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Introduction: Motor Competence (MC) is related to the development of healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents, and many studies have compared it with different variables, including sports participation. This investigation aimed to characterize the components and total scores of MC regarding different physical activity practices, such as physical education (PE) classes, futsal, volleyball, and ballet, and to compare MC regarding sports, sex, and age-groups. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, 398 Portuguese children and adolescents (398 participants: 200 boys and 198 girls; 12.649±3.46 years) were conveniently chosen between 2022 and 2023. Four groups of different sports were created: PE classes (n = 187), futsal (n = 80), volleyball (n = 101) and ballet (n = 30), and four different age groups: 7 to 9 years old (n = 117); 10 to 12 years old (n = 65), 13 to 15 years old (n = 96) and, 16 to 19 years old (n = 120). All participants reported to participate in at least two training sessions per week (1 hour each) for at least two years. MC was assessed with Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) comprising three components with six tests (two tests for each component). Participants' total MC was calculated as the average of the three components of the MCA. Data were analyzed by applying ANOVA one-way with LSD post-hoc. Results: Differences were found in MC among groups, where futsal participants showed better scores in general. Sex comparison showed that boys have a higher MC when practicing futsal, especially compared to volleyball players. Age-group analysis showed that younger participants had better MC levels compared to older ones. Conclusion: The whole group showed the 50th percentile of MC, but volleyball adolescents showed results below this reference. MC is intrinsically linked to an individual's motor experiences and motivations rather than depending directly on the specific practice of the sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Weightlifting is an Olympic sport for dynamic strength and power, and requires the execution of different lifting techniques It is important to analyze the forces subjected to the lower back during weightlifting movements to prevent injuries. Digital Human Modeling (DHM) is a powerful tool that can be used to analyze and optimize the performance of humans while doing their work or activities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to present a simulation analysis of the lower back forces during the execution of two weightlifting techniques: Snatch (SN) and Clean & Jerk (CJ), with different loads and for both genders. METHODS: Digital Human modelling through JACK simulation package was used analyze the forces exerted on the lumbosacral area (L5-S1) of the lower back in order to determine the risk for low back injuries. The level of compression and shear forces recommended by the literature have been set as thresholds. The simulaitons were performed in male and female models, with loads from 20–100 kg. RESULTS: The results show that any weight higher than 60 kg in both movements poses risk for the weightlifters in terms of compression and shear forces. It has been observed that weightlifters can lift greater loads in the CJ technique compared to the SN technique. Furthermore, females are able to lift higher loads with lower risk of injuries. CONCLUSION: Weightlifting is a high-risk activity due to the high levels of shear and compression forces that the body is exposed to during the lifting techniques. Digital Human Modeling holds significant value due to their ability to facilitate the exploration of diverse conditions within a safe environment, devoid of any potential harm to human subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School administrators are instructional leaders responsible for ensuring high quality inclusive education for all students including those with disabilities. In this article, the authors review legal mandates, discuss inclusion of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in practice, and obstacles to effectiveness. Recommendations are provided to assist administrators in maintaining high quality inclusive education for students with EBD by addressing the following barriers: (a) administrator preparation and training; (b) prioritization; (c) common philosophy, vision, and mission; (d) funding and resources; (e) teacher training and coaching, (f) effective practices and (g) effective co-teaching. While experts continue to debate the inclusion of students with EBD, school administrators have moved on and are leading inclusive practices in schools. Barriers must be addressed prior to instating a fully inclusive model or face loss of staff and failure of students with EBD. As such, the authors propose a model of practice to research, in which strategies are recommended for current practice to overcome the identified barriers with available research. With implementation of the recommendations in this article, it is highly probable that students with EBD can be successful in inclusive settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) than ever before spend most of their time in general education. To increase their academic and behavioral success, students with EBD need access to empirically supported interventions and services. