Insights into genetic diversity and phenotypic variations in domestic geese through comprehensive population and pan-genome analysis

Background Domestic goose breeds are descended from either the Swan goose(Anser cygnoides)or the Greylag goose(Anser anser),exhibiting variations in body size,reproductive performance,egg production,feather color,and other phenotypic traits.Constructing a pan-genome facilitates a thorough identification of genetic variations,thereby deepening our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic diversity and phenotypic variability.Results To comprehensively facilitate population genomic and pan-genomic analyses in geese,we embarked on the task of 659 geese whole genome resequencing data and compiling a database of 155 RNA-seq samples.By constructing the pan-genome for geese,we generated non-reference contigs totaling 612 Mb,unveiling a collection of 2,813 novel genes and pinpointing 15,567 core genes,1,324 softcore genes,2,734 shell genes,and 878 cloud genes in goose genomes.Furthermore,we detected an 81.97 Mb genomic region showing signs of genome selection,encompassing the TGFBR2 gene correlated with variations in body weight among geese.Genome-wide association studies utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)and presence-absence variation revealed significant genomic associations with various goose meat quality,reproductive,and body composition traits.For instance,a gene encoding the SVEP1 protein was linked to carcass oblique length,and a distinct gene-CDS haplotype of the SVEP1 gene exhibited an association with carcass oblique length.Notably,the pan-genome analysis revealed enrichment of variable genes in the“hair follicle maturation”Gene Ontology term,potentially linked to the selection of feather-related traits in geese.A gene presence-absence variation analysis suggested a reduced frequency of genes associated with“regulation of heart contraction”in domesticated geese compared to their wild counterparts.Our study provided novel insights into gene expression features and functions by integrating gene expression patterns across multiple organs and tissues in geese and analyzing population variation.Conclusion This accomplishment originates from the discernment of a multitude of selection signals and candidate genes associated with a wide array of traits,thereby markedly enhancing our understanding of the processes underlying domestication and breeding in geese.Moreover,assembling the pan-genome for geese has yielded a comprehensive apprehension of the goose genome,establishing it as an indispensable asset poised to offer innovative viewpoints and make substantial contributions to future geese breeding initiatives.

Comparing dynamical systems concepts and techniques for biomechanical analysis

Traditional biomechanical analyses of human movement are generally derived from linear mathematics.While these methods can be useful in many situations,they do not describe behaviors in human systems that are predominately nonlinear.For this reason,nonlinear analysis methods based on a dynamical systems approach have become more prevalent in recent literature.These analysis techniques have provided new insights into how systems(1) maintain pattern stability,(2) transition into new states,and(3) are governed by short-and long-term(fractal) correlational processes at different spatio-temporal scales.These different aspects of system dynamics are typically investigated using concepts related to variability,stability,complexity,and adaptability.The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast these different concepts and demonstrate that,although related,these terms represent fundamentally different aspects of system dynamics.In particular,we argue that variability should not uniformly be equated with stability or complexity of movement.In addition,current dynamic stability measures based on nonlinear analysis methods(such as the finite maximal Lyapunov exponent) can reveal local instabilities in movement dynamics,but the degree to which these local instabilities relate to global postural and gait stability and the ability to resist external perturbations remains to be explored.Finally,systematic studies are needed to relate observed reductions in complexity with aging and disease to the adaptive capabilities of the movement system and how complexity changes as a function of different task constraints.

Biomechanical risk factors of non-contact ACL injuries:A stochastic biomechanical modeling study

Significant efforts have been made to identify modifiable risk factors of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injuries in male and female athletes.However,current literature on the risk factors for ACL injury are purely descriptive.An understanding of biomechanical relationship between risk and risk factors of the non-contact ACL injury is necessary to develop effective prevention programs.Purpose:To compare lower extremity kinematics and kinetics between trials with and without non-contact ACL injuries and to determine if any difference exists between male and female trials with non-contact ACL injuries regarding the lower extremity motion patterns.Methods:In this computer simulation study,a stochastic biomechanical model was used to estimate the ACL loading at the time of peak posterior ground reaction force(GRF)during landing of the stop-jump task.Monte Carlo simulations were performed to simulate the ACL injuries with repeated random samples of independent variables.The distributions of independent variables were determined from in vivo laboratory data of 40 male and 40 female recreational athletes.Results:In the simulated injured trials,both male and female athletes had significantly smaller knee flexion angles,greater normalized peak posterior and vertical GRF,greater knee valgus moment,greater patella tendon force,greater quadriceps force,greater knee extension moment,and greater proximal tibia anterior shear force in comparison to the simulated uninjured trials.No significant difference was found between genders in any of the selected biomechanical variables in the trials with simulated non-contact ACL injuries.Conclusion:Small knee flexion angle,large posterior GRF,and large knee valgus moment are risk factors of non-contact ACL injury determined by a stochastic biomechanical model with a cause-and-effect relationship.Copyright(c)2012,Shanghai University of Sport.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Biomechanical analysis of the "running" vs. "conventional" diagonal stride uphill techniques as performed by elite cross-country skiers

