The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of augmented reality to teach a chain task to three elementary-age students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Augmented reality blends digital information within the real world. This study used a marker-based augmented reality picture prompt to trigger a video model clip of a student brushing her teeth. All students learned how to brush their teeth independently and maintained the skill 9 weeks later with the introduction of augmented reality. Theoretical and teacher implications are discussed in the context of using new technologies to teach students with ASDs.

Postsecondary education (PSE) programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have emerged exponentially in the United States over the last decade. Research regarding these postsecondary programs has largely been descriptive, and thus, there exists a need for qualitative, outcome-based research. In this comparative case report, graduates from two types of PSE programs for individuals with IDs are surveyed regarding employment outcomes and other personal developments. The results from each postsecondary program are compared with one another and also with a comparison group of individuals with IDs who did not attend a postsecondary program (utilizing the 2009 National Longitudinal Transition Study 2). This case demonstrates significant positive employment outcomes for individuals with IDs who attend postsecondary programs compared to those who do not attend such programs and highlights similarities and differences regarding outcomes of the two program types under consideration.

A new challenge in biointerfacial science is the development of dynamic surfaces with the ability to adjust and tune the chemical functionality at the interface between the biological and nonbiological entities. In this paper we describe fabrication of indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and the design of a ligand that can be switched to enable selectively controlled interactions with DNA. Tailoring the surface composition of the ITO electrode to optimize its optical and electrical properties was also studied. The surface attachment chemistry investigated utilizes thiol-disulfide exchange chemistry. This chemistry involved the covalent attachment of a thiol-functionalized silane anchor to a hydroxyl-activated ITO electrode surface. Subsequent reaction with 2-(2-pyridinyldithio)ethanamine hydrochloride formed the disulfide bridge and provided the terminal amine group, which facilitates addition of a cross-linker. DNA was then covalently bound to the cross-linker, and hybridization with the complementary Cy3-labeled target DNA was achieved. Selective release of the attached DNA was demonstrated by both chemical and electrical reduction of the disulfide bond. The surface chemistry was then recycled, and rehybridization of the target DNA was achieved. The ability to control specific release of biomolecules has applications for the development of novel biosensor platforms and a range of medical devices.

No abstract

No abstract

Well-oriented bio-conjugates on gold electrode surfaces will indirectly influence the molecular recognition of antigens to surface bound antibodies thus improving the detection performance of electrochemical immunosensors. This paper describes the modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode surface with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA). Activation of carboxylic acid terminal was performed by reaction of a mixture of water soluble carbodiimide and N-hydrosuccinimide (NHS) on the electrode surfaces. Characterisation of the SAM formation on the gold electrode was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and contact angle measurements. An amperometric immunosensor was developed for the screening of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. The system consists of gold as the working electrode, platinum as the counter electrode and a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. This three electrode system is integrated on a single chip. The measurement employs the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) principle. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was detected using an immunological reaction by measuring the alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzymatic reaction towards the substrate para-amino phenyl phosphate (pAPP). A competitive assay was performed within the electrode using AP as the labelled-enzyme. A lower limit of detection (5.6 ng ml(-1)) of BaP was achieved after the activation of the mixture of carbodiimide and succinimide with the alkanethiol SAM on the gold electrode in comparison to that obtained for the unmodified electrode (14.2 ng ml(-1)). The developed surface functionalised sensor demonstrated acceptable reproducibility and good stability, with a wide linear response to BaP (4-140 ng ml(-1)).

No abstract

Ultrasound guidance is now a standard nerve localization technique for peripheral nerve block (PNB). Ultrasonography allows simultaneous visualization of the target nerve, needle, local anesthetic injectate and surrounding anatomical structures. Accurate deposition of local anesthetic next to the nerve is essential to the success of the nerve block procedure. Unfortunately, due to limitations in the visibility of both needle tip and nerve surface, the precise relationship between needle tip and target nerve is unknown at the moment of injection. Importantly, nerve injury may result both from an inappropriately placed needle tip and inappropriately placed local anesthetic. The relationship between the block needle tip and target nerve is of paramount importance to the safe conduct of peripheral nerve block. This review summarizes the evolution of nerve localization in regional anesthesia, characterizes a problem faced by clinicians in performing ultrasound guided nerve block and explores the potential technological solutions to this problem