Changes in leg spring behaviour, plantar loading and foot mobility magnitude induced by an exhaustive treadmill run in adolescent middle-distance runners.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine adjustments in spring-mass model characteristics, plantar loading and foot mobility induced by an exhaustive run. DESIGN: Within-participants repeated measures. METHODS: Eleven highly-trained adolescent middle-distance runners ran to exhaustion on a treadmill at a constant velocity corresponding to 95% of velocity associated with VO₂max (17.8 ± 1.4 kmh(-1), time to exhaustion=8.8 ± 3.4 min). Contact time obtained from plantar pressure sensors was used to estimate spring-mass model characteristics, which were recorded (during 30 s) 1 min after the start and prior to exhaustion using pressure insoles. Foot mobility magnitude (a composite measure of vertical and medial-lateral mobility of the midfoot) was measured before and after the run. RESULTS: Mean contact area (foot to ground), contact time, peak vertical ground reaction force, centre of mass vertical displacement and leg compression increased significantly with fatigue, while flight time, leg stiffness and mean pressure decreased. Leg stiffness decreased because leg compression increased to a larger extent than peak vertical ground reaction forces. Step length, step frequency and foot mobility magnitude did not change at exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: The stride pattern of adolescents when running on a treadmill at high constant velocity deteriorates near exhaustion, as evidenced by impaired leg-spring behaviour (leg stiffness) and altered plantar loading.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration - optical coherence tomography guided retreatment intervals and their intra- and inter-individual variability

PURPOSE:To determine whether the need for retreatment after an initial loading phase of 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab shows an intra-individual regular rhythm and to what degree it varies between different patients.SETTING:Prospective mono-centre cohort study.METHODS:Prospective study with 42 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), treatment na?ve, giving informed consent. Loading dose of 3 monthly doses of ranibizumab (0,5mg), followed by a 12 months pro re nata (PRN) regimen according to early exudative signs on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT Cirrus Zeiss?, cube 512x126). The follow-up visits were intensified (week 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, etc after each injection) in order to detect exudative recurrences early, and injection followed within 3 days in cases of subretinal fluid, or intraretinal cysts, or central thickness increase of >50?m. Intervals were calculated between injections and the following recurrence was calculated for the 12 month follow-up with PRN treatment. Variability was expressed as standard deviation (SD). RESULTS Visual acuity (VA) improved from a mean ETDRS letter score of 61.6 (SD 10.8) at baseline to 68.0 (SD 10.2, +6.4 letters) at month 3 and increased further to 74.7 (SD 9.0, +13.1 letters from baseline) at month 12. The 15 patients who have completed the study by October 2010 showed maintenance of the VA improvement. Retinal thickness of the central foveal subfield improved from a mean value of 366?m(baseline) to 253?m(month 3), well maintained thereafter. Mean number of injections was 8.8 (SD 3.5) per 12 months of follow-up (after 3 loading doses), ranging from 0 to 12, with mean individual treatment-recurrence intervals ranging from 28 to >365 days (mean 58 days). Intraindividual variability of treatment-recurrence intervals, measured as SD of the individual intervals, was 7.1days as a mean value(range 1.7 ? 22.6 days) for the 33 patients with more than 1 injection during follow-up. SD was higher for longer intervals of an individual patient. It ranged within 20% of the mean intra-individual interval for 30 patients(91%) and within 15% for 21 patients(64%). The first interval was within 1 week of the mean intra-individual interval in 64% of patients and within 2 weeks in 89% of patients.CONCLUSIONS:The majority of AMD patients showed a relatively stable rhythm for PRN injections of intravitreal ranibizumab after initial loading phase, associated with excellent functional and anatomical results. The initial interval between last loading dose and first recurrence may have a predictive value for further need of treatment, therefore potentially facilitating follow-up and patient care.

Squared interaction matrix Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model for a spin glass

The mean-field theory of a spin glass with a specific form of nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor interactions is investigated. Depending on the sign of the interaction matrix chosen we find either the continuous replica symmetry breaking seen in the Sherrington-Kirkpartick model or a one-step solution similar to that found in structural glasses. Our results are confirmed by numerical simulations and the link between the type of spin-glass behavior and the density of eigenvalues of the interaction matrix is discussed.

