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Introduction to the second edition
Published in Roger Neighbour, The Inner Apprentice, 2018
We are, I suspect, into compromise. Imagine a beam balance. Into one scale pan, put the whole machinery of conventional vocational training: the curriculum; the video; the audit project; half a dozen consultation models; a mountain of guidelines, protocols and targets. The beam settles with a thud. And into the opposite pan place – what? – the awareness-raising question and the other notions set out in The Inner Apprentice: moments of kairos, epiphanies, value rating scales, the physical signs of cognitive dissonance, the inner curriculum. Any movement in the beam? Hardly a tremor …
Advances in social measurement: A Rasch measurement theory
Published in Francis Guillemin, Alain Leplège, Serge Briançon, Elisabeth Spitz, Joël Coste, Perceived Health and Adaptation in Chronic Disease, 2017
Measurement is distinguished by a unit. The idea of a unit can be illustrated readily with the idea of a beam balance for measuring mass. The two objects constructed or found to have the same mass can be demonstrated readily with a beam balance. The identical mass of the two objects can be declared the unit. Then, if the two objects with the unit mass are placed on one side of the balance, and a new object with a mass balances the beam, the new mass is two times the mass of the unit. The process can, in principle, be continued in establishing a measurement of mass of other objects in a relevant range for the balance. A second feature of measurement that the beam balance exemplifies is that to measure the mass of an object it is necessary to somehow manifest the mass. In the above example, the effect of gravity on the masses is manifested on the instrument, the beam balance, in a controlled way. It is common to suggest that social measurement requires manifestation of variables because, instead of being observable, they are latent. The above example indicates that manifesting a variable through some instrument is also necessary in the measurement of mass and is typical in the natural sciences. Therefore, the idea of a latent variable is a feature of all measurement and is not confined to social variables.
The Key Role of Initiation Timing on Stroke Rehabilitation by Remote Ischemic Conditioning with Exercise (RICE)
Published in Neurological Research, 2023
Qingzhu Wang, Alexandra Wehbe, Melissa Wills, Fengwu Li, Xiaokun Geng, Yuchuan Ding
In the beam balance test, the scores representing motor coordination observed in the stroke groups were 1.0 on day 7, 1.8 on day 14, and 2.6 on day 28. Motor coordination significantly increased in all rehabilitation groups, with the 1d RICE group increasing to scores of 2.6, 3.7, and 4.6 on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively (p< 0.01), the 3d RICE group increasing to 2.3, 4.0, and 4.8 on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively (p< 0.05), and the 5d RICE group increasing to 4.3, 5.2, and 5.6 on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively (p< 0.05, Figure 2a). Additionally, performances of the 5d RICE group were further improved (p < 0.05, respectively) at each of the three time points (Figure 2a). Similar trends were seen in all other tests, including the rota-rod (Figure 2b), grid walk (Figure 2c), and forelimb placing (Figure 2d) tests. Using the Morris water maze on days 23 through 28, we further evaluated cognitive deficits (Figure 2e-f). Compared to the stroke rats without rehabilitation protocols, rats in the 1d RICE and 5d RICE groups stayed longer in the target quadrant (p< 0.05, Figure 2e), suggesting that significantly improved memory in these groups. Each RICE group significantly shortened the latency to locate the hidden platform compared to the stroke rats (p < 0.05, Figure 2f), suggesting that learning ability was significantly improved in the RICE groups. Compared to the other two RICE protocols, cognitive function was further improved in the 5d RICE group (p < 0.05).
Ubiquitin Proteasome System Activity is Suppressed by Curcumin following Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Human Skeletal Muscle
Published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2021
Thomas D. Cardaci, Steven B. Machek, Dylan T. Wilburn, Paul S. Hwang, Darryn S. Willoughby
Total body mass (kg) was determined on a standard dual beam balance scale (Detecto Bridgeview, IL, USA). Body composition analyses were determined using DEXA (Hologic Discovery Series W, Waltham, MA, USA). Quality control calibration procedures were performed on a spine phantom prior to each testing session. Total body water was determined by bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (ImpediMed Ltd., Australia). Based on previous studies in our laboratory, the accuracy of the DEXA for body composition assessment is ±3.7% as assessed by direct comparison with hydrodensitometry and scale weight (37–39). In order to determine maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), participants performed a volitional maximal cardiopulmonary exercise (VO2max) test on a laboratory treadmill using the Bruce protocol (40). Participants were instructed to perform the test for as long as possible to ensure a true maximal attempt. Standard ACSM test termination criteria were monitored and followed throughout each test. Metabolic gases were obtained with the Parvo Medics 2400 TrueMax metabolic measurement system (Parvo Medics, Sandy, Utah) to determine maximal aerobic capacity. The mean coefficient of variation for this protocol has previously been shown to be 6.5% (range 2%–14%) (40). Participant dietary intakes were not standardized; however, participants were instructed not to change their diet throughout the duration of the study.
Protective effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in brain ischaemia in vitro and in vivo models
Published in Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 2021
Ilaria Dettori, Irene Fusco, Irene Bulli, Lisa Gaviano, Elisabetta Coppi, Federica Cherchi, Martina Venturini, Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli, Carla Ghelardini, Alessio Nocentini, Claudiu T. Supuran, Anna Maria Pugliese, Felicita Pedata
The neurological deficit was evaluated by the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) test described in ref.36. The examiners were blind both to the type of surgery and to the treatment. All tests were carried out before and 24 h after pMCAo. The mNSS test evaluates the sensorimotor deficit: it is composed of motor, sensory, reflex and beam balance tests. The score assigned to each rat at completion of the evaluation equals the sum of all test scores. The test is graded on a scale from 0 (normal score) to 18 (maximal deficit score). In the beam balance test, a score between 0 (normal score) and 6 (maximal deficit score) was assigned to each animal in function of the ability to stay and walk on the beam. Beam balance test score affects 1/3 of the total mNSS score.