4th Step Research Articles

Analysis of sloped gait: How many steps are needed to reach steady-state walking speed after gait initiation?

BackgroundGait initiation in level walking is suggested to take three steps before reaching steady-state walking speed. In sloped gait, it is not clear if the general recommendation of level gait can be used. Research questionThe aim of this study was to investigate (1) if steady-state walking speed is reached within four steps in sloped gait, and (2) to what extent the number of initial steps cause differences in step length, cadence and ground reaction force (GRF). MethodsFourteen healthy participants walked on an instrumented ramp at inclinations of 0°, ±6°, ±12°, and ±18°, covering slight (clinical application) to steep (hiking and mountaineering) slopes. The starting position on the ramp was adjusted to collect each of the first to fourth step using a 12 infrared-camera motion capture system and two force plates. For each slope condition steady-state walking speed was determined using the ratio of the braking and propulsion impulse (ratio pap;pbrakingppropulsion) and the resultant Centre of Mass (CoM) speed (velCoM). Statistical differences between steps were calculated by using a Friedman ANOVA and pairwise post-hoc Wilcoxon tests. ResultsIn all inclinations, ≥90 % (uphill) and ≥95 % (downhill) of steady-state speed regarding ratio pap and maximum velCoM was reached with the 3rd step. In the level and uphill condition the 4th step showed a slight decrease in velCoM. In uphill and downhill condition, the acceleration was mainly generated due to the increase in cadence with significant increases between the 1st and 2nd step as well as between the 2nd and 3rd step. A significant increase in step length was only observed in the uphill conditions. SignificanceSteady-state walking speed was reached with the 3rd step and thus, walkways which allow for two initial steps seem to be appropriate for uphill and downhill gait analysis for inclinations up to ±18°.

ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS OF ATHLETES-JUMPERS EMPLOYING BIOMECHANICS CONTROL SYSTEM

Modern equipment based on computer technology can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of control procedures for physical fitness and technical performance of long jumpers. The study focuses on the development of control methods for technical performance and physical fitness of athletes-jumpers on the basis of «OptoJump Next» innovative measurement system. The purpose – to test the efficiency of modern technologies for assessing technical performance and physical fitness of athletes-jumpers employing biomechanics control system. Methods and organization of research. The main method of research is to assess the technical performance and physical fitness of athletes-jumpers using the "Optojump Next" measuring system, video recording and photodiode chronometry of the run-up speed (the "Brower" system). The survey took place at the track and field arena of the Novogorsk sport center (Moscow region), as well as at the stadium of ‘Iug-Sport’ sport center, Sochi in 2016-2018. The study involved 15 qualified long jumpers (Candidates Master of Sports – Masters of Sports of International Class). Results of the study and their discussion. The obtained results of the study enable identification of the model characteristics of the Special physical training control tests of qualified long jumpers in the range of results from 7.25 to 8.25 m. We have also developed model characteristics of technical performance for male jumpers in the range of results from 6.60 to 7.80 m. We used the chart of technical performance for jumpers (Master of Sports E. A-va) to reveal the lagging indicators of special sprint fitness: speed on the 5th step away from the bar; speed on the 4th step away from the bar; speed on the 3rd step away from the bar; pace of running step on the 3rd step away from the bar; average speed on the 3rd – 4th steps away from the bar; average speed on the 1st – 2nd steps away from the bar; average tempo activity of running steps. Conclusion. The results obtained enable identification of lagging and strong points of technical performance and physical fitness of qualified jumpers, and consequently, adjustment of training program for the upcoming training cycle.

Standardisation and categorization of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) for inoculated deep litter piggery in India

