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Purpose: This study aims to systematically identify items that measure communicative participation from measurement instruments that measure (aspects of) communication and/or participation in children and adolescents (5-18 years old) with communication disorders, for developing an item bank. Method: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and Embase to search for patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) or parent reports measuring aspects of communication and/or participation in children and adolescents. The individual items of the included measurement instruments were reviewed on whether they measure communicative participation. The items were then classified into one of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for Children and Youth (World Health Organization, 2007) domains of activities and participation. Results: A total of 29 instruments were found, nine PROMs and 20 parent reports. One hundred forty-five items were identified that measure communicative participation. From these 145 items, 74 were retrieved from PROMs (51%), and 71 were retrieved from parent reports (49%). The majority of items were classified in ICF Domain 7, interpersonal interactions and relationships (73.8%), followed by Domain 8, major life areas (13.8%), and Domain 9, community, social, and civic life (8.3%). Only a few items were found in Domains 5 and 6, and none was found in Domains 1, 2, and 4. Conclusions: We identified 145 items potentially useful for developing an item bank addressing communicative participation in children and adolescents with communication disorders. However, item development in collaboration with the target population is needed to ensure that these items fully reflect the construct.

The Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO), Melville Island, Nunavut (74°55′N, 109°34′W) was established in 2003 to examine Arctic ecosystem processes that would be impacted by climate warming and permafrost degradation. This paper provides a synthesis of how remote sensing has contributed to biogeophysical modelling and monitoring at the CBAWO from 2003 to 2023. Given the location and isolated nature of the CBAWO in the Canadian High Arctic, remote sensing data and derivatives have been instrumental for studies examining ecosystem structure and function at local and landscape scales. In combination with field measurements, remote sensing data facilitated mapping and modelling of vegetation types, % vegetation cover and aboveground phytomass, soil moisture, carbon exchange rates, and permafrost degradation and disturbance. It has been demonstrated that even in an environment with limited vegetation cover and phytomass, spectral vegetation indices (e.g., the normalized difference vegetation index) are able to model various biogeophysical variables. These applications are feasible for research sites such as the CBAWO using high spatial resolution remote sensing data across the visible, infrared, and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Furthermore, as the satellite record continues to expand, we will gain a greater understanding of the impacts arising from the expected continued warming at northern latitudes. Although the logistics for research in the Arctic remain challenging, today's technologies (e.g., high spatial resolution satellite remote sensing, automated in situ sensors and data loggers, and wireless communication systems) can support a host of scientific endeavours in the Arctic (and other remote sites) through modelling and monitoring of biogeophysical variables and Earth surface processes with limited but critical field campaigns. The research synthesized here for the CBAWO highlights the essential role of remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic.

Self-monitoring is an integral part of self-regulated learning. Tools that foster learners' monitoring, such as learning journals, portfolios, or rubrics, are supposed to promote self-regulation and to improve performance. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of tools designed to foster monitoring on learning-related variables (academic achievement, self-regulated learning, and motivation). As these tools vary greatly in their design and the addressed components, this meta-analysis aims to uncover how such tools should be implemented to foster monitoring most effectively. The results of this meta-analysis, integrating 109 effect sizes with 3492 participants from 32 intervention studies, supported a reactivity effect by revealing a moderate effect size on academic achievement (d = 0.42), and low effects on self-regulated learning (d = 0.19) and motivation (d = 0.17). These effects were moderated by characteristics of the tool and their implementation. Effect sizes were highest for tools that (1) focused on the monitoring of both learning content as well as learning behavior, (2) stimulated metacognitive monitoring, and (3) were implemented in shorter studies. On a descriptive level, higher effects were found in favor of monitoring interventions that included teacher feedback on self-monitoring entries and allowed learners to directly revise their work based on this feedback. The findings show that there is substantial variation across tools, which yield theoretical and methodological implications on how to foster monitoring as important parts of the self-regulation cycle.

