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The role of power and kinetic asymmetry in differentiating elite vs. sub-elite wheelchair rugby sprint performance
Full text linkWheelchair sprint performance varies by sports classification. Yet, it is unclear how spatio-temporal, kinetic and kinetic asymmetries of wheelchair sprinting differ among wheelchair rugby players of different performance standard. The study purpose was to examine the associations between 30s sprint performances and spatio-temporal, kinetic and kinetic asymmetries on a dual-roller ergometer in elite and sub-elite wheelchair rugby players (n=20). Kinetic differences between groups were investigated using statistical parametric mapping. Peak velocities were associated with the acceleration phase and higher peak power (r=0.62, P=0.003) and lower push times (r=-0.50, P=0.020). Greater distance travelled during the acceleration phase were correlated with lower asymmetries in peak power (r=-0.58, P=0.005). Overall, both peak velocity and total distance covered during the entire sprint was correlated with lower push times (r=-0.61, P=0.003 and r=-0.62, P=0.003) but greater peak power (r=-0.61, P=0.003 and r=-0.62, P=0.003). Elite players had lower power asymmetries between 1 to 15% and 95 to 100% of the push phase during the acceleration phase, accompanied by a lower initial contact asymmetry (P=0.011). While power is an essential feature of sprinting, our findings show that how it is applied, in terms of asymmetry and coordination might differentiate the performance in wheelchair rugby
Towards socialising childcare in South Korea: the historical legacy of marketised childcare provision
No full textIn this chapter, the historical context of childcare policy development in South Korea involving significant shifts in initial policy goals as well as the remaining policy dilemmas today is explored. More specifically, there is an examination of how the policy agenda has been driven, considering, in particular, the central policy ideas of ‘socialising childcare’ (gonggongsung in Korean) and how this policy discourse ultimately influenced the policy makers’ decisions. Through an analysis of key policy documents, how the issue of socialising childcare came to the fore on the national policy agenda for the first time during the Roh Moo-hyun government (2003–08) is uncovered. It will be shown how the fundamental policy ideas of socialising childcare have been diluted at two turning points: the implementation of the ‘basic subsidy’ in 2005 and ‘universal free childcare’ in 2013. It is argued that the initial policy goal of socialising childcare has been hindered by the predominance of marketised childcare provision and this policy path dependency ultimately led to there being little change in the number of the private for-profit providers in the current childcare market
Community recovery capital and how it contributes to building recovery capital at the individual level
No full textAlthough personal and social capital will be discussed in depth in some of the preceding chapters, the notion of community capital has received less attention than personal and social capital and this chapter will examine the origins of the concept and some of the innovative methods used to measure it. This chapter will include Asset Based Community Development (Kretzmann and McKnight, 1993), training and development of community connectors (McKnight and Block, 2010), and Asset Based Community Engagement (Collinson and Best, 2019). The chapter will explore the value of engagement with a range of community resources (otherwise known as assets) available to support individuals on their recovery journeys in the form of professional services (including but not restricted to drug and alcohol treatment and support), peer-led and mutual aid groups, education, employment and training opportunities, as well as sports, recreation, and arts. Two models for recognising the role of community capital – Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) and Inclusive Recovery Cities (IRC) will also be described through the lens of community capital, with consideration of how recovery communities and the broader community can reciprocally strengthen one another. However, the chapter will close by discussing not only the assets but the related notions of accessibility and engagement, and the challenges associated with the measurement of community assets and resources within a recovery capital model moving forward.
"This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of a chapter published in The Handbook of Recovery Capital : Understanding the Science and Practice. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Best, D., Collinson, B. and Patton, D. 2025. Community recovery capital and how it contributes to building recovery capital at the individual level. in: Best, D. and Hennessy, E. (ed.) The Handbook of Recovery Capital : Understanding the Science and Practice UK Bristol University Press. is available online at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-addiction-and-recovery-capital-reader
Do all Archaean TTG rock compositions represent former melts
No full textThis paper seeks to argue one simple point. That the diversity in chemical composition in Archaean granitoids of the tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite suite (TTG) is primarily the product of crystal fractionation, specifically plagioclase and hornblende fractionation. If this is the case TTG compositions from a given suite can be reduced to the least fractionated samples which will represent the primary melt composition(s).
