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PurposeAlthough a semantic receptive-expressive gap appears to be a universal feature of early bilingualism, little is known about its development. We sought to determine if the magnitude of the discrepancy between receptive and expressive standard scores changed over time in bilingual children's two languages.MethodIn this longitudinal study, standardized receptive and expressive semantics tests of 106 Spanish-English bilingual children with TD were taken at kindergarten and first grade in both English and Spanish. We used a multivariate analysis approach to identify interactions and main effects.ResultsAlthough both receptive and expressive standard scores improved across the year in both languages, the magnitude of the gap was similar for both languages at both time points. However, there was greater improvement in English than in Spanish. Expressive scores at the end of the year were similar to receptive scores a year earlier.ConclusionsThe magnitude of this gap remains relatively constant at kindergarten and first grade in both English and Spanish, despite overall improvements in semantic performance in both languages. There is on average roughly a one year lag between receptive and expressive semantics skills. Clinicians should take caution in interpreting receptive-expressive semantic gaps.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate technical adequacy features of an online adaptation of vocabulary matching known as critical content monitoring. Validity and reliability studies were conducted with a sample of 106 students from one school in fifth-grade science content. Participants were administered 20 parallel forms of the general outcome measure over a 2-week period. Criterion-related validity correlations with a statewide accountability test ranged from 0.36 to 0.55 for the 20 parallel forms. A pooled estimate of a common correlation between the state test and the probes was found to be 0.45. While correlation differences were not found, statistically significant differences in probe mean scores were identified across the body of parallel forms. Student commentary regarding the online assessment process was largely positive. Alternate-form reliability correlations ranged from 0.21 to 0.73, with a median correlation of 0.56. Limitations and implications are addressed. (Contains 2 tables.)

We examined the measurement properties of fall-related psychological instruments with a sample of 133 older adults (M age = 74.4 years, SD = 9.4). Measures included the Comprehensive Falls Risk Screening Instrument, Falls-efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (mSAFFE), Consequences of Falling (CoF), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The FES-I, ABC, mSAFFE, and CoF were significantly correlated with each other, with SF-36, and with mobility. The ABC and mSAFFE were significantly correlated with PASE. The ABC differentiated between fallers and nonfallers and predicted total falls risk. Findings can assist with the selection of psychological instruments in a falls risk screening context. (Contains 3 tables.)

The purpose of the present study was to extend validity research on a content area general outcome measurement tool known as vocabulary matching. Previous research has reported moderately strong to strong correlations between the group-administered vocabulary-matching measure and a standardized assessment instrument. The present study extended the validity research to a statewide accountability assessment. A diverse sample of 146 sixth-grade students from a rural middle school were administered three vocabulary-matching probes and the sixth-grade "i"LEAP ("integrated" Louisiana Educational Achievement Program) social studies criterion-referenced test at different times. Strong correlations were reported between the two measures. Moreover, vocabulary-matching achievement patterns with respect to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and exceptionality status were similar to those of the "i"LEAP. Alternate-form reliability correlations between the three probes were also strong. Research implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)

The present article includes 2 studies that were designed to expand the literature on the technical features of vocabulary matching. The purpose of both studies was to extend validity research on the general outcome measure of content knowledge. In Study 1, direct comparisons of predictor-criterion correlations related to selected standardized and curriculum-based instruments were made with a diverse sample of 153 sixth-grade students from 3 middle schools. Among other findings, direct correlation comparisons indicated that the relation between vocabulary matching and the state accountability test was statistically significantly stronger than those between other curriculum-based measures. In Study 2, linear mixed modeling was used to compare growth rates for a sample of 224 sixth-graders from the same 3 schools. Participants were administered 25 weekly probes over the course of a school year. Findings demonstrated growth rates that were significantly different from a zero growth hypothesis and variable across learners and probe type. Research implications for vocabulary matching are discussed., Vocabulary matching (Espin, Busch, Shin, & Kruschwitz, 2001; Espin & Deno, 1993, 1994-1995; Espin & Foegen, 1996; Espin, Shin, & Busch, 2005) is a general outcome measure of academic learning [...]