The present experiment was conducted on standardisation and categorization of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs) in India for its future application as inoculum in inoculated deep litter housing of pigs. The cultivation of IMOs was accomplished in four steps, which involved use of half cooked rice, sugar sources, rice bran and soil at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th steps, respectively. The cultivated IMOs at the end of each step from 1st to 4th were named accordingly as IMO-1, IMO-2, IMO-3 and IMO-4. The cultivation of IMOs was done in three groups based on the major sources of energy at 2nd step as control (brown sugar), treatment 1 (Jaggery) and treatment 2 (Molasses). The IMO-1 was obtained after 7 days which was confirmed based on the appearance of white coloured fungal mycelium in all the groups. The IMO-4 was considered as the final product of cultivation process which was confirmed by the presence of fungal mycelium interwoven in the soil. IMO-4 stage was further categorised in different microbial groups based on laboratory examination and only two categories of microbes were witnessed namely bacteria and fungi, none of yeast were found in those inoculums. Out of four types of bacterial colonies, IMB-3 confirmed the presence of Paenibacillus amylolyticus and IMB-4 as Enterococcus casseliflavus. The standardisation of IMOs as inoculum for deep litter housing was performed first time in India.

Influência do uso do Wii Fit sobre o equilíbrio estático e a marcha na doença de Parkinson

A Doença de Parkinson (DP) caracteriza-se, especialmente, por bradicinesia, instabilidade postural, reflexos reduzidos e alteração de marcha, aumentando o risco de quedas. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência de exercícios protocolados sobre equilíbrio estático e marcha com Wii Fit na DP. Métodos: Trata-se de artigo original que analisou alterações estáticas e marcha em dois pacientes com Parkinson, submetidos ao Nintendo Wii® e avaliados antes e após o protocolo. A avaliação deu-se mediante análise do equilíbrio estático e da marcha, no início e ao final de 6 semanas após o protocolo de três jogos: Penguin Slide, Plataforms e Balance Bubble, 2 vezes semanais, abordando a mesma sequência. A pesquisa foi realizada no Laboratório de Análise do Movimento Humano, vinculado à Universidade de Fortaleza, de fevereiro a setembro de 2015. Resultados: Os dados baropodométricos, referentes à variação da superfície, mostraram valor menor após intervenção. A variável velocidade média aumentou após atividade. As distâncias entre 2º e 3º passo e entre 3º e 4º passo também aumentaram, após intervenção, exceto esta última para o primeiro paciente. Com o protocolo de Nitendo Wii Fit, participantes relataram maior agilidade e segurança nas passadas, podendo ser comprovado pelo aumento da velocidade média dessas. Os pacientes evidenciaram uma melhora no equilíbrio estático e na marcha. Conclusão: Os exercícios protocolados em realidade virtual nos pacientes com DP melhoraram o desempenho do equilíbrio estático e da marcha, o que tende a favorecer a estabilidade ortostática e a deambulação.

Multistage aqueous and non-aqueous extraction of bio-molecules from microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum

A multi-step aqueous and non-aqueous extraction procedure was applied to recovery bio-molecules from Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The process include that physical pre-treatments (high voltage electrical discharges (HVED, 40 kV/cm, 1–8 ms, HVED samples) or high pressure homogenization (HPH, 1200 bar, 10 passes, P samples)) (1st step); aqueous extraction (2nd step); pigments extraction in ethanol (3rd step); and lipids extraction in CHCl3/MeOH (4th step). The extractability of ionics, carbohydrates, proteins, pigments and lipids for untreated, HVED and P samples were evaluated. The results evidenced that HVED allowed selective extraction of water soluble ionic products at 1st and 2nd steps. The maximum ionic concentrations were found for HVED samples. However, P samples resulted in higher contents of extracted components as compared to HVED samples (≈1.5-fold of carbohydrates, ≈2.5-fold of proteins, ≈5-fold of carotenoids, and ≈3-fold of chlorophylls). Moreover, the non-aqueous extraction (3rd and 4th steps) allowed supplementary extraction of pigments and lipids. Industrial relevancePre-treatments by high voltage electrical discharge (HVED) or high pressure homogenization (HPH) allowed effective extraction of different bio-molecules from microalga biomass. The combination of HVED/HPH, aqueous and non-aqueous extraction allowed selective recovery of target molecules. The paper also presents a multistage extraction procedure allowed reducing the amount of toxic solvents, increasing the extraction efficiency, and reducing the energy consumption. These approaches opened the doors to high-efficiency recovery of valuable compounds from microalgae relevant for industrial application.

