The genomic 'inner fish' and a regulatory enigma in the vertebrates

Information on how genomic information from fish to human encodes the same tissues has until now emerged one gene at a time. The study published in this issue now provides lists of genes and their expression levels for 20 vertebrate tissues spanning 450 million years of vertebrate evolution. It reveals a core set of genes with similar tissue-expression patterns yet no common regulatory signatures – a gene-expression paradox

J-Turn: An Intersection Safety Improvement

INDOT has begun utilizing an innovative intersection improvement to alleviate safety issues on rural divided highways. Restriction of the median crossing from side roads on a divided highway reduces the conflict points or opportunities for vehicular incidents. We will discuss the application, safety improvements, and design considerations for this type of intersection

Are small-sided games an effective training methodology for improving fitness in hurling players? A comparative study of training methodologies

The current investigation compared the effects of specific small-sided games training versus generic continuous aerobic training on team sport related exercise performances. Forty-eight hurling players (age: 25 ± 6.4 years; height: 180.2 ± 20.4 cm; mass: 80.5 ± 3.2 kg; V·O2max role= presentation style= display: inline; line-height: normal; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; position: relative; \u3eV⋅O2maxV·O2max: 58.78 ± 3.05 ml·kg·min−1) completed either traditional continuous aerobic training (n = 24) or team sport-specific small-sided game training (n = 24), consisting of 4 × 4 min with 3-min active recovery periods completed twice per week. The following outcomes were measured at baseline (pre) and after 10 weeks (post): maximum oxygen uptake (ml·kg−1·min−1), running economy (ml·kg−1·min−1), maximal aerobic speed (km·h−1), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (m), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (m), repeated sprint ability (RSA; s), linear sprint speed over 5, 10 and 20 m (s) and counter-movement jump performance (cm). Training load was quantified by heart rate and rating of perceived exertion during all training sessions with no significant difference between groups (P = 0.12). Small-sided game (P = 0.002; d = 1.72; likely beneficial) had a likely beneficial effect for improving running economy (ml·kg−1·min−1) in contrast to the unclear effect for continuous training (P = 0.94; d = 0.21; unclear). Small-sided game (P = 0.04; d = 0.80; likely beneficial) had a likely beneficial effect for changes in RSAb (s) and RSAt (s) with these being in contrast to the likely negative effect for continuous training on similar measures (P = 0.12; d = −2.01; likely negative). Continuous training had a trivial (P = 0.72; d = 0.30; trivial) effect on Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (m) performance in contrast to the likely beneficial effect seen for small-sided game (P = 0.002; d = 1.72; likely beneficial). Small-sided game (P = 0.001; d = 1.69; likely beneficial) resulted in a likely beneficial effect for Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (m) performance with a likely negative effect for continuous training (P = 0.004; d = −2.40; likely negative). The current study suggests that small-sided games are a time efficient and effective method of improving fitness characteristics within hurling cohorts

Monitoring player fitness, fatigue status and running performance during an in-season training camp in elite Gaelic football

Objectives: To examine selected perceptual and physiological measures to monitor fitness, fatigue and running performance during an in-season training camp in elite Gaelic football. Methods: Twenty-two elite Gaelic football players were monitored for training load, perceived ratings of wellness, heart rate variability (HRV; LnSD1), heart rate recovery (HRR), exercise heart rate (HRex), lower limb muscular power (CMJ) and global positioning system (GPS) variables. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1) was assessed pre and post the training camp. With specific small-sided games (SSG) used as a measure of running performance. Results: During the camp, HRex decreased (−12.2%), HRR increased (+10.3%), CMJ decreased (−8.1%) and pretraining LnSD1 (+14.1%) increased during the camp period. Yo-YoIR1 performance (+19.7%), total distance (TD) (+9.4%), high-speed distance (HSD) (+12.1%) and sprint distance (SPD) (+5.8%) within SSG improved as the camp progressed. Δ HRex and Δ HRR were correlated with Δ Yo-YoIR1 (r = 0.64; – 0.55), ΔHSD (r = 0.44; −0.58) and Δ SPD (r = 0.58; −0.52).There were large correlations between Δ wellness and Δ Yo-YoIR1 (r = 0.71), Δ TD (r = 0.68) and Δ SPD (r = 0.68). Conclusions: Daily variations in training load measures across the camp period were shown to systematically impact player’s physiological, performance and wellness measures