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate strategy effectiveness for students with EBD in K–12 inclusive settings. Identified studies were assessed with two approaches for evaluating methodological quality and multiple methods for assessing intervention effects. Results indicated that there is a dearth of empirical support for strategies implemented in general education classrooms for students with EBD though most of the studied reviewed were of high quality with moderate-to-large effects. In addition to the practical findings, the research team compared review methods with findings indicating agreement between expert visual analysis and more structured approaches for visual analysis. For the quantitative metrics, results indicated variable agreement across methods. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English abstract: The article approaches community water management in the rural town of El Mirador, Puebla, Mexico, from the political ecology perspective. To answer the question of how community water committees face the challenges of water management at the local level, we combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The results indicate that community households face lack of access to water, and the community committee manages the water from normative, technical, ecological and symbolic spheres, without having technical or financial support from the municipality, acting autonomously. We conclude that the norms established for the management of the resource of common use are consensual, which has fostered both sustainability in the use of water and the strengthening of community ties. Spanish abstract: Este artículo aborda la gestión comunitaria del agua en la localidad rural El Mirador, Puebla, México, desde la perspectiva de la ecología política. Para contestar la pregunta: ¿cómo los comités comunitarios enfrentan los retos de la gestión del agua a nivel local? combinamos metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa, dado que una permite generalizar y otra profundizar relaciones. Los resultados indican que los hogares de la comunidad enfrentan la carencia de acceso al agua y el comité comunitario gestiona el líquido desde ámbitos normativos, técnicos, ecológicos y simbólicos, sin contar con el apoyo del municipio. Concluimos que las normas establecidas para el manejo del recurso de uso común son consensuadas, lo cual ha propiciado tanto sostenibilidad en el uso del agua como el fortalecimiento de lazos comunitarios. English abstract: The article approaches community water management in the rural town of El Mirador, Puebla, Mexico, from the political ecology perspective. To answer the question of how community water committees face the challenges of water management at the local level, we combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The results indicate that community households face lack of access to water, and the community committee manages the water from normative, technical, ecological and symbolic spheres, without having technical or financial support from the municipality, acting autonomously. We conclude that the norms established for the management of the resource of common use are consensual, which has fostered both sustainability in the use of water and the strengthening of community ties. Spanish abstract: Este artículo aborda la gestión comunitaria del agua en la localidad rural El Mirador, Puebla, México, desde la perspectiva de la ecología política. Para contestar la pregunta: ¿cómo los comités comunitarios enfrentan los retos de la gestión del agua a nivel local? combinamos metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa, dado que una permite generalizar y otra profundizar relaciones. Los resultados indican que los hogares de la comunidad enfrentan la carencia de acceso al agua y el comité comunitario gestiona el líquido desde ámbitos normativos, técnicos, ecológicos y simbólicos, sin contar con el apoyo del municipio. Concluimos que las normas establecidas para el manejo del recurso de uso común son consensuadas, lo cual ha propiciado tanto sostenibilidad en el uso del agua como el fortalecimiento de lazos comunitarios. French abstract: Cet article évoque la gestion de l'eau dans la communauté rurale d'El Mirador, au Mexique, abordée dans une perspective d'écologie politique. Il répond à la question suivante : comment les comités communautaires font-ils face aux défi s locaux de la gestion de l'eau? Nous combinons les méthodologies quantitative et qualitative, l'une nous permettant de généraliser et l'autre, d'approfondir les relations. Les résultats indiquent que les familles assument le défaut d'accès à l'eau et que le comité communautaire gère les aspects normatifs, techniques, écologiques et symboliques, sans soutien de la municipalité. Nous concluons que les normes établies autour de la gestion de l'eau sont consensuelles, ce qui a favorisé la durabilité dans l'utilisation de l'eau et le renforcement des liens communautaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings has been an international focus for over two decades. In the US, federal laws [e.g. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). 