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As a growing number of aquatic organisms become imperiled due to anthropogenic and environmental threats, there is an increasing need to implement captive propagation programs to conserve some species. These captive propagation programs can aid in the recovery of species, such as for Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka, by providing individuals that can be used to supplement wild populations. The Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program implemented a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan to evaluate adult recruitment using three juvenile release strategies from excess eggs of captive females. Hatchery‐produced eyed eggs, presmolts, and smolts were released into the upper Salmon River basin to increase the abundance of individuals expressing an anadromous life history as a way to support population augmentation. A mixed‐effects logistic regression model used to evaluate egg‐to‐adult returns between release strategies indicated that release strategies differed from one another. Full‐term smolt production was observed to produce the highest recruitment among the release strategies and has become the focus of recovery efforts involving juvenile releases. The estimated odds of a fish (egg) returning as an adult were 9.7 times greater for smolts reared at the Oxbow Fish Hatchery and 3.6 times greater for smolts reared at the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery relative to eggs that were hatchery reared and released as presmolts or placed into in‐lake incubator boxes. The variation observed in productivity and in expression of life history traits among release strategies indicates that juvenile releases are not one size fits all, and we recommend undertaking a similar assessment to match observed outcomes with desired objectives when initiating supplementation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated general and LGBTQ-specific factors associated with having a current mental health problem, use of mental health services, suicide risk and self-harm in 1948 LGBTQ university students (ages 16-25) who took part in the Youth Chances community study in the UK. In multivariate logistic regression, factors associated with all four outcomes were female gender, sexual abuse, other abuse or violence, and being transgender. Further factors that were significantly associated with one or more of the outcomes included: being bisexual; thinking they were LGBTQ under the age of 10; coming out as LGBTQ under the age of 16; not feeling accepted where they live; having no out staff at university and experiencing LGBTQ-related crime. In addition to general risk factors, negative experiences relating to being LGBTQ may be associated with the increased risk for mental health problems, suicide risk and self-harm in LGBTQ students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little research has compared the mental health and victimization experiences of non-binary youth depending on their sex assigned at birth (SAAB), or compared these two groups with binary transgender youth. Aims: To compare mental health, self-harm and suicidality, substance use and victimization experiences between non-binary and binary transgender young adults, both male assigned at birth (MAAB) and female assigned at birth (FAAB). Methods: Online survey data from 677 participants from the "Youth Chances" community study of 16 to 25 year olds in the United Kingdom was analyzed, comparing across binary participants (transgender females (n = 105) and transgender males (n = 210)) and non-binary participants (MAAB (n = 93) and FAAB (n = 269)). Results: Female SAAB participants (binary and non-binary) were more likely to report a current mental health condition and history of self-harm than male SAAB participants (binary and non-binary). Similarly, female SAAB participants (binary and non-binary) were more likely to report childhood sexual abuse than male SAAB participants (binary and non-binary); the reverse pattern was found for lifetime physical assault relating to being LGBTQ. Non-binary MAAB participants were less likely than the other groups to report past suicide attempts and previous help-seeking for depression/anxiety. Binary participants reported lower life satisfaction than non-binary participants. For all four groups, mental health problems, self-harm, suicidality, alcohol use and victimization experiences were generally higher than that of youth in general population studies. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering both non-binary versus binary gender identity and SAAB in relation to mental health problems, self-harm, suicidality and substance use in transgender youth. The roles of sexual abuse, other abuse and discrimination in contributing to increased rates of mental illness and self-harm in non-binary and binary transgender individuals, particularly those who were assigned female at birth, relative to those assigned male, require investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife and humans are increasingly competing for resources worldwide, and a diverse, innovative, and effective set of management tools is needed. Controlling abundance of wildlife species that are simultaneously protected, abundant, competitive for resources, and in conflict with some stakeholders but beloved by others, is a daunting challenge. Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) present such a conundrum and managers struggle for effective tools for regulating their abundance. Controlling reproduction of female horses presents a potential alternative. During 2009–2017, we determined the long-term effectiveness of GnRH vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) both as a single immunization and subsequent reimmunization on reproduction and side effects in free-ranging horses. At a scheduled management roundup in 2009, we randomly assigned 57 adult mares to either a GonaCon-Equine treatment group (n = 29) or a saline control group (n = 28). In a second roundup in 2013, we administered a booster vaccination to these same mares. We used annual ground observations to estimate foaling proportions, social behaviors, body condition, and injection site reactions. We found this vaccine to be safe for pregnant females and neonates, with no overt deleterious behavioral side effects during the breeding season. The proportion of treated mares that foaled following a single vaccination was lower than that for control mares for the second (P = 0.03) and third (P = 0.08) post-treatment foaling seasons but was similar (P = 0.67) to untreated mares for the fourth season, demonstrating reversibility of the primary vaccine treatment. After two vaccinations, however, the proportion of females giving birth was lower (P <0.001) than that for control mares for three consecutive years and ranged from 0.0–0.16. The only detectable adverse side effect of vaccination was intramuscular swelling at the vaccination site. Regardless of vaccine treatment (primary/secondary), approximately 62% (34/55) of immunized mares revealed a visible reaction at the vaccine injection site. However, none of these mares displayed any evidence of lameness, altered gait or abnormal range of movement throughout the 8 years they were observed in this study. Our research suggests that practical application of this vaccine in feral horses will require an initial inoculation that may provide only modest suppression of fertility followed by reimmunization that together could result in greater reduction in population growth rates over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme space weather events, while rare, can have a substantial impact on our technologically-dependent society. And, although such events have only occasionally been observed, through careful analysis of a wealth of space-based and ground-based observations, historical records, and extrapolations from more moderate events, we have developed a basic picture of the components required to produce them. Several key issues, however, remain unresolved. For example, what limits are imposed on the maximum size of such events? What are the likely societal consequences of a so-called "100-year" solar storm? In this review, we summarize our current scientific understanding about extreme space weather events as we follow several examples from the Sun, through the solar corona and inner heliosphere, across the magnetospheric boundary, into the ionosphere and atmosphere, into the Earth's lithosphere, and, finally, its impact on man-made structures and activities, such as spacecraft, GPS signals, radio communication, and the electric power grid. We describe preliminary attempts to provide probabilistic forecasts of extreme space weather phenomena, and we conclude by identifying several key areas that must be addressed if we are better able to understand, and, ultimately, predict extreme space weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus) completely protect intracellular tissue pH (pH) despite large reductions in extracellular (blood) pH (pH), termed preferential pH regulation, in response to elevated environmental PCO (hypercarbia) and in general appear to be relatively resilient to stressors. Preferential pH regulation is thought to be associated with hypercarbia tolerance in general, but has also recently been observed to protect pH against metabolic acidoses induced by exhaustive exercise and anoxia in a tropical air breathing catfish. We hypothesized that preferential pH regulation may also be a general strategy of acid-base regulation in sturgeon. To address this hypothesis, severe acidoses were imposed to reduce pH, and the presence or absence of preferential pH regulation was assessed in red blood cells (RBC), heart, brain, liver and white muscle. A respiratory acidosis was imposed using hyperoxia, while metabolic acidoses were induced by exhaustive exercise, anoxia or air exposure. Reductions in pH occurred following hyperoxia (0.15 units), exhaustive exercise (0.30 units), anoxia (0.10 units) and air exposure (0.35 units); all acidoses reduced RBC pH. Following hyperoxia, heart, brain and liver pH were preferentially regulated against the reduction in pH, similar to hypercarbia exposure. Following all metabolic acidoses heart pH was protected and brain pH remained unchanged