Target-flow Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Running Performance in Recreational Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial

AbstractInspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to possibly improve exercise performance, but reports on IMT and running performance are rare. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of target-flow IMT on running performance in recreational runners. Sixteen healthy recreational runners (five females) were recruited for the present study. They were randomly allocated into either an experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group underwent a 6-week target-flow IMT programme, while those in the control group underwent a 6-week shoulder circumduction exercise programme. Running performance during a 1,500-m time trial run was assessed before and after the intervention period. After the intervention period, only the experimental group demonstrated an increase in inspiratory muscle strength (by 16.15 ± 7.44 cmH2O; p < 0.05) and reduced completion time in the 1,500-m time trial (by 9.63 ± 5.42 seconds; p < 0.05). Exertion sensation was reduced by 1.63 ± 0.74 points (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in maximal aerobic capacity and pulmonary function in either group after the intervention period. A 6-week target-flow IMT programme enhanced running performance in recreational runners

Bi flux-dependent MBE growth of GaSbBi alloys

AbstractThe incorporation of Bi in GaSb1−xBix alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy is investigated as a function of Bi flux at fixed growth temperature (275°C) and growth rate (1μmh−1). The Bi content is found to vary proportionally with Bi flux with Bi contents, as measured by Rutherford backscattering, in the range 0<x≤4.5%. The GaSbBi samples grown at the lowest Bi fluxes have smooth surfaces free of metallic droplets. The higher Bi flux samples have surface Bi droplets. The room temperature band gap of the GaSbBi epitaxial layers determined from optical absorption decreases linearly with increasing Bi content with a reduction of ~32meV/%Bi

Applications and challenges for high resolution airborne surveys in populated areas

The role of high resolution airborne surveys is extending well beyond the traditional areas of mineral and hydrocarbons exploration and regional mapping, which were often focused on the relatively unpopulated and remote regions of the world. As an increasing proportion of the Earth’s surface is affected by human activity, airborne survey techniques are being adapted and applied to development-related issues in more populated areas. The value of radiometric and electromagnetic data (in particular) has been recognised for addressing a range of environmental issues and, more generally, airborne surveys are seen as an effective, non-invasive means of providing multiple development-related geoscience data sets in a single operation. These new applications present many operational, processing and interpretation challenges. This paper provides an overview of some of the issues addressed in this Special Session on ‘The role of high resolution airborne surveys in environmental monitoring and sustainable development of resources’

Response function analysis of excited-state kinetic energy functional constructed by splitting k-space

Over the past decade, fundamentals of time independent density functional theory for excited state have been established. However, construction of the corresponding energy functionals for excited states remains a challenging problem. We have developed a method for constructing functionals for excited states by splitting k-space according to the occupation of orbitals. In this paper we first show the accuracy of kinetic energy functional thus obtained. We then perform a response function analysis of the kinetic energy functional proposed by us and show why method of splitting the k-space could be the method of choice for construction of energy functionals for excited states.Comment: 11 page

Implementation of a Deutsch-like quantum algorithm utilizing entanglement at the two-qubit level, on an NMR quantum information processor

We describe the experimental implementation of a recently proposed quantum algorithm involving quantum entanglement at the level of two qubits using NMR. The algorithm solves a generalisation of the Deutsch problem and distinguishes between even and odd functions using fewer function calls than is possible classically. The manipulation of entangled states of the two qubits is essential here, unlike the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm and the Grover's search algorithm for two bits.Comment: 4 pages, two eps figure

Shapes of the Proton

A model proton wave function, constructed using Poincare invariance, and constrained by recent electromagnetic form factor data, is used to study the shape of the proton. Spin-dependent quark densities are defined as matrix elements of density operators in proton states of definite spin-polarization, and shown to have an infinite variety of non-spherical shapes. For high momentum quarks with spin parallel to that of the proton, the shape resembles that of a peanut, but for quarks with anti-parallel spin the shape is that of a bagel.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. C This corrects a few typos and explains some further connections with experiment

Spectral investigations of CM Draconis - new results

CM Draconis is spectroscopic and eclipsing binary system that consists of two nearly identical M dwarfs. The masses and radii for the components are known with high accuracy. The period of the system is P = 1.268 day. In the course of this work we used 29 medium resolution (R = 47, 000) echelle spectra of CM Dra which were obtained at several different orbital phases at the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope. We calculated synthetic spectra for a region of Nai 8185 Å, Nai 8197 Å and RbI 7818 Å lines and fitted the spectra for all of the orbital phases. We refined the effective temperature and metallicity of the system components, using similarity function (S function) of the observed and synthetic spectra for different phases

Psychometric Validation of the Parental Bonding Instrument in a UK Population–Based Sample Role of Gender and Association With Mental Health in Mid-Late Life

The factorial structure of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) has been frequently studied in diverse samples but no study has examined its psychometric properties from large, population-based samples. In particular, important questions have not been addressed such as the measurement invariance properties across parental and offspring gender. We evaluated the PBI based on responses from a large, representative population-based sample, using an exploratory structural equation modeling method appropriate for categorical data. Analysis revealed a three-factor structure representing “care,” “overprotection,” and “autonomy” parenting styles. In terms of psychometric measurement validity, our results supported the complete invariance of the PBI ratings across sons and daughters for their mothers and fathers. The PBI ratings were also robust in relation to personality and mental health status. In terms of predictive value, paternal care showed a protective effect on mental health at age 43 in sons. The PBI is a sound instrument for capturing perceived parenting styles, and is predictive of mental health in middle adulthood

Gauge invariant reduction to the light-front

The problem of constructing gauge invariant currents in terms of light-cone bound-state wave functions is solved by utilising the gauging of equations method. In particular, it is shown how to construct perturbative expansions of the electromagnetic current in the light-cone formalism, such that current conservation is satisfied at each order of the perturbation theory.Comment: 12 pages, revtex

Dust extinction and X-ray emission from the star burst galaxy NGC 1482

We present the results based on multiwavelength imaging observations of the prominent dust lane starburst galaxy NGC 1482 aimed to investigate the extinction properties of dust existing in the extreme environment. (B-V) colour-index map derived for the starburst galaxy NGC 1482 confirms two prominent dust lanes running along its optical major axis and are found to extend up to \sim 11 kpc. In addition to the main lanes, several filamentary structures of dust originating from the central starburst are also evident. Though, the dust is surrounded by exotic environment, the average extinction curve derived for this target galaxy is compatible with the Galactic curve, with RV =3.05, and imply that the dust grains responsible for the optical extinction in the target galaxy are not really different than the canonical grains in the Milky Way. Our estimate of total dust content of NGC 1482 assuming screening effect of dust is \sim 2.7 \times 10^5 Msun, and provide lower limit due to the fact that our method is not sensitive to the intermix component of dust. Comparison of the observed dust in the galaxy with that supplied by the SNe to the ISM, imply that this supply is not sufficient to account for the observed dust and hence point towards the origin of dust in this galaxy through a merger like event. Our multiband imaging analysis reveals a qualitative physical correspondence between the morphologies of the dust and H{\alpha} emission lines as well as diffuse X-ray emission in this galaxy. continue.... for more detail please see in pdf file.Comment: 22 pages, 11 Figures. Accepted for publication in New Astronom