Restricted interests of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can act as a barrier to learning important life skills. Embedding the interests of individuals into their learning environment ...can act to establish motivation to participate. A meta-analysis of 20 single-case studies on embedding interests of individuals with ASD was conducted to determine overall effects and potential moderating variables. Data were aggregated across domains of variables including dependent variables, participant characteristics, and learning contexts. The correlation between self-stimulatory or ritualistic behaviors and primary outcomes was evaluated. Publication bias and consistency of the Tau/Tau-U nonoverlap effect size with visual analysis were tested via moderator analyses. The literature suggests that embedding interest for learners with ASD can either be beneficial or distractible. Effects ranged from negative to strong, with several moderators identified. Practitioners should take caution when using this intervention with students who display self-stimulatory or ritualistic behaviors when their interests are present.
Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) allows for the systematic and experimental assessment of challenging behavior in applied settings. The purposes of this study were to evaluate a professional ...development package focused on training three Head Start teachers to conduct TBFAs with fidelity during ongoing classroom routines. To assess the accuracy of the TBFA results, the effects of a function-based intervention derived from the TBFA were compared with the effects of a non-function-based intervention. Data were collected on child challenging behavior and appropriate communication. An A-B-A-C-D design was utilized in which A represented baseline, and B and C consisted of either function-based or non-function-based interventions counterbalanced across participants, and D represented teacher implementation of the most effective intervention. Results showed that the function-based intervention produced greater decreases in challenging behavior and greater increases in appropriate communication than the non-function-based intervention for all three children.
Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) is a procedure for experimentally identifying the function of challenging behavior within applied settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects ...of a TBFA teacher-training package in the context of two Head Start centers implementing programwide positive behavior support (PWPBS). Four Head Start teachers were trained in TBFA procedures as part of ongoing technical assistance on individualized behavior supports. Following training and performance feedback, all teachers were able to implement TBFA with 100% fidelity during simulation probes. With minimal additional coaching, teachers implemented TBFA sessions with a child in their classroom with 100% fidelity. Implications for future research and for the use of TBFA in early childhood settings are presented.
Abstract
Issue
An important outbreak of New Delhi metallo-β-beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has been reported from north-western of Tuscany since November ...2018. NDM is a metallo-β-lactamase able to hydrolyze most β-lactames (including carbapenems) with limited treatment options.
Description of the Problem
From November 2018 to May 2019, 7 Tuscan hospitals notified a total of 350 infected or colonized cases. This outbreak was described in a risk assessment edited by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in June 2019. The Ministry of Health and the Tuscany Region promptly adopted infection prevention control measures.
Results
Since July 2019, a regional task force, composed by experts in infectivology, microbiology and public health, coordinated the following actions: Publication of Regional Resolutions which have established practical guidelines for the outbreak management. These measures included:(I) the introduction of screening test for CRE by rectal swab for hospitalized patients; (II) the implementation of microbiological rapid molecular tests and genotyping of rectal swab; (III) the enhancement of standard and transmission-based precautions; (iv) the strengthening of handover between hospital setting and primary healthcare; (v) the implementation of a regional data-base for outbreak surveillance.Monthly regional meetings with the infection control teams of each hospital.Site visits (n. 44) performed by a group of experts in all healthcare facilities.
After the implementation of these measures, a trend for decrease in positive blood cultures of NDM was registered.
Lessons
The spread of NDM in Tuscany has been the opportunity to standardize and improve the approach to Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) prevention and control.
Key messages
The spread of NDM in Tuscany has been the opportunity to standardize and improve the approach to Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) prevention and control. The cooperation among stakeholders and the standardization of precaution measures and healthcare workers’ behavior allows to effectively face the MDROs diffusion.
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristically demonstrate interest in a restricted range of activities. Embedding interests into the learning environment is a strategy used to ...establish motivation and promote participation in alternative activities. This review includes an evaluation of the quality of single-case and group-based research on embedding interests for individuals with ASD. Twenty studies with 79 participants were appraised according to two quality rubrics. Evidence was analyzed overall and within categories of dependent variables. Primary outcomes included social/communication skills and task-engagement/accuracy/productivity. Results show insufficient support for use of this intervention according to one rubric and mixed but sufficient support overall according to an alternative rubric. Most research support targets social or communication skills. Implications for practice are identified.
This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed peer-reviewed research concerning the generalization and maintenance of functional living skills for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. ...Following the application of predetermined inclusion criteria, 31 articles (containing 32 studies) were reviewed and summarized in terms of (a) generalization dimension, (b) generalization assessment design, (c) maintenance assessment design, (d) maintenance and generalization teaching strategy, and (e) latency to maintenance probes. Using Tau effect size and post hoc analyses, the type of generalization and maintenance teaching strategies were analyzed as potential moderators. Outcomes identified strong effects for generalization strategies employed. Resulting maintenance effects demonstrated strong effects for baseline to maintenance contrasts. Negative effects for the train and hope method were identified using intervention to maintenance contrasts. Results indicated statistically significant findings supporting the use of training in a natural setting and training to a criterion as compared to the train and hope strategy. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
The microquasar V404 Cygni underwent a series of outbursts in 2015, June 15-31, during which its flux in hard X-rays (20-40 keV) reached about 40 times the Crab Nebula flux. Because of the ...exceptional interest of the flaring activity from this source, observations at several wavelengths were conducted. The MAGIC telescopes, triggered by the INTEGRAL alerts, followed-up the flaring source for several nights during the period June 18-27, for more than 10 hours. One hour of observation was conducted simultaneously to a giant 22 GHz radio flare and a hint of signal at GeV energies seen by Fermi-LAT. The MAGIC observations did not show significant emission in any of the analysed time intervals. The derived flux upper limit, in the energy range 200–1250 GeV, is 4.8×10$^{−12}$ ph cm$^{−2}$ s$^{−1}$. We estimate the gamma-ray opacity during the flaring period, which along with our non-detection, points to an inefficient acceleration in the V404 Cyg jets if VHE emitter is located further than 1 × 10$^{10}$ cm from the compact object.
A meta-analysis of 52 studies teaching functional living skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder was conducted. Using the Tau effect size with the Dunn and the Kruskal–Wallis post-hoc ...analyses, the following categories were analyzed: age, diagnosis, intervention type, dependent variable, setting, and implementer. Analyses for age yielded statistically significant findings supporting greatest outcomes for elementary-aged individuals compared to secondary-aged individuals as well as adolescents and adults in comparison with preschool- and secondary-aged individuals. Moderate to strong effect sizes were noted across categories for diagnosis, intervention, and dependent variable. Outcomes indicated strong effects across categories for setting and implementer. Convergent validity of Tau effect sizes with visually analyzed ratings of evidence was evaluated, which largely resulted in correspondence.
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