Bent Arm Research Articles

HOW DOES PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFFECT PHYSICAL FITNESS ELEMENTS IN CHILDREN AGED 5-9?

This study was conducted to examine the effect of participation in physical activity on physical fitness parameters in children aged 5-9 years. A total of 83 children, 44 girls, and 39 boys, studying in a private primary school participated in the study voluntarily. The Eurofit Test Battery was used to evaluate the physical fitness levels of children. Within the scope of the Eurofit test battery; the body weight and height values of the children were measured. In the determination of motoric performances, flamingo balance, disc touch, sit-reach, standing long jump, sit-up, bent-arm hanging, and 5x10 meter sit-up tests were used. A personal information form prepared by the researchers was used to determine demographic characteristics. Whether the data is normally distributed or not was checked with kurtosis and skewness values. In the statistical analysis dimension; descriptive analysis (mean, standard deviation, median, min-max value, ratio, frequency), independent samples t test (Independent Samples t test) were used. In terms of children having an athlete license, a significant difference was found in their height, standing long jump test, sit-up test, bent-arm hanging test, 5x10 meter sit-up run test scores (p>0.05). A significant difference was found in the findings of height, body weight, standing long jump test, sit-up test, bent arm hanging test, 5x10 meter sit-up run test in terms of children's participation in traditional children's games (p>0.05). As a result, it has been determined that children's having an athlete's license increases their height, explosive strength, core strength endurance, upper extremity strength endurance, agility, and again, the students' participation in traditional children's games has positive effect on height, body weight, explosive strength, core strength endurance, upper extremity strength endurance and agility.
 
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Reconstruction using monorail fixator for forearm osteochondroma Masada type I and IIb: A case series.

IntroductionOsteochondroma (solitary) and multiple hereditary exostoses (plural) are defined as a cartilage-capped bony projection arising on the external surface of bone containing a marrow cavity that is continuous with that of the underlying bone. These tumors grow slowly and develop to cause symptoms such as limited range of motion, joint pain, lumps, and deformities. The use of ulnar distraction osteogenesis has gained popularity in treating deformity in forearm osteochondroma. Problems that arise including bone angulation and persistent radial head dislocation.Case presentationWe describe eight cases of forearm osteochondroma that came to the Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopedic Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia. We found two variations in the classification of Masada in these 8 patients, Masada type I and IIB. The main complaint was a bent arm. We decided to do surgery in the form of tumor resection and reconstruction of the deformity by using ulnar gradual lengthening and osteotomies. The results of the procedure were investigated in this study, using clinical and radiological parameters focusing on medium-term functional and structural outcomes.Discussion and conclusionEight patients had overall good results, although performed with a different sequence of operating techniques. Ulnar lengthening with a monorail fixator is still the main choice in its implementation. Gradual ulnar lengthening improves not only the deformity but also the functionality of the associated forearm.

Highly Sensitive Wearable Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on Conductive Carbon Black/Sponge

At present, more and more flexible pressure sensors are used in wearable devices. The improvement of the adsorbability of nanomaterials on sponge flexible pressure sensors is an urgent problem to be solved. Here, using conductive carbon black with good dispersibility and small particle size as the conductive filler filled in the middle of the sponge can improve the absorbability of the sponge. A simple method of soaking a sponge with different thicknesses in conductive carbon black dispersion is used to obtain flexible pressure sensors based on conductive carbon black/sponge. We compare and analyze the differences in initial resistance and sensitivity of sponge pressure sensors with different thicknesses and select the sensor with higher sensitivity (0.194 kPa <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">−1</sup> ) for response time, recovery time, and stability tests. The sensor is used in the neck, wrist, knee, and other body parts for motion recognition. The two conductive carbon black/sponge sensors are placed orthogonally on the back to identify nod, tilt head, and placed on the elbow to test the angle of arm bending. Conductive carbon black/sponge flexible pressure sensor shows good application prospects in the wearable field.

