Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse

In trotting horses, movement asymmetry is associated with ground reaction force asymmetry. In humans, limb length differences influence contralateral force production. Here we investigate whether horses, in immediate reaction to limb length changes, show movement asymmetry adaptations consistent with reported force differences. Aim of this study was to quantify pelvic and compensatory head and withers movement asymmetry as a function of limb length changes after application of orthotic lifts. In this experimental study movement asymmetry of eleven trotting horses was calculated from vertical displacement of poll, withers, sacrum and left and right tuber coxae with inertial sensors. Horses were assessed in-hand under 5 conditions (all with hind limb boots): without orthotic lifts, and with a 15mm or 30mm orthotic lift applied to the left hind or right hind. A linear mixed model investigated the influence of orthotic lift condition (P<0.05, pairwise posthoc Bonferroni correction). Pelvic movement asymmetry showed increased pelvic downward movement during stance of the shorter limb and increased pelvic upward movement during and after stance of the longer limb (P<0.001) with asymmetry changes of 3-7mm (4-10mm) for 15mm (30mm) lifts. Hip hike (tuber coxae movement asymmetry) was unaffected (P = 0.348). Head and withers movement asymmetry were affected less consistently (2 of 3 respectively 1 of 3 head or withers parameters). The small sample size of the study reduced generalizability, no direct force measurements were conducted and only immediate effects of orthotic lifts were assessed with no re-assessments days or weeks after. Conclusions about mechanical consequences (weight bearing, pushoff) are based on published movement-force associations. Pelvic movement asymmetry with an artificial change in limb length through application of an orthotic lift indicates increased weight support with the shorter limb and increased pushoff with the longer limb. This may be of relevance for the management of horses with different hoof shapes between contralateral limbs, for example some chronically lame horse

Black Social Workers Use of Racial Identity and Self Concept in the Workplace

Navigating the Black professional identity in U.S. work environments poses challenges for social workers, with limited research addressing racial salience, power dynamics, and self-concept within their specific workplace contexts. Using self-concept theory, and the multidimensional model of racial identity as theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the purpose of this research was to examine Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept using racial salience, power distance, and employee tenure as predictors. Using web-based surveys to collect data, a purposive sample of 77 participants were used to complete demographic information, a measure of centrality to gauge racial salience Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, a measure of self-concept using the Self-Concept Questionnaire, a measure of power dynamics using the Power Distance Index subscale of the Cultural Values Scale, and a measure of tenure (length of time in current role). The research questions included (a) to what degree racial saliency predicted Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept in the workplace, (b) to what degree perceived power differences predicted Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept in the workplace, and (c) to what degree employee tenure predicted Black social workers’ self-concept in the workplace. Using multiple regression analysis, results suggested that racial salience, power distance, and employee tenure were not significant predictors of Black social worker’s self-concept in the workplace. The non-significance implies positive social change through a need for further exploration and reevaluation of the research design and variables. Specifically, how variables may intersect, as well as the potential for mixed-methods research in the future

A Study of the Cause of Retardation in Reading in F. W. Gross School, Victoria, Texas

This study is limited to 35 of the pupils of the F. W. Gross School in the third grade. It is concerned with the four factors, deficient hearing, deficient sight, mental retardation, and home environment since previous studies have amply covered other aspects of reading retardation and since these four factors seemed to be the more important in the reading difficulties of the group studied. Though the findings of this study may or may not be definite, they will at least furnish a basis for the solution of some of the probable causes of poor reading, and will serve as a basis for farther study. The general aim of the study being undertaken here is to learn enough about the present lives and past experiences of a selected group consisting of 35 third grade pupils in the P. W. Gross School; concerning the mental ability, home environment, and the hearing and vision to provide facts that will prove useful in arriving at some conclusion as to the causes of poor reading in the school, and to use this information as evidence as a basis for improvement. Specifically the aim is (1) to discover some of the causes of poor reading and to organize a reading program that will develop the child mentally, socially, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. (2) To organize a suggested program that will be considered with the child\u27s interests, needs, abilities and experiences, which will develop an understanding of such knowledge that will give a basis for intelligent self direction, (3) to decide in the light of the cases presented in this study, upon the educational needs of these individuals, and the possible needs of future third grade children, (4) to learn or have some basic information upon which to decide what directions should be taken in planning for improvement in the educational program now being offered

The Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy or Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Improving Upper Extremity Motor Function in Adults with Hemiplegia After a Traumatic Brain Injury

The final portfolio contains 11 research articles from both national and international journals. Study designs include two randomized control trials, one systematic review, four quasi-experimental studies, one case study, two case series, and one pilot case study. All studies relate directly to components of the evidence-based practice question and will be used to draft new practice guidelines for using constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) or modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) in occupational therapy practice. Seven articles specifically describe the effectiveness of CIMT or mCIMT for adults with hemiplegia following a traumatic brain injury. The other four articles describe the effectiveness of CIMT or mCIMT for adults with hemiplegia following a cerebrovascular accident or an acquired brain injury. These themes will be discussed in detail

Mental Health and the Intersectionality of Race and Gender of Crossover Youth

Abstract African American youth and their kinship families engaged in dual systems of care (i.e., child welfare system and juvenile justice system) commonly known as “crossover youth” can become overwhelmed by the competing priorities of both systems. While one system purports to advance a best interests standard of children in out of home care, the other, is stated to be centered on tenets of restorative justice. Children and families simultaneously involved in systems that are incompatible can be very difficult to negotiate. In addition to the traditional developmental gaps in crossover youth development there are subsequent layers that contribute to the youth’s identity at the point of intersectionality. The presence of multiple selves and the lack of stability to navigate nuanced personas in these dual systems creates discourse relative to poly-victimization, serial victimization, and betrayal trauma. As a community-based strategy, to address the structural and systemic disconnect of these competing systems in the lives of African American families of crossover youth in kinship care settings, A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI), a Pennsylvania nonprofit dedicated to kinship care, created a High Intensity Kinship Unit to address these competing systems. ASCI’s In-Home Clinical Service department highlights youth’s mental health concerns while collaborating with the High Impact Unit (HIU) who services to bridge systemic gaps, address the nuances inherent in the child welfare and juvenile justice; and to improve the outcomes for success for African American crossover youth. This article will advance a community-based framework based on the strengths of the Black family. Centered on the frameworks of Critical Race Theory and Self-Efficacy, the aim of this article is to examine strategies used by a community-based agency to address the structural racism of the systems of care, as well as to better understanding the role of self-efficacy when working with youth crossover as it relates to their educational and mental health needs. Lastly, the aim of this manuscript is to provide practical and effective interventions when working with African American crossover youth in kinship care, through a community-based lens

Ac loss calorimeter for three-phase cable

A calorimeter for measuring ac losses in meter-long lengths of HTS superconducting power transmission line cables is described. The calorimeter, which is based on a temperature difference technique, has a precision of 1 mW and measures single, two-phase (coupling), and three-phase losses. The measurements show significant coupling losses between phases

Coinfections and their molecular consequences in the porcine respiratory tract

Understudied, coinfections are more frequent in pig farms than single infections. In pigs, the term “Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex” (PRDC) is often used to describe coinfections involving viruses such as swine Influenza A Virus (swIAV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), and Porcine CircoVirus type 2 (PCV2) as well as bacteria like Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Bordetella bronchiseptica. The clinical outcome of the various coinfection or superinfection situations is usually assessed in the studies while in most of cases there is no clear elucidation of the fine mechanisms shaping the complex interactions occurring between microorganisms. In this comprehensive review, we aimed at identifying the studies dealing with coinfections or superinfections in the pig respiratory tract and at presenting the interactions between pathogens and, when possible, the mechanisms controlling them. Coinfections and superinfections involving viruses and bacteria were considered while research articles including protozoan and fungi were excluded. We discuss the main limitations complicating the interpretation of coinfection/superinfection studies, and the high potential perspectives in this fascinating research field, which is expecting to gain more and more interest in the next years for the obvious benefit of animal health