Impact of Collaborative Testing on Academic Performance in Pharmacy Education.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of 2-stage collaborative testing (CT) on academic performance of pharmacy students and to characterize pharmacy student perceptions of CT. METHODS: Two-stage CT was piloted in a 2-course patient assessment sequence within a Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students were randomly allocated into 2 groups and further divided into teams of 4 to 5 students. Student teams alternated taking section examinations in a traditional 1-stage (individual) and 2-stage CT (individual then team) format to establish an experimental design. Near the end of each semester, students individually took a post-test to facilitate assessment of CT on academic performance. A 12-item, anonymous survey instrument assessed student perceptions of 2-stage CT. The group differences in academic performance and survey responses were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: There were 128 students enrolled in the course sequence, 123 of whom met the inclusion criteria for assessment of academic performance and 100 of whom completed the survey (response rate = 83%). Generally, students performed better on post-test items initially assessed through 2-stage CT (retention marker) and on post-test items that were answered incorrectly under 2-stage CT conditions (learning marker). Approximately 9 in 10 survey respondents preferred 2-stage CT over traditional 1-stage individual testing, with an equivalent proportion reporting it helped them learn from their mistakes and retain what they learned. There was high-level agreement among respondents that 2-stage CT improved their ability to work as a team and think critically. CONCLUSION: The implementation of 2-stage CT in a patient assessment course sequence was associated with improved learning and retention and was well-received by students.

Engaging Student Pharmacists in Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity Through Photovoice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an interactive photovoice activity on the perceptions of social determinants of health (SDOH) and health equity among first professional year student pharmacists. METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods exploratory approach at 4 institutions. All students completed a standardized intervention using a prerecorded lecture, active learning using photovoice, and an in-depth debriefing session. The photovoice responses and reflections were analyzed through a deductive approach using content analysis with the applied frameworks of Rolfe's reflection model and the social-ecological model. A presurvey/postsurvey assessed the students' perceptions of SDOH and health equity. Paired sample t tests were conducted to assess the prechange and postchange. RESULTS: A total of 349 students participated; most students reflected at the "what" level (97.7%), whereas 65% reached the "now what" level. Students identified more SDOH factors at the institutional/community level (75.9%) than at the individual/interpersonal level (59.4%) or the society/policy level (28.0%); 191 (55%) students had matchable survey data. A statistically significant improvement was found in the comprehension of health equity concepts (4 items), perceptions of health disparities and system response (4 items), awareness of structural factors impacting equity (3 items), and readiness for inclusivity behavior (3 items). CONCLUSION: A structured teaching and learning activity allowed deeper reflections among student pharmacists. Student perception of the basic terminologies and the impact of beliefs on health care improved after the photovoice assignment. Although students became aware of the SDOH, they had difficulty identifying the structural or upstream factors when addressing SDOH.

NAPLEX Preparatory Perceptions from Recent Graduates at One College of Pharmacy.

OBJECTIVES: The current study assessed how students prepared for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), and examined factors associated with first-time pass rates. In addition, updated information on student perceptions of several currently available NAPLEX preparation resources was collected. METHODS: A survey was administered to 2022 graduates from 1 school, which collected data on student demographics, and NAPLEX-related items regarding when the exam was taken and how students prepared, including resources used. The association between first-time success (pass, no pass) and grade point average (GPA), timing of test date after graduation, effort toward exam, and number of hours studied was examined. In addition, student ratings of NAPLEX preparation resources in terms of usefulness, representativeness to actual examination, and monetary value were reported. RESULTS: A total of 52 individuals completed the survey. Pharmacy GPA over 3.5, taking the NAPLEX within 60 days of graduation, and exerting moderate to extensive effort to pass the NAPLEX were all associated with higher first-time pass rates. All students reported using at least 1 RxPrep resource, which students rated highly and suggested the school provide as a resource for NAPLEX preparation. CONCLUSION: This study found that taking the NAPLEX examination within 60 days of graduation, contributing moderate to extensive effort to pass the examination, as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (out of 4) or above were related to success on the NAPLEX. Additionally, students reported high satisfaction with RxPrep resources.

Longitudinal Assessment of Pharmacy Students' Collaborative Practice Abilities.

