Perceptions of Change in Self-Efficacy to Pursue Postsecondary Education for Students with Exceptionalities Participating in a Postsecondary Transition Program

This mixed-methods study explored a postsecondary transition program’s effect on the development of self-efficacy for post-secondary studies and the likelihood to apply to post-secondary studies among students with exceptionalities. The study also examined how their perceptions of change in self-efficacy compared to their non-exceptional peers in the program. Participants included Grade 11 and 12 students with and without exceptionalities who were at risk of non-completion of their secondary school diploma from 2 participating boards of education at a college in Ontario, Canada. Students participated in a series of pre- and post-program completion surveys and were further invited to participate in a personal follow-up interview to explore the impact of their experience in the program on their plans for postsecondary education. Secondary school teachers working in a supportive role with students in this program were also interviewed to explore their perceptions of change in the students over the duration of the program. Findings demonstrated that students both with and without exceptionalities benefitted from the program through a number of elements that resulted in increased self-efficacy to succeed in postsecondary education, and an increased likelihood to apply to a postsecondary program in the future. Findings, however, indicated that the two groups of students did not share the same perceptions of how the program might have contributed to their increased self-efficacy. Following program completion, students with exceptionalities were more likely to describe their personal mastery experiences in a postsecondary academic program and their process of metacognitive skill development, whereas their peers without exceptionalities were more likely to describe a positive experience on a college campus as the primary contributing factor for their increased academic self-efficacy. The study further discusses the elements that contributed to the change experienced by the students with exceptionalities and offers a visual framework for the elements involved in the development of academic self-efficacy for students with exceptionalities. Interpretations and suggestions as to how these insights could inform future policy and practice are discussed

Anxiety in the Primary Classroom: A Handbook for Elementary Educators

This project presents a literature review of pediatric anxiety including the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of anxiety disorders in children, presented along with evidence indicating the short- and long-term effects of anxiety in young children, and the important role of the school in first response regarding the early identification and intervention for these children. A needs assessment was conducted using primary elementary school teachers to identify their level of confidence in their ability to identify and support children suffering with anxiety disorders in their classrooms. Results of the assessment indicated a strong need for a resource that provides both information and support for teachers in their interactions with children with anxiety disorders. The assessment results were used to guide the development of a handbook for elementary educators providing current empirical research detailing information about various forms of anxiety disorders commonly affecting young children in primary grades, as well as a list of available resources, and a series of six sequential lesson plans to be implemented for the entire class. Lesson plans are designed to facilitate increased levels of understanding toward the issues confronted by children suffering from anxiety, and fostering strong peer relations and character-building opportunities. Participants were provided with the handbook for evaluation, which indicated a strong support for the effectiveness and usefulness of the resource

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound performed under urgent conditions. Indications, review of the technique, clinical examples and limitations

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an imaging technique with various indications, most of which refer to scheduled examinations. However, CEUS can also be performed under urgent conditions for the investigation of many different clinical questions. This article reviews basic physics of ultrasound contrast agents and examines the commonest urgent clinical applications of CEUS. These include, among others, abdominal solid organ trauma and infarcts, scrotal and penile pathology and blood vessel imaging. Patients can be examined with a very short time delay at their bedside, without exposure to ionising radiation or risk of anaphylactic reaction and renal failure, while contraindications are minimal. CEUS technique is described for various urgent indications and imaging examples from our department’s experience are presented. Safety matters and limitations of CEUS are also mentioned. Teaching Points Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be performed urgently for various clinical applications. Abdominal indications include solid organ trauma and infarcts. CEUS in abdominal organ trauma correlates well with CT and can replace it for patient follow-up. CEUS images testicular torsion, infection and infarction, as well as testicular and penile trauma. Blood vessels can be assessed with CEUS for obstruction, aneurysm, thrombosis and dissection

Enhancement of cyclosporin A solubility by d-alphatocopheryl-polyethylene-glycol-1000 succinate (TPGS)

The aqueous solubility of cyclosporin A (CyA) in the presence of various concentrations of TPGS ranging from 0.01 to 0.50 mM was studied at three temperatures (5, 20, and 37°C). Compared to previously reported solubility data in triple distilled water, solubility in the presence of TPGS was significantly increased at all temperatures. Surface tension and light scattering measurements showed that solubilization in TPGS multimers is the main mechanism responsible for the increased CyA solubility at 20°C and 37°C. In contrast, the increased CyA solubility at 5°C appears to be mediated by other mechanism(s), such as association of TPGS in patients CyA. These data substantiate the view that the enhanced bioavailability of CyA, when coadministered with TPGS in patients suffering from cholestasis, is due to the increased solubility of CyA in the presence of TPGS. © 1994

Achieving a low carbon housing stock: An analysis of low-rise residential carbon reduction measures for new construction in Ontario

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Residential buildings contributed 14% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2014, making this sector pivotal to climate change mitigation. In 2016, the provincial government of Ontario, Canada mandated a net-zero carbon standard for new “small buildings” by 2030, meaning the low-rise residential sector must undergo major changes to meet this target. Through an energy modelling analysis of a typical single-family home in Ontario, this study demonstrates the potential carbon emissions savings of different reduction strategies, including changes to the building envelope and mechanical system. The most effective strategies include increasing building airtightness, installing additional exterior insulation, and switching to an air source heat pump for heating and cooling. These strategies were then analysed based on the incremental cost above a house built to the building code baseline. In terms of cost per kilogram of carbon mitigated, the most efficient strategies are further insulating the basement, adding additional exterior insulation, and increasing the efficiency of the heat recovery ventilator. Finally, a policy discussion demonstrates that carbon reductions implemented at the design stage must be verified and monitored post-occupancy using policy tools such as energy reporting and small-scale performance studies.This work was funded in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) (RGPIN-2016-06325)

Colchicine for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: efficacy, safety, and model informed dosage regimens

Colchicine is widely investigated for cardioprotection of COVID-19 patients since it can prevent the phenomenon of ‘cytokine storm’ and may reduce the complications arising from COVID-19. Despite the potentially beneficial effects of colchicine, there is no consensus on the appropriate dosage regimen and numerous schemes are currently used. In this study, simulations were performed to identify the ability of dosage regimens to attain plasma levels in CVOID-19 patients, known to be generally safe and efficacious. Since renal and hepatic impairment, as well as, drug-drug interactions have been identified to be the most significant factors increasing colchicine toxicity, the impact of these interactions was assessed in the simulations. Some dosage regimens lead to high colchicine concentrations, while others result in sub-therapeutic levels. Additional dosage schemes were proposed in this study aiming to be applied in patients with clearance insufficiency. Colchicine administration of 0.5 mg twice daily, can be considered safe and effective. In cases of clearance impairment, doses as low as 0.25 mg thrice or twice daily should be applied. Colchicine is a narrow therapeutic index drug and dosage regimens tailored to patients’ needs should be designed. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Modified HPLC analysis of diltiazem in plasma for pharmacokinetic studies

A simple procedure for determination of diltiazem in plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. The method consists of extraction of the drug and the internal standard (loxapine) by using hexane-isopropanol (98:2) followed by solvent evaporation and redissolution of the residue in acetonitrile/0.5 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 2.5, 30:70). The procedure has a sensitivity limit of 2 ng/ml and a standard curve that is linear to 200 ng/ml. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of diltiazem tablets. © 1990