HOLLOW Mn3O4 NANOPARTICLES FOR CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ALKENES IN AIR

Oxidized hydrocarbons (epoxides, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, and aldehydes) have many uses including fuel production, pollution treatment, and chemical synthesis. These compounds can be formed by oxidizing alkenes and alkanes with the assistance of a catalyst. Heterogeneous catalysts have greater recyclability, but traditionally have lower activity and selectivity. Due to the increased relative surface area, nanomaterials can overcome some of the physical limitations. The Hoefelmeyer lab developed a new nanomaterial: hollow Mn3O4 nanoparticles. Sensitive synthetic conditions have been optimized. Due to the increased relative number of edge and corner atoms, the reactive properties of most small nanomaterials increase. Because of the catalytic nature of bulk manganese oxides, the catalytic properties of the new particles with unique morphology are being tested. The hollow structure may provide more active sites due to increased surface area with an internal cavity potentially available for catalytic sites. Preliminary investigation of oxidative catalysis with a select few alkenes: cyclohexene, trans-stilbene, and toluene shows some promise

Peer Modeling vs. Teacher Modeling for the Inclusive Preschool Classroom

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of peer modeling versus teacher modeling for students with special needs within the inclusive preschool setting. Data was collected for three different developmental areas for students with special needs: social emotional, language, and cognitive abilities. The data gathered determined that both peer modeling and teacher modeling are effective teaching strategies for students with special needs, but it is unclear whether one strategy is more efficient than the other is. Preschool is the foundation for a child\u27s education and teachers need research-based strategies to implement quality instruction for students with special needs. Therefore, teachers need to fully delve into each child\u27s ability levels and implement the modeling approach that would best fit the children\u27s needs within their current classroom

The Prevalence of Lower Extremity Non-Contact Injuries in Athletic Populations in Relation to Measured Ankle Dorsiflexion

Context: Ankle dorsiflexion is the degree to which the dorsal aspect of the foot can be brought closer in relation to the shin. Restricted ankle dorsiflexion can cause altered biomechanics and loading patterns, which can lead to injury from over-compensation in movement patterns. Limited ankle dorsiflexion alters frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics and has been hypothesized to contribute to common lower extremity injuries. The weight-bearing lunge test is a simple clinical evaluation test that can measure the range of ankle dorsiflexion. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between restricted range of motion with ankle dorsiflexion and lower extremity injuries. We hypothesized restricted range of motion at the ankle would lead to increased stress on other joints resulting in chronic stress injuries. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Athletic training clinic at a mid-west NAIA institution. Participants: One-hundred forty-eight college athletes (104 males and 44 females; age = 19.32 ± 1.21 years, height = 69.64 ± 4.89 inches, mass = 81.39 ± 18.57 kg) who were all fall sport athletes (football, N=70; women’s volleyball, N=17; men’s soccer, N=34 and women’s soccer, N=27) were the participants of this study. Some athletes were excluded from the study if they had suffered a lower extremity injury in the previous year. Main Outcome Measures: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured using the weight-bearing lunge test; lower extremity noncontact injuries recorded via The Athletic Trainer System®. Results: Results were calculated using T-Tests via IBM SPSS® software. There was a total of 25 injured and 123 uninjured athletes. There was no statistical significance in ankle dorsiflexion between recorded injured and uninjured participants (p = 0.817). The average dorsiflexion for injured participants = 41.01° ± 6.28°. The average for uninjured = 41.85° ± 6.76°. Asymmetry between left and right ankle when compared to injured (2.1° ± 1.63°) vs. uninjured (2.49° ± 1.92°) was not significance (p = 0.290). Conclusion: There was no significant data to assume correlation or causation between restricted ankle dorsiflexion measured via the weight-bearing lunge test and increased risk of lower extremity noncontact injury. Lack of significance comparing asymmetry between left and right leg in both injured and uninjured groups provided further support for this conclusion

Énée face à Didon (Énéide IV, 333-361)

Au livre IV de l’Énéide, Virgile donne au récit de la rupture entre Didon et Énée la forme dramatique. Trois discours s’y succèdent : un premier discours de Didon juste après qu’elle vient d’apprendre par des voies détournées (la « Rumeur », « Fama ») les préparatifs d’Énée pour quitter Carthage et mettre le cap sur l’Italie, discours dans lequel elle clame toute sa colère et le supplie de renoncer à son projet (305-330) ; la réponse d’Énée qui rejette les reproches de Didon et justifie son d..

Using the Home-Underdog Theory to Test the Efficiency of the NFL Sports Gambling Market

NFL sports gambling markets are efficient if one strategy is not consistently profitable year after year. The analysis in this paper examines the efficient market hypothesis using the home-underdog theory. The data were collected for home-underdogs for the last 10 NFL seasons. Important filters were applied to examine potential variations of the home-underdog theory that may be profitable. There was no variation of the home-underdog theory that was consistently profitable year after year. There were 5 different variations that were profitable in the 10 years, but they were not profitable every year. The results provide evidence that the NFL sports gambling markets are efficient. Strategies that are profitable one year will not be in other years as sportsbooks become more aware of them

