Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Boot Use Elevates Blood Lactate During Subsequent Exercise

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 385-392, 2019. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) boot use between submaximal cycling trials on heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations. Ten healthy participants (9M; 1F) performed two consecutive 60 minute rides at 60% of functional threshold power with a 30 minute rest between rides. The rest period was spent in a supine position using IPC boots (BOOT) or sitting in a similar position without boots (CON). HRs were collected every 15 minutes during cycling rides, and lactate was measured at the 30-minute mark during both rides. An identical trial was performed 7 days later with conditions (BOOT or CON) crossed. There were no between-trial differences (p \u3e 0.05) in HR; between-trial differences were found for lactate concentrations during the second ride (3.9 ± 1.0 mmol/L BOOT vs. 2.7 ± 1.5 mmol/L CON, p \u3c 0.05). The use of IPC boots between cycling trials as compared to laying in a supine position did not affect heart rate responses but did stimulate higher lactate concentrations during subsequent exercise

Examining current bias and future projection consistency of globally downscaled climate projections commonly used in climate impact studies

The associated uncertainties of future climate projections are one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in studies exploring the potential regional impacts of future climate shifts. In remote and climatically complex regions, the limited number of available downscaled projections may not provide an accurate representation of the underlying uncertainty in future climate or the possible range of potential scenarios. Consequently, global downscaled projections are now some of the most widely used climate datasets in the world. However, they are rarely examined for representativeness of local climate or the plausibility of their projected changes. Here we explore the utility of two such global datasets (CHELSA and WorldClim2) in providing plausible future climate scenarios for regional climate change impact studies. Our analysis was based on three steps: (1) standardizing a baseline period to compare available global downscaled projections with regional observation-based datasets and regional downscaled datasets; (2) bias correcting projections using a single observation-based baseline; and (3) having controlled differences in baselines between datasets, exploring the patterns and magnitude of projected climate shifts from these datasets to determine their plausibility as future climate scenarios, using Hawaiʻi as an example region. Focusing on mean annual temperature and precipitation, we show projected climate shifts from these commonly used global datasets not only may vary significantly from one another but may also fall well outside the range of future scenarios derived from regional downscaling efforts. As species distribution models are commonly created from these datasets, we further illustrate how a substantial portion of variability in future species distribution shifts can arise from the choice of global dataset used. Hence, projected shifts between baseline and future scenarios from these global downscaled projections warrant careful evaluation before use in climate impact studies, something rarely done in the existing literature. © 2023, This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply

Ecological Associations of Nonnative Ungulates on the Hawaiian Island of Lāna‘i

Abstract: Sustained-yield hunting of introduced ungulates in the Hawaiian Islands often conflicts with the conservation of native species, but there is little reliable data to guide effective management. European mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon; mouflon) and axis deer (Axis axis; deer) were introduced on the island of Lāna‘i to provide additional hunting opportunities. Managers will require better information regarding the ecological associations of introduced ungulate species, relative to the habitats occupied, to resolve longstanding conflicts between native species conservation and sustained-yield hunting on islands. To address this information need, we modeled sheep and deer ecological associations, habitat-use, and suitability using data obtained from an intensive aerial survey completed in 2013 and temporally matching environmental data. In habitat suitability models evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) metrics, predictor importance in a generalized linear model (GLM) of deer decreased in the following order: afternoon cloud cover, topographic slope, mean annual precipitation (MAP), elevation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and bare soil index. In a random GLM model of mouflon, predictor importance decreased in the following order: afternoon cloud cover, deer habitat suitability, NDVI, bare soil index, topographic slope, elevation, and MAP. Mouflon were restricted to lower elevation arid slopes, whereas deer were more broadly distributed throughout upland environments of the island. The presence of deer was also an important predictor for mouflon distribution, although mouflon was not an important predictor of deer, suggesting asymmetrical competition. Removal of the more abundant deer population may lead to an increase in abundance and distribution of mouflon without containment. This work represents the first habitat suitability analysis for all nonnative ungulates on any entire Hawaiian island. Our results are applicable to other islands where conflicts may arise with introduced ungulates, sustained-yield hunting, and native species conservation