following exhaustive exercise and air exposure, however, brain pH was reduced following anoxia. Liver and white muscle pH were reduced following all metabolic acidoses. These results suggest preferential pH regulation may be a general strategy during respiratory acidoses but during metabolic acidoses, the response differs between source of acidoses and tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance in mice typically does not manifest as diabetes due to multiple compensatory mechanisms. Here, we present a novel digenic model of type 2 diabetes in mice heterozygous for a null allele of the insulin receptor and an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced alternative splice mutation in the regulatory protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subunit PPP2R2A. Inheritance of either allele independently results in insulin resistance but not overt diabetes. Doubly heterozygous mice exhibit progressive hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired glucose tolerance from 12 weeks of age without significant increase in body weight. Alternative splicing of Ppp2r2a decreased PPP2R2A protein levels. This reduction in PPP2R2A containing PP2A phosphatase holoenzyme was associated with decreased serine/threonine protein kinase AKT protein levels. Ultimately, reduced insulin-stimulated phosphorylated AKT levels were observed, a result that was confirmed in Hepa1-6, C2C12, and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells knocked down using Ppp2r2a small interfering RNAs. Altered AKT signaling and expression of gluconeogenic genes in the fed state contributed to an insulin resistance and hyperglycemia phenotype. This model demonstrates how genetic changes with individually small phenotypic effects interact to cause diabetes and how differences in expression of hypomorphic alleles of PPP2R2A and potentially other regulatory proteins have deleterious effects and may therefore be relevant in determining diabetes risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory fishes encounter a variety of environmental conditions, including changes in salinity, temperature and dissolved gases, and it is important to understand how these fishes are able to acclimate to multiple environmental stressors. The gill is the primary site of both acid–base balance and ion regulation in fishes. Many ion transport mechanisms involved with acid–base compensation are also required for the regulation of plasma Na+ and Cl+, the predominant extracellular ions, potentially resulting in a strong interaction between ionoregulation and acid–base regulation. The present study examined the physiological interaction of elevated dissolved CO2 (an acid–base disturbance) on osmoregulation during seawater acclimation (an ionoregulatory disturbance) in juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Blood pH (pHe), plasma [HCO3−], [Na+], [Cl−] and osmolality, white muscle water content, and gill Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) and Na+/K+/2Cl− co-transporter (NKCC) abundance were examined over a 10 day seawater (SW) acclimation period under normocarbia (NCSW) or during prior and continued exposure to hypercarbia (HCSW), and compared with a normocarbic freshwater (NCFW) control. Hypercarbia induced a severe extracellular acidosis (from pH 7.65 to pH 7.2) in HCSW sturgeon, and these fish had a 2-fold greater rise in plasma osmolarity over NCSW by day 2 of SW exposure. Interestingly, pHe recovery in HCSW was associated more prominently with an elevation in plasma Na+ prior to osmotic recovery and more prominently with a reduction in plasma Cl− following osmotic recovery, indicating a biphasic response as the requirements of osmoregulation transitioned from ion-uptake to ion-excretion throughout SW acclimation. These results imply a prioritization of osmoregulatory recovery over acid–base recovery in this period of combined exposure to acid–base and ionoregulatory disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high level of aerobic fitness and the ability to repeat high-intensity aerobic efforts are key physical qualities that are thought to underpin success in many field sports. Accordingly, methods to improve both these qualities are of interest to strength & conditioning coaches training field sport athletes. This article details a number of methods to develop these qualities and describes their practical implementation and integration into the Preparation training for field sport athletes. While Small-sided games (SSG) may be popular, especially with elite field sport athletes, the extent of the overload provided with SSG is less quantifiable without GPS technology. It is proposed that training using high intensity methods based upon each athlete's individual Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) score should form the fundamental basis of training to improve these qualities, especially in the Preparation period. Specifically Long Intervals (LI, 60-s to 180+- s at 90% to 100% MAS) and Maximal grids (alternating 15-s at 100% MAS with 15-s at 70% MAS) train the ability to sustain high intensity efforts for a longer time limit. Progression to the Supramaximal