The Pairing of Trigger Point Dry Needling with Rehabilitation Techniques

Trigger point dry needling is a manual treatment modality used for individuals experiencing tightness, pain, and inhibited range of motion in any region of the body. Dry needling can be described as the insertion of a blunt, microfilament non-medicated needle into the skin for the purpose of targeting specific muscles, which contain tight bands known as trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point the muscle contracts, holds tight to the needle, and elicits a neural twitch response. This ultimately causes the muscle to relax, allowing for reduction in pain and improvements in range of motion. Although the use of dry needling is rising in popularity in the United States, knowledge of its use and effects is limited. Fortunately, more research is being conducted on this form of treatment. In this thesis, the purpose and physiological effects of dry needling will be discussed in detail, along with a comparison between other alternate medical modalities of treatment which target trigger points. In addition, current research on the effectiveness of incorporating dry needling with other manual therapeutic modalities will be discussed. Dry needling has been shown to be very effective in treating trigger points by improving range of motion, decreasing pain, reducing muscle tightness, and increasing muscle oxygenation. Positive effects of dry needling are even more likely to occur when paired with other modes of therapeutic treatment, often in a physical therapy setting but may also be performed by other health professionals including chiropractors, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and physicians

Do not log-transform count data

1. Ecological count data (e.g., number of individuals or species) are often log-transformed to satisfy parametric test assumptions.
2. Apart from the fact that generalized linear models are better suited in dealing with count data, a log-transformation of counts has the additional quandary in how to deal with zero observations. With just one zero observation (if this observation represents a sampling unit), the whole dataset needs to be fudged by adding a value (usually 1) before transformation. 
3. Simulating data from a negative binomial distribution, we compared the outcome of fitting models that were transformed in various ways (log, square-root) with results from fitting models using Poisson and negative binomial models to untransformed count data. 
4. We found that the transformations performed poorly, except when the dispersion was small and the mean counts were large.  The Poisson and negative binomial models consistently performed well, with little bias

New insights from inside-out Doppler tomography

We present preliminary results from our investigation into using an 'inside-out' velocity space for creating a Doppler tomogram. The aim is to transpose the inverted appearance of the Cartesian velocity space used in normal Doppler tomography. In a comparison between normal and inside-out Doppler tomograms of cataclysmic variables, we show that the inside-out velocity space has the potential to produce new insights into the accretion dynamics in these systems.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, conference: The Golden Age of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects II, Palermo 201

Should Central Banks of Small Open Economies Respond to Exchange Rate Fluctuations? The Case of South Africa

We estimate a New Keynesian small open economy DSGE model for South Africa, using Bayesian techniques. The model features imperfect competition, incomplete asset markets, partial exchange rate pass-through, and other commonly used nominal and real rigidities, such as sticky prices, price indexation and habit formation. We study the effects of various shocks on macroeconomic variables, and calculate the optimal Taylor rule coefficients using a loss function for the central bank. We find that the optimal Taylor rule places a heavier weight on inflation and output than the estimated Taylor rule, but almost no weight on the depreciation of currency.optimal monetary policy, small open economy, Bayesian estimation

A community in trouble? The impact of gentrification on the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

The Bo-Kaap is an older inner-city, working-class neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa. By the 1930s, the area had degenerated into an overcrowded and run-down neighbourhood, consisting largely of dilapidated houses, but by 1941 about 150 housing units had been expropriated by the local authority for redevelopment in a comprehensive renewal scheme for the area. However, the process was halted with the formation of the so-called “Group for the Preservation of the Malay Quarter”, which fought against the demolition of the houses. At present, the area with its colourful housing units and 11 mosques is part of Cape Town’s cultural heritage and a very important tourist attraction. As in the case of De Waterkant, a gentrified neighbourhood adjacent to it, the area has seen a large number of housing units renovated and upgraded. Property prices have increased dramatically, although they are still relatively low, while the number of properties sold is also on the rise – so much so that the community leaders and especially the Muslim residents are in a constant battle to preserve the neighbourhood’s cultural identity

Liberal democracy and the genetic supermarket: Autonomy and freedom in Jurgen Moltmann's political theology and biotechnology

In this article, the concept of "liberal democracy" and its implications for biotechnology such as human genetic engineering will be examined. Liberal democracy is characterised by a number of features, some of which has extensive repercussions on biotechnology, especially concepts such as the equal protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, political freedom for all people and autonomy and libertarianism. Advocates of human genetic engineering for purposes other than the healing of genetically transmitted diseases often appeal to these features in the quest for its legalisation. I will examine whether the attributes of liberal democracy would indeed justify the use of this type of biotechnology and if yes, what a possible theological response would be, drawing on the political theology of Jurgen Moltmann.DHE

Improving Unsustainable Environmental Governance in South Africa: the Case for Holistic Governance

