Predicting Academic Performance on High-Stakes Tests: Development of the Brief Behavior, Academic, and Social Screener (B-BASS)

In order to develop the Brief Behavior, Academic, and Social Screener (B-BASS), an experimental measure for identifying students at risk for academic underachievement and for predicting performance on high-stakes tests, data were obtained from elementary teachers for 198 third- through fifth-grade rural elementary students in the Southeastern United States. Teachers provided ratings on items within the following global domains: cognitive ability, social/emotional traits, socioeconomic and family characteristics, and executive functions using a brief, practical, contextually appropriate format, one sensitive to local norms. Results reveal strong test-retest correlations (r indices \u3e .95) and moderate to high inter-correlations among the items. Based on a multiple linear regression analysis, B-BASS domain scores account for 81.4% and 66.2% of the variance in North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests of English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics, respectively. These values are impressive given the brief administration time of the B-BASS, approximately 1 minute per student. Based on a stepwise analysis, two items significantly predict English Language Arts/Reading; specifically, Reading Ability (p \u3c .001) and Effort (p \u3c .005). Predictors of Mathematics in order of magnitude are Math Ability (p \u3c .001) and Hyperactivity (p \u3c .001). According to discriminant function and ROC curve analyses, B-BASS items also significantly predict proficient vs non-proficient status from the ELA (p \u3c .001) and Math (p \u3c .001) EOGs, with true positive rates of 93.9% and 85.4%, respectively. B-BASS composites predict 78.5% of variance in ELA EOG scores, with the strongest predictors being Academic Ability (p \u3c .001), Social Adaptability (p \u3c .05), and Executive Function (p \u3c .005). For the EOG Mathematics scores, the strongest composite predictors, in order of magnitude, are: Academic Ability (p \u3c .001), Overall Ability (p \u3c .05), Home Support (p \u3c .05), and Executive Function (p \u3c .05); these domain scores predict 66.2% of the variance. Composites also predict significantly categorical status (proficient vs non-proficient) on the ELA (p \u3c .001) and Math (p \u3c .001) EOGs; classification accuracy was determined to be 92.9% and 91.4%, respectively. Implications of using B-BASS are discussed

Investigating genetic and health factors related to AA amyloidosis prevalence in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus): implications for population management

Systemic amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality among captive cheetahs, yet wild cheetahs are virtually unaffected, suggesting the phenomenon is a result of the captive condition. The self-aggregating AA protein responsible for this disease, is a byproduct of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein degradation, an acute phase protein highly upregulated during inflammation. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between genetics, stress, and inflammation with serum concentrations of the SAA protein and the incidence of AA amyloidosis in captive cheetahs. Fecal and serum samples collected from cheetahs held at the Smithsonian (NZP-SCBI) and Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) facilities, as well as wild, free-ranging cheetahs, were examined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure SAA protein and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in serum samples and cortisol concentrations in feces. Additionally, cheetahs were genotyped for the SAA1A-97delG single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the SAA1 gene. This study was the first to demonstrate that serum concentrations of the SAA protein in cheetahs are affected by the SAA1A-97delG SNP (P=0.0453). However, the high prevalence of AA amyloidosis observed among captive cheetahs is not attributable to genetic differences at this locus, but rather appears to be related to stress and/or inflammation, as captive cheetahs at NZP-SCBI have significantly higher SAA protein concentrations in serum compared to captive cheetahs at CCF, regardless of genotype (P=0.0003). Captive cheetahs at NZP-SCBI show levels of stress (fecal cortisol concentrations) greater than their captive counterparts at CCF in Namibia. Interestingly, wild cheetahs and captive cheetahs at CCF in Namibia had significantly higher proinflammatory cytokine concentrations (TNF-&alpha; and IL-1&beta;) in serum compared to cheetahs at NZP-SCBI (P<0.0001). It is possible that chronic stress may be suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the NZP-SCBI cheetah population. Controlling the currently high SAA protein concentrations associated with AA amyloidosis is the best strategy to decreasing the diseases prevalence among captive cheetahs. Promoting management practices that reduce stress could help re-establish proper immune system homeostasis and mitigate the overproduction of SAA protein, decreasing the probability of developing AA amyloidosis

Disadvantaged by More Than Distance: A Systematic Literature Review of Injury in Rural Australia

Rural populations experience injury-related mortality and morbidity rates 1.5 times greater than metropolitan residents. Motivated by a call for stronger epidemiological evidence around rural injuries to inform prevention, a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2010 and March 2021 was undertaken to explore the epidemiology of rural injury and associated risk factors in Australia. A subsequent aim was to explore definitions of rurality used in injury prevention studies. There were 151 papers included in the review, utilizing 23 unique definitions to describe rurality. People living in rural areas were more likely to be injured, for injuries to be more severe, and for injuries to have greater resulting morbidity than people in metropolitan areas. The increase in severity reflects the mechanism of rural injury, with rural injury events more likely to involve a higher energy exchange. Risk-taking behavior and alcohol consumption were significant risk factors for rural injury, along with rural cluster demographics such as age, sex, high socio-economic disadvantage, and health-related comorbidities. As injury in rural populations is multifactorial and nonhomogeneous, a wide variety of evidence-based strategies are needed. This requires funding, political leadership for policy formation and development, and implementation of evidence-based prevention interventions

