The effect of a purpose-built memory support unit on the transition to high level dementia care; Perspectives of multiple participants

The human neocerebellum has been hypothesized to contribute to many high-level cognitive processes including attention, language, and working memory. Support for these nonmotor hypotheses comes from evidence demonstrating structural and functional connectivity between the lateral cerebellum and cortical association areas as well as a lack of somatotopy in lobules VI and VII, a hallmark of motor representations in other areas of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex. We set out to test whether somatotopy exists in these lobules by using functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure cerebellar activity while participants produced simple or complex movements, using either fingers or toes. We observed a previously undiscovered somatotopic organization in neocerebellar lobules VI and VIIA that was most prominent when participants executed complex movements. In contrast, activation in the anterior lobe showed a similar somatotopic organization for both simple and complex movements. While the anterior somatotopic representation responded selectively during ipsilateral movements, the new cerebellar map responded during both ipsi- and contralateral movements. The presence of a bilateral, task-dependent somatotopic map in the neocerebellum emphasizes an important role for this region in the control of skilled actions.

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The Palestine Papers: Chronicling the U.S. Abandonment of the Road Map

Journal of Palestine Studies ◽

10.1525/jps.2011.xl.3.84 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 84-114

Keyword(s):

Peace Agreement ◽

Al Jazeera ◽

Support Unit ◽

The Road ◽

Road Map ◽

Right Of Return ◽

Power Point ◽

High Level ◽

The U.S

On 23 January 2011, as U.S. efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks floundered, the Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite TV channel and Britain's Guardian newspaper released a set of documents, written mostly by Palestinian officials (the “Palestine Papers”), claimed to be “the confidential record of ten years of efforts to seek a peace agreement with Israel.” The more than 1,600 pages of documents dating from September 1999 to September 2010 came mostly from the PLO Negotiation Affairs Department (PLONAD) and its successor body, the Negotiations Support Unit (NSU) headed by chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and included memos, emails, maps, minutes of private meetings, accounts of high-level exchanges, strategy papers, and Power Point presentations. The papers were leaked (apparently by several PLONAD/NSU staff) to al-Jazeera. Timed with the release, al-Jazeera launched a series (1/23–26) of hour-long programs to discuss the contents of the leaked material thematically: Jerusalem, settlements, and borders; refugees and right of return; PA security coordination with Israel; and the negotiations process.

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Expanding participation to non-group members in phase III cooperative group treatment trials

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.6533 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 6533-6533

Author(s):

A. M. Denicoff ◽

J. R. Hopkins ◽

S. E. Riordan ◽

J. M. Adler ◽

D. M. Marinucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Group Treatment ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Cooperative Group ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Support Unit ◽

Community Clinical Oncology Program ◽

Clinical Trials Enrollment ◽

Group Members ◽

High Level

6533 Background: The NCI initiated the Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) Independent Clinical Research Site (CICRS) Program at the ASCO Annual meeting in 2002. Building upon the CTSU's initial aim to expand participation of any NCI-sponsored Cooperative Group (Group) phase 3 trial to all Group and Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) members, the CICRS initiative has enabled unaffiliated sites to enroll patients in a wide variety of Group trials. Methods: Interested oncology practices submitted applications that were reviewed by a committee, including external reviewers, to select the most qualified sites. They had to meet standards similar to those for Group members and were assessed for the quality of investigator credentials and site preparedness. Sites were required to demonstrate functioning IRBs, pharmacy facilities, and data management standard operating procedures to ensure a high level of clinical trials practice. A CTSU research nurse mentor was added to address challenges faced by the sites. Sites were required to enroll at least 5 patients per year to remain active participants. Results: Via the CTSU, a trial menu of over 60 Group phase 3 studies, and selected phase 2 trials, were made available to CICRS participants. Active CICRS sites are distributed over 19 states and 6 of the 7 highest accruers are in population areas with less than 300,000 persons. Participating sites were surveyed in January 2006 to better understand barriers to clinical trials enrollment and 68% percent reported the main barriers were dedicated staff, time, adequate IRB and financial support for research. Conclusions: Obstacles for participation in the CICRS program have been defined and strategies to overcome them are being implemented. Results of these efforts will be updated, including provision of survey results, updated accrual, audit results and a review of successful enrollment strategies. No significant financial relationships to disclose. [Table: see text]

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Pet Pals Program: Experiences of Volunteer Residents Providing Friendly Pet Visits to Individuals in a Memory Support Unit

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2021.75s2-rp357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 7512515357p1

Author(s):

Kelsey Odell ◽

Aaron Bonsall ◽

Jessica Meyer

Keyword(s):

Support Unit ◽

Memory Support

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Transcription factor/DNA interactions visualized by electron spectroscopic imaging

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100122654 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 450-451

Author(s):

