The Immersed Interface Method for Non-Smooth Rigid Objects in Incompressible Viscous Flows

In the immersed interface method, an object in a flow is formulated as a singular force, and jump conditions caused by the singular force are incorporated into numerical schemes to compute the flow. Previous development of the method considered only smooth objects. We here extend the method to handle non-smooth rigid objects with sharp corners in 2D incompressible viscous flows. We represent the boundary of an object as a polygonal curve moving through a fixed Cartesian grid. We compute necessary jump conditions to achieve boundary condition capturing on the object. We incorporate the jump conditions into finite difference schemes to solve the flow on the Cartesian grid. The accuracy, efficiency and robustness of our method are tested using canonical flow problems. The results demonstrate that the method has second-order accuracy for the velocity and first-order accuracy for the pressure in the infinity norm, and is extremely efficient and robust to simulate flows around non-smooth complex objects.     

The relationship of lean limb volume to performance in the handgrip and standing long jump tests in boys and girls,aged 11.6–13.2 years

Summary Twenty-three girls and 19 boys performed the handgrip and standing long jump (SLJ) tests. Their total forearm and leg volumes were calculated from circumference and length measurements and the lean volumes (bone + muscle) were calculated by making allowance for skinfold thickness. Although the boys were older than the girls (12.8 and 12.4 years), there was no significant difference in their heights or body masses. The absolute performances of the boys were superior to those of the girls in both tests (handgrip 234 and 205 N and SLJ 1.53 and 1.34 m), but when jumping performance was expressed as distance x body mass, there was no significant difference. In both tests, performance in terms of unit lean limb volume showed no significant gender difference. When performance was related to lean limb volume, both boys and girls showed a linear relationship in the two tests, with no significant difference between them. This absence of a gender difference contrasts with the results of a previous study on young adults and comparison shows that the relationships between lean limb volume and performance in the two tests for both boys and girls lie just below those of the young, adult females. The difference between the girls and the young adult females was just significant in the handgrip (p<0.05), but not significant in the SLJ (p>0.25), whereas the differences between the boys and young adult males were significant (p<0.01) in both tests. Thus it would appear that a gender difference in the performance of skeletal muscle develops during adolescence and possible contributory factors are discussed.     

Relationship between maximum principle and dynamic programming principle for stochastic recursive optimal control problems of jump diffusions

This paper is concerned with the relationship between maximum principle and dynamic programming principle for stochastic recursive optimal control problems of jump diffusions. Under the assumption that the value function is smooth, relations among the adjoint processes, the generalized Hamiltonian function, and the value function are given. A linear quadratic recursive utility portfolio optimization problem in the financial market is discussed to show the applications of the main result. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Whole-body-vibration training increases knee-extension strength and speed of movement in older women

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 24 weeks of whole-body-vibration (WBV) training on knee-extension strength and speed of movement and on counter-movement jump performance in older women. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory, Leuven, Belgium. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-nine postmenopausal women, off hormone replacement therapy, aged 58 to 74, were randomly assigned to a WBV group (n=30), a resistance-training group (RES, n=30), or a control group (n=29). INTERVENTION: The WBV group and the RES group trained three times a week for 24 weeks. The WBV group performed unloaded static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises on a vibration platform, which provokes reflexive muscle activity. The RES group trained knee-extensors by performing dynamic leg-press and leg-extension exercises increasing from low (20 repetitions maximum (RM)) to high (8RM) resistance. The control group did not participate in any training. MEASUREMENTS: Pre-, mid- (12 weeks), and post- (24 weeks) isometric strength and dynamic strength of knee extensors were measured using a motor-driven dynamometer. Speed of movement of knee extension was assessed using an external resistance equivalent to 1%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of isometric maximum. Counter-movement jump performance was determined using a contact mat. RESULTS: Isometric and dynamic knee extensor strength increased significantly (P<.001) in the WBV group (mean+/-standard error 15.0+/-2.1% and 16.1+/-3.1%, respectively) and the RES group (18.4+/-2.8% and 13.9+/-2.7%, respectively) after 24 weeks of training, with the training effects not significantly different between the groups (P=.558). Speed of movement of knee extension significantly increased at low resistance (1% or 20% of isometric maximum) in the WBV group only (7.4+/-1.8% and 6.3+/-2.0%, respectively) after 24 weeks of training, with no significant differences in training effect between the WBV and the RES groups (P=.391; P=.142). Counter-movement jump height enhanced significantly (P<.001) in the WBV group (19.4+/-2.8%) and the RES group (12.9+/-2.9%) after 24 weeks of training. Most of the gain in knee-extension strength and speed of movement and in counter-movement jump performance had been realized after 12 weeks of training. CONCLUSION: WBV is a suitable training method and is as efficient as conventional RES training to improve knee-extension strength and speed of movement and counter-movement jump performance in older women. As previously shown in young women, it is suggested that the strength gain in older women is mainly due to the vibration stimulus and not only to the unloaded exercises performed on the WBV platform.     

