Rate Of Performance Change In American Female Weightlifters Over Ten Years Of Competition

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(6): 290-307, 2018. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of performance change for American female weightlifters over 10 years of competition. Athlete performance results were gathered from the United States Weightlifting open access, results archive, database. Data was delimited to athletes (N ≥ 750) that competed in Youth or Junior Nationals to ensure athletes were \u3c21yrs old at the first recorded competition. Competition results were converted to strength to mass (SM) ratios to control for the effect of bodyweight on performance. Starting with the first competition date, the highest SM for the snatch (SNT), clean and jerk (CJ) and combined total (T), in three month segments for three years, and six month segments over 10 years, were recorded. Observed percentage change in SM and Cohen’s d effect size (ES) between each 3- and 6-month segment and the first competition (baseline), for the SNT, CJ and T, was determined. Positive change in rate of performance peaked between time segments baseline-6mo and 7mo-12mo for the SNT (+8.7%, SM 0.68±0.19 to 0.74±0.19, ES=0.34), CJ (+7.7%, SM 0.90±0.24 to 0.97±0.24, ES=0.31) and T (+8.2%, SM 1.57±0.41 to 1.71±0.42 ES=0.34). Total performance increase over 10yrs for the SNT was 27.7% (Year 1 SM 0.68±0.18, year 10 SM 1.13±0.24, ES=0.96), the CJ 22.2% (Year 1 SM 0.90±0.23, year 10 SM 1.40±0.30, ES=0.84), and T 25.0% (Year 1 SM 1.56±0.41, year 10 SM 2.53±0.53, ES=0.91). Observed rates in performance change could be useful for weightlifting coaches as a barometer for evaluating training program outcomes over time

Developing vegetation metrics for the assessment of beneficial uses of impounded wetlands surrounding Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

Many wetlands around Farmington Bay of Great Salt Lake are managed waterfowl habitat by means of impounding the flow at the terminus of the Jordan River. The majority of the Jordan River flow is comprised of the secondary-treated effluent of several municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP), resulting in elevated phosphorus concentrations. This study was initiated to determine whether the assimilative capacity for phosphorus of the impounded wetlands had been exceeded, resulting in a negative impact to the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the wetlands. The majority of the SAV is sago pondweed and western fineleaf pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata and S. filiformis ssp. occidentalis, respectively), highly preferred food items for waterfowl. Utah Department of Environmental Quality had identified support for waterfowl and shorebirds and the aquatic life in their food chain as the primary beneficial use of these wetlands, and thus, loss or degradation of Stuckenia prior to waterfowl fall staging and migration may constitute a loss of this important beneficial use. Therefore, Utah needs vegetation metrics what will indicate relative health of a wetland with respect to the abundance, density and health of the SAV and the level of nutrient loading it receives. The primary goal of this ongoing study is to develop wetland assessment methods that will be used to establish water quality standards and methods for Clean Water Act 305(b)/303(d) assessments-one of the first attempts by any state of the U.S. to set wetland water quality standards through development of site-specific assessment protocols. To develop metrics that describe the relationship between nutrient gradients and biological responses, we are 1) testing potentially useful parameters for their utility in assessing wetland condition; and 2) refining condition metrics that will identify thresholds of significant change (impairment) that can be attributed to nutrients. This paper presents the first of several potentially useful vegetation metrics. Our analyses showed that percent areal cover of SAV in nutrient enriched wetlands senesced 62-84% from July through November whereas the vegetation in a non-impacted reference wetland remained stable. The fall senescence occurs at a time when migratory waterfowl rely on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) for sustenance

Levels of Stress and Characteristics of Perfectionism in CSD Students

An electronic survey was sent to the Midwest Clinic Directors’ Listserv requesting they distribute it to students in their CSD programs. The survey collected information about demographics, and students’ top three stressors and stress management practices. Students were also asked to complete the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, 1994) and the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001). A total of 278 CSD undergraduate and graduate students from 15 Midwest institutions responded to the survey. No differences were found between undergraduate and graduate responses to the PSS and the APS-R. Twenty-six percent of the respondents were classified as nonperfectionists, 33% as adaptive perfectionists, and 41% as maladaptive perfectionists. A relationship was found between perceived stress and perfectionism such that respondents with higher levels of perceived stress tended to be classified as maladaptive perfectionists and those with lower levels of perceived stress tended to be classified as adaptive perfectionists. Similarities and differences were found between undergraduates and graduate students in terms of stressors; close to 45% engaged in a stress management practice. Importance of such practices is discussed