Purpose:This study aimed to compare biomechanical aspects of a novel"running"diagonal stride(DSRUN)with"conventional"diagonal stride(DSCONV)skiing techniques performed at high speed.Methods:Ten elite Italian male junior cross-country skiers skied on a treadmill at 10 km/h and at a 10°incline utilizing both variants of the diagonal stride technique.The 3-dimensional kinematics of the body,poles,and roller skis;the force exerted through the poles and foot plantar surfaces;and the angular motion of the leg joints were determined.Results:Compared to DSCONV,DSRUN demonstrated shorter cycle times(1.05±0.05 s vs.0.75±0.03 s(mean±SD),p<0.001)due to a shorter rolling phase(0.40±0.04 s vs.0.09±0.04 s,p<0.001);greater force applied perpendicularly to the roller skis when they had stopped rolling forward(413±190 N vs.890±170 N,p<0.001),with peak force being attained earlier;prolonged knee extension,with a greater range of motion during the roller ski-stop phase(28°±40 vs.16°±3°,p=0.00014);and more pronounced hip and knee flexion during most of the forward leg swing.The mechanical work performed against friction during rolling was significantly less with DSRUN than with DSCONV(0.04±0.01 J/m/kg vs.0.10±0.02 J/m/kg,p<0.001).Conclusion:Our findings demonstrate that DSRUN is characterize by more rapid propulsion,earlier leg extension,and a greater range of motion of knee joint extension than DSCONV-Further investigations,preferably on snow,should reveal whether DSRUN results in higher acceleration and/or higher peak speed.

Reabsorption of intervertebral disc prolapse after conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine:A case report

BACKGROUND Conservative treatments have been reported to diminish or resolve clinical symptoms of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation(LIDH)within a few weeks.CASE SUMMARY Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the lumbar region of a 25-yearold male diagnosed with LIDH showed prolapse of the L5/S2 disc.The disc extended 1.0 cm beyond the vertebral edge and hung along the posterior vertebral edge.The patient elected a conservative treatment regimen that included traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),acupuncture,and massage.During a follow-up period of more than 12 mo,good improvement in pain was reported without complications.MRI of the lumbar region after 12 mo showed obvious reabsorption of the herniation.CONCLUSION A conservative treatment regimen of TCM,acupuncture,and massage promoted reabsorption of a prolapsed disc.

Is changing footstrike pattern beneficial to runners?

Some researchers, running instructors, and coaches have suggested that the "optimal" footstrike pattern to improve performance and reduce running injuries is to land using a mid-or forefoot strike. Thus, it has been recommended that runners who use a rearfoot strike would benefit by changing their footstrike although there is little scientific evidence for suggesting such a change. The rearfoot strike is clearly more prevalent. The major reasons often given for changing to a mid-or forefoot strike are(1) it is more economical;(2) there is a reduction in the impact peak and loading rate of the vertical component of the ground reaction force; and(3) there is a reduction in the risk of a running-related injuries. In this paper,we critique these 3 suggestions and provide alternate explanations that may provide contradictory evidence for altering one's footstrike pattern.We have concluded, based on examining the research literature, that changing to a mid-or forefoot strike does not improve running economy, does not eliminate an impact at the foot-ground contact, and does not reduce the risk of running-related injuries.

