Minimal Instruction Research Articles

Drawing a line in the sandbox: balancing exploration and instruction in AI playgrounds

Following the release of ChatGPT and similar generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, many universities have committed to helping their students become AI literate (see for example Russell Group, 2023). The means of providing this support vary, ranging from optional, asynchronous guides to taught instruction embedded within courses. One popular format is the ‘AI playground’: practical sessions encouraging students to experiment with different AI tools, often with minimal instruction given by the facilitator. Yet how much instruction is too much or too little? Some leading voices in AI pedagogy place an emphasis on exploration and self-discovery, encouraging students to set their own goals and play with AI tools rather than walking them through specific tasks (Mollick, 2023). Minimising instruction, however, may sometimes clash with students’ needs. Recent research indicates that many students feel overwhelmed and anxious about AI, and a lack of confidence may hold some back from simply diving in on their own terms (Tierney and Peasey, 2023). In order to find a balance between exploration and instruction, this paper presents different formats of AI playgrounds with varying levels of instruction, run by the Study Skills team at the University of Bristol during the 2023/2024 academic year. Using feedback from student attendees, we identify some specific areas of AI use in which students value facilitator instruction, and at what stages the facilitator should minimise their own intervention. With these findings, we present a potential model for introductory AI playgrounds for use and adaptation by other HE practitioners.

Optimizing Hospice Care: A Scoping Review of Staffing Strategies to Enhance Practice

Background Investigating hospice staffing models is vital for ensuring patient-centered care by aligning workforce capabilities with evolving patient needs. With the opening of the Hospice Residence at Providence Care Hospital, effective staffing can enhance operational efficiency, staff well-being, retention, and elevate the quality of end-of-life care. Objective: The primary objective is to investigate models of hospice care, staffing characteristics across disciplines, staff qualifications, training and operational metrics. Methods A comprehensive search of academic literature was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase, following the PRISMA-ScR framework. The review focused on hospice care for adults, covering staffing and care models. Studies on general palliative care, pediatric/NICU care, non-full-text studies, and those published before 2013 were excluded. A grey literature search was also performed. Results Out of 1,579 imported studies, 1,082 were screened, 260 full texts reviewed, and 51 met inclusion criteria. Published between 2013 and 2024, the studies were conducted in North America, Europe, and Asia, covering various designs including randomized control trials, observational, qualitative, and mixed-methods. Patient populations included terminally ill individuals with diagnoses such as cancer, COPD, and heart failure. The majority of studies examined inpatient hospices. Facility sizes ranged from 6 to 33 beds (median = 16). Key topics included staffing models, staff-to-patient ratios, training, volunteer roles, care delivery, and patient satisfaction, with common ratios being 5.5:1 to 6.5:1 for physicians and 1.5:1 to 2.7:1 for nurses. Hospice staff included physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, spiritual care providers, and volunteers, with training ranging from specialized education to minimal instruction. Conclusion Understanding staffing strategies is crucial for hospices to meet growing demand and patient complexity. This review emphasizes optimal staff-to-patient ratios, diverse care models, and the vital role of volunteers. Further research is needed to establish best practices for sustainable, high-quality hospice care. Contributors: Patel, V.; Aghakhani Barfeh, K.; McDonald, H.; Kang, J.; Pranajaya, P.; Toon, D.; Wong, M.; Goldie, C.L.

Constructing and governing freedom – physical environments as a discursive practice in Swedish early childhood education

ABSTRACT This article problematizes the ideals and norms surrounding the organization of environments for children. It investigates the understanding of the arrangement and organization of Early Childhood Education (ECE) environments, aiming to offer an alternative perspective on taken-for-granted assumptions about ideal environments for children. Using Foucault’s conceptualization of discourse and power, the article examines how discursive practices shape and reshape norms and ideals of what constitutes a ‘good’ physical environment in ECE. Based on 145 texts published between 1969 and 2021 in an influential Swedish preschool teacher journal, the study analyzes systematic discourses on preschool environments. Key findings concern the environment’s role in the governing of children. The discursive construction of ideal environments emphasizes a ‘toy-free’ setting with minimal framing and instruction, pointing to a discursive shift in the desired type of freedom for children: from the freedom to become a part of culture, to the freedom to change culture.

