Multimode ergometer system

System overcomes previous ergometer design and calibration problems including inaccurate measurements, large weight, size, and input power requirements, poor heat dissipation, high flammability, and inaccurate calibration. Device consists of lightweight, accurately controlled ergometer, restraint system, and calibration system

The influence of lay concepts and causal theories on definitions of mental illness and social outcomes

Lay concepts and causal attribution theories enable lay people to make sense of their social situations, more specifically, their encounters with those suffering from mental disorders by providing informational frameworks and explanations upon which to interpret their circumstances. Thus, lay concepts and causal theories about mental illness play a role in beliefs and behaviors toward those individuals. The current study surveyed 113 undergraduate students to investigate relations between knowledge of mental illness as well as causal attributions and explicit stigma associated with depression and schizophrenia, such as perceived dangerousness and desire for social distance. Scores for schizophrenia and depression were significantly correlated with one another on multiple variables, which led to the development of composite variables for knowledge, causality, familiarity, perceived, dangerousness, social distance, and benevolence. Several hierarchical regressions were performed to analyze the relationships between the variables. Knowledge and causality for mental illness were significantly correlated (r(112)=.28, p= .002). Higher scores of familiarity and knowledge were both associated with lower scores of perceived dangerousness. Gender significantly predicted social distance and benevolence, such that females reported lower values on both measures. The results of this study may have important potential implications in the area of educational reform. Insight regarding perceptions of depression and schizophrenia can be utilized in informing the public about these illnesses in a way that reduces the stigma of depression and schizophrenia to facilitate social acceptance of people with mental illnesses and of them seeking treatment

Evaluation of the Effect of Consultant Characteristics on Telemedicine Diagnosis and Treatment

This study examined teleconsultants' specialty, practice setting, type of employment, years and training in telemedicine to evaluate the effect of these characteristics on diagnoses and treatment. A postuse survey was conducted during 1998–2003 (n = 454 consultations) in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Rural Hospital, Telehealth Project. There were 61 consultants who conducted the teleconsultations. The teleconsultants established a diagnosis in 121 consultations and reported a change in diagnoses in 29 consultations. The consultants established a treatment plan in 219 consultations and reported a change in the treatment plan in 100 consultations. Dermatologists were significantly more likely to establish (P < .01) and change (P = .005) the diagnosis and to establish a treatment plan (P = .03), when compared to all other specialties. Teleconsultants who were self-employed were significantly more likely to change the treatment plan (P = .012). The findings suggest that teleconsultants' characteristics can affect diagnoses and treatment in telemedicine

Bridging the Gap Between Commissioning Measures and Large Scale Retrofits in Existing Buildings

Most often commissioning of existing buildings seeks to reduce a building’s energy consumption by implementation of operational changes via the existing equipment. In contrast, large scale capital retrofits seek to make major changes to the systems installed in the building to reach the same goal. The purpose of the investigations presented here is to find energy-saving measures which economically fall between the retro-commissioning measures which typically have very short paybacks and the large scale capital retrofits which typically have significantly longer paybacks. Based on a simulation analysis of three previously retro-commissioned university buildings, it was determined that all three are currently consuming more energy than would be expected under ideal operating conditions. The simulation estimated annual savings potential for the three buildings range from 28-44% of whole building energy consumption. A research level assessment of each has been conducted to identify the reasons why the subject buildings are not operating as efficiently as possible and energy saving measures are presented to bring the buildings as close to ideal operation as possible. This work seeks to determine if an on-site assessment can identify commissioning measures that realize a substantial portion of the indicated savings potential or whether it appears that there are reasons that would preclude commissioning measures from achieving significant savings. If it is not practical to implement commissioning measures due to antiquated controls, missing sensors, or other reasons, these investigations identify rapid payback retrofit measures that achieve as much of the projected savings as possible. The analysis indicates that 30-100% of the estimated savings potential can be realized in the three subject buildings with estimated paybacks of less than 3 years

Time Course Expression Analysis of 1[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole Induction of Cytoprotection in Human Endothelial Cells.

