433 research outputs found
Step Length and Grade Effects on Energy Absorption and Impact Attenuation in Running
No full textWe sought to examine the effect of step length manipulation on energy absorption and impact attenuation during graded running. Nineteen runners (10F, 9M) ran on an instrumented treadmill at three step lengths (preferred and ±10% preferred) at each of five grades (0°, ±5°, and ±10°) while 3D motion data were captured. Speed was held constant at 3.3 m/s and step length was manipulated by syncing cadence to a metronome. Manipulating step length altered energy absorption (p≤0.002) and impact attenuation (p<0.0001) across all grades. Energy absorption at the knee joint was most responsive to step length manipulations [∆ range (±10%SL- PrefSL)=0.076-0.126 J/kg, p<0.0001], followed by the ankle (∆ range=0.026-0.100 J/kg, p=0.001) and hip (∆ range=0.008-0.018 J/kg, p<0.006). Shortening step length reduced knee joint energy absorption at all grades with the smallest effect observed during uphill running (∆≥- 0.053 J/kg), while large reductions occurred during level (∆=-0.096 J/kg) and downhill running (∆≥-0.108 J/kg). Increasing step length resulted in greater knee joint energy absorption (p≤0.037) across all grades of running. Impact attenuation was greatest at long step lengths (∆=2.708) and lowest at short step lengths (∆=-2.061), compared to preferred. Overall, Step length influenced the energy absorption and impact attenuation characteristics of the lower extremity during level and graded running. Adopting a shorter step length may be a useful intervention to reduce knee joint loading, particularly during downhill or level running. Elongating step length placed a greater demand on the lower extremity joints, which may expedite the development of neuromuscular fatigue
Spectral properties of Andreev reflection from quantum turbulence in 3He-B: What do they tell about turbulent fluctuations?
No full textOne of the experimental techniques developed to measure quantum turbulence at low temperatures in 3He-B utilizes the Andreev reflection of thermal quasiparticle excitations from quantized vortices and vortex structures. We present the results of theoretical, numerical, and experimental study of Andreev scattering from quantum turbulence in 3He-B. We analyze the spectral properties of the Andreev reflection and compare these with the spectral properties of superfluid turbulence, and discuss the physical mechanisms responsible for the scaling of spectral densities. Finally, we discuss the relation between our findings and related observables in ordinary turbulence
Classical and quantum vortex leapfrogging in two-dimensional channels
No full textThe leapfrogging of coaxial vortex rings is a famous effect which has been noticed since the times of Helmholtz. Recent advances in ultra-cold atomic gases show that the effect can now be studied in quantum fluids. The strong confinement which characterises these systems motivates the study of leapfrogging of vortices within narrow channels. Using the two-dimensional point vortex model, we show that in the constrained geometry of a two-dimensional channel the dynamics is richer than in an unbounded domain: alongside the known regimes of standard leapfrogging and the absence of it, we identify new regimes of image-driven leapfrogging and periodic orbits. Moreover, by solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation for a Bose-Einstein condensate, we show that all four regimes exist for quantum vortices too. Finally, we discuss the differences between classical and quantum vortex leapfrogging which appear when the quantum healing length becomes significant compared to the vortex separation or the channel size, and when, due to high velocity, compressibility effects in the condensate becomes significant
The repeated bout effect influences lower-extremity biomechanics during a 30-min downhill run
No full textThe repeated bout effect in eccentric-biased exercises is a well-known phenomenon, wherein a second bout of exercise results in attenuated strength loss and soreness compared to the first bout. We sought to determine if the repeated bout effect influences changes in lower-extremity biomechanics over the course of a 30-min downhill run. Eleven male participants completed two bouts of 30-min downhill running (DR1 and DR2) at 2.8 m.s-1 and -11.3° on an instrumented treadmill. Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded and used to quantify changes in spatiotemporal parameters, external work, leg stiffness, and lower extremity joint-quasi-stiffness throughout the 30-min run. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and perceived quadriceps pain were assessed before-after, and throughout the run, respectively. DR2 resulted in attenuated loss of MVIC (P=0.004), and perceived quadriceps pain (P<0.001) compared to DR1. In general, participants ran with an increased duty factor towards the end of each running bout; however, increases in duty factor during DR2 (+5.4%) were less than during DR1 (+8.8%, P<0.035). Significant reductions in leg stiffness (-11.7%, P=0.002) and joint quasi-stiffness (up to -25.4%, all P<0.001) were observed during DR1 but not during DR2. Furthermore, DR2 was associated with less energy absorption and energy generation than DR1 (P<0.004). To summarize, the repeated bout effect significantly influenced lower-extremity biomechanics over the course of a downhill run. Although the mechanism(s) underlying these observations remain(s) speculative, strength loss and/or perceived muscle pain are likely to play a key role
Topographic impacts on wheat yields under climate change: two contrasted case studies in Europe
No full textThe topography of hilly landscapes modifies crop environment changing the fluxes of water and energy, increasing risk in these vulnerable agriculture systems, which could become more accentuated under climate change (drought, increased variability of rainfall). In order to quantify how wheat production in hilly terrain will be affected by future climate, a newly developed and calibrated micro-meteorological model for hilly terrain was linked to a crop growth simulation model to analyse impact scenarios for different European regions. Distributions of yield and growing length of rainfed winter wheat and durum wheat were generated as probabilistic indices from baseline and low (B2) and high (A2) emission climate scenarios provided from the Hadley Centre Regional Climate Model (HadRM3). We used site-specific terrain parameters for two sample catchments in Europe, ranging from humid temperate (southeast UK) to semi-arid Mediterranean (southern Italy). Results for baseline scenario show that UK winter wheat is mainly affected by annual differences in precipitation and yield distributions do not change with terrain, whilst in the southern Mediterranean climate yield variability is significantly related to a slope × elevation index. For future climate, our simulations confirm earlier predictions of yield increase in the UK, even under the high emission scenario. In the southern Mediterranean, yield reduction is significantly related to slope × elevation index increasing crop failure in drier elevated spots but not in wet years under baseline weather. In scenarios for the future, the likelihood of crop failure rises sharply to more than 60%, and even in wet years, yields are likely to decrease in elevated spots.
Quantum vortex reconnections
No full textWe study reconnections of quantum vortices by numerically solving the governing Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We find that the minimum distance between vortices scales differently with time before and after the vortex reconnection. We also compute vortex reconnections using the Biot-Savart law for vortex filaments of infinitesimal thickness, and find that, in this model, reconnections are time symmetric. We argue that the likely cause of the difference between the Gross-Pitaevskii model and the Biot-Savart model is the intense rarefaction wave which is radiated away from a Gross-Pitaeveskii reconnection. Finally we compare our results to experimental observations in superfluid helium and discuss the different length scales probed by the two models and by experiments
ISOLATION OF DIHYDROCLAVAMINIC ACID, AN INTERMEDIATE IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF CLAVULANIC ACID
No full textA primary isotope effect was utilised in an in vitro study to allow the isolation and characterisation of an intermediate between proclavaminic acid and clavaminic acid, in clavulanic acid biosynthesis.1 1 For preliminary details see J. E. Baldwin, R. M. Adlington, J. S. Bryans, A. O. Bringhen, J. B. Coates, N. P. Crouch, M. D. Lloyd, C. J. Schofield. S. W. Elson, K. H. Baggaley, R. Cassells, and N. H. Nicholson, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1990, 617. © 1991
HIV-1 transmissions during asymptomatic infection : exploring the impact of changes in HIV-1 viral load due to coinfections
No full textHigh HIV-1 plasma viral loads (PVLs) in sub-Saharan Africa, partly because of high rates of coinfection, may have been one of the drivers of the “explosive” epidemics seen in that region. Using a previously published framework of infectiousness and survival, we estimate the excess onward HIV-1 transmission events (secondary infections) resulting from coinfection-induced changes in PVL during asymptomatic HIV-1 infection. For every 100 HIV-infected people, each suffering 1 episode of tuberculosis infection, there are 4.9 (2.7th–97.5th percentile: 0.2–21.5) excess onward HIV-1 transmission events attributable to this coinfection. Other estimates are malaria 0.4 (0.0–2.0), soil-transmitted helminths 3.1 (0.1–14.9), schistosomiasis 8.5 (0.2–38.6), filariasis 13.3 (0.3–89.2), syphilis 0.1 (0.0–1.6), herpes simplex virus 4.0 (0.0–24.2), and gonorrhea 2.1 (0.1–8.0) transmissions. If these higher PVLs confer a shorter life expectancy and higher infectiousness, then their impact on transmission is, in general, reduced. For most HIV-1 coinfections, the duration of a single infection is too short and/or the associated PVL elevation is too modest to contribute substantially to onward HIV-1 transmission
