WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO BREAK THE WORLD RECORD IN THE MEN’S TRIPLE JUMP

The purpose of this study was to bring together 30 years of athlete support and applied research into the horizontal jumps and develop a strategy for an elite athlete to challenge the World Record which has stood for over 27 years. Data on an elite triple jumper who has jumped over 18m was collected in a Diamond League competition and in training. Approach speed, phase distances, technical analysis and anthropometrical data were utilised to develop an interactive 7 segment model from which a new World Record was reconstructed. This study demonstrates a process of how to utilise biomechanical data and implement it into a high-performance setting, providing the coach with clear, objective and meaningful data from which they can set criteria to assist in developing performance

Health status of a sample of Beninese seafarers examined on the occasion of medical fitness for work at sea

Background: In view of the considerable risks involved in maritime work, the medical fitness of seafarers is of paramount importance. A study carried out in May 2018 in Benin made it possible to describe the health profile of seafarers who received a medical examination before boarding and to identify the diseases likely to hinder their medical aptitude for this profession. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was based on 125 medical files registered from 2013 to 2017 and selected on the basis of the criteria of completeness, readability and non-overload of the entries. Results: The results showed that more than half (63.2%) of the seafarers in our series are over 40 years old. The prevalence of high blood pressure was 28.4% in the seafarer population. Obesity was detected in 21.5% of subjects. Of the moderate cases of hearing loss found, 4 out of 5 worked at the machine station. The unrestricted fitness level was 86.4%. One (0.8%) case of physical restriction and 12.8% of cases of mandatory wearing of medical glasses at work were reported. The “healthy worker effect” may underestimate the risk of marine activity to the health of seafarers when referring to the general population. Conclusions: The study provides opportunities to improve the seafarers’ health situation in accordance with international provisions such as the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) ratified by Benin in June 2011

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on tomato vigor, yield and fruit composition under tropical andosol soil conditions

Introduction. Little is known about the impact of organic manure on andosol. Materials and methods. Two varieties of Solanum lycopersicum L. (cvs. ‘Rio grande’ and ‘Rossol VFN’) were grown under tropical andosol. The soil was silty, acidic and very poor in Bray P (3 mg·kg–1) with a strong imbalance in the (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (74.0:25.0:0.7). Five fertilization treatments were used: (i) control with no fertilizer, (ii) minerals, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (76:18:6) and 75 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iii) poultry manure with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (68:24:7) and 450 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iv) a combination of (ii) and (iii), and (v) mineral fertilization as applied by local farmers, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (73:25:1) and 54 mg P·kg–1 of soil. Results. All cation-balanced treatments (organic, mineral or a combination of both) significantly improved plant growth, the number of trusses and fruits per plant, the marketable fruit yield and fruit P, K, Ca and Na contents of both tomato varieties considered. The ‘Rio grande’ variety was the most productive (32–44 t·ha–1) compared with the ‘Rossol’ variety (20–22 t·ha–1). There was no major difference between the organic fertilizer and the cation-balanced mineral fertilizer. There was no effect of mineral fertilizer with an unbalanced cation composition on tomato plant growth and production as compared with unfertilized control. Conclusion. In tropical andosol poor in potassium and phosphorous and with excess of Mg, application of poultry manure in adequate dosage and at the right time is capable of sustaining tomato fruit production, as well as the application of calculated inorganic fertilizer

KINEMATIC RELEVANCE OF SHORT APPROACH JUMPS AS A TRAINING TOOL FOR COMPETITION LONG JUMPING

Training for the long jump involves short approach jumps which are often assumed to replicate full approach jump take-0%. The aim of this study was to compare directly the kinematics of short and full approach jumps. One elite female long jumper completed seven 10 step approach jumps during one training session, and five full approach jumps in an international competition. Video from a fixed camera was digitised and kinematic variables for the final touchdown calculated. Approach run step kinematics were obtained from a panning camera. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were identified in approach step characteristics and in horizontal velocity, but none were found in vertical velocity generated. Results indicate short approach jumps are a useful tool for generation of vertical velocity but do not directly replicate full approach jumps in approach or take off

CURVED RUNNING IN SOCCER: KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE LIMBS

Research on curved running has focussed on track running, using radii not applicable to common movements in many sports. The nature and function of the inside and outside limbs movement remains undocumented in the literature. Common radii of curved runs and typical movement speeds were noted from English Premier League soccer. Eight male soccer players ran at three speeds (3.5 m/s, 4.5 m/s, 5.4 m/s) during straight (0m), and along a curve of radius 3.5m on natural turf. Three dimensional kinematic data was collected using Peak Motus software at 50 Hz. During curved running results indicated reduced range of motion at the outside and inside ankle and knee, but greater hip joint range evident at the inside compared to the outside leg, with emphasis at higher speed. Greater hip flexion positions the centre of mass to allow body lean to complete the curve

