[Exercise for the promotion of mental health : Putative mechanisms, recommendations, and scientific challenges]. / L'exercice physique pour la santé mentale : mécanismes, recommandations, recherches futures.

The idea of applying various forms of physical activity for the betterment of physical health and the reduction of chronic medical conditions is ubiquitous. Despite evidence of successful applications of physical activity for improvement of mental health dating back to antiquity, it has until recent years remained unconventional to consider exercise as an intervention strategy for various mental health conditions. The past two decades, however, have seen a relative explosion of interest in understanding and applying various programs and forms of exercise to improve mental health. Here, our purpose is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the application of exercise as a strategy for improving mental health. In the present paper we first summarize contemporary research regarding short- and long-term impacts of exercise on mental health. Then an overview of the putative mechanisms and neurobiological bases underpinning the beneficial effects of exercise is provided. Finally, we suggest directions for future research as well as a series of concrete recommendations for clinicians who wish to prescribe physical activity as part of patient mental health management.

Wearing lead aprons in surgical operating rooms: ergonomic injuries evidenced by infrared thermography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to quantify the impact of the weight of radiation protection lead aprons on the discomfort and the fatigue of the medical staff within an operating room of interventional gastroenterology. To quantify this fatigue, we analyzed variations of the physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, and cutaneous temperature; we compared two situations: the first within the classic endoscopy department (without apron) and the second within the operating room with apron. A follow-up study with lighter lead aprons was also conducted. METHODS: We used infrared thermography as the principal method of analysis in our study. This technique permits us to obtain data, without body contact, of the spatial and temporal orientation of temperatures on subject skin. This method proves to be beneficial in the evaluation of the posture of users. The symmetry of the temperature evolution among the different body zones can contribute to the body balance analysis. RESULTS: Our results of the cutaneous temperatures obtained by infrared camera show significant differences in the muscular activity. All the muscular groups studied were revealed significant temperature increases. The temperature curve T2-T1 reveals the actual influence of carrying heavy apron loads. Regardless of the muscular group, this temperature increase varies on the range between 0.55°C and 0.95°C. The muscular groups most recruited are the trapezoids and pectorals. The muscles least recruited are those of the lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows the impact of load bearing on the body mechanics of medical staff during work. It will be beneficial to develop this study to predict changes in skin temperature because of the various types of aprons and to determine the possible correlation between the thermal distribution and users' sense of comfort.

Understanding the tasting of champagne and other sparkling wines from a scientific perspective.

From uncorking the bottle to the bursting of bubbles in the glass, the science behind the tasting of champagne and other sparkling wine is both traditional and at the forefront of modern developments. The strong interaction between the various parameters at play in a bottle and in a glass of sparkling wine has been the subject of study for around two decades. Indeed, sparkling wine tasting is often seen as the pinnacle of glamor and frivolity for most people, but it should also be considered as a fantastic playground for chemists and physicists to explore the subtle science behind this centuries-old drink, whose prestige today goes well beyond the borders of Champagne and France. This article offers an overview of the physicochemical processes that mark a tasting of champagne or sparkling wine in the broad sense, from the cork popping out of the bottleneck to the formation and bursting of bubbles in your glass, including the choice of the glass and how to serve and drink the wine correctly.

Benefits of a group-based running session on feelings of energy and fatigue: no augmenting effect of green exercise during the defoliation season.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of a brief session of group-based running on feelings of energy and fatigue, comparing exercise in a local nature reserve versus an outdoor built environment, and a sedentary control condition. Sixty-six physically active university students participated, with 56 providing full data for each time point. Consistent with previous research, participants in both exercise groups reported significantly increased energy and decreased fatigue compared to those in the sedentary control group. However, the type of outdoor environment did not significantly influence the magnitude of improvements. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant difference in energy enhancement or fatigue mitigation between participants who jogged in a local nature reserve versus those who jogged on a cinder track in an urbanized area. The study discusses potential reasons for this, including seasonal variations in forest volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) concentrations, which may impact the psychological effects associated with forest environments. Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between exercise, environment, and feelings of energy/feelings of fatigue.

Adobe Bricks of the Champagne Region (France): Characterization of a Chalky Raw Earth Construction Material.

