26199 research outputs found
Sort by
Maximize or Normalize? Examining Single-Leg Drop-Land-Cut Distances in Young Athletes: A Pilot Study
Get PDFThis study investigated differences in leap distance for a single-leg drop-land-cut (CUT) task based on using either a maximal or normalized (150% leg length) method or the influence of condition order and leg dominance on distance achieved. Twenty-six young court and field sport athletes (61.5% female) completed the single-leg drop-land-cut task on the dominant and nondominant leg under maximal and normalized conditions in a randomized order. Multivariate repeated measures analysis of variance tests with post hoc pairwise comparisons were used to determine the effect of condition (maximal and normalized), leg dominance (dominant and nondominant), and interaction effect on leaping distance. Potential order effects were explored as a between-subjects factor within the analysis of variance. Our findings showed significantly larger leap distances under the maximal condition ( P < .001, ), with the maximal mean being 154.5 (24.7) cm (175.1% [18.6%] leg length) and the normalized mean being 140.7 (19.7) cm (159.0% [5.8%] of leg length). Furthermore, greater distances were achieved during the maximal task when performed following the normalized task ( P < .001, 24.5% further). Practically, the normalized task may be better suited for heterogeneous samples; yet, the maximal task may be more suitable for homogeneous samples or pre–post study designs
Responsibilities: a Critical Legal Defence of Human Rights
No full textFor many, human rights have become a panacea for the injustices of society, for example, globalisation, poverty, discrimination, climate change. But has this rights’ ‘inflation’ been a prima facie good? Has the rise in human rights merely propounded a self-centred individualism, exacerbating large swathes of society who are already marginalised and socially excluded? Rightly, human rights have therefore been the subject of a multitude of criticisms, from a range of critical perspectives: Marxism, critical legal studies, communitarianism, feminism, critical race theory etc. However, this unique study pushes back against this tide of ‘anti-rights’, providing an original defence of human rights, from the perspective of a progressive political community of rights-holders and duty-bearers. Possessing rights might place a rights-holder at the centre of their moral universe, to the exclusion of all others, but that holder of rights cannot expect others to bear the duty of their rights without exercising the same obligation to the rights of others in return. So, far from emphasising isolation and self-interest, responsibilities arising from the exercise of rights engender a keen sense of solidarity, a principle integral to critical legal theory. The book will be of interest to academics and researchers working in the areas of Human Rights, Constitutional Law, and Legal and Political Theory
Cognitive symptoms out last physical post cycling crash
No full textPurpose
The aim of this study was to gain off-road cyclists self-reported views on the severity of a concussion post-crash from a short-term (24hours) and a long-term (8 weeks) perspective. The study also aimed to ascertain if the crash had any long-term effects on the rider's quality of life (QOL).
Method
The study used two established questionnaires to establish rider perspectives. The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was administered to determine understanding of short-term symptoms, along with the Rivermead Head Injury Follow-Up Questionnaire, to establish long-term and QOL issues. A total of 76 amateur cyclists completed the survey.
Results
The survey looked at both physical and cognitive symptoms post-crash. The riders reported cognitive and affective/QOL as having a higher impact on them than any physical injury post-crash. The results of this survey also indicate that cognitive impairment had longer negative impact on their QOL than any physical injuries.
Conclusion
The findings from the current study infer that cognitive impairment post cycle crash need a greater focus from both sports bodies and employers
Is it as simple as run more, win more? Influence of running load on match outcome and final league position across nine consecutive English Premier League football seasons
Get PDFPurpose
This study aimed to assess the relationship between running load trends, between teams in a match, match outcomes, and final league positions in the English Premier League (EPL) from 2015/16 to 2023/24 using semi-automated optical tracking systems.
Methods
Data from 3379 games across nine seasons were analysed for total distance (TD), high-intensity distance (HID), high-speed running (HSR), and sprint distance (SprD). Matches were tracked using TRACAB ® and Second Spectrum ® . Spearman's rank correlation coefficient identified correlations between running load and league position. Pearson's correlation was used for home and opposition running load correlations. One-way ANOVA and Cohen's effect size (ES) measured differences in running load between won, drawn, and lost matches.
