Identifying Barriers and Drivers of Early Soybean Adoption in Saskatchewan

The introduction of earlier maturing soybean varieties into Western Canada has created an opportunity for Saskatchewan farmers to add a new crop into their rotations. However, farmers may be hesitant to adopt soybeans if they have less information or knowledge on growing soybeans than they do with other crops they are currently growing. Extension services can provide learning opportunities for farmers and reduce the uncertainty around growing soybeans. Collaborative extension services have been organized by the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers to facilitate adoption of soybeans in Saskatchewan. This thesis aims to assist extension service providers in the designing of future extension services by identifying factors that lead farmers to adopt, not-adopt, or dis-adopt soybeans, as well as identifying factors shared between these three adopter categories. With less than one percent of Saskatchewan cropland in soybeans, this research is studying the very early stages of adoption. Interviews were conducted with 39 farmers throughout southern Saskatchewan in the summer of 2016. Of these farmers, 16 were currently growing soybeans, 10 had grown them in the past, and 13 had never grown soybeans. Through these interviews, economic factors, agronomic factors, and farm characteristics that influence the decision to adopt soybeans were identified. Social capital and absorptive capacity were studied to look at the function they serve in assisting farmers past barriers to adoption. The role and availability of extension services was also examined. A probit model was developed to study the factors that influenced the decision to adopt soybeans. Results from the probit model show that absorptive capacity has a significant positive effect on the probability of adopting soybeans. Required gross return per acre is found to have a negative impact on the adoption decision. An OLS model was run with years growing soybeans as the dependent variable to analyze the factors that led to farmers growing soybeans for a longer period. Results from the model show expected profitability of soybeans and participation in on-farm soybean trials have a significant positive effect on the number of years growing soybeans. Age had a quadratic impact on years growing with the longest years growing at the age of 41. Social capital and absorptive capacity had a discernible impact. Farmers reported they are satisfied with the amount of support and information available to them about growing soybeans, signalling extension services are functioning very well. Involvement in on-farm soybean trials had a significant positive effect on the number of years growing soybeans implying the importance for extension service providers to continue to create these opportunities for farmers. When asked to identify barriers to adoption, the need for higher soybean yields and earlier maturity dominated the response. Farmers in the sample also favoured further investments in breeding over agronomic research

How Important is being Liked ? The Relation between Facebook Use and Well-being

Facebook is used by approximately 1.06 billion(Craig,2013) to keep in touch with family and friends. However, the question remains whether Facebook is helpful or harmful to people’s well being. According to a research study conducted by Gonzales and Hancock (2010), Facebook use enhances self-esteem by providing multiple opportunities for selective self-presentation through photos and personal details. Another research study by Twenge, Freeman and Campbell (2012) found that participants who spent time on social network sites endorsed more positive self-views. While some research indicates that Facebook has a positive effect on the user other studies suggest that Facebook use is detrimental. A study conducted by Tazghini and Siedlecki (2013) found a negative association between self-esteem and Facebook activity. This association was related to actions like untagging “undesirable” pictures or adding others as friends who they are not familiar with. Similarly, Sheppard Pratt’s (2012) research indicated that Facebook has a negative impact on self-esteem and body image . “Facebook is making it easier for people to spend more time and energy criticizing their own bodies and wishing they looked like someone else” (Dr. Harry Brandt, director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt). Given the discrepancies in the research, a worthwhile next step involves examining personal characteristics that may influence the relationship between Facebook use and well-being. The present research will examine whether certain factors influence the relationship between Facebook use and overall well-being.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1033/thumbnail.jp

Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, Osteoporosis, and Hip Fractures: A Case Report

Patients with chronic idiopathic Parkinson's disease are at a high risk for fractures, particularly of the hip. The causes may be multifactorial, including poor balance and other forms of neurological dysfunction. Osteopenia and osteoporosis leading to decreased bone mass are common in these patients. We report a case of a male patient with a long-standing history of Parkinson's disease on chronic high-dose carbidopa-levodopa who suffered a hip fracture. The relationship of Parkinson's disease and carbidopa-levodopa use with osteopenia and hip fractures is discussed, emphasizing the crucial need for prevention in this patient population along with medical and surgical treatment

