Shovel Test Pit Paperwork of Transect 1 from Penny(8BR158)

This document contains the field notes taken during phase 1 survey for transect 1 shovel test pits

The Relationship between Online College Students\u27 Learning Style and Response to Literature

Students entering the Composition and Literature classroom find themselves presented with a number of challenges as they learn to analyze literature beyond reader comprehension. The online learner experiences even more obstacles while approaching an often-difficult curriculum without the guidance of a residential instructor. For this reason, the online learner must adapt and develop autonomy in learning. Reader Response literary critics place great emphasis on the reader while determining meaning in a text, and Louise Rosenblatt explored the connection between the reader and the text in her Transactional Theory. To assist online learners in their endeavor, this study aimed to determine a relationship between students\u27 learning styles with the Felder Index of Learning Styles and students\u27 response to literature with the Literary Response Questionnaire. Using a Chi-square, a statistically very strong relationship was found between learning style and approach to literature as well as gender and approach to literature

New Approaches to Melanoma Prevention

Skin cancer is a major public health concern, and tanning remains a modifiable risk factor. Multidimensional influences, including psychosocial, individual, environmental, and policy-related factors, create the milieu for individuals to engage in tanning. Parents and physicians can modify the behavior of teens and young adults using strategies based on harm reduction. Environmental and policy-related factors similar to those used to limit smoking by restricting access of minors to cigarettes in the United States in the 20th century need to be created. Federal regulations can restrict direct advertising and the excise tax can be increased to a prohibitive amount. Social networking may assist with affect regulation

The everyday use of assistive technology by people with dementia and their family carers: a qualitative study

Background: Assistive Technology (AT) has been suggested as a means by which people with dementia can be helped to live independently, while also leading to greater efficiencies in care. However little is known about how AT is being used by people with dementia and their carers in their daily routines. This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the everyday use of AT by people with dementia and their families. Methods: The research employed a qualitative methodology. Semi structured interviews took place with 39 participants, 13 people with dementia and 26 carers. Key themes were identified using thematic analysis and the constant comparative method. Results: Three categories of AT use in everyday settings were identified; formal AT, accessed via social care services, ‘off the shelf AT' purchased privately, and ‘do it yourself' AT, everyday household products adapted by families to fulfil individual need in the absence of specific devices. Access to AT was driven by carers, with the majority of benefits being experienced by carers. Barriers to use included perceptions about AT cost; dilemmas about the best time to use AT; and a lack of information and support from formal health and social care services about how to access AT, where to source it and when and how it can be used. Conclusions: It has been argued that the ‘mixed economy' landscape, with private AT provision supplementing state provision of AT, is a key feature for the mainstreaming of AT services. Our data suggests that such a mixed economy is indeed taking place, with more participants using ‘off the shelf' and ‘DIY' AT purchased privately rather than via health and social care services. However this system has largely arisen due to an inability of formal care services to meet client needs. Such findings therefore raise questions about just who AT in its current provision is working for and whether a mixed market approach is the most appropriate provider model. Everyday technologies play an important role in supporting families with dementia to continue caring; further research is needed however to determine the most effective and person-centred models for future AT provision

Symptomatic of Excess: Apocalypse in the Novels of Kurt Vonnegut

The works of Kurt Vonnegut are best known to his readers for their striking comedy and satirical critiques of American society. Vonnegut presents the reader with a terrifyingly recognizable truth concerning America, yet he leaves the reader with laughter instead of feelings of helplessness. Despite Vonnegut\u27s comical way of addressing mankind\u27s shortcomings, he does emphasize real problems in America that demand attention. Vonnegut notes that the darkness of his novels grows out of frustration, saying, I think there is so much we can do--things that are cheap--that we\u27re not doing ( Playboy Interview 255). Vonnegut\u27s texts explain that if mankind does not pay attention to these issues, the consequence could be disastrous. In his works, he does this by repeatedly detailing apocalypses, both the physical destruction of the world and a mental apocalypse within a character\u27s mind

