Cognitive Effects of Combined Physical and Mental Exercise: Interactive vs. Synchronous

Many high quality randomized clinical trials have now clarified the strong relationship between exercise and cognition (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003). A growing area of exercise research has been focused on the effects of “exergaming” on cognitive function. Exergaming provides an individual with the ability to physically interact with a virtual environment (O’Leary et al., 2011). Recent research has shown an added cognitive benefit of interactive mental and physical exercise, when using a virtual reality-enhanced stationary bike. It is unclear whether interactivity is required, or if added cognitive benefit is simply from doing two things at the same time and reaping extra benefit. This study randomly assigned participants to one of three conditions: 1) interactive mental and physical exercise (cybercycling), 2) synchronized mental and physical exercise (watching an educational TV program while pedaling), or 3) mental exercise only. Thirty participants engaged in an acute exercise bout and completed neuropsychological tests of executive function, pre and post exercise. Participants were characterized as fit or unfit by the exercise history questionnaire (McAuley et al., 2011). There was a significant effect of combined physical and mental exercise with fit participants on executive function as measured by the Color Trails Difference scores, F(1,21) = 4.98, p \u3c 0.05, such that participants who engaged in either the interactive or synchronized condition had a larger improvement in executive function (M = -2.90) compared to the mental exercise group (M = 9.61). The negative mean indicates that the participants performed faster on the post-test. These findings suggest that interactive or synchronized exercise, is more beneficial than mental exercise alone. However, more research is needed to clarify if there really is a difference between interactive and synchronized exercise. A larger sample size may reveal if there is a difference, which was not able to be detected here

The Use of Experiential Marketing in the Wine Industry of Paso Robles Wine Country to Build Brand and Educate Wine Buyers

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance hosted a buyer’s retreat November 2-4, 2014. The buyer’s retreat consisted of business/restaurant owners coming to Paso Robles for three days of seminars, tastings, tours, etc. about the wine industry in Paso Robles. The hope from this retreat was that the guests would end up buying Paso Robles wine, ultimately helping to brand the wine industry of Paso Robles

Erectile dysfunction: heritability and cognitive and physiological correlates of the subclinical vascular disorder

The broad goals of this dissertation were to explore possible causes of erectile dysfunction (ED), and examine outcomes associated with the condition. To address these objectives, data from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA), a longitudinal study of cognitive aging, were utilized. Previous research demonstrated moderate heritability of ED in middle-aged men, but questions remain about the replicability of these findings given that only one study exists on the topic and it utilized an unvalidated ED measure. Additionally, it is unknown to what extent genetic factors account for stability and change of ED symptomatology over time. In the first study, we conducted a longitudinal assessment of ED using the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) administered to 668 male twins. Results revealed that the heritability (proportion of variance explained by genetic factors) of ED at both time points is moderate (0.3 –0.6). Over the past two decades ED has been recognized as primarily a disorder of vascular dysfunction. Inflammation is an important correlate of vascular dysfunction. Chapter 2 examined the association of ED with four inflammatory serum protein indices [albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio (AGR), and the albumin*globulin interaction (AGI)] in 388 men free from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results indicated that the AGR, albumin, and globulin protein levels are significantly associated with ED, even after accounting for other risk factors. Intriguingly, AGR and globulin levels were found to be more strongly associated with ED than conventional vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. As such, globulin and AGR may be useful biomarkers when diagnosing and managing ED. The simplicity and affordability of these assays make these markers particularly valuable. Given the negative impact that vascular disease has on cognition, Chapter 3 explored whether men with ED are at greater risk for experiencing cognitive decline compared to healthy peers. In total, 485 men free from CVD were administered cognitive tests across 13 domains. Tests were readministered 5 years later. Results revealed that men with ED were more likely to show significant decline on tasks of set-shifting, tool/mechanical knowledge, vocabulary, and verbal fluency

Considerations and Pedagogical Approaches For Transitioning From Soprano To Mezzo-Soprano

Within the operatic and classical music realms, Fach is an identifier based on voice classification, as well as non-vocal factors such as acting style and physical appearance. For singers, stating one’s Fach is a way to advertise oneself for suitable operatic roles and concert solos. However, not all singers fit perfectly into a Fach, and some choose to switch between Fach categories over the course of their careers. Although such choices require careful consideration with the potential to impact a career, many have found success after transitioning to a lower Fach. While several studies have investigated singers transitioning to higher Fach categories, little research has been conducted regarding singers transitioning to a lower category. This study aims to explore the considerations for transitioning from soprano to mezzo-soprano, specifically by examining the history and vocal science related to voice classification and conducting interviews with singers and voice teachers. Interviews will feature singers who have experienced this Fach change themselves, as well as voice teachers who have helped singers navigate this shift. The research will examine vocal, career, and psychological aspects of this transition. This dissertation is designed for singers and voice teachers who are either making this decision themselves or aiding others in transitioning. Appendix A will provide vocal exercises and teaching tools from the interviewees to address common technical issues when transitioning from soprano to mezzo-soprano. Appendix B will provide repertoire suggestions useful for those transitioning

Bosnia: Doomed to Failure or a Rising Hope?

