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Mathematical modelling has acquired relevance at all educational levels in the last decades since integrating this activity in instruction provides significant contexts for improving students' learning, including in linear algebra courses that have a notable presence in many undergraduate courses from different fields, including engineering and sciences. This paper reports a study aiming to characterise the distinct modelling routes performed by Costa Rican undergraduate students when solving a mathematical modelling task involving the concept of system of linear equations (SLE). In analysing those modelling routes, it was possible to identify their learning of linear algebra concepts and their modelling competencies as well as the associated difficulties that students faced. Data collection included participant observation, with audio recording of the students' discussions, their written work on the task, and digital files of their work with technology. The results show that non-linear routes are associated with a greater mobilisation of students' knowledge on SLE concepts and with their development of modelling competencies. The results also highlight the need to improve the students' competency of validating results, an important step that they did not take, and suggest the need to make technology relevant to the students' work on modelling tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the leadership of a medieval treatise on leadership written at the request of Saint Fernando III of Castile in the thirteen century. We investigate how the conceptualization of leadership is similar and different from our modern approaches. We find that the medieval leadership source had stronger Catholic ontological and epistemological underpinnings although it remained hostage to prejudices and misconceptions of its time. The analysis raises questions about how modern secular leadership approaches do not clearly disclose their own ontological and epistemological foundations. In addition, the contrast with a medieval leadership source shows our modern leadership approaches also remain captive to the prejudices and misconceptions of our time. Most importantly, modern leadership approaches assume leaders can set final ends, are immune to greed in themselves and others, focus on intelligence rather than will, and technical skill rather than moral virtue. On the other hand, both sources agree leaders should be decisive, sociable, approachable, and create a culture of trust. More research on historical models of leadership is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief article discusses Oeconomicae et Pecuniariae Quaestiones, a document published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Discatery for Promoting Integral Human Development in May, 2018. The document focused on analyzing the current economicfinancial global system and raised questions about its functioning from an ethical perspective rooted in Catholic social teaching. This article describes the structure, some themes, and some recommendations from the document; as well as some problems with the document that limit its influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Within the social determinants of mental health framework, this article investigated whether children with ASD who have older siblings are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, behavior problems or have ADD/ADHD after controlling for standard social determinants of mental health such as household income, parental education and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Methods Using the National Survey of Children’s Health 2011-2012, children with ASD spectrum disorders (n = 1624) were categorized into three groups: only child, oldest child and has older siblings. Design corrected cross-tabulations, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were estimated. Results The three groups of children with ASD were comparable in demographic characteristics (except age), ACEs, and parent-reported ASD severity. Children with ASD who had older siblings were significantly less likely to experience depression, anxiety or behavior problems. They were also less likely to have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 0.12 to 0.53 indicating robust associations. Conclusions for Practice Children with ASD who have older siblings were less likely to have comorbid mental health disorders than other children with ASD. Conversely, oldest and only children with ASD were at increased risk for these disorders. Further research is needed to understand how this protection is conferred on children with ASD, and whether it can be adapted into interventions for only and oldest children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leadership of St. John Fisher is examined using a modern five-practice leadership model (Kouzes and Posner). By systematically examining original texts as well as influential scholarship on the saint, it is seen that St. John Fisher exemplifies all five of the practices to varying degrees. Importantly, although St. John is famous for challenging worldly authority, he was an extraordinary exemplar of "Modeling the Way" and "Inspiring a Shared Vision." In addition, there is evidence of leadership practices in Saint John Fisher that are not part of Kouzes and Posner's five-practice model. In particular, St. John Fisher's personal humility, ongoing repentance, active presence, and heroic courage were four notable leadership practices absent from most modern models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antecedentes: las enfermedades sistémicas que pueden afectar el oído incluyen procesos infecciosos, tumores, enfermedades por depósito y enfermedades autoinmunitarias. Objetivo: analizar las diferencias demográficas (edad), clínicas (síntomas, exploración física), imagenológicas y audiológicas de pacientes con granulomatosis de Wegener o con infección por micobacterias. Material y método: estudio retrospectivo de los expedientes de pacientes con diagnóstico de otitis media supurativa de origen granulomatoso, incluyendo granulomatosis de Wegener o infección por micobacterias, valorados en el servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello del Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, entre 2008 y 2012. Resultados: se incluyeron 11 pacientes con otitis media supurativa granulomatosa, de los cuales ocho tenían granulomatosis de