Correlation between the cardiorespiratory endurance, dynamic postural control and thoracic kyphosis angle among the students

Background: Any deviation in the normal spinal alignment can alter the cardiorespiratory endurance and the posture control. The aim of present study was to investigate the correlation between cardiorespiratory endurance, dynamic postural control and kyphosis angle among the students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on students (n=100; 48 girls and 52 boys) selected randomly according to inclusion criteria. Cardiorespiratory endurance, postural control and kyphosis angle were assessed using shuttle run test, Y balance test and flexible ruler, respectively. Normal distribution of the data was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation product moment and linear regression (P≤0.05). Results: The results showed a significant negative correlation between the cardiorespiratory endurance and kyphosis angle (P=0.012, r=-0.3.3). In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between the dynamic postural control and kyphosis angle (P=0.003, r=-0.254). Conclusion: According to our findings it seems mandatory for health and school's, sport coaches to screen the student's spinal deformities and evaluate its associated complications (e.g. decreased cardiorespiratory endurance and postural balance)

Non-Smooth Economic Dispatch Solution by Using Enhanced Bat-Inspired Optimization Algorithm

Economic Dispatch (ED) is one of the most important problems in the operation of power plants which can help to build up effective generating management plans. The practical ED problem has non-smooth cost function with nonlinear constraints which make it difficult to be effectively solved. This paper presents a novel heuristic and efficient optimization approach for a constrained non-smooth economic dispatch (ED) problem using the new Bat algorithm (BA). The proposed algorithm easily takes care of different constraints. Different modifications in moving patterns of the bat optimization method are proposed to search the feasible space more effectively. The simulation results on IEEE 40-unit test system obtained by the proposed algorithms are compared with the results obtained using other recently develop methods available in the literature

An Intelligent Approach Based on Meta-Heuristic Algorithm for Non-Convex Economic Dispatch

One of the significant strategies of the power systems is Economic Dispatch (ED) problem, which is defined as the optimal generation of power units to produce energy at the lowest cost by fulfilling the demand within several limits. The undeniable impacts of ramp rate limits, valve loading, prohibited operating zone, spinning reserve and multi-fuel option on the economic dispatch of practical power systems are scrutinized in this paper. Thus, the proposed nonlinear non-convex formulation is solved by a new modified version of bio-inspired bat algorithm. Due to the complexities associated with the large-scale optimization problem of economic dispatch, adaptive modifications are added to the original bat algorithm. The modification methods are applied at two separate stages and pledge augmentation in convergence rate of the algorithm as well as extricating the algorithm from local optima. Veracity of the proposed methodology are corroborated by performing simulations on three IEEE test systems

An Interleaved Configuration of Modified KY Converter with High Conversion Ratio for Renewable Energy Applications; Design, Analysis and Implementation

In this paper, a new high efficiency, high step-up, non-isolated, interleaved DC-DC converter for renewable energy applications is presented. In the suggested topology, two modified step-up KY converters are interleaved to obtain a high conversion ratio without the use of coupled inductors. In comparison with the conventional interleaved DC-DC converters such as boost, buck-boost, SEPIC, ZETA and CUK, the presented converter has higher voltage gain that is obtained with a suitable duty cycle. Despite the high voltage gain of the proposed converter, the voltage stress of the power switches and diodes is low. Therefore, switches with low conduction losses can be applied to improve the converter efficiency. Moreover, due to utilization of interleaving techniques, the input current ripple is low which makes the suggested converter a good candidate for renewable energy applications such as PV power system. Operation principle and steady-state analysis of the proposed converter in continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) are discussed in detail. Also, theoretical efficiency of the proposed converter is calculated. Finally, in order to evaluate the proposed converter operation by a renewable energy source such as a PV, the simulation results are presented. Moreover, a 220W prototype of the presented DC-DC converter is designed and implemented in the laboratory to verify its performance

Low-Cost High-Throughput Genotyping for Diagnosing Familial Hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common but underdiagnosed genetic disorder characterized by high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and premature cardiovascular disease. Current sequencing methods to diagnose FH are expensive and time-consuming. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of a low-cost, high-throughput genotyping array for diagnosing FH. METHODS: An Illumina Global Screening Array was customized to include probes for 636 variants, previously classified as FH-causing variants. First, its theoretical coverage was assessed in all FH variant carriers diagnosed through next-generation sequencing between 2016 and 2022 in the Netherlands (n=1772). Next, the performance of the array was validated in another sample of FH variant carriers previously identified in the Dutch FH cascade screening program (n=1268). RESULTS: The theoretical coverage of the array for FH-causing variants was 91.3%. Validation of the array was assessed in a sample of 1268 carriers of whom 1015 carried a variant in LDLR, 250 in APOB, and 3 in PCSK9. The overall sensitivity was 94.7% and increased to 98.2% after excluding participants with variants not included in the array design. Copy number variation analysis yielded a 89.4% sensitivity. In 18 carriers, the array identified a total of 19 additional FH-causing variants. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed 5 of the additionally identified variants, yielding a false-positive result in 16 subjects (1.3%).CONCLUSIONS: The FH genotyping array is a promising tool for genetically diagnosing FH at low costs and has the potential to greatly increase accessibility to genetic testing for FH. Continuous customization of the array will further improve its performance.</p

Detection of titanium oxide in the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter.

As an exoplanet transits its host star, some of the light from the star is absorbed by the atoms and molecules in the planet's atmosphere, causing the planet to seem bigger; plotting the planet's observed size as a function of the wavelength of the light produces a transmission spectrum. Measuring the tiny variations in the transmission spectrum, together with atmospheric modelling, then gives clues to the properties of the exoplanet's atmosphere. Chemical species composed of light elements-such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, sodium and potassium-have in this way been detected in the atmospheres of several hot giant exoplanets, but molecules composed of heavier elements have thus far proved elusive. Nonetheless, it has been predicted that metal oxides such as titanium oxide (TiO) and vanadium oxide occur in the observable regions of the very hottest exoplanetary atmospheres, causing thermal inversions on the dayside. Here we report the detection of TiO in the atmosphere of the hot-Jupiter planet WASP-19b. Our combined spectrum, with its wide spectral coverage, reveals the presence of TiO (to a confidence level of 7.7σ), a strongly scattering haze (7.4σ) and sodium (3.4σ), and confirms the presence of water (7.9σ) in the atmosphere