Test Day Research Articles

Determining the sweet detection threshold of COVID-19 patients during infection and recovery periods.

The loss of taste and smell is a common symptom of COVID-19, affecting individuals' quality of life and nutritional status. Detecting sweet thresholds during infection and recovery periods can assist in implementing dietary modifications and nutritional strategies for these patients. To investigate the changes and differences in sweet detection thresholds of confirmed COVID-19 patients on Day 1, Day 10, and Day 14 of the infection and recovery periods. The demographic factors such as gender, smoking status, BMI, and age group were abstracted on Excel sheet from the medical health records for confirmed COVID-19 patients, who were admitted to King Fahad General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a COVID-19 care facility, from September 2021 to July 2022. Sweet detection thresholds were determined using a pair-wise comparison procedure and sugar solutions with varying concentrations, arranged in ascending order and presented to participants until the lowest detected concentration was noted after three consecutive positive detections, with the median just noticeable difference (JND) value calculated as the population average threshold. Sensory tests were conducted on COVID-19 patients during their infection and recovery periods to evaluate their taste sensation thresholds. The demographic factors of gender, smoking status, BMI, and age group were considered in the analysis. A total of 37 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study were enrolled as participants. Significant variances in sweet detection thresholds were observed among the COVID-19 patients, with consistent decreases over the three testing days, indicating increasing sucrose sensitivity. Infected men showed significant returns to sweet detection thresholds on Day 14 compared to women, while infected smokers exhibited greater recoveries than non-smokers. Overweight patients had consistently elevated thresholds and recovery rates that were comparable to those of normal-weight patients by Day 14, while younger patients had lower thresholds than their older counterparts. On Day 14, the thresholds had significantly recovered to a level comparable to that of healthy individuals (approximately 0.23%). These findings suggest that sweet detection thresholds can be used as a marker for assessing the progression and recovery of COVID-19 patients. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and managing alterations in sweet detection thresholds promptly in COVID-19 patients, as this could positively impact dietary management, nutritional recommendations, and interventions during infection and recovery periods.

Effect of Liver Dysfunction on S-1 Therapy Induced Adverse Effects: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Renal dysfunction necessitates S-1 dose reduction. However, decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity may lead to adverse events due to 5-FU. The guidelines provided by pharmaceutical companies state that total bilirubin (T-Bil) should be ≤upper limit of normal (ULN)×1.5 as a reference value for safely taking S-1. Nevertheless, the relationship between the degree of liver dysfunction and S-1 dose reduction has not been clearly established. This study focused on patients who received S-1 monotherapy for various types of cancer. The primary outcome was defined as the variation between blood sampling results on the test day and the subsequent test. The variation data were categorized based on the difference in T-Bil: Low T-Bil group (≤2.25) and High T-Bil group (>2.25). The number of patients that underwent S-1 monotherapy was 883 and the running number was 7,511; Low T-Bil group included 7,245 and High T-Bil group included 266. Examination of the effect of the T-Bil Group on clinical outcomes revealed a correlation with red blood cell (RBC) count, platelet (PLT) count, and T-Bil level. When the impact of the interaction between the T-Bil Group and any of the clinical outcomes, such as the RBC count, PLT count, and T-Bil level, was determined, each outcome showed a significant decrease in the High T-Bil group compared with the Low T-Bil group. S-1 administration in patients with liver dysfunction accompanied by elevated T-Bil levels may cause thrombocytopenia.

