Who Rules Sport Now? White and Brackenridge Revisited

Research over the past 20 years has suggested that the role of women in British sports governance is limited and may even be decreasing. A study by White and Brackenridge, published in this journal in 1985, provided convincing evidence that women had little influence at the top level of sports management and administration and predicted that there was little chance of improvement. That view has been maintained ever since but with little empirical evidence to support it. The present pilot study, based on contact with a range of organizations, suggests that the overall situation is improving, particularly amongst newer authorities and commercial clubs. Preliminary findings indicate that women have in fact been appointed in increasing numbers to senior jobs in sports governance

A feasibility study of acceptance and commitment therapy for emotional dysfunction following psychosis

The experience of psychosis can lead to depression, anxiety and fear. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) facilitates individuals to accept difficult mental experiences and behave in ways that are consistent with personally held values. This study was a single (rater) blind pilot randomised controlled trial of ACT for emotional dysfunction following psychosis. Twenty-seven participants with psychosis were randomised to either: ten sessions of ACT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills and Working Alliance Inventory were used. Individuals were assessed at baseline and 3 months post-baseline. The individuals randomised to receive ACT found the intervention acceptable. A significantly greater proportion of the ACT group changed from being depressed at time of entry into the study to not being depressed at follow-up. The ACT group showed a significantly greater increase in mindfulness skills and reduction in negative symptoms. Results indicated that individuals randomised to ACT had significantly fewer crisis contacts over the study. Changes in mindfulness skills correlated positively with changes in depression. ACT appears to offer promise in reducing negative symptoms, depression and crisis contacts in psychosis

Agarose entrapped gold nanoparticles for the crosslinking of collagen: A comparison study [abstract]

Abstract only availableAs one of the most common proteins found in the human body, collagen is generally regarded as biocompatible and has well-defined properties that make it ideal for biomedical applications. However, for purified forms of collagen, the overall biomechanical and biodegradation properties are inadequate for many of these applications. Efforts to strengthen the matrix and control biodegradation have traditionally focused on increasing the number of crosslinks formed between collagen molecules using both physical and chemical techniques. In addition to these techniques, glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate are often added to collagen matrices to improve the flexibility and handling characteristics of the material, as well as to positively influence cellular adhesion and proliferation. Many of these techniques have been researched extensively; however, there is a lack of significant research in the area of nanomaterials and their potential to crosslink collagen. The purpose of these experiments was to determine if agarose-entrapped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could be utilized to crosslink collagen. Several formulations were prepared using different volumetric ratios of AuNPs to collagen, as well as duplicate formulations which also contained chondroitin sulfate. All collagen gels were allowed to crosslink at 37 ºC overnight and then fixed in paraformaldehyde and critical point dried in preparation for scanning electron microscopy. The resulting micrographs exhibited collagen matrices with a variety of structures and porosities. The matrices ranged from structures with large pores and AuNPs scattered along the collagen fibers to nearly solid sheets with clusters of AuNPs. Overall, the results supported the hypothesis that agarose entrapped AuNPs could be utilized to crosslink collagen. Future studies will focus on thorough characterization of the matrices to determine the optimal ratio of AuNPs to collagen.College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Optio

Pilot scale pyrolysis - determination of critical moisture content for sustainable organic waste pyrolysis

Economic feasibility of large scale organic waste pyrolysis was investigated for Inghams Enterprise (Waitoa) chicken dissolved air flotation sludge (DAF) and activated sludge (biosolids) from the Hamilton municipal waste water treatment plant. Processing data was obtained from pilot plant trials using the Lakeland Steel (Rotorua) continuous auger pyrolysis plant using feedstock at 15, 30, 45 and ~80% moisture contents. Economics were calculated based on estimated capital and operating costs of a large scale facility, revenue from selling char, savings from landfill diversion (including transportation and gate costs), energy savings by recycling syngas product and using waste heat for drying feedstock. For DAF, 15% moisture content gave yields of 21% syngas, 27% char, and 52% oil (dry weight basis). 15% moisture content gave the best processing conditions based on handling properties and degree of autogenesis. The DAF case does not give a payback period due to low scale of operations. For biosolids, 15% moisture content feedstock gave yields of 46% syngas, 31% char, and 21% oil (wet weight). Difficulties were found with plant blockages at 45% and 80% moisture contents. 15% moisture content gave the best processing conditions and the best economic performance with a payback time of 4.6 years for a facility that could process 11,000 tonnes per year