Immediate effects of microclimate modification enhance native shrub encroachment

Shrubs have become more dense and expanded beyond their range all over the world for a variety of reasons including increased temperatures, overgrazing, and alteration of historical fire regime. Native shrubs have been encroaching on Virginia barrier island grasslands for over half a century for unknown reasons. Species composition, soil nutrients, leaf area index (LAI), and ground and air temperature were recorded across the shrub to grass transition and at free-standing shrubs in a coastal grassland in order to determine the effect of shrub encroachment on plant community and microclimate. Species richness was significantly lower inside shrub thickets. Soil water content, organic matter, nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and LAI were higher in shrub thickets and free-standing shrubs compared to grasslands. Summer and fall maximum temperatures were lower and more moderate where shrubs were present. Fall and winter minimum temperatures were highest inside shrub thickets. Native shrubs impact microclimate and species composition immediately upon encroachment. These shrubs lower overall species composition, increase soil nutrients and moisture, moderate summer temperature, and increase winter temperature, which has consequences on a larger scale. As barrier islands are critical for protecting marsh and mainland habitats, understanding this mechanism for shrub expansion is important to predict future encroachment of shrubs and displacement of grassland habitat

Long-term Effect of Intraocular Lens vs Contact Lens Correction on Visual Acuity after Cataract Surgery during Infancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

© 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Importance: Although intraocular lenses (IOLs) are often implanted in children, little is known whether primary IOL implantation or aphakia and contact lens correction results in better long-term visual outcomes after unilateral cataract surgery during infancy. Objective: To compare long-term visual outcomes with contact lens vs IOL correction following unilateral cataract surgery during infancy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter randomized clinical trial enrolled 114 infants with a unilateral congenital cataract who underwent cataract surgery with or without primary IOL implantation between 1 and 6 months of age. Data on long-term visual outcomes were collected when the children were age 10.5 years (July 14, 2015, to July 12, 2019) and analyzed from March 30 through August 6, 2019. Interventions: Intraocular lens implantation at the time of cataract surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: Best-corrected visual acuity using the electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) testing protocol. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: Best-corrected visual acuity was measured at age 10.5 years for 110 of the 114 patients (96%) enrolled as infants. The participants included 58 girls (53%) and 52 boys (47%). Overall, 27 of the children (25%) had good (logMAR 0.30 [Snellen equivalent, 20/40] or better) visual acuity in the treated eye (12 [22%] in the IOL group and 15 [27%] in the aphakia group), but 50 children (44%) had a visual acuity of logMAR 1.00 (Snellen equivalent, 20/200) or worse (25 [44%] in the IOL group and 25 [44%] in the aphakia group). The median logMAR acuity in the treated eye was similar in children randomized to receive an IOL at the time of cataract extraction (0.89; interquartile range [IQR], 0.33-1.43 [Snellen equivalent, 20/159]) and those who remained aphakic (0.86; IQR, 0.30-1.46 [Snellen equivalent, 20/145]) (IQR, 0.30-1.46; P =.82). Although the overall difference in median visual acuity between the 2 groups was small, the estimate was imprecise (99% CI for the difference in medians was-0.54 to 0.47). Conclusions and Relevance: As in previous phases of the study, visual acuity outcomes were highly variable with only 27 children (25%) achieving excellent visual acuity in their treated eye and 50 children (44%) having poor vision in the treated eye. Implanting an IOL at the time of cataract extraction was neither beneficial nor detrimental to the visual outcome

How global biodiversity hotspots may go unrecognized: Lessons from the North American Coastal Plain

