57 research outputs found
Analysis of Exercise Intensity Based on Cardiorespiratory Response in a Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program for Firefighter Physical Fitness Enhancement
OBJECTIVES Current regulations for Korean firefighters primarily emphasize exercise during working hours without specifying particular exercise methods. This study aims to evaluate the exercise intensity of the stepwise Korean Firefighter Fitness Program (KFFP) using Kinect-based mixed reality device (Virtual mate, VM), considering the demanding 24-hour shift work and high physical strength requirements. The objective is to assess its potential as one of the exercise methods and provide valuable insights. METHODS CResearchers recruited 30 participants to evaluate the exercise intensity based on the cardiopulmonary responses induced by the Stepwise Korean Firefighter Fitness Program (KFFP) using Virtual Mate (VM). Initially, the participants' resting heart rate, maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) were measured. Subsequently, researchers monitored the participants' cardiopulmonary responses by employing portable gas analyzers and wireless heart rate monitors while implementing the Stepwise KFFP with VM. Exercise intensity related to cardiopulmonary responses was recorded using both absolute parameters (VO2, HR) and relative parameters (%VO2max, %HRR, %HR). Researchers utilized repeated measures analysis of variance for statistical analysis. RESULTS The analysis of the stepwise KFFP using VM showed significant increases all parameters as the program advanced(p<.001). VO2 increased from around 19.4 ml/kg/min in Step 1 to approximately 22.8 ml/kg/min in Step 3. Similarly, %HRR rose from roughly 40.6% in Step 1 to about 53.9% in Step 3. CONCLUSIONS Upon evaluating the stepwise KFFP based on the exercise intensity levels recommended by ACSM, it is confirmed that the stepwise KFFP using VM comprises both moderate-intensity and highintensity exercises. This approach is deemed effective and can serve as a fitness management method for firefighters working in 24-hour shift patterns that demand high fitness levels
Comparative Analysis Of Energy Expenditure Assessments From The Graded Exercise Test Vs. Galaxy Watch And Apple Watch In Korean College Students During A 30-minute Workout: A Pilot Study
OBJECTIVES In the modern era, there is heightened interest in understanding energy expenditure during exercise. Consequently, wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch have emerged as pivotal tools for daily health monitoring, given their convenience and increasing popularity. This study aimed to compare the calculated energy expenditure derived from the graded exercise test with readings from Galaxy and Apple Watches during a 30-min exercise session among Korean university students. Through this, we anticipate offering both motivation and clear insights into energy expenditure, thereby potentially aiding in weight management strategies for contemporary individuals. METHODS This study involved 27 college students from Korea National University of Transportation in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. We utilized COSMED's exercise load respiratory gas analysis system (Quark-CPET, COSMED, Rome, Italy), along with the Galaxy Watch (Galaxy Watch 5, Samsung, Seoul, Korea) and the Apple Watch (Apple watch series 5, Apple, Cupertino, USA) for measurements. Energy expenditure was monitored in real-time every 5 min throughout the 30-min exercise session. For statistical evaluations, we employed a one-way analysis of variance. Subsequent post-tests utilized the Tukey post-hoc test and Pearson correlation, with a significance level set at p0.05). Conversely, a notable difference was observed when comparing energy expenditure data from the graded exercise test to that of the Apple Watch for time intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min (p>0.05), although the 5-min interval did not exhibit a significant difference (p>0.05). Furthermore, a robust positive correlation was evident between the energy expenditure values derived from the graded exercise test and those from both the Galaxy Watch (r=0.952, p<0.001) and the Apple Watch (r=0.917, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Both devices demonstrated high reliability in calculating energy expenditure. Notably, the Galaxy Watch exhibited a more precise calculation compared to the Apple Watch, with a relative reliability margin of 3.5% higher. For individuals, especially those struggling with obesity, precise wearable devices that accurately reflect energy consumption can significantly boost motivation for exercise. Consequently, this study lays a foundation for future advancements in energy expenditure measurement tools, emphasizing enhanced convenience, reliability, and mobility
Evaluation of barley to replace milk by-product in weaning pigâs diet
The supplementation level of barley was limited because of high contents of fiber
in monogastric animals. Barley contained high soluble fiber, thus it could
prevent to diarrhea of weaning pigs. Moreover, as the barley break down by
enzymes, free sugars come out from the barley, which could be used as an energy
source in weaning pigs and replace milk by-products in weaning pigâs
diet. Therefore, present study was conducted to investigate the influence of