Results
Small-to-moderate, significant correlations were found between HID (p < 0.001; r s = 0.28), HSR (p = 0.007; r s = 0.20), SprD (p < 0.001; r s = 0.32), and final league position. Large to very large correlations between home and away teams were observed for TD, HID, HSR and SprD (p < 0.001; r = 0.68–0.75). Teams covered more distance (TD, HID, SprD) when they won compared to when they drew or lost (ES:-0.10 to −0.23). Winning teams significantly ran more than losing teams within the same match (TD, HID and SprD; p < 0.001; ES = 0.12–0.29).
Conclusion
Running load has a small-to-moderate correlation to match outcomes and league standing in the EPL. Winning teams tend to run more (TD, HID and SprD), albeit with trivial to small effect sizes, suggesting running outputs are a determining factor in team success
The role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming the Operations of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Get PDFThe research sought to understand the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the operations of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Utilising qualitative data from a sample of 15 participants, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and responses were thematically analysed using the probe technique to provide holistic insights. The main findings of the study revealed the transformative journey faced by ADNOC in adopting and integrating AI into its traditional operations related to oil and gas. AI emerged as an important tool that substantially altered the operational domain of ADNOC; the influence was far-reaching beyond the advantages related to the efficiency of the functions and processes. The analysis of the participants’ responses revealed that AI’s influence extends across multiple domains of operations; it has revolutionised overall practices in oil and gas fields. This includes production planning, reservoir management, maintenance of oil and gas fields, asset management and exploration of oil and gas operations. Moving beyond just the impacts of AI in multiple areas of oil and gas operations, the key findings also reveal the motivating factors that are behind the adoption and integration of AI into existing processes. The study also shows that the main hurdles and negative aspects hindering the adoption of AI include such as compliance issues, cybersecurity threats, legacy systems, concerns about data quality, scalability, change management and cost implications. The research findings offer valuable insights into the transformative journey, challenges, motivating factors, and implications associated with incorporating AI into traditional operations. The key findings established the ways in which AI dramatically changed operations, including production planning, reservoir management, asset maintenance, and oil exploration. Theoretical contribution is towards enhancing the knowledge of how AI facilitates the agility of organisations in complex sectors. In practice, the study presents a pathway for an organisation to guide through problems related to compliance, cybersecurity, and integration of legacy systems. The practical implications of the study offer a roadmap for organisations to navigate the complexities of adopting and integrating AI into their operations, drawing from the best practices and lessons learned from the journey of ADNOC
An investigation into police approaches towards managing neurodivergent suspects and the experiences of neurodivergent people when encountering the police as suspects.
Get PDFThis research explored police approaches towards managing neurodivergent suspects and the experiences of neurodivergent people when encountering the police as suspects.1 It examined several areas to discover how neurodivergent people thought they were managed and how police officers, including neurodivergent officers, thought they conducted themselves when dealing with neurodivergent suspects. While much has been written about the subject of police officers dealing with neurodivergent people in the criminal justice system there have been few studies that compare the interactions between these two groups. In addition, only recently has anyone considered including active neurodivergent input in neurodivergent research. This thesis looked at the police and neurodivergent suspects together and asked the neurodivergent participants to add their own thoughts and questions based on their lived experience. The primary aim of the research was to assess if improvements can be made to police management of neurodivergent suspects and assess where and how any improvements can be generated. Data was collected via a mixed method research design using online questionnaires. The research surveyed police officers in an English/Welsh regional force and neurodivergent people from across England and Wales who have encountered the police as suspects.
