Crystal Memories: Capturing Our Voices - Report Series # 13

These two pilot studies, conducted between January and April 2006, were comprised of two independent research projects. The goal of the first project (Project A) was to assess the usability of the Crystal Memories software developed at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) and to make recommendations for version two of the software. Three women and two men were recruited from an earlier computer study conducted at SERC in the fall of 2005; one man was recruited from the broader community of Oakville, Ontario. None of these participants had any known cognitive impairments. The 6 participants met as a group for two hours, once a week for 10 weeks. This group was facilitated by two student research assistants. The second research project (Project B) involved two participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), and their primary care partners. Project B focused on the potential for shared personal narratives to enhance communication between persons with ADRD and their care partners

Body Mass Index, Smoking, and Alcohol and Risks of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A UK Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: The timing of the risk factors cigarette smoking, alcohol and obesity in the development of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is unclear. AIMS: To investigate these exposures in the aetiology of BE and EAC in the same population. METHODS: The cohort included 24,068 men and women, aged 39–79 years, recruited between 1993 and 1997 into the prospective EPIC-Norfolk Study who provided information on anthropometry, smoking and alcohol intake. The cohort was monitored until December 2008 and incident cases identified. RESULTS: One hundred and four participants were diagnosed with BE and 66 with EAC. A body mass index (BMI) above 23 kg/m(2) was associated with a greater risk of BE [BMI ≥23 vs. 18.5 to <23, hazard ratio (HR) 3.73, 95 % CI 1.37–10.16], and within a normal BMI, the risk was greater in the higher category (HR 3.76, 95 % CI 1.30–10.85, BMI 23–25 vs. 18.5 to >23 kg/m(2)). Neither smoking nor alcohol intake were associated with risk for BE. For EAC, all BMI categories were associated with risk, although statistically significant for only the highest (BMI >35 vs. BMI 18.5 to <23, HR 4.95, 95 % CI 1.11–22.17). The risk was greater in the higher category of a normal BMI (HR 2.73, 95 % CI 0.93–8.00, p = 0.07, BMI 23–25 vs. 18.5 to >23 kg/m(2)). There was an inverse association with ≥7 units alcohol/week (HR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.29–0.88) and with wine (HR 0.49, 95 % CI 0.23–1.04, p = 0.06, drinkers vs. non-drinkers). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity may be involved early in carcinogenesis and the association with EAC and wine should be explored. The data have implications for aetiological investigations and prevention strategies

Screen Fatigue and how AI can Assist

Screen Fatigue and how AI can Assist As a society, we are all too aware of the sudden and significant evolution of the higher education environment; classrooms that once consisted of only desks, chairs, and chalkboards in a brick-and-mortar auditorium have now largely become part of the technological landscape. We are also frequently reminded of the negative consequences of the online learning format - obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back issues, and Zoom fatigue, among others. However, another relatively new existence now contributes to the distance learning format - Artificial Intelligence or “AI.” In addition to its academic applications, AI allows for personalized learning experiences, for example, that allow for analysis of specific learning patterns that eliminate a one-size-fits-all approach to education. In addition, AI-driven emotional support systems have created safe spaces for students to express their feelings and concerns. These and many other AI-powered tools are now available and can significantly improve the mental health of distance learners by promoting a sense of security and reducing feelings of isolation. The positive influences of AI on the mental health of e-learners are undeniable. We look forward to sharing even more ideas about how this new technology has the power to positively affect the mental health and well-being of members of today\u27s academic community

