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Effect of World Lacrosse Sixes Match play on Neuromuscular Performance in International Men's Lacrosse Players
Get PDFSixes lacrosse is a new sport to be included in the 2028 Olympics, however there is limited understanding on the demands of Sixes lacrosse competition. Purpose: To observe the effect of Sixes lacrosse on acute fatigue. Methods: Eleven international male Sixes lacrosse players (24.82 ± 2.58 years, 180.17 ± 8.84 cm, 90.14 ± 7.63 kg) participated within the present study, playing in five competitive matches over three-days. Three countermovement jump (CMJ) trials were performed pre-and post-match. Results: Very large (d = 1.35 [0.51-2.17]) decreases in system weight (SW), a moderate increase in jump height (JH) (d = 0.67 [-0.02-1.31]) and a moderate decrease in average relative braking force (ARBf) (d = 0.68 [-0.03-1.27]) were observed from pre-post one match. A moderate (d = 0.76 [0.07-1.42]) decrease in SW, with a small increase in average relative propulsive force (ARPf) (d = 0.30 [-0.31-0.90]) were observed from pre-post three matches. Very large increases in JH (d = 1.69 [0.73-2.61]) and time to take off (d = 1.43 [-0.40-2.45]) with a large increase in countermovement displacement (d = 1.05 [0.29-1.78]) and a large decrease in ARBf (d = 0.84 [0.13-1.52]), with no meaningful changes were observed for SW (d = 0.03 [-0.56-0.62]), or ARPf (d = 0.04 [-0.56-0.63]) observed from pre-post international tournament. Conclusion: The results of this study have implications on recovery within Sixes lacrosse players during international tournaments. Moreover, the high levels of observed fatigue would likely require a period of restitution following international tournament
Policy Brief: Restoring the Night: A Policy Agenda for Light Pollution Mitigation in Europe
No full textNatural darkness and starry skies have played a fundamental role in shaping ecosystems andhuman civilisation. The natural rhythms of day and night guided the evolution and developmentof species and ecosystems, providing essential cues for activity, rest, and reproduction. Forhumans, the night sky has inspired scientific discovery, cultural traditions, and a deep connectionwith the cosmos (Stone, 2017).The widespread adoption of artificial light, particularly since the late 19th century, has significantlyaltered these conditions. Artificial light at night (ALAN) has become an essential part ofmodern life, delivering benefits such as enhanced visibility, extended activity hours, and a senseof security. However, its excessive and poorly managed use has introduced additionalenvironmental pressures, disrupting natural processes and degrading ecosystems. Lightpollution occurs when humans, other organisms, or the environment are exposed tounwanted or unnecessary lighting, and it presents one of the fastest-growing forms ofenvironmental degradation (Falchi et al, 2011).Approximately 99% of Europe’s population and biodiversity live under light-polluted skies(Falchi et al, 2016). The European Union wastes over 38 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent toaround €6.3 billion, on inefficient outdoor lighting (Sánchez de Miguel, 2015; Traverso et al, 2017).This resultant light pollution negatively affects the environment, human health and humanactivities, such as astronomy and indigenous practices.Nature bears the most significant impacts of light pollution. Approximately 30% of vertebratesand more than 60% of invertebrates are nocturnal, relying on natural darkness for vitalbehaviours (Hölker et al, 2010). Despite the common perception that light pollution is a localissue, increased levels of ALAN can travel long distances, often crossing national borders andaffecting areas far beyond their source, thereby making it a transboundary environmentalconcern (Ściężor, 2025). Skyglow, the brightening of the night sky from artificial sources, nowdoubles natural light levels for nearly a quarter of the Earth’s land surface, including over 77%of protected areas and 51% of Key Biodiversity Areas (Seymoure et al, 2025). Such exposurefragments terrestrial, aquatic and aerial habitats, accelerates biodiversity loss, andundermines conservation goals (Easton et al, 2024; Friulla et al, 2025; Bernadez et al, 2025). Theglobal annual loss of ecosystem service value due to light pollution is estimated at 3.4 trillionUSD (Anderson et al, 2024).Despite growing scientific evidence on the harmful impacts of ALAN, light pollution remainslargely overlooked in the EU’s political agenda. There is an urgent need to integrate it into thebroader environmental protection framework. Recognising natural darkness as an essentialcomponent of the environment is vital to strengthening overall conservation efforts
Did COVID-19 influence food waste habits? A comparison of Polish and British households
Get PDFCulture and customer behaviour play an important role in managing food waste. The responsible involvement of householders in purchasing, storing, and consuming food are indeed required not only to produce less waste but also to manage it rationally. In this paper, a research study across two countries was conducted to verify the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and of associated public health measures, on household food waste habits. Food consumption behaviours (like planning meals and food purchases) during COVID-19 in UK and Poland were assessed, to identify environmentally friendly practices that could be adopted on a stable basis. The results indicate that lockdowns did not influence food-management habits significantly in both countries. However, during lockdown periods, respondents showed a change in their purchasing methods in the UK, where survey respondents bought more online (51.20%). The opposite was observed in Poland, where there was no noticeable increase in online shopping (84.07%). The promotion of positive habits in food purchases and environmentally friendly practices such as food sharing and using advanced technology to optimise food management could be beneficial. Our study also paves avenues for future research on the environmental impact of consumers’ food habits after COVID-19