The Perceptions of Pediatric Occupational Therapists Regarding Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Background: Research has shown constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to be of benefit in pediatric occupational therapy practice to treat children with hemiplegia. The perceptions of adult clients, pediatric clients, child caregivers, and occupational therapists working with the adult population has been explored in the past. However, little is known about the perceptions of occupational therapists working with the pediatric population regarding CIMT. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists who had awareness of CIMT as an intervention method. Methods: Eight pediatric occupational therapists from the Midwest United States participated in the study. Structured interviews were conducted focusing on the participants’ knowledge, implementation practices, and current perceptions of CIMT in pediatric practice. Coding and thematic analysis was used to determine themes. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: perceived benefits of CIMT, varying comfort levels with delivery of the intervention, and differing methods of implementation. Conclusion: This study was a preliminary attempt to understand pediatric occupational therapists’ perceptions and implementation of CIMT. Future research should expand on findings by exploring the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists from across the country as well as adapting the interview to allow for more open-ended responses

Developing awareness of sustainability in nursing and midwifery using a scenario-based approach: Evidence from a pre and post educational intervention study

publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Developing awareness of sustainability in nursing and midwifery using a scenario-based approach: Evidence from a pre and post educational intervention study journaltitle: Nurse Education Today articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.04.022 content_type: article copyright: © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Making a ‘sex-difference fact’:Ambien dosing at the interface of policy, regulation, women’s health, and biology

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2013 decision to lower recommended Ambien dosing for women has been widely cited as a hallmark example of the importance of sex differences in biomedicine. Using regulatory documents, scientific publications, and media coverage, this article analyzes the making of this highly influential and mobile ‘sex-difference fact’. As we show, the FDA’s decision was a contingent outcome of the drug approval process. Attending to how a contested sex-difference fact came to anchor elite women’s health advocacy, this article excavates the role of regulatory processes, advocacy groups, and the media in producing perceptions of scientific agreement while foreclosing ongoing debate, ultimately enabling the stabilization of a binary, biological sex-difference fact and the distancing of this fact from its conditions of construction

2009-2010 Master Class - Elmar Oliveira (Violin)

https://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_masterclasses/1094/thumbnail.jp

Health Effects and Public Health Concerns of Energy Drink Consumption in the United States: A Mini-Review

As energy drink consumption continues to grow worldwide and within the United States, it is important to critically examine the nutritional content and effects on population health of these beverages. This mini-review summarizes the current scientific evidence on health consequences from energy drink consumption, presents relevant public health challenges, and proposes recommendations to mitigate these issues. Emerging evidence has linked energy drink consumption with a number of negative health consequences such as risk-seeking behaviors, poor mental health, adverse cardiovascular effects, and metabolic, renal, or dental conditions. Despite the consistency in evidence, most studies are of cross-sectional design or focus almost exclusively on the effect of caffeine and sugar, failing to address potentially harmful effects of other ingredients. The negative health effects associated with energy drinks (ED) are compounded by a lack of regulatory oversight and aggressive marketing by the industry toward adolescents. Moreover, the rising trend of mixing ED with alcohol presents a new challenge that researchers and public health practitioners must address further. To curb this growing public health issue, policy makers should consider creating a separate regulatory category for ED, setting an evidence-based upper limit on caffeine, restricting sales of ED, and regulating existing ED marketing strategies, especially among children and adolescents

The Perceptions of Pediatric Occupational Therapists Regarding Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Background: Research has shown constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to be of benefit in pediatric occupational therapy practice to treat children with hemiplegia. The perceptions of adult clients, pediatric clients, child caregivers, and occupational therapists working with the adult population has been explored in the past. However, little is known about the perceptions of occupational therapists working with the pediatric population regarding CIMT. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists who had awareness of CIMT as an intervention method. Methods: Eight pediatric occupational therapists from the Midwest United States participated in the study. Structured interviews were conducted focusing on the participants’ knowledge, implementation practices, and current perceptions of CIMT in pediatric practice. Coding and thematic analysis was used to determine themes. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: perceived benefits of CIMT, varying comfort levels with delivery of the intervention, and differing methods of implementation. Conclusion: This study was a preliminary attempt to understand pediatric occupational therapists’ perceptions and implementation of CIMT. Future research should expand on findings by exploring the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists from across the country as well as adapting the interview to allow for more open-ended responses