OBJECTIVE: Interprofessional education (IPE) varies across schools/colleges of pharmacy. Long-term impact of IPE on interprofessional collaborative competencies remains uncertain despite available data on singular experiences. This study aimed to evaluate changes in pharmacy students' collaborative abilities over the second and third professional years (PYs). METHODS: Students completed the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale - Revised (ICCAS-R) after 2 large-scale interprofessional forums that occurred approximately 8 months apart. Four cohorts of students were used to examine the longitudinal change in collaborative abilities: cohort 1 (2019), cohort 2 (2020), cohort 3 (2021) and cohort 4 (2022). The ICCAS-R was used to capture data from 4 timepoints for each student in each cohort: prior to the Spring Forum in PY2 (T1), after the Spring Forum in PY2 (T2), prior to the Fall Forum in PY3 (T3), and after the Fall Forum in PY3 (T4). Using repeated measures analysis of variance, 4 total mean scores (T1 = pre1, T2 = post1, T3 = pre2, T4 = post2) were compared. RESULTS: Four cohorts (N = 414) completed the interprofessional forums and 336 (81%) completed the ICCAS-R instrument and were included. In each cohort, total mean scores increased T1 to T2 and T3 to T4, indicating an increase in self-assessed abilities pre/post-forum. Total mean scores decreased between T2 and T3, indicating that collaborative abilities decreased during the period between interprofessional forums. CONCLUSION: While students' collaborative abilities increased around the time of the forum experiences, these changes decreased in between experiences. These findings suggest that interprofessional competencies should be reinforced at multiple time points to support enduring effects.

Hemorragia Intracerebral Imprevisible en un Hombre Joven: La Importancia de la Tomografía computarizada craneal post-mortem / Unpredictable Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Young Male: The Importance of Post-Mortem Cranial Computed Tomography

La muerte súbita es aquella que ocurre dentro de las 24 horas posteriores al inicio de los síntomas y se caracteriza por ser clínicamente inexplicable, inesperada y repentina. Debido a la naturaleza de la muerte súbita, no es posible llegar a un diagnóstico preciso sin una autopsia. En esta comunicación breve, evaluaremos el caso de un empleado de crucero de 33 años, sin historial médico/farmacológico previo, el cual falleció súbitamente mientras reposaba en su camarote. Debido a las sospechas iniciales de una posible muerte causada por una sobredosis de cocaína, se le realizó un panel toxicológico abarcador el cual resultó negativo. Empero, una tomografía computarizada (TC) craneal sin contraste revirtió la hipótesis inicial y la autopsia neuropatológica -sorpresivamente- confirmó que la verdadera causa de muerte fue la ruptura de un aneurisma sacular desconocido en el polígono de Willis.

Sudden death occurs within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms and is characterized by being clinically inexplicable, sudden, and unexpected. Due to the nature of sudden death, it is not possible an accurate diagnosis without performing an autopsy. In this brief communication, we will evaluate the case of a 33-year-old cruise employee, with no prior medical/pharmacological history, who suddenly died while resting in his cabin. Due to initial suspicions of a possible cocaine overdose death, a comprehensive toxicology panel was performed, although yielding a negative result. A cranial computed tomography without contrast reversed the initial hypothesis and the neuropathological autopsy -surprisingly- confirmed that the true cause of death was the rupture of an unknown saccular aneurysm in the Circle of Willis.

Modeling the structure and thermodynamics of multicomponent and polydisperse hard-sphere dispersions with continuous potentials.

A model system of identical particles interacting via a hard-sphere potential is essential in condensed matter physics; it helps to understand in and out of equilibrium phenomena in complex fluids, such as colloidal dispersions. Yet, most of the fixed time-step algorithms to study the transport properties of those systems have drawbacks due to the mathematical nature of the interparticle potential. Because of this, mapping a hard-sphere potential onto a soft potential has been recently proposed [Báez et al., J. Chem. Phys. 149, 164907 (2018)]. More specifically, using the second virial coefficient criterion, one can set a route to estimate the parameters of the soft potential that accurately reproduces the thermodynamic properties of a monocomponent hard-sphere system. However, real colloidal dispersions are multicomponent or polydisperse, making it important to find an efficient way to extend the potential model for dealing with such kind of many-body systems. In this paper, we report on the extension and applicability of the second virial coefficient criterion to build a description that correctly captures the phenomenology of both multicomponent and polydisperse hard-sphere dispersions. To assess the accuracy of the continuous potentials, we compare the structure of soft polydisperse systems with their hard-core counterpart. We also contrast the structural and thermodynamic properties of soft binary mixtures with those obtained through mean-field approximations and the Ornstein-Zernike equation for the two-component hard-sphere dispersion.

Five-year (2015-2019) follow-up study of 6,526 cases of medical repatriation of Filipino seafarers.

