Five-minute Period Research Articles

A COMPARISON OF PEAK WORK RATES DURING SUPER SHOT AND NON-SUPER SHOT PERIODS IN PROFESSIONAL NETBALL PLAYERS

BACKGROUND Since its introduction, the super shot has been a critical period of play in the Australian domestic netball competition. Depending on their shot selection strategy, teams can increase their odds of outscoring oppositions during super shot periods. As a result, players are likely to complete more attacking and defensive actions, possibly increasing their workload. The purpose of this study was to quantify workload and make comparisons between i) super shot and non-supershot periods and ii) different player positions. METHODS Raw acceleration data (VX sport Log units Visuellex New Zealand) from 11 players across 14 matches was collected and used to calculate PlayerLoadTM. Quarters were split into three five-minute periods and player position for each period was reported. Data was only included if a player competed for a full five-minute period (n=1110). A rolling average was applied over 60 seconds to compare peak PlayerLoadTM values between periods and positions. A linear mixed effects model was used to determine the effect of the period and position on peak 60s PlayerLoadTM. Random intercepts were included for player and game, quarter was included as a random effect within game. RESULTS During super shot periods, peak values were significantly lower for GS compared to regular periods (model coefficient = 0.8, 95%CI = 0.02 to 1.59, P = 0.04). During super shot periods, GD and GK positions showed slightly higher peak values compared to regular periods, with model coefficients of -0.05 (95%CI = -1.20 to 0.327) and -0.21 (95%CI = -1.00 to 0.57) respectively. On the other hand, GA, WA, WD, and C positions exhibited lower peak values for super shot periods compared to regular periods. Results indicate that there are differences in peak workloads between positions during super shot periods. CONCLUSION Workload demands may be different between positions during super shot periods, this has implications for player conditioning.

No bones about it: The effect of chewing on cognition in dogs

No work to date has examined the possible enriching effect of chewing on cognition in dogs despite strong relationships shown in other species. In the current study we examined whether the provision of chew toys affected dogs performance on two memory tests and if this relationship was influenced by dogs fearfulness. Kenneled working dogs were assessed on a working memory and maze test on separate days directly after being provided with a chew toy for a five-minute period. We compared chewing audio, extracted from video footage taken during the chew period and quantified using a convolutional neural network (CNN), and fearfulness as measured by a validated behavioral survey (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire), to performance on each task. We found that in dogs with high levels of fearfulness, a higher frequency of chewing resulted in better working memory performance, while in dogs with low levels of fearfulness, a higher frequency of chewing resulted in poorer working memory performance. We also found that dogs with a higher maximum bite intensity displayed better performance on the maze test. These results are the first to suggest that chewing may have positive benefits on cognition in dogs and that this relationship may be pronounced in dogs with high fearfulness.

Soundscape diversity: Evaluation indices of the sound environment in urban green spaces – Effectiveness, role, and interpretation

Urban green space sound sources play an important role in providing people with high quality recreation experiences. However, the evaluation index for urban green space sound sources is still limited. The main purpose of this study is to propose indices for soundscape diversity in urban green spaces, compare soundscape diversity with acoustic diversity, and understand the role of soundscape diversity in urban green spaces. In our field investigation, the sound sources of 30 sample sites were recorded over a five-minute period, and the soundscape diversity index (SDI), soundscape richness index (SRI), soundscape dominance index (SDO), and soundscape evenness index (SEI) were calculated. The results showed that soundscape diversity indices are more suitable for the evaluation of urban green space sound diversity than acoustic diversity indices. There is a significant correlation between soundscape diversity and urban green space landscape patterns, and there is a varied relationship between soundscape diversity and sound perception in different urban green spaces. Soundscape diversity can be explained by existing objective acoustic indicators, which can explain 55% of SDI model variations, 71% of SRI model variations, 43% of SDO model variations, and 32% of SEI model variations. Soundscape diversity can be applied to future urban green space planning and acoustic environment design.

How farmland birds react to traffic noise?

