Taxonomy and diversity of New Zealand cave wētā (Orthoptera; Rhaphidophoridae)

Species are the fundamental unit for ecology and evolution. Taxonomy, the naming of species, grabbles with the problem of accurately representing these fundamental units. In this research I targeted a group of understudied and undervalued insects that are common throughout New Zealand. This work focuses on Rhaphidophoridae, a family of Orthoptera found globally, but the diversity in New Zealand is poorly understood and poorly described. I have been the first to use high specimen numbers in order to establish within and between species differences of New Zealand cave wētā. I have established the importance of multiple taxonomic methods. At no stage was the aim to fully resolve all issues, but rather to identify morphological characters that are useful in distinguishing species, and integrating mtDNA sequence data to test species hypotheses. I focused first on cave wētā specimens that came from a biodiversity studied but had not been identified to genus or species. I was able to identify characters that could distinguish between the taxa present in this sample and developed a method that could be transferred to other locations. Two key findings were that multiple cave wētā species co-exist across a range of habitats and that variation in abundance was species dependent. Of importance was my finding that juveniles cannot be distinguish and placed with their correct adult form due to changes in both subgenital plate shape and apical spines. From three regions in North Island New Zealand I was able to distinguish and identify fourteen putative cave wētā species. mtDNA sequence data were use to test putative species clusters identified by morphology and allowed me to confidently pair male and female specimens. Combinations of apical leg spines and subgenital plate shape could consistently diagnose most taxa. Many of the species are new to science. Therefore I described three new species in the genus Neonetus. I reviewed our current knowledge of the endemic genera Pleioplectron, Weta and Miotopus and based on evidence from mtDNA sequences and large samples I was able to clarify current species and describe one new Miotopus species. As with many insect species, male terminalia are the key to distinguishing among species, and species within the same genus have similar female subgenital plates

The ethical beliefs and behaviours of Victorian fitness professionals

A survey based on those employed by Petitpas, Brewer, Rivera, and Van Raalte (1994), Pope, Tabachnick, and Keith-Spiegel (1987), Tabachnick, Keith-Spiegel, and Pope (1991), and Pope and Vetter (1992) was used to investigate the ethical beliefs and behaviours of Victorian fitness professionals. Although there is evidence that Victorian fitness professionals are knowledgeable about some general ethical principles, the results of this study suggest that there is some lack of consensus among Victorian fitness professionals about the ethical appropriateness of a number of complex issues relating to business practices, confidentiality, dual relationships, and personal and professional boundaries. The findings suggest there is a need to improve the professional and ethical education of fitness professionals and to develop comprehensive ethical principles and a code of conduct that is relevant to the individuals working in the Australian fitness profession

Is BMI Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness? A Cross-Sectional Analysis Among 8470 Apparently Healthy Subjects Aged 18–94 Years from the Low-Lands Fitness Registry

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak, expressed in mL/min) and body mass index (BMI) in a large cohort of apparently healthy subjects. Methods: BMI and VO2peak were measured in a cross-sectional study of 8470 apparently healthy adults. VO2peak (mL/min) was determined by an incremental cycle ergometer test to exhaustion. Linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of CRF. Results: There was no difference in CRF between adults with a normal weight (BMI between 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and those who were overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2). Subjects who were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) as well as females who were obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) showed a reduced CRF compared to the normal and overweight groups. Age, height, and gender were significant predictors of CRF (R2 = 0.467, P < 0.0001); BMI did not add significantly to this relationship. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that BMI was not associated with CRF in addition to age, height, and gender. In subjects with a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, CRF was lower compared to subjects with a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2. In obese subjects, CRF was only lower in females compared to females with a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2. Correcting CRF for BMI may be beneficial for subjects with a low BMI, and females with a BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2. The outcome of this study might help to improve the interpretation of exercise testing results in individuals with a low or high BMI

Large-scale candidate gene study of leprosy susceptibility in the Karonga district of northern Malawi.

We present a large case-control candidate gene study of leprosy susceptibility. Thirty-eight polymorphic sites from 13 genes were investigated for their role in susceptibility to leprosy by comparing 270 cases with 452 controls in Karonga district, northern Malawi. Homozygotes for a silent T-->C change in codon 352 of the vitamin D receptor gene appeared to be at high risk (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-11.4, P = 0.004), while homozygotes for the McCoy b blood group defining variant K1590E in exon 29 of the complement receptor 1 (formerly CD35) gene appeared to be protected (OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1-0.8, P = 0.02). Borderline evidence for association with leprosy susceptibility was found for seven polymorphic sites in an additional six genes. Some of these apparent associations may be false-positive results from multiple comparisons, and several associations suggested by studies in other populations were not replicated here. These data provide evidence of inter-population heterogeneity in leprosy susceptibility

Afectació del cost de l'energia als equipaments esportius municipals amb piscina : informe

Sol·licitant de l'informe: Institut Barcelona Esport

Impacte del covid'19 en el sector fitness : anàlisis a Catalunya/Barcelona

Sol·licitant de l'informe: Institut Barcelona Esport