481 research outputs found
Swing and launch parameters in approach-iron shots hit with varying height and trajectory in golf
The first aim of this study was to determine whether relationships existed between variability of swing and launch parameters and variability in shot outcome for straight golf shots. The second aim was to determine whether differences existed for swing and launch parameters in shots intentionally played with varying height and trajectory. Elite (n=20) and high-level amateur (n=22) golfers hit; 1) five straight shots of normal height and 2) nine shots of differing height (low, normal, high) and trajectory (straight, draw, fade). Variability of club attack angle, face angle and ball spin axis was significantly associated (
Changing Workplace Culture and Building Community with Student Outreach
This presentation discusses how the Bailey/Howe Library created a student-run outreach program to help create a major cultural change in its student workforce. The presentation discusses the problems Bailey/Howe faced with the student workforce, the planning for changes to be made in the student workforce, and how an outreach program run by student employees created a greater sense of community in the workplace
Investigating the diastereoselective synthesis of a macrocycle under Curtin–Hammett control â€
This work sheds new light on the stereoselective synthesis of chiral macrocycles containing twisted aromatic units, valuable π-conjugated materials for recognition, sensing, and optoelectronics. For the first time, we use the Curtin–Hammett principle to investigate a chiral macrocyclisation reaction, revealing the potential for supramolecular π–π interactions to direct the outcome of a dynamic kinetic resolution, favouring the opposite macrocyclic product to that expected under reversible, thermodynamically controlled conditions. Specifically, a dynamic, racemic perylene diimide dye (1 : 1 P : M) is strapped with an enantiopure (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol group (P-BINOL) to form two diastereomeric macrocyclic products, the homochiral macrocycle (PP) and the heterochiral species (PM). We find there is notable selectivity for the PM macrocycle (dr = 4 : 1), which is rationalised by kinetic templation from intramolecular aromatic non-covalent interactions between the P-BINOL π-donor and the M-PDI π-acceptor during the macrocyclisation reaction
Narrative change in psychotherapy: differences between good and bad outcome cases in cognitive, narrative, and prescriptive therapies
This study aimed to clarify the relationship between changes in the
patients’ narratives and therapeutic outcomes. Two patients were
selected from three psychotherapeutic models (cognitive, narrative,
and prescriptive therapies), one with good therapeutic outcome and
the other with bad therapeutic outcome. Sessions from the initial,
middle, and final phases for each patient were evaluated in terms of
narrative structural coherence, process complexity, and content
diversity. Differences between patients’ total narrative production
were found at the end of the therapeutic process. Good outcome
cases presented a higher statistically significant total narrative change
than poor outcome case
Tolerogenic dendritic cells protect against acute kidney injury
Ischemia reperfusion injury is a common precipitant of acute kidney injury that occurs following disrupted perfusion to the kidney. This includes blood loss and hemodynamic shock, as well as during retrieval for deceased donor kidney transplantation. Acute kidney injury is associated with adverse long-term clinical outcomes and requires effective interventions that can modify the disease process. Immunomodulatory cell therapies such as tolerogenic dendritic cells remain a promising tool, and here we tested the hypothesis that adoptively transferred tolerogenic dendritic cells can limit kidney injury. The phenotypic and genomic signatures of bone marrow–derived syngeneic or allogeneic, Vitamin-D3/IL-10–conditioned tolerogenic dendritic cells were assessed. These cells were characterized by high PD-L1:CD86, elevated IL-10, restricted IL-12p70 secretion and a suppressed transcriptomic inflammatory profile. When infused systemically, these cells successfully abrogated kidney injury without modifying infiltrating inflammatory cell populations. They also provided protection against ischemia reperfusion injury in mice pre-treated with liposomal clodronate, suggesting the process was regulated by live, rather than reprocessed cells. Co-culture experiments and spatial transcriptomic analysis confirmed reduced kidney tubular epithelial cell injury. Thus, our data provide strong evidence that peri-operatively administered tolerogenic dendritic cells have the ability to protect against acute kidney injury and warrants further exploration as a therapeutic option. This technology may provide a clinical advantage for bench-to-bedside translation to affect patient outcomes
The Role of Optimism and Psychosocial Factors in Athletes Recovery from ACL Injury: A Longitudinal Study
