Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia sp. in Hard Ticks Collected in Nacogdoches, Texas

The number of cases of tick-borne diseases is increasing in the United States. Many efforts to control ticks have been made and are continuously being developed. These methods include surveillance of ticks and detection of the tick-borne pathogens.This study examined hard ticks in Nacogdoches, Texas, to test for the presence of Rickettsia sp. 47 ticks were collected from vegetation by flagging and their species, sex, and developmental stage were determined using available keys. Individual ticks were processed for nucleic acid extraction and molecular detection of Rickettsia sp. using PCR-based methods. The citrate cynthease gene, 17kDa gene, and outer membrane protein A gene were used as genetic markers. All 47 ticks were tested with these markers and out of 13 Amblyomma americanum ticks 4 were positive, 9 Dermacentor variabillis ticks 1 was positive, 6 Amblyomma maculatum ticks 4 were positive, and out of 19 Ixodes scapularis ticks 12 were positive

Impact Forces of Unilateral and Bilateral Landings in Various Ballet Jumps

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Impact of Latin Ballroom Dancing on Gait Biomechanics

Purpose: Past research has focused on biomechanical changes, kinematic differences, and injury rates among dancers compared to healthy non-dancers. This research has shown that there are differences biomechanically between dancers and healthy non-dancers which indicates that various forms of dance training has both potential short- and long-term effects on an individual (Yihong et al, 2018, Prochazkova et al, 2014, Tepla et al, 2014, Turner et al 2018). The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Latin ballroom dance training on gait. Methods: 24 participants, (12 Latin dancers, 12 recreationally active non-dancers; 12 males,12 females) between the ages of 18 and 25 walked on a GaitRite system (CIR Systems, Inc., Franklin, NJ) and Bertec force plates (Bertec, Inc, Colmbus, OH) and were videoed using the OnForm smartphone application (OnForm, Inc., 2022) to collect data. Next, the data was analyzed in Visual 3D software (5.0, C-Motion, Inc., Germantown, MD, USA) and in Excel (Microsoft Corporation, 2018). The results were compared using an independent t test to analyze differences between the dancers and non-dancers in the lower left limb’s toe in/out angles, knee varus/valgus angles, peak medial/lateral ground reaction forces (GRF), peak anterior propulsion impulse, peak braking GRF, and peak loading vertical GRF. Results: The data showed that there were no statistically significant differences between dancers and non-dancers for the following: toe in/out angles (p=0.8785), knee varus/valgus angles (p=0.3139), peak medial GRF (p=0.3788), peak lateral GRF (p=0.1669), anterior propulsion impulse (p=0.2179), peak braking GRF (p=0.3516), and peak loading vertical GRF (p=0.0958). Conclusion: This data indicates that Latin ballroom dance training has no effect on gait biomechanics in toe in/out angles, knee varus/valgus angles, peak medial/lateral GRF, peak anterior propulsion impulse, peak braking GRF, and peak loading vertical GRF for the left lower limb. Further study is needed to determine any potential effect Latin ballroom dancing has on the right lower limb, and to also determine Latin ballroom dance’s effects on lower limb imbalances between the right and the left side

Establishing Reputation on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

136 pagesDuring 1989, East Central Europe witnessed one of the most remarkable transformations in socio-political history. The economic transformation that followed represents one the most remarkable economic transitions in modern history. In Poland, the Warsaw Stock Exchange has greatly facilitated the transition from a centrally controlled to a market-based economy. Still, the general youthfulness of the Warsaw Stock Exchange erodes the ability of individual firms traded on the exchange to establish a positive reputation with investors. This dissertation investigates how firms traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange establish reputation with investors despite the youthfulness of the exchange. To address this topic, a general model of organizational reputation formation is developed. The model presented suggests that the individual firm can establish itself as reputable through the mechanisms of performance, signaling and legitimation. The general model is used to develop specific hypotheses concerning how firms traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange establish reputation with investors. Two separate analyses are conducted to test the hypotheses. The first analysis looks at all firms traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange as of the end of 1996 while the second analysis looks specifically at the reputation of firms immediately following the issuing of new shares. The results provide mixed support for the hypotheses. However, the results suggest an important role for financial performance, ownership structure and the use of international brokers during the issuing of new shares, each relating to the mechanisms of performance, signaling and legitimation, respectively. Thus, each of the mechanisms identified in the general model of organizational reputation formation appears to have some influence in shaping the reputation of the firm

ACUTE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CUSHIONED FOOTWEAR ON THE BIOMECHANICS OF RUNNING

The purpose of this study was to investigate how different footwear (highly cushioned, standard, minimalist shoes) affect peak ground reaction forces, average loading rates and joint kinematics during running. Nine participants ran at a self-selected speed across all shod conditions, minimalist, highly cushioned and standard running shoe. Vicon Nexus was used to analyze joint kinematics of the ankle and knee, a Bertec Instrumented Treadmill was used to analyze the average loading rate and peak ground reaction forces. Results show consist of reductions in ankle and knee joint motion in the minimalist shoe during the stance phase with the standard and highly cushioned shoe being more similar to each other. Evidence suggests that a change in footwear alone, at least in the short-term, will not reducing injury rates in runners

