Summer Studentship Research Articles

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Investigating Associated Daytime and Nighttime Impairments

Free AccessSluggish Cognitive Tempo: Investigating Associated Daytime and Nighttime ImpairmentsAdria N. Markovich-Pilon, Penny V. Corkum and Ann Marie JoyceAdria N. Markovich-PilonSearch for more papers by this author, Penny V. CorkumAddress correspondence to Dr. Penny Corkum at the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author and Ann Marie Joyce1 An undergraduate student at Dalhousie University when completing this research. She has since received her Master's in Clinical Psychology and is practicing as a Candidate Register Psychologist in private practice in Nova Scotia.2 Professor and Psychologist at Dalhousie University. She supervised Adria for this research project during a summer studentship funded by Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation.3 Clinical Psychologist in Community Mental Health at the IWK Health Centre. She previously developed and tested the SCT scale and helped with Adria's supervision during this project.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:May 2017https://doi.org/10.1521/adhd.2017.25.3.1PDFPDF PLUS ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations About Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Cited byCited by1. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome) and Academic Functioning: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future ResearchOnline publication date: 18 September 2022. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar2. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Self Report Scale (SCT-SR): Development and Initial Validation StudyOnline publication date: 17 February 2023. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar3. Report of a Work Group on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Key Research Directions and a Consensus Change in Terminology to Cognitive Disengagement SyndromeOnline publication date: Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar4. Psychometric Properties of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale in a Turkish Sample of Children and AdolescentsOnline publication date: 7 October 2020. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar5. A retrospective investigation of the added clinical value of SCT symptoms on neuropsychological assessments in youth with ADHDOnline publication date: 26 November 2020. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar6. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Symptoms in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Children: Differentiation Using Categorical and Dimensional ApproachesOnline publication date: 31 October 2019. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar Volume 25Issue 3May 2017 Information© 2017 The Guilford PressPDF download

Poincare Analysis of Spontaneous Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia during High Altitude Ascent: Effects on oxygenation

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is the transient fluctuation in heart rate (HR) in phase with the respiratory cycle. Poincare spectral analysis is used to (a) quantify heart rate variability (HRV) through short term (SD1; i.e., RSA) and long term (SD2) fluctuations in heart rate and (b) determine components of autonomic nervous system activity (low and high frequency; LF and HF; sympathetic and parasympathetic, respectively). Although RSA likely represents the dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system at rest, there is controversy regarding the mechanisms underlying RSA, as well as the possible physiological utility. RSA may improve ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) matching in the lungs, and may protect against oxygen desaturation in the context of hypoxic exposure. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RSA magnitude and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) during incremental ascent to high altitude (4370m). We hypothesized that (a) RSA magnitude (SD1/SD2) ratio would decrease during ascent to high altitude as a result of sympathetic nervous system activation and (b) individuals with a larger SD1/SD2 ratio during ascent would have increased SpO2 through improved V/Q matching. Measurements were conducted over eleven days at 1045m (baseline, day 1), 3440m (day 7), 3860m (day 9), and 4370m (day 11) during a trek to altitude in the Nepal Himalaya. Participants (26±2.1 years; BMI 23.8±1.1 kg/m2; 9 females, n=12) were instrumented with an ECG and finger pulse oximeter (SpO2 %) and tested on rest days after one night at each altitude. Spontaneous RSA was measured from the ECG periods during the last 7‐min of a 10‐min baseline and evaluated using Poincare plots. There was no significant difference between the SD1/SD2 ratio during incremental ascent to 4370m (P=0.65). There was also no significant difference observed in the LF/HF ratios during ascent to 4370m (P=0.66), suggesting that the sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio remained unchanged with ascent. Additionally, we correlated SD1/SD2 ratio and SpO2 at 4370m when individuals were most hypoxic at rest (SpO2 87.2±0.8%) and found no significant correlation (r=0.32, P=0.31). Our data suggests that during slow incremental ascent to high altitude, there is no difference in spontaneous RSA or the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity. Individuals with larger SD1/SD2 ratios do not have improved SpO2, suggesting that RSA magnitude does not improve V/Q matching during high altitude ascent.Support or Funding InformationNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Student Temporary Employment Program of Alberta, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Summer Studentship,

