Risk-taking behaviors and other correlates of seat belt use among university students

A cross-sectional study of 1,077 students enrolled in a large, comprehensive Midwestern university in the United States was conducted to elicit a better understanding of the correlates of seat belt use. Examined were seven risk-taking behaviors, health-promoting behavior, and age, sex, and race. Overall, five of the seven risk-taking behaviors, including cigarette smoking status, drinking status, amount of alcohol consumed, drug use, and drinking and driving were inversely correlated with the frequency of seat belt use (P = 0.00). Health-promoting behavior, as measured by a 48-item index, was positively associated with seat belt use (r = 0.21; P = 0.00). Females and whites were more likely to wear seat belts than males or nonwhites, respectively. There was no significant difference in seat belt use by age. Regression analysis on all 11 variables examined revealed that drug use, smoking status, and sex were significant predictors of seat belt use. Overall, the 11 variables explained 13.3% of the variance in seat belt use. Stepwise regression showed that slightly more than half of the explained variance could be attributed to amount of alcohol consumed and drug use (R2 = 0.071; P = 0.00).     

Use of Praise and Reprimands as Critical Ingredients of Teacher Behavior Management: Effects on Children’s Development in the Context of a Teacher-Mediated Classroom Intervention

This intervention study examined teachers’ use of verbal praise and reprimands as specific components of teacher behavior management that can promote children’s development in schools. The impact of teacher praise and reprimands on children’s development was examined in the context of a teacher-mediated, classroom intervention. The sample involved 570 children and 30 teachers from second grade classrooms in 15 primary schools. The Good Behavior Game was implemented in half of the classrooms based on random assignment within schools. Teacher behavior management (praise for appropriate behavior and reprimands for inappropriate behavior) was observed during regular classroom lessons. Hyperactive, disruptive, and withdrawn child behavior were assessed using teacher and peer reports, global self-concept and emotional engagement were assessed using child self-reports. All variables were assessed at the beginning (pre-test) and at the end (post-test) of the school year. Multilevel regression models accounted for the nested structure of the data. The results suggested positive effects of fewer reprimands and more praise on child outcomes (except emotional school engagement), although the results differed by informant. We also found indirect effects of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) on child outcomes via teacher praise and reprimands. Overall, the study suggests that teachers’ use of praise and reprimands is a malleable classroom factor that influences children’s behavioral and socio-emotional development.     

中枢神经系统CT影像诊断专家系统的设计与实现

目的：探讨专家系统在辅助中枢神经系统疾病的CT影像诊断中的价值。方法：根据影像诊断观察习惯,选取20个指标,建立中枢神经系统影像诊断知识库,并根据公认的发生概率设置各征象的初始值。采用VFP9.0数据库语言编程。选取三甲医院有完整临床和影像学资料并经病理证实的术前误诊病例共173例,分别由两名三甲医院副主任医师（第一组）共同阅片,根据经验进行讨论并达成一致,作出诊断;由一名副主任医师（第二组）和一名住院医师（第三组）分别将上述病例的相关信息输入专家系统,记录所得结果。各组间阅片结果采用字2检验。结果：第一组诊断准确率为37.57%（65/173）,第二组诊断准确率为63.01%（109/173）,第三组诊断准确率为46.89%（81/173）。经统计学处理表明,第二组与另外两组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。第一组与第三组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：将专家系统融入中枢神经系统CT影像诊断具有重要的实用价值。     

城市与农村育龄女性二胎生育意愿及生育行为差异研究

目的:分析我国城市与农村育龄女性“二胎”生育意愿及生行为差异及相关影响因素。方法:选取江苏省内845名城乡育龄女性作为调查对象,其中城市(城市组)425人,农村(农村组)420人。通过调查问卷了解调查对象基本信息、“二胎”生育意愿及行为,分析“二胎”生育意愿相关影响因素。结果:两组女性在意愿生育子女个数、是否生育二孩、意愿生育二孩性别及生育时间方面存在差异,两组女性实际子女数均低于理想子女数,且城市低于农村(均P<0.05)。两组女性选择不愿意生育“二胎”与是否独生子女及受教育程度未见差异(P>0.05),而在家庭年收入和第一孩性别方面存在差异,农村组在年龄方面有差异(P<0.05)。多因素分析显示,家庭年收入是城市女性“二胎”生育意愿的主要影响因素,年龄、家庭年收入、第一孩性别是农村女性“二胎”生育意愿的主要影响因素(均P<0.05)。结论:城市及农村育龄女性“二胎”生育意愿普遍不高,农村女性对性别偏好明显,经济因素是影响女性“二胎”生育意愿及行为的主要因素,农村女性意愿还受年龄及第一孩性别影响。     

