Carbohydrate supplementation maintains physical performance during short-term energy deficit despite reductions in exogenous glucose oxidation.

Exogenous glucose oxidation is reduced 55% during aerobic exercise after three days of complete starvation. Whether energy deficits more commonly experienced by athletes and military personnel similarly affect exogenous glucose oxidation and what impact this has on physical performance remains undetermined. This randomized, longitudinal parallel study aimed to assess the effects of varying magnitudes of energy deficit (DEF) on exogenous glucoseoxidation and physical performance compared to energy balance (BAL).

Low Carbohydrate Availability Promotes a Distinct Circulating microRNA Profile 24 Hours Following Aerobic Exercise.

Low carbohydrate availability during recovery from aerobic exercise alters skeletal muscle microRNA (miRNA) profiles, which may mechanistically regulate exercise recovery. However, its impact on circulating miRNA (c-miRNA) profiles remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effects of low versus adequate carbohydrate availability on c-miRNA profiles during recovery from aerobic exercise.

TiCT -UHMWPE Nanocomposites-Towards an Enhanced Wear-Resistance of Biomedical Implants.

There is an urgent need to enhance the mechanical and biotribological performance of polymeric materials utilized in biomedical devices such as load-bearing artificial joints, notably ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). While two-dimensional (2D) materials like graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, or hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) have shown promise as reinforcement phases in polymer matrix composites (PMCs), the potential of MXenes, known for their chemical inertness, mechanical robustness, and wear-resistance, remains largely unexplored in biotribology. This study aims to address this gap by fabricating TiCT -UHMWPE nanocomposites using compression molding.

Enhanced Feedstock Processability for the Indirect Additive Manufacturing of Metals by Material Extrusion through Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer Modification.

Filament-based material extrusion (MEX) represents one of the most commonly used additive manufacturing techniques for polymer materials. In a special variation of this process, highly filled polymer filaments are used to create metal parts via a multi-step process. The challenges associated with creating a dense final part are versatile due to the different and partly contrary requirements of the individual processing steps.

Strenuous training combined with erythropoietin induces red cell volume expansion-mediated hypervolemia and alters systemic and skeletal muscle iron homeostasis.

Strenuous physical training increases total blood volume (BV) through expansion of plasma volume (PV) and red cell volume (RCV). In contrast, exogenous erythropoietin (EPO) treatment increases RCV but decreases PV, rendering BV stable or slightly decreased. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of strenuous training and EPO treatment on BV and markers of systemic and muscle iron homeostasis.

Muscle-derived microRNAs correlated with thigh lean mass gains during progressive resistance training in older adults.

Resistance training (RT) remains the most effective treatment for age-related declines in muscle mass. However, many older adults experience attenuated muscle hypertrophy in response to RT when compared with younger adults. This may be attributed to underlying molecular processes that are dysregulated by aging and exacerbated by improperly prescribed RT weekly volume, intensity, and/or frequency doses.

Laser-Sintering of Cyclic Olefine Copolymer for Low Dielectric Loss Applications.

With increasing demands for data transfer, the production of components with low dielectric loss is crucial for the development of advanced antennas, which are needed to meet the requirements of next-generation communication technologies. This study investigates the impact of a variation in energy density on the part properties of a low-loss cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) in the SLS process as a way to manufacture complex low-dielectric-loss structures. Through a systematic variation in the laser energy, its impact on the part density, geometric accuracy, surface quality, and dielectric properties of the fabricated parts is assessed.

Exogenous erythropoietin increases hematological status, fat oxidation, and aerobic performance in males following prolonged strenuous training.

This study investigated the effects of EPO on hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct), time trial (TT) performance, substrate oxidation, and skeletal muscle phenotype throughout 28 days of strenuous exercise. Eight males completed this longitudinal controlled exercise and feeding study using EPO (50 IU/kg body mass) 3×/week for 28 days. Hgb, Hct, and TT performance were assessed PRE and on Days 7, 14, 21, and 27 of EPO.

