The Leg-Tuck versus the Plank-Hold Relative to the Army Combat Fitness Test: Interactions with Body Composition, Strength and Sex.

In 2020 the U.S. Army replaced their older physical fitness test with the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to replicate modern battlefield demands. One component of the test, the leg-tuck (LTK) was found to disproportionately fail female soldiers. Following an independent review, the Army adopted the plank-hold (PLK), attempting to limit the influence of sex differences during the assessment. However, research regarding performance, relationships, and the influence of sex on the LTK versus the PLK is limited. PURPOSE: To determine relationships between the LTK, PLK, sex, body composition and abdominal and grip strength. METHODS: 49 physically active civilian college students (28 males, 21 females) were recruited as a surrogate population for Army personnel in this study. The following data were collected in one session: height; body mass (BM), body fat (BF%) and muscle mass percentage (MM%) measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis; combined grip strength (CGS) from both hands; the LTK; and the PLK. ACFT standards were utilized for the LTK and PLK for all participants and a 10-minute rest was provided between tests. Independent t-tests compared sexes in all variables (p\u3c.05). Partial correlations controlling for sex detailed relationships between the LTK and PLK and the other variables (p\u3c.05). Stepwise regression controlling for sex derived predictive relationships for the LTK and PLK. RESULTS: There were significant between-sex differences with males being taller, having greater BM, MM%, and performing better in CGS and the LTK. Females had greater BF%. There was no significant between-sex difference found in PLK performance. The LTK significantly correlated with PLK (r=.404), height (r=.546), BM (r=.343), BF% (r=-.639), MM% (r=.697) and CGS (r=.732). In addition to the relationship with the LTK, the PLK only correlated with BF% (r=-.295). Stepwise regression analysis showed LTK performance was predicted by sex (r2=.441), grip strength (r2=.595), and PLK performance (r2=.662). When controlling for sex, a significant predictive relationship was not produced for the PLK. CONCLUSION: Compared to the LTK, the PLK appeared to minimize the influence of sex and body composition on task performance in college-aged civilians. More research is needed on whether the PLK relates to Army job tasks

Data Publication with the Structural Biology Data Grid Supports Live Analysis

Access to experimental X-ray diffraction image data is fundamental for validation and reproduction of macromolecular models and indispensable for development of structural biology processing methods. Here, we established a diffraction data publication and dissemination system, Structural Biology Data Grid (SBDG; data.sbgrid.org), to preserve primary experimental data sets that support scientific publications. Data sets are accessible to researchers through a community driven data grid, which facilitates global data access. Our analysis of a pilot collection of crystallographic data sets demonstrates that the information archived by SBDG is sufficient to reprocess data to statistics that meet or exceed the quality of the original published structures. SBDG has extended its services to the entire community and is used to develop support for other types of biomedical data sets. It is anticipated that access to the experimental data sets will enhance the paradigm shift in the community towards a much more dynamic body of continuously improving data analysis

Data Publication with the Structural Biology Data Grid Supports Live Analysis

Access to experimental X-ray diffraction image data is fundamental for validation and reproduction of macromolecular models and indispensable for development of structural biology processing methods. Here, we established a diffraction data publication and dissemination system, Structural Biology Data Grid (SBDG; data.sbgrid.org), to preserve primary experimental data sets that support scientific publications. Data sets are accessible to researchers through a community driven data grid, which facilitates global data access. Our analysis of a pilot collection of crystallographic data sets demonstrates that the information archived by SBDG is sufficient to reprocess data to statistics that meet or exceed the quality of the original published structures. SBDG has extended its services to the entire community and is used to develop support for other types of biomedical data sets. It is anticipated that access to the experimental data sets will enhance the paradigm shift in the community towards a much more dynamic body of continuously improving data analysis

Determining crystal structures through crowdsourcing and coursework

We show here that computer game players can build high-quality crystal structures. Introduction of a new feature into the computer game Foldit allows players to build and real-space refine structures into electron density maps. To assess the usefulness of this feature, we held a crystallographic model-building competition between trained crystallographers, undergraduate students, Foldit players and automatic model-building algorithms. After removal of disordered residues, a team of Foldit players achieved the most accurate structure. Analysing the target protein of the competition, YPL067C, uncovered a new family of histidine triad proteins apparently involved in the prevention of amyloid toxicity. From this study, we conclude that crystallographers can utilize crowdsourcing to interpret electron density information and to produce structure solutions of the highest quality

Combined dorsolateral and intraoral approach for the resection of tumors of the maxilla in the dog

This paper describes in detail a combined dorsal and intraoral approach for maxillectomy for tumors involving tissues more caudal to the third premolar. The only intraoperative complication was that of blood loss, with six out of 20 dogs requiring a single unit of blood. Histopathologically clean margins were obtained in 14 of the 20 cases, with a recurrence rate of 50% in these dogs and a median time to recurrence of 24 months. This represents an improvement in outcome over previously reported studies, and the authors postulate this is due to the better exposure and access to the area afforded by the combined approach over the standard intraoral approach