Effect of Verbal Directions on Grip Strength Evaluated Using the Handheld Dynamometer

Background: Grip strength measurement using the handheld dynamometer is a key aspect of the evaluation of an upper extremity injury. The handheld dynamometer manufacturer has established research-based guidelines outlining body positioning during grip strength measurement. However, verbal direction guidelines, while provided, have not yet been shown to be most effective through research. This study seeks to determine whether the use of one of two types of verbal directions, with and without encouragements, resulted in greater grip strength as measured by the handheld dynamometer. Method: The grip strength of healthy females (n = 60) was compared using two sets of prerecorded verbal directions administered in random order. All other procedures were constant and closely followed a standardized procedure. Results: A statistically significant difference in the right- and left-hand grip strength (mean difference: 5.55 and 5.74 lb, respectively) was found between the two sets of verbal directions with verbal encouragement eliciting higher strength (p \u3c 0.0001). Conclusions: Verbal directions significantly affect grip strength scores in healthy females when evaluated using the handheld dynamometer. Evaluators should use verbal directions with encouragements when seeking to elicit maximum grip strength

NASTRAN implementation of an isoparametric doubly-curved quadrilateral shell element

A quadrilateral shell element, CQUAD4, was added to level 15.5 and subsequently to level 16.0 of NASTRAN. The element exhibited doubly curved surfaces and used biquadratic interpolation functions. Reduced integration techniques were used to improve the performance of the element in thin shell problems. The creation of several new bulk data items is discussed, along with a special module, GPNORM, to process SHLNORM bulk data cards. In addition to the theoretical basis for the element stiffness matrix, consistent mass and load matrices are presented. Several potential sources of degenerate behavior of the element were investigated. Guidelines for proper use of the element were suggested. Performance of the element on several widely published classical examples was demonstrated. The results showed a significant improvement over presently available NASTRAN shell elements for even the coarsest meshes. Potential applications to two classes of practical problems are discussed

Les dérapages racistes à l’égard du Québec au Canada anglais depuis 1995

L’article analyse certaines « dérives racistes » survenues au Canada anglais depuis le référendum de 1995. À partir d’une sélection d’articles de la presse anglo-canadienne et à travers l’examen de plusieurs « événements » médiatisés (« affaires » Rakoff, Lawrence Martin, Diane Francis, Gerry Weiner, David Levine), l’analyse indique comment les discours « marginalisés » ont franchi plusieurs « paliers » du racisme (Wieviorka, 1991), en faisant place à une opinion un peu plus sytématique dans le « Reste du Canada » et à une violence verbale suffisamment répétitive pour que le problème ne soit plus jugé secondaire. Dans un cas particulier, celui de « l’affaire Levine », le racisme est même devenu un principe d’action et de mobilisation atteignant plusieurs milieux (journalistique, politique, populaire). Afin d’illustrer à la fois l’extension, la banalisation et la légitimation d’un certain discours raciste (qui fait usage d’arguments universalistes à des fins de délégitimation de « l’Autre »), l’analyse fait ressortir les liens entre discours et théories à la lumière des travaux scientifiques récents qui définissent la structure, les éléments de discours et les mécanismes de production du racisme.This article analyses, from a selection of newspaper articles, some "racist accusations" that were expressed in English Canada since the 1995 referendum. Examining several events in the media ("cases" Rakoff, Lawrence Martin, Diane Francis, Gerry Weiner, David Levine…), this analysis shows how marginalized discourses went through several stages of racism (Wieviorka, 1991), leading to a slightly more systematic racist opinion within the "Rest of Canada" and to a verbal violence that occurs often enough that the problem can no longer be considered secondary. In a particular case (Levine case), racism even became a principle for action and mobilization which reached several (journalistic, political, popular) spheres of society. To illustrate the spread, the banalization and the legitimization of a certain racist discourse (which uses universal arguments to delegitimize the "Other"), the analysis emphasizes the link between discourse and theory in light of recent scientific works which define the structure, the discursive elements and the mechanisms for the production of racism