Standard Score Research Articles

Desigualdade educacional nos exames de larga escala e a jornadas escolares extendidas: uma análise da rede pública de ensino médio de Pernambuco (Brasil)

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between full-time journeys and schooling inequality in Pernambuco, Brazil. Using standardized test scores on the school level, we tested the inverted u-curve hypothesis proposed initially by Simon Kuznets in 1955 and adapted with a focus on schooling expansion and inequality by Rati Ram in 1990. We build a panel data analysis to perform the test, with data aggregated by region and scores on standardized tests as the output variable. Initially, the hypotheses described an inverted U-curve correlating schooling effectiveness and inequality. However, we have found that the relationship follows a regular U shape. It is also inferable that the equity of the result is more connected to the effects of the diversity of school typology, the location of schools, and the way the region is developed.

Association of Life’s Essential 8 and Simple 7 Scores With Mortality: Comparison With Pooled Cohort Equation

BackgroundIn 2022, the Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) score was replaced with the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score as a tool to measure cardiovascular health. The risk prediction values of LE8 and LS7 scores for mortality have not been compared. Additionally, the risk prediction value of these scores has not been compared with the pooled cohort equations (PCE) in individuals aged 40 to 79 years. ObjectivesThis study compared the risk prediction value of the: 1) LE8 and LS7 scores in the overall population; and 2) LE8 score, LS7 score, and PCE in the 40- to 79-year-old age group for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a nationally representative US population. MethodsThe LS7 and LE8 scores and the PCE were calculated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2007 to 2018. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were identified by linking the participants to the National Death Index. The C-statistics of the respective weighted Cox models were used to compare the risk prediction value of the standardized scores. ResultsAmong 21,721 individuals included, the C-statistics for all-cause mortality were 0.823 (95% CI: 0.803-0.843) and 0.819 (95% CI: 0.799-0.838) in the LE8 and LS7 score-based models, respectively. The C-statistics for cardiovascular mortality were 0.887 (95% CI: 0.857-0.905) for the LE8 score-based model and 0.883 (95% CI: 0.861-0.905) for the LS7 score-based model. Among 12,943 individuals aged 40 to 79 years, the C-statistics for the outcome of all-cause mortality were 0.756 (95% CI: 0.732-0.779), 0.674 (95% CI: 0.646-0.701), and 0.681 (95% CI: 0.656-0.706) for the PCE, LS7 score, and LE8 score-based models, respectively. ConclusionsThe LS7 and LE8 scores had similar risk prediction values for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Among 40- to 79-year-old individuals, the PCE had better risk discrimination in the LE8 and LS7 scores in predicting all-cause mortality.

The Effects of Question-Answer-Relationship (QAR) Instruction on Standardized Reading Comprehension Test Scores of Third-Grade Students

Despite many school reform initiatives designed to ensure reading proficiency for all students, recent reports from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal that only 37 percent of fourth-grade students and only 34 percent of eighth-grade students performed at or above the proficiency levels measured in reading (NAEP, 2017). This quantitative study used a non-equivalent control group design to examine the impact of direct instruction of the Question-Answer-Relationship (QAR) strategy on standardized reading test scores of third-grade students. It also specifically examined the impact of direct instruction of the QAR strategy on traditionally underserved students' standardized test scores. A two-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted. Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores in the group receiving treatment of the QAR strategy (64.580) were higher than the mean post-test scores of students who did not receive QAR instruction (56.382). Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of students who did not receive QAR instruction (56.382). Adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of historically underserved students showed no significant differences (60.05 and 60.90, respectively). In addition, adjusted marginal mean post-test scores of historically underserved and non-historically underserved students who received QAR instruction showed no significant differences (54.48 and 58.29).

