ACOUSTIC METHODS FOR MAPPING AND CHARACTERIZING SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION USING A MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is an important component of many temperate global coastal ecosystems. SAV monitoring programs using optical remote sensing are limited by water clarity and attenuation with depth. Here underwater acoustics is used to analyze the water volume above the bottom to detect, map and characterize SAV. In particular, this dissertation developed and applied new methods for analyzing the full time series of acoustic intensity data (e.g., water column data) collected by a multibeam echosounder. This dissertation is composed of three separate but related studies. In the first study, novel methods for detecting and measuring the canopy height of eelgrass beds are developed and used to map eelgrass in a range of different environments throughout the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, and Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The results of this study validated these methods by showing agreement between boundaries of eelgrass beds in acoustic and aerial datasets more in shallow water than at the deeper edges, where the acoustics were able to detect eelgrass more easily and at lower densities. In the second study, the methods developed for measuring canopy height in the first study are used to delineate between kelp-dominated and non-kelp-dominated habitat at several shallow rocky subtidal sites on the Maine and New Hampshire coast. The kelp detection abilities of these methods are first tested and confirmed at a pilot site with detailed diver quadrat macroalgae data, and then these methods are used to successfully extrapolate kelp- and non-kelp-dominated percent coverages derived from video photomosaic data. The third study examines the variability of the acoustic signature and acoustically-derived canopy height under different tidal currents. Submerged aquatic canopies are known to bend to accommodate the drag they generate in response to hydrodynamic forcing, and, in turn, the canopy height measured by acoustics will not be a perfect representation of canopy height as defined by common seagrass monitoring protocols, which is usually measured as the length of the blade of seagrass. Additionally, the bending of the canopy affects how the blades of seagrass are distributed within the footprint of the sonar, changing the acoustic signature of the seagrass canopy. For this study, a multibeam echosounder, a current profiler and an HD video camera were deployed on a stationary frame in a single eelgrass bed over 2 tidal cycles. Acoustic canopy heights varied by as much as 30 cm over the experiment, and although acoustic canopy height was correlated to current magnitude, the relationship did not follow the predictive flexible vegetation reconfiguration model of Luhar and Nepf (2011). Results indicate that there are significant differences in the shape of the return from a deflected (i.e., bent-over) canopy and an upright canopy, and that these differences in shape have implications for the accuracy of bottom detection using the maximum amplitude of a beam time series. These three studies clearly show the potential for using multibeam water column backscatter data for mapping coastal submerged aquatic vegetation while also testing the natural variability in acoustic canopy height measurements in the field

The Utilization of Nutrition Services in Family-Based Treatment by Members of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine in the care of Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

Family-Based Treatment (FBT), is the treatment of choice for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Much research supports its success, and yet little is known about its use by adolescent health care providers and their use of nutrition providers. Objective: This study aimed to identify the use of FBT and its treatment manual in the treatment of adolescent patients with AN by members of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), as well as the utilization of a dietitian in the treatment process. Method: In total, 72 SAHM members completed an online survey. Results: Overall, 84% of responding SAHM practitioners (81% in the USA) recommended FBT for the treatment of patients with AN --- with 54% of providers feeling that they had the necessary support and resources to implement FBT in their area of practice. Only 9% of those who practice FBT stated that the follow the treatment manual exactly as written, with 48% following just the principles of the manual. Of those who utilized FBT, 97% (98% in the USA), stated that a dietitian was used as part of the treatment team. Discussion: Given the need for consistency among practitioners, further research is needed to assess and define the role of the dietitian in FBT

A comparison of soil liming requirement methodologies in temperate, Northern European pedo‐climates

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funding for this research was provided through a PhD studentship by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Aberdeen.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Program evaluation of a wilderness experience for adolescents facing cancer: A time in nature to heal, connect and find strength

