The Second Galex Ultraviolet Variability (GUVV-2) Catalog

We present the second Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) Ultraviolet Variability (GUVV-2) Catalog that contains information on 410 newly discovered time-variable sources gained through simultaneous near (NUV 1750-2750A) and far (FUV 1350-1750A) ultraviolet photometric observations. Source variability was determined by comparing the NUV and/or FUV fluxes derived from orbital exposures recorded during a series of multiple observational visits to 169 GALEX fields on the sky. These sources, which were contained within a sky-area of 161 square deg, varied on average by amplitudes of NUV = 0.6 mag and FUV = 0.9 mag during these observations. Of the 114 variable sources in the catalog with previously known identifications, 67 can be categorized as being active galaxies (QSO's, Seyfert 1 or BL Lac objects). The next largest groups of UV variables are RR Lyrae stars, X-ray sources and novae. By using a combination of UV and visible color-color plots we have been able to tentatively identify 36 possible RR Lyrae and/or Delta Scuti type stars, as well as 35 probable AGN's, many of which may be previously unidentified QSO's or blazars. Finally, we show data for 3 particular variable objects: the contact binary system of SDSS J141818.97+525006.7, the eclipsing dwarf nova system of IY UMa and the highly variable unidentified source SDSS J104325.06+563258.1.Comment: Astronomical Journal accepte

Contested Care: Medicine and Surgery during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939

This thesis traces the important role played by Spanish medical personnel, particularly surgeons, in the development and organisation of their own medical services during the Spanish Civil War. This study, therefore, is not strictly a history of medicine during the conflict, nor does it seek to further explore international efforts in this regard; rather it analyses through an examination of the medical personnel involved on both sides, the causes, treatments and long term consequences of injury and trauma, including that of exile, on the wounded of the Spanish Civil War. This thesis, by picking over the bones of a wide body of literature and by engaging with a variety of different sources, forms an interlocking part of a new historiographical strand examining the origins and evolution of a traumatic conflict whose repercussions continue to be felt throughout Spain. Through its engagement with a diversity of sources, its analysis of the relationship between medicine and propaganda, and through an inclusive examination of the contribution made by Spanish medical professionals across Spain during the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath, this thesis provides its own unique historical perspective of a conflict whose living legacy of trauma and of wounds unhealed is still alive in Spain today

A Triphasic Sorting System: Coordination Cages in Ionic Liquids.

Host-guest chemistry is usually carried out in either water or organic solvents. To investigate the utility of alternative solvents, three different coordination cages were dissolved in neat ionic liquids. By using (19) F NMR spectroscopy to monitor the presence of free and bound guest molecules, all three cages were demonstrated to be stable and capable of encapsulating guests in ionic solution. Different cages were found to preferentially dissolve in different phases, allowing for the design of a triphasic sorting system. Within this system, three coordination cages, namely Fe4 L6 2, Fe8 L12 3, and Fe4 L4 4, each segregated into a distinct layer. Upon the addition of a mixture of three different guests, each cage (in each separate layer) selectively bound its preferred guest.This work was supported by the European Research Council (259352). We also thank the Cambridge Chemistry NMR service for experimental assistance.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.20150577

Zebra crossings at T-intersections: Likelihood of unintended negative consequences for safety and walkability

Local governments in Melbourne are installing zebra crossings at prioritised T-intersections within activity centres and neighbourhoods. These treatments are well-intentioned and meant to increase certainty for road users, to create a more equitable and safer mobility environment for pedestrians, and to work as one small part of an integrated approach to encourage walking for transport. However, there is complexity in, and poor knowledge of the road rules with which the treatment interacts: Drivers turning into such an intersection are already required to give way to pedestrians, while, somewhat counterintuitively for many road users, drivers turning out are not. As a result, there is a risk that the treatment may have systems level unintended negative consequences for walkability. This study used a community survey and a series of expert interviews to test this hypothesis. The results show that while zebra crossings at the terminating road of a T-intersection can eliminate the uncertainties implicated by the current version of the road rules at the sites in which they are installed, there is also a very real risk that their use at some but not all T-intersections could undermine walkability in the neighbourhoods in which they are used. A recommendation, supported by a recent UK precedent, to change the Victorian road rules to require car drivers to give way to pedestrians who are crossing the terminating road of T-intersections, is made. The change would standardise the rules for T-intersections to create a generalised and unambiguous duty for drivers to give way on turning. It would play a small part in facilitating walking for transport and in doing so would contribute to enhancing opportunities for incidental exercise and social interaction, both of which benefit health and are important aspects of liveability

The roles of transportation and transportation hubs in the propagation of influenza and coronaviruses: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Respiratory viruses spread in humans across wide geographical areas in short periods of time, resulting in high levels of morbidity and mortality. We undertook a systematic review to assess the evidence that air, ground and sea mass transportation systems or hubs are associated with propagating influenza and coronaviruses. METHODS: Healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were searched using pre-defined criteria between April and June 2014. Two reviewers screened all identified records against the protocol, undertook risk of bias assessments and extracted data using a piloted form. Results were analysed using a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Forty-one studies met the eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was high in the observational studies, moderate to high in the reviews and moderate to low in the modelling studies. In-flight influenza transmission was identified substantively on five flights with up to four confirmed and six suspected secondary cases per affected flight. Five studies highlighted the role of air travel in accelerating influenza spread to new areas. Influenza outbreaks aboard cruise ships affect 2-7% of passengers. Influenza transmission events have been observed aboard ground transport vehicles. High heterogeneity between studies and the inability to exclude other sources of infection means that the risk of influenza transmission from an index case to other passengers cannot be accurately quantified. A paucity of evidence was identified describing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus transmission events associated with transportation systems or hubs. CONCLUSION: Air transportation appears important in accelerating and amplifying influenza propagation. Transmission occurs aboard aeroplanes, at the destination and possibly at airports. Control measures to prevent influenza transmission on cruise ships are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality. There is no recent evidence of sea transport accelerating influenza or coronavirus spread to new areas. Further investigation is required regarding the roles of ground transportation systems and transport hubs in pandemic situations

Lower Limb Graduated Compression Garments Modulate Autonomic Nervous System and Improve Post-Training Recovery Measured via Heart Rate Variability

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(7): 1794-1806, 2020. Prior studies have examined the benefits of graduated compression garments (GCG) with regards to diverse exercise regimens; however, the relationship between GCG and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to examine Heart Rate Variability (HRV) trends—a proxy for ANS modulation—in response to donning GCG during a progressive overload training regimen designed to induce overtraining. Ten college-aged male novice runners were recruited for the 8-week crossover study. After three weeks of monitored free living, participants were randomized and blinded to an intervention group that donned a lower-body GCG during a two-week exercise regimen or a control group that donned a visually identical but non-compressive sham during identical training. No significant difference in HRV was calculated by the natural logarithm of the root mean square of successive RR-interval differences (lnRMSSD) between the 3-week free-living baseline and GCG intervention periods (P = 0.3040). The mean lnRMSSD was greater during the free-living phase and GCG intervention compared to the sham placebo (P \u3c 0.001 and \u3c0.001 respectively). With regard to the daily fluctuation of lnRMSSD, no significant differences were found between free-living and intervention (P = 1.000). Conversely, the intervention period demonstrated reduced daily fluctuation of lnRMSSD relative to the Sham placebo group (P = 0.010). These novel findings posit that post training use of a commercially available graduated compression garment in novice runners may be effective in counteracting some deleterious effects from overtraining while attenuating its effects on vagally-mediated HRV

Energy Expenditure and Muscular Recruitment Patterns of Riding a Novel Electrically Powered Skateboard

