Piedmont College

Abstract The consideration of phylogeny has revolutionized the study of adaptations in nature, often overturning long-held beliefs. One such belief that has persisted for at least a century is the idea that aquatic salamander larvae exhibit specific morphologies that are adapted for life in still vs. running waters. So-called ‘pond-type’ larvae are purported to have extensive gills and long, tall dorsal fins along the trunk and tail, whereas ‘stream-type’ larvae are characterized by small gills and low, streamlined dorsal fins restricted to the tail. We tested whether gill and dorsal-fin development represent adaptations to specific larval habitats by measuring images of 59 species of salamanders from 9 of the 10 extant families. Using a recent, comprehensive phylogeny of salamanders within a phylogenetic analysis of covariance, we determined that there is evidence of morphological adaptation of larvae to their respective habitats. However, the phylogenetic influence is so strong as to render the simple dichotomy of ‘pond-type’ vs. ‘stream-type’ larvae largely meaningless.

Headwater streams are critical, fragile ecosystems that supply food and nutrients for an array of organisms that are vital to the overall health of a stream. As the dominant vertebrates in headwater streams of the southern Appalachian Mountains, plethodontid salamanders are critical to healthy headwater communities. However, a neglected feature of these ecosystems is the community of parasites that infect salamanders. The digenetic trematode Metagonimoides oregonensis uses the aquatic snail Elimia proxima as its first intermediate host and the plethodontid salamander Desmognathus amphileucus as its second intermediate host. In a series of southern Appalachian streams, we tested the hypothesis that variance in the prevalence and intensity of infection in salamander hosts is related to respective densities of the snail and salamander species. Infection prevalence was 100% across all streams. There was a strong relationship between the density of the snail host and infection-intensity level in the salamander host. However, the relationship with salamander density was not important, a finding that conflicts with the results of parasitological studies involving lentic and marine systems. The influence of this trematode on the ecology of headwater streams and the resident salamanders has been underappreciated, and a number of aspects of this relationship remain unknown.

The importance of parent-child shared book reading (SBR) is well established. However, there is a limited understanding of parental interaction patterns during SBR among preschool children in the Indian context. Using a cross-sectional observational study design, mothers’ verbal and nonverbal behavior during SBR was analyzed in 26 Kannada-speaking mother-child dyads. Relationships between the quantity of SBR experiences and parental attitudes and beliefs about storybook reading were examined. Findings revealed that mothers predominantly used dialogic reading strategies followed by extra-textual talk, print referencing strategies, and nonverbal strategies. Few correlations were found between parental attitudes and beliefs and the quantity of SBR experiences. Implications for parent training in SBR are discussed.

Reddit discourse surrounding treatments for autistic individuals is easily accessible. Multiple Reddit threads discuss Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as one option. Such content impacts decision-making despite the absence of gatekeeping mechanisms to identify misinformation. Using a cross-sectional design, this study explores perceptions of ABA-based interventions shared on Reddit by exploring posts’ content, stance and evidence used to support claims. Posts examined generally lacked support of scientific evidence. Additionally, perspectives on ABA were influenced by personal experiences with the intervention. This data provides insight to support healthcare professionals and families engaged in shared decision-making regarding intervention choices.

Healthcare information on YouTube is often inaccurate or insufficient. However, parents turn to social media for answers about their children's health conditions. Understanding the nature of content in specified scope of practice areas can help professionals clarify misinformation or utilize quality YouTube content in clinical context. This research examined: (1) meta-data and upload source; (2) understandability and actionability; and (3) content quality and clinical utility of YouTube videos related to speech, hearing, and feeding with children with cleft lip and palate (CLP). A cross-sectional design was used. Videos related to speech, hearing, and feeding with children with CLP were obtained. Meta-data and upload source were identified. The Patient Education Material Assessment Tool-AudioVisual (PEMAT-AV) was used to assess understandability and actionability. The DISCERN instrument was used to evaluate content quality. Responses to open-ended questions were used to evaluate clinical utility. Of 652 videos reviewed for potential inclusion, only 33 met the inclusion criteria. Of those, only 17 met adequate levels of both understandability and actionability. Results of DISCERN indicated that the videos were of fair quality. Analysis of clinical utility indicated that none of the videos should be used as stand-alone parent education materials. Videos pertaining to speech, hearing and feeding issues are not viewed as frequently as videos addressing other areas of CLP. Our findings are consistent with previous reports that the videos related to CLP may be limited in their clinical utility. Professionals are needed to interpret the offerings and guide families to appropriate videos.

ABSTRACT This column provides a detailed description of the correct technique for the counterbalance skater squat. This exercise is a unique variation of the single leg squat: the counterbalance skater squat. The use of this exercise can aid in the development of unilateral strength and hypertrophy benefiting those who are required to sprint and change direction regularly. Additionally, this column outlines set and repetition recommendations and progressions through the lift.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three body mass index (BMI) based equations (BEQ) used to estimate body-fat percentage (BF%) in female-collegiate dancers in relation to air-displacement plethysmography (AP). Methods: Data from 28 collegiate dancers were assessed for this study. Body mass and height were measured to calculate BMI. Three BEQ to estimate BF% [Jackson et al. (JBMI), Deurenberg et al. (DBMI), and Womersley & Durnin (WBMI)] were compared to BF% estimated via AP. Results: The following estimates of BF% were produced: AP = 24.6 ± 4.7%; JBMI = 21.9 ± 4.0%; DBMI = 23.8 ± 2.2%; and WBMI = 24.7 ± 2.5%. There were no differences (p > 0.05) for the BF% estimations between AP, DBMI, or WBMI. However, BF% estimated via JBMI was lower than AP (p = 0.04), DBMI (p < 0.001), and WBMI (p < 0.001). Only moderate correlations were found between AP and BEQ (JBMI, r = 0.43; DBMI, r = 0.44; WBMI, r = 0.43). The limits of agreement (constant error ± 1.96 SD) for each BEQ compared to AP were: JBMI = -2.6 ­­± 9.1%; DBMI = -0.8 ­­± 8.1%; and WBMI = 0.2 ± 8.2%. Conclusions: Two BEQ produced similar group means to AP. However, all BEQ had a wide range of individual differences when compared to AP. An accurate, inexpensive, and practically feasible method of assessing body composition is valuable for sport practitioners. The results of this study demonstrate that DBMI and WBMI may be acceptable in a field setting for estimating BF% for a large group of female collegiate dancers. However, due to the large range of differences, none of the BMI-based equations should be utilized to predict BF% for individuals. It is suggested that other field methods of predicting BF% be used in female collegiate dancers due to individual error of BEQs and potential harm in providing misinformation. Key Words: air-displacement, body mass index, percent fat, dancers

Terrestrial salamanders of the family Plethodontidae are common predators of invertebrates in deciduous forest communities of eastern North America. While normally residing and foraging in forest-floor microhabitats, many species facultatively climb vegetation. Different hypotheses have been proffered to explain this behaviour including optimal-foraging strategies and predator avoidance. Using laboratory-based trials, we tested the hypothesis that the terrestrial salamander Plethodon cinereus climbs in response to scent trails left by insect prey. We found that salamanders climbed significantly higher and spent significantly more time climbing on wooden dowel rods that had been treated with prey residue than they did on control rods. Scent trailing possibly interacts with other factors such as optimal-foraging opportunities and predation risk in influencing climbing behaviour in these salamanders.