The ethical limits of bungee research in ICTD

Research in ICTD is difficult because engineers with technical expertise are separated from the challenges that they are trying to address by large physical distances and significant social differences. To overcome these challenges, much research involves occasional short visits by external researchers to developing regions to investigate problems and generate ideas which are then developed back at the engineers' home base before further return visits for deployment and evaluation. This paper highlights the ethical limitations of this `bungee research', and reflects on our experiences in evolving more fruitful research practices. We argue that relying on bungee research as a primary model of research engagement is unethical, and we suggest some minimal conditions that are necessary, but not sufficient, for such visits to be ethically defensible in ICTD research

Temperament and Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Canadian Preschoolers

This study sought to assess the influence of preschoolers\u27 temperament on their objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time. Actical™ accelerometers were used to measure preschoolers\u27 from London, Canada\u27s (n= 216; 2.5-5. years) physical activity and sedentary levels during childcare hours (5 consecutive days; 15. s epoch). The Child Temperament Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess child temperament via parent/guardian report. The six subscales of the CTQ (i.e., reaction to food, soothability, attention span, activity, sociability, and emotionality) were correlated with Actical data (i.e., sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and total physical activity). The five items of the activity subscale were correlated with these three measures of sedentary time and physical activity. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were employed for both sets of analyses. Of the correlations examined, few had an absolute value greater than 0.10, and none were statistically significant after taking multiple comparison bias into account. The results of this work might provide additional indirect support for the conclusion that the childcare environment should be a primary focus with regard to the promotion of increased physical activity and decreased sedentary time among preschoolers. Additional research is required to confirm the relationship between preschoolers\u27 temperament and levels of physical activity and sedentary time

Environmental influences on preschoolers\u27 physical activity levels in various early-learning facilities

Purpose: This study aimed to: (a) compare the physical activity (PA) levels (i.e., moderateto- vigorous PA [MVPA] and total PA [TPA]) of preschoolers in 3 different early-learning environments (center-based childcare, home-based childcare, and full-day kindergarten [FDK]); and (b) assess which characteristics (e.g., play equipment, policies, etc.) of these settings influenced preschoolers\u27 PA. Method: Twenty-seven facilities (9 centers, 10 homes, and 8 FDK) participated in this study. Participants (aged 2.5-5 years; n =? 297) were fitted with Acticale accelerometers for 5 consecutive days during childcare/school hours to assess their PA. The Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool was used to objectively examine the PA environment of all participating facilities. Finally, demographic questionnaires were administered to preschoolers\u27 parents/guardians. Results: Preschoolers in FDK accumulated significantly more MVPA (p , .05; 3.33 min/hr) than those in center- (1.58 min/hr) and home-based (1.75 min/hr) childcare, and they accumulated significantly more TPA (p , .05; 20.31 min/hr) than those in center-based childcare (18.36 min/hr). For FDK, the Active Opportunities, Sedentary Opportunities, Sedentary Environment, and Fixed Play Environment subscales of the EPAO significantly impacted both MVPA and TPA. For center-based childcare, only the Sedentary Environment subscale was found to impact MVPA and TPA. No subscales influenced children\u27s MVPA or TPA in home-based childcare. Conclusions: This research underscores the need to encourage/support preschoolers\u27 active behaviors in early-learning settings, particularly for those in center- and home-based childcare. Furthermore, this article highlights environmental and staff characteristics on which future PA programming should focus

A general dimension of genetic sharing across diverse cognitive traits inferred from molecular data

It has been known since 1904 that, in humans, diverse cognitive traits are positively inter correlated. This forms the basis for the general factor of intelligence (g). Here, we directly test whether there is a partial genetic basis for individual differences in g using data from seven different cognitive tests (N = 11,263 to N = 331,679) and genome-wide autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms. A genetic g factor accounts for an average of 58.4% (SE = 4.8%) of the genetic variance in the cognitive traits, with the proportion varying widely across traits (range: 9% to 95%). We distill genetic loci that are broadly relevant for many cognitive traits (g) from loci associated specifically with individual cognitive traits. These results contribute to elucidating the etiology of a long-known yet poorly-understood phenomenon, revealing a fundamental dimension of genetic sharing across diverse cognitive traits

