Guarana and physical performance: A myth or reality?

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a rainforest vine that was domesticated in the Amazon for its caffeine-rich fruits. Each fruit contains from one to three seeds which, properly dried, give rise to a brown paste with a bitter taste. The Food and Drug Administration generally recognizes guarana as safe, although there are no established dosages and it is unclear how much guarana is in each drink, because many companies do not list a milligram amount. The increasing number of energy drink with caffeine-related clearly shows that there seems to be a real risk for adverse health effects such as arrhythmias. However, under moderate use and without combining other stimulants or alcohol, the risk for such side effects seem negligible. Anyway, there is an overwhelming lack of evidence to substantiate claims that guarana contribute to the enhancement of physical or cognitive performance. Additional well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed in order to assess claims made for this product and further elucidate potential adverse effects

Experimental Investigation on the Fracture Behaviour of Natural Stones Exposed to Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

The present paper is devoted to an experimental study on the fracture behaviour of natural stones, commonly used as elements for building cladding, under both monotonic and cyclic loading, with particular emphasis to white Carrara marble. The effect of progressive damage produced by in-service thermal fluctuations can be investigated through the application of appropriate cyclic mechanical loads. In the experimental tests conducted, some static mechanical properties of marble are characterized by means of three-point bending tests on edge-cracked prismatic specimens for the determination of Young's modulus, tensile strength and fracture energy. Moreover, cyclic three-point bending tests are conducted to determine the propagation rate of nominally Mode-I fatigue cracks. Finally, the fatigue behaviour of the marble is studied through a cohesive crack model, in which the direct tensile strength of the material is determined by a Brazilian test, and the behaviour is calibrated by means of a suitable FE model. The effect of crack path on the fracture resistance of marble is discussed

Anonymity and Confidentiality in Secure Distributed Simulation

Research on data confidentiality, integrity and availability is gaining momentum in the ICT community, due to the intrinsically insecure nature of the Internet. While many distributed systems and services are now based on secure communication protocols to avoid eavesdropping and protect confidentiality, the techniques usually employed in distributed simulations do not consider these issues at all. This is probably due to the fact that many real-world simulators rely on monolithic, offline approaches and therefore the issues above do not apply. However, the complexity of the systems to be simulated, and the rise of distributed and cloud based simulation, now impose the adoption of secure simulation architectures. This paper presents a solution to ensure both anonymity and confidentiality in distributed simulations. A performance evaluation based on an anonymized distributed simulator is used for quantifying the performance penalty for being anonymous. The obtained results show that this is a viable solution.Comment: Proceedings of the IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Distributed Simulation and Real Time Applications (DS-RT 2018

Quantitative phase determination by using a Michelson interferometer

The Michelson interferometer is one of the best established tools for quantitative interferometric measurements. It has been, and is still successfully used, not only for scientific purposes, but it is also introduced in undergraduate courses for qualitative demonstrations as well as for quantitative determination of several properties such as refractive index, wavelength, optical thickness, etc. Generally speaking, most of the measurements are carried out by determining phase distortions through the changes in the location and/or shape of the interference fringes. However, the extreme sensitivity of this tool, for which minimum deviations of the conditions of its branches can cause very large modifications in the fringe pattern, makes phase changes difficult to follow and measure. The purpose of this communication is to show that, under certain conditions, the sensitivity of the Michelson interferometer can be 'turned down' allowing the quantitative measurement of phase changes with relative ease. As an example we present how the angle (or, optionally, the refractive index) of a transparent standard optical wedge can be determined. Experimental results are shown and compared with the data provided by the manufacturer showing very good agreement.Fil: Pomarico, Juan Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Pablo Fernando. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: D'angelo, Cristian Adrián. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentin

Dark current spectroscopy of transition metals in CMOS image sensors

We have investigated the effects of deliberate heavymetals contamination on dark current and image defects in CMOS Image Sensors (CIS). Analysis of dark current in these imager dice has revealed different behaviors among most important 3d metals present in the process line. We have implanted directly in 3 Mega array pixels the following metals: Cr, V, Cu, Ni, Fe, Ti, Mo, W, Al and Zn. Analyzing the dark current "spectrum" as obtained for fixed integration periods of time by means of standard image-Testing equipment, these impurities can be identified and detected with a sensitivity of ∼ 109 traps/cm3 or higher

