Nordic walking multibody analysis and experimental identification

The widespread diffusion of Nordic walking as a trending sport discipline has increased the need for a tool to study the movement, both at the beginner and professional level. This article presents a methodology for the analysis of the body motion during Nordic walking. The main goal was to design a numerical tool able to replicate human body behaviour when performing this sport. With this approach, it is possible to study several biomechanical aspects, like the kinematics of each body segment, estimating loads applied to the joints for given tasks. Results can be used to compare the user movements with a standard technique implemented in the virtual environment. In fact, using a specific monitoring device developed in previous works, different parameters like the pole angle, arms cycle frequency and synchronization, as well as the pushing force applied to the ground, can be measured during the activity. This acquisition system can be used to save data to be compared with results from the standard numerical model, evaluating the user performance. In this work, numerical results were compared and discussed with measurements from the aforementioned device in terms of pole force and pole angle. The ground reaction force obtained with the multi-body model during Nordic walking was then compared with results from the literature

Associative and repetition priming with the repeated masked prime technique: No priming found

Wentura and Frings (2005) reported evidence of subliminal categorical priming on a lexical decision task, using a new method of visual masking in which the prime string consisted of the prime word flanked by random consonants and random letter masks alternated with the prime string on successive refresh cycles. We investigated associative and repetition priming on lexical decision, using the same method of visual masking. Three experiments failed to show any evidence of associative priming, (1) when the prime string was fixed at 10 characters (three to six flanking letters) and (2) when the number of flanking letters were reduced or absent. In all cases, prime detection was at chance level. Strong associative priming was observed with visible unmasked primes, but the addition of flanking letters restricted priming even though prime detection was still high. With repetition priming, no priming effects were found with the repeated masked technique, and prime detection was poor but just above chance levels. We conclude that with repeated masked primes, there is effective visual masking but that associative priming and repetition priming do not occur with experiment-unique prime-target pairs. Explanations for this apparent discrepancy across priming paradigms are discussed. The priming stimuli and prime-target pairs used in this study may be downloaded as supplemental materials from mc.psychonomic-journals.org/content/supplemental. © 2009 The Psychonomic Society, Inc

Partial structure and characterization of the mouse oxytocin receptor gene

Oxytocin (OT) is a hypophyseal nonapeptide which exerts a wide spectrum of central and peripheral effects. One of its well-known functions is its involvement in uterine contractions during labor. These functions are mediated by specific oxytocin receptors (OTRs). In order to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the OT/OTR system. I have isolated and characterized 2 identical recombinant phage n-DASH II genomic clones containing the mouse OTR gene using sequence information available from the human and rat OTR genes. Restriction enzyme mapping of the phage showed that the OTR gene spans >20 kbp. A 6.0 kbp Sst I fragment was subcloned and sequenced. Comparison of this sequence to that of the published rat OTR gene sequence confirmed that the fragment was indeed the mouse OTR. The predicted amino acid sequence is 94% and 97% identical to the human and rat OTR sequences, respectively. The transcription start site was mapped by 5 ' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The major start site was mapped at 307 by upstream of the ATG codon. The mouse OTR lacks an apparent TATA or CCAAT box as is the case for the rat and human OTR genes. The mouse OTR gene contains three exons and two introns. The first intron lies within the 5 ' -UT region and is 97 bp long. The second intron interrupts the region encoding the sixth and seventh transmembrane domains and is at least 12 kbp long. The OTR gene is highly expressed at parturition and gives rise to at least two transcripts of 5.0 and 3.6 kbp, respectively

Strumenti volontari per la gestione ambientale:Progetto di Certificazione ISO 14001:2004/EMAS III del Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre (La Spezia)