Distribution et habitats de Newbouldia laevis (P.Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau et de Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link dans les zones bioclimatiques du Bénin

Cette étude a permis de déterminer la distribution et les habitats potentiels de Newbouldia laevis et de Dracaena arborea dans les zones bioclimatiques du Bénin en vue de leur gestion durable. Trente relevés phytosociologiques ont été effectués dans les formations végétales. La matrice obtenue a permis de discriminer les forêts sacrées (74 genres ; 46 familles ; Richesse spécifique=130 ; H=5,92 bits; R=0,97) des champs/jachères (42 genres ; 28 familles ; Richesse spécifique =69; H=3,40 bits; R=0,62). Les densités moyennes de tiges sont passées en forêts sacrées de 64 à 31 et à 0 tiges.ha-1; puis de 28 à 16 tiges.ha-1 dans les champs/jachères chez D. arborea. Chez N. laevis, ces densités sont passées de 30 à 15 puis à 09 tiges.ha-1 en forêts sacrées et de 89 à 56 et à 13 tiges.ha-1 dans les champs/jachères respectivement en zones guinéo-congolaise, soudano-guinéenne et soudanienne. Les phanérophytes et les espèces guinéo-congolaises sont les plus dominants. D. arborea et N. laevis se conservent mieux respectivement en forêts sacrées et en champs/jachères. Leur introduction dans les programmes de reboisement et la protection de leurs habitats potentiels seraient un atout pour leur meilleure conservation et contribueront à formuler des recommandations soutenues pour leur valorisation au Bénin.Mots clés : Bénin, Distribution, Zones bioclimatiques, Newbouldia laevis, Dracaena arborea. &nbsp; English Title: Distribution and habitats of Newbouldia laevis (P.Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau and Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link in the bioclimatic zones of BeninThis study carried out in the three bioclimatic zones of Benin aims to determine the potential habitats and the geographic distributions of Newbouldia laevis and Dracaena arborea, two anthropophilic agroforestry species in order to conserve them sustainably. Thirty phytosociological surveys were sampled and the matrix gotten was subjected to an analysis of the adjusted correspondences (DCA) to discriminate the sacred forests with great diversity (Rf = 130; H = 5.92; R = 0.97) of the fields/fallows of medium diversity (Rf = 69; H = 3.40; R = 0.62) and balanced. The average densities of stems went from 64, 31 and 0 stems.ha-1 in D. arborea to 30, 15 and 09 stems.ha-1 in N. laevis in sacred forests and in fields/fallows from 28, 16 and 0 stems.ha-1 in D. arborea at 89, 56 and 13 stems.ha-1 in N. laevis respectively in guinean-congolese, sudano-guinean and sudanian zones. Phanerophytes constitute 85% of the average recovery in number and occupation of space. Guinean-congolese species are dominant and have a wide distribution spectrum. D. arborea and N. laevis keep better in sacred forests and fields / fallows respectively. The protection of potential habitats and the introduction of species into national reforestation programs as a priority would be an asset for better conservation.Keywords : Benin, Distribution, bioclimatic zone, Newbouldia laevis, Dracaena arborea. &nbsp; &nbsp

Semi-classical spectral estimates for Schr\"odinger operators at a critical level. Case of a degenerate maximum of the potential

We study the semi-classical trace formula at a critical energy level for a Schr\"odinger operator on $\mathbb{R}^{n}$. We assume here that the potential has a totally degenerate critical point associated to a local maximum. The main result, which establishes the contribution of the associated equilibrium in the trace formula, is valid for all time in a compact subset of $\mathbb{R}$ and includes the singularity in $t=0$. For these new contributions the asymptotic expansion involves the logarithm of the parameter $h$. Depending on an explicit arithmetic condition on the dimension and the order of the critical point, this logarithmic contribution can appear in the leading term.Comment: 27 pages, perhaps to be revise

Contributions of non-extremum critical points to the semi-classical trace formula

We study the semi-classical trace formula at a critical energy level for a $h$-pseudo-differential operator on $\mathbb{R}^{n}$ whose principal symbol has a totally degenerate critical point for that energy. We compute the contribution to the trace formula of isolated non-extremum critical points under a condition of "real principal type". The new contribution to the trace formula is valid for all time in a compact subset of $\mathbb{R}$ but the result is modest since we have restrictions on the dimension.Comment: 24 page