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Biodiversity hotspots are conservation priorities. We identify the North American Coastal Plain (NACP) as a global hotspot based on the classic definition, a region with \u3e 1500 endemic plant species and \u3e 70% habitat loss. This region has been bypassed in prior designations due to misconceptions and myths about its ecology and history. These fallacies include: (1) young age of the NACP, climatic instability over time and submergence during high sea-level stands; (2) climatic and environmental homogeneity; (3) closed forest as the climax vegetation; and (4) fire regimes that are mostly anthropogenic. We show that the NACP is older and more climatically stable than usually assumed, spatially heterogeneous and extremely rich in species and endemics for its range of latitude, especially within pine savannas and other mostly herbaceous and fire-dependent communities. We suspect systematic biases and misconceptions, in addition to missing information, obscure the existence of similarly biologically significant regions world-wide. Potential solutions to this problem include (1) increased field biological surveys and taxonomic determinations, especially within grassy biomes and regions with low soil fertility, which tend to have much overlooked biodiversity; (2) more research on the climatic refugium role of hotspots, given that regions of high endemism often coincide with regions with low velocity of climate change; (3) in low-lying coastal regions, consideration of the heterogeneity in land area generated by historically fluctuating sea levels, which likely enhanced opportunities for evolution of endemic species; and (4) immediate actions to establish new protected areas and implement science-based management to restore evolutionary environmental conditions in newly recognized hotspots

Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

Rugby union (RU) is a skill-collision team sport played at junior and senior levels worldwide. Within England, age-grade rugby governs the participation and talent development of youth players. The RU player development pathway has recently been questioned, regarding player performance and wellbeing, which sport science research can address. The purpose of this review was to summarise and critically appraise the literature in relation to the applied sport science of male age-grade RU players in England focusing upon 1) match-play characteristics, 2) training exposures, 3) physical qualities, 4) fatigue and recovery, 5) nutrition, 6) psychological challenges and development, and 7) injury. Current research evidence suggests that age, playing level and position influence the match-play characteristics of age-grade RU. Training exposures of players are described as ‘organised chaos’ due to the multiple environments and stakeholders involved in coordinating training schedules. Fatigue is apparent up to 72 hours post match-play. Well developed physical qualities are important for player development and injury risk reduction. The nutritional requirements are high due to the energetic costs of collisions. Concerns around the psychological characteristics have also been identified (e.g., perfectionism). Injury risk is an important consideration with prevention strategies available. This review highlights the important multi-disciplinary aspects of sport science for developing age-grade RU players for continued participation and player development. The review describes where some current practices may not be optimal, provides a framework to assist practitioners to effectively prepare age-grade players for the holistic demands of youth RU and considers areas for future research

Maximal and submaximal intended velocity squat sets: Do they selectively impact mechanical performance in paired multijoint upper‐body exercise sets?

This study aimed to investigate how squat protocols performed at maximal and submaximal intended velocities during interset periods of paired upper‐body exercises that impact the mechanical performance of these multijoint upper‐body exercises. Twenty‐one young and healthy adults (seven women) completed three experimental sessions, each comprising four sets of five repetitions at 75% of their 1‐repetition maximum, with a 4‐min break between sets using the bench press and bench pull exercises. The experimental sessions differed in the protocol utilized during the interset periods: (i) Passive—no physical exercise was performed; (ii) SQfast—5 repetitions of the squat exercise at maximal intended velocity against the load associated with a mean velocity (MV) of 0.75 m s−1; and (iii) SQslow—5 repetitions of the squat exercise at submaximal velocity (intended MV of 0.50 m s−1) against the load associated with an MV of 0.75 m s−1. Level of significance was p ≤ 0.05. The main findings revealed negligible differences (effect size [ES] < 0.20) among the exercise protocols (passive vs. SQfast vs. SQslow) for all mechanical variables during the bench pull, whereas during the bench press, small differences (ES from 0.23 to 0.31) emerged favoring the passive protocol over SQfast and SQslow in terms of mean set velocity and fastest MV of the set. The absence of significant differences between the SQfast and SQslow protocols, irrespective of the particular upper‐body exercise, implies that the intended lifting velocity does not influence the potential interference effect during paired set training procedures

