Functional Interrogation of Ca Signals in Human Cancer Cells In Vitro and Ex Vivo by Fluorescent Microscopy and Molecular Tools.

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) and high-resolution confocal microscopy enable dynamic visualization of calcium signals in cells and tissues. Two-dimensional and 3D biocompatible materials mimic the mechanical microenvironments of tumor and healthy tissues in a programmable manner. Cancer xenograft models and ex vivo functional imaging of tumor slices reveal physiologically relevant functions of calcium dynamics in tumors at different progression stages.

Computer and Videogame Interventions for Older Adults' Cognitive and Everyday Functioning.

Objective: This study compared older adults' gains in cognitive and everyday functioning after a 60-session home-based videogame intervention with gains seen under formal cognitive training and usual care/no intervention.

Materials And Methods: Participants were randomized to one of three groups: one group played an off-the-shelf videogame (i.e.

Beyond Academics: A Model for Simultaneously Advancing Campus-Based Supports for Learning Disabilities, STEM Students' Skills for Self-Regulation, and Mentors' Knowledge for Co-regulating and Guiding.

Learning disabilities are highly prevalent on college campuses, yet students with learning disabilities graduate at lower rates than those without disabilities. Academic and psychosocial supports are essential for overcoming challenges and for improving postsecondary educational opportunities for students with learning disabilities. A holistic, multi-level model of campus-based supports was established to facilitate culture and practice changes at the institutional level, while concurrently bolstering mentors' abilities to provide learning disability-knowledgeable support, and simultaneously creating opportunities for students' personal and interpersonal development.

Targeting Behavioral Symptoms and Functional Decline in Dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background/objectives: Dementia-related behavioral symptoms and functional dependence result in poor quality of life for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The goal was to determine whether a home-based activity program (Tailored Activity Program; TAP-VA) would reduce behavioral symptoms and functional dependence of veterans with dementia and caregiver burden.

Design: Single-blind (interviewer), parallel, randomized, controlled trial (Clinicaltrials.

Relationship between the number of behavioral symptoms in dementia and caregiver distress: what is the tipping point?

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTBackground:Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a primary manifestation of brain dysfunction in dementia and a great challenge in caregiving. While BPSD are historically associated with caregiver distress, it is unclear whether there is an identifiable point where BPSD number is associated with heightened caregiver distress. The purpose of this study was to determine if such a tipping point exists to assist clinicians in identifying caregiver compromise.

Older Adults' Engagement During an Intervention Involving Off-the-Shelf Videogame.

Objective: The overall goal of our current study was to examine older adults' experience of Flow (i.e., subjective engagement) during the course of a home-based cognitive training program.

Hispanic Older Adult's Perceptions of Personal, Contextual and Technology-Related Barriers for Using Assistive Technology Devices.

Assistive technologies (AT) are tools that enhance the independence, safety, and quality of life of older people with functional limitations. While AT may extend independence in ageing, there are racial and ethnic disparities in late-life AT use, with lower rates reported among Hispanic older populations. The aim of this study was to identify barriers experienced by Hispanic community-living older adults for using AT.

Social networks and participation with others for youth with learning, attention, and autism spectrum disorders.

Background: Social participation involves activities and roles providing interactions with others, including those within their social networks.

Purpose: This study sought to characterize social networks and participation with others for 36 youth, ages 11 to 16 years, with (n = 19) and without (n = 17) learning disability, attention disorder, or high-functioning autism.

Method: Social networks were measured using methods of personal network analysis.

Mixed-Method Exploration of Social Network Links to Participation.

The people who regularly interact with an adolescent form that youth's social network (SN), which may impact participation. We investigated the relationship of SNs to participation using personal network analysis and individual interviews. The sample included 36 youth, aged 11 to 16 years.

Rectification of nanopores in aprotic solvents--transport properties of nanopores with surface dipoles.

Nanopores have become a model system to understand transport properties at the nanoscale. We report experiments and modeling of ionic current in aprotic solvents with different dipole moments through conically shaped nanopores in a polycarbonate film and through glass nanopipettes. We focus on solutions of the salt LiClO4, which is of great importance in modeling lithium based batteries.

Assistive technologies for self-managed pressure ulcer prevention in spinal cord injury: a scoping review.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) present a persistent and costly problem. Continuing effort in developing new technologies that support self-managed care is an important prevention strategy. Specifically, the aims of this scoping review are to review the key concepts and factors related to self-managed prevention of PUs in individuals with SCI and appraise the technologies available to assist patients in self-management of PU prevention practices.

Presence of electrolyte promotes wetting and hydrophobic gating in nanopores with residual surface charges.

Hydrophobic nanopores provide a model system to study hydrophobic interactions at the nanoscale. Such nanopores could also function as a valve since they halt the transport of water and all dissolved species. It has recently been found that a hydrophobic pore can become wetted i.

