Community: Culture and Function in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Community

Thi s study looks specifically a t the purpos e and function of religious communities in order to analyze the Seventh-day Adventist community as a system and communitarian organism that creates and sustains moral codes and social controls, which thereby is symbiotic with certain identity expressions/formations. My discussion takes place in a rapidly changing broader society of high mobility, internet connectivity, and cultural change. Within the larger global community exists an American community, and within, but also overreaching that community exists a Seventh-day Adventist community that is global. These communities interact with each other, crossing membership boundaries. Within the Seventh-day Adventist world-church, smaller subgroups emerge with unique social expectations

Errors: Friend or Foe? The Use of Errorless or Trial and Error Learning Strategies in Occupational Therapy Practice When Re-Learning Daily Activities

We examined literature, within a 20-year period, regarding whether errorless learning strategies or trial and error strategies are more effective for adult patients, with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or cognitive deficit, when learning instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and activities of daily living (ADL). We conducted this in collaboration with Hannah Baldwin, a local practitioner working in an acute care setting, at Swedish Medical Center, in Seattle. The results did not reveal overwhelming evidence to support either strategy, however, we were able to make recommendations within specific situations and for specific diagnoses. Generally, there are a greater number of studies with a more rigorous design that support the use of errorless learning strategies for patients with acquired brain injuries (ABI) than patients with other diagnoses or when using trial and error methods. The evidence that solely supports trial and error strategies is restricted to two level I studies that support its use for those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to reduce cooking errors and increase functional independence measure (FIM) scores. Multiple studies also supported the idea that both methods can improve function or performance in ADL and IADL. To translate this knowledge, we created a 16-minute webinar to identify when practitioners can implement trial and error and errorless learning strategies with their patients in the acute care setting using the current evidence. The webinar was sent to therapists at a Seattle hospital via email along with a pre-training and post-training survey. The pre-training survey was completed by two therapists, with no engagement on the post-training survey. The researchers would have liked to see the webinar have more reach and impact but struggled to incentivize therapists to engage with the material given their limited direct communication with the therapist population. To further the knowledge in this area of occupational therapy, practitioners should be able to distinguish application timings for trial and error, as well as errorless learning strategies, and are encouraged to conduct case series or case study research to contribute to the body of available evidence

Getting Our Ducks In A Row : An Analysis Of Waterfowl Management Within The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture

The purpose of this dissertation was to identify management strategies used for waterfowl management and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies at coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. This was accomplished through three specific research objectives: Objective 1: To identify and analyze waterfowl management strategies utilized by coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture; Objective 2: To determine whether waterfowl management strategy use is consistent among coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture; Objective 3: To examine waterfowl management strategy use and value by identifying waterfowl management professionals' perception of strategy effectiveness for coastal sites within the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture.   The study sites for this dissertation included 102 coastal sites within the ACJV. The study derived 13 waterfowl management strategies from the review of administrative history, literature, and experts in the field. A rubric for site management plan analysis was developed. The data were collected from coastal ACJV sites through descriptive analysis of a sample of 43 site management plans, and a self-administered questionnaire sent to waterfowl management professionals at coastal sites within the ACJV. The results of this study indicate that wetlands on site significantly influence the selection of less frequent waterfowl counts and weekly waterbird counts. The findings also indicate respondents' years of experience significantly decrease their perceived effectiveness of weekly waterfowl counts. From these findings five implications for waterfowl management were drawn: (1) The framework for analysis this study created is a step forward for waterfowl management evaluation at the site and regional level. (2) Waterfowl management should not be separated from wetland management; (3) More data regarding the use of the adaptive management approach for coastal sites within the ACJV and monitoring and evaluation of waterfowl at the site level is necessary; (4) Waterfowl management should include a component of Education and Outreach; and (5) There is a need for an interdisciplinary management approach to waterfowl management.  Ph.D

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Metabolomics analysis in adults with High Bone Mass identifies a relationship between bone resorption and circulating citrate which replicates in the general population

