1,607 research outputs found
KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE VOLLEYBALL BACK ROW JUMP SPIKE
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the kinematic characteristics of the volleyball one-foot and two-foot back row jump spikes. Eight elite male players participated in this study. Two Peak high-speed cameras (120Hz) were synchronised to record the spiking action. The results indicated that the one-foot spike had a greater approach, centre of mass (CM) velocity, a greater horizontal CM velocity at takeoff and a shorter spiking time than that of the two-foot spike. The swing leg of the one-foot jump spike also played an important role in contributing fo~wardm omentum to the jump during the support phase. This study provides information for coaches in teaching the volleyball one-foot and two-foot back row jump spike
Sodium vacancy ordering and the co-existence of localized spins and itinerant charges in NaxCoO2
The sodium cobaltate family (NaxCoO2) is unique among transition metal oxides
because the Co sits on a triangular lattice and its valence can be tuned over a
wide range by varying the Na concentration x. Up to now detailed modeling of
the rich phenomenology (which ranges from unconventional superconductivity to
enhanced thermopower) has been hampered by the difficulty of controlling pure
phases. We discovered that certain Na concentrations are specially stable and
are associated with superlattice ordering of the Na clusters. This leads
naturally to a picture of co-existence of localized spins and itinerant charge
carriers. For x = 0.84 we found a remarkably small Fermi energy of 87 K. Our
picture brings coherence to a variety of measurements ranging from NMR to
optical to thermal transport. Our results also allow us to take the first step
towards modeling the mysterious ``Curie-Weiss'' metal state at x = 0.71. We
suggest the local moments may form a quantum spin liquid state and we propose
experimental test of our hypothesis.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
The PARSE Programming Paradigm. Part I: Software Development Methodology. Part II: Software Development Support Tools
The programming methodology of PARSE (parallel software environment), a software environment being developed for reconfigurable non-shared memory parallel computers, is described. This environment will consist of an integrated collection of language interfaces, automatic and semi-automatic debugging and analysis tools, and operating system âall of which are made more flexible by the use of a knowledge-based implementation for the tools that make up PARSE. The programming paradigm supports the user freely choosing among three basic approaches /abstractions for programming a parallel machine: logic-based descriptive, sequential-control procedural, and parallel-control procedural programming. All of these result in efficient parallel execution. The current work discusses the methodology underlying PARSE, whereas the companion paper, âThe PARSE Programming Paradigm â II: Software Development Support Tools,â details each of the component tools
Quantized algebras of functions on homogeneous spaces with Poisson stabilizers
Let G be a simply connected semisimple compact Lie group with standard
Poisson structure, K a closed Poisson-Lie subgroup, 0<q<1. We study a
quantization C(G_q/K_q) of the algebra of continuous functions on G/K. Using
results of Soibelman and Dijkhuizen-Stokman we classify the irreducible
representations of C(G_q/K_q) and obtain a composition series for C(G_q/K_q).
We describe closures of the symplectic leaves of G/K refining the well-known
description in the case of flag manifolds in terms of the Bruhat order. We then
show that the same rules describe the topology on the spectrum of C(G_q/K_q).
Next we show that the family of C*-algebras C(G_q/K_q), 0<q\le1, has a
canonical structure of a continuous field of C*-algebras and provides a strict
deformation quantization of the Poisson algebra \C[G/K]. Finally, extending a
result of Nagy, we show that C(G_q/K_q) is canonically KK-equivalent to C(G/K).Comment: 23 pages; minor changes, typos correcte
Prediction of strong shock structure using the bimodal distribution function
A modified Mott-Smith method for predicting the one-dimensional shock wave
solution at very high Mach numbers is constructed by developing a system of
fluid dynamic equations. The predicted shock solutions in a gas of Maxwell
molecules, a hard sphere gas and in argon using the newly proposed formalism
are compared with the experimental data, direct-simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC)
solution and other solutions computed from some existing theories for Mach
numbers M<50. In the limit of an infinitely large Mach number, the predicted
shock profiles are also compared with the DSMC solution. The density,
temperature and heat flux profiles calculated at different Mach numbers have
been shown to have good agreement with the experimental and DSMC solutionsComment: 22 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Choledochoduodenal fistula presenting with pneumobilia in a patient with gallbladder cancer: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Spontaneous biliary tract fistulas are rare entities. Most of them are associated with long-standing gallstones (especially common bile duct stones, or recurrent biliary tract infections), some with more uncommon diseases such as gallbladder cancer. Some authors believe that back flow from fistulas predisposes patients to gallbladder cancer and some believe that cancer causes necrosis and fistula formation. Gallbladder cancer has a dismal prognosis and 85% of patients are dead within a year of diagnosis. A common complication of gallbladder cancer is obstruction of the common bile duct, which may produce multiple intra-hepatic abscesses in or near the tumor-laden gallbladder. Fistula formation may further complicate the clinical picture.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of choledochoduodenal fistula in a 60-year-old diabetic African-American woman with gallbladder cancer. The initial clinical presentation was confusing and complex. Our patient was also found to have a gallbladder fossa abscess that was drained percutaneously as another complicating factor relating to her cancer. She developed myocardial infarction, massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding and respiratory arrest during her stay in hospital. Computed tomography was very helpful in assessing our patient and we discuss how, in a patient with pneumobilia, it can be helpful for detecting fistula, air in bile ducts or to show contractions of the gallbladder.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We believe this case merits reporting as it shows an entity that is not frequently thought of, is hard to diagnose and can be fatal, as in our patient. Careful evaluation, and computed tomography studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography are helpful in early diagnosis and finding better management options for these patients.</p
