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The article reports that Predeparture testing of international travelers has been identified as a key measure for reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during air travel. Topics include using genomic surveillance data, a new study examined the effect of predeparture testing on postarrival SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among international travelers; and provides real-world evidence supporting predeparture testing as a tool for reducing travel-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

The early epidemiology of the 2022 monkeypox epidemic in non-endemic countries differs substantially from the epidemiology previously reported from endemic countries. We aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics among individuals with confirmed cases of monkeypox infection. We descriptively analysed data for patients with confirmed monkeypox who were included in the GeoSentinel global clinical-care-based surveillance system between May 1 and July 1 2022, across 71 clinical sites in 29 countries. Data collected included demographics, travel history including mass gathering attendance, smallpox vaccination history, social history, sexual history, monkeypox exposure history, medical history, clinical presentation, physical examination, testing results, treatment, and outcomes. We did descriptive analyses of epidemiology and subanalyses of patients with and without HIV, patients with CD4 counts of less than 500 cells per mm3 or 500 cells per mm3 and higher, patients with one sexual partner or ten or more sexual partners, and patients with or without a previous smallpox vaccination. 226 cases were reported at 18 sites in 15 countries. Of 211 men for whom data were available, 208 (99%) were gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (MSM) with a median age of 37 years (range 18–68; IQR 32–43). Of 209 patients for whom HIV status was known, 92 (44%) men had HIV infection with a median CD4 count of 713 cells per mm3 (range 36–1659; IQR 500–885). Of 219 patients for whom data were available, 216 (99%) reported sexual or close intimate contact in the 21 days before symptom onset; MSM reported a median of three partners (IQR 1–8). Of 195 patients for whom data were available, 78 (40%) reported close contact with someone who had confirmed monkeypox. Overall, 30 (13%) of 226 patients were admitted to hospital; 16 (53%) of whom had severe illness, defined as hospital admission for clinical care rather than infection control. No deaths were reported. Compared with patients without HIV, patients with HIV were more likely to have diarrhoea (p=0·002), perianal rash or lesions (p=0·03), and a higher rash burden (median rash burden score 9 [IQR 6–21] for patients with HIV vs median rash burden score 6 [IQR 3–14] for patients without HIV; p<0·0001), but no differences were identified in the proportion of men who had severe illness by HIV status. Clinical manifestations of monkeypox infection differed by HIV status. Recommendations should be expanded to include pre-exposure monkeypox vaccination of groups at high risk of infection who plan to engage in sexual or close intimate contact. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International Society of Travel Medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social determinants of medical education are the most impactful aspects of recruiting, retaining, and producing the next generation of a diverse physician workforce. We can use the same framework well known to describe social determinants of health to identify social determinants that impact medical education learners and their ability to enter the workforce and succeed to completion. Efforts aimed at recruitment and retention should not exist in isolation and must be matched with those that continuously assess and evaluate the learning environment. The development of a climate where all can bring their full selves to learn, study, work, and care for patients is critically important in the creation of a learning environment where every participant can grow and thrive. If we are to address the need to diversify the workforce, we must be intentional with strategic plans, which includes addressing the social determinants that are prohibitive for some of our learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal health behaviors can strongly influence risk of poor pregnancy birth outcomes. Although stress has been implicated in structuring the likelihood that individuals will engage in various prenatal health behavior patterns, no studies to date have examined life stress exposure occurring across the entire lifespan, and few have investigated how different types of stressors are comparatively associated with these outcomes. To address these issues, we interviewed 164 women at one of two large Midwestern, urban hospitals after delivering their first infant. We used the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN) to assess women's lifetime stress exposure severity and ordinary least squares regression models to examine associations between participants' life stress exposure and prenatal health behaviors. As hypothesized, greater lifetime stress exposure was associated with engaging in more negative prenatal health behaviors and fewer positive prenatal health behaviors while controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors and current perceived