Longitudinal analysis of vitamin D levels considering sunshine duration and suggestion for a standardised approach for vitamin D supplementation in children and adolescents with obesity

BackgroundChildren with obesity have low 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D3) levels compared to lean children. Recommendations on when to start vitamin D supplementation differ largely between countries. Longitudinal data on 25-OH-D3 levels to guide treatment decisions are scarce since they are largely influenced by solar radiation and are difficult to compare.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective analysis of multiple 25-OH-D3 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurements in a cohort of 543 patients without vitamin D supplementation. All measurements were taken at the local paediatric obesity clinic as documented in the German-Austrian-Swiss APV (Prospective Documentation of Overweight Children and Adolescents) registry from 2009 to 2019. Serial 25-OH-D3 and PTH levels were adjusted for sunshine duration over the last 30 days to account for seasonal variation, as well as for sex and body mass index (BMI). We further performed an exploratory analysis of the association of sunshine duration, sex, BMI SDS (standard deviation score), abnormal lipid levels or dysglycemia with the 25-OH-D3 trend.Results229 obese patients (mean BMI SDS: 2,58 (± 0,56), 53% females, mean age: 12 (± 3) years, range: 2–21 years) with two, 115 with three and 96 with four repeated 25-OH-D3 measurements were identified. Mean adjusted 25-OH-D3 (48.2 nmol/l) and PTH (34.9 ng/l) levels remained stable over 120 weeks. 5% of the patients had an elevated PTH > 65 ng/l. High total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl and high triglycerides ≥ 130 mg/dl were associated with higher 25-OH-D3 levels.ConclusionWe propose a simple method to include sunshine duration in the analysis of 25-OH-D3 levels to minimise the bias of seasonal variation. Based on our data we established the pragmatic strategy of limiting vitamin D supplementation to patients with biochemical signs of mineralisation disorders such as elevated PTH and alkaline phosphatase (AP). In children with normal PTH and AP we recommend adjustment of calcium intake and increase of outdoor activity instead.

Accelerated MRI reconstructions via variational network and feature domain learning

We introduce three architecture modifications to enhance the performance of the end-to-end (E2E) variational network (VarNet) for undersampled MRI reconstructions. We first implemented the Feature VarNet, which propagates information throughout the cascades of the network in an N-channel feature-space instead of a 2-channel feature-space. Then, we add an attention layer that utilizes the spatial locations of Cartesian undersampling artifacts to further improve performance. Lastly, we combined the Feature and E2E VarNets into the Feature-Image (FI) VarNet, to facilitate cross-domain learning and boost accuracy. Reconstructions were evaluated on the fastMRI dataset using standard metrics and clinical scoring by three neuroradiologists. Feature and FI VarNets outperformed the E2E VarNet for 4×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document}, 5×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document} and 8×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document} Cartesian undersampling in all studied metrics. FI VarNet secured second place in the public fastMRI leaderboard for 4×\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ imes$$\\end{document} Cartesian undersampling, outperforming all open-source models in the leaderboard. Radiologists rated FI VarNet brain reconstructions with higher quality and sharpness than the E2E VarNet reconstructions. FI VarNet excelled in preserving anatomical details, including blood vessels, whereas E2E VarNet discarded or blurred them in some cases. The proposed FI VarNet enhances the reconstruction quality of undersampled MRI and could enable clinically acceptable reconstructions at higher acceleration factors than currently possible.

ZEPPI: Proteome-scale sequence-based evaluation of protein–protein interaction models

We introduce ZEPPI (Z-score Evaluation of Protein-Protein Interfaces), a framework to evaluate structural models of a complex based on sequence coevolution and conservation involving residues in protein-protein interfaces. The ZEPPI score is calculated by comparing metrics for an interface to those obtained from randomly chosen residues. Since contacting residues are defined by the structural model, this obviates the need to account for indirect interactions. Further, although ZEPPI relies on species-paired multiple sequence alignments, its focus on interfacial residues allows it to leverage quite shallow alignments. ZEPPI can be implemented on a proteome-wide scale and is applied here to millions of structural models of dimeric complexes in the Escherichia coli and human interactomes found in the PrePPI database. PrePPI's scoring function is based primarily on the evaluation of protein-protein interfaces, and ZEPPI adds a new feature to this analysis through the incorporation of evolutionary information. ZEPPI performance is evaluated through applications to experimentally determined complexes and to decoys from the CASP-CAPRI experiment. As we discuss, the standard CAPRI scores used to evaluate docking models are based on model quality and not on the ability to give yes/no answers as to whether two proteins interact. ZEPPI is able to detect weak signals from PPI models that the CAPRI scores define as incorrect and, similarly, to identify potential PPIs defined as low confidence by the current PrePPI scoring function. A number of examples that illustrate how the combination of PrePPI and ZEPPI can yield functional hypotheses are provided.

