FAIR Data Pipeline: provenance-driven data management for traceable scientific workflows

Modern epidemiological analyses to understand and combat the spread of disease depend critically on access to, and use of, data. Rapidly evolving data, such as data streams changing during a disease outbreak, are particularly challenging. Data management is further complicated by data being imprecisely identified when used. Public trust in policy decisions resulting from such analyses is easily damaged and is often low, with cynicism arising where claims of "following the science" are made without accompanying evidence. Tracing the provenance of such decisions back through open software to primary data would clarify this evidence, enhancing the transparency of the decision-making process. Here, we demonstrate a Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) data pipeline developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that allows easy annotation of data as they are consumed by analyses, while tracing the provenance of scientific outputs back through the analytical source code to data sources. Such a tool provides a mechanism for the public, and fellow scientists, to better assess the trust that should be placed in scientific evidence, while allowing scientists to support policy-makers in openly justifying their decisions. We believe that tools such as this should be promoted for use across all areas of policy-facing research

Bedrock geology of DFDP-2B, central Alpine Fault, New Zealand

<p>During the second phase of the Alpine Fault, Deep Fault Drilling Project (DFDP) in the Whataroa River, South Westland, New Zealand, bedrock was encountered in the DFDP-2B borehole from 238.5–893.2 m Measured Depth (MD). Continuous sampling and meso- to microscale characterisation of whole rock cuttings established that, in sequence, the borehole sampled amphibolite facies, Torlesse Composite Terrane-derived schists, protomylonites and mylonites, terminating 200–400 m above an Alpine Fault Principal Slip Zone (PSZ) with a maximum dip of 62°. The most diagnostic structural features of increasing PSZ proximity were the occurrence of shear bands and reduction in mean quartz grain sizes. A change in composition to greater mica:quartz + feldspar, most markedly below c. 700 m MD, is inferred to result from either heterogeneous sampling or a change in lithology related to alteration. Major oxide variations suggest the fault-proximal Alpine Fault alteration zone, as previously defined in DFDP-1 core, was not sampled.</p

The effect of static stretching on muscle recovery following competitive soccer matches

Introduction Static stretching (SS) is a recovery intervention often used in elite football for assisting in the reduction of muscle soreness post-exercise, and in research as a control for comparing alternative recovery interventions. However, its effects on elite young footballers has received little attention, and therefore the aim of this study was to assess the effects of static stretching on muscle recovery following competitive soccer matches in elite young footballers. Methods Participants used in this study were recruited from a professional football academy from the Barclays’ Premier League. Participants were male (16 ± 1 years) and of elite standard. Using a controlled cross-over design, participants completed a total of 6 competitive soccer matches followed by one of two recovery interventions (static stretching or passive recovery). The recovery interventions were conducted immediately following completion of competitive soccer matches. The static stretching protocol was administered comprising 7, 15 second stretches on lower body muscles whilst the passive recovery protocol comprised 10 minutes passive seating. Assessments used to measure muscle damage were taken before, within 30 minutes after, and 48hours post match and consisted of muscle oedema, Creatine Kinase (CK) assessment, countermovement jump (CMJ) height and perceived muscle soreness. In order to maintain control, players were excluded from individual games if they failed to complete a minimum of 80% of the competitive soccer match. Results When comparing the effects of recovery interventions over time, results showed that competitive soccer matches had a significant effect on markers of muscle damage, with almost all indicators showing significant differences for pre and immediately-post competitive match for recovery interventions, with only gastrocnemius oedema assessment showing no significant difference. Additionally, significant differences between pre- and 48 hours post-exercise assessments were found in perceived soreness, CK values and CMJ performance. When comparing the effects of recovery interventions between conditions, the only difference observed was between CK which demonstrated improved levels of recovery in the static stretching group at 48 hours following exercise. Discussion The findings from this study demonstrate that competitive soccer matches provide strenuous exercise, inducing muscle damage which may have detrimental effects on future performance. This is demonstrated by the reduction in CMJ performance and elevation in CK and muscle soreness at 48 hours post-exercise. Furthermore, there is limited evidence to suggest that a static stretching protocol would assist in the reduction in muscle damage post-exercise, with only CK showing improved effects. The improved effects of static stretching on CK are unclear, however may be linked to the idea that static stretching assists in the removal of muscle oedema following exercise. Additionally, it may be possible that due to the elite standard of participants, they have a heightened level of CK removal post-exercise