scholarly journals A Model Quantitative Assessment Tool for Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enrichment Plans

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mackenzie B. Dutton ◽  
Peter J. Pierre ◽  
Jeremy D. Bailoo ◽  
Emily Warkins ◽  
George F. Michel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Sensory Motor

AbstractThe housing and care of captive nonhuman primates (NHP) typically meets federal regulations and standards as well as guidelines by private accreditation organizations. There is, however, a gap between such policy, common practices, and the findings of a large empirical research literature on the effects of environmental enrichment (EE), particularly with respect to the degree to which different enrichment strategies lead to a demonstrable improvement of the animal’s psychological wellbeing. Assessment tools to guide decisions about selection and refinement of EE practices are largely missing and our companion paper offers a theoretically grounded qualitative approach to the categorization and assessment of sensory, motor, and cognitive (SMC) EE strategies. Here, we propose and illustrate a model for quantitative assessment of enrichment practices using a sample of research facility, zoo, and sanctuary NHP environmental enrichment plans (EEP). Our scoring technique provides a means for comparing the efficacy of different strategies across facilities and allows for the selection of priority areas for improvement. Overall, our assessment tool provides a framework that has several advantages. It is inherently flexible. It can be tailored to fit a range of species. It can readily be adapted to accommodate new evidence about a specific EE strategy, or new EE strategies, or both. Because a scientifically valid evidence-based framework drives priority, our method is readily adaptable to different types of facilities and is more likely to lead to longer-term benefits, both in terms of the enhancement of psychological wellbeing of captive NHP, and with respect to the judicious use of limited resources.AcronymsNHPnonhuman primatesEEenvironmental enrichmentEEPenvironmental enrichment plansSMCsensory motor cognitiveSSIBsomatic self-injurious behaviorNSSIBnon-somatic self-injurious behaviorUSDAUnited States Department of AgricultureAWAAnimal Welfare ActAZAAssociation of Zoos and AquariumsGFASGlobal Federation of Animal SanctuariesNRC GuideGuide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Psychological Science Applied to Improve Captive Animal Care: A Model for Development of a Systematic, Evidence-Based Assessment Of Environmental Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson J. Bennett ◽  
Jeremy D. Bailoo ◽  
Mackenzie Dutton ◽  
George F. Michel ◽  
Peter J. Pierre
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Us ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Animal Care

Nonhuman primates (NHP) are housed in captivity for a variety of purposes. In the US the housing and care for the majority of primates fall under federal regulation with additional guidelines and means of evaluation provided by various accreditation organizations. There is a gap, however, between the policy, common practices, and the findings of a large empirical literature on the effectiveness of care strategies aimed at ensuring the animals’ psychological wellbeing. Uniform assessment tools to guide decisions about selection and refinement of standards and practices are largely missing. In two consecutive publications, we propose a novel approach to evaluation and refinement of environmental enrichment (EE) programs that: 1) is based on empirical evidence; 2) permits flexibility to balance facility goals (or purpose) with consideration of animal wellbeing; 3) provides a systematic framework for assessment; and 4) identifies priority areas for hypothesis-driven research. We focus on one area of EE that is relatively neglected with respect to consistency in practice and detail in standards yet is well-supported both theoretically and empirically. The non-social, non-structural EE domain includes practices that promote sensory, manipulative (motor), and cognitive (SMC) engagement which often are less constrained by space, geography, resources, and any conflicts with the facilities’ varying purposes. This first paper provides the theoretical background for our proposed EE evaluation technique; whereas, the second describes the technique in detail. The systematic approach to categorization and assessment of the relevant components of facilities’ federally-required NHP EE plans (EEP) proposed here can readily accommodate new evidence and is adaptable for different species and facility types. In turn, the approach can assist consideration of refinement, changes in EE, and development of best practices that transcend facility type.

scholarly journals Concussion in para sport: the first position statement of the Concussion in Para Sport (CIPS) Group

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103696
Author(s):  
Richard Weiler ◽  
Cheri Blauwet ◽  
David Clarke ◽  
Kristine Dalton ◽  
Wayne Derman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Concussion Management ◽  
Rule Changes ◽  
Specific Rule ◽  
And Performance

