Life-history consequences of maternal condition in Alaskan moose

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1999We studied characteristics of life-history of Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) including the effects of maternal condition of adult females on survival and physical condition of young during their first year-of-life. We also examined the relation between maternal condition and reproductive parameters of individual adult moose. We found that females in better physical condition, as indexed by rump-fat thickness, had higher rates of pregnancy, gave birth to more twins, and produced young with higher birth masses than did females with less rump fat. Expected time-to-death for individual young increased as birth mass increased and decreased with increasing birth date and litter size. Our results indicated maternal condition influenced subsequent variables associated with birth, which ultimately influenced future survival of offspring. Timing of parturition also occurred earlier for individual females with greater rump-fat thickness. That outcome suggested that timing of parturition was the result of environmental factors acting on females prior to birth.Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Uni

Drivers’ experiences during floods: Investigating the psychological influences underpinning decisions to avoid driving through floodwater

A major risk factor for many flood-related drownings is driving through floodwater. We aimed to understand Australian drivers’ experiences and beliefs with respect to avoid driving through floodwater using the theory of planned behaviour as a framework. Study 1 (N = 23) used a qualitative design to gain an in-depth understanding of individuals’ experiences with driving through floodwater. Study 2 (N = 157) used a survey-based design to identify the factors related to this behaviour including knowledge, beliefs, and social-cognitive factors. In Study 1, drivers identified a range of advantages (e.g., didn't damage car), disadvantages (e.g., inconvenient, but not so terrible), barriers (e.g., urgency to reach destination), and facilitators (e.g., making plans and using existing plans) to avoiding driving through floodwater. Normative factors were also important influences on drivers’ decisions including normative expectancy, approval of significant others, and a moral obligation for the safety of others. In Study 2, participants were able to recall information about driving through floodwater (e.g., dangerous/risky) and its meaning (e.g., body of water over road). A range of experiences were described for avoiding driving through floodwater (e.g., took an alternative route). Across the studies, a range of behavioural, normative, and control beliefs were elicited. Finally, sex (women more likely), attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted intentions to avoid driving through floodwater, with the model explaining 55% of the variance. These findings can inform intervention targets and development of prevention strategies for effective behaviour change, saving lives otherwise lost to Australian waterways in flood

Post-exercise hypotension time-course is influenced by exercise intensity: a randomised trial comparing moderate-intensity, high-intensity, and sprint exercise

Reductions in blood pressure (BP) induced by exercise training may be associated with the acute reduction in BP observed minutes to hours following an exercise session, termed post-exercise hypotension (PEH). However, the magnitude and time-course of PEH, including the optimal exercise characteristics to maximise it, are still unclear. Using a randomised crossover design, 16 normotensive participants (median age (range) 22 (19–31) years; 50% female) undertook three different exercise sessions: sprint interval exercise (SIE, 30 × 8-s sprints with 32 s recovery), high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE, 15 × 1-min intervals at 90% peak heart rate (HR) with 1-min recovery), and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE, 48 min at 65% peak HR). BP and HR were monitored before and up to 90 min following each session. The three exercise sessions each showed distinct PEH and of similar overall magnitude up to 90 min post exercise; however, there were distinct differences in the time-course. Systolic BP was lower 40 min after MICE compared to HIIE (−7.7 (−13.9 to −2.4) mmHg) and diastolic BP was higher 5 min after HIIE compared to SIE (8.5 (2.3–14.7) mmHg). MICE induced lower HR up to 40 min after exercise compared to HIIE and SIE. HIIE and SIE induced PEH of similar magnitude to MICE. A phasic or ‘W-shaped’ time-course of PEH observed following HIIE and SIE contrasted to a distinct ‘V-shaped’ PEH following MICE, indicating the physiological mechanisms driving BP regulation after exercise are influenced by exercise intensity