Using Low-cost Videoscopes to Obtain Accurate Video "Oral Selfies" as Screening for HPV-associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: A New Screening Technology?

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers associated with sexual contact are increasing, with high rates in men who have sex with men. HPV-related cancers have the advantage of being frequently detectable through oropharyngeal visual examination and having much higher survival rates than classic oropharyngeal cancers. It has been demonstrated that gay and bisexual men can take smartphone oropharyngeal "selfies" of sufficient quality for screening. However, there is an issue with the inability to move the tongue to allow a clear view of the palatine tonsils, where a majority of oropharyngeal cancer cases occur. We attempted to investigate the feasibility of using commercially available videoscopes to visualize the oropharynx. Fourteen healthy volunteers used a provided low-cost commercial endoscope to video their oropharynx. Participants used the videoscope connected to a laptop and could visualize the oropharynx on the screen. Attempts were observed, and the process was noted. A focus group of participants was carried out immediately afterwards to ascertain barriers and facilitators to using the videoscopes. All participants were able to use the videoscope and obtain videos of sufficient clarity to note major oropharyngeal landmarks. The palatine tonsils were initially difficult to visualize because the tongue could not be sufficiently controlled. Participants were given time to practice using visual cues to control the position of the tongue, which helped in obtaining good videos. Videoscopes can be used effectively with minimal instruction and provide a better view than still images, as they illuminate and magnify the site. Low-cost commercially available videoscopes may be an improvement over smartphone "selfies".

Deriving relations at multiple levels of complexity following minimal instruction: A demonstration.

Recommendations for achieving generalized instructional outcomes often overlook the capacity for generative learning for most verbally competent humans. Four children (ages 5-8) participated in this project. In Study 1, we provided decontextualized discrete trial teaching to establish arbitrary relations between colors, pictures of characters, and researcher motor actions. All participants engaged in derivative responding, providing evidence of relational framing. Subsequently, we demonstrated that, with no additional instruction, these derivatives contributed to effective action within a socially valid context (i.e., Candyland gameplay). Study 2 extended the demonstration by teaching frames of opposition. Following teaching, all participants engaged in novel and contextually appropriate responding that entailed the derivation of both coordination and opposition between untrained stimuli. This outcome demonstrates how teaching simple relations can result in learning that manifests at higher levels of complexity (i.e., relational networking), providing some evidence that there can be socially valid benefits to decontextualized discrete trial instruction.

Teaching computer architecture by designing and simulating processors from their bits and bytes.

Teaching computer architecture (Comp-Arch) courses in undergraduate curricula is becoming more of a challenge as most students prefer software-oriented courses. In some computer science/engineering departments, Comp-Arch courses are offered without the lab component due to resource constraints and differing pedagogical priorities. This article demonstrates how students working in teams are motivated to study the Comp-Arch course and how instructors can increase student motivation and knowledge by taking advantage of hands-on practices. The teams are asked to design and implement a 16-bit MIPS-like processor with constraints as a specific instruction set, and limited data and instruction memory. Student projects include following three phases, namely, design, desktop simulator implementation, and verification using hardware description language (HDL). In the design phase, teams develop their Comp-Arch to implement specified instructions. A range of designs resulted, e.g., (a) a processor with extensive user-defined instructions resulting in longer cycle times (b) a processor with a minimal instruction set but with a faster clock cycle time. Next, teams developed a desktop simulator in any programming language to execute instructions on the architecture. Finally, students engage in Verilog Hardware Description Language (HDL) projects to simulate and verify the data-path designed during the initial phase. Student feedback and their current understanding of the project were collected through a questionnaire featuring varying Likert scale questions, some with a ten-point scale, and others with a five-point scale. Results of the survey show that the hands-on approach increases students' motivation and knowledge in the Comp-Arch course, which is centered around computer system design principles. This approach can also be effectively extended to related courses, such as Microprocessor Design, which delves into the intricacies of creating and implementing microprocessors or central processing units (CPUs) at the hardware level. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that interactions, specifically through peer reviews and public presentations, between students in each phase increases their knowledge and perspective on designing custom processors.

