8,034 research outputs found
Brief, Aerobic-surge Exercises for Effective Weight Loss: a Randomized, Controlled Trial
Background: Obesity is a growing disease and a consistently effective protocol is needed to reduce this epidemic. The purpose of this study was to determine if a frequent, brief (2-minute) high intensity aerobic exercise (â„75% max HR) was effective in reducing subjectsâ weight (BMI) and girth sizes.
Methods: A randomized, controlled trial lasting 60 days was conducted at three sites and forty-six subjects completed this study (mean age 39 ± 8 and BMI 32 ±2). The Experimental group was shown how to make movements such as riding a stationary bicycle or lifting dumbbells into an âAerobic-surgeâ exercise at or above 75% of calculated maximum heart rate. Control subjects were simply told to âexercise more.â No dietary changes were made for either group. The dependent variables were changes in weight and âbody summationâ of 10 girth measurements. A 2x2 ANOVA was used to calculate differences. A post-hoc analysis of changes in BMI was also calculated.
Results: There was a significant difference between groups (P<0.0001). The mean change of the groups were as follows: Experimental (N=23) mean reductions = -18.lbs and -18.7â vs. Control (N=23) mean changes = +1.3.lbs and +1.3.â
Conclusion: The repeated, brief (2-minute) aerobic-surge exercise protocol, performed 4.2 times/day was effective in reducing subjectsâ weight and body circumferences. Isolated tests of body composition showed that change were primarily in body fat. This could be a tool in reducing the obesity epidemic. The Aerobic-surge exercise was effective without a dietary changes.
Retrospectively Registered Trial: ISRCTN 17326333
Unreasonable Reasonableness: Standardizing Procedural Norms of the ICC Through \u3cem\u3eAl Bashir\u3c/em\u3e
On March 4, 2009, the International Criminal Court issued its first ever arrest warrant against a sitting head of state, Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir. The warrant, issued in relation to the situation in the Darfur region of Sudan, was notable both for its inclusion of charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and for its exclusion of charges of genocide. On appeal, the decision not to include the genocide charges in the warrant was unanimously overruled for an error in law regarding the standard of proof utilized to determine the sufficiency of mens rea. The International Criminal Court is the only permanent international adjudicatory body tasked with the criminal adjudication of individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern. In overruling this decision, therefore, the International Criminal Court not only standardized the evidentiary thresholds for the prosecution of genocide charges in its Chambers, but at the same time distinguished itself among the growing field of international adjudicatory bodies
Stakeholder Perspectives on Opportunities and Challenges in Achieving Sustainable Growth of the Blue Economy in a Changing Climate
Coastal marine environments provide livelihoods as billions of people around the world depend greatly on sustainability efforts in the Blue Economy. In this study, we investigated how stakeholders from important Blue Economy sectors along the German North Sea coast perceive the impacts of climate change on their daily work life and the growth of the Blue Economy. In a two-stage approach we first conducted two stakeholder workshops with representatives from the regional sea food sector, science, NGOs and local authorities, in order to identify important issues linked to climate change affecting environment, society, economy and policy. In the second stage, we conducted semi-structured interviews with key knowledge holders from the Blue Economy, to evaluate and validate the most important issues identified during the first stage, and the impacts on the respective sectors. The workshop participants identified perceptible effects of climate change on their marine environment. Early career scientists showed that they possess a clear focus on measures for climate change adaptation, transdisciplinary approaches and knowledge transfer. The interviews revealed that the climate change effects could be perceived as both negative and positive, depending on the sector. Other issues, especially political decisions and developments are perceived to have a greater immediate impact on the Blue Economy than the slow progress of climate change effects. Additionally, increased human activities, in the form of new or intensified uses like marine renewable energy generation, have a greater influence and lead to conflicts between the Blue Economy sectors. Our study showed that economic and societal stakeholders in Germanys North Sea region are aware of climate change and already perceive its effects on their businesses. Synergies and conflicts between the sectors and political decisions might influence sustainable growth of the Blue Economy in highly contested regions, such as the North Sea basin, much stronger than the effects of climate change. This calls for a more flexible and adaptive approach to policymaking, taking into account the changing environmental, social and economic realities
Desynchronization of pulse-coupled oscillators with delayed excitatory coupling
Collective behavior of pulse-coupled oscillators has been investigated
widely. As an example of pulse-coupled networks, fireflies display many kinds
of flashing patterns. Mirollo and Strogatz (1990) proposed a pulse-coupled
oscillator model to explain the synchronization of South East Asian fireflies
({\itshape Pteroptyx malaccae}). However, transmission delays were not
considered in their model. In fact, the presence of transmission delays can
lead to desychronization. In this paper, pulse-coupled oscillator networks with
delayed excitatory coupling are studied. Our main result is that under
reasonable assumptions, pulse-coupled oscillator networks with delayed
excitatory coupling can not achieve complete synchronization, which can explain
why another species of fireflies ({\itshape Photinus pyralis}) rarely
synchronizes flashing. Finally, two numerical simulations are given. In the
first simulation, we illustrate that even if all the initial phases are very
close to each other, there could still be big variations in the times to
process the pulses in the pipeline. It implies that asymptotical
synchronization typically also cannot be achieved. In the second simulation, we
exhibit a phenomenon of clustering synchronization
Large scale Gd-beta-diketonate based organic liquid scintillator production for antineutrino detection
