Assessing the Impacts of Federal Farm Bill Programs on Rural Communities

This report summarizes the state of scientific knowledge on the impact of federal farm and food programs on rural communities in the United States. We focus on the impacts of five specific programs of what is commonly referred to as the “farm bill.” These five include farm commodity programs; farm risk management, insurance, and disaster programs; agricultural conservation programs; food and nutrition programs; and rural development programs. Although there is extensive research on the relative merits and effectiveness of specific rural development programs and policies on rural community outcomes, the impacts of the other four main farm bill programs on rural America have received much less empirical scrutiny

Accuracy of Automated Blood Pressure Monitors

TACSM Abstract Accuracy of Automated Blood Pressure Monitors Harvey JM and Smith JD Health & Human Performance Laboratory; Department of Health & Kinesiology; Texas A&M University-San Antonio; San Antonio, TX Category: Undergraduate Advisor / Mentor: Smith JD ([email protected]) ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of two automated blood pressure (BP) monitors (Omron Model #BP791IT, brachial and Life Source Model #UB-521, wrist; BR and WR respectively). This study was approved by the TAMU-SA IRB and 41 subjects (Age=26.8±7.3 yrs, Ht=167.9±3.3 cm, Wt=88.0±44.6 kg, BMI=28.2±6.4) reported to the lab after fasting for at least four hours and sat quietly for five minutes, after which blood pressure was measured using a mercury gauge (CRIT) by the investigator, then BR followed by WR. A repeated measures ANOVA test was used to explore for differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) among the three readings. Two groups were formed by placing those above the CRIT systolic mean (126 mmHg) to represent a lower BP group (115.4±6.2 mmHg) and a higher BP group (137.3±8.33 mmHg), after which a 2 (group) X 3 (method of reading) factorial ANOVA was conducted to explore for differences between groups. Alpha was set at \u3c.05 for all tests. The repeated measures ANOVA indicated the BR (100.5±13.5 mmHg) and WR (101.7±13.7 mmHg) MAP were significantly greater than CRIT (95.5±10.6 mmHg), P\u3c.05. The factorial ANOVA indicated no significant interaction among group and method of reading (P\u3e.05), however, the main effect of method indicated significant differences between both instruments and CRIT in systolic readings (P\u3c.05), and a significant difference in diastolic readings between CRIT and WR only, P\u3c.05 (Table 1). Table 1. Seated Blood Pressure Readings among Manual (CRIT) and Automated (Brachial and Wrist) Methods Total (N=41) Lower Group (n=21) Higher Group (n=20) Systolic (mmHg) CRIT 126.1±12.2 115.4±6.2 137.3±8.3 BR 135.9±19.0 122.6±12.3* 149.2±14.8* WR 131.1±18.7 120.2±11.2* 144.5±17.3* Diastolic (mmHg) CRIT 80.2±10.4 74.6±6.8 86.1±10.3 BR 82.8±12.1 75.8±6.4 89.9±12.5 WR 86.9±12.5 78.3±6.4** 97.6±9.5** *Significantly different from Systolic CRIT, **Significantly different from Diastolic CRIT Although the readings between groups were not significantly different, differences between CRIT and BR (11.9 mmHg) and WR (7.2 mmHg) in the Higher Group tended to be greater than differences in the Lower Group (BR=7.2 mmHg and WR=4.8 mmHg). Although consumers, doctors, and other professionals may rely heavily on the use of automated blood pressure monitors for getting a quick blood pressure reading, the results may not be as accurate as they should be. These implications could be more severe for those with higher BP’s, especially when using BR

Spatial Distribution of Competing Ions around DNA in Solution

The competition of monovalent and divalent cations for proximity to negatively charged DNA is of biological importance and can provide strong constraints for theoretical treatments of polyelectrolytes. Resonant x-ray scattering experiments have allowed us to monitor the number and distribution of each cation in a mixed ion cloud around DNA. These measurements provide experimental evidence to support a general theoretical prediction: the normalized distribution of each ion around polyelectrolytes remains constant when ions are mixed at different ratios. In addition, the amplitudes of the scattering signals throughout the competition provide a measurement of the surface concentration parameter that predicts the competition behavior of these cations. The data suggest that ion size needs to be taken into account in applying Poisson-Boltzmann treatments to polyelectrolytes such as DNA