'What do you notice?' Using posters containing questions and general instructions to guide preschoolers' science and mathematics learning

To increase preschoolers' science and mathematics learning experiences both within and outside the classroom, we developed age-appropriate materials containing general questions and instructions that teachers and parents could use when interacting with their students and children. The questions and instructions were related to a specific science or mathematics skill (e.g., classifying), but were general enough so that they could be applied to a variety of situations. Observations of three classrooms and interviews with the classroom teachers and aides, and the parents of the children in the classrooms suggested that use of these materials was beneficial to the children, teachers, and parents, and resulted in increasing the amount of science and mathematics activities and discussions in two of the classrooms as well as outside the classrooms.     

小学生性格特性及其对学习障碍影响的研究

目的 探讨学习障碍(LD)与非学习障碍儿童性格特性的差异，了解性格特性与儿童LD之间的关系。方法 整群抽取武汉市5所小学1486名儿童，进行性格特性测试，并用PRS量表筛查LD儿童。随机选取72名LD儿童，同时选取年龄、性别等一般情况相同的72名非LD儿童进行配对，比较其性格特性差异，并就性格特性对LD的影响进行了logistic回归分析。结果 男、女学生在抑郁性、主客观性、细致性、支配性及性格类型分布上差异有显性；LD与非LD两组儿童在抑郁性及思考的向性方面差异有显性；logistic回归分析显示细致性入选回归模型。结论 男、女生性格存在较多差异；LD儿童抑郁性高，思考向性消极；细致性对LD的发生有保护性作用。     

Breast feeding and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in children.

We have evaluated the hypothesis of a protective effect of human milk on the development of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We studied the feeding histories of 95 diabetic children and compared them with controls consisting of their non-diabetic siblings and a pair matched group of nondiabetic peers of the same age, sex, geographical location, and social background. The incidence of breast feeding in diabetic children was 18%. This was similar to the control group. The duration of breast feedings was also similar among all three groups. There was no difference in the age of introduction of solid food between diabetic and nondiabetic children. Twice as many diabetic children, however, received soy containing formula in infancy as compared to control children. The mean age of onset of IDDM was not related to the type of feeding during infancy. The incidence of positive thyroid antibodies was two and one half times higher in formula-fed diabetic children than in breast-fed ones. In our studies we were unable to document any relationship between the history of breast feeding and subsequent development of IDDM in children.     

Breast feeding and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in children

We have evaluated the hypothesis of a protective effect of human milk on the development of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We studied the feeding histories of 95 diabetic children and compared them with controls consisting of their non-diabetic siblings and a pair matched group of nondiabetic peers of the same age, sex, geographical location, and social background. The incidence of breast feeding in diabetic children was 18%. This was similar to the control group. The duration of breast feedings was also similar among all three groups. There was no difference in the age of introduction of solid food between diabetic and nondiabetic children. Twice as many diabetic children, however, received soy containing formula in infancy as compared to control children. The mean age of onset of IDDM was not related to the type of feeding during infancy. The incidence of positive thyroid antibodies was two and one half times higher in formula-fed diabetic children than in breast-fed ones. In our studies we were unable to document any relationship between the history of breast feeding and subsequent development of IDDM in children.     

放射作业人员淋巴细胞微核检出结果

目的探讨应用外周血淋巴细胞微核的检测进行慢性小剂量电离辐射生物学效应剂量估算的实际意义。方法查阅太钢放射作业人员的健康档案,选出有确切暴露剂量的放射作业人员为研究对象,选用某福利企业非放射作业人员的体检资料作为对照组,按不同工龄组、不同性别组以及吸烟组,采用SPSS软件进行统计分析。结果射线暴露组与对照组的微核检出率之间的差异有统计学意义,射线暴露的不同工龄组的微核检出率之间的差异也有统计学意义;两性别组的微核检出率之间的差异无统计学意义;吸烟者的微核检出率均高于不吸烟者,差异有统计学意义。结论淋巴细胞微核率与小剂量电离辐射的累积剂量的大小之间存在着剂量—反应关系;性别对放射作业人员淋巴细胞微核率的检测结果无影响;吸烟是诱发外周血淋巴细胞产生微核的危险因素之一。     

