Association of Exercise-Induced Salivary Cortisol to Exertional Perception and Affect

The purpose of this research study was to examine the association of cortisol levels to exertional perception and exercise induced changes in affect during a bout of exercise. It was expected that increased levels of salivary cortisol would be associated with a negative shift in affect in response to a submaximal and maximal treadmill test. It was also hypothesized that increased levels of salivary cortisol levels would be associated with an increased perception of exertion during a submaximal and maximal treadmill test. Males and females between 27 and 35 years of age (n=33) were recruited to participate in this study. Salivary cortisol was assessed at baseline, 5 minutes after the submaximal treadmill test, 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test, and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Affect was measured using the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score of the Profile of Mood Scale (POMS). The greater the TMD scores, the more negative the mood. Affect was measured at baseline, 5 minutes after the submaximal treadmill test, 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test, and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Perceived exertion (RPE) was measured using the OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion. Final RPE for legs, chest and breathing, and overall body was assessed during the final minute of the submaximal treadmill test, and immediately at the end of the maximal treadmill test. Session RPE was assessed 5 minutes after the cessation of both the submaximal and maximal treadmill test. Partial correlations were conducted to examine the association between cortisol values, affect, and RPE. Results indicated there was a positive correlation between cortisol values and negative affect. This association was found only in males and the correlation was strongest in both the change in cortisol levels from baseline to 5 minutes and 30 minutes after the maximal treadmill test and the change in affect from baseline to 5 minutes after the maximal treadmill test. Final RPE assessed for the maximal treadmill test was positively correlated with cortisol levels 30 minutes after maximal treadmill test. This correlation was found only in females. There appears to be evidence that increased cortisol levels post exercise are associated with a negative mood shift following a maximal treadmill test and higher perceived exertion during a maximal treadmill test. Future examination of the association among cortisol levels, affect, and perceived exertion during exercise is warranted. Examining the physiological and psychological responses to exercise may assist with the development of better strategies that will help increase exercise adaptation and adherence

Association Between Daytime and Nighttime Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Influence of Physical Activity

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between daytime and nighttime ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) on carotid IMT when controlling for daytime physical activity (PA) in a sample of 201 healthy older adults (mean age 66.9 yrs, 49.8% females) who were part of the 6 year follow-up of the Pittsburgh Healthy Heart Project (PHHP). Daytime ABP and nighttime ABP were assessed every 45 minutes over a period of 3 days and 2 nights. Physical activity was measured by a wrist accelerometer, a waist accelerometer, and a self-report measure of physical activity. Regression analysis was used to analyze the association of daytime and nighttime ABP with carotid IMT and to determine the type of PA measure (wrist, waist, or self-report), and the time interval (1, 5, 10, 15 minutes prior to ABP) that has the greatest influence on daytime ABP. Results showed that PA 1 minute (wrist) and 10 minutes (waist) prior to ABP assessment accounted for 9% of the variance in daytime ABP. When entered separately into a regression model, both daytime SBP (F(1,194)=6.33, p=.01) and nighttime SBP (F(1,194)=6.46, p=.01) significantly predicted IMT. When entered simultaneously into the model, both daytime SBP(F(1,193)=1.81, p=.18) and nighttime SBP(F(1,193)=1.94, p=.17) lost their significance. However, after adjusting for PA, daytime SBP (F(1,193)=3.47, p=.06) was a marginally stronger predictor of IMT than nighttime SBP. This finding supports the specific prognostic importance of daytime ABP and, to that extent, may support work on a greater understanding of the daytime variables that uniquely influence daytime ABP as potential correlates of CVD risk

Constraints in language education during the pandemic in junior high school

The pandemic has prevented language learners worldwide from getting the right education. English is just one of those subjects in which this has been remarkably significant due to the lack of classroom interaction and the reduced amount of input students have received. The current study explores 14 EFL teachers? reflections on the main challenges they have been facing. Their responses were given in an open-ended survey. The Content Analysis carry out aimed at identifying the main constraints primary and secondary EFL teachers have faced while teaching during the first months of the pandemic. It also addresses the possible solutions they have used to address the input scarcity due to the current situation. The paper stresses that it is clear the role that input and strategies have in language learning. The paper concludes that the gap in learning may require additional teaching support in the incoming years

Deconstructing Domesticity and the Advent of a Heterotopia in Chuck Palahniuk\u27s Lullaby

Chuck Palahniuk’s Lullaby is a novel that evaluates modern spaces both abstract and physical, especially in regards to an individual’s experience in and attachment to domestic, regulated space as a source of identity, intimacy, and spatial representation. My thesis demonstrates how the destabilization of domestic space as a result of loss and grief led the characters of the novel to question their normative perceptions of space, and in turn, incited them to produce a new kind of space, a heterotopia, to compensate for their loss of identity and place in the world. The critical analysis of this text within this thesis demonstrates how Chuck Palahniuk employs his literary style, complex characters, and surreal plot to highlight the significance of how individuals interact and are affected by space, especially in regards to identity and relationships within society, particularly when confronting cognitive dissonance and uncanny affect. By assessing the haunting attributes of domestic space, the heterotopia that arises from cognitive dissonance, and the sentimental traits that anchor us to certain social spaces, readers will be able to value the influence of spatial practice, not only in the novel, but also in everyday life

Adaptación de juegos de reglas dirigidos a educación primaria para trabajar la numeración y la geometría en educación infantil.

El juego es considerado una herramienta bastante útil para el proceso de enseñanzaaprendizaje en la etapa de la Educación Infantil. El presente Trabajo de Fin de Grado quiere analizar la importancia que se le otorga al juego como elemento educativo para el aprendizaje y la formación de los niños y niñas de la etapa, específicamente con la utilización de los juegos de reglas para trabajar la numeración y la geometría en el ámbito matemático. A través del juego, el alumnado mejora sus habilidades y capacidades para afrontar situaciones del mundo que les rodea. Se ha realizado una revisión teórica sobre el concepto de juego en educación infantil y la importancia que tiene dentro y fuera del aula, realizando también una clasificación en la que se muestran diferentes tipos de juegos y estrategias utilizadas para conseguir los objetivos educativos. Asimismo, se han desarrollado diversas adaptaciones de juegos de reglas con materiales didácticos como son las regletas de Cuisenaire y el tangram, dirigidos principalmente a educación primaria, para tener la gran oportunidad de trabajarlo en las aulas de educación infantil.The game es considered a fairly useful tool for the teaching-learning process in the childhood education stage. This End of Grade Work wants to analyze the importance that is given to the game as an educational element for the learning and training of the children of the mathematical field. Through the game, students improve their skills and abilities to deal with situations in the world around them. A theoretical review has been carried out on the concept of play in early childhood education and the importance it has inside and outside the classroom, also making a classification showing different types of games and strategies used to achieve educational objectives. In addition, various adaptations of rule sets with teaching materials such as the strips Cuisenaire and tangram, mainly aimed at primary education, have been developed to have the great opportunity to work in the classrooms of children's education

Is anticholinergic and sedative drug burden associated with postdischarge institutionalization in community-dwelling older patients acutely admitted to hospital? A Norwegian registry-based study

Purpose: Investigate the association between anticholinergic (AC) and sedative (SED)drug burden before hospitalization and postdischarge institutionalization (PDI) incommunity-dwelling older patients acutely admitted to hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from the Norwegian Patient Registryand the Norwegian Prescription Database. We studied acutely hospitalizedcommunity-dwelling patients≥70 years during 2013 (N=86 509). Patients acutelyadmitted to geriatric wards underwent subgroup analyses (n=1715). We calculateddrug burden by the Drug Burden Index (DBI), use of AC/SED drugs, and the number of AC/SED drugs. Piecewise linearity of DBI versus PDI and a knot point(DBI=2.45) was identified. Statistical analyses included an adjusted multivariable logistic regression model.Results: In the total population, 45.4% were exposed to at least one AC/SED drug,compared to 52.5% in the geriatric subgroup. AC/SED drugs were significantly asso-ciated with PDI. The DBI with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.11 (95% CI 1.07–1.15) forDBI Conclusions: The use of AC/SED drugs was highly prevalent in older patients beforeacute hospital admissions, and significantly associated with PDI. The number, or justusing AC/SED drugs, gave similar associations with PDI compared to applying theDBI. Using AC drugs showed higher sensitivity, indicating that to reduce the risk ofPDI, a clinical approach could be to reduce the number of AC drugs

State of the art on fracture mechanics in high density polyethylene pipes (HDPE)

The aim of this work is to present a descriptive - documentary research to give an insight into the current situation of experimental studies of fracture mechanics developed in pipes made of HDPE (PE-100 and PE-80). In first place, there are presented the results and main conclusions of the fracture theories used in each investigation. In addition, the techniques used in the last decades for the characterization to elastoplastic fracture of materials with a high degree of ductility, and showing a strong viscoelastic behavior as in the case of HDPE, are summarized. On the other hand, the requirements to perform the experimental tests are specified, as well as the properties of the material (J_IC ,δ_IC ,W_F) obtained and its application in the field of engineering as a fracture criterion. The product of this research allows to demonstrate that in recent years the experimental studies carried out on elastoplastic fracture mechanics for pipes made of HDPE are few and generic, without presenting a complete characterization to interpret the mechanical behavior of these pipes under the presence of cracks or defects in such a way as to provide mechanical properties (K_J-CTOD) that contribute to improving the design processes of the pipes.  Este artículo presenta una investigación descriptiva–documental que pretende dar una visión sobre la situación actual de los estudios experimentales de mecánica de fractura desarrollados en tuberías fabricadas en PEAD (PE-100 y PE-80). En primer lugar, se presentan los resultados y principales conclusiones de las teorías de fractura utilizadas en cada investigación abordada. Luego, se ilustran en forma resumida las técnicas utilizadas en las últimas décadas para la caracterización a fractura elastoplástica de materiales con alto grado de ductilidad y que muestran un fuerte comportamiento viscoelástico, como en el caso del PEAD. Por otro lado, se especifican los requerimientos para realizar los ensayos experimentales, así como las propiedades del material ( J_IC ,δ_IC ,W_F) obtenidas y su aplicación en el campo de la ingeniería como criterio de fractura. El producto de esta investigación ha permitido evidenciar que en los últimos años, los estudios experimentales realizados de mecánica de fractura elastoplástica para las tuberías fabricadas en PEAD son pocos y genéricos, sin presentar una caracterización completa que permita interpretar el comportamiento mecánico de estas tuberías bajo la presencia de grietas o defectos, de tal manera de aportar propiedades mecánicas (K_J- CTOD) que contribuyan a mejorar los procesos de diseño de las tuberías

Impacts of active school design on schooltime sedentary behavior and physical activity: A pilot natural experiment

Background Children spend a significant portion of their days in sedentary behavior (SB) and on average fail to engage in adequate physical activity (PA). The school built environment may influence SB and PA, but research is limited. This natural experiment evaluated whether an elementary school designed to promote movement impacted students\u27 school-time SB and PA. Methods Accelerometers measured SB and PA at pre and post time-points in an intervention group who moved to the new school (n = 21) and in a comparison group experiencing no school environmental change (n = 20). Difference-in-difference (DD) analysis examined SB and PA outcomes in these groups. Measures were also collected post-intervention from an independent, grade-matched group of students in the new school (n = 21). Results As expected, maturational increases in SB were observed. However, DD analysis estimated that the intervention attenuated increase in SB by 81.2 ± 11.4 minutes/day (p\u3c0.001), controlling for time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention was also estimated to increase daily number of breaks from SB by 23.4 ± 2.6 (p \u3c .001) and to increase light physical activity (LPA) by 67.7 ± 10.7 minutes/day (p\u3c0.001). However, the intervention decreased MVPA by 10.3 ± 2.3 minutes/day (p\u3c0.001). Results of gradematched independent samples analysis were similar, with students in the new vs. old school spending 90.5 ± 16.1 fewer minutes/day in SB, taking 21.1 ± 2.7 more breaks from SB (p\u3c0.001), and spending 64.5 ± 14.8 more minutes in LPA (p\u3c0.001), controlling for time in MVPA. Students in the new school spent 13.1 ± 2.7 fewer minutes in MVPA (p\u3c0.001) than their counterparts in the old school. Conclusions This pilot study found that active school design had beneficial effects on SB and LPA, but not on MVPA. Mixed results point to a need for active classroom design strategies to mitigate SB, and quick access from classrooms to areas permissive of high-intensity activities to promote MVPA. Integrating active design with programs/policies to promote PA may yield greatest impact on PA of all intensities

Essential Function of Dicer in Resolving DNA Damage in the Rapidly Dividing Cells of the Developing and Malignant Cerebellum

Maintenance of genomic integrity is critical during neurodevelopment, particularly in rapidly dividing cerebellar granule neuronal precursors that experience constitutive replication-associated DNA damage. As Dicer was recently recognized to have an unexpected function in the DNA damage response, we examined whether Dicer was important for preserving genomic integrity in the developing brain. We report that deletion of Dicer in the developing mouse cerebellum resulted in the accumulation of DNA damage leading to cerebellar progenitor degeneration, which was rescued with p53 deficiency; deletion of DGCR8 also resulted in similar DNA damage and cerebellar degeneration. Dicer deficiency also resulted in DNA damage and death in other rapidly dividing cells including embryonic stem cells and the malignant cerebellar progenitors in a mouse model of medulloblastoma. Together, these results identify an essential function of Dicer in resolving the spontaneous DNA damage that occurs during the rapid proliferation of developmental progenitors and malignant cells