Cumulative Load Research Articles

Design and analysis of ultrathin X‐band frequency selective surface structure for gain enhancement of hybrid antenna

A wideband ultrathin frequency selective surface (FSS) structure is designed and developed for the complete X-band. The design employs a metallic tetra-arrow (two bidirectional arrows placed diagonally) and a circular split structure (metallic) in the top side and bottom side of RT duroid 5880LZ low-loss substrate respectively. The proposed design has novel contribution in terms of significant reduction in electrical thickness (0.007λ0 which is corresponding to lowest operating frequency, 8.3 GHz) and wider transmission (S21) bandwidth (measured: S21 ≤ − 10 dB, 8.15-13.2 GHz, 47.3%), covering entire X-band due to cumulative loading of surface mount chip resistors in the top layer. The principle of operation of the proposed FSS further can be justified with its equivalent transmission line circuit model, which is based on microwave filter (band-stop and band-pass) topology for anticipating the desired characteristics. The FSS structure is further integrated with dielectric resonator (DR)-slot hybrid antenna for enhancing the gain (measured: peak gain of 4.5 dBi without FSS and 7.8 dBi with FSS) of the antenna. The proposed FSS structure is fabricated and measured performance has very similar responses as simulated ones.

The Association Between Training Load Indices and Injuries in Elite Soccer Players.

Tiernan, C, Comyns, T, Lyons, M, Nevill, AM, and Warrington, G. The association between training load indices and injuries in elite soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3143-3150, 2022-To investigate the association between contact injuries, noncontact injuries, and training load indices, across different lag periods in elite soccer players. Internal load (session rate of perceived exertion) was collected from 15 elite soccer players over 1 season (40-weeks). Acute (7 days), chronic (28 days), acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) (uncoupled), exponentially weighted moving averages (EWMA) ACWR, and 2-, 3-, and 4-week cumulative load were calculated on a rolling weekly basis. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between contact, noncontact injuries, and training load indices, across different lag periods (5 and 7 days). A player was at a significantly higher risk of a noncontact injury 5 days later, if week-to-week acute load changes increased (odds ratio [OR] = 1.97). An increase in EWMA ACWR was associated with an increased risk of both a contact (OR = 1.30) and noncontact injury (OR = 1.35), 5 days later. An increase in 2-week cumulative load (OR = 1.77) was associated with an increased risk of a contact injury 7 days later and 3-week cumulative load (OR = 1.55) 5 days later. These findings suggest that to reduce the potential risk of a noncontact injury, training load should be gradually increased, avoiding an increase in week-to-week acute load change (≥9%) or EWMA ACWR (>1.20). Findings indicated that EWMA ACWR may be a more sensitive measure for detecting a player at a higher risk of an injury than ACWR. Furthermore, a high 2- and 3-week cumulative load was associated with an increased risk of a contact injury, which may indicate accumulated fatigue. Practitioners must note that this study investigated associations with injury risk and not injury prediction.

Reliability Optimization of Wind Farm Power Systems Using Bat Algorithm with Generalized Flight

In this paper, two metaheuristics, namely the Bat algorithm (BAT) and a recent hybridization of bat algorithm with generalized walk evolutionary algorithm are presented. The bat algorithm and the Bat algorithm with generalized flight (BAG) are used to solve the problem of optimal redundancy design of series-parallel electrical systems. In order to assess the reliability of the heterogeneous system of multi-state series-parallel, the Ushakov method a universal moment generating function (UMGF) is used to allow fast estimation. The design objective is to maximize the reliability of the bulk power generation system from wind farm. The components of each electrical subsystem are characterized by their performance (capacity), cost and reliability. Reliability is defined as the ability to satisfy consumer demand that is given by a cumulative load curve. By comparing three algorithms cited in this study, the results show that the hybridization of Bat and Generalized Evolutionary Walk Algorithm (BAG) are effective in solving the reliability redundancy optimization problem (RROP). Two illustrative examples are presented.

Plaque morphology in acute symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease

BackgroundIntracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is globally a major ischaemic stroke subtype with high recurrence. Understanding the morphology of symptomatic ICAD plaques, largely unknown by far, may help identify vulnerable lesions...

