Pressure Test Research Articles

The synthetic peptide, PnPP-15, derived from the PnTx2-6 toxin of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, induces peripheral antinociception involving neprilysin, opioid, and cannabinoid systems

BackgroundThe PnTx2–6 toxin is isolated from the Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom. The synthetic peptide PnPP-19 is derived from this toxin and induces antinociception. When topically applied, it is cleaved by proteases generating a 15 amino acid residues peptide, PnPP-15. PnPP-15 showed an antinociceptive effect in neuropathic pain developed by streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The present work aimed to investigate if PnPP-15 is also effective against the inflammatory pain induced by PGE2. We also evaluated its cytotoxicity in vitro and studied its possible action mechanism in the pain pathway. MethodsThe nociceptive threshold was assessed using the mechanical paw pressure test. Paw tissue was collected for protein extraction and western blot analyses. The FRET enzymatic assay measured neprilysin activity. The two-electrode voltage clamp technique measured evoked electrical currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Cytotoxicity was measured using multiple cell lines. ResultsPnPP-15 has peripheral antinociceptive activity via µ-opioid and CB1 cannabinoid receptors and inhibits neprilysin. In addition, it induced direct activation of mu-opioid receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. PnPP-15 was not cytotoxic against mammalian kidney, liver, heart, nerve, or lung cells. ConclusionThis work demonstrated the antinociceptive effect of PnPP-15 in an inflammatory pain model, suggesting its use as a possible tool for developing new analgesic drugs.

Building 1D Mechanical Earth Model for Subba Oilfield in Iraq

At the Subba oil field, wellbore stability is the main concern while drilling. The wellbore's instability causes several issues, including: (inefficient hole cleaning, tight hole, stuck pipe, mud losses, caving, bad cementing, and well kick or blowout). This increases Non-Productive Time (NPT) and well-drilling costs; hence the operator's main goal is to create a drilling program that reduces these problems and therefore reduce drilling cost. The study aims to build a 1D mechanical earth model to predict the wellbore failure and design optimum mud weight to improve the drilling efficiency for future wells. The model includes pore pressure, stress state, and rock mechanical parameters (such as UCS, angle of friction, Young-Modulus, and Poisson-Ratio). To achieve this aim, the study utilised offset well data including log data (Gama-Ray Logs (GR), Caliper Logs (CALI), Density Logs (RHOZ), and Compressional Sonic (DTCO) and Shear Sonic (DTSM)), Core tests, Mini-frac field tests, Drilling Reports, Mud Reports, and Mud Log Reports (master log) to estimate and calibrate the profiles of formation pore pressure, rock mechanical properties, and in-situ stresses. The 1D mechanical earth model was built using the Excel program for three wells data set, where all the necessary parameters to create the model was calculated, calibrated for the calculated variables with core data and pressure test points, and finally the safe mud window was detected. The results showed that the Eaton Slowness method to predict pore pressure perfectly matches the pressure test points. The most common fault regimes in the Subba oilfield are normal and strike-slip faults. The Modified Lade criteria showed a compatible match with drilling events and calliper log in predicting the failure zones, so it is the best criterion in determining minimum and maximum mud weight. Based on the results of this study and in comparison with the mud window used in drilling operations in the field, it is necessary to change the mud window used in drilling and adopt the safe MWW of this study in drilling new wells in this field and the area adjacent to the field.

