Local High School Research Articles

One Month of Cannabis Abstinence in Adolescents and Young Adults Is Associated With Improved Memory.

Associations between adolescent cannabis use and poor neurocognitive functioning have been reported from cross-sectional studies that cannot determine causality. Prospective designs can assess whether extended cannabis abstinence has a beneficial effect on cognition. Eighty-eight adolescents and young adults (aged 16-25 years) who used cannabis regularly were recruited from the community and a local high school between July 2015 and December 2016. Participants were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of cannabis abstinence, verified by decreasing 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol urine concentration (MJ-Abst; n = 62), or a monitoring control condition with no abstinence requirement (MJ-Mon; n = 26). Attention and memory were assessed at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Among MJ-Abst participants, 55 (88.7%) met a priori criteria for biochemically confirmed 30-day continuous abstinence. There was an effect of abstinence on verbal memory (P = .002) that was consistent across 4 weeks of abstinence, with no time-by-abstinence interaction, and was driven by improved verbal learning in the first week of abstinence. MJ-Abst participants had better memory overall and at weeks 1, 2, 3 than MJ-Mon participants, and only MJ-Abst participants improved in memory from baseline to week 1. There was no effect of abstinence on attention: both groups improved similarly, consistent with a practice effect. This study suggests that cannabis abstinence is associated with improvements in verbal learning that appear to occur largely in the first week following last use. Future studies are needed to determine whether the improvement in cognition with abstinence is associated with improvement in academic and other functional outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03276221.

An Investigation of an Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak: Cronobacter sakazakii, a Potential Cause of Food-Borne Illness.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been widely used in traceability of food-borne outbreaks nowadays. Here, an interesting connection between Cronobacter sakazakii and food-borne acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was noticed. In October 2016, an AGE outbreak affecting 156 cases occurred in a local senior high school. Case-control study including 70 case-patients and 295 controls indicated a strong association between eating supper at school canteen of the outbreak onset and AGE, as revealed by the Odds Ratio (OR: 95.32). Six recovered Cronobacter strains were evaluated and compared using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and WGS. A phylogenetic tree of whole genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (wgSNPs) were generated to traceback the potential contamination source in this outbreak. C. sakazakii isolates S2 from a patient’s rectal swab and S4 from leftover food sample shared identical PFGE pattern and sequence type (ST73), and clustered tightly together in the SNP phylogenetic tree. C. sakazakii isolates S5 and S6 from food delivery containers were both ST4 but with different PFGE patterns. Cronobacter isolates S1 and S3 from two patients’ rectal swab were sequenced to be C. malonaticus and shared another PFGE pattern (ST567). The interesting feature of this study was the implication of C. sakazakii as a causative agent in food-borne AGE occurring in healthy adults, although C. sakazakii is considered as an opportunistic pathogen and generally affects neonates, infants and immunocompromised adults.

A Service-Learning Initiative to Teach Hands-Only CPR to High School Students: PumpStart

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival rates have been shown to be lower than cardiac arrest survival rates occurring in the hospital setting. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can significantly improve survival. PumpStart, a community service-learning program developed by medical students, was formed to increase education on compression-only CPR to local high school students and foster leadership and mentorship skills in participating medical students. 1-hr sessions were administered at local high schools throughout the metro—Boston area. A single semester “pilot” phase and “first-year” implementation phase were reviewed. Anonymous pre-/postassessment surveys were completed by participants. Medical students also completed surveys assessing their comfort in teaching CPR. Surveys over both pilot semester and first year phases were reviewed. Participants reported significant improvements in CPR technique and confidence in acquired skills for both the pilot semester (31% vs. 82%, p < .05) and first year implementation (33% vs. 86%, p < .05). Medical students reported significantly higher confidence levels regarding abilities to answer questions about CPR, serving as mentors, and facilitating training sessions for new medical students after participating in PumpStart ( p < .05). PumpStart was successful in providing CPR awareness to high school students, as well as the opportunity to learn about teaching and mentoring for medical students. Such a program can be easily reproduced by other health care organizations with the goal to increase opportunities for bystander CPR and improving OHCA survival rates nationally.

