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Scientific Reports Nov 2021Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are highly social Arctic toothed whales with large vocal repertoires and similar acoustic profiles.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are highly social Arctic toothed whales with large vocal repertoires and similar acoustic profiles. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) that uses multiple hydrophones over large spatiotemporal scales has been a primary method to study their populations, particularly in response to rapid climate change and increasing underwater noise. This study marks the first acoustic comparison between wild belugas and narwhals from the same location and reveals that they can be acoustically differentiated and classified solely by echolocation clicks. Acoustic recordings were made in the pack ice of Baffin Bay, West Greenland, during 2013. Multivariate analyses and Random Forests classification models were applied to eighty-one single-species acoustic events comprised of numerous echolocation clicks. Results demonstrate a significant difference between species' acoustic parameters where beluga echolocation was distinguished by higher frequency content, evidenced by higher peak frequencies, center frequencies, and frequency minimums and maximums. Spectral peaks, troughs, and center frequencies for beluga clicks were generally > 60 kHz and narwhal clicks < 60 kHz with overlap between 40-60 kHz. Classification model predictive performance was strong with an overall correct classification rate of 97.5% for the best model. The most important predictors for species assignment were defined by peaks and notches in frequency spectra. Our results provide strong support for the use of echolocation in PAM efforts to differentiate belugas and narwhals acoustically.
Topics: Acoustics; Animals; Beluga Whale; Echolocation; Greenland; Species Specificity; Vocalization, Animal; Whales
PubMed: 34772963
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01441-w -
Journal of Physical Therapy Science Nov 2022[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to figure out the information obtainable from ankle instability instrument (AII) survey among various factors related to the ankle...
[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to figure out the information obtainable from ankle instability instrument (AII) survey among various factors related to the ankle instability. [Participants and Methods] This study targeted on 34 participants, divided the participants into stability group and instability group based on AII survey results, and measured the maximum isometric contraction, proprioception, dynamic balance, and maximum joint angles. The independent t-test was used. [Results] The maximum isometric contraction showed significance in the plantar flexion while the proprioceptive sense showed significance in both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The dynamic balanced showed significance in the anterior direction while the maximum joint angles showed significance in the dorsiflexion. [Conclusion] According to the results, the participants who were classified as ankle instability patients based on AII survey results involved problems in the maximum isometric contraction, proprioception, dynamic balance, and maximum joint angles.
PubMed: 36337214
DOI: 10.1589/jpts.34.720 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2023Dryland ecosystems face serious threats from climate change. Establishing the spatial pattern of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and the correlation of...
INTRODUCTION
Dryland ecosystems face serious threats from climate change. Establishing the spatial pattern of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and the correlation of biodiversity patterns with climate change is important for understanding changes in complex ecosystem processes. However, the understanding of their relationships across large spatial areas remains limited in drylands.
METHODS
Accordingly, this study examined the spatial patterns of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and considered a set of potential environmental drivers by investigating natural shrub communities in Northwest China.
RESULTS
We found that the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) and maximum height of shrub communities were both affected by longitude, which was positively correlated with the precipitation gradient. Specifically, the EMF was driven by high precipitation seasonality, and the maximum height was driven by high precipitation stability during the growing season. Among the multiple biodiversity predictors, species beta diversity (SD-beta) is the most common in determining EMF, although this relationship is weak.
DISCUSSION
Unlike tree life form, we did not observe biodiversity-maximum height relationships in shrub communities. Based on these results, we suggest that more attention should be paid to the climatical fluctuations mediated biodiversity mechanisms, which are tightly correlated with ecosystem's service capacity and resistance capacity under a rapid climate change scenario in the future.
PubMed: 37818321
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1259858 -
International Journal of Urology :... Apr 2017Pressure flow studies are regarded as the gold standard for evaluating both bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility, but none of the current methods for...
OBJECTIVES
Pressure flow studies are regarded as the gold standard for evaluating both bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility, but none of the current methods for evaluating bladder contraction patterns are well validated. Impaired bladder contraction results in a lower peak Watts factor and poorly sustained detrusor contractions. From this viewpoint, the maximum Watts factor and its pattern should be considered separately. To examine detrusor contraction pattern in patients after radical prostatectomy by using multiple parameters.
METHODS
A total of 37 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent both pre- and post-radical prostatectomy urodynamic evaluations. The examined urodynamic parameters included the maximum flow rate, post-void residual volume, detrusor pressure at maximum flow, maximum Watts factor and relative volume (maximum Watts factor). Some parameters were defined from the Watts factor curve throughout micturition. Relative volume (maximum Watts factor) was the relative bladder volume at the maximum Watts factor. A normal detrusor contractility pattern involves an increase in Watts factor at the initiation followed by further gradual increases until the end of micturition.
