Satellite Images Show the Movement of Floating _Sargassum_ in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean

The question of the origin, distribution and fate of the floating seaweed _Sargassum_ has fascinated sailors and scientists from the time of Columbus. Observations from ships are hampered by the large and variable area over which _Sargassum_ is dispersed. Here we use satellite imagery to present the first mapping of the full distribution and movement of the population of _Sargassum_ in the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic in the years 2002 to 2008. For the first time, we show a seasonal pattern in which _Sargassum_ originates in the northwest Gulf of Mexico in spring of each year, is advected into the Atlantic in about July, appearing east of Cape Hatteras as a "Sargassum jet", and ending northeast of the Bahamas in February of the following year. This pattern appears consistent with historical surveys. Future satellite observations will show whether this pattern repeats in all or most years

Dynamic muscle quality of the plantar flexors is impaired in claudicant patients with peripheral arterial disease and associated with poorer walking endurance

Objective Peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication (PAD-IC) negatively affects physical activity and function. There is evidence for plantarflexor muscle dysfunction and weakness; however, the extent to which this dysfunction can be attributed to reduced muscle size or quality, or both, is not yet known. This study investigated whether in vivo plantarflexor muscle quality during static and dynamic contractions is altered by PAD-IC and whether such changes are associated with impaired walking endurance according to initial and absolute claudication distances. Methods The study recruited 22 participants, consisting of 10 healthy controls and 12 claudicant patients with occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (seven unilateral and five bilateral). Muscle quality of the combined gastrocnemius muscles during static contractions was calculated by normalizing the estimated maximal potential muscle force to the physiological cross-sectional area of the lateral and medial gastrocnemius. Muscle quality during dynamic contractions of the combined plantarflexor muscles was calculated as the ratio of peak voluntary concentric plantarflexor power and the summed volume of lateral and medial gastrocnemius. Results Dynamic muscle quality was 24% lower in the claudicating-limb and asymptomatic-limb groups compared with controls (P = .017 and P = .023). The differences were most apparent at the highest contraction velocity (180°/s). Dynamic muscle quality was associated with reduced walking endurance (R = 0.689, P = .006 and R = 0.550, P = .042 for initial and absolute claudication distance, respectively). The claudicating-limb group demonstrated a trend toward reduced static muscle quality compared with controls (22%, P = .084). The relative contribution of the soleus muscle to plantarflexion maximum voluntary contraction was significantly higher in the claudicating-limb and asymptomatic-limb groups than in controls (P = .012 and P = .018). Conclusions The muscle strength of the plantarflexors in those with PAD-IC appears to be impaired at high contraction velocities. This may be explained by some reduction in gastrocnemii muscle quality and a greater reliance on the prominently type I-fibered soleus muscle. The reduced dynamic capability of the plantarflexor muscles was associated with disease severity and walking ability; therefore, efforts to improve plantarflexor power through dynamic exercise intervention are vital to maintain functional performance

Paper 1 - An investigation into transfer provision for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.Paper 2 - The effects of school transfer for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, focussing on positive and negative emotions reported by parents, schools and pupils

All Doctoral Theses For DEdPsych are presented as 2 linked research papersPaper 1 - Abstract This study represents the wider perspective of a 2-stage study about school transfers, for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The study used a mixed methodology to investigate the experiences of children moving schools, as reported by parents and schools. Pre-move general satisfaction and post-move success ratings were high. Transfer arrangements varied greatly. Many respondents despite being positive overall about the move reported difficulties and frustrations for themselves and the children making the move. Communication between all stakeholders was seen to be a main factor in improving transfers, with an emphasis on the Teaching Assistant role and a whole school ethos towards ASD. Although strategies and guidance are widely available to improve transfer for children, not all pupils with ASDs and their parents, had access to the same level of enhanced transfer arrangements within the county. Paper 2 - Abstract This paper represents the more focussed perspective of a 2- stage study about school transfers, for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, in mainstream education. The study used a mixed methodology to investigate the experiences of children moving schools, as reported by parents and schools, with all participants, and via child interviews with a smaller sample. School transfer (as part of a 2- or 3-tier education system) was identified as a time which can be especially challenging for children with ASDs in mainstream schools. Looking at the emotional effects of transfer, the study found parents and schools reported high levels of increased anxiety among transferring children with ASDs. Qualitative analysis identified a wide variety of triggers to anxiety, and strategies to reduce anxiety that are being used in school and at home. Positive emotions expressed about the move were also explored. This anxiety reduced post-move for some of the children, but was maintained for some. Parents perceived higher levels of anxiety in their children than schools did throughout the transfer period, despite many rating the move as successful overall. The experience of a school move was found to be a time parents, as well as children, need the information and reassurance of a well-planned transfer, with appropriate strategies in place for their child and effective, open communication between home and schools to reduce the negative emotions that can surround change for children with ASDs, and celebrate the positive