Formative research to underpin a text messaging home safety intervention for young mothers

Objective:Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for infants and young children in the USA, and the children of young mothers are at an even higher risk. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been successful in promoting behaviour change for many health conditions. This study assessed interest in mSafety, a text and video messaging mHealth intervention targeting injury prevention knowledge, behaviour and self-efficacy in young mothers.Design:Interviews with young mothers were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide.Setting:Interviews took place at a health clinic for teenage mothers and their children and at a local public charter high school which serves pregnant teenagers and young mothers.Method:A trained research assistant conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 young mothers (ages 15–20). Participants were asked both closed and open-ended questions to elicit opinions about their willingness to utilise mSafety.Results:The results of the interviews were positive. Participants were most interested in learning about the prevention of falls and poisonings, as well as safe sleep. Many emphasised that the language of the messages should be simple and that videos could be included to demonstrate methods of injury prevention. Most interviewees were willing to participate in a ‘virtual home safety visit’ in which participants text home photos to an expert to evaluate home safety practices.Conclusion:The concept of an mHealth intervention that would provide young mothers with the tools to prevent injuries among their children received positive feedback.

Urban indigenous youth perspectives on access to physical activity programmes in Canada

ABSTRACTWhile research demonstrates that Indigenous youth experience higher levels of obesity-related chronic disease compared to non-Indigenous youth throughout Canada, few studies consult Indigenous youth for their perspectives on how to address barriers to active lifestyles. This paper examines the constraints that urban Indigenous youth encounter in accessing physical activity and sport programmes in three Canadian cities. Researchers used a community-based participatory methodological approach that included volunteering and talking circles to gain the perspectives of 41 Indigenous youth who were recruited from urban health organisations and local high schools. Despite the differing socio-cultural contexts throughout urban centres in Canada, Indigenous youth face similar constraints in accessing physical activity and sport programmes. These findings indicate that any changes to public policies to improve community health outcomes and access issues for urban Indigenous youth need to consider the broader national contexts as well as the multiple constraints that influence their participation experiences.

Estimating the earnings returns to exam-measured unobserved ability in China's urban labor market: Evidence for 2002–2013

China's education system uses exams to measure students' ability. How does the labor market reward the ability that raises exam scores? This paper uses proxies to estimate the labor market returns to ‘exam ability’ in China. The estimated returns to one standard deviation of the ‘exam ability’ are 8% in 2002, 12% in 2007, and 7% in 2013 for the urban population with local hukou and high school and above education. The exam ability explains more wage variation than years of schooling or the level of education degree. There is still a significant amount of unexplained wage variation. It is possible that there are more important labor market skills that are not captured by schooling and exam scores.

Health Career Academy: Addition of a Surgical Case-Based Learning Curriculum Captures the Interest of High School Students

The Health Career Academy (HCA) is a national program which provides a structure to introduce underserved high school students to healthcare careers. Utilizing the HCA framework, we adapted the curriculum to emphasize surgical cases and invited physicians to enrich the learning experience. Medical students adapted a surgical case-based learning (CBL) curriculum at a local high school serving students from a primarily ethnic minority and low-income community (61% Black, 20% Hispanic; 58% free or reduced lunch). Each grade level received a minimum of ten, 90-minute CBL sessions. Expert faculty lecturers supplemented lessons. Medical student volunteers and 10th and 11th grade students completed postsemester surveys. Over four semesters, HCA held 44 sessions, with 81 students graduating from the program. A total of 66% of sessions featured at least one faculty volunteer. A total of 36 students in 10th and 11th grade and 15 medical student volunteers completed postparticipation surveys. A total of 46.2% of 11th grade students previously participated in the 10th grade curriculum. On a scale of 1 to 4, students rated HCA highly in its overview of career options (mean 3.61, [SD 0.5]) and instilling understanding of patient care (3.78 [0.42]). Students enjoyed learning about career paths (3.61 [0.50]) and health topics (3.83 [0.39]). Of 10th and 11th grade students, 100% considered a healthcare career, with 34.8% of 10th and 61.5% of 11th grade students expressing interest in pursuing a surgical specialty. After volunteering, medical students felt like better educators (4.47 [0.64]) and were more likely to pursue teaching roles (4.2 [0.86]). The Duke HCA chapter implemented the HCA program featuring CBL sessions emphasizing surgical cases. This program engaged minority students and potentially contributed to student interest in surgical careers. It helped to prepare medical students for future teaching roles. An interactive, surgery-focused program may increase the number of minority youth interested in pursuing health careers.

