Maximal Height Research Articles

Reinforcement of subarachnoid block by epidural volume effect in lower abdominal surgery: A comparison between fentanyl and tramadol for efficacy and block properties.

Background:Epidural volume extension (EVE) is claimed to increase the block height and decrease the dose requirement for intrathecal drug. However, almost all studies have been done in obstetric population and none actually compares the effect of additional drugs added to epidural volume.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five (ASA I and II) patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups. All groups received intrathecal 10 mg bupivacaine; two groups received additional 10 ml of normal saline epidurally with 25 mg tramadol or 25 mg of fentanyl. Groups were than compared for maximal block height, rate of sensory block regression to T10, and motor block regression to Bromage scale of 0. Time to first analgesia and adverse effects were also compared among the three groups.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five (ASA I and II) patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups. All groups received intrathecal 10 mg bupivacaine; two groups received additional 10 ml of normal saline epidurally with 25 mg tramadol or 25 mg of fentanyl. Groups were than compared for maximal block height, rate of sensory block regression to T10, and motor block regression to Bromage scale of 0. Time to first analgesia and adverse effects were also compared among the three groups.Results:Groups with EVE had statistically significant higher block height, with a significant faster regression that the control group. However, both fentanyl and tramadol groups were inseparable in respect to motor or sensory block regression. Fentanyl group had maximal time to first analgesia, followed by tramadol and control groups. Hemodynamic alterations were also more common in EVE groups.Conclusion:EVE can increase the block height significantly, but it seems to be limited only to the physical property of additional volume in epidural space and fentanyl or tramadol do not seem to differ in their ability to alter block properties.

Comparison of low doses of intrathecal bupivacaine in combined spinal epidural anaesthesia with epidural volume extension for caesarean delivery.

Aims and Objectives:This study aims to compare relative efficacy of three different doses of intrathecal bupivacaine in combined spinal epidural anaesthesia (CSEA) for caesarean delivery.Materials and Methods:In a double blinded manner, 204 cases were randomized into three groups: I, II, and III to receive a dose of 4, 5.5, and 7 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine with a fixed dose of 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally, and Dextran 40 w/v 10 mL given for epidural volume extension (EVE), in CSEA. Our primary outcome was the number of effective doses. The block characteristics and side effects were also monitored.Results:Out of 198 patients completing the study, 53, 63, and 65 in group I, II and III had effective doses. Mean Pi (probability of an effective dose) in group I, II, and III, was 0.81, 0.95, and 0.97, respectively. The Pb (superiority of one group over the other) of group II and III was higher than group I. The maximal sensory block height in group II and III (T2) was higher than group I (T3), with a shorter time required to achieve the same. Group I and II exhibited lesser motor blockade, lesser hypotension with early recovery as compared to group III. No significant adverse effects were observed between the groups.Conclusion:The intermediate dose of bupivacaine (5.5 mg) provided safe and effective anaesthesia for caesarean delivery with an additional advantage of lesser episodes of hypotension and partial motor blockade in CSEA.

Energy management that generates terrain following versus apex-preserving hopping in man and machine

While hopping, 12 subjects experienced a sudden step down of 5 or 10 cm. Results revealed that the hopping style was "terrain following". It means that the subjects pursued to keep the distance between maximum hopping height (apex) and ground profile constant. The spring-loaded inverse pendulum (SLIP) model, however, which is currently considered as template for stable legged locomotion would predict apex-preserving hopping, by which the absolute maximal hopping height is kept constant regardless of changes of the ground level. To get more insight into the physics of hopping, we outlined two concepts of energy management: "constant energy supply", by which in each bounce--regardless of perturbations--the same amount of mechanical energy is injected, and "lost energy supply", by which the mechanical energy that is going to be dissipated in the current cycle is assessed and replenished. When tested by simulations and on a robot testbed capable of hopping, constant energy supply generated stable and robust terrain following hopping, whereas lost energy supply led to something like apex-preserving hopping, which, however, lacks stability as well as robustness. Comparing simulated and machine hopping with human hopping suggests that constant energy supply has a good chance to be used by humans to generate hopping.

