Patch size effects on plant species decline in an experimentally fragmented landscape

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.esa.org/esa.Understanding local and global extinction is a fundamental objective of both basic and applied ecology. Island biogeography theory (IBT) and succession theory provide frameworks for understanding extinction in changing landscapes. We explore the relative contribution of fragment size vs. succession on species' declines by examining distributions of abundances for 18 plant species declining over time in an experimentally fragmented landscape in northeast Kansas, USA. If patch size effects dominate, early-successional species should persist longer on large patches, but if successional processes dominate, the reverse should hold, because in our system woody plant colonization is accelerated on large patches. To compare the patterns in abundance among patch sizes, we characterize joint shifts in local abundance and occupancy with a new metric: rank occupancy–abundance profiles (ROAPs). As succession progressed, statistically significant patch size effects emerged for 11 of 18 species. More early-successional species persisted longer on large patches, despite the fact that woody encroachment (succession) progressed faster in these patches. Clonal perennial species persisted longer on large patches compared to small patches. All species that persisted longer on small patches were annuals that recruit from the seed bank each year. The degree to which species declined in occupancy vs. abundance varied dramatically among species: some species declined first in occupancy, others remained widespread or even expanded their distribution, even as they declined in local abundance. Consequently, species exhibited various types of rarity as succession progressed. Understanding the effect of fragmentation on extinction trajectories requires a species-by-species approach encompassing both occupancy and local abundance. We propose that ROAPs provide a useful tool for comparing the distribution of local abundances among landscape types, years, and species

Biomechanics beyond the lab: Remote technology for osteoarthritis patient data—A scoping review

The objective of this project is to produce a review of available and validated technologies suitable for gathering biomechanical and functional research data in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), outside of a traditionally fixed laboratory setting. A scoping review was conducted using defined search terms across three databases (Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and PEDro), and additional sources of information from grey literature were added. One author carried out an initial title and abstract review, and two authors independently completed full-text screenings. Out of the total 5,164 articles screened, 75 were included based on inclusion criteria covering a range of technologies in articles published from 2015. These were subsequently categorised by technology type, parameters measured, level of remoteness, and a separate table of commercially available systems. The results concluded that from the growing number of available and emerging technologies, there is a well-established range in use and further in development. Of particular note are the wide-ranging available inertial measurement unit systems and the breadth of technology available to record basic gait spatiotemporal measures with highly beneficial and informative functional outputs. With the majority of technologies categorised as suitable for part-remote use, the number of technologies that are usable and fully remote is rare and they usually employ smartphone software to enable this. With many systems being developed for camera-based technology, such technology is likely to increase in usability and availability as computational models are being developed with increased sensitivities to recognise patterns of movement, enabling data collection in the wider environment and reducing costs and creating a better understanding of OA patient biomechanical and functional movement data

Identifying dance in UK higher education

In this panel a group of University academics from six different UK Higher Education institutions, discusses their understandings of their academic environment with regard to both national and institutional contexts to contemplate the notion of common and distinctive features. Questions to be addressed include whether Higher Education in Dance across the UK is in any way uniform, if so, in what ways? Conversely, in what ways do the distinctive features of each setting differentiate dance education from one institution to another. How do commonalities contribute to an identity of UK Dance in HE that is in turn distinct from Dance among institutions elsewhere in the world? What are similarities across other systems? At the heart of the discussion is a partial construct of an identity of Dance in Higher Education in the UK. Viewed from within we could be forgiven for believing that we are all clearly distinct from one another. From beyond the UK it may appear that we have a common approach to Dance in HE that is in certain ways unique and distinct from the work of colleagues from other countries. Doubtlessly there are overlaps with colleagues from elsewhere and that these will probably emerge through the discussion from the floor.  What we hope to uncover in this session is the continuity and diversity of our work and how this is distinct and as such can be either a starting point from which we can learn from our colleagues or what they might learn from us

Biomechanics beyond the lab: remote technology for osteoarthritis patient data-a scoping review

The objective of this project is to produce a review of available and validated technologies suitable for gathering biomechanical and functional research data in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), outside of a traditionally fixed laboratory setting. A scoping review was conducted using defined search terms across three databases (Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and PEDro), and additional sources of information from grey literature were added. One author carried out an initial title and abstract review, and two authors independently completed full-text screenings. Out of the total 5,164 articles screened, 75 were included based on inclusion criteria covering a range of technologies in articles published from 2015. These were subsequently categorised by technology type, parameters measured, level of remoteness, and a separate table of commercially available systems. The results concluded that from the growing number of available and emerging technologies, there is a well-established range in use and further in development. Of particular note are the wide-ranging available inertial measurement unit systems and the breadth of technology available to record basic gait spatiotemporal measures with highly beneficial and informative functional outputs. With the majority of technologies categorised as suitable for part-remote use, the number of technologies that are usable and fully remote is rare and they usually employ smartphone software to enable this. With many systems being developed for camera-based technology, such technology is likely to increase in usability and availability as computational models are being developed with increased sensitivities to recognise patterns of movement, enabling data collection in the wider environment and reducing costs and creating a better understanding of OA patient biomechanical and functional movement data

Does gait retraining have the potential to reduce medial compartmental loading in individuals with knee osteoarthritis whilst not adversely affecting the other lower limb joints? A systematic review

Objectives To review the literature regarding gait retraining to reduce knee adduction moments and its effects on hip and ankle biomechanics. Data sources Twelve academic databases were searched from inception to January 2019. Key words “walk*” OR “gait”, “knee” OR “adduction moment”, “osteoarthriti*” OR “arthriti*” OR “osteo arthriti*” OR “OA”, and “hip” OR “ankle” were combined with conjunction “and” in all fields. Study selection Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed by two individuals against a pre-defined criterion. Data synthesis Out of the 11 studies, sample sizes varied from 8-40 participants. Eight different gait retraining styles were evaluated: hip internal rotation, lateral trunk lean, toe-in, toe-out, increased step width, medial thrust, contralateral pelvic drop, and medial foot weight transfer. Using the Black and Downs tool, the methodological quality of the included studies was fair to moderate ranging between 12/25 to 18/28. Trunk lean and medial thrust produced the biggest reductions in first peak knee adduction moment. Studies lacked collective sagittal and frontal plane hip and ankle joint biomechanics. Generally, studies had a low sample size of healthy participants and assessed gait retraining during one laboratory visit, whilst not documenting the difficulty of the gait retraining style. Conclusions Gait retraining techniques may reduce knee joint loading, however the biomechanical effects to the pelvis, hip and ankle is unknown, as well as a lack of understanding for the ease of application of the gait retraining styles

Utilising electrodermal activity sensor signals to quantify nociceptive response during movement activities

ObjectiveWith an increasingly ageing population and osteoarthritis prevalence, the quantification of nociceptive signals responsible for painful movements and individual responses could lead to better treatment and monitoring solutions. Changes in electrodermal activity (EDA) can be detected via changes in skin conductance (SC) and measured using finger electrodes on a wearable sensor, providing objective information for increased physiological stress response.ResultsTo provide EDA response preliminary data, this was recorded with healthy volunteers on an array of activities while receiving a noxious stimulus. This provides a defined scenario that can be utilised as protocol feasibility testing. Raw signal extraction, processing and statistical analysis was performed using mean SC values on all participant data. Extra exploratory analysis on a case study was incorporated using various decomposition tools. The application of the stimuli resulted in a 35% average increase in mean SC with considerable gender differences in SC and self-reported pain scores. Though EDA parameters are a promising tool for nociceptive response indicators, limitations including motion artifact sensitivities and lack of previous movement-based EDA published data result in restricted analysis understanding. Refined processing pipelines with signal decomposition tools will be necessary to incorporate into a protocol that quantifies nociceptive response clinically meaningfully

Utilising electrodermal activity sensor signals to quantify nociceptive response during movement activities

ObjectiveWith an increasingly ageing population and osteoarthritis prevalence, the quantification of nociceptive signals responsible for painful movements and individual responses could lead to better treatment and monitoring solutions. Changes in electrodermal activity (EDA) can be detected via changes in skin conductance (SC) and measured using finger electrodes on a wearable sensor, providing objective information for increased physiological stress response.ResultsTo provide EDA response preliminary data, this was recorded with healthy volunteers on an array of activities while receiving a noxious stimulus. This provides a defined scenario that can be utilised as protocol feasibility testing. Raw signal extraction, processing and statistical analysis was performed using mean SC values on all participant data. Extra exploratory analysis on a case study was incorporated using various decomposition tools. The application of the stimuli resulted in a 35% average increase in mean SC with considerable gender differences in SC and self-reported pain scores. Though EDA parameters are a promising tool for nociceptive response indicators, limitations including motion artifact sensitivities and lack of previous movement-based EDA published data result in restricted analysis understanding. Refined processing pipelines with signal decomposition tools will be necessary to incorporate into a protocol that quantifies nociceptive response clinically meaningfully