V ibrio vulnificus, an inhabitant of marine and estuarine environments around the world, is the leading cause of reported seafood-related deaths in the United States. Disease is caused by opaque colony-forming strains that produce capsular polysaccharide, loss of which results in an unencapsulated translucent phenotype with diminished virulence potential. Rugose is a third phenotypic variant of V . vulnificus, and produces a separate exopolysaccharide that results in a dry, wrinkled appearance and the ability to form profuse biofilms. Phase variation among these three phenotypes is influenced by several environmental factors, including the presence of calcium in the medium (Garrison-Schilling et al.). In this study, we have identified a second cation, manganese, which substantially increases the propensity of opaque V . vulnificus strains to switch to translucent or rugose phenotypes. In comparative studies, manganese and calcium promoted switching to the same phenotype for some strains but to different phenotypes for others, results of which indicate that the two cations do not always promote the same changes in underlying gene expression. The data here provide further evidence that exposure of V . vulnificus to select cations results in phenotypic changes that impact both virulence capacity and ecology of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis As cochlear implantation increases, surgeons are noting possible anatomical differences in pediatric population. Outcome objectives were to study pediatric temporal bone anatomy using high-resolution temporal bone imaging, and analyze the anatomical differences in group 1 (<12 months) versus group 2 (1-4 years) versus group 3 (5-10 years) versus group 4 (10-18 years). Study Design Retrospective chart and radiologic review. Methods A retrospective chart and radiologic review of pediatric patients undergoing high-resolution computer tomography of the temporal bones from April 2001 to February 2013 was conducted. Scans were reviewed to record the transmastoid angle and transcanal angle. Results Seven hundred fifty patients were identified. A total of 1,426 ears were reviewed. The age range was 8 days to 21 years. Of the patients, 57.0% (n = 407) were male. The patients were divided into four groups: group 1 (<12 months), group 2 (1-4 years), group 3 (5-10 years), and group 4 (10-18 years). The transmastoid angle was observed to have variability. Significant differences were observed between groups 2 and 3 ( P = .0028) and groups 2 and 4 ( P = .0432). Analysis on the transcanal angle was performed. Significant differences existed between age groups 1 and 3 ( P = .0150), groups 1 and 4 ( P = .0038), and groups 2 and 4 ( P = .0358). Conclusions Considerable variation exists in pediatric temporal bones. The largest difference in the transmastoid angle was seen in children aged 1 to 4 years. The largest variability in the transcanal angle is between the infant (<12 months) and children >4 years of age. These differences are surgically relevant for round window identification and facial nerve safety during cochlear implant surgery in infants. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 125:961-965, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls are serious problems for older adults and they usually result from an interaction of multiple risk factors (AGS, 2001). Unfortunately, older adults who have fallen or who fear falling may restrict activity, thus causing a dangerous cycle of functional decline, future falls, and fear of falling (Friedman et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to begin to establish the construct validity of a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument by examining the association between falls efficacy (i.e., a measure of fear of falling) and falls risk. Participants were 130 independentliving older adults (M age = 72.5 years, SD = 10.5) who were evaluated using a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument developed according to the AGS risk factors (2001). The screening instrument measures falls risk in five domains, including history of falls, medication management, vision, physical functioning (i.e., mobility and balance), and home environment. These domains are averaged to produce a total falls risk score. The falls risk domains and total score are based on a 0-100 point scale with 100 representing high risk for falls. The participants also responded to the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES; Tinetti et al., 1990). The FES assesses the perceived efficacy for avoiding a fall during 10 activities of daily living. The FES score is the sum of scores on each of the 10 activities with a range of possible values between 10 and 100 and a higher score reflecting lower efficacy. Multiple regressions adjusting for gender, race, marital status, and education were conducted to analyze the relationships between the total FES score, the five falls risk scores, and the total falls risk score. As hypothesized, the total FES score was positively related to the physical functioning (b = .734, p < .01) and total falls risk (b = .297, p < .05) scores. The results provide preliminary evidence of the construct validity of a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]