Human Performance Assessments in Cadet Populations

This study assessed potential physiological differences between the Ranger Challenge (RC) Competition team and junior year cadets in an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. The method included: RC (m = 11, f = 2) and junior year cadets (m = 7, f = 3) were assessed in the following areas: 1) quickness and agility (5-10-5 shuttle run), 2) total-body power (standing broad jump), and 3) grip strength (hand grip dynamometry) assessed. The 5-10-5 shuttle run was performed twice (opening once to the left and once to the right). The standing broad jump required that cadets stand with their toes behind a line, perform a maximum of three preparatory movements, triple extend their knees, hips, and ankles while using their upper body to propel them as far forward as possible. After the jump the distanced reached was measured from the line to the heel of the nearest foot. Hand grip dynamometry was performed once on each hand. The cadet held the dynamometer out to his or her side and squeezed it as they lowered it to their hip. The results were that there were no significant differences between groups for the 5-10-5 shuttle run (p = 0.91), standing broad jump (p = 0.49), or grip strength (p = 0.31). RC did not outperform

The Life and Times of Dr. John H. Greve

Twenty-one years as faculty adviser to the ISU Veterinarian? Some of the first year vet students aren\u27t even that old! Mention this to Dr. Greve and he\u27ll either claim to be a fossil or show you his dinosaur tie. Nevertheless, his service to the journal has been unsurpassed. Although the ISU Veterinarian is a student-run journal, Dr. Greve assists in many areas of its production, including the basic mechanics of publication. He helps prepare annual requests for GSB funding, and he is an excellent resource with respect to the journal\u27s history. As a sounding board for new ideas, he can recall what\u27s been done in the past and why those ideas failed or succeeded. In addition, he was very diligent in finding a new printer when the ISU Press closed its doors in 1986. Perhaps he is most useful when student editors can\u27t seem to find just the right word, for Dr. Greve, the master of medical terminology, suffers from a chronic obsession with words. If you think the word obsession may be too strong, ask him about the word sparrowfart (it\u27s not what you think). He knows not only what the word means, but from where and how it originated. If your conception of an Amazon Woman is of one who\u27s overly endowed, ask Dr. Greve for the real meaning of the word amazon. The story is quite interesting

The search behavior of sea lamprey during their non-homing reproductive migration in the Great Lakes

