Assessment for Action: An Organic, Free-Range Approach to Raising Learning for All

The aim of this synthesis report is to identify commonalities that can help to characterise the PAL Network’s work as a whole. More specifically, it presents: 1. The role that the PAL Network’s assessments provide in both depicting as well as improving children’s learning, i.e., assessment for action / 2. The unique strengths of the PAL Network that can enable to deliver these actions, namely its organic growth and free-range adaption. / It identifies that PAL Network members are diverse in their backgrounds, in their history with the use of citizen-led assessments, and in their evolutions from assessment to action. The Network provides a structure and platform with which to harness this diversity, using assessment for action to help raise learning for all

Assessment for Action: An Organic, Free-Range Approach to Raising Learning for All

The aim of this synthesis report is to identify commonalities that can help to characterise the PAL Network’s work as a whole. More specifically, it presents: 1. The role that the PAL Network’s assessments provide in both depicting as well as improving children’s learning, i.e., assessment for action / 2. The unique strengths of the PAL Network that can enable to deliver these actions, namely its organic growth and free-range adaption. / It identifies that PAL Network members are diverse in their backgrounds, in their history with the use of citizen-led assessments, and in their evolutions from assessment to action. The Network provides a structure and platform with which to harness this diversity, using assessment for action to help raise learning for all

Effects of adenotonsillectomy on plasma inflammatory biomarkers in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea: A community-based study.

BackgroundObesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) are highly prevalent and frequently overlapping conditions in children that lead to systemic inflammation, the latter being implicated in the various end-organ morbidities associated with these conditions.AimTo examine the effects of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) on plasma levels of inflammatory markers in obese children with polysomnographically diagnosed OSA who were prospectively recruited from the community.MethodsObese children prospectively diagnosed with OSA, underwent T&A and a second overnight polysomnogram (PSG) after surgery. Plasma fasting morning samples obtained after each of the two PSGs were assayed for multiple inflammatory and metabolic markers including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), adiponectin, apelin C, leptin and osteocrin.ResultsOut of 122 potential candidates, 100 obese children with OSA completed the study with only one-third exhibiting normalization of their PSG after T&A (that is, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≤1/hour total sleep time). However, overall significant decreases in MCP-1, PAI-1, MMP-9, IL-18 and IL-6, and increases in adropin and osteocrin plasma concentrations occurred after T&A. Several of the T&A-responsive biomarkers exhibited excellent sensitivity and moderate specificity to predict residual OSA (that is, AHI⩾5/hTST).ConclusionsA defined subset of systemic inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers is reversibly altered in the context of OSA among community-based obese children, further reinforcing the concept on the interactive pro-inflammatory effects of sleep disorders such as OSA and obesity contributing to downstream end-organ morbidities

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In Argentina, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality (12.2% of the total). Early diagnosis (pre-neoplastic lesions and stage 0) allows a 90% survival rate. To encourage early detection of CRC in Cordoba, a pilot experience (PE) population-based screening using a fecal immunochemical test (iFOBT) among adults aged 50 to 75 years, was designed by the Ministry of Health of the Province; taking place in the Department of Pocho (2018–2019). Objectives: to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle habits of PE participants and to identify risk profiles associated with the iFOBT result and risk group: average (AR) or elevated (ER). The results of the iFOBT and interviews conducted during the implementation of the project were analyzed. Simple descriptive statistics, χ² test, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), and logistic regressions were calculated. A total of 265 individuals participated (49.8% women), 19.6% ER and 80.4% AR; positivity rate of the test=19.3%. According to the MCA, the ER group was characterized by obesity, elevated glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, and no physical activity; while the AR group was characterized by physical activity, eutrophic Body Mass Index and low educational level (EL). Regarding ER, consuming grilled meat was a protective factor (PF) (OR=0.30 - IC95% 0.10-0.86), and being obese was a risk factor (RF) (OR=3.82 - IC95% 1.03-14.08). The iFOBT+ group was characterized by being formed by males, ≤60 years old, with low EL and without health coverage (HC); the iFOBTi- group by being formed by females, ≥60 years old, overweight, HC, and complete secondary school. Regarding the iFOBT outcome, the female sex was a PF (OR=0.13 -IC95% 0.04-0.54) and low EL a RF (OR=8.02-IC95% 1.71-37.56).  This PE allowed us to characterize a population of adults in an area with low accessibility to the health system, to identify a high burden of morbidity potentially associated with CRC, and to install a screening program with high acceptance, laying the groundwork for future actions.En Argentina el Cáncer Colorrectal (CCR) es el segundo en incidencia y mortalidad (12,2% del total). El diagnóstico temprano (lesiones pre-neoplásicas y estadío 0), permite una sobrevida del 90%. A fin de promover la detección temprana del CCR en Córdoba, el Ministerio de Salud provincial diseñó una experiencia piloto (EP) de tamizaje poblacional mediante Test Inmunoquímico de Sangre Oculta en Materia Fecal (TSOMFi), entre adultos de 50 a 75 años del Departamento de Pocho (2018-2019). Objetivos: describir las características sociodemográficas y hábitos de vida de las/os participantes en la EP e identificar perfiles de riesgo asociados al resultado del TSOMFi y al grupo de riesgo, promedio (RP) o elevado (RE). Se analizaron los resultados del TSOMFi y entrevistas realizadas durante su implementación. Se calcularon estadísticas descriptivas simples, test χ², análisis factorial de correspondencias múltiples (AFCM) y regresiones logísticas. Participaron 265 personas, (49,8% mujeres), 19,6% RE y 80,4% RP, tasa de positividad del test=19,3%. Según el AFCM, el grupo de RE se caracterizó por presentar obesidad, glucemia, tensión arterial y colesterol elevados y no realizar actividad física; y el de RP por realizar actividad física, presentar Índice de Masa Corporal eutrófico y bajo nivel de instrucción (NI). Con respecto al RE, consumir carne asada fue un factor de protección (FP); (OR=0,30 -IC95% 0,10-0,86) y ser obesas/os, un factor de riesgo (FR) (OR=3,82 IC95% 1,03-14,08). El grupo con TSOMFi+ se caracterizó por estar integrado por varones, ≤60 años, con bajo NI y sin cobertura de salud (CS); el grupo con TSOMFi- por estar integrado por mujeres, ≥60 años, con sobrepeso, CS y secundario completo. Respecto al resultado del TSOMFi, el sexo femenino fue un FP (OR=0,13 -IC95% 0,04-0,54) y el bajo NI un FR (OR=8,02-IC95% 1,71-37,56). Este EP permitió caracterizar una población de adultos de una zona de baja accesibilidad al sistema de salud, identificar una alta carga de morbilidad potencialmente asociada al CCR e instalar un programa de tamizaje con alta aceptación, sentando bases para acciones futuras.  

