Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motor Intervention and Assessment Instruments in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The practice of physical activity in people with disabilities provides important health benefits (Wind, Schwend, & Larson, 2004; Chanias, Reid, & Hoover, 1998), particularly in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several motor interventions have been suggested as beneficial for this population. Considering this variety, it is important to synthesize the different existing programs, the population in which they are applied. This research aims to review the motor interventions used in children with ASD, as well as the evaluation methods used, so that it becomes clear what the options are for motor work with this population. All the studies presented showed improvements in participants. A literature search was conducted in Web of Science, SCOPUS and Google Scholar 2013, to include research studies that evaluate motor intervention in children with ASD. Fifteen studies meet inclusion criteria. Results show that motor intervention programs that have been carried out are quite diverse, from dance, trampoline training, balance training or fundamental motor skills, for example, to evaluate motor skills which used different test batteries, one of the most common is the motor proficiency test of Bruininks-Oseretsky. On the other hand, other methods were used to evaluate the social interaction like Gilliam Autism Rating Scale or Autism Rating Scale. We conclude that to improve the motor fitness of children with ASD different strategies can be followed. As the revised programs use different evaluation tools, it is difficult to compare the results obtained with each other. A motor intervention that comprises different types of exercises and materials, using ludic exercises may be a potentially more effective strategy.
Effects of Child Maltreatment, Cumulative Victimization Experiences, and Proximal Life Stress on Adult Crime and Antisocial Behavior

Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. Abstract This study sought to replicate and extend research findings on subtypes of child
184 Impaired Motor Function: Functional Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulators to restore the rhythmicity of the heart (cardiac pacemakers) are currently being implanted in more than 400,000 people/ year [1]. These stimulators provide patterned activation of the heart muscle to replace the natural pacemaker function. Similarly, patterned stimulation of cochlear neurons can provide remarkable restoration of hearing in completely deaf individuals and these cochlear stimulators have been implanted in more than 80,000 individuals worldwide [2]. Finally, thousands of stimulators have been implanted to restore micturition (bladder stimulators) [3,4]and respiration (phrenic nerve stimulators) [5]. These are all examples of ‘‘functional electrical stimulation (FES)’’ in that the stimulus provides a pattern of stimulation that directly generates a functional movement or sensation. This is in contrast, for example, to a deep brain stimulator where a constant frequency of stimulation is applied that modulates the activity in particular brain regions. The stimulation may enable functional movements to occur or block unwanted movements from occurring, but the applied stimulus pattern has no direct relation to the movements. This chapter reviews the application of FES to restore limb movements in people who have a variety of CNS disorders (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), brain injury, multiple sclerosis). The number of people who could benefit from such an approach is potentially enormous. For example, there are more than 2 million stroke survivors in the U.S. alone and this disease constitutes the largest cause of disability in all
Structured follow-up of frail home-dwelling older people in primary health care: is there a special need, and could a checklist be of any benefit? A qualitative study of experiences from registered nurses and their leaders

