CP violation and neutrino mass ordering at the T2K experiment

T2K is a long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment studying the oscillation of Vμ to Ve over the 295 km baseline between the J-PARC accelerator and the Super-Kamiokande water Cherenkov detector. A 3-flavour, 5 sample v/v joint analysis on the Run 1-9 dataset is performed to measure the neutrino CP phase, ꝺ, where values other than zero and nπ imply a difference in the oscillation of neutrinos and antineutrinos. The 2σ confidence level allowed interval when applying the constraint on sin2(Ɵ13) from reactors in normal mass ordering is [-2:966;-0:628] and for inverted mass ordering is [-1:799;-0:979]. Thus, CP conservation is rejected at 2σ, a world leading measurement. Differences in event rates are expected for different true values of the neutrino mass ordering and thus T2K has some sensitivity to the neutrino mass ordering. A 3-flavour, 5 sample v/v joint analysis on the Run 1-9 dataset is performed to measure the neutrino mass ordering. No strong evidence against either mass ordering hypothesis is observed

Nutritional peak week and competition day strategies of competitive natural bodybuilders

Bodybuilders utilize peaking strategies in a bid to fine-tune their aesthetics for competition day. The most prevalent peaking strategies utilized by natural bodybuilders are unreported in the current literature. Eighty-one (M - 59, F - 22) natural bodybuilders were recruited from competitions during the 2016 and 2017 British Natural Bodybuilder Federation seasons. Competitors completed a 34-item questionnaire designed to investigate peaking and contest day strategies. The questionnaire listed commonly utilized peaking strategies and provided additional space for qualitative information. Analysis of the data indicated that carbohydrate (CHO), water and sodium manipulation were the most commonly utilized peak week strategies. The consumption of high glycemic index CHO was the most common competition day strategy. Only 6.2 % of competitors reported following their regular diet the week prior to competition. The CHO manipulation strategies were similar to classical CHO loading, whereby bodybuilders attempt to maximize muscle glycogen concentrations. Furthermore, bodybuilders attempted to remove superfluous water by exploiting the diuretic/polyuria effect associated with water loading/restriction. The potentially deleterious effects of peaking on bodybuilders' health is considered and the efficacy of these strategies to enhance appearance is discussed. The findings of the present investigation are likely to be of interest to bodybuilders and their coaches

A case study series of the health status and key anthropometry in very large strength athletes.

Strongmen are characterised by the large mass they use to perform feats of strength, but the effect this large mass has on the athlete's health is unknown. The aim of this study was to: characterise a group of strongmen and to compare observed values with established parameters for good health. We measured resting metabolic rate, body composition, skinfolds, lipid profiles, fasted glucose, blood pressure, power output, and grip strength in six competitive strongmen over six months. Blood pressure varied, with three of the strongmen recording hypertensive values. Fasted blood glucose levels aligned with values for healthy adults, but cholesterol/lipid profiles were more variable, suggesting that values are generally poorer in strongmen than in healthy adults. The large body mass of the strongmen corresponded with a large amount of adipose tissue, which may incur risk for non-communicable disease. Furthermore, the risk of disease may be further compounded by anabolic steroid use. Dietary considerations are made for protecting cardiovascular health and the potential for 'healthy' weight gain. To our knowledge this is the first such nested cohort study in the area of strongmen competitors. Larger studies are needed to confirm and further elucidate this data. The article also suggests considerations for protecting the health of competitive strongmen

Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Markers of Oxidative Stress But Not Muscle Soreness After Eccentric Exercise

Peer reviewedPostprin

Nutritional strategies of British professional and amateur natural bodybuilders during competition preparation

Background: To prepare for competition, bodybuilders employ strategies based around: energy restriction, resistance training, cardiovascular exercise, isometric "posing", and supplementation. Cohorts of professional (PRO) natural bodybuilders offer insights into how these strategies are implemented by elite competitors, and are undocumented in the scientific literature. Methods: Forty-seven competitors (33 male (8 PRO, 25 amateur (AMA), 14 female (5 PRO, 9 AMA) participated in the study. All PROs were eligible to compete with the Drug Free Athletes Coalition (DFAC), and all AMAs were recruited from the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation (BNBF). Competitors in these organisations are subject to a polygraph and are drug tested in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency. We report the results of a cross-sectional study of drug free bodybuilders competing at BNBF qualifying events, and the DFAC and World Natural Bodybuilding Federation finals. Participants completed a 34-item questionnaire assessing dietary intake at three time points (start, middle and end) of competition preparation. Participants recorded their food intake over a 24-h period in grams and/or portions. Dietary intakes of PRO and AMA competitors were then compared. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test if nutrient intake changed over time, and for associations with division. Results: Male PROs reported significantly (p < 0.05) more bodybuilding experience than AMAs (PRO: 12.3 +/- 9.2, AMA: 2.4 +/- 1.4 yrs). Male PROs lost less body mass per week (PRO: 0.5 +/- 0.1, AMA: 0.7 +/- 0.2%, p < 0.05), and reported more weeks dieting (PRO: 28.1 +/- 8.1, AMA: 21.0 +/- 9.4 wks, P = 0.06). Significant differences (p < 0.05) of carbohydrate and energy were also recorded, as well as a difference (p = 0.03) in the estimated energy deficit (EED), between male PRO (2.0 +/- 5.5 kcal) and AMA (- 3.4 +/- 5.5 kcal) competitors. Conclusions: Longer diets and slower weight loss utilized by PROs likely contributed towards a lower EED compared to the AMAs. Slower weight loss may constitute an effective strategy for maintaining energy availability and muscle mass during an energy deficit. These findings require corroboration, but will interest bodybuilders and coaches

Formal total synthesis of (±)-conduramine E utilising the Bryce-Smith-Gilbert photoamination reaction

Utilising a Bryce-Smith-Gilbert photoamination of benzene as a key step, a synthesis of ()-conduramine E was carried out. A highly regioselective dihydroxylation of a cyclic diene was effected utilising Sharpless AD-mix-b

Efficacy of methylcobalam in to normalise elevated homocysteine of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians: a double blind placebo control study

Vegetarians are known to be deficient in vitamin B12, due to a lack of dietary animal products,which can elevate plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). Elevated total tHcy can render vegetarians susceptible to cardiovascular disease (CVD).There are a limited number of published studies in relation to the efficacy of methylcobalamin to normalise plasma tHcy of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians.The primary objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between supplementary oral methylcobalamin and levels of tHcy of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians; to reduce the risk of developing primary CVD. A randomised double blind placebo controlled pilot study was conducted to monitor and analyse baseline and post treatment levels of plasma tHcy, 49 volunteer vegetarians were recruited to participate in this study. Statistical analysis employing SPSS software indicated that methylcobalamin reduced mean baseline plasma tHcy of 15.5 μmolL-1 (n=39) to a mean plasma tHcy level of 8.4 μmolL-1 (P < 0.001). In a second group that contained details of ten withdrawn participants, which was conducted on an ‘Intention to Treat’ (ITT) basis, indicated that methylcobalamin was shown to be reduced from a mean baseline plasma tHcy of 14.7 μmolL-1(n=49)to a mean plasma tHcy level of 9.1 μmolL-1 (P < 0.001).The findings of the study have the potential to alert vegetarians of the possible risk of becoming vitamin B12 deficient, and to help avoid the risk of developing homocysteine related CVD. The quality data obtained in the study will allow an accurate sample size to be calculated for a future definite clinical study

An investigation into the pragmatic diets of vegetarianism: the results of a pilot study

Published recommended various classifications of vegetarian diets are widespread across the globe, but few published articles if any report on the types of foods actually consumed by vegetarians in general. The primary objective was to elucidate this aspect of vegetarianism, analysis of food consumption over a fourteen day period, with respect to the various manifestations of vegetarianism, was undertaken in the form of a pilot study to indicate the contents of these diets as compared with recommended daily allowances (RDA) and adequate intake (AI) values. Five lactovegetarians, twenty lactoovovegetarians and fourteen vegans, were recruited. The study included a detailed analysis of the vegetarian participants’ diet, through the compilation of an individual diet diary. Statistical analysis employing Microsoft Excel software was conducted to determine the outcome of the vegetarians’ diets, with each mean nutrient and mean dietary energy value compared against RDA and AI. Analysis of the participants’ diet diaries indicated somewhat unexpectedly a failure to meet the RDA and AI for several important nutrients. Furthermore, the daily metabolizable energy level for all classifications of vegetarians was lower than the recommended AI for daily energy requirements. Whilst it is generally accepted that vegetarianism can lead to a healthy lifestyle, the findings of this research indicate that vegetarianism participants may be at risk of deficiency of certain nutrients that could potentially lead to chronic medical conditions. The statistical findings obtained in the study will allow an accurate sample size to be calculated for each important item for future large definitive studies

Efficacy of methylcobalamin to normalise elevated homocysteine of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians: a double blind placebo control study

Vegetarians are known to be deficient in vitamin B12, due to a lack of dietary animal products, which can elevate plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). Elevated total tHcy can render vegetarians susceptible to cardiovascular disease (CVD). There are a limited number of published studies in relation to the efficacy of methylcobalamin to normalise plasma tHcy of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians. The primary objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between supplementary oral methylcobalamin and levels of tHcy of vitamin B12 deficient vegetarians; to reduce the risk of developing primary CVD. A randomised double blind placebo controlled pilot study was conducted to monitor and analyse baseline and post treatment levels of plasma tHcy, 49 volunteer vegetarians were recruited to participate in this study. Statistical analysis employing SPSS software indicated that methylcobalamin reduced mean baseline plasma tHcy of 15.5 µmolL-1 (n=39) to a mean plasma tHcy level of 8.4 µmolL-1 (P < 0.001). In a second group that contained details of ten withdrawn participants, which was conducted on an ‘Intention to Treat’ (ITT) basis, indicated that methylcobalamin was shown to be reduced from a mean baseline plasma tHcy of 14.7 µmolL-1(n=49) to a mean plasma tHcy level of 9.1 µmolL-1 (P < 0.001). The findings of the study have the potential to alert vegetarians of the possible risk of becoming vitamin B12 deficient, and to help avoid the risk of developing homocysteine related CVD. The quality data obtained in the study will allow an accurate sample size to be calculated for a future definite clinical study