KENTUCKY WIC PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BELIEFS REGARDING GRAINS

Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor dietary habits are major healthcare problems in the United States. These issues are especially prevalent in the state of Kentucky and among at-risk populations such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants. Studies have found that whole grains play a role in weight maintenance, protection against type 2 diabetes, and lowering cholesterol. Interventions aimed at improving WIC participant dietary behavior and intake has been successful as well. This study assessed Kentucky WIC participants’ knowledge of the benefits of consuming grains, attitudes and beliefs regarding food purchasing and grains, and identified grains consumed in a two-week period. A survey, created with the input of Registered Dietitians and WIC staff, examined these factors. Results from the survey found that WIC participants might benefit from education on: purchasing nutrient-dense foods (especially whole grains), the nutrition facts panel, types of grains, nutrients such as calories, fat, sugar, and fiber, serving sizes, and how to get children to eat whole grains

Examining the Types of Capital Benefits Afforded to Low-Income Individuals by Adult Financial Literacy Programs

This paper explores the capital benefits derived from financial literacy programs and used as a means of poverty alleviation. Specifically, this paper focuses on cultural, social, and human capital. Examining financial literacy through the lens of capital allows one to explore how financial literacy is achieved through capital development. Unfortunately, access to this capital is limited and controlled by our social institutions. In conducting nine semi-structured interviews with coaches and participants of two separate financial literacy programs, findings show that participants do derive all three forms of capital. However, social capital and the fictive kinship relationships that were developed as a result of participating in the financial literacy programs were most emphasized. The implications of this focus on social capital is discussed

Evaluation of ultrasound and other sources of information to predict beef carcass traits and final carcass value

Purebred Beefmaster steers (n = 160) from five owners were fed at a commercial feedlot in South Texas beginning in November of 2004; 68 steers possessed pedigree information. Beginning in mid-November, steers were individually weighed and evaluated for ultrasound body composition at 56-d intervals by a certified technician. Feeder calf frame (FRM) and muscle (MUS) scores were assigned at initial ultrasound evaluation. Steers were fed and marketed through a lean-based, branded beef program and were harvested in two groups in May and June of 2005 at a commercial beef plant. Analyses were conducted to investigate the ability to predict carcass traits from the different sources of information available on these cattle. Evaluation of carcass traits were investigated using four sets of independent variables referred to as sources A, B, C, or D and ultrasound scan session (1 Â 4). An analysis included initial weight at first scan session (IWT), FRM and MUS as independent variables through GLM procedures. B analyses utilized ultrasound measures of the longissimus area, intramuscular fat, fat thickness, rump fat, and gluteus medius depth along with IWT as independent variables. Multiple regression was performed on each carcass trait using IWT and ultrasound traits at each scan session. MallowÂs CP was used to select a model that best described each carcass trait. C analyses (GLM) utilized variables from A and B analyses combined plus ranch. D analyses (GLM) included variables from C analyses plus sire nested within ranch. Respective R-square values (scan 1 Â 4) for marbling score were .02, .04, .05, and .10 using A information, .14, .17, .42, and .54, using B information, .35, .35, .47, and .55 using C information, and .56, .59, .65, and .76 using D information. R-square values ranged from .34 to .86 for carcass weight, .11 to .77 for fat thickness, .06 to .82 for ribeye area, and .10 to .81 for yield grade. Ultrasound data obtained closer to harvest and increasing amount of data related to genetic and management background showed increased R-square values, but may be best utilized in conjunction with one another to predict carcass traits and final carcass value

Drifting to oblivion? Rapid genetic differentiation in an endangered lizard following habitat fragmentation and drought

