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Evaluation of relationships between results of electrocardiography and echocardiography in 341 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
No full textObjective – to examine potential relationship(s) between electrocardiographic characteristics
and measures of cardiac structure in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
Animals – 341 chimpanzees, 175 males and 166 females.
Procedures – During routine health examinations, 341 chimpanzees from five sanctuaries
and two zoological collections underwent a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and
transthoracic echocardiogram assessment. Relationships between multiple ECG
characteristics and echocardiographic measures, of atrial areas, left ventricular internal cavity
dimension and wall thicknesses were first explored using correlational analysis, then multiple
linear regression analyses were used to create hierarchical models to predict cardiac structure
from the ECG.
Results – Significant correlations between ECG characteristics and echocardiographic
measures of cardiac morphology were observed (r2 range: -0.231 – 0.310). P wave duration
and amplitude in lead II had the strongest correlations to atrial areas. Sokolow-Lyon criteria,
QRS duration, R wave in V6 and II demonstrated the strongest correlations with mean left
ventricular wall thickness, while the Sokolow-Lyon criteria, QRS duration, S wave in V2 and
V1 had the strongest correlations with the internal dimension of the left ventricle. Despite
these significant correlations the predictive models generated only accounted for 17,7,11,8%
of the variance in right and left atrial areas, left ventricular (LV) wall thicknesses and LV
internal dimension, respectively.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance – This study has shown significant relationships exist
between the ECG and cardiac morphology in chimpanzees. Further work is required to
examine whether the prediction models generated can be modified to improve their clinical
utility
Split credit ratings of banks in times of crisis
Get PDFThis paper analyses whether opacity of bank creditworthiness increases during crisis periods and if the conservativeness of CRAs changes through business cycles. Univariate and multivariate methodologies are used:data from Moody’s and S&P on credit ratings and watch status for 133 commercial banks across 17 developed countries from 2007 to 2015 is employed.The univariate analysis is a unique technique that provides a new perspective to assess whether splits between CRAs are defined as permanent or temporary. The evidence demonstrates that Moody’s and S&P frequently disagree. S&P is shown to be the more conservative CRA overall, however, the extent to which Moody’s issues higher ratings decreases over time until it becomes the more conservative CRA. The paper is the first of its kind to establish that the conservativeness of Moody’s and S&P changes throughout business cycles, which should impact on the strategic decision making of investors
Chronic intra-uterine Ureaplasma parvum infection induces injury of the enteric nervous system in ovine fetuses
Get PDFBackground: Chorioamnionitis, inflammation of the fetal membranes during pregnancy, is often
caused by intra-amniotic (IA) infection with single or multiple microbes. Chorioamnionitis can be
either acute or chronic, and is associated with adverse postnatal outcomes of the intestine, including
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Neonates with NEC have structural and functional damage to the
intestinal mucosa and the enteric nervous system (ENS), with loss of enteric neurons and glial cells.
Yet, the impact of acute, chronic or repetitive antenatal inflammatory stimuli on the development of
the intestinal mucosa and ENS has not been studied. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate
the effect of acute, chronic and repetitive microbial exposure on the intestinal mucosa, submucosa
and ENS in premature lambs.
Materials and Methods: A sheep model of pregnancy was used in which the ileal mucosa, submucosa
and ENS were assessed following IA exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 2 or 7 days (acute),
Ureaplasma parvum (UP) for 42 days (chronic) or repetitive microbial exposure (42 days UP with 2
or 7 days LPS).
Results: IA LPS exposure for 7 days or IA UP exposure for 42 days caused intestinal injury and
inflammation in the mucosal and submucosal layer of the gut. Repetitive microbial exposure did not
further aggravate injury of the terminal ileum. Chronic IA UP exposure caused significant structural
ENS alterations characterized by loss of PGP9.5 and S100β immunoreactivity whereas these changes
were not found after re-exposure of chronic UP-exposed fetuses to LPS for 2 or 7 days.
