RSS 1.0Research from April 2016
This area brings together all research published after April 2016.
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Stiffness a coaches guide (Part 2): recommendations for testing and trainingAbstract: High levels of vertical, leg and joint stiffness are generally advantageous for short time span performance actions, with stiffness changes sensitive to training. Consequently it is vital to monitor stiffness changes in any training intervention designed to enhance stiffness. Measures of stiffness are often seen as too complex to be carried out as part of a training intervention, but this approach misses key adaptations which drive performance. Part 2 of this narrative review focuses on measurement methods that are accessable to coaches and how subsets of stiffness can be trained. To measure a structures stiffness there is a requirement for the force applied to and the corresponding change in length of a given structure (Hookes law). Vertical stiffness focuses on centre of mass (COM) displacement, rather then compression of the leg-spring seen in leg stiffness measurements. This makes leg stiffness a preferable measure, compared to vertical stiffness, if more horizontal movements are explored. However, leg stiffness will miss torso deviations in vertical actions and should not be used to replace COM deviation seen in vertical stiffness measures. Joint stiffness measures individual joint actions giving valuable insight into how joints impact system stiffness. Measures of stiffness require high technical knowledge and complex equipment, often beyond the scope of coaches. However, practical monitoring of stiffness can be relatively easly accumplished by tracking temporal and performance outcomes interactions reliably via readly available high sampling frequency phone apps. Enhancing stiffness has been achieved with isometric, eccentric, isotonic and plyometric training, frequently linked to higher intensity interventions, whether acute or chronic stiffness increases are required. Interventions must maximise force output without increasing ground contact or contraction time, while it is recommended to sequence structural, neural and coordinative-based objectives in any training intervention.
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Stiffness, a coaches guide (Part 1): underlying biomechanical conceptsAbstract: The general concept of the stretch and recoil of elastic tissue during ground contact, storing and releasing energy to enhance the propulsive phase of an action is well understood. However different stiffness measures are frequently used incorrectly and interchangably, leading to ineffective monitoring of stiffness changes, limiting the impact of training designed to enhance stiffness. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss how different structures react to ground contacts, how this behaviour can be modeled and how stiffness impacts performance. Hill’s three-compartment model highlights the need for tendon compliance and muscle stiffness in efficient force generation. However, this does not really explain slow stretch shortening cycle (SSC) actions, were both muscle and tendon stretch and recoil. Different models are used to describe a bodies ground impact behaviour, including the spring-mass model which describes centre of mass movement, the torsional spring model which describes leg fuction, with three torsional springs representing the ankle, knee and hip. These models generally link an increase in stiffness to an increase in performance in high intensity action, with vertical stiffness a predictor of high intensity sporting actions independent of sex, age or maturation. Leg stiffness initially increases with running velocity, before remaining constant at high running velocities. When joint function is reviewed ankle stiffness is linked to fast SSC actions, with knee stiffness linked to slow SSC actions. It is concluded that different measures of stiffness should not be used interchangably as different aspects of stiffness impact performance independantly.
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'A challenging but rewarding path': working with disability populationsThis chapter discusses the different aspects that we feel need to be considered. It starts by exploring the practical considerations which are often neglected when starting out working with disabled populations and then looks at both the physiological and psychosocial considerations which need to be made to make support provision more effective. Whilst, like all members of society, each individual will have different motivations, aspirations, and requirements it is perhaps not surprising that disabled populations may have more specific and challenging needs than their able-bodied counterparts. Therefore, there is a clear need for sport and exercise practitioners to, not only have the required knowledge and skills to be an effective support provider, but also gain a better understanding of the complex and highly individual needs of disabled populations in order to provide the best support possible. The aim being to provide real-life considerations that we feel are key to help practitioners when providing support to disabled populations.