Efficient recovery of aluminum from saline slag wastes

This work presents the procedure to improve the aluminum extracted from a hazardous waste from the recycling of aluminum, aluminum that could be used in the production of value-added materials, as well as with the generation of non-hazardous waste. The aluminum waste was treated under reflux and stirring with NaOH aqueous solutions taking into account two concentrations (1 and 2 mol/dm3), various times of extraction (1, 2 and 4 h) and 4th consecutive steps of extraction in order to obtain solutions with Al3+. The activation of the waste by milling is also analyzed. After extraction, the solution is filtered to separate an aqueous solution that contain the extracted Al3+ and a residual waste. A maximum of 7.54 g/dm3 of aluminum was extracted in the first step, for a total accumulated of 9.59 g/dm3 of aluminum. The extracted aluminum can be used to synthesize added-value products applied as adsorbents and catalysts. Finally, the residual waste generated was characterized by N2 adsorption at −196 °C, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, energy-dispersive X-ray and scanning electron microscopy in order to apply it as in future works adsorbent or catalyst.

Spatiotemporal and Kinetic Determinants of Sprint Acceleration Performance in Soccer Players.

We aimed to elucidate spatiotemporal and kinetic determinants of sprint acceleration performance in soccer players. Thirty-seven male soccer players performed 60-m sprints. The spatiotemporal variables and ground reaction impulses were calculated over a 50-m distance. When controlling the influence of stature and body mass, change in running speed was correlated with the step length at the 1st–4th step section (r = 0.695), step frequency from the 9th to 20th step sections (r = 0.428 to 0.484), braking impulse during the 17th–20th step section (r = 0.328), propulsive impulse from the 1st to 8th step sections (r = 0.738 and 0.379), net anteroposterior impulse for all step sections (r = 0.384 to 0.678), and vertical impulse from the 9th–12th step section and thereafter (r = −0.355 to −0.428). These results confirmed that an effective acceleration is probably accomplished by a greater step length originated in greater propulsive impulse during the initial acceleration phase (to the 8th step), a higher step frequency through smaller vertical impulse and smaller braking impulse during the middle and later acceleration phases (from the 9th step), as well as greater net anteroposterior impulse during the entire acceleration phase.

Thermodynamic study on polyaspartic acid biopolymer in solution and prediction of its chemical speciation and bioavailability in natural fluids

The interaction of polyaspartic acid 2 kDa (PASP) biopolymer with the major cationic constituent of natural fluids (H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) were studied by ISE-H+ titrations. The acid-base properties of PASP were determined in different ionic media [NaNO3, NaCl, KCl, (CH3)4NCl and (C2H5)4NI] at different temperatures and ionic strengths. The data analysis was performed according to the diprotic like model, assuming that a monomeric unit consists of two α and two β aspartyl residues, finding four protonation constants in the range 2.0 < pH < 8.0. Corresponding thermodynamic data (ΔG0, ΔH0 and TΔS0) revealed a slightly endothermic process for the 1st and 2nd steps and a slightly exothermic process for the 3rd and 4th steps, suggesting that amino groups are not involved in the proton binding. The CaL species is more stable than the MgL one at low ionic strength and T = 298.15 K, the contrary is observed at I = 1.0 mol kg−1 and T = 318.15 K, indicating that the latter process is endothermic, while the former is exothermic. Finally, speciation diagrams in the conditions of sea water and human blood plasma are drawn. In sea water, for example, PASP is present as MgL (48%), CaL (41%), Na2L (8%) and NaL species (3%).

Evaluation of a New Electrochemical Concept for Vacuum Toilet Wastewater Treatment - Comparison with Ozonation and Perozone Processes