The Effects of Fluid Injection on Lesion Size During Bipolar Radiofrequency Treatment

The effect of preinjected fluid on bipolar radiofrequency (RF) lesion characteristics has not been investigated with conventional pain medicine equipment. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of preinjected fluid composition on lesion parameters. Bipolar RF lesioning was performed in ex vivo chicken samples without fluid preinjection or with 0.7 mL of fluid injected through the 2 RF cannulas (total volume, 1.4 mL). The preinjected fluids were sterile water, 0.9% NaCl, 3% NaCl, 1% lidocaine, and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES). For each condition, RF electrodes were incrementally separated, and the number of trials producing successful lesions was recorded. Maximum and minimum height, length, and depth of the lesions were measured, and volumes of the lesions were calculated. The preinjection of any fluid increased the odds of consistently achieving a continuous lesion between the electrodes that was at least 75% of the maximal height of tissue damaged; 3% NaCl increased the odds of achieving at least 75% maximum height significantly more than any other fluid except for HES. Injection of any fluid containing NaCl (including lidocaine and HES) significantly increased the mean volume of tissue lesioned over that observed with injection of water. Fluid composition influences success, alters lesion size, and could be an appropriate consideration when selecting treatment parameters for bipolar RF. The enhanced lesion size and improved odds of producing a successful lesion with increasing NaCl concentration suggest a method to enlarge lesion size in a controlled manner.

On the height of cyclotomic polynomials

Let $A_n$ denote the height of cyclotomic polynomial $\Phi_n$, where $n$ is a product of $k$ distinct odd primes. We prove that $A_n \le \epsilon_k\phi(n)^{k^{-1}2^{k-1}-1}$ with $-\log\epsilon_k\sim c2^k$, $c>0$. The same statement is true for the height $C_n$ of the inverse cyclotomic polynomial $\Psi_n$. Additionally, we improve on a bound of Kaplan for the maximal height of divisors of $x^n-1$, denoted by $B_n$. We show that $B_n<\eta_k n^{(3^k-1)/(2k)-1}$, with $-\log \eta_k \sim c3^k$ and the same $c$.

The effect of plyometric training program on young volleyball players in their usual training period

The purpose of this study was to find out the efficiency of composed plyometric training program on youth volleyball players force capabilities in their usual training period. The plyometric training program was applied during 16 week period where was attended twenty-one 12-19 years old youth volleyball players. Twelve of them were female and nine male volleyball players. There were three control testings. All subjects participated in following tests: standing long jump, depth leap long jump, medicine ball throws up in 10 seconds, medicine ball overhead throws forward against the wall in 10 seconds, maximal vertical jumps to the maximal height in 10 seconds, maximal vertical jump height. Testing results statistical analysis has shown athletes legs and arms speed force reliable improvement. Standing long jump, depth leap long jump and maximal vertical jump height test results, what has shown legs explosive power, has not shown remarkable reliable difference (P>0.05). Medicine ball throws and maximal vertical jumps to the maximal height in 10 seconds, what show speed force improvement, showed reliable difference (P<0.01).

Experimental study of interaction between bubble and free surface

As a bubble moves near different boundaries, the motion characteristic will change largely compared with the condition of free field, especially near the free surface: there will appear a complex phenomenon because of the interaction. This paper aims to investigate experimentally the phenomenon and the regularity of the interaction between bubble and free surface. Using a spark-generated device and a high-speed camera, the influences of free surface on the maximal radius, period, jet time and width of the bubble are discussed. The relation between the voltage and the maximal radius is obtained. Different typical phenomena near the free surface are observed. The factors inducing different plume phenomena are obtained. Then the regurality of maximal height of the water column varying with dimensionless distance under the same initial condition is obtained, which provides a reference to the research on the interaction between bubble and free surface.

First-principles study and modeling of strain-dependent ionic migration in ZrO2

Electrolytes with high ionic conductivity at lower temperatures are the prerequisite for the success of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). One promising candidate is doped zirconia. In the past its ionic conductivity has mainly been increased by decreasing its thickness. However, the influence of the thickness is only linear, whereas the impact of migration barriers is exponential. Therefore understanding the oxygen transport in doped zirconia is of fundamental importance. In this work we pursue the approach of the strain dependent ionic migration in zirconia. We investigate how the migration barriers for oxygen ions respond to a change of the atomic strain. We employ the method of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to relax the atomic configurations to the ground state. In connection with the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) method we obtain the migration barrier of the oxygen ion jumps in zirconia for a given lattice constant. Similar to other publications we observe a decrease in the migration barrier for expansive strain, but in addition we also find a migration barrier decrease for high compressive strains beyond a maximal height of the migration barrier at an intermediate compressive strain. We present a simple analytic model which, by using interactions of the Lennard-Jones type, gives an explanation for this behavior.