The Effects of Cannabinoids on Individuals with Chronic Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Context: As of 2020, cannabis has been legalized for medicinal purposes in 33 states and the District of Columbia1. The most common reason for the use of medicinal cannabis treatments is chronic pain1,2. Within the cannabis plant there are two main components; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Because of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids and the fight against the opioid epidemic, there has been an increase in research of the effects of THC and CBD on patients experiencing chronic pain1,2,3. Objective: As the growth of this treatment method continues to increase, the need for more data and research becomes more crucial. Therefore, there was a need to critically appraise the literature regarding the effects of cannabinoids and/or cannabis on chronic pain. In doing this, important insight into the use of this treatment in clinical practice for patients suffering from chronic pain may be found. Results: Although high-quality studies, there was no conclusive evidence to show that cannabinoids and/or cannabis are effective in producing analgesic effects in individuals suffering from chronic pain. Three of the studies concluded that there was no significant difference between the cannabis treatment group(s) and the placebo group1,2,4. The fourth study concluded that using a Syqe inhaler with low doses of cannabis showed pain relief, indicating that this form of administration of the drug could be beneficial3. Conclusion: Based on the inconclusiveness of the selected studies, determining the effectiveness of cannabis and/or cannabinoids on chronic pain cannot be achieved. Further studies involving larger patient populations over a longer period of time need to be performed

The Assessment of Quad to Quad and Hamstring to Quad Ratios in Patients Twelve to Twenty-Four Months Post Completion of a Supervised Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Program

Context: The assessment of quadriceps to quadriceps (Q-Q) and hamstring to quadriceps (H-Q) ratios following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an important factor for returning to sport. Significant differences in these ratios can result in reinjury. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess Q-Q and H-Q ratios in collegiate athletes who have undergone ACL reconstruction and have successfully completed a supervised physical therapy program in the last 12-24 months and compare the results to established normative return to play guidelines (Q-Q = 90% and H-Q = 60%). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Midwest outpatient physical therapy clinic. Patients or Other Participants: Four collegiate athletes (2 females and 2 males; age range = 19-21). Inclusion criteria included a previous ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft and completion of a supervised physical therapy program in the past 12-24 months. Methods: Isokinetic strength measurement and peak torque values of knee flexion and extension between injured and uninjured legs using the Humac Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer by CSMI. The Q-Q and H-Q ratios were calculated using raw data. Main Outcome Measures: Q-Q and H-Q Ratios Results: Subject 1: Q-Q = 97%, H-Q = 62%; Subject 2: Q-Q = 109%, H-Q = 65%; Subject 3: Q-Q = 110%, H-Q = 61%; Subject 4: Q-Q = 113%, H-Q = 77%. Conclusions: Results indicate that each of the subjects met return to play normative values. Due to the small number of participants, further research is needed to discover any true discrepancies

The Effect of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion on Lower Extremity Injuries

Context: The weight-bearing lunge test is an effective method in determining the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion. Despite the lack of research for this test it does have good inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify baseline data for athletes and observe the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion measurements and non-contact lower extremity injuries. Ankle dorsiflexion can be defined as the degree as to which the dorsal portion of the foot can be brought closer to the tibia. A lack of ankle dorsiflexion can cause varied biomechanics and loading patterns which can lead to overcompensation resulting in possible injury. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion on the presence of non-contact lower extremity injuries. We hypothesized that those who have a decreased ankle dorsiflexion ROM are at a greater risk of experiencing a non-contact lower extremity injury. Design: Prospective Cohort Study. Setting: Athletic Training Clinic at a mid-west NAIA institution. Patients or Other Participants: We tested a total of 315 athletes, college-aged students (122 females and 194 males; aged range = 17-23). Methods: Prior to the competitive sports season (fall 2019) ankle dorsiflexion ROM was recorded using the weight-bearing lunge test on 315 healthy college athletes. Participants measured for this study participated in football (n=117), men’s soccer (n=31), women’s soccer (n=28), women’s volleyball (n=26), co-ed cross country (n=36), co-ed cheerleading (n=20), dance team (n=7), women’s basketball (n=21), and wrestling (n=26). The Clinometer smart phone app was used to measure ankle dorsiflexion during the test. The smartphone was placed at 5 cm below the tibial tuberosity as the participant performed the lunge. Participants performed the weight-bearing lunge test three times on each leg and the average angle of the three trials was used for the data analysis. Athletes who had experienced a lower extremity injury in the previous six months were excluded from the study. The weight-bearing lunge test has been shown to have good intra-rater reliability (ICC =.712-.973; p=.036-Main Outcome Measures: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion using the weight-bearing lunge test and non-contact lower extremity injuries. Results: Results were calculated using T-Tests using IBM SPSS software. There was a total of 38 injured and 237 uninjured athletes. There was no statistically significant (p = .656 ) in average ankle dorsiflexion between participants that were recorded as injured (42.30°) vs. Uninjured (46.69°). The correlation for asymmetry between the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion on the right leg vs. left leg between the injured (3.12°) vs. uninjured (9.48°) participants was also not statistically significant (p = .497) Conclusion: This study uses the weight-bearing lunge test to measure ankle dorsiflexion in the collegiate athletic population to find normative data. This normative data was used to determine if restricted ankle dorsiflexion caused an increased risk of lower extremity injuries. Our data showed no significant correlation between restricted ankle dorsiflexion and risk of injury to the lower extremities. There was also a lack of significance comparing asymmetry between the left and right leg in both injured and uninjured groups. Further research is needed to determine if restricted ankle dorsiflexion, measured with the weight-bearing lunge test, does or does not cause an increased risk of lower extremity injuries in the athletic population