A comparison between elite swimmers and kayakers on upper body push and pull strength and power performance

The aim of the present study was to compare the load-power curve expressed at bench press (PR) and prone bench pull (PU) between elite swimmers and kayakers. Another aim was to calculate the strength and power PR/PU ratio in the same populations. Fifteen elite swimmers (SW: age = 23.8 ± 2.9 y; body mass = 82.8 ± 5.6 kg; body height = 184.1 ± 4.6 cm) and 13 elite kayakers (KA: age = 23.8 ± 2.9 y; body mass = 91.0 ± 3.5 kg; body height = 180.1 ± 5.4 cm) were assessed for PR 1RM and PU 1RM. They were then assessed for power produced at 40, 60 and 80% of 1RM in both PR and PU. The area under the load-power curve (AUC) and PR/PU ratios were calculated for both the SW and KA groups. The KA group showed significantly higher PR1RM (+18.2%; p = 0.002) and PU1RM (+25.7%; p < 0.001) compared to the SW group. Significant group differences were also detected for PUAUC (p < 0.001) and for the PR/PU power ratio (p < 0.001). No significant group differences were detected for PRAUC (p = 0.605) and for the PR/PU strength ratio (p = 0.065; 0.87 and 0.82 in SW and KA, respectively). The present findings indicate that elite KA were stronger and more powerful than elite SW in the upper body. Not consistently with other athletic populations, both KA and SW athletes were stronger and more powerful in upper body pull compared to push moves

Clinical significance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in laryngeal carcinoma: Its role in the different subsites

Background: During epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer cells lose adhesion capacity gaining migratory properties. The role of the process on prognosis has been evaluated in 50 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: E-cadherin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, α-catenin, γ-catenin, caveolin-1, and vimentin immunohistochemical expression were evaluated using a double score based on staining intensity and cellular localization. Results: Cytoplasmic E-cadherin and α/γ catenin staining were associated with a decrease in survival, cytoplasmic β-catenin was associated with advanced stage, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were associated with poor differentiation and tumor relapse. On the basis of cancer cells, epithelial or mesenchymal morphological and immunophenotypic similarity we identified 4 main subgroups correlated with a transition to a more undifferentiated phenotype, which have a different pattern of relapse and survival. Conclusion: The negative prognostic role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been confirmed and a predictive role in glottic tumors has been suggested, leading us to propose epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as an additional adverse feature in laryngeal carcinoma

Emission Fourier transform spectroscopy for remote sensingof the Earth's atmosphere

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy can make an important contribution in the observation of the Earth's atmosphere and in the investigation of atmospheric physics and chemistry. In this paper, we report the measurement performances and the result obtained by a Fourier transform spectrometer, named SAFIRE-A (Spectroscopy of the Atmosphere using Far Infrared Emission - Airborne), operating in the far infrared spectral region from limb sounding observation of the atmospheric emission from a high altitude aircraft. After a short review of the advantages of FTS emission limb sounding in comparison with competing techniques and observation geometries, a detailed description of the instrument is given with the result obtained during the APE-GAIA (Airborne Polar Experiment - Geophysica Aircraft In Antarctica) fi eld campaign carried out over the Antarctic Peninsula

Advances in imaging THGEM-based detectors

The thick GEM (THGEM) [1] is an "expanded" GEM, economically produced in the PCB industry by simple drilling and etching in G-10 or other insulating materials (fig. 1). Similar to GEM, its operation is based on electron gas avalanche multiplication in sub-mm holes, resulting in very high gain and fast signals. Due to its large hole size, the THGEM is particularly efficient in transporting the electrons into and from the holes, leading to efficient single-electron detection and effective cascaded operation. The THGEM provides true pixilated radiation localization, ns signals, high gain and high rate capability. For a comprehensive summary of the THGEM properties, the reader is referred to [2, 3]. In this article we present a summary of our recent study on THGEM-based imaging, carried out with a 10x10 cm^2 double-THGEM detector.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures. Presented at the 10th Pisa Meeting on Advanced Detectors; ELBA-Italy; May 21-27 200