Limits to biomass productivity during fed-batch cultivation of Laminaria saccharina female gametophyte cells in a stirred-tank photobioreactor

This study compared the growth of Laminaria saccharina female gametophyte filamentous cell suspension cultures in a stirred-tank photobioreactor under batch and fed-batch nutrient addition modes over a 48-day cultivation period. Cultures were grown on GP2 artificial seawater medium (0.75 mM nitrate, N:P = 16:1) at pH 8.3 without iron or copper. Total equivalent nutrient loadings ranged from 0.5X to 9.1X GP2 for batch cultivation and 1.3X to 10.4X GP2 for fed-batch cultivation at delivery rates of 0.0067–0.16 mmol N L−1 day−1 based on nitrate. The multicellular, L. saccharina filamentous clumps were dispersed to nominal size of 100 μm by mechanical blending (~ 16,000 rpm, 5 s) prior to inoculation. Fed-batch addition of all nutrients enhanced biomass productivity by a factor of two over a batch cultivation process at equivalent total nutrient loadings in a stirred-tank photobioreactor. Peak productivity through fed-batch cultivation was 57 mg DCW L−1 day−1, and average final biomass densities exceeded 1800 mg DCW L−1, vs. 30 mg DCW L−1 day−1 and 800–900 mg DCW L−1 for batch cultivation. However, there was a limit to biomass productivity enhancement at cumulative nutrient loadings greater than 3X GP2 that was not the result of insufficient CO2 or light delivery. It is suggested that the formation of large, multicellular clumps approaching 1-mm diameter during stirred-tank cultivation may have ultimately reduced biomass productivity during fed-batch cultivation under nutrient-replete conditions. Therefore, future bioreactor processing strategies might consider mechanical blending to disperse the filament clumps during the cultivation process.

Formulation Design and Evaluation of Solid Lipid Micro-particles of Curcumin for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Solid lipid microparticles reach the site of its action in a controlled rate and do show controlled release for a better therapeutic result. A good drug carrying and release system involve a controlled drug delivery that improves bioavailability, to enrich stability and to minimise the toxic effects followed with a targeted drug at the site of its action. The solid lipid microparticles of curcumin were prepared in a view to achieving high permeability of curcumin in the brain through blood-brain-barrier. The lipid microsphere solids were prepared by hot melts microencapsulation technique to formulate solid lipid microspheres. Twelve lipid formulations were prepared with varying concentration of surfactants (span 40, span 70, span 90 and Tween 100). The developed formulation was subjected to various parameters such as the particle size, % entrapment efficiencies, yield productions, % cumulative release, percentage yield and drug loading, based upon highest entrapment efficiency, drug release and % cumulative release, the F3 formulation was considered as the best formulation. The prepared microsphere was subjected to different evaluation parameters such as thin-layer chromatography, melting point, FTIR, solubility, compatibility study and In-vitro drug release. The developed formulation shows spherical and smooth surface. The percentage release of drug F3 formulation has been found highest of about 86.23% after 12 hr.

Facile synthesis of economical feasible fly ash–based zeolite–supported nano zerovalent iron and nickel bimetallic composite for the potential removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents

Heavy metals contamination of water is one of the environmental issue globally. Thus prepared fly ash–based zeolite (FZA)–supported nano zerovalent iron and nickel (nZVI/Ni@FZA) bimetallic composite from low-cost fly ash waste for the potential treatment of anion (Cr(VI) and cation Cu(II)) heavy metals from industrial effluents at pH 3 and 5, respectively in this study. The systematic interaction between FZA and nZVI/Ni and the adsorptive removal mechanism was studied. The mean surface area of the nZVI/Ni@FZA (154.11 m2/g) was much greater than that of the FZA (46.6 m2/g) and nZVI (4.76 m2/g) independently, as determined by BET-N2 measurements. The effect of influence factors on the removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) by nZVI/Ni@FZA, such as pH effect, initial concentration effect, time effect, temperature effect, coexisting metals, and ionic strength, and cumulative loading ability, were discussed. The maximum adsorption capacity of nZVI/Ni@FZA was 48.31 mg/g and 147.06 mg/g towards Cr(VI) and Cu(II), respectively. These were higher than those of nZVI@FZA and FZA. It demonstrated that Ni could play an important role in enhancing the reduction ability of nZVI. Furthermore, isothermal and kinetic results revealed that both heavy metal adsorption processes were rate limiting monolayer Langmuir adsorption on homogeneous surfaces. Thermodynamic results suggested that the adsorptive removal of metal ions was endothermic with spontaneity. The applicability of nZVI/Ni@FZA on real industrial wastewater treatment results demonstrate that the concentration of heavy metals were removed under the acceptable standard levels. Further the adsorption capacity of nZVI/Ni@FZA was higher than the nZVI@FZA and FZA. The overall results demonstrated that nZVI/Ni@FZA was a promising, efficient, and economically feasible sorbent for potential wastewater treatment. Moreover this is first report on the preparation nZVI/Ni@FZA bimetallic composite.