Countermovement Jump and Isometric Strength Test–Retest Reliability in English Premier League Academy Football Players

Purpose: To examine the test–retest reliability of countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric strength testing measures in elite-level under-18 and under-23 academy football players. Methods: A total of 36 players performed 3 maximal CMJs and isometric abductor (IABS), adductor (IADS), and posterior chain (IPCS) strength tests on 2 separate test days using dual force plates (CMJ and IPCS) and a portable strength testing device (IABS and IADS). Relative (intraclass correlation coefficient) and absolute (coefficient of variation, standard error of the measurement, and minimal detectable change [MDC%]) reliabilities for 34 CMJ, 10 IABS, 10 IADS, and 11 IPCS measures were analyzed using between-sessions best, mean, and within-session methods. Results: For all methods, relative reliability was good to excellent for all CMJ and all IADS measures and poor to good for all IABS and IPCS measures. Absolute reliability was good (ie, coefficient of variation < 10%) for 27 (best) and 28 (mean) CMJ variables and for 6 (IABS and IADS) and 2 (IPCS) isometric measures. Commonly used CMJ measures (jump height, eccentric duration, and flight-time:contraction-time ratio) had good to excellent relative reliability and an MDC% range of 14.6% to 23.7%. Likewise, commonly used isometric peak force measures for IABS, IADS, and IPCS had good to excellent relative reliability and an MDC% range of 22.2% to 26.4%. Conclusions: Commonly used CMJ and isometric strength measures had good test–retest reliability but might be limited by their MDC%. Rate-of-force-development measures (for all isometric tests) and impulse measures (IPCS) are limited by poor relative and absolute reliability and high MDC%. MDC% statistics should be considered in the context of typical responsiveness.

Influence of fine aggregate types for the achievement of concrete quality

Fine aggregates in the form of sand are granulated materials, which generally measure between 0.0625 to 2 millimeters. Sand as a fine aggregate mixed with cement and water becomes a concrete mixture that has a role in the strength of construction. This study aims to determine how much influence the fine aggregates or sand of four different mining sites have on the compressive strength of concrete. The method used is an experiment, based on the results of laboratory tests of compressive strength tests at the age of concrete 7, 14 and 28 days for fc’25 or 25 MPa quality concrete with a mix of designs for fine aggregates from Leles sand, Kuyamut sand, Cikamiri sand, and Cilopang sand, Garut Regency West Java Province Indonesia. The aggregates tested include moisture content, sludge content, organic content, dry saturation, waand ter absorption affects the quality of concrete and improves quality strength with the same treatment for laboratory testing. The results of the analysis with 28 days of concrete compressive strength testing obtained the achievement of the highest concrete strength, namely with Cilopang sand 27 MPa, allowed by Kuyamut sand 26 Mpa, Leles sand 25 MPa and Cikamiri sand 23 MPa. Based on the results of concrete strength testing for up to 28 days, there are three sources of fine aggregates that can reach a minimum of fc’ 25, and there is one sand source that has a compressive strength value of concrete.

Child-centered home service design for a family robot companion.

The home robot-based child activity service aims to cultivate children's social emotions. A design theme was produced by interviewing child development experts and parents. The activity service is composed of 50 plays and 70 conversations. These were developed based on activities from psychomotor therapy and the guidelines of Ministry of Early Childhood Education in South Korea. In the field test, 50 children aged five-seven years participated to experience the activity services at home for 4 days. After completing the 4 days of field testing, we conducted customer satisfaction (CSAT) surveys, Godspeed evaluations and interviews to quantitatively and qualitatively verify the evaluations by the children and parents. As a result, 92% of the children and 80% of the parents evaluated that they were satisfied with the service. In addition, our results revealed that the social robot-based service contributed to improving the relationship between children and families by functioning as a messenger. Finally, the lessons learned from the service development and field tests were discussed to aid service designers and robotics engineers.

Diosmin protects the testicles from doxorubicin-induced damage by increasing steroidogenesis and suppressing oxido-inflammation and apoptotic mediators.

Cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin (DOX) has been linked to serious testicular damage and spermatotoxicity due to the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Thus, the current study was carried out to assess the potential ameliorative impact of diosmin, an antioxidant drug, against DOX-mediated spermatoxicity and testicular injury in rats. In the experimental protocol, rats were grouped into 4: Group 1 received vehicle and saline for 8 weeks while group 2 received diosmin and saline concomitantly for 8 weeks. Group 3 was given 3 mg/kg intraperitoneal DOX once every 7 days for 8 weeks. Group 4 was given 40 mg/kg of diosmin orally for 56 days followed by DOX diosmin administration after one hour. After 56 days of treatment, sperm quality, hormonal testing, biochemical parameters, and histological alterations in the testes were evaluated. DOX-induced reduce spermatogenic function, testicular 3- and 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, and serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone. It also enhanced inflammation, testicular oxidative damage, and apoptosis. The histopathologic examinations corroborated the biochemical results obtained. Significantly, diosmin treatment reduced DOX-induced injury, as evidenced by restored testicular architecture, increased steroidogenesis, preservation of spermatogenesis, suppression of oxide-inflammatory response, and apoptosis. It was found that through diosmin antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-oxido-inflammatory it presents a possible therapeutic alternative for protecting testicular tissue against DOX's harmful effects.

Enhanced bioavailability through quality by design optimization of ceritinib nanostructured lipid carriers: Formulation, characterization, and stability evaluation

Ceritinib is a lung cancer treatment that inhibits the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK). ALK is a protein involved in cell signaling and growth regulation. Initially discovered in anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK has since been found to play critical roles in various cancers and neurodevelopmental processes. Targeted therapies that inhibit ALK have revolutionized treatment for ALK-positive cancers, improving outcomes significantly. Research continues to explore ALK’s intricate mechanisms and its potential as a therapeutic target beyond oncology, highlighting its broad biological importance. In this study, Ceritinib-drug loaded nanostructured lipid carriers were produced using a modified homogenization process by increasing number of homogenisation cycles followed by probe sonication. A central composite design was utilised to investigate the effect of liquid lipid (A), emulsifier (B), and co-surfactant (C) concentrations on particle size (Response 1) and entrapment efficiency (Response 2). The specific impacts of these parameters on particle size and entrapment efficiency were shown in response surfaces, using Derringer’s desirability technique. Formulation 8 with 0.1% Capmul, 0.15% egg lecithin, and 0.37% poloxamer 188 was subjected to further evaluation as it had minimal particle size and maximum entrapment efficiency. The SEM analysis was performed to confirm the size of the particle which was within the nano range. The in vitro studies indicated the maximum drug release (84.6%±2.3% in 12 hours) from that of the marketed formulation (54.2%±2.5% in 12 hours). After 90 days of stability testing, there was no significant variation (p < 0.05) in parameters like particle size and entrapment efficiency.

Possibilities of Using “BUGA” Named Software for Breeding Value Estimation of Anatolian Water Buffalo Population of Istanbul

In this study, variance components and breeding value estimations of Anatolian water buffaloes were estimated from the data obtained within the scope of community based water buffalo improvement program of Anatolian water buffalo population of İstanbul. The "BUGA" named software, which was started to be developed with the support of Harran University Scientific Research Project Unit (HUBAP) for use in the estimation of (co)variance components and breeding value were used in this study. The BUGA software used in the research can predict genetic and environmental effects together with variance components as Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) with the Restricted Maximum Log likelihood (REML) method. Unlike its counterparts of another software of foreign origin, it has a visual interface. The language of use is Turkish. The dataset includes records such as city, district, village, genealogy information, date of birth, gender, calving date, lactation parity, number of test day milk yield, lactation milk yield and previous calving date of 442 Anatolian buffaloes raised in this population. The records were analysed using the repeatability model with BUGA software and the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects of all animals in the dataset were estimated. Random environment variance, genotypic variance and permanent environment variance values were estimated as 107112.60 kg2, 20045.22 kg2 and 1259.50 kg2, respectively, while heritability (h2) and degree of repeatability (r) were determined as 0.1561 and 0.1659, respectively. The results obtained as an example of case study applied for the possibility of usage the BUGA software in the estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values showed that BUGA software can be easily used in farm recording conditions with the advantage of friendly user features.

Calming Hungarian Grey Cattle in Headlocks Using Processed Nasal Vocalization of a Mother Cow.

