The Effect of Proprioceptive Training on Directional Dynamic Stabilisation

Objectives: Significant loss of playing time and the impact of treatment costs due to lower limb injury in football demonstrates a need for improved protocols for injury risk reduction. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of a proprioceptive training programme on the lower limb dynamic stability of elite footballers. Methods: Sixteen elite premier league footballers were randomly allocated by matched pair design to an 8-week proprioception training group (group A, n = 8) or non-training group (group B, n = 8), to determine the effect of this training over a 16-week period. Group A completed 8 weeks of bilateral proprioceptive training, 5 times per week for 10 minutes. Biodex Dynamic Stability (BSS) measures of Overall Stability Index (OSI), Anterior-Posterior (A-P), Medial-Lateral Stability (M-L) at levels 8-6-4-1 were taken for both groups at baseline, 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Main effects of time, level of stability and direction of stability were determined, with comparisons of effect made between the two groups. Results: The training group displayed significant differences for multi directional stability at week 8 (P ≤ 0.05). A-P stability within the training group displayed significant differences between baseline measures and 16 weeks (P > 0.05), with significant increases in scores displayed for M-L and A-P stability between weeks 8 and 16 (P ≤ 0.05), representing a detraining effect. No significant differences were detected at any time point for the non-training group (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Proprioceptive training over 8 weeks has a positive effect on all directions of stability. Greater declines in A-P stability were evident at 16 weeks when compared to M-L and OSI. Consideration must be given to the increased stability scores presented pre testing for A-P when compared to M-L. Findings of this work present implications for training design

On-the-fly memory compression for multibody algorithms.

Memory and bandwidth demands challenge developers of particle-based codes that have to scale on new architectures, as the growth of concurrency outperforms improvements in memory access facilities, as the memory per core tends to stagnate, and as communication networks cannot increase bandwidth arbitrary. We propose to analyse each particle of such a code to find out whether a hierarchical data representation storing data with reduced precision caps the memory demands without exceeding given error bounds. For admissible candidates, we perform this compression and thus reduce the pressure on the memory subsystem, lower the total memory footprint and reduce the data to be exchanged via MPI. Notably, our analysis and transformation changes the data compression dynamically, i.e. the choice of data format follows the solution characteristics, and it does not require us to alter the core simulation code

The interaction between supportive and unsupportive manager behaviors on employee work attitudes

Purpose: To use Social Exchange Theory (SET) to examine a model where supportive (SMB) and unsupportive (UMB) manager behaviors interact to predict employees’ engagement, job satisfaction and turnover intention. Design/Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey collected data from 252 UK based employees of a global data management company. Findings: Factor analysis confirmed manager behaviors to consist of two constructs: supportive and unsupportive behaviors. Structural equation modelling indicated SMB predicted job satisfaction and turnover intentions, but not engagement. Job satisfaction, but not engagement, mediated the SMB-turnover intention relationship. UMB only predicted job dissatisfaction. Neither job satisfaction nor engagement mediated the UMB-turnover intention relationship. UMB undermined the positive relationship between SMB and turnover intention. Implications: The behaviors assessed can be integrated into various stages of a manager’s development process to serve as guidelines of good practice. Crucially, findings suggest managers can exhibit both supportive and unsupportive behaviors, and that consistency in behaviors is important. The study also provides evidence that supportive managers can help reduce turnover intention through job satisfaction. Originality/value: SET was used as a framework for SMB, UMB and engagement. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the interaction between SMB and UMB

Correlation techniques applied to antenna pattern measurement

A correlation processor based on the excellent periodic autocorrelation properties of maximal-length pseudorandom binary sequences has been used in antenna pattern measurements to resolve the direct (wanted) path from any unwanted multipath components. A simple implementation of the technique has been used to make measurements in a controlled environment; the results show that the multipath effects are almost completely eliminated and an accurate pattern measurement is obtained

