The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Neuromuscular activity during whole-body vibration of different amplitudes and footwear conditions: implications for prescription of vibratory stimulation

This study investigated the magnitude of whole-body vibration (WBV) at 30 Hz induced in surface electromyography root-mean-square (EMGrms) signals of different amplitudes and footwear conditions of unloaded isometric half squat (100). For this purpose, 10 healthy and active males (age 28.7 +/- 4.6 yr; height 180 +/- 5.9 cm; and weight 90 +/- 13.4 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were exposed to the WBV treatment using a vibration platform (FreeMotion Fitness iTonic). The subjects were exposed randomly to 4 different treatments of WBV: with shoes 2 mm amplitude, without shoes 2 mm, with shoes 4 mm, and without shoes 4 mm. The EMGrms signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis and the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during the different conditions. The WBV treatments resulted in a significantly higher (p <or= 0.05) EMGrms compared with unloaded isometric half squat (without WBV). The WBV treatment that induced the highest EMGrms signals of the vastus lateralis was during the amplitude of 4 mm without shoes (+62.7%; p < 0.01), whereas 4 mm with shoes induced the highest EMGrms signals of the gastrocnemius medialis (+142.7%; p < 0.01). These data suggest that wearing shoes does alter the neuromuscular response to WBV stimuli, and exercise professionals should consider such differences when using WBV to target neuromuscular activation of such muscle groups. In this study, the magnitude of the WBV effect was clearly higher with the amplitude 4 mm versus 2 mm for the vastus lateralis muscle and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. The vastus lateralis showed the greatest activity without shoes and at amplitude of 4 mm. The maximal activation for the gastrocnemius medialis was measured with shoes at 4 mm.1.457 JCR (2009) Q2, 34/73 Sport sciencesUE

Effect of iTonic whole-body vibration on delayed-onset muscle soreness among untrained individuals

Attempts to reduce or eliminate delayed-onset of muscle soreness are important as this condition is painful and debilitating. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) massage and stretching exercises at reducing perceived pain among untrained men. Sixteen adult men (age, 36.6 +/- 2.1 yr) volunteered to perform a strenuous exercise session consisting of resistance training and repeated sprints. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 recovery groups: a group performing WBV stretching sessions or a stretching group performing static stretching without vibration. Both groups performed similar stretches, twice per day for 3 days after the workout. The vibration group performed their stretches on the iTonic platform (frequency, 35 Hz; amplitude, 2 mm). Perceived pain was measured at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postworkout. Statistical analyses identified a significantly lower level of reported perceived pain at all postworkout measurement times among the WBV group (p < 0.05). No difference existed at the preworkout measurement time. The degree of attenuation of pain ranged from 22-61%. These data suggest that incorporating WBV as a recovery/regeneration tool may be effective for reducing the pain of muscle soreness and tightness after strenuous training.Sin financiación1.457 JCR (2009) Q2, 34/73 Sport sciencesUE

Reduction of Actinides and Fission Products by Fe(III)-Reducing Bacteria

There has been a dramatic increase in the understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning metal transformations in the environment. The techniques used to gain a better understanding of these microbial processes will be discussed, along with an overview of assimilatory, dissimilatory and detoxification transformations of a range of metals and radionuclides

A Description and Comparison of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measures in Relation to Pitching Performance Among Professional Baseball Pitchers

The purpose of this study is to provide descriptive and comparative information regarding the cardiorespiratory fitness of professional baseball pitchers. Twenty-four (n = 24) major league (ML) baseball pitchers (starters n = 14; relievers n = 10) over seven seasons (2007–2013) were evaluated. A modified Bruce protocol and the CardioCoach™ CO2 metabolic analyzer were used to estimate VO2 max and anaerobic threshold (AT) at the beginning of each season. Performance data from each season was utilized to draw inference about pitching performance. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare Starting (S) and Relief (R) pitchers above/below the group mean for VO2 max and AT. Pearson product moment correlations were also used to examine relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and performance. Significant differences in performance were discovered between S pitchers above/below the overall group mean for VO2 max. (p ≤ 0.05) and for AT in Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) (p ≤ 0.05) and Earned Run Average (ERA) (p ≤ 0.05). Significant relationships between VO2 max and Walks per 9 Innings (BB/9) (p ≤ 0.05), Home Runs per 9 innings (HR/9) (p ≤ 0.05), Wins (W) (p ≤ 0.05), Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) (p ≤ 0.01), Strikeouts (K) (p ≤ 0.01), Hits per 9 innings (H/9) (p ≤ 0.01), Strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9) (p ≤ 0.01), ERA (p ≤ 0.01), and WHIP (p ≤ 0.01). Low, but significant, correlations were discovered between AT and WHIP (p ≤ 0.05) and ERA (≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher aerobic capacity appears to be more influential for S than R pitchers. Strength and conditioning practitioners should ensure that pitchers, especially S pitchers at the ML level, perform sufficient and appropriate endurance training to support pitching performance

Anabolic Steroids

Illicit use of anabolic steroids, a significant issue in the United States, is by no means restricted to elite athletes or adolescent sport participants. While steroids can stimulate and enhance muscle tissue development, long-term or excessive use can increase the risk of heart attack, cancer, and/or psychologic impairments. This review examines the prevalence of steroid use, associated benefits and risks, and the importance of accelerating effective education and prevention efforts

A description and comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness measures in relation to pitching performance among professional baseball pitchers

The purpose of this study is to provide descriptive and comparative information regarding the cardiorespiratory fitness of professional baseball pitchers. Twenty-four (n = 24) major league (ML) baseball pitchers (starters n = 14; relievers n = 10) over seven seasons (2007–2013) were evaluated. A modified Bruce protocol and the CardioCoach™ CO2 metabolic analyzer were used to estimate VO2 max and anaerobic threshold (AT) at the beginning of each season. Performance data from each season was utilized to draw inference about pitching performance. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare Starting (S) and Relief (R) pitchers above/below the group mean for VO2 max and AT. Pearson product moment correlations were also used to examine relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and performance. Significant differences in performance were discovered between S pitchers above/below the overall group mean for VO2 max. (p ≤ 0.05) and for AT in Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) (p ≤ 0.05) and Earned Run Average (ERA) (p ≤ 0.05). Significant relationships between VO2 max and Walks per 9 Innings (BB/9) (p ≤ 0.05), Home Runs per 9 innings (HR/9) (p ≤ 0.05), Wins (W) (p ≤ 0.05), Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) (p ≤ 0.01), Strikeouts (K) (p ≤ 0.01), Hits per 9 innings (H/9) (p ≤ 0.01), Strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9) (p ≤ 0.01), ERA (p ≤ 0.01), and WHIP (p ≤ 0.01). Low, but significant, correlations were discovered between AT and WHIP (p ≤ 0.05) and ERA (≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher aerobic capacity appears to be more influential for S than R pitchers. Strength and conditioning practitioners should ensure that pitchers, especially S pitchers at the ML level, perform sufficient and appropriate endurance training to support pitching performance