Crossing the algorithmic 'Red Sea': Brazilian ubertubers' ways of knowing surge pricing

This article discusses how Brazilian ubertubers–Uber drivers that manage YouTube channels focused on their riding experience–systematise and make public different ways of knowing surge pricing (SP), an algorithmic-oriented system that uses price adjustments to redistribute drivers across urban space. Taken by the Uber as an instrument to measure and regulate market conditions, SP mediates drivers’ pragmatic and affective daily practices, materialising a asymmetrical power relation embedded into a neoliberal governmentality. The study explores 25 videos produced and shared by five consolidated Brazilian ubertubers, focusing on how this specific kind of digital influencer systematises and perform collective knowledge on how to increase earnings with surge pricing. The metaphors, hypotheses, and theories, the ubertuber’s tactics to deal with SP’s instability and with the risks of working on peripheral areas, and the efforts to investigate the logics of a ‘new surge’ are the main issues approached in the case study. In the conclusions, we discuss how ubertubers’ ambivalent relations with surge pricing reveal their wider attempts to navigate neoliberal governmentality and precarious conditions

The Densification of Loose Sand Using Compaction Piles

Two case histories of densification of loose sandy soils using compaction piles are analyzed. The sandy soils were improved to support heavily loaded structures using shallow foundations. The technique used was deep compaction through compaction piles driven with Franki -type equipment, and shallow compaction by vibratory plate. Results of the compaction processes are presented and discussed to provide guidance for future projects. The analysis includes distance from the compaction pile, initial relative density, time delay for results verification after compaction, and depth. The results of densification demonstrate the method is efficient

“Leviana!”: desvendando a formação de duas redes de RTs durante os debates entre presidenciáveis em 2014

Esse artigo analisa a formação de duas redes sociotécnicas de retweets (RTs) coletadas com base no uso do termo “leviana” no Twitter a partir da transmissão televisiva de dois debates entre presidenciáveis em 2014. Apoiamo-nos principalmente na Teoria Ator-Rede e na Cartografia de Controvérsias para descrever os rastros deixados pelos actantes e compreender os debates propostos pelos atores nos minutos seguintes ao uso do termo pelo candidato Aécio Neves. Ressaltando a importância da análise da formação dessas redes ao longo do tempo, procuramos identificar as diferenças nas dinâmicas de associação das duas redes

Baropodometric analyses of patients before and after bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical component of the ground reaction force, plantar pressure, contact area of the feet and double-support time using static and dynamic (gait) baropodometry before and after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Sixteen individuals with a body mass index of between 35 and 55 were evaluated before and after bariatric surgery. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were female and three (18.8%) male and their average age was 46±10 (21-60) years. An FSCAN system (version 3848) was used for baropodometric analyses (1 km/h and 3 km/h). The peak plantar pressure and ground reaction force were measured for the rear foot and forefoot. The double-support time and foot contact area were measured during gait. RESULTS: There were reductions in the ground reaction force in the forefoot and rear foot and in the foot contact area in all evaluations and of the double-support time at 3 km/h, as well as a significant reduction in the body mass index at six months post-surgery. The peak pressure did not vary at 1 km/h and at 3 km/h, reductions in peak pressure were observed in the left and right rear feet and left forefoot. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss after bariatric surgery resulted in decreases in the ground reaction force and contact area of the foot. Plantar pressure was decreased at 3 km/h, especially in the forefoot. There was an increase in rhythm because of a reduction in the double-support time at 3 km/h

Comparison of Radial Shockwaves and Conventional Physiotherapy for Treating Plantar Fasciitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare radial shockwave treatment and conventional physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of 16 patients who underwent 10 physiotherapy sessions each, consisting of ultrasound, kinesiotherapy and instruction for stretching exercises at home. Group 2 was composed of 16 patients who underwent three applications of radial shockwaves (once a week) and received instruction for stretching exercises at home. Pain and ability to function were evaluated before treatment, immediately afterwards, and three months later. The mean age of the patients was 47.3 ± 10.3 years (range 25-68); 81% were female, 87% were overweight, 56% had bilateral impairment, and 75% used analgesics regularly. RESULTS: Both treatments were effective for pain reduction and for improving the functional abilities of patients with plantar fasciitis. The effect of the shockwaves was apparent sooner than physiotherapy after the onset of treatment. CONCLUSION: Shockwave treatment was no more effective than conventional physiotherapy treatment when evaluated three months after the end of treatment