Conclusion: The in utero loss of PGP9.5 and S100β immunoreactivity following chronic UP
exposure corresponds with intestinal changes in neonates with NEC, and may therefore form a novel
mechanistic explanation for the association of chorioamnionitis and NEC
The Psychosocial Effects of Physical Activity on Military Veterans That Are Wounded, Injured, and/or Sick: A Narrative Synthesis Systematic Review of Quantitative Evidence
Get PDFPhysical activity (PA) for military veterans that are wounded, injured and/or sick (WIS) is becoming increasingly recognized as an advantageous method of increasing wellbeing. A narrative synthesis approach was used to systematically review current quanti‐ tative evidence exploring the psychological effects of PA on veterans that are WIS. Key databases were searched resulting in the inclusion of 19 studies. PA was shown to have a positive effect on post‐traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, social wellbeing, sleep quality, perceived functional impairment, participant mindfulness, and positive/negative affect; with im- provements in stress, social well-being, and positive/negative effect being greater among veterans that are WIS with lower health statuses. After comparing PA types, outdoor recreation appeared to more consistently reduce PTSD symptoms post‐intervention; whereas, yoga and horse riding were more effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Furthermore, where significant others were included in PA interventions/programs for veterans that are WIS, longer‐lasting benefits have been reported. However, in line with other reviews in this area, the methodological weaknesses of current research and non-standardized delivery of PA interven- tions limits the generalisability of the findings of this review
The Anthropometric, Physiological, and Strength-Related Determinants of Handcycling 15-km Time-Trial Performance
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected anthropometric,
physiological, and upper body strength measures and 15-km handcycling time trial performance.
Methods: Thirteen, trained H3/H4 male handcyclists performed a 15-km time trial, graded exercise test, 15-s
all-out sprint and one repetition maximum assessment of bench press and prone bench pull strength.
Relationship between all variables were assessed using a Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix with
mean time trial velocity representing the principal performance outcome.
Results: Power at a fixed blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·l-1 (r = .927; p <0.01) showed an extremely
large correlation to TT performance, whilst relative V̇ O2peak (r = .879; p <0.01), power-to-mass ratio
(r = .879; p < 0.01), peak aerobic power (r = .851; p <0.01), gross mechanical efficiency (r = 733; p
<0.01), relative prone bench pull strength (r = .770; p = 0.03) relative bench press strength (r = .703,
p = 0.11), and maximum anaerobic power (r = .678; p = 0.15) all demonstrated a very large
correlation with performance outcomes.
Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate that power at a fixed blood lactate concentration
of 4 mmol·l-1, relative V̇ O2peak, power-to-mass ratio, peak aerobic power, gross mechanical efficiency,
relative upper body strength, and maximum anaerobic power are all significant determinants of 15-
km TT performance in H3/H4 handcyclists
Appreciative Inquiry as a methodological approach to collaboration between different sporting organisations in Wales to promote physical literacy
Get PDFThe aim of this study was for university consultants to apply and critically evaluate Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as a methodological approach to collaboration with the national organisation for promoting sport and physical activity in Wales, a Welsh national governing body for sport, and a Welsh local authority department responsible for sport and leisure, to develop a physical literacy (PL) programme for primary schools. Three phases of an AI cycle; the discovery phase, the dream phase, and the design phase were the focus of this study, within which the consultants acted as ‘boundary spanners’, to promote collaboration between the different organisations, over a period of six-months. In the discovery and dream phases data was gathered through AI conversations, written accounts and observation, whilst a collaborative meeting and specific follow up actions were employed for the design phase. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed key messages for the use of AI in such collaborative projects, and some interesting insight into the complexities of this methodological approach. Overall, in considering the key contribution to knowledge of this study, AI was shown to be an effective approach to adopt in multi-organisational collaborative ventures of this nature. However, the collaborative structures were often intricate and dynamic in nature, resulting in some challenges for the consultants convening them. The practical implications for those wishing to conduct AI, are that such approaches require large amounts of resources in the form of energy, commitment, skill and nurturing on the part of the leaders
Highs and Lows of Sympathetic Neuro-cardiovascular Transduction: Influence of Altitude Acclimatization and Adaptation
Get PDFHigh-altitude (>2500m) exposure results in increased muscle sympathetic nervous activity (MSNA) in acclimatizing lowlanders. However, little is known about how altitude affects MSNA in 66 indigenous high-altitude populations. Additionally, the relationship between MSNA and blood 67 pressure regulation (i.e., neurovascular transduction) at high-altitude is unclear. We sought to 68 determine 1) how high-altitude effects neuro-cardiovascular transduction and 2) whether 69 differences exist in neuro-cardiovascular transduction between low and high-altitude 70 populations. Measurements of MSNA (microneurography), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP; 71 finger photoplethysmography), and heart rate (electrocardiogram) were collected in: I) 72 lowlanders (n=14) at low (344m) and high-altitude (5050m), II) Sherpa highlanders (n=8; 73 5050m), and III) Andean (with and without excessive erythrocytosis) highlanders (n=15; 74 4300m). Cardiovascular responses to MSNA burst sequences (i.e. singlet, couplet, triplet, and 75 quadruplets) were quantified using custom software (coded in MATLAB, v2015b). Slopes were 76 generated for each individual based on peak responses and normalized total MSNA. High 77 altitude reduced neuro-cardiovascular transduction in lowlanders (MAP slope: high-altitude, 78 0.0075±0.0060 vs low-altitude, 0.0134±0.080; p=0.03). Transduction was elevated in Sherpa 79 (MAP slope, 0.012±0.007) compared to Andeans (0.003±0.002; p=0.001). MAP transduction 80 was not statistically different between acclimatizing lowlanders and Sherpa (MAP slope, p=0.08) 81 or Andeans (MAP slope, p=0.07). When accounting for resting MSNA (ANCOVA), transduction 82 was inversely related to basal MSNA (bursts/min) independent of population (RRI, r= 0.578 83 p<0.001; MAP, r= -0.627 p<0.0001). Our results demonstrate transduction is blunted in 84 individuals with higher basal MSNA, suggesting blunted neuro-cardiovascular transduction is a 85 physiological adaptation to elevated MSNA rather than an effect or adaptation specific to 86 chronic hypoxic exposure
Robotic Chinese language tutor: personalising progress assessment and feedback or taking over your job?
