The Use of Subjective Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to Estimate Fixed Blood Lactate Concentrations During Incremental Cycle Ergometer Exercise

Prescription of exercise intensity based on blood lactate concentration has become widely accepted in recent years. The methods used to directly measure blood lactate concentration however, can be costly, time consuming and potentially hazardous to both subject and tester. Recent studies indicate that a strong relationship exists between subjective feelings of strain experienced during exercise and changes in the appearance of blood lactate. This raises the possibility that subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) can be used to simply and effectively estimate and monitor appropriate exercise intensity based on blood lactate concentration. In order to test this theory two groups of subjects, high active (HA) and low active (LA) were asked to complete a continuous incremental cycle ergometer protocol. Heart rate, blood lactate, differentiated (overall) and undifferentiated (central and local) RPE values were measured at the completion of each workload. At exercise intensities corresponding to 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mmol blood lactate, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups for undifferentiated RPE values, however low active individuals consistently rated exercise intensity corresponding to each of the blood lactate conditions as being easier than the high active group (mean overall RPE at exercise intensity corresponding to 4.0 mmol blood lactate was 15.7±0.4 for HA compared to 14.0±0.5 for LA). Higher RPE responses from the high active group occurred due to the fact that increases in the appearance of blood lactate were observed closer to maximal relative exercise intensity for individuals in this group (4.0 mmol blood lactate occurred at 80.3% maximum heart rate for HA and 73.4% maximum heart rate for LA). Results indicate that RPE values of between 9 and 15 will result in reliable estimation of training intensities required for improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance based on the blood lactate response to exercise but that consideration should be given to potential modification of effort sense which may only be experienced under extreme physiological conditions

The effect of prescribed and preferred intensity exercise on the relationship between self-efficacy and perceived exertion in older adults

This study was concerned with acute responses to exercise in people over the age of 50 (N = 80). In particular the relationship between Self-efficacy and perceived exertion during exercise at workloads (a) based on a target heart rate (prescribed intensities) and (b) based on participant preference (preferred intensities) were observed. Perceptual (perceived exertion), Self-efficacy and heart rate responses of low active older participants engaged in either walking or cycle ergometer exercise at preferred and prescribed intensities were also reported. Significant inverse correlations were observed between pre and post exercise Self-efficacy and perceived exertion during acute exercise at prescribed intensities (R \u3c .01). In contrast no significant correlations were observed between these variables during acute preferred intensity exercise. These findings suggest that differences exist in the nature of the interaction between physiological and psychological responses to acute exercise at prescribed compared to preferred intensities. It was also found that low active participants experienced greater increases in pre to post exercise Self-efficacy (g \u3c .0 I), and reduced levels of perceived exertion (g \u3c .01 ), during acute exercise consisting of walking at preferred intensities compared to walking at prescribed intensities. Heart rate responses observed across time for participants engaged in walking at preferred intensities fell within a. range of intensities suitable for improving aerobic conditioning. It is therefore concluded that exercise guideline which encourage individuals to exercise at intensities they prefer represent a safe and effective alternative to traditional exercise prescriptions for guiding intensity when the primary aim is to reduce negative acute responses to exercise and maximise levels of Self-efficacy

