Does the Presence of a Learning Disability Elicit a Stigmatization?

Aims: To determine whether or not a Learning Disability(LD) label leads to stigmatization. Study Design: This research used a 2(sex of participant) x 2(LD label)x 2 (Sex of stimulus person) factorial design. Place and Duration of Study: Bucknell University, between October 2010 and April 2011. Methodology: Sample: We included 200 participants (137 women and 63 men, ranging in age from 18 – 75 years, M = 26.41. Participants rated the stimulus individual on 27 personality traits, 8 Life success measures, and the Big-5 personality dimensions. Also, participants completed a Social Desirability measure. Results: A MANOVA revealed a main effect for the Learning Disability description, F(6, 185) = 6.41 p\u3c .0001, eta2 = .17,for the Big-5 personality dimensions, Emotional Stability, F(1, 185) = 13.39, p \u3c .001, eta2 = .066, and Openness to Experiences F(1,185) = 7.12, p\u3c .008, eta2 = .036.Stimulus individuals described as having a learning disability were perceived as being less emotionally stable and more open to experiences than those described as not having a learning disability. Another MANOVA revealed a main effect for having a disability or not, F(8, 183) = 4.29, p\u3c .0001, eta2 = .158, for the Life Success items, Attractiveness, F(1, 198) = 16.63, p\u3c .0001, eta2 = .080, and Future Success,F(1, 198) = 4.57, p\u3c .034, eta2 = .023. Stimulus individuals described as having a learning disability were perceived as being less attractive and with less potential for success than those described as not having a learning disability. Conclusion: The results of this research provide evidence that a bias exists toward those who have learning disabilities. The mere presence of an LD label had the ability to cause a differential perception of those with LDs and those without LDs

The Effects of Cupping vs. Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Hamstring Flexibility

The hamstring muscles are a vital muscle group for many sports as they use eccentric contractions to provide dynamic stability that assists the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in preventing forward translation of the tibia. Because of the high biomechanical stresses placed on this muscle group, it often is strained, resulting in a buildup of scar tissue in the muscle. The scar tissue may restrict ROM and prolong the healing process or predispose the athlete to reinjury. Cupping therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) are both used by clinicians to break up these adhesions and thus increase hamstring flexibility. The purpose of this study is to directly compare the effects of cupping therapy and IASTM on hamstring flexibility in healthy individuals. If both interventions result in similar scores, cupping therapy can be considered more effective in clinical application due to its comparatively lower cost and clinician time commitment. There was no significant difference in active AKE scores over time for either treatment group. There were also no significant differences in active AKE scores between the two treatment groups. Because there were no significant differences in AKE scores between the two groups, we must conclude that cupping is not more effective than IASTM at increasing active AKE scores

EMG Activity of Accessory Muscles of Breathing during Recovery Positions

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide between 2020 and 2030. Signs and symptoms of this disease can be debilitating, however techniques can be taught to decrease impairments. Suggested techniques for pulmonary recovery consist of supporting the upper extremities, supporting the head and leaning forward. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of recovery positions on the EMG activation of accessory muscles of respiration to decipher which recovery position is the most ideal for COPD patients. Fourteen healthy adults over the age of eighteen were recruited for this study. Bilateral EMG surface electrodes were placed on the accessory muscles of breathing including upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major (clavicular head), serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi. The subjects were randomly assigned a series of four different experimental positions: control position with the hands at the sides, standing with hands overhead, leaning forward with hands on knees and sitting with forearms and hands supported by a table. In each position, EMG activity was collected during three separate trials of maximal inspiration and maximal expiration. Results indicated a significantly higher level of bilateral EMG activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior in the hands on head position and of the latissimus dorsi during the hands on knees position. In conclusion, standing with hands on head and standing with hands on knees are two positions that are significantly advantageous for activating respiratory accessory muscles and could be utilized by COPD patients during respiratory recovery

I Can Dance: Further Investigations of the Effect of Dancing Ability on Mate Value

The present research examined how being described as a dancer affects Black and White men and women’s assessed mate value in two studies. Study 1 examined evaluations of men by women and study 2 examined evaluations of women by men. Based on prior research examining how dancers are perceived and how body movements affect social perceiver’s evaluations of others, men and women described as dancers were expected to receive better ratings. Additionally, race of the individual being assessed was not expected to have any impact on mate value ratings. The results were consistent with the hypotheses. Men and women described as dancers received higher ratings than men and women described as non-dancers. Static manipulations of dancing ability also lead to evolutionary theory based evaluations of men and women

Effectiveness of Mechanical Versus Manual Traction in Reducing Cervical Radiculopathy Pain and Disability

Purpose To compare cervical traction methods and determine the most effective method for treating cervical radiculopathy to reduce pain and disability in patients aged 20-70 years old. Introduction Cervical radiculopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder resulting in pain and disability among patients seeking physical therapy services. Radicular pain arising from irritation of cervical spine nerve roots affects approximately one in every thousand individuals and the cost associated with diagnosis and treatment for this condition places a substantial burden on the healthcare system. The estimated non-operative cost to an average patient is $1,143 and is often accompanied by up to 10 months lost at work

A delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) polymorphism may modify the relationship of low-level lead exposure to uricemia and renal function: the normative aging study.