Outdoor learning spaces: the case of forest school

© 2017 The Author. Area published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.This paper contributes to the growing body of research concerning use of outdoor spaces by educators, and the increased use of informal and outdoor learning spaces when teaching primary school children. The research takes the example of forest school, a form of regular and repeated outdoor learning increasingly common in primary schools. This research focuses on how the learning space at forest school shapes the experience of children and forest school leaders as they engage in learning outside the classroom. The learning space is considered as a physical space, and also in a more metaphorical way as a space where different behaviours are permitted, and a space set apart from the national curriculum. Through semi-structured interviews with members of the community of practice of forest school leaders, the paper seeks to determine the significance of being outdoors on the forest school experience. How does this learning space differ from the classroom environment? What aspects of the forest school learning space support pupils’ experiences? How does the outdoor learning space affect teaching, and the dynamics of learning while at forest school? The research shows that the outdoor space provides new opportunities for children and teachers to interact and learn, and revealed how forest school leaders and children co-create a learning environment in which the boundaries between classroom and outdoor learning, teacher and pupil, are renegotiated to stimulate teaching and learning. Forest school practitioners see forest school as a separate learning space that is removed from the physical constraints of the classroom and pedagogical constraints of the national curriculum to provide a more flexible and responsive learning environment.Peer reviewe

Just noticeable differences for pitch direction, height, and slope for Mandarin and English listeners

Previous studies on tones suggest that Mandarin listeners are more sensitive to pitch direction and slope while English listeners primarily attend to pitch height. In this study, just noticeable differences were established for pitch discrimination using a three-interval, forced-choice procedure with a two-down, one-up staircase design. A high rising and a high falling Mandarin tone were manipulated in terms of pitch direction, height, and slope. Results indicate that, overall, Mandarin listeners are more sensitive to pitch slope and English listeners to pitch height. However, these effects are modulated by both the direction (falling/rising) and slope of the pitch contours

On-the-fly memory compression for multibody algorithms

Memory and bandwidth demands challenge developers of particle-based codes that have to scale on new architectures, as the growth of concurrency outperforms improvements in memory access facilities, as the memory per core tends to stagnate, and as communication networks cannot increase bandwidth arbitrary. We propose to analyse each particle of such a code to find out whether a hierarchical data representation storing data with reduced precision caps the memory demands without exceeding given error bounds. For admissible candidates, we perform this compression and thus reduce the pressure on the memory subsystem, lower the total memory footprint and reduce the data to be exchanged via MPI. Notably, our analysis and transformation changes the data compression dynamically, i.e. the choice of data format follows the solution characteristics, and it does not require us to alter the core simulation code

A new formulation for the treatment of acid-deterioration (Red Rot) in historic leathers

Conservation of acid-deteriorated historic leather (also commonly known as red rot) is an on-going concern as current treatment options are limited. Various products such as aqueous-based buffer salts, imidazole, ammonia vapour and aluminium di(isopropoxide) acetoacetate ester chelate (referred to as aluminium alkoxide in this study) have been used to treat acid-deterioration in historic leathers. Among the various products studied, aluminium alkoxide was found to be the most effective. However the effect of aluminium alkoxide when applied on its own may be limited due to its short-term stabilisation effect. A new formulation consisting of aluminium alkoxide and 5-ethyl-1-aza-3, 7-dioxabicyclo [3.3.0] octane (oxazolidine II) was used to treat acid-deterioration in historic leather. Acid-deteriorated leathers were treated with the new formulation and aged further by exposure to an acidic environment at 40°C and 30% relative humidity for up to 12 weeks. The acidic environment was created using sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Corresponding untreated acid-deteriorated historic leathers were used as a negative control. The impact of the treatments and artificial ageing was determined by measuring the hydrothermal stability of the leather samples using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pH of the aqueous extract. The results obtained showed that the formulation has collagen-stabilising properties, acid-buffering capacity as well as the capability to provide long-term protection against an artificially-created acidic environment

Is the Insect Apocalypse upon us? How to Find Out

In recent decades, entomologists have documented alarming declines in occurrence, taxonomic richness, and geographic range of insects around the world. Additionally, some recent studies have reported that insect abundance and biomass, often of common species, are rapidly declining, which has led some to dub the phenomenon an “Insect Apocalypse”. Recent reports are sufficiently robust to justify immediate actions to protect insect biodiversity worldwide. We caution, however, that we do not yet have the data to assess large-scale spatial patterns in the severity of insect trends. Most documented collapses are from geographically restricted studies and, alone, do not allow us to draw conclusions about insect declines on continental or global scales, especially with regards to future projections of total insect biomass, abundance, and extinction. There are many challenges to understanding insect declines: only a small fraction of insect species have had any substantial population monitoring, millions of species remain unstudied, and most of the long-term population data for insects come from human-dominated landscapes in western and northern Europe. But there are still concrete steps we can take to improve our understanding of potential declines. Here, we review the challenges scientists face in documenting insect population and diversity trends, including communicating their findings, and recommend research approaches needed to address these challenges