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Characterize college student COVID-19 behaviors and attitudes during the early pandemic. Participants: Students on two university campuses in Wisconsin. Surveys administered in September and November 2020. Few students (3–19%) participated in most in-person activities during the semester, with eating at restaurants as the exception (72–80%) and attending work (35%) and parties (33%) also reported more frequently. The majority wore masks in public (94–99%), but comparatively fewer (42%) did so at parties. Mask-wearing at parties decreased from September to November (p < 0.05). Students attending parties, or consuming more alcohol, were less concerned and more likely to take COVID-19-associated risks. Students were motivated to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures but gathered socially. Though there was frequent public masking, mask-wearing at parties declined in November and may represent pandemic fatigue. High-yield strategies for decreasing viral spread may include changing masking social norms and engaging with students about creative risk-reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Among two-year college students, alcohol and marijuana use, related consequences, and risk factors for use are not well understood. We examined differences between two- and four-year students in alcohol and marijuana use, consequences, and perceived descriptive norms, and explored whether two-year status moderated associations between norms and use. Participants: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional subsample of two- and four-year students aged 18–23 (n = 517) participating in a longitudinal study on alcohol use. Results: Four-year students reported greater alcohol use and consequences than two-year students; two-year students reported greater marijuana use than four-year students. Perceived alcohol and marijuana norms were positively related with use; two-year status did not moderate these associations. Conclusions: Perceived alcohol and marijuana norms function similarly for two- and four-year students in terms of associations to actual use. Adapting normative interventions for two-year students may be an effective strategy for reducing high-risk use among this underserved population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to use network analysis techniques to parse relations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom domains, domains of executive function, and temperament traits. Participants were 420 children aged 6–17 years (55% boys). The majority of the participants were Caucasian (72.86%) and 50% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Both parents and teachers provided ratings of participants' ADHD symptom severity. Parents completed questionnaires pertaining to participants' temperament traits, and participants completed well-validated laboratory measures of executive function. Results suggested effortful control as demonstrating the strongest relations with ADHD, particularly the parent-reported inattentive symptom domain. Additionally, negative effects appeared to demonstrate weaker but still notable relations primarily with the parent-reported hyperactive/impulsive symptom domain. Measures of executive function did not appear to demonstrate relations with any measures of ADHD symptoms or temperament traits. The results were generally replicated in a distinct sample (n = 732, 7–13 years, 63% boys, 81% White), although differences emerged pertaining to the role of surgency (i.e., related to the hyperactive/impulsive symptom domain in the replication but not the primary sample). Overall, findings provided support for the primary role of effortful control, as well as secondary roles for negative affect and surgency, as key risk markers for the characterization of ADHD. Additional exploration of the overlap between temperament and executive function, as pertaining to ADHD, may help clarify heterogeneity in phenotypes and suggest priorities for targeted interventions outside of traditional symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-specific collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP)VI is stable on the surface of circulating platelets but undergoes ectodomain cleavage on activated platelets. Activation-dependent GPVI metalloproteolysis is primarily mediated by A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAM) 10. Regulation of platelet ADAMs activity is not well-defined however Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may play a role. As levels of TIMPs on platelets and the control of ADAMs-mediated shedding by TIMPs has not been evaluated, we quantified the levels of TIMPs on the surface of resting and activated platelets from healthy donors by flow cytometry and multiplex ELISA. Variable levels of all TIMPs could be detected on platelets. Plasma contained significant quantities of TIMP1 and TIMP2, but only trace amounts of TIMP3 and TIMP4. Recombinant TIMP3 strongly ablated resting and activated platelet ADAM10 activity, when monitored using a quenched fluorogenic peptide substrate with ADAM10 specificity. Whilst ADAM10-specific inhibitor GI254023X or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) could modulate ligand-initiated shedding of GPVI, only recombinant TIMP2 achieved a modest (~20%) inhibition. We conclude that some platelet TIMPs are able to modulate platelet ADAM10 activity but none strongly regulate ligand-dependent shedding of GPVI. Our findings provide new insights into the regulation of platelet receptor sheddase activity. What do we know? Platelet receptor GPVI initiates platelet adhesion and aggregation and is proteolytically cleaved from the activated platelet surface The metalloproteinases responsible belong to the ADAMs family of enzymes which are inhibited by TIMPs What did we discover? Plasma contains significant amounts of TIMP1 and TIMP2 Circulating platelets bear significant amounts of TIMPs 1, 2, and 3 Recombinant TIMP3 strongly inhibits resting and activated platelet ADAM10 activity Exogenous addition of TIMP2 mildly blocked ligand-initiated shedding of GPVI What is the impact? TIMPs may modulate ADAM10 activity under resting conditions and stabilize GPVI levels in response to platelet activation Anti-GPVI agents are being evaluated as anti-thrombotic agents, however, acute loss of GPVI in trauma or settings of thrombocytopenia is linked with clinical bleeding Understanding how GPVI levels are regulated is important as agents that modulate GPVI function are emerging as important therapeutics for clinical applications in Thrombosis and Hemostasis fields [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adults may use alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids, a risky behavior that can worsen sleep health over time and lead to substance dependence. Perceived norms for such risky behaviors are often overestimated and