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Background: School nurses want and need continued education in student mental health care because of variability in their knowledge, skills, and confidence in assessing and responding to mental health concerns. To address this concern, two student mental health simulation scenarios were developed for a large school-based health program in Hawaii. Method: School nurses (n = 51) participated in a 1-day skills training that included two scenarios with actors depicting students presenting with depression or anxiety. This mixed methods study used a qualitative component to explore nurses' simulation experiences and a six-item survey to assess confidence levels pre- and postsimulation. Results: Scores for all six confidence items showed significant improvement after the intervention. Nurses highly valued the live actors and feedback sessions. Conclusion: Mental health care simulations can significantly increase school nurses' confidence in providing appropriate assessments and follow-up care to students. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2025;56(1):20–26.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore sister-as-mother (jieximuzhi) roles in families after the implementation of China's universal two-child (quanmianerhai) and three-child policies (saihaizhengce). By conducting in-depth interviews with 10 sisters from Guangdong Province who fit the sister-motherhood profile, this study investigated their motivations for taking on maternal duties, the characteristics of sister-motherhood roles, and the impact of these roles on the sisters. The results revealed that in families with two or more children, sisters passively assume mother-like responsibilities primarily due to biological age differences and parental neglect, as well as their personal initiative to a certain extent. Additionally, the impact of sister-motherhood roles on sisters includes aspects such as time pressure, financial strain, and increased family intimacy. This study elucidated the phenomenon of sister-motherhood roles that emerge with changes in family structure in China while recognizing the diversity of women's roles within the family, appreciating the challenges faced by sisters in sister-motherhood roles, and providing insights into family labor division and education models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advance care planning is a process through which people communicate their goals and preferences for future medical care. Due to the complexity of the decision‐making process, decision aids can assist individuals in balancing potential benefits and risks of treatment options. Objective: While decision aids have the potential to better promote advance care planning, their characteristics, content and application effectiveness are unclear and lack systematic review. Therefore, we aimed to explore these three aspects and establish a foundation for future research. Design: Scoping review. Methods: This scoping review adheres to the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA‐ScR list. Six English‐language databases were systematically searched from the time of construction until 1 December 2023. Two researchers conducted the article screening and data extraction, and the extracted data was presented in written tables and narrative summaries. Results: Of the 1479 titles and abstracts, 20 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Types of decision aids were employed, mainly websites and videos. Decision aid's primary components center around 11 areas, such as furnishing information, exploring treatment and care preferences. The main manifestations were a significant increase in knowledge and improved recognition of patients' target value preferences. Among the aids, websites and videos for advance care planning have relatively high content acceptability and decision‐making process satisfaction, but their feasibility has yet to be tested. Conclusions: Decision aids were varied, with content focused on describing key information and exploring treatment and care preferences. Regarding application effects, the aids successfully facilitated the advance care planning process and improved the quality of participants' decisions. Overall, decision aids are efficient in improving the decision‐making process for implementing advance care planning in cancer and geriatric populations. In the future, personalised decision aids should be developed based on continuous optimization of tools' quality and promoted for clinical application. Reporting Method: The paper has adhered to the EQUATOR guidelines and referenced the PRISMAg‐ScR checklist. No Patient or Public Contribution: This is a review without patient and public contribution. Registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YPHKF, Open Science DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/YPHKF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's fast-paced and dynamic work environment, stress management is key to creating a harmonious and productive workplace. Workplace stress is not only a challenge but also an opportunity to improve personal well-being and professionalism. This research aims to explore practical and proven stress management strategies that can improve the quality of the workday and work outcomes. Based on the Systematic Literature Review (SLR), practices such as mindfulness and programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) are proven to reduce emotional exhaustion and improve employees' psychological wellbeing. In addition to individual stress management, these strategies also positively impact team dynamics by reducing interpersonal conflict and encouraging collaboration. However, implementation of stress management practices in the workplace often faces barriers such as resistance to cultural change and insufficient support from management. Overcoming these barriers requires a comprehensive approach that involves education, training, and the development of supportive policies. An organizational culture that prioritizes mental health and leadership that emphasizes employee well-being is critical to the long-term success of workplace stress management techniques. By integrating these strategies, this research aims to empower individuals and organizations to control stress, increase job satisfaction, and achieve professional goals more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies exploring associations between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and depression in parents are limited. This study compares healthcare utilization, depression treatment costs, and risk factors, in parents of children with and without ASD. Using a matched case-control, individuals aged 27 to 64 with continuous enrollment from 2017–2019 and a child diagnosed with ASD were selected from nationally representative administrative claims data. Individuals were randomly matched 1:3 to a non-ASD group based on the child's age, gender, and family characteristics. Statistical models were used to evaluate the association between ASD in children, depression in their respective parents, and resulting healthcare utilization and costs incurred by parents. The study consisted of 23,316 families, out of which 5,779 had children with ASD, and 17,337 had children without ASD. Having a child with ASD was a predictor of depression in parents (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.73 – 2.10). Mothers of children with ASD had a higher risk of having depression (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.62 – 6.12). Parents having multiple ASD children were also at higher risk of depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.18 – 2.13). The sex and age of the child were not associated with parental depression. While family-level income and education attainment were not associated, urbanicity (rural) had an association with depression. Parents with ASD children are at a higher risk of depression. Findings suggest that parents of children with ASD may benefit from depression screening at the onset of ASD diagnosis in their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Malnutrition and infectious diseases, such as helminthic infections, are widespread among primary school children, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries. However, there are limited studies on school health in Bangladesh, particularly in rural settings. This study aimed to explore the nutritional status and prevalence of helminthic infections in relation to associated health behavior, awareness, and knowledge regarding malnutrition and helminthic infections which were evaluated by school nurses among primary school children in Bangladesh. