Relationship between physical activity and physical fitness in school-aged children with developmental language disorders

Children with developmental language disorders (DLD) often experience difficulty in understanding and engaging in interactive behavior with other children, which may lead to reduced daily physical activity and fitness levels. The present study evaluated the physical activity and physical fitness levels of 8–11 year old children with DLD (n = 27) and compared this to typically developing (TD) age and gender matched controls (n = 27). In addition, it was investigated whether interrelationships existed between physical activity and physical fitness in children with DLD and in TD children. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Physical fitness was measured using five tests of the Eurofit test battery (standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), handgrip (HG), 10 × 5 m shuttle run (10 × 5 m SR), and the 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SR)). Physical activity of children with DLD did not significantly differ from TD children. Physical fitness of children with DLD was significantly lower on the SBJ, SUP, HG and 10 × 5 m SR than TD controls, while no significant difference was found on the 20 m SR. Strong significant relationships were found between physical activity variables and sedentary behavior and some physical fitness measures (SBJ and SUP) in children with DLD, while in TD children a strong significant relationship was found between time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and performance on the SBJ. This study reveals important differences in fitness between children with DLD and TD children, which should be taken into account when creating physical activity interventions. Special attention has to be paid to children with DLD who show low physical activity and low physical fitness performance.     

Functional Capacity of Patients in the Early Period After the Embolization of Cerebrovascular Malformations: Preliminary Findings

ABSTRACT: Research into outcomes of endovascular intervention for cerebral blood vessel malformations has previously focused on the clinical picture of the disease, death rate, comparison of surgical methods, and the most common postoperative and postbleeding complications. From the nursing standpoint, the crucial elements in assessing postoperative patients are functional outcome defining patients' ability to function in life and recognition of impairments in which patients will be dependent on the nursing staff. The aim of the study was to assess functional capacity of patients before and after the embolization of cerebral blood vessel malformations in the aspect of nursing care. The study included 38 patients after embolization of cerebral blood vessels. The assessment of their condition using the Functional Capacity Scale was performed twice: before and after the surgical procedure. The research shows that on the day of admission to hospital, patients had greatest difficulty performing hygienic activities (p < .0001), satisfying physiological needs (p < .0001), and consuming their meals (p < .004). Headache (p < .002) and poor psychological state (p < .0001) manifesting itself through mild depression constituted other serious problems. After the surgery, vast majority of patients were independent in terms of self-care (p ≤ .03). Headache occurred in the case of 21% of patients, and psychological state improved in 34% of patients, which shows that there is a major demand for care in this sphere.     

Loss of patient centeredness in interpreter-mediated primary care visits

ObjectivesTo explore consequences of interpreter mediation of visit communication on patient centered dialogue and patient satisfaction with interpreter listening.MethodsFifty-five professionally interpreted primary care visits were coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Two corresponding quantitative measures of patient-centered dialogue were calculated as ratios of psycho-emotional to biomedical statements based on (1) patient and clinician expressed codes and (2) interpreter conveyed codes. Multilevel models examined consequences of interpreter mediation on patient-centered dialogue and patient ratings of interpreter listening.ResultsStudy participants included 27 Cantonese, 17 Mandarin and 11 Spanish-speaking primary care patients and 31 of their clinicians. Overall, clinicians expressed 2.26 times more statements and patients expressed 1.74 times more statements than interpreters conveyed. Interpreters conveyed significantly less patient-centered dialogue than expressed by patients and clinicians. All differences were evident within each study language. Interpreter conveyed patient centered dialogue positively predicted patient ratings of interpreter listening (B = 0.817; p < .007).ConclusionsThe level of interpreter-conveyed patient-centered dialogue was both substantially lower than that expressed by patients and clinicians and a positive predictor of patient satisfaction with interpreter listening.Practice implicationsFuller interpretation of patient-centered dialogue may enhance patient experience with interpreters and thereby increase care quality.     

提供有效的教学材料，激发医学院校高职学生英语学习动机

英语教学材料是医学院校高职学生系统学习英语的主要媒介,教学材料的内容和形式在很大程度上影响学生英语学习的动机和效果。对首都医科大学高职护理专业学生的英语学习动机进行了问卷调查,根据调查的结果和相关的文献资料以及自身的教学经验,具体探讨了英语教学材料如何在内容方面、形式方面、练习题方面、难度等方面进行符合学生认知需要、专业需要和实用需要的设计,从而有效地激发其英语学习的兴趣和动机,培养其正确的英语学习态度和自觉而持久的英语学习习惯与能力。     

Narratives of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis

BackgroundThe aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the narrative performance of children and adolescents with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in terms of microstructure, macrostructure and internal state language.MethodA systematic literature search yielded 24 studies that met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Effect sizes for each study were calculated for eight variables and analyzed using a random effects model. Intellectual ability, age and type of narrative were considered as potential moderators.ResultsResults revealed that the children with ASD performed significantly worse than their peers on all the variables considered.ConclusionsFindings are discussed taking into account the main explanatory psychological autism theories. Implications for intervention and orientations for future research are suggested.     

医学院校硕士研究生英语教学改革的思考

根据对首都医科大学2005级392名硕士研究生的英语课程访谈和问卷调查，分析、讨论了硕士研究生阶段英语教学在学生英语学习动机和英语学习习惯、英语学习侧重点、英语自主学习、英语课程体系、英语课堂教学方法、英语考试等方面的现状和存在的问题，提出了针对当前医学院校硕士研究生英语教学改革的一些建议。     

医学生英语词汇搭配水平探析

本文对北京某大学的一二年级567名医学生进行调查发现,医学生在对不同类型的英语词汇搭配和不同共现频率的词汇搭配方面各有特点。被调查的567名医学生在总分为100分的词汇搭配测试卷中平均得分只有46.06分,大大低于同期对于词汇量的测试成绩。学生的成绩在不同类别的词汇搭配中表现显著不同:第一类搭配“动词+名词/代词”成绩显著好于其他类别;最难掌握的是第四类搭配“名词1+of+名词2”。对于高共现频率的词汇搭配,学生们的成绩普遍较好。本次调查结果显示:将英语作为第二语言医学生英语学习者需要非常注意学习第四类的搭配,对于第二类搭配“形容词/名词+名词”和第三类搭配“名词+动词”,也需要引起足够的重视。