Search results for "Contraction"

Failure of topological rigidity results for the measure contraction property

2014

We give two examples of metric measure spaces satisfying the measure contraction property MCP(K,N) but having different topological dimensions at different regions of the space. The first one satisfies MCP(0,3) and contains a subset isometric to $\mathbb{R}$, but does not topologically split. The second space satisfies MCP(2,3) and has diameter $\pi$, which is the maximal possible diameter for a space satisfying MCP(N-1,N), but is not a topological spherical suspension. The latter example gives an answer to a question by Ohta.

Experimental study on triangular central baffle flume

2019

Abstract In this paper the results of the experiments performed to study the flow through a Triangular Central Baffle Flume (TCBF) are reported. The investigated flume consists of a triangular baffle of the apex angle of 75° with a given base width. The theoretical stage-discharge formula was deduced by applying the Buckingham's Theorem and incomplete self-similarity hypothesis and was calibrated using the laboratory measurements carried out in this investigation. The proposed stage-discharge formula is characterized by a mean absolute relative error of 7.4% and 72% of the data points are in an error range of ±5%. The results indicate that TCBF flume is characterized by a flow capacity high…

Transversus abdominis and multifidus asymmetry in runners measured by MRI: a cross-sectional study

2019

ObjectiveThe transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) is active during running as a secondary respiratory muscle and acts, together with the multifidus, as trunk stabiliser. The purpose of this study was to determine size and symmetry of TrA and multifidus muscles at rest and with contraction in endurance runners without low back pain.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA medical imaging centre in Melbourne, Australia.ParticipantsThirty middle-aged (43years±7) endurance-trained male (n=18) and female (n=12) runners without current or history of low back pain.Outcome measuresMRI at rest and with the core engaged. The TrA and multifidus muscles were measured for thickness and length (TrA) and antero…

Nonlinear contractions involving simulation functions in a metric space with a partial order

2015

Very recently, Khojasteh, Shukla and Radenovic [F. Khojasteh, S. Shukla, S. Radenovic, Filomat, 29 (2015), 1189-1194] introduced the notion of Z-contraction, that is, a nonlinear contraction involving a new class of mappings namely simulation functions. This kind of contractions generalizes the Banach contraction and unifies several known types of nonlinear contractions. In this paper, we consider a pair of nonlinear operators satisfying a nonlinear contraction involving a simulation function in a metric space endowed with a partial order. For this pair of operators, we establish coincidence and common fixed point results. As applications, several related results in fixed point theory in a …

Speckle-based configuration for simultaneous in vitro inspection of mechanical contractions of cardiac myocyte cells.

2013

An optical lensless configuration for a remote noncontact measuring of mechanical contractions of a vast number of cardiac myocytes is proposed. All the myocytes were taken from rats, and the measurements were done in an in vitro mode. The optical method is based on temporal analysis of secondary reflected speckle patterns generated in lensless microscope configuration. The processing involves analyzing the movement and the change in the statistics of the secondary speckle patterns that are created on top of the cell culture when it is illuminated by a spot of laser beam. The main advantage of the proposed system is the ability to measure many cells simultaneously (∼1000 cells) and to extra…

Ultrasound imaging assessment of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy parti…

2023

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is associated with a decrease of respiratory, physical, and psychological function, subsequently affecting quality of life. The aim of the present pilot study was to use ultrasound imaging (USI) to evaluate and compare the thickness of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles between individuals recently diagnosed with moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed. A total sample of 24 participants were recruited from a private medical center (Madrid, Spain): Covid-19 (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 12). The external oblique…

2015

The execution of unilateral hand contractions before performance has been reported to produce behavioral aftereffects in various tasks. These effects have been regularly attributed to an induced shift in activation asymmetry to the contralateral hemisphere produced by the contractions. An alternative explanation proposes a generalized state of reduced bilateral cortical activity following unilateral hand contractions. The current experiment contrasted the above explanation models and tested the state of cortical activity after the termination of unilateral hand contractions. Twenty right-handed participants performed hand contractions in two blocks, one for each hand. Using electroencephalo…

Effects of moderate vs. high iso-inertial loads on power, velocity, work and hamstring contractile function after flywheel resistance exercise.

2019

Flywheel iso-inertial training has been shown to positively affect muscular strength and sports performance (e.g. agility). However, implementing such eccentrically-biased training during a microcycle needs to be carefully planned due to its purported effects on the neuromuscular system that can last for hours/days post-exercise. This study aimed at using tensiomyography to verify the effects of different inertias during the hip extension exercise on the contractile function of biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles of the dominant leg for up to 72 hours post-exercise. Thirty participants (24.4 ± 3.4 years) were divided into 0.075 or 0.1 kg·m2 inertia groups and a control group. Magnitud…

Effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with vaginal laxity: A study protocol

2021

Background Vaginal laxity is an underreported condition that negatively affects women’s sexual function and their relationships. Evidence-based studies are needed to better understand this complaint and to discuss its treatment options. Thus, we present a study protocol to compare the effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with complaints of vaginal laxity. Methods/Design This is a prospective, parallel-group, two-arm, randomized clinical trial (Registry: RBR-2zdvfp–REBEC). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups of intervention (Radiofrequency or Pelvic Floor Muscle Training). The study will be performed in the Urogyneco…

Is the beta3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3) a potential target for uterorelaxant drugs?

2007

International audience; The management of premature birth still remains unsatisfactory. Since the relative lack of efficiency and/or safety of current tocolytic agents have been highlighted, it is necessary to develop new uterorelaxant drugs deprived of important maternal and foetal side effects. Our work reported in this review focuses on a potential new target for tocolytic drugs, the beta3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3). This third type of ADRB is shown to be present and functional in human myometrium. We demonstrated that ADRB3 agonists are able to inhibit in-vitro spontaneous contractions of myometrial strips, via a cyclic AMP-mediated pathway. Furthermore, we established that ADRB3 is the predo…