Effect of initial 3α cluster configurations in C12 on the direct decay of its Hoyle state

We investigate the implications of initial $3\ensuremath{\alpha}$ configurations in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ corresponding to different decay modes of its Hoyle state on the penetrability ratios. Considering the second ${2}^{+}$ (10.03 MeV) state to be a collective excitation of the Hoyle state, the direct $3\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay width for the Hoyle state has been calculated using the ratio of the barrier penetration probability of the Hoyle state to the ${2}^{+}$ state. Semiclassical Wentzel--Kramers--Brillouin (WKB) approximation has been employed to determine the penetrability ratio, resulting in an upper limit on the branching ratio of the direct decay of the Hoyle state in ``equal phase-space'' ($\mathrm{DD}\ensuremath{\phi}$) mode as $\frac{{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{3\ensuremath{\alpha}}}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}&lt;3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$. However, this limit for ``linear chain'' (DDL) decay is $\frac{{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{3\ensuremath{\alpha}}}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}&lt;2.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$, which is one order of magnitude smaller than the $\mathrm{DD}\ensuremath{\phi}$ decay and the limit for ``equal energy'' (DDE) decay is $\frac{{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{3\ensuremath{\alpha}}}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}&lt;1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$, which is greater than both $\mathrm{DD}\ensuremath{\phi}$ and DDL decays. It implies that the limit on direct decay probability is strongly dependent on the initial configuration of the $3\ensuremath{\alpha}$ cluster. A further probe using a bent-arm-like $3\ensuremath{\alpha}$ initial configuration shows that the direct decay probability is maximum when the angle of the bent arm is $\ensuremath{\approx}{120}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$, an important ingredient for understanding the Hoyle-state structure.

Improving Physical Activity Levels in Prevocational Students by Student Participation: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundA consistent finding in the literature is the decline in physical activity during adolescence, resulting in activity levels below the recommended guidelines. Therefore, promotion of physical activity is recommended specifically for prevocational students.ObjectiveThis protocol paper describes the background and design of a physical activity promotion intervention study in which prevocational students are invited to participate in the design and implementation of an intervention mix. The intervention is expected to prevent a decline in physical activity in the target group.MethodsThe effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated in a two-group cluster randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline and 2-year follow-up. A simple randomization was applied, allocating 11 schools to the intervention group and 11 schools to the control group, which followed the regular school curriculum. The research population consisted of 3003 prevocational students, aged 13-15 years. The primary outcome measures were self-reported physical activity levels (screen time, active commuting, and physical activity). As a secondary outcome, direct assessment of physical fitness (leg strength, arm strength, hip flexibility, hand speed, abdominal muscle strength, BMI, and body composition) was included. An intervention-control group comparison was presented for the baseline results. The 2-year interventions began by mapping the assets of the prevocational adolescents of each intervention school using motivational interviewing in the structured interview matrix and the photovoice method. In addition, during focus group sessions, students, school employees, and researchers cocreated and implemented an intervention plan that optimally met the students’ assets and opportunities in the school context. The degree of student participation was evaluated through interviews and questionnaires.ResultsData collection of the SALVO (stimulating an active lifestyle in prevocational students) study began in October 2015 and was completed in December 2017. Data analyses will be completed in 2021. Baseline comparisons between the intervention and control groups were not significant for age (P=.12), screen time behavior (P=.53), nonschool active commuting (P=.26), total time spent on sports activities (P=.32), total physical activities (P=.11), hip flexibility (P=.22), maximum handgrip (P=.47), BMI (P=.44), and sum of skinfolds (P=.29). Significant differences between the intervention and control groups were found in ethnicity, gender, active commuting to school (P=.03), standing broad jump (P=.02), bent arm hang (P=.01), 10× 5-m sprint (P=.01), plate tapping (P=.01), sit-ups (P=.01), and 20-m shuttle run (P=.01).ConclusionsThe SALVO study assesses the effects of a participatory intervention on physical activity and fitness levels in prevocational students. The results of this study may lead to a new understanding of the effectiveness of school-based physical activity interventions when students are invited to participate and cocreate an intervention. This process would provide structured health promotion for future public health.Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN35992636; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN35992636International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/28273

The Relationship between Foot Status and Motor Status in Preschool Children: A Simple, Comparative Observational Study.

