Visual ASL : An American Sign Language Computer-Assisted Instruction Software

Visual ASL is a computer-assisted instruction software for teaching beginner ASL (American Sign Language). The purpose of this software is to guide users through interactive lessons and quizzes in order to teach this language. In current state of the software, it covers material taught in a level one ASL class. It will teach similar content as the lessons from the ASL instruction book, Signing Naturally

Contractile Activity-Induced Signaling Mechanisms in Aged Skeletal Muscle: Influence on Mitochondria

The process of aging has an influential impact on the quality of skeletal muscle. With advancing age, even in the absence of disease, skeletal muscle has been acknowledged to decline in quantity and quality, a phenomenon referred to as sarcopenia. Currently, the mechanisms which instigate this process remain incompletely defined. However, considerable research has occurred surrounding the role of the mitochondria and their potential to contribute to sarcopenia. Mitochondria are cellular powerhouses supplying the majority of biochemical energy through ATP generation. Mitochondria require proper maintenance within the cellular milieu and this occurs through a balance between the biogenesis and mitophagic degradation of the organelles. Interestingly, exercise is a potent stimulus for both of these cellular pathways. In this work, we sought to examine aspects of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy in aged skeletal muscle to determine how they may change compared to young subjects and whether these processes remain responsive to exercise, in the face of aging. We examined the transcription of PGC-1, a key player in the synthesis of mitochondria. PGC-1 has been acknowledged to decline in aged skeletal muscle, however whether this is due to impaired transcription, was previously unexplored. We identified that PGC-1 transcription was reduced basally in aged muscle compared to their younger counterparts. Interestingly, the gene remained responsive to an acute bout of contractile activity. We next assessed the degree of autophagy and mitophagy flux in aged skeletal muscle, at rest and following adaptation to chronic contractile activity (CCA). Aged muscle exhibited increased mitophagic turnover compared to young muscle, in contrast to prevalent notions in the literature. Following CCA, evaluation of mitophagic flux revealed a decrease in organelle turnover, likely due to an improvement in organelle quality. Taken together, the significance of this research is that we have uncovered the molecular basis for the decline in mitochondrial content in aging muscle. Furthermore, exercise is capable of restoring a healthy mitochondrial pool through restoration of the balance between biogenesis and mitophagy

Nurses Information Appraisal Within the Clinical Setting

Information appraisal is foundational to information literacy, a necessary skill to support evidence-based practice. Little discussion in nursing literature exists regarding how nurses appraise information. If nurses lack information appraisal skills they cannot safely and effectively apply evidence in practice. Furthermore, if nurses at all levels are to engage in evidence-based practice, information appraisal in the clinical setting must be understood. The research study used an interpretive description design to define and describe the process of information appraisal in the clinical setting. Participants of this study represented a stratified purposeful sample of 44 registered nurses employed at a regional medical center in west Alabama. Most participants were middle-aged women who were licensed an average of 16 years. Emphasis was placed on how nurses describe and evaluate information as they critically reflect on acquired information in the clinical setting. The research questions were: 1) What is information appraisal within the clinical setting? and 2) How do nurses perform information appraisal in the clinical setting? Participants were assigned to one of seven audio-recorded focus groups of approximately five to seven participants. A semi-structured interview guide assisted in data collection. Participants completed a brief demographic survey. Transcripts from each focus group were coded inductively. Analysis was first done by looking at responses to each question within individual groups, then among groups. ATLAS.ti software was used to aid in data management. Findings suggest that information appraisal is described a number of ways by nurses and an agreed upon definition for the process seems to be lacking among nurses. Based on the descriptions offered by participants information appraisal contains three dimensions: information gathering, information analysis, and information application. In addition, nurses perform information appraisal by way of an unspoken algorithm with two major decision points. First, nurses determine the urgency of the situation. Next, they select the resource of choice based on prior knowledge of available resources, not the content provided by the resources. In most cases, the trusted resource served as a proxy for evaluating the information that was provided by the resource. Research with nurses in the clinical setting is challenging, however, much was gained from discussions with those that had firsthand knowledge of providing direct patient care. Understanding the perceptions of this sample has given insight into how nurses describe and perform information evaluation. Knowledge gained from this study may be used by nurse educators in the academic and clinical setting as they work to deliver relevant information that facilitates providing the highest quality care

Authentic thresholds : interior design client involvement in the creation of sense of home

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 6, 2013).The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Ruth TofleIncludes bibliographical references.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia, 2012."December 2012"For middle-class householders interested in elevating an image of their status, residential interior designers may be viewed as destroyers of authentic sense of home. By contrast, designers may seek to contribute to the house owner's sense of home, the positive feeling of belonging, comfort, and security associated with one's personal living space, rather than focus on anonymous status and image. To understand the motivation and outcomes of residential interior design work, a deeper understanding of owners' perceptions of sense of home and their involvement to create that sense of home is required. Current literature, however, says very little about owners' perceptions and preferences of physical attributes that contribute to their sense of home as they are working with an interior designer. This study seeks to utilize qualitative research methods to gather and analyze data in order to answer the question, "For those owners who have used residential interior designers for their dwellings, what perceptions and preferences of physical attributes do they believe contribute to their sense of home and what was their level of involvement in its creation?

