106 research outputs found
A biomechanical analysis of weightlifting pulling derivatives and their application to performance programming
No full textThe aims of the studies within this thesis were to determine if kinetics and kinematics differences occur between weightlifting pulling derivatives across loads, and to provide greater context regarding biomechanical time series data across loads. Additionally, another aim was to determine the effect of inter-repetition rest during these exercises and establish how they may be more effectively implemented into training programmes. The results of study 1 showed that the countermovement shrug (CMS) elicited greater kinetics and kinematics than the midthigh pull (MTP) across all loads (40-140% one repetition maximum [1-RM] power clean [PC]), highlighting greater acute outputs. Similarly, the results of study 2 demonstrated greater kinetic and kinematic outputs during the hang pull (HP), across all loads (40-140% 1-RM PC), compared to the pull from the knee (PFK), highlighting the benefits of utilising the stretch shortening cycle. During the CMS (Study 3) and HP (Study 4) statistical parametric mapping was used to establish where differences exist across the entire movement, in addition to peak and mean values. Results indicated greater negative velocity at heavier loads early in the unweighting phase, and greater positive velocity at lower loads during the last 13-16% of the movement. At higher loads, the braking and propulsive phases commence at an earlier percentage of the time-normalised movement, and the total absolute durations increase with load. Study 5 was performed to examine the effect of rest redistribution (RR) on kinetics, kinematics and perceptual effort during the CMS and determined that there were no differences in kinetics and kinematics compared to traditional set (TS) configurations. Lastly, Study 6 was performed to determine the effects of RR on the kinetics, kinematics and perceptual effort during HP and showed that RR protocols did not result in greater kinetics or kinematics during the HP compared to TS, however performing 6x3 (RR72) appears to be a better in maximising velocity compared to RR protocol compared to 9x2 (RR45). The findings across the six studies provide practitioners with: 1) a greater insight into the acute differences between the MTP vs. CMS and PFK vs. HP, which may aid in exercise selection; 2) a greater understanding of how load affects the time-normalised waveform during the CMS and HP, using statistical parametric mapping, and where differences lie outside peak values; 3) RR protocols did not result in greater kinetics or kinematics during the CMS compared to TS, when total rest time was equated, likely due to the limited barbell displacement not resulting in a decline in performance during the TS.Keywords: Weightlifting pulling derivatives, rest redistribution, sports performance; time normalisatio
Increasing staff performance on naturalistic teaching strategies using video modeling
No full textThe purpose of this study was to train staff on implementing naturalistic teaching strategies to present learning opportunities within the context of play using video modeling. Two different types of video modeling were compared; the videos either demonstrated what therapists should do or what they should not do. Six participants were randomly assigned to watch each type of video. Participants who did not meet the mastery criterion after viewing the first video were presented with the other video modeling. If they still did not meet the criterion, feedback was presented. Results indicated that both types of video modeling and feedback were required for four participants. One participant met the criterion after watching the correct video modeling while another participant met the criterion after watching both types of video modeling without feedback. Implications of video modeling and feedback are discussed
The Effect of Load on Subphase Analysis During the Hang Pull.
No full textMeechan, D, McErlain-Naylor, SA, Phua, Juan Peng, and Comfort, P. The effect of load on subphase analysis during the hang pull. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-The effect of load on temporally aligned time-series data has yet to be investigated during weightlifting derivatives. Such data may provide greater insight regarding any differences in stimulus between relative loads during each phase. This study compared the effect of load on the force-time and velocity-time curves during the hang pull (HP). Twenty-seven males performed the HP at relative loads of 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140% one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (PC). A force plate measured the vertical ground reaction force, which calculated the barbell-lifter system velocity. Time-series were time-normalized to 101 data points (0-100% of the movement duration) via piecewise linear length normalization of the individual phases (unweighting, braking, propulsion) and assessed via statistical parametric mapping. Relative loads of 40% 1RM PC maximized propulsion velocity, whereas 140% 1RM maximized force. Statistical parametric mapping analysis showed greater force at 140% 1RM PC throughout 55-100% of total movement duration compared with all loads, with greater propulsion velocity at lighter loads during the propulsion phase (79-100% of the movement) for all loads, with greater negative velocity at 140% 1RM PC compared with 60 and 100% 1RM PC during late unweighting/early braking phase (32-54% of the movement). Braking, propulsion, and total absolute durations increased with load. It may be appropriate to prescribe the HP during a maximal strength and strength-speed mesocycle given the ability to use supramaximal loads. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Ilastik project for Platynereis chromatin segmentation
No full textIlastik project & associated images used for chromatin segmentation in the publication Whole-body integration of gene expression and single-cell morphology. For details on how this project was used see: https://github.com/platybrowser/platybrowser-backend/tree/master/mmpb/segmentation/chromatin
Ilastik - https://www.ilastik.org/ - Berg, S., Kutra, D., Kroeger, T. et al. ilastik: interactive machine learning for (bio)image analysis. Nat Methods 16, 1226–1232 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-019-0582-
Modeling the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating ryegrass-induced asthma exacerbation