Background: The research objective of the study is to determine the differences in the manifestation of the motor status of normally fed preschool test subjects, classified into groups according to foot status. Methods: This is a simple, comparative observational study. Preschool children included in this study have been subjected to anthropometric measurements in order to determine BMI, tests for motor skills assessment (running at 20 m from a high start, standing broad jump, backwards polygon, rectangular seated forward bend, plate tapping, sit-ups for 60 s, and bent arm hang), and a determination of foot status. The total sample was comprised of 202 test subjects who attended a regular sports program, aged 3.9 to 6.5 years of decimal age (M = 141; Age = 5.3 ± 0.74; Height = 117.3 ± 7.1; Weight = 22 ± 3.7; F = 61; Age = 5.1 ± 0.73; Height = 114.9 ± 7.4; Weight = 21.2 ± 3.8), of which 153 (75.7%) were normally fed, 6 (3%) were undernourished, 30 were overweight (14.9%), and 13 were obese (6.4%). Results: In the total sample, 30 (14.9%) subjects had normal arch feet, 90 (44.6%) high arched feet, and 41 (20.3%) flat feet. We found 41 (20.3%) subjects who had different left and right foot statuses within this sample. The data were processed by means of nonparametric tests (the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests) at a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: The results show that there is a statistically significant difference between groups of subjects with different foot statuses in the manifestation of motor status in most tests, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.01, and in tests of sit-ups for 60 s and the bent arm hang, there is a statistically significant difference, the level of which is p ≤ 0.05. It is only in the inclination test of rectangular seated forward bend that no statistically significant difference was displayed.

Differences in the Anthropological Status of Young Football Players in Relation to the Chronological age within one Calendar Year

The aim of this research is to determine whether there are statistically significant differences in the anthropological status of young football players in relation to chronological age within one calendar year. The sample consisted of a total of 50 male respondents, Technical School “Mihajlo Pupin” students from the municipality of Indjija. The sample was divided into two subsamples according to chronological age (born by June 30, 2005; born July 1, 2005 and later). The students are also members of the football club in which they train. By examining the morphological characteristics, data were obtained in the following variables: body height, body mass and body mass index. Static and explosive power testing data were obtained in the following variables: standing long jump, bent arm hang and running 30 meters. It was concluded that there are no statistically significant differences between young football players of different chronological ages in anthropological status. No differences were found in the total space of tested and measured variables (MANOVA) nor in the individual space (ANOVA). The research included two anthropological spaces, morphological and motor, and none of them showed differences between young football players of different chronological ages. Out of a total of six measured and tested variables, the only variable that was on the border of the difference between the groups was running 30 meters, which may indicate that different explosive power of the lower extremities between the two tested groups, in this case, in favor of the younger group.

Development of Strength Abilities Using Play Techniques with Elements of Martial Arts at the Sports and Recreational Stage in 10-Year-Old Girls