Over the last several years, the removal of more than 150 micropollutants was investigated. Many pharmaceuticals are persistent and pass the conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). According to literature, the removal efficiency of various pharmaceuticals is between 0 and 50 % in activated sludge processes. For a standard analgesic such as Diclofenac, the removal efficiency is approx. 30 %. Therefore, additional treatment such as 4th treatment step is necessary, which is already implemented in some WWTPs in Europe, to save water bodies as much as possible. Options for the 4th treatment step are, for example, activated carbon adsorption, nanofiltration and advanced oxidation processes (AOP). By far one of the most cost efficient AOP is the ozonation. However, it is not able to remove X-ray contrast media sufficiently. For this purpose, electrochemical oxidation processes (EAOP) based on boron-doped diamond electrodes are much more effective. Keeping in mind that AOPs are still an emerging technology, especially for water reuse options and also might cause even toxic intermediates, one of the biggest disadvantages are the relatively high operational costs due to the electrical energy demand. Especially electrochemical reactors, which are based on two boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes are very cost-intensive, particularly in comparison to ozonation or perozone (ozone plus peroxide) processes. For that reason, a new electrochemical reactor concept, which promises lower CAPEX and OPEX costs, was investigated. This reactor concept consists mainly of one BDD electrode as anode and a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) as cathode. The innovative reactor concept combines the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals on the anode surface and simultaneously hydrogen peroxide on the cathode surface, which is very efficient as there is a double use of the same applied power. Both electrodes are mounted in a membrane-less flow-through reactor in pilot-scale for direct treatment of wastewater. Due to the direct contact between the surfaces of both electrodes, the wastewater gets treated specifically, which leads to a high energy efficiency. First results already prove the more energy efficient removal of COD in an artificial wastewater with the new reactor concept. For a detailed evaluation, a defined artificial wastewater with compounds and concentration equal to vacuum toilet wastewater was treated by the new reactor concept as well as by ozonation and perozone process (ozone plus peroxide). COD removal as well as the associated energy demand were measured after defined intervals in each step of the treatment to determine the performance of the different processes. A comparison was made between the different kind of treatments (EAOP, ozonation, perozone) concerning COD degradation and the power demand. The evaluation is based on electrical energy per order (EEO) conception as well as degradation for given reaction kinetics.

Correlation between coefficients of impairment at various muscles and active function in the paretic upper limb

In hemiparesis, motor function may be hindered to various degrees by soft tissue contracture, spasticity, spastic co-contraction and agonist paresis. This retrospective study explores correlations between neuromuscular impairments at shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers and overall function in the paretic upper limb. Fifty-one patients with chronic hemiparesis [25 W, 48(±15) years (mean[±SD]), time since lesion, 7.7(±5.5) years] were assessed using the Five Step Assessment, at least three months after any botulinum toxin injection. The first step assessed motor function of the upper limb by the Modified Frenchay scale (MFS; score between 0 and 10). The 2nd, 3rd and 4th steps assessed coefficients of impairment in four key muscles: shoulder extensors, elbow flexors, wrist flexors and fingers flexors. These coefficients were calculated as: coefficient of shortening [C SH = (X N − X V1 )/X N ; X N , normally expected amplitude; X V1 , angle of arrest upon slow stretch], coefficient of spasticity [C SP = (X V1 − X V3 )/X V1 ; X V3 , angle of catch upon fast stretch], coefficient of weakness [C W = (X V1 − X A )/X V1 ; X A , maximal active range of motion]. For each impairment factor, a mean coefficient across the four muscles was calculated (C SHmean , C SPmean , C Wmean ). For each muscle group and for the mean, multivariable correlations were explored between C SH , C SP , C W and MFS. The MFS correlated with C SH-shoulder ( r = −0.28, P = 0.03) and C W-shoulder ( r = −0.46, P = 0.001); C W-elbow ( r = −0.45, P = 0.002); C W-wrist ( r = −0.33, P = 0.003); C W-Fingers ( r = −0.63, P < 0.0001); C Wmean ( r = −0.78, P < 0.0001). The main factors impeding motor function in chronic spastic paresis are the combination of paresis in agonist and spastic co-contraction in antagonist (limiting active motion) for shoulder extensors and for elbow, wrist and finger flexors. Soft tissue contracture for shoulder extensors also contributed to hinder motor function. Spasticity was not correlated with the mean score of MFS, whichever the muscle considered.

