Configurational temperature in active matter. II. Quantifying the deviation from thermal equilibrium

This paper suggests using the configurational temperature \Tc for quantifying how far an active-matter system is from thermal equilibrium. We measure this ``distance'' by the ratio of the systemic temperature \Ts to \Tc, where \Ts is the canonical-ensemble temperature for which the average potential energy is equal to that of the active-matter system. \Tc is ``local'' in the sense that it is the average of a function, which only depends on how the potential energy varies in the vicinity of a given configuration; in contrast \Ts is a global quantity. The quantity \Ts/\Tc is straightforward to evaluate in a computer simulation; equilibrium simulations in conjunction with a single steady-state active-matter configuration are enough to determine \Ts/\Tc. We validate the suggestion that \Ts/\Tc quantifies the deviation from thermal equilibrium by data for the radial distribution function of 3d Kob-Andersen and 2d Yukawa active-matter models with active Ornstein-Uhlenbeck and active Brownian Particle dynamics. Moreover, we show that \Ts/\Tc, structure, and dynamics of the homogeneous phase are all approximately invariant along the motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) boundary in the phase diagram of the 2d Yukawa model. The measure \Ts/\Tc is not limited to active matter; it can be used for quantifying how far any system involving a potential-energy function, e.g., a driven Hamiltonian system, is from thermal equilibrium.Comment: Paper I is available at arXiv:2204.0681

Configurational temperature in active matter. I. Lines of invariant physics in the phase diagram of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model

This paper shows that the configurational temperature of liquid-state theory, \Tc, defines an energy scale, which can be used for adjusting model parameters of active Ornstein-Uhlenbeck particle (AOUP) models in order to achieve approximately invariant structure and dynamics upon a density change. The required parameter changes are calculated from the variation of a single configuration's \Tc for a uniform scaling of all particle coordinates. The resulting equations are justified theoretically for models involving a potential-energy function with hidden scale invariance. The validity of the procedure is illustrated by computer simulations of the Kob-Andersen binary Lennard-Jones AOUP model, demonstrating lines of approximate reduced-unit invariance of the radial distribution function and time-dependent mean-square displacement.Comment: Paper II is available at arXiv:2212.0904

The role of a self-report measure in athlete preparation

Athlete self-report measures (ASRM) are a common and cost-effective method of athlete monitoring. It is purported that ASRM be used to detect athletes at risk of overtraining, injury or illness, allowing intervention through training modification. However it is not known whether ASRM are actually being used for or are achieving these objectives in the applied sport setting. Therefore the aim of this study was to better understand how ASRM are being used in elite sports and their role in athletic preparation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted one-on-one with athletes, coaches and sports science and medicine staff (n=30) at a national sporting institute. Interview recordings were transcribed and analysed for emergent themes. Twelve day-to-day and seven longer-term practices were identified which contributed to a four-step process of ASRM use (record data, review data, contextualize, act). In addition to the purported uses, ASRM facilitated information disclosure and communication amongst athletes and staff and between staff, and improved the understanding and management of athlete preparation. These roles of ASRM are best achieved through engagement of athletes, coaches and support staff in the systematic, cyclic process

Monitoring athletes through self-report: factors influencing implementation

Monitoring athletic preparation facilitates the evaluation and adjustment of practices to optimize performance outcomes. Self-report measures such as questionnaires and diaries are suggested to be a simple and cost-effective approach to monitoring an athlete’s response to training, however their efficacy is dependent on how they are implemented and used. This study sought to identify the perceived factors influencing the implementation of athlete self-report measures (ASRM) in elite sport settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with athletes, coaches and sports science and medicine staff at a national sporting institute (n = 30). Interviewees represented 20 different sports programs and had varying experience with ASRM. Purported factors influencing the implementation of ASRM related to the measure itself (e.g., accessibility, timing of completion), and the social environment (e.g., buy-in, reinforcement). Social environmental factors included individual, inter-personal and organizational levels which is consistent with a social ecological framework. An adaptation of this framework was combined with the factors associated with the measure to illustrate the inter-relations and influence upon compliance, data accuracy and athletic outcomes. To improve implementation of ASRM and ultimately athletic outcomes, a multi-factorial and multi-level approach is needed

Assessment of HIV testing among young methamphetamine users in Muse, Northern Shan State, Myanmar

Background Methamphetamine (MA) use has a strong correlation with risky sexual behaviors, and thus may be triggering the growing HIV epidemic in Myanmar. Although methamphetamine use is a serious public health concern, only a few studies have examined HIV testing among young drug users. This study aimed to examine how predisposing, enabling and need factors affect HIV testing among young MA users. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2013 in Muse city in the Northern Shan State of Myanmar. Using a respondent-driven sampling method, 776 MA users aged 18-24 years were recruited. The main outcome of interest was whether participants had ever been tested for HIV. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were applied in this study. Results Approximately 14.7% of young MA users had ever been tested for HIV. Significant positive predictors of HIV testing included predisposing factors such as being a female MA user, having had higher education, and currently living with one’s spouse/sexual partner. Significant enabling factors included being employed and having ever visited NGO clinics or met NGO workers. Significant need factors were having ever been diagnosed with an STI and having ever wanted to receive help to stop drug use. Conclusions Predisposing, enabling and need factors were significant contributors affecting uptake of HIV testing among young MA users. Integrating HIV testing into STI treatment programs, alongside general expansion of HIV testing services may be effective in increasing HIV testing uptake among young MA users

Variation of cultivated mungbean and wild vigna as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

The genetic variation of nine varieties of cultivated mungbean (Vigna radiata) and three local populations of wild Vigna (V. trinervia) were evaluated in this study using RAPD markers. A total of 65 scorable DNA fragments ranging in size from 173-1,500 bp were obtained from the PCR amplification usingfive RAPD primers of which 95.38% were polymorphic. Cluster analysis revealed two major groups in which the first group consists of the nine varieties ofV. radiata, while the second group includes the three populations ofV. trinervia. This information is useful for plant breeders to make informed decisions in an effort to devise breeding or crossbreeding programmes for the development of the crop

Detection of pathological myopia by PAMELA with texture-based features through an SVM approach

10.1260/2040-2295.1.1.1Journal of Healthcare Engineering111-1

GAISEing into Computer-Based Statistical Instructional Tools

Poster presented at the meeting of the United States Conference on Teaching Statistics (USCOTS), Cary, NC

Plastron osteotomy in the management of fishing hook ingestion in a Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboinensis)

An adult male Malayan box turtle was diagnosed with foreign body obstruction of fishing hook. Upon presentation, the animal had pale mucous membrane and fishing line protruding out from the oral cavity. Diagnosis of foreign body ingestion was based on plain radiograph where the fishing hook was evidenced on the lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic view. Plastron osteotomy surgical removal was performed after endoscopy guided forcep removal failed. Procedures were carried out under the injectable anesthesia using a combination of ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and parenteral fluid therapy was given pre and post-surgically as medical treatment and stabilisation