Single-molecule nonequilibrium periodic Mg2+-concentration jump experiments reveal details of the early folding pathways of a large RNA

The evolution of RNA conformation with Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)]) is typically determined from equilibrium titration measurements or nonequilibrium single [Mg(2+)]-jump measurements. We study the folding of single RNA molecules in response to a series of periodic [Mg(2+)] jumps. The 260-residue catalytic domain of RNase P RNA from Bacillus stearothermophilus is immobilized in a microfluidic flow chamber, and the RNA conformational changes are probed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The kinetics of population redistribution after a [Mg(2+)] jump and the observed connectivity of FRET states reveal details of the folding pathway that complement and transcend information from equilibrium or single-jump measurements. FRET trajectories for jumps from [Mg(2+)] = 0.01 to 0.1 mM exhibit two-state behavior whereas jumps from 0.01 mM to 0.4 mM exhibit two-state unfolding but multistate folding behavior. RNA molecules in the low and high FRET states before the [Mg(2+)] increase are observed to undergo dynamics in two distinct regions of the free energy landscape separated by a high barrier. We describe the RNA structural changes involved in crossing this barrier as a "hidden" degree of freedom because the changes do not alter the detected FRET value but do alter the observed dynamics. The associated memory prevents the populations from achieving their equilibrium values at the end of the 5- to 10-sec [Mg(2+)] interval, thereby creating a nonequilibrium steady-state condition. The capability of interrogating nonequilibrium steady-state RNA conformations and the adjustable period of [Mg(2+)]-jump cycles makes it possible to probe regions of the free energy landscape that are infrequently sampled in equilibrium or single-jump measurements.     

男子篮球运动员不同负荷负重蹲跳的力学特征和肌电图表现

目的:研究男子篮球运动员不同负荷下负重蹲跳(WCMJ)的动力学和肌电图变化。方法:优秀男子篮球运动员8名。先测试受试者半蹲时的最大等长肌力:受试者双脚站立于测力台,上身保持挺直,屈膝约100度,将杠铃杆调整至合适高度,以最快速度和最大力量蹲举固定不动的杠铃约5秒,从测力台软件上读取地面反作用力最大值,记录为下肢最大等长肌力(MVC)。以10%、20%、30%、40%、50%和60%MVC负重,进行WCMJ。采用三维测力台记录受试者纵跳时的下肢动力学数据,利用力量-时间曲线,判断离心阶段与向心阶段,并计算最大速度、离心及向心阶段相对爆发力等衍生数据。同步测试收集受试者半蹲跳时肌外侧肌和股二头肌肌电数据,依此对蹲跳(CMJ)及不同负荷WCMJ的肌电信号进行标准化处理。采用单因素方差分析方法分析不同WCMJ动作对最大速度、相对爆发力、腾空时间和高度、积分肌电的影响。结果:(1)离心阶段:负荷增加至30%MVC,最大速度开始下降,40%、50%MVC负荷之间差异无统计学意义。相对最大爆发力随负荷增加而增加。股外侧肌标准化积分肌电值随负荷增加而上升,股二头肌标准化积分肌电值随负荷增加先升后降。(2)向心阶段:最大力量随负荷增加而增加,相对最大爆发力随负荷增加而增加,30%MVC负荷时达到峰值,之后下降。所有负荷之间股外侧肌积分肌电差异无统计学意义。股二头肌积分肌电值随负荷增加而上升,50%MVC负荷时下降。结论:随着负荷增加,机体通过提高运动单位的募集提高相对最大爆发力,负荷过高则募集运动单位的能力下降。提高下肢肌肉爆发力,应采用低于30%MVC负荷的WCMJ进行训练。     

