In this review, we attempt to integrate the main research findings concerned with talent identification and development in soccer. Research approaches in anthropometry, physiology, psychology and sociology are considered and, where possible, integrated. Although some progress has been made in identifying correlates of playing success, it appears that no unique characteristics can be isolated with confidence. Both biological and behavioural scientists have indicated a strong genetic component in performance of sports such as soccer; nevertheless, the influence of systematic training and development programmes should not be underestimated. We conclude that the sport and exercise sciences have an important support role in the processes of identifying, monitoring and nurturing talented soccer players towards realizing their potential.
Traumatic brain injury resulting from an explosive blast is one of the most serious wounds suffered by warfighters, yet the effects of explosive blast overpressure directly impacting the head are poorly understood. We developed a rodent model of direct cranial blast injury (dcBI), in which a blast overpressure could be delivered exclusively to the head, precluding indirect brain injury via thoracic transmission of the blast wave. We constructed and validated a Cranium Only Blast Injury Apparatus (COBIA) to deliver blast overpressures generated by detonating .22 caliber cartridges of smokeless powder. Blast waveforms generated by COBIA replicated those recorded within armored vehicles penetrated by munitions. Lethal dcBI (LD(50) ∼ 515 kPa) was associated with: (1) apparent brainstem failure, characterized by immediate opisthotonus and apnea leading to cardiac arrest that could not be overcome by cardiopulmonary resuscitation; (2) widespread subarachnoid hemorrhages without cortical contusions or intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages; and (3) no pulmonary abnormalities. Sub-lethal dcBI was associated with: (1) apnea lasting up to 15 sec, with transient abnormalities in oxygen saturation; (2) very few delayed deaths; (3) subarachnoid hemorrhages, especially in the path of the blast wave; (4) abnormal immunolabeling for IgG, cleaved caspase-3, and β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP), and staining for Fluoro-Jade C, all in deep brain regions away from the subarachnoid hemorrhages, but in the path of the blast wave; and (5) abnormalities on the accelerating Rotarod that persisted for the 1 week period of observation. We conclude that exposure of the head alone to severe explosive blast predisposes to significant neurological dysfunction.
Attribution of the origin of an illicit drug relies on identification of compounds indicative of its clandestine production and is a key component of many modern forensic investigations. The results of these studies can yield detailed information on method of manufacture, starting material source, and final product, all critical forensic evidence. In the present work, chemical attribution signatures (CAS) associated with the synthesis of the analgesic fentanyl, N-(1-phenylethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylpropanamide, were investigated. Six synthesis methods, all previously published fentanyl synthetic routes or hybrid versions thereof, were studied in an effort to identify and classify route-specific signatures. A total of 160 distinct compounds and inorganic species were identified using gas and liquid chromatographies combined with mass spectrometric methods (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-time of-flight (LC-MS/MS-TOF)) in conjunction with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The complexity of the resultant data matrix urged the use of multivariate statistical analysis. Using partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), 87 route-specific CAS were classified and a statistical model capable of predicting the method of fentanyl synthesis was validated and tested against CAS profiles from crude fentanyl products deposited and later extracted from two operationally relevant surfaces: stainless steel and vinyl tile. This work provides the most detailed fentanyl CAS investigation to date by using orthogonal mass spectral data to identify CAS of forensic significance for illicit drug detection, profiling, and attribution.
The cover image is based on the Research Article Trace Compound Analysis in TATB by Liquid Chromatography coupled with Spectroscopic and Spectrometric Detection by Keith R. Coffee et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.202100224.
Accurate quantitation of 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB) is important because of its strategic use as an energetic material. A purity determination is also needed for the proper assessment of performance. A fast and sensitive method has been developed to measure the purity of TATB in polymer‐bonded materials. The target material is extracted with DMSO, and the extract is separated on a reversed‐phase chromatography column. The column effluent is monitored by diode array detection (DAD) at 354 nm. The characteristic UV‐Vis response and retention time identify the individual components when compared to pure compound standards. The chemical structures of compounds with no pure standards available have been determined by high‐resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS. The major component, TATB, along with 1‐chloro‐3,5‐dinitro‐2,4,6‐triaminobenzene (T4A) and mono‐benzofuroxan (FX1) were quantitated directly from pure compound standards. Several trace concentration components, mono‐benzofurazan (F1), 1‐bromo‐3,5‐dinitro‐2,4,6‐triaminobenzene (Br‐T4A), 2,4,6‐triamino‐1‐nitroso‐3,5‐dinitrobenzene (MN‐TATB), 2,4,6‐triamino‐1‐hydroxyl‐3,5‐dinitrobenzene (HO‐TATB), and 2,4,6‐triamino‐1‐nitrile‐3,5‐dinitrobenzene (Nitrile‐TATB) were also detected and structures verified via MS/MS. Approximate concentrations were determined using calibrations from standards of similar structures. Additional trace components were also detected by MS. Contained herein are the results of analyses of TATB‐based materials characterized for polymer‐bonded formulations compared to different preparations of TATB. The accuracy, details, and process of developing this method are reported here.
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