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Structured and frequent teacher-delivered praise is an evidence-based component of classroom management. High rates of teacher-delivered praise have positive effects on student behavior. These positive effects are observed in all students. However, teachers struggle to deliver rates of praise consistent with recommendations in the literature. This article presents a four-step training process that includes specific strategies coaches, consultants, administrators, or fellow teachers can use to assist teachers in increasing the number of specific praise statements.

The role of compassion in healthcare is receiving increased attention as emerging research demonstrates how compassionate patient care can improve health outcomes and reduce workplace stress and burnout. To date, proposals to encourage empathy, kindness, and compassion in healthcare have focused primarily on training individual care providers. This article argues that increasing the awareness and skills of individuals is necessary but insufficient. Compassionate care becomes an organizational norm only when health leaders create and nurture a “culture of compassion” that actively supports, develops, and recognizes the role of compassion in day-to-day management and practice. The article profiles four organizations that have adopted compassionate healthcare as an explicit organizational priority and implemented practical measures for building and sustaining a culture of compassion. Common principles and practices are identified. These organizations demonstrate how compassion can lead directly to improved outcomes of primary importance to healthcare organizations, including quality and safety, patient experience, employee and physician engagement, and financial performance. They show how compassion can be a powerful yet often underappreciated tool for helping organizations successfully manage current challenges.

Background Unity Sexual Health, Bristol UK, introduced a Panther (Hologic Inc) system in November 2018 at point-of-care. This rapid Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) provides results to patients within 4–48 working hours compared with 1–2 weeks previously. Patients are now only treated if CT NAAT-positive, symptomatic and unable to wait for results, or a sexual contact of CT/GC within the preceding 2 weeks. We hypothesised the new service would result in more rapid treatment of CT/GC infections. We evaluate the effect on time to CT treatment. Methods All new CT NAAT-positive cases attending over a 2-month period, 1 year before and 1 year after the introduction of the new service were evaluated (01/01/2018–28/02/2018 and 01/01/2020–28/02/2020). Dates of NAAT testing and treatment were obtained from electronic patient records. The one-sided Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare time to treatment before and after service introduction. Results 134 CT-positive patients were diagnosed before and 116 were diagnosed after service introduction. Of these, 2 (1.5%) and 8 (6.9%) respectively were treated elsewhere and excluded. Average time to treatment decreased from 6.5 to 4.1 days (p = 0.09). When we excluded patients treated as contacts of CT (before NAAT result was available) the time to treatment decreased from 8.7 to 5.1 days (p Conclusions Introduction of a rapid STI service significantly reduced time from testing to treatment of CT. Availability of microscopy for symptomatic men allows immediate treatment of urethritis, a common presentation of CT in men. This probably explains why men were treated earlier than women. Earlier treatment is expected to reduce both asymptomatic CT transmission, and risk of CT complications, particularly in women.

Aerosol heating due to shortwave absorption has implications for local atmospheric stability and regional dynamics. The derivation of heating rate profiles from space-based observations is challenging because it requires the vertical profile of relevant properties such as the aerosol extinction coefficient and single scattering albedo (SSA). In the southeast Atlantic, this challenge is amplified by the presence of stratocumulus clouds below the biomass burning plume advected from Africa, since the cloud properties affect the magnitude of the aerosol heating aloft, which may in turn lead to changes in the cloud properties and life cycle. The combination of spaceborne lidar data with passive imagers shows promise for future derivations of heating rate profiles and curtains, but new algorithms require careful testing with data from aircraft experiments where measurements of radiation, aerosol and cloud parameters are better collocated and readily available. In this study, we derive heating rate profiles and curtains from aircraft measurements during the NASA ObseRvations of CLouds above Aerosols and their intEractionS (ORACLES) project in the southeastern Atlantic. Spectrally resolved irradiance measurements and the derived column absorption allow for the separation of total heating rates into aerosol and gas (primarily water vapor) absorption. The nine cases we analyzed capture some of the co-variability of heating rate profiles and their primary drivers, leading to the development of a new concept: The Heating Rate Efficiency (HRE; the heating rate per unit aerosol extinction). The HRE, which accounts for the overall aerosol loading as well as vertical distribution of the aerosol layer, varies little with altitude as opposed to the standard heating rate. The large case-to-case variability for ORACLES is significantly reduced after converting from heating rate to HRE, allowing us to quantify its dependence on SSA, cloud albedo, and solar zenith angle.

Two new species of Podandrogyne, P. flammea, endemic to Pacific coastal and western Andean Ecuador and Colombia, and P. websteri, restricted to four northern provinces of Ecuador but found mostly in Pichincha, are described and illustrated. These taxa are generally distinguished by flower and fruit size and leaf blade number and texture. A general likeness suggests affinity to the species cluster represented by P. glabra.