related to one's own use. This cross-sectional study examined: (a) the extent to which college students overestimated the prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use as sleep aids (i.e., perceived descriptive norms), and (b) the extent to which perceived descriptive norms were associated with students' own use of alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids. 2,642 undergraduate college students (Mage = 18.84 years) reported past 30-day use of alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids. Participants also estimated the percent of college students who use alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids (i.e., perceived descriptive norms). One-sample t-tests revealed participants, on average, overestimated the norms for using alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids. Participants who endorsed past 30-day use of these substances as sleep aids overestimated these norms to an even greater extent. Count regression models showed perceived descriptive norms were associated with students' use of alcohol and of cannabis as sleeps aids, in respective models, even when controlling for sleep difficulties. College students may overestimate the prevalence of using alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids, and students who believe these behaviors are more normative report more frequent use of these substances as sleep aids. Taken together, findings may highlight the potential for norm-correcting strategies as a prudent approach to reducing/preventing the use of alcohol and cannabis as sleep aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol use motives may characterize types of drinking that have unique associations with cannabis use and illuminate psychological processes underlying cannabis use. This study examined how alcohol use motives, both on average across two years and in a particular month, were associated with any and frequent cannabis use. Method: A young adult community sample (n = 486; 54% female, age 18–23 at enrollment) who used alcohol and cannabis in the year prior to study enrollment provided two years of monthly data. Multilevel logistic regression models predicting any and frequent (10+ occasions) past-month cannabis use estimated both between- and within-person effects of alcohol use motives, controlling for frequency of alcohol use and demographic covariates. Results: Alcohol use frequency was positively associated with any cannabis use at the between- and within-person levels and frequent cannabis use at the within-person level. Across two years, individuals who had higher average coping drinking motives and lower average social and conformity drinking motives were more likely to use cannabis frequently. Further, between-person variation in social motives was negatively associated with any cannabis use. Within-person, months with greater enhancement and social motives were associated with higher probability of any cannabis use. Conclusions: Using alcohol for coping reasons, rather than other-focused social reasons, indicated greater risk for frequent cannabis use, although drinking for social and enhancement reasons in a particular month signaled slightly increased short-term probability of any cannabis use. Assessment of alcohol motives may help guide targeting and timing of prevention related to cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people living with HIV experience cognitive impairment, and HIV disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority groups. Independent of HIV, racial/ethnic minority individuals perform worse than White individuals on cognitive tasks, even after accounting for education. Our goals were to (1) compare WCST-64 scores between HIV+ Black/African American (Black/AA) (n = 45) and Latinx (n = 41) urban-dwelling adults; (2) compare our total sample to the WCST-64 manual's normative (N) and clinical normative (CN) groups; and (3) explore relationships between WCST-64 performance and sociocultural/health variables. In our sample, employment (12%), mean annual income (<$10,000), and mean education (<12 years) were low, while mean medication adherence rates were high for both Black/AA (90%) and Latinx (87%). WCST-64 scores were similar between groups (p >.05). Percentages of "below average" and "mildly impaired" scores in our sample were higher than the N group, and similar to the CN group. Lifetime heroin use, dementia, and longer HIV illness duration were significantly associated with worse WCST-64 performance (ps <.05). The observed low scores in our asymptomatic sample are likely due to the intersectionality of sociocultural and medical burden, highlighting complexities in interpreting neuropsychological data in real-world HIV+ clinics. Executive deficits are linked to poorer outcomes, and routine cognitive screening may be clinically indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young adults are prolific media users and tend to use substances, such as alcohol, more than people of other ages. Despite much research on young adults' exposure to alcohol advertisements and portrayals of alcohol use in the media, much is still unknown about the nuances of young adults' exposure to and engagement with alcohol-related media content. The present paper examined how college students' media exposure differed for messages portraying positive and negative alcohol effects, how exposure to alcohol-related content differed across media sources, which themes of alcoholrelated content were seen most, and whether exposure to alcohol-related content was associated with hazardous/harmful drinking. Method: Participants (N=500) were two- and four-year college students (Mage=20.90, SDage=1.70, 63.2% female) recruited for a longitudinal study examining the efficacy of a mobile app intervention for high-risk drinking college students. The data used here comes from the baseline survey. Results: Participants reported the greatest exposure to alcohol-related messages in movies/TV/on-demand streaming shows followed by in social media, and they reported greater exposure to messages portraying positive than negative effects of alcohol. Findings from linear regressions indicated that exposure to messages portraying positive or negative effects of alcohol generally did not predict hazardous/harmful drinking. Conclusion: This sample of high-risk college student drinkers reported seeing alcohol-related content through a variety of media sources, with most content portraying alcohol in a positive light. Future research should assess the effects that messages of different types and from different sources have on use, expectancies, norms, and other outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine health concerns among community college (CC) students by (1) identifying and coding the self-reported health issues facing CC students and (2) examining demographic and psychosocial variables associated with health