THE STUDY OF THE OPTIMAL EXCHANGE TECHNIQUE IN 4X100M RELAY

The objective of this study was to determine the baton passing distance i.e. the distance between the ‘go’ mark and start line of acceleration zone for three baton passes. The motion was video filmed (50Hz) during a local athletic meet. Selected video materials were processed using a kinematic system to calculate the centre of gravity (C.G.) of the runners. A plot of C.G. velocity against different distance ranges of 0m to 40m and 70m to 100m for each runner was made. Based on the plots, the ‘go’ mark for three exchange sessions could be established. The results of the study established that the distance from the start line of the outgoing runner to the ‘go’ mark selected by the runners was usually much shorter than the optimal distance

USE OF NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE IN DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL CYCLING PEDALLING RATE FOR FEEDBACK TRAINING

The objective of this study were 1) to find out the individual optimal pedalling rate in noncyclist during pedalling exercise and 2) to assess the effectiveness of the feedback training program on cadence acquisition. Three sessions of the criterion exercise, composed of warm-up exercise and main exercise were performed on the Cateye cyclosimulator on which an on-road bike with SRM powermeter was mounted for pedalling rate and power determinations. During the criterion exercise, the myoelectric signals were recorded by the surface electromyography (EMG) technique. An increase of the integrated EMG (iEMG) as a function of time was found in each session of the pedalling rate. There was significant improvement in pedalling rate error reduction in the experiment group

EMPTY AND FULL STEPS IN TAl CHI EXERCISE

Empty and full transition is one of the basic movements in Tai Chi exercise. This transition is the result of change of body mass position that lead to the change of force distribution between left and right feet. This change of reaction force on foot called transition. The stability and smoothness of transition is important to reflect the technique quality in 42-style Tai Chi competition. This study was to determine the difference of transition technique between professional and amateur groups

TENPIN BOWLING TECHNIQUE ON ELITE PLAYERS

The objective of this study was to profile the elite level tenpin bowlers in delivery technique and to compare any difference between male and female bowlers. Twelve bowlers (seven males and five females) were filmed using a JVC GY-X2 video camera (50Hz) to capture the sagittal movement plane of the bowlers starting from the third last stride to the ball released of the bowlers. Then the selected video materials were processed by the Peak Motus System to produce co-ordinates for selected body landmarks. There were significance differences between the male and female bowlers in toe foul line, arm swing at release, and hip shoulder wrist angle. Moreover, the pace and the stepping pallern of the footwork could help to establish a better timing, balance, and strong finish

COMPARISON OF SNOWSHOEING KNIEMATICS ON GRASSLAND AND SAND COURSE – PILOT STUDY

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics characteristics of snowshoeing on grassland and sand course in elite Hong Kong mentally handicapped athletes. Two athletes were asked to perform the snowshoeing on grassland and sand course with their maximal speed. Kinematics parameters included single leg support time, flight time, stride frequency, velocity of center of gravity (CG), vertical displacement of CG, cycle length, thigh and knee angle were measured. The results of low extremity kinematics supported that there were differences in movement pattern of snowshoeing between grassland and sand course

The effect of Massachusetts health reform on 30 day hospital readmissions: retrospective analysis of hospital episode statistics

Objectives: To analyse changes in overall readmission rates and disparities in such rates, among patients aged 18-64 (those most likely to have been affected by reform), using all payer inpatient discharge databases (hospital episode statistics) from Massachusetts and two control states (New York and New Jersey). Design: Difference in differences analysis to identify the post-reform change, adjusted for secular changes unrelated to reform. Setting: US hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Participants: Adults aged 18-64 admitted for any cause, excluding obstetrical. Main outcome measure Readmissions at 30 days after an index admission. Results: After adjustment for known confounders, including age, sex, comorbidity, hospital ownership, teaching hospital status, and nurse to census ratio, the odds of all cause readmission in Massachusetts was slightly increased compared with control states post-reform (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.04, P<0.05). Racial and ethnic disparities in all cause readmission rates did not change in Massachusetts compared with control states. In analyses limited to Massachusetts only, there were minimal overall differences in changes in readmission rates between counties with differing baseline uninsurance rates, but black people in counties with the highest uninsurance rates had decreased odds of readmission (0.91, 0.84 to 1.00) compared with black people in counties with lower uninsurance rates. Similarly, white people in counties with the highest uninsurance rates had decreased odds of readmission (0.96, 0.94 to 0.99) compared with white people in counties with lower uninsurance rates. Conclusions: In the United States, and in Massachusetts in particular, extending health insurance coverage alone seems insufficient to improve readmission rates. Additional efforts are needed to reduce hospital readmissions and disparities in this outcome

RFID Reader Antenna with Multi-Linear Polarization Diversity

This paper describes an RFID reader antenna that offers reduced polarization loss compared to that typically associated with reader-tag communications involving arbitrary relative orientation of the reader antenna and the tag

What are the opportunities for manufacturing in the “one belt one road” initiative? The case of Hong Kong’s textiles and clothing sector

The One Belt, One Road (hereafter OBOR) initiative is a development strategy launched by China in 2015. Its aim is to increase economic co-operation among countries along the China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that connect Asia, Europe and Africa. As one of China’s important economic drivers, Hong Kong’s anticipated gains taking part in this initiative are substantial. This is particularly true for companies in the textiles and clothing (T&C) sectors, as the OBOR initiative offers investment opportunities in developing low-cost production bases in developing countries and promotes global trade. The main objective of this paper is twofold. First, it investigates how Hong Kong can strengthen its “superconnector” role, facilitating sustainable trade and development in the T&C industries among some OBOR countries. Specific measures are identified so that T&C companies in Hong Kong can establish and facilitate technological upgrades and transformation to potential production facilities in some developing countries under the OBOR initiative. This would contribute to the sustainable development of the T&C sectors in Hong Kong. Second, the study extends the gravity trade model to analyze the development of T&C trade patterns between Hong Kong and OBOR countries. Especially it covered some of the key factors not considered in previous studies, such as Logistics Performance Index (LPI), demographical factors, and those related to the business environment and policies. The analysis covers the impacts of country-specific, social, economic and supply chain factors on T&C trade. Based on the results, recommendations are provided to address how Hong Kong helps to facilitate trade and development of the T&C sectors under the OBOR initiative

Outcomes of concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting at teaching hospitals versus nonteaching hospitals

ObjectiveHospitals with a high volume and academic status produce better patient outcomes than other hospitals after complex surgical procedures. Risk models show that concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting pose a greater risk than isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement. We examined the relationship of hospital teaching status and the presence of a thoracic surgery residency program with aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes.MethodsBy using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we identified patients who underwent concomitant aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting from 1998 to 2007 at nonteaching hospitals, teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program, and teaching hospitals with a thoracic surgery residency program. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify intergroup differences. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and complication rates.ResultsThe 3 groups of patients did not differ significantly in their baseline characteristics. Patients who underwent aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting had higher overall risk-adjusted complication rates in nonteaching hospitals (odds ratio 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–1.80; P < .0001) and teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program (odds ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–1.60; P < .0001) than in thoracic surgery residency program hospitals. However, no difference was observed in the adjusted mortality rate for nonteaching hospitals (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.87–1.04; P = .25) or teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program (odds ratio 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.08; P = .98) when compared with thoracic surgery residency program hospitals. Robust statistical models were used for analysis, with c-statistics of 0.98 (complications) and 0.82 (mortality).ConclusionPatients who require complex cardiac operations may have better outcomes when treated at teaching hospitals with a thoracic surgery residency program

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Petrochemical Plant Operations: A Measurement and Verification Case Study Using a Balanced Wave Optimizer

The Chinese petrochemical industry is facing pressure to meet strict targets of energy consumption and carbon emission reductions. Water pumps are the primary equipment used in most chemical and agrochemical industries sectors since water is commonly used for cooling and heating purposes, but these pumps also consume a large amount of energy. Other uses of water pumps in these industries include producing steam for heating, preparing reaction media or absorptive reagents, rinsing products, and distilling. As for the electrical components of the water pump systems, current technologies of variable frequency drives and superconducting transmission lines are unable to increase the energy efficiency of these systems with a fixed load. However, the Balanced Wave Technology (BWT) is offered as a solution to overcome these limitations. In this report, a case study using a BWT optimizer is conducted on a closed loop water circulation system. Two BWTs are added to the individual motor-controlled section of each pump that is being used on the switchboard. For the first time, a detailed example was provided on how to implement option B of the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) in China by evaluating the performance of BWT as an energy conservation measure. The evaluated periods included those of the baseline, post-installation, and actual performance of the optimizers. An average saving of energy of about 10.46% is recorded in a 5-week reporting period. On this basis, that annual electricity saved is estimated to be 66,447.18 kWh, which is equivalent to the emission of 68.94 metric tons of CO2e. This case study demonstrates in detail how option B of IPMVP can be implemented for BWTs applied on pumping systems. In addition to petrochemical production plants, other industries like textile and clothing sections, which are heavy users of water and electrical energy with fixed loads in the production processes of raw materials, fiber, yarn, and fabric, as well as textile-dyeing and final treatment, could benefit from applying this new technology