Basic Public Speaking Principles: An Examination of Twelve Popular Texts

The importance of the basic course is reflected in the number of published articles focused on it. Aside from having an annually published journal (The Basic Communication Course Annual) devoted to it, articles concerning the basic course are sprinkled throughout many of the discipline\u27s journals. However, Schneider (1991) pointed out that few studies have focused on the textbooks used. Since the textbook is generally the foundation upon which the course is built, it is an important object of study. Although the term basic course may be used to identify a variety of courses (such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, hybrid blends of the public and interpersonal communication, or communication theory), public speaking is the most common approach (Gray, 1989; Trank & Lewis, 1991). Thus, this investigation focused on public speaking texts. The objective was to gain a clear understanding of what content is included in basic speech textbooks. This task involved examining principles in texts and finding how much book space was devoted to each principle. This information should be valuable for instructors who teach public speaking, for administrators who supervise the course, and for writers of textbooks and accompanying materials. But most of all, this information should be of use to scholars and critics of the basic course. By examining exactly what we include in our texts, we can then evaluate the merit of each component. Through carefully examining our own practices, we can assess our basic public speaking course to improve the weaknesses and maintain the strengths

Regulation of menaquinone production in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain G20 [abstract]

Abstract only availableMenaquinones are cytoplasmic membrane components that have important roles in electron transport for energy generation in anaerobic bacteria. A simple and sensitive protocol for the purification and quantification of menaquinones from the sulfate-reducing anaerobes Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain G20 has been established. This method was used to determine whether differences occurred in menaquinone production in cells grown by fermentation when compared with those grown by respiration. Purified menaquinone extracts from both species were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography, UV absorption spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. It was observed that each species possesses the same two menaquinones but the ratio between the two menaquinones differed in each species. The effects of alternate growth modes on the menaquinone content of the cells is being explored. Methods to further characterize and identify the two menaquinones is currently in progress

Agreement Between Sars-Cov-2 Pcr Test Results Using Nasopharyngeal and Mid-Turbinate Specimens among asymptomatic Working-Age adults

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether mid-turbinate specimens reliably detect active infection in asymptomatic adults undergoing regular COVID-19 PCR testing. METHODS: Qualitative agreement between 2481 paired nasopharyngeal and mid-turbinate PCR results was assessed. Mean cycle threshold values for each positive result were evaluated as an indicator of active infection. RESULTS: Overall agreement between nasopharyngeal and mid-turbinate tests was 98.4%. Positive percent agreement was 37.2%, and negative percent agreement was ~100%. Test pairs with lower cycle thresholds (≤30 and ≤25) reached 67% and 100% positive percent agreement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infections with high viral loads were detected regardless of specimen type. Mid-turbinate swabs reduced staff discomfort and may decrease repeated positive test results weeks or months after initial infection. Discordant pairs generally had high cycle threshold values (\u3e30) indicating low viral load and little risk of transmitting COVID-19

Temperature, Placental abruption and Stillbirth

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women may be vulnerable to changes in ambient temperature and warming climates. Recent evidence suggests that temperature increases are associated with placental abruption, a risk factor for stillbirth. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of acute exposures to apparent temperature on stillbirths in Harris County, Texas, 2008-2013. METHODS: We conducted a case-crossover study to investigate the association between temperature and stillbirth among 708 women. We used data from the National Climatic Data Center to estimate maternal exposure to daily average apparent temperature over the days (lag days 1 through 6) preceding the stillbirth event. We employed symmetric bidirectional sampling to select six control periods one to three weeks before and after each event and applied conditional logistic regression to examine associations between increases of apparent temperature and stillbirths during the warm season (May-September). We adjusted for fine particulate matter (PM RESULTS: Independent of air pollutant exposures, a 10 °F increase in apparent temperature in the week preceding delivery (lag days 1 to 6) was positively associated with a 45% (adjusted OR = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.77) increase in risk for stillbirth. Risks were elevated for stillbirths occurring in June through August, for Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women, but not for non-Hispanic Whites. We also observed elevated risks associated with temperature increases in the few days preceding delivery among stillbirths caused by placental abruption, with the risk being highest on lag day 1 (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.23). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of maternal ambient air pollutant exposure, we found evidence of an association between apparent temperature increases in the week preceding an event and risk of stillbirth. Risks for stillbirth varied by race/ethnicity. Further, in the first study to evaluate the impact of temperature on a specific complication during pregnancy, the risks were higher among mothers with placental abruption

Personalising airway clearance in chronic lung disease

This review describes a framework for providing a personalised approach to selecting the most appropriate airway clearance technique (ACT) for each patient. It is based on a synthesis of the physiological evidence that supports the modulation of ventilation and expiratory airflow as a means of assisting airway clearance. Possession of a strong understanding of the physiological basis for ACTs will enable clinicians to decide which ACT best aligns with the individual patient's pathology in diseases with anatomical bronchiectasis and mucus hypersecretion. The physiological underpinning of postural drainage is that by placing a patient in various positions, gravity enhances mobilisation of secretions. Newer ACTs are based on two other physiological premises: the ability to ventilate behind obstructed regions of the lung and the capacity to achieve the minimum expiratory airflow bias necessary to mobilise secretions. After reviewing each ACT to determine if it utilises both ventilation and expiratory flow, these physiological concepts are assessed against the clinical evidence to provide a mechanism for the effectiveness of each ACT. This article provides the clinical rationale necessary to determine the most appropriate ACT for each patient, thereby improving care

2001 Wild Blueberry CSREES Project Reports

The 2001 edition of the Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Effect of Wild Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food Systems 2. Factors Affecting the Microbial and Pesticide Residues Levels on Wild Blueberries 3. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Fresh and Processed Wild Blueberries 4. Separation of Maggot-Infested Wild Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 5. Water Use of Wild Blueberries and the Impact of Plant Water Stress on Yields 6. Survey of Stem Blight and Leaf Spot Diseases in Wild Blueberry Fields 7. IPM Strategies 8. Control Tactics for Wild Blueberry Pest Insects, 2001 9. Biology and Ecology of Blueberry Pest Insects 10. Diurnal Bee Activity and Measurement of Honeybee Field Strength 11. Effect of Foliar-applied Iron (Fe) Chelate Concentration on Leaf Iron Concentration, Wild Blueberry Growth and Yield 12. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Wild Blueberries 13. Effect of Foliar Iron and Copper Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 14. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Wild Blueberry Growth and Productivity 15. Effect of Foliar Copper Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 16. Effect of Prune-year Applications of Nutri-Phitetm P or Nutri-Phitetm P+K on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) 17. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 18. Assessment of Azafenidin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 19. Assessment of Rimsulfuron for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 20. Assessment of Pendimethalin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 21. Evaluation and Demonstration of Techniques for Filling in Bare Spots in Wild Blueberry Fields 22. Assessment of Sprout-less Weeder for Hardwood Control in Wild Blueberries 23. Wild Blueberry Extension Education Program in 2001 24. Evaluation of Fungicide Efficacy in Wild Blueberry Fields 25. 2001 Pesticide Groundwater Survey 26. Cultural Weed Management Using Sulfur to Lower the pH 27. Wild Blueberry Web Sit