Prevalence of Echolalia in Autism: A Rapid Review of Current Findings and a Journey Back to Historical Data

Abstract Purpose of Review The aim of this rapid review was to understand how current research describes and quantifies the prevalence of echolalia, generally described as the repetition of other’s speech, in autism. Recent Findings Five databases were searched for papers published in the last ten years (i.e., since 2014) that reported studies presenting new data regarding echolalia prevalence among autistic participants (11 studies), and studies presenting secondary prevalence figures based on prior research (11 studies). Primary echolalia prevalence estimates among children and youth ranged from 25 to 91%. Studies citing secondary statistics drew their prevalence from six population samples reported across nine papers from 1965 to 2014, with most studies citing research published in the 1960s. Summary Highly varied prevalence estimates and discrepant definitions of echolalia across studies reflects longstanding and entrenched problems regarding the ways that echolalia is defined and described. More research into echolalia prevalence and change across age and ability groups is needed to inform evidence-based supports for autistic people

Does Combining Antenatal Care Visits at Health Posts and Health Centers Improve Antenatal Care Quality in Rural Ethiopia?

BACKGROUND: Even though quality maternal care is crucial for the well-being of women and their newborns, the inferior quality of antenatal care in rural Ethiopia is a timely concern. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining antenatal care visits at health posts and health centers on improving antenatal care quality in rural Ethiopia. METHODS: Using the 2019 Ethiopia Health Extension Program assessment done by MERQ, we extracted and analyzed the survey responses of 2,660 women who had received at least one antenatal visit from a primary health care unit. We measured the cumulative count of quality of antenatal care using the Donabedian model. To model the differences in the quality of antenatal care at health posts and health centers, we used zero-truncated Poisson regression and reported incidence risk ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The quality of antenatal care increased by 20% (adjusted IRR= 1.20 [1.12-1.28]) when antenatal care reception was mixed at health posts and health centers, compared to those who received all antenatal care only from health posts. Quality differences based on socioeconomic status and setting variations were observed as predictors of quality of care, even if women received antenatal care at both health posts and health centers. CONCLUSIONS: Combining antenatal care provision from health posts and health centers should be sustained as one of the antenatal care quality improvement strategies in rural parts of Ethiopia while ensuring the equitable provision of quality care across socioeconomic groups and between agrarian and pastoral settings

Biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles by Psidium guajava plants with antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and photocatalytic capacity

With an increasing focus on green technologies, this research aimed to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) using leaf extracts from Allahabad Safeda and Hisar Safeda for environmental and health protection. A range of concentrations of leaf extracts were employed in the synthesis of nanoparticles, utilizing 1–9% extract from Allahabad Safeda and 3–11% extract from Hisar Safeda. The synthesized CuO-NPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, Dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. CuO-NPs synthesized using 3% Allahabad Safeda extract and 5% Hisar Safeda extract exhibited a particle size of 15.88 nm and 14.05 nm, respectively. CuO-NPs synthesized with Allahabad Safeda extract exhibited superior antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and photocatalytic properties. Their antibacterial tests demonstrated significant inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus (20.5 cm), Streptococcus latis (20.7 cm), Escherichia coli (19.5 cm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.7 mm). Additionally, CuO-NPs from Allahabad Safeda extract (70 µg/mL) exhibited 68.23% of scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Moreover, the same CuO-NPs at 100 µg/mL concentration showed 67.32% α-amylase inhibition and 75.18% α-glucosidase inhibition, confirming their antidiabetic activities. Furthermore, these nanoparticles demonstrated high performance in photocatalytic degradation, by degrading 82.31% methylene blue and 88.54% crystal violet within 150 min of UV irradiation. Overall, the findings highlight the feasibility of CuO-NPs synthesis using Allahabad Safeda extract and their potential applications in antibacterial treatment, combating diabetes, antioxidation, and environmentally friendly dye photodegradation process. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

A Bowl-Shaped Filtering Antenna with Wideband Cross-Band Scattering Mitigation for Dual-Band Base Stations

The strong cross-band scattering in dual-band base station arrays can cause degraded antenna performance, affecting the radiation performance of the antenna working in higher frequencies. This paper presents a filtered bowl-shaped low-band (LB) antenna covering 0.80-0.96 GHz for dual-band base station arrays, featuring effective wideband cross-band de-scattering capability in the high-band (HB). By incorporating specially designed helical filters into the LB radiators, a significant de-scattering HB bandwidth reaching 66.7% (1.36-2.72 GHz) of the LB antenna is achieved. To improve the LB impedance matching, specialized LC circuits are incorporated into the LB balun. These LC circuits, in conjunction with the baffles, also serve to ease the gain fluctuations of the HB antenna placed inside the LB antenna. In addition, the miniaturized aperture size of the LB antenna facilitates enhanced in-band isolation in the array. The LB antenna’s structural stability is guaranteed by the 3D-printed T-shaped dielectric supports. The measurement results of the fabricated dual-band array agree with the simulations, which validates the efficacy of this design