Some Aspects of Cost/ Benefit Analysis for In-Service Inspection of PWR Steam Generators

This report discusses a number of aspects of cost/benefit (C/B) analysis for in-service inspection (lSI} of pressurized water reactor (PWR) steam generators (SGs) and identifies several problem areas that must be addressed prior to a full C/B analysis capability. Following a brief review of the impact of SG problems on the productivity of PWR units and of the scope and variability of SG problems among U.S. PWRs, various occupational implications of SG lSI are considered, namely manpower, time, and rad exposure. The opportunities provided by refueling outages in respect to lSI frequency and work time windows are reviewed. Indices for characterizing the nondestructive testing {NDT) information, rad exposure, $impact, and manpower and time attributes of single ISIs and a series of ISIs over an arbitrary evaluation period are presented and calculated for a number of lSI cases using SG parameters for three typical PWR units. A comparison of the$ impact of unscheduled outages attributable to SG problems with the $cost of ambitious lSI strategies indicates that the$ cost is virtually negligible for well-planned ISis. Considering the ALARA constraint on occupational rad exposure, the skilled manpower pool for NDT work appears to be the principal factor limiting lSI scope and frequency. Analysis of the manpower and time requirements for inspection of a 40-unit PWR population indicates, however, that an lSI strategy embodying two campaigns per year and a total population inspection within a 2-year interval is not far beyond current capabilities

Atmospheric particulate matter characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: a review of statistical calibration strategies for carbonaceous aerosol quantification in US measurement networks

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of many different substances and requires a suite of instruments for chemical characterization. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a technique that can provide quantification of multiple species provided that accurate calibration models can be constructed to interpret the acquired spectra. In this capacity, FT-IR spectroscopy has enjoyed a long history in monitoring gas-phase constituents in the atmosphere and in stack emissions. However, application to PM poses a different set of challenges as the condensed-phase spectrum has broad, overlapping absorption peaks and contributions of scattering to the mid-infrared spectrum. Past approaches have used laboratory standards to build calibration models for prediction of inorganic substances or organic functional groups and predict their concentration in atmospheric PM mixtures by extrapolation. In this work, we review recent studies pursuing an alternate strategy, which is to build statistical calibration models for mid-IR spectra of PM using collocated ambient measurements. Focusing on calibrations with organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) reported from thermal–optical reflectance (TOR), this synthesis serves to consolidate our knowledge for extending FT-IR spectroscopy to provide TOR-equivalent OC and EC measurements to new PM samples when TOR measurements are not available. We summarize methods for model specification, calibration sample selection, and model evaluation for these substances at several sites in two US national monitoring networks: seven sites in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network for the year 2011 and 10 sites in the Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) for the year 2013. We then describe application of the model in an operational context for the IMPROVE network for samples collected in 2013 at six of the same sites as in 2011 and 11 additional sites. In addition to extending the evaluation to samples from a different year and different sites, we describe strategies for error anticipation due to precision and biases from the calibration model to assess model applicability for new spectra a priori. We conclude with a discussion regarding past work and future strategies for recalibration. In addition to targeting numerical accuracy, we encourage model interpretation to facilitate understanding of the underlying structural composition related to operationally defined quantities of TOR OC and EC from the vibrational modes in mid-IR deemed most informative for calibration. The paper is structured such that the life cycle of a statistical calibration model for FT-IR spectroscopy can be envisioned for any substance with IR-active vibrational modes, and more generally for instruments requiring ambient calibrations.</p

The physical characteristics of specific phases of play during rugby union match-play

