Dream Laboratory (United Kingdom)

This study aimed to examine the shock absorbency properties of two different soccer playing surfaces, namely the artificial turf (AT) and natural turf (NT), using a bespoke impact test aligned with the FIFA Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA) testing standard.Measurements were collected using an accelerometer sensor to quantify peak impact force to calculate the shock absorbency property across five field locations, with each location consists of four trials of impact test at the same spot (T1 -T4).Two data analysis methods were compared: (1) using only the first trial (T1) and ( 2) averaging four consecutive trials (AVG) in determining the impact properties of the two surfaces.Results showed significant differences in shock absorbency on the NT surface between T1 and AVG (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found on AT (p > 0.05).This suggests that NT surfaces exhibit greater variability due to environmental and structural inconsistencies, whereas AT surfaces offer more uniform mechanical properties of multiple impact tests.The rubber infill in AT likely contributed to its reduced compressibility and consistent shock response.These findings highlight the importance of considering surface type and test methodology when evaluating playing surface performance.In conclusion, the study emphasizes that analysis methods and surface characteristics substantially influence shock absorbency measurements.A standardized and surface-specific approach is essential for accurate assessment.

Background: In large numbers of low- and middle-income countries, hospital waste management policies are conducted below the minimum standards due to resource scarcity. In these areas, accumulated wastes often represent potent sources of microbial populations that may evolve as health threats to humans’, animals’ and environmental health, further exacerbating poverty. Data from accumulated waste and/or its surrounding environment can therefore help to redefine, reorient and optimize waste management policies for the healthcare setting users’ safety. Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the type, the diversity, the load and the drug susceptibility trends of bacteria populations that grow in the vicinity of solid waste accumulation sites in four healthcare facilities of the Ndé division, West Cameroon. Methods: Soil and air specimens were collected for bacterial screening at varying distances from the solid waste accumulation sites. Culture, isolation, identification, enumeration and susceptibility tests on bacteria isolates were performed according to standard protocols. Results: Relevant findings revealed diversified populations made up of 53 bacterial groups including Staphylococcus spp. (50.94%), Gram-positive rods (26.42%), Acinetobacter spp. (11.32%), Klebsiella spp. (7.55%), Serratia spp. and Pseudomonas spp. (1.89% each). In terms of their loads, Gram-negative rods loads were higher than those observed with other morphological types. Further details indicated higher loads and diversities in soil specimens collected in the vicinity of solid waste accumulation sites. These trends in loads and diversity were particularly obvious in one of the four target healthcare institutions. The susceptibility tests revealed multidrug resistance, with the highest rates recorded against beta-lactam antibiotics. The most effective drugs consisted of Gentamicin, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole. Conclusion: These findings are indications that exposed human populations are at risk of contracting resistant bacteria, with a higher likelihood in the vicinity of accumulated wastes in all settings. Accordingly, contextual implementation of hospital hygiene policies in line with biosafety and biosecurity was suggested as a priority to meet the expectations of the 1st, 3rd and 4th United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract Introduction Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition that can lead to poor health outcomes. Treatment for OSA with positive airway pressure (PAP) is efficacious, but effectiveness is limited by poor treatment adherence. Long-term adherence studies suggest that treatment utilization decreases with time. Alternative treatments, like Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HNS), are effective at treating OSA and have shown high adherence in several studies, but long-term use has yet to be reported. This observational study examined adherence to HNS over 1.5 years using objective data on utilization. Methods We examined treatment utilization data obtained from the manufacturer’s patient management platform (SleepSync, Inspire). 4273 patients had at least 18 months of usage data with a Bluetooth remote controller (available since 2022). A subset of these patients also had demographic information. Usage was calculated as hours (mean±std) from first start button press to time of therapy off, subtracting any nighttime pauses, and normalized by nights of no use counted as zero hours of therapy. Tukey analysis was performed to compare means. Results Mean usage was significantly higher in the first year post-activation (6.1±1.7 hours) compared to the first half of the second year (5.7±2.0 hours) (95% CI=[0.4,0.5]). However, comparing mean usage 12-15 months post-activation (5.8±2.0 hours) to 15-18 months (5.7±2.1 hours) was not significantly different (95% CI=[-0.04,0.2]). There was no significant difference between patients with pre-implant AHI&amp;lt; 20 and &amp;gt;=20 over the year and a half (95% CI=[-0.2,0.1]). However, for post-activation AHI&amp;lt; 20 or &amp;gt;=20, usage was significantly lower in individuals with a higher residual AHI post-activation (95% CI=[-0.6,-0.1]). Conclusion These are the first reported observational, long-term adherence data for HNS. The data suggest a clear leveling off of adherence at about 12-15 months, suggesting a stable usage over longer periods. Average use was higher than is seen in PAP users despite the fact that patients who meet criteria for HNS are required to fail PAP therapy. Pre-treatment AHI did not affect usage, but treatment usage was lower for those with higher residual AHI after treatment. Support (if any) Employees of Inspire Medical Systems contributed to the data analysis.