Distribution and constructed morphology of artificial foredune notches
Get PDFForedune notches are a contemporary management intervention on coastal sand dunes, which aim to create and enhance bare sand and transitional habitats and/or increase resilience to climate change. These features consist of an excavated depression within the coastal foredune, designed to facilitate aeolian sediment transport from the beach into the inter- and back dune areas. Despite their increasing use by site managers and conservation organisations, foredune notches are under-researched, with existing analysis being almost entirely site-specific and descriptive. In this study, we present the first comprehensive, global study of these features; 133 notches were identified across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France and New Zealand using peer-reviewed and grey literature. These notches were then verified using aerial imagery. The dimensions of 132 notches were measured using aerial imagery captured shortly after construction to understand the constructed morphology of these anthropogenic landforms. The results show that there is significant variability in constructed morphology both within and between sites. At a national scale, notches in France (average length 14.48 m, width 7.62 m, slot width 8.39 m) and New Zealand (average length 14.58 m, width 8.47 m, slot width 5.49 m) were characteristically smaller than those in the United Kingdom (average length 113.83, width 51.11 m, slot width 22.67 m) and the Netherlands (average length 109.81 m, width 81.02 m, slot width 24.67 m). There was also a large degree of variation in the relationship between landform length, landform width and ‘slot’ width, further demonstrating the diversity of current notch design. These results demonstrate that the current practice of referring to all these excavated landforms as ‘notches’ without further qualification is ineffective in communicating the diversity of size and shape of constructed foredune notches. Here, we propose a systematic classification scheme that standardises notch morphology, improving comparability across studies and enabling future research to better assess and communicate the influences of differing constructed morphology on aeolian, sediment and vegetation processes
An Investigation of Online Exhibition for Contemporary Art: A Case Study of Works from China in Northwest England
No full textThis thesis makes a contribution to knowledge in the field of digital curation in a multi-cultural context. It compares two different types of online exhibition of contemporary art from China, originally presented in Northwest England, specifically the Greater Manchester and Liverpool areas. The research has three core dimensions. Firstly, through interviews with contemporary curators and artists from both the UK and China, this study offers an understanding of the curatorial strategies of online exhibitions in the art industry. Their perspectives on the role of audiences, particularly those interested in online exhibitions are also established in this thesis. Secondly, based on the theory of affordance in design, this study compares two modes of online exhibition: Wix (a build-your-own website interface) and Spatial (an interactive 3D online platform). From this analysis, distinctions are drawn between static website-based exhibitions and interactive 3D online exhibitions, in terms of how they enable the presentation of different forms of art. Thirdly, this study conducts a case analysis of the ‘Peer to Peer: UK/HK’ project, established since 2019. It examines the feasibility of collaborative online art projects between the UK and Hong Kong, China, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is an interdisciplinary project, drawing on digital curation and contemporary art history. The focus is on contemporary art from China, specifically the post-1979 Chinese art held by different collections in Northwest England. Therefore, this study aims to provide new insights by investigating basic elements of online exhibition. This is achieved through a discussion of their practical application, mindful that this addresses issues around the remote presentation of works of art through online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic
Practices and perceptions in hamstring training for injury prevention and enhancement of athletic performance: A qualitative analysis