Relationships between Physiological and Self-Reported Assessment of Cancer-Related Fatigue

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(3): 177-190, 2022. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between subjective, self-reported cancer related fatigue (CRF) and objective measures of muscular strength and fatigability in cancer survivors. A total of 155 cancer survivors (60 ± 13 years of age) completed a questionnaire for the assessment of CRF, along with assessments of handgrip strength, quadriceps strength and fatigability (reduced force/torque). Fatigability was measured by completing 15 maximal isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors (QFI). Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients were calculated as pairwise combinations of the numerical and categorical dependent measures. Categorical variables were analyzed via nonparametric means of association. This included a 4x4 chi-square to test whether cancer stage (0–4) was independent of fatigue status (none, mild, moderate, severe) and whether cancer treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or combinations of these) was independent of fatigue status. None of the physiological strength and fatigue measures were significantly correlated to overall perceived fatigue or any of the subscales. Cancer stage and treatment type were also not significantly related to fatigue status (likelihood ratio = .225, Cramer’s V = .228; likelihood ratio = .103, Cramer’s V = .369, respectively). Our results show that levels of patient reported fatigue severity were not significantly related to muscular fatigability or strength. As a result, cancer patients experiencing fatigue may benefit from following the standard exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, regardless of their levels of self-reported fatigue

Building the Capacity of Classroom Teachers as Extenders of Nutrition Education through Extension: Evaluating a Professional Development Model

Utilizing teachers as extenders may maximize the reach of Extension nutrition education programs; however, there is a need to identify effective professional development (PD) strategies to ensure quality implementation. Lesson study is a PD model that demonstrated improvements in school teachers’ self-efficacy and knowledge in various disciplines. In this study, fourth-grade teachers at two schools delivered nutrition education in their classrooms. Lesson study was examined to improve self-efficacy, content knowledge, and use of inquiry-based teaching strategies. While teachers at one school followed the lesson study model, teachers at the other school did not. Teachers reported time, resources, and funding were barriers to using lesson study and implementing the curriculum. Teachers who reported teaching nutrition previously declined in self-efficacy and knowledge. It is possible that they underestimated what would be required to teach this curriculum, resulting in a higher pre-test rating of self-efficacy compared to ratings after teaching the curriculum. This shift may have affected their motivation and willingness to participate fully in the lesson study process. Increasing teacher access to content experts during PD may improve teacher selfefficacy. Providing additional support and materials may increase the likelihood that teachers participate as extenders of Extension nutrition education programs

Lower Postsurgical Mortality for Individuals with Dementia with Better-Educated Hospital Workforce

Surgical patients age 65 and over with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) were more likely to die within 30 days of admission and to die after a complication than those without ADRD. Having better-educated nurses in the hospital improved the likelihood of good outcomes for all surgical patients, but had a much greater effect in individuals with ADRD. Specifically, a 10% increase in the proportion of nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher was associated with 10% lower odds of death and 10% lower odds of dying after a complication for surgical patients with ADRD

Early weight gain predicts treatment response in adolescents with anorexia nervosa enrolled in a family‐based partial hospitalization program

ObjectiveImproved treatment outcome in family‐based treatment (FBT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) is predicted by weight gain occurring early in the course of treatment (i.e., about 4 lbs by week 4). Although prior work suggests that early weight gain in higher levels of care (e.g., partial hospitalization programs [PHP]) predicts weight restoration at discharge, no study has examined the specific rate of gain within FBT‐informed PHP programs that best predicts treatment response.MethodThis study examined rate of weight gain in pounds and percent expected body weight (EBW) that predicts positive outcome in 70 patients (M age = 15.49 years, SD = 2.56) with AN who were enrolled in a family‐based PHP.ResultsReceiver operator characteristic analyses demonstrated that changes in %EBW during weeks 2–5 were more useful than changes in weight in predicting positive outcome. Gaining at least 8.9 pounds or over 8% of EBW in the first 4 weeks of treatment significantly predicted positive outcome.DiscussionFindings suggest that positive outcome in an FBT‐informed PHP is predicted by rapid weight gain in the initial weeks of treatment. Research is needed to identify specific family and patient characteristics that facilitate weight gain and to develop corresponding interventions to improve outcome.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154930/1/eat23248_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154930/2/eat23248.pd