Myerscough College

Backward walking (BW) is commonly employed as a physiotherapeutic exercise for horses based on anecdotal evidence for improving hindlimb strength, coordination, and range of motion. However, limited scientific evidence supports these assumed benefits. This study aimed to measure and compare equine hindlimb muscle activity and movement during BW and forward walking (FW). Three-dimensional kinematic and surface electromyography (sEMG) data were synchronously collected from unilateral (left) hindlimb and hip extensor (biceps femoris and gluteus medius) and flexor (tensor fasciae latae) muscles of ten horses during FW and BW. Normalised average rectified value (ARV), peak amplitude (PA), and muscle activity duration were calculated from sEMG data. Spatiotemporal and angular parameters were calculated from kinematic data. Wilcoxon signed rank tests or paired t-tests assessed differences between FW and BW. Compared to FW, significant (p<0.001) increases in hip extensor and decreases in hip flexor muscle ARV and PA were observed during BW. Muscle activity duration was significantly (p<0.001) longer for biceps femoris, and shorter for gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae during BW. Hindlimb pro/retraction and sagittal plane hip and stifle joint movement cycles were time-reversed between BW and FW. Hindlimb joints were significantly less flexed and extended (p<0.001) during BW, except for peak stifle and hock flexion during swing, and MTPJ extension during stance, which were significantly greater (p<0.001) during BW. Findings support BW as a physiotherapeutic exercise to target increased hip extensor activity during weightbearing and to facilitate increased stifle and hock joint flexion during non-weightbearing phases of the gait cycle. • Horses significantly modify hindlimb muscle activity and movement in backward walk. • Biceps femoris and gluteus medius activity increases in backward vs. forward walk. • Tensor fascia latae activity decreases during backward compared to forward walking. • Greater stifle and hock joint flexion occur during backward walking swing phase. • Backward walk targets increased hip extensor activity and stifle and hock flexion.

Societal Impact StatementTrees in urban environments provide us with shade, heat mitigation, flood abatement, noise and pollution reduction, pollination, beauty, and much more. However, many of these benefits are strongly connected to tree size and vitality, with larger, healthier trees providing ecosystem services more effectively, which means that selecting the right tree for site and function is crucial in order to gain all benefits from our urban trees.SummaryTrees play a major role in the Earth's biogeochemical processes, influencing soil production, hydrological, nutrient and carbon cycles, and the global climate. They store about 50% of the world's terrestrial carbon stocks, and provide habitats for a wide range of other species, supporting at least half of the Earth's known terrestrial plants and animals. Trees are not only found in forests and other natural ecosystems, but also in urban environments. Most of the human population is concentrated in cities, towns and villages, so urban trees are critical to meet on‐going and future social, economic and environmental challenges. However, many urban tree populations are strongly challenged by a changing climate, outbreaks of pests and pathogens and an urban development with increasingly dense cities and a high proportion of impermeable surface materials. The importance of intraspecific variation needs to be better acknowledged in this context, since poor matching of trees and the local climate and growing conditions can lead to extensive loss of valuable trees. By using the right genetic plant material for the challenging urban environments, a more resilient tree population with a greater diversity and higher capacity for delivering ecosystem services can be gained. Here, we wish to discuss the need to consider intraspecific variation when planning resilient tree populations for urban environments and how seed banks and botanical garden play important roles in efforts to improve the matching of genetic plant material for future environmental challenges. Strategies to enrich urban tree diversity and increase resilience are outlined.

The design and implementation of a multi-stage PID (MS-PID) controller for non-inertial referenced UAVs are highly complex. Symmetrical multirotor UAVs are unstable systems, and it is thought that the kinematics of the symmetrical UAV rotor, such as the quadrotor and hexacopter resembles the kinematics of an inverted pendulum. Several researchers have investigated the structure and design of PID controllers for high-order systems during the last decade. The designs were always concerned with the enhanced response, robustness, model reduction and performance of PID controllers. An accurate tuning process of such a controller depends on the engineer’s experience level. This is due to the number of variables and hyperparameters tuned during the process. An adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is utilized to optimize the MS-PID controllers for controlling the quadrotor in this study. The proposed method optimizes the offline-planned approach, providing several possibilities for adapting the controllers with various paths and or varying weather conditions. The MS-PID parameters are optimized in parallel, as every PID controller affects the other controller’s behavior and performance. Furthermore, the proposed AGA generates new chromosomes for “new solutions” by randomly developing new solutions close to the previous best values, which will prevent any local minima solution. This study intends to investigate the design and development of a highly tuned robust multi-stage PID controller for a symmetrical multirotor UAV. The work presents a model for a non-referenced inertial frame multirotor UAV (quadcopter). Once the model is defined, a robust multi-stage PID controller for the non-inertial referenced frame symmetrical multirotor UAV is designed, tuned, and tested. A genetic algorithm (GA) will be used to tune the MS-PID controller. Finally, the performance comparison between the proposed and conventional methods is presented. The results show that the proposed method provides stability improvement, better transient response, and power consumption.

