Fitting AUSGeoid98 to the Australian Height Datum Using GPS-Levelling and Least Squares Collocation: Application of a Cross-Validation Technique

In an absolute sense and over long (>100 km) baselines, the AUSGeoid98 gravimetric-only geoid model does not always allow the accurate transformation of Global Positioning System (GPS)-derived ellipsoidal heights to Australian Height Datum (AHD) heights in all regions of Australia. This is due predominantly to the well-known biases and distortions in the AHD, but long-wavelength errors in the gravimetric geoid model or GPS errors cannot be ruled out. Until the AHD is rigorously redefined, an interim solution is sought where co-located GPS and AHD heights are used to distort AUSGeoid98 such that it provides a better model of the separation between the base of the AHD and the GRS80 reference ellipsoid. This data combination was implemented using least squares collocation (LSC) gridding. Importantly, GPS-AHD data not used in the LSC combination were used to assess the improvement using a cross-validation technique. Using this cross-validation, RMS noise of 14 mm and correlation length of 2500 km for the LSC covariance function were optimised empirically. The standard deviation of the differences between the final combined model and the unused GPS-AHD data is ±156 mm, compared to ±282 mm for AUSGeoid98 alone. It is anticipated that the same technique will be used to produce a new Australian "geoid" model

Localised Gross-error Detection in the Australian Land Gravity Database

We have used two complementary, data-driven gross-error detection methods to clean the 2004 release of Geoscience Australia?s (GA?s) land gravity database. The first uses the DEM-9S (version 2) Australian digital elevation model to help verify the gravity observation elevations stored in the database. The second method uses locally interpolated complete/refined Bouguer gravity anomalies, under the assumption that these are smooth and suitable for interpolation, to crosscheck each gravity observation against those surrounding. Together, these methods only identified a total of 237 points (0.021%) in the database that were suspected to be in gross error (differences greater than 250 m and 35 mgal, respectively), of which only nine were identified by both methods. These points will be removed before the computation of the new Australian geoid model, and also supplied to GA for its evaluation. Due to the small number of points identified, this is a very positive result in that it shows that the Australian gravity database appears relatively gross-error-free, which bodes well for all previous studies that have relied upon it. However, it is important to point out that this evaluation is inevitably localised and thus only verifies the high-frequency gravity anomaly signal content. Subsequent studies using dedicated satellite gravimetry will be used to identify long-wavelength errors

Are antipsychotic prescribing patterns different in older and younger adults? : a survey of 1357 psychiatric inpatients in Toronto

Objective: To compare antipsychotic prescribing patterns in younger (aged 59 years or younger) and older (aged 60 years or older) patients with psychotic or mood disorders. Method: Pharmacy records of all patients discharged from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health over a 21-month period were reviewed. A total of 1357 patients who were prescribed an antipsychotic at the time of their discharge were included in the analysis (956 with a primary psychotic disorder and 401 with a primary mood disorder). World Health Organization-defined daily doses were used as the standardized dosing unit. Results: Both in patients with a primary psychotic disorder and in patients with a primary mood disorder, the prescribing patterns were similar in older and younger patients, with no statistical difference in the proportions receiving first-generation antipsychotics, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), multiple antipsychotics, or long-acting (depot) antipsychotics. Overall, the mean daily antipsychotic doses were lower only in the older group of patients with a primary mood disorder. However, the mean dose of SGAs was about 30% lower in older patients in both diagnostic groups. Regardless of age, patients with a mood disorder were prescribed lower doses of antipsychotics than those with a psychotic disorder. Conclusions: Our data suggest that older patients are prescribed lower antipsychotic dosages primarily when using SGAs. This finding emphasizes the need for dose-finding studies assessing both the efficacy and the safety of antipsychotics in older patients with a psychotic or mood disorder.peer-reviewe