Objective Despite advances in cancer treatment and increased survival, adolescents in treatment for cancer often suffer from psychosocial distress, negative mood, and chronic health problems. Wilderness therapy is considered a promising program to address psychosocial issues among adolescents with mental or behavioral health issues. There is little research on whether it may benefit adolescents in cancer treatment. Methods This program evaluation in the form of a pilot study uses qualitative and quantitative measures to describe the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and to explore the impact of a nine-day wilderness program among adolescents aged 13–17 in treatment or who recently finished treatment for a cancer. Quantitative tracking documented recruitment, retention, safety, and participant satisfaction. PROMIS measures assessed mental and social health, positive affect, fatigue, pain interference and intensity over three time-points: pre, post, and three-months after the nine-day wilderness experience. Mean differences were compared over time. Qualitative data collection involved participant observation and open-ended interviews. Results Study enrollment goals were met, enrolling eight adolescent participants with 100% participant retention. No serious adverse events were reported and participants described high satisfaction (9.25/10) with the wilderness experience on the final day and at three-months follow-up (9.5/10). Exploratory data analysis showed scores in a favorable direction indicating improved psychosocial outcomes in physical functioning, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and peer relations. From qualitative analysis it is suggested that program participation supported: increased self-confidence and peer connection. The program was evaluated as increasing personal accomplishment, supporting social interaction, having strong staff support, and capitalizing on the natural surroundings. Conclusion Use of a wilderness program is feasible, acceptable, and safe among this highly vulnerable adolescent cancer population. Participants described greater self-confidence and peer connection which developed as participants experienced physical competency, group leadership, and personal strength. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to learn whether these programs can improve psychosocial outcomes

Experiences and Attitudes of Primary Care Providers Under the First Year of ACA Coverage Expansion: Findings from the Kaiser Family Foundation/Commonwealth Fund 2015 National Survey of Primary Care Providers

A new survey from The Kaiser Family Foundation and The Commonwealth Fund asked primary care providers—physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—about their views of and experiences with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other changes in health care delivery and payment, as well as their thoughts on the future of primary care. In this first brief based on the survey, many providers reported seeing an increased number of patients since the coverage expansions went into effect, but not an accompanying compromise in quality of care. A large majority of primary care providers are satisfied with their medical practice, but a substantial percentage of physicians expressed pessimism about the future of primary care. Similar to the population overall, providers' views of the ACA are divided along party lines. A second brief will report on providers' reactions to other changes occurring in primary care delivery and payment

A retinoscopic survey of 333 horses and ponies in the UK

Introduction: Ophthalmic examination in the horse is generally limited to crude assessment of vision and screening for ocular lesions. The refractive state of equine eyes and the potential impact on vision and performance requires further investigation. Objective: To assess the refractive state of a large, mixed breed sample of horses and ponies in the United Kingdom (UK). Procedure: The refractive state of both eyes of 333 horses and ponies was determined by streak retinoscopy and the effect of age, height, gender, breed and management regime on the refractive state assessed. Results: The majority of eyes tested were emmetropic (83.63%), with 68.5% of horses having refractive errors of ≤ -0.50D or ≥ +0.50D. Refractive errors of greater than 1.50D (in either direction) were found in 2.7% of the eyes tested. Ametropic eyes included hyperopia (54%) and myopia (46%). Anisometropia was found in 30.3% of horses and ponies. Breed of horse/pony was the only factor that affected refractive state (in the left eye only, p<0.05) with 2 Thoroughbred crosses having a tendency towards myopia and Warmbloods / Shires towards hyperopia. Discussion / Conclusion: The retinoscopic survey found emmetropia to be the predominant refractive state of the equine eye with no evidence of an overall trend towards myopia or hyperopia. However, individual and breed related differences were found. Such factors should be considered in the selection of horses for sport and leisure, and when evaluating their performance potential. More comprehensive visual testing would be valuable in identifying underlying causes of behavioural problems