Sound analysis is an important field of research for improving precision livestock farming systems. If the information carried by livestock sounds is interpreted correctly, it could be used to improve management and welfare assessment in this field. Therefore, we hypothesized that the nasal vocalization of a mother cow could have a calming effect on conspecifics. The nasal vocalization in our study was recorded from a mother cow (not part of the test herd) while it was licking its day-old calf. The raw sound was analyzed, cleaned from noises, and the most representative vocalization was lengthened to two minutes. Thirty cows having calves were randomly selected from eighty Hungarian grey cattle cows. Two test days were selected, one week apart; the weather circumstances in both days were similar. The herd was collected in a paddock, and the test site (a restraining crate with a headlock) was 21 m away from them. The cows from the herd were gently moved to the restraining crate, and, after the installation of the headlock, Polar® heart rate monitors were fixed on the animals. The recording of the RR intervals was carried out for two minutes. On day one of the test, the processed nasal sound was played to every second cow during the heart rate monitoring. When the sound ended, the heart rate monitor was removed. On test day two, the sound and no sound treatments were switched among the participating cows. At the end of the measurement, the headlock was opened, letting the animals out voluntarily, and a flight test was performed along a 5 m distance. The time needed to pass the 5 m length was measured with a stopwatch and divided by the distance. The RR intervals were analyzed with the Kubios HRV Standard (ver. 3.5.0) software. The following data were recorded for the entire measurement: average and maximum heart rate; SD1 and SD2; pNN50; VLF, LF, and HF. The quasi-periodic signal detected in the sound analyses can hardly be heard, even when it is enhanced to the maximum. This can be considered a vibration probably caused by the basis of articulation, such as a vibration of the tongue, for example. The SD2/SD1 ratio (0.97 vs. 1.07 for the animals having no sound and sound played, respectively, p = 0.0110) and the flight speed (0.92 vs. 1.08 s/m for the animals having no sound and sound played, respectively, p = 0.0409) indicate that the sound treatment had a calming effect on the restrained cows. The day of the test did not influence any of the measured parameters; therefore, no effect of the routine was observed. The yes-no sequence of the sound treatment significantly reduced the pNN50 and flight speed values, suggesting a somewhat more positive association with the headlock and the effectiveness of the processed nasal sound. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that, by means of sound analyses, not only information about individuals and the herd can be gathered but that, with proper processing, the sound obtained can be used to improve animal welfare.

Patterns of ingestion of rats during chronic oral administration of lithium chloride

Chronic lithium administration to rodents is used to explore the potential neural mechanisms of mood stabilization, as well as to model the side effects of chronic lithium on multiple organ systems. Oral administration of lithium in the maintenance diet or drinking water is convenient, but lithium can acutely affect intake and it can mediate acquisition of conditioned taste aversions (CTA). We compared ad libitum food and fluid intake by male rats with LiCl or NaCl solutions as their sole source of fluid across 20 days, with a commonly used dosage of LiCl (24 mM: 1 g / L LiCl). To quantify the pattern of intake, rats were housed in cages equipped with lickometers to detect licks and infrared photobeams to detect food access with 6-s resolution. To determine if rats formed a CTA to LiCl, they were subsequently tested with access to NaCl. Rats showed an immediate avoidance of the LiCl solution, as seen on the first day of access by an increased latency to initiate drinking and a decreased size of drinking bouts. Rats showed a differential response to LiCl vs. NaCl after as few as 5 licks. Chronic consumption of LiCl solution led to significantly decreased food and fluid intake compared to baseline, with concomitant weight loss. The decreased intake was realized by marked changes in the pattern of drinking and feeding bouts: a decrease in per-lick volume and a decrease in licks per drinking bout, and an increase in feeding bout duration resulting in an overall decrease in eating rate. Conversely, chronic NaCl access led to an increase in drinking bout number and licks/bout. The avoidance of LiCl was likely a combination of toxic effects of ingested LiCl and rapid acquisition of a learned aversion to the taste of LiCl, as shown by an extinguishable generalized aversion to NaCl solution during subsequent NaCl test days. The marked effect of chronic oral LiCl on ingestion may impact the oral dosing of lithium as well as the rat's metabolic status.

