1,078 research outputs found
Prospective study of biomechanical risk factors for second and third metatarsal stress fractures in military recruits
This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordObjectives
This prospective study investigated anatomical and biomechanical risk factors for second and third metatarsal stress fractures in military recruits during training.
Design
Prospective cohort study.
Methods
Anatomical and biomechanical measures were taken for 1065 Royal Marines recruits at the start of training when injury-free. Data included passive range of ankle dorsi-flexion, dynamic peak ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar pressures during barefoot running. Separate univariate regression models were developed to identify differences between recruits who developed second (n = 7) or third (n = 14) metatarsal stress fracture and a cohort of recruits completing training with no injury (n = 150) (p < 0.05). A multinomial logistic regression model was developed to predict the risk of injury for the two sites compared with the no-injury group. Multinomial logistic regression results were back transformed from log scale and presented in Relative Risk Ratios (RRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Lower dynamic arch index (high arch) (RRR: 0.75, CI: 0.63–0.89, p < 0.01) and lower foot abduction (RRR: 0.87, CI: 0.80–0.96, p < 0.01) were identified as increasing risk for second metatarsal stress fracture, while younger age (RRR: 0.78, CI: 0.61–0.99, p < 0.05) and later peak pressure at the second metatarsal head area (RRR: 1.19, CI: 1.04–1.35, p < 0.01) were identified as risk factors for third metatarsal stress fracture.
Conclusions
For second metatarsal stress fracture, aspects of foot type have been identified as influencing injury risk. For third metatarsal stress fracture, a delayed forefoot loading increases injury risk. Identification of these different injury mechanisms can inform development of interventions for treatment and prevention.Funding to support this project was provided by University of Exeter and Institute of Naval Medicine
Synchronization of spin-torque driven nanooscillators for point contacts on a quasi-1D nanowire: Micromagnetic simulations
In this paper we present detailed numerical simulation studies on the
synchronization of two spin-torque nanooscillators (STNO) in the quasi-1D
geometry: magnetization oscillations are induced in a thin NiFe nanostripe by a
spin polarized current injected via square-shaped CoFe nanomagnets on the top
of this stripe. In a sufficiently large out-of-plane field, a propagating
oscillation mode appears in such a system. Due to the absence of the
geometrically caused wave decay in 1D systems, this mode is expected to enable
a long-distance synchronization between STNOs. Indeed, our simulations predict
that synchronization of two STNOs on a nanowire is possible up to the
intercontact distance 3 mkm (for the nanowire width 50 nm). However, we have
also found several qualitatively new features of the synchronization behaviour
for this system, which make the achievement of a stable synchronization in this
geometry to a highly non-trivial task. In particular, there exist a minimal
distance between the nanocontacts, below which a synchronization of STNOs can
not be achieved. Further, when the current value in the first contact is kept
constant, the amplitude of synchronized oscillations depends non-monotonously
on the current value in the second contact. Finally, for one and the same
currents values through the contacts there might exist several synchronized
states (with different frequencies), depending on the initial conditions.Comment: 13 pages with 4 figurews, recently submitted to PR
Analysis of geologic terrain models for determination of optimum SAR sensor configuration and optimum information extraction for exploration of global non-renewable resources. Pilot study: Arkansas Remote Sensing Laboratory, part 1, part 2, and part 3
Computer-generated radar simulations and mathematical geologic terrain models were used to establish the optimum radar sensor operating parameters for geologic research. An initial set of mathematical geologic terrain models was created for three basic landforms and families of simulated radar images were prepared from these models for numerous interacting sensor, platform, and terrain variables. The tradeoffs between the various sensor parameters and the quantity and quality of the extractable geologic data were investigated as well as the development of automated techniques of digital SAR image analysis. Initial work on a texture analysis of SEASAT SAR imagery is reported. Computer-generated radar simulations are shown for combinations of two geologic models and three SAR angles of incidence
Adiabatic Domain Wall Motion and Landau-Lifshitz Damping
Recent theory and measurements of the velocity of current-driven domain walls
in magnetic nanowires have re-opened the unresolved question of whether
Landau-Lifshitz damping or Gilbert damping provides the more natural
description of dissipative magnetization dynamics. In this paper, we argue that
(as in the past) experiment cannot distinguish the two, but that
Landau-Lifshitz damping nevertheless provides the most physically sensible
interpretation of the equation of motion. From this perspective, (i) adiabatic
spin-transfer torque dominates the dynamics with small corrections from
non-adiabatic effects; (ii) the damping always decreases the magnetic free
energy, and (iii) microscopic calculations of damping become consistent with
general statistical and thermodynamic considerations
Origin of the spectral linewidth in non linear oscillators based on MgO tunnel junctions
We demonstrate the strong impact of the oscillator agility on the line
broadening by studying spin transfer induced microwave emission in MgO-based
tunnel junctions with current. The linewidth is almost not affected by
