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Molecular hydrogen inhalation modulates resting metabolism in healthy females: findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study
No full textInitially, molecular hydrogen was considered a physiologically inert and non-functional gas. However, experimental and clinical studies have shown that molecular hydrogen has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and strong selective antioxidant effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 60 minutes of molecular hydrogen inhalation on respiratory gas analysis parameters using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The study was conducted at Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc from September 2022 to March 2023. Twenty, physically active female participants aged 22.1 ± 1.6 years who inhaled either molecular hydrogen or ambient air through a nasal cannula (300 mL/min) for 60 minutes while resting were included in this study. Metabolic response was measured using indirect calorimetry. Breath-by-breath data were averaged over four 15-minute intervals. Compared with placebo (ambient air), molecular hydrogen inhalation significantly decreased respiratory exchange ratio and ventilation across all intervals. Furthermore, the change in respiratory exchange ratio was negatively correlated with body fat percentage from 30 minutes onwards. In conclusion, 60 minutes of resting molecular hydrogen inhalation significantly increased resting fat oxidation, as evidenced by decreased respiratory exchange ratio, particularly in individuals with higher body fat percentages.</p
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication, brushtail possum control, and causal inference
No full textBovine tuberculosis (bTB) in livestock (cattle and farmed deer) is the focus of an in-progress eradication program in New Zealand. The program includes intensive brushtail possum population control as possums are a bTB host and could comprise eradication at a national level. Ten causal criteria (strength of association, experiment, temporality, plausible mechanism, biological gradient, consistency, coherence, specificity, analogy, validated causal predictions) were used to evaluate annual changes in bTB status in livestock herds relative to costs of possum population control and livestock bTB disease control. Hypotheses were evaluated using a model selection framework of the causal relationship between efforts (costs) and outcomes (bTB-infected herds) following management. The 10 causal criteria were demonstrated empirically. Experiments used designs from the simplest pretest-posttest comparison to a before-after-control-impact design, though lacked random allocation of treatments to experimental units and some studies lacked statistical analyses. As hypothesised, the annual changes in bTB-infected herds were positively related to annual costs. The predicted damped oscillations across years in annual changes in bTB-infected herds were observed. The implications are that eradication of livestock bTB appears likely, though there is a risk that eradication may not be achieved in the planned time of 2026, unless annual control expenditure is higher and, or, more efficient in the future
Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players:A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team
No full textBACKGROUND: The effective monitoring of athletes' adaptation is crucial to optimize the outcomes of altitude camps and minimize the risk of maladaptation to the hypoxic stress and intensive training. This case report assessed the hematological adaptations in 22 world-class female water polo players during a 16-day 'live high-train high' (LHTH) altitude camp (2320 m) and evaluated the differences between selected (n = 13) and non-selected (n = 9) players and between playing positions.METHODS: Hematological parameters, including total hemoglobin mass (tHB mass) and blood volume, were measured before and after the camp. Resting heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, body mass, fatigue, and sleep were monitored daily. RESULTS: Relative tHb mass increased PRE to POST (5.4 ± 5.1%, range -3.9-20.2), but blood volume did not change ( p = 0.797). Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width increased PRE-POST ( p < 0.001, ES = 1.21-2.69), while mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin decreased ( p < 0.001, ES = 0.51 and 0.72, respectively). No substantial differences were observed in the hematological parameters between selected and non-selected players. There was a large difference in the change in relative blood volume between centers (n = 4, PRE 74.1 ± 5.4, POST 69.7 ± 5.9 mL/kg; mean ± SD) and field players (n = 15, PRE 80.8 ± 10.6, POST 82.8 ± 6.8 mL/kg; adj p = 0.046, ES = 1.15) and between centers and goalkeepers (n = 3, PRE 89.7 ± 9.6, POST 82.0 ± 7.1 mL/kg; adj p = 0.046, ES = 1.62). CONCLUSIONS: A 16-day LHTH camp can induce favorable hematological adaptations in world-class women's water polo players, without substantial differences between selected and non-selected players, and larger increases in field players.</p
Matrix Differentiation for DGGI, WDGGI and GDGI on Dual Real Matrix Ring
No full textIn this paper, we study the differentiation for three types of group inverses. Firstly, the dual expression of the differentiation of the dual group generalized inverse (DGGI) is given by using the definition of DGGI, and the dual expression of the differentiation of the weak dual group generalized inverse (WDGGI) is given by using the dual core-nilpotent decomposition. Secondly, the compact formulas are applied to give real expressions for the differentiations of the DGGI, WDGGI and group dual generalized inverse (GDGI), respectively. Finally, a block expression for the differentiation of DGGI is included.</p
Bayesian diagnostics in a partially linear model with first-order autoregressive skew-normal errors
No full textThis paper studies a Bayesian local influence method to detect influential observations in a partially linear model with first-order autoregressive skew-normal errors. This method appears suitable for small or moderate-sized data sets (n=200∼400) and overcomes some theoretical limitations, bridging the diagnostic gap for small or moderate-sized data in classical methods. The MCMC algorithm is employed for parameter estimation, and Bayesian local influence analysis is made using three perturbation schemes (priors, variances, and data) and three measurement scales (Bayes factor, ϕ-divergence, and posterior mean). Simulation studies are conducted to validate the reliability of the diagnostics. Finally, a practical application uses data on the 1976 Los Angeles ozone concentration to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the diagnostics.</p