Towards the New AusGeoid Model

Since November 1998, all high-precision GPS users in Australia have adopted the AUSGeoid98 gravimetric geoid model to transform GPS-derived ellipsoidal heights to the Australian Height Datum (AHD) and vice versa. Since AUSGeoid98 was released by Geoscience Australia (http://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/geodesy/ausgeoid/) based on recommendations by the first-named author, several new theories have been formulated and refined datasets have been released, all of which can improve the Australian geoid model. This paper reports our latest implementations of these theories and datasets, which comprise a global geopotential model derived from the GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) dedicated satellite gravimetry mission, gravimetric terrain corrections from the version-2 DEM-9S 9"x9" digital elevation model, approximately 200,000 additional land gravity observations in Geoscience Australia's database, improved gravity data cleaning methods, refined marine gravity data from multi-mission satellite radar altimetry, a least-squares crossover adjustment of ship-track gravity observations, and new GPS data collected by State and Territory geodetic survey agencies at key tide-gauges, some junction points and other benchmarks of the AHD. The refined gravimetric geoid solution will be fitted to the GPS-AHD data using least-squares collocation so as to deliberately provide a more direct transformation to the AHD that obviates the need to occupy nearby AHD benchmarks during a GPS survey. This pragmatic solution, while not producing a classical equipotential geoid model, does provide a very useful product for GPS users in Australia until the AHD is rigorously redefined. Our results show that the new model will deliver GPS-derived AHD heights with an RMS of less than ~12 cm in an absolute sense over most parts of Australia, which reduces when used in relative mode over shorter GPS baselines. In short, the new model will deliver height results that are commensurate with or better than Australian class LC (third order) geodetic levelling methods. As with AUSGeoid98, this new product will be released and administered by Geoscience Australia based on our recommendations, hopefully towards the end of 2005

Progress Towards the New Australian Geoid-type Model as a Replacement for AUSGeoid98

We are nearing the final stages of producing a new geoid-type model for Australia that will replace AUSGeoid98. The terminology geoid-type reflects that the gravimetric quasigeoid model will be fitted to Australia-wide GPS-levelling data, probably using least-squares collocation. This will provide a user-friendly product for the more direct transformation of GPS-derived ellipsoidal heights to normal-orthometric heights on the Australian Height Datum (AHD). This has become necessary because Australian government geodetic authorities have decided to retain the AHD for the 'foreseeable future', whereas it is well known that the AHD contains about 1-2m distortions mainly due to fixing the AHD height to zero at 32 tide gauges. Another driver is that there is an increasing trend towards establishing vertical control using carrier-phase GPS via the single-point precise point positioning (PPP) technique or over very long baselines using the AUSPOS on-line service. When the quasigeoid model was used with differential GPS over short baselines, common/correlated errors cancelled in this relative mode, whereas they do not in the absolute or long-baseline modes. As such, AUSPOS and PPP users of AUSGeoid98 can sometimes find up to 2m discrepancies with existing AHD benchmarks. In addition, we will use improved quasigeoid modelling techniques and the most recent datasets available, such as GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) global gravity field models, satellite-altimeter-derived gravity anomalies in marine areas that have been re-tracked to improve them in the coastal zone, the latest cleaned release of the Australian land gravity database, the version 2 Australian digital elevation model, which now allows the computation of nine arc-second resolution topographical effects. Some emphasis will be placed on the use of modified kernels as high-pass filters to manage long-wavelength errors in the Australian terrestrial gravity and terrain data, so that they do not contaminate the high-quality GRACE data

Circadian preference and physical and cognitive performance in adolescence:A scoping review

Adolescence is a crucial period of development which coincides with changes in circadian rhythmicity. This may augment the impact of circadian preference on performance in this group. We aimed to scope the literature available on chronotypes and their effect on physical and mental aspects of performance in adolescents. Methods: Studies were identified by systematically searching bibliographical databases and grey literature. Results: The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was the most frequently reported tool for circadian preference assessment. Academic achievement was the most prevailing outcome, with evidence suggesting that morning type adolescents tend to outperform evening types, yet the results vary depending on multiple factors. Performance in tests of intelligence and executive functions was generally better at optimal times of the day (synchrony effect). Physical performance was examined in 8 studies, with very heterogeneous outcomes. Conclusions: Although the associations between circadian preference and performance in adolescents are evident in some areas, there are many factors that may be involved in the relationship and require further investigation. This review highlights the assessment of physical performance in relation to chronotypes, the multidimensional assessment of circadian preference, and the need for longitudinal studies as priorities for further research

Whole Genome Sequencing and Metabolomic Study of Cave Streptomyces Isolates ICC1 and ICC4