The objective of the study was to examine the level of strength fitness indicators of 10-year-old girls and experimentally test the effectiveness of the impact of play techniques with elements of martial arts on the dynamics of strength development. Materials and methods. The study participants were 20 10-year-old girls who do Kyokushin Karate. The children and their parents were informed about all the features of the study and gave their consent to participate in the experiment. The following research methods were used to achieve the objective set: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing, and methods of mathematical statistics for processing research results. Results. There were the biggest changes in the results of the tests “Lying pull-ups” by 51.1% (p &lt; 0.05), “Push-ups” by 34.1% (p &lt;0.05), and “Bent arm hang” by 26.5% (p &lt; 0.05). Somewhat smaller changes were observed in the tests “Right hand grip test” by 10.8% (p &lt; 0.05), “Left hand grip test” by 10.5% (p &lt;0.05), and “Sit-ups in 1 min” by 13.3% (p &lt; 0.05). The lowest increase in the results was observed in the test “Triple jump on the right and left leg” by 6.6% (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. The level of the girls’ strength fitness at the initial stage of the pedagogical experiment conforms to age norms. Most of them are at the average – 40% and above average – 23.6% levels. The remainder of indicators was distributed between the high – 13.6%, below average – 14.3%, and low – 8.6% levels. A comprehensive control of the 10-year-old girls’ strength fitness after the formative experiment showed statistically significant changes in almost all indicators in the experimental group, which used play techniques with elements of martial arts in the following load mode: 5 games, 2 repetitions with rest intervals of 40 s (p &lt; 0.001).

ANTHROPOMETRIC AND MOTOR CHANGES AFTER ONE-YEAR AEROBIC GYMNASTICS TRAINING IN YOUNG GYMNASTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of one-year specific aerobic gymnastics training on selected anthropometric and motor parameters in 6-11-year-old girls. 23 girls (average age in the beginning of the study was 8.04 ± 1.22 years) were involved in the study representing 2 different aerobic gymnastics sports clubs in Slovakia. The selected group completed their regular trainings and competitions for a period of one year. Measurements were taken in January 2019 and January 2020, in the middle of the preparatory period. Normality of distribution of the traits was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Considering anthropometric parameters, there were significant changes (p≤0.01) in body height, body weight and BMI. Considering motor parameters, the mean values of straddle support hold and back extension endurance test increased significantly to the level of p≤0.05. The mean values of 4x10m shuttle run, standing long jump, modified push-ups, sit-ups in 60s increased significantly to the level of p≤0.01. No significant changes were observed in bent arm hang test or hanging knee tucks. On the other hand, the values of 1 leg stand with eyes closed and 2-min endurance shuttle run decreased insignificantly.

A COMPARISON OF SOME ANTHROPOMETRIC AND MOTOR FEATURES OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS WHO PLAY SPORTS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT PLAY SPORTS IN SCHOOLS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN TURKEY

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare certain anthropometric and motor features of visually impaired students who play sports and those who do not play sports in schools for the visually impaired in Turkey. It is thought that the sport has an important place in the rehabilitation of disabled people and also has an effect on their physical characteristics. Material and Methods: In this context, 98 visually impaired students who played sports regularly (72 male, 26 female) and 189 visually impaired students who did not play sports regularly (110 male, 79 female) participated in our study. In the study, participants’ gender, age, height, body weight, body mass index, girth, and motor features such as flamingo balance test, flexibility, standing long jump, sit-up, bent arm hang, 10 x 5m shuttlerun, grip strength, vertical jump, abdominal strength, back strength, hip flexion strength, hip extension strength, leg flexion strength, leg extension strength, arm strength and arm extension strength were measured. During the strength measurements, Lovett’s Manual Muscle Strength Test was utilised. Results: In the study, significant differences were found between visually impaired students who played sports and those who did not play sports in terms of age, height, grip strength, vertical jump, balance test, flexibility, long jump, sit-up, bent arm hang, 10 x 5m shuttle run, abdominal strength, back strength, hip flexion strength, hip extension strength, leg flexion strength, leg extension strength, arm flexion strength and arm extension strength (p&lt;0.05). However, no significant differences were found in terms of body weight, body mass index or girth (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Examination of the test results of the study reveals that visually impaired students who played sports had higher performance levels than those of students who did not play sports. It is recommended that visually impaired students, as well as being given physical education lessons, should take part in more mobility games and sporting activities, or that more mobility games and sporting activities should be included in course curricula. &#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0740/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Morphological and Motor Fitness Determinants of Shotokan Karate Performance.

