Investigating Alternative Measures of Functional Recovery in Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury

There is a pressing need for advancements in peripheral nerve repair techniques and functional recovery evaluation methods. The rat sciatic nerve injury model is a well examined model for peripheral nerve repair. One measure of functional recovery after nerve damage, the sciatic functional index (SFI), fails in the presence of self-mutilation, toe contracture, and other abnormalities in gait. In this IACUC approved study, the sciatic nerve was severed in four experimental groups (n=5). The nerves were repaired with Arginylglycylaspartic acid-poly(ε-caprolactone) (RGD-PCL) peptide functionalized nanofibers, non-functionalized PCL control nanofibers, an isograft, and a negative control empty conduit. Video walking track analysis allowed for a retrospective analysis with three other evaluation techniques: imbalance coupling (IC), stance factor (SF), and toe out angle (TOA). While these techniques are independent of self-mutilation and toe contracture, walking speed remained as a confounding variable. One way repeated measures ANOVA tests showed no significant difference between treatments or subjects in SFI, SF, or TOA. For SFI, 6 and 12 week trials both saw significant increases over time (p=0.00 for both). A significant difference was found between treatments in IC (p=0.03). Imbalance coupling showed promising Pearson correlation with the current industry standard, SFI (p=0.03). In a regression model, SFI over time had an R-squared value of 94.5%. IC, SF, and TOA had low R-squared values. Future investigation with updated protocol is necessary to confirm the degree of correlation and to evaluate the potential for a new industry standard for evaluating nerve repair

Residualism and Rural America: A Decade Later

Rural residents, more so than their urban counterparts are popularly believed to view the use of social welfare programs as appropriate only as last (residual) means of obtaining help. The extent to which this belief reflected reality was assessed by Camasso and Moore (1985) a decade ago using data from a 1980 survey of Pennsylvania residents. Congruent with the residualist hypotheses they found that rural residents were less supportive than urban people of social welfare programming, even when the effects of various personal sociodemographic characteristics were controlled. This paper replicates the workof Camasso and Moore by reporting findings from a similar study carried out a decade later. Although the relative economic and social capital disadvantage of rural people has increased across time, they persist in being more likely than urban residents to express residualist views toward social welfare programming, Implications of these results are discussed

Diagnostic Validity of Patient-Reported History for Shoulder Pathology

Objective The purpose of this article is to determine whether patient-reported history items are predictive of shoulder pathology and have the potential for use in triaging patients with shoulder pathology to orthopaedic outpatient clinics. Setting It is set at two tertiary orthopaedic clinics. Patients All new patients reporting pain and/or disability of the shoulder joint were prospectively recruited. A total of 193 patients were enrolled, 15 of whom withdrew, leaving 178 patients composing the study sample. Design Patients completed a questionnaire on the history of their pathology, then the surgeon took a thorough history indicating the most likely diagnosis. The clinician then performed appropriate physical examination. Arthroscopy was the reference standard for those undergoing surgery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with arthrogram for all others. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) of history items alone and in combination. We used the LRs to generate a clinical decision algorithm. Main Outcome Measures Diagnosis was determined through arthroscopy or MRI arthrogram. Reporting was standardized to ensure review of all structures. Results The physical examination and history agreed in 75% of cases. Of those that did not agree, the physical examination misdirected the diagnosis in 47% of our cases. In particular, history items were strong predictors of anterior and posterior instability and subscapularis tears and were combined in a tool to be utilized for screening patients. Conclusion The patient-reported history items were effective for diagnosing shoulder pathology and should be considered for use in a triaging instrument

Self-Reported Familiarity of Hydraulic Fracturing and Support for Natural Gas Drilling: Substantive and Methodological Considerations

The widespread use of hydraulic fracturing in the natural gas industry in the United States has led to criticism by environmentalists and the public who see the process as threatening both the quality and quantity of local water supplies. However, there has been little research directed to assessing the extent to which citizens believe they are familiar with the process of hydraulic fracturing and little analysis dealing with the correlates of subjects’ sociodemographic characteristics with such familiarity or its effects on individual’s support or opposition to natural gas drilling. The current note examines these issues using data from a 2012 study of 800 residents in the core area of the Marcellus natural gas region in Pennsylvania. Substantive and methodological implications of the findings are discussed, as are suggestions for future research

Another Look at Likert Scales

Perhaps the most widely used means for assessing survey respondents’ personal attitudes consists of a series of stem-statements followed by an odd or even number of ordered, bipolar-named categories. Such statements, known as Likert items, are named for Rensis Likert whose classic studies of attitude measurement were first published in 1932. Almost from the beginning, methodologists and psychometric scholars have raised questions concerning the number of items deemed necessary to form an attitude scale, the number and meaning of various answer categories, and the appropriate statistical methods to use in analyzing the resulting data. These deliberations are summarized. We conclude that, while continuing research on the meaning and uses of Likert scales is needed, many criticisms directed against their usage are unwarranted. Both Likert items and multi-item scales represent useful means for researchers seeking information on subjects’ attitudes

