Assessment of shoulder active range of motion in prone versus supine:A reliability and concurrent validity study

Background: As swimming and surfing are prone dominant sports, it would be more sport specific to assess shoulder active range of motion in this position. Objectives: To determine the reliability of the inclinometer and HALO© for assessing shoulder active range of motion in supine and prone and the concurrent validity of the HALO©. Concurrent validity is based on the comparison of the HALO© and inclinometer. To determine if active range of motion (AROM) differences exists between prone and supine when assessing shoulder internal (IR) and external rotation (ER). Design: The design included clinical measurement, reliability and validity. Methods: Thirty shoulders (mean age = 26.8 years) without pathology were evaluated. Measurements were taken in supine and prone with both an inclinometer and HALO© device. Results: Active ER ROM in prone was significantly higher than in supine when using both devices. Intra-rater reliability (within and between session) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values ranged between 0.82–0.99 for both devices in supine and prone. An ICC test revealed a significant (p \u3c 0.01) correlation for both devices in IR and ER movements (ICC3,1 = 0.87 and ICC3,1 = 0.72), respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown prone assessment of active ER and IR ROM to be a reliable and appropriate method for prone dominant athletes (swimmers and surfers). In this study greater ER ROM was achieved in prone compared to supine. This finding highlights the importance of standardizing the test position for initial and follow up assessments. Furthermore the HALO© and inclinometer have been shown to be reliable tools that show good concurrent validity

Clinical methods to quantify trunk mobility in an elite male surfing population

Background: Thoracic mobility in the sagittal and horizontal planes are key requirements in the sport of surfing; however to date the normal values of these movements have not yet been quantified in a surfing population. Objectives: To develop a reliable method to quantify thoracic mobility in the sagittal plane; to assess the reliability of an existing thoracic rotation method, and quantify thoracic mobility in an elite male surfing population. Design: Clinical Measurement, reliability and comparative study. Methods: A total of 30 subjects were used to determine the reliability component. 15 elite surfers were used as part of a comparative analysis with age and gender matched controls. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged between 0.95-0.99 (95% CI; 0.89-0.99) for both thoracic methods. The elite surfing group had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater rotation than the comparative group (mean rotation 63.57° versus 40.80°, respectively). Conclusion: This study has illustrated reliable methods to assess the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane and thoracic rotation. It has also quantified ROM in a surfing cohort; identifying thoracic rotation as a key movement. This information may provide clinicians, coaches and athletic trainers with imperative information regarding the importance of maintaining adequate thoracic rotation. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Retrospective analysis of chronic injuries in recreational and competitive surfers:Injury location, type, and mechanism

Only two studies have reported on chronic musculoskeletal surfing injuries. They found over half of the injuries were non-musculoskeletal, but did not consider mechanisms of injury. This study identified the location, type, and mechanisms of chronic injury in Australian recreational and competitive surfers using a crosssectional retrospective observational design. A total of 1,348 participants (91.3% males, 43.1% competitive surfers) reported 1,068 chronic injuries, 883 of which were classified as major. Lower back (23.2%), shoulder (22.4%), and knee (12.1%) regions had the most chronic injuries. Competitive surfers had significantly (p \u3c .05) more lower back, ankle/foot, and head/face injuries than recreational surfers. Injuries were mostly musculoskeletal with only 7.8% being of non-musculoskeletal origin. Prolonged paddling was the highest frequency (21.1%) for mechanism of injury followed by turning maneuvers (14.8%). The study results contribute to the limited research on chronic surfing injuries

Modelling the removal of an earth bund to maximise seawater ingress into a coastal wetland

Weed infestation is a critical management issue for maintaining the natural values of coastal wetlands across the world. Widespread use of herbicides to control weeds has resulted in environmental issues in the past and has led to the search for more natural control methods such as using saline water. This study investigates management options to restore the natural flow regimes between freshwater wetlands and seawater by removing a bund which was built to grow ponded pasture. The study was carried out in the Mungalla wetland in Queensland, which is an important Nywaigi aboriginal community asset for recreation, cultural and economic activities. The study used modelling and monitoring methods to (a) assess how effective the earth bund was in excluding seawater and (b) the extent to which seawater could enter the wetland without the bund. Eleven scenarios were investigated to estimate seawater ingress under different tide, onshore wind, low atmospheric pressure and sea level rise (SLR) conditions. Results show that removal of the bund reinstated periodic tidal ingress into the wetland. Seawater intrusion was also shown to increase when there were onshore winds and/or low atmospheric pressure associated with cyclones. The greatest impact was under future SLR, where large increases in the inundation frequency and extent are likely to cause a shift in the wetland vegetation towards native salt tolerant species. Findings of this study are useful for examining the potential impact of various management interventions that are being considered for wetland system repair. For example, the removal or height adjustment of tidal barriers, dredging of silted streams, removal of weeds from choked streams and reintroduction of tidal flows to control weed infestation, improve water quality and restore natural values to the wetlands