2004. H.R. 1350, 108th Congress] mandate access to the general education curriculum for all students, including those with disabilities. These mandates codify a philosophical orientation of least restrictive environment, within a free appropriate public education, while explicitly requiring evidence-based practices. The policies support and protect inclusive practices for individuals with emotional and behavioural disabilities, yet the state of the empirical literature is unknown. A review is needed to provide an overview of the research and reveal the breadth of the literature. To this end, scoping review methodology was used to map the state of the literature. This particular approach is recommended for topics with myriad and complex definitions and issues, as is the case with inclusive education. Results map six themes (professional and student experience, strategy effectiveness, policy and programmes, perception of influencing factors, teacher training, teacher knowledge) and reveal several gaps in the literature. Recommendations are made for systematic review, meta-analyses, and individual studies to address the gaps in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that often manifest as academic impairment. As such, teachers must select interventions to increase the probability of success for students with ADHD in their classes. Prior meta-analyses have evaluated school-based intervention effects; however, no systematic review meta-analysis has evaluated the effectiveness of interventions implemented in classrooms with students with ADHD. Additionally, classroom-based studies are frequently conducted through single-case design methodology, and recent advances in meta-analytic techniques provide the opportunity to explore intervention effectiveness as evaluated through quality research. Therefore, to inform selection of evidence-based interventions to be implemented in classroom settings, the current systematic review with meta-analysis of single-case design studies was conducted to evaluate intervention effectiveness, evidence-based status, and moderators of effects for four intervention types (behavioral, instructional, self-management, and environmental) when implemented with students with ADHD in classroom settings. The analysis included 27 articles published from 1971 to 2018. Overall and specific to each intervention type, the results indicate that classroom-based interventions for students with ADHD were moderately effective. Instructional and self-management interventions were deemed evidence based by What Works Clearinghouse standards and potentially evidence based by Council for Exceptional Children standards. Behavioral interventions were found to be potentially evidence based by Council for Exceptional Children criteria and were most effective when selected through functional behavior analysis and implemented by researchers in secondary settings. Instructional interventions were more effective when implemented in special education settings targeting academic outcomes. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores perceptions about climate change manifestations, their causes and impacts on the daily lives of local social actors in the Technified Rainfed District of Margaritas Comitán, Chiapas (DTT011) located in Chiapas State, in the upper part of the Usumacinta River Basin. This research proposes to argue, based on empirical information, that irrespective of the perception of the concept of climate change, the impact of the variations in the periods of rain and the increase of the heat are observed, interpreted and felt at local level and these variations are having economic consequences, in that way, production systems are affected and crops are lost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent meta-analyses of the effectiveness of token economies (TEs) report insufficient quality in the research or mixed effects in the results. This study examines the contemporary (post-Public Law 94-142) peer-reviewed published single-case research evaluating the effectiveness of TEs. The results are stratified across quality of demonstrated functional relationship using a nonparametric effect size (ES) that controls for undesirable baseline trends in the analysis. In addition, moderators (i.e., classroom setting, age of participant, outcomes, use of response cost, and use of verbal cueing) were analyzed. Eighty-eight AB phase contrasts were calculated from 28 studies (1980 -2014) representing 90 participants and produced a weighted mean ES of 0.82 (SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.77, 0.88]). Strong quality produced a combined weighted mean ES of 0.85 (SE = 0.642, 95% CI [0.74, 0.97]). Moderator analyses revealed that a TE was slightly more effective for youth between the ages of 6 and 15 years than for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years or when used with behavioral goals in comparison to academic goals. However, no difference was found when implemented in general or special education settings or with the inclusion of response cost or verbal cueing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relations between problem behaviors and early learning outcomes among 138 children in dual-language pre-K programs who were identified at the beginning of the school year to be at risk for difficulties in early language and literacy development. Children’s expressive and receptive vocabulary, listening comprehension, and conceptual thinking skills were assessed at the beginning of pre-K and again at the end of the school year. Their problem behaviors (externalizing, bullying, hyperactivity, and internalizing) were assessed midyear via teacher ratings. With the exception of internalizing problem behaviors, bivariate correlations indicated virtually no associations between children’s entry-level academic skills and midyear ratings of problem behaviors. However, multilevel models controlling for student- and teacher-level variables revealed that midyear ratings of problem behaviors were statistically significant predictors of poor outcomes on several vocabulary-related measures administered at the end of pre-K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp of pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is used to prepare pitanga juice. However, there are no reports on the identification and quantification of the main constituents in pitanga pulp. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the major volatile and non-volatile low-molecular-weight constituents of the pulp. Isolation of volatile compounds was performed by solvent-assisted flavor evaporation technique. Characterization of the main volatile and non-volatile constituents was performed by GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. For quantitative measurements, the main volatile compound needed to be isolated from pitanga pulp to obtain a commercially not available reference standard. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was determined as one of the most abundant non-volatile pulp compound yielding 53.8% of the sum of the intensities of all ions detected by LC-MS. Quantification of cyanidin-3-glucoside in pitanga pulp resulted in a concentration of 344 ± 66.4 μg/mL corresponding to 688 ± 133 μg/g dried pulp and 530 ± 102 μg/g fruit. For the volatile fraction, oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one was identified as the main volatile pulp constituent (27.7% of the sum of the intensities of all ions detected by GC-MS), reaching a concentration of 89.0 ± 16.9 μg/mL corresponding to 1.34 ± 0.25 μg/g fresh pulp and 1.03 ± 0.19 μg/g fruit. The results provide quantitative evidence for the occurrence of an anthocyanin and an oxygenated sesquiterpene as one of the major volatile and non-volatile low-molecular-weight compounds in pitanga pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elderly are susceptible to many disorders that alter the gait pattern and could lead to falls and reduction of mobility. One of the most applied therapeutical approaches to correct altered gait patterns is the insertion of insoles. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a powerful method used to reduce redundant information and it allows the comparison of the complete waveform. The purpose of this study was to verify the influence of wedges on lower limbs’ net joint moment and range of motion (ROM) during the gait of healthy elderly participants using PCA. In addition, discrete values of lower limbs’ peak net moment and ROM were also evaluated. 20 subjects walked with no wedges (control condition) and wearing six different wedges. The variables analyzed were the Principal Components from joint net moments and ROM in the sagittal plane in the ankle and knee and joint net moments in frontal plane in the knee. The discrete variables were peak joint net moments and ROM in sagittal plane in knee and ankle. The results showed the influence of the wedges to be clearer by analyzing through PCA methods than to use discrete parameters of gait curves, where the differences between conditions could be hidden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), difficulties in various school subjects are often related to memory problems and can lead to a myriad of related academic, social, and emotional problems that follow them throughout their lives. The authors of this text focus on neuroscience and recent understandings of the impact damage can have on the brain and mind. Recent research on the developing brain may provide cognitive rehabilitation professionals with ways to help young individuals reach important milestones more easily, and to see how education can play an integral role in healing the brain. This may require various fields involved with cognitive rehabilitation to step out of their traditional views of how individuals with brain injuries relearn, and look closely at how human beings are evolutionarily designed to learn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The absorption of nutrients depends on the composition of a food. [•] The bioaccessibility of compounds in cashew apple juice is higher than in the fibre. [•] Cashew apple is a natural source of minerals with high bioaccessiblity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a first approach to knowledge and perceptions expressed by indigenous peasants Jovel Basin, located in Los Altos de Chiapas - Mexico, about the local evidence of climate change, especially the change in the frequency and intensity of frost, rain and hail. We are interested in to recover the positions about the impacts these phenomena in their living conditions through the application of semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that in these new times, affected by changes in rainfall, frost and hail, have been put into question known risk standpoint and local indicators of climate predictability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the reflection on the link between disaster risk management and gender equity. It is presented a case study on perceptions about climate change and institutional abilities regarding risk management in four locations of the state of Yucatan, Mexico. In order to know the local social perceptions, surveys and interviews were administered to key informants, and the results account for the existence of serious problems in municipal institutions in charge of both disaster risk management and the promotion of processes to generate greater gender equality. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about the factors that cause climate change was recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports a study which compared the center of pressure (CoP) variables between the amputated limb and the sound limb of subjects with transfemoral amputation and able-bodied subjects during gait. The results revealed an asymmetrical pattern in transfemoral amputees' gait by CoP variables. The characterization of CoP in both groups indicates that both the amputated limb and the sound limb are different from the pattern found in able-bodied subjects.