Self-compassion, childhood emotional neglect, and posttraumatic growth: Parental well-being during COVID-19

BackgroundThe CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can be conceptualized as a trauma that created additional unique stressors for parents. Self-compassion might promote posttraumatic growth (PTG); however, parents with histories of childhood emotional neglect may struggle to practice self-compassion when their own affectional needs were unmet earlier in life, carrying implications for both parental and child well-being. The objective is to examine the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and pandemic-related PTG, and the moderating role of self-compassion. MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey collected information from 436 parents (M = 37.62 years, SD = 9.31) across the U.S. on pandemic- and parenting-related stresses, childhood emotional neglect, self-compassionate behavior, psychological distress, and pandemic-related PTG. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze relationships among childhood emotional neglect, self-compassionate behavior, and pandemic-related PTG. ResultsParents who reported greater frequency of self-compassionate behavior tended to report higher pandemic-related PTG. Childhood emotional neglect alone did not predict pandemic-related PTG; however, for parents who reported less frequent self-compassionate behavior, greater childhood emotional neglect predicted lower pandemic-related PTG. LimitationsThe cross-sectional design and sample homogeneity limit both causal inference and generalizability. Limitations in operationalization of PTG and self-compassion constructs are discussed. ConclusionsFindings emphasize the utility of self-compassionate behavior in promoting pandemic-related PTG, especially for adults with histories of childhood emotional neglect. Self-compassion is a freely accessible practice that individuals can implement successfully with minimal instruction. In terms of clinical relevance, therapists may be able to identify points of intervention wherein self-compassion may stimulate pandemic-related PTG.

A pedagogical design for self-regulated learning in academic writing using text-based generative artificial intelligence tools: 6-P pedagogy of plan, prompt, preview, produce, peer-review, portfolio-tracking

The emergence and popularity of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly text-based ones known as large language models, pose both opportunities and challenges to education. The ability of these tools to generate human-like texts based on minimal instructions causes concerns among educators about students’ use of these tools for academic writing, which may constitute a breach of academic integrity. We propose a pedagogical design that models on self-regulated learning and the authoring cycle and develops students’ critical thinking and self-regulation when composing academic writing using text-based generative AI tools. It contains six iterative and interactive phases. Students first plan the content and structure of the writing, then generate prompts for text-based generative AI tools. Next, students preview and verify the tools’ output, followed by the fourth phase of producing the writing using the corrected output. Fifthly, peer review by fellow students may be required to polish and proofread the writing. Lastly, through portfolio-tracking, students reflect on the writing process, and formulate strategies for future usage of text-based generative AI tools for writing. This pedagogical design helps students and teachers embrace text-based generative AI while addressing the perils these tools present, and guides the development of education interventions and instruments.

Effect of instructions on the microstructure of human schedule performance.

