A behavioral database for masked form priming

Reading involves a process of matching an orthographic input with stored representations in lexical memory. The masked priming paradigm has become a standard tool for investigating this process. Use of existing results from this paradigm can be limited by the precision of the data and the need for cross-experiment comparisons that lack normal experimental controls. Here, we present a single, large, high-precision, multicondition experiment to address these problems. Over 1,000 participants from 14 sites responded to 840 trials involving 28 different types of orthographically related primes (e.g., castfe–CASTLE) in a lexical decision task, as well as completing measures of spelling and vocabulary. The data were indeed highly sensitive to differences between conditions: After correction for multiple comparisons, prime type condition differences of 2.90 ms and above reached significance at the 5% level. This article presents the method of data collection and preliminary findings from these data, which included replications of the most widely agreed-upon differences between prime types, further evidence for systematic individual differences in susceptibility to priming, and new evidence regarding lexical properties associated with a target word’s susceptibility to priming. These analyses will form a basis for the use of these data in quantitative model fitting and evaluation and for future exploration of these data that will inform and motivate new experiments

Cooperative and Antagonistic Contributions of Two Heterochromatin Proteins to Transcriptional Regulation of the Drosophila Sex Determination Decision

Eukaryotic nuclei contain regions of differentially staining chromatin (heterochromatin), which remain condensed throughout the cell cycle and are largely transcriptionally silent. RNAi knockdown of the highly conserved heterochromatin protein HP1 in Drosophila was previously shown to preferentially reduce male viability. Here we report a similar phenotype for the telomeric partner of HP1, HOAP, and roles for both proteins in regulating the Drosophila sex determination pathway. Specifically, these proteins regulate the critical decision in this pathway, firing of the establishment promoter of the masterswitch gene, Sex-lethal (Sxl). Female-specific activation of this promoter, SxlPe, is essential to females, as it provides SXL protein to initiate the productive female-specific splicing of later Sxl transcripts, which are transcribed from the maintenance promoter (SxlPm) in both sexes. HOAP mutants show inappropriate SxlPe firing in males and the concomitant inappropriate splicing of SxlPm-derived transcripts, while females show premature firing of SxlPe. HP1 mutants, by contrast, display SxlPm splicing defects in both sexes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show both proteins are associated with SxlPe sequences. In embryos from HP1 mutant mothers and Sxl mutant fathers, female viability and RNA polymerase II recruitment to SxlPe are severely compromised. Our genetic and biochemical assays indicate a repressing activity for HOAP and both activating and repressing roles for HP1 at SxlPe

Older Adults Aging-in-Place

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to explore the meaning of home and aging in place (qualitative) and the relationship between PEO characteristics (quantitative), of community dwelling adults, 65 and older. BACKGROUND: Census reports indicate the number of adults over age 65 continues to increase. Surveys reveal 90% of older Americans cling to their homes and want to “age-in-place.” To address this need, occupational therapists need to understand the meaning of home and aging-in-place and know what personal, environmental, and occupational (PEO) characteristics best support aging-in-place. No known studies have investigated all aspects concurrently. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional mixed methods design; however, this poster covers only the qualitative data collected via face-to-face interview. Responses were audio taped and then transcribed. Using phenomenological qualitative methods, transcriptions were coded by research team members to discover themes that emerged from the rich variety of participant responses. CONCLUSION: A home is more than the physical environment and aging-in-place is important to older Americans. While home modifications can strengthen the physical, personal, and social accessibility of the home, occupational therapists who view the aging adult holistically may benefit their clients by addressing the person’s resilient and creative response and the importance of home to age in a meaningful environment. GRANT: This study was funded by an NSU College of Health Care Sciences and College of Nursing FY 2013 Faculty Research & Development Grant

Documenting Progress: Hand Therapy Treatment Shift From Biomechanical to Occupational Adaptation

