Pilot of a Simulated Clinical Placement in Occupational Therapy Education in an Australian University Delivered Online: A Cross-Sectional Study of Students\u27 Perceptions

In response to COVID-19, the widespread cancellation of professional practice placements, and the increased uptake of telehealth, Monash University Department of Occupational Therapy developed a simulated clinical placement adapted for online delivery. This paper describes the placement, and reports on the benefits and challenges of participating from the student perspective. This exploratory, descriptive study used a cross-sectional design with a web-based survey administered to students who completed the placement. Participants were first year Master of Occupational Therapy Practice students (n = 33), and second year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy students (n = 32). Numerical data were analyzed descriptively. Content of the open text responses were analyzed using content analysis. The majority of students reported they found the placement either extremely useful or moderately useful. The aspect reported as being the most useful was receiving immediate supervisor feedback, followed by interviewing a patient and interviewing a stakeholder. Working in a telehealth environment was identified as extremely or moderately useful by most students. Four content categories were identified: An incredible chance to practice in a safe environment; The good and the bad about working in groups; Too many tasks to juggle; and Online delivery prepares for working in telehealth. Use of telehealth in occupational therapy practice will continue into the future. Educators therefore need to ensure their graduates have the skills needed for this practice area. Participating in a simulated clinical placement delivered online enables students to practice communication in a safe environment, while gaining valuable skills to prepare for working in telehealth

Analysis of small-angle X-ray scattering data of protein–detergent complexes by singular value decomposition

Small-angle X-ray scattering can be a valuable tool in the structural characterization of membrane protein–detergent complexes (PDCs). However, a major challenge is to separate the PDC scattering signal from that of the `empty' detergent micelle in a protein–detergent mixture. We briefly review an approach that allows approximate determination of the PDC scattering signal at low momentum transfer and present a novel approach that employs a singular value decomposition (SVD) and fitting of scattering data collected at different protein–detergent stoichiometries. The SVD approach allows the scattering profile for the PDC over the entire measured momentum transfer range to be obtained, it is applicable to strongly scattering detergents and can take into account interparticle interference. The two approaches are contrasted and an application to the membrane protein TM0026 from Thermotoga maritima is presented

The Potential Dangers of Artificial Intelligence for Radiology and Radiologists

With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) across many fields and subspecialties, there are considerable expectations for transformative impact. However, there are also concerns regarding the potential abuse of AI. Many scientists have been worried about the dangers of AI leading to “biased” conclusions, in part because of the enthusiasm of the inventor or overenthusiasm among the general public. Here, though, we consider some scenarios in which people may intend to cause potential errors within data sets of analyzed information, resulting in incorrect conclusions and leading to potential problems with patient care and outcomes

Uncovering the Equity Impacts of Urban Land Use Planning

A growing number of cities are preparing for climate change impacts by developing adaptation plans. However, little is known about how these plans and their implementation affect the vulnerability of the urban poor. We critically assess initiatives in eight cities worldwide and find that land use planning for climate adaptation can exacerbate socio-spatial inequalities across diverse developmental and environmental conditions. We argue that urban adaptation injustices fall into two categories: acts of commission when interventions negatively affect or displace poor communities and acts of omission when they protect and prioritize elite groups at the expense of the urban poor

Diagnóstico de diabetes gestacional a partir de la prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa.