Atmospherically relevant core-shell aerosol studied using optical trapping and Mie scattering

Solid core–liquid shell aerosols have been trapped in a counter-propagating optical trap confirming potential core–shell morphology in the atmosphere.</p

Come dine with me : food-associated social signalling in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

The project was funded by a BBSRC Studentship to S.L.K., and a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and a Fellowship of the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin to V.M.J.Food-related signalling is widespread in the animal kingdom with some food-associated vocalizations considered functionally referential. Food calls can, however, vary greatly in the type of information they convey. Thus, there are a multitude of purposes for which food calls are used, including social recruitment, caller spacing, the indication of type, quantity, quality, divisibility of food, the caller’s hunger level and even as tools to manipulate prey behaviour. Yet little work has focused on the social aspect of food calling in animals. We investigated the association of social signals in wild bottlenose dolphins with foraging behaviour where context-specific food-associated calls are commonly produced. Our data showed that specific social signals were significantly correlated with food call production and these calls rarely occurred in the absence of food calls. We suggest that animals are sharing additional information on the food patch itself with their social affiliates.PostprintPeer reviewe

Adaptations in plantarflexor muscle-tendon properties and their impact on gait in claudicants with peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic atherosclerotic disease, primarily affecting the lower limbs. The associated intermittent claudication (IC) is a muscle pain/cramping sensation in the legs, primarily brought on by physical activity, such as walking, which can negatively affect daily function and quality of life. Poorer levels of lower-limb muscle strength are strong predictors for mortality and the plantarflexor muscles in particular are a frequent site of claudication pain, with previous literature also indicating their dysfunction during level gait. However, little is known about the size and architecture of these muscles, the quality of the in-series Achilles tendon or the factors that contribute to voluntary joint moments and how these relate to physical function in this population. The aim of this thesis was to determine the functional properties of the gastrocnemii muscles and Achilles tendon in order to make evidence-based clinical recommendations for specific exercise interventions for claudicants.A total of 23 participants (13 claudicants and 10 controls) took part in the study. Muscle-tendon dimensions and architecture, tendon properties, activation patterns and muscle strength, power and quality (specific tension) were assessed be integrating ultrasound imaging, electromyography and dynamometry. Stair gait biomechanics were analysed using 3D motion capture as indicators of whole body physical function. Within the claudicant cohort, disease severity was determined using the ankle brachial pressure index and walking performance assessed by a modified six-minute walk test. Average post-exercise ankle brachial pressure index of the claudicating-limbs were 0.55±0.21 with initial (onset of claudication pain) and absolute (maximal claudication pain) walking distances of 105±45m and 265±136m, respectively.The first study investigated the relationships between the resting architecture of the gastrocnemii and functional properties of the Achilles tendon with disease severity and walking endurance. Worse disease severity was significantly associated with longer fascicle: tendon length ratios in both lateral (R=-.789, P=.001) and medial (R=-.828, P=<.001) gastrocnemius, and increased tendon hysteresis (R=-.740, P=.006). This suggests that the Achilles tendon has undergone deleterious changes and the muscle has adopted a structure designed to compensate for this. However, the concomitant associations with poorer walking endurance indicate this mechanism is not effective. Walking endurance could also be explained by lateral and medial gastrocnemius pennation angle, maximum tendon force, tendon hysteresis and disease severity (R2=~0.6). The direction of coefficients within these models suggests that improving tendon properties and increasing strength, but without increasing pennation angle, would be beneficial for walking endurance. Thus, eccentric resistance training may be an effective exercise intervention.The second study investigated relationships between static and dynamic muscle quality with disease severity and walking endurance. The power-producing capabilities