Acute self-myofascial release modulates cardiac autonomic function and hemodynamic parameters at rest and reduces cardiovascular stress reaction

PurposeSelf-myofascial release (SMR) is a form of self-massage aiming to release tension, improve blood flow, and alleviate muscle soreness. This study aimed to determine whether a single session of SMR could impact cardiovascular parameters at rest and during a cold pressor test (CPT).MethodsTwenty male participants (aged 26 ± 2 years) underwent a 20-min SMR and a 20-min seated control condition (CON) on two separate test days in a randomized order. Peripheral and central blood pressure (BP), total peripheral resistance (TPR), pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart rate (HR), root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD), and the quotient of low-frequency power and high-frequency power (LF/HF) were measured both at rest and during a CPT before (t0), 2 min (t1), and 20 min (t2) after the SMR and CON.ResultsTime × condition interactions could be detected for peripheral and central diastolic BP, TPR, HR, and RMSSD. Following the SMR, peripheral diastolic BP, central diastolic BP, TPR, and RMSSD were reduced, while HR was increased compared to the CON. Regarding the CPT time × condition interactions could be detected for peripheral, and central diastolic BP, with lower values after SMR.ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that a single bout of SMR confers favorable cardiovascular benefits in healthy normotensive individuals. Furthermore, SMR can attenuate the hemodynamic reactivity to a stress test. Future research should address whether regular SMR leads to chronic adaptations similar to regular, moderate aerobic exercise, massage therapy, and static stretching.

Effect of "Tongdu Qishen" acupuncture on expressions of ferroptosis-related factors in the hippocampus of APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice.

To investigate the effect of "Tongdu Qishen" acupuncture［dredging the Govern Vessel and normalizing mental activities, electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui" (GV20), "Yintang" (EX-HN3) and "Shuigou" (GV26) needling］on the learning-memory ability and the mechanism of ferroptosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. Twenty-four male APPswe/PS1dE9 mice were randomly and equally divided into model group and EA group, and 12 normal C57BL/6 mice were used as the control group. In the EA group, EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 20 min) was applied to GV20 and EX-HN3 in combination with manual acupuncture stimulation of GV26. The treatment was performed once a day, for a total of 28 days. The mice in the three groups were given the same fixation and grasping operation. Morris water maze swimming tests were used to assess the mice's learning-memory ability. Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphological changes of neurons in the hippocampus. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampus tissue was detected by superoxide anionic colorimetric assay kit (WST-1), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The expression levels of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (ptgs2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mRNA in the hippocampus were detected by fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR. Behavioral results showed that compared with the control group, the escape latencies at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day of Morris water maze swimming test were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the swimming time in the original platform quadrant and the times of cros-sing the original platform were considerably decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, the escape latencies at the 4th and 5th day were strikingly decreased (P<0.05), and the swimming time in the original platform quadrant and times of crossing the original platform significantly increased (P<0.05) in the EA group. Following modeling, the SOD activity and the expression of GPX4 mRNA were obviously down-regulated (P<0.05), and the content of MDA and the expression of ptgs2 mRNA significantly up-regulated (P<0.05) in the model group rele-vant to the control group. The SOD activity and the expression of GPX4 mRNA were apparently increased (P<0.05), and the content of MDA and the expression of ptgs2 mRNA remarkably down-regulated (P<0.05) in the EA group rele-vant to the model group. Histopathological and ultrastructural results showed scattered arrangement of cells, widened space among cells, reduction in the number of cells, and many shrunk of dissolved nucleoli, shrunking and incomplete mitochondria, and high membrane electron density in the hippocampus of the model group, which was relatively milder in the EA group. "Tongdu Qishen" acupuncture can improve the learning-memory ability of AD mice, which may be related to its functions in up-regulating SOD activity and GPX4 mRNA expression, and down-regulating MDA content and ptgs2 mRNA expression to reduce the lipid peroxidation in the process of ferroptosis.