Three experiments examined the effect of instructions on human free-operant performance on random ratio (RR) and random interval (RI) schedules. Both rates of responding, and the microstructure of behavior, were explored to determine whether bout-initiation and within-bout responding may be controlled by different processes. The results demonstrated that responding in acquisition (Experiments 1 and 2) and extinction (Experiment 3) was impacted in line with given instructions. During acquisition, rates were higher on RR compared to RI for accurate and minimal instructions. During extinction, rates decreased when there were minimal instructions. However, instructions had a greater impact on within-bout responding, than they did on bout-initiation responding. Overall rates of responding, and within-bout rates, varied in line with the nature of the instructions, but bout-initiation responding did not (Experiments 1 and 2). Resistance to extinction was increased by instructions in terms of overall responding and within-bout rates, but not in terms of bout-initiation rates (Experiment 3). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that bout-initiation responding may be less impacted by instructions than within-bout responding, speculatively, the former is stimulus-driven, automatic/habitual, and less accessible to conscious processing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An implementation evaluation of the Driving and Dementia Roadmap (DDR) in Alzheimer Society organizations

AbstractBackgroundIn response to the immense challenges that people with dementia (PWD) and family/friend carers (FCs) face in the driving cessation process, we developed the Driving and Dementia Roadmap (DDR). The DDR is a web‐based resource comprised of information and tools to support PWD, FCs and healthcare providers in the decision‐making and transition to non‐driving. To understand the factors (i.e., barriers and facilitators) that influenced the DDR’s implementation in Alzheimer Society (AS) settings, we conducted an implementation evaluation.MethodThe DDR was implemented by AS staff in six organizations in four Canadian provinces. Nineteen AS staff were interviewed after a three to six month period of delivering the DDR to their clients. Participants also recorded details about each interaction involving the DDR (e.g., setting, mode and rationale). Data were examined using a thematic analysis approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), which is a meta‐theoretical framework comprised of constructs organized into five domains (e.g., user characteristics, intervention characteristics and process).ResultThe DDR was implemented mainly via individual consultations by telephone/email to FCs who expressed concern about driving issues. Main factors that facilitated the DDR’s implementation were related to the characteristics of the DDR, such as its perceived evidence strength (e.g., research‐based) and quality (e.g., variety of tools, association with reputable organizations), superiority to other resources (e.g., more in‐depth, comprehensive and user friendly) and its ease of delivery (e.g., via telephone/email with minimal instruction required by clients). AS staff characteristics’ that facilitated implementation included their enthusiastic and favorable views about the DRR’s potential to be an empowering resource that could facilitate conversations and early planning for driving cessation. Barriers to implementation included clients’ lack of computer skills as well as competing priorities for AS staff such as other projects and tasks, and attending to issues related to the COVID‐19 pandemic (e.g., isolation, caregiver burnout, staying safe).ConclusionThis study highlights how the perceived strengths of the DDR resource itself and AS staff’s favourable beliefs about the DDR facilitated its successful implementation in AS settings. Strategies to address implementation barriers include offering a print‐based version of the DDR.

Interconnectable 3D-printed sample processing modules for portable mycotoxin screening of intact wheat

BackgroundThe increasing demand for food and feed products is stretching the capacity of the food value chain to its limits. A key step for ensuring food safety is checking for mycotoxin contamination of wheat. However, this analysis is typically performed by rather complex and expensive chromatographic methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These costly methods require extensive sample preparation that is not easily carried out at different points along the food supply chain. To overcome such challenges in sample processing, an inexpensive and portable sample preparation device was needed, that required low skill, for rapid sample-to-result mycotoxin screening. ResultsWe describe 3D-printed and interconnectable modules for simple, integrated and on-site sample preparation, including grinding of wheat kernels, and solvent-based extraction. We characterized these 3D-printed modules for mycotoxin screening and benchmarked them against a laboratory mill using commercial lateral flow device(s) (LFD) and in-house validated LC-MS/MS analysis. Different integrated sieve configurations were compared based on grinding efficiency, and we selected a sieve size of 2 mm allowing grinding of 10 g of wheat within 5 min. Moreover, 10 first time-users were able to operate the grinder module with minimal instructions. Screening for deoxynivalenol (DON) in naturally contaminated samples at the regulatory/legal limit (1.25 mg kg−1) was demonstrated using the developed 3D-printed prototype. The whole process only takes 15 min, from sample preparation to screening result. The results showed a clear correlation (R2 = 0.96) between the LFD and LC-MS/MS. SignificanceOur findings demonstrate the potential of 3D-printed sample handling equipment as a valuable extension of existing analytical procedures, facilitating the on-site implementation of rapid methods for the determination of mycotoxins in grains. The presented prototype is inexpensive with material costs of 2.5€, relies on biodegradable 3D printing filament and can be produced with consumer-grade printers, making the prototype readily available. As a future perspective, the modular character of our developed tool kit will allow for adaptation to other hard food commodities beyond the determination of DON in wheat.

