Effect of strategies to reduce exposure of infants to environmental tobacco smoke in the home : cross sectional survey

Objective To examine parents' reported knowledge and use of harm reduction strategies to protect their infants from exposure to tobacco smoke in the home, and the relation between reported use of strategies and urinary cotinine to creatinine ratios in the infants. Design Cross sectional survey. Settings Coventry and Birmingham. Main outcome measures Parents’ reported knowledge and use of harm reduction strategies and urinary cotinine to creatinine ratios in their infants. Participants 314 smoking households with infants. Results 86% of parents (264/307) believed that environmental tobacco smoke is harmful, 90% (281/314) believed that infants can be protected from it in the home, and 10% (32/314) were either unaware of measures or reported using none. 65% of parents (205/314) reported using two or more measures, but only 18% (58/314) reported not allowing smoking in the home. No difference was found in mean log e transformed urinary cotinine to creatinine ratio in infants from households that used no measures compared with households that used less strict measures. Mean log cotinine to creatinine ratios were significantly different in households banning smoking in the home compared with those using less strict or no measures. Banning smoking in the home was independently associated with a significant reduction in urinary cotinine to creatinine ratio by a factor of 2.6 (1.6 to 4.2) after adjustment for average household cigarette consumption, tenure, and overcrowding. Conclusions Less than a fifth of parents in smoking households ban smoking in the home. Banning smoking was associated with a small but significant reduction in urinary cotinine to creatinine ratio in infants, whereas less strict measures compared with no measures had no effect on the infants’ exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Effects of self-monitoring of heart rate and additional sprint running on exercise intensity and technical performance during small-sided games in soccer.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether relatively simple interventions including self monitoring of heart rate and the use of targeted sprints for those with the lowest relative HR values (%HRmax) could be used to increase exercise intensity during small sided games (SSGs) in soccer. A secondary aim of the study was to assess the effect of these interventions on overall gameplay. Fourteen male semi-professional players performed SSGs (6 vs. 6) under four conditions including a control, a self-monitoring approach where players monitored their own HR via a wristwatch, and two sprint conditions where players with HR values below 90%HRmax performed sprints either during the game or during the recovery period between games. A linear mixed effects model was used to test for main effects whilst accounting for covariances between observations made on the same player. The results identified relatively small but significant differences in average %HRmax (p<0.001) and RPE values (p<0.001) between the three modified conditions and the control. No significant differences were found between any of the modified conditions for measures of exercise intensity. On average, the modified conditions resulted in a 3.7% increase in %HRmax values and a 9.3% increase in RPE. The results from this study demonstrate that exercise intensity of SSGs in soccer can be increased by relatively simple and practical manipulations, the most basic of which requires only the use of inexpensive HR monitors

Di-Higgs final states augMT2ed – Selecting hh events at the high luminosity LHC

Higgs boson self-interactions can be investigated via di-Higgs (pp→hh+X) production at the LHC. With a small O(30) fb Standard Model production cross section, and a large View the MathML source background, this measurement has been considered challenging, even at a luminosity-upgraded LHC. We demonstrate that by using simple kinematic bounding variables, of the sort already employed in existing LHC searches, the dominant View the MathML source background can be largely eliminated. Simulations of the signal and the dominant background demonstrate the prospect for measurement of the di-Higgs production cross section at the 30% level using 3 ab−1 of integrated luminosity at a high luminosity LHC. This corresponds to a Higgs self-coupling determination with 60% accuracy in the View the MathML source mode, with potential for further improvements from e.g. subjet technologies and from additional di-Higgs decay channels

X-Ray and UV Orbital Phase Dependence in LMC X-3

The black-hole binary LMC X-3 is known to be variable on time scales of days to years. We investigate X-ray and ultraviolet variability in the system as a function of the 1.7 day binary phase using a 6.4 day observation with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) from December 1998. An abrupt 14% flux decrease, lasting nearly an entire orbit, is followed by a return to previous flux levels. This behavior occurs twice, at nearly the same binary phase, but it is not present in consecutive orbits. When the X-ray flux is at lower intensity, a periodic amplitude modulation of 7% is evident in data folded modulo the orbital period. The higher intensity data show weaker correlation with phase. This is the first report of X-ray variability at the orbital period of LMC X-3. Archival RXTE observations of LMC X--3 during a high flux state in December 1996 show similar phase dependence. An ultraviolet light curve obtained with the High Speed Photometer aboard the Hubble Space Telescope shows orbital modulation consistent with that in the optical, caused by the ellipsoidal variation of the spatially deformed companion. The X-ray spectrum of LMC X-3 can be acceptably represented by a phenomenological disk-black-body plus a power law. Changes in the spectrum of LMC X-3 during our observations are compatible with earlier observations during which variations in the 2-10 keV flux are tracked closely by the disk geometry spectral model parameter.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, ApJ in pres