Concussion is a frequent injury in many sports and is also common in para athletes. However, there is a paucity of concussion research related to para sport, and prior International Concussion in Sport (CIS) consensus papers have not substantively addressed this population. To remedy this and to improve concussion care provided to para athletes, the concussion in para sport (CIPS) multidisciplinary expert group was created. This group analysed and discussed in-depth para athlete-specific issues within the established key clinical domains of the current (2017) consensus statement on CIS. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group held all meetings by video conferencing. The existing Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) for the immediate on-field and office-based off-field assessment of concussion was evaluated as part of this process, to identify any para athlete-specific concerns. Regular preparticipation and periodic health examinations are essential to determine a baseline reference point for concussion symptoms but pose additional challenges for the interpreting clinician. Further considerations for concussion management for the para athlete are required within the remove, rest, reconsider and refer consensus statement framework. Considering return to sport (RTS), the 2017 CIS consensus statement has limitations when considering the RTS of the para athlete. Case-by-case decision making related to RTS following concussion is imperative for para athletes. Additional challenges exist for the evaluation and management of concussion in para athletes. There is a need for greater understanding of existing knowledge gaps and attitudes towards concussion among athlete medical staff, coaches and para athletes. Future research should investigate the use and performance of common assessment tools in the para athlete population to better guide their clinical application and inform potential modifications. Concussion prevention strategies and sport-specific rule changes, such as in Para Alpine Skiing and Cerebral Palsy Football, also should be carefully considered to reduce the occurrence of concussion in para athletes.

scholarly journals The Role of Digital Maturity Assessment in Technology Interventions with Industrial Internet Playground

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1134
Author(s):  
Annabeth Aagaard ◽  
Mirko Presser ◽  
Tom Collins ◽  
Michail Beliatis ◽  
Anita Krogsøe Skou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Maturity Assessment ◽  
Industrial Internet ◽  
Digital Development ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
The Impact

The use of digital technologies such as Internet of Things and advanced data analytics are central in digitally transforming manufacturing companies towards Industry 4.0. Success cases are frequently reported, and there is clear evidence of technology interventions conducted by industry. However, measuring the impact and effect of such interventions on digital maturity and on the organizational adoption can be challenging. Therefore, the research aim of this paper is to explore how the combination of the different methods of Industrial Internet Playground (IIP) pilots, Shadow Infrastructure (SI) and digital maturity assessment can assist in conducting and documenting the technical, as well as organisational, impact of digital interventions. Through an elaborate literature review of existing digital maturity assessment tools and key dimensions in digital transformation, we have developed a digital maturity assessment tool (DMAT), which is presented and applied in the paper to identify digital development areas and to evaluate and document the effects of digital interventions. Thus, the paper contributes with new knowledge of how the IIP pilot and SI combined with digital maturity assessment can support effective, transparent and documented digital transformation throughout an organisation, as explored through theory and a practice case.

scholarly journals How Do We Assess Patient Skills in a Competence-Based Program? Assessment of Patient Competences Using the Spanish Version of the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire and Real Practical Cases in Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2377
Author(s):  
Beatriz Sánchez-Sánchez ◽  
Beatriz Arranz-Martín ◽  
Beatriz Navarro-Brazález ◽  
Fernando Vergara-Pérez ◽  
Javier Bailón-Cerezo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Pelvic Floor Disorders ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Competence Assessment ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire

Therapeutic patient education programs must assess the competences that patients achieve. Evaluation in the pedagogical domain ensures that learning has taken place among patients. The Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) is a tool for assessing patient knowledge about urinary (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) conditions. The aim of this study was to translate the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) into Spanish and test its measurement properties, as well as propose real practical cases as a competence assessment tool. The cross-cultural adaptation was conducted by a standardized translation/back-translation method. Measurement properties analysis was performed by assessing the validity, reliability, responsiveness, and interpretability. A total of 275 women were recruited. The discriminant validity showed statistically significant differences in the PIKQ scores between patients and expert groups. Cronbach’s alpha revealed good internal consistency. The test–retest reliability showed excellent correlation with UI and POP scales. Regarding responsiveness, the effect size, and standardized response mean demonstrated excellent values. No floor or ceiling effects were shown. In addition, three “real practical cases” evaluating skills in identifying and analyzing, decision making, and problem-solving were developed and tested. The Spanish PIKQ is a comprehensible, valid, reliable, and responsive tool for the Spanish population. Real practical cases are useful competence assessment tools that are well accepted by women with pelvic floor disorders (PFD), improving their understanding and their decision-making regarding PFD.

scholarly journals Reliability and validity of a computer game-based tool of upper extremity assessment for object manipulation tasks in children with cerebral palsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205566832110140
Author(s):  
Anuprita Kanitkar ◽  
Sanjay T Parmar ◽  
Tony J Szturm ◽  
Gayle Restall ◽  
Gina Rempel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Object Manipulation ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

Introduction A computer game-based upper extremity (CUE) assessment tool is developed to quantify manual dexterity of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability of the CUE performance measures (success rate, movement onset time, movement error, and movement variation) and convergent validity with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale version 2 (PDMS-2) and the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST). Methods Thirty-five children with CP aged four to ten years were tested on two occasions two weeks apart. Results CUE performance measures of five chosen object manipulation tasks exhibited high to moderate intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values. There was no significant difference in the CUE performance measures between test periods. With few exceptions, there was no significant correlation between the CUE performance measures and the PDMS-2 or the QUEST test scores. Conclusions The high to moderate ICC values and lack of systematic errors indicate that the CUE assessment tool has the ability to repeatedly record reliable performance measures of different object manipulation tasks. The lack of a correlation between the CUE and the PDMS-2 or QUEST scores indicates that performance measures of these assessment tools represent distinct attributes of manual dexterity.

Complications following volar locking plate fixation for distal radial fractures: a systematic review

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 745-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bentohami ◽  
K. de Burlet ◽  
N. de Korte ◽  
M. P. J. van den Bekerom ◽  
J. C. Goslings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Locking Plate ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Volar Locking Plate ◽  
Locking Plate Fixation ◽  
Distal Radial Fractures ◽  
Level Of Evidence

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of complications following volar locking plate fixation of distal radial fractures. A computer-based search was carried out using EMBASE and PUBMED/MEDLINE. Only prospective comparative and prospective cohort studies that presented data concerning complications after treatment of distal radial fractures with a volar locking plate in human adults with a minimal follow-up of 6 months were included. Two quality assessment tools were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies (level of evidence rating according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence Based Medicine and the modified version of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group’s former quality assessment tool). Thirty three studies were eligible for final assessment. Most complications were problems with nerve and tendon function as well as complex regional pain syndrome. With an overall complication rate of 16.5%, most of which were ‘minor’ complications and low rates of nonunion and malunion, volar locking plate fixation can be considered a reasonably safe treatment option for patients with distal radial fractures.

scholarly journals Environmental Enrichment of Nonhuman Primates, Dogs and Rabbits Used in Toxicology Studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 132-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn A.L. Bayne
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Scientific Enterprise ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Animal Care

The increasing emphasis on the provision of environmental enrichment to laboratory animals, vis-à-vis the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 1996), and a potential forthcoming policy from the USDA on the subject, can be difficult to accommodate in a toxicology research environment. A summary will be provided of current requirements and recommendations. Then, strategies for meeting regulatory requirements will be described for non-rodent animals used in toxicology research. These strategies will address methods of both social enrichment, such as pair or group housing, as well as non-social enrichment, such as cage furniture, food enrichments, and toys. In addition, the value of positive interactions with staff (e.g., through training paradigms or socialization programs) will also be discussed. Apparent in the discussion of these strategies will be an overarching recognition of the necessity to avoid introducing confounding variables into the research project and to avoid compromising animal health. The roles of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the attending veterinarian in helping scientists balance animal well-being, the scientific enterprise and the regulatory environment will be described.

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