112 research outputs found
Effect of combined uphill-downhill sprint training on kinematics and maximum running speed in experienced sprinters
This study examined the effects of sprint running training on sloping surfaces (3°) in experienced sprinters using selected kinematic variables. Twelve experienced sprinters were randomly allocated to two training groups (combined uphillâdownhill and horizontal). Pre- and post-training tests were performed to examine the effects of six weeks of training on maximum running speed, step rate, step length, step time, contact time, braking and propulsive phase of contact time, flight time and selected postural characteristics during a step cycle in the final steps of a 35m sprint test. In the combined uphillâdownhill training group, maximum running speed was substantially greater (from 9.08 ± 0.90 m s-1 to 9.51 ± 0.62 m s-1; p <0.05) after training by 4.8%; step rate, contact time, step time and concentric phase was not modified. There were no significant changes in maximal speed or sprint kinematics in the horizontal training group. Overall, the posture characteristics did not change with training. The combined uphillâdownhill training method was substantially more effective in improving the maximum running speed in experienced sprinters than a traditional horizontal training method
Observations of the pulsating subdwarf B star Feige 48: Constraints on evolution and companions
Since pulsating subdwarf B (sdBV or EC14026) stars were first discovered
(Kilkenny et al, 1997), observational efforts have tried to realize their
potential for constraining the interior physics of extreme horizontal branch
(EHB) stars. Difficulties encountered along the way include uncertain mode
identifications and a lack of stable pulsation mode properties. Here we report
on Feige 48, an sdBV star for which follow-up observations have been obtained
spanning more than four years, which shows some stable pulsation modes.
We resolve the temporal spectrum into five stable pulsation periods in the
range 340 to 380 seconds with amplitudes less than 1%, and two additional
periods that appear in one dataset each. The three largest amplitude
periodicities are nearly equally spaced, and we explore the consequences of
identifying them as a rotationally split l=1 triplet by consulting with a
representative stellar model.
The general stability of the pulsation amplitudes and phases allows us to use
the pulsation phases to constrain the timescale of evolution for this sdBV
star. Additionally, we are able to place interesting limits on any stellar or
planetary companion to Feige 48.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRA
Recommended from our members
Behaviour sequelae following acute Kawasaki disease.
BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis and may affect cerebral function acutely. The aim of the present study was to measure a number of behaviour and social parameters within a cohort of Kawasaki disease patients. METHODS: Parents of children with past diagnosis of Kawasaki disease were recruited to complete several behaviour screening questionnaires. Sixty five sets of questionnaires relating to the patient cohort received were eligible for inclusion. Two control groups were used, a hospital (HC) control and a sibling control (SC) group. RESULTS: 40% of the Kawasaki disease group showed elevated internalising scores in the clinical or borderline-clinical range. This compared with 18% of hospital controls and 13% of sibling controls. Additionally, the Kawasaki disease (KD) group were shown to be experiencing greater overall total difficulties when compared with the controls (KD 13.7, HC 8.6, SC 8.9). The KD group attained higher behavioural scores within the internalising sub-categories of somatic problems (KD 61, HC 57, SC 54) and withdrawn traits (KD 56, HC 53, SC 51). The KD group were also shown to be suffering more thought problems (KD 57, HC 53, SC 50) compared with the controls. Further difficulties relating to conduct (KD 3.3, HC 1.4) and social interactions (KD 6.7, HC 8.3) are also highlighted for the KD group compared with hospital controls. Positron emission tomograms were performed on nine patients to investigate severe behavioural problems. Three showed minor changes, possibly a resolving cerebral vasculopathy. CONCLUSION: Kawasaki disease can be associated with significant behavioural sequelae. This is an important consideration in the long-term follow up and referral to a clinical psychologist may be necessary in selected patients
Guidelines for Modeling and Reporting Health Effects of Climate Change Mitigation Actions
Background:
Modeling suggests that climate change mitigation actions can have substantial human health benefits that accrue quickly and locally. Documenting the benefits can help drive more ambitious and health-protective climate change mitigation actions; however, documenting the adverse health effects can help to avoid them. Estimating the health effects of mitigation (HEM) actions can help policy makers prioritize investments based not only on mitigation potential but also on expected health benefits. To date, however, the wide range of incompatible approaches taken to developing and reporting HEM estimates has limited their comparability and usefulness to policymakers.
Objective:
The objective of this effort was to generate guidance for modeling studies on scoping, estimating, and reporting population health effects from climate change mitigation actions.
