scholarly journals A Moving Dune, A Stunning View: Visitors’ Recollections of a Ranger-Led Hike at Indiana Dunes National Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Forist ◽  
Martha Merson ◽  
Louise C. Allen ◽  
Nickolay I. Hristov
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Indiana Dunes ◽  
Interest And Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Interests

Located 50 miles from Chicago, at Indiana Dunes National Park, thousands interact with rangers annually, many taking part in ranger-led hikes. The study focused on visitor recollections of a ranger-led hike that provided opportunities to learn about landscape change, recent events, and associated scientific findings. Interpreters are encouraged to co-construct audience-centered experiences, making space in interactions for visitors’ knowledge, interests, and previous experience. Researchers observed six ranger-led hikes incorporating audience-centered design elements and recruited a convenience sample of twenty-one visitors for participation in a pre-hike survey to gather responses about interest and knowledge before the hike and their willingness to participate in a follow up post-hike phone interview. After ranger-led hikes, researchers conducted fifteen interviews using a phenomenological approach to glean visitors’ recollections of the experience. Our findings confirm that visitors arrive with background knowledge, scientific interests, and curiosity. Months after the park experience, they were able to give examples of dune formation and change over time, the human effect on the landscape, and findings from recent events and scientific study at Mount Baldy. Interviewees recalled and reflected on rangers’ facilitation and use of props, as well as visual details and feelings evoked by the physical conditions. The results offer a rare look at what sticks with visitors after their participation in a ranger-led hike.

scholarly journals Exploring the gateway hypothesis of e-cigarettes and tobacco: a prospective replication study among adolescents in the Netherlands and Flanders

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056528
Author(s):  
Thomas Martinelli ◽  
Math J J M Candel ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Reinskje Talhout ◽  
Vera Knapen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Never Smokers

BackgroundStudies demonstrated that adolescent e-cigarette use is associated with subsequent tobacco smoking, commonly referred to as the gateway effect. However, most studies only investigated gateways from e-cigarettes to tobacco smoking. This study replicates a cornerstone study revealing a positive association between both adolescent e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco use; and tobacco and subsequent e-cigarette use in the Netherlands and Flanders.DesignThe longitudinal design included baseline (n=2839) and 6-month (n=1276) and 12-month (n=1025) follow-up surveys among a school-based cohort (mean age: 13.62). Ten high schools were recruited as a convenience sample. The analyses involved (1) associations of baseline e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco smoking among never smokers; (2) associations of e-cigarette use frequency at baseline and tobacco smoking frequency at follow-up; and (3) the association of baseline tobacco smoking and subsequent e-cigarette use among non-users of e-cigarettes.FindingsConsistent with prior findings, baseline e-cigarette use was associated with higher odds of tobacco smoking at 6-month (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.37) and 12-month (OR=5.63; 95% CI 3.04 to 10.42) follow-ups. More frequent use of e-cigarettes at baseline was associated with more frequent smoking at follow-ups. Baseline tobacco smoking was associated with subsequent e-cigarette use (OR=3.10; 95% CI 1.58 to 6.06 at both follow-ups).ConclusionOur study replicated the positive relation between e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking in both directions for adolescents. This may mean that the gateway works in two directions, that e-cigarette and tobacco use share common risk factors, or that both mechanisms apply.

Abstract T MP103: Effect of Follow-up Phone Calls on 30-day Readmission Rates for Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background and Purpose: Patients who are hospitalized for a stroke or TIA go home with a great deal of information about risk factors, medications, diet and exercise, signs and symptoms of stroke and follow-up care. This information may be difficult for the patient or caregiver to understand and can be overwhelming in the face of a new life-changing event. In addition, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will start publicly reporting 30-day readmission rates beginning in 2016. The purpose of this study is to determine if follow-up phone calls with a nurse help to reduce 30 day readmission rates for patients with stroke and TIA. Methods: This study utilized a convenience sample of adult patients who were admitted for ischemic stroke, ICH, SAH or TIA from March 2013 to February 2014. Patients in the intervention group participated in a phone call seven days after discharge to assess their compliance with medications, physician appointments and lifestyle changes. The proportion of readmissions between the groups was compared with Fisher’s exact test. Results: The total number of patients enrolled in the study was 586 and there were no significant differences in demographics between the control and intervention groups. Of the 533 patients in the control group, 54 (10%) of them were readmitted, including 11 patients readmitted for elective surgical procedures. Of the 52 patients in the intervention group, 3 (5.7%) of them were readmitted before the 7-day phone call. Of the 49 patients who participated in the 7-day phone call, none of them were readmitted ( p =0.0098). Conclusions: Patients who participate in a 7-day phone call appear to benefit and are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Other strategies may need to be considered for patients who are at higher risk, and thus more likely to be readmitted within seven days of discharge. In addition, some providers may wish to reconsider how they schedule elective procedures for secondary stroke prevention.