Coherence and anticoherence resonance tunned by noise

We present numerical evidence and a theoretical analysis of the appearance of anticoherence resonance induced by noise, not predicted in former analysis of coherence resonance. We have found that this phenomenon occurs for very small values of the intensity of the noise acting on an excitable system, and we claim that this is a universal signature of a nonmonotonous relaxational behavior near its oscillatory regime. Moreover, we demonstrate that this new phenomenon is totally compatible with the standard situation of coherence resonance appearing at intermediate values of noise intensity.

Magnitude of CD8 T-cell responses against hepatitis C virus and severity of hepatitis do not necessarily determine outcomes in acute hepatitis C virus infection.

Aim: We investigated the relationship between the magnitude of comprehensive hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses and the clinical course of acute HCV infection. Methods: Six consecutive patients with acute HCV infection were studied. Analysis of HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses was performed using an interferon-gamma-based enzyme-linked immunospot assay using peripheral CD8(+) T-cells, monocytes and 297 20-mer synthetic peptides overlapping by 10 residues and spanning the entire HCV sequence of genotype 1b. Results: Five patients presented detectable HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses against a single and different peptide, whereas 1 patient showed responses against three different peptides. Neither the magnitude of HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses nor the severity of hepatitis predicts the outcome of acute hepatitis. The maximum number of HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cells correlated with maximum serum alanine aminotransferase level during the course (r = 0.841, P = 0.036). Conclusions: HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses were detectable in all 6 patients with acute HCV infection, and 6 novel HCV-specific CTL epitopes were identified. Acute HCV infection can resolve with detectable HCV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses, but without development of antibody against HCV.

Method for Estimating the Magnitude and Frequency of Floods at Ungaged Sites on Unregulated Rural Streams in Iowa, HR-268, 1987

This report provides techniques and procedures for estimating the probable magnitude and frequency of floods at ungaged sites on Iowa streams. Physiographic characteristics were used to define the boundaries of five hydrologic regions. Regional regression equations that relate the size of the drainage area to flood magnitude are defined for estimating peak discharges having specified recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. Regional regression equations are applicable to sites on streams that have drainage areas ranging from 0.04 to 5,150 square miles provided that the streams are not affected significantly by regulation upstream from the sites and that the drainage areas upstream from the sites are not mostly urban areas. Flood-frequency characteristics for the mainstems of selected rivers are presented in graphs as a function of drainage area.

Visualization of aqueous shunt position and patency using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to clarify the position and patency of aqueous shunt devices in the anterior chamber of eyes where corneal edema or tube position does not permit a satisfactory view. DESIGN: Noncomparative observational case series. METHODS: Four cases are reported in which aqueous shunt malposition or obstruction was suspected but the shunt could not be seen on clinical examination. The patients underwent AS-OCT to identify the position and patency of the shunt tip. RESULTS: In each case, AS-OCT provided data regarding tube position and/or patency that could not be obtained by slit-lamp examination or by gonioscopy that influenced management. CONCLUSIONS: AS-OCT can be used to visualize anterior chamber tubes in the presence of corneal edema that precludes an adequate view or in cases where the tube is retracted into the cornea. In such cases, AS-OCT is useful in identifying shunt patency and position, which helps guide clinical decision making.

Sense of coherence and job characteristics in predicting burnout in a South African sample

Orientation: Research that considers the effects of individual characteristics and job characteristics jointly in burnout is necessary, especially when one considers the possibility of curvilinear relationships between job characteristics and burnout. Research purpose: This study examines the contribution of sense of coherence (SOC) and job characteristics to predicting burnout by considering direct and moderating effects. Motivation for this study: Understanding the relationships of individual and job characteristics with burnout is necessary for preventing burnout. It also informs the design of interventions. Research design, approach and method: The participants were 632 working adults (57% female) in South Africa. The measures included the Job Content Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The authors analysed the data using hierarchical multiple regression with the enter method. Main findings: Job characteristics and SOC show the expected direct effects on burnout. SOC has a direct negative effect on burnout. Job demands and supervisor social support show nonlinear relationships with burnout. SOC moderates the effect of demands on burnout and has a protective function so that the demands-burnout relationship differs for those with high and low SOC. Practical/managerial implications: The types of effects, the shape of the stressor-strain relationship and the different contributions of individual and job characteristics have implications for designing interventions. Contribution/value add: SOC functions differently when combined with demands, control and support. These different effects suggest that it is not merely the presence or absence of a job characteristic that is important for well-being outcomes but how people respond to its presence or absence.