Cost-effectiveness of irbesartan in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review of published studies

Background. To review published studies on the cost-effectiveness of the use of irbesartan for treatment of advance overt nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Methods. Articles were identified based on a search of the PubMed databases using the keywords ‘irbesartan', ‘ESRD', ‘cost-effectiveness', ‘nephropathy' and ‘costs', and by personal communication with the authors. Only studies published in the last 10 years were included. All costs data from the cost-effectiveness studies were inflated to 2003 Euros using published governmental conversion tables. Results. Seven published studies were identified, spanning the following country settings: the US, Belgium and France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the UK. In each, the same pharmacoeconomic model was adapted using country-specific data to project and evaluate the clinical and cost outcomes of the treatment arms of the Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT) (irbesartan, amlodipine or standard blood pressure control). Mean time to onset of ESRD was 8.23 years for irbesartan, 6.82 years for amlodipine and 6.88 years for the control (values were the same for Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Spain as transition probabilities for progression to ESRD were all derived from the IDNT). Mean cumulative incidence of ESRD was 36% with irbesartan, 49% with amlodipine and 45% with control treatment. Treatment with irbesartan was projected to improve life expectancy compared to both amlodipine and control in all seven published studies. Analysis of total lifetime costs showed that irbesartan treatment was cost saving compared to the other two treatment regimens, due to the associated reduction in ESRD cases. Cost savings with irbesartan became evident very early; after 2-3 years of treatment in most settings. Conclusions. Modelling studies based on the IDNT published to date suggest that irbesartan treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and advanced nephropathy is both life- and cost-saving compared to amlodipine or contro

Coronagraphic Observations of the Lunar Sodium Exosphere January-June, 2017

In order to observe the lunar sodium exosphere out to one-half degree around the Moon, we designed, built and installed a small robotically controlled coronagraph at the Winer Observatory in Sonoita, Arizona. Observations are obtained remotely every available clear night from our home base at Goddard Space Flight Center or from Prescott, Arizona. We employ an Andover temperature-controlled 1.5-angstrom-wide narrow-band filter centered on the sodium D2 line, and a similar 1.5-angstrom filter centered blueward of the D2 line by 3 angstroms for continuum observations. Our data encompass lunations in 2015, 2016, and 2017, thus we have a long baseline of sodium exospheric calibrated images. During the course of three years we have refined the observational sequence in many respects. Therefore this paper only presents the results of the spring, 2017, observing season. We present limb profiles from the south pole to the north pole for many lunar phases. Our data do not fit any power of cosine model as a function of lunar phase or with latitude. The extended Na exosphere has a characteristic temperature of about 22506750 degrees Kelvin, indicative of a partially escaping exosphere. The hot escaping component may be indicative of a mixture of impact vaporization and a sputtered component

The influence of centre-based childcare on preschoolers\u27 physical activity levels: A cross-sectional study

The childcare environment represents an appropriate avenue to support physical activity among preschoolers. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to measure the physical activity levels of a sample of preschoolers during childcare hours; and (2) to assess which attributes (e.g., space, equipment, policies) within centre-based childcare environments influenced physical activity. Thirty-one preschoolers from 5 childcare centres across London, Canada participated. Actical accelerometers were worn by participants for one day during childcare hours to assess activity levels using a 15 second epoch length. The Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation instrument was used to conduct a full-day evaluation of the childcare environment. On average, participants engaged in 1.54 min/h of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 17.42 min/h of total physical activity. Sedentary opportunities, portable and fixed play equipment, and staff behaviour accounted for 49.3% of the variability in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 14.1% of the variability in total physical activity, with sedentary opportunities, fixed play equipment, and staff behaviours displaying an inverse relationship. Results emphasize the critical role the childcare environment plays in supporting physical activity among preschoolers. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

C.H.A.M.P. Families : Description and Theoretical Foundations of a Paediatric Overweight and Obesity Intervention Targeting Parents-A Single-Centre Non-Randomised Feasibility Study.

