Abstract—This work demonstrates short-range and highresolution ultrasonic imaging using 8 MHz aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) arrays, which are compatible with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor circuitry and wafer-level mass manufacture. Because AlN has a low dielectric constant, the PMUTs have low capacitance and a custom 1.8 V interface…
Abstract—We designed a one-mask process for all-molybdenum-based laterally actuated anoelectromechanical switches. The damascene-like process is designed to ensure a smooth, high-aspect ratio, and metal-to-metal mechanical contact. Based on the statistical study of 800 devices, very high process yield can be achieved for fixed–fixed beam devices by selecting suitable device dimensions, i.…
Abstract—We have designed and realized two types of proportional microcontrol valves in a silicon nitride surface channel technology process. This enables on-die integration of flow controllers with other surface channel devices, such as pressure sensors or thermal or Coriolis-based (mass) flow sensors, to obtain a proportional gas flow control system on a single chip. One valve design is imp…
Abstract—A cantilever with an end mass is one of the most popular designs for piezoelectric MEMS vibration energy harvesting. The inclusion of a proof mass near the free end of a micro-cantilever can significantly enhances the power responsiveness of a vibration energy harvester per unit acceleration. However, the accommodation of the proof mass comes at the expense of the active piezoelectr…
Abstract—Radiation leakages are a considerable problem when measuring waveguide structures at high frequencies. In order to maintain good electrical contact, flanges need to be tightly and evenly screwed to the device under test. This can be a time-consuming operation, especially with repeated measurements. We present a metamaterial-based adapter, which prohibits leakage even in the presence …
Abstract—A quantitative quality assessment method for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays based on electrical impedance measurements made at wafer level is proposed. The resonant response in air of CMUTs is described and then used to obtain a quantitative quality value. Several issues that could occur in CMUT arrays as well as their effect on the output of the assess…
Abstract—It has been found that diamond columns can be formed unintentionally in reactive ion etching (RIE) with O2 plasma even without a precoated metal layer. The experimental results indicate that the existence of these diamond columns prevents the effective removal of polycrystalline diamond (poly-C), also known as microcrystalline diamond. A three-step sequential RIE of poly-C thin film…
Abstract—In this paper, we present the optimization of optical and mechanical properties of inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposited (ICPCVD) amorphous silicon thin films for fabrication of high-quality optical microelectromechanical systems-based devices operating from visible to short-wave infrared wavelengths (450–3000 nm). Our results indicate that, at relatively high deposi…
Abstract—A complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)–microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer with stacked pure oxide layers as mechanical structures was developed. Metal layers were confined to the sensing electrodes and electrical routings; the metal–oxide composite in the CMOS–MEMS accelerometer was distributed in limited regions. This design has two major advantag…
Abstract—Nonparametric Bayesian models use a Bayesian framework to learn model complexity automatically from the data, eliminating the need for a complex model selection process. A Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Hidden Markov Model (HDPHMM) is the nonparametric Bayesian equivalent of a hidden Markov model (HMM), but is restricted to an ergodic topology that uses a Dirichlet Process Model to a…
Growing literature has demonstrated that exercise may be an effective prevention and treatment option for drug addiction. In the past few years, many studies have suggested that there were sex differences in all phases of drug addiction. However, very limited research has investigated sex differences in the effectiveness of exercise intervention in drug addiction and rehabilitation. In this min…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if antioxidant supplementation, moderate exercise, and the combination of both treatments could ameliorate cognitive performance in adult mice and whether the apolipoprotein E (APOE ) genotype as well as sex could influence the functional outcomes of the treatments. Methods: For a period of 16 weeks, separate groups of male and female mice ex…
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of combining the FIFA 11þ and acute vibration training on reactive strength index (RSI) and 505 agility. Methods: Seventy-four male collegiate soccer players took part in the study and were randomly assigned to FIFA 11þ with acute vibration group (FIFA þ WBV), FIFA 11þ with isometric squat group (FIFA þ IS) or a control group consis…
Background: Prematurely menopausal women have a doubled lifetime risk of dementia and a 5-fold increased risk of mortality from neurological disorders, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these risks remain unclear. We hypothesized that ischemia-induced amyloidogenesis may be enhanced in the hippocampus following prolonged loss of ovarian 17b-estradiol (E2), which could contribute to these …
The number of older adults (individuals 65 years), particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity (e.g., strength and power) and subsequently physical function is of utmost importance to prevent disability and maintain independence. Muscle capacity declines with age and this change negatively impacts physical function in older women…
Background: The aim of this study was to compare 6 weeks short-term moderate intensity aerobic exercise and dieting on serum metabolomics and cardio-metabolic risk factors in pre-menopausal women. Methods: Ninety previously inactive overweight and obese (BMI 25e35 kg/m2) women (age 41.5 7.6 years) were randomized to either a 6-week Nordic walking exercise program (EX, n ¼ 45) or dietary cou…
The differences of learning and memory between males and females have been well documented and confirmed by both human and animal studies. The sex differences in cognition started from early stage of neuronal development and last through entire lifespan. The major biological basis of the gender-dependent cognitive activity includes two major components: sex hormone and sex-related characteristi…