BACKGROUND: There is a limited number of studies on the medical repatriation of seafarers. The aim of the study was to follow up on the previous 2010-2014 study using data from 2015-2019 to evaluate the epidemiology of medical repatriation among Filipino seafarers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from medical repatriation records of Filipino seafarers from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected from various claims departments of different manning agencies in Manila, Philippines. RESULTS: Data from a total of 6,526 medical repatriation cases and 464,418 deployments in a 5-year period resulted in a medical repatriation rate calculated at 1.4%. We used the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) to determine the most common causes of repatriation. We found that these were musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and traumatic injuries. The distribution of the specific illnesses per organ system is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Filipinos continue to represent the most numerous group of seafarers in the world. The continued profiling of health issues should lead to better health protocols and controlling medical costs. It should also lead to better prioritisation of health protection and care on board ships. Within the present 10-year database of medical repatriations coinciding with the implementation of Maritime Convention Labour Convention 2006, there is a compelling need to compare the two data sets to have an objective evaluation of the convention's projected goals.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Residency Preparation Program for Fourth-Year Doctor of Pharmacy Students.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of a formal residency preparation program on student match rates, and to evaluate student-reported advisement activities and perceptions of the residency application process. METHODS: An optional, noncredit-bearing, residency preparation program was implemented in professional year 4 (PY4) of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. The program consisted of 4 residency preparation presentations and/or workshops: curriculum vitae writing, navigating the residency application process and American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy Midyear Clinical Meeting, letter of intent writing, and interview skills. Students attended either virtually or in person, with 3 of the 4 sessions including small group breakout sessions. The program also included dedicated, 1-on-1 residency advisement with residency-experienced advisors. RESULTS: Residency match rates following program implementation increased from 74.3% (comparison group) to 87.5% (intervention group). More students in the intervention group reported that their advisor assisted them with curriculum vitae review, letter of intent review, and interview skills. In addition, the intervention group reported significantly more time spent meeting with their advisor during PY4 than the comparison group. Students found the program to be beneficial to their professional development, indicated that it helped them to obtain a residency position, and expressed that they would participate in the residency preparation program again. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a formal residency preparation program for PY4 students that included 1-on-1 dedicated residency advisement increased match rates and interaction between students and their residency advisor.

Evaluation of a Pharmacy Summer Camp to Recruit Students to the Field of Pharmacy.

OBJECTIVE: A 3-day pharmacy summer camp for high school and college students was implemented, which included active learning and information on the pharmacy curriculum, preparatory coursework, and the university community. The program served as a recruitment tool for participants to enter the pharmacy profession and our Doctor of Pharmacy program. Enrollment data from 4 cohorts (2016-2019) were examined, along with assessment data collected from 1 cohort (summer 2022). METHODS: Enrollment data were collected for the 194 participants from 2016 to 2019 to examine the number that applied to the university and to a pharmacy program. All participants from the summer 2022 cohort (n = 55) were asked to complete a knowledge assessment and survey after camp completion. The knowledge assessment contained items related to content covered in the camp. The survey used a self-report retrospective pre-and-post format to assess self-efficacy, and career and degree intentions. In addition, there were items asking participants to evaluate the camp, including 2 open-ended items. RESULTS: Data show that overall, 33% of past participants enrolled at the University at Buffalo, and 15% enrolled or intended to enroll in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. There were 50 respondents to the evaluation survey (91% response rate). Scores on the knowledge assessment suggested participants understood the content. There were statistically significant increases from pre to post on the self-efficacy and intentions scales with the largest change in intentions to pursue a career in pharmacy and to pursue a degree in pharmacy at this university. On the evaluation, 90% agreed that they would recommend the camp to other students interested in pharmacy. Of the 30 comments regarding changes to improve the camp, 17 (57%) were related to including more interactive activities. CONCLUSION: Students who participated in a pharmacy hands-on educational camp demonstrated knowledge of and increased interest in the pharmacy profession.

Avant-Garde Endovascular Stent Graft Insertion in Dissected Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Current guidelines and regulatory parameters for cardiothoracic surgery in the United States establish that open surgery is the first front line for treating ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA). Despite advances in performing endovascular procedures in thoracic aortic aneurysms, there are no approved state-of-the-art techniques that allow endovascular procedures to be performed in ATAA. Thus, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of the ascending aorta, as we will demonstrate, is a useful and effective technical opportunity for treating high-risk patients with type A dissections, intramural hematomas, and pseudoaneurysms. In this case, an 88-year-old female patient was consulted due to a preliminary diagnosed descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. As a result of uncertainty regarding the initial diagnosis, abdominal-pelvic and chest computed tomography scan tests contradicted the original conclusion and surprisingly yielded a different scenario; in fact, the patient had a dissected ATAA. Using the TEVAR procedure, the patient's ATAA was treated with a thoracic GORE TAG endograft stent (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE, USA). Four weeks later, the aneurysm was completely thrombosed, and the stent-graft was properly in place.