The achievement of high performance levels in a complex structured sport such as karate is determined by the competitor’s physical fitness, fighting technique, tactics and mental state. This study aimed to identify the most important determinants of top-level performance in karate. Methods: The participants were 32 karate competitors (12 women and 20 men) aged 18–25 years. A series of tests measuring 11 anthropometric features was undertaken twice during a year, separated by a 6-week interval during a training camp at the Olympic Preparation Center in Walcz, Poland. Motor skills were measured with strength, speed, endurance, flexibility and reaction time tests. Special motor fitness was assessed with tests of karate technical skills. The results were subject to statistical analysis using multiple stepwise regression of the Polish Karate Federation ranking points as the dependent variable. Results: The multiple regression analysis revealed two main determinants of high scores in female and male karate competitors. In women, these were thigh circumference and the speed of the mawashi-geri-kick roundhouse technique (i.e., the maximum number of delivered kicks in 30 s), whilst for men they were the extent of the sideway leg swing to the highest possible height (yoko-geri) and general endurance assessed with the bent arm hang test. Conclusion: Karate training should account for the determinants of high-level competitive karate performance identified in this study. Strengthening the lower limbs, exercises increasing hip joint mobility, low position movements, performing leg techniques in various planes and applying external loads undoubtedly increase a karate athlete’s strength and lead to the development of a more extensive repertoire of karate leg techniques, especially at the highest-scoring head level (jodan).

Effectiveness of Using Active Games for Strength Development in 10-Year-Old Boys at the Initial Training Stage in Kyokushin Karate

The objective of the study was to examine the level of strength fitness indicators of 10-year-old boys who do Kyokushin Karate, and experimentally test the effectiveness of the impact of play techniques on the dynamics of strength development.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study involved 40 10-year-old boys. The children and their parents were informed about all the features of the study and gave their consent to participate in the experiment. To achieve the objective set, the following research methods were used: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing, and methods of mathematical statistics for processing research results.&#x0D; Results. There were the biggest changes in the results of the tests “Standing long jump” by 15.9% (р &lt; 0.001), “Sit-ups in 30 s” by 16.0% (р &lt; 0.001), “Pull-ups” by 18.3% (р &lt; 0.001), and “Bent arm hang” by 15.6% (р &lt; 0.001). The experimental group boys’ result of the “Standing long jump” changed from low to above average. The lowest increase in results was observed in the “Right hand grip test” by 7.2% (р &lt; 0.001), “Left hand grip test” by 6.9% (р &lt; 0.001), and“Push-ups” by 11.8% (р &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions. The initial level of the boys’ strength fitness is sufficient and conforms to age norms. Most of them had an average – 30.36%, an above average – 19.64%, and a high – 23.21% level of strength abilities development. The data obtained give reason to recommend that teachers and coaches use active games aimed at developing strength. As a result of using play load (5 games, 3 repetitions with rest intervals of 40 s), there was a statistically significant increase in strength indicators (р &lt; 0.001).

Use of a step-platform in the preparation of female students, going in for sports aerobics, to fulfill elements of static and dynamic strength