Marine biodegradation of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate] elastic fibers in seawater: dependence of decomposition rate on highly ordered structure.

Here, we report the marine degradability of polymers with highly ordered structures in natural environmental water using microbial degradation and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) tests. Three types of elastic fibers (non-porous as-spun, non-porous drawn, and porous drawn) with different highly ordered structures were prepared using poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-16mol%-4-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB-co-16mol%-4HB)], a well-known polyhydroxyalkanoate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that microorganisms attached to the fiber surface within several days of testing and degraded the fiber without causing physical disintegration. The results of BOD tests revealed that more than 80% of P(3HB-co-16mol%-4HB) was degraded by microorganisms in the ocean. The plastisphere was composed of a wide variety of microorganisms, and the microorganisms accumulated on the fiber surfaces differed from those in the biofilms. The microbial degradation rate increased as the degree of molecular orientation and porosity of the fiber increased: as-spun fiber < non-porous drawn fiber < porous drawn fiber. The drawing process induced significant changes in the highly ordered structure of the fiber, such as molecular orientation and porosity, without affecting the crystallinity. The results of SEM observations and X-ray measurements indicated that drawing the fibers oriented the amorphous chains, which promoted enzymatic degradation by microorganisms.

HURRICANE KATRINA’S LASTING IMPACT ON YOUNGER AND OLDER ADULTS: THE ROLE OF RELIGIOSITY AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH

Abstract In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast with catastrophic damage and substantial loss of life. In this study, we examined associations among psychosocial variables and mental health indicators in younger and older adults who lived in south Louisiana in August of 2005 when Katrina made landfall (M age = 51.7 years, SD = 13.03 years, age range: 32 to 78 years). All self-identified as African American / Black women. They were recruited through social media, flyers sent to churches and schools, and word of mouth referrals. On the first day of testing, participants completed sociodemographic, religiosity, and post-traumatic growth surveys and an adapted structured storm questionnaire (Cherry et al., 2011). On the second day of testing one week later, participants responded to open-ended questions on their Katrina experience, and they completed measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Correlation analyses revealed that age was inversely related to PTSD symptoms, which is compatible with an inoculation perspective on post-disaster psychological reactions. In addition, post-traumatic growth was positively correlated with religious beliefs and practices and religious coping, and negatively correlated with symptoms of PTSD and depression. Religious beliefs and practices were inversely correlated with PTSD symptoms and depression. Qualitative analyses of participants’ narrative responses indicated that some reflected on scripture and utilized prayer as a way to navigate their new lives in the years after Katrina. Implications of these data for understanding individual and community-level challenges in the years after exposure to devastating severe weather events are considered.

Disposal of demolished waste as partial fine aggregate replacement in roller-compacted concrete

Abstract Making environmentally friendly, long-lasting roller compacted concrete (RCC) was the primary focus of the laboratory experiments using disposed waste material (demolished buildings) and lowering the amount of fine aggregate adopting the ACI 327. The best way to dispose waste materials of demolished buildings such as ceramic tiles, clay bricks, and thermostone hollow blocks without using a sanitary landfill was to collect them, crush them with a crushing machine, and grade them by sieving to a fine aggregate. Reference mixture (RM) and six other environmentally friendly, long-lasting RCC mixtures were produced with partial fine aggregate volume replacements of 10 and 20% waste material. Following the production of the mixtures, the strength (compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural), porosity, absorption of water, and dry density were all tested. The results in accordance with the study’s conclusions are the RCC containing (20%) by ceramic tiles as fine aggregate increases RCC’s durability up to (5.76%) (2.96%) (2.83%) of strength (compressive, splitting tensile and flexural) at 28 days of testing, in opposition to the typical blend, then the blend that includes (10%) of ceramic tiles as fine aggregate with % growth up to (3.39%) (1.64%) (1.42%). While the clay bricks with 10% can be adopted, the results were slightly lower than the RM but still in the specification range (minimum recommendation of ACI 327 = 28 MPa). For the mixtures with 10 and 20% thermostone blocks fine aggregate, the results showed reduction in strength compared to the RM.