Competitive advantages and the proximity of investment: evidence from Hong Kong-listed real estate development firms in Mainland China

This study examines the investment behaviour of Hong Kong-based real estate firms in Mainland China. Using a sample of individual land transactions, we find that firms with higher value of growth options, as perceived in the capital market, are more likely to invest actively and further away from their home base. However, over time, Hong Kong developers tend to decrease their level of activity in Mainland China, indicating that the ‘liability of foreignness’ becomes a significant challenge. Our findings highlight the importance of balancing strategic expansion with the inherent risks of operating in distant emerging markets

Teaching project management to primary school children: a scoping review

Teachers have used projects in children’s education for over a century. More recently, project management knowledge and skills have become essential when students manage technological solutions from inception to presentation. This paper presents the first scoping literature review on teaching project management to primary school students. A total of 33 publications between 2000 and 2022 were analysed and presented both descriptively and thematically. While the review did not identify any empirical studies of teaching project management to primary school students, it did reveal several examples of suggested teaching approaches, project management activity, and common elements associated with project management. The review concludes with a recommendation for researchers, educators, and project management practitioners to build upon this research by exploring the effectiveness of comprehensive approaches to teaching project management to primary school students. This paper represents a significant area of research as project management is one of the most critical skills for students to achieve success in the twenty-first century

Novel Exponential Stability Criteria for Switched Neutral-Type Neural Networks with Mixed Delays

In this brief, the global exponential stability problem for switched neutral-type neural networks (SNTNNs) with mixed time delays is focused. By spectral properties of Metzler matrix and comparison principle, a sufficient condition for the global exponential stability of the considered SNTNNs is derived, which can be easily tested in practice. Moreover, the result obtained in this brief generalizes the existing achievement and is also effective for NNs without neutral-type delay or switching. Finally, a simple discussion and an illustrative example are presented

Numerical Simulation of Pipeline Failure Mechanisms Under Lightning Strikes, Capturing Electric Disruption and Thermal Damage

This study presents a computational analysis of pipeline failure and soil penetration when struck by lightning. A numerical method based on an electro-thermal coupled model is proposed for this purpose. The electric disruption of soil and the thermal damage of pipelines are used to represent engineering failures and calamities. The heterogeneity of the soil and the temporal-spatial distribution of lightning are considered when modelling natural lightning and the ground. Innovative numerical simulations illuminate the mechanisms and processes underlying electrical disasters and pipeline failure. The simulation results indicate that lightning strikes can induce electric penetration in soils and damage underground pipelines. Under the calculative conditions of this article, a cloud-to-ground lightning strike with a voltage of 10 kV can cause a thermal breakdown hole in an underground conduit with a wall thickness of 0.05 m and a depth of 1 m. At the same time, the temperature rises to 500 °C at the location of the pipe perforation opening and 200 °C at the location of the unperforated pipe. The novel numerical method may reveal the mechanism of pipeline failure and the electric penetration of soil during lightning impacts

Design of Solid Polycationic Electrolyte to Enable Durable Chloride-Ion Batteries.

The high energy density and cost-effectiveness of chloride-ion batteries (CIBs) make them promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of CIBs is greatly restricted by the lack of compatible electrolytes to support cost-effective anodes. Herein, we present a rationally designed solid polycationic electrolyte (SPE) to enable room-temperature chloride-ion batteries utilizing aluminum (Al) metal as an anode. This SPE endows the CIB configuration with improved air stability and safety (i.e. free of flammability and liquid leakage). A high ionic conductivity (1.3×10-2 S cm-1 at 25 °C) has been achieved by the well-tailored solvation structure of the SPE. Meanwhile, the solid polycationic electrolyte ensures stable electrodes|electrolyte interfaces, which effectively inhibit the growth of dendrites on the Al anodes and degradation of the FeOCl cathodes. The Al|SPE|FeOCl chloride-ion batteries showcased a high discharge capacity around 250 mAh g-1 (based on the cathodes) and extended lifespan. Our electrolyte design opens a new avenue for developing low-cost chloride-ion batteries

A Comparative Account of Institutional Approaches to Addressing Campus-Based Sexual Violence in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sexual violence is prevalent on university campuses globally In this article we report a qualitative insider research study examining practices for addressing sexual violence at four universities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand We collected analysed and synthesised descriptive information about the practices at each institution We found unique institutional approaches that nonetheless share some commonalities yieldingseveral themes that are central to practice In reflecting on our findings we conclude with an outline of critical considerations and a call to action for future efforts to address campus based sexual violence particularly as this field remains underdeveloped across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealan