Shattering Visual Narratives through Lighting Design: A Reflection of Taylor Mac\u27s The Lily\u27s Revenge

The following thesis will explore and evaluate the lighting design behind Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge produced by the UMass Amherst Department of Theater as part of their 2017-2018 season. It will cover the entire lighting design process from reading the script to producing the world on stage. It will reflect early conversations, the collaboration process, design goals and executions, and the successes and failures reflecting on our art

Cross Informant Correlation : Validity of the Conners CBRS Parent and Teacher Scales

The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of cross informant agreement on the Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating content scales between Parents and Teachers of students at the Marshall University Summer Enrichment Program. Data was analyzed by comparing the 11 common content scales on both forms and determining if there is a cross informant correlation that is significant. Results showed a low correlation coefficient, which suggests a weak relationship between parents and teachers

On Becoming Educational Researchers: The Importance of Cogenerative Mentoring

The purpose of this reflexive action inquiry was to examine, from students\u27 and instructor\u27s differing perspectives, the authenticity (or lack thereof) of doctoral-level research methods instruction. The idea for this collaborative self-study emerged organically as a byproduct of a voluntary year-long research apprenticeship in which two of the authors were engaged, following coursework in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The apprenticeship was facilitated by the third author, a faculty member and methods course instructor. The importance of cogenerative dialog as an organizing process for methodological mentoring emerged as a central finding when the three authors collaboratively examined the across-case themes common to their autobiographical statements about and reflections upon learning to do research. The study\u27s results show how and why cogenerative mentoring—as distinct from cogenerative work—goes beyond typical experiences in research methods courses, assistantships, and even dissertation work, and is therefore recommended for doctoral students in education

Prediction of sustained harmonic walking in the free-living environment using raw accelerometry data

Objective. Using raw, sub-second level, accelerometry data, we propose and validate a method for identifying and characterizing walking in the free-living environment. We focus on the sustained harmonic walking (SHW), which we define as walking for at least 10 seconds with low variability of step frequency. Approach. We utilize the harmonic nature of SHW and quantify local periodicity of the tri-axial raw accelerometry data. We also estimate fundamental frequency of observed signals and link it to the instantaneous walking (step-to-step) frequency (IWF). Next, we report total time spent in SHW, number and durations of SHW bouts, time of the day when SHW occurred and IWF for 49 healthy, elderly individuals. Main results. Sensitivity of the proposed classification method was found to be 97%, while specificity ranged between 87% and 97% and prediction accuracy between 94% and 97%. We report total time in SHW between 140 and 10 minutes-per-day distributed between 340 and 50 bouts. We estimate the average IWF to be 1.7 steps-per-second. Significance. We propose a simple approach for detection of SHW and estimation of IWF, based on Fourier decomposition. The resulting approach is fast and allows processing of a week-long raw accelerometry data (approx. 150 million measurements) in relatively short time (~half an hour) on a common laptop computer (2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB DDR3 RAM)

Snapshot of Statistical Methods Used in Geriatric Cohort Studies: How Do We Treat Missing Data in Publications?

Background: Geriatric studies often miss data of frail participants. The aim of this paper is to explore which missing data methodologies have entered current practice and to discuss the potential impact of ignoring the issue.Methods: A Sample of 103 articles was drawn from key cohort studies: Health ABC, InCHIANTI, LASA, BLSA, EPESE, and KLoSHA. The studies were classified according to missing data methodologies used.Results: Seventy-seven percent described the selected analysis data set and only 28% used a method of handling all available observations per case. Missing data dedicated methods were rare (< 10%), applying single or multiple imputations for baseline variables. Studies with longer follow-up periods more often employed longitudinal analysis methodologies.Conclusions: Despite the recognition that missing data is a major problem in studies of older persons, few published studies account for missing data using limited methodologies; this could affect the validity of study conclusions. We propose researchers apply Joint Modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event data, using shared-parameter model

Trends in body weight and diabetes in forty years in Iceland

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenOBJECTIVE: Obesity and diabetes are increasing problems worldwide. Therefore, new data on these issues are of importance. Here, we publish data on body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of diabetes of type 2 in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mean BMI (kg/m2), prevalence of diabetes type 2 and obesity in people aged 45-64 years were evaluated from 1967 to 2007. Data on type 2 diabetes was based on four population Icelandic Heart Association studies (newest the REFINE (The Risk Evaluation For INfarct Estimates) Reykjavik study from 2006) with total of 17.757 individuals. Data on BMI was in addition based on three further studies, total 20.519 individuals. The same estimates were then performed for 25-84 year old people in the years 2004-2007. These were based on data from the REFINE Reykjavik study 2.410 individuals and the AGES Reykjavik study 3.027 individuals and. RESULTS: In the years 1967-2007 mean BMI increased by 2 units in both genders (45-64 year) and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes doubled in men, while the increase in women was 50%. In the years 2004-2007 the prevalence of diabetes type 2 in 25-84 year old people was 6% in men and 3% in women and the prevalence of obesity was 23% in men and 21% in women. CONCLUSIONS: Mean BMI is increasing in Iceland, especially after 1980. Prevalence of diabetes coincides with increasing body mass index.Tilgangur: Offita og sykursýki eru vaxandi vandamál og mikilvægt að nýjar upplýsingar um þessa þætti liggi fyrir. Hér er greint frá þróun líkamsþyngdarstuðuls og sykursýki af tegund 2 á Íslandi. Efniviður og aðferðir: Meðallíkamsþyngdar-stuðull (kg/m2), algengi sykursýki af tegund 2 og algengi offitu hjá 45-64 ára voru könnuð frá 1967 til 2007. Algengi sykursýki byggist á fjórum rannsóknum Hjartaverndar: Áfanga I-V í Hóprannsókn 1967-1991, Afkomendarannsókn 1997-2001, Rannsókn á ungu fólki 2001-2003 og Áhættuþáttakönnun frá 2006-2007, samtals 17.757 manns. Könnun á líkamsþyngdarstuðli byggist að auki á gögnum úr Monica-rannsókninni á Íslandi frá 1983, 1988 og 1993, heildarfjöldi 20.519. Sömu þættir voru einnig kannaðir fyrir 25-84 ára frá 2004 til 2007. Þá var notast við Áhættuþáttakönnun Hjartaverndar, 2410 manns og Öldrunarrannsókn Hjartaverndar, 3027 manns. Niðurstöður: Meðallíkamsþyngdarstuðull jókst um tvær einingar hjá báðum kynjum (45-64 ára) og algengi sykursýki af tegund 2 tvöfaldaðist hjá körlum og jókst um 50% hjá konunum á árunum 1967-2007. Algengi sykursýki af tegund 2 hjá 25-84 ára, á árunum 2004-2007 var 6% hjá körlum og 3% hjá konum. Algengi offitu var 23% hjá körlum en 21% hjá konum. Ályktanir: Meðallíkamsþyngdarstuðull hefur aukist undanfarna áratugi, einkum eftir 1980. Sykursýki eykst í hlutfalli við vaxandi ofþyngd

Lindane embryotoxicity and differential alteration of cysteine and glutathione levels in rat embryos and visceral yolk sacs

The lindane embryotoxicity and associated changes in cysteine (CYS) and glutathione (GSH) status have been investigated in the early organogenesis-stage rat conceptus utilizing whole embryo culture techniques. Direct exposure of gestational day 10 (GD 10) conceptuses to lindane (50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 [mu]M) in the culture medium resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in mortality (88% at 400 [mu]M), frequency, and severity of malformations and in decreased growth parameters. Protein and DNA contents of embryo and visceral yolk sac (VYS), likewise decreased significantly as lindane concentrations increased. Lindane exposures greater than 100 [mu]M produced abnormal axial rotation, pooled blood on lateral cephalic surfaces, cephalic edema, and decreased VYS vasculature. Histologic sections showed a variety of abnormalities, including distended anterior cardinal veins, thinning of the neuroepithelium in forebrain and hindbrain regions, and abnormal branchial arch development. CYS and GSH levels in the VYS were not significantly affected by 100 [mu]M lindane exposure during a 5-h incubation period on GD 10 and GD 11. In contrast, CYS and GSH levels in lindane-exposed embryos remained unchanged while control levels continued to increase with gestational age. At 5 h, treated embryos showed a significant depletion of CYS (GD 10, 22%; GD 11, 35%) and GSH (GD 10, 41%; GD 11, 24%) relative to controls. Selective lindane-induced depletion of embryonic GSH suggests involvement of the glutathione redox cycle in lindane embryotoxicity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31478/1/0000400.pd

The Effectiveness of Student-Driven Pro Bono Physical Therapy Services on Self-Reported Outcomes of Community-Dwelling Adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions

Purpose: Student-driven pro bono clinics provide a profound clinical education experience for health professional students while serving members of the community. Currently, there is little research on how the pro-bono clinic impacts the community members involved. The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes following discharge from a pro bono clinic held through an entry-level physical therapy program. Methods: Forty-one volunteer community members, 19 males (M) (46.3%) and 22 females (F) (53.6%), participated in this study. Ages ranged from 20-90 years, with a mean age of 41(17) years. Each community member completed the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFS), Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) during the initial evaluation and discharge sessions. Community members were seen for 60 minutes once per week for a total of 2-5 visits. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, and means of the pre-test data and the post-test data were performed. Results: Wilcoxon Signed Rank test revealed significance at Z=-4.37, pConclusion: Community members who participated in the student-driven pro bono clinic achieved statistically significant improvement in pain and physical function. In addition to the established benefit of experiential learning received by the student, our study supports a received benefit to the community member

Plasma Leptin Levels and Incidence of Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Disease, and Total Mortality in Elderly Individuals

OBJECTIVE: Obesity predisposes individuals to congestive heart failure (CHF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Leptin regulates energy homeostasis, is elevated in obesity, and influences ventricular and vascular remodeling. We tested the hypothesis that leptin levels are associated with greater risk of CHF, CVD, and mortality in elderly individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated 818 elderly (mean age 79 years, 62% women) Framingham Study participants attending a routine examination at which plasma leptin was assayed. RESULTS: Leptin levels were higher in women and strongly correlated with BMI (P < 0.0001). On follow-up (mean 8.0 years), 129 (of 775 free of CHF) participants developed CHF, 187 (of 532 free of CVD) experienced a first CVD event, and 391 individuals died. In multivariable Cox regression models adjusting for established risk factors, log-leptin was positively associated with incidence of CHF and CVD (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment 1.26 [95% CI 1.03–1.55] and 1.28 [1.09–1.50], respectively). Additional adjustment for BMI nullified the association with CHF (0.97 [0.75–1.24]) but only modestly attenuated the relation to CVD incidence (1.23 [1.00–1.51], P = 0.052). We observed a nonlinear, U-shaped relation between log-leptin and mortality (P = 0.005 for quadratic term) with greater risk of death evident at both low and high leptin levels. CONCLUSIONS: In our moderate-sized community-based elderly sample, higher circulating leptin levels were associated with a greater risk of CHF and CVD, but leptin did not provide incremental prognostic information beyond BMI. Additional investigations are warranted to elucidate the U-shaped relation of leptin to mortality.National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N01-HC25195, N01-HV28178, K24-HL04334, R01-DK080739