A Regional Assessment of Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Caloosahatchee River, Florida

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Physical activity and sedentary behaviour and their associations with clinical measures in axial spondyloarthritis

Engaging in physical activity (PA) is a key aspect in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), however, its relationship with clinical measures is unknown. Previous research has mainly focused on subjective methods of measuring PA and sedentary behaviour (SB). The aim of this study was to explore the associations between objectively measured PA and SB with clinical measures in people with established axial SpA. Fifty participants were recruited from secondary-care rheumatology outpatient services in Glasgow, UK. Clinical measures collected included; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL) and the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). PA and SB were measured using the activPAL3 tri-axial accelerometer. Data from forty-five participants were included (23 males, average age 49 ± 12 years). Participants accumulated an average of 93.2 ± 41.5 min/day walking with an average of 7200 ± 3397 steps/day. The majority of the day (65%) was spent sitting, accumulated in prolonged bouts. Walking time and steps taken/day were associated with better BASFI (r = − 0.395, p = 0.007 and r = − 0.404, p = 0.006), ASQOL (r = − 0.375, p = 0.011 and r = − 0.361, p = 0.015) and 6MWT (r = 0.396, p = 0.007 and r = 0.421, p = 0.004); while longer walking events were associated with better BASMI (rho = − 0.352, p = 0.018), BASFI (rho = − 0.316, p = 0.034) and 6MWT (rho = 0.404, p = 0.006). SB was associated with worse ASQOL (r = 0.380, p = 0.010) and 6MWT (6MWT, r = − 0.357, p = 0.016). In people with axial SpA PA is associated with better function, exercise capacity and spinal mobility, while SB is associated with lower exercise capacity and poor quality of life. These findings support the promotion of PA and reduction of SB in people with axial SpA

Chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for acute community-acquired infections in high-income countries: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the association of predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the incidence of acute, community-acquired infections. DESIGN: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases (inception to 16 January 2014) for studies analysing the association of predialysis kidney disease with the incidence of acute, community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI), lower respiratory tract or central nervous system infections or sepsis. Studies were required to include at least 30 participants with and without kidney disease. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community-based populations of adults in high-income countries. OUTCOME MEASURES: Acute, community-acquired UTI, lower respiratory tract or central nervous system infections or sepsis. RESULTS: We identified 14 eligible studies. Estimates from two studies lacked 95% CIs and SEs. The remaining 12 studies yielded 17 independent effect estimates. Only three studies included infections managed in the community. Quality assessment revealed that probable misclassification of kidney disease status and poor adjustment for confounding were common. There was evidence from a few large high-quality studies of a graded association between predialysis CKD stage and hospitalisation for infection. One study found an interaction with age, with a declining effect of CKD on infection risk as age increased. There was evidence of between-studies heterogeneity (I(2)=96.5%, p<0.001) which persisted in subgroup analysis, and thus meta-analysis was not performed. CONCLUSIONS: Predialysis kidney disease appears to be associated with increased risk of severe infection. Whether predialysis kidney disease increases the susceptibility to infections and whether age modifies this association remains unclear

The Fruitcake Capital of the World

Two different fruitcake companies in the same small town are discussed and their widely different strategies are presented. Each of the entrepreneurs began working with a “master baker” as little boys but later followed different paths to develop a successful fruitcake business. A brief history of the fruitcake is offered as evidence that the product has been around for hundreds of years and will likely not go away anytime soon in spite of the ridicule and humor that has surrounded fruitcakes during the past twenty-five years

A Cross Country Comparison of Best Practices in Recruitment and Selection

This study examines best practices in hiring related to the recruitment and selection process in English-speaking countries with an Anglo-Saxon heritage. Since such countries share a similar cultural backgrounds and histories, best practices are likely to be somewhat similar. Studies of best practices were examined in the following countries: United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. After looking at commonalities across “best practices” studies, the current investigation presents a common set of such practices in terms of usage

A Cross Country Comparison of Best Practices in Recruitment and Selection

This study examines best practices in hiring related to the recruitment and selection process in English-speaking countries with an Anglo-Saxon heritage. Since such countries share a similar cultural backgrounds and histories, best practices are likely to be somewhat similar. Studies of best practices were examined in the following countries: United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. After looking at commonalities across “best practices” studies, the current investigation presents a common set of such practices in terms of usage

The Fruitcake Capital of the World

Two different fruitcake companies in the same small town are discussed and their widely different strategies are presented. Each of the entrepreneurs began working with a “master baker” as little boys but later followed different paths to develop a successful fruitcake business. A brief history of the fruitcake is offered as evidence that the product has been around for hundreds of years and will likely not go away anytime soon in spite of the ridicule and humor that has surrounded fruitcakes during the past twenty-five years

The Well Now course:a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management

Abstract Background The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples’ lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now explores different ways of knowing, including the use and limits of body signals, like energy levels, hunger, taste and emotions and helps people keep food and behaviours in perspective by drawing attention to other factors that impact on health and wellbeing. This study undertook a service evaluation of the Well Now course to understand its acceptability for participants and its impact on diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Methods This service evaluation combined quantitative pre- and post-course measures with telephone interviews with previous attendees. Paired t-tests were used to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the intended outcomes. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with previous attendees 6–12 months after attendance to understand how participants experienced the Well Now course. Results Significant improvements were demonstrated in diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing outcomes. Medium effect sizes are demonstrated for mental wellbeing and diet quality, with smaller effect sizes shown for physical activity and food preoccupation. The weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of attendees remained stable in this timeframe. The qualitative data corroborates and extends elements of the quantitative outcomes and highlights areas of the course that may benefit from further development and improvement. The findings further indicate that the Well Now approach is largely acceptable for attendees. Conclusions Well Now’s non-judgemental holistic approach facilitates change for those who complete the course, and for those who do not. This health gain approach upholds non-maleficence and beneficence, and this is demonstrated with this service evaluation for both completers and partial completers

Generalizability Revisited: Comparing Undergraduate Business Students to Credit Union Managers

This paper looks at the use of college students in survey research. Specifically examined is the use of undergraduate business school students to generalize to adult populations of practicing managers. Some studies suggest that such generalizations are valid, while others argue that generalizations need to be undertaken with caution. The differences between particularistic research and universalistic research are discussed. The findings from a study of 69 undergraduate business majors and 67 practicing credit union managers are presented. In summary, the current study finds that the two groups are very different in terms of two well researched personality constructs: locus of control and need for achievement, hence caution should be taken when generalizing findings from one group to the other