The Olympic Games and sponsorship legacy: The case of Sydney 2000

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sponsorship legacy experienced by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) after hosting the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. A multi-layered theoretical framework based on the work of Daellenbach, Davies and Ashill (2006) forms the foundation of this analysis. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with 14 executives, who were specifically associated with sponsorship and the Sydney Games. The findings indicate the positive impact hosting the Games had on the AOCs profile and credibility in the sport industry. Conversely, the research found that the AOCs post Olympic sponsorship projections for the years 2001- 2004 were overly optimistic with less than half of the forecasted A$60 million revenue stream being achieved

Cavity-enhanced Ramsey spectroscopy at a Rydberg-atom–superconducting-circuit interface

The coherent interaction of Rydberg helium atoms with microwave fields in a λ/4 superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator has been exploited to probe the spectral characteristics of an individual resonator mode. This was achieved by preparing the atoms in the 1s55s 3S1 Rydberg level by resonance enhanced two-color two-photon excitation from the metastable 1s2s 3S1 level. The atoms then traveled over the resonator in which the third harmonic microwave field, at a frequency of ωres=2π×19.556 GHz, drove the two-photon 1s55s 3S1 → 1s56s 3S1 transition. By injecting a sequence of Ramsey pulses into the resonator and monitoring the coherent evolution of the Rydberg state population by state-selective pulsed electric field ionization as the frequency of the microwave field was tuned, spectra were recorded that allowed the resonator resonance frequency and quality factor to be determined with the atoms acting as microscopic quantum sensors

Asteroid impact, not volcanism, caused the end-Cretaceous dinosaur extinction

The Cretaceous/Paleogene mass extinction, 66 Ma, included the demise of non-avian dinosaurs. Intense debate has focused on the relative roles of Deccan volcanism and the Chicxulub asteroid impact as kill mechanisms for this event. Here, we combine fossil-occurrence data with paleoclimate and habitat suitability models to evaluate dinosaur habitability in the wake of various asteroid impact and Deccan volcanism scenarios. Asteroid impact models generate a prolonged cold winter that suppresses potential global dinosaur habitats. Conversely, long-term forcing from Deccan volcanism (carbon dioxide [CO2]-induced warming) leads to increased habitat suitability. Short-term (aerosol cooling) volcanism still allows equatorial habitability. These results support the asteroid impact as the main driver of the non-avian dinosaur extinction. By contrast, induced warming from volcanism mitigated the most extreme effects of asteroid impact, potentially reducing the extinction severity

Preparation of circular Rydberg states in helium with n ≥ 70 using a modified version of the crossed-fields method

Circular Rydberg states with n = 70 have been prepared in helium using a modified version of the crossed-fields method. This approach to the preparation of high-n circular Rydberg states overcomes limitations of the standard crossed-fields method which arise at this, and higher, values of n. The experiments were performed with atoms traveling in pulsed supersonic beams that were initially laser photoexcited from the metastable 1s2s³S₁ level to the 1s73s³S₁ level by resonance-enhanced two-color two-photon excitation in a magnetic field of 16.154 G. These excited atoms were then polarized using a perpendicular electric field of 0.844 V/cm, and transferred by a pulse of microwave radiation to the state that, when adiabatically depolarized, evolves into the n = 70 circular state in zero electric field. The excited atoms were detected by state-selective electric field ionization. Each step of the circular state preparation process was validated by comparison with the calculated atomic energy-level structure in the perpendicular electric and magnetic fields used. Of the atoms initially excited to the 1s73s³S₁ level, ∼ 80% were transferred to the n = 70 circular state. At these high values of n, Δn = 1circular-to-circular Rydberg state transitions occur at frequencies below 20 GHz. Consequently, atoms in these states, and the circular state preparation process presented here, are well suited to hybrid cavity QED experiments with Rydberg atoms and superconducting microwave circuits

Activity of different desoximetasone preparations compared to other topical corticosteroids in the vasoconstriction assay

Introduction: We report on a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, single-center confirmatory study with random assignment. The purpose of the study was to investigate the topical bioavailability of different topical corticosteroid formulations in healthy human beings focussing on desoximetasone (DM). Materials and Methods: Two DM 0.25% formulations {[}ointment (DM-o) and fatty ointment (DM-fo, water-free); class III corticosteroids], the corresponding active ingredient-free vehicles and three comparators of different strength {[}clobetasol propionate 0.05% (CP 0.05%), fatty ointment, class IV; hydrocortisone (HC) 1%, fatty ointment, class I, and betamethasone (BM) 0.05%, fatty ointment, class III] were tested using the vasoconstriction assay. The degree of vasoconstriction (blanching) in the treatment field was compared to the one found in untreated control fields using chromametric measurements and clinical assessment. Results/Conclusion: DM-o 0.25%, DM-fo 0.25% and BM 0.05% showed similar vasoconstrictive potential, i.e., clear blanching. In fact, both DM preparations were proven to be non-inferior to BM 0.05%, while CP 0.05% was found a little less active. HC 1.0% and the DM vehicles showed no clear-cut vasoconstrictive effect. No adverse events related to the study medications were observed. Good topical bioavailability of both DM formulations was detected by chromametric measurement and clinical assessment. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Application of the Phenomenex EZ:faast™ amino acid analysis kit for rapid gas-chromatographic determination of concentrations of plasma tryptophan and its brain uptake competitors

The Phenomenex EZ:faast™ amino acid analysis kit is available for gas (GC) or liquid (LC) chromatographic analysis of amino acids (AA) using mass spectrometry (MS) and other GC detectors. We used it for rapid GC determination of plasma tryptophan, its brain uptake competitors (Val, Leu, Ile, Phe and Tyr) and many other amino acids. Based on solid-phase extraction, this fast method enables one person to process two plasma samples in 8–10 min and six samples in ∼15 min up to GC injection and a 7-min GC run per plasma sample. Using a Perkin-Elmer Clarus 500 GC, a Total Chrome software, a flame-ionisation detector (FID) and norvaline as internal standard, we used this method to analyse ∼1,000 plasma samples from normal subjects undergoing acute tryptophan depletion and loading tests. The limit of detection for most amino acids is 1 nmol/ml (1 μM) and in many cases less. With manual injection, coefficients of variation for the above six amino acids were 1.5–6.2% (intra-assay) and 3.8–9.7% (inter-assay). This simple, rapid and elegant method will be valuable to the amino acid analyst and researcher, as it can save much manpower time and meet urgent emergency requests and the demands of a high-throughput laboratory

The attachments of the anteromedial and posterolateral fibre bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament: Part 1: tibial attachment.

Accepted versio

The theory of international business: the role of economic models

This paper reviews the scope for economic modelling in international business studies. It argues for multi-level theory based on classic internalisation theory. It present a systems approach that encompasses both firm-level and industry-level analysis

Development of guidelines for giving community presentations about eating disorders: a Delphi study

Background: Concerns exist around how to talk about eating disorders (EDs) due to evidence that suggests discussing ED symptoms and behaviours may cause or worsen symptoms in vulnerable people. Using expert consensus, we developed a set of guidelines for giving safe community presentations about EDs. Methods: Participants with professional ED expertise, and people with lived experience of an ED, were recruited for a Delphi study. N = 26 panel members rated 367 statements for both a) inclusion in guidelines, and b) their potential to be helpful (increase knowledge, reduce stigma) or harmful (increase stigma, cause/worsen ED symptoms). After each round of the study, statements were classified as endorsed, re-rate, or not endorsed. Results: 208 statements were endorsed by the panel over three rounds. 13 statements were strongly endorsed in the first round, with both people with lived experience and professionals agreeing it is important for presentations to include information on etiology of EDs and to promote help-seeking. Several statements had a high level of disagreement between those with lived experience and professionals, including the idea that presentations should suggest dieting is likely to result in weight gain. Discussion: The experts were able to develop consensus on a wide range of issues. Panel members, particularly people with lived experience, were sensitive to aspects of presentations that may be harmful to an audience. The guidelines fill an important gap in the literature and provide guidance to those educating the public about EDs; they should, however, be further evaluated to test their efficacy

The association between family and community social capital and health risk behaviours in young people: an integrative review

Background: Health risk behaviours known to result in poorer outcomes in adulthood are generally established in late childhood and adolescence. These ‘risky’ behaviours include smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use and sexual risk taking. While the role of social capital in the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people has been explored, to date, no attempt has been made to consolidate the evidence in the form of a review. Thus, this integrative review was undertaken to identify and synthesise research findings on the role and impact of family and community social capital on health risk behaviours in young people and provide a consolidated evidence base to inform multi-sectorial policy and practice.<p></p> Methods: Key electronic databases were searched (i.e. ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts) for relevant studies and this was complemented by hand searching. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and data was extracted from the included studies. Heterogeneity in study design and the outcomes assessed precluded meta-analysis/meta-synthesis; the results are therefore presented in narrative form.<p></p> Results: Thirty-four papers satisfied the review inclusion criteria; most were cross-sectional surveys. The majority of the studies were conducted in North America (n=25), with three being conducted in the UK. Sample sizes ranged from 61 to 98,340. The synthesised evidence demonstrates that social capital is an important construct for understanding the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people. The different elements of family and community social capital varied in terms of their saliency within each behavioural domain, with positive parent–child relations, parental monitoring, religiosity and school quality being particularly important in reducing risk.<p></p> Conclusions: This review is the first to systematically synthesise research findings about the association between social capital and health risk behaviours in young people. While providing evidence that may inform the development of interventions framed around social capital, the review also highlights key areas where further research is required to provide a fuller account of the nature and role of social capital in influencing the uptake of health risk behaviours.<p></p&gt