Analysis of Interest in the Professor Learning Method of Specialized Curriculum Teachers based on CBAM

최근 변화하는 사회에 대응하는 실무 역량을 기르고 인적자원을 개발하기 위해 교육부는 NCS 기반으로 교육과정을 수정ㆍ고시하고 교실 수업의 혁신을 강조하고 있다. 이와 같이 교육 현장에서의 새로운 변화가 있는 경우 변화에 대한 교사의 인식과 관심도는 새로운 교육적 제도의 안정적 정착 및 효율적인 운영에 영향을 미친다. 본 연구에서는 NCS 기반 교육과정의 운영을 위해 요구되는 교실 현장 실현 가능한 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대한 전문교과 교사의 관심도를 분석하여 그 양상을 분석하고자 하였다. 먼저 선행 연구 및 교육과정 분석을 통해 NCS 기반 교육과정 실현에 적합한 교수ㆍ학습 방법을 도출한 뒤 이의 타당도를 검증하였다. 그리고 전문교과 교사 334명을 대상으로 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대한 관심도를 살펴보기 위하여 설문조사를 실시하였다. 연구 결과 전문교과 교사의 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대한 전반적인 관심도는 관심중심수용모형(CBAM)의 관심도 패턴 4가지 유형 중 비사용자 패턴과 유사하게 나타났다. 즉 전문교과 교사는 NCS 기반 교육과정의 적용을 위한 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대해 자세히 알고 싶어하고 있으나 현재 전반적인 사항만 알고 있어 실제 운영하는 것과 관련된 관심도가 낮은 것으로 판단된다. 그리고 전문교과 교사의 일반 변인(성별, 관련 연수 경험 유무, 경력, 교과군)에 따른 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대한 관심도 차이는 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 그러나 각 변인에 따른 분석을 종합적으로 살펴보았을 때, 전문교과 교사는 교수ㆍ학습 방법에 대한 4단계(결과적 관심)와 5단계(협력적 관심)의 관심도가 낮게 나타났다. 즉, 전문교과 교사는 NCS 기반 교육과정의 도입에 따른 교수ㆍ학습 방법의 영향력과 이를 토대로 한 평가 방법, 피드백 방안 등에 대해 관심이 없으며, 이와 관련하여 동료와의 협업에 관심이 적은 것으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 연구 결과를 통해 추후 향후 전문교과 교사의 교수역량 함양을 위한 연수ㆍ컨설팅을 실시하거나 교육 프로그램을 개발 시 교수ㆍ학습 방법과 연계된 평가 방법, 평가 결과에 따른 피드백 방안과 함께 동료 교사와의 협업이 가능하도록 하는 전략 개발이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.If there are new changes in the educational field, teachers perceptions and interests about change affect the stable establishment and efficient operation of the new educational system. In this study, we want to analyze the aspect that required in the classroom for the operation of NCS-based curriculum, the interest of specialized subject teachers on implementable teaching and learning methods. First, through analysis of previous research and curriculum, after deriving a teaching-learning method suitable for the implementation of NCS-based curriculum, its feasibility was verified. The questionnaire survey was conducted to examine the degree of interest in the teaching - learning method of 334 specialized subject teachers. As a result, the overall interest in teaching-learning method of specialized subject teachers was similar to that of non-user patterns among four types of interest patterns. In other words, specialized subject teachers want to know more about teaching-learning method for applying NCS-based curriculum, but we are only aware of the general facts at present, and it seems that there is low interest in actual operation. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of interest in the teaching-learning method according to general variables(gender, related training experience, career, and curriculum group) of the specialized subject teachers. However, when we examine the analysis according to each variable comprehensively, the specialized subject teachers showed less interest in the 4th step(consequent interest) and 5th step (cooperative interest) in the teaching-learning model. In other words, the specialized subject teachers are not well aware of the influence of the teaching-learning method according to the introduction of NCS-based curriculum, and to that end, there was little interest in collaboration with colleagues.

Comparison of barbotage and single injection applied to combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in cesarean section

