Conclusions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Skeletal Remains ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Skeletal Activity ◽  
Schmorl’S Nodes ◽  
Age Estimates

This chapter concludes with the major theme that ran through the previous chapters; how much of each of these skeletal activity reconstruction features are a result of environmental influences (i.e., activities) and how much of the variation in these features are a result of genes. Biological confounds, which are largely genetic, have been found in all of the skeletal features covered in the previous chapters. For example, evolutionary body type rules (i.e., Bergmann’s and Allen’s Rules) affect measures of cross-sectional geometries. Plus, age is known to increase entheseal change scores. Furthermore, twin studies have revealed hereditary etiologies for osteoarthritis and Schmorl’s nodes. Yet, not all of the variance is genetic and, thus, the question remains whether skeletal indicators of activity can still be used to reconstruct activity patterns. Methods that avoid circular reasoning and aim to use only skeletal features with predictive validity should be the ultimate goal for those studying skeletal remains. If skeletal indicators of activity cannot be used to reconstruct what people did in the past, then perhaps these skeletal features can help in other ways, such as improving age estimates or drawing better conclusions about biological relatedness.

Reading the Bones

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Degenerative Joint Disease ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Skeletal Activity ◽  
Hereditary Factors ◽  
Biological Differences

Do skeletal indicators used to reconstruct past people’s activity patterns actually reflect biological differences? This book reviews the literature on the most commonly utilized activity pattern indicators in bioarchaeology to answer this genes versus environment question. Chapter 2, for example, focuses on cross-sectional geometries, which have been used to look at mobility, and asks whether these measures of bone may also be influenced by climate-driven body shape adaptions. Chapters 3 and 4 look at entheseal changes, which are locations of muscle attachments, and osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease, to determine whether these features can be applied by bioarchaeologists to reconstruct activity patterns, especially when one considers that the best predictors for these features is age. Stress fractures (such as spondylolysis), which are covered in chapter 5, and activity indicator facets (such as kneeling facets), which are discussed in chapter 6, are more likely related to anatomical variation and other hereditary factors than activities previously linked to these skeletal features. After looking at all the evidence, which comes from research by bioarchaeologists, medical and sports studies, experimental animal research, genetic twin studies, and occupational studies on the living and the deceased, it appears that not all skeletal activity indicators will prove fruitful when reconstructing past people’s activity patterns.

Twin Studies and Politics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levente Littvay
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genetic Transmission ◽  
The Social ◽  
Direction Of Causation ◽  
Social Part ◽  
The Impact

As recently as 2005, John Alford and colleagues surprised political science with their twin study that found empirical evidence of the genetic transmission of political attitudes and behaviors. Reactions in the field were mixed, but one thing is for sure: it is not time to mourn the social part of the social sciences. Genetics is not the deterministic mechanism that social scientists often assume it to be. No specific part of DNA is responsible for anything but minute, indirect effects on political orientations. Genes express themselves differently in different contexts, suggesting that the political phenomenon behavioral political scientists take for granted may be quite volatile; hence, the impact of genetics is also much less stable in its foundations than initially assumed. Twin studies can offer a unique and powerful avenue to study these behavioral processes as they are more powerful than cross-sectional (or even longitudinal) studies not only for understanding heritability but also for asserting the direction of causation, the social (and, of course, genetic) pathways that explain how political phenomena are related to each other. This chapter aims to take the reader through this journey that political science has gone through over the past decade and a half and point to the synergies behavioral political science and behavioral genetics offer to the advancement of the discipline.

scholarly journals Performance in grade 12 mathematics and science predicts student nurses’ performance in first year science modules at a university in the Western Cape

Curationis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katlego D.T. Mthimunye ◽  
Felicity M. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Student Nurses ◽  
First Year ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mathematics And Science ◽  
First Year Student

Background: The demand for highly qualified and skilled nurses is increasing in South Africa as well as around the world. Having a background in science can create a significant advantage for students wishing to enrol for an undergraduate nursing qualification because nursing as profession is grounded in scientific evidence.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of grade 12 mathematics and science on the academic performance of first year student nurses in science modules.Method: A quantitative research method using a cross-sectional predictive design was employed in this study. The participants included first year Bachelor of Nursing students enrolled at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyse the data by using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences versions 24. Descriptive analysis of all variables was performed as well as the Spearman’s rank correlation test to describe the relationship among the study variables. Standard multiple linear regressions analysis was performed to determine the predictive validity of grade 12 mathematics and science on the academic performance of first year student nurses in science modules.Results: The results of this study showed that grade 12 physical science is not a significant predictor (p > 0.062) of performance in first year science modules. The multiple linear regression revealed that grade 12 mathematics and life science grades explained 37.1% to 38.1% (R2 = 0.381 and adj R2 = 0.371) of the variation in the first year science grade distributions.Conclusion: Based on the results of the study it is evident that performance in grade 12 mathematics (β = 2.997) and life science (β = 3.175) subjects is a significant predictor (p < 0.001) of the performance in first year science modules for student nurses at the university identified for this study.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Patterns of Women with a Twin Pregnancy—A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7724
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.