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that suffers from a lack of a national identity as it has three main ethnic groups, Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs, who are all fighting for power. After the Bosnian war, which lasted from 1992-1995 and involved genocide that was committed against the Bosniaks, the ethnic divisions were further entrenched. These divisions were not helped by the provisions of the Dayton Peace Accords, which was the peace settlement that brought an end to the war. Dayton created an ethnocracy within Bosnia that places more importance on ethnic groups than national identity. In order to see whether or not these ethnic divisions could be overcome and how the youth of Bosnia were politically identifying, I conducted a survey at two international universities in Bosnia as well as two interviews and a focus group. Though the sample was limited, after analyzing the results it was determined that Bosnian youth are indeed overcoming ethnic divisions and starting to form in part a cohesive national identity

Virginity and Guilt Differences Between Men and Women

In this research, the authors measured the levels of sexual guilt between two groups of people on multiple levels, virgins and nonvirgins, by gender. The differences between men and women when it comes to virginity will also be studied. Based on the sample size of college students, N = 364. College students (N=364) completed a 34-item online survey of questions that measure guilt levels. Ten out of the twenty questions are demographic questions, such as: age, ethnicity, religion, year, etc. The other questions were a combination of Likert scaled questions and open ended responses. We predicted that females will produce more guilt compared to males after they lose their virginity. The researchers found that females do produce sexual guilt compared to males and high scores of religiosity also produce higher levels of sexual guilt for females

Fluid illness

In response to the rising rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Guatemala, the public health system established a national community-based dialysis program to enable people living in rural areas to complete treatment in their homes. Here we explore how this newly available, life-prolonging technology has altered local worlds by transforming ESRD from an acute, life-ending illness into a managed chronic condition with an uncertain trajectory. Through case studies, we describe how living with dialysis influences family relations and caregiving in rural Guatemala. We find that dialysis interacts with an insufficient health care system, one that avoids life-ending complications but does not sufficiently manage life-altering symptoms. In addition, the need to care for people with ESRD for an uncertain amount of time may disrupt and strain family-based caregiving networks. Amid this meager health and social welfare infrastructure, life on dialysis exacerbates the chronic insecurity and structural inequality of life in postwar Guatemala. As both life and illness are prolonged through dialysis, the unceasing demands of the treatment and illness strain the webs of obligation and care that Guatemalan families and communities have developed to adapt to their decentralized and fragmented public health care system

On the design of the steering and front uprights for a race car

Our contribution to fulfil the requirements for the mechanical design project was to audit the existing steering components and design an upright assembly for the JCU Motorsports FSAE car. We were required to assess the current status of the project and pick up where the previous team left off. As undergraduate engineers, we have followed the design process outlined in the assessment criteria issued at the commencement of the project. Many hours of work have been put into the design, material selection and loading analysis to come up with what we believe to be the best design given the constraints and timeline. A major guideline governing the design of the upright housing was the need for it to be reliable. This has been heavily factored into the design and is reflected in the analysis of the load cases giving significant room for errors in calculations and accounting for unforeseen circumstances which can cause significant angst for designers unfamiliar with the field. Overall the requirements of this project have been fulfilled to a high standard. We have taken what we have been given and produced a design to be incorporated into the motorsports project

CU4Health: Clemson University\u27s Employee Wellness Program

The nurse-managed Joseph F. Sullivan Center of Clemson University operates an incentive based employee wellness program called CU4Health. In order to determine the effectiveness of the program, researchers from Clemson University’s School of Nursing analyzed the return on investment from the program, defined by the improvement of participants’ health, which was scored by eight biomarkers. This research displays evidence that participation in Clemson University’s employee wellness program is associated with overall healthier biomarkers, therefore supporting the implementation and continuance of the CU4Health

The Monty Hyams Archive: A New Resource in Information Science History

The Monty Hyams Archive stands as an important source of information history. This project seeks to organise and investigate the contents of the Archive while providing information on standards application to the care of the Archive. Through the research methodologies of literary warrant analysis, documentary analysis, and historical research, this dissertation proposed standards for future care of the archive, inspected the documents, and evaluated their contents and assigned descriptions. Interviews and historical research were used to expand on the information found in the documents. The descriptions generated were used to discern the major themes within the Archive and to develop an argument for The Monty Hyams as a crucial information science and patent information history resource. The project resulted in the description of the Archive’s contents, a proposed framework of standards with which to care for the Archive, and a confirmation of the argument that The Monty Hyams Archive exists as an important source of information history