The differential mental health impact of COVID-19 in Arab countries.

COVID-19 pandemic’s mental health impact on Arab countries is under-researched. The goal of this investigation was to study the differential impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Arab countries. A questionnaire including measures of COVID-19 traumatic stress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and cumulative stressors and trauma was distributed anonymously online in seven Arab countries (Egypt (N = 255), Kuwait (N = 442), Jordan (N = 216), Saudi Arabia (N = 212, Algeria (N = 110), Iraq and Palestine (N = 139)). We used ANOVA and stepwise regression to analyze the data. For each country, regression, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were dependent variables; we entered in the first-step, gender, age, religion, education, and income. In the second step, we entered “cumulative stressors and traumas.” In the third step, we entered COVID-19 traumatic stress. The ANOVA results indicated that the differences in COVID19 traumatic stress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety between the countries were significant. Post-hoc analysis indicated that Egypt is significantly higher than all the other Arab countries in COVID-19 traumatic stress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The subsample from Palestine and Iraq had a significantly higher cumulative trauma load than the other Arab countries but did not have higher levels of COVID-19 traumatic stress or PTSD. Stepwise regression indicated that COVID-19 traumatic stress accounted for significant variance above and beyond the variance accounted for by previous cumulative stressors and traumas for anxiety in all countries and PTSD and depression in all countries except for Algeria. We discussed the implications for these results for the urgent mental health needs of Arab countries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12144-020-01148-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Accelerometer Based Data Can Provide a Better Estimate of Cumulative Load During Running Compared to GPS Based Parameters.

Running is a popular way to become or stay physically active and to maintain and improve one's musculoskeletal load tolerance. Despite the health benefits, running-related injuries affect millions of people every year and have become a substantial public health issue owing to the popularity of running. Running-related injuries occur when the musculoskeletal load exceeds the load tolerance of the human body. Therefore, it is crucial to provide runners with a good estimate of the cumulative loading during their habitual training sessions. In this study, we validated a wearable system to provide an estimate of the external load on the body during running and investigated how much of the cumulative load during a habitual training session is explained by GPS-based spatiotemporal parameters. Ground reaction forces (GRF) as well as 3D accelerations were registered in nine habitual runners while running on an instrumented treadmill at three different speeds (2.22, 3.33, and 4.44 m/s). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that peak vertical acceleration during running explained 80% of the peak vertical GRF. In addition, accelerometer-based as well as GPS-based parameters were registered during 498 habitual running session of 96 runners. Linear regression analysis showed that only 70% of the cumulative load (sum of peak vertical accelerations) was explained by duration, distance, speed, and the number of steps. Using a wearable device offers the ability to provide better estimates of cumulative load during a running program and could potentially serve as a better guide to progress safely through the program.

