Принципи екологічної деонтології як засобу формування екологічного імперативу поведінки

Матеріал присвячений обґрунтуванню нової наукової дисципліни, яку автор назвав "екологічна деонтологія". Стаття містить погляди автора на принципи екологічної деонтології, окреслює її світоглядно-методологічний потенціал. Екологічна деонтологія розглядається як один із засобів вирішення актуальних глобальних проблем людства.Material is devoted the ground of new scientific discipline which an author named "ecological deontology". The article contains the looks of author to principles of ecological deontology, outlines it view-methodological potential. Ecological deontology is examined as a mean of decision of global issues of the day of humanity

Elastic biodegradable starch/ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol fibre-mesh scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

The fabrication of a biomaterial scaffold, with adequate physical and structural properties for tissue engineering applications, is reported. A blend of starch with ethylene-vinyl alcohol (50/50 w/w, SEVA-C) is used to produce 3D fibre-mesh scaffolds by wet-spinning. The scaffolds are characterized in terms of morphology, porosity, interconnectivity, and pore size, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microcomputed tomography (μCT). The degradation behavior, as well as the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, is investigated in presence of alpha-amylase enzyme at physiological concentration. Scaffolds with porosities ranging from 43 to 52%, interconnectivity of ∼70.5% and pore size between 118 and 159 μm, can be fabricated using the proposed methodology. The scaffolds exhibit an elastic behavior in the wet state with a compressive modulus of 7.96±0.32 MPa. Degradation studies show that SEVA-C scaffolds are susceptible to enzymatic degradation by alpha-amylase, confirmed by the increase of weight loss (40% of weight loss after 12 weeks) and presence of degradation products (reducing sugars) in solution. The diameter of SEVA-C scaffolds decreases with degradation time, increasing the overall porosity, interconnectivity and pore size. In vitro cell studies with human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOs-2) showed a nontoxic and cytocompatible behavior of the developed fibre mesh scaffolds. The positive cellular response, together with structural and degradable properties, suggests that 3D SEVA-C fibre-meshes may be good candidates as tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40504. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This work was supported by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the scope of the project PTDC/CTM/67560/2006 and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Operational Competitiveness Programme “COMPETE” (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007148)

MECHANICAL DETERMINANTS OF SPRINT PERFORMANCE IN ELITE AND SUB-ELITE FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the difference in the horizontal mechanical determinants of sprint performance in highly-trained elite field hockey players versus sub-elite field hockey players. Thirty-five highly trained field hockey players (1 8 elite international players and 17 sub-elite players) were tested during the competitive season. They performed a maximal 40 meter sprint. Distance was tracked over time via a 312 Hz laser (Laser Technology, Inc) and used to calculate, for each individual, a horizontal force-velocity profile. Elite players showed a larger theoretical maximal horizontal velocity (vO) compared to the sub-elite hockey players. No significant differences in theoretical maximal horizontal force (FO) and horizontal power (Pmax) between the groups were observed. Large variability especially in the sub-elite groups was observed in FO and vO, indicating the potential for individualized training program focusing on the weaker parameter

INFLUENCE OF PLAYING LEVEL ON THE KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF THE RUGBY SCRUM

The aim of this study was to examine the force production, lower body kinematics and kinetics of front row rugby union forwards during the engagement phase of a simulated rugby union scrum. Twenty-eight male front row players were divided into three groups; professional, senior and junior amateur players. Players performed five trials based on the International Rugby Board scrum engagement sequence. Three dimensional motion analysis and force plate data were used to determine joint angles and reaction forces both on the scrum machine and on the ground. Professional front row forwards generated significantly greater force during the engagement phase compared to both senior and junior amateur players. Professional players had a significantly greater knee abduction angle and generated larger peak hip joint power compared to both junior and senior players

Muscle tuning and preferred movement path: do we need a paradigm shift or should we redefine the old? – comment on Nigg et al.

In the feature paper “Muscle tuning and preferred movement path – a paradigm shift“, Benno Nigg and colleagues discuss that the impact and pronation paradigm should be abandoned as there is not enough biomechanical and epidemiological evidence supporting these paradigms. We agree that the paradigms, as defined in the paper, are currently not supported by strong scientific evidence however we argue that the lack of evidence originates from shortcomings in the methodological approach to these paradigms. In our commentary, we argue for a redefinition of the paradigms rather than defining two ‘new’ paradigms. A better methodological approach and definitions of the paradigms based on the current evidence are needed rather than to abandon them

Plantar intrinsic foot muscle activation during functional exercises compared to isolated foot exercises in younger adults