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL: A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ca. 26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated to habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished geo-referenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of Azores and Madeira that includes 107,852 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (42%), sign surveys (38%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radio-tracking and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: 1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, 2) capture, 3) colony, 4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, 5) genetic confirmation, 6) inquiries, 7) observation of live animal, 8), observation in shelters, 9) photo trapping | video, 10), predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, 11) scat | track | ditch, 12) telemetry and 13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n = 34,754) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,858), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,679), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 6400). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus (n = 12,407), Monachus monachus (n = 1512), and Lynx pardinus (n = 197)]. We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets which would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Estimation of annual average daily traffic with optimal adjustment factors

This study aimed to estimate the annual average daily traffic in inter-urban networks determining the best correlation (affinity) between the short period traffic counts and permanent traffic counters. A bi-level optimisation problem is proposed in which an agent in an upper level prefixes the affinities between short period traffic counts and permanent traffic counters stations and looks to minimise the annual average daily traffic calculation error while, in a lower level, an origin–destination (O–D) trip matrix estimation problem from traffic counts is solved. The proposed model is tested over the well-known Sioux-Falls network and applied to a real case of Cantabria (Spain) regional road network. The importance of determining appropriate affinity and the effect of localisation of permanent traffic counters stations are discussed

A pilot 1-year follow-up randomised controlled trial comparing metacognitive training to psychoeducation in schizophrenia: effects on insight

Poor insight in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is linked with negative outcomes. This single-centre, assessor-blind, parallel-group 1-year follow-up randomised controlled trial (RCT) tested whether metacognitive training (MCT) (compared to psychoeducation) may improve insight and outcomes in outpatients with SSD assessed: at baseline (T0); after treatment (T1) and at 1-year follow-up (T2). Insight (primary outcome) was measured with (i) the Schedule for Assessment of Insight-Expanded version- (SAI-E), including illness recognition (IR), symptom relabelling (SR), treatment compliance (TC) and total insight scores (TIS); and (ii) the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Between-group comparisons were nonsignificant, while within the MCT group (but not within controls) there was a significant medium effect size for improved TIS at T2 (d = 0.67, P = 0.02). Secondary outcomes included cognitive measures: Jumping to Conclusions (JTC), Theory of Mind (ToM), plus symptom severity and functioning. Compared to psychoeducation, MCT improved the PANSS excitement (d = 1.21, P = 0.01) and depressed (d = 0.76, P = 0.05) factors at T2; and a JTC task both at T1 (P = 0.016) and at T2 (P = 0.031). Participants in this RCT receiving MCT showed improved insight at 1-year follow-up, which was associated with better mood and reduced JTC cognitive bias. In this pilot study, no significant benefits on insight of MCT over psychoeducation were detected, which may have been due to insufficient power

El correo electrónico en la consulta de Parkinson: ¿soluciones a un clic? // Use of e-mail for Parkinson's disease consultations: Are answers just a clic away?