Artificial intelligence (AI) for supply chain collaboration:implications on information sharing and trust
No full textPurpose: Managers and scholars alike claim that artificial intelligence (AI) represents a tool to enhance supply chain collaborations; however, existing research is limited in providing frameworks that categorise to what extent companies can apply AI capabilities and support existing collaborations. In response, this paper clarifies the various implications of AI applications on supply chain collaborations, focusing on the core elements of information sharing and trust. A five-stage AI collaboration framework for supply chains is presented, supporting managers to classify the supply chain collaboration stage in a company’s AI journey. Design/methodology/approach: Using existing literature on AI technology and collaboration and its effects of information sharing and trust, we present two frameworks to clarify (a) the interrelationships between information sharing, trust and AI capabilities and (b) develop a model illustrating five AI application stages how AI can be used for supply chain collaborations. Findings: We identify various levels of interdependency between trust and AI capabilities and subsequently divide AI collaboration into five stages, namely complementary AI applications, augmentative AI applications, collaborative AI applications, autonomous AI applications and AI applications replacing existing systems. Originality/value: Similar to the five stages of autonomous driving, the categorisation of AI collaboration along the supply chain into five consecutive stages provides insight into collaborations practices and represents a practical management tool to better understand the utilisation of AI capabilities in a supply chain environment.</p
Overshadowed voices in media reporting on truth-telling commissions
No full textOver the past decades, truth-telling commissions aimed at uncovering, confronting and providing justice for the past treatment of children have been established in many countries, including the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (RCIRCSA 2013-2017) and the Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (2018-2023). Journalism plays important roles both in triggering commissions of inquiry and in attracting public attention to their work and findings. This paper investigates media reporting on the RCIRCSA and the TRC. The Commissions were not similar in scale, scope or legal powers, however, they both generated spaces for public listening to stories about the consequences of past policies and present practices of child removal, abuse and racism that potentially could change the grand narratives of each nation. Our findings suggest that future commissions should pay particular attention to the structural power of news logics and mediation. We find, despite the widely different cases, consistent patterns of uneven and hierarchical media reporting and overshadowing of First Nations voices and aspirations.</p
A sociology from Art Praxis in Afghanistan:Expression and resistance in Kabul
No full textThis book examines the transformative potential of arts on Afghan society, specifically focusing on how artistic praxes have shaped and influenced social dynamics and identity. Theorising sociocultural responses to military interventions, political instability and upheaval, this book delves into the concept of artistic praxis as a sociological tool. Including interviews with male and female Afghan artists, it explores their experiences and creations to contribute to a deeper understanding and constructions of society within the artistic ecologies in Afghanistan. This book explicates the nuances of gender conceptualisation in artistic expression. Challenging traditional and reductive depictions of masculinity, this book foregrounds feminisms and masculinity rooted in the contexts of the Global South. Filling a crucial gap in the limited literature on Afghan arts and artists, a section is devoted to the period since the Taliban take-over in August 2021. This book will be of importance to students and scholars
Methodology used to develop the minimum common data elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the MILitary (ROMMIL) statement
No full textBackgroundThe objective was to summarize the methodology used to reach consensus for recommended minimum data elements that should be collected and reported when conducting injury surveillance research in military settings. This paper summarizes the methodology used to develop the international Minimum Data Elements for surveillance and Reporting of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the MILitary (ROMMIL) statement.MethodsA Delphi methodology was employed to reach consensus for minimum reporting elements. Preliminary steps included conducting a literature review and surveying a convenience sample of military stakeholders to 1) identify barriers and facilitators of military musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) prevention programs, 2) identify relevant knowledge/information gaps and 3) establish future research priorities. The team then led a sequential three-round Delphi consensus survey, including relevant stakeholders from militaries around the world, and then conducted asynchronous mixed knowledge user meeting to explore level of agreement among subject matter experts. Knowledge users, including former and current military service members, civil servant practitioners, and global-wide subject matter experts having experience with policy, execution, or clinical investigation of MSKI mitigation programs, MSKI diagnoses, and MSKI risk factors in military settings. For each round, participants scored each question on a Likert scale of 1-5. Scores ranged from No Importance (1) to Strong Importance (5).ResultsLiterature review and surveys helped informed the scope of potential variables to vote on. Three rounds were necessary to reach minimum consensus. Ninety-five, 65 and 42 respondents participated in the first, second and third rounds of the Delphi consensus, respectively. Ultimately, consensus recommendations emerged consisting of one data principle and 33 minimum data elements.ConclusionsAchieving consensus across relevant stakeholders representing military organizations globally can be challenging. This paper details the methodology employed to reach consensus for a core minimum data elements checklist for conducting MSKI research in military settings and improve data harmonization and scalability efforts. These methods can be used as a resource to assist in future consensus endeavors of similar nature.<br/