Carlow University

Teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disability (ASD/IDD) report managing challenging behavior as one of the most difficult aspects of their work. Evidence-based practices (EBPs) in behavior management can assist teachers in increasing positive behavior in their students with ASD/IDD; however, evidence suggests that teachers may not use EBP effectively. To support teachers in integrating EBP into their practice to increase positive behavior in their students, we developed Communities of Research and Practice (CoRP). In CoRP, classroom teams and researchers in a Mid-Atlantic U.S. state met monthly to discuss how specific EBP could be combined with teachers’ practical expertise to meet the unique needs of their students. In a pilot randomized controlled trial, no significant pre–post differences were found between CoRP and a business-as-usual comparison group on teacher-reported knowledge and use of EBP; however, CoRP participants reported significantly greater decreases in student conflict and challenging behavior. In addition, participants found CoRP valuable and feasible, with high attendance and completion rates. Implications for reducing the research-practice divide are discussed.

This study compared physical activity (PA) intensity during leisure and recreation between youth with chronic pain with and without (overweight, obesity) healthy weight. Thirty youth with chronic pain, 11–19 years old, completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE), Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), and a Demographic and Participation Questionnaire. Metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values for CAPE activities were estimated. Youth in both groups reported moderate perceived disability in physical functioning due to pain and mostly participated in leisure and recreation at a low PA intensity. Mann–Whitney U and t-tests indicated that the number of activities performed at high, moderate, and low MET intensity levels did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Perceived disability in physical functioning due to pain was not related to PA intensity (p > 0.05). Youth reported that pain, anxiety/stress, and not having time limited their PA intensity. The findings suggest that multiple factors are potential barriers to PA participation and intensity during leisure and recreation activities. Engagement with youth is encouraged to identify preferred PA at moderate to high intensity and integrate them into interventions and daily routines to promote a physically active lifestyle and reduce disability in physical functioning due to pain.

Abstract The present work aims to test the perceptual salience of the aspiration feature produced by a group of Italian-Argentines in their heritage language speech (dialects of the third Calabrian dialectological area). Specifically, the main purpose is to prove whether and to what extent the partial phonetic attrition of VOT values, evidenced for such speakers in their post-sonorant /p t k/ productions, has an impact on the perception of a global foreign accent, based on the judgements/evaluations of Italian native listeners coming from the same dialectological area. Three translated sentences (Italian > dialect) orally produced by nine heritage speakers living in Argentina were used to build a foreign accent rating test, along with the same dialectal sentences produced by a Calabrian control group. The test was carried out by 74 Calabrian listeners and the obtained scores converted into a 6-point Likert scale. Variability in listeners’ judgements is then tested assuming VOT durations and migrants’ psycho-social profiles as possible covariates. The negative effect of VOT variation on the scores of FAR (Foreign Accent Rating) suggests the phonetic attrition attested for post-sonorant stop aspiration is also perceivable, so confirming the hypothesis of ‘perceived attrition’ featuring the speech of native Calabrian migrants.

Abstract This study investigates how university-based Entrepreneurship Centers (ECs) integrate sustainability values within various political and regulatory contexts. More specifically, examines the role of these centers in promoting economic development while incorporating socio-environmental sustainability dimensions. Employing an inductive approach, the study focuses on two universities in the United States and Spain, utilizing a two-level analysis to understand and integrate social and environmental sustainability into their activities. Both cases revealed organizational dynamics that facilitated an examination of current practices and identified what is necessary for further integration of socio-environmental sustainability. Despite a clear alignment with some sustainability values, the study found that achieving a fully integrated approach in ECs faces important challenges, such as developing measures to monitor socio-environmental actions. Results identify a surprising lack of sustainability-related assessment items and highlights the importance of middle-level managers, institutional support, stakeholder relationships, and the political and regulatory context as key enablers for advancing sustainable development in innovation.