Non-Linear Threshold Algorithm for the Redundancy Optimization of Multi-State Systems

To improve system performance, redundancy is widely used in different kinds of industrial applications such as power systems, aerospace, electronic, telecommunications and manufacturing systems. Designing high performant systems which meet customer requirements with a minimum cost is a challenging task in these industries. This paper develops an efficient approach for the redundancy optimization problem of series-parallel structures modeled as multi-state systems. To reach the target system availability, redundancies are used for components among a list of products available in the market. Each component is characterized by its own availability, cost and performance. The goal is to minimize the total cost under a system availability constraint. Discrete levels of performance are considered for the system and its components. The extreme values of such performance levels correspond to perfect functioning and complete failure. A piecewise cumulative load curve represents consumer demand. System availability corresponds to the aptitude to fulfill this demand. The multi-state system availability evaluation uses the universal moment generating function technique. The proposed optimization algorithm is based on the non-linear threshold accepting metaheuristic, while using a self-adjusting penalty guided strategy. The obtained results demonstrate the approach efficiency for solving the redundancy optimization problem of multi-state systems. Its effectiveness is also tested using the classical redundancy optimization problem of binary-state systems. The algorithm is evaluated by comparison to the best known methods. For multi-state systems, it is compared to genetic algorithm and tabu search. For binary-state systems, it is compared to genetic algorithm, tabu search, ant colony optimization and harmony search. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms these state-of-the-art benchmark methods in finding, for all considered instances, a high-quality solution in a minimum computational time.

Effects of cumulative trauma load on long-term trajectories of life satisfaction and health in a population-based study

BackgroundLifetime traumatic events are known to have a detrimental long-term impact on both mental and physical health. Yet, heterogeneity in the stress response regarding well-being in adults is not well understood. This study investigates effects of cumulative trauma on latent trajectories of two indices of well-being, subjective health and life satisfaction in a large representative sample by means of latent variable modelling techniques.MethodsData from the pairfam study wave 2–9, a longitudinal representative survey was used (N = 10,825). Individuals reported on lifetime trauma type exposure on wave 7 and indicated levels of life satisfaction and health at each wave. Different types of latent Variable Mixture Models were applied in an iterative fashion. Conditional models investigated effects of cumulative trauma load.ResultsThe best fitting model indicated three latent trajectories for life, and four for health, respectively. Trauma load significantly predicted class membership: Higher exposure was associated with non-stable trajectories for both indices but followed complex patterns of both improving and decreasing life satisfaction and health. Trauma load also explained variability within classes.ConclusionsThe current study expands on evidence to the long-term development of health and life satisfaction in response to traumatic events from a latent variable modelling perspective. Besides detrimental effect, it also points to functional adaptation after initial decline and increased well-being associated with trauma exposure. Thus, response to traumatic stress is marked by great heterogeneity. Future research should focus on variables beyond exposure to trauma that can further identify individuals prone to trajectories of declining well-being.

Using Syndromic Surveillance to Track Pollen Related Allergies Real-time

Objective: Large parts of the country currently have inadequate monitoring of ambient pollen concentrations. This analysis investigates the association between Emergency Department (ED) syndromic data and pollen measurements to track pollen-related allergies. Methods: Daily pollen measurements were obtained from the Atlanta Asthma and Allergy Clinic monitor on the broad pollen taxa of tree and specifically for Oak species from 2017-2018. The start and end of the tree and oak pollen were separately determined based on the days when 1% and 95% of the cumulative pollen load each year were recorded. A syndrome definition was developed to specifically identify ‘allergy’-related cases using information contained in chief complaints in the emergency care setting, while avoiding allergies unrelated to pollen exposure (e.g. those associated with food or other exposures). Using the syndrome definition, a daily ratio of allergy-related ED visits to total ED visits was computed for each of the Georgia health districts. For each year, both the log-transformed pollen values and the ED visit ratios were normalized to conform to a specified range that yielded easier inter-annual comparison. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to estimate the association between the daily pollen measurement and the daily allergy visit ratio for each of the districts. Results: Correlation coefficients using the daily tree pollen data and syndromic ED visits ranged from 0.41 to 0.67 in health districts close to the pollen monitoring station. Similar results were obtained when only Oak pollen was considered. As distance from the station increased, the strength of the correlation declined. For sensitivity analysis, correlations using pollen measurements from the same day and average over 3 days preceding the health outcome were robust. Conclusion: Robust association between the daily variations in ED syndromic data with the pollen measurements supports the application of the syndromic system to track pollen-related health outcomes.