categories. Participants: 946 CC students (Mage = 26.37) recruited from January 2017 to February 2017 who completed a screening survey for a larger study. Students were asked to "List three health issues facing Community College students today." Methods: Health issues were coded into broad categories and subcategories. Results: Among the 2,601 health issues reported, one-third were medical health (36%), one-third were mental health (33%), with substance use (14%), other health (14%), and access to health care (3%) also reported. The most commonly identified health issues were "general medical issues," "stress," "depression," and "sleep." Conclusions: Programmatic efforts to support CC students and promote prevention/intervention strategies for mental health, sleep, substance use, access to health care, and general medical concerns, remain essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is critical to gain further understanding of etiologic factors, such as descriptive normative perceptions and behavioral willingness, that are associated with prescription stimulant misuse (PSM) among young adults. Our primary hypotheses were that descriptive normative perceptions for PSM (i.e., perceptions of how much and how often others engage in PSM) and perceived peer willingness (i.e., perceptions of how open others are to PSM under certain circumstances) would be positively associated with higher willingness to engage in PSM, which in turn would account for significant shared variance with self-reported PSM. Method: Data were collected from a U.S. sample of 18–20-year-olds (N = 1,065; 54.5% females; 70.5% White) recruited for a larger study on alcohol-related risky sexual behavior. Results: Findings indicated higher descriptive normative perceptions and higher perceived peer willingness were associated with higher participants' willingness to engage in PSM. Participants' own willingness was positively associated with PSM. Finally, participants' own willingness to use, descriptive normative perceptions, and perceived peer willingness were associated with higher willingness to engage in PSM, which accounted for significant shared variance with self-reported PSM. Conclusions: Findings suggest the potential utility of personalized feedback interventions for PSM that focus on constructs such as descriptive normative perceptions and behavioral willingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Transitions Catalyst Model suggests increased drinking during young adulthood is due to the notion that alcohol facilitates friendships and romantic/sexual relationships during a developmental period when these relationships are highly valued. However, little research has tested the utility of this model. We examined (1) whether young adults reported greater drinking and related consequences on months when friendships were more important to them or when they were dating casually, and (2) the extent to which social drinking motives explain these associations on a given month. Methods: Data were drawn from 752 young adults (ages 18–23 at screening) living in the Seattle, WA area (56.4% female). For 24 consecutive months, surveys assessed past month alcohol use and consequences, social drinking motives, friendship importance, and dating/relationship status. Bayesian multilevel models were conducted, adjusting for time-fixed and time-varying covariates. Results: Analyses included 11,591 monthly observations. Between-persons, greater average friendship importance was associated with greater drinking. On months when participants reported greater friendship importance than their own average, they reported greater drinking and alcohol consequences. Those who reported more months of casual dating reported greater drinking and consequences on average. Relative to casual dating months, participants reported less drinking during months they were single or in a relationship and fewer consequences during months in a relationship. Associations were partially accounted for by social motives. Discussion: Findings support the Transitions Catalyst Model. Effective strategies for reducing drinking and associated risks among young adults include brief interventions focused on how social drinking motives and relationships relate to drinking decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research on embodied learning sheds light on the body's role during science learning, there is a lack of understanding of how the body is drawn upon in subsequent learning interactions. We seek to understand how the body supports cognition and learning during and after embodiment. We elaborate upon the liminal blends framework (Enyedy, N., Danish, J. A., & DeLiema, D. (2015). Constructing liminal blends in a collaborative augmented-reality learning environment. International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 10(1), 7–34.) to understand how many resources are taken up, blended together, and progressively refined towards canonical scientific understanding. By tracing the body, we demonstrate that embodied experiences are never 'erased.' Instead, although students find ways to articulate understanding that do not require movement, they nonetheless derive meaning from prior embodied activity. Young children exceed expected grade level understanding in part because their capability as embodied reasoners is privileged for learning. In addition to expanding liminal blends theory, we suggest implications for designing technology-enhanced environments and science learning. Across all audiences, findings suggest the importance of privileging an array of sensemaking resources often excluded from classrooms, and the importance of students mapping multiple representational forms to develop conceptual understanding of science phenomena [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a concrete illustration of how teachers in a primary school in Singapore discuss students' learning in a lesson study cycle and grew professionally as a community. Specifically, we examined how collaboratively analysing students' work serves as a useful practice for teachers to learn to work with diverse learners. The findings suggested that open discussions around students' work helped teachers to reflect upon their unwarranted perceptions of their students and their teaching. The study provided insights into how teachers' understandings of their students' diverse backgrounds, as well as teachers' understanding of subject content and pedagogy, developed as they participated in lesson study activities that were focused on analysing students' work. Our findings found that lesson study provided the following affordances to foster such changes: (1) eliciting hypotheses in dialogue; (2) creating space for alternative perspectives; (3) collaboratively scrutinizing student learning evidence for follow-up teaching; and (4) identifying problems for further discussion. While the illustration of this case is uniquely