Brief and Minimal Preventive Instructions to Maximize the Effectiveness

Brief and Minimal Preventive Instructions to Maximize the Effectiveness

Effect of unguided e-cigarette provision on uptake, use, and smoking cessation among adults who smoke in the USA: a naturalistic, randomised, controlled clinical trial

As summarised in the most recent Cochrane review, the few clinical trials on e-cigarettes are largely focused on smoking cessation. We aimed to determine the naturalistic uptake, use, and impact of e-cigarettes among adults who may or may not want to stop smoking. In this naturalistic, randomised, controlled clinical trial, adult smokers, across the motivational spectrum and with minimal history of e-cigarette use, were recruited online from the general community within 11 cities across the USA. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to either receive either a free 4-week supply of flavoured, tank-style e-cigarette, or not. E-cigarette group participants received a battery and device with up to 30 pre-filled tanks, offered among five flavours, with minimal instructions on use. The study's primary purpose was to descriptively assess naturalistic uptake and usage of the e-cigarette, and to secondarily assess its impact on smoking behavior. The latter, assessed through six months of follow-up, included: a) self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence, b) incidence of quit attempts, and c) smoking reduction. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03453385. Between 5/2018 and 3/2022, 638 adult smokers were enrolled and randomly assigned (427 in the e-cigarette group and 211 in the no-product control group). Uptake of e-cigarettes was robust: approximately 70% of participants used the product, with average usage exceeding 4 days per week during the initial 30 days. Based on an intent-to-treat approach where missing data is imputed as smoking, almost all behavioral outcomes favored the e-cigarette group relative to no-product control, including point prevalence abstinence at six months (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.8; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.0-3.1), cumulative incidence of 24-hr quit attempts (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.0-2.2), and having reduced smoking by at least 50% since baseline (OR=1.8; 95% CI=1.2-2.7). Results were similar under an alternative imputation. Complementing cessation-focused trials, results suggest that unguided e-cigarette use also leads tosmoking cessation, allaying the notion that causal effects of e-cigarettes on cessation are not reflective of real-world scenario of self-determined use. For smokers who may not be able to quit using existing pharmacologic approaches, e-cigarettes may be considered to achive that purpose. National Cancer Institute.

Medical students' perceived comfort and competence performing physical examinations on patients with obesity: A mixed-methods needs assessment.

Physicians are unsatisfied with their training in the care of patients with obesity. Physical examination is a key component of care, and modifications to techniques are often necessary for patients with obesity. To determine learning needs, we examined medical students' perceived comfort and competency in conducting physical examinations on patients with obesity. This mixed-methods study of Canadian medical students used a questionnaire and semi-structured focus groups to assess medical students' perceived comfort and competence in examining patients with obesity. Participants included 175 Canadian medical students. A minority of medical students felt comfortable (42%) or competent (14%) examining patients with obesity. Physical exam challenges included modifying exam manoeuvres, interpreting findings and communicating sensitively around weight. Lack of early exposure to patients with obesity, minimal instruction by preceptors and a lack of curricular focus on obesity were felt to be barriers to improving these skills. Students perceived their lack of confidence as negatively impacting their ability to manage patients with obesity and more training in this area was desired to prevent disparities in care. Medical students feel that adequate training on how to perform an obesity-specific physical examination is lacking. Developing curricula and including formal teaching around these key competencies within medical education is essential.