Pennsylvanians\u27 Knowledge of Agriculture

In 2005, researchers at Pennsylvania State University surveyed 1,521 Pennsylvanians in 65 counties to determine their knowledge of and perceptions about agriculture in the state. The study looked to: assess the level of agricultural knowledge of Pennsylvanians; ascertain how personal characteristics and frequency of rural visitation related to agricultural knowledge and to the perceptions of citizens about various agricultural issues; explore the relationship of agricultural knowledge to public perceptions of selected agricultural issues; and suggest how information on Pennsylvanians’ knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of agriculture are relevant to policy makers. The study results showed that, overall, most participants believed they knew very little about the impacts of agriculture on the state, farming production practices, or agriculture and the environment. Their self-rating on matters related to food and nutrition was somewhat higher, but even here a substantial majority believed they were not well-informed. When asked to respond to factual questions dealing with the different knowledge areas, many participants failed to answer correctly, and even those who did select the right answer were seldom certain of their responses. For some questions, respondents who thought their answers were correct often provided the wrong answers. Many of the answers reflected misperceptions about agriculture and its impact on the state. The survey analysis showed that direct personal contact with farming and visiting rural areas were clearly the most important experiences associated with higher levels of agricultural knowledge. The findings also showed that people who have greater agricultural knowledge differ in their views and actions from those with less understanding of agriculture, and this, coupled with the low levels of knowledge found in the population studied, suggests that it is important that efforts be made to educate the public about the nature and impacts of agriculture. To educate the public, the researchers recommended maintaining, and possibly expanding, Agriculture in the Classroom programs that provide agricultural education to school children; developing and expanding programs that allow people to visit working farms in the state; intensifying programs to enhance agricultural tourism and rural visitation; and developing a periodical directed to the general population, which features articles on Pennsylvania farming, agritourism, farm facts and historical notes, and agricultural research findings

Changes in Residents’ Views of Natural Gas Drilling in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale, 2009-2012

Data from comparable surveys of residents in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania conducted in 2009 and 2012 are analyzed to ascertain changes in public views over time. The proportions of residents indicating they knew very little or nothing about the economic, social, and environmental impacts of gas drilling declined sharply. Further, residents increasingly formed opinions about the possible costs and benefits of developing the industry and whether they opposed or supported developing the gas industry. The proportions of respondents expressing various concerns about possible negative environmental impacts of drilling increased. However, most residents supported developing the industry and there was little change in that support over the survey period

Wreck on the Highway: The Intersectionality of Driver Culpability, THC, Other Intoxicants and Fatalities in Washington State

Objective: Given the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2012 in Washington State and recent mixed results regarding the effects of cannabis on driver safety, we examine the link between Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and driver’s behavior, including speeding and driver errors which may have contributed to a particular fatal crash. Methods: The current study utilized data from the Washington State Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical File (WA FARS) in years 2008-2016. A series of logistic regression were employed to compare THC positive and negative drivers, as well as drivers who tested positive for other intoxicants. Results: The results of the study were mixed as Delta-9 THC positively predicted speeding, but not other driver errors. Interestingly, Carboxy THC, a non-psychoactive chemical that can be detected for a longer period of time, was a significant predictor of both speeding and driver errors. Conclusions: This research further demonstrates that cannabis is a risk factor for fatal crashes, though it is not nearly a risk factor of the same magnitude as alcohol. Additional research is needed to better understand why Carboxy THC is a stronger and more robust predictor of poor driving behavior than Delta-9 THC

Effects of Estuary-Wide Seagrass Loss on Fish Populations

Globally, habitat loss in coastal marine systems is a major driver of species decline, and estuaries are particularly susceptible to loss. Along the United States Pacific coast, monospecific eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds form the major estuarine vegetated habitat. In Morro Bay, California, eelgrass experienced an unprecedented decline of \u3e 95%, from 139 ha in 2007 to \u3c 6 ha by 2017. Fish populations were compared before and after the eelgrass decline using trawl surveys. Beach seines surveys were also conducted during the post-decline period to characterize species within and outside of remnant eelgrass beds.While the estuary-wide loss of eelgrass did not result in fewer fish or less biomass, it led to changes in species composition. The post-eelgrass decline period was characterized by increases in flatfish (mainly Citharichthys stigmaeus) and staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus), and decreases in habitat specialists including bay pipefish (Syngnathus leptorhynchus) and shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata). There were similar trends inside and outside of remnant eelgrass patches. These findings support evidence across multiple ecosystems suggesting that the predominance of habitat-specialists predicts whether or not habitat loss leads to an overall decline in fish abundance. In addition, loss of critical habitats across seascapes can restrict population connectivity and lead to range contraction. For bay pipefish, the loss of eelgrass in Morro Bay is likely to create a population biogeographic divide. Currently, Morro Bay is dominated by flatfish and sculpins, and the longevity of this new ecosystem state will depend on future eelgrass recovery dynamics supported by ecosystem-based management approaches