Examination of Energy Needs and Hormone Levels in Male Endurance Athletes

A plethora of literature examining the physiological consequences associated with deficits in energy availability (EA) for female athletes exists, however literature examining male athletes is sparse. Purpose: To determine the effects of high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) on Male Triad symptoms (EA with or without an eating disorder [ED], reproductive hormones Testosterone [T] and Luteinizing hormone [LH], and bone mineral density [BMD]) and other metabolic markers (Insulin, Leptin, Cortisol and Interleukin-6 [IL-6]) in endurance-trained male athletes. Methods: We utilized a cross-sectional design on 14 endurance trained male athletes (age: 26.4 + 4.2 yrs.; weight: 70.6 + 6.4 kg; and height: 179.5 + 4.3 cm) whom were recruited from the local community. Two separate training weeks (low [LV] and high [HV] training volumes were collected including: dietary logs, exercise logs, BMD, and blood concentrations for 6 hormones (T, LH, Insulin, Leptin, Cortisol, and IL-6). Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and body composition) were taken prior to data collection. Results: Overall, EA presented as 27.6 + 12.1 kcal/kg FFM·d with 35% (n=5) of participants presenting with increased risk for ED. Examining Male Triad components: 1) 32.1% presented with LEA ( ≤ 20 kcal/kg FFM·d ) with or without ED, 2) Reproductive hormones T (1780.6 + 1672.6 ng/dL) and LH (813.7 + 314.2 pg/mL) were within normal limits compared to normative data, and 3) BMD was not compromised at 1.31 g/cm2. Of those participants at risk for LEA (\u3c 20 kcal/kg FFM·d ), 41.2% (n = 7) (HV: 50%, n = 4; LV: 33.3%, n = 3) demonstrated increased T levels (p = 0.20) while, 21.7% (n = 5) (HV: 18.2%, n = 2; LV: 25%, n = 3) presented with low Leptin levels (p = 0.01). Significant regressions revealed T levels from EA (F(1, 24) = 4.8, p = 0.04); RMR (F(1, 23) = 16.2, p \u3c 0.001); EI (F(1, 24) = 6.7, p = 0.02), and DXA_BFP (F(1, 24) = 51.9, p \u3c 0.001) and leptin levels from DXA_BFP (F(1, 24) = 27.2, p \u3c 0.001). Conclusion: This study is the first to examine all 3 components of the Male Triad. We found 1 compromised component of the Triad (LEA with or without ED risk), however both reproductive hormones (T and LH) and BMD were not compromised. Resultant LEA demonstrated a significant negative relationship with Leptin. Relationships between body fat percent and the hormones T and Leptin demonstrated clinical uses for monitoring weight to assess hormonal profiles in males. More research investigating negative physiological consequences associated with the Male Triad, decreased EI and increased EEE is needed in the male population

Self-advocacy for postsecondary students who use mobility aids

Students who use mobility aids add to the diversity of postsecondary institutions. They provide a unique and important lens on postsecondary campuses. When students who use mobility aids arrive on campus, they need to ensure they have access to classes, services, and resources on campus. Because of their varied needs and varied access from campus-to-campus, students who use mobility aids must advocate for themselves so their needs are met. This phenomenological study examined the role of self-advocacy for postsecondary students who use mobility aids. Five postsecondary students who use wheelchairs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview process that asked questions about self-advocacy and experiences within the postsecondary environment as students who use mobility aids. Data analysis included bracketing of researcher influences on the data, writing descriptions of participant experiences, and horizontalization. The following themes emerged from the data analysis process: Effects of disability on education, Effective and ineffective access, Uses of self-advocacy, and Knowledge for self and others. Findings revealed that the educational pursuits of the study participants were often affected by their disability because of campus access and attitudes of faculty and peers, which made self-advocacy a necessary skill to use while pursuing their education

The Dollar is Green, and American Banks Should Be Too; Clean Energy Finance and Its Circulation Through Green Banks