The findings presented in this thesis contribute original information to the field of neurodivergent suspect interactions with police. It expands existing knowledge in this area because data was obtained from neurodivergent police officers as well as neurotypical officers, which has not been discovered to have been done before, and the study asked the
neurodivergent cohort for their thoughts, opinions and lived experiences. This give a voice to neurodivergent people which is an uncommon occurrence. Also, it was conducted by a neurodivergent researcher
On the frontline 13: First aid for non-optical conditions in practice
No full textTony Douglass considers life-threatening emergencies and some not so urgent patient situations that might present themselves as requiring help in practic
AI based Multi Criterion Optimization Solution for Magnetic Design
No full textDesigning magnetic components is a complex task involving over forty parameters with numerous possible values, leading to countless design permutations. This complexity often hampers the pursuit of optimal designs, as results can vary based on different expert opinions. Traditional computational methods struggle to manage this challenge. To address this, an advanced AI-based autonomous approach that uses sophisticated algorithms to evaluate all design parameters comprehensively was developed. This method generates optimized designs that surpass the capabilities of experienced human designers, paving the way for significant advancements in magnetic design. This paper details the innovative methodology and its advantages, showcasing how AI-driven optimization can reduce design time by over 95% while exploring parameter combinations that human designers might overlook due to time constraints
Exploring staff perspectives on implementing an intervention package for post-stroke psychological support: a qualitative study
No full textBackground: Psychological problems post-stroke can negatively impact stroke survivors. Although general psychological services exist (e.g. NHS Talking Therapies), access remains limited, particularly for individuals with post-stroke communication and cognitive impairments. Stroke service staff report low confidence in managing psychological distress. This study is the first to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing a novel intervention package comprising a cross-service care pathway and staff training to enhance post-stroke psychological provision. Methods: Staff from stroke and mental health services in four UK regions, recruited through purposive sampling to ensure diversity of services and professional roles, participated in semi-structured interviews or focus groups, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), before and after implementation of the intervention package. Pre-implementation interviews/groups identified anticipated barriers and facilitators to implementation and training needs, informing the development of site-specific intervention packages; post-implementation interviews/groups explored experienced barriers, facilitators and perceptions of the intervention. Interviews underwent thematic analysis using the TDF. Results: Fifty-five staff participated pre-implementation and seventeen post-implementation, representing stroke (e.g. nurse, physiotherapist, consultant) and psychology (e.g. counsellor, psychological therapist) roles across acute, rehabilitation, community, and voluntary services. Challenges anticipated pre-implementation included: limited specialist post-stroke psychological support; low staff confidence; and fragmented service pathways. Post-implementation findings indicated increased staff knowledge and confidence, enhanced screening and referral processes, and stronger inter-service collaboration. Implementation success varied across sites (with some sites showing greater ownership and sustainability of the intervention) and across staff roles (with therapy staff more likely than nursing staff to have received training). Conclusions: Effective implementation of an intervention package to increase psychological provision post-stroke requires staff engagement at all levels across all services. Staff investment influenced ownership of the intervention package, beliefs about priorities and overall enhancement of service capability
SP2.03 A Retrospective Review of Antibiotic Usage in Appendicectomy at a District General Hospital
No full textIntroduction Post-operative infection is a recognised complication of appendicectomy with antibiotics frequently administered to mitigate this risk. However, optimal antibiotic use peri-operatively remains debated. This retrospective study analysed antibiotic usage in appendicectomy patients, categorised according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention surgical wound classification system (SWC). Methods Data was collected from October 2023 to September 2024 at a district general hospital. All patients undergoing emergency laparoscopic or open appendicectomies were included. Anova and t-tests were used for analysis. Results A total of 263 patients, aged 5 to 87 years, were included, comprising 52% females (138) and 48% males (125).Of these, 156 (59%) had SWC 2, 31 (11%) had SWC 3, and 76 (30%) had SWC 4.Pre-operative antibiotics were administered to 227 patients(83%), with ceftriaxone and metronidazole being the most prescribed (206, 91%). Post-operative antibiotics were given to 29 patients (11%), with 79% receiving oral co-amoxiclav. The mean length of antibiotics prescribed varied significantly (p &lt;0.05) by SWC: 3 days for SWC 2, 5 days for SWC 3, and 9 days for SWC 4. There was also increased variance in antibiotic duration for SWC 4. Most patients (204, 77.6%) had a length of stay (LOS) of less than 5 days, and longer LOS was associated with prolonged antibiotic use. Conclusions This study highlights variability in antibiotic use, especially in SWC 4 patients, with many SWC 2 and 3 patients unnecessarily receiving antibiotics. Standardised protocols are crucial for optimising infection prevention, reducing antibiotic resistance, and improving surgical outcomes