Aging is associated with physiological declines, notably a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass, with a concurrentincrease in body fat and central adiposity. Interest in women and aging is of particular interest partly as a result of gender specific responses to aging, particularly as a result of menopause. It is possible that the onset of menopause may augment the physiolo…
superficial layer intrinsic muscles and the function of the longitudinal arch. Our hypothesis was that running in minimal shoes would cause hypertrophy in these muscles and lead to higher, stronger, stiffer arches. Methods: The hypothesis was tested using a sample of 33 healthy runners randomized into two groups, a control group shod in traditional running footwear and an experimental group sh…
Background: Investigations of running gait among barefoot and populations have revealed a diversity of foot strike behaviors, with some preferentially employing a rearfoot strike (RFS) as the foot touches down while others employ a midfoot strike (MFS) or forefoot strike (FFS). Here, we report foot strike behavior and joint angles among traditional Hadza hunter-gatherers living in Northern Tanz…
Purpose: This study examined variation in foot strike types, lower extremity kinematics, and arch height and stiffness among Tarahumara Indians from the Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico. Methods: High speed video was used to study the kinematics of 23 individuals, 13 who habitually wear traditional minimal running sandals (huaraches), and 10 who habitually wear modern, conventional running shoes with…
Background: Running is becoming an increasingly popular activity among Americans with over 50 million participants. Running shoe research and technology has continued to advance with no decrease in overall running injury rates. A growing group of runners are making the choice to try the minimal or barefoot running styles of the pre-modern running shoe era. There is some evidence of decreased fo…
Sedimentation engineering embraces the identification, planning, analysis, and remediation, principally in the context of civil and hydraulic engineering practice, of projects or technical investigations to avoid and/or mitigate problems caused by sedimentation processes. These processes include erosion, entrainment, transport, deposition, and compaction of sediment. External agents and forces …
Background: Forefoot strike (FFS) and rearfoot strike (RFS) runners differ in their kinematics, force loading rates, and joint loading patterns, but the timing of their muscle activation is less clear. Methods: Forty recreational and highly trained runners ran at four speeds barefoot and shod on a motorized treadmill. “Barefoot” runners wore thin, five-toed socks and shod runners wore neut…
Backgound: Barefoot (BF) running has recently increased in popularity with claims that it is more natural and may result in fewer injuries due to a reduction in impact loading. However, novice BF runners do not necessarily immediately switch to a forefoot strike pattern. This may increase mechanical parameters such as loading rate, which has been associated with certain running-related injuries…
Purpose: To observe the relative change in foot-strike pattern, pressure characteristics, surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings, and stride characteristics in forefoot strike runners wearing both minimalist and traditional shoes during a 50-km run. Methods: Four experienced minimalist runners were enrolled in this study. Each runner ran a 50-km simulated run in both minimalist shoes and t…
Background: The forefoot running footfall pattern has been suggested to reduce the risk of developing running related overuse injuries due to a reduction of impact related variables compared with the rearfoot running footfall pattern. However, only time-domain impact variables have been compared between footfall patterns. The frequency content of the impact shock and the degree to which it is a…
Background: Previous studies of foot strike patterns of distance runners in road races have typically found that the overwhelming majority of shod runners initially contact the ground on the rearfoot. However, none of these studies has attempted to quantify foot strike patterns of barefoot or minimally shod runners. This study classifies foot strike patterns of barefoot and minimally shod runne…
Background: Numerous studies about the interaction between footwear (and barefoot) and kinematic and kinetic outcomes have been published over the last few years. Recent studies however lead to the conclusion that the assumed interactions depend mainly on the subjects’ experience of barefoot (BF) walking/running, the preferred running strike pattern, the speed, the hardness of the surface, th…
Synthetic polymers and fibre reinforced polymer composite systems have become increasingly important to the civil and structural engineer over the last decade and now have a wide range of applications in a variety of engineering fields. A large percentage of all fibre reinforced products are made from unsaturated polyester resins reinforced with glass fibre. However, epoxy and toughened…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether and to what extent the observed effects on self-rated sleep in a previous study using a combined treatment program with physical exercise and sleep education can be attributed by the physical activity (PA) component. Methods: The present study reports supplementary analysis of an already described and published study. Data were provide…
Purpose: To summarize the approach-avoidance achievement goal and performance in the sport psychology literature. Methods: A total of 17 published studies, two of which provided two samples, were located. Accepted meta-analytic procedures were used with Hedges g as the effect size metric. From the 17 studies, 73 effect sizes were calculated. Results: Results based on a random effects model in…
Background: Using a cross-sectional design comparison, two overhead press techniques (in-front of the head or behind the head) were compared.The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of behind the head or in-front of the head overhead pressing technique on shoulder range of movement (ROM) and spine posture. The overhead press is commonly prescribed exercise. The two techniques (in-f…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a method that would facilitate immediate feedback on linear hammer speed during training. Methods: Three-dimensional hammer head positional data were measured and used to calculate linear speed (calculated speed) and cable force. These data were used to develop two linear regression models (shifted and non-shifted) that would allow…
