111 research outputs found

    The Extra Load Index as a method for comparing the relative economy of load carriage systems

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    The Extra Load Index (ELI) has been proposed as a suitable method of assessing the relative economy of load carriage systems. The purpose of this study was to determine, based on empirical evidence, that the ELI can accommodate variations in both body composition and added load. In total, 30 women walked carrying loads of up to 70% body mass at self-selected walking speeds whilst expired air was collected. In addition, each of the women had body composition assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results show that the ELI is independent of body composition variables, the magnitude of additional loads and the speed of progression. Consequently, it is suggested that it represents an appropriate method of comparing load carriage systems in both scientific and commercial arenas. Statement of Relevance:This paper demonstrates that ELI is independent of body composition, added load and speed and is therefore an appropriate method to generalise comparisons of load carriage systems. It has the advantage of being easily understood by manufacturers and consumers whilst retaining appropriate scientific precision

    A pilot investigation of load-carrying on the head and bone mineral density in premenopausal, black African women

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    Although the influence of weight bearing activity on bone mass has been widely investigated in white women, few studies have been conducted in black, African populations. We investigated bone mineral density (BMD) in black South African women, with and without a history of load-carrying on the head. We also investigated whether load carrying may offer protection against low BMD in users of injectable progestin contraception (IPC). Participants were 32 black, South African women (22.4±3.2 yrs). Load carrying history was determined by questionnaire and interview and participants were grouped as load carriers (LC; n=18) or non load carriers (NLC; n=14). Ten women were using IPC and 6 were load-carriers. Total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (H) BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. There were no differences in BMD between LC and NLC, and after controlling for age and BMI using two-tailed partial correlations. IPC users had lower BMD at all sites compared to non IPC users (p<0.05) and there were no associations between load carrying and BMD in this group. When IPC users were excluded from analysis, LC had higher LS BMD than NLC (p<0.005). Correlations were found between the weight of load carried and LS BMD (r=0.743, p<0.005), and between years of load carrying and LS and TB BMD (r=0.563, r=0.538 respectively; both p<0.05). Load carrying on the head may offer osteogenic benefits to the spine but these benefits did not appear in women using IPC

    Differential effect of clomipramine on habituation and prepulse inhibition in dominant versus subordinate rats.

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    Many patients with depression have comorbidities associated with an impairment of sensorimotor gating, such as e.g. schizophrenia, Parkinson Disease, or Alzheimer disease. Anti-depressants like clomipramine that modulate serotonergic or norepinephrinergic neurotransmission have been shown to impact sensorimotor gating, it is therefore important to study potential effects of clomipramine in order to rule out an exacerbation of sensorimotor gating impairment. Prior studies in animals and humans have been inconclusive. Since serotonin and norepinephrine levels are closely related to anxiety and stress levels and therefore to the social status of an animal, we tested the hypothesis that acute and chronic effects of clomipramine on sensorimotor gating are different in dominant versus subordinate rats, which might be responsible for conflicting results in past animal studies. We used habituation and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response as operational measures of sensorimotor gating. After establishing the dominant animal in pair-housed male rats, we injected clomipramine for two weeks and measured acute effects on baseline startle, habituation and PPI after the first injection and chronic effects at the end of the two weeks. Chronic treatment with clomipramine significantly increased habituation in subordinate rats, but had no effect on habituation in dominant animals. Furthermore, PPI was slightly enhanced in subordinate rats upon chronic treatment while no changes occurred in dominant animals. We conclude that the social status of an animal, and therefore the basic anxiety/stress level determines whether or not clomipramine has a beneficial effect on sensorimotor gating and discuss possible underlying mechanisms

    The Ursinus Weekly, March 1, 1965

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    Junior class extends invitation to Carousel: Al Raymond band at Sunnybrook • Pi Nu Epsilon sponsors annual Greek song fest • Students and faculty contribute to art show: Prizes awarded to varied entries in 3 day exhibit • Spring Festival adopts South Pacific theme, selects committees • WSGA plans to adopt a child • Students to dramatize un-American hearing • Collegeville coffee house provides weekend activity • Whitians greet scholastic women in biannual tea • Rushing, or - a puzzled frosh asks Why am I so popular? • Baseball season starts tomorrow • Editorial: Cheating • Frosh to receive colors in annual ceremony • Letters to the editor • Customs: Its development and its demise • Bears end week 1 for 2; Finish season 8-9: Troster and Parker standouts • Ursinus splits two games; Beats Beaver, loses to W.C. • Ursinus matmen lose two; Swath. & Drexel are close • Badminton team • Year in review • Advice columnhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1241/thumbnail.jp

    The effect of wave conditions and surfer ability on performance and the physiological response of recreational surfers.

