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Simulation-based education plays a pivotal role in various high-stakes fields, notably in healthcare, where simulation technicians are crucial for the effective operation of simulation technology. Currently, these roles are often filled by healthcare professionals who transition from patient care, exacerbating shortages in the healthcare workforce. This editorial addresses the current gap by proposing an alternative solution, creating educational pathways for undergraduate students in science and health science programs to become "simulation assistants". Leveraging their foundational knowledge in biological and physical sciences, research skills, and attributes developed through health sciences programs, these students could support simulation activities while entering an ever-evolving field with copious growth opportunities. Paralleling the historical development of medical laboratory sciences, which saw the creation of distinct roles for technologists and assistants, the editorial suggests a collaborative model wherein simulation technicians and assistants work together to enhance simulation-based education in the healthcare sector. This paradigm shift has the potential to alleviate the growing healthcare personnel shortages. While acknowledging the challenges, the editorial envisions the transformative impact of integrating simulation assistants into the healthcare workforce, echoing the historical evolution of specialized roles in response to the changing demands of healthcare.

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Individuals may opt to follow a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, such as religious practices, health benefits or concerns for animal or environmental welfare. Such diets offer a broad spectrum of health benefits including aiding in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. In addition to health benefits, a plant-based diet may provide performance-enhancing effects for various types of exercise due to high carbohydrate levels and the high concentration of antioxidants and phytochemicals found in a plant-based diet. However, some plant-based foods also contain anti-nutrional factors, such as phytate and tannins, which decrease the bioavailability of key nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and protein. Thus, plant-based diets must be carefully planned to ensure adequate intake and absorption of energy and all essential nutrients. The current narrative review summarizes the current state of the research concerning the implications of a plant-based diet for health and exercise performance. It also outlines strategies to enhance the bioavailability of nutrients, sources of hard-to-get nutrients, and sport supplements that could interest plant-based athletes.

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Tracer dyes are often used as surrogates to characterize pesticide spray drift and it is assumed that they accurately reflect analytical measurement of active ingredients; however, the validity of this assumption remains inconclusive. Consequently, the influence of measurement technique on the magnitude of deposition of spray drift was investigated using spray drift samples evaluated by traditional analytical techniques (HPLC-MS/MS) and fluorimetry (1,3,6,8-pyrene-tetra sulfonic acid tetrasodium salt dye tracer). The experiment was conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel under controlled meteorological conditions. The herbicide mesotrione was sprayed through three spray air induction nozzles (anvil deflector flat fan TTI11004; flat fan AI11004; flat fan AIXR11003). Spray drift deposition samples were collected using stainless steel discs pairs placed side by side in the center of the wind tunnel at distances of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 ft (1.5, 3.1, 6.1, 9.1, and 12.2 m) from the spray nozzle. The analytical technique determined pesticide concentration on one disc per pair, and the other was evaluated by fluorimetry. The experimental results, analyzed using the linear split-split plot model, revealed that median deposition concentrations were 15% higher using the tracer dye fluorescence method relative to the analytical method, potentially due in part to procedural recovery inefficiencies of the analytical method (the mean overall procedural recovery result and RSD was 87% ± 6.4% (n = 12). This relationship was consistent and held true for the three nozzle types at all distances within the wind tunnel. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

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Peer mentorship is an effective approach for delivering health promotion programs that may be particularly useful among underrepresented populations. Advancing the peer-led approach, the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (IYMP) is a communal-led program rooted in Indigenous values aimed at the promotion of healthy lifestyles in children and youth. The program includes layers of multi-age mentoring (i.e., elementary students, high school student mentors, and young adult health leaders [YAHLs]) and incorporates three core components: physical activity, healthy eating, and cultural teachings. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore elementary student, mentor, and YAHL experiences in an urban IYMP offering. Eleven sharing circles were conducted; six with elementary students (n = 23; grade 4 and 5 students), two with mentors (n = 3; students enrolled in a grade 10 wellness girls class), and three with YAHLs (n = 6; undergraduate university students). Focus groups were also held with respective school teachers and principals. An inductive content analysis generated three themes that represent the perceived impacts of this urban IYMP offering: (1) Fostering Wellness, (2) Strengthening Meaningful Connections, and (3) Exploring Leadership. Findings are positioned within a communal mentorship framework that is circular and multi-directional. By bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, this program offering supports Indigenous cultural relevance in an urban-based wellness program.

