NONLINEAR PERIODIZATION MAXIMIZES STRENGTH GAINS IN SPLIT RESISTANCE TRAINING ROUTINES

Monteiro, AG, Aoki, MS, Evangelista, AL, Alveno, DA, Monteiro, GA, Picarro, IDC, and Ugrinowitsch, C. Nonlinear periodization maximizes strength gains in split resistance training routines. J Strength Cond Res 23(4): 1321-1326, 2009-The purpose of our study was to compare strength gains after 12 weeks of nonperiodized (NP), linear periodized (LP), and nonlinear periodized (NLP) resistance training models using split training routines. Twenty-seven strength-trained men were recruited and randomly assigned to one of 3 balanced groups: NP, LP, and NLP. Strength gains in the leg press and in the bench press exercises were assessed. There were no differences between the training groups in the exercise pre-tests (p > 0.05) (i.e., bench press and leg press). The NLP group was the only group to significantly increase maximum strength in the bench press throughout the 12-week training period. In this group, upper-body strength increased significantly from pre-training to 4 weeks (p < 0.0001), from 4 to 8 weeks (p = 0.004), and from 8 weeks to the post-training (p < 0.02). The NLP group also exhibited an increase in leg press 1 repetition maximum at each time point (pre-training to 4 weeks, 4-8 week, and 8 weeks to post-training, p < 0.0001). The LP group demonstrated strength increases only after the eight training week (p = 0.02). There were no further strength increases from the 8-week to the post-training test. The NP group showed no strength increments after the 12-week training period. No differences were observed in the anthropometric profiles among the training models. In summary, our data suggest that NLP was more effective in increasing both upper- and lower-body strength for trained subjects using split routines.

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in a Community Sample From the City of Sao Paulo

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a community sample from the city of Sao Paulo. METHODS: This epidemiological survey was conducted at a family health program in Sao Paulo, Brazil, using randomized sampling. Data were collected by interviewing residents and were analyzed by Pearson`s correlation coefficients, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy (10.7%) of the 657 subjects currently presented UI, including 50.7% with sporadic UI and 74.3% with UI upon moderate efforts. Ninety-three percent woke up during the night, 43.7% maintained continence until the bathroom, 63.4% had a sensation of wetness, and 77.5% reported no use of any continence aids. Female gender, advanced age, gynecologic or urologic surgery, dysuria, and urinary tract infection were correlated with UI (P < .001; r(2) = 0.572). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of UI was found to be high and was comparable to results from multiple countries.

A study on the pretreatment of a sugarcane bagasse sample with dilute sulfuric acid

Experiments based on a 2(3) central composite full factorial design were carried out in 200-ml stainless-steel containers to study the pretreatment, with dilute sulfuric acid, of a sugarcane bagasse sample obtained from a local sugar-alcohol mill. The independent variables selected for study were temperature, varied from 112.5A degrees C to 157.5A degrees C, residence time, varied from 5.0 to 35.0 min, and sulfuric acid concentration, varied from 0.0% to 3.0% (w/v). Bagasse loading of 15% (w/w) was used in all experiments. Statistical analysis of the experimental results showed that all three independent variables significantly influenced the response variables, namely the bagasse solubilization, efficiency of xylose recovery in the hemicellulosic hydrolysate, efficiency of cellulose enzymatic saccharification, and percentages of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the pretreated solids. Temperature was the factor that influenced the response variables the most, followed by acid concentration and residence time, in that order. Although harsher pretreatment conditions promoted almost complete removal of the hemicellulosic fraction, the amount of xylose recovered in the hemicellulosic hydrolysate did not exceed 61.8% of the maximum theoretical value. Cellulose enzymatic saccharification was favored by more efficient removal of hemicellulose during the pretreatment. However, detoxification of the hemicellulosic hydrolysate was necessary for better bioconversion of the sugars to ethanol.