Establecer el diagnóstico de Diabetes Gestacional confirmándolo con la prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa en pacientes que asisten por primera vez a control prenatal a la consulta externa de obstetricia del Hospital Nacional Pedro de Bethancourt de Antigua Guatemala durante el año 2012. estudio de tipo prospectivo descriptivo, la muestra fue de 307 pacientes, a las participantes se les llenó la hoja de consentimiento informado y la boleta de recolección, posteriormente se les brindó 50 g. de glucosa oral para Test de O ́Sullivan sin importar ayuno o no y una hora después se hizo la medición de glucosa, pacientes con valores positivos se les citó para realizar la Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa con 100 g.con ayuno de 12 horas. Se incluyeron en el estudio 307 pacientes de estas 87 (28.33%) fueron positivas en el tamizaje de O ́Sullivan, de este grupo solo a 35 (11.40%) se les realizó Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa, en total fueron 11 (3.58%) pacientes con diagnóstico de diabetes gestacional con ambas pruebas. Hacer las pruebas para diabetes gestacional y hacer énfasis en que la edad materna, la edad gestacional y los factores de riesgo asociados son desencadenantes para desarrollar esta patología

Uncoupling of Photoreceptor Peripherin/rds Fusogenic Activity from Biosynthesis, Subunit Assembly, and Targeting A POTENTIAL MECHANISM FOR PATHOGENIC EFFECTS*

Inherited defects in the RDS gene cause a multiplicity of progressive retinal diseases in humans. The gene product, peripherin/rds (P/rds), is a member of the tetraspanin protein family required for normal vertebrate photoreceptor outer segment (OS) architecture. Although its molecular function remains uncertain, P/rds has been suggested to catalyze membrane fusion events required for the OS renewal process. This study investigates the importance of two charged residues within a predicted C-terminal helical region for protein biosynthesis, localization, and interaction with model membranes. Targeted mutagenesis was utilized to neutralize charges at Glu321 and Lys324 individually and in combination to generate three mutant variants. Studies were conducted on variants expressed as 1) full-length P/rds in COS-1 cells, 2) glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, and 3) membrane-associated green fluorescent protein fusion proteins in transgenic Xenopus laevis. None of the mutations affected biosynthesis of full-length P/rds in COS-1 cells as assessed by Western blotting, sedimentation velocity, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Although all mutations reside within a recently identified localization signal, none altered the ability of this region to direct OS targeting in transgenic X. laevis retinas. In contrast, individual or simultaneous neutralization of the charged amino acids Glu321 and Lys324 abolished the ability of the C-terminal domain to promote model membrane fusion as assayed by lipid mixing. These results demonstrate that, although overlapping, C-terminal determinants responsible for OS targeting and fusogenicity are separable and that fusogenic activity has been uncoupled from other protein properties. The observation that subunit assembly and OS targeting can both proceed normally in the absence of fusogenic activity suggests that properly assembled and targeted yet functionally altered proteins could potentially generate pathogenic effects within the vertebrate photoreceptor

Relationship between cortical thickness and neuropsychological performance in normal older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been extensively investigated in recent decades to identify groups with a high risk of dementia and to establish effective prevention methods during this period. Neuropsychological performance and cortical thickness are two important biomarkers used to predict progression from MCI to dementia. This study compares the cortical thickness and neuropsychological performance in people with MCI and cognitively healthy older adults. We further focus on the relationship between cortical thickness and neuropsychological performance in these two groups. Forty-nine participants with MCI and 40 cognitively healthy older adults were recruited. Cortical thickness was analysed with semiautomatic software, Freesurfer. The analysis reveals that the cortical thickness in the left caudal anterior cingulate (p=0.041), lateral occipital (p=0.009) and right superior temporal (p=0.047) areas were significantly thinner in the MCI group after adjustment for age and education. Almost all neuropsychological test results (with the exception of forward digit span) were significantly correlated to cortical thickness in the MCI group after adjustment for age, gender and education. In contrast, only the score on the Category Verbal Fluency Test and the forward digit span were found to have significant inverse correlations to cortical thickness in the control group of cognitively healthy older adults. The study results suggest that cortical thinning in the temporal region reflects the global change in cognition in subjects with MCI and may be useful to predict progression of MCI to Alzheimer's disease. The different pattern in the correlation of cortical thickness to the neuropsychological performance of patients with MCI from the healthy control subjects may be explained by the hypothesis of MCI as a disconnection syndrome