Asthma and Academic Achievement: How Are Head Start Children Affected?

Head Start children with asthma represent a unique student population with unique needs. This study examined the ways in which a diagnosis of asthma can affect the later academic achievement of these students in a sample of 788 children identified as having asthma. Results indicated statistically significant group differences in standardized reading and mathematics scores, with students with asthma performing worse than students without this diagnosis in both academic areas. In reference to reading abilities among students with asthma, indicators of socioeconomic status, gender, and level of school absences were found to be predictive of reading scores. Regarding mathematics abilities, results indicated the significant contribution of both socioeconomic status and level of school absences in predicting the math scores of students with asthma.  Variables regarding the family environment (access to resources and family routines also contributed to explaining the asthma-academic achievement relationship in a full model including all these variables. Recommendations for Head Start practitioners for adequately serving the needs of students with asthma are also discussed

The Effects of Asthma on Academic Achievement in a Sample of Former Head Start Children

The ways in which a diagnosis of asthma can affect the academic achievement of students were examined in a sample of 5,711 former Head Start children, 788 of which were identified as having asthma.  Results indicated statistically significant group differences in standardized reading and mathematics scores, with students with asthma performing worse than students without this diagnosis in both academic areas.  In reference to reading abilities among students with asthma, indicators of socioeconomic status, gender, and level of school absences were found to be predictive of reading scores.  Regarding mathematics abilities, results indicated the significant contribution of both socioeconomic status and level of school absences in predicting the math scores of students with asthma.  Variables regarding the family environment did not make a significant contribution to explaining the asthma-academic achievement relationship beyond the effects of these variables

Controls on Asymmetric Rift Dynamics: Numerical Modeling of Strain Localization and Fault Evolution in the Kenya Rift

Complex, time‐dependent, and asymmetric rift geometries are observed throughout the East African Rift System (EARS) and are well documented, for instance, in the Kenya Rift. To unravel asymmetric rifting processes in this region, we conduct 2D geodynamic models. We use the finite element software ASPECT employing visco‐plastic rheologies, mesh‐refinement, distributed random noise seeding, and a free surface. In contrast to many previous numerical modeling studies that aimed at understanding final rifted margin symmetry, we explicitly focus on initial rifting stages to assess geodynamic controls on strain localization and fault evolution. We thereby link to geological and geophysical observations from the Southern and Central Kenya Rift. Our models suggest a three‐stage early rift evolution that dynamically bridges previously inferred fault‐configuration phases of the eastern EARS branch: (1) accommodation of initial strain localization by a single border fault and flexure of the hanging‐wall crust, (2) faulting in the hanging‐wall and increasing upper‐crustal faulting in the rift‐basin center, and (3) loss of pronounced early stage asymmetry prior to basinward localization of deformation. This evolution may provide a template for understanding early extensional faulting in other branches of the East African Rift and in asymmetric rifts worldwide. By modifying the initial random noise distribution that approximates small‐scale tectonic inheritance, we show that a spectrum of first‐order fault configurations with variable symmetry can be produced in models with an otherwise identical setup. This approach sheds new light on along‐strike rift variability controls in active asymmetric rifts and proximal rifted margins.Key Points: 2D numerical models elucidate evolution of asymmetric Kenya Rift segments. Intrabasinal faulting is caused by bending of the central block and does not reach the brittle‐ductile transition. Small‐scale crustal inheritance can exert decisive control on first‐order rift architecture.Helmholtz Young Ivestigators GroupNational Science Foundatio

Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two?

Hibbitts, Toby J., Ryberg, Wade A., Harvey, Johanna A., Voelker, Gary, Lawing, A. Michelle, Adams, Connor S., Neuharth, Dalton B., Dittmer, Drew E., Duran, C. Michael, Wolaver, Brad D., Pierre, Jon Paul, Labay, Benjamin J., Laduc, Travis J. (2019): Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two? Zootaxa 4619 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4619.1.