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The Met Office in the United Kingdom has developed a completely new probabilistic postprocessing system called IMPROVER to operate on outputs from its operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) forecasts and precipitation nowcasts. The aim is to improve weather forecast information to the public and other stakeholders while better exploiting the current and future generations of underpinning kilometer-scale NWP ensembles. We wish to provide seamless forecasts from nowcasting to medium range, provide consistency between gridded and site-specific forecasts, and be able to verify every stage of the processing. The software is written in a modern modular framework that is easy to maintain, develop, and share. IMPROVER allows forecast information to be provided with greater spatial and temporal detail and a faster update frequency than previous postprocessing. Independent probabilistic processing chains are constructed for each meteorological variable consisting of a series of processing stages that operate on predefined grids and blend outputs from several NWP inputs to give a frequently updated, probabilistic forecast solution. Probabilistic information is produced as standard, with the option of extracting a most likely or yes–no outcome if required. Verification can be performed at all stages, although it is only currently switched on for the most significant stages when run in real time. IMPROVER has been producing real-time output since March 2021 and became operational in spring 2022.

IMPROVER (Integrated Model Post-Processing and Verification) has been developed by the Met Office as an open-source probability-based post-processing system to fully exploit our convection permitting, hourly cycling ensemble forecasts. Post-processed MOGREPS-UK model forecasts are blended with deterministic UKV model forecasts and data from the coarser resolution global ensemble, MOGREPS-G, to produce seamless probabilistic forecasts from now out to 7 days ahead. For precipitation, an extrapolation nowcast is also blended in at the start. Forecasts are converted to probabilities at the start, and all initial stages of post-processing are performed on gridded data, with site-specific forecasts extracted as a final step, helping to ensure consistency. Data are processed on a 10km global grid and on a 2km UK-centred grid.This talk will briefly describe the post-processing sequence from raw NWP model data to fully-blended, gridded and spot forecasts as probabilities and percentiles of a broad range of meteorological diagnostics, with the application of physical and statistical post-processing techniques. The system became operational in early May 2022, and the this talk will focus on some of the work that has been undertaken in the last year to achieve this, including ensemble calibration of temperature and wind speed data at observed and non-observed sites. There will be discussion of some of the verification used to prove this system, as well as a brief look at the technical aspects of this complex system, the initial customers and collaborators and the planned future work, including the use of ECMWF forecast data to extend the range of IMPROVER out to 14 days.

Community‐based conservation has been identified as a solution to biodiversity loss, climate change and the reduction of rural poverty. The heterogeneity in social and economic inequalities often acts as a barrier to community engagement in resource management and further inhibits the distributional equity of social and ecological outcomes. This study presents a participatory impact assessment (PIA) framework that evaluated the outcomes of a cross‐sector community‐led conservation initiative. Community members involved in the programme identified activities and outcomes for the conservation cooperative (CC), ranking the influence of the former on the latter as well as their daily life through multiple focus group discussions (FGDs). Participants were asked to rank the impact of activities on outcomes and the scale of the outcome which was totalled to identify the most impactful programme activities and outcomes during the project period. Community members reported improved income, health, education and the creation of a locally led natural resource management system. Members also reported improved crab harvest rates and reduced mangrove deforestation. Environmental outcomes identified by community members through the PIA were verified through a secondary spatial analysis and mud crab independent fisheries monitoring. The results support the hypothesis that environmental non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) need to consider a multi‐dimensional view of human well‐being, and that cross‐sector integrated interventions may be effective at improving multiple outcomes. Future steps should focus on spatial replication of the CC programme which will provide further insights by testing for differences in outcomes between villages, how those are impacted by pre‐existing social and ecological systems and comparing outcomes between control sites that did not receive interventions. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Invasive alien plants pose a growing threat to native biodiversity and are a burden to local livelihoods through their impacts on cultural values, agriculture, farming and tourism. A prime example of this is stinking passionflower (Passiflora foetida), a herbaceous vine that has invaded across the global tropics, including vast tracts of remote northern Australia. Yet despite its ubiquity in the landscape and growing concerns about its impacts on native biodiversity, surprisingly little is known about how to effectively control stinking passionflower. To address this knowledge gap, we established an 18 month long field experiment in the semi-arid Pilbara region of Western Australia to (i) understand seasonal variation in the growth phenology of stinking passionflower and identify optimal time windows for management; (ii) compare the effectiveness of different methods for controlling stinking passionflower, including both physical removal and chemical treatments; and (iii) understand the knock-on implications of these treatments for the recruitment of new cohorts of stinking passionflower seedlings and the recovery of native plant species. We found that biomass growth was tightly coupled with rainfall events, which are largely unpredictable in the study region. We also found substantial differences in the effectiveness of the different control treatments we trialled, with glyphosate foliar spray proving highly effective while plants recovered quickly following stem cutting. However, the application of glyphosate foliar spray without the removal of the dead biomass resulted in the rapid regeneration of stinking passionflower seedlings, whereas native plant species largely failed to recover.

