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Comparison of Microscan and MALDI-TOF-Mass Spectrometry Identification Methods for E. coli Isolates from Natural Waters in Kentucky, USA
No full textE. coli are fecal indicator bacteria and their density in the environment can be indicative of fecal-oral pathogen diseases. MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry improves bacterial identification speed and accuracy, while Microscan is known for classifying and assessing antibiotic susceptibility in clinical isolates. This study compares both methods using environmental E. coli isolates to explore their potential.
113 water samples were collected over 13 weeks from 62 locations in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Bacterial colonies were isolated from samples using modified mTEC agar plates from presumably positive E. coli containing wells from Idexx Colilert and ColiGlow methods. 385 isolates were obtained and re-evaluated for their utilization of enzyme substrates. 121 isolates were evaluated for species identification using the NUC-85 Microscan panels and the Vitek MALDI-TOF-MS Prime. Stata 15 and diagtest command were used to evaluate the diagnostic statistics of the Microscan for classifying E. coli as determined by the MALDI-TOF-MS.
108 isolates were deemed E. coli by the MALDI-TOF-MS, though two were not identified. Microscan agreed with 99 of 108 E. coli-determined identifications, and 9 (82% [specificity]) of 11 non-E. coli identifications. Among the five of 11 discordant identifications, Microscan had low-probability identifications. Notably, some environmental isolates of E. coli (nearly 8%) were classified by the Microscan as biochemically-related species but not E. coli, which could affect clinical diagnoses.
Microscan showed excellent agreement with MALDI-TOF-MS, despite relying on biochemical tests. Therefore, our results illustrate that the Microscan identifications for environmental isolates are quite accurate and can be coupled with antibiotic susceptibility profiles from environmental samples for informing public health surveillance efforts
Live It, Write It: A Review of Using Creative Fiction Writing in Therapy with LGBTQ+ Individuals
No full textMental health is an ongoing concern for LGBTQ+ individuals as rates of mental disorders, substance use, and suicide are proportionately higher than their heterosexual counterparts. This number is affected by unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face such as disparities in healthcare, discrimination on a personal and global level, and complications in their personal lives, such as a lack of acceptance from their family members. This concern must be addressed and while there exists mental health resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, research shows that some do not feel as though their identity and issues are addressed sufficiently. Not only are mental health practitioners encouraged to maintain levels of cultural competency and affirmation in their services, but it is also important to consider creative methods in therapy that assist in the processing and communication of LGBTQ+ mental health concerns. By using existing literature on LGBTQ+ mental health, creative therapy practices, and creative fiction writing, this analysis seeks to propose creative fiction writing as a potential and beneficial practice for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking mental health assistance
Avian diversity in areas of differing prescribed fire cycles on reclaimed coal mines in Bell County, Ky
Full text linkAvian diversity in areas of differing prescribed fire cycles on reclaimed coal mines in Bell County, Ky
James Ledford and Stephen Sumithran
Department of Biological Sciences
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475
Grasslands are dynamic in space and time evolving in disturbances from fire and herbivores. However, studies on the responses of birds and other wildlife populations to fire and post-fire habitat changes are minimal. This study was conducted in the Appalachian mountains atop one of the first reclaimed mountaintop removal coal mines. We used the Merlin Bird ID app to record bird calls and identify their species. We recorded at three different sites i.e. current year burn, burned five years ago, and never burned. The results show that species richness and Shannon Weaver Diversity Index were highest in sites that were burned five years ago compared to unburned sites.
Ledford contact information
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: (606) 344-342
Professionalism…What Is It Anyway? Researching and Communally Defining an Elusive Social Construct in Occupational Therapy Programs
Full text linkFor its entirety, the profession of occupational therapy’s understanding of and approach to the development of professionalism in occupational therapy students (OTS) has remained relatively static and based largely on a White, Western, and male-dominated understanding of professionalism and how it manifests in academic environments. This understanding and approach are highly problematic in that it does not take into account the kaleidoscope of cultural differences that require occupational therapy practitioners to show up in different ways based on the needs and preferences of clients, communities, and populations. This research qualitatively analyzed existing documents containing references to professionalism utilized in one occupational therapy program. This was done to identify the program’s communal understanding of professionalism and whether this understanding is an accurate reflection of the values held by the faculty collective rooted in the context of a small university in the Northeast. Results indicated that existing documents did not accurately reflect these values. Findings created space for the development of a new statement that better represented how this program defined professionalism as manifested via ways of doing and being. Additionally, the results highlighted the need for the statement to include the students’ perspectives as well in an effort to fully embody the idea of a communal statement. The results of this research invite occupational therapy programs to analyze their current definition and understanding of professionalism to ensure that it is an accurate reflection of communal values and that it is contextually situated
Impact of an Educational Workshop on Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions of People with Justice System Involvement