Use of chopsticks in Chinese children

OBJECTIVE: There has been no study on the developmental stage of acquiring the skill of using chopsticks, which is a common eating tool of the Orientals. We aimed to obtain a developmental profile for achieving the skills of chopsticks manipulation in Chinese children and to assess the correlation between chopsticks manipulation and the level of achieving independence in 'eating' item in the Functional Independence Measure of children (WeeFIM). We also studied the relationship between demographic and environmental factors and the age of achieving chopstick manipulation. METHODS: Direct interview with the mothers of 445 non-disabled children who were randomly selected from the community. A chopsticks score (CS) of 1 was defined as children who could use chopsticks to finish more than half the meal, and a CS of 0 as failure to do so. RESULTS: The mean age of achieving a CS of 1 was 4.6 years. At 6.7 years, all these children achieved this skill. There was a significant relationship between age of achieving the skills of chopsticks and the level of attaining independence in 'WeeFIM eating' score. (P < 0.001) However, there was no correlation of age of achieving CS of 1 with sex, social class or the presence of a domestic helper. CONCLUSION: Most non-disabled Chinese children can achieve the visual motor skill of using chopsticks at 4.6 years. There was also a correlation with the age of achieving independence in the WeeFIM eating score. The skill of using chopsticks should be added as part of the tools, apart from spoons or forks, for scoring WeeFIM in Chinese children.     

上海市3~6岁儿童图形命名能力的特征分析

目的 通过对上海市3~6岁儿童图形命名能力研究,了解不同年龄与性别儿童图形命名能力的特征与规律。方法 运用“认知能力评估与康复训练仪”图形命名测试模块,2018年3月按分层整群抽样原则对上海市781名3~6岁儿童进行测试,采用多元方差分析进行年龄与性别的差异比较。结果 1)不同年龄儿童在平面图形和立体图形得分上差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),而不同性别儿童在两者得分上差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05),且年龄与性别无交互效应(P＞0.05);2)各年龄组儿童对平面图形的命名得分明显高于立体图形;3)在平面图形命名顺序上,儿童最先习得圆形、五角星与心形,最后习得平行四边形与正六边形;4)在立体图形命名顺序上,儿童最先习得球体、正方体与长方体,最后习得圆柱体与圆锥体。结论 3~6岁儿童图形命名能力发展存在年龄差异,且有特定的习得顺序,对临床中图形认知障碍儿童的干预训练具有重要的实用价值,同时也为促进儿童认知能力的全面均衡发展提供了重要的理论依据。     

上海市3~6岁儿童图形命名能力的特征分析

目的 通过对上海市3~6岁儿童图形命名能力研究,了解不同年龄与性别儿童图形命名能力的特征与规律。方法 运用“认知能力评估与康复训练仪”图形命名测试模块,2018年3月按分层整群抽样原则对上海市781名3~6岁儿童进行测试,采用多元方差分析进行年龄与性别的差异比较。结果 1)不同年龄儿童在平面图形和立体图形得分上差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),而不同性别儿童在两者得分上差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05),且年龄与性别无交互效应(P＞0.05);2)各年龄组儿童对平面图形的命名得分明显高于立体图形;3)在平面图形命名顺序上,儿童最先习得圆形、五角星与心形,最后习得平行四边形与正六边形;4)在立体图形命名顺序上,儿童最先习得球体、正方体与长方体,最后习得圆柱体与圆锥体。结论 3~6岁儿童图形命名能力发展存在年龄差异,且有特定的习得顺序,对临床中图形认知障碍儿童的干预训练具有重要的实用价值,同时也为促进儿童认知能力的全面均衡发展提供了重要的理论依据。     

