Integral Resonant Control for vibration damping and precise tip-positioning of a single-link flexible manipulator

Peer reviewedPostprin

Assessing the reliability and validity of agility testing in team sports: a systematic review

The aims of this systematic review were to: 1) examine the reliability of the reactive agility tests and, 2) analyse the discriminatory validity of the agility tests. A literature search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We explored PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Plus databases looking for articles about agility in team sports. After filtering for article relevance, only 42 studies met the inclusion criteria; 37 of which assessed the reliability of agility tests and 22 assessing their validity. Reliability showed a high ICC in almost all studies (range 0.79-0.99) with the exception of two studies. In addition, other studies also assessed the reliability of decision time (ICC=0.95), movement time (ICC=0.92) and decision accuracy (ICC=0.74-0.93), all of which exhibited acceptable reliability. Furthermore, these data show high discriminatory validity, with higher performance players being faster than lower performance level players (mean = 6.4%, range = 2.1-25.3%), with a faster decision time (mean = 23.2%, range = 10.2-48.0%) with the exception of one study, and better decision accuracy (mean = 9.3%, range = 2.5-21.0%). Thus, it can be concluded that reactive agility tests show good reliability and discriminatory validity. However, most agility tests occur in simple contexts whereby only two possible responses are possible. Therefore, future research should consider creating more specific and complex environments which challenge the cognitive process of high-level athletes

Unexpected Nickel Complex Speciation Unlocks Alternative Pathways for the Reactions of Alkyl Halides with dppf-Nickel(0)

The mechanism of the reactions between dppf-Ni0 complexes and alkyl halides has been investigated using kinetic and mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations. The active species is [Ni(κ2-dppf)(κ1-dppf)], which undergoes a halide abstraction reaction with alkyl halides and rapidly captures the alkyl radical that is formed. The rates of the reactions of [Ni(COD)(dppf)] with alkyl halides and the yields of prototypical nickel-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides are shown to be significantly improved by the addition of free dppf ligand

Modelización de un sistema territorial “urbano-rural” para la evaluación de su sostenibilidad. Aplicación a una zona representativa del País Vasco

El desarrollo de una base de conocimiento común y sólida que permita la máxima objetividad y transparencia en la evaluación de la sostenibilidad dentro del proceso de toma de decisiones, constituye uno de los pilares básicos para su implementación en el planeamiento estratégico y la gestión del territorio. La caracterización del sistema ecológico-ambiental, económico, social e institucional que es objeto de gestión constituye un paso clave en el conocimiento de la red de relaciones que subyace al funcionamiento del sistema y de las interacciones responsables de potenciales sinergias. La traducción de esta información en modelos conceptuales y matemáticos constituye una herramienta útil en el desarrollo de indicadores de sostenibilidad eficaces y relevantes, enfocados desde las necesidades de gestión. En este trabajo se presenta el modelo conceptual que define los componentes e interacciones de un sistema urbano-rural representativo del País Vasco, así como su marco de evaluación.One of the most important factors in introducing the concept of sustainability into strategic planning and territorial management is the development of a shared, solid knowledge base. This knowledge base should ensure maximum objectivity and transparency in sustainability assessment within the decision-making process. A description of the ecological-environmental, economic, social and institutional system that is to be managed is needed in order to develop knowledge about the network of relations that underlie the functioning of the system and the interactions that are responsible for potential synergies. The transformation of this information into conceptual and mathematical models is a useful tool for developing effective and relevant sustainability indicators that are oriented towards management needs. This paper presents a conceptual model that defines the components and interactions of a representative urban-rural system in the Basque Country. It also discusses the assessment frame for this model