Characterization of commercial cellulases and their use in the saccharification of a sugarcane bagasse sample pretreated with dilute sulfuric acid

This study aimed to correlate the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose contained in a sugarcane bagasse sample pretreated with dilute H(2)SO(4) with the levels of independent variables such as initial content of solids and loadings of enzymes and surfactant (Tween 20), for two cellulolytic commercial preparations. The preparations, designated cellulase I and cellulase II, were characterized regarding the activities of total cellulases, endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, cellobiase, beta-glucosidase, xylanase, and phenoloxidases (laccase, manganese and lignin peroxidases), as well as protein contents. Both extracts showed complete cellulolytic complexes and considerable activities of xylanases, without activities of phenoloxidases. For the enzymatic hydrolyses, two 2(3) central composite full factorial designs were employed to evaluate the effects caused by the initial content of solids (1.19-4.81%, w/w) and loadings of enzymes (1.9-38.1 FPU/g bagasse) and Tween 20 (0.0-0.1 g/g bagasse) on the cellulose digestibility. Within 24 h of enzymatic hydrolysis, all three independent variables influenced the conversion of cellulose by cellulase I. Using cellulase II, only enzyme and surfactant loadings showed significant effects on cellulose conversion. An additional experiment demonstrated the possibility of increasing the initial content of solids to values much higher than 4.81% (w/w) without compromising the efficiency of cellulose conversion, consequently improving the glucose concentration in the hydrolysate.

Scatter search for a real-life heterogeneous fleet vehicle routing problem with time windows and split deliveries in Brazil

In this paper, we consider a real-life heterogeneous fleet vehicle routing problem with time windows and split deliveries that occurs in a major Brazilian retail group. A single depot attends 519 stores of the group distributed in 11 Brazilian states. To find good solutions to this problem, we propose heuristics as initial solutions and a scatter search (SS) approach. Next, the produced solutions are compared with the routes actually covered by the company. Our results show that the total distribution cost can be reduced significantly when such methods are used. Experimental testing with benchmark instances is used to assess the merit of our proposed procedure. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.

A split-pot experiment with sorghum to test a root water uptake partitioning model

Correct modeling of root water uptake partitioning over depth is an important issue in hydrological and crop growth models. Recently a physically based model to describe root water uptake was developed at single root scale and upscaled to the root system scale considering a homogeneous distribution of roots per soil layer. Root water uptake partitioning is calculated over soil layers or compartments as a function of respective soil hydraulic conditions, specifically the soil matric flux potential, root characteristics and a root system efficiency factor to compensate for within-layer root system heterogeneities. The performance of this model was tested in an experiment performed in two-compartment split-pot lysimeters with sorghum plants. The compartments were submitted to different irrigation cycles resulting in contrasting water contents over time. The root system efficiency factor was determined to be about 0.05. Release of water from roots to soil was predicted and observed on several occasions during the experiment; however, model predictions suggested root water release to occur more often and at a higher rate than observed. This may be due to not considering internal root system resistances, thus overestimating the ease with which roots can act as conductors of water. Excluding these erroneous predictions from the dataset, statistical indices show model performance to be of good quality.

Simultaneous determination of rosiglitazone and its metabolites in rat liver microsomal fraction using hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction for sample preparation

A three-phase hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction method for the analysis of rosiglitazone and its metabolites N-desmethyl rosiglitazone and p-hydroxy rosiglitazone in microsomal preparations is described for the first time. The drug and metabolites HPLC determination was carried out using an X-Terra RP-18 column, at 22 degrees C. The mobile phase was composed of water, acetonitrile and acetic acid (85:15:0.5, v/v/v) and the detection was performed at 245 nm. The hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction procedure was optimized using multifactorial experiments and the following optimal condition was established: sample agitation at 1750 rpm, extraction for 30 min, hydrochloric acid 0.01 mol/L as acceptor phase, 1-octanol as organic phase, and donor phase pH adjustment to 8.0. The recovery rates, obtained by using 1 mL of microsomal preparation, were 47-70%. The method presented LOQs of 50 ng/mL and it was linear over the concentration range of 50-6000 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.9960, for all analytes. The validated method was employed to study the in vitro biotransformation of rosiglitazone using rat liver microsomal fraction.

