Following the Calling

In the 116-year history of Gardner-Webb University, numerous faculty pioneers have engineered components of campus life and curriculum. One of those influential professors is Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Lamb, dean emeritus of the M. Christopher White School of Divinity.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3280/thumbnail.jp

Professor Emeritus Began Teaching at Gardner-Webb in 1967 When First Baccalaureate Class Were Freshmen

Dr. Robert Morgan, professor emeritus of French and mathematics, first arrived at Gardner-Webb in 1967. Having previously taught at a high school, then Wingate Junior College, he shared that the shift to senior college at Gardner-Webb only made sense. “I was so happy!” he said quite emphatically. Laughing, he continued, “I was probably one of the most excited people about our becoming a senior college, because I had just come to Gardner-Webb when the ones who ultimately got a baccalaureate in ‘71 were freshman students, so that made a wonderful time to be there.”https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3243/thumbnail.jp

Gardner-Webb Community Remembers the Life of Dr. Bob Lamb, 91, Dean Emeritus of the School of Divinity

In the 116-year history of Gardner-Webb University, numerous faculty pioneers have engineered components of campus life and curriculum. One of those influential professors, Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Lamb, dean emeritus of the M. Christopher White School of Divinity, passed away on Oct. 19, 2021.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3304/thumbnail.jp

Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance and Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Patients Treated with Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: Predictors and Clinically Correlated Evidence of Neuroplasticity

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy is characterized by unilateral upper limb impairment and patients often compensate by performing most tasks with their unaffected arm. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) directly combats this learned non-use by casting the unaffected arm and forcing the patient to repetitively practice skills with the hemiplegic limb. Subjects with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were recruited from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Thames Valley Children’s Centre and McMaster Children’s Hospital. MRI acquisitions and clinical evaluations were collected at baseline, 1 and 6-months later. The case group participated in a CIMT camp after baseline evaluations and was compared to an untreated control group. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquisitions quantify global network organization and neural integrity, respectively, and found alterations in multiple resting state network connectivity patterns and significantly different fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in the affected corticospinal tract. Asymmetric baseline sensorimotor network organization was predictive of a positive and continuous functional response to CIMT. Clinically correlated network reorganization provides further evidence of neuroplastic mechanisms related to CIMT

Diffusion and Functional MRI of the Brain Following Sports-Related Impacts and Concussion

Concussion is a prevalent injury associated with contact sports, however the underlying brain changes associated with concussion remain poorly understood. Therefore it is critical to (a) understand the complex sequelae that underlie concussion, (b) when or if the brain recovers, and (c) if there are brain changes associated with contact sports in general. Advanced imaging techniques may be sensitive to changes that persist beyond relatively prompt symptom recovery and clearance to return to play. Resting state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data was acquired on the 3T at Robarts Research Institute from healthy and concussed athletes from three separate cohorts. Healthy male hockey players were compared to longitudinal data acquired from concussed peers participating in Bantam-level hockey at 24-72 hours and 3 months after the injury. There were alterations in diffusion measures along multiple tracts with the largest significant decreases located along the superior longitudinal fasciculus at both times post-concussion. DTI tractography was used to relate diffusion changes with acute changes in functional connectivity. At 3 months post-concussion, network and regional connectivity analysis revealed compensatory functional hyperconnectivity patterns based on correlations with clinical symptoms and diffusion data. Longitudinal imaging data was acquired from concussed female rugby players post-concussion (at 24-72 hours, 3 and 6 months after injury) and compared to non-concussed teammates throughout the in- and off-season. Using a data-driven linked independent component analysis we observed acute disruptions in diffusion metrics inferiorly along the brainstem that recovered by 3 months post-concussion. However, we also observed long-lasting signatures that reflect co-varying alterations in brain microstructure and functional connectivity that related to the number of self-reported concussions. Based on these findings it appears that concussion initiates both acute and persistent changes to central white matter structures with subtle changes in functional connectivity. Given these findings, we acquired data from varsity-level female swimmers and rowers that were also scanned during the in- and off-season in order to directly compare with healthy rugby players and rule out the effects of high-level competitive exercise. We used accelerometers to quantify head rotational accelerations in a subset of the rowers and rugby players to confirm the number and magnitude of subclinical impacts. We quantified DTI alterations along major white matter tracts in contact compared to non-contact athletes that were in the opposite direction of our concussion findings. Diffusion changes within the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum were related to a history of concussion. Fluctuations in brainstem diffusion parameters between the in- and off-season as well as functional hyperconnectivity patterns within the default mode and medial visual networks were observed in contact athletes only. Together, these studies suggest that concussions result in an acute set of symptoms and microstructural brain changes. Despite quick resolution of symptoms, evidence of persistent axonal disruption exists at 3 and 6 months post-concussion and well-beyond symptomatic recovery. While functional hyperconnectivity may be one mechanism that allows the brain to function despite these disruptions, concussion may also compromise neuroprotective microstructural changes that protect the young, healthy brain throughout years of contact play. It remains to be seen if the brain changes associated with contact play and concussions are directly related to later risks of neurodegenerative processes