methods such as Eurofit and Tabata (at 120+% MAS for 15-s to 20-s with either a 1:1 or 2:1 work:rest ratio, respectively) then help to develop higher levels of MAS and the ability to repeat high intensity efforts. A coherent progression and integration of these methods into the General Preparation phase should precede the use of SSG as the primary conditioning tool. However, once in the Specific Preparation phase or In-season Period, any of the methods described above can be combined with SSG, skills and tactical training to maintain the energy system fitness and enhance the skill and tactical preparation of field sport athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Duration of efficacy and prevalence of side-effects associated with GonaCon Immunocontraceptive Vaccine (GonaCon) in free-ranging female elk ( Cervus elaphus) are unknown. In January 2008, we captured 120 mature female elk in Rocky Mountain National Park (CO, USA), determined pregnancy status, and randomly assigned them to treated ( n = 60; 1.5 mL of GonaCon) or control ( n = 60; 1.5 mL of saline) groups. During the following 3 winters we recaptured, collected blood for antibody concentrations, and euthanized 10-20 elk in each group. At necropsy, we determined pregnancy and collected tissues from organs associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We relocated injection sites, collected muscle tissue, and performed bacterial culture when inflammation was present. Proportion of pregnant elk among control females ranged from 0.75 to 0.90. Proportion pregnant after treatment with GonaCon was 0.00 (95% CI = 0.0-0.22) in year 1, 0.31 (CI = 0.09-0.61) in year 2, and 0.65 (CI = 0.41-0.85) in year 3. Antibody concentrations were higher in non-pregnant than pregnant treated females. We found no antemortem evidence of lameness or swelling at the injection site; however, at necropsy all treated females had pyogranulomatous inflammation at the injection site. We observed no consistent changes within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We conclude that GonaCon is effective at reducing pregnancy for 1-2 years post-vaccination and is strongly associated with sterile inflammation at the site of injection. Similar to other species, the vaccine is less effective in elk under free-ranging conditions than those in a captive environment. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic stress on natural systems, particularly the fragmentation of landscapes and the extirpation of predators from food webs, has intensified the need to regulate abundance of wildlife populations with management. Controlling population growth using fertility control has been considered for almost four decades, but nearly all research has focused on understanding effects of fertility control agents on individual animals. Questions about the efficacy of fertility control as a way to control populations remain largely unanswered., Collateral consequences of contraception can produce unexpected changes in birth rates, survival, immigration and emigration that may reduce the effectiveness of regulating animal abundance. The magnitude and frequency of such effects vary with species-specific social and reproductive systems, as well as connectivity of populations. Developing models that incorporate static demographic parameters from populations not controlled by contraception may bias predictions of fertility control efficacy., Many population-level studies demonstrate that changes in survival and immigration induced by fertility control can compensate for the reduction in births caused by contraception. The most successful cases of regulating populations using fertility control come from applications of contraceptives to small, closed populations of gregarious and easily accessed species., Fertility control can result in artificial selection pressures on the population and may lead to long-term unintentional genetic consequences. The magnitude of such selection is dependent on individual heritability and behavioural traits, as well as environmental variation., Synthesis and applications. Understanding species' life-history strategies, biology, behavioural ecology and ecological context is critical to developing realistic expectations of regulating populations using fertility control. Before time, effort and funding are invested in wildlife contraception, managers may need to consider the possibility that many species and populations can compensate for reduction in fecundity, and this could minimize any reduction in population growth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a position stand from the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) on resistance training for children and youth. It states that when appropriately performed, resistance training is a safe and effective exercise to be engaged by children and youth but children should receive comprehensive instruction on gymnasium safety. The injuries associated with resistance training, the use of resistance training to prevent sports-related injuries, and legal cases involving resistance training and children, are also discussed.

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