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Combined with Intensive Reading Treatment for Aphasia: Electrophysiological Evidence from ERPs

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Combined with Intensive Reading Treatment for Aphasia: Electrophysiological Evidence from ERPs

Rate and predictors of publication by medical and health science summer research students: a 14-year analysis from Auckland, New Zealand

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction Undergraduates are capable of making valuable contributions to the medical sciences. At The University of Auckland, many students complete summer studentship projects. Anecdotally, students have enjoyed these projects, developed an interest in academia, and published peer-reviewed articles. This study aimed to i) determine the publication rate following the studentship programme from 2001-2013, and ii) identify factors correlated with publication. Methods Students completing summer studentships at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland from 2001-2013 were identified. Seven databases were searched for articles with student and supervisor as named authors. Outcomes of interest were; i) publication within 3 years of studentship completion, ii) publication at any time, and iii) publication with the student as the first author. Results Over the 13-year period, 1345 studentship projects were completed, with 666 identified subsequent publications by 425 students. At 3 years follow-up after studentship completion, 22% had published, increasing to 32% at any time following studentship completion. Degree, department, and research category were all significantly correlated with successful publication. Conclusion Summer studentships provide New Zealand undergraduates with opportunities to make valuable contributions to science. Further investigation may facilitate improvement strategies and maximise benefits for students, supervisors, and universities.

Consequences of Maternal Iron‐Deficiency: Fetal Anemia, and Hypoxia in Select Tissues of the Conceptus

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide, and affects populations across the socio‐economic spectrum. The incidence of ID anemia in pregnant women is of chief concern, with rates as high as 80 % in developing countries, and a prevalence of 23 % in Canada. Maternal ID during pregnancy has been shown to impact fetal iron status and growth trajectories, although the precise mechanisms underlying this intrauterine growth restriction are unknown. We hypothesized that maternal ID causes fetal hypoxia, resulting in asymmetric growth restriction in more severe ID. Female rats (initial age 6 weeks for severe (S‐ID), 9 weeks for moderate (M‐ID)) were fed iron restricted diets throughout pregnancy. Dams were treated with pimonidazole on gestational day (GD)20 to assess hypoxia (<10 mm Hg O2). Maternal and fetal hemoglobin (Hb) levels and body weights were assessed on GD21. Pup organs were excised and weighed to assess degree of asymmetric growth restriction. Tissue immunofluorescence was carried out on GD21 pup tissues with fluorescent probes to detect covalent pimonidazole adducts. Both M‐ and S‐ID groups caused fetal anemia ( fetal Hb reduced 30.9 % and 63.8 %, respectively, compared to control of 9.27 g/dL, P<0.01), despite only S‐ID dams becoming anemic (reduction in Hb 10.9 % and 50.3 % for M‐ and S‐ID, respectively, compared to 13.60 g/dL control Hb, P<0.001). Both M‐ and S‐ID caused fetal growth restriction (reduced weight by 9.1 % and 34.9 %, respectively, compared to control weight of 5.45 g, P<0.001). S‐ID, but not M‐ID, caused asymmetrical growth restriction, wherein relative heart and brain weights increased (60 % and 9.8 %, respectively, compared to control weights of 0.005 g/g and 0.041 g/g, P<0.01), and kidney and liver size decreased (20 % and 15 %, respectively, compared to control weights of 0.005 g/g and 0.067 g/g, P<0.01). M‐ID was associated with increased staining for pimonidazole in fetal livers (P=0.01) and kidneys (P=0.01), but not in brains and placentae, versus respective controls; hypoxia staining is S‐ID fetuses is ongoing. Fetal anemia and growth restriction can occur in the absence of maternal anemia, emphasizing the need for new methods of assessment in the clinical setting. Elucidation of the mechanisms through which ID impacts fetal growth and development will enable us to develop a platform with which we can test novel therapeutics.Support or Funding InformationAW held an Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Summer Studentship. SB Holds grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI).

