Ethnicity and Impressions of Personality Using the Five-Factor Model: Stereotyping or Cultural Sensitivity?

The current research investigates whether communities use ethnicity as a cue when forming personality impressions of others. Past research has shown that dress, smiling, hairstyle, and even facial symmetry of targets produce systematic differences in personality impressions across the domains of the Five Factor model of personality. We investigated whether the stated or apparent ethnicity of groups and individuals also produce stereotypic impressions of personality. This study compared impressions across members and non-members of the target groups and examined cue utility i.e. whether impressions of the groups agreed with aggregated self-impressions by group members. In all, the results clearly suggest that people utilize ethnicity as a cue when forming impressions of the personalities of groups and individuals, and although those impressions are exaggerated consistent with stereotype theory, they confer some utility in interpersonal perceptions across cultures. Stereotypes are a strategy used to interpret the complex social environment in the absence of more specific information. When that information is available, perceptions of others become more refined and accurate. Keywords: stereotyping, ethnicity, Five Factor model, Native Americans, cultural sensitivity, personalit

Enhancing service delivery for chronic low back pain: evidence for patient-centred physiotherapy and the objective measurement of outcome.

This thesis incorporates two studies, whose combined aims were to inform and improve the physiotherapy management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients in primary care. A qualitative study explored patients' perceptions of physiotherapy for CLBP, in order to influence service redesign. Twenty-five people who had received physiotherapy for CLBP were purposively sampled. They participated in semi-structured interviews that explored their physiotherapy experience. Framework analysis was conducted on the data. The findings demonstrated that CLBP patients' expectations of physiotherapy were not consistently met and that attending physiotherapy did not consistently facilitate self-management of CLBP. Activity and participation were important to CLBP patients. However, in this sample, activity limitations and participation restrictions were not consistently addressed in physiotherapy. A definition of patient-centred physiotherapy for CLBP was generated from the patients' perspective; the physiotherapy received by this sample was not consistently patient-centred by this definition. A quantitative study explored the potential for using gait and sit-to-stand (STS) analysis as objective measures, in order to enhance outcome measurement in CLBP patients. Convenience samples of 17 CLBP patients and 20 people without LBP were recruited. An optical motion analysis system was used to compare the spatial and temporal gait parameters, temporal STS parameters, and pelvic and spinal kinematic parameters of each sample. The relationship between CLBP patients' self-reported pain and disability levels and the objective measures of gait and STS was explored. The CLBP sample demonstrated statistically significant reductions in several parameters compared to the control sample: stride length and pelvic side flexion during normal gait, pelvic side flexion and spine flexion during fast gait, and peak spinal flexion during STS. An association was demonstrated between increased pain intensity and increased pelvic side flexion during fast gait. New knowledge on the physiotherapy management of CLBP emerged from this research. Methods of enhancing patient-centredness and facilitating self-management emerged from the qualitative study. The differences detected in the quantitative study suggested that measuring gait and STS might provide useful additional outcome measures for CLBP patients, in order to overcome some of the limitations of self-report measures. They might also assist with classifying and planning individually-tailored treatment approaches for CLBP patients. Although generalisation is limited by the sample sizes, the implications (for practice and education) and suggestions for further work arising from this research are important in attempts to enhance physiotherapy for CLBP

Improving end-use quality in hard winter wheat through glutenin allele combinations and genomic selection