The article discusses the use of progress monitoring and key word vocabularies to improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities in science education. Progress monitoring involves assessing teacher effectiveness and analyzing student performance data, and key word instruction teaches students about scientific vocabulary. The Science Key Vocabulary Assessment (SKeVA) is discussed, which is a free online program for teachers, and the educational effects of standardized tests are described. Specific student examples are presented, describing parental involvement in education, after school tutoring, and student improvement.

Self-monitoring to increase the on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities has been the focus of numerous studies in the literature. This study examined the effectiveness of computer aided self-monitoring of academic task completion to reduce self-injurious behavior in a 13-year-old male student with autism. Using an ABAB design, data were collected over 22 sessions in a resource-reading classroom. Visual and statistical analyses indicated that when self-monitoring of activity completion was implemented, rates of completion increased and maladaptive behaviors such as self-injurious behavior and tantruming decreased. Discussion follows for implications for self-monitoring with students with autism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional drivers need constant attention during long driving periods and sometimes perform tasks outside the truck. Driving discomfort may justify inattention, but it does not explain post-driving accidents outside the vehicle. This study aims to study the discomfort developed during driving by analysing modified preferred postures, pressure applied at the interface with the seat, and changes in pre- and post-driving gait patterns. Each of the forty-four volunteers drove for two hours in a driving simulator. Based on the walking speed changes between the two gait cycles, three homogeneous study groups were identified. Two groups performed faster speeds, while one reduced it in the post-steering gait. While driving, the pressure at the interface and the area covered over the seat increased throughout the sample. Preferred driving postures differed between groups. No statistical differences were found between the groups in the angles between the segments (flexed and extended). Long-time driving develops local or whole-body discomfort, increasing interface pressure over time. While driving, drivers try to compensate by modifying their posture. After long steering periods, a change in gait patterns can be observed. These behaviours may result from the difficulties imposed on blood circulation by increasing pressure at this interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes El Vizcaíno Bioreserve in terms of gender relations and their interconnections with its environmental reality. An attempt is made to contribute elements that could serve as inputs for implementing programs and actions might allow the region to become an area where development would not be at variance with resource conservation and where women would constitute the crux of an equitable and sustainable economic growth process. The article begins by explaining the conceptual and the methodological framework on which the analysis is based. Then, El Vizcaíno bioreserve, as a protected natural environment, is briefly introduced. Gender relations in the bioreserve's various microregions are analyzed as are their interconnections with the microregion's environmental dynamics. Finally, the study's conclusions are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus spp. wood ash, as fertilizer, can be used for agriculture sustainability and the mitigation of production costs especially among small farmers who grow cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The objective was to evaluate effects of fertilizers, mineral, organic (wood ash), and organomineral (organic+mineral) combined with base saturations of 30 or 60%, on growth and development of cowpea. Use of wood ash, alone and combined with mineral fertilizer, corrected soil acidity upward and increased shoot growth, nodule numbers, and water use efficiency. Wood ash may be an alternative fertilizer in cowpea production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This paper gives an analysis of carnauba wax in foods and extending to the different extraction processes. • Chemical and physical characteristics, as well as safety aspects of wax are reviewed. • Utilization of waxes as microcapsulating and food processing agents are investigated. • The main component, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, that has various pharmacological activities, are overviewed. Abstract Carnauba wax is widely used in food, due to its physico-chemical characteristics with a predominance of esters and inert and stable components. Even with so many possibilities for the use of carnauba wax in food, there are still a large number of researchers around the world searching for new applications and a demand for new products with new technologies to improve existing