Utilisation of off-river habitats by lowland river fishes

This study assessed the importance for fish of lateral connectivity of river side-channels to the River Frome, a lowland chalk. stream in Southern England. Lateral connectivity and habitat complexity is under threat in many floodplain river systems due to human disturbance. A holistic approach was used to investigate fish communities in seven sidechannels (including drainage ditches, natural streams and a millstream) and to assess the functionality provided by these habitats to fish species. Seasonal electric fishing over three years was used to monitor fish assemblages in each channel in relation to biotic and abiotic variables. Fish movements between the main channel and lateral habitats were monitored continuously in five locations with PIT (passive integrated transponder) telemetry. In total over one hundred pike (Esox lucius) and dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) were radio tracked to monitor the movements of individual fish with increased sensitivity. Each side-channel provided a distinct habitat and supported a different fish community. Flow was the main discriminating factor between channels and their assemblages. Multiple linear regression of/biotic and abiotic variables did not predict abundances of individual species effectively. In contrast, habitat stability was a good indicator of species diversity and may prove a useful management tool. Side-channels were used for different functions by different species. A single fish species used a range of habitats within the river system, each for different functions with functional differences in use between seasons. The River Frome dace population exhibited a metapopulation structure with a main river source population and sink sub-populations in side-channels. The structure of the population is based upon the availability of both lateral' and longitudinal connectivity, with dace moving between the main river and side-channels and also making excursions over 10 km along the main river channel. Drainage ditches are a particularly important pike spawning location, with males arriving earlier onto this distinct habitat. Protandry (early arrival strategy of some males) was exhibited by slow-growing male pike which arrived as early as December. Growth was also related to home range size in males, with faster growing males inhabiting larger, home ranges.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills: What the SAILS Tests Reveal Over Time

What can standardized assessments tell us about the information literacy levels of our students? When an institution chooses to use a national assessment, the institution is faced with negotiating the existing testing process and making sense of the results within the local context. Chapman University and its sister institution Brandman University have measured information literacy for several years with the Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS). In this presentation we compare three models of implementation: (1) administering the SAILS cohort test to incoming freshmen; (2) giving the SAILS individual-scores test to freshmen and seniors; and (3) administering the SAILS cohort test to students enrolled in a required information literacy course. We share a snapshot of our results and, more importantly, how we have interpreted these results. We review the benefits and limitations of the SAILS tests, discuss solutions to implementation issues, and offer ideas for communicating results to stakeholders

The mediating role of mindfulness, attention and situational awareness on driving performance in a virtual reality underground mine

Load-haul-dumps (LHDs) are used to transport materials in underground mining. Due to the design of LHDs and the design of the mine drifts, these vehicles are implicated in accidents involving other mining equipment, the mining environment and pedestrians. In 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Labour published the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review, which recommended that mobile equipment operators need to have a strong situational awareness. Mindfulness training can be used to improve an individual’s situational awareness and attention. Mindfulness is a trait that naturally varies amongst individuals. However, it is a technique that can be taught and with training and practice, a person’s mindfulness levels can improve over time. There has been limited research conducted in the area of mindfulness and workplace health and safety; however, there is evidence to suggest that mindfulness training may be a method to improve workplace safety. This study measured a person’s inherent mindfulness, attention and situational awareness and correlated them against driver’s performance measured from within a computer-based virtual reality underground mine simulator. The simulator, or the Situational Awareness Mining Simulator (SAMS), provided the virtual reality experience of operating an LHD in an underground mine. Perception-response time and collisions frequency were measured within the simulator and used as the measures of driver performance. Situational awareness was measured within the simulator by questioning the participants about physical aspects of the virtual mine, such as signage and colour of various objects. Mindfulness was measured using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and attention was measured using the Attention-Related Driving Errors Scale (ARDES-US). Participants (n = 21) operated a load-haul-dump in the simulator for two trials, each approximately 15-20 minutes in length. Spearman’s correlations showed a relationship between frequency of collisions and perception-response time (r = .449, p = .05); situational awareness and collision frequency (r = .507, p < .05); and situational awareness and mindfulness (r = .434, p < .05). These correlations were present in either Trial 1 or Trial 2, not both trials and thus, should be interpreted with caution. There was also a significant negative correlation between MAAS and ARDES-US scores (r = -.516, p = <.05). There were no other correlations present between ARDES-US scores and any other variables. This study provides evidence that by cueing individuals to aspects of their surroundings, Level 1 situational awareness (SA) can be increased and further, the relationship between SA and mindfulness becomes more apparent. No evidence was able to suggest a relationship between attention levels, as measured by ARDES-US and driving performance, or situational awareness. The learning curve of adapting to the simulator was substantial, and clouded some of the results, especially pertaining to collision frequency, and situational awareness.Master of Human Kinetics (MHK

Thematic Dimensions of Grandparent Caregiving: A Focus Group Approach

The present study involved 75 grandparent caregivers (M age = 59) who participated in focus groups targeting their needs and concerns relevant to raising their grandchildren. Based upon a qualitative analysis of group session notes reliably cross referenced across 3 observers, the following themes emerged: 1) Isolation, disenfranchisement, and marginalization with regard to others, 2) Difficulty in dealing with and frustration with the adult child whose child one is raising, 3) The need to be able to cope with one’s own emotions and life situation, 4) Difficulties in coping with the emotional, interpersonal, or behavioral problems of the grandchild, 5) Getting competent, trustworthy, and affordable child (day) care/respite care, 6) Frustration with service providers, 7) Ignorance of what social, medical, psychological, and legal services are available or difficulty in affording or accessing such services, 8) Challenges in managing other life stresses that are superimposed upon or consequences of the demands of raising a grandchild, 9) A lack of legal standing as the grandchild’s caregiver, and 10) A lack of parenting skills and knowledge about child development. Discussed here is the fact that these thematic concerns expressed by grandparent caregivers have a number of implications for grandfamilies’ mental and physical health, access to services, the lessening of isolation and stigmatization among such persons, and the design and implementation of interventions for them

Exercise Interventions for Adults with Burn Injuries

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) is to provide the highest quality of evidence available on the implementation of exercise interventions in the early burn rehabilitation phase in adult burn victims. This portfolio contains four peer-reviewed research articles from national and international journals. The study designs include one systematic review and meta analyses, one retrospective cohort study and two randomized control trials. These articles covered three types of exercise interventions including resistance training, mobility training, and physiotherapy. Overall, the clinical bottom line of this CAT is that exercise interventions in early burn rehabilitation may be effective in improving upper extremity function, muscle strength, range of motion, quality of life, and decreasing length of stay and inflammation. Further research is needed to determine the effects of early exercise interventions in adults in the burn ICU

Aquilegia, Vol. 22 No. 1-2, January-April 1998: Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society

https://epublications.regis.edu/aquilegia/1084/thumbnail.jp

Diagnosing idiopathic learning disability: a cost-effectiveness analysis of microarray technology in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom

Array based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) is a powerful technique for detecting clinically relevant genome imbalance and can offer 40 to > 1000 times the resolution of karyotyping. Indeed, idiopathic learning disability (ILD) studies suggest that a genome-wide aCGH approach makes 10–15% more diagnoses involving genome imbalance than karyotyping. Despite this, aCGH has yet to be implemented as a routine NHS service. One significant obstacle is the perception that the technology is prohibitively expensive for most standard NHS clinical cytogenetics laboratories. To address this, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of aCGH versus standard cytogenetic analysis for diagnosing idiopathic learning disability (ILD) in the NHS. Cost data from four participating genetics centres were collected and analysed. In a single test comparison, the average cost of aCGH was £442 and the average cost of karyotyping was £117 with array costs contributing most to the cost difference. This difference was not a key barrier when the context of follow up diagnostic tests was considered. Indeed, in a hypothetical cohort of 100 ILD children, aCGH was found to cost less per diagnosis (£3,118) than a karyotyping and multi-telomere FISH approach (£4,957). We conclude that testing for genomic imbalances in ILD using microarray technology is likely to be cost-effective because long-term savings can be made regardless of a positive (diagnosis) or negative result. Earlier diagnoses save costs of additional diagnostic tests. Negative results are cost-effective in minimising follow-up test choice. The use of aCGH in routine clinical practice warrants serious consideration by healthcare providers