Neuropathy - gait changes in the diabetic foot

Motor neuropathy in patients with diabetes can lead to weakness in the muscles of the foot and lower leg, which in turn can lead to characteristic changes to the structure of the foot, such as an altered arch profile. Such structural changes often occur at sites of abnormally high pressure, which can result in tissue breakdown and ulceration particularly in individuals who also have sensory neuropathy

Ob padcu utopije

Po koncu 2. svetovne vojne so se začele graditi velike stanovanjske soseske. Pogosto so jih sestavljale stolpnice. Številne le 50 let pozneje podirajo oziroma jih temeljito prenavljajo. Modernistične ideje, ki so jih navdihnili predstavniki kongresa CIAM (Congrès International d’Architecture Moderne) in Le Corbusier, so izgubile nekdanjo mikavnost. V tem prispevku si bomo ogledali razvoj dogodkov, predvsem pa se bomo posvetili napačni razlagi (simbolnega) pomena bivališča, kakor so ga razumeli predstavniki modernističnega gibanja. Prav to napačno razumevanje je nazadnje pripeljalo do hitrega podiranja teh sosesk

Effects of sexually transmitted infection status, relationship status, and disclosure status on sexual self-concept

Research has indicated that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) can have a negative impact on an individual\u27s sexuality. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of STI status, relationship status, and disclosure status on various dimensions of sexual self-concept. A questionnaire that evaluated the above variables was completed by 117 individuals with genital herpes, 82 individuals with HPV, and 75 individuals with no STI. The results demonstrated that having herpes or HPV had a significant negative impact on aspects of sexual self-concept. It does not appear that an individual\u27s relationship status is a factor associated with the impact of having an STI on the sexual self-concept. Respondents who had disclosed their STI to their partners, however, had significantly more positive feelings about aspects of their sexual self-concept than those who had not disclosed their STI to their partners. The implications of these research findings for health practitioners are discussed. <br /

Monitoring identity of past, current and future: a performance management system perspective

This paper seeks to explore how organisations can effectively use performance management systems (PMS) to monitor collective identities. The monitoring of relationships between identity and an influential PMS—the balanced scorecard (BSC)—are explored. Drawing from identity and management accounting literature, this paper argues that identity products, patternings and processes are commonly positioned, monitored and interpreted through the multiple perspectives and levels of the BSC. Specifically, human, technical and organisational capital under the Learning and Growth perspective of the BSC can incorporate various identity measures that sustain the relative, distinctive and fluid nature of identities. The value of this research is to strengthen the theoretical grounds which position identity as an important dimension of organisational capital in PMS

The village people?

The impact of COVID-19 on urban life and cities has been increasingly discussed over the last months. Academics, civil society organisations, policy makers and journalists have reflected on how this exceptional situation impacts cities, urban life, and people’s lives in general. A wide range of perspectives emerged in these contributions in the popular media. Almost all of these pieces point at the current shortcomings of our cities and discuss possibilities for improvement, and the role of policy makers in realising greener cities and adequate housing. When discussing the impact of COVID-19 on people’s housing preferences it is often assumed that a growing number of people will (prefer to) leave the dense urban cities and move to the country side or the more rural areas where the qualitative living environment rejoices their heart and where they can enjoy their own private gardens. At least two points of critique need to be raised in relation to these opinion pieces: First, the suggestions and findings are old wines in new barrels. Sufficient green and open spaces, qualitative housing options, the need for mixed area developments and proximity to amenities etc. are indeed important if we want to have cities that provide a good life for all. We have known this for years and the literature on this is substantial. Second – and central in this contribution – is the observation that these opinion pieces are exactly that: opinions... They reflect the ideas, beliefs and the gut feelings of the authors, but are not grounded in research on the effects of COVID-19. We aim for a more nuanced debate about the urban context, grounded in empirical insights and research findings

Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation as an Adjunct to Verb Network Strengthening Treatment in Post-stroke Chronic Aphasia: A Double-Blinded Randomized Feasibility Study

Background: Difficulties in discourse production are common in post-stroke chronic aphasia. Previous studies have found that speech and language therapy combined with transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) may improve language skills like naming and enhance aphasia treatment outcomes. However, very few studies have investigated the effect of tDCS when combined with interventions for improving higher level language skills such as the Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST). Aims: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of anodal tDCS as an adjunct to VNeST to improve discourse production in post-stroke chronic aphasia. Methods: Six people with post-stroke chronic aphasia took part in this double-blinded randomized feasibility study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the experimental group receiving a 6-week block of once weekly VNeST sessions combined with active tDCS over the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) or a control group that received VNeST with sham stimulation. Feasibility outcomes included screening, eligibility, retention, and completion rates, and adverse events. Preliminary response to intervention was also examined using discourse production, functional communication, quality of life, psychological state, and cognition outcomes. Results: Overall 19 individuals were screened and ten met the inclusion criteria. Six individuals provided consent and participated in the study giving a consent rate of 60%. Participant retention and completion rates were 100% and no adverse effects were reported. Exploratory analyses revealed promising changes (i.e., estimated large effect size) in discourse production measures across discourse language tasks and functional communication for the active tDCS group. Conclusions: Our results support the feasibility of tDCS as an adjunct to VNeST. Preliminary findings provide motivation for future large-scale studies to better understand the potential of tDCS as a safe and economical tool for enhancing rehabilitation in chronic aphasia

Mineral Acquisition from Clay by Budongo Forest Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees of the Sonso community, Budongo Forest, Uganda were observed eating clay and drinking clay-water from waterholes. We show that clay, clay-rich water, and clay obtained with leaf sponges, provide a range of minerals in different concentrations. The presence of aluminium in the clay consumed indicates that it takes the form of kaolinite. We discuss the contribution of clay geophagy to the mineral intake of the Sonso chimpanzees and show that clay eaten using leaf sponges is particularly rich in minerals. We show that termite mound soil, also regularly consumed, is rich in minerals. We discuss the frequency of clay and termite soil geophagy in the context of the disappearance from Budongo Forest of a formerly rich source of minerals, the decaying pith of Raphia farinifera palms