Smart Tactical Application Tourniquet Versus Combat Application Tourniquet: Comparing Layperson Applications for Arterial Occlusion After a Video Demonstration.

Tourniquet efficacy for extremity hemorrhage is well established, although literature demonstrates variable first responder application efficacy. Several newer models, including the Smart Tactical Application Tourniquet (STAT, STAT Medical Devices, LLC, Freehold, New Jersey), offer alternatives to well-established devices like the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT, C-A-T Resources, LLC, Rock Hill, South Carolina). Newer models are commercially sold without significant literature regarding efficacy or user feedback. We developed a pilot study to compare CAT and STAT applications for layperson hemorrhage control efficacy after a brief, standardized instructional video. This is a prospective randomized observational study that utilized layperson volunteers for the application of STAT or CAT. After a demographic survey, volunteers were randomized and watched the respective tourniquet instructional video, then applied the tourniquet to a HapMed hemorrhage simulator. The application was assessed for trial time, time to hemorrhage control, occlusion pressure, and total blood loss. Investigators also evaluated volunteers for proper application and received user feedback. Eighty-four total volunteers (42 CAT, 42 STAT) completed testing. Volunteers applied the CAT (50.0%, n = 21) with significantly greater rates of success than the STAT (0%, n = 0, p < 0.001).The CAT demonstrated significantly greater average occlusion pressure compared to the STAT (409.9 mm Hg vs. 116.5 mm Hg, p < 0.001).Similarly, CAT application resulted in significantly less average blood loss compared to the STAT (577.8 mL vs. 974.6 mL, p < 0.001). On the 5-point Likert scale, volunteers reported significantly higher benefits from video instruction and comfort with tourniquet application with the CAT over the STAT (4.7 vs. 4.0, p < 0.001, 4.0 vs. 2.4, p < 0.001). When performed by laypersons with minimal video instruction, the CAT was applied with significantly higher rates of success, higher mean occlusion pressures, reduced blood loss, and higher end-user ratings than the STAT.

755 3D Printed Mouth Stretcher

Abstract Introduction Microstomia can impede eating, speech, dental care, and surgical procedures (intubation). MPAs (microstomia preventative appliance/apparatus) are often used to manage burns around the mouth where there can be tightness in the oral commissures (microstomia). MPAs, however, are becoming more difficult to attain. Burn center therapy departments have been trying to find, or develop, a comparable replacement. Having been able to procure a 3D printer, our department is now able to print this new design. It has been trialed with a patient who reports the device is comfortable to wear and easy to use. Methods In developing a device to incrementally spread the oral commissures, different “garage tools” (C-clamp, caliper, wrench, etc) were trialed. From these ideas, this ratcheting slide version was determined to be the most durable and simple to use. The “clamp” ends were replaced with interchangeable “spools”. It is printed with a plastic filament called PLA (polylactic acid) and took between 100 minutes to 200 minutes to print all pieces of the mouth stretcher depended on the size of the device. The total cost to print ranges from $1.00 to $2.00 per device depending on the size. The main support, the slider, and the spools each need their own STL file, but were designed synchronously so that the parts all fit together properly. This mouth stretcher can be resized via different sized spools or made on a smaller scale for a pediatric version. It can also be used as a horizontal mouth stretcher (instead of using layers of tongue depressors). Results Our adult patient was able to improve his oral commissure measurements and he reports the device was comfortable and he was even able to sleep with it. The patient was able to increase the horizontal opening of his mouth 1 cm and vertical opening of his mouth 1.25 cm with inconsistent use over 9 months as he needed to take breaks due to another eye surgery during this time. Conclusions Stretching the oral commissures can be done cost-effectively (once a 3D printer is available) and easily used with minimal instruction for the patient. It could be trialed with varying sizes and shapes of “spools” for improving patient comfort and to minimize any areas of tissue breakdown (pressure sores) in the mouth. Past use of microsomia splints have been very beneficial, increasing mouth ROM which can diminish likelihood of surgical reconstruction and decrease the possibility of eversion of lower lip. Applicability of Research to Practice It may be difficult to provide for patients due to the expense of procuring a 3D printer and requires knowledge of 3D printing. However, as 3D printing becomes more commonplace in schools, hospitals, and homes, there will be increasing opportunity for further creativity, innovation, and use in the burn world.

