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Joint microwave radiometry for inflammatory arthritis assessment.
No full textIncreased in-depth joint temperature measured by the rapid, easy-to-perform microwave radiometry (MWR) method may reflect inflammation, even in the absence of clinical signs. We hypothesized that MWR is useful for RA and spondyloarthritis patients' assessment. Clinical examination, joint ultrasound and/or MRI and MWR were performed in two independent patient-control cohorts (n = 243). Among single RA joints MWR performed best in the knee using ultrasound as reference, with 75% sensitivity-73% specificity for grey-scale synovitis score ⩾2, and 80% sensitivity-82% specificity for power Doppler positivity. A stronger agreement was evident between increased knee relative temperature (Δt) and power Doppler positivity (82%) than with clinical examination (76%). In a different patient cohort with painful knees, a knee Δt ⩽0.2 predicted power Doppler positivity with 100% positive and negative predictive values. A thermo-score summing 10 Δt values of three large and seven small RA joints (elbow, knee, ankle, wrist, four hand and two foot joints of the clinically dominant arm or hand and leg or foot) correlated with ultrasound scores of synovitis/tenosynovitis (all P < 0.001) and the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) (P = 0.004). The agreement of the thermo-score with ultrasound-defined joint inflammation (82%) was stronger than with DAS28 (64%). The thermo-score improved significantly after 90 days of treatment in patients with active RA at baseline (P = 0.004). Using MRI as reference, Δt of sacroiliac joints could discriminate between spondyloarthritis patients with or without sacroiliitis with 78% sensitivity-74% specificity. In-depth increased MWR-derived joint temperature reflects both subclinical and clinically overt inflammation and may serve as a biomarker in arthritis. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected].
Football-induced fatigue in hypoxia impairs repeated sprint ability and perceptual-cognitive skills
No full textPurpose:Investigate football-induced fatigue during hypoxia on RS and perceptual-cognitive skills.Methods: Ten semi-professional footballers underwent a control session (0-m) to quantify RS in a non-fatigued state; and three hypoxia sessions (0-m;1500-m;3000-m) examining RS and perceptual-cognitive skills for a given physical workload. The mean number of correct responses (%) for anticipation and decision-making accuracy were obtained at the 30-min mark of each half. HR, TC, RPE and %O2sat were measured during warm-up, football-induced fatigue and RS test.Results: HR, RPE and %O2sat were different between conditions (ES=0.44-6.13). RS were affected by football-induced fatigue for DC (4.8%;ES=0.68) and AV (5.5%;ES=0.79). In hypoxia, a 6.5% was found for DC, 6.3% for AV and 3.1% for PV at 1500-m compared to 0-m (P<0.05). Further significant changes of 12.8% DC, 12.8% AV and 6.2% PV (P<0.0005) were found at 3000-m compared to 0-m. More pronounced declines in perceptual-cognitive skills were found as altitude increased (5.0-12.5%;ES=1.17-2.41) and between halves (5.3-6.7%).Conclusion: The data demonstrates the RS test was sensitive to fatigue/hypoxia for a given physical load. Simulated matches in hypoxia revealed larger decreases, in RS and perceptual-cognitive skills, highlighting the need for optimal acclimatisation strategies, including physical and technical preparation, prior to playing at altitude
A performance evaluation of two bispectrum analysis methods applied to electrical current signals for monitoring induction motor-driven systems
No full textThis paper investigates the performance of the conventional bispectrum (CB) method and its new variant, the modulation signal bispectrum (MSB) method, in analysing the electrical current signals of induction machines for the condition monitoring of rotor systems driven by electrical motors. Current signal models which include the phases of the various electrical and magnetic quantities are explained first to show the theoretical relationships of spectral sidebands and their associated phases due to rotor faults. It then discusses the inefficiency of CB and the proficiency of MSB in characterising the sidebands based on simulated signals. Finally, these two methods are applied to analyse current signals measured from different rotor faults, including broken rotor bar (BRB), downstream gearbox wear progressions and various compressor faults, and the diagnostic results show that the MSB outperforms the CB method significantly in that it provides more accurate and sparse diagnostics, thanks to its unique capability of nonlinear modulation detection and random noise suppression
Flame Retardancy Index for thermoplastic composites
No full textFlame Retardancy Index, FRI, was defined as a simple yet universal dimensionless criterion born out of cone calorimetry data on thermoplastic composites and then put into practice for quantifying the flame retardancy performance of different polymer composites on a set of reliable data. Four types of thermoplastic composites filled with a wide variety of flame retardant additives were chosen for making comparative evaluations regardless of the type and loading level of the additive as well as the irradiance flux. The main features of cone calorimetry including peak of Heat Release Rate (pHRR), Total Heat Release (THR), and Time-To-Ignition (TTI) served to calculate a dimensionless measure that reflects an improvement in the flame retardancy of nominated thermoplastic composites with respect to the neat thermoplastic, quantitatively. A meaningful trend was observed among well-classified ranges of FRI quantities calculated for the studied dataset on thermoplastic composites by which “Poor”, “Good”, and “Excellent” flame retardancy performances were explicitly defined and exhibited on logarithmic scales of FRI axis. The proposed index remains adaptable to thermoplastic systems whatever the polymer or additive is
One-to-one support with a professional rugby league player: case for referral?
