Differences in morphology and force/velocity relationship between Senegalese and Italian sprinters.

In order to investigate whether the supremacy of African sprinters is related to the leg extensor force/velocity relationship or to leg morphology, two groups of elite sprinters originating respectively from Senegal (S) and Italy (I) were compared in this respect. The groups included 13 S and 15 I male sprinters. Their mean best performances over 100 m during the preceding track and field season were 10.

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial evaluation of N-[5-(5-nitro-2-thienyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl] piperazinyl quinolones.

A series of N-[5-(5-nitro-2-thienyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl]piperazinyl quinolones (7a-c) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial data revealed that compounds 7a-c had strong and better activity against tested Gram-positive organisms than the reference quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and enoxacin. However, all three compounds were nearly inactive against Gram-negative bacteria.

Influence of school bag carrying on gait kinetics.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different methods of backpack carrying on gait kinetics in children, using a new treadmill that allowed three-dimensional measurement of right and left leg ground reaction forces (GRFs). Forty-one healthy children, with a mean age of 12 years, participated in this study. The mean height was 152 cm and the mean weight 40 kg.

The effects of exercise and protein-energy supplements on body composition and muscle function in frail elderly individuals: a long-term controlled randomised study.

Fighting against inactivity and inadequate nutritional intake are of utmost importance in the elderly. To our knowledge, the few studies which have been performed were conducted for only a short period and the results do not permit formal conclusions to be drawn. We therefore tried to fill this gap in our knowledge by determining whether an intervention combining an acceptable progressive exercise programme and nutritional supplements would be feasible for a long-term period in the very frail elderly, and would bring about concomitant benefits in body composition and muscle power.

Kinetic-spectrophotometric determination of propylthiouracil based on its inhibitory effect on the reduction of neutral red by hypophosphite.

A new kinetic-spectrophotometric method for determination of propylthiouracil (PTU) is described. The proposed method is simple, rapid, inexpensive and sensitive for the determination of PTU in pure and tablet forms. This method is based on the inhibitory effect of propylthiouracil on the palladium(II)-catalyzed reaction between neutral red and hypophosphite ions.

[Relation between physical activity, muscle function and IGF-1, testosterone and DHEAS concentrations in the elderly].

Objective: Lower amounts of circulating anabolic hormones are thought to accelerate the age related decline in muscle mass and function. Replacement therapies are promising interventions but there are problems with these therapies. Thus alternative strategies should be developed.

Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of leg strength and stiffness relative to i) 100 m sprint performance, ii) mean speed on the three phases of the 100 m race (30-60-100 m) and iii) the speed differences between these phases.

Methods: Nineteen regional to national level male sprinters competed in a 100 m race. Video analysis was used to determine mean velocity parameters.

Optical trapping and manipulation of nano-objects with an apertureless probe.

We propose a novel way to trap and manipulate nano-objects above a dielectric substrate using an apertureless near-field probe. A combination of evanescent illumination and light scattering at the probe apex is used to shape the optical field into a localized, three-dimensional optical trap. We use the coupled-dipole method and the Maxwell stress tensor to provide a self-consistent description of the optical force, including retardation and the influence of the substrate.

Effects of water level changes and wading bird abundance on the foraging behaviour of blacknecked storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus in Dudwa National Park, India.

The effect of water level changes and wading birds' abundance on the foraging behaviour of the blacknecked stork (BNS) Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus was studied from January 1995 to June 1997 in Dudwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh. Our observations indicate that BNS territoriality increased as food levels became depleted, resulting in increased rates of aggression towards intruders. Chasing or aggression was more intense during the early period (February and March) than the late period (April, May and June).

Force/velocity and power/velocity relationships in squat exercise.

The purpose of this study was to describe the force/velocity and power/velocity relationships obtained during squat exercise. The maximal force (F0) was extrapolated from the force/velocity relationship and compared to the isometric force directly measured with the aid of a force platform placed under the subject's feet. Fifteen international downhill skiers [mean (SD) age 22.

Quadriceps muscle function in relation to habitual physical activity and VO2max in men and women aged more than 65 years.

The relationship of quadriceps maximal muscle power (Pmax), corresponding optimal shortening velocity (v(opt)), and relative fatigability (Pmax%D) to maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and habitual physical activity (PA) was examined in healthy community-dwelling subjects (29 women and 25 men) aged more than 65 years old. PA was evaluated by a questionnaire and expressed using two activity indices: mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) and the daily energy expenditure corresponding to leisure time sports activities (Sports Activity). In women, Pmax correlated positively with VO2max (r = .

Effects of partial liquid ventilation with perfluorodecalin in the juvenile rabbit lung after saline injury.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of using the perfluorochemical, perfluorodecalin, for partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with respect to gas exchange and lung mechanics in normal and saline-injured lungs of juvenile rabbits.

Design: Experimental, prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Physiology laboratory at a university medical school.

Zinc, cadmium, and mercury complexes of 5,7-dimethyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp). Preparation, spectroscopic characterization, and biological activity. X-ray crystal structures of [Zn(dmtp)2Br2], [Hg(dmtp)2Cl2], and [Hdmtp]2[CdBr4]. 2H2O.

The preparation and spectroscopic characterization of a series of dmtp complexes of Zn, Cd, and Hg, where dmtp is 5,7-dimethyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, is reported. Crystal structure analyses of [Zn(dmtp)2Br2] and [Hg(dmtp)2Cl2] reveal distorted tetrahedral geometries about the central atoms and the dmtp ligands to coordinate via the N(3) atom exclusively. In the X-ray structure of [Hdmtp]2[CdBr4].

Kinetic-spectrophotometric determination of sulfide by its reaction with resazurin.

A sensitive, rapid and selective method for the determination of sulfide based on its reaction with resazurin at pH 7 is described. The method is simple and has the great advantage of being free from interference of other sulfur anions and thus sulfide can be easily determined at trace levels in the presence of other sulfur compounds. The method has been applied to some synthetic samples and a spring water sample.

[Radioactive cesium 137 and cesium 134 in follicle and seminal fluid].

Radioactive caesium nuclids were measured in follicular fluid and seminal plasma after the nuclear power station accident of Chernobyl. Immediately after the event (June - Aug. 86) both Cs 137 and Cs 134 were negative, with the exception of one sample.

Proton production in relativistic heavy ion collisions; comparison with a thermodynamical model.

Experimental results concerning proton production in nuclear collisions, obtained at Saturne with the Diogene 4 pi facility, are compared with the predictions of a thermodynamical model, using collective velocity distributions combined with a statistical thermodynamics in local rest frames. Experimental differential cross sections for alpha + nucleus and Neon + nucleus central collisions at incident energies between 200 and 800 MeV per nucleon are well reproduced by the model, for an angular range 30-110 degrees in the laboratory system. Extracted values of the temperatures are compared with those given by other authors.

Nuclear collective flow and charged-pion emission in Ne-nucleus collisions at E/A = 800 MeV.

Triple-differential cross sections of charged pions were measured for collisions of Ne projectiles at E/A = 800 MeV with NaF, Nb, and Pb targets. The reaction plane was estimated event by event from the light-baryon momentum distribution. For heavy targets, preferential emission of charged pions away from the interaction zone towards the projectile side was observed in the transverse direction.