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross‐sectional survey study with a total duration of 1 month, from September to October, 2021. This study formed part of a school nurse project as a cluster non‐randomized clinical trial in Bangladesh. Selected variables from that clinical trial were analyzed and reported in the results section. The study participants were primary school children from four schools in rural Bangladesh. Results: In total, 604 children participated in the baseline survey and health checkups. Among them, 163 (27.0%) children were classified as malnourished according to the World Health Organization growth reference standard 2007. The prevalence of helminthic infections was 53 (8.8%). Approximately >50% of the children responded that they never/rarely practiced hygiene‐related behaviors and had no awareness and knowledge regarding malnutrition and helminthic infections. However, differences between the variables were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Children's nutritional status and prevalence of helminthic infections with related deprived health behaviors, and minimal awareness and knowledge, reinforce the importance of implementing educational interventions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the quality of family life (FQoL) is one of the ultimate goals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention, and parenting self‐efficacy and social support are critical for the well‐being of families. However, longitudinal studies focusing on FQoL and its predictors for families of children with ASD are scarce. This study aims to describe the characteristics of FQoL among parents of children newly diagnosed with ASD at two waves (newly diagnosed and diagnosed after one year) and to explore the predictors of FQoL at two waves. It was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. A total of 156 parents and their children were included in Wave 1, followed up with 110 in Wave 2 after 1 year. The overall satisfaction of FQoL improved (t = −2.128, p < 0.05), while satisfaction with physical/material well‐being decreased (t = 5.972, p < 0.01). Additionally, the overall importance rating of FQoL improved but did not have statistical significance (p > 0.05). Parents with higher parenting self‐efficacy (β = 0.716, P < 0.01), and more subjective social support (β = 1.127, p < 0.001) reported higher satisfaction with FQoL, and those with better social support utilization (β = 1.066, p < 0.05) reported higher importance for FQoL. FQoL needs to be improved in the early stage of ASD diagnosis, and parental self‐efficacy and social support can serve as the intervention targets. Lay Summary: We explored the changes in family quality of life (FQoL) among parents of children with ASD during the first year after diagnosis, as well as identifying the predicting effects of parenting self‐efficacy and social support on it. Our findings revealed an overall improvement in satisfaction with FQoL, although there was a decrease in satisfaction related to physical/material well‐being during the first year. Parents with higher parenting self‐efficacy and social support were likely to be more satisfied with FQoL. The study also reveals more support for families with lower income, and lower education. Parents' involvement in their children's intervention is important, but too much time each day is not suggested for the well‐being of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers and fathers modify prosodic characteristics of child-directed speech relative to adult-directed speech. Evidence suggests that mothers and fathers may differ in how they use child-directed speech as communicative partners. Thus, fathers create communicative challenges during father-child interaction that facilitate the child's adaptation to a wider potential range of interlocutors. In this paper, speech production differences are examined between mothers and fathers in child-directed speech to toddlers as compared to adult-directed speech. Using a longitudinal, large-scale design of audio recordings in naturalistic environments and automatic speech processing techniques, it was found that mothers, but not fathers, increased their fundamental frequency when addressing their toddlers. The results suggest that fathers do not modulate the prosody of their speech in the same way as mothers when communicating with their toddlers. Findings have implications for emotional and communicative practices of fathers compared to mothers and the differential role each plays in child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically developing children who grow up with siblings with disabilities often have numerous negative experiences owing to many factors such as parental differences in behaviour, lack of time & attention received and many others. This paper aims to analyse themes emerging from interviews with typically developing siblings, their parents and experts from the field of child development and child mental health regarding these experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) may incentivize enrollees to limit health care use at the beginning of a plan year, when they are responsible for 100% of costs, or to increase the use of care at the end of the year, when enrollees may have less cost exposure. We investigated both the impact of the deductible reset that occurs at the beginning of a plan year and the option to enroll in an HDHP on the use of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services over the course of a health plan year. We found decreases in SUD treatment use following the increase in cost exposure related to a deductible reset. There was no variation in this behavior between HDHP offer enrollees and comparison enrollees who were not offered an HDHP. These findings reinforce that cost-sharing poses a barrier to SUD care and continuity of care, which can increase the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the wellbeing of Frontline Justice Care Professionals, involving corrections officers and other justice-related professions. Topics include the specific workplace challenges faced by these professionals such as safety concerns and organizational issues, professional acknowledgement, and multi-system challenges.

The purpose of the current study is to examine adolescents' perspectives of sibling caregiving and how sibling caregiving is associated with adolescent development and family relationships. Using role theory as a framework, focus group data were collected from 13 primarily white (n = 10) female (n = 9) adolescents in a suburban midwestern city and inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Overall, our findings revealed that sibling caregiving is an important part of adolescents' lives and may have important links to adolescent development and family relationships. It is important to note, however, that while these findings are not without limitations (i.e., lack generalizability) due to sample size and characteristic (predominately female and white), the examination of adolescent's perspectives is an important avenue as we highlight the multidimensional nature of sibling caregiving, and the influence that sibling caregiving may have on adolescents' development and family relationships within this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the crucial importance of nostalgia in individuals' behavioral and psychological responses, this study measured the effect of leisure nostalgia on work-leisure conflict and subjective well-being. A total of 489 responses were collected from primary and secondary school teachers in Singapore, and this study conducted confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to analyze the data. Results showed that leisure nostalgia positively affected work-to-leisure conflict and subjective well-being, and work-to-leisure conflict had a negative effect on subjective well-being. However, relationships related to leisure-to-work conflict were shown to be insignificant. The findings of this study advance the theoretical knowledge of nostalgia in the contexts of leisure and occupational health psychology and contribute to school management in developing strategies and approaches for the betterment of teachers' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an abrupt transition from in-person to online learning in Spring 2020. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of the transition on undergraduates during the period following the campus closure. Method: 131 psychology undergraduate students completed an online survey of how the COVID-19 closure had impacted their academics, online learning environment, and traumatic stress symptoms (using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5). Results: Most participants reported increased academic difficulty compared to before closure. Approximately 30% reported elevated traumatic stress symptoms. Greater traumatic stress was associated with greater difficulty completing assignments, more limited access to the internet and quiet places to study, and greater sibling-care responsibilities. Conclusions: The acute transition to online instruction posed academic and emotional challenges to many students, especially those from environments with competing demands or less access to academic supports. Follow-up evaluation is needed to determine whether these difficulties have persisted in subsequent semesters of online instruction. Teaching Implication: Instructors should anticipate the emotional and academic needs of students who are relatively unfamiliar with online instruction and consider ways to minimize negative environmental impacts and increase access to mental health resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional sport is distinct employment shaped by organisational and managerial relations, stakeholder involvements, performance imperatives, contextual forces and precarities. Such employment has raised questions regarding work, employment sustainability and careers. The purpose of this article was to examine experiences of sports workers in men's professional basketball during the geopolitical conflict in Ukraine and highlight ways working conditions are negotiated in adverse contexts. A case study approach that utilised semi-structured interviews was applied to enquire about the daily events, activities and related emotion as recalled by sports workers in men's professional basketball in Ukraine during the geopolitical conflict. The examination reveals issues related to institutional/organisational, community and individual sustainability of the sport sector when faced with geopolitical crises. While turbulent events may unsettle sports workers, these sports workers demonstrated an ability to respond to the situation, mitigate adverse consequences, and sustain their careers. This work is of value those in sport organisations seeking to understand employees' experiences and actions during periods of uncertainty, and how individual career continuity relates to organisational sustainability. Our approach advances understandings about sustainable organisational support and resources, and contingency planning in relation to navigating unforeseen events that arise in sports workers' careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we integrate cultural evolutionary theory with empirical research from developmental psychology, cultural anthropology, and primatology to explore the role of peer learning in the development of complex instrumental skills and behavioral norms. We show that instrumental imitation, contingent teaching, generative collaboration, and selective copying contribute to domain‐specific transmission of knowledge between peers. Stages of development and characteristics inherent to the learner and model influence how and when children learn from each other. Peer learning is persistent across societies despite cultural beliefs that favor adult–child transmission in some settings. Comparative research hints at the possibility that children's greater motivation to interact with and learn from each other may set humans apart from other primates. We conclude by outlining avenues for future research, including how individual characteristics and developmental changes in social networks, motivation, and cognition may contribute to cultural evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for more than 1,500 deaths annually among college students, of whom more than one in three report having been drunk during the past 30 days. Campus alcohol policies offer a first line of defense against excessive alcohol use but have received little systematic attention in the research literature. The research team previously developed a taxonomy of campus alcohol policies and sanctions, ranked in order of effectiveness, and assessed the accessibility, clarity, and effectiveness of policies at 15 post-secondary educational institutions. Herein we describe the process of reporting those assessments back to the 15 institutions, providing them with recommendations and technical assistance on how to improve their policies, and then re-assessing school alcohol policies for effectiveness and clarity. Conversations with primary points of contact at each school provided further insight into the process of assessing and improving campus alcohol policies. Of the 15 schools assessed, 11 added more effective policies, and four added more effective consequences during the 2 years following receipt of reports on the assessment. Campuses have control over their own policies, and greater attention to them from researchers and practitioners could better maximize their potential for enhancing student health and safety and supporting student success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional supplementation with L-arginine has been shown to promote cell growth and exercise performance, and is helpful to various disorders. Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng are traditional herbal medicines that display a wide range of beneficial activities. To understand their effects on L-arginine absorption in human intestinal cells, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed using a standardized mixture of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponins (APS). Our studies indicated that APS increased the expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) and L-arginine transport in human Caco-2 cells. In addition, APS benefits TNBS-induced-colitis rats by increasing food intake, body weight, intestinal epithelial integrity, CAT1 gene expression, and blood L-arginine level. APS also reduces intestinal inflammation associated with increased myeloperoxidase activity in colitis rats. Further studies indicated that the plasma L-arginine level significantly increases in human subjects administered APS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School nurses are crucial to addressing adolescent mental health, yet evidence concerning their evolving role has not been synthesized to understand interventions across levels of practice (i.e., individual, community, systems). We conducted an integrative review of school nurse roles in mental health in the U.S. related to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. Only 18 articles were identified, published from 1970 to 2019, and primarily described school nurses practicing interventions at the individual level, yet it was unclear whether they were always evidence-based. Although mental health concerns have increased over the years, the dearth of rigorous studies made it difficult to determine the impact of school