Lower Extremity Strength and Range of Motion in High School Cross-Country Runners.

Cross-country running is becoming an increasingly popular sport, with a significant participation noted at the high school level. The aim of this study was to compare gender and bilateral hip extension range of motion and hip and knee extension strength of high school cross-country runners. 31 participants volunteered from a local high school cross-country team (16 males and 15 females). The modified Thomas test was utilized to measure hip extension range of motion bilaterally using a digital inclinometer. In order to measure hip and knee isometric strengths, an isokinetic dynamometer was employed. A mixed model approach revealed a statistically significant difference in peak hip extension strength between genders but not the side. Male athletes demonstrated a 29.2 Nm/kg (P < 0.05) greater force production than females during isometric hip extension strength testing. There were no significant differences in peak knee extension isometric strength, hip extension range of motion, and the ratio of peak hip and knee strength between genders and the dominant and nondominant leg. Female cross-country runners should focus on increasing hip extension strength to help maintain hip stability during running. This may be beneficial in decreasing the chances of experiencing patellofemoral pain in long-distance runners.

Changes in the levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety in Ansan city after the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster

BackgroundIn April 2014, a ferry carrying 476 passengers sunk on the coast of Korea, resulting in 304 deaths. Of these, 250 were local high school students, and the disaster significantly affected their community. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among Ansan city residents to understand their recovery process after the accident. MethodsTwo cross-sectional surveys (survey 1, after 4–6 months and survey 2, after 16–18 months of disaster) were used to compare prevalence among residents of Ansan city and adjacent cities. Symptoms were determined by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale. ResultsA total of 1,773 and 1,748 participants were included in Survey 1 and Survey 2, respectively. Survey 1 showed a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (19.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 16.9–21.1) and anxiety (6.1%; 95% CI, 5.0–7.5) among Ansan city, compared to participants from adjacent cities (depressive symptoms: 14.3%; 95% CI, 12.7–16.1; anxiety: 3.6%; 95% CI, 2.9–4.5). Survey 2 showed a decreased prevalence of depression (15.8%; 95% CI, 14.0–17.9) and anxiety (5.0%; 95% CI, 4.0–6.4) among Ansan city residents. Depressive symptoms and anxiety adjusted odds ratio in survey 2 compared with survey 1 were 0.74 (95% CI 0.62–0.89) and 0.81 (0.60–1.08) among Ansan city, respectively. LimitationsCross-sectional study design and lack of pre-disaster baseline data for comparison are limitations of this study. ConclusionsPsychological distress occurred at a population level, not only among survivors and their families, but also among Ansan city residents indirectly impacted by the traumatic event. Although populations indirectly affected by a disaster show a natural recovery process, timely population-based interventions may be helpful.

Rethinking historical practice and community engagement: researching together with ‘youth historians’

ABSTRACTThis essay describes a yearlong public history collaboration between graduate students, a faculty member, and local public high school students collectively producing original scholarship on a topic in the history of education. This collaboration occurred in three parts, described chronologically: a planning phase, where the group devised research questions; a research phase, where graduate students, faculty, and high school students co-conducted oral histories; and a dissemination phase, where the group created Omeka exhibits based on oral histories and other secondary research. By focusing on the methodological implications of this type of novel scholar-youth collaboration, this essay argues that there are untapped opportunities and scholarly benefits to researching topics in the history discipline (particularly the history of education) with historically trained, local high school youth. This experimental collaboration is meant to spark dialogue about how to combine the traditions of the history field with important hands-on youth/community work for the purposes of rethinking traditional historical processes.