Il presente lavoro ha come scopo l’analisi del ruolo della Certificazione Ambientale, ai sensi della Norma volontaria UNI EN ISO 14001:2004, e della Registrazione EMAS, ai sensi del Regolamento comunitario 1221/09/CE EMAS III del 25 novembre 2009, nell’ambito della gestione ambientale delle aree protette e dei parchi. L’esposizione teorica dei principi dello standard ambientale ISO 14001 e del regolamento EMAS, elaborata nella prima fase del documento troverà applicazione nel “Progetto di Certificazione ISO 14001:2004/EMAS III” del Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre in Provincia della Spezia. Tale Ente nel 2008 ha avviato un percorso volto all’ottenimento della Certificazione ISO 14001 e della Registrazione EMAS, attraverso la progettazione ed applicazione di un Sistema di Gestione Ambientale conforme ai requisiti dello standard ISO 14001 e la contestuale redazione della Dichiarazione Ambientale. Il conseguimento di tali riconoscimenti è subordinato all’esito positivo dell’Audit eseguito dall’organismo di certificazione, scelto dall’organizzazione, al SGA, e alla convalida da parte dello stesso organismo, e del Comitato Ecolabel e Ecoaudit dell’ISPRA, del documento di Dichiarazione Ambientale redatto secondo i requisiti del regolamento 1221/09/CE. Obiettivo dell’elaborato è quello di illustrare e documentare l’iter che il Parco ha dovuto seguire allo scopo di ottenere questi significativi riconoscimenti internazionali, descrivendo tutte le fasi di lavoro che si sono rese necessarie e la documentazione prodotta: • studio della bibliografia nazionale ed internazionale, e degli strumenti più idonei e riconosciuti per la gestione ambientale di enti e aziende; • analisi della normativa nazionale e regionale in campo ambientale per verificare la loro applicabilità alla realtà del Parco; • stesura di una Analisi Ambientale Iniziale del contesto territoriale e organizzativo al fine di definirne la “stato iniziale” e individuare gli aspetti ambientali più significativi; • progettazione e implementazione del sistema di gestione ambientale costituito dal manuale di gestione ambientale, dalle procedure gestionali e operative, dalla modulistica/registrazioni di riferimento, conforme hai requisiti dello standard ISO 14001; • effettuazione di Audit interni ed esterni all’organizzazione; • svolgimento di attività di formazione al personale dell’organizzazione coinvolto nel SGA al fine di garantire un idoneo livello di conoscenza e consapevolezza; • redazione del documento di Riesame della Direzione al fine di valutare l’idoneità e l’efficacia del sistema di gestione e definire eventuali azioni di miglioramento delle prestazioni ambientali; • elaborazione del documento di Dichiarazione Ambientale secondo le linee guida del Regolamento EMAS III; • assistenza ed affiancamento durante la visita ispettiva (Audit) da parte del verificatore ambientale individuato da l'Ente (DNV). Il lavoro si prefigge l’obiettivo di dimostrare come l’introduzione di un sistema gestione ambientale, conforme ai requisiti dettati dal Regolamento EMAS e dalle Norma ISO 14001, sia un’operazione tutt’altro che passiva e scontata, che comporta il coinvolgimento di tutti i soggetti interessati, sia all’interno sia all’esterno dell’ente. Inoltre si cercherà di evidenziare ,ove presenti, i punti critici nell’applicazione del sistema di gestione in una realtà così complessa, sottolineando l’impegno e la determinazione dei soggetti coinvolti per il superamento di tali criticità al fine dell’ottenimento di questo importante risultato per il Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre

Numerical and experimental performance study of two-degrees-of-freedom electromagnetic energy harvesters

Energy harvesting is a rising technology able to replace conventional batteries in supplying low-power devices. Researchers are studying the use of energy harvesters in Autonomous Internet of Things (AIoT) systems to create a wireless network of nodes for real-time monitoring of assets. Electromagnetic energy harvesters exploiting ambient vibrations for electric power generation are used in monitoring applications for sensorized industrial vehicles or mechanical systems. This paper shows a design methodology for two-degrees-of-freedom gravitational electromagnetic energy harvesters (2DOF GEMEHs) along with prototype testings. The main purpose of this non-linear two-degrees-of-freedom system is to improve conversion efficiency and bandwidth broadening through the introduction of a second resonance frequency. The proposed harvester devices could be suited for vehicle monitoring and in particular railway monitoring applications. The novelty of the configuration is the use of two magnetic springs and the series connection of two induction coils. The system design achieves long-lasting performances since there are no mechanical parts involved in the dynamics, thus being compatible with low maintenance requirements. 2DOF GEMEHs can have the two resonance frequencies tuned to two fundamental frequencies of the vehicle harvested vibrations for power enhancement. Infreight trains applications the system resonance frequencies may be tuned to the two natural frequencies of the bogie when the railcar is in tare and loaded conditions. The working principle, configuration and analytical model of these devices are described in a detailed way. The numerical modeling approach consists of a combination of FEM analyses in Ansys Maxwell and dynamic simulations in Simulink for evaluation of stiffness and damping characteristics of the system. Experimental laboratory tests on harvester prototypes are compared to numerical results of dynamic simulations for the validation of the proposed model through error estimation. Performance improvements of the 2DOF GEMEH are evaluated through the definition of a merit factor based on output power and bandwidth. The use of a 2DOFsystem is justified by comparing its efficiency respect to the 1DOF configuration, leading to an overall harvesting performance improvement of 10%

