Reuse as heuristic : from transmission to nurture in learning activity design

In recent years a combination of ever more flexible and sophisticated Web technologies and an explosion in the quantity of online content has sparked learning technologists around the world to pursue the promise of the 'reusable learning object' or RLO with the idea that RLOs could be reused in different educational contexts, thereby providing greater overall flexibility and return on investment. In 2002 the ACETS Project undertook a three-year study in the UK to investigate whether RLOs worked in practice and how the pursuit of reuse affected the teacher and their teaching. Teachers working in healthcare-related subjects in Higher and Further Education were asked to create an original learning design or activity from third-party digital resources and to reflect both on the process and its outcomes. The expectation was that teachers would be the ones selecting and reusing third-party materials. This paper describes how one of the ACETS exemplifiers reinterpreted this remit, challenged the anticipated transmissive model of learning, and instead, gave their students an opportunity to create their own original learning designs and learning activities from third-party digital resources. By describing the educational enhancements, the resulting heightened levels of critical thinking, and sensitivity to patient needs, 'reuse' will be shown to be an effective heuristic for student self-direction and professional development

Rehabilitative Interventions to Improve Biomechanical or Functional Outcomes for Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy

Background: Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) affects children worldwide, with incidence rates ranging from 0.5 to 3 per 1000 live births (Foad, Mehlman & Ying, 2008). Injury characteristics vary greatly and therefore, discrepancies exist regarding the most effective rehabilitation interventions. These children receive conservative management (through occupational and physical therapy), Botulinum toxin, surgery, or a combination of treatments (Benjamin, 2005). Objective: To present the results of a systematic review of the literature to identify rehabilitative interventions that demonstrate statistically significant functional/biomechanical outcomes in children with OBPP. Methods: A systematic search of the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE (2003-2013) yielded 256 results. Authors agreed on 16 articles for qualitative review based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria pertaining to age of subjects, interventions, quality of study, and date of publication. Two authors independently critiqued (using Law, M. & McDermid, J. (2003). Appendix M and N) and subsequently synthesized each article for identification of common themes. Findings: Overall, there is intermediate to low quality evidence to support the effectiveness of rehabilitative interventions for OBPP. Statistically significant gains in strength and ROM were associated with mCIMT, electrical stimulation, DVD home program, and serial casting/splinting. Statistically significant gains in functional task performance were measured using standardized and non-standardized instruments and associated with casting, mCIMT, conventional OT/PT and kinesiotaping. However, several studies used co-interventions (including botox-A and surgery), and positive results may not be attributable to the experimental condition alone. Results suggest the following patient factors may affect outcomes: age, surgical history, level and severity of OBPP injury, presence/severity of contracture, and caregivers’ proficiency and/or program compliance. Conclusion: Results suggest that rehabilitative interventions produce significant biomechanical and functional improvements among children with OBPP whether performed alone or after surgery and/or Botox-A. To support these interventions in clinical practice, further studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous validity standards will help determine isolated effects of the interventions, the generalizability of the interventions, and the optimal time to initiate treatment. References: Benjamin, K. (2005). Part 1. Injuries to the brachial plexus: Mechanisms of injury and identification of risk factors. Advances in Neonatal Care, 5 (4), 181-189. doi:10.1016/j.adnc.2005.03.004 Foad, S. I., Mehlman, C. T., & Ying, J. (2008). The epidemiology of neonatal brachial plexus palsy in the united states. Journal of bone and joint surgery, 90, 1258-64. doi:10.2106/JBJS.G.0085

Luggage Handling in Airport Logistics

Luggage handling is an extremely complex system that involves many moving parts at once. Due to the importance of a well-functioning baggage handling system in airports, an analysis has been completed on the current system and its drawbacks. The research is limited to the standard baggage handling system and baggage screening technology currently used in airports. Conclusions have been drawn from past research studies that have been done in major airports, as well as research on better technology the industry is currently working to implement. It has been determined that there are millions of bags mishandled each year, costing the airline industry millions of dollars. As a result, airlines and airports are investing in the testing and implementation of new technologies such as RFID baggage tags, automated bag drop kiosks, and permanent bag tags. These technologies are thought to improve the efficiency and accuracy of luggage handling, benefiting airports, airlines, and passengers. In the future, it is likely travelers and airlines will see an improvement in the number of mishandled bags and cost savings with the potential benefits of improved technology

Adolescent And Caregiver Identity Distress, Identity Status, And Their Relationship To Psychological Adjustment

The present study addresses identity distress and identity status in adolescents with clinical diagnoses, and their caregivers. There were 88 adolescent participants (43.2% female) ranging in age from 11 to 20 (mean =14.96; SD =1.85) who were recruited from community mental health centers in Volusia and Orange Counties. The 63 caregiver participants included mothers (82.5%), fathers (7.9%), grandmothers (7.9%), and grandfathers (1.6%), ranging in age from 28-70 (mean = 40.24; SD = 9.16). A significant proportion of adolescents (22.7%) met criteria for Identity Problem in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and 9.5% of the adolescents\u27 caregivers met criteria for Identity Problem. Regarding identity status, 68.2% of adolescents and 27.0% of caregivers reported being in the diffused status. Additionally, 25.0% of adolescents and 54.0% of caregivers met criteria for the foreclosed status. Significant associations were found among adolescent and caregiver psychological symptoms and identity variables. Further examination of the psychological symptom variables found that obsessive-compulsive and paranoid ideation symptoms significantly predicted identity distress. In addition, caregiver identity commitment significantly predicted adolescent identity distress over and above the adolescents\u27 identity variables. These findings and implications are discussed in further detail

