Security Force Assistance Brigades and US Indo-Pacific Command Multi-domain Competition

Security force assistance brigades can enable multi-domain convergence in competition in the US Indo-Pacific Command. Rather than focusing on conventional Joint force capabilities, this article analyzes recent US Army operational experience in security force assistance and security cooperation in US Indo-Pacific Command and identifies capability gaps and opportunities for competition. Finally, military leadership and policymakers will find recommendations on how US Army security force assistance and security cooperation can shape environments and deter conflict in the US Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility

CHANGES IN RANGE OF MOTION RESULTING FROM VARYING INTENSITIES OF ISOMETRIC CONTRACTIONS DURING PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATIONS

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in flexibility in males and females during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitations (PNF) of the erector spinae and the hamstrings musculature at different intensities in a series of 4 repetitions of a single exercise bout. In four randomized trials, the 15 subjects (11 males and 4 females), aged 18-59 years performed a PNF flexibility exercise protocol using two intensities of isometric contraction. There were no significant differences between angles (range of motion) after repetition #1, #2, #3 or #4 between the MVIC and 50% MVIC trials. No trends were established between changes in flexibility and intensity of effort

CUMULATIVE TRAUMA INJURIES IN ROWING

The objective of this study was to describe several common musculoskeletal injuries associated with rowing and attempt to identify contributing factors. In a structured interview case series, 8 (5 males and 3 females) rowers ranging from novice to Olympic competitors were asked specific questions regarding previous sport-related injures and training methods. Results indicated a high prevalence of specific musculoskeletal injuries in rowing. Typical injuries included: lumbar and thoracic back pain, stress fracture of the ninth rib, chondromalacia of the patella and extensor tenosynovitis of the forearm. Heavy weight lifting, especially squats, was found to be an aggravating factor. As well, a warm-up and cool down were not common components of on-water training and considered a contributing factor

Accelerometry For Paddling And Rowing

In paddling and rowing, analysis of the acceleration, velocity and impulse of the system (equipment and athlete) can aid in the appraisal of the stroke (technique) and the usefulness of equipment as it relates to each performer. To this point in time, the primary source of analysis has been through the use of cinema and video. Recently at the Sport Science Laboratory, Dalhousie University a convenient method of obtaining on-water acceleration data has been developed. The triaxial g analyst (Valentine Research Inc.), although created specifically for use in land vehicles, can record the horizontal linear acceleration, horizontal lateral acceleration and provide a friction profile of any moving aquatic craft. Synchronization with video allows the coach and athlete to analyze data of one stroke, or a series of strokes, or a complete race. Acceleration data from the g-analyst can be transferred to virtually any PC, and programs easily written to determine velocity and impulse. The g analyst and power source apparatus is light (l kg), easy to handle, and relatively inexpensive. Little room is required to house the apparatus and it does not interfere with the athletes in the canoe, kayak, rowing shell, or scull. Onwater accelerometry using the g analyst may prove to be an important analytical tool for detection of movement faults and for matching equipment to athlete(s) in paddling and rowing

Towards optimum smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy: a household model to explore cost‐effectiveness

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous economic evaluations of smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women are limited to single components, which do not in isolation offer sufficient potential impact to address smoking cessation targets. To inform the development of more appropriate complex interventions, we (1) describe the development of the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy: Household (ESIP.H) model for estimating the life‐time cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at pregnant women and (2) use a hypothetical case study to demonstrate how ESIP.H can be used to identify the characteristics of optimum smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: The hypothetical intervention was based on current evidence relating to component elements, including financial incentives, partner smoking, intensive behaviour change support, cigarettes consumption and duration of support to 12 months post‐partum. ESIP.H was developed to assess the life‐time health and cost impacts of multi‐component interventions compared with standard National Health Service (NHS) care in England. ESIP.H considers cigarette consumption, partner smoking and some health conditions (e.g. obesity) that were not included in previous models. The Markov model's parameters were estimated based on published literature, expert judgement and evidence‐based assumptions. The hypothetical intervention was evaluated from an NHS perspective. RESULTS: The hypothetical intervention was associated with an incremental gain in quitters (mother and partner) at 12 months postpartum of 249 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 195–304] per 1000 pregnant smokers. Over the long‐term, it had an incremental negative cost of £193 (CI = –£779 to 344) and it improved health, with a 0.50 (CI = 0.36–0.69) increase in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) for mothers, partners and offspring, with a 100% probability of being cost‐effective. CONCLUSIONS: The Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy: Household model for estimating cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions aimed at pregnant women found that a hypothetical smoking cessation intervention would greatly extend reach, reduce smoking and be cost‐effective

