Effect of suspension systems on the physiological and psychological responses to sub-maximal biking on simulated smooth and bumpy tracks

The aim of this study was to compare the physiological and psychological responses of cyclists riding on a hard tail bicycle and on a full suspension bicycle. Twenty males participated in two series of tests. A test rig held the front axle of the bicycle steady while the rear wheel rotated against a heavy roller with bumps (or no bumps) on its surface. In the first series of tests, eight participants (age 19 – 27 years, body mass 65 – 82 kg) were tested on both the full suspension and hard tail bicycles with and without bumps fitted to the roller. The second series of test repeated the bump tests with a further six participants (age 22 – 31 years, body mass 74 – 94 kg) and also involved an investigation of familiarization effects with the final six participants (age 21 – 30 years, body mass 64 – 80 kg). Heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2</sub>), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and comfort were recorded during 10 min sub-maximal tests. Combined data for the bumps tests show that the full suspension bicycle was significantly different (P < 0.001) from the hard tail bicycle on all four measures. Oxygen consumption, heart rate and RPE were lower on average by 8.7 (s = 3.6) ml · kg<sup>-1</sup> · min<sup>-1</sup>, 32.1 (s = 12.1) beats · min<sup>-1</sup> and 2.6 (s = 2.0) units, respectively. Comfort scores were higher (better) on average by 1.9 (s = 0.8) units. For the no bumps tests, the only statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) was in VO<sub>2</sub>, which was lower for the hard tail bicycle by 2.2 (s = 1.7) ml · kg-1 · min<sup>-1</sup>. The results indicate that the full suspension bicycle provides a physiological and psychological advantage over the hard tail bicycle during simulated sub-maximal exercise on bumps

Light availability controls in the benthic nearshore ecosystem of the Elwha River

The Elwha River Restoration Project was the largest US dam removal project to date, both in dam height and sediment released. During dam removal in 2011–2014, ~18 Mt of sediment washed downriver, and macroalgae virtually disappeared from the adjacent nearshore ecosystem. The link between current benthic light availability and sediment delivery and transport has been investigated in order to understand conditions during dam removal. Seven instrument platforms were deployed on the 10-m isobath along a 16 km transect centered on the river mouth for seven fortnightly periods in 2016 and 2017 to monitor near-bed photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), suspended sediment, wave climate, current velocity, temperature, and salinity. Water-column profiles, bed sediment, and water samples were collected during deployments. Seasonally variable chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter did not contribute substantially to light attenuation compared to suspended sediment. Along the 10-m isobath within 1.5 km of the river mouth, the greatest light attenuation occurred when wave events coincided with or followed periods of high river discharge. However, discharge events lasting attenuation; energetic tidal currents promote rapid sediment export out of the nearshore environment. In the buoyant plume, maximum light attenuation occurred within 1 m of the surface, reducing light through the rest of the water column. Benthic PAR varied more during spring tides when plume location was more variable. Alongshore 1.5 to 8 km from the river mouth, light availability was not directly coupled to river discharge. Light attenuation occurred throughout the water column, influenced by resuspension due to strong currents and wave events. This subsurface attenuation would not be captured by remote sensing. Predicting benthic light availability over event, tidal, and seasonal timescales will improve management strategies designed to limit ecosystem damage during other dam removals or sediment delivery events

Microvascular resistance predicts myocardial salvage and infarct characteristics in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

<b>Background:</b> The pathophysiology of myocardial injury and repair in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction is incompletely understood. We investigated the relationships among culprit artery microvascular resistance, myocardial salvage, and ventricular function.<p></p> <b>Methods and Results:</b> The index of microvascular resistance (IMR) was measured by means of a pressure‐ and temperature‐sensitive coronary guidewire in 108 patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (83% male) at the end of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Paired cardiac MRI (cardiac magnetic resonance) scans were performed early (2 days; n=108) and late (3 months; n=96) after myocardial infarction. T2‐weighted‐ and late gadolinium–enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance delineated the ischemic area at risk and infarct size, respectively. Myocardial salvage was calculated by subtracting infarct size from area at risk. Univariable and multivariable models were constructed to determine the impact of IMR on cardiac magnetic resonance–derived surrogate outcomes. The median (interquartile range) IMR was 28 (17–42) mm Hg/s. The median (interquartile range) area at risk was 32% (24%–41%) of left ventricular mass, and the myocardial salvage index was 21% (11%–43%). IMR was a significant multivariable predictor of early myocardial salvage, with a multiplicative effect of 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.82 to 0.92) per 20% increase in IMR; P<0.001. In patients with anterior myocardial infarction, IMR was a multivariable predictor of early and late myocardial salvage, with multiplicative effects of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.75 to 0.90; P<0.001) and 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.88 to 0.96; P<0.001), respectively. IMR also predicted the presence and extent of microvascular obstruction and myocardial hemorrhage.<p></p> <b>Conclusion:</b> Microvascular resistance measured during primary percutaneous coronary intervention significantly predicts myocardial salvage, infarct characteristics, and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction.<p></p&gt