Dedicated versus mainstreaming approaches in local climate plans in Europe

Cities are gaining prominence committing to respond to the threat of climate change, e.g., by developing local climate plans or strategies. However, little is known regarding the approaches and processes of plan development and implementation, or the success and effectiveness of proposed measures. Mainstreaming is regarded as one approach associated with (implementation) success, but the extent of integration of local climate policies and plans in ongoing sectoral and/or development planning is unclear. This paper analyses 885 cities across the 28 European countries to create a first reference baseline on the degree of climate mainstreaming in local climate plans. This will help to compare the benefits of mainstreaming versus dedicated climate plans, looking at policy effectiveness and ultimately delivery of much needed climate change efforts at the city level. All core cities of the European Urban Audit sample were analyzed, and their local climate plans classified as dedicated or mainstreamed in other local policy initiatives. It was found that the degree of mainstreaming is low for mitigation (9% of reviewed cities; 12% of the identified plans) and somewhat higher for adaptation (10% of cities; 29% of plans). In particular horizontal mainstreaming is a major effort for local authorities; an effort that does not necessarily pay off in terms of success of action implementation. This study concludes that climate change issues in local municipalities are best tackled by either, developing a dedicated local climate plan in parallel to a mainstreamed plan or by subsequently developing first the dedicated and later a mainstreaming plan (joint or subsequent “dual track approach”). Cities that currently provide dedicated local climate plans (66% of cities for mitigation; 26% of cities for adaptation) may follow-up with a mainstreaming approach. This promises effective implementation of tangible climate actions as well as subsequent diffusion of climate issues into other local sector policies. The development of only broad sustainability or resilience strategies is seen as critical.We thank the many council representatives that supported the datacollection. Special thanks to Birgit Georgi who helped in setting up this large net work of researchers across the EU-28. We also thank the EU COST Action TU 0902 (ledbyRichardDawson) that established the core research network and the positive engagement and interaction of th emembers of this group. OH is Fellow of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and was funded by the UK EPSRC LC Transforms: Low Carbon Transitions of Fleet Operations in Metropolitan Sites Project (grant number EP/N010612/1). EKL was supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Czechia, within the National Sustainability Program I (NPU I) (grant number LO1415). DG ac-knowledges support by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), Italy ("Departments of Excellence" grant L. 232/2016). HO was supported by the Ministry of Education and Research, Estonia (grantnumberIUT34-17). MO acknowledges funding from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), Spain (grant number IJCI-2016-28835). SS acknowledges that CENSE's research is partially funded by the Science Foundation, Portugal (grant number UID/AMB/04085/2019). The paper reflects only the views of the authors. The European Union, the European Environment Agency or other supporting bodies are not liable for any use that may be made of the information that is provided in this manuscript

Modelización de un sistema territorial "urbano-rural" para la evaluación de su sostenibilidad. Aplicación a una zona representativa del País Vasco

El desarrollo de una base de conocimiento común y sólida que permita la máxima objetividad y transparencia en la evaluación de la sostenibilidad dentro del proceso de toma de decisiones, constituye uno de los pilares básicos para su implementación en el planeamiento estratégico y la gestión del territorio. La caracterización del sistema ecológico-ambiental, económico, social e institucional que es objeto de gestión constituye un paso clave en el conocimiento de la red de relaciones que subyace al funcionamiento del sistema y de las interacciones responsables de potenciales sinergias. La traducción de esta información en modelos conceptuales y matemáticos constituye una herramienta útil en el desarrollo de indicadores de sostenibilidad eficaces y relevantes, enfocados desde las necesidades de gestión. En este trabajo se presenta el modelo conceptual que define los componentes e interacciones de un sistema urbano-rural representativo del País Vasco, así como su marco de evaluación.One of the most important factors in introducing the concept of sustainability into strategic planning and territorial management is the development of a shared, solid knowledge base. This knowledge base should ensure maximum objectivity and transparency in sustainability assessment within the decision-making process. A description of the ecological-environmental, economic, social and institutional system that is to be managed is needed in order to develop knowledge about the network of relations that underlie the functioning of the system and the interactions that are responsible for potential synergies. The transformation of this information into conceptual and mathematical models is a useful tool for developing effective and relevant sustainability indicators that are oriented towards management needs. This paper presents a conceptual model that defines the components and interactions of a representative urban-rural system in the Basque Country. It also discusses the assessment frame for this model

