Tolkien’s Allegory: Using Peter Jackson’s Vision of Fellowship to Illuminate Male Adolescent Catholic Education

With many of the Catholic student population disengaged from regular ritual experiences their working vocabulary of the prayers and knowledge of the Church is limited. A beneficial bridge for many of these disconnected students, specifically male adolescents has been the use of storytelling in connection to Catholic themes to lay the foundations of ritual and deeper concepts through a more familiar setting. Through media literary, multi-modal instruction and Scripture exegesis adolescents can begin to recognize, understand, and feel a connection with the severity of the sacrifice of the Apostles in following Jesus of Nazareth. This article will offer some insights that have proven to be beneficial to help male adolescents to engage the complicated and foreign concepts and topics of the new curriculum framework, in association with Peter Jackson’s vision of Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring

Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Responses to Low-Intensity Blood-Flow Restricted Running

Low-intensity (LI) aerobic exercise with blood-flow restriction (BFR) increases heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), sometimes to similar levels as high-intensity (HI) exercise. Distance runners may benefit from LI-BFR running in periods of reduced volume or intensity, possibly due to injury. PURPOSE: To compare HR, VO2, blood lactate (BLa), and RPE during LI-BFR running and HI running without BFR. METHODS: Fifteen female distance runners (age 23+4yrs, height 1.67+0.50m, body mass 57.6+5.7kg, VO2max 51.0+4.5mL•kg-1•min-1) completed three randomized 12-minute running conditions: LI control (40% VO2max), HI (80% VO2max), and LI-BFR (40% VO2max). VO2, HR, and RPE were measured at rest, and every 3-minutes. BLa was measured at rest, immediately-post (ImmPost), and 3-minutes post-exercise (3minPost). RESULTS: VO2 remained steady among each condition (p=0.075,ηp2=0.155). The average VO2 differed between the conditions (p\u3c0.001), as HI (39.4+3.9mL•kg-1•min-1) \u3e LI-BFR (25.3+2.6mL•kg-1•min-1) \u3e LI (22.5+3.1mL•kg-1•min-1). HR increased at the onset of exercise and differed between the conditions (p\u3c0.001,ηp2=0.745). The average HR for HI, LI-BFR, and LI were 166+8bpm, 142+13bpm, and 124+11bpm, respectively. BLa was similar in HI and LI-BFR ImmPost and 3minPost (p\u3e0.05), and both were higher than LI (p\u3c0.017). Average RPE in the HI and LI-BFR conditions were similar (p=0.236). CONCLUSION: HI elicits greater VO2 and HR responses than LI-BFR running, suggesting that HI would result in more robust long-term training responses. However, if one cannot engage in HI running because of injury and rehabilitation, LI-BFR running could be a feasible temporary alternative

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Effects on Skeletal Muscle Fatigue in Older Adults

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is often used as a rehabilitative modality and evidence has suggested that high frequencies of NMES may elicit increases in muscle strength. However, little is known regarding the effects of a high-frequency NMES intervention on voluntary skeletal muscle fatigue. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a 4-week high-frequency NMES intervention on voluntary muscular fatigue and changes in neuromuscular activation patterns of the quadriceps during voluntary fatiguing muscle contractions in older adults. METHODS: Seventeen healthy, older adults (68.8 ± 1.8 years old) participated in the study (NMES: n = 12; SHAM: n = 5). Each participant was seated on an isokinetic dynamometer, and a 40-min NMES treatment was applied to the quadriceps muscles of each leg 3x/week for 4 weeks with the stimulation frequency set at 60 Hz. Stimulation intensity was set to achieve 15% of knee extension maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Those in the SHAM group underwent the same treatment procedures but did not receive the NMES treatment. All subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and an intermittent knee extension isometric submaximal voluntary fatigue task at 50% MVC until the fatigue criteria were met for pre-post testing. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles were recorded during the fatigue task to examine changes in muscle activation. EMG data were quantified for root mean square (RMS) EMG and reported as a percent rate of change over the duration of the fatigue task and median frequency (MF) is reported as the average MF during the fatigue task. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences pre-post NMES for muscular endurance time, MVC and EMG measures. Statistical significance was set at p \u3c 0.05. RESULTS: MVC increased pre-post NMES in the NMES group (117.1 ± 8.7 Nm vs 127.6 ± 11.1 Nm, p = 0.049; pre- and post-training, respectively) with no change in SHAM (p = 0.96). Muscular endurance time did not change pre-post NMES (NMES: 159.3 ± 20.1s vs 141.9 ± 21.2s, p = 0.29; SHAM: 242.2 ± 43.3s vs 202.9 ± 23.3s, p = 0.13; pre- and post-training, respectively). RMS EMG rate of change did not change following NMES treatment (NMES: VL: 16.6 ± 3.6% vs 18.8 ± 10.4%, p = 0.84; VM: 11.4 ± 2.1% vs 19.6 ± 5.5%, p = 0.15; SHAM: VL: 7.8 ± 1.6% vs 7.1 ± 3.0%, p = 0.81; VM: 7.1 ± 3.3% vs 5.9 ± 2.2%, p = 0.55; pre- and post-training, respectively). Also, there was no difference in MF EMG with NMES training (NMES: VL: 77.6 ± 4.1 Hz vs 74.9 ± 3.6 Hz, p = 0.13; VM: 72.5 ± 2.4 Hz vs 72.6 ± 2.2 Hz, p = 0.97; SHAM: VL: 79.3 ± 3.4 Hz vs 80.2 ± 4.9 Hz, p = 0.85; VM: 76.9 ± 3.7 Hz vs 83.9 ± 5.1 Hz, p = 0.12; pre- and post-training, respectively). CONCLUSION: Treatment with high-frequency NMES did not improve muscle endurance or related EMG parameters. It is possible that NMES induced adaptations may be frequency-specific and that high-frequency NMES may not be efficacious when the goal is to improve skeletal muscle endurance

