A preliminary study on how fatigue affects scoring average in professional darts

The purpose of this preliminary study is to identify signs of fatigue in specific muscle groups that in turn directly influence accuracy in professional darts. Electromyography (EMG) sensors are employed to monitor the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles of the trunk and upper limb during throw. It is noted that the Flexor Pollicis Brevis muscle which controls the critical release action during throw shows signs of fatigue. This is accompanied by an inherent increase in mean integral EMG amplitude for a number of other throw related muscles indicating an attempt to maintain constant applied throwing force. A strong correlation is shown to exist between average score and decrease in mean integral ECG amplitude for the Flexor Pollicis Brevis.

Visualising ribosome profiling and using it for reading frame detection and exploration of eukaryotic translation initiation

Ribosome profiling (ribo-seq) is a recently developed technique that provides genomewide information on protein synthesis (GWIPS) in vivo. The high resolution of ribo-seq is one of the exciting properties of this technique. In Chapter 2, I present a computational method that utilises the sub-codon precision and triplet periodicity of ribosome profiling data to detect transitions in the translated reading frame. Application of this method to ribosome profiling data generated for human HeLa cells allowed us to detect several human genes where the same genomic segment is translated in more than one reading frame. Since the initial publication of the ribosome profiling technique in 2009, there has been a proliferation of studies that have used the technique to explore various questions with respect to translation. A review of the many uses and adaptations of the technique is provided in Chapter 1. Indeed, owing to the increasing popularity of the technique and the growing number of published ribosome profiling datasets, we have developed GWIPS-viz (http://gwips.ucc.ie), a ribo-seq dedicated genome browser. Details on the development of the browser and its usage are provided in Chapter 3. One of the surprising findings of ribosome profiling of initiating ribosomes carried out in 3 independent studies, was the widespread use of non-AUG codons as translation initiation start sites in mammals. Although initiation at non-AUG codons in mammals has been documented for some time, the extent of non-AUG initiation reported by these ribo-seq studies was unexpected. In Chapter 4, I present an approach for estimating the strength of initiating codons based on the leaky scanning model of translation initiation. Application of this approach to ribo-seq data illustrates that initiation at non-AUG codons is inefficient compared to initiation at AUG codons. In addition, our approach provides a probability of initiation score for each start site that allows its strength of initiation to be evaluated.

Cancer related fatigue and self-care while undergoing chemotherapy: patients' perspectives

Background: Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is considered the most severe, debilitating and under-managed symptom of cancer. Patients receiving chemotherapy experience high levels of CRF which profoundly impacts on their lives. Aim: 1). To explore and measure CRF and determine the most effective self-care strategies used to combat CRF in a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of cancer (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) 2). To explore self-care agency and its relationship to CRF. Method: A mixed methods study which incorporated a descriptive, comparative, correlational design and qualitative descriptions of patients’ (n=362) experiences gleaned through open ended questions and use of a diary. The study utilised The Revised Pipers Fatigue Scale, the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency and a researcher developed Fatigue Visual Analogue Scale, Fatigue Self-Care Survey, and Diary. Findings: Having breast cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; using the strategies of counselling, taking a 20–30 minute nap, resting and sleeping, self-monitoring and complementary therapies were all associated with increased odds of developing fatigue. Increased self-care agency; being in the divorced / separated cohort; being widowed; increased length of time since commencement of chemotherapy; engagement in exercise, and socializing were associated with a reduced risk of developing fatigue. Females had 20% higher fatigue levels than males (p=<.001). Receiving support was the strategy used most frequently and rated most effective. Fatigue was very problematic and distressing, four key qualitative categories emerged: the behavioural impact, affective impact, the sensory impact, and the cognitive impact. Keeping a diary was considered very beneficial and cathartic. Conclusions: Fatigue severely impacted on the daily lives of patients undergoing chemotherapy. There are a range of self-care strategies that patients should be encouraged to use e.g. exercise, socializing, and enhancement of psychological well-being. The enhancement of self-care agency and use of diaries should also be considered.