David P. Bazett-Jones ◽

Mark L. Brown

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Transcription Initiation ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Phosphorus Content ◽

Spectroscopic Imaging ◽

Electron Spectroscopic Imaging ◽

Dna Backbone ◽

Two Parameters ◽

High Level

A multisubunit RNA polymerase enzyme is ultimately responsible for transcription initiation and elongation of RNA, but recognition of the proper start site by the enzyme is regulated by general, temporal and gene-specific trans-factors interacting at promoter and enhancer DNA sequences. To understand the molecular mechanisms which precisely regulate the transcription initiation event, it is crucial to elucidate the structure of the transcription factor/DNA complexes involved. Electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) provides the opportunity to visualize individual DNA molecules. Enhancement of DNA contrast with ESI is accomplished by imaging with electrons that have interacted with inner shell electrons of phosphorus in the DNA backbone. Phosphorus detection at this intermediately high level of resolution (≈lnm) permits selective imaging of the DNA, to determine whether the protein factors compact, bend or wrap the DNA. Simultaneously, mass analysis and phosphorus content can be measured quantitatively, using adjacent DNA or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as mass and phosphorus standards. These two parameters provide stoichiometric information relating the ratios of protein:DNA content.

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Advances in Stem Instrumentation for Biology

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100180562 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 362-363

Author(s):

J. S. Wall

Keyword(s):

Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽

Carbon Films ◽

Specimen Preparation ◽

Material Deposition ◽

Active User ◽

Percent Improvement ◽

Scanning Transmission ◽

The Moment ◽

Film Substrate ◽

High Level

The forte of the Scanning transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) is high resolution imaging with high contrast on thin specimens, as demonstrated by visualization of single heavy atoms. of equal importance for biology is the efficient utilization of all available signals, permitting low dose imaging of unstained single molecules such as DNA.Our work at Brookhaven has concentrated on: 1) design and construction of instruments optimized for a narrow range of biological applications and 2) use of such instruments in a very active user/collaborator program. Therefore our program is highly interactive with a strong emphasis on producing results which are interpretable with a high level of confidence.The major challenge we face at the moment is specimen preparation. The resolution of the STEM is better than 2.5 A, but measurements of resolution vs. dose level off at a resolution of 20 A at a dose of 10 el/A2 on a well-behaved biological specimen such as TMV (tobacco mosaic virus). To track down this problem we are examining all aspects of specimen preparation: purification of biological material, deposition on the thin film substrate, washing, fast freezing and freeze drying. As we attempt to improve our equipment/technique, we use image analysis of TMV internal controls included in all STEM samples as a monitor sensitive enough to detect even a few percent improvement. For delicate specimens, carbon films can be very harsh-leading to disruption of the sample. Therefore we are developing conducting polymer films as alternative substrates, as described elsewhere in these Proceedings. For specimen preparation studies, we have identified (from our user/collaborator program ) a variety of “canary” specimens, each uniquely sensitive to one particular aspect of sample preparation, so we can attempt to separate the variables involved.

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A Questionnaire Survey of Current Rehabilitation Practices for Adults With Normal Hearing Sensitivity Who Experience Auditory Difficulties

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-20-00027 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 738-761

Author(s):

Tess K. Koerner ◽

Melissa A. Papesh ◽

Frederick J. Gallun

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Patient Population ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Auditory Training ◽

Training Methods ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

Considerable Benefit ◽

High Level

Purpose A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information from clinical audiologists about rehabilitation options for adult patients who report significant auditory difficulties despite having normal or near-normal hearing sensitivity. This work aimed to provide more information about what audiologists are currently doing in the clinic to manage auditory difficulties in this patient population and their views on the efficacy of recommended rehabilitation methods. Method A questionnaire survey containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions was developed and disseminated online. Invitations to participate were delivered via e-mail listservs and through business cards provided at annual audiology conferences. All responses were anonymous at the time of data collection. Results Responses were collected from 209 participants. The majority of participants reported seeing at least one normal-hearing patient per month who reported significant communication difficulties. However, few respondents indicated that their location had specific protocols for the treatment of these patients. Counseling was reported as the most frequent rehabilitation method, but results revealed that audiologists across various work settings are also successfully starting to fit patients with mild-gain hearing aids. Responses indicated that patient compliance with computer-based auditory training methods was regarded as low, with patients generally preferring device-based rehabilitation options. Conclusions Results from this questionnaire survey strongly suggest that audiologists frequently see normal-hearing patients who report auditory difficulties, but that few clinicians are equipped with established protocols for diagnosis and management. While many feel that mild-gain hearing aids provide considerable benefit for these patients, very little research has been conducted to date to support the use of hearing aids or other rehabilitation options for this unique patient population. This study reveals the critical need for additional research to establish evidence-based practice guidelines that will empower clinicians to provide a high level of clinical care and effective rehabilitation strategies to these patients.

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