Full text linkThe United States has the highest number of people per capita in detention centers when compared to all other nations in the world. Stigma exists against people with justice system involvement, resulting in discrimination by healthcare providers and students and ultimately health inequities. This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to impact occupational therapy students’ (N=25) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the criminal justice system and people with justice system involvement. The workshop included education, a panel of people with lived experience, and an occupational therapist with experiences in the criminal justice system. Significant changes were seen in the number of correct responses to 10 out of 14 knowledge questions and changes in 13 out of 20 statements related to beliefs and attitudes. Qualitative themes included: shifts in perspectives influenced by stigma, power of lived experience, and need for responsive curriculum. Findings indicate that students are impacted by stigma about people with justice system involvement but that they are receptive to learning and reconsidering beliefs, especially when exposed to people with lived experience. This has the potential to apply to other historically marginalized populations, which may enhance student empathy and encourage interest in emerging practice areas
Bridging Technology and Fieldwork Education: Developing an Electronic Medical Record for a Simulated Level I Experience
Full text linkThis study explores the development and implementation of a custom-designed simulated Electronic Medical Record (sEMR) system integrated into a simulation-based Level I occupational therapy fieldwork experience. The sEMR was collaboratively developed by the Occupational Therapy Department and the University Learning Design Team to provide occupational therapy students with realistic exposure to electronic medical record navigation and documentation. First-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students engaged in eight patient scenarios that simulated real-world settings—two of which utilized the sEMR for chart review and documentation while the remaining six used paper-based documentation. At the conclusion of the simulation, sixty-five students completed a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire to assess their perceptions of the system’s ease of use, usefulness, and their acceptance and applicability to future use of EMRs in practice. The results indicated that students found the sEMR useful, relevant to their learning, and beneficial in preparing them for future Level II fieldwork and professional practice. Although most students reported positive experiences, some challenges were noted regarding the system’s ease of use and navigation. This study underscores the value of incorporating sEMRs into occupational therapy curricula to help bridge the gap between academic learning and the pragmatic demands of modern-day practice, ultimately better preparing students for the transition to Level II fieldwork
You Want to Do What?: Systematic Integration of Experiential Learning Across a University Curricula
Full text linkHow does an entire university shift from traditional instructional methods to active experiential learning that engages students with meaningful experiences, fostering deeper comprehension? Driven by faculty, this insightful proceeding provides actionable steps, strategic planning initiatives, and pedagogical reframing to enhance student learning outcomes, improve retention rates, and increase student employability
Course to Prepare Students’ Employment Skills in Chemistry Science
Full text linkCHE 385 (Chemical Literature) is designed to introduce professional tools and techniques essential for students including chemical literature searching, disseminating chemical data, chemical safety training as well as professional conduct. Additionally, the incorporation of green chemistry principles and their real-world application bridge the gap between chemistry theory and practice
Enhancing Teacher Education in Rural Contexts Using Reflective Tools for Practice
No full textThis study explored the observations of pre-service teachers (PSTs) and what they identify as significant events on a skill mastery and video assessment platform known as GoReact. Students in upper and lower divisions of a teacher education program in a southeast central regional university observed a video lesson and noted events they deemed important (what we identify as “noticing”), along with explanations for their choices. We sought to understand how the PST’s class standing in their program influenced the types of noticing during the lesson observation. Preliminary findings suggest that students’ noticings varied considerably based on their place in the lower or upper division in the program. Lower division students (freshman and sophomore) predominantly focused on more simplistic understandings of teaching, such as classroom management and student behavior. In contrast, PSTs in the upper division of the program (juniors or seniors) tended to identify more nuanced aspects of teaching, such as instructional strategies and student engagement techniques. This variation indicated more advanced observational skills, which highlights the importance of education and experience in shaping what PSTs noticed and perceived as important in a teaching context. The results have implications for teacher education programs, suggesting a need to tailor observational training to enhance the ability of students to recognize and interpret complex teaching dynamics through recorded lessons in GoReact. By understanding what future educators notice, education preparation programs can better support the development of PSTs’ observational skills, ultimately contributing to more effective teaching practices
The Design Report: How Image Generative Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Culture of Design?
No full textThe rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is reshaping the global culture of visual communication professions by automating design and design-thinking, causing an acceleration in the already-shifting values which favor profit, speed, and cost effectiveness over human expression. As the accessibility of GAI models is integrated into creative spaces, opportunities within the profession are beginning to diminish causing introductory and junior level design positions to be highly competitive and out of reach for many beginner designers’ reach. Additionally, GAI is causing the homogenization of global culture and values, ultimately reinforcing the ideas of capitalism. The result has been a further reduction of intentional, visual craft to a commodity; stripping humanity of the opportunity for expression. Through critiques of researchers such as Kara Combs et al., Benjamin Matthews et al., Ben Davis, Mike Monterio and many more sources, generative artificial intelligence is being exposed for how it is promoting racial bias, accelerating the displacement of art-related jobs, and discouraging the human artist. Analysis of this research and comparisons between human art and artificially generated art highlights the urgent need for regulation of GAI development–not only for the benefit of the design professional, but for all of humanity’s role in shaping global culture