Ultra-Thin Plastic Scintillator-Based Proton Detector for Timing Applications.

The development of advanced detection systems for charged particles in laser-based accelerators and the need for precise time of flight measurements have led to the creation of detectors using ultra-thin plastic scintillators, indicating their use as transmission detectors with low energy loss and minimal dispersion for protons around a few MeV. This study introduces a new detection system designed by the Institute for Instrumentation in Molecular Imaging for time of flight and timing applications at the National Accelerator Center in Seville. The system includes an ultra-thin EJ-214 plastic scintillator coupled with a photomultiplier tube and shielded by aluminized mylar sheets.

Variations in strength-speed-power performance across the season: do true changes occur in elite rugby players?

This study aimed to determine, through the use of a highly sensitive statistical tool, whether real changes in performance were present; and compare the rates of meaningful variations in strength, speed, and power parameters at different time-points during the competitive season in national team rugby players. Thirty-two players were assessed 5 times across the season using the following tests: squat jump and countermovement jump tests; 30-m sprint velocity; and one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the half-squat and bench-press exercises. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to test for differences between successive time-points.

Jump Squats Performed with Both Light and Heavy Loads Have Similar Effects on the Physical Performance of Elite Rugby Players during the Initial Phase of the Competitive Period.

We examined the effectiveness of two different jump-squat (JS) loading ranges on the physical performance of rugby players. Twenty-eight elite male rugby players were divided into two JS training groups: a light-load JS group ("LJS"; JS at 40% of the one-repetition maximum [1RM] in the half-squat (HS) exercise) and a heavy-load JS group ("HJS"; JS at 80% HS-1RM). Players completed the distinct training programs over four weeks, three times per week, during the initial phase of the competitive period.

Half-Squat and Jump Squat Exercises Performed Across a Range of Loads: Differences in Mechanical Outputs and Strength Deficits.

Loturco, I, McGuigan, MR, Freitas, TT, Bishop, C, Zabaloy, S, Mercer, VP, Moura, TBMA, Arruda, AFS, Ramos, MS, Pereira, LA, and Pareja-Blanco, F. Half-squat and jump squat exercises performed across a range of loads: differences in mechanical outputs and strength deficits. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1052-1056, 2023-The aim of this study was to compare the peak force (PF), peak power (PP), and peak velocity (PV) outputs produced during half-squat (HS) and jump squat (JS) exercises executed at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the HS (HS 1RM) and to compute and compare the strength deficit (SDef) achieved in these exercises across these loads.

Ion Microprobe Study of the Polarization Quenching Techniques in Single Crystal Diamond Radiation Detectors.

Synthetic single crystal diamond grown using the chemical vapor deposition technique constitutes an extraordinary candidate material for monitoring radiation in extreme environments. However, under certain conditions, a progressive creation of space charge regions within the crystal can lead to the deterioration of charge collection efficiency. This phenomenon is called polarization and represents one of the major drawbacks associated with using this type of device.

Change-of-Direction Deficit vs. Deceleration Deficit: A Comparison of Limb Dominance and Inter-limb Asymmetry between Forwards and Backs in Elite Male Rugby Union Players.

The aims of the present study were to: 1) determine whether limb dominance and inter-limb asymmetry were the same across both change of direction (COD) and deceleration (DEC) deficits and, 2) determine the association between the COD and DEC-deficits and other physical performance tests in elite male rugby union players. Twenty five players performed a series of bilateral jumps, linear and COD speed tests at the end of the pre-season period. COD and DEC-deficits were calculated for both left and right sides, and inter-limb asymmetry thereafter.

Differential expression of miRNAs related to angiogenesis and adipogenesis in subcutaneous fat of obese and nonobese women.

To disclose the mechanisms surrounding obesity, we selected microRNAs (miRNAs) that target genes involved in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation and compared their expression levels in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of 40 obese and nonobese women. Mature miRNAs were extracted from subcutaneous adipose tissue samples that were collected during surgery and quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. miR-16 was overexpressed in the nonobese group (n-expression ratio = - 151.

Revisional Malabsorptive Bariatric Surgery: 29-Year Follow-up in a Brazilian Public Hospital.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of 67 patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgeries over a 29-year period in a Brazilian public hospital.

Methods: The records of all patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgery from January 1987 to December of 2016 at our hospital were analyzed for weight loss and complications. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests were computed.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with different baseline glucose status undergoing bariatric surgery: analysis of intraoperative liver biopsies and literature review.

Background: Bariatric surgery has been investigated as a treatment option for obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because patients with NAFLD and type 2 diabetes show accelerated progression from liver disease to cirrhosis, it has been suggested that surgery could be indicated for patients with lower degrees of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To analyze the degree of tissue damage in liver biopsies obtained from patients undergoing bariatric surgery, correlating histopathologic findings with their baseline glucose status.

Adiponectin promoter polymorphisms are predictors of lipid profile improvement after bariatric surgery.

Our aim was to investigate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the 5' regions of leptin (LEP, -2548 G > A, rs7799039), resistin (RETN, -420 C > G, rs1862513) and adiponectin (ADIPOQ, -11391 G > A, rs17300539 and -11377 C > G, rs266729) genes were related to changes in body mass index (BMI) and metabolic variables after bariatric surgery in 60 extremely obese individuals. At baseline, ADIPOQ -11391 A-allele carriers showed higher plasma adiponectin and lower total cholesterol levels when compared to G/G homozygotes. Approximately 32 months post-surgery, a mean reduction of 35% in BMI and an important improvement in metabolic profiles were observed.

Adipokine Levels Versus Hepatic Histopathology in Bariatric Surgery Patients.

Background: Obesity is a worldwide prevalent disease and is an underlying factor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It has been understood as a chronic inflammatory state, being associated with the production of adipokines. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of adipokines in the serum, visceral, and subcutaneous fat and to compare them with hepatic histopathology in morbidly obese patients.

Do health benefits outweigh the costs of mass recreational programs? An economic analysis of four Ciclovía programs.

One promising public health intervention for promoting physical activity is the Ciclovía program. The Ciclovía is a regular multisectorial community-based program in which streets are temporarily closed for motorized transport, allowing exclusive access to individuals for recreational activities and physical activity. The objective of this study was to conduct an analysis of the cost-benefit ratios of physical activity of the Ciclovía programs of Bogotá and Medellín in Colombia, Guadalajara in México, and San Francisco in the U.

Using the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) for inguinal hernia repair.

Objective: To assess immediate postoperative and late complications in patients with inguinal hernia undergoing surgical correction by Gilbert technique, using the Prolene Hernia System (HPS).

Methods: We surveyed all patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair with PHS mesh at The Sao Lucas Hospital--PUCRS, from January 2001 to october 2006. Information was retrospectively collected through telephone calls and chart review.

Multi-tiered distributions of arsenic in iron nanoparticles: Observation of dual redox functionality enabled by a core-shell structure.

Multi-tiered arsenic distributions within nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) were observed upon reactions of nZVI with aqueous As(iii) species, suggesting arsenite oxidation and reduction may occur in parallel at different sub-domains of the nanoparticles owing to the particle's core-shell structure. New insights into arsenic remediation with iron nanomaterials are obtained.