Aim The frequency and severity of habitat alterations and disturbance are predicted to increase in upcoming decades, and understanding how disturbance affects population integrity is paramount for adaptive management. Although rarely is population genetic sampling conducted at multiple time points, preand post-disturbance comparisons may provide one of the clearest methods to measure these impacts. We examined how genetic properties of the federally threatened Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata) responded to severe drought and habitat fragmentation across its range. Location Coachella Valley, California, USA. Methods We used 11 microsatellites to examine population genetic structure and diversity in 1996 and 2008, before and after a historic drought. We used Bayesian assignment methods and F-statistics to estimate genetic structure. We compared allelic richness across years to measure loss of genetic diversity and employed approximate Bayesian computing methods and heterozygote excess tests to explore the recent demographic history of populations. Finally, we compared effective population size across years and to abundance estimates to determine whether diversity remained low despite post-drought recovery. Results Genetic structure increased between sampling periods, likely as a result of population declines during the historic drought of the late 1990s–early 2000s, and habitat loss and fragmentation that precluded post-drought genetic rescue. Simulations supported recent demographic declines in 3 of 4 main preserves, and in one preserve, we detected significant loss of allelic richness. Effective population sizes were generally low across the range, with estimates ≤100 in most sites. Main conclusions Fragmentation and drought appear to have acted synergistically to induce genetic change over a short time frame. Progressive deterioration of connectivity, low Ne and measurable loss of genetic diversity suggest that conservation efforts have not maintained the genetic integrity of this species. Genetic sampling over time can help evaluate population trends to guide management

Investigation of the skeletal muscle transcriptome in lambs fed β adrenergic agonists and subjected to heat stress for 21 d

Dietary β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) are used in livestock to increase muscle protein accretion and decrease adipose deposition during the last 20 to 40 d of the finishing period (Johnson et al., 2014). These β-AA act through specific seven transmembrane receptors and are classified by the receptor isoform to which they primarily bind (Mersmann, 1998). Two β-AA are approved for use in beef cattle in the United States: ractopamine HCl (RAC, β1 agonist) and zilpaterol HCl (ZH, β2 agonist) (Johnson et al., 2014). Supplementation of β-AA increases efficiency of the animal and results in a leaner carcass (Elam et al., 2009). However, the skeletal muscle’s genomic response to these treatments is not well understood. Heat stress (HS) has long been a major concern in the livestock industry. HS occurs when an animal’s body temperature rises above its thermoneutral zone, at which point the heat load exceeds the animal’s capacity for heat dissipation (Bernabucci et al., 2010), resulting in decreased feed intake and poor performance (Marai et al., 2007). Therefore, growth and production decrease during HS, affecting economically important carcass and reproductive traits. As a result, millions of dollars are lost each year due to HS (Renaudeau et al., 2012). Individually, HS and β-AA supplementation have antagonistic effects on muscle growth. However, there is a gap in understanding of the genomic mechanisms through which animals respond to these factors individually and in concert. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of β-AA, HS, and their interaction in skeletal muscle using transcriptomic analyses

Ambulatory Clinic Exam Room Design with respect to Computing Devices: A Laboratory Simulation Study

Background—Challenges persist regarding how to integrate computing effectively into the exam room, while maintaining patient-centered care. Purpose—Our objective was to evaluate a new exam room design with respect to the computing layout, which included a wall-mounted monitor for ease of (re)-positioning. Methods—In a lab-based experiment, 28 providers used prototypes of the new and older “legacy” outpatient exam room layouts in a within-subject comparison using simulated patient encounters. We measured efficiency, errors, workload, patient-centeredness (proportion of time the provider was focused on the patient), amount of screen sharing with the patient, workflow integration, and provider situation awareness. Results—There were no statistically significant differences between the exam room layouts for efficiency, errors, or time spent focused on the patient. However, when using the new layout providers spent 75% more time in screen sharing activities with the patient, had 31% lower workload, and gave higher ratings for situation awareness (14%) and workflow integration (17%). Conclusions—Providers seemed to be unwilling to compromise their focus on the patient when the computer was in a fixed position in the corner of the room and, as a result, experienced greater workload, lower situation awareness, and poorer workflow integration when using the old “legacy” layout. A thoughtful design of the exam room with respect to the computing may positively impact providers’ workload, situation awareness, time spent in screen sharing activities, and workflow integration