Writing the risk of cancer: Cancer risk in public policy

In this paper we examine how cancer risk is written in cancer policy documents from the English speaking OECD nations. We offer an audit of the multiple ways in which cancer risk is conceptualised and presented in health policy and professional contexts with the long term aim of comparing this with lay conceptualisations. Our study sampled cancer policy documents produced by six nations, the World Health Organization and the International Union for Cancer Control since 2000 and analysed them iteratively through questions and codes. Whilst the documents contained a comprehensive range of concepts and locations for cancer risk, our analysis found two predominant representations: firstly, well established metaphors that depict cancer as uniformly dreadful and life threatening; and secondly, through a concentration on five behavioural risk factors (tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol, inadequate nutrition, sun exposure and physical inactivity) and one bodily state (overweight). We discuss the implications of this dual focus and of other tensions within ideas about cancer risk that we identified for risk communication

PROCESAMIENTO DE METALES DURANTE EL HORIZONTE MEDIO EN EL ALTIPLANO SURANDINO (ESCARAMAYU, PULACAYO, POTOSÍ, BOLIVIA)

In this article we present and analyze the results obtained to date in the metallurgical sector of site Pulac 050 (Escaramayu, Pulacayo, Bolivia). Thus far the studies conducted in this sector present evidence of a complex of four metallurgical furnaces that are spatially associated with a group of enclosures at the site that have been dated to the Middle Horizon. The remains of various materials including slags, metals, and minerals are found together with thefurnaces. Lead isotope analyses of these materials suggest strongly that the ore smelted at the site was obtained from the complex lead, silver, copper, zinc deposit at Pulacayo. Three of the furnaces appear to have been used to smelt ore; the fourth furnace likely refined impure metal contained in ceramic crucibles. Key words: metallurgy, smelting and refining furnaces, Middle Horizon

High-Reliability Computing For The Smarter Planet

As computer automation continues to increase in our society, the need for greater radiation reliability is necessary. Already critical infrastructure is failing too frequently. In this paper, we will introduce the Cross-Layer Reliability concept for designing more reliable computer systems

Academic Libraries on Social Media: Finding the Students and the Information They Want

Librarians from Purdue University wanted to determine which social media platforms students use, which platforms they would like the library to use, and what content they would like to see from the library on each of these platforms. We conducted a survey at four of the nine campus libraries to determine student social media habits and preferences. Results show that students currently use Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat more than other social media types; however, students responded that they would like to see the library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Students wanted nearly all types of content from the libraries on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but they did not want to receive business news or content related to library resources on Snapchat. YouTube was seen as a resource for library service information. We intend to use this information to develop improved communication channels, a clear libraries social media presence, and a cohesive message from all campus libraries

Using Cluster Analysis to Explore Associations between Cardiovascular Risk and Lifestyle Factors in a Workplace Wellness Program

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States with risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, age, genetics, and unhealthy diets. A university-based workplace wellness program (WWP) consisting of an annual biometric screening assessment with targeted, individualized health coaching was implemented in an effort to reduce these risk factors while encouraging and nurturing ideal cardiovascular health.Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the prevalence of single and combined, or multiple, CVD risk factors within a workplace wellness dataset.Methods: Cluster analysis was used to determine CVD risk factors within biometric screening data (BMI, waist circumference, LDL, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, blood glucose age, ethnicity, and gender) collected during WWP interventions.Results: The cluster analysis provided visualizations of the distributions of participants having specific CVD risk factors. Of the 8,802 participants, 1,967 (22.4%) had no CVD risk factor, 1,497 (17%) had a single risk factor, and 5,529 (60.5%) had two or more risk factors. The majority of sample members are described as having more than one CVD risk factor with 78% having multiple.Conclusion: Cluster analysis demonstrated utility and efficacy in categorizing participant data based on their CVD risk factors. A baseline analysis of data was captured and provided understanding and awareness into employee health and CVD risk. This process and analysis facilitated WWP planning to target and focus on education to promote ideal cardiovascular health