Effects of a dual-task paradigm on tandem gait performance

In concussion management, a variety of cognitive and motor control tests, like the tandem gait, have been used for assessing the presence of a concussion injury at the sideline and through recovery. More recently, research suggests that introducing a secondary cognitive retention task during tandem gait (i.e., dual task) may provide a better assessment of concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine if a tandem gait test paired with a 6-digit retention is a valid and reliable tool. Participants completed three trials of both the single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) tandem gait tests, and their average (MEAN) and fastest (BEST) completion times of both conditions were recorded. Seventy-five healthy collegiate athletes (age: 20.1 ± 1.8 years) performed the DT slower than the ST for both MEAN and BEST times (p \u3c .001). Trial 3 was significantly faster than Trial 1 for both ST and DT (p \u3c .001), but still showed high reliability across the three trials. Concussion history did not have a significant effect on DT MEAN or BEST times, but gender had a moderate effect on DT BEST times. The DT was found to have low correlations to SWAY’s balance and reaction time tests, and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing visual motor composite. Preliminary data has shown that the DT may be a reliable and valid tool for assessing the interaction between balance and cognition in uninjured athletes, however application for concussed individuals needs to be explored before full implementation into concussion management protocols

Nurse Perceptions of Interactivity during Their Onboarding Orientation: Effect of an Audience Response System

Nurse educators must use effective teaching-learning tools to orient nurses hired into healthcare organizations. There is a vast amount of literature related to teaching-learning strategies such as audience response systems (ARS) in academia, but little research on ARS use in nursing classes outside of academia. The purpose of this research was to determine nurse perceptions of interactivity during lecture utilizing ARS versus lecture without ARS in an initial onboarding nursing orientation, using constructivism as the theoretical framework. A convenience sample of nurses attending an initial onboarding nursing orientation evaluated a PowerPoint based lecture using an interactivity instrument that included four 9-point Likert subscales: Individual Degree of Interactivity, Overall Degree of Interactivity, Perceived Usefulness, and Perceived Ease of Use. Thirty-four nurses evaluated their perception of interactivity of lecture without ARS, and 41 nurses evaluated their perception of interactivity of an identical lecture with ARS, and Perceived Usefulness (M=8.69, SD=0.05) and Perceived Ease of Use (M=8.89, SD=0.04) of ARS. Independent samples t-tests suggested significant differences between Individual Degree of Interactivity for lecture without ARS (M=7.33, SD=0.32) and lecture with ARS (M=7.94, SD=0.39); t (18) = -3.83, p = .001; and between Overall Degree of Interactivity for lecture without ARS (M=7.64, SD=0.22) and lecture with ARS (M=7.99, SD=0.16); t (18) = -4.014, p = .001. Findings from this research suggested ARS use during a PowerPoint presentation in an onboarding nursing orientation significantly increased both individual and overall interactivity in the classroom, and ARS was easy to use and useful in this setting

Perceptions and usage of library instructional podcasts by staff and students at Universal College of Learning (UCOL)

As podcasting is such a new phenomenon, little is known about its usage and perceived benefits especially in New Zealand. In addition to gathering statistics on the demographics of who uses library instructional podcasts and the technologies used, this research also offers an opportunity to fill a gap in the knowledge on the usage and perceptions of podcasting and its potential as a medium for library instruction in the future. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory provided the framework for this research. Six sample podcasts were recorded and made available via the UCOL - Universal College of Learning - web site in MP3 format. The target population for this research was staff and students of UCOL. A web based survey instrument was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data and there were 86 complete responses to the survey. Participants were self selected on a non-random basis, therefore it was not possible to stratify the sample set or generalise results. Analysis of the results showed there were differences between the groups surveyed in perceptions and use of the library instructional podcasts. The majority of respondents thought the podcasts were "very good" with 71.1% in favour of them. The most helpful podcast topics were identified and suggestions were made as to other topics the library could make podcasts in. Device ownership was investigated along with technologies required for downloading and listening to the podcasts. The preferred time and place to listen to the podcasts was ascertained and advantages and disadvantages were determined. Responses were received from a broad range of subject areas from within UCOL. The majority of respondents were found to be female and were of NZ European/Pakeha ethnicity. Comments were received as to the quality of the podcasts with suggestions for improvements for future podcasts. The conclusion reached was that podcasting for library instruction will benefit UCOL as an institution, has potential as an alternative communication medium and therefore should be pursued

Surveying Public Research 2 University Libraries’ Programs Supporting Digital Scholarship: A Report

