Proofreading Using an Assistive Software Homophone Tool Compensatory and Remedial Effects on the Literacy Skills of Students With Reading Difficulties

The present study investigated the effects of using an assistive software homophone tool on the assisted proofreading performance and unassisted basic skills of secondary-level students with reading difficulties. Students aged 13 to 15 years proofread passages for homophonic errors under three conditions: with the homophone tool, with homophones highlighted only, or with no help. The group using the homophone tool significantly outperformed the other two groups on assisted proofreading and outperformed the others on unassisted spelling, although not significantly. Remedial (unassisted) improvements in automaticity of word recognition, homophone proofreading, and basic reading were found over all groups. Results elucidate the differential contributions of each function of the homophone tool and suggest that with the proper training, assistive software can help not only students with diagnosed disabilities but also those with generally weak reading skills.

Microporation Techniques for Enhanced Delivery of Therapeutic Agents

Perhaps the greatest barrier to development of the field of transmembrane drug delivery is that only a limited number of drugs are amenable to administration by this route. The highly lipophilic nature and barrier function of the uppermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, for example, restricts the permeation of hydrophilic, high molecular weight and charged compounds into the systemic circulation. Other membranes in the human body can also present significant barriers to drug permeation. In order to successfully deliver hydrophilic drugs, and macromolecular agents of interest, including peptides, DNA and small interfering RNA, many research groups and pharmaceutical companies Worldwide are focusing on the use of microporation methods and devices. Whilst there are a variety of microporation techniques, including the use of laser, thermal ablation, electroporation, radiofrequency, ultrasound, high pressure jets, and microneedle technology, they share the common goal of enhancing the permeability of a biological membrane through the creation of transient aqueous transport pathways of micron dimensions across that membrane. Once created, these micropores are orders of magnitude larger than molecular dimensions and, therefore, should readily permit the transport of hydrophilic macromolecules. Additionally, microporation devices also enable minimally-invasive sampling and monitoring of biological fluids. This review deals with the innovations relating to microporation-based methods and devices for drug delivery and minimally invasive monitoring, as disclosed in recent patent literature. © 2010 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.