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Impacting the rugby tackle: risk factors and mechanisms for concussion and musculoskeletal tackle-related injury — a systematic review and Delphi consensus to inform intervention strategies for risk reduction
Get PDFTo (1) systematically review the literature to identify which match-related risk factors and mechanisms of rugby tackle events result in musculoskeletal injury, concussion, head injury assessments, and head impacts or head accelerations; and (2) identify the perceived importance and feasibility of potential intervention strategies for tackle-related injury reduction in the rugby codes. A systematic search was performed using Preferred Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk factors/mechanisms associated with tackle injuries across the rugby codes were extracted. After extraction, 50 international rugby experts participated in a Delphi poll. Via content analysis, expert-recommended risk factors/mechanisms were developed. In round two, experts rated all risk factors and mechanisms for importance to injury risk. In round three, the feasibility of law changes, coach and player education, and training as interventions to reduce injury risk for each injury risk factor/mechanism deemed important during round two was rated. PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost) and CINAHL. Eligible studies included cohort, observational and cross-sectional designs, which included male or female rugby union, league or sevens players. 37 eligible studies were identified, with 138 injury risk factors/mechanisms extracted. 70% of the studies were rated ‘high quality’, with 30% moderate quality. 38 new risk factors/mechanisms were recommended by the expert group, 8 being identified as important and highly feasible for modification by an intervention strategy. ‘The tackler placing their head on the incorrect side of the ball carrier’ was described as the most important mechanism, with ‘training’ and ‘coach/player education’ thought to be highly feasible interventions. Numerous risk factors or mechanisms associated with tackle-related injury appear important and modifiable, helping to guide interventions to reduce injury risk in the rugby tackle.</p
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Dietary Intake in University Students from the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: The occurrence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally is rising rapidly, largely due to modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diets. Studies have shown that poor dietary habits are prevalent among university students and may persist in later life, increasing the risk of chronic health conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diet of two different groups of university students, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United Kingdom (UK), with the aim of identifying areas for intervention to improve overall health and wellbeing. Methods: Detailed 7-day diet diaries were collected from undergraduate university participants in the UAE and UK. Diet diaries were quantitatively assessed using Nutritics software generating reports on mean intakes for energy, macro- and micronutrients. Independent sample t-tests were utilized to compare nutrient intake between cohorts in the two different regions. Results: A total of 158 students participated in this study. Results showed significant differences in intake levels in most macronutrients and micronutrients (p ≤ 0.05). Upon comparison, UK participants consumed diets higher in sugar (+9.4 g/day), saturated fat (+4.2 g/day), cholesterol (+90 mg/day), and sodium (+307 mg/day) compared to their UAE counterparts, placing them at risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cholesterol intake was oversufficient in both UAE and UK males by 40% and 57%, respectively. In UAE females, there were notable deficiencies in protein intake, omega 3, vitamin D, iron, iodine, and folic acid (p ≤ 0.05), placing them at risk of CVDs, anemia, diabetes, and cancer. Interestingly, both UAE males and females were 100% deficient in dietary vitamin D intake. Conclusions: Nutritional imbalances should be addressed through campus-based nutrition education programs. This study also highlights the importance of dietary guidelines targeted at specific populations accounting for cultural differences
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness During the 2023/2024 Season: A Test‐Negative Case–Control Study Among Emergency Hospital Admissions With Respiratory Conditions in Northern Ireland