Capillary electrophoresis using triple layer modified capillary facilitating salivary ion analyses: Application to search for potential stress markers induced by cold pressure test

In this study, we introduce a novel approach for the analysis of salivary ions using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a triple-layer coated capillary. The capillary is sequentially coated with cationic silylating reagents, poly(vinylsulfonate), and polybrene to form a custom designed surface that effectively inhibits adsorption of protein matrix on the capillary inner wall and allows for reproducible ion analysis. For the CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, we used suitable background electrolytes (BGEs) for salivary ion analysis. Anions were separated using a mixture of 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid and l-arginine, and cations were separated using that with 18-crown-6. This setup enabled rapid separation, within 4 min, together with sensitive detection. We quantified nine common anions and five cations typically found in saliva samples using this CE method, both before and after a cold pressure test (CPT, a standard stress test). The CE system demonstrated consistent ion separation across 30 consecutive measurements without requiring capillary replacement. Notably, the salivary ion balance remained predominantly anion-rich, regardless of the CPT. Cold water exposure induced greater variation in the total anion concentration than in the total cation concentration. Further analysis using multiple regression analysis revealed strong relationships between nitrate and nitrite, formate and phosphate, and potassium and nitrate, before and after the CPT. Notably, potassium and nitrate ions exhibited variations in response to stress. These results provided a method for assessing salivary ion composition and insights into the potential of salivary ions as biomarkers for stress.

Calculation model for bearing capacity of steel-CFRP composite pipeline under internal pressure

The Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)-wrapped steel pipeline system is emerging as an alternative for the repair and long-distance transportation of oil and gas. This system is recognized as a composite material. Under internal pressure, the pipe predominantly undergoes circumferential stretching. This study derives the tensile constitutive model of the steel-CFRP composite material using uniaxial tensile tests and the rule of mixtures. Subsequently, utilizing this newly calibrated constitutive model, a computational model to assess the internal pressure capacity of the steel-carbon fiber composite pipe was established. Finally, a comparison between the theoretical outcomes of the computational model and the actual internal pressure test results revealed a high degree of correlation. This holds substantial significance for the design and practical implementation of this novel composite pipeline system.

Geostatistical Estimation and Simulation in Dam Hydrogeological and Geotechnical Research: A Comprehensive Review

In dam engineering, the accurate assessment of hydrogeological and geotechnical parameters, including water pressure test (WPT), leakage, permeability, transmissibility, fractures’ distribution, and rock quality designation (RQD) is fundamental for ensuring the safety, longevity, and performance of dam sites. Over the past few years, geostatistical approaches have emerged as valuable tools for estimating and simulating these significant features, offering the potential to reduce errors and minimize study costs. This research reviews the most significant, valid, and efficient research in this field and comprehensively presents the studies’ results. An overview of the hydrogeological features of the dam sites will be presented. Then, the application of geostatistical approaches in each parameter is provided. Also, the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are studied based on the prevailing conditions of the site. This research proves that geostatistics is an appropriate and efficient tool that can increase the accuracy of studies, reduce errors, and save time and money.

Innovative approach: utilizing silver nanoparticles sheet for improved rabbit cecal anastomosis healing.

Anastomotic leakage is a severe complication associated with gastrointestinal surgery. The process of intestinal wound healing is crucial for the successful outcome of digestive tract surgical repair procedures. This research aimed to determine the impact of silver nanoparticles sheet (Acticoat) on the anastomotic healing of the cecum in rabbits. A total of 48 New Zealand male rabbits in good health were used for cecum transection and anastomosis. The animals were randomized into the control group (C) and the silver nanoparticles group (AgNPs). In the C group, the transected cecum was end-to-end anastomosed with a single layer of simple continuous suture pattern using 3-0 polyglyconate. In contrast, a silver nanoparticle sheet (Acticoat) was covered around the sutured anastomotic line in the AgNPs group. Postoperatively, abdominal ultrasound imaging and the Bristol Rabbit Pain Score (BRPS) were measured on days 7, 15, and 30. Eight rabbits from each group were euthanized at each time point to assess macroscopic findings, bursting pressure tests, tensile strength tests, histopathological examinations, and immunohistochemical analyses. The AgNPs group demonstrated a significant increase in the cecal lumen diameter wall (p ≤ 0.001), burst pressure measurement (p ≤ 0.02), and tensile strength (p ≤ 0.01). Conversely, the AgNPs group had significantly lower BRPS scores (p ≤ 0.01). In addition, histopathological examinations revealed that AgNPs significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration (neutrophils and macrophages) and enhanced collagen deposition. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.01) of α-SMA and a reduction of CD31 in the anastomotic tissue of the AgNPs group. The results of the present study indicate that the utilization of the AgNPs sheet (Acticoat®) effectively enhanced the strength of cecum anastomosis, resulting in a reduction in anastomosis leakages, pain scores, and abdominal adhesions. Additionally, the bursting pressure values in the rabbit model were significantly increased.