ones. Recently, many parts of research which focus on the use of this wax in conservation and food processing have been carried out, some of which highlight the role of this wax in the microencapsulation of flavours, in preparing edible films and super hydrophobic and biodegradable packaging. This paper discusses the use of carnauba wax in food, including the extraction process of the wax, its chemical and physical characteristics, safety aspects, national and international law and permitted uses, along with the presentation of the main scientific research conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the COVID-19 outbreak, schools have experienced difficulty providing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to their students, which should normally account for at least 50% of children's physical education (PE) class time. We aimed to determine the intensity of physical activity (PA) within PE classes at various grade levels to compare children's in-class PA with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended guidelines. Thus, 301 students (1st to 12th grade) participated in the investigation. Children were evaluated during the PE classes with different typologies and durations. We assessed PA intensity using accelerometry and grouped data into either sedentary-to-light PA (SEDLI) or MVPA. Each child was assessed using both the time spent in PA (hours:minutes:seconds) and the percentage of time spent in PA versus other class activities. We found that, in the second-grade level group (fifth and sixth grades), girls spent more time in MVPA intensity than boys. Additionally, two-hour PE classes doubled the SEDLI for students in the third-grade group, and polythematic classes (those with more than one sport) promoted more MVPA level time than monothematic classes (only one sport). Concerning PA intensity during PE classes, 31–43% of the PE class total time was spent in MVPA but presented short duration and did not usually persist for 10 consecutive minutes (59% of the time). Children spent a large amount of time at the SEDLI intensity, considered insufficient for PA health benefits. Finally, to meet WHO guidelines for PA intensity, PE classes will need to increase MVPA time and reduce non-active periods between activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WalkinSense is a new device designed to monitor walking. The aim of this study was to measure the accuracy and repeatability of the gait analysis performed by the WalkinSense system. Descriptions of values recorded by WalkinSense depicting typical gait in adults are also presented. A bench experiment using the Trublu calibration device was conducted to statically test theWalkinSense. Following this, a dynamic test was carried out overlapping theWalkinSense and the Pedar insoles in 40 healthy participants during walking. Pressure peak, pressure peak time, pressure-time integral, and mean pressure at eight-foot regions were calculated. In the bench experiments, the repeatability (i) among the WalkinSense sensors (within), (ii) between two WalkinSense devices, and (iii) between the WalkinSense and the Trublu devices was excellent. In the dynamic tests, the repeatability of the WalkinSense (i) between stances in the same trial (within-trial) and (ii) between trials was also excellent (ICC > 0.90).When the eight-foot regions were analyzed separately, the within-trial and between-trials repeatability was good-to-excellent in 88% (ICC > 0.80) of the data and fair in 11%. In short, the data suggest that theWalkinSense has good-to-excellent levels of accuracy and repeatability for plantar pressure variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective force applied on the crank, the index of pedalling effectiveness, and the economy of movement at 60, 75, 90, and 105 rev/min cadences were examined in nine cyclists and eight triathletes. Tests were performed on two days. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured and the second ventilatory threshold was estimated on day 1 using a stationary bicycle. On day 2, the four different cadences were tested at about 5% below the second ventilatory threshold. A strain gauge instrumented clip-less pedal mounted on the bicycle enabled us to measure the normal and tangential forces exerted on the pedal, while the pedal and crank angles were monitored with the aid of a video system. Based on this information, the effective force and the index of pedalling effectiveness were calculated. Cyclists produced significantly more effective force and a higher index of pedalling effectiveness at 60 and 75 rev/min and were significantly more economic at all cadences than triathletes. The significant and positive correlation between effective force and economy at all cadences suggests that improvement of the effective force would reflect on economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to experimentally examine the effects of content-based shared book reading instruction on the vocabulary development of Spanish-speaking preschool children who were learning English as a second language. Using shared book reading as the mode of instruction, 42 preschool teachers and 252 children from their classrooms were randomly assigned at the class level to either a highly specified content-related book reading intervention or a practice-as-usual shared book reading condition. Children were screened using the preLAS ® and were selected for the study based on their scores at the pre-functional and beginning level of English proficiency. Intervention teachers implemented