Get PDFBackgroundWe evaluated the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine programme against infection among emergency hospital admissions with respiratory conditions in Northern Ireland during the 2023/2024 influenza season.MethodsUsing a test-negative design, we compared the odds of vaccination between patients who tested positive (cases) and negative (controls) for laboratory-confirmed influenza, adjusting for confounders. VE was stratified by age group, sex and time since vaccination.ResultsWe included 2368 hospitalised patients, of whom 1740 (73.5%) were influenza positive. Among these, 1703 (97.9%) were influenza A and 37 (2.1%) were influenza B. Of the influenza A-positive specimens, 84 were A(H1), 268 A(H3) and 1351 were untyped influenza A. VE against all laboratory-confirmed influenza was 47.5% (95% CI: 31.3%–60.1%), including 65.2% (95% CI: 44.2%–78.6%) in children aged 2–17, 46% (95% CI: 7.8%–68.2%) in adults 18–64 and 39.5% (95% CI: 4.8%–62.1%) in adults aged 65 and over. VE against infection for influenza A was 45.8% (95% CI: 25.1%–61%) in all age groups, but 64.7% (95% CI: 42.6%–78.6%) among children aged 2–17, 43.9% (95% CI: 3.7%–67.1%) among adults aged 18–64 years old and 39.6% (95% CI: 5%–62.1%) in adults aged ≥ 65 years. Being vaccinated was associated with 44.2% (95% CI: −13.3%-73.1%) and 37.9% (95% CI: 5.5%–59.5%) reduced odds of influenza A(H1) and A(H3)-associated community-acquired emergency admissions. VE against infection for influenza B was 87.2% (95% CI: 43.1%–98.3%). VE was highest within 2–8 weeks of vaccination at 67.5% (95% CI: 42.7%–81.7%) and declined to 41.2% (95% CI: 14.8%–59.5%) at 9–16 weeks.ConclusionsInfluenza vaccines provided protection against influenza-associated illness across age groups during the 2023/2024 influenza season
Míniugud senchasa Úa Cendselaig: an edition and analysis of a genealogical text from the Book of Lecan
No full textFeasibility of the reaction between ( R )-3-hydroxybutyrate & hydroxyl radicals
Get PDFEnergetic particles and secondary radiation encountered by astronauts during space flight result in the formation of a range of reactive oxygen species, including hydroxyl radicals (HO˙), which can lead to premature cell death. Several strategies have been proposed to combat the intracellular effects of radiation including use of exogeneous antioxidants. We have investigated the reaction between the major ketone body (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (HB−) and HO˙ at the SMD/M062X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. This revealed a bimolecular rate constant of 6.20 × 109 dm3 mol−1 s−1 with hydrogen atom abstraction at the hydroxyalkyl C–H bond constituting the predominate reaction channel (Γ ≈ 30%). Proton coupled electron transfer between the hydroxyl group and HO˙ was thermodynamically and kinetically the least favourable (k = 8.20 × 107 dm3 mol−1 s−1, Γ ≈ 1.3%) but produced an oxygen-centred radical exhibiting SOMO–HOMO inversion. Hydrogen abstraction at the methylene (k ≈ 1 × 109 dm3 mol−1 s−1, Γ ≈ 20%) and methyl (k ≈ 6 × 108 dm3 mol−1 s−1, Γ ≈ 10%) sites was of intermediate reactivity. Our estimates show that in dietary ketosis the half-life of HO˙ is shorter on reaction with HB− than ascorbate (t½ = 3.73 × 10−8vs. 4.81 × 10−7 s) suggesting that this is a viable approach for reducing the cellular impact of ionising radiation
Exploring Speech and Language Therapists’ Perspectives of Voice-Assisted Technology as a Tool for Dysarthria: Qualitative Study
Get PDFBackground: People living with Parkinson disease (PD) often experience low speech volume and reduced intelligibility. Research suggests that common voice-assisted technology (VAT) devices, like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, can encourage individuals to modify their speech, speaking more clearly, slowly, and loudly. This highlights the potential of VAT as a therapeutic clinical tool in speech and language therapy (SLT). However, while VAT is emerging as a novel health care technology, gaps exist regarding understanding speech and language therapists’ (SaLTs) experiences using these devices in clinical practice for PD-related speech and voice difficulties. Objective: This research set out to explore various experiences of using VAT to address hypokinetic dysarthria, secondary to PD, from a range of stakeholder perspectives. This paper specifically focuses on clinical insights from SaLTs. Methods: SaLTs with prior experience of using smart speakers in clinical practice with people with speech or voice difficulties were invited to participate in focus groups or interviews. Between September and December 2024, seven SaLTs participated in semistructured focus groups or interviews using a topic guide. Discussions were informed by published evidence. Results were transcribed and analyzed using a framework analysis approach and were managed through NVivo software (Lumivero). Results: Four main themes were identified across the groups: (1) potential for VAT in SLT, (2) managing therapeutic beige flags, (3) empowering SaLTs to become digitally enabled practitioners, and (4) envisioning the future of VAT in SLT. Conclusions: This study recognizes VAT’s potential as a therapeutic tool that may improve volume, clarity, intelligibility of speech, and facilitate at-home practice for people with PD. However, before VAT can be widely implemented, considerations around data privacy, device limitations, and practical integration into clinical care must be addressed. Future research is proposed to design solutions to address usability challenges for both clients and clinicians. Finally, this paper offers key clinical recommendations for the development of a therapeutic VAT tool for speech and voice difficulties in SLT
Understanding the association between pressure ulcers and sitting in adults: What does it mean for all of us?