Extending the Utility Analysis and Integration Model at the Energy Water Nexus

Abstract-In the coming decades, water utilities will be exposed to greater pressures. Some of these, like ageing infrastructure, and decreasing availability of public funds are old but set to intensify. And yet others like energy efficiency, climate change, and resilience in smart cities are emerging drivers. A conceptual reference business model (Utility Analysis and Integration Model, or UAIM) that defines the essential aspects of utility performance and provides a structure that allows utilities to accelerate and sustain overall performance improvement was introduced to provide tools for improving the overall utility performance prompting reliance on the individual talents and extensive experience of utility managers in the industry. The UAIM seeks to leverage the significant improvements in local performance, aided by diverse technologies and automation (e.g. software, IT systems) that target specific user groups and business processes within a utility. The UAIM concepts of People, Process, and Technology overlaid with Strategic, Technical and Operational dimensions can provide powerful insight into operations of an infrastructure enterprise at a microlevel or intra-utility perspective. As we seek to solve increasingly complex infrastructure challenges which span multiple sectors (water, wastewater, energy, solid waste, etc.), the UAIM can be extended to a cross-sector perspectiv

Improvement in Physical Function and Quality of Life in Older Adults Following 4 Weeks of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Older adults often suffer from sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, which negatively impacts physical function and quality of life (QoL). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is frequently used in physical rehabilitation as a muscle strengthening modality; however, little research exists on QoL outcomes in response to NMES. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine changes in QoL and physical function in older adults after 4 weeks of NMES. METHODS: Ten healthy, older adults participated in the study (67.8 ± 2.1 years-old). Each participant was seated on an isokinetic dynamometer with the knee positioned at 60°, and a 40-min NMES treatment was applied to the quadriceps muscles of each leg 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Stimulation frequency was set at 60 Hz with repeated cycles of 10s on and 15s off. Stimulation intensity was set to achieve 15% of each participant’s maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and was increased every 5 minutes if the torque was below 15% MVC. Each subject was given a pre and post intervention survey assessing indicators of QoL: self-efficacy for physical function (0-100 scale), perceived competence in physical domains (e.g., strength, endurance, coordination, 1-6 scale), physical self-concept (1-6 scale), and intention to be physically active (1-7 scale). Physical function of the lower body was assessed pre and post intervention with a timed up and go test (TUG). Paired sample t-tests were used to test for differences over time (pre, post) for TUG and QoL dimensions (significance set at p \u3c 0.05). Cohen’s d was calculated for effect size. RESULTS: Perceived coordination significantly increased with a medium effect size (5.10 ± .0.16 vs 5.38 ± 0.17, p = 0.03, d = 0.55), pre vs post, respectively. The following QoL dimensions showed a statistically non-significant increase with a small effect size: intention to be physically active (6.08 ± 0.58 vs 6.68 ± 0.22, p = 0.33, d = 0.48), self-efficacy (95.61 ± 2.19 vs 97.37 ± 1.40, p = 0.10, d = 0.31), and endurance (3.57 ± 0.33 vs 3.77 ± 0.19, p = 0.43, d = 0.24). Two dimensions trended toward improvement: physical self-concept (4.57 ± 0.35 vs 4.77 ± 0.30, p = 0.37, d = 0.19) and physical activity (4.08 ± 0.45 vs 4.30 ± 0.31, p = 0.36, d = 0.19. There was a significant decrease in time to complete the TUG (8.77 ± 0.59s vs 7.71 ± 0.43s, p = 0.004, d = 0.63). CONCLUSION: TUG times and coordination showed significant improvement while other QoL dimensions trended toward improvement after 4 weeks of NMES. Enhanced physical function subsequent to NMES treatment may contribute to improved overall QoL by increasing confidence to perform physical activities, and may thereby counter the risk of sarcopenia