stress levels. These effects were stronger for negative versus positive health behaviors, and they differed substantially as a function of stressor type, exposure timing, and primary life domain. Stressors occurring over the life course thus have negative consequences for prenatal health behaviors, but these effects are not uniform across different types of life stress exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives (ECELC) Project aims to promote healthy physical activity and nutrition environments, policies and practices in early care and education (ECE) programmes across multiple states. The present pilot study sought to assess changes to the physical activity and nutrition practices in a sub-sample of ECE programmes participating in the ECELC using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO). Additionally, it sought to compare results with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC).Design: Quasi-experimental pre-post pilot study where paired-sample t tests examined changes to physical activity and nutrition practices from pre-assessment to post-assessment (P<0·05). Pearson correlation coefficients examined change scores from EPAO compared with NAP SACC with statistical significance set at a two-sided α level of P<0·10 to account for sample size.Setting: The study occurred among ECE programmes.Subjects: Pre-school classrooms in nineteen ECE programmes across four US states were observed.Results: EPAO data demonstrated an increase in total score from pre-assessment to post-assessment (150 (sd 30) to 176 (sd 35)). NAP SACC change scores demonstrated little relationship with EPAO domain change scores, with exceptions in Nutrition Policy and Physical Activity Policy (r=-0·4 and -0·6, respectively).Conclusions: The overall improvements reported through the EPAO suggest participation in the ECELC resulted in changes in critical nutrition- and physical activity-related practices. However, considerable differences in data reported using the NAP SACC compared with the EPAO suggest subjective data should be interpreted with caution and objective measurement should be used when feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The National Cancer Institute's 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study utilized a 27-item Dietary Screener tailored to adolescent eating patterns that assessed the frequency of intake of several foods and beverages in parent-adolescent dyads. This study estimated intake of fruits and vegetables (FVs), dairy, added sugars, and whole grains for screener respondents using existing, nationally representative, 24-hour dietary recall data.Methods: Dietary Screener items were converted from frequency responses to daily intake. Intake (dependent variable) was estimated using regression coefficients and portion sizes of foods and beverages (independent variables) generated from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2-day 24-hour recall data set. Means (SDs) were used to examine daily dietary factor intake among parent and adolescents. Analysis was conducted in 2015-2016. The analytic sample consisted of 1,732 parents (aged ≥18 years) and their adolescent aged 12-17 years (n=1,632).Results: Male parents consumed 3.6 cups of FVs, 1.8 cups of dairy, 22.6 teaspoons of added sugars, and 2.1 ounces of whole grains daily; female parents consumed 2.8 cups of FVs, 1.3 cups of dairy, 14.8 teaspoons of added sugars, and 1.4 ounces of whole grains daily. Male adolescents consumed 2.2 cups of FVs, 1.9 cups of dairy, 17.9 teaspoons of added sugars, and 1.0 ounces of whole grains daily; female adolescents consumed 2.2 cups FVs, 1.6 cups of dairy, 14.2 teaspoons of added sugars, and 0.8 ounces of whole grains daily.Conclusions: Utilizing a dietary screener tailored to adolescent eating patterns in parent-adolescent dyads provided estimated dietary factor intake, underscoring existing 24-hour dietary recall data can be used to calibrate dietary habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of food packages offered in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010).Design: Data were collected from the list of the food products provided by the US Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Handbook 501 for FDPIR. Nutritional quality was measured through a cross-sectional analysis of five randomly selected food packages offered through FDPIR. HEI-2010 component and total scores were calculated for each food package. ANOVA and t tests assessed significant differences between food packages and HEI-2010 maximum scores, respectively.Setting: This study took place in the USA.Subjects: Study units included food products offered through FDPIR.Results: The mean total HEI-2010 score for the combined FDPIR food packages was significantly lower than the total HEI-2010 maximum score of 100 (66·38 (sd 11·60); P<0·01). Mean scores for total fruit (3·52 (sd 0·73); P<0·05), total vegetables (2·58 (sd 0·15); P<0·001), greens and beans (0·92 (sd 1·00); P<0·001), dairy (5·12 (sd 0·63); P<0·001), total protein foods (4·14 (sd 0·56); P<0·05) and refined grains (3·04 (sd 2·90); P<0·001) were all significantly lower than the maximum values.Conclusions: The FDPIR food package HEI-2010 score was notably higher than other federal food assistance and nutrition programmes. Study findings highlight opportunities for the FDPIR to modify its offerings to best support lifestyles towards prevention of diet-related chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore food preparation behaviours, attitudes, meal planning and shopping among Mexican-American mothers.Design: Data were collected through four focus groups with mothers of Mexican origin/ancestry who considered themselves to be the primary food preparer. Topics included food preparation behaviours and influencers (culture, family, attitudes, barriers, meal planning and shopping). Data were analysed using a qualitative grounded theory approach. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded for themes.Setting: Data were collected in southern California, USA in 2013.Subjects: Of the sample of twenty-one Mexican-American mothers, thirteen were born outside the USA and the mean household size was five members.Results: Participants reported that food was often prepared using traditional staples and food preparation behaviours were learned from maternal family members. Participants also suggested that health was influenced by foods eaten and how they were prepared. Salient factors influencing food preparation behaviours included culture and tradition, maternal family members' food preparation behaviours, food preparation self-efficacy and attitudes towards healthy eating. Time and busy schedules were cited as barriers.Conclusions: Future interventions should consider utilizing family-based approaches and teaching culturally relevant food preparation skills, especially to youth, while reinforcing more healthful dietary practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An estimated 78% of Hispanics in the United States (US) are overweight or obese. Household food insecurity, a condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food, has been associated with obesity rates among Hispanic adults in the US. However, the Hispanic group is multi-ethnic and therefore associations between obesity and food insecurity may not be constant across Hispanic country of origin subgroups. This study sought to determine if the association between obesity and food insecurity among Hispanics is modified by Hispanic ancestry across low-income (≤200% of poverty level) adults living in California. Data are from the cross-sectional 2011-12 California Health Interview Survey (n = 5498). Rates of overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25), Calfresh receipt (California's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and acculturation were examined for differences across subgroups. Weighted multiple logistic regressions examined if household food insecurity was significantly associated with overweight or obesity and modified by country of origin after controlling for age, education, marital status, country of birth (US vs. outside of US), language spoken at home, and Calfresh receipt (P < .05). Significant differences across subgroups existed for prevalence of overweight or obesity, food security, Calfresh receipt, country of birth, and language spoken at home. Results from the adjusted logistic regression models found that food insecurity was significantly associated with overweight or obesity among Mexican-American women (β (SE) = 0.22 (0.09), p = .014), but not Mexican-American men or Non-Mexican groups, suggesting Hispanic subgroups behave differently in their association between food insecurity and obesity. By highlighting these factors, we can promote targeted obesity prevention interventions, which may contribute to more effective behavior change and reduced chronic disease risk in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most U.S. youth fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (FV) however many consume too many calories as added sugars and solid fats, often as snacks. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with serving FV as snacks and with meals using parent–child dyads. A cross-sectional sample of U.S. children aged 9 to 18, and their caregiver/parent ( n = 1522) were part of a Consumer Panel of households for the 2008 YouthStyles mail survey. Chi-square test of independence and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations between serving patterns of FV as snacks with variations in serving patterns, and covariates including dietary habits. Most parents (72%) reported serving FV at meals and as snacks. Fruit was most frequently served as a snack during the day (52%) and vegetables were most frequently served as a snack during the day (22%) but rarely in the morning. Significant differences in child FV intake existed among FV as a snack serving patterns by parents. Compared to children whose parents served FV only at meals, children whose parents reported serving FV as snacks in addition to meals were significantly more likely to have consumed FV the day before (using a previous day screener), P < 0.05. Contributing to the growing collection of literature describing parent–child dyad dietary behaviors, these findings suggest promoting FV access and intake throughout the day, not only at meals, by including serving as snacks, may increase FV intake among older children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backpack programs across the United States distribute easy-to-prepare foods in a backpack to potentially food-insecure students on Fridays to help reduce weekend hunger. This study used Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) to assess foods provided in Montana backpack programs. Healthy Eating Index 2010 measures