Funded Articles Copyright (c) 2013 Grand Valley State University All rights reserved. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles Recent documents in Funded Articles en-us Wed, 08 May 2013 01:35:12 PDT 3600 Born at the Wrong Time: Selection Bias in the NHL Draft http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/13 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/13 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:20 PDT Relative age effects (RAEs) occur when those who are relatively older for their age group are more likely to succeed. RAEs occur reliably in some educational and athletic contexts, yet the causal mechanisms remain unclear. Here we provide the first direct test of one mechanism, selection bias, which can be defined as evaluators granting fewer opportunities to relatively younger individuals than is warranted by their latent ability. Because RAEs are well-established in hockey, we analyzed National Hockey League (NHL) drafts from 1980 to 2006. Compared to those born in the first quarter (i.e., January– March), those born in the third and fourth quarters were drafted more than 40 slots later than their productivity warranted, and they were roughly twice as likely to reach career benchmarks, such as 400 games played or 200 points scored. This selection bias in drafting did not decrease over time, apparently continues to occur, and reduces the playing opportunities of relatively younger players. This bias is remarkable because it is exhibited by professional decision makers evaluating adults in a context where RAEs have been widely publicized. Thus, selection bias based on relative age may be pervasive.

]]> Robert O. Deaner et al. Effects of Lift Velocity on Muscle Activation During Leg Extension http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/12 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/12 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:19 PDT It is not known if manipulating velocity within a prescribed resistance training mode will improve muscle activation. Muscle activations of the Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Vastus Medialis (VM) and Bicep Femoris (BF) were examined during a leg extension exercise at 3 different velocities on 15 subjects (10men, 5 female, Age = 21.5 ± 1.8 yrs, Height = 171.2 ± 12.5 cm, Mass = 75.5 ± 16.3 kg). Trials of 1 set of 10 repetitions at 60% of 1RM, were performed at 15, 30 and 60º/s. Bipolar surface electrodes were placed over the BF, RF, VL, and VM. Micro-switches were utilized to identify the concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) phases of the lift. Data were sampled at 1024 Hz, filtered, rectified and the mean, integrated EMG calculated. One 2 x 4 x 3 (action x muscle x velocity) ANOVA with bonferonni adjustment was run and significance was followed by Tukey HSD post hoc analysis. Results indicated significantly greater activation of the VL, RF and VM for ECC extension at 60º/s compared to 15º/s. While 60º/s was also greater than 30º/s for the VL and VM during ECC. While comparing muscle action, CON VL, VM and RF were greater than ECC at 30º/sec, meanwhile VM CON was also greater at 15º/sec. No differences in muscle activation at any velocity or muscle action for BF were identified. We conclude that muscle recruitment while training with a 60% 1RM load is maximized at a velocity of 60º/s during ECC activity and 15 or 30º/sec during CON.

]]> Brian Hatzel et al. Hope in Environmental Philosophy http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/11 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/11 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:17 PDT Ecological philosophy requires a significant orientation to the role of hope in both theory and practice. I trace the limited presence of hope in ecological philosophy, and outline reasons why environmental hopelessness is a threat. I articulate and problematize recent environmental publications on the topic of hope, the most important worry being that current literature fails to provide the necessary psychological grounding for hopeful action. I turn to the psychology of hope to provide direction for conceptualizing hope and actualizing hoped for states of affairs. If positive moral action is the goal, hope is a vital concept for underwriting ecological philosophy and a practice requiring considerably more attention.

]]> Lisa Kretz Belief Ascriptions and Social Externalism http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/10 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/10 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:16 PDT I outline Brandom’s theory of de re and de dicto belief ascriptions, which plays a central role in Brandom’s overall theory of linguistic communication, and show that this theory offers a surprising, new response to Burge’s (Midwest Stud 6:73–121, 1979) argument for social externalism. However, while this response is in principle available from the perspective of Brandom’s theory of belief ascription in abstraction from his wider theoretical enterprise, it ceases to be available from this perspective in the wider context of his inferential role semantics and his doctrines of scorekeeping and of the expressive role of belief ascriptions in discourse. In this wider context, Brandom’s theory of belief ascriptions implies that Burge’s argument trivially fails to have the disquieting implications for psychological explanations that it is widely taken to have. Yet since this is not trivially so, Brandom’s theory apparently provides a false picture of our practice of interpreting belief ascriptions. I then argue that Brandom might as well accept the alternative picture of interpreting belief ascriptions that Burge’s argument presupposes: even in the context of his overall project, Brandom’s take on our practice of interpreting them does not afford belief ascriptions with the discursive significance Brandom claims they have.

