Effectiveness of lift-assisted training in developing upper body strength in females

Subjects included 17 female college students, aged 19 to 44 yrs. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 specific training protocols and performed lift-assisted (LA) pull-ups (PU) and/or LA bar dips (BD) for a period of 12 weeks. PU and BD performance were compared at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks training. Flexed arm hang (FAH), modified pull-up (MPU) and push-up exercises were compared at 0 and 12 weeks. A 3 x 4 (group by time) repeated measures factorial was used for the PU and BD tests, and a 3 x 2 (group by time) factorial was used for the FAH, MPU and push-up tests. There was significant interaction on the PU {dollar}(F = 4.28,\ p = .0019){dollar} and FAH {dollar}(F = 4.79,\ p = .0260).{dollar} There was a significant main effect for time on the BD test {dollar}(F = 33.16,\ p = 0.0001).{dollar} There was a main effect for group, and a main effect for time on the MPU and push-up tests. Group II (PU) significantly improved on the PU from 4 weeks ({dollar}\bar\times{dollar} 0.583) to 12 weeks ({dollar}\bar\times{dollar} 3.41), and Group I (PU/BD) and Group II were significantly better than Group III (BD). All Groups significantly improved on the BD from 4 weeks ({dollar}\bar\times{dollar} 1.9) to 8 weeks ({dollar}\bar\times{dollar} 3.59), and from 8 weeks to 12 weeks ({dollar}\bar\times{dollar} 5.8). Group II (PU) significantly improved on all 5 tests. Group I (PU/BD) significantly improved on all tests except the PU. Group III (BD) significantly improved on the BD, MPU and push-up tests

Area G.11, 16, 17, 18

Authored section of Heshbon Expedition report

Quantitative sensory testing in children with sickle cell disease: additional insights and future possibilities.

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used in a variety of pain disorders to characterize pain and predict prognosis and response to specific therapies. In this study, we aimed to confirm results in the literature documenting altered QST thresholds in sickle cell disease (SCD) and assess the test-retest reliability of results over time. Fifty-seven SCD and 60 control subjects aged 8-20 years underwent heat and cold detection and pain threshold testing using a Medoc TSAII. Participants were tested at baseline and 3 months; SCD subjects were additionally tested at 6 months. An important facet of our study was the development and use of a novel QST modelling approach, allowing us to model all data together across modalities. We have not demonstrated significant differences in thermal thresholds between subjects with SCD and controls. Thermal thresholds were consistent over a 3- to 6-month period. Subjects on whom hydroxycarbamide (HC) was initiated shortly before or after baseline testing (new HC users) exhibited progressive decreases in thermal sensitivity from baseline to 6 months, suggesting that thermal testing may be sensitive to effective therapy to prevent vasoocclusive pain. These findings inform the use of QST as an endpoint in the evaluation of preventative pain therapies

Reproductive Biology of Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, from Coastal Waters of the Southern United States

Reproductive biology of the cobia, Rachycentron canadum, is described from four coastal areas in the southern United States. Samples were obtained from recreational fishermen between December 1995 and November 1997 from the southeastern United States (Morehead City, NC, to Cape Canaveral, FL), the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Ft. Myers to Crystal River, FL), the north-central Gulf of Mexico (Destin, FL, to Chandeleur Islands, LA) and the western Gulf of Mexico (Port Aransas, TX). Histological evidence of spawning occurred from April through September in all areas. Some female cobia (17-32%) throughout the Gulf of Mexico had spent or regressed ovaries by July. Gonadosomatic index peaked between May and July throughout the region. Ovaries of females from all areas contained both postovulatory follicles (POF) and oocytes in final oocyte maturation (FOM) during all months of the reproductive season. Batch fecundity was calculated by using three different methods: oocytes \u3e700 pm were fixed in 1) Gilson\u27s fixative or 2) 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF), and 3)oocytes undergoing FOM were sectioned for histological examination. Mean batch fecundity ranged from 377,000 +/- 64,500 to 1,980,500 +/- 1,598,500 eggs; there was no significant difference among methods. Batch fecundity calculated with the NBF method showed a positive relationship with fork length (P=0.021, r(2)=0.132) and ovary-free body weight (OFBW; P=0.016, r(2)=0.143). Relative batch fecundity was not significantly different among months during the spawning season and averaged 53.1 +/-9.4 eggs/g OFBW for the NBF method and 29.1 +/- 4.8 eggs/g OFBW for the FOM method. Although spawning frequencies were not significantly differ ent among areas (P=0.07), cobia from the southeastern United States and north-central Gulf of Mexico were estimated to spawn once every 5 days, whereas cobia from the western Gulf of Mexico were estimated to spawn once every 9 to 12 days

Reproductive Biology of Cobia, \u3ci\u3eRachycentron canadum\u3c/i\u3e, from Coastal Waters of the Southern United States

Reproductive biology of the cobia, Rachycentron canadum, is described from four coastal areas in the southern United States. Samples were obtained from recreational fishermen between December 1995 and November 1997 from the southeastern United States (Morehead City, NC, to Cape Canaveral, FL), the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Ft. Myers to Crystal River, FL), the north-central Gulf of Mexico (Destin, FL, to Chandeleur Islands, LA) and the western Gulf of Mexico (Port Aransas, TX). Histological evidence of spawning occurred from April through September in all areas. Some female cobia (17-32%) throughout the Gulf of Mexico had spent or regressed ovaries by July. Gonadosomatic index peaked between May and July throughout the region. Ovaries of females from all areas contained both postovulatory follicles (POF) and oocytes in final oocyte maturation (FOM) during all months of the reproductive season. Batch fecundity was calculated by using three different methods: oocytes \u3e700 μm were fixed in 1) Gilson’s fixative or 2) 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF), and 3) oocytes undergoing FOM were sectioned for histological examination. Mean batch fecundity ranged from 377,000 ± 64,500 to 1,980,500 ± 1,598,500 eggs; there was no significant difference among methods. Batch fecundity calculated with the NBF method showed a positive relationship with fork length (P = 0.021, r2 = 0.132) and ovary-free body weight (OFBW; P = 0.016, r2 = 0.143). Relative batch fecundity was not significantly different among months during the spawning season and averaged 53.1 ± 9.4 eggs/g OFBW for the NBF method and 29.1 ± 4.8 eggs/g OFBW for the FOM method. Although spawning frequencies were not significantly different among areas (P = 0.07), cobia from the southeastern United States and north-central Gulf of Mexico were estimated to spawn once every 5 days, whereas cobia from the western Gulf of Mexico were estimated to spawn once every 9 to 12 days

Conservation Easements: A Tool For Preserving Wildlife Habitat on Private Lands

Conservation easements are an essential tool for conserving private lands, and they have great potential for enhancing wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Private land conservation in the United States is likely to increase in the coming years, in light of Executive Order No. 14,008, issued by President Joseph Biden on January 27, 2021, which set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 (Executive Office of the President 2021). There is, therefore, a need to evaluate the effect of conservation easements on wildlife habitat and biodiversity and to make recommendations for further enhancing the effectiveness of easements. Herein we propose a shift from primarily negative clauses and restrictive language to a more affirmative approach, developing language to proactively improve management of properties under conservation easement in order to maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems. In addition, we identify areas for further research on landowner perceptions and experiences regarding conservation easements