Patchy colloidal gels under the influence of gravity.

In this contribution, gravitational effects in gel-forming patchy colloidal systems are studied. We focus on how the gel structure is modified by gravity. Through Monte Carlo computer simulations of gel-like states recently identified by the rigidity percolation criterion [J. A. S. Gallegos et al., Phys. Rev. E 104, 064606 (2021)], the influence of the gravitational field, characterized by the gravitational Péclet number, Pe, on patchy colloids is studied in terms of the patchy coverage, χ. Our findings point out that there exists a threshold Péclet number, Peg, that depends on χ above which the gravitational field enhances the particle bonding and, in consequence, promotes the aggregation or clustering of particles; the smaller the χ value, the higher the Peg. Interestingly, when χ ∼ 1 (near the isotropic limit), our results are consistent with an experimentally determined threshold Pe value where gravity affects the gel formation in short-range attractive colloids. In addition, our results show that the cluster size distribution and the density profile undergo variations that lead to changes in the percolating cluster, i.e., gravity is able to modify the structure of the gel-like states. These changes have an important impact on the structural rigidity of the patchy colloidal dispersion; the percolating cluster goes from a uniform spatially network to a heterogeneous percolated structure, where an interesting structural scenario emerges, namely, depending on the Pe value, the new heterogeneous gel-like states can coexist with both diluted and dense phases or they simply reach a crystalline-like state. In the isotropic case, the increase in the Pe number can shift the critical temperature to higher temperatures; however, when Pe > 0.01, the binodal disappears and the particles fully sediment at the bottom of the sample cell. Furthermore, gravity moves the rigidity percolation threshold to lower densities. Finally, we also note that within the values of the Péclet number here explored, the cluster morphology is barely altered.

Sustainability of livestock farms: The case of the district of Moyobamba, Peru.

The Peruvian Amazon is a geographical area with great biodiversity, where the main economic activities are agricultural crops and grazing animals. The evaluation of sustainability in production systems is based on the analysis of economic, environmental and social components, which are variable between production units or livestock farms. The classification of livestock farms based on their characteristics of similarity and differences can contribute to the most appropriate assessment of their level of sustainability. The objective of this research was to determine the level of sustainability of livestock farms in the district of Moyobamba, San Martín, Peru, based on environmental, economic and social criteria. The research was carried out from November 2018 to February 2019 with a survey of a sample of 60 livestock farms out of a population of 2220. A survey-type form and data collection in the field were applied, adapting a methodology that proposes inferring on 33 indicators grouped into six criteria: three environmental criteria (soil quality, pasture health and animal quality), two economic criteria (farm system and farm economy), and a social criterion of the farm. A scale from 1 to 10 was used to assess the condition of each indicator. The typification of farms was carried out through a Conglomerate Analysis. To analyze the level of sustainability, Amoeba graphs were constructed for each defined farm group. Qualitative variables were analyzed with contingency tables and quantitative variables using the T test (p < 0.05). Three types of livestock farms were identified, differentiated by level of education, farm size, years in cattle raising and number of cattle heads (p < 0.05), where Group 1 is less experienced, Group 1 has more area and cattle, and Group 3 only have older years in livestock. There were significant differences between the evaluated criteria and the sustainability index. From the typification of livestock farms, Group 2 (13 farms) presented a higher level of sustainability as did Group 3 (16 farms), while Group 1 (31 farms) presented unsustainable conditions. The environmental indicators based on animal quality and farm system show unsustainability in all farms the District of Moyobamba, as they fail to exceed the threshold of sustainability (5).

An Examination of Student Pharmacists' Perceptions Toward Immunization.