]]> Ronald Loeffler Deglaciation Explains Bat Extinction in the Caribbean http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/9 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/9 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:14 PDT Ecological factors such as changing climate on land and interspecific competition have been debated as possible causes of postglacial Caribbean extinction. These hypotheses, however, have not been tested against a null model of climate- driven postglacial area loss. Here, we use a new Quaternary mammal database and deep-sea bathymetry to estimate species–area relationships (SARs) at present and during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) for bats of the Caribbean, and to model species loss as a function of area loss from rising sea level. Island area was a significant predictor of species richness in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles at all time periods, except for the Lesser Antilles during the LGM. Parameters of LGM and current SARs were similar in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles, but not the Lesser Antilles, which had fewer estimated species during the LGM than expected given their size. Estimated postglacial species losses in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles were largely explained by inferred area loss from rising sea level in the Holocene. However, there were more species in the Bahamas at present, and fewer species in the smaller Greater Antilles, than expected given island size and the end-Pleistocene/ early Holocene SARs. Poor fossil sampling and ecological factors may explain these departures from the null. Our analyses illustrate the importance of changes in area in explaining patterns of species richness through time and emphasize the role of the SAR as a null hypothesis in explorations of the impact of novel ecological interactions on extinction.

]]> Lilian M. Dávalos et al. Hybrid Watermilfoil Lineages are More Invasive and Less Sensitive to a Commonly used Herbicide than their Exotic Parent (Eurasian watermilfoil) http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/8 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/8 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:13 PDT Hybridization may stimulate the evolution of invasiveness in human-impacted habitats if unique hybrid genotypes have higher fitness than parental genotypes. Human efforts to control invasive taxa frequently involve the intentional alteration of habitats, but few studies have considered whether hybridization can result in decreased sensitivity to control measures. Here, we investigate whether interspecific hybrids between introduced Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and native northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum) are more invasive than parental Eurasian watermilfoil, especially in regard to their relative responses to an herbicide commonly applied for their control (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; 2,4-D). In two separate laboratory experiments, hybrids on average grew faster and were less sensitive to 2,4-D compared with parental Eurasian watermilfoil. These two invasive traits appear to be common in hybrid watermilfoils, as opposed to being restricted to a few unique lineages, because they were found in a diversity of hybrid genotypes from several independent hybridization events. In addition, we found that hybrids occurred more frequently than parental species in natural lakes previously treated with 2,4-D. Our results provide compelling empirical evidence that hybridization is associated with the evolution of increased invasiveness in watermilfoils, and have important implications for their management.

]]> Elizabeth A. LaRue et al. An Assessment of Long-term Biosand Filter use and Sustainability in the Artibonite Valley near Deschapelles, Haiti http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/7 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/7 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:11 PDT A non-randomized assessment of long-term biosand filter (BSF) use and sustainability in the Artibonite Valley near Deschapelles, Haiti was conducted during March, 2011. Of the 55 BSFs visited, 47% were no longer in use. Filter lifespan ranged from <1 year to systems still in use after 12 years. Interviews with BSF owners revealed problems related to intermittent filter use due to travel for employment or personal matters; broken or missing filter parts; and fears that the filter would not be effective against cholera. In addition, 17 BSF field studies were reviewed to identify common issues impacting usage. Culturally appropriate technologies and education materials explaining proper maintenance and operation are essential for improved filter performance and sustainability. For Haiti, education materials should be provided in Creole and French and should include, (1) diagrams and descriptions of how the BSF works, (2) how to troubleshoot common problems, (3) how to properly maintain filters, and (4) a contact in case of questions. Operational problems can be minimized by providing long-term technical support, periodic water quality monitoring, and maintenance assistance for filter users.

