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The Effect of Fatiguing Exercise on Biceps Femoris Fascicle Behaviors During Maximal Isokinetic Contractions
No full textThe present study examined the acute effects of fatiguing, non-damaging exercise on biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle strain and rotation at long and short muscle lengths during concentric versus eccentric contractions. BFlh fascicle length (Lf), fascicle angle (FA), and muscle thickness (MT) were quantified in 18 (8 women) healthy adults without a history of right hamstring strain injury. BFlh images were assessed using two serially aligned ultrasound devices whilst maximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee flexions were performed at 180°/s before and after fatiguing exercise. Ultrasound videos were exported and edited to create a single, synchronized video, and three fascicles were analyzed through the range of motion 10°–80° (0° = full knee extension). Changes (Δ) in Lf, FA, and MT at long (60°–80° knee angle) and short (10°–30°) muscle lengths and across the full knee flexion range were measured and compared. Greater ΔLf was observed at long muscle lengths during eccentric contractions (p < 0.001) and at short muscle lengths during concentric contractions (p < 0.001). Average BFlh Lf was significantly longer (p < 0.001) after fatiguing exercise in both contraction modes. ΔFA was greater (p < 0.05) at long muscle length and during eccentric contractions, and ΔFA over the full ROM was greater in eccentric contractions (p < 0.001). No significant effect of fatigue was detected on ΔLf, ΔFA, ΔMT, or muscle gear. The greater mean fascicle length after fatiguing exercise combined with greater ΔLf and ΔFA at longer muscle lengths during eccentric contractions might provide a mechanism for BFlh strain injury during eccentric contractions in fatiguing sports
Some Mixed Norm Bounds for the Spectral Projections of the Heisenberg Sublaplacian
No full textThis chapter concerns the boundedness of the generalized spectral projections Pλ associated to the sublaplacian in the Heisenberg group, seen as operators from Lt1Lzp to Lt∞Lzq. We formulate a conjecture about the range of p,q for which the projections Pλ are bounded and provide some motivations
RamanCrystalHunter: a new program and database for processing, analysis, and identification of Raman spectra
No full textRamanCrystalHunter (RCH) is a new software program designed to pre-process, analyse and identify Raman spectra by comparison with spectra in the RamanCrystalHunter Database (RCHDB). The software is free and can be downloaded from the website; https://www.fabrizionestola.com/rch. RCH is characterized by a simple graphical user interface, making it suitable for both specialist and non-specialist users and it has been developed mainly for applications in Earth Sciences (processing the spectra of minerals), but can be used to process the Raman spectra of any synthetic or natural inorganic or organic material. RCH allows users to visualize, pre-process (e.g., using smoothing, noise reduction, and baseline correction operations), and analyse (e.g., using fitting or various calculation tools) Raman spectra. Moreover, it is equipped with the RCHDB, a new database of high-quality mineral spectra that can be downloaded for free along with the RCH program. The RCHDB contains the Raman spectra of minerals (including single- and multi-phase inclusions within mineral hosts, for example diamonds) and related synthetic compounds allowing for rapid and accurate identification of unknown spectra. The RCH software includes highly customizable yet efficient and user-friendly methods for processing and analysis of Raman spectra and represents a valuable contribution to the field of Raman spectroscopy whose applications have expanded greatly in recent years, especially in Earth Sciences. Two practical examples of novel ways in which this software can be used for geoscience applications are presented
Lattice tilings minimizing nonlocal perimeters
No full textIn this paper, we prove the existence of periodic tessellations of R-N minimizing a general nonlocal perimeter functional, defined as the interaction between a set and its complement through a nonnegative kernel, which we assume to be either integrable at the origin, or singular, with a fractional type singularity. We reformulate the optimal partition problem as an isoperimetric problem among fundamental domains associated with discrete subgroups of R-N, and we provide the existence of a solution by using suitable concentrated compactness type arguments and compactness results for lattices. Finally, we discuss the possible optimality of the hexagonal tessellation in the planar case
Linking the chemical profile with the biological activities of Reaumuria alternifolia from Turkish flora