Objective: Bone turnover, which regulates bone mass, may exert metabolic consequences, particularly on markers of glucose metabolism and adiposity. To better understand these relationships, we examined cross-sectional associations between bone turnover markers (BTMs) and metabolic traits in a population with high bone mass (HBM, BMD Z-score>+3.2). Design: β-C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (β-CTX), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and osteocalcin were assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Metabolic traits, including lipids and glycolysis-related metabolites, were measured using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Associations of BTMs with metabolic traits were assessed using Generalized Estimating Equation linear regression, accounting for within-family correlation, adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, height, weight, menopause, bisphosphonate and oral glucocorticoid use). Results: 198 adults with HBM had complete data, mean [SD] age 61.6 [13.7] years; 77% female. Of 23 summary metabolic traits, citrate was positively related to all BTMs: adjusted ββ-CTX=0.050 (95% CI 0.024,0.076),p=1.71x10-4, βosteocalcin=6.54x10-4 (1.87x10-4,0.001),p=0.006 and βP1NP=2.40x10-4 (6.49x10-5,4.14x10-4),p=0.007 (β= increase in citrate (mmol/L) per 1μg/L BTM increase). Inverse relationships of β-CTX (β=-0.276 -0.434,-0.118],p=6.03x10-4) and osteocalcin (-0.004 [-0.007,-0.001],p=0.020) with triglycerides were also identified. We explored the generalizability of these associations in 3,664 perimenopausal women (age 47.9 [4.4] years) from a UK family cohort. We confirmed a positive, albeit lower magnitude, association between β-CTX and citrate (adjusted βwomen=0.020 [0.013,0.026],p=1.95x10-9) and an inverse association of similar magnitude between β-CTX and triglycerides (β=-0.354 [-0.471,-0.237],p=3.03x10-9). Conclusions: Bone resorption is positively related to circulating citrate and inversely related to triglycerides. Further studies are justified to determine whether plasma citrate or triglyceride concentrations are altered by factors known to modulate bone resorption, such as bisphosphonates

Objectively Measuring Effects of Electro-Acupuncture in Parkinsonian Rhesus Monkeys

Acupuncture has increasingly been used as an alternative therapy for treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the efficacy of acupunture for PD still remains unclear. The present study was designed to objectively and safely monitor anti-parkinsonian effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and brain activity in nonhuman primates modeling human PD. Six middle-aged rhesus monkeys were extensively studied by a computerized behavioral testing battery and by pharmacological MRI (phMRI) scans with specific dopaminergic drug stimulations. All animals were evaluated for behavior and phMRI responses under normal, parkinsonian, parkinsonian with EA treatment and parkinsonian after EA treatment conditions. Stable parkinsonian features were observed in all animals prior to entering the EA study and positive responses to levodopa (L-dopa) challenge were also seen in all animals. The results demonstrated that chronic EA treatments could significantly improve the movement speed and the fine motor performance time during the period of EA treatments, and the effectiveness of EA could be detected even 3 months after the EA treatment. The phMRI data revealed that chronic EA treatments could alter neuronal activity in the striatum, primary motor cortex (M1), cingulate gyrus and global pallidus externa (GPe) in the ipsilateral hemisphere to MPTP lesions. As seen in the changes of parkinsonian features, the residual effects of phMRI responses to apomorphine (APO) challenge could also be found in the aforementioned areas. The results strongly suggest that anti-parkinsonian effects of EA can be objectively assessed, and the method used in the present study could be translated into the human clinic with some minor modifications

Outcome Measures in Rheumatology - Interventions for medication Adherence (OMERACT-Adherence) Core Domain Set for Trials of Interventions for Medication Adherence in Rheumatology: 5 Phase Study Protocol

