Equivalence of Testing Instruments in Canada: Studying Item Bias in a Cross-Cultural Assessment for Preschoolers

Item bias, which occurs when items function differently for different groups ofrespondents, is of particular concern to cross-cultural assessments. It threatens measurement equivalence and causes intergroup comparisons to be invalid. This study assessed item bias among francophone, anglophone, and Aboriginal preschoolers in New Brunswick, Canada. We used data from the Early Years Evaluation-Direct Assessment (EYE-DA), an assessment tool that measures children’s early educational development. The analytical approach used to investigate item bias is called differential item functioning (DIF). This study offers an application of DIF analysis that combines statistical testing and graphical representation of DIF. Analyses yielded consistent results revealing that linguistic and cultural differences between francophone and anglophone children are more challenging to achieve transferability than cultural differences between Aboriginal and anglophone examinees

Fatty acids and sterols composition of oyster cultivated in two seasons of the year in Florianopolis - SC city-Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of sterols and fatty acids of oysters cultivated in Florianopolis-SC in two seasons of the year. Oysters were dried in oven at 60 C for 48 hours and ground. Lipids were determined by Soxhlet method and fatty acids were identified by gas chromatography. Oysters collected during the spring showed a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than oysters collected during summer. Even so, both samples showed good quantities of n-3: 550 mg.100 g(-1) (summer) and 892 mg. 100 g(-1) (spring). Oysters collected during the spring showed a higher content of total steroids; however, only 42% (summer) and 45% (spring) of these steroids were cholesterol. Oysters cultivated in Florianopolis present healthy lipids, including n-3 and low concentration of cholesterol. Due to their lipid composition, oysters may be part of a healthy diet, following suitable quantity and preparation.301737

QUIJOTE Scientific Results. II. Polarisation Measurements of the Microwave Emission in the Galactic molecular complexes W43 and W47 and supernova remnant W44

We present Q-U-I JOint TEnerife (QUIJOTE) intensity and polarisation maps at 10-20 GHz covering a region along the Galactic plane 24<l<45 deg, |b|<8 deg. These maps result from 210 h of data, have a sensitivity in polarisation of ~40 muK/beam and an angular resolution of ~1 deg. Our intensity data are crucial to confirm the presence of anomalous microwave emission (AME) towards the two molecular complexes W43 (22 sigma) and W47 (8 sigma). We also detect at high significance (6 sigma) AME associated with W44, the first clear detection of this emission towards a SNR. The new QUIJOTE polarisation data, in combination with WMAP, are essential to: i) Determine the spectral index of the synchrotron emission in W44, beta_sync =-0.62 +/-0.03, in good agreement with the value inferred from the intensity spectrum once a free-free component is included in the fit. ii) Trace the change in the polarisation angle associated with Faraday rotation in the direction of W44 with rotation measure -404 +/- 49 rad/m2. And iii) set upper limits on the polarisation of W43 of Pi_AME <0.39 per cent (95 per cent C.L.) from QUIJOTE 17~GHz, and <0.22 per cent from WMAP 41 GHz data, which are the most stringent constraints ever obtained on the polarisation fraction of the AME. For typical physical conditions (grain temperature and magnetic field strengths), and in the case of perfect alignment between the grains and the magnetic field, the models of electric or magnetic dipole emissions predict higher polarisation fractions.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

QUIJOTE scientific results - II. Polarisation measurements of the microwave emission in the Galactic molecular complexes W43 and W47 and supernova remnant W44

We present Q-U-I JOint TEnerife (QUIJOTE) intensity and polarisation maps at 10-20 GHz covering a region along the Galactic plane 24° ≳ l ≳ 45°, |b| ≳ 8°. These maps result from 210 h of data, have a sensitivity in polarisation of ≈ 40 μK beam and an angular resolution of ≈1°. Our intensity data are crucial to confirm the presence of anomalous microwave emission (AME) towards the two molecular complexesW43 (22σ) and W47 (8σ).We also detect at high significance (6σ) AME associated with W44, the first clear detection of this emission towards a supernova remnant. The new QUIJOTE polarisation data, in combination with Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), are essential to (i) determine the spectral index of the synchrotron emission in W44, β = -0.62 ± 0.03, in good agreement with the value inferred from the intensity spectrum once a free-free component is included in the fit; (ii) trace the change in the polarisation angle associated with Faraday rotation in the direction of W44 with rotation measure -404 ± 49 rad m and (iii) set upper limits on the polarisation ofW43 of Π < 0.39 per cent (95 per cent C.L.) from QUIJOTE 17 GHz, and < 0.22 per cent from WMAP 41 GHz data, which are the most stringent constraints ever obtained on the polarisation fraction of the AME. For typical physical conditions (grain temperature and magnetic field strengths), and in the case of perfect alignment between the grains and the magnetic field, the models of electric or magnetic dipole emissions predict higher polarisation fractions.This work has been partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under the projects AYA2007-68058-C03-01, AYA2010-21766- C03-02, AYA2012-39475-C02-01, the Consolider-Ingenio project CSD2010-00064 (EPI: Exploring the Physics of Inflation) and also by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 687312. FP thanks the European Commission under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions within the H2020 program, Grant Agreement Number 658499-PolAME-H2020-MSCA-IF-2014.Peer Reviewe

