Electromyographic Assessment of the Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus the Ischemic Compression Technique in Gastrocnemius of Medium-Distance Triathletes.

Several studies have shown that gastrocnemius is frequently injured in triathletes. The causes of these injuries are similar to those that cause the appearance of the myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The ischemic compression technique (ICT) and deep dry needling (DDN) are considered two of the main MPS treatment methods in latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). In this study superficial electromyographic (EMG) activity in lateral and medial gastrocnemius of triathletes with latent MTrPs was measured before and immediately after either DDN or ICT treatment. Taking into account superficial EMG activity of lateral and medial gastrocnemius, the immediate effectiveness in latent MTrPs of both DDN and ICT was compared. A total of 34 triathletes was randomly divided in two groups. The first and second groups (n = 17 in each group) underwent only one session of DDN and ICT, respectively. EMG measurement of gastrocnemius was assessed before and immediately after treatment. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.037) were shown for a reduction of superficial EMG measurements differences (%) of the experimental group (DDN) with respect to the intervention group (ICT) at a speed of 1 m/s immediately after both interventions, although not at speeds of 1.5 m/s or 2.5 m/s. A statistically significant linear regression prediction model was shown for EMG outcome measurement differences at V1 (speed of 1 m/s) which was only predicted for the treatment group (R2 = 0.129; = 8.054; F = 4.734; p = 0.037) showing a reduction of this difference under DDN treatment. DDN administration requires experience and excellent anatomical knowledge. According to our findings immediately after treatment of latent MTrPs, DDN could be advisable for triathletes who train at a speed lower than 1 m/s, while ICT could be a more advisable technique than DDN for training or competitions at speeds greater than 1.5 m/s.post-print1181 K

Fluorescence monitoring of polymerization reaction. A new method for treating fluorescence experimental data

A new method has been found for monitoring polymerization reactions in situ and in real time. The first moment of fluorescent emission, 〈ν〉=∑IF(ν)ν/∑IF(ν) is calculated from fluorescence spectra as a function of polymerization time and can be successfully correlated with the conversion of functional groups, obtained by an independent technique, with a very low level of experimental scatter. The statistical analysis of the method has been performed; some simple computer experiments allowed to study the influence of the most important experimental variables yielding the confidence interval of 〈ν〉 as a function of the noise to signal ratio. This method was applied with stepwise polyaddition (epoxide curing) and polymerization by free radical mechanisms. 5-Dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonamide derivatives, 4-dialkylamino-4′-nitrostilbene and pyrene were used as probes and/or labels. Other methods reported in the literature have been applied also. Comparison with them reveals that the first moment method is more reliable for monitoring polyaddition reactions.Authors wish to thank European Commission (BE97-4472) and CAM (07N/0002/1998) for financial support

Improved 2D ground target tracking in GPS-based passive radar scenarios

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites offer promising opportunity for Passive Radar systems due to their global coverage and the availability of multiple satellites throughout the world. However, their low power at ground level limits system coverage. In this paper, a GPS based Passive Radar which exploits a single illumination source, and uses digital array processing for ground targets localization is presented. To face signal power problems, a processing scheme combining reconstructed reference signals, adaptive filtering techniques and spatial filtering is implemented. Conventional beamforming techniques are used to increase the level of the target echo before the detection stage, and high resolution DoA estimation techniques are applied to estimate targets azimuth. Ground target localization in local Cartesian space is performed taking into account the system geometry, range and azimuth information. Both synthetic and real radar data are used to analyse system operation. During the measurement campaign, a cooperative vehicle was used for validation purposes. Results confirm that ground targets detection and localization are feasible using a single GPS transmitter.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónJunta de Comunidades de Castila-La ManchaUniversidad de Alcal

Pyrene Fluorescence as a Probe for the Monitoring of Polymerization Processes: Simultaneous DSC and Fluorescence Study

The polymerization of cyclohexylmethacrylate was monitored, over a wide temperature range, by simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorimetry (FL); the equipment for both being optically coupled. Pyrene was used as a fluorescent probe. There was excellent agreement between the exothermic peak time obtained by DSC and the time at which the maximum gradient was obtained in the fluorescence intensity–time curves, but only for temperatures above 60°C, Activation energies for the gel effect onset were obtained for both, the conversion–time and intensity–time curves being concordant except for data at low temperatures, below 60°C. It was concluded that vitrification occurs at temperatures below 60°C and its presence was demonstrated by fluorimetry, by means of the conversion change associated with the fluorescence intensity jumpΔα(off-on).This research was supported by CICYT MAT93-0823

Morphology of Epoxy/Polyorganosiloxane Reactive Blends

The morphology of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A / poly(3-aminopropylmethylsiloxane) (DGEBA/PAMS) reactive blends was studied by fluorescence techniques as a function of the initial composition. Some fluorescence results were compared with those from optical and electron microscopy investigations. Several morphological aspects were studied including the distribution of PAMS in the blend. The microsegregation of PAMS was discussed in terms of diffusion restriction of DGEBA through the PAMS dispersed phase.This research was supported by the EU, Brite-EuRam , and by CAM, programa de grupos estratégicos, contrato programa 2000-2003. The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Dr. I. F. Pierola from UNED in the acquisition of the epifluorescence images presented in this work