086 Sleep midpoint after job loss predicts breakfast skipping patterns

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A36-A36
Author(s):  
Leah Callovini ◽  
Gaby Gubka ◽  
Candace Mayer ◽  
Darlynn Rojo-Wissar ◽  
David Glickenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Loss ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Circadian Phase ◽  
Breakfast Skipping ◽  
Occupational Transitions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Covariates

Abstract Introduction Few studies have examined circadian phase after job loss, an event that upends daily routine. It is common that a daily routine begins with the consumption of breakfast, and breakfast behavior may contribute to health status in adults. Therefore, we sought to examine whether a later midpoint of sleep was associated with breakfast skipping among adults whose schedules were no longer dictated by employment. Methods Data were obtained from the Assessing Daily Activity Patterns Through Occupational Transitions (ADAPT) study. The sample of 155 participants had involuntarily lost their jobs in the last 90 days. Both cross-sectional and 18-month longitudinal analyses assessed the relationship between sleep midpoint after job loss and current and later breakfast skipping. Assessment periods were 14 days. Sleep was measured via actigraphy, and breakfast skipping was measured via daily diary (1 = had breakfast; 0 = did not have breakfast). The midpoint of sleep was calculated as the circular center based on actigraphy sleep onset and offset times. Results The midpoint of sleep at baseline was negatively associated with breakfast consumption at baseline (B = -.09, SE = .02, p = .000). Also, a later midpoint was associated with breakfast skipping over the next 18 months (estimate = -.08; SE = .02; p = .000). Prospective findings remained significant when adjusting for gender, ethnicity, age, perceived stress, body mass index (BMI), education, and reemployment over time. Education (estimate = 14.26, SE = 6.23, p &lt; .05) and BMI (estimate = -.51, SE = .25, p &lt; .05) were the only significant covariates. No other sleep indices predicted breakfast behavior cross-sectionally or prospectively. Conclusion Consistent with research in adolescents, unemployed adults with a later circadian phase are more likely to skip breakfast more often. Breakfast skipping was also associated with higher BMI. Taken together, these findings provide support for the future testing of sleep/wake scheduling interventions to modify breakfast skipping and potentially mitigate weight gain after job loss. Support (if any) #1R01HL117995-01A1

The organization and activity patterns of the anterior and posterior heads of the guinea pig digastric muscle

1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lev-Tov ◽  
M. Tal
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Motor Nucleus ◽  
Digastric Muscle ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trigeminal Motor Nucleus ◽  
Facial Motor Nucleus ◽  
Early Activity

The structure and activity patterns of the anterior and posterior heads of the guinea pig digastric muscle (DG) were studied in ketamine-anesthetized guinea pigs. Collagen staining of longitudinal and transverse sections of the muscle revealed that the guinea pig DG is comprised of a unicompartmental anterior head (ADG) and a multicompartmental posterior head (PDG). The two heads are separated by a thin tendinous inscription that, unlike the intermediate tendon of the DG in humans, is not attached to the hyoid bone. The motor nuclei of the guinea pig DG were reconstructed using retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase. The motoneurons of the ADG were clustered in a longitudinal column within the trigeminal motor nucleus. The motoneurons of the PDG were segregated into two clusters within the facial motor nucleus. The cross-sectional areas of the ADG and PDG motoneuron somata exhibited unimodal frequency distributions and the average soma area was larger for ADG than PDG motoneurons. Histochemical characterization of ADG and PDG revealed that the two muscle heads contained the three main histochemical types of muscle fibers identified in limb muscles. The frequency distribution of fiber types in ADG and PDG were not significantly different. Both muscle heads were predominantly fast with slow oxidative fibers accounting for only 1.1 and 0.3% of the fibers in narrow dorsal regions of ADG and PDG, respectively, and 13.6 and 12.9% in the more ventral regions of ADG and PDG, respectively. Simultaneous recordings of EMGs from the ADG and PDG were carried out during spontaneously occurring rhythmical jaw movements. These recordings revealed a high degree of synchrony between the activities of the two heads, although differences were observed in the onset and duration of the EMG bursts. Activity in the PDG preceded activity in the ADG in most of the rhythmical cycles and persisted longer. The differences in latencies of time-locked EMGs evoked in the ADG and PDG by four-pulse cortical stimulation were much smaller than those observed between the activity bursts of the two heads during rhythmical jaw movements. It is suggested that the early activity in the PDG is accounted for by shorter central conduction times in the pathways onto it and/or by higher recruitability of its motor units. The early activity in PDG may serve to optimize the location of ADG on its length-tension curve prior to and during the active state.

