Using sentinel nodes to evaluate changing connectivity in a protected area network.

It has been recognized that well-connected networks of protected areas are needed to halt the continued loss of global biodiversity. The recently signed Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement commits countries to protecting 30% of terrestrial lands in well-connected networks of protected areas by 2030. To meet these ambitious targets, land-use planners and conservation practitioners will require tools to identify areas important for connectivity and track future changes. In this study we present methods using circuit theoretic models with a subset of sentinel park nodes to evaluate connectivity for a protected areas network. We assigned a lower cost to natural areas within protected areas, under the assumption that animal movement within parks should be less costly given the regulation of activities. We found that by using mean pairwise effective resistance (MPER) as an indicator of overall network connectivity, we were able to detect changes in a parks network in response to simulated land-use changes. As expected, MPER increased with the addition of high-cost developments and decreased with the addition of new, low-cost protected areas. We tested our sentinel node method by evaluating connectivity for the protected area network in the province of Ontario, Canada. We also calculated a node isolation index, which highlighted differences in protected area connectivity between the north and the south of the province. Our method can help provide protected areas ecologists and planners with baseline estimates of connectivity for a given protected area network and an indicator that can be used to track changes in connectivity in the future.

Quantifying Ecological Integrity of Terrestrial Systems to Inform Management of Multiple-Use Public Lands in the United States.

The concept of ecological integrity has been applied widely to management of aquatic systems, but still is considered by many to be too vague and difficult to quantify to be useful for managing terrestrial systems, particularly across broad areas. Extensive public lands in the western United States are managed for diverse uses such as timber harvest, livestock grazing, energy development, and wildlife conservation, some of which may degrade ecological integrity. We propose a method for assessing ecological integrity on multiple-use lands that identifies the components of integrity and levels in the ecological hierarchy where the assessment will focus, and considers existing policies and management objectives. Both natural reference and societally desired environmental conditions are relevant comparison points. We applied the method to evaluate the ecological integrity of shrublands in Nevada, yielding an assessment based on six indicators of ecosystem structure, function, and composition, including resource- and stressor-based indicators measured at multiple scales. Results varied spatially and among indicators. Invasive plant cover and surface development were highest in shrublands in northwest and southeast Nevada. Departure from reference conditions of shrubland area, composition, patch size, and connectivity was highest in central and northern Nevada. Results may inform efforts to control invasive species and restore shrublands on federal lands in Nevada. We suggest that ecological integrity assessments for multiple-use lands be grounded in existing policies and monitoring programs, incorporate resource- and stressor-based metrics, rely on publicly available data collected at multiple spatial scales, and quantify both natural reference and societally desired resource conditions.

Specific Intensity for Peaking: Is Race Pace the Best Option?

BACKGROUND: The peaking period for endurance competition is characterized for a relative increase of the intensity of training, after a longer period of training relatively dominated by lower intensity and higher volume. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to compare physiological and 10 km performance effects of high intensity training (HIT) versus race pace interval training (RP) during peaking for competition in well-trained runners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 13 athletes took part in the study, they were divided into two groups: HIT and RP. HIT performed short intervals at ~105% of the maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), while RP trained longer intervals at a speed of ~90% of the MAV (a speed approximating 10 km race pace). After 12 weeks of baseline training, the athletes trained for 6 weeks under one of the two peaking regimes. Subjects performed 10 km prior to and after the intervention period. The total load of training was matched between groups during the treatment phase. Subjects completed a graded treadmill running test until volitional exhaustion prior to each 10 km race. MAV was determined as the minimal velocity eliciting maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved their 10 km time (35 minutes 29 seconds ± 1 minutes 41 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 55 seconds, P < 0.01 for HIT; 35 minutes 27 seconds ± 1 minutes 40 seconds vs 34 minutes 53 seconds ± 1 minutes 18 seconds P < 0.01 for RP). VO2max increased after HIT (69 ± 3.6 vs 71.5 ± 4.2 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.05); while it didn't for RP (68.4 ± 6 vs 69.8 ± 3 ml.Kg(-1).min(-1), p>0.05). In contrast, running economy decreased significantly after HIT (210 ± 6 ml.Kg(-1).km(-1) vs 218 ± 9, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 6 week period of training at either 105% of MAV or 90% of MAV yielded similar performance gains in a 10km race performed at ~90% MAV. Therefore, the physiological impact of HIT training seems to be positive for VO2max but negative for running economy.