Aim To identify experiences and opinions about the need for a structured follow-up and to identify potential benefits and barriers to the use of a checklist (Sub Acute Functional decline in the Older people [SAFE]) when caring for frail home-dwelling older people. Background The complexity of older peoples’ health situation requires more coordinated health care across health care levels and a better structured follow-up than is currently being offered, especially in the transitional phase between hospital discharge and primary care, but also in more stable phases at home. Design This was a qualitative study using focus group interviews. Methods Data were collected during six focus group interviews in three districts in a municipality. Nineteen registered nurses (RNs) and seventeen leaders responsible for the follow-up of frail home-dwelling older people participated. Participants were representatives of the RNs in homecare and their leaders. Results Our results highlight that although most RNs and their leaders saw a number of significant benefits to conducting a structured assessment and follow-up of frail older people home care recipients, a number of barriers made this difficult to realize on a daily basis. Conclusion There is no common perception that a structured follow-up of frail home-dwelling older people in primary health care is an important and contributing factor to better quality of health care. Despite this, most RNs and leaders found that the use of a structured checklist such as SAFE was a benefit to achieving a structured follow-up of the frail older people. We identified several factors of importance to whether a structured follow-up with a checklist is conducted in home care.
Lithium Exposure During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Safety and Efficacy Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Uncertainty surrounds the risks of lithium use during pregnancy in women with bipolar disorder. The authors sought to provide a critical appraisal of the evidence related to the efficacy and safety of lithium treatment during the peripartum period, focusing on women with bipolar disorder and their offspring. METHODS The authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis assessing case-control, cohort, and interventional studies reporting on the safety (primary outcome, any congenital anomaly) or efficacy (primary outcome, mood relapse prevention) of lithium treatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the quality of available PubMed and Scopus records through October 2018. RESULTS Twenty-nine studies were included in the analyses (20 studies were of good quality, and six were of poor quality; one study had an unclear risk of bias, and two had a high risk of bias). Thirteen of the 29 studies could be included in the quantitative analysis. Lithium prescribed during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of any congenital anomaly (N=23,300, k=11; prevalence=4.1%, k=11; odds ratio=1.81, 95% CI=1.35-2.41; number needed to harm (NNH)=33, 95% CI=22-77) and of cardiac anomalies (N=1,348,475, k=12; prevalence=1.2%, k=9; odds ratio=1.86, 95% CI=1.16-2.96; NNH=71, 95% CI=48-167). Lithium exposure during the first trimester was associated with higher odds of spontaneous abortion (N=1,289, k=3, prevalence=8.1%; odds ratio=3.77, 95% CI=1.15-12.39; NNH=15, 95% CI=8-111). Comparing lithium-exposed with unexposed pregnancies, significance remained for any malformation (exposure during any pregnancy period or the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during the first trimester), but not for spontaneous abortion (exposure during the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during any pregnancy period). Lithium was more effective than no lithium in preventing postpartum relapse (N=48, k=2; odds ratio=0.16, 95% CI=0.03-0.89; number needed to treat=3, 95% CI=1-12). The qualitative synthesis showed that mothers with serum lithium levels <0.64 mEq/L and dosages <600 mg/day had more reactive newborns without an increased risk of cardiac malformations. CONCLUSIONS The risk associated with lithium exposure at any time during pregnancy is low, and the risk is higher for first-trimester or higher-dosage exposure. Ideally, pregnancy should be planned during remission from bipolar disorder and lithium prescribed within the lowest therapeutic range throughout pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester and the days immediately preceding delivery, balancing the safety and efficacy profile for the individual patient.
Fast quality control of 3D city models

A method for the fast quality control of 3D city models is presented. The input model (3D building data) is co-registered to the verification data using a 3D surface matching method. The 3D surface matching evaluates the Euclidean distances between the verification and input data sets. The Euclidean distances give appropriate metrics for the 3D model quality. This metric is independent of the method of data capture. The proposed method can favourably address the reference system accuracy, positional accuracy and completeness.
FEELING LIKE RESEARCH PARTNERS AS A YOUTH-ADULT TEAM

Participatory action research (PAR) lacks concerted attention to what makes youth-adult teams feel like genuine partners. This paper explores our youth-adult PAR team’s experience of what made us feel like partners during our five-year study of youth voice in educational change. Our findings reveal that we felt like research partners when our partnership was rooted in 1) real relationship; 2) shared power, responsibility and passion; 3) a culture of flexibility, creativity and unfolding; and 4) transformation. By conceptualizing partnership in a manner that incorporates both youth and adult felt experiences and shared understandings, notions of youth-adult partnership become more inclusive. These findings (re)orient current emphases placed on the partnering benefits to youth, research and social change.
Increasing visual timing by movement discrimination exercises improves reading fluency, attention span, and memory retention in dyslexics