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with functional capacity but not with postural balance in osteoporotic postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: In post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, insufficient vitamin D levels decrease calcium fixation in the bones and calcium transport in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which impairs muscle strength, possibly leading to detrimental consequences for the preservation of functional capacity and postural balance, fall prevention, and fracture risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and knee muscle strength, postural balance and functional mobility among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 63 osteoporotic older women (aged 60.6±3.1 years). The subjects completed the Timed Up and Go Test to measure functional mobility, and postural balance was assessed on the AccuSway Plus portable force platform. Maximal strength was tested using an isokinetic dynamometer for knee flexion and extension. The subjects were assessed as a group and were divided into quartiles according to their vitamin D levels. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02771834. RESULTS: Vitamin D status was independently associated with the normalized peak torque of the knee extensors (β=0.59; p=0.04) and Timed Up and Go Test (β=-0.07;

Driving evaluation methods for able-bodied persons and individuals with lower extremity disabilities: a review of assessment modalities

Assessing the driving abilities of individuals with disabilities is often a very challenging task because each medical condition is accompanied by physical impairments and because relative individual functional performance may vary depending on personal characteristics.We identified existing driving evaluation modalities for able-bodied and lower extremity-impaired subjects (spinal cord injury patients and amputees) and evaluated the potential relationships between driving performance and the motor component of driving.An extensive scoping review of the literature was conducted to identify driving assessment tools that are currently used for able-bodied individuals and for those with spinal cord injury or lower extremity amputation. The literature search focused on the assessment of the motor component of driving. References were electronically obtained via Medline from the PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases.This article compares the current assessments of driving performance for those with lower extremity impairments with the assessments used for able-bodied persons. Very few articles were found concerning “Lower Extremity Disabilities,” thus confirming the need for further studies that can provide evidence and guidance for such assessments in the future. Little is known about the motor component of driving and its association with the other driving domains, such as vision and cognition. The available research demonstrates the need for a more evidenced-based understanding of how to best evaluate persons with lower extremity impairment

Paysage, action publique et concours photographique : retours sur le dispositif « Mon paysage au quotidien » au prisme d’une médiation et d’une reliance paysagères

Cet article interroge les éventuelles modalités d’une contribution du concours photographique « Mon paysage au quotidien » (2014) à une reliance sociale paysagère valant expression d’une appartenance, d’une relation au territoire, mais aussi création de liens complémentaires qui, au travers d’une médiation participative, permettraient une communication et un échange renouvelés entre acteurs politiques institutionnels et citoyens, sur la question paysagère. Dans cette perspective, sont d’abord analysés les potentialités et attendus du concours présenté comme un dispositif d’implication largement accessible, tandis que le paysage rencontre la participation et l’expression des points de vue habitants. Ensuite, l’article revient sur certaines limites dans cette mise en relation médiatisée. Outre des biais méthodologiques et certains effets de cadrage réducteurs, c’est aussi la faible exploitation sociétale du corpus qui semble hypothéquer la réelle valorisation du concours comme support de discussion, de médiation paysagère ou d’animation sociale grâce auxquelles se négocierait un rapport démocratique au paysage, composante d’une réelle coconstruction politique du projet paysager.This article analyses how the photo competition "Mon paysage au quotidien" (“My Daily Landscape” – 2014) might possibly contribute to social landscape interconnectedness expressing a sense of belonging to an area as well as to the creation of complementary ties which, through a participative mediation process, might enable renewed communication and exchanges between institutional stakeholders and citizens on the theme of the landscape. From such a perspective, the potential outcomes expected from the competition presented as a widely available means of engagement are analysed, whereas the landscape is the focus of the participation of inhabitants and the expression of their points of view. The article re-examines some of the limits to such a mediation process. In addition to methodological biases and effects due to a limited frame of reference, the weak societal exploitation of the corpus seems to partly preclude the competition from inspiring discussion, landscape mediation, or social interaction which would enable the negotiation of a democratic relationship to the landscape and provide the basis for a true political co-construction of the landscape project