Injury rate,mechanism,and risk factors of hamstring strain injuries in sports:A review of the literature

Hamstring strains are one of most common sports injuries.The purpose of this literature review is to summarize studies on hamstring strain injury rate,mechanism,and risk factors in the last several decades with a focus on the prevention and rehabilitation of this injury.Hamstring injury commonly occurs in sporting events in which high speed sprinting and kicking are frequently performed,such as Australian football. English rugby,American football,and soccer.Basic science studies have demonstrated that a muscle strain injury occurs due to excessive strain in eccentric contraction instead of force,and that elongation speed and duration of activation before eccentric contraction affect the severity of the injury.Hamstring strain injury is likely to occur during the late swing phase and late stance phase of sprint running.Shortened optimum muscle length,lack of muscle flexibility,strength imbalance,insufficient warm-up,fatigue,lower back injury,poor lumbar posture,and increased muscle neural tension have been identified as modifiable risk factors while muscle compositions,age,race,and previous injuries are non-modifiable risk factors.The theoretical basis of some of these risk factors,however,is lacking,and the results of clinical studies on these risk factors are inconsistent.Future studies are needed to establish the cause-and-effect relationships between those proposed risk factors and the injury.

Mechanism of hamstring muscle strain injury in sprinting

Hamstring muscle strain injury is one of the most common injuries in sports involving sprinting and kicking.Hamstring muscle strain injuries occur at a high rate and have a high re-injury rate,which results in loss of training and competition time,which has a significant impact on the quality of life of the injured athletes.~1Preventing and rehabilitating hamstring muscle strain injury is an important task for clinicians and scientists in sports medicine.Understanding the mechanisms underlying hamstring injury is critical for developing appropriate strategies to prevent and rehabilitate hamstring injuries.Understanding the

Relationships among hamstring muscle optimal length and hamstring flexibility and strength

Background:Hamstring muscle strain injury(hamstring injury) due to excessive muscle strain is one of the most common injuries in sports.The relationships among hamstring muscle optimal lengths and hamstring flexibility and strength were unknown,which limited our understanding of risk factors for hamstring injury.This study was aimed at examining the relationships among hamstring muscle optimal length and flexibility and strength.Methods:Hamstring flexibility and isokinetic strength data and three-dimensional kinematic data for hamstring isokinetic tests were collected for11 male and 10 female recreational athletes.The maximal hamstring muscle forces,optimal lengths,and muscle lengths in standing were determined for each participant.Results:Hamstring muscle optimal lengths were significantly correlated to hamstring flexibility score and gender,but not to hamstring strength.The greater the flexibility score,the longer the hamstring muscle optimal length.With the same flexibility score,females tend to have shorter hamstring optimal muscle lengths compared to males.Hamstring flexibility score and hamstring strength were not correlated.Hamstring muscle optimal lengths were longer than but not significantly correlated to corresponding hamstring muscle lengths in standing.Conclusion:Hamstring flexibility may affect hamstring muscle maximum strain in movements.With similar hamstring flexibility,hamstring muscle maximal strain in a given movement may be different between genders.Hamstring muscle lengths in standing should not be used as an approximation of their optimal lengths in calculation of hamstring muscle strain in musculoskeletal system modeling.

The effect of hamstring flexibility on peak hamstring muscle strain in sprinting

Background:The effect of hamstring flexibility on the peak hamstring muscle strains in sprinting,until now,remained unknown,which limited our understanding of risk factors of hamstring muscle strain injury(hamstring injury).As a continuation of our previous study,this study was aimed to examine the relationship between hamstring flexibility and peak hamstring muscle strains in sprinting.Methods:Ten male and 10 female college students participated in this study.Hamstring flexibility,isokinetic strength data,three-dimensional(3D)kinematic data in a hamstring isokinetic test,and kinematic data in a sprinting test were collected for each participant.The optimal hamstring muscle lengths and peak hamstring muscle strains in sprinting were determined for each participant.Results:The muscle strain of each of the 3 biarticulated hamstring muscles reached a peak during the late swing phase.Peak hamstring muscle strains were negatively correlated to hamstring flexibility(0.1179 ≤ R2≤ 0.4519,p = 0.001) but not to hip and knee joint positions at the time of peak hamstring muscle strains.Peak hamstring muscle strains were not different for different genders.Peak muscle strains of biceps long head(0.071 ± 0.059) and semitendinosus(0.070 ± 0.055) were significantly greater than that of semimembranosus(0.064 ± 0.054).Conclusion:A potential for hamstring injury exists during the late swing phase of sprinting.Peak hamstring muscle strains in sprinting are negatively correlated to hamstring flexibility across individuals.The magnitude of peak muscle strains is different among hamstring muscles in sprinting,which may explain the different injury rate among hamstring muscles.