Aim: to determine the effectiveness of using a step-platform to improve the technique of performing elements with the manifestation of static and dynamic strength of female students engaged in sports aerobics.&#x0D; Material and methods. The study involved 20 female students of Kharkov higher educational institutions, who were engaged in sports aerobics in sports improvement groups. Research methods. The questionnaire was carried out among aerobics coaches in order to reveal their attitude to the use of a step-platform in the process of studying and improving the technique of elements of dynamic and static strength. The pedagogical experiment was carried out in 2 stages and lasted for 6 months from October 2019 to March 2020. At the first stage, the existing level of development of the physical abilities of the subjects was revealed, in particular, flexibility (bending forward from a sitting position), power abilities (flexion, extension of the arms in a lying position, hanging on bent arms, lifting the body in a sitting position in 1 min.), Speed ( run 60 m), agility (shuttle run 4x9 m), endurance (run 1000 m) and techniques for performing basic elements of dynamic and static force, which were taken as control ones. The assessment of each of the control elements was carried out on a 10 point scale. The athlete received the highest score for the impeccable performance of the element, for each gross error she lost 3 points, the average 2, and the small 1 point, loss of balance and fall during the execution of the element did not give the subjects a single point.&#x0D; Results. A significant increase in flexibility, strength and endurance, as well as marks for the technique of performing elements of dynamic and static strength, was revealed. Significant relationships were revealed between the scores for the STRADDLE LATERAL PUSH UP and HINGE PUSH UP technique and the indicators of flexion and extension of the arms in the supine position and weight on bent arms. Significant correlations were also revealed between the scores by STRADDLE SUPPORT 1/1 TURN and LIFTED STATIC WENSON SUPPORT and the indicators of forward bending of the trunk and lifting of the trunk to the sitting position in 1 min.&#x0D; Conclusions. Provided sets of exercises using a step platform. The exercises are aimed at developing physical qualities for performing elements with the manifestation of dynamic and static strength. The exercises are also aimed at learning and improving the technique of these elements in various conditions. Their effectiveness in physical and technical preparation of girl students for the fulfillment of elements with the manifestation of dynamic and static strength in sports aerobics has been experimentally proved.

The Influence of Climbing Activities on Physical Fitness of People with Intellectual Disabilities

ABSTRACT Research confirms the effectiveness of training based on specific sports discipline in the therapy of people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of climbing activities on the physical fitness of people with ID. This is a randomised, controlled trial. In total, 68 people with diagnosed mild or moderate intellectual disabilities took part in the study. An experimental group participated in the activities on an artificial climbing wall for a period of 15 weeks. The assessment of physical fitness included selected samples from the Eurofit and Eurofit Special tests set. Statistical analysis was carried out with Statistica 13 programme. After the end of the programme, the balance measured by a walk on a bench and the strength of upper limbs assessed by bent arm hang test, push a 2 kg medicine ball and dynamometric measurement of handgrip force were significantly improved in the experimental group. The index of the relative strength of both limbs, depending on body weight, also increased. Participation in climbing activities has a positive effect on the level of some components of the physical fitness of people with ID and maybe an alternative form of therapy.

Self‐rated physical fitness and measured cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition

The purpose was to examine the correlation and association between a single-item question of self-rated physical fitness and objective measures of fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in a large population-based study. Participants were 3441 men and women aged 18-85years who filled in a questionnaire and participated in a clinical health examination in the Danish Health Examination Survey 2007-2008. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by an indirect maximal exercise test. Muscle strength was measured by (a) sit-to-stand test, (b) handgrip strength, and (c) bent arm strength. Body mass index and fat percentage were used as measures for body composition. Associations were derived from regression analyses, correlations were calculated using Spearman's correlation test, and agreement was tested by kappa statistics. Within categories of self-rated physical fitness moving from lowest to highest, objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness increased. Self-rated physical fitness was strongly correlated to cardiorespiratory fitness (rmen =0.69 and rwomen =0.65) and moderately correlated to the sit-to-stand test (rmen =0.49 and rwomen =0.48), bent arm strength (r = 0.45) and fat percentage (r = 0.46) among men, and handgrip strength among women (r =0.41). Mutually adjusted analysis showed a significant association between self-reported physical fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness for men and women and bent arm strength for women. The single-item question of physical fitness was correlated to cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition. However, this study suggests that it mainly captures cardiorespiratory fitness. At the population level, the single-item question could be a useful tool to identify and monitor variation in fitness levels.

A Compact Quasi-Yagi Antenna with High Gain by Employing the Bent Arms and Split-Ring Resonators

A compact quasi-Yagi antenna with bent arms and split-ring resonators (SRRs) is proposed. Compared with traditional quasi-Yagi antennas employing straight arms, the resonant frequency of the proposed antenna could be always consistent with its center frequency, and there is no obvious frequency shift under the process of its miniaturization. The SRRs are adopted in the proposed compact antenna for a high gain of 6.58 dBi. The reliability verification of the proposed antenna radiation characteristics is further experimentally proved with the prototype measurement. The proposed quasi-Yagi antenna has an adjustable compact structure and low frequency offset and could be used in the precise point-to-point wireless communication environment.