compliance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines and is a tool to assess the diet quality of foods provided in supplemental food assistance programs. We hypothesized that HEI-2010 scores would be of average dietary quality. One randomly selected menu was collected from each Montana backpack program (n = 5) from the 2011-2012 academic year. Each food provided was analyzed for diet quality using HEI-2010 to obtain component and total scores. Descriptive statistics and t tests were calculated to assess whether mean HEI-2010 component scores and total scores differed significantly ( P < .05) from the maximum scores. The mean total score for HEI-2010 was significantly lower than the maximum score of 100 (58.65; SD, 15.59; P = .004). Analysis resulted in significantly lower mean scores for total vegetables (2.26; SD, 1.37; P = .011), greens and beans (0; SD, 0; P < .001), fatty acids (0; SD, 0; P < .001), and sodium (3.90; SD, 2.52; P = .006). Dietary quality of backpack programs may further improve with information sharing between programs about the availability of specific food group items. To better suit children's nutritional needs and increase HEI-2010 scores, researchers, practitioners, and the food industry should identify food options for the backpack program that are easy to prepare, appealing, and affordable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on data and policies from England, trends in educational disadvantage by area are traced from the late 1960s when the first pilot projects were established in the UK, to the present. The origins of these developments and the subsequent rises and falls of such area-based policies in England are reviewed. Specially collected data for the pilot areas from the 1960s and national data for England from 2000 are used to draw out some striking patterns of changes over the period. Though many of the areas remain highly disadvantaged, educational measures at age 16 and at entry to higher education (HE) indicate some important changes. Thus the settled, white working-class pilot area in the 1960s with just below average results had fallen back very substantially by 2013, particularly in entry to HE. By contrast the newly settled Asian immigrant area in Birmingham where educational performance was exceptionally poor in the 1960s had moved above average despite remaining highly disadvantaged. Analysis of the national results since 2000 using local area data showed that these trends were widespread across England. Disadvantaged ‘multicultural urban areas’ were doing markedly better than the disadvantaged white working-class urban areas, where in many cases traditional industries had closed. This was especially marked at entry to HE where multicultural areas had rates close to the national average of 40% while white working-class urban areas had rates of entry to HE of between 10% and 15% of the age group and this gap has widened rapidly in recent years. These trends are likely to be the source of major resentment, with one group finding itself increasingly excluded from higher level employment opportunities, and the other failing to find opportunities that match their expectations once they leave education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article analyses UK Early Years policy in terms of service expansion and service transformation since the Labour Government's election in 1997. Childcare is now a matter of public policy, driven largely by concerns about child poverty and inequalities in children's life chances. The evidence is considered, first, on service expansion, increased take-up and increased employment by parents with young children, and, second, on service transformation and child outcomes: to what extent have changes benefited disadvantaged children, families and neighbourhoods? The Effective Provision of Preschool Education (EPPE) research shows that pre-school can boost disadvantaged children's intellectual development in particular, and the article concludes that programmes such as Sure Start and Neighbourhood Nurseries have been successfully targeted at the most disadvantaged areas, although better-off families and neighbourhoods may have benefited even more, and that problems of cost and sustainability remain. It is too early to judge whether better integrated services now being developed will be successful in transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A. H. Halsey has been a professorial fellow (now emeritus) at Nuffield College in Oxford University since his appointment in 1962 as Director of Oxford’s Department of Social and Administrative Studies. This paper explores his contribution to education throughout his career, as an academic and as a national and international policy advisor, and the interface between these two. Halsey worked in what he termed the ‘political arithmetic’ tradition throughout his career, with the dual tasks of documenting the state of society, and addressing social and political issues through ‘experimental social administration’, that is the field testing of social innovation and social policy in advance of national implementation. The paper focuses on Halsey’s ‘activist’ role in policy development in the UK and internationally, through his work on educational reform at the OECD and as research advisor to Crosland at the DES with the introduction of comprehensive schooling in the UK and in particular the Educational Priority Areas (EPA) programme, and