Knowledge of results and learning to tell the time in an adult male with an intellectual disability: a single-subject research design.

The present study investigated whether knowledge of results, in the form of visual and audible feedback, would increase the accuracy of time-telling in an individual with an intellectual disability. A 19-year-old male with mild intellectual disability participated in this A1-B1-A2-B2 single-subject study design. The task involved correctly identifying the time given on a computer. Data, based on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, showed that the participant demonstrated a greater number of correct responses during the intervention phases. Incorporating knowledge of results into a learning strategy for this individual with intellectual disability resulted in an increased ability to accurately identify the correct time on an analogue clock. There is a need to replicate the study design to increase the external validity and generalization of results. The strategies described in the present study may also be useful for occupational therapists who teach individuals with intellectual disability to gain skills in their everyday activities of daily living (ADLs).

Mentoring review and reflections.

This paper reviews mentoring definitions, mentor and protégée characteristics, and the process and outcomes of the mentoring process. In addition, the faculty provides some personal reflections about their mentoring process. Reflections of this nature may inspire us to consider further the adoption and investigation of formal and informal overt mentoring programs in our institutions in order to promote mentoring relationships that can foster personal and professional achievement and satisfaction.

Evaluation of microchip migration in horses, donkeys, and mules.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether microchips used for identification migrate after implantation in horses, donkeys, and mules. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 53 horses, donkeys, and mules. PROCEDURE: Twenty horses that had had microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament at a veterinary teaching hospital from 1996 through early 2000 were included (group 1), and the poll-to-withers distance and location of the microchip were determined, measured, and recorded. Additionally, the poll-to-withers distance was measured in 16 horses, 12 donkeys, and 5 mules (group 2), and microchips were implanted in the nuchal ligament on the left side of the neck. Forty-two to 67 days after implantation, the location of the microchip was determined, measured, and recorded. RESULTS: Microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament < or = 4 years previously did not migrate. All microchips were detected with a multimode identification tag reader from the left side of the neck in the midcervical region, and microchips were located at the midpoint between the poll and withers for all 53 horses, donkeys, and mules. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament < or = 4 years earlier did not migrate in horses. Microchips may be useful for identification in horses.

The role of mentoring on research productivity among occupational therapy faculty.

This study surveyed junior and senior occupational therapy faculty in order to further understand the role that mentoring plays in research productivity. Junior faculty with and without mentors were compared in terms of their overall research productivity, and the senior faculty who served as mentors were compared with senior faculty who were not mentors. The role of institutional support factors on research productivity was also examined. The results of this survey suggest that mentoring plays an important role in increasing research productivity in junior faculty in the field of occupational therapy. Also, senior faculty mentors perceived their mentoring experience to enhance their research productivity. A general profile of an occupational therapy mentor and mentee has emerged from the results. Analyses showed a low to moderate positive correlation between faculty research productivity and a number of institutional support factors. Availability of intramural funds, release time, chair and dean support for research, grant writing seminars, and availability of statistical and computing help correlated with research productivity. The authors recommend the need for mentoring in occupational therapy academia. New faculty should have a mentor or mentors to help them succeed in research, teaching and service goals. Developing short-term and long-term goals with the mentor and periodic evaluation of goals will help new faculty to keep pace with the demands and requirements of their academic positions.

Occupational stress, relaxation therapies, exercise and biofeedback.

Occupational stress is a widespread occurrence in the United States. It is a contributing factor to absenteeism, disease, injury and lowered productivity. In general stress management programs in the work place that include relaxation therapies, exercise, and biofeedback have been shown to reduce the physiological symptoms such as hypertension, and increase job satisfaction and job performance. Strategies to implement a successful stress management program include incorporating the coping activities into one's daily schedule, monitoring one's symptoms and stressors, and being realistic in setting up a schedule that is relevant and attainable. A short form of meditation, daily exercise program and the use of heart rate or thermal biofeedback can be helpful to a worker experiencing occupational stress.

A juxtarenal myelolipoma in a cottontop marmoset (Saguinus oedipus): A case report.

A myelolipoma was surgically removed from the abdomen of a 15-year-old female cottontop marmoset (Saguinus oedipus). Because of its close adherence to the right kidney, a unilateral nephrectomy was performed. The post-surgical recovery was uneventful. A myelolipoma is a circumscribed mass of bone marrow elements embedded in mature adipose tissue. These masses have been reported in the adrenal glands, paravertebral tissue, intrathoracic tissues, and mesentery of man. A similar condition has been observed in the liver and spleen of both captive and wild felidae. This report documents the first observation of this tumor-like condition in nonhuman primates with the possible exception of a subcutaneous myeloliposarcoma in a potto.