nurse interventions on student mental health outcomes and school nurses continue to feel unprepared and under supported in this area. More research is needed to establish best practices and systems to support school nursing practice in addressing mental health at all levels of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wounds cannot heal due to impairment of regeneration, mainly caused by the persistent infection of multispecies biofilms. Still, the effects of biofilm wound infection and its interaction with the host are not fully described. We aimed to study functional biofilms in physiological conditions in vitro, and their potential effects in health and regeneration in vivo. Therefore, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were seeded in collagen-based scaffolds for dermal regeneration. After 24 h, scaffolds had bacterial loads depending on the initial inoculum, containing viable biofilms with antibiotic tolerance. Afterwards, scaffolds were implanted onto full skin wounds in mice, together with daily supervision and antibiotic treatment. Although all mice survived their health was affected, displaying fever and weight loss. After ten days, histomorphology of scaffolds showed high heterogeneity in samples and within groups. Wounds were strongly, mildly, or not infected according to colony forming units, and P. aeruginosa had higher identification frequency. Biofilm infection induced leucocyte infiltration and elevated interferon-γ and interleukin-10 in scaffolds, increase of size and weight of spleen and high systemic pro-calcitonin concentrations. This functional and implantable 3D biofilm model allows to study host response during infection, providing a useful tool for infected wounds therapy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National estimates of hospitalization diagnoses and costs were determined using the 2016 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database. Children and youth with autism were hospitalized over 45,000 times at over $560 million in costs and 260,000 inpatient days. The most frequent principal diagnoses for hospitalizations of children and youth with autism were epilepsy, mental health conditions, pneumonia, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders, which resulted in almost $200 million in costs and 150,000 inpatient days. Mental health diagnoses accounted for 24.8% of hospitalizations, an estimated $82 million in costs, and approximately 94,000 inpatient days. Children and youth with autism were more likely hospitalized for epilepsy, mental health diagnoses, and gastrointestinal disorders, and less likely for pneumonia and asthma compared to other children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the cracking performance of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) mixtures for airfield pavements and explored performance-based airfield asphalt mix specifications. Fundamental properties of these mixtures were investigated through performance-based laboratory tests such as complex modulus, semicircular bend (SCB), and direct tension cyclic fatigue (DTCF) tests. Performance prediction software was utilized to evaluate mixture performance during the design period. Based on the complex modulus and SCB tests results, it was found that organic additive and RAP tend to increase mixture susceptibility to fracture. Results of the DTCF test showed that fatigue indexes ranked mixtures in different ways, which emphasizes the importance of using performance prediction programs to investigate mixture fatigue performance. The results of performance prediction indicated that utilization of hybrid WMA additive and RAP would increase airfield pavement fatigue damage. The contradictory results of laboratory tests and pavement performance simulation showed that the airfield current asphalt pavement thickness design procedure lacks a usable model of fatigue cracking in its standard design program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to determine the role of the sense of coherence and ego-resiliency as buffers for maladaptive coping among juveniles with different levels of delinquency. The study included 561 juveniles referred by a family court to youth education or probation centers throughout Poland. We used SEM to search for relations between variables and the critical ratio test for differences between groups. The results demonstrate that in both groups, the relationships between the components of the sense of coherence and the emotional style were negative. In both groups, the sense of comprehensibility was significantly associated with the search for social contacts. The impact of ego-resiliency on social-diversion coping was significantly stronger for the group with high compared with low demoralization. The study demonstrate that juveniles with a high degree of delinquency are more prone to emotion-oriented coping. Both groups of juveniles use two types of avoidance style to a similar extent. The results show that the stronger the sense of coherence, the less often juveniles cope with stress by reducing emotional tension and by escaping into substitute activities. Furthermore, our findings reveal the dark side of ego-resiliency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that in most communities interaction occurs between the child and multiple speakers, most previous research on input to children focused on input from mothers. We annotated recordings of Sesotho-learning toddlers living in non-industrial Lesotho in South Africa, and French-learning toddlers living in urban regions in France. We examined who produced the input (mothers, other children, adults), how much input was child directed, and whether and how it varied across speakers. As expected, mothers contributed most of the input in the French recordings. However, in the Sesotho recordings, input from other children was more common than input from mothers or other adults. Child-directed speech from all speakers in both cultural groups showed similar qualitative modifications. Our findings suggest that input from other children is prevalent and has similar features as child-directed from adults described in previous work, inviting cross-cultural research into the effects of input from other children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions (CHCs) in school-aged children highlights the need to better understand school health services' role regarding CHCs. Using U.S. nationally representative district-level data from the 2016 School Health Policies and Practices Study, we examined whether having policies on school nurses' employment was associated with having policies on CHCs and whether having such policies varied by geographic location. Compared to districts without such employment policies, districts with such policies (52.3%) were significantly more likely to have CHC management policies. For each CHC policy examined, more than 20% of school districts did not have the CHC policy, with Northeast districts having the greatest proportion of such policies and West districts having the least. Thus, many students' CHC needs may not be met at school. It is important for school nurses to play a key role in advocating for the development of school-based policies on CHCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools and school districts are key to U.S. vaccination policies: They communicate immunization enrollment requirements and enforce them during registration. This article presents a mixed-methods study of how Michigan's 537 districts communicate about vaccine mandates through public-facing websites. It reports the results of a qualitative analysis (n = 50) of websites from Southeast Michigan and a quantitative analysis of all (n = 537) Michigan's district websites. School district websites engage in diverse health promotion practices surrounding immunization, from encouraging vaccination to neutral messaging and to encouraging exemptions. Most provide scant immunization information and few promote the importance of immunization for individual and community health. We recommend that school nurses, district