Apollo 14: Some geochemical aspects

Chemical analyses were obtained for five samples of Apollo 14 regolith fines, three 14230 core samples, soil clod 14049, breccias 14305 and 14319, 14310 basalt, and some separated phases. The chemical uniformity of these Apollo 14 samples indicates thorough mixing and/or uniform source rocks. Basalt 14310 can be matched well in composition by a four to one mixture of soil and plagioclase. The Eu(2+)/Eu(3+) ratios calculated for 14310 pigeonite and plagioclase are similar to those for Apollo 12 and 15 mare-type basalt phases; this indicates similar redox conditions. Apollo 14 samples are chemically similar to Apollo 12 and 15 KREEP as distinct from Apollo 11, 12, and 15 and Luna 16 mare-type basalts

Inside the "African Cattle Complex": Animal Burials in the Holocene Central Sahara

Cattle pastoralism is an important trait of African cultures. Ethnographic studies describe the central role played by domestic cattle within many societies, highlighting its social and ideological values well beyond its mere function as 'walking larder'. Historical depth of this African legacy has been repeatedly assessed in an archaeological perspective, mostly emphasizing a continental vision. Nevertheless, in- depth site-specific studies, with a few exceptions, are lacking. Despite the long tradition of a multi-disciplinary approach to the analysis of pastoral systems in Africa, rarely do early and middle Holocene archaeological contexts feature in the same area the combination of settlement, ceremonial and rock art features so as to be multi- dimensionally explored: the Messak plateau in the Libyan central Sahara represents an outstanding exception. Known for its rich Pleistocene occupation and abundant Holocene rock art, the region, through our research, has also shown to preserve the material evidence of a complex ritual dated to the Middle Pastoral (6080-5120 BP or 5200-3800 BC). This was centred on the frequent deposition in stone monuments of disarticulated animal remains, mostly cattle. Animal burials are known also from other African contexts, but regional extent of the phenomenon, state of preservation of monuments, and associated rock art makes the Messak case unique. GIS analysis, excavation data, radiocarbon dating, zooarchaeological and isotopic (Sr, C, O) analyses of animal remains and botanical data are used to explore this highly formalized ritual and lifestyles of a pastoral community in the Holocene Sahara

Are they ‘worth their weight in gold’? Sport for older adults: benefits and barriers of their participation for sporting organisations

The ageing global population has led to an increased focus on health for older adults. However, older adults have not been a specific priority for some sporting organisations (SOs). Thus, there is an emerging opportunity for this age group to be considered within international sport policy. The aim of this study was to understand the benefits and barriers that SOs encounter when engaging older adults. Eight focus group interviews (n = 49) were held with representatives of Australian national sporting organisations (NSOs), and older adults who were either sport club or non-sport club members. The socioecological model domains, interpersonal, organisational and policy, were used as a framework for thematic analysis, and organisational capacity building concepts were utilised to explain the findings. Common perceived benefits included interpersonal benefits (intergenerational opportunities and role models) and organisational benefits (volunteering, financial contributions and maximised facility usage) for engaging older adults. Common perceived barriers included interpersonal barriers (competing priorities and perceived societal expectations), organisational barriers (lack of appropriate playing opportunities, lack of facility access and lack of club capacity) and policy barriers (strategic organisational focus on children and elite sport and risk management). Whilst participation in sport is not common for older adults, their involvement can be invaluable for sport clubs. It is not anticipated that any policy focus on older adults will significantly increase active participation for this age group. However, any increase in older adults’ sport participation either through actively playing, supporting family and friends and/or volunteering will contribute to the positive health of individuals, sport clubs and the community.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Gut thinking: the gut microbiome and mental health beyond the head

Background: In recent decades, dominant models of mental illness have become increasingly focused on the head, with mental disorders being figured as brain disorders. However, research into the active role that the microbiome-gut-brain axis plays in affecting mood and behaviour may lead to the conclusion that mental health is more than an internalised problem of individual brains. Objective: This article explores the implications of shifting understandings about mental health that have come about through research into links between the gut microbiome and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. It aims to analyse the different ways that the lines between mind and body and mental and physical health are re-shaped by this research, which is starting to inform clinical and public understanding. Design: As mental health has become a pressing issue of political and public concern it has become increasingly constructed in socio-cultural and personal terms beyond clinical spaces, requiring a conceptual response that exceeds biomedical inquiry. This article argues that an interdisciplinary critical medical humanities approach is well positioned to analyse the impact of microbiome-gut-brain research on conceptions of mind. Results: The entanglement of mind and matter evinced by microbiome-gut-brain axis research potentially provides a different way to conceptualise the physical and social concomitants of mental distress. Conclusion: Mental health is not narrowly located in the head but is assimilated by the physical body and intermingled with the natural world, requiring different methods of research to unfold the meanings and implications of gut thinking for conceptions of human selfhood

Open science in archaeology

No abstract available

Professional youth football academy injury data: collection procedures, perceived value, and use

Purpose: There is a paucity of descriptive injury data relevant to professional academy football, with little to no evidence reporting how sports science/medicine staff within academies collect and use injury data. Materials and methods: An online survey relating to the perceptions surrounding injury data collection, its value and use was developed. Forty-seven applied practitioners working for different professional football academies completed the survey. Results: Injury data collection procedures conducted by appropriately trained medical staff are widespread among football academies. Injury data collection within academies was deemed worthwhile and important by 79% of practitioners. Similarly, 79% strongly agreed/agreed that using injury data for academic research is worthwhile. The engagement with and use of injury data by coaching staff appears to be relatively poor, with only 49% of practitioners stating coaches formally review data. Conclusions: Injury data are widely collected within academies and practitioners consider this information valuable. However, improving engagement with coaches and using the data for academic research could further improve applied practice. Practical implications: Applied practitioners should consider sharing injury data with both researchers and coaches. In doing so evidence-guided injury prevention interventions may be developed and subsequently applied in the field

Societal-level versus individual-level predictions of ethical behavior: a 48-society study of collectivism and individualism

Is the societal-level of analysis sufficient today to understand the values of those in the global workforce? Or are individual-level analyses more appropriate for assessing the influence of values on ethical behaviors across country workforces? Using multi-level analyses for a 48-society sample, we test the utility of both the societal-level and individual-level dimensions of collectivism and individualism values for predicting ethical behaviors of business professionals. Our values-based behavioral analysis indicates that values at the individual-level make a more significant contribution to explaining variance in ethical behaviors than do values at the societal-level. Implicitly, our findings question the soundness of using societal-level values measures. Implications for international business research are discussed

Giving ‘live’ GPS feedback to athletes: Does it alter locomotor performance during small-sided games?

Introduction Small-sided games (SSGs) are used to train physical qualities while practicing sport specific skills. Live Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data can provide feedback during these games; however, the impact of feedback on subsequent locomotor performance is unknown. This study aimed to investigate if providing ‘live’ GPS feedback to players in between bouts of SSGs altered locomotor performance. Methods Using a reverse counterbalanced design, twenty male university rugby players received either feedback or no-feedback (control) during ‘off-side’ touch rugby SSGs. Eight 5v5, 6x4 minute SSGs were played over four days (2/day) with a 20-minute rest between SSGs and at least 72-hours rest between days. Teams were assigned to feedback (4-games) with verbal feedback provided during a 2-minute between bout rest interval, or no feedback (4-games) for the day. Locomotor performance was measured via a 10 Hz GPS and variables were analysed using a linear mixed model, reported using effect sizes (ES) and 90% confidence intervals and then interpreted via magnitude-based inferences. Results Over the full SSG (6x4 min bouts) there was a possibly trivial (ES = 0.15 [-0.03, 0.34]) difference between conditions in total distance (2200 (156) vs. 2177 (186) m). There was also possibly trivial (ES = 0.18 [0.00, 0.37]) and likely trivial (ES = -0.07 [-0.27, 0.13]) differences between conditions in low- and high-speed distance. Between bouts there was a possibly or likely trivial (ES = 0.08 to 0.14) difference in total distance for bouts 2, 4, 5 and 6, with unclear (ES = -0.01 [-0.24, 0.22]) differences in bout 3. There was a likely trivial (ES = 0.11 [-0.01, 0.22]) difference in total distance covered during the first minute of each bout. Discussion In this study, verbal feedback did not alter locomotor performance in rugby players during SSGs. These data suggest that technical and tactical aspects of SSGs might reduce any ergogenic effects of feedback, although it is unknown if the type of feedback provided nullified any potential effects. Furthermore, extrinsic motivating factors such as team success are likely to be perceived as more important than locomotor performance. Future research should endeavour to investigate if these findings are consistent across other forms of feedback, bout durations, football codes, playing levels or training modalities. Conclusions Verbal feedback of distance covered during bouts of SSGs does not alter subsequent locomotor performance

Revisiting the playbook: Coaches’ opinions and current views of performance, development and load monitoring in highly-trained male youth basketball players

This study examines basketball coaches’ perceptions and current views on performance, player development, and training load monitoring in highly trained male youth academy basketball players. Through semi-structured interviews with nine coaches, we explore their philosophies on player performance, key indicators of success, and the integration of training load monitoring into their coaching practices. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 37 lower-order themes and 14 higher-order themes, which were categorized into four dimensions: Holistic Preparation, Physical and Athletic Performance, Measurement of Physical Output, and Integration of Data. Coaches emphasized psychological, skill-based, and physical aspects of player development, particularly lateral quickness, explosive movements, and coachability. While some coaches value data-informed approaches to optimize training and mitigate injury risk, others remain skeptical about its practical impact. By investigating how coaches perceive and apply performance monitoring, this study provides insights into bridging subjective coaching expertise with objective data analysis. The findings offer practical applications for sport scientists and coaching staff seeking to enhance developmental pathways for highly trained youth basketball players