Rapid Orthotics for CURE Kenya - Mechanical Design and Official Testing of 3D Printed Sockets

Rapid Orthotics for Cure Kenya (ROCK) collaborates with CURE, a non-profit orthopedic workshop in Kjabe, Kenya, to implement a 3D printing system for manufacturing custom prosthetics and orthotics. The goal is to reduce the production time and cost for the current transtibial sockets being manufactured in the orthotic workshop to give the patients a way to integrate into society and reduce stigma from their communities. The team designed a system for manufacturing transtibial sockets by converting a scan of the residual limb to a digital file customized by the orthopedic technicians and converted to a file to be 3D printed. The team designed a procedure to ensure the safety of the sockets within the constraints and offsets of the ISO 10328 Standard. The standard requires twelve official tests specifying the type and conditions to be conducted for the Ultimate Strength and Static Proof tests. The team has designed a testing rig that interfaces with the Materials Testing System machine at Messiah University to apply the necessary forces according to the complex geometry outlined in the standard. Additionally, research has determined the optimized 3D printing settings to increase the quality and consistency of the sockets. To smoothly institute the system developed in the orthopedic workshop, the team has developed a Training Manual outlining the step-by-step procedure for the system. Using this system, the team completed all twelve tests with a passing socket result which will contribute to determining the steps for next semester and for the summer site team trip. Funding for this work provided by The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research and by The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/engr2022/1014/thumbnail.jp

Paths to the light and dark sides of human nature : A meta-analysis of the prosocial benefits of autonomy and the antisocial costs of control

Self-determination theory (SDT) posits that experiences of autonomy lead people to be more prosocial, whereas experiences of control lead to antisocial actions. In this meta-analysis, we tested the links between autonomy and prosociality and control and antisociality, across 139 reports (167 studies) with 1,189 effect sizes (N = 75,546 participants). We used two-stage structural equation modeling including both correlational and longitudinal study designs. We found support for the hypothesized direct links between autonomy and prosociality and between control and antisociality, with cross-paths between these constructs being weaker. In line with SDT’s claims that the salutary effects of autonomy are universal, results also showed that the hypothesized links were consistent across cultures, genders, and age categories. We also reviewed emerging experimental research on the effect of autonomy-priming interventions on prosociality. To conclude, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and lay out an agenda for future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved

The Effects of Heat Acclimatization, Heat Acclimation, and Intermittent Heat Training on Maximal Oxygen Uptake

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is an important determinant of endurance performance. Heat acclimation/acclimatization (HA/HAz) strategies elicit improvements in endurance performance. When heat exposure is reduced, intermittent heat training (IHT) is potentially beneficial to alleviate HA/HAz adaptation decay, however corresponding VO2max responses are unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of HA/HAz and IHT on VO2max in endurance runners and identify how long VO2max adaptations remain following removal of repeated heat exposure. METHODS: Twenty-seven male endurance runners (mean ± SD; age, 36 ± 12 years; body mass, 73.03 ± 8.97 kg; height, 178.81 ± 6.39 cm; VO2max, 57.48 ± 7.03 ml.kg-1.min-1) completed VO2max and exercise testing at five time points; baseline, pre-HA, post-HA, week 4 of IHT (IHT4), and week 8 of IHT (IHT8). Exercise testing and HA environmental conditions were the same (ambient temperature, 35.42 ± 1.06°C; relative humidity, 46.35 ± 2.48%). Following baseline testing, participants completed HAz, proceeded by 5 days of HA involving exercise to induce hyperthermia (38.50 - 39.50°C) for 60 minutes. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three IHT groups: once weekly (n = 9), twice weekly (n = 10), or no IHT (n = 8). Differences in VO2max and maximal heart rate at VO2max (HRmax) for baseline, pre-HA, post-HA, IHT4, and IHT8 were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni corrections post-hoc. RESULTS: No significant VO2max differences were observed between baseline (57.92 ± 6.82 ml.kg-1.min-1), pre-HA (59.65 ± 8.24 ml.kg-1.min-1), and post-HA (59.49 ± 7.18 ml.kg-1.min-1, p = 0.36). No significant group or time effects were identified for VO2max at post-HA, IHT4, and IHT8 (p = 0.67). However, significant HRmax differences were observed between baseline (180 ± 11 beats.min-1), pre-HA (177 ± 10 beats.min-1), and post-HA tests (175 ± 10 beats.min-1, p = 0.01). No significant group or time HRmax differences were shown for post-HA, IHT4, and IHT8 (p = 0.59). CONCLUSION: No changes in VO2max were identified among endurance runners following HA/HAz, potentially due to participants’ high aerobic fitness levels. As IHT maintained VO2max following 8 weeks without repeated heat exposure, it is potentially a beneficial strategy to minimize VO2max adaptation decay in endurance athletes

AKT isoforms have distinct hippocampal expression and roles in synaptic plasticity.