Examination of the newborn: the key skills--Part 4 the testes.

Midwives are increasingly performing the examination of the newborn. In the final of this four-part series, we consider the importance of the examination of the testes in the screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and the testes examination will be explored, along with referral pathways that the National Screening Committee requires, as will be highlighted. The impact of late detection and poor referral of undescended testes on the lives of children and adults will also be considered.

Part 2: The cardiovascular system and congenital heart disease.

Midwives are increasingly performing the examination of the newborn. In the second of a four-part series, this article considers the importance of the cardiovascular examination in the screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and auscultation of the heart will be explored. The necessity for early detection and treatment of congenital cardiac abnormalities, along with the prerequisite referral pathways that the Newborn infant physical examination (NIPE) requires will also be highlighted.

Examination of the newborn: the key skills. Part 3: the hips.

Midwives are increasingly performing the examination of the newborn. his article considers the importance of the examination of the hips in the screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and the hip examination will be explored. The necessity for early detection and treatment of hip abnormalities, along with referral pathways that the National Screening Committee quires will be highlighted. The impact of late detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) on the lives of families and children will also be considered.

Examination of the newborn: the key skills. Part 1. The eye.

Midwives are increasingly performing the examination of the newborn. In the first of a four-part series, this article considers the importance of the eye examination in the screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and the detection of the red reflex will be explored. The necessity for early detection of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts and glaucoma, and the prerequisite referral pathways that the Newborn infant physical examination (NIPE) requires will also be highlighted.

Effects of gradual-elastic compression stockings on running economy, kinematics, and performance in runners.

We investigated the effect of gradual-elastic compression stockings (GCSs) on running economy (RE), kinematics, and performance in endurance runners. Sixteen endurance trained athletes (age: 34.73 ± 6.27 years; VO2max: 62.83 ± 9.03 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1); 38 minutes in 10 km; 1 hour 24 minutes in half marathon) performed in random order 4 bouts of 6 minutes at a recent half-marathon pace on a treadmill to evaluate RE with or without GCSs. Subsequently, 12 athletes were divided into 2 equal groups matched by their VO2max, and they performed a time limit test (T(lim)) on a treadmill at 105% of a recent 10-km pace with or without GCSs for evaluation of physiological responses and running kinematics. There were no significant differences in the RE test in all of the variables analyzed for the conditions, but a moderate reproducibility for some physiological responses was detected in the condition with GCSs. In the T(lim), the group that wore GCSs reached a lower % of maximum heart rate (HRmax) compared with the control group (96.00 ± 2.94 vs. 99.83 ± 0.40) (p = 0.01). Kinematics did not differ between conditions during the T(lim) (p > 0.05). There were improvement trends for time to fatigue (337 vs. 387 seconds; d = 0.32) and a lower VO2peak (≈53 vs. 62 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1); d = 1.19) that were detected with GCSs during the T(lim). These results indicate that GCSs reduce the % of HRmax reached during a test at competition pace. The lower reproducibility of the condition with GCSs perhaps suggests that athletes may possibly need an accommodation period for systematically experiencing the benefits of this garment, but this hypothesis should be further investigated.

European Midwives Project: supervision in action.

Midwives from the European Union are registering with the NMC, enabling them to work in the UK, as their Midwifery training programmes meet the minimum standards required. It has become apparent that although midwives were previously eligible to practise in the UK, they often found it hard to secure employment or they were employed in a supernumery capacity for a period of time until employers and supervisors considered that the midwife was actually fit to practise clinically. In some instances the period of effective registration expired or was about to expire as employment could not be gained and practice hours maintained as required by Post Registration Education and Practice (PREP) (NMC 2008a). The West Midlands Supervisory Authority and Birmingham City University have responded to this problem by providing the European Midwifery Programme.