Search

Purpose: To examine whether the muscle typology of elite and world-class swimmers could discriminate between their best distance event, swimming stroke style, or performance level. Methodology: The muscle carnosine content of 43 male (860 [76] FINA [Fédération Internationale de Natation] points) and 30 female (881 [63] FINA points) swimmers was measured in the soleus and gastrocnemius by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and expressed as a carnosine aggregate Z score (CAZ score) to estimate muscle typology. A higher CAZ score is associated with a higher estimated proportion of type II fibers. Swimmers were categorized by their best stroke, distance category (sprinters, 50–100 m; middle distance, 200–400 m; or long distance, 800 m–open water), and performance level (world-class, world top 10, or elite and world top 100 swimmers outside of the world top 10). Results: There was no significant difference in the CAZ score of sprint- (−0.08 [0.55]), middle- (−0.17 [0.70]), or long-distance swimmers (−0.30 [0.75], P = .693). World-class sprint swimmers (all strokes included) had a significantly higher CAZ score (0.37 [0.70]) when compared to elite sprint swimmers (−0.25 [0.61], P = .024, d = 0.94). Breaststroke swimmers (0.69 [0.73]) had a significantly higher CAZ score compared to freestyle (−0.24 [0.54], P d = 1.46), backstroke (−0.16 [0.47], P = .006, d = 1.42), and butterfly swimmers (−0.39 [0.53], P d = 1.70). Furthermore, within the cohort of breaststroke swimmers, there was a significant positive correlation between FINA points and CAZ score (r = .728, P = .011); however, this association was not evident in other strokes. Conclusion: While there was no clear association between muscle typology and event distance specialization, world-class sprint swimmers possess a greater estimated proportion of type II fibers compared to elite sprint swimmers, as well as breaststroke swimmers compared to freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly swimmers.

Virtual field trips (VFTs) are a means to give learners a genuine experience and feeling of what itwould be like to participate in in-person fieldtrips but can also act as a teaching resource to meet otherlearning outcomes that are not necessarily related to fieldwork. These virtual experiences can providegreater accessibility for people that cannot participate in in-person field trips for reasons such aslogistics, cost, or physical ability. Using internet browsers, we have been able to create online contentthat is interactive with mapping activities, communication exercises, animations, 360° videos, virtualrocks, detailed thin sections of rocks, and questions with automated feedback. These VFTs have beenused as more than just a replica of an in-person field trip, they can be used in a variety of contexts. Asan example, our research group has used them as: 1) flexible knowledge resources to replace lecturesand supplement hands-on laboratory classes and tutorials; 2) fieldwork preparation resources thatteach content and allow students to explore outcrops they will visit in person; and 3) a self-guidedfield trip when group field trips are impractical or impossible (e.g., student illness).We have found that VFTs allow educators to take students to places they would otherwise not be ableto go, to familiarize students with field skills and content before going into the field to maximizelearning on in-person field trips. Our research results from student interviews, focus groups and pre-post measures of learning show that students enjoy and engage well with the digital content, althoughwe are still far from an immersive in-person field experience. Looking to the future, we are continuingto develop new ways for students to genuinely explore and discover on a VFT, making use of mixedreality, which has the potential to provide students with an even more immersive experience. Suchinteractive VFTs can be suitable replacements for lecture content in a flipped classroom or aspreparatory exercises for in-person fieldtrips, but they should only replace in-person fieldtrips aftercareful consideration.