WhARIO: whole-slide-image-based survival analysis for patients treated with immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now one of the standards of care for patients with lung cancer and have greatly improved both progression-free and overall survival, although of the patients respond to the treatment, and some face acute adverse events. Although a few predictive biomarkers have integrated the clinical workflow, they require additional modalities on top of whole-slide images and lack efficiency or robustness. In this work, we propose a biomarker of immunotherapy outcome derived solely from the analysis of histology slides. We develop a three-step framework, combining contrastive learning and nonparametric clustering to distinguish tissue patterns within the slides, before exploiting the adjacencies of previously defined regions to derive features and train a proportional hazards model for survival analysis. We test our approach on an in-house dataset of 193 patients from 5 medical centers and compare it with the gold standard tumor proportion score (TPS) biomarker. On a fivefold cross-validation (CV) of the entire dataset, the whole-slide image-based survival analysis for patients treated with immunotherapy (WhARIO) features are able to separate a low- and a high-risk group of patients with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.29 ( to 3.56), whereas the TPS 1% reference threshold only reaches a HR of 1.81 ( to 2.69). Combining the two yields a higher HR of 2.60 ( to 3.94). Additional experiments on the same dataset, where one out of five centers is excluded from the CV and used as a test set, confirm these trends. Our uniquely designed WhARIO features are an efficient predictor of survival for lung cancer patients who received ICI treatment. We achieve similar performance to the current gold standard biomarker, without the need to access other imaging modalities, and show that both can be used together to reach even better results.

Mitigation of Effect Modification by Psychological Status in Patients with Hearing Loss

Although patient-reported outcomes provide valuable insights, these subjective data may not align with objective test results. Hearing loss is a pervasive problem, such that concordance between subjective perceptions of hearing ability and objective audiogram assessments would be beneficial. To determine (1) whether psychological status is an effect modifier of the association between subjective patient reports of hearing ability and objective audiometry results, and (2) whether any effect modification observed in standard static questionnaires would be either mitigated or exacerbated by adaptive testing based on Item Response Theory analyses. This diagnostic study at a tertiary care center and community-based practice included consecutive adults who presented with queries related to hearing loss. Participants were recruited and enrolled and data analyses occurred from 2022 to 2024. Participants prospectively reported their hearing-specific abilities through either a standard static or adaptive version of the Inner Effectiveness of Auditory Rehabilitation (EAR) scale, alongside validated measures of their mental health and audiometry. Word recognition scores (WRS) and pure tone averages (PTA) were used to analyze audiometric testing. The association between subjective Inner EAR results and audiometry was evaluated. Stratified analyses were used to assess for effect modification by psychological status. The results of standard static and adaptive testing were compared. In this study of 395 patients (mean [range] age, 55.9 [18-89] years; 210 [53.2%] female), standard static Inner EAR mean scores were appropriately higher in patients with higher (better) WRS (50.7, 95% CI, 46.4-54.9), compared with patients with lower (worse) WRS (34.7, 95% CI, 24.3-45.1). However, among patients with worse mental health, there was no association between standard static Inner EAR scores and WRS. In contrast, adaptive Inner EAR mean scores were significantly higher for those with better WRS, regardless of mental health status. Thus, effect modification was observed in standard static assessments, whereas adaptive testing remained durably associated with audiometry, regardless of mental health. Psychological status was an effect modifier of the association between standard Inner EAR scale scores and audiometry, with a positive association observed only in those with better mental health. Adaptive testing scores, however, remained significantly associated with audiometry, even when mental status was worse. Adaptive testing may stabilize the association between subjective and objective hearing outcomes.

A Four Country Study of Strangulation-related Alterations in Consciousness in Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: Co-occurrence with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Measures of Psychological Distress.