staff, and health authorities collaborate to ensure that school district communication promotes immunization and does not promote nonmedical exemptions. This can lead schools to embrace immunization as an essential activity for their own functioning rather than as an unwelcome requirement imposed by outside agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enrollment in Medicaid facilitates access to needed services among transition-age youth on the autism spectrum and youth with intellectual disability (ID). There are long-standing programs to ensure that individuals with ID remain enrolled as they age; similar programs for autistic youth are newer, not as widespread, and may not be as effective. We compared Medicaid disenrollment and re-enrollment between transition-age youth on the autism spectrum, youth with ID, and youth with both diagnoses using a national claims-based prospective cohort study from 2008 through 2012. Autistic youth were most likely to disenroll and least likely to re-enroll. Disenrollment peaked for all three groups at ages 19 and 21. Transition-age youth on the autism spectrum experience more disruptions in access to Medicaid-reimbursed services than youth with ID. More equitable Medicaid enrollment options for autistic individuals are needed to ensure their access to critical health care as they age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas’ energy consumption accounts for almost three fourths the global energy use with 70% of the related emissions. Therefore, cities play a meaningful role in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. This study presents a system dynamic approach to model the energy efficiency impact on the Togolese capital city’s residential electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions reduction. The time spans from 2000 to 2050. An assessment of household appliances, such as lighting, refrigeration, cooling, and ventilation, was conducted along with monitoring electricity consumption of used and newly bought televisions, refrigerators, and freezers. Then, using Stella software, Lomé’s residential electricity consumption model was built based on the following variables: (1) population, (2) the number of existing households with access to electricity, (3) new homes having access to electricity, and (4) per capita electricity consumption. The model was calibrated and validated using data for the years 2000 to 2016. Afterward, this previous knowledge was used to evaluate three efficient energy policies: 1) business-as-usual scenario, 2) new policies scenario, and 3) sensitivity scenario. Lomé’s households present a predominantly low efficient appliances percentage. Therefore, the study found that substituting inefficient electric appliances with new and efficient models can lead Togo to substantial energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions of about 680 GWh and 350 kt in the horizon of 2050, respectively. Additionally, the findings of this study could stimulate policymakers to audit other sectors to implement related energy efficiency policies and/or set up corresponding energy management strategies in neighboring emerging countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindsets that people hold regarding activity adequacy play an integral part in various health outcomes. Yet, little is known about the relationship between the mindset one has about their sedentary behaviour levels and psychological stress. As such, the present study sought to understand if adults' perceptions of themselves as compared to others of the same age, specifically perceptions about their level of sedentary behaviours, is a significant predictor of psychological stress. Three-hundred and seventy-four adults (nfemale = 279, nmale = 95; Mage = 60.4% aged between 18 and 24) completed an online survey package that included two multi-scale instruments to assess perceived stress symptoms and actual time spent sitting during a typical week, and two single-items to measure perceptions of their level of sedentary behaviours during a typical week (i.e., typical weekday, weekend day). Cross-sectional results indicated that perceived sedentary behaviour relative to others on a typical weekend day explained significant albeit modest unique variance in perceived stress scores, even after controlling for covariates including actual sitting time on a typical weekend day (t(363) = 2.35, p = 0.019, R2increment = 0.010). Weekday perceptions failed to be an influential factor (t(363) = −0.28, p = 0.780, R2inc =.000). These findings suggest that a sedentary behaviour mindset, yoked within a social comparison framework, may be important for understanding psychological stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Management of head and neck cancer (HNC) can result in substantial long-term, multifaceted disability, leading to significant deficits in one's functioning and quality of life (QoL). Consequently, treatment selection is a challenging component of care for patients with HNC. Clinical care guided by shared decision making (SDM) can help address these decisional challenges and allow for a more individualized approach to treatment. However, due in part to the dominance of biomedically oriented philosophies in clinical care, engaging in SDM that reflects the individual patient's needs may be difficult. Conclusions: In this clinical focus article, we propose that health care decisions made in the context of biopsychosocial-framed care--one that contrasts to decision making directed solely by the biomedical model--will promote patient autonomy and permit the subjective personal values, beliefs, and preferences of individuals to be considered and incorporated into treatment-related decisions. Consequently, clinical efforts that are directed toward biopsychosocial-framed SDM hold the potential to positively affect QoL and well-being for individuals with HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utility of community‐based system dynamics (CBSD) models on stigmatized public health issues and health disparities depends upon how representative the model is to real‐world experience within the community. 'Personal experience' participants (PEP), especially from marginalized groups, are essential model contributors but are often underrepresented in modelling groups due to multiple barriers. This study details a method to increase PEP representation for models on stigmatized issues. We use a case study from a CBSD project on health disparities within the association between alcohol misuse (AM) and intimate partner violence (IPV) for Northern Plains Indigenous women. Short group model building sessions were held at three community organizations providing relevant resources. Each model contributed unique system components, and there were few similarities between models. A consolidated model provided a rich picture of the complex system. Adding brief PEP‐based group modelling sessions can enhance PEP representation in model development for stigmatized public health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To test three competing models of the nature and structure of maternal parenting practices with infants in U.S. national and multiple international samples. The three models were a one-factor dimensional model, a multi-factor style model, and a hybrid two-factor/six-domain model. Undertaking this evaluation of parenting with national and international samples permits a wide yet judicious analysis of culture-common versus culture-specific models of maternal parenting practices with young infants. Design. Basic caregiving practices of primiparous mothers with their 5-month-old infants during naturalistic interactions at home in nine different cultures were videorecorded, microcoded, and analyzed. Individual practices were organized into nurture, physical, social, didactic, material, and language domains. Results. In Study 1 using a U.S. sample (N = 360), analyses of the structure of mothers' parenting practices yielded a best-fitting two-factor/six-domain structure. In Study 2, using a 9-nation sample (N = 653), the