Analytical solutions for turbulent Boussinesq fountains in a linearly stratified environment

AbstractThis paper theoretically investigates the initial up-flow of a vertical turbulent fountain (round or plane) in a linearly stratified environment. Conservation equations (volume, momentum and buoyancy) are written under the Boussinesq approximation assuming an entrainment proportional to the vertical velocity of the fountain. Analytical integration leads to exact values of both density and flow rate at the maximal height reached by the fountain. This maximal height is expressed as a function of the release conditions and the stratification strength and plotted from a numerical integration in order to exhibit overall behaviour. Then, analytical expressions for the maximal height are derived from asymptotic analysis and compared to experimental correlations available for forced fountains. For weak fountains, these analytical expressions constitute a new theoretical model. Finally, modified expressions are also proposed in the singular case of an initially non-buoyant vertical release.

Relação entre as potências de sprint e salto vertical em jovens atletas de futebol

Muscle power, speed and acceleration are generally considered important determinants of high performance in sports. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between 10- and 30-meter sprint power and vertical jump power among young soccer players. The participants of the study were 143 male soccer players from the categories Under-20 (n = 34), Under-17 (n = 43) and Under-15 (n = 66), which performed vertical jump test, 10-meter sprint test and 30-meter sprint test. The results indicated weak to moderate correlations when the absolute values of time and maximal height were compared (r = −.47 to .71). When the values of power obtained from tests were compared, moderate to strong correlations were found (r = .74 to .87). The results suggest that implementing these three tests would be important because they measure different motor skills. Moreover, the correlation between vertical jump power and 30-meter sprint power was surprisingly strong. Nevertheless, further studies are required in order to improve understanding about these power relationships.

Relação entre as potências de sprint e salto vertical em jovens atletas de futebol

Muscle power, speed and acceleration are generally considered important determinants of high performance in sports. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between 10- and 30-meter sprint power and vertical jump power among young soccer players. The participants of the study were 143 male soccer players from the categories Under-20 (n = 34), Under-17 (n = 43) and Under-15 (n = 66), which performed vertical jump test, 10-meter sprint test and 30-meter sprint test. The results indicated weak to moderate correlations when the absolute values of time and maximal height were compared (r = −.47 to .71). When the values of power obtained from tests were compared, moderate to strong correlations were found (r = .74 to .87). The results suggest that implementing these three tests would be important because they measure different motor skills. Moreover, the correlation between vertical jump power and 30-meter sprint power was surprisingly strong. Nevertheless, further studies are required in order to improve understanding about these power relationships.

The Security Analysis of Transpedicular Screw Fixation in the Lower Cervical Spine and a Case Report

This study evaluated the anatomical parameters of the lower cervical spine by imaging methods and reported a case. To explain low neurovascular injury rate and provide some suggestions in cervical transpedicular screw fixation (CTSF). Because of anatomical complexity and possible severe complications, application of CTSF was limited. However, recent studies have indicated that although cervical pedicular screw perforations may happen, severe complications seldom occur. In 20 patients, several anatomical parameters were obtained on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) images of C3-C6, including the inner diameter of vertebral artery (d), the maximal width (A) and height (B) of the transverse foramen, the shortest distance between vertebral artery and cervical pedicle (h), and the angle between the longitudinal axis of pedicle and the hypothetical screw that just touches the vertebral artery (largest safe angle, LSA). Another 35 patients were chosen to measure the shortest distance between cervical pedicle and cervical spinal cord (H) and the angle between the longitudinal axis of pedicle and the hypothetical screw that just touches the cervical spinal cord (smallest angle, SA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of C4-C7. Between the left and the right sides, there was no statistically significant difference for d, A, B, h, and LSA at C3-C6 or H and SA at C4-C7. d, h, and H were, respectively, 3.97 ± 0.65 mm, 0.89 ± 0.44 mm, and 6.56 ± 2.10 mm, and there was no statistically significant difference among C3-C6 for d and h or among C4-C7 for H. LSA at C6 was larger than that at C3, C4, and C5; it increased from C5 to C7. There was an "escaping space" for the vertebral artery and spinal cord. CTSF in the superior part of pedicle was relatively safer from accidental perforation of the vertebral artery than CTSF in the inferior part, and in C6 and C7, CTSF was safer from this injury than in C3, C4, and C5.

