Biomechanical evaluation of the push-up exercise of the upper extremities from various starting points

The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the push-up exercise of the upper extremities in respect of biomechanics, to compare the muscle function, while changing the position of performance and to examine the torso's inclination during the exercise. The result is that the activation of the muscles, apart from the triceps brachii muscle, does not differentiate significantly in any of the positions. Moreover, the elevating the hands above the feet position is not recommended in protocols where the aim is to improve the muscle force because it displays the lowest mean value of vertical force and a low RFD. On the other hand, the standard push-up position is considered to be the most appropriate when the aim is to improve the triceps brachii muscle's force because it displays the highest RFD and the highest activation of this muscle. Finally, the correct body position during this exercise prevents from incorrect and damaging inclinations of the torso. © JPES

Genetic prediction of ICU hospitalization and mortality in COVID-19 patients using artificial neural networks

There is an unmet need of models for early prediction of morbidity and mortality of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We aimed to a) identify complement-related genetic variants associated with the clinical outcomes of ICU hospitalization and death, b) develop an artificial neural network (ANN) predicting these outcomes and c) validate whether complement-related variants are associated with an impaired complement phenotype. We prospectively recruited consecutive adult patients of Caucasian origin, hospitalized due to COVID-19. Through targeted next-generation sequencing, we identified variants in complement factor H/CFH, CFB, CFH-related, CFD, CD55, C3, C5, CFI, CD46, thrombomodulin/THBD, and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS13). Among 381 variants in 133 patients, we identified 5 critical variants associated with severe COVID-19: rs2547438 (C3), rs2250656 (C3), rs1042580 (THBD), rs800292 (CFH) and rs414628 (CFHR1). Using age, gender and presence or absence of each variant, we developed an ANN predicting morbidity and mortality in 89.47% of the examined population. Furthermore, THBD and C3a levels were significantly increased in severe COVID-19 patients and those harbouring relevant variants. Thus, we reveal for the first time an ANN accurately predicting ICU hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients, based on genetic variants in complement genes, age and gender. Importantly, we confirm that genetic dysregulation is associated with impaired complement phenotype.- Pfizer Pharmaceuticals(undefined

Admission Policies for Integrated Voice and Data Traffic in CDMA Packet Radio Networks

In this report, we derive optimal admission policies for integrated voice and data traffic in packet radio networks employing code-division multiple-access (CDMA) with direct- sequence spread-spectrum (DS/SS) signaling. The network performance is measured in terms of the average blocking probability of voice calls and the average delay and packet loss probability of data messages. Our admission scheme determines the number of newly arrived voice users that are accepted in the network so that the long-term blocking probability of voice calls is minimized in longer-term. In addition, new data arrivals are rejected, if the mean delay or the packet loss probability of data exceeds a desirable prespecified level. A semi-Markov decision process (SMDP) is used to model the system operation. Then a value-iteration algorithm is used to derive the optimal admission control. Two models for the other-user interference of the CDMA system are considered: one based on thresholds and another based on the graceful degradation of the CDMA system performance, and their performance is compared. These admission policies can be employed by either terrestrial or satellite CDMA networks and are currently being extended to networks of LEO satellites and multi-rate multi-media CDMA communications

Interaction of soil, water and TNT during degradation of TNT on contaminated soil using subcritical water

Summarization: Subcritical water was used at laboratory scale to reveal information with respect to the degradation mechanism of TNT on contaminated soil. Highly contaminated soil (12% TNT) was heated with water at four different temperatures, 150, 175, 200 and 225 °C and samples were obtained at appropriate time intervals. At the same time, similar experiments were performed with TNT spiked on to clean soil, sand and pure water in order to compare and eliminate various factors that may be present in the more complex contaminated soil system. Subcritical water was successful at remediating TNT-contaminated soil. TNT destruction percentages ranged between 98 and 100%. The aim of this work was to study the soil–water-contaminant interaction and determine the main physical parameters that affect TNT degradation. It was shown that the rate-limiting step of the process is the extraction/diffusion of TNT molecules from the soil core to the soil surface, where they degrade. Additionally, it was determined that the soil matrix also catalyses degradation to a lesser extent. Autocatalytic effects were not clearly observed.Presented on: Journal of Hazardous Material

Serum Angiopoietin-2 and CRP Levels During COPD Exacerbations

Background and Objective: Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is an important mediator of angiogenesis and has been implicated in many inflammatory diseases. COPD is characterized by systemic inflammation, which is enhanced during exacerbations and may be assessed by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP). The aim of the study was to evaluate serum CRP and Ang-2 levels on the first (D1) and seventh day (D7) of hospitalization due to a COPD exacerbation and to examine possible associations of CRP and Ang-2 levels and kinetics with the length of hospital stay and outcome. Methods: We conducted a prospective study and evaluated 90 patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of an acute exacerbation of COPD. A venous blood sample was obtained from all patients on D1 and D7 of hospitalization, for the measurement of Ang-2 and CRP. Results: Serum Ang-2 levels were significantly higher on D1 compared to D7 during the course of COPD exacerbation (p < 0.001). Serum CRP levels were also significantly higher on D1 compared to D7 (p < 0.001). Serum Ang-2 presented a significant positive correlation with CRP levels both on D1 and D7 (r = 0.315 and r = 0.228, respectively). Patients with unfavorable outcome had significantly higher Ang-2 levels both on D1 (p = 0.04) and D7 (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Serum Ang-2 levels are elevated at the onset of COPD exacerbations and are positively associated with CRP levels. Ang-2 levels decrease during the course of COPD exacerbations in patients with favorable outcome. Serum Ang-2 may serve as a biomarker that could predict the outcome of a COPD exacerbation

Chemical impact of uncontrolled solid waste combustion to the vicinity of the kouroupitos ravine, Crete, Greece

Summarization: This study presents the results of an investigation on chemical impact of the uncontrolled combustion of municipal solid wastes in an open landfill. Soil and sand samples were collected in the vicinity and surrounding area of the waste disposal site and the concentrations of several toxic substances were measured. A list of these substances includes: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDF) and heavy metals. The results show that the contamination of soil in the vicinity of the landfill decreases nearly exponentially with the distance between the sampling point and the waste disposal site increasing. The contamination of soil in the vicinity of a near-by village is below current limits. High concentrations were found in the soil inside the landfill and in the immediate proximity. In some cases remediation limits of some European countries were exceeded.Presented on