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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2008.12.012 Byline: Anna Wong (a), Nadine Marcus (a), Paul Ayres (b), Lee Smith (c), Graham A. Cooper (c), Fred Paas (d)(e), John Sweller (b) Keywords: Instructional animations; Human motor skills; Mirror-neuron system; Cognitive load theory Abstract: Based on the assumption of a working memory processor devoted to human movement, cognitive load theory is used to explore some conditions under which animated instructions are hypothesised to be more effective for learning than equivalent static graphics. Using paper-folding tasks dealing with human movement, results from three experiments confirmed our hypothesis, indicating a superiority of animation over static graphics. These results are discussed in terms of a working memory processor that may be facilitated by our mirror-neuron system and may explain why animated instructional animations are superior to static graphics for cognitively based tasks that involve human movement. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (b) School of Education, University of New South Wales, Australia (c) School of Multimedia and Information Technology, Southern Cross University, Australia (d) Educational Technology Expertise Center, Open University of the Netherlands, The Netherlands (e) Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Background Daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is increasingly used in intensive care units to prevent hospital-associated infections, but limited evidence exists for noncritical care settings. Methods A prospective crossover study was conducted on 4 medical inpatient units in an urban, academic Canadian hospital from May 1, 2014-August 10, 2015. Intervention units used CHG over a 7-month period, including a 1-month wash-in phase, while control units used nonmedicated soap and water bathing. Rates of hospital-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization or infection were the primary end point. Hospital-associated S. aureus were investigated for CHG resistance with a qac A/B and smr polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agar dilution. Results Compliance with daily CHG bathing was 58%. Hospital-associated MRSA and VRE was decreased by 55% (5.1 vs 11.4 cases per 10,000 inpatient days, P  = .04) and 36% (23.2 vs 36.0 cases per 10,000 inpatient days, P  = .03), respectively, compared with control cohorts. There was no significant difference in rates of hospital-associated Clostridium difficile . Chlorhexidine resistance testing identified 1 isolate with an elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (8 µg/mL), but it was PCR negative. Conclusions This prospective pragmatic study to assess daily bathing for CHG on inpatient medical units was effective in reducing hospital-associated MRSA and VRE. A critical component of CHG bathing on medical units is sustained and appropriate application, which can be a challenge to accurately assess and needs to be considered before systematic implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Because of the limitation of on-site neurology workforce, telestroke was implemented to overcome this barrier. We explored the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) stroke thrombolysis service by telestroke when neurologist was not available on-site. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, we compared patients treated with IV stroke thrombolysis by telestroke in the form of telephone consultation with teleradiology, to patients treated after in-person assessment by the same team of neurologists in a regional hospital. Door-to-needle time, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and functional outcome at 3 months were prospectively collected and compared between the groups. Results In all, 152 patients were treated with IV thrombolysis; 102 patients were treated with neurologist on-site; whereas 50 patients were treated by internists with telestroke. Fifty-two percent of the telemedical group achieved excellent outcome compared to 43% of the neurologist on-site group ( P = .30). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate (4.0% versus 4.9%, P = 1.0) and mortality (8.3% versus 11.9%, P = .49) were comparable. Using the multiple logistic regression analysis, age, baseline stroke severity, and extent of early ischemic change on brain computed tomography scan, are independent predictors for excellent outcome, whereas the presence of neurologist on-site is not correlated with the outcome. Conclusions Patients treated without neurologist on-site achieved similar outcome. Telephone consultation and teleradiology-guided IV stroke thrombolysis, with the support of on-site internist appeared safe and efficacious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When using modern educational technology, some forms of instruction are inherently transient in that previous information usually disappears to be replaced by current information. Instructional animations and spoken text provide examples. The effects of transience due to the use of animation-based instructions (Experiment 1) and spoken information under audio-visual conditions (Experiment 2) were explored in a cognitive load theory framework. It was hypothesized that for transient information presented in short sections, animations would be superior to static graphics, due to our innate ability to learn by observing. For transient information in long sections, animations should lose their superiority over static graphics, due to working memory overload associated with large amounts of transient information. Similarly, the modality effect under which audio-visual information is superior to visual only information should be obtainable using short segments but disappear or reverse using longer segments due to the working memory consequences of long, transient, auditory information. Results supported the hypotheses. The use of educational technology that results in the transformation of permanent into transitory information needs to be carefully assessed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: CD81 is a tetraspanin cell surface protein that regulates CD19 expression in B lymphocytes and enables hepatitis C virus infection of human cells. Immunohistologic analysis in normal hematopoietic tissue showed strong staining for CD81 in normal germinal center B cells, a cell type in which its increased expression has not been previously recognized. High-dimensional flow cytometry analysis of normal hematopoietic tissue confirmed that among B- and T-cell subsets, germinal center B cells showed the highest level of CD81 expression. In more than 800 neoplastic tissue samples, its expression was also found in most non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Staining for CD81 was rarely seen in multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or myeloid leukemia. In hierarchical cluster analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, staining for CD81 was most similar to other germinal center B cell–associated markers, particularly LMO2. By flow cytometry, CD81 was expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells independent of the presence or absence of CD10, another germinal center B-cell marker. The detection of CD81 in routine biopsy samples and its differential expression in lymphoma subtypes, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, warrant further study to assess CD81 expression and its role in the risk stratification of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes a case of a 19-year-old African American woman with a symptomatic primary hepatic osteosarcoma. It relates the findings of the physical examination and laboratory tests conducted on the patient. A description of the tumor found in the patient is given. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy following the surgical resection of the tumor. It outlines the outcome of the surgery and the chemotherapy.

The direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) rabies diagnostic test requires demarcating desirable areas of brain tissue slip smear slides to be stained, traditionally achieved by applying paint from a tech pen or using a wax pencil to form a circle or dam-like ring or well into which rabies conjugate is expelled. Unfortunately, using these instruments poses a possibility of cross-contamination by transfer via the pen or pencil tip of rabies antigen from one slide to another. A new method was developed to avoid cross-contamination. The open end of a disposable glass test tube, dipped into a shallow reservoir of nail polish, was used to apply a dam-like ring about the slip smear area to be stained, after which the test tube was discarded, thereby precluding tissue transfer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cultural-based literature focusing on Asian autistic immigrants living in Western countries is very limited. The present study is a quality improvement exercise aiming to fill the gap by investigating the employment needs of and barriers for Chinese autistic youth and young adults in Ontario, Canada. 71 individuals diagnosed with autism and 24 diagnosed with other mental illnesses, aged 12–29, participated in an online survey regarding their work readiness, work skills, interests, health and cultural concerns. Analyses were conducted to compare the autistic group and the mental health group. Results show that the autistic sample has inferior (1) work habits related skills, (2) work style related skills, (3) level of independence, (4) skills to perform routine daily activities, (5) interpersonal skills at work, and (6) ability to tolerate visual and moving stimuli in the work environment. It is also found that the autistic group has more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and autism than that of the non-autistic group. The study shed light into the unique needs and barriers of Chinese autistic young adults and the service gap in supporting their transition to employment. • Chinese autistic individuals need more support in workplace for soft and hard skills, and unique sensory needs. • They reported higher depression and anxiety levels, but lower diagnosis rates, suggesting systematic under-diagnosis. • Stereotyped impression that realistic and conventional career orientations always apply was incorrect. • Autistic individuals fairly satisfied with the employment transition support and culturally sensitive employment services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Do learners need to observe hands in learning from animated hand manipulation tasks? [•] Animations with and without hands were much more effective than equivalent statics. [•] Learning from animations with hands was more efficient than without hands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]