two-factor/six-domain structure was largely replicated and partial metric invariance achieved. Conclusions. Mothers' parenting in the middle of the first year of their infant's life is commonly structured and adapted to the universal needs and developmental tasks of infants' surviving and thriving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elite athletes undergo intensive training and competitive pressure to succeed, making them susceptible to professional strain. However, they differ in their subjective reactions in the form of burnout levels and psychosomatic stress symptoms. Following a motivational perspective, these differences may be explained by the goals that athletes pursue. The current study therefore examined the effects of elite athletes' achievement goals on their burnout levels and psychosomatic stress symptoms, and to what extent they can be explained by athletes' use of adaptive coping strategies. Based on the answers of 125 German elite athletes, path modelling revealed that mastery approach goals were negatively associated with burnout levels and psychosomatic stress symptoms, while mastery avoidance and performance approach goals were positively associated with burnout levels. Coping strategies partially mediated the effects of mastery approach goals on burnout levels and psychosomatic stress symptoms. These findings suggest practical implications for supporting elite athletes through goal setting processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly arrived immigrant and refugee children are faced with significant physical and mental health issues and often rely on school nurses for care and connection to healthcare. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore urban public school nurses' experiences caring for newly arrived children. Data were collected through one-time in-depth semistructured interviews with school nurses (n = 20). Three relational themes were identified: (1) Trials and Triumphs: Telling Stories About Newly Arrived Children; (2) Walk a Mile in My Shoes; and, (3) Being a Trusted Health Navigator. The Role of School Nurses in the Context of Trauma emerged as the constitutive pattern. The current study enhances our understanding of the unique role played by school nurses as they address the profound needs of newly arrived children and their families, many of whom have survived trauma and face a number of barriers to accessing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: A complex systems perspective has been advocated to explore multi‐faceted factors influencing public health issues, including alcohol consumption and associated harms. This scoping review aimed to identify studies that applied a complex systems perspective to alcohol consumption and the prevention of alcohol‐related harms in order to summarize their characteristics and identify evidence gaps. Methods: Studies published between January 2000 and September 2020 in English were located by searching for terms synonymous with 'complex systems' and 'alcohol' in the Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase databases, and through handsearching and reference screening of included studies. Data were extracted on each study's aim, country, population, alcohol topic, system levels, funding, theory, methods, data sources, time‐frames, system modifications and type of findings produced. Results: Eighty‐seven individual studies and three systematic reviews were identified, the majority of which were conducted in the United States or Australia in the general population, university students or adolescents. Studies explored types and patterns of consumption behaviour and the local environments in which alcohol is consumed. Most studies focused on individual and local interactions and influences, with fewer examples exploring the relationships between these and regional, national and international subsystems. The body of literature is methodologically diverse and includes theory‐led approaches, dynamic simulation models and social network analyses. The systematic reviews focused on primary network studies. Conclusions: The use of a complex systems perspective has provided a variety of ways of conceptualizing and analyzing alcohol use and harm prevention efforts, but its focus ultimately has remained on predominantly individual‐ and/or local‐level systems. A complex systems perspective represents an opportunity to address this gap by also considering the vertical dimensions that constrain, shape and influence alcohol consumption and related harms, but the literature to date has not fully captured this potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has been widely implemented in asphalt pavement construction due to its cost benefits along with its reasonable engineering performance. With the trend of higher RAP applications, it is more critical to consider the complicated interactions between RAP and virgin binders. An unreasonable assumption of the full blending of RAP material could lead to many issues, such as insufficient virgin binder content and poor pavement durability. This paper focuses on the determination of virgin binder grades and content during the design of a high RAP content mixture by considering RAP blending effectiveness. By integrating the blending ratio parameter, a modified blending chart is proposed to determine the PG grade of the virgin binder, and a partial blending method is used to estimate the optimum virgin binder content. It is found that when an 83% blending ratio is considered in the 40%-content RAP mixture design, the differences of the determined virgin binder grade from the traditional blending chart and modified one is within 6° (one PG grade). If the blending ratio is 56% or less for a 40%-content RAP mixture, the required base binder needs to drop one PG grade (6°). Moreover, the partial blending method typically demands 0.5%–1% more virgin binder than the Superpave volumetric method, which could result in significantly improved cracking performance without jeopardizing its rutting resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To propose a tailored social ecological model for Autism Spectrum Disorders and explore relationships between variables in a large nationally-representative dataset. Methods: A tailored social-ecological model was developed and examined across variables in the 2016/2017 National Survey of Children's Health. A series of iterative multivariable logistic regressions were performed including individual, family, and community/neighborhood variables. A multivariable logistic regression using state-level fixed effects was performed to understand dynamics related to macro-level policies. Results: In the full model, gender, disability severity, certain types of insurance coverage and household income were significantly related to ASD diagnosis. Females had lower odds of a diagnosis compared to males (aOR: 0.27; CI:0.18–0.41). Children with at least one other moderate/severe disability had odds 7.61 higher (CI:5.36–10.82) of a diagnosis than children without moderate/severe disabilities. Children with public insurance only (aOR:1.66; CI:1.14–2.41) or both private and public insurance coverage (aOR: 2.62; CI:1.6–4.16) had higher odds of a diagnosis compared to children with private insurance only. For those who reported it was "somewhat" or "very often" hard to cover basics with their income, odds of a diagnosis were higher compared to those who reported it was "never" or "hardly ever" hard to cover basics (aOR: 1.676; CI:0.21–2.56). Conclusions for Practice: Patterns of ASD diagnosis are related to individual and family characteristics. There is some evidence that a child's environment has some relationship to reported ASD diagnosis. Professionals should be aware of an individual's environmental factors or context when assessing for ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All 50 US states have enacted mandates requiring insurers to cover autism-related services. We assessed whether and to what extent variation in generosity of state insurance mandates has been associated with rate of growth in the health workforce