13251 research outputs found
Sort by
Fitness Policies Within the Fire Service: A Pilot Investigation of Exercise Adherence on Fitness Outcomes Among Rural Firefighters
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the adherence to departmental fitness policies and to evaluate the impact of on-duty firefighters’ adherence to fitness outcomes. This cross-sectional designed study utilized a convenience sample of 40 career firefighters from one department in rural southeast Georgia. Onsite gym attendance logs were recorded during a 10-month period. Firefighters were classified as lowest (0-16 sessions), low (17-30 sessions), moderate (31-44 sessions), or high (45+ sessions) adherence for analyses based on gym attendance. The fitness outcomes were retrieved from required annual fitness testing, including measurements of muscular strength (1RMest leg press and 1RMest bench press), muscular endurance (pushup), muscle power (vertical jump), cardiovascular fitness (submaximal treadmill), mobility (functional movement screen), and flexibility (shoulder elevation). Only 12.5% (n = 5) of firefighters complied with the department’s fitness policy of a minimum 75% adherence rate. Furthermore, there were significant differences (P ≤.05) between various muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility between adherence rates. This study indicated that firefighters that complied more with the fitness policies were more physically fit than those that did not. Considerations should be made to promote and enforce departmental fitness policies to ensure that firefighters can physically perform their responsibilities
Papers published in Zootaxa concerning Neuropterida
No full textIn the first twenty years of the publication of Zootaxa, more than two hundred papers have appeared in this journal that address the Neuropterida, which collectively includes the [Neuroptera+Raphidioptera]+Megaloptera sections (initially “Minor orders” section). A dozen submitted manuscripts were rejected before the review process, and another dozen submissions were rejected following the peer review process. Additional content and general submission history of these contributions is summarized here. These various contributions highlight the growing body of research on the Neuropterida and the importance of Zootaxa as a key journal for publishing and disseminating this research
Controlling topology within halogen-bonded networks by varying the regiochemistry of the cyclobutane-based nodes
No full textThe formation of a pair of extended networks sustained by halogen bonds based upon two regioisomers of a photoproduct, namely rctt-1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane (ht-PP) and rctt-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane (hh-PP), that have varied topology is reported. These networks are held together via I· · · N halogen bonds between the photoproduct and the halogen-bond donor 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene (C6 I2 Cl4). The observed topology in each solid is controlled by the regiochemical position of the halogen-bond accepting 4-pyridyl group. This paper demonstrates the ability to vary the topology of molecular networks by altering the position of the halogen bond acceptor within the cyclobutane-based node
In Situ Preconcentration and Quantification of Cu\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3evia Chelating Polymer-Wrapped Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
No full textTrace analysis of heavy metals in complex, environmentally relevant matrices remains a significant challenge for electrochemical sensors employing stripping voltammetry-based detection schemes. We present an alternative method capable of selectively preconcentrating Cu2+ ions at the electrode surface using chelating polymer-wrapped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). An electrochemical sensor consisting of poly-4-vinyl pyridine (P4VP)-wrapped MWCNTs anchored to a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)-modified gold electrode (r = 1.5 mm) was designed, produced, and evaluated. The P4VP is shown to form a strong association with Cu2+ ions, permitting preconcentration adjacent to the electrode surface for interrogation via cyclic voltammetry. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 0.5 ppm with a linear range of 1.1-13.8 ppm (16.6-216 μM) and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.9% at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of 1.3 ppm. Evaluation in tap water, lake water, ocean water, and deionized water rendered similar results, highlighting the generalizability of the presented preconcentration strategy. The advantages of electrochemical analysis paired with polymeric chelation represent an effective platform for the design and deployment of heavy metal sensors for continuous monitoring of natural waters
Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS): validation with a sample of self-identified Christians