Effects of flexibility and strength training on peak hamstring musculotendinous strains during sprinting

Background:Hamstring injury is one of the most common injuries in sports involving sprinting.Hamstring flexibility and strength are often considered to be modifiable risk factors in hamstring injury.Understanding the effects of hamstring flexibility or strength training on the biomechanics of the hamstring muscles during sprinting could assist in improving prevention strategies and rehabilitation related to these injuries.The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of altering hamstring flexibility or strength on peak hamstring musculotendinous strain during sprinting.Methods:A total of 20 male college students(aged 18-24 years)participated and were randomly assigned to either a flexibility intervention group or a strength intervention group.Each participant executed exercise training 3 times a week for 8 weeks.Flexibility,sprinting,and isokinetic strength testing were performed before and after the 2 interventions.Paired t tests were performed to determine hamstring flexibility or strength intervention effects on optimal hamstring musculotendinous lengths and peak hamstring musculotendinous strains during sprinting.Results:Participants in the flexibility intervention group significantly increased the optimal musculotendinous lengths of the semimembranosus and biceps long head(p<0.026)and decreased peak musculotendinous strains in all 3 bi-articulate hamstring muscles(p<0.004).Participants in the strength-intervention group significantly increased the optimal musculotendinous lengths of all 3 hamstring muscles(p<0.041)and significantly decreased their peak musculotendinous strain during sprinting(p<0.017).Conclusion:Increasing hamstring flexibility or strength through exercise training may assist in reducing the risk of hamstring injury during sprinting for recreational male athletes.

Impact shock frequency components and attenuation in rearfoot and forefoot running

Background:The forefoot running footfall pattern has been suggested to reduce the risk of developing running related overuse injuries due to a reduction of impact related variables compared with the rearfoot running footfall pattern.However,only time-domain impact variables have been compared between footfall patterns.The frequency content of the impact shock and the degree to which it is attenuated may be of greater importance for injury risk and prevention than time-domain variables.Therefore,the purpose of this study was to determine the differences in head and tibial acceleration signal power and shock attenuation between rearfoot and forefoot running.Methods:Nineteen habitual rearfoot runners and 19 habitual forefoot runners ran on a treadmill at 3.5 m/s using their preferred footfall patterns while tibial and head acceleration data were collected.The magnitude of the first and second head acceleration peaks,and peak positive tibial acceleration were calculated.The power spectral density of each signal was calculated to transform the head and tibial accelerations in the frequency domain.Shock attenuation was calculated by a transfer function of the head signal relative to the tibia.Results:Peak positive tibial acceleration and signal power in the lower and higher ranges were significantly greater during rearfoot than forefoot running(/】 【 0.05).The first and second head acceleration peaks and head signal power were not statistically different between patterns(p 】 0.05).Rearfoot running resulted in significantly greater shock attenuation for the lower and higher frequency ranges as a result of greater tibial acceleration(p 【 0.05).Conclusion:The difference in impact shock frequency content between footfall patterns suggests that the primary mechanisms for attenuation may differ.The relationship between shock attenuation mechanisms and injury is not clear but given the differences in impact frequency content,neither footfall pattern may be more beneficial for injury,rather the type of injury sustained may vary with footfall pattern preference.

Effects of different doses of metformin on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a chronic disease,which may cause various complications.Patients with diabetes are at high risk of bone and joint disorders,such as osteoporosis and bone fractures.In addition,it became widely accepted that diabetes has an important impact on bone metabolism.Metformin is a commonly used and effective first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.Some glucose-lowering agents have been found to have an effect on bone metabolism.The present study explored if different doses of metformin have an effect on bone mineral density(BMD)and bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes.AIM To investigate the effects of different doses of metformin on BMD and bone metabolism in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.METHODS A total of 120 elderly male outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to our hospital were included in the study from July 2018 to June 2019.They were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group with 60 patients in each group.Patients in the experimental group were given high dose metformin four times a day 0.5 g each time for 12 wk.Patients in the control group were given low dose metformin orally twice a day 0.5 g each time for 12 wk.The changes in bone mineral density and bone metabolism before and after treatment and the efficacy rate of the treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the efficacy rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Before the treatment,there was no significant difference in BMD and bone metabolism between the two groups(P>0.05).However,after the treatment,BMD and bone metabolism were improved in the two groups.Moreover,BMD and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group,and N-terminal/midregion andβ-isomerized Cterminal telopeptides were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both high and low dose metformin can effectively control the blood glucose levels in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.However,the benefits of high dose metformin in improving BMD and bone metabolism level was more obvious in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The effects of total ankle replacement on ankle joint mechanics during walking

