The Role of Acceptance and Pain Intensity in Chronic Pain Disability and Physical Functioning

Chronic pain is a wide spread, debilitating disorder. With the development of Relational Frame Theory, the pathological nature of avoidance behaviors has been brought to the forefront of chronic pain research and acceptance based therapies are being extensively studied. Although interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation programs draw from a variety of disciplines, they incorporate many components of acceptance therapy. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between chronic pain acceptance, pain intensity, disability, and physical functioning. This study sought to answer the following questions: 1) Do patients who complete an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program differ from those who drop out by demographics or outcome measures?, 2) Is an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program effective in promoting acceptance of chronic pain and physical functioning while decreasing disability?, 3) What is the relationship between chronic pain acceptance, pain intensity, disability, and physical functioning?, and 4) Will changing levels of acceptance interact with changes in disability and physical functioning independent of pain intensity? Of the 487 patients admitted into a Cleveland area chronic pain program between 2006 and 2007, 393 patients completed the program and were included in the main analyses. Pre- and post-treatment measures included pain intensity, CPAQ, UAB, PDI, and a six-minute treadmill test. Chi-square and independent sample t-tests were performed to compare completers and non-completers, paired sample t-tests were used to determine the effectiveness of the program, and Pearson correlations and hierarchal multiple regression were used to examine the relationship of the outcome variables. The tests were considered significant at the .05 level. Program completers differed significantly from non-completers in age, primary complaint, and marital status. Program completers significantly improved across all outcome measures. Greater acceptance and lowe

Factors Predicting Identification of Giftedness Resulting from Universal Screening

Giftedness occurs in all sectors of society, but children from underprivileged backgrounds are often underrepresented in gifted programs. Universal screening for giftedness is a strategy employed by some school districts in an attempt to provide equal access to gifted programs. The purpose of this quantitative, predictive, correlational study was to determine if the linear combination of race, socioeconomic status, and English language learner status predicted the designation of gifted students located in the northeastern United States. The sample was all fourth-grade students from one school during the 2019-2020 school year in the school district because the district universally screens all fourth-grade students for the gifted program with the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The data was collected from a northeastern United States school district and analyzed through logistic regression with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28 (SPSS). Following analysis, it was determined that none of the criterion variables of race, socioeconomic status, or English language learner status were statistically significant in predicting gifted status

The Role of Acceptance and Pain Intensity in Chronic Pain Disability and Physical Functioning

Chronic pain is a wide spread, debilitating disorder. With the development of Relational Frame Theory, the pathological nature of avoidance behaviors has been brought to the forefront of chronic pain research and acceptance based therapies are being extensively studied. Although interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation programs draw from a variety of disciplines, they incorporate many components of acceptance therapy. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between chronic pain acceptance, pain intensity, disability, and physical functioning. This study sought to answer the following questions: 1) Do patients who complete an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program differ from those who drop out by demographics or outcome measures?, 2) Is an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program effective in promoting acceptance of chronic pain and physical functioning while decreasing disability?, 3) What is the relationship between chronic pain acceptance, pain intensity, disability, and physical functioning?, and 4) Will changing levels of acceptance interact with changes in disability and physical functioning independent of pain intensity? Of the 487 patients admitted into a Cleveland area chronic pain program between 2006 and 2007, 393 patients completed the program and were included in the main analyses. Pre- and post-treatment measures included pain intensity, CPAQ, UAB, PDI, and a six-minute treadmill test. Chi-square and independent sample t-tests were performed to compare completers and non-completers, paired sample t-tests were used to determine the effectiveness of the program, and Pearson correlations and hierarchal multiple regression were used to examine the relationship of the outcome variables. The tests were considered significant at the .05 level. Program completers differed significantly from non-completers in age, primary complaint, and marital status. Program completers significantly improved across all outcome measures. Greater acceptance and lowe

Astronomical Data Reduction and Analysis for the Next Decade

The astronomical community has become very sophisticated in setting requirements and figures of merit for the technical capabilities of new observatories. Sensitivity, field of view, spatial and energy resolution, observing efficiency and the lifetime of the facility are all set out to address scientific problems as efficiently as possible. The ultimate goal of these facilities, however, is not simply to gather data, but to create knowledge. It is thus important to consider the process of converting data to knowledge and ask whether there are ways to improve this for the coming generation. Software for data reduction and analysis provides a key link in this chain. Modest investments in this area can have a very large impact on astronomy as a whole, if they are made wisely. Conversely, it is possible to waste significant amounts of money on software efforts that never fulfill their promise. We need to learn from the successes and failures of the past to try to maximize our productivity in astronomy as a whole. That means working more closely together across agencies, projects, institutions and disciplines to share in building and maintaining this essential infrastructure

Developing a strategic approach to MOOCs

During the last eight years, interest in massive open online courses (MOOCs) has grown fast and continuously worldwide. Universities that had never engaged with open or online learning have begun to run courses in these new environments. Millions of learners have joined these courses, many of them new to learning at this level. Amid all this learning and teaching activity, researchers have been busy investigating different aspects of this new phenomenon. In this contribution we look at one substantial body of work, publications on MOOCs that were produced at the 29 UK universities connected to the FutureLearn MOOC platform. Bringing these papers together, and considering them as a body of related work, reveals a set of nine priority areas for MOOC research and development. We suggest that these priority areas could be used to develop a strategic approach to learning at scale. We also show how the papers in this special issue align with these priority areas, forming a basis for future work

Lady Macbeth and Gertrude: A Study in Gender

The detailed examination of two of Shakespeare\u27s female leads, Lady Macbeth and Gertrude, is designed to determine whether or not these particular characters were free from the confines of their society, or if they were content within its oppressive grasp. A combination of Feminist Criticism and New Historicism reveals that Lady Macbeth and Gertrude did not overstep the bounds of their gender, but in fact were suppressed within them. The limited rights and freedoms of a woman during the Renaissance is heavily discussed, and aids in giving the reader a vivid impression of Lady Macbeth\u27s and Gertrude\u27s subjugation. As Renaissance women were considered and treated inferior to their husbands in all respects, so are these two characters. Once the supposed driving force behind her husband\u27s actions, Lady Macbeth makes a swift but devastating departure after Macbeth expels her from both his personal and political matters. No longer needing his wife to appease his conscience, Macbeth finds his own aptitude for evil. Torn between her roles as a wife and mother, Gertrude forfeits her happiness to please her overemotional son. Long before her actual death, Gertrude sacrifices a part of her identity to meet Hamlet\u27s expectations. Both women relinquish their hopes and dreams to fulfill those of the men around them. Their blinded selflessness and misplaced devotion result in their ultimate undoing. Though the typical reader of Macbeth and Hamlet sometimes considers these particular female characters to be strong, bold, and selfish, the values of Shakespeare\u27s era and his actual text suggest otherwise. The playwright\u27s time was marked by a bitter gender struggle that pervaded all areas of Renaissance life, including his own work. Upon first glance, Lady Macbeth and Gertrude might come across as women who were strikingly independent. Throughout the progression of the plays, however, both women take a backseat to more important matters, such as politics and war. Even their deaths do not truly belong to them, as they seem to serve as mere asides to the inevitable manly action. Striving to meet the expectations of the men they loved, Lady Macbeth and Gertrude lose themselves in the process

The identification of the Dopamine Transporter (DAT) and the effects of dopamine on human sperm parameters

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.Introduction: Catecholamines such as dopamine are found throughout the mammalian reproductive system, where they are hypothesized to play some role in fertilization. A dopaminergic phenotype has been discovered in the male spermatozoan of many mammalian species. Dopamine regulates a wide range of functions including capacitation, and the induction of sperm motility and the acrosome reaction through mechanisms involving dopamine receptor (D2) activation. A dose-dependent response to dopamine has been observed in sperm, whereby low concentrations were shown to be protective and high concentrations were observed to negatively impact sperm functions. This biphasic effect can only be explained by the existence of a transporter protein; however, the Dopamine Transporter (DAT) is yet to be well explored on human sperm membranes. Objectives: To identify DAT on human sperm membranes and determine the effects of dopamine, at high, medium, and low concentrations, on human sperm parameters. Methods: Utilizing an indirect immunofluorescence assay, spermatozoa were stained with a primary anti-DAT antibody against the fluorescent secondary Alexa Fluor® 488. Fluorescence was visualized on a confocal microscope. Western blot analyses were employed as a second assay to show the presence of DAT on human sperm membranes with rat brain tissue used as a positive control. The membranes were exposed to anti-DAT primary antibody against a Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP)-linked secondary antibody. Furthermore, the effect of dopamine on sperm parameters, at different dopamine concentrations were tested for three time periods (0, 1, 3 and 6 hours). Sperm were exposed to high (1 mM), medium (10 μM) and low (100 nM) dopamine concentrations at 37°C for 1, 3 and 6 hours, thereafter functional sperm parameters were analysed. Using CASA and the SCA® software system, total motility, progressive motility, and sperm kinematics were analysed. Sperm viability and the acrosome reaction were additionally assessed. Results: The immunofluorescence assay indicates a strong immunoreaction in the positive controls vs. the negative controls and it could conclude that DAT is positively expressed on human sperm membranes. Western blot analyses further confirmed the existence of DAT in human sperm membranes when compared to the positive brain controls. Protein bands of 62 kDa and 48 kDa appear in the Western Blot lanes loaded with sperm samples, thereby positively correlating with bands found in the brain tissue. High concentrations of dopamine were found to negatively affect motility parameters as early as 60 minutes (43.05% ± 12.72 vs. 18.75% ± 8.75). Sperm kinematics were also negatively affected by the addition of high concentrations of dopamine when compared to the controls. Sperm viability was significantly ecreased by high dopamine concentration after 3 hours of incubation (51.86% ± 7.220 vs. 34.36% ± 13.03). The high concentration of dopamine was found to elicit a premature acrosome reaction upon addition of treatment (26.88% ± 3.199 vs. 31.91% ± 2.85). Conclusion: It can be concluded that DAT is found on human sperm membranes and that dopamine regulates sperm functions through mechanisms involving the dopamine D2 receptor and DAT. These findings suggest a possible regulatory role for DAT inhibitory drugs such as Ritalin on sperm parameters.Inleiding: Katekolamiene soos dopamien kom dwarsdeur die voortplantingstelsel van soogdiere voor, waar hulle veronderstel is om 'n rol in bevrugting te speel. 'n Dopaminerge fenotipe is in die spermatozoë van baie soogdierspesies ontdek. Dopamien reguleer 'n wye verskeidenheid funksies, insluitend kapasitering, en die induksie van spermmotiliteit en die akrosoomreaksie deur meganismes wat dopamienreseptoraktivering (D2) insluit. 'n Dosisafhanklike reaksie op dopamien is waargeneem in sperma, waardeur lae konsentrasies beskermend is en hoë konsentrasies spermfunksies negatief beïnvloed. Hierdie bifasiese effek kan slegs verklaar word deur die bestaan van 'n vervoerderproteïen; die Dopamien-vervoeder (DAT) moet egter nog goed ondersoek word op menslike spermmembrane. Doelstellings: Om DAT op menslike spermmembrane te identifiseer en die effek van dopamien teen hoë, medium en lae konsentrasies op menslike spermparameters te bepaal. Metodes: Met behulp van 'n indirekte immunofluoressensie toets is spermatozoa gekleur met 'n primêre anti-DAT-teenliggaam teen die fluoresserende sekondêre Alexa Fluor® 488. Fluoressensie is in 'n konfokale mikroskoop gevisualiseer. Western Blot ontledings is gebruik as 'n tweede toets om die teenwoordigheid van DAT op menslike spermmembrane met rotbreinweefsel as 'n positiewe kontrole te toon. Die membrane is blootgestel aan anti-DAT primêre teenliggaam teen 'n Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP)-gekoppelde sekondêre teenliggaam. Verder is die effek van dopamien op spermparameters by verskillende dopamienkonsentrasies vir drie tydperke (0, 1, 3 en 6 uur) getoets. Sperma is gedurende 1, 3 en 6 uur aan hoë (1 mM), medium (10 μM) en lae (100 nM) dopamienkonsentrasies by 37 ° C blootgestel, waarna funksionele spermparameters geanaliseer is. Met behulp van CASA en die SCA® sagtewarestelsel is totale beweeglikheid, progressiewe beweeglikheid en spermakinematika geanaliseer. Daarbenewens is die lewensvatbaarheid van die saad en die akrosoomreaksie beoordeel. Resultate: Die immunofluoressensie toets dui op 'n sterk immuunreaksie in die positiewe kontroles teenoor die negatiewe kontroles, en dit kan aflei dat DAT positief tot uitdrukking kom op menslike spermmembrane. Western Blot ontledings het die bestaan van DAT in menslike spermmembrane bevestig in vergelyking met die positiewe breinkontroles. Proteïenbande van 62 kDa en 48 kDa verskyn in die Western Blot-bane gelaai met spermmonsters, wat sodoende positief korreleer met bande wat in die breinweefsel voorkom. Daar is gevind dat hoë konsentrasies dopamien beweeglikheidsparameters negatief beïnvloed al in 60 minute (43,05% ± 12,72 teenoor 18,75% ± 8,75). Sperma-kinematika is ook negatief beïnvloed deur die toevoeging van hoë konsentrasies dopamien in vergelyking met die kontroles. Sperma- lewensvatbaarheid is aansienlik verminder deur hoë dopamienkonsentrasie na 3 uur inkubasie (51,86% ± 7,220 versus 34,36% ± 13,03). Daar is gevind dat die hoë konsentrasie dopamien 'n voortydige akrosoomreaksie uitlok by toevoeging van die behandeling (26,88% ± 3,199 versus 31,91% ± 2,85). Gevolgtrekking: Daar kan tot die gevolgtrekking gekom word dat DAT op menslike spermmembrane voorkom en dat dopamien spermfunksies reguleer deur meganismes wat die dopamien D2-reseptor en DAT insluit. Hierdie bevindings dui op 'n moontlike regulerende rol vir DAT-remmende middels soos Ritalin op spermparameters.Master

