GENDER DIFFERENCES IN INSTRUMENTED TREKKING POLE USE DURING DOWNHILL WALKING

This study examined gender differences when hiking downhill with and without trekking poles. Fourteen men and thirteen women were recruited who had hiking and poling experience. Integrated and peak GRF and braking forces (BF), integrated EMG, and trekking pole forces were collected and analyzed. A MANOVA using mean gain scores examined statistical significance (p=.05). Moderate correlations were noted for pole forces and the dependent variables, but no statistical significance was found for the mean gain scores between gender. Trends were noted for peak Fz and BF between gender, with men demonstrating a greater reduction in forces. Men on average also generated greater pole loads, even when normalized for body mass. Four distinct patterns of pole use effectiveness were observed posthoc, but crossed gender lines. Overall, pole loading may be a contributing mechanism to a reduction in forces and muscle activity for men more so than women, but high subject variability limits the strength of this conclusion

TREKKING POLE FORCES DURING DOWNHILL WALKING

This study examined gender differences when hiking downhill with trekking poles. Fourteen men and thirteen women were recruited who had hiking and poling experience. Integrated pole forces were examined over two pole strikes (left pole followed by right pole) prior to and during a stance phase of a step. Total pole force was compared between gender, as well the percent of pole force during the actual stance phase of the step. Left and right pole strikes were also examined for symmetry. Men generated a greater combined pole force than women (0.61N/kg vs. 0.48N/kg) but the differences were not statistically significant. During the stance phase, 48% of the combined pole force occurred for men, but only 35% of the pole force was noted for the women. Pole forces were less symmetrical for the women as well, although also not statistically different. Similar total pole forces between gender with less pole force during stance phase indicates pole walking technique differences rather than a lack of upper body strength, for women, who previously demonstrated less footfall force changes when walking with poles than without, in comparison to men

Best practice factory for freight transport in Europe: demonstrating how ‘good’ urban freight cases are improving business profit and public sectors benefits

The objective of this study is to better understand why selected urban freight solutions represent innovations that are technically feasible, economically profitable in different contexts, sustainable, transferable, and with tangible beneficial impacts. A total of 15 solutions are evaluated in the fields of Urban Consolidation Centre, clean and electric vehicles, IT solutions, use of urban waterways, and others. Three solutions are analysed more thoroughly, the Cityporto Padova, the Basel Exhibition Centre logistics support system, and the Berlin laboratory area test of the Bentobox. This paper ends with a transversal analysis of the solutions observed, and with methodological conclusions

Proteome profiling by label‐free mass spectrometry reveals differentiated response of Campylobacter jejuni 81–176 to sublethal concentrations of bile acids.

Purpose Bile acids are crucial components of the intestinal antimicrobial defense and represent a significant stress factor for enteric pathogens. Adaptation processes of Campylobacter jejuni to this hostile environment are analyzed in this study by a proteomic approach. Experimental design Proteome profiling by label-free mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS) has been used to characterize the adaptation of C. jejuni to sublethal concentrations of seven bile acids. Results The bile acids with the lowest inhibitory concentration (IC50), deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acid, induce the most significant proteome changes. Overall a downregulation of all basic biosynthetic pathways and a general decrease in the transcription machinery are found. Concurrently, an induction of factors involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species, protein folding, and bile acid exporting efflux pumps is detected. Exposure to deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acid results in an increased expression of components of the more energy-efficient aerobic respiration pathway, while the anaerobic branches of the electron transport chain are down-expressed. Conclusions and clinical relevance The results show that C. jejuni has a differentiated system of adaptation to bile acid stresses. The findings enhance the understanding of the pathogenesis of campylobacteriosis, especially for survival of C. jejuni in the human intestine, and may provide clues to future medical treatment

Decarbonising Urban Freight Transport: Experimentations in European Research Projects

One of the objectives of European research programs is to decarbonize freight transport while maintaining its competitiveness and economic strength, reduce negative externalities such as pollutant emissions, congestion and accidents, and foster innovation. Multiple initiatives have started in Europe to reach these objectives and this paper reviews some of these schemes in the field of urban freight transport. It is based mainly on 3 EC-funded projects (BESTFACT (2016), SOLUTION (2015) and SMARTFUSION (2016)). These 3 projects are either testing (Smartfusion) or examining and disseminating European ‘new solutions’ or ‘best practices’ in freight transport. The paper mainly focuses on the most decarbonizing solutions

A COMPARISON OF THE PERFECT PUSH-UP™ TO TRADITIONAL PUSH-UP

The push-up has traditionally been used to help improve arm and shoulder girdle strength and endurance (ASGSE) (Baumgartner, Oh, Chung, and Hales, 2002). The Perfect Push-Up™ was designed to help improve the work-out that could be obtained while performing push-ups. While the claims from the manufacturer seem appealing there is little to no research to support their claims. The purpose of the current study is to examine the muscle activity and arm kinematics while using the Perfect Push-Up™ compared to traditional push-ups, thus addressing the claims of an improved work-out