No full textThe chemical composition and in vitro bioactivity of five Reaumuria alternifolia extracts obtained using solvents of different polarities (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, and water) were investigated. LC-MSn analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins as bioactive molecules in the examined plant material, the majority identified in the methanol extract. Bioactivity was evaluated in vitro through antioxidant, enzyme inhibitor, and cytotoxic assays. Extracts presented a significant biological potential, with the methanol extract being the most effective. The analyzed extracts showed that this readily available raw material is a rich source of phytonutrients, primarily antioxidant compounds. This research raises curiosity about the future perspective of Turkish Reaumuria alternifolia extracts, for the formulation of new products as nutritional supplements or improving the quality of existing products. These potential applications inspire hope for the future of natural product development and its impact on human health
Entrepreneur and organizational resilience: A multilevel perspective on Italian SMEs
No full textDespite previous studies acknowledging that resilience operates at multiple levels (the individual, group, and organizational levels), there is a lack of research exploring how resilience works across levels. In this paper we explore how the individual resilience of entrepreneurs and organizational resilience affect the resilient response of their SMEs. Our hypotheses are tested through structural equation modeling using a sample of 517 Italian firms. The results show a positive relationship between the individual resilience of entrepreneurs and the resilient response of SMEs and show that organizational resilience mediates this relationship. The paper makes theoretical contributions to the literature on resilience management and practical contributions for entrepreneurs and policymakers
Reply to: “Trans-splenic anterograde coil assisted transvenous obliteration vs. retrograde transvenous obliteration: Are we heading the right way?”: Anterograde embolization of gastric varices: Anatomical and clinical classification is the key
No full textAutomate the process of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks storage in the pathology laboratory: A proof of concept study
No full textPathology laboratories are currently facing remarkable issues in the management of their archives due to the ongoing increase in the production of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks, which is often coupled with inadequate spatial and environmental storing conditions. The manual process of storage and retrieving further increases the likelihood of human-based mistakes, wastes professionals' working time, and, ultimately, widens reports signing turn-around times. In the present work, we outline the strategies underlying the development of an automated archive at the pathology services of the University of Modena. The proposed project relies on the controlled interaction of a mechanic robotic arm with racks and shelves in a fully traced manner, driven by the integration with the local laboratory information system (LIS). This automated archive aims to significantly improve the time-saving of laboratory professionals and standardize the storage of FFPE samples both before and after the pathology diagnosis is rendered. The system's modularity suits the needs and spaces of the different institutions, opening novel strategies in archiving thanks to its connection with the LIS and integration with artificial intelligence algorithms
The Colombian Santurbán Páramo saga and its contribution to the development of international investment law and arbitration
Get PDFThe Colombian Santurbán Páramo saga is a series of three arbitral proceedings initiated by Canadian
companies claiming that Colombia’s actions with regard to the protection of the Santurbán Páramo
area, a high-altitude wetland ecosystem on the Colombian Andes, had negatively impacted their
mining activities. The three proceedings, which concluded with three awards in 2024, were charac-
terized by the presence of different interests at stake. In fact, while markets represent the Santurbán
Páramo as a source of gold to feed the global economy, local communities see the area as a key
source of water as well as a fragile ecosystem deserving protection. From an international invest-
ment law’s standpoint, the analysis of the Colombian Santurbán Páramo saga offers the possibility
to reflect on several key aspects of investment treaty provisions as well as customary international
law. In this light, the findings of the three tribunals on expropriation, minimum standard of treat-
ment, and exception clauses will likely be considered by future investment tribunals which have to
adjudicate environmental-related disputes. This holds a fortiori true if one considers that more and
more disputes will be based on new-generation investment agreements, which generally contain
provisions like those of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Area