There are two important implications of this proposal. (1) The subdivision of TTGs into high-, medium- and low-pressure types on the basis of their trace element concentrations may be an artefact of crystal fractionation, and (2) if hornblende fractionation is important in TTG genesis then this argues for an amphibolitic source rather than an eclogitic source and greatly simplifies the number of geodynamic options available in the genesis of TTG magmas.
The argument is supported by two case studies from TTGs in the lower and middle crust of the Lewisian Complex, NW Scotland and the lower crust of the Northern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Belt, Zimbabwe. In both case studies there is strong evidence to show that Archaean TTGs can experience significant hornblende and plagioclase fractionation.
As a working rule therefore all TTG suites should be examined for the possible effects of fractional crystallisation and geochemical models for their origin should be based upon the least fractionated samples
Managerial ability and audit outcomes
Full text linkWe examine the role of client firms’ managerial ability in audit outcomes. Using a sample of 35,252 firm-year observations of US non-financial firms, we find a statistically significant association between managerial ability and audit outcomes. This suggests that firms with high-ability managers experience fewer financial restatements, reduced internal control issues, lower audit fees, shorter audit report lags, and a decreased likelihood of receiving a going-concern opinion. This evidence is robust to various endogeneity tests, including a natural experiment, propensity score matching, and an instrumental variable approach. Moreover, we show that the impact of high-ability managers on audit outcomes is more pronounced for client firms that suffer from weak governance oversight, have severe information asymmetry, are located far away from auditors, and lack industry-specific auditor expertise, which supports the case for the substitution effects of managerial ability. Overall, our empirical evidence is distinctive and has implications for client firms, auditors, and policymakers
Advancing vegetation classification of grassland ecosystems across Asia: current status and way forward
Full text linkThis editorial introduces the Special Collection "Grasslands of Asia" in Vegetation Classification and Survey, highlighting the urgent need for systematic vegetation classification across Asia’s diverse grassland ecosystems. Despite their vast ecological, climatic, and cultural significance, Asian grasslands remain underrepresented in global vegetation studies. This gap results from uneven research capacities, methodological fragmentation, limited data accessibility, and complex geopolitical barriers. Grasslands across Asia, spanning natural types like steppes, savannas, and alpine meadows, as well as semi-natural ecosystems, face escalating threats including climate change, overgrazing, land-use changes, habitat fragmentation, and socio-political disruptions. Inspired by discussions at the inaugural Asian Grassland Conference in 2022 and the establishment of the Asian Regional Section of the International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS), this Special Collection aims to promote standardized vegetation classification methods, enhance cross-regional data sharing, and foster international collaboration. Although only seven contributions from West and Middle Asia were ultimately included, they significantly advance the understanding of grassland typologies in these regions. Moving forward, coordinated efforts at local, regional, and continental scales, supported by platforms such as the Asian Regional Section of IAVS are essential. Strengthening vegetation classification frameworks and regional databases will bridge existing methodological gaps and provide critical support for conservation planning, sustainable management, and biodiversity research in Asia’s grassland ecosystems
Economic evaluation of the manufacturing of 3D-printed wrist orthoses vs low temperature thermoplastic wrist orthoses
Full text linkBackground
In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a new manufacturing technique of custom-fitted orthoses, showing comparable stability, and wearing comfort than traditional orthoses. However, there is a paucity of data on economic aspects of the manufacturing of 3D-printed orthoses (3DPOs). The aim of this study is to economically evaluate the manufacturing process of 3DPOs compared to conventional low-temperature thermoplastic orthoses (LTTOs) in a clinical setting.
Methods
A prospective cost minimisation analysis from a healthcare provider perspective was conducted including 17 wrist orthoses (8 3DPOs and 9 LTTOs).
