Dynamic characterization of two structures realized with different technology: metalworking vs. metal foam sandwiches

In this paper, a comparison between two different machine tool columns is presented. The two columns are realized with a different technology: classic metalworking versus metal foam sandwiches. The aim of the experimental tests is at evaluating their different mechanical performances and characteristics, with a particular focus on the damping. The comparison is carried in terms of both modal analysis and wide frequency range excitation, as described in the paper. A new method is introduced by the authors to deem which technology is the best, based on overall energy dissipated in a wide range of frequency

Prevalence of Eating Disorders and Pathogenic Weight Control Behaviors Among Male Collegiate Athletes

Training in sport environments that emphasize leanness and muscularity may damage athletes' body image and negatively influence male athletes' eating behaviors and attitudes. The Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnosis and the Bulimia Test – Revised were completed anonymously online by 732 male intercollegiate athletes. Most male collegiate athletes were classified as asymptomatic (82.9%), followed by symptomatic (16%) and eating disordered (1.1%). The most common forms pathogenic behaviors were excessive exercise (51.6%), binge eating (21.4%), and dieting or fasting (20.5%). Results suggested that athletes who participate in weight class sports are at higher risk for developing these behaviors than endurance sport or ball game athletes. Counseling and other implications for professionals working with athletes are discussed

Validation of a commercially available indirect assay for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies using a pseudotyped virus assay.

Objectives To assess whether a commercially available CE-IVD, ELISA-based surrogate neutralisation assay (cPass, Genscript) provides a genuine measure of SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation by human sera, and further to establish whether measuring responses against the RBD of S was a diagnostically useful proxy for responses against the whole S protein. Methods Serum samples from 30 patients were assayed for anti-NP responses, for ‘neutralisation’ by the surrogate neutralisation assay and for neutralisation by SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped virus assays utilising two target cell lines. Correlation between assays was measured using linear regression. Results The responses observed within the surrogate neutralisation assay demonstrated an extremely strong, highly significant positive correlation with those observed in both pseudotyped virus assays. Conclusions The tested ELISA-based surrogate assay provides an immunologically useful measure of functional immune responses in a much quicker and highly automatable fashion. It also reinforces that detection of anti-RBD neutralising antibodies alone is a powerful measure of the capacity to neutralise viral infection

Validation of a commercially available indirect assay for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies using a pseudotyped virus assay

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether a commercially available CE-IVD, ELISA-based surrogate neutralisation assay (cPass, Genscript) provides a genuine measure of SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation by human sera, and further to establish whether measuring responses against the RBD of S was a diagnostically useful proxy for responses against the whole S protein. METHODS: Serum samples from 30 patients were assayed for anti-NP responses, for ‘neutralisation’ by the surrogate neutralisation assay and for neutralisation by SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped virus assays utilising two target cell lines. Correlation between assays was measured using linear regression. RESULTS: The responses observed within the surrogate neutralisation assay demonstrated an extremely strong, highly significant positive correlation with those observed in both pseudotyped virus assays. CONCLUSIONS: The tested ELISA-based surrogate assay provides an immunologically useful measure of functional immune responses in a much quicker and highly automatable fashion. It also reinforces that detection of anti-RBD neutralising antibodies alone is a powerful measure of the capacity to neutralise viral infection

Intercropping as a disease management strategy

Non-Peer Reviewe

Randomised controlled trial of neurostimulation for symptoms of anorexia nervosa (TRENA study): study protocol

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) has amongst the highest mortality rates and the highest treatment costs of any psychiatric disorder. Recently, interest in non-invasive brain stimulation as a novel treatment for AN has grown. These include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods: This double-blind, randomised sham-controlled trial will compare the relative acceptability and efficacy of tDCS and rTMS in people with AN. 70 participants will be randomised to active or sham tDCS, or active or sham rTMS treatment (2:1:2:1 ratio) over an 8-week treatment period. Participants will receive treatment as usual across the study duration. The primary outcomes are change on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and treatment acceptability. Secondary outcomes will include change in weight, cognition, mood, interpersonal functioning, and quality of life. Following the 8-week assessment, all participants will have the option of receiving an additional 12 weeks of at-home tDCS. A follow-up assessment will be conducted at 20 weeks post treatment. Discussion: Research into non-invasive brain stimulation as treatments for AN has potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients by comparing the relative efficacy and acceptability of both treatment modalities in the inpatient and at-home setting (i.e., for at-home tDCS) results from this study will provide important information for informing future larger clinical trials of these treatments for AN. Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05788042

Understanding parents’ school travel choices: A qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Traffic related air pollution is detrimental to health and creates a substantial attributable mortality burden. It is suggested that a shift from motorised transport to active forms of travel will therefore have significant health benefits. Currently 46% of school journeys for primary aged children are made by car and this figure has risen steadily. Understanding barriers to active school travel (AST) is an important first step in developing behavioural interventions to increase active travel. The purpose of this study was to explore parents’ experiences of school travel and their choices regarding travel mode with a focus on identifying barriers and facilitators to AST. Twenty parents of primary school children (4–12 years) in the West Yorkshire region took part in semi-structured interviews regarding school travel, informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Framework Analysis was used to identify key themes in the data and to develop a comprehensive picture of parents’ experiences of school travel at both individual and structural levels. Distance was the biggest barrier to AST. Time constraints were reported as the main barrier to parents accompanying children in AST, while concerns about safety deterred parents from allowing children to travel independently. The need to incorporate multiple jouneys, such as the work commute and/or multiple school drop-offs, placed demands on parents’ time, while difficulty getting children into local schools meant further to travel for a number of parents. Findings suggest that interventions to promote AST may be particularly effective if tailored towards working parents. However, also addressing factors such as distance to school and school travel at a policy level may produce more significant shifts in behaviour