Driven by the need to understand magmatic systems, to improve volcano monitoring strategy, and to develop next-generation, high-enthalpy, geothermal energy, we introduce the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) – located in Northeast Iceland. KMT aims to establish the first magma observatory – an international, open access, scientific platform to advance ductile zone to magma research via drilling and novel sensor systems. This frontier undertaking will enable direct, in situ sampling, instrumentation and manipulation, and monitoring of magma and its interface with solid Earth’s crust, vastly advancing models of high-temperature crustal processes. This initiative is enabled by past geothermal drilling at Krafla volcano that was serendipitously intersected and thus determined the exact location of magma for the first time. This unprecedented experience, including safe control of the wells, provides the basis for KMT, which stands to transform modern volcanology and geothermic disciplines. KMT will develop a long-term infrastructure (>25 years) for the conduct of interdisciplinary scientific, engineering, technological, and educational activities. The Krafla volcano has the advantage of a long history of geological study, volcano monitoring, and drilling as well as supporting surface facilities combining to produce the safest and most efficient base from which to explore Earth beyond the solidus. KMT will be the place to develop (1) our science of hot and molten Earth; (2) new ways of understanding and monitoring volcanoes; (3) our ability to extract and exploit geothermal energy sources; and (4) new technology and materials that function in the most extreme conditions in planetary systems. The value of potential gains in fundamental understanding of crustal processes is beyond our possibility to estimate. There is the prospect of an order of magnitude gain in geothermal energy productivity. The need to improve understanding of the source of catastrophic eruptions and to better forecast them is a compelling humanitarian one.

The human semitendinosus muscle is characterized by a tendinous inscription separating proximal (STprox) and distal (STdist) neuromuscular compartments. As each compartment is innervated by separate nerve branches, potential exists for the compartments to operate and be controlled independently. However, the morphology and function of each compartment have not been thoroughly examined in a human adult population. Further, the distal semitendinosus tendon is typically harvested for use in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery, which induces long-term morphological changes to the semitendinosus muscle-tendon unit. It remains unknown if muscle morphological alterations following ACLR are uniform between STprox and STdist. Here, we performed magnetic resonance imaging on ten individuals who had undergone ACLR involving an ipsilateral distal semitendinosus tendon graft 14 ± 6 months prior, extracting morphological parameters of the whole ST muscle and each individual muscle compartment from both the (non-injured) contralateral and surgical legs. In the contralateral non-surgical leg, volume and length of STprox were lower than STdist. No between-compartment differences in volume or length were found for ACLR legs, likely due to greater shortening of STdist compared to STprox after ACLR. The maximal anatomical cross-sectional area of both compartments was substantially smaller on the ACLR leg, but did not differ between STprox and STdist on either leg. The absolute and relative differences in STprox morphology on the ACLR leg were strongly correlated with the corresponding between-leg differences in STdist morphological parameters. Specifically, greater morphological differences in one compartment were highly correlated with large differences in the other compartment, and vice versa for smaller differences. These relationships indicate that despite the heterogeneity in compartment length and volume, compartment atrophy is not independent or random. Further, the tendinous inscription endpoints were generally positioned at the same proximodistal level as the compartment maximal anatomical cross-sectional areas, providing a wide area over which the tendinous inscription could mechanically interact with compartments. Overall, results suggest the two human semitendinosus compartments are not mechanically independent.

Project AimTo retrospectively evaluate a clinical management algorithm for acute wheezers in a UK Pediatric Emergency Department (PED).Overview and RationaleAcute wheezing attacks are a leading cause of PED attendances and inpatient admissions. Prednisolone, a routine treatment, is intolerable in almost one-third of children, requiring repeated dosing, which may prolong length of stay (LOS). To address this problem, we: (1) developed an acute management algorithm (concise, single-sided flow-chart, instructing immediate management); (2) modified the OCS regime from prednisolone (1 mg/kg, 3-day course) to dexamethasone (600 then 300 mcg/kg); (3) and disseminated guidance regionally. Written information—handouts, e-mails, and posters—were followed-up with verbal reinforcement. We implemented the algorithm in 2017 and revised it further in 2018.EvaluationIn 2019, we retrospectively collected data on 100 acute wheeze attendances (those requiring OCS, aged 2–14), between October and December in 2016, 2017, and 2018 (n = 300), and assessed outcomes.ResultsOver a 48-month period, we reduced OCS intolerability by 67.2% and OCS drug costs by 85.8% (saving £41,470.14), while not significantly influencing the other outcomes.ConclusionsReduced intolerability and substantial cost savings can be achieved by implementing a structured acute pediatric wheeze algorithm and modifying the OCS to single-dose dexamethasone (300 mcg/kg).

