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Supplementation of growing bulls grazing Panicum maximum cv. Coloniao increases average daily gain and does not impact subsequent performance in feedlot phase
No full textFleury Azevedo Costa, D ORCiD: 0000-0001-8118-8380ABSTRACT To evaluate the influence of supplementation strategies on the average daily gain (ADG) of cattle in a rotational grazing system of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Coloniao) pastures during the rainy season. It was further evaluated the residual effects in the feedlot finishing phase. Seventy-five 8 month-old crossbred bull calves averaging 200.1 ± 2.5 kg of body weight (BW) were stratified and grouped in three into 25 blocks according to BW, and then randomly assigned to one of three supplementation treatments: control (no supplement), energy supplement [65 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)] or protein supplement (200 g CP/kg DM) both fed as 6 g/kg BW. All animals composed a single herd and were separated daily according to treatment groups for supplementation. After the grazing phase, all animals were moved to a feedlot and received the same diet up until slaughter. Guinea grass was subjected to rotational stocking with pre- and post-grazing heights of 76 and 43 cm, respectively. Energy and protein supplements provided similar ADG (P > 0.05; 0.94 kg/day) which was greater than for non-supplemented animals during the grazing phase (P ≤ 0.05; 0.74 kg/day), but there was no difference in the subsequent feedlot phase (P > 0.05; 1.45 kg/day). The protein supplement had no incremental effects over the energy supplement on ADG and carcass traits of growing crossbreed bulls during the grazing phase, indicating that either source could be used, and that an energy supplement would lead to more efficient nutrient use coming from the grass.</jats:p
Overleaf LaTeX: An online tool for synchronous, collaborative scholarly writing
No full textBokani, A ORCiD: 0000-0001-5160-7724; Hassan, JA ORCiD: 0000-0002-0939-2106; Islam, N ORCiD: 0000-0002-5469-8104Collaborative writing represents a big portion of all writings done in the academic environment, and is considered a core skill in graduates. Around 85% of produced documents in office and university settings had at least two authors. Interestingly, the face-to-face settings of collaborations are being supplemented by various on-line tools, such as Zoom, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, etc., due to the availability of such feature-rich tools and our need for working flexibly. For on-line collaborative writing tools, the ability of supporting interactions during the
writing process through real-time feedback, co-editing, and problem solving with the team is a must. Such interactions in the face-to-face sessions occur naturally, however not so in the on-line environments. While the majority of the on-line collaborative writing tools are inadequate in supporting this requirement, Overleaf LATEX is a welcomed exception. Overleaf is an online LATEX editor, which facilitates writers to contribute
collaboratively in scholarly articles, large reports, thesis, journal articles within high quality templates. Writers can work on the article concurrently, and hence it facilitates real time collaborations. Additionally, it eliminates the need of installing any software packages for the desired templates as it has a library of all the latest packages for all templates. Overleaf allows automatic real-time preview by compiling the project in the background, and displaying the PDF output right away. Other useful features such as real-time track changes and commenting, reviewing, providing feedback through the review option, high quality mathematical equation editor, a chat box for communicating with contributors while writing, etc, make it a very effective tool for on-line collaborative writing. Based on our experiences of using the tool, we will highlight the tool’s ability to fulfil the need of on-line collaborative writing in the tertiary education setting in this presentation
Examining the priorities, needs and preferences of men with metastatic prostate cancer in designing a personalised eHealth exercise intervention
No full textVandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094Background: Few individuals with metastatic prostate cancer have access to prostate cancer-specific exercise support, despite demonstrated benefits. eHealth tools, such as websites, may be viable options for increasing access. To be effective and acceptable, future eHealth websites need to consider end-users’ perspectives, capacity and needs. We aim to provide insight into these factors by exploring daily priorities, activities and health literacy of individuals with metastatic prostate cancer and their perspectives towards exercise and exercise-based web-based eHealth interventions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews explored participant’s experiences and understanding of their disease, exercise levels, advice received from health care providers, as well as acceptability of and suggested content for an eHealth tool. A thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Interviews were conducted with eighteen Australians (55–83 years; M = 71.5, SD = 8.9) living with metastatic prostate cancer. Needing to perform daily responsibilities was a key priority. Participants had limited understanding of the benefits of prostate cancer-specific exercise, and less than half discussed exercise with their health team. Fourteen men felt they could report metastases location, but only four could provide detailed information, which has clinical implications for exercise prescription. A potential web-based intervention was considered acceptable by seventeen men for reasons such as affordability, accessibility and convenience. User-friendly design and practitioner support were important. Conclusions: Results identified key aspects useful for person-centred design of exercise programs. Participants were positive towards the proposed web-based tool and expressed the need for individualised, user-friendly and reliable information with support from a professional embedded. Lastly, not all participants could accurately report metastasis locations
