Modular space station mockup review and evaluation

The modular space station mockup is described in detail with emphasis on the interior arrangements of the crew living spaces, control center, and general purpose laboratory facilities. The results of three mockup reviews are also presented

Modular space station phase B extension preliminary system design. Volume 2: Operations and crew analyses

All analyses and tradeoffs conducted to establish the MSS operations and crew activities are discussed. The missions and subsystem integrated analyses that were completed to assure compatibility of program elements and consistency with program objectives are presented

Physical and physiological profile of U18, U19, U21 and senior elite netball players

Background: Physical and physiological profile data for elite netball players in South Africa and internationally are limited but are necessary for conditioning programme information.Objective: To determine the physical and physiological profiles of U18, U19, U21 and senior level elite netball players at provincial level in the Free State, South Africa. The information provided is by age group and playing position. The fitness of the players for South African and New Zealand netball is also given using the fitness normative data (norms).Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study consisted of 77 elite South African netball players. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to international standards. Fitness tests included the Star Execution Balance Test, standing broad jump, double- and single-leg vertical jump, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1(IR1) test, sprints over 5, 10 and 40 m, horizontal pull-ups and press-ups, the prone bridge test and anaerobic Octorepeater tests with 10 m and 20 m repeated shuttle sprints. In keeping with the descriptive nature of the study, descriptive statistics were calculated for numerical data by age group and playing position.Results: Players generally did not meet the accepted fitness standards in the following areas: press-ups (all age groups), horizontal pull-ups (senior and U21), standing broad jump (senior and U21), vertical squat jump (senior and U21), 5 m and 10 m sprints (senior and U21); anaerobic Octorepeater (senior players), and the aerobic Yo-Yo IR1 test (all age groups).Conclusion: Strength and conditioning coaches should develop training programmes to address fitness areas where players do not meet the international standards. Keywords: sport, fitness tests, body composition, performance tests, fitness norm

Nonequilibrium free energy of colloidal glasses under shear

The free energy of hard-sphere systems provides a direct link between the particle-scale structure and macroscopic thermodynamic properties. Here, we employ this framework to investigate the shear-induced structure of a colloidal glass, and link it to its macroscopic mechanical and thermodynamic state. We measure the nonequilibrium free energy under shear from the free volumes of the particles, and monitor its evolution with the applied strain. Unlike crystals, for which the elastic energy increases quadratically with strain due to affine particle displacements, for glasses the free energy decreases due to non-affine displacements and dissipation, reflecting the ability of the glass to reach deeper free-energy minima. We model this decrease using the nonaffine shear modulus and a standard viscous dissipative term. Our model and measurements allow us to disentangle the complex contributions of affine and nonaffine particle displacements in the transient shear deformation of glasses

Development of reverse-transcription PCR techniques to analyse the density and sex ratio of gametocytes in genetically diverse Plasmodium chabaudi infections

We have developed cross-genotype and genotype-specific quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays to detect and quantify the number of parasites, transmission stages (gametocytes) and male gametocytes in blood stage Plasmodium chabaudi infections. Our cross-genotype assays are reliable, repeatable and generate counts that correlate strongly (R(2)s > 90%) with counts expected from blood smears. Our genotype-specific assays can distinguish and quantify different stages of genetically distinct parasite clones (genotypes) in mixed infections and are as sensitive as our cross-genotype assays. Using these assays we show that gametocyte density and gametocyte sex ratios vary during infections for two genetically distinct parasite lines (genotypes) and present the first data to reveal how sex ratio is affected when each genotype experiences competition in mixed-genotype infections. Successful infection of mosquito vectors depends on both gametocyte density and their sex ratio and we discuss the implications of competition in genetically diverse infections for transmission success