Wegener y tres tuberculosis ótica. Conclusiones: una otorrea resistente a tratamientos habituales, unilateral, en una persona joven, que a la otoscopia se observa perforación timpánica con tejido de granulación y que se asocia con datos tomográficos de erosión y con hipoacusia conductiva en la audiometría sugiere una infección por micobacterias. Por otro lado, una otorrea resistente a tratamientos, bilateral, en una persona en la cuarta o quinta década de la vida, asociada con membrana timpánica engrosada en la otoscopia, sin datos de erosión en la tomografía y con datos de hipoacusia neurosensorial, sugiere granulomatosis de Wegener. Background: Systemic diseases affecting ear include infectious processes, tumors, deposit diseases and autoimmune diseases. Objective: To analyze clinical, imagenologic and audiologic differences between patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and otic tuberculosis. Material and methods: A retrospective study was designed including the clinical records of patients diagnosed as suppurative otitis media secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis or otic tuberculosis attended in the Department of Otorhynolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of General Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez from 2008 to 2012. Results: Eleven patients were included, 8 of them were diagnosed as Wegener's granulomatosis and 3 as otic tuberculosis. Conclusions: Unilateral otorrhea that does not respond to common treatments, in a young patient with a tympanic perforation and granulation tissue on otoscopic examination, bone erosion on computed tomography and a conductive hearing loss suggests mycobacterial infection. On the other hand, a person in the 4th or 5th decade of life, with bilateral otorrhea that does not respond to common treatments, with a thickened tympanic membrane and sensorineural hearing loss suggests Wegener's granulomatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Race to the Top is resulting in the widespread adoption of value-added models to measure teacher performance. There are concerns about the reliability and validity of these methods and about the wisdom of the Federal government mandating how to conduct non-federal employees' performance reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes current theoretical developments in labor economics that are likely to change how we understand the compensation of employees in a wage economy. The new theory of dynamic monopsony theorizes that imperfect labor markets where employees do not get paid their full marginal revenue product are the norm, rather than the exception. Recent empirical work published in a highly ranked, peer-reviewed labor-economics journal provided empirical support for the model. I discuss the implications of these developments in labor economics on the justice of wages within the framework provided by Catholic Social Teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of behavior problems on kindergarten readiness is not known. Our objective was to estimate the association between behavior problems and kindergarten readiness on a US national sample. In the US educational system, kindergarten is a natural point of entry into formal schooling at age 5 because fewer than half of the children enter kindergarten with prior formal preschool education. Parents of 1,200 children who were scheduled to enter kindergarten for the first time and were members of the Harris Interactive online national panel were surveyed. We defined behavior problems as an affirmative response to the question, 'Has your child ever had behavior problems?' We validated this against attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, scores on a reliable socioemotional scale, and child's receipt of early intervention services. We used linear, tobit, and logistic regression analyses to estimate the association between having behavior problems and scores in reliable scales of motor, play, speech and language, and school skills and an overall kindergarten readiness indicator. The sample included 176 children with behavior problems for a national prevalence of 14% (confidence interval, 11.5-17.5). Children with behavior problems were more likely to be male and live in households with lower income and parental education. We found that children with behavior problems entered kindergarten with lower speech and language, motor, play, and school skills, even after controlling for demographics and region. Delays were 0.6-1 SD below scores of comparable children without behavior problems. Parents of children with behavior problems were 5.2 times more likely to report their child was not ready for kindergarten. Childhood behavior problems are associated with substantial delays in motor, language, play, school, and socioemotional skills before entrance into kindergarten. Early screening and intervention is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Race to the Top is resulting in the widespread adoption of value-added models to measure teacher performance. There are concerns about the reliability and validity of these methods and about the wisdom of the Federal government mandating how to conduct non-federal employees' performance reviews. (Editor's note: This article was written in June 2011.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes current theoretical developments in labor economics that are likely to change how we understand the compensation of employees in a wage economy. The new theory of dynamic monopsony theorizes that imperfect labor markets where employees do not get paid their full marginal revenue product are the norm, rather than the exception. Recent empirical work published in a highly ranked, peer-reviewed labor-economics journal provided empirical support for the model. I discuss the implications of these developments in labor economics on the justice of wages within the framework provided by Catholic Social Teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare access to and satisfaction with school and community health resources among families with a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and families of other children with special health care needs (CSHCN). METHODS: Parents of 40 256 children aged 0 to 17 were surveyed by the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs. Autism was defined by the question, "To the best of your knowledge, does (child) currently have autism or autism spectrum disorder, that is, ASD?" We used χ² and multivariate regression analyses to compare access to and satisfaction with services for parents of children with ASDs and parents of other CSHCN. RESULTS: Children with ASDs (n = 2123) comprise 5.4% of the CSHCN. More parents of children with ASDs reported difficulty using school and community services (27.6% vs 9.7%) and dissatisfaction (19.8% vs 7.9%) than parents of other CSHCN. Multivariate models determined that parents of children with ASDs were 3.39 times more likely to experience difficulty in obtaining services and 2.65 times more likely to be dissatisfied with services received than parents of other CSHCN, after controlling for household demographics and insurance status. Parents of children with ASDs reported a lack of available services and skilled providers. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with ASDs reported less access to and more dissatisfaction with school and community health services than parents of other CSHCN. An increased supply of appropriate services with qualified providers for children with ASDs is needed in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that quality improvements in early childhood centers experience diminishing returns as the quality of the classroom rises with regards to concurrent socio-emotional outcomes. This hypothesis lies at the core of Scarr''s argument that public policy should concentrate on improving low quality settings rather than improving settings that already have acceptable quality. The study detected sizeable effect sizes linking process quality in the good to excellent range with reduction of existing socio-emotional risk factors (d =0.51) and prevention of the emergence of new socio-emotional risk factors (d =−0.41). These effect sizes are substantially larger than those reported by other studies investigating quality environments in the poor to good quality range (d =0.16), and larger than Durlak and Wells meta-analytic effect size for universal preventive interventions (d =0.35). Therefore, the hypothesis that as quality increases the benefits for children increase but at a diminishing rate was rejected for concurrent socio-emotional outcomes in urban populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe clinical condition that significantly affects patients' quality of life and survival. Since the emergence of prostanoids 45 years ago, different drugs acting on vasoconstriction/vasodilation mechanisms have been developed for the treatment of PAH. Current evidence shows that better results occur when combined therapy is initiated up-front with periodic and systematized evaluations for escalation and switching. Among these strategies, riociguat has a relevant role, supported by the results of several clinical studies. This document issues recommendations by a panel of experts who analysed and discussed the indications and limitations for riociguat in PAH in different institutions of the Mexican health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate how having a child with both persistent asthma and a developmental disability (DD) affects caregiver burden and quality of life (QOL). 3-10 year old children with persistent asthma in urban Rochester, NY. Cross-sectional baseline survey (2006-2009). Parent report of autism spectrum disorder or other behavioral disorder requiring medication. Caregiver burden and QOL as measured by scores on previously validated depression, parenting confidence, and asthma-related QOL scales as well as an assessment of competing demands on the caregiver. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses controlling for caregiver age, education, marital status, race, ethnicity, and child asthma symptom severity. We enrolled 530 children as part of a larger study (response rate: 74; 63 % Black, 73 % Medicaid). Of this sample, 70 children (13 %) were defined as having a DD. There were no differences in asthma symptom severity between children with and without a DD diagnosis. However, even after adjusting for potential confounders, caregivers of children with a DD reported worse scores on the depression ( p = .003), parenting confidence ( p < .001), and competing demands ( p = .013) scales and worse asthma-related QOL ( p = .035) compared to caregivers of typically developing children with asthma. Despite having similar asthma symptom severity, caregivers of children with both persistent asthma and a DD diagnosis report more burden and lower QOL compared to that of caregivers of typically developing children and persistent asthma. Further attention to this subgroup is needed to promote optimal support for caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. We previously conducted the School-Based Asthma Therapy trial to improve adherence to national asthma guidelines for urban children through directly observed administration of preventive asthma medications in school. The trial successfully improved outcomes among these children; however, several factors limit its potential for dissemination. To enhance sustainability, we subsequently developed a new model of care using web-based guides for efficient communications and integration within school and community systems. This article describes the development of the School-Based Preventive Asthma Care Technology (SB-PACT) trial. Method. We developed the SB-PACT web-based system based on stakeholder feedback, and conducted a pilot randomized trial with 100 children to establish its feasibility in facilitating preventive asthma care for high-risk children. The SB-PACT system represents a new model of care using web-based guides for asthma symptom screening, follow-up control assessments, and electronic communications with providers. Result. We enrolled and successfully screened all children using the web-based system. Most providers used the electronic communication system without difficulty, and the majority of children in the intervention group received preventive medications through school as planned and dose adjustments as needed. Several challenges to implementation also were encountered. Conclusions. This program is designed to promote sustainability of school-based asthma care, reduce program costs, and ultimately succeed in a real-world setting. With further refinements, it has the potential to be implemented nationally in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Swine Origin A H1N1 Influenza Virus (SOIV) pandemic emerged in April 2009 affecting people and health-care systems