Effects of Task Requirements on Choice of Upper Extremity Use in Subjects Chronic Post-stroke

Purpose: To explore how task requirements influence reaching in people post-stroke. Subjects: Eleven subjects chronic post-stroke with mild to moderate stroke severity Methods: Participants performed sitting reaching tasks under six conditions: object size (small or large), object location (Right or Left) and speed (slow or fast). Subjects were not instructed how to reach. The number of hands used, arm choice (paretic (P) or nonparetic (NP)), and if they reached contralaterally were recorded. Qualitative self-efficacy data was also collected. Data Analysis: A general estimating equation model was used to calculate odds ratios, controlling for side of weakness and hand dominance. Descriptive statistics were run and qualitative comments reviewed for trends. Results: All reaches were one-handed. Speed and object size were significantly associated with NP UE use (p = 0.002 and p = 0.03 respectively). The odds of using the paretic UE were 10.4 times lower (95% CI: 2.3 - 46.9) for the fast speed and 2.4 times lower (95% CI: 1.1 - 5.4) for the large size. Subjects only reached contralaterally with their NP UE (36.7% of time). Conclusions: Subjects chronic post-stroke with mild/moderate severity use their P UE less to reach for objects that are larger and when reaching faster.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2017/1025/thumbnail.jp

X-Ray Imaging for the Observation of Mode I Fracture in Fibre Reinforced Concrete

In this study X-ray imaging is used to investigate the mechanisms of fracture in fibre reinforced concrete. The investigation looks at the performance of discrete end-hooked fibres crossing a cracking plane at various angles and loaded normal to the plane. The angle of a fibre crossing a crack is found to be an important parameter in determining the mode of failure and bending of the fibres were observed up to approximately 5 mm into the matrix from the fibre exit point. The tests show a probability that some fibres pullout from longer embedded side under Mode I fracture. In the non-destructive observation procedure presented here, the internal actions of the fibres at the various stages of loading can be determined. X-Ray imaging is shown to be a valuable tool in understanding steel fibre-concrete behaviour

Trends and Disparities in the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in South Texas between 2009 and 2015

Background. Recent reports have highlighted possible decreases over time in obesity, particularly among children aged 2–5 years. Hispanic children experience significantly higher obesity rates, and less is known about trends for Hispanic children. Methods. A large healthcare system-based dataset from south Texas was used to analyze body mass index (BMI) values obtained clinically from 2009 through 2015. Age and race/ethnicity specific prevalence of overweight and obesity were calculated using CDC standards and trends were examined over time using regression analyses, and mapping software was used to identify geographic variation. Results. Hispanic children in south Texas experience levels of obesity (25.3%, 95% CI: 25.1–25.6) significantly higher than their white (16.6%, 95% CI: 16.0–17.2) or black (18.2%, 95% CI: 17.3–19.1) peers. Obesity in Hispanic children aged 2–5 years decreased from 18.5%, 95% CI: 16.6–20.5, in 2009 to 15.1%, 95% CI: 14.3–15.9, in 2015. Obesity in Hispanic adolescents was stable at 30.4%, 95% CI: 28.5–32.4, in 2009 and 31.3, 95% CI: 30.3–32.2, in 2015. Conclusions. While obesity decreased in the youngest age group of Hispanic children, south Texas continues to experience high levels of obesity that exceed national averages with significant disparities

X-57 Power and Command System Design

This paper describes the power and command system architecture of the X-57 Maxwell flight demonstrator aircraft. The X-57 is an experimental aircraft designed to demonstrate radically improved aircraft efficiency with a 3.5 times aero-propulsive efficiency gain at a "high-speed cruise" flight condition for comparable general aviation aircraft. These gains are enabled by integrating the design of a new, optimized wing and a new electric propulsion system. As a result, the X-57 vehicle takes advantage of the new capabilities afforded by electric motors as primary propulsors. Integrating new technologies into critical systems in experimental aircraft poses unique challenges that require careful design considerations across the entire vehicle system, such as qualification of new propulsors (motors, in the case of the X-57 aircraft), compatibility of existing systems with a new electric power distribution bus, and instrumentation and monitoring of newly qualified propulsion system devices

Characterization of Protease-Activated Receptor (PAR) Ligands: Parmodulins are Reversible Allosteric Inhibitors of PAR1-Driven Calcium Mobilization in Endothelial Cells

Several classes of ligands for Protease-Activated Receptors (PARs) have shown impressive anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities, including PAR2 antagonists and the PAR1-targeting parmodulins. In order to support medicinal chemistry studies with hundreds of compounds and to perform detailed mode-of-action studies, it became important to develop a reliable PAR assay that is operational with endothelial cells, which mediate the cytoprotective effects of interest. We report a detailed protocol for an intracellular calcium mobilization assay with adherent endothelial cells in multiwell plates that was used to study a number of known and new PAR1 and PAR2 ligands, including an alkynylated version of the PAR1 antagonist RWJ-58259 that is suitable for the preparation of tagged or conjugate compounds. Using the cell line EA.hy926, it was necessary to perform media exchanges with automated liquid handling equipment in order to obtain optimal and reproducible antagonist concentration-response curves. The assay is also suitable for study of PAR2 ligands; a peptide antagonist reported by Fairlie was synthesized and found to inhibit PAR2 in a manner consistent with reports using epithelial cells. The assay was used to confirm that vorapaxar acts as an irreversible antagonist of PAR1 in endothelium, and parmodulin 2 (ML161) and the related parmodulin RR-90 were found to inhibit PAR1 reversibly, in a manner consistent with negative allosteric modulation

Sex-related Differences in Loop Gain during High-Altitude Sleep-disordered Breathing.