A carbon fiber cluster grows in South Carolina

At the June 1 groundbreaking for Teijin’s $600 million carbon fiber plant in Greenwood, S.C., the local high school orchestra serenaded guests. Flags from the U.S. and Japan, Teijin’s home country, flanked the podium. Gov. Henry McMaster told the 75 people sitting under a fan-cooled tent how proud he was “to have a new partner join us.” And the Japanese consul general in Atlanta, Takashi Shinozuka, greeted the crowd with a “Good morning, y’all,” relating that in Japan, “South Carolina is well known as a great place to do business.” Certainly, South Carolina seems like a great place for carbon fiber producers to do business. Just two years before Teijin broke ground, fellow Japanese firm Toray Industries started work on a $1.4 billion plant in Spartanburg. And Solvay, which has been producing carbon fiber in nearby Greenville since 1981, expanded in 2016. Consultants attribute the unusual carbon fiber buildup to

Normative Performance on the Balance Error Scoring System by Youth, High School, and Collegiate Athletes.

Annually, more than 1 million youth athletes in the United States receive or are suspected of receiving a concussion. The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is the most commonly used clinical balance evaluation designed to provide a better understanding of the motor-control processes of individuals with concussion. Despite the widespread use of the BESS, a fundamental gap exists in applying this tool to young athletes, as normative values are lacking for this population. To determine age- and sex-specific normative values for the BESS in youth, high school, and collegiate athletes. Cross-sectional study. Local youth sport organizations, high schools, and colleges. Student-athletes (N = 6762) completed preseason baseline concussion testing as part of a comprehensive concussion-management program. Groups were youth males aged 5 to 13 years (n = 360), high school males aged 14 to 18 years (n = 3743), collegiate males aged 19 to 23 years (n = 497), youth females aged 5 to 13 years (n = 246), high school females aged 14 to 18 years (n = 1673), and collegiate females aged 19 to 23 years (n = 243). Errors according to the BESS specifications. Performance on the BESS was worse ( P < .01) in youth athletes than in high school and collegiate athletes. In the youth and high school cohorts, females exhibited better scores than males ( P < .05). Sex was not a factor for collegiate athletes. Data from the youth cohort were further subdivided into 4-year bins to evaluate potential motor-development differences. The error count was highest for 5- to 9-year-old males and decreased with age. Performance on the BESS depended on sex and age, particularly in youth athletes. These sex- and age-specific normative values provide a reference to facilitate and unify clinical decision making across multiple providers caring for youth athletes with concussions.

Street Law, Inc.: Context, History and Future

&lt;p&gt;In 1972, a small group of Georgetown University law students developed a series of practical law lessons for use with public high school students in Washington, D.C. These visionaries recognized that ordinary citizens—not just lawyers—needed a basic understanding of practical law in order to take on civic responsibilities. The lessons were popular with the high school students and with their law student teachers. Responding to their practical nature, the high school students called these lessons “Street Law.” The name stuck.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A pilot program in two local high schools in 1972–73 launched a movement—first in the United States but eventually around the world—to teach the public about law and public policy using learner-centered, interactive teaching methods. Today, Street Law programs can be found in every state in the U.S. and in more than 40 countries around the world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Propelling this global movement to advance justice through practical education about law and democracy is Street Law, Inc., a Washington, D.C. area non-profit organization that is an outgrowth of the early Street Law program at Georgetown University Law Center. That pilot effort has also grown into a full-fledged, credit-bearing experiential education program at Georgetown that has served as a model program for more than 120 law schools across the country and around the world. Nearly 1,000 upper division Georgetown Law students have participated in this program since its inception. Many have gone on to positions as law firm partners, corporate counsel, government officials in the U.S. and abroad, and even members of the federal court bench. They have taken from their law school experience a commitment to public education about law and democracy.&lt;/p&gt;

Traumatic brain injury reduction in athletes by neck strengthening (TRAIN).

