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Understanding the relationship between mechanical variables derived from actions such as jumping, sprinting, or ballistic bench press throwing and sport-specific performance moves is of scientific and practical interest for strength and conditioning coaches for improving training programs. We examined the association between mechanical variables derived from the force-velocity (FV) profiles of the aforementioned actions and spike and serve ball speeds in elite volleyball players. Twenty-two male elite volleyball players (age: 24.3 ± 4.5 years; height: 1.89 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 86.3 ± 8.6 kg) were tested in two sessions. Squatting, sprinting, and bench press throwing FV profiles were determined in the first session, while spike and serve ball speeds were assessed in the second session. The theoretical maximal force ( F 0 ) of vertical jumping, the theoretical maximal velocity of sprinting, and the F 0 of bench press throwing in ascending order, were strongly associated (r s range 0.53–0.84; p<0.05) with spike and serve ball speeds. These mechanical variables explained 20%-36% of the variability in spike and serve ball speeds, with a greater influence on the serve speed. These results suggest that assessing jumping, sprinting, and bench press throwing force-velocity profiles might help provide player-specific training programs and optimize performance in these technical-tactical actions in male elite volleyball players.

We found serologic evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia in humans and dogs and typhus group Rickettsia in dogs in Reynosa, Mexico. Our investigation revealed serologic samples reactive to spotted fever group Rickettsia in 5 community members, which highlights a potential rickettsial transmission scenario in this region.

The use of microturbines in irrigation applications represents a great opportunity for increasing sustainable energy generation. Irrigation systems have water flow that can be used to generate electricity based on microturbines that are acceptably configure such, that efficiency in crop irrigation is not affected. This research validates this use of microturbines through a system designed specifically for the characterization of microturbine generation technology. This system includes a closed water pumping circuit capable of working under, different water flow settings, as well as flow, pressure, and electricity generation sensors. For this system, the production range of the microturbines and the pressure loss associated with the various proposed configurations are characterized and specifically quantified for the best performance. After design and characterization of a scalable microturbine system, the feasibility and benefits of this application to supporting most relevant crops supplied by localized irrigation are analysed. The experiments demonstrate the greatest benefit with the implementation of 15 series microturbines each at 80 V, alongside non-Citrus fruit, where a favourable balance is achieved for the amortization period in vineyards and citrus fruit. The results validate a profitable and sustainable design for electricity generation, with return on investment rates of up to 53%. Therefore, this research offers real and extensive applications, while being scalable to rural, residential, urban and industrial settings.Key Points• Development of an experimental system for the characterization of water microturbines and validation in irrigation systems.• Design of a system to obtain clean energy from the pressure head excess of irrigation systems based on experimental characterization.• Analysis of the feasibility and investment of the application of the sustainable energy generation system to different crops.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between movement velocity and relative load (%1RM) in the deadlift exercise. Fifty men (age = 23.8 ± 3.6 years, body mass = 78.2 ± 8.3 kg, height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m) performed a first evaluation (T1) consisting of a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. Forty-two subjects performed a second evaluation (T2) after 6 weeks. Mean (MV), mean propulsive (MPV) and peak (PV) velocity measures of the concentric phase were analyzed. Load-velocity relationships were studied by fitting first order equations to the data using loads from 30-100% of 1RM. A comprehensive set of statistics for assessing bias and level of agreement to estimate the 1RM value from the different models was used. Stability of these relationships was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). General load-velocity equations provided good adjustments (R ~; 0.91-0.93), however individual load-velocity regressions provided better adjustments (R ~; 0.97). Individual estimations also showed higher agreement and more regular variation than general equations. Moreover, MPV showed smaller bias than the other velocity parameters (MV and PV). The stability analysis of the load-velocity relationships resulted in ICC values higher than 0.82 and CV lower than 3.0%. Monitoring repetition velocity allows estimation of the %1RM in the deadlift exercise. More accurate predictions of relative load can be obtained when using individualized regression equations instead of general equations.

Purpose This study assessed the effects of 12-week supervised resistance training combined with home-based physical activity on physical fitness, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and life satisfaction in female breast cancer survivors. Methods A parallel-group, outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included 60 female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the previous 10 years. Through computer-generated simple randomization, participants were assigned to resistance training (RTG; two sessions/week for 12 weeks plus instructions to undertake ≥ 10,000 steps/d) or control (CG; ≥ 10,000 steps/d only). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and week 12. Muscular strength was assessed with electromechanical dynamometry. A standardized full-body muscular strength score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder mobility, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, and life satisfaction. Results Thirty-two participants were assigned to RTG (29 achieved ≥ 75% attendance) and 28 to CG (all completed the trial). Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that the standardized full-body muscular strength score increased significantly in the RTG compared to the CG (0.718; 95% CI 0.361–1.074, P  < 0.001, Cohen's  d = 1.04). This increase was consistent for the standardized scores of upper-body (0.727; 95% CI 0.294–1.160, P  = 0.001, d = 0.87) and lower-body (0.709; 95% CI 0.324–1.094, P  = 0.001, d = 0.96) strength. There was no effect on cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder flexion, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, or life satisfaction. The sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. Conclusion and implication for cancer survivors. In female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the past 10 years, adding two weekly sessions of supervised resistance training to a prescription of home-based physical activity for 12 weeks produced a large increase in upper-, lower-, and full-body muscular strength, while other fitness components and patient-reported outcomes did not improve. Trial registration number. ISRCTN14601208.

In the majority of rechargeable batteries including lithium‐ion batteries, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) binders are the most commonly used binder for both anode and cathode. However, using PVdF binder requires the organic solvent of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone which is expensive, volatile, combustible, toxic, and has poor recyclability. Therefore, switching to aqueous electrode processing routes with non‐toxic binders would provide a great leap forward towards the realization of ideally fully sustainable and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy storage devices. Various water‐soluble binders (aqueous binders) were characterized and compared to the performance of conventional PVdF. Our study demonstrates that the electrochemical performance of Zn/MnO2 aqueous batteries is significantly improved by using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder. In addition, CMC binders offer desirable adhesion, good wettability, homogeneous material distribution, and strong chemical stability at certain pH levels (3.5–5) without any decomposition for long‐cycle life. Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries are gaining attention as large scale energy storage systems due to their high capacity (820 mAh/g for zinc metal), lower material cost, and intrinsic safety. Our work describes the application of various water‐soluble binders to zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn/MnO2) batteries in aqueous electrolyte systems. By comparing results from the conventional MnO2/polyvinylidene fluoride systems, we can see that water‐soluble binders can be stable and offer desirable adhesion for mild acidic aqueous Zn/MnO2 batteries for long cycle life.

The influence of aerobic training on cardiovascular disorders has already been demonstrated. However, the effect of resistance training is less well known. Arterial stiffness is an increasingly important measure in cardiovascular health. Therefore, this review attempted to study the results of resistance training-based interventions on arterial stiffness in healthy people, for both acute and chronic interventions. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials on the acute and chronic effects of strength training. Studies published in PubMed and SportDiscus databases between 1999 and April 2019 were analyzed. In chronic strength training effects, the majority of groups showed large (d = -1.49 to -1.20) and moderate (d = -1.07) decreases, and small and trivial changes in arterial stiffness. In acute effects interventions, a very large decrease (d = -3.92) was observed, while large (d = 1.24-1.48) and very large (d = 3.88) increases were also found. A resistance training-based intervention of more than four weeks' duration with a frequency of two days per week seems not to compromise cardiovascular health, due to decreases in arterial stiffness. However, there is a general trend towards both increasing and maintaining arterial stiffness after isolated strength training sessions.

The aims of this study were to assess (i) the load–velocity relationship during the box squat exercise in women survivors of breast cancer, (ii) which velocity variable (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV], or peak velocity [PV]) shows stronger relationship with the relative load (%1RM), and (iii) which regression model (linear [LA] or polynomic [PA]) provides a greater fit for predicting the velocities associated with each %1RM. Nineteen women survivors of breast cancer (age: 53.2 ± 6.9 years, weight: 70.9 ± 13.1 kg, and height: 163.5 ± 7.4 cm) completed an incremental load test up to one‐repetition maximum in the box squat exercise. The MV, MPV, and the PV were measured during the concentric phase of each repetition with a linear velocity transducer. These measurements were analyzed by regression models using LA and PA. Strong correlations of MV with %1RM (R2 = 0.903/0.904; the standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 0.05 m.s−1 by LA/PA) and MPV (R2 = 0.900; SEE = 0.06 m.s−1 by LA and PA) were observed. In contrast, PV showed a weaker association with %1RM (R2 = 0.704; SEE = 0.15 m.s−1 by LA and PA). The MV and MPV of 1RM was 0.22 ± 0.04 m·s−1, whereas the PV at 1RM was 0.63 ± 0.18 m.s−1. These findings suggest that the use of MV to prescribe relative loads during resistance training, as well as LA and PA regression models, accurately predicted velocities for each %1RM. Assessing and prescribing resistance exercises during breast cancer rehabilitation can be facilitated through the monitoring of movement velocity. Highlights Movement velocity allows to precisely determine the relative load during the box squat exercise without submitting the patient to excessive mechanical and metabolic stress. From a practical perspective, we suggest using the mean velocity and a linear adjustment. This approach could provide an advantage over traditional assessment methods, enabling the efficient evaluation and prescription of resistance training intensity in exercise rehabilitation programs for women survivors of breast cancer.

Aedes aegypti mosquito-borne viruses including Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), yellow fever (YFV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) have emerged and re-emerged globally, resulting in an elevated burden of human disease. Aedes aegypti is found worldwide in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate areas. The characterization of mosquito blood meals is essential to understand the transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens. Here, we report Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus host feeding patterns and arbovirus transmission in Northern Mexico using a metabarcoding-like approach with next-generation deep sequencing technology. A total of 145 Ae. aegypti yielded a blood meal analysis result with 107 (73.8%) for a single vertebrate species and 38 (26.2%) for two or more. Among the single host blood meals for Ae. aegypti, 28.0% were from humans, 54.2% from dogs, 16.8% from cats, and 1.0% from tortoises. Among those with more than one species present, 65.9% were from humans and dogs. For Cx. quinquefasciatus, 388 individuals yielded information with 326 (84%) being from a single host and 63 (16.2%) being from two or more hosts. Of the single species blood meals, 77.9% were from dogs, 6.1% from chickens, 3.1% from house sparrows, 2.4% from humans, while the remaining 10.5% derived from other 12 host species. Among those which had fed on more than one species, 11% were from dogs and humans, and 89% of other host species combinations. Forage ratio analysis revealed dog as the most over-utilized host by Ae. aegypti (= 4.3) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (= 5.6) and the human blood index at 39% and 4%, respectively. A total of 2,941 host-seeking female Ae. aegypti and 3,536 Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected in the surveyed area. Of these, 118 Ae. aegypti pools and 37 Cx. quinquefasciatus pools were screened for seven arboviruses (ZIKV, DENV 1-4, CHIKV, and West Nile virus (WNV)) using qRT-PCR and none were positive (point prevalence = 0%). The 95%-exact upper limit confidence interval was 0.07% and 0.17% for Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The low human blood feeding rate in Ae. aegypti, high rate of feeding on mammals by Cx. quinquefasciatus, and the potential risk to transmission dynamics of arboviruses in highly urbanized areas of Northern Mexico is discussed.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) height after two drop-jump (DJ) protocols with different volumes, and to explore the possibility of predicting the changes in CMJ height based on the vertical force–velocity ( F – v ) profile. Method Thirty-four male athletes (age: 21.9 ± 2.0 years) were tested on three occasions. The F – v profile during the CMJ exercise was determined in the first session. Two DJ protocols (low-volume [1 set of 5 DJ trials from a 30 cm height] and high-volume [3 sets of 5 DJ trials from a 30 cm height]) were randomly performed during the second and third sessions, and the unloaded CMJ height was evaluated before (Pre), 4 min (Post4), 8 min (Post8), and 12 min (Post12) after the DJ protocol. Results CMJ height was significantly higher at Post4 (2.5 cm [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–3.0 cm]; ES = 0.35), Post8 (2.1 cm [95% CI = 1.4–2.8 cm]; ES = 0.29) and Post12 (2.2 cm [95% CI = 1.4–3.0 cm]; ES = 0.30) compared to Pre. The only significant interaction (protocol × time) was caused by a higher increment in CMJ height at Post4 for the low-volume (8.1 ± 3.7%) compared to the high-volume (5.8 ± 3.9%) protocol. The F–v profile did not explain a significant part of the change in CMJ height (variance explained < 10%). Conclusions These results suggest that low-volume DJ protocols could be more efficient to acutely increase CMJ performance, while the change in CMJ height was not affected by the F – v profile.