At least one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The most commonly sustained IPV-related brain injuries include strangulation-related alterations in consciousness (S-AICs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Moreover, survivors of IPV-related S-AICs and/or TBIs often demonstrate psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. However, the co-occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs, and whether such TBIs may be moderate to severe, has not been systematically examined, and most data have been collected from women in North America. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of IPV-related S-AICs and TBIs across a range of geographical locations and to determine the extent to which these S-AICs are related to psychological distress. Women who had experienced physical IPV (N=213) were included in this secondary analysis of retrospectively collected data across four countries (Canada, USA, Spain, and Colombia). The Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA) was used to assess IPV-related BI across all sites. Because various questionnaires were employed to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD at each site, we created a standardized composite score by converting raw scores into Z-scores for analysis. Mann Whitney U tests and Chi square tests were conducted to examine differences between women with- versus without-experience of S-AICs and to discover if there was a relationship between the occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs. Analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance (to control for the potential confounding effects of age, education, and non IPV-related TBI) were used to compare levels of psychological distress in women who had or had not experienced S-AICs. Approximately 67% of women sustained at least one IPV-related BI (i.e., TBI and/or S-AIC). In a sub-sample of women who sustained at least one IPV-related BI, approximately 37% sustained both S-AICs and TBIs, 2% sustained only S-AICs (with no TBIs), and 61% sustained TBIs exclusively (with no S-AICs). Furthermore, women who had sustained S-AICs (with or without a TBI) were more likely to have experienced a moderate to severe BI than those who had not sustained an S-AIC (BISA severity subscale: U=3939, p=0.006). Additionally, women who experienced S-AICs (with or without a TBI) reported higher levels of psychological distress compared to women who never experienced S-AICs, irrespective of whether they occurred once or multiple times. These data underscore the importance of assessing for S-AIC in women who have experienced IPV and when present, to also assess for TBIs and the presence of psychological distress. Unfortunately, there were methodological differences across sites precluding cross-site comparisons. Nonetheless, data were collected across four culturally and geographically diverse countries, and therefore highlight IPV-related BIs as a global issue which needs to be aggressively studied with policies established and then implemented to address find.

Montessori primary schools’ effectiveness: a quasi-experimental study on schooling outcomes

ABSTRACT Montessori is a highly individualized pedagogy that prioritizes following each child’s individual interests over standardized test scores. This quasi-experimental study compares groups of Montessori students (treatment groups, N = 535–710) with control groups of non-Montessori students, matched through the simple matching method, which controls for the effect of background variables on schooling outcomes. The tested hypothesis is that the treatment groups achieve mean scores that are not significantly lower and have a significantly higher standard deviation on standardized tests of mathematics and language. The study encompassed students in Grade 2, 5, 8, and 10 across two separate cohorts. Results indicate that Montessori students attain either comparable or significantly higher scores than non-Montessori students, depending on grade and cohort, with greater score variability observed, particularly at Grade 8 and in mathematics. This finding implies the necessity for future investigations into the effect of Montessori teachers’ instructional practices.

Post hoc subgroup analysis of Asian children with paediatric GHD from the global phase 3 efficacy and safety study of once-weekly somatrogon vs. once-daily somatropin.

Somatrogon is a long-acting recombinant human growth hormone used to treat patients with paediatric growth hormone deficiency (pGHD). This global phase 3 study compared the efficacy and safety of once-weekly somatrogon with once-daily somatropin in children with GHD. Prepubertal patients were randomized 1:1 to once-weekly somatrogon (0.66 mg/kg/week) or once-daily somatropin (0.24 mg/kg/week) for 12 months. The primary endpoint was height velocity (HV) at month 12; secondary endpoints included HV at month 6 and change in height standard deviation score (SDS) at months 6 and 12 and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) SDS. This post hoc subgroup analysis focused specifically on Asian children (somatrogon: n=24 and mean age=7.76 years; somatropin: n=21 and mean age=8.10 years) across eight countries. Mean HV at month 12 was 10.95 cm/year (somatrogon) and 9.58 cm/year (somatropin); the treatment difference of 1.38 cm/year favoured somatrogon. The lower bound of the two-sided 95 % CI of the treatment difference (somatrogon-somatropin) was -0.20, similar to the overall study population (-0.24). Compared with the somatropin group, the somatrogon group had numerically higher HV at month 6 (8.31 vs. 11.23 cm/year); a similar trend was observed for height SDS and IGF-1 SDS at months 6 and 12. Safety and tolerability were similar between treatment groups; adverse events occurred in 83 % of somatrogon-treated children and 76 % of somatropin-treated children. This subgroup analysis demonstrated that somatrogon efficacy and safety in Asian children were consistent with the overall study population, where once-weekly somatrogon was non-inferior to once-daily somatropin. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02968004.