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are insufficiently physically active. Where interventions have been developed and delivered, these have had limited effectiveness, and often lack a theoretical underpinning.Through application of the COM-B model, our aim is to explore the factors influencing adolescent physical activity within schools.A qualitative methodology, using focus groups with students who have mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, their parents'/carers' and teachers'. The COM-B model provided the lens through which the data were collected and analysed.We identified of a range of individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors influencing physical activity, across all six COM-B constructs, within the context of the 'school-system'.This is the first study to use the COM-B model to explore school-based physical activity behaviour, for adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Identification of such physical activity behavioural determinants can support the development of effective and sustainable interventions.

In the present randomised-controlled trial we investigated the effect of reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) training frequency (2, 3, or 4 sessions/week for 6 weeks) on maximal aerobic capacity in 42 inactive individuals (13 women; mean ± SD age: 25 ± 5 years, maximal aerobic capacity: 35 ± 5 mL·kg−1·min−1). Changes in maximal aerobic capacity were not significantly different between the 3 groups (2 sessions/week: +10.2%; 3 sessions/week: +8.1%; 4 sessions per week: +7.3%). In conclusion, a training frequency of 2 sessions/week is sufficient for REHIT to improve maximal aerobic capacity. Novelty We demonstrate that reducing REHIT training frequency from 3 or 4 to 2 sessions/week does not attenuate improvements in the key health marker of maximal aerobic capacity.

International audience; Few studies assess the effects of recreational fishing in isolation from commercial fishing. We used meta-analysis to synthesise 4444 samples from 30 years (1987–2017) of fish surveys inside and outside a large network of highly protected reserves in the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, where the major fishing activity is recreational. Data were collected by different agencies, using varied survey designs and sampling methods. We contrasted the relative abundance and biomass of target and non-target fish groups between fished and reserve locations. We considered the influence of, and possible interactions between, seven additional variables: age and size of reserve, one of two reserve network configurations, reef habitat type, recreational fishing activity, shore-based fishing regulations and survey method. Taxa responded differently: the abundance and biomass inside reserves relative to outside was higher for targeted lethrinids, while other targeted (and non-targeted) fish groups were indistinguishable. Reef habitat was important for explaining lethrinid response to protection, and this factor interacted with reserve size, such that larger reserves were demonstrably more effective in the back reef and lagoon habitats. There was little evidence of changes in relative abundance and biomass of fishes with reserve age, or after rezoning and expansion of the reserve network. Our study demonstrates the complexities in quantifying fishing effects, highlighting some of the key factors and interactions that likely underlie the varied results in reserve assessments that should be considered in future reserve design and assessment.

Research has shown that childhood physical activity participation has a positive relationship with markers of wellbeing, such as self-esteem and quality of life, and physical activity participation may serve as protective mechanism against some mental illnesses including depression. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between gender, physical activity, screen time, body mass index and wellbeing in Irish school children (N = 705; mean age: 8.74 ± 0.52 years) from social disadvantage. In Northern Ireland, schools included in the 2010 Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) were invited to participate. Schools included for participation in the Republic of Ireland were from the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) index. Data gathered included accelerometry (physical activity), self-report (screen time and wellbeing), and anthropometric measurements. Physical activity was objectively measured during eight consecutive days using Actigraph GT1M and GT3X devices, using stringent accelerometer protocol. Screen time activities were derived using questions adapted from the Health Promotion Agencies National Children’s Survey in Northern Ireland. The KIDSCREEN-27 is a health-related quality of life measurement, and this tool was used by participants to self-report their health and wellbeing. Results suggest that boys accumulated more minutes of daily screen time than girls, however, boys were more physically active when compared to girls. Wellbeing scores for gender showed inverse associations with daily screen time. Standard multiple regression revealed that gender, physical activity, screen time and body mass index (combined) explained little variance in the prediction of wellbeing. Results indicate the importance of gender-based considerations for physical activity and screen time with children from social disadvantage. The inverse relationship found between overall screen time and wellbeing will help guide future healthy lifestyle interventions for Irish children of low-income communities.