Objective Comparing the outcome of barbotage(Bbt) and single injection applied to combined spinal and epidural anesthesia(CSEA) in cesarean section, including sensation block effect, motor block effect, changes of maternal hemodynamics, neonatal Apgar scores. Methods One hundred ASA Ⅱ parturients of 20-40 years with full-term pregnancy were scheduled for cesarean delivery under L2-L3 CSEA were included. They were randomly divided into 2 groups with 50 cases each group. 0.5% ropivacaine 2.2 ml(11 mg) were used in all patients. A Bbt technique was carried out in group B: 1st step, inject 1.1 ml of 2.2 ml total solution and withdrawing back to 2.1 ml, 2nd step, inject 1.1 ml of 2.1 ml solution and withdrawing back to 1.6 ml, 3rd step, inject 1.1 ml of 1.6 ml solution and withdrawing back to 1.1 ml, 4th step, inject the rest solution into subarachnoid space. The total injection time of group B is 44 s with an average speed of 0.1 ml/s. Single injection is carried out in group S within 22 s and same average speed. Dopamine and phenylephrine were used to stabilize maternal circlatory system. Record maternal blood pressure, heart rate, level of sensory block, Bromage score, usage of vasoactive drugs and local anesthetics at time of resting(t0) and 4 min(t1), 6 min(t2), 8 min(t3), 10 min(t4) min after injection. Record perioperative adverse reaction and condition of newborns. Results The speeds of block sensory level rising: group B>group S(P group S(P group S(P 0.05). Conclusions In the spinal anesthesia of cesarean section, Bbt provides wider distribution of local anesthetics in subarachnoid space, which leads to faster nerve block and higher block level with more stable blood pressure and HR. Key words: Barbotage; Ropivacaine; Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia; Cesarean section

Sperm kinematics and subpopulational responses during the cryopreservation process in caprine ejaculates

Sperm cryopreservation in goats has been a challenge for many years due to the detrimental effects of seminal plasma enzymes produced by the bulbo-urethral glands which catalyse the hydrolysis of lecithins in egg yolk to fatty acids and lysolecithins which are deleterious to spermatozoa. This fact implies to carry out additional processing steps during sperm cryopreservation for seminal plasma removal triggering different sperm responses which may affect sperm functionality. The objective of the present study was to determine specific sperm subpopulation responses in different handling steps during the cryopreservation process by using functional sperm kinematic descriptors in caprine ejaculates. Buck ejaculates (n = 40) were analysed for sperm concentration, viability, morphology and acrosome integrity. Moreover, sperm motility was assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system after five different handling steps (fresh sperm, 1st washing, 2nd washing, cooling and frozen-thawed sperm) during a standard cryopreservation protocol for goat semen. The results were analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multivariate clustering procedures to establish the relationship between the distribution of the subpopulations found and the functional sperm motility in each step. Except for the 1st and 4th steps, four sperm kinematic subpopulations were observed explaining more than 75% of the variance. Based on velocity and linearity parameters and the subpopulations disclosed, the kinematic response varies among processing steps modifying sperm movement trajectories in a subpopulation-specific and handling step-dependent manner (p < 0.001). The predominant motile subpopulation in freshly ejaculated buck sperm had very fast velocity characteristics and a non-linear trajectory (41.1%). Washing buck sperm twice altered the subpopulation structure as well as cooling which resulted in a dramatic reduction in sperm velocities (p < 0.01). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa showed similar characteristics to cooled sperm except there was a further increase in linearity with a large proportion of sperm attributed to new slow, linear cluster (32.5%). In conclusion, this study confirms the variability and heterogeneity of goat sperm kinematic patterns throughout the cryopreservation process and suggests that the predominant motility pattern (assayed in vitro via CASA) of high quality spermatozoa might be typified by high speed and a non-linear trajectory. The relationships among the number and distribution of sperm subpopulations and the different handling steps were particularlly relevant, specially after the cooling and the post-thawing steps, when effects derived from these critical handling steps were evident and altered drastically the sperm motion patterns.

Vertical Impulse as a Determinant of Combination of Step Length and Frequency During Sprinting.

This study aimed to clarify the influence of vertical impulse on the magnitude of step length (SL) and frequency (SF) and their ratio during the entire acceleration phase of maximal sprinting. Thirty-nine male soccer players performed 60-m sprints, during which step-to-step ground reaction forces were recorded over a 50-m distance. The mean values of spatiotemporal variables and vertical and anteroposterior impulses for each set of four steps during the acceleration phase until the 28th step were computed to examine relationships among variables in seven sections. When controlling for the influence of running speed, stature and corresponding duration of braking or propulsion, vertical impulses during the propulsive phase at the 1st-4th step section and those during the braking phases in the sections from the 5th-8th to the 25th-28th step were positively correlated with SL and SL/SF ratio and negatively correlated with SF, whereas the anteroposterior impulses were not correlated with SL or SF. In conclusion, the current results demonstrate that vertical impulse during the propulsive phase in the initial acceleration stage and that during the braking phase in the middle and later acceleration stages are the most likely determinants of the combination of SL and SF during sprinting.