worldwide. This study examined the differences among the early clinical features presented in confirmed SOIV cases, those who tested negative for SOIV infection, fatalities, and hospitalized cases. Methodology: We reviewed 1,024 initial medical records of patients presenting with acute respiratory symptoms who attended the respiratory emergency room of a general hospital in Mexico and had a confirmatory test for influenza AH1N1 by RT-PCR from April to December 2009. Results: Out of 1,024 cases, 457 (44%) were men with a mean age of 31±17 years; however, of these, SOIV confirmed cases were younger (26±8, p=0.000). SOIV infection was confirmed in 36% of the patients. Most (%?) cases presented mild infection, 20% of the patients required hospitalization, and 0.09% patients died. Asthma was more frequent in confirmed cases (p=0.028). Presence of COPD, systemic arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus was significant in confirmed hospitalized cases. Pulmonary rales, wheezing, and sudden symptom onset were more frequent and statistically significant in confirmed patients. Influenza-like illness was more frequent in confirmed cases (p=0.049). Conclusions: This study presents one of the largest series of the new SOIV infection confirmed by RT-PCR reported. This infection is frequently mild and affects mainly young adults. Sudden symptoms onset, pulmonary rales, and wheezing are early features of this infection. Asthma, COPD, systemic arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus should be identified to identify potentially severe and fatal cases. ILI helps distinguish SOIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES. The goals were (1) to develop an index measure of environmental tobacco smoke based on parent self-report of smoking behaviors and (2) to determine whether the index score was associated with children's present and future cotinine levels. METHODS. Data were drawn from a community intervention for inner-city children with persistent asthma (N = 226; response rate: 72%). Measures of child salivary cotinine levels and parent self-reported environmental tobacco smoke-related behaviors were obtained at baseline and 7 to 9 months later. To develop the index score, we used a 15-fold cross-validation method, with 70% of our data, that considered combinations of smoke exposure variables and controlled for demographic features. We chose the most parsimonious model that minimized the mean square predictive error. The resulting index score included primary caregiver smoking and home smoking ban status. We validated our model with the remaining 30% of the data. Analysis of variance and multivariate analyses were used to determine the association of the index score with children's cotinine levels. RESULTS. Fifty-four percent of children with asthma lived with ⩾ 1 smoker, and 51% of caregivers reported a complete home smoking ban. The children's mean baseline cotinine level was 1.55 ng/mL (range: 0.0-2 1.3 ng/mL). Children's baseline and follow-up cotinine levels increased as scores on the index measure increased. In a linear regression, the index score was significantly positively associated with children's cotinine measurements at baseline and 7 to 9 months later. CONCLUSION. An index measure with combined information regarding primary caregiver smoking and household smoking restrictions helped to identify children with asthma with the greatest exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and could predict which children would have elevated cotinine levels 7 to 9 months later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the quality of life of caregivers is important for interventions designed for young children with asthma. However, little is known about the impact of childhood asthma on parental quality of life for certain subgroups. This study included the families of young urban children with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma. The goal was to evaluate the relationship between caregivers'quality of life and the children's asthma severity, and to consider the influence of sociodemographic factors on the caregivers'quality of life. Children age 3–7 years(63% male, 59% Black, 75% Medicaid), with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma, were identified from a school-based screening survey. Caregiver quality of life was assessed at baseline and at the end of the study using the Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire(PACQLQ). Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between the PACQLQ and parent-reported asthma symptoms during the same time period. For all measures of severity, there was a significant correlation with quality of life(range r = 0.23–0.51, all p < .01). Improvements in the PACQLQ correlated with decreases in symptom scores including symptom days(r = − 0.27, p < .001) and symptom nights(r = − 0.22, p = .005). In a multivariate model, Hispanic ethnicity, the use of daily maintenance medications, and exposure to secondhand smoke independently predicted worse quality of life scores. We conclude that the caretaker's quality of life, as assessed by the PACQLQ, is directly influenced by the child's asthma severity as well as other family factors among a group of young urban children with significant asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation addressed the construct validity of the Child Observation Record (COR) with low-income urban preschool children. From two separate samples representing low-income preschool children, COR ratings were analyzed using multivariate techniques. Independent analyses from these two urban sites yielded a three-dimensional structure: Cognitive Skills, Social Engagement, and Coordinated Movement. Further analyses cross-validated this structure for males and females and across ethnic groups. Concurrent assessments provided convergent and discriminant validity for the Social Engagement dimension and convergent validity for Cognitive Skills dimension. Analyses of item distributions of the 5-point developmental sequences represented by the 30 COR items were used to examine the assumption that all the distributions were continuous unimodal distributions. Findings did not universally support this assumption revealing some irregular distributions with troughs in the mid-range of continua. Implications of the findings for early childhood assessment of vulnerable children and future research were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]