AmeriCorps Outcomes Assessment

This project, conducted under the sponsorship of the Urban Institute, provided the Corporation for National and Community Service with an assessment of the outcomes of AmeriCorps. We analyzed data received from six surveys given to members, organizations, and end beneficiaries of AmeriCorps. Using our analysis, we provided detailed results as well as recommendations for the survey questionnaires and the survey interviewers to help develop a more effective survey

The Trypanosoma cruzi enzyme TcGPXI is a glycosomal peroxidase and can be linked to trypanothione reduction by glutathione or tryparedoxin.

Trypanosoma cruzi glutathione-dependent peroxidase I (TcGPXI) can reduce fatty acid, phospholipid, and short chain organic hydroperoxides utilizing a novel redox cycle in which enzyme activity is linked to the reduction of trypanothione, a parasite-specific thiol, by glutathione. Here we show that TcGPXI activity can also be linked to trypanothione reduction by an alternative pathway involving the thioredoxin-like protein tryparedoxin. The presence of this new pathway was first detected using dialyzed soluble fractions of parasite extract. Tryparedoxin was identified as the intermediate molecule following purification, sequence analysis, antibody studies, and reconstitution of the redox cycle in vitro. The system can be readily saturated by trypanothione, the rate-limiting step being the interaction of trypanothione with the tryparedoxin. Both tryparedoxin and TcGPXI operate by a ping-pong mechanism. Overexpression of TcGPXI in transfected parasites confers increased resistance to exogenous hydroperoxides. TcGPXI contains a carboxyl-terminal tripeptide (ARI) that could act as a targeting signal for the glycosome, a kinetoplastid-specific organelle. Using immunofluorescence, tagged fluorescent proteins, and biochemical fractionation, we have demonstrated that TcGPXI is localized to both the glycosome and the cytosol. The ability of TcGPXI to use alternative electron donors may reflect their availability at the corresponding subcellular sites

EMG Analysis and Motor Unit Recruitment in the Rectus Femoris of College Students

The rectus femoris works as part of the quadriceps muscle group to provide the force needed to generate very explosive movements during knee extension. Because many sports require explosive movements from the lower body, many strength coaches implement exercise routines that strengthen the muscles and prevent injuries. In the general population, activities using knee extension are essential in getting the full benefit of a designed exercise program. Muscle fibers provide the contractile force needed to accomplish a movement. Commonly, a deficiency is present in people who tend to favor one leg more than the other during activity. This is due to factors such as improper training, improper biomechanics, and joint injury. Having a strength imbalance from one leg to the other can strongly influence the amount of force generated, and therefore the amount of weight lifted. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these subjects had an imbalance in the contractile force of the rectus femoris. The participants were all kinesiology students in a Master’s degree program. Their age ranges from 22 years of age to 25 years of age. The instruments being used for this procedure are a leg extension machine and Biopac EMG. Each participant was required to perform five reps of a single leg extension for each leg, after determining maximum voluntary contraction. To analyze data that is collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Muscle contractions were compared between and within subjects and compared from the participant’s dominant to non-dominant leg. For this particular study, the purpose was calculating whether the contractions are different from dominant leg to non-dominant leg. The results indicate that participants have a significant decrease in the contractile force from their dominant to non-dominant leg; significance was set at p\u3c.05. This study shows where coaches, trainers, and athletes need to focus on strength training to correct muscle imbalances. Imbalances could indicate that subjects are not trained properly, or they are favoring one leg while performing explosive maneuvers, or have an injury that prevents proper firing motor unit recruitment (1, 4)

Teaching Professional Communication in a Global Context: Using a Three-Phase Approach of Theory Exploration, Self-Assessment, and Virtual Simulation

In today\u27s globally diverse society, standard theoretical instruction is not able to expose our students to the realities of international communication, multicultural collaboration, and dispersed global work. Abstract text-based cases are limited in delivering a realistic view of the challenges of working virtually and globally within international teams. In addition to cases, we believe that hands-on experiential, collaborative exercises – combined with the metacognitive exercise of reflective practice – offer greater learning potential. While international collaboration and exercises may take extra time, effort, and cost, the benefits to students can be substantial

