Complete Findings: Survey on Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in California: 2009

A Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is required of every state in order to be eligible for grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. The LWCF Act requires the SCORP to include the following: a) the name of the state agency with authority to act for California in dealing with the Secretary of the Interior for the purposes of the LWCF Act, b) an evaluation of the demand for and supply of the outdoor recreation resources and facilities in the state, c) a program for the implementation of the Plan, d) certification by the governor that ample opportunity for public participation has taken place in Plan development, e) other necessary information as may be determined by the Secretary. The 2007 Survey on Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in Californiaincluded a telephone survey, an adult mail survey, youth focus groups, and a youth mail survey in order to provide a comprehensive view of the outdoor recreation patterns and preferences of Californians. The measurement of various items on the surveys was changed substantially from earlier surveys (2002, 1997, etc.) in order to attempt to increase response rates, improve the readability of the survey instruments, and to provide a contemporary view of outdoor recreation in California. For example, the 2008 telephone survey focused on physical activity that occurs in parks. Similarly, the adult mail survey added components on leisure constraints, issues regarding global warming, and enhanced measures of latent demand for recreation activities. Finally, the youth survey addressed issues important to California’s youth and included items regarding the recently developed and Governor endorsed California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBR). The sampling procedures resulted in a telephone survey of 2,780 Californians of which, 1,227 also completed a mail/online survey. In addition, 397 youth participated in the youth mail survey

Using High Frequency Focused Water-Coupled Ultrasound for 3-D Surface Depression Profiling

Surface topography is an important variable in the performance of many industrial components and is normally measured with diamond-tip profilometry over a small area or using optical scattering methods for larger area measurement. A prior study was performed demonstrating that focused air-coupled ultrasound at 1 MHz was capable of profiling surfaces with 25 micron depth resolution and 400 micron lateral resolution over a 1.4 mm depth range. In this article, the question of whether higher-frequency focused water-coupled ultrasound can improve on these specifications is addressed. 10 and 25 MHz focused ultrasonic transducers were employed in the water-coupled mode. Time-of-flight images of the sample surface were acquired and converted to depth / surface profile images using the simple relation (d = V*t/2) between distance (d), time-of-flight (t), and the velocity of sound in water (V). Results are compared for the two frequencies used and with those from the 1 MHz air-coupled configuration

ASSESSING THE KINEMATICS OF A NOVEL COLLISION SPORT SIMULATOR

The tackle is a common and dynamic phase of play in rugby union and other collision sports. It is necessary to study the tackle to characterise its various facets that include impact force, biological markers, and technical and skill-related requirements. Therefore, a novel collision sport simulator was &signed to replicate front-on tackle situations. This study describes the movement and velocity properties of the simulator relative to the force of pressure exerted by a pneumatic system. Future research using this simulator may guide the development of skill training/conditioning sessions and injury prevention programs

Coach and player rating of perceived challenge (RPC) as a technical skill monitoring tool in Rugby Union

Objective: To determine the relationship between player and coach rating of perceived challenge (RPC) for different training sessions over a competitive rugby union season. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between player RPC and player session rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods: We used an observational longitudinal study design to monitor 51 male highly-trained under 21 rugby union players and four coaches over an 11-week competitive rugby season (a total of 1798 training session observations). Player RPC (0 to 10 arbitrary units (AU)) and RPE ratings (0 to 10 AU) were collected after team sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session with all players training together), split sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session where players trained separately according to their positional grouping (forward and backs)) and gym sessions (non-field-based session with all players training together). Coach RPC ratings were only collected after team sessions and split sessions. Results: A weak positive relationship (rho = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.42; p <.001) was found for split sessions (player RPC: 4.40; 95% CI: 3.87–4.87 AU; coach RPC: 4.25; 95% CI: 3.92–4.60 AU), while a moderate positive relationship (rho = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.31–0.43; p <.001) was found between player RPC (4.29; 95% CI: 4.00–4.55) and coach RPC (4.96; 95% CI: 4.89–5.05) for team sessions. Forwards had a higher RPC (5.33; 95% CI: 4.50–5.65) compared to backs (3.45; 95% CI: 2.88–4.00) for split (p <.001) and team sessions (forward's RPC: 4.66; 95% CI: 4.37–4.94; back's RPC: 3.84; 95% CI: 3.38–4.26; p <.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, using a rating to quantify the perceived challenge of training, we found coaches may be overestimating how challenging their training sessions are. Forwards-rated field sessions more challenging than backs, which likely represents their additional technical and tactical demands from training scrums, line-outs and mauls. While the RPC has strong theoretical justification as a rating tool to potentially fulfil the gap of quantifying the perceived challenge of training, thoughtful validity studies are yet to be conducted on the scale, which are the required next steps if the RPC is going form part of a coach's and practitioner's toolbox to optimise skill training

Commercial Implementation of Ultrasonic Velocity Imaging Methods via Cooperative Agreement Between NASA Lewis Research Center and Sonix, Inc.

This article describes the commercial implementation of ultrasonic velocity imaging methods developed and refined at NASA Lewis Research Center on the Sonix c-scan inspection system. Two velocity imaging methods were implemented: thickness-based and non-thickness-based reflector plate methods. The article demonstrates capabilities of the commercial implementation and gives the detailed operating procedures required for Sonix customers to achieve optimum velocity imaging results. This commercial implementation of velocity imaging provides a 100x speed increase in scanning and processing over the lab-based methods developed at LeRC. The significance of this cooperative effort is that the aerospace and other materials development-intensive industries which use extensive ultrasonic inspection for process control and failure analysis will now have an alternative, highly accurate imaging method commercially available

Tackle technique knowledge alone does not translate to proper tackle technique execution in training

Objectives Effective tackle technique is associated with reduced injury risks and improved performance in contact. Injury prevention programmes aim to provide players with knowledge of effective technique. However, little is known of the impact of this knowledge on a player's technique in the tackle. This study aimed to determine the association between knowledge of proper tackle technique and tackle technique proficiency in training. Methods Fifty-three rugby union players participated in a tackle contact drill and, thereafter, completed a questionnaire. The drill was filmed, and the players' tackle and ball-carry technique were assessed using standardised technical proficiency. In the questionnaire, the players were asked to rate the importance of each tackle and ball-carry technique on a 5-point Likert scale, for both injury prevention and performance tackle outcomes. Linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between the knowledge of the importance of proper tackle technique and tackle technique proficiency during the drill. Results No association was found between players' knowledge of the importance of proper technique and tackle contact technique in training for both injury prevention and performance. Conclusion The lack of association between players' knowledge and actual tackle contact technique reveals the gap between the knowledge of safe and effective techniques and the knowledge of how to execute the said techniques

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymer coatings facilitate smaller neural recording electrodes

We investigated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to lower the impedance of small, gold recording electrodes with initial impedances outside of the effective recording range. Smaller electrode sites enable more densely packed arrays, increasing the number of input and output channels to and from the brain. Moreover, smaller electrode sizes promote smaller probe designs; decreasing the dimensions of the implanted probe has been demonstrated to decrease the inherent immune response, a known contributor to the failure of long-term implants. As expected, chronically implanted control electrodes were unable to record well-isolated unit activity, primarily as a result of a dramatically increased noise floor. Conversely, electrodes coated with PEDOT consistently recorded high-quality neural activity, and exhibited a much lower noise floor than controls. These results demonstrate that PEDOT coatings enable electrode designs 15 µm in diameter.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90823/1/1741-2552_8_1_014001.pd

Preseason Functional Movement Screen Component Tests Predict Severe Contact Injuries in Professional Rugby Union Players.

Tee, JC, Klingbiel, JFG, Collins, R, Lambert, MI, and Coopoo, Y. Preseason Functional Movement Screen component tests predict severe contact injuries in professional rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3194-3203, 2016-Rugby union is a collision sport with a relatively high risk of injury. The ability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) or its component tests to predict the occurrence of severe (≥28 days) injuries in professional players was assessed. Ninety FMS test observations from 62 players across 4 different time periods were compared with severe injuries sustained during 6 months after FMS testing. Mean composite FMS scores were significantly lower in players who sustained severe injury (injured 13.2 ± 1.5 vs. noninjured 14.5 ± 1.4, Effect Size = 0.83, large) because of differences in in-line lunge (ILL) and active straight leg raise scores (ASLR). Receiver-operated characteristic curves and 2 × 2 contingency tables were used to determine that ASLR (cut-off 2/3) was the injury predictor with the greatest sensitivity (0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-1.0). Adding the ILL in combination with ASLR (ILL + ASLR) improved the specificity of the injury prediction model (ASLR specificity = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.18-0.43 vs. ASLR + ILL specificity = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.39-0.66, p ≤ 0.05). Further analysis was performed to determine whether FMS tests could predict contact and noncontact injuries. The FMS composite score and various combinations of component tests (deep squat [DS] + ILL, ILL + ASLR, and DS + ILL + ASLR) were all significant predictors of contact injury. The FMS composite score also predicted noncontact injury, but no component test or combination thereof produced a similar result. These findings indicate that low scores on various FMS component tests are risk factors for injury in professional rugby players

New Technology-Large-Area Three- Dimensional Surface Profiling Using Only Focused Air-Coupled Ultrasound-Given 1999 R&D 100 Award

Surface topography, which significantly affects the performance of many industrial components, is normally measured with diamond-tip profilometry over small areas or with optical scattering methods over larger areas. To develop air-coupled surface profilometry, the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field initiated a Space Act Agreement with Sonix, Inc., through two Glenn programs, the Advanced High Temperature Engine Materials Program (HITEMP) and COMMTECH. The work resulted in quantitative surface topography profiles obtained using only high-frequency, focused ultrasonic pulses in air. The method is nondestructive, noninvasive, and noncontact, and it does not require light-reflective surfaces. Air surface profiling may be desirable when diamond-tip or laserbased methods are impractical, such as over large areas, when a significant depth range is required, or for curved surfaces. When the configuration is optimized, the method is reasonably rapid and all the quantitative analysis facilities are online, including two- and three-dimensional visualization, extreme value filtering (for faulty data), and leveling

The Vehicle, 1967, Vol. 9 no. 1

Vol. 9, No. 1 Table of Contents Commentarypage 3 PoofMolly J. Evanspage 4 PreludeMike Baldwinpage 5 UntitledMike Baldwinpage 5 Where is Tomorrow?Paula Bresnanpage 6 Could It Be Or NotMary Hoeggerpage 7 PsalmAnthony Griggspage 7 Where Am I Going?William A. Framepage 8 Out of DarknessMarilyn Henry Hoodpage 9 She CriedMolly J. Evanspage 12 When I MoveAnthony Griggspage 13 Hi Ya, MorningWilliam A. Framepage 13 Summer Twilight ThoughtsSteve Allenpage 14 Too MuchBill Moserpage 16 Ink SketchWilliam A. Framepage 17 No. 1Molly J. Evanspage 18 Youth, So Hated and DamnedJeff Hendrickspage 18 GoneJackie Jaquespage 19 The JesterWilliam A. Framepage 20 ReflectionMike Baldwinpage 20 No. 3Molly J. Evanspage 21 EpitaphBill Moserpage 22 I Take A Long-Out-of-Use BookAnthony Griggspage 23https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1016/thumbnail.jp