Constraints on Jupiter’s Stratospheric HCl abundance and chlorine cycle from Herschel/HIFI

Detection of HCl on Jupiter would provide insight into the chlorine cycle and external elemental fluxes on giant planets, yet so far has not been possible. Here we present the most sensitive search for Jupiter׳s stratospheric HCl to date using observations of the 625.907 and 1876.221 GHz spectral lines with Herschel׳s HIFI instrument. HCl was not detected, but we determined the most stringent upper limits so far, improving on previous studies by two orders of magnitude. If HCl is assumed to be uniformly mixed, with a constant volume mixing ratio above the 1 mbar pressure level and has zero abundance below, we obtain a 3-σ upper limit of 0.061 ppb; in contrast, if we assume uniform mixing above the 1 mbar level and allow a non-zero but downward-decreasing abundance from 1 mbar to the troposphere based on eddy diffusion, we obtain a 3-σ upper limit of 0.027 ppb. This is below the abundance expected for a solar composition cometary source and implies that upper stratospheric HCl loss processes are required for consistency with observations of the external oxygen flux. We investigated loss via aerosol scavenging using a simple diffusion model and conclude that it could be a very effective mechanism for HCl removal. Transient scavenging by stratospheric NH3 from impacts is another potentially important loss mechanism. This suggests that it is extremely unlikely that HCl is present in sufficient quantities to be detectable in the near future. An alternative explanation for our very low upper limits could be that HCl is sub-solar in comets or that cometary chlorine exists in inactive reservoirs that are not readily converted to HCl during the impact process

Botsourcing and Outsourcing: Robot, British, Chinese, and German Workers Are for Thinking—Not Feeling—Jobs

Technological innovations have produced robots capable of jobs that, until recently, only humans could perform. The present research explores the psychology of "botsourcing"—the replacement of human jobs by robots—while examining how understanding botsourcing can inform the psychology of outsourcing—the replacement of jobs in one country by humans from other countries. We test four related hypotheses across six experiments: (1) Given people's lay theories about the capacities for cognition and emotion for robots and humans, workers will express more discomfort with botsourcing when they consider losing jobs that require emotion versus cognition; (2) people will express more comfort with botsourcing when jobs are framed as requiring cognition versus emotion; (3) people will express more comfort with botsourcing for jobs that do require emotion if robots appear to convey more emotion; and (4) people prefer to outsource cognition-oriented versus emotion-oriented jobs to other humans who are perceived as more versus less robotic. These results have theoretical implications for understanding social cognition about both humans and nonhumans and practical implications for the increasingly botsourced and outsourced economy

The diagnosis of serious bacterial infections in the children’s emergency department

Background Acute febrile illness is a common presentation to the children’s Emergency Department (ED). Difficulty discriminating between Serious Bacterial Infections (SBI) and self-limiting infections results in delayed treatment of SBI, and over-treatment of self-limiting infections. Aims/Objectives To define the aetiology of bacteraemia in the children’s ED, to evaluate a universal molecular diagnostic for the diagnosis of bacteraemia, and to derive and validate risk prediction models for SBI in this setting. Methods A prospective diagnostic accuracy study of clinical and biomarker variables in febrile children presenting to the ED which incorporated a case-control study evaluating 16S rRNA followed by sequencing for the diagnosis of bacteraemia. An 11 year retrospective time series analysis described the aetiology of bacteraemia presenting to the children’s ED. The study had full ethical approval. Results Time series analysis of bacteraemia presenting to the ED between 2001 and 2011 (n=575) estimated an annual 10.6% reduction in vaccine-preventable infections, and an annual 6.7% increase in Gram-negative infections. The rate of healthcare-associated bacteraemia increased from 0.18 to 0.50 per 1000 ED attendances, and the proportion of isolates susceptible to empirical antibiotics declined from 96.3% to 82.6%. Episodes of Gram-negative bacteraemia received antibiotics 1h later than episodes of vaccine-preventable bacteraemia. 1101 children were recruited to the diagnostic accuracy study. 146 children were included in an evaluation of 16S rRNA PCR in whole blood (SepsiTest) followed by sequencing for the diagnosis of bacteraemia. 120 ‘high-risk’ children were selected alongside 26 ‘low-risk’ children. SepsiTest identified 9/16 (56%) cases of bacteraemia. Combination with blood culture yielded a sensitivity of 75%, and specificity of 66%. SepsiTest identified 17/120 bloodstream infections with Viridans Group Streptococci in the high-risk group, and none in the low-risk group (p=0.06). A risk prediction model combining clinical variables with the biomarkers CRP, Procalcitonin and Resistin discriminated well between Pneumonia, ‘other SBIs’ and no SBI (AUC 0.84 and 0.77 respectively). External validation of published models was performed and improvements in classification achieved by the addition of Procalcitonin and Resistin. The addition of biomarkers had particular value in ruling-out ‘other SBIs’ (NRI for non-events 5.3%). Conclusion Serious Bacterial Infections in the children’s ED are increasingly healthcare-associated, and remain difficult to recognise. Broad-range molecular tests which are culture independent may have a role as adjuncts to conventional microbiology but require ongoing evaluation. Meanwhile, risk prediction models improve discrimination between SBI and self-limiting infections and should be tested in robust impact studies

A novel method for comparing vector coding profiles

The aim of this study was to present a new method for comparing intra-limb coordination profiles utilising vector coding and coordination binning approaches. Three-dimensional kinematic data (250 Hz) were collected from six male sprinters performing bilateral and unilateral 30 cm drop jumps. Vector coding techniques were applied to sagittal plane angle-angle plots for the hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle joint couples and resulting coupling angles were binned into eight distinct coordination patterns. A ‘difference score‘ was calculated to provide discrete and continuous comparison of coordination profiles between each task. The method presented offers a simple, practical way for researchers and practitioners to understand and compare movement coordination between tasks and could be applied to any inter- and intra- individual comparison

A novel method for comparing vector coding profiles

The aim of this study was to present a new method for comparing intra-limb coordination profiles utilising vector coding and coordination binning approaches. Three-dimensional kinematic data (250 Hz) were collected from six male sprinters performing bilateral and unilateral 30 cm drop jumps. Vector coding techniques were applied to sagittal plane angleangle plots for the hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle joint couples and resulting coupling angles were binned into eight distinct coordination patterns. A ‘difference score‘ was calculated to provide discrete and continuous comparison of coordination profiles between each task. The method presented offers a simple, practical way for researchers and practitioners to understand and compare movement coordination between tasks and could be applied to any inter- and intra- individual comparison

SPECIFIC-OVERLOAD CHARACTERISTICS OF HORIZONTAL JUMP EXERCISES IN COMPARISON TO THE BLOCK START

The aim of this study was to compare kinetic data at the ankle, knee and hip joint between the block start and three variations of horizontal jump exercises. Eight male sprinters (100 m PB 10.88 ± 0.18 s) performed each exercise whilst external force (1000 Hz) and 3D kinematics (250 Hz) were collected. Internal kinetics at the ankle, knee and hip joint were calculated using inverse dynamics. Key results indicated significantly increased moment and power at the ankle joint in the horizontal jumps compared with the block start, but no differences in power at the knee and hip joint. The present study highlighted specific-overload at the ankle joint but also similarity in the organisation of power across all joints. The information provides coaches and athletes with key biomechanical information to inform exercise selection for physical preparation programmes

Specific-overload characteristics of horizontal jump exercises in comparison to the block start.

The aim of this study was to compare kinetic data at the ankle, knee and hip joint between the block start and three variations of horizontal jump exercises. Eight male sprinters (100 m PB 10.88 ± 0.18 s) performed each exercise whilst external force (1000 Hz) and 3D kinematics (250 Hz) were collected. Internal kinetics at the ankle, knee and hip joint were calculated using inverse dynamics. Key results indicated significantly increased moment and power at the ankle joint in the horizontal jumps compared with the block start, but no differences in power at the knee and hip joint. The present study highlighted specific-overload at the ankle joint but also similarity in the organisation of power across all joints. The information provides coaches and athletes with key biomechanical information to inform exercise selection for physical preparation programmes

Joint kinetic determinants of starting block performance in athletic sprinting

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between lower limb joint kinetics, external force production and starting block performance (normalised average horizontal power, NAHP). Seventeen male sprinters (100 m PB, 10.67 ± 0.32 s) performed maximal block starts from instrumented starting blocks (1000 Hz) whilst 3D kinematics (250 Hz) were also recorded during the block phase. Ankle, knee and hip resultant joint moment and power were calculated at the rear and front leg using inverse dynamics. Average horizontal force applied to the front (r = 0.46) and rear (r = 0.44) block explained 86% of the variance in NAHP. At the joint level, many “very likely” to “almost certain” relationships (r = 0.57 to 0.83) were found between joint kinetic data and the magnitude of horizontal force applied to each block although stepwise multiple regression revealed that 55% of the variance in NAHP was accounted for by rear ankle moment, front hip moment and front knee power. The current study provides novel insight into starting block performance and the relationships between lower limb joint kinetic and external kinetic data that can help inform physical and technical training practices for this skill.<br/

MAGNITUDE AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXTERNAL FORCE PRODUCTION IN THE STARTING BLOCKS: RELATIONSHIP WITH PERFORMANCE

The aim of this study was to investigate magnitude and technical characteristics of external force production in the block phase of the sprint start. Nine male sprinters (100 m PB 10.48 ± 0.28 s) performed five to six maximal effort block starts. External force applied to the front and rear blocks were measured using customised instrumented blocks. Average horizontal, vertical and resultant force, and the angle of the resultant force vector underwent correlational analyses with block performance (normalised average horizontal power). Results revealed that front block average horizontal, vertical and resultant force, and rear block angle of the resultant force vector possessed significant relationships with performance, and highlighted that both magnitude and technical characteristics were related to block performance

Magnitude and technical characteristics of external force production in the starting blocks: relationship with performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate magnitude and technical characteristics of external force production in the block phase of the sprint start. Nine male sprinters (100 m PB 10.48 ± 0.28 s) performed five to six maximal effort block starts. External force applied to the front and rear blocks were measured using customised instrumented blocks. Average horizontal, vertical and resultant force, and the angle of the resultant force vector underwent correlational analyses with block performance (normalised average horizontal power). Results revealed that front block average horizontal, vertical and resultant force, and rear block angle of the resultant force vector possessed significant relationships with performance, and highlighted that both magnitude and technical characteristics were related to block performance