MR theory application as an influence on interior design decision making: EE Warren Opera House, Greenfield, Iowa : a case study

Retail environments are closed environments that exert a significant impact on consumers affect, cognitive and emotional behavior. Store atmospherics or design factors is considered one of the most prominent retail environmental stimuli which influences people to enter, remain in and utilize the environments. Numerous studies and researches support this notion; however these studies provide neither a framework nor a methodology to determine what design factors or atmospherics influence this decision. The purpose of this thesis is to propose a framework that can explain the relationship between the \u27atmospherics\u27 and the consumer\u27s emotional responses. This framework is developed from the Mehrabian and Russell theory and the design theories by Kevin Lynch and Roberto Rengel. Grounded Theory Approach is adopted to critically analyze the existing theories which are further integrated for this new interpretation. The proposed framework is then applied as a case study in an actual design process for the retail - mixed use space of E E Warren Opera House, located in Greenfield, Iowa. The design analysis and design development are conducted on the basis of the proposed framework. To understand the application of the framework better the redesigned space was exhibited to the committee members of the E E Warren Opera House and a questionnaire was given to them to learn about their emotional reaction to space. The proposed design based on the framework was successful in inducing positive emotional reaction among patrons which would further increase the business both for local customers and destination visitors from outside and within Greenfield. This also reveals the potential use of the framework for such a design application

Exploring the effectiveness of non-territorial workspace at alternate workplaces

Workplace environments are ever changing and typically contingent upon various changes that take place in society including economics, demographic shifts, and technology (Maitland & Thompson, 2011). In last decade, pendulum for workplace environment has gone back and forth from vastly open offices to private arrangements. One trend that has emerged recently is the Alternate Workplace Strategy (AWS). This strategy expands definable work zones beyond the individual assigned or unassigned workspace, creating a combination of elements like workstations, open and enclosed collaboration and interaction zones and so on. The core value of this strategy is to create a workplace that is a stronger tool for people to create business results (Becker & Steele, 1995). The unassigned or non-territorial workspace is where the individual employee has no dedicated personally assigned office, workstation, or desk (Becker & Steele, 1995). Most of the research in workplace focuses either on impact of open office space on employee’s well-being, productivity, interaction or issues related to privacy and focus. Significant research is not found in the area of unassigned workspaces based on the model of AWS and its relation to employees’ satisfaction and engagement. Grounded in research that includes the history of workplace design, issues inherent in organization and operation, and matters associated with individual productivity within the workplace environment, the purpose of this thesis is to better understand how non-territorial workspace in an AWS model translates into an effective workspaces. Family and Work Institute (http://www.familiesandwork.org/) categorizes six components for an effective workplace. The six categories are: opportunities for learning, supervisor support for work success, autonomy, culture of trust, work-life fit and satisfaction with earnings, benefits and opportunities for advancement (Families and Work Institute, 2012). For the purpose of this thesis, only three categories: opportunities of learning, autonomy and culture of trust are taken into consideration as the other three categories focuses more on workplace operation and policy making and not particularly on spatial parameters. The primary research questions driving this study are: What spatial characteristics in non-territorial alternate workplace make them effective workplaces? Do these spatial characteristics contribute positively to employees’ engagement, satisfaction and retention? This thesis is researched through the lens of two case studies of firms recently designed on this strategy. Mixed methodology i.e. primarily qualitative with quantitative survey nested into it is used for this study. Grounded theory, one of the strategies of qualitative research methodology is applied to this research as an overarching methodology and as a method for analyzing the data. The thesis is aimed to reveal the participants’ perspectives and interpretations of their own actions/behavior and their physical environment on effectiveness in relation to the non-territorial alternate workplace. The information helped in development of an overarching theoretical scheme for integrating categories and describing the employees’ experiences of their work environment from the various perspectives. This thesis will help bridge that gap and document how the strategy of non-territorial workplace can translate into an effective workspace for the employees where they can be engaged, satisfied and plan to stay longer. This study will provide recommendations that could inform design practitioners, educators, and contribute to the overall body of knowledge in this area

Relative Age, Maturation, Anthropometry and Physical Performance Characteristics of Players Within an Elite Youth Football Academy

A professional English football club with Category 1 academy status was investigated to determine the magnitude of relative age effects (RAE) within the club and explore between quartile differences for somatic maturity, anthropometry and physical performances. Birth dates of 426 players from Under 9 to First Team were categorised into four birth quartiles (Q) and examined for RAEs. Additionally, data on 382 players (Under 11 to First Team) were obtained for somatic maturity, anthropometry, countermovement jump, sprint (10 and 30 m), agility T-Test, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 or 2 performance to determine between-quartile differences. Odds ratios revealed Q1 players were 6.0 times more likely to be represented than Q4 players. Multilevel modelling demonstrated similarities between-quartile for each variable across all age groups, though there was a tendency for Q4 players to outperform Q1 players between Under 11 and Under 18 groups. Strong RAEs exist within this club as well as a tendency to select players demonstrating advanced growth and/or maturity, with some indication that higher categorised academies in England may be at risk of amplified selection biases. Talent identification strategies in elite youth football should actively seek to adopt novel approaches to reduce selection biases and avoid wasted potential

Detachment of Breast Tumor Cells Induces Rapid Secretion of Exosomes Which Subsequently Mediate Cellular Adhesion and Spreading