Marche Aux Flambeaux : Torchlight Procession

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-ps/2002/thumbnail.jp

Näkökulmia kotistudiokaiutinmuotoiluun

Pro gradu-tutkielmani aiheena on kotistudiokaiuttimien muotoilulliset merkitykset. Teemoja ovat estetiikka, ergonomia ja käytettävyys. Tutkielmani koostuu kyselytutkimuksesta ja siitä saadun aineiston analyysistä sekä tulosten pohjalta tehtyjen johtopäätösten soveltami-sesta kaiutinkonseptointiin. Tutkimuksessani on kolme pääkysymystä. Mitä muotoilullisia ja visu-aalisia merkityksiä kaiuttimissa on? Kuinka nämä merkitykset koe-taan kaiuttimien käyttäjien keskuudessa? Miten merkityksiä voidaan hyödyntää kaiutinsuunnittelussa? Lähestyn aihetta tarkastelemalla kaiutinmuotoilua ja siihen vaikuttavia muita ominaisuuksia yleisesti aiheen selkeyttämiseksi. Käsittelen teorioiden ja sisällönanalyysin avulla kyselytutkimuksen tuloksia. Empiirinen kyselytutkimus toteutettiin yhteistyössä kotimaisen äänen-toistolaitteita valmistavan Genelec Oy:n kanssa. Kyselyyn valittiin kahdeksan eri kotistudiokaiutinta. Vastaajina olivat suomalaiset ja eu-rooppalaiset vastaajat. Tutkimus osoitti, että tutkimuksen kaiuttimet sisälsivät runsaasti muotoilullisia merkityksiä, joita voidaan hyödyn-tää kaiutinsuunnittelussa.The Pro gradu thesis studies the design connotations of home studio loudspeakers. The study themes cover aesthetics, ergonomics and usability. The fields of study include a survey, an analysis relating to the survey results and applying the conclusions derived from the re-sults to loudspeaker concept design. My study includes three main questions. What design and visual connotations do the loudspeakers have? How these connotations are perceived among loudspeaker users? How can the connotations be used in loudspeaker design? I approach the subject by examining loudspeaker design and other related properties in general to clarify the issue. I use theories and content analysis to examine the survey results. The empirical survey was carried out in collaboration with a domestic loudspeaker manufacturer Genelec. Eight different studio loudspeak-ers were chosen to the survey. The survey respondents were divided into Finnish and European respondents. The study showed that the loudspeakers included many design connotations, which can be uti-lized in loudspeaker design

Distribution, range connectivity, and trends of bear populations in Southeast Asia

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. June 2017. Major: Conservation Biology. Advisor: Francesca Cuthbert. 1 computer file (PDF); ix, 123 pages.Sun bears and Asiatic black bears co-occur in Southeast Asia with wide areas of overlapping range. Both species are in decline, and are vulnerable to extinction due mainly to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Efforts to conserve bears in Southeast Asia are hampered by a lack of basic knowledge of distribution, population trends and habitat configuration. To advance the scientific understanding of sun bears and Asiatic back bears in this region I investigated fine and broad scale patterns of distribution. In Lao PDR, I gathered data on bear occurrence using bear sign transects walked in multiple forest blocks throughout the country. To model the country-wide relative abundance of bears and habitat quality, I related bear sign to environmental factors associated with bear occurrence. Within global sun bear range, I gathered camera trap records of sun bear detections from seven sun bear range countries. To generate quantitative measures of sun bear population trends, I related sun bear detection rates to tree cover and estimated related changes in country and global-level sun bear populations based on tree cover loss. To evaluate the global extent of sun bear range connectivity, I used the modelled relationship between sun bears and tree cover to create a habitat suitability index, and I identified areas of fractured range that have created unnatural subpopulations that are at risk from isolation. In Lao PDR, bears selected for areas of high elevation, rugged terrain, and areas of high tree density far from roads. My model-based estimates of sun bear global population trends predicted that over a 30-year period, sun bear populations in mainland southeast Asia have potentially declined by close to 20%, and insular sun bear populations have declined by ~50%. I identified seven potential sun bear subpopulations; two that are fully isolated with no potential for inter-subpopulation movement, and in the other five, inter and intra-subpopulation habitat fragmentation occurs in a continuum of severity. My findings advance the understanding of patterns in bear distribution and trends in southeast Asia, identify research priorities, and lay a framework for future monitoring efforts at country and region-level scales. I conclude with recommendations on how to better manage camera trap data for secondary research and sharing

