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Purpose: Non-contrast CT head scans provide rapid and accurate diagnosis of acute head injury; however, increased utilisation of CT head scans makes it difficult to prioritise acutely unwell patients and places pressure on busy emergency departments (EDs). This study validates an AI algorithm to triage patients presenting with Intracranial Haemorrhage (ICH) or Acute Infarct whilst also identifying a subset of patients as Normal, with the potential to function as a rule-out test. Methods: In total, 390 CT head scans were collected from 3 institutions in the UK, US and India. Ground-truth labels were assigned by 3 FRCR consultant radiologists. AI performance, as well as the performance of 3 independent radiologists, was measured against ground-truth labels. Results: The algorithm showed AUC values of 0.988 (0.978–0.994), 0.933 (0.901–0.961) and 0.939 (0.919–0.958) for ICH, Acute Infarct and Normal, respectively. Sensitivity/specificity for ICH and Acute Infarct were 0.988/0.925 and 0.833/0.927, respectively, compared to 0.907/0.991 and 0.618/0.977 for radiologists. AI rule-out of Normal scans achieved 0.93% negative predictive value (NPV) for the removal of 54.3% of Normal cases, compared to 86.8% NPV for radiologists. Conclusion: We show our algorithm can provide effective triage of ICH and Acute Infarct to prioritise acutely unwell patients. AI can also benefit clinical accuracy, with the algorithm identifying 91.3% of radiologist false negatives for ICH and 69.1% for Acute Infarct. Rule-out of Normal scans has huge potential for workload management in busy EDs, in this case removing 27.4% of all scans with no acute findings missed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding local community perceptions is an important first step in seeking ways to revitalize degraded urban streams. This research sought to understand community perceptions of the highly modified Parnamirim stream in the city of Recife, Brazil and to solicit perspectives on potential for revitalization of the stream before and after discussion of such possibilities using a photo-elicitation-based approach. Structured interviews were conducted with 167 residents situated close to the stream using three photographs of urban streams in various stages of modification and revitalization to prompt responses regarding preferences and opportunities for stream revitalization. While a majority of respondents overall indicated that the Parnamirim stream currently looks like a degraded stream (as depicted in one photograph), these perceptions generally matched the characteristics of the stream in their particular area of residence, indicating that people's perceptions are influenced by the quality of their immediate environment. However, after the brief discussion of urban stream revitalization practices, there was overall positive response for Parnamirim stream to become like the photograph of the revitalized stream shown to participants. Our findings point to the power and utility of the photo-elicitation method in terms of provoking emotional and cognitive responses to local environmental conditions and in promoting changed community perceptions of possible Parnamirim stream revitalization and its future potential. The potential for social desirability bias to influence community perceptions is acknowledged regarding the post-discussion preferences and comments regarding the potential for revitalization of Parnamirim stream. Nevertheless, the research demonstrates the value of engagement in discussion and ideas sharing with community members through the use of photo-elicitation and such approaches may represent an important first step in realizing urban stream revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Game demands of Elite Men's Gaelic Football (GF) are understudied and far from clear. This first study to investigate the performance outcomes for winners and losers in a complete Senior Inter-county championship (SFC) will analyse which characteristics of possession were more likely to lead to score. Possessions (n = 6,174) from all games in the 2016 SFC (n = 64) were analysed using Dartfish ConnectPlus 7.0. Wilcoxon signed-rank test identified statistical differences (p < 0.05) between 20 performance indicators for winning versus losing teams, while a binary logistic regression was used to model shot outcome in terms of process indicators; method of gaining possession, area possession is gained, number of passes and duration of each possession, on the outcome of the possession. Findings reveal winning teams had significantly more possessions, higher productivity and lower turnover rates than losers. Logistic regression highlighted that opposition kickouts, possession duration and area where possession commenced were associated with possession outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 2000 Gaelic Football clubs compete annually for the honour of playing in the All-Ireland club finals in Croke Park in front of up to 30,000 people. There are no published performance data for club level Gaelic football, despite evidence of considerable performance analysis activity. This study aims to establish benchmark profiles for Senior, Intermediate