The terrestrial subsurface microbiome has gained considerable amount of interests in the recent years because of its rich potential resource for biomining novel genes coding for metabolites possessing antimicrobial activities. In our previous study, we identified two Streptomyces isolates, designated as ICC1 and ICC4, from the Iron Curtain Cave, Chilliwack, Canada that exhibited antagonistic activities against the multidrug resistant strains of Escherichia coli. In this study, the genomes of these two isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq, assembled and annotated. The genes associated with secondary metabolite production were identified and annotated using the bioinformatics platforms antiSMASH and BAGEL. ICC1 and ICC4 were then cultivated and ICC1 metabolome characterized by UHPLC-ESI-HRMS. The Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking was used to identify metabolites based on the MS/MS spectral data. ICC1 and ICC4 showed a high level of sequence identity with the terrestrial bacteria Streptomyces lavendulae; however, they possess a greater secondary metabolite potential as estimated by the total number of identified biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In particular, ICC1 and ICC4 had a greater number of polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide BGCs. The most frequently detected BGCs were those predicted to generate terpenes, small and low complexity dipeptides and lipids. Spectral analysis clearly identified a number of diketopiperazine products through matched reference spectra for cyclo (Leu-Pro), cyclo (Pro-Val) and cyclo [(4-hydroxyPro)-Leu]. One of the terpenes gene clusters predicted by antiSMASH possesses a seven-gene pathway consistent with diazepinomicin biosynthesis. This molecule contains a very rare core structure and its BGC, to date, has only been identified from a single bacterial genome. The tetrapeptide siderophore coelichelin BGC was unambiguously identified in the genome, however, the metabolite could not be identified from the culture extracts. Two type III polyketides, 2′, 5′ – dimethoxyflavone and nordentatin, were identified from the UHPLC-HRMS data of the aqueous and n-butanolic fractions of Streptomyces sp. ICC1, respectively. A BGC likely encoding these metabolites was predicted in both genomes. The predicted similarities in molecule production and genome shared by these two strains could be an indicative of a cooperative mode of living in extreme habitats instead of a competitive one. This secondary metabolite potential may contribute to the fitness of ICC1 and ICC4 in the Iron Curtain Cave

Can continuing professional development utilizing a game-centered approach improve the quality of physical education teaching delivered by generalist primary school teachers?

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a continuing professional development (CPD) intervention in producing changes in physical education (PE) teaching practice and PE teaching quality by generalist primary school teachers when the CPD addressed the use of a game-centred approach. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in seven primary schools in the Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia. One year six teacher from each school was randomized into the Professional Learning for Understanding Games Education (PLUNGE) intervention ( n = 4 teachers) or the 7-week wait-list control ( n = 3) condition. The PLUNGE intervention (weeks 1–5) used an instructional framework to improve teachers’ knowledge, understanding and delivery of a game-centred curriculum, and included an information session and weekly in-class mentoring. The intervention was designed to enhance content and pedagogical knowledge for the provision of pedagogy focused on a broad range of learning outcomes. Teaching quality was assessed at baseline and follow-up (weeks 6 and 7) via observation of two consecutive PE lessons using the Quality Teaching Lesson Observation Scales. Linear mixed models revealed significant group-by-time intervention effects ( p &lt; 0.05) for the quality of teaching (effect size: d = 1.7). CPD using an information session and mentoring, and a focus on the development of the quality of teaching using a game-centred pedagogical approach was efficacious in improving the quality of PE teaching among generalist primary school teachers. </jats:p