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1783-1793, 2020. Analysis of metabolic gas exchange and muscular output measures have enabled researchers to index activity intensity and energy expenditure for a myriad of exercises. However, there is no current research that investigates the physiological demands of riding electrically powered skateboards. The aim of this study was to measure the energetic cost and muscular trends of riding a novel electrically powered skateboard engineered to emulate snowboarding on dry-land. While riding the skateboard, eight participants (aged 21-37 years, 1 female) donned a portable breath-by-breath gas analyzer to measure energy expenditure (mean = 12.5, SD = 2 kcal/min), maximum heart rate (mean = 158, SD = 27 bpm), and metabolic equivalent (mean = 10.5, SD = 2 kcal/kg/h). By comparison, snowboarding has a metabolic equivalent (MET) of 8.0. Per the Compendium of Physical Activities guidelines, the predicted MET values for riding an electrically powered skateboard qualifies as vigorous-intensity activity. Four participants additionally wore a surface EMG embedded garment to record the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) of lower limb muscle groups. The inner quadriceps had the most pronounced mean peak muscle activation of 145%MVC during frontside and 164%MVC during frontside turns. EMG recordings showed 11.7%MVC higher utilization during backside turns compared to frontside turns while riding the electrically powered skateboard, which is similar to trends observed in alpine snowboarders. Therefore, electrically powered skateboards may be a promising technology for snowboarders and non-snowboarders alike to burn calories and increase physical activity year-round

Touching Technology: Parents experiences of remote consultations for children with severe congenital cardiac conditions: a quasi-experimental cohort study

Background: Remote consultations using videoconferencing was recommended by the General Medical Council as the method for clinicians to provide patient consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitating this while providing high quality care depends on the usability and acceptability of the technology. Objective: This project aimed to investigate parents’ experiences of using videoconferencing technology for real time remote consultations with children who had congenital heart defects during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental and was underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model that seeks to explain and predict an individual's intention to use a technology. Parents were informed of the study by the medical team, posters were made available on the wards and clinics, and leaflets were left for browsing. Clinician screening of potential participants led to the identification of 33 children and parent(s) who were enrolled on the study. The intervention was an online remote consultation by medical staff using a secure, interactive videoconferencing platform (Pexip). Each child and their mother/father received eight remote consultations with the same specialist doctor or nurse. Measurements were taken using online questionnaires pre and post consultation at the first, middle and last events; questions were focused on the acceptability, usability, and clinical applicability of remote consultations. Parents experiences were explored using recorded interviews and analysed thematically. Results: Twenty-nine children aged 4-1052 days (mean 95 days) completed the project receiving a total of 189 remote consultations as part of their routine care. Parents prior experience of consultation via video conference was low, however, as time progressed their use of, and acceptance of the technology increased. The intervention was warmly received by all parents who found the face-to-face component particularly useful for discussion with their child’s medical team. Furthermore, parents noted the savings on time, money, and childcare. Conclusions: While in-person consultations are considered the gold standard of patient care, increasing pressures on health services and staff reduce availability. Given the ease of access and additional benefits experienced by parents and their children it is proposed that hybrid models of consultation and care provision is equal, if not superior, to in-person consultations in the management of children with severe congenital heart defects while reducing costs and pressure on the health service and parents.<br/

Not All HIFT Classes Are Created Equal: Evaluating Energy Expenditure and Relative Intensity of a High-Intensity Functional Training Regimen

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1206-1216, 2020. The demand for efficient and effective exercises has grown in concert with increased attention to fitness as a determinant of overall health. While past studies have examined the benefits traditional conditioning exercises, there have been few investigations of high intensity functional training (HIFT). The aim of this study was to measure the energy expenditure and relative intensity from participation in a signature, 35-minute group-based HIFT regimen. During the HIFT session, 13 volunteers (aged 23-59 years, 6 females) donned a portable breath-by-breath gas analyzer and a heart rate monitor. Mean caloric expenditure (528 ± 62 kcal), maximum heart rate (172 ± 8 bpm), and metabolic equivalents (12.2 ± 1.4 kcal/kg/h) were characterized as a vigorous-intensity activity according to the Compendium of Physical Activities guidelines. Moreover, implementing this high energy expenditure session twice weekly may comport with Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans weekly physical activity recommendations. HIFT training may provide time-efficient exercise for those seeking exercise-related health benefits