Methods:
An expert panel of HEM researchers was recruited to participate in developing guidance for conducting HEM studies. The primary literature and a synthesis of HEM studies were provided to the panel. Panel members then participated in a modified Delphi exercise to identify areas of consensus regarding HEM estimation. Finally, the panel met to review and discuss consensus findings, resolve remaining differences, and generate guidance regarding conducting HEM studies.
Results:
The panel generated a checklist of recommendations regarding stakeholder engagement: HEM modeling, including model structure, scope and scale, demographics, time horizons, counterfactuals, health response functions, and metrics; parameterization and reporting; approaches to uncertainty and sensitivity analysis; accounting for policy uptake; and discounting.
Discussion:
This checklist provides guidance for conducting and reporting HEM estimates to make them more comparable and useful for policymakers. Harmonization of HEM estimates has the potential to lead to advances in and improved synthesis of policy-relevant research that can inform evidence-based decision making and practice
Centralised Design and Production of the Ultra-High Vacuum and Laser-Stabilisation Systems for the AION Ultra-Cold Strontium Laboratories
This paper outlines the centralised design and production of the
Ultra-High-Vacuum sidearm and Laser-Stabilisation systems for the AION
Ultra-Cold Strontium Laboratories. Commissioning data on the residual gas and
steady-state pressures in the sidearm chambers, on magnetic field quality, on
laser stabilisation, and on the loading rate for the 3D Magneto-Optical Trap
are presented. Streamlining the design and production of the sidearm and laser
stabilisation systems enabled the AION Collaboration to build and equip in
parallel five state-of-the-art Ultra-Cold Strontium Laboratories within 24
months by leveraging key expertise in the collaboration. This approach could
serve as a model for the development and construction of other cold atom
experiments, such as atomic clock experiments and neutral atom quantum
computing systems, by establishing dedicated design and production units at
national laboratories.Comment: 27 pages, 21 figure
A complex intervention to reduce avoidable hospital admissions in nursing homes: a research programme including the BHiRCH-NH pilot cluster RCT
YesBackground: An unplanned hospital admission of a nursing home resident distresses the person, their
family and nursing home staff, and is costly to the NHS. Improving health care in care homes, including
early detection of residentsâ health changes, may reduce hospital admissions. Previously, we identified four
conditions associated with avoidable hospital admissions. We noted promising âwithin-homeâ complex
interventions including care pathways, knowledge and skills enhancement, and implementation support.
Objectives: Develop a complex intervention with implementation support [the Better Health in
Residents in Care Homes with Nursing (BHiRCH-NH)] to improve early detection, assessment and
treatment for the four conditions. Determine its impact on hospital admissions, test study procedures
and acceptability of the intervention and implementation support, and indicate if a definitive trial
was warranted.
Design: A Carer Reference Panel advised on the intervention, implementation support and study
documentation, and engaged in data analysis and interpretation. In workstream 1, we developed a
complex intervention to reduce rates of hospitalisation from nursing homes using mixed methods,
including a rapid research review, semistructured interviews and consensus workshops. The complex
intervention comprised care pathways, approaches to enhance staff knowledge and skills, implementation
support and clarity regarding the role of family carers. In workstream 2, we tested the complex intervention
and implementation support via two work packages. In work package 1, we conducted a feasibility study
of the intervention, implementation support and study procedures in two nursing homes and refined
the complex intervention to comprise the Stop and Watch Early Warning Tool (S&W), condition-specific
care pathways and a structured framework for nurses to communicate with primary care. The final
implementation support included identifying two Practice Development Champions (PDCs) in each
intervention home, and supporting them with a training workshop, practice development support group,
monthly coaching calls, handbooks and web-based resources. In work package 2, we undertook a cluster
randomised controlled trial to pilot test the complex intervention for acceptability and a preliminary
estimate of effect.
Setting: Fourteen nursing homes allocated to intervention and implementation support (n = 7) or
treatment as usual (n = 7).
Participants: We recruited sufficient numbers of nursing homes (n = 14), staff (n = 148), family carers
(n = 95) and residents (n = 245). Two nursing homes withdrew prior to the intervention starting.
Intervention: This ran from February to July 2018.
Data sources: Individual-level data on nursing home residents, their family carers and staff; system-level
data using nursing home records; and process-level data comprising how the intervention was implemented.
Data were collected on recruitment rates, consent and the numbers of family carers who wished to be
involved in the residentsâ care. Completeness of outcome measures and data collection and the return
rate of questionnaires were assessed.