No full textTransgender people suffer from a variety of consequences as victims of anti-transgender prejudice. Christians have been frequently identified as holding negative attitudes toward transgender people; however, there is evidence that these attitudes may be changing. Accurate measurement of attitudes is important in understanding currently held beliefs and to assess potential changes over time. This study tested the validity of the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS) for use with the Christian population with a sample of 207 self-identified Christians in the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the factor structure of TABS: χ2 (374, N = 207) = 821.46, p \u3c 0.001 (normed χ2 = 2.20 \u3c 4); RMSEA =.076 (90%CI =.069;.083), CFI =.926, SRMR =.053. Overall, results suggest that TABS is an appropriate instrument to utilise with the Christian population in the United states
Encouraging Community Ownership During the Isolating Days of a Pandemic
No full textBecause of the pandemic, the future feels difficult and uncertain, and few of us have much control over it, beyond doing our best to keep ourselves informed and those around us safe. The result is a lot of unhappy people. Gallup survey data show that pessimism about the future of the pandemic in the U.S. is rising. This is infecting our general outlook. This article explains on how one local government and health department successfully communicated during the pandemic and even increased community engagement. This was done through encouraging a sense of community ownership
Nucleotide P2y₂ Receptor-Dependent Leukocyte-Endothelial Interaction
No full textExtracellular nucleotides (ATP, UTP) released from cells act on nucleotide receptors to promote vascular inflammation. Increased leukocyte-endothelial interaction is a hallmark of vascular inflammation. The nucleotide P2Y₂ receptor (P2Y₂R), activated by extracellular ATP≈UTP, plays a role in cardiovascular homeostasis and immune regulation. Moreover, accumulating evidence from studies in vitro and in vivo models have implicated the P2Y₂R in the inflammatory response significantly contributing to the progression and pathogenesis of asthma, atherosclerosis, sepsis, and ischemia. I hypothesized that P2Y₂R activation by UTP, an agonist of the receptor, increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the microvasculature from baseline. To test the hypothesis, wild type (WT, C57BL/6) and P2Y₂R-deficient (P2Y₂R-/-, C57BL/6 background) mice were utilized. In vivo leukocyte-endothelial interaction (leukocyte total flux, rolling flux, and adhesion) and microvascular hemodynamics in venule of murine skeletal muscle cremaster were assessed using intravital microscopy. A semi-automatic leukocyte tracking methodology was developed by integrating ImageJ and Trackmate for offline image analysis. In WT mice, UTP treatment significantly increased basal leukocyte rolling in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Adhesion was concentration-dependent and peak adhesion occurred at 5 minutes. Basal rolling leukocytes in P2Y₂R-/- mice was twice as many as those in WT mice and did not change after UTP treatment. Basal adherent leukocytes in P2Y₂R-/- mice were 1.5-fold as many as those in WT mice. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that under resting conditions, P2Y₂R protects excessive interaction between venular endothelium and circulating leukocytes. UTP increases rolling in a P2Y₂R-dependent manner, while the P2Y₂R contribution to UTP-induced increase in adhesion remains elusive
Spatial Variability of Nonpoint Source Yields in Ozark Highlands Watersheds under Historical and Recent Land Use Conditions
No full textMany of the environmental problems facing communities today stem from historical as well as present land use disturbances related to agriculture, urbanization, and resource extraction. It is important to evaluate a range of land use and soil effects on nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to fully understand land use-water quality relationships. The Ozark Highlands region has undergone significant phases of land use change throughout its settlement history and is actively developing today (2020). This study used nonpoint nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), and sediment (TSS) yields predicted by the US EPA’s Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Loads (STEPL) model to evaluate human influences on water quality in different landscapes across the Missouri Ozarks during three time periods: pre-settlement (before 1820), peak agricultural land disturbance (between 1890 and 1950), and present-day (2019). Twelve watersheds of similar size were selected among three land use types: urban, forest, and agriculture, and within three different physiographic regions of the Ozark Plateau including the Springfield Plateau, Salem Plateau and St. Francois Mountains. Historical records and modern databases describing settlement, land use history and landscape characteristics were used to develop and conduct modeling for each sub-watershed. Present-day TN yields averaged 9.3-times and TP and TSS yields averaged 4.4-times higher than pre-settlement yields. However, pre-settlement yields were relatively variable with ranges among all sites of 6.4-times for TN, 5.8-times for TP, and 13- times for TSS. Natural nutrient and sediment loads reflected ecological soil and landscape factors, however, modern yields are most directly tied to land use variables. Anthropogenic contributions to total yields average 81% for TN, 67% for TP, and 56% for TSS