COMPUTATION OF HIP AND SHOULDER TORQUES IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMING

The mechanisms of propulsion can be deduced from 3D video analysis of swimming. The basic hydrodynamic equation can be used to compute the total force for those particles. The shoulder torque was calculated by summation over hand, lower arm and upper arm of infinitesimal torques of displaced water particles. These muscle force moments were related to the velocity of the mass centre as a measure of the propulsion. However, a direct interrelation between velocity and torques cannot be established since the total resistance of the body in motion is unknown. Therefore, the aim was to determine individual differences in swimming technique, controlled by shoulder, hip torques and swimming velocity, at any state of one movement cycle. Recommendations for best propulsion techniques are derived

Ringtail Disorder observed in Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus)

This is the first description of ringtail syndrome in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). The disorder was sporadically observed in a laboratory reared breeding colony. Incidence of tail lesions decreased after standardization of environmental humidityin the laboratory animal facility

Prospective, randomized comparison of gadopentetate and gadobutrol to assess chronic myocardial infarction applying cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the contrast medium gadobutrol is not inferior compared to Gd-DTPA in identifying and quantifying ischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), even by using a lower dose. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 30 patients with chronic myocardial infarction as visualized by LGE during clinical routine scan at 1.5 T with 0.20 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA. Participants were randomized to either 0.15 mmol/kg gadobutrol (group A) or 0.10 mmol/kg gadobutrol (group B). CMR protocol was identical in both exams. LGE was quantified using a semiautomatic approach. Signal intensities of scar, remote myocardium, blood and air were measured. Signal to noise (SNR) and contrast to noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. RESULTS: Signal intensities were not different between Gd-DTPA and gadobutrol in group A, whereas significant differences were detected in group B. SNR of injured myocardium (53.5+/-21.4 vs. 30.1+/-10.4, p = 0.0001) and CNR between injured and remote myocardium (50.3+/-20.3 vs. 27.3+/-9.3, p < 0.0001) were lower in gadobutrol. Infarct size was lower in both gadobutrol groups compared to Gd-DTPA (group A: 16.8+/-10.2 g vs. 12.8+/-6.8 g, p = 0.03; group B: 18.6+/-12.0 g vs. 14.0+/-9.9 g, p = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: Taking application of 0.2 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA as the reference, the delineation of infarct scar was similar with 0.15 mmol/kg gadobutrol, whereas the use 0.10 mmol/kg gadobutrol led to reduced tissue contrast. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study had been registered under EudraCT Number: 2010-020775-22 . Registration date: 2010.08.10

Research of the power plant operational states with block structure

In this article the research technique block structure power plant operational states is offered. As an example the operating power plant of OOO Siberian Generation Company with block structure of turbogenerators connection is considered. The choice of the operating power plant has allowed to receive to carry out the analysis real long and emergency states. The offered technique of states identification and the analysis can be used for power plant of other structure after the corresponding correction

Solar heat gains through train windows: a non-negligible contribution to the energy balance

The sector of transportation accounts for about one third of the total energy consumption in Switzerland. A monitoring campaign of the energy consumption of a regional train revealed the critical energy-consuming systems. Heating, cooling and ventilation were identified as major consumers. Windows are a source of non-controlled heat transfer. In summer, it may result in overheating leading to larger cooling loads while in winter, it is an important source of thermal losses. Selective double glazing and solar protection coatings can reduce these effects. Angular-dependent optical properties of a selective double glazing have been measured, and the solar heat gain coefficient (g value) was determined. An estimation of the solar gains received by a panoramic waggon was performed using the monitored solar irradiation and the measured properties of the glazing. These data were compared to the heating and cooling energy consumption monitored in this waggon. Solar gains were found to be in the same order of magnitude that the heating energy during some sunny days. They were also compared to the estimated thermal losses through the glazing and the entire envelope. These results show that the solar gains play a non-negligible role in the energy balance of the waggon. Furthermore, thermal simulations were performed to evaluate the solar gains in different conditions. It showed that 7 to 13% of energy can be saved using the glazing adapted to the climatic conditions. In addition, improving the thermal insulation of the train envelope or equipping the train with an efficient heat recovery system can lead to significant energy savings

Quantification of myocardial strain assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking in healthy subjects - influence of segmentation and analysis software