Korkeakoulutettujen maahanmuuttajien kielivalinnat vuorovaikutuksessa

Tehokas kielen oppiminen edellyttää kielen käyttämistä vuorovaikutuksessa, mutta monilla korkeakoulutetuilla suomenoppijoilla englanti valikoituu usein yhteiseksi kieleksi suomalaisen keskustelukumppanin kanssa. Tämän artikkelin tavoitteena on tarkastella, millaisia kielivalintoihin liittyviä positioita ilmenee korkeakoulutettujen maahanmuuttajien haastatteluissa ja mitkä tekijät kielivalintoihin vaikuttavat. Laadullisen tutkimuksen aineisto koostuu 17 osallistujan haastattelusta heidän vuorovaikutuskokemuksistaan, ja tarkastelen sitä ekologisesta ja sosiokulttuurisista lähtökohdista positiointiteorian ja toimijuuden näkökulmasta. Aineistosta nousi esiin kolme keskeistä positiota: suomen kielen käyttäjä, englannin kielen käyttäjä ja suomenoppija. Positioiden muodostumiseen vaikuttivat osallistujasta itsestään ja tilanteesta johtuvat tekijät sekä vuorovaikutuskumppanin toiminta. Korkeakoulutetut maahanmuuttajat ottivat suomen kielen käyttäjän position ennakoitavissa ja rutiininomaisissa tilanteissa, mutta aikapaineessa tai hyvin tärkeissä kohtaamisissa kuten institutionaalisessa vuorovaikutuksessa he positioivat itsensä englannin kielen puhujiksi. Kielen oppimiseen kytkeytyvä toimijuus ilmeni ennen kaikkea siten, että osallistuja näki vuorovaikutustilanteen tarjoumana eli kielen oppimisen mahdollisuutena ja otti suomenoppijan position. Suomen kielen harjoitteleminen vuorovaikutuksessa vaati kuitenkin puhekumppanin oikea-aikaista tukea, esimerkiksi puheen mukauttamista ja toistoa. Näin ollen puhekumppanilla oli suuri merkitys kielen oppijan toimijuuden kannalta: puhekumppanin tarjoama tuki rakensi osallistujan toimijuutta, mutta englannin kieleen vaihtaminen rajoitti toimijuutta

Phosphorothioate Anti-sense Oligonucleotides: The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Generation of the Sulfurising Agent from Phenylacetyl Disulfide (PADS)

The synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is often accomplished in the pharmaceutical industry by the sulfurisation of the nucleotide-phosphite using phenylacetyl disulfide (PADS) which has an optimal combination of properties. This is best achieved by an initial ‘ageing’ of PADS for 48 hrs in acetonitrile with 3-picoline to generate polysulfides. The initial base-catalysed degradation of PADS occurs by an E1cB-type elimination to generate a ketene and acyldisulfide anion. Proton abstraction to reversibly generate a carbanion is demonstrated by H/D exchange, the rate of which is greatly increased by electron-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic ring of PADS. The ketene can be trapped intramolecularly by an o-allyl group. The disulfide anion generated subsequently attacks unreacted PADS on sulfur to give polysulfides, the active sulfurising agent. The rate of degradation of PADS is decreased by less basic substituted pyridines and is only first order in PADS indicating that the rate-limiting step is formation of the disulfide anion from the carbanion

