Perceptions of NCAA Time Restrictions on Female Student-Athletes and Women\u27s Intercollegiate Athletics at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Intercollegiate athletics are a part of every day life for millions of people. Americans are involved in sport in a variety of aspects; fans, participants, coaches and administrators to name a few. At times, intercollegiate athletics have seemed to be outside the realm of the role of higher education. In an attempt to make the collegiate athlete indistinguishable from the general student body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, through the leadership of the Presidents Commission, has begun an effort to reform sport programs. A part of this reform movement is the restriction of playing and practice seasons and time commitments. It was the purpose of this study to determine the perceptions of the effect of those NCAA time restrictions on female student-athletes and women\u27s intercollegiate athletics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Sub-problems included: 1. Determining the effect of NCAA time limitations on athletic and academic tasks. 2. Determining the change, if any, in the level of academic performance as indicated by a comparison of grade point averages. 3. Determining the reaction of coaches and administrators to the NCAA time limitation legislation. For the study, participants completed the same questionnaire used by the , American Institutes of Research in a 1987 national survey of intercollegiate athletes. This questionnaire was administered before the time limitation legislation took effect and after the rule had been in effect for a semester. Personal interviews were conducted with the coaching and administrative staff members. Female student-athletes who were freshmen, sophomores or juniors in the spring of 1990 participated in the study. Results of this study did not indicate that there was a significant difference in the amount of time student-athletes spend on sport related activities. There was no significant difference in the grade point averages when comparing Fall 1990 and Fall 1991 semesters. Student-athletes did not appear to become more active in the general student body. Coaches and administrators indicated that the intent of the rule was good, but had some minor problems with the specifics involved. The results of this study indicated that student-athletes did not think they had better access to academic counseling or course progress reports despite the athletic department position of Academic Advisor. Student-athletes think they manage their time well, but would like more assistance in the area of time management. Recommendations for further research include replication of this study after the rule has been in effect for a longer period of time and the use of a more precise instrument. It is also recommended that the NCAA research the possibility of making the rule sport specific so that the out of season needs of individual sport teams may be better accommodated

Frontal Metabolite Concentration Deficits in Opiate Dependence Relate to Substance Use, Cognition, and Self-Regulation.

ObjectiveProton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in opiate dependence showed abnormalities in neuronal viability and glutamate concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Metabolite levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and their neuropsychological correlates have not been investigated in opiate dependence.MethodsSingle-volume proton MRS at 4 Tesla and neuropsychological testing were conducted in 21 opiate-dependent individuals (OD) on buprenorphine maintenance therapy. Results were compared to 28 controls (CON) and 35 alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC), commonly investigated treatment-seekers providing context for OD evaluation. Metabolite concentrations were measured from ACC, DLPFC, OFC and parieto-occipital cortical (POC) regions.ResultsCompared to CON, OD had lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu), creatine +phosphocreatine (Cr) and myo-Inositol (mI) in the DLPFC and lower NAA, Cr, and mI in the ACC. OD, ALC, and CON were equivalent on metabolite levels in the POC and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration did not differ between groups in any region. In OD, prefrontal metabolite deficits in ACC Glu as well as DLPFC NAA and choline containing metabolites (Cho) correlated with poorer working memory, executive and visuospatial functioning; metabolite deficits in DLPFC Glu and ACC GABA and Cr correlated with substance use measures. In the OFC of OD, Glu and choline-containing metabolites were elevated and lower Cr concentration related to higher nonplanning impulsivity. Compared to 3 week abstinent ALC, OD had significant DLPFC metabolite deficits.ConclusionThe anterior frontal metabolite profile of OD differed significantly from that of CON and ALC. The frontal lobe metabolite abnormalities in OD and their neuropsychological correlates may play a role in treatment outcome and could be explored as specific targets for improved OD treatment