Background: Over the last 20 years, there have been marked improvements in the availability of effective medications for rheumatic conditions such as gout, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which have led to a reduction in disease flares and the risk of re-fracture in osteoporosis, and the slowing of disease progression in RA. However, medication adherence remains suboptimal, as treatment regimens can be complex and difficult to continue long term. Many trials have been conducted to improve adherence to medication. Core domains, which are the outcomes of most relevance to patients and clinicians, are a pivotal component of any trial. These core domains should be measured consistently, so that all relevant trials can be combined in systematic reviews and meta-analyses to reach conclusions that are more valid. Failure to do this severely limits the potential for trial-based evidence to inform decisions on how to support medication adherence. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) - Interventions for Medication Adherence study by the OMERACT-Adherence Group aims to develop a core domain set for interventions that aim to support medication adherence in rheumatology. Methods/design: This OMERACT-Adherence study has five phases: (1) a systematic review to identify outcome domains that have been reported in interventions focused on supporting medication adherence in rheumatology; (2) semi-structured stakeholder interviews with patients and caregivers to determine their views on the core domains; (3) focus groups using the nominal group technique with patients and caregivers to identify and rank domains that are relevant to them, including the reasons for their choices; (4) an international three-round modified Delphi survey involving patients with diverse rheumatic conditions, caregivers, health professionals, researchers and other stakeholders to develop a preliminary core domain set; and (5) a stakeholder workshop with OMERACT members to review, vote on and reach a consensus on the core domain set for interventions to support medication adherence in rheumatology. Discussion: Establishing a core domain set to be reported in all intervention studies undertaken to support patients with medication adherence will enhance the relevance and the impact of these results and improve the lives of people with rheumatic conditions.The OMERACT-Adherence Group receives funding from OMERACT, which will be used to support a patient research partner in the OMERACT-Adherence Group to attend the OMERACT conference. OMERACT (http://www.omeract.org, contact: secretariat [email protected]) is the primary sponsor responsible for approving the initiation and overviewing the ongoing progress and management of the study. OMERACT mentors overview the design and conduct of the studies, including the interpretation of data and preparation, and review and approval of manuscripts. The following funding organisations had no role in the design and conduct of the studies; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; or preparation, review or approval of manuscripts. AK is supported by the Arthritis Australia Scholarship funded by the Allan and Beryl Stephens Grant from the Estate of the Late Beryl Stephens. AT is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship (1037162). RC’s employer, the Parker Institute, Bispebjerg, and Frederiksberg Hospital, is supported by a core grant (OCAY-13-309) from the Oak Foundation. Phases 1–3 of the OMERACT-Adherence study were funded by a 2018 Arthritis Australia project grant (major funder), and a private research grant provided by Professor Stephen Hall

Disability and Political Representation: Analysing the Obstacles to Elected Office in the UK

Around 1 in 6 Europeans are disabled, yet there are few self-declared disabled politicians. Despite scholarly and political interest in the under-representation of various social groups, little attention has been paid to disabled people. This article identifies and analyses the barriers to elected office faced by disabled people by drawing upon interviews with 51 candidates and elected politicians in the UK. It reveals barriers which occur throughout the political recruitment process, from initial participation to selection and the election campaign. They broadly fall into (1) a lack of accessibility, including the built environment and documents; (2) a lack of resources to make events and activities accessible; and (3) ableism, including openly expressed prejudices but also a lack of awareness and willingness to make processes inclusive. While people with different impairments encounter some distinct barriers, all of them have similar experiences of obstacles and exclusion which go beyond those faced by people from other under-represented groups seeking elected office

Disability and Political Representation: Analysing the Obstacles to Elected Office in the UK

Around 1 in 6 Europeans are disabled, yet there are few self-declared disabled politicians. Despite scholarly and political interest in the under-representation of various social groups, little attention has been paid to disabled people. This article identifies and analyses the barriers to elected office faced by disabled people by drawing upon interviews with 51 candidates and elected politicians in the UK. It reveals barriers which occur throughout the political recruitment process, from initial participation to selection and the election campaign. They broadly fall into (1) a lack of accessibility, including the built environment and documents; (2) a lack of resources to make events and activities accessible; and (3) ableism, including openly expressed prejudices but also a lack of awareness and willingness to make processes inclusive. While people with different impairments encounter some distinct barriers, all of them have similar experiences of obstacles and exclusion which go beyond those faced by people from other under-represented groups seeking elected office