Objectives: Distal radius malunion can result in pain and functional complaints. One of the functional problems that can affect daily life is impaired forearm rotation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of corrective osteotomy for distal radius malunion on forearm rotation at 12 months after surgery. We secondarily studied the effect on grip strength, radiological measurements, and patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs). Patients and methods: This cohort study analysed prospectively collected data of adult patients with symptomatic distal radius malunion. All patients underwent corrective osteotomy for malunion and were followed for 1 year. We measured forearm rotation (pronation and supination) and grip strength and analysed radiographs. PROMs consisted of the Patient-Rated Hand/Wrist Evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and satisfaction with hand function. Results: Preoperative total forearm rotation was 112° (SD: 34°), of which supination of 49° (SD: 25°) was more impaired than pronation of 63° (SD: 17°). Twelve months after surgery, an unpaired Student's t-test showed a significant improvement of total forearm rotation to 142° (SD: 17°) (p

Teachers' belief systems about the inclusion of students with special needs may explain gaps between policy and practice. We investigated three inter-related aspects of teachers' belief systems: teachers' cognitive appraisals (e.g., attitudes), emotional appraisal (e.g., feelings), and self-efficacy (e.g., agency to teach inclusive classrooms). To date, research in this field has produced contradictory findings, resulting in a sparse understanding of why teachers differ in their belief systems about inclusive education, and how teachers' training experiences contribute to their development of professional beliefs. We used meta-analysis to describe the level and range of teachers' beliefs about inclusive education, and examine factors that contribute to variation in teachers' beliefs, namely (1) the point in teachers' career (pre-service versus in-service), (2) training in special versus regular education, and (3) the effects of specific programs and interventions. We reviewed 102 papers (2000-2020) resulting in 191 effect sizes based on research with 40,898 teachers in 40 countries. On average, teachers' cognitive appraisals, emotional appraisals, and efficacy about inclusion were found to be in the mid-range of scales, indicating room for growth. Self-efficacy beliefs were higher for preservice (M = 3.69) than for in-service teachers (M = 3.13). Teachers with special education training held more positive views about inclusion than regular education teachers (d = 0.41). Training and interventions related to improved cognitive appraisal (d = 0.63), emotional appraisal (d = 0.63), and self-efficacy toward inclusive practices (d = 0.93). The training was particularly effective in encouraging reflection of beliefs and, eventually, facilitating belief change when teachers gained practical experience in inclusive classrooms. Six key findings direct the next steps.

Abstract Background The ability to communicate is a prerequisite for participation in today’s society. To measure participation in adults with communication disorders, the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) was developed in 2006. Since then, several new PROMs have been developed to measure communication and the impact of communication disorders on participation. Moreover, the CPIB items do not all appear to be relevant to certain populations with communication problems and context of communicative participation is changing rapidly, given the increased use of digital communication forms. The purpose of this study was to identify new PROMs developed since 2006 that aim to measure (aspects of) communication, in order to select items that are suitable for expanding the Communicative Participation Item Bank to make the item bank more widely applicable (e.g., to the hearing-impaired population) and tailored to the current societal context. Methods Medline and Embase were used to search for PROMs that aim to measure (aspects of) communication. Each new PROM as well as the CPIB, was evaluated to determine to what extent it contains items that measure communicative participation and to what extent these items capture all communicative participation domains by linking each item to the ICF Activities and Participation domains. Results This study identified 31 new PROMs, containing 391 items that were labelled as measuring communicative participation. The majority of the 391 items measure aspects of ICF Activities and Participation domain ‘communication’, followed by the domain ‘interpersonal interactions and relationships’. The other ICF Activity and Participation domains were less often addressed. Analysis of the CPIB showed that items do not cover all domains of participation as defined in the ICF, such as the ‘major life areas’ domain. Conclusions We found a potential pool of 391 items measuring communicative participation that could be considered for extending the CPIB. We found items in domains that are already present in the CPIB, but also items that relate to new domains, such as an item on talking with customers or clients for the ‘major life areas’ domain. Inclusion of new items in other domains would benefit the comprehensiveness of the item bank.

Osteosarcoma is a challenging disease requiring multidisciplinary management in expert centers for optimal outcome. There are no current international protocols or guidelines specific for pediatric and adolescent osteosarcoma. The European Standard Clinical Practice (ESCP) project is a collaboration between ERN PaedCan and SIOP Europe’s Clinical Trial Groups to develop approved clinical recommendations reflecting current best practice. This manuscript is a summary of the full ESCP guideline for patients with osteosarcoma. The manuscript provides evidence graded recommendations for diagnosis, staging, management, response evaluation and follow-up. The methodology as defined in the standard operating procedures of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) was applied. Experts of the Fight OsteoSarcoma Through European Research (FOSTER) consortium contributed. In summary, the ESCP provides guidance on low-grade, but has a focus on high-grade osteosarcoma. In high-grade osteosarcoma the outcomes of most recent trials for clinical subgroups (e.g., metastatic vs. non-metastatic, resectable vs. non-resectable) are discussed, for treatment-naïve as well as for recurrent/refractory disease. An overview of current evidence also highlights the need for further therapeutic development as patients with primary metastatic or recurrent/refractory high-grade osteosarcoma still have a poor prognosis. Intensified collaborative research is identified as a prerequisite to increase survival and to limit long-term toxicities.

