RdgB2 is required for dim-light input into intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells.

A subset of retinal ganglion cells is intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs) and contributes directly to the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment under bright-light conditions. ipRGCs are also indirectly activated by light through cellular circuits initiated in rods and cones. A mammalian homologue (RdgB2) of a phosphoinositide transfer/exchange protein that functions in Drosophila phototransduction is expressed in the retinal ganglion cell layer. This raised the possibility that RdgB2 might function in the intrinsic light response in ipRGCs, which depends on a cascade reminiscent of Drosophila phototransduction. Here we found that under high light intensities, RdgB2(-/-) mutant mice showed normal pupillary light responses and circadian photoentrainment. Consistent with this behavioral phenotype, the intrinsic light responses of ipRGCs in RdgB2(-/-) were indistinguishable from wild-type. In contrast, under low-light conditions, RdgB2(-/-) mutants displayed defects in both circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light response. The RdgB2 protein was not expressed in ipRGCs but was in GABAergic amacrine cells, which provided inhibitory feedback onto bipolar cells. We propose that RdgB2 is required in a cellular circuit that transduces light input from rods to bipolar cells that are coupled to GABAergic amacrine cells and ultimately to ipRGCs, thereby enabling ipRGCs to respond to dim light

Silo filling methods and costs

Cover title.Includes bibliographical references

An Examination of the Factors Leading to Students’ Preference and Satisfaction with Online Courses

This paper presents the results of a one-year study of undergraduate business students’ preference and level of satisfaction with online instruction at one university. A questionnaire was voluntarily completed by 305 undergraduate business students during the 2019-2020 academic year. Multiple regression analysis revealed that prior experience with online courses, ease of communication, personal benefits - convenience of taking online courses and expectation of improving GPA were positively associated with satisfaction in online courses relative to face-to-face courses. Learning benefits from online courses such as availability of course materials did not have a significant relationship. Satisfaction was positively related to preference for online courses. Demographic factors such as age and gender had no significant effect on satisfaction with online courses

Keeping the family: A socio-ecological perspective on the challenges of child removal and reunification for mothers who have experienced substance-related harms

The challenges and experiences associated with child removal and reunification from the perspective of mothers experiencing substance-related harms is under-researched in Australia. Our qualitative study employed a socio-ecological model to better understand the background to child removal, and perceived barriers and facilitators to achieving reunification of mother and child. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women, 8 of whom self-identified as Australian First Nations People. At the time of the interviews, these women were either living in substance use rehabilitation facilities, their own home or with relatives. Findings highlighted a history of complex disadvantage and trauma among the women, along with a deep and enduring commitment to their children. Key barriers to reunification included limited social support networks, insecure housing, and challenges in meeting conflicting requirements from the child protection, social welfare and justice systems. An important facilitator to reunification was access to a residential substance use rehabilitation facility that offered holistic wrap-around services with links to community support. This study highlights the inadequacy of individual approaches focused on parents’ substance use and emphasises the need to address significant structural disadvantages that underpin increasing numbers of children being placed in government mandated care in Australia

Grandparent carers: identifying health and social service gaps and needs

Grandparent care is the fastest growing form of out of home care for Australian children. In Australia, tens of thousands of children are cared for under formal out-of-home-care arrangements, including foster care and relative/kin care (usually provided by grandparents); there are also many grandparent carers who provide care informally. Numbers of grandparent carers are anticipated to rise further due to a range of social factors which have increased the number of children coming into care, including parental substance misuse, mental illness, incarceration, and child abuse and neglect. Grandparent carers are an often hidden population and enmeshed within a complex policy and service framework. Understanding the specific needs of grandparent carers is essential to inform the development of improved, appropriate and sustainable policies and practices. This paper will describe the comprehensive methodology and preliminary results from a cross-institutional, multi-level, mixed method research project focused on grandparent carers being conducted by Wanslea (a non-profit service provider), Edith Cowan University, and Curtin University in Western Australia. The project incorporates a state-wide survey of grandparent carers to identify and prioritise system issues faces by grandcarer families and explore the impact of caring on mental and physical health. Interviews and focus groups are also being held with service providers working with grandparent carers focussed on policy and service delivery accessibility, gaps and needs. Finally, the voices of grandchildren from grandcarer families will be heard through the evaluation of leadership camps providing respite and skill development. The project has a particular focus on the needs of grandparent carers from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and remote areas, and grandparents caring for children with special needs

Educational placements for children who are ventilator assisted

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://search.proquest.com/docview/201222827?accountid=1455

3D printing exposure and perception in radiology residency: Survey results of radiology chief residents

