Flexural properties of the equine hoof wall

The equine hoof wall is a hard keratinous structure which transmits forces generated when the hoof contacts the ground to the skeleton of the horse. During locomotion, the hoof capsule is known to yield under impact resulting in an inward curvature of the dorsal wall and expansion of the heels. However, whilst researchers have studied the tensile and compressive properties of the hoof wall, there is a lack of data on the flexural properties in different locations around the hoof capsule. In this study the flexural properties and hydration status of the hoof wall was investigated, in two orthogonal directions, in different locations around the hoof capsule. The hoof was divided into three regions: the dorsal-most aspect (toe); the medial and lateral regions (quarters) and the heels caudally. Beams were cut both perpendicular and parallel to the axis of the tubules, termed transverse and longitudinal beams respectively. Differences in the mechanical properties were then investigated using three-point bending tests. There were considerable differences in the mechanical properties around the hoof capsule; transverse beams from the toe were 81% stiffer and 28% stronger than those from the heels. This corresponded with differences in the hydration of the hoof wall; beams from the toe had a lower water content (24.1±0.25%) than those from the heels (28.3±0.37%). Differences in the flexural properties are thought to be largely a result of variation in the water content. Mechanical data are further discussed in relation to variation in the structure and loading of the hoof wall

Regional variation in the microhardness and mineral content of porcine long bones

Pig carcasses are frequently used as models for the human cadaver in the study of trauma and wound patterns. Limited availability and ethical concerns over the use of human tissue has meant that porcine bone is often used as a substitute for human bone in such studies. However, there is a lack of comprehensive mechanical data to make informed decisions on the choice of model to account for variations in the age, sex and body mass. In this study, variation in the properties of cortical bone along the length of the porcine humerus and ulna, from five female pigs aged over 36 months, was investigated by using Vickers microhardness tests. Transverse sections were taken from the proximal, mid and distal regions of the diaphyses, and tests were carried out in the anterior, medial, posterior, and lateral quadrants. Microhardness was also measured across the cortex from the periosteal to endosteal surfaces. Regional variation in mineral content was explored by analysing samples, taken immediately adjacent to the hardness tests, using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Mechanical data are discussed in relation to mineral content, morphology and loading of the limbs, within a forensic context

The Psychological of the Draft on Male College Students

The project was developed with the intent of determining the psychological effects of the draft upon male college students. With this purpose in mind , an instrument was designed to uncover as well as possible these effects upon a sampling of male undergraduates on selected campuses in the South and Midwest. Feelings toward the draft at this point in time were hypothesized to be almost inseparably intertwined with feelings toward the conflict in Vietnam , so this correlation was prominent in the wording of the instrument . Due to limitations in time and manpower , the instrument had to be written and rather brief . For this reason , primarily , it is to be taken only as a preliminary base study of the problem. A follow-up study, utilizing depth-interview technique is advised . This study centers on opinion and reveals psychological disturbances linked to the Selective Service System on only a superficial level . Frustration in planning and developing a lifestyle, anxiety over the future , and alienation from the systems and persons responsible for this institution , are definitely revealed to exist and to be quite prevalent , but the document was not intended or designed to provide a measure of their incidence , intensity, or the primacy of the draft as a causal agent . It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide a statistical base of opinion which will enable measurements of the psychological effects of the draft to be undertaken

Applying AASHE STARS to Examine Geography’s “Sense of Place” in Sustainability Education

Geography supports place-based inquiry for the learner, applying the old environmental adage of “think globally, act locally” to environmental problem solving. Many within and outside of the discipline of geography see it as a highly appropriate home for sustainability studies. Yet despite a history of human-environment education, place-based relevancy, and support from professional research or education organizations, studies show that geography does not always take a lead role in sustainability education. In the following, we revisit the contested histories of geography and sustainability education and show support for geography-led sustainability curriculum. The scope of this research is universities which have self-identified as leaders in campus sustainability, using the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) participation as an indicator. To best understand the current relationship of geography and sustainability studies in higher education, this study examines the role of geography in offering “Sustainability Focused” courses as reported by AASHE STARS institutions with geography programs. The results show that although geography departments are highly utilized when present at an institution, there is still much room for improvement both within geography departments and campus-wide. We then discuss the implication of these findings, both for the discipline of geography and for students of sustainability