BMP-2 induces ATF4 phosphorylation in chondrocytes through a COX-2/PGE2 dependent signaling pathway
SummaryObjectiveBone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2 is approved for fracture non-union and spine fusion. We aimed to further dissect its downstream signaling events in chondrocytes with the ultimate goal to develop novel therapeutics that can mimic BMP-2 effect but have less complications.MethodsBMP-2 effect on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression was examined using Real time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Genetic approach was used to identify the signaling pathway mediating the BMP-2 effect. Similarly, the pathway transducing the PGE2 effect on ATF4 was investigated. Immunoprecipitation (IP) was performed to assess the complex formation after PGE2 binding.ResultsBMP-2 increased COX-2 expression in primary mouse costosternal chondrocytes (PMCSC). The results from the C9 Tet-off system demonstrated that endogenous BMP-2 also upregulated COX-2 expression. Genetic approaches using PMCSC from ALK2fx/fx, ALK3fx/fx, ALK6â/â, and Smad1fx/fx mice established that BMP-2 regulated COX-2 through activation of ALK3âSmad1 signaling. PGE-2 EIA showed that BMP-2 increased PGE2 production in PMCSC. ATF4 is a transcription factor that regulates bone formation. While PGE2 did not have significant effect on ATF4 expression, it induced ATF4 phosphorylation. In addition to stimulating COX-2 expression, BMP-2 also induced phosphorylation of ATF4. Using COX-2 deficient chondrocytes, we demonstrated that the BMP-2 effect on ATF4 was COX-2-dependent. Tibial fracture samples from COX-2â/â mice showed reduced phospho-ATF4 immunoreactivity compared to wild type (WT) ones. PGE2 mediated ATF4 phosphorylation involved signaling primarily through the EP2 and EP4 receptors and PGE2 induced an EP4-ERK1/2-RSK2 complex formation.ConclusionsBMP-2 regulates COX-2 expression through ALK3âSmad1 signaling, and PGE2 induces ATF4 phosphorylation via EP4-ERK1/2-RSK2 axis
An Empirical Charge Transfer Potential with Correct Dissociation Limits
The empirical valence bond (EVB) method [J. Chem. Phys. 52, 1262 (1970)] has
always embodied charge transfer processes. The mechanism of that behavior is
examined here and recast for use as a new empirical potential energy surface
for large-scale simulations. A two-state model is explored. The main features
of the model are: (1) Explicit decomposition of the total system electron
density is invoked; (2) The charge is defined through the density decomposition
into constituent contributions; (3) The charge transfer behavior is controlled
through the resonance energy matrix elements which cannot be ignored; and (4) A
reference-state approach, similar in spirit to the EVB method, is used to
define the resonance state energy contributions in terms of "knowable"
quantities. With equal validity, the new potential energy can be expressed as a
nonthermal ensemble average with a nonlinear but analytical charge dependence
in the occupation number. Dissociation to neutral species for a gas-phase
process is preserved. A variant of constrained search density functional theory
is advocated as the preferred way to define an energy for a given charge.Comment: Submitted to J. Chem. Phys. 11/12/03. 14 pages, 8 figure
Hot and repulsive traffic flow
We study a message passing model, applicable also to traffic problems. The
model is implemented in a discrete lattice, where particles move towards their
destination, with fluctuations around the minimal distance path. A repulsive
interaction between particles is introduced in order to avoid the appearance of
traffic jam. We have studied the parameter space finding regions of fluid
traffic, and saturated ones, being separated by abrupt changes. The improvement
of the system performance is also explored, by the introduction of a
non-constant potential acting on the particles. Finally, we deal with the
behavior of the system when temporary failures in the transmission occurs.Comment: 22 pages, uuencoded gzipped postscript file. 11 figures include
Changes in intracellular ion activities induced by adrenaline in human and rat skeletal muscle
To study the stimulating effect of adrenaline (ADR) on active Na+/K+ transport we used double-barrelled ion-sensitive micro-electrodes to measure the activities of extracellular K+ (aKe) and intracellular Na+ (aNai) in isolated preparations of rat soleus muscle, normal human intercostal muscle and one case of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (h.p.p.). In these preparations bath-application of ADR (10â6 M) resulted in a membrane hyperpolarization and transient decreasesaKe andaNai which could be blocked by ouabain (3Ă10â4 M). In the h.p.p. muslce a continuous rise ofaNai induced by elevation ofaKe to 5.2 mM could be stopped by ADR. In addition, the intracellular K+ activity (aKi), the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration (pCai) and intracellular pH (pHi) were monitored in rat soleus muscle. During ADRaKi increased, pHi remained constant and intracellular Ca2+ apparently decreased. In conclusion, our data show that ADR primarily stimulates the Na+/K+ pump in mammalian skeletal muscle. This stimulating action is not impaired in the h.p.p. muscle
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