Biomechanics of Graded Running: Part I - Stride Parameters, External Forces, Muscle Activations
No full textBiomechanical alterations with graded running have only been partially quantified, and the potential interactions with running speed remain unclear. We measured spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction forces and leg muscle activations (EMG) in nineteen adults (10F/9M) running on an instrumented treadmills at 2.50, 3.33 and 4.17 m·s-1 and 0, ±5o, and ±10o. Step frequency illustrated a significant speed × grade interaction (P < 0.001) and was highest (+3%) at the steepest grade (+10o) and fastest speed (4.17 m·s-1) when compared to level running (LR) at the same speed. Significant interaction was also observed for ground reaction forces (all P ≤ 0.047). Peak ground reaction forces in the normal direction increased with running speed during downhill running (DR) only (+9% at -10o and 4.17 m·s-1). Impulse in the normal direction decreased at fastest speed and steepest DR (-9%) and uphill running (UR) (-17%) grades. Average normal loading rate increased and decreased at fastest speed and steepest DR (+52%) and UR (- 28%) grades, respectively. Negative parallel impulse increased and decreased at fastest speed and steepest DR (+166%) and UR (-90%), respectively. Positive parallel impulse decreased and increased at fastest speed and steepest DR (-75%) and UR (+111%), respectively. EMG showed comparable u-shaped curves across the grades investigated, although only a change in vastus lateralis and tibilias anterior activity was detectable at the steepest grades and fastest speed. Overall, running grade and speed significantly influences spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction forces, and muscle activations
HIV transmission risk through anal intercourse: systematic review, meta-analysis and implications for HIV prevention.
No full textBACKGROUND: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infectiousness of anal intercourse (AI) has not been systematically reviewed, despite its role driving HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM) and its potential contribution to heterosexual spread. We assessed the per-act and per-partner HIV transmission risk from AI exposure for heterosexuals and MSM and its implications for HIV prevention. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on HIV-1 infectiousness through AI was conducted. PubMed was searched to September 2008. A binomial model explored the individual risk of HIV infection with and without highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). RESULTS: A total of 62,643 titles were searched; four publications reporting per-act and 12 reporting per-partner transmission estimates were included. Overall, random effects model summary estimates were 1.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2-2.5)] and 40.4% (95% CI 6.0-74.9) for per-act and per-partner unprotected receptive AI (URAI), respectively. There was no significant difference between per-act risks of URAI for heterosexuals and MSM. Per-partner unprotected insertive AI (UIAI) and combined URAI-UIAI risk were 21.7% (95% CI 0.2-43.3) and 39.9% (95% CI 22.5-57.4), respectively, with no available per-act estimates. Per-partner combined URAI-UIAI summary estimates, which adjusted for additional exposures other than AI with a 'main' partner [7.9% (95% CI 1.2-14.5)], were lower than crude (unadjusted) estimates [48.1% (95% CI 35.3-60.8)]. Our modelling demonstrated that it would require unreasonably low numbers of AI HIV exposures per partnership to reconcile the summary per-act and per-partner estimates, suggesting considerable variability in AI infectiousness between and within partnerships over time. AI may substantially increase HIV transmission risk even if the infected partner is receiving HAART; however, predictions are highly sensitive to infectiousness assumptions based on viral load. CONCLUSIONS: Unprotected AI is a high-risk practice for HIV transmission, probably with substantial variation in infectiousness. The significant heterogeneity between infectiousness estimates means that pooled AI HIV transmission probabilities should be used with caution. Recent reported rises in AI among heterosexuals suggest a greater understanding of the role AI plays in heterosexual sex lives may be increasingly important for HIV prevention
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