Aim To identify the selection methods currently being used for pre-registration nursing programmes and to assess the predictive power that these methods have on students' success. Background Research into selection methods in nursing education is beginning to emerge, yet it is unclear which methods are most predictive of students' success. Design A systematic review of the literature. Methods A systematic search of ten electronic databases; CINAHL, Medline OVID, EMBASE, PROQUEST Health and Medical, PROQUEST Education, COCHRANE Library, Web of Science, ASSIA, SCOPUS and PROSPERO was conducted. The results were expanded by the handsearching of journals, reference lists and grey literature. The PRISMA Statement guided the review. Studies published in English between January 2008 and March 2020 were eligible for inclusion and quality assessment was undertaken using the CASP Checklist for Cohort Studies. Results Twenty-five studies met the criteria for inclusion. A range of selection methods were identified including prior academic achievement, admissions tests, interviews, emotional intelligence tests, personal statements and previous health care experience. Prior academic achievement and admissions tests appear to be the selection methods most predictive of student success. The evidence surrounding other selection methods such as interviews and personal statements is less conclusive. Conclusion Selecting individuals with the appropriate knowledge, interpersonal skills and personal qualities needed to complete an undergraduate nursing programme is an important part of the role of nurse educators. This review shows that a wide variety of selection methods are used across different institutions, some of which are more effective than others in predicting student outcomes. Relevance to clinical practice Further research is required to justify the continued use of some commonly used selection methods for undergraduate nursing programmes. Selection models that combine various types of selection criteria with predictive power appear to increase the probability of selecting students that will have successful outcomes.

The prevalence of nursing students with specific learning difficulties enrolled on pre-registration nursing programmes and the impact that this diagnosis has on their programme outcomes are currently unknown.The aim of this paper is to report on data that explored and compared the academic journey of students with and without learning difficulties on pre-registration nursing degree programmes.A retrospective cohort design.One university in the UK offering BSc Honours Degree programmes in Adult and Mental Health Nursing.Pre-registration adult and mental health nursing students (n = 1152) enrolled in the programmes between 2012 and 2016.Pearson's Correlation, ANOVA and crosstabulation were used to identify the differences and associations between each group of students with the outcome variables grade percent average and programme completion.A total of 12.5% of the students were identified as having a diagnosed specific learning difficulty and were entitled to reasonable adjustments. The analysis shows that their grade percent average and completion rates are equivalent to students without a specific learning difficulty.The differences between students with a specific learning difficulty and those without are small across the variables measured. Reasonable adjustments appear to mitigate the learning difficulties that students with specific learning difficulties have. Educators need to continue to promote ways of identifying students with specific learning difficulties as early as possible in the student's academic journey. Responsive adjustments in teaching and assessment in theory and practice components should be implemented to ensure that all students' opportunities to succeed are maximised.