Non-homing organisms are thought to rely on stable geophysical features (e.g., land-slope), and encounter with distinct attributes of the environment (e.g., landmarks) in a predicable sequence to locate reproductive habitat (e.g., rivers always occur on a coastline). However little is known about how non-homing fishes complete a large-scale migration, as most research has focused on homing fishes that rely on geomagnetic cues to return to a natal spawning site. The invasive sea lamprey offers insight into non-homing migration, as individuals complete a single non-homing migration to rivers following translocation by host fishes in the Great Lakes. In this dissertation, Chapters 2 and 3, are devoted to developing a framework for describing animal behavior from telemetered observations and development of a standardized approach for assessing and filtering VEMCO Positioning System (VPS) data based on an estimate of horizontal position precision (HPE). This methodology was imperative for exploration of the sea lamprey migration with the underwater VPS telemetry technology.In Chapter 3, we described how sea lamprey orient to a coast when in a lake and hypothesized that sea lamprey navigate to the nearest coast by (1) orienting to the local bathymetric gradient and (2) maintain straight movements counter to the local slope to move towards shallow water. Three-dimensional (3-D) paths of migrating female sea lamprey were obtained by an acoustic array with 3 km2 of coverage, centered 3.3 km from the coast in Lake Huron. The findings of this chapter indicate that sea lamprey sampled an area of lake-bottom to assess absolute hydrostatic pressure and to select a heading towards reducing pressure (shallower water). In contrast to natal homing migrations, the sea lamprey appears consistent with non-homing orientation to a general region with a simple set of rules based on local topography.Chapter 4 focused on the sea lamprey migration along a coastline and near a river mouth. Upon reaching a coastline, sea lampreys move parallel to shore. Prior studies indicated the presence of larval odor in river water increased the likelihood that a migrant entered a river. However, it was not known whether larval odor played a role in navigation (guiding the migrant to the river mouth) or mediated habitat selection by labeling the suitability of a river for spawning. In a two-year study using a 2 km2 acoustic array, the 3-D paths of sea lamprey were documented as they approached, entered, or bypassed the Ocqueoc River in northern Michigan, under one of two conditions: (1) low larval odor; and, (2) higher larval odor, created by increased larval abundance plus the addition of the synthetic larval odor components, petromyzonamine disulfate (PADS), petromyzosterol disulfate (PSDS), and petromyzonol sulfate (PZS) to a 1 x 10 -12 M concentration. A coupled hydrodynamic and dye concentration model predicted the hydraulic conditions experienced by each sea lamprey by estimating water conditions (velocity, temperature, etc.) at each fish position and allowed for assignment of whether a position was inside or outside of the Ocqueoc River plume. Encounter with river water appears to trigger localized search, regardless of larval odor content. However, when larval odor was abundant, the migrant was more likely to enter the river. Whether a migrant enters a river, is modulated by the presence of detectable larval odor, manipulation of river selection by invasive sea lamprey for management is viable in rivers with high encounter rates. Finally, Chapter 5 covers the implications for how altering migration routes in the sea lamprey via the application of synthesized pheromones contained in larval odor could be profitable for management.(Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Fisheries and Wildlife - Doctor of Philosophy, 2015Includes bibliographical reference

Predictive Value of GG Score on Discharge Destination in Patient’s with Neurological Conditions

Research Questions 1. When using section GG of the Care Tool, what items successfully predict discharge destinations? 2. What are the cut off scores for each item that determine the location when using section GG? 3. Does an increase in GG scores between admission and discharge effect the appropriate discharge destination? It would be beneficial for inpatient rehabilitation hospitals to identify patients at admission that may be at a higher risk to discharge to a location other than home. This high-risk group could include any patient that scores below the mean for GG total score (61.2) or below the mean for GG ADL score (43). The study also identified three other indicators that could be used to classify patients into this high-risk group; increased age, decreased cognition, and living alone prior to admission. Although CMS guidelines require at least three hours of therapy on five out of seven days in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), this guideline is a minimum standard.16 Identifying patients at admission into a high-risk category would allow the IRF to devote additional therapy time and resources to these patients to try to discharge them home. All disciplines should be informed if an individual is meeting these high-risk criteria as soon as possible to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and attention to care. Specific GG categories that should also be specifically noted at admission during an initial evaluation by the therapy team include the patient\u27s ability to don/doff footwear, complete toileting hygiene, complete lower body dressing, complete bed mobility, and complete transfers as these GG categories had the greatest effect size on discharge to home. Both occupational and physical therapists should target intervention sessions to treat impaired body functions and performance skills limiting independence in these categories

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range

Estimation of Nekton Density and Production Enhancement from Seagrass Nursery Habitats Along Regions of the U.S. Atlantic Coast

Seagrass beds are designated as essential fish habitat by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the regional fishery management councils due to their critical role as nurseries for nekton. Yet, they face significant threats globally and have suffered substantial declines in extent and habitat quality. Quantitative estimates of the degree to which seagrasses enhance nekton productivity can help inform conservation and management measures and assist in communicating the critical role of these threatened coastal habitats. In this study, juvenile fish and mobile macroinvertebrate (nekton) density data were compiled from seagrass and nearby unstructured habitats for both the Atlantic coast of South Florida and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the USA. Based on these field data, species that were consistently enhanced in seagrass habitats were identified. The annual production resulting from the identified juvenile enhancement by seagrasses was then estimated using an existing methodology based on established growth and mortality relationships for each species. Seagrasses enhanced nekton production by an additional 218.0 [SD 48.0] g m−2 year−1 (17 enhanced species) and 126.8 [SD 34.8] g m−2 year−1 (nine enhanced species) in the Atlantic coast of South Florida and the Mid-Atlantic regions, respectively. Data limitations resulted in only 54% and 44% of recorded species being assessed in the two regions, respectively, indicating that the current estimates are likely a substantial underestimate of the true nekton production enhancement. These estimates nevertheless provide a first quantitative assessment of seagrass enhancement of nekton production on the U.S. Atlantic coast, which can be built on as more data become available