INTRODUCCION: La problemática de los trastornos del movimiento (TM) es compleja y la duración y frecuencia de las consultas presenciales puede estar limitada por problemas de espacio y tiempo. Analizamos el funcionamiento de un servicio de atención por correo electrónico institucional para médicos de Atención Primaria (MAP) y pacientes en la Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento (UTM). METODOS: Se revisaron retrospectivamente los correos electrónicos enviados y recibidos en un periodo de 4 meses, un año tras su implantación. La dirección se proporcionaba en consulta y mediante sesiones informativas a los MAP del área. Se analizaron datos clínicos y demográficos de los pacientes, tipo de interlocutor, número de consultas, motivo y actuaciones derivadas de ellas. RESULTADOS: Del 1 de enero al 30 de abril de 2015 se recibieron 137 correos de 63 pacientes (43% varones; edad 71 ± 10,5 años) diagnosticados de enfermedad de Parkinson (76%), parkinsonismos atípicos (10%) y otros (14%), y se enviaron 116 respuestas. En 20 casos (32%) fueron redactados por el paciente, en 38 (60%) por sus familiares y en 5 (8%) por MAP. Los motivos de consulta fueron clínicos en 50 casos (80%): deterioro clínico (16; 32%), nuevos síntomas (14; 28%), efectos secundarios o dudas sobre medicación (20; 40%). Como consecuencia, se adelantó una cita programada en 9 casos (14%), mientras que el resto se solucionaron por correo electrónico. En 13 (20%), el motivo de consulta fue burocrático: relacionado con citas (11, 85%) y solicitud de informe (2, 15%). La satisfacción fue generalizada, sin constituir una sobrecarga asistencial excesiva para los facultativos responsables. CONCLUSIONES: La implantación de una consulta por correo electrónico es factible en UTM, facilita la comunicación médico-paciente y la continuidad asistencial con Atención Primaria. // INTRODUCTION: The clinical problems of patients with movement disorders (MD) are complex, and the duration and frequency of face-to-face consultations may be insufficient to meet their needs. We analysed the implementation of an e-mail-based query service for our MD unit's patients and their primary care physicians (PCPs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive emails sent and received over a period of 4 months, one year after implementation of the e-mail inquiry system. All patients received the during consultations, and PCPs, during scheduled informative meetings. We recorded and later analysed the profile of the questioner, patients’ demographic and clinical data, number of queries, reason for consultation, and actions taken. RESULTS: From 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2015, the service received 137 emails from 63 patients (43% male, mean age 71 ± 10.5) diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (76%), atypical parkinsonism (10%), and others (14%); 116 responses were sent. Twenty (32%) emails were written by patients, 38 (60%) by their caregivers, and 5 (8%) by their PCPs. The reasons for consultation were clinical in 50 cases (80%): 16 (32%) described clinical deterioration, 14 (28%) onset of new symptoms, and 20 (40%) side effects or concerns about medications. In 13 cases (20%), the query was bureaucratic: 11 were related to appointments (85%) and 2 were requests for clinical reports (15%). In response, new appointments were scheduled in 9 cases (14%), while the rest of the questions were answered by email. Patients were satisfied overall and the additional care burden on specialists was not excessive. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an e-mail-based consultation system is feasible in MD units. It facilitates both communication between neurologists and patients and continued care in the primary care setting

Minimal flavour violation extensions of the seesaw

We analyze the most natural formulations of the minimal lepton flavour violation hypothesis compatible with a type-I seesaw structure with three heavy singlet neutrinos N, and satisfying the requirement of being predictive, in the sense that all LFV effects can be expressed in terms of low energy observables. We find a new interesting realization based on the flavour group $SU(3)_e\times SU(3)_{\ell+N}$ (being $e$ and $\ell$ respectively the SU(2) singlet and doublet leptons). An intriguing feature of this realization is that, in the normal hierarchy scenario for neutrino masses, it allows for sizeable enhancements of $\mu \to e$ transitions with respect to LFV processes involving the $\tau$ lepton. We also discuss how the symmetries of the type-I seesaw allow for a strong suppression of the N mass scale with respect to the scale of lepton number breaking, without implying a similar suppression for possible mechanisms of N productionComment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Star Formation Rate Indicators in Wide-Field Infrared Survey Preliminary Release

With the goal of investigating the degree to which theMIR luminosity in theWidefield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) traces the SFR, we analyze 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 {\mu}m data in a sample of {\guillemotright} 140,000 star-forming galaxies or star-forming regions covering a wide range in metallicity 7.66 < 12 + log(O/H) < 9.46, with redshift z < 0.4. These star-forming galaxies or star-forming regions are selected by matching the WISE Preliminary Release Catalog with the star-forming galaxy Catalog in SDSS DR8 provided by JHU/MPA 1.We study the relationship between the luminosity at 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 {\mu}m from WISE and H\alpha luminosity in SDSS DR8. From these comparisons, we derive reference SFR indicators for use in our analysis. Linear correlations between SFR and the 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 {\mu}m luminosity are found, and calibrations of SFRs based on L(3.4), L(4.6), L(12) and L(22) are proposed. The calibrations hold for galaxies with verified spectral observations. The dispersion in the relation between 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 {\mu}m luminosity and SFR relates to the galaxy's properties, such as 4000 {\deg}A break and galaxy color.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure