Cardiovascular and Autonomic Nervous System Function: Impact of Glucose Ingestion, Hydration Status and Exercise in Heated Environments

Cardiovascular function is under the influence of autonomic nervous system, both of which can be assessed non-invasively. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine these non-invasive markers of cardiovascular and autonomic function and their relationships with exercise training, glucose ingestion and hydration status. A series of three studies were conducted to gain insight to various influences on cardiovascular and autonomic function. The first study examined the influence of exercise training of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) using meta-analytic techniques. Sixty-six studies included in the analysis demonstrated exercise training improves BAFMD compared to controls. Results indicated exercise training significantly alters BAFMD, a well-known factor associated with prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Exercise training interventions including greater intensity and duration may optimize increases in BAFMD. The second study observed glucose ingestion alters autonomic nervous system function, shifting the sympathetic/parasympathetic balance to higher sympathetic activity. Higher exercise intensity decreased fasting heart rate variability 24-hrs after cessation of exercise whereas lower exercise intensity did not alter heart rate variability. Acute exercise increased heart rate variability after an oral glucose tolerance test, but was not affected by exercise intensity. The last study determined the effect of chronic dehydration on cardiovascular and sweat responses during exercise in a heated environment. Dehydration altered blood and urine markers of hydration status, but did not change cardiovascular and sweat response to exercise in the heat. . In addition, BAFMD was related to the change in weighted skin temperature and body temperature during exercise in the heat, and increased LF/HF at rest was associated with increased peak heat storage. Together these data suggest resting cardiovascular health may influence the ability to thermoregulate during exercise in the heat

Preventing mental health problems in children : the families in mind population-based cluster randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundExternalising and internalising problems affect one in seven school-aged children and are the single strongest predictor of mental health problems into early adolescence. As the burden of mental health problems persists globally, childhood prevention of mental health problems is paramount. Prevention can be offered to all children (universal) or to children at risk of developing mental health problems (targeted). The relative effectiveness and costs of a targeted only versus combined universal and targeted approach are unknown. This study aims to the effectiveness, costs and uptake of two approaches to early childhood prevention of mental health problems ie: a Combined universal-targeted approach, versus a Targeted only approach, in comparison to current primary care services (Usual care).DesignThree armed, population-level cluster randomised trial (2010-2014) within the universal, well child Maternal Child Health system, attended by more than 80% of families in Victoria, Australia at infant age eight months. Participants: Families of eight month old children from nine participating local government areas. Randomised to one of three groups: Combined, Targeted or Usual care. Intervention: (a) the Combined universal and targeted program where all families are offered the universal Toddlers Without Tears group parenting program followed by the targeted Family Check-Up one-on-one program or (b) the Targeted Family Check-Up program. The Family Check-Up program is only offered to children at risk of behavioural problems. Analysis: Participants will be analysed according to the trial arm to which they were randomised, using logistic and linear regression models to compare primary and secondary outcomes. An economic evaluation (cost consequences analysis) will compare incremental costs to all incremental outcomes from a societal perspective.DiscussionThis trial will inform public health policy by making recommendations about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these early prevention programs. If effective prevention programs can be implemented at the population level, the growing burden of mental health problems could be curbed.<br /

Suono e Spettacolo. Athanasius Kircher, un percorso nelle Immagini sonore.

The Society of Jesus made great propaganda efforts throughout the seventeenth century and chose the images and the play as a privileged means to communicate and persuade. Athanasius Kircher, a key figure of the seventeenth century, he decided to dominate the wild nature of sound through Phonurgia Nova, which includes a gallery of powerful symbolic images for Baroque aesthetics. The essay, through the grant of the images from the Library of the Department of Mathematics "Guido Castelnuovo" Sapienza University of Rome, aims to understand, through the pictures offered by Kircher, the sound phenomenon and the spectacle that this produces. In Phonurgia Nova a process of dramatization sound effects takes place, often through machines and "visions" applied to the theatrical reality, as experimental and astonishing environment beloved in baroque. Kircher illustrates the sound through explanatory figures, so to dominate the sound through the eyes. Sound is seen, admired and represented: its spectacle not only takes place through the implementation of sound machines or the "wonders" applied to the theater, but even through images, creating create a sense of wonder in in the erudite person of the seventeenth century

Hard, Cracked the Wind

16mm b/w narrative short film Written by Adrian Bailey Directed by Mark Jenkin Produced by Kate Byers, Denzil Monk & Linn Waite © Early Day Films 2019 Production of bi-lingual short film, Hard, Cracked the Wind with Early Day Films & director Mark Jenkin. Budgeted at £40K, the film was supported by SoFT and attracted completion funding from the BFI. Currently on international festival circuit. Part of the Mark Jenkin Collection on BFI Player https://player.bfi.org.uk/subscription/film/watch-hard-cracked-the-wind-2019-online SoFT support comprised financial contribution to production budget, significant staff and student involvement, equipment and facilities Financiers: Falmouth University, Early Day Films, FEAST, Cultivator Cornwall, BFI NETWORK, UK FTR, Kodak (in-kind