Reporting of sports-related concussions (SRCs) has risen dramatically over the last decade, increasing awareness of the need for treatment and prevention of SRCs. To date most prevention studies have focused on equipment and rule changes to sports in order to reduce the risk of injury. However, increased neck strength has been shown to be a predictor of concussion rate. In the TRAIN study, student-athletes will follow a simple neck strengthening program over the course of three years in order to better understand the relationship between neck strength and SRCs. Neck strength of all subjects will be measured at baseline and biannually over the course of the study using a novel protocol. Concussion severity and duration in any subject who incurs an SRC will be evaluated using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5th edition, a questionnaire based tool utilizing several tests that are commonly affected by concussion, and an automated eye tracking algorithm. Neck strength, and improvement of neck strength, will be compared between concussed and non-concussed athletes to determine if neck strength can indeed reduce risk of concussion. Neck strength will also be analyzed taking into account concussion severity and duration to find if a strengthening program can provide a protective factor to athletes. The study population will consist of student-athletes, ages 12–23, from local high schools and colleges. These athletes are involved in a range of both contact and non-contact sports.

Editor's Column: Musings on America: Highway 31, Steinbeck, and the Future

Editor's Column: Musings on America: Highway 31, Steinbeck, and the Future

From Passion to Patent: Raytheon Track-and-Field Coach Inspires STEM in Sports [Pipelining: Attractive Programs for Women

J.R. Richardson was a track-and-field high jumper in high school. But he didn't excel at the field event until he received his engineering degree in college and learned the physics behind how to get over the high-jump bar. Years later, he took the engineering skills he learned in college and decided to give back to his community by coaching track and field at a local high school.

Peer mentor versus teacher delivery of a physical activity program on the effects of BMI and daily activity: protocol of a school-based group randomized controlled trial in Appalachia

BackgroundRural Appalachian populations have poorer health and fewer positive health-related behaviors compared to other United States populations. Appalachians are the most sedentary U.S. population and teens are particularly sedentary. Obesity prevention through improving physical activity is a top priority in Rural Healthy People 2020. Obesity prevalence among Appalachian teens exceeds the national rates of 13.9% and has consistently been greater than 26%. Organized sports has not been effective at improving daily physical activity or health outcomes for Appalachian teens. The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a 10-week school-based intervention in promoting self-regulation of physical activity among adolescents not participating in organized sports. By using accelerometers, our study will measure both sedentary time and planned exercise during waking hours.MethodsThe design for this four-year study is a group-randomized controlled trial (G-RCT). We will recruit high schools in 3 waves, with 4 in Wave 1, 8 in Wave 2, and 8 in Wave 3, for a total of 20 schools. For each wave of schools, we will randomly assign half of the schools to each condition--intervention (peer-to-peer mentoring [MBA]) and comparison (teacher-led [PBA])--for a total of 10 schools in each of the two conditions by study’s end. We will collect data at baseline (T1), 3 months post intervention (T2), and 6 months post intervention (T3). Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) and Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) will be used to test the main hypotheses. Power for this study was based the primary analysis comparing BMI outcomes at T2 between the groups, adjusting for baseline BMI values.DiscussionThis study provides age-appropriate lifestyle education and skill building. Peer-to-peer mentoring by local high school students and school-based tailored support strengthens sustainable behavioral change. Focusing on unique healthy-lifestyle challenges prevalent in low-resource areas such as Appalachia such as overcoming environmental, social, and psychological barriers may improve adherence to physical activity. Serving as role models, peer mentors may improve their own lifestyle behaviors, providing a dual intervention.Trial registrationNCT02329262.