Determination of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of composite by a wedge-insert double cantilever beam and the nonlinear J integral

Wedge-insert double cantilever beam (WDCB) is a promising test specimen for measuring the mode I fracture toughness of composite material subjected to impact and static loadings. However, it is considerably more challenging to determine the energy release rate and fracture toughness of WDCB than those of double cantilever beam (DCB) because the effective bending arms of WDCB strongly depend on the crack opening displacement. In this paper, exact and explicit energy release rate of a composite WDCB was derived by using the nonlinear J integral to consider the effects of large deformation and axial force. Compared to the alternative data reduction methods, the proposed J integral method is simpler and more accurate for measuring the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of composite, especially for largely deformed WDCB.

Impact of Additional Physical Activity Program on Motor Abilities Development in School Children

The aim of this study is to determine there is a statistically significant difference in motor ability indicators in children of early school age before and after the defined experimental process. The total number of subjects is 40 and the subjects was divided into two subsamples: a subsample of boys (n = 20) with an average age of 6.20 ± 0.34 years and a subsample of a girls (n = 20) with an average age of 6.16 ± 0.62 years. All subjects were participants in the program of the sports school of the children fitness centre Smart Gym from Podgorica. Subsamples were subjected to an experimental process lasting 8 weeks. Immediately before and after the experimental process, motor abilities were measured using the following 10 tests: 5m sprint, 10m sprint, standing long jump, polygon backwards, bent arm hang, sit and reach, climbing and descending, stork balance stand test, sit ups, and throw and catch test. The results of the study show that the experimental process was successful in improving the polygon backwards, forward deep bend and throw and catch test in boys and stork balance stand test, sit ups and throw and catch test in girls. Such a program could improve the working methodology in all sport schools throughout Montenegro.

The effects of medical staff turning movements on airflow distribution and particle concentration in an operating room

The present study aims to examine the effects of medical staff’s turning movements on the number of particles falling onto the patient. A simplified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the operating room was developed and validated based on the published data. An RNG k-ε turbulence model based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations was used to simulate the airflow, while a discrete phase model was used to simulate the movement of the airborne particles. The medical staff’s turning movements were controlled by integrating a user-defined function (UDF) code and using a dynamic mesh method. Results show that medical staff’s turning movements have a significant influence on the airflow velocity distribution and particle concentration around the patient. A turning movement generally causes more particle deposition; and bending arms also increase the particle depositions when compared to straight arms.

Integration and Testing of a Three-Axis Accelerometer in a Woven E-Textile Sleeve for Wearable Movement Monitoring.

This paper presents a method to integrate and package an accelerometer within a textile to create an electronic textile (e-textile). The smallest commercially available accelerometer sensor (2 mm × 2 mm × 0.95 mm) is used in the e-textile and is fully integrated within the weave structure of the fabric itself, rendering it invisible to the wearer. The e-textile forms the basis of a wearable woven sleeve which is applied to arm and knee joint bending angle measurement. The integrated e-textile based accelerometer sensor system is used to identify activity type, such as walking or running, and count the total number of steps taken. Performance was verified by comparing measurements of specific elbow joint angles over the range of 0° to 180° with those obtained from a commercial bending sensor from Bend Labs and from a custom-built goniometer. The joint bending angles, measured by all three sensors, show good agreement with an error of less than ~1% of reading which provides a high degree of confidence in the e-textile sensor system. Subsequently, knee joint angles were measured experimentally on three subjects with each being tested three times on each of three activities (walking, running and climbing stairs). This allowed the minimum and maximum knee joint angles for each activity to be determined. This data is then used to identify activity type and perform step counting.