Background: Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for low-back pain. The primary purpose of this study is to determine if prolonged active sitting will result in increased trunk motion. Methods: Fifteen healthy female participants volunteered to sit for 30 min on each of three surfaces including an air-cushion, a stability ball, and a hard surface. Trunk motion was monitored using a Vicon motion …
Background: Accelerometers have been suggested to provide additional information during the 6-min walk test which may be useful in evaluating changes in functional exercise capacity. The aim of the study was to identify whether the additional information measured by the MyWellness Key (MWK) accelerometer during a treadmill 6-min walk test (t-6MWT) was related to currently used outcome measures…
Purpose: This study was designed to characterize and compare the vertical (kvert) and leg (kleg) stiffness measured during running in two different footwear conditions on negative, level, and positive slopes, using kinematic data only. Methods: Fourteen male recreational runners (age 23.4 4.4 years, height 177.5 5.2 cm, and body mass 69.5 5.3 kg) were tested on 2 separate days within 1 w…
Background: Poor sleep quality is associated with adverse effects on health outcomes. It is not clear whether exercise can improve sleep quality and whether intensity of exercise affects any of the effects. Methods: Fifteen healthy, non-obese (body mass index ¼ 24.4 2.1 kg/m2, mean SD), sedentary (
Purpose: Long-term training specificity is thought to alter performance in tests evaluating strength and power production capability. The aim of the present study was to provide additional information to the limited existing knowledge concerning the possible differences of the force/time profile of squat jumping among different groups of young female athletes. Methods: One hundred and seventy-…
Despite the large number of articles published in the medical literature advocating the use of Tai Ji Quan for a wide variety of health-related outcomes, there has been little systematic broad-scale implementation of these programs. It may be argued that the lack of funding from organizations capable of implementing and overseeing large-scale programs, such as governmental health agencies or na…
Tai Ji Quan is considered to be a part of traditional Chinese Wushu (a martial art) and comprises various styles that have evolved historically from the Chen, Yang, Wǔ, Wu´ , and Sun families (schools). Recent simplification of the original classic styles has made Tai Ji Quan easier to adopt in practice. Thus, the traditional legacy of using Tai Ji Quan for self-defense, mindful nurturing of …
The relationship between physical activity (PA) and cognition has received much attention recently. While evidence of improved cognition following PA has consistently been observed, the majority of studies have spotlighted aerobic exercise and the effects of other modes of PA, such as Tai Ji Quan, on cognition have received limited attention. This article provides a brief review of the literatu…
Currently there are more than 13.7 million cancer survivors living in the U.S., and that figure is projected to increase by 31% in the next decade, adding another 4 million cancer survivors into the healthcare system. Cancer is largely a disease of aging, and the aging of the population will sharply raise the proportion of older cancer survivors, many of whom will be long-term survivors (5þ ye…
Tai Ji Quan, developed as a martial art, has traditionally served multiple purposes, including self-defense, competition/performance, and health promotion. With respect to health, the benefits historically and anecdotally associated with Tai Ji Quan are now being supported by scientific and clinical research, with mounting evidence indicating its potential value in preventing and managing vario…
Falls in older adults are a significant public health issue and a particularly significant health risk in Minnesota. With accumulating research evidence suggesting that falls can be prevented through exercise, there is an increased public health effort among organizations serving older adults to translate and disseminate evidence-based programs into the community. Such efforts, however, face ad…
Falls among people aged 65 and older are a significant public health problem and one that is expected to increase as the population ages.Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Tai Ji Quan can reduce falls and associated injuries among older adults. In this paper, we describe how Tai Ji Quan community programs are being utilized by public health and aging services organizations to r…
The article by Fink and Houston1 in this special issue of Journal of Sport and Health Science provides an excellent example of implementing an evidence-based fall prevention program in real communities with diverse cultures of elderly populations. Although preliminary, the project revealed a number of interconnected barriers and facilitators that shed light on practical implications (“less…
Older adult falls are a significant public health problem, but one that is amenable to preventive interventions.1,2 Despite the progress made in identifying risk factors, developing efficacious health-related interventions, and promoting evidencebased programs in the community, much work remains before these strategies are broadly available and effectively used to reduce fall-related injuries.3…
Background: Preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is very important for athletes, and dynamic knee valgus is considered a risk factor for non-contact ACL injury. However, little is known about whether the functions of the hip abductor and rear-foot increase dynamic knee valgus. A two-dimensional (2D) video-based screening test focused on hip abductor and rear-foot functions among…
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of traditional Chinese health exercise (TCHE) is analyzed. The effect of meridians and acupoints contained in TCHE is summarized, the treatment methods of tonifying deficiencies and reducing excesses applied in TCHE are discussed, the regulation of Zang-fu organs are emphasized, and the leading role of Qi is introduced. The exercise prescription and…