Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan: The Least Political Method of Selecting High Quality Judges, The

According to Justice Steven Breyer, the reputation and the reality of the fairness and effectiveness of the American judicial system are in the hands of the states. 1 In the laboratory of American democracy, each sovereign state has the freedom to design the method by which members of its judiciary are chosen. The unique history, culture and experiences of each state have led to the adoption of a variety of systems to select judges. These methods generally fall into one of three categories: contested election, political appointment, or merit selection

Musculoskeletal Outcomes From Chronic High-Speed, High-Impulse Resistance Exercise

While bones and muscles adapt to mechanical loading, it appears that very specific types of stimuli must be applied to achieve osteogenesis. Our study assessed musculoskeletal outcomes to 30 training sessions on an Inertial Exercise Trainer (Newnan, GA). Subjects (n = 13) performed workouts with their left leg, while their right served as an untreated control. Work-outs entailed three 60-s sets each of knee extension, hip extension and calf press exercises, separated by 90-s rests. Before and after the 30 training sessions, subjects underwent strength tests (knee and ankle extensors of both legs), DEXA scans (hip, knee and ankles of both legs), and blood draws. After 30 training sessions 2 × 2 ANOVAs showed left leg peak torques rose significantly. 2 × 2 ANCOVAs, with bone scan area as a covariate, showed significant left leg calcaneal bone mineral content ( + 29 %) and density ( + 33 %) increases after 30 training sessions. A significant decline in C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, a blood marker of bone resorption, also occurred after 30 training sessions. The Inertial Exercise Trainer’s large volume of training session repetitions elicited high peak force, peak acceleration and impulses that likely provided a mechanical loading stimulus that evoked calcaneal accretion

Making a difference in making miracles: common roadblocks to miracle question effectiveness

This article describes a clinical investigation of student-therapists’ use of the miracle question (MQ). Data used for this project came from transcribed role-play videotapes by six student-therapists. Transcripts were coded, and findings highlight challenges that prevent beginning therapists from effectively using the MQ. The primary themes that emerged were problems related to introducing, framing, and following up on the MQ. Practical recommendations are offered for improving therapist training in effective use of the MQ

Temperature Inverted Haloclines Provide Winter Warm-Water Refugia for Manatees in Southwest Florida

Abstract Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) overwintering in the Ten Thousand Islands and western Everglades have no access to power plants or major artesian springs that provide warm-water refugia in other parts of Florida. Instead, hundreds of manatees aggregate at artificial canals, basins, and natural deep water sites that act as passive thermal refugia (PTR). Monitoring at two canal sites revealed temperature inverted haloclines, which provided warm salty bottom layers that generally remained above temperatures considered adverse for manatees. At the largest PTR, the warmer bottom layer disappeared unless significant salt stratification was maintained by upstream freshwater inflow over a persistent tidal wedge. A detailed threedimensional hydrology model showed that salinity stratification inhibited vertical convection induced by atmospheric cooling. Management or creation of temperature inverted haloclines may be a feasible and desirable option for resource managers to provide passive thermal refugia for manatees and other temperature sensitive aquatic species

Correction: The Effect of Protandim® Supplementation on Athletic Performance and Oxidative Blood Markers in Runners.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160559.]

The Effect of Protandim^® Supplementation on Athletic Performance and Oxidative Blood Markers in Runners

<div><p>The purpose of this study determined if oral supplementation of Protandim^® (a nutraceutical) for 90 days improved 5-km running performance and reduced serum thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) at rest, an indicator of oxidative stress. Secondary objectives were to measure whole blood superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), at rest and 10 minutes after completion of the race before and after supplementation as well as quality of life. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial, 38 runners [mean (SD) = 34 (7) yrs; BMI = 22 (2) kg/m²] received either 90 days of Protandim^® [1 pill a day, n = 19)] or placebo (n = 19). Randomization was done in blocks of two controlling for sex and 5-km baseline performance. A 5-km race was performed at baseline and after 90 days of supplementation, with blood samples taken before and 10-min after each race. Fasting blood samples were acquired at baseline, after 30, 60, and 90 days of supplementation. TBARS, SOD, GPX, and GSH were assayed in an out-of-state accredited lab. Running performance was not altered by Protandim^® or placebo [20.3 (2.1) minutes, with an -8 (33) seconds change in 5-km time regardless of group]. There was no change in TBARS, SOD, or GPX (at rest) after three months of Protandim^® supplementation compared to placebo. However, in a subgroup ≥ 35 years of age, there was a 2-fold higher increase in SOD in those taking Protandim^® for three months compared to those on placebo (<i>p</i> = 0.038). The mean post-race change in TBARS (compared to pre-race) increased by about 20% in half of the subjects, but was not altered between groups, even after three months of supplementation. Quality of life was also not different between the two conditions. In conclusion, Protandim^® did not (1) alter 5-km running time, (2) lower TBARS at rest (3) raise antioxidant enzyme concentrations compared to placebo (with exception of SOD in those ≥ 35 years old) or, (4) affect quality of life compared to placebo.</p><p><b><i>Trial Registration</i>:</b> ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT02172625&Search=Search" target="_blank">NCT02172625</a></p></div

The long term effects of supplementation on lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase (rest, fasted state).

<p>There was no difference between groups for either variable (<i>p</i> = 0.74 for lipid peroxides, and <i>p</i> = 0.81 for superoxide dismutase). The asterisk* signifies statistical significance for superoxide dismutase at 30 days post-supplementation (<i>p</i> = 0.00) and 88 days post-supplementation (<i>p</i> = 0.00) compared to the baseline value, after adjustments for multiple comparisons. Mean values represented by circles, error bars represent SD. The x-axis represents the mean (SD) of the number of days post-supplementation.</p

The measured week to week coefficient of variation in the blood variables.

<p>All blood variables were measured by Genova Diagnostics (n = 38).</p

The long terms effects of supplementation on the cysteine to cysteine ratio and the cysteine to sulfate ratio (rest, fasted state).

<p>There was no difference between groups for either variable (<i>p</i> = 0.30 for the cysteine to cysteine ratio, <i>p</i> = 0.69 for the cysteine to sulfate ratio). For the cysteine to sulfate ratio, there was a difference at 57 days post-supplementation compared to baseline (<i>p</i> = 0.00). Mean values represented by circles, error bars represent SD.</p