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Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic position of Nurudea zhengii Ren (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae)Nurudea zhengii Ren was identified by aphid morphological characteristics as well as the gall shape and host plant species, and placed in the tribe Fordini (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Eriosomatinae). Here, its whole genome was firstly sequenced by a genome-skimming method and its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) was assembled to examine its genetic variation and phylogenetic position. The complete mitogenome of Nurudea zhengii is 15,392 bp in length, and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs and one D-loop region. The gene order follows the mitogenomes of the other Rhus gall aphids, and similarly has an AT bias with the content of 83.9%. The majority strand is A-skewed and C-skewed, and shows opposite skewness for G-skewed in the minority strands. The ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rates of protein-coding genes are lower than one except for ATP8, which indicated that ATP8 was undergoing positive selection. Phylogenetic analysis among the Rhus gall aphids based on 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes showed that N. zhengii was sister to N. shiraii, and then clustered with N. yanoniella as a group with high support value. The two species, N. shiraii and N. yanoniella, share the same host plant Rhus chinensis, while the host of N. zhengii is R. hypoleuca. However, the phylogenetic relationship indicated that the taxa sharing the same host plant were not absolutely clustered as the closest taxa at least at species level.
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Biomimetic moth‑eye structures fabricated by double‑exposure lithography using coplanar three‑beam laser interferenceThis study presents a coplanar three-beam laser interference lithography (LIL) method for fabricating biomimetic moth-eyestructures. The research delves into the mechanism of cross-scale two-periodic structure formation and devises a doubleexposure lithography approach based on coplanar three-beam interference to regulate the parameters of these structures. A comparison with microlens arrays of the same period reveals that the biomimetic moth-eye structure shows enhanced transmittance and a wider field of view, attributable to its internal nanoscale arrays. The contrast of diffracted light distribution between the two structures further validates that the unique structural features of the biomimetic moth-eye structure lead to a more uniform light distribution. This work offers a facile method for fabricating biomimetic moth-eye structures, holding potential applications in diverse optical domains, including high-efficiency optical sensors, anti-reflective coatings, and advanced imaging systems.
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Child and family social worker knowledge and skills: rapid evidence reviewThis report is based on a rapid evidence review of the knowledge and skills required by child and family social workers to improve outcomes for children and their families. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Exploring small-scale optimization coupling learning approaches for enterprises’ financial health forecastsThe financial health of leading enterprises has a significant impact on the sustainable development of the global economy. Most data-driven financial health forecasts are based on the direct use of small-scale machine learning. In this study, we proposed the idea of optimization coupling learning to improve these machine learning models in financial health forecasting. It not only revealed lagging, immediate, continuous impacts of various indicators in different fiscal year, but also had the same low computational cost and complexity as known small-scale machine learning models. We used our optimization coupling learning to investigate 3424 leading enterprises in China and revealed inner triggering mechanisms and differences of enterprises’ financial health status from individual behavior to macro level.
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Experimental study of a PH-CAES system: proof of conceptThis article presents the experimental results of a novel energy storage system that combines CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) with PHES (Pumped Hydro Energy Storage) technologies. As a reference, we called this system PH-CAES. In this alternative solution two storage tanks, the first with compressed air and the second with water, are separated by a valve. When electric power is required, the valve is opened and water flows to a Pelton turbine, which is coupled to an electric generator. Water from the Pelton turbine is discharged into a third tank. To store energy and recover the initial state, water is pumped back. We built a prototype to assess the PH-CAES performance, with focus on the power generation system. Experimental conversion efficiency was 45%, whilst the rational efficiency remained close to 30%. We also presented a discussion based on the second law of thermodynamics to show that there is a compromise between tanks exergies that maximizes the system performance. We also provide an operating map of this PH-CAES system to assist authors on new studies about this novel technology.
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Adiabatic compressed air energy storage systemsAdiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (ACAES) is a thermo-mechanical storage concept that utilizes separate mechanical and thermal exergy storages to transfer energy through time. In this document, a short technology evolution report is followed by a complete thermodynamic modelling, in which frequently used components are addressed under energy and exergy viewpoints. Then, the recent commercial CAES projects and future ACAES challenges have been investigated, resulting in several identified outstanding challenges still to overcome in order to establish ACAES position as a major contender as a large-scale energy storage system.