The drop height determines neuromuscular adaptations and changes in jump performance in stretch-shortening cycle training

There is an ongoing discussion about how to improve jump performance most efficiently with plyometric training. It has been proposed that drop height influences the outcome, although longitudinal studies are missing. Based on cross-sectional drop jump studies showing height-dependent Hoffmann (H)-reflex activities, we hypothesized that the drop height should influence the neuromuscular activity and thus, the training result. Thirty-three subjects participated as a control or in one of two stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) interventions. Subjects either trained for 4 weeks doing drop jumps from 30, 50, and 75 cm drop heights (SSC1) or completed the same amount of jumps exclusively from 30 cm (SSC2). During training and testing (from 30, 50, and 75 cm), subjects were instructed to minimize the duration of ground contact and to maximize their rebound height. Rebound heights were significantly augmented after SSC1, but a trend was only observed after SSC2. In contrast, the duration of ground contact increased after SSC1 but decreased after SSC2. The performance index (rebound height/duration of ground contact) improved similarly after SSC1 (+14%) and SSC2 (+14%). Changes in performance were accompanied by neuromuscular adaptations: for SSC1, activity of the soleus increased toward take-off (between 120 and 170 ms after touchdown), whereas SSC2-trained subjects showed enhanced activity shortly after ground contact (20-70 ms after touch down). The present study demonstrates a strong link among drop height, neuromuscular adaptation, and performance in SSC training. As the improvement in the performance index was no different after SSC1 or SSC2, the decision whether to apply SSC1 or SSC2 should depend on the specific requirements of the sports discipline.     

Lower limb kinematic alterations during drop vertical jumps in female athletes who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The aim of this study was to determine if anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed (ACL‐R) female athletes exhibit altered lower limb kinematic profiles during jump landing when compared to a non‐injured age, sex, and activity matched control group. Fourteen ACL‐R and 14 non‐injured control subjects performed 3 vertical drop jump (DVJ) trials. Lower limb kinematics were recorded at 200 Hz. Peak and time‐averaged angular displacements were quantified and utilized for between‐group analysis. The ACL‐R group displayed altered hip joint frontal and transverse plane kinematic alterations, and knee joint frontal and sagittal plane kinematic alterations. Specifically the ACL‐R group displayed an increased adducted (p < 0.05) and internally rotated (p < 0.05) hip joint position, both peak and time‐averaged, following landing. The ACL‐R group also displayed a decreased adducted (p < 0.05) and flexed (p < 0.05) position of the knee joint following landing. The observed aberrant lower limb kinematics could pre‐dispose ACL‐R athletes to potential future knee joint injuries. Further studies are required to determine in a prospective manner whether such deficits increase the incidence of recurrent ACL injury, and whether specific sensorimotor protocols following ACL reconstruction can minimize these kinematic deficits. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:72–78, 2012     

Adaptive Bayesian variable clustering via structural learning of breast cancer data

The clustering of proteins is of interest in cancer cell biology. This article proposes a hierarchical Bayesian model for protein (variable) clustering hinging on correlation structure. Starting from a multivariate normal likelihood, we enforce the clustering through prior modeling using angle-based unconstrained reparameterization of correlations and assume a truncated Poisson distribution (to penalize a large number of clusters) as prior on the number of clusters. The posterior distributions of the parameters are not in explicit form and we use a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo based technique is used to simulate the parameters from the posteriors. The end products of the proposed method are estimated cluster configuration of the proteins (variables) along with the number of clusters. The Bayesian method is flexible enough to cluster the proteins as well as estimate the number of clusters. The performance of the proposed method has been substantiated with extensive simulation studies and one protein expression data with a hereditary disposition in breast cancer where the proteins are coming from different pathways.