No full textThis article presents a reflective case study of an applied consultancy experience with a 22-29 year-old professional rugby-league player. The primary aim of the intervention was to 30 provide the client with a confidential space where he could discuss his experiences in and 31 outside of a sporting context, whilst also exploring and challenging his core values and 32 beliefs. The consultancy process lasted for 12 months, leading to the development of a strong 33 relationship. During this time, the client experienced multiple critical moments, such as; de-34 selection from the first team squad and contract negotiations, which at times led to reductions 35 in his well-being and forced the trainee sport and exercise psychologist to consider his scope 36 of practice in relation to mental health and depression. Reflections are provided that explore 37 the possibility of referral during these moments. The case study also provides an insight into 38 the trainee sport and exercise psychologist’s philosophy of practice and how influential this 39 can be when considering referral of a client. The importance of supervisor support during 40 uncertain moments is highlighted and the case study concludes with reflections from the 41 client, trainee practitioner, and peer supervisor regarding the efficacy of the intervention and 42 the decision not to refer
Mode Neutral pedagogy : development, research and praxis in Higher and Professional education
No full textIn an attempt to answer longstanding questions of what makes students ready for learning, sustain their engagement and meet their life-long goals, I provide a critical commentary on the themes found in a unique educational framework.I have continuously questioned why my published Mode Neutral pedagogy encourages learning to occur in my praxis as a Higher Education Academic and Operating Department Practitioner in the hospital perioperative setting. Signs of engagement, expression and commitment to learning promote individual identity alongside a visible presence. Unconditional teacher responses, and the balance of structured content and proactive communication remove barriers to learning and raise opportunities for strengthening individuals' emotional intelligence.These aspects of human existence precede the learning elements of motivation, aspiration and belonging. The Mode Neutral Pedagogy method integrates these elements in the pre-learning phase and beyond to create a self-efficacy learning experience. The learner’s ‘sense of being’ is fundamental to this pedagogy as it fosters connectedness and a nascent self-concept, attitude and development for learning.Those who adopt all or aspects of Mode Neutral continue to identify five intrinsically linked themes that explain why students do well throughout a Mode Neutral experience. These dominant five themes are referred to as Five Levers - they illustrate the combined effect of Identity, Presence, Co-Presence, Emotional Intelligence and Immersion on the learner’s achievements. The Five Levers discovery is unique and essential to educational development, and synthesis of new learner acquired knowledge. Pedagogical models that do not proactively consider this sense of being may place barriers in front of the learner's lifewide and lifelong learning.There are also some limitations to this approach. In particular, transferability of the Five Levers framework is untested in other disciplines other than healthcare. It is unclear whether my personality, pre-disposition values and other attributes act as the 'glue' in Mode Neutral, rather than the presumed Five Levers. Nevertheless, this thesis provides evidence of Mode Neutral’s impact on healthcare practice for those working in hospitals
The oral health of looked after children (LAC) in Greater Manchester.
No full textThis study was based on the oral health of Looked After Children (LAC) in Greater Manchester. Characteristics including age, ethnic background alongside educational and healthcare outcomes were introduced as basic principles regarding LAC. The aim of this study was to comment on the oral health status of LAC in foster care, and to analyse if the improvement of oral health was dependant on duration of time in care. A questionnaire based approach was adopted for the purpose of this study. Foster carers from their relevant agencies were randomly selected. 11 agencies were contacted, with only 3 agreeing to take part. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions relating to the general background information of Lac as well as questions relating to their dental care. Descriptive data analysis revealed the following: Highest proportions of LAC in care were aged 10-14 (33.33%); Pakistani ethnicity was identified as most prevalent (23.33%) and 60% of LAC’s presented with dental anxiety. Analysis of the study further revealed a statistical significance between the occurrence of dental fillings and LAC in foster care aged 10-14 (p= 0.001) and 0-4 (p= 0.027). No statistical significance was observed between the current oral health status of LAC and the time spent in care (P= 0.570). Overall the hypothesis that foster care provides improved oral health care for LAC was accepted; however this was not dependant on the duration of time a LAC was in care. Instead factors such as foster care management, increased education and healthier choice of diet were all contributors in increasing the oral healthcare outcome for LAC