AKT is a kinase regulating numerous cellular processes in the brain, and mutations in AKT are known to affect brain function. AKT is indirectly implicated in synaptic plasticity, but its direct role has not been studied. Moreover, three highly related AKT isoforms are expressed in the brain, but their individual roles are poorly understood. We find in Mus musculus, each AKT isoform has a unique expression pattern in the hippocampus, with AKT1 and AKT3 primarily in neurons but displaying local differences, while AKT2 is in astrocytes. We also find isoform-specific roles for AKT in multiple paradigms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in area CA1. AKT1, but not AKT2 or AKT3, is required for L-LTP through regulating activity-induced protein synthesis. Interestingly, AKT activity inhibits mGluR-LTD, with overlapping functions for AKT1 and AKT3. In summary, our studies identify distinct expression patterns and roles in synaptic plasticity for AKT isoforms in the hippocampus

Current and Future Implications of COVID-19 among Youth Wheelchair Users: 24-Hour Activity Behavior.

Preventative measures taken worldwide to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 have had a tremendous impact on youth. Following social restrictions, youth with and without physical disabilities are engaging in less physical activity, more increased sedentary behavior, and poor sleep habits. Specifically, youth wheelchair users (YWU) are likely disproportionately affected by COVID- 19 and have a higher risk of contraction due to underlying comorbidities. While we cannot control all of the negative long-term implications of COVID-19 for YWU, participation in positive 24-h activity behaviors can decrease chronic disease risk and the likelihood of long-term complications resulting from infection. This commentary is to extend the discourse on the importance of 24-h activity behaviors by focusing on YWU. Specifically, we discuss the importance of chronic disease prevention, provide a brief overview of 24-h activity behaviors, and outline some of the lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.N/

A Scoping Review: Overview of Current Respectful Maternity Care Research by Research Approach and Study Location

Introduction: Disrespectful care during childbirth contributes to poor health outcomes, perpetuates disparities, and encourages childbirth outside of healthcare facilities. To measure disrespectful care, investigators use many research approaches. Most research has focused on low/low-middle income countries. This scoping review aims to 1) summarize current research and research approaches to analyze whether these approaches identify the same types of mistreatment and 2) identify gaps in current research analyzing disrespectful care during childbirth. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, this review utilized search terms to filter articles from the Pubmed database. Using specific criteria, articles were then excluded by title and abstract, then full article review. Included articles were organized by research approach and analyzed for study location and the presence of 9 types of mistreatment. Results: 102 included articles were organized by research approach, including direct labor observation, survey, interview, and focus groups, yielding 144 total studies to account for articles with more than one research approach. Each research approach identified all 9 types of mistreatment, with neglect/abandonment, verbal mistreatment, and physical mistreatment reported the most. Low-income countries represented 134/144 studies, with most research centered in East Africa and India. High-income countries represented only 7% of research. Discussion: This review is the first to organize current respectful maternity care research by research approach and study location. Analysis of study location shows gaps in research, particularly among high-income countries. Further research, particularly in high-income countries, is necessary to better this global health concern

Effects of Single and Integrated Water, Sanitation, Handwashing, and Nutrition Interventions on Child Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Giardia infections: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural Kenya

Helminth and protozoan infections affect more than 1 billion children globally. Improving water quality, sanitation, handwashing, and nutrition could be more sustainable control strategies for parasite infections than mass drug administration, while providing other quality of life benefits

Happy feet in a hostile world? The future of penguins depends on proactive management of current and expected threats

Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in the context of climate change, habitat degradation, introduced exotic species and resource competition with fisheries, successful conservation outcomes will require new and unprecedented levels of science and advocacy. Successful conservation stories of penguin species across their geographical range have occurred where there has been concerted effort across local, national and international boundaries to implement effective conservation planning.This work was supported by the WWF-UK and PEW Foundation. SJ is supported by NSF OPP PICA #1643901

CANDELS: The progenitors of compact quiescent galaxies at z~2

We combine high-resolution HST/WFC3 images with multi-wavelength photometry to track the evolution of structure and activity of massive (log(M*) > 10) galaxies at redshifts z = 1.4 - 3 in two fields of the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS). We detect compact, star-forming galaxies (cSFGs) whose number densities, masses, sizes, and star formation rates qualify them as likely progenitors of compact, quiescent, massive galaxies (cQGs) at z = 1.5 - 3. At z > 2 most cSFGs have specific star-formation rates (sSFR = 10^-9 yr^-1) half that of typical, massive SFGs at the same epoch, and host X-ray luminous AGN 30 times (~30%) more frequently. These properties suggest that cSFGs are formed by gas-rich processes (mergers or disk-instabilities) that induce a compact starburst and feed an AGN, which, in turn, quench the star formation on dynamical timescales (few 10^8 yr). The cSFGs are continuously being formed at z = 2 - 3 and fade to cQGs by z = 1.5. After this epoch, cSFGs are rare, thereby truncating the formation of new cQGs. Meanwhile, down to z = 1, existing cQGs continue to enlarge to match local QGs in size, while less-gas-rich mergers and other secular mechanisms shepherd (larger) SFGs as later arrivals to the red sequence. In summary, we propose two evolutionary scenarios of QG formation: an early (z > 2), fast-formation path of rapidly-quenched cSFGs that evolve into cQGs that later enlarge within the quiescent phase, and a slow, late-arrival (z < 2) path for SFGs to form QGs without passing through a compact state.Comment: Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Letters, 6 pages, 4 figure