Can an inertial measurement unit, combined with machine learning, accurately measure ground reaction forces in cricket fast bowling?

This study examined whether an inertial measurement unit (IMU) could measure ground reaction force (GRF) during a cricket fast bowling delivery. Eighteen male fast bowlers had IMUs attached to their upper back and bowling wrist. Each participant bowled 36 deliveries, split into three different intensity zones: low = 70% of maximum perceived bowling effort, medium = 85%, and high = 100%. A force plate was embedded into the bowling crease to measure the ground truth GRF. Three machine learning models were used to estimate GRF from the IMU data. The best results from all models showed a mean absolute percentage error of 22.1% body weights (BW) for vertical and horizontal peak force, 24.1% for vertical impulse, 32.6% and 33.6% for vertical and horizontal loading rates, respectively. The linear support vector machine model had the most consistent results. Although results were similar to other papers that have estimated GRF, the error would likely prevent its use in individual monitoring. However, due to the large differences in raw GRFs between participants, researchers may be able to help identify links among GRF, injury, and performance by categorising values into levels (i.e., low and high).

Effect of 3-nitrooxypropanol on enteric methane emissions of feedlot cattle fed with a tempered barley-based diet with canola oil.

A dose-response experiment was designed to examine the effect of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) on methane (CH4) emissions, rumen function and performance of feedlot cattle fed a tempered barley-based diet with canola oil. Twenty Angus steers of initial body weight (BW) of 356 ±â€…14.4 kg were allocated in a randomized complete block design. Initial BW was used as the blocking criterion. Cattle were housed in individual indoor pens for 112 d, including the first 21 d of adaptation followed by a 90-d finishing period when five different 3-NOP inclusion rates were compared: 0 mg/kg dry matter (DM; control), 50 mg/kg DM, 75 mg/kg DM, 100 mg/kg DM, and 125 mg/kg DM. Daily CH4 production was measured on day 7 (last day of starter diet), day 14 (last day of the first intermediate diet), and day 21 (last day of the second intermediate diet) of the adaptation period and on days 28, 49, 70, 91, and 112 of the finisher period using open circuit respiration chambers. Rumen digesta samples were collected from each steer on the day prior to chamber measurement postfeeding, and prefeeding on the day after the chamber measurement, for determination of rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonium-N, protozoa enumeration, pH, and reduction potential. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded daily and BW weekly. Data were analyzed in a mixed model including period, 3-NOP dose and their interaction as fixed effects, and block as a random effect. Our results demonstrated both a linear and quadratic (decreasing rate of change) effect on CH4 production (g/d) and CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) as 3-NOP dose increased (P < 0.01). The achieved mitigation for CH4 yield in our study ranged from approximately 65.5% up to 87.6% relative to control steers fed a finishing feedlot diet. Our results revealed that 3-NOP dose did not alter rumen fermentation parameters such as ammonium-N, VFA concentration nor VFA molar proportions. Although this experimental design was not focused on the effect of 3-NOP dose on feedlot performance, no negative effects of any 3-NOP dose were detected on animal production parameters. Ultimately, the knowledge on the CH4 suppression pattern of 3-NOP may facilitate sustainable pathways for the feedlot industry to lower its carbon footprint.

Livestock methane (CH4) is the main source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in agriculture, contributing to 11.6% of global GHGs emissions from human-related activities. Therefore, mitigating CH4 emissions from ruminant animals is a great opportunity for meeting the current climate targets. In this experiment, increasing inclusion rates of a promising CH4-mitigating compound, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP, from 50 to 125 mg of 3-NOP/kg of dry matter [DM]), were added to a barley-based feedlot diet containing 25 ppm of monensin and 7% fat (DM-basis) and fed to Angus steers. Under these conditions, increasing inclusion rate of 3-NOP reduced both production and yield of CH4 by up to 90%. Rumen fermentation, feed intake, and average daily gain were not affected by the 3-NOP dose. Our results on the potential CH4 suppression of 3-NOP may assist the feedlot industry towards sustainability by lowering its GHG output.

Effect of Selenium Nanoparticle Size on IL-6 Detection Sensitivity in a Lateral Flow Device.

Sepsis is the body's response to an infection. Existing diagnostic testing equipment is not available in primary care settings and requires long waiting times. Lateral flow devices (LFDs) could be employed in point-of-care (POC) settings for sepsis detection; however, they currently lack the required sensitivity. Herein, LFDs are constructed using 150-310 nm sized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and are compared to commercial 40 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the detection of the sepsis biomarker interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both 310 and 150 nm SeNPs reported a lower limit of detection (LOD) than 40 nm AuNPs (0.1 ng/mL compared to 1 ng/mL), although at the cost of test line visual intensity. This is to our knowledge the first use of larger SeNPs (>100 nm) in LFDs and the first comparison of the effect of the size of SeNPs on assay sensitivity in this context. The results herein demonstrate that large SeNPs are viable alternatives to existing commercial labels, with the potential for higher sensitivity than standard 40 nm AuNPs.

Neurodegeneration in a novel invertebrate model system: Failed microtubule-mediated cell adhesion and unraveling of macroglia.