BackgroundTraining the plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) has the potential to benefit patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal conditions as well as the aged population. Isolated foot exercises, often standard in clinical practice, are difficult to perform, whereas functional exercises are much easier to accomplish. However, it is unclear whether functional exercises are comparable to isolated foot exercises in activating the PIFMs.ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the activation of PIFMs between functional exercises versus isolated foot exercises.MethodsUsing surface electromyography (EMG), muscle activation of three PIFMs was measured in four functional exercises (i.e. normal/unstable toe stance, toe walking, and hopping) versus a muscle-specific isolated foot exercise in 29 younger adults, resulting in 12 comparisons.ResultsFunctional exercises showed larger mean EMG amplitudes than the isolated foot exercises in 25% of the 12 comparisons, while there was no difference in the remaining 75%.ConclusionFunctional exercises provoked comparable or even more activation of the PIFMs than isolated foot exercises. Given that functional exercises are easier to perform, this finding indicates the need to further investigate the effectiveness of functional exercises in physical therapy to improve muscle function and functional task performance in populations that suffer from PIFM weakness or dysfunction

FATIGUE-RELATED ASYMMETRY AND INSTABILITY DURING A 3200-M TIME-TRIAL PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY RUNNERS

The purpose of this study was to examine fatigue effects on symmetry and stability during a maximal effort running time-trial m). Recreational runners had continuous recordings of 3D trunk acceleration parameters (spatio-temporal, RMS vector ratio, step symmetry, and stride regularity) during the lT. Statistical analysis was carried out using generalised estimating equations (GEE) to investigate longitudinal changes (laps two to eight) compared to baseline (lap one), while statistically adjusting for running speed. Runners had significantly longer contact times (4m lap onwards), higher mediolateral root mean square (RMS) ratio (3d lap onwards), lower vertical symmetry and vertical RMS ratio (final lap). Coaches could use these results to recognize, minimize, and delay fatigue related onset of asymmetries and instabilities possibly through training strategies

ENERGETIC COST OF RUNNNING STABILITY EVALUATED WITH WIRELESS TRUNK ACCELEROMETRY

The purpose of this study was to determine inter-individual variance in the energetic cost of running (Ec) using dynamic stability measures derived from a single tri-axial trunk accelerometer. These measures were extracted from fifteen male recreational runners at their fastest steady-state treadmill running speed. A select group of dynamic stability measures were entered in a hierarchical regression to explain Ec (kcal.km-1) after reducing dimensionality with factor analysis. Two dynamic stability parameters could explain an additional 9.9% of inter-individual variance in Ec over and above body mass, attributed to anteroposterior (AP) stride regularity (6.5%) and mediolateral (ML) sample entropy (3.4%). Our results suggest that recreational male runners with better stability in terms of greater AP stride consistency and greater ML trunk movement complexity have an energetic advantage at running speeds approximating race pace

THE INFLUENCE OF HEEL HEIGHT ON ANKLE KINEMATICS DURING STANDING, WALKING, JOGGING AND SIDESTEPPING IN CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of heel-forefoot height on ankle kinematics during locomotion in children. Measurements were taken by a motion capture system and a force plate on five children. They were asked to perform standing, walking, jogging and sidestepping in barefoot, low heel, standard heel and high heel shoe conditions. Results showed that rearfoot plantarflexion angle was different from shoe rake during standing. There was more ankle plantarflexion as heel height increased during walking, jogging and sidestepping. Ankle inversion velocity increased with shod condition but not significantly. High heel height will affect ankle kinematics during locomotion, which may increase the risk of foot problems. Children and their parents should choose footwear with caution

THE EFFECT OF STEP WIDTH CONTROL ON LOAD CARRIAGE ECONOMY

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of step width on load carriage economy. Fifteen healthy volunteers (age = 25 ± 3 years; stature = 1.78 ± 0.07 m; body mass = 73.6 ± 10.1 kg) completed three trials in a randomised order. Each trial differed by load carriage method and involved walking on a force-instrumented at 3km.h-1 with 0, 3, 12 and 20 kg. This protocol was then repeated with step width controlled to each participant’s preferred unloaded width. Relative load carriage economy was measured using the Extra Load Index (ELI). Load carriage economy was significantly worse in the head loading method compared to the other two method with step width uncontrolled (p = 0.02) and controlled (p = 0.02). For the trials where step width was uncontrolled, there was a significant difference in step width from unloaded walking between the different loading methods (p = 0.01) but no significant difference between load mass (p = 0.39). There was no difference in ELI between preferred and controlled step widths. Based on the data presented here, moderate alterations in step width caused by load carriage do not appear to influence load carriage economy