Training developmentally disabled adults in independent meal preparation. Acquisition, generalization and maintenance

This study examined the generalization and maintenance effects of a structured meal preparation training program for mildly and moderately developmentally disabled adults living in a community home. Dependent measures comprised the percentage of self-initiated steps and disruptive behavior during each of two meal preparation settings. The first comprised the training setting and the second a generalization probe setting. A variety of measures of staff implementation of the treatment procedure were also employed, including correct use of prompts and reinforcement. Following baseline sessions, where staff used their existing preferred mode of teaching meal preparation skills, treatment was introduced within a multiple baseline design across subjects. Experimental treatment consisted of a pictorial cookbook and instructions, and feedback to trainers regarding the appropriate use of prompts and social reinforcement. Results showed that training was effective in increasing the number of steps clients were able to complete independently in both the training and generalization settings. Maintenance probes at post training and at 3-month follow-up revealed that skill levels had been maintained and that staff continued to implement training instructions with a high level of accuracy

Using trained dogs and organic semi-conducting sensors to identify asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infections: an observational study

Background A rapid, accurate, non-invasive diagnostic screen is needed to identify people with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated whether organic semi-conducting (OSC) sensors and trained dogs could distinguish between people infected with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, and uninfected individuals, and the impact of screening at ports-of-entry. Methods Odour samples were collected from adults, and SARS-CoV-2 infection status confirmed using RT-PCR. OSC sensors captured the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of odour samples. Trained dogs were tested in a double-blind trial to determine their ability to detect differences in VOCs between infected and uninfected individuals, with sensitivity and specificity as the primary outcome. Mathematical modelling was used to investigate the impact of bio-detection dogs for screening. Results About, 3921 adults were enrolled in the study and odour samples collected from 1097 SARS-CoV-2 infected and 2031 uninfected individuals. OSC sensors were able to distinguish between SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and uninfected, with sensitivity from 98% (95% CI 95–100) to 100% and specificity from 99% (95% CI 97–100) to 100%. Six dogs were able to distinguish between samples with sensitivity ranging from 82% (95% CI 76–87) to 94% (95% CI 89–98) and specificity ranging from 76% (95% CI 70–82) to 92% (95% CI 88–96). Mathematical modelling suggests that dog screening plus a confirmatory PCR test could detect up to 89% of SARS-CoV-2 infections, averting up to 2.2 times as much transmission compared to isolation of symptomatic individuals only. Conclusions People infected with SARS-CoV-2, with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, have a distinct odour that can be identified by sensors and trained dogs with a high degree of accuracy. Odour-based diagnostics using sensors and/or dogs may prove a rapid and effective tool for screening large numbers of people