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Developing adaptive skills poses a significant challenge for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Personal hygiene, including hand-washing, was particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic. Video self-modeling (VSM) is an effective strategy for teaching adaptive skills due to its inherent individualization nature. However, the production and implementation of VSM face certain barriers. To address this issue, the present study employed an innovative approach termed iVSM, which utilizes the head-swapping technique to generate self-modeling videos. To evaluate the efficacy of iVSM in teaching hand-washing skills, a single-subject multiple probe design was employed across three preschool children with ASD. The findings indicated that all participants successfully acquired the targeted skill, with two of them achieving mastery following a single intervention session. The implications of these findings underscore the potential of this novel approach to strike a balance between individualization and feasibility, thereby enhancing the broader implementation of VSM within the context of inclusive education. Furthermore, future studies can focus on the comparative research and explore more applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective professional development is critical for improving implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education. The present systematic review sought to gather evidence exploring the effects and key components of in-service special education teacher training in EBPs. This review identifies six essential components of training programs, including didactic presentation, live modeling, video modeling, practical exercise, performance feedback, and on-site coaching. Our findings suggest that training programs containing all or some of these components demonstrated 90% of effectiveness on teachers' outcomes. Specifically, practical exercises and performance feedback are key components to improve the rate of implementing EBPs with sufficient fidelity and on-site coaching is critical for sustaining the outcomes. Recommendations for effective professional development for special education teachers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to increase the duration of treadmill walking to reach moderate exercise intensity level for a 26-year-old male diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) accompanying an intellectual disability. We used a structured system including token reward system of visual representation of progress. A changing criterion single case research design was used and was consisted of the baseline phase, three sub-criteria intervention phase, and follow-up phase. Results showed that a functional relationship was established by demonstrating and replicating effects throughout the three sub-intervention phases. In addition, there was an increase of 173% (>2 standard deviations) from the original base-line duration and 93% of duration were at the moderate exercise intensity. This study may be of importance that the intervention may built up the health behavior and lifestyle of the participant with ASD. Further replicating studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The impact of electrocardiography (ECG) morphology on clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. This study investigated whether different ST morphologies had different clinical outcomes in patients with NSTEMI receiving PCI. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed record-linked data of 362 patients who had received PCI for NSTEMI between January 2008 and December 2010. ECG revealed ST depression in 67 patients, inverted T wave in 91 patients, and no significant ST-T changes in 204 patients. The primary endpoint was long-term all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was long-term cardiac death and non-fatal major adverse cardiac events. Results. Compared to those patients whose ECG showed an inverted T wave and non-specific ST-T changes, patients whose ECG showed ST depression had more diabetes mellitus, advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and left main artery disease, as well as more in-hospital mortality, cardiac death and pulmonary edema during hospitalization. Patients with ST depression had a significantly higher rate of long-term total mortality and cardiac death. Finally, multiple stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that an advanced Killip score, age, advanced CKD, prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and ST depression were independent predictors of the primary endpoint. Conclusions. Among NSTEMI patients undergoing coronary angiography, those with ST depression had more in-hospital mortality and cardiac death. Long-term follow-up of patients with ST depression consistently reveals poor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to contribute to the secondary-tier evidence of the three-tier video modeling intervention model (3TVM), using a group-based generic video, and to explore a new form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention using a Chinese-language interface for teaching children with developmental disabilities. A multiple baseline across participants design was used in this study to assess the success of the intervention among three individuals ages 9-12 with developmental disabilities. The results indicate that the group-based VM intervention using an iPad® successfully increased the participants' ability to communicate during snack time. As the participants' communication improved, anecdotal records showed that their inappropriate behaviors decreased. A discussion of future research is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of a primary tier video modeling intervention combining with a primary tier parent education model on parent-child interactions of children with autism during a picture-book activity in Taiwan. A multiple baseline design across participants was used. Four parents and their child with autism participated at their respective homes. Four additional typically developing parent-child dyads were also recruited as the normative comparison. After the intervention, the number of turn-taking instances increased and the number of instances of child-refusal behavior decreased without direct intervention. Three of the four dyads with a child with autism improved following the intervention and maintained their turn-taking skill within the established normative ranges. However, greater variability was found in the changes in parental behavior patterns. This low-resource, low-support intervention may provide an effective universal support tool for families. Suggestions for future research and the 3- tier video modeling intervention model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is an important cardiovascular risk factor. This study tested the effect of obesity reduction on preserving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress and LV remodeling in obese mice. Methods and results: Eight-week-old C57BL/6 J mice (n=24) were equally divided into control (fed a control diet for 22 weeks), obesity (high-fat diet, 22 weeks), and obese reduction (OR) (high-fat diet, 14 weeks; then control diet, 8 weeks). Animals were sacrificed at post 22-week high-fat diet and the LV myocardium collected. Heart weight, body weight, abdominal-fat weight, total cholesterol level and fasting blood glucose were higher in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.001). Inflammation measured by mRNA expressions of IL-6, MMP-9, PAI-1 and leptin and protein expression of NF-κB was higher, whereas anti-inflammation measured by mRNA expressions of adiponectin and INF-γ was lower in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.003). Oxidative protein expressions of NOX-1, NOX-2 and oxidized protein were higher, whereas expression of anti-oxidant markers HO-1 and NQO-1 were lower (all p<0.01); and apoptosis measured by Bax and caspase 3 was higher, whereas anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was lower in obesity as compared with control and OR (all p<0.001). The expressions of fibrotic markers phosphorylated Smad3 and TGF-β were higher, whereas expression of anti-fibrotic phosphorylated Smad1/5 and BMP-2 were lower (all p<0.02); and LVEF was lower, whereas the LV remodeling was higher in obesity than in control and OR (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Impaired LVEF, enhanced LV remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and apoptosis were reversed by reduction in mouse obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the physical properties of the (Ni2)3+mixed-valence unit that is an excellent conductivity-enhanced tool for metal string complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]