204: Fostering Transformative Learning in a Social Pediatrics Research Summer Studentship Through Empowerment and Assessment

204: Fostering Transformative Learning in a Social Pediatrics Research Summer Studentship Through Empowerment and Assessment

In utero exposure to cigarette smoke dysregulates human fetal ovarian developmental signalling

How does maternal cigarette smoking disturb development of the human fetal ovary? Maternal smoking increases fetal estrogen titres and dysregulates several developmental processes in the fetal ovary. Exposure to maternal cigarette smoking during gestation reduces human fetal ovarian cell numbers, germ cell proliferation and subsequent adult fecundity. The effects of maternal cigarette smoking on the second trimester human fetal ovary, fetal endocrine signalling and fetal chemical burden were studied. A total of 105 fetuses were studied, 56 from mothers who smoked during pregnancy and 49 from those who did not. Ovary, liver and plasma samples were collected from electively terminated, normally progressing, second trimester human fetuses. Circulating fetal hormones, levels of 73 fetal ovarian transcripts, protein localization, density of oocytes/primordial follicles and levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the fetal liver were determined. Circulating fetal estrogen levels were very high and were increased by maternal smoking (ANOVA, P = 0.055-0.004 versus control). Smoke exposure also dysregulated (two-way ANOVA, smoking versus gestation weeks interaction, P = 0.046-0.023) four fetal ovarian genes (cytochrome P450 scc [CYP11A1], NOBOX oogenesis homeobox [NOBOX], activator of apoptosis harakiri [HRK], nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group E, member 1 [NR2E1]), shifted the ovarian Inhibin βA/inhibin α ratio (NHBA/INHA) transcript ratio in favour of activin (ANOVA, P = 0.049 versus control) and reduced the proportion of dominant-negative estrogen receptor 2 (ERβ: ESR2) isoforms in half the exposed fetuses. PAHs, ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), were increased nearly 6-fold by maternal smoking (ANOVA, P = 0.011 versus control). A fifth transcript, COUP transcription factor 1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 1: NR2F1, which contains multiple AHR-binding sites), was both significantly increased (ANOVA, P = 0.026 versus control) and dysregulated by (two-way ANOVA, smoking versus gestation weeks interaction, P = 0.021) maternal smoking. NR2F1 is associated with repression of FSHR expression and smoke-exposed ovaries failed to show the normal increase in FSHR expression during the second trimester. There was a significantly higher number of DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box polypeptide 4 (DDX4) VASA-positive (ANOVA, P = 0.016 versus control), but not POU domain, class 1, transcription factor 1 (POU5F1) OCT3/4-positive, oocytes in smoke-exposed fetuses and this matched with a significantly higher number of primordial follicles (ANOVA, P = 0.024 versus control). The effects of maternal smoking on establishment of the maximum fetal primordial follicle pool cannot be reliably studied in our population since the process is not completed until 28 weeks of gestation and normal fetuses older than 21 weeks of gestation are not available for study. Our data suggest that some fetal ovaries are affected by smoke exposure while others are not, indicating that additional studies, with larger numbers, may show more significant effects. Fetal exposure to chemicals in cigarette smoke is known to lead to reduced fecundity in women. Our study suggests, for the first time, that this occurs via mechanisms involving activation of AHR, disruption of inhibin/activin and estrogen signalling, increased exposure to estrogen and dysregulation of multiple molecular pathways in the exposed human fetal ovary. Our data also suggest that alterations in the ESR2 positive and dominant negative isoforms may be associated with reduced sensitivity of some fetuses to increased estrogens and maternal smoking. The study was supported by grants from the Chief Scientist Office (Scottish Executive, CZG/1/109, and CZG/4/742), NHS Grampian Endowments (08/02), the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 212885, a Society for Reproduction & Fertility summer studentship, Medical Research Scotland (research grant 354 FRG) and the Medical Research Council (WBS: U.1276.00.002.00001 and G1100357). The authors declare they have no competing interests, be it financial, personal or professional.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2014