Background:End-stage ankle arthritis impairs joint function and patients' mobility.Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure to treat severe ankle arthritis.Salto Talaris Anatomic Ankle^(TM)(STAA) was designed to mimic the normal ankle anatomy and flexion/extension of the ankle movement.The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an STAA ankle replacement on ankle joint function and mechanics during gait.Methods:Five patients with end-stage unilateral ankle arthritis were recruited.Patients performed level walking in a laboratory setting on 2occasions,prior to and 3 months after the STAA ankle surgeries.American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) hindfoot score was obtained.A 12-camera motion capture system was used to perform walking analysis.Gait temporo-spatial parameters and ankle joint mechanics were evaluated.Paired Student's t tests and non-parametric Wilcoxon matched tests were performed to examine the differences in biomechanical variables between the pre-and post-surgery walking conditions.Results:Compared to the pre-surgical condition,at 3 months of post-STAA surgery,patients experienced greater improvement in AOFAS hindfoot score(p = 0.0001);the STAA ankle demonstrated a 31% increase in ankle joint excursion(p = 0.045),a 22% increase in ankle plantarflexor moment(p = 0.075),a 60% increase in ankle power absorption(p = 0.023),and a 68% increase in ankle power production(p = 0.039).Patients also demonstrated a 26% increase in walking speed(p = 0.005),a 20% increase in stride length(p = 0.013),a 15% decrease in double support time(p = 0.043),and a 5% decrease in total stance time(p = 0.055).Conclusion:Three months after surgeries,the STAA patients experienced improvements in ankle function and gait parameters.The STAA ankle demonstrated improved ankle mechanics during daily activities such as walking.

Influences of load carriage and physical activity history on tibia bone strain

Background:Military recruits are often afflicted with stress fractures.The military’s strenuous training programs involving load carriage may contribute to the high incidence of tibia stress fractures in the army.The purpose of this study was to assess the influences of incremented load carriage and history of physical activity on tibia bone strain and strain rate during walking.Methods:Twenty recreational basketball players and 20 recreational runners performed 4 walking tasks while carrying 0 kg,15 kg,25 kg,and35 kg loads,respectively.Tibia bone strain and strain rate were obtained through subject-specific multibody dynamic simulations and finite element analyses.Mixed model repeated-measures analyses of variance were conducted.Results:The mean±SE of the runners’ bone strain(μs)during load carriages(0 kg,15 kg,25 kg,and 35 kg)were 658.11±1.61,804.41±1.96,924.49±2.23,and 1011.15±2.71,respectively,in compression and 458.33±1.45,562.11±1.81,669.82±2.05,and 733.40±2.52,respectively,in tension.For the basketball players,the incremented load carriages resulted in compressive strain of 634.30±1.56,746.87±1.90,842.18±2.16,and 958.24±2.63,respectively,and tensile strain of 440.04±1.41,518.86±1.75,597.63±1.99,and 700.15±2.47,respectively.A dose-response relationship exists between incremented load carriage and bone strain and strain rate.A history of regular basketball activity could result in reduced bone strain and reduced strain rate.Conclusion:Load carriage is a risk factor for tibia stress fracture during basic training.Preventative exercise programs,such as basketball,that involved multidirectional mechanical loading to the tibia bones can be implemented for military recruits before basic training commences.

Nanoindentation of Teeth-A Review

This paper reviews some of the nanoindentation research that has been done on teeth and discusses the usefulness of this technique in studying the structure-property-function relationship at the micro and nanometer scale. In particular, examples on the use of nanoindentation technique in investigating the effects of cleansing and bleaching agents as well as drinks on the micro- and nanostructures and mechanical properties of teeth are highlighted. Although nanoindentation on teeth is a relatively new area of research, it provides an excellent way of probing and relating the structures and mechanical properties of teeth at the submicron and nanometer scales that were previously not possible but which can now greatly benefit dental research. For example, a nanoindenter with a high resolution imaging capability can help to elucidate the mechanisms with which certain diseases can damage and compromise the structural integrity of teeth at the micro- and nanometer scale. With this information, clinicians and researchers can then work towards how best to tackle these problems or even preventing them.