Inter-rater reliability in the Testing methods of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) in Slovenian language

Background: Texture modification of drinks and food is a widespread clinical intervention for managing dysphagia. The descriptive and experiential approach to measurement is mainly used by healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients. This study examines the inter-rater reliability of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) Testing methods on different food samples from the hospital’s central kitchen.
 Methods: Nine previously trained healthcare professionals of different professional backgrounds and working experiences independently evaluated 34 food samples in IDDSI levels 4, 5, 6, and 7.1, using a Slovenian translation of the IDDSI Audit Tools. The 12 descriptive food characteristics were observed during the two consecutive days of data collection, representing 7 IDDSI Testing Methods. The Fleiss’ Kappa was used as a measure of agreement.
 Results: Perfect agreement among raters was found for the Fork drip test regarding both observed parameters: dripping and holding shape. All ratings of participants were completely the same. Therefore, Fleiss’ Kappa is considered (κ =1) in both cases. Moderate agreement (κ = 0.583) was found in particle size assessment. Fair agreement was observed in the Fork Pressure Test (κ = 0.361) and Finger Test, indicating bolus separation (κ = 0.328), pressure (κ = 0.305), and moisture (κ = 0.297). Fair agreement was also found for the Fork/Spoon Separation Test (κ = 0.265) and the Spoon Tilt Test in parameters of holding shape on the spoon (κ =0.233) and stickiness (κ = 0.327). No statistically significant results were found in the assessment of adhesiveness (κ = 0.059) in the Spoon Tilt Test and assessment of a typical pattern (κ = 0.039) in the Fork Pressure Test.
 Conclusions: The study proved the Fork Drip Test to be a comprehensive and highly reliable assessment tool, while the other IDDSI Testing Methods showed low inter-rater reliability. The study highlights the risks of low agreement among raters. It draws attention to the IDDSI descriptors, which should be improved with additional instructions or standardised training protocol for learning the IDDSI Testing Methods.

Incarceration History and Access to and Receipt of Health Care in the US

People with a history of incarceration may experience barriers in access to and receipt of health care in the US. To examine the associations of incarceration history and access to and receipt of care and the contribution of modifiable factors (educational attainment and health insurance coverage) to these associations. Individuals with and without incarceration history were identified from the 2008 to 2018 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort. Analyses were conducted from October 2022 to December 2023. Access to and receipt of health care were measured as self-reported having usual source of care and preventive service use, including physical examination, influenza shot, blood pressure check, blood cholesterol level check, blood glucose level check, dental check, and colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings across multiple panels. To account for the longitudinal study design, we used the inverse probability weighting method with generalized estimating equations to evaluate associations of incarceration history and access to care. Separate multivariable models examining associations between incarceration history and receipt of each preventive service adjusted for sociodemographic factors; sequential models further adjusted for educational attainment and health insurance coverage to examine their contribution to the associations of incarceration history and access to and receipt of health care. A total of 7963 adults with 41 614 person-years of observation were included in this study; of these, 586 individuals (5.4%) had been incarcerated, with 2800 person-years of observation (4.9%). Compared with people without incarceration history, people with incarceration history had lower percentages of having a usual source of care or receiving preventive services, including physical examinations (69.6% vs 74.1%), blood pressure test (85.6% vs 91.6%), blood cholesterol level test (59.5% vs 72.2%), blood glucose level test (61.4% vs 69.4%), dental check up (51.1% vs 66.0%), and breast (55.0% vs 68.2%) and colorectal cancer screening (65.6% vs 70.3%). With additional adjustment for educational attainment and health insurance, the associations of incarceration history and access to care were attenuated for most measures and remained statistically significant for measures of having a usual source of care, blood cholesterol level test, and dental check up only. The results of this survey study suggest that incarceration history was associated with worse access to and receipt of health care. Educational attainment and health insurance may contribute to these associations. Efforts to improve access to education and health insurance coverage for people with an incarceration history might mitigate disparities in care.