and Junior grade club Gaelic football and investigate which variables are most closely associated with winning. Data from all tiers of the Ulster club football championship of 2015 and 2016 (n = 48) were analysed using a range of validated operational definitions measuring 17 variables. Differences between winning and losing performance were tested using a Mann-Whitney U test. Across all grades, six variables proved significant (p < 0.05), three were directly related to scoring (points, number of scores and total score), the others related to the effective use of possession (possession: scores ratio; turnover rate and productivity (scores per possession)). Several others are specific to certain grades, and are directly linked to successful performance at that level. Our findings can be used by club coaches and analysts as comparable profiles for measuring team performance and targeting improvements associated with successful performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance indicators allow for the objective quantification of performance, however, limited PI research for professional rugby league exists. Therefore, this paper assessed 24 relative PIs (home value minus away) from all 27 rounds of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 European Super League seasons, collected by Opta, amounting to 567 matches. Backwards logistic (match outcome) and linear (points difference) regression models were used alongside exhaustive Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection decision trees to identify performance indicators (PIs) and key performance indicators. Teams had a higher chance of winning and would gain more points when they scored first (OR = 1.6,β = 2.4) and increased completed sets (OR = 1.2,β = 1.2) by one unit. Conversely, teams had a lower chance of winning when they increased scoots (OR = 0.9,β = −0.2). However, some PIs which were thought to be important (as identified by previous literature) were removed from the analysis thus calling into question the appropriateness of stepwise methods. Future research may consider utilising dimension reduction techniques when analysing large data-sets that encompass multiple variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to analyse the influencing factors of rebounding efficiency through observing position, activity and number of players struggling for rebounds. Rebounding situations were notated from all the games played by the best eight teams in Euroleague 2011/12. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used to demonstrate the differences between variables and logistic regression was employed to find the most influential factor which particularly determined whether a rebound was grabbed by an offensive or a defensive player. The efficiency of offensive performance from actions started with offensive rebounds was higher than from offenses after possession change. The higher efficiency appeared mainly in the higher shooting efficiency and the higher number of forced free throws. The number of offensive players participated in rebounding was identified as the most important factor that influenced the efficiency of offensive rebounding. However the most ideal offensive rebounding was found for the active participation of three players. The lack of boxing out in defence was often notated for the observed teams which contributed the effective offensive rebounding of guards and forwards. The results of the current research support the better understanding of effective offensive rebounding and allow working out a theoretically established offensive rebounding team strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effectiveness of different attacking profiles for elite hurling to establish if certain patterns can be used to improve performance. Every possession in play (n = 4260) in the 2015 Senior Inter-County Hurling competition (n = 28 games) was characterised using 6 variables; how possession was gained, start location, pass count, pass pattern, end location and outcome using NacSport Scout Plus. A binomial logistic regression comparing total shot count ( = 21.961,p < .001), total shot efficiency ( = 4.244,p = .050), shot count from play ( = 17.647,p < .001) and shot efficiency from play ( = 8.389,p = .009) between winning and losing teams, revealed these variables are significantly associated with winning. The additional key finding for coaches is: (1) the need to design one and two pass possession games to meet the current demands of the game, (2) teams that take the most shots win, therefore encourage players to shoot, (3) implying a high defensive press was shown to be an effective attacking strategy and (4) tier 2 teams can significantly improve their chances of winning by having an efficient free taker. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The physical demands and rally characteristics of elite-standard men’s squash have not been well documented since recent rule changes (scoring and tin height). This information is needed to design optimal training drills for physical conditioning provided here based on an analysis of movement and shot information. Matches at the 2010 (n = 14) and 2011 (n = 27) Rowe British Grand Prix were analysed. Rallies were split into four ball-in-play duration categories using the 25th (short), 75th (medium), 95th percentiles (long) and maximum values. Cohen’sdand chi-squared tests of independence evaluated effects of rally and rule changes on patterns of play. The proportion of long, middle and short shots was related to the duration of the rally with more shots played in the middle and front of the court in short rallies (phi = 0.12). The frequencies of shots played from different areas of the court have not changed after the adoption of new rules but there is less time available to return shots that reflect the attacking nature of match play for elite-standard men players. Aspiring and current elite-standard players need to condition themselves to improve their ability to cope with these demands using the ghosting patterns presented that mimic demands of modern match play. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Changes in water temperature can have important consequences for aquatic ecosystems, with some species being sensitive even to small shifts in temperature during some or all of their life cycle. While many studies report increasing regional and global air temperatures, evidence of changes in river water temperature has, thus far, been site specific and often from sites heavily influenced by human activities that themselves could lead to warming. Here we present a tiered assessment of changing river water temperature covering England and Wales with data from 2773 locations. We use novel statistical approaches to detect trends in irregularly sampled spot measurements taken between 1990 and 2006. During this 17-year period, on average, mean water temperature increased by 0.03 °C per year (±0.002 °C), and positive changes in water temperature were observed at 2385 (86%) sites. Examination of catchments where there has been limited human influence on hydrological response shows that changes in river flow have had little influence on these water temperature trends. In the absence of other systematic influences on water temperature, it is inferred that anthropogenically driven climate change is driving some of this trend in water temperature. © 2014 The Authors. Hydrological Processes published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most professional sports teams or individuals use some form of video analysis through a computer and software packages. However there is little research into the efficiency of match analysis systems, furthermore, the areas of human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence in match analysis systems have also been neglected. This paper therefore investigates the efficiency and ergonomics of selected squash match analysis systems. The three systems analysed were Focus X2 manual system using a mouse, Focus X2 Voice Interactive system and the SWEAT (Murray and Hughes, 2001) system using keyboard data entry. The systems were analysed, Nmatches=4 each, in real time match analysis and lapsed time. The study investigated data inputs per minute and analysis time, in lapsed time analysis. Whereas in real time analysis the paper examined the analysis times, errors made, error corrections, error correction times and total analysis time. A percentage difference calculation was used to perform an intra-operator reliability investigation in real time analysis and lapsed time analysis, overall highest errors being 3.9%, which were deemed satisfactory. It was found that the Focus X2 manual system was the most efficient in both lapsed time and real time analysis, further research should include an analysis of the movements and energy expended in human computer interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velocities and distances covered by players during competition serve as a basis for planning fitness regimes according to the specific demand of the sport. The techniques used to calculate these movement parameters have ranged from human judgements to technological solutions such as GPS and computer vision. This paper evaluates the accuracy of a computerized motion tracking system (SAGIT/Squash) that uses computer vision methods on video captured via a fixed single camera located centrally above the court. Digital images were processed automatically with operator supervision so that any tracking errors could be rectified and manual tagging of all shots added. Four separate experiments were used to assess the error associated with tracking adult players' velocities and positions with respect to the court floor. Experiment 1 involved players standing still in different areas of the court. The tracking software was found to be more accurate when a player was stood in the centre of the court (1.33 m · min-1 error) than in the corners (2.61 m · min-1 error), predominately due to systematic errors (e.g. calibration). Experiment 2 was conducted in the same manner as Experiment 1 except that the players vigorously swung a racket around their body continuously. This resulted in 15 times the error found in Experiment 1 for the distance covered during 1 min. However, this is an unrealistic estimate of the true error when assessing matches, as during matches the racket is only swung approximately 35% of the time. Experiment 