Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) Stress Levels in Polluted Water

Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is an invasive species established in the Chicago River. Prior research has shown that poor water quality increases metabolic stress levels for many organisms. I exposed red swamp crayfish to polluted water from the Brandon Road Lock and Dam and measured oxygen consumption using respirometry. Higher metabolic stress generates increased oxygen consumption. My results show that red swamp crayfish are not significantly affected by the polluted water. This finding is consistent with being a highly tolerant species found in a wide variety of habitats

Omgewaaide boom maakt bos afwisselend

Bij zware storm waaien vaak flink wat bomen om. Alterra onderzoekt wat opruimen en laten liggen kost en oplevert. Bosbezoekers storen zich in ieder geval niet aan omgewaaide bome

Student-Athlete Well-Being at the University of Montana

Student-Athlete Well-Being at the University of Montana Psychology At the University of Montana, there are very few resources and outlets for student-athletes to talk about the challenges that come with high-pressure situations in competition and during everyday life. There is also a large stigma in athletics about addressing the many issues and struggles that student-athletes face. My goal is to give the athletic program at the University of Montana a different perspective on the student-athlete lifestyle. This research project will focus on creating a social media profile and website for student-athletes at the University of Montana concentrating resources to support positive and healthy performance. In addition, a conducted study will explore whether self-compassion is related to student-athlete psychological well-being and sports performance. University of Montana athletes from a variety of sports will complete measures of self-compassion and perceived sports performance. Self-compassion has been proposed as a tool or resource for student-athletes during challenging times in sports programs (Reis et al., 2015). Self-compassion creates a kind and clear-sited self-attitude, therefore causing a more balanced perspective without becoming overwhelmed or consumed by a specific event (Neff, 2003a). This experiment will use the self-compassion scale to measure student-athlete well-being because it covers very similar values a student-athlete needs to have a healthy lifestyle during competition and training. Using Neff’s self-compassion scale (2003a) will validate the well-being of athletes at the University of Montana because of the focus on exploring stress management, individuals’ emotional regulation, and goal-blocking versus goal setting. Research using Neff’s Self-Compassion scale with college students has suggested it is a strong, unique predictor of well-being. It is negatively related to academic failure and positively related to greater life satisfaction (Neff 2003a, b). The effects of self-compassion and psychological well-being on sports performance will be assessed through a Likert-style questionnaire on six subscale items that are computed into a total self-compassion score, including self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification items. It is expected that the results of the self-compassion survey and sports performance level will be moderated by gender, age, and year-in school with younger athletes being more negatively scored for self-compassion, and those who are older are more likely to score higher in self-compassion and have a higher sports performance level. It is also expected that the results of the self-compassion survey and sports performance level will be moderated by gender, age, and year-in school with younger athletes being more negatively scored for self-compassion, and those who are older are more likely to score higher in self-compassion and have a higher sports performance level. The results from this study will continue to increase knowledge for the student-athlete well-being website, and a new viewpoint on positive performance with this platform will allow student-athletes to be the most successful they can be on campus

ECONOMIC REFORM AND CHANGING URBAN LANDSCAPE OF ACCRA: THE CONVERSION OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS INTO COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE SPACES

Ghana\u27s capital, Accra, experienced significant population, commercial, and spatial changes since the early 1980s, when the country implemented macroeconomic reforms. One of these changes is widespread land-use conversion, largely from residential to commercial units. This study examines the background and processes of conversion, major causal factors, their impact on the urban built environment and livelihood o f actors involved. The study derives from 39 in-depth interviews with key informants. Strategic reports and documents are used to contextualize the interview results. The findings indicate residential property is being converted into commercial space due to a lack of affordable, formal commercial space and the desire to own enterprises to assist with daily subsistence. Many of these businesses are small scale, and the conversion is occurring with much informality. The implications of these conversions in terms of economic reforms, planning, and long-term sustainability of the city in a global marketplace are discussed

The influence of low versus high fibre haylage diets in combination with training or pasture rest on equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS)

The aim of this field study was to examine the influence of a low fibre (LF) and a high fibre (HF) diet on the presence of gastric ulceration in thirty 3-year old Dutch Warmblood horses during training period and during pasture rest. In the first part of the study all horses were stabled individually and fed either an iso-energetic HF (75% haylage) or LF (25% haylage) diet for sixteen weeks. Horses were exercised daily throughout this period, after which the first gastroscopy was performed. The second gastroscopy for all horses was performed following a fourteen week Pasture period during which grass was supplemented with haylage. Contrary to expectations the scores for number and severity of gastric lesions during the Training period were significantly higher in the HF group compared to the LF group. Additionally, horses of the HF group showed high haylage retention in the stomach after 12 hours fasting, whilst the LF group exhibited marked bedding eating and coprophagia. The results of gastroscopy following the Pasture period with extra haylage feeding for all horses, were similar to the HF horses following the Training period. These unexpected results may be related to the retention of the pre-fermented feed (haylage) in the stomach leading to continuing fermentation with increased volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the stomach. The consumption of bedding and coprophagy shown by the LF group may have limited the previously reported high risk of gastric ulceration on a lowfibre diet

Hemodynamics and vascular development in the chicken embryo and the effects of homocysteine and folic acid treatment

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defects in newborns, with a prevalence rate in the Netherlands of 7-8 per 1000 live births per year. Prenatal screening has led to early detection of approximately one third of CHD, and consequently to increased rates of terminations of pregnancy. Although, due to medical and surgical improvements, the majority of these children reach adulthood, CHD are still the most frequent cause of infant death related to birth defects. Unfortunately, in only about 15 percent of cases a cause can be identified. These CHD are caused by genetic or environmental factors. The remaining cases are thought to be complex and multifactorial. Studies on the etiology of CHD are needed to increase our knowledge and reveal possible underlying mechanisms and pathways. Hopefully, this will lead to the implementation of preventative measures in the future

Benefiting from EIU: The University as Catalyst for Economic Development in Charleston, IL

In the city of Charleston, Illinois, home of Eastern Illinois University, there exist economic problems such as underemployment, potential for brain drain, and recent market failure in the retail industry. After being defined, the traditional role of EIU is expanded to include the promotion of economic development efforts in Charleston. An economic impact study shows EIU\u27s influence on the local Charleston economy. It is concluded that with the establishment of an Office of Economic Development at EIU and the aid of local government and Charleston citizens, Eastern Illinois University may be able to reverse the effects of underemployment, potential brain drain, and the recent cycle of failed retail markets