AIR CONDITIONING WASTE HEAT TO DOMESTIC HOT WATER-A STUDENT DESIGN PROJECT

ABSTRACT The goal of the "Domestic Hot Water Heater Using Air Conditioner (A/C) Waste Heat" design project was to introduce students to designing mechanical systems in the "ETME475-Mechanical Systems Design" course. The design project was assigned to two Mechanical Engineering Technology students as their second design project in the course. Students were asked to do their own literature search and create their own designs. Both of them decided to use a concentric-tube heat exchanger to extract heat from hot refrigerant gas to heat water residing in domestic hot water heater tank. Their literature search led them to some manufacturers. Since delivery time for concentric-tube heat exchanger was too long, we purchased a side-by-side-tube heat exchanger and got it installed on our Heat Pump. Some test runs were conducted to measure the efficiency of the unit and its effect on the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the Heat Pump when heat pump is operated in A/C mode. Contrary to our expectations, results indicate that, COP values have been reduced by about 22%. Measured efficiency of the unit was about 18%. Students have designed a concentric-tube heat exchanger, turned in their final reports and orally presented their designs to the class

Model Development, Field Section Characterization and Model Comparison for Excess Vehicle Fuel Use Due to Pavement Structural Response

In this study, consumption of energy due to pavement structural response through viscoelastic 3 deformation of asphalt pavement materials under vehicle loading was predicted for 17 field 4 sections in California by using three different models. Calculated dissipated energy values were 5 converted to excess fuel consumption (EFC) to facilitate comparisons under different traffic 6 loads (car, SUV, and truck) and speeds and different temperature conditions. The goal of the 7 study was to compare the different modeling approaches and provide first level estimates of EFC 8 in preparation for simulations of annual EFC for different traffic and climate scenarios as well as 9 different types of pavement structures on the California state highway network. Comparison of 10 the predicted EFC for all test sections showed that all three models produced different results 11 which can be attributed to the differences in the three modeling approaches. However, 12 predictions from the three models are generally of same order of magnitude or an order of 13 magnitude different indicating that overall these models can be calibrated using data from field 14 measurements, which is the next step in the research program

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Think Pair and Share Terhadap Kemampuan Berbicara Bahasa Inggris Ditinjau Dari Tingkat Kreativitas Siswa

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe Think Pair and Share terhadap kemampuan berbicara Bahasa Inggris ditinjau dari tingkat kreativitas siswa kelas VIII MTS NW Lenek dengan menggunakan metode eksperimen post test-only control group design dengan rancangan factorial 2x2. Dari populasi sebanyak 126 siswa diambil 102 siswa sebagai sampel yang kemudian dimasukkan pada kelompok eksperimen dan control menggunakan teknik random sampling. Instrument yang digunakan dlam penelitian yaitu tes keterampilan berbibicara bahasa Inggris berupa tes kinerja dan kuesioner kreativitas siswa. Kemudian data dianalisis dengan menggunakan ANAVA dua-jalur, selanjutnya dialakukan Uji Tukey. Hasil penelitian ini adalah (1) ada perbedaan kemampuan berbicara bahasa Inggris antara siswa yang mengikuti pembelajaran model TPS dengan siswa yang mengikuti pembelajaran konvensional. (2) ada interaksi antara model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TPS dengan tingkat Kreativitas terhadap kemampuan berbicara bahasa Inggris pada siswa kelas VIII MTS NW LENEK. (3) ada perbedaan kemampuan berbicara bahasa Inggris antara siswa dengan tingkat Kreativitas tinggi yang mengikuti model TPS dengan siswa yang mengikuti model Konvensional.(4) ada perbedaan kemampuan berbicara bahasa Inggris antara siswa dengan tingkat Kreativitas rendah yang mengikuti model TPS dengan siswa yang mengikuti pembelajaran model Konvensional.Kata Kunci : Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif TipeTPS (Think Pair and Share), Model Pembelajaran Konvensional, Tingkat kreativitas siswa, Kemampuan Berbicara This research aims at investigating the effect of cooperative learning type Think Pair Share on English speaking skill viewed from creativity of eight grade students of MTS NW Lenek using experimental method of posttest only control group design with 2x2 factorial. Form the population of 126 students, 102 students were taken as the sample which then divided into experimental and control group using random sampling technique. Instruments used for this research were English speaking skill performance test and students’ creativity questionnaire. Data were analyzed using two-way anova and followed using Tukey test. The result of the research shows that: (1) there is a difference of English speaking skill between students following Think Pair Share model and those following conventional model, (2) there is an interaction between learning model used and creativity on English speaking skill, (3) for those having high creativity, there is a difference of English speaking skill between students following Think Pair Share model and those following conventional model, (4) for those having low creativity, there is a difference of English speaking skill between students following Think Pair Share model and those following conventional model