102 research outputs found
Value of a physical education program for mentally retarded children
Physical activities are a vital element in the daily life of the retarded child at each level of his development, from the first movement of the infant to the coordinated movements required for participation in games and later vocational tasks. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the areas of motor, social and cognitive development as they are affected by physical activities and/or exercises. Secondly, the writer attempted to bring together lists of games, activities, equipment, records and movies to be used in working with retarded children
A Novel Cable-Driven Robotic Training Improves Locomotor Function in Individuals Post-Stroke
A novel cable-driven robotic gait training system has been tested to improve the locomotor function in individuals post stroke. Seven subjects with chronic stroke were recruited to participate in this 6 weeks robot-assisted treadmill training paradigm. A controlled assistance force was applied to the paretic leg at the ankle through a cable-driven robotic system. The force was applied from late stance to mid-swing during treadmill training. Body weight support was provided as necessary to prevent knee buckling or toe drag. Subjects were trained 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Overground gait speed, 6 minute walking distance, and balance were evaluated at pre, post 6 weeks robotic training, and at 8 weeks follow up. Significant improvements in gait speed and 6 minute walking distance were obtained following robotic treadmill training through a cable-driven robotic system. Results from this study indicate that it is feasible to improve the locomotor function in individuals post stroke through a flexible cable-driven robot
A Chandra study of the large-scale shock and cool filaments in Hydra A: Evidence for substantial gas dredge-up by the central outburst
We present the results of a Chandra study of the Hydra A galaxy cluster,
where a powerful AGN outburst created a large-scale cocoon shock. We
investigated possible azimuthal variations in shock strength and shape, finding
indications for a weak shock with a Mach number in the range ~1.2-1.3. We
measured the temperature change across the shock front. However, the detection
of a temperature rise in the regions immediately inside of the front is
complicated by the underlying temperature profile of the cluster atmosphere. We
measured the global temperature profile of the cluster up to 700 kpc, which
represents the farthest measurement obtained with Chandra for this cluster. A
"plateau" in the temperature profile in the range ~70-150 kpc indicates the
presence of cool gas, which is likely the result of uplift of material by the
AGN outburst. After masking the cool filaments visible in the hardness ratio
map, the plateau disappears and the temperature profile recovers a typical
shape with a peak around 190 kpc, just inside the shock front. However, it is
unlikely that such a temperature feature is produced by the shock as it is
consistent with the general shape of the temperature profiles observed for
relaxed galaxy clusters. We studied the spectral properties of the cool
filaments finding evidence that ~10^11 M_sun of low-entropy material has been
dredged up by the rising lobes from the central 30 kpc to the observed current
position of 75-150 kpc. The energy required to lift the cool gas is >~2.2 x
10^60 erg, which is comparable to the work required to inflate the cavities and
is ~25% of the total energy of the large-scale shock. Our results show that the
AGN feedback in Hydra A is acting not only by directly heating the gas, but
also by removing a substantial amount of potential fuel for the SMBH.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ (version with
full resolution figures available at
http://www.bo.astro.it/~myriam/files/papers/gitti-hydra.pdf
The Influence of Motion and Stress on Optical Fibers
We report on extensive testing carried out on the optical fibers for the
VIRUS instrument. The primary result of this work explores how 10+ years of
simulated wear on a VIRUS fiber bundle affects both transmission and focal
ratio degradation (FRD) of the optical fibers. During the accelerated lifetime
tests we continuously monitored the fibers for signs of FRD. We find that
transient FRD events were common during the portions of the tests when motion
was at telescope slew rates, but dropped to negligible levels during rates of
motion typical for science observation. Tests of fiber transmission and FRD
conducted both before and after the lifetime tests reveal that while
transmission values do not change over the 10+ years of simulated wear, a clear
increase in FRD is seen in all 18 fibers tested. This increase in FRD is likely
due to microfractures that develop over time from repeated flexure of the fiber
bundle, and stands in contrast to the transient FRD events that stem from
localized stress and subsequent modal diffusion of light within the fibers.