The culture of a healthcare organization plays a critically important role in determining whether strategic plans will be executed effectively and organizational goals will be achieved. A culture of high performance serves as a foundation that supports the implementation of healthcare strategies and enables health leaders to evaluate, select, optimize, and sustain a full portfolio of improvement initiatives linked directly to top priorities and mandates. This article argues that a culture of high performance should become an integral part of all strategic planning and, further, that a strong and explicit leadership commitment, beginning with the board and CEO and extending throughout all leadership levels, is required to implement a successful culture transformation. Proven methods for developing a culture of high performance in practice are described, addressing key areas such as alignment, accountability, standard behaviours and practices, leader development, discipline, and consistency.

Background There are limited data assessing the predictive value of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in infants/toddlers with recurrent wheezing for asthma at school age. Objectives In a cohort of infants/toddlers with recurrent wheezing determine the predictive values of sedated single-breath FENO (SB-FENO) and awake tidal-breathing mixed-expired FENO (tidal-FENO) for active asthma, severe exacerbations, and lung function at age 6 years. Methods In 44 infants/toddlers, SB-FENO was measured under sedation at 50 mL/sec in conjunction with forced expiratory flow and volume measurements, and tidal-FENO was measured during awake tidal breathing. Clinical outcomes and lung function were assessed at age 6 years in 36 subjects. Results Enrollment SB-FENO was significantly higher among subjects with active asthma at age 6 years than among subjects without asthma (36.4 vs. 16.9 ppb, p < 0.0001), and the odds of asthma was 7.6 times greater (OR 7.6; 95% CI 1.8–31.6) for every 10 ppb increase in enrollment SB-FENO. A ROC analysis demonstrated that an enrollment SB-FENO > 31.5 ppb predicted active asthma at age 6 years with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.82–1). SB-FENO was also higher among subjects who experienced severe asthma exacerbations during the year preceding age of 6 years. SB-FENO at enrollment and lung function measures at age 6 years were modestly correlated (FEV1: r = −0.4; FEF25-75: r = −0.41; FEV1/FVC ratio: r=−0.46), and SB-FENO was significantly higher among subjects with bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) at age 6 years. Tidal-FENO was not predictive of active asthma, exacerbations, or lung function at age 6 years. Conclusion In wheezy infants/toddlers, SB-FENO was predictive of school-age asthma and associated with lung function measures at age 6 years.

Two new species, Podandrogyne laplanadae from the department of Narino and P. nutibarana from the department of Antioquia are described from the montane cloud forests of Colombia. Species descriptions, illustrations, specimen citations and ecogeographical information are presented, as well as notes about their conservation status.

Estimates of the direct radiative effect (DRE) from absorbing smoke aerosols over the southeast Atlantic Ocean (SAO) require simulation of the microphysical and optical properties of stratocumulus clouds as well as of the altitude and shortwave (SW) optical properties of biomass burning aerosols (BBAs). In this study, we take advantage of the large number of observations acquired during the ObseRvations of Aerosols above Clouds and their intEractionS (ORACLES-2016) and Layered Atlantic Smoke Interactions with Clouds (LASIC) projects during September 2016 and compare them with datasets from the ALADIN-Climate (Aire Limitée Adaptation dynamique Développement InterNational) regional model. The model provides a good representation of the liquid water path but the low cloud fraction is underestimated compared to satellite data. The modeled total-column smoke aerosol optical depth (AOD) and above-cloud AOD are consistent (∼0.7 over continental sources and ∼0.3 over the SAO at 550 nm) with the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2), Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. The simulations indicate smoke transport over the SAO occurs mainly between 2 and 4 km, consistent with surface and aircraft lidar observations. The BBA single scattering albedo is slightly overestimated compared to the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and more significantly when compared to Ascension Island surface observations. The difference could be due to the absence of internal mixing treatment in the ALADIN-Climate model. The SSA overestimate leads to an underestimation of the simulated SW radiative heating compared to ORACLES data. ALADIN-Climate simulates a positive (monthly mean) SW DRE of about +6 W m−2 over the SAO (20∘ S–10∘ N and 10∘ W–20∘ E) at the top of the atmosphere and in all-sky conditions. Over the continent, the presence of BBA is shown to significantly decrease the net surface SW flux, through direct and semi-direct effects, which is compensated by a decrease (monthly mean) in sensible heat fluxes (−25 W m−2) and surface land temperature (−1.5 ∘C) over Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, notably. The surface cooling and the lower tropospheric heating decrease the continental planetary boundary layer height by about ∼200 m.

Aerosol overlying clouds increase uncertainty of standard remotely sensed properties. We present results of a hyperspectral-based retrieval technique to obtain cloud properties, and its calculated radiative effect, from cloud-transmitted light.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking concerning the suitability of using bovine dentine in endodontic research. This study compared the mechanical properties of human and bovine root dentine using endodontic medicaments and irrigants. METHODS: Standardized human and bovine dentine bars were allocated to six experimental groups (n = 15): calcium hydroxide paste (Calasept® Plus); Odontopaste® ; 0.5% and 1% NaOCl gels; 1% and 4% NaOCl solutions. The bars were exposed to the materials for 7 days and then immediately subjected to a three-point bend test and Vickers microhardness test. Data were analysed using analysis of variance with Fisher's pairwise comparisons, with P < 0.05. RESULTS: Human dentine displayed a significantly higher modulus of elasticity (P = 0.001), higher microhardness (P < 0.001), and lower flexural strength (P = 0.004) compared with bovine dentine. Calcium hydroxide and Odontopaste® did not result in a significant change to the mechanical properties of human dentine. In human dentine, 0.5% NaOCl gel caused a significant decrease in flexural strength (P < 0.001) and microhardness (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Bovine dentine was a suitable substrate relative to human dentine. The use of a 0.5% or 1% NaOCl gel as an intracanal medicament is not supported by this study.

Improving patient experience has emerged as an important healthcare policy priority across Canada. Tools and systems for monitoring patient experience metrics are becoming increasingly refined and standardized, and the trend toward greater accountability for improvements that are sustainable and affordable is well underway. For many healthcare professionals, this represents a renewed focus on core patient needs and priorities, following decades during which structural and technological changes have dominated healthcare agendas. Improving patient experience in our contemporary healthcare environment presents major challenges—and opportunities—for Canadian health leaders. The experience of Studer Group partner organizations in Canada is relevant and instructive in this context. These organizations have adopted a model known as Evidence-Based Leadership (EBL) that enables and supports the alignment of all activities and behaviours toward specific organizational goals, including measurable patient experience improvements. This article reviews case studies of organizations that have adopted EBL. These organizations are demonstrating rapid progress in patient experience indicators while simultaneously making gains in critical areas such as clinical outcomes, safety, physician and staff engagement, and financial performance. Emerging evidence concerning the factors and processes that underlie these improvements is also discussed.

We are grateful to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for funding of the Biodiversity Synthesis Group of the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) project, which funded our BioSynC Synthesis meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago in September 2011, when the Global Carex Group was formed. We also thank the US National Science Foundation (NSF) for funding our continuing international collaborative work on the phylogeny and classification of Carex under grants DEB 1255901 to ALH and MJW, and DEB 1256033 to EHR. We also acknowledge with thanks funding for nomenclatural research and for attendance at our second meeting during the Monocots V conference in New York in July, 2013, from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada (NSERC) to MJW and JRS; University of Mainz to BG; JSPS KAKENHI Grant no. 25840136 to OY; Korea National Arboretum to SK; CGL2012- 38744 project from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness to ML; project 30870178 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China to SRZ, and a University of Wisconsin-Madison Raper Travel Grant to DS. The figures were prepared with invaluable technical advice from H. C. Rimmer.

This study used the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services to measure and compare college students’ attitudes toward seeking mental health services from professional clinical mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health providers with a neutral identity. The participants’ (n = 131) attitudes toward seeking mental health services did not vary statistically among any of these four groups, even when participants’ academic majors and past experience with mental health services were covaried.

Les préjudices que subissent les patients recevant des soins de santé représentent un fardeau considérable et peuvent avoir de graves répercussions sur les patients et les familles ainsi que sur la capacité des systèmes de santé de gérer l’accès des patients, leurs déplacements dans le système et les temps d’attente. L’intérêt pour la science de la haute fiabilité, mise au point à l’origine dans des secteurs comme l’aviation commerciale, qui ont un bilan exceptionnel en matière de sécurité, est une nouvelle tendance en soins de santé qui pourrait aider les organisations et les systèmes à atteindre le but ultime : zéro préjudice subi par les patients. Cet article fait valoir que zéro préjudice au patient est un impératif fondamental et que la science de la haute fiabilité peut aider à accélérer et à soutenir les progrès vers ce but vital. Bien que les pratiques utilisées dans d’autres secteurs ne soient pas facilement transférables aux soins de santé et qu’il n’existe pas encore un seul modèle éprouvé pour les organisations à haute fiabilité en santé, des organisations de premier plan commencent à faire la démonstration de stratégies efficaces propres aux soins de santé. L’expérience du réseau international d’organisations partenaires du groupe Studer est utilisée pour illustrer et comprendre ces premiers efforts. Le cadre Evidence-Based LeadershipSM (leadership fondé sur les données probantes) du groupe Studer est appliqué dans différents milieux de soins de santé pour transformer la culture et la gestion du changement visant à favoriser une haute fiabilité. Il propose une démarche et des ressources pour progresser vers le but zéro préjudice subi par les patients et tous les avantages liés à l’utilisation efficiente de nos précieuses ressources en soins de santé.