Effects of Competency-based Instructional Design of Indoor Gardening Course on Job Performance for University Students with Disabilities

This study aimed to improve job performance for student with disabilities through competency-based instructionally designed indoor gardening course. In this study, The first step is that job analysis such as task range, eligibility, core competency, index of capability, etc was done by a focus group composed of 10 specialists in the industry and academia. The second step is developing a diagnostic tool of indoor gardening activity competency. The third step is the selection of diagnostic test students. The 4th step is selection of subjects for competency diagnostic testing. The 5th step is competency diagnostic testing The 6th step is analysis of competency improvement for instructional design. In result, average of cognitive competency improved from 1.80 to 3.96, physical competency from 1.86 points to 4.06 points and social competency from 2.30 points to 4.40 points after 15 weeks course. We found that effect of indoor gardening instructional design on job competency improvement. The next step is the establishment of instruction guidelines for indoor garden assistant manager or all kind of assistant job as university students with disabilities. Key words: analysis, capacity, diagnostic test, improvement

Kinematics of the thorax and pelvis during accelerated sprinting.

This study aimed to describe changes in thoracic and pelvic movements during the acceleration phase of maximal sprinting, and to clarify which kinematic variable relates to better accelerated sprinting performance. Twelve male sprinters performed 60-m sprints, during which three-dimensional step-to-step changes in thoracic and pelvic angles, as well as the trunk quasi-joint angle, were obtained throughout a 50-m distance. The patterns of thoracic and pelvic movements were maintained throughout the entire acceleration phase, although the phase profiles of the relative movements between the thorax and pelvis in three planes differed. Increase in peak thoracic and pelvic tilt angles terminated (-10.3° and 3.2° from the vertical line) and trunk extension range (≈21.7°) decreased from the 13th-15th steps. Moreover, thoracic and pelvic obliquity angles decreased from 15.3° and 8.8°, and conversely, rotation angles increased to 23.5° and plateaued (≈16°), during the entire acceleration phase. Moreover, smaller inclination of the thorax and deeper inclination of the pelvis, smaller rotations of the pelvis and trunk quasi-joint and greater thoracic obliquity during the initial section (to the 4th step), deeper inclination of the pelvis during the middle section (to the 14th step), and smaller trunk torsion and thoracic obliquity during the final section in the entire acceleration phase of sprinting were associated with increases in running speed. The results suggest that sprint acceleration toward maximal speed is not performed with only proportional increases in magnitudes of trunk movements, and important factors for better sprint acceleration performance alter with increasing running speed.

Investigation of GPS draconitic year effect on GPS time series of eliminated eclipsing GPS satellite data

Abstract GPS draconitic signal (351.6 ± 0.2 days) and its higher harmonics are observed at almost all IGS products such as position time series of IGS permanent stations. Orbital error and multipath are known as two possible sources of these signals. The effect of Earth shadow crossing of GPS satellites is another suspect for this signal. Up to now there is no serious attempt to investigate this dependence. AMATLAB toolbox is developed and used to determine the satellites located at the earth shadow. RINEX observation files and precise ephemeris are imported to the toolbox and a cylindrical model is used to detect the shadow regions. Data of these satellites were removed from the RINEX observation files of three IGS permanent stations (GRAZ,ONSAandWSRT) and new RINEX observation fileswere created. The time span of these data is about 11 years. The new and original fileswere then processed using precise point positioning (PPP) method to determine position time series, for further analysis. Both the original and new time series were analyzed using the least squares harmonic estimation (LS-HE) in the following steps. The 1st step is the validation of the draconitic harmonics signature in the original position time series of the three stations. The 2nd step does the same for the new time series. It confirms that the power spectrum at the draconitic signals decreases to some extent for the new time series. The difference between the original and new time series (difference between all three position quantity (X, Y and Z)) is then analyzed in the 3rd step. Signature of the draconitic harmonics is also observed to the differences. The results represent that all eight harmonics of GPS draconitic period do exist at the residuals and mainly they decrease. All of the three stations were then processed together using the multivariate LS-HE method. At the 4th step, the difference of the spectral values between the original time series and new times serieswere analyzed. Decreasing of the spectral values at most harmonics (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th) represents the effect of removing satellite observations at shadow of the earth on draconitic harmonics. At least, five harmonics among seven shows the amelioration of results (draconitic error reduction) after removing the earth shadowed data from RINEX raw data. The results show that the draconitic year’s component of data is in part due to eclipsing satellites.