The Urgency to Train Online Instructors

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has redefined the manner in which those seeking advanced degrees will succeed in the academic arena. Due to the effectiveness of learning in the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom, a certain sense of complacency exists but suddenly, learners are forced to alter that established learning path and arrive at new methods of acquiring information. Alongside the COVID-19 attack, the modern era of academia calls for the need and desire to learn in online, distance education learning programs. Long distance teaching programs are designed to rely upon the abilities of technology to facilitate effective communication as well as the sharing of information, human interaction, and knowledge building for those post-baccalaureate learners. In order for this process to occur, educators must be adequately trained to ensure successes on the parts of their students but it has been reported by many that such training is not typical of course room preparation and design. Limited information exists about “teaching teachers” to become online instructors, to construct their course rooms for student success, to become knowledgeable and skilled at using online technology, or how to overcome limitations that exist with many classroom devices. Online instructors find themselves questioning whether they have provided ample opportunity for learners to interact with one another, for learners to see their instructors as accessible and transparent, and ultimately to utilize the technology they have been presented. Many distance educators report that they are inexperienced in such a program, are untrained and ill-prepared for the online teaching experience, and ultimately worry about the imminent effects on their students. In the end, despite the need and desire for long-distance education, the issue of “teaching online instructors to effectively teach” remains a paramount concern

Gaining a “Foothold” on the Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis

Pediatric refugees and immigrants may present with unusual diagnoses due to their extensive migration and potential harsh conditions in travel. Trauma and family separation add to the difficulty of obtaining a history of exposures. We report a case of one of the more commonly neglected tropical diseases, Leishmaniasis. A 15-year-old male refugee patient presented to the hospital with ulcerative lesions to his legs. His migration history was extensive, starting in Central Africa with travel to South America, followed by migration through Central America to Texas. The patient developed ulcerative lesions on his legs, and he was brought to the children’s hospital by his refugee organization, where the diagnosis was ultimately confirmed as Leishmaniasis. Providers should become familiar with tropical diseases that refugees, as well as local populations, may acquire from travel. Specifically, pediatricians should become familiar with the more prevalent “neglected” tropical diseases as recommended by the World Health Organization

Antimicrobial drugs for persistent diarrhoea of unknown or non-specific cause in children under six in low and middle income countries: systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background A high proportion of children with persistent diarrhoea in middle and low income countries die. The best treatment is not clear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial drug treatment for persistent diarrhoea of unknown or non-specific cause. Methods We included randomized comparisons of antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of persistent diarrhoea of unknown or non-specific cause in children under the age of six years in low and middle income countries. We searched the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, WEB OF SCIENCE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to May 2008 for relevant randomized or quasi randomized controlled trials. We summarised the characteristics of the eligible trials, assessed their quality using standard criteria, and extracted relevant outcomes data. Where appropriate, we combined the results of different trials. Results Three trials from South East Asia and one from Guatemala were included, all were small, and three had adequate allocation concealment. Two were in patients with diarrhoea of unknown cause, and two were in patients in whom known bacterial or parasitological causes of diarrhoea had been excluded. No difference was demonstrated for oral gentamicin compared with placebo (presence of diarrhoea at 6 or 7 days; 2 trials, n = 151); and for metronidazole compared with placebo (presence of diarrhoea at 3, 5 and 7 days; 1 trial, n = 99). In one small trial, sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim appeared better than placebo in relation to diarrhoea at seven days and total stool volume (n = 55). Conclusion There is little evidence as to whether or not antimicrobials help treat persistent diarrhoea in young children in low and middle income countries

Intergenerational Programs in Oklahoma's Licensed Childcare Centers: Directors Attitudes and Behaviors

Family Relations and Child Developmen

Usability of Consumer Software - Report Series # 9

This is an observational study with the aim of identifying the problems that the elderly experience in the use in using technology. The reasoning behind this study is rooted in the nature of aging – the baby boomers of the post-war era are now entering their 60s, at a time when technology is more prominent than ever before. It is therefore imperative that technology be made to accommodate the needs of this demographic

Multidisciplinary Management of Progressive Ataxia

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) hosts a specialist centre for people living with Progressive Ataxias. Patients attend from across the UK for differential diagnosis, specialist opinion, expert assessment and exploration of treatment options. This article discusses the treatment and management considerations of the multi-disciplinary team in the context of a condition with a huge variety of symptoms and limited evidence base for clinically effective treatment. It highlights the importance of tailored treatment focused on symptom management and optimising participation. It also discusses service initiatives that enabled patients continued access to treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives were proven to be very successful and therefore continue to run today