In this study we investigated whether a known delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) exon 4 polymorphism has a modifying effect on the association of blood or bone lead level with uricemia and indices of renal function among middle-aged and elderly men. We performed a cross-sectional study of subjects who participated between 1991 and 1995 in the Department of Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study. Information on blood lead levels, bone lead levels (measured by K-shell X-ray fluorescence), serum uric acid, serum creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, and ALAD polymorphism status was available in 709 subjects. Regression models were constructed to examine the relationships of serum uric acid, serum creatinine, and estimated creatinine clearance to blood or bone lead level, stratified by genotype. We also adjusted for age, body mass index, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, and ingestion of analgesic medications (n = 638). Of the 709 subjects, 7 (1%) and 107 (15%) were homozygous and heterozygous for the variant (ALAD-2) allele, respectively. The mean (range) serum uric acid and creatinine levels were 6.5 (2.9-10.6) and 1.2 (0.6-2.5) mg/dL. No significant differences were found in serum uric acid, serum creatinine, or estimated creatinine clearance by ALAD genotype. However, after adjusting for other potential confounders, we found a significant linear relationship between serum uric acid and patella bone lead (p = 0.040) among the ALAD 1-2/2-2 genotype individuals above a threshold patellar lead level of 15 micro g/g. In contrast, among the wild-type (ALAD 1-1) individuals, there was a suggestion of a significant linear relationship of serum uric acid with patella bone lead (p = 0.141), but only after a threshold of 101 micro g/g. There was evidence of a significant (p = 0.025) interaction of tibia lead with genotype (ALAD 1-1 vs. ALAD 1-2/2-2) regarding serum creatinine as an outcome, but in the same linear regression model tibia lead alone was not a significant predictor of serum creatinine. Conversely, for estimated creatinine clearance, patella lead, but not the interaction of patella lead with genotype, was a significantly independent predictor (p = 0.026). Our findings suggest that ALAD genotype may modify the effect of lead on the renal excretion of uric acid as well as overall renal function among middle-aged and elderly men who had community (nonoccupational) exposures to lead. Additional research is needed to ascertain whether this constitutes a true gene-environment interaction and, if so, its clinical impact

Storage and Handling of High Moisture Co-Products from Ethanol Production in Beef Operations—Feed Specialist and Veterinarian Study

The use of corn co-products in beef feeding operations has greatly increased over recent years because of the booming ethanol industry; however, little is known about efficient transportation, storage, and handling of the product. Problems associated with these areas cost beef producer’s time and money. In an effort to find out more information, 164 surveys were sent out to veterinarians and feed specialists throughout the state of Iowa to identify the transportation, storage, and handling procedures, trends, and problems associated with the use of co-products as a feed ingredient. The results of the surveys conclude that various types of co-products are used throughout the beef industry, and the methods of transporting, storing, and handling them varies greatly. Additionally, the quality and physical characteristics of the co-products challenge the mixing and storability of the co-product. With this, standards for co-products grading and spoilage determination are two major recommendations resulting from this study

A randomized controlled trial of pharmacist-led therapeutic carbohydrate and energy restriction in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be treated, and sometimes reversed, with dietary interventions; however, strategies to implement these interventions while addressing medication changes are lacking. We conducted a 12-week pragmatic, community-based parallel-group randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03181165) evaluating the effect of a low-carbohydrate (<50 g), energy-restricted diet (~850-1100 kcal/day; Pharm-TCR; n = 98) compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 90), delivered by community pharmacists, on glucose-lowering medication use, cardiometabolic health, and health-related quality of life. The Pharm-TCR intervention was effective in reducing the need for glucose-lowering medications through complete discontinuation of medications (35.7%; n = 35 vs. 0%; n = 0 in TAU; p < 0.0001) and reduced medication effect score compared to TAU. These reductions occurred concurrently with clinically meaningful improvements in hemoglobin A1C, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and triglycerides (all p < 0.0001). These data indicate community pharmacists are a viable and innovative option for implementing short-term nutritional interventions for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly when medication management is a safety concern

Interactions among climate, topography and herbivory control greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4 and N2O) fluxes in a subarctic coastal wetland

High-latitude ecosystems are experiencing the most rapid climate changes globally, and in many areas these changes are concurrent with shifts in patterns of herbivory. Individually, climate and herbivory are known to influence biosphere-atmosphere greenhouse gas (GHG) exchange; however, the interactive effects of climate and herbivory in driving GHG fluxes have been poorly quantified, especially in coastal systems that support large populations of migratory waterfowl. We investigated the magnitude and the climatic and physical controls of GHG exchange within the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska across four distinct vegetation communities formed by herbivory and local microtopography. Net CO2 flux was greatest in the ungrazed Carex meadow community (3.97 ± 0.58 [SE] µmol CO2 m−2 s−1), but CH4 flux was greatest in the grazed community (14.00 ± 6.56 nmol CH4 m−2 s−1). The grazed community is also the only vegetation type where CH4 was a larger contributor than CO2 to overall GHG forcing. We found that vegetation community was an important predictor of CO2 and CH4 exchange, demonstrating that variation in regional gas exchange is best explained when the effect of grazing, determined by the difference between grazed and ungrazed communities, is included. Further, we identified an interaction between temperature and vegetation community, indicating that grazed regions could experience the greatest increases in CH4 emissions with warming. These results suggest that future GHG fluxes could be influenced by both climate and by changes in herbivore population dynamics that expand or contract the vegetation community most responsive to future temperature change