Effects of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in whole families: The step it up family feasibility study
No full textAlley, SJ ORCiD: 0000-0001-9666-5071; Hayman, MJ ORCiD: 0000-0003-1469-3496; Rebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993X; Schoeppe, S ORCiD: 0000-0003-1937-876X; Vandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094; Williams, SL ORCiD: 0000-0003-4289-9248(1) Background: Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in whole families. Further, few family-centered interventions have actively involved both parents and assessed physical activity effects separately for children, mothers and fathers. Obj ective: To examine the feasibility and short-term effects of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the whole family (children, mothers and fathers). (2) Methods: This was a single-arm feasibility study with pre-post intervention measures. Between 2017–2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6–10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults; Garmin Australasia Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages and an introductory session. Parent surveys were used to assess physical activity effects measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. Objective Garmin activity tracker data was recorded to assess physical activity levels (steps, active minutes) during the intervention. (3) Results: Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all p <0.001). In mothers, MVPA increased by 27 min/day (p <0.001) and in fathers, it increased by 31 min/day (p < 0.001). The percentage of children meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for children (≥60 MVPA min/day) increased from 34% to 89% (p < 0.001). The percentage of mothers and fathers meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for adults (≥150 MVPA min/week) increased from 8% to 57% (p < 0.001) in mothers and from 21% to 68% (p < 0.001) in fathers. The percentage of families with ‘at least one child and both parents’ meeting the physical activity guidelines increased from 0% to 41% (p < 0.001). Objective activity tracker data recorded during the intervention showed that the mean (SD) number of active minutes per day in children was 82.1 (17.1). Further, the mean (SD) steps per day was 9590.7 (2425.3) in children, 7397.5 (1954.2) in mothers and 8161.7 (3370.3) in fathers. (4) Conclusions: Acknowledging the uncontrolled study design, the large pre-post changes in MVPA and rather high step counts recorded during the intervention suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention can increase physical activity in whole families. The Step it Up Family program warrants further efficacy testing in a larger, randomized controlled trial. © 2020 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Simulation of track-locomotive interactions in the longitudinal direction
No full textCole, CR ORCiD: 0000-0001-8840-7136; Spiryagin, M ORCiD: 0000-0003-1197-898X; Wu, Q ORCiD: 0000-0001-9407-5617Interest has been expressed from industry regarding the investigation of longitudinal interactions of tracks and locomotives. The majority of railway track dynamics models focus on vertical and lateral directions; railway track longitudinal force models are rarely published. This paper developed a three dimensional railway track model which considers four structure layers: rails, sleepers, ballast and subballast. The rails are modelled using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and each node has six Degrees of Freedom (DoFs). Sleepers are modelled as rigid bodies and each also has six DoFs. Ballast and subballast are modelled as blocks and each has three translational DoFs. Frictional behaviour is considered in the longitudinal direction of the fastening models as well as in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sleeper-ballast force connections. Locomotive-track interaction simulations are conducted using a parallel cosimulation technique to combine the track model to a locomotive model developed in GENSYS
The association between time-use behaviors and physical and mental well-being in adults: A compositional isotemporal substitution analysis
No full textVandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094Background: Substantial evidence links activity domains with health and well-being; however, research has typically examined time-use behaviors independently, rather than considering daily activity as a 24-hour time-use composition. This study used compositional data analysis to estimate the difference in physical and mental well-being associated with reallocating time between behaviors. Methods: Participants (n = 430; 74% female; 41 [12] y) wore an accelerometer for 7 days and reported their body mass index; health-related quality of life (QoL); and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Regression models determined whether time-use composition, comprising sleep, sedentary behavior, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), was associated with well-being. Compositional isotemporal substitution models estimated the difference in well-being associated with reallocating time between behaviors. Results: Time-use composition was associated with body mass index and physical health-related QoL. Reallocating time to MVPA from sleep, sedentary behavior, and LPA showed favorable associations with body mass index and physical health-related QoL, whereas reallocations from MVPA to other behaviors showed unfavorable associations. Reallocations from LPA to sedentary behavior were associated with better physical health–related QoL and vice versa. Conclusion: Results reinforce the importance of MVPA for physical health but do not suggest that replacing sedentary behavior with LPA is beneficial for health and well-being.</jats:p
The effect of eHealth-based falls prevention programmes on balance in people aged 65 years and over living in the community: Protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