for children with autism spectrum disorder: including board-certified behavioral analysts, child psychiatrists, and pediatricians. Drawing data from the National Conference of State Legislatures and Area Health Resource Files, we evaluated eight mandate policy features, utilizing a fixed-effect longitudinal regression framework to examine their relationships with workforce growth during a 15-year period (2003–2017) over which 44 states enacted a mandate. Aspects of mandate generosity included ages covered, spending caps, and types of services covered. We found that mandate generosity was closely associated with the magnitude of increase in supply of board-certified behavioral analysts and—to a lesser extent—child psychiatrists. States with the most generous mandates would be expected to have 39% more board-certified behavioral analysts and 17% more child psychiatrists in 2017, compared to states with least generous mandates. We found no association between mandate generosity and supply of pediatricians. Collectively, our results suggest that the degree of generosity afforded by mandates may be as important as the passage of mandate legislation itself for encouraging workforce growth. To improve access to health services for children with autism spectrum disorder, US states have passed laws requiring health insurers to cover autism-related care, commonly known as state insurance mandates. However, the features of mandates differ across states, with some state laws containing very generous provisions and others containing very restrictive provisions such as whether the mandates include children aged above 12 years, whether there is a limit on spending, and whether there are restrictions on the types of services covered. This study examined the relationship between generosity of mandates and growth in the health workforce between 2003 and 2017, a period during which 44 states passed mandates. We found that states that enacted more generous mandates experienced significantly more growth in board-certified behavioral analysts who provide behavioral therapy as well as more growth in child psychiatrists. We did not find differences in the growth of pediatricians, which is a less specialized segment of the workforce. Our findings were consistent across eight different mandate features and suggest that the content of legislation may be as important as whether or not legislation has been passed in terms of encouraging growth in the supply of services for children with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many undergraduates face the problems of academic procrastination. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the factors associated with academic procrastination so that strategies can be planned to tackle the issue. This study uses the transactional model of stress and coping theory and personality-coping-outcomes theory as a framework. We use this framework to examine whether perfectionism is associated with academic procrastination. Besides, we use this framework to examine whether coping strategy mediated perfectionism's effects on academic procrastination. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit 229 undergraduates in Malaysia to complete a survey. A partial least structural equation model was used to analyze the data. The results showed that perfectionism is associated with academic procrastination. Besides, coping strategies are statistical mediators for the effects of perfectionism on academic procrastination. The findings support the generalization of the theoretical models to understand the mechanism of academic procrastination. Workshops and training can be provided to undergraduates to aware of the relationships between personality and academic procrastination and the importance of using appropriate coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction is a demanding work environment. Many construction professionals experience workplace stress, leading to physiological, psychological and sociological strain effects. They adopt a variety of coping mechanisms to manage these effects. A purposive sample of 36 construction professionals (architects, project managers, construction managers, civil engineers and quantity surveyors) in Cape Town, South Africa, were surveyed regarding their perceptions of workplace strain effects and stress counter measures. The Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. The findings show that the highest-ranked strain effects in terms of impact were (in descending order): "frustration", "fatigue", "strain on personal relationships", "strain on professional relationships", and "anger/irritability". Male professionals identified greater fatigue and frustration effects than females; while females felt a greater lack of self-confidence. The highest-ranked coping mechanisms in terms of impact were "travel", "non-competitive sporting activity", "music", "increased caffeine intake", and "walking". Males preferred more intensive physical activities than did females. Architects experienced anxiety more frequently than other professional groups. This study confirms important strain effects experienced by construction professionals and highlights the nature and effectiveness of counter measures. Limitations of the study include its exploratory nature and small sample size. Future research should establish the associations between strain effects and coping measures, in terms of how construction organizations can better support wellbeing among their professional employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rejuvenator is typically utilized to partially recover the mechanical properties of reclaimed-asphalt pavement (RAP). Although the rejuvenator works effectively in softening the highly aged recycled asphalt and improving workability, the rutting and cracking performance of recycled materials cannot be well guaranteed. In this paper, the potential of generating an asphalt mixture incorporating RAP with both strong rutting resistance and improved cracking resistance is evaluated. Rubber, rejuvenator, and their combination are utilized, respectively, to modify recycled asphalt from field cores, and their basic rheological properties are evaluated. Both Marshall mix design and balanced mix design methods are conducted to design recycled-asphalt mixtures with proper material properties. The effects of RAP content and asphalt content on the performance of recycled-asphalt mixtures are also quantified. Results show that rubber modification can increase rutting resistance and low-temperature resistance of recycled-asphalt binder. Although the application usage of rejuvenator is able to soften the recycled-asphalt binder and decrease viscosity, whereas the inclusion of rubber particles can further increase the resistance to fatigue and rutting of recycled-asphalt binders. It is also found that both the rubber modification and rejuvenator can improve binder's ability to resist low-temperature cracks. Additionally, the Marshall and balanced mix design methods indicate that increased RAP content always leads to increased rutting stability and decreased fatigue crack resistance, whereas moisture resistance and low-temperature resistance are not clearly affected. The addition of rejuvenator can also improve the low-temperature performance and fatigue resistance of recycled-asphalt mixtures and lessen the high-temperature performance, whereas it does not change its moisture resistance property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant facial features are typically perceived as "cute," provoking caretaking behaviours. Previous research has focused on adults' perceptions of baby cuteness, and examined how these perceptions are influenced by events of the adult reproductive lifespan, such as ovulation and menopause. However, globally, individuals of all ages, including pre‐pubertal children, provide notable proportions of infant care. In this study, we recruited participants in and around northern England, and tested 330 adults and 65 children aged 7–9 using a forced‐choice paradigm to assess preferences for infant facial cuteness