Raw earth bricks made from the soil of the Chalky Champagne region (France) have been used for at least two millennia in construction, a promising heritage in the context of reducing the carbon emissions of buildings. The present experimental study aims to measure the physical, mechanical, thermal, and hydric properties of adobes collected from a local village barn. The results show a high chalk content, estimated at 71%, and a clay content, acting as a binder, of 14%. Despite limited load-bearing capacity, these lightweight adobes are suitable for current single-story constructions, while their hydrothermal properties classify them as excellent moisture regulators for occupants. In association with other bio-sourced materials such as starch-beet pulp bricks, Chalky Champagne adobes yield promising insulating properties, and meet the criteria defined by current energy standards.

Fighting crosswinds in cycling: A matter of aerodynamics.

OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study was to compare the aerodynamic optimization level in echelon-formation strategy for riders fighting against a crosswind from the best (echelon or diagonal paceline) to the worst riders' configuration (guttered riders). DESIGN: The case reported herein concerned a group of 5 cyclists riding at 30 km/h with a 30 km/h crosswind oriented at 40° to the direction of travel. The effects of the wind, expressed in terms of aerodynamic resistance or pressure, were determined for each cyclist in the different configurations. METHODS: The 3D numerical simulations were performed using a calculation code based on the finite volume method and the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model k-kl-ω. RESULTS: The results showed that the lateral force savings, averaged over the whole five-riders group, ranged from 50% in the echelon-optimized configuration to 11% in the guttered straight-line one, compared to a solo rider in the same velocity and windy conditions. Individually, the rider with the best aerodynamic shelter is the 4th rider in the "4 rider echelon + 1 guttered rider" formation (- 53.6% in drag force and - 69.8% in lateral force), while the rider with the worst aerodynamic situation is the leader of the straight paceline (- 0.1% in drag force and - 0.2% in lateral force). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis showed how the spatial management of riders significantly influences drag and lateral forces and supported the idea that avoiding being guttered is the best way to save energy in windy races.

Could Horse Gait and Induced Pelvic Dynamic Loads in Female Equestrians Be a Risk Factor in Pudendal Neuralgia?

Pudendal Neuralgia (PN) is a rare, debilitating disease caused by damage to the pudendal nerve, which innervates the anus, rectum, perineum, lower urinary tract, and genitalia. Although its etiology remains scientifically unknown, a number of sports practices, including horse-riding, are reported as triggering and/or aggravating factors. The present work summarizes the experimental measurements of the contact pressure at the interface between the rider and saddle, for a population of 12 experienced female riders. These tests reveal that dynamic horseback-riding leads to high levels of peak pressures in the perineal region, which confirms that the practice of equine sports may cause neuropathologies such as PN. All collected data will be used as boundary conditions in a future numerical 3D model aimed at locating the possible areas of pudendal nerve crushing.

Hygro-thermo-mechanical performance of wheelchair cushion technologies in the prevention of pressure ulcers and moisture-associated skin damages.

This study aims at investigating the effects of three different wheelchair cushion technologies at the patient-wheelchair interface. To this end, eight participants were recruited to remain in an unrelieved seated position on a wheelchair successively equipped with three different cushions (foam, air-cell-based and gel), for a duration of 45 min. Interface pressure, temperature (measured with infrared thermography) and relative humidity were measured at the seat interface, at different timestamps. Experimental results show that foam cushion is significantly more efficient in reducing contact peak pressure (p < .01), while the gel cushion displays higher heat evacuation capabilities. In terms of relative humidity, no significant difference is observed among the three technologies (p > .29): all of them evacuate around only 10% of the total humidity compared to the reference situation (i.e., without cushion). Besides, a complementary numerical simulation corresponding to the steady state of the patient-wheelchair structure clearly highlights the temperature volume field at the underside of the seat, which acts like a thermal barrier and contributes to heat accumulation. Besides, an air flow at the underside of the chair in motion is shown to significantly reduce heat accumulation.

Evaluating safety risks of whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC): a scoping review from an international consortium.