Can the workload–injury relationship be moderated by improved strength, speed and repeated-sprint qualities?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate potential moderators (i.e. lower body strength, repeated-sprint ability [RSA] and maximal velocity) of injury risk within a team-sport cohort. Design: Observational cohort study. Methods: Forty male amateur hurling players (age: 26.2 ± 4.4 year, height: 184.2 ± 7.1 cm, mass: 82.6 ± 4.7 kg) were recruited. During a two-year period, workload (session RPE × duration), injury and physical qualities were assessed. Specific physical qualities assessed were a three-repetition maximum Trapbar deadlift, 6 × 35-m repeated-sprint (RSA) and 5-, 10- and 20-m sprint time. All derived workload and physical quality measures were modelled against injury data using regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were reported against a reference group. Results: Moderate weekly loads between ≥1400 AU and ≤1900 AU were protective against injury during both the pre-season (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.66) and in-season periods (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.82) compared to a low load reference group (≤1200 AU). When strength was considered as a moderator of injury risk, stronger athletes were better able to tolerate the given workload at a reduced risk. Stronger athletes were also better able to tolerate larger week-to-week changes (>550–1000 AU) in workload than weaker athletes (OR = 2.54–4.52). Athletes who were slower over 5-m (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 2.33–3.87), 10-m (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) and 20-m (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) were at increased risk of injury compared to faster athletes. When repeated-sprint total time (RSAt) was considered as a moderator of injury risk at a given workload (≥1750 AU), athletes with better RSAt were at reduced risk compared to those with poor RSAt (OR: 5.55, 95%: 3.98–7.94). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that well-developed lower-body strength, RSA and speed are associated with better tolerance to higher workloads and reduced risk of injury in team-sport athletes. © 2018 Sports Medicine Australi

Light-frame versus timber frame : a study in quantifying the differences

The objective of this study was to compare light wood framing and traditional timber framing quantitatively through environmental impact assessment and load path analysis. This research was inspired by a traditional timber frame structure constructed in Vermont in 2011, and the design of structures considered within reflect the general characteristics of this building with some modifications. A light-frame structure was designed for comparison purposes to be equivalent to the timber frame structure in overall dimension and function. Cradle-to-gate environmental impact assessments were performed with the Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings software, following the standard methodology of life cycle assessment. The environmental impacts for each structural system as well as for multiple material substitutions to each were investigated. Environmental impacts considered included total energy use, fossil fuel consumption, global warming potential, and wood fiber use. Results show that though the timber frame structure has more potential for decreased environmental impact, these measures are driven largely by material choice. Models for each framing system (light-frame and timber frame) were created using SAP2000 structural analysis software, and load paths generated by applied design loads were investigated and compared. Both structures were modeled with and without openings (doors and windows), and comparisons were made based on resistance to uplift, story drift and twisting, the addition of large openings, a break in load path, and the relative ranges of axial loads in posts and studs. Results show that the timber frame structure outperforms the light-frame structure in many aspects, providing increased resistance to uplift, story drift, and twisting, less sensitivity to the addition of large openings or the loss of a floor-supporting post, and less variability in axial forces in vertical members

Tools for Inventing Organizations: Toward a Handbook of Organizational Processes

This paper reports on the first five years of work in a project to address these problems by (1) developing methodologies and software tools for representing and codifying organizational processes at varying levels of abstraction, and (2) collecting, organizing, and analyzing numerous examples of how different groups and companies perform similar functions. The result of this work is an on-line process handbook which can be used to help people: (1) redesign existing business processes, (2) invent new processes (especially those that take advantage of information technology), and (3) organize and share knowledge about organizational practices. We also expect this process handbook to be useful in automatically (or semiautomatically) generating software to support or analyze business processes, but that is not the focus of this paper (see Dellarocas 1996, 1997a, 1997b)

Decrements in neuromuscular performance and increases in creatine kinase impact training outputs in elite soccer players