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) aim to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries which will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. This report, on behalf of the Research Committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2014 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website: http://www.cagacg.org/research. The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Industry Partner-CIHR-CAG Post-Doctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and with support from CIHR, and CAG’s partners, AbbVie, Actavis, Crohn’s & Colitis Canada (CCC), Ferring, Pentax, and Takeda, 14 fellowships were funded (Table 2). Two fellows received CIHR-CAG awards in name only as their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 2 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships (2014) New Investigator Award One new investigator salary award (Table 3) has been awarded this year with the support of CCC. TABLE 3 Funded Grants (2014) Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. Thus, in partnership with CCC, 16 students have received awards ($5,000 each) to work in laboratories of recent or established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease (Table 4). TABLE 4 Canadian Association of Gastroenterology- and Crohn’s & Colitis Canada-funded Summer Studentships (2014) The CAG and the CDHF offer the Ivan Beck Memorial Summer Studentship Award (an additional stipend of $1,000) to the top ranked summer studentship applicant. This award is in recognition of Dr Ivan Beck, one of the founding members of the CAG (1962) and the CDHF (1995). Ms Carly Aspden (UBC) is the 2014 awardee. Resident Research Program Seven awards were available with the generous partnership from Procter & Gamble, Shire and Actavis (Table 5). TABLE 5 Resident Research Awards (2014) Workshop Grants One CAG workshop grant was provided for the Kananaskis Inflammation Workshop (January 18, 2014). Such workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastrointestinal (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting edge GI research from Canada and beyond. CCC-CAG Partnership The CCC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and inflammatory bowel disease research a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and4)4) show that CCC supported three fellowships, one new investigator salary award and six summer studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in the CAG research program. And again, many thanks to the CIHR and CAG partners – the 16 summer studentships, seven resident research awards, fourteen fellowships, one new investigator salary award add up to a research dollar commitment in 2013 of $1,378,500.

2014 Canadian Liver Foundation Research Operating Grant, Graduate Studentship and Summer Studentship Recipients

2014 Canadian Liver Foundation Research Operating Grant, Graduate Studentship and Summer Studentship Recipients

FRI0049 Are there differences between young and older onset early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and does this impact outcomes? an analysis from the catch cohort.

BackgroundThe population is ageing and the median age of rheumatoid arthritis onset is also increasing. There may be differences in the manifestations of early RA (ERA) onsetting in the elderly...

FRI0241 Association of gastroesophageal factors and progression of interstitial lung disease in the canadian scleroderma research group (CSRG); a large, multi-center database

BackgroundInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is a leading contributor to mortality in SSc patients. Once lung fibrosis occurs, lung function disease course...

SAT0101 Das does not predict increasing treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA): Results from the catch study

BackgroundThe disease activity score (DAS) was developed in RA to guide therapy. Its utility in practice for ERA has not been fully studied.ObjectivesThe aim was to determine factors most strongly...

A Pharmacophore Approach for Novel Inhibitors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exotoxin A

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes lung infections in cystic fibrosis and other immune-compromised individuals. The most toxic factor secreted by PA is a 66 kDa protein, exotoxin A (ExoA), which belongs to a larger (mART) family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of the ADP-ribosyl moiety from NAD+ to a protein target. COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH: Here, we used the high resolution crystal structure of cholix as the structural model system for ExoA. We considered structures in complex with several ligands (NAD+ and various inhibitors: NAP, V30, etc.) in order to address the mode of ligand binding. All the analyses were performed with the Molecular Operative Environment suite (MOE.2011). For each residue in the pocket, the interaction energy was evaluated along with various other descriptors. Binding free energy was calculated according to the GBVI/WSA function. Based upon the consensus features of the cholix:ligand complexes, a pharmacophore model was developed and was used to dock these molecules as standards for the purpose of training, followed by the docking of a new inhibitor library (M-series) obtained from an in silico screening against another mART toxin, Iota toxin from C. perfringens. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A cell based assay was used for a coarse screen of the potency of the M-series inhibitors based on the viability of C38 cystic fibrosis human lung cells treated with ExoA. Compound M19 arose as the best inhibitor for protection of the cystic fibrosis human lung cell line with an EC50 of 2 μM. Future research will involve improvement of the M19 scaffold based on the information from computational approaches. This work was funded by a Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC) summer studentship to AP, a CFC Canada-Kin postdoctoral fellowship to MRL, and CFC operating grant to ARM.