Student To Hold Release Party For Second Novel

Gardner-Webb University Senior Jen Guberman will host a release party and autograph signing for her second book, Fortitude, on April 6 in Gardner-Webb’s Tucker Student Center lobby, beginning at 6:30 p.m. A meet and greet, book signing, raffle, photo booth and pudding bar will be included in the festivities.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1448/thumbnail.jp

A facility-based therapeutic group programme versus usual care for weight loss in obese patients attending a district hospital in the Cape Metropole

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.The primary aim of this research was to compare the impact of a six-week facility-based therapeutic group (FBTG) programme with that of usual care on weight loss and reduction in BMI in obese patients with one or more risk factors for the development of NCDs or existing NCDs, attending a district hospital in the Cape Metropole

A scoping review of the needs of children and young people with acquired brain injuries and their families

Understanding the needs of children and young people (CYP) with acquired brain injuries (ABI) isessential in delivering pathways of care and providing effective rehabilitation.Aim: To identify relevant literature and key themes relating to the nature and extent of needs (met,unmet or unrecognized) of CYP with ABI and their families.Method: Scoping review. Sixteen electronic bibliographic databases were searched using terms relating tochildren, brain injury and need. Papers were screened against eligibility criteria by two independentreviewers. No date limits were applied. Data were extracted by the lead author regarding the needs ofCYP with ABI and their families and thematic analysis conducted to identify the key themes. Methodologicalquality was not assessed.Results: A total of 28 articles were identified including three systematic reviews, one scoping review,two practice recommendation articles, and 22 original research studies. Participants included CYP withABI, parents, siblings, and professionals. Four key themes were identified; CYP-related impairment needs,support needs, return to school and long-term aftercare.Conclusion: CYP with ABI and their families report extensive needs, many of which are often unmet orunrecognized by those supporting the CYP. Needs transcend the health, social care, and education domains

Stability for hyperbolic groups acting on boundary spheres

A hyperbolic group G acts by homeomorphisms on its Gromov boundary. We show that if $\partial G$ is a topological n–sphere, the action is topologically stable in the dynamical sense: any nearby action is semi-conjugate to the standard boundary action

Health-related quality of life in a PD-First programme in South Africa

Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, offers a PD-First policy as a result of haemodialysis (HD) restrictions and resource limitations. This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between HD and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, given the lack of autonomy in modality choice and the socio-economic challenges. This single-centre, cross-sectional study was performed between July 2015 and December 2016. Demographic, socio-economic variables and perceptions of safety were collected. HRQOL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM) version 1.3. All data were compared between the two dialysis modalities; 77 HD and 33 PD patients were included in the study and there were no significant differences in demographics. Median age was 42.5 years (IQR: 32.4–48.6) and 57.3% were female. HD patients had less pain (P = 0.036), better emotional well-being (P = 0.020) and a better energy/fatigue score (P = 0.015). Both cohorts experienced role-limitations due to physical health with PD being more affected overall (P = 0.05). The only significant symptom in the kidney domain was that PD patients experienced more shortness of breath (P < 0.001). Patients in both groups had very poor socio-economic circumstances, and safety within their communities was a major concern. The patients in our dialysis service have very challenging social circumstances. Those on PD scored worse in four HRQOL domains, possibly due to a lack of autonomy in dialysis modality choice and less frequent contact with dialysis staff. Additional psychological and social support needs to be instituted to help improve our patients’ well-being on PD