Purpose Reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) is a genuinely time-efficient exercise intervention that improves aerobic capacity and blood pressure in men with type 2 diabetes. However, the acute effects of REHIT on 24-h glycaemia have not been examined. Methods 11 men with type 2 diabetes (mean ± SD: age, 52 ± 6 years; BMI, 29.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2; HbA1c, 7.0 ± 0.8%) participated in a randomised, four-trial crossover study, with continual interstitial glucose measurements captured during a 24-h dietary-standardised period following either (1) no exercise (CON); (2) 30 min of continuous exercise (MICT); (3) 10 × 1 min at ~ 90 HRmax (HIIT; time commitment, ~ 25 min); and (4) 2 × 20 s ‘all-out’ sprints (REHIT; time commitment, 10 min). Results Compared to CON, mean 24-h glucose was lower following REHIT (mean ± 95%CI: − 0.58 ± 0.41 mmol/L, p = 0.008, d = 0.55) and tended to be lower with MICT (− 0.37 ± 0.41 mmol/L, p = 0.08, d = 0.35), but was not significantly altered following HIIT (− 0.37 ± 0.59 mmol/L, p = 0.31, d = 0.35). This seemed to be largely driven by a lower glycaemic response (area under the curve) to dinner following both REHIT and MICT (− 11%, p 0.9 for both) but not HIIT (− 4%, p = 0.22, d = 0.38). Time in hyperglycaemia appeared to be reduced with all three exercise conditions compared with CON (REHIT: − 112 ± 63 min, p = 0.002, d = 0.50; MICT: -115 ± 127 min, p = 0.08, d = 0.50; HIIT − 125 ± 122 min, p = 0.04, d = 0.54), whilst indices of glycaemic variability were not significantly altered. Conclusion REHIT may offer a genuinely time-efficient exercise option for improving 24-h glycaemia in men with type 2 diabetes and warrants further study.

Background Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve psychological wellbeing in adults, however less is known about this relationship in children. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PA and wellbeing in children for the first time across Ireland and to explore potential differences by gender, jurisdiction (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) and region of Ireland. Method A sample of 673 8–9 year olds attending school in socially disadvantaged areas took part. Participants completed a measure of PA and the KIDSCREEN-27 quality of life questionnaire. Results 18% of children accumulated the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day for health, with 18% of boys (n = 63) and 17% girls (n = 55) achieving this level. Children in Northern Ireland reported higher wellbeing scores than those in Republic of Ireland. Children achieving the recommended level of MVPA scored significantly higher on measures of wellbeing than less active children. Gender differences in wellbeing were found for perceived parental, social and school support with girls scoring higher than boys. Conclusions Children who meet the recommended MVPA guidelines and those who live in Northern Ireland report a higher level of wellbeing than their peers who live in the Republic of Ireland.

Sport and exercise psychology research in disability sport seldom engages with social models of disability. As a result, the socio-historical landscape of disability is underrepresented in sport psychology research. The aim of this study is to interpret influences on participation in disability sport through the conceptual lens of the social relational model (SRM) of disability (Thomas, 1999, 2004, 2007). Ten Irish adult male athletes with physical disabilities participated in semi-structured interviews exploring the barriers and facilitators that influence participation in Wheelchair Rugby. Deductive thematic analysis produced four themes influenced by the social relational model: impairment effects; societal attitudes and discourse; opportunities and access; and psychological well-being. Links were made to the experience of embodied impairment, classification, oppression, inequality, media, independence, and self-efficacy. The analysis illustrates how cultural constructions of disability are inextricably linked to individual influences on participation in Wheelchair Rugby. The results indicate that in disability sport participation, the experience of social oppression, inequality and cultural stereotypes of disability can be synonymous with the personal experience of physical impairment. The implication of this research is that there is a value in sport and exercise psychology practitioners utilising the social relational model as a tool to conceptualise the lived experience of physical disability.

Background: Need-supportive environments have been shown to contribute to children’s physical activity levels, and in a few cases, well-being. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the aim of this study was to determine the influence of psychological needs (competence and social relatedness) satisfaction on physical activity levels and well-being in children from areas of social and economic disadvantage.Method: A total of 211 children aged 8-9 years from areas of low socio-economic status wore an accelerometer for one week, and completed a questionnaire assessing psychological needs satisfaction and well-being. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and path analysis was conducted to assess the factor structure of the measures, and test for theory predicting significant relationships between psychological needs, physical activity and well-being. Results: The factor structure of the instruments was supported, and a significant positive relationship was found between athletic competence and physical activity (β=.19). Athletic competence (β=.19), along with parental relatedness (β=.32), positively predicted children’s well-being. Physical activity alone, did not predict well-beingConclusions: Practitioners may want to consider components of SDT, reflective of need-supportive environments, when designing physical activity interventions. Interventions aimed at supporting children’s perceptions of competence, and the involvement of parents, may offer the opportunity to increase well-being.