Aquatic competencies and drowning prevention in children 2–4 years: a systematic review

Aquatic competencies have been proposed as a prevention strategy for children aged 2–4 years who are over-represented in drowning statistics. For this recommendation to be made, exploration of the connection between aquatic competencies and drowning is required. This review critically analyzed studies exploring aquatic competencies and their effect on drowning and/or injury severity in children 2–4 years. English language peer-reviewed literature up to 31 July 2019 was searched and the PRISMA process utilized. Data were extracted from twelve studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Findings from this study included that aquatic competencies were not found to increase risk of drowning and demonstrated children aged 2–4 years are capable of developing age-appropriate aquatic competencies. Age-appropriate aquatic competencies extracted were propulsion/locomotion, flotation/buoyancy, water familiarization, submersion and water exits. The acquisition of these competencies holds benefit for the prevention of drowning. No evidence was found relating to injury severity. There was limited exploration of the relationship between aquatic competencies attainment and age-related developmental readiness. The review highlights the need for consistent measures of exposure, clarity around skills acquisition, better age-specific data (2 years vs. 3 years vs. 4 years), studies with larger sample sizes, further exploration of the dose–response relationship and consistent skill level testing across age groups. Further investigation is required to establish the efficacy of aquatic competencies as a drowning prevention intervention, as well as exploring the relationship between aquatic competencies and age-related developmental readiness. In conclusion, early evidence suggests aquatic competencies can help to reduce drowning

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: A Systematic Literature Review of a Silent Contributor to Adult Drowning

Abstract: Medical conditions can increase drowning risk. No prior study has systematically reviewed the published evidence globally regarding medical conditions and drowning risk for adults. MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO (ProQuest) and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for original research published between 1 January 2005 and 31 October 2021 that reported adult (>=15 years) fatal or non-fatal drowning of all intents and pre-existing medical conditions. Conditions were grouped into the relevant International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) codes. Eighty-three studies were included (85.5% high-income countries; 38.6% East Asia and Pacific region; 75.9% evidence level III-3). Diseases of the nervous system (n = 32 studies; 38.6%), mental and behavioural conditions (n = 31; 37.3%) and diseases of the circulatory system (n = 25; 30.1%) were the most common categories of conditions. Epilepsy was found to increase the relative risk of drowning by 3.8 to 82 times, with suggested preventive approaches regarding supervised bathing or showering. Drowning is a common suicide method for those with schizophrenia, psychotic disorders and dementia. Review findings indicate people with pre-existing medical conditions drown, yet relatively few studies have documented the risk. There is a need for further population-level research to more accurately quantify drowning risk for pre-existing medical conditions in adults, as well as implementing and evaluating population-level attributable risk and prevention strategies

Translating clinical and patient-reported data to tailored shared decision reports with predictive analytics for knee and hip arthritis

INTRODUCTION: New informatics tools can transform evidence-based information to individualized predictive reports to serve shared decisions in clinic. We developed a web-based system to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and medical risk factors and to compare responses to national registry data. The system generates predicted outcomes for individual patients and a report for use in clinic to support decisions. We present the report development, presentation, and early experience implementing this PRO-based, shared decision report for knee and hip arthritis patients seeking orthopedic evaluation. METHODS: Iterative patient and clinician interviews defined report content and visual display. The web-system supports: (a) collection of PROs and risk data at home or in office, (b) automated statistical processing of responses compared to national data, (c) individualized estimates of likely pain relief and functional gain if surgery is elected, and (d) graphical reports to support shared decisions. The system was implemented at 12 sites with 26 surgeons in an ongoing cluster randomized trial. RESULTS: Clinicians and patients recommended that pain and function as well as clinical risk factors (e.g., BMI, smoking) be presented to frame the discussion. Color and graphics support patient understanding. To date, 7891 patients completed the assessment before the visit and 56% consented to study participation. Reports were generated for 98% of patients and 68% of patients recalled reviewing the report with their surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Informatics solutions can generate timely, tailored office reports including PROs and predictive analytics. Patients successfully complete the pre-visit PRO assessments and clinicians and patients value the report to support shared surgical decisions

REPERCUSSÃO DO EXERCÍCIO FÍSICO NA GESTAÇÃO SOBRE A GRÁVIDA E O RECÉM-NASCIDO

Objetivo: Apresentar evidências disponíveis na literatura científica sobre o efeito do exercício físico durante a gravidez sobre a gestante, o peso e a composição corporal do recém-nascido. Métodos: Foram utilizados artigos científicos das bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE e Cochrane. A busca considerou os descritores: exercício físico, gravidez, peso ao nascer e composição corporal. O critério adotado para inclusão foi a especificidade relativa ao tema, utilizando-se, preferencialmente, as publicações a partir de 2000. Publicações anteriores a este período e consideradas relevantes foram mantidas. Resultados: Embora haja relatos dos benefícios do exercício físico durante a gestação para a grávida, os efeitos sobre o feto permanecem inconclusivos, assim como também não é clara a frequência, intensidade e período de início mais adequado para sua prática. Conclusão: Apesar de algumas inconsistências, acredita-se que o exercício físico, sistematizado e moderado, além de trazer benefícios para a gestante, não causa danos comprovados para o feto

