WHIPLASH: The possible impact of context on diagnosis

This study explores the importance of context when diagnosing Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). Whiplash is a complex injury and there is considerable variation in its diagnosis and treatment. Research has focussed on RTAs, whilst there is a paucity of evidence relating to WAD in sport. It is unclear whether WAD is simply not occurring in sport, or if such injuries are occurring but are not identified as WAD. In the current study, 87 postgraduate physiotherapists were asked to classify an injury reported in a short vignette. Two parallel vignettes were used, which were identical except for the context of the injury (one being an RTA and the other being within sport). Each participant responded to only one of these. It was found that, even within a sample of experienced physiotherapists, the injury environment impacted on diagnosis, despite the symptoms being identical. A significantly higher proportion of therapists diagnosed WAD within the RTA context than within the sporting context. Additionally, there were differences between the two context groups in relation to the diagnostic terminology used by participants. Most respondents had heard of the CSP whiplash guidelines but only a minority had actively used these. The majority of respondents were also aware of the litigation aspects of RTAs

Piroplasms of New Zealand seabirds

Blood and ectoparasitic ticks were collected from migratory seabirds in New Zealand, including Australasian gannets (n=13) from two sites and red-billed gulls (n=9) and white-fronted terns (n=2) from a third location. Blood smears were screened for parasite presence by microscopy, while DNA from blood samples was subjected to PCR for the presence of tick-transmitted protozoan haemoparasites belonging to the order Piroplasmida. Parasites were identified by comparing small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rDNA) gene sequences to related sequences on GenBank. Analyses indicated that nine birds were infected with unknown variants of a Babesia poelea-like parasite (recorded as genotypes I and II), while four harboured a piroplasm that was genetically similar to Babesia kiwiensis. There was no parasite stratification by bird species; both the gannets and gulls were positive for all three parasites, while the terns were positive for the B. kiwiensis-like and the B. poelea-like (genotype I) parasites. The B. kiwiensis-like parasite found in the birds was also found in two species of ticks: Carios capensis and Ixodes eudyptidis. This represents the first report of Babesia-positive ticks parasitising seabirds in New Zealand. The lack of host specificity and evidence of wide ranging distributions of the three piroplasm genotypes suggests there is a high degree of haemoparasite transmission occurring naturally between New Zealand seabird populations and species

Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele modulates the immediate impact of acute exercise on prefrontal function

YesThe difference between Apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and non-carriers in response to single exercise sessions was tested. Stroop and Posner tasks were administered to young untrained women immediately after walking sessions or moderately heavy exercise. Exercise had a significantly more profound impact on the Stroop effect than on the Posner effect, suggesting selective involvement of prefrontal function. A significant genotype-by-exercise interaction indicated differences in response to exercise between ε4 carriers and non-carriers. Carriers showed facilitation triggered by exercise. The transient executive down-regulation was construed as due to exercise-dependent hypofrontality. The facilitation observed in carriers was interpreted as better management of prefrontal metabolic resources, and explained within the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis framework. The findings have implications for the interpretation of differences between ε4 carriers and non-carriers in the benefits triggered by long-term exercise that might depend, at least partially, on mechanisms of metabolic response to physical activity.Partially supported by a University of Hull Faculty of Science scholarship to MDM and by funding from MIUR and FP7 VPH-DARE to AV

In situ diffusion measurements of a NASICON-structured all-solid-state battery using muon spin relaxation

In situ muon spin relaxation is demonstrated as an emerging technique that can provide a volume-averaged local probe of the ionic diffusion processes occurring within electrochemical energy storage devices as a function of state of charge. Herein, we present work on the conceptually interesting NASICON-type all-solid-state battery LiM2(PO4)3, using M = Ti in the cathode, M = Zr in the electrolyte, and a Li metal anode. The pristine materials are studied individually and found to possess low ionic hopping activation energies of ∼50−60 meV and competitive Li+ self-diffusion coefficients of ∼10^–10–10^–9 cm2 s^–1 at 336 K. Lattice matching of the cathode and electrolyte crystal structures is employed for the all-solid-state battery to enhance Li+ diffusion between the components in an attempt to minimize interfacial resistance. The cell is examined by in situ muon spin relaxation, providing the first example of such ionic diffusion measurements. This technique presents an opportunity to the materials community to observe intrinsic ionic dynamics and electrochemical behavior simultaneously in a nondestructive manner

The role of the reducible dopant in solid electrolyte–lithium metal interfaces

Garnet solid electrolytes, of the form Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), remain an enticing prospect for solid-state batteries owing to their chemical and electrochemical stability in contact with metallic lithium. Dopants, often employed to stabilize the fast ion conducting cubic garnet phase, typically have no effect on the chemical stability of LLZO in contact with Li metal but have been found recently to impact the properties of the Li/garnet interface. For dopants more "reducible"than Zr (e.g., Nb and Ti), contradictory reports of either raised or reduced Li/garnet interfacial resistances have been attributed to the dopant. Here, we investigate the Li/LLZO interface in W-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZWO) to determine the influence of a "reducible"dopant on the electrochemical properties of the Li/garnet interface. Single-phase LLZWO is synthesized by a new sol-gel approach and densified by spark plasma sintering. Interrogating the resulting Li/LLZWO interface/interphase by impedance, muon spin relaxation and X-ray absorption spectroscopies uncover the significant impact of surface lithiation on electrochemical performance. Upon initial contact, an interfacial reaction occurs between LLZWO and Li metal, leading to the reduction of surface W6+ centers and an initial reduction of the Li/garnet interfacial resistance. Propagation of this surface reaction, driven by the high mobility of Li+ ions through the grain surfaces, thickens the resistive interphases throughout the material and impedes Li+ ion transport between the grains. The resulting high resistance accumulating in the system impedes cycling at high current densities. These insights shed light on the nature of lithiated interfaces in garnet solid electrolytes containing a reducible dopant where high Li+ ion mobility and the reducible nature of the dopant can significantly affect electrochemical performance

Reducing nitrous oxide emissions by changing N fertiliser use from calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) to urea based formulations

This research was financially supported under the National Development Plan, through the Research Stimulus Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Grant numbers RSF10-/RD/SC/716 and RSF11S138) and from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ref: DARD Evidence and Innovation project 13/04/06) for Northern Ireland. The first author gratefully acknowledges funding received from the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme (Ref: 2012005).peer-reviewedThe accelerating use of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilisers, to meet the world's growing food demand, is the primary driver for increased atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O). The IPCC default emission factor (EF) for N2O from soils is 1% of the N applied, irrespective of its form. However, N2O emissions tend to be higher from nitrate-containing fertilisers e.g. calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) compared to urea, particularly in regions, which have mild, wet climates and high organic matter soils. Urea can be an inefficient N source due to NH3 volatilisation, but nitrogen stabilisers (urease and nitrification inhibitors) can improve its efficacy. This study evaluated the impact of switching fertiliser formulation from calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) to urea-based products, as a potential mitigation strategy to reduce N2O emissions at six temperate grassland sites on the island of Ireland. The surface applied formulations included CAN, urea and urea with the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and/or the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD). Results showed that N2O emissions were significantly affected by fertiliser formulation, soil type and climatic conditions. The direct N2O emission factor (EF) from CAN averaged 1.49% overall sites, but was highly variable, ranging from 0.58% to 3.81. Amending urea with NBPT, to reduce ammonia volatilisation, resulted in an average EF of 0.40% (ranging from 0.21 to 0.69%)-compared to an average EF of 0.25% for urea (ranging from 0.1 to 0.49%), with both fertilisers significantly lower and less variable than CAN. Cumulative N2O emissions from urea amended with both NBPT and DCD were not significantly different from background levels. Switching from CAN to stabilised urea formulations was found to be an effective strategy to reduce N2O emissions, particularly in wet, temperate grassland.Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern IrelandTeagasc Walsh Fellowship ProgrammeDepartment of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Modern temporal network theory: A colloquium

The power of any kind of network approach lies in the ability to simplify a complex system so that one can better understand its function as a whole. Sometimes it is beneficial, however, to include more information than in a simple graph of only nodes and links. Adding information about times of interactions can make predictions and mechanistic understanding more accurate. The drawback, however, is that there are not so many methods available, partly because temporal networks is a relatively young field, partly because it more difficult to develop such methods compared to for static networks. In this colloquium, we review the methods to analyze and model temporal networks and processes taking place on them, focusing mainly on the last three years. This includes the spreading of infectious disease, opinions, rumors, in social networks; information packets in computer networks; various types of signaling in biology, and more. We also discuss future directions.Comment: Final accepted versio

Why people run An exploration of the motivations of non-elite runners

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DX183537 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Understanding the Positive Announcement Effects of Private Equity Placements: New Insights from Hong Kong Data

The literature has documented positive announcement effects for privately placed seasoned equity issues. This study shows positive announcement effects not only for private but also for public placements in Hong Kong. Our unique data offer new insights not obtainable from U.S. data as we examine the cross-sections of the announcement effects. Most importantly, we find that the announcement effect is more likely to be positive for smaller issuers, such as private placing firms and some public issuers where asymmetric information arises more from growth than from assets in place. This finding is consistent with the generalized Myers-Majluf model. Copyright Springer 2005