Introduzione

No abstract

Aerobic performance tests related to training and competition running intensities for high performance distance runners

Orientador: Miguel de ArrudaTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação FísicaResumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi relacionar testes de desempenho aeróbio utilizados para estimar o limiar anaeróbio (LAn) com intensidades de corrida em treinamento e competição. Os testes aplicados foram velocidade crítica (Vcrit) e máxima fase estável de lactato (MFEL) e a amostra do estudo fundistas de alto rendimento. Estudos preliminares foram desenvolvidos para avaliar a confiabilidade e aplicabilidade da ferramenta utilizada na determinação de um parâmetro fisiológico de carga confiável (LAn). A metodologia utilizada foi descrita apresentando as técnicas e procedimentos para coletar os dados, assim como a seleção da amostra e o tratamento estatístico. O protocolo de teste de Vcrit para estimar o LAn, quando aplicado no modelo distância vs tempo e com tomada de tempo para 4 distâncias e 3 distâncias se mostrou eficaz e confiável, uma vez que não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos valores dessas variáveis. A aplicação dos instrumentos de monitoramento de carga, percepção subjetiva de intensidade (PSI) e percepção subjetiva de cansaço (PSC) se mostraram eficazes na escolha dos métodos, meios de treinamento e vias metabólicas trabalhadas quando relacionados à dinâmica de carga do microciclo-tipo, entretanto, não foram suficientemente sensíveis para identificar diferenças na acurácia entre as equações de predição de MFELmc e MFELms. Houve boa correlação entre as melhores marcas dos atletas na Meia Maratona vs Distância Limite e Meia Maratona vs Tempo Limite ( r= -0,8 e r= -0,6, respectivamente). As intensidades de corrida em competições oficiais de Meia Maratona, a Vcrit real e a MFELms mostraram importante relação na determinação de velocidades de treinamento e competições. Os métodos e meios de treinamento de fundistas de alto rendimento foram identificados e caracterizados, concluindo que o treinamento organizado contendo intensidades de corrida preditas através de parâmetros confiáveis deve prevalecer na busca do melhor desempenho possível. Os resultados atléticos conhecidos até o presente momento indicam a relevância de estudos fundamentados em respostas fisiológicas diretas para aplicação de intensidades de corrida em fundistas de elevado rendimentoAbstract: The purpose of this study was to relate aerobic performance tests used to estimate the anaerobic threshold (AT) to running intensities in training and competition. The tests applied were critical speed (CS) and maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) and study sample high performance distance runners. Preliminary studies were developed as part of the literature review to support the tool that was used to determine a reliable load physiological parameter (AT), easily applicable and highly replicable. The methodology was described presenting the techniques and procedures for collecting data, as well as sample selection and statistical analysis. The CS test protocol to estimate the AT showed to be effective and reliable when applied to the distance vs time model by collecting the time for 4 distances and 3 distances, once no significant differences were found in the values of these variables. The application of the subjective perception of intensity (SPI) and subjective perception of fatigue (SPF) load tools for monitoring showed to be effective on the choice of methods, means training and metabolic pathways when related to microcycle-type dynamic loading, however, were not sufficiently sensitive to identify differences in accuracy between MLSScm and MLSSsm prediction equations. There was a good correlation between athletes personal bests Half Marathon vs Distance Limit and Half Marathon vs Time Limit (r = -0.8 and r = -0.6, respectively). The running intensities at Half Marathon official competitions, the real CS and MLSSsm, showed an important relation to determine the speed on training and competitions. The methods and means of training for high performance distance runners were identified and characterized, concluding that the organized training that contains predicted running intensities through reliable parameters should prevail in pursuit the best performance. The athletics results known so far indicate the relevance of studies based on direct physiological responses to application of intensities on high performance distance runnersDoutoradoCiencia do DesportoDoutor em Educação Físic