SIMPLIFYING THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT OF HIGH JUMP TECHNIQUE

A multitude of technical performance parameters are used to quantify high jump technique in the Australian high-performance environment, which can be time-consuming to measure and interpret. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of principal component analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression to simplify high-performance high jump biomechanical reports. Five non-intuitive principal components were derived, and three technical performance parameters (difference in knee angles during take-off contact, lean angle through hip at take-off contact, take-off foot contact time) influenced the height cleared by elite high jump athletes. This study establishes a method for simplifying high jump biomechanical reports and identifies the most important variables that contribute to high jump success

Metabolic resistance and not voltage-gated sodium channel gene mutation is associated with pyrethroid resistance of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) from Cambodia

(1) Background: In Cambodia, Aedes albopictus is an important vector of the dengue virus. Vector control using insecticides is a major strategy implemented in managing mosquito-borne diseases. Resistance, however, threatens to undermine the use of insecticides. In this study, we present the levels of insecticide resistance of Ae. albopictus in Cambodia and the mechanisms involved. (2) Methods: Two Ae. albopictus populations were collected from the capital, Phnom Penh city, and from rural Pailin province. Adults were tested with diagnostic doses of malathion (0.8%), deltamethrin (0.03%), permethrin (0.25%), and DDT (4%) using WHO tube assays. Synergist assays using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) were implemented before the pyrethroid assays to detect the potential involvement of metabolic resistance mechanisms. Adult female mosquitoes collected from Phnom Penh and Pailin were tested for voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) kdr (knockdown resistance) mutations commonly found in Aedes sp.-resistant populations throughout Asia (S989P, V1016G, and F1534C), as well as for other mutations (V410L, L982W, A1007G, I1011M, T1520I, and D1763Y). (3) Results: The two populations showed resistance against all the insecticides tested (<90% mortality). The use of PBO (an inhibitor of P450s) strongly restored the efficacy of deltamethrin and permethrin against the two resistant populations. Sequences of regions of the vgsc gene showed a lack of kdr mutations known to be associated with pyrethroid resistance. However, four novel non-synonymous mutations (L412P/S, C983S, Q1554STOP, and R1718L) and twenty-nine synonymous mutations were detected. It remains to be determined whether these mutations contribute to pyrethroid resistance. (4) Conclusions: Pyrethroid resistance is occurring in two Ae. albopictus populations originating from urban and rural areas of Cambodia. The resistance is likely due to metabolic resistance specifically involving P450s monooxygenases. The levels of resistance against different insecticide classes are a cause for concern in Cambodia. Alternative tools and insecticides for controlling dengue vectors should be used to minimize disease prevalence in the country

Is Alternative Sentencing More Beneficial Than Incarceration: A Focus On Juveniles

This thesis seeks to explain the importance of alternative sentencing for juvenile delinquents. It discusses the risk factors which contribute to the reasoning behind why juveniles commit crime. The process which a juvenile goes through in the court system and the differences between traditional sentencing and non-traditional sentencing is explained. Different types of alternative sanctions are described as well as the benefits of them. Juvenile justice and the use of alternative sentencing in various countries are discussed and compared to those of the United States. This thesis has been developed to discuss and explain the benefits of alternative sentencing and the lasting effects prison has on juveniles

Lassa Virus Seroprevalence in Sibirilia Commune, Bougouni District, Southern Mali

Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic to several nations in West Africa. In Mali, LASV was unknown until an exported case of Lassa fever was reported in 2009. Since that time, rodent surveys have found evidence of LASV-infected Mastomys natalensis rats in several communities in southern Mali, near the border with Côte d’Ivoire. Despite increased awareness, to date only a single case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in Mali. We conducted a survey to determine the prevalence of LASV exposure among persons in 3 villages in southern Mali where the presence of infected rodents has been documented. LASV IgG seroprevalence ranged from 14.5% to 44% per village. No sex bias was noted; however, seropositivity rates increased with participant age. These findings confirm human LASV exposure in Mali and suggest that LASV infection/Lassa fever is a potential public health concern in southern Mali