(In)Consistencies in responses to sodium bicarbonate supplementation: a randomised, repeated measures, counterbalanced and double-blind study

Objectives: Intervention studies do not account for high within-individual variation potentially compromising the magnitude of an effect. Repeat administration of a treatment allows quantification of individual responses and determination of the consistency of responses. We determined the consistency of metabolic and exercise responses following repeated administration of sodium bicarbonate (SB). Design and Methods: 15 physically active males (age 25 ± 4 y; body mass 76.0 ± 7.3 kg; height 1.77 ± 0.05 m) completed six cycling capacity tests at 110% of maximum power output (CCT 110% ) following ingestion of either 0.3 g.kg -1 BM of SB (4 trials) or placebo (PL, 2 trials). Blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess and lactate were determined at baseline, pre-exercise, post-exercise and 5-min post-exercise. Total work done (TWD) was recorded as the exercise outcome. Results: SB supplementation increased blood pH, bicarbonate and base excess prior to every trial (all p ≤0.001); absolute changes in pH, bicarbonate and base excess from baseline to pre-exercise were similar in all SB trials (all p > 0.05). Blood lactate was elevated following exercise in all trials (p ≤ 0.001), and was higher in some, but not all, SB trials compared to PL. TWD was not significantly improved with SB vs. PL in any trial (SB1: +3.6%; SB2 +0.3%; SB3: +2.1%; SB4: +6.7%; all p > 0.05), although magnitude-based inferences suggested a 93% likely improvement in SB4. Individual analysis showed ten participants improved in at least one SB trial above the normal variation of the test although five improved in none. Conclusions: The mechanism for improved exercise with SB was consistently in place prior to exercise, although this only resulted in a likely improvement in one trial. SB does not consistently improve high intensity cycling capacity, with results suggesting that caution should be taken when interpreting the results from single trials as to the efficacy of SB supplementation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0247462

Electrochemical performances of vitreous materials in the system Li2O–V2O5–P2O5 as electrode for lithium batteries

International audienceGlass composition 25Li2O–50V2O5–25P2O5 has been investigated as a potential material for electrode. Electrical properties as well as electrochemical performances of this glass composition have been characterized and results show a capacity less than 80mAhg−1 when tested in the [3–4.5V] potential window. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first lithiated amorphous material reported as a potential positive electrode material. Glasses, due to their wide available compositions in a given system and their easy processing, pave the way to new type of electrode material

Embryo transfer from seropositive goats for caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) with birth of seronegative kid.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether recipient goats would seroconvert following transfer of embryos collected from donor goats seropositive for CAEV and if kids produced would be clinically normal and seronegative for CAEV. Four does (Saanen and Alpine), seropositive for CAEV, were used as donors, receiving superovulation treatment consisting of progestagen, cloprostenol and FSH. During estrus the donors were mated with seropositive bucks. Seven days after estrus, embryo recovery was performed by surgery. The embryos were then frozen according to the protocol of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS). Twelve seronegative does were used as recipients and received an estrus synchronization treatment consisting of progestagen, cloprostenol and eCG. Embryo transfer was performed seven days after synchronized estrus using the semilaparoscopy technique. Pregnancy was verified in one of twelve recipients, that remained seronegative until six months after giving birth and the kid until six months of age. The preliminary success in producing CAEV negative kids and failure of seroconversion in previously seronegative recipients in this study suggests that embryo transfer technology may offer an alternative in the prevention of CAEV transmission in goat herds as well for the utilization of genetic patrimony of seropositive goats. [Transferência de embriões de cabras soropositivas para artrite-encefalite caprina a vírus (CAEV) com nascimento de cria soronegativa]. Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se cabras receptoras sofreriam soroconversão após a transferência de embriões colhidos de cabras soropositivas e se as crias nascidas seriam clinicamente normais e soronegativas para CAEV. Foram utilizadas quatro cabras (Saanen e Alpina), todas soropositivas para CAEV e que receberam um tratamento superovulatório que consistiu no uso de progestágeno, cloprostenol e FSH. Durante o estro, as doadoras foram cobertas por bodes soropositivos. Sete dias após o estro, a colheita de embriões foi realizada utilizando a técnica cirúrgica. Os embriões colhidos foram congelados de acordo com o protocolo da Sociedade Internacional de Transferência de Embriões (IETS). Doze cabras soronegativas foram utilizadas como receptoras e receberam um tratamento de sincronização do estro consistindo de progestágeno, cloprostenol e eCG. A transferência de embriões foi realizada sete dias após o estro sincronizado usando a técnica de semi-laparoscopia. A gestação foi confirmada em uma das doze receptoras, a qual permaneceu soronegativa até seis meses após o parto e sua cria até os seis meses de idade. O sucesso preliminar na produção de crias soronegativas para CAEV e a não soroconversão em receptoras soronegativas sugere que a tecnologia de transferência de embriões pode oferecer uma alternativa para a profilaxia da CAEV em rebanhos caprinos, bem como para o aproveitamento do patrimônio genético de animais soropositivos