北京地区儿童末梢血微量元素与血铅分布特点及相互关系的研究

目的 了解北京地区不同年龄、不同性别儿童的微量元素和血铅含量的变化规律及其相互关系.方法 采用原子吸收光谱法对13 929名儿童进行末梢血铜、锌、钙、镁、铁及铅的检测.按照儿童发育情况分为幼婴组、婴儿组、幼儿组、学龄前组、学龄组、青春发育期组;每个组又分成男、女两组.分析比较不同年龄组和不同性别之间的微量元素分布及元素之间的相互关系.结果 末梢血铜、钙、镁在不同年龄组及各年龄组的不同性别间分布水平的差异无统计学意义.末梢血锌含量水平随年龄增长逐渐增高,平均含量为(81.71±15.91)μmol/L,分布水平在各个年龄组间的差异均有统计学意义,且在婴儿组、幼儿组及学龄前组存在性别差异;儿童缺锌率随年龄增长呈下降趋势,总缺锌率为13.7%;在幼儿组、学龄前组及学龄组的男、女缺锌率的差异有统计学意义.末梢血铁含量随年龄增长逐渐增高,平均含量为(8.28±0.78)mmol/L,在婴儿组以后分布水平存在年龄差异,学龄组以后存在性别差异;儿童缺铁率随年龄增长呈明显的下降趋势,总缺铁率为12.9%;在幼婴期、学龄期及青春发育期组男、女缺铁率差异有统计学意义.血铅水平随年龄增长逐渐增高,平均血铅水平为(59.97±26.52)μg/L;各年龄组之间的差异有统计学意义;幼儿组以后存在性别差异;儿童铅中毒随年龄增长呈增加趋势,总的铅中毒率为8.2%;各年龄组儿童铅中毒率呈男性高于女性,男童铅中毒率随年龄增长基本呈直线上升趋势.除幼婴组和婴儿组外,其他年龄组男、女铅中毒率差异有统计学意义,其中学龄前、学龄期和青春发育期组男、女差异更为显著.结论 北京地区儿童钙缺乏已基本纠正,但锌、铁缺乏较为明显,血铅水平普遍较高.     

Sexual behaviour and self‐reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): Comparison between White and Chinese American young people

This study examined the sexual behaviour and self‐reported incidence of STDs of White and Chinese American young people in a nationally representative US sample. 10,419 White and 340 self‐identified Chinese American young people in grade 7 through 12 were selected from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Prevalence of sex initiation, ever having casual sex partners, number of lifetime sex partners, age of first sexual intercourse, and history of self‐reported STD diagnoses were compared between these two groups. Chinese American young people reported significantly lower rates of sexual intercourse than Whites. Among sexually active young people, Chinese Americans were also less likely to report non‐regular sexual partners and to report having a lower number of such sexual partners in the past year. There was no difference in self‐reported STDs between the two groups. Ever having been romantically involved, older age, not living in a two‐parent household, having more relaxed attitudes about sex, and reported substance use were associated with a higher likelihood of sexual intercourse in both groups. Being native‐born was not associated with patterns of sexual behaviour among Chinese Americans.     

Chronic Cortisol Increases in the First Half of the Night Caused by Road Traffic Noise

56 children age 7 - 10 had a medical check-up and they and their mothers completed questionnaires. Additionally the children's excretion of free cortisol was measured by HPLC in two urine samples collected at 1 p.m. and in the morning. The children lived either at a busy road with 24 h lorry traffic or in quiet areas. At the side of the road the noise level was registered during five nights. In the bedrooms representative measurements of the short-term maximal sound level (L(Amax) and L(Cmax)) and of the frequency spectrum were taken. During the night on average every 2 minutes a lorry with L(max) > 80 dB(A) passed by the houses. The indoor levels of the higher exposed half of the children were L(max) = 33-52 dB(A) resp. 55-78dB(C)). The frequency spectrum had its maximum below 100 Hz. 74% of the higher exposed never opened their windows as compared to 25% in the lower exposed half group. The excretion of free cortisol and its metabolites in the first half of the night was significantly correlated to L(Cmax) (co-variables: age, sex, and the day of the week) as well as to impaired sleep, memory and ability to concentrate. The cortisol excretion in the second half of the night was not correlated to the noise level. Disturbances of the normal circadian rhythm of cortisol can be quantified by the quotient of the cortisol excretion in the first half of the night in relation to that in the second half. Children under long-term road traffic noise exposure during the night had an increased risk of chronic stress hormone regulation disturbances. These disturbances were significantly correlated to L(Cmax) and findings of allergy and/or asthma bronchial. Long-term low frequency noise exposure with Lmax < 55 dB(A) during the night resulted in chronic increases of children's excretion of free cortisol in the first half of the night and in serious disturbances of the circadian rhythm of cortisol. Indications of increased risks of asthma bronchial and allergies in noise exposed children with stress hormone regulation disturbances need further clarification     