Changes of psychical and physical conditions in the elderly after a four-year follow-up

2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Zuccaro ◽  
R. Steindler ◽  
S. Scena ◽  
M. Costarella
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical Conditions

scholarly journals Willingness to Participate in Vaccine-Related Clinical Trials among Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divyanshu Raheja ◽  
Evelyn Davila ◽  
Eric Johnson ◽  
Rijalda Deović ◽  
Michele Paine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Elderly Person ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Research Findings

The purpose of this study is to understand among a convenience sample of 400 adults aged 60 years of age or older (1) reasons for being willing or unwilling to participate in a vaccine clinical research study and (2) overall perceptions about vaccine clinical research. A cross-sectional study using a sample of older adults residing in the metro-Atlanta area and surrounding neighborhoods was conducted. The study questionnaire contained 37 questions, including questions about socio-demographics and perceptions about clinical trial processes. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression. The adjusted modeling results indicated that sex, distance to research clinic, and being informed about the research findings played a role in the likelihood of an elderly person participating in a vaccine study. Males were more likely to participate in clinical trials as compared to females (OR: 2.486; CI: 1.042–5.934). Most participants were willing to travel up to 25 miles from the research clinic. Of the respondents, 45% were unlikely to participate if the results of the current trial are not shared. Improving access to clinical trials in terms of distance traveled and ensuring streamlined processes to inform participants about the results of the trial in the future would increase willingness to participate in vaccine clinical trials. The survey could serve as a useful tool for conducting vaccine studies and other clinical trials by understanding the barriers specific to the elderly.

scholarly journals Two new records of flowering plants from Lesotho

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khotso Kobisi ◽  
Lerato S. Kose ◽  
Annah Moteetee
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
New Records ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Plant Identification ◽  
The Family ◽  
National University ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time

Background: A number of books, articles and checklists have been published on Lesotho’s flora. The species presented here have been recorded for South Africa but have not previously been recorded for Lesotho.Objectives: As part of a study aimed at updating biodiversity records of the southern parts of Lesotho (Qacha’s Nek and Quthing districts), with the main focus of compiling a checklist for the Sehlabethebe National Park, this report presents plant species that have until now not been recorded for the Lesotho flora.Method: Several field trips were undertaken between 2004 and 2009. Plant identification was done based on observation and photographic records. After the compilation of the checklist, it became clear that two of the species observed had not been previously recorded for Lesotho. A follow-up trip was carried out in February 2016, during which plant specimens of the presumed new records were collected and deposited at the National University of Lesotho Herbarium (ROML) [and the University of Johannesburg Herbarium (JRAU)]. Plant identification was confirmed by experts in the family Apocynaceae.Results: Two species not previously recorded for Lesotho, namely Ceropegia africana subsp. barklyi and Duvalia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa, were found during the exploration of the southern parts of Lesotho which included the Sehlabathebe National Park.Conclusions: The fact that two species have been recorded in Lesotho for the first time clearly indicates that documentation of the flora of Lesotho needs to be updated. This work is therefore regarded as complementary to previous publications on the Lesotho flora.

scholarly journals The Effects of Therapeutic Exercise With and Without Mobilization in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Cameron Bolton ◽  
Sheri Hale ◽  
Todd Telemeco
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Ankle Instability ◽  
Therapeutic Exercise ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Hop Test