Volcano slope stability analysis is a critical component of volcanic hazard assessments and monitoring. However, traditional methods for assessing rock strength require physical samples of rock which may be difficult to obtain or characterize in bulk. Here, visible to shortwave infrared (350-2500 nm; VNIR-SWIR) reflected light spectroscopy on laboratory-tested rock samples from Ruapehu, Ohakuri, Whakaari, and Banks Peninsula (New Zealand), Merapi (Indonesia), Chaos Crags (USA), Styrian Basin (Austria) and La Soufriere de Guadeloupe (Eastern Caribbean) volcanoes was used to design a novel rapid chemometric-based method to estimate uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and porosity. Our Partial Least Squares Regression models return moderate accuracies for both UCS and porosity, with R2 of 0.43-0.49 and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.2-0.4. When laboratory-measured porosity is included with spectral data, UCS prediction reaches an R2 of 0.82 and MAPE of 0.11. Our models highlight that the observed changes in the UCS are coupled with subtle mineralogical changes due to hydrothermal alteration at wavelengths of 360-438, 532-597, 1405-1455, 2179-2272, 2332-2386, and 2460-2490 nm. These mineralogical changes include mineral replacement, precipitation hydrothermal alteration processes which impact the strength of volcanic rocks, such as mineral replacement, precipitation, and/or silicification. Our approach highlights that spectroscopy can provide a first order assessment of rock strength and/or porosity or be used to complement laboratory porosity-based predictive models. VNIR-SWIR spectroscopy therefore provides an accurate non-destructive way of assessing rock strength and alteration mineralogy, even from remote sensing platforms. (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Volcanology education is important for the development of geoscientists and scientifically literate citizens. We surveyed 55 volcanology instructors to determine their learning and teaching practices, perceptions of academic development, and educational support needs. Instructors reported using a wide range of practices and tools, but lectures, field experiences, maps, rock samples, academic literature, and inherited teaching materials are the most common. Instructors valued educational support from others (e.g., talking with colleagues and students, consulting with learning and teaching specialists) over conducting their own investigations. However, they did not report engaging in as many of these activities as they valued. Instructors requested more support in resource sharing and collation, conference workshops, and co-creation of resources and educational research. We suggest that instructors and academic development staff work together to share and build knowledge in the learning and teaching of volcanology in higher education, and to improve student learning outcomes.

In 2019, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) New Zealand with a stake to raise awareness of natural disasters and their impacts, commissioned the LEARNZ1 Our Supervolcanoes virtual field trip (VFT) to teach about volcanoes around Lake Taupō in Aotearoa New Zealand. The involvement of kaupapa Māori researchers in the project facilitated an authentic opportunity to develop bicultural educational resources. We share insights from this collaboration that can inform the engagement process with local iwi. The key findings from this study can support teachers, researchers, and scientists willing to collaborate in culturally appropriate ways when engaging with local iwi leaders for the development of bicultural educational resources through an authentic partnership approach. These findings can serve as good practices when engaging with the local iwi for development of bicultural educational resources.

The GA101 (obinutuzumab) monocLonal Antibody as Consolidation Therapy In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (GALACTIC) was a seamless phase II/III trial designed to test whether consolidation with obinutuzumab is safe and eradicates minimal residual disease (MRD) and, subsequently, whether this leads to prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with CLL who have recently responded to chemo-immunotherapy. Patients with a response 3-24 months after chemotherapy were assessed for MRD. MRD-positive patients were randomised to receive consolidation therapy with obinutuzumab or no consolidation. The trial closed after the phase II part due to slow recruitment. In all, 48 patients enrolled of whom 19 were MRD negative and were monitored. Of the 29 MRD-positive patients, 14 were randomised to receive consolidation and 15 to no consolidation. At 6 months after randomisation, 10 and 13 consolidated patients achieved MRD negativity by flow cytometry (sensitivity 10

