Practice And Tournament Volumes Of Young Golfers In Regional And National Squads

Practice plays a part in determining skill development, expertise (Ericsson & Pool, 2016; Baker et al., 2003), levels of creativity (Memmert et al., 2010) psychological preparation, increases in novice golfers’ gray matter (Bezzola et al., 2011), and decision making (Baker et al., 2003). Currently there is little empirical research demonstrating the amount of practice golfers conduct on a session to session, weekly, monthly, seasonal or annual basis and the impact this can have on their handicap. Previous research has suggested that deliberate practice can explain some of the variance in performance levels (Macnamara et al., 2016). However, with a paucity of golf specific research in this area, it is important to establish the volumes being undertaken and the impact of those volumes on the golfer’s ability. This initial study aimed to establish the practice and tournament volumes of young golfers involved in a national governing body’s development programme and investigate how practice volumes influence handicap

Designing Mobile Augmented Reality interfaces for locative games and playful experiences

Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) has predominantly been used in locative games and playful experiences for the presentation on virtual game objects in conjunction with separate 2-D maps for navigation. This distinct switch in interaction modalities can detract from the game play experience and will arguably be less relevant for AR glasses. Therefore this research considers the application techniques from graphic design to MAR interfaces to provide an effective means of navigation through a physical game space without maps. To illustrate this approach we present a MAR application that provides a playful way for visitors to explore a small rural village in both space and time in relation to its main cultural event, the annual Scarecrow Festival. In particular we present the considerations that designers must address when creating purely augmented reality navigation interfaces through the design, implementation, and user evaluation of the application scARecrow Time Machine

A Push for Inclusive Data Collection in STEM Organizations

Professional organizations in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can use demographic data to quantify recruitment and retention (R&R) of underrepresented groups within their memberships. However, variation in the types of demographic data collected can influence the targeting and perceived impacts of R&R efforts - e.g., giving false signals of R&R for some groups. We obtained demographic surveys from 73 U.S.-affiliated STEM organizations, collectively representing 712,000 members and conference-attendees. We found large differences in the demographic categories surveyed (e.g., disability status, sexual orientation) and the available response options. These discrepancies indicate a lack of consensus regarding the demographic groups that should be recognized and, for groups that are omitted from surveys, an inability of organizations to prioritize and evaluate R&R initiatives. Aligning inclusive demographic surveys across organizations can provide baseline data that can be used to target and evaluate R&R initiatives to better serve underrepresented groups throughout STEM

Kelp Morphology and Herbivory are Maintained Across Latitude Despite Geographic Shift in Kelp-wounding Herbivores

Herbivores can drastically alter the morphology of macroalgae by directly consuming tissue and by inflicting structural wounds. Wounds can result in large amounts of tissue breaking away from macroalgae, amplifying the damage initially caused by herbivores. Herbivores that commonly wound macroalgae often occur over only a portion of a macroalga’s lifespan or geographic range. However, we know little about the influence of these periodic or regional occurrences of herbivores on the large-scale seasonal and geographical patterns of macroalgal morphology. We used the intertidal kelp Egregia menziesii to investigate how the kelp’s morphology and the prevalence of two prominent kelp-wounding herbivores (limpets and amphipods) changed over two seasons (spring and summer) and over the northern extent of the kelp’s geographic range (six sites from central California to northern Washington). Wounds from limpets and amphipods often result in the kelp’s fronds being pruned (intercalary meristem broken away), so we quantified kelp size (combined length of all fronds) and pruning (proportion of broken fronds). We found similar results in each season: herbivores were most likely to occur on large, pruned kelp regardless of site; and limpets were the dominant herbivore at southern sites, while amphipods were dominant at northern sites. Despite the geographic shift in the dominant herbivore, kelp had similar levels of total herbivore prevalence (limpets and/or amphipods) and similar morphologies across sites. Our results suggest that large-scale geographic similarities in macroalgal wounding, despite regional variation in the herbivore community, can maintain similar macroalgal morphologies over large geographic areas

Conference Scheduling Undermines Diversity Efforts

We assessed diversity-focused programming at 29 major biology conferences from 2010 to 2019, noting events tailored to three underrepresented and marginalized groups in biology: women, ethnic and racial minority groups, and the LGBTQ+ community (see Supplementary Information for further methods). Since 2010, diversity-focused events have become more common but frequently address only a subset of URG communities. In general, the percentage of conferences with diversity-focused events increased from 75% in 2019. On average, women were the most frequent focus of these events and the LGBTQ+ community was the least frequent focus (Fig. 1a)

A Technique of Predicting Radiographic Joint Line and Posterior Femoral Condylar Offset of the Knee