Pioglitazone does not enhance exogenous glucose oxidation or metabolic clearance rate during aerobic exercise in men under acute high-altitude exposure.

Insulin insensitivity decreases exogenous glucose oxidation and metabolic clearance rate (MCR) during aerobic exercise in unacclimatized lowlanders at high altitude (HA). Whether use of an oral insulin sensitizer before acute HA exposure enhances exogenous glucose oxidation is unclear. This study investigated the impact of pioglitazone (PIO) on exogenous glucose oxidation and glucose turnover compared with placebo (PLA) during aerobic exercise at HA.

Higher resistance training volume offsets muscle hypertrophy nonresponsiveness in older individuals.

The magnitude of muscle hypertrophy in response to resistance training (RT) is highly variable between individuals (response heterogeneity). Manipulations in RT variables may modulate RT-related response heterogeneity; yet, this remains to be determined. Using a within-subject unilateral design, we aimed to investigate the effects of RT volume manipulation on whole muscle hypertrophy [quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (qCSA)] among nonresponders and responders to a low RT dose (single-set).

A Multi-Material Flame-Retarding System Based on Expandable Graphite for Glass-Fiber-Reinforced PA6.

A synergistic multi-material flame retardant system based on expandable graphite (EG), aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi), melamine polyphosphate (MPP), and montmorillonite (MMT) has been studied in glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6). Analytical evaluations and fire performances were evaluated using coupled thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as cone calorimetry, UL-94 fire testing, and limiting oxygen index (LOI). A combination of EG/AlPi/MPP/MMT has been shown to provide superior flame-retarding properties when integrated at 20 wt.

Effect of Ligament Fibers on Dynamics of Synthetic, Self-Oscillating Vocal Folds in a Biomimetic Larynx Model.

Synthetic silicone larynx models are essential for understanding the biomechanics of physiological and pathological vocal fold vibrations. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of artificial ligament fibers on vocal fold vibrations in a synthetic larynx model, which is capable of replicating physiological laryngeal functions such as elongation, abduction, and adduction. A multi-layer silicone model with different mechanical properties for the musculus vocalis and the lamina propria consisting of ligament and mucosa was used.

RF Welding of Dielectric Lossless Foam Particles by the Application of a Dielectric Heatable Coating with High Recycling Potential.

Due to its chemical structure and the resulting dielectric properties, the processing of the commonly used particle foam material, expanded polypropylene (ePP), is limited. Processing within the radio-frequency welding process is therefore only possible with the use of processing aids. In this paper, a new approach for the use of a solid and dielectric heatable coating for the production of three-dimensional welded components out of ePP is presented.

Investigating the Integration of Nonwoven Carbon Fibers for Mechanical Enhancement in Compression Molded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bipolar Plates.

The demand for polymer composite solutions in bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has risen due to advantages over metal plates such as longer lifetime, weight reduction, corrosion resistance, flexible manufacturing, freedom of design, and cost-effectiveness. The challenge with polymer composites is achieving both sufficient electrical conductivity and mechanical stability with high filler content. A carbon fiber fleece as reinforcement in a graphite-filled polypropylene (PP) matrix was investigated for use as bipolar plate material with increased mechanical and sufficient conductive properties.

Limitations of the Check Calculation for Tooth Deformation of Plastic Gears According to Gear Design Guideline VDI 2736.

An in situ gear test rig has been developed at the Institute of Polymer Technology (LKT) to characterize the deformation of plastic gears during operation. It analyses timing differences between following index pulses of rotary encoders on the input and output shaft. This measurement principle enables the continuous measurement of the elastic tooth deformation and permanent deformations and wear at operating speed by switching between a high and low torque.

Test Rig for the In Situ Measurement of the Elastic Tooth Deflection of Plastic Gears.

A new steel-plastic gear set testing methodology has been developed at the Institute of Polymer Technology (LKT). The in situ gear test rig analyses the timing differences between the index pulses of rotary encoders on the input and output shaft. This measurement principle enables the continuous measurement of the elastic tooth deflection on the one hand and permanent deformations and wear on the other hand by switching between a high loading torque and a low measuring torque.