Execution of stored programs by a rapid single-flux-quantum random-access-memory-embedded bit-serial microprocessor using 50-GHz clock frequency

We have demonstrated the execution of several programs stored in an instruction memory by a rapid single-flux-quantum bit-serial 8-bit microprocessor named CORE e2h. We employed a minimal instruction set architecture composed of 13 instructions based on the reduced instruction set computer. We integrated a 128-bit instruction memory and a 128-bit data memory with an arithmetic logic unit, two registers, a program counter, an instruction register, and a controller unit on a single chip. The bit-serial operation was performed by an on-chip clock generator, while the system clocks are provided from room-temperature electronics. The CORE e2h was made up of 11 000 Nb/AlOx/Nb Josephson junctions and fabricated with the Advanced Industrial Science and Technology 10-kA/cm2, 9-Nb-layer process. We obtained the correct results for all the executed programs, including the integer division, the two kinds of summation algorithms, the Euclidean algorithm, and finding the greatest divisor. These test programs contained a single or nested double loop, and the maximum number of executed instructions was 205. We confirmed the stable operation with the DC bias margins of around 10% at 50-GHz for different test programs. The measured electric power consumption was 2.5 mW at 4.2 K, and the estimated computing power was 500 × 106 instructions/s.

Perspective on improving the quality of surface and material data analysis in the scientific literature with a focus on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Due to significant advances in instrumentation, many previously specialized techniques have become “routine” in user facilities. However, detailed knowledge held by experts has often not been relayed to general users, so they often rely on entry-level information, basic principles, and comparison with literature results for data analysis. As a result, major errors in the data analysis of multiple surface and material analysis techniques, including in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), have been appearing in the scientific literature. Representative examples of serious errors in XPS data analysis are shown in this work. We suggest that surface and material analysis, and perhaps even science in general, are in a state of “pre-crisis.” We use two (logistic) models from population biology to suggest that bad analyses self-correct if they remain below a critical number. However, beyond a threshold, the literature can become useless because of the perpetuation of faulty analyses and concomitant loss of its self-correcting ability. XPS is used by scientists in many communities because of the power of the technique and high-quality instrumentation that is commercially available. Those who make new surfaces and materials face unique challenges because of the large number of surface and material analytical techniques that are often needed to characterize their materials. Graduate students and post-docs are often provided with only minimal instruction on using surface and material characterization methods. High fees for instruments may affect both the quality and the quantity of the data people collect. The Prisoner's Dilemma is a model from game theory that describes situations with reward structures that encourage uncooperative behavior and lead to suboptimal outcomes. However, the outcomes of Prisoner's Dilemma are not inevitable—their consequences change if their reward structures change. The current system does not appear to incentivize detailed learning of surface and material characterization techniques and careful material characterization. Prisoner's dilemmas appear to lead to other undesirable consequences in science. The concerns raised in this work suggest that many manuscripts are incompletely reviewed at present. The different stakeholders in this problem, including authors, research advisers, subject matter experts, reviewers, scientists who notice examples of faulty data analysis, editors, journals and publishers, funding agencies, scientific societies, leaders at universities and research centers, and instrument vendors, can improve the current situation. This work provides specific recommendations for each of these stakeholders. For example, we believe that authors are primarily responsible for the correctness of their work, not reviewers or editors; we question the wisdom of listing the names of the editor and reviewers on a paper; we are grateful for the significant contributions that have been made by subject matter experts to produce standards and tutorial information; the high cost of instrument time at some institutions may limit student access and result in suboptimal analyses; staff scientists often need to be better recognized for their intellectual contributions to studies; publishers may wish to allow selective reviewing of specific sections of papers related to material characterization; the reviewing at some open access journals may be inadequate; while it had its shortcomings, the pre-open access model of publishing incentivized the production and publication of high-quality work; audits of the products (scientific papers) of funding agencies may be necessary; collaboration needs to be encouraged to a greater extent at some institutions; and instrument vendors should not suggest to potential customers that surface characterization, e.g., by XPS, is trivial or simple.