The effect of vehicle noise on farmland birds living in the vicinity of very busy roads was investigated. The study was conducted on two plots of crop fields located near national roads Nr. 12 and 19, the most important trunk roads in Poland and the eastern part of the Europe. The results of the current study are of wide relevance because crop fields are the dominant landscape type in both Poland and Europe. The conservation of the animals, including birds, living in such habitats is a priority issue in view of the strong pressure from human activities and the intensification of agriculture. The fieldwork was carried out in monthly from April to June 2020 and included counting birds in three rows of listening-observation points situated at 50, 150 and 250 m from the roads. At each observation point, all farmland and meadow birds seen and heard during a five-minute period were recorded, as was the maximum ambient noise level during this time. With increasing distance from the roads, the level of noise decreased while the number of individual birds and observed species increased. Most of the birds recorded, like skylark, lapwing, whinchat, yellowhammer, meadow pipit, pheasant, and common quail, avoided the vicinity of the roads. In contrast, the abundant yellow wagtail appeared to be insensitive to traffic noise and was evenly distributed over the two study plots. The roads and their associated traffic noise had a negative impact over a distance of about 100 m. At that distance, noise levels above 53–60 dB led to sharp falls in bird densities. Bird mortality due to collisions with vehicles was low because noise combined with the lack of attractive roadside habitats effectively deterred birds from the vicinity of the roads.

The effects of allogrooming and social network position on behavioural indicators of stress in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)

Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual’s stress levels, which may be influenced by their role in the grooming dyad, position in their social network, or their relationship with their grooming partner. In this study of seven captive adult female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in a mixed sex group at Chester Zoo, UK, we found evidence to support a tension-reduction function of allogrooming. Focal animal sampling showed that the duration of self-directed behaviour (SDB), which indicates moderate to high levels of stress, was significantly lower in the five-minute period following allogrooming than the five-minute period preceding it for both recipients and groomers. However, when compared to match-control periods, both SDB rates and durations were significantly lower across all individuals in the five-minute period both before and after allogrooming, indicating that although allogrooming reduces stress, it is also more likely to occur when individuals are already in a relatively relaxed state. The rate and duration of SDB post-grooming did not correlate with the strength of a dyad’s bond (based on proximity). This suggests that it is the act of allogrooming itself, rather than the identity of the partner, that reduces stress for both parties. Analysis of the proximity network highlighted a clear cost to social integration; node strength, a measure of the number and strength of an individual’s direct relationships, positively correlated with the duration of self-directed behaviour, suggesting that more gregarious individuals may experience higher levels of stress. These findings add to the growing body of literature that examines the effect of the individual social environment on primate stress levels, and also highlight the need to further investigate the link between social integration and the stress experienced by group-living animals.

Change of Direction Frequency Off the Ball: New Perspectives in Elite Youth Soccer

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of change of directions (COD) and examine the influences of position, leg dominance and anthropometrics on COD in elite youth soccer match play. Twenty-four elite male English Premier League (EPL) academy players (19.0 ± 1.9 years) were individually recorded during ten competitive U18s and U23s matches. Video footage of individual players was analysed using a manual notation system to record COD frequency, direction, estimated angle and recovery time. The influences of position, anthropometrics and leg dominance were accounted for. Elite youth soccer players performed on average 305 ± 50 CODs with on average 19.2 ± 3.9 seconds of recovery. Frequency of CODs were independent of position, leg dominance, anthropometry and occurred equally between left and right direction and forwards and backwards direction. CODs were mostly ≤90° (77%) and there were significantly less CODs in the 2nd half (-29, ES = 1.23, P<0.001). The average and peak within match demands within 15 and five-minute periods were 49 and 62 CODs, and 16 and 25 CODs respectively. This study is the first to illustrate COD frequencies of elite youth soccer match play, providing practitioners guidance to prepare soccer players for competitive match demands.

Assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic foot: correlations with endothelial dysfunction indices and markers of adipo-inflammatory dysfunction

BackgroundSome studies have suggested that patients with diabetes and foot complications have worse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk profiles, higher degrees of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness and a higher inflammatory background than patients with diabetes without diabetic foot complications. Patients with diabetes mellitus have an alteration in the sympathovagal balance as assessed by means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, which is also related to the presence of endothelial dysfunction. Other studies suggest a possible role of inflammation coexisting with the alteration in the sympathovagal balance in favor of the atherosclerotic process in a mixed population of healthy subjects of middle and advanced age.AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of alteration of sympathovagal balance, assessed by HRV analysis, in a cohort of patients with diabetes mellitus with diabetic foot and in control subjects without diabetic foot compared with a population of healthy subjects and the possible correlation of HRV parameters with inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction indices.MethodsWe enrolled all patients with diabetic ulcerative lesions of the lower limb in the Internal Medicine with Stroke Care ward and of the diabetic foot outpatient clinic of P. Giaccone University Hospital of Palermo between September 2019 and July 2020. 4-h ECG Holter was performed. The following time domain HRV measures were analyzed: average heart rate, square root of the mean of successive differences of NN (RMSSD), standard deviation or square root of the variance (SD), and standard deviation of the means of the NN intervals calculated over a five-minute period (SDANN/5 min). The LF/HF ratio was calculated, reactive hyperemia was evaluated by endo-PAT, and serum levels of vaspine and omentin-1 were assessed by blood sample collection.Results63 patients with diabetic foot, 30 patients with diabetes and without ulcerative complications and 30 patients without diabetes were enrolled. Patients with diabetic ulcers showed lower mean diastolic blood pressure values than healthy controls, lower MMSE scores corrected for age, lower serum levels of omentin-1, lower RHI values, higher body weight values and comparable body height values, HF% and LF/HF ratio values. We also reported a negative correlation between the RHI value and HRV indices and the expression of increased parasympathetic activity (RMSDD and HF%) in subjects with diabetic foot and a statistically significant positive correlation with the LF/HF ratio and the expression of the sympathovagal balance.DiscussionPatients with diabetic foot show a higher degree of activation of the parasympathetic system, expressed by the increase in HF values, and a lower LF/HF ratio. Our findings may corroborate the issue that a parasympathetic dysfunction may have a possible additive role in the pathogenesis of other vascular complications in subjects with diabetic foot.

Causes of arterial hypotension during anesthetic induction with propofol investigated with perfusion index and ClearSightTM in young and elderly patients.

Mechanism underlying the hypotension during anesthetic induction in elderly patients is inferred to differ from that in younger patients due to structural changes in arteries. The aim of the study was to determine if a decrease in cardiac output (CO) or systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is the main mechanism of the hypotension. Fifty-six patients comprising 28 healthy elderly patients aged 75-90 years (group E) and 28 healthy younger patients aged 20-40 years (group Y) were enrolled. General anesthesia was induced with propofol (1.2 mg/kg, group E; 2 mg/kg, group Y), remifentanil (0.15 µg/kg/min, group E; 0.3 µg/kg/min, group Y) and rocuronium. Primary outcome was to compare serial changes in PI of Radical-7TM, SVR, CO and stroke volume variations (SVV) of ClearSightTM (Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Irvine, CA, USA) during the five-minute period from propofol administration until intubation. The degree of increase in PI and reduction in SVR in group Y were significantly greater than those in group E (P<0.01 with repeated measure ANOVA). The degree of reduction in CO and increase in SVV were significantly larger in group E (P<0.01). All values of mean arterial blood pressure measured during the five-minute correlated negatively with PI in group Y (r=0.44, P<0.01) and positively with CO in group E (r=0.4, P<0.01). The main mechanisms of hypotension during anesthetic induction contribute to the decrease in CO in elderly and reduction of SVR in younger. PI only shows the vascular tone of a finger but can be a surrogate for SVR.

When does risk outweigh reward? Identifying potential scoring strategies with netball's new two-point rule.