The earth is at risk for irreversible damage if the carbon footprint of humans is not drastically reduced immediately. The power of financial institutions to initiate change has been utilized by countries around the world against climate change. Financial systems known as green banks mitigate the risks associated with financing environmental projects. Through an examination of the financial performance of major green banks in the United States and the green energy superpowers, the paper discovers Green Banking is not only socially responsible by supporting a clean environment, but also produces a profitable fiscal environment. In this paper, I will explore the use of financial tools to stimulate the investment of green technology and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions, its use in China and Germany, and compare it to the status and potential of green banking in the United States

Exploring college students' relationship with God as a potential mediator between religious behaviors and sexual and alcohol risk behavior among college students

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on June 4, 2013Dissertation advisor: Jannette Y. Berkley-PattonVitaIncludes bibliographic references (pages 67-77)Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dept. of Psychology and School of Education. University of Missouri-- Kansas City, 2013Many college students frequently engage in two behaviors - sexual activity and alcohol use - that can potentially lead to significant negative consequences, such as contracting a sexually transmitted infection or personal injury, respectively. College students also tend to be a population with strong religious beliefs and regular engagement in religious behaviors. Some research indicates that more frequent engagement in religious behavior is associated with less risky behavior (e.g., initiation of sex, fewer sexual partners, decreased alcohol use) among college students. However, previous research is mixed on why this association exists. The current study explored “relationship with God” as a religious construct that potentially mediates the relationship between religious behaviors and alcohol and sexual risk behaviors (lifetime and last 3 months). The sample consisted of 406 University of Missouri-Kansas City students. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 19 and AMOS Version 18. Findings indicated participants' increased engagement in religious behaviors was significantly associated with stronger beliefs that God influenced their alcohol use decision-making, which was in turn, associated with less alcohol use in the last three months. This finding suggested that God control beliefs partially mediated the protective relationship between religious behaviors and recent alcohol use. There were no significant relationships between relationship with God variables and lifetime alcohol use and lifetime or recent sexual risk. Future research should continue to explore this area with larger samples that allow for sex and race/ethnicity comparisons regarding relationship with God and risk behavior. Interventions for reducing college students' alcohol use may consider incorporating messages that discuss God control beliefs.Introduction -- Review of literature -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendi

Effects of sediment and salinity on the growth and competitive abilities of three submersed macrophytes

Submersed macrophytes are generally found in multispecies beds, with the dominance of individual species varying in both space and time. In estuarine environments, these plants can grow across a range of environmental conditions which may alter species interactions. Three species common to the Chesapeake Bay region, Vallisneria americana (wild celery), Heteranthera dubia (water stargrass), and Stuckenia pectinata (sago pondweed), were planted in a microcosm designed to test their growth and interactions (relative yielding) under a range of conditions of salinity (0, 5, or 10), sediment type (mud or sand), and species combinations. H. dubia was most sensitive to elevated salinity, while sediment type impacted only V. americana, performing better in mud compared with sand. V. americana and H. dubia were strong competitors, overyielding in many treatments when grown in mixture, while S. pectinata never overyielded and frequently underyielded. Interspecific competition was only strong between H. dubia and S. pectinata under 0 salinity, regardless of sediment type. V. americana on the other hand, showed strong interspecific competition with S. pectinata across multiple salinity and sediment types, indicating that this species is able to compete well across a wider range of environmental conditions. Our results suggest that H. dubia and V. americana are strong candidates for multi-species restoration, as positive interactions were observed when grown together. This measure of complementarity provides evidence for increased mixed bed plant performance under environmental conditions that would typically be more stressful to each growing alone. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Understanding the relationship between sexual identity, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and online community use

Identity-based frameworks allow for a diverse look at sexuality because they consider non-binary groups that are typically excluded. This study sought to address gaps in LGBQ research by utilizing a diverse sample of sexual identities. It was hypothesized that asexual, demisexual, polysexual, and pansexual individuals would report lower levels of life satisfaction and psychological well-being, more frequent support-seeking internet use, and lower sense of community compared to gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. A total of 284 individuals completed an online survey. Results suggest that experiences of life satisfaction, well-being, and sense of community are more nuanced than considered in past research. Further research is needed to create more inclusive means of intervention for LGBQ individuals