barley to replace milk by-product in weaning pigâs diet on growth
performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, diarrhea incidence, and
economic analysis in weaning pigs. A total of 112 crossbred ([York-shire
Ă Landrace] Ă Duroc, weaned at 28 days of age) piglets were
allotted to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each
treatment has 7 replications with 4 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed each treatment
diet which containing different levels of barley (0%, 10%,
20%, and 30%) at the expense of whey powder and lactose. Three
phase feeding programs were used for 6 weeks of growth trial (phase 1:
0â2 weeks; phase 2: 3â4 weeks; phase 3: 5â6 weeks). During
0â2 week, body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and G:F ratio were
decreased as barley level increased in the diet (linear response,
p < 0.01). In blood profile, blood urea nitrogen was
decreased as the barley level increased in the diet (linear, p
< 0.01). However, no significant differences were observed in blood
glucose level. In nutrient digestibility, crude fat digestibility was linearly
increased as barley increased (linear, p < 0.01). The
incidence of diarrhea was improved as increasing barley contents in all phases
(linear, p < 0.01). These results demonstrated that
supplementation of barley to replace milk by-product influenced negatively on
growth performance during 0â2 week. However, the incidence of diarrhea
and later growth performance from 3 week postweaning were improved as dietary
barley level increased
Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world
Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality.
Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States.
Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis.
Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection
A Study on the Performance Evaluation Criteria and Methods of Abdominal Ultrasound Devices Based on International Standards
The medical diagnostic ultrasound market has grown steadily in recent years, thanks to the increasing popularity of minimally invasive surgery among patients and active investments in the medical ultrasound market. In addition, the diagnostic ultrasound market is expected to continue to grow in the global market, given the importance of ultrasound and ongoing technological developments. In the case of the gallbladder, cases of gallstones and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, all of which can be diagnosed with abdominal ultrasound, the number of domestic patients continues to increase every year. The safety of abdominal ultrasound has also been improved due to the national health insurance expanding its coverage to include gallstones and diseases such as those of the liver and gallbladder. However, no standards by which the performance of abdominal ultrasound can be evaluated have been explicitly established. Therefore, we aimed to assess the performance of abdominal ultrasound using criteria such as sound output level, operating frequency accuracy, resolution, maximum display depth, distance accuracy, time accuracy, and blood flow velocity accuracy. These criteria were derived by investigating the principles of ultrasound and the characteristics and structure of transducers, as well as by analyzing the specifications of abdominal ultrasound set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60601-2-37
Preventive Effects of a Human Hematopoietic Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hHMSC) Therapy in Ovalbumin-Induced Food Allergy
No effective therapeutic strategies have been developed against food allergies. Immunomodulation during early infant period could prevent the development of food allergies. We investigated the preventive effects of human hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells (hHMSCs) in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy. BALB/c mice with OVA-induced food allergy were divided into 3 groups, and each group was treated with hHMSCs or hHMSC culture medium (hHMSC-CM) or saline. Ear thickness, allergy score, rectal temperature, and diarrhea occurrence were checked. Total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and mucosal mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) were measured by ELISA. Other allergic parameters were analyzed using histology specimens, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. Treatment with hHMSCs or hHMSC-CM significantly suppressed the frequency of anaphylactic response and rectal temperature decline, reduced diarrhea, total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and mMCP-1. While the treatment decreased the level of Th2 cytokines, it enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β1 mRNA. Exposure to hHMSC or hHMSC-CM did not generate regulatory T cells, but reduced mast cells. The immunomodulatory effect on the Th2 cytokines was greater in hHMSC-CM than in hHMSCs. hHMSC treatment may be a promising preventive intervention against food allergy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the key substances released from hHMSC to induce immune tolerance
The Effect of JAK Inhibitor on the Survival, Anagen Re-Entry, and Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Restoration in Human Dermal Papilla Cells