traces through the impact of his work. His major contribution as one of the leading sociologists of education in the second half of the 20 th century is also discussed, but the wider impact of this aspect of his work requires a much more extensive assessment than is possible in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the correlations of scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Ill in screening language problems and scores on the three Comprehensive Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test subscales. Participants were 243 students ages 6 to 17 years in Grades K-i I who were identified as learning disabled, learning disabled with speech impairment, mentally retarded, and speech im- paired. Analysis indicated strong correlations between the two measures, particularly between the CREVT General Vocabulary and WISC-JII Verbal iQ (r .80), WISC- III Verbal Comprehension Index (r = .83), and the \Tocabularv subtest (r .76). These results held across the grades. Supporting earlier studies of relationships of Verbal IQ and Receptive Vocabulary, correlations were lower between participants in Grades K through 2 than those in higher grades on the WiSC-III Verbal 1Q and the Receptive Vocabulary subtest. An analysis of the accuracy of the WISC-lII for classifying students with language problems indicated improvement in classification over chance. These findings suggest that the WiSC-IIT may be an effective screen for language problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed inter- and intrarater reliability and sensitivity to change of the 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests following stroke. A convenience sample of patients enrolled in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program participated in the standardization protocol. The 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests were performed and inter- and intrarater reliability and responsiveness to change assessed. The interrater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests were, respectively, 0.85, 0.78, and 0.68 (p < 0.0007 for each). The intrarater ICCs were 0.85, 0.74, and 0.71 (p < 0.0003 for each). Responsiveness to change as measured by standardized response mean (SRM) scores was, respectively, 1.34, 1.52, and 1.90 (F = 24.24, p < 0.001). Pearson correlations for the 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests by the same rater on the same day were 2 versus 6 minutes, r = 0.997; 2 versus 12 minutes, r = 0.993; and 6 versus 12 minutes, r = 0.994 (p < 0.0001 for each). The 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests show acceptable inter- and intrarater reliability and high intertest correlations when they are used for the assessment of walking following stroke. The SRM statistic indicates that the 12-minute walk test is the most responsive to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen therapy requires careful assessment before treatment is commenced and ongoing monitoring. Teresa Smith reviews the use of oxygen with older people and considers the nurse's role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the validity and reliability of a clinical scale for assessing lateropulsion following stroke. Design: Serial observational study of Lateropulsion Scale scores. Setting: Inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit. Subjects: A convenience sample of 85 patients examined 19 ± 2 SEM days post stroke. Main outcome measures: An empirically derived 17-point Lateropulsion Scale was used to assess and follow postural responses to rolling, sitting, standing, transferring and walking. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated by having patients evaluated twice by their primary physical therapist (days 1 and 3), and once by an alternate physical therapist (day 2). Concurrent validity was estimated by computing Spearman's rank order correlations between the lateropulsion score and other markers for motor control dysfunction: Fugl-Meyer balance subscore, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) mobility subscore, and length of rehabilitation hospital stay. Results: Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were r = 0.93 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.94 (p < 0.05), respectively. Concurrent validity estimates showed the initial lateropulsion score to be correlated with the Fugl-Meyer balance subscore (r = -0.57 p < 0.001), with the admission and discharge FIM mobility subscores (r = -0.56, p < 0.0001 and r = -0.58, p < 0.0001), respectively, and with length of rehabilitation hospital stay (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The Lateropulsion Scale is both a reliable and a valid assessment of lateropulsion following stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated construct, predictive, and differential validity for the Comprehensive Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (CREVT) used in assessment of children with speech and learning problems. Introduction to CREVT; Methodology; Results and discussion.

Examines the relationship between the Wide Range Achievement Test 3 and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test for a sample of children with learning disabilities in two rural school districts in the United States. Testing of children to determine school placements; Usefulness of information in assessing tests as measures of reading, arithmetic and spelling.