Singaporean, implications include concerns about teacher professional learning and teaching for equity common to many other educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of secular change in cranial size among black South Africans have produced conflicting results. We re-examined cranial size change in this population during the 19th and 20th century by evaluating its relationship with individual year-of-birth, and the significance of trends among eight decennial cohorts. This study is based on 102 male and 89 female adults born between 1865 and 1959. Linear regressions were employed to evaluate possible relationships between year-of-birth and cranial dimensions; ANOVAs were used to evaluate the significance of long-term trends among decennial cohorts. No analysis revealed a secular change in cranial length in either sex; however, the ANOVA for cranial length in the combined sex sample was significant. There is no secular trend in female cranial breadth, but males display a negative trend in this dimension. This results in a secular trend for increased male dolichocephaly. The factors that underlie the negative secular trend in male cranial breadth and the absence of a secular trend in overall cranial size in this population are unclear. Nevertheless, these observations accord with findings related to stature and long bone strength in this population and are consistent with observations for other sub-Saharan African populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol expectancies, or the perceived likelihood of experiencing certain effects after consuming alcohol, are associated with college student drinking such that heavier drinkers expect a greater likelihood of positive effects. However, less is known as to whether day-to-day within-person deviations in expectancies are associated with drinking that same day and for whom and when these associations may be strongest. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine daily-level associations of positive and negative alcohol expectancies with alcohol use, and whether associations differed according to demographic characteristics and additional alcohol-related constructs. Methods: College student drinkers (N = 327, 53.8% female) participated in an intensive longitudinal study that captured daily-level data. Alcohol use and expectancy measures were utilized from a baseline session and at the daily-level using Interactive Voice Response (IVR). Results: Results found that on days when participants reported stronger positive and negative expectancies than their average, they were more likely to drink as well as consume more alcohol when drinking. Moderation analyses revealed that positive expectancies were more positively associated with the likelihood of any drinking for women relative to men, and more positively associated with the quantity of alcohol consumption for younger students, students with lower baseline rates of drinking, and students with greater overall positive alcohol expectancies. Conclusions/Importance: The findings demonstrate that alcohol expectancies fluctuate within-person across days and these fluctuations are meaningful in predicting same-day drinking. Interventions that seek to modify expectancies proximal to drinking events may be considered to reduce college student drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from college samples suggests that changes in peer norms (perception about peer use) mediate changes in alcohol use. There is relatively little intervention-based research in adolescents. Objectives: To investigate whether changes in peer norms mediate the relationship between a brief intervention to reduce alcohol use, and level of use; additionally, to determine whether any mediation effects differ by adolescent age. Methods: Eighty-four adolescents aged 14–18 (Mean = 16.49, SD = 1.00), presenting to school-based health centers with moderate to high risk alcohol use were randomized to receive an electronic screening and feedback tool (Check Yourself) in addition to their visit, or their visit alone. Check Yourself includes provision of normative feedback regarding adolescent alcohol use. Measures of self-reported alcohol use, and peer norms were collected at baseline and 2-month follow-up. Results: Changes in perceptions of the proportion of peers using alcohol significantly mediated the relationship between the intervention and all three alcohol outcomes (frequency, typical quantity, and maximum quantity) such that reductions in perceived peer use were associated with reduced use. Moderated mediation suggested that these effects were stronger for younger adolescents compared with older adolescents. Perceptions of the frequency and quantity of peer use were not significant mediators of alcohol use. Conclusions/Importance: Results suggest that integrating normative feedback regarding peer alcohol use is a promising approach in adolescent focused school interventions. They extend previous findings by suggesting that perceptions of the proportion of peers using may be particularly meaningful, and that effects may be more pronounced in younger adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand substance use patterns of alcohol, marijuana, and simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use among 2- and 4-year college students. Participants: Participants were 526 young adults aged 18–23 (n = 355 4-year students; n = 171 2-year students) recruited from February 2015 to January 2016 who were participating in a larger longitudinal study. Methods: Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify past-month classes of alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use. Results: Among both 2- and 4-year students, a four-class solution yielded the best-fitting model, with 2-year classes tending to include greater marijuana use and less alcohol use and 4-year classes tending to include heavy alcohol use. Demographic characteristics were largely similar across classes. Conclusions: Classes of alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use differed by education status. Screening and prevention efforts for 4-year students may need to be tailored for the needs of 2-year students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior research on romantic relationships and alcohol use among young adults has not distinguished between differences in patterns of relationship status over extended periods of time and within-person changes in status that only occur for some individuals. Objectives: This study captured between-person differences in relationship patterns, assessed associations between relationship patterns and alcohol use, and examined within-person associations between alcohol use and relationship status changes. In addition, age and sex differences in between- and within-person associations were tested. Methods: We used multilevel modeling of monthly data collected over one year on alcohol use