3 involved a player running at different speeds around a rectangular path on the court. The resultant trajectory, as captured by the software, was compared using different Gaussian smoothing equations of kernel widths 0.25 s, 0.5 s, and 1 s. The best solution (0.5 s) resulted in the most accurate trajectory, although the difference in distance calculated between the different equations was negligible. Experiment 4 used the 0.5-s smoothing equation to assess the tracking accuracy for a player running at a relatively steady speed in a more realistic circular trajectory. The trajectory of the pixel image was shown to have a smaller radius than the reference trajectory at increased speeds, due to the tendency of the player to lean over when negotiating a circular path. The error associated with the distance covered over 1 min was shown to range between 1.33 and 21 m depending on the nature and position of the player's movements. Values, typically somewhere in this range, are likely to be evident during typical use of this software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper describes and analyses Rwanda's science-based health product 'innovation system', highlighting examples of indigenous innovation and good practice. We use an innovation systems framework, which takes into account the wide variety of stakeholders and knowledge flows contributing to the innovation process. The study takes into account the destruction of the country's scientific infrastructure and human capital that occurred during the 1994 genocide, and describes government policy, research institutes and universities, the private sector, and NGOs that are involved in health product innovation in Rwanda. Methods: Case study research methodology was used. Data were collected through reviews of academic literature and policy documents and through open-ended, face-to-face interviews with 38 people from across the sciencebased health innovation system. Data was collected over two visits to Rwanda between November - December 2007 and in May 2008. A workshop was held in Kigali on May 23rd and May 24th 2009 to validate the findings. A business plan was then developed to operationalize the findings. Results and discussion: The results of the study show that Rwanda has strong government will to support health innovation both through its political leadership and through government policy documents. However, it has a very weak scientific base as most of its scientific infrastructure as well as human capital were destroyed during the 1994 genocide. The regulatory agency is weak and its nascent private sector is ill-equipped to drive health innovation. In addition, there are no linkages between the various actors in the country's health innovation system i.e between research institutions, universities, the private sector, and government bureaucrats. Conclusions: Despite the fact that the 1994 genocide destroyed most of the scientific infrastructure and human capital, the country has made remarkable progress towards developing its health innovation system, mainly due to political goodwill. The areas of greatest potential for Rwanda are in traditional plant technologies. However, there is need for investments in domestic skill development as well as infrastructure that will enhance innovation. Of foremost importance is the establishment of a platform to link the various actors in the health innovation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of dominating the T in squash is recognized by coaches and players but there has been little formal investigation of this aspect of tactical play. Consequently, the aim of this research was to analyse player occupancy of a T area, to establish whether there are differences between winners and losers of games at different playing standards. An automated player-tracking system, with operator supervision and intervention, captured players' movements during matches at the World Team Championships (n = 11), the Slovenian National Championships (n = 11), and a local tournament (n = 15). Frequency of occupying the T area at the moment opponents played their shot best discriminated playing standard. Winners spent a greater proportion of total playing time in the T area than losers (P < 0.001), except during closely contested games. The results suggest that time in the T area indicates dominance of rallies. Future studies need to consider both between-group (playing standard) and within-game (individual player standard) differences, as both were shown to influence the time players spent in the T area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Assessing the Impact of the Season and Rule Changes on Specific Match and Tactical Variables in Professional Rugby League Football in the United Kingdom," by Simon J. Eaves, Mike D. Hughes and Kevin L. Lamb is presented.

The article highlights the study on the impact of the rule changes on the playing patterns in the professional rugby league football in Great Britain. The author stated that a hand notation system has been used to assess the time variables in 48 full game performances over four time periods. The study indicates that the introduction of the 10-m offside rule has increased the speed of the play of the ball.