The Procedure for Measuring Fuel Pressure on an Injection Motorbike Uses a Pressure Gauge

This study aimed to design and test a fuel pump pressure tester for injection motors to measure fuel pressure and determine whether the fuel pump is working properly. The qualitative method was used in the design process, which included creating design concepts, observation, and data processing. A literature review was conducted to strengthen the research results. The functional test in the final process showed that the tool could work well and provide information in measuring fuel pressure from the fuel pump. The implication of this study is that the fuel pump pressure tester can be used to prevent engine failure and improve engine performance. Highlight: Qualitative method used in the design process Literature review conducted to strengthen research results Functional test showed tool can measure fuel pressure accurately Keywords: fuel pump pressure tester, injection motors, fuel pressure, engine failure, engine performance.

Study on the variation law of shock wave on the surface of landmine shell under touchdown explosion

To study the variation law of shock wave pressure load on the surface of a certain type of landmine installed on the ground when explosive contact ground explosion, the TNT (C7H5N3O6) contact ground explosion experiments were conducted. Using the pressure test device that simulates the shape of a certain type of landmine to test the shock wave pressure load on its side and top surface respectively. Combined with the numerical simulation, studied the variation law of shock wave overpressure peak, positive pressure action time, and specific impulse on the side and top surface of the landmines at different scaled distances. The results show that the scaled distance less than 1.453 m/ kg1/3 is the range of near-range explosion. In this range, the shock wave pressure time history curve shows multiple peaks due to the combined action of the shock wave and detonation products. The closer to the explosion source, the pressure peak generated by the detonation product is significantly higher than the shock wave pressure peak, and the propagation speed of the shock wave is faster than that of detonation products. With the further increase of the blast center distance, the positive pressure action time of the shock wave on the side and top surface of the landmine it was increased significantly. The specific impulse of the shock wave on the side of the landmines is significantly higher than that on the top surface of the device at the same scaled distance. In the range of scaled distance less than 1.937 m/kg1/3, the specific impulse of the shock wave on both the side and top surfaces of the landmines increases at first and then decreases later, and its variation curve shows an obvious triangle. With the increase of the explosive quality, the rate of rise and attenuation of specific impulse of the shock wave is faster. With the further increase of blasting center distance, the specific impulse of the shock wave on the side and the top surface of the landmines tends to be equal at the same scaled distance, the continuous range is wide, and the explosive quality has little effect on it.

Blood Pressure, Urine, and Blood Test Barriers During Antenatal Care in Bangladesh: An Analysis of MICS 6

Antenatal care is important during the pregnancy. During that, pregnant women will be tested for blood pressure, urine, and blood test as the essential information for mother and baby. This study purposed to examine the factors impact to inaccessibility of blood pressure, urine, and blood test. This study used the secondary data using “Multiple Indicators Clusters Survey” round 6 in 2019. Total sample of this study are 7,607 women who experienced antenatal care services. The data analysis was done for univariate, bivariate, and multivariate using binary logistic regression. The results in this study revealed that educational level and wealth index as the main predictors of inaccessible tests during antenatal care. Increasing level of education and wealth index will decrease the barriers to access testes. Government and stakeholders can focus on education and economics sectors to increase the accessibility to antenatal care especially for blood pressure, urine, and blood test services.