Bias correction of climate model outputs influences watershed model nutrient load predictions

Waterbodies around the world experience problems associated with elevated phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loads. While vital for ecosystem functioning, when present in excess amounts these nutrients can impair water quality and create symptoms of eutrophication, including harmful algal blooms. Under a changing climate, nutrient loads are likely to change. While climate models can serve as inputs to watershed models, the climate models often do not adequately represent the distribution of observed data, generating uncertainties that can be addressed to some degree with bias correction. However, the impacts of bias correction on nutrient models are not well understood. This study compares 4 univariate and 3 multivariate bias correction methods, which correct precipitation and temperature variables from 4 climate models in the historical (1980–1999) and mid-century future (2046–2065) time periods. These variables served as inputs to a calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model of Lake Erie's Maumee River watershed. We compared the performance of SWAT outputs driven with climate model outputs that were bias-corrected (BC) and not bias-corrected (no-BC) for dissolved reactive P, total P, and total N. Results based on graphical comparisons and goodness of fit metrics showed that the choice of BC method impacts both the direction of change and magnitude of nutrient loads and hydrological processes. While the Delta method performed best, it should be used with caution since it considers historical variable relationships as the basis for predictions, which may not hold true under future climate. Quantile Delta Mapping (QDM) and Multivariate Bias Correction N-dimensional probability density function transform (MBCn) BC methods also performed well and work well for non-stationary climate scenarios. Furthermore, results suggest that February–July cumulative load in the Maumee basin is likely to decrease in the mid-century as runoff and snowfall decrease, and evapotranspiration increases with warming temperatures.

Influence of Pervious/Impervious Pattern on Runoff and Pollution in Parcel-based Catchment

Determining the influence of pervious/impervious underlying surface pattern (composition, position, proportion, etc.) on the generation capacity of surface runoff and pollution in the urban parcel-based catchment could aid in alleviating the urban waterlogging and control non-point source pollution significantly. Landscape metrics were used to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of pervious/impervious underlying surface pattern and total runoff (Q) and the cumulative load of dissolved pollutants (Ld) and particulate pollutants (Lp). The results showed that: ① For the metrics of fragmentation, the patch density (PD) was positively correlated with Q and Ld. and largest patch index (LPI) was negatively correlated with them. Especially, the PD exhibited a significantly positive correlation with Ld(r=0.59, P<0.05, calculated in COD). However, the LPI exhibited a significantly negative correlation with Ld (r=-0.60, P<0.05, calculated in COD). ② For the metrics of complexity, landscape shape index (LSI) was positively correlated with Q and Lp, and mean shape index (MSI) was negatively correlated with them. Especially, the LSI exhibited a significantly positive correlation with Lp (r=0.61, P<0.05, calculated in TP) significantly. However, the MSI exhibited a significantly negative correlation with Lp (r=-0.62, P<0.01, calculated in TP) significantly. ③ For the metrics of vergence, the split index (SPLIT) was positively correlated with Q and Ld, and the cohesion index (COHESION) was negatively correlated with them. The COHESION exhibited a significantly negative correlation with Ld(r=-0.59, P<0.05, calculated in COD), whereas the SPLIT exhibited a significantly positive correlation with Ld (r=0.6, P<0.05, calculated in COD). ④ In the planning on the distribution and pattern of pervious surface under small-scale catchment, it is suggested that the scattered small-regular patches should be transformed to large-irregular patches or patch group. The relationship of the fragmentation, complexity, and vergence of pervious/impervious surface, with the runoff generation, and pollution output in parcel-based catchment was analyzed, which provided a new method for rainfall runoff and pollution control by considering rational allocation of LID facilities in terms of its pattern characteristics (area, distance, shape, etc.).