RELAÇÃO DAS PRÁTICAS PARENTAIS COM SOBREPESO E OBESIDADE EM ADOLESCENTES ESCOLARES: ESTUDO DE CASO-CONTROLE

Objetivo: avaliar as práticas parentais educativas relativas à alimentação e sua relação com sobrepeso/obesidade em adolescentes escolares. Método: estudo de caso-controle com adolescentes de escolas públicas, mediante investigação das dimensões restritivas em relação ao consumo de doces e alimentos calóricos, pressão para comer, comer de acordo com a determinação e monitoramento-controle sobre consumo de doces e alimentos calóricos. Aplicou-se teste qui-quadrado com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: participaram 148 adolescentes (80 casos-sobrepeso/obesidade e 68 controles-eutróficos). Houve associação entre estado nutricional do cuidador e do adolescente (OR=5,688; p&lt;0,01), maior percentual de sobrepeso/obesidade entre adolescentes submetidos a práticas restritivas de consumo de doces; em pressão para comer, proporção maior de adolescentes com sobrepeso/obesidade entre os cuidadores que discordaram; maior percentual de adolescentes com sobrepeso/ obesidade entre as mães/cuidadores que relataram monitorar o consumo de alimentos calóricos na maior parte do tempo. Conclusão: as práticas parentais educativas relacionaram-se com o sobrepeso/obesidade em adolescentes escolares.Descritores: Poder Familiar. Comportamento Alimentar. Obesidade. Sobrepeso. Adolescente

It\u27s Ten O\u27clock: Do We Know Where Our Students Are?

Do we know where our students are will ensure that Virginia Commonwealth University has the ability to identify the current residential location of students at any time such contact is warranted, for instance during an emergency. We propose a system that secures at regular intervals up-to-date contact information. Conceptually, the project is designed to help VCU better serve its students, promote a safer environment, raise student awareness of how crucial it is to provide the university with up-to-date contact information, and ultimately improve the relationship between the institution and its neighboring communities

High blood pressure in overweight children and adolescents

OBJETIVO: verificar a prevalência de pressão arterial elevada em crianças e adolescentes obesos ou com sobrepeso, bem como os fatores associados. MÉTODO: estudo transversal com 200 crianças e adolescentes, entre dois e 18 anos. Foram aferidos circunferência abdominal, pressão arterial, peso e estatura. Tanto a pressão arterial sistólica quanto a diastólica foram consideradas elevadas quando iguais ou superiores ao percentil 90. O valor da pressão arterial nos percentis 25, 50 e 75 foi descrito de acordo com faixa etária, sexo, estado nutricional e circunferência abdominal. Para avaliar a associação da pressão arterial elevada com as variáveis clínicas foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado e adotado nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: a maioria das crianças e adolescentes (70,5%) apresentava pressão arterial elevada: 6% mostravam elevação apenas na pressão arterial sistólica, 33% na diastólica e 31,5% em ambas. Valores pressóricos sistólicos mais elevados foram observados nos indivíduos com obesidade grave e circunferência abdominal aumentada, assim como naqueles do sexo masculino e no grupo dos adolescentes. Entre os que tinham pressão arterial elevada, o limite máximo da normalidade da pressão sistólica foi observado no percentil 50 e, da diastólica, no 75. A pressão arterial sistólica elevada esteve associada aos adolescentes com obesidade grave. CONCLUSÃO: a alta prevalência de pressão arterial elevada observada neste estudo mostra a necessidade da implantação de políticas e ações voltadas à prevenção e controle da obesidade e suas co-morbidades, a exemplo da hipertensão arterial sistêmica.OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the prevalence of high blood pressure in fat or overweight children and adolescents and its associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 200 children and adolescents between two and 18 years old. It was measured the abdominal circumference, blood pressure, weight and height. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure were considered high when equal or higher than 90th percentile. The value of the blood pressure in the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles were described according to age groups, sex, nutritional state and abdominal circumference. To check the association between high blood pressure and clinical variables it was used qui-square tests and a significant level of 5%. RESULTS: The majority of children and adolescents (70.5 %) had high blood pressure: 6% showed an increase only in the systolic blood pressure, 33% in diastolic blood pressure and 31.5 % in both. Systolic blood pressure values were higher observed in individuals with severe obesity and increased waist circumference, as well as those of the male sex and in the group of adolescents. Among those who had high blood pressure, the normal maximum limit of the systolic blood pressure was observed in the 50th percentile and for the diastolic in the 75th percentile. The high systolic blood pressure was associated with adolescents with severe obesity. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of high blood pressure observed in this study indicates the need to implement policies and actions oriented towards the prevention and control of obesity and its co-morbidities, as the case of high blood pressure