A novel design of a low-pressure composite vessel with inspection opening – design, manufacturing and testing

Composite structures, especially pressure vessels, pipelines, and additional components such as tees, reductions, or inspection openings are more and more willingly used in the chemical industry. In this research, a novel design of a low-pressure composite vessel with an inspection opening is presented. The vessels are unsymmetrical considering the domes. On one side the opening is considerably bigger, around half of the cylindrical diameter of the vessel. This design requires a new approach to manufacturing such structures. In this study, a two-step analysis was performed. Firstly, small-size pressure vessels (S) were manufactured and the design of dome reinforcement was validated. Then, the final design of vessel (M) was produced, with a volume of around 700 litres. The vessels were initially calculated for 21 bars of burst pressure. During burst pressure tests, the strains were measured with optical fibres (FBG) and strain gauges. Additionally, the acoustic emission was utilized to predict the damage modes and locations. Finally, a microscopic evaluation of the specific parts of the vessels was performed. Conclusions were drawn, that the proposed novel design of dome reinforcement around the inspection opening fulfilled the strength and stiffness requirements.

Experimental study on compressive strength of in situ concrete tested with arc pressure method

The innovative arc pressure testing method (APTM) is adopted in this study to obtain the strength of in situ concrete and reduce damage to the concrete structure. This method is related to the double shear plane of the concrete core. A specific APTM apparatus is used to apply loads in order to obtain the approximate pure shear stress and shear strength of the concrete core. Factors affecting the strength of concrete, such as aggregate type and concrete moisture, were found not to have an impact of the applicability of APTM. The compressive strength range of the tested cube concrete samples is 20–60 MPa. The reliability and repeatability of APTM are superior to in situ testing techniques such as Schmidt hammer (SRH) and pull-off testing methods. The experimental results indicate that APTM is suitable for in situ testing of concrete compressive strength of prefabricated buildings and beam–column joints in dense steel structures. Compared with other testing methods, its accuracy is much higher and the damage to the structure is minimised.

THE DIFFERENCES OF MAXIMUM BLINK INTERVAL IN HYPERTENSION PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DRY EYE DISEASE

Abstract
 Introduction & Objectives : Hypertension and the use of antihypertensive drugs are thought to be one of the risk factors for dry eye disease due to a decrease in tear production. Maximum blink interval (MBI), which is the time during which the eye can remain unblinking, can be an easy method for assessing dry eye disease because local conditions in the eye can affect blinking patterns. This study aims to determine the difference in the average MBI in hypertensive patients with dry eye disease and hypertensive patients without dry eye disease.
 Methods : This study is a cross-sectional analytic study which was conducted in January 2022-June 2022. The sample of the study was hypertensive patients with dry eye disease and without dry eye disease who were treated at the Internal Medicine Polyclinic, Kidney-Hypertension Division at Sanglah Hospital (Prof I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital). The sample selection technique was consecutive sampling and the total sample in the study was 81 people. Data were collected using the OSDI questionnaire and TBUT and Schirmer examinations to assess dry eye disease, blood pressure tests to assess hypertension, and MBI examination.
 Results : The results showed that the average MBI in hypertensive patients with dry eye disease twice shorter than in hypertensive patients without dry eye disease (p<0.001).
 Conclusion : This shows that MBI can be used as a modality for screening and screening for dry eye disease in hypertensive patients. MBI can be an alternative for practitioners to objectively assess dry eye disease in primary health care where there is no complete ophthalmological facility.