Fetuin-A: a novel marker for obesity and associated comorbidities

Background: Obesity is a disease characterized by excess adiposity which complicates metabolism, mobility, and multiple systems in the body. Over a third of Americans have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2 and therefore, are considered obese. Excess adiposity may be prevented or reduced through behavioral, pharmacological and surgical methods. Bariatric surgery results in significant and sustained loss of body weight and body fat. Many bariatric surgeries have also been termed metabolic surgeries as they result in significant improvements of metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. It is estimated that 80% of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) will experience resolution after bariatric surgeries such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Although individuals with morbid obesity have a greater risk of T2DM, 25% remain insulin-sensitive. To date, it is unclear why some develop insulin-sensitive obesity (Obsen) and others insulin-resistant obesity (Obres). A validated biomarker to distinguish these groups may aid in more targeted interventions and monitoring of at-risk populations. Fetuin-A (FetA) has shown promise as a potential marker of insulin resistance yet much about this hepatokine remains unknown. The overarching goal of this research is to understand whether FetA may be a novel marker of obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to 1) determine the role genetics play in circulating FetA and metabolic health, 2) investigate how circulating FetA responds to SG, a bariatric procedure known to markedly improve insulin sensitivity, and 3) compare FetA, adipocyte hypertrophy and weight loss trajectories between SG patients with Obsen and Obres. Methods: To determine the genetic influence of FetA, 717 college applicants to the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico (18-25 years old) were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4917 and rs2518136) in the gene that codes for FetA, alpha2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG). Circulating lipids, glucose, insulin and FetA were measured in plasma. To investigate the role of FetA in obesity and interventions aiming to improve insulin sensitivity, forty SG patients were recruited and evaluated longitudinally. Participants met with research staff at baseline (T0) (prior to hypocaloric, low-fat preoperative diet), on the morning of surgery (T1) and six weeks following surgery (T2). At each visit, fasting blood and three-day food logs were collected. Body composition was measured via direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Circulating FetA, insulin, blood lipids and glucose were measured at each visit. Omental adipose tissue was collected at the time of surgery. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and adipocyte diameter was calculated. To compare individuals with Obres and Obsen, the cohort was divided into age- and BMI-matched groups based on homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with consideration for diabetes diagnosis and use of anti-diabetic medications. Results: Individual genetic variation in AHSG SNPs rs4917 and rs2518136 explained 8% and 10% of the variability in FetA, respectively. Lower triglyceride values were observed in CC-rs4917 homozygotes than in T-allele carriers (p<0.05). In the SG cohort, FetA decreased 12% during the preoperative diet (p=0.007) and an additional 26% during the postoperative diet (p<0.0001). FetA was negatively associated with age (r= -0.52, p=0.004). Higher HOMA-IR at all time points was associated with lower FetA at T3 (HOMA-IR T0: p=0.002, T1: 0.003 and T2: 0.001). Obsen and Obres groups did not differ in baseline BMI or percent body fat. Age-adjusted FetA tended to be higher in Obsen at T0 and T1 (p=0.09 and p=0.10, respectively). At T2, age-adjusted FetA was higher in the Obsen group than the Obres group (p=0.004). The Obres group had significantly more excess body weight loss (adjusted for baseline BMI and time) (p=0.012) and larger adipocytes than the Obsen group (p=0.0099). Adipocyte size was positively correlated with preoperative change in FetA (r=0.64, p=0.007) but not with reported changes in caloric intake, macronutrient intake, PBF loss or BMI loss. Conclusions: Variations in the AHSG gene influence circulating FetA and are associated with altered triglycerides. The influence of genetic variation was exaggerated in those who were overweight or obese. Individuals with obesity have higher FetA which is significantly reduced by calorie and fat restriction as well as SG. Immediate post-bariatric improvements of FetA have been correlated with rapid improvements in insulin sensitivity. However, decreased FetA may be partially explained by preoperative calorie restriction. Greater reduction in FetA during the preoperative diet was associated with smaller adipocyte size on the day of surgery. Smaller adipocytes have been shown to be more insulin sensitive. Individuals with Obsen had smaller adipocytes than those with Obres. In contrast to previous reports, those with Obsen tended to have higher circulating FetA at all time points, lost less weight, and had no appreciable improvements in HOMA-IR. This research demonstrates the usefulness of FetA as a biomarker for weight loss and insulin sensitivity improvements following lifestyle and bariatric intervention