]]> Andrew J. Sisson et al. Using ArcMap, Google Earth, and Global Positioning Systems to Select and Locate Random Households in Rural Haiti http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/6 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/6 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:10 PDT Background: A remote sensing technique was developed which combines a Geographic Information System (GIS); Google Earth, and Microsoft Excel to identify home locations for a random sample of households in rural Haiti. The method was used to select homes for ethnographic and water quality research in a region of rural Haiti located within 9 km of a local hospital and source of health education in Deschapelles, Haiti. The technique does not require access to governmental records or ground based surveys to collect household location data and can be performed in a rapid, cost-effective manner.

Methods: The random selection of households and the location of these households during field surveys were accomplished using GIS, Google Earth, Microsoft Excel, and handheld Garmin GPSmap 76CSx GPS units. Homes were identified and mapped in Google Earth, exported to ArcMap 10.0, and a random list of homes was generated using Microsoft Excel which was then loaded onto handheld GPS units for field location. The development and use of a remote sensing method was essential to the selection and location of random households.

Results: A total of 537 homes initially were mapped and a randomized subset of 96 was identified as potential survey locations. Over 96% of the homes mapped using Google Earth imagery were correctly identified as occupied dwellings. Only 3.6% of the occupants of mapped homes visited declined to be interviewed. 16.4% of the homes visited were not occupied at the time of the visit due to work away from the home or market days. A total of 55 households were located using this method during the 10 days of fieldwork in May and June of 2012.

Conclusions: The method used to generate and field locate random homes for surveys and water sampling was an effective means of selecting random households in a rural environment lacking geolocation infrastructure. The success rate for locating households using a handheld GPS was excellent and only rarely was local knowledge required to identify and locate households. This method provides an important technique that can be applied to other developing countries where a randomized study design is needed but infrastructure is lacking to implement more traditional participant selection methods.

]]> Peter J. Wampler et al. Long-Term Field Performance of Biosand Filters in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/5 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/5 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:09 PDT A field study assessing the sustainability and efficacy of 55 biosand filters installed during 1999–2010 was conducted in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti during 2011. Twenty-nine filters were still in use. Duration of filter use ranged from < 1 to 12 years. Water quality, microbial analysis, and flow rate were evaluated for each functioning filter. Kaplan- Meier analysis of filter lifespans showed that filter use remained high (> 85%) up to seven years after installation. Several filters were still in use after 12 years, which is longer than documented in any previous study. Filtered water from 25 filters (86%) contained Escherichia coli concentrations of < 10 most probable number of coliforms/100 mL. Recontamination of stored filtered water was negligible. Bacterial removal efficiency was 1.1 log10. Comparable results from previous studies in the same region and elsewhere show that biosand filter technology continues to be an effective and sustainable water treatment method in developing countries worldwide.

]]> Andrew J. Sisson et al. Comparison of Neurobehavioral Effects of Methylmercury Exposure in Older and Younger Adult zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/4 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/4 Mon, 06 May 2013 11:50:07 PDT It is widely recognized that the nature and severity of responses to toxic exposure are age-dependent. Using active avoidance conditioning as the behavioral paradigm, the present study examined the effect of short-term methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on two adult age classes, 1- and 2-year-olds to coincide with zebrafish in relatively peak vs. declining health conditions. In Experiment 1, 2-year-old zebrafish were randomly divided into groups and were exposed to no MeHg, 0.15% ethanol (EtOH), 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, or 0.3 mM of MeHg (in 0.15% ethanol) for 2 weeks. The groups were then trained and tested for avoidance responses. The results showed that older zebrafish exposed to no MeHg or EtOH learned and retained avoidance responses. However, 0.01 mM or higher concentrations of MeHg exposure impaired avoidance learning in a dose-dependent manner with 0.3 mM of MeHg exposure producing death during the exposure period or shortly after the exposure but before the avoidance training. In Experiment 2, 1-yearold zebrafish were randomly divided into groups and were exposed to the same concentrations of MeHg used in Experiment 1 for 2 weeks. The groups were then trained and tested for avoidance responses. The results showed that younger zebrafish exposed to no MeHg, EtOH, or 0.01 mM of MeHg learned and retained avoidance responses, while 0.1 or 0.3 mM of MeHg exposure impaired avoidance learning in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggested that MeHg exposure produced learning impairments at a much lower concentration of MeHg exposure and more severely in older adult compared against younger adult zebrafish even after short exposure times.

