1941 research outputs found
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Modified Shuttle Run Study of Three Different Cross-Training Shoes
No full textAdvisor: David S. SenchinaBackground: Shuttle run-type exercises are used frequently in strength training programs. It is a movement that combines agility, strength and explosive movements as the person hops diagonally from point to point. The training shoes being worn by the participant can have a huge impact on performance and accuracy (the ability to hit each point). Purpose: This study examines comfort and stability of training shoes and their respective roles in performance. Information gained from this study
could help provide direction in selecting appropriate training shoes for training programs, specifically those involving lateral and diagonal movements.Hypothesis: We have hypothesized that shoes with a higher comfort and stability as rated by the participants
will lead to greater accuracy in the shuttle run exercise. Methods: Subjects performed the
shuttle run in each of 3 shoe models. Their performance was based on their accuracy for hitting predetermined target points on the floor. Following the trial, subjects then rated each shoe for comfort and stability. Univariate analyses of variance (ANOVA) was run on the data collected to test for significance
of shoe comfort, stability, heart rate, total misses, heel contacts, total on target, and rate of perceived exertion. Results: Shoe model comfort and stability had no significant effect on any parameter. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between shoes. We therefore had to reject our original hypothesis that increased comfort and stability of a shoe would lead to increased accuracy and performance during shuttle run.Drake University, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biolog
Consumer Obligation and Counterproductive Consumption : Can the things We Don't Use Affect Us More Than Those We Do?
No full textAdvisor: David Courard-HauriMost economic consumption is relatively exclusive in time, as there is only a limited number of activities in which one may engage at a given moment. However, items that we own may affect us in different ways depending upon whether we are using them or not. We introduce a time-based model in which utility is affected both by goods that one is using and by some that one is not, with the nonuse utility potentially either positive or negative. We explore the implications of findings from psychology suggesting that excessive choice may lead to negative effect, as well as the effects that optimistic estimates of time available for consumption (“planning fallacy”) have on this model. This extension has implications for explaining observations such as the very low marginal utility of income in post-industrial societies (modified Easterlin Paradox), as well as the counterintuitive success many individuals have reported with voluntary simplicity.Drake University, Environmental Science and Policy Progra
The Amounts of Limonene From Oranges : Species and Geographical Location Effects
No full textAdvisor: John N. GituaThe purpose of this study was to explore whether the concentration of limonene on orange peels is affected by the species or geographical location. Extraction of limonene from oranges was achieved via steam distillation of the well – divided orange peels and the amounts of limonene from the crude
extract determined using gas chromatographic (GC) technique. The effects of species as well as the region where the oranges are grown were evident on the different amounts of limonene obtained from the oranges peels.Drake University, Department of Chemistr
Ionization of Atomic Hydrogen in Strong Infrared Laser Fields
Get PDFAdvisor: Klaus BartschatWe have used the matrix iteration method of Nurhuda and Faisal (Phys. Rev. A 60 (1999) 3125) to treat ionization of atomic hydrogen by a strong laser pulse. After testing our predictions against a variety of previous calculations, we present ejected-electron spectra as well as angular distributions for
few-cycle infrared laser pulses with peak intensities of up to 1015W/cm2. It is shown that the convergence of the results with the number of partial waves is a serious issue, which can be managed in a satisfactory way by using the velocity form of the electric dipole operator in connection with an efficient
time-propagation scheme.Drake University, Department of Physics and Astronom
The Effect of Exogenous PlGF on the Induction of the ERK1/2 Pathway in The H9c2 Rat Cardiomyoblast Cell Line
No full textAdvisors: Ronald Torry, Pramod MahajanMitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways also known as extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK1/2), are among the most important pathways a cell can use to respond to changes in their extracellular environments. The ERK1/2 pathway is known to play a key role in cell survival, cell death, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation in response to a variety of stresses. Reducing
apoptotic cell death during myocardial hypoxia and/or ischemia has substantial clinical significance. Interestingly, activation of the ERK1/2 pathway has been shown to protect a rat cardiomyoblast cell line (H9c2) from apoptosis following nutrient/energy deprivation. Placenta growth factor (PlGF), a key molecule in angiogenesis and member of the VEGF family, is a ligand for flt-1. Although we have shown that cardiomyocytes upregulate PlGF mRNA expression during hypoxia, its function is not understood. In order to assess PlGF activation of ERK1/2, cells will be made quiescent by serum starving with 1% FCS media for 20 hours, and then treated with 10% FCS or 50ng/mL PlGF for 10 minutes. Cell cultures will then be lysed and harvested using a TPER:protease inhibitor
lysis buffer. SDS-Page, and Western blotting techniques utilizing antibodies specific for phospho-ERK1/2 and total ERK1/2 will be used to determine flt-1 activation. These techniques will determine if PlGF can induce ERK1/2 activation, and ultimately cell survival in H9c2 cells.Drake University, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Administrative Science Departmen
The Impact of Teacher Preception of Student Effort and Student Attitude on Grading of Secondary Students
Get PDFvii, 78 leavesThe problem: Research has repeatedly noted the inclusion of nonacademic factors complicate the ability to interpret grades since these factors may directly conflict with each other and distort the meaning of a grade.