Physiological, haematological and performance characteristics of ultra endurance cyclists competing in the inaugural race around Ireland

Ultra-endurance events are a growing area within the sport of cycling. The Race Around Ireland (RAI) is a non-stop event where cyclists must complete the 2,170km route in under 96 hours. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological, haematological and performance characteristics of members of a 4 man team before, during, and after the RAI. Methods: Four trained male cyclists were tested on 2 separate occasions within a 14 day period, with the second bout of testing performed within 7 days of the start of the race, to determine baseline values. Each cyclist completed a maximal incremental test on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer, commencing at 100W and increasing in intensity by 50W every 3 minutes until volitional exhaustion. Heart rate, VO2, power output and blood lactate were measured during the test. Following a standardized recovery period, each cyclist then completed a 20 minute maximal performance test (MPT) designed to mimic the demands of the RAI. Baseline blood samples were taken prior to each testing session to facilitate a detailed haematological analysis. Blood samples were also taken before the start of the race, at set intervals during the race, as well as on the race completion. Subjects were also weighed and urine samples collected at the same time points in order to assess hydration status using urine specific gravity (Usg). Further testing was carried out 7 days (haematology), and 14 days (haematology and MPT) post race. Results: No significant differences were found between the MPT results pre and post race. Significant differences were found for white blood cells (WBC) and granulocyte count (p<0.01), haematocrit, haemoglobin, lymphocytes, and red blood cells (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed for changes in body mass or Usg. Conclusions: Variations in WBC and other immune function markers showed initial decrease followed by a gradual elevation during the race. However this did not seem have an impact on the post race MPT. Although there appears to be a significant change in immune function during ultra endurance cycling, this may not lead to a subsequent performance decrement. However, analysis may be complicated by the specific race tactics adopted by the team during the race and the time course of post race assessment

A sociological framework to reduce aberrant behaviour of school students through increasing school connectedness

A framework for understanding relationships between school connectedness and student aberrant behaviors is outlined that is synthesized from Merton’s insights into anomie and Bernstein’s theory of cultural transmission (which focuses on schools’ instructional methods and students’ internalization of schools’ values). A seven-category classification system identifies students’ risk of nonconformist behavior based upon students acceptance/rejection of dominant overarching cultural aspirations (commonly material prosperity); perception of schools’ role in aspiration realization; responses to schools’ instructional methods; and internalization of schools’ values regarding conduct/character. We propose frustration weakens connectedness and is grounded in students’ perceptions regarding their school’s educational outcomes, degree of acceptance at school, and their school’s values. We then consider student dispersal across schools, and how age may affect students’ categorization and the influence of frustration risk factors. Finally, we discuss how initiatives within school organization, curriculum, and pedagogic practice may promote connectedness among different student categories and their potential adverse consequences

A Longitudinal Study of Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Malaysian School Children

Background: Emotional and behavioral problems (EBD) or mental health problems in children and adolescents are an important public health issue, but there has been no evaluation to date of the extent of such problems in near-developed countries. This study evaluated the prevalence and stability of EBD among children in Malaysia. Methods: This research comprises a longitudinal population-based study that measured the prevalence and 6-month stability of EBD in children aged seven to eight years and thirteen to fourteen years attending public schools in Malaysia based on parents, teachers and children’s (aged 13 to 14 years) report of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at baseline and 6 months later. Findings: The prevalence of EBD in Malaysian school children was 9.3% for teacher-report, 8.5% for parent-report and 3.9% for child-report. There was no significance difference in the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems over six-months for all informants, except for teacher-report Emotional and Conduct problems scores which increased significantly and child-report Total Difficulties and Emotional problems scores which decreased significantly ('p' < 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that the prevalence of EBD among Malaysian children is almost similar to the Western countries and stable over a 6-month period. These findings suggest the need for policy makers in near-developed countries to provide services aimed at preventing EBD and treating children identified as having such problems