Hand-powered microfluidics: A membrane pump with a patient-to-chip syringe interface

In this paper, we present an on-chip hand-powered membrane pump using a robust patient-to-chip syringe interface. This approach enables safe sample collection, sample containment, integrated sharps disposal, high sample volume capacity, and controlled downstream flow with no electrical power requirements. Sample is manually injected into the device via a syringe and needle. The membrane pump inflates upon injection and subsequently deflates, delivering fluid to downstream components in a controlled manner. The device is fabricated from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicone, using CO₂ laser micromachining, with a total material cost of ∼0.20 USD/device. We experimentally demonstrate pump performance for both deionized (DI) water and undiluted, anticoagulated mouse whole blood, and characterize the behavior with reference to a resistor-capacitor electrical circuit analogy. Downstream output of the membrane pump is regulated, and scaled, by connecting multiple pumps in parallel. In contrast to existing on-chip pumping mechanisms that typically have low volume capacity (∼5 μL) and sample volume throughput (∼1–10 μl/min), the membrane pump offers high volume capacity (up to 240 μl) and sample volume throughput (up to 125 μl/min).     

Comparison of power and EMG during 6-s all-out cycling between young and older women

Abstract To investigate the effects of ageing on the neural control strategies governing sprint cycling on a friction-loaded cycle-ergometer, 10 older (aged 70-83yr) and 8 young (aged 19-35yr) healthy women completed seven 6-s all-out cycling trials against varying loads. Root mean square (RMS), median frequency and muscle fibre conduction velocity were determined from the vastus lateralis of the dominant limb during each pedal stroke. Peak power was 43% lower in the older group compared to the younger (p??0.05). ΔRMS from the first to the sixth second during each trial was found to increase significantly with the development of power output in both groups (p?相似文献   

Active relatives and health-related physical fitness in European adolescents: The HELENA Study

Abstract High physical fitness in childhood and adolescence is positively associated with favourable health-related outcomes. Our aim was to examine the relationship between relatives' (father, mother, brother, sister, and best friend) physical activity engagement and encouragement on adolescents' physical fitness. Adolescents were part of the HELENA study, a multi-centre study conducted in 10 cities from nine European countries in 2006-2008. Participants were 3288 adolescents (48% boys, 52% girls) aged 12.5-17.5 years with valid data on at least one of the three fitness variables studied: muscular strength (standing long jump), speed/agility (4×10 m shuttle run), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run). The adolescents reported their relatives' physical activity engagement and encouragement. Analysis of covariance showed that relatives' physical activity engagement (father, mother, brother, and best friend) was positively related to cardiorespiratory fitness (P?相似文献   

User-satisfaction based bandwidth allocation for transmission of multiple sources of human perceptual data

In recent years, more and more point-to-point communication systems involve simultaneous transmission of multiple sources of human perceptual data over a single communication medium. For example, in a teleoperation system or a telerobotic system, streams of video, audio, and haptic data need to be sent from a field place to a remote human operator. Each type of data demands a certain range of transmission rate. This creates conflicts among these data when the available bandwidth is limited.In this paper we study the bandwidth allocation for multiple sources of human perceptual data transmitted over a rate-limited communication channel. We aim to maximize the overall user satisfaction in the data transmission, and formulate an optimization problem for the bandwidth allocation. Using either the logarithmic or exponential form of human perceptual satisfaction function, we are able to derive closed-form solutions for the optimization problem. We show that the optimal bandwidth allocation for each type of data is piecewise linear with respect to the total available bandwidth.     

An institutional theory investigation of U.S. technology development trends since the mid-19th century

Drawing on institutional theory, we examine how institutions have influenced technology development trends in the U.S. since the mid-19th century. Based on an inductive analysis of the history of technology development and corporate R&D, we show that both formal and informal institutional rules and constraints played a role in the initial rise of markets for technology, their decline during the early-20th century, and their eventual return at the end of the 20th century. We also find that formal and informal institutions influenced the widespread adoption of in-house R&D labs during the mid-20th century. Our study integrates insights from both the economics and sociology branches of institutional theory. This perspective is particularly useful to analyze historical phenomenon and shifts in trends across long time periods.     

