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BackgroundWhile spinal cord injury (SCI) caregiving can be a rewarding experience, caregivers often experience reduced mental and physical health. ObjectiveThis article describes the methodology of a study examining the efficacy of a newly developed telehealth Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for caregivers of individuals with acute SCI. MethodsA mixed-methods, randomized controlled trial is comparing TAP outcomes to that of a standard-of-care control. The study is recruiting for 48 months and incorporating quantitative outcome measures. ResultsThis study was funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation in April 2017. It was approved by the institutional review boards at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center that same year. Participant recruitment and data collection began in 2018. ConclusionsThis study is implementing and testing an SCI caregiver intervention unlike any created before, targeting a critical time period that, until now, other SCI caregiver interventions have overlooked. Research personnel intend to disseminate the intervention and study findings through the publication of manuscripts and presentations at conferences. If the current study shows improvements in caregiver or patient well-being, the TAP for SCI caregivers could become part of the standard of care for acute SCI. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03244098; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03244098 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/28256

This article details the ways a series of architecture graduate classes partnered with a nonprofit youth sports organization and other community groups to design a shelter to accommodate those experiencing homelessness in Lubbock, Texas. The researchers use a case study approach to discuss how graduate students repeatedly engaged with the public for feedback on their designs and eventually created a design for a community-specific homeless shelter and treatment center. This article shares the project's engagement methods, which included precedent studies, design charrettes, regular presentations to the public, meetings with stakeholders, and professional collaborations.

Students studying at US institutions of higher education come from a broad range of religious and non-religious traditions. Yet religion is often a "no go" topic of discussion within the American cultural context and educators frequently lack the training to engage in productive conversations about this aspect of students' identities. However, study abroad practitioners should not be reluctant to talk about religion as an important lens for cultural learning within the context of study abroad. Through careful advising and recognition of the cultural importance of faith, students from a spectrum of religious leanings can enhance their study abroad experience. This essay looks at tactics which can be used in advising three categories of undergraduate students: religious students leaving a location where their faith is in the majority and going to a place where their religion is in the minority; religious students whose faith tradition is in the majority in the place they wish to study abroad; and non-religious students who find themselves in a strongly religious community. For each of these identity groups, study abroad advisors can support students during all stages of their study abroad experience (pre, on-site and post) so students view their interaction with religion as an important portal to cultural learning in-country. A bibliography is included.

Background: Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) some patients develop lingering comorbid symptoms of fatigue and cognitive impairment. The mild cognitive impairment self-reported by patients is often not detected with neurocognitive tests making it difficult to determine how common and severe these symptoms are in individuals with a history of TBI. This study was conducted to determine the relative prevalence of fatigue and cognitive impairment in individuals with a history of TBI. Methods: The Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (FACs) digital questionnaire was used to assess self-reported fatigue and cognitive impairment. Adults aged 18–70 were digitally recruited for the online anonymous study. Eligible participants provided online consent, demographic data, information about lifetime TBI history, and completed the 20 item FACs questionnaire. Results: A total of 519 qualifying participants completed the online digital study which included 204 participants with a history of TBI of varied cause and severity and 315 with no history of TBI. FACs Total Score was significantly higher in the TBI group (57.7 ± 22.2) compared to non-TBI (39.5 ± 23.9; p<0.0001) indicating more fatigue and cognitive impairment. When stratified by TBI severity, FACs score was significantly higher for all severity including mild (53.9 ± 21.9, p<0.0001), moderate (54.8 ± 24.4, p<0.0001), and severe (59.7 ± 20.9, p<0.0001) TBI. Correlation analysis indicated that more severe TBI was associated with greater symptom severity (p<0.0001, r = 0.3165). Ancillary analysis also suggested that FACs scores may be elevated in participants with prior COVID-19 infection but no history of TBI. Conclusions: Adults with a history of even mild TBI report significantly greater fatigue and cognitive impairment than those with no history of TBI, and symptoms are more profound with greater TBI severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colin Smith's experience in South Africa and his research on the role of storytelling in the Xhosa culture met all of the guiding principles of Brigham Young University's (BYU) International Field Study Program: that students are prepared to do serious research in a topic that relates to their major, and that they will be in the host country for at least three months, and will become fully immersed in the local culture. Colin spent more than three months in East London, South Africa. For someone with interest in Apartheid and its aftermath, East London has a wealth of history. From the beginning, BYU's intent in South Africa was to minimize its "footprint" on the local community. From a pedagogical view this was important because BYU did not want to create a "cultural bubble" where its students could retreat from the local culture. From the moment students are accepted into the South Africa program they are trained to view themselves as guests of the local culture who are to interact with and learn from the local culture rather than imposing their own cultural views. This paper discusses the challenges faced by a program of this nature and illustrates the success of Colin in adapting this in-class learning to the environment, becoming involved in the local community, and doing serious academic research.

We examined the rate of depression among 110 parents of children with disabilities and tested a model to determine the unique factors associated with parental depression. Consenting parents completed measures [...]

Although much is known about the risks to health and well-being that occur among family caregivers of children with disability, little is known about the unique group of caregivers of [...]

A strain tolerant Bi-2212 cable which channels mechanical stress and strain away through the design of a cable in conduit assembly, was designed and tested.

The development of a Bi-2212 cable-in-conduit featuring incorporated stress management is described. The cable combines an outer armor shell and an inner spring tube to provide a cushioned support for each strand in the cable. This reduces the strain due to external and Lorentz stresses and facilitates the distribution of oxygen within the coil during reaction processing and of cryogens during operation. Prototype cables are being constructed for testing.

Abstract Background To test the validity and reliability of scales intended to measure activity limitations faced by children with chronic illnesses living in the community. The scales were based on information provided by caregivers to service program personnel almost exclusively trained as social workers. The items used to measure activity limitations were interRAI items supplemented so that they were more applicable to activity limitations in children with chronic illnesses. In addition, these analyses may shed light on the possibility of gathering functional information that can span the life course as well as spanning different care settings. Methods Analyses included testing the internal consistency, predictive, concurrent, discriminant and construct validity of two activity limitation scales. The scales were developed using assessment data gathered in the United States of America (USA) from over 2,700 assessments of children aged 4 to 20 receiving Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services, specifically Personal Care Services to assist children in overcoming activity limitations. The Medicaid program in the USA pays for health care services provided to children in low-income households. Data were collected in a single, large state in the southwestern USA in late 2008 and early 2009. A similar sample of children was assessed in 2010, and the analyses were replicated using this sample. Results The two scales exhibited excellent internal consistency. Evidence on the concurrent, predictive, discriminant, and construct validity of the proposed scales was strong. Quite importantly, scale scores were not correlated with (confounded with) a child's developmental stage or age. The results for these scales and items were consistent across the two independent samples. Conclusions Unpaid caregivers, usually parents, can provide assessors lacking either medical or nursing training with reliable and valid information on the activity limitations of children. One can summarize these data in scales that are both internally consistent and valid. Researchers and clinicians can use supplemented interRAI items to provide guidance for professionals and programs serving children, as well as older persons. This research emphasizes the importance of developing medical information systems that allow one to integrate information not only across care settings but also across an individual's life course.

The Texas A and M University has been developing a 16 Tesla Nb3Sn block-coil dual dipole for high field strength hadron colliders. Multipoles exceeding a 20:1 dipole field dynamic range are controlled through the current programming of three independent coil elements. Preload and Lorentz forces are distributed using stress management featuring a lattice of ribs and plates that are incorporated into the coil structure.