The QUIJOTE experiment: project overview and first results

QUIJOTE (Q-U-I JOint TEnerife) is a new polarimeter aimed to characterize the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background and other Galactic and extragalactic signals at medium and large angular scales in the frequency range 10-40 GHz. The multi-frequency (10-20~GHz) instrument, mounted on the first QUIJOTE telescope, saw first light on November 2012 from the Teide Observatory (2400~m a.s.l). During 2014 the second telescope has been installed at this observatory. A second instrument at 30~GHz will be ready for commissioning at this telescope during summer 2015, and a third additional instrument at 40~GHz is now being developed. These instruments will have nominal sensitivities to detect the B-mode polarization due to the primordial gravitational-wave component if the tensor-to-scalar ratio is larger than r=0.05.Comment: To appear in "Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics VIII", Proceedings of the XI Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society, Teruel, Spain (2014

Exile Vol. XLI

39th Year Cover Art by Elisa Gargarelle \u2795 (quote from J.D. Salinger\u27s Catcher in the Rye) untitled by Aileen Jones \u2797 i Girl by Colin Bossen \u2798 1 sun by Alex Blazer \u2796 2 Shifting by Alex Blazer \u2796 2 The Fish by Sarah Ramsey \u2795 3 New Woman by Lisa Stillman \u2795 4 Why by Lelei Jennings \u2795 5 Camel Cafe by Jeremy Aufrance \u2795 5 Jenny by Lizzy Loud \u2795 6 Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Bostrom \u2796 7 Rising by Lizzy Loud \u2795 12 Pinsetter by Jeremy Aufrance \u2795 13 A Greater Distance by Jeff Boon \u2795 14 Shiho by Jeff Boon \u2795 15 Sub-stance by Alex Blazer \u2796 15 Sisters by Gretchen Hambley \u2796 16 Anne Sexton by Allison Lemieux \u2796 17 The Holy Grail... by Ed Shim \u2795 17 untitled by Liz Bolyard \u2796 18 23 by Keith Chapman \u2795 18 Bang, Zoom! by Victoria Lyall \u2796 19 Gabe and Me by Heather Trabert \u2797 20 Tornado Summer by Liz Bolyard \u2796 21 Nude by Elise Gargarella \u2795 21 Why I can\u27t tell short stories by Colin Bossen \u2798 22 america by Lynn Tramonte \u2798 24 Upon Being Asked... by Matt Makman \u2796 24 Being Azra by Lynn Tramonte \u2798 25 Mystic Truths by Adrienne Binni \u2795 27 King\u27s Court by Elisha Gargarella \u2795 27 Incense by Erin Lott \u2796 28 Sunday Morning... by Lisa Stillman \u2795 33 untitled by Elisa Gargarella \u2795 33 Quien no ha visto... by Adrienne Binni \u2795 34 The Space Between Us by Allison Lemieux \u2795 35 searching for the Bermuda... by Victoria Lyall \u2796 35 untitled by Man Chhoa \u2796 36 The Hunted by J. Murdoch Matheson \u2796 37 Editorial decisions are shared equally among the editorial board. -4

Heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic: clinical, diagnostic, management, and organizational dilemmas

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection pandemic has affected the care of patients with heart failure (HF). Several consensus documents describe the appropriate diagnostic algorithm and treatment approach for patients with HF and associated COVID-19 infection. However, few questions about the mechanisms by which COVID can exacerbate HF in patients with high-risk (Stage B) or symptomatic HF (Stage C) remain unanswered. Therefore, the type of HF occurring during infection is poorly investigated. The diagnostic differentiation and management should be focused on the identification of the HF phenotype, underlying causes, and subsequent tailored therapy. In this framework, the relationship existing between COVID and onset of acute decompensated HF, isolated right HF, and cardiogenic shock is questioned, and the specific management is mainly based on local hospital organization rather than a standardized model. Similarly, some specific populations such as advanced HF, heart transplant, patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), or valve disease remain under investigated. In this systematic review, we examine recent advances regarding the relationships between HF and COVID-19 pandemic with respect to epidemiology, pathogenetic mechanisms, and differential diagnosis. Also, according to the recent HF guidelines definition, we highlight different clinical profile identification, pointing out the main concerns in understudied HF populations.© 2022 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology

Effectiveness of laxatives in elderly - a cross sectional study in nursing homes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Laxatives are efficient drugs, but the effectiveness has been questioned. In nursing homes, the prevalence of constipation is high and laxatives are commonly used drugs. The aims of the study were to assess the effectiveness of laxative therapy in an everyday setting in Norwegian nursing homes, study differences between treatment regimens and factors associated with normal bowel function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study. After giving informed consent, residents above 60 years of age using laxatives for functional constipation were included, and their characteristics, medical history, use of drugs and bowel functions were recorded. Normal bowel function was defined as bowel movements from 3 times/week to 3 times/day and stool consistency 3-5 on Bristol Stool Form Scale.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 647 residents in the nursing homes, 197 were included and 116 (59%) had normal bowel function. The treatment effect did not differ significantly between the laxatives, treatment regimens or expected efficacy of the regimens. The treatment was unsatisfactorily adapted to individual needs. In subjects with normal bowel function, 113 (97%) had persistent complaints; 68 (59.5%), 10 (8.0%), 34 (28.6%) and 26 (22.5%) reported straining, manual manoeuvre to facilitate bowel movements, feeling of incomplete bowel movements, and feeling of anorectal obstruction respectively. Good nutritional status, previous or present cancer disease and anxiety/depression were predictors of normal bowel function.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Treatment of constipation in nursing homes was unsatisfactory. Nearly all patients with normal stool frequency and consistence had some persistent complaints. Improved nutrition and individualization of the treatment could improve the outcome.</p