Annual cycle of the microzooplankton communities in the waters surrounding the Palm Island Nature Reserve (north Lebanon), with special attention to tintinnids

The distribution, abundance and annual cycle of microzooplankton communities have been studied monthly at five sampling stations in the north Lebanon, covering both neritic and oceanic waters in the vicinity of small islands situated 5 km offshore.In general, the density of microprotozoans, except for ciliates, increased from the coastal towards the offshore area, with stations situated near the islands being similar to the offshore rather than to the coastal ones. The microprotozoan species showed their highest numbers in late autumn and early winter. Foraminifera abundance ranged from 20 to 3390 inds.m -3 (mean= 549) whereas Acantharia abundance was highest in spring and ranged from 0 to 2608 inds.m -3 (mean 259). The Polycistina had their highest numbers in late winter, which ranged from 0 to 6024 inds.m -3 (mean= 740). The Heliozoa were abundant in late autumn with numbers ranging from 0 to 5165 inds.m -3 (mean= 555). The annual cycle of Tintinnids at all the stations was bimodal with a principal peak in October-November and another one in May, while minimum numbers were recorded in August-September. A succession of populations was observed all year round with a density ranging between 344 and 38986 inds.m -3 (mean = 10878). Ninety different species of Tintinnids were recorded. The diversity index varied between 0.19 and 4.15. It was concluded that there was a large-scale gradient in seasonal diversity which could be related to the annual average sea surface temperature and to the development of the vertical thermic structure

Moving Beyond Niche Models: Habitat Suitability for Nesting White-Headed Woodpeckers

Ecological niche models of habitat suitability are attractive due to their conceptual interpretation and use of presence-only data. Niche models have potential to exploit a variety of presence-only data sources, such as museum records, limited effort surveys, ancillary field observations, and citizen science programs. Limitations of niche models, however, substantially reduce their utility in management situations, in particular, the inability to independently evaluate habitat covariates for their relative influence. Generalized linear models, i.e., logistic regression, provide this ability, but require both presence and absence data. We present an approach that overcomes the limitation of niche models while retaining the use of presence-only data. The generation of pseudo-absences, derived from areas of low suitability as determined by the niche model, allow use of logistic regression to produce robust models of habitat suitability. The approach also has the added benefit of reducing contamination (false absences) among absence data that occurs with simple random sample approaches. We discuss the pseudo-absence approach in an example of modeling habitat suitability for nesting white-headed woodpeckers (Picoides albolarvatus)

EFFECT OF SEGMENTAL VIBRATION ON HAND AND PINCH GRIP STRENGTHS IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Handgrip and pinch strengths are important markers in many sports as well as in determining health status. Many interventions have been proposed for increasing hand muscle strength. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of segmental hand vibration on hand and pinch grip strengths. Ninety-two healthy university students were randomly assigned into two equal groups. By the end of the study, Group (A) and (B) consisted of 40 and 37 participants, respectively. The measurements consisted of the hand grip and pinch grip strengths using electronic dynamometer, measured in Kg, before, after three weeks, and after six weeks of training. Group (A) underwent isometric exercise training using hand gripper as follows: 4 seconds maximum grip, release for 2 seconds, repeated for 1 minute for three sets and with 3 minutes rest in between. Group (B) had the same exercise implemented in group (A) with the addition of five minutes of segmental vibration on both upper limb with 30Hz and amplitude of 2mm. The training was done two times per week for six weeks. Results revealed that both groups did demonstrate significant increase in hand and grip strengths after six weeks (p.05). It can be concluded that, segmental upper limb vibration does not have additional effect over isometric muscle training alone on hand grip and pinch grip strengths

Quality of group interaction, ethnic group composition, and individual mathematical learning gains

High-quality helping behavior is essential for effective peer interaction and learning. This study focused on ethnic group composition and the quality of group interaction as predictors of individual mathematics performance. Video-observations of 92 fifth-grade students working in groups balanced on mathematics performance level were analyzed. We expected a difference in the quality of interaction and test scores of native and non-native students. Multilevel analysis identified process regulation and giving answers as positive predictors of mathematics performance, whereas giving or applying explanations contributed negatively. Non-native students generally had lower achievement scores than native students. Non-native students working in ethnically heterogeneous groups performed better than did students working in homogenous groups. Homogeneous groups used more high-quality helping behaviors and engaged more often in task-oriented behavior. Heterogeneous groups engaged more often in low-quality helping behaviors. Working with native students may have been conducive to non-native students’ understanding of word problems in realistic mathematics education

Online Versus Face to Face College Courses

Students have perceptions of the on-line course environment whether they have taken an on-line course or not. A random sample (N = 100) of undergraduate (n = 34) and graduate (n = 66) students were administered a student perception questionnaire on students\u27 attitudes towards studying online versus traditional classroom instruction in a large, private, southern New England University. Thirty-nine percent of the participants have a part-time job, 29% have a full-time job, and the remaining 32% are not currently employed. Thirty-three percent of the sample was male and 67% were female. Results of the survey questionnaire indicate that 29% of the sample attended or had some online course experience. Fifty-six percent reported having positive perception towards online education and yet only 22% would actually take an online course if given the opportunity. Time management and flexibility were given as prime reasons for taking on-line courses. Although all students use the Internet very much in their daily life, the results show that students still seem to prefer the traditional classroom environment for their education

Enhancing men's awareness of testicular disorders using a virtual reality intervention: the E-MAT study

Introduction: Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumour among men aged less than 50 years. The incidence of this malignancy is on the rise globally. Benign testicular disorders such as testicular torsion and epididymitis can be life-threatening if left untreated. Men’s awareness of testicular disorders is lacking and their help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms are low. Aim: To design and pilot-test an intervention (E-MAT) aimed at enhancing men’s testicular awareness and promoting early help-seeking for testicular symptoms. Methods: The Medical Research Council framework helped develop and pilot-test the E-MAT intervention. The evidence-base was identified by conducting one integrative and two systematic reviews of the literature on men’s awareness of testicular disorders. A qualitative study was conducted to explore men’s (n=29) awareness of testicular disorders; help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms; and preferred strategies for learning about testicular disorders. The theoretical literature was reviewed and the Pre-Conscious Awareness to Action framework was developed to underpin E-MAT. The feasibility and usability of the intervention were tested with 15 men and its effectiveness was pilot-tested with 49 men. Results: Men lacked awareness of testicular disorders and intended to delay help-seeking for testicular symptoms. Participants recommended novel, humorous, and interactive strategies to raise testicular awareness. E-MAT was developed as a virtual reality experience with three levels aimed at familiarising men with the normal testes and testicular symptoms and diseases and was underpinned by the Pre-Conscious Awareness to Action framework. The E-MAT intervention was found to be feasible, user-friendly, and effective in enhancing men’s knowledge, testicular awareness, help-seeking intentions, and intentions and behaviours pertaining to feeling their testes. Conclusion: Full-scale testing of E-MAT is recommended by conducting a randomised controlled trial. E-MAT can be made publicly available using various platforms and virtual reality can be used to promote men’s awareness of different health topics