Get PDFPurpose:
The shortage of Chinese language teachers have been identified as a pressing issue globally. This paper aims to respond to the needs by investigating and designing the learning innovation with autonomous programmable robot, NAO.
Design/methodology/approach:
By thoughtfully embedding NAO robot into teaching basic Chinese language, this research demonstrates an inquiry qualitative case study of artificial intelligence design principles and learning engagement with rule-based reasoning and progress test design.
Findings:
This state-of-the arts robot use its emotion recognition and body language automated (LED eye with various colours) to demonstrate the Chinese words, to increase learners’ understanding and enhance their memory of the words learned. The responses conclude that the novel learning experience is more fun and interesting, thus the engagement from the axis of novelty, interactivity, motivation and interest is enhanced.
Research limitations/implications:
It is recognised that the number of research participants was small, but the qualitative finding demonstrate key issues and recommendation that may inspire future empirical research.
Practical implications:
Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field and has received significant attention in education. Humanoid robots are now increasingly used in fields such as education, hospitality, entertainment and health care. Educational robots are anticipated to serve as teaching assistants.
Originality/value:
The learning engagement paradigm has shifted from manual engagement to personal response systems or mixed-reality on mobile platforms, and now with the humanoid robot, the recommendation of four principles and future work and for designing humanoid robot as a language tutor are discussed. The educational robot model can be changed to a newer robot such as CANBOT U05E
Factors Predictive of Behavioural and Emotional Dysfunction in Adolescents in a Secure Children’s Home
Get PDFThe aim of the present study was to investigate what factors are predictive of behavioural and emotional dysfunction in adolescence. A sample of 60 young people accommodated under a welfare or youth custody service order in a UK secure children’s home between 2016 and 2018 was used. Data regarding young people’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) history, scores on standard assessments and factors thought to indicate behavioural and emotional dysfunction were collected from file information. Correlations and regression models were used to analyse the data. Analyses found that young people in this setting had been exposed to more ACEs than the general population. Furthermore, signs of behavioural and emotional dysfunction as a result of exposure to ACE’s appeared to be present from early adolescence. It was found that exposure to verbal and sexual abuse were the greatest predictors of involvement in risk incidents. The young person’s substance misuse habits were the best predictor of the length of stay in the secure children’s home. These findings may have policy implications and highlight the need for early interventions with young people exposed to ACE’s
In Dialogue: How Writing to the Dead and the Living Can Increase Self-Awareness in Those Bereaved by Addiction
Get PDFThis article examines how writing can increase the self-awareness of a socially isolated and often stigmatized population: those bereaved by addiction. Writing about a traumatic event has been shown to increase self-awareness which can improve health and regulate negative behaviors. Using narrative analysis on the writing of individuals bereaved by addiction, this study found that participants were able to increase their self-awareness through writing to the dead, the living and themselves. Participants’ writing also demonstrated their attempts to make sense and make meaning out of their loss which are both strong predictors of positive health outcomes. All participants in this study demonstrated increased self-awareness as well as sense-making and/or meaning-making which can lead to improvements in behavior regulation, psychological health and physical heath. This suggests that writing may be a uniquely beneficial therapeutic intervention for those experiencing disenfranchised grief as a result of bereavement by addiction