A temperature compensated optical fibre bending sensor for physiological measurement

peer-reviewedThe light attenuation measurement of a plastic optical fibre sensor based on a referenced intensity modulation technique with respect to different input voltage level and room temperature has been investigated. The results show that light attenuation at the sensor output and reference output are dependent on the source (LED) drive current and temperature, but the output ratio is small and tolerable for this application. This is significant for bending monitoring applications using optical fibre sensor based on intensity modulation, providing a more reliable technique based on power and temperature compensation.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe

A multi-wavelength discriminating sensor with a wireless mote interface for aquatic pollution monitoring

peer-reviewedThe system presented in this paper demonstrates how a novel fibre optic based sensing platform, capable of detecting minute changes in the level of impurity in a liquid, can be incorporated onto a Mote based platform enabling real time monitoring of a body of water. How these features can be used to detect a representative sample of chlorophyll within a aquatic environment, will be demonstrated. Systems currently deployed worldwide include satellite mapping technology and high cost water monitoring platforms. Growing international emphasis on the management of water quality is giving rise to an expansion of the international market for novel robust, miniaturized, intelligent water monitoring systems capable of measuring local environmentally detrimental events such as localised small scale chemical pollution.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe

Optical fibers and optical fiber sensors used in radiation monitoring

peer-reviewedBy their very nature, optical fibers and, by extension, intrinsic and extrinsic optical fiberbased sensors are promising devices to be used in very different and complex environments considering their characteristics such as: capabilities to work under strong electromagnetic fields; possibility to carry multiplexed signals (time, wavelength multiplexing); small size and low mass; ability to handle multi-parameter measurements in distributed configuration; possibility to monitor sites far away from the controller; their availability to be incorporated into the monitored structure; wide bandwidth for communication applications. In the case of the optical fibers, the possibility to be incorporated into various types of sensors and actuators, free of additional hazards (i.e. fire, explosion), made them promising candidates to operate in special or adverse conditions as those required by space or terrestrial applications (spacecraft on board instrumentation, nuclear facilities, future fusion installations, medical treatment and diagnostics premises, medical equipment sterilization). Major advantages to be considered in using optical fibers/optical fiber sensors for radiation detection and monitoring refer to: real-time interrogation capabilities, possibility to design spatially resolved solutions (the capability to build array detectors), in-vivo investigations (i.e. inside the body measurements).PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe

Gold enhanced hemoglobin interaction in a Fabry-Perot based optical fiber sensor for measurement of blood refractive index

peer-reviewedA Fabry-Perot based optical fiber sensor to measure the oxygen concentration through monitoring the change of refractive index in red blood cells is reported. The optical fiber sensor with a diameter of 220 mu m is made entirely of fused silica glass fibers, which can be integrated within standard brachytherapy seed delivery needle to be used in vivo. Isopropanol solution and pig blood are prepared to produce refractive index in the range 1.344-1.365. Gold is coated to a thickness of 100 nm at the tip of the sensor to enhance the interaction between hemoglobin and light. A fast Fourier transform algorithm is used to analyze the phase angle from the reflected output spectrum. The gold-coated sensor has up to almost ten times higher sensitivity to hemoglobin concentration in blood solutions compared to isopropanol solutions. A sensitivity of 9.82 rad/RIU with a refractive index resolution of 2.09 x 10(-3) RIU is achieved for the sensor with a 16 mu m thickness diaphragm.peer-reviewe

Fear-avoidance following musculoskeletal injury in male adolescent Gaelic footballers.

Context: Participating in Gaelic football provides a wealth of benefits, but a risk of musculoskeletal injury also exists. Injury is associated with physical consequences, including pain, discomfort, loss of function, time absent from school/sport, and considerable medical expenses, along with placing undue pressure on emergency services and hospital staff. Concurrent psychological consequences, such as fear avoidance, can also occur, causing psychological distress. There is a current dearth of available research examining the psychology of injury in male adolescent Gaelic footballers. Objective: To examine fear avoidance postinjury in male adolescent Gaelic footballers, the effect of pain, time loss, injury severity, and previous injury on the extent of fear avoidance, and the usefulness of a modified Athlete Fear Avoidance Questionnaire (AFAQ) as a screening tool for predicting injury. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Recreational clubs. Participants: A total of 97 male adolescent club Gaelic footballers (13.4 [1.1] y). Interventions: Musculoskeletal injuries sustained during participation in Gaelic football, defined as any injury sustained during training or competition causing restricted performance or time lost from play, were assessed and recorded weekly by a certified athletic and rehabilitation therapist. Injuries requiring time loss from participation were classed as time-loss injuries. Injury characteristics that included type, nature, location, severity, and pain were recorded. Main Outcome Measures: Injured players completed the AFAQ, a measure of injury-related fear avoidance following injury assessment (AFAQ1). With time-loss injuries, the AFAQ was completed again (AFAQ2) prior to return to play. Modified AFAQ was completed at baseline. Results: Twenty-two injuries were recorded during the season with fear avoidance evident postinjury that significantly decreased before returning to play. Fear avoidance postinjury was higher in those with greater pain but time loss, injury severity, and previous injury did not significantly affect the extent of fear avoidance. Baseline fear avoidance did not predict injury. Conclusions: Psychological rehabilitation is recommended for managing postinjury psychological distress in male adolescent Gaelic footballers

