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Biomechanical Assessment of Gait and Overhead Deep Squat in Scoliosis: Comparison with Controls and Pre- versus Post-Spinal Fusion Evaluation
No full textScoliosis, a condition of unknown etiology, significantly disrupts the locomotor system and alters movement patterns. The prevalence of scoliosis increases dramatically in females after the age of 10. Despite this, there is a paucity of research examining the impact of scoliosis and spinal fusion surgery on functional movements in adult females, particularly during dynamic activities such overhead deep squats (OHDS). This study aims to address this gap by investigating the biomechanical implications of scoliosis on functional movements, with a specific focus on gait and OHDS performance. The research involved movement analysis using a 3D motion capture system to analyze asymmetry. Three groups of female subjects were examined: a surgical group (SG), a non-surgical group (NSG), and a control group (CG). It was hypothesized that scoliosis subjects would demonstrate compromised locomotor efficiency, restricted joint angles, and reduced power generation during gait and OHDS. Results revealed significant differences in temporal-spatial parameters, joint angles, and power generation across the groups supporting the hypothesis. The study also compared pre- and post-surgical movement data of SG. The hypothesis for this comparison was that post-surgical patients will exhibit reduced movement capabilities due to the fixed spinal orientation resulting from spinal fusion surgery. The results indicated no notable changes in joint angles, and temporal-spatial parameters during gait, significant differences were observed during OHDS rejecting the hypothesis. The findings of this study highlighted the need for early, targeted rehabilitation programs tailored to scoliosis severity, focusing on improving joint ROM, stability, and power generation to enhance functional outcomes and minimize complications
Africanism in America: Exploring Hybrid Identities of African Students in the US
Get PDFThis study interrogates the intercultural experiences of African international students (AIS) in a US Midwestern University. With a focus on West African students, the project explores how students confront and overcome linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers as they create new dynamic spaces which are neither American nor African, but a mixture of both in a predominantly White institution. Drawing on the theoretical constructs of hybridity and language ideology, the findings reveal how AIS actively negotiate identity by using traditional African cultural traits, rooted in Africanism—with new cultural influences, generating unique, fluid and constantly-evolving hybrid identities. I utilized ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews to better understand how AIS engage in ongoing identity negotiation through language, food, cultural expressions, and technology. In this study I conducted 40 hours of ethnographic observations over a 5-month period and interviewed 12 West African students.
Language emerges as a powerful site of hybridity, where students constantly shift between linguistic norms to balance intelligibility and cultural authenticity. These hybrid identities emerge through active, creative processes of cultural and linguistic hybridization. The findings offer important implications for higher education, emphasizing the need for more culturally responsive support systems that recognize the distinct experiences of African students. Additionally, this research contributes to the fields of communication and migration studies by advancing a nuanced understanding of identity formation in transnational contexts. By foregrounding the voices of African students, this project challenges monolithic representations of international students and underscores the power of intercultural dialogue
Annotated Bib: Summer Playlist Worksheet
Get PDFThis worksheet is meant to help students better understand the purpose of an annotated bibliography. The student is tasked with listing three songs they would include on a summer playlist, and provide their reasoning for including each song. The worksheet states that students can’t use a reason for more than one song (for example, if they include a song because the word “summer” is in the title, they can’t use that same reason for including another song). The songs can be from any genre, any time period, and they can interpret “Summer Songs” however they wish. This worksheet was created to be filled out and turned in before a break. That way, the instructor can go over the answers and discuss those that best exemplify why and how we use sources. This exercise would be best for 100 or 200-level classes, or classes where students\u27 knowledge of annotated bibliographies are emerging (in accordance with the GVSU Libraries stats rubric)
Using Picturebooks to Promote Student Inquiry, Inferential Thinking, and Reading Comprehension in a 9th Grade ELA Classroom
Get PDFThis article reports findings from a classroom-based, action research project that used one award-winning picturebook to promote student inquiry, inferential thinking, and reading comprehension in a 9th grade English/Language Arts classroom. It begins by describing a read-aloud experience that sparked my interest in developing and implementing an action research project, followed by an overview of action research as a research methodology. Next, it shares samples of work that resulted from students using three interrelated, instructional strategies with the picturebook to promote inquiry, inferential thinking, and reading comprehension. Then, it discusses major findings and implications and ends with concluding thoughts
Ethno-Psychometry: The Measurement of Personality in Mexico
Get PDFFollowing in the tradition of ethno-psychological research proposed by Diaz-Guerrero (1986, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995), this manuscript delineates the process toward obtaining statistically and conceptually valid and reliable personality measures, that at the same time are also culturally relevant and sensitive to the Mexican culture. The methods and construct development for the creation of multidimensional measures of achievement orientation, empathy, locus of control, assertiveness, masculinity, femininity, and self-concept are presented. Further information on the specific characteristics of measures, their construct and convergent, divergent, and predictive validity can be found in Diaz-Loving (2019)
Guessing games to determine 1 of several secret numbers
Get PDFA guessing game is a two-player game between a Responder and a Questioner. In a guessing game, the Responder is thinking of x ≥ 1 secret numbers in a set S of size n. The Questioner is tasked with asking questions of the form: “How many numbers are in Q ⊆ S?” until the Questioner knows at least 1 of the Responder’s secret numbers. We find a game-winning strategy for the Questioner with minimal possible questions for games with x = 2. We also find lower-bounds for x = 2 and x = 3
Challenges and Strategies for Caribbean Students Pursuing Education in the United States
Get PDFCaribbean students who come to study in the United States face significant obstacles that shape their college experience. These students struggle with more than typical academic challenges; they deal with financial pressures, the complexities of adapting to a new culture, strict visa rules, and a lack of targeted support from their institutions. This project examines their experiences, drawing from research on how factors like emotional and cultural intelligence, mental health, peer relationships, and systemic inequalities affect their educational paths. Using Critical Race Theory and Social Identity Theory as foundations, this work shows how deep-rooted inequities in U.S. higher education make it harder for Caribbean students to succeed academically and feel part of their campus communities. The project examines how American universities recruit, retain, and support these students, revealing essential gaps that need attention. Based on these findings, the project proposes changes to improve institutional policies, expand financial support, and create more culturally aware support services. This project bridges the gap between theory and real-world practice, showing how universities can build environments where Caribbean students have genuine opportunities to succeed both in and out of the classroom
Automating Elisa With Andrew+: Maximizing Efficiency In Assay Workflow
No full textPURPOSE: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is essential for detecting specific proteins or antibodies. This study evaluated the efficiency and accuracy of an automated ELISA protocol using the Andrew+ Pipetting Robot compared to the traditional manual approach for detecting Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) antibodies. CHALLENGE: Manual ELISA procedures are time-consuming and prone to human errors, affecting consistency and throughput. The challenge was to assess whether automation could enhance accuracy, reduce errors, and improve workflow efficiency. EXPERIENCE: The study involved running 176 porcine serum samples in duplicate and triplicate using both manual and automated ELISA methods. The Andrew+ robot, programmed via OneLab software, automated sample dilution and plate preparation, whereas the manual method required hand pipetting. OUTCOME: The automated method demonstrated a 98.3% concordance rate with manual results while reducing hands-on time by 30 minutes per assay. At the Zoetis Kalamazoo facility alone, this translates to a potential annual time savings of 2,280 minutes, increasing productivity and standardization in PCV2 antibody detection. IMPACT: Automating ELISA assays with the Andrew+ system significantly improves efficiency, reproducibility, and data integrity. This advancement benefits both research and diagnostic workflows, setting the stage for broader applications in biological assay automation