In this historical review covering the past 25 years, we reflect on the content of manuscripts relevant to the Sport Performance section of the Journal of Sports Sciences. Due to the wide diversity of sport performance research, the remit of the Sport Performance section has been broad and includes mathematical and statistical evaluation of competitive sports performances, match- and notation-analysis, talent identification, training and selection or team organization. In addition, due to the academic interests of its section editors, they adopted a quality-assurance role for the Sport Performance section, invariably communicated through key editorials that subsequently shaped the editorial policy of the Journal. Key high-impact manuscripts are discussed, providing readers with some insight into what might lead an article to become a citation "classic". Finally, landmark articles in the areas of "science and football" and "notation analysis" are highlighted, providing further insight into how such articles have contributed to the development of sport performance research in general and the Journal of Sports Sciences in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of the potassium channel opener (3S,4R)-3,4-dihydro-4-(2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-3-oxo-pyridazin-6-yl)oxy-3-hydroxy-6-(3-hydroxyphenyl)sulphonyl-2,2,3-trimethyl-2H-benzo[b]pyran (1) as a single enantiomer is reported. Considerable improvements have been implemented with respect to the original synthesis that allow for the preparation of multigram quantities of the final target compound. The optimized synthesis consists of a six-step linear sequence whose key step is an asymmetric epoxidation protocol through the use of Jacobsen's (S,S)-(+)-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminomanganese(III) chloride catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "An investigation of inter-operator reliability tests for real-time analysis system," by Hyongjun Choi, Peter O'Donoghue, and Mike Hughes is presented.

An abstract of the article "A simple statistical method for assessing the reliability of data entered into sport performance analysis systems," by Stephen-Mark Cooper, Mike Hughes, Peter O'Donoghue, and Alan M. Peter is presented.

An abstract of the article "A reliability study of a Real-Time and Lapsed-Time application for rugby union," by Jason J. Williams, Mike Hughes, Peter O'Donoguhe, and Gwilym Davis is presented.

The integrated assessment models that drive atmospheric pollutant emission reduction policies within Europe, under the Convention on Long-range Trans-boundary Air Pollution, work at the scale of the EMEP grid (50 × 50 km). Critical loads are used to link anthropogenic deposition to adverse effects for individual ecosystems within each grid cell. The critical loads have two aspects, ecosystem area and the ecosystem specific critical load. The presence of highly acid-sensitive ecosystems within these grid cells can lead to very low critical loads of acidity which provide emission targets that are difficult to achieve: these cells are known as "binding grid squares". Since mountain lakes are highly sensitive to environmental change, their inclusion in critical loads assessments might be expected to result in lower EMEP scale critical loads. The combination of mountain lakes data with those from other ecosystems already included in the integrated modelling shows unexpected results. The average accumulated exceedance of critical loads of acidity may increase with either the presence of significant mountain lake catchment areas within grid cells or the presence of highly acidified clusters of sites. These circumstances occur in only a small number of grid cells. Furthermore, the relatively low sensitivity of mountain lakes to acidification in some regions means that their inclusion in EMEP scale models would lead to a relaxation of emission abatement requirements because of an increase in the area of ecosystems not exceeding critical loads and a decrease in AAE. Hence the potential effects of the inclusion of mountain lake critical loads of acidity in EMEP scale models vary greatly on a regional basis. The assumption that mountain lakes data could increase the incidence of "binding grid squares" is found to be unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High mountain lakes are sensitive to environ- mental change and the effects of air pollution and lake acidification have been recorded in many countries. The EU funded EMERGE programme included a pan-European assessment of the extent of acidification in mountain lakes located above the tree-line. A static critical loads model, the First-order Acidity Balance (FAB) model, was used to assess (1) the extent of critical load exceedance in 300 lakes in nine European lake districts and (2) the relative importance of sulphur and nitrogen deposition in contributing to acidification. The regional sensitivity of FAB to the choice of critical acid neutralising capacity (ANC: 0 or 20 μeq L-1) was explored. With a critical ANC value of 0 μeq L-1 only four lake districts had sites showing exceedance of critical loads; Piedmont Ticino, the Pyrenees, the Retezat Mountains and the Tatras. When a more stringent critical ANC of 20 μeq L-1 was used, all nine lake districts showed critical load exceedance in one or more lakes. For two lake districts, the Retezat Mountains of Romania and the Rila Mountains of Bulgaria, critical load exceedance is recorded here for the first time. Nitrogen is a more important agent of acidification in some areas such as the Pyrenees and Piedmont