Changing rules to promote scoring through more 'high-risk' play has become common in team sports. Australia's national netball league (i.e. Suncorp Super Netball) has recently taken this approach-introducing a two-point shooting rule. Teams will be awarded two-points for shots made from an 'outer circle' 3.0m-4.9m from the goal in the final five minutes of quarters. We sought to answer a series of questions regarding the implementation and potential strategies surrounding the two-point rule in Suncorp Super Netball. We used video coded data from the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball season to identify the total number of made and missed shots from different distances across the season. We also used shooting statistics from recent Fast5 Netball World Series (a competition with a two-point shooting rule already in place) as a comparator. The reward of two-points is relatively well-aligned to the relative risk of missing shots from the proposed outer versus inner circle (2.22 [1.98, 2.48 95% CIs]) based on existing shooting data from Suncorp Super Netball teams. We found that the relative risk of missing shots from 'long-' (i.e. 3.5m-4.0m) versus 'mid-range' (i.e. 3.0-3.5m) was only slightly elevated (1.52 [1.21, 1.86 95% CIs])-suggesting teams should favour long- over mid-range shots when the two-point shot is available. Based on the typical number of shots a team receives in a five-minute period, we found that teams may be able to score ~3.51 extra points per quarter when taking all versus no-shots from the two-point outer circle. Analysis of the Fast5 versus Suncorp Super Netball data did, however, reveal that shooting accuracy from long-range may decrease when a two-point shot is available. Teams may need to consider situational factors (e.g. altered opposition defensive strategies) when developing their shooting strategy for taking advantage of the two-point shot.

Reliable Detection of Atrial Fibrillation with a Medical Wearable during Inpatient Conditions.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and has a major impact on morbidity and mortality; however, detection of asymptomatic AF is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of non-invasive AF detection by a medical wearable. In this observational trial, patients with AF admitted to a hospital carried the wearable and an ECG Holter (control) in parallel over a period of 24 h, while not in a physically restricted condition. The wearable with a tight-fit upper armband employs a photoplethysmography technology to determine pulse rates and inter-beat intervals. Different algorithms (including a deep neural network) were applied to five-minute periods photoplethysmography datasets for the detection of AF. A total of 2306 h of parallel recording time could be obtained in 102 patients; 1781 h (77.2%) were automatically interpretable by an algorithm. Sensitivity to detect AF was 95.2% and specificity 92.5% (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) 0.97). Usage of deep neural network improved the sensitivity of AF detection by 0.8% (96.0%) and specificity by 6.5% (99.0%) (AUC 0.98). Detection of AF by means of a wearable is feasible in hospitalized but physically active patients. Employing a deep neural network enables reliable and continuous monitoring of AF.

Snacking on Whole Almonds for Six Weeks Increases Heart Rate Variability during Mental Stress in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cardiac autonomic regulation can be indirectly measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Low HRV, which can be induced by mental stress, is a predictor of risk of sudden cardiac death. Few studies have investigated cause-and-effect relationships between diet and HRV. Nut consumption is associated with CVD risk reduction, but the impact on HRV, particularly in response to stress, is unclear. Men and women (30–70 y) with above average risk of developing CVD were randomly assigned in a 6-week randomized, controlled, parallel arm trial to consume either whole almond or isocaloric control snacks (20% of daily estimated energy requirement). Control snacks contained the average nutrient profile of UK snacks. Five-minute periods of supine heart rate (HR) and HRV were measured at resting and during mental stress (Stroop color-word test) at baseline and six weeks. High frequency (HF) power, which reflects parasympathetic regulation of HR, was increased following almonds during the mental stress task relative to control (mean difference between groups 124 ms2; 95% CI 11, 237; p = 0.031, n = 105), but other indices were unaffected. Snacking on whole almonds instead of typical snacks may reduce risk of CVD partly by ameliorating the suppression of HRV during periods of mental stress.