Responsabilização na Lei Anticorrupção: natureza e amplitude subjetiva

O presente artigo busca abordar a questão da responsabilização na Lei nº 12.846/2013, também chamada de Lei Anticorrupção, a partir da defi nição de sua natureza jurídica e da delimitação de sua amplitude subjetiva. Antes disso, far-se-á rápida digressão para explanar o tema da Corrupção a partir de suas raízes históricas, demonstrando sua presença, desde os primórdios da colonização brasileira até os dias atuais. Destaca-se, assim, o liame temporal que acabou por desembocar na edição da Lei Anticorrupção como uma forma de completar o sistema legal pátrio de defesa da moralidade. No núcleo do artigo, questiona-se se a amplitude da referida lei também abarcaria a responsabilização das pessoas físicas responsáveis pelos atos lesivos defi nidos neste diploma ou se esta lei se restringiria apenas à responsabilização das pessoas jurídicas. Procura-se delimitar de forma mais objetiva os sujeitos ativos e passivos abarcados pela Lei Anticorrupção e como as sanções previstas se amoldam às especificidades de cada caso. Tudo isso visa a favorecer sua aplicação racional, sempre em homenagem ao princípio da segurança jurídica

Habitat suitability and ecological associations of two non-native ungulate species on the Hawaiian Island of Lāna‘i

The ability to effectively manage game species for specific conservation objectives is often limited by the scientific understanding of their distribution and abundance. This is especially true in Hawai‘i where introduced game mammals are poorly studied and have low value relative to native species in other states. We modeled the habitat suitability and ecological associations of European mouflon sheep (“mouflon”; Ovis musimon) and axis deer (Axis axis) on the island of Lāna‘i using intensive aerial survey and environmental data that included climate, vegetation, and topographic variables. We conducted diagnostic tests on a suite of primarily categorical predictors and determined most were highly correlated. We therefore developed a suite of other spatial predictor layers with continuous variables. We tested several modeling approaches but settled on generalized linear models (GLM) and random GLMs because they could account for group size of animals and were based on curvilinear responses of each species to environmental variability. Both mammal species were habitat generalists showing little affinity to particular plant species or communities. Continuous predictors associated with plant productivity such as mean annual precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and cloud cover were important explanatory factors in a GLM of axis deer and a random GLM of mouflon habitat suitability. The presence of axis deer was also an important explanatory predictor for mouflon distribution, but deer were not influenced by mouflon distribution, indicating asymmetrical competition. Consequently, mouflon were restricted to lower elevation arid and very dry slopes, whereas axis deer were more broadly distributed throughout other upland environments of the island, but avoided steep terrain. Findings indicate that removal of a substantial portion of the more abundant axis deer population may lead to an increase in abundance and distribution of mouflon without containment. Resulting spatial models of game mammal habitat suitability will be employed to inform land use prioritization analyses and to help resolve long-standing conflicts between native species conservation and sustained-yield hunting

Walking speed best explains perceived locomotion ability in ambulatory people with chronic stroke, assessed by the ABILOCO questionnaire

Background: The identification of the predictors of locomotion ability could help professionals select variables to be considered during clinical evaluations and interventions. Objective: To investigate which impairment measures would best predict locomotion ability in people with chronic stroke. Methods: Individuals (n=115) with a chronic stroke were assessed. Predictors were characteristics of the participants (i.e. age, sex, and time since stroke), motor impairments (i.e. muscle tonus, strength, and motor coordination), and activity limitation (i.e. walking speed). The outcome of interest was the ABILOCO scores, a self-reported questionnaire for the assessment of locomotion ability, designed specifically for individuals who have suffered a stroke. Results: Age, sex, and time since stroke did not significantly correlate with the ABILOCO scores (−0.07<ρ<0.05; 0.48<p<0.99). Measures of motor impairments and walking speed were significantly correlated with the ABILOCO scores (−0.25<r<0.57; p<0.001), but only walking speed and strength were kept in the regression model. Walking speed alone explained 35% (F=55.5; p<0.001) of the variance in self-reported locomotion ability. When strength was included in the model, the explained variance increased to 37% (F=31.4; p<0.001). Conclusions: Walking speed and lower limb strength best predicted locomotion ability as perceived by individuals who have suffered a stroke.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