Ticino, and its relative importance is likely to increase elsewhere as pan-European measures to reduce sulphur deposition continue to take effect. Given the coarse scale deposition data used and potentially underestimated loads at high altitudes, the extent of the acidification problem may be under-represented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early research into how goals were scored in association football (Reep and Benjamin, 1968) may have shaped the tactics of British football. Most coaches have been affected, to a greater or lesser extent, by the tactics referred to as the “long-ball game” or “direct play”, which was a tactic employed as a consequence of this research. Data from these studies, published in the late 1960s, have been reconfirmed by analyses of different FIFA World Cup tournaments by several different research groups. In the present study, the number of passes that led to goals scored in two FIFA World Cup finals were analysed. The results conform to that of previous research, but when these data were normalized with respect to the frequency of the respective lengths of passing sequences, there were more goals scored from longer passing sequences than from shorter passing sequences. Teams produced significantly more shots per possession for these longer passing sequences, but the strike ratio of goals from shots is better for “direct play” than for “possession play”. Finally, an analysis of the shooting data for successful and unsuccessful teams for different lengths of passing sequences in the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals indicated that, for successful teams, longer passing sequences produced more goals per possession than shorter passing sequences. For unsuccessful teams, neither tactic had a clear advantage. It was further concluded that the original work of Reep and Benjamin (1968), although a key landmark in football analysis, led only to a partial understanding of the phenomenon that was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-five paleolimnological records from lakes in the circumpolar Arctic reveal widespread species changes and ecological reorganizations in algae and invertebrate communities since approximately anno Domini 1850. The remoteness of these sites, coupled with the ecological characteristics of taxa involved, indicate that changes are primarily driven by climate warming through lengthening of the summer growing season and related limnological changes. The widespread distribution and similar character of these changes indicate that the opportunity to study arctic ecosystems unaffected by human influences may have disappeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: External snapping hip is an entity that describes a snap that is felt on the lateral aspect of the hip. Several surgical interventions are described. Hypothesis: The external snapping hip can be corrected with a simple procedure that is minimally invasive and less demanding than other techniques. Study Design: This is a retrospective review from June 1994 until January 2002 looking at released external snapping hips. Methods: There were 16 patients with 17 hips; follow-up was in 15 patients with 16 snapping hips. Twelve patients with 13 hips were contacted by telephone interview, and 3 were followed up by their most recent chart note. All underwent the same procedure performed by the senior author. The questionnaire was conducted at an average of 32.5 months after surgery (range, 9-74 months). For 3 patients, chart-only follow-up was at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. Results: Fourteen of 16 hips remained asymptomatic after final surgical release (2 hips needed a second release). All patients contacted by telephone would undergo the same procedure again if faced with the same symptoms. Conclusions: This technique is simpler than most of those previously described with the benefit of no formal postoperative regimen and comparable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this paper are to examine the application of performance indicators in different sports and, using the different structural definitions of games, to make general recommendations about the use and application of these indicators. Formal games are classified into three categories: net and wall games, invasion games, and striking and fielding games. The different types of sports are also sub-categorized by the rules of scoring and ending the respective matches. These classes are analysed further, to enable definition of useful performance indicators and to examine similarities and differences in the analysis of the different categories of game. The indices of performance are sub-categorized into general match indicators, tactical indicators, technical indicators and biomechanical indicators. Different research examples and the accuracy of their presentation are discussed. We conclude that, to enable a full and objective interpretation of the data from the analysis of a performance, comparisons of data are vital. In addition, any analysis of the distribution of actions across the playing surface should also be presented normalized, or non-dimensionalized, to the total distribution of actions across the area. Other normalizations of performance indicators should also be used more widely in conjunction with the accepted forms of data analysis. Finally, we recommend that biomechanists should pay more attention to games to enrich the analysis of performance in these sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper overviews the diverse information technologies that are used to provide athletes