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the main causes of death in the United States, leading to irreversible disintegration of neurons. Despite intense international research efforts, cellular mechanisms that initiate neurodegeneration remain elusive, thus inhibiting the development of effective preventative and early onset medical treatment. To identify underlying cellular mechanisms that initiate neuron degeneration, it is critical to identify histological and cellular hallmarks that can be linked to underlying biochemical processes. Due to the poor tissue preservation of degenerating mammalian brain tissue, our knowledge regarding histopathological hallmarks of early to late degenerative stages is only fragmentary. Here, we introduce a novel model organism to study histological hallmarks of neurodegeneration, the spider Cupiennius salei. We utilized toluidine blue-stained 0.9-µm serial semithin and 50-nm ultrathin sections of young and old spider nervous tissue. Our findings suggest that the initial stages of neurodegeneration in spiders may be triggered by (1) dissociation of neuron- and glia-derived microtubules, and (2) the weakening of microtubule-associated desmosomal junctions that lead to the unraveling of neuron-insulating macroglia, compromising the structural integrity of affected neurons. The involvement of macroglia in the disposal of neuronal debris described here-although different in the proposed transport mechanisms-shows resemblance to the mammalian glymphatic system. We propose that this model system is highly suitable to investigate invertebrate neurodegenerative processes from early onset to scar formation and that this knowledge may be useful for the study of neurodegeneration in mammalian tissue.

The relationship between bowling intensity and ground reaction force in cricket pace bowlers.

This study examined the relationship between perceived bowling intensity, ball release speed and ground reaction force (measured by peak force, impulse and loading rate) in male pace bowlers. Twenty participants each bowled 36 deliveries, split evenly across three perceived intensity zones: low = 70% of maximum perceived bowling effort, medium = 85%, and high = 100%. Peak force and loading rate were significantly different across the three perceived intensity zones in the horizontal and vertical directions (Cohen's d range = 0.14-0.45, p < 0.01). When ball release speed increased, peak force and loading rate also increased in the horizontal and vertical directions (ηp2 = 0.04-0.18, p < 0.01). Lastly, bowling at submaximal intensities (i.e., low - medium) was associated with larger decreases in peak horizontal force (7.9-12.3% decrease), impulse (15.8-21.4%) and loading rate (7.4-12.7%) compared to decreases in ball release speed (5.4-8.3%). This may have implications for bowling strategies implemented during training and matches, particularly for preserving energy and reducing injury risk.

Quantifying cricket fast bowling volume, speed and perceived intensity zone using an Apple Watch and machine learning.

This study examined whether an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and machine learning models could accurately measure bowling volume (BV), ball release speed (BRS), and perceived intensity zone (PIZ). Forty-four male pace bowlers wore a high measurement range, research-grade IMU (SABELSense) and a consumer-grade IMU (Apple Watch) on both wrists. Each participant bowled 36 deliveries, split into two different PIZs (Zone 1 = 70-85% of maximum bowling effort, Zone 2 = 100% of maximum bowling effort). BRS was measured using a radar gun. Four machine learning models were compared. Gradient boosting models had the best results across all measures (BV: F-score = 1.0; BRS: Mean absolute error = 2.76 km/h; PIZ: F-score = 0.92). There was no significant difference between the SABELSense and Apple Watch on the same hand when measuring BV, BRS, and PIZ. A significant improvement in classifying PIZ was observed for IMUs located on the dominant wrist. For all measures, there was no added benefit of combining IMUs on the dominant and non-dominant wrists.

Can an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in combination with machine learning measure fast bowling speed and perceived intensity in cricket?

This study examined whether an inertial measurement unit (IMU), in combination with machine learning, could accurately predict two indirect measures of bowling intensity through ball release speed (BRS) and perceived intensity zone (PIZ). One IMU was attached to the thoracic back of 44 fast bowlers. Each participant bowled 36 deliveries at two different PIZ zones (Zone 1 = 24 deliveries at 70% to 85% of maximum perceived bowling effort; Zone 2 = 12 deliveries at 100% of maximum perceived bowling effort) in a random order. IMU data (sampling rate = 250 Hz) were downsampled to 125 Hz, 50 Hz, and 25 Hz to determine if model accuracy was affected by the sampling frequency. Data were analysed using four machine learning models. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the mean absolute error (MAE) and accuracy scores (separately) across the four models and four sampling frequencies. Gradient boosting models were shown to be the most consistent at measuring BRS (MAE = 3.61 km/h) and PIZ (F-score = 88%) across all sampling frequencies. This method could be used to measure BRS and PIZ which may contribute to a better understanding of overall bowling load which may help to reduce injuries.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, now referred to as Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma: A Case Report of an unexpected histology of a subcutaneous lesion.