Environmental law in South Africa has developed in a rapid fashion since the inception of the new constitutional dispensation in 1994. This development is evident from, inter alia, the constitutionalisation of the environmental right in section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Section 24 contains amongst other provisions, directive principles that impose duties on government to protect the environment for present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures. It is apparent from section 24 that these measures should ensure environmental governance practices that are aimed at the achievement of sustainable results. The South African environmental governance regime is, however, characterised by fragmentation that may negate the achievement of sustainable environmental governance. It is argued in this article that, for environmental governance to become sustainable, it is necessary to integrate environmental governance efforts, possibly by way of a holistic approach to environmental governance. In light of the above, this article: investigates the nature and extent of fragmentation; explores reasons for fragmentation; discusses disadvantages of fragmented governance efforts in South Africa; investigates the concept of integration and holistic governance as means to achieve sustainable environmental governance results; and makes recommendations regarding the eventual achievement of integrated, holistic and sustainable environmental governance

Allozyme variation within and differentiation between populations and genera of representatives of the tigerfish family

Ph.D.Since the systematics in the family Characidae from southern Africa were only reliant on some morphological traits, the determination of the genetic variation, genetic distances and phylogenetic relationships using different molecular techniques led to the formulation of this study. The first aim of the study was to describe the amount and pattern of genetic variation withi~ and between populations. The analysis of the isozymes provided the first account of the amount. pattern and distribution of genetic variation within this family. A general introduction on the history, distribution, descriptions, taxonomy and some ecological notes from the literature on southern African Characidae species is included in Chapter l. The second chapter dealt with the Hydrocynus genus that represents, morphologically, the largest member of this family. Other members of the Characidae family are relatively small species that do not exceed 300g. Twenty-five enzyme coding loci in two populations of H. vittatus, from Namibia and South Africa, were analyzed by horizontal starch gelelectrophoresis. Electrophoretic analysis of liver. white muscle, heart and testis samples revealed genetic variation at 20% (Upper Zambezi River. Namibia) and 36% (Oiifants River. South Africa) of the protein coding loci studied. Average heterozygosity values ranged from l .9% (Upper Zambezi River) to 4.6% (Oiifants River), with a genetic distance value of 0.005 between these populations. The low amount of genetic variability in the former population compared to that of other fish species from the same geographical area, and to that of H. vittatus from the Olifants River. can be attributed to restricted gene flow due to isolation. Although morphological differences exist between the two populations. the extent thereof is not sufficient to regard them as subspecies

BRICS: strategies of persuasion

This dissertation explores the strategic communications of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) intergovernmental platform. BRICS is a recent addition to the growing array of international organisations. Though BRICS consists of significant emerging and re-emerging states, it remains poorly perceived and obscure. Previous analyses that have examined BRICS as an aggregation of its member states or distinguished it simply as a slogan designed by Goldman Sachs have failed to discern it for the rhetorical, strategic entity that it is. This dissertation focuses on BRICS’ essence and intent, its strategic communications. It analyses BRICS’ narrative and scenario, examining its rhetorical appeals, its strategies and tactics of persuasion. The study employs a critical rhetorical analysis to explore publically available primary documentation emanating from high-level BRICS meetings. Three analytical chapters assess this corpus, conceptually distinguished as programmatic (Memoranda of Understanding, agreements and treaties), organic (summit Declarations) and opportunistic (Statements) documents. This analysis expediently takes from disciplines and schools of thought to qualitatively and inductively assess strategic style and agency. It applies theoretical and conceptual tools to examine claims that emerge from the texts. BRICS’ documents present organisational strategy and articulate its appeals. These are rhetorically explored to discern BRICS, per se. BRICS’ rhetoric motions towards its aims. Its strategic means, ways and ends are closely assessed. The dissertation finds that BRICS is an informal intergovernmental regime towards engendering reform inside of the normative international order. Its claims indirectly shape global governance according to its interests. BRICS is a process-driven advocacy mechanism that brings states together as nodes in a state-centric intergovernmental style. It rhetorically steers towards its aspired outcomes without taking considerable action. It does so to avoid responsibility. It rhetorically performs the principles and norms of the legitimate international order under the United Nations, in order to substantiate its form of multilateralism; to actualise reform while maintaining structure. By employing its principles and norms, BRICS embodies and therefore territorialises the multilateral order. BRICS’ strategic communications develop an alternative narrative towards steering international cooperation and exchange. Its articulation of the international order confronts dictated hegemonic conceptions, asserting that no unilateral interpretation holds an absolute truth. Sovereign states are not circumscribed by other states but only by legitimate international law and order. In doing so BRICS pursues international recognition for its member states, disrupts what it perceives to be hegemonic inertia and redefines global governance. BRICS illustrates a significant modality to assess the contemporary international order and the recent developments in global power. Its indirect form, a procedural and fluid platform for extra-Western sovereign states to pursue influence and execute wills, proposes the evolution of international power in the 21st century. BRICS actively employs a hybrid (both-and) strategy to lead toward a reformed global order based on a greater balance of powers (multipolarity). The development of BRICS and BRICS Plus presents compelling cases for further, critical studies