scholarly journals Investigating the longitudinal consistency and genetic architecture of non-cognitive skills, and their relation to educational attainment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim T Morris ◽  
George Davey Smith ◽  
Gerard van Den Berg ◽  
Neil M Davies
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Signal Ratio ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
Using Data

AbstractNon-cognitive skills predict a range of socioeconomic outcomes including educational attainment and employment. Many studies have used cross sectional data and therefore the longitudinal consistency of non-cognitive skills are poorly understood. Using data from a UK cohort, we assess (1) the consistency of non-cognitive skills over a 17-year period throughout childhood, (2) their associations with educational outcomes, and (3) their genomic architecture. Consistency over time is high for behavioural and communication skills but low for others, implicating a high noise to signal ratio for many non-cognitive skills. Associations between non-cognitive skills and educational outcomes are observed for skills measured in mid to late childhood and are at most a third of the size of IQ-education associations. Consistent non-zero heritability estimates and genetic correlations with education are observed only for behavioural difficulties. Our results suggest caution in the use of non-cognitive measures as consistent indicators of underlying skills during early childhood.

scholarly journals Consistency of noncognitive skills and their relation to educational outcomes in a UK cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim T. Morris ◽  
George Davey Smith ◽  
Gerard van den Berg ◽  
Neil M. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Noncognitive Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Signal Ratio ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement

AbstractNoncognitive skills have been shown to associate with a range of health and socioeconomic outcomes. Many studies have relied on cross sectional data and have been unable to assess the longitudinal consistency of noncognitive skill measures. Using data from a UK birth cohort, we investigated a range of noncognitive skills: behavioural problems, social skills, communication, self-esteem, persistence, locus of control, empathy, impulsivity and personality. We assessed their consistency over a 17-year period throughout childhood and adolescence (age 6 months to 18 years), their genomic architecture, and their associations with socioeconomic outcomes. We found high longitudinal measurement consistency for behavioural and communication skills, but low consistency for other noncognitive skills, suggesting a high noise to signal ratio. We observed consistent non-zero heritability estimates and genetic correlations for only behavioural difficulties. Using aggregate measures of each skill over time, we found evidence of phenotypic correlations and heritability ($$h_{SNP}^2$$ h S N P 2  = 0.1–0.2) for behaviour, communication, self-esteem and locus of control. Associations between noncognitive skills and educational outcomes were observed for skills measured in mid to late childhood but these were at most a third of the size of IQ-education associations. These results suggest that measures designed to capture noncognitive skills may be subject to considerable response heterogeneity or measurement error. Aggregate measures that leverage repeat responses from longitudinal data may offer researchers more reliable measures that better identify underlying noncognitive skills than cross sectional measures.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment of Children Born with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate in the United Kingdom

2020 ◽  
pp. 105566562095998
Author(s):  
Sukhraj S. Grewal ◽  
Sirisha Ponduri ◽  
Sam D. Leary ◽  
Yvonne Wren ◽  
John M. D. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Objective: This study evaluated association between functional outcomes in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and educational attainment. Design: Cleft Care UK (CCUK) was a United Kingdom (UK) wide cross-sectional study. Setting: UK Cleft Teams (data collected from all UK sites providing centralized cleft services). Patients, Participants: Five-year olds born with nonsyndromic UCLP (n = 268). Main Outcome Measure(s): National tests for educational attainment Key Stage 1 (KS1) undertaken by children at age 7 were linked to CCUK data to describe differences in educational attainment. Associations between functional outcomes and KS1 results were evaluated using regression analysis. We adjusted for birth month, gender, and an area-based measure of socioeconomic status. Results: Data were available for 205 children with UCLP. These children scored lower than national average (NA) scores across all subject areas, with a 0.62 lower score observed in the Average Point Score (APS; P = .01). There was association between being in a lower category for a cleft related outcomes and poorer KS1 results, with a trend for poorer attainment with higher numbers of poor functional outcomes. Those with 3 or more poor outcomes had a −2.26 (−3.55 to −0.97) lower APS compared to those with 0 to 1 poor outcomes. Conclusions: Children born with UCLP have poorer educational attainment at age 7 across all subject areas though differences were modest. Children with poor functional outcomes at age 5 had worse educational outcomes age 7. Improvements in functional outcomes could enhance educational outcomes.