Vitamin D status is heritable and under environment‐dependent selection in the wild

Vitamin D has a well‐established role in skeletal health and is increasingly linked to chronic disease and mortality in humans and companion animals. Despite the clear significance of vitamin D for health and obvious implications for fitness under natural conditions, no longitudinal study has tested whether the circulating concentration of vitamin D is under natural selection in the wild. Here, we show that concentrations of dietary‐derived vitamin D(2) and endogenously produced vitamin D(3) metabolites are heritable and largely polygenic in a wild population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries). Vitamin D(2) status was positively associated with female adult survival, and vitamin D(3) status predicted female fecundity in particular, good environment years when sheep density and competition for resources was low. Our study provides evidence that vitamin D status has the potential to respond to selection, and also provides new insights into how vitamin D metabolism is associated with fitness in the wild

On Linear Information Systems

Scott's information systems provide a categorically equivalent, intensional description of Scott domains and continuous functions. Following a well established pattern in denotational semantics, we define a linear version of information systems, providing a model of intuitionistic linear logic (a new-Seely category), with a "set-theoretic" interpretation of exponentials that recovers Scott continuous functions via the co-Kleisli construction. From a domain theoretic point of view, linear information systems are equivalent to prime algebraic Scott domains, which in turn generalize prime algebraic lattices, already known to provide a model of classical linear logic

Changes in Kelp and Other Seaweeds Following Elwha Dam Removal

Kelps are ecologically important seaweeds that dominated the nearshore vegetation community prior to dam removal on the Elwha River. Dam removal is expected to trigger a shift from kelps to vegetation types that are characteristic of soft-sediment communities through restoring natural sediment supply. This study is investigating how nearshore vegetation responds to restoration of the natural sediment regime, both initially when large amounts of sediment entrained in the reservoirs are released and over longer time periods. We assessed vegetation at multiple spatial scales using three approaches. First, we measured floating kelp canopy area using aerial photography. Second, we assessed the abundance of understory kelp and seagrasses with towed videography along 50 km of shoreline. Third, scuba divers recorded density of kelp species and other seaweeds along 10 km of shoreline bracketing the river mouth. Results show profound changes in vegetation and a strong gradient in magnitude of impact related to distance from the river mouth. Floating kelp canopy area decreased 74% in the Elwha Drift Cell in the first year following project initiation (year 1), with lower magnitude losses throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Area of prostrate kelps decreased by 45% (400 ha) and of stipitate kelps by 30% (130 ha) in the Elwha Drift Cell in year 1. Mean kelp density near the river mouth decreased 77% in year 1 and 95% in year 2. While all 10 kelp species declined, annuals were more impacted than perennials. In contrast to the general decline, juveniles of several kelp species appeared in late August of year 2, a substantial delay compared to typical spring timing of juvenile growth. What caused the large kelp losses and apparent delay of juvenile growth? Likely candidates include light reduction from the river plume and scour, burial or settlement inhibition from deposition. These candidates will be explored using physical data from the multidisciplinary research effort

A new era of wide-field submillimetre imaging: on-sky performance of SCUBA-2

SCUBA-2 is the largest submillimetre wide-field bolometric camera ever built. This 43 square arc-minute field-of-view instrument operates at two wavelengths (850 and 450 microns) and has been installed on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. SCUBA-2 has been successfully commissioned and operational for general science since October 2011. This paper presents an overview of the on-sky performance of the instrument during and since commissioning in mid-2011. The on-sky noise characteristics and NEPs of the 450 and 850 micron arrays, with average yields of approximately 3400 bolometers at each wavelength, will be shown. The observing modes of the instrument and the on-sky calibration techniques are described. The culmination of these efforts has resulted in a scientifically powerful mapping camera with sensitivities that allow a square degree of sky to be mapped to 10 mJy/beam rms at 850 micron in 2 hours and 60 mJy/beam rms at 450 micron in 5 hours in the best weather.Comment: 18 pages, 15 figures.SPIE Conference series 8452, Millimetre, Submillimetre and Far-infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VI 201