Background: Hepatocytes require attachment and subsequent spreading on an extracellular matrix for their proper growth, function and survival. Our previous studies have shown that ethanol feeding selectively impairs perivenule hepatocyte attachment to various extracellular matrices. This study was undertaken to determine whether zonal differences in hepatocyte spreading in response to ethanol feeding occurs and to ascertain the influence of ethanol consumption on the zonal expression of the β1, subunit of integrins, which are the major surface receptors responsible for matrix binding and subsequent interactions. Methods: Hepatocytes from the perivenous and periportal regions of the liver were isolated by digitonin/collagenase perfusion from rats that were pair-fed for 2 to 3 weeks with a liquid diet containing either ethanol or isocaloric carbohydrate. The ability of perivenous and periportal hepatocytes to spread on plates coated with either type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin or polylysine was determined. In addition, the isolated cells were used for the analysis of total cellular and surface β1 integrin expression. Results: With all of the matrix substrates tested, the spreading of perivenous hepatocytes isolated from the ethanol-fed animals was markedly impaired, while the spreading of periportal hepatocytes was essentially unaffected by ethanol feeding. Both the total cellular as well as the surface expression of the β1 integrin subunit in perivenous cells from the ethanol-fed rats were significantly higher than from the perivenous control cells, whereas the total and surface expression of the β1 integrin in periportal cells isolated from ethanol-fed and control rats were not significantly different. Conclusions: The results indicated that in addition to impairing hepatocyte attachment, ethanol feeding also impairs another critical step of the adhesion process, that of hepatocyte spreading on extracellular matrix substrates. This defect occurred preferentially in perivenous cells and not periportal cells and was associated with an increase in β1 integrin expression, suggesting that a compensatory mechanism occurs as an attempt by the perivenous cells to overcome impaired cell-matrix interactions caused by ethanol. Overall, these alterations in extracellular matrix-hepatocyte interactions could lead to alterations of hepatocyte structure and function and potentially play a role in alcoholic liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the 1989 Children Act has provided a poor context for discussing ‘prevention’. The Act has not helped the development of either a proper understanding of childhood disadvantages or policies to deal with it. This paper presents a fresh perspective on ‘prevention’ in the context of Government initiatives such as Sure Start, and argues for analysis of neighbourhood disadvantages and neighbourhood-based policies. The ‘geography of disadvantage’ has to be understood as well as the facts of disadvantage, that is, the concentrations and persistence of variations in income, health, and educational outcomes as they affect children. Examples of early years programmes and projects are reviewed for their impact on disadvantaged children and their families. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship between the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) and the Wide Range Achievement Test, Third Edition (WRAT3). Features of the WISC-III and WRAT3; Description of the study method used.

The article presents a case which illustrates the issues that must be addressed when planning and implementing a corporate restructuring and downsizing program. Downsizing is a major concern in American Industry today. Although much has been written about the effects of downsizing on corporations, little has been said about its effect on individuals. Researchers predict that the trend toward workforce reduction and downsizing begun in the 1980s will continue well into the 1990s. Some reports say that organizations are making greater use of services such as outplacement counseling for employees who are casualties of downsizing. The conditions of JDX's educational leave of absence program state that an employee is expected to work for the company during the summer months between semesters unless the employee obtains a special waiver for specific educational reasons. This requirement is based on the consideration that full-time students usually attend fall and spring semesters and work at the company in the summer. Another provision of the leave of absence is that the student, if in good academic standing. can return to work at JDX in a position comparable to the one he or she had held before the leave at any time by providing the company with 90 days written notice of his or her intention.

Studies the electronic and geometic structure of surface compounds using sulfur and chlorine K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Features of compounds containing exocyclic S (thione or thiol); Single-crystal polarized spectra of the edge features; Changes in the sulfur-ligand spectral features.

Discusses about the compensation decision support analysis computer software program . Role of computer technology in students education and human resources; Components of computer application program; Internal consistency; External competitiveness; Computing wage rates and benefits; Running the program; Sample of program guidelines for students; Sample of written content materials for students; Others; Grading guidelines.

Presents the case of a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with Prader-Willi, compulsive eating, severe skin-picking, mild mental retardation and behavioral problems. Review of prehospital, hospital and posthospital course; Treatment with fluoxetine and naltrexone; Effect of treatment on weight control, skin picking and behavior.