A non-pharmacologic approach to address challenging behaviors of Veterans with dementia: description of the tailored activity program-VA randomized trial.

Background: Behavioral symptoms accompanying dementia are associated with increased health care costs, reduced quality of life and daily functioning, heightened family caregiver burden, and nursing home placement. Standard care typically involves pharmacologic agents, but these are, at best, modestly effective, carry serious risks, including mortality, and do not address behavioral symptoms families consider most distressful and which may prompt nursing home placement. Given dementia's devastating effects and the absence of an imminent cure, the Veterans Administration has supported the development and testing of new approaches to manage challenging behaviors at home.

Video game training to improve selective visual attention in older adults.

The current study investigated the effect of video game training on older adult's useful field of view performance (the UFOV® test). Fifty-eight older adult participants were randomized to receive practice with the target action game (), a placebo control arcade game (), a clinically validated UFOV training program, or into a no contact control group. Examining pretest-posttest change in selective visual attention, the UFOV improved significantly more than the game groups; all three intervention groups improved significantly more than no-contact controls.

Older adults' engagement with a video game training program.

Objectives: The current study investigated older adults' level of engagement with a video game training program. Engagement was measured using the concept of Flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975).

Methods: Forty-five older adults were randomized to receive practice with an action game (), a puzzle-like game (), or a gold-standard Useful Field of View (UFOV) training program.

How older adults make decisions regarding smart technology: an ethnographic approach.

Comparatively little research has been conducted regarding the smart technology needs of the older adult population despite the proliferation of smart technology prototypes. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived smart technology needs of older adults with mobility impairments while using an ethnographic research approach to construct a preliminary decision tree model of how these smart technology decisions are made. In-depth individual interviews with 11 older adults aged 65 and older with mobility impairments provided insight into how older adults perceived smart technology.

Simulated driving performance of combat veterans with mild tramatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.

Objective: We determined differences in driving errors between combat veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder and healthy control participants.

Method: We compared 18 postdeployed combat veterans with 20 control participants on drivingerrors in a driving simulator.

Results: Combat veterans were more likely to be male; were younger; and had more racial diversity, less formal education, and lower cognitive scores than control participants.

Smokeless tobacco use among military flight personnel: a survey of 543 aviators.

Introduction: Although there has been a steady decline in smoking rates among adults in the United States in recent years, the consumption of smokeless tobacco (ST) continues to increase. Moreover, ST use in the U.S.

Demographic and clinical variation in Veterans Health Administration provision of assistive technology devices to veterans poststroke.

Objectives: To examine variation in provision of assistive technology (AT) devices and the extent to which such variation may be explained by patient characteristics or Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative region.

Design: Retrospective population-based study.

Setting: VHA.

Cost, utilization, and policy of provision of assistive technology devices to veterans poststroke by Medicare and VA.

Background: The increase in provision of assistive technology devices (ATDs) has spurred controversy over Medicare policy aimed at reducing cost-policy that forces social isolation and conflicts with legislation, facilitating participation for individuals with disabilities. In contrast, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy does not limit provision of AT to "in home" use only but rather, states "all enrolled and some non-enrolled veterans are eligible for all needed prosthetics."

Objectives: Examine ATD provision policy by comparing 2 systems, Medicare and VA.

Effects of assistive technology on functional decline in people aging with a disability.

This study used a randomized control group design to investigate the impact of an assistive technology and home modification intervention on function for individuals who are aging with a disability. There were 91 participants with polio, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, stroke, and other impairments. Outcome data were collected at 12 and 24 months through in-home interviews using the Older Americans Resources and Services Instrument (OARS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and through monthly telephone contact on the hours of in-home care, hospitalizations, and acquisition of AT.

Feasibility of machine-based prompting to assist persons with dementia.

Nearly 14% of people over age 71 have some form of dementia, with prevalence increasing to nearly 40% of those over age 90. As dimentia progresses, it impacts a person's independent functions and can increase the burden on caregivers. The use of assistive devices can help individuals with dementia live more independently.

Traumatic brain injury and driving assessment: an evidence-based literature review.

Objective: We conducted a literature review of assessment tools predicting driving performance for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Method: Data sources were Web of Science, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and recently published literature from experts and team members not yet catalogued in the databases. We used the American Academy of Neurology's classification criteria to extract data from 13 studies, and we assigned a class (I-IV, with I being the highest level of evidence) to each study.

Comparison of driving errors between on-the-road and simulated driving assessment: a validation study.

Objective: Driving simulation provides a convenient and safe method for assessing driving behaviors. Many authors, however, agree that validation is a key component of any study that utilizes simulators to assess driving performance. The purpose of this study was to test driver response validity by discerning whether behavioral responses of drivers, as expressed by type and number of errors, are similar on the road and in the simulator.