A BIOPHYSICAL APPROACH TO MODELING ELEVATIONAL RANGE SHIFTS IN COLORADO MAMMAL COMMUNITIES

Species geographic ranges are shifting in the face of contemporary climate warming, and documenting range shifts is crucial to our understanding of the underlying drivers mediating movement in geographic range limits. Studies on elevational range shifts with climate change are beginning to accrue within the literature, though observed shifts are idiosyncratic and difficult to predict. Some species may respond to warming temperatures by shifting their range limits upslope, where temperatures are cooler owing to the adiabatic lapse rate. However, species may also respond to warming temperatures in an elevation-dependent manner: if changes in snow depth expose overwintering organisms to colder air temperatures, they could shift upwards, where snowpack is deeper, or downard, where air temperatures are warmer. Physiological tolerance is often cited as a major driver of species distributions, but studies rarely connect organismal physiology to changes in climate and concomitant shifts in species’ elevational ranges. Even fewer studies focus on the factors governing elevational range shifts in mammals at the seasonal scale. Advances in the field of biophysical ecology allow for the direct translation of changes in environmental conditions over time to currencies directly relevant to organismal fitness. Here, we apply mechanistic models of heat flux to test whether changes in thermoregulatory costs underlie observed range shifts in 41 species of small mammals in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We gathered biophysical and behavioral data on focal species from museum specimens and the literature, and quantified microhabitat conditions with high-resolution forcing data and newly-developed microclimate models. We calculated the change in both cooling and heating costs at historical range limits across the past century to test whether changes in thermoregulatory requirements drove movement at both lower and upper elevational range limits. Overall, changes in thermoregulatory costs did not explain elevational range shifts in our system. Mammals largely decreased heating costs, and increases in cooling costs were negligible. Changes in thermoregulatory costs varied across seasons and elevation. Our results suggest that movement at elevational limits in small mammals is largely driven by other abiotic and biotic factors rather than thermoregulatory costs alone. We submit that future research on the drivers of elevational range shifts in mammals would benefit from a more holistic and nuanced approach, rather than focusing solely on changes in the physiological costs of thermoregulation

Use of Porous Concrete and Scoria Bases to Clean Groundwater Recharge

The City of Pocatello, Idaho does not currently treat its storm water, but rather collects runoff in detention basins or discharges it into the Portneuf River. Nitrates from fertilizers and petroleum products enter local waterways and ultimately groundwater supplies. Porous concrete is regarded as a green product and has storm water filtering capabilities. Idaho State University (ISU) has been studying the use of scoria (vesicular basalt) to retain petroleum contaminants which migrate through porous concrete collection systems placed on driving surfaces. At present, ISU is conducting laboratory experiments using a physical model consisting of a porous concrete slab made with coarse scoria aggregate over a scoria base. The model is being used to determine the capacity of the scoria to retain water/petroleum fluids. Microbial bacteria, similar to those used to clean oil spills, are also being introduced and studied. A test section was poured in October 2011 in the topographically low area of damaged parking lot on the ISU campus. A scoria leach field was placed to discharge the collected water. Monitoring wells were placed below the slab and in the leach field to measure water levels. The slab was checked throughout the winter and will be monitored during the next year. To date the porous concrete has performed extremely well, and no additional pavement/curb damage has been observed in the vicinity. By employing scoria with porous concrete, precipitation runoffs from driving surfaces can be re-introduced to local aquifers with less pollution, preserving clean water for future generations

Evaluation of the Basis Band Fitness Tracker

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(3): 258-269, 2016. Self-monitoring is a widely recommended behavioral strategy to promote regular physical activity. Commercially available activity monitors are becoming increasingly popular and provide users with the opportunity to self-monitor physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of the Basis Band Fitness Tracker to measure heart rate and movement compared to research-grade activity monitors. Twenty participants (14 females and 6 males) aged 18-23 yrs (mean = 20.0 ± 1.1 yrs) wore a Basis Band, an NL-1000 pedometer, an ANT+ Motorola HRM1G chest strap heart rate monitor, and an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer for one day (at least 6 hours). A total of 3,060 matched heart rate observations were evaluated (1,144 minutes in sedentary behavior, 1,473 minutes in light physical activity, and 443 minutes in moderate-to vigorous physical activity [MVPA]). Although the Basis Band captured 90% of heart rates during sedentary conditions, heart rates were unlikely to be recorded during movement of light intensity (51%) and MVPA (20%). Concurrent validity evidence for heart rate from the Basis Band compared to a chest-worn monitor was low overall (R = 0.78) and lower during light intensity (R = 0.63) and MVPA (R = 0.63). The Basis Band accurately measured steps during 100-step running trials with natural running arm movement (mean difference = 1.4 steps, mean absolute percent error [MAPE] = 4.8%) and with limited arm movement (mean difference = -1.1 steps, MAPE = 4.1%), but not during slow walking trials with natural walking arm movement (mean difference = -56.8 steps, MAPE = 57.1%) and with limited arm movement (mean difference = -53.2 steps, MAPE = 53.8%) or brisk walking trials with natural walking arm movement (mean difference = 11.3 steps, MAPE = 11.4%). MAPE was low (3.7%) during the brisk walking trials with natural walking arm movement. The Basis Band significantly underestimated number of daily steps compared to the NL-1000 pedometer (mean difference = -1,155, p \u3c .001, MAPE = 15.0%). Unacceptable validity evidence for heart rate measures and steps, combined with a low proportion of heart rates recorded, suggest the Basis Band does not accurately quantify heart rate or physical activity

Accuracy of Intensity and Inclinometer Output of Three Activity Monitors for Identification of Sedentary Behavior and Light-Intensity Activity