This article begins by discussing the recent emergence in the United States of women's health as a major public policy issue. The central question posed in the article is, How can the public's and government's interest in women's health be used to maximize health benefits for all women? Two arenas of women's health, childbearing and heart disease, are explored to further our understand of the possible costs and benefits to women of being a priority within the national public policy agenda. Three factors are proposed as crucial for maximizing women's health benefits within the current health policy climate: (a) broadening the definition of health benefits, (b) involving more women in the process of determining the hierarchy of health needs, and (c) involving more women in both the research and clinical aspects of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how lifetime stress exposure and race are associated with first-birth intendedness, and whether these associations differ based on stress exposure timing. Greater lifetime stress exposure was related to increased first-birth intendedness for black women but was unrelated or even associated with decreased first-birth intendedness for white women, depending on stress exposure timing. These effects were robust while controlling for age, partner status, household income, and education, and they differed based on the timing of participants’ stress exposure. These data thus provide evidence that first-birth intendedness is influenced by both lifetime stress exposure and race in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racism in medicine affects patients, trainees, and practitioners and contributes to health care inequities. An effective strategy to actively oppose the structural racism ingrained in the fabric of medicine is to intentionally and systematically address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education and research. As part of ARMED MedEd, a new longitudinal cohort course in advanced research methods in medical education, sponsored by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, the leadership team deliberately included a nested DEI curriculum. The goal of the DEI curriculum is to reduce bias in development, recruitment, and implementation of education research studies to promote equity and inclusion in medical education, research, and ultimately, patient care. A team of medical educators with expertise in DEI developed curricular elements focusing on DEI in education research. The two major components are a didactic curriculum (including implicit bias training) to teach researchers to consider equity as they design studies and a consultative service to refine research protocols to address lingering unintended bias. A dedicated focus on DEI can be incorporated into an advanced education research methodology course to raise awareness and provide tools to avoid bias in research design and implementation of interventions. Over time, the network of education researchers who are trained in DEI awareness will grow and provide equitable offerings to their learners to mitigate health inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the correlates of fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) separately among parents and their adolescents.Design: Cross-sectional surveys.Setting: Online survey.Subjects: Parents and adolescents completed the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) survey through the National Cancer Institute. The survey assessed daily intake frequencies of food/beverage groups, psychosocial, parenting and sociodemographic factors. Generalized linear models were run for both parents and adolescents, for a total of six models (three each): (i) sociodemographic characteristics; (ii) psychosocial factors; (iii) parent/caregiver factors.Results: Parent participants (n 1542) were predominantly 35-59 years old (86 %), female (73 %), non-Hispanic White (71 %) or non-Hispanic Black (17 %), with household income <$US 100 000 (79 %). Adolescents (n 805) were aged 12-14 years (50 %), non-Hispanic White (66 %) and non-Hispanic Black (15 %). Parents consumed 2·9 cups fruits and vegetables (F&V) daily, while adolescents consumed 2·2 cups daily. Educational attainment (higher education had greater FVI) and sex (men consumed more than women; all P<0·001) were significant FVI predictors. Parents with greater autonomous and controlled motivation, self-efficacy and preferences for fruit reported higher FVI (all P<0·001). Similarly, adolescents with greater autonomous and controlled motivation, self-efficacy and knowledge reported higher FVI (all P<0·001). Parenting factors of importance were co-deciding how many F&V teens should have, rules, having F&V in the home and cooking meals from scratch (all P<0·05).Conclusions: Findings suggest factors that impact FVI among parents and their adolescent(s), which highlight the importance of the role of parent behaviour and can inform tailored approaches for increasing FVI in various settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, published in March this year, provide a new way of thinking about the management of the disease. This article highlights the key areas and recommendations made by the guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationships among self-reported amounts of exercise, body composition, age, weight, blood pressure and physical fitness. Finding that age and exercise index are predictors of fitness for women and percent body fat as a predictor for men; Most important measure of physical fitness.

