Towards Machine-Assisted Meta Studies of Astrophysical Data From the Scientific Literature

We develop a new model for automatic extraction of reported measurements from the astrophysical literature, utilising modern Natural Language Processing techniques. We begin with a rules-based model for keyword-search-based extraction, and then proceed to develop artificial neural network models for full entity and relation extraction from free text. This process also requires the creation of hand-annotated datasets selected from the available astrophysical literature for training and validation purposes. We use a set of cosmological parameters to examine the model's ability to identify information relating to a specific parameter and to illustrate its capabilities, using the Hubble constant as a primary case study due to the well-document history of that parameter. Our results correctly highlight the current tension present in measurements of the Hubble constant and recover the 3.5σ discrepancy – demonstrating that the models are useful for meta-studies of astrophysical measurements from a large number of publications. From the other cosmological parameter results we can clearly observe the historical trends in the reported values of these quantities over the past two decades, and see the impacts of landmark publications on our understanding of cosmology. The outputs of these models, when applied to the article abstracts present in the arXiv repository, constitute a database of over 231,000 astrophysical numerical measurements, relating to over 61,000 different symbolic parameter representations – here a measurement refers to the combination of a numerical value and an identifier (i.e. a name or symbol) to give it physical meaning. We present an online interface (Numerical Atlas) to allow users to query and explore this database, based on parameter names and symbolic representations, and download the resulting datasets for their own research uses

Patient attitudes to sternotomy and thoracotomy scars

Young adults with congenital heart defects expressed dissatisfaction with their surgical scar. The impact extended to their social life and ability to form close relationships, and has implications for holistic practice. Presented at Association for European Paediatric Cardiology conference in Munich

A comparison of the concept of God found in Paul Tillich, Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne

This Thesis aims to compare and contrast the doctrines of God found within the writings of Paul Tillich, Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne. Chapter one is concerned with an exposition of Tillich's concept of God while chapter two examines the process view and explains the divergence of Hartshorne from Whitehead. In chapter three I discuss general similarities of system structure and basic ideology between Tillich and Process but conclude that there are insurmountable difficulties in bringing the two systems into closer dialogue. The religious and philosophical similarities and differences are outlined and the judgement made that ultimately the difference is due to Tillich's insistence on symbolic language. I also argue in chapter three that while Tillich and Process cannot be brought together as systems they can benefit from one another at specific points. For example, Tillichs' insight into the phenomenological threat of non-being can be included in process to enrich its ability to address the human situation. In chapter four I analyse both Whiteheads' concept of Prehension and Tillichs' concept of participation and show how the latter can be clarified by reference to the former. I believe that Tillich uses participation to apply to different levels of relatedness from the mere 'having of relation' to the saving participation of the New Being. I conclude that if Prehension is used to interpret the basic levels of relationship then participation is free to be used for higher meanings only

trans-Bis{1,2-bis­[bis­(2-methoxy­ethyl)phosphino]ethane}dichloridoiron(II)

The Fe atom in the title compound, [FeCl2(C14H32O4P2)2], has a distorted octa­hedral coordination with four P atoms in equatorial positions and two Cl atoms in apical positions

Bis{1,2-bis­[bis­(3-hydroxy­prop­yl)phosphino]ethane}dichloridoiron(II)

In the title compound, [FeCl2(C14H32O4P2)2], the FeII atom (site symmetry ) adopts a distorted trans-FeCl2P4 octa­hedral geometry with two P,P′-bidentate ligands in the equatorial positions and two chloride ions in the axial positions. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O and O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network

Training Manipulations Based on Acute Heart Rate Variability Measures

Heart rate variability (HRV) is an accurate indicator of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity. The balance between these systems affects the time between heartbeats. A high variability between heartbeats is equated to a greater influence from the parasympathetic nervous system. In this state, an individual is well rested, and therefore possesses higher readiness to perform physical activity. Through the use of smartphone applications (apps), athletes and coaches can collect accurate short-term HRV readings to assess autonomic nervous system balance. These apps provide a readiness to train score that may prove beneficial in adjusting daily training loads to maximize performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to characterize the changes in lower-body strength and power before and after a 6-week strength training program while manipulating intensity based on daily HRV readiness measures in female collegiate softball athletes. METHODS: Nine female NCAA Division II Softball athletes completed the 6-week training protocol. Participants were split into an experimental group (E; n = 5; age = 20.5±0.7 yrs, height = 166.9±2.7 cm, weight = 59.9±7.6 kg), who completed the training with the intensity adjusted based off of daily HRV readiness scores, and a control group (C; n = 4; age = 20.6±0.8 yrs, height = 171.7±1.2 cm, weight = 70.7±30.3 kg), who completed the training with no changes in exercise intensity. Measures of HRV were taken prior to each training session and used to calculate readiness scores with the use of a smartphone app. Participants completed 3 strength-training sessions per week throughout the study. Lower-body strength and power measurements were assessed before and after the protocol. One-repetition maximums on the back squat (SQ) and clean (CL) exercises and maximum vertical jump (VJ) height were collected. RESULTS: Lower-body power measurements were increased in the E group (CL: 51.3 vs. 56.9 kg, p = 0.047; VJ: 40.1 vs. 44.7 cm, p = 0.037) and the C group (CL: 56.8 vs. 63.6 kg, p = 0.021; VJ: 41.6 vs. 46.2 cm, p = 0.034), following 6 weeks of strength training. No significant differences were observed in lower body strength measurements in the E group (SQ: 74 vs. 84.1kg, p = 0.21) or the C group (SQ: 75.5 vs. 86.6 kg, p = 0.2). Significant differences were found between the prescribed volume of training and the completed volume of training (25364 vs 21650 kg, p = 0.014) in the E group. No significant differences (p \u3e 0.05) were found with SQ, CL, and VJ measures between the E and C groups following 6 weeks of strength training. No significant differences (p \u3e 0.05) were found in daily HRV measures between the E and C groups. CONCLUSION: Both groups exhibited similar HRV scores throughout the 6-week training protocol. Using daily short-term HRV readings, training intensity can be reduced without leading to any differences in lower-body strength and power improvements in female collegiate softball athletes

A cross sectional pilot study utilising STrain Analysis and Mapping of the Plantar Surface (STAMPS) to measure plantar load characteristics within a healthy population

BackgroundNo in-shoe systems, measuring both components of plantar load (plantar pressure and shear stress) are available for use in patients with diabetes. The STAMPS (STrain Analysis and Mapping of the Plantar Surface) system utilises digital image correlation (DIC) to determine the strain sustained by a deformable insole, providing a more complete understanding of plantar shear load at the foot-surface interface.Research questionsWhat is the normal range and pattern of strain at the foot-surface interface within a healthy population as measured by the STAMPS system? Is STAMPS a valid tool to measure the effects of plantar load?MethodsA cross-sectional study of healthy participants was undertaken. Healthy adults without foot pathology or diabetes were included. Participants walked 20 steps with the STAMPS insole in a standardised shoe. Participants also walked 10 m with the Novel Pedar® plantar pressure measurement insole within the standardised shoe. Both measurements were repeated three times. Outcomes of interest were global and regional values for peak resultant strain (SMAG) and peak plantar pressure (PPP).ResultsIn 18 participants, median peak SMAG and PPP were 35.01 % and 410.6kPa respectively. The regions of the hallux and heel sustained the highest SMAG (29.31 % (IQR 24.56–31.39) and 20.50 % (IQR 15.59–24.12) respectively) and PPP (344.8kPa (IQR 268.3 – 452.5) and 279.3kPa (IQR 231.3–302.1) respectively). SMAG was moderately correlated with PPP (r= 0.65, p < 0.001). Peak SMAG was located at the hallux in 55.6 % of participants, at the 1st metatarsal head (MTH) in 16.7 %, the heel in 16.7 %, toes 3–5 in 11.1 % and the MTH2 in 5.6 %.SignificanceThe results demonstrate the STAMPS system is a valid tool to measure plantar strain. Further studies are required to investigate the effects of elevated strain and the relationship with diabetic foot ulcer formation

What type of environmental assessment and modification prevents falls in community dwelling older people?

What you need to know • Evidence suggests that environmental interventions can prevent falls in older people at high risk of falls, but they have little or no benefit in people at low risk • Offer environmental assessment and modification led by an occupational therapist to people over 65 who have had a fall in the past year, use a mobility aid, need assistance with any activities of daily living, take psychoactive medications, or are concerned about falling • Environmental assessment and modification encompasses a comprehensive, validated functional assessment of the individual in their home environment, a joint problem solving approach, and follow-up as require

Employment and advice regarding careers for adults with congenital heart disease

Aims: To compare the rates of employment, and advice offered concerning careers, in adults with congenital heart disease and controls. To assess the impact of the severity of the congenital cardiac malformation on the chances for employment. Methods: We solicited responses from 299 adults with congenitally malformed hearts, asking them to answer questions from a questionnaire posed at interview by a trained nurse. The adults were asked to give an identical questionnaire to a friend to act as a control. We received responses from 177 of the controls. Results: The responses showed that 51 of 156 (33 per cent) adults with congenital heart disease were unemployed, and 37 of 151 (25 per cent) had been unemployed for more than a year. This is significantly more than 25 of 156 (16 per cent) matched controls unemployed, and 5 of 151 (3 per cent) controls unemployed for more than a year. Almost one-fifth of the adults with congenital heart disease (19 per cent) had received advice regarding their career which they found helpful, which is significantly fewer than the 31 per cent of controls. More (42 per cent) had been given advice against certain occupations than controls (11 per cent). Receiving career advice was significantly associated with employment in the population with congenitally malformed hearts, with almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of those given advice being employed compared to 46 per cent of those not given advice. This pattern was not seen in controls. The severity of the congenital cardiac malformation did not significantly affect the rates of unemployment. Conclusions: Whatever the severity of their disease, adults with congenitally malformed hearts are more likely to be unemployed than matched controls. They are less likely to receive useful advice regarding potential careers, and find the advice given less helpful, than controls, although receiving suitable advice is associated with being employed in the population with congenital cardiac disease