Characterisation of luminescent and electrochemical sensors.

This thesis is concerned with electrochemical and optical sensors based on potentiometric and luminescent transduction. A series of oxa-diisobutylamide derivatives based on cis-cis-l,3,5-cyclo-hexanetriol was compared in standard polyvinyl chloride based ion-selective electrodes as ionophores for the detection of selected IA/IIA cations. The tripodal framework incorporated either mono-, di- or tri- substituted diisobutyl amide pendant groups to give possible coordination numbers of 4, 5 and 6 respectively, assuming a 1:1 cationionophore stoichiometry. A Nemstian response towards the detection of Ca(^2+) was observed with the ISE incorporating the di-substituted diamide analogue. The selectivity of the ISE was assessed using the Fixed Interference Method and a Nemstian response was observed in the extracellular Ca(^2+) concentration range (1.16-1.32 mmol dm(^-3)) in the presence of a simulated extracellular background of interfering cations. The effect of pH on the response of the ISE was also investigated as was the enhancement of the lower detection limit by including a Ca(^2+) buffer in the inner filling electrolyte. Luminescent lanthanide complexes were assessed as chemical transducers for the purpose of optical sensing of pH or dissolved oxygen, following immobilisation in sol- gel thin films prepared in acidic media. pH-dependent intensity or ratiometric methods were defined for europium and terbium complexes of cyclen based frameworks (12-N(_4)). These systems incorporated phenanthridine derivatives or para substituted aryl sulfonamide moieties as the sensitising chromophores, typically with apparent pH sensing ranges of 5.5 to 8.0.Dissolved oxygen-dependent modulation of the metal emission and excited state lifetime of a short series of terbium complexes was assessed. These systems were based on cyclen with either tetra-amide or mono-amide triphosphinate pendent groups

SHOT SUCCESS AND KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES WITH ALTERING KICKING POSITION ON GOALSHOOTING TECHNIQUE IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

In Australian Football, goalshots are taken from a range of distances and angles to the goal. The aim of this study was to evaluate if performance and technique differed for goalshots from different sides of the posts. Seventeen players performed 10 goalshots from two different positions (45° to the left (L45) and 45° to the right (R45) of goals) on an Australian Football ground. Kicking kinematics were measured using the Xsens MVN link inertial measurement system (240Hz). Shot success was slightly better for kicks from the left (62 v 59%). Technical differences were limited with small effects evident for knee and shank angular velocity. Individual differences were evident that indicate that individual-based analysis is necessary for future goalshooting work

BIOMECHANICS OF GOAL-KICKING ACCURACY IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL USING AN INERTIAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Accurate goal-kicking is important to a team’s success in Australian Football (AF). However, it remains a largely unexplored area in sport biomechanics. This study examined technical aspects of goal-kicking accuracy using an inertial measurement system (IMS). Two junior AF players performed 15x20m goal-kicks in the field. Kinematics were measured using the Xsens MVN link IMS (240Hz). Results showed that both players had greater support leg (p\u3c0.04; d\u3e1.0) and kick leg (d\u3e1.0) knee flexion during accurate goal-kicks. Individual differences were reported for footspeed and shank angular velocities for accurate goal-kicks. These individual differences highlight the need to conduct an individual-based analysis in goal-kicking research

THE EFFECT OF ALTERING DISTANCE ON GOAL-KICKING TECHNIQUE IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

Goal-kicks are taken from different positions during a game in Australian Football (AF), which can influence the difficulty of scoring a goal. This study examined the effect of altering kicking distance on goal-kicking technique in 18 AF players. Players performed 10 goal-kicks from 30 m and 40 m directly in-front of goals and kicking kinematics were measured using the Xsens MVN inertial measurement system (240 Hz). Increasing distance resulted in substantially more support-leg knee extension (\u3e 3.8°, large effect) during the stance phase, with moderately higher foot speeds (1.9 m.s-1), shank (93 deg/s) and knee (186 deg/s) angular velocities at ball contact. Finding from this research have important implications for the conditioning and coaching of the skill; when kicking further from goals, increasing knee extension (support-leg), foot speed, shank and knee angular velocities are recommended

USE OF ACCELEROMETERS IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL TO IDENTIFY A KICK

The use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) is growing in elite sports such as Australian Football (AF). The purpose of this study was to identify ball contact (BC) and ball release (BR) of an AF kick and its intensity on the basis of IMU accelerometer data. A mechanical kicking limb, designed to replicate an AF kick, performed six punt kicks at six different angles. The acceleration dataset of each kick was analysed with Matlab and the characters BC and BR of the kick were obtained from high speed video footage and just over 43% was correct identified in the acceleration data. The kicks were correctly identified by Matlab as a kick. Kick intensity was obtained from the acceleration data. An AF kick identifier arose from this study. According to the findings, further analysis should analyse a kick with an accelerometer with a higher acceleration range

Practicing Critical Research: Applying a Feminist Textual Analysis to the Film 300

This single-class activity was developed to give students hands-on experience with critical research. The purpose of this activity is to assist students in developing critical, textual analysis skills by applying a feminist lens to the hyper-masculine film 300, specifically analyzing symbolic representations of power

Access to abortion under the heath exception: a comparative analysis in three countries

Background Despite Britain, Colombia, and some Mexican states sharing a health exception within their abortion laws, access to abortion under the health exception varies widely. This study examines factors that result in heterogeneous application of similar health exception laws and consequences for access to legal abortion. Our research adds to previous literature by comparing implementation of similar abortion laws across countries to identify strategies for full implementation of the health exception. Methods We conducted a cross-country comparative descriptive study synthesizing data from document and literature review, official abortion statistics, and interviews with key informants. We gathered information on the use and interpretation of the health exception in the three countries from peer-reviewed literature, court documents, and grey literature. We next extracted public and private abortion statistics to understand the application of the law in each setting. We used a matrix to synthesize information and identify key factors in the use of the law. We conducted in-depth interviews with doctors and experts familiar with the health exception laws in each country and analyzed the qualitative data based on the previously identified factors. Results The health exception is used broadly in Britain, somewhat in Colombia, and very rarely in Mexican states. We identified five factors as particularly salient to application of the health exception in each setting: 1) comprehensiveness of the law including explicit mention of mental health, 2) a strong public health sector that funds abortion, 3) knowledge of and attitudes toward the health exception law, including guidelines for physicians in providing abortion, 4) dissemination of information about the health exception law, and 5) a history of court cases that protect women and clarify the health exception law. Conclusions The health exception is a valuable tool for expanding access to legal abortion. Differences in the use of the health exception as an indication for legal abortion result in wide access for women in Britain to nearly no access in Mexican states. Our findings highlight the difference between theoretical and real access to legal abortion. The interpretation and application of the health exception law are pivotal to expanding real access to abortion