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    This study investigated the effects of wave conditions on performance and the physiological responses of surfers. After institutional ethical approval 39 recreational surfers participated in 60 surfing sessions where performance and physiological response were measured using global positioning system (GPS) heart rate monitors. Using GPS, the percentage time spent in surfing activity categories was on average 41.6, 47.0, 8.1, and 3.1% for waiting, paddling, riding, and miscellaneous activities, respectively. Ability level of the surfers, wave size, and wave period are significantly associated with the physiological, ride, and performance parameters during surfing. As the ability level of the surfers increases there is a reduction in the relative exercise intensity (e.g., average heart rate as a percentage of laboratory maximum, rpartial = -0.412, p < 0.01) which is in contrast to increases in performance parameters (e.g., maximum ride speed (0.454, p < 0.01). As the wave size increased there were reductions in physiological demand (e.g., total energy expenditure rpartial = -0.351, p ≤ 0.05) but increases in ride speed and distance measures (e.g., the maximum ride speed, 0.454, p < 0.01). As the wave period increased there were increases in intensity (e.g., average heart rate as a percentage of laboratory maximum, rp = 0.490, p < 0.01) and increases in ride speed and distance measures (e.g., the maximum ride speed, rpartial = 0.371, p < 0.01). This original study is the first to show that wave parameters and surfer ability are significantly associated with the physiological response and performance characteristics of surfing

    Planning Considerations for a Mars Sample Receiving Facility: Summary and Interpretation of Three Design Studies

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    It has been widely understood for many years that an essential component of a Mars Sample Return mission is a Sample Receiving Facility (SRF). The purpose of such a facility would be to take delivery of the flight hardware that lands on Earth, open the spacecraft and extract the sample container and samples, and conduct an agreed-upon test protocol, while ensuring strict containment and contamination control of the samples while in the SRF. Any samples that are found to be non-hazardous (or are rendered non-hazardous by sterilization) would then be transferred to long-term curation. Although the general concept of an SRF is relatively straightforward, there has been considerable discussion about implementation planning. The Mars Exploration Program carried out an analysis of the attributes of an SRF to establish its scope, including minimum size and functionality, budgetary requirements (capital cost, operating costs, cost profile), and development schedule. The approach was to arrange for three independent design studies, each led by an architectural design firm, and compare the results. While there were many design elements in common identified by each study team, there were significant differences in the way human operators were to interact with the systems. In aggregate, the design studies provided insight into the attributes of a future SRF and the complex factors to consider for future programmatic planning

    The Ursinus Weekly, November 9, 1964

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    Senior Ball, Friday, offers Camelot, Al Raymond band: Lord and Lady, permanent class officers to be announced • Graduate awards available from science foundation • Miller and Zucker review election returns, meaning • Museum director on American art to be Forum highlight: Dr. Turner to emphasize the 20th century • William Shaffer, vice-president UC Board of Directors, dies • Pancoast in State House to seek greater local power • Faculty action penalizes 4 with fines, demerits • Curtain Club selects cast for Winnie the Pooh production, schedules December showing • English Club to meet tonight • Editorial: Altruism at Ursinus • Life in the cow palace; An eyewitness account • Kaffee Klatsch hosts large crowd to discuss rights • A girl\u27s life at Ursinus: 1906 • Spotlight: UC abroad • Advice column • Bears belt Haverford 19-6 at Haverford homecoming: Tony Motto scores two touchdowns • Soccermen defeat LaSalle 5-2 • Hockey team wins biggest: W.C., best ever, falls 1-0; West Chester places 5 on all-stars, Ursinus team effort proves supreme • Wrestling to start Tuesday • U.C. men\u27s mooning team suffers setback at hands of faculty • 200 dance to Okie Duke at Cafe Montmarte • Greek gleaningshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1233/thumbnail.jp
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