The Effects of Vibrations on the Light Touch Perception Threshold of Transtibial Amputees

Sensations from the residual limb and the prosthetic socket interface may be important for mobility/balance following an amputation. One potential way to improve sensation in the residual limb-socket interface is the use of sub-threshold vibrations. We hypothesized that the application of a subthreshold pink noise vibration will improve an amputee’s ability to perceive a light touch stimulus in the residual limb surrounding the area of the amputation. 20 unilateral transtibial amputees (ages 59.7±15 yrs) and seventeen healthy control subjects (ages 54.1±16 yrs) participated. For transtibial amputees light touch sensation threshold (LTST), baseline was tested first and then across 3 conditions randomly presented: no vibration, white noise vibration, and pink noise vibration. The baseline and conditions were administered to the mid-thigh by a vibrating tactor. Monofilaments were used to quantify the LTST of the tibial crest. The monofilament diameter of 5.07, is the reference for the protective sensory threshold (PST) 1. The LTST was established using the 4-2-1 stepping algorithm2. This algorithm uses repeated responses to increased and the lack of responses to stimuli to find the LTST. The shifts of sensation were recorded and averaged. The Amputees were split into 2 groups, those averaged above the PST (n=8) and those averaged below (n=8) the PST. The LTST was significantly greater in amputees than healthy controls. The vibrations did not significantly influence the LTST in amputees, regardless of whether the individuals were above or below the PST. Further testing is being done using biomechanics-based analyses

Integrating a universal query mechanism into java

This thesis discusses design, architecture, and application of a universal query language embedded in Java. Utilizing various design patterns and Java\u27s polymorphism, the current result is a preprocessor that will convert an embedded language into compilable Java. The resulting Java utilizes a back{end developed for the queried data structure, capable of querying that structures internal data

The emotional labour of academic integrity: How does it feel?

Academic integrity is valued in all Canadian educational systems, yet no real accounting of academic integrity violations (AIVs) exists primarily because faculty under-report them. Numerous disincentives dissuade faculty from reporting AIVs, and voluntarily reporting violations increases emotional labour.  Still, some faculty feel duty-bound to do so. This paper explores the neglected emotional experience when reporting AIVs using a phenomenological approach. Interviews with a purposive, homogenous sample of faculty at a small Canadian community college who reported AIVs reveal that reporting AIVs disturbed relationships with students, and that navigating bureaucratic processes, when other faculty choose not to, caused frustration. After reporting, faculty in this study felt alienated from the outcomes of their decisions. Still, they remained committed to reporting AIVs because it was part of their self-definition as educators to defend the innocent and protect the future. This small sample of faculty identify personal experiences and institutional barriers that may discourage faculty from reporting AIVs. Finally, the findings reveal a gap between faculty and international students’ understanding of academic integrity. Bridging this gap is important because of the intensified emotional and relational challenges arising from the more serious consequences of reporting AIVs involving international students. The findings reveal a need for faculty development opportunities that build intercultural competence and handle AIVs in a way that respects diverse worldviews and promotes the values of academic integrity

GENOMICS BASED APPROACHES TO FUNGAL EVOLUTION

Advances in DNA sequencing and data analysis make it possible to address questions in population genetics and evolution at the genomic level. Fungi are excellent subjects for such studies, because they are found in diverse environments, have short generation times, can be maintained in culture and have relatively small genomes. My research employed genetic approaches using a variety of sequencing technologies and methods of analysis to explore questions in fungal evolution. In one study, I explored the genetics behind differences in thermotolerance between isolates of Neurospora discreta from Alaska and New Mexico. Isolates from the two states exhibited differences in maximal growth temperature, with New Mexico isolates being substantially more thermotolerant than isolates from Alaska. Genomic scale comparisons of progeny from crosses between isolates from New Mexico and Alaska indicated that two regions, one on chromosome III and another on chromosome I, are responsible for differences in thermotolerance. Examination of these regions revealed numerous differences between the New Mexico and Alaska isolates at nucleotide and amino-acid levels; and it identified candidate genes for being important for differences in maximal growth temperatures. In a second study, I explored the genomic differences between pathogenic and endophytic isolates in the genus Monosporascus. Culture and sequence-based surveys of root associating fungi at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) revealed the ubiquitous presence of members of this genus. Although M. cannonballus is known as a severe pathogen of melon roots in agricultural settings, all of the host plants associating with Monosporascus species in natural settings appeared to be disease free. Complete genome sequences were obtained from three M. cannonballus isolates, an M. ibericus isolate and six SNWR isolates. Comparative genome analyses revealed that 1) isolates of Monosporascus possess genomes that are more than twice the size of those typical for members of the Sordariomycetes, while having typical numbers of protein-coding genes; 2) isolates from diverse grasses, tree and forbs include lineages closely-related to previously described species including M. cannonballus, in addition to novel lineages; and 3) species of Monosporascus and other Xylariales lack mating-type gene regions typical of other members of the Pezizomycotina

Public Scrutiny of Automated Decisions: Early Lessons and Emerging Methods

Automated decisions are increasingly part of everyday life, but how can the public scrutinize, understand, and govern them? To begin to explore this, Omidyar Network has, in partnership with Upturn, published Public Scrutiny of Automated Decisions: Early Lessons and Emerging Methods.The report is based on an extensive review of computer and social science literature, a broad array of real-world attempts to study automated systems, and dozens of conversations with global digital rights advocates, regulators, technologists, and industry representatives. It maps out the landscape of public scrutiny of automated decision-making, both in terms of what civil society was or was not doing in this nascent sector and what laws and regulations were or were not in place to help regulate it.Our aim in exploring this is three-fold:1) We hope it will help civil society actors consider how much they have to gain in empowering the public to effectively scrutinize, understand, and help govern automated decisions; 2) We think it can start laying a policy framework for this governance, adding to the growing literature on the social and economic impact of such decisions; and3) We're optimistic that the report's findings and analysis will inform other funders' decisions in this important and growing field