Exosomes are nano-vesicles secreted by a wide range of mammalian cell types. These vesicles are abundant in serum and other extracellular fluids and contain a large repertoire of proteins, mRNA and microRNA. Exosomes have been implicated in cell to cell communication, the transfer of infectious agents, and neurodegenerative diseases as well as tumor progression. However, the precise mechanisms by which they are internalized and/or secreted remain poorly understood. In order to follow their release and uptake in breast tumor cells in real time, cell-derived exosomes were tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CD63 while human serum exosomes were rhodamine isothiocynate-labeled. We show that detachment of adherent cells from various substrata induces a rapid and substantial secretion of exosomes, which then concentrate on the cell surfaces and mediate adhesion to various extracellular matrix proteins. We also demonstrate that disruption of lipid rafts with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) inhibits the internalization of exosomes and that annexins are essential for the exosomal uptake mechanisms. Taken together, these data suggest that cellular detachment is accompanied by significant release of exosomes while cellular adhesion and spreading are enhanced by rapid uptake and disposition of exosomes on the cell surface

Combining biologic and phototherapy treatments for psoriasis: safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability

Background:The efficacy and safety of biologic and phototherapy in treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis is well known. However, some patients may not respond well to biologic agents or phototherapy on their own and may require combination therapy. Skillfully combining a biologic agent and phototherapy may provide an additive improvement without much increase in risks. Objective:To summarize the current state of evidence for the efficacy and safety of combining biologics with phototherapy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods:We conducted an extensive search on Pubmed database for English language literature that evaluated the use of a combination of biologic and phototherapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis through January 2016. The search included the following key-words: psoriasis, etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, biologics, phototherapy, and combination therapy. Results:The primary literature included randomized controlled trials, a head-to-head study, open-label controlled and uncontrolled trials, case series, and case reports. Etanercept was used in over half of the reported cases, but other biologic agents used included ustekinumab, adalimumab, and infliximab. The vast majority of phototherapy was narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) radiation. Most cases reported enhanced improvement with combination therapy. Serious adverse events throughout the study duration were reported in <3% of the patients. Long-term adverse events cannot be excluded. Conclusion:Combination of biologic and phototherapy appears to be a viable clinical strategy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis not responsive to monotherapy, despite limitations in the data available. NBUVB in combination with biologics appears to be especially effective. However, the long-term impact of these combinations is yet to be determined

Greater Motor Evoked Torque in ACLR Patients during Force Reproduction Task Compared to Health Controls

Persistent quadriceps dysfunction following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may lead to further pathological complication. Quadriceps weakness has been linked to corticospinal excitability. However, it remains unclear how this altered corticospinal excitability contributes to ACLR patients during knee strength tasks when compared to healthy controls. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine force reproduction strategies during isometric knee extension between ACLR patients and healthy controls. METHODS: Five ACLR (20.40±1.67yrs, 72.12±12.87kg, 171.07±7.40cm) participants and five matched healthy controls (21.00±1.73yrs, 65.77±13.61kg, 166.62±11.99cm) performed an isometric force reproduction task. They were instructed to maintain 10% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in response to unexpected Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex, targeting the quadriceps. The TMS stimulations were randomly delivered at two different intensities: 120% and 140% active motor threshold (AMT). Additionally, resting twitch torque (RTT) was measured by delivering TMS stimulations at 100% intensity over the quadriceps. Motor evoked torque (MET, %) was calculated by normalizing the 120% and 140% peak change relative to 10% MVIC by RTT values. Comparisons were made using 2-way ANOVAs with one within factor (intensity, 2 levels) and one between factor (group, 2 levels). RESULTS: A significant TMS intensity by group interaction was observed for MET (F[1,8] = 18.639, p = 0.003). The ACLR group had higher MET than the control group at AMT 140% (196.12±40.83 vs 106.69±34.01%, p = 0.006), while there was no difference at 120% (117.19±36.72 vs 69.06±44.18%, p = 0.098). CONCLUSION: The ACLR group produced similar torque changes to the CONT group at 120% of AMT, but more torque changes at the higher intensity. This may indicate protective neural adaptations responsible for force production, particularly at the corticospinal tract. However, this altered corticospinal excitability may also cause heightened quadriceps contraction during high-intensity tasks, potentially resulting in anterior ACL translation, which could put stress on the ACL and increase the risk of re-tear

A collaborative approach to combining service, teaching, and research

Objective. To describe a faculty-student collaborative model and its outcomes on teaching, service, and scholarship. Design. A Medicare Part D elective course was offered that consisted of classroom and experiential learning where pharmacy students participated in community outreach events to assist Medicare beneficiaries with Part D plan selection. The course training was expanded to include medication therapy management (MTM) and the administration of immunizations. At the completion of the course, students collaborated with faculty members on research endeavors. Evaluation. During the first 6 years of this course, the class size more than doubled from 20 to 42 students, and all students participating in the course met the IPPE requirements for community outreach. Over that same period, the number of beneficiaries receiving assistance with their Part D plan grew from 72 to 610; and with the help of students starting in 2011, faculty members had 28 poster presentations at national conferences, 7 invited podium presentations at national/international meetings, and published 8 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Conclusion. Through collaborative efforts, this model took an elective course and provided classroom and experiential learning for students, needed health services for the community, and opportunities to pursue wide ranging research projects for faculty members and students