of claudicants’ plantarflexors (both the claudicating/painful limb and asymptomatic limb) were impaired compared to healthy controls, particularly at high contraction velocities (24% difference at 180°/s). This could be explained by some reduction in gastrocnemii muscle quality and a greater reliance on the prominently type I fibred soleus muscle. As reduced dynamic capability of the plantarflexor muscles was associated with disease severity (R=.541, P=.037) and walking endurance (R=.689, P=.006), high velocity resistance training of the plantarflexor muscles appears important to maintain functional performance.The third and fourth studies investigated the functionally challenging daily tasks of stair ascent and stair descent, respectively. During stair ascent, plantarflexor moments were similar in claudicants compared to healthy controls, indicating the muscle could meet the strength demands of this task. We also observed that ankle angular velocity at the instant of peak moment, peak ankle power generation, as well as propulsive and vertical forces, were all reduced during forward continuance in the claudicating-limb group. It seems that claudicants possess adequate levels of strength when moving more slowly but are unable to remain strong when moving more quickly, therefore it could be suggested that the slower walking speed is a means to allow claudicants to operate within safer limits relative to their maximal strength capacity. This provides further evidence, in a functional context, of the velocity-dependent limitations of the plantarflexors detected in study two. During stair descent we hypothesised that the task demands would be redistributed away from the affected plantarflexors towards the muscles surrounding the hips and knees. Instead, the claudicants placed a greater reliance on the plantarflexors compared to healthy controls (40% vs 28% of plantarflexor contribution to peak support moment). Additionally, a unique hip extensor strategy was exposed during weight acceptance that was adopted by 73% of the claudicating-limb group, which was also associated with increased disease severity. However this was not a mechanism to reduce the functional demands on the plantarflexors but rather to reduce demands on the knee musculature. These data indicate the claudicants were relying heavily on the functionally limited plantarflexors to absorb the falling body mass during weight acceptance in stair descent, which may pose an increased risk of falling.This thesis has identified important changes in the structure and quality of the gastrocnemii muscles and the properties and function of the Achilles tendon, that appear to influence whole body function during demanding and risky physical activities (stair negotiation) that necessitate alternate strategies. Taken as a whole, it is clear that high-velocity and eccentric resistance training would likely improve the musculoskeletal characteristics of claudicants, increase walking endurance and facilitate safe stair negotiation

Program Peningkatan Kemampuan Guru Dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Jawa Di SD Patemon 01 Dan SD Sekaran 01 Kecamatan Gunungpati Kota Semarang

Learning Javanese language has been starting on since a long time, but still there are some problems found in the field. Problems when learning Javanese language that occur in SD Patemon 01 and SD Sekaran 01, District Gunungpati, Semarang are (1) low capacity of the teachers in creating computer-based learning media, (2) lack of language skills of the teachers in using Javanese language variety of manners, and (3) frequent occurrence of errors in the assessment of learning Javanese language. In connection with these conditions, devotee team tried to be facilitators to the problems faced by teachers in SD Patemon 01 and SD Sekaran 01 by conducting science and technology activities for the Community (IbM). IbM program implementation used workshop model with a variety of methods, such as lecturing, demonstrations, direct practice, frequently asked questions and assignments. The results of this IbM program are capacity building of teachers in making computers-based learning media for Javanese language, improving the competence of teachers in terms of manners of Javanese language skills, and increaseing understanding of Javanese language learning assessment. The increase was indicated from abilities\u27 score of the teachers before and after the IbM program. The ability of teachers in terms of making computer-based instructional media increased significantly, ie 16.9%. Competence of teachers in terms of unggah-ungguh based on Javanese language, especially in speaking skills manners increased 6.3%. The ability of teachers in terms of understanding of the Java language learning assessment increased 9.7%