A review of the research literature relating to ICT and attainment

Summary of the main report, which examined current research and evidence for the impact of ICT on pupil attainment and learning in school settings and the strengths and limitations of the methodologies used in the research literature

Low socio-economic environmental determinants of children's physical activity in Coventry, UK: A Qualitative study in parents

AbstractBackgroundChildren's physical activity (PA) is affected by socio-economic status (SES) and the environment. Children are not fully autonomous in their decision making; parental decisions thus affect how children utilise their surrounding environments for PA. The aim was to examine environmental influences on children's PA from a qualitative perspective in parents from low SES wards in Coventry, UK.Method59 parents of children in year 4 (aged 8–9years) completed the ALPHA environmental questionnaire. 16 of these parents took part in focus group discussions examining environmental facilitators and barriers to their child's PA (March–April, 2013).ResultsEmerging themes related to physical (i.e. poor access, safety and quality of the neighbourhood) and social environment (i.e. ‘rough’ neighbourhood due to crime and anti-social behaviour) influences on the PA behaviour of children. The parents believed these environmental factors resulted in the children engaging in greater sedentary activity (watching TV) indoors. The school environment was perceived as a supportive physical environment for children's PA behaviour.ConclusionParent's perceptions of an unsupportive physical and social environment restrict children's opportunities to play outside and be physically active and may lead to increased body fat (BF). Schools provide a supportive environment for children from low SES to be physically active in

Human monocyte heat shock protein 72 responses to acute hypoxic exercise after 3 days of exercise heat acclimation

The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term heat acclimation (STHA) could confer increased cellular tolerance to acute hypoxic exercise in humans as determined via monocyte HSP72 (mHSP72) expression. Sixteen males were separated into two matched groups. The STHA group completed 3 days of exercise heat acclimation; 60 minutes cycling at 50% V˙O2peak in 40°C 20% relative humidity (RH). The control group (CON) completed 3 days of exercise training in 20°C, 40% RH. Each group completed a hypoxic stress test (HST) one week before and 48 hours following the final day of CON or STHA. Percentage changes in HSP72 concentrations were similar between STHA and CON following HST1 (P=0.97). STHA induced an increase in basal HSP72 (P=0.03) with no change observed in CON (P=0.218). Basal mHSP72 remained elevated before HST2 for the STHA group (P0.05). Percent change in mHSP72 was lower after HST2 in STHA compared to CON (P=0.02). The mHSP72 response to hypoxic exercise was attenuated following 3 days of heat acclimation. This is indicative of improved tolerance and ability to cope with the hypoxic insult, potentially mediated in part by increased basal reserves of HSP72

Community-Based Participatory Research and Sustainability: The Petersburg Wellness Consortium

The principle and practice of sustainability is critical in community-based participatory research. Actively planning for and building community capacity to ensure sustainability is even more critical in research involving underserved populations and underrepresented minorities. The perception of researchers engaging with the community until their research needs have been met, then leaving the community with minimal, if any benefits, has all too often been the reality in these communities. This paper offers a case study of how an independent community consortium was borne from an academic/community research partnership in Petersburg, Virginia. We discuss lessons learned and practice implications as we describe the evolution of, and challenges associated with, cultivating a sustainable independent coalition

Cross validation of Actigraph derived accelerometer cut-points for assessment of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in children aged 8-11 years

To cross-validate previously calibrated Actigraph cut points in children. Twenty eight children (50%boys) aged between 8 and 11 years of age (9.4 ± 1.4 years) performed a series of 5 minute bouts of activity reflective of different levels of PA from sedentary behaviour (SB) to moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); V˙ O2 was assessed using breath by breath indirect calorimetry and activity was assessed using Actigraph accelerometers worn on the hip and non-dominant wrist. The V˙ O2 values were then converted into age-specific METs (measured METs) and coded as SB, light PA and MVPA. Accelerometer data was analysed using previously calibrated cut-points at different epochs i.e. 5, 15 30 and 60 seconds. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that there was excellent discrimination of SB using the Evenson et al (15sec), Romanzini (15sec), Treuth et al (30sec), Freedson et al (60sec), Treuth et al (60sec) and Troiano et al (60sec) cut points. ROC analysis indicated poor discrimination for LPA irrespective of the cut-points used. Good discrimination of MVPA was evident for all existing cut-points using a 60sec epoch. There is considerable variation in the performance of existing cut-points for assessment of SB, LPA and MPA in children.N/

Development and preliminary testing of the psychosocial adjustment to hereditary diseases scale

Background: The presence of Lynch syndrome (LS) can bring a lifetime of uncertainty to an entire family as members adjust to living with a high lifetime cancer risk. The research base on how individuals and families adjust to genetic-linked diseases following predictive genetic testing has increased our understanding of short-term impacts but gaps continue to exist in knowledge of important factors that facilitate or impede long-term adjustment. The failure of existing scales to detect psychosocial adjustment challenges in this population has led researchers to question the adequate sensitivity of these instruments. Furthermore, we have limited insight into the role of the family in promoting adjustment. Methods: The purpose of this study was to develop and initially validate the Psychosocial Adjustment to Hereditary Diseases (PAHD) scale. This scale consists of two subscales, the Burden of Knowing (BK) and Family Connectedness (FC). Items for the two subscales were generated from a qualitative data base and tested in a sample of 243 participants from families with LS. Results: The Multitrait/Multi-Item Analysis Program-Revised (MAP-R) was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PAHD. The findings support the convergent and discriminant validity of the subscales. Construct validity was confirmed by factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha supported a strong internal consistency for BK (0.83) and FC (0.84). Conclusion: Preliminary testing suggests that the PAHD is a psychometrically sound scale capable of assessing psychosocial adjustment. We conclude that the PAHD may be a valuable monitoring tool to identify individuals and families who may require therapeutic interventions