Methodological quality of systematic reviews in subfertility: a comparison of Cochrane and non-Cochrane systematic reviews in assisted reproductive technologies

Are there differences in the methodological quality of Cochrane systematic reviews (CRs) and non-Cochrane systematic reviews (NCRs) of assisted reproductive technologies? CRs on assisted reproduction are of higher methodological quality than similar reviews published in other journals. The quality of systematic reviews varies. This was a cross-sectional study of 30 CR and 30 NCR systematic reviews that were randomly selected from the eligible reviews identified from a literature search for the years 2007-2011. We extracted data on the reporting and methodological characteristics of the included systematic reviews. We assessed the methodological quality of the reviews using the 11-domain Measurement Tool to Assess the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool and subsequently compared CR and NCR systematic reviews. The AMSTAR quality assessment found that CRs were superior to NCRs. For 10 of 11 AMSTAR domains, the requirements were met in >50% of CRs, but only 4 of 11 domains showed requirements being met in >50% of NCRs. The strengths of CRs are the a priori study design, comprehensive literature search, explicit lists of included and excluded studies and assessments of internal validity. Significant failings in the CRs were found in duplicate study selection and data extraction (67% meeting requirements), assessment for publication bias (53% meeting requirements) and reporting of conflicts of interest (47% meeting requirements). NCRs were more likely to contain methodological weaknesses as the majority of the domains showed <40% of reviews meeting requirements, e.g. a priori study design (17%), duplicate study selection and data extraction (17%), assessment of study quality (27%), study quality in the formulation of conclusions (23%) and reporting of conflict of interests (10%). The AMSTAR assessment can only judge what is reported by authors. Although two of the five authors are involved in the production of CRs, the risk of bias was reduced by not involving these authors in the assessment of the systematic review quality. Not all systematic reviews are equal. The reader needs to consider the quality of the systematic review when they consider the results and the conclusions of a systematic review. There are no conflicts with any commercial organization. Funding was provided for the students by the summer studentship programme of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of the University of Auckland.

New Zealand health professionals’ assessment and management practices of children/young people who are overweight/obese: Findings from a summer studentship project 2011

New Zealand health professionals’ assessment and management practices of children/young people who are overweight/obese: Findings from a summer studentship project 2011

Initiation of a multidisciplinary summer studentship in palliative and supportive care in oncology

PurposeThe optimal setting for interprofessional education (IPE) for prelicensure health care trainees is unclear, especially in a field as complex and emotionally challenging as oncology. In this article, the authors describe the initiation of the Cross Cancer Institute Multidisciplinary Summer Studentship in Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology, a 6-week, multidisciplinary team-based clinical placement in supportive care, designed to incorporate features of best practice cooperative learning.MethodsA steering committee established goals, structure, eligibility criteria, application process, funding, and a consensus approach to instruction and evaluation for the IPE program. Studentship components included mandatory and flexible clinical time, an exploratory investigation, discussion groups, and a presentation. Two senior students per iteration were selected from clinical nutrition, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, social work, and speech–language pathology applicants. These students completed questionnaires investigating their views of their own and others’ professions at baseline, at the end of the rotation, and 6 months after the studentship.ResultsEight students from medicine, clinical nutrition, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech–language pathology have participated to date. At the elective’s end, students have described a more positive view of multidisciplinary team practice, with each participating discipline perceived as both more caring and more subservient than at baseline. In general, changes in attitudes were maintained 6 months after completion of the placement.ConclusionThis 6-week multidisciplinary placement is feasible, successful, and potentially transferable to other academic settings. The results of this study suggest that even over as short a period as 6 weeks, objective attitudinal and perceptual change is seen.