Purpose: To determine the association between estimated muscle fiber typology and the start and turn phases of elite swimmers during competition. Methods: International and national competition racing performance was analyzed from 21 female (FINA points = 894 ± 39: 104.5 ± 1.8% world record ratio [WRR]) and 25 male (FINA points = 885 ± 54: 104.8 ± 2.1% WRR) elite swimmers. The start, turn, and turn out times were determined from each of the swimmers’ career best performance times (FINA points = 889 ± 48: 104.7 ± 2.0% WRR). Muscle carnosine concentration was quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the gastrocnemius and soleus and was expressed as a carnosine aggregate z score relative to an age- and gender-matched nonathlete control group to estimate muscle fiber typology. Linear mixed models were employed to determine the association between muscle fiber typology and the start and turn times. Results: While there was no significant influence of carnosine aggregate z score on the start and turn times when all strokes and distance events were entered into the model, the swimmers with a higher carnosine aggregate z score (ie, faster muscle typology) had a significantly faster start time in 100-m events compared with the swimmers with a lower carnosine aggregate z score (P = .02, F = 5.825). The start and turn times were significantly faster in the male compared with the female swimmers in the 100-m events compared with other distances, and between the 4 different swimming strokes (P Conclusion: This study suggests that start times in sprint events are partly determined (and limited) by muscle fiber typology, which is highly relevant when ∼12% of the overall performance time is determined from the start time.

Volcanoes represent one of the most critical geological settings for hazard modelling due to their propensity to both unpredictably erupt and collapse, even in times of quiescence. Volcanoes are heterogeneous at multiple scales, from porosity, which is variably distributed and frequently anisotropic, to strata, which are laterally discontinuous and commonly pierced by fractures and faults. Due to variable and, at times, intense stress and strain conditions during and following emplacement, volcanic rocks span an exceptionally wide range of physical and mechanical properties. Understanding the constituent materials' attributes is key to improving the interpretation of the hazards posed by the diverse array of volcanic complexes. Here, we examine the spectrum of physical and mechanical properties presented by a single dome-forming eruption at a dacitic volcano, Mount Unzen (Japan), by testing a number of isotropic and anisotropic lavas in tension and compression with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. The lava dome erupted as a series of 13 lobes between 1991 and 1995, and its ongoing instability means that much of the volcano and its surroundings remain within an exclusion zone today. During a field campaign in 2015, we selected four representative blocks as the focus of this study. The core samples from each block span a range in total porosity from 9.14 % to 42.81 % and a range in permeability from 1.65×10-15 to 1.88×10-9 m2 (from 1065 measurements). For a given porosity, sample permeability varies by >2 orders of magnitude and is typically lower for macroscopically anisotropic samples than for isotropic samples of similar porosity. An additional 379 permeability measurements on planar surfaces of both an isotropic and anisotropic sample block showed consistent minimum, maximum, and average permeabilities, and comparable standard deviations to measurements on core and disc samples; this indicated a negligible impact of sample size on recorded permeability across the range of sample sizes and absolute permeabilities tested. Permeability measured under confined conditions showed that the lowest permeability samples, whose porosity largely comprises microfractures, are most sensitive to effective pressure and that anisotropy of permeability is enhanced by confinement. The permeability measurements highlight the importance of the measurement approach, scale, and confinement conditions in the description of permeability. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) ranges from 13.48 to 47.80 MPa, and tensile strength (UTS) using the Brazilian disc method ranges from 1.30 to 3.70 MPa, with crack-dominated lavas being weaker than vesicle-dominated materials of equivalent porosity. UCS is lower in saturated conditions, whereas the impact of saturation on UTS is variable. UCS is between 6.8 and 17.3 times higher than UTS, with anisotropic samples forming each endmember. The Young's modulus of dry samples ranges from 4.49 to 21.59 GPa and is systematically reduced in water-saturated tests. The interrelation of porosity, UCS, UTS, and Young's modulus was modelled with good replication of the data, and empirical relationships are provided. Acceleration of monitored acoustic emission (AE) rates during deformation was assessed by fitting Poisson point process models in a Bayesian framework. An exponential acceleration model closely replicated the tensile strength tests, whilst compressive tests tended to have relatively high early rates of AEs, suggesting failure forecast may be more accurate in tensile regimes, though with shorter warning times. The Gutenberg–Richter b value has a negative correlation with connected porosity for both UCS and UTS tests which we attribute to different stress intensities caused by differing pore networks. The b value is higher for UTS than UCS, and it typically decreases (positive Δb) during tests, with the exception of cataclastic samples in compression. Δb correlates positively with connected porosity in compression and correlates negatively in tension. Δb using a fixed sampling length may be a more useful metric for monitoring changes in activity at volcanoes than the b value with an arbitrary starting point. Using coda wave interferometry (CWI), we identify velocity reductions during mechanical testing in compression and tension, the magnitude of which is greater in more porous samples in UTS but independent of porosity in UCS and which scales to both b value and Δb. Yet, saturation obscures velocity changes caused by evolving material properties, which could mask damage accrual or source migration in water-rich seismogenic environments such as volcanoes. The results of this study highlight that heterogeneity and anisotropy within a single system not only add variability but also have a defining role in the channelling of fluid flow and localisation of strain that dictate a volcano's hazards and the geophysical indicators we use to interpret them.

