Impact differences among the landing phases of a drop vertical jump in soccer players

The aim of this study was to examine the differences of landing phase biomechanics between the players who had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and healthy participants during single leg drop vertical jump. In this study, 11 soccer players who had anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (aged 23.0±3.6 years, height 177±5.0 cm, weight 83.8±11.7 kg) and 9 healthy soccer players( aged 22.2±2.4 years, height 178±3.0 cm, weight 74.3±6.1 kg) participated voluntarily. During the data collection phase three high speed cameras synchronized to each other and force plate were used. Visual analysis programme and MATLAB were used to calculate kinetic and kinematic variables. Landing techniques of the subjects' were examined by flexion angle of knee, ground reaction force and moment parameters. The statistical analyses of the measured results were performed by t-test and Pearson Correlation analysis. According to the results, it was determined that peak vertical ground reaction force exhibited significant phase differences (p=0.00, and p=0.00, respectively) between the groups. Obtained results can be explained with "quadriceps avoidance" motion pattern which is characterized by decreased quadriceps activity and lower external knee flexion moment in an effort to control anterior translation of the tibia in subjects with ACL reconstruction. A better understanding of the different phases during single-leg landings can shed a light on mechanism of non-contact anterior crucaite ligament injuries therefore future researches should assess how phase differences affect drop vertical jump performance. © 2018 Montenegrin Sports Academy. All rights reserved

Light-weight and flexible Ni-doped CuO (Ni:CuO) thin films grown using the cost-effective SILAR method for future technological requests

Products based on nanostructured flexible thin films, which are anticipated to make their way into our lifetimes in the near future. Therefore, nanostructured metal-oxide thin-film materials grown on flexible substrates are anticipated to meet emerging technological requests. In this article, we present a promising light-weight and flexible thin-film material using un-doped and Ni-doped CuO samples. Ni:CuO flexible thin-film materials were fabricated by using the cost-effective SILAR method on cellulose acetate substrates and the effects of both Ni doping and bending on the change in electrical and optoelectronic performances were investigated. It is observed that Ni doping has a great impact on the main physical properties of flexible CuO samples. The optical bandgap value of the un-doped CuO film improves with increasing Ni ratio in the growth bath. Also, sheet resistance values of the un-doped and Ni:CuO samples are a little affected due to bending of samples for bending radius ~ 20 mm. These flexible all solution-processed nanostructured CuO samples are promising candidates for use in future optoelectronic applications

Proof of principle for a molecular 1:2 demultiplexer to function as an autonomously switching theranostic device

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Guided by the digital design concepts, we synthesized a two-module molecular demultiplexer (DEMUX) where the output is switched between emission at near IR, and cytotoxic singlet oxygen, with light at 625 nm as the input (I), and acid as the control (c). In the neutral form, the compound fluoresces brightly under excitation at 625 nm, however, acid addition moves the absorption bands of the two modules in opposite directions, resulting in an effective reversal of excitation energy transfer direction, with a concomitant upsurge of singlet oxygen generation and decrease in emission intensity

Functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life in patients with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of clinical and demographic variables on functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Patients and methods: Between January 2001 and December 2010, 98 patients (44 males, 54 females; mean age 52.1±12.5 years; range 18 to 88 years) who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in our clinic and were eligible for the study. Demographic and clinical data of patients and surgical characteristics were recorded. Preoperative activity levels of patients were measured. Severity of activity pain and patient satisfaction following surgery were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Functional status was evaluated by Lysholm knee score and WOMAC (Osteoarthritis Index Western Ontario and McMaster Universities), while quality of life was evaluated by Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: Postoperative mean time from surgery was 62.5±26.1 (8-120) months, VAS score at rest was 1.7±2.6 (0-10), VAS activity score was 3.4±3.3 (0-10) and VAS patient satisfaction score was 7.0±3.0 (0-10). It was found that 68 of the patients (69.4%) were evaluated themselves as excellent or better than preoperative period with a mean Lysholm knee score of 73.8±17.4 (24-95). Significant influences of body mass index and preoperative symptom duration on evaluation parameters were not detected. Male gender, less than five years after surgery, less intraoperative joint degeneration and moderate to severe activity level before the onset of symptoms had a positive influence on the severity of pain, patient satisfaction and functional status. Conclusion: Our study provided critical data for optimal patient selection during the preoperative period to predict which patients may have better results in the mid-term follow-up after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

Towards unimolecular luminescent solar concentrators: bodipy-based dendritic energy-transfer cascade with panchromatic absorption and monochromatized emission

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Ein in ein Polymer eingebetteter, panchromatischer Bodipy-Absorber mit eingebautem Energiegradienten konzentriert einfallende Sonnenstrahlung an einem endständigen Chromophor und erzeugt so eine monochromatische Emission an den Seiten des Polymer-Wellenleiters (siehe Bild). Dieses besondere Design minimiert Selbstabsorptionsverluste der peripheren Antennen-Einheiten mit einem beeindruckenden S-Faktor von 10 000

Effect of corn particle size and inclusion of organic acid in the diet on growth performance and gastrointestinal structure in young chicks.

The effect of 3 corn particle sizes (dgw: 375, 1117, and 2402 μm) combined with or without organic acids (0.3 g/kg of Galliacid S®) was investigated on broilers from day 1 to day 21; 540 1-day old Ross 708 males were raised in 36 pens (3x2 factorial design, 6 blocks each). We measured: body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, liver weight, pH weight and height of empty gizzard, pH and length of intestine and caeca, height and width of ileal villi, crypt depth/gland diameter, total bacteria count. Different corn particle sizes and organic acid supplements only affected feed intake (days 14 and 21), feed conversion ratio (day 14), villus height, and crypt depth. On day 21, fine milling had negative effects on body weights compared with larger feed particle size (816 vs 848 and 844 g); acidic additive had a positive effect on broiler growth (859 vs 813g). Length of small intestinal villi and crypt depth were affected by both particle size and organic acids (fine to coarse small intestinal villi: 1869a, 1401c, and 1039d μm in non-acidified; 1708b, 1535c, and 942e μm in acidified. Fine to coarse crypt depth: 102ab, 98b; 65c μm in non-acidified; 106a, 70c, and 66c μm in acidified). No difference was observed in total bacteria counts of the gut in relation to the different treatments. Use of organic acids during starter phase is useful, especially when the milling process is inappropriate

Modular logic gates: cascading independent logic gates via metal ion signals

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Abstract Systematic cascading of molecular logic gates is an important issue to be addressed for advancing research in this field. We have demonstrated that photochemically triggered metal ion signals can be utilized towards that goal. Thus, independent logic gates were shown to work together while keeping their identity in more complex logic designs. Communication through the intermediacy of ion signals is clearly inspired from biological processes modulated by such signals, and implemented here with ion responsive molecules. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.