A smartphone-based particle diffusometry platform for sub-attomolar detection of Vibrio cholerae in environmental water.

Each year, 3.4 million people die from waterborne diseases worldwide. Development of a rapid and portable platform for detecting and monitoring waterborne pathogens would significantly aid in reducing the incidence and spread of infectious diseases. By combining optical methods and smartphone technology with molecular assays, the sensitivity required to detect exceedingly low concentrations of waterborne pathogens can readily be achieved. Here, we implement smartphone-based particle diffusometry (PD) detection of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeting the waterborne pathogen Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae). By measuring the diffusion of 400 nm streptavidin-coated fluorescent nanoparticles imaged at 68X magnification on a smartphone, we can detect as few as 6 V. cholerae cells per reaction (0.66 aM) in just 35 minutes. In a double-blinded study with 132 pond water samples, we establish a 91.8% sensitivity, 95.2% specificity, and 94.3% accuracy of the smartphone-based PD platform for detection of V. cholerae. Together, these results demonstrate the utility of this smartphone-based PD platform for rapid and sensitive detection of V. cholerae at the point of use.

It's about time: A synthesis of changing phenology in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.

The timing of recurring biological and seasonal environmental events is changing on a global scale relative to temperature and other climate drivers. This study considers the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, a region of high social and ecological importance in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and synthesizes current knowledge of (a) key seasonal processes, patterns, and events; (b) direct evidence for shifts in timing; (c) implications of phenological responses for linked ecological-human systems; and (d) potential phenology-focused adaptation strategies and actions. Twenty studies demonstrated shifts in timing of regional marine organisms and seasonal environmental events. The most common response was earlier timing, observed in spring onset, spring and winter hydrology, zooplankton abundance, occurrence of several larval fishes, and diadromous fish migrations. Later timing was documented for fall onset, reproduction and fledging in Atlantic puffins, spring and fall phytoplankton blooms, and occurrence of additional larval fishes. Changes in event duration generally increased and were detected in zooplankton peak abundance, early life history periods of macro-invertebrates, and lobster fishery landings. Reduced duration was observed in winter-spring ice-affected stream flows. Two studies projected phenological changes, both finding diapause duration would decrease in zooplankton under future climate scenarios. Phenological responses were species-specific and varied depending on the environmental driver, spatial, and temporal scales evaluated. Overall, a wide range of baseline phenology and relevant modeling studies exist, yet surprisingly few document long-term shifts. Results reveal a need for increased emphasis on phenological shifts in the Gulf of Maine and identify opportunities for future research and consideration of phenological changes in adaptation efforts.

Student and Preceptor Experiences at an Inter-Professional Student-Run Clinic: A Physical Therapy Perspective.

Purpose: Student-run clinics (SRCs) provide a unique opportunity for inter-professional education; they prepare health care students for a collaborative future by enabling them to interact with other such students in a clinical setting focused on inter-professional learning and collaboration. Physical therapy (PT) students are increasingly being included in SRCs; however, most research on student experiences in SRCs has been carried out with medical students. This qualitative study explores the perceived benefits of the PT experience in an SRC through the lens of PT students and their preceptors. Method: A qualitative interpretive-descriptive approach consisting of face-to-face, semi-structured interviews was used. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Results: Seven PT students and eight preceptors who volunteered at the SRC between September 2013 and May 2015 participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) exposure to marginalized patient populations, (2) learning through inter-professional interactions, and (3) experience with different patient care approaches. Conclusions: Participating in an SRC enhances PT students' understanding of their and other health care professionals' roles. Students gained an appreciation for the social determinants of health and improved their knowledge of inter-professional collaboration. The knowledge gained from this study has the potential to inform PT professional development, SRCs, and PT education.

Objectif : les cliniques dirigées par des étudiants offrent une occasion unique de formation interprofessionnelle; elles préparent les étudiants en soins de santé à la collaboration en leur permettant d'interagir avec d'autres étudiants dans un environnement clinique axé sur la collaboration et l'apprentissage interprofessionnels. Les étudiants en physiothérapie sont de plus en plus inclus dans ces cliniques; cependant, la plupart des recherches portant sur les expériences étudiantes dans ce type de clinique ont été menées auprès d'étudiants en médecine. Cette étude qualitative examine les bienfaits perçus de l'expérience vécue par les étudiants en physiothérapie et leurs précepteurs en clinique dirigée par des étudiants. Méthode : une approche qualitative interprétative-descriptive comprenant des entrevues en personne semi-structurées a été utilisée. Les entrevues ont été enregistrées sur bande sonore et transcrites mot à mot. Les données ont été analysées au moyen d'une approche comparative constante. Résultats : sept étudiants en physiothérapie et huit précepteurs qui ont travaillé de manière bénévole dans une clinique dirigée par des étudiants entre septembre 2013 et mai 2015 ont participé à l'étude. Trois thèmes sont ressortis des entrevues : (1) l'exposition à des populations de patients marginalisés, (2) l'apprentissage au moyen d'interactions interprofessionnelles et (3) l'expérience de diverses approches de soins aux patients. Conclusions : la participation à une clinique dirigée par des étudiants améliore la compréhension des étudiants en physiothérapie de leur rôle et de celui des autres professionnels de la santé. Les étudiants ont pu observer les déterminants sociaux de la santé et améliorer leurs connaissances en matière de collaboration interprofessionnelle. Les connaissances acquises dans le cadre de cette étude peuvent servir au développement professionnel en physiothérapie, aux cliniques dirigées par des étudiants et à la formation en physiothérapie.