Context: Manual therapy (MT) is reported to increase range of motion (ROM), improve balance, and decrease pain in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Additional literature is needed to examine the effectiveness of the addition of MT to a therapeutic exercise regimen in individuals with CAI. Objective: To examine the combined effects of thrust joint manipulation (TJM) and exercise on function in participants reporting CAI. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: A convenience sample of 30 participants (mean age 23.7 [3.65] y; mean height 169.50 [9.50] cm; mean mass 66.48 [10.64] kg). Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to the exercise (n = 15) or exercise + TJM group (n = 20) and completed an exercise program. The exercise + TJM group also received MT at the talocrural, proximal, and distal tibiofibular joints in the first 3 sessions. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported outcomes were recorded at baseline and follow-up using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the FAAM-Sport (FAAM-S) subscale, and the Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT). The side-hop test, figure-of-8 hop test, 3 directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test, and dorsiflexion ROM were also assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results: Only the exercise + TJM group demonstrated an improvement in weight-bearing dorsiflexion with the knee flexed following treatment (P = .02). For all outcome measures, except ROM, subjects improved significantly at follow-up regardless of group assignment (P ≤ .01). Conclusions: Our data suggest that rehabilitation of patients with CAI is related to improved ROM, function, and self-reported outcomes. This provides evidence that the addition of MT to exercise may enhance improvements in ROM as compared with exercise alone. Additional research is needed to identify optimal parameters to maximize therapeutic benefit.

scholarly journals Barriers to Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Guideline Recommendations

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2333794X1984702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Cabana ◽  
Julie Kanter ◽  
Anne M. Marsh ◽  
Marsha J. Treadwell ◽  
Michael Rowland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

National guidelines recommend that providers counsel all patients with sickle cell anemia about hydroxyurea (HU) therapy and screen children with sickle cell anemia annually for the risk of stroke with transcranial Doppler (TCD). We surveyed a national convenience sample of sickle cell disease clinicians to assess factors associated with low adherence. Adherence was 46% for TCD screening. Low adherence was associated with a lack of outcome expectancy (eg, a belief that there would be poor patient follow-up to TCD testing; P < .05). Adherence was 72% for HU counseling. Practice barriers (eg, lack of support staff or time) and a lack of agreement with HU recommendations were associated with low adherence ( P < .05). This study demonstrates that different types of strategies are needed to improve TCD screening (to address follow-up and access to testing) versus HU counseling (to address physician agreement and practice barriers).

scholarly journals A profile of tourists visiting the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saayman ◽  
E. Slabbert
Keyword(s):  
Market Segmentation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Tourism Product ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Privately Owned

Due to shrinking budgets for conservation and an increase in the number of government and privately owned parks, it has become very important for parks to determine who the tourists are who visit one of South Africa’s top tourist attractions. The reason for this is that park management and marketers need to focus their efforts to optimise their limited resources. This can only be done once there is a clear understanding of who the market is, where they come from and what they expect. The literature study clearly showed that market segmentation is essential for the effective marketing of a tourism product or destination. Two surveys were conducted, one in 2001 and a follow-up study in 2002, profiling tourists to the Kruger National Park. Different months were chosen to conduct the two surveys in order to get a more comprehensive profile of tourists visiting the park in different seasons.

scholarly journals Deeply Embedded Protostellar Population in the Central Molecular Zone Suggested by H2O Masers and Dense Cores

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S322) ◽  
pp. 99-102
Author(s):  
Xing Lu ◽  
Qizhou Zhang ◽  
Jens Kauffmann ◽  
Thushara Pillai ◽  
Steven N. Longmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Dust Emission ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Water Masers ◽  
Water Maser

AbstractThe Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), usually referring to the inner 500 pc of the Galaxy, contains a dozen of massive (~105M⊙) molecular clouds. Are these clouds going to actively form stars like Sgr B2? How are they affected by the extreme physical conditions in the CMZ, such as strong turbulence? Here we present a first step towards answering these questions. Using high-sensitivity, high angular resolution radio and (sub)millimeter observations, we studied deeply embedded star formation in six massive clouds in the CMZ, including the 20 and 50 km s−1 clouds, Sgr B1 off (as known as dust ridge clouds e/f), Sgr C, Sgr D, and G0.253 – 0.016. The VLA water maser observations suggest a population of deeply embedded protostellar candidates, many of which are new detections. The SMA 1.3 mm continuum observations reveal peaks in dust emission associated with the masers, suggesting the existence of dense cores. While our findings confirm that clouds such as G0.253 – 0.016 lack internal compact substructures and are quiescent in terms of star formation, two clouds (the 20 km s−1 cloud and Sgr C) stand out with clusters of water masers with associated dense cores which may suggest a population of deeply embedded protostars at early evolutionary phases. Follow-up observations with VLA and ALMA are necessary to confirm their protostellar nature.

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