Get PDFHamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. Previously, the current authors have reported practices and perceptions of training for the mitigation of HSIs, however such practices are highly nuanced. In this study, the authors utilised semi-structured interviews to further understand applied practitioner perceptions and identify how evidence is translated into practice. Twelve practitioners (one physiotherapist and eleven strength and conditioning [S&C] coaches including one dual accredited S&C coach and physiotherapist) working in a range of sporting disciplines were interviewed across six broad categories of questioning (practitioner profile, job role challenges, resistance training, high-speed running training, athlete testing and monitoring and views on contemporary research). Thematic analyses highlighted key challenges relating to limited time spent with athletes, fixture schedules and planning of training across the broader multidisciplinary team (MDT) as well as strategies to deal with such challenges such as micro-dosing of the resistance training stimulus, utilisation of isometric exercise during fixture congestion periods.However, analyses also highlighted some areas of research that are not well translated into practice such as recommendations for the use of low-volumes of the Nordic hamstring exercise to elicit positive adaptations in strength and repeated bout effects and minimal effective dosages for resistance training. The findings of the study highlight the need for continued athlete and practitioner education, better communication and planning in the MDT and further research into minimum effective dosages to elicit strength adaptation in elite level athletes
Reporting of Accelerometry in Health Research: A Scoping Review of Current Guidance
Get PDFThe use of accelerometers in health research is ubiquitous, but reporting of methods for translating raw acceleration data into movement behavior estimates remains inconsistent. This scoping review aims to identify and summarize existing reporting guidance for accelerometer‐based assessment of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in health research. We systematically searched seven bibliographic databases up to May 2024 for literature containing guidance on reporting of accelerometry results in health research. We assessed the methodological rigor of reporting guidance development using the AGREE II tool and EQUATOR Network's best‐practice recommendations. A thematic synthesis categorized reporting guidance across four themes: (1) data collection, (2) data management and initial processing, (3) deriving movement behaviors from acceleration data, and (4) summary metrics. Searches retrieved 7739 records, from which 47 publications were included. Most applied evidence synthesis methods (76%), whilst others used consensus workshops or empirical research to generate reporting recommendations. Only 17% described stakeholder involvement, with limited descriptions of their role. We identified 380 items of reporting guidance, which were synthesized into 124 unique items. Reporting guidance was consistent for data collection, data management and initial processing, and variable derivation, but less so regarding which specific metrics to report. Existing reporting guidance for accelerometry in health research is extensive and wide in scope, but varies in methodological rigor and stakeholder involvement. A consolidated and systematically developed framework is needed to enhance the reproducibility and comparability of future accelerometer‐based research, incorporating stakeholder engagement, consensus‐driven methodology, and piloting to maximize uptake
DDoSViT: IoT DDoS attack detection for fortifying firmware Over-The-Air (OTA) updates using vision transformer
Get PDFThe widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has introduced numerous vulnerabilities, particularly in firmware over-the-air (OTA) updates. These updates are essential for improving device functionality and addressing security vulnerabilities. However, they have increasingly become the focus of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks designed to disrupt the update process. Historically, the infamous Mirai botnet and its variants have exploited IoT vulnerabilities to carry out successful DDoS attacks. In recent years, deep learning models, especially Vision Transformers, have gained significant attention due to their exceptional performance in image classification tasks. To optimize detection and alert mechanisms, this novel study proposes a DDoSViT framework. This Vision Transformer (ViT)-based multi-vector DDoS and DoS attack detection framework converts attack flows into images and trains Vision Transformers on an attack image dataset. To validate the proposed framework, this study extensively reviewed diverse datasets and selected CICIoT2023 and CICIoMT2024 datasets ensuring these contain real-world attack scenarios and multi-vector real attacks. The proposed methodology and rigorous experimentation demonstrated 99.50% accuracy in multi-class classification across 23 different variants of DDoS and DoS attacks, outperforming contemporary models. The model’s performance was assessed using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. This research provides significant benefits to security practitioners and administrators, offering reduced false positives and reliable alerts during firmware over-the-air updates in IoT-edge devices
Hearing the voices of children: creating an Advocacy Centre in Gorton, Manchester, UK
Get PDFHearing the voices of children: creating an Advocacy Centre in Gorton, Manchester, UK.This project introduces the concept of a children's advocacy centre at a primary school in Gorton, Manchester. The project is an initial phase of a wider project and collaboration, and explores how the advocacy centre would best meet the needs of the children and their community in a trauma-informed approach. The engagement of the children and young people in the design and development of the proposed children’s advocacy centre allowed for clear recommendations concerning the needs and priorities of the children, based on listening to their voices
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