Introduction: We sought to describe the range of emergency medicine (EM) resident physicians' perceptions and experiences of working and training during the initial coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic surge at two, large-volume, urban training hospitals in Brooklyn, New York. Methods: A total of 25 EM resident physicians who worked at either of two large emergency departments (ED) from March 15-April 11, 2020 participated in semi-structured interviews conducted in July and August 2020. Interviews were conducted by the authors who were also emergency medicine resident physicians working in the ED during this time. We asked open-ended questions to residents about their experiences and emotions at work and outside of work, including their relationship with co-workers, patients, and their community. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We then conducted a thematic analysis to identify, classify, and define themes from interview transcripts. Iterative commonalities and differences between interview response themes were grouped to create a broadly applicable narrative of the residents' perceptions and experiences of working and training during this initial wave of a novel pandemic. Interviewees also responded to a demographics survey. Results: Study participants described four major aspects of their perceptions and experiences of working and training during the stated time, including emotional challenges such as anxiety and feeling underappreciated; protective thoughts, including camaraderie, and sense of duty; workplace challenges such as limited knowledge surrounding COVID-19 and a higher volume of acute patients; and adaptive strategies including increased communication with ED administrators. Conclusion: Emergency medicine residents have a unique perspective and were key frontline hospital responders during a prolonged disaster and mass triage event within a local health system. Considering the chronic case and mortality fluctuations and new variants of COVID-19, as well as the anticipation of future infectious disease pandemics, we believe it is important for key decisionmakers in resident education, hospital administration, and all levels of public health management to inform themselves about residents' emotional and workplace challenges when establishing hospital and residency program disaster protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research regarding rural grocery storeowners' perceptions of their communities, their business practices, and factors that influence their sustainability and the ability to support healthy food choices in Nebraska as of 2016. According to the article, storeowners reported on strategies that they employ to remain competitive by focusing on customer service and product quality. The public health aspects of obesity in America are examined, along with small U.S. stores.

Little research has been conducted on the public perception of mental health courts (MHCs) despite its potential to influence government support and funding. To measure public and professionals’ opinions about MHCs, self-report attitude measures were administered online to members of the general public (n = 272) and professional groups with previous employment-related exposure to persons with mental health issues (n = 237). Over 86% of the professional exposure sample had positive attitudes towards MHCs, whereas only 4% reported negative opinions. Approximately 70% of professionals supported government funding for a MHC in their community and 57% agreed even if this led to a tax increase. The public sample was also generally positive in their opinions, and only 3% reported negative opinions. Approximately 80% of public sample reported that they would support or strongly support government funding for a MHC in their community, and 58% would support it even if it led to a tax increase. Positive attitudes were predicted by prior knowledge of MHCs, older age, exposure to mental-health coursework, psychological openness, positive help-seeking attitudes, and positive attitudes towards mental illness in general. These patterns were similar, but varying in degree, for those with and without employment-related exposure to mental illness. Education about the effect of a specific MHC led to significant changes in the proportion of favourable opinions. Thus, public perception of MHCs ranged from neutral to positive and can be enhanced through education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is no clear unified definition of "county programs" in emergency medicine (EM). Key residency directories are varied in designation, despite it being one of the most important match factors for applicants. The Council of Residency Directors EM County Program Community of Practice consists of residency program leadership from a unified collective of programs that identify as "county." This paper's framework was spurred from numerous group discussions to better understand unifying themes that define county programs. Methodology: This institutional review board–exempt work provides qualitative descriptive results via a mixed‐methods inquiry utilizing survey data and quantitative data from programs that self‐designate as county. Unique treatment, analysis and critique: Most respondents work, identify, and trained at a county program. The majority defined county programs by commitment to care for the underserved, funding from the city or state, low‐resourced, and urban setting. Major qualitative themes included mission, clinical environment, research, training, and applicant recommendations. Comparing the attributes of programs by self‐described type of training environment, county programs are typically larger, older, in central metro areas, and more likely to be 4 years in duration and have higher patient volumes when compared to community or university programs. When comparing hospital‐level attributes of primary training sites county programs are more likely to be owned and operated by local governments or governmental hospital districts and authorities and see more disproportionate‐share hospital patients. Implications for education and training in EM: To be considered a county program we recommend some or most of the following attributes be present: a shared mission to medically underserved and vulnerable patients, an urban location with city or county funding, an ED with high patient volumes, supportive of resident autonomy, and research expertise focusing on underserved populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare scores on the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) with scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-Ill) in a group of college students diagnosed with a Learning Disability, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or a combination of the two. The RIAS Composite Index score was significantly higher than the WAIS-III Full Scale IQ although scores on both tests were m the average range. Correlations between the two tests were significant on all measures. Male students were significantly higher than female students on both the RIAS Composite Index and on the WAIS-Ill Full Scale IQ. Although the ADHD group was higher on IQ than the Learning Disabled and combined disorder groups on all IQ measures, no significant differences were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which was developed to provide early warning of new variants entering the U.S. by collecting samples from arriving international travelers. Topics include an overview of the program, investigation and outcomes, and preliminary conclusions and actions.