Methylmercury and inorganic mercury determination in blood by using liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and a fast sample preparation procedure

Despite the necessity to differentiate chemical species of mercury in clinical specimens, there area limited number of methods for this purpose. Then, this paper describes a simple method for the determination of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in blood by using liquid chromatography with inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS) and a fast sample preparation procedure. Prior to analysis, blood (250 mu L) is accurately weighed into 15-mL conical tubes. Then, an extractant solution containing mercaptoethanol, L-cysteine and HCI was added to the samples following sonication for 15 min. Quantitative mercury extraction was achieved with the proposed procedure. Separation of mercury species was accomplished in less than 5 min on a C18 reverse-phase column with a mobile phase containing 0.05% (v/v) mercaptoethanol, 0.4% (m/v) L-cysteine, 0.06 mol L(-1) ammonium acetate and 5% (v/v) methanol. The method detection limits were found to be 0.25 mu g L(-1) and 0.1 mu Lg L(-1) for inorganic mercury and methylmercury, respectively. Method accuracy is traceable to Standard Reference Material (SRM) 966 Toxic Metals in Bovine Blood from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The proposed method was also applied to the speciation of mercury in blood samples collected from fish-eating communities and from rats exposed to thimerosal. With the proposed method there is a considerable reduction of the time of sample preparation prior to speciation of Hg by LC-ICP-MS. Finally, after the application of the proposed method, we demonstrated an interesting in vivo ethylmercury conversion to inorganic mercury. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A fast sample preparation procedure for mercury speciation in hair samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ICP-MS

A simple method for mercury speciation in hair samples with a fast sample preparation procedure using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is proposed. Prior to analysis, 50 mg of hair samples were accurately weighed into 15 mL conical tubes. Then, an extractant solution containing mercaptoethanol, L-cysteine and HCl was added to the samples following sonication for 10 min. Quantitative mercury extraction was achieved with the proposed procedure. Separation of inorganic mercury (Ino-Hg), methylmercury (Met-Hg) and ethylmercury (Et-Hg) was accomplished in less than 8 min on a C18 reverse phase column with a mobile phase containing 0.05% v/v mercaptoethanol, 0.4% m/v L-cysteine, 0.06 mol L(-1) ammonium acetate and 5% v/v methanol. The method detection limits were found to be 15 ng g(-1), 10 ng g(-1) and 38 ng g(-1), for inorganic mercury, methylmercury and ethylmercury, respectively. Sample throughput is 4 samples h(-1) (duplicate). A considerable improvement in the time of analysis was achieved when compared to other published methods. Method accuracy is traceable to Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) 85 and 86 human hair from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the speciation of mercury in hair samples collected from fish-eating communities of the Brazilian Amazon.

Determination of total and inorganic mercury in whole blood by cold vapor inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CV ICP-MS) with alkaline sample preparation

A simple method with a fast sample preparation procedure for total and inorganic mercury determinations in blood samples is proposed based on flow injection cold vapor inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FI-CVICP-MS). Aliquots of whole blood (500 mL) are diluted 1 + 1 v/v with 10.0% v/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution, incubated for 3 h at room temperature and then further diluted 1 + 4 v/v with 2.0% v/v HCl. The inorganic Hg was released by online addition of L-cysteine and then reduced to elemental Hg by SnCl(2). On the other hand, total mercury was determined by on-line addition of KMnO(4) and then reduced to elemental Hg by NaBH(4). Samples were calibrated against matrix-matching. The method detection limit was found to be 0.80 mu g L(-1) and 0.08 mu g L(-1) for inorganic and total mercury, respectively. Sample throughput is 20 samples h(-1). The method accuracy is traceable to Standard Reference Material (SRM) 966 Toxic Metals in Bovine Blood from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). For additional validation purposes, human whole blood samples were analyzed by the proposed method and by an established CV AAS method, with no statistical difference between the two techniques at 95% confidence level on applying the t-test.

Mercury speciation in whole blood by gas chromatography coupled to ICP-MS with a fast microwave-assisted sample preparation procedure

A simple and fast method is described for simultaneous determination of methylmercury (MeHg), ethylmercury (Et-Hg) and inorganic mercury (Ino-Hg) in blood samples by using capillary gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS) after derivatization and alkaline digestion. Closed-vessel microwave assisted digestion conditions with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) have been optimized. Derivatization by using ethylation and propylation procedures have also been evaluated and compared. The absolute detection limits (using a 1 mu L injection) obtained by GC-ICP-MS with ethylation were 40 fg for MeHg and Ino-Hg, respectively, and with propylation were 50, 20 and 50 fg for MeHg, Et-Hg and Ino-Hg, respectively. Method accuracy is traceable to Standard Reference Material (SRM) 966 Toxic Metals in Bovine Blood from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Additional validation is provided based on the comparison of results obtained for mercury speciation in blood samples with the proposed procedure and with a previously reported LC-ICP-MS method. With the new proposed procedure no tedious clean-up steps are required and a considerable improvement of the time of analysis was achieved compared to other methods using GC separation.