Librarians at Ball State University designed and distributed a survey to libraries personnel at all public R2 research universities to assess the nature of university libraries’ engagement with digital scholarship, digital humanities, or digital research. Project researchers received 36 usable responses to the survey from individuals at 26 institutions, for an individual response rate of 12% and an institutional response rate of 35%. This report communicates core data and findings as a result of the survey project. Included is data regarding services and expertise offered by the libraries, the nature of libraries’ collaborations with researchers, technology infrastructure to support digital scholarship/digital research/digital humanities, and the nature of libraries’ participation in scholarship and public presentation regarding digital scholarship/digital research/digital humanities

Statistical methods for the time-to-event analysis of individual participant data from multiple epidemiological studies

Background Meta-analysis of individual participant time-to-event data from multiple prospective epidemiological studies enables detailed investigation of exposure–risk relationships, but involves a number of analytical challenges. Methods This article describes statistical approaches adopted in the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, in which primary data from more than 1 million participants in more than 100 prospective studies have been collated to enable detailed analyses of various risk markers in relation to incident cardiovascular disease outcomes. Results Analyses have been principally based on Cox proportional hazards regression models stratified by sex, undertaken in each study separately. Estimates of exposure–risk relationships, initially unadjusted and then adjusted for several confounders, have been combined over studies using meta-analysis. Methods for assessing the shape of exposure–risk associations and the proportional hazards assumption have been developed. Estimates of interactions have also been combined using meta-analysis, keeping separate within- and between-study information. Regression dilution bias caused by measurement error and within-person variation in exposures and confounders has been addressed through the analysis of repeat measurements to estimate corrected regression coefficients. These methods are exemplified by analysis of plasma fibrinogen and risk of coronary heart disease, and Stata code is made available. Conclusion Increasing numbers of meta-analyses of individual participant data from observational data are being conducted to enhance the statistical power and detail of epidemiological studies. The statistical methods developed here can be used to address the needs of such analyses

Unpacking the Influence of Abuse and Depression on Grades among Urban Ethnic Minority Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Both depression and a history of abuse have known negative consequences on the overall health of adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Research is not clear, however, on the interactive influence of abuse and depression on academic achievement, especially among AYAs of color. Objective(s): This study aims to assess the interactive influence of abuse and depression on academic grades among African American and Latino AYAs. Methods: The study sample was made up of 476 predominantly urban African American and Latino youth ages 14 to 24. Study participants completed a demographic questionnaire (which included self-reported grades) and the Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care-Fast Screen. Screenings for abuse were done through three structured methods using the Childhood Maltreatment Interview Schedule-Short Form, a short-structured questionnaire, and a face-to-face unstructured interview with a clinical provider. Findings: Depression had a significant main effect on grades, while abuse did not. Abuse and depression had a significant interactive effect on grades in that non-depressed adolescents who reported abuse had an almost four point higher average grade score than their non-depressed counterparts who did not report abuse. Conclusions: Our findings highlight an unexpected effect in AYAs of color with a history of abuse but no history of depression, suggesting that perhaps there is something intrinsic to this group’s resilience or their support systems that protects both against depression and supports their academic achievement. In conclusion, abuse alone does not serve as a predictor of grade achievement. Further work should be done to determine influential factors behind this relationship, with recommendations for school-based counselors and medical providers to screen for depression along with abuse in AYAs in order to determine how best to support this population

Determining What Growers Need to Comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule

Extension educators have been enlisted to assist farmers in meeting requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Although food safety is a familiar topic for Extension educators, helping farmers learn how to prepare for PSR regulations is new. In this article, we describe a needs assessment conducted in the north central United States according to a modified Delphi approach. Results revealed unique characteristics of farmers in the region, least understood components of the PSR, preferences regarding educational tools, and the need for materials for varied audiences. Our process can be adapted for the purpose of determining how to assist growers in other regions in complying with the PSR

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Selected Practices by Small Livestock Producers in Florida

Socioeconomic factors could affect the practices of small livestock producers who produce and sell locally or regionally. Yet, there is limited research on the issue in the Southeastern U.S., for example, Florida. Thus, this study assessed the impact of socioeconomic factors on practices of small livestock producers in Florida. The data were obtained from a sample of seventy producers from several counties in Florida, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. The results showed that a majority practiced rotational grazing; did not test soil regularly; had parasite problems; did not use veterinary services, and practiced record keeping. Further, the binary logistic regression analyses showed that selected socioeconomic factors had statistically significant effects on selected practices. For instance, gender had a statistically significant effect on soil testing; household income had a statistically significant effect on parasite problem; gender had a statistically significant effect on the use of veterinary services; and farming status, race/ethnicity, education, and household income had statistically significant effects on record keeping. The findings suggest that socioeconomic factors may be important in producers adopting practices. Keywords: Socioeconomic Factors, Selected Practices, Farm Practices, Small Livestock Producers, Small Producer