Background School-based interventions offer the opportunity to increase physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and nutritional behaviours, yet methodological limitations hinder current research, particularly among under-represented children from low socio-economic status (SES). The aim was to determine the effect of a 12-week physical activity programme, Sport for LIFE: All Island (SFL:AI), on physical activity levels, HRQOL, and nutritional attitudes and behaviours in children of low SES across the island of Ireland. Methods A 2 (groups) × 4 (data collection points) clustered randomised controlled trial was conducted comprising an intervention group who received SFL:AI for 12 weeks, and a waiting-list control condition. In total 740 children (381 boys, 359 girls) aged 8–9 years (mean = 8.7; SD = .50) from 27 schools across four regions of Ireland (Ulster, Leinster, Connacht and Munster) took part. Physical activity was measured by accelerometers, and children completed a validated questionnaire at baseline, mid (i.e. 6-weeks), post-intervention (i.e. 12 weeks) and follow-up (i.e. 3 months post-intervention). Results No significant interaction effects for the intervention were found on any of the study outcomes. Main effects were reported for physical well-being, parental relations and autonomy and financial resources, as well as sweetened beverages, environment and intake, and attitude to vegetables. However, these changes were not statistically attributable to the intervention. Conclusions It remains unclear if school-based physical activity interventions can improve HRQOL through physical activity with children from low SES. Logistical and methodological considerations are outlined to explore the null effect of the programme, and to provide suggestions for future research and practice. Trial registration Trial registration number: ISRCTN76261698. Name of registry: ICRCTN. Date of registration: 23/08/2017. Date of enrolment: September 2014.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate daily physical activity (PA) patterns of 8- to 9-year-old Irish children from socially disadvantaged areas. Methods: Children (N = 408) were...

We have previously demonstrated that reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) is a genuinely time-efficient exercise strategy for improving cardiometabolic health. Here, we examined the affective and perceptual responses to REHIT. Eight young men and women (age 21±1 y, BMI 24.9±2.1 m/kg2, V̇ O2max 39±10 ml/kg/min) and 11 men with type 2 diabetes (T2D; age 52±6 y, BMI 29.7±3.1 m/kg2, V̇ O2max 29±5 ml/kg/min) took part in three-arm crossover trials with RPE and affective valence measured during, and enjoyment and exercise preferences measured following either: 1) REHIT (2x20-s sprints in a 10-min exercise session), 2) HIIT (10x1-min efforts) and 3) 30 min MICT. Furthermore, 19 young men and women (age 25±6 y, BMI 24±4 m/kg2, V̇ O2max 34±8 ml/kg/min) completed a 6-week REHIT intervention with affective valence during an acute REHIT session measured before and after training. Affect decreases (briefly) during REHIT, but recovers rapidly, and the decline is not significantly different when compared to MICT or HIIT in either healthy participants or T2D patients. Young sedentary participants reported similar levels of enjoyment for REHIT, MICT and HIIT, but 7 out of 8 had a preference for REHIT. Conversely, T2D patients tended to report lower levels of enjoyment with REHIT compared with MICT. The decrease in affective valence observed during an acute REHIT session was significantly attenuated following training. We conclude that affective and perceptual responses to REHIT are no more negative compared to those associated with MICT or HIIT, refuting claims that supramaximal sprint interval training protocols are associated with inherent negative responses.

Complex cycling workflows are fundamental to numerical weather prediction (NWP) and related environmental forecasting systems. Large numbers of jobs are executed at regular intervals to process new data and generate new forecasts. Dependence between these forecast cycles creates a single never-ending workflow, but NWP workflow schedulers have traditionally ignored this-at the cost of efficiency when running “off the clock”-by enforcing a simpler nonoverlapping sequence of single-cycle workflows. Cylc (“Silk”)1 -3 is designed to manage infinite cycling workflows efficiently even after delays in real-time operation, or in historical runs, when cycles can typically interleave for much-increased throughput. Cylc is not actually specialized to environmental forecasting, however, and cycling workflows may also be useful in other contexts. In this paper, we describe the origins and major features of Cylc, future plans for the project, and our experience of Open Source development and community engagement.