A Century of Drought in Hawaiʻi: Geospatial Analysis and Synthesis across Hydrological, Ecological, and Socioeconomic Scales

Drought is a prominent feature of Hawaiʻi’s climate. However, it has been over 30 years since the last comprehensive meteorological drought analysis, and recent drying trends have emphasized the need to better understand drought dynamics and multi-sector effects in Hawaiʻi. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of past drought effects in Hawaiʻi that we integrate with geospatial analysis of drought characteristics using a newly developed 100-year (1920–2019) gridded Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) dataset. The synthesis examines past droughts classified into five categories: Meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, ecological, and socioeconomic drought. Results show that drought duration and magnitude have increased significantly, consistent with trends found in other Pacific Islands. We found that most droughts were associated with El Niño events, and the two worst droughts of the past century were multi-year events occurring in 1998–2002 and 2007–2014. The former event was most severe on the islands of O’ahu and Kaua’i while the latter event was most severe on Hawaiʻi Island. Within islands, we found different spatial patterns depending on leeward versus windward contrasts. Droughts have resulted in over $80 million in agricultural relief since 1996 and have increased wildfire risk, especially during El Niño years. In addition to providing the historical context needed to better understand future drought projections and to develop effective policies and management strategies to protect natural, cultural, hydrological, and agricultural resources, this work provides a framework for conducting drought analyses in other tropical island systems, especially those with a complex topography and strong climatic gradients

Local to landscape-level controls of water fluxes through Hawaiian forests: Effects of invasive animals and plants on soil infiltration capacity across substrate and moisture gradients

Adobe pdf document of a scientific technical reportGiven the potential effect of invasive plants and animals to water fluxes through forests, the invasive-driven degradation of native ecosystems is a topic of great concern for many downstream land and water managers. The infiltration rate determines the partitioning between runoff and infiltration into soil in Hawaiian forests and beyond. Thus, to explore the ecohydrological effects of plant and animal invasion in mesic and wet forests in Hawaii, we measured soil infiltration capacity in multiple fenced (i.e., ungulate-free)/unfenced and native/invaded forest sites along moisture and substrate age gradients across the islands of Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i. We also characterized forest composition and structure and soil characteristics at these sites to assess the direct and vegetation-mediated impacts of invasive species on infiltration capacity. Infiltration capacity is highly variable across forested sites and the wider landscape. Much of this variability is determined by a complex set of soil, vegetation, and disturbance factors that affect infiltration capacity at the immediate surrounding of measurement plots. Consequently, the effect of any given factor can be masked by variability in other factors. However, by controlling for variability in soil and vegetation conditions at a local plot level, we found that the presence of invasive species in forests has complex and sometimes non-intuitive effects on infiltration. Our final models showed that invasive ungulates negatively affect soil infiltration capacity consistently across the wide moisture and substrate age gradients considered. Additionally, because several soil characteristics known to be affected by ungulates were associated with local infiltration rates (e.g., soil organic matter, bare soil cover, soil depth), the long-term secondary effects of high ungulate densities in Hawaiian forests may be higher than effects observed in this study. These results provide clear evidence for land managers that ungulate control efforts likely improve ecohydrologic function to mesic and wet forest systems critical to protecting downstream and nearshore resources and maintaining groundwater recharge. Compared to ungulate effects, the effect of invasive plants on water infiltration capacity in Hawaiian forests appeared much more complex. In general, elements of forest structure including increased canopy, understory and floor cover, greater presence of large roots, and lower grass and bare soil covers were positively associated with water infiltration. Whether native or not, a plant species’ potential to alter infiltration rates in Hawaiian forests was likely to depend on its physiognomy and how it affects forest community structure. For instance, while the cover of native dominant tree ‘ōhi‘a, Metrosideros polymorpha, was found to be positively associated with infiltration capacity (perhaps as an indicator of overall forest integrity), invasive Himalayan ginger, Hedychium gardnerianum, was also positively correlated with infiltration capacity, possibly due to preferential flow channels created by the presence of large root mats. Few studies have conducted comprehensive integrated ecological and hydrological sampling in forests of high conservation value. While we show there are large benefits to understanding how conservation efforts may help shape water fluxes, we also found that the commonly used study design for infiltration studies used here and elsewhere (i.e., adjacent paired sites) could be modified to provide more accurate effects of invasion in future studies for ecosystems in Hawaii and beyond

