A mathematical modelling study of an athlete's sprint time when towing a weighted sled

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12283-013-0114-2.This study used a mathematical model to examine the effects of the sled, the running surface, and the athlete on sprint time when towing a weighted sled. Simulations showed that ratio scaling is an appropriate method of normalising the weight of the sled for athletes of different body size. The relationship between sprint time and the weight of the sled was almost linear, as long as the sled was not excessively heavy. The athlete’s sprint time and rate of increase in sprint time were greater on running surfaces with a greater coefficient of friction, and on any given running surface an athlete with a greater power-to-weight ratio had a lower rate of increase in sprint time. The angle of the tow cord did not have a substantial effect on an athlete’s sprint time. This greater understanding should help coaches set the training intensity experienced by an athlete when performing a sled-towing exercise

The efficacy of talent selection criteria in the Australian Football League.

This study investigated the association between talent selection criteria, draft order and match performance in professional Australian Football players. Physical performance results from the Australian Football League (AFL) National Draft combine and non-performance based talent selection criteria were collated for all players drafted in the National Draft with selections 1-80 between 2003 and 2008 (n = 318). Match performance was assessed via the AFL Player Ranking metric that was provided by a commercial statistical provider (Champion Data Pty Ltd). A combination of stepwise multiple regression and linear mixed model analyses examined the influence of National Draft combine physical performance assessments and non-performance based talent selection criteria on draft order and future match performance. Earlier draft selection was associated with Under-18 all Australian team selection, height, Under-18 National Championship participation and indigenous status. The 20 m sprint and state of origin were associated with later draft selection. Under-18 all Australian team selection increased both Player Ranking/game and total Player Ranking. Under-18 all Australian team selection displays efficacy for selecting players with the potential for success

Biogas production by co-ensiling catch crops and straw, effect of substrate blend and microbial communities

The combination of catch crop (CC) and barley straw(S) for biogas production was investigated in order to evaluate the ensiling process in batch assay and in continuous process. Based on two new agriculture strategies designed to produce energy and improve nutrient cycling in organic farming are being evaluated, one of them consisting on the harvest of straw and catch crop in different periods whereas the other strategy consists on harvesting them at the same time. Catch crops is promoted to reduce nutrient leaching during rainy season and straw that is not used for animal feeding or bedding is generally left in the field. Mixtures of CC and S provides several advantages: 1) Provides adequate TS for silage, 2) Absorbs the silage effluent, 3) Produces high LAB activity, and 4) Provides an optimal C/N for anaerobic digestion (AD). The effect of feeding compositions (straw or manurea ddition) on the microbial community structures were also investigated

Biogas potential from forbs and grass-clover mixture with the application of near infrared spectroscopy

This study investigated the potentials of forbs; caraway, chicory, red clover and ribwort plantain as substrates for biogas production. One-, two- and four-cut systems were implemented and the influence on dry matter yields, chemical compositions and methane yields were examined. The two- and four-cut systems resulted in higher dry matter yields (kg [total solid, TS] ha-1) compared to the one-cut system. The effect of plant compositions on biogas potentials was not evident. Cumulative methane yields (LCH4 kg-1 [volatile solid, VS]) were varied from 279 to 321 (chicory), 279 to 323 (caraway), 273 to 296 (ribwort plantain), 263 to 328 (red clover) and 320 to 352 (grass-clover mixture), respectively. Methane yield was modelled by modified Gompertz equation for comparison of methane production rate. Near infrared spectroscopy showed potential as a tool for biogas and chemical composition prediction. The best prediction models were obtained for methane yield at 29 days (99 samples), cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and crude protein, (R2 > 0.9)

In-beam spectroscopy of high-K states in No-254

The transfermium nucleus No-254 (Z = 102, N = 152) has been studied in a recoil-decay tagging experiment using the SAGE in-beam spectrometer, RITU gas-filled separator and GREAT focal-plane spectrometer at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL). Both γ rays and conversion electrons from the ground-state band of No-254 have been observed with SAGE. Coincidences between them can be seen and it is possible to measure internal conversion coefficients for some transitions in the band. This shows that they have E2 multipolarity, as expected for a rotational band built on a Kπ = 0+ state. The two previously identified K isomers in No-254 have also been seen. In the prompt data tagged on the slow isomer’s decay the prominent 605 keV transition from previous decay spectroscopy experiments is not seen with the expected intensity. This allows one of the previously proposed level schemes to be ruled out. It is possible that this transition is not seen in the in-beam data at all and the peak at this energy is entirely from inelastic neutron scattering reactions within the SAGE germanium detectors. If this is the case the 605 keV transition could directly depopulate the fast isomer into a band built on the slow isomer without any intermediate structure. There is not enough data to measure γ-ray branching ratios in the band built on the slow isomer so a new method has been developed to determine the single-particle structure of the isomer by comparing the in-beam conversion-electron spectrum above it with Geant4 simulations of the same level scheme with a varying single-particle g factor. This suggests that the structure of the slow isomer is the 7/2+[624]ν ⊗ 9/2-[734]ν two-neutron state

