A study of principals’ perceptions as implementers of Michigan’s mandated teacher evaluation policy

The purpose of this study was to identify and develop an understanding of the relationships between the perceptions of principals regarding the Michigan mandatory annual teacher evaluation policy and job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and stress as principals navigated the roles of building manager, instructional leader and policy implementer. This quantitative study asked 3,009 Michigan public school principals to share their perceptions regarding the teacher evaluation policy. A total of 426 principals responded to a questionnaire published in a web-based format using a Likert scale. Interest in this study by the Michigan Department of Education Research Department allowed access to all email addresses for Michigan public schools using the Educational Entity Master (EEM) system. Questions in the survey collected demographic data and uncovered perceptions held by respondents regarding policy implementation, role definition, and reinforced constructs of job satisfaction, self-efficacy, time, stress, need for training and fairness in the implementation process Stakeholder theory, which had roots in business, defined the reciprocal relationship between owners and stakeholders by observing management practices implemented for the pursuit of articulated organizational goals and served as the conceptual framework. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis and showed Michigan principals were marginally knowledgeable regarding the requirements of the evaluation policy; job satisfaction and self-efficacy were correlated to principals’ voice in the formation and implementation of the evaluation policy especially at the building and district levels; a weak relationship existed between knowledge and respondent self-esteem; and the constructs of job satisfaction, self efficacy, stress/time and knowledge were predictors for successful vi implementation of the policy. Coding the open-ended question led to the reinforcement of themes pertaining to self-efficacy, job satisfaction, time and stress. Additional identified themes included the need for training and a concern for statewide level of fairness in completing the evaluation. Through the lens of stakeholder theory, it was important to acknowledge the reciprocal relationship between the principal (as stakeholder) and Michigan legislature (as the firm). To increase the knowledge, job satisfaction and self-efficacy of principals, the opportunity to provide a voice to policy formation and implementation is recommended. Professional organizations, government and educational agencies and higher education leadership programs must address communication and training opportunities for educational leaders

A machine-learning algorithm for neonatal seizure recognition: a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial

Background: Despite the availability of continuous conventional electroencephalography (cEEG), accurate diagnosis of neonatal seizures is challenging in clinical practice. Algorithms for decision support in the recognition of neonatal seizures could improve detection. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of an automated seizure detection algorithm called Algorithm for Neonatal Seizure Recognition (ANSeR).Methods: This multicentre, randomised, two-arm, parallel, controlled trial was done in eight neonatal centres across Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK. Neonates with a corrected gestational age between 36 and 44 weeks with, or at significant risk of, seizures requiring EEG monitoring, received cEEG plus ANSeR linked to the EEG monitor displaying a seizure probability trend in real time (algorithm group) or cEEG monitoring alone (non algorithm group). The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and false detection rate) of health-care professionals to identify neonates with electrographic seizures and seizure hours with and without the support of the ANSeR algorithm. Neonates with data on the outcome of interest were included in the analysis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02431780.Findings: Between Feb 13, 2015, and Feb 7, 2017, 132 neonates were randomly assigned to the algorithm group and 132 to the non-algorithm group. Six neonates were excluded (four from the algorithm group and two from the non-algorithm group). Electrographic seizures were present in 32 (25.0%) of 128 neonates in the algorithm group and 38 (29.2%) of 130 neonates in the non-algorithm group. For recognition of neonates with electrographic seizures, sensitivity was 81.3% (95% CI 66.7-93.3) in the algorithm group and 89.5% (78.4-97.5) in the non-algorithm group; specificity was 84.4% (95% CI 76.9-91.0) in the algorithm group and 89.1% (82.5-94.7) in the non-algorithm group; and the false detection rate was 36.6% (95% CI 22.7-52.1) in the algorithm group and 22.7% (11.6-35.9) in the non-algorithm group. We identified 659 h in which seizures occurred (seizure hours): 268 h in the algorithm versus 391 h in the non algorithm group. The percentage of seizure hours correctly identified was higher in the algorithm group than in the non-algorithm group (177 [66.0%; 95% CI 53.8-77.3] of 268 h vs 177 [45.3%; 34.5-58.3] of 391 h; difference 20.8% [3.6-37.1]). No significant differences were seen in the percentage of neonates with seizures given at least one inappropriate antiseizure medication (37.5% [95% CI 25.0 to 56.3] vs 31.6% [21.1 to 47.4]; difference 5.9% [-14.0 to 26.3]).Interpretation ANSeR, a machine-learning algorithm, is safe and able to accurately detect neonatal seizures. Although the algorithm did not enhance identification of individual neonates with seizures beyond conventional EEG, recognition of seizure hours was improved with use of ANSeR. The benefit might be greater in less experienced centres, but further study is required

Synaptic Defects in the Spinal and Neuromuscular Circuitry in a Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a major genetic cause of death in childhood characterized by marked muscle weakness. To investigate mechanisms underlying motor impairment in SMA, we examined the spinal and neuromuscular circuitry governing hindlimb ambulatory behavior in SMA model mice (SMNΔ7). In the neuromuscular circuitry, we found that nearly all neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in hindlimb muscles of SMNΔ7 mice remained fully innervated at the disease end stage and were capable of eliciting muscle contraction, despite a modest reduction in quantal content. In the spinal circuitry, we observed a ∼28% loss of synapses onto spinal motoneurons in the lateral column of lumbar segments 3–5, and a significant reduction in proprioceptive sensory neurons, which may contribute to the 50% reduction in vesicular glutamate transporter 1(VGLUT1)-positive synapses onto SMNΔ7 motoneurons. In addition, there was an increase in the association of activated microglia with SMNΔ7 motoneurons. Together, our results present a novel concept that synaptic defects occur at multiple levels of the spinal and neuromuscular circuitry in SMNΔ7 mice, and that proprioceptive spinal synapses could be a potential target for SMA therapy

Virtual Ontogeny of Cortical Growth Preceding Mental Illness

Background: Morphology of the human cerebral cortex differs across psychiatric disorders, with neurobiology and developmental origins mostly undetermined. Deviations in the tangential growth of the cerebral cortex during pre/perinatal periods may be reflected in individual variations in cortical surface area later in life. Methods: Interregional profiles of group differences in surface area between cases and controls were generated using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging from 27,359 individuals including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and high general psychopathology (through the Child Behavior Checklist). Similarity of interregional profiles of group differences in surface area and prenatal cell-specific gene expression was assessed. Results: Across the 11 cortical regions, group differences in cortical area for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and Child Behavior Checklist were dominant in multimodal association cortices. The same interregional profiles were also associated with interregional profiles of (prenatal) gene expression specific to proliferative cells, namely radial glia and intermediate progenitor cells (greater expression, larger difference), as well as differentiated cells, namely excitatory neurons and endothelial and mural cells (greater expression, smaller difference). Finally, these cell types were implicated in known pre/perinatal risk factors for psychosis. Genes coexpressed with radial glia were enriched with genes implicated in congenital abnormalities, birth weight, hypoxia, and starvation. Genes coexpressed with endothelial and mural genes were enriched with genes associated with maternal hypertension and preterm birth. Conclusions: Our findings support a neurodevelopmental model of vulnerability to mental illness whereby prenatal risk factors acting through cell-specific processes lead to deviations from typical brain development during pregnancy