Results
The mean cost per orthosis was significantly higher in 3DPOs (€ 46.54) than in LTTOs (€ 30.28). The main cost factors in 3DPOs were the labour (62.2%) and purchase cost (22.2%), while the material (69.4%) and labour cost (30.6%) were most important in LTTOs.
Conclusions
The high initial investment might be a hurdle in the implementation of 3DPOs in hand rehabilitation, however, lower material cost and less waste is a benefit compared to LTTOs. Large-scale use of the infrastructure and developments in technology might reduce the investments needed in the future.
Trial registration
: not applicable
Species Distribution Models in plant conservation science: a comprehensive review with a focus on Iran
Full text linkThis review article thoroughly examines the role of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) in plant conservation science, with a specific focus on applications within Iran. Commencing with an extensive methodological approach, involving an exhaustive search across reputable academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, the review synthesizes a comprehensive set of studies. It offers deep insights into SDM principles, challenges, and transformative applications. Addressing these challenges, the review explores contemporary data collection methods, including the use of remote sensing, drones, and citizen science, which enhance the precision and scope of SDMs. A detailed examination of various modelingalgorithms and approaches, including MaxEnt, Random Forest, Bayesian models, and others, highlights their specific applications and contributions to plant conservation. The review also integrates climate change data and various scenarios into SDMs, showcasing case studies that illustrate SDMs'potential to predict shifts in plant distributions in response to changing climate conditions and overexploitation. Emphasizing the importance of spatial scale, the review discusses its critical impact on the accuracy of modelingand conservation planning. The article concludes by underlining the indispensable role of SDMs in advancing plant conservation efforts, offering tailored recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and conservation practitioner
Streaming video and diasporic worldmaking: Race, ethnicity, and religion in the Anglophone West
Full text linkGiven the continual and savvy recognition by the state and the media industries of social and cultural difference, how should we approach breakthroughs in media representation? This article addresses this question by examining how Muslimness in Western television entertainment is being reimagined in the context of new industrial logics and techno-cultural possibilities enabled by streaming video services. Focusing on Ms Marvel (Disney+), Ramy (Hulu), Man Like Mobeen (BBC/Netflix) and We Are Lady Parts (Channel 4/Peacock), we analyze how media industry professionals are capitalizing on long-standing networks of trans-Atlantic television production and distribution, social media influence and the dynamics of creator cultures, and media industries’ quest for ‘diverse’ programming to engage in a worldmaking exercise that repositions Muslims and Muslimness in Western contexts defined by post-9/11 Islamophobia and resurgent xenophobia
Towards accurate recognition of historical Arabic manuscripts: a novel dataset and a generalizable pipeline
No full textIn today’s digital world, we are committed to digitizing thousands of handwritten transcriptions to preserve their content. Historical Arabic Handwritten Text Recognition (HAHTR) remains a challenge for computer vision systems, due to the many difficulties inherently associated with document image quality and the complexity of Arabic script. In this work, we address the problem of recognizing historical Arabic documents that adapts to different writing styles and degrees of legibility. We developed a system that is able to recognize a whole page of a historical Arabic handwritten text in two consecutive steps comprising text line detection and recognition. The proposed approach performs detection using bounding boxes followed by a neural network-based model for character-level text recognition. However, the lack of data hinders the mass digitization of Arabic historical documents. Therefore, we provide a new and freely available dataset, focusing on diverse handwriting styles
to facilitate a strong generalization of the trained model. This dataset will significantly benefits researchers and practitioners by accelerating progress in the field of HAHTR. Extensive experimental work demonstrates that the recognition models are effective when trained with different sources of data, and having different writing styles does not penalize the model’s ability to generalize but rather enhances it. The experiments conducted demonstrated that the proposed HAHTR pipeline is accurate and highly generalizable, as well as the validity of bounding box methods for detecting text lines. The training approach with different data sources enabled us to surpass the state-of-the-art results with 5.7% of Character Error Rate (CER) on the KHATT database