UNO IRB Submissions 2012-2016

UNO IRB Submissions 2012-201

Digestion of copepod eggs by larval turbot Scophthalmus maximus and egg viability following gut passage

Between 20.5 and 93.6 % of the subitaneous eggs of 6 species of egg-carrying copepods passed undigested through the digestive tracts of larval and early postlarval turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Viability of the eggs of Eurytemora affinis, E. velox and Euterpina acutifrons remained high on egestion (67.0 to 91.7 %), Pseudocalanus elongatus and Oncaea venusta eggs had low viability (1.1 to 1.5 %), while all Corycaeus anglicus eggs were rendered inviable. The indigestibility of the eggs denies the turbot larvae a potentially valuable food resource, while retention of high egg viability in certain species reduces the effect of predation

Trace Elements in Thai Oxisols on Limestone in Relation to Rainfall

AbstractTrace element concentrations of 7 profiles of Oxisols derived from calcareous sedimentary rocks under tropical monsoonal and the tropical savanna environments have been investigated using XRD, SXRD, XRF, and ICP–OES analytical techniques so as to provide baseline values for estimating environmental contamination of soils with heavy metals. Kaolinite was the dominant mineral of the clay fraction with moderate amounts of goethite and hematite. Gibbsite was only present in Ak1 profile under more humid conditions contributing to high anion exchange capacity (AEC). Trace element concentrations in these soils conform to those for worldwide normal soils. However, the extraordinary high arsenic (As) concentration in Ak1 soil represents a hazardous concentration (313mg kg-1), which may have been inherited from the parent rock. Arsenic in this soil is probably not toxic because it is immobile in an oxidized environment, and is sorbed onto soil constituents particularly sesquioxides. Factor analysis showed that for soils under various rainfalls were deficient. For the whole soil samples, three main groups of similar geochemical behavior existed. Different concentrations of elements of the Ca group (Ca, Ni, Cr, Mg, Ba, Be, Gd, Rb, K, Co, Mn, Zn, La, Cu, V, Ce, P, Cd, Sc, Pb, clay, SSA and CEC) and the Si group (Si and sand), resulted in soils developed under the tropical monsoonal and the tropical savanna climates being clearly different. The Fe group (Fe, Ti, Al, Mo, Ge, Se, Sr, Ga, Th, Hf, U, As and Sb) separated the soils developed of under a tropical monsoonal into two groups based on the very high concentrations of Fe, Al and As in Ak1 profile

A kinematic analysis of the spine during rugby scrummaging on natural and synthetic turfs

Artificial surfaces are now an established alternative to grass (natural) surfaces in rugby union. Little is known, however, about their potential to reduce injury. This study characterises the spinal kinematics of rugby union hookers during scrummaging on third-generation synthetic (3G) and natural pitches. The spine was sectioned into five segments, with inertial sensors providing three-dimensional kinematic data sampled at 40 Hz/sensor. Twenty-two adult, male community club and university-level hookers were recruited. An equal number were analysed whilst scrummaging on natural or synthetic turf. Players scrummaging on synthetic turf demonstrated less angular velocity in the lower thoracic spine for right and left lateral bending and right rotation. The general reduction in the range of motion and velocities, extrapolated over a prolonged playing career, may mean that the synthetic turf could result in fewer degenerative injuries. It should be noted, however, that this conclusion considers only the scrummaging scenario

Does the new rugby union scrum sequence positively influence the hooker's in situ spinal kinematics?

Background: Scrummaging is unique to rugby union and involves 2 ‘packs’ of 8 players competing to regain ball possession. Intending to serve as a quick and safe method to restart the game, injury prevalence during scrummaging necessitates further evaluation of this environment. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of scrummage engagement sequences on spinal kinematics of the hooker. The conditions investigated were: (1) live competitive scrummaging using the new ‘crouch, bind, set’ sequence; (2) live competitive scrummaging using the old ‘crouch touch pause engage’ sequence and (3) training scrummaging using a scrum machine. Methods: Inertial sensors provided three-dimensional kinematic data across 5 spinal regions. Participants (n=29) were adult, male community club and university-level hookers. Results: Engagement sequence had no effect on resultant kinematics of any spinal region. Machine scrummaging resulted in lesser magnitudes of motion in the upper spinal regions. Around two-thirds of the total available cervical motion was utilised during live scrummaging. Conclusions: This study indicates that the most recent laws do not influence the spinal kinematics of the hooker during live scrummaging; however, there may be other benefits from these law changes that fall outside the scope of this investigation