Current literature suggests obesity can increase the risk of developing dementia, in addition to all-cause mortality. Although cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders are well-known risks of obesity, the increased risk of Alzheimer disease is lesser known. This article explores the pathophysiologic processes behind obesity and dementia and offers recommendations for identification, treatment, and optimal health planning in primary care.

The objective of this manuscript is to describe the iterative user-centered development of the Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) and to present early usability results involving persons with disabilities and assistive technology (AT) professionals. Smartphones have become a ubiquitous tool for use in everyday life. However, there are limited tools and resources available for AT providers to assess the needs of persons with disabilities in using smartphones. The MoDAT is being developed to help determine the most effective accessibility and AT options for smartphone use by individuals with functional limitations. A user-centered approach has been implemented, including preliminary guidance by advisory committees, focus groups, and usability testing by persons with disabilities and providers who recommend AT solutions. This process has guided the development of a pilot system that can generate personalized recommendations on smartphone device setup and configuration. The MoDAT consists of a series of simulated typical tasks completed on a smartphone application. Individuals complete these tasks to assess their functional capacity, with data regarding their performance gathered and sent to the provider portal. Data is securely stored in the portal for review to help determine accessibility settings and AT that may improve smartphone use. These results and the iterative process are described in this manuscript. Future research will focus on establishing the psychometric properties of the MoDAT as an assessment tool and outcomes.

This research presents an exploratory study on the use of Generative AI in structuring problems in a decision-making class. Employing a survey approach, 71 students reported on the experience of using Generative AI for decision-making structuring, in addition to widely used methods (e.g., literature reviews, interviews). The student experience was evaluated using sentiment analysis. The findings reveal that the proper use of Generative AI for problem structuring (e.g., before or after widely used methods) still needs to be determined. Also, while most students expressed a positive attitude toward the use of Generative AI, the sentiment analysis needs to be conducted with caution, given that commonly used approaches still fail to grasp both the subtleties and context of human responses.

Anetumab ravtansine, like other ADC drugs, has high inter-patient variability in its pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) outcomes, which raises concerns about whether current dosing regimens are optimal for patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate covariates, especially body habitus and the innate immune system (IIS), which may affect anetumab ravtansine PK and PD as part of two clinical trials in patients with ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Biomarkers of Fcγ receptors(FcγR) CD64 on IIS cells, total body weight (TBW), body surface area (BSA), and other covariates, such as sex and age, were analyzed for an association with anetumab ravtansine PK. Higher FcγR CD64, TBW, and BSA were associated with higher clearance (CL) of anetumab ravtansine (p < 0.05). However, there was no relationship between TBW or BSA and FcγR CD64. Female patients had a lower anetumab ravtansine CL (0.030 ± 0.007 L/h) compared to male patients (0.042 ± 0.006 L/h) (p < 0.05). In both studies, patients with stable disease (SD) and partial response (PR) had higher anetumab ravtansine AUC0-inf compared to patients with progressive disease (PD). Individualizing the dose of anetumab ravtansine and potentially other ADCs based only on TBW is not optimal, whereas precision dosing of an ADC based on the inclusion of novel metrics of IIS biomarkers, body habitus, and sex may be more appropriate to reduce variability in PK exposure, reduce toxicity, and improve response.

National best practice guidelines for early childhood intervention (ECI) were first published in Australia in 2016, but research into the implementation of these guidelines has been limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the role descriptions of ECI positions advertised by Australian employers aligned with the best practice guidelines. Through secondary analysis of 246 online job advertisements for ECI positions, collected over a 5-month period, we examined role descriptions to identify those including descriptions of key best practices. We also examined the extent to which the skills, knowledge, and experience advertised as essential aligned with best practice role descriptions, and what qualifications were required for best practice roles. Over 97% of the advertised roles included components of one or more of the Australian key best practices, but practices related to family and inclusion were included in less than half of these. Few employers advertising best practice-aligned roles required successful candidates to have knowledge, skills, or experience in the corresponding area. Implications of these findings for both research and practice are presented.