Are internal training load measures associated with injuries in male adolescent Gaelic football players?

his study aimed to examine internal loads in male adolescent Gaelic footballers and their association with musculoskeletal injury. Written training diaries were completed by 97 male adolescent Gaelic footballers weekly and injuries, defined as any injury sustained during training or competition causing restricted performance or time lost from play, were assessed by a Certified Athletic Therapist. Daily load was determined for each player (session rating of perceived exertion by session duration) and summed to give weekly load. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to determine the association with injury. Twenty-two injuries were recorded with match injuries significantly more common than training injuries. Periodic variations in weekly load and injuries were evident throughout the season. Univariate analysis identified weekly load (OR = 2.75; 95%CI = 1.00-7.59), monotony (OR = 4.17; 95%CI = 1.48-11.72) and absolute change in load (OR = 3.27; 95%CI = 1.15-9.32) greater than the team average were significant injury risk factors. Multiple logistic regression with 2-weekly and 3-weekly cumulative loads, absolute change, monotony, strain, ACWR and age as independent variables identified internal load measures (monotony, strain and absolute change) were associated with injury with high specificity (96.0%) but low sensitivity (25.0%). The findings highlight the need to monitor team and individual loads to avoid sudden week-to-week changes or excessive weekly loads. Open communication between players, parents, coaches and sports medicine clinicians enables effective load monitoring that can reduce injury risk and may subsequently minimise dropout, improve team success and overall sport enjoyment and promote life-long sports participation

The design and implementation of a novel mental health literacy educational intervention program in Gaelic footballers

Context: Lack of education, stigma and negative self-attitudes are key barriers to help-seeking in Gaelic footballers. With the prevalence of mental health issues in Gaelic footballers and the increased risk of experiencing mental health issues following injury, mental health literacy (MHL) interventions are necessary. Objective: To design and implement a novel MHL educational intervention program in Gaelic footballers. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Online. Patients or Other Participants: Elite and sub-elite Gaelic footballers, including an intervention (n=70* ; 25.1±4.5years) and control group (n=75; 24.4±6.0years). * [Eighty-five participants were recruited to the intervention group but n=15 dropped out after completing baseline measures.] Interventions: A novel educational intervention program, ‘GAA and Mental Health–Injury and a Healthy Mind’, was designed to address the key components of MHL and was underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Help-Seeking Model. The intervention was implemented online via a brief, 25-minute presentation. Main Outcome Measures: Measures of stigma, help-seeking attitudes and MHL were completed by the intervention group at baseline, immediately post-attendance at the MHL program and 1-week and 1-month post-intervention. The control group completed the measures at similar time points. Results: Stigma significantly decreased and attitudes to help-seeking and MHL significantly increased in the intervention group from baseline to post-intervention (p<0.05), with significant differences sustained at 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Our results showed significant differences in stigma, attitude and MHL between groups across time points. Intervention participants provided positive feedback and the program was appraised as informative

Expression of endogenous Mkp1 in 6-OHDA rat models of Parkinson's disease.

We have previously demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1, Mkp1, is expressed in the developing and rat adult substantia nigra and striatum, where it promotes the growth of nigral dopaminergic neurons. Mkp1 may therefore have therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we have assessed the expression of Mkp1 and TH in the substantia nigra and striatum of parkinsonian rat models. Expression was measured at 4 and 10 days post-lesion in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) medial forebrain bundle lesion model and after 4, 10 and 28 days in the 6-OHDA striatal lesion model. Our results show that Mkp1 expression was transiently up-regulated in the substantia nigra at 4 days post-6-OHDA administration in the two models while TH expression was decreased at the later time-points examined. These data suggest that Mkp1 may play a role in counteracting the neurotoxic effects of 6-OHDA in nigral dopaminergic neurons