Composite volcanoes can progressively weaken through hydrothermal alteration, which may lead to volcano collapse, forming far-reaching debris avalanches. This work reviews and synthesises the type ...

It is generally accepted that tectonic earthquakes may trigger volcanic activity, although the underlying mechanisms are poorly constrained. Here, we review current knowledge, and introduce a novel framework to help characterize earthquake-triggering processes. This framework outlines three parameters observable at volcanoes, namely magma viscosity, open- or closed-system degassing and the presence or absence of an active hydrothermal system. Our classification illustrates that most types of volcanoes may be seismically-triggered, though require different combinations of volcanic and seismic conditions, and triggering is unlikely unless the system is primed for eruption. Seismically-triggered unrest is more common, and particularly associated with hydrothermal systems., This review dives deep into how earthquakes affect volcanoes, specifically into the relation between tectonic seismic activity and subsequent eruptions. Activity may increase in any volcanic setting in the 2–5 years following an earthquake, and especially at volcanic centres featuring vigorous hydrothermal activity.

The present study identified the physiological and performance characteristics that are deterministic during a maximal 1500-m time trial and in paced 1500-m time trials, with an all-out last lap. Thirty-two trained middle-distance runners (n = 21 male, VO2peak: 72.1 ± 3.2; n = 11, female, VO2peak: 61.2 ± 3.7 mL kg−1 min−1) completed a 1500-m time trial in the fastest time possible (1500FAST) as well as a 1500MOD and 1500SLOW trial whereby mean speed was reduced during the 0–1100 m by 5% and 10%, respectively. Anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), running economy (RE), the velocity corresponding with VO2peak (VVO2peak), maximal sprint speed (MSS) and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) were determined during additional testing. Carnosine content was quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the gastrocnemius and expressed as a Z-score to estimate muscle fibre typology. 1500FAST time was best explained by RE and VVO2peak in female runners (adjusted r2 = 0.80, P