The increasing CO2 emissions from e-commerce deliveries present a pressing environmental concern. If half of all consumers decided to have their online order delivered to a pick-up point instead of at home, this could vastly reduce CO2 emissions of e-commerce. This study investigated (a) whether nudging could help consumers shift towards pick-up point delivery as a more sustainable choice, and (b) which type of nudging would be most effective. An RCT was conducted with a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 1213). In an online store setting, participants selected a product and completed the check-out process – selecting between more and less sustainable delivery options. Their selection had real consequences as the gift would be delivered with the selected delivery method. Four different nudging conditions were contrasted: a default nudge, in which the most sustainable option (i.e., delivery to pick-up point) was selected automatically, and three decision-information nudges, in which CO2 emissions for the delivery options was displayed. The decision-information nudges varied in complexity, from high complexity (emissions in grams of CO2 for each delivery option) to medium (percentage of CO2 reduction for the most sustainable option) and low complexity (a green leaf next to the most sustainable option). Relative to control, the default nudge was the most effective at steering participants towards the most sustainable delivery choice, followed by the medium- and low-informational nudging conditions. In addition, instead of steering them towards the most sustainable delivery option, the high-informational nudge appeared to steer participants away from the two most polluting delivery options – thereby potentially saving more greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than the other conditions. In sum, this study provides substantial evidence for the use of behavioral strategies in quest towards more sustainable online consumption.

The Frontline and Relapsed Rhabdomyosarcoma (FaR-RMS) clinical trial is an overarching, multinational study for children and adults with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The trial, developed by the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG), incorporates multiple different research questions within a multistage design with a focus on (i) novel regimens for poor prognostic subgroups, (ii) optimal duration of maintenance chemotherapy, and (iii) optimal use of radiotherapy for local control and widespread metastatic disease. Additional sub-studies focusing on biological risk stratification, use of imaging modalities, including [18F]FDG PET-CT and diffusion-weighted MRI imaging (DWI) as prognostic markers, and impact of therapy on quality of life are described. This paper forms part of a Special Issue on rhabdomyosarcoma and outlines the study background, rationale for randomisations and sub-studies, design, and plans for utilisation and dissemination of results.

Background and aimsSolid tumors account for about 30% of all pediatric cancers. The diagnosis is typically based on histological and molecular analysis of a primary tumor biopsy. Liquid biopsies carry several advantages over conventional tissue biopsy. However, their use for genomic analysis and response monitoring of pediatric solid tumors is still in experimental stages and mostly performed retrospectively without direct impact on patient management. In this case series we discuss six clinical cases of children with a solid tumor for whom a liquid biopsy assay was performed and demonstrate the potential of liquid biopsy for future clinical decision making.MethodsWe performed quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) or reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfRRBS) on liquid biopsies collected from six pediatric patients with a solid tumor treated between 2017 and 2023 at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands. Results were used to aid in clinical decision making by contribution to establish a diagnosis, by prognostication and response to therapy monitoring.ResultsIn three patients cfRRBS helped to establish the diagnosis of a rhabdomyosarcoma, an Ewing sarcoma and a neuroblastoma (case 1-3). In two patients, liquid biopsies were used for prognostication, by MYCN ddPCR in a patient with neuroblastoma and by RT-qPCR testing rhabdomyosarcoma-specific mRNA in bone marrow of a patient with a rhabdomyosarcoma (case 4 and 5). In case 6, mRNA testing demonstrated disease progression and assisted clinical decision making.ConclusionThis case series illustrates the value of liquid biopsy. We further demonstrate and recommend the use of liquid biopsies to be used in conjunction with conventional methods for the determination of metastatic status, prognostication and monitoring of treatment response in patients with pediatric solid tumors.

Key points Strategies for segmenting sarcoma tumors vary widely throughout literature. Details of the segmentation strategy are often not reported. Including necrotic or cystic areas in the segmentation affects diffusion measurements. Varying the slice of a single-slice segmentation can drastically impact diffusion measurements.