Direct Pcr Amplification of Dna From Human Bloodstains, Saliva, and Touch Samples Collected With Microfloq® Swabs

This article investigates the efficacy of direct amplification of DNA from bloodstains, saliva stains, and touch samples using microFLOQ® Direct swabs and the GlobalFiler™ Express system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA)

Public Attitudes Toward Applying Sex Offender Registration Laws to Juvenile Offenders

In this chapter, we provide a summary of current registration laws for juvenile sex offenders across the United States and discuss the assumptions that drive these laws. We consider whether these assumptions have been supported or refuted by the research produced on the topic thus far. Then, turning to new data from our own laboratory, we discuss public perceptions of registration laws. This is an important issue because expansion of registry laws to juveniles might be driven by strong public support—or politicians\u27 and policy makers\u27 perceptions that there is public support—for expansion of the registry. As we discuss, research does indeed suggest that there is strong public support for registration laws for adult sex offenders, but is there such strong public support for registration laws for juvenile sex offenders? What factors influence support for these laws? To answer these questions, we present findings from new research investigating attorneys\u27 and laypersons\u27 perceptions of registration laws

Nulliparous with Class III Obesity at Term: Labor Induction or Cesarean Delivery without Labor

Objective This study aimed to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between labor induction versus cesarean delivery (CD) without labor among nulliparous individuals with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2).Study design A retrospective cohort study of all nulliparous singleton deliveries at ≥37 weeks with a BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 at delivery between March 2020 and February 2022. We excluded individuals with spontaneous labor, fetal malformations, and stillbirths. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal mortality and morbidity, including infectious and hemorrhagic morbidity. The secondary outcome was a neonatal composite. A subgroup analysis evaluated patients with a BMI of ≥50 kg/m2. Another subgroup analysis compared outcomes between CD without labor and an indicated CD following induction. A multivariable logistic regression was applied. For adjustment, we used possible confounders identified in a univariate analysis.Results Among 8,623 consecutive deliveries during the study period, 308 (4%) met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 250 (81%) underwent labor induction, and 58 (19%) had a CD without labor. The most common indications for CD without labor were fetal malpresentation (26; 45%), suspected macrosomia (8; 14%), and previous myomectomy (5; 9%). Indicated CD occurred in 140 (56%) of the induced individuals, with the two leading indications being labor arrest (87; 62%) and non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing (51; 36%). The rates of composite maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-7.13) and composite neonatal morbidity (aOR = 3.62, 95% CI: 0.42-31.19) did not differ following a CD without labor compared to labor induction. The subgroup analyses did not demonstrate different outcomes between groups.Conclusion Among nulliparous individuals with class III obesity at term who underwent induction, more than 50% had indicated CD; the rate of short-term maternal and neonatal morbidity, however, did not differ between labor induction and CD without labor.Key points· The rate of unplanned CD among those who underwent labor induction was relatively high (56.0%).. · Outcomes did not differ between those who underwent CD without labor and those who were induced.. · Outcomes also did not differ between those who underwent CD without labor and those with CD in labor.

Activin A affects colorectal cancer progression and immunomodulation in a stage dependent manner

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to present with poor survival and treatment options remain limited. We have shown that increased activin A (activin) expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with poor outcome in a cohort of stage III and IV CRC patients. Here, we hypothesized that activin promotes stage specific outcomes in CRC, enhancing metastasis and tolerance in late-stage CRC exclusively. We employed Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) technology on a cohort of stage II and III CRC patient tissue samples obtained at the time of curative surgery to show that activin co-localization was associated with increased mitogenic signaling, proliferation, and immunosuppression in stage III, but not stage II, CRCs. Furthermore, we found strong linear correlations between markers of immunosuppression and signaling proteins in activin (+) areas, an effect that was not observed in activin (-) areas of tissue. Taken together these data suggest activin exerts pro-metastatic and immunosuppressive effects in stage III, but not stage II, CRC providing an attractive therapeutic target for advanced CRC

A Sustainable Mobility Solution for Persons Living with Disability in Burkina Faso

The Sustainable Mobility project of the Collaboratory empowers people living with a disability in rural West Africa to more fully participate in family and community life and makes possible the pursuit of educational and work opportunities. Our 3-wheeled off-road wheelchair has transformed the lives of dozens of clients through partnerships with the Center for the Advancement of the Handicapped in Mahadaga, Burkina Faso and the Center of Hope in Fada, Burkina Faso. Now, to reach more people in new locations and with more partners, Sustainable Mobility is working to reduce manufacturing time and cost, author image-driven fabrication guides to enable local fabricators to build trikes, and develop supply chains to bring parts and materials to build sites. We seek to put local fabricators to work building tricycles wherever they are needed.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/engr2020/1004/thumbnail.jp