A new approach to study gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease based on mixed reality

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (especialização em Eletrónica Médica)Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. PD onset is at 55 years-old on average, and its incidence increases with age. This disease results from dopamine-producing neurons degeneration in the basal ganglia and is characterized by various motor symptoms such as freezing of gait, bradykinesia, hypokinesia, akinesia, and rigidity, which negatively impact patients’ quality of life. To monitor and improve these PD-related gait disabilities, several technology-based methods have emerged in the last decades. However, these solutions still require more customization to patients’ daily living tasks in order to provide more objective, reliable, and long-term data about patients’ motor conditions in home-related contexts. Providing this quantitative data to physicians will ensure more personalized and better treatments. Also, motor rehabilitation sessions fostered by assistance devices require the inclusion of quotidian tasks to train patients for their daily motor challenges. One of the most promising technology-based methods is virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), which immerse patients in virtual environments and provide sensory stimuli (cues) to assist with these disabilities. However, further research is needed to improve and conceptualize efficient and patient-centred VR/AR/MR approaches and increase their clinical evidence. Bearing this in mind, the main goal of this dissertation was to design, develop, test, and validate virtual environments to assess and train PD-related gait impairments using mixed reality smart glasses, integrated with another high-technological motion tracking device. Using specific virtual environments that trigger PD-related gait impairments (turning, doorways, and narrow spaces), it is hypothesized that patients can be assessed and trained in their daily challenges related to walking. Also, this tool integrates on-demand visual cues to provide visual biofeedback and foster motor training. This solution was validated with end-users to test the identified hypothesis. The results showed that, in fact, mixed reality has the potential to recreate real-life environments that often provoke PD-related gait disabilities, by placing virtual objects on top of the real world. On the contrary, biofeedback strategies did not significantly improve the patients’ motor performance. The user experience evaluation showed that participants enjoyed participating in the activity and felt that this tool can help their motor performance.A doença de Parkinson (DP) é a segunda doença neurodegenerativa mais comum depois da doença de Alzheimer. O início da DP ocorre, em média, aos 55 anos de idade, e a sua incidência aumenta com a idade. Esta doença resulta da degeneração dos neurónios produtores de dopamina nos gânglios basais e é caracterizada por vários sintomas motores como o congelamento da marcha, bradicinesia, hipocinesia, acinesia, e rigidez, que afetam negativamente a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Nas últimas décadas surgiram métodos tecnológicos para monitorizar e treinar estas desabilidades da marcha. No entanto, estas soluções ainda requerem uma maior personalização relativamente às tarefas diárias dos pacientes, a fim de fornecer dados mais objetivos, fiáveis e de longo prazo sobre o seu desempenho motor em contextos do dia-a-dia. Através do fornecimento destes dados quantitativos aos médicos, serão assegurados tratamentos mais personalizados. Além disso, as sessões de reabilitação motora, promovidas por dispositivos de assistência, requerem a inclusão de tarefas quotidianas para treinar os pacientes para os seus desafios diários. Um dos métodos tecnológicos mais promissores é a realidade virtual, aumentada e mista (RV/RA/RM), que imergem os pacientes em ambientes virtuais e fornecem estímulos sensoriais para ajudar nestas desabilidades. Contudo, é necessária mais investigação para melhorar e conceptualizar abordagens RV/RA/RM eficientes e centradas no paciente e ainda aumentar as suas evidências clínicas. Tendo isto em mente, o principal objetivo desta dissertação foi conceber, desenvolver, testar e validar ambientes virtuais para avaliar e treinar as incapacidades de marcha relacionadas com a DP usando óculos inteligentes de realidade mista, integrados com outro dispositivo de rastreio de movimento. Utilizando ambientes virtuais específicos que desencadeiam desabilidades da marcha (rodar, portas e espaços estreitos), é possível testar hipóteses de que os pacientes possam ser avaliados e treinados nos seus desafios diários. Além disso, esta ferramenta integra pistas visuais para fornecer biofeedback visual e fomentar a reabilitação motora. Esta solução foi validada com utilizadores finais de forma a testar as hipóteses identificadas. Os resultados mostraram que, de facto, a realidade mista tem o potencial de recriar ambientes da vida real que muitas vezes provocam deficiências de marcha relacionadas à DP. Pelo contrário, as estratégias de biofeedback não provocaram melhorias significativas no desempenho motor dos pacientes. A avaliação feita pelos pacientes mostrou que estes gostaram de participar nos testes e sentiram que esta ferramenta pode auxiliar no seu desempenho motor

La sensorialidad como estrategia para la educación patrimonial en el aula de educación infantil