HIGH YIELD IRRIGATED CORN: IMPLEMENTING RESEARCH AND ADAPTING FOR PROFITABLE PRODUCTION

ABSTRACT Irrigated corn producers on the High Plains are frequently confronted with issues that affect the profitability of their operations. The rapid adoption of new methods and technologies that preserve profitability is important for the economic sustainability of High Plains farmers. Traditional research is one method of identifying best management practices that may improve grower productivity and profitability. However, dissemination and implementation of research across broad geographies can be challenging. The scientific method often precludes investigation across a diverse set of variables common within and across farms. Private industry can augment implementation of scientific methods identified as profitable best management practices by employing resources necessary for wide scale spatial and temporal demonstrations. Furthermore, these investigations can be instrumental in prompt identification of processes and practices that improve producer efficiencies and/or profitability. The work and investigations summarized in this paper will demonstrate the use of spatial and temporal observations to identify best management practices for multiple nitrogen (N) applications through corn development. Also, the extension of university research on P and K starter fertilizer and its adoption and implementation by growers will be discussed

The effect of long term ageing on the autogenous welding of dissimilar austenitic stainless steels

Austenitic stainless steels are used extensively throughout power stations in high temperature applications such as superheater tubes and fuel rod guides. For these applications, welding is often required to join sections of components or pipes/tubes due to their large sizes and lengths. In this paper, samples of a cast niobium stabilised stainless steel welded to a wrought 321 stainless steel were investigated. The sections were joined together using an autogenous Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) weld. The effects of long term ageing at 750°C for up to 4000 hours have been studied. The ageing treatments were conducted in an inert atmosphere. Compositional changes and precipitates have been investigated using SEM with EDX and EBSD analysis. Niobium dissolved completely into the weld melt however it is observed to precipitate back out during long term ageing. Titanium carbonitrides however remained intact during the welding process, creating agglomerated particles throughout the weld bead. Ageing above 100 hours causes further Nb rich MX precipitates to form, which coarsen with longer ageing times up to 4000 hours

