title: From pillow to podium: a review on understanding sleep for elite athletes

authors: O'Donnell, Shannon Lea

subjects: exercise

abstract: Sleep is considered vital to human health and well-being, and is critical to physiological and cognitive functioning. Elite athletes experience high training and competition demands, and are often exposed to various factors, situations, and environments that can cause sleep impairments. Previous research has shown that athletes commonly experience sleep loss in the lead up to and following competition, which could have significant impacts on their preparation, performance, and recovery. In particular, the results from previous research show significant reductions in total sleep time (~1:40 h:min) and significant increases in sleep latency (~45 minutes) following evening competition. Napping is common in both the training and competition setting in athletes; however, research on the effect of napping on physiology and performance is limited. In contrast, research on strategies and interventions to improve sleep are increasing in the athletic population, with sleep hygiene research resulting in significant improvements in key sleep indices. This review investigates the physiological importance of sleep in athletes, current tools to monitor athletes’ sleep, the role of sleep for cognitive functioning and athletic performance, the prevalence of sleep disturbances and the potential mechanisms causing sleep disturbances, the role of napping, and different intervention strategies to improve sleep.

text: From pillow to podium: a review on understanding sleep for elite athletes Sleep is considered vital to human health and well-being, and is critical to physiological and cognitive functioning. Elite athletes experience high training and competition demands, and are often exposed to various factors, situations, and environments that can cause sleep impairments. Previous research has shown that athletes commonly experience sleep loss in the lead up to and following competition, which could have significant impacts on their preparation, performance, and recovery. In particular, the results from previous research show significant reductions in total sleep time (~1:40 h:min) and significant increases in sleep latency (~45 minutes) following evening competition. Napping is common in both the training and competition setting in athletes; however, research on the effect of napping on physiology and performance is limited. In contrast, research on strategies and interventions to improve sleep are increasing in the athletic population, with sleep hygiene research resulting in significant improvements in key sleep indices. This review investigates the physiological importance of sleep in athletes, current tools to monitor athletes’ sleep, the role of sleep for cognitive functioning and athletic performance, the prevalence of sleep disturbances and the potential mechanisms causing sleep disturbances, the role of napping, and different intervention strategies to improve sleep.

year: 2018

title: Identifying transition temperatures in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics using material pocket DMTA

authors: Bier, James Michael

subjects: Bioplastics

abstract: Bloodmeal can be used to manufacture thermoplastics, but requires water, urea, sodium sulphite, and sodium dodecyl sulphate to modify chain mobility. Transition temperatures of bloodmeal, modified bloodmeal, and processed bloodmeal-based thermoplastics were compared using material pocket dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The glass transition temperature (T ɡ) of bloodmeal dropped from 493 to 263 K using only water as a plasticizer but was restored when freeze dried. Modifying bloodmeal lowered T ɡ to 193 K. This was raised by drying, but not to that of unmodified bloodmeal indicating a permanent change. Three additional transitions were identified above T ɡ, for modified bloodmeal between 300 and 480 K. These were thought to be transitions of dehydrated bulk amorphous regions, amorphous regions between crystallites and chains segments in crystallites and were also seen at lower temperatures when replacing some water with tri-ethylene glycol (TEG). Material pockets increased resolution in processed samples. One broad T ɡ was observed in consolidated bars, at 335 or 350 K with or without TEG. In material pockets, these resolved into three transitions, similar to those observed before processing. Changes in relative magnitudes suggested some chain rearrangement leading to more bulk amorphous regions. Differences were detected between onset of drop in storage modulus and peaks in loss modulus and tan δ in pockets or bars, but generally led to the same conclusions. For bar samples, it was helpful to compare natural and log modulus scales. Good practice would use all these techniques in parallel to correctly identify relaxation temperatures.

text: Identifying transition temperatures in bloodmeal-based thermoplastics using material pocket DMTA Bloodmeal can be used to manufacture thermoplastics, but requires water, urea, sodium sulphite, and sodium dodecyl sulphate to modify chain mobility. Transition temperatures of bloodmeal, modified bloodmeal, and processed bloodmeal-based thermoplastics were compared using material pocket dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The glass transition temperature (T ɡ) of bloodmeal dropped from 493 to 263 K using only water as a plasticizer but was restored when freeze dried. Modifying bloodmeal lowered T ɡ to 193 K. This was raised by drying, but not to that of unmodified bloodmeal indicating a permanent change. Three additional transitions were identified above T ɡ, for modified bloodmeal between 300 and 480 K. These were thought to be transitions of dehydrated bulk amorphous regions, amorphous regions between crystallites and chains segments in crystallites and were also seen at lower temperatures when replacing some water with tri-ethylene glycol (TEG). Material pockets increased resolution in processed samples. One broad T ɡ was observed in consolidated bars, at 335 or 350 K with or without TEG. In material pockets, these resolved into three transitions, similar to those observed before processing. Changes in relative magnitudes suggested some chain rearrangement leading to more bulk amorphous regions. Differences were detected between onset of drop in storage modulus and peaks in loss modulus and tan δ in pockets or bars, but generally led to the same conclusions. For bar samples, it was helpful to compare natural and log modulus scales. Good practice would use all these techniques in parallel to correctly identify relaxation temperatures.

year: 2012

title: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand

authors: Ruru, Ian Hector

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

text: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

year: 2000