Ecosystem Shock: The Devastating Impacts of Invasive Species on the Great Lakes Food Web

Gives an account of the changes to the Great Lakes ecosystem brought about by non-native aquatic species. Assesses the current and future impacts on fish communities and commercial fisheries. Provides policy and research recommendations

Why Is The Developed World Obese?

Obesity has risen dramatically in the past few decades. However, the relative contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to rising obesity is not known. Moreover, the extent to which social and economic factors tip the energy balance is not well understood. In this longitudinal analysis of developed countries, we estimate the relative contribution of increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity to obesity using two methods of energy accounting. Results show that rising obesity is primarily the result of consuming more calories. We estimate multivariate regression models and use simulation analysis to explore technological and sociodemographic determinants of this dietary excess. Results indicate that the increase in caloric intake is associated with technological innovations such as reduced food prices as well as changing sociodemographic factors such as increased urbanization and increased female labor force participation. The study findings offer useful insights to future research concerned with the etiology of obesity and may help inform the development of obesity-related policy. In particular, our results suggest that policies to encourage less caloric intake may help reverse past trends in increased consumption.

Comparison of Pilates and Hydraulic Circuit Training in Women

Introduction: Obesity continues to be a rising problem in the United States. Women typically are the majority of consumers in weight treatment programs. Due to conflicts with time and social roles, they struggle to remain committed to an exercise program. Most women enter into weight treatment programs not for health, but rather for appearance. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cardiovascular function, flexibility, strength and circumferential measurements between mat Pilates and hydraulic circuit training over a six-week period. The benefits of these comparisons will help women find an effective and efficient fitness program. As the physical therapy field continues to advance into preventative healthcare, this study will provide information to physical therapists and consumers regarding well ness in women. This is important to aid in the prevention of possible injuries, co-morbidities and regain overall quality of life. These two programs were chosen for this study as they have increased in popularity in recent years. Methods: Nine healthy female subjects over the age of 18 who were beginners in their respective exercise program were included in this study. Six subjects were in the hydraulic circuit training group and three were in the mat Pilates group. Areas being . assessed include vital signs, strength, flexibility and circumferential measurements. These assessments were completed within one week of initiation of chosen program (initial) and six weeks later (final). Results: The results of this study were based on only seven of the subjects. This study found that there were no significant differences between groups from initial and final measurements. There was a significant difference in strength of left elbow flexion, flexibility and bust circumference in the hydraulic circuit training group from initial to final measurements. No statistical analysis was completed for the mat Pilates group as the sample size was too small. However, certain trends were noted. Conclusion: The results from this study show there are no significant differences between the hydraulic circuit training and Pilates groups. However, trends were seen in each group that shows the benefits of physical activity. Future studies in this area would be beneficial especially with longer follow-up periods to see the effects of these two exercise programs

Structured Intervention as a Tool to Shift Views of Parent–Professional Partnerships: Impact on Attitudes Toward the IEP

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the roadmap that helps educators and families drive the education of students with disabilities, improve outcomes, and fulfill each child’s potential. However, the IEP can be challenging due to the large number and diversity of stakeholders, dynamics and culture of collaboration, and the complex procedures guiding the referral, evaluation, and placement. This study describes changes in attitudes toward the IEP reported by special educators and parents participating in a statewide six-month collaborative training model. Pre- and post-test data analysis indicates an interaction effect on overall attitude toward the IEP, with parents’ ratings of the value of the IEP decreasing at the end of the training and teachers’ ratings increasing. Moreover, special educators’ significantly higher ratings of the value of team planning for the IEP indicate enduring pre- and post-intervention differences. These findings have implications for school districts and agencies providing professional development to improve collaboration in IEPs

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC8 regulates conidial germination through Gα proteins in Neurospora crassa.

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling is essential for normal hyphal growth in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We have previously demonstrated that the non-receptor guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC8 acts upstream of the Gα proteins GNA-1 and GNA-3 to regulate hyphal extension. Here we demonstrate that regulation of hyphal extension results at least in part, from an important role in control of asexual spore (conidia) germination. Loss of GNA-3 leads to a drastic reduction in conidial germination, which is exacerbated in the absence of GNA-1. Mutation of RIC8 leads to a reduction in germination similar to that in the Δgna-1, Δgna-3 double mutant, suggesting that RIC8 regulates conidial germination through both GNA-1 and GNA-3. Support for a more significant role for GNA-3 is indicated by the observation that expression of a GTPase-deficient, constitutively active gna-3 allele in the Δric8 mutant leads to a significant increase in conidial germination. Localization of the three Gα proteins during conidial germination was probed through analysis of cells expressing fluorescently tagged proteins. Functional TagRFP fusions of each of the three Gα subunits were constructed through insertion of TagRFP in a conserved loop region of the Gα subunits. The results demonstrated that GNA-1 localizes to the plasma membrane and vacuoles, and also to septa throughout conidial germination. GNA-2 and GNA-3 localize to both the plasma membrane and vacuoles during early germination, but are then found in intracellular vacuoles later during hyphal outgrowth