BIOMECANICS OF THE LOWER LIMBS IN RELRVÉ EN POINTÉ OF CLASSIC BALLET

INTRODUCTION: Relevé en pointé of classic ballet is a technique of standing on tiptoe with hard ballet shoes (Fig.1). Foot and ankle injuries caused by the motion have troubled dancers (Keryl, 2006). Though mechanics of the ankle joint have been investigated, lower limb mechanics have not been analyzed yet (Lin et al., 2005). In addition, muscle activities of the lower limbs have not been focused on. The purpose of this study was to investigate mechanics of the hip and knee joints besides the ankle joint in relevé en pointé

STRATEGY OF BALANCE CONTROL DURING PIRUETTÉ IN CLASSICAL BALLET

The purpose of this study was to investigate how ballet dancers control their balance on one leg during pirouetté in classical ballet. The hypothesis was that the classical ballet dancer balances letting the COP locate under the centre of mass (COM) of the whole body by translating the supporting leg. Piruettés by four Russian and one Japanese male ballet dancers were captured. COM, COP and supporting foot kinematics were analysed. The dancers’ COPs move after the COMs during the first half of one revolution. Then the COP began to stop near the COM and dancers’ body axes became more straight during latter half of one revolution. Most dancers translate the COP under the COM, controlling the COP locations in the supporting foot

Combined use of baking soda and electric toothbrushing for removal of artificial extrinsic stain on enamel surface : an in vitro study

This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of baking soda and electric toothbrushing on the removal of artificial extrinsic stain in vitro. Material and Methods: Flat enamel surfaces of 15 bovine incisors were artificially stained

MOMENTA OF BODY SEGMENTS CONVERTED INTO IMPACT FORCE OF A REAR HAND STRAIGHT PUNCH INTO AN UNFIXED TARGET

INTRODUCTION: When top-class martial artists such as champion kickboxers threw a rear hand straight punch with maximum effort into a target fixed on a wall, the contribution of the momentum of the throwing limb to an impact force or an impulse to the target was about 60% (Yoshihuku,1987). Yoshihuku (1995) suggested that the contribution of the momenta of the other body segments reduced when the punch was thrown into an unfixed target. The purpose of this paper was to clarify the contribution of the momentum of the throwing limb to the impulse when the punch was thrown into an unfixed target similar to the human head

エイガ モノガタリ ノ ジョジュツ ホウホウ : ミチナガ セイケン セイリツ マデノ ミチスジ

Covering a period of about 200 years in chronological order, Eiga Monogatari is a tale (monogatari) that relates the history of the imperial family and their maternal relatives, the house of Fujiwara. The central theme of the tale is the political splendour (eiga) of Fujiwara no Michinaga, which has been vividly portrayed. This paper focuses on volumes 1−4 of the book, which trace the movements of Michinaga\u27s ancestors, the Kujo-ryu, down the generations, up to the point where Michinaga takes power. In addition, the author attempts to clarify the tale\u27s methods of historical description. In doing so, the author of this study has succeeded in pointing out a number of distinctive descriptive features in the tale. First, there is the technique of picking out three important members of the same generation from the numerous other people in their family and depicting those three in a comparative manner. Second, we mention the technique of stressing the characterisation of the three specified individuals by placing historical events in a finely delineated annual chronology. Third, we observe that individuals are portrayed on the basis of a view of history which requires those deemed worthy of governmental authority to display qualities such as respect for the intentions of their lineal ancestors and filial devotion (koshin)，while those individuals who fail to meet these requirements are weeded out of the story. The above-mentioned points may be regarded as an important new approach towards elucidating the description of history throughout all the 40 volumes of Eiga Monogatari

ショウ チュウガッコウ ニオケル コテン ノ ジュギョウ テンカイリョク ノ ヨウセイ

Several years have passed since classical literary education was extended to elementary schools as part of the Japanese language subject under the New Course of Study announced in March 2008. At present, however, college students in Japan aiming to become either elementary or junior high school teachers do not necessarily have a strong interest in classical literature or a strong ability to read and understand it. This study addresses the question of how best to equip these students with the ability to develop lessons for use in schools. Specific examples are presented of lessons covering three areas of classical literature−waka(tanka poetry and others),essay literature, and tales−implemented by the author at Naruto University of Education. Moreover, the need for(a)wide−ranging knowledge of classical literary works and their backgrounds, (b)sound interpretation ability, and(c)the ability to explain texts accurately is indicated along with the methods for developing these

Glycine cleavage system in neurogenic regions

The glycine cleavage system (GCS) is the essential enzyme complex for degrading glycine and supplying 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate for DNA synthesis. Inherited deficiency of this system causes non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, characterized by severe neurological symptoms and frequent association of brain malformations. Although high levels of glycine have been considered to cause the above-mentioned problems, the detailed pathogenesis of this disease is still unknown. Here we show that GCS is abundantly expressed in rat embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells in the neuroepithelium, and this expression is transmitted to the radial glia-astrocyte lineage, with prominence in postnatal neurogenic regions. These data indicate that GCS plays important roles in neurogenesis, and suggest that disturbance of neurogenesis induced by deficiency of GCS may be the main pathogenesis of non-ketotic hyperglycinemi

Inhibitory Effects of Ecklonia cava Extract on High Glucose-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a disease closely associated with obesity and diabetes. A prevalence of type 2 diabetes and a high body mass index in cryptogenic cirrhosis may imply that obesity leads to cirrhosis. Here, we examined the effects of an extract of Ecklonia cava, a brown algae, on the activation of high glucose-induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), key players in hepatic fibrosis. Isolated HSCs were incubated with or without a high glucose concentration. Ecklonia cava extract (ECE) was added to the culture simultaneously with the high glucose. Treatment with high glucose stimulated expression of type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin, which are markers of activation in HSCs, in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of high glucose-treated HSCs was suppressed by the ECE. An increase in the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in intracellular glutathione levels were observed soon after treatment with high glucose, and these changes were suppressed by the simultaneous addition of ECE. High glucose levels stimulated the secretion of bioactive transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) from the cells, and the stimulation was also suppressed by treating the HSCs with ECE. These results suggest that the suppression of high glucose-induced HSC activation by ECE is mediated through the inhibition of ROS and/or GSH and the downregulation of TGF-β secretion. ECE is useful for preventing the development of diabetic liver fibrosis