Kinematic changes during learning the longswing on high bar

The purpose of this study is to provide evidence of technique changes during learning a sports-specific skill, the looped bar longswing (LLS). Thirteen male participants with no previous high bar experience took part in a training study. Kinematic data were collected using a CODA motion analysis system (200 Hz) during eight weekly testing sessions. Analyses focused on the amplitude of swing and the functional phase (FP) actions, defined by the rapid flexion to extension of the shoulders and extension to flexion of the hips as the performer passed through the lower vertical. Three groups were identified based on the number of sessions it took each participant to perform the LLS (G1: most successful, G2: intermediate, and G3: least successful). All participants were able to significantly increase swing amplitude over the training period (p < 0.05). For each participant the hip FP started significantly: later for G1, earlier for G2, and did not change for G3. Extension actions at the shoulders were dissimilar to those reported for elite gymnasts performing the longswing. The FP of the hips provides a mechanism to distinguish between the learners of different skill levels. The study has provided support for a single-subject design when investigating technique changes during learning.     

Getting Generation Y to attend: Friends,interactivity and half-time entertainment

People from Generation Y, given their number and stage in the family life-cycle, represent a key emerging audience for major sports. The study focussed on the effect of friends and half time enhancements on likely attendance at matches. The sport domain was the Australian Football League (AFL), the elite Australian rules football competition. The enhancements being tested were half-time entertainments based on performers from well-known television talent shows, Australian Idol and It Takes Two. Scenarios with and without interactive participation, based on short messaging service (SMS) messages, were tested. The study used a general population sample of 909 Generation Y people in a traditional AFL market and one where AFL is not the major winter competition. Previous attendance and sport orientation were the major influences on attendance at major sports, including the AFL. Friends influenced likely attendance at a game, but no effects were found for half-time entertainments. People who attended matches with friends typically had social activities before and after the game. This suggested that one promotional strategy to expand existing markets was to find and engage the social networks of existing fans, making sport attendance a broader part of an overall social event.     

Comparison of 2D video and electrogoniometry measurements of knee flexion angle during a countermovement jump and landing task

Quantifying countermovement jump (CMJ) and landing knee flexion angle is important for performance and injury risk assessment. The purpose of the study was to compare electrogoniometer (El-Gon)- and video-derived CMJ and landing knee flexion angle. Twenty-two adults performed three CMJs while knee flexion angle was simultaneously assessed using an El-Gon and video. The average systematic offset (RMSE) of the El-Gon-derived knee flexion angle throughout the entire movement was 7.03°?±?2.69°. Excellent reliability was demonstrated by the El-Gon (ICCavg?=?0.92). Countermovement knee flexion angle, maximum landing knee flexion angle and flexion angle at maximum vertical ground reaction force were 12.0°, 10.9°, and 5.7° higher, respectively, when assessed using El-Gon (p?<?0.001), compared to video. Errors between instruments are likely due to El-Gon crosstalk, misalignment and/or axis determination. The El-Gon is a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to video analysis for the assessment of knee flexion angle if the error is accounted for and the sensor is precisely attached.     

Clinical implications of exercise immunology

Maintaining leanness and a physically active lifestyle during adulthood reduces systemic inflammation, an underlying factor in multiple chronic diseases. The anti-inflammatory influence of near-daily physical activity in lowering C-reactive protein, total blood leukocytes, interleukin-6, and other inflammatory cytokines may play a key role in lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, sarcopenia, and dementia. Moderate exercise training causes favorable perturbations in immunity and a reduction in incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). During each bout of moderate exercise, an enhanced recirculation of immunoglobulins, neutrophils, and natural killer cells occurs that persists for up to 3-h post-exercise. This exercise-induced surge in immune cells from the innate immune system is transient but improves overall surveillance against pathogens. As moderate exercise continues on a near-daily basis for 12–15 weeks, the number of symptoms days with URTI is decreased 25%–50% compared to randomized sedentary controls. Epidemiologic and animal studies support this inverse relationship between URTI risk and increased physical activity.