Purpose. To examine the accuracy of intensity and inclinometer output of three physical activity monitors during various sedentary and light-intensity activities. Methods. Thirty-six participants wore three physical activity monitors (ActiGraph GT1M, ActiGraph GT3X+, and StepWatch) while completing sedentary (lying, sitting watching television, sitting using computer, and standing still) light (walking 1.0 mph, pedaling 7.0 mph, pedaling 15.0 mph) intensity activities under controlled settings. Accuracy for correctly categorizing intensity was assessed for each monitor and threshold. Accuracy of the GT3X+ inclinometer function (GT3X+Incl) for correctly identifying anatomical position was also assessed. Percentage agreement between direct observation and the monitor recorded time spent in sedentary behavior and light intensity was examined. Results. All monitors using all thresholds accurately identified over 80% of sedentary behaviors and 60% of light-intensity walking time based on intensity output. The StepWatch was the most accurate in detecting pedaling time but unable to detect pedal workload. The GT3X+Incl accurately identified anatomical position during 70% of all activities but demonstrated limitations in discriminating between activities of differing intensity. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that all three monitors accurately measure most sedentary and light-intensity activities although choice of monitors should be based on study-specific needs

The Wool ComfortMeter and the Wool HandleMeter, new opportunities for wool

Two instruments have been developed by the Sheep CRC that provide the tools for a new standard in comfort and handle for the next generation of next-to-skin wool knitwear. The Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter provide a rapid, accurate and objective measure of two important characteristics of wool knitwear that are currently determined by subjective assessment. The Wool HandleMeter allows the prediction of a set of handle attribute values that can quantify the hand feel of a lightweight jersey fabric. The instrument uses the principle of pushing a fabric sample through a ring. The force displacement curve associated with the fabric test is characterised and used to define each fabric. These values were then compared to the average handle values, as determined by a group of experts, of a large set of lightweight knitted fabrics. Algorithms were developed that enable the instrument to more accurately predict each of seven handle attributes than an individual expert. The Wool ComfortMeter provides a measure of the fibres that are protruding from the surface of the fabric that are responsible for the itchy sensation caused by some knitwear. The results from the instrument have been compared to the results from extensive wearer trials to provide an understanding of the relationship between the instrument value and the comfort perceptions of wearers. The results have shown a very clear relationship between the instrument and wearer trials

Exercise apparatus and related methods and computer program products

A portable exercise apparatus for use by a user performing push-ups includes: a detection device; and a suspension member adapted to suspend the detection device from the user. When the detection device is suspended from the user by the suspension member, the apparatus is operative to indicate execution of a compliant push-up by the user

Identity Foreclosure, Athletic Identity, and College Sport Participation

A study was conducted with 502 college students (246 non-athletes, 90 intramural athletes, and 166 intercollegiate athletes) to investigate the relationship between self-identity variables (i.e., identity foreclosure and athletic identity) and college sport participation. The researchers used two scales, the foreclosure subscale of the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (OM-EIS, Adams et al., 1979) and the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS, Brewer et al., 1993). Results indicated that identity foreclosure and athletic identity increase with level of sport participation. Identity foreclosure was significantly lower for upperclass students than for underclass students among non-athletes, but not among intramural and intercollegiate student-athletes. No gender differences were found. These findings suggested that intercollegiate student-athletes may commit to the role of "athlete" without exploring alternative identities. Implications of the results for the academic and career development of student-athletes were discussed. "The results of this study imply that college student-athletes may identify strongly with the athlete role to the extent that they fail to explore alternative identities." - p.

Condition Assessment and Analysis of Bearing of Doubly Fed Wind Turbines Using Machine Learning Technique

Condition monitoring of wind turbines is progressively increasing to maintain the continuity of clean energy supply to power grids. This issue is of great importance since it prevents wind turbines from failing and overheating, as most wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) are overheated due to faults in generator bearings. Bearing fault detection has become a main topic targeting the optimum operation, unscheduled downtime, and maintenance cost of turbine generators. Wind turbines are equipped with condition monitoring devices. However, effective and reliable fault detection still faces significant difficulties. As the majority of health monitoring techniques are primarily focused on a single operating condition, they are unable to effectively determine the health condition of turbines, which results in unwanted downtimes. New and reliable strategies for data analysis were incorporated into this research, given the large amount and variety of data. The development of a new model of the temperature of the DFIG bearing versus wind speed to identify false alarms is the key innovation of this work. This research aims to analyze the parameters for condition monitoring of DFIG bearings using SCADA data for k-means clustering training. The variables of k are obtained by the elbow method that revealed three classes of k (k = 0, 1, and 2). Box plot visualization is used to quantify data points. The average rotation speed and average temperature measurement of the DFIG bearings are found to be primary indicators to characterize normal or irregular operating conditions. In order to evaluate the performance of the clustering model, an analysis of the assessment indices is also executed. The ultimate goal of the study is to be able to use SCADA-recorded data to provide advance warning of failures or performance issues

Energizers Classroom-based Physical Activities 3-5 : The way teachers integrate physical activity with academic concepts

Energizers are classroom-based physical activities that were designed to help teachers integrate physical activity with academic concepts. The energizers were developed by a team from the Activity Promotion Laboratory at East Carolina University. Teachers can download these activities free of charge and are encouraged to incorporate these activities into their classroom. Our research, published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (2006, volume 38, number 12), demonstrated that: (a) Energizers are easy to implement; (b) both teachers and students enjoy the Energizers activities; (c) use of Energizers activities improves on-task behavior of students; and (d) use of Energizers increases the amount of physical activity accumulated over the course of the school day.Activity Promotion Laboratory: Projects Fulfilling a Nee