Introduction: Pharmacists are considered the most accessible health care professionals, especially when it comes to preventative services such as immunizations. Studies have assessed student knowledge and comfort in administering vaccinations immediately after receiving formal training or completing a vaccination clinic experience; however, few have examined students after applying the knowledge to a pharmacy work experience. A survey of student pharmacists regarding these experiences may identify areas that students are less confident in and thus where immunization training could be improved. Methods: A non-validated survey was created in Google Forms and distributed via email from November through December of 2019. The survey was sent to student pharmacists enrolled in one doctor of pharmacy program at a US institution in Western New York who had completed immunization training almost one year prior to the survey. Results: The survey was distributed to 365 student pharmacists. A total of 189 students (51.8%) completed the survey. Student perceptions of providing immunizations were positive overall, with 173 students (91.5%) responding that they agreed or strongly agreed to feeling confident administering intramuscular injections. In contrast, only 110 students (58.2%) agreed or strongly agreed to feeling confident administering subcutaneous injections. Also, 111 students (58.7%) indicated they had not administered an immunization in the 9 months after they had completed their immunization training. Conclusions: Based on this cohort, perceptions are positive overall; however, there is room for continued improvement in training pharmacy students for immunization proficiency as well as increasing the cooperation of pharmacies to allow students to immunize.

Examining Validity for the Pharmacy Affective Domain Situational Judgment Test.

Objective. With the integration of the affective domain in the pharmacy accreditation standards, it is important for programs to have methods for formatively assessing student competency in these areas. The objective of this study was to examine the validity evidence for a recently developed situational judgment test to assess the affective domain contained in the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016.Methods. After pilot testing items in multiple pharmacy schools, a revised 15-item situational judgment test instrument was developed measuring the affective domain as it relates to the pharmacy profession. The resulting Pharmacy Affective Domain Situational Judgment Test (PAD-S) was administered to students at three institutions and internal structure validity evidence was examined using item descriptives, Cronbach alpha, and results from a Rasch measurement model.Results. There were 559 valid responses included in the study. The items were of varying difficulty, with Rasch results confirming the hierarchy of items and suggesting that items were contributing to the measure. The Cronbach alpha was 0.70, suggesting acceptable reliability. However, the reliability items from the Rasch model were lower (0.65 and 0.66), indicating that the ranking of ability was limited, which may be due to fewer items of high difficulty.Conclusion. Overall, the PAD-S performed well as a measure of the affective domain. The PAD-S may be a useful formative instrument as part of a comprehensive assessment plan and may be less resource intensive than other measures.

An Innovation Sprint to Promote Problem-solving and Interprofessional Skills Among Pharmacy and Public Health Students.

Objective. Innovation sprints are a novel pedagogy where small groups of students find creative solutions to problems. The purpose of this study was to extend our understanding of innovation sprint pedagogical design by investigating the impact of an innovation sprint on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' and Master of Public Health (MPH) students' interprofessional collaboration and problem-solving skills. We hypothesized that the innovation sprint would increase student self-efficacy and that interprofessional collaborative behaviors would be demonstrated by individuals on a team.Methods. MPH and third-year PharmD students were assigned to teams and participated in a required two-hour innovation sprint. Faculty observed student teams and evaluated their interprofessional collaboration skills using a rubric modeled after the Modified McMaster-Ottawa Scale. Students completed a postprogram survey assessing their interprofessional collaborative behaviors and attitudes toward the innovation sprint.Results. Of the 133 students participating in the innovation sprint, 127 completed the postprogram survey (response rate=95%). Faculty determined that 123 students (92%) met the interprofessional collaboration competencies. The mean interprofessional collaborative competencies attainment survey scores increased for both PharmD and MPH students. Qualitative analyses highlighted themes of interprofessional collaboration and problem-solving skills that students valued. Overall, students enjoyed working with each other and engaging in creative problem-solving.Conclusion. An interprofessional innovation sprint involving PharmD and MPH students demonstrated a positive impact on student self-assessed interprofessional collaboration and problem-solving skills. Further, faculty observed a high rate of interprofessional behaviors within student teams. Based on these findings, an innovation sprint may be an effective pedagogical tool to enhance students' skills in these areas.

Moving AACP Curriculum Quality Survey Results from Good to Great.

Although the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Curriculum Quality Surveys (CQS) are required for programs to distribute and utilize as part of accreditation standards, programs face challenges in survey administration and timing, interpreting data and results, and following up on action plans. Because the CQS surveys are standardized, they can allow for greater comparison among institutions, yet interpretation of the items can vary considerably. Programs have flexibility in determining samples for administration and timing of administration (ie, number of years), but some participants (such as preceptors) can suffer from survey overload if multiple institutions administer in the same year. Determining thresholds for action and providing feedback to stakeholders on improvements made based on data triangulations can be daunting. These are a few of the elements that programs must consider when determining their own approach to the AACP CQS. Thus, the purpose of this Commentary is to describe good practices for using the AACP CQS, discuss challenges associated with the surveys, and recommend how to move the utilization of the surveys from good to great.

