Effects of functional strength training on functional movement and balance in middle-aged adults

Functional movement deficiencies cause falls and injuries in adults. Functional strength training (FST) is emerging as a new training method for athletes, middle-aged and older adults, to improve functional movement: The present study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of FST on balance and functional movement in healthy and independent middle-aged adults. The sample for this study consisted of 46 physically active individuals (24 female and 22 male). A total of 46 subjects were divided based on randomly into the functional strength training (FST) group (n = 26) aged: 51.55 ± 3.73 years; height: 168.69 ± 8.8 cm; body mass: 75.88 ± 12.18; and traditional strength training (TST) group (n = 20) age: 52.85 ± 4.01; height: 166.9 ± 9.98; body mass: 76.15 ± 10.45. Each group performed 24 sessions of a training protocol three-time a week. The functional movement was assessed using the functional movement screen (FMS) protocol. Balance performance was determined by using the balance error scoring system (BESS). Bodyweight and body fat ratio were measured using bioelectric impedance. There was a significant statistical difference between FMS total scores after an eight-week FST in the FST group. After the intervention, the functional strength group tended to have significantly better balance control than the traditional strength group (p = 0.01). Statistically, significant differences were observed between pre-test and post-test in the intervention group on BMI, body fat, and body mass (p = 0.01). There were not found significant differences in balance control and FMS score in TST group. As a result of this study, FST positively affected the FMS total score and balance performance in middle-aged adults. Early detections of the deficiencies in functional movement and balance in the middle ages may reduce the risk of insufficiency and fall in adults through targeted functional strength training intervention

Predicting Shear Capacity of RC Beams Strengthened with NSM FRP Using Neural Networks

This research aims to predict the shear capacity of NSM FRP beams using the neural network method. The study investigates the key considerations and the necessary analysis for this prediction. NSM FRP beams are reinforced concrete beams that are strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Accurately predicting their shear capacity is important for ensuring their safety and reliability in real-world applications. The neural network method is a machine learning approach that is increasingly used in engineering analysis and design. The study explores how this method can be used to predict the shear capacity of NSM FRP beams and what factors should be taken into account in this analysis. The research also discusses the analytical approach required for this prediction, highlighting the necessary steps for obtaining accurate results. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the use of the neural network method for predicting the shear capacity of NSM FRP beams. The findings can help inform future research and practical applications in the field of structural engineering, contributing to the development of safer and more reliable structures

Tuning viscoelastic properties of supermolecular peptide gels via dynamic covalent crosslinking

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A dynamic covalent crosslinking approach is used to crosslink supramolecular peptide gels. This novel approach facilitates tuning viscoelastic properties of the gel and enhances mechanical stability (storage modulus exceeding 10(5) Pa) of the peptide gels

Highly senstivive determination of 2.4,6-Trinitrotolunene and Related Byproducts Using a Diol Functionalized Column for High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Cataloged from PDF version of article.In this work, a new detection method for complete separation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT); 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT); 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT); 2-aminodinitrotoluene (2-ADNT) and 4-aminodinitrotoluene (4-ADNT) molecules in high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) with UV sensor has been developed using diol column. This approach improves on cost, time, and sensitivity over the existing methods, providing a simple and effective alternative. Total analysis time was less than 13 minutes including column re-equilibration between runs, in which water and acetonitrile were used as gradient elution solvents. Under optimized conditions, the minimum resolution between 2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT peaks was 2.06. The recovery rates for spiked environmental samples were between 95-98%. The detection limits for diol column ranged from 0.78 to 1.17 μg/L for TNT and its byproducts. While the solvent consumption was 26.4 mL/min for two-phase EPA and 30 mL/min for EPA 8330 methods, it was only 8.8 mL/min for diol column. The resolution was improved up to 49% respect to two-phase EPA and EPA 8330 methods. When compared to C-18 and phenyl-3 columns, solvent usage was reduced up to 64% using diol column and resolution was enhanced approximately two-fold. The sensitivity of diol column was afforded by the hydroxyl groups on polyol layer, joining the formation of charge-transfer complexes with nitroaromatic compounds according to acceptor-donor interactions. Having compliance with current requirements, the proposed method demonstrates sensitive and robust separation. © 2014 Gumuscu et al

A supramolecular peptide nanofiber templated Pd nanocatalyst for efficient Suzuki coupling reactions under aqueous conditions