1[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im), a synthetic derivative of oleanolic acid that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in several animal and in vitro models, has been shown to be beneficial if given after injury. Although induction of heme oxygenase 1 appears to be a major effector of cytoprotection, the mechanism by which the overall effect is mediated is largely unknown. This study evaluated temporal gene expression profiles to better characterize the early transcriptional events and their relationship to the dynamics of the cytoprotective response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to CDDO-Im. Time-course gene expression profiling was performed on HUVEC treated with CDDO-Im for 0.5, 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours. More than 10 000 genes were statistically altered in their expression in at least 1 time point across the time course. Large alterations in immediate-early gene expression were readily detectable within 0.5 hour after administration of CDDO-Im

The Scheherazade Syndrome: Fiction and Fact in Dubai's Quest to Become a Global City

Cities compete with each other for position in the global economy. Dubai has emerged as a leader in tactical deployment of narrative as a tool of urban branding. Its boosters draw upon the mythos of the exotic desert-city oasis, or suggest that Dubai is a neoliberal free-market development legend or a techno-utopia in which human ingenuity conquers all obstacles. This article offers the tale of Scheherazade as a metaphor for discussion of the importance of storytelling in contemporary global urban marketing. The authors analyse Dubai's mythic urban image and reveal the paradoxes of its fantastical development, uncovering its unsustainable and inequitable dimensions

Assessment of Relationships Between External Load Metrics and Game Performance in Women’s Lacrosse

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(6): 488-497, 2022. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between external load metrics with game performance for Division I collegiate female lacrosse. Data were collected using microtechnology during 26 games with 13 athletes (attackers n = 5, midfielders n = 8). External load variables included: total distance (TD), distance rate (DR), high-intensity (HI) distance, speed, HI sprints, accelerations, decelerations, metabolic equivalent distance (MED), and sprints. For attackers, goals, points, shots, and shots on goal (SOG) had low, positive associations with TD (r = 0.32 to 0.42) and MED (r = 0.39 to 0.45). For midfielders, goals, shots, and draw controls had low, positive relationships with TD (r = 0.34 to 0.41), DR (r = 0.33 to 0.45), and decelerations (r = 0.30 to 0.35). Points and SOG had low associations with TD (r = 0.35), DR (r = 0.33), accelerations (r = 0.31), and decelerations (r = 0.32 to 0.35). Turnovers demonstrated low, positive relationships with HI distance (r = 0.31) and HI sprints (r = 0.41). Though the correlations were low, they still revealed insights into workload metrics and offensive game statistics in the sport of lacrosse. Training for attackers should focus on agility and a training base for TD. Training for midfielders should focus on HI endurance and sprinting

Nicarbazin OvoControl G Bait Reduces Hatchability of Eggs Laid by Resident Canada Geese in Oregon

Expanding populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are resulting in increased conflicts with humans. Nonlethal and humane means are needed for managing Canada goose flocks at a variety of sites, including golf courses, industrial parks, government sites, and city parks. Decreased egg production and hatching are side effects of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to treat coccidiosis in chickens. Capitalizing on these effects, we developed nicarbazin as a reproductive inhibitor for Canada geese and conducted a field efficacy study. We recruited study sites in 2002 and 2003. Following laboratory testing, we conducted a field efficacy trial of nicarbazin for reducing the hatchability of Canada goose eggs in spring 2004 in Oregon, USA. The study began in February 2004 at 10 sites in Oregon, with 2 control and 3 treated sites on each side of the Cascades. We fed bait daily to resident Canada geese for approximately 6 weeks. We located and monitored nests until hatching or ≥5 days beyond the expected hatching date to determine hatchability. We completed data collection in May 2004. Geese consumed 8,000 kg of bait, with 5,100 kg of OvoControl G* (Innolytics, LLC, Rancho Santa Fe, CA) 2,500-ppm nicarbazin bait consumed among 6 treated sites and 2,900 kg of untreated bait consumed among 4 control sites. We monitored 63 nests at treated sites and 46 nests at control sites to determine hatching success of eggs. There was a 62% reduction in the percentage of nests with 100% hatchability at treated sites as compared to controls. There was a 93% increase in the percentage of nests at treated sites with 0% hatchability as compared to nests with no eggs hatching at control sites. Hatchability from treated sites versus control sites was reduced 36%(F=5.72, P=0.0622). We submitted results from this study to support Environmental Protection Agency registration of nicarbazin as a reproductive inhibitor for use in Canada geese. We have shown that treatment of resident Canada geese with OvoControl G 2,500-ppm nicarbazin bait by licensed, trained applicators immediately prior to and during the breeding season can reduce hatchability of eggs laid by treated geese, thereby reducing recruitment of goslings into problem resident Canada goose populations. ( JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 71(1):135–143; 2007