A “start to swim” program for health-enhancement purpose: a Delphi study

Introduction Popularity of “start to run” or “start to cycle” programs increases with the evidence that regular physical activity contributes to the prevention and management of a wide range of chronic diseases (Rippe and Angelopoulos, 2010). Nevertheless, start to swim programs could lead to even more health-enhancing outcomes (Chase et al., 2008). The aim of this study was to obtain a “start to swim” model program by means of a two-round Delphi study. Methods In the first round, 10 key-experts in sport physiology (n=4) or in swimming coaching (n=6) outlined possible relevant components of the “start to swim” program in a semi-structured interview. Initial exclusion criterion, program set-up, program key principles, program progression and final goals were interrogated. Then, a facilitator provided an anonymous summary of the experts’ suggestions from the previous round as well as the arguments they provided for their choice. In the second round, experts were asked to comment on this summary before providing a final form to this program. Results After two rounds, the experts agreed on a collective and coached intervention with 2 sessions per week and a progressive replacing of the coach by a group leader during a 4 months program. People without medical contraindication and able to swim 25 meters could take part to this program. The final goal-setting is personal and based on each individual progression and motivation. Sessions are endurance-oriented and divided between traditional swimming sessions and diversified aquatic activities. In order to support this active lifestyle in a long-term basis, referring to swimming clubs or other aquatic activities associations are performed by the coach at the end of the program. Discussion The start to swim program take into consideration behavioural and social aspects necessary for a successful adoption and maintenance of physical activity (Khan et al, 2002). Consistent with previous findings, a group-based program (Cox et al., 2008) with individually adapted-goals (Marcus and Forsyth, 2003) could lead to a long-term adherence to exercise. Future studies should include systematic evaluation of the “start to swim” program before translation into the community

Tools for early design stage: presentation of LBR-5 Software

peer reviewedLBR-5 is a tool for early design stage. Taking into account numerous kinds of constraints – structural, geometrical, etc. – an optimum scantling can quickly been found. In the framework of IMPROVE European project many new modules have been implemented to increase the quality of the optimised scantling. Mainly 6 major changes have been brought: implementation of a sloshing module, a fatigue module, a multi-structure module, a multi-materials module, a life cycle cost module and finally a vibration module. Tests to validate these modules have been carried out on the three ships studied in the IMPROVE project: a LNG, a Chemical Tanker and a ROPAX

Selective Small-Molecule Agonists of G Protein–Coupled Receptor 40 Promote Glucose-Dependent Insulin Secretion and Reduce Blood Glucose in Mice

OBJECTIVE— Acute activation of G protein–coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) by free fatty acids (FFAs) or synthetic GPR40 agonists enhances insulin secretion. However, it is still a matter of debate whether activation of GPR40 would be beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, since chronic exposure to FFAs impairs islet function. We sought to evaluate the specific role of GPR40 in islets and its potential as a therapeutic target using compounds that specifically activate GPR40

Palmitate-induced impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse pancreatic islets

It has been well established that excessive levels of glucose and palmitate lower glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by pancreatic beta cells. This beta cell 'glucolipotoxicity' is possibly mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, but involvement of bioenergetic failure in the pathological mechanism is subject of ongoing debate. We show here that increased palmitate levels impair GSIS before altering mitochondrial function. We demonstrate that GSIS defects arise from increased insulin release under basal conditions in addition to decreased insulin secretion under glucose-stimulatory conditions. Real-time respiratory analysis of intact mouse pancreatic islets reveals that mitochondrial ATP synthesis is not involved in the mechanism by which basal insulin is elevated. Equally, mitochondrial lipid oxidation and production of reactive oxygen species do not contribute to increased basal insulin secretion. Palmitate does not affect KCl-induced insulin release at a basal or stimulatory glucose level, but elevated basal insulin release is attenuated by palmitoleate and associates with increased intracellular calcium. These findings deepen our understanding of beta cell glucolipotoxicity and reveal that palmitate-induced GSIS impairment is disconnected from mitochondrial dysfunction, a notion that is important when targeting beta cells for the treatment of diabetes and when assessing islet function in human transplants

Processus d'évaluation et logique organisationnelle

Thèse de doctorat - UCL, 197

Mitigation of pounding between adjacent buildings in earthquake situation

Adjacent buildings subjected to seismic excitations collide against each other when the separation distance is not large enough to accommodate the displacement response of the structures relative to one another. As shown by field observations and by numerical models, seismic pounding can cause severe damage on the affected structures. While these undesirable effects can be prevented by providing adequate separation distances, implementation of generous separations is not possible in metropolitan areas because of maximization of land usage. First, an extensive review of the current state-of-the-art on pounding and on mitigation with a connector linking adjacent structures is made. The only conclusion shared by the researchers is that the effect of pounding on the response of the structure is a very complex one, depending on various parameters of the structures and the characteristics of the ground motion. Due to high complexities of the pounding problems, assumptions have to be made. Most of the researchers have used single-degree-of-freedom systems but this model cannot represent the formation of a storey mechanism or the impact between slab and column. Another assumption generally made is to model linear structure. However, the author found that when pounding occurs, a structure entering in the plastic domain cannot generally be adequately represented by an elastic model.Various assumptions and restrictions are applied to these models. Non-linear direct time history analyses are realized with three artificial accelerograms. The problem has been reduced to a two-dimensional one. The interaction between soil and structure has been neglected. The structures studied have been designed according to Eurocodes [EC8, EC2] for a peak ground acceleration of 0,4g, 0,25g and 0,10g. Beams and columns are idealized as distinct elements and all inelastic deformations are considered concentrated at their two ends (point hinge models). Contact points are known a priori and located at each slab of the buildings. The Kelvin model, a spring and a dashpot used in combination with a gap element, is used in SAP 2000 program to simulate the pounding phenomenon.The pounding effects are first studied. The study concerns adjacent structures having same and different total height and (non)aligned floor levels. It was found difficult to give rules to anticipate the response of the adjacent buildings. This is due to the complex but necessary non-linear behaviour of pounding and structures. In short, pounding amplifies the displacements and the shear action effects of the impacted buildings. These effects can lead to serious damage caused by P-Delta effects or by shear brittle failure. As expected, pounding phenomenon is found to be very dangerous for buildings having non-aligned floor levels.The second part of the work studied the use of connections between adjacent buildings. The study consists in exploring problems and solutions in order to provide guidance to designers. Following the numerical simulations, a practical guide is presented to assist engineers in the choice of the adequate type and properties for the reconnection with reference to the characteristics of the structures submitted to pounding and to their stand-off distances