How many ways can a VP split? An investigation of the structure of VP shells in Japanese Causatives

The Japanese inchoative-lexical causative pair poses an interesting problem for the Minimalist Program – how should the lexical causative and the syntactic causative be structurally represented and theoretically accounted for? The lexical causative verb and the syntactic causative verb formed by suffixing the syntactic causative morpheme sase onto the inchoative counterpart are both single causative constructions that are semantically similar. Yet, they differ in some ways, most significantly in their clausality – the lexical causative is monoclausal in nature while the syntactic causative is biclausal, comparable to English biclausal constructions formed with let or force. This paper investigates how this difference can be represented by investigating the possible VP shell structures of different Japanese sentences, and the analysis from the discussion suggests a different structure where a CP is embedded into a higher VP shell as the sister of Agro head.

Disordered eating, weight dissatisfaction and dieting in relation to unwanted childhood sexual experiences in a community sample

A study was conducted to examine the relationships among eating pathology, weight dissatisfaction and dieting, and unwanted sexual experiences in childhood. An unselected community sample of 201 young and 268 middle-aged women were administered questionnaires assessing eating behaviors and attitudes, and past and current sexual abuse. Results showed differential relationships among these factors for the two age cohorts: for young women, past sexual abuse predicted weight dissatisfaction, but not dieting or disordered eating behaviors, whereas for middle-aged women, past abuse was predictive of disordered eating, but not dieting or weight dissatisfaction. Current physical or sexual abuse was also found to be predictive of disordered eating for the young women. These findings underscore the complexity of the relationships among unwanted sexual experiences and eating and weight pathology, and suggest that the timing of sexual abuse, and the age of the woman, are important mediating factors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.

Reliability and validity of scores on scales to measure managerial aspirations

The present investigation assessed the reliability and validity of the scores of a subjective measure of desired aspirations and a behavioral measure of enacted aspirations. A sample of 5,655 employees was randomly split into two halves. Principal components analysis on Sample 1, followed by confirmatory factor analysis on Sample 2, confirmed the desired and enacted scales as distinct but related measures of managerial aspirations. The desired and enacted scales had satisfactory levels of internal consistency and temporal stability over a 1-year period. Relationships between the measures of desired and enacted managerial aspirations and both attitudinal and behavioral criteria, measured concurrently and 1 year later, provided preliminary support for convergent and discriminant validity for our sample. Desired aspirations demonstrated stronger validity than enacted aspirations. Although further examination of the psychometric properties of the scales is warranted, the present findings provide promising support for their validity and reliability for our sample.

Split tolerance to a viral antigen expressed in thymic epithelium and keratinocytes

When expressed as a transgene from the keratin 14 (K14) promoter in an MHC class II-deficient mouse, I-Ab expressed in thymic cortical epithelium promotes positive but not negative selection of I-Ab-restricted CD4(+) T cells (Laufer, T. M. et al., Nature 1996. 383:81-85). Transgenic mice expressing the E7 protein of human papilloma virus 16 from the K14 promoter were studied to determine the consequence of expression of a cytoplasmic/nuclear protein from the K14 promoter. K14E7-transgenic mice express E7 in the thymus and skin without evidence for autoimmunity to E7. Repeated immunization of FVB(H-2(q)) or F1(C57BV6JxFVB) mice with E7 elicited similar antibody responses to the defined B cell epitopes of E7 in K14E7-transgenic and non-transgenic animals. In contrast, for each genetic background, a single immunization with E7 elicited demonstrable T cell proliferative responses to the major promiscuous T helper epitope of E7 in the transgenic but not the non-transgenic animals. Further,E7-immunized non-transgenic F1 (FVBxC57BL/6J) animals developed strong E7-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and were protected against challenge with E7(+) tumors, whereas similarly immunized K14E7-transgenic animals had a markedly reduced CTL response to E7 and no E7-specific tumor protection was observed, although the antibody and CTL response to ovalbumin was normal. Expression of E7 protein as a transgene from the K14 promoter in the skin and thymus thus induces E7-specific tolerance in the cytotoxic T effector repertoire, together with expansion of the E7-specific T helper repertoire. These findings demonstrate that limited tissue distribution of an autoantigen may result in split tolerance to that autoantigen.