Students' knowledge and perceptions of social determinants of health utilizing interactive computer simulation-based learning.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess if using computer simulations as a supplemental tool for teaching social determinants of health (SDoH) would impact first-year pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of SDoH. METHODS: A brief lecture and online poverty game were followed by completion of two, in-class, computer-simulated SDoH clinical scenarios and corresponding case discussion. Students completed a pre- and post-quiz and perception survey with two open-ended questions. Qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions and quantitative analyses of the poverty game choices, quiz, and perception survey were conducted. RESULTS: In total, 132 students were enrolled in this study. Thematic analysis of the open-ended question asking students what they learned included empathy (42%), general SDoH knowledge (30%), culture/religion (18%), and economic impact (15%). Student perceptions for all teaching modalities had a mean score of 4. Mean quiz scores on the pre- and post-class quizzes were 2.31 (SD 0.93) and 2.51 (SD 0.89), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Computer simulations can be utilized as a supplemental tool to teach and apply clinical patient cases focused on SDoH. Strategically threading SDoH throughout the pharmacy curriculum is recommended to further develop SDoH knowledge and clinical skills.

Reactivation and Foetal Infection in Pregnant Heifers Infected with Neospora caninum Live Tachyzoites at Prepubertal Age.

Neospora caninum is recognised for causing cattle abortion, provoking severe economic losses in the livestock industry worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reactivation and foetal infection in pregnant heifers inoculated with live N. caninum tachyzoites before puberty. A total of 15 30-month-old pregnant heifers were allocated into four groups: animals inoculated with live tachyzoites of NC-Argentina LP1 isolate before puberty and challenged with live tachyzoites of NC-1 strain at 210 days of gestation (DG) (Group A); animals mock inoculated before puberty and challenged with NC-1 strain at 210 DG (Group B), animals inoculated before puberty but not subsequently challenged (Group C); and noninfected and nonchallenged animals (Group D). The results of this study showed that 100% of animals infected before puberty (Groups A and C) suffered reactivation of the infection at the seventh month of gestation. In addition, in three and two calves from Groups A and C, respectively, congenital infection was confirmed. Interestingly, we provide evidence that the use of live N. caninum tachyzoites in young animals as a strategy to induce protection is neither safe nor effective.

Assessment Structure, Culture, and Resources at US AAVMC-Accredited Colleges of Veterinary Medicine.

While outcomes assessment is commonplace in colleges of veterinary medicine, no information is published on how veterinary colleges resource, administer, and view assessment. Consequently, this article has the following objectives: (a) to determine the current level of resources (personnel, committees, software) allocated toward education assessment and program evaluation in colleges of veterinary medicine, (b) to characterize any common organizational structures within colleges of veterinary medicine for assessment, (c) to determine assessment personnel (faculty and staff) perceptions regarding whether existing assessment resources and structures are sufficient, and (d) to examine the perceived strength of the culture of assessment. Our survey found that most assessment professionals had been in their position for 4 years or less and over 50% did not have formal assessment training. A majority of respondents agreed that assessment was encouraged and supported at their institution, but there was much less agreement on items related to formal plans and structures. For example, only one quarter of respondents reported that assessment was connected to planning and budgeting, and only one third reported having a formal assessment plan. We hope that our survey will be a resource tracking the development of assessment resources and climate at American colleges of veterinary medicine.

Thermodynamics, static properties and transport behaviour of fluids with competing interactions.

Competing interaction fluids have become ideal model systems to study a large number of phenomena, for example, the formation of intermediate range order structures, condensed phases not seen in fluids driven by purely attractive or repulsive forces, the onset of particle aggregation under in- and out-of-equilibrium conditions, which results in the birth of reversible and irreversible aggregates or clusters whose topology and morphology depend additionally on the thermodynamic constrictions, and a particle dynamics that has a strong influence on the transport behaviour and rheological properties of the fluid. In this contribution, we study a system of particles interacting through a potential composed by a continuous succession of a short-ranged square-well (SW), an intermediate-ranged square-shoulder and a long-ranged SW. This potential model is chosen to systematically analyse the contribution of every component of the interaction potential on the phase behaviour, the microstructure, the morphology of the resulting aggregates and the transport phenomena of fluids described by competing interactions. Our results indicate that the inclusion of a barrier and a second well leads to new and interesting effects, which in addition result in variations of the physical properties associated to the competition among interactions.