Proposal of an Alpine Skiing Kinematic Analysis with the Aid of Miniaturized Monitoring Sensors, a Pilot Study

The recent growth and spread of smart sensor technologies make these connected devices suitable for diagnostic and monitoring in different fields. In particular, these sensors are useful in diagnostics for control of diseases or during rehabilitation. They are also extensively used in the monitoring field, both by non-expert and expert users, to monitor health status and progress during a sports activity. For athletes, these devices could be used to control and enhance their performance. This development has led to the realization of miniaturized sensors that are wearable during different sporting activities without interfering with the movements of the athlete. The use of these sensors, during training or racing, opens new frontiers for the understanding of motions and causes of injuries. This pilot study introduced a motion analysis system to monitor Alpine ski activities during training sessions. Through five inertial measurement units (IMUs), placed on five points of the athletes, it is possible to compute the angle of each joint and evaluate the ski run. Comparing the IMU data, firstly, with a video and then proposing them to an expert coach, it is possible to observe from the data the same mistakes visible in the camera. The aim of this work is to find a tool to support ski coaches during training sessions. Since the evaluation of athletes is now mainly developed with the support of video, we evaluate the use of IMUs to support the evaluation of the coach with more precise data

Experimental and numerical characterization of a gravitational electromagnetic energy harvester

In this paper, the dynamic experimental identification of an inductive energy harvester for the conversion of vibration energy into electric power is presented. Recent advances and requirements in structural monitoring and vehicle diagnostic allow defining Autonomous Internet of Things (AIoT) systems that combine wireless sensor nodes with energy harvester devices properly designed considering the specific duty cycle. The proposed generator was based on an asymmetrical magnetic suspension and was addressed to structural monitoring applications on vehicles. The design of the interfaces of the electric, magnetic, and structural coupled systems forming the harvester are described including dynamic modeling and simulation. Finally, the results of laboratory tests were compared with the harvester dynamic response calculated through numerical simulations, and a good correspondence was obtained

Waterborne outbreak of Norwalk-like virus gastroenteritis at a tourist resort, Italy.

In July 2000, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred at a tourist resort in the Gulf of Taranto in southern Italy. Illness in 344 people, 69 of whom were staff members, met the case definition. Norwalk-like virus (NLV) was found in 22 of 28 stool specimens tested. The source of illness was likely contaminated drinking water, as environmental inspection identified a breakdown in the resort water system and tap water samples were contaminated with fecal bacteria. Attack rates were increased (51.4%) in staff members involved in water sports. Relative risks were significant only for exposure to beach showers and consuming drinks with ice. Although Italy has no surveillance system for nonbacterial gastroenteritis, no outbreak caused by NLV has been described previously in the country

Resting state functional thalamic connectivity abnormalities in patients with post-stroke sleep apnoea: a pilot case-control study

OBJECTIVE: Sleep apnoea is common after stroke, and has adverse effects on the clinical outcome of affected cases. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are only partially known. Increases in brain connectivity after stroke might influence networks involved in arousal modulation and breathing control. The aim of this study was to investigate the resting state functional MRI thalamic hyper connectivity of stroke patients affected by sleep apnoea (SA) with respect to cases not affected, and to healthy controls (HC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of stabilized strokes were submitted to 3T resting state functional MRI imaging and full polysomnography. The ventral-posterior-lateral thalamic nucleus was used as seed. RESULTS: At the between groups comparison analysis, in SA cases versus HC, the regions significantly hyper-connected with the seed were those encoding noxious threats (frontal eye field, somatosensory association, secondary visual cortices). Comparisons between SA cases versus those without SA, revealed in the former group significantly increased connectivity with regions modulating the response to stimuli independently to their potentiality of threat (prefrontal, primary and somatosensory association, superolateral and medial-inferior temporal, associative and secondary occipital ones). Further significantly functionally hyper connections were documented with regions involved also in the modulation of breathing during sleep (pons, midbrain, cerebellum, posterior cingulate cortices), and in the modulation of breathing response to chemical variations (anterior, posterior and para-hippocampal cingulate cortices). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data support the presence of functional hyper connectivity in thalamic circuits modulating sensorial stimuli, in patients with post-stroke sleep apnoea, possibly influencing both their arousal ability and breathing modulation during sleep