Despite a growing interest into the role of psychosocial factors during the recovery period following sports injuries, there remains a paucity of longitudinal studies examining the indirect relationships between psychosocial factors, psychological responses, and recovery outcomes. The purpose of this study was to construct and test a conceptual model which examined the indirect relationships between psychosocial factors, rehabilitation adherence, and perceived knee function up to 12 months post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. A prospective, longitudinal, and repeated measures design was employed, wherein 81 injured athletes (Mage 26.89, SD = 7.52) completed measures of psychosocial factors, rehabilitation adherence, and perceived knee function on seven occasions (pre-surgery to 1 year post-surgery). Bayesian structural equation modeling evaluated the hypothesized indirect relationships proposed within the conceptual model. The main findings from this study was empirical support for a time-ordered, conceptual model which demonstrated that pre-surgery optimism had a significant overall indirect effect on perceived knee function at 12 months post-surgery (sum of indirect; αβ = .08, post. SD = .05, CI [.01, .04]), as well as a specific indirect effect through secondary appraisal at 1 month post-surgery, efficacy at 2 months post-surgery, and rehabilitation adherence at 6 months post-surgery (αβ = .03, post. SD = .03, CI [.00, .10]). Collectively, this study provides support for a number of previously hypothesized, but not empirically examined, indirect relationships between psychosocial factors and recovery outcomes. In doing so, we provide a conceptual model which has the potential to help guide individualised treatment recommendations, as well as identify individuals at risk of compromised recovery outcomes following ACL surgery
The Structural Validity of the IKDC and its Relationship with Quality of Life Following ACL Reconstruction
Objective: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the structural validity of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC) in light of previously reported dimensionality issues, and (2) examine the relationships between the IKDC and patients’ knee-related quality of life 2-9 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Methods: A prospective research design was employed, wherein 319 patients (mean age = 29.07, SD = 9.03) completed the IKDC before surgery, 191 patients (mean age = 29.71, SD = 9.36) completed the IKDC at 6 months post-surgery, and 132 patients (mean age = 34.34, SD = 7.89) completed the IKDC and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quality of Life Survey (ACL-QOL) at 2-9 years post-surgery.
Results: Bayesian structural equation modeling analysis confirmed the two-factor structure (symptom & knee articulation and activity level) represented the most accurate conceptualisation of perceived knee function across the three time points. Moreover, findings revealed that of the two IKDC subscales preoperatively, ‘activity level’ was most strongly associated with long-term quality of life at 2-9 years following surgery, whereas 2-9 years postoperatively, ‘symptoms and knee articulation’ was most strongly associated with long-term quality of life.
Conclusions: The IKDC provides clinicians with a convenient total score to assess patients’ perceived knee function, but its unidimensional factor structure is a poor representation of its items and fails to detect discrepancies in patients’ post-operative quality of life, such as the relative importance of perceived knee activity level before reconstructive surgery
Human peritoneal mesothelial cells display phagocytic and antigen-presenting functions to contribute to intraperitoneal immunity
Mesothelial cells lining the peritoneal cavity are strategically positioned to respond to and counter intraperitoneal infections, cancer cells, and other challenges. We have investigated human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) for phagocytic activity, expression of surface MHC Class II and accessory molecules involved in antigen presentation, and the ability to present recall antigens to T cells. Phagocytosis of dextran, latex beads and Escherichia coli was observed by flow cytometry, and internalization was visualised using confocal and electron microscopy. Flow cytometry and/or cellular ELISA showed constitutive expression of ICAM-I, LFA-3, and B7-1, but not B7-2 or MHC II. Interferon-gamma induced MHC II and ICAM-1 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, HPMCs induced autologous CD3+ T lymphocyte proliferation (3H-incorporation) after pulse with recall antigen. HPMCs equipped with phagocytic and antigen-presenting machinery are anticipated to have an integral role in intraperitoneal immune surveillance
Structural-Properties Of Amorphous Hydrogenated Carbon .1. A High-Resolution Neutron-Diffraction Study
The structure of samples of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, prepared from acetylene and propane precursors, containing 35 and 32 at.% hydrogen, respectively, was investigated by time-of-flight neutron diffraction in the range 0.2-50 angstrom-1 using the ISIS spallation source. The large dynamic range of the data ensures a real-space resolution sufficient to reveal directly the proportions of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon. The results show that, in these hard carbon materials, the carbon-atom sites are predominantly sp2 bonded, and the carbon-carbon single bond:carbon-carbon double bond ratio is about 2.5:1. The detailed information on atomic correlations thus provided is used to discuss current structural models, and in particular the data are used to show that these models require significant modification
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