with relevant feedback. Examples taken from various sports are used to illustrate selected applications of technology-based feedback. Several feedback systems are discussed, including vision, audition and proprioception. Each technology described here is based on the assumption that feedback would eventually enhance skill acquisition and sport performance and, as such, its usefulness to athletes and coaches in training is critically evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of structure in sport competition is implicated in the widespread practice of using the information gathered from a past contest to prepare for a future contest. Based on this reasoning, we previously analysed squash match-play for evidence of signature traits from among the stochastic relations between the various types of shot. The mixed findings from these analyses led us to re-analyse squash match-play as a dynamical system. Here, we extend this line of investigation with some suggestions as to how various sports might be described further within this theoretical framework. We offer some examples of dynamical interactions in dyadic (i.e. one vs one) and team (e.g. many vs many) sports, as well as some predictions from a dynamical systems analysis for these types of sports contests. This paper should serve to initiate further research into the complex interactions that occur in sport competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we identify appropriate statistical methods for analysing categorical differences in discrete variables or 'performance indicators' resulting from performance analysis. The random mechanisms associated with discrete events do not follow a normal distribution; that is, the normal distribution is a continuous not a discrete probability distribution. We propose appropriate statistical methods based on two key discrete probability distributions, the Poisson and binomial distributions. Two approaches are proposed and compared using examples from notational analysis. The first approach is based on the classic chi-square test of significance (both the goodness-of-fit test and the test of independence). The second approach adopts a more contemporary method based on log-linear and logit models fitted using the statistical software GLIM. Provided relatively simple one-way and two-way comparisons in categorical data are required, both of these approaches result in very similar conclusions. However, as soon as more complex models or higher-order comparisons are required, the approach based on log-linear and logit models is shown to be more effective. Indeed, when investigating those factors and categorical differences associated with binomial or binary response variables, such as the proportion of winners when attempting decisive shots in squash or the proportion of goals scored from all shots in association football, logit models become the only realistic method available. By applying log-linear and logit models to discrete events resulting from notational analysis, greater insight into the underlying mechanisms associated with sport performance can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community development initiatives need to be evaluated as rigorously as any other social intervention. Perceived impediments include: a necessary focus on process; problems of attribution; the time-scale necessary to bring about community change; finding useful data whereby to appraise outcome. A 'Theory of Change' approach overcomes many of these obstacles; it involves making sure that you know what you want to achieve, when you want to achieve it by and that you know how you are going to get there, adapting methods and goals as you go along. The evaluator plays an active role in working out, with all stakeholders, the long-term objectives for the initiative. The mid-term objectives are then defined, and a theory of change specified. Next, the early stage objectives are defined, and the Theory of Change is suggested, linking this to the mid-point objectives. It is possible to judge at any point in the process of the intervention the achievement of the stated objectives so far and the probability of arriving at a useful outcome. An example of a complex community intervention being applied in eight areas of the UK is described, illustrating the 'theory of change' approach, and some preliminary results are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role of the primary school deputy and in particular, the interrelation between the deputy and the head. Data were collected by individual in-depth interviews with the heads and deputies of 10 primary schools. The findings confirm the nature of the deputy's role as reported in other studies. A number of factors which influence the deputy's role and the deputy's interrelationship with the head are identified. The study characterises the similarities between the head and the deputy which are considered to be essential components of a successful pairing. It also defines other significant dimensions where the head and deputy might differ in a successful partnership. Complementarity, compensation, tolerance, acceptance and accommodation are important in making these differences productive. The findings are considered in relation to aspects of role theory and interpreted from a psychodynamic perspective on organisational processes. The implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on several issues related to medicine in Great Britain. Importance of enhancing the professional status of midwives; Association of photosensitivity to vitiligo; Complications of central venous cannulation.