Children and young people\u27s experiences of living with developmental coordination disorder/dyspraxia: A systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative research

Background: To date services for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have not been informed by the perspective of children with DCD. This study aimed to synthesise the findings of discrete qualitative studies reporting the lived experiences views and preferences of children and young with DCD using a meta-ethnographic approach to develop new conceptual understandings. Methods: A systematic search of ten databases; Academic Search Complete, AMED, CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsychArticles, PsychInfo, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science, was conducted between March and April 2019, and updated in early June 2020. Meta-ethnography, following the method described by Noblit and Hare was used to synthesise included studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist was used to appraise all included papers. PROSPERO registration number CRD42019129178. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-ethnographic synthesis produced three themes; a) \u27It\u27s harder than it should be\u27: Navigating daily activities b) Fitting in, and c) \u27So what? I drop things\u27: Strategies and supports to mitigate challenges. Children with DCD describe a mismatch between their abilities and performance norms for daily activities that led to a cascade of negative consequences including negative self-appraisal, bullying and exclusion. In the face of these difficulties children described creative and successful strategies they enacted and supports they accessed including; assistance from others (parents, friends and teachers), focusing on their strengths and talents, accepting and embracing their difference, adopting a just do it attitude, setting personal goals, self-exclusion from some social activities, using humour or sarcasm, viewing performance expectations as a social construct, and enjoying friendships as a forum for fun, acceptance and protection against exclusion. Conclusion: Service provision for children and young people with DCD should address the social and attitudinal environments, focus on friendship and social inclusion and address stigma-based bullying particularly within the school environment. Furthermore, practitioners should identify and foster children\u27s own strategies for navigating daily life activities with DCD. The identified themes resonate with contemporary disability theory and the International Classification of Functioning. The social and attitudinal environmental context of children and young people with DCD profoundly influences their experiences. Future intervention development and service provision for children and young people with DCD should consider opportunities to address social and attitudinal environmental factors

Effectiveness of exercise interventions for adults over 65 with moderate-to-severe dementia in community settings: a systematic review

PurposeTo conduct a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions for people with moderate-to-severe dementia in community settings.MethodsEight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, PEDro, The Cochrane Library and BNI) were searched from inception to July 2018. Snowball searching identified additional articles not identified initially. Articles were included if they: reported randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing exercise with usual care or no treatment; and involved people over 65 with moderate-to-severe dementia in community settings. Outcome measures of interest were strength, endurance, mobility, mood and quality of life. Titles and abstracts of all studies were screened by one reviewer. Two reviewers independently screened full text articles for all eligible studies, extracted data and assessed quality and risk of bias.ResultsEight studies with 819 participants were included. Interventions were variable in terms of content, duration and frequency. There was some evidence exercise programmes may improve physical function of people with moderate-to-severe dementia, with significant effects seen for gait speed and endurance, and a trend towards improvement in strength. There was little evidence to suggest exercise programmes improve mood. Most studies were of low quality.ConclusionExercise was associated with improvements in gait speed and endurance for older people with moderate-to-severe dementia living in the community, but the quality of evidence was low. There was no conclusive evidence regarding effect on strength or mood. Findings are limited by the quality of the available evidence

An Examination of Coursera as an Information Environment: Does Coursera Fulfill its Mission to Provide Open Education to All?

In terms of international education, this concept of online education seems to be a growing trend. Edxonline.org, Minervaproject.com and Udacity.com are all new massive online open courses (MOOCs) —education websites similar to Coursera offering students the ability to receive the best education from elite universities entirely online. In this digital age, students are seeking ways to receive an education that is convenient and fits well with their lifestyles, but is also credible. The most tantalizing promise of a company like Coursera is the role it might play in improving education for the world’s have-nots: high school dropouts, the global poor, and those less able to self-teach (Kamenetz, 2012)