The investment of time and self to develop therapeutic relationships with clients appears incongruent with today’s time-constrained health care system, yet bridging the gap of these incongruencies is the challenge therapists face to provide high-quality, client-centered, occupation-based treatment. This case report illustrates a shift in approach from biomechanical to occupational adaptation (OA) in an orthopedic outpatient clinic. The progress of a client with lupus-related arthritis who was 6 days postsurgery is documented. The intervention initially used a biomechanical frame of reference, but when little progress had been made at 10 weeks after surgery, a shift was made to the more client-centered OA approach. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered, and an OA approach was initiated. On reassessment, clinically important improvements were documented in all functional tasks addressed. An OA approach provides the bridge between the application of clinical expertise, client-centered, occupation-based therapy and the time constraints placed by payer sources

Introduction of an Emerging Technology Device Through PowerPoint® Training

Successful inclusion of assistive technology in intervention is limited by training and the level of comfort with technology of treating occupational therapists. Experienced and new therapists need exposure and training on high technology assistive devices newly introduced on the market. The purpose of the study was to identify the effect of a PowerPoint presentation to introduce an emerging high technology device on two groups: 30 licensed occupational therapists and 27 students in an entry level master of occupational therapy program. The PowerPoint developed introduced and educated participants on the Assistive Dining Device. Participants completed a demographic form, the Survey of Technology Use and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology. Participants also to rated their satisfaction with the information presented. Results showed 98% of the participants were satisfied with the information presented and 95% of the participants were satisfied with their acquired knowledge base to recommend the device for client use. Master of occupational therapy students were similar in personal characteristics to occupational therapists but were both more satisfied with the Assistive Dining Device characteristics and had a more positive attitude toward technology. Participants who had a less positive attitude toward technology also had a slightly lower mean satisfaction with the Assistive Dining Device than those who had a more positive attitude toward technology. PowerPoint presentations appear to be one effective means of communicating information about new technologies. Further study needs to be done to evaluate the effectiveness of similar media included in packaging and marketing of assistive technology devices

Technology and Environmental Interventions in Community-Based Practice

https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_ot_faculty_books/1025/thumbnail.jp

Managing Programs in Emerging Practice Areas

https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_ot_faculty_books/1026/thumbnail.jp

Speech-Language Pathologists in Disaster Management: Team Roles

Purpose: Disaster management is a topic that is multi-faceted and intricately maintained by the professionals who volunteer their expertise and time to assist those who have been affected by an unforeseen disaster. Creating a well-rounded and effective team is of immense importance during disaster situations; speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can provide vital skills in the realm of communication, feeding, and other areas. However, the role of SLPs within the disaster management team is not well documented in the literature. The purpose of the study was to identify awareness, involvement, and training of SLPs in disaster management cycles through exploration of their self-reported knowledge, skills, and roles in order to better understand their likelihood of response and potential collaborative roles within the team. Method: To explore how SLPs view themselves as part of the disaster management cycle, a cross-sectional survey study was designed. The study specifically targeted licensed, SLPs within the state of Florida. Results: There were 216 viable survey responses to analyze. Upon rendering of the data, a descriptive and correlational analysis was conducted to further examine how speech-language professionals perceive their fit in the arena of disaster management. SLPs who responded to this survey were primarily white, 40–49-year-old females who had experienced some form of disaster. Most respondents reported receiving no training for disaster management; however, they indicated that SLPs and other healthcare professionals have unique skills that could contribute to disaster cycles. Although there was reportedly limited training and guidance available and minimal professional experience with disaster, SLPs who reported having professional experience with disaster cycles, indicated an increased likelihood of participating in future disaster response. Conclusions: Similar to interdisciplinary teams found in clinical practice, healthcare professionals need training and education about their roles to form teams to holistically address the needs of clients in all disaster management stages. Analyses show SLPs feel they could provide important contributions to the interdisciplinary disaster management team; however, they have not had adequate professional experience or training