Benefits of Automated Crystallization Plate Tracking, Imaging, and Analysis

SummaryWe describe the design of a database and software for managing and organizing protein crystallization data. We also outline the considerations behind the design of a fast web interface linking protein production data, crystallization images, and automated image analysis. The database and associated interfaces underpin the Oxford Protein Production Facility (OPPF) crystallization laboratory, collecting, in a routine and automatic manner, up to 100,000 images per day. Over 17 million separate images are currently held in this database. We discuss the substantial scientific benefits automated tracking, imaging, and analysis of crystallizations offers to the structural biologist: analysis of the time course of the trial and easy analysis of trials with related crystallization conditions. Features of this system address requirements common to many crystallographic laboratories that are currently setting up (semi-)automated crystallization imaging systems

Prognostic significance of infarct core pathology in ST-elevation myocardial infarction survivors revealed by non-contrast T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance

Background: Myocardial longitudinal relaxation time (T1, ms) is a fundamental magnetic property of tissue that is related to water content and mobility. The pathophysiological and prognostic importance of native myocardial T1 values in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is unknown. We aimed to assess the clinical significance of infarct core native T1. Methods: We performed a prospective single center cohort study in reperfused STEMI patients who underwent CMR 2 days and 6 months post-MI. Native T1 CMR (MOLLI investigational prototype sequence: 3 (3) 3 (3) 5) was measured in myocardial regions-of-interest. The infarct territory and microvascular obstruction (MVO) were depicted with late gadolinium enhancement CMR. Adverse remodeling was defined as an increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) ≥ 20% at 6 months. All-cause death or heart failure hospitalization was a pre-specified outcome that was assessed during follow-up. Results: 300 STEMI patients (mean±SD age 59±12 years, 74% male, 114 with anterior STEMI) gave informed consent and had CMR (14 July 2011 - 22 November 2012). Of these, 288 STEMI patients had evaluable T1 maps. Infarct size was 18 ±14% of LV mass. One hundred and forty five (50%) of 288 patients had late MVO, whereas 160 (56%) patients had infarct core pathology revealed by native T1. Native T1 within the infarct core (996.9±57.3; p<0.01) was higher than in the remote zone (961±25 ms; p<0.01) but lower than in the area-at-risk (1097 ±52 ms). In multivariable linear regression, native T1 in the infarct core was negatively associated with age, initial systolic blood pressure, TIMI coronary flow grade at initial angiography, Killip class at presentation and neutrophil count (all p<0.05), independent of LVEF, LVEDV or infarct size. At 6 months, LVEDV increased by 5 (25) ml (n=262 patients with evaluable data). Adverse remodeling occurred in 30 (12%) patients and 23 (76.7%) of these patients MVO at baseline. T1 in the infarct core was a multivariable predictor of adverse remodeling (-0.01 (-0.02, -0.00); p=0.048). 288 (100%) patients were followed-up for a median of 845 days. Thirty (10.4%) patients died or experienced a heart failure event and 13 (4.5%) of these patients experienced the event post-discharge. Infarct core native T1 predicted all-cause death or heart failure post-discharge (hazard ratio 0.969, 95% CI 0.953, 0.985; p<0.001) including after adjustment for LVEF (p<0.001) and LVEDV at baseline (p<0.001), and was comparable with MVO

Cerebral hypomyelination associated with biallelic variants of FIG4

The lipid phosphatase gene FIG4 is responsible for Yunisâ Varón syndrome and Charcotâ Marieâ Tooth disease Type 4J, a peripheral neuropathy. We now describe four families with FIG4 variants and prominent abnormalities of central nervous system (CNS) white matter (leukoencephalopathy), with onset in early childhood, ranging from severe hypomyelination to mild undermyelination, in addition to peripheral neuropathy. Affected individuals inherited biallelic FIG4 variants from heterozygous parents. Cultured fibroblasts exhibit enlarged vacuoles characteristic of FIG4 dysfunction. Two unrelated families segregate the same Gâ >â A variant in the +1 position of intron 21 in the homozygous state in one family and compound heterozygous in the other. This mutation in the splice donor site of exon 21 results in readâ through from exon 20 into intron 20 and truncation of the final 115 Câ terminal amino acids of FIG4, with retention of partial function. The observed CNS white matter disorder in these families is consistent with the myelination defects in the FIG4 null mouse and the known role of FIG4 in oligodendrocyte maturation. The families described here the expanded clinical spectrum of FIG4 deficiency to include leukoencephalopathy.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149294/1/humu23720-sup-0001-Supp_Mat_Lenk_2018.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149294/2/humu23720.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149294/3/humu23720_am.pd