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A field-scale, spray drift study with atrazine was conducted to simultaneously measure spray drift deposition, airborne interception and corresponding biological effects on two sensitive plant species (cucumber and lettuce). Applications of AAtrex 4L (atrazine) were made using ultra-coarse nozzles (TeeJet TTI11004) under worst-case drift potential conditions of bare soil and high wind speeds (i.e. >10 mph; >16 kph). This study was replicated 4 times, each with two parallel spray swaths (92.5 ft or 28 m per swath) perpendicular to wind direction. Within each replicate application, three sampling lines were used to measure drift deposition (using stainless-steel discs) at distances out to 400 ft (122 m), airborne interception (using stainless-steel rods) at distances out to 75 ft (23 m), and potential direct plant effects at 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 ft (1.5, 4.6, 7.6, 10.7, and 13.7 m) from the downwind edge of the spray swath. Corresponding upwind control discs and plants were also included in each replicate. Each replicate application targeted steady wind speeds between 10 and 15 mph (16 and 24 kph) within a 30-degree angle of the downwind field orientation. On average, each 10% increase in distance from the spray zone resulted in approximately 14% less ground-deposited atrazine. Between 7 and 41× more atrazine mass was collected from vertical rods (airborne drift), compared to horizontally placed stainless-steel discs (ground deposition). Cucumber and lettuce plants exposed to spray drift were monitored for biological effects over 21 days post-application according to standard protocols. Endpoints of survival, weight (biomass), and shoot length were evaluated by comparing distance groups to up-wind controls. Overall, when trials were combined, the aggregate lowest observable effect distance (LOED) was 5-ft (1.5 m) and the aggregate no observable effects distance (NOED) was 15-ft (4.6 m), with cucumbers affected more than lettuce.

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BACKGROUND: The association of long term combined hormone based contraceptives (CHC) use on bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) development remains controversial, as it appears that the relationship may be age-dependent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term associations of CHC exposure on the accrual of bone parameters from adolescence into young-adulthood. METHODS: 110 women (67 exposed to CHC) were drawn from the Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study (PBMAS). Serial measures of total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMC and aBMD were assessed by DXA (a total of 950 scans) and aligned by biological age (BA, years from peak height velocity [PHV]). Multilevel random effects models were constructed to assess the time dependent associations between annual CHC exposure and the development of bone parameters. RESULTS: After BA, height, lean tissue mass, fat mass, calcium and vitamin D intake, and physical activity were controlled, it was observed that those individuals exposed to CHC 6-years post PHV developed significantly less (-0.00986 ± 0.00422 g/cm2) TB aBMD than their non CHC exposed peers. Additionally, there were significant BA by CHC exposure interactions, where CHC exposure 6-years or more post PHV resulted in developing less TB BMC (-4.94 ± 2.41 g), LS BMC (-0.29 ± 0.11 g) and LS aBMD (-0.00307 ± 0.00109 g/cm2). One year after the attainment of PHV, CHC users were predicted to have 1.2% more TB BMC, 3.8% more LS BMC and 1.7% more LS aBMD than non-users. At 9-years post PHV the predicted differences showed that CHC users had 0.9% less TB BMC and 2.7% less LS BMC and 1.6% less LS BMD than those not exposed to CHC. CONCLUSIONS: CHC may not hinder the development of BMC or aBMD during adolescence; however, exposure 6-years or more after PHV may be detrimental.