scholarly journals Change in Depression Symptomatology and Cognitive Function in Twins: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Petersen ◽  
Matt McGue ◽  
Qihua Tan ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Lene Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Depression Symptomatology

A complex interrelation exists between change in depression symptomatology and cognitive decline. Studies indicate either that depression is a direct risk factor for cognitive change over time, or vice versa. Longitudinal twin studies provide the possibility to unravel cause and effect of correlated traits. Here, we have applied twin modeling approaches to shed light on the genetic correlation between both level and change of depression symptomatology and cognitive functioning, and to further explore the bidirectionality of any such correlation using assessments of both phenotypes at two occasions 10 years apart. The study included 2,866 Danish twins with a mean age of 56.8 years at intake (range: 45–68 years). Of these, 1,267 were intact pairs. A total number of 1,582 twins (55%), of whom 557 were intact pairs, participated in the follow-up survey. We found stable cross-sectional heritability estimates of approximately 60% for general cognitive abilities and 30% for affective depressive symptoms. There was a considerable decline in the mean cognitive performance over 10 years, whereas the mean affective depression symptoms score was stable and with no genetic contribution to any individual change. Additionally, we saw a small but significant cross-trait correlation at both occasions (-0.11 and -0.09, respectively), but cross-trait cross-occasion analysis revealed no evidence that either of the two traits predicts the other over a 10-year interval. Thus, our study was not able to detect any causal association between change in depressive symptomatology and cognitive decline in middle-aged and elderly people over a 10-year interval.

scholarly journals Nursing management and leadership approaches from the perspective of registered nurses in Portugal

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Fernandes ◽  
Beatriz Araújo ◽  
Fátima Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Nurse Managers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Nursing Management ◽  
Management Competencies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
Nurses Perceptions

Background: The leadership role in nursing reflects the complexity and rapid transformations which take place in healthcare. The influences of this catalyst of change are important for nurses’ identity and professional development, as well as for evolving and innovating nursing practices.Objective: This study is part of a larger research project on doctoral Leadership in Nursing, aims to identify nurses’ perceptions regarding their similarities and differences compared to nurses in manager roles, in order to understand and recognise the influences and barriers to leadership in the nursing hierarchy.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of a qualitative nature, involved the participation of 19 registered nurses (RNs), based on the Zavalloni Ego-Ecological Theory.Results: From the dimension of identification emerged two major themes - the vision of the profession and the competency skills required. The major theme of competency skills includes subthemes of relational, technical/scientific, leadership and management competencies. From the dimension of differentiation emerged two major themes - the vision of the profession and the competency skills. The major theme competency skills included two subthemes - the deficit of relational and management competency skills.Conclusions: Nurse-managers may choose to distance or influence nurses; influence can be achieved through not only a combination of leadership and management competencies but also on the nurse-managers’ evidence-based expertise and relational skills alongside a vision to support team unity in order to create a positive environment which encourages the nurses to be involved in high quality and innovative practices.Implications for nursing management: This study may help to understand the approaches undertaken by leaders in nursing and subsequently enhance their performance. It may also inform future leadership training for nurses.

scholarly journals Physical activity assessments in obese and non-obese adolescents using the Bouchard diary

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Fitri Primacakti ◽  
Damayanti R. Sjarif ◽  
Najib Advani
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obese Adolescent ◽  
Obese Adolescents ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Physical Activity Duration

Background Obesity is now a global epidemic problem. Increasedprevalence of obesity is associated with increased sedentarybeh avior and low physical activity.Objective To assess the physical activity patterns of adolescentsaged 10-15 years and to compare mean energy output, intensityof physical activity, duration of moderate-vigorously intensity ofphysical activity, and length of screen time in obese and non-obeseadolescents.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 7th and3th grade students aged 12-15 years at 216 junior high schools inWest Jakarta. Physical activity was assessed using th e Boucharddiary for 2 school days and 1 holiday.Results There was no significant differen ce in mean energyoutput between th e obese and non-obese adolescent s. Th emedian intensity of physical activity of obese adolescents waslower than that of non-obese adolescents [1.5 (range 0.8 to 1.8)vs. 2 (range 1.6 to 2.8) METs, respectively; P <0.00 1] . The meanduration of moderate-vigorous intensity of physical activity inobese adolescents was shorter than that of non-obese adolescents[19.3 (SD 6.9) vs. 26.4 (SD3.4) minutes, respectively; P= 0.000].Median length of screen time was longer for obese adolescentsthan for non -obese adolescents [2.8 (range 1 to 6.6) vs. 1.8(range 0.3 to 6.1) hours, respectively; P < 0.001]. There was noadolescent who met the recommended physical activity intensityand duration criteria.Conclusion Physical activity varies among adolescents aged10- 15 years. Obese adolescents have signific antly less physicalactivity duration and intensity than n on-obese adolescents, butsignificantly longer screen time. All adolescents' physical activityis less than the recommended intensity and duration.

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