RESULTS
Maximum flow rate increased significantly after radical prostatectomy (pre: 13.0 ± 6.5, post: 17.3 ± 7.7 mL/min; P < 0.01), whereas detrusor pressure at maximum flow and post-void residual volume decreased significantly (pre: 49.6 ± 21.6 and 31.4 ± 18.2 cmH O; post: 48.6 ± 66.1 and 10.1 ± 28.5 mL; P < 0.05). Maximum Watts factor did not change significantly after radical prostatectomy (pre: 10.5 ± 3.1 W/m , post: 11.0 ± 3.2 W/m ), but relative volume (maximum Watts factor) decreased significantly (pre: 0.48 ± 0.3, post: 0.20 ± 0.20; P < 0.001). Maximum Watts factor represents the maximum power of bladder contraction at a particular point in time, whereas relative volume (maximum Watts factor) can be used to detect changes in detrusor contraction pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of relative volume (maximum Watts factor) confirms that radical prostatectomy restores the normal detrusor contractility pattern in prostate cancer patients.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Contraction; Pressure; Prostate; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction; Urinary Bladder, Underactive; Urodynamics
PubMed: 28122392
DOI: 10.1111/iju.13295 -
Journal of Human Kinetics Apr 2016The aims of this study were to determine if isolated maximum joint torques and joint torques during a maximum polyarticular task (i.e. cycling at maximum power) are...
The aims of this study were to determine if isolated maximum joint torques and joint torques during a maximum polyarticular task (i.e. cycling at maximum power) are correlated despite joint angle and velocity discrepancies, and to assess if an isolated joint-specific torque production capability at slow angular velocity is related to cycling power. Nine cyclists completed two different evaluations of their lower limb maximum joint torques. Maximum Isolated Torques were assessed on isolated joint movements using an isokinetic ergometer and Maximum Pedalling Torques were calculated at the ankle, knee and hip for flexion and extension by inverse dynamics during cycling at maximum power. A correlation analysis was made between Maximum Isolated Torques and respective Maximum Pedalling Torques [3 joints x (flexion + extension)], showing no significant relationship. Only one significant relationship was found between cycling maximum power and knee extension Maximum Isolated Torque (r=0.68, p<0.05). Lack of correlations between isolated joint torques measured at slow angular velocity and the same joint torques involved in a polyarticular task shows that transfers between both are not direct due to differences in joint angular velocities and in mono-articular versus poly articular joint torque production capabilities. However, this study confirms that maximum power in cycling is correlated with slow angular velocity mono-articular maximum knee extension torque.
PubMed: 28149336
DOI: 10.1515/hukin-2015-0136 -
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Dec 2018Stretching is useful for increasing flexibility in clinical and athletic situations. Although several authors have recommended various stretching techniques for the...
BACKGROUND
Stretching is useful for increasing flexibility in clinical and athletic situations. Although several authors have recommended various stretching techniques for the supraspinatus muscle, there is no consensus on the effective stretching position owing to a lack of quantitative analysis in vivo. This study used ultrasonic shear wave elastography in vivo to verify the effective stretching positions for the supraspinatus muscle.
METHODS
The study participants were 15 healthy male volunteers. The shear elastic modulus, used as the index of supraspinatus muscle elongation, was computed using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. The shear elastic modulus was measured at neutral position and maximum internal rotation in 9 positions: 0° elevation, 90° abduction, 90° flexion, maximum extension, maximum horizontal adduction at 45° and 90° elevation, and maximum horizontal abduction at 20°, 45°, and 90° elevation.
RESULTS
The shear elastic moduli were significantly greater in maximum internal rotation at maximum horizontal abduction with 45° and 90° elevation and maximum internal rotation at maximum extension than those in the other positions. There were no significant differences in the shear elastic moduli among these 3 positions.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that maximum internal rotation at maximum extension, maximum internal rotation at maximum horizontal abduction with 90° elevation, and maximum internal rotation at maximum horizontal abduction with 45° elevation are effective stretching positions for the supraspinatus muscle.
Topics: Adult; Elastic Modulus; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Rotation; Rotator Cuff; Young Adult
PubMed: 30030031
DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2018.06.003 -
Toxics Feb 2022Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs), such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), are high-production-volume surfactants used in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners,...
Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs), such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), are high-production-volume surfactants used in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, pesticide formulations, textile production, oils, paints, and other products. NPEOs comprise -80% of the total production of APEOs and are widely reported across diverse environmental matrices. Despite a growing push for replacement products, APEOs continue to be released into the environment through wastewater at significant levels. Research into related nonionic surfactants from varying sources has reported metabolic health impacts, and we have previously demonstrated that diverse APEOs and alcohol polyethoxylates promote adipogenesis in the murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte model. These effects appeared to be independent of the base alkylphenol and related to the ethoxylate chain length, though limited research has evaluated NPEO exposures in animal models. The goals of this study were to assess the potential of NPEOs to promote adiposity (Nile red fluorescence quantification) and alter growth and/or development (toxicity, length, weight, and energy expenditure) of developmentally exposed zebrafish (). We also sought to expand our understanding of the ability to promote adiposity through evaluation in human mesenchymal stem cells. Herein, we demonstrated consistent adipogenic effects in two separate human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell models, and that nonylphenol and its ethoxylates promoted weight gain and increased adipose deposition in developmentally exposed zebrafish. Notably, across both cell and zebrafish models we report increasing adipogenic/obesogenic activity with increasing ethoxylate chain lengths up to maximums around NPEO-6 and then decreasing activity with the longest ethoxylate chain lengths. This research suggests metabolic health concerns for these common obesogens, suggesting further need to assess molecular mechanisms and better characterize environmental concentrations for human health risk assessments.
PubMed: 35202285
DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020099 -
ACS Omega Sep 2022In this study, we carried out an experimental analysis of combustion behaviors and emission characteristics of pure biodiesel and biodiesel-dimethyl ether (DME) blends...
In this study, we carried out an experimental analysis of combustion behaviors and emission characteristics of pure biodiesel and biodiesel-dimethyl ether (DME) blends and determined the impacts of the biodiesel ratio and the nozzle parameter on the combustion pressure characteristics in the time domain/frequency domain and emission characteristics. The findings show that with a decrease in the biodiesel proportion in biodiesel-DME blends, the maximum combustion pressure and fuels in the premixed combustion stage decrease with a retarded maximum value phase, but the maximum heat release in diffusive combustion increases and the maximum amplitude of pressure rise acceleration decreases. All of the pressure level curves of BD100, BD80, and BD50 contain a rapid decrease stage 1, a slow decrease stage 2, and a fluctuating stage 3. With a decrease in the biodiesel proportion, the exhaust gas temperature, NO emissions, and smoke emissions of BD100, BD80, and BD50 decrease gradually. Compared with a 5 × 0.43 mm nozzle, the maximum combustion pressure and maximum heat release rate of BD50 for a 4 × 0.35 mm nozzle were higher and the phase of the maximum value was advanced. Soot emissions for the 4 × 0.35 mm nozzle were lower, which is especially obvious under a high brake mean effective pressure (BMEP).
PubMed: 36157741
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04254 -
Thorax Jan 1968The factors determining maximum expiratory flow and maximum inspiratory flow of the lung are reviewed with particular reference to a model which compares the lung on...
The factors determining maximum expiratory flow and maximum inspiratory flow of the lung are reviewed with particular reference to a model which compares the lung on forced expiration to a Starling resistor. The theoretical significance of the slope of the expiratory maximum flow-volume curve is discussed. A method of comparing maximum expiratory flow with maximum inspiratory flow at similar lung volumes is suggested; this may be applied either to a maximum flow-volume curve or to a forced expiratory and inspiratory spirogram.
Topics: Humans; Manometry; Methods; Models, Biological; Respiration; Respiratory Function Tests; Spirometry
PubMed: 5637496
DOI: 10.1136/thx.23.1.33 -
Brain Sciences Feb 2020The maximum eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix (AM) has been supposed to contain rich information about the corresponding network. An experimental study focused on...
The maximum eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix (AM) has been supposed to contain rich information about the corresponding network. An experimental study focused on revealing the meaning and application of the maximum eigenvalue is missing. To this end, AM was constructed using mutual information (MI) to determine the functional connectivity with electroencephalogram (EEG) data recorded with a mental fatigue model, and then was converted into both binary and weighted brain functional network (BFN) and corresponding random networks (RNs). Both maximum eigenvalue and corresponding network characters in BFNs and RNs were considered to explore the changes during the formation of mental fatigue. The results indicated that large maximum eigenvalue means more edges in the corresponding network, along with a high degree and a short characteristic path length both in weighted and binary BFNs. Interestingly, the maximum eigenvalue of AM was always a little larger than that of the corresponding random matrix (RM), and had an obvious linearity with the sum of the AM elements, indicating that the maximum eigenvalue can be able to distinguish the network structures which have the same mean degree. What is more, the maximum eigenvalue, which increased with the deepening of mental fatigue, can become a good indicator for mental fatigue estimation.
PubMed: 32050462
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10020092