Evaluation of the Clinimetric Properties of the Upper Limb Subscales of the Motor Assessment Scale Using a Rasch Analysis Model.

OBJECTIVES: To apply Rasch analysis to evaluate the psychometric properties of the composite score of the 3 upper limb subscales of the Motor Assessment Scale (UL-MAS) when administered in the acute/subacute phase post-stroke. DESIGN: Prospective data collection of UL-MAS scores. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty Eighty individuals a mean of 64.8 days (standard deviation 53.3; range 4-193 days) following the onset of unilateral stroke. METHODS: All UL-MAS test items were administered in 30 participants assessed longitudinally over 3 occasions, and in 50 participants assessed on a single occasion. These 140 observations were pooled to be evaluated using Rasch analysis. RESULTS: With the elimination of the wrist radial deviation test item, the UL-MAS demonstrated uni-dimensionality with no significant test item response bias. The test item difficulty hierarchy was validated in the Upper Arm and Hand Movements subscales, but not in the Advanced Hand Activities subscale. The acceptable floor (14%) and ceiling (9%) effects and the high Person Separation Reliability Index (0.96) indicated that the scale was appropriately targeted to discriminate statistically between groups of acute/subacute stroke participants with differing upper limb motor recovery. CONCLUSION: The findings support the psychometric properties of the composite UL-MAS score in this clinical population

International differences in understanding recovery: systematic review

Aims. Mentalhealthpolicyinternationallyvariesinitssupportforrecovery.Theaimsofthisstudyweretovalidatean existing conceptual framework and then characterise by country the distribution, scientific foundations and emphasis in published recovery conceptualisations. Methods. Update and modification of a previously published systematic review and narrative synthesis of recovery conceptualisations published in English. Results. Atotalof7431studieswereidentifiedand429fullpapersreviewed,fromwhich105conceptualisationsin115 papers were included and quality assessed using established rating scales. Recovery conceptualisations were identified from 11 individual countries, with 95 (91%) published in English-speaking countries, primarily the USA (47%) and the UK (25%). The scientific foundation was primarily qualitative research (53%), non-systematic literature reviews (24%) and position papers (12%). The conceptual framework was validated with the 18 new papers. Across the different countries, there was a relatively similar distribution of codings for each of five key recovery processes. Conclusions. Recovery as currently conceptualised in English-language publications is primarily based on qualitative studies and position papers from English-speaking countries. The conceptual framework was valid, but the develop- ment of recovery conceptualisations using a broader range of research designs within other cultures and non-majority populations is a research priority

Anti-realism : the manifestation of semantic knowledge

Realistic views are fashionable. In this thesis, I defend a view opposed to realism, which Dummett calls "anti-realism". My defence of anti-realism depends on the assumption that a theory of meaning should explain how speakers understand one another. The theory should therefore describe linguistic abilities in terms of communicable features of linguistic practice: those which are exhaustively manifest in use. I call this the manifestation argument. In the first Chapter, I apply the manifestation argument not only to theories of meaning which yield specifications of the content of sentences of a language (1.2), but also to theories which aim primarily to define linguistic behaviour as a species of intentional activity (I.3). The manifestation argument tells against the realist assumption of verification transcendent truth: that there may be truths which speakers could never be in a position to verify (1.2.3,I.3.3). However, holistic theories are exempted from the anti-realist argument. Alternative characterisations of realism are also mentioned(1.4). Dummett's theory of meaning is tailored to ensure that knowledge of meaning can be manifested. I endorse this account, with minor modifications (II.l-II.5). The revisionary consequences of the account are, I think, more extreme than Dummett supposes (II.6). Dummett takes Intuitionism in mathematics to be the paradigm of an anti-realist account of meaning (III.l-III.2). Two accounts of the meaning of the intuitionist logical constants are discussed. The first, which Dummett prefers, is in terms of canonical proof conditions (III.3-III.4); the second is an intuitionist analogue of a Tarski style truth definition (III.5). I argue that the former is required for justifying the intuitionist account, even though the latter adequately captures the intuitionist notion of truth. Chapter IV concerns the motivation of the manifestation argument (IV.l). I discuss the acquisition argument for anti-realism used by Dummett; namely, that it must be possible to acquire a grasp of the meaning of a sentence of a language from experience of its use (IV.2). I suggest that the manifestation argument is prior to the acquisition argument. I argue that anti-realism need not be reductionist (IV.4), and that vagueness suggests a modification of the manifestation argument. When intuitionism in mathematics provides the model of a theory of meaning for natural language, various notions of assertibility replace that of provability. Dummett considers conclusive verifiability (V.2) and falsifiability (V.3). Both fail to provide an acceptable account of negation, and do not allow for those assertions of natural language evidence for which is inconclusive (V.4). I take conditions of verification and falsification to determine meaning (V. 5). The intuitionist analogy is applied to time in Chapter VI. I discuss the analysis of temporal modification (VI.Z), and argue that tensed sentences involve indexical reference to time (VI.3). This suggests a generalised anti-realism about spatial and personal indexicals, which I reject (VI.4). I also reject Dummett's treatment of tense-links, but endorse a modified anti-realism about time (VI.5). I conclude with a discussion of holism. According to Dummett, holistic theories are objectionable because they are not molecular (VII.l). There are three strands in Dummett's notion of molecularity, and I discuss the role of each in rejecting varieties of holism (VII.2-VII.4). Dummett has doubts about anti-realist molecular theories which I dismiss, but I argue that the anti-realist cannot explain what I call 'radical' meaning change (VII.5)

Weather and Wethers: effects of wind, temperature and rain on sheep feedlot production

thermal stress, sheep, shelter, growth rates, bioeconomic model, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The Efficacy of Implementing Financial Literacy Curriculum for College Students

As college students continue to rely on student loans, it is concerning that only a few interventions are in place to promote financial literacy. The federally required Loan Entrance Counseling and Loan Exit Counseling are ineffective, leaving students at a disadvantage. This project addresses this issue by examining the significance and effectiveness of financial literacy programs at postsecondary institutions. A more comprehensive approach is necessary by implementing a financial education course that covers loan processes, financial literacy, and overall financial wellness

Patristic Exegesis: The Myth of the Alexandrian-Antiochene Schools of Interpretation

The notion that there existed a distinction between so-called “Alexandrian” and “Antiochene” exegesis in the ancient church has become a common assumption among theologians. The typical belief is that Alexandria promoted an allegorical reading of Scripture, whereas Antioch endorsed a literal approach. However, church historians have long since recognized that this distinction is neither wholly accurate nor helpful to understanding ancient Christian hermeneutics. Indeed, neither school of interpretation sanctioned the practice of just one exegetical method. Rather, both Alexandrian and Antiochene theologians were expedient hermeneuts, meaning they utilized whichever exegetical practice (allegory, typology, literal, historical) that would supply them with their desired theology or interpretive conclusion. The difference between Alexandria and Antioch was not exegetical; it was theological. In other words, it was their respective theological paradigms that dictated their exegetical practices, allowing them to utilize whichever hermeneutical method was most expedient for their theological purposes. Ultimately, neither Alexandrian nor Antiochene exegetes possessed a greater respect for the biblical text over the other, nor did they adhere to modern-day historical-grammatical hermeneutics as theologians would like to believe