The aim of this work was to analyse and compare the dynamic motions of squash players of varying technical abilities, and link these to the tactics that the different standard players adopt. A computerized tracking system utilized mixed images on the VDU of both the tracking surface, and the subject during competitive matchplay. Four groups of squash players were categorized Elite (international); Provincial (provincial representatives); Club A/B (players at either the A or B level in the inter-club leagues in British Columbia); and Club C/D (players at the C or D level in the inter-club leagues in British Columbia). Six competitive matches of different players were analysed for each group. Each game in each match was analysed separately and means-per-rally calculated for: positional data, X and Y; lateral and longitudinal velocities, Vx and Vy; average velocities, V; distances travelled, D; and accelerations, A. The longitudinal position in the winning rallies for all groups was closer to the front wall than that in the losing rallies (p < 010), supporting previous research and demonstrating the operational validity of this methodology. The Elite and Provincial groups had significant differences in all the velocities and the accelerations between the winning rallies and losing rallies (p < 0-10), confirming the hypothesis that their tactic was to attempt to reduce their opponents’ playing time by taking the ball as early as possible and use all of the court. The Provincial and Club A/B players had a significant difference between winning and losing rallies in their lateral positions (p < 010), demonstrating the overload tactics of this standard of player, concentrating on their opponents’ weaker side—the backhand. The Club. A/B players also had significantly lower values in the overall velocity and the longitudinal velocity for losing rallies than those for winning rallies. Although the Club C/D players did not exhibit any differences in their acceleration and overall velocity data between winning and losing, they did have a significant difference (p < 0-10) in the longitudinal velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Notation analysis can enhance the coaching process, and can provide information for virtually all decisions made with respect to long term and short term strategies, training, selection and scouting for talent. This applies to analysis of movement, actions and skills of individuals and teams. Notation systems in sport developed rapidly from racket games to team sports. Initially all systems were manual. The development and growth in power and sophistication, together with a decrease in cost, of the micro-computer in the early 1980s has enabled sports analysts to use this tool to simplify data handling. Far greater amounts of data can now be handled, processed and analysed in a fraction of the time taken previously. Computerized systems, for analysing team games, from Canada and Britain are described. Applications to association football, hockey, Rugby Union and American football have provided insights into successful patterns of play in these games. Recent work, in both these countries, gives a clear indication of likely trends in sport notation systems, given the pace of developments within the microelectronics industry. These may be extended to include applications to areas outside sport. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bamardo's Is a UK child care (non-govemmental) organisation, established in 1866. It has recently embarked on a major programme of information technology development, to enable sound practice and management information to be made available in the most flexible form throughout its 170 decentralised projects. A process of search and decision-making is described, and the difficulties highlighted. Those faced by a eon-statutory agency are significantly different from those confronted by the public social service departments, and they are explored in some depth. It is hoped that the lessons which have emerged will be of value to others facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 21-year-old Caucasian male presented to an oral medicine clinic with bilateral nuchal to frontal headache that was associated with burning eyes and lacrimation. Following a string of previous consultations with a variety of specialists, no diagnosis had been made. Treatment was carried out empirically, with the best improvement experienced when the patient was put on a combination of gabapentin and dothiepin treatment. This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management of headaches, as well as constant revision of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editorial. Focuses on the application of biomechanics and notational analysis of sports performance evaluation. Sports scientists' claims that biomechanics and notational analysts lack theoretical foundations and are over-concerned with methodology; Importance of analyzing game structure and performance indicators in the evaluation of sports performance.

Discusses French-language abstracts of research articles on evaluation published in the volume 6, 2000 edition of the periodical 'Evaluation.' 'Lancer une evaluation avec RIFTADA: Theorie de l'elaboration d'une evaluation a partir d'une approche pratique,' by Murray Sanders; 'L'importance de l'evaluation - Quelques exemples de l'utilisation des activites anti-corruption de la Banque Mondiale,' by Mita Marra.

Reports developments related to organizational studies in the United States as of April 1989. Details the 1989 Organizational Behavior teaching conference; Discussions in the workshop of interconnections between music and organization theory; Developments in organizational research and analysis.