the curricular intervention in small groups of 5–6 students, five days per week, for 20 min per session, for 18 weeks. Based on multilevel models, findings indicated significant effects of this intervention approach on proximal vocabulary outcomes with no significant effects on standardized vocabulary measures. Implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore within-group patterns of variability in the home literacy environments (HLEs) of low-income Latino families using latent profile analysis. Participants were (N = 193) families of Latino preschoolers enrolled in a larger study. In the fall of 2012, mothers filled out a family literacy practices inventory, a literacy beliefs inventory, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results revealed three psychometrically distinct HLE profiles. Profile 1 (37%), labelled Low Beliefs, Low Practices (LBLP), was characterized by very low incomes, low caregiver education, reading infrequently to children, primarily speaking Spanish and reported lowest literacy beliefs and practices. Profile 2 (16%), labelled Moderate Beliefs, Moderate Practices (MBMP), was also low income, had few books in the home, read in both English and Spanish to their children, and held moderately facilitative literacy beliefs and practices. Profile 3 (47%), labelled High Beliefs, High Practices (HBHP), reported the highest literacy beliefs and practices, highest percentage English-speaking, read more often to children, and had more books in the home. These findings highlight considerable variability in terms of literacy beliefs and practices among Latino families. The profiles have practical relevance in terms of children's readiness at school entry and working with their families. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the lack of time to eat properly, people started to consume more frequently, manufactured products, fried foods, sweets and sandwiches, disregarding the negative factors to health. Aiming at the need to prepare food with low cholesterol levels, this study aimed to prepare and study the sensory acceptance ofTuscan sausage of goat meat with the addition of oatmeal. Two goat meat sausage formulations, where the only difference between of the two formulations was the presence/absence of oatmeal, were produced. A sensory acceptance test was carried out with 50 untrained panelists. The marks awarded by the panelists for the color, flavor, texture and overall acceptance attributes were between 7 (Moderately Good) and 8 (Very Good), indicating that both formulations are within the zone of acceptance. The marks awarded by the judges for the purchase of attitude corresponds to "Probably Buy", showing that this product can be marketed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more, schools are considering the use of progress monitoring data for high- stakes decisions such as special education eligibility, program changes to more restrictive environments, and major changes in educational goals. Those high-stakes types of data-based decisions will need methodological defensibility. Current practice for summarizing progress monitoring data is to use a hand-fit trend lines (for practitioner use) or linear regression (for research). This study critically examines both approaches and compares them to a new nonparametric slope called the Theil-Sen. A field test with 372 published data series compared hand-fit, linear regression, and Theil-Sen slopes against evaluative criteria of power and precision, meeting data assumptions, and agreement with visual judgments. Results indicate promise for Theil-Sen slope in defensible high-stakes decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Daily Behavior Report Cards (DBRC) for monitoring the behavior of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). It examines how the electronic DBRC (e-DBRC), developed at Texas A&M University, can provide graphs, data, and feedback to students, parents, and teachers regarding student behavior over time. It also explores the history of DBRCs, mentions the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act, and provides case studies of three students that were monitored using the e-DBRC.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the cycling technique of triathletes and cyclists on the basis of the cocontraction of selected muscles of the lower limbs and economy at different cadences. The economy (EC) and percent cocontraction from nine triathletes and eight cyclists were compared at 60, 75, 90 and 105rpm cadences. Tests were performed on two separate days. The maximal oxygen uptake was measured and the second ventilatory threshold (VO2VT) was estimated on the first day using a stationary bicycle. On the second day the four different cadences were tested at approximately 5% below the VO2VT. The EMG activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF) and vastus lateralis (VL) was recorded and the EMG signal was normalized using the 60rpm dynamic contraction. The percent cocontractions were calculated from RF/BF and VL/BF muscles. The EC was also calculated. The results showed that cyclists were significantly more economic, indicating that they exerted more power with less VO2, and presented significantly lower percent cocontraction than triathletes (p <0.05). Thus, the results suggest that the cyclists had a better technique than the triathletes. The simultaneous use of the percent cocontraction and economy seems to be a good performance indicator for cyclists and triathletes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]