Procedure: This study investigated the impact two nonacademic factors, teacher
perception of student effort and attitude toward subject matter, had on the final grade
students earned in Algebra I. This study examined 851 students from 15 teachers’
classrooms in and around the Des Moines, Iowa, metropolitan area.
Findings: Results of data analysis established a highly significant correlation between teacher perceptions of effort and grades in Algebra I (r= .6267) with a coefficient of determination of .3927. Likewise, a highly significant correlation (r= .5743) was established between perceptions of attitude toward subject matter and the final grade in Algebra, with a coefficient of determination of .3298. These findings supported previous research that nonacademic factors influence grading.
Recommendations: The findings have implications for pre service and in-service
teacher training and professional development around grading and measurement, as well
as for the reporting tools schools use to report grades
Effects of Performing a Task on Gait Parameter
No full textAdvisor: David S. SenchinaBackground: When performing a second task, normal gait parameters are altered as compared to normal walking. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of performing a task on gait parameters including number of steps, step width, step length, and stride length. Hypotheses: It was predicted that walking at a fast-pace would decrease number of steps and step width while increasing
stride length and step length. Carrying 15% of the subjects body weight would increase number of steps and step width while decreasing stride length and step length. Performing mental math would increase number of steps, step width would deviate from normal, and step length and
stride length would decrease. Methods: Nine male and female students ages 19-26 participated in the study. Six conditions during walking were performed by each subject for a total of 18 7-m trials. Measurements were taken including number of steps, step width, step length, and stride length. Ttests were performed to statistically analyze the data. Results: There was a statistically significant difference found between normal walking and fast-paced walking in number of steps, step length, and stride length, but not step width. No other statistically significant data was found. Conclusions: Gait is not significantly altered when performing a second task, with the exception of fast-paced walking. Further studies should be done with an increased sample size.Drake University, Department of Biology, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Chemistr
Declarative Soccer Knowledge and Recent Video Game Experience Do Not Contribute to Wii Soccer Performance
No full textAdvisor: David S. SenchinaBackground: Soccer is becoming more popular in the world of sports. The Nintendo Wii game system represents a unique interface to test individuals contributions of soccer-specific procedural and declarative knowledge. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare declarative knowledge of soccer as a sport to performance on Wii soccer video game. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that an increased
knowledge of soccer will aid in achieving higher scores when playing soccer on the Wii game system. We also hypothesized that an increase in heart rate can be expected in the subjects after playing against a human opponent in comparison to the Wii computer opponent, thus mimicking a reallife soccer setting. Methods: Subjects completed six tasks: an exercise history questionnaire, video
game questionnaire, soccer quiz, soccer skills practical, and two Wii trials: one trial versus the computer and a second trial versus a human opponent. Results: No correlations were found between the Wii scores and the subcategories of the soccer quiz, or the overall soccer quiz score. Also, no significant difference was found for heart rates after the Wii computer opponent and the human opponent. Conclusion: An increased knowledge of soccer as a sport does not help in achieving high scores in a Wii soccer game. An increased heart rate cannot be expected when playing against a human opponent
in comparison to a computer opponent.Drake University, Department of Biology, Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Progra
Effects of Different Athletic Shoes on Treadmill Run
No full textAdvisor: David S. SenchinaBACKGROUND: Training shoes are designed differently for different purposes. Many people believe that expensive shoes mean better performance. Manufacturing companies modify shoes to fit consumer demands in style as opposed to performance. This has made the prices of shoes unreasonably high. PURPOSE: To determine whether a training shoe price determines its performance. HYPOTHESIS:
adidas_1DLX (most expensive of the models tested) is the best in terms of comfort level
and stability as compared to two other shoes. METHODS: Seven male subjects ranging between the
ages of 19 to 31 were recruited to run on a treadmill wearing three shoes adidas_1 DLX, Nike Sparq, and Under Armour Illusion. They ran for four minutes each at their own pace, after which they were asked to rate each shoe based on perceived comfort and stability. Heart rate was measured after each treadmill run. RESULTS: adidas_1DLX had a lower comfort rating than other shoe models. Ratings of stability and heart rate did not differ significantly between models. CONCLUSIONS: adidas_1DLX was the least comfortable and stable despite its high price, possibly because of the computer and motor in the sole. Under Armour Illusion, on the other hand, was the most comfortable and stable shoe though it was cheaper. Price did not predict performance in these training shoes.Drake University, Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Biolog