Pennsylvania\u27s Family Caregiver Support Program: A Demonstration Project

The physical, emotional, and economic burdens of family caregiving can present a serious threat to the stability and continuity of a caregiving situation. Public policymakers, aware of the high costs of replacing such voluntary efforts with publicly funded institutional care, are becoming more and more concerned about the needs of caregivers and possible intervention strategies to meet those needs. This article begins with a description of Pennsylvania\u27s new policy initiative for caregivers, the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP). Following is a discussion of the evaluation of the program\u27s demonstration phase by the Human Organization Science Institute of Villanova University. The evaluation concluded that the FCSP has a significant positive impact on the lives and abilities of caregivers, including the reduction of caregiver stress and burden. The concluding summary of program results seeks to sharpen the reader\u27s interest in the potential benefits of an intervention strategy such as this and suggests a need for additional research for the benefit of those concerned about health care cost containment

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, correlates and interventions among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review protocol

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Australia experience poorer health outcomes in the areas of overweight and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Contributing to this burden of disease in the Australian community generally and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). We have described a protocol for a review to systematically scope articles that document use of SSBs and interventions to reduce their consumption with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These results will inform future work that investigates interventions aimed at reducing harm associated with SSB consumption. Methods and analysis: This scoping review draws on a methodology that uses a six-step approach to search databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Informit (including Informit: Indigenous Peoples), Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database and Mura, between January 1980 and February 2017. Two reviewers will be engaged to search for and screen studies independently, using formulated selection criteria, for inclusion in our review. We will include primary research studies, systematic reviews including meta-analysis or meta-synthesis, reports and unpublished grey literature. Results will be entered into a table identifying study details and characteristics, summarised using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis chart and then critically analysed. Ethics and dissemination: This review will not require ethics committee review. Results will be disseminated at appropriate scientific meetings, as well as through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.Jodie C Avery, Jacqueline A Bowden, Joanne Dono, Odette R Gibson, Aimee Brownbill, Wendy Keech, David Roder, Caroline L Mille

Pathway to the PiezoElectronic Transduction Logic Device

The information age challenges computer technology to process an exponentially increasing computational load on a limited energy budget - a requirement that demands an exponential reduction in energy per operation. In digital logic circuits, the switching energy of present FET devices is intimately connected with the switching voltage, and can no longer be lowered sufficiently, limiting the ability of current technology to address the challenge. Quantum computing offers a leap forward in capability, but a clear advantage requires algorithms presently developed for only a small set of applications. Therefore, a new, general purpose, classical technology based on a different paradigm is needed to meet the ever increasing demand for data processing.Comment: in Nano Letters (2015

High-intensity interval training for reducing blood pressure: a randomized trial vs. moderate-intensity continuous training in males with overweight or obesity

The optimal exercise-training characteristics for reducing blood pressure (BP) are unclear. We investigated the effects of 6-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on BP and aortic stiffness in males with overweight or obesity. Twenty-eight participants (18–45 years; BMI: 25–35 kg/m2) performed stationary cycling three times per week for 6 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated (unblinded) to work-matched HIIT (N = 16; 10 × 1-min intervals at 90–100% peak workload) or MICT (N = 12; 30 min at 65–75% peak heart rate). Central (aortic) and peripheral (brachial) BP and aortic stiffness was assessed before and after training. There were no significant group × time interactions for any BP measure (all p > 0.21). HIIT induced moderate reductions in central (systolic/diastolic ∆: −4.6/−3.5 mmHg, effect size d = −0.51/−0.40) and peripheral BP (−5.2/−4 mmHg, d = −0.45/−0.47). MICT induced moderate reductions in diastolic BP only (peripheral: −3.4 mmHg, d = −0.57; central: −3 mmHg, d = −0.50). The magnitude of improvement in BP was strongly negatively correlated with baseline BP (r = −0.66 to −0.78), with stronger correlations observed for HIIT (r = −0.73 to −0.88) compared with MICT (r = −0.43 to −0.61). HIIT was effective for reducing BP (~3–5 mmHg) in the overweight to obese cohort. Exercise training induced positive changes in central (aortic) BP. The BP-lowering effects of exercise training are more prominent in those with higher baseline BP, with stronger correlation in HIIT than MICT