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Composing music with bio-technology: an intelligent algorithmic composition system using Physarum polycephalum-based memristorsComputer-assisted and automated composition systems often harness Artificial Intelligence models such as Markov chains, Neural Networks, and Genetic Algorithms to generate musical material. The field of Unconventional Computing (UC) explores non-digital ways of data storage, processing, input, and output. UC paradigms such as Biocomputing and Quantum Computing delve into domains beyond the binary bit to handle complex nonlinear functions. In this chapter, we explore harnessing the biological computing substrate Physarum polycephalum as a memristor to process and generate musical material within an algorithmic composition system. It details the journey and process of creating a piece of popular music using this novel technology, which we originally showcased at the New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME) conference in 2020. In this piece, entitled Creep into my Lawn, the Physarum polycephalum-based memristors act as creative collaborators in the composition process. Our work aims to demonstrate the potential of UC paradigms in creative applications and to disseminate this technology to non-experts and musicians so that they can incorporate it into their creative processes.
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Technologies of publishingEntry in Oxford Bibliographies in Victorian Literature
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What knowledge and skills do early career social workers need to practice effectively with children and families?There is an extensive literature base about the knowledge and skills required by social workers to work effectively with children and their families. However, making sense of how best to translate this into direct practice can be challenging, particularly when newly qualified. The paper is based on a wider rapid evidence assessment (REA) of the post-qualifying knowledge and skills required by early career social workers (ECSWs) to practice effectively with children and their families. The REA involved searching for relevant English language literature (2012–2023) in ASSIA, Social Care Online, SocINDEX and PsycInfo and specialist journals. However, it was soon apparent that the literature was not segmented by career stage and wider searches relating to knowledge and skills needed to be undertaken. In total, 51 papers were included for review. Studies identified were largely qualitative, exploring the knowledge and skills required through observations of direct practice and self-report studies from the perspectives of social workers and children and families themselves. Where knowledge and skills were identified, relationship building and good authority skills were associated with some improved outcomes for family members. The review presents findings through practice-near descriptions of what works to build early career expertise with children and their families.
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Differences in muscle activation and joint kinematics between deadlift styles when performed at high intensity training loadsThe purpose of this study was to compare the conventional (CDL), sumo (SDL) and hex-bar (HBD) deadlift actions at a high intensity training load across a wide range of leg and back muscles to explore which lift has the biggest impact on prime mover musculature. Twelve males (age: 19 ± 2 years; height: 1.81 ± 0.81 m; body mass: 85.64 ± 10.87 kg) performed 3 repetitions of HBD, CDL and SDL at a 90% 1RM intensity. Load lifted, EMG for the Erector Spinae Longissimus, Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Rectus Femoris, and Vastus Medialis and knee and hip range were compared via effect size magnitude of change. The EMG results showed a general pattern of greater muscle activity, considered a large effect, during the HBD compared to the CDL and SDL, possibly due to the greater absolute load lifted during the HBD. The only anomaly to this was greater EMG activity for the bicep femoris within the CDL compared to the HBD, large effect, and the SDL, moderate effect. This finding was attributed to the greater hip flexion seen in the start position for the CDL compared to other lifts. These findings suggest that the HBD would be the preferred deadlift technique for total muscle recruitment and load lifted for high intensity (90% 1RM) training regimes. However, the CDL would be the preferred lift if bicep femoris muscle activity were a specific targeted requirement.
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SSVEP-based brain–computer interface for music using a low-density EEG systemIn this paper, we present a bespoke brain–computer interface (BCI), which was developed for a person with severe motor-impairments, who was previously a Violinist, to allow performing and composing music at home. It uses steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) and adopts a dry, low-density, and wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) headset. In this study, we investigated two parameters: (1) placement of the EEG headset and (2) inter-stimulus distance and found that the former significantly improved the information transfer rate (ITR). To analyze EEG, we adopted canonical correlation analysis (CCA) without weight-calibration. The BCI for musical performance realized a high ITR of 37.59 ± 9.86 bits min−1 and a mean accuracy of 88.89 ± 10.09%. The BCI for musical composition obtained an ITR of 14.91 ± 2.87 bits min−1 and a mean accuracy of 95.83 ± 6.97%. The BCI was successfully deployed to the person with severe motor-impairments. She regularly uses it for musical composition at home, demonstrating how BCIs can be translated from laboratories to real-world scenarios.