Peripheral hypercapnic chemosensitivity at rest and progressive exercise intensities in males and females.

Peripheral hypercapnic chemosensitivity (PHC) is the ventilatory response to hypercapnia and is enhanced with acute whole-body exercise. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) responsible for the exercise related increase in PHC and if progressive exercise leads to further augmentation. We hypothesized that unloaded cycle exercise (0W) would increase PHC but progressively increasing the intensity would not further augment the response. Twenty healthy subjects completed 2 testing days. Day 1 was a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine peak power output (Wmax). Day 2 consisted of six 12-minute stages: (i) rest on chair, (ii) rest on bike, (iii) 0W unloaded cycling, (iv) 25% Wmax, (v) 50% Wmax, and (vi) ~70% Wmax with ~10 min of rest between each exercise stage. In each stage, PHC was assessed via 2 breaths of 10% CO2 (~21% O2) repeated 5 times with ~45s between each to ensure end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) and ventilation returned to baseline. Pre-stimulus PETCO2 was not different between rest and unloaded cycling (p=0.478). There was a significant increase in PHC between seated rest and 25% Wmax (0.71±0.37 vs. 1.03±0.52 LmmHg-1min-1, respectively p=0.0006), and between seated rest and unloaded cycling (0.71±0.37 vs. 1.04±0.4 LmmHg-1min-1, respectively p=0.0017). There was no effect of exercise intensity on PHC (1.03±0.52 vs. 0.95±0.58 vs. 1.01±0.65 LmmHg-1min-1for 25, 50 and 70% Wmax, p=0.44). The increased PHC response from seated rest to unloaded and 25% Wmax, but no effect of exercise intensity suggests a possible feedforward/feedback mechanism causing increased PHC sensitivity through the act of cycling.

Design Pitot Tube Cover with Artificial Intelligence (Arduino) Based Warning System on Piper Seneca V Aircraft

The pitot tube is a component in the fuselage to measure the pressure generated by air movement or wind, while the placement of the pitot tube is usually on the wing. A trivial thing that can be fatal is that before flying, sometimes the pilot/flight instructor neglects to remove the pitot tank cover. This negligence resulted in the malfunctioning of the Air Speed Indicator (ASI), Vertical Speed Indicator and Altimeter. Appropriate technology in the form of a pitot tube cover with a warning using an ultrasonic sensor with the support of artificial intelligence technology using Arduino has been applied to the Piper Seneca V aircraft to prevent negligence in removing the pitot tube cover before flying. The Piper Seneca V has been chosen as the object of the application of technology because the Piper Seneca V type aircraft is of the low wing type so that the pitot tubes are not visible when not inspecting the underside of the aircraft's wings. During 30 days of testing with 12 hours of testing time each day and exposure to different temperatures and humidity each day, both battery life and component resistance can be ensured that they are still in optimal conditions. During testing in the simulation room, the tool worked well with a 1 meter object detection configuration. Using a 3.7 volt battery with a storage capacity of 1600 mAh can make the device last for 4 days with 2 hours of recharging time.

Concrete Carbonation of Deep Burial Storage Constructions under Model Aging Conditions

To ensure the safe operation of concrete structures of deep-burial storages, it is necessary to research the degradation mechanisms of such structures. Concrete carbonation is one of the key factors determining the service life of concrete structures. Existing methods for the concrete carbonation process research at various stages of the building structure life cycle make it possible to conduct model tests in the shortest possible time by simulating the operational factors influencing the corrosion process development. The authors carried out model tests of concrete of deep-burial storages using the method of accelerated concrete carbonation and by taking into account the effects of elevated temperatures. When exposed to elevated temperatures during carbonation, concrete samples exhibit a decrease in compressive strength in the first 56 days of testing by an average of 1.6 MPa. However, by the end of the tests (168 days), the strength of concrete samples at elevated temperatures is on average 4 MPa higher. The microstructure and carbonation dynamics were studied by XRD, TGA and SEM. The data obtained in the research can be used to develop models for predicting the service life of concrete structures of deep-burial storages.