Interactive computer technology for skin cancer prevention targeting children

BACKGROUND: Computer technology has become an integral part of health care, yet there have been few studies exploring the use of multimedia technology in the prevention of cancer, especially targeting children. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to develop and evaluate a new multimedia computer program for the primary prevention of skin cancer among a childhood population. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: An interactive CD-ROM program was developed, then pilot tested in a public elementary school in rural North Carolina. This intervention trial involved 8 third- and fourth-grade classes (N = 209 students), randomized into 3 groups: computer intervention, standard teacher-led intervention, and controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Students were tested using pre- and postintervention surveys that measured knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors. A 7-month follow-up survey was performed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in postintervention knowledge for the computer group when compared to either the teacher-led or control groups (mean scores out of 100: 75.2, 59.5, 55.0, respectively; p < 0.001). Attitudes about suntanning demonstrated a significant difference between the 3 groups (mean scores out of 100: 64.0, 53.0, 48.6, respectively; p = 0.002). There were slight improvements in the behavioral scores, especially among the computer group, but the overall differences were not significant. Similar overall results were found for the long-term follow-up survey, except that attitudes about suntanning no longer demonstrated a significant difference. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that this new educational tool is an effective way to introduce health education programs for young children in typical classroom settings. This prototype may serve as a model for the development of future preventive school-based programs, including applications to other conditions associated with high-risk behaviors among children.     

The Impact of Instructional Experience and the Effects of Cumulative Instruction

Two substudies were conducted within the School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) to assess implementation practices and cumulative effects. In both studies, special samples were identified that permitted independent analysis of contributing factors. For the implementation study, teachers who had taught only one year were assessed in their second year to determine what changes they made during implementation and how those changes were related to classroom performance. Teachers taught significantly fewer hours, fewer components of the curriculum, and made more changes. However, the classroom performance, compared with the first year, improved for both knowledge and attitude with a marginal trend toward improvement in self-reported practices. These results suggest that teachers became both more efficient and effective in the second iteration. The cumulative effects study tracked children through different levels of exposure to health instruction across two consecutive grade levels. Using partial classrooms as the unit of analysis, the results revealed that for knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices, exposure to two units of School Health Curriculum Project (SHCP) were more effective than one which was, in turn, more effective than no exposure. Analysis of self-reported smoking practices indicated cumulative program effectiveness in reducing both current smoking and future intent to smoke.     

Indoor air pollution in newly built or renovated elementary schools and its effects on health in children

PURPOSE: To elucidate the actual status of indoor air pollution at newly built or renovated elementary schools, and to evaluate its effects on health symptoms in the affected children. METHODS: In the classrooms of four newly built or renovated elementary schools in Osaka Prefecture, indoor air levels of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured immediately, 1 month, 3 months, 10 months and 22 months after the completion of the construction work. Also, questionnaire surveys regarding subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome were conducted before and after the renovation on the children who attended classes in the renovated rooms. RESULTS: In the newly built computer classroom, more formaldehyde was detected one month after the completion of the construction work, when computers and furniture were carried in, than immediately after the completion of the work. Then, during the summer season, even 10 months and 22 months after completion of the new building, formaldehyde above the guideline values was detected. In the renovated common classrooms, the formaldehyde level was the same as that in the classrooms which did not undergo renovation, but VOC levels were higher immediately after the completion of the construction work, and the toluene level was above the guideline value. In 4-story reinforced concrete school buildings, indoor air pollution tended to be higher on the third and the fourth floors than on the first and the second floors. In 3-story school buildings, indoor air pollution tended to be higher on the third floor than on the second floor. The survey of subjective symptoms of the children revealed a tendency toward an increase in the prevalence of sick building syndrome after a renovation. However, the actual number of the children complaining of the symptoms hardly changed. Instead, the number of symptoms for each subject increased, and this increase was significant in 5th and 6th grade boys. CONCLUSION: In the some classrooms of newly built or renovated elementary schools, chemical substances above the guideline values may be detected. In such classrooms, more ventilation is required.