Over the course of several decades, organic liquid scintillators have formed
the basis for successful neutrino detectors. Gadolinium-loaded liquid
scintillators provide efficient background suppression for electron
antineutrino detection at nuclear reactor plants. In the Double Chooz reactor
antineutrino experiment, a newly developed beta-diketonate gadolinium-loaded
scintillator is utilized for the first time. Its large scale production and
characterization are described. A new, light yield matched metal-free companion
scintillator is presented. Both organic liquids comprise the target and "Gamma
Catcher" of the Double Chooz detectors.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, 5 table
Large scale Gd-beta-diketonate based organic liquid scintillator production for antineutrino detection
Over the course of several decades, organic liquid scintillators have formed
the basis for successful neutrino detectors. Gadolinium-loaded liquid
scintillators provide efficient background suppression for electron
antineutrino detection at nuclear reactor plants. In the Double Chooz reactor
antineutrino experiment, a newly developed beta-diketonate gadolinium-loaded
scintillator is utilized for the first time. Its large scale production and
characterization are described. A new, light yield matched metal-free companion
scintillator is presented. Both organic liquids comprise the target and "Gamma
Catcher" of the Double Chooz detectors.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, 5 table
Large scale Gd-beta-diketonate based organic liquid scintillator production for antineutrino detection
Over the course of several decades, organic liquid scintillators have formed
the basis for successful neutrino detectors. Gadolinium-loaded liquid
scintillators provide efficient background suppression for electron
antineutrino detection at nuclear reactor plants. In the Double Chooz reactor
antineutrino experiment, a newly developed beta-diketonate gadolinium-loaded
scintillator is utilized for the first time. Its large scale production and
characterization are described. A new, light yield matched metal-free companion
scintillator is presented. Both organic liquids comprise the target and "Gamma
Catcher" of the Double Chooz detectors.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, 5 table
alpha-nucleus potentials for the neutron-deficient p nuclei
alpha-nucleus potentials are one important ingredient for the understanding
of the nucleosynthesis of heavy neutron-deficient p nuclei in the astrophysical
gamma-process where these p nuclei are produced by a series of (gamma,n),
(gamma,p), and (gamma,alpha) reactions. I present an improved alpha-nucleus
potential at the astrophysically relevant sub-Coulomb energies which is derived
from the analysis of alpha decay data and from a previously established
systematic behavior of double-folding potentials.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
The feasibility of fertilising oats and forage sorghum with nitrogen and phosphorus in the Brigalow belt of Queensland: A modelling study
Annual forage crops such as oats and forage sorghum are sources of high-quality feed for mixed grain and beef enterprises in the northern region. However forage productivity declines over time as organic matter and subsequent supply of nutrients decrease with continued cultivation. The use of fertilisers to maintain production from oats and forage sorghum is common practice in higher rainfall and irrigated situations, however fertiliser use in generally drier and more variable environments such as the Brigalow belt is minimal despite declining productivity. We undertook a desktop, modelling assessment of the feasibility of fertilising these forages with nitrogen and phosphorus in the Brigalow belt in southern and central Queensland to better understand the dry matter and feed quality responses necessary to generate positive economic impacts.
Results indicated significantly higher dry matter production is possible with fertiliser use, which can lead to higher animal liveweight gain and stocking rates. However under current market conditions the additional costs associated with applying fertiliser outweighed the extra benefits that can be generated. A combination of high dry-matter and animal production responses, lower costs associated with fertiliser application and positive price margins for the livestock grazing the forage are required to make fertiliser application consistently profitable. This modelling study demonstrates land-managers in the northern region need to carefully consider and monitor both the production and economic responses from trial areas before paddock scale applications are implemented
Dynamic splinting in wrist extension following distal radius fractures
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Wrist flexion contracture is a common pathology which presents secondary to distal radius fractures. Joint stability, restoration and early mobilization are frequently achieved through surgical treatment after such an injury. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the initial effect of dynamic splinting on wrist extension (active range of motion), in both surgical and non-surgical patients following distal radius fractures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Records were obtained from 133 patients who were treated with a Wrist Extension Dynasplint (WED) following distal radius fractures, between May 2007 and May 2009. Forty-two of these patients received surgical treatment for their fractures. This study specifically examined the initial usage of the WED as a home therapy. The retrospective analysis included categorization of patients who received the WED exclusively vs. patients who received WED treatment with concurrent hand therapy; surgical categorization included surgical patients vs. nonsurgical patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant improvement in maximal active range of motion (AROM) for all patients (P < 0.0001) after a mean duration of 3.9 weeks of dynamic splinting. Patients showed a mean 62% increase in active extension. There was not a significant difference between patients who had received surgical treatment for the fracture vs. nonsurgical.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This dynamic splinting modality contributed 138 to 185 hours of stretching at the end range of motion for these patients in their first month following fracture. This unique regime is considered directly responsible for significant gains in AROM.</p
- âŠ