ChemDemo program brings chemistry to the community

In 2001, when Tabitha Vu was an undergraduate chemistry major at Louisiana State University, she visited a local high school and gave a chemistry presentation, and then led the students in hands-on demonstrations. That experience of participating in LSU’s ChemDemo program reinforced Vu’s passion for teaching. “It was a great experience going into a high school classroom and seeing what it would feel like to be a teacher,” she says. “It helped me figure out the path I wanted to take in my career.” Vu, who now teaches chemistry at Dutchtown High School in Geismar, La., is one of more than 15,300 LSU undergraduates who have participated in ChemDemo, which was started more than 20 years ago by LSU chemistry professor George Stanley. Through the outreach program, LSU students have visited more than 7,300 K–12 classes and performed hands-on activities with more than 182,000 students. Undergrads at LSU who are

Centering the How: What Teacher Candidates’ Means of Mediation Can Tell Us About Engaging Adolescent Writers

AbstractProspective teachers often draw on their own experiences with writing as they envision and plan for future writing instruction. Rather than analyzing the types and topics of writing that teacher candidates engaged in as K–16 students, this study inquired into the mediational means shaping their writing processes. The teacher candidates in this study partnered with local high school students to blog about their varied in‐ and out‐of‐school experiences with writing. An analysis of these blogs revealed that three overarching mediational means—rules, time, and purpose—had either restrictive or enabling effects on participants’ writing. Findings from this study suggest that the value students attach to writing is a function of the mediational means that shape the experience. This study suggests that as literacy teachers prepare for writing instruction, they should pay particular attention to the restrictive and enabling effects of the various mediational means employed.

Design of a multi‐use new anatomy facility: prioritizing medical student education in a patient‐based learning curriculum

The University of Missouri School of Medicine (MUSOM) provides anatomical sciences education for 1st‐ and 4th‐year medical students within the context of a patient‐based learning (PBL) curriculum. In addition, as a land‐grant, state‐run institution, MUSOM also serves a broad audience from senior clinicians, health care professions students, and local area high school students. In the summer of 2017, MUSOM held the grand opening of a new medical education building, providing an opportunity to design a space flexible for many different anatomy education activities. The 6400 sq ft of anatomical sciences facilities comprises two instructional laboratories and centralized storage spaces.At MUSOM, 1st‐year medical students work in PBL groups of eight through patient‐based cases, becoming competent in their basic sciences. This curriculum is reflected in the larger Anatomy instructional lab (4012 sq ft), designed to have an even number of 36 tables. We assign each PBL group to two adjacent tables with both a male and female donor. Thus, we are able to design in‐lab activities for PBL groups such as performing complementary dissections as well as daily clinical reasoning activities such as our Anatomy Rounds. Practicing clinicians regularly present to students during lab on clinical correlations, using ten 90″ monitors distributed throughout the space for slides, radiographic images, and videos. This open layout allows clinicians to readily interact with students about the room during their presentation. This technology is also used while students dissect to project stand‐alone text and images of clinical correlations relevant to the day's lab. To take advantage of excellent student dissections, prosections, and anatomical variants from around the room, we prioritized a mobile high‐definition camera, projecting real‐time images to the room's monitors.Our 4th‐year medical students may elect to perform self‐driven, regional dissections for presentation based upon their future career interests. The month‐long, self‐driven nature of the course makes it flexible for students on their demanding residency interview schedules. We designed the smaller instructional lab (723 sq ft) to include six tables, and with the regional breakdown of donors, allows for up to 60 students per month to take the course. Two 60″ monitors allow students to independently look up information relevant for their dissection and supplement their presentations with visuals.To accommodate physical therapy student education, clinical training of residents and faculty, vendor demonstrations, and outreach events to local area students, the configuration of each room is flexible. Mobile tables, stools, and no impeding infrastructure such as monitors or walls, allow for the rooms to be rearranged readily. Making design decisions with the flexibility of the facility in mind, the new anatomy space at the MUSOM will serve a diverse audience, from senior clinicians to high school students, well into the future.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.