ISBS 2018 AUCKLAND CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

The Master of Ceremony Professor Patria Hume will ask delegates to stand at the commencement of the opening for the procession of the dignitaries to the auditorium. Dignitaries will be called into the auditorium via the Māori traditional karanga, and will proceed to their seats. The first formal address will be given by kaihāpai Dr Valance Smith and commence with a Karakia (Blessing) and Mihi Whakatau welcoming dignitaries, guests and delegates to the ISBS 2018 Conference. Derek McCormack, the AUT Vice-Chancellor, will address the assembled company and welcome them to AUT for the conference hosted in partnership by AUT, AUTM, HPSNZ, ATEED and ISBS. The conference logo was designed by Professor Patria Hume and Dr Valance Smith based on: the adaption of the AUT SPRINZ logo (taking steps to research-education-service excellence – sprinting up the NZ fern); and the goals of conference reflected in Māori culture “Te hōkai tapuwae” means “The breadth of stride”. Within the Māori Karakia (prayer) ‘Tenei au tenei au’ is the line ‘te hōkai nei i o taku tapuwae’ – The breadth of stride as Tane ascends to the heavens to retrieve the three baskets of knowledge. This embodies human movement and the pursuit of knowledge – the goals of ISBS. The AUT Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor, in absentia, welcomes the assembled company and encourages them to experience the research-education-service focus at AUT. Mike Stanley, the AUT Millennium (AUT Millennium) Chief Executive & New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) President, will address the assembled company and welcome them to AUTM for the conference applied programme. Michael Scott, the High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) Chief Executive, will address the assembled company and outline the importance of biomechanics and integrated sport science in supporting high performance athletes. Pam Ford, General Manager Economic Development, Auckland Tourism, Events Economic Development (ATEED), will address the assembled company and outline the importance of the conference to Auckland and New Zealand. Thanks will be given to the industry partners for their active contribution to the conference. The Conference Flag Ceremony and Official Opening of the Conference by the ISBS President. The delegates selected to participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremony as they were the first from their country to register for the conference, will proceed to the stage. (We apologise to delegates from countries who do not have a flag represented in the flag bearing ceremony due to logistics). The conference will be officially opened by President Young-Hoo with the unfurling of the ISBS banner. The ISBS President Professor Young-Hoo Kwon will address the assembled company on behalf of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports and its Board of Directors, to welcome delegates to the 36th ISBS Annual Conference and to the city of Auckland. The details of this ISBS 2018 Conference inaugural Presidents Award are confidential until it is awarded. The recipient does not know they are receiving this award. The citation will be read by Dr Laura-Anne Furlong, ISBS Board member. The ISBS President Professor Young-Hoo Kwon and AUT Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack will present the ISBS 2018 conference travel grants to the recipients. NZ$20,000 is being awarded. The Kaikōrero Dr Valance Smith will perform the traditional Māori blessing of the gifts for dignitaries. Master wood carver Jarrod Hume was commissioned to create hand carved pohutukawa, puriri, and kauri (native NZ trees) items for dignitaries. Jarrod reclaimed the wood from fallen trees at Kawau Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. He dried the wood for two years, hand carved each item, and added Pasifika art work of his own creation using pyrography. The AUT kapahaka group, Tītahi ki Tua, will again perform for the assembled company. ISBS Geoffrey Dyson Awardee Professor Hermann Schwameder will be introduced by ISBS President Professor Young-Hoo Kwon. The prestigious Geoffrey Dyson Lecture is an invited presentation given by scientists who have made an outstanding contribution to ISBS and the field of sports biomechanics. As the Industry Partners Representative, Imogen Moorhouse (VICON’S CEO) from the ISBS 2018 Auckland Conference Platinum Industry Partner VICON, will address the assembled company and invite them to the opening Industry Playground Event immediately following the procession of the delegates from the theatre into the Sir Paul Reeves Atrium. The delegates will be requested to rise and remain standing for the procession of the dignitaries from the auditorium. All delegates will then proceed to the Kiwiana Opening Reception in the Sir Paul Reeves Atrium, where they will be greeted by Kelly Sheerin, and Alex Muir from VICON, on behalf of the industry partner medallists participating in the Playing Field Events

‘A glimmer of hope’: perceptions, barriers, and drivers for medicinal cannabis use amongst Australian and New Zealand people with endometriosis – a qualitative study

Previous quantitative research has shown that cannabis use, mostly illicit, is used for symptom management amongst those with endometriosis living in Australia or New Zealand, but the drivers and barriers for use of legal, medicinal cannabis in this population are currently unclear. This study sought to investigate, via online focus groups, the perceptions, barriers, drivers, and experiences associated with cannabis use, whether legal or illicit, amongst 37 Australians and New Zealanders, aged 18–55, with a medical diagnosis of endometriosis. Previous cannabis usage was not required to participate. Discussion topics included strategies employed to manage symptoms, exploration of current medications, previous use of cannabis for pain management, and interest in using medicinal cannabis as a management strategy. Participants with moderate-to-severe symptoms of medically diagnosed endometriosis reported inadequacies with their current medical and self-management strategies and were inclined to try medicinal cannabis, both as part of their medical management and as part of a clinical trial. Barriers to medicinal cannabis adoption identified in this cohort included high costs of legal cannabis products, lack of clarity and fairness in current roadside drug testing laws and workplace drug testing policies, concern over the impact of stigma affecting familial, social and workplace life domains, and subsequent judgement and the lack of education/engagement from their medical providers regarding cannabis use. Given the interest in medicinal cannabis and the reported lack of effective symptom management, clinical trials are urgently required to determine the potential role that medicinal cannabis may play in reducing the symptoms of endometriosis

Digital volunteer networks and humanitarian crisis reporting

Digital technologies and big data are rapidly transforming humanitarian crisis response and changing the traditional roles and powers of its actors. This article looks at a particular aspect of this transformation – the appearance of digital volunteer networks – and explores their potential to act as a new source for media coverage, in addition to their already established role as emergency response supporters. I argue that digital humanitarians can offer a unique combination of speed and safe access, while escaping some of the traditional constraints of the aid-media relationship and exceeding the conventional conceptualizations of citizen journalism. Journalists can find both challenges and opportunities in the environment where multiple crisis actors are assuming some of the media roles. The article draws on interviews with humanitarian organizations, journalists, and digital volunteer networks about their understanding of digital humanitarian communication and its significance for media coverage of crises