This study evaluated whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuates the reduced lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity responses to exercise in humans. Fourteen oarsmen were double-blind randomized to either NAC (6 g daily for 3 days) or placebo groups. During 6-min "all-out" ergometer rowing, the concentration of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood increased, with no signifi...

In this paper an algebraic technique for unbalance parameters identification along with an active control scheme for a rotor bearing system are presented. The system has two disks asymmetrically located along the shaft which is supported by a conventional ball bearing at one end and by an active suspension at the other one. The active suspension is based on linear springs and linear force actua...

We study the enzymatic degradation of an elastic fiber under tension using an anisotropic random-walk model coupled with binding-unbinding reactions that weaken the fiber. The fiber is represented by a chain of elastic springs in series along which enzyme molecules can diffuse. Numerical simulations show that the fiber stiffness decreases exponentially with two distinct regimes. The time consta...

An ultrasonic inspection method for a graphite ingot was developed to detect internal planar flaws that are oriented in various directions; this method is necessary to perform quality assurance of throat inserts of solid rocket motors. Major problems that are unique to this graphite inspection were solved. An ultrasonic beam in graphite shows uneven propagation behavior both within and among in...

BACKGROUND Socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle-related factors are determinants of subjective health. However, changes in SES are inevitable in times of natural disaster, while lifestyle-related factors remain modifiable. The aim of this study was to use a cross-sectional approach to examine lifestyle-related factors that may attenuate the negative impact of disaster-induced changes in SES...

  Introduction: Monte Carlo (MC) is the most common method for simulating virtual SPECT projections. It is useful for optimizing procedures, evaluating correction algorithms and more recently image reconstruction as a forward projector in iterative algorithms; however, the main drawback of MC is its long run time. We introduced a model based method considering the eff...

A hybrid system integrating a power take-off (PTO) into floating breakwater is promising candidate for both shoreline protection and commercial wave energy extraction. Although geometric asymmetry important to such PTO-integrated breakwaters, its role in conversion efficiency attenuation poorly understood. In this study, two-dimensional semi-analytical model dealing with floats arbitrary bottom...

GPS has revolutionized outdoor navigation and tracking, providing highly accurate positioning anywhere in the world. However, as it uses high frequency radio waves, it suffers heavily from multipath and attenuation effects that are caused by buildings, thick vegetation and is completely unusable underground. There is a strong need to be able to position people, equipment and assets in undergrou...