in two stimulus sets and (as a control task) preferences for femininity in women's faces. We analysed the data with Hierarchical Bayesian Regression Models. The adults and children successfully identified infants who had been manipulated to appear cuter, although children's performance was poorer than adults' performance, and children reliably identified infant cuteness in only one of the two infant stimuli sets. Children chose the feminised over masculinised women's faces as more attractive, although again their performance was poorer than adults' performance. There was evidence for a female advantage in the tasks: girls performed better than boys when assessing the woman stimuli and one of the infant stimulus sets, and women performed better than men when assessing one of the infant stimulus sets. There was no evidence that cuteness judgements differed depending upon exposure to infants (children with siblings aged 0–2; adults with a baby caregiving role), or depending upon being just younger or older than the average age of menopause. Children and grandparents provide notable portions of infant caretaking globally, and cuteness perceptions could direct appropriate caregiving behaviour in these age groups, as well as in adults of reproductive age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregiver responsiveness and presence of secondary attachments play a crucial role in children's socio‐cognitive and emotional development, but little is known of their effect on the development of non‐human primates. Here we present the results of a 16‐month behavioral study conducted on 22 wild infant olive baboons (Papio anubis) at the Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project, Kenya. This is the first study to examine the effects of maternal responsiveness and secondary attachments on the development of infant social behavior in a wild primate species that does not breed cooperatively. The data track maternal responsiveness and the rates of two behavioral indicators of infant social competence—orienting toward interactions and social play—over the course of the first year of life. Maternal responsiveness decreased as infants grew older, while infant orientation toward interactions and play behavior increased. Infants with poorly responsive mothers were more likely to have secondary attachments, and infants with secondary attachments to siblings oriented more frequently to social interactions than those with secondary attachments to adult/subadult males or with no secondary attachments. These findings indicate that variation in maternal responsiveness and presence of secondary attachments can influence the development of social competence in olive baboon infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease, a gut disease that is prevalent worldwide, is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation, such as colitis, and disorder of the gut microbiome. Glycine (Gly) is the simplest amino acid and functions as an anti-inflammatory immune-nutrient and intestinal microbiota regulator. This study aimed at investigating the effect of Gly on colitis induced in mice by intrarectal administration of 5% acetic acid (AA). Bodyweight and survival rates were monitored, and colonic length and weight, serum amino acid concentrations, intestinal inflammation-related gene expression, and colonic microbiota abundances were analyzed. The results showed that Gly dietary supplementation had no effect on the survival rate or the ratio of colonic length to weight. However, Gly supplementation reversed the AA-induced increase in serum concentrations of amino acids such as glutamate, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Furthermore, Gly inhibited colonic gene expression of interleukin- (IL-) 1β and promoted IL-10 expression in colitis mice. Gly supplementation also reversed the AA-induced reduction in the abundance of bacteria such as Clostridia, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridiales. This change in the intestinal microbiota was possibly attributable to the changes in colonic IL-10 expression and serum concentrations of valine and leucine. In sum, Gly supplementation regulated the serum concentrations of amino acids, the levels of colonic immune-associated gene expression, and the intestinal microbiota in a mouse model of colitis. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of Gly in regulating metabolism, intestinal immunity, and the gut microbiota in animals afflicted with colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoga is the science of right living and can be incorporated into daily life. It is known to originate in India and practiced to attain samathi in the ancient days and now being used to promote health and wellbeing. Although currently Yoga is being practiced for the promotion of health and prevention of various diseases by the people, the information deals with its origin, evolution, philosophy/concepts, and types/techniques are less known. Previous reviews deal mainly with Yoga and its effects separately. Hence, this particular review provides a summary of the information related to history, philosophy/concepts, types/techniques and physiological/therapeutic effects in various systems of the body with possible side effects of Yoga based on the available traditional and scientific literature. This literature suggests that the ancient Indian science (i.e., yoga) has its own philosophy/concepts, different techniques that spread almost worldwide and the scientific evidence for its health benefits in various systems is increasing and encouraging its use in the system of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugees often parent under extreme circumstances. Parenting practices have implications for child outcomes, and parenting in the context of refugee resettlement is likely to be dynamic as parents negotiate a new culture. This study examined African origin mothers' infant care values and practices related to feeding, carrying, and daily activities following resettlement in the Southeastern region of the U.S. Ten African origin mothers were asked about their infant care practices through semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that mothers valued breastfeeding but often chose to use formula as a supplement or instead of breastfeeding. In addition, participants valued carrying their infants close to the body but used equipment such as strollers. Mothers expressed that perceptions of American culture and rules, social support, interactions with community agencies, and the need to engage in formal employment were factors that influenced their infant care practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS) and vicarious trauma (VT) are three highly prevalent work-related stress reactions experienced in helping professions, but prevalence rates and protective/risk factors of these stress reactions in protective services workers have been understudied. The purpose of the current study was to examine coping mechanisms utilised by protective services workers and their relationship with the experience of burnout, STS and VT. Participants (N  = 228) completed online measures of coping strategies and work-related stress reactions. Socially supported coping was the only adaptive coping skill that significantly predicted less burnout in protective service workers and none of the adaptive coping skills were associated with decreased STS or VT symptoms, suggesting that adaptive coping skills may not be effective enough to combat work-related stress reactions in protective services workers. Furthermore, child protective services (CPS) workers reported experiencing significantly more burnout, VT and STS symptoms than adult/elder protective services workers. Given the findings, there is a need for the testing of interventions that target increasing professionals' protective factors, especially CPS workers, for experiencing work-related stress reactions, rather than focusing solely on teaching and strengthening traditional coping skills, or addressing inconsistent risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]