and romantic relationship status from a Seattle area community sample of 620 young adults (ages 18-24). Results: Participants were coded into six relationship pattern groups: (1) single-not-dating (16%), (2) stable-in-a-relationship (30%), (3) single-dating (10%), (4) ended-a-relationship (14%), (5) started-a-relationship (13%), and (6) ended-and-started-a-relationship (18%). Single-not-dating and stable-in-a-relationship groups reported the least drinking across the entire year; the single-dating, ended-a-relationship, and ended-and-started-a-relationship groups reported higher levels of drinking. Examining within-person changes in groups 3-6 revealed increases in drinking associated with months of dating among the single-dating group, months postbreakup among the ended-a-relationship group, and months of breaking up and starting a new relationship among the ended-and-started-a-relationship group. Few differences by age or sex were found for between- or within-person associations. Conclusions: The findings point to heterogeneity in patterns of relationship status over time, differences in relationship patterns associated with variations in drinking, and particular time points of elevated risk for young adults who experience changes in status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used substances among adolescents but little is known about patterns of co-use.Objectives: This study examined patterns of concurrent (not overlapping) and simultaneous (overlapping) use of alcohol and marijuana among adolescents.Methods: Data from US-national samples of 12th graders (N = 84,805, 48.4% female) who participated in the Monitoring the Future study from 1976 to 2016 and who used alcohol and/or marijuana in the past 12 months were used to identify latent classes of alcohol use, marijuana use, and simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use.Results: A four-class solution indicated four patterns of use among adolescents: (1) Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use with binge drinking and recent marijuana use (SAM-Heavier Use; 11.2%); (2) SAM use without binge drinking and with recent marijuana use (SAM-Lighter Use; 21.6%); (3) Marijuana use and alcohol use but no SAM use (Concurrent Use; 10.7%); and (4) Alcohol use but no marijuana or SAM use (Alcohol-Only Use; 56.4%). Membership in either SAM use class was associated with a higher likelihood of truancy, evenings out, and use of illicit drugs other than marijuana. SAM-Heavier Use, compared to SAM-Lighter Use, class members were more likely to report these behaviors and be male, and less likely to have college plans.Conclusions: Among 12th graders who use both alcohol and marijuana, the majority use simultaneously, although not all use heavily. Given the recognized increased public health risks associated with simultaneous use, adolescent prevention programming should include focus on particular risks of simultaneous use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals experiencing elevated negative mood and stress may drink to self-medicate, yet daily-level evidence for these associations is mixed. Objective: To clarify daily associations between negative mood and perceived stress with alcohol use among high-risk college students and test whether these associations may vary by same-day versus next-day drinking, sex, and fraternity/sorority affiliation. Methods: Frequently drinking college students (n = 347) participated in a daily diary study, which included daily morning and evening assessments that occurred for two weeks in four consecutive academic quarters. Multilevel zero-inflated Poisson regressions were conducted to examine the effects of daily negative mood and perceived stress on same-day and next-day drinking. Results: Students with higher average negative mood and perceived stress across the sampled days reported a lower likelihood of drinking. Examination of daily-level associations showed that on days students experienced elevated negative mood and perceived stress, they were less likely to drink any alcohol the same day. However, days with elevated negative mood were associated with greater alcohol use the next day. Tests of cross-level interactions indicated that four daily-level associations between higher negative mood or perceived stress and reductions in drinking were found to be significant among females and students unaffiliated with fraternity/sorority only. Conclusions/Importance: Among high-risk college drinkers, negative mood and perceived stress were associated with decreased risk of drinking, particularly among females and students unaffiliated with fraternity/sorority. Daily elevations in negative mood may lead to drinking on a subsequent day and the reason for this lagged effect warrants future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are of concern in North America due to their devastating impacts on ecosystems and economies. The Great Lakes region is particularly vulnerable to AIS introduction and establishment with at least 184 nonindigenous species reported in this region from a large number of taxa including viruses, bacteria, diatoms, protozoa, arthropods, mollusks, fish, and plants. Representative species from these groups were explored, describing the features of their natural history and current efforts in prevention and control. Specifically, five AIS that are expected to spread to novel areas in the region are discussed: viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus and heterosporis (pathogens affecting fish), starry stonewort (an alga), zebra mussels (a bivalve), and carps (fishes). Novel strategies for AIS control include next-generation sequencing technologies, gene editing, mathematical modeling, risk assessment, microbiome studies for biological control, and human-dimension studies to address tensions related to AIS management. Currently, AIS research is evolving to adapt to known technologies and develop novel technologies to understand and prevent AIS spread. It was found that AIS control in this region requires a multidisciplinary approach focusing on the life history of the species (e.g., pheromones), adaptive management of anthropogenic structures (e.g., bubble curtains), and the integration of human dimensions to develop efficient management plans that integrate local citizens and management agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sexual minority women (SMW) are at increased risk for alcohol use disorders and related problems. Social context (e.g., where and with whom one drinks) has been identified as an important factor associated with drinking behavior, but little is known about social context among SMW. An improved understanding of social context among SMW has the potential to inform efforts to reduce problematic drinking and its consequences in this high-risk population. We examined where and with whom SMW drink in a national sample recruited via social media (N= 1,057). SMW