A Cultural History of Animals (6 Volumes)

ABSTRACT

Handling and training methods of horses, which specially emphasize the importance of understanding horse body language and the use of reinforcements, are often used in practice, yet their effects are not completely known. This study investigated whether the use of a sympathetic approach during the preparation for public auctions influenced the reactivity of young horses towards humans. Sixteen thoroughbred yearlings were prepared for the public auctions during one month: eight horses (“Control”) were handled according to conventional practices, while the others (“Treated”) were handled with two sessions of basic training based on body language. The reactivity of horses was assessed in the presence of an “unfamiliar person” and a “familiar person” inside the horse's box. The experimenter recorded the presence/absence of selected behaviors during seven observational moments: “approaching the box,” “opening the box door,” “entering the box,” and four consecutive observations every thirty seconds. Reactivity of horses was ranked during the first experience of “bit,” “grooming,” “shower,” and application of the “surcingle.” Heart rate was telemetrically recorded during this final test. At the end of the auction preparation, “Treated” horses exhibited more “contact” (p = 0.08) and “lick” (p < 0.05) behaviors in the presence of a person. “Control” horses showed higher (non-significant) percentages of negative (more nervous) rankings during “bit,” “grooming,” and “surcingle” tests. Two “Control” horses showed aggressive behavior during the application of the surcingle and the test was interrupted to guarantee person and animal safety. In this pilot study, horses handled with a sympathetic approach showed less reactive behaviors compared with “Control” horses. It would be interesting to enlarge the sample size and assess if the use of non-coercive handling during the whole training period influences their welfare positively and for a long time.     

A Classroom Simulation to Teach Economic Input−Output Life Cycle Assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) methods and tools are increasingly being taught in university courses. Students are learning the concepts and applications of process-based LCA, input−output-based LCA, and hybrid methods. Here, we describe a classroom simulation to introduce students to an economic input−output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) method. The simulation uses a simplified four-industry economy with eight transactions among the industries. Production functions for the transactions and waste generation amounts are provided for each industry. Students represent an industry and receive and issue purchase orders for materials to simulate the actual purchases of materials within the economy. Students then compare the simulation to mathematical representations of the model. Finally, students view an online EIO-LCA tool ( http://www.eiolca.net ) and use the tool to compare different products. The simulation has been used successfully with a wide range of students to facilitate conceptual understanding of one EIO-LCA method.     

THE ACUTE EFFECT OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON FLEXIBILITY AND EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH OF YOUNG GYMNASTS

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of a single bout of whole body vibration (WBV) on flexibility and explosive strength of lower limbs in young artistic gymnasts. Thirty-two young competitive gymnasts volunteered to participate in this study, and were allocated to either the vibration group or traditional body weight training according to the vibration protocol. The vibration intervention consisted of a single bout of eccentric and concentric squatting movements on a vibration platform that was turned on (vibration group: VG n = 15), whereas the traditional body weight (no vibration) group performed the same training protocol with the WBV device turned off (NVG: n= 17). Flexibility (sit and reach test) and explosive strength tests [squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), and single leg squat (right leg (RL) and left leg (LL))] were performed initially (pre-test), immediately after the intervention (post-test 1), and 15 minutes after the end of the intervention programme (post-test 15). Four 2x3 ANOVAs were used to examine the interaction between group (VG vs NVG) and time (pre, post 1, and post 15) with respect to examined variables. The results revealed that a significant interaction between group and time was found with respect to SJ (p < 0.05). However, no significant interaction between group and time was found with respect to flexibility, CMJ, RL and LL after the end of the intervention programme (p > 0.05). Further, the percentage improvement of the VG was significantly greater in all examined variables compared to the NVG. This study concluded that WBV training improves flexibility and explosive strength of lower limbs in young trained artistic gymnasts and maintains the initial level of performance for at least 15 minutes after the WBV intervention programme.     

An overview of clinical molecular genetics

Clinical molecular genetics has recently become recognized as a diagnostic discipline. This article covers the evolution, structure, and possible forward development of clinical molecular genetics. Topics covered include general test categories, introducing new tests, laboratory facilities, staffing and training, and overview of quality issues.     

Efficient Cooperative Restraint Training With Rhesus Macaques

It is sometimes necessary for nonhuman primates to be restrained during biomedical and psychosocial research. Such restraint is often accomplished using a “primate chair.” This article details a method for training adult rhesus macaques to cooperate with a chair restraint procedure using positive and negative reinforcement. Successful training was accomplished rapidly in approximately 14 training days. The success of this training technique suggests that this method represents a refinement to traditional techniques. Further, this method worked effectively for animals previously deemed unfit for traditional pole-and-collar training.     

Excessive exercise training causes mitochondrial functional impairment and decreases glucose tolerance in healthy volunteers

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Prediction of muscle fiber composition using multiple repetition testing

Direct determination of muscle fiber composition is invasive and expensive, with indirect methods also requiring specialist resources and expertise. Performing resistance exercises at 80% 1RM is suggested as a means of indirectly estimating muscle fiber composition, though this hypothesis has never been validated against a direct method. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the number of completed repetitions at 80% 1RM of back squat exercise and muscle fiber composition. Thirty recreationally active participants’ (10 females, 20 males) 1RM back squat load was determined, before the number of consecutive repetitions at 80% 1RM was recorded. The relationship between the number of repetitions and the percentage of fast-twitch fibers from vastus lateralis was investigated. The number of completed repetitions ranged from 5 to 15 and was independent of sex, age, 1RM, training frequency, training type, training experience, BMI or muscle fiber cross-sectional area. The percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers was inversely correlated with the number of repetitions completed (r = –0.38, P = 0.039). Participants achieving 5 to 8 repetitions (n = 10) had significantly more fast-twitch muscle fibers (57.5 ± 9.5 vs 44.4 ± 11.9%, P = 0.013) than those achieving 11–15 repetitions (n = 11). The remaining participants achieved 9 or 10 repetitions (n = 9) and on average had equal proportion of fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers. In conclusion, the number of completed repetitions at 80% of 1RM is moderately correlated with muscle fiber composition.     

Surface electromyography activity of the rectus abdominis,internal oblique,and external oblique muscles during forced expiration in healthy adults

We aimed to characterize rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle activity in healthy adults under expiratory resistance using surface electromyography. We randomly assigned 42 healthy adult subjects to 3 groups: 30%, 20%, and 10% maximal expiratory intraoral pressure (PEmax). After measuring 100% PEmax and muscle activity during 100% PEmax, the activity and maximum voluntary contraction of each muscle during the assigned experimental condition were measured. At 100% PEmax, the external oblique (p < 0.01) and internal oblique (p < 0.01) showed significantly elevated activity compared with the rectus abdominis muscle. Furthermore, at 20% and 30% PEmax, the external oblique (p < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively) and the internal oblique (p < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively) showed significantly elevated activity compared with the rectus abdominis muscle. At 10% PEmax, no significant differences were observed in muscle activity.Although we observed no significant difference between 10% and 20% PEmax, activity during 30% PEmax was significantly greater than during 20% PEmax (external oblique: p < 0.05; internal oblique: p < 0.01). The abdominal oblique muscles are the most active during forced expiration. Moreover, 30% PEmax is the minimum intensity required to achieve significant, albeit very slight, muscle activity during expiratory resistance.