Resumen: Con este artículo se pretende poner en valor la actividad sensorial como estrategia para la educación patrimonial en el aula de infantil. Tras una primera parte de revisión teórica, el artículo pretende demostrar, a través de un diseño educativo realizado al efecto e implementado en el aula de infantil, la relación entre la sensorialidad y los procesos de patrimonialización en edades tempranas. Este diseño nos permite establecer una secuencia didáctica que parte del conocimiento sensorial, como base del aprendizaje significativo en la etapa de infantil y que permite establecer canales para la vinculación afectiva entre sujeto y objeto. Palabras clave: Educación patrimonial, actividad sensorial, procesos de patrimonialización, educación infantil.    Abstract: This article aims to give value to the sensory activity as a strategy for heritage education in the classroom child. After a first part of theoretical review, the article seeks to demonstrate, through an educational purpose design made and implemented in the classroom child, the relationship between the sensory and heritagization processes at an early age. This design allows us to establish a teaching sequence that part of sensory knowledge, as a basis for meaning full earning in the infant stage and allows to establish channels for the emotional connection between subject and object.Keywords : heritage education, sensory activity, heritagization processes, early childhood education.http://dx.doi.org/10.7203/eari.7.8010  

Intramuscular fat content in loin and shoulder of iberian pigs according to the diet and rearing system

La calidad de los productos curados obtenidos del cerdo ibérico, está directamente relacionadacon la raza, edad y sistema de producción de los animales. El presente trabajo estudia elcontenido en grasa intramuscular y la composición en ácidos grasos de paletas y lomoscurados de cerdo ibérico según el sistema de alimentación utilizado. Para la consecución denuestro objetivo se utilizaron 24 hembras ibéricas castradas (ovariectomizadas) de 10 mesesde edad divididas en dos grupos experimentales durante la fase final de engorde. El primergrupo (12 cerdas) fue alimentado en un sistema “ad libitum” en intensivo con piensoconcentrado rico en ácido oleico; mientras que el segundo grupo fue alimentado con hierba ybellotas en el sistema tradicional denominado “montanera”. El porcentaje de ácido palmíticofue superior en paletas y lomos curados para el grupo alimentado con pienso; mientras que elácido oleico en lomos y el ácido linoleico en paletas fueron mayores en los animales demontanera. El porcentaje de grasa intramuscular fue superior en el grupo de montanera. Elpresente estudio confirma la gran influencia que tiene la alimentación del animal en lacomposición de los productos curados obtenidos del cerdo ibérico.The quality of cured products obtained from the Iberian pigs is directly related with the breed,age and type of production system of the animals. The aim of the present work was to studythe differences of fatty acids composition and intramuscular fat content in dry-cured shouldersand loins of Iberian pigs depends on diet and rearing system. For that purpose, 24 Iberiancastrated (ovariectomized) females of 10 months age were divided into two experimentalgroups during the finishing period. The first group (12 pigs) was raised in an intensive system“ad libitum” with concentrate feeds rich in oleic acid; while the second group was raised in anextensive traditional system called “montanera” fed with acorns and grass. The palmitic acidwas higher in those dry-cured shoulders and loins from pigs reared with concentrate feeds;while the oleic acid in loins and linoleic acid in shoulders were higher in those pigs reared inmontanera. Intramuscular fat percentage was higher for pigs raised in montanera, feeding byacorns and grass, than in pigs fed by concentrated diets. This study demonstrated the highinfluence of animal feeding in the final composition of the dry-cured products obtained fromthe Iberian pig

Examining the ability to track multiple moving targets as a function of postural stability: a comparison between team sports players and sedentary individuals

Background: The ability to track multiple objects plays a key role in team ball sports actions. However, there is a lack of research focused on identifying multiple object tracking (MOT) performance under rapid, dynamic and ecologically valid conditions. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of manipulating postural stability on MOT performance. Methods: Nineteen team sports players (soccer, basketball, handball) and sixteen sedentary individuals performed the MOT task under three levels of postural stability (high, medium, and low). For the MOT task, participants had to track three out of eight balls for 10 s, and the object speed was adjusted following a staircase procedure. For postural stability manipulation, participants performed three identical protocols (randomized order) of the MOT task while standing on an unstable platform, using the training module of the Biodex Balance System SD at levels 12 (high-stability), eight (medium-stability), and four (low-stability). Results: We found that the ability to track moving targets is dependent on the balance stability conditions (F2,66 = 8.7, p < 0.001, η² = 0.09), with the disturbance of postural stability having a negative effect on MOT performance. Moreover, when compared to sedentary individuals, team sports players showed better MOT scores for the high-stability and the medium-stability conditions (corrected p-value = 0.008, Cohen’s d = 0.96 and corrected p-value = 0.009, Cohen’s d = 0.94; respectively) whereas no differences were observed for the more unstable conditions (lowstability) between-groups. Conclusions: The ability to track moving targets is sensitive to the level of postural stability, with the disturbance of balance having a negative effect on MOT performance. Our results suggest that expertise in team sports training is transferred to non-specific sport domains, as shown by the better performance exhibited by team sports players in comparison to sedentary individuals. This study provides novel insights into the link between individual’s ability to track multiple moving objects and postural control in team sports players and sedentary individuals