Entidades sociales dirigidas a personas con discapacidad múltiple de entre 30 a 65 años, en la ciudad de Zaragoza

Investigación sobre las diferentes entidades sociales, en la ciudad de Zaragoza para las personas que tienen más de una discapacidad, es decir, discapacidad múltiple. Concepto sobre el cual se desarrolla todo el trabajo, junto con las opiniones y conocimientos de los profesionales que se encuentran en contacto con este colectivo. Todo esto nos ha llevado a proponer la realización de una guía de recursos y sus respectivos servicios, dirigidos a personas con multidiscapacidad entre 30 y 65 años

Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle Dry Needling Changes Surface and Plantar Pressures: A Pre-Post Study

[Abstract] Background: The effects of the dry needling technique and pain reduction have been demonstrated in numerous quality studies. However, the mechanical effects of dry needling are largely unknown. Methods: A total of 18 subjects with flexor digitorum brevis muscle myofascial trigger point were evaluated pre- and post-deep dry needling. We measured static footprint variables in a pre–post study. Main findings: We found differences in rearfoot maximum pressure (119.22–111.63 KPa; p = 0.025), midfoot maximum pressure (13.68–17.26 KPa; p = 0.077), midfoot medium pressure (4.75–6.24 KPa; p = 0.035) and forefoot surface (86.58–81.75 cm2; p = 0.020). All variables with significant differences decrease, with the exception of forefoot surface which showed an increase. Conclusions: After flexor digitorum brevis muscle dry needling, midfoot plantar pressures (maximum and medium) and forefoot surface were increased, and rearfoot maximum pressure was decreased

Screening for K13-Propeller Mutations Associated with Artemisinin Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Yambio County (Western Equatoria State, South Sudan)

Artemisinin-combined treatments are the recommended first-line treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but they are being threatened by emerging artemisinin resistance. Mutations in pfk13 are the principal molecular marker for artemisinin resistance. This study characterizes the presence of mutations in pfk13 in P. falciparum in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan. We analyzed 468 samples from patients with symptomatic malaria and found 15 mutations (8 nonsynonymous and 7 synonymous). Each mutation appeared only once, and none were validated or candidate markers of artemisinin resistance. However, some mutations were in the same or following position of validated and candidate resistance markers, suggesting instability of the gene that could lead to resistance. The R561L nonsynonymous mutation was found in the same position as the R561H validated mutation. Moreover, the A578S mutation, which is widespread in Africa, was also reported in this study. We found a high diversity of other pfk13 mutations in low frequency. Therefore, routine molecular surveillance of resistance markers is highly recommended to promptly detect the emergence of resistance-related mutations and to limit their spread.Financial support: The intervention was funded by Medecins Sans Frontieres, and samples were analyzed through a research agreement between Medecins Sans Frontieres and the National Centre of Tropical Medicine/Institute of Health Carlos III, Agreement No: TRVP 121/20. I. M. F. received a research fellowship (FPU-2019) from the University of Alcala, Spain, that enabled her to conduct this study.S

Coactivation of the Pelvic Floor and Gluteus Medius Muscles While Walking and Running in Female Runners

Background: Pelvic-floor-muscle (PFM) activation acts synergistically with multiple muscles while performing functional actions in humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize the activity of the PFMs and gluteus medius (GM) while walking and running in physically active nulliparous females. (2) Methods: The peak and average amplitude of maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) during 60 s of walking (5 and 7 km/h) and running (9 and 11 km/h) were measured with electromyography of the GM and PFMs in 10 healthy female runners. (3) Results: The activation of both muscles increased (p < 0.001) while walking and running. The MVC of the GM was reached when walking and tripled when running, while the PFMs were activated at half their MVC when running. The global ratio of the GM (75.3%) was predominant over that of the PFMs (24.6%) while static and walking. The ratio reached 9/1 (GM/PFM) while running. (4) Conclusion: The GM and PFMs were active while walking and running. The GM’s MVC tripled at high speeds, while the PFMs reached only half of their maximum contraction

Contractions of certain Lie algebras

This communication is focused on the study of contractions of certain types of Lie algebras of low dimension, in order to address the implementation of the results to certain physical concepts, such as the boundary process by which quantum mechanics contracts to classical mechanics. To do this, we consider in the first place the contractions of filiform Lie algebras, which were introduced by M. Vergné in 1966, by using the psi and phi invariant functions, introduced in 2008 by Hrivnák and Novotny. These functions are also dealt with other types of algebra, as Heisenberg algebras among others, and we study the existing contractions between these algebras.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónJunta de Andalucí