No full textAcute severe asthma exacerbations account for most the life-threatening events of this disorder and are the major healthcare cost related to disease burden. Thunderstorm asthma is an event that triggers a severe acute exacerbation of asthma and is mostly associated with exposure to allergens from Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The incidence of thunderstorm asthma is worldwide, and episodes are so rapid and severe. They have the potential to overwhelm the healthcare system. Current therapies (e.g., new type 2 biologics) for asthma indicates that individuals with different phenotypes may require specific treatments. The mainstay therapies (steroids and bronchodilators) and biological treatments for asthma may not always be effective in treating all exacerbations due to the type of trigger and subsequent nature of the exaggerated inflammatory response driving the exacerbation. In this study I have developed a mouse model of an acute ryegrass induced exacerbation of asthma to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the thunderstorm asthma to evaluate current/potential novel therapies. We intraperitoneally sensitized and intranasally challenged the BALB/c mice with ryegrass, followed by an intratracheal provocation with ryegrass or PBS. The exacerbation model mimics clinical observations in thunderstorm patients in which only sensitized subjects are affected and the peak response occurs immediately after the allergen exposure. We showed that ryegrass exposure to the lower respiratory tract augmented the release of epithelial-derived IL-33, production of type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and inflammatory cell infiltration characterized by pronounced eosinophilia, and induction of AHR and mucus hypersecretion. We observed both IL-13+ ILC2 and IL-13+ Th2, the key players in type 2 inflammation, in the exacerbation cellular infiltrates. ILC2 depletion using ICOS-T mice/diphtheria toxin and CD4+ T cells depletion using anti-CD4 antibody revealed that Th2 but not ILC2 were critical for type 2 inflammation and pathophysiological features of disease. Targeting the upstream (initiator) of the type 2 pathway by using anti-IL-33 monoclonal antibody (mAb) attenuated disease reducing AHR, numbers of BALF eosinophils/total inflammatory cells, gene expression of IL-33, IL-4, IL13, CCL24, CCL7, Arg1, IL-6, TNF-α, and the number of mucus-producing cells. Anti-IL-13 mAb also reduced AHR, BALF eosinophils/total inflammatory cells and mucus-producing cells. A steroid medication, dexamethasone (DEX) reduced AHR, numbers of BALF eosinophil and mucus-producing cells, however, type 2/inflammatory gene expression (e.g., IL-13 and IL-6) was not suppressed. We found that IL-13+ eosinophils numbers could be suppressed by DEX, by contrast IL-13+ Th2 levels might be partially responsive to DEX, while the levels of IL-13+ ILC2 were steroid-resistant. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with asthma and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed during the thunderstorm asthma seasons. We fed mice a vitamin D deficient diet before the allergen treatment to investigate the link between vitamin D deficiency and rye-induced features of thunderstorm asthma. We found that vitamin D deficiency alone could induce type 2-skewed immune response. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency during ryegrass-induced asthma exacerbation accentuated IL-33-induced type 2 airway inflammation and pathophysiological features of disease
Barriers and catalysts to sound financial management systems in small sized enterprises
No full textThis study focused upon the role, function and scope of the financial management systems operating in the small business sector of the economy. The research sought to understand why in certain firms robust financial systems exist whereas in others they are seen to be weak. To this end the role of the accounting profession as it effects financial management systems was investigated. The study produced some interesting results. Bookkeeping systems adopted for financial accounting scored positively which may well be linked to the high preponderance of integrated computer systems adopted by firms. Management accounting systems did not score as well as financial accounting overall. Whilst smaller businesses were most likely to be dissatisfied with their management accounting systems, long established firms were as likely to be dissatisfied with their financial and management accounting systems than more recently established entities.</jats:p
The efficacy of Emla\uae and 5% lignocaine gel for anaesthesia of human gingival mucosa
No full textObjective: To compare the analgesic effect of a mixture of 2.5% lignocaine and 2.5% prilocaine (Emla\uae) with that of lignocaine gel alone for minor operations on the gingiva. Design: Randomized double-blind trial. Setting: Teaching hospital, UK. Subjects: 10 healthy dental students (7 men and 3 women, 20-21 years old). Interventions: Construction of a reservoir within a splint on each side of the mouth and insertion of splints. The volunteers acted as their own controls, and the sides used for each anaesthetic were chosen at random. Main outcome measures: Measurement of pressure-pain threshold by a standard technique. Results: The median (range) duration of anaesthesia after Emla (22.5, 12-30) was significantly longer than after lignocaine alone (12.5, 0-25) (P = 0.01), and the area under the curve for the pressure-pain threshold for Emla (2053, 199-4564) was significantly greater than for lignocaine alone (986, 169-2942) (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Emla is a more effective topical anaesthetic agent than lignocaine alone. Although its duration of action is relatively short it is adequate for minor operations on the gingiva
A comparison of the effect of two different dental local anaesthetic solutions on plasma potassium concentration
No full textRidge augmentation using mandibular tori
No full textA 19-year-old female was referred by her dental practitioner for the restoration of missing maxillary lateral incisors and canines. Ridge augmentation was required. This was undertaken using mandibular tori as the sites for harvesting bone. The grafting was successful and the spaces were subsequently restored using resin-bonded bridgework. The case reports that mandibular tori provide a local and convenient source of bone for ridge augmentation procedures
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