Influence of the disorder on tracer dispersion in a flow channel

Tracer dispersion is studied experimentally in periodic or disordered arrays of beads in a capillary tube. Dispersion is measured from light absorption variations near the outlet following a steplike injection of dye at the inlet. Visualizations using dye and pure glycerol are also performed in similar geometries. Taylor dispersion is dominant both in an empty tube and for a periodic array of beads: the dispersivity $l\_d$ increases with the P\'eclet number $Pe$ respectively as $Pe$ and $Pe^{0.82}$ and is larger by a factor of 8 in the second case. In a disordered packing of smaller beads (1/3 of the tube diameter) geometrical dispersion associated to the disorder of the flow field is dominant with a constant value of $l\_d$ reached at high P\'eclet numbers. The minimum dispersivity is slightly higher than in homogeneous nonconsolidated packings of small grains, likely due heterogeneities resulting from wall effects. In a disordered packing with the same beads as in the periodic configuration, $l\_d$ is up to 20 times lower than in the latter and varies as $Pe^\alpha$ with $\alpha = 0.5$ or $= 0.69$ (depending on the fluid viscosity). A simple model accounting for this latter result is suggested.Comment: available online at http://www.edpsciences.org/journal/index.cfm?edpsname=epjap&niv1=contents&niv2=archive

Comprehensive Overview on HVDC Converter Transformer Design: Additional Discussions to the IEC/IEEE 60076-57-129 Standard

HVDC has been chosen as an economical and technical solution for power transmission through long distances, asynchronous interconnections and long submarine cables crossing. Despite DC transmission benefits to power systems, the converters non-linearity produces undesirable effects to the converter transformer in service, mainly listed in the technical standard IEC/IEEE 60076-57-129. However, additional discussions and complementary information can be found in a plurality of references, which are brought in the article under a comprehensive overview perspective. Some design solutions deal with these effects increasing the technical margins, which have direct influence on manufacturing costs and transformer reliability and availability levels. This article goes through the main topics pointed by the standard and the references, investigating their consequences in the converter transformer operation, in order to provide a comprehensive tutorial on design solutions and considerations to deal with those undesirable effects

Бедий эсер талилининъ принциплери ве усуллары меселесине даир

В предложенной статье представлен теоретический материал, который раскрывает вопросы, связанные с принципами и методами анализа художественного произведения, подкреплённый необходимым материалом из крымскотатарской литературы.У запропонованій статті представлений теоретичний матеріал, що розкриває питання, пов'язані із принципами й методами аналізу художнього твору, підкріплений необхідним матеріалом із кримськотатарської літератури.In offered(suggested) clause(article) the theoretical material which opens the questions connected to principles and methods of the analysis of a work of art, supported by a necessary material from крымскотатарской literatures is submitted

Synthesis and Characterization of Advanced Carbon-Based Nanowires – Study of Composites Actuation Capabilities Containing These Nanowires as Fillers

International audienc

A FENCING KINEMATIC ANALYSIS BASED ON COACH’S CRITERIA

The purpose of this study was to identify, based on coach's criteria, upper body and center of mass kinematic variables that lead to a good performance in epee fencing. We used an Optitrack motion capture system to evaluate one skilled amateur fencing athlete performing a lunge in the presence or not of a static opponent. In the presence of a static opponent (target), the individual developed a lower centre of mass forward velocity, a higher epee’s tip forward velocity and improved synchronization between the upper and the lower limbs. The best-performed trials according to coach criteria showed differences in the elbow movement in both the armed and unarmed arm compared to the other trials. Our results highlights the importance of the unarmed arm to lunge performance and corroborate the idea that training with and without the use of a target improve different motor abilities