Over the two last decades, whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC) has emerged as an exciting non-pharmacological treatment influencing inflammatory events at a cellular and physiological level, which can result in improved sleep quality, faster neuromuscular recovery after high-intensity exercise, and chronic pain relief for patients suffering different types of diseases (fibromyalgia, rheumatism, arthritis). Some evidence even suggests that WBC has benefits on mental health (depression, anxiety disorders) and cognitive functions in both adults and older adults, due to increased circulating BDNF levels. Recently, some safety concerns have been expressed by influential public health authorities (e.g., FDA, INSERM) based on reports from patients who developed adverse events upon or following WBC treatment. However, part of the data used to support these claims involved individuals whose entire body (except head) was exposed to extreme cold vaporized liquid nitrogen while standing in a narrow bathtub. Such a procedure is known as partial-body cryotherapy (PBC), and is often erroneously mistaken to be whole-body cryotherapy. Although having similarities in terms of naming and pursued aims, these two approaches are fundamentally different. The present article reviews the available literature on the main safety concerns associated with the use of true whole-body cryotherapy. English- and French-language reports of empirical studies including case reports, case series, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science electronic databases. Five case reports and two RCTs were included for a total of 16 documented adverse events (AEs). A critical in-depth evaluation of these AEs (type, severity, context of onset, participant's medical background, follow-up) is proposed and used to illustrate that WBC-related safety risks are within acceptable limits and can be proactively prevented by adhering to existing recommendations, contraindications, and commonsense guidelines.

Numerical streamline patterns at swimmer's surface using RANS equations.

The objective of this article is to perform a numerical modeling on the flow dynamics around a competitive female swimmer during the underwater swimming phase for a velocity of 2.2 m/s corresponding to national swimming levels. Flow around the swimmer is assumed turbulent and simulated with a computational fluid dynamics method based on a volume control approach. The 3D numerical simulations have been carried out with the code ANSYS FLUENT and are presented using the standard k-ω turbulence model for a Reynolds number of 6.4 × 10(6). To validate the streamline patterns produced by the simulation, experiments were performed in the swimming pools of the National Institute of Sports and Physical Education in Paris (INSEP) by using the tufts method.

Effects of Outdoor Walking on Positive and Negative Affect: Nature Contact Makes a Big Difference.

It has been consistently demonstrated that physical exercise is a cost-effective way to promote emotional well-being. However, the environment in which it takes place might amplify or mitigate this beneficial effect. The present study aimed at comparing the effects of walking in a natural or urban field setting on positive and negative affect. For this purpose, 150 students (46 female, 104 male; mean age: 20.2 years) were randomized into one of three groups: Green Walking (GW, n = 50), Urban Walking (UW, n = 50), or no-exercise (control; CTRL, n = 50). Positive and negative affect ratings were collected for each participant before and after walking (or before and after attending a class in the CTRL group). Exercise parameters (duration, intensity, weather conditions, group size) were identical in the GW and UW groups. The walking routes differed in terms of vegetation density, proximity of water, presence of traffic, and amount of asphalted surfaces. Participants in the GW and UW groups reported significant reductions in negative affect pre- to post walking. However, positive affect was increased only for participants in the GW group. This finding may have meaningful implications for mental health professionals who treat patients with significant emotional distress or mood instability. Several explanations are discussed as potential mechanisms for the more beneficial effect of Green walking, and presented as an important avenue for future research.

Hygric Behavior of Viticulture By-Product Composites for Building Insulation.

One possible approach to reducing the environmental impacts associated with the building sector is the development and use of bio-based building materials. The objective of this study is to determine the water properties of bio-based insulation materials, derived from winegrowing co-products, which promote energy efficiency. The water performance of these new bio-based materials is based on the measurement of the moisture buffer value, the sorption isotherm, and the water vapor permeability. Four by-products are analyzed: stalks, grape pomace, crushed stalks, and skins; they are combined with a potato starch binder. The performance of these composites is compared to two other bio-based composites (hemp/starch and beet pulp/starch). The stalk/starch composite can be classified as a hygroscopic and breathable material with excellent moisture retention capacity.

Retracted: Whole-Body Cryotherapy as an Innovative Treatment for COVID 19-Induced Anosmia-Hyposmia: A Feasibility Study.