Additive fabrication of pressure sensitive material for flexible pressure sensor and its characteristics

The increasing interest in wearable devices and healthcare has sparked significant advancements in the development of flexible sensors for various applications. In this study, we present the fabrication and characterization of a flexible pressure sensor utilizing a three-dimensional structure of pressure sensitive material, fabricated through a layer-by-layer process. The aim of this research is to investigate the electrical response characteristics of the sensor based on the number of layers in the pressure sensitive material, both under static and dynamic pressure conditions. The pressure sensitive material, consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), exhibits positive piezo-resistive properties. The flexible pressure sensor was fabricated using direct ink writing (DIW) technology, which enables precise control over the arrangement of the material. We explored the influence of layer configurations on the sensor's initial resistance and electrical resistance changes by varying the number of layers. Our experiments demonstrated a clear trend, indicating that as the number of layers increased, both the initial resistance and electrical resistance change decreased. This behavior can be attributed to the enhanced connectivity among carbon nanotubes within the material, resulting in reduced overall resistance. In addition to static pressure testing, we conducted dynamic pressure experiments to assess the sensor's response under rapidly changing pressure conditions. Our findings suggest that by manipulating the number of layers in the pressure-sensitive material, the sensor's sensitivity and detection range can be tailored to suit specific applications. This approach offers a flexible and unified method for fabricating sensors with diverse response behaviors within a single manufacturing process.

Verification test of the structural integrity of an external fuel tank for aircraft under slosh and vibration conditions

During operation aircraft, a significant load is applied to the internal components of an external fuel tank due to fuel slosh and engine vibration. Also, in a serious situation, components or pipes may be damaged or may not function properly, adversely affecting not only the safety of the aircraft but also the survival of the crew. Therefore, aircraft components such as an external fuel tank can be installed on an aircraft only when the required structural integrity under sloshing load and vibration conditions is proven through a qualification test. In this paper, a verification test was conducted to prove the structural integrity of an external fuel tank against sloshing and vibration conditions as specified in US military standards. In the main text, the test requirements, slosh and vibration test procedures, and equipment used for the test are explained. In addition, the structural integrity of the test fixture to fix the test specimen to the sloshing and vibration test equipment was checked by performing a vibration analysis. During the slosh and vibration test, the internal pressure and excitation frequency of the test specimen were monitored in real time to check whether the specified test conditions were satisfied. As a result of the slosh and vibration test, the test requirements were confirmed to have been met through an analysis of data from an accelerometer installed on the test specimen and through a leakage check conducted by means of a pressure test. After the test was completed, structural damage and/or leaks of the test specimen were checked by disassembling the test specimen.

A triple‐microstructure hydro‐mechanical constitutive damage model for compacted MX80 bentonite pellet/powder mixture

AbstractA triple‐microstructure hydro‐mechanical constitutive damage model was proposed to describe the hydro‐mechanical behaviour of MX80 bentonite pellet/powder mixture, based on the results from a series of suction‐controlled oedometer tests and microstructure observations. Emphasis was put on the pellet damage behaviour. The model parameters were determined essentially based on these results. The model response was firstly verified with the obtained oedometer tests. Then, the results of Molinero‐Guerra et al. and Darde who carried out suction‐controlled oedometer tests and swelling pressure tests on similar bentonite pellet/powder mixture were employed to validate the proposed model. It appeared that the global volume behaviour and the development of swelling pressure with suction of the bentonite mixture could be well reproduced. The model allowed gaining insights into the microstructural evolutions under oedometer loading. The global compression behaviour was governed by the filling of inter‐grain pores at unsaturated state, but by the compression of grains themselves at saturated state. Conversely, when wetted under constant‐volume condition, inter‐grain pores and intra‐grain macro‐pores were closed, by the swelling of intra‐grain micro‐pores. Examination of the water‐retention property showed that water saturated the intra‐grain micro‐pores at suction 19 MPa, and then started filling intra‐grain macro‐pores. When inter‐grain pores and intra‐grain macro‐pores were all closed at suction 0.1 MPa, water finally came back to intra‐grain micro‐pores. On the whole, the hydro‐mechanical behaviour of the bentonite pellet/powder mixture can be well described by the proposed model.