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INTRODUCTION: Competitive female athletes restrict energy intake and increase exercise energy expenditure frequently resulting in ovarian suppression. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ovarian suppression and energy deficit on swimming performance (400-m swim velocity). METHODS: Menstrual status was determined by circulating estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in ten junior elite female swimmers (15-17 yr). The athletes were categorized as cyclic (CYC) or ovarian-suppressed (OVS). They were evaluated every 2 wk for metabolic hormones, bioenergetic parameters, and sport performance during the 12-wk season. RESULTS: CYC and OVS athletes were similar (P > 0.05) in age (CYC = 16.2 ± 1.8 yr, OVS = 17 ± 1.7 yr), body mass index (CYC = 21 ± 0.4 kg·m, OVS = 25 ± 0.8 kg·m), and gynecological age (CYC = 2.6 ± 1.1 yr, OVS = 2.8 ± 1.5 yr). OVS had suppressed P4 (P < 0.001) and E2 (P = 0.002) across the season. Total triiodothyronine (TT3) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) were lower in OVS (TT3: CYC = 1.6 ± 0.2 nmol·L, OVS = 1.4 ± 0.1 nmol·L, P < 0.001; IGF-1: CYC = 243 ± 1 µg·mL, OVS = 214 ± 3 µg·mL P < 0.001) than CYC at week 12. Energy intake (P < 0.001) and energy availability (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in OVS versus CYC. OVS exhibited a 9.8% decline in Δ400-m swim velocity compared with an 8.2% improvement in CYC at week 12. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian steroids (P4 and E2), metabolic hormones (TT3 and IGF-1), and energy status markers (EA and EI) were highly correlated with sport performance. This study illustrates that when exercise training occurs in the presence of ovarian suppression with evidence for energy conservation (i.e., reduced TT3), it is associated with poor sport performance. These data from junior elite female athletes support the need for dietary periodization to help optimize energy intake for appropriate training adaptation and maximal sport performance.

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The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pesticide multiresidue methods were systematically tested for the analysis of aminocyclopyrachlor, a new synthetic auxin herbicide. Results revealed that these procedures are not suitable, highlighting the need for a publicly available residue method for this new active ingredient. Such a method has been developed and is reported herein for aminocyclopyrachlor residue analysis in vegetation, including white pine, Norway spruce, grass forage, and grass hay. Aminocyclopyrachlor residues were purified from plant tissue extracts by filtration through SPE cartridges with strong anion exchange stationary phases and analyzed using LC/MS/MS. This method was validated at five laboratories across the United States; their results were compared to evaluate reproducibility and ruggedness. The method LOQ was 0.01 mg/kg (ppm) and the LOD 0.003 mg/kg (ppm) for the matrixes tested. A qualitative procedure to confirm the molecular identity of residues based on retention time measurements and ion transition peak area ratios (m/z 214 --> 681m/z 214 --> 101) is also presented.

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OBJECTIVE: To examine the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in competitive cross-country skiers with disabilities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparisons using a select group of Canadian athletes training for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. SETTING: Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, Canmore, Alberta. PARTICIPANTS: Nine competitive cross-country skiers (4 with visual impairment, 1 with traumatic brain injury, 3 with spinal cord injury, and 1 with cerebral palsy). INTERVENTIONS: Three-minute and 12-minute exercise tests in the standing or sitting skiing position to voluntary fatigue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiorespiratory responses using a telemetric system to compare the physiologic responses among the athletes with different disabilities. Heart rate (HR) and capillary lactate were measured at 2, 5, and 10 minutes of recovery. RESULTS: The t test results indicated that the peak values of the absolute and relative oxygen uptake (VO2peak), HR, and ventilation rate were significantly higher during the 12-minute compared with the 3-minute protocol during standing skiing. However, the oxygen pulse and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen ratio were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between the 2 protocols. Analysis of variance revealed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the 3 trials for these peak physiologic responses during sitting skiing. Cross-sectional comparisons of the peak physiologic responses between the standing and sitting skiers indicated significantly (P < 0.05) higher values in the standing compared with the sitting position. Cardiorespiratory respiratory efficiency was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the sitting compared with the standing position. HR during 10 minutes of recovery was significantly correlated with VO2peak. Pearson correlations were not significant between VO2peak and lactate removal during recovery. CONCLUSION: These descriptive findings during the standing and sitting skiing protocols provide preliminary data that would be useful in testing, training, and classification of competitive skiers with disabilities.