Mathematical and Statistical Techniques for Systems Medicine: The Wnt Signaling Pathway as a Case Study

The last decade has seen an explosion in models that describe phenomena in systems medicine. Such models are especially useful for studying signaling pathways, such as the Wnt pathway. In this chapter we use the Wnt pathway to showcase current mathematical and statistical techniques that enable modelers to gain insight into (models of) gene regulation, and generate testable predictions. We introduce a range of modeling frameworks, but focus on ordinary differential equation (ODE) models since they remain the most widely used approach in systems biology and medicine and continue to offer great potential. We present methods for the analysis of a single model, comprising applications of standard dynamical systems approaches such as nondimensionalization, steady state, asymptotic and sensitivity analysis, and more recent statistical and algebraic approaches to compare models with data. We present parameter estimation and model comparison techniques, focusing on Bayesian analysis and coplanarity via algebraic geometry. Our intention is that this (non exhaustive) review may serve as a useful starting point for the analysis of models in systems medicine.Comment: Submitted to 'Systems Medicine' as a book chapte

Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition assessment in children with obesity aged 8-14y

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim was to generate a predictive equation to assess body composition (BC) in children with obesity using bioimpedance (BIA), and avoid bias produced by different density levels of fat free mass (FFM) in this population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional validation study using baseline data from a randomized intervention trial to treat childhood obesity. Participants were 8 to 14y (n = 315), underwent assessments on anthropometry and BC through Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP), Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry and BIA. They were divided into a training (n = 249) and a testing subset (n = 66). In addition, the testing subset underwent a total body water assessment using deuterium dilution, and thus obtained results for the 4-compartment model (4C). A new equation to estimate FFM was created from the BIA outputs by comparison to a validated model of ADP adjusted by FFM density in the training subset. The equation was validated against 4C in the testing subset. As reference, the outputs from the BIA device were also compared to 4C. RESULTS: The predictive equation reduced the bias from the BIA outputs from 14.1% (95%CI: 12.7, 15.4) to 4.6% (95%CI: 3.8, 5.4) for FFM and from 18.4% (95%CI: 16.9, 19.9) to 6.4% (95% CI: 5.3, 7.4) for FM. Bland-Altman plots revealed that the new equation significantly improved the agreement with 4C; furthermore, the observed trend to increase the degree of bias with increasing FM and FFM also disappeared. CONCLUSION: The new predictive equation increases the precision of BC assessment using BIA in children with obesity

Types of Corruption in Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in Ibadan, Nigeria

Corruption is a phenomenon that manifests in various types and forms especially among operators of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs). Many actions of the operators which constitute corrupt practices often tend to be overlooked in spite of their grave consequences for the success SMEs in Nigeria. The fight against corruption in Nigeria is more concentrated in the formal sector. This study was, therefore, designed to investigate various forms in which corrupt practices are carried out among Small and Micro Enterprises in Ibadan, Nigeria. Business owners, their employees, apprentices and consumers constituted the study population. Primary data were collected using questionnaire administered on 200 business owners, 150 employees and 150 apprentices randomly chosen in five business districts in Ibadan; and the conduct of 10 in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants. Quantitative data were analysed at uni-variate level using simple percentages and frequencies while qualitative data were content analysed. Findings from the study revealed that corrupt practices were rampant among actors in SMEs and the common types of corrupt practices included stealing (60%), deception of customers (78.4%), tax evasion (62%), sale of fake products (76%), sale of expired products (65.2%), tampering with measurement scales (69.6%), bribery (82.4%), and poor service delivery (73%). The study concludes that the level of corruption in SMEs calls for concern and government should extend the fight against corruption to the informal sector in Nigeria