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EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING MICROORGANISMS ON MICROBIAL COMMUNITY DYNAMICS AND PLANT GROWTH RESPONSES OF AEROPONICALLY CULTIVATED SPINACH
No full textRegional food insecurity caused by the inability to use conventional farming techniques year-round in cold climates increases the need for access to quality, locally sourced, and affordable foods year-round. Shifting from a soil-based system to aeroponics can increase yields, as aeroponic systems are not weather-reliant and can operate year-round. Aeroponics, a subgroup of hydroponics, induces growth by misting nutrient-rich solutions onto the plant roots. These systems use space and water more efficiently and rely less on fertilizers and pesticides but are vulnerable to errors in nutrient application, power loss, and rapid pathogen spread. Adding Vermicompost (VCT) and plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) offers a potential solution by improving nutrient efficiency, resulting in higher yields, improved nutritional value, and reduced pathogenesis. Spinach was selected as the study organism because it is consumed globally due to its rich nutrient value and palatability. Adding VCT and PGPM resulted in 31.3% higher germination rates and reduced pathogen prevalence. The addition of PGPM and VCT did not impact tissue yield. The mineral content of leaf tissue was highly variable, with soil treatments having the most positive and negative significant mineral values. Aeroponic systems produced mineral values well above the recommended, with less variability. Exploring the interaction of aeroponic systems with PGPM and organic amendments will help develop sustainable agricultural methods for communities with reduced agricultural prospects due to land availability or climate
Death Becomes Us: The Consumptive Body in Nineteenth-Century Gothic Literature
No full textThis thesis examines the impacts of nineteenth-century tuberculosis epidemics on gothic literature published between 1842 and 1872. In this period of time, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in the United States and in Europe, killing an estimated one in seven people. Using theoretical lenses of psychoanalysis and material ecocriticism, this project considers borders between material bodies—specifically those between bacterial agents and humans—to be illusory and socially constructed. The first chapter focuses on the ways in which representations of tuberculosis, and its associated entanglement with the environment, appear in the work of two authors from the United States: Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The second chapter considers Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s novella Carmilla, paying close attention to moments of symptom description, physical description, moments of transmission, and character’s relationships to their environment, in order to break down the cultural influence of tuberculosis that the vampiric tale may demonstrate. Through exploring literary moments imbued with consumptive qualities this thesis analyzes the aestheticization of tuberculosis that has been internalized in cultural subconsciouses, and what such contents may reveal about historical processes of disease aestheticization. At present, tuberculosis is still the deadliest infectious disease in the world, and it is of vital importance to consider its relationship to humans. Through the analysis of literature, this thesis’s goal is to provide an avenue into thinking about the astoundingly far reach of the global health catastrophe of tuberculosis
CENTRE OF MASS ACCELERATION IN FREESTYLE HALFPIPE SNOWBOARDING PERFORMED ON A TRAMPOLINE USING 3D MOBILE MOTION CAPTURE
No full textThe purpose of this preliminary study was to establish if magnitudes of centre of mass (COM) acceleration captured using 3D mobile markerless motion capture (MMC) technology would elicit comparable data to a standard 3D Motion Capture (MOCAP) system in freestyle halfpipe snowboarding. Raw data pertaining COM acceleration was verified in a laboratory condition as two international-level athletes performed a simulated freestyle halfpipe on a trampoline. Raw COM acceleration data from the mobile application was reported in the local reference frame and showed high correlation MOCAP (τ =0.74, f = 20.21) with small effects (η² = 0.17) with no significance difference found. The results provide opportunity for coaches to measure COM acceleration with confidence in training situations while providing scope for further research in dynamic field-based environments
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE MIDSOLE AND PLATE IN RUNNING SHOES MODIFIES THE ENERGY STRATEGY OF THE MTP JOINT DURING RUNNING
No full textThis study investigated biomechanical differences of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint according to midsole materials (EVA, PEBA) and carbon plate insertion. Ten male runners performed overground running at 3.89 m/s (±5%) under four footwear conditions. Discrete outcome variables included active and critical stiffness (Kactive, Kcr), push-off time, peak propulsion force, and MTP power transition timing, while statistical nonparametric mapping (SnPM) was applied to joint power. PEBA without a plate did not provide a propulsion advantage but reduced energy loss and enabled more effective joint control than EVA. In contrast, the addition of a plate to EVA facilitated a faster roll-off with reductions in both negative and positive joint power. Meanwhile, combining high-rebound PEBA with a stiff plate produced detrimental effects on the MTP joint, potentially increasing injury risk. These findings highlight the biomechanical relevance of material–structure interactions in determining running efficiency and propulsion strategies
COMPARISON OF SEGMENTAL DYNAMICS BETWEEN SOCCER SIDE VOLLEY KICK AND INSTEP KICK