Purpose Models of self-paced endurance performance suggest that accurate knowledge of the exercise end-point influences pace-related decision making. No studies have examined the effects of anticipated task difficulty during equidistant endurance activities. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anticipated task difficulty on pacing, psychological, and physiological responses during running time trials. Methods Twenty-eight trained runners completed three self-paced 3000-m time trials. The first was a baseline time trial completed on a 0% treadmill gradient. Time trials 2 and 3 were counterbalanced. Before a known incline time trial, anticipated to be more difficult, subjects were accurately informed that the gradient would increase to 7% for the final 800 m. Before an equivalent, unknown incline (UI) time trial subjects were deceptively informed that the gradient would remain at 0% throughout. Results Expressed relative to baseline, running speed was 2.44% slower (d = -0.47) over the first 2200 m during known incline (KI) time trial than UI time trial. Effort perception, affective valence, heart rate, and blood lactate did not differ between time trials. Initial running speed during KI was related to pretrial motivation, pretrial vigor, perceived effort, and affective valence (all r ≥ 0.382). No such relationships existed during UI. More subjects also reported a conscious focus on pacing during KI. Conclusions An anticipated increase in task difficulty provoked pace conservation during 3000 m running time trials. The reduced pace may have resulted from greater task uncertainty and consciously aware, effort- and affect-based decisions to conserve energy and maintain hedonic state during KI. The findings add to theoretical understandings of factors that influence pacing during endurance activity. Consequently, recommendations to minimize the potentially deleterious effects of anticipated increases in task difficulty are provided.

peer-reviewed This study examined the metacognitive processes and attentional focus of recreational endurance runners. The emphasis was on understanding the metacognitive processes important to acquire, develop, and refine cognitive strategies in novice endurance exercise participants. The potential impact of metacognitive processes and cognitive strategies on longer-term endurance activity adherence was also of interest. To meet these aims, ten recreational runners were interviewed to retrospectively explore metacognitive processes and attentional focus during running. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive content analyses. The data revealed that runners engaged in a relatively limited array of metacognitive skills and may not possess a detailed knowledge of task-specific attentional strategies to regulate cognition. Few runners engaged in metacognitive planning or reviewing by themselves, for example. Cognitive strategies were developed with experience, however, and often as a consequence of unpleasant, effort-related sensory experiences. Other, more experienced runners were also influential sources for cognitive strategy acquisition. These findings are novel within an endurance activity context. Based on our interpretation of the findings, we propose that interventions to enhance metacognitive abilities and assist novice endurance participants to acquire, develop, and refine task-appropriate cognitive strategies, may be important to longer-term endurance activity adherence.

We studied the persistence of fishing impacts on coral reef fish assemblages by sam- pling 2 protected and 2 fished locations, using random replicate stereo baited remote underwater video. At each location we sampled a variety of coral reef habitats on 4 separate occasions be - tween 2006 and 2007. We tested for consistency in differences in the biomass of target and non- target species, trophic groups and overall assemblages. Generally, target species were more abundant and/or larger at protected locations. Many non- target species were either more abun- dant or depleted at protected sites, and some of these species were significantly larger or smaller. Trophic groups such as piscivores, piscivore invertivores, invertivores and planktivores were con- sistently more abundant within protected locations. Generally, greater numbers of species and individuals were found on protected reefs, though this was not consistent in all cases across all 4 sampling periods. These findings are consistent with the theory that protected areas can increase the abundance of not just target species but overall fish assemblages. These findings provide evi- dence for ecological mechanisms such as predator-prey interactions, competitive release, and benefits to invertivores, omnivores and other non-target groups from the presence of more abun- dant and larger target species within marine protected areas.