The article entitled, "Whole-Body Cryotherapy as an Innovative Treatment for COVID 19-Induced Anosmia-Hyposmia: A Feasibility Study," by Legrand FD, Polidori G, Beaumont F, Bouchet B, Morin A, Derruau S, and Brenet E (Epub ahead of print Jan 13, 2022; DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0254) is officially retracted at the request of the authors. This request came after the paper had undergone full peer review, three rounds of revisions, acceptance, page proofs, and ultimately, online publication. The Methods section of the published paper states that the study had "secured University ethics clearance…"1 but the authors explained that, "after re-discussion and internal reassessment, it appears clearly that this study required, according to French law, the approval of a specific committee known as the '[C]ommittee for the [P]rotection of [P]ersons (CPP)' and not a simple ethical agreement. For this reason, [we] request, in good faith, that the article be retracted. We apologize for this delay in taking a position, but this study gave rise to a re-discussion with our peers of the methodology which led us to realize our error 'a posteriori.'" The authors' respective institutions have been notified by the publisher. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine is committed to upholding the rigors of scientific publishing and the veracity of the literature. Reference 1. Legrand FD, Polidori G, Beaumont F, et al. Whole-body cryotherapy as an innovative treatment for COVID 19-induced anosmia-hyposmia: a feasibility study. Epub ahead of print Jan 13, 2022; DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0254.

Spent Coffee Grounds as Building Material for Non-Load-Bearing Structures.

The gradual development of government policies for ecological transition in the modern construction sector leads researchers to explore new alternative and low environmental impact materials with a particular focus on bio-sourced materials. In this perspective, the mechanical, thermal insulation, and the sound absorption performances of a spent coffee grounds/potato starch bio-based composite were analyzed for potential application in buildings. Based on thermal conductivity and diffusivity tests, the coffee grounds waste biocomposite was characterized as an insulating material comparable with conventional thermal insulation materials of plant origin. Acoustical tests revealed absorption coefficients in the same range as other conventional materials used in building acoustical comfort. This bio-sourced material presented a sufficient compressive mechanical behavior for non-load-bearing structures and a sufficient mechanical capacity to be shaped into building bricks. Mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performances depend on the moisture environment. The groundwork was laid for an initial reflection on how this composite would behave in two opposite climates: the continental climate of Reims in France and the tropical climate of Belém in Brazil.

Medical Infrared Thermography in Odontogenic Facial Cellulitis as a Clinical Decision Support Tool. A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic cellulitis are frequent infections of the head and neck fascial spaces that can sometimes spread and be life-threatening, requiring urgent hospitalization. Early diagnosis of facial cellulitis with diffuse inflammatory process is crucial in patient management but not always obvious in the field. Medical infrared thermography (MIT) is a noninvasive tool increasingly used to evaluate skin temperature maps and delineate inflammatory lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of MIT to improve the clinical examination of patients with facial cellulitis. METHODS: Image processing work was carried out to highlight the thermal gradient resulting from inflammation linked to infection, in 2 patients with facial cellulitis. RESULTS: In real-time, MIT allowed to precisely locate the inflammatory focus linked to cellulitis with no propagation to danger areas such as infraorbital space or around pharyngeal axis. CONCLUSION: Here, we show the first cases using MIT as a powerful complementary tool in the clinical evaluation of patients with facial cellulitis. SIGNIFICANCE: This technology could help optimize the hospitalization decision through a facilitated assessment of infection spread in head and neck tissues and helping to incision for drainage.

Aerodynamic interaction between in-line runners: new insights on the drafting strategy in running.

This study aims at modelling the aerodynamic interaction between a world-class runner and several pacers running in line, the objective being to determine the best drafting position in terms of potential speed gain and running time. Computational Fluid Dynamics calculations were performed to determine the aerodynamic drag forces exerted on the runners. Secondly, we estimated the metabolic savings for each of the runner's positions in the pack of pacers. Finally, we estimated a potential equivalent running speed and a corresponding running time gain for each of the runner's positions. Running second in a group of 5 runners would be the most effective drafting strategy, with a reduction of aerodynamic drag reaching 63.3%, corresponding to an improvement of 4.4% of the running economy. Furthermore, decreasing the drag forces acting on the runner would results in greater running speed. For example, a 63.3% reduction in the aerodynamic forces yields a 2.9% faster running speed (20.7 to 21.31 km/h) for an equal metabolic cost. Running in the wake of a leading runner (in a pack of five runners) over a marathon is estimated to provide a significant time saving of 3 min 28 s.