Effect of Left and Right Nostril Breathing on Heart Rate Variability among Healthy Adult Males: A Cross-sectional Study

The effects of various breathing manoeuvres on autonomic functions, especially those of alternate nostrilbreathing and single nostril breathing have been well documented.1,2,3,4 However, most of the studies haveinvestigated these effects after practiced breathing manoeuvres,5,6,7 and few have looked into the immediateeffects of such types of breathing. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of asingle session of single nostril breathing, first right nostril and then left nostril, on the various time andfrequency domain parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and to compare these effects with that of HRVduring normal breathing.Sixty male volunteers (age range, 20 to 40 years) were assessed. Electrocardiography was conducted, usingstandard procedure, under controlled laboratory conditions, for three five-minute periods: during breathingnormally through both nostrils, during the last five minutes of a twenty-minute session of breathing throughthe right nostril only and similarly while breathing through the left nostril only. The R-R intervals obtainedwere analyzed for HRV parameters and further analyzed using different statistical method.When compared to right nostril breathing, a statistically significant increase in mean R-R intervals was notedwith left nostril breathing (p = 0.009). Sympathetic activation with right nostril breathing was also evident,although statistically not found to be significant. A statistically significant higher SDNN with left nostrilbreathing as compared to both nostril breathing (p = 0.004) was also observed. Similarly, NN50 and pNN50were found to be significantly higher with left nostril breathing as compared to both nostril breathing (p =0.003 &amp; 0.007, respectively). However, RMSSD, LF power, HF power, LF norm, HF norm and LF/HF ratiowere not found to be statistically different for the three breathing manoeuvres.Thus our study showed an overall parasympathetic predominance, with an increase in total power of HRVwith left nostril breathing, but the minute variations of HRV were not found to be significantly differentamong the three breathing manoeuvres.

A Survey of Weaver-birds’ Crop-raiding Behavioral Activity in Buea Municipality, Southwest Region, Cameroon

The entire surface of the earth is visited by the birds in view of their aerial flights and variable habitats in search of suitable breeding and feeding grounds. Flight, intelligence, adaptability and sight are some of the attributes that add to the diversity in the life of birds, consequently there is complexity in their overall behavioral pattern. The key objective of this study was to assess the weaver-bird crop-raiding activity in Buea municipality on different environmental parameters. The study was undertaken for three months, six days in a week, from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Scan observations were made on birds’ activity on a five-minute interval period across the entire study area. Simultaneously, data was collected on the environmental conditions. The study recorded a significant association between weaver-bird activity on crop-land, X2 = 11.653 df=14, P < 0.005 and X2 = 3.441 df=4, P<0.05 respectively. There was weaver-bird activity frequency of 51.63%, 45.35%, and 3.02% for Ploceus luteolus, Ploceus cuculatus, and Ploceus melanocephalus respectively. Moreover, a week association between bird activity and weather, X2 = 3.125 df=3, P<0.05 was recorded. The sunny and cloudy weather conditions recorded 53.26%, and 42.09% respectively, while the windy and rainy weather conditions were significantly low (3.26%). An association was recored between atmospheric conditions and weaver-birds’ activity on crops, X2 = 23.249 df=21, P<0.05. In addition, the most destroyed farms were Elaeis guineensis (32.33%), Saccharum officinarum (19.77%), Zea mays (17.44%), and Mangifera indica (15.58%) respectively, and the scale of destruction was very prominent on the foliage used by the birds for nest-building. Maize crops and oil-palms were among the crop species most subjected to destruction by birds. These crops were observed with poor foliage formation and fruits, consequently they withered, and since the local farming population in this municipality predominantly cultivate these crops most, a heavy toll is often taken on the annual farmers’ income.