Adaptação transcultural da Modified Gait Efficacy Scale para indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico

A Modified Gait Efficacy scale (mGES) avalia a percepção do indivíduo sobre o seu nível de confiança na marcha, em circunstâncias desafiadoras. Para sua aplicação na população brasileira, é necessário que seja realizada a sua adaptação transcultural. Este estudo objetivou realizar a adaptação transcultural do mGES para uso no Brasil. O processo de adaptação seguiu diretrizes padronizadas, sendo realizado em cinco etapas: tradução, retrotradução, síntese das traduções, avaliação pelo comitê de especialistas e teste da versão pré final. A versão pré final foi aplicada em 12 indivíduos pós-Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), que foram indagados sobre como interpretaram cada item. O processo de adaptação seguiu todas as recomendações propostas, sendo necessárias apenas pequenas alterações em três itens, para possibilitar melhor compreensão. Resultados satisfatórios foram obtidos no teste da versão pré final, uma vez que não houve nenhum problema quanto à redação e clareza dos itens ou ao objetivo da escala. A versão final da mGES-Brasil demonstrou satisfatório grau de equivalência semântica, conceitual e cultural, em relação à versão original, e pode, ser utilizada em contextos clínicos e de pesquisa no Brasil, para avaliar o nível de confiança na marcha de indivíduos pós-AVE.The Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) assesses the walking confidence under challenging circumstances. For its application with the Brazilian population, its cross-cultural adaptation is required. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the mGES to the Brazilian-Portuguese language. The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed standardized procedures and was conducted in five stages: translation, back-translation, synthesis of the translations, expert committee consultation, and testing of the pre-final version. The pre-final version was administered to 12 individuals with stroke, who were asked to interpret all of the items. The cross-cultural adaptation process followed all of the recommended guidelines and minor modifications in three items were carried-out, to facilitate understanding. Satisfactory results were obtained during the testing of the pre-final version, since there was not found any problem regarding wording and clarity of the items or the objective of the scale. The mGES-Brazil showed satisfactory semantic, linguistic, cultural, and conceptual equivalences to the original version, and may be used within clinical and research contexts in Brazil, for the assessment of walking confidence of individuals with strok

Hawai‘i Forest Review: Synthesizing the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation of a Model System

As the most remote archipelago in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are home to a highly endemic and disharmonic biota that has fascinated biologists for centuries. Forests are the dominant terrestrial biome in Hawai‘i, spanning complex, heterogeneous climates across substrates that vary tremendously in age, soil structure, and nutrient availability. Species richness is low in Hawaiian forests compared to other tropical forests, as a consequence of dispersal limitation from continents and adaptive radiations in only some lineages, and forests are dominated by the widespread Metrosideros species complex. Low species richness provides a relatively tractable model system for studies of community assembly, local adaptation, and species interactions. Moreover, Hawaiian forests provide insights into predicted patterns of evolution on islands, revealing that while some evidence supports “island syndromes,” there are exceptions to them all. For example, Hawaiian plants are not as a whole less defended against herbivores, less dispersible, more conservative in resource use, or more slow-growing than their continental relatives. Clearly, more work is needed to understand the drivers, sources, and constraints on phenotypic variation among Hawaiian species, including both widespread and rare species, and to understand the role of this variation for ecological and evolutionary processes, which will further contribute to conservation of this unique biota. Today, Hawaiian forests are among the most threatened globally. Resource management failures – the proliferation of non-native species in particular – have led to devastating declines in native taxa and resulted in dominance by novel species assemblages. Conservation and restoration of Hawaiian forests now rely on managing threats including climate change, ongoing species introductions, novel pathogens, lost mutualists, and altered ecosystem dynamics through the use of diverse tools and strategies grounded in basic ecological, evolutionary, and biocultural principles. The future of Hawaiian forests thus depends on the synthesis of ecological and evolutionary research, which will continue to inform future conservation and restoration practices