Development of Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconductors for Magnetic Bearings

The material requirements, material manufacturing and magnetic properties that are relevant to fabrication of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnetic bearings have been discussed. It is found that the seeded-melt-texturing method can be used to fabricate the single domain material that is required to achieve the best magnetic properties. Trapped-field mapping has been used as a non-destructive tool to determine the single-domain nature of the HTS material and quantity of the HTS disks. Both the trapped field and the levitation force of the Y-Ba-Cu-O disks are found to be strongly sensitive to the oxygen content

GLP-1 Analogs Reduce Hepatocyte Steatosis and Improve Survival by Enhancing the Unfolded Protein Response and Promoting Macroautophagy

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a known outcome of hepatosteatosis. Free fatty acids (FFA) induce the unfolded protein response (UPR) or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that may induce apoptosis. Recent data indicate ER stress to be a major player in the progression of fatty liver to more aggressive lesions. Autophagy on the other hand has been demonstrated to be protective against ER stress-induced cell death. We hypothesized that exendin-4 (GLP-1 analog) treatment of fat loaded hepatocytes can reduce steatosis by autophagy which leads to reduced ER stress-related hepatocyte apoptosis.Primary human hepatocytes were loaded with saturated, cis- and trans-unsaturated fatty acids (palmitic, oleic and elaidic acid respectively). Steatosis, induced with all three fatty acids, was significantly resolved after exendin-4 treatment. Exendin-4 sustained levels of GRP78 expression in fat-loaded cells when compared to untreated fat-loaded cells alone. In contrast, CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein); the penultimate protein that leads to ER stress-related cell death was significantly decreased by exendin-4 in hepatocytes loaded with fatty acids. Finally, exendin-4 in fat loaded hepatocytes clearly promoted gene products associated with macroautophagy as measured by enhanced production of both Beclin-1 and LC3B-II, markers for autophagy; and visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Similar observations were made in mouse liver lysates after mice were fed with high fat high fructose diet and treated with a long acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide.GLP-1 proteins appear to protect hepatocytes from fatty acid-related death by prohibition of a dysfunctional ER stress response; and reduce fatty acid accumulation, by activation of both macro-and chaperone-mediated autophagy. These findings provide a novel role for GLP-1 proteins in halting the progression of more aggressive lesions from underlying steatosis in humans afflicted with NAFLD

THE EFFECT OF A CARBOHYDRATE AND CAFFEINE CONTAINING BEVERAGE ON SWING SPEED IN SOFTBALL PLAYERS

K. Pfaffenbach,C. Wendt Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Fastpitch softball is a popular game at the collegiate level, with over 1,000 competitive programs nationwide. Swinging a bat is the principle offensive action in softball and bat swing speed is a key to batting success. Caffeine containing energy drinks have been shown to have an ergogenic effect on a variety of sports and dynamic skills, including badminton, soccer, and volleyball. However, the effect of caffeine on softball swing speed has not been examined. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of consuming a carbohydrate and caffeine containing energy drink on bat swing velocity in female collegiate softball players. METHODS: We used a within subjects single-blind placebo controlled crossover design where college aged female softball players (N=10) performed a series of swings hitting softballs from a stationary tee and pitching machine 1 and 2 hours after consuming a carbohydrate + caffeine (CHO+CAF) drink and placebo. In the CHO+CAF condition, subjects were given 3.5mg/kg caffeine and 1.18g/kg carbohydrate. Bat swing velocity was measured using a ZEPP Softball Sensor. RESULTS: Overall, mean bat swing velocity when hitting from a tee for subjects in the CHO+CAF condition was 25.04 ± 3.06 m/s compared to 23.53 ± 2.95 m/s for the control condition (p0.001) in swing speed when hitting from the tee at the 2-hour time point between CHO+CAF and control conditions (24.68±2.99 vs. 23.19±2.91 m/s). CONCLUSION: The data presented here suggests that consumption of a CHO+CAF energy drink, in an amount that provides 3.5 mg/kg of caffeine, results in greater bat swing velocity when hitting from a tee and pitching machine compared to placebo. Supported by EOU Sharing the Learning Grant

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN A PERCEIVED KNOWLEDGE SURVEY AND KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT REGARDING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SPORT PERFORMANCE

X. Edson, J. Silveira, K. Pfaffenbach Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Universities may not provide athletes and coaches with staff who provide services including performance testing, nutrition, mental health, conditioning, and recovery. Thus, athletes rely on personal understanding and coach input for areas of performance where their knowledge and application may be lacking. PURPOSE: To assess the potential need for additional staff who are focused on sport performance by comparing a self-perceived knowledge survey to a knowledge-based exam on non-game related factors in coaches and athletes at Eastern Oregon University (EOU). METHODS: Coaches (n=15) and athletes (n=103) at EOU participated in an online survey where they were asked to rate their confidence using a rating scale of 0-100 (0-Not Confident, 100-Very Confident) regarding 5 non-game related aspects of sports performance. Each subject then completed a 36-question exam on the 5 non-game related factors. Test questions consisted of Sports Nutrition (n=10), Sports Performance Testing (n=5) Strength and Conditioning (n=7), Recovery from Training (n=6), and Mental Health (n=8). Self perceived survey data and exam scores were averaged. The correlation between the self perceived survey scores and performance on the exams was calculated. RESULTS: The average rating of self-perceived knowledge for coaches was 75.6±5 and 74.8±3.4 for athletes. Coaches scored an average of 63%±17 on their knowledge exam, whereas athletes\u27 average score was 58%±18.2. The correlations between topic exam scores and self-perceived knowledge were low. The relationship between self-perceived rating and area exam score were highest in both coaches and athletes for the nutrition section, with R=0.24 and R=0.28, respectively. Of note, the lowest correlations for both coaches and athletes were in the topic area of Mental Health (R=-0.32 coaches and R=0.00 athletes). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a need for increased resources and /or knowledge in areas of sports performance for coaches and athletes at EOU

ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH, SIMULATED WORK-ACTIVITIES, EXERCISE EFFICIENCY, AND CARDIORESPIRATORY CAPACITY IN RAPPEL FIREFIGHTERS

J. Taylor, J. Morgan, D. Dutto, K. Pfaffenbach Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR. Wildland Rappel Firefighters are a unique task force responsible for forest fire ‘initial attack’. Briefly, at the outset of a wildfire, rappellers are dispatched via helicopter to the site of the burn. They descend from ropes out of the helicopter into the area of the blaze and set about to control the burn. Initial fire control requires arduous physical labor and can last 8 to 24 hours. Firefighters are then tasked with maintenance that last between 24-72 hours. From there, rappellers are responsible to for extraditing themselves from the backcountry via a ‘pack out’. Pack outs require hiking on undulating terrain, often without trail, with a 50kg pack across distances ranging from 8-16km. Despite the unique physical demands of this group of firefighters, little is known regarding the range of strength and fitness across the heterogenous population of firefighters. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to better understand the baseline strength and cardiorespiratory capacity of a group of rappel firefighters. By understanding the unique strength and metabolic characteristics of each firefighters will allow for the development of individualized training programs. METHODS: Firefighters from the Grande Ronde Rapellers crew participated (n=14, age=33.5±4.27 years). Strength assessments included deadlift, 4.5kg medball throw, and a step test with 34kg pack at 120bpm/foot strike. Cardiorespiratory and exercise efficiency were assessed using open air spirometry gas analysis at various exercise intensities. Treadmill speed was set at 5.63kmh and subjects completed 5 minutes at 0.5% incline, 10% incline, 0.5% incline with 34kg pack, and 10% grade with pack. VO2 max was assessed with graded exercise test RESULTS: Mean and range for calculated deadlift max was 122.94±31.85kg and 81.82 - 193.18kg. Med Ball throw mean and range was 775.1±285.80Watts and 440-1149watts. Mean VO2 max was 44.16±6.02ml/kg/min. We observed substantial variation in exercise requirements in the inclined conditions. For example, average HR during inclined walking ranged 129.7-179.7bpm. Similarly, average HR varied during weighted incline walking from 156.3bpm to 199.7bpm. CONCLUSION: Despite having the same work demands, there is substantial variability between rappel firefighters in the strength and cardiorespiratory capacity

CARDIOMETABOLIC ASSESSMENT OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE GRANDE RONDE RAPPELLERS WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING CREW

J. Jacobs, K. Uhlenkott, M. Slater, M. Akers, K. Pfaffenbach Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Wildland firefighting is a job that requires strength and stamina. The Grande Ronde Rappellers (GRR) are highly-trained aerially delivered firefighters that provide ‘initial attack’ on forest fires. Rappellers are often ‘on’ fires for 72 hours, where they work physically active shifts ranging from 4-16 hours, and then are required to ‘pack out’ across 5-15+ miles of mountainous terrain carrying loads in excess of 50 kg. Few studies have examined the cardiometabolic fitness and efficiency of wildland firefighters, and no studies to our knowledge have examined members of a USFS rappel crew. PURPOSE: To examine the heart rate, oxygen consumption, and rate of caloric use of GRR firefighters during a 4 stage metabolic test. METHODS: Each subject underwent a metabolic test with four consecutive 6-minutes stages (24 minutes total) that included sitting, walking on a treadmill at 4mph, walking on a treadmill at 4mph with a 6-8% incline, and walking on an inclined treadmill at 4mph while wearing a 20.45kg vest. Heart Rate (bpm) and VO2 (ml/kg/min) were measured throughout the test. Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) and kilocalories burned (kcal/min) were calculated for each stage. Data from stages was analyzed using ANOVA. RESULTS: Male (n=13) and female (n=2) subjects tested were aged 30.47±3.56 years, weighed 85.12±10.90 kg, and had a mean body fat % of 17.35±4.80. Mean HR (bpm) was different for the sitting, walking, incline, and weighted incline stages were 67.00±9.9, 99.71±12.71, 118.29±13.27, and 146.07±9.62, respectively (p\u3c0.05). Mean VO2 (ml/kg/min) for each of the 4 stages was 3.47±1.01, 18.51±2.37, 24.98±2.18, and 33.55±4.49 (p\u3c0.05). Mean oxidative caloric use rates (kcal/hr) were 86.35±31.15, 454.50±81.79, 622.12±93.64, and 850.77±156.83 (p\u3c0.05). RER for each state was 0.87±0.10, 0.81±0.05, 0.88±0.03, and 0.92±0.02. CONCLUSION: This study provided insights into oxidative energy use and substrate utilization in highly skilled wildland firefighters