OBJECTIVES: Quantification of myocardial deformation by feature tracking is of growing interest in cardiovascular magnetic resonance. It allows the assessment of regional myocardial function based on cine images. However, image acquisition, post-processing, and interpretation are not standardized. We aimed to assess the influence of segmentation procedure such as slice selection and different types of analysis software on values and quantification of myocardial strain in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthy volunteers were retrospectively analyzed. Post-processing was performed using CVI(42) and TomTec. Longitudinal and radial(Long axis (LAX)) strain were quantified using 4-chamber-view, 3-chamber-view, and 2-chamber-view. Circumferential and radialShort axis (SAX) strain were assessed in basal, midventricular, and apical short-axis views and using full coverage. Global and segmental strain values were compared to each other regarding their post-processing approach and analysis software package. RESULTS: We screened healthy volunteers studied at 1.5 or 3.0 T and included 67 (age 44.3 ± 16.3 years, 31 females). Circumferential and radial(SAX) strain values were different between a full coverage approach vs. three short slices (- 17.6 ± 1.8% vs. - 19.2 ± 2.3% and 29.1 ± 4.8% vs. 34.6 ± 7.1%). Different analysis software calculated significantly different strain values. Within the same vendor, different field strengths (- 17.0 ± 2.1% at 1.5 T vs. - 17.0 ± 1.7% at 3 T, p = 0.845) did not influence the calculated global longitudinal strain (GLS), and were similar in gender (- 17.4 ± 2.0% in females vs. - 16.6 ± 1.8% in males, p = 0.098). Circumferential and radial strain were different in females and males (circumferential strain - 18.2 ± 1.7% vs. - 17.1 ± 1.8%, p = 0.029 and radial strain 30.7 ± 4.7% vs. 27.8 ± 4.6%, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial deformation assessed by feature tracking depends on segmentation procedure and type of analysis software. Circumferential(SAX) and radial(SAX) depend on the number of slices used for feature tracking analysis. As known from other imaging modalities, GLS seems to be the most stable parameter. During follow-up studies, standardized conditions should be warranted

Long-term follow-up of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation and response-adapted whole-brain radiotherapy for newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma: results of the multicenter Ostdeutsche Studiengruppe Hämatologie und Onkologie OSHO-53 phase II study

Background We previously reported the results of a phase II study for patients with newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma treated with autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation (aPBSCT) and response-adapted whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Now, we update the initial results. Patients and methods From 1999 to 2004, 23 patients received high-dose methotrexate. In case of at least partial remission, high-dose busulfan/thiotepa (HD-BuTT) followed by aPBSCT was carried out. Patients refractory to induction or without complete remission after HD-BuTT received WBRT. Eight patients still alive in 2011 were contacted and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 were carried out. Results Of eight patients still alive, median follow-up is 116.9 months. Only one of nine irradiated patients is still alive with a severe neurologic deficit. In seven of eight patients treated with HD-BuTT, health condition and quality of life are excellent. MMSE and QLQ-C30 showed remarkably good results in patients who did not receive WBRT. All of them have a Karnofsky score of 90%-100%. Conclusions Follow-up shows an overall survival of 35%. In six of seven patients where WBRT could be avoided, no long-term neurotoxicity has been observed and all patients have an excellent quality of lif

An association study on contrasting cystic fibrosis endophenotypes recognizes KRT8 but not KRT18 as a modifier of cystic fibrosis disease severity and CFTR mediated residual chloride secretion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>F508del-CFTR, the most frequent disease-causing mutation among Caucasian cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, has been characterised as a mutant defective in protein folding, processing and trafficking. We have investigated the two neighbouring cytokeratin genes <it>KRT8 </it>and <it>KRT18 </it>in a candidate gene approach to ask whether variants in <it>KRT8 </it>and/or <it>KRT18 </it>modify the impaired ion conductance known as the CF basic defect, and whether they are associated with correct trafficking of mutant CFTR and disease severity of CF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have selected contrasting F508del-<it>CFTR </it>homozygous patient subpopulations stratified for disease severity, comparing 13 concordant mildly affected sib pairs vs. 12 concordant severely affected sib pairs, or manifestation of the CF basic defect in intestinal epithelium, comparing 22 individuals who exhibit CFTR-mediated residual chloride secretion vs. 14 individuals who do not express any chloride secretion, for an association. The <it>KRT8</it>/<it>KRT18 </it>locus was initially interrogated with one informative microsatellite marker. Subsequently, a low density SNP map with four SNPs in KRT8 and two SNPs in KRT18, each selected for high polymorphism content, was used to localize the association signal.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>KRT8</it>, but not <it>KRT18</it>, showed an association with CF disease severity (P_best= 0.00131; P_corr= 0.0185) and CFTR mediated residual chloride secretion (P_best= 0.0004; P_corr= 0.0069). Two major four-marker-haplotypes spanning 13 kb including the entire <it>KRT8 </it>gene accounted for 90% of chromosomes, demonstrating strong linkage disequilibrium at that locus. Absence of chloride secretion was associated with the recessive haplotype 1122 at rs1907671, rs4300473, rs2035878 and rs2035875. The contrasting haplotype 2211 was dominant for the presence of CFTR mediated residual chloride secretion. In consistency, the <it>KRT8 </it>haplotype 2211 was associated with mild CF disease while 1122 was observed as risk haplotype. Analysis of microsatellite allele distributions on the SNP background suggests that the mild <it>KRT8 </it>haplotype 2211 is phylogenetically older than its severe counterpart.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The two opposing <it>KRT8 </it>alleles which have been identified as a benign and as a risk allele in this work are likely effective in the context of epithelial cell differentiation. As the mild <it>KRT8 </it>allele is associated with CFTR mediated residual chloride secretion among F508del-<it>CFTR </it>homozygotes, the KRT8/KRT18 heterodimeric intermediary filaments of the cytoskeleton apparently are an essential component for the proper targeting of CFTR to the apical membrane in epithelial cells.</p