There was no measurable wavelength dependence on the increase in FRD over 350
nm to 600 nm. We also report on bend radius tests conducted on individual
fibers and find the 266 microns VIRUS fibers to be immune to bending-induced
FRD at bend radii of R > 10cm. Below this bend radius FRD increases slightly
with decreasing radius. Lastly, we give details of a degradation seen in the
fiber bundle currently deployed on the Mitchell Spectrograph (formally VIRUS-P)
at McDonald Observatory. The degradation is shown to be caused by a localized
shear in a select number of optical fibers that leads to an explosive form of
FRD. In a few fibers, the overall transmission loss through the instrument can
exceed 80%.Comment: 19 pages, 22 figure
Recommended from our members
Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacological Activity of \u3cem\u3eKigelia africana\u3c/em\u3e (Bignoniaceae) and \u3cem\u3eGarcinia kola\u3c/em\u3e (Clusiaceae) - a Review
Pahs, Ionized Gas, and Molecular Hydrogen in Brightest Cluster Galaxies of Cool Core Clusters of Galaxies
We present measurements of 5-25 {\mu}m emission features of brightest cluster
galaxies (BCGs) with strong optical emission lines in a sample of 9 cool-core
clusters of galaxies observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on board the
Spitzer Space Telescope. These systems provide a view of dusty molecular gas
and star formation, surrounded by dense, X-ray emitting intracluster gas. Past
work has shown that BCGs in cool-core clusters may host powerful radio sources,
luminous optical emission line systems, and excess UV, while BCGs in other
clusters never show this activity. In this sample, we detect polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), extremely luminous, rotationally-excited
molecular hydrogen line emission, forbidden line emission from ionized gas ([Ne
II] and [Ne III]), and infrared continuum emission from warm dust and cool
stars. We show here that these BCGs exhibit more luminous forbidden neon and H2
rotational line emission than star-forming galaxies with similar total infrared
luminosities, as well as somewhat higher ratios of 70 {\mu}m / 24 {\mu}m
luminosities. Our analysis suggests that while star formation processes
dominate the heating of the dust and PAHs, a heating process consistent with
suprathermal electron heating from the hot gas, distinct from star formation,
is heating the molecular gas and contributing to the heating of the ionized gas
in the galaxies. The survival of PAHs and dust suggests that dusty gas is
somehow shielded from significant interaction with the X-ray gas.Comment: 27 preprint pages, 18 figures, accepted by Astrophysical Journa
Effect of precursor pH on AuNP/MWCNT nanocomposites synthesized by plasma-induced non-equilibrium electrochemistry
In recent years, plasma-induced non-equilibrium electrochemistry (PiNE) has been increasingly used for the synthesis of nanomaterials. In this study, we investigated the effect of solution pH on the formation of AuNP/MWCNT nanocomposites synthesized by PiNE. It is found that resulting nanocomposite morphology can be manipulated by the solution pH with pH 2 giving the most uniformly distributed AuNP along the MWCNT surface during the nanocomposite formation. The detailed mechanisms of AuNP/MWCNT nanocomposites formation under different pH have been discussed. For selected AuNP/MWCNT, we further evaluated the photothermal conversion performance under a blue laser (wavelength 445 nm) and the material biocompatibility using HeLa cells. The promising photothermal capability and biocompatibility of the composite sample point to their potential future applications such as solar thermal conversion and healthcare technology
Elementary Classroom Teachersâ Self-Reported Use of Movement Integration Products and Perceived Facilitators and Barriers Related to Product Use
Movement integration (MI) products are designed to provide children with physical activity during general education classroom time. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary classroom teachersâ self-reported use of MI products and subsequent perceptions of the facilitators of and barriers to MI product use. This study utilized a mixed-methods design. Elementary classroom teachers (n = 40) at four schools each tested four of six common MI products in their classroom for one week. Teachers completed a daily diary, documenting duration and frequency of product use. Following each product test, focus groups were conducted with teachers to assess facilitators and barriers. MI product use lasted for 11.2 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 7.5) min/occasion and MI products were used 4.1 (SD = 3.5) times/week on average. Activity Bursts in the Classroom for Fitness, GoNoodle, and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum were most frequently used. Facilitators of and barriers to MI product use were identified within three central areasâlogistics, alignment with teaching goals, and student needs and interests. Teachers were receptive to MI products and used them frequently throughout the week. When considering the adoption of MI products, teachers, administrators, and policy makers should consider products that are readily usable, align with teaching goals, and are consistent with student needs and interests
Priority & hazardous occurrence in domestic wastewater from small scale systems in Ireland
A wide range of household sources may potentially contribute to contaminant loads in domestic wastewater. Typically domestic wastewater is combined and transported as a single waste stream, however, there is considerable variation in the pollutant and pathogen content of wastewater derived from different activities within the home (e.g. toilet flushing, dish washing, bathing etc.). In Ireland, the issue of unsewered wastewater treatment systems often located in rural areas and estimated to number over 400,000, constitutes a significant diffuse risk to both surface & groundwater. DCU & CIT have teamed up with DkIT and their project partners to carry out a preliminary investigation into the levels of priority & hazardous substances in domestic wastewater from a number of single dwelling houses within the Lough Muckno Catchment, Co. Monaghan and an integrated constructed wetland (ICW) on the grounds of the Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough, Co. Monaghan
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