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In response to California law (SB 743, Chapter No. 386, Statutes of 2013), school districts are encouraged to use vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as criteria when evaluating the transportation impacts of new school construction, and identify feasible mitigation measures that eliminate or substantially reduce VMT generated by the new construction. To better understand the implications of this new law on school siting decisions, researchers at UC Berkeley analyzed 301 new schools constructed between 2008 and 2018 with respect to four VMT mitigation measures identified by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) known to minimize VMT – proximity to high quality transit areas (HQTA), proximity to roads with bicycle facilities, proximity to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and walkability scores.

California law (SB 743) requires school districts to measure the impact of school construction on the production of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and identify feasible mitigation measures that eliminate or substantially reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) generated. This study analyzes 301 new schools constructed between 2008-2018 with respect to four VMT mitigation measures identified by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) known to minimize VMT (proximity to high quality transit areas, proximity to roads with bicycle facilities, walkability scores, and proximity to electric vehicle charging stations). The analysis reveals mixed findings. Only about 16% of the new schools sited are located within ½ mile from high quality transit. About 65% of new school sites either connected or are close to (.06 miles or less) a bicycle network. Walkability scores varied greatly by location; approximately 60% of new school sites in “city” locales are considered walkable while sites in “rural” areas have low walkability scores. Nearly 60% (179) of new school sites are located within one mile of an EV charger, but only 19% are within one quarter mile.

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has been previously studied as an alternative form of resistance training to gain lean mass and improve performance outcomes. However, in all exercise studies of BFRT, the proportion of female participants represents only 17–29% of all research participants. This highlights a strong underrepresentation of females and the need for more knowledge on the impact of BFRT and sex differences. The primary objective was to compare the impact of 6-week BFRT on lean mass, strength, and performance outcomes between males and females. A total of 38 adults [age, 25.3 ± 3.1 years; female, n = 19 (50%)] performed whole-body resistance training program with blood flow restriction three times per week. Exercises were performed at 30% of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) and blood flow restriction cuffs were set to 60% of each individual's limb occlusion pressure. Body composition was assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and strength was measured using 1-RM. A significant increase in lean mass was observed in males (p = 0.009) and females (p = 0.023) with no difference in the change between groups (p = 0.279). Both males and females increased 1-RM for upper- and lower-body exercises, with significant interaction effects (time x sex) for chest press (p = 0.003), seated row (p = 0.038), knee flexion (p = 0.043), and knee extension (p = 0.035), suggesting males increased 1-RM more for these exercises. Furthermore, peak power was improved in males (p < 0.001) and females (p = 0.002) during a vertical squat jump, but a significant interaction (time x sex) effect was observed (p = 0.039), suggesting males increased to a greater extent. Males and females significantly increased lean body mass, to a similar degree, following six weeks of resistance training in combination with blood flow restriction. Likewise, both males and females improved muscle strength following 6-week BFRT, however males may improve strength to a greater extent than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codesign is an increasingly common term in Indigenous education policy settings. However, it is unclear exactly what it means and how it is enacted. This systematic review examined 15 papers relevant to codesign in the context of Indigenous education, clearly distinguishing between codesign as a process and a method. These papers provide a snapshot of the various ways codesign is conceptualised, enacted as a process and evaluated in Indigenous education settings. In this paper, we respond to these three areas of codesign to inform a more nuanced framework to help policymakers and practitioners in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data exist regarding the impact of exercise intensity on irisin release and its association with insulin sensitivity in individuals of differing obesity status. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of exercise intensity on the acute release of irisin in healthy-weight individuals and individuals with obesity, and whether irisin release during acute exercise was associated with greater insulin sensitivity across obesity status. A randomized controlled crossover study was conducted on 26 non-overweight/obese (non-OW/OB) (BMI: 22.2 ± 1.5 kg/m2) and 26 overweight/obese (OW/OB) (BMI: 33.9 ± 6.5 kg/m2) adults who performed an acute bout of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and rest. Irisin was quantified via ELISA and western blotting, and insulin sensitivity (Si) was estimated using the Matsuda index. OW/OB displayed a significantly lower level of circulating irisin and protein expression compared to non-OW/OB (p < 0.01). Insulin sensitivity was positively correlated with irisin release during MICT and HIIT in non-OW/OB (all p < 0.05), but not in OW/OB. Regarding irisin expression, non-OW/OB with high Si had a 2.03-fold (p < 0.05) increase during HIIT, while OW/OB with high Si had only a 1.54-fold increase (p < 0.05). These results suggest that irisin is released differently according to obesity status and varying exercise intensities. OW/OB individuals have a blunted irisin response to acute exercise and lower baseline irisin concentrations compared to non-OW/OB individuals. Although exercise stimulates irisin release in non-OW/OB individuals, only a greater exercise intensity stimulates irisin release in OW/OB individuals. These findings are clinically relevant, as irisin is associated with greater insulin sensitivity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03514238). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In 2015, Australia and New Zealand treatment guidelines recommended a 2 h paracetamol serum concentration for risk assessment of unintentional paracetamol liquid exposures. We assess our experience with this approach. Methods: Retrospective case review of children <6 years-old with liquid paracetamol overdoses referred to a regional poisons information centre January 2017 to August 2022. We extracted data on the exposure and management from the poisons information centre and hospital medical records. We identified additional cases with two paracetamol concentrations obtained from September 2022 to June 2024. Results: Of 437 paediatric poisonings, 271 were eligible for inclusion. The median age was 24 months, the median time to presentation was 120 min, and paracetamol was the sole ingestant in 92% of cases. Blood testing was recommended in 131 patients (48.3%), occurring at 2 h post-ingestion in 62 patients (47.3%). Testing at a later time was mostly due to delayed presentation, including to hospitals unable to measure paracetamol concentrations. Eighteen patients (16.7%) had repeat blood testing, and five additional cases were identified in the subsequent period. Overall, the concentration decreased in 19 patients (83%), but in three patients it increased, from 73 mg/L to 81 mg/L (0.49–0.54 mmol/L), from 154 mg/L to 179 mg/L (1.03–1.19 mmol/L), and from 56 mg/L to 115 mg/L (0.37–0.77 mmol/L). Symptomatic patients were more likely to receive a second blood test or acetylcysteine while awaiting investigations. Of 19 patients administered acetylcysteine, it was discontinued in five due to low paracetamol serum concentrations. All patients recovered. Discussion: Guidelines were followed in >90% of patients and this testing regimen shortened length of stay. Based on these data, Australian treatment guidelines now recommend repeat testing for 2 h paracetamol serum concentrations >100 mg/L (0.67 mmol/L). Conclusion: A paracetamol serum concentration between 2 h and 4 h post-ingestion in children <6 years-old with unintentional poisonings of paracetamol liquid can facilitate medical discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BDSM as a full-time lifestyle is stigmatised and underexamined as a phenomenon. Previous studies have investigated 24/7 sadomasochism (SM), 24/7 dominance and submission (D/s), or total power exchange (TPE), yet 24/7 BDSM remains under researched. Using a social constructionist and sexual diversity framework, we used insider knowledge to recruit four participants: a female slave/masochist, a male sadist, a female submissive, and a male dominant/protector. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed four superordinate and 10 subordinate themes: routes towards the fundamentals (sexually explicit resources, kink-related experiences), full-on lifestyle (self-in-role, flexible rules, shades of play, polyamory), dynamic consent (honesty, contextual communication), and practicalities (challenges, benefits). Our findings suggested that 24/7 BDSM is a socially constructed, consensual, full-time adherence to kink-related roles and behaviours untethered to time-limited scenes, woven into other life domains, and operating as an umbrella term to encompass other perpetual power dynamics. The themes contribute to the debate of kink as a sexual identity or serious leisure. We concluded that the centrality of self-in-role coupled with leisure features support 24/7 BDSM as an erotic lifestyle. Implications for sexual diversity, sex education, clinical guidelines, and social justice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]