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A bioinspired peptide amphiphile nanofiber template for formation of one-dimensional Pd nanostructures is demonstrated. The Pd and peptide nanocatalyst system enabled efficient catalytic activity in Suzuki coupling reactions in water at room temperature. The nanocatalyst system can be easily separated and reused in successive reactions without significant loss in activity and structural integrity. This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Highly Transparent, Flexible, and Thermally Stable Superhydrophobic ORMOSIL Aerogel Thin Films

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We report preparation of highly transparent, flexible, and thermally stable superhydrophobic organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) aerogel thin films from colloidal dispersions at ambient conditions. The prepared dispersions are suitable for large area processing with ease of coating and be:ing directly applicable without requiring any pre- or post-treatment on a variety of surfaces including glass, wood, and plastics. ORMOSIL films exhibit and retain superhydrophobic behavior up to 500 degrees C and even on bent flexible substrates. The surface of the films can be converted from superhydrophobic (contact angle of 179.9 degrees) to superhydrophilic (contact angle of <5 degrees) by calcination at high temperatures. The wettability of the coatings can be changed by tuning the calcination temperature and duration. The prepared films also exhibit low refractive index and high porosity making them suitable as multifunctional coatings for many application fields including solar cells, flexible electronics, and lab on papers

Cooperative effect of heparan sulfate and laminin mimetic peptide nanofibers on the promotion of neurite outgrowth

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Extracellular matrix contains an abundant variety of signals that are received by cell surface receptors contributing to cell fate, via regulation of cellular activities such as proliferation, migration and differentiation. Cues from extracellular matrix can be used for the development of materials to direct cells into their desired fate. Neural extracellular matrix (ECM) is rich in axonal growth inducer proteins, and by mimicking these permissive elements in the cellular environment, neural differentiation as well as neurite outgrowth can be induced. In this paper, we used a synthetic peptide nanofiber system that can mimic not only the activity of laminin, an axonal growth-promoting constituent of the neural ECM, but also the activity of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in order to induce neuritogenesis. Heparan sulfate mimetic groups that were utilized in our system have an affinity to growth factors and induce the neuroregenerative effect of laminin mimetic peptide nanofibers. The self-assembled peptide nanofibers with heparan sulfate mimetic and laminin-derived epitopes significantly promoted neurite outgrowth by PC-12 cells. In addition, these scaffolds were even effective in the presence of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which are the major inhibitory components of the central nervous system. In the presence of these nanofibers, cells could overcome CSPG inhibitory effect and extend neurites on peptide nanofiber scaffolds. © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Glycosaminoglycan mimetric peptide nanofibers promote mineralization by osteogenic cells

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Bone tissue regeneration is accomplished by concerted regulation of protein-based extracellular matrix components, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and inductive growth factors. GAGs constitute a significant portion of the extracellular matrix and have a significant impact on regulating cellular behavior, either directly or through encapsulation and presentation of growth factors to the cells. In this study we utilized a supramolecular peptide nanofiber system that can emulate both the nanofibrous architecture of collagenous extracellular matrix and the major chemical composition found on GAGs. GAGs and collagen mimetic peptide nanofibers were designed and synthesized with sulfonate and carboxylate groups on the peptide scaffold. The GAG mimetic peptide nanofibers interact with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), which is a critical growth factor for osteogenic activity. The GAG mimicking ability of the peptide nanofibers and their interaction with BMP-2 promoted osteogenic activity and mineralization by osteoblastic cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity, Alizarin red staining and energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy indicated the efficacy of the peptide nanofibers in inducing mineralization. The multifunctional and bioactive microenvironment presented here provides osteoblastic cells with osteogenic stimuli similar to those observed in native bone tissue

Electrostatic effects on nanofiber formation of self-assembling peptide amphiphiles

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Self-assembling peptide amphiphile molecules have been of interest to various tissue engineering studies. These molecules self-assemble into nanofibers which organize into three-dimensional networks to form hydrocolloid systems mimicking the extracellular matrix. The formation of nanofibers is affected by the electrostatic interactions among the peptides. In this work, we studied the effect of charged groups on the peptides on nanofiber formation. The self-assembly process was studied by pH and zeta potential measurements, FT-IR, circular dichroism, rheology, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The aggregation of the peptides was triggered upon neutralization of the charged residues by pH change or addition of electrolyte or biomacromolecules. Understanding the controlled formation of the hydrocolloid gels composed of peptide amphiphile nanofibers can lead us to develop in situ gel forming bioactive collagen mimetic nanofibers for various tissue engineering studies including bioactive surface coatings. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved