Reliability of Two Alternative Methods for the Standard Mid-thigh Isometric Pull

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of two new alternative portable methods for measuring maximal isometric force measures while performing the standard mid-thigh pull. One method, the bar grip method, required the use of the trunk and upper extremity muscles, while the second method, the pelvic belt method, did not. Both methods demonstrated good test-retest reliability via randomized repeated measures over 24-36 hours. Interestingly, the pelvic belt method generally demonstrated average maximal forces up to 65% higher than the bar method. There was a good relationship between both methods. These new alternative methods could provide strength coaches an option for a more efficient, cost-effective, portable means for the mid-thigh pull test

Revision of the World Meteorological Organization Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) CO2 calibration scale

The NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory serves as the World Meteorological Organization Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) Central Calibration Laboratory (CCL) for CO2 and is responsible for maintaining the WMO/GAW mole fraction scale used as a reference within the WMO/GAW program. The current WMO-CO2-X2007 scale is embodied by 15 aluminum cylinders containing modified natural air, with CO2 mole fractions determined using the NOAA manometer from 1995 to 2006. We have made two minor corrections to historical manometric records: fixing an error in the applied second virial coefficient of CO2 and accounting for loss of a small amount of CO2 to materials in the manometer during the measurement process. By incorporating these corrections, extending the measurement records of the original 15 primary standards through 2015, and adding four new primary standards to the suite, we define a new scale, identified as WMO-CO2-X2019. The new scale is 0.18&thinsp;&micro;mol&thinsp;mol&minus;1 (ppm) greater than the previous scale at 400&thinsp;ppm CO2. While this difference is small in relative terms (0.045&thinsp;%), it is significant in terms of atmospheric monitoring. All measurements of tertiary-level standards will be reprocessed to WMO-CO2-X2019. The new scale is more internally consistent than WMO-CO2-X2007 owing to revisions in propagation and should result in an overall improvement in atmospheric data records traceable to the CCL. &nbsp;</p

Report of the aquatic modeling group : round one

The aquatic modeling group, consisting of Davis, Donaldson, Hall, Higley, Lyford, McIntire, Mullooly, Overton, Strand, Waring, and Warren, met in four 2-hour sessions from July 7 to July 26. The charge to the group was: 1. Define an appropriate internal structure for the aquatic subsystem; 2. Define significant couplings between the aquatic and terrestrial systems; and 3. Begin to evaluate the present program with the above as background. In general, the discussion centered around stream systems, and specifically around the Lookout Creek drainage on the H. J. Andrews Forest, site of most of the Oregon field research. Much consideration. was given to the best means of incorporating data from earlier studies on Berry Creek, the Drift Creek streams (Alsea Watershed Study), and the Oak Creek Experimental Streams into present modeling efforts. Higley is charged with the responsibility of bringing together a listing of the pertinent publications and theses that might be most applicable to this effort. A tentative listing is included with this report

Competition between α-actinin and Ca2+-Calmodulin Controls Surface Retention of the L-type Ca2+ Channel CaV1.2

Regulation of neuronal excitability and cardiac excitation-contraction coupling requires proper localization of L-type Ca2+ channels. We show that the actin-binding protein α-actinin binds to the C-terminal surface targeting motif of α11.2, the central pore-forming CaV1.2 subunit, to foster its surface expression. Disruption of α-actinin function by dominant negative or shRNA constructs reduces CaV1.2 surface localization in HEK293 and neuronal cultures, and dendritic spine localization in neurons. We demonstrate that calmodulin displaces α-actinin from their shared binding site on α11.2 upon Ca2+ influx through L-type channels but not through NMDAR, thereby triggering loss of CaV1.2 from spines. Coexpression of a Ca2+-binding deficient calmodulin mutant does not affect basal CaV1.2 surface expression, but inhibits its internalization upon Ca2+ influx. We conclude that α-actinin stabilizes CaV1.2 at the plasma membrane, and that its displacement by Ca2+-calmodulin induces Ca2+-induced endocytosis of CaV1.2, thus providing an important negative feedback mechanism for Ca2+ influx

Complexity absorption : A processual strategic approach to corporate entrepreneurship strategy

The author Haina Zhang acknowledges the support of research grant received from the Lancaster University Research Committee (award reference: SGS21/33). The author is also grateful to Professor David Brown for his suggestions on earlier version of this paper.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London