A Study to Find the Effectiveness of Thrower’s Ten Exercise Program on Shoulder Performance among Novice Badminton Players

BACKGROUND: Badminton is a sport that requires a lot of overhead motion. With shoulder in abduction/external rotation.Analysing the badminton smash shot biomechanically has revealed that during this phase there is a powerful inward rotation of the arm, followed by inward rotation of forearm and lastly a flexion of the hand. OBJECTIVES: 1. To find out the effectiveness of thrower’s ten exercise program in throwing distance among badminton players. 2. To find out the effectiveness of thrower’s ten exercise program in throwing accuracy among badminton players. METHOD: The study was done in out patient department, Cherran’s College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore. 20 Subjects were randomly selected who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Males, 15-25 years, Novice badminton players, Subjects being engaged in sport that required athletes arm to be above shoulder height on a repetitive basis during throwing. Duration of sporting activities for 2 year with at least 6 months a year and a frequency of minimum 40 minutes thrice a week. The study design used was pre-test and post-test experimental design. Thrower’s ten program incorporates throwing motion specific exercises and movement patterns performed in a discrete series by using variables of Throwing distance & Throwing accuracy and administered by functional throwing performance index, medicine ball throw test & Thrower’s ten exercise program. RESULTS: Ten no-vice badminton players were taken for the study. The subjects were received thrower’s ten exercise program. The throwing accuracy and throwing distance were measured before and after the treatment. Analysis of dependant variable throwing accuracy, the calculated paired ‘t’ value is 12.10 and the ‘t’ table value is 3.250. Since the calculated ‘t’ value is more than ‘t’ table value, there is significant difference in throwing accuracy following thrower’s ten exercise program among badminton players. Analysis of dependent variable throwing distance, the calculated paired ‘t’ value is 12.45 and the paired ‘t’ table value is 3.250. Hence the calculated ‘t’ value is greater than ‘t’ table value. There is significant difference in throwing distance following thrower’s ten exercise program among badminton players. CONCLUSION: The study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of throwers ten exercise program and throwing accuracy and throwing distance among badminton players

A Novel Single Phase bridgeless AC/DC PFC converter for Low Total Harmonics Distortion and High Power Factor

Now day’s the power factor has become a major problem in power system to improve the power quality of the grid, as power factor is affected on the grid due to the nonlinear loads connected to it. Single phase bridgeless AC/DC power factor correction (PFC) topology to improve the power factor as well as the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the utility grid is proposed. By removing the input bridge in conventional PFC converters, the control circuit is simplified; the total harmonics distortion (THD) and power factor (PF) are improved. The PI controller operates in two loops one is the outer control loop which calculates the reference current through LC filter and signal processing. Inner current loop generates PWM switching signals through the PI controller. The output of the proposed PFC topology is verified for prototype using MATLAB circuit simulations. The experimental system is developed, and the simulation results are obtained

Enhancement of induced natural ventilation using various ventilator configuration in single side ventilated building using CFD

503-506Need for natural ventilations are increasing because of demanding per capita energy consumption. Major challenges in natural ventilation are sufficient wind velocity throughout and providing cross ventilation building structure. Especially in urban area, possibility to provide cross ventilation is not possible as population factor is challenging. This lays emphasis on the significance of inducing natural ventilation in the buildings of urban areas to reduce energy consumption for human comfort. To visualize the performance of air ventilation of proposed models, simulation has been carried out using CFD. Proposal includes the new design in a residential room of urban building, which is having multiple opening with convergent and divergent nozzle structures in the pattern of window described below. For the boundary condition of CFD simulation, field study data were used. This paper investigates four different window patterns and is analyzed for better performance. In each pattern it has neutral axis horizontally and the structure used above are convergent type and bottom row are divergent type when it looks from inside of the buildings

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. FINDINGS: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. INTERPRETATION: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The synthesis and conjugation chemistry of polymeric precursors for medicine

This thesis is concerned with the development of physiologically soluble polymers for drug conjugation. As for any medicine, there is a need for polymer-drug conjugates to be structurally defined especially in terms of molecular weight (MW) and molecular weight distribution (MWD). To develop polymeric precursors for the synthesis of polymer-drug conjugates possessing better optimised MW profiles and expedient conjugation chemistry, a first strategy involved the preparation of novel A,0-acetal protected N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) monomers for anionic polymerisation. However, these monomers exhibited poor stability and anionic polymerisation was not achieved (other uses for these monomers are described based on free radical polymerisation). A second more versatile strategy was adopted that utilised Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation procedures to prepare a narrow MWD active ester homopolymer (Mw/Mn = 1.1 to 1.3,= 2,000 to 50,000 g-mol-1), and believed to be the first such example. Using the known active ester monomer, N-methacryloxysuccinimide, the reaction conditions had to be carefully controlled to ensure a successful polymerisation. The conjugation chemistry (aminolysis) of the homopolymer was systematically evaluated and could be monitored using infra-red spectroscopy. The utility of this strategy was exemplified by the preparation of (1) model copolymer- drug conjugates with tailored drug loading and solubilising pendent chains and (2) methacrylic acid (co)polymers with incremental differences in structure for a cytokine and chemokine release study. A propensity for competitive hydrolysis and imide formation during conjugation was identified and experimental conditions were found to minimise/eliminate this problem. It was concluded that such a narrow MWD active ester homopolymer has improved versatility over current precursors for the preclinical preparation and development of methacrylamide based polymer-drug conjugates and other methacrylamide speciality polymers for medicine