Development and experimental evaluation of new building air leakage measurement methods: measurement of interior air leaks and comparison to conventional methods

Building air leaks (both through exterior and interior surfaces) can have a significant impact on energy consumption, indoor air quality, fire safety, and moisture accumulation affecting structural durability. Blower door testing has been used to measure leaks in buildings, but commonly used testing methods do not directly measure interior leaks. In this paper, new testing methods (guarded interior test and zonal multipoint pressure testing method) are presented that directly measure these interior leaks, utilizing common blower door equipment for both single and multi-point testing. These new methods are compared to conventional methods in terms of the information provided, limitations and time/effort needed. In addition, building leak measurement results are analyzed to reveal (a) coupling between power law model values (exponent and coefficient) for an ensemble of buildings, (b) the error in using single point testing when estimating low pressure leakage, and (c) how building power law models vary from low to high pressure ranges.

A deep-sea in-situ chemical laboratory for cabled seafloor observatories

A deep-sea in-situ chemical laboratory (DICL) is proposed for new insight into ocean chemical evolution. The DICL integrates a deep-sea in-situ anion analyzer (DIAA) and several chemical sensors connected to cabled seafloor observatories via a science instrument interface module (SIIM). It can measure the concentrations of seawater anions (e.g., Fˉ, Clˉ, Brˉ, NO3ˉ, SO4 2ˉ, PO4 3ˉ), chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, and methane, as well as pH value. The system operation status can be monitored remotely on the shore, and the science data can be acquired in real-time. After water pressure tests and shallow sea trials, the DICL was tested in the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) deep-sea observatory and collected high-resolution time-series chemical parameters. The experimental results demonstrated that the DICL's mechatronics integration design is reasonable and feasible.

Improved Physical Health in Middle-Older Aged Golf Caddies Following 24 Weeks of High-Volume Physical Activity.

The physical demands of golf caddying, including walking while carrying a golf bag, may potentially affect body composition, and markers of metabolic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal health. Therefore, this study examined the impact of 24 weeks of caddying on physical health in middle-older aged males. Eleven full-time experienced male caddies (age: 59 [8]y; caddying experience: 14 [12]y) were recruited from a local golf course. The following were assessed at preseason and after 24 weeks of caddying (March-September 2022): body composition, heart rate, blood pressure, blood lipids, and performance tests (static and dynamic balance, strength, and submaximal fitness). Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed at preseason and at the mid-point of the caddying season. Across the caddying season, participants completed a monthly average of 24.0 (3.8) rounds. Following the caddying season, improvements in static balance (Δ = 13.5s), dynamic balance (Δ = -1.8s), and lower back absolute strength (Δ = 112.8N), and muscle quality (Δ = 2.0N·kg-1) were observed (all P < .05). Additionally, blood lipids, including total cholesterol (Δ = -0.6mmol·L-1), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Δ = 0.1mmol·L-1), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Δ = -0.6mmol·L-1) (all P < .05), and body composition, including body mass (Δ = -2.7kg), fat mass (Δ = -1.9kg), fat percentage (Δ = -1.4%), fat-to-muscle ratio (Δ = -0.03), and body mass index (Δ = -0.9kg·m-2) (all P < .05) improved. Caddying did not offer beneficial changes to cardiovascular variables or cardiorespiratory fitness (P > .05), while coronary heart disease risk score decreased (Δ = -3.3%) (P < .05). In relation to PA, light- (Δ = 145min) and moderate-intensity (Δ = 71min) PA, moderate to vigorous PA (Δ = 73min), and total PA (Δ = 218min) between preseason and the mid-point of the caddying season increased, while sedentary time (Δ = -172min) decreased (all P < .05). Golf caddying can provide several physical health benefits such as improvements in various markers of cardiometabolic health, lower back absolute strength, and static and dynamic balance. The physical health improvements that caddying offers is likely contributed to by increased PA volume and intensity through walking on the golf course. Therefore, caddying may represent a feasible model for increasing PA volume and intensity and achieve physical health-related benefits.