Predicting meiofauna abundance to define preservation and impact zones in a deep-sea mining context using random forest modelling

There is a strong economic interest in commercial deep‐sea mining of polymetallic nodules and therefore a need to define suitable preservation zones in the abyssal plain of the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ). However, besides ship‐based multibeam data, only sparse continuous environmental information is available over large geographic scales. We test the potential of modelling meiofauna abundance and diversity on high taxonomic level on large geographic scale using a random forest approach. Ship‐based multibeam bathymetry and backscatter signal are the only sources for 11 predictor variables, as well as the modelled abundance of polymetallic nodules on the seafloor. Continuous meiofauna predictions have been combined with all available environmental variables and classified into classes representing abyssal habitats using k‐means clustering. Results show that ship‐based, multibeam‐derived predictors can be used to calculate predictive models for meiofauna distribution on a large geographic scale. Predicted distribution varies between the different meiofauna response variables. To evaluate predictions, random forest regressions were additionally computed with 1,000 replicates, integrating varying numbers of sampling positions and parallel samples per site. Higher numbers of parallel samples are especially useful to smoothen the influence of the remarkable variability of meiofauna distribution on a small scale. However, a high number of sampling positions is even more important, integrating a greater amount of natural variability of environmental conditions into the model. Synthesis and applications. Polymetallic nodule exploration contractors are required to define potential mining and preservation zones within their licence area. The biodiversity and the environment of preservation zones should be representative of the sites that will be impacted by mining. Our predicted distributions of meiofauna and the derived habitat maps are an essential first step to enable the identification of areas with similar ecological conditions. In this way, it is possible to define preservation zones not only based on expert opinion and environmental proxies but also integrating evidence from the distribution of benthic communities

THE EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON KNEE FLEXION ANGLES DURING JUMP LANDING IN POST-PUBESCENT FEMALES

H. Uhlenkott, K. Brusseau, J. Vonbargen, J. Savage Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID PURPOSE: to determine if a six-week plyometric training intervention would significantly decrease knee flexion angles while completing jump-landing tasks from a plyometric box. METHODS: Twenty post-pubescent adolescent females participated in pre- and post-testing, as well as the six-week (3 days/week) plyometric training intervention. Intervention training included plyometric drills such as depth jumps, lateral hops, single-leg hops, and power skips. Pre- and post-plyometric intervention testing consisted of a five-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer, followed by three jump-landing tasks from a 63 cm in height plyometric box. Knee flexion measurements were analyzed using reflective joint markers located on the right fibular lateral malleolus, tibial lateral condyle and approximately 1.5 inches above the greater trochanter. Kinoveaäsoftware was utilized for identifying knee flexion angles for both pre-and post-testing. RESULTS: Preliminary data analysis, using a paired t-test, revealed a statistically non-significant difference in knee flexion angle (p= .367) following the plyometric training intervention. Mean values were calculated for both pre- (M = 87.33 degrees; SD = 14.21) and post- (M = 84.33 degrees; SD = 7.36) intervention training knee flexion angles. Final data analysis will be completed and published in the results section by January 2018. CONCLUSION: Based on preliminary data analysis. it can be concluded that there is not a significant difference between knee flexion angles before and after a six-week plyometric intervention, even though mean knee flexion angles did decrease. It must be acknowledged, however, only one third of data were analyzed to reach these results. Complete data analysis will be published in January 2018. Supported state of Idaho HERC Grant

CARDIOMETABOLIC ASSESSMENT OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE GRANDE RONDE RAPPELLERS WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING CREW

J. Jacobs, K. Uhlenkott, M. Slater, M. Akers, K. Pfaffenbach Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Wildland firefighting is a job that requires strength and stamina. The Grande Ronde Rappellers (GRR) are highly-trained aerially delivered firefighters that provide ‘initial attack’ on forest fires. Rappellers are often ‘on’ fires for 72 hours, where they work physically active shifts ranging from 4-16 hours, and then are required to ‘pack out’ across 5-15+ miles of mountainous terrain carrying loads in excess of 50 kg. Few studies have examined the cardiometabolic fitness and efficiency of wildland firefighters, and no studies to our knowledge have examined members of a USFS rappel crew. PURPOSE: To examine the heart rate, oxygen consumption, and rate of caloric use of GRR firefighters during a 4 stage metabolic test. METHODS: Each subject underwent a metabolic test with four consecutive 6-minutes stages (24 minutes total) that included sitting, walking on a treadmill at 4mph, walking on a treadmill at 4mph with a 6-8% incline, and walking on an inclined treadmill at 4mph while wearing a 20.45kg vest. Heart Rate (bpm) and VO2 (ml/kg/min) were measured throughout the test. Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) and kilocalories burned (kcal/min) were calculated for each stage. Data from stages was analyzed using ANOVA. RESULTS: Male (n=13) and female (n=2) subjects tested were aged 30.47±3.56 years, weighed 85.12±10.90 kg, and had a mean body fat % of 17.35±4.80. Mean HR (bpm) was different for the sitting, walking, incline, and weighted incline stages were 67.00±9.9, 99.71±12.71, 118.29±13.27, and 146.07±9.62, respectively (p\u3c0.05). Mean VO2 (ml/kg/min) for each of the 4 stages was 3.47±1.01, 18.51±2.37, 24.98±2.18, and 33.55±4.49 (p\u3c0.05). Mean oxidative caloric use rates (kcal/hr) were 86.35±31.15, 454.50±81.79, 622.12±93.64, and 850.77±156.83 (p\u3c0.05). RER for each state was 0.87±0.10, 0.81±0.05, 0.88±0.03, and 0.92±0.02. CONCLUSION: This study provided insights into oxidative energy use and substrate utilization in highly skilled wildland firefighters

They Said: An Analysis of State Level Sexual and Gender Harassment Data

Occurrences of sexual harassment are usually studied at the job site level. Yet there is evidence to indicate that sexual harassment occurs in a number of disparate job settings and affects all types of victims. In this research we document the incidence and attributes of sexual harassment in a state level population using four years of a specially devised victimization survey. In this paper we present the findings regarding the victims, offenders, and the nature and prevalence of such harassment in a rural mountain state. We found that for all four years, almost 20% of working people in Idaho experienced some form of sexual or gender harassment each year. Moreover, the rate of that harassment remained somewhat constant throughout the study periods. We also found that young, unmarried women were the most likely victims of sexual or gender harassment in this statewide study