Discharge of suspended solids and radiocesium into stream water in a forested watershed before and after line thinning with spur road construction

In an experimental watershed located around 120km southwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant with a drainage area of 59.9ha, suspended solids (SS) and radioactive cesium discharge from a forested headwater catchment were monitored before and after line thinning. The lower slopes in the experimental watershed were covered with plantation conifer trees (Japanese cedar), while the upper slopes were covered with deciduous trees. In 2012, line thinning was carried out at a thinning rate of 35% across 17% of the northeastern part of the watershed and across the remaining part in 2013. Spur roads were constructed along all tributaries without water, and logged trees were dragged and grappled using forestry machinery and transported along these roads to timber yards using forwarder-type forestry vehicles. A V-notch weir and a water level gauge were installed at the watershed outlet and stream water was sampled twice a month during base flow, whereas during flood flow, stream water samples of 1L were collected every hour using an automatic water sampler. These samples were filtered through 0.5μm glass fiber filters to measure the SS concentration. SS concentration data was collected for 21 floods before thinning and for 37 floods after thinning. A time-integrated SS sampler was installed in the stream close to the weir and SS samples were collected every two or three months to measure their Cs-137 concentrations. SS concentrations before (from July 2010 to August 2012) and after thinning (from October 2013 to December 2018) were compared, where the maximum SS concentrations before and after thinning were 211 and 790mgL-1, respectively. It was discovered that some SS concentrations during flood flow were higher after carrying out thinning than before. Some ΣLss values (specific cumulative load of SS in a flood event) also showed the same results as the SS concentrations. Thus, it was clear that SS discharge immediately increases after thinning, but as it increases Cs-137 export is limited. This is related to a change in SS source brought about by the process of thinning, a decrease with time in the Cs-137 concentration in organic solid expected from that in litter, and a regrowth of vegetation on spur roads, protecting them against soil erosion. Therefore, it was concluded that thinning does not drastically increase Cs-137 export from a forested watershed.

Frequency of thyroid dysfunction in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease exposed to iodinated contrast media- a long-term observational study.

Background The thyroid gland of patients with congenital heart disease may be exposed to large doses of iodine from various sources. We assessed the thyroid response after iodine exposure during conventional angiography in cardiac catheterization and angiographic computer tomography in childhood. Methods Retrospective mid- to long-term follow-up of 104 individuals (24% neonates, 51% infants, 25% children) with a median age and body weight of 104days [0-8 years] and 5.3kg [1.6-20]. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodthyronine and free thyroxine were evaluated at baseline and after excess iodine. We also assessed risk factors that may affect thyroid dysfunction. Results Baseline thyroidal levels were within normal range in all patients. The mean cumulative iodinate contrast load was 6.6±1.6mL/kg. In fact, 75% had experienced more than one event involving iodine exposure, whose median frequency was three times per patient [1-12]. During the median three years follow-up period [0.5-10], the incidence of thyroid dysfunction was 15.4% (n=16). Those patients developed acquired hypothyroidism (transient n=14, long-lasting n=2 [both died]) with 10 of them requiring temporary replacement therapy for transient thyroid dysfunction, while four patients recovered spontaneously. 88 individuals (84.6%) remained euthyroid. Repeated cardiac interventions, use of drugs that interfere with the thyroid and treatment in the intensive care unit at the index date were strong predictors for acquired thyroid dysfunction. Conclusions The incidence of acquired hypothyroidism after iodine excess was 15.4%. However, most patients developed only transient hypothyroidism. Systemic iodine exposure seems to be clinically and metabolically well tolerated during long-term follow-up.

Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of PA6/G and PA6/GNP composites using two processing streams

The thermogravimetric (TGA) responses of PA6 composites filled with synthetic Graphite (G) and Graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) each on 5 cumulative loading levels were investigated using two processing streams each of a common processing strain. To determine the effect of the 2 carbon fillers on the thermal stability of unfilled PA6, the temperatures at which 5, 20 and 50 wt% losses occurred were observed for the composites and the unfilled PA6. Weight lost at 460 °C and the carbon char at 600 °C were also noted. Effects of varying extrusion screw speeds as well as sonication amplitudes with time were given cognisance. To evaluate the effect of processing on the thermal response of the composites, two in situ polymerised streams and 2 melt extrusion streams with each set being equivalent in ‘magnitude of strain histories’ were characterised using TGA. The TGA for the unfilled PA6 and its graphite composite were conducted under inert (N2) blanketing and reactive (air) media. Initially, TGA responses of the fillers were studied and both GNP and G remained stable in N2. The onset of weight loss under N2 blanketing for G and GNP were respectively 820 ± 27.6 °C and 777.3 ± 17.7 °C. At temperature close to 900 °C, G showed relatively poorer thermal stability compared to GNP. A residue of 1.3% for G and 2.0% for GNP were left. The thermal stability of the streams G200/3 and G100/6 remained within a close range thus indicating that varying screw speeds and durations did not play a significant role on influence the thermal stability of the melt processed composites. For the composites, thermal stability were comparable with unfilled PA6, especially in the melt-processed systems, while Some changes occurred in the 2 in situ polymerized systems (20/20 and 40/10) which was ascribed to the presence of small molecules from the catalysing species or unconverted monomers.