No full textAlley, SJ ORCiD: 0000-0001-9666-5071; Vandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094INTRODUCTION: Between 20% and 28% of community-dwelling older people experience a fall each year. Falls can result in significant personal and socioeconomic costs, and are the leading cause of admission to hospital for an older person in Australia. Exercise interventions that target balance are the most effective for preventing falls in community-dwellers; however, greater accessibility of effective programmes is needed. As technology has become more accessible, its use as a tool for supporting and promoting health and well-being of individuals has been explored. Little is known about the effectiveness of eHealth technologies to deliver fall prevention interventions. This protocol describes a systematic review with meta-analysis that aims to evaluate the effect of eHealth fall prevention interventions compared with usual care control on balance in people aged 65 years and older living in the community. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a systematic search of the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, Embase and PsychINFO and citation search of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed Central, Cochrane Database Central and PEDro for randomised controlled trials that use an eHealth technology to deliver a fall prevention intervention to community-dwellers aged ≥65 years, that are published in English, and include a balance outcome (primary outcome). The screening and selection of articles for review will be undertaken by two independent reviewers. The PEDro scale and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations will be used to assess study quality. The results will be synthesised descriptively, and if sufficient data are available and the studies are not overly heterogeneous, a meta-analysis will be conducted using the random effects model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As this will be a systematic review, without involvement of human participants, there will be no requirement for ethical approval. The results of this systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and dissemination to policymakers and consumers to maximise health impact. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018115098
Corporate sustainability governance: Insight from the Australian and New Zealand port industry
No full textSchrobback, P ORCiD: 0000-0003-0526-1659Since ports generate a range of negative externalities it is becoming increasingly important for them to engage with their stakeholders effectively through a corporate sustainability strategy which seeks to obtain stakeholder legitimacy for port operations. Yet, the link between a sustainability strategy and the accomplishment of business goals is unclear in some contexts. Hence, the first aim of this study was to conceptually develop a sustainability governance framework to understand the potential contribution of a corporate sustainability strategy for the achievement of broader corporate objectives for ports. The second aim was to undertake an empirical analysis to assess the level of adoption of multiple sustainability strategy components by ports in Australia and New Zealand. The results suggest that the port industry in this region is currently only commencing on its sustainability path. While the industry is relatively advanced in the adoption of general good governance and environmental governance practices, stakeholder awareness and engagement, including sustainability performance disclosure remains limited. The developed conceptional framework provides insights into the elements of corporate sustainability governance and may be used as a guide by ports and other corporate institutions dealing with the challenges of sustainable corporate development. Furthermore, the study offers suggestions for strategies to improve existing sustainability governance of ports in Australia and New Zealand
Insufficient sleep in young athletes? Causes, consequences, and potential treatments
No full textFox, J ORCiD: 0000-0001-8367-5297; Sargent, C ORCiD: 0000-0001-5340-4701; Scanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697; Stanton, R ORCiD: 0000-0002-6684-5087Sleep is essential in the preparation for, and the recovery from, training and competition. Despite being important for all individuals, young athletes are considered an at-risk group for reduced sleep duration and quality. The purpose of this review is to synthesise current literature relating to sleep duration and quality in young (14–25 years) athletes. Specifically, typical sleep and wake patterns, factors affecting sleep and wake patterns, and the consequences of altered sleep and wake patterns in young athletes are discussed. Scheduling training and competition in the afternoon or evening appears to result in reduced sleep duration due to less time in bed. Evidence suggests that young athletes who obtain less than 8 h of sleep per night are at a higher risk of musculoskeletal injury. An increase in sleep duration above habitual nightly sleep may be associated with favourable performance in young athletes; however, the associations between sleep quality and performance- and health-related outcomes remain unclear. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
‘Habitually deciding’ or ‘habitually doing’? A response to Hagger (2019)
No full textRebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993XHagger (2019) offers an insightful synthesis of recent theoretical and empirical developments in understanding of habit and its relevance to physical activity. This commentary extends coverage of one such advance, namely the distinction between two manifestations of habit in physical activity: habitually ‘deciding’ to engage in activity (i.e. habitual instigation), and habitually ‘doing’ the activity (habitual execution). We explore the rationale for this distinction and argue that most contemporary theory and evidence around habitual physical activity – and by extension, Hagger's review – implicitly focuses on instigation and neglects execution. We offer hypotheses around the potential roles that habitual execution may play in physical activity. Broadening the scope of inquiry within the field to more fully encompass habitual performance would achieve a more comprehensive and informative account that incorporates concepts of skill acquisition and mastery. © 201