INTRODUCTION: An 85year old male presented to his General Practitioner with a vague history of a lump on his back that was mobile and non tender. He had a previous history of advanced prostate cancer and radiotherapy treatment. PRESENTATION: We present an unexpected diagnosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of a subcutaneous lesion removed from the patient's back. DISCUSSION: Excisions of subcutaneous lesions along with cutaneous lesions form the majority of cases on a usual minor operations list. All lesions are sent for histopathological analysis and most are confirmed benign sebaceous cysts or lipomas. However the entity of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, now referred to as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) should be kept in mind. Patients will usually present late with advanced local disease or metastasis, usually to lungs and lymph nodes. Treatment is surgical with wide local excision and neoadjuvant/adjuvant radiotherapy has been advocated as well. CONCLUSION: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma should be a differential in subcutaneous lesions in older adults with a previous history of malignancy, radiation therapy and a mass in the subcutaneous tissue of the back.

Cricket fast bowling detection in a training setting using an inertial measurement unit and machine learning.

Fast bowlers are at a high risk of overuse injuries. There are specific bowling frequency ranges known to have negative or protective effects on fast bowlers. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) can classify movements in sports, however, some commercial products can be too expensive for the amateur athlete. As a large number of the world's population has access to an IMU (e.g. smartphones), a system that works on a range of different IMUs may increase the accessibility of automated workload monitoring in sport. Seventeen elite fast bowlers in a training setting were used to train and/or validate five machine learning models by bowling and performing fielding drills. The accuracy of machine learning models trained using data from all three bowling phases (pre-delivery, delivery and post-delivery) were compared to those trained using only the delivery phase at a sampling rate of 250 Hz. Next, models were trained using data down-sampled to 125 Hz, 50 Hz, and 25 Hz to mimic results from lower specification sensors. Models trained using only the delivery phase showed similar accuracy (> 95%) to those trained using all three bowling phases. When delivery-phase data were down-sampled, the accuracy was maintained across all models and sampling frequencies (>96%).

Nutritional strategies in ruminants: A lifetime approach.

This review examines the role of nutritional strategies to improve lifetime performance in ruminants. Strategies to increase ruminants' productive longevity by means of nutritional interventions provide the opportunity not only to increase their lifetime performances and their welfare, but also to decrease their environmental impact. This paper will also address how such nutritional interventions can increase herd efficiency and farm profitability. The key competencies reviewed in this article are redox balance, skeletal development and health, nutrient utilization and sustainability, which includes rearing ruminants without antibiotics and methane mitigation. While the relationships between these areas are extremely complex, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to develop nutritional strategies that would allow ruminants to become more resilient to the environmental and physiological challenges that they will have to endure during their productive career. As the demand of ruminant products from the rapidly growing human world population is ever-increasing, the aim of this review is to present animal and veterinary scientists as well as nutritionists a multidisciplinary approach towards a sustainable ruminant production, while improving their nutrient utilization, health and welfare, and mitigation of their carbon footprint at the same time.

Safety evaluation of dietary levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in growing calves.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of 25-OH-D3 addition to the diet of bovine calves. The investigation was conducted as a feeding experiment for 90 days. 40 calves were allotted to four groups: T1 - control group which received 30 IU vitamin D3/kg feed, and three experimental groups, which received 25-OH-D3 in increasing dosages: T2 - 25-OH-D3 at 1.7 µg/kg, T3 - 25-OH-D3 at 5.1 µg/kg and T4 - 25-OH-D3 at 8.5 µg/kg. All calves in the four groups gained weight continually: no growth depression was observed. No adverse effects of 25- OH-D3 were observed for any of the hematology and serum chemistry parameters measured or during the routine clinical examinations. Plasma 25-OH-D3 concentration was higher (p<0.05) in groups T2, T3 and T4 compared to that observed in group T1. Tissues content of 25-OH-D3 was significantly higher in in groups T2, T3 and T4 than in group T1. In the post-mortem evaluation, no adverse effects of the different 25-OH-D3 doses were observed, neither during the gross pathology nor in the histological examination. The results of this study show explicitly that there were no adverse effects of 25-OH-D3 compared to the control group, supplemented with vitamin D3.

Totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a safe option in patients with previous lower abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: History of inguinal hernia repair changed over the decades from repair by tissue approximation to the insertion of synthetic mesh and the introduction of laparoscopic repair. Despite accounting for 15-20% of hernia operations worldwide, many surgeons considered previous lower abdominal surgery as a contraindication to performing totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of TEP in primary and recurrent inguinal hernias in patients with previous lower abdominal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of patients who underwent TEP inguinal hernia repair from January 2001 to July 2005. Variables studied included patient demographics, type of hernia, type of previous surgery, conversion to open repair, postoperative complications, and overnight admission. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients (107 males, 1 female), with a median age of 55 years (range 87-24), underwent TEP repair. Ninety-four patients had primary inguinal hernias, and 13 patients had recurrent inguinal hernias. Seventeen patients had a previous lower abdominal surgery (13 primary and 4 recurrent inguinal hernias). There was 1 conversion to open repair and 1 case of postoperative bleeding that required an exploration-both in the group with no previous surgery. Postoperative complications were minimal. All cases were performed as day cases; however, patients with recurrent hernia stayed longer in the hospital than those with primary hernia (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: TEP repair is feasible in patients with previous lower abdominal surgery. TEP was planned as a day-case procedure; however, patients with recurrent hernias needed a planned admission, as an overnight stay was required.