Energy Expenditure and Economy During a Cycle Ergometer Test

Research has shown that submaximal cycle ergometer testing presents a reduced V02 max score when compared to that of the treadmill test. In this study, we compared a submaximal economy test on the Monark Cycle Ergometer. The purpose of this study was for each participant to perform the same test and compare economy, V02 ml/kg/min for a given workload, as well as calories burned between males and females during the nine minute test. By testing economy for each participant, we aim to determine whether males or females use oxygen more efficiently during testing. Before beginning the test, the Cosmed metabolic equipment was calibrated. The test was standardized to last for nine minutes at 70 rotations per minute and 1 kilopond of resistance. Based off of the comparison in V02 mL/kg/min and kCal mL/kg/min, the women had the highest V02 per given workload and also had the lowest calories burned. The women were the least efficient by having a higher V02 while working at the same intensity as the male participants. The research used to support this study indicates that there are two components for overall metabolic power during a dynamic leg exercise on the cycle ergometer; the power used to overcome the resistance applied to the ergometer and the rate of energy expenditure required to move the lower limbs without opposition against the opposition load (Girardis, Linnarsson, Moia, Pendergast, & Ferretti, 1999). It is also stated that during exercise at submaximal levels below lactate threshold the net V02 of the whole body is equivalent of the net rate of energy expenditure (Storer, Davis, & Caiozzo, 1990). The cycle ergometer is a good use to determine V02 by collecting expired air and the volume measured in the spirometer (Saltin & Astrand, 1967). For the results of this lab to be more accurate the resistance and intensity could have been changed at different stages of the test. This would have given and more accurate measure of the ability of each participant to reach the next stage of testing

Comparing objective measures of environmental supports for pedestrian travel in adults

Background: Evidence is growing that the built environment has the potential to influence walking--both positively and negatively. However, uncertainty remains on the best approaches to representing the pedestrian environment in order to discern associations between walking and the environment. Research into the relationship between environment and walking is complex; challenges include choice of measures (objective and subjective), quality and availability of data, and methods for managing quantitative data through aggregation and weighting. In particular, little research has examined how to aggregate built environment data to best represent the neighborhood environments expected to influence residents' behavior. This study examined associations between walking and local pedestrian supports (as measured with an environmental audit), comparing the results of models using three different methods to aggregate and weight pedestrian features. Methods: Using data collected in 2005-2006 for a sample of 251 adult residents of Montgomery County, MD, we examined associations between pedestrian facilities and walking behaviors (pedestrian trips and average daily steps). Adjusted negative binomial and ordinary least-squares regression models were used to compare three different data aggregation techniques (raw averages, length weighting, distance weighting) for measures of pedestrian facilities that included presence, condition, width and connectivity of sidewalks, and presence of crossing aids and crosswalks. Results: Participants averaged 8.9 walk trips during the week; daily step counts averaged 7042. The three aggregation techniques revealed different associations between walk trips and the various pedestrian facilities. Crossing aids and good sidewalk conditions were associated with walk trips more than were other pedestrian facilities, while sidewalk facilities and features showed associations with steps not observed for crossing aids and crosswalks. Conclusion: Among three methods of aggregation examined, the method that accounted for distance from participant's home to the pedestrian facility (distance weighting) is promising; at the same time, it requires the most time and effort to calculate. This finding is consistent with the behavioral assumption that travelers may respond to environmental features closer to their residence more strongly than to more distant environmental qualities.close0

Parallels in Practice: Applying Principles of Research Integrity and Ethics in Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR)

Purpose Within the context of the big data society, new systems of data collection on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have emerged. One such system is Domestic Violence Fatality Review (DVFR) which captures the various dimensions of gender, violence, and abuse required to form an evidence base for prevention. However, to date, there has been limited dialogue between practitioners and researchers about the ‘doing’ of DVFRs. Method As DVFR systems vary by jurisdiction, we conducted a case study of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) in England and Wales. Applying the Research Integrity Framework (RIF) developed by the four Women’s Aid Federations in the United Kingdom (UK), this article examines both the practice of DHR and how it is utilised as data in research. Results Informed by our situated perspectives as researchers and/or practitioners working in the field, our analysis demonstrates how undertaking DHR as a practitioner parallels collecting, accessing, and analysing data from DHRs as a researcher. Guiding principles are identified to help practitioners and researchers navigate the parallel challenges they confront and, critically, inform dialogue between practice and research. Conclusions Implications for both professional practice and research are presented. To increase transparency and confidence, we argue that more attention should be afforded to the methodological and ethical issues inherent in both the practice of DHRs, and their utilisation as a source of data in research. While DHRs have differences to DVFRs in other jurisdictions, these findings also have implications for these other systems which will also be discussed

STEM Education Discrepancy in the United States and Singapore

One of the hottest topics over the past several years has been science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The United States is lagging behind in the STEM education rankings as compared to its counterparts in Europe and Asia, including Singapore, ranked second overall in math and science based on the Program of International Student Assessment. Even as such a small country, Singapore has one of the best education systems in the world, one of the busiest ports, and is a leader in the science and technology market. One factor of this is the family life and the culture that education should improve one’s quality of life. Parent involvement and the drive of the student help them to become more apt learners and pursue a STEM career. The government also plays a role in creating an environment where students will become innovating minds in the workforce and help sustain the country’s economy and place in the global market. The education system fosters student’s interests in math and science and caters to different levels of students abilities in order to retain them in schools. All these factors contribute to Singapore having a higher percentage of students graduate from universities with STEM degrees than in the United States