65 Horse owners’ survey regarding equine feeding management post colic surgery

Nutritional care following colic surgery may be important to help prevent further digestive issues and prolong the life of the equine patients. The objective of this study was to determine how horses are managed nutritionally following colic surgery. Upon approval of the University's Institutional Review Board, an anonymous survey was created using the program Qualtrics that consisted of 15 questions. The survey recorded pre-colic diet, post-colic diet, and any nutritional advice the owner received, both from the surgical clinic and other sources. Respondents also reported the current status of their horse, i.e., retired, deceased, decreased work level, or returned to their previous level of work. A list of all equine colic surgeries performed at the NC State University vet school since 2019 was obtained. The time between surgery and completion of the survey ranged from 6 mo to over 3 years, with the majority (48%) completing it within 2–3 years following the surgery. The survey was sent to a total of 134 horse owners, 27 of which responded for a response rate of 20%. The data collected from the survey was predominantly descriptive in nature. 81% percent of respondents were happy with their horse's overall appearance and performance before the colic episode. At the time of the colic, 26% were feeding a commercial grain mix, 30% werefeeding a low-starch commercial grain mix, 15% were feeding a ration balancer, and 22% were feeding a senior feed. Approximately 48% of the living horses were back to their pre-colic workload at the time of the survey, while 4 horses were deceased. Several owners (21%) reported receiving minimal nutritional instructions at discharge, while others were encouraged to change their horse's hay or pasture (25%), grain (41%) and/or add a supplement (48%). 70% of owners reported gaining nutritional advice from sources outside the surgical clinic, 73% of which spoke with their regular veterinarian, while others consulted friends, online sources, and nutritionists. The majority of supplements implemented by owners were those designed for gastrointestinal health (e.g., probiotics, psyllium, etc.). Many owners received additional nutritional information from outside sources (friends, nutritionist, internet, etc.) or from their regular veterinarian. At the time they completed the survey, 29.6% of respondents reported at least one instance of colic following the horse's discharge. Based on the number of respondents seeking outside advice, the results imply that owners may benefit from additional nutritional resources following surgery.

Foundational Curriculum and Core Guidelines for Training in Latinx/a/o-Hispanic Cultural Neuropsychology Across the Lifespan.

The training competency of individual and cultural diversity is an advanced, fundamental competency to health service psychology since 2015. However, there is minimal instruction on how to integrate it into training curricula in neuropsychology, especially at the postdoctoral fellowship level. Our objective was to operationalize the individual and cultural diversity standard to provide a tangible application for educational programs on how to develop a competency-based training model for Latinx/a/o-Hispanic (L/H) cultural neuropsychology across the lifespan. The knowledge-based and applied-based competencies necessary to train to be a cultural neuropsychologist delivering services to L/H patients and families are defined. For learners to complete these competencies, training programs need to implement clinical, didactic, research, and professional development core guidelines grounded in cultural neuropsychology. We provide a framework on how to transform each core guideline, including a Didactics Core with foundational readings across a range of L/H topics, and a Report Template to guide the documentation of sociocultural information, language usage, normative data, and other relevant factors in a neuropsychological report. These cultural neuropsychology competencies and core guidelines need to become a basic core requirement for all neuropsychologists in training. With focused education in culturally based competencies, training programs can cultivate a sense of responsibility, inclusion, justice, and equity to train a generation of neuropsychologists, who intentionally and consistently practice socially responsible neuropsychology.