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On growing computers from living biological cellsThe technology behind the computers, and all sorts of data processing devices pervading our daily lives, are underpinned by paradigms such as the Turing machine, the von Neumann architecture, the Harvard architecture, and so on, which were invented in the 1930 and 1940s (Rojas and Hashagen in The First Computers – History and Architectures, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA [29]; Soare in Turing Computability, Springer, Cham, Switzerland [33]). These paradigms are so successful that they still prevail in the design of today’s digital computers. We are interested in harnessing biological systems to build new kinds of processors for Artificial Intelligence, music and creativity. Our ambition is to develop electronic components, data processors and eventually full-fledged computers, with living organisms, such as bacteria and slime mould. This chapter focuses on the work that is being developed with slime mould at the University of Plymouth’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR). It tells the story a wild musical idea, born in 2009, and which resulted in the development of a biological processor that is capable of improvising music and doing Boolean logics.
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Detection for user impersonation attacks in mobile social networks based on high-order Markov chainsIn security defense of MSN (MSN), attackers often impersonate themselves as other users, making it difficult to detect network user attacks based on user behavior. Multi-order Markov chains can consider the front-to-back correlation of user behavior, thereby more accurately identifying disguised users. Therefore, this paper proposes a user impersonation attack detection method based on multi-order Markov chains. First, the relevance coefficient method is used to determine the order of the multi-order Markov chain, and by defining appropriate multi-order Markov chain states to capture key features in user behavior, a multi-order Markov chain is established. Then, through the multi-order Markov chain combined with Shell commands, the normal behavior profile of legitimate users is established, and based on this, the probability of occurrence of the state sequence is calculated to complete the detection of userimpersonation attacks. The experimental results show that the similarity between the results of the proposed method and the actual situation in detecting impersonation attacks is more than 97%, indicating that this method can detect MSN user impersonation attacks with high accuracy.
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'She didn't know what to do with me': the experience of seeking community mental health support after spinal cord injuryAdults with spinal cord injury in the UK do not currently have specialized access to SCI-informed community-based mental health support, despite their elevated risk of mental health decline. The lack of SCI-informed therapeutic support may increase the likelihood of mental health treatment failure. This study sought to qualitatively explore the experience of accessing, or attempting to access, generic (non-SCI-informed) mental health support when living with a spinal cord injury.
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True awareness of mental health remains in the shadow: an exploratory study on implementing mental health support in the workplaceMental health in the workplace is critical for employee engagement, productivity, and profitability. In India, only 0.09% of the 1.1 million registered companies have implemented Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for providing mental health support. This study leverages the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) framework to examine the multi-layered dimensions impacting the implementation of mental health activities in the corporate sector in emerging economies, such as India. For a qualitative study, interviews were conducted with thirty-six industry experts representing diverse sectors to glean insights into the implementation of EAPs. Our analysis indicates that while the advantages of EAPs in early detection, proactive support, and mental well-being are widely recognized in the selected Indian corporate environments, the implementation of EAPs is restricted by the cultural-specific barriers, as well as quantitative measure of ROI, among other factors. Our findings will inform practitioners and policymakers in designing tailored strategies to encourage successful EAP implementation in the Indian corporate sector.
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'Colorblind game' can enhances awareness of color blindnessThis study investigates whether awareness of color blindness can be enhanced through a virtual colorblind gaming experience. We conducted two user studies—one with undergraduates and one with working adults—using ‘colorblind’ color schemes in a digital game to explore whether such an experience enhances their assessment of their own knowledge about color blindness and awareness of its associated disadvantages in society, workplaces, and private life. The results with undergraduates showed increases in general, but not much in workplace disadvantages. In contrast, the results with working adults showed a significant improvement in the assessment of knowledge but not in other aspects. Thus, a virtual colorblind gaming experience can enhance awareness of color blindness, yet the interpretation of the experience may vary significantly depending on the players’ backgrounds.
