Exploring the use of an under-desk leg swing device during employee aptitude testing and implications on work performance and productivity.

BACKGROUND: As modern occupations become more sedentary, desk-bound workers are more at risk of chronic diseases. Active workstations have gained popularity in the workplace, but there remain concerns about their impact on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the use of a novel under-desk leg swing device on cognitive ability in the workplace compared to sitting. METHODS: Cognitive ability was measured using a pre-employment aptitude test (CCAT), and perceived outcomes were analyzed via self-report questionnaires. Using a randomized, repeated measures crossover design, 18 undergraduate students undertook the CCAT while using the under-desk leg swing device and while sitting only (Experiment 1). 9 students returned two to three weeks later to repeat testing (Experiment 2). RESULTS: In Experiment 1, CCAT scores did not differ significantly between the under-desk leg swing device and sitting (mean difference (MD) = -1.056, standard error (SE) = 1.302,p = 0.429, d = -0.16). Effect sizes of 0.554 were observed for perceived alertness, 0.446 for attention, 0.446 for focus, and 0.564 for enjoyment, but there were no significant differences between the two conditions. CCAT scores were significantly higher in Experiment 2 than in Experiment 1 (MD = 8.444, SE = 2.410,p = 0.008, d = 1.64). CONCLUSION: Based on Experiment 1, the findings suggest that the use of the under-desk leg swing device promotes movement without detriment to neither workflow nor cognitive ability relevant to employee aptitude compared to sitting.

Drone-Based Position Detection in Sports-Validation and Applications.

Radio and video-based electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) for position detection are widely used in a variety of sports. In this paper, the authors introduce an innovative approach to video-based tracking that uses a single camera attached to a drone to capture an area of interest from a bird's eye view. This pilot validation study showcases several applications of this novel approach for the analysis of game and racket sports. To this end, the authors compared positional data retrieved from video footage recorded using a drone with positional data obtained from established radio-based systems in three different setups: a tennis match during training with the drone hovering at a height of 27 m, a small-sided soccer game with the drone at a height of 50 m, and an Ultimate Frisbee match with the drone at a height of 85 m. For each type of playing surface, clay (tennis) and grass (soccer and Ultimate), the drone-based system demonstrated acceptable static accuracy with root mean square errors of 0.02 m (clay) and 0.15 m (grass). The total distance measured using the drone-based system showed an absolute difference of 2.78% in Ultimate and 2.36% in soccer, when compared to an established GPS system and an absolute difference of 2.68% in tennis, when compared to a state-of-the-art LPS. The overall ICC value for consistency was 0.998. Further applications of a drone-based EPTS and the collected positional data in the context of performance analysis are discussed. Based on the findings of this pilot validation study, we conclude that drone-based position detection could serve as a promising alternative to existing EPTS but would benefit from further comparisons in dynamic settings and across different sports.

Within-Match Performance Dynamics - Momentary Strength in Handball.

Handball is an Olympic team sport characterized by changes of ball possession, where teams either play on offense or defense. In this paper, we model momentary strength in handball as scoring probabilities based on a double moving average. In this cross-sectional observational study, the aim was to describe the dynamics of momentary strength in handball from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Momentary strength can be used to further characterize the nuances of the sport by identifying different phases in a match. The momentary strength model was applied to the 2019 International Handball Federation (IHF) Men's World Championship. Ninety-six games were analyzed. The results showed that momentary strength could be used to better understand the dynamic interaction process between two teams. The Spearman correlation between the teams' median momentary strength and their final ranks at the Championship was -0.830. Virtually each team faced phases in its matches with a momentary scoring probability lower than 0.10 and with 4 exceptions also higher than 0.90. Twelve out of the 24 teams showed phases with a momentary scoring probability of exactly 0 as well as exactly 1.

State Transition Modeling in Ultimate Frisbee: Adaptation of a Promising Method for Performance Analysis in Invasion Sports.