Purpose. To describe a reliable method of predicting native joint line and posterior condylar offset (PCO) using true lateral digital radiographs of the distal femur. Methods. PCO was measured relative to a line drawn parallel to the posterior cortex of the distal femur and the joint line was measured from the posterior condylar flare to the articular surface. A ratio was then calculated for these measurements relative to the width of the femur at the level of the flare. Two independent observers measured PCO and joint line ratio for 105 radiographs of the different knees and one repeated these measurements after one week. Results. There was a significant correlation between the width of the femoral diaphysis at the level of the posterior condylar flare with joint line (P = 0.008) and PCO (P = 0.003). Joint line and PCO could be predicted within 4?mm and 2?mm, respectively, using the identified ratio between the width of the femoral diaphysis at the level of the posterior condylar flare with measured joint line and PCO. The inter- (P < 0.001) and intra- (P < 0.001) observer reliability for these ratios were high. Conclusion. These ratios could be used to predict the native joint line and PCO

Taxon-specific metagenomics of Trichoderma reveals a narrow community of opportunistic species that regulate each other’s development

In this paper, we report on the in situ diversity of the mycotrophic fungus Trichoderma (teleomorph Hypocrea, Ascomycota, Dikarya) revealed by a taxon-specific metagenomic approach. We designed a set of genus-specific internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 and ITS2 rRNA primers and constructed a clone library containing 411 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). The overall species composition in the soil of the two distinct ecosystems in the Danube floodplain consisted of 15 known species and two potentially novel taxa. The latter taxa accounted for only 1.5 % of all MOTUs, suggesting that almost no hidden or uncultivable Hypocrea/Trichoderma species are present at least in these temperate forest soils. The species were unevenly distributed in vertical soil profiles although no universal factors controlling the distribution of all of them (chemical soil properties, vegetation type and affinity to rhizosphere) were revealed. In vitro experiments simulating infrageneric interactions between the pairs of species that were detected in the same soil horizon showed a broad spectrum of reactions from very strong competition over neutral coexistence to the pronounced synergism. Our data suggest that only a relatively small portion of Hypocrea/Trichoderma species is adapted to soil as a habitat and that the interaction between these species should be considered in a screening for Hypocrea/Trichoderma as an agent(s) of biological control of pests

ICON 9—an international phase III randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of maintenance therapy with olaparib and cediranib or olaparib alone in patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer following a response to platinum-based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: Two novel biological agents-cediranib targeting angiogenesis, and olaparib targeting DNA repair processes-have individually led to an improvement in ovarian cancer control. The aim of ICON9 is to investigate the combination of cediranib and olaparib maintenance in recurrent ovarian cancer following platinum-based therapy. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of maintenance treatment with olaparib in combination with cediranib compared with olaparib alone following a response to platinum-based chemotherapy in women with platinum-sensitive ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer during first relapse. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Maintenance therapy with cediranib and olaparib in combination is associated with improved patient outcomes compared with olaparib alone. TRIAL DESIGN: International phase III randomized controlled trial. Following a response to platinum-based chemotherapy patients are randomized 1:1 to either oral olaparib and cediranib (intervention arm) or oral olaparib alone (control arm). MAJOR INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with a known diagnosis of high grade serous or endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum, progressing more than 6 months after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, who have responded to second-line platinum-based chemotherapy. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: Progression-free and overall survival. Co-primary endpoints to be assessed using a fixed-sequence gatekeeping approach: (1) progression-free survival, all patients; (2) progression-free survival, BRCA wild type; (3) overall survival, all patients; (4) overall survival, BRCA wild type. SAMPLE SIZE: 618 patients will be recruited. ESTIMATED DATES FOR COMPLETING ACCRUAL AND PRESENTING RESULTS: Accrual is expected to be completed in 2024 with presentation of results in 2025. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03278717

A Randomized Controlled Multicenter US Food and Drug Administration Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of the Minerva Endometrial Ablation System: One-Year Follow-Up Results

AbstractStudy ObjectiveTo assess the safety and effectiveness of the Minerva Endometrial Ablation System for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in premenopausal women.DesignMulticenter, randomized, controlled, international study (Canadian Task Force classification I).SettingThirteen academic and private medical centers.PatientsPremenopausal women (n = 153) suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding (PALM-COEIN: E, O).InterventionPatients were treated using the Minerva Endometrial Ablation System or rollerball ablation.Measurements and Main ResultsAt 1-year post-treatment, study success (alkaline hematin ≤80 mL) was observed in 93.1% of Minerva subjects and 80.4% of rollerball subjects with amenorrhea reported by 71.6% and 49% of subjects, respectively. The mean procedure times were 3.1 minutes for Minerva and 17.2 minutes for rollerball. There were no intraoperative adverse events and/or complications reported.ConclusionThe results of this multicenter randomized controlled trial demonstrate that at the 12-month follow-up, the Minerva procedure produces statistically significantly higher rates of success, amenorrhea, and patient satisfaction as well as a shorter procedure time when compared with the historic criterion standard of rollerball ablation. Safety results were excellent and similar for both procedures