European women’s views on specialist counselling for female survivors of domestic violence and abuse

Counselling for female survivors of domestic violence as practiced in five European countries (United Kingdom - UK, Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and Latvia) was qualitatively explored by researchers in the UK, Germany and Portugal over two years. The effectiveness of current practice was analysed using data from 60 face-to-face interviews with clients who had received counselling. Findings revealed that regardless of which counselling model or approach is used, the effectiveness of specialist domestic violence counselling is dependent upon a positive therapeutic alliance built on mutual trust and respect and, crucially, an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse provided by highly qualified counsellors who have received domestic violence training. This article concludes by offering recommendations to inform future funding and policy decisions and avenues for future research

Nanogranular MgB2 thin films on SiC buffered Si substrates prepared by in-situ method

MgB2 thin films were deposited on SiC buffered Si substrates by sequential electron beam evaporation of B-Mg bilayer followed by in-situ annealing. The application of a SiC buffer layer enables the maximum annealing temperature of 830 C. The Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis confirms the growth of a nanogranular MgB2 film and the presence of a Mg2Si compound at the surface of the film. The 150-200 nm thick films show a maximum zero resistance critical temperature TC0 above 37 K and a critical current density JC ~ 106 A/cm2 at 11K.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Applied Physics Letter

An Innovative Take on Filtering Carbon Dioxide Through CryoCapture

Overview (Air Mover): Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the earth's ecosystem; the lives of many organisms are based on the balancing of this gas. Plants and animals need it for survival however, an excess of carbon dioxide can also end the organism’s life. The production of the gas mostly comes from the combustion of fossil fuel, power plants, big industries, vehicles, and processes involving natural gasses. One of the most known issues of carbon dioxide pollution is global warming. The greenhouse gas essentially traps heat in the atmosphere, increasing the global temperature. The methodology provided is an innovative solution towards the creation of an environmentally friendly carbon dioxide filter. Current air filtration systems are restricted to industrial environments limiting the ability to filter the air. Due to the large noise and low range of operation of axial fans the filtration systems need controlled environments for longevity. The paper presents a versatile air mover that can be mounted onto multiple surfaces due to its low profile and bracket mounts. Furthermore, the usage of a diagonal fan inside of a PVC pipe allows for a durable system that can operate at high efficiency and low noise. The main challenge in designing the air mover was figuring out how to quantify the scalability of the device and what parameters could be changed in order to make the device more viable. The designs most prominent feature are the inclusion of a modular enclosure that can be adapted to multiple areas and environments while withstanding harsh conditions due to the PVC piping that can be coated with a diagonal fan for high volumetric flow rates and pressure differential for versatility in environments the device is placed in as well as efficiency. Overview (Carbon Storer): The Civil and Environmental Engineering team is responsible for finding a cost effective and sustainable way to transport, store and recycle the carbon caught in the air from the Carbon Catcher designed by the other engineering teams. In the team’s design, the Carbon Catcher will reduce the harmful emissions in the air by capturing CO2, store it and then utilize it in another industry which will reduce the need to mine for more raw materials which would thus further reduce the pollution emitted into the environment. Our plan is to recycle the carbon emitted from a factory and utilize it in CO2 dry ice. It's the Civil and Environmental Engineers’ job to find a way to connect a sustainable solution with a solution that improves the public’s quality of life. There are many industries that pollute immense amounts from the mining of raw material or the emission of pollutants. The team wants to show industries that the economic solution can also be the sustainable solution. Overview (Membrane) The team’s solution focuses on the use of cryogenic carbon capture, a method in which the selective freezing points of the gaseous components of air are used to separate out carbon dioxide. For this process, the team will be utilizing a 4 step filtration process. First, the flue gas will be run through a particulate filter to catch all macroscopic particles that may be present within the air. Afterwards, the gas is then passed through a dehumidifier where a majority of water content will be extracted. Following this, The gas was then run through a long pipe and progressively cool it down to the freezing point of carbon dioxide. Finally, the filtered gas is extracted, and a bubbler is used to separate the solid carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is then compressed and recycled around the feed pipe to help in the cooling process. Along the process of this design, the team encountered problems finding the optimum materials for temperatures this low. As well, coming up with a way to eliminate heat transfer from the outside posed a huge problem. Through the experience, the team was able to gain a greater view of what benefits and drawbacks must be balanced, along with the economic interest that comes with designing an efficient process. Unlike how most designs are focused, It was understood that using a membrane only provided so much creativity when it came to filtration. As a result, the team researched other successful methods and arrived at utilizing cryogenics to filter. Goal Research to provide a single solution to remove levels of carbon dioxide in the immediate atmosphere, transport it to a storage mechanism, and find a way to recycle it. Powerful research is required to ensure effective methodologies, material usage, and flexible scalability of the overall device. This particular team seeks to find an alternative separation process to membrane filtration, the efficacy of which has not been demonstrated beyond the scale of a laboratory