Dune Monitoring Data Update Summary: 2013

The Shoreline Studies Program at VIMS established a beach and dune monitoring program for nine sites around the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay (Milligan et al., 2005). These sites were monitored twice yearly for four years (2001-2004). In addition to three years of relatively calm conditions, these data included the impact of Hurricane Isabel, a nearly 100-yr event, on the Bay’s shorelines. The shoreline’s change due to the storm and their subsequent short-term recovery was documented by this data. Since the end of the monitoring program other events have impacted Chesapeake Bay shorelines. In order to document the longer-term recovery of these systems, additional monitoring occurred. Several of these sites are man-influenced and have upland development behind the dune. Understanding storm impacts and shoreline recovery is critical knowledge when determining the suitability of living shoreline options (i.e. beach/dune) in higher energy environments. In addition, the overall stability of these sites and their response to physical forcing can provide important information when developing guidelines for beach and dune encroachment. Six of these sites were resurveyed in the spring of 2009 (O’Brien et al., 2009)

Public Beach Assessment Report Huntington Park, Anderson Park, and King-Lincoln Park City of Newport News, Virginia

The City of Newport News has three public beaches within its limits: Huntington Park beach, Anderson Park beach, and King-Lincoln Park beach. Each beach and its associated park has undergone or is undergoing improvements. The purpose of this report is to assess the rates and patterns of beach change at these three public beaches. Field survey data, aerial photos, wave hindcasting data, and computer modelling were utilized for this report. The computer model used was RCPWAVE, a wave hydrodynamic model developed by the Corps of Engineers

Public Beach Assessment Report Gloucester Point Public Beach, Gloucester County, Virginia

Gloucester Point Public Beach is located at the southern end of Gloucester County, Virginia on the York River. It is a southeastward facing shoreline about 960 ft long and it is part of a larger stretch of moderately low shore between Sarah Creek and the George P. Coleman Bridge. While no shoreline improvement projects have taken place at the public beach, shore protection projects updrift and including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) affect it. In 1983, erosion along the shoreline at VIMS just updrift of the public beach led to the installation of a riprap revetment in front the seawall and the placement of 10,000 cubic yards ( cy) of sand. A severe northeaster in November 1985 damaged the public beach and its facilities. Sand had to be bulldozed from the upland region at the public beach. In addition, an artificial dune was shaped, fenced, and planted. 500 cy of sand was placed at the VIMS. The Coleman Bridge widening project has greatly influenced the shoreline. The old boat ramp, located directly under the bridge, became inaccessible so a new boat ramp was constructed closer to the public beach where it has acted as a groin. The purpose of this report is to assess the rates and patterns of change at the public beach. Field survey data, aerial photos, wave climate analysis and computer modeling were analyzed for this report. RCPWA VE, a wave hydrodynamic model developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and modified by VIMS was used to model wave patterns

The neurointensive nursery: concept, development, and insights gained.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the advent of therapeutic hypothermia for treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and improvements in neuroimaging and bedside neuromonitoring, a new era of neonatal brain-focused care has emerged in recent years. We describe the development of the first neurointensive care nursery (NICN) as a model for comanagement of neonates with identified neurologic risk factors by a multidisciplinary team constituted of neurologists, neonatologists, specialized nurses, and others with the goal of optimizing management, preventing secondary injury and maximizing long-term outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Optimizing brain metabolic environment and perfusion and preventing secondary brain injury are key to neurocritical care. This includes close management of temperature, blood pressure, oxygenation, carbon dioxide, and glucose levels. Early developmental interventions and involvement of physical and occupational therapy provide additional assessment information. Finally, long-term follow-up is essential for any neurocritical care program. SUMMARY: The NICN model aims to optimize evidence-based care of infants at risk for neurologic injury. Results from ongoing hypothermia and neuroprotective trials are likely to yield additional treatments. New technologies, such as functional MRI, continuous neurophysiological assessment, and whole genomic approaches to rapid diagnosis may further enhance clinical protocols and neonatal precision medicine. Importantly, advances in neurocritical care improve our ability to provide comprehensive information when counseling families. Long-term follow-up data will determine if the NICN/Neuro-NICU provides enduring benefit to infants at risk for neurologic injury

Sands of the Chesapeake

This is a short phamplet outlining the origin, composition, and dune structure of sandy shores of the Chesapeake Bay region