The Effect of Intensity on 3-Dimensional Kinematics and Coordination in Front-Crawl Swimming.

Coaches are often challenged to optimize swimmers' technique at different training and competition intensities, but 3-dimensional (3D) analysis has not been conducted for a wide range of training zones. To analyze front-crawl 3D kinematics and interlimb coordination from low to severe swimming intensities. Ten male swimmers performed a 200-m front crawl at 7 incrementally increasing paces until exhaustion (0.05-m/s increments and 30-s intervals), with images from 2 cycles in each step (at the 25- and 175-m laps) being recorded by 2 surface and 4 underwater video cameras. Metabolic anaerobic threshold (AnT) was also assessed using the lactate-concentration-velocity curve-modeling method. Stroke frequency increased, stroke length decreased, hand and foot speed increased, and the index of interlimb coordination increased (within a catch-up mode) from low to severe intensities (P ≤ .05) and within the 200-m steps performed above the AnT (at or closer to the 4th step; P ≤ .05). Concurrently, intracyclic velocity variations and propelling efficiency remained similar between and within swimming intensities (P > .05). Swimming intensity has a significant impact on swimmers' segmental kinematics and interlimb coordination, with modifications being more evident after the point when AnT is reached. As competitive swimming events are conducted at high intensities (in which anaerobic metabolism becomes more prevalent), coaches should implement specific training series that lead swimmers to adapt their technique to the task constraints that exist in nonhomeostatic race conditions.

Twenty-four-month-olds’ nonverbal memory for expected and unexpected versions of familiar events

Very little is known regarding whether scripted knowledge affects memory in infancy. By means of the elicited imitation paradigm we examined whether 24-month-olds’ (N=112) differentially re-enacted expected and unexpected 4th steps of two highly familiar and of two less familiar 5-step events immediately as well as across a two-week retention interval. The results revealed that overall the infants re-enacted fewer unexpected 4th steps (relative to expected 4th steps) of the events as they had been demonstrated to the infants, and that the infants re-enacted fewer 4th steps (expected and unexpected) at the delayed recall test as they had been demonstrated. However, although the degree of familiarity of the events influenced the total number of actions (re)-enacted, familiarity did not affect how often the infants re-enacted the crucial 4th steps as they had been demonstrated. The results are discussed in relation to the prevailing theories of scripted knowledge in infancy.

Promoting social–emotional competence: An evaluation of the elementary version of Second Step®

Research has consistently linked social–emotional skills to important educational and life outcomes. Many children begin their school careers, however, without the requisite social and emotional skills that facilitate learning, which has prompted schools nationwide to adopt specific curricula to teach students the social–emotional skills that enable them to maintain optimal engagement in the learning process. Second Step® is one of the most widely disseminated social–emotional learning (SEL) programs; however, its newly revised version has never been empirically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of the 4th Edition Second Step® on social–behavioral outcomes over a 1-year period when combined with a brief training on proactive classroom management. Participants were kindergarten to 2nd grade students in 61 schools (321 teachers, 7300 students) across six school districts. Hierarchical models (time×condition) suggest that the program had few main effects from teacher-reported social and behavioral indices, with small effect sizes. The majority of significant findings were moderated effects, with 8 out of 11 outcome variables indicating the intervention-produced significant improvements in social–emotional competence and behavior for children who started the school year with skill deficits relative to their peers. All the significant findings were based on teacher-report data highlighting a need for replication using other informants and sources of data. Findings provide program validation and have implications for understanding the reach of SEL programs.