54 research outputs found
Hypoglycemic Detection by Human Breath: A Mobile Health App that Alerts Diabetics of Low Blood Glucose
Get PDFLow blood glucose (BG) or hypoglycemia (HYPO) can lead to severe health complications such as weakness and unconsciousness. To avoid problems BG self-management is needed. We developed a non-invasive breathing system (HYPOalert) to detect HYPO in human-breath, that sends warning alerts and data visualization to monitor progress. This paper presents two HYPOalert prototype iterations with testing results. Of 14 Type 1/2 diabetics tested, only 10% were pleased with existing monitoring systems and 85% expressed interest in using HYPOalert more than 20x a day. The usability study showed that 92% agreed-strongly agreed with the HYPOalert design, including color/menus/navigation/typography; and 64% felt positive about the apps consistency, flexibility, and info architecture. A post-test survey provided a satisfaction score: 6.64/10, with an open-ended interview showing that HYPOalert could positively impact lifestyle practices, self-managing, and help advance an understanding of the disease
The effects of creatine supplementation on sprint running performance and selected hormonal responses
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of short-term creatine supplementation on sprint running performance (100 and 200 m) and circulating hormone [growth hormone (GH), testosterone and cortisol] concentrations. Twenty amateur male runners were randomly divided into a creatine supplementation group, or placebo group. Subjects were provided with capsules containing either creatine monohydrate or identical powdered cellulose placebo. Daily creatine monohydrate supplementation was 20 g/day parceled into three equal dosages to be consumed with each major meal. Subjects were tested for performance and resting blood hormone concentrations before and after six days. A double-blind research design was employed in this study. After this creatine loading, the mean running performance time of the creatine supplementation group decreased significantly in the 100 m, but not the 200 m. Serum GH, testosterone, and cortisol concentrations were not affected by creatine supplementation. It can therefore be concluded that although short-term creatine supplementation was found to improve sprint performance in the 100 m in amateur runners, this performance improvement did not appear to be hormonally mediated.Key words: Sprint performance; Creatine supplementation; Hormonal responses; Creatine loading.
INVESTIGATING THE AXIAL BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE COLUMN CONFINEMENT WITH INNER AND OUTER GFRP
No full textThe retrofitting of concrete columns by using FRP fiber for strength and ductility is taken into consideration. Recent studies have shown that confined concrete with FRP shows different behavior comparing when confined with steel; therefore, the need for research on concrete columns reinforced with FRP is clear. In this study, finite element analysis and modeling by using finite element software are used to investigate the behavior of columns reinforced with GFRP fibers. Model verification is performed by using the results of laboratory study, and the good agreement between test results and finite element modeling is observed. The next step is to examine the parameters of compressive strength of concrete and column shapes in behavior of reinforced column with FRP. The results in terms of vertical displacement-force Graphs and buckling, are extracted and compared.The deterioration of the nation's infrastructure has been well documented and publicized FRP composites have emerged as a potential solution to the problems associated with the infrastructure. An economic application of FRP materials is in the form of composite construction with concrete, such that FRP can act as a load-carrying partner and protective measure for the structural members. One such application has been demonstrated in fiber jacketing technique, which is now considered as an effective retrofitting tool for the existing columns. By using the principles of fiber-wrapping and steel-jacketing practice, classic steel-concrete composite columns, FRP pressure vessels, and steel-encased plastic piles, a novel type of composite column is proposed that consists of a reinforced concrete core confined in a FRP tubular jacket. The main advantage of FRP-concrete composite construction is the optimal use of materials based on their mechanical properties and resistance to corrosive composite members with pseudo ductile characteristics and high stiffness and strength properties.The composite shell may be a multi-layer FRP tube that consists of at least two plies: an inner ply of longitudinal fibers and an outer ply of circumferential fibers. The longitudinal fibers are inhibited from outward buckling by the outer circumferentially oriented fiber ply and from inward buckling by the concrete core. Similar tubes have been made with a center ply of longitudinal fibers sandwiched between two plies of circumferential fibers
The effects of creatine supplementation on performance and hormonal response in amateur swimmers
No full textObjectifs Le but de cette étude était de déterminer l’influence à court terme d’une supplémentation en créatine sur la performance lors de sprints en natation (50 et 100 m) et sur les réponses hormonales (hormone de croissance, testostérone et le cortisol). Méthodes Vingt nageurs amateurs ont ingéré du monohydrate de créatine (CR) ou un placebo (PL) pendant six jours pendant lesquels ils ont poursuivi leur entraînement de natation. Les performances et les réponses hormonales ont été enregistrées le jour précédent et après cette période de charge orale en créatine. Résultats Le temps de nage moyen du groupe CR sur 50 m était significativement diminué (53,1 ± 3,73 secondes avant charge vs 50,7 ± 2,84 secondes après supplémentation). L’hormone de croissance et le cortisol n’ont pas été affectés par cette charge en créatine. En revanche, la concentration de testostérone était significativement plus élevée dans CR par rapport à PL après la période de supplémentation (p < 0,05). Conclusion Nos résultats suggèrent qu’une supplémentation de courte durée en créatine a amélioré de manière significative la performance lors de sprints sur 50 m chez des nageurs amateurs sans que l’on puisse imputer de manière objective une médiation hormonale.Mots clés Nageurs; Supplémentation en créatine; Hormones anabolisante
The influence of resistance, aerobic and concurrent training on serum visfatin concentrations in healthy men
No full textHeat transfer and flow analysis of Al2O3-Water nanofluids in interrupted microchannel heat sink with ellipse and diamond ribs in the transverse microchambers
No full textA three-dimensional numerical simulation of an interrupted microchannel heat sink is performed to investigate the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of a nanofluid flow. In the first part the effect of two different rib shapes on flow characteristics is studied to find the optimum design. In this part water is used as working fluid. For the second part of the present work, an Al2O3/water nanofluid with different volume fractions is modeled as the working fluid, and its performance is compared to water. Analysis shows that using ellipse ribs results in better performance of the microchannel rather than diamond ribs and no ribs. It was also shown that at least 2% of nanoparticles volume fraction is required to achieve an enhancement in heat transfer
Psychosocial and Individual Characteristics and Musculoskeletal Complaints Among Clinical Laboratory Workers
No full textMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an important health problem among healthcare workers, including clinical laboratory ones. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and individual and psychosocial risk factors among clinical laboratory workers. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 156 workers of 30 clinical laboratories in 3 towns of Iran. The Nordic questionnaire with individual and psychosocial risk factors was used to collect data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. The prevalence of reported MSDs among the study population was 72.4% in the past 12 months. The most prevalent MSDs were pain in the lower back and neck; 42.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Significant relations were found between MSDs and age, gender, heavy work at home and job control (p < .05). MSDs among laboratory workers were high and associated with age, gender, heavy work at home and job control. More research into measuring these factors and workplace physical demands is suggested
Development of Direct-printed Tactile Sensors for Gripper Control through Contact and Slip Detection
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