Dynamic transcriptomic responses to divergent acute exercise stimuli in young adults.

Acute exercise elicits dynamic transcriptional changes that, when repeated, form the fundamental basis of health, resilience, and performance adaptations. While moderate-intensity endurance training combined with conventional resistance training (traditional, TRAD) is often prescribed and recommended by public health guidance, high-intensity training combining maximal-effort intervals with intensive, limited-rest resistance training is a time-efficient alternative that may be used tactically (HITT) to confer similar benefits. Mechanisms of action of these distinct stimuli are incompletely characterized and have not been directly compared.

Improving the Integrated Fabrication of Insulation Systems in Electric Drives by Injection Molding of Thermosets Due to Processing Conditions and Slot Design.

The expanding demand for electro mobility in general and specifically for electrified vehicles requires the expansion of electro mobility technology with respect to variations in the requirements of the process and the application. Within the stator, the electrical insulation system has a high impact on the application properties. So far, limitations, such as the identification of suitable materials for the stator insulation or high costs in the processes, have hindered the implementation of new applications.

Eutectic In Situ Modification of Polyamide 12 Processed through Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion.

Laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) of polymers allows for the additive manufacturing of dense components with high mechanical properties. Due to inherent limitations of present material systems suitable for LPBF of polymers and required high processing temperatures, the present paper investigates the in situ modification of material systems using powder blending of p-aminobenzoic acid and aliphatic polyamide 12, followed by subsequent laser-based additive manufacturing. Prepared powder blends exhibit a considerable reduction of required processing temperatures dependent on the fraction of p-aminobenzoic acid, allowing for the processing of polyamide 12 at a build chamber temperature of 141.

Electrodeposition model with dynamic ion diffusion coefficients for predicting void defects in electroformed microcolumn arrays.

Due to the confined mass transfer capability in microchannels, void defects are easily formed in electroformed microcolumn arrays with a high depth/width ratio, which seriously affects the life and performance of micro-devices. The width of the microchannel constantly decreases during electrodeposition, which further deteriorates the mass transfer capability inside the microchannel at the cathode. In the traditional micro-electroforming simulation model, the change of the ion diffusion coefficient is always ignored, making it difficult to accurately predict the size of void defects prior to electroforming experiments.

Possibilities of Integrated Fabrication of Insulation Systems in Electric Drives by Injection Molding of Thermosets.

Due to the increasing demand for electro mobility and specifically for electrified vehicles, the demand for electric drive technology is expanding significantly with changing requirements in terms of the process and the application. The electrical insulation system of the stator is an essential part of the fabrication process with a high impact on the application properties. Due to limitations-for example, in terms of suitable materials for the stator insulation-a new technology of integrated fabrication by injection molding of thermosets has been founded.

In Situ Measured Tooth Flank Wear of Plastic Gears under Spectrum Loading.

The wear behaviour of PBT-steel gear sets under temporarily changed load has been investigated using an in situ gear test rig developed at the LKT. The in situ test method is based on analysing the timing differences between the index pulses of rotary encoders on the input and output shaft of the test rig. The loading torque was varied between two levels and compared to the permanently applied equivalent average load in terms of the resulting tooth flank wear.

Muscle transcriptomic circuits linked to periarticular physiology in end-stage osteoarthritis.

The ability of individuals with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) to functionally recover from total joint arthroplasty is highly inconsistent. The molecular mechanisms driving this heterogeneity have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, OA disproportionately impacts females, suggesting a need for identifying female-specific therapeutic targets.

Montmorency Cherry Juice Consumption does not Improve Muscle Soreness or Inhibit Pro-inflammatory Monocyte Responses Following an Acute Bout of Whole-body Resistance Training.

Montmorency Cherry Juice (MCJ) may improve acute exercise recovery by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of MCJ on monocyte responses following resistance exercise have not been explored. Seven resistance-trained males (age: 22.