Inmigración y mercado laboral: aproximación a su estudio en la Comunidad de Madrid

In this article we study the role of the immigrant population in the labour market of the Community of Madrid. In the first place we analyze the structure by sex and age of this collective, as well as its levels of instruction. These socio demographic variables have repercussion in the rates of activity of the immigrants and in the possible labour niches that they tend to occupy. In this sense, there is a clear association among the variables of sex, origin and type of labour occupation. Also other characteristics related to the employment of immigrant population are observed, such as rates of unemployment, labour conditions, self-employment, etc.En este artículo se estudia el papel que la población inmigrante tiene en el mercado laboral de la Comunidad de Madrid. En primer lugar se analiza la estructura por edad y sexo de este colectivo, así como sus niveles de instrucción. Estas variables sociodemográficas tienen, sin duda, repercusión en las tasas de actividad de los inmigrantes y en los posibles nichos laborales que tienden a ocupar. En este sentido, existe una clara asociación entre las variables de sexo, procedencia y tipo de ocupación laboral. También se observan otras características relacionadas con el empleo de la población inmigrante, tales como sus tasas de paro, condiciones laborales, autoempleo, etc

Aproximación a la percepción de las consonantes inglesas por aprendices de L2: beneficios del entrenamiento auditivo intensivo

Falta resumen y palabras clave

La revitalización de la danza del paloteo en Becerril de Campos (Palencia)

En el presente Trabajo Fin de Grado documento y abordo el estudio del proceso de revitalización de la danza de palos en Becerril de Campos. Presento una justificación del tema y un estado de la cuestión. Tras explicar los procedimientos seguidos para llevar a cabo esta investigación, revelo donde se localiza el municipio y sus características más importantes relacionadas con la danza, así como de la fiesta del Corpus Christi, en la que se inscribe. Compilo también algunas definiciones de “danza de palos”. A continuación, explico la danza en el periodo entre 1895 y 1939, las causas que la hicieran desaparecer, cómo fue el proceso de revitalización y cómo es la danza desde 2011. Abordo las características de esta danza, el vestuario y los palos que utilizan, el contexto, uso y finalidad, los instrumentos y el repertorio de esta práctica en ambos periodos. Para finalizar, desarrollo las conclusiones obtenidas, seguida de la bibliografía y los anexos, incluyendo un DVD con documentos y grabaciones sonoras y audiovisuales.Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y CorporalGrado en Historia y Ciencias de la Músic

Aplicación de estrategias Flipped-learning para la enseñanza de Física y Química en Secundaria y Bachillerato

El presente Trabajo de Fin de Máster se centra en abordar una de las metodologías activas más en auge los últimos años, la metodología flipped-learning, desarrollada ante la necesidad de cambiar el sistema tradicional de aprendizaje para adaptarlo a las necesidades actuales. Se presentarán sus características y elementos más importantes, así como estudios realizados en la etapa de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato que muestran resultados muy esperanzadores. Esta metodología, donde el estudiante es el protagonista, permite atender a la diversidad de formas de aprender que pueda haber en una clase y apoya todas las fases del ciclo de enseñanza-aprendizaje del alumno. Con el fin de acercar todos sus beneficios a la realidad de este trabajo, se ha diseñado una unidad didáctica para la materia de Física y Química de 4º de la ESO, ‘’El movimiento rectilíneo’’, basada en esta metodología activa. Dar la vuelta a la enseñanza de la cinemática puede tener muchas ventajas, ya que permite la realización de numerosos ejercicios y actividades dinámicas, que no serían posibles en la metodología tradicional. A pesar de que esta unidad no se ha podido poner en práctica, ha sido diseñada con el fin de que pueda servir para aplicaciones futuras.This Master's Thesis is focused on addressing one of the most booming active methodologies in recent years, the flipped-learning methodology, developed in response to the need to change the traditional learning system to adapt it to current needs. Its most important characteristics and elements will be presented, as well as studies carried out in Compulsory Secondary Education and Baccalaureate that show very encouraging results. This methodology, where the student is the main character, allows to attend the diversity of ways of learning that may exist in a class and supports all phases of the student's teaching-learning cycle. In order to bring all of its benefits closer to the reality of this work, a didactic unit has been designed for the subject Physics and Chemistry of the 4th year of Secondary Education, ''The rectilinear movement'', based on this active methodology. Flipping the teaching of kinematics can have many advantages, as it allows to carry out numerous exercises and dynamic activities, which would not be possible in the traditional methodology. Although this unit has not been put into practice, it has been designed so that it can be used for future applications.Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales y ExperimentalesMáster en Profesor de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato, Formación Profesional y Enseñanzas de Idioma

Principle “non bis in dem”

Máster Universitario en Acceso a la Profesión de Abogado (M155