ABSTRACT Branch junctions are typically strengthened by the production of dense wood with a tortuous grain pattern in their axils (axillary wood). The strong association found between natural braces in trees and bark-included branch junctions set below them suggests there may be a causal relationship: that if a branch junction receives little mechanical stimulation due to being naturally braced, little or no axillary wood will be formed and bark is occluded instead. To investigate this relationship, sixty branch junctions in young specimens of aspen (Populus tremula L.) were braced with horticultural wire and their development contrasted with sixty “controls” where no bracing was applied. After three years, 95% of the braced branch junctions exhibited included bark, whereas only one control junction developed included bark and that was found to be natural braced. This is the first recorded instance where bark-included junctions have been knowingly created by artificial means. The results point to a causal relationship between natural bracing and the formation of bark-included junctions, which has implications for tree management. This study also provides evidence that axillary wood should be categorised as a reaction wood, as its formation requires specific mechanical stimulation, and due to its distinct anatomical and mechanical properties.

Abstract Golf course standards are an important element to enable effective performance‐based management, which can optimise resource efficiency, and attain player satisfaction. It is important, therefore, to establish the current knowledge and awareness of what criteria exist for optimum golf course management. This paper draws together the relevant academic and industry research undertaken in the area to establish the current level of understanding. This review is corroborated with surveys conducted with a range of key industry stakeholders. Results indicate that resources are, and will continue, to be limiting factor in golf course performance, however, player expectation for “quality” remains high. Development of industry standards, that allow a level of flexibility, means course managers and club officials have an increased chance of determining how well they can balance the complex dynamic of balancing available resources with meeting player expectations.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that futsal can aid talent development for 11 a-side soccer through the potential for transfer of the game’s skills and constraints. However, additional scientific research is necessary to enhance understanding of the technical and physical demands of futsal and the potential returns for soccer player development. Accordingly, this study examined selected characteristics of physical (internal and external loads) and technical performance in international futsal match-play in order to study the potential of these for skill transfer and aiding soccer player development. Performance was investigated in futsal players (n = 16, 25.74±4.71 years) belonging to a national team during an international tournament. Pre-tournament fitness testing determined maximum heart rate (MHR) via the Yo-Yo IR1 test (194.6±11.1 beats min-1) to aid interpretation of internal load via heart rate measures during match-play. External load (accelerations and deceleration events) was measured using an inertial movement unit. Finally, post-tournament analysis of selected technical events was performed. Results reported a mean heart rate value during ‘court time’ of 164.7±22.3 beats min-1, which as a percentage of participants’ MHR was 87.7%±4.4%, and a mean peak MHR of 98.3±2.5%. Results showed 2.16±0.25 accelerating (>1.5 m·s-2) and 2.78±0.13 decelerating (>1.5 m·s-2) events per player per minute. Team statistics included 647 passing, ~51 dribbling and 78 set play events per team per game. Match analyses showed that 77.3% of ball receptions were completed with the sole of the foot. Assessment of two-footedness showed 80.1±16.7% of individual possessions used the dominant foot to receive and 84.1±10.7% to pass the ball thereby displaying strong foot dominance. These results have quantified characteristics of elite futsal match-play that are no doubt intrinsically related to the environmental and task constraints of the sport. In addition to enhancing understanding of futsal, there are potential learning returns and implications for skills transfer and the development of soccer players.

In reply to letters from Messrs. Girling and LonsdaleWe thank both letter writers for their interest in our paper on natural bracing in maples and limes.With regards to Henry Girling’s comments, sc...

BACKGROUND: New and innovative approaches are needed to overcome the barriers to engaging people in physical and leisure activity after stroke. Outdoor cycling, including the use of adapted or electric bicycles, may be one approach. However, perceptions of stroke survivors on this topic have not yet been explored. PURPOSE: To explore a sample of stroke survivors’ perspectives, who expressed an interest in cycling, about cycling and the use of electric bicycles. METHODS: A convenience sample of stroke survivors were identified through focus groups at a ‘Cycling after Stroke’ event, local stroke support groups, and structured interviews at a national conference for stroke survivors. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data analysed thematically. RESULTS: Data were collected from 21 stroke survivors, seven of whom were current cyclists. All participants were independently mobile with, or without, the use of a walking aid. Themes oriented around the value of cycling (e.g. getting out of the house, doing something for yourself, and feeling part of a community); concerns and challenges (safety and negotiating adaptations); and how they could be overcome (starting slowly and identifying sources of assistance). CONCLUSION: Outdoor cycling may be a worthwhile approach to increasing physical and leisure activity after stroke. However, barriers still exist and need to be addressed to provide inclusive opportunities for adapted and electric cycling for stroke survivors. Due to the small sample size and bias population, further research is needed to explore stroke survivors’ perspectives on cycling to provide solutions to overcome the barriers identified.