Childhood obesity represents a significant global health challenge, and treatment interventions are needed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the components and theoretical model that was used in the development and implementation of a unique parent-focussed paediatric overweight/obesity intervention. C.H.A.M.P. Families was a single-centre, prospective intervention offered to parents of children aged between 6⁻14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile for age and sex. The intervention included: (1) eight group-based (parent-only) education sessions over 13-weeks; (2) eight home-based activities; and (3) two group-based (family) follow-up support sessions. The first section of the manuscript contains a detailed description of each intervention component, as well as an overview of ongoing feasibility analyses. The theoretical portion details the use of evidence-based group dynamics principles and motivational interviewing techniques within the context of a broader social cognitive theory foundation. This paper provides researchers with practical examples of how theoretical constructs and evidence-based strategies can be applied in the development and implementation of parent-focussed paediatric obesity interventions. Given the need for transparent reporting of intervention designs and theoretical foundations, this paper also adds to the areas of implementation science and knowledge translation research

Training may enhance early childhood educators’ self-efficacy to lead physical activity in childcare

Background: Early childhood educators (ECEs) play a critical role in promoting physical activity (PA) among preschoolers in childcare; thus, PA-related training for ECEs is essential. The Supporting PA in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention incorporated: 1. shorter, more frequent outdoor play sessions; 2. provision of portable play equipment; and, PA training for ECEs. An extension of the SPACE intervention (the SPACE-Extension) incorporated only the shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods component of the original SPACE intervention. The purpose of this study was to explore the individual impact of these interventions on ECEs’ PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Methods: ECEs from the SPACE (n = 83) and SPACE-Extension (n = 31) were administered surveys at all intervention time-points to assess: self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA (n = 6 items; scale 0 to 100); self-efficacy to implement the intervention (n = 6 items); and, knowledge of preschooler-specific PA and screen-viewing guidelines (n = 2 items). A linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the impact of each intervention on ECEs’ self-efficacy and knowledge and controlled for multiple comparison bias. Results: The SPACE intervention significantly impacted ECEs’ self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA for 180 min/day (main effect), and when outdoor playtime was not an option (interaction effect). Further, the interaction model for ECEs’ knowledge of the total PA guideline for preschoolers approached significance when compared to the main effects model. Participants within the SPACE-Extension did not demonstrate any significant changes in self-efficacy or knowledge variables. Conclusions: Findings from this study highlight the benefit of ECE training in PA with regard to fostering their PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Future research should explore the impact of PA training for ECEs uniquely in order to determine if this intervention component, alone, can produce meaningful changes in children’s PA behaviours at childcare

Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE): Rationale and study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial Energy balance-related behaviors

Background: Young children are prone to low levels of physical activity in childcare. Researchers have identified that preschoolers tend to be more active outdoors than indoors, with higher activity levels occurring during the first 10 minutes of outdoor playtime. Additionally, interventions incorporating either staff training or the inclusion of play equipment have been effective at increasing children\u27s activity in this setting. As such, the overarching objective of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention is to improve the physical activity levels of preschoolers during childcare hours, utilizing a combination of the above components. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a detailed account of the protocol, innovative methods, and evaluation plans used in the implementation of the SPACE study; in an effort to support the development of further research in this field. Methods/Design: The SPACE study, a cluster randomized controlled trial, involves 22 childcare centres randomly allocated to either the experimental (n = 11) or the control (n = 11) group. Childcare centres receiving the intervention will adopt an 8-week physical activity intervention with the following components: 1. shorter, more frequent bouts of outdoor playtime (4 × 30 min periods rather than 2 × 60 min periods); 2. new portable play equipment (e.g., obstacle course, balls); and, 3. staff training (1 × 4 hr workshop). Actical accelerometers will be used to assess total physical activity with measurements taken at baseline (i.e., week 0), immediately post-intervention (i.e., week 8), and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. As secondary objectives, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on preschoolers\u27: a) sedentary time; b) standardized body mass index scores (percentiles); c) health-related quality of life; and childcare providers\u27 physical activity-related knowledge and self-efficacy to implement physical activity. Discussion: The SPACE study aims to increase the low levels of physical activity observed within childcare centres. The findings of this work may be useful to policy makers and childcare providers to consider modifications to the current childcare curriculum and associated outdoor play time