Accounting and Nursing Remaining Gender Specific

The paper argues that given accounting\u27s current structure and nature of work, it will likely never be a woman-dominated profession

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction with Traditional Docking Compared to Novel Surgical Techniques

Background: Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction (UCLR) is a surgical procedure on one of the main ligaments that provides normal stability for the elbow joint against excessive valgus stress. Damage to this ligament is common in athletes performing overhead throwing activities, primarily baseball players, due to excessive valgus stress during the throwing motion. The most common form of treatment for this type of injury is reconstructive surgery of the ligament, especially if athletes wish to return to sport participation. This type of surgery is extremely invasive and requires extensive post-operative rehabilitation in order to facilitate return to play. To date, many surgical techniques have been proposed and evaluated, but there are no conclusive comparison studies on patient outcomes following UCLR. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze previous studies on UCLR techniques and determine if there is a single superior surgical method leading to improved biomechanical outcomes and decreased failure measures. Our focused clinical question was identifying if the traditional docking technique compared to novel docking techniques during UCLR superior in relation to biomechanical outcomes and failure measures in cadaveric tissue. Methodology: The study design in this paper is a critically appraised topic. Various scholarly databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE and SportDiscus were utilized to search for studies related to UCLR surgical techniques. After an initial search, a list of fifteen relevant studies were identified. Each study was then scrutinized and evaluated to meet predetermined inclusion criteria and a minimum score of 6/9 on the PEDro scale. All studies not meeting these requirements were excluded. This left a total of five articles which were then used to answer the clinical question for this paper. The inclusion criteria involved meeting a cadaveric age of 16-60 y, objective measures of valgus testing, angular displacement, stiffness and modes of failure as post-operative outcomes. Further, we included studies that had a minimum of seven cadaver pairs tested, and studies were required to compare traditional docking to at least one novel technique. Results: All five studies involved compared at least one novel surgical technique to the docking technique. Four studies found no significant overall difference between the native and reconstructed states of any surgical technique. One study found no overall significant difference, but did identify slight differences in biomechanical properties. Discussion: All conclusions from individual studies demonstrate comparable findings between all UCLR techniques. Biomechanics, kinematics and failure modes in the acute stages following surgery in cadavers are similar between UCLR techniques. Despite all that has been done, additional research is still necessary to determine a superior surgical technique

The relationships of prolonged standing induced low back pain development with lumbopelvic posture and movement patterns

Over 80% of individuals will suffer from low back pain at least once in their lifetime. The cause within the population is not homogenous, leading to sub-classifications of non-specific low back pain. One such sub-classification is low back pain in response to prolonged standing. Over 50% of people who have never suffered a low back injury will develop transient low back pain when completing a prolonged standing occupational simulation where there is no option to sit. Many service and manufacturing tasks require prolonged standing and the introduction of sit-stand desks into the office workplace means that even more workers will be standing on the job. Many workplace health and safety societies recommend the use of standing aids to prevent the negative effects of prolonged standing; however, very few of these standing aids have been validated. Currently, it is difficult to provide advice for people who perform these jobs and get low back pain, as we still do not know enough about the origins of this pain. As a result, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate the relationships of prolonged standing induced low back pain development with lumbopelvic postures and movement patterns. The four specific questions asked were (1) Are movement patterns different between pain and non-pain developers (2) Do pain and non-pain developers have different lumbopelvic postures? (3) How do different foot positions alter lumbopelvic posture?, and (4) Can a standing aid that alters posture or movement patterns prevent low back pain development in standing? Study #1: Previous research points to the lack of movement during prolonged standing as a pre-disposing factor to low back pain. Such movements could be at the level of the lumbar spine or at the foot-ground interface. The primary purpose of this in vivo study was to determine if there were differences in magnitude, region, and frequency of movement patterns between pain and non-pain developers. Thirty-two participants reported their low back pain development using a visual analogue scale over 2-hrs of prolonged standing. Time-varying lumbar spine kinematics were used to assess the magnitude and frequency of lumbar spine fidgets and shifts. Ground reaction forces were used to assess the magnitude and frequency of whole body weight transfers and anterior-posterior center of pressure movements. Fourteen of 32 participants (43.75%) were categorized as pain developers. The first 15 minutes of standing distinguished the two pain groups, as non-pain developers performed a higher frequency of lumbar spine flexion/extension fidgets and large body weight transfers. Both of these differences may be pre-disposing factors for transient low back pain development, as they both occurred prior to pain developers reaching the 10 mm visual analog scale threshold for low back pain classification. Study #2: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in lumbar posture between 17 participants categorized as a pain or non-pain developers during level ground standing. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the influence of two standing aids (an elevated surface to act as a foot rest and declined sloped surface) on lumbopelvic posture. Four sagittal plane radiographs were taken– a normal standing position on level ground, when using an elevated foot rest and declined sloped surface, and maximum lumbar spine extension to act as a reference posture. Lumbosacral lordosis, total lumbar lordosis, and individual intervertebral joint angles were measured on each radiograph. On level ground, pain developers stood closer to their maximum lumbosacral lordosis and L5/S1 intervertebral joint maximum extension angles. The elevated surface was most effective at causing lumbosacral lordosis flexion, while the declined surface was more effective at inducing L1/L2 intervertebral joint flexion. The differences between the posture and the influence of standing aids point to postural characteristics as a factor influencing pain development. Study #3: While it is common to assess postural characteristics that may predispose a person to low back pain, these measures do not capture valuable information on the intrinsic properties of the lumbar spine, such as stiffness. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the in vivo lumbar spine lumped passive stiffness and the location of the neutral zone with the self-selected lumbar spine angle of pain and non-pain developers in four standing postures. Twenty-two participants with known pain group status stood in four postures for 5 minutes each: on level ground, while resting a foot on an elevated surface, with their feet staggered, and on a sloped decline. Median lumbar spine angle was calculated for each position. Participants were then placed in a near-frictionless jig and brought through passive lumbar spine extension and flexion to characterize their passive stiffness curve and location of their neutral zone. Overall, pain developers stood with a lumbar spine angle that was further beyond their passive lumbar spine neutral zone than non-pain developers. Not all aids thought to be successful at reducing low back pain worked in a similar manner, as only the elevated surface brought the lumbar spine into flexion and closer to the passive neutral zone. As a result, pain developers may be standing in a position that puts higher mechanical loads on the passive tissues of the lumbar spine. While flexion was induced by the elevated surface, the lack of changes caused by the sloped surface signal that there may be other postural changes other than just altered lumbar spine angle that are important for reducing low back pain. Study #4: While alternating standing position on a declined and inclined surface has proven successful at reducing low back pain during standing, the purpose of this study was to evaluate standing solely on a declining sloped surface to isolate the influence of the postural change alone. Seventeen participants performed two 75-minute prolonged standing occupational simulations in a random order – one on level ground and one a declining surface. Fifty-three percent of participants (9/17) were categorized as pain developers during the level ground standing condition; however, the average maximum pain scores of pain developers were 58% lower during sloped standing. All participants showed hip joint flexion, trunk-to-thigh angle flexion, and posterior translation of the trunk center of gravity towards the ankle joint when standing on the sloped surface compared to level ground. These postural changes could cause the muscles crossing the posterior aspect of the hip joint to increase their passive stiffness and assist with stabilizing the pelvis. This study stresses the importance of hip kinematics, not just lumbar spine posture alone, in reducing low back pain during prolonged standing. General Conclusions: The differences in posture of the lower lumbar arc between pain groups, the influence of standing aids on posture, and lower self-reported low back pain reports with a change in posture point to postural differences between the pain groups as being responsible for prolonged standing induced low back pain development. A working hypothesis for pain development is that when standing on level ground, pain developers stand with their lower lumbar arc closer to its end range of extension, placing additional mechanical load on the posterior elements of the lumbar spine resulting in transient pain. When mild flexion is induced, the mechanical load on these tissues would be decreased – a potential reason that low back pain is decreased as well. Future work should focus on lower lumbar arc and hip posture differences between the pain groups and alternative interventions that do not require a physical standing aid to reduce pain development. These include further assessment of the staggered standing position and the influence of an exercise intervention on posture and movement patterns

Low back pain development differentially influences centre of pressure regularity following prolonged standing

The final publication is available at Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.06.005 © 2017. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Occupations requiring prolonged periods of static standing are associated with the development of low back pain (LBP). Certain individuals are susceptible to LBP development during prolonged standing (pain developers, PDs) while others are not (non-pain developers, NPDs). Linear centre of pressure (COP) measures suggest that standing balance control is negatively influenced following prolonged standing, and that PDs and NPDs may be differentially affected. The objective of this study was to determine if nonlinear standing balance control, quantified on COP, using sample entropy, is altered after 2-h of standing. Thirty two participants stood for 2-h. Separate 2-min standing trials, performed with eyes open and eyes closed, were collected before and after the 2-h standing protocol. Sample entropy, median power frequency and RMS amplitude of the COP time-series, was calculated from the 2-min standing trials for all participants. For comparison, participants were classified, post hoc, as PDs or NPDs according to visual analog scale pain scores. Sample entropy decreased after 2-h of standing for both PDs and NPDs, however, the decrease for NPDs was only 21% of the decrease observed in PDs. This study demonstrated that nonlinear control of upright standing changes after 2- hours of standing, resulting in an increase in COP regularity post 2- hours of standing for both PDs and NPDs. PDs displayed a greater change in COP regularity, which is supported by the theory that increased COP regularity occurs with pain/pathologyNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)Discovery grant and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS

Assembling the Puzzle of an Enigmatic Shark Tapeworm: a Comparative Genomic and Transcriptomic Approach

The evolution of novelty among closely related taxa is a phenomenon that has occurred repeatedly within parasitic clades, however, the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of such innovations is not fully understood. This dissertation explores one example of this phenomenon that occurs in a monogeneric order of tapeworms, the Litobothriidea, that infect lamniform sharks. The most recently described member of this group, Litobothrium aenigmaticum, lacks all the characters typically demonstrated by members of this group, yet it robustly nests within the genus Litobothrium with the barcoding gene 28S rDNA (D1-D3). The aim of this dissertation was to investigate which mechanisms may have allowed for the bizarre morphology and anatomy of L. aenigmaticum. To do this, I first needed to better understand the differences between L. aenigmaticum and the typical litobothrrideans. Therefore, in chapter 1 I used transmission electron microscopy to characterize the internal anatomy of L. aenigmaticum. This work revealed that there are 11 novel cell types within the anterior region of the scolex of L. aenigmaticum, all of which contain secretory vesicles; nothing similar to this structure has been observed in any other cestode. With a more complete picture of the novelty of L. aenigmaticum, I next needed to generate the resources necessary to examine the mechanisms that led to the evolution of this species. In chapter 2 I assembled and annotated genomes for L. aenigmaticum, L. daileyi, and L. amplifica (338–406 Mb in size) and assembled transcriptomes for L. aenigmaticum, L. daileyi, and L. nickoli. Finally, in chapter 3 I used the genomic resources to perform a synteny and gene family evolution analysis and the transcriptomic resources to perform a differential expression analysis. These analyses revealed that gene family expansions and contractions, differential regulation of translation, up- and downregulation of specific transcripts, and coding region changes may underlie the novelty of L. aenigmaticum. In the future, I hope to broaden this study by also examining whether co-option and/or developmental changes may also be involved in this system

A comparison of parasite assemblages in two native and one introduced species in the Columbia River estuary: an examination of competition and trophic interactions

Keywords: Columbia River; Columbia River estuary; invasive species; parasite; three spined stickleback; Gasterosteus aculeatus; peamouth; Mylocheilus caurinus; banded killifish; Fundulus diaphanous; cestode; Proteocephalus; nematode; Hysterothylacium aduncum; enemy escape hypothesis; competitio

Investigating the Possible Isomeric Forms of Methanobactin-SB2

Color poster with text, images, and models.The purpose of this study was to investigate methanobactins (mb), which are peptide-derived molecules produced by bacteria called methanotrophs.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Musculoskeletal pain latent classes and biopsychosocial characteristics among emerging adults

Abstract Background Emerging adults (aged 18–29) report high levels of musculoskeletal pain; however, it is unknown if body location and intensity patterns are related to different biopsychosocial characteristics. This study identified patterns of self-reported musculoskeletal pain among emerging adults and assessed if there were differences in their lifestyle and psychological characteristics. Methods Data from survey responses from a large public university and a large medical university in the United States were used (n = 1,318). Self-reported pain location and intensity at five body regions were assessed, and latent class analysis identified classes separately for men and women. Mental health, physical activity, and sleep outcomes were compared between the classes. Results Four classes were identified for men and women. Three of the classes were consistent between genders – “no pain,” (women = 28% of their sample; men = 40% of their sample) “mild multisite pain,” (women = 50%; men = 39%) and “moderate-severe multisite pain” (women = 9%; men = 7%). The fourth class for women was “moderate spine pain,” (13%) and for men was “mild extremity pain” (13%). For both men and women, the “moderate-severe multisite” pain classes reported the highest levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, poorer sleep, and higher work physical activity than the “no pain” class. The “mild multisite” and “moderate spine” (women only) pain classes fell between the “no pain” and “moderate-severe” pain classes. The characteristics of the “mild upper extremity pain” class for men was similar to the “no pain” class. Conclusions The identified classes provide unique information on pain location and intensity in emerging adults. The high prevalence of “mild multisite pain” (n = 593; 45% of the total sample) demonstrates an intervention opportunity during this age range to prevent further increases in musculoskeletal pain later in life. Future work should assess the longitudinal outcomes of these pain classes, the impact of interventions for this age group, and the balance between leisure and occupational physical activity when addressing musculoskeletal health

Do individuals who develop transient low back pain exhibit different postural changes than non-pain developers during prolonged standing?

Previous literature has shown that individuals can develop transient low back pain (LBP) during a 2-h bout of unconstrained prolonged standing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the postural changes of individuals who develop LBP during standing (PD) and those who do not (NPD). Forty-one subjects (20 male, 21 female) participated in a 2-h prolonged standing occupational simulation and recorded their ratings of perceived LBP on a visual analog scale (VAS). Center of pressure changes (shifts, drifts, and fidgets) and body weight shifts were determined for each subject. All subjects showed an increase in the BW shift frequency and a decrease in average shift duration over the 2-h protocol. All NPD and female PD were consistent for many of the variables; however, male PD did not show similar patterns to the other groups, especially for anterior-posterior (AP) shift amplitude and total body weight asymmetry. Although gender differences between the pain groups were found, PD and NPD do not use different postural changes during unconstrained standing, showing that changes to postural control may be an adaptive , rather than causative response to their LBP development. Future works should concentrate on bridging the literature seen in quiet standing before and after prolonged standing and the response of PD, as well as the effect of an exercise intervention on postural control, especially for male PD. © 2011 Elsevier B.V