Showing papers by "University of Hartford published in 2023"

Acute Effects of Combining Dynamic Stretching and Vibration Foam Rolling Warm-up on Lower-Limb Muscle Performance and Functions in Female Handball Players

Abstract: Chen, CH, Chiu, CH, Tseng, WC, Wu, CY, Su, HH, Chang, CK, and Ye, X. Acute effects of combining dynamic stretching and vibration foam rolling warm-up on lower-limb muscle performance and functions in female handball players. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1277-1283, 2023-The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of 3 warm-up protocols on knee flexor and extensor muscles performance in elite female collegiate handball players. Ten female handball players with poor hamstring flexibility completed 3 randomly sequenced experimental visits. During each visit, a different warm-up protocol (general running warm-up [GW], dynamic stretching [DS], or DS combined with vibration foam rolling [DS + VR]) was delivered before the subsequent tests: quadriceps and hamstring muscle stiffness, knee extension and flexion range of motion (ROM), knee joint position sense, knee extension and flexion isokinetic strength with hamstring-quadriceps strength ratio, and muscle endurance during fatiguing exercise. Relative to the GW, the DS + VR protocol resulted in significantly greater knee flexion ROM (mean ± SD : DS + VR = 79.4° ± 7.7°; GW = 69.3° ± 9.6°) and lower hamstring muscle stiffness (DS + VR = 253.33 ± 36.20 N·m -1 ; GW = 292.89 ± 24.28 N·m -1 ). In addition, the DS + VR protocol also yielded greater hamstring muscle endurance than the other 2 protocols did (fatigue percentage: DS + VR = 30.24% ± 10.84%; GW = 41.40% ± 8.98%; DS = 42.22% ± 9.42%). Therefore, the results of this experiment suggest that it can be more beneficial for the female handball players to warm-up with the DS + VR, rather than the GW and DS protocols.

Excessive gliosis after vitrectomy for the highly myopic macular hole

Abstract: To investigate different modes of foveal regeneration after the closure of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) or highly myopic macular hole (HMMH) by vitrectomy with internal limiting membranes peeling or flap techniques.This retrospective observational study followed 47 IMH and 50 HMMH eyes for at least 6 months. Twenty four IMH and 25 HMMH eyes underwent internal limiting membrane peeling, whereas 23 IMH and 25 HMMH eyes received inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to analyze macular hole closure, foveal microstructures, and excessive gliosis as a foveal "peak-like" protuberance.A single procedure closed all IMH (n = 47). For HMMH, the inverted group (n = 25, 100%) closed more macular hole than the peeling group (n = 14, 56.00%) (P < 0.001). Excessive gliosis only occurred in the inverted group, and there was a significant difference (P = 0.005) in incidence between IMH (three in 23 eyes, 13.04%) and HMMH (13 in 25 eyes, 52.00%). The axial length more than 29.985 mm enhanced the risk of excessive gliosis.The inverted internal limiting membrane flap efficiently treated refractory MHs but was prone to cause excessive gliosis in highly myopic eyes. Excessive elongation of the globe (axial length > 29.985 mm) was linked to excessive gliosis growth.

Cursoriality Scores of Triassic Ornithodirans

Abstract: Abstract The phylogenetic placement of many Triassic Ornithodirans is convoluted and in need of more data for the best possible placement. Lagerpeptidae and Silesauridae are both under consideration for placement differing than their traditional setting in Dinosauromorpha. The cursoriality of many of these animals has never been assessed, and it could prove useful for further research. Measurements were taken for seventeen taxa from the literature and three types of cursoriality scores were constructed: tibial, third metatarsal, and lower leg length and then analyzed for significance. The scores add to the growing body of evidence placing Lagerpeptidae into Pterosauromorpha but fall short of any clear evidence regarding Silesauridae.

The Cursoriality of Triassic Ornithodirans and Their Implications and Inferences for Early Ornithodiran Evolution

Abstract: Abstract The phylogenetic placement of many Triassic Ornithodirans is convoluted and in need of more data for the best possible placement. Lagerpeptidae and Silesauridae are both under consideration for placement differing than their traditional setting in Dinosauromorpha. The cursoriality of many of these animals has never been assessed, and it could prove useful for further research. Measurements were taken for seventeen taxa from the literature and three types of cursoriality scores were constructed: tibial, third metatarsal, and lower leg length and then analyzed for significance. The scores add to the growing body of evidence placing Lagerpeptidae into Pterosauromorpha but fall short of any clear evidence regarding Silesauridae.

Testing Various Poisons and Substances Against Indoor Home-Garden Aphids

Abstract: Peppermint has been an area of interest for controlling aphid populations in the literature for decades, but it seems to be concerned with industrial applications more than everyday use. Aphid infestations indoors present a novel need for an organic pesticide that sufficiently culls infestations without risk to the household. Everyday access to peppermint substances were then obtained and used in various solutions to test their efficacy in a new environment. Dish soap has also been presented as a possibility, and is often reported to work by home gardeners. It was hypothesized that water would do nothing, Sevin would remove the aphid population entirely, and that dish soap and peppermint substances would be indistinguishable from Sevin. N=7 solutions were tested, being various solutions of water, dish soap, peppermint oil or paste extract, as well as the insecticide Sevin. Peppermint oil mixed with dish soap was effective in reducing the aphid population, as well as peppermint paste extract along with Sevin. However, Sevin and the paste did severe damage to the plants and are not recommended for household use.