The role of communication in building society identity and successful CASR: an internal stakeholder perspective

This research seeks to develop a deeper understanding of organisational identity through CSR as the basis for organisational-stakeholder exchanges in UK building societies. Whilst the extant literature focuses on the institutional perspective of CSR implications there is limited understanding of the associations between the organisation, CSR, and stakeholders. Specifically, this research explores the role of CSR in the identity of building societies, the influences that affect internal stakeholder associations with CSR, and further understanding of how and why internal stakeholders relate to these organisations. This research provides an empirical contribution to the extant literature and develops a deeper understanding of organisational identity and CSR, and the role of communication in the identification process in the mutual sector. The Straussian approach to grounded theory has been adopted from an operational standpoint; allowing the researcher to recognise how the social circumstances couldaccount for the interactions, behaviours and experiences of the people being studied.Data was gathered through 37 interactions with 46 participants consisting of informal discussions and semi-structured focus groups and interviews with both internal and external stakeholders. These interactions provided a holistic view of the exchanges and experiences of stakeholders, CSR, and organisational identity, and provide indepth understanding of the role of CSR in building society identity in order to support practice and policy development. The protocol outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1990) was selected due to its structured approach which also enabled the researcher to review relevant academic discourse prior to field entry; and to broader comprehension rather than limit understanding of the phenomena to support the researcher in their understanding and analysis of the data, thus developing a legitimate and justified theory. Through this exploration of stakeholder thought and experience, the research findings show how the concepts of history, identity, the media, autonomy, and advocacy significantly contribute towards stakeholder-organisational exchanges and building society identity. Tentatively, with little work dedicated to the understanding of the associations between CSR, the stakeholder and media evolution, the first and perhaps most significant contribution is presenting and unpacking of the interaction between the concepts of social mobility, identity, and communication mechanisms, specifically new media. This is valuable for both practice and policy making as the building society sector plays a significant role to facilitate economic stability as well.as impacting the social environment of stakeholders, through it is lending activities