Advances in the therapeutic approach of pudendal neuralgia: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Although pudendal neuralgia (PN) has received growing interest over the last few years, diagnosis remains difficult, and many different therapeutic approaches can be considered. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to provide an overview of the possible treatments of PN and investigate their efficacies. METHODS: Utilizing PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, a systematic review was carried out and allowed identification of studies involving patients with PN, as defined by Nantes criteria, and their associated treatments. Relevant data were manually reported. RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles were selected, totaling 1,013 patients (mean age, 49 years) and six different types of interventions. Clinical outcomes, most frequently quantified utilizing the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), vary greatly with both the therapy and time after intervention (from 100 to <10%). However, neither peri nor postoperative serious complications (grade > II of Clavien-Dindo classification) are reported. Although surgery seems to provide a higher proportion of long-term benefits, identifying the most efficient therapeutic approach is made impossible by the multitude of outcome measurements and follow-up frequencies. It should also be noted that literature is sparse regarding randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are a number of modalities utilized for the treatment of PN, there are no current recommendations based on treatment efficacies. This seems to be largely in part caused by the lack of standardization in outcome quantification. Future research in this field should focus on prospective cohort studies with high levels of evidence, aimed at assessing the long-term, if not permanent, benefits of available therapies.

Medical infrared thermography in peri-operative management of peripheral ameloblastoma: A case report.

Peripheral ameloblastoma (PA) is a rare benign peripheral odontogenic tumor arising in the gingiva and in the overlying mucosa of tooth-bearing areas of the jaws. Recent data suggestthat the recurrence rate is directly related to inadequate surgical excision. This case of a 71-year-old man reports a poorly delineated mass effecting the gum of the left mandibular canine-premolars area histologically corresponded to PA. In complement to clinical visual examination of such a poorly delineated, non-exophytic and non-dyschromic inflammatory lesion, medical infrared thermography (MIT) - a non-invasive, non-ionizing and real-time imaging technique - was used to optimize the soft tissue margins, and a marginal bone resection was performed. MIT has also been found to be a useful tool in monitoring the absence of diseased tissue crossing the excisional margins at the end of the operation to minimize the risk of recurrence. After two years of follow-up, no local recurrence was found.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a Tool for Investigating Self-Organized Ascending Bubble-Driven Flow Patterns in Champagne Glasses.

Champagne glasses are subjected to complex ascending bubble-driven flow patterns, which are believed to enhance the release of volatile organic compounds in the headspace above the glasses. Based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used in order to examine how a column of ascending bubbles nucleated at the bottom of a classical champagne glass can drive self-organized flow patterns in the champagne bulk and at the air/champagne interface. Firstly, results from two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric simulations were compared with a set of experimental data conducted through particle image velocimetry (PIV). Secondly, a three-dimensional (3D) model was developed by using the conventional volume-of-fluid (VOF) multiphase method to resolve the interface between the mixture's phases (wine-air). In complete accordance with several experimental observations conducted through laser tomography and PIV techniques, CFD revealed a very complex flow composed of surface eddies interacting with a toroidal flow that develops around the ascending bubble column.

Numerical investigation of the impact of Kenenisa Bekele's cooperative drafting strategy on its running power during the 2019 Berlin marathon.

In this paper we examined the aerodynamic drag and the resulting decrease of power output associated with the drafting positions used by Kenenisa Bekele at the 2019 Berlin marathon. Examination of videos of the race revealed three different positions adopted by Bekele directly behind a frontline of three runners. These drafting positions were numerically studied using CFD simulations performed with the RANS equations and the SST k-ω model. Depending on his position behind the pacers, our analyses indicated that Bekele's drafting strategy resulted in reductions of 38.5-57.3% of the drag resistance and aerodynamic power. In terms of metabolic power, Bekele's drafting positions yielded an estimated 1.91-2.84% reduction compared to the calculated metabolic power of 1427.89 W (or equivalent metabolic power relative to body mass of 25.50 W/kg) that Bekele would have developed if he had run alone at the same speed of 5.75 m.s-1.