Experience modulates gaze behavior and the effectiveness of information pickup to overcome the inversion effect in biological motion perception.

The inversion effect in biological motion suggests that presenting a point-light display (PLD) in an inverted orientation impairs the observer's ability to perceive the movement, likely due to the observer's unfamiliarity with the dynamic characteristics of inverted motion. Vertical dancers (VDs), accustomed to performing and perceiving others to perform dance movements in an inverted orientation while being suspended in the air, offer a unique perspective on this phenomenon. A previous study showed that VDs were more sensitive to the artificial inversion of PLDs depicting dance movements when compared to typical and non-dancers if given sufficient dynamic information.

Extended visuomotor experience with inverted movements can overcome the inversion effect in biological motion perception.

Studies have demonstrated that perceiving human and animal movements as point-light displays is effortless. However, simply inverting the display can significantly impair this ability. Compared to non-dancers and typical dancers, vertical dancers have the unique experience of observing and performing movements upside down as being suspended in the air.

The effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on landing mechanics: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The purpose was to quantify the effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on knee mechanics in a double-leg landing. Eighteen male and 20 female participants completed a jump-landing-jump task in five conditions: no rotation, testing leg ipsilateral or contralateral (WBRC) to the whole-body rotation direction, and testing leg ipsilateral (TRI) or contralateral to the trunk rotation direction. The WBRC and TRI conditions demonstrated decreased knee flexion and increased knee abduction angles at initial contact (2.

Tattoos of the Head, Neck and Hands.

Tattooing is ancient and gaining popularity in present day society. While many tattoos are decorative body art, certain tattoos of the head, neck and hands may provide helpful insights into, among other traits, the personality, beliefs or orientation of an individual.

Mid-flight lateral trunk bending increased ipsilateral leg loading during landing: a center of mass analysis.

Increased lateral trunk bending to the injured side has been observed when ACL injuries occur. The purpose was to quantify the effect of mid-flight lateral trunk bending on center of mass (COM) positions and subsequent landing mechanics during a jump-landing task. Forty-one recreational athletes performed a jump-landing task with or without mid-flight lateral trunk bending.

The Effect of Footwear on Free Moments During a Rotational Movement in Country Swing Dance.

Footwear in dance has been studied for support and cushioning, but little research has been conducted on free moments, which may result from high frictional coefficients. Conversely, insufficient friction between shoes and floors may increase the risk of falls and compromise dance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different types of footwear with different coefficients of friction on peak and average free moments during a rotational movement in country swing dance.

Lower-Extremity Kinematics Differed Between a Controlled Drop-Jump and Volleyball-Takeoffs.

Previous studies utilizing jump-landing biomechanics to predict anterior cruciate ligament injuries have shown inconsistent findings. The purpose of this study was to quantify the differences and correlations in jump-landing kinematics between a drop-jump, a controlled volleyball-takeoff, and a simulated-game volleyball-takeoff. Seventeen female volleyball players performed these 3 tasks on a volleyball court, while 3-dimensional kinematic data were collected by 3 calibrated camcorders.

Effects of timing of signal indicating jump directions on knee biomechanics in jump-landing-jump tasks.

A variety of the available time to react (ATR) has been utilised to study knee biomechanics during reactive jump-landing tasks. The purpose was to quantify knee kinematics and kinetics during a jump-land-jump task of three possible directions as the ATR was reduced. Thirty-four recreational athletes performed 45 trials of a jump-land-jump task, during which the direction of the second jump (lateral, medial or vertical) was indicated before they initiated the first jump, the instant they initiated the first jump, 300 ms before landing, 150 ms before landing or at the instant of landing.

Relationship Between Force Production During Isometric Squats and Knee Flexion Angles During Landing.

Decreased knee flexion angles during landing are associated with increased anterior cruciate ligament loading. The underlying mechanisms associated with decreased self-selected knee flexion angles during landing are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the peak force production at various knee flexion angles (35, 55, 70, and 90°) during isometric squats and the actual knee flexion angles that occur during landing in both men and women.

The effect of time-of-day on static and dynamic balance in recreational athletes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time-of-day (morning vs. afternoon) on static and dynamic balance in recreational athletes. A total of 34 recreational athletes completed the single-leg stance test with or without eyes open, lower quarter Y-balance test, upper quarter Y-balance test, and single-leg landing balance test in a random order in the morning (7:00-10:00 am) and afternoon (3:00-6:00 pm) for two consecutive days.

Generation of vertical angular momentum in single, double, and triple-turn pirouette en dehors in ballet.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vertical angular momentum generation strategies used by skilled ballet dancers in pirouette en dehors. Select kinematic parameters of the pirouette preparation (stance depth, vertical center-of-mass motion range, initial shoulder line position, shoulder line angular displacement, and maximum trunk twist angle) along with vertical angular momentum parameters during the turn (maximum momentums of the whole body and body parts, and duration and rate of generation) were obtained from nine skilled collegiate ballet dancers through a three-dimensional motion analysis and compared among three turn conditions (single, double, and triple). A one-way ('turn') multivariate analysis of variance of the kinematic parameters and angular momentum parameters of the whole body and a two-way analysis of variance ('turn' × 'body') of the maximum angular momentums of the body parts were conducted.

Effect of selected mouthwashes with and without toothbrushing on the surface hardness of a resin modified glass-ionomer and two compomers.

Objectives: Physical properties of some restorative dental materials can change as a result of exposure to mouthwashes and toothbrushing. The purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate the possible effects of three commercially available mouthwashes on the surface hardness and weight of a resin modified glass-ionomer and two compomers when used with and without tooth brushing.

Methods: Specimens of the restorative materials in the study (Vitremer, Compoglass and Dyract) were prepared.

Teaching "doctoring": a model curriculum for family medicine.

The authors present a model of an interdisciplinary, longitudinal (lifecycle), generalist "doctoring" course that spans the first 2 years of osteopathic medical education and training. This course is intended to run concurrently with a nongeneralist curriculum and to link this curriculum sequentially. The educational topics and objectives show a unique alignment with anatomy and osteopathic principles.

Two-centre evaluation of a resin composite/ self-etching restorative system: three-year findings.

Purpose: This two-centre study evaluated the clinical performance of Class I and Class II restorations of the giomer material Beautifil, placed using Fluorobond, a self-etching adhesive system, to determine the suitability of the test system as an alternative for the restoration of posterior teeth.

Materials And Methods: A total of 108 restorations, comprising 72 Class II and 36 Class I restorations, was placed predominantly in molars (82%). Evaulations using modified USPHS/Ryge criteria were conducted at baseline and thereafter at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years.

Effect of selected mouthwashes on the surface roughness of resin modified glass-ionomer restorative materials.

Objectives: It is known that the use of mouthwashes and toothbrushing can affect some restorative dental materials. The purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate the effect of four commercially available mouthwashes on the surface roughness of a number of resin modified glass-ionomer restorative materials when used with and without tooth brushing.

Methods: Specimens of the restorative materials in the study (Vitremer, Compoglass and Dyract) were prepared.

Quality of removable partial dentures worn by the adult U.S. population.

Statement Of Problems: Research-based assessments of the quality of removable partial dentures (RPDs), especially within a large patient population, are lacking.

Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence and quality of RPDs by use of the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) data set.

Material And Methods: Estimates of the health and nutritional status of the American population were obtained from the NHANES III data set (1988-1994).