The aim of the current investigation was to understand the impact of pretraining neuromuscular performance and creatine kinase (CK) status on subsequent training performance in elite soccer players. Thirty soccer players (age: 25.3 ± 3.1 years; height: 183 ± 7 cm; mass: 72 ± 7 kg) were involved in this observational study. Each morning before training, players completed assessments for neuromuscular performance (countermovement jump; CMJ) and CK levels. Global positioning technology provided external load: total distance, high-speed distance, sprint distance, accelerations, decelerations, average metabolic power, explosive distance, and high metabolic power distance (\u3e25.5 W·kg). Mixed-effect linear models revealed significant effects for CK and CMJ Z-score on total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity. Effects are reported with 90% confidence limits. A CK Z-score of +1 corresponded to a -5.5 ± 1.1, -3.9 ± 0.5, -4.3 ± 2.9%, -4.1 ± 2.9%, -3.1 ± 2.9%, and -4.6 ± 1.9%, reduction in total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity, respectively. Countermovement jump Z-score of -1 corresponded to a -3.5 ± 1.1, -2.9 ± 0.5, -2.1 ± 1.4, -5.3 ± 2.9%, -3.8 ± 2.9%, -1.1 ± 2.9%, and -5.6 ± 1.2% reduction in these external load measures. Magnitude-based analysis revealed that the practical size of the effect of a pretraining CMJ Z-score of -1 and CK Z-score of +1 would have on total high-speed distance, very high-speed distance, high metabolic power distance (\u3e25.5 W·kg), accelerations, decelerations, explosive distance, and maximal velocity was likely negative. The results of this study suggest that systematic pretraining monitoring of neuromuscular and muscle stress within soccer cohorts can provide coaches with information about the training output that can be expected from individual players during a training session

Wellbeing perception and the impact on external training output among elite soccer players

Objectives: The objective of the investigation was to observe the impact of player wellbeing on the training output of elite soccer players. Design: Prospective cohort design. Methods: Forty-eight soccer players (age: 25.3 ± 3.1 years; height: 183 ± 7 cm; mass: 72 ± 7 kg) were involved in this single season observational study across two teams. Each morning, pre-training, players completed customised perceived wellbeing questionnaires. Global positioning technology devices were used to measure external load (total distance, total high-speed running distance, high speed running, player load, player load slow, maximal velocity, maximal velocity exposures). Players reported ratings of perceived exertion using the modified Borg CR-10 scale. Integrated training load ratios were also analysed for total distance:RPE, total high speed distance:RPE player load:RPE and player load slow:RPE respectively. Results: Mixed-effect linear models revealed significant effects of wellbeing Z-score on external and integrated training load measures. A wellbeing Z-score of −1 corresponded to a −18 ± 2 m (−3.5 ± 1.1%), 4 ± 1 m (−4.9 ± 2.1%,) 0.9 ± 0.1 km h−1 (−3.1 ± 2.1%), 1 ± 1 (−4.6 ± 2.9%), 25 ± 3 AU (−4.9 ± 3.1%) and 11 ± 0.5 AU (−8.9 ± 2.9%) reduction in total high speed distance, high speed distance, maximal velocity, maximal velocity exposures, player load and player load slow respectively. A reduction in wellbeing impacted external:internal training load ratios and resulted in −0.49 ± 0.12 m min−1, −1.20 ± 0.08 m min−1,−0.02 ± 0.01 AU min−1 in total distance:RPE, total high speed distance:RPE and player load slow:RPE respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that systematic monitoring of player wellbeing within soccer cohorts can provide coaches with information about the training output that can be expected from individual players during a training session

Detrital zircon provenance and lithofacies associations of montmorillonitic sands in the maastrichtian ripley formation: Implications for mississippi embayment paleodrainage patterns and paleogeography

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. We provide new detrital zircon evidence to support a Maastrichtian age for the establishment of the present-day Mississippi River drainage system. Fieldwork conducted in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, targeted two sites containing montmorillonitic sand in the Maastrichtian Ripley Formation. U-Pb detrital zircon (DZ) ages from these sands (n = 649) ranged from Mesoarchean (~2870 Ma) to Pennsylvanian (~305 Ma) and contained ~91% Appalachian-derived grains, including Appalachian–Ouachita, Gondwanan Terranes, and Grenville source terranes. Other minor source regions include the Mid-Continent Granite–Rhyolite Province, Yavapai–Mazatzal, Trans-Hudson/Penokean, and Superior. This indicates that sediment sourced from the Appalachian Foreland Basin (with very minor input from a northern or northwestern source) was being routed through the Mississippi Embayment (MSE) in the Maastrichtian. We recognize six lithofacies in the field areas interpreted as barrier island to shelf environments. Statistically significant differences between DZ populations and clay mineralogy from both sites indicate that two distinct fluvial systems emptied into a shared back-barrier setting, which experienced volcanic ash input. The stratigraphic positions of the montmorillonitic sands suggest that these deposits represent some of the youngest Late Cretaceous volcanism in the MSE