decreasing the temperature. At very low currents, a strong enhancement of the
linewidth at low temperature is attributed to an increase of the non linearity,
probably due to the field-like torque. Finally we evidence that the noise is
not dominated by thermal fluctuations but rather by the chaotization of the
magnetization system induced by the spin transfer torque.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, published in Phys. Rev. B 80, 060404 (2009
The relationship between the raw acceleration signal from a commercially available accelerometer and ground reaction force
PublishedPoster presentation. 2nd International Congress on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Activity and Movement Hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University May 2011Accelerometers are increasingly employed to assess relationships between physical activity and health. Output is in proprietary counts, hindering between model comparisons, and translated into time spent at activity intensities based on energy expenditure. Bone mineral density (BMD) is improved by mechanical overload. Thus, in order to use accelerometers to assess activity beneficial to bone, accelerometer output needs to be calibrated against mechanical loading, e.g. ground reaction force (GRF). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the raw acceleration signal (vertical and resultant over three axes) from a new commercially available accelerometer and mechanical loading
Wrist-worn Accelerometry for Runners: Objective Quantification of Training Load.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to apply open-source analysis code to raw habitual physical activity data from wrist-worn monitors to: 1) objectively, unobtrusively, and accurately discriminate between "running" and "nonrunning" days; and 2) develop and compare simple accelerometer-derived metrics of external training load with existing self-report measures. METHODS: Seven-day wrist-worn accelerometer (GENEActiv; Activinsights Ltd, Kimbolton, UK) data obtained from 35 experienced runners (age, 41.9 ± 11.4 yr; height, 1.72 ± 0.08 m; mass, 68.5 ± 9.7 kg; body mass index, 23.2 ± 2.2 kg·m; 19 [54%] women) every other week over 9 to 18 wk were date-matched with self-reported training log data. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were applied to accelerometer metrics ("Average Acceleration," "Most Active-30mins," "Mins≥400 mg") to discriminate between "running" and "nonrunning" days and cross-validated (leave one out cross-validation). Variance explained in training log criterion metrics (miles, duration, training load) by accelerometer metrics (Mins≥400 mg, "workload (WL) 400-4000 mg") was examined using linear regression with leave one out cross-validation. RESULTS: Most Active-30mins and Mins≥400 mg had >94% accuracy for correctly classifying "running" and "nonrunning" days, with validation indicating robustness. Variance explained in miles, duration, and training load by Mins≥400 mg (67%-76%) and WL400-4000 mg (55%-69%) was high, with validation indicating robustness. CONCLUSIONS: Wrist-worn accelerometer metrics can be used to objectively, unobtrusively, and accurately identify running training days in runners, reducing the need for training logs or user input in future prospective research or commercial activity tracking. The high percentage of variance explained in existing self-reported measures of training load by simple, accelerometer-derived metrics of external training load supports the future use of accelerometry for prospective, preventative, and prescriptive monitoring purposes in runners
Ideal Spin Filters: Theoretical Study of Electron Transmission Through Ordered and Disordered Interfaces Between Ferromagnetic Metals and Semiconductors
It is predicted that certain atomically ordered interfaces between some
ferromagnetic metals (F) and semiconductors (S) should act as ideal spin
filters that transmit electrons only from the majority spin bands or only from
the minority spin bands of the F to the S at the Fermi energy, even for F with
both majority and minority bands at the Fermi level. Criteria for determining
which combinations of F, S and interface should be ideal spin filters are
formulated. The criteria depend only on the bulk band structures of the S and F
and on the translational symmetries of the S, F and interface. Several examples
of systems that meet these criteria to a high degree of precision are
identified. Disordered interfaces between F and S are also studied and it is
found that intermixing between the S and F can result in interfaces with spin
anti-filtering properties, the transmitted electrons being much less spin
polarized than those in the ferromagnetic metal at the Fermi energy. A patent
application based on this work has been commenced by Simon Fraser University.Comment: RevTeX, 12 pages, 5 figure
Magnetization reversal by injection and transfer of spin: experiments and theory
Reversing the magnetization of a ferromagnet by spin transfer from a current,
rather than by applying a magnetic field, is the central idea of an extensive
current research. After a review of our experiments of current-induced
magnetization reversal in Co/Cu/Co trilayered pillars, we present the model we
have worked out for the calculation of the current-induced torque and the
interpretation of the experiments
Permanent current from non-commutative spin algebra
We show that a spontaneous electric current is induced in a nano-scale
conducting ring just by putting three ferromagnets. The current is a direct
consequence of the non-commutativity of the spin algebra, and is proportional
to the non-coplanarity (chirality) of the magnetization vectors. The
spontaneous current gives a natural explanation to the chirality-driven
anomalous Hall effect.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures on separate pag
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