Purpose: This study quantified the frequencies and timings of rugby union match-play phases (i.e., attacking, defending, ball in play (BIP) and ball out of play (BOP)) and then compared the physical characteristics of attacking, defending and BOP between forwards and backs. Methods: Data were analysed from 59 male rugby union academy players (259 observations). Each player wore a micro-technology device (Optimeye S5, Catapult) with video footage analysed for phase timings and frequencies. Dependent variables were analysed using a linear mixed-effects model and assessed with magnitude-based inferences and Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES). Results: Attack, defence, BIP and BOP times were 12.7 ± 3.1, 14.7 ± 2.5, 27.4 ± 2.9 and 47.4 ± 4.1 min, respectively. Mean attack (26 ± 17 s), defence (26 ± 18 s) and BIP (33 ± 24 s) phases were shorter than BOP phases (59 ± 33 s). The relative distance in attacking phases was similar (112.2 ± 48.4 vs. 114.6 ± 52.3 m·min-1, ES = 0.00 ±0.23) between forwards and backs, while greater in forwards (114.5 ± 52.7 vs. 109.0 ± 54.8 m·min-1, ES = 0.32 ±0.23) during defence and greater in backs during BOP (ES = -0.66 ±0.23). Conclusion: Total time in attack, defence and therefore BIP was less than BOP. Relative distance was greater in forwards during defence, while greater in backs during BOP and similar between positions during attack. Players should be exposed to training intensities from in play phases (i.e., attack and defence) rather than whole-match data and practice technical skills during these intensities

Analysis and decision document in support of acquisition of steam supply for the Hanford 200 Area

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is now evaluating its facility requirements in support of its cleanup mission at Hanford. One of the early findings is that the 200-Area steam plants, constructed in 1943, will not meet future space heating and process needs. Because the 200 Area will serve as the primary area for waste treatment and long-term storage, a reliable steam supply is a critical element of Hanford operations. This Analysis and Decision Document (ADD) is a preliminary review of the steam supply options available to the DOE. The ADD contains a comprehensive evaluation of the two major acquisition options: line-term versus privatization. It addresses the life-cycle costs associated with each alternative, as well as factors such as contracting requirements and the impact of market, safety, security, and regulatory issues. Specifically, this ADD documents current and future steam requirements for the 200 Area, describes alternatives available to DOE for meeting these requirements, and compares the alternatives across a number of decision criteria, including life-cycle cost. DOE has currently limited the ADD evaluation alternatives to replacing central steam plants rather than expanding the study to include alternative heat sources, such as a distributed network of boilers or heat pumps. Thirteen project alternatives were analyzed in the ADD. One of the alternatives was the rehabilitation of the existing 200-East coal-fired facility. The other twelve alternatives are combinations of (1) coal- or gas-fueled plants, (2) steam-only or cogeneration facilities, (3) primary or secondary cogeneration of electricity, and (4) public or private ownership

Application of velocity loss thresholds during free-weight resistance training : Responses and reproducibility of perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular outcomes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences and long-term reliability in perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses to velocity loss resistance training protocols. Using a repeated, counterbalanced, crossover design, twelve team-sport athletes completed 5-sets of barbell back-squats at a load corresponding to a mean concentric velocity of ~0.70 m·s-1. On different days, repetitions were performed until a 10%, 20% or 30% velocity loss was attained, with outcome measures collected after each set. Sessions were repeated after four-weeks. There were substantial between-protocol differences in post-set differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE, i.e., breathlessness and leg muscles, AU) and blood lactate concentration (B[La], mmol·L-1), such that 30%>20%>10% by small to large magnitudes. Differences in post-set countermovement jump (CMJ) variables were small for most variables, such that 30%<20%<10%. Standard deviations representing four-week variability of post-set responses to each protocol were: dRPE, 8-11; B[La], 0.8-1.0; CMJ height, 1.6-2.0; CMJ PPO, 1.0-1.8; CMJ PCV, 0.04-0.06; CMJ 100ms-Impulse, 5.7-11.9. Velocity loss thresholds control the magnitude of perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses to resistance training. For practitioners wanting to reliably prescribe training that can induce a given perceptual, metabolic, or neuromuscular response, it is strongly advised that velocity-based thresholds are implemented