Background: There is an ongoing debate about whether the cause of dyslexia (reading problems) is based on linguistic, auditory, or visual timing deficits. Objectives: This review of the relevant research provides substantial evidence that visual movement-discrimination can be used to detect and remediate reading problems in all types of dyslexia. What emerges from multiple studies is the essential role for dorsal stream function in facilitating reading fluency, selective and sustained attention, and working memory in both dyslexic and typically developing students between the ages of 6-8 years old. Methods: Specifically, training visual dorsal stream function on discriminating the direction of a dim test pattern (< 2% contrast) moving relative to a stationary textured background pattern is the key to facilitate reading acquisition in dyslexics and those at risk for reading problems. Results: Visual movement-discrimination training improves reading, attention, and working memory through the hypothetical increase in temporal precision and neuronal sensitivity of magnocellular neurons relative to linked parvocellular neurons in the dorsal stream. Conclusions: This research shows that visual movement figure/ground discrimination can be used not only to diagnose all types of dyslexia, but also to successfully remediate dyslexia. The results argue that a shift from phonologically-based to visually-based methods is indicated for the treatment of dyslexia. *Correspondence to: Teri Lawton, Cognitive Neuroscience, Perception Dynamics Institute, P.O. Box 231305, Encinitas, CA 92023, USA, Tel: 310-9036009; E-mail: tlawton@pathtoreading.com
Federal Women, Incivility, Job Satisfaction, and Job Stress

Federal Women, Incivility, Job Satisfaction, and Job Stress by Wanda Harris Pemberton MBA, American Continental University, 2006 BA, University of North Carolina, 1986 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2019 Abstract Incidents of incivility in the workplace have continued to increase in frequency. Workplace incivility impacts the health and well-being of those who experience or witness the behavior and impacts morale, levels of engagement, attendance, retention, and overall organizational health. Researchers have explored the damage caused byIncidents of incivility in the workplace have continued to increase in frequency. Workplace incivility impacts the health and well-being of those who experience or witness the behavior and impacts morale, levels of engagement, attendance, retention, and overall organizational health. Researchers have explored the damage caused by workplace incivility, but few have focused on the impact of incivility among federally employed women. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationship between incivility, job satisfaction, and job stress among women working in the federal sector. The affective events theory framed this study. Online surveys were used to capture perceptions of workplace incivility while controlling for demographics (i.e., age, race, ethnicity, general schedule level, position, and tenure). Survey responses from 94 federally employed women were analyzed using a regression model. Findings revealed a negative correlation between job satisfaction and job stress, and a positive correlation between incivility and job stress. The findings can be used to create a positive social change within organizations. Organizational development professionals can use the analyses to interrupt and reverse patterns of negative workplace interactions and worker mistreatment.
Auditory Cortex Processing in Developmental and Adult Plasticity: Implications in Fragile X Syndrome

Author(s): Reinhard, Sarah M | Advisor(s): Razak, Khaleel A | Abstract: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are a large body of disorders that together affect 1 in 6 children in the U.S. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). They are characterized by deficits in communication, cognition, attention, socialization and behavior. Abnormalities in sensory processing are also prevalent, and may underlie higher-order processing such as multisensory integration and perception. Determining a root cause in any one NDD is conflated by the multiplicity of brain regions affected, divergence of behavioral outcome measures in animal models and humans, and the multiple mechanistic underpinnings. Targeting basic sensory processing in NDD is an approach that may address some of these problems. Sensory processing deficits, including auditory, somatosensory, motor and visual, are common in NDDs. While sensory processing may seem far removed from a concept like behavior or socialization, basic sensory processing does serve as the foundation for cognition. Sensory information is relayed to multisensory and emotion-regulation regions of the brain which allow organisms to associate emotional states and salience to sensory information. Learning and memory events such as operant or appetitive conditioning induce stable modifications of processing in sensory regions of the brain, while loss of sensory function can affect working memory and attention. This indicates that disordered sensory processing in fact can affect an organism on multiple levels of function. Understanding the development of basic sensory processing and targeting specific developmental mechanisms may rescue processing deficits in NDD, with the potential for improvements in perception and ‘higher-order’ cognition. In this series of studies, I focused on the auditory system and sought to increase our understanding of auditory cortex development, and its implications for adult behaviors in a fragile X Syndrome (FXS) mouse model. I discovered the developmental expression patterns of an array of proteins in both early and adult auditory cortex. I discovered differential regulation of proteins within sub-regions of auditory cortex in response to developmental plasticity. I further discovered that dysregulation of these same proteins in adult FXS mice impairs memory formation. Results point to a particular role for perineuronal nets in auditory cortex development and in adult plasticity.
Narrowing the Language Gap: The Case for Explicit Vocabulary Instruction in Secondary Classrooms

