Readability of Online Hearing-Based Early Intervention Materials

Purpose: A quantitative readability assessment of currently accessible online materials for parents of children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing. Design: Consistent with current recommendations discussing “grade-level” of materials, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) analysis, along with five other related measures, was conducted for each website. These analyses provide a readability score for each of the websites analyzed. Study sample: The first five pages of results from a Google search of “early intervention deaf” and “early intervention hear” were compiled for readability assessment. Results: Sixty-three websites were included in the analysis. Following article modification, inter- and intra-rater reliability were excellent (p th-grade reading level (m=12.62, SD=2.65). There was no significant impact of the search page, intended audience, or producer on FKGL (p \u3e.1). Conclusion: Currently accessible online resources for parents looking at early intervention for children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing are written at a level that may not be accessible. Materials may benefit from being revised and edited with readability and health literacy recommendations in mind

Application of Intervention Mapping to Address Lost to Intervention in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Abstract Purpose: Detail the application of intervention mapping as a protocol for developing a novel way to address lost to intervention within the early hearing detection and intervention systems. Design: Intervention mapping (IM) is an approach to behavior change that is typically utilized in public health initiatives. This six-step process walks health program developers, researchers, and policy makers through a rigorous research and community-based approach to understanding why a health concern or problem is present in a community. While using IM to address lost to intervention in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs, the focus is on why families, after identification of their child as D/deaf or hard of hearing, choose to not enroll in early intervention services covered by part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. Results: This process culminated in the development of “Swaddling Ear to Ear” as a novel approach to the implementation of behavior change theory and early intervention access. Conclusion: Intervention Mapping is posed to support policy makers, care providers, and families with the requisite tools to navigate early intervention services and begin a systemic line of research working to access barriers to care and access inequality for newborns identified via Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs across the United States. The educational program designed and described here is currently under evaluation

Shedding Light on Vampires: The Phylogeny of Vampyrellid Amoebae Revisited

With the advent of molecular phylogenetic techniques the polyphyly of naked filose amoebae has been proven. They are interspersed in several supergroups of eukaryotes and most of them already found their place within the tree of life. Although the ‘vampire amoebae’ have attracted interest since the middle of the 19th century, the phylogenetic position and even the monophyly of this traditional group are still uncertain. In this study clonal co-cultures of eight algivorous vampyrellid amoebae and the respective food algae were established. Culture material was characterized morphologically and a molecular phylogeny was inferred using SSU rDNA sequence comparisons. We found that the limnetic, algivorous vampyrellid amoebae investigated in this study belong to a major clade within the Endomyxa Cavalier-Smith, 2002 (Cercozoa), grouping together with a few soil-dwelling taxa. They split into two robust clades, one containing species of the genus Vampyrella Cienkowski, 1865, the other containing the genus Leptophrys Hertwig & Lesser, 1874, together with terrestrial members. Supported by morphological data these clades are designated as the two families Vampyrellidae Zopf, 1885, and Leptophryidae fam. nov. Furthermore the order Vampyrellida West, 1901 was revised and now corresponds to the major vampyrellid clade within the Endomyxa, comprising the Vampyrellidae and Leptophryidae as well as several environmental sequences. In the light of the presented phylogenetic analyses morphological and ecological aspects, the feeding strategy and nutritional specialization within the vampyrellid amoebae are discussed