Rationale: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is pervasive during sleep at high altitude, disproportionately impacting men and associated with increased peripheral chemosensitivity. Objectives: We aimed to assess whether biological sex affects loop gain (LGn) and CSA severity during sleep over 9-10 days of acclimatization to 3,800 m. We hypothesized that CSA severity would worsen with acclimatization in men but not in women because of greater increases in LGn in men. Methods: Sleep studies were collected from 20 (12 male) healthy participants at low altitude (1,130 m, baseline) and after ascent to (nights 2/3, acute) and residence at high altitude (nights 9/10, prolonged). CSA severity was quantified as the respiratory event index (REI) as a surrogate of the apnea-hypopnea index. LGn, a measure of ventilatory control instability, was quantified using a ventilatory control model fit to nasal flow. Linear mixed models evaluated effects of time at altitude and sex on respiratory event index and LGn. Data are presented as contrast means with 95% confidence intervals. Results: REI was comparable between men and women at acute altitude (4.1 [-9.3, 17.5] events/h; P = 0.54) but significantly greater in men at prolonged altitude (23.7 [10.3, 37.1] events/h; P = 0.0008). Men had greater LGn than did women for acute (0.08 [0.001, 0.15]; P = 0.047) and prolonged (0.17 [0.10, 0.25]; P < 0.0001) altitude. The change in REI per change in LGn was significantly greater in men than in women (107 ± 46 events/h/LGn; P = 0.02). Conclusions: The LGn response to high altitude differed between sexes and contributed to worsening of CSA over time in men but not in women. This sex difference in acclimatization appears to protect females from high altitude-related CSA. These data provide fundamental sex-specific physiological insight into high-altitude acclimatization in healthy individuals and may help to inform sex differences in sleep-disordered breathing pathogenesis in patients with cardiorespiratory disease

X-57 Maxwell Battery from Cell Level to System Level Design and Testing

The X-57 Maxwell flight demonstrator aircraft is an experimental aircraft designed to demonstrate radically improved aircraft efficiency with a 3.5 times aero-propulsive efficiency gain at a "high-speed cruise" flight condition for comparable general aviation aircraft. These gains are enabled by integrating the design of a new, optimized wing and a new electric propulsion system. There are 14 propulsors in all: 12 high lift motor that are only active during takeoff and climb, and 2 larger motors positioned on the wingtips that operate over the entire mission. The innovative electric propulsion system will have as its primary power a Li-ion battery system. Integrating a battery system into this innovative design poses unique challenges that require careful design considerations across the system. The presentation will cover a breakout of X-57 battery specifications, battery design and lessons learned when designing a high voltage battery system to power electrified aircrafts

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Technology Education for Teachers - reviewed by Bill GoddardUnderstanding Design and Technology Key Stage 2 & 3 - reviewed by Melanie FasciatoElectronics Tasks and Assignments - reviewed by Trevor TaylorOutline Scheme of Work 'Working towards Capability' - reviewed by Bill GoddardCADpius - reviewed by Les PorterTechnology 1 - reviewed by Richard AgerDigital Electronics - reviewed by David FosterAn Introduction to Usability - reviewed by Anne RiggsHow do they do that? - reviewed by Jonty KinsellaD & T Routes: Graphic Products - reviewed by George AsquithD & T Routes: Textiles - reviewed by Jillian MellorD & T Routes: Resistant Materials - reviewed by Chris SnellD & T Routes: Food - reviewed by Margaret JepsonD & T Routes: Control Products - reviewed by Chris WoodD & T Routes: Core Book - reviewed by Jenny JupeD & T Routes: Teacher's Resource - reviewed by Jenny Jup

CO₂ drawdown following the middle Miocene expansion of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

The development of a permanent, stable ice sheet in East Antarctica happened during the middle Miocene, about 14 Myr (million years) ago. The middle Miocene therefore represents one of the distinct phases of rapid change in the transition from the “greenhouse” of the early Eocene to the “icehouse” of the present day. Carbonate carbon isotope records of the period immediately following the main stage of ice sheet development reveal a major perturbation in the carbon system, represented by the positive δ13C excursion known as carbon maximum 6 (“CM6”), which has traditionally been interpreted as reflecting increased burial of organic matter and atmospheric pCO2 drawdown. More recently, it has been suggested that the δ13C excursion records a negative feedback resulting from the reduction of silicate weathering and an increase in atmospheric pCO2. Here we present high-resolution multi-proxy (alkenone carbon and foraminiferal boron isotope) records of atmospheric carbon dioxide and sea surface temperature across CM6. Similar to previously published records spanning this interval, our records document a world of generally low (~300 ppm) atmospheric pCO2 at a time generally accepted to be much warmer than today. Crucially, they also reveal a pCO2 decrease with associated cooling, which demonstrates that the carbon burial hypothesis for CM6 is feasible and could have acted as a positive feedback on global cooling.</p