scholarly journals Age and Social Disparities in the Use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Miyawaki ◽  
Takahiro Tabuchi ◽  
Michael K Ong ◽  
Yusuke Tsugawa
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Income Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Using Data ◽  
University Degree

BACKGROUND The use of telemedicine outpatient visits has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries. Although disparities in access to telemedicine by age and socioeconomic status (SES) have been well-documented, evidence is limited as to how these disparities changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the equity of patient access to telemedicine has been scarcely reported in Japan, despite the huge potential for telemedicine expansion. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate changes due to age and SES disparities in telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. METHODS Using data from a large internet survey conducted between August 25 and September 30, 2020, in Japan, we examined the associations of participant age and SES (educational attainment, urbanicity of residence, and income level) with their telemedicine use in the following two time periods during the pandemic: April 2020 and August-September 2020. RESULTS Of the 24,526 participants aged 18 to 79 years (50.8% [n=12,446] women), the proportion of individuals who reported using telemedicine increased from 2.0% (n=497) in April 2020 to 4.7% (n=1159) in August-September 2020. After adjusting for potential confounders, younger individuals were more likely to use telemedicine than older individuals in April 2020. Although this pattern persisted in August-September 2020, we also observed a substantial increase in telemedicine use among individuals aged 70 to 79 years (adjusted rates, 0.2% in April 2020 vs 3.8% in August-September 2020; <i>P</i>&lt;.001 after multiple comparisons). We found disparities in telemedicine use by SES in August-September 2020 that did not exist in April 2020. In August-September 2020, individuals with a university degree were more likely to use telemedicine than those with a high school diploma or less (adjusted rates, 6.6% vs 3.5%; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Individuals living in urban areas exhibited higher rates of telemedicine use than those living in rural areas only in August-September 2020 (adjusted rates, 5.2% vs 3.8%; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Disparities in telemedicine use by income level were not observed in either time period. CONCLUSIONS In general, younger individuals increased their use of telemedicine compared to older individuals during the pandemic, although individuals in their 70s also increased their use of telemedicine. Disparities in telemedicine use by educational attainment and urbanicity of residence widened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional analysis of educational inequalities in primary prevention statin use in UK Biobank

Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. heartjnl-2021-319238
Author(s):  
Alice Rose Carter ◽  
Dipender Gill ◽  
George Davey Smith ◽  
Amy E Taylor ◽  
Neil M Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Cardiovascular Prevention ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Large Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Statin Use ◽  
Years Of Schooling

ObjectiveIdentify whether participants with lower education are less likely to report taking statins for primary cardiovascular prevention than those with higher education, but an equivalent increase in underlying cardiovascular risk.MethodsUsing data from a large prospective cohort study, UK Biobank, we calculated a QRISK3 cardiovascular risk score for 472 097 eligible participants with complete data on self-reported educational attainment and statin use (55% female participants; mean age 56 years). We used logistic regression to explore the association between (i) QRISK3 score and (ii) educational attainment on self-reported statin use. We then stratified the association between QRISK3 score and statin use, by educational attainment to test for interactions.ResultsThere was evidence of an interaction between QRISK3 score and educational attainment. Per unit increase in QRISK3 score, more educated individuals were more likely to report taking statins. In women with ≤7 years of schooling, a one unit increase in QRISK3 score was associated with a 7% higher odds of statin use (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.07). In women with ≥20 years of schooling, a one unit increase in QRISK3 score was associated with an 14% higher odds of statin use (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.15). Comparable ORs in men were 1.04 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.05) for ≤7 years of schooling and 1.08 (95% CI 1.08, 1.08) for ≥20 years of schooling.ConclusionPer unit increase in QRISK3 score, individuals with lower educational attainment were less likely to report using statins, likely contributing to health inequalities.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Genes and the Environment to Educational and Socioeconomic Attainments in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary N. Marks
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
Economic Theories ◽  
Cohort Differences ◽  
Substantial Modification ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
Using Data

This article analyzes the contribution of genetics and the environment to educational attainment, occupational status, and income using data from over 1,100 monozygotic and 400 dizygotic Australian twin pairs aged from 18 to 99. The respective heritability estimates were 0.54, 0.37, and 0.18. The bivariate heritabilities were 0.71 for educational attainment and occupational status, 0.37 for education and income, and 0.61 for occupational status and income. There were no gender and cohort differences in the heritabilities for education and occupation, but for income, contrary to expectations, the heritabilities were significantly higher among women and for the older cohort (aged 50 or older). The sizable contribution of genes to these socioeconomic outcomes suggests that standard sociological and economic theories on the socioeconomic career require substantial modification to accommodate the role of genetics.

scholarly journals Birth Order Differences in Education Are Environmental in Origin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Arstad Isungset ◽  
Jeremy Freese ◽  
Ole Andreassen ◽  
Torkild Hovde Lyngstad
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Birth Order ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Genetic Differences ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Genotype Information ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Parental Educational Attainment

Siblings share many environments and much of their genetics. Yet, siblings turn out different. Intelligence and education are influenced by birth order, where earlier-born outperform later-born. We investigate whether birth order differences in education are caused by genetic differences. Using data that spans two generations, combining registry, survey, and genotype information, this study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). We show that there are no genetic differences by birth order as captured by polygenic scores (PGSs) for educational attainment. Furthermore, we show that earlier-born have lower birth weight than later-born, indicating worse in utero environments. Educational outcomes are higher for earlier-born children when we control for PGSs and in utero variables. Finally, we consider environmental influences, such as maternal age, parental educational attainment, and sibling genetic nurture. We show that birth order differences are not genetic in origin, but their environmental cause remains elusive.

Diagnostics of metal samples using the results of experimental and theoretical study of positively charged microparticles formed upon sample destruction

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
D. A. Golentsov ◽  
A. G. Gulin ◽  
Vladimir A. Likhter ◽  
K. E. Ulybyshev
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Material Model ◽  
Total Charge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Mechanical And Electrical Properties ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Using Data

Destruction of bodies is accompanied by formation of both large and microscopic fragments. Numerous experiments on the rupture of different samples show that those fragments carry a positive electric charge. his phenomenon is of interest from the viewpoint of its potential application to contactless diagnostics of the early stage of destruction of the elements in various technical devices. However, the lack of understanding the nature of this phenomenon restricts the possibility of its practical applications. Experimental studies were carried out using an apparatus that allowed direct measurements of the total charge of the microparticles formed upon sample rupture and determination of their size and quantity. The results of rupture tests of duralumin and electrical steel showed that the size of microparticles is several tens of microns, the particle charge per particle is on the order of 10–14 C, and their amount can be estimated as the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the sample at the point of discontinuity to the square of the microparticle size. A model of charge formation on the microparticles is developed proceeding from the experimental data and current concept of the electron gas in metals. The model makes it possible to determine the charge of the microparticle using data on the particle size and mechanical and electrical properties of the material. Model estimates of the total charge of particles show order-of-magnitude agreement with the experimental data.

Factors Associated with Lower Cognitive Performance Scores Among Older Japanese Men in Hawaii and Japan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Naoko Miyagawa ◽  
Takayoshi Ohkubo ◽  
Akira Fujiyoshi ◽  
Akihiko Shiino ◽  
Randi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Japanese Men ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cardiometabolic Factors

Background: Few studies have compared factors related to cognitive function among people with similar genetic backgrounds but different lifestyles. Objective: We aimed to identify factors related to lower cognitive scores among older Japanese men in two genetically similar cohorts exposed to different lifestyle factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study of community-dwelling Japanese men aged 71–81 years included 2,628 men enrolled in the Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study based in Hawaii and 349 men in the Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis based in Japan. We compared participant performance through Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) assessment in Hawaii (1991–1993) and Japan (2009–2014). Factors related to low cognitive scores (history of cardiovascular disease, cardiometabolic factors, and lifestyle factors) were identified with questionnaires and measurements. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of a low (<  82) CASI score based on different factors. Results: CASI scores were lower in Hawaii than in Japan [21.2%(n = 556) versus 12.3%(n = 43), p <  0.001], though this was not significant when adjusted for age and educational attainment (Hawaii 20.3%versus Japan 17.9%, p = 0.328). History of stroke (OR = 1.65, 95%confidence interval = 1.19–2.29) was positively associated with low cognitive scores in Hawaii. Body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 tended to be associated with low cognitive scores in Japan; there was a significant interaction between the cohorts. Conclusion: Cognitive scores differences between cohorts were mostly explained by differences in educational attainment. Conversely, cardiovascular diseases and cardiometabolic factors differentially impacted cognitive scores among genetically similar older men exposed to different lifestyle factors.

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