Volcanoes are subject to intense fluid circulation, altering primary rock properties. The rock alteration can be due to “cold” water-driven weathering or “hot” hydrothermal fluids. Such alteration is facilitated by the efficient circulation of fluids through fractures and the connected pore-network. Fluid-driven alteration can manifest as mineral dissolution and precipitation, ultimately changing the properties of the host rock, such as strength and elasticity. Alteration-induced geomechanical changes are complex due to the large range of protolith porosity (e.g. 0.01-0.8) and permeability (e.g. 10-10 to ≤10-18 m2). For example, fresh pyroclastic rocks can initially have low strength, which can be ‘reinforced’ by mineral precipitation. In contrast, dense lava rocks can decrease their strength due to pore space enlargement and development of secondary clays, oxides, sulfides and sulfates.This study analysed lab-tested samples from Ruapehu, Merapi, Whakaari, Chaos Crags, Ohakuri, Styrian Basin and La Soufrière de Guadeloupe volcanoes to provide new insights into the controls on geomechanical properties due to weathering and hydrothermal alteration. The volcaniclastic and lava rocks range from basaltic to rhyolitic in composition and encompass surface weathering and intermediate and advanced argillic alteration styles. The physical, geomechanical, Visible-Near Infrared (VNIR; 350-1000 nm), and Shortwave Infrared (SWIR; 1000-2500 nm) properties of the rocks were measured on core samples. Porosity, P-wave velocity, and uniaxial compressive strength ranged from 0.02-0.67, 88-5800 m/s, and 0.1-312 MPa, respectively. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) was employed to successfully predict physical and mechanical properties using VNIR-SWIR spectroscopy data. The PLSR-based prediction models highlighted a handful of spectral bands around 400-600 nm, 1400 nm and 2200-2300 nm, indicating that hydrated secondary minerals were responsible for the observed geomechanical changes. The proposed method using VNIR-SWIR spectroscopy can lead to a new way of mapping physical and geomechanical properties at outcrop-scale using field spectrometers, and at volcano-scale using airborne and satellite remote sensing.

A better understanding of the strains experienced by the Achilles tendon during commonly prescribed exercises and locomotor tasks is needed to improve efficacy of Achilles tendon training and rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study was to estimate in vivo free Achilles tendon strain during selected rehabilitation, locomotor, jumping, and landing tasks. Sixteen trained runners with no symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy participated in this study. Personalized free Achilles tendon moment arm and force-strain curve were obtained from imaging data and used in conjunction with motion capture and surface electromyography to estimate free Achilles tendon strain using electromyogram-informed neuromusculoskeletal modeling. There was a strong correspondence between Achilles tendon force estimates from the present study and experimental data reported in the literature (

Volcanic ballistics are the main hazard to life and infrastructure from Strombolian eruptions, which are a tourist drawcard, exposing people to this hazard. Most research to date has been to understand this style of eruption and how ballistics form and travel. However, little focus has been placed on how ballistics are distributed within ballistic fields or the inclusion of this data into hazard and risk assessments. In this study we used a UAV to image the ballistic field, and cameras to record eruptions at Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu from 28 July – 2 August and 17 – 19 October 2016. We present the mapped distributions from the two trips, how the field changes with distance and direction from the vent, and how eruption dynamics influence these changes. Our evidence for directionality results in considerable variation in summit ballistic hazard and is an important consideration for ballistic hazard and risk assessments.

We have observed very long period earthquakes (VLPs) over the period 2007 to the end of 2019 at Whakaari/White Island volcano, New Zealand. The earthquakes exhibit similitude between waveforms which suggests repeating source locations and processes. VLPs recorded at two permanent stations were detected using waveform semblance and were then classified into two main families (F1 and F2) using a clustering analysis. The two families are characterized by ‘mirror image’ reverse waveform polarity suggesting that they are genetically related, but occur during different evolutionary phases of volcanic activity. F1 events occurred throughout the observation period, while F2 events mainly occurred as swarms that mark the onset of volcanic unrest. A detailed cluster analysis reveals possible sub-families implying slight temporal evolutions within a family. Our results add to our understanding of the volcanic magma–hydrothermal system at Whakaari/White Island indicating that relatively stable VLP sources may be exploited to improve monitoring for future unrest.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] New Zealand Natural Hazards Research Platform Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Resilience to Nature’s Challenges