We report on experimental evidence for a new, second tetrahedral band in $_{\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}62}^{152}\mathrm{Sm}_{90}$. It was populated via fusion evaporation reaction $^{150}\mathrm{Nd}(\ensuremath{\alpha},2n)^{152}\mathrm{Sm}$, employing a 26 MeV beam of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles from the K-130 cyclotron at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India. The newly observed possible mixed parity sequence with absence of $E2$ and strong indication of $E3$ transitions is consistent with the spectroscopic criteria for a tetrahedral-symmetry rotational band that could be constructed from the allowed spin-parity assignments. This structure differs from the structure of the band previously found in the same nucleus, the new one manifesting tetrahedral symmetry not accompanied by the octahedral one. Our new experimental results are interpreted in terms of group representation theory and the collective nuclear-motion theory of Bohr. We propose to generalize the notion of the tetrahedral vibrational bands and believe that our new experimental results support a number of theory predictions related to nuclear tetrahedral symmetry published earlier and bring a new light into the issue of spontaneous symmetry breaking in heavy nuclei.

IntroductionIn academy football players, absolute adductor squeeze strength increases during maturation. Cross-sectional studies suggest that in adult football players, previous groin pain may negatively affect adductor squeeze strength. However, it is uncertain if groin injuries affect the natural development of adductor strength in youth elite football players. This study examines longitudinal development of adductor squeeze strength influenced by age, pain during testing, and time-loss groin injury.Materials and MethodsLong lever adductor squeeze strength (handheld dynamometry) was collected weekly in 69 male West African academy football players (age 15.6±1.2 years at baseline). Repeated-measures adductor squeeze strength was monitored in six-month intervals for 2.5 years. A multilevel modeling approach with hierarchical random effects was created to assess adductor squeeze strength (N, N/kg) based on age, pain during the squeeze test, and previous time-loss groin injury days.ResultsAcross 250 total observations in 69 players, absolute adductor squeeze strength (N) increased 13.9 N with every one-year increase in age (p<0.0001) and decreased 3.5 N for every increment of squeeze pain (p=0.007). Relative adductor squeeze strength (N/kg) did not increase with age and decreased 0.07 N/kg with every increment of squeeze pain (p=0.004). Neither model was influenced by previous time-loss groin injury.ConclusionAbsolute adductor squeeze strength increases during adolescence in West African academy football players, but relative adductor squeeze strength is not influenced by age. Higher pain intensity during the squeeze test led to poorer adductor squeeze strength, but previous time-loss groin injury did not affect strength development.

Incoloy 925, a Nikel-based superalloy, exhibits low machinability with conventional machining techniques due to its inhomogeneous properties. Therefore, there is a need to establish a non-conventional method to efficiently machine this alloy. This work is a novel attempt to present the electric discharge machining (EDM) of the superalloy Incoloy 925 and subsequent multi-response optimization. The model for the analysis was designed using the Box Behnken Design (BBD) technique, and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of the results. The machining was performed using a cylindrical copper tool of 11 mm diameter. The effect of pulse-on time (Ton), current, and pulse-off time (Toff) on the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR) was investigated. The results from variance analysis confirmed the significance of all the three input factors. The investigation revealed that the maximum MRR (99.2154 mm3/min) was obtained at a pulse-on time of 90 μs, pulse-off time of 5 μs, and current of 30 A. The minimum TWR (0.8866 mm3/min) were achieved at Ton = 60 μs, Toff = 8 μs and current = 10 A. The microscopic images of the machined surfaces revealed very few micro-voids and globules and no cracks, resulting in a fine surface finish of 1.2436 μm, achieved through optimal discharge energy transfer and copper electrodes. The optimal values MRR, TWR, and SR according to composite desirability function are 99.1524 mm3/min, 1.0915 mm3/min, and 1.3925 μm. The experimental results were accurately predicted using RSM and an artificial neural network (ANN), with the ANN showing a predicted correlation coefficient (R) close to 1 indicating high accuracy of the model.