Replication of a Tutor-Training Method for Improving Interaction Between Writing Tutors and Stem Students

The improvement of tutor training programs can impact the important work of writing centers. Tutors often feel less comfortable tutoring in genres different from their own discipline. A previous study introduced an assignment-specific tutor training model to improve writing center tutoring sessions between engineering students and writing tutors. The results of the previous study indicated a valuable addition to the resources available for engineering students. This model has now been replicated at two universities to assess the potential for wider dissemination. Preliminary data analysis suggests a relationship between initial tutor rating of student work, student perceptions of tutoring, and tutor perception of student engagement in the tutorial. Plans for future research include continued replication and expansion to test larger sample sizes, analysis of impact within and adaptations for other STEM areas, and continued study of the impact on tutoring team projects

A Novel, Single Algorithm Approach to Predict Acenocoumarol Dose Based on CYP2C9 and VKORC1 Allele Variants

The identification of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes has strongly stimulated the research on pharmacogenetics of coumarins in the last decade. We assessed the combined influence of CYP2C9 *2 and *3, and VKORC1 c.-1639G>A, 497C>G, and 1173C>T variants, on acenocoumarol dosage using a novel algorithm approach, in 193 outpatients who had achieved stable anticoagulation. We constructed an “acenocoumarol-dose genotype score” (AGS, maximum score = 100) based on the number of alleles associated with higher acenocoumarol dosage carried by each subject for each polymorphism. The mean AGS was higher in the high-dose (>28mg/week) compared with the low-dose (<7mg/week) group (mean(SEM) of 84.1±3.4 vs. 62.2±4.8, P = 0.008). An AGS>70 was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) of requiring high acenocoumarol dosage (OR: 3.347; 95%CI: 1.112–10.075; P = 0.032). In summary, although more research is necessary in other patient cohorts, and this algorithm should be replicated in an independent sample, our data suggest that the AGS algorithm could be used to help discriminating patients requiring high acenocoumarol doses to achieve stable anti-coagulation

Analysing Stratified Medicine Business Models and Value Systems:Innovation-Regulation Interactions

Stratified medicine offers both opportunities and challenges to the conventional business models that drive pharmaceutical R&amp;D. Given the increasingly unsustainable blockbuster model of drug development, due in part to maturing product pipelines, alongside increasing demands from regulators, healthcare providers and patients for higher standards of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new therapies, stratified medicine promises a range of benefits to pharmaceutical and diagnostic firms as well as healthcare providers and patients. However, the transition from ‘blockbusters’ to what might now be termed ‘niche-busters’ will require the adoption of new, innovative business models, the identification of different and perhaps novel types of value along the R&amp;D pathway, and a smarter approach to regulation to facilitate innovation in this area. In this paper we apply the Innogen Centre's interdisciplinary ALSIS methodology, which we have developed for the analysis of life science innovation systems in contexts where the value creation process is lengthy, expensive and highly uncertain, to this emerging field of stratified medicine. In doing so, we consider the complex collaboration, timing, coordination and regulatory interactions that shape business models, value chains and value systems relevant to stratified medicine. More specifically, we explore in some depth two convergence models for co-development of a therapy and diagnostic before market authorisation, highlighting the regulatory requirements and policy initiatives within the broader value system environment that have a key role in determining the probable success and sustainability of these models