Results: The pilot trial showed no effects on hospitalisations or secondary outcomes. No home
implemented the intervention tools as expected. Most staff endorsed the importance of early detection,
assessment and treatment. Many reported that they âwere already doing itâ, using an early-warning tool;
a detailed nursing assessment; or the situation, background, assessment, recommendation communication
protocol. Three homes never used the S&W and four never used care pathways. Only 16 S&W forms and
eight care pathways were completed. Care records revealed little use of the intervention principles. PDCs
from five of six intervention homes attended the training workshop, following which they had variable
engagement with implementation support. Progression criteria regarding recruitment and data collection
were met: 70% of homes were retained, the proportion of missing data was < 20% and 80% of individuallevel data were collected. Necessary rates of data collection, documentation completion and return over
the 6-month study period were achieved. However, intervention tools were not fully adopted, suggesting
they would not be sustainable outside the trial. Few hospitalisations for the four conditions suggest it an
unsuitable primary outcome measure. Key cost components were estimated.
Limitations: The study homes may already have had effective approaches to early detection, assessment and
treatment for acute health changes; consistent with government policy emphasising the need for enhanced
health care in homes. Alternatively, the implementation support may not have been sufficiently potent.
Conclusion: A definitive trial is feasible, but the intervention is unlikely to be effective. Participant
recruitment, retention, data collection and engagement with family carers can guide subsequent
studies, including service evaluation and quality improvement methodologies.
Future work: Intervention research should be conducted in homes which need to enhance early
detection, assessment and treatment. Interventions to reduce avoidable hospital admissions may be
beneficial in residential care homes, as they are not required to employ nurses.This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 9, No. 2. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information
Guidelines for Modeling and Reporting Health Effects of Climate Change Mitigation Actions.
BACKGROUND: Modeling suggests that climate change mitigation actions can have substantial human health benefits that accrue quickly and locally. Documenting the benefits can help drive more ambitious and health-protective climate change mitigation actions; however, documenting the adverse health effects can help to avoid them. Estimating the health effects of mitigation (HEM) actions can help policy makers prioritize investments based not only on mitigation potential but also on expected health benefits. To date, however, the wide range of incompatible approaches taken to developing and reporting HEM estimates has limited their comparability and usefulness to policymakers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this effort was to generate guidance for modeling studies on scoping, estimating, and reporting population health effects from climate change mitigation actions. METHODS: An expert panel of HEM researchers was recruited to participate in developing guidance for conducting HEM studies. The primary literature and a synthesis of HEM studies were provided to the panel. Panel members then participated in a modified Delphi exercise to identify areas of consensus regarding HEM estimation. Finally, the panel met to review and discuss consensus findings, resolve remaining differences, and generate guidance regarding conducting HEM studies. RESULTS: The panel generated a checklist of recommendations regarding stakeholder engagement: HEM modeling, including model structure, scope and scale, demographics, time horizons, counterfactuals, health response functions, and metrics; parameterization and reporting; approaches to uncertainty and sensitivity analysis; accounting for policy uptake; and discounting. DISCUSSION: This checklist provides guidance for conducting and reporting HEM estimates to make them more comparable and useful for policymakers. Harmonization of HEM estimates has the potential to lead to advances in and improved synthesis of policy-relevant research that can inform evidence-based decision making and practice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6745
Marine Biodiversity in the Caribbean: Regional Estimates and Distribution Patterns
This paper provides an analysis of the distribution patterns of marine biodiversity and summarizes the major activities of the Census of Marine Life program in the Caribbean region. The coastal Caribbean region is a large marine ecosystem (LME) characterized by coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses, but including other environments, such as sandy beaches and rocky shores. These tropical ecosystems incorporate a high diversity of associated flora and fauna, and the nations that border the Caribbean collectively encompass a major global marine biodiversity hot spot. We analyze the state of knowledge of marine biodiversity based on the geographic distribution of georeferenced species records and regional taxonomic lists. A total of 12,046 marine species are reported in this paper for the Caribbean region. These include representatives from 31 animal phyla, two plant phyla, one group of Chromista, and three groups of Protoctista. Sampling effort has been greatest in shallow, nearshore waters, where there is relatively good coverage of species records; offshore and deep environments have been less studied. Additionally, we found that the currently accepted classification of marine ecoregions of the Caribbean did not apply for the benthic distributions of five relatively well known taxonomic groups. Coastal species richness tends to concentrate along the Antillean arc (Cuba to the southernmost Antilles) and the northern coast of South America (Venezuela â Colombia), while no pattern can be observed in the deep sea with the available data. Several factors make it impossible to determine the extent to which these distribution patterns accurately reflect the true situation for marine biodiversity in general: (1) highly localized concentrations of collecting effort and a lack of collecting in many areas and ecosystems, (2) high variability among collecting methods, (3) limited taxonomic expertise for many groups, and (4) differing levels of activity in the study of different taxa
- âŠ