Physical activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight

Background: The global prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is high. Lifestyle changes towards a healthy diet, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary activities are recommended to prevent and treat obesity. Evidence suggests that changing these health behaviours can benefit cognitive function and school achievement in children and adolescents in general. There are various theoretical mechanisms that suggest that children and adolescents with excessive body fat may benefit particularly from these interventions. Objectives: To assess whether lifestyle interventions (in the areas of diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and behavioural therapy) improve school achievement, cognitive function (e.g. executive functions) and/or future success in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight, compared with standard care, waiting-list control, no treatment, or an attention placebo control group. Search methods: In February 2017, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and 15 other databases. We also searched two trials registries, reference lists, and handsearched one journal from inception. We also contacted researchers in the field to obtain unpublished data. Selection criteria: We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural interventions for weight management in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. We excluded studies in children and adolescents with medical conditions known to affect weight status, school achievement and cognitive function. We also excluded self- and parent-reported outcomes. Data collection and analysis: Four review authors independently selected studies for inclusion. Two review authors extracted data, assessed quality and risks of bias, and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We contacted study authors to obtain additional information. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Where the same outcome was assessed across different intervention types, we reported standardised effect sizes for findings from single-study and multiple-study analyses to allow comparison of intervention effects across intervention types. To ease interpretation of the effect size, we also reported the mean difference of effect sizes for single-study outcomes. Main results: We included 18 studies (59 records) of 2384 children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. Eight studies delivered physical activity interventions, seven studies combined physical activity programmes with healthy lifestyle education, and three studies delivered dietary interventions. We included five RCTs and 13 cluster-RCTs. The studies took place in 10 different countries. Two were carried out in children attending preschool, 11 were conducted in primary/elementary school-aged children, four studies were aimed at adolescents attending secondary/high school and one study included primary/elementary and secondary/high school-aged children. The number of studies included for each outcome was low, with up to only three studies per outcome. The quality of evidence ranged from high to very low and 17 studies had a high risk of bias for at least one item. None of the studies reported data on additional educational support needs and adverse events. Compared to standard practice, analyses of physical activity-only interventions suggested high-quality evidence for improved mean cognitive executive function scores. The mean difference (MD) was 5.00 scale points higher in an after-school exercise group compared to standard practice (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 9.32; scale mean 100, standard deviation 15; 116 children, 1 study). There was no statistically significant beneficial effect in favour of the intervention for mathematics, reading, or inhibition control. The standardised mean difference (SMD) for mathematics was 0.49 (95% CI -0.04 to 1.01; 2 studies, 255 children, moderate-quality evidence) and for reading was 0.10 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.49; 2 studies, 308 children, moderate-quality evidence). The MD for inhibition control was -1.55 scale points (95% CI -5.85 to 2.75; scale range 0 to 100; SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.28; 1 study, 84 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for average achievement across subjects taught at school. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of physical activity interventions combined with healthy lifestyle education on average achievement across subjects taught at school, mathematics achievement, reading achievement or inhibition control. The MD for average achievement across subjects taught at school was 6.37 points lower in the intervention group compared to standard practice (95% CI -36.83 to 24.09; scale mean 500, scale SD 70; SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.58; 1 study, 31 children, low-quality evidence). The effect estimate for mathematics achievement was SMD 0.02 (95% CI -0.19 to 0.22; 3 studies, 384 children, very low-quality evidence), for reading achievement SMD 0.00 (95% CI -0.24 to 0.24; 2 studies, 284 children, low-quality evidence), and for inhibition control SMD -0.67 (95% CI -1.50 to 0.16; 2 studies, 110 children, very low-quality evidence). No data were available for the effect of combined physical activity and healthy lifestyle education on cognitive executive functions. There was a moderate difference in the average achievement across subjects taught at school favouring interventions targeting the improvement of the school food environment compared to standard practice in adolescents with obesity (SMD 0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.66; 2 studies, 382 adolescents, low-quality evidence), but not with overweight. Replacing packed school lunch with a nutrient-rich diet in addition to nutrition education did not improve mathematics (MD -2.18, 95% CI -5.83 to 1.47; scale range 0 to 69; SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.20; 1 study, 76 children, low-quality evidence) and reading achievement (MD 1.17, 95% CI -4.40 to 6.73; scale range 0 to 108; SMD 0.13, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.61; 1 study, 67 children, low-quality evidence). Authors' conclusions: Despite the large number of childhood and adolescent obesity treatment trials, we were only able to partially assess the impact of obesity treatment interventions on school achievement and cognitive abilities. School and community-based physical activity interventions as part of an obesity prevention or treatment programme can benefit executive functions of children with obesity or overweight specifically. Similarly, school-based dietary interventions may benefit general school achievement in children with obesity. These findings might assist health and education practitioners to make decisions related to promoting physical activity and healthy eating in schools. Future obesity treatment and prevention studies in clinical, school and community settings should consider assessing academic and cognitive as well as physical outcomes

The PLUNGE randomized controlled trial:Evaluation of a games-based physical activity professional learning program in primary school physical education

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the Professional Learning for Understanding Games Education (PLUNGE) program on fundamental movement skills (FMS), in-class physical activity and perceived sporting competence. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial involving one year six class each from seven primary schools (n = 168; mean age = 11.2 years, SD = 1.0) in the Hunter Region, NSW, Australia. In September (2013) participants were randomized by school into the PLUNGE intervention (n = 97 students) or the 7-week wait-list control (n = 71) condition. PLUNGE involved the use of Game Centered curriculum delivered via an in-class teacher mentoring program. Students were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up for three object control FMS (Test of Gross Motor Development 2), in-class physical activity (pedometer steps/min) and perceived sporting competence (Self-perception Profile for Children). Results: Linear mixed models revealed significant group-by-time intervention effects (all p < 0.05) for object control competency (effect size: d = 0.9), and in-class pedometer steps/min (d = 1.0). No significant intervention effects (p > 0.05) were observed for perceived sporting competence. Conclusions: The PLUNGE intervention simultaneously improved object control FMS proficiency and in-class PA in stage three students