Exploration of the Impact of Brief Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation on EEG and Event-Related Potentials

The primary objective of this study was to explore the impact of noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) on brain electrophysiology, as assessed through spontaneous resting-state EEG and stimulus-driven event-related potentials (ERPs). A hand-held transcutaneous stimulator was placed on the neck over the main branch of the left vagus (active condition) or more laterally over neck muscles (sham condition), with two 120-sec long bursts of stimulation applied over a five-minute period. For each of eight neurotypical subjects, prior to stimulation, and then again beginning at 15, 120, and 240 min post-stimulation, ten minutes of background EEG data were collected, along with a series of ERPs-N100 auditory sensory-gating; the N1/P2 loudness dependent auditory evoked responses (LDAER); mismatch negativity; P300a; and P300b. Each subject participated in active and sham stimulation sessions. Brief nVNS had a significant (p < 0.05), and in some cases prolonged (>2 hours), impact on the spontaneous EEG (decreased theta and alpha, and increased beta and gamma), and on sensory gating, LDAER, and P300b evoked responses. Based on prior literature, these specific observations may reflect nVNS-induced modulation of particular neurotransmitter systems including those for GABA (gamma power and frequency); acetylcholine (sensory gating); serotonin (LDAER); and noradrenaline (P300b). Brief nVNS leads to changes in a sub-set of resting-state and event-related electrophysiologic indices of brain activity. These changes are believed to be mediated by vagal afferent projections to the nucleus of the solitary tract, which in turn regulates several neurotransmitter systems through known direct and indirect neuroanatomic pathways.

Analysing the dynamic influence of US macroeconomic news releases on Turkish stock markets

We investigate the effects of macroeconomic announcements made in the United States on trading activity of stocks listed in Borsa Istanbul. The influence of these releases on the selected variables are an important source of information for market participants. Results show a clear negative impact on weighted bid, ask and mid-prices in the five-minute period post-release. Available liquidity measured by pending orders in limit order book decreases with the news arrival. These results present implications for market dynamics and signal that liquidity consumption (through market orders) largely dominates liquidity provision (through limit orders) in the five-minute period following the release.

Analysing the Dynamic Influence of US Macroeconomic News Releases on Turkish Stock Markets

We investigate the effects of macroeconomic announcements made in the United States on trading activity of stocks listed in Borsa Istanbul. The influence of these releases on the selected variables are an important source of information for market participants. Results show a clear negative impact on weighted bid, ask and mid-prices in the five-minute period post-release. Available liquidity measured by pending orders in limit order book decreases with the news arrival. These results present implications for market dynamics and signal that liquidity consumption (through market orders) largely dominates liquidity provision (through limit orders) in the five-minute period following the release.

Efeito fotossenssibilizador in vitro da violeta de genciana na terapia fotodinâmica sobre Candida albicans

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a ação do corante violeta de genciana, in vitro, sobre Candida albicans, isolado ou como fotossensibilizante, em comparação ao azul de metileno na Terapia Fotodinâmica. Foi uma pesquisa experimental com abordagem quantitativa. A linhagem de Candida albicans ATCC 1106 foi inoculada obtendo-se um overnight de 1,37x104 UFC/ml. Foram adicionados 50µl da suspensão fúngica (overnight) em 18,0ml de caldo Saboraud. A esse conjunto foi adicionado o 0,2ml do corante da violeta genciana a 1%, foi plaqueado, esperou-se o tempo de pré-irradiação de 5 minutos e aplicou-se o laser vermelho. A dose aplicada foi de 100J/cm², com energia total de 3J, depois foram subcultivadas a 37°C em caldo Saboraud por 1 hora. Após este período, uma alíquota de 1,0 ml foi diluída em 9,0ml de solução salina 0,85% esterilizada. 0,1 ml dessa diluição foi plaqueada e semeada em ágar saboraud. As placas, em triplicata, foram incubadas em estufa para microrganismos a 37°C, e após 48h foi feita a contagem das UFCs/ml. Além da violeta genciana a 1% combinada ao laser, foram analisados os grupos: azul de metileno a 1% associado ao laser, azul de metileno a 1%, violeta genciana a 1%, e o laser sem adição de corantes. As análises foram realizadas no software IBM SPSS (21.0), utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis (Mann-Whitney) e o teste de Friedman (Wilcoxon), adotando-se um nível de significância de α=5%. Como resultado observou-se que a violeta genciana a 1% associada ao laser tem efeito importante contra Candida albicans na terapia fotodinâmica.

Effect of position and positive pressure ventilation on functional residual capacity in morbidly obese patients: a randomized trial.