Analysis for Obstacle Negotiation Capability of Wheel-Legged Robot

Obstacle negotiation capability is important to a mobile robot. A wheel-legged robot with symmetrical structure was presented It has four independent wheel-legged articulations which can generate a series of conFigureurations to improve its trafficability. The obstacle negotiation capability of the robot was studied. Its step-climbing process was described, and the geometrical and dynamic model for the process was built. Based on comprehensively considering geometrical and dynamic constraints, the method to work out the maximal step height that the robot can get across was brought forward. Then the method to work out the maximal slope angle was also provided. Finally the experiment to verify the above methods was done. The research mentioned above would provide a theoretical foundation to improve the robot’s adaptability in complicated environments.

Convergent exaptation of leap up for escape in distantly related arboreal amniotes

Tetrapods with highly different morphologies occupy ecological niches of the canopy making them ideal for testing the evolution of structures and performances under similar environmental selective pressures. We compared leap up strategies between two distantly related amniote species, Anolis carolinensis (Squamate) and Microcebus murinus (Lemuriform) known to use leaping as their major locomotor mode for predator avoidance. Our comparative analysis and model show that leaping strategies (flat jump trajectory in horizontal leaps, use of forelimbs in landing) are similar in both species. The most striking divergence concerns only the temporal joint sequence accommodation to leaping height, although an identical proximal-to-distal sequence is observed when both taxa leap to maximal height. We suggest a convergent exaptation of leaping biomechanics among arboreal amniotes, which reflects similar biomechanical constraints and evolutionary pressures in these animals.

Maximum relative height of elastic interfaces in random media

The distribution of the maximal relative height (MRH) of self-affine one-dimensional elastic interfaces in a random potential is studied. We analyze the ground-state configuration at zero driving force, and the critical configuration exactly at the depinning threshold, both for the random-manifold and random-periodic universality classes. These configurations are sampled by exact numerical methods, and their MRH distributions are compared with those with the same roughness exponent and boundary conditions, but produced by independent Fourier modes with normally distributed amplitudes. Using Pickands' theorem we derive an exact analytical description for the right tail of the latter. After properly rescaling the MRH distributions we find that corrections from the Gaussian independent modes approximation are, in general, small, as previously found for the average width distribution of depinning configurations. In the large size limit all corrections are finite except for the ground state in the random-periodic class whose MRH distribution becomes, for periodic boundary conditions, indistinguishable from the Airy distribution. We find that the MRH distributions are, in general, sensitive to changes of boundary conditions.

Structural Characterization of the Exopolysaccharide Produced by Streptococcus thermophilus 05‐34 and Its In Situ Application in Yogurt

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing strain was isolated from Tibetan kefir grains in China, which was identified by 16S rDNA tests and designated as Streptococcus thermophilus 05-34. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that it was composed of galactose and glucose in a molar ratio of 1.0:0.8 with a molecular mass of 2.5 × 10(4) Da. EPS was further revealed to have α-d-glucose, α-d-galactose, β-d-glucose, and β-d-galactose by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with 1D (1) H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The length of EPS ranged from 10 to 100 nm and the maximal height of lumps was 2.5 nm through atomic force micrograph analysis. Furthermore, yogurt fermented with EPS-producing S. thermophilus 05-34 exhibited lower susceptibility to whey separation, higher viscosity, and sensory scores than those made with non-EPS-producing strain in yogurt production. These results suggested that EPS-producing Streptococcus thermophilus 05-34 provided a potential application in the fermented dairy industry.

Training Specificity of Hurdle vs. Countermovement Jump Training

The objective of this study was to compare bilateral and unilateral hurdle jumps with traditional countermovement jumps (CMJs). Thirteen athletes were tested during continuous forward bilateral and unilateral hurdle jumps and single CMJ. Countermovement jump height was used to establish the hurdle height. Subjects jumped forward over 4 hurdles with the force plate positioned after the second hurdle to measure vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), contact time (CT), and rate of force development (RFD). For bilateral jumps, hurdle height was established at maximal (100%) CMJ height and at 120, 140, and 160% of the CMJ height. The athletes were instructed to jump as fast as possible to mimic a training session drill. For unilateral jumps, hurdle height was set at 70, 80, and 90% of the CMJ height. Bilateral 160% jumps showed a significantly longer CT than bilateral 100, 120, and 140% jumps. The bilateral 100, 120, and 140% jumps had significantly shorter CT than the unilateral jumps and CMJ. The VGRF during bilateral jumps was higher than unilateral jumps and CMJ. Bilateral 160% jump RFD was significantly higher than CMJ and unilateral jumps but significantly lower than the other bilateral jumps. In conclusion, the characteristics of the bilateral jumps were substantially different from those of the CMJ and unilateral hurdle jumps. As bilateral hurdle jumps with a height between 100 and 140% of the CMJ provide similar CTs and VGRF as many reported sprint or jump actions, they may be considered a more training-specific power training drill than the CMJ.