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An analytical method is presented for the determination of chlorantraniliprole residues in crops. Chlorantraniliprole residues were extracted from crop matrixes with acetonitrile after a water soak. The extracts were passed through a strong anion-exchange (SAX) SPE cartridge stacked on top of a reversed-phase (RP) polymer cartridge. After both cartridges were rinsed and vacuum-dried, the SAX cartridge was removed, and chlorantraniliprole was eluted from the RP polymer cartridge with acetonitrile. The acetonitrile eluate was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, and analyzed using an LC/MS/MS instrument equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. The method was successfully validated at 0.010, 0.10, and 10 mg/kg for the following crop matrixes: potatoes, sugar beets (tops), lettuce, broccoli, soybeans, soybean forage, tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, apples, pears, peaches, almonds (nutmeat), rice grain, wheat grain, wheat hay, corn stover, alfalfa forage, cottonseed, grapes, and corn grain. The average recoveries from all crop samples fortified at the method LOQ ranged from 91 to 108%, with an overall average recovery of 97%. The average recoveries from all crop samples fortified at 10 times the method LOQ ranged from 89 to 115%, with an overall average recovery of 101%. For all of the fortified control samples analyzed in this study, the overall average recovery was 99%.

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The heat shock response involves activation of heat shock transcription factor 1 (Hsf1) followed by the rapid synthesis of the protective heat shock proteins (Hsps). To determine if the stress experienced during streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes altered the heat shock response, male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 33; 280-300 g) were assigned to 4 groups: (1) control, (2) diabetic (30 days after 55 mg/kg STZ i.v.), (3) heat stressed (42 degrees C for 15 minutes), and (4) diabetic heat-stressed group (heat stressed 42 degrees C for 15 minutes, 30 days after 55 mg/kg STZ i.v.). The content of Hsp72, Hsp25, and Hsf1 in skeletal muscles, heart, kidney, and liver was assessed by Western blotting, while electrophoretic mobility shift gel analysis was used to assess Hsf activation. Without heat stress, the constitutive expression of Hsp25, Hsp72, and Hsf1 in tissues from diabetic animals and controls was similar. However, 24 hours following heat stress, the heart, kidney, and liver from diabetic animals showed an increased Hsp72 and Hsp25 content compared to the same tissues from heat-stressed nondiabetic animals (P < 0.05). The white gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles from heat-stressed animals (diabetic and nondiabetic) both showed significant and similar elevations in Hsp72 content. Interestingly, while all muscles from nondiabetic animals showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in Hsp25 content after heat stress, no increase in Hsp25 content was detected in muscles from heat-stressed diabetic animals. As expected, Hsf activation was undetectable in all tissues from non-heat-stressed animals but was detectable in tissues from both diabetic and nondiabetic animals following heat stress with the exception of diabetic skeletal muscle, where it was attenuated. Hsf1 content was unaltered in all tissues examined except in the white gastrocnemius muscles from heat-stressed diabetic animals, where it was undetectable. These results suggest that when tissues from STZ-induced diabetic animals are heat stressed, the Hsp/stress response is altered in a tissue-specific manner. This impaired ability to activate the stress response may explain, at least in part, the selective atrophy of certain muscles or muscle fiber types during diabetes.

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This study assessed body composition of Division I football players (n = 69) and compared the findings with previously reported data to ascertain whether the increase in player total body mass that has been observed over the past 10 years has been accompanied by an increase in body fat. Body composition was determined by hydrostatic weighing and the measurement of skinfold thicknesses. Total body mass, skinfold thicknesses, and body fat were greater in the current players than in players in studies conducted in the early 1980s and early 1990s. Body fat varied significantly across playing position, with the defensive backs, offensive backs, and receivers being the leanest and the offensive linemen and tight ends the most fat. There was no significant relationship between body composition and playing year or scholarship status, nor were any differences observed between ethnic groups. Of important clinical relevance was the finding that the linemen (offensive, defensive) and tight ends were on average greater than 25% body fat, the borderline for obesity in this age group. Much of this fat was deposited in the abdominal region, a significant finding when one considers the high correlation between abdominal obesity and ischemic heart disease and stroke. The current findings suggest that more attention needs to be given to the nature of the increase in body mass being achieved by today's football player to minimize long-term negative health consequences, and the findings reemphasize the need identified in earlier studies of the importance of detraining programs for these athletes.

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