2012 Canadian Liver Foundation Operating Grants, Graduate Studentship and Summer Studentship Recipients

As Chairs of the Research Committee, we are happy to announce the 2012 Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) Operating Grants, Graduate Studentship and Summer Studentship Recipients. In addition, we thank all of the reviewers for their time and effort in selecting the recipients. The CLF is the largest nonprofit funder of liver research in Canada and has invested more than $20 million in research since it was first founded. The Foundation offers funding in three grant categories: Operating grants for senior and new researchers; Graduate studentships for PhD and Masters level researchers; and Summer Studentships for undergraduate students. The funds to support these research grants have been provided through donations from individuals and corporations across Canada, which have been made directly to the CLF to support liver research in Canada (these are not industry funded). Each of these awards is highly competitive and all grant submissions undergo a rigorous review process by the Research Committee, comprised of established liver researchers from around the world, who rate the submissions based on scientific merit and relevance to the CLF’s priorities. For further information regarding these grants and how the support of CLF is an important contribution to the development and advancement of research on liver diseases, please visit the Canadian Liver Foundation website at www.liver.ca.

Identification of Accelerometer Nonwear Time and Sedentary Behavior

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image sizeKey words: adultmeasurephysical activity Additional informationNotes on contributorsMelody OliverAt the time of this study, the first two authors were supported by National Heart Foundation of New Zealand research fellowships. A Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Auckland University of Technology Summer Studentship supported the third author. Please address correspondence concerning this article to Melody Oliver, Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Mail #A-24, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.

WE‐G‐BRC‐02: A Portable Optical CT Scanner for Interactive Teaching of Imaging Principles

Purpose: To develop a portable scanner that demonstrates the principles of radiography and computed tomography (CT). Methods: The traditional methods for teaching the physics of medical imaging rely on lectures, followed by demonstrations on a clinical system that is not easily accessible or programmed for educational purposes. We have developed a scaled‐down portable CT imaging system suitable for interactive “real time” demonstrations using a laptop computer during a classroom or lab session. Our optical system uses light rays in lieu of x‐rays so that experiments can be conducted while posing no electrical or radiation hazards to instructors and students. The desk‐top CT imaging device will be supplied with a learning kit of experimental test phantoms, lab manuals, instructional videos, and specialized software that demonstrate 2D radiographic and 3D CT image reconstruction methods. These approaches are relevant to imaging systems used in digital diagnostic imaging and image‐guided therapy. Results: A low‐cost portable system (&lt; $15,000) has been manufactured (http://www.deskcat.com/) to enrich the studentˈs learning experience and improve the retention of fundamental imaging concepts. Students learn about spatial resolution, contrast resolution, system linearity, image artifacts and they perform quantitative measurements in 3D space, using image visualization software tools and specialized test phantoms (7.2 cm diameter × 5.3 cm long). Early reaction from instructors and students alike has been very encouraging. Conclusions: This learning package should prove attractive to universities with medical physics programs in Departments of Physics, Medical Biophysics, or Biomedical Engineering, as well as Medical Schools with residency training programs (Medical Imaging, Radiation Oncology). The systemˈs modular nature allows extensions for future coverage of related topics such as nuclear and molecular SPECT imaging. Through future developments, it may also be possible to model the dose deposition patterns from intensity‐modulated radiotherapy beams using ultraviolet exposure of radiochromic gel volumes.This research was sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Innovation, Government of Ontario, Canada (ORDCF Grant, OCITS Project) and by Modus Medical Devices as the industry partner. We also thank The University of Western Ontario for providing funding through its “Fellowship for Teaching Innovation”. This supported one of the authors (RT) during a summer studentship.

Experiences of a summer studentship scheme

Experiences of a summer studentship scheme