ASSOCIATION OF RACE AND ETHNICITY WITH COGNITIVE AND LANGUAGE TESTING AT 18-22 MONTHS IN EXTREMELY PRETERM INFANTS

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of race/ethnicity to cognitive and language scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (BSID-III) in extremely preterm toddlers (\u3c28+0 weeks estimated gestational age). Study Design: Extremely preterm toddlers at NICHD Neonatal Research Network Centers evaluated at 18-22 months adjusted age from 3 race/ethnic groups (White, Black, and Hispanic-White) were included in this cohort study. Multivariable regression modeling was used to identify race/ethnic differences adjusting for medical and psychosocial factors. Results: Children included 369 Whites, 352 Blacks and 144 Hispanic-Whites. Cognitive scores differed between groups in unadjusted analysis (p=\u3c0.001), but not after adjusting for medical and psychosocial factors (p=0.13). Language scores differed in adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Whites scored higher than Blacks or Hispanic-Whites, and Blacks scored higher than Hispanic- Whites. Conclusions:A combination of medical variables and primary caretaker education accounted for differences in BSID-III cognitive scores between groups. Black and Hispanic-White toddlers had lower language scores than Whites, even after adjustment. Early intervention should be targeted to these identified risk factors. Assessment of early language development among minority groups may be warranted

Role Emerging Placements: Skills Development, Postgraduate Employment, and Career Pathways

Occupational therapy educators are increasingly using role emerging placements (REPs) as a forum for students to develop skills required to work in emerging areas of practice. This study explores the impact of REPs on skill development, postgraduate employment, and career pathways for occupational therapists. An online survey was sent to occupational therapists across Canada (n = 1,763). Occupational therapists who had completed a REP responded to the online survey (n = 88). Descriptive analysis was used to examine trends in the quantitative data, and content analysis was used to code categories derived from qualitative survey data. Results indicated five skills that developed in REPs and were used throughout an occupational therapist’s career. REPs appeared to have no impact on choice of practice field postgraduation, career pathways, or employment status. However, a group who identified their current job titles other than occupational therapy indicated a positive experience regarding their skills, career pathways, and employment status. Study results highlight the need to further understand the experiences of graduates in their REPs and the factors in REPs that may influence the career trajectory of occupational therapists

Making Statistics Work for You

Statistics and reporting capabilities within the Sierra/Millennium system are very versatile and scalable; used properly they can be helpful on small clean-up projects or integral to campus-wide initiatives on student data gathering. We will explain the options for statistics and reporting and detail how our campuses are using them for the following projects: collection development, database clean-up, circulation analysis, and student data initiatives

Evaluating Impact of an Online Leadership Course for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists

Leadership has been established as a key competency for occupational therapists, however the literature on how occupational therapists conceptualize leadership is limited. Additionally, there is a dearth of literature on best practices to develop occupational therapists’ leadership skills and there is yet to be an evaluation of an online educational approach. This study aimed to understand if an online educational platform contributed to the development of leadership skills among occupational therapists. Participants were newly graduated occupational therapists who participated in a four-week Leadership Skills Development massive open online course (MOOC). This study used a mixed methods quasi-experimental design with two intervention cohorts and time series delay. All participants completed the MindTools Leadership Skills Assessment, the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire and open-ended self-reflection questions. Analysis of the data was conducted using Rstudio, for the quantitative data, and thematic coding, for the qualitative data. The results showed there was not a significant change in scores on the leadership evaluation tools over time. However, cohort A demonstrated an increase in self-awareness and cohort B showed increases in balanced processing, providing support, and stimulation. Both cohorts showed increases in relational transparency. Participants reported that participating in the MOOC provided education on how to further develop leadership skills. Leadership skill development takes time to develop and further evaluation is required to determine if these skills continue to develop when put into practice

Natural resource management and development discourses in the Caribbean: reflections on the Guyanese and Jamaican experience

International discourses on environment and development help to shape global shared understandings of environmental issues. This paper describes the environment and development history of Guyana and Jamaica through pre-colonial, colonial, independence and market liberalisation stages. Two opposing discourses are used to frame this history: a dominant global environmental discourse characterised by technical and ‘scientific’ expertise and hierarchical governance; and a counter-discourse emphasising local control over natural resources. This analysis serves as a first step in surfacing and understanding the highly complex and multifaceted nature of environmental issues in these locations. However, we conclude with the recognition that further work should go beyond a bipolar analysis to one taking a critical, multidimensional approach, to promote more sustainable management of natural resources than has previously taken place

Ammonia Synthesis by Mechanochemistry

The design and use of organic, inorganic, and metal-based catalysts is critical to academic and industrial laboratories all around the world. In this framework, ammonia production embodies the most iconic use of catalysis. This review aims to describe the most recent and exciting developments in the mechanocatalytic preparation of ammonia

The Lived Experiences of Occupational Therapists in Transitioning to Leadership Roles

Background: Several studies on leadership in occupational therapy have discussed the key qualities of leadership and its importance, even though little is known about the transition process into leadership roles. This research examined the lived experiences of occupational therapists who have transitioned from a clinical to a leadership role and identified the supports and challenges that were found to be important. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into the transition process of five occupational therapy professional practice leaders. NVivo software was used to organize and analyze the qualitative data. Results: Three common themes were identified as “supports” for participants in their transitions: (a) intrinsic motivation, (b) support systems, and (c) an occupational therapy perspective. Three common themes were identified as “challenges”: (a) changes in interpersonal relationships, (b) systemic factors, and (c) steep learning curve. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of leadership-specific education, family support, extensive clinical experience, and implementation of leadership-specific resources in the occupational therapy curriculum

Mode boundaries of automated metro and semi-rapid rail in urban transit

The research question that we pose is to what extent, and under what circumstances, full automation in metro lines defines transit mode boundaries with respect to semirapid transit. The modeling approach that we follow is based on micro-economic appraisal. Automation, beside changing the investment and operation and maintenance cost profiles of metro lines, can improve some aspects of the user experience. The low marginal cost of frequency possible with automated metro may unlock both users' benefits via reduced waiting times and crowding, and operator's savings via shorter trains and smaller platforms and stations. We show how structurally different under several configurations are the user's travel time components. In particular, we highlight the critical role that different demand and alignment patterns play in the mode comparison

Linking Interventions to Functional Behavior Assessment Results

A comprehensive review of the instructional, social, and physical dimensions and consequences of behavior that complete functional behavior assessments. Substantial explanation of each is accompanied with examples of research based interventions linking to each dimension. A new model of functional behavior assessment is described and piloted in a single subject case study design. Also included are the results of the case study