Type II Muscle Fiber Capillarization Is an Important Determinant of Post-Exercise Microvascular Perfusion in Older Adults

Introduction: Microvascular perfusion is essential for post-exercise skeletal muscle recovery to ensure adequate delivery of nutrients and growth factors. This study assessed the relationship between various indices of muscle fiber capillarization and microvascular perfusion assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) at rest and during recovery from a bout of resistance exercise in older adults. Methods: Sixteen older adults (72 ± 6 y, 5/11 male/female) participated in an experimental test day during which a muscle biopsy was collected from the vastus lateralis and microvascular perfusion was determined by CEUS at rest and at 10 and 40 min following a bout of resistance exercise. Immunohistochemistry was performed on muscle tissue samples to determine various indices of both mixed and fiber-type-specific muscle fiber capillarization. Results: Microvascular blood volume at t = 10 min was higher compared with rest and t = 40 min (27.2 ± 4.7 vs. 3.9 ± 4.0 and 7.0 ± 4.9 AU, respectively, both p < 0.001). Microvascular blood volume at t = 40 min was higher compared with rest (p < 0.001). No associations were observed between different indices of mixed muscle fiber capillarization and microvascular blood volume at rest and following exercise. A moderate (r = 0.59, p < 0.05) and strong (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) correlation was observed between type II muscle fiber capillary-to-fiber ratio and the microvascular blood volume increase from rest to t = 10 and t = 40 min, respectively. In addition, type II muscle fiber capillary contacts and capillary-to-fiber perimeter exchange index were strongly correlated with the microvascular blood volume increase from rest to t = 40 min (r = 0.66, p < 0.01 and r = 0.64, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Resistance exercise strongly increases microvascular blood volume for at least 40 min after exercise cessation in older adults. This resistance exercise-induced increase in microvascular blood volume is strongly associated with type II muscle fiber capillarization in older adults.

High-intensity exercise increases breast milk adiponectin concentrations: a randomised cross-over study.

Adiponectin plays a role in glucose and fat metabolism and is present in human breast milk. It has been postulated that higher breast milk adiponectin concentrations may prevent rapid weight gain in infancy. Prior research indicates that circulating adiponectin increases acutely after endurance exercise, but no prior research has investigated the effect of exercise on breast milk adiponectin concentrations. The purpose of this randomised, cross-over study was to determine the acute effects of endurance exercise on adiponectin concentrations in human breast milk. Participants who were exclusively breastfeeding a 6-12 week-old term infant (N = 20) completed three conditions in the laboratory: (1) Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), (2) High-intensity interval training (HIIT), and (3) No activity (REST). At each condition, we collected breast milk at 07:00 h (before exercise/rest), 11:00 h (immediately after exercise/rest), 12:00 h (1 h after exercise/rest), and 15:00 h (4 h after exercise/rest) and determined adiponectin concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared changes in adiponectin concentrations after MICT and HIIT, adjusted for the morning concentration on each test day, with those after REST, using paired t-tests. Adiponectin concentrations increased 1 h after HIIT, from 4.6 (± 2.2) μg/L in the 07:00 h sample to 5.6 (± 2.6) μg/L. This change was 0.9 μg/L (95% confidence interval 0.3 to 1.5) greater than the change between these two timepoints in the REST condition (p = 0.025). There were no other statistically significant changes in adiponectin concentrations. HIIT may increase adiponectin concentrations in breast milk acutely after exercise. Further studies should determine the impact of exercise-induced elevations in breast milk adiponectin concentrations on growth and metabolism in infancy.