Can simple anthropometric and physical performance tests track training-induced changes in maximal box-lifting ability?

The objective of this research was to determine if tests of lifting strength and anthropometry could be used to assess training-induced changes in box-lift performance. Ninety-two British Army recruits completed a 10-week training programme. Isometric and dynamic lifting strength, body composition and maximal box-lift to 1.45 m and 1.70 m were assessed before and after training. Training significantly increased box-lift performance, dynamic lifting strength and fat-free mass, and reduced body fat. Statistically significant regression models (adjusted R(2) of 0.299 and 0.152) were produced that predicted the changes in box-lift performance from changes in body composition and lifting strength. However, the 95% limits of agreement between the observed and predicted change in box-lift performance showed wide margins of error (11-13 kg; 26-29%). Training-induced changes in box-lift performance appear to be highly specific, which suggests that both training and testing procedures should also be specific to box-lift performance.     

The Identification of Spelling Variants in English and German Historical Texts: Manual or Automatic?

In this article, we describe the respective approaches we havetaken when addressing issues of spelling variation in Germanand English historical texts. More specifically, we describean experiment to evaluate automatic techniques for the developmentof letter replacement heuristics against manually created goldstandards of known letter replacements rules. As will becomeclear, the motivation for the research differs according tothe team of researchers: the German researchers are seekingto develop a search engine for historical texts; the Englishresearchers want to improve the results obtained when applyingcorpus linguistic techniques (developed for modern language)to historical data. However, the respective teams do share alonger term goal of assessing whether it is possible to developa generic spelling detection tool for Indo-European languages.     

Coated amperometric electrode arrays for multicomponent analysis

This paper describes a sensor array of several amperometric electrodes, each coated with a different permselective film. Coatings with different transport properties, based on size (cellulose acetate), charge (Nafion, poly(vinylpyridine), poly(ester sulfonic acid], and polarity (phospholipid) are employed in connection with a four-electrode thin-layer flow detector. With equipotential operation, the array's response pattern of each analyte provides a unique characterization of the individual components. Multicomponent analysis is obtained by taking advantage of the partial selectivity of the individual sensors and using a pattern recognition (multiple linear regression) method. Additional information is obtained by recording the complete hydrodynamic voltammogram at the individual sensors. The merits of the new array are illustrated for the quantification of neurologically significant catechol compounds.     

Fabrication of a nano-cone array on a p-GaN surface for enhanced light extraction efficiency from GaN-based tunable wavelength LEDs

We report on the fabrication of a nano-cone structured p-GaN surface for enhanced light extraction from tunable wavelength light emitting diodes (LEDs). Prior to p-contact metallization, self-assembled colloidal particles are deposited and used as a mask for plasma etching to create nano-cone structures on the p-GaN layer of LEDs. A well-defined periodic nano-cone array, with an average cone diameter of 300?nm and height of 150?nm, is generated on the p-GaN surface. The photoluminescence emission intensity recorded from the regions with the nano-cone array is increased by two times as compared to LEDs without surface patterning. The light output power from the LEDs with surface nano-cones shows significantly higher electroluminescence intensity at an injection current of 70?mA. This is due to the internal multiple scattering of light from the nano-cone sidewalls. Furthermore, we have shown that with an incorporation of InGaN nanostructures in the quantum well, the wavelength of these surface-patterned LEDs can be tuned from 517 to 488?nm with an increase in the injection current. This methodology may serve as a practical approach to increase the light extraction efficiency from wavelength tunable LEDs.     

Influence of hydration volume and ambient temperature on physiological responses while wearing CBRN protective clothing

This study examined a low (L; 5 ml/kg per h) and high (H, 10 ml/kg per h) rate of fluid replacement in moderate (18°C) and hot (30°C) conditions on physiological responses while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE included the gas-tight suit (GTS), the powered respirator protective suit (PRPS) and the civil responder 1 (CR1). Relative to the moderate condition, physiological responses were greater in the hot condition. The percentage change in body mass was different (p < 0.05) between L and H in the hot (L vs. H, GTS: -0.83 vs. -0.38%; PRPS: -1.18 vs. -0.71%; CR1: -1.62 vs. -0.57%) and moderate conditions, although in GTS and CR1 body mass increased (L vs. H, GTS: -0.48 vs. 0.06%; PRPS: -0.66 vs. -0.11%; CR1: -0.18 vs. 0.67%). Fluid replacement strategies for PPE should be adjusted for environmental conditions in order to avoid >1% body mass loss and/or net body mass gain. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Currently, the UK Emergency Services do not have specific evidence-based fluid replacement guidelines to follow when wearing chemical, biological, radiological and/or nuclear (CBRN) PPE. Although ad libitum fluid replacement is encouraged (when breathing apparatus permits), recommendations from evidence-based findings specific to different PPE and to different environmental conditions are lacking. This study provides novel evidence supporting the need to develop fluid replacement strategies during CBRN deployments in both moderate and hot environmental conditions for CBRN PPE.     

A multi-source portable light emitting diode spectrofluorometer

A portable luminescence spectrofluorometer weighing only 1.5 kg that uses multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) as excitation sources was developed and evaluated. Excitation using a sequence of seven individual broad-band LED emission sources enabled the generation of excitation-emission spectra using a light weight (<1.5 kg) spectrometer. Limits of detection for rhodamine 6G, rhodamine B, and fluorescein were 2.9, 3.2, and 11.0 nM, respectively. Generation of excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) enabled the analysis of samples containing mixtures of rhodamine B and fluorescein. Buffered saline plant and animal feed extracts were also analyzed using this instrument. These samples included the woody plants Pistacia lentiscus (Evergreen pistache or Mastic) and Philyria latifolia, and the herbaceous species Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Trifolium spp. (clover), and a feed concentrate. Application of multi-way principal component analysis (MPCA) to the resulting three-dimensional data sets enabled discernment among these various diet constituents.     

Thermal evaluation of PHB/PP‐g‐MA blends and PHB/PP‐g‐MA/vermiculite bionanocomposites after biodegradation test

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal behavior of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) blends and PHB/PP‐g‐MA/vermiculite bionanocomposites submitted to the biodegradation test according to ASTM G 160‐03. The blends and bionanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation method using a single screw extruder, and then, compression molded. The thermal analyzes were performed by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry. It was verified the decrease of onset degradation temperature and the melting temperature mainly after 86 days of exposure to the simulated soil. This behavior was more pronounced in bionanocomposites because of interactions between the maleic anhydride groups and the clay favoring biodegradation, making the systems more amorphous and propitious to the attack of microorganisms. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:555–560, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Simultaneous multi-element detection of metal ions bound to a Datura innoxia material

An on-line detection scheme has been developed for the determination of metal ion affinities for binding to a plant-based substrate. This involves monitoring the effluent of a column packed with cell-wall fragments from the plant Datura innoxia for 27 different elements simultaneously by coupling the column to an ICP emission spectrometer. Previously accepted procedures for removing native metal ions from biological materials by washing the material with a pH 2 solution were found to be insufficient for this material. Measurable amounts of Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ba, Sr, and Si were all detected in an effluent from the introduction of 1.0M HCl following washing the material in a pH 2 solution. Metal ion breakthrough curves for Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), and Pb(2+) were found to exhibit an affinity order of Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Zn(2+) congruent with Cd(2+)>Ni(2+) for an equimolar mixture of these metal ions. This configuration also enabled the displacement of metal ions to be detected as the breakthrough curve for a subsequent metal ion was monitored. Comparison of Ni and Zn binding indicates a simple ion exchange model is insufficient to explain sequential binding of these metal ions.