Experimental evaluation of 3D printed spiral phase plates for enabling an orbital angular momentum multiplexed radio system

This paper evaluates the performance of three-dimensionally (3D) printed spiral phase plates (SPPs) for enabling an orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexed radio system. The design and realization of the SPPs by means of additive manufacturing exploiting a high-permittivity material is described. Modes 1 and 2 SPPs are then evaluated at 15 GHz in terms of 3D complex radiation pattern, mode purity and beam collimation by means of a 3D printed dielectric lens. The results with the lens yield a crosstalk of −8 dB for between modes 1 and −1, and −11.4 dB for between modes 2 and −2. We suggest a mode multiplexer architecture that is expected to further reduce the crosstalk for each mode. An additional loss of 4.2 dB is incurred with the SPPs inserted into the communication link, which is undesirable for obtaining reliable LTE-based communications. Thus, we suggest: using lower loss materials, seeking ways to reduce material interface reflections or alternative ways of OAM multiplexing to realize a viable OAM multiplexed radio system

Which executive functioning deficits are associated with AD/HD, ODD/CD and comorbid AD/HD+ODD/CD?

Item does not contain fulltextThis study investigated (1) whether attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is associated with executive functioning (EF) deficits while controlling for oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD), (2) whether ODD/CD is associated with EF deficits while controlling for AD/HD, and (3)~whether a combination of AD/HD and ODD/CD is associated with EF deficits (and the possibility that there is no association between EF deficits and AD/HD or ODD/CD in isolation). Subjects were 99~children ages 6–12 years. Three putative domains of EF were investigated using well-validated tests: verbal fluency, working memory, and planning. Independent of ODD/CD, AD/HD was associated with deficits in planning and working memory, but not in verbal fluency. Only teacher rated AD/HD, but not parent rated AD/HD, significantly contributed to the prediction of EF task performance. No EF deficits were associated with ODD/CD. The presence of comorbid AD/HD accounts for the EF deficits in children with comorbid AD/HD+ODD/CD. These results suggest that EF deficits are unique to AD/HD and support the model proposed by R. A. Barkley (1997).17 p

Cell-Free Synthesis of the Mitochondrial ADP/ATP Carrier Protein of Neurospora crassa

ADP/ATP carrier protein was synthesized in heterologous cell-free systems programmed with Neurospora poly(A)-containing RNA and homologous cell-free systems from Neurospora. The apparent molecular weight of the product obtained in vitro was the same as that of the authentic mitochondrial protein. The primary translation product obtained in reticulocyte lysates starts with formylmethionine when formylated initiator methionyl-tRNA (fMet-tRNAfMet) was present. The product synthesized in vitro was released from the ribosomes into the postribosomal supernatant. The evidence presented indicates that the ADP/ATP carrier is synthesized as a polypeptide with the same molecular weight as the mature monomeric protein and does not carry an additional sequence

Requirement of a Membrane Potential for the Posttranslational Transfer of Proteins into Mitochondsria

Posttranslational transfer of most precursor proteins into mitochondria is dependent on energization of the mitochondria. Experiments were carried out to determine whether the membrane potential or the intramitochondrial ATP is the immediate energy source. Transfer in vitro of precursors to the ADP/ATP carrier and to ATPase subunit 9 into isolated Neurospora mitochondria was investigated. Under conditions where the level of intramitochondrial ATP was high and the membrane potential was dissipated, import and processing of these precursor proteins did not take place. On the other hand, precursors were taken up and processed when the intramitochondrial ATP level was low, but the membrane potential was not dissipated. We conclude that a membrane potential is involved in the import of those mitochondrial precursor proteins which require energy for intracellular translocatio