reported more frequent drinking in private locations (compared to public locations), with friends and romantic partners (compared to family members and strangers), and in locations with both heterosexual and sexual minority individuals (compared to mostly or exclusively sexual minority individuals). Additionally, lesbians reported more frequent drinking in bars and in locations with more sexual minorities compared to bisexual women. We conclude that interventions to reduce problematic drinking among SMW may benefit from addressing social context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Smoking and depression are both leading causes of disability, mortality and morbidity around the world. Using epidemiologic data to study the association between depression and the severity, course, and persistence of smoking in the general population is important for understanding the scope of the problem of smoking among people with depression.Objectives: The current paper aims to critically review existing epidemiologic research on the smoking behaviors of persons with depressive symptoms and disorders and to identify gaps in the literature that warrant further study.Methods: Literature searches of Medline and EMBASE were used to identify articles that analyzed epidemiologic data and examined an aspect of smoking behavior in persons with depressive symptoms or disorders. Six hundred ninety-three abstracts were reviewed and 45 studies met all of the inclusion criteria to be included in the review.Results: Persons with depression, compared to those without depression, are more likely to smoke, and meet criteria for nicotine dependence, are less likely to quit smoking, and are more likely to relapse. Little is known about the association between depression and smoking behavior by age, socioeconomic status, or race/ethnicity or with regard to the use of tobacco products other than cigarettes.Conclusion: Persons with depression are more likely to smoke cigarettes and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Community-based and public health approaches may need to begin considering the links between depression and smoking in order to best target the current smokers in the population and develop more effective tobacco control campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambitious efforts are taking place to implement a new vision for science education in the United States, in both Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-adopted states and those states creating their own, often related, standards. In-service and pre-service teacher educators are involved in supporting teacher shifts in practice toward the new standards. With these efforts, it will be important to document shifts in science instruction toward the goals of NGSS and broader science education reform. Survey instruments are often used to capture instructional practices; however, existing surveys primarily measure inquiry based on previous definitions and standards and with a few exceptions, disregard key instructional practices considered outside the scope of inquiry. A comprehensive survey and a clearly defined set of items do not exist. Moreover, items specific to the NGSS Science and Engineering practices have not yet been tested. To address this need, we developed and validated a Science Instructional Practices survey instrument that is appropriate for NGSS and other related science standards. Survey construction was based on a literature review establishing key areas of science instruction, followed by a systematic process for identifying and creating items. Instrument validity and reliability were then tested through a procedure that included cognitive interviews, expert review, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (using independent samples), and analysis of criterion validity. Based on these analyses, final subscales include: Instigating an Investigation, Data Collection and Analysis, Critique, Explanation and Argumentation, Modeling, Traditional Instruction, Prior Knowledge, Science Communication, and Discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-parenting students face unique challenges that may adversely affect their mental health, which have not been explored in community college settings. Objective: The authors conducted secondary analysis of Spring 2013 data from the American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment to examine difficulties facing single-parent community college students and the association between single parenting and negative mental health (depression, self-injury, suicide attempt). Participants: Participants were 6,832 California community college students, of whom 309 were single parents. Methods: Demographic and mental health data were characterized using univariate descriptive analyses. Bivariate analyses determined whether single parents differed from other students regarding negative mental health or traumatic/difficult events. Results: Finances, family, and relationship difficulties disproportionally affected single parents, who reported nearly twice as many suicide attempts as their counterparts (5.3% vs 2.7%; p <.0001). Conclusions: Single-parenting students face a higher prevalence of mental health stressors than other community college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle school has been documented as the period in which a drop in students’ science interest and achievement occurs. This trend indicates a lack of motivation for learning science; however, little is known about how different aspects of motivation interact with student engagement and science learning outcomes. This study examines the relationships among motivational factors, engagement, and achievement in middle school science (grades 6–8). Data were obtained from middle school students in the United States (N = 2094). The theoretical relationships among motivational constructs, including self-efficacy, and three types of goal orientations (mastery, performance approach, and performance avoid) were tested. The results showed that motivation is best modeled as distinct intrinsic and extrinsic factors; lending evidence that external, performance based goal orientations factor separately from self-efficacy and an internal, mastery based goal orientation. Second, a model was tested to examine how engagement mediated the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors and science achievement. Engagement mediated the relationship between intrinsic motivation and science achievement, whereas extrinsic motivation had no relationship with engagement and science achievement. Implications for how classroom practice and educational policy emphasize different student motivations, and in turn, can support or hinder students’ science learning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fumonisins (FB) are mycotoxins found in maize. They are hypothesised risk factors for neural tube defects (NTDs) in humans living where maize is a dietary staple. In LM/Bc mice, FB1-treatment of pregnant dams induces NTDs and results in increased levels of sphingoid base 1-phosphates in blood and tissues. The increased level of sphingoid base 1-phosphates in blood is a putative biomarker for FB1inhibition of ceramide synthase in humans. Collection of blood spots on paper from finger sticks is a relatively non-invasive way to obtain blood for biomarker analysis. The objective of this study was to develop and validate in an animal model, and ultimately in humans, a method to estimate the volume of blood collected as blood spots on absorbent paper so as to allow quantification of the molar concentration of sphingoid base 1-phosphates in blood. To accomplish this objective, blood was collected from unexposed male LM/Bc and FB1-exposed pregnant LM/Bc mice and humans and applied to two types of absorbent paper. The sphingoid base 1-phosphates, absorbance at 270 nm (A270), and total protein content (Bradford) were determined in the acetonitrile:water 5% formic acid extracts from the dried blood spots. The results show that in both mouse and human the A270, total protein, and blood volume were closely correlated and the volume of blood spotted was accurately estimated using only the A270of the extracts. In mouse blood spots, as in tissues and embryos, the FB1-induced changes in sphingolipids were correlated with urinary FB1. The half-life of FB1in the urine was short (<24 h) and the elevation in sphingoid base 1-phosphates in blood was also short, although more persistent than the urinary FB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has documented normative perceptions of others' alcohol use and how these related to increased rates of drinking and related problems among college students. Recently, research has expanded this concept to specific events (21st birthday drinking and tailgating). No studies to date examine the construct of normative perceptions of alcohol use for spring break (SB). SB is a known time of risk for increased alcohol use, and understanding whether students overestimate SB drinking norms, variables that influence norms perceptions (gender, ethnicity and travel) and whether SB norms relate to one's own drinking can inform future prevention and intervention efforts. We extend the literature by examining SB normative perceptions: (1) whether or not these perceptions are accurate and (2) the relationship to students' own drinking and related consequences. A random sample ( N = 1583) of students were asked about their SB drinking, consequences and norm perceptions. Students' SB drinking in this study was lower than their perception of typical student SB drinking ( p < 0.001), and women's perceptions were higher than men's ( p < 0.001). After adjusting for demographics and typical drinking, SB norms were significantly associated with SB drinking among those taking a trip over SB ( p < 0.001). After controlling for SB drinking, SB drinking norms were unrelated to consequences. Similar misperceptions exist for SB drinking. Prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing SB drinking and consequences, particularly for those planning a trip, may incorporate SB specific social norms education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between motivation and creativity has long been of interest and many studies have been conducted to demonstrate the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on creativity. The autonomous/controlled distinction of motivation suggested by self-determination theory (SDT) provides a new perspective on the motivation issue. Based on both SDT and the confluence approach of creativity, this study attempted to examine the relationship between autonomous/controlled motivation and creative thinking as well as the moderating role of parental involvement/autonomy support on this relationship. Five hundred and fifty Chinese high school students participated in the study and their autonomous/controlled motivation, parental involvement/autonomy support, and creative thinking were measured. Results indicated that autonomous motivation positively predicted creative thinking, and this relationship was moderated by parental involvement. For both junior and senior high school students, autonomous motivation was more strongly related to creative thinking when there was high maternal involvement. The moderating role of paternal involvement, however, differed between junior and senior high school students and there existed a 3-way interaction effect. Implications of this study for cultivating creativity among Chinese adolescents are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Since its introduction into Singapore schools in 2005, many schools are now implementing Lesson Study in various forms adapted to their culture, needs and priorities. Why are schools interested in Lesson Study? How has Lesson Study provided a platform for professional development of teachers? What aspects of Lesson Study have schools adapted and changed, in light of problems and constraints in the local school context? This paper shares the findings of a survey of schools that have participated in workshops on Lesson Study to find out how these schools have implemented Lesson Study. The findings from the survey could provide teacher educators and school staff developers and leaders deeper insights into the implementation process and the kinds of support that schools and teachers would need in order to make Lesson Study a sustainable process in their schools. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this clinical case report was to describe the kinematic variables of movement that best discriminated between asymmetrical and symmetrical mandibular excursion patterns in a patient with myogenic temporomandibular dysfunction. Two mandibular movements (deemed to be asymmetrical and symmetrical by both patient and physiotherapist) were each recorded six times on three occasions at six, twelve, and 15 weeks after commencement of an exercise programme. The mandibular movements were captured with a 12-camera Motion Analysis System (Motion Analysis Corp., Santa Rosa, CA) with kinematic variables expressed in six degrees-of-freedom, A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was used to analyze the data. The asymmetrical pattern was characterized by increased axial rotation and decreased sagittal rotation but with no differences in translation values when compared to those of the symmetrical pattern. The results support the clinician's and patient's judgment regarding differences in quality of mandibular excursion patterns made over the course of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an experiment conducted in 7 eighth-grade (Ages 13-14) classes in Singapore, the authors evaluated the effects of the group investigation method of cooperative learning versus the effects of the traditional whole-class