Visual scanning of faces in autism

The visual scanpaths of five high-functioning adult autistic males and five adult male controls were recorded using an infrared corneal reflection technique as they viewed photographs of human faces. Analyses of the scanpath data revealed marked differences in the scanpaths of the two groups. The autistic participants viewed nonfeature areas of the faces significantly more often and core feature areas of the faces (i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth) significantly less often than did control participants. Across both groups of participants, scanpaths generally did not differ as a function of the instructions given to the participants (i.e., Please look at the faces in any manner you wish. vs. Please identify the emotions portrayed in these faces.). Autistic participants showed a deficit in emotion recognition, but this effect was driven primarily by deficits in the recognition of fear. Collectively, these results indicate disorganized processing of face stimuli in autistic individuals and suggest a mechanism that may subserve the social information processing deficits that characterize autism spectrum disorders.     

大连市英那河水库库区污染源清理及效果

目的探讨水库库区污染源清理的方法和效果.方法于2002年对大连市英那河水库库区的猪圈、牲口圈、厕所、院坑、坟墓等污染源清理后,计算污染源面积,采集清理后未消毒的土壤样品,用生石灰或漂白粉消毒后的土壤样品.按照GB 7959-1987<粪便无害化卫生标准>进行评价.结果每座牲口圈、猪圈、厕所、禽舍、院坑、坟墓的污染源面积分别为77.4、74.2、31.7、32.1、36.3、158.5 m2.选用生石灰和漂白粉进行消毒.猪圈污染源清理后未消毒和清理清理后消毒的土壤样品大肠埃希菌值、蠕虫卵合格率分别为85.94%和90.31%,96.88%和99.38%.消毒前后的土壤样品大肠埃希菌值合格率(x2=11.58,P＜0.005)、蠕虫卵合格率(P＜0.005)差异均有统计学意义.库区各类污染源清理后消毒的土壤样品大肠埃希菌值(95.78%)和蠕虫卵合格率(99.85%)接近库区山坡荒地土壤对照样品(大肠埃希菌值和蠕虫卵合格率均为100%).结论库区污染源采取清理与药物消毒联合应用,能够保障污染源清理达到清洁土壤的卫生指标.     

Eight-year outcomes of a competency-based residency training program in orthopedic surgery

Abstract

Background: The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Toronto implemented a pilot residency training program that used a competency-based framework in July of 2009. The competency-based curriculum (CBC) deployed an innovative, modularized approach that dramatically intensified both the structured learning elements and the assessment processes.

Methods: This paper discusses the initial curriculum design of the CBC pilot program; the refinement of the curriculum using curriculum mapping that allowed for efficiencies in educational delivery; details of evaluating resident competence; feedback from external reviews by accrediting bodies; and trainee and program outcomes for the first eight years of the program’s implementation.

Results: Feedback from the residents, the faculty, and the postgraduate residency training accreditation bodies on the CBC has been positive and suggests that the essential framework of the program may provide a valuable tool to other programs that are contemplating embarking on transition to competency-based education.

Conclusions: While the goal of the program was not to shorten training per se, efficiencies gained through a modular, competency-based program have resulted in shortened time to completion of residency training for some learners.     

Matrix metalloproteinases and skeletal muscle: a brief review

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc- dependent proteolytic enzymes that function mainly in the extracellular matrix, where they contribute to the development, functioning, and pathology of a wide range of tissues. This mini-review describes the MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) in skeletal muscle, and considers their involvement in muscle development, ischemia, myonecrosis, angiogenesis, denervation, exercise-induced injuries, disuse atrophy, muscle repair and regeneration, and inflammatory myopathies and dystrophies. Despite the very limited information currently available on MMPs and their inhibitors in skeletal muscle, it is becoming increasingly clear that they have important physiological functions in maintenance of the integrity and homeostasis of muscle fibers and of the extracellular matrix. Understanding the roles of MMPs and TIMPs may lead to the development of new drug-related treatments for various muscle disorders based on suppression or upregulation of their expression.     

Exporting a technical skills evaluation technology to other sites

BACKGROUND: The Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) is a multistation performance-based examination that assesses the technical skills of surgery residents. This study explores the implementation issues involved in remote administration of the OSATS focusing on feasibility and the psychometric properties of the examination. METHODS: An eight-station OSATS was administered to surgical residents in Los Angeles and Chicago. The University of Toronto and the local institutions shared responsibility for organization and administration of the examination. RESULTS: There was good reliability for both the checklist (alpha = 0.68 for LA, 0.73 for Chicago) and global rating forms (alpha = 0.82 for both sites). Both iterations also showed evidence of construct validity, with a significant effect of training year for the checklist and global rating forms at both sites (analysis of variance: F = 8.66 to 19.93, P <0.01). Despite some challenges, the model of central organization and peripheral delivery was effective for the administration of the examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Two iterations of the OSATS at remote sites demonstrated psychometric properties that are highly consistent with previously reported data suggesting that the examination is portable. Both faculty and residents indicated satisfaction with the examination experience. A model of central administration with peripheral delivery was feasible and effective.