Metabolic Versatility in Melainabacteria, a Close Relative of Cyanobacteria

A New Member of Melainabacteria, the Closest Relatives of Cyanobacteria Melainabacteria are the recently discovered, closest non-photosynthetic relatives of cyanobacteria, the organisms responsible for the oxygenation of Earth\u27s atmosphere. Previous work has shown that Melainabacteria live in a wide range of environments, including deep groundwater, anoxic sediments, and the digestive tracts of termites and mammals. These bacteria have been suggested to play a significant role in the latter environments and may contribute to neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal disease in human populations. However, our knowledge of Melainabacteria diversity and metabolism is still very limited, principally because no member of this group has been successfully cultured in the laboratory. Recently, DNA sequencing has revealed that a member of the Melainabacteria is growing in co-culture with an established diatom strain at the University of Montana’s Miller lab. In this study, we obtained a nearly complete Melainabacteria genome from metagenomic sequencing data. We then compared this genome to other previously sequenced Melainabacteria genomes to better understand genome architecture and the metabolic capacity of this bacterium. These data will guide further culturing efforts and future experiments. Together, our work will help clarify the functional role(s) of Melainabacteria in its environment and how it “makes a living” energetically. It will also provide new insights regarding the metabolic capabilities of the cyanobacterial ancestor and the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis

14C-Cobalamin Absorption from Endogenously Labeled Chicken Eggs Assessed in Humans Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

Traditionally, the bioavailability of vitamin B-12 (B12) from in vivo labeled foods was determined by labeling the vitamin with radiocobalt (57Co, 58Co or 60Co). This required use of penetrating radioactivity and sometimes used higher doses of B12 than the physiological limit of B12 absorption. The aim of this study was to determine the bioavailability and absorbed B12 from chicken eggs endogenously labeled with 14C-B12 using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). 14C-B12 was injected intramuscularly into hens to produce eggs enriched in vivo with the 14C labeled vitamin. The eggs, which provided 1.4 to 2.6 μg of B12 (~1.1 kBq) per serving, were scrambled, cooked and fed to 10 human volunteers. Baseline and post-ingestion blood, urine and stool samples were collected over a one-week period and assessed for 14C-B12 content using AMS. Bioavailability ranged from 13.2 to 57.7% (mean 30.2 ± 16.4%). Difference among subjects was explained by dose of B12, with percent bioavailability from 2.6 μg only half that from 1.4 μg. The total amount of B12 absorbed was limited to 0.5-0.8 μg (mean 0.55 ± 0.19 μg B12) and was relatively unaffected by the amount consumed. The use of 14C-B12 offers the only currently available method for quantifying B12 absorption in humans, including food cobalamin absorption. An egg is confirmed as a good source of B12, supplying approximately 20% of the average adult daily requirement (RDA for adults = 2.4 μg/day)

Elephant (Elephas maximus) health and management in Asia: Variations in veterinary perspectives

There is a need to identify strategic investments in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) health that will yield maximal benefits for overall elephant health and conservation. As an exploratory first step, a survey was administered to veterinarians from Asian elephant range countries at a workshop and via email to help prioritize health-related concerns that will mostly benefit elephants. Responses were received from 45 veterinarians from eight countries that had a range of experience with captive and wild elephants. The occurrence of medical conditions and responses to treatment varied among responses. However, injuries, parasitism, and gastrointestinal disease were reported as the most common syndromes responsible for elephant morbidity, whereas injury and infectious disease not due to parasitism were the most commonly reported sources of elephant mortality. Substandard nutrition, water quality and quantity deficiencies, and inadequate or absent shelter were among the factors listed as barriers to optimal elephant health. While this survey\u27s results do not support definitive conclusions, they can be used to identify where and how subsequent investigations should be directed. Rigorous assessment of the relative costs and benefits of available options is required to ensure that investments in individual and population health yield the maximal benefits for elephants