Dissecting Transient Burst Events

Increasing efforts are being made to understand the role of intermittent, transient, high-power burst events of neural activity. These events have a temporal, spectral, and spatial domain. Here, we argue that considering all three domains is crucial to fully reveal the functional relevance of these events in health and disease

Dental treatment and risk of variant CJD - a case control study

Abstract Objective: Knowledge of risk factors for variant CJD (vCJD) remains limited, but transmission of prion proteins via re-useable medical devices, including dental instruments, or enhanced susceptibility following trauma to the oral cavity is a concern. This study aimed to identify whether previous dental treatment is a risk factor for development of vCJD. Design: Case control study Methods: Risk factor questionnaires completed by interview with relatives of 130 vCJD patients and with relatives of 66 community and 53 hospital controls were examined by a dental surgeon. Responses regarding dental treatments were analysed. Results: We did not find a statistically significant excess of risk of vCJD associated with dental treatments with the exception of extractions in an unmatched analysis of vCJD cases with community controls (p=0.02). However, this result may be explained by multiple testing. Conclusions: This is the first published study to date to examine potential links between vCJD and dental treatment. There was no convincing evidence found of an increased risk of variant CJD associated with reported dental treatment. However, the power of the study is restricted by the number of vCJD cases to date and does not preclude the possibility that some cases have resulted from secondary transmission via dental procedures. Due to the limitations of the data available, more detailed analyses of dental records are required to fully exclude the possibility of transmission via dental treatment

Description and evaluation of a pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Objective: (1) To describe a novel integrated pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). (2) To evaluate a population engaged with this service. Design: Description of the integrated pathway (objective 1) and retrospective evaluation, using data from community paediatrics, infectious diseases (IDs) screening and a sexual health (SH) service (objective 2). Setting: Unlinked data were collected from three services across three National Health Service (NHS) trusts in London. Patients: All Camden UASC engaged with the service from 01 January 2016 to 30 March 2019. Interventions: A multidisciplinary approach prioritising the health needs of UASC including a childre and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) clinican and a health improvement practitioner. There are low thresholds for onward referral and universal asymptomatic screening of UASC for ID. Main outcome measures: Data on demographics, unmet health needs and known outcomes. Results: Data were available for 101 UASC, 16% female, median age 16 years (range 14–17). Physical assault/abuse was reported in 67% and 13% disclosed sexual assault/abuse, including 38% of female UASC. Mental health symptoms were documented in 77%. IDs warranting treatment were identified in 41% including latent tuberculosis (25%) and schistosomiasis (13%). Interpreters were required for 97% and initial non-attendance rates at follow-up were 40% (ID) and 49% (SH). Conclusions: These data demonstrate high rates of historical physical and sexual assault/abuse, unmet physical, mental and emotional health needs among UASC and significant barriers to engaging with services. An integrated pathway has been successfully implemented and shown to deliver appropriate, joined-up care for UASC, consistent with current recommendations, with the potential to improve outcomes

The redesign and re-evaluation of an internet-based telerehabilitation system for the assessment of dysarthria in adults

A previous study revealed that reliable assessment of dysarthria was feasible. However, that study also revealed a number of system limitations and suggested that technological enhancements and improvements in study design and clinical assessment protocols were needed before validity and reliability of assessment of dysarthria via telerehabilitation could be confirmed. In the current study, improvements in technology, study design, and clinical assessment protocols were implemented in order to re-examine the validity and reliability of assessing and diagnosing dysarthria via the telerehabilitation medium. The aim of this study was to explore the validity and reliability of assessing dysarthria using both formal standardized and informal assessments via a purpose-built telerehabilitation system. Twenty-four participants with an acquired dysarthria were assessed simultaneously via telerehabilitation and face-to-face (FTF) on a battery of assessments. A custom-built telerehabilitation system enabled real-time telerehabilitation assessment over a 128 Kbps Internet connection. Data analysis included an analysis of strength of agreement between the two methods using percentage agreement and weighted Κ statistics. Inter-rater and intrarater reliability were also examined for both the FTF and telerehabilitation-led assessments. Good strength of agreement was found between the FTF and telerehabilitation assessment methods. High intrarater and inter-rater reliability within both the FTF and telerehabilitation assessment methods supported these findings. Participants reported high overall satisfaction in the telerehabilitation environment. This study describes the improvements made to the telerehabilitation system reported previously and confirms that valid and reliable assessment of dysarthria using both standardized and informal assessments over the Internet is possible using this system