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to summarize a survey of radiology chief residents focused on 3D printing in radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was distributed to chief residents in North American radiology residencies by subgroups of the Association of University Radiologists. The survey included a subset of questions focused on the clinical use of 3D printing and perceptions of the role of 3D printing and radiology. Respondents were asked to define the role of 3D printing at their institution and asked about the potential role of clinical 3D printing in radiology and radiology residencies. RESULTS: 152 individual responses from 90 programs were provided, with a 46% overall program response rate (n = 90/194 radiology residencies). Most programs had 3D printing at their institution (60%; n = 54/90 programs). Among the institutions that perform 3D printing, 33% (n = 18/54) have structured opportunities for resident contribution. Most residents (60%; n = 91/152 respondents) feel they would benefit from 3D printing exposure or educational material. 56% of residents (n = 84/151) believed clinical 3D printing should be centered in radiology departments. 22% of residents (n = 34/151) believed it would increase communication and improve relationships between radiology and surgery colleagues. A minority (5%; 7/151) believe 3D printing is too costly, time-consuming, or outside a radiologist\u27s scope of practice. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of surveyed chief residents in accredited radiology residencies believe they would benefit from exposure to 3D printing in residency. 3D printing education and integration would be a valuable addition to current radiology residency program curricula

Spatial ecology of the endangered and endemic Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Kenya

Caecilians (Order Gymnophiona) are generalist predators of soil invertebrates, and may therefore play an important role in tropical soil ecosystems. However, their fossorial lifestyle and the associated difficulties in surveying them have caused a deficit in data for the majority of species. We applied a systematic approach and an intensive sampling strategy to an Endangered and evolutionarily distinct caecilian from the Eastern Arc Mountains, the Sagalla caecilian Boulengerula niedeni. We investigated the association between habitat type and caecilian occupancy across its entire range, the Sagalla Hill, Kenya, and explored the relationship between several variables (land use type, surface soil temperature, soil compactness and landowner prediction of caecilian presence) and its presence in different habitats. We found no significant effects of any of the investigated variables in predicting caecilian presence across the Sagalla landscape. Instead, our findings suggest that the species survives at least as well in agricultural landscapes as it does in areas with indigenous vegetation, with an estimated density of around 900 caecilians per hectare. A bimodal distribution of sizes and weights of captured specimens suggests ongoing successful breeding and recruitment. This suggests that there is a case for cautious optimism with regard to the status of B. niedeni. Our work could act as a useful pilot for further, improved caecilian surveys in the Eastern Arc Mountains and beyond, to improve our understanding and conservation of these overlooked fossorial amphibians

The Utilization of Video-Conference Shared Medical Appointments in Rural Diabetes Care

Aim To explore whether Video-Shared Medical Appointments (video-SMA), where group education and medication titration were provided remotely through video-conferencing technology would improve diabetes outcomes in remote rural settings. Methods We conducted a pilot where a team of a clinical pharmacist and a nurse practitioner from Honolulu VA hospital remotely delivered video-SMA in diabetes to Guam. Patients with diabetes and HbA1c ≥7% were enrolled into the study during 2013–2014. Six groups of 4–6 subjects attended 4 weekly sessions, followed by 2 bi-monthly booster video-SMA sessions for 5 months. Patients with HbA1c ≥7% that had primary care visits during the study period but not referred/recruited for video-SMA were selected as usual-care comparators. We compared changes from baseline in HbA1c, blood-pressure, and lipid levels using mixed-effect modeling between video-SMA and usual care groups. We also analyzed emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Focus groups were conducted to understand patient’s perceptions. Results Thirty-one patients received video-SMA and charts of 69 subjects were abstracted as usual-care. After 5 months, there was a significant decline in HbA1c in video-SMA vs. usual-care (9.1 ± 1.9 to 8.3 ± 1.8 vs. 8.6 ± 1.4 to 8.7 ± 1.6, P = 0.03). No significant change in blood-pressure or lipid levels was found between the groups. Patients in the video-SMA group had significantly lower rates of ED visits (3.2% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.01) than usual-care but similar hospitalization rates. Focus groups suggested patient satisfaction with video-SMA and increase in self-efficacy in diabetes self-care. Conclusion Video-SMA is feasible, well-perceived and has the potential to improve diabetes outcomes in a rural setting. Abbreviations ACE-inhibitor, angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; CBOC, community-based outpatient clinic; DM, diabetes mellitus; ED, emergency department; PACIC, patient assessment of care in chronic conditions; VAMC, Veterans Affairs Medical Center; VHA, Veterans Health Administration; video-SMA, video-shared medical appointment