Assessing Evidence-Based Practice in Operating Room Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southwest of Iran.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a clinical decision-making process that is grounded in the utilization of the most reliable and up-to-date evidence. It involves utilizing resources and evidence to enhance patient management. The application of evidence-based decisions in patient care and education is of utmost importance in the performance of health sciences students. However, the emphasis on this concept among operating room nursing students has been lacking. Hence, the objective of this research is to assess the implementation of evidence-based practice among operating room nursing students studying in the operating room department at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The study follows a descriptive, cross-sectional design, with a sample of 148 operating room nursing students selected through census sampling based on the student list. After obtaining informed consent, participants completed a demographic information form and the Rubin-Parrish evidence-based practice questionnaire. The data that were gathered underwent analysis through the utilization of SPSS version 22 software, employing descriptive statistics, T-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. The results revealed that the overall average score of evidence-based practice among the students exceeded the standard scores (172.66 ± 14.74). There was a significant association between the evidence-based practice score and prior familiarity with evidence-based practice, interest in the field of study, research experience, intention to participate in the Master's exam, and the participants' grade point average (GPA) (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that operating room nursing students displayed an average level of evidence-based practice, emphasizing the need for effective plans and strategies to improve their performance. Addressing the identified factors from this study becomes crucial in this regard.

Preliminary investigation into the genetic etiology of short stature in children through whole exon sequencing of the core family.

A comprehensive survey was carried out to investigate the genetic etiology of short stature in children by whole exon sequencing of a core family cohort to find and study mutations in multiple genes to assess their potential correlations to low height in children. The study included 56 pediatric patients from the Department of Pediatrics at the Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The participants met strict inclusion criteria, including age, Han Chinese ethnicity, low height standard deviation score, and the absence of known causes for short stature. Core pedigrees were identified using exome sequencing. After sequencing, variations were categorized and interpreted according to a variety of factors, including inheritance, location, type, and disease-causing gene databases. Variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Most of the 97 gene mutations were missense. ACAN, PHEX, and COL2A1 were the most common gene mutations. Copy number variations were identified, particularly associated with the PHEX gene. Protein functional studies revealed that the mutations had a considerable influence on disease-promoting damage. The chromosomal locations with the highest enrichment of these genes were chr12, chr5, and chr2. In conclusion, the study revealed numerous genetic changes that may substantially impact physiological processes and disease. These findings establish the basis for further investigations into their diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.

Examining One-Way Dual Language Elementary Latinx Bilingual Learners’ Trajectory on a State Standardized Reading Assessment

ABSTRACT The U.S. population has become more racially and ethnically diverse over time. The Latinx population growth makes Spanish the most common language encountered in non-native English-speaking populations such as Texas. The research objective of this study was to examine if implementing a One-Way Dual Language Education (DLE) Program could result in positive outcomes on the reported reading performance of Latinx bilinguals as indicated by the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) standardized assessment. This study aimed to investigate the possible impact the one-way dual language program may have on bilingual learners’ (BLs) reading assessment scores compared to other second language learners in Texas. The study analyzed the standardized state assessment reading scores in both English and Spanish of over 1100 BLs in a one-way DLE program and found that the BLs in the dataset demonstrated a positive trajectory in the mean scale scores as they progressed through elementary grades. The results provide a significant contribution to the research that supports the effectiveness of DLE programs, especially for Latinx BLs.

Measuring Peer Collaboration Among Secondary School Students: Instrument Development And Validation

This study aims to create and validate a scale that measures peer collaboration among secondary school students. The study had three objectives: 1) to identify the constructs of collaboration, 2) to develop a collaboration scale, and 3) to validate the collaboration scale. The study included 363 9th-grade students, and after an extensive literature review, it identified four constructs of collaboration: social interdependence, conflict resolution, cooperation, and sharing of resources. The consistency between these constructs was found to be positive. The scale reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.768 and a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.71. The content validity of the scale was also established with a Cohen kappa coefficient of 0.66. The study found that differences between boys and girls can be determined by obtaining standard scores on the collaboration scale. This new collaboration scale will be a useful tool for practitioners who use constructivist pedagogy to measure collaboration.