No full textThe present study aimed to clarify differences in segmental dynamics between the side-volley kick and the instep kick in soccer. Three-dimensional lower body motion (500 Hz) was captured during both types of kicks of twenty male soccer players. Joint angular velocities, resultant joint torque and interaction torque due to joint reaction forces of the kicking leg were computed using inverse dynamics. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used to compare these time-series changes. Despite the side-volley kick generating significantly smaller hip flexion torque than the instep kick, the hip joint angular velocity of the side-volley kick was comparable to that of the instep kick. This unique characteristic seen in the side-volley kick was most likely explained by weaker actions of the interaction torques and reduced reversal knee joint torque acting on the thigh segment
EFFECT OF MEDICINE BALL MASS ON TRUNK INTERNAL ROTATION KINETICS DURING PUNCH THROW EXERCISE IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PITCHERS: A PILOT STUDY
No full textThe purpose of this pilot study was to clarify the effect of different medicine ball loads on the trunk longitudinal rotational kinetics during the punch throw exercise. Three male right-handed players from a university baseball club participated in this study. The mass of medicine ball used in the experiment trial was set to 1 kg, 3 kg, and 5 kg, which are commonly used in general training. It was found that the peak positive trunk rotation power was higher in the heavier trials and this was not caused by the larger negative trunk internal power. Oppositely, the peak horizontal medicine ball power was higher in the heavier trials. Therefore, it was suggested that trunk rotational power training does not necessarily require selecting the medicine ball’s mass that maximizes its horizontal power output
CHARACTERIZING CARDIAC-LOCOMOTION SYNCHRONIZATION AND HEART RATE/GAIT CYCLE FLUCTUATIONS: A PILOT STUDY
No full textThis study investigated cardiac-locomotion synchronization (CLS) during indoor treadmill and outdoor free walking, examining its environmental differences and relationships with heart rate/gait rhythm variability. Twelve participants used wearable ECG and accelerometer sensors for data collection during self-paced brisk walking. We analysed the last 10 minutes of stable walking, calculating mean period, coefficient of variation, and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) slope α. CLS was quantified by the \u27Sync rate\u27, the temporal proportion of consistent gait cycle to R-R interval ratios. Results showed significantly higher Sync rates in outdoor walking. Outdoor gait rhythm fluctuation α tended to decrease with increased Sync rate. These findings suggest CLS occurrence without treadmills, relevant to physical therapy
BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF STANDING LONG JUMP FOR DIFFERENT FOCUS OF ATTENTION
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the kinematics of the center of mass (COM) under varying attentional focus conditions during the standing long jump. Participants performed jumps under three focus conditions: control, internal focus, and external focus. The findings showed no statistically significant differences in jump distances across conditions. However, for most participants, the shortest jump distance was not observed under the external focus condition. The number of participants who showed the shortest jump distance in the external focus condition was 1 out of 14. These results suggest that external focus of attention can prevent poor jump performance rather than enhance jump performance. Furthermore, our findings indicated that the external focus of attention changed the angle of COM velocity without compromising the COM speed at the take-off
A PILOT STUDY TO EVALUATE SAGITTAL KINEMATIC VARIABLES IN ACCELERATED RUN USING OPENPOSE MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEM
No full textThis study evaluated the agreement between OpenPose markerless and marker-based methods in analyzing sprint start performance. Four male students performed ten sprint starts. The Bland-Altman test for average center of mass (COM) horizontal velocity from the beginning motion to 1-m position of the OpenPose markerless method showed a fixed bias of -0.02 m/s, 95% limits of agreement (LoA) from −0.10 to 0.06 m/s, and a proportional bias of r = −0.47. For the 1-m running time, fixed bias was −0.00 s, 95% LoA ranged from −0.09 to 0.09 s, and proportional bias was r = 0.39. In the calculation of forward tilt angle of trunk, fixed bias was −10°, 95% LoA ranged from −18 to −2°, and proportional bias was r = −0.18. Regarding the first step length, fixed bias was −0.00 m, with the 95% LoA ranging from −0.05 to 0.05 m and a proportional bias was r = 0.01. Therefore, data obtained through the current OpenPose markerless method should be interpreted carefully
SHOULDER KINEMATICS OF OVERHEAD THROWING IN MALE PROFESSIONAL AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS
No full textThrowing in sports is one of the most aggressive and vigorous actions performed by the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to investigate overhead throwing shoulder kinematics between two different throwing approaches in cricket, throwing from a static versus dynamic position following a run-up. The study sample included twenty (N=20) male professional/semi-professional cricketers. Shoulder kinematic variables were investigated during two different throwing approaches. Dynamic throwing produced significantly greater ball velocity than static throwing. However, shoulder internal rotation velocities at ball release showed no significant differences across static versus dynamic conditions and shoulder kinematics remained largely consistent, except for small variations at MER and MIR in the \u3e75% MTS condition. These findings suggest that the additional ball velocity in dynamic throws was driven by enhanced lower-body force contribution through the momentum of the run rather than altered upper limb mechanics. This highlights the critical role of the lower body in generating throwing velocity while maintaining stable shoulder mechanics. Therefore, this reinforces the importance of full-body coordination in cricket throwing and suggests that training programs should emphasize lower-limb strength and kinetic chain efficiency. Future research should compare elbow kinematics between static and dynamic throwing and investigate shoulder and elbow kinetics during both throw types. The role of neuromuscular activation in optimizing throwing performance and reducing injury risk should also be examined