2014 Fall.Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has unique properties that allow for a variety of end products, such as pan bread, steamed bread, cookies, cakes, and tortillas. Most wheat-breeding programs focus on increasing yield and yield-related traits as primary objectives. However, end-use quality is also crucial as quality characteristics influence grain sale price and market success of a variety. Large-effect quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified for quality related traits. The Glu-1 loci encoding high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMWGS) have a major effect on dough mixing properties. However, many quality traits are too complex to be controlled by only a small number of loci. These traits may benefit from genomic selection (GS), which utilizes all effective loci regardless of effect size. Genomic selection can accelerate genetic progress especially for traits that are costly or time consuming to phenotype, like quality-related traits. This research focused on the genetic improvement of end-use quality in hard winter wheat by targeting specific loci with known effects or by using all loci in a GS approach. The objectives of this study were to: i) evaluate agronomic and quality effects associated with different combinations of HMW-GS at the Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci among a set of near isogenic lines (NILs); ii) use a genome-wide association approach to identify QTL and develop predictive models for pre-harvest sprouting tolerance (PHST) and iii) assess GS models for milling and baking traits in hard winter wheat lines representative of west-central U.S. Great Plains germplasm. A set of NILs that varied for alleles at the Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci were evaluated for dough mixing properties, kernel characteristics, and agronomic effects. Results confirmed the Bx7OE + By8 HMW-GS (Glu-B1a1 allele) at Glu-B1 contributed to greater dough strength compared to the common Bx7 + By8 HMW-GS (Glu-B1b allele); however, the effect was not as significant as that conferred by Dx5 + Dy10 subunits (Glu-D1d allele). Near isogenic lines with the combination of both favorable alleles at Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 had the largest mixograph mixing time. However, a decrease in yield was observed for groups containing the Bx7OE + By8 subunits. These results suggest glutenin allele combinations are useful for improving bread-making characteristics in winter wheat but some combinations may be associated with negative effects on yield. Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a major problem in wheat that results in decreased yield and quality. Genomic selection was evaluated as a potential breeding method for PHST given the complex inheritance and phenotyping difficulty of this trait. In this study, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) markers were used to identify QTL associated with PHST among a panel of hard red and white winter wheat lines. Genomic selection models were developed with the GBS data and phenotype data collected across seven growing seasons. The effect of including identified QTL and kernel color as fixed effects in the model was assessed, as kernel color has been generally associated with sprouting tolerance. Optimum marker number was also determined as accuracy can vary with different numbers of markers. Results showed model accuracy did not improve with kernel color information but weighting major QTL increased predictive performance. Optimum marker number was 4,000 with no improvement in accuracy above this threshold. Overall, model accuracies were promising and confirmed wheat breeding programs would benefit from incorporating GS models for PHST. Lastly, the accuracy of GS models for 11 end-use quality traits in a panel of hard red and white winter wheat breeding lines phenotyped across multiple years and locations was assessed. Trait heritability, marker number, and marker imputation method were evaluated for their effect on model accuracy. Traits measured included flour yield, single kernel characteristics, protein concentration, mixograph mixing time and tolerance, bake absorption, bake mixing time, crumb grain score, and loaf volume. Genotyping-by-sequencing marker data varied for marker density and imputation method used for missing data. Across traits, model accuracies ranged from 0.30 to 0.63 and trait heritability ranged from 0.03 to 0.61. Imputation method and marker density had little to no effect on model accuracy. Heritability appeared to have the greatest effect on accuracy as GS models for traits with higher heritability had higher accuracies. Additionally, GS models for moderate to high heritability traits performed better than expected when predicting a set of genotypes separate from the training panel. Results showed model accuracies for end-use quality traits were sufficient for increasing genetic gain in a wheat breeding program. In summary, genetic improvement in end-use quality can be made by utilizing both large effect and small effect loci in the wheat genome for such traits and will reduce phenotyping costs while increasing efficiency in a breeding program. In many winter wheat breeding programs, particularly those at higher latitudes, phenotypic quality evaluations from one season cannot be used for planting decisions of the next season due to the short turn-around time from harvest to planting. Genomic selection potentially solves this problem as selection decisions based on genotypic data can be implemented before the next season of planting. Thus, results from this study support the implementation of GS to reduce phenotyping costs and increase the rate of genetic gain for end-use quality in wheat

Interventions, barriers and facilitators associated with return to work in adults following stroke: a scoping review protocol. [Protocol]

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to map what has been reported on interventions, barriers, and facilitators associated with return to work for adults with and without communication disorders following a stroke. Introduction: Difficulties in returning to work following a stroke can have a significant impact on people's lives, not only in terms of the individual's finances (and the economy as a whole), but also in terms of the person's psychosocial adjustment, for example, their sense of role and purpose and their self-esteem. This scoping review aims to map the literature examining interventional approaches, barriers, and facilitators relevant to this topic. Inclusion criteria: This review will include literature on the return to work for adults aged 16 years or older who have had a stroke. It will be restricted to research conducted in developed countries. Methods: Databases that will be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, AMED, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDRo, and OTSeeker. Gray literature or unpublished studies will be searched in OpenGrey and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, as well as professional bodies and organizations whose remit includes stroke and vocational rehabilitation. The search will be limited to studies written in English since 2010. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers and full-text articles assessed against the inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Data will be extracted and the findings will be presented in tabular and graphical format along with a narrative summary

Conducting initial telephone consultations in primary care: a scoping review.