On the measurement of corporate governance and its impact on bank profitability and credit risk: The case of Tunisian listed banks

AbstractThis paper explores the influence of corporate governance on the profitability and credit risk of a sample of listed banks in Tunisia. The methodology involves two main steps. Firstly, principal component analysis is employed to construct a novel governance index, assessing the quality of both internal and external bank governance. This index takes into account the degree of compliance and application of directives and laws mandated by the Tunisian Central Bank regarding banking governance. In the second step, panel data analysis is conducted to scrutinize the impact of internal and external governance mechanisms on the profitability and risk of Tunisian banks. The results reveal that as the governance index increases, the profitability of banks improves in terms of return on assets and stock market performance. Additionally, a higher governance index is correlated with a reduction in credit risks, as indicated by lower instances of non‐performing loans and an increased rate of coverage for classified debts. To enhance the robustness of our results, we calculate a standard governance score based on existing empirical literature. Furthermore, to account for potential endogeneity, we employ the two‐step system generalized method of moments.

Psychosocial and Educational Vulnerability of Overweight Children from Urban Schools

Childhood obesity is a pervasive health issue, with multifaceted implications for developmental trajectory. Participants included 5,573 K-5 students enrolled in a high-poverty urban public-school setting. Through an informal yet holistic assessment process, students identified as exhibiting overweight issues were compared to peers not designated as overweight across several relevant categories. Overweight students were more likely to be from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; have a high association with special education service needs; represent a more intensive overall risk level as perceived by student support staff; and mostly exhibit decreased performance in report card grades, standardized test scores, and academic engagement. Results confirm previously documented disparities in school functioning and consideration for at-risk status; this is especially relevant in an underserved context, in which regular access to services may be limited. Therefore, reliance on initial screening measures becomes necessary as a preventative mechanism to better assist children in need and to facilitate intervention planning.

Small effects of olfactory identification and discrimination on global cognitive and executive performance over 1 year in aging people without a history of age-related cognitive impairment

Olfactory and cognitive performance share neural correlates profoundly affected by physiological aging. However, whether odor identification and discrimination scores predict global cognitive status and executive function in healthy older people with intact cognition is unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we set out to elucidate these links in a convenience sample of 204 independently living, cognitively intact healthy Czech adults aged 77.4 ± 8.7 (61–97 years) over two waves of data collection (one-year interval). We used the Czech versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to evaluate global cognition, and the Prague Stroop Test (PST), Trail Making Test (TMT), and several verbal fluency (VF) tests to assess executive function. As a subsidiary aim, we aimed to examine the contribution of olfactory performance towards achieving a MoCA score above vs. below the published cut-off value. We found that the MoCA scores exhibited moderate associations with both odor identification and discrimination. Furthermore, odor identification significantly predicted PST C and C/D scores. Odor discrimination significantly predicted PST C/D, TMT B/A, and standardized composite VF scores. Our findings demonstrate that olfaction, on the one hand, and global cognition and executive function, on the other, are related even in healthy older people.

Forecasting Futures: Predicting University Admissions with Machine Learning

The process of university admissions is inherently complex, often relying on various factors such as academic records, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and personal statements. In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have shown promising results in predicting admission outcomes, aiding both prospective students and admissions committees in decision-making processes. Keywords: University admission, Machine learning, Predictive modelling, Classification, Regression, Data pre-processing.

Dealing with intervening factors in the patient engagement

PurposeThere is evidence that quality improvement projects developed with the participation of patients and family members are more likely to result in a sustainable change. To identify the intervening factors is an important step in promoting and supporting patient and family members’ engagement.Design/methodology/approachA survey was carried out with 90 hospitals. A total of 35 intervening factors were evaluated by the healthcare professionals from the quality area using a Likert scale. Factor analysis was applied to identify the relationship among the factors and cluster analysis and the standardized scores for each new latent variable were obtained to observe the association between them and hospitals profile. Cluster analysis allowed to group the hospitals with similar responses and to analyze whether there was any association with the profile of the institutions.FindingsA total of ten intervening factors are identified: two in the financial dimension, five in the structural and three in the personal and cultural. The standardized scores of latent variables suggest that the financial factors could be affected by the hospital capacity. The structural factors could be impacted by the accreditation status, location (region) and administrative control (ownership). And the personal and cultural factors could be by the location and dominant organizational culture. All of factors are influenced by the performed quality management activities. The cluster analysis allowed the identification of three groups in the financial dimension, and four in the other two dimensions. Except for the accreditation status in the personal and cultural dimension, no evidence of association between the groups and the variables raised to characterize the profile of the hospitals was found.Originality/valueThe study contributed to identify the relationship among the intervening factors turning possible to simplify and reduce them more comprehensively than those originally identified in the literature and at the same time maintaining the representativeness of the original variables.