In morbidly obese patients, the position and ventilation strategy used during pre-oxygenation influence the safe non-hypoxic apnea time and the functional residual capacity (FRC). In awake morbidly obese volunteers, we hypothesized that the FRC would be higher after a five-minute period of positive pressure ventilation compared with spontaneous ventilation at zero inspiratory pressure. Using a prospective crossover randomized trial design, obese subjects underwent, in a randomized order, a combination of one of three positions, supine (S), beach chair (BC), and reverse Trendelenburg (RT), and one of two ventilation strategies, spontaneous ventilation at zero inspiratory pressure (ZEEP-SV) or with positive pressure (PP-SV) set to an inspiratory pressure of 8 cmH2O, positive end-expiratory pressure of 10 cmH2O, and fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.21. Seventeen obese volunteers with a mean (standard deviation; SD) body mass index of 50 (8) kg·m-2 were included. Mean (SD) FRC in the three positions (S, BC, RT) was significantly higher using PP-SV compared with ZEEP-SV [2571 (477) vs 2215 (481) mL, respectively; mean difference, 356; 95% confidence interval (CI), 209 to 502; P < 0.001]. Mean (SD) FRC was significantly higher in the RT compared with BC position [2483 (521) vs 2338 (469) mL, respectively; mean difference, 145; 95% CI, 31 to 404; P = 0.01], while there was no difference between S and BC [2359 (519) mL vs 2338 (469) mL, respectively; mean difference, 21; 95% CI, -93 to 135; P = 0.89]. In awake morbidly obese volunteers, an increase in the FRC is observed when spontaneous ventilation at zero inspiratory pressure is switched to positive pressure. Compared with S positioning, the BC position had no measurable impact on the FRC. The RT position resulted in an optimal FRC. clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02121808). Registered 24 April 2014.

Relationship between chorusing activity and number of oviposition events in the Otton frog

Abstract Call surveys are an effective technique for detecting the presence and activity of breeding male frogs. Such surveys have been used to quantify breeding activity at a site under the assumption that male chorusing activity appropriately reflects breeding consequences, such as the number of oviposition events. However, only a few studies have actually examined the relationship between chorusing activity and breeding consequences in the field. In this study, I examined the relationship between chorusing activity (the number of male calls recorded during a five-minute period every night) and the number of oviposition events (number of oviposited egg masses during the night) of the Otton frog, Babina subaspera, with regard to the time lag between calls and oviposition. I constructed nine generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to explain the number of oviposition events by chorusing activity on the same night and on nights 1 to 7 days before the oviposition events. The Akaike information criterion (AiC) of the GLMM was lowest when the number of calls from nights 2 days before the oviposition events was used, indicating that breeding consequences in Otton frogs reflect the chorusing activity of 2 days prior. This study shows that frog call surveys can be reliable tools with which to represent breeding activity at a site as long as the time lag between chorusing activity and breeding consequences is considered.

Thermal segregation of asphalt material in road repair

Abstract This paper presents results from a field study of asphaltic pavement patching operations performed by three different contractors working in a total of ten sites. It forms part of an ongoing research programme towards improving the performance of pothole repairs. Thermal imaging technology was used to record temperatures of the patching material throughout the entire exercise, from the stage of material collection, through transportation to repair site, patch forming, and compaction. Practical complications occurring during patch repairs were also identified. It was found that depending on the weather conditions, duration of the travel and poor insulation of the transported hot asphalt mix, its temperature can drop as high as 116.6 °C over the period that the reinstatement team travel to the site and prepare the patch. This impacting is on the durability and performance of the executed repairs. Cold spots on the asphalt mat and temperature differentials between the new hot-fill asphalt mix and existing pavement were also identified as poorly compacted areas that were prone to premature failure. For example, over the five-minute period, the temperature at one point reduced by 33% whereas the temperatures of nearby areas decreased by 65% and 71%. A return visit to the repair sites, three months later, revealed that locations where thermal segregation was noted, during the patching operation, had failed prematurely.