A Candidate HIV/AIDS Vaccine (MVA-B) that Enhances the Magnitude and Polyfunctionality of Memory HIV-1-Specific T-Cell Responses

Background: The poxvirus vector Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) expressing HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol and Nef antigens from clade B (MVA-B) is currently used as a HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate. A general strategy to try to improve the immunogenicity of poxvirus HIV-1 vaccine candidates is the deletion of known or suggested immunomodulatory vaccinia virus (VACV) genes.Methods: We have generated and characterized the innate immune sensing and the immunogenicity profile of a new HIV-1 vaccine candidate, which contains a deletion in a VACV gene.Results: We show that this VACV protein is expressed early during virus infection and localizes to the cytoplasm of infected cells. Deletion of this VACV gene from the MVA-B had no effect on virus growth kinetics; therefore this VACV protein is not essential for virus replication. The innate immune signals elicited by the MVA-B deletion mutant in human macrophages and monocyte-derived dendritic cells were characterized. In a DNA prime/MVA boost immunization protocol in mice, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the MVA-B deletion mutant enhanced the magnitude and polyfunctionality of the HIV-1-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell memory immune responses, with most of the HIV-1 responses mediated by the CD8 + T-cell compartment with an effector phenotype. Significantly, while MVA-B induced preferentially Env- and Gag-specific CD8 + T-cell responses, the MVA-B deletion mutant induced more GPN-specific CD8 + T-cell responses. Furthermore, the MVA-B deletion mutant enhanced the levels of antibodies against Env in comparison with MVA-B.Conclusion: These findings revealed that this new VACV protein can be considered as an immunomodulator and that deleting this gene in MVA-B confers an immunological benefit by inducing innate immune responses and increasing the magnitude and quality of the T-cell memory immune responses to HIV-1 antigens. Our observations are relevant for the improvement of MVA vectors as HIV-1 vaccines.

Magnitude and Frequency of Iowa Floods, 1966

Flood records for regular and partial-record gaging stations are contained in the following pages. Each listing contains the station number .and name, descriptive paragraphs pertaining to the station, and a listing of the flood peaks available through the 1965 water year 2/. 2/ A water year is the period from October 1 to the following September 30 and has the same yearly designation as September. Peaks above a base as well as annual peaks are listed. These provide the data for a partial-duration flood-frequency curve. Most of the material is self-explanatory and needs no discussion. However, a few items may be made clearer by the brief explanation which follows.

Off-axis low-coherence interferometry for surface topology measurement.

In this communication we introduce a low or reduced coherence interferometry technique that can be used to retrieve surface topology on samples with high roughness. Moreover, we will show that the approach enables surface topology measurement also at the interface of so-called turbid media, where multiple scattering inside tissues can be a major issue, preventing accurate measurements.

Implicações da origem das linhagens de feijoeiro na magnitude da interação com ambientes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar as implicações da origem de linhagens de feijão na magnitude da interação com ambientes e os fatores ambientais que mais contribuem para esta interação. Foram utilizados dados dos experimentos de valor de cultivo e uso, conduzidos em Lavras e Viçosa, MG, nos biênios 2002/2003, 2005/2006 e 2007/2008, nas safras de cultivo das águas, seca e inverno. Foram avaliadas linhagens da Universidade Federal de Lavras, da Universidade Federal de Viçosa e da Embrapa. Os dados de produtividade de grãos foram submetidos a análises de variância por ambiente e análises conjuntas por biênio, para cada local e para os dois locais em conjunto. Foram estimados os coeficientes de determinação de cada fonte de variação, e foram realizadas análises de estabilidade por meio das estimativas de ecovalência. As interações que envolveram as linhagens tiveram pequena participação na variação total nos três biênios. Apesar de ter havido significância das interações genótipo x local quanto à variação total, sua magnitude não foi expressiva. O local de origem não influencia a estabilidade das linhagens quando as suas condições ambientais são semelhantes às do local de cultivo, mas interfere no desempenho das linhagens quando as condições ambientais são muito diferentes.