Measuring older patients’ attitudes to general practice registrars: Exploratory factor analysis of a survey instrument

Introduction: Training general practice registrars (GPRs) to meet the challenges of an ageing population is hampered by their relatively reduced contact with older patients and a paucity of suitable research to inform training models. This paper describes an exploratory factor analysis of a survey instrument assessing the attitudes of older patients to GPRs, as part of a project to address these concerns. Methods: The instrument was developed on the basis of a qualitative study and a literature review and distributed to 500 patients aged 60 years and over from 10 training practices in regional Australia. Responses to 22 of the survey’s Likert scale items were examined, including inter-item correlations and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify domains of patients’ attitudes. Results: The response rate was 39.2% (n=196). None of the items were redundant and the scale had appropriate levels of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76). The exploratory factor analysis identified three factors. Factor one, labelled ‘interpersonal trust’, explained 26.2% of the variance. Factor two accounted for 11.4% of the variance and was labelled ‘system trust’. Factor three, labelled ‘interpersonal continuity’, explained 7.5% of the variance. Conclusion: The instrument demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and three distinct factors reflecting older patients’ attitudes toward GPRs, with trust appearing to be particularly important. The instrument appears effective in obtaining valid data, which should assist in developing improved training models. These findings warrant confirmation with a larger sample and exploration of adaptations of the instrument to be used in other contexts. Keywords: general practice registrar; post-graduate training; patient attitude

[Review of] Michael Keresztesi and Gary R. Cocozzoli, German-American History and Life: a Guide to Information Services

This work consists of over 1,200 entries on German-Americans, compiled and evaluated by librarians Michael Keresztesi and Gary R. Cocozzoli. The major objective is “to stimulate interest and facilitate research in German-Americana” (p. xvi) by presenting ”penetrator works, basic treatises, landmark writings, and documents which constitute the best available sources of information on their respective topic areas. . . .” ( p. xv) Only English-language books have been described and assessed in terms of their ”research value and information-yielding capacity.“ (p. xv) Periodical and journal articles were omitted for reasons of space and because of their accessibility through standard abstracts and indexes. The guide also includes a glossary, a ”complete and analytical” listing of the writings of the Pennsylvania German Society, the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society Yearbooks, and the Americana Germania Series, identification of specialized periodicals, and a census of archival and library collections dealing with the German experience in America

Levels of Psychological Health Related to the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Test

The purpose of the present study is to develop an operationally defined standard of psychological health which will be proposed as: 1) one of the goals of psychotherapy; 2) a device for aiding in the evaluation of psychotherapy, and 3) a tool for screening those individuals in the general population who are in need of counseling in order to maintain their mental health

Hepatitis C virus (HCV): prevalence in a gynecological urgent care clinic population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among women seeking urgent gynecological care. METHODS: Women were asked to complete a short self-assessment screening of HCV risk. Those answering yes to any of the screening questions were offered HCV testing and were asked to complete a more detailed questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 125 women who completed the screening questionnaire, 80% (100) answered yes to one or more of the screening questions. Of the 99 women who underwent testing, six (6.1%) were HCV seropositive; a history of injection drug use was the only finding associated with HCV seropositivity (R.R 9.7: 95% CI 1.90-49.40). CONCLUSIONS: Women seeking urgent outpatient gynecological care, particularly those who are injection drug users, are at a substantial risk of HCV infection. A careful risk assessment should be completed in order to identify women who should be offered HCV testing

Inferior vena cava injury: survival of a rare case

The inferior vena cava is the most commonly injured abdominal vessel and accounts for about 25% of abdominal vascular injuries. Despite improved preoperative care and operative techniques, the mortality rates for the inferior vena cava injuries are still high due to delayed presentation, inadequate or delayed fluid resuscitation, difficulty of diagnosis and technical problems in repair. A case of the inferior vena cava injury encountered after abdominal stabinjury with about 4cm vertical tear of infrarenal vena cava, survived due to immediate transportation, appropriate and successful perioperative fluid and blood resuscitation, prompt surgical management with a team approach and critical post-operative surgical management.Keywords: The inferior vena cava (IVC), stab wound, venorrhaphy, haemoperitoneu