The limits of my language are the limits of my mind. All I know is what I have words for. —Ludwig Wittgenstein The Importance of Vocabulary There is a clear consensus among literacy researchers that accelerating vocabulary growth is a vital and often neglected component of a comprehensive reading program (Baumann & Kame’enui, 2004; NICHD Report of the National Reading Panel, 2000). Numerous studies have documented the strong and reciprocal relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension (Stahl & Fairbanks, 1987; Beck et al., 2002; Graves, 2000; Baker et al., 1995) as well as general reading ability (Stanovich et al., 1998). Research focused on school-age second language learners similarly concludes that vocabulary knowledge is the single best predictor of their academic achievement across subject matter domains (Saville-Troike, 1984).
Identifying and changing attitudes toward palliative care: an exploratory study

Research suggests that palliative care is poorly understood and often associated with imminent death (Canny, 2002). This, in turn, can negatively impact upon the transition to palliative care services. The aims of this three phase, multi-method study were to: (1) examine and compare the attitudes of health professionals toward palliative care; (2) examine and compare the attitudes and personal constructs of four key participant groups including patients receiving palliative care services, people living with cancer and the carers of both of these groups; and (3) to examine potential strategies for changing attitudes through education. Phase One involved a detailed assessment of health professionals’ attitudes toward, and understanding of, palliative care by means of a postal survey (182/700) and a small number of one-to-one interviews (n=5). Attitudes toward palliative care, as measured by the Health Professional Attitude Questionnaire (HPAQ), were explained by a number of key factors including: (1) knowledge of palliative care services; (2) relationship with the patient and family; and (3) personal reflection on mortality. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data further illuminated and developed this factorial model. Phase Two utilised one-to-one semi-structured interviews (n=30) and a battery of quantitative measures (n=75) to identify and compare attitudes toward, and experiences of, palliative care amongst patients receiving palliative care services (n=15), people living with cancer (n=25) and the carers of both of these groups (n=35). Repertory grids (n=12) were also used to explore and compare participants’ constructs of palliative care. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed four key themes and associated subthemes that described patients’ and carers’ attitudes toward palliative care. Within each theme, different perspectives were adopted by each of the participant groups and these were explored and quantified by means of the repertory grid analysis. The findings from Phases One and Two were then used to inform the development of two health professional and patient interventions for Phase Three that aimed to: (1) provide information about palliative care services; (2) utilise the patient ‘voice’ and story; (3) focus on the health promoting benefits of palliative care; and (4) demystify hospice, palliative care and the dying process. The study adds to the relatively small pool of evidence in this area and the use of the repertory grid technique, in particular, offers an interesting psychological tool for investigating palliative care research and practice.
Content and Feature Preferences for a Physical Activity App for Adults With Physical Disabilities: Focus Group Study

Background Hundreds of thousands of mobile phone apps intended to improve health and fitness are available for download across platforms and operating systems; however, few have been designed with people with physical disabilities in mind, ignoring a large population that may benefit from an effective tool to increase physical activity. Objective This study represents the first phase in the development process of a fitness tracking app for people with physical disabilities interested in nontraditional sport. The aim of this research was to explore user preferences for content, appearance, and operational features of a proposed physical activity app for people with physical disabilities to inform the design of a mobile phone app for increasing physical activity. Methods Four focus groups were conducted with 15 adults with physical disabilities who currently participate in nontraditional, non-Paralympic sport. Data collected from the focus group sessions centered on content, functionality, and appearance of apps currently used by participants as well as preferences for a future app. Results Participants (mean age 35.7, SD 9.2 years) were mostly white (13/15, 87%), and all were currently participating in CrossFit and at least one other sport. Five main themes were identified. Themes included preferences for (1) workout-specific features that were tailored or searchable by disability, (2) user experience that was intuitive and accessible, (3) profile personalization options, (4) gamification features that allowed for competition with self and other users, and (5) social features that allowed increased interaction among users. Participants expressed a primary interest in having a fitness app that was designed for people with physical disabilities such that the features present in other fitness tracking apps were relevant to them and their community of adaptive athletes. Conclusions The results showed that features related to user experience, social engagement, and gamification are considered important to people with physical disabilities. Features highlighted by participants as most desired, from a consumer perspective, were in line with research identifying attributes of quality apps that use behavior change techniques to influence positive physical activity behavior change. Such insights should inform the development of any fitness app designed to integrate users with disabilities as a primary user base.