SUN1/2 are essential for RhoA/ROCK-regulated actomyosin activity in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the blood vessel wall. Changes in VSMC actomyosin activity and morphology are prevalent in cardiovascular disease. The actin cytoskeleton actively defines cellular shape and the LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, comprised of nesprin and the Sad1p, UNC-84 (SUN)-domain family members SUN1/2, has emerged as a key regulator of actin cytoskeletal organisation. Although SUN1 and SUN2 function is partially redundant, they possess specific functions and LINC complex composition is tailored for cell-type-specific functions. We investigated the importance of SUN1 and SUN2 in regulating actomyosin activity and cell morphology in VSMCs. We demonstrate that siRNA-mediated depletion of either SUN1 or SUN2 altered VSMC spreading and impaired actomyosin activity and RhoA activity. Importantly, these findings were recapitulated using aortic VSMCs isolated from wild-type and SUN2 knockout (SUN2 KO) mice. Inhibition of actomyosin activity, using the rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase1/2 (ROCK1/2) inhibitor Y27632 or blebbistatin, reduced SUN2 mobility in the nuclear envelope and decreased the association between SUN2 and lamin A, confirming that SUN2 dynamics and interactions are influenced by actomyosin activity. We propose that the LINC complex exists in a mechanical feedback circuit with RhoA to regulate VSMC actomyosin activity and morphology

Sulforaphane represses matrix-degrading proteases and protects cartilage from destruction in vitro and in vivo:Sulforaphane is protective in the articular Joint

Sulforaphane (SFN) has been reported to regulate signaling pathways relevant to chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SFN treatment on signaling pathways in chondrocytes and to determine whether sulforaphane could block cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis

Multi-Modal Exercise Training and Protein-Pacing Enhances Physical Performance Adaptations Independent of Growth Hormone and BDNF but May Be Dependent on IGF-1 in Exercise-Trained Men

OBJECTIVE: Protein-pacing (P; 5-6meals/day @ 2.0g/kgBW/day) and multi-mode exercise (RISE; resistance, interval, stretching, endurance) training (PRISE) improves muscular endurance, strength, power and arterial health in exercise-trained women. The current study extends these findings by examining PRISE on fitness, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) response, cardiometabolic health, and body composition in exercise-trained men. DESIGN: Twenty active males (\u3e4daysexercise/week) completed either: PRISE (n=11) or RISE (5-6meals/day @ 1.0g/kgBW/day; n=9) for 12weeks. Muscular strength (1-repetition maximum bench and leg press, 1-RM BP, and 1-RM LP), endurance (sit-ups, SU; push-ups, PU), power (squat jump, SJ, and bench throw, BT), flexibility (sit-and-reach, SR), aerobic performance (5km cycling time-trial, TT), GH, IGF-1, BDNF, augmentation index, (AIx), and body composition, were assessed at weeks 0 (pre) and 13 (post). RESULTS:At baseline, no differences existed between groups except for GH (RISE, 230±13 vs. PRISE, 382±59pg/ml, p CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-trained men consuming a P diet combined with multi-component exercise training (PRISE) enhance muscular power, strength, aerobic performance, and flexibility which are not likely related to GH or BDNF but possibly to IGF-1 response

266 E+A Galaxies Selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 2: The Origin of E+A Galaxies

E+A galaxies are characterized as a galaxy with strong Balmer absorption lines but without any [OII] nor H$\alpha$ emission lines. The existence of strong Balmer absorption lines indicates that E+A galaxies have experienced starburst within recent one Gyr. However, the lack of [OII] and H$\alpha$ emission lines indicates that E+A galaxies do not have any on-going star formation. Therefore, E+A galaxies are interpreted as a post-starburst galaxy. For many years, however, it has been a mystery why E+A galaxies started starburst and why they quenched the star formation abruptly. Using one of the largest samples of 266 E+A galaxies carefully selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 2, we have investigated the environment of E+A galaxies from 50 kpc to 8 Mpc scale, i.e., from a typical distance to satellite galaxies to the scale of large scale structures. We found that E+A galaxies have excess of local galaxy density only at a scale of $<100$ kpc (with a two $\sigma$ significance), but not at the cluster scale ($\sim$1.5 Mpc) nor in the scale of large scale structure ($\sim$8 Mpc). These results indicate that E+A galaxies are not created by the physical mechanisms associated with galaxy clusters or the large scale structure, but are likely to be created by the dynamical interaction with closely accompanying galaxies at a $<$100 kpc scale. The claim is also supported by the morphology of E+A galaxies. We have found that almost all E+A galaxies have a bright compact core, and that $\sim$30% of E+A galaxies have dynamically disturbed signatures or the tidal tails, being quite suggestive of morphological appearance of merger/interaction remnants.Comment: 2005, MNRAS, 357, 93