Interactions of osteoporosis candidate genes for age at menarche, age at natural menopause, and maximal height in Han Chinese women

Age at menarche (AAM), age at natural menopause (ANM), and maximal height are closely related to bone mineral densities and osteoporosis. It is still unclear whether osteoporosis susceptibility genes are also associated with AAM, ANM, and maximal height in Chinese women. In this relatively large cross-sectional sample of 722 Han Chinese postmenopausal women, 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 12 osteoporosis candidate genes that were identified from genome-wide association studies and replicated in our previous study were studied. The effects of a single gene on the AAM, ANM, and maximal height were investigated by linear regression analysis, whereas the gene-gene interactions were determined by a generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method. It was revealed that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene (rs3130340) was associated with ANM even after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.001). A significant gene-gene interaction for ANM involving rs3130340 in MHC, rs1038304 and rs4870044 in estrogen receptor-α gene (ESR1), and a significant three-SNP interaction model (SNP rs2273061 in jagged1, SNP rs6929137 in ESR1, and SNP rs2306033 in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4) for maximal height were identified. No single or combined effect of tested SNPs on AAM was discovered. Our study indicates that osteoporosis susceptibility SNPs, such as ESR1 (rs1038304, rs4870044, rs6929137), MHC (rs3130340), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (rs2306033), and jagged1 (rs2273061), might independently and/or in an interactive manner influence ANM and maximal height. All the SNPs tested had no association with AAM.

Repeatability and validity of a standardised maximal step-up test for leg function-a diagnostic accuracy study

BackgroundObjectively assessed physical performance is a strong predictor for morbidity and premature death and there is an increasing interest in the role of sarcopenia in many chronic diseases. There is a need for robust and valid functional tests in clinical practice. Therefore, the repeatability and validity of a newly developed maximal step up test (MST) was assessed.MethodsThe MST, assessing maximal step-up height (MSH) in 3-cm increments, was evaluated in 60 healthy middle-aged subjects, 30 women and 30 men. The repeatability of MSH and the correlation between MSH and isokinetic knee extension peak torque (IKEPT), self-reported physical function (SF-36, PF), patient demographics and self-reported physical activity were investigated.ResultsThe repeatability between occasions and between testers was 6 cm. MSH (range 12-45 cm) was significantly correlated to IKEPT, (r = 0.68, P < 0.001), SF-36 PF score, (r = 0.29, P = 0.03), sex, age, weight and BMI. The results also show that MSH above 32 cm discriminates subjects in our study with no limitation in self-reported physical function.ConclusionsThe standardised MST is considered a reliable leg function test for clinical practice. The MSH was related to knee extension strength and self-reported physical function. The precision of the MST for identification of limitations in physical function needs further investigation.

The eligibility of the free fibula graft for masticatory rehabilitation using monocortical implants insertion—a morphologic and biomechanical study

The use of the vascularized fibula graft has already been established for reconstruction of the mandible following ablative surgery. In order to reconstruct the vertical height of the alveolar process and improve implant position as well as angulation, some therapeutic options are available, including primary use of the fibula as a double-barrel graft and vertical distraction as well as later augmentation with avascular bone grafts. We analyzed the anatomic and morphologic features in 40 fibula bones of 20 cadavers and provided the mean cortical thickness of different transplant sites. Furthermore, we investigated the primary implant stability of dental implants inserted monocortically in harvested fibula segments using established biomechanical methods as well as Periotest(®). The minimal bone height of the clinically relevant segments of the fibula transplant measured 9.06 ± 0.45 mm, which was assessed in the most distal part. In contrast, a maximal total bone height of 15.46 ± 0.78 was observed in the middle segment of the fibula bone. We assessed sufficient primary stability in all inserted implants as well as a reliable relative micro-movement of the implants in the fibula bone. Fibula graft as a single-barrel graft alone may provide through monocortical implant insertion a further refinement of the method to fit complex requirements and shorten prolonged therapeutic procedures. Monocortical implant insertion in the fibula graft would simplify oral rehabilitation after ablative surgery of the jaw and reduce costs as well as therapy period.