Effect of approach run velocity on the optimal performance of the triple jump

Purpose： The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of horizontal and vertical velocities at the landing of the last step of approach run on the performance and optimal phase ratio of the triple jump. Methods： Three-dimensional kinematic data of 13 elite male triple jumpers were obtained during a competition. Computer simulations were performed using a biomechanical model of the triple jump to determine the longest actual distance using the optimal phase ratio with altered horizontal and vertical velocities at the landing of the last step of approach run. Results： The actual distance obtained using the optimal phase ratio significantly increased as the horizontal velocity at the landing of the last step of approach run increased （p = 0.001） and the corresponding downward vertical velocity decreased （p = 0.001）. Increasing horizontal velocity at the landing of the last step of approach run decreased optimal hop percentage and increased optimal jump percentage （p = 0.001）, while decreasing corresponding downward vertical velocity increased optimal hop percentage and decreased optimal jump percentage （p = 0.001）. Conclusion： The effects of the velocities at the landing of the last step of approach run on the optimal phase ratio were generally small and did not qualitatively alter optimal techniques.

Mechanobiology:A new frontier for human pluripotent stem cells

Our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control self-renewal,pluripotency and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells(hPSCs)and our progress toward harnessing the regenerative potential of these cells to treat human diseases are advancing at a rapid rate.Human pluripotent stem cells(hPSCs)include human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)and human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs).Their unique capacity for indefinite self-renewal(unlimited proliferation)in vitro coupled with their ability to differentiate into almost any cell type present in the adult body(pluripotency)provide a potentially

Numerical simulation of pulsatile non-Newtonian flow in the carotid artery bifurcation

Both clinical and post mortem studies indicate that, in humans, the carotid sinus of the carotid artery bifurcation is one of the favored sites for the genesis and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Hemodynamic factors have been suggested to be important in atherogenesis. To understand the correlation between atherogenesis and fluid dynamics in the carotid sinus, the blood flow in artery was simulated numerically. In those studies, the property of blood was treated as an incompressible, Newtonian fluid. In fact, however, the blood is a complicated non-Newtonian fluid with shear thinning and viscoelastic properties, especially when the shear rate is low. A variety of non-Newtonian models have been applied in the numerical studies. Among them, the Casson equation was widely used. However, the Casson equation agrees well only when the shear rate is less than 10 s-1. The flow field of the carotid bifurcation usually covers a wide range of shear rate. We therefore believe that it may not be sufficient to describe the property of blood only using the Casson equation in the whole flow field of the carotid bifurcation. In the present study, three different blood constitutive models, namely, the Newtonian, the Casson and the hybrid fluid constitutive models were used in the flow simulation of the human carotid bifurcation. The results were compared among the three models. The results showed that the Newtonian model and the hybrid model had verysimilar distributions of the axial velocity, secondary flow and wall shear stress, but the Casson model resulted in significant differences in these distributions from the other two models. This study suggests that it is not appropriate to only use the Casson equation to simulate the whole flow field of the carotid bifurcation, and on the other hand, Newtonian fluid is a good approximation to blood for flow simulations in the carotid artery bifurcation.

Energy expenditure and muscular activation patterns through active sitting on compliant surfaces

Purpose: To test the effectiveness of sitting surfaces with varied amounts of stability on muscle activity and energy expenditure.Methods: Using a within-participants repeated measures design, 11 healthy young-adult females(age = 20.0 ± 1.8 years) were measured using indirect calorimetry to assess energy expenditure, and electromyography to assess muscular activation in trunk and leg musculature under 3different sitting surfaces: flat-firm surface, air-filled cushion, and a stability ball. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance with follow-up pairwise contrasts used to determine the specific effects of sitting surface on muscle activation and energy expenditure.Results: Significantly greater energy expenditure was recorded for the stability ball(p = 0.01) and the cushion(p = 0.03) over the flat surface(10.4% and 9.6% greater, respectively), with no differences between the ball and the cushion. Both the ball and the cushion produced higher tibialis anterior activation over the flat surface(1.09 and 0.63 root-mean-square millivolts(RMSmv), respectively), while the stability ball produced higher soleus activity over both cushion and flat surfaces(3.97 and 4.24 RMSmv, respectively). Additionally, the cushion elicited higher adductor longus activity over the ball and flat surfaces(1.76 and 1.81 RMSmv, respectively), but no trunk musculature differences were revealed.Conclusion: Compliant surfaces resulted in higher levels of muscular activation in the lower extremities facilitating increased caloric expenditure.Given the increasing trends in sedentary careers and the increases in obesity, this is an important finding to validate the merits of active sitting facilitating increased caloric expenditure and muscle activation.