Background - Telephone consultations are increasingly used in primary care to deliver healthcare services to patients. However, there has been no review produced which identifies and maps the elements of the components, skills and training required to deliver telephone consultations in primary care. This review maps the evidence and can be used to inform clinical service and staff development. Method - A scoping review was conducted using JBI methodology. Inclusion criteria for this review included: Participants – any study focusing on any qualified healthcare practitioner working within primary care services; Concept – was any initial telephone consultation within primary care; Context – was primary care within developed nations defined as having very high human development. A three step search strategy was adopted to include published and unpublished literature in English from 2002 to 2017. Results - The search identified 3378 sources of literature. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts then full text against the inclusion criteria which resulted in 18 articles included in this scoping review. Data was extracted by two independent reviewers relevant to the review question: components, skills and training in telephone consultations. The 18 articles involved five countries, 144 healthcare professionals and between 55-1506 patients. The key attributes for telephone consultations (components, skills and training) were synthesised into tabular display and provide guidance on the main elements required for providing this service in primary care

Vocational rehabilitation for emergency services personnel: a scoping review.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to examine and map the range of vocational rehabilitation available for emergency services personnel. Introduction: Employee work absence due to illness and injury is an international burden. The emergency service sector (police officers, firefighters and ambulance/paramedic staff) workforce has been shown to report a higher prevalence of illness/injury and sick leave compared to the general population. Despite the evidence of physical and psychological problems that emergency service sector workers can face, vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions and the structure and effectiveness of VR for these workers are less well known. Inclusion criteria: This scoping review considered studies that included adult emergency medical services (EMS) personnel (e.g. police officers, firefighters and ambulance/paramedic staff), regardless of age, sex or rank. EMS personnel from any developed nation were included. The interventions included any VR regardless of condition, work status (VR to prevent sick leave or for workers on sick leave) or focus (e.g. mental health issues, neurological problems or musculoskeletal conditions). VR interventions can include work conditioning, work hardening, physiotherapy, counseling, functional restoration and occupational rehabilitation. Methods: Published and unpublished literature in English from 2007 to 2017 was included in this review. A three-step search strategy was followed that included five databases and nine websites. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers using a pre-determined data extraction form developed by the authors. Results: This review identified 24,271 sources of information, of which 48 were screened at full-text stage, and 22 sources were eligible to be included in the final scoping review. The majority of the sources provided evidence of VR for police officers and firefighters. VR is typically provided in residential rehabilitation settings as well as some outpatient, off-site and workplace settings. The main type of VR provided is physical, but there is also evidence of psychological rehabilitation and addiction/substance misuse rehabilitation. Conclusions: This review demonstrated that there is a lack of information in the public domain on VR for staff working in the emergency service sector, as well as a lack of rigorous evaluation available on the effectiveness of VR within the emergency service sector. There is inconsistent provision of VR internationally for emergency service sector staff

Students' perceptions of a UK physiotherapy student-led clinic.

Student-led clinics (SLCs) are a mode of delivery whereby students take responsibility for the delivery of a health service or intervention. SLCs for physiotherapy have a wide range of uses, including enhancement of learning, replacement of clinical placement hours, and serving population and community needs. Evidence is emerging globally as to the outcomes of SLCs in physiotherapy, but little exists in the United Kingdom (UK) context. The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of running, leading and participating in a UK physiotherapy student-led neurological rehabilitation clinic. The research method was a qualitative design using a focus group. Four themes were identified relating to students' perceptions of SLCs: the learning environment, self-development, enhanced clinical skill development and reflections on experience. The findings of this study suggest that physiotherapy SLCs in a UK context can contribute positively to student experience and skill development, particularly in relation to the learning environment, development of clinical skills, leadership and autonomy. Some aspects related to, for example, student induction and preparation could be further developed. Further research should explore if these findings are applicable in other countries where SLCs are less established. Further research in the UK and globally related to SLC models in different courses and across varying stages is required. Exploration of the SLC as a viable form of clinical placement experience is also warranted

Development of a tool to assess core cardiorespiratory physiotherapy skills: a Delphi study.

Purpose: This study reports on the development of an outcome measure designed to evaluate pre-registration physiotherapy students’ ability in performing core cardiorespiratory skills. Method: A four round, e-Delphi study using an international panel of expert cardiorespiratory physiotherapists involved in pre-registration student education was undertaken. In round one participants identified what they look for in students competently performing core cardio-respiratory physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills. These items were refined in rounds two and three. Item content validity score (iCVI) of ≥ 0.8 at round four identified consensus. Scale content validity index (SCVI) was calculated. Results: Response rate for round one was 46% (6/13). Additional experts were invited to participate and response rates increased to 71% (round 2), 88% (round 3) and 100% (round 4). Of the 207 items across the seven skills identified in round one, 140 were presented in round four. Of these, consensus was achieved for 128 items, with 12 being excluded. The SCVI was 0.907. Conclusion: This e-Delphi study enabled the development of a draft outcome measure, which aims to assess performance of seven cardiorespiratory physiotherapy skills. This tool will enable rigorous evaluation of different education methods to establish their effectiveness. However, it is first necessary to establish construct validity and assess inter and intra-rater reliability

Interview with Erma Ellis

An interview with Erma Ellis regarding her experiences in a one-room school house.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/ors/1178/thumbnail.jp