WOS: 000428427800004, PubMed ID: 29172029, Recent studies have demonstrated that modifying the "classic" 6 x 30-s "all-out" sprint interval training protocol by incorporating either shorter sprints (6 x 10-s or 15-s sprints) or fewer sprints (e.g., 2 x 20-s sprints; reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT)) does not attenuate the training-induced improvements in maximal aerobic capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine if reducing the sprint duration in the REHIT protocol from 20 s to 10 s per sprint influences acute affective responses and the change in maximal aerobic capacity following training. Thirty-six sedentary or recreationally active participants (17 women; mean +/- SD; age: 22 +/- 3 years; body mass index: 24.5 +/- 4.6 kg.m(-2); maximal aerobic capacity: 37 +/- 8 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) were randomised to a group performing a "standard" REHIT protocol involving 2 x 20-s sprints or a group who performed 2 x 10-s sprints. Maximal aerobic capacity was determined before and after 6 weeks of 3 weekly training sessions. Acute affective responses and perceived exertion were assessed during training. Greater increases in maximal aerobic capacity were observed for the group performing 20-s sprints (2.77 +/- 0.75 to 3.04 +/- 0.75 L.min(-1); + 10%) compared with the group performing 10-s sprints (2.58 +/- 0.57 vs. 2.67 +/- 3.04 L.min(-1); + 4%; group x time interaction effect: p < 0.05; d = 1.06). Positive affect and the mood state vigour increased postexercise, while tension, depression, and total mood disturbance decreased, and negative affect remained unchanged. Affective responses and perceived exertion were not altered by training and were not different between groups. In conclusion, reducing sprint duration in the REHIT protocol from 20 s to 10 s attenuates improvements in maximal aerobic capacity, and does not result in more positive affective responses or lower perceived exertion., Thammasat University, We would like to thank Evangeline Nicol, Jeremy Basset Sagarminaga, Stefanos Strzemiecki, Noel McLaughlin, Patrick Meenan, and Sam Russell for assistance with testing and the training sessions. P.S. is supported by a PhD studentship provided by Thammasat University.

I’ll be very clear at the outset. This is a good book. It is consistent with its premises and with its aims. I endorse, without hesitation, the assertions of the reviewers cited on the back cover, ...

The Feminist Judgments Project involved the writing of alternative feminist judgments in significant legal cases. This article describes how the project was used to introduce students in a legal philosophy module to the ideas sitting behind the project, i.e. that there could be a distinctively feminist approach to judgment writing and that such an approach could be legitimate. One of the aims of the module is to explore critical accounts of the law. Briefly outlining the content of the module, we then focus on two particular facets of this content: the role of judgments in the module, and the issue of where feminist judging sits within this. We then go on to consider a particular activity we have developed for use in the class, which involves students seeking to identify the gender of the judges involved, and the distinctions (if any) between judgments. Finally we reflect on how the students have used this activity within their own summatively assessed work for the module. As we proceed, we refer to our e...

BackgroundKidscreen-27 was developed as part of a cross-cultural European Union-funded project to standardise the measurement of children’s health-related quality of life. Yet, research has reported mixed evidence for the hypothesised 5-factor model, and no confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been conducted on the instrument with children of low socio-economic status (SES) across Ireland (Northern and Republic).MethodThe data for this study were collected as part of a clustered randomised controlled trial. A total of 663 (347 male, 315 female) 8–9-year-old children (M = 8.74, SD = .50) of low SES took part. A 5- and modified 7-factor CFA models were specified using the maximum likelihood estimation. A nested Chi-square difference test was conducted to compare the fit of the models. Internal consistency and floor and ceiling effects were also examined.ResultsCFA found that the hypothesised 5-factor model was an unacceptable fit. However, the modified 7-factor model was supported. A nested Chi-square difference test confirmed that the fit of the 7-factor model was significantly better than that of the 5-factor model. Internal consistency was unacceptable for just one scale. Ceiling effects were present in all but one of the factors.ConclusionsFuture research should apply the 7-factor model with children of low socio-economic status. Such efforts would help monitor the health status of the population.

Baited remote underwater stereo-video (stereo-BRUV) stations and diver operated stereo-video (stereo-DOV) transects are increasingly used to sample both tropical and temperate fish assemblages. Compared to in situ visual census methods, the use of stereo-video reduces inter- observer variability, improves definition of the sample unit area, increases accuracy of fish length estimates and provides a permanent record of the assemblage that can be validated where required or independently reanalysed. Previous studies have suggested that stereo-BRUV collects representa- tive data on both carnivorous and herbivorous species and can be more cost-efficient than diver- based survey methods. This study compares estimates of common fish assemblage metrics obtained with stereo-BRUV stations and stereo-DOV transects across 3 biogeographic regions, and uses a cost- optimization procedure to compare the efficiency of these 2 methods. Stereo-BRUV stations were found to sample greater species richness and obtain greater estimates of relative biomass of general- ist carnivores, but no differences occurred in the biomass of herbivores sampled by the 2 techniques. Stereo-BRUV stations generally obtained estimates of assemblage metrics with less variance, result- ing in greater power to detect spatial and temporal changes in the fish assemblage metrics. Cost-benefit analyses found that stereo-BRUV was generally more time efficient than stereo-DOV transects in terms of smaller standard error around the mean of the various metrics considered. How- ever, across the 3 biogeographic regions sampled there was considerable variation in the magnitude of these differences. Results suggest that stereo-BRUV stations are, in general, a more cost-effective method for monitoring fish assemblages than stereo-DOV transects.

Measures of fish abundance, assemblage composition and length were compared when sampled by baited remote underwater stereo-video (stereo BRUV) and diver-operated stereo-video transects (stereo DOV) at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and Ningaloo Reef. Species richness counts were 40% higher on stereo BRUV than stereo DOV. Stereo BRUVs also recorded a greater number of large-bodied targeted species in higher abundance than stereo DOV (e.g. Lethrinus nebulosus, Plectropomus leopardus) at the Houtman Abrolhos and at Ningaloo Reef. Many non-targeted species were also recorded in greater abundances on stereo BRUV than stereo DOV (e.g. Coris auricularis, Gymnothorax spp). Stereo DOV transects recorded a greater abundance of some small-bodied Pomacentridae, Labridae and Scaridae species than did stereo BRUV, particularly at Ningaloo Reef. This study demonstrates that choice of sampling technique for surveys of reef fish can lead to very different biological interpretations of fish assemblage structure.

Seasonal observations of whale shark abundance recorded by ecotourist operators at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia from 1999 to 2004 were compared with weekly regional and global oceanographic and atmospheric variables, including average sea surface temperatures, along-shelf wind shear, sea level and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Estimates of these physical variables were derived from either ground-based data or from remote sensing instruments. A generalised linear mixed-effects modelling (GLMM) approach with random sampling and model simulation was used to determine the relationships between the number of whale sharks and all model variants of the environmental parameters, using information-theoretic weights of evidence to rank models. SOI and wind shear had the most support for explaining the deviance in weekly whale shark abundance at Ningaloo Reef during a season. The SOI and wind shear variables positively influenced whale shark abundance such that more sharks were sighted when the Southern Oscillation was stronger and along-shelf winds were increasingly prevalent. This may reflect changes in the strength of oceanographic processes such as the Leeuwin Current (in response to the Southern Oscillation) and wind/current driven upwelling which may affect the abundance of whale sharks transported to the region and/or the availability of their prey by driving productivity changes.

We investigate high-modulus degradable materials intended to replace metals in biomedical applications. These are typically composites comprising a polylactide (PLA) matrix reinforced with phosphate glass fibres, which provide reinforcement similar to E-glass but are entirely degradable in water to produce, principally, calcium phosphate. We have made composites using a variety of fibre architectures, from non-woven random mats to unidirectional fibre tapes. Flexural properties in the region of 30 GPa modulus and 350 MPa strength have been achieved – directly comparable to quoted values for human cortical bone. In collaboration with other groups we have begun to consider the development of foamed systems with structures mimicking cancellous bone and this has shown significant promise. The fibres in these foamed structures provide improved creep resistance and reinforcement of the pore walls. To date the materials have exhibited excellent cellular responses in vitro and further studies are due to include consideration of the surface character of the materials and the influence of this on cell interaction, both with the composites and the glass fibres themselves, which show promise as a standalone porous scaffold.

Over-exploitation of whale sharks threatens the future of these wide-ranging pelagic fish. A long-term continuous record (4436 sightings) from a large aggregation (300–500 resident individuals) of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia shows that mean shark length declined linearly by nearly 2.0 m and relative abundance measured from ecotourism sightings (corrected for variation in search effort and environmental stochasticity) has fallen by approximately 40% over the last decade. This population-level result confirms previous predictions of population decline based on projection models parameterised using mark-recapture estimates of survival. The majority of these changes are driven by reductions in the number of large individuals in the population. Phenomenological time series models support a deterministic (extrinsic) decline in large females, although there was some evidence for density dependence in large males. These reductions have occurred despite the total protection of whale sharks in Australian waters. As this species is highly migratory, the rapid change in population composition over a decade (