method of instruction on students' academic achievement and on their motivation to learn. The authors also investigated students' perceptions of group investigation. Students in group investigation and in whole-class instruction advanced to the same extent over the course of the experiment. Neither method was more effective academically than the other method. As expected, the high-achieving students had significantly higher academic achievement than did the low-achieving students. The group investigation method did not have differential effects on the 2 groups of high and low achievers. Group investigation affected high achievers' motivation to learn on the Criteria subscale only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines perceptions of students of the Group Investigation method of cooperative learning of geography. A total of 142 students from two schools worked in cooperative learning groups. The four main categories of positive statements emerged are that the method was interesting, fun and effective, while the other categories revealed the students' positive perception of their social relationships, learning skills and academic achievement in terms of deeper understanding of the topics investigated. On the negative statements, students revealed that they would like the teacher to continue with their normal teaching method, they were concerned about their coming examinations and syllabus coverage and their inability to learn as much from the new method of learning.

We report a very rare constitutional interstitial deletion of chromosome 1p defined within 1p34.3-36.11 bands with an intact pter. The diagnosis was made by standard cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridi-zation (FISH) studies on a cordocentesis specimen obtained at 21 weeks gestation. Termination of pregnancy was performed at 22 weeks gestation due to the ultrasound diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Autopsy confirmed congenital heart disease (cardiomegaly, Ebstein's anomaly, secundum atrial septal defect, subendocardial fibroelastosis), pulmonary lymphangiectasis, a high arched palate, short neck, and bilateral long proximally implanted thumbs. To our knowledge, this is the first case of del(1)(p34.3p36.11) diagnosed prenatally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the research on learning. The National Institute of Education (NIE) is solely responsible for the professional preparation of primary, secondary and junior colleges teachers for the school system in Singapore. Preparing new teachers to meet the demands of schools and classrooms in a knowledge-based economy and the vision of "Thinking Schools, Learning Nation," of the Ministry of Education has brought about the need for an internal review of teacher education programmes at NIE.

The majority of individuals in the UK with severe haemophilia treat themselves at home with clotting factor. The aim of this study was to examine patient's beliefs about their haemophilia, their beliefs regarding treatment with clotting factor and to assess whether relationships existed between these factors and adherence to home treatment. Patient beliefs were assessed by posting individuals with severe haemophilia A and B ( n = 104) the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ) and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). The final analysis was based on 65 questionnaires yielding a response rate of 63%. Adherence to the frequency and to the amount of each clotting factor dose was assessed for individuals treating prophylactically and the amount of each clotting factor dose for those only treating 'on-demand'. Adherence scores were calculated by comparing individual patient treatment records with recommended regimens. Regression analysis indicated that perceptions of illness identity and treatment necessity explained a significant amount of the variance in adherence to frequency of prophylactic infusions and that illness identity was associated with the adherence to the amount of each prophylactic dose. Further regression analysis also showed that the amount of each dose of clotting factor administered on-demand was associated with perceptions regarding the necessity of treatment. Analysis with a combined measure of adherence to dose amount indicated that patients treating on-demand or with prophylaxis who under treated, recorded significantly lower perceptions of illness consequence than individuals who were fully adherent or who over-treated. The results suggest that assessing illness perceptions, especially beliefs regarding identity , consequence and necessity of treatment, may play a valuable role in identifying which individuals are least likely to adhere to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining travel advice prior to departure is a recommended prerequisite in minimising any detrimental effects that may cause harm to unsuspecting travellers. Tourists may seek travel advice from a variety of different sources. Thus, the quality of travel advice that is obtained would vary according to the knowledge and experience of the source that provides that information. This paper examines the legal position of the providers of travel advice in relation to the information that they may give to travellers in New Zealand. The legal implications and repercussions of providing travel advice can vary according to the source of the provision and expectations of the public. With generally no legislation specifically enacted for the provision of travel advice, it is the common law, as handed down by the courts, and the civil statutes that, to a large extent, provide a possible solution to a situation of this kind. Strangely, in some instances, not providing any travel advice at all may be a viable option for certain travel providers in order to avoid severe civil penalties that may arise when doing so. Although this paper focuses mainly on the laws applicable in New Zealand, the law of contract is similar in most common law countries and thus has an international application. However, local legislation may amend or modify the common law to suit its local environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reports an experimental study involving the use of cooperative learning in a social studies classroom. The outcome variables discussed in the paper are pupil self-esteem and classroom climate. Over the period of the study, cooperative learning did not significantly improve the self-esteem of the pupils. However, pupils in the experimental group who were taught through the cooperative learning approach perceived classwork to be less difficult than the control pupils who worked individually. The control pupils also reported a decline in satisfaction with classwork and perceived more friction in their class. Interviews with the teacher and pupils showed favourable attitudes toward cooperative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]