featuring promotional characters on packaging (n = 352) were predominantly less-healthful food and beverages (76%). Nutritional composition varied significantly by character type, with 69% of products with sportspersons, celebrities, or movie tie-ins being healthful, compared with 48% of licensed and 21% of company-owned characters. Only 13 of the 75 companies using characters on packaging were RMCI signatory. Conclusions and Implications: Promotional characters are largely used on food packaging to promote less-healthful food to children. Most of these characters are company-owned characters that are not subject to any form of regulation in Australia. Further efforts to limit this form of marketing to children are required. (Contains 2 tables.)