Progress in the development of a S RETGEM-based detector for an early forest fire warning system

In this paper we present a prototype of a Strip Resistive Thick GEM photosensitive gaseous detector filled with Ne and ethylferrocene vapours at a total pressure of 1 atm for an early forest fire detection system. Tests show that it is one hundred times more sensitive than the best commercial ultraviolet flame detectors and therefore, it is able to reliably detect a flame of 1.5x1.5x1.5 m3 at a distance of about 1km. An additional and unique feature of this detector is its imaging capability, which in combination with other techniques, may significantly reduce false fire alarms when operating in an automatic mode. Preliminary results conducted with air filled photosensitive gaseous detectors are also presented. The approach main advantages include both the simplicity of manufacturing and affordability of construction materials such as plastics and glues specifically reducing detector production cost. The sensitivity of these air filled detectors at certain conditions may be as high as those filled with Ne and EF. Long term test results of such sealed detectors indicate a significant progress in this direction. We believe that our detectors utilized in addition to other flame and smoke sensors will exceptionally increase the sensitivity of forest fire detection systems. Our future efforts will be focused on attempts to commercialize such detectors utilizing our aforementioned findings.Comment: Presented at the International Conference on Micropattern gaseous detectors, Crete, Greece, June 200

Postmenopausal hormone therapy in BRCA gene mutation carriers: to whom and which?

Introduction: Risk-reducing-salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) inevitably leads BRCA mutation carriers to premature menopause. Areas covered: To evaluate the existing evidence for use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) in BRCAmc, after RRSO or menopause occurring naturally, for both breast cancer (BC) survivors and those without BC. Expert opinion: All BC survivors are excluded from any HT treatment: in other BRCAmc, before 51 years of age the benefits of HT overcome the risks after RRSO and/or premature ovarian insufficiency (POF). After 51 years of age, it is important to treat only women with important vasomotor symptoms, after the failure of alternative therapies. Estrogens-only therapy plays a key role in hysterectomized women (HW). In the case of an intact uterus (UW), associations with the lowest dose of progestins/natural progesterone derivatives have to be preferred, as progestins has been shown to play an important role in BC transformation, especially in BRCA1mc. No studies have been performed in BRCAmc with regard to ‘progestin-free’ HT, in particular the old tibolone (both in HW and UW) and the new tissue-selective estrogen complex (in UW). However, preliminary data obtained from the general population are reassuring about the use of these ‘progestin-free’ preparations and BC safety

Measurement of the water vapour vertical profile and of the Earth's outgoing far infrared flux

International audienceOur understanding of global warming depends on the accuracy with which the atmospheric components that modulate the Earth's radiation budget are known. Many uncertainties still exist on the radiative effect of water in the different spectral regions, among which the far infrared where few observations have been made. An assessment is shown of the atmospheric outgoing flux obtained from a balloon-borne platform with wideband spectrally resolved nadir measurements at the top-of-atmosphere over the full spectral range, including the far infrared, from 100 to 1400 cm?1, made by a Fourier transform spectrometer with uncooled detectors. From these measurements, we retrieve 15 pieces of information about water vapour and temperature profiles, and surface temperature, with a precision of 5% for the mean water vapour profile and a major improvement of the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere knowledge. The retrieved atmospheric state makes it possible to calculate the emitted radiance as a function of the zenith angle and to determine the outgoing radiation flux, proving that spectrally resolved observations can be used to derive accurate information on the integrated flux. While the retrieved temperature is in good agreement with ECMWF analysis, the retrieved water vapour profile differs significantly, and, depending on time and location, the derived flux differs in the far infrared (0?600 cm?1) from that derived from ECMWF by 2?3.5 W/m2±0.4 W/m2. The observed discrepancy is larger than current estimates of radiative forcing due to CO2 increases since pre-industrial time. The error with which the flux is determined is caused mainly by calibration uncertainties while detector noise has a negligible effect, proving that uncooled detectors are adequate for top of the atmosphere radiometry