Although the body of literature in sport science is growing rapidly, certain sports have yet to benefit from this increased interest by the scientific community. One such sport is Ultimate Frisbee, officially known as Ultimate. Thus, the goal of this study was to describe the nature of the sport by identifying differences between winning and losing teams in elite-level competition. To do so, a customized observational system and a state transition model were developed and applied to 14 games from the 2017 American Ultimate Disc League season. The results reveal that, on average, 262.2 passes were completed by a team per game and 5.5 passes per possession. More than two-thirds of these passes were played from the mid zone (39.4 ± 6.57%) and the rear zone (35.2 ± 5.09%), nearest the team's own end zone. Winning and losing teams do not differ in these general patterns, but winning teams played significantly fewer backward passes from the front zone to the mid zone, nearest the opponent's end zone than losing teams (mean difference of -4.73%, t (13) = -4.980, p < 0.001, d = -1.16). Furthermore, losing teams scored fewer points when they started on defense, called breakpoints (mean difference of -5.57, t (13) = -6.365, p < 0.001, d = 2.30), and committed significantly more turnovers per game (mean difference of 5.64, t (13) = 5.85, p < 0.001, d = -1.18). Overall, this study provides the first empirical description of Ultimate and identifies relevant performance indicators to discriminate between winning and losing teams. We hope this article sheds light on the unique, but so far overlooked sport of Ultimate, and offers performance analysts the basis for future studies using state transition modeling in Ultimate as well as other invasion sports.

Molecular identification and cytotoxicity study of herbal medicinal materials that are confused by Aristolochia herbs.

Herbal materials derived from Aristolochia species contain carcinogenic aristolochic acids (AAs) and have been used as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) or adulterants of other TCMs. The purpose of this study is to identify the TCMs Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Akebiae Caulis, Aucklandia Radix and Aristolochiae Fructus by sequencing the matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF DNA regions. The cytotoxicities of AAs and these TCMs were also studied in COS-7 and HEK-293 cells. Diagnostic polymorphic sites were identified in all the four DNA loci for the differentiation of genuine herbs from their adulterants/substitute. The 48 h IC50 of AAI were 78 µM (COS-7) and 70 µM (HEK-293) while the IC50 of AAII were higher than 100 µM in both cell lines. Except Aucklandia Radix, cytotoxicity study also showed that AA-containing herbs were more toxic than their corresponding genuine herbs and substitute.

Identification of Baiying (Herba Solani Lyrati) commodity and its toxic substitute Xungufeng (Herba Aristolochiae Mollissimae) using DNA barcoding and chemical profiling techniques.

Baiying derived from Solanum lyratum Hance is a commonly consumed natural product for ethnomedical treatment of cancer. One of the substitutes present in the market is a carcinogenic aristolochic acids-containing herb Xungufeng derived from Aristolochia mollissima Thunb. The purpose of this study is to establish DNA barcodes, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and cytotoxicity assay to differentiate Baiying from Xungufeng. A total of 30 DNA sequences from five DNA barcodes (ITS, matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF) were generated to differentiate S. lyratum from A. mollissima and authenticate ten samples of Baiying and Xungufeng commodities. Using aristolochic acids as standard markers, TLC and HPLC analyses also successfully authenticated these commodities. In vitro cytotoxicity assay using HEK-293 and Vero cells demonstrated that Xungufeng was significantly more toxic than Baiying. This is the first study applying an integrated molecular, chemical and biological approach to differentiate traditional Chinese medicine from Aristolochia adulterant.

Cardiocrinum seeds as a replacement for Aristolochia fruits in treating cough.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The antitussive Chinese herb Madouling derived from Aristolochia species is banned due to aristolochic acid-induced nephropathy. A substitute is found dispensed as Madouling in Taiwan. This study aims to determine the source plant and verify the antitussive properties of the Madouling substitute used in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) approach based on the trnL-trnF and psbA-trnH regions was applied to facilitate identification of the genuine species and substitute. The antitussive effect of both genuine Madouling and the substitute were evaluated in guinea pigs. RESULTS: FINS approach based on the trnL-trnF and psbA-trnH regions readily identified the sample of Madouling in Taiwan to the seeds of Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense. Ethanol extracts of the substitute showed significant antitussive properties in guinea pigs. CONCLUSION: Cardiocrinum seeds may have potential as a replacement of Aristolochia fruits.