High Load With Lower Repetitions vs. Low Load With Higher Repetitions: The Impact on Asymmetry in Weight Distribution During Deadlifting.

This study investigated weight distribution between the lower limbs using a symmetry index (SI) score of the vertical ground reaction forces (GRF) and measures of postural stability in high load/low repetition (termed “heavy”) and low load/high repetition (termed “light”) deadlifting. Ten participants performed two deadlift protocols with equal cumulative external load. These protocols were designed to represent standard high load/low repetition and low load/high repetition workouts; order was random and separated by 7 days. An effect of lifting condition (p = 0.023) and set number (p = 0.011) was observed such that lifts in the heavy condition were less symmetrical than those in the light condition and lifts became more symmetrical as set number increased. There was no effect of lift number on symmetry of force production (p = 0.127). Additional analysis revealed that center of pressure (COP) path length was greater during heavy lifts (p = 0.002) however COP range was unaffected suggesting controlled point of force application within the same boundaries regardless of lifting condition. As asymmetries have been previously associated with increased injury risk, greater training emphasis on the symmetrical performance of sub-maximal deadlifts should be considered to try to minimize the development of asymmetries.

Reliability of wearable sensors to assess impact metrics during sport-specific tasks

ABSTRACT There is little information on the reliability of inertial measurement units for capturing impact load metrics during sport-specific movements. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of the Blue Trident IMU sensors in measuring impact load, step count and cumulative bone stimulus during a series of soccer-related tasks. Ten healthy recreational soccer players (age: 27.9 ± 2.18; height: 1.77 ± 0.10 m; mass: 79.02 ± 13.07 kg) volunteered for a 3-visit study and performed 4 tasks. Bilateral impact load, total number of steps and cumulative bone stimulus during the tasks were collected. Data were sampled using a dual-g sensor. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1) with 95% confidence intervals assessed between-day reliability. Impact load (0.58–0.89) and cumulative bone stimulus (0.90–0.97) had good to excellent reliability across tasks. ICC values for right/left step count were good to excellent during acceleration-deceleration (0.728–0.837), change direction (0.734–0.955) and plant/cut manoeuvres (0.701–0.866) and fair to good during the ball kick (0.588–0.683). This suggests that wearable sensors can reliably measure the cumulative impact load during outdoor functional movements; however, kicking manoeuvres are less reliable. Measuring impact load in the field expands the ability to capture more ecologically valid data.

The impact of torture on interpersonal threat and reward neurocircuitry

Torture adversely influences emotional functioning, but the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning its impact are unknown. This study examined how torture exposure affects the neural substrates of interpersonal threat and reward processing. Male refugees with (N = 31) and without (N = 27) torture exposure completed a clinical interview and functional magnetic resonance imaging scan where they viewed fear, happy and neutral faces. Between-group activations and neural coupling were examined as moderated by posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and cumulative trauma load. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and trauma load significantly moderated group differences in brain activation and connectivity patterns. Torture survivors deactivated the ventral striatum during happy processing compared to non-torture survivor controls as a function of increased posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity - particularly avoidance symptoms. The ventral striatum was more strongly coupled with the inferior frontal gyrus in torture survivors. Torture survivors also showed left hippocampal deactivation to both fear and happy faces, moderated by trauma load, compared to controls. Stronger coupling between the hippocampus and frontal, temporoparietal and subcortical regions during fear processing was observed, with pathways being predicted by avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms. Torture exposure was associated with distinct brain activity and connectivity patterns during threat and reward processing, dependent on trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity. Torture appears to affect emotional brain functioning, and findings have the potential to guide more targeted interventions for torture survivors.