Knee Joint Loads and Surrounding Muscle Forces during Stair Ascent in Patients with Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (TKR) is commonly used to correct end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, difficulty with stair climbing often persists and prolongs the challenges of TKR patents. Complete understanding of loading at the knee is of great interest in order to aid patient populations, implant manufacturers, rehabilitation, and future healthcare research. Musculoskeletal modeling and simulation approximates joint loading and corresponding muscle forces during a movement. The purpose of this study was to determine if knee joint loadings following TKR are recovered to the level of healthy individuals, and determine the differences in muscle forces causing those loadings. Data from five healthy and five TKR patients were selected for musculoskeletal simulation. Variables of interest included knee joint reaction forces (JRF) and the corresponding muscle forces. A paired samples t-test was used to detect differences between groups for each variable of interest (p\u3c0.05). No differences were observed for peak joint compressive forces between groups. Some muscle force compensatory strategies appear to be present in both the loading and push-off phases. Evidence from knee extension moment and muscle forces during the loading response phase indicates the presence of deficits in TKR in quadriceps muscle force production during stair ascent. This result combined with greater flexor muscle forces resulted in similar compressive JRF during loading response between groups

Impact of Load Carriage on Metabolic Efficiency

Load carriage is a crucial detail of long-distance running, especially when it comes to ultra-marathon distances (\u3e26.2 miles). Longer distances require larger loads to carry fluids and nutrition to maintain performance during these events. Running packs fitted close to the torso are the most popular methods for carrying 1-3 L of fluid, additional food, and gear; however, little is known to what extent load mass may impact running performance. PURPOSE: To identify at which point relative load mass (% of body mass) begins to negatively impact submaximal metabolic efficiency. METHODS: To date, 7 active runners (≥3 days/week, ≥16.09 km/week for the last six months) have participated in this study. Participants (27.9±6.5 yrs; 179.2±4.4cm; 74.68±15.5kg) include males (n=5) and females (n=2) that have undergone four, four-minute intervals on the treadmill at a self-selected pace with relative loads of 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% of their total body mass using a weighted Salomon running pack. VO2 (ml/kg/min) was measured (Parvo Medics TrueOne Metabolic Measurement System, Sandy, UT) during the last minute of each interval and then averaged for analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed comparing the relative load of 0% to running pack loads equating to 3%, 6%, and 9% of total body mass. RESULTS: There was a strong, positive correlation (R2 = 0.83) between pack load and VO2, although significant differences in VO2 were only observed between the relative loads of 0% and 9% (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that although a linear increase in VO2 in relation to pack load was observed, pack loads at 9% resulted in a significant increase in VO2, indicating a decrease in running economy. Identifying the relationship between relative load mass and metabolic efficiency may allow runners to better prepare and manage their loads to reduce fatigue during ultra-marathon type competitions

Effect of Trail Running Pack Weight on Lower Extremity Biomechanics

In the sport of ultrarunning there are a variety of ways runners carry the equipment and nutrition that is required. Many of the faster athletes will be seen with handheld bottles or minimal packs, however the size and weight of packs may vary based on the length of the race, nutritional needs, and pacing. PURPOSE: To date, no research has been conducted to understand what biomechanical adaptions occur with packs of varying weight. METHODS: Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using a 16 camera Vicon Nexus System (Vicon Inc. Denver, CO) and the Bertec instrumented treadmill (Bertec, Inc., Columbus, OH) system for 2 female, and 4 male runners averaging 10-30 miles a week. Reflective markers were placed on the lower extremities and chest. Condition 1 consisted of running at no pack weight and then three more conditions of 3, 6, and 9 percent body weight respectively. Participants would run for 5 minutes with a Salomon running vest at each weight. The study will focus on the changes in GRF and moments of the hip, knee, and ankle. RESULTS: The peak ground reaction force (GRF) had a slight increase in all weighted conditions in comparison to condition 1 (2-5%). Anterior and posterior GRF increased by about in 7% in condition 3 and 4 compared to conditions 1 and 2. Hip flexion and extension moments increased in condition 4 compared to all other conditions (13.3% and 11.5%). Knee extensions increased incrementally through conditions 1 and 4. The plantar flexion moment increased 9% in condition 3 and 4 compared to conditions 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: With the increase of weight added into the vest it was hypothesized that biomechanical variables would have incremental changes associated with the change in pack weight. However, each variable was affected differently. Through each variable there was a contrasting point that a significant change was observed. With this evidence, it can be explained that each joint excepted and balanced the weight differently. Evidently, the hips were affected more at the higher weights and the ankle was affected at the lower weight. Condition 2 had little to no effect on biomechanical variables and may not negatively affect performance

Analyzing stage and duration of Anglo-Chinese business-to-business relationships

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Industrial Marketing Management. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2010 Elsevier B.V.The manuscript reports on a study aimed at analyzing a series of relational variables derived from the Western industrial buyer–seller relationship and Chinese guanxi literature. The findings based on data collected from over 200 Taiwanese trading firms reveal that buyer's perceptions of organizational trust, communication, cooperation, social bonding and the saving of face are higher in Anglo-Chinese relationships that venture beyond the short-term. It is also found that cooperation, social bonding and performance are greater in those b2b relationships surveyed that are relatively more mature than in emerging states. The findings also reveal that relationship duration and stage have a significant moderating effect on various Inter-organizational and Interpersonal–Outcome relationships. Several managerial implications are extracted to help Western firms better manage their international relations, as well as help new exporting firms penetrate such well-established guanxi networks

The measurement of guanxi: Introducing the GRX scale

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Industrial Marketing Management. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2010 Elsevier B.V.This study posits and examines a measurement scale for measuring guanxi based on three Chinese relational constructs – ganqing, renqing and xinren. Focusing on Anglo-Chinese buyer–seller relationships, the research reports the findings from six qualitative in-depth interviews and survey data obtained from over 200 Taiwanese trading companies. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses the findings from the final second-order confirmatory factor analysis of the guanxi model identified 11 items for measuring ganqing, renqing, xinren and guanxi respectively. The results offer a useful starting point in order for business practitioners to assess their guanxi and at the same time provide academics with a scale for operationalizing the measurement of guanxi