]]> Xiaojuan Xu et al. Initial Plant Growth in Sand Mine Spoil Amended with Peat Moss and Fertilizer Under Greenhouse Conditions: Potential Species for Use in Reclamation http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/3 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/3 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:07:51 PDT The Great Lakes Basin exhibits the largest collection of freshwater sand dunes in the world. Sand dunes are ecologically important and support a unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sand dunes are also economically valuable. However, when sand dunes are mined, soil quality is drastically reduced. Therefore, soil quality improvements followed by revegetation maybe necessary for successful reclamation. This study evaluates the germination and initial growth of 2 legume species, sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) and Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), and 2 warm-season grass species, Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), in the presence of 2 soil amendments (inorganic fertilizer and sphagnum peat moss) added to spoil from a local sand mine. We sowed species in pots and propagated them under greenhouse conditions. Results indicate that sundial lupine and Illinois bundleflower exhibited the greatest germination and growth among species. Peat moss had the greatest overall impact on germination and growth while the addition of fertilizer positively affected initial growth. Based on these results, sundial lupine is recognized as a primary candidate for sand mine reclamation, while Illinois bundleflower is also recommended as an appropriate species for revegetation efforts. We recommend using soil amendments that are functionally equivalent to peat in increasing soil water holding capacity. We further suggest that fertilization may be accomplished by including legumes in plant species mixes used for revegetation. Results presented here may help to identify appropriate species and soil amendments for the reclamation of former sand mines or restoration of freshwater sand dunes.

]]> Todd A. Aschenbach et al. EMG Activation of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis During Four Rehabilitative Exercises http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/2 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/2 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:07:40 PDT The purpose of this study was to compare four common rehabilitation exercises used in physical therapy clinics for activating the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL). Thirty-four subjects, aged 22-28 years, without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) (18 females and 16 males) were recruited. Subjects performed four exercises—straight leg raise with neutral and externally rotated hip positions (SLRN, SLRER), and short arc quad with neutral and externally rotated hip positions (SAQN, SAQER). The integrated electromyographic (iEMG) activity of the VMO and VL and were recorded, with means of the VMO, VL and VMO/VL compared across exercises. No significant difference was found for the VMO/VL ratio across the four exercises (p=0.147). However, for the VMO and VL individually, a significant difference was found (p=0.0001), SAQER was significantly greater than SLRN and SLRER; SAQN was significantly greater than SLRN and SLRER.

These findings suggest that exercises including short arc quad knee extensions are more effective for both the VMO and VL activation than those incorporating straight leg raises, and potentially more beneficial in the rehabilitation of patients with PFPS.

]]> Debra Kushion et al. Possible Effects of the Presence of Common Household Chemicals in the Environment: The Growth of an Aquatic Bacterial Species on High Concentrations of Caffeine http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/1 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/oapsf_articles/1 Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:07:30 PDT Caffeine is a prevalent chemical in the environment, often being found in aquatic ecosystems. Past studies have shown that some bacterial species can metabolize caffeine, but little research has been done to study the effect of different caffeine concentrations on the growth of the bacteria. The goal of the current study is to gain a better understanding of how aquatic bacteria, which have been selected for growth on caffeine, utilize caffeine as a source of carbon. To study the effect of caffeine concentrations on bacterial growth, we isolated a bacterium from an aquarium that had been exposed to caffeine. The organism was able to grow on both solid and liquid media containing only caffeine and potassium phosphate buffer. Colonies formed on caffeine concentrations as low as 300 mg/L and up to 20,000 mg/L. However, caffeine concentrations at 20,000 mg/L began to inhibit the growth of the organism. The DNA sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated the organism belongs to the Pseudomonas putida bacterial group. Our results indicate that aquatic microbiota can effectively utilize a wide range of environmental concentrations of caffeine as a nitrogen and carbon source.

]]> Adrienne M. Gibson et al.