Effect of jumping style on the performance of large and medium elite agility dogs

Dog agility is a rapidly progressing sport worldwide. Consequentially, research and methods to improve technique and performance are becoming highly sought after. Video data were collected of elite agility dogs during a training session, with downstream analysis examining differences in apparent topline angle and jumping speed of large and medium dogs as well as collie breeds and non-collie breeds. The study further examined any correlations between topline angle and jumping speed. Findings suggest that there is a difference between the jump kinematics of large and medium dogs (P=0.001) and between collie breeds and non-collie breeds (P<0.001) with collie breeds jumping faster than non-collie breeds (P=0.013). This information could be used to inform future training regimes and competitive strategies in a breed and size specific way, with the aim to improve long-term health and welfare of canine participants, whilst also ensuring that training and competitive expectations are within biological capabilities

"Les suites des suites": Alexandre Dumas's Le Comte de Monte-Cristo and the News

Taking as its subject Alexandre Dumas’s $\textit{Le Comte de Monte-Cristo}$ (1844-46), this article explores what the literary critic Alfred Nettement dubbed the newspaper’s ‘influence contagieuse’ under the July Monarchy, and considers the impact of journalism on this ever-popular $\textit{roman-feuilleton}$. Reading Dumas’s text alongside the writings of nineteenth-century critics, the article traces the ways in which $\textit{Monte-Cristo}$ reflects on the pressures and rhythms of serial publication – not simply as a consequence of its structure but as a thematic concern crucial to particular strands of its meandering narrative. The problem of endings is central here, with $\textit{Monte-Cristo}$ emblematic of the ways in which the possibility of closure is repeatedly deferred in the $\textit{roman-feuilleton}$ – replaced, instead, by a series of suites

Equine digital tendons show breed‐specific differences in their mechanical properties that may relate to athletic ability and predisposition to injury

Background Throughout the ages, human subjects have selected horse breeds for their locomotor capacities. Concurrently, tissue properties may have diversified because of specific requirements of different disciplines. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of tendons with different functions between equine breeds traditionally selected for racing or sport. Study design This study used ex vivo tendons and compared the mechanical properties of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) between racehorses (Thoroughbred [TB]) and sports horses (Friesian Horse [FH], Warmblood [WB]). Methods The SDFT and CDET of FH (n = 12), WBs (n = 12) and TBs (n = 8) aged 3-12 years were harvested. The cross sectional area (cm(2)), maximal load (N), ultimate strain (%), ultimate stress (MPa) and elastic modulus (MPa) were determined and tested for significant differences between the breeds (P<0.05). Results The SDFT from WB horses had a significantly lower elastic modulus than TB horses and failed at a higher strain and load than both FHs and TBs. The mechanical properties of the CDET did not differ between breeds. In agreement with previous studies, the CDET failed at a higher stress and had a higher elastic modulus than the SDFT and, for the WB group of horses only, failed at a significantly lower strain. Interestingly, the mode of failure differed between breeds, particularly with respect to the FHs. Main limitations The exercise history of horses used in this study was unknown and the age-range was relatively large; both these factors may have influenced the absolute properties reported in this study. Conclusions This study shows for the first time that mechanical properties of the SDFT differ between breeds. These properties are likely to be related to selection for high-speed vs. an extravagant elastic gait and may be an important indicator of performance ability. The is available in Spanish - see Supporting Informatio

Small and medium agility dogs alter their kinematics when the distance between hurdles differs

There is currently a lack of research examining the health and welfare implications for competitive agility dogs. The aim of this study was to examine if jump kinematics and apparent joint angles in medium (351 mm - 430 mm to the withers) and small (< 350 mm to the withers) agility dogs altered when distances between consecutive upright hurdles differ. Dogs ran a course of nine hurdles; three set at 3.6 m apart; three at 4 m apart and three at 5 m apart. Both medium (P=0.044) and small (P=0.006) dogs landed closer to the hurdle when consecutive hurdles were set at 3.6 m apart, with small dogs jumping slower at this distance (P=0.006). Results indicate that jump kinematics, but not apparent joint angles, alter when the spacing between hurdles differs. These findings may have implications for the health and welfare of agility dogs and should be used to inform future changes to rules and regulations

Emerging key roles for P2X receptors in the kidney

P2X ionotropic non-selective cation channels are expressed throughout the kidney and are activated in a paracrine or autocrine manner following the binding of extracellular ATP and related extracellular nucleotides. Whilst there is a wealth of literature describing a regulatory role of P2 receptors (P2R) in the kidney, there are significantly less data on the regulatory role of P2X receptors (P2XR) compared with that described for metabotropic P2Y. Much of the historical literature describing a role for P2XR in the kidney has focused heavily on the role of P2X1R in the autoregulation of renal blood flow. More recently, however, there has been a plethora of manuscripts providing compelling evidence for additional roles for P2XR in both kidney health and disease. This review summarizes the current evidence for the involvement of P2XR in the regulation of renal tubular and vascular function, and highlights the novel data describing their putative roles in regulating physiological and pathophysiological processes in the kidney

HECS and HECS-HELP: equity Issues

There have been many changes to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) since itsintroduction in 1989. The most significant of these is possibly the reforms announced in the 2003Federal Budget, which allow universities to increase the contributions required of students by up to25%. This paper considers the distribution of deferred HECS liabilities according to thesocioeconomic status of students. An algorithm is presented for converting area-level data to itsindividual-level equivalent. It is found that students of lower socioeconomic status defer a muchlarger proportion of their HECS than students of higher socioeconomic status. The adverse sideeffects of HECS identified in the literature will therefore be more acute for low socioeconomicstatus background students than for their wealthier counterparts

The impact of income contingent provisions on students' loan taking behaviour

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the determinants of taking out government-funded student loans for university study in Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an ordered probit model to quantify the influence of the various factors which affect students’ decisions on funding their tertiary study using student loans or through other means. Findings – The study finds that the probability of taking out student loans for the full cost of university is largely influenced by students’ socioeconomic status. Other major influences on this decision include students’ demographic and university enrolment characteristics. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of the work is that only a neighbourhood (rather than an individual-level) measure of socioeconomic status was available, and future research should seek to address this. Practical implications – The research shows that the parameters of loan schemes do not seem to be able to over-ride the influence that family background has on loan taking behaviour. That is, poor students use loans regardless of the parameters of the loans scheme in order to overcome short-term credit constraints. In other words, these student loan schemes channel funds to those without other means of funding their higher education. Originality/value – By showing the impact that income contingent provisions have on loan taking behaviour, the paper informs policy makers of potential impacts from modifying loans schemes to reflect this characteristic

The relationship between P2X4 and P2X7: a physiologically important interaction?

Purinergic signaling within the kidney is becoming an important focus in the study of renal health and disease. The effectors of ATP signaling, the P2Y and P2X receptors, are expressed to varying extents in and along the nephron. There are many studies demonstrating the importance of the P2Y2 receptor on kidney function, and other P2 receptors are now emerging as participants in renal regulation. The P2X4 receptor has been linked to epithelial sodium transport in the nephron and expression levels of the P2X7 receptor are up-regulated in certain pathophysiological states. P2X7 antagonism has been shown to ameliorate rodent models of DOCA salt-induced hypertension and P2X4 null mice are hypertensive. Interestingly, polymorphisms in the genetic loci of P2X4 and P2X7 have been linked to blood pressure variation in human studies. In addition to the increasing evidence linking these two P2X receptors to renal function and health, a number of studies link the two receptors in terms of physical associations between their subunits, demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. This review will analyze the current literature regarding interactions between P2X4 and P2X7 and assess the potential impact of these with respect to renal function