Understanding oligonucleotide synthesis

Oligonucleotides are synthesised almost exclusively via the solid-supported phosphoramidite method. However popular this method may be, the expensive reagents used in large excess during the synthesis as well as the large amounts of organic and aqueous solvents and purification steps makes the scale-up of oligonucleotide synthesis costly and possibly harmful to the environment. The therapeutic use of anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is hindered by their susceptibility to nuclease catalysed hydrolysis and to overcome this problem ASOs have been modified commonly by the introduction of a phosphorothioate backbone. This research aims to provide a better understanding of some of the more problematic stages of the synthesis cycle, the formation of the sulfurizing agent and sulfurisation of inter-nucleotide phosphite linkages, in order to make this method more sustainable and efficient. The investigation of the activation, alcoholysis and hydrolysis of the phosphoramidites 2´-methoxy-5´-O-DMT-uridine 3´-CE phosphoramidite (UAm) and di-tert-butyl N,N-di-isopropyl phosphoramidite (DBAm) using several tetrazole activators found that complete conversion of the phosphoramidite UAm to products required an excess of activator and that this was due to the generation of di-isopropyl amine during coupling. Conductivity measurements show that the amine deprotonates the acidic activator and that the ammonium and tetrazolide ions that are subsequently formed strongly ion pair (Kip = 6540 M-1) removing free activator from solution. The tetrazole-catalysed reaction of phosphoramidites with oxygen nucleophiles was found to be first order with respect to phosphoramidite and activator and the nucleophilic displacement of the di-isopropyl amine group by the tetrazoyl group at phosphorus is rate-limiting. Investigation into the 3-picoline-catalysed ageing of the sulfur transfer reagent phenylacetyl disulfide (PADS) has shown that the process is overall second order and is proportional to the concentration of PADS and 3-picoline. Deuterium exchange experiments show that ageing proceeds via abstraction of the methylene CH2 protons of PADS via an E1cB-type decomposition of the PADS molecule generating a disulfide anion and a ketene by-product which was trapped using an intra-molecular [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction. Mass spectrometry data shows that disulfide anions act as nucleophiles with PADS molecules to generate polysulfides which are the active sulfur transfer reagents in aged PADS solutions. Using pyridines that are less basic than 3-picoline causes the rate of degradation of PADS to become slower, indicating the possibility that the rate-limiting step of this process is the generation of the disulfide anion. The rate of sulfurisation of phosphites by both ‘fresh’ and ‘aged’ PADS in the presence of 3-picoline was found to be first order with respect to phosphite, PADS and 3-picoline at low concentrations of each. However, the rate of the reaction becomes independent of base when using aged PADS in the presence of high 3-picoline concentration. Brönsted correlations for the sulfurisation of alkyl phosphites using fresh PADS give a βnuc value of 0.51, consistent with a mechanism involving nucleophilic attack by the phosphite on the disulfide bond of PADS to generate a phosphonium ion intermediate. This degrades to the phosphorothioate product via a base-catalysed mechanism which has been confirmed by removal of the methylene protons from the PADS molecule. Comparison of the βnuc values seen when altering the pKa of the pyridine catalyst used shows that the rate of the reaction of fresh PADS is much more sensitive to the pKa of the pyridine than is aged PADS (βnuc = 0.43 and 0.26 for fresh and aged PADS respectively). This suggests that in the case of aged PADS, the phosphite attacks the sulfur atom adjacent to the carboxylate group in the polysulfide chain. This generates a phosphonium intermediate which can be broken down via a much more facile S-S bond fission, as opposed to the C-S bond fission as seen in when using fresh PADS

Algunos aspectos de las relaciones entre establecidos y marginados: el modelo Maycomb

Este ensayo de sociología de los procesos sociales contemporáneos fue publicado originalmente en 1990 y recogido por Cas Wouters en el cuarto volumen de la compilación de trabajos de Norbert Elias que editó en la imprenta de University College Dublin. Se trata de un corolario de la “investigación sociológica sobre los problemas de la vida en comunidad” que, bajo el título de Establecidos y marginados, fue publicada originalmente en 1965 por la editorial londinense de Frank Cass & Co. Una traducción española de este libro apareció durante el año 2016 en el Fondo de Cultura Económica. Por su valor metodológico para la comprensión de una de las características repetitivas de las sociedades humanas se ofrece este ensayo a los lectores de la Revista de Santander en su primera traducción castellana, debida a Marina González de Cala y Amelia Acebedo Silva.&nbsp

Reversing “Empty Forest Syndrome” in Southeast Asia

[Extract] The diverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia are home to some of the most mysterious and beautiful wildlife species in the world, some of which have only been discovered in the last few decades. Home to species such as the antelope-like Saola (the Asian “unicorn”), which was only discovered in 1992 and that no biologist has seen in the wild, capturing the imagination of scientists, reporters and the public alike. Home to an extensive community of animals small and large, from civets to muntjacs, striped rabbits to Doucs, porcupines to pigs, tortoises to wild cattle. However, Southeast Asia also holds a higher proportion of globally threatened vascular plant, reptile, bird and mammal species than any other region on the planet. Today, these irreplaceable forests are often harboring the ghosts of these amazing species, victims of a barbaric and widespread hunting technique—the use of homemade and cheap wire snares that catch animals, leaving them trapped, often to suffer for days, before death. This hunting technique makes no distinction between common and Endangered species and is indiscriminately laying waste to any wildlife species regardless of their size and shape: Saola, Grey-shanked Douc, Southeast Asian Porcupine, Sambar Deer, Marbled Cat, Hog Badger, and the list goes on and on. Imagine walking into the Adirondacks in the northeastern United States and not seeing a single squirrel or raccoon. This idea appropriately has an ominous name: “empty forest syndrome.