Topical or systemic administration of JAK inhibitors has been shown to be a new treatment modality for severe alopecia areata (AA). Some patients show a good response to JAK inhibitors, but frequently relapse after cessation of the treatment. There have been no guidelines about the indications and use of JAK inhibitors in treating AA. The basic pathomechanism of AA and the relevant role of JAK inhibitors should support how to efficiently use JAK inhibitors. We sought to investigate the effect of JAK1/2 inhibitor on an in vitro model of AA and to examine the possible mechanisms. We used interferon gamma-pretreated human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) as an in vitro model of AA. Ruxolitinib was administered to the hDPCs, and cell viability was assessed. The change of expression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, molecules related to the JAK-STAT pathway, and growth factors in ruxolitinib-treated hDPCs was also examined by reverse transcription PCR and Western blot assay. We examined immune-privilege-related molecules by immunohistochemistry in hair-follicle culture models. Ruxolitinib did not affect the cell viability of the hDPCs. Ruxolitinib activated several molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including Lef1 and β-catenin, and suppressed the transcription of DKK1 in hDPCs, but not its translation. Ruxolitinib reverted IFN-γ-induced expression of caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-15, and IL-18, and stimulated several growth factors, such as FGF7. Ruxolitinib suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3, and STAT1 and 3 compared to IFN-γ pretreated hDPCs. Ruxolitinib pretreatment showed a protective effect on IFN-γ-induced expression of MHC-class II molecules in cultured hair follicles. In conclusion, ruxolitinib modulated and reverted the interferon-induced inflammatory changes by blocking the JAK-STAT pathway in hDPCs under an AA-like environment. Ruxolitinib directly stimulated anagen-re-entry signals in hDPCs by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting growth factors in hDPCs. Ruxolitinib treatment prevented IFN-γ-induced collapse of hair-follicle immune privilege
Boosting the Performance of PhotomultiplicationâType Organic Photodiodes by Embedding CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals
Abstract In this study, it is demonstrated that CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) can enhance the overall performances of photomultiplicationâtype organic photodiodes (PMâOPDs). The proposed approach enables the ionicâpolarizable CsPbBr3 NCs to be evenly distributed throughout the depletion region of Schottky junction interface, allowing the entire trapped electrons within the depletion region to be stabilized, in contrast to previously reported interfaceâlimited strategies. The optimized CsPbBr3âNCâembedded poly(3âhexylthiopheneâdiyl)âbased PMâOPDs exhibit exceptionally high external quantum efficiency, specific detectivity, and gainâbandwidth product of 2,840,000%, 3.97Â ĂÂ 1015 Jones, and 2.14Â ĂÂ 107Â Hz, respectively. 2D grazingâincidence Xâray diffraction analyses and driftâdiffusion simulations combined with temperatureâdependent JâV characteristic analyses are conducted to investigate the physics behind the success of CsPbBr3âNCâembedded PMâOPDs. The results show that the electrostatic interactions generated by the ionic polarization of NCs effectively stabilize the trapped electrons throughout the entire volume of the photoactive layer, thereby successfully increasing the effective energy depth of the trap states and allowing efficient PM mechanisms. This study demonstrates how a hybridâphotoactiveâlayer approach can further enhance PMâOPD when the functionality of inorganic inclusions meets the requirements of the target device
Exceeding milli-watt powering magneto-mechano-electric generator for standalone-powered electronics
In contrast to typical magnetic energy generators that use electromagnetic induction, which are bulky and have low generation efficiency under small magnetic fields at low frequency, magneto-mechano-electric (MME) generators utilizing the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect and magnetic interactions are considered promising candidates. MME generators will serve as a ubiquitous autonomous energy source converting stray magnetic noise to useful electric energy for applications in wireless sensor networks (WSN) for the Internet of Things (IoT) and low-power-consuming electronics. The key component in a MME generator is the ME composite consisting of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials, which elastically couples the electric and magnetic behaviour of the respective constituent. Here, we report a MME generator consisting of a crystallographically oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 piezoelectric single crystal macro-fibre composite and a highly textured magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloy, which exhibits an exceptionally high rectified DC output power density of 3.22 mW cm(-3). The large energy generation in this structure is ascribed to the coupling between the strong anisotropic properties of the piezoelectric single crystal fibres and textured Fe-Ga magnetostrictive alloy. A smart watch with IoT sensors was driven by the MME generator under a 700 mu T magnetic field
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