Get PDFThis third version of the seating guidelines aims to deliver a practical guide, using the most up to date research and evidence on pressure ulcer prevention and management. This guide can be applied to adults who remain seated for extended periods of time across health and social care settings. In the UK, over 700,000 patients are affected by pressure ulcers each year; 180,000 of those are newly acquired and their treatment is estimated to cost the NHS £3.8 million every day. Therefore, guidelines that have been written for people living or working in health and social care are essential. Within the guidelines the authors explore how and where pressure ulcers develop when seated, the potential risk factors, the best possible seated position, ideal seating assessment, and who might be involved and what interventions can one expect after a seating assessment. The guidelines then go on to examine cushion and static chair selection, cushion covers, wheelchairs, and the use of tilt, recline, and elevating leg rests. Finally there is an examination of self-help strategies to prevent pressure ulcers, the key outcomes for those who remain seated for long periods and standards for procuring and testing cushions and static chairs.</p
On the application of YOLO‑based object detection models to classify and detect defects in laser‑directed energy deposition process
Get PDFReducing the defects in the additively manufactured components using Laser-Directed Energy Deposition (L-DED) process is important for ensuring structural integrity, surface quality, and functional performance. The first required step for reducing defects in the L-DED manufactured components is the identification and understanding of the type of defects using the object detection approach. This paper aims to use a YOLO-based object detection models to classify and detect defects in the horizontal wall, vertical wall, and cuboid structures manufactured using various combinations of L-DED process parameters. The objectives involved are training, testing and validating of YOLOv7, YOLOv8, YOLOv9, and YOLOv9-GELAN models on the independent dataset of defects such as flash formation, void and rough texture, identifying the best YOLO model capable of detecting small and big size multiple defects within a single image and comparing the defects captured by YOLO model with previously used conventional CNN model such as VGG16. The results revealed that YOLOv9-GELAN exhibited good performance indicators compared to other YOLO models. The increasing trend for mAP0.5:0.95 signifies YOLOv9- GELAN as a good choice for defect detection of multiple defects in a single image. It also gave mAP of 95.7%, precision of 94%, recall of 96%, and F1-score of 90%, indicating accuracy in defect localisation and classification with minimal false positives and negatives. These high values for YOLOv9-GELAN indicate its capability to accurately highlight the defects using the bounding box compared to the previously proposed VGG16 model. In addition, YOLOv9-GELAN capability of processing 62 images per second showed its potential for higher frames processing compared to other YOLO models. This research will progress the development of AI-based in-situ defect monitoring for the L-DED process
Beyond trucks and tariffs: What might a feminist analysis of the UK/Irish border offer?
Get PDFIn the wake of Brexit, the border on the island of Ireland has received unprecedented scholarly and journalistic attention. A quick search using Google Scholar indicates that since 2020 over 15,000 scholarly works have been published on ‘Brexit’ and ‘Northern Ireland’. Despite the exceptional space, time and conversation made for discussions of the border in academia, the media and political and policy circles, gender as an analytical frame has been conspicuously absent from the discussions and analysis. Indeed, there has been very little engagement with the border by feminist scholarship, either in the wake of Brexit, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, or indeed throughout the duration of the Troubles. This blind spot, we suggest, has helped perpetuate a dangerous narrative of the border as ‘open’, ‘invisible’, ‘soft’ or ‘seamless’. This paper offers a critical reflection on the scholarship regarding the UK/Irish border and argues for the urgent need to study the border from a feminist sociological perspective. After outlining the landscape of research on the border and identifying its gender insensitivity, we look to the field of feminist border studies to problematise these absences and flag questions that remain unanswered about the gendered dimensions of the border and its effects on women